A Reckless Promise (8 page)

“No, Rigby,” Gabe pointed out. “Female relatives aren't tossed into the Fleet for a male's debts.”

Darby chanced a quick look to the ladies, who were still deep in conversation, although he doubted Sadie was getting a word in sideways.

“According to Sadie, John's surgery, complete with living quarters, is owned by the village, and she and Marley had to leave in order for the council or whomever to install another doctor. That explains why she brought the child to me, but nothing explains a moonlight flit.”

“Did you ask?”

“No, Coop, I haven't as yet had the opportunity. My well-meaning friends keep interrupting me whenever I think I have a moment to broach the subject.”

“Sorry,” Rigby mumbled. “Do you think she took the silver with her? Being penniless and all. She was penniless, wasn't she? I would think so.”

“I doubt John owned much silver or anything else of value. What I believe, gentlemen, is that Sadie wasn't so much running to me as she was running
from
someone else. With Marley somehow smack in the middle of it. I feel certain every step Sadie has taken revolves around my new ward.”

“The child's gotten to you, hasn't she?” Gabe patted Darby on the shoulder. “You've never really spoken about it, but we all know you were orphaned while still quite young.”

After which I was also whisked from the only home I'd known and plunked down among strangers, if that is also something to consider...

“Sadie said something the day we first met, something I don't think she wanted to say. She wants Marley to be
safe
. When I pressed her, she gave a reasonable answer, but I didn't believe her then and I don't believe her now.”

“Safe? He's right, nobody could be safer than to be under our friend's protection,” Rigby declared. “Look at him. There are times even I wonder at how dangerous he could be. Probably the eye patch, don't you think?”

“Thank you, Rigby—I think. So, at the end of the day, and to hopefully put an end to this discussion, what I
believe
is that a marriage between us would be a comfort to Marley, who clearly is terrified that more people will leave her, and protection for both of them, whatever that may entail. In other words, my friends, I am being noble. Except, of course, for the part where I admitted to the fact that Sadie is definitely a beautiful, even desirable woman. I don't have the makings of a martyr.”

“Since you didn't ask for our advice before you embarked on this course, I suppose we would only be wasting our breath now.”

“Bless your practical mind, Coop. I can always count on you to think with a clear head.”

“But not me?” Gabe asked, grinning. “What have I ever done that would make you doubt my sensibilities, if not my intelligence?”

Darby believed his friends, although clearly not happy, had satisfied most of their curiosity. “Do we really have to discuss the birds again?”

“No, I suppose not. Rigby, are you insulted?”

Their friend shook his head. “Since the only opinions I have lately all come to me via my sweet Clary, I don't think so. Carry on, Darby, since you will, anyway. Just don't let on that this betrothal of yours is devoid of affection, or Clary will drive us all into Bedlam attempting to change your mind.”

“I'll second that,” Gabe said, “tossing in my aunt, as well. Coop?”

“Dany and Minerva, putting their heads together with the others? Wasn't it bad enough while I was dealing with those damn chapbooks? Rigby's right, Darby. Warn your Sadie. For all our sakes, yours and hers included, don't let any of them get even so much as a whiff of any idea that yours isn't a love match.”

CHAPTER SIX

T
HE
FIRST
OF
Sadie's new gowns had arrived just in time for her initial public appearance with her betrothed. Her soon-to-be husband. Under the law, her lord and master. The love of her life and the father of her future children, or so her new friends had been led to believe.

Darby had explained that it was important that their friends felt confident the betrothal had been the culmination of a whirlwind courtship, and she'd seen the sense in that. Vivien and Clarice, in particular, were such happy romantics, and wanted everyone to be in love. If they thought for one moment that the marriage would be purely a business arrangement, they'd do their best to
fix it
.

So Darby kissed her hand and then held it a little too long when he visited. He brought gifts of flowers and bits of jewelry for her. He always sat beside her on the couches, his arm draped over the back, inches from her shoulders. He whispered sweet nothings in her ear and called her
my dear
or
my darling
.

He called for Marley to be summoned so that he could bounce her on his knee and escorted the pair of them for drives, going so far as to arrange for Norton to meet them there, to take the child for a walk while Darby and Sadie took a more private turn around the park. He always had a twist of licorice in his pocket after learning the treat was Marley's favorite. And his laugh was genuine when Marley chattered at him like a magpie about the adventures of her days.

The ladies were delighted.

Sadie had at first wanted to box his ears, but the attention was flattering, he was witty and fun and she knew her defenses were weakening.

She also felt certain he was patiently waiting for her to tell him something, something she knew and he didn't. He gave no hints to that effect, so perhaps it was her own guilt that made her think this way. She only knew that, without her secrets haunting her, eating at her, she would have tumbled deeply into love with the dratted man by now.

The duchess had chosen carefully from the invitations on the mantel, and Sadie's entrance into Little Season Society would be that evening, at a small party hosted by one of the duchess's friends.

She didn't know which made her more nervous—the party itself, or being introduced to the curious as the affianced bride of the handsome, wealthy, clearly above her touch viscount.

Yes, back to thoughts about Darby. Her thoughts always seemed to circle back to him.

Her new friends had told her how thrilled they were by the match. Just like something out of a fairy tale, Clarice had cooed, clasping her hands to her generous bosom.

Darby Travers was a fine and loyal friend, Clarice had added, and not one to judge what other people did. Ridiculously popular with the ladies, but didn't rakes make the best husbands (that from Minerva)?

He was always the gentleman, the duchess trilled, even when she wasn't always the lady.

He saw the humor in most everything, Thea had added, telling her more about “the birds” and how they had all worked together to cheer the duke, who was certain he was dying, but now was nearly as certain he wasn't.

Sadie knew she would like to hear more about that, and the duke's upcoming sixtieth birthday, but Dany was already chiming in about Darby's clever mind that saw something neither she nor her Coop had seen, and then made certain he helped them see it.

There simply was nothing
bad
about Darby. She wished he could be more serious, yes, but he had been raised to be who he was, to step into his father's shoes, and she could understand that, as well. He was very good at being a viscount, she supposed. Everyone else seemed to think so.

Marley was his staunchest champion, having been wooed and won by his gift of Max the not-a-boxer. And she was full of questions. Where would they live? Would he do more than come to visit and then go away again, as he did now? Would he help her with her sums, the way Papa used to do? They'd gotten to five times six before Papa died. Why did Papa die? What was he doing, now that they'd left him behind in Dibden with Mama?

Poor Marley. She was such a mix of emotions, and too young to understand if she should be happy with her new life, or sad about the one she'd so recently lost. Sadie felt much the same.

Dany and Coop and the purple-turbaned Minerva had set off that morning for a week in the country with Dany's parents, whom Coop had yet to meet. Thea and Gabe both resided in the mansion, but had also departed London, so that Gabe could oversee some sort of alterations to the great hall at Cranbrook Manor. Something having to do with those birds again, although Sadie chose not to inquire too deeply about that.

That left Clarice, who certainly couldn't reside with Rigby in his bachelor lodgings, along with Marley and herself. Clarice and Marley had struck up quite the friendship. Even now, with Max and Goodfellow in tow on their new leashes, they were enjoying themselves in the square, with Clarice demonstrating how to properly roll a hoop.

The mansion was quiet, unaccustomedly so, now that the duke and duchess had made some sort of garbled excuse directly after luncheon and taken themselves upstairs, giggling and holding hands like children.

It was, Sadie realized, the first time she'd been left to her own devices since stepping into the mansion nearly two weeks ago. It was rather nice, this quiet, although she hoped her thoughts would leave her alone, as some of them tended to be unsettling. Could she really bury the past along with her brother, and continue to live with her secrets? It certainly would be simpler. But then there was Marley... Darby had to know about Marley, sooner rather than later.

“Oh, John, why did you do it?” she whispered as she continued to busy herself putting fine stitches into repairing a seam Marley had managed to tear open on one of her night rails.

“Talking to yourself, Sadie Grace? Have you other bad habits I should know about?”

The needle jabbed into the soft flesh of her fingertip and she quickly raised it to her lips to suck at the resulting blood before it could stain the night rail. “Don't
do
that,” she said, looking at Darby as he made himself at home on the facing sofa. Apparently he didn't feel the need to play the doting fiancé when they were alone.

“Arrive unannounced? I run tame in this household now, hadn't you noticed? I'm no longer announced, I simply appear. Rather like with the snap of my fingers.”

“I'd never done that before, you know. Snap my fingers at Marley as if she was a pet being called to heel. I don't know why I did it then.”

“Perhaps you were nervous. What with being brought to a house of ill repute and all.”

She shut her eyes on that particular memory. “You're like Marley, and forget nothing. Or refrain from repeating it. Did you see her out in the square with Clarice?”

“I did. Rigby is with them now, and a sorrier sight with a hoop has yet to be discovered, especially with Goodfellow and Max winding their leashes about his ankles. Of the three, I believe my ward is the most adult. We were on our way to one of our clubs, but apparently Rigby can't abide not seeing his beloved at least twice a day.”

Sadie smiled at that. “I like all your friends, but I will admit to a special affection for Clarice. She's so simple and open, isn't she?”

“She is that, yes. Has she told you much about herself?”

“If you mean do I know she came here from America as Thea's childhood friend and personal maid, yes, she has. Rigby took one look at her, and she at him, and figurative clouds parted and a dazzling sun appeared, so now she has joined Society as Clarice Goodfellow of the Fairfax County Virginia Goodfellows, and isn't love wonderful—I'm all but quoting her, you understand. I think it's sweet.”

“Clarice's background is also a secret. She did tell you that?”

“No.”
Also?
Sadie put aside her mending, certain her hands would tremble if she tried to take another stitch. “I suppose most everyone has a secret or two, don't you?”

He crossed one leg over the other, apparently settling in for a visit. “Don't I think so, or don't I harbor secrets?”

“Either one, I suppose. What brings you here today? Are we supposed to go for a drive in the park, and I've forgotten?”

“I don't think so, no. Perhaps we've both forgotten. I was merely making idle conversation.”

She didn't know Darby well, but she was certain of one thing at least—he did not make idle conversation. She was, as Clarice had said so wonderfully, as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room filled with rocking chairs.

And he knew it.

She retrieved the night rail and hunted for the needle, which she'd carelessly left dangling, something her mother had taught her never to do.
Never leave a threaded needle dangling, dear, or else you'll find yourself stuck.
Words to live by, Sadie supposed, although she hadn't realized their full significance at the time. She'd been too busy weeping as her mother extracted a partially buried needle from her rump.

She spoke only to fill the silence he clearly had no intention of breaking.

“My mother taught me to sew,” Sadie said as she located the needle and wove it halfway into the material before folding the night rail and putting it down beside her once more. “It hadn't occurred to me that one day my skills would be needed to sew up people who came to John's infirmary. In fact, John believed I was better at stitching than he, but he was only being kind. I'd be interested in seeing how he did sewing you up, as working around the eyes and skull must be approached with some delicacy. May I see?”

“Another time perhaps,” Darby drawled, touching his fingers to his patch as if assuring himself it hadn't slipped.

“Forgive me. I shouldn't have asked anything so personal.”

“You're forgiven, and if I barked, I hope you'll forgive me. It's not lovely, if that's your question, for all John's hard work. He'd harbored hopes for a full return of my sight in time, but thus far that hasn't happened, so I doubt it will. I wear the patch as to not terrify small children—or valets—but mostly because the vision I do have remaining in that eye is doubled and therefore most annoying. But that isn't what you want to know, is it?”

“I did, but I suppose I really want to know how you feel about...about the injury.”

“Damned mad,” he answered with a smile that belied his serious tone. “Wouldn't you be? Our so-called commander had let his guard down, and we could have suffered a massacre that day. Excuse me for a moment.”

She watched as he walked over to the drinks table and poured himself a glass of wine before he returned to sit down across from her again.

“For a time,” he said quietly, “for many months in fact, and sometimes even now, I will be struck by a sudden, sick terror that something will happen to my good eye, leaving me blind and in the dark. Never to see the sun again, the faces of my friends. The scars are one thing, but...but that
fear
is what I resent most of all. There, have I answered your question?”

“I'm sorry, Darby. I'm so sorry.”

“Don't apologize. If you'd simply been curious I wouldn't have answered you. I was lucky to get off so easily, but the patch is a constant reminder of the thousands who weren't so fortunate. Including your brother.”

“You look at the patch and are reminded of those men. I understand. In some way, looking at you will always remind me of John. He was a very good man.”

“We'll agree on that. But now I'd hope you'll satisfy my self-admitted curiosity about you. What else did you do for him, besides caring for Marley and stitching up the villagers? Did you cook his meals, tidy his house, wash his socks?”

“We couldn't afford a maid of all work, if that's what you mean. I also kept his books. Why? Would that disqualify me from being wife to a viscount, or should we just add my domestic skills to an already long list of reasons?”

“On the contrary, I believe your experiences will stand you in good stead when overseeing a staff, although I would advise against making any suggestions to Mrs. Camford. I'm fairly certain she considers the cottage hers, and I'm only allowed to visit on sufferance.”

Sadie smiled. “I believe Mrs. Camford and I understand each other.”

“I wouldn't relax my guard until and unless she invites you to call her Camy.”

Since they were having a real conversation today, perhaps their first real conversation, she dared to probe further. “That first day, you said you were raised at the cottage, after the deaths of your parents. I suppose the Camfords feel proprietary toward you in many ways, even now that you're the viscount.”

“I became the viscount at the tender age of seven, Sadie. But no, that didn't save me from a good spanking when I deserved it. They'd raised four sons before I came along, and I soon learned my limits.”

“So that you could exceed them, I'm sure. I'd like to reiterate about Marley's behavior that first day if I might. She was tired and hungry, and upset. She's always a well-behaved child. She'll give the Camfords no problems.”

“She kicked me in the shin because I managed to make
you
angry,” Darby told her. “She's as protective of you as you are of her. I was in the wrong.”

“Thank you. Um...” She cast her gaze around the room, hoping to give her mind time to latch on to another subject while silently praying the others would join them and Clarice could fill the empty air with her usual happy chatter before she was tempted to share more with him. “The, um, the duke and duchess are here, but they...they retired upstairs just before you arrived.”

“Chasing each other, or simply cooing and cuddling as they went?”

Sadie felt her cheeks grow hot. “They're very happy people.”