Carousel of Hearts (6 page)

“You aren’t boring me,” Antonia said softly, mesmerized by the images he created of her beloved land, and how close his shoulder was to hers. “You make it sound like poetry. In fact,” she confessed in a moment of candor, “I love the way you speak, so slow and thoughtful. I would enjoy listening to you read the most boring sermon ever written.”

“I guess that is a compliment,” he said with amusement, “but one I don’t deserve. I speak the way I do because I had a terrible stutter as a boy, and the only way I could speak at all was to do so slowly. It took years to get the knack of it.”

“How dreadful for you!” Antonia had gone to school with a girl who had a mild stutter, and had suffered vicarious agonies of embarrassment when her friend couldn’t manage to get her words out. “I suppose you were teased unmercifully.”

“Schoolboys can be horrid little beasts,” he allowed. “I spent much of my childhood buried in books, because then I didn’t have to say anything.”

Antonia didn’t reply for a moment, realizing that Simon had just told her something very important about what made him the way he was. It was easy to imagine him as a shy, sensitive boy turning to books because they wouldn’t taunt him, growing more comfortable with things than people.

That lack of confidence must have been what saved him from the arrogance of beauty. The thought increased her tenderness. “Books proved good friends. Adam says you are considered a brilliant scholar.”

“Adam flatters me,” he demurred. “I’ve written a few articles, but I’ve produced no earth-shattering discoveries or theories.”

He lifted his glass for a sip of wine.  She watched the flexing muscles of his throat with fascination as he swallowed. “Adam is the one who is brilliant. He has a great breadth of knowledge.  He seems to know something about every topic imaginable. Beyond that, he can take a theory and see its practical applications.”

Antonia drew her legs underneath her, demurely tucking the dark fabric into place. “How did you two meet each other? Adam said something about an observatory.” 

“Yes, the East India Company maintains several observatories. I was doing some studies at the one in Bombay when Adam wandered in one night. He had never used a telescope and was curious to examine the heavens. I let him do some viewing and we started talking.” Simon gave his self-deprecatory smile. “If I had realized who he was, I might have been shy about talking to him, but fortunately I didn’t.”

“Knew who he was? What do you mean?”

“Why, every Briton in India has heard of Adam Yorke.” He gave her a surprised look. “He was known as one of the cleverest and most daring merchants in the East, someone who drove a hard bargain but was always impeccably fair. His youth and the speed with which he built his fortune made him something of a legend.”

“My cousin Adam?” she asked incredulously.

“None other.’’ Simon reflected for a moment. “I suppose he’s too modest to have boasted of his accomplishments in his letters to you.”

Antonia nodded, trying to absorb this new information. “I got the impression that he was doing rather well, but he never hinted at being a legend.”

She picked a sprig of ragwort, saying absently, “Judith makes the most exquisite drawings of plants like these.” Brooding at the yellow blossom, she added, “How exasperating of Adam not to hint how well he was doing. I shall have to ring a peal over him.”

“Don’t do that. My bringing such a dire fate on his head would be a poor return after all Adam has done for me.” Lord Launceston’s deep-blue eyes met hers earnestly. “If he hadn’t helped me when I inherited the title, I would have been in dire straits.”

At Antonia’s inquiring glance, he elaborated. “I hadn’t expected to inherit, so I was ill-informed about the family holdings. More than that, I have no head for business. Then my father and older brother died unexpectedly of a fever. The Launceston finances were in such a shambles that the family man of business, a lawyer, came all the way to Bombay to break the news and force me to make some quick decisions. My brother had been gambling heavily and the estates were badly encumbered. The lawyer thought I should dispose of most of the property to cover the debts. I would have been left with a modest independence, but nothing more.”

He grimaced. “I’ve always been rather vague about money. I took the lawyer at his gloomy word and was ready to sign whatever he put in front of me. It was Adam who stopped me, read all the papers, asked the right questions. It became obvious that the lawyer’s advice would benefit himself much more than me.

“Adam recommended a new man of business, then steered me into the right investments to rebuild the family fortunes. It’s taken four years to get the debts under control, but thanks to your cousin, the estate has been preserved and there will be something to pass on to the next generation of Launcestons.”

As Antonia listened, she forgot to be ladylike, pulling her knees up and looping her arms around them as she gazed unseeing at the hills. “While my opinion of Adam has always been of the highest, it’s strange to think of him as a merchant prince, a legend,” she said reflectively. “On the other hand, it is easy to see him as a man who will go an extra mile to help a friend.”

“It was far more than an extra mile,” Simon said. “He even lent me the money to take advantage of his investment suggestions. I could never have come about without him.” A husky note entered his soft tenor. “Yet his financial help is not the greatest service he has done me.” 

Antonia felt a premonitory shiver at his words. For the last week they had behaved with perfect propriety, saying nothing that could not be overheard by the world, but the awareness between them was acute.

Praying that he was about to declare himself, she turned to him, knowing that her eyes were filled with longing.

“Best of all, Adam introduced me to you,” Simon finished. His blue eyes were so close and intense that Antonia felt that she would melt right there, the force of her emotions causing her to dissolve like sugar in the rain.

He leaned forward, closing the inches between them to kiss her with exquisite slowness. At the feel of his warm lips on hers, Antonia gasped and pressed against him, raising her hand to bury her fingers in the dark curls at the back of his head. She had dreamed of this magic moment for a lifetime, and it was everything she had hoped for.

As his arms circled her waist and drew her nearer, the kiss extended and deepened, passion building until finally Simon broke away. He pulled her into a rib-crushing embrace against him while he fought to regain his breath and his self-control. “I’m sorry, Antonia,” he said raggedly. “I had thought to behave with some decorum, but that was impossible.”

“I’m not sorry, Simon.” She lifted her head. “I don’t want decorum. I feel like shouting from the rooftops.”

The lean, beautifully sculpted planes of his face were classical statuary brought to warm life, and his dark lashes were ridiculously long, framing eyes the intense blue of cobalt. As their gazes locked, he began to smile, gently brushing a wisp of apricot hair from her cheek. “I have trouble believing that you might return my feelings.”

“But I do, Simon, I do.” She tilted her face, hoping he would kiss her again.

Instead, he said meditatively, “Being introduced to you in a parlor was so mundane and inappropriate. There you stood, looking like a goddess come to earth to give mankind a glimpse of higher things. I could scarcely believe you were real.”

“It was like that for me, too. As soon as I saw you, I knew.” She snuggled closer in his arms, knowing that if he didn’t make an offer soon, she was going to commit the
incredible faux pas
of proposing to him instead. The moment seemed too wonderful to be real, yet his embrace was reassuringly solid.

“Antonia, I realize that we have known each other only a few days, but I want you to be my wife.’’ He hesitated. “It may be too soon to speak, but—is there any hope for me?”

It was the declaration she had waited to hear all her life. Her tone unsteady, Antonia replied, “It isn’t too soon, Simon. Nothing could give me greater happiness than to wed you.” Then the bubbling excitement rose in her and she laughed from pure joy. “And the sooner the better!”

* * * *

The excursion was pleasant. Judith had needed silks for her embroidery, so Adam drove her into Buxton, the nearby spa town that an earlier Duke of Devonshire had tried to build into a resort as fashionable as Bath.

Though the town had failed to reach such heights, it was attractive and prosperous.  The Crescent that Devonshire had built was every bit as fine as anything in Bath. Adam had accompanied her to the draper’s, then they had taken a nuncheon at an inn.

They had been together almost constantly for the last week, and Judith had never been happier. After the scene in the garden when Adam had revealed so much of himself, a feeling of closeness developed between them very quickly.

To Judith’s perceptive eye, he seemed happier now that he had given up his hopes about Antonia.  Certainly he had become a charming and attentive companion to Judith. She liked his easy disposition and the gentleness that accompanied his great strength, and the warmth in his eyes kindled a glow of response within her.

In her years with Antonia, there had occasionally been men who showed interest in the quiet companion, but none who made much effort to draw her out.  Adam did.

When they arrived back at Thornleigh, Adam was recounting a hilarious tale of a trading voyage when an Indian boy had talked him into accepting a monkey for barter, and what had happened when the monkey got into the liquor closet. She was laughing as they entered the foyer of the manor house to find Antonia and Simon.

The other couple had obviously just come in, and they stood at the foot of the stairs, staring at each other as Antonia’s hand lay on Lord Launceston’s arm. Feeling an intruder, Judith stopped in embarrassment, her retreat blocked by Adam, who was close behind her.

Antonia turned at the sound of footsteps and smiled radiantly. Her bright hair blazed in the sunbeams like red-gold fire, and she had never looked more beautiful. “We have wonderful news. Will you wish us happy?”

It had been inevitable from the first moment Antonia and Simon had met.  There was no reason for Judith to feel such a sense of loss. She shot a sidelong glance at Adam, who had come up beside her. She sensed him bracing himself as he absorbed the blow.

Then he stepped forward with an answering smile as his exhilarated cousin threw herself into his arms. “Of course I wish you happy. Tony.” His powerful arms caught her up in a hug that lifted her from the floor.

As he set her back on her feet. Lord Launceston said to Adam, “As her ladyship’s honorary brother, perhaps I should have asked your permission to pay my addresses.”

Adam laughed and offered his hand. “Nonsense. For what it’s worth, I approve, but Tony is her own mistress and always does exactly what she wants anyhow. It would take a stronger man than I to persuade her from a course she is set on.”

Judith was proud of Adam’s control. Surely there must be some distress under his good-natured congratulations, but he let no shadow of private grief mar the other couple’s happiness.

Judith gave Antonia a hug, then offered her own hand to Lord Launceston. For just a moment her gaze met his deep-blue eyes and she mourned for all the romantic dreams that would never come true for her. Romance was for the bright and beautiful, the blessed of the gods. For women like Lady Antonia Thornton. “Congratulations, my lord. I know you both will be very happy.”

“Thank you.” He sent a besotted glance toward Antonia. “I can’t believe what a lucky fellow I am.”

“I think the luck is mutual,” Judith said softly.

Simon returned his gaze to her. They both realized at the same moment that he still held her hand, and he let go hastily.

“Have you made wedding plans yet?” Judith asked to fill the silence.

“Soon,” Antonia answered for her betrothed. “Three weeks to cry the banns.”

Lord Launceston appeared gratified but dubious. “Don’t you want to go to London for bride clothes? And a settlement must be worked out.”

Antonia gazed at him lovingly. “I have more than enough clothing to be married in, and who cares about tedious things like settlements?”

Adam’s deep voice cut in. “Since marriage is an arrangement of property as well as affection, such things really cannot be ignored. Tony. However, it should be easy enough to reach an agreement. The wedding needn’t be delayed.”

“I’d like to talk with you on the subject, Adam.” Lord Launceston gave a slow smile. “You know more about my finances than I do myself.”

“Of course.” Adam waved his hand dismissively. “Whenever it is convenient.”

Simon sighed. “It will never be convenient, but I suppose it should be dealt with as soon as possible. Why not right now?”

Adam chuckled, his gray-green eyes twinkling.
“It never ceases to amaze me that a man who can do the most abstruse astronomical calculations has trouble understanding simple interest. Tony, it might be best if you join us. If we work out the general outlines of the settlement now, it will save the lawyers time.”

“Very well. I’ll meet you in the library when I have changed.” Antonia noticed Simon’s surprise when Adam invited her to join the men. Though it was unusual for a prospective bride to participate in such a discussion, Antonia had been active in the management of her own estate and investments since she was eighteen.  She had no intention of stopping now.

She slipped her arm into her companion’s. “Judith, will you come and listen to me chatter?”

As promised, Antonia chattered like a magpie as she changed her dress and her maid restyled her windblown hair. Her principal topic was the utter splendor of her betrothed and what a lucky woman she was, opinions that Judith could endorse with all sincerity.

After dismissing her abigail, Antonia turned to Judith, “You will stand up with me, won’t you? I can’t imagine anyone else I would rather have at my side.”

“Of course.” Judith smiled at her affectionately. “The last and best office a companion can offer.”