Gayle Buck (27 page)

Victoria sent him a sideways glance, suspecting him of toying with her. But his bland expression told her nothing. “That would be most helpful, my lord,” she said, hoping that he would not press her further. She did not care to have him discover that his nearness affected her very breathing.

Margaret did not make an appearance at breakfast. She had taken to sleeping later in the mornings since Jessica’s illness. Victoria had been seen but rarely downstairs for several days and Margaret no longer considered her serious competition for Lord Damion’s attentions. She felt entirely secure in indulging herself, by having her morning chocolate served to her in bed, for Lord Damion would be hers to call upon the remainder of the day.

Lady Hortense and Sir Aubrey likewise did not come down but kept to their usual habit of taking breakfast in their own rooms. Later the two quietly took the carriage to the family chapel. There they laid a holly wreath bright with red berries on Lord Robert’s snow-covered grave.

Lord Damion, who had already stepped outdoors to check the weather, remarked that it was a clear, cold day. “I should think it would make for good shooting if you would care to join me, Eve,” he said.

Evelyn’s eyes lit up. “That is a capital notion, St. Claire! A hot rabbit pie for dinner would be just the ticket.” He suddenly bethought himself of his wife and turned to her.

Before he could utter a word, Dorothea said, “Do go, Evelyn. You know that you shall enjoy the exertion.”

“Then you shan’t mind?” asked Evelyn.

“Of course not, especially as I intend to spend much of my day with little James,” said Dorothea, a betraying softness in her eyes.

“That’s all right, then,” said Evelyn happily. He turned to Lord Damion and demanded to know when they were to start.

“After breakfast as soon as Cook is finished packing us a luncheon,” said Lord Damion. He grinned at his cousin. “I gave orders an hour ago for the hounds and the beater, for I suspected that you would be as house weary as I.”

“Too true. You have thought of everything,” said Evelyn appreciatively. He began to whistle a lively air.

“I hope so,” said Lord Damion, somewhat taken aback by his cousin’s exuberance. He caught sight of Victoria’s eyes, brimful of laughter, and shared with her a smile.

Victoria felt her heart turn over. She said briskly, “Well, I for one intend to be industrious and improve my mind in the library.”

“You must be jesting, cousin,” protested Evelyn. “Only a confirmed bluestocking would waste time with a book when the weather is this obliging.”

“Evelyn is right, you know,” said Lord Damion, looking at Victoria’s unusually pale face. “You have nursed Jessica practically single-handed for nearly a week, my lady. You are in need of fresh air. I would be obliged to you if you exercised Starfire this afternoon, for she has become fat in these last weeks.”

“If you wish, Victoria, I can sit with Jessica so that you will be free,” said Dorothea eagerly. “Now that she is well I know that Jessica would be delighted to be introduced to James, and the dogs will keep her entertained.”

Victoria began to laugh. “Very well, very well. I see that I must go riding. I suspect, however, that it is meant more for my benefit than for Starfire’s.”

So it was that Victoria found herself in the saddle. The mare moved smoothly beneath her, blowing steamy clouds in the cold air. Victoria kept her mount to the middle of the fields where the snow could be expected to be shallow under the brush of the wind. Soon she and Starfire were winging over frozen white earth. The cold wind caused tears to start from her eyes and her cheeks were numb, but Victoria laughed aloud for sheer joy.

After the initial wild gallop, she was content to allow Starfire to fall into a slower pace. They roamed freely through the winding dale, skirting the drifts at fences and around the scattered trees. Victoria looked up at the towering peaks that rimmed the small valley and thought that she had never seen any view quite as beautiful. It was sometime later when she realized that her gloved fingers were numb and she could no longer feel her feet. She turned Starfire back toward the Crossing.

On returning to the manor, she walked the mare around to the stables. Steam rose from the horse’s wet back and Victoria started to rub her down with bunches of straw.

“ ‘Ere now! I’ll be doing that,” said John Dickens, coming into the stall.

Victoria laughed at him. “I well know that I am proving that women are a nuisance in the stables, John.” She relinquished her task to him even as he grunted in reply. He threw a rare smile to her and nodded before he turned his attention to the mare. Victoria left the stables, knowing that he did not truly disapprove of her.

As she traversed the manor’s halls, she discovered that she was more tired than she had realized. The two weeks of nursing Jessica had depleted her energy. When she finally reached her bedroom, she dragged off her wet outer garments and placed them carefully before the fire. Even as steam rose from the wet clothing, she fell into bed. Victoria slept dreamlessly and so deeply that she did not rouse at the sound of the luncheon bell.

Margaret was surprised to find only Lady Hortense and Sir Aubrey at luncheon. She inquired of Lord Damion’s whereabouts and learned that he and Evelyn had gone shooting. She was more than a little miffed. Lord Damion would not be back until nearly dark and Margaret could see the long hours stretching before her.

“The road seems quite passable today. I believe that I shall order up the carriage and go into the village and do some shopping, for there is no knowing when we shall have such a clear day again,” said Lady Hortense. “Would you care to go with me, Margaret?”

“I would be delighted,” Margaret said promptly.

“Pray do not expect me to act as escort, Hortense,” said Sir Aubrey. “This cold plays havoc with my gout and I refuse to subject myself to it any more than I must.”

“Of course not, Aubrey. It shall be very cozy with just Margaret and me,” Lady Hortense said placidly.

Sir Aubrey stared at her from under lowered brows, uncertain if he had been insulted. When he saw Margaret turning away to hide a smile, he was positive of it. “Very well, madame!” he snapped, rising. “I shall be in the study if you wish to find me.”

Lady Hortense and Margaret soon departed in the carriage, bundled under rugs and with hot bricks to their feet. They chatted like old friends. Sir Aubrey did not miss them. He whiled away the afternoon reading about the war and cursing the government’s ineptitude. Inevitably the warmth of the fire worked its magic and Sir Aubrey’s head began to nod.

When Victoria awoke, she immediately went to the nursery to check on Jessica. Dorothea smiled when Victoria entered the room and put a finger to her lips. “She fell asleep not a half hour ago, and my little James has just dropped off.” Dorothea gestured at the two dogs lying in front of the hearth. “As you can see, it is truly peaceful here.”

“Indeed it is,” said Victoria, laughing softly. She seated herself in the wingchair opposite Dorothea. “This is so very comfortable. I feel incredibly content.”

Dorothea glanced at her over the needlework in her hands. “I hope that you shall find the happiness you deserve, Victoria.” When Victoria looked at her in astonishment, warm color rose in her face. “I shall speak freely because I am very fond of you. I know that you have been lonely without Charles and I know the depth of your heart. And I have lately observed a certain air about you when Lord Damion is nearby.”

It was Victoria’s turn to blush. “Lord Damion proved himself a steady friend while Jessica was ill. I am naturally grateful to him.”

“You cannot hide so easily from me, Victoria. I know that you are in love with him.”

Victoria read the absolute certainty in her friend’s blue eyes and sighed. “It is so obvious, then?”

“Why the long face, Victoria? I think it wonderful. And I hope very much that Lord Damion will return your regard. I should like to see you a countess.” Dorothea smiled teasingly.

Victoria obligingly laughed but as soon as she was able turned the topic of conversation. After a while she asked if Dorothea would mind if she went downstairs. “For I am positively famished after my ride and I have missed luncheon completely,” she said.

Dorothea shook her head. “I shan’t mind in the least. I fear I am a very domesticated creature. I cannot think of anything better than remaining here with the children and my needlework,” she said contentedly.

Victoria went downstairs. The butler informed her that a cold collation of meats and cheeses had been left on the sideboard against the return of the hunters. Victoria thanked him and went on to the dining room.

Afterwards she wandered to the library. She knew that Dorothea would not be put out if she did not return. She was relaxed and in a pleasant mood and did not feel the need for anyone’s company.

Victoria perused the titles on the library shelves. When she came across
Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen, she cried out in delight. She had heard a great deal about the novel when it had been published the year before but had been unable to obtain a copy in Lisbon. She settled herself in a wingback chair and was soon engrossed in the story of the Bennetts and Mr. Darcy.

Sir Aubrey found her sometime later. He greeted her and lowered himself into the chair opposite her. Victoria put aside the novel reluctantly.

“We missed you at luncheon, Lady Victoria. I hope Jessica continues to improve?” said Sir Aubrey.

“Jessica is completely recovered, sir. I missed luncheon quite on my own. I had laid down to rest and overslept, I am afraid.”

“I am not at all surprised to hear it. Your devotion to duty has been commendable, my lady. Most women in your position would have left the nursing to someone in the household.” Sir Aubrey studied her a moment, then said abruptly, “It is not in my nature to bestow compliments, Lady Victoria.”

Victoria could not help smiling. “I am well aware of that, Sir Aubrey,” she said dryly.

“Your insight into my character is wonderful, my dear,” said Sir Aubrey with gentle mockery. “However, I do not mind telling you that I respect the manner in which you have attempted to raise your daughter. What little I have seen of her confirms me in my opinion. Jessica is a credit to you and the family and I believe that Charles would have been proud of you both.”

“I am overwhelmed, Sir Aubrey,” said Victoria with surprise. She had never expected to hear such commendation from one so cynical as Sir Aubrey.

Sir Aubrey leaned back in his chair at ease. His eyelids drooped slightly though his gaze remained sharp on Victoria’s face. “What I really wish to tell you, Lady Victoria, is that I am all admiration for your handling of Lord Damion these past several weeks. I thought you had lost him with that quarrel, you know. But your performance has been superb and to interest him in the girl’s welfare was a masterly touch.”

Victoria had stiffened in her chair. “What exactly do you mean, sir?” she asked coldly.

Sir Aubrey waved his hand dismissively. “Pray leave off the outrage with me, Lady Victoria, for I am well aware that it is but a farce. We both recall our conversation on the first day of your sojourn here.”

“Yes, and the outcome,” retorted Victoria. “I have not altered my decision, sir!”

“Have you not?” asked Sir Aubrey softly, his eyes bright and hard. “Your conduct toward Damion has led me to believe otherwise. And he has responded most gratifyingly, has he not? Come, my dear, surely you cannot be so foolish as to insist the easy familiarity between you has arisen spontaneously.”

Victoria colored and was on her feet in an instant, the novel slipping unheeded to the carpet. “Your opinion of my character has never been high, but this insinuation . . . Indeed, allow me to be frank with you, Sir Aubrey. I find your thoughts disgusting!”

She turned on her heel, only to be brought up short by the sight of Lord Damion standing before her. “Oh!” She flushed scarlet, knowing that he had overheard, and fled.

Lord Damion looked over at his uncle with a certain grimness. “I believe you owe me an explanation, Sir Aubrey.”

Sir Aubrey was as taken aback by the earl’s sudden appearance as Victoria. He shifted uncomfortably. “I hardly think that there is anything we need discuss, Damion.”

“I disagree,” said Lord Damion quietly. He advanced until he towered over the older man. His eyes were hard. “I overheard enough to realize that Lady Victoria has every right to be disgusted with you.” He had kept tight rein over his wrath, but it suddenly blazed forth. “Damn your eyes! How dare you suggest that she become my mistress!”

Sir Aubrey was startled. “What? No such thing. I never suggested it, but I assumed from your manner toward her that—”

“If my manner has been anything short of respectful toward the lady, I owe her an apology,” interrupted Lord Damion.

“Perhaps I was mistaken in my observations,” said Sir Aubrey, not entirely convinced. “It is more in the Giddings woman’s style, after all. Naturally Lady Victoria could be expected to be more subtle in her methods.”

“What the devil are you babbling about?” demanded Lord Damion.

Sir Aubrey looked up at him and said with irritation, “Pray sit down, Damion. I am getting a crick in my neck.”

“I prefer to stand,” said Lord Damion shortly. However he did move away to put his back against the mantel and fold his arms across his chest. “Now, sir, you will explain fully the reasoning behind your gross insult to Lady Victoria. I must warn you that we shall not stir from this room until I am satisfied of the truth.”

“Spare me your threats, Damion. I am not one to tremble at your displeasure.” Lord Damion stared at him, unmoved. “Very well. You shall have the truth and may it gall your damnable pride,” snapped Sir Aubrey, dull red staining his sunken cheeks. “Lord Robert confided to me his wish to attach his son’s memory to the earldom even though actual succession was to pass out of the March family line. He pensioned off Charles’s widow, yes, and made provision to settle on her an additional, private income if she was ever to marry the heir to the title.”