Lady Vixen (56 page)

"That's
ridiculous! Now I understood your desire for privacy in London, but really,
Christopher, it is silly for you to ride in each day from some tatty cottage
when you can live in comfort and style. I had been looking forward to having
you under my roof again at least for a few months."

Christopher
was tempted, if only to please his grandfather, but he declined with a great
deal of politeness. "I appreciate your offer, Grandfather, but I do
already have a residence nearby, and I would prefer to keep my own household as
I have done in the past." A mocking glint danced in his eyes as he added,
"If you will have me, though, I shall be delighted to stay overnight
occasionally. Will that satisfy you?"

It
wasn't what Simon had in mind, but he was wise enough to accept it without
further argument. Burying his nose in the
London Times,
he was heard to
mutter something nasty about hell-born cubs and their lack of duty to their
elders. Christopher grinned and murmured, "I have said I will make it a
point to stay overnight now and then."

Simon
glared at him a moment before snapping, "See that you do!" and then
stuck his nose back into the paper.

Nicole,
after having forced herself to finish the food on her plate, very carefully
laid her napkin on the table and, standing up, said in a quiet voice,
"Excuse me, please. I have some things to discuss with Mauer."

Christopher
looked directly at her, a curious gleam in the gold eyes, and surprising both
of them, he drawled, "Must you leave now? I was hoping to persuade you
into coming with me for a ride. It's a lovely morning and I have a new gig that
I would like to try out. Come with me?"

Nicole's
face betrayed no hint of the riot of emotions his request aroused. An eager yes
trembled on her lips, but with a flash of inward violence she ruthlessly
squashed the word. No! She was not going to let herself be mesmerized by the
coaxing note in his voice, she thought angrily, remembering the anguish she had
experienced over fear for his safety and how callously he had flaunted himself before
Lieutenant Jennings-Smythe. No! She would not be a fool a second time—if one
didn't want to get scorched, one stayed away from the fire. But she was aware
that Simon, for all his apparent preoccupation with the newspaper, was keenly
interested in their exchange, so she infused a note of regret in her voice as
she said prettily, "Oh, I'm so sorry, but this task must be taken care of
this morning and I already have plans for this afternoon."

Christopher
detected the falseness of her regret and returned sardonically, "Some
other time then. Perhaps at Brighton?"

Smiling
in his direction and feeling that she had taken the first step away from his
dark fascination, she replied vaguely, "Perhaps."

Before
he could press her further or think of a suitable retort, Mrs. Eggleston
entered the room; she looked especially engaging this morning in a smart French
cambric gown in a pleasing shade of blue and a little lace cap on her silver
curls. When she saw Christopher there was instantly a warm welcoming smile on
her lips, which was reflected in the kindly blue eyes. Christopher was reminded
irresistibly of a small good fairy from some child's tale, as, her cheeks
pinkening with pleasure, she said in a soft, lilting tone, "How nice to
see you, Christopher! It seems that what with all the balls and parties we
seldom have the enjoyment of your company. I'm so happy that you called this
morning. You must do it more often."

Simon,
who had lowered his newspaper at Mrs. Eggleston's entrance, growled,
"That's a stupid thing to say, Letty! The boy just got back to town last
night as you well know! And he can't come to call on us much longer because you
know we are leaving for Brighton on Monday." Throwing his grandson a dark
look, he finished sarcastically, "Fortunately he has deigned to visit us
there for a night or two."

Not
a bit disturbed by Simon's gruffness, Mrs. Eggleston only smiled approvingly at
Christopher. "How pleasant! At least there we will see you more than we
have here in London."

Nicole,
whose retreat had been stalled by Mrs. Eggleston's entrance, now took advantage
of the lull and said hurriedly, "If you'll excuse me?" And after
sending a blank little smile in the random direction of the other three, she
departed from the room. Christopher stared meditatively after her, slightly
perplexed at his impulsive invitation and the feeling of dissatisfaction that
swept through him at her answer. Impatiently he shook off the old sensation of
disappointment and decided that it was just as well she had refused him. After all,
she meant nothing to him, didn't she?

Mrs.
Eggleston paid no heed to the glance Christopher shot after Nicole, but she
asked anxiously after his wound and his stay in Sussex. Then she said, "I
was so disappointed when Nicole mentioned that you had been at Almack's and I
didn't see you. Were you there long?"

Christopher
returned a light answer; he did not particularly want to discuss it. But Mrs.
Eggleston seemed determined to talk of nothing else. He ignored her prattle,
but she caught his attention when she said, "Of course, Lord Lindley
wasn't there last night, but he has been quite obvious in his attentions
lately, and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes an offer for our lovely
Nicole."

Hiding
his inner conflict at this piece of news behind a bland smile, he asked idly,
"The son of the Duke of Strathmore?" At Mrs. Eggleston's affirmative
nod, he finished lightly, "Well, she should do very nicely for herself.
Imagine, Nicole a duchess."

"I'm
sure she'll be a lovely one," said Mrs. Eggleston with uncharacteristic
tartness.

Christopher
smiled, knowing full well why she was so annoyed with him. Rising to his feet,
he said teasingly, "But don't set your hopes on it. Who knows, someone
else—even myself—might oust the worthy Lord Lindley."

Both
Simon and Mrs. Eggleston looked up immediately in response to his remark, and
he wished he had simply bitten his tongue. Irritated with himself, he made his
excuses to leave very shortly thereafter. A bewildered Mrs. Eggleston peered
anxiously at Simon, unsure of what to think.

If
Regina had been there, she'd have known how to interpret it, but at the moment
her thoughts were on Simon and Letty. Over the months the situation between
Mrs. Eggleston and Lord Saxon had not progressed to any great extent, much to
Regina's exasperation. And it provoked poor Regina no end that Simon, having
Letty at last under his roof, appeared content to let things remain as they
were. If only Letitia would make more of a push to get Simon to declare
himself, she reflected vexedly, as she was seated at the breakfast table.

Mrs.
Eggleston, however, was neither vain nor ambitious, nor was she given to easy
flirtation. It had not occurred to her that she might marry again, nor that
Simon might think of marriage to her. When she looked at herself in the mirror
each morning, all she saw was a faded little woman, hair silvered with age. She
missed the sweet serenity in her blue eyes, and the soft appealing curve of her
mouth. Even at almost seventy years her delicate face gave a hint of the
charming young woman she had been, and of the genuine warmth and kindness that
radiated from her. But Regina's mind was made up—this unsatisfactory state of
affairs between Simon and Mrs. Eggleston was not going to drag on any further.
She
would see to it!

Once
Regina was seated and her breakfast deftly served by the silent Twickham, Mrs.
Eggleston breathed with pleasure, "Oh, my dear, I think Christopher is
finally going to make an effort to fix his interest with our darling Nicole. He
was just here, and from what he said, I do believe he is seriously considering
marriage with Nicole." She added dreamily, "A December wedding would
be ideal, don't you agree?"

Simon
remained ominously silent behind his newspaper, but Regina looked at Mrs.
Eggleston with a calculating gleam in her eyes. Mrs. Eggleston, Regina decided
judiciously, looked most delightful this morning; the excited pleasure over
Nicole and Christopher added a pink glow to her cheeks and an increased sparkle
to the clear blue eyes. She is truly the sweetest person, Regina thought
fondly. Her gaze shifted to the end of the table, and there, she fumed
waspishly, was Simon hiding behind his wretched
Times
instead of paying
court!

A
devious and mendacious scheme leaped to her mind, and she said after a moment,
"How delightful! And how wonderful for you! I expect you shall be
overjoyed to be on your own once more and not have to be at Nicole's beck and
call."

Regina
knew this was the biggest untruth. Mrs. Eggleston was not at Nicole's beck and
call; she was treated just like a beloved member of the family. And Regina, by
determinedly whittling away at Mrs. Eggleston's reserve, had gotten some idea
of her circumstances.

She
knew that parts of Mrs. Eggleston's history were hazy. Why drag a child like
Nicole with her, when she had absolutely no money? And she must have been
extremely fortunate that her employers allowed the child to stay with her. She
was certain Mrs. Eggleston was in dreadfully straitened circumstances, and that
if Nicole's and Christopher's patronage were withdrawn, she would be thrown
into the world to make her way.

Regina
knew there was no danger of this. Neither Nicole nor Christopher would allow
it, nor would she herself for that matter, and Simon, well Simon would
absolutely move heaven and earth to prevent it... if he knew. Regina was also
well aware that Mrs. Eggleston would never so much as breathe a hint of her
financial state to Simon.

Regina's
statement had a startling effect on Simon. "What nonsense is this?"
he said, slamming down his paper. "Letty has no need to think of
leaving!"

"Oh
fiddle!" Regina retorted carelessly. "A newly married couple
certainly wouldn't want an old woman around, no matter how much they thought of
her. Don't you agree, my dear?" Regina asked, looking directly at Mrs.
Eggleston.

Mrs.
Eggleston's smile faded as she thought of no longer having her dearest Nicole
and Christopher nearby, and the notion of not seeing Simon each day was
anguish. Pulling herself together, she said slowly, "Oh, yes, I do!"

What
Regina said, she realized sickly, was true. She certainly could not intrude on
a honeymoon, nor could she remain here at Cavendish Square alone with Simon.
Her sunny future vanished in a moment, leaving her chilled and frightened. What
was she to do?

Regina
firmly ignored the faintly stricken expression in Mrs. Eggleston's eyes and
said bracingly, "You see, Simon? Letty understands. No doubt she has
already made plans for such a contingency! Do you think you will travel abroad,
my dear, or will you go back to America? I'm certain that after all the
interesting places you've seen you won't want to remain in England."

Simon's
face grew darker and his eyes hard and stormy, while Mrs. Eggleston fought
bravely to present an unmoved countenance. Inwardly she was shrinking, unable
to believe that dear Regina, who knew her circumstances, could be so cruel. She
realized with dismay that she had unconsciously depended upon Regina's
patronage in those far-off days when Nicole had no further need of her
services, such as they were. But those "far-off" days were suddenly
and frighteningly in front of her, and it was obvious that Regina intended to
play no part in her future. Gathering her failing forces with an effort, Mrs.
Eggleston said brightly, "Yes. Yes. I expect that is precisely what I
shall do!" Then afraid she might disgrace herself by bursting into
agitated tears, she rose hastily from the table, murmured distractedly,
"Excuse me, I have some things to do!" and fled, her distress rather
obvious.

Pretending
that nothing of any importance had just happened, Regina buttered a piece of
toast, biting daintily into it with real pleasure as she waited for Simon's
wrath to break over her head. She hadn't long to wait.

"Well!"
Simon burst out after a moment of menacing silence. "I certainly hope you
are satisfied with yourself! I never thought I would see the day that you would
treat an old friend so coolly. I am ashamed of you, Regina! Why you might as
well have told her to pack her bags and leave at once! How could you?"

"Oh,
pooh!" Regina replied irrepressibly. "Letty understands. Besides what
else is she to do? Nicole certainly won't need her once she is married!"

"Ha!
Just because Christopher makes some careless remark is no reason to assume he
and Nicole will marry! And in December at that!"

"Letty
was the one who suggested December," Regina said in dulcet tones. Simon
was visibly shaken and angry, and surreptitiously Regina crossed her fingers,
hoping it was because he now realized that some day, and soon at that, the cozy
group at Cavendish Square would be split up.

Damn
Gina, Simon thought crossly, why couldn't she mind her own business! Everything
had been so dandy and fine and now look at it! Blast all meddling women!
Grumpily he snatched up his paper, but Regina was not about to let this
promising conversation languish.

Her
voice was very reasonable as she said, "Perhaps we are wrong in pinning so
much hope on one statement of Christopher's, but Letty should be thinking of
what she shall do in the event Nicole marries anytime soon. Any- one can see it
is unlikely Nicole will face the New Year, if not married, certainly
unbetrothed!"