The Hidden Heart (9 page)

“Nor you. It is well-known that you rarely leave the city,” Leona replied, sitting down in such a way that it afforded Richard a full view of her swelling breasts. Jessica, watching, thought sourly that it was a wonder the woman’s breasts did not completely fall out of her dress, so low cut was the neckline.

“What brings you this way?” Richard looked over at Leona’s husband, who strolled into the room after them and sat down on Richard’s other side.

Jessica took a quick look around, unsure which was the lesser of the two evils—sitting beside Vesey or his wife. One of the footmen decided it for her by pulling out the chair beside Vesey.

“I am sure the governess has told you, hasn’t she?” Vesey replied casually. “Came up for General Streathern’s funeral. Great-uncle, you know.”

Richard found that the way Vesey referred to Miss Maitland as “the governess” grated on his nerves, the obvious inference being that she was not important enough to know her name. Richard, who knew the names of all his servants and tenants had always despised such snobbery.

“Miss Maitland,” he said pointedly, “did tell me that you were related to my ward.”

“Yes. Cousins. Darling girl,” Vesey drawled. “Where is she, by the way? Why doesn’t she dine with us? Would even the table, don’t you see?”

“She has already eaten,” Jessica said flatly. She did not add that she had eaten, too. The prospect of courses of food in this company was not appealing. She wondered if she could plead illness and escape the table. However, she wanted to hear everything that was said between the Duke and Vesey, so she rejected that thought.

Vesey looked at Jessica as if amazed to find that she could talk. “Indeed? Well, perhaps I can pay my respects to her after we eat.”

“She will be asleep.”

“Never knew you to be so familial, Vesey,” Richard commented as the footman whisked away the now-cold fish platter.

“Well, you know…I’m the only relative she’s got now.”

“Sad,” Richard murmured.

“Yes,” Vesey went on, unaware of the irony of the duke’s comment. “No one on her father’s side.”

“Of course, Lady Vesey and I would have been happy to take the girl ourselves. No children of our own, you see.”

“Not, of course,” Leona put in, “that I am old enough to be her mother. But, still, I would enjoy helping her navigate the shoals of the season, when it comes time.”

“Oh, but I am sure that is too much trouble for a woman as lovely as yourself, Lady Vesey,” Richard said. “I shall take care of it when the time comes.”

Leona’s full lips curved up in a seductive smile. “It would be no trouble, Richard. I place myself entirely at your disposal.” There was little mistaking the double entendre of her words, but Cleybourne blandly ignored it, turning his attention to his plate.

The conversation continued in the same way throughout the seemingly interminable meal, with Vesey bringing it around at every opportunity to the matter of Richard’s ward and Leona flirting madly with Richard, and neither of them addressing a remark to Jessica. If the Duke had hoped to use her to deflect the Veseys, Jessica thought to herself, he had failed miserably. As far as that couple was concerned, she didn’t exist.

Leona found every possible opportunity to touch Cleybourne’s arm, and she frequently put her hand on her chest as she exclaimed about one thing or another, thus drawing attention to the lush curve of her bosom. At one point, Jessica was sure that she saw the woman surreptitiously tug down her neckline even farther. Richard, she saw, with amusement welling up inside her, seemed not to notice any of Lady Vesey’s little ploys. By the end of the meal, Jessica could see that Leona’s luscious mouth was growing tighter and tighter with irritation. It was a sight that made sitting through the meal almost worthwhile.

“Good of you to put us up,” Vesey commented at one point.

“Am I? Good of you to tell me.”

Vesey let out a little chuckle. “You were always fond of a jest, Cleybourne.”

“And exactly why would I put you up, Lord Vesey?” Richard went on.

“Well, we are lost, you know.”

“I’ll be happy to set you on the right path.”

“We can hardly travel now. It’s dark.”

“There is an inn in Hedby.”

“Full up.”

“I see.”

“Yes. ’Fraid we’re stuck here.”

“Apparently.” Richard glanced over at Jessica, who was gazing at him in dismay. He gave her a slight shrug.

When the meal was finally over, Cleybourne turned the Veseys over to his butler, smoothly suggesting that they would no doubt like to rest now. Leona, with a significant look at Richard, opined that she doubted she would go to sleep any time soon, and Vesey once again asked about Gabriela. Richard, however, smiled and blankly ignored their hints, directing Baxter to care for them.

“You cannot let them stay here!” Jessica snapped as soon as the Veseys left the room, swinging around to face Cleybourne.

Richard lifted his eyebrows. “I cannot?”

“Oh, I know you’re the lord of all you survey and all that, so you can do whatever you please. But it’s foolish. It’s dangerous. You should not allow that man anywhere around Gabriela.”

“I don’t know what Vesey hopes to accomplish here. But I can assure you that he is not going to go up against me,” Richard said, a faint smile on his lips. “Vesey is a well-known coward. Besides, what could he do? Kidnap her? From under my own roof?”

“I wouldn’t put anything past him. General Streathern didn’t trust him, and he was his own nephew. That is why he had me rush Gabriela here, because he feared what Vesey might do. He is—well, it’s not just Gabriela’s money. He is also…there are other reasons why he should not be around a girl of Gabriela’s age….” Jessica stumbled to a halt, blushing.

“Yes. I am quite aware of Vesey’s predilections, although I must say, it is a trifle odd for you to know about such things.”

“One has only to see the way he looks at her to know that there is something wrong with him,” Jessica retorted. “Besides, the General felt I should know, so I would understand how very dangerous he really is.”

“Vesey is scum,” Richard agreed. “But he would never dare to try anything with a girl under my protection. You, my dear Miss Maitland, obviously have no qualms about crossing me, but as a rule, other people do. They are a nuisance, but that is all. There is no need to worry, I assure you. Now, if you will excuse me, having just had to spend the evening with Lord and Lady Vesey, I would very much like to lock myself in my study. Alone.”

As if she had forced him to put up with the Veseys all evening!
Jessica watched him stride out of the room. Well, however much the Duke of Cleybourne prided himself on Vesey not daring to cross him, Jessica was not about to let Gabriela’s life depend entirely on Cleybourne’s inflated opinion of himself. Turning, she started for the nursery, where she intended to lock herself and Gabriela in tonight.

R
ichard spent the rest of the evening in his study, looking over the estate’s accounts. His manager had brought him the books as soon as he returned to the castle, but Richard had not bothered to look at them. They had scarcely seemed to matter, given his plans. But today, riding over the land and talking to his tenants, he had grown a little curious about the farms. Since he meant to spend the rest of the evening alone in his study, he supposed he might as well look at the accounts.

After an hour or so, there was a tap on the door, and before Richard could answer, it opened and Lord Vesey stuck his head inside the room. “Ah, there you are, old chap. Knew you must be hiding yourself away somewhere.”

Looking pleased with himself for that deduction, Vesey sauntered into the room and closed the door behind him. Richard let out a groan. “Did it not occur to you that I might be hiding myself away for a reason?”

“Are you? What reason?”

“I was looking for a little solitude.”

“Really?” Vesey replied indifferently as he plopped down in a leather wing chair on the other side of the desk from Richard. “Never cared much for that myself.”

“Only one of the many ways in which we differ.” He sat, looking at Vesey, who was glancing about the room. Finally, after a long silence, he prompted, “Well?”

“Well, what?”

“What are you doing here? I know you are not here for the pleasure of my company, and since I have none in yours, it would seem more efficient for you just to say why you are here and then leave. Why are you at the castle? Why are you sitting here right now?” He was sure of the answer, of course, but he reasoned that the most expedient course of action would be just to face it head-on and get it over with.

“That’s what I like,” Vesey said with an attempt at a jovial smile. On his pale, thin-lipped face, it was a bizarre expression. “A man who goes straight to the heart of the matter. The reason I’m here is to offer to take the girl off your hands.”

“Who?”

Vesey looked at him oddly. “You know. My, ah, cousin.”

“What is her name?”

Vesey’s face was blank. “Name? Oh, well, um, Carson, no…Carstairs. That’s it!”

“Her first name.”

“How the devil should I know?” Vesey scowled at him. “What difference does it make what her name is?”

“It rather makes one wonder why you should want to take someone who is apparently a stranger to you ‘off my hands,’ as you say.”

“Oh, well, as to that, she’s my cousin, you see. Second or third, of course, can’t remember which. Doesn’t matter. I’m her only family.”

“She has my condolences.”

His companion looked faintly puzzled but plowed on gamely. “Yes, well, of course. Sad about the old man and all that.” He paused, then added, in case Cleybourne wanted that information, “General Streathern, you know.”

“Yes. I know.”

Vesey’s face cleared. “Yes. Well, anyway, blood’s thicker than water. Girl should be with her relatives, and of course I’ll do my duty.”

“Ah, your duty. I see.”

“Yes. Can’t be something a man in your position wants to take on—young girl to raise. No wife to take care of her. Just a burden to you. So…” He raised his hands, spread them in a gesture of generosity. “That’s why I’m willing to take her, you see. Too much to ask of someone who isn’t family.”

“And I’m sure her rather large fortune has nothing to do with the decision,” Richard said in a silken voice that would have warned anyone less thick than Lord Vesey.

Vesey looked at him uncertainly. “Ah, well…”

Richard rose from his chair, leaning forward and planting his fists on the desk before him. “Let me make myself clear, Vesey. I would not put a dog into your care, let alone a young girl. Your vices are well-known to me, and your wife has less maternal instinct than a wolf. There is no way in hell that I am giving up my guardianship of
Gabriela
to you! The fact that you think I might be willing to do so is an insult to me, and should you approach me about it again, I promise you that I will call you out. Do I make myself clear?”

Paler than usual, Vesey rose from his chair. “No need to shout, dear fellow. Only a suggestion. Can’t think why you should care.”

“Because I have some scruples. But I wouldn’t expect you to understand that. Now kindly remove yourself from my office before I give in to my baser side and throw you out on your ear.”

Vesey sidled around the chair, casting a cautious glance back at Cleybourne. “No need to get in a taking. Out of here in a trice.”

Vesey opened the door and slipped into the hall. Richard grimaced and sat back down in his chair, congratulating himself that at least that ordeal was over. He had known Vesey would be bound to make an effort to persuade him to turn over Gabriela, but now the scoundrel knew where Richard stood on the matter, and he would give up and leave tomorrow.

But his hopes that he was through with the Veseys were dashed a few minutes later when the door opened without even a warning knock and Lady Vesey glided in. For a moment all Richard could do was stare. Leona had changed dresses and was now wearing a pale muslin thing so sheer that he could see the pink-brown circles of her nipples beneath the material. The high-waisted gown cupped her full breasts, pressing them up so that they looked as if at any moment they might spill out entirely. Her hair lay in artful curls, one long tress falling across the white expanse of her chest and onto the swell of her breast.

“Richard!” she exclaimed, feigning surprise. “I did not know you were still up. I came in search of a book.” She strolled across the room toward him, her hips swaying provocatively. “I was having trouble sleeping….”

“Were you?” Richard rose and walked over to the bellpull and tugged at it vigorously. “I fear that I use the study more for business than reading pleasure. Most of the books are down the hall in the library. I will have one of the footmen show you the way.”

Leona’s chuckle was low and throaty. “You are such a tease, Richard.” She walked over to him and laid her hand against his chest. “I don’t need a footman. I’d much rather you showed me.”

“Yes, well, I happen to be going to bed right now.”

“Really? That sounds interesting.” Leona gazed up into his face, her golden eyes full of sexual promise. “Wouldn’t you like some company?”

“I am used to sleeping alone, Lady Vesey.”

At that moment the door opened to admit his valet, coming in answer to Richard’s tug at the bellpull. “Your Grace?”

“Ah, Noonan. Lady Vesey is apparently having some trouble sleeping. Fetch her a glass of warm milk, would you? Oh, and show her where the library is.”

“Certainly, Your Grace.”

“There. No doubt now you will have more luck sleeping. I shall bid you good-night, my lady.” He sketched a bow toward Leona, then turned and walked out the door, leaving her standing speechless behind him.

Jessica and Gabriela spent the next morning doing lessons in the nursery schoolroom, hoping that by the time they finished, the Veseys would already have left the house, bound for London. It was close to noon, and Gabriela was growing very tired of conjugating French verbs, when they were startled by a piercing scream.

Jessica leaped to her feet and ran out of the schoolroom, Gabriela on her heels. As Jessica ran, she heard a man’s voice shout, “Help! Help me here! Leona, my pet, are you all right?”

His only answer was a moan. Jessica glanced at Gabriela, suspicion blossoming in her. The two of them descended the staircase more slowly. When they reached the landing and looked down on the Great Hall below them, they saw Leona Vesey lying at the bottom of the stairs. Her husband knelt beside her, holding her hand in his and patting it.

Two footmen had just arrived at the scene, and as Jessica looked on, the duke strode in, saying, “What the devil is going on? Who screamed?”

The gathering servants all stared in fascination at Leona’s prone form. At that moment she let out a moan and raised her head a little.

“What—what happened?”

“You fell, my dear,” Lord Vesey supplied her with an answer. “We were about to leave, and you were going down the stairs, a trifle too fast perhaps, and your foot slipped and you fell. Thank God, you’re still alive.”

Richard moved forward, frowning, and squatted down beside her. “Can you move, Lady Vesey?”

“I—I think so.” Leona lifted a hand to her head in a gesture worthy of the stage. “Oh, dear, I’m a trifle dizzy. Richard, help me up.”

She reached for him, and when he extended his arm to her, she artfully leaned into him, so that he was half-holding her as she sat up. Rising from his crouch, he pulled her up with him. Once again her hand went to her head, and she slumped against him with a moan.

“Just a moment,” she murmured, and looked up at Richard with wide eyes. “Everything is twirling. I must have hit my head.”

Jessica rolled her eyes in disgust and exchanged another glance with Gabriela, who looked equally suspicious. They continued down the steps until they were almost even with the others.

Leona, eyes closed and face pale, leaned against the duke’s chest. He stood stiffly, looking profoundly uncomfortable. “Are you able to walk, Lady Vesey?” he asked, pulling his arm from her.

“I shall try—if you will help me.” She grabbed his arm with her hand as he pulled away and leaned on it while she took a hobbling step forward. She let out a cry and crumpled, and Cleybourne grabbed her to keep her from falling.

“Oh, no!” she wailed, leaning her head against his broad chest. “I cannot walk! I fear I have broken my ankle.”

Her words brought such a dark scowl to Cleybourne’s face that Jessica had to smother a giggle.

“Oh, no!” Vesey exclaimed. “Oh, dear, we must send for a doctor. My dear Cleybourne…”

“Yes, yes!” Richard snapped, turning to one of his servants. “Blake! Send one of the stable boys for Dr. Houghton.” He turned back with a sigh, still supporting Leona’s clinging form.

“Best go back to bed, my dear,” Lord Vesey announced mournfully. “And to think we were just about to set off on our journey.”

“Yes,” Richard agreed dryly. “An amazing coincidence.”

Vesey gazed back at him blandly. Leona took the opportunity to curl her arm around Cleybourne’s neck.

“Carry me, Richard, please.” Her eyes were huge and pleading, their color brightened by the sparkle of unshed tears. “It hurts too much to walk.”

“No doubt.” Richard glanced again at his servants. “Hobbs, Williams. Here, carry Lady Vesey upstairs to her room.” He handed her off to the two footmen, saying to Leona, “I will send one of the maids up to help you.”

Jessica bit back another giggle at the astounded expression on Lady Vesey’s face as Richard all but shoved her into the hands of the two servants.

“No doubt you’ll want to sit with her until the doctor comes, Vesey,” Richard went on.

“What? Oh. Yes, I suppose so.” Lord Vesey did not look too happy at the idea, but he turned and followed the two footmen up the stairs as they locked hands and carried Lady Vesey away.

Leona’s eyes locked with Jessica’s as the group passed them on the stairs, and her gaze was full of venom. Jessica was not entirely sure whether the spite in her eyes was directed entirely at her or was simply a generalized fury at the brusque way the Duke of Cleybourne had gotten out of carrying her up the stairs. Jessica turned back to the foot of the stairs. Cleybourne looked at her.

“I suspect our guests will be staying with us a trifle longer than expected,” he said with an obvious lack of delight.

His gaze slid past Jessica to Gabriela, standing on the step above her. His eyes moved quickly away, and he turned, saying, “Baxter! Send up one of the maids to Lady Vesey.”

“You had better make it someone who doesn’t mind being slapped,” Jessica said crisply, irritated by the fact that he had just snubbed Gabriela.

“I beg your pardon?” Richard swung back around.

“Lady Vesey looked to be in something of a temper—no doubt it’s the pain of her ‘broken ankle.’ And I have observed that she is apt to take her temper out on the servants.”

Richard looked at her for a moment, then said to Baxter, “Send Katy, and tell her if Lady Vesey slaps her, she has my permission to break her other ankle.”

With those words, he strode off rapidly.

Jessica turned to Gabriela, trying to think what she could say to lessen the sting of Richard’s not speaking to her. Gabriela was standing looking after Cleybourne’s retreating form, and there was an aching loneliness in the young girl’s gray eyes that tugged at Jessica’s heart.

“I am sorry, Gaby,” she began, reaching out to take her arm.

“Why does he dislike me?” the girl asked, turning to her mentor and friend.

“It isn’t that. Please believe me.”

“Yes. It has to be. He has not met me. He hasn’t spoken to me. That was the first time I have seen him except at a distance.”

“It was very rude of him. But he is not a sociable man. He is used to a solitary life. I understand that for the past several years he has lived almost like a hermit, never going out, not seeing anyone but a few people.”