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Additional Dragonblade books by Author Mary Lancaster
Itmusthavebeenhalfanhouraftertheirsuccessfulfamilymeeting,andtheValetwinshadagreedthatalltherightelements were set inmotionto shake up Julius, their eldest brother, and keep Lucy, youngest of their sisters, safe But while Leona scribbled in her notebook, Lawrence was peering out of his bedchamber window, a frown on his face. Usually, the twins contrivedtolookyoungerthantheirfifteenyears.Butsometimes,now,Lawrence’srarescowlmadehimlookolder,almost… manly.
“Roderick,”hesaid.
Leona stood and went to joinLawrence at the window Major RoderickVale, second eldest of their siblings, marched ratherthanstrolledintheuntamedpartofwhatshouldhavebeenaformalgarden.Evenwhennotinunform,Rodlookedlikea soldier,uprightandefficientinhiseverymove Excepttherewasnopurposeinhismarch
RoderickhadfoughtunderWellingtonallthroughthePeninsularcampaignandtheinvasionofFrance.Hehadalwaysbeen a rare butwelcome visitor inthe twins’lives,rightupuntil the peace of1814 Butafter the greatbattle atWaterloo,he had beendifferent.Quiet,moody,hisspeechvaryingfornoobviousreasonbetweenharshandgentle,histempererratic,thoughhe wasneverunjustorevenunkind.
“Well, atanyrate, goingto the ball inBlackhavenwon’tdo himanyharm,” Leona said “Infact, itwill take himoutof himself,lethimworryaboutJuliusandLucy.Andhemightevenmeetsomeonehimself.”
“Lawrie!”sheexclaimed.“Howcouldyoukeepthatfromme?” Atleasthe had the grace to looksheepish “Sorry Thingis, she isn’texactlyrespectable Whichis whywe don’tknow her.”
“Thenreally,”shesaid,“wewantRodericktomeetsomeoneelseattheball Someonefunandkind,whowilleclipsethis otherfemaleinhismindandheart.”Shefrowned.“I’mbeginningtothinkwewill have tobethere.”
Lawrieshookhishead “No,we’dinevitablybediscovered,andthatwoulddistractthemandspoileverything WithRod, we’ll justhave tohope.” His frownsmoothed.“Or speaktoFelicia,sothatshe is sure tointroduce himtolots ofcharming people.”
At first, he could not thinkwhyit was she stood out fromthe fashionable throngsurroundingher, for althoughit was a provincialparty,thereweremanywealthyandimportantpeoplepresent Sheworeanexquisitegownofashimmeringgreenso paleitwas almostwhite.Her soft,glossybrownhair was inastyleofsuchartful disarraythatitlookednatural.Her figure wasperfect,slenderandyetfeminine,thegowndrapingitmodestandyethintingatthedelightfultreasureswithin Butitwas herfacethatheldhisattention.
Risingto the challenge frompure instinct, Roderickset downhis glass beside his brother’s and rose, all his predatory instinctsaroused.Hefeltasifheprowledacrosstheroom,stalkinghisprey.Ohyes,shewasbeautiful,clearlysoughtafter… anddifferent Someone,perhaps,tointriguehisintellectaswell assatisfythelustsofthebody Althoughhewouldsettlefor thelatter,hewassurprisedbythestrengthofhissuddenlongingforthatmeetingofmindstogowithit.
DearGod,whathadshereadonhisface?Shame?Disappointment?Certainly,hefeltbothragebeneathhisskin.Hecould nothavehisimaginationconjuringbeautifulsirensoutofveryyoung,respectableladies!Roderickhadnointerestin,andless fitnessfor,marriage.Histastesrantowomenofexperienceandnocommitment,whounderstoodthegameofdallianceandthe arts ofpleasure Notto some innocentchild barelyout ofthe schoolroom He hoped he would never have to meet her and rememberthismomentagain.Ever.
LADY HELEN CONWAY, youngest of the Earl of Braithwaite’s sisters, had entered the ballroomsurrounded by her chattering family.Yethergazefellonthesoldieralmostimmediately.Andsuddenly,sheforgottobreathe.
“Bernard is always here,” Helensaid sympathetically. Ifhe was notescortinghis old maidenaunt, he was escortinghis widowed stepmother, always withuncomplainingcheer All the same, she recognized Alice’s surprise While theyhad been awayinLondon,theboyishBernardhadgrownup.Or,morelikely,hehadgrownuplongsince,andbecausetheyhadknown himforever,theyhadn’tnoticed
Well,theyhadgrownup,too.AlicehadhadherfirstSeason,andunlessHelencouldstaveoffhermotherandbrother,she wouldbenext.Andshewasnotlookingforwardtoit.Blackhavenballsweredifferent.Theywerefulloffriendsandfolkshe knew Londonwasaheavingmassofpeopleandmannersandpitfallsforallsavethemostobedientandconventional Alice andHelenwereneither,thoughtotheirsurprise,AlicehadknownconsiderablesuccessduringtheSeason,beingregardedas “original”
“Imightevengetawaywithbeingaprofessionalmusicianandcomposer!”Alicehadmarveled. Itwouldnothappen,ofcourse TheonlywayAliceandHelenwouldeverfollowtheirdreams,tobeamusicianandartist respectively,wastorunawayandlosethemselvesinEurope.Whichmightjustbepossiblenowthatthewarwasover. HelendancedwithCaptainGrantham,anoldfriendfromthe44th,thengreetedheroldgoverness onceMissGrey,now Mrs Benedict withgreatdelight Butas other strangers joinedthem, shamelesslyanglingfor anintroductiontothe Earl of Braithwaite’ssister,shegrewstiffanduncomfortable.Ofallthings,shehatedtobecourted,fornoonewasinterestedin her, onlyinherbirth,herconnections,andherdowry
That was whenshe glanced around, lookingfor a quickescape, and againsaw the officer she wanted to paint. For an instant,theireyesmet,andherheartseemedtodiveintoherstomach.Unquiet,surelypredatoryeyesthatsaw everything.Right throughherclothestoherskin,andbeyondthattohersoul.
He had beenlookingather!Andshewasfiercely,triumphantlyglad.
Sowhyhadhewalkedon?Hadhetakenfright?
No, a manwiththatface would notbe frightened bya mere woman, however well born!Inanycase, whydid she even wanthimtonoticeher?
Because justfor aninstant,she imaginedhe hadseen her? NotLadyHelenConway,the Earl ofBraithwaite’s sister,but Helen asshewas.Andsheknewsomehowfromhisfacethathewouldneverpretendaninteresthedidnotfeel.
Excusing herself fromthe company, she retreated back to Eleanor, her sister-in-law and official chaperone, and again lookedaroundfortheunknownofficer.Hewaseasilyspotted,stillroamingtheedgesoftheballroom,occasionallynoddingto acquaintancesorstoppingtoexchangeafewwords
“No reason,” Helen said vaguely. “There seem to be a lot of faces I do not recognize anymore. Nine Vales certainly accountsforsomeofthem!”
She shifted restlessly. She had chosentositthis dance outtospeakto friends, andyetnow she did notwishto speakto anyone ShewantedtodrawMajorValebeforethesharpnessofthedetailfadedfromhermind,beforehisexpressionsblurred Shejumpedup,barelyevenawareofthevagueexcusefallingfromherlips.Unliketheirmother,currentlyrecoveringfrom thejourneynorthfromLondon,Eleanorwasnotahighstickler ThiswasHelen’schancetoescape
Helenthrew herselfontothefirstseat,shovedtheglassesaside,andstrippedoffhergloves.Itwashardtodraw well in eventhefinestofgloves,andbesides,theywouldendupwithleadstains.Shewrestledhernotebookoutofherreticulewith
Portraits were her new obsession She had learned years ago to render anaccurate physical likeness, but hintingat the expressions,thecharacter,behindthefeatures,waswhattrulyfascinatedher.
Her pencil flew over the paper insweepingcurves andbold,sharplines,shadingshadows anddarkness Itwas a small spacetoconveyallthatsheneededto,butinthisearlystage,shebarelysawherownwork.Itwashisfacesheheldsteadily beforehereyes,strongyetfragile,wearyandyetyearning,thedarknessunbearable,thelightunreachable.Buttherewasthat secondglimpsetoo,thatinstantofsurelywickeddesire Forher Shecouldnotchoosebetweenthetwoglimpsedinsightsinto hischaracter.Shejustkeptdrawing,feelingherwaydeeperwitheachminutemarkonthepaper.
She considered. “Yes. But I very much dislike all the formalities and conventions surrounding it. I like to dance with friends,notwithmenwhohavenointerestinme Mostofthemdon’tevenhaveinterestingfaces”
Reminded,she glanceddownatthe notebookbeside her feet.Major Vale’s recognizable face gazedupather.She might havedonegoodworkthere,ifshecouldeverbeartolookatitagain.
She was afraid to lookathim Whatonearthwould he thinkofher drawinghim? Would he evenrecognize himself? It wouldsaylittleforherskillifhedidnot,thoughitmightbethebestoutcomeshecouldhopefor…
He was notangry.He was notmakingfunofher meagre talents or her obsession.Instead,he lookedalmost…frightened. Which,forsomereason,madeitpossibletospeak,ifonlytoreassurehim
She closed the bookand dropped itinto the openreticule onthe other chair. “Yes. I’msorry. Ishould have asked your permission,butIwantedtogetthebonesofitbeforeIforgot.”
She gazed at it more closely She had caught something of his expression Unsure whether to draw him tortured or predatory,shehadmanagedtomergealittleofeach.Theresultwastooraw,tootroubling.Buttheverymasculinedesirewas clearinhismouthandhiseyes,andsheshouldnotevenbeawareofsuchthings
Heblinked.Thefaint,disarmingsmilebeganagaininhis eyes.“Ahundred?Icannotbelievemyfaceis that interesting. MayI?”Hehadpaused,hisfingerandthumbreadytoturnthepage
Shehesitated,thennoddedonce.Ifshecouldnotbearcriticism,shewouldneverimprove.Tamarhadtaughtherthatyears ago
“Myfamily,”shesaid “Drawingthemhelpsmetoreallyseethem Mymother Sofierceandsternsheusedtofrighten me. Butshe would die for us withouta second thought. Gervaise, mybrother, looks haughty, and yethe is anythingbut. My sisterAlice ”ThefearthatshewaslosingAliceshotthroughheragain,closingherthroat “Andthis?”heasked.
“Of course She would have been bored with either of thembefore the ring was on her finger In fact, they are pretty interchangeable.Youthinkmeunkind,butonefortunehunterquicklycomestoresembleanother.”
E SHOULD HAVE leftas soonas he saw the alcove was occupied He should nothave spokento her, letalone looked ather sketches.Buthefeltguiltyforstartlingher,andinanycase,shehadtakenhimbysurprisewithhermixtureofartlessinnocence andmatureinsight Hervoice,low,clear,andstrangelybeautiful,seemedtoshiverthroughhim Asforhersketchofhim
Shehadreadhimlikeanopenbook.Hewasappalledtoseehisownselfishdesirestaringbackathim.Andyetithadnot appalledher.Shehadseenitandblendeditwiththerestofhim,withoutjudgment.Infact,withacompassionheshouldhave foundunbearableandyetdidnot.Hehadn’tevenbeensurprisedtofindthesamekindsofinsightintherestofherdrawings. The girl was wildly talented. And while she may have been young in years, she was much older in observation and understanding
Intrigued, he had wanted to staywithher and knew he should notfor anynumber ofreasons, includingher reputation. Perhapshisretreatwasatrifleignominious,buthefoundhewassmilingashewentinsearchofhissiblings
Lucy was dancing. So was Felicia. He could not see Delilah just at the moment. Cornelius appeared to be deep in conversation with a lady on the far side of the room. Julius… Where was Julius? Had the wretch sneaked away while Roderickwas looking at sketches? In fact, Roderick had had the feeling that his eldest brother never had any intention of attendingtheball,sohehadbeenmoresurprisedthatJuliushadcomeatall.
Delilah sat down on his other side without saying a word. She was the sister closest to himin age, and he could tell instantlythat somethinghad distressed her. She was breathingtoo quickly. However, she had herself well inhand, and her expressionwasforbidding.
Beyond Delilah, another, very different woman caught his attention. Dressed at the height of fashion and extravagantly jeweled, she was onlyjustonthe rightsightofvulgar Ahandsome and clearlydevoted youngmanescorted her Roderick, appalledthatshehadcomehere,wonderedifheshouldalsobeoffendedthatshehadfilledhisvacantplacesoswiftly.
Certainly, he did notregretendingtheir affair, whichhad become bothstale and cloyinginthe few shortweeks he had knownher Meghadtakenitwell,butthen,her affectionswerenomoreengagedthanhiswere Infact,for somereason,the wholerelationshipnowseemedentirelydistasteful.
Meghad seenRoderick. She actuallyswerved, draggingher hapless escortwithher, althoughafter that, she made some effortnottolooktooobvious Roderickwasfurious Hewaswithhissister,whomhewouldnotintroducetoMegMaven Shestrolledtowardthem,smilinggraciouslyassheinclinedherheadtoRoderick.“Goodevening,MajorVale.” Heruseofhisnamewasquitedeliberate,tomakeitobviousthattheywereacquainted Therewasnoneedforit Sinceshe had not avoided him, he would never have given her the cut direct, not in a public place like this where it would cause unlimitedgossip Butifsheimaginedhewouldintroducehertohissister,shehadmisjudgedherman
“Allow me topresentmysister,Miss Vale,andmybrother,Major RoderickVale Delilah,Roderick,this is LadyHelen Conway,theEarlofBraithwaite’syoungestsister.WefirstmetinHydePark feedingtheducks!”
For Roderick, there was a novel pleasure intakingher inhis arms. She felt light yet warm, all womanlycurves and a beautythattookhis breathaway She smelled ofsummer flowers and fruits and innocence, and somethingutterlyfeminine anduniquethatcouldnotbebottled.Sheinvadedallhissenses.Andhelether.
She might not have been “out” yet, but she danced with a grace and elegance any woman might envy. Yet something botheredher Shedancednaturally,withoutthinking,becauseherthoughtsweresomewhereelseentirely “Whatisit?”heasked,andhereyebrowsflewupinsurprise.Didsheimaginehewouldn’tnotice?Ornotcare? Shespokeinarush “IdidnotaskMrs Maitlandtointroduceusformally” “Ineversupposedyoudid,”hesaid.“ThoughImightwishit.”
“No,Ilikeyoutoomuch,”hesaidcandidly.“Sofar,wehavenothingtoreproacheachotherwith.Thatisrareforme.So we could justenjoythedance”
HELEN DID ENJOY thedance MajorValewaltzeddivinely,withgraceandconfidenceandabsolutelynoself-consciousness He told her amusingtales ofballs inwinter quarters inPortugal and Spain, as well as inParis and Brussels. And she told him abouthersisterMariasmugglingherselfandAliceintoamaskedballwhenshewasonlyfifteen.
Shelikedtoseethesmileinhiseyes,forshesuspecteditwasalltoorare.Itwasdefinitelytooattractive,especiallywhen shewaltzedinhis strongarms andcouldsmell his skin,all clean,freshmasculinity.Shestudiedthetextureofhis lips as he spokeandlostherselfinthedepthsofhiseyes Shefeltbreathlessandhappyandafraidallatonce,becausethefeelingswere comingtoofast,butshewouldnothavegivenupthosemomentsforanythingoranyone.
Do I love him, then? Is love at first sight truly possible?
No, I am being ridiculous… Andyetsheachedwithsheeremotion. What do I do now?
Withsuddenpanic, she realized the dance was nearlyover. He would escorther politelybackto Eleanor and Gervaise, andthemomentwouldbegoneforever.
Perhaps he saw somethingof her disturbance, because as the music came to a halt, he said, “Are youquite well, Lady Helen?”
“I think I need a little air.” Her heart thundering, she turned toward the balcony, and, of course, he held the door and steppedoutsidewithher.Itwasonlyasmall space,butitwasblessedlyempty.Instinctively,shemovedtothecornerwhere shecouldnotbeseenfromthedoors
Abruptly, his eyes softened. He even touched her cheek. He parted his lips to speak before he changed his mind and loweredhisheadinstead.
Helenmelted as his mouthcovered hers withexquisite tenderness. The kiss held for a magical instant, and thenhis lips movedsoftlyonhers,deepeningtheintimacy,andsheclutchedhisarmsinwonder.Sensationfloodedher.Sheonlyknewshe wantedmore,butjustasshepressedinstinctivelycloser,heendedthekiss
Helen followed, bemused as to what had startled her sister. Before she could ask, a gentleman also veered from the oppositedirectionandcametoasmilinghaltinfrontofthem,forcingAlicetostoptooor givehimthecutdirect Hewasa pleasant-lookingyoungmanwithcurlybrownhairandanamiable,ifsomewhateager,expression.
Alice blinked, a hint of amusement enteringher face “Goodness Youwill be haughtier thananyof us! Mama will be proud.”
This was when, a year ago, Helenwould have dragged Alice awayto a private corner and confided the whole storyof Major Vale to her But this was still too new to put into words, even to Alice And Helen was aware that her sister was keepingherownsecrets.AlicewouldneverevenhavementionedMr.Gloverorhisadvanceshadthemannotaccostedthem. Untilthisevening,thatreticencehadhurtHelen Butperhapsthereweretimesforprivacyafterall
Chapter Three
WAS MAJOR VALE engagedtobemarried?Andifso,wasittothejeweledlady?Helenhopednot,withastrengthshehadno rightto.Shemightnotlikethewoman,butshehardlyknewMajorVale.Andifhewerebetrothed,shecertainlyhadnorightto thefeelingstumblingthroughher Shedidnotwanttoregretthekisses
It was during supper that she noticed the major again, walking into the roomwith a girl of about Helen’s age. Helen recognizedher as one ofhis sisters,whomshe hadmetbrieflyearlier on.LucyVale’s cheeks were flushedwithexcitement, althoughHelensuspectedthe major hadbeenscoldingher,for thegirl was doingher besttolooksubmissive.Itwas a poor effortthatseemedtoamusemorethanfoolhim.
Whiletheychosefromtheremainsoftheexcellentbuffet,Helen,mindfulofherobservationbeingnoticedsoeasilybythe strange ladyinthe jewels, turned backto her partner, anold officer friend whomshe had knownsince childhood. Fromthe cornerofhereye,shesawthejeweledladyagain,withahandsomeyounggentlemansittingattentivelyoppositeher Thelady herselfwas watchingMajor Vale, who strolled once more into Helen’s line ofvision, seatinghimselfand Lucybeside their sisterMrs.Maitland,andBernardMuir.
The captain followed her gaze. “I think I met her once, though I can’t quite recall her name. Maybury or something. Marston,perhaps Marvin?Atanyrate,sheisawidow LivesinWhalen,Ibelieve”Hiseyesrefocusedonhers “Friendof yours?”heasked.
“Oh,good.Wearestillcallingitagardenparty,though,giventheweatherthissummer,itislikelytobeallindoors.Butit should be fun Eleanor and even Mama are ecstatic because they have apparently secured the elusive poet Simon Sacheverill. And a veryfine Scottishpianist that Alice heard inLondon. We caught himonhis wayhome. And, ofcourse, Tamarhassomenewpicturestoshow,especiallyanewportraitofGervaiseandEleanorthatIhavenotseen” “Itallsoundsdelightful.”
“Ihope so Ilike the gardenparties Somuchless formal thanour balls atthe castle Althoughthis year is tobe another masked ball,sothatwillbeamusingandmysterious.”
“Oh, I thinkshe has, provided youdon’t repeat the error. She wished me to apologize onher behalf for anyperceived rudeness.Youtookherbysurprise,yousee,andshedoesnotliketheideathatyoumighthavepursuedherhere.”
“Sadlynot.If…anyonegaveyoucausetohopeotherwise,thatpersonwas mistaken.Mysister knows her ownmind,sir. Shelikesyouverywellasafriend,butshewilltoleratenothingelse”
She couldsee she was dealinghima blow,thoughhe triedtohide itbeneatha smile.“Your kindness is devastating,my lady Iamnota fortune hunter, youknow Ihope LadyAlice is aware ofthat She is differentto other youngladies ofmy acquaintance.Sheissonaturalandhonestandfunny.”
Helentoldhimaboutthelocalattractions,andplacestoavoid likethetavernwhereapparentlypocketswerepickedona regular basis and one had to be quickonone’s feetto avoid a fight. He appeared to take itall in, laughed ather jokes, and endedbyaskinghertodance.
Helen,gladtohavedonehersisterthisservice,accepted However,shefoundherselfthinkingmoreandmoreaboutwhat the jeweled ladyhad said to her about Major Vale. It was not so muchthe words whichshe largelydiscounted but the purposebehindthemthatbotheredher
Whywouldshetellacompletestrangerthatamanwasbothmadandengagedtosomeone who could handle him? There hadbeennokindnessinthewaspishvoice,norespect.AsthoughshewantedHelentoholdhimincontempt.Why?Didheneed to know he had such an enemy? Was he aware already? If she told him, would he regard her words as childish misunderstanding?Intolerableinterference?Wouldithurt him?
Therewasnooneshecouldask,excepthim AsherdancewithMr Gloverendedandshewalkedbacktowardherfamily, she mulled it all over in her mind. Part of her wished she could discuss it with Alice, or with Maria, or even Caroline Benedict Butthatwould definitely bebetrayal Inanycase,Alice,clearly,hadagooddealonhermind,too
Major Vale threw himself at her, pushing her hard against the wall, his arms protectively over her head Stunned, she thoughtforaninstantthatitwasahighlyimproperjoke.Indignationwarredwithsecret,startleddelightinhiscloseness,inthe shelteringstrengthofhispowerfularmsandbody Untilsherealizedhiswholepersonwasshaking Hisassaultwasnotremotelyamorous.
Thejeweledladystoodwithherhandonthesupperroomdoor. She hadslammedit.Deliberately.Herbeautifullyarched browslifted Shesmiledwiththefaintestshrugofhershouldersasthoughsaying, See?
Helencouldhavestruckher.Instead,ignoringthewoman,shereachedaboveherheadandtookthemajor’sunglovedhand. Gently,she disengageditfromher hair,thentuggedhimwithher the twopaces tothe meetingroomdoor He didnotresist, whichwas as well, for he was far too strongto compel, and while the jeweled ladyhad turned onher heel and vanished, anyonecouldcomethroughthefoyeratanytime
She lit the nearest branch of candles, some instinct warning her that he needed light. His face was frightening. Tears trickled downhis cheeks His eyes stared straightahead, and yethe seemed to see nothing He jerked fromside to side, as thoughtryingtoescapesomethingunbearable.
*MEG MAVEN WAS annoyedwithherselfasshesweptbackintotheballroom.Shehadmisjudgedthegirltwice,firstbyspeaking toheratallandincurringherhaughtydispleasure,andsecondlybyassumingshewouldscreamtheplacedownwhenRoderick explodedintoagibberingidiot
Butagain,thegirlhadsurprisedher.Althoughlittlemorethanaspoiledandshelteredchild,shehadnotgoneintohysterics whenRoderickshoved her againstthe wall Instead, she had led himto privacy witha gentleness Megdid notlike, and a maturitythatworried her evenmore. She was no milkand water miss buta dangerous foe. Perhaps. Forewarned, Megnow lookedforwardtothefight Andshewouldwin Shemightlosetheoddbattle,butshealwayswonthewar
Hiseyebrowsflewup “LadyHelen?Yes,I er IsupposeIam”
Lady Helen?Thatwascertainlyawarningtobecareful.Shehadtobethedaughterofanearlattheveryleast,andonedid notinvitetheenmityofthepowerfulwithimpunity.Evenifonewasfarricher.
“Why?”heasked,whichgaveMegtheexcusesheneededtotellhim. Sheleanedforward.“Youmightwanttorescueher discreetly,ofcourse.Iwasinthefoyerandsawherbeingpersuaded intoaprivateroombyanarmyofficer Helookedabit undisciplined,ifyoucatchmymeaning” He clearlydid, for he seemed appalled as much, she suspected, bythe responsibilityshe had justgivenhimas bythe dangertoLadyHelen
“Perhapsitwouldbeindiscreettoworryherladyship’sfamily,”Megsaid.“Butifyouthinkthepresenceofaladymight help, youcould escortme across the foyer?” She smiled her mostsoothingsmile and offered her hand. “IamMrs. Maven.
He bowed punctiliously over her hand “James Glover Not a native of Blackhaven either I have been invited to the castle…”Hebrokeoff,hisgazegoingbeyondher,andsheturnedtoseethegirlingreen LadyHelen walkingbackintothe ballroom
She did notlookremotelydistressed. Her face was aristocraticallycalm, her poise almostregal, hidingwhatever shock Roderickhadinflicted
Itwasnotwhatshehadoriginallyintended,butwithhertemperfading,Megdecidedtogotohimandpickupthepieces. Andshehadnoobjectiontobeingdiscoveredalonewithhim.Roderickmightlookdownonherforherbirth,buthonorwould compel himtodotherightthingandmarryher And then shewouldbelandedgentry Hewasthegentleman,andshewould buytheland.
THEMORNING AFTERtheball,Helenwokefeelingdifferent IthadsomethingtodowithkissingRoderickVale Noonehadever kissedherbefore,notlikethat,anditwasratherwonderful.Eventhememoryintensifiedthebutterfliesalreadyplayinginher stomach But everything abouthimfilledhersenses,totheextentthatshelayawakeforages,justthinkingabouthim,before themaid,Jinny,disturbedherwithacupoftea.
Smilingvaguelyasshesatupandtookthetea,shehadnoideawhatJinnyactuallysaidtoher.WasitjustthewayMajor Vale looked that she liked so much? Certainly, it was what she had noticed first, before his expressions and the character behindthemhadbeguntofascinateher.Therewasahard,unreachablequalityabouthim,andyetattheslammingofthedoorhe haddissolvedintoanothercreatureentirely Andnowhewasashamedtohavebeenexposedinfrontofher
Herthoughtsstumbledhelplessly.Shedidnotknowwhatheneeded.Shewastooshelteredandignorant. He needs a friend.
Even that seemed a foolish realization The man had nine siblings, including a Royal Navy captain, the amiable Mrs Maitland,andtheyoungersister,Lucy,whohadentertainedhimatsupper.Butsometimesoneneededmorethanfamily.They weretooclose,knewonetoowell Althoughifhehadbeenawaywiththearmyforfourteenyears,howwelldidanyofthem know him?
Wouldhecometotheabbeytoday?
Ifshe were honestwithherself, whichshe always tried to be, she doubted it. Her glimpse ofwhathe would see as his weaknessprobablymadeherunbearabletohimnow.Whichbroughtherfreshpain,butshewouldgoanyhow.
Onpreviousexpeditionstopainttheruin,shehadneededasunshade.Now,shehadalargeumbrella,whichshestuckinto thegroundtocoverbothherpersonandhereaselandsetoutherwatercolorpaints.Theruinedabbeycouldbebeautifulinthe sunshine,whichturnedtheoldstoneabeautifulshadeofgold Now,forthefirsttime,shesawitunderdarkgrayskies,andit heldadifferentkindofcharm,oneofageandatmospherethatwas almostominous.ItremindedHelenofGothicnovels and madeherfingersitchtopaint
As the afternoon wore on, she was always aware of Roderick Vale’s absence. But she kept her mind focused on the painting,andthathelped
RODERICKHAD NO intentionofgoingneartheabbeywhileLadyHelenConwaymightbeinthevicinity.Infact,whenhecouldno longerbearbeingindoors,hesetoffdeliberatelyintheoppositedirection
The nightmares were gettingworse, not better. Last night had shattered his last comfortable illusionthat there could be nothingataballtosetthemoff Therewerenofireworks,nothunderintheair,onlyrelentlesschatter,music,anddancing At somepointintheevening,despiteMegMaven’spresence,hehadevenbeguntoenjoyhimself,toappreciatethecompanyand theconversation.IfHelenConwayhadmuchtodowiththat,helethismindslideoverthefact.Shehadeverythingtodowith hisagonynow.
Hedidnotknowwhathehaddone.
Hehadheardtheexplosionandreactedtosaveher,andsuddenlyhehadbeeninthehellofthebattleagain Reality In truth,hedidnotknow whatwasreality.Hehadfoundhimselfinadimroom,alonewithHelenandwithnoideahow hehad gotthereorwhathehaddonetoher Thepityandthefearinhereyeshadbeenunbearable
Helenhadsaidsomeonehaddonethatdeliberately.AnditcouldonlyhavebeenMegMaven.Shewastheonlyonepresent whohadwitnessedhislapses Shehadseenhiswildoverreactiontoatrayofcrockerycrashingonthefloorinherhouse And shehadseenhiminthethroesofanightmareoncewhenhehadbrokenhisownruleandfallenasleepinherbed.
Was thatthereal reasonhehadendedhis relationshipwithher?Becauseher knowledgeofhimwas unbearable?Soshe hadtakenherrevenge,andnowhecouldneverlookHelenConwayintheeyeagaineither.
Deliberately,he drove all the pastfromhis mind,absorbingonlythe present the crunchofhis boots onthe ground,the fieldsandwoodsstretchingbeforehim,theglimpseofseabeyond Helikedthecoolnessofthebreezeagainsthisface,thesoft patterofrainthatcouldn’tquitemakeupitsmindtobeapropershower.Theearthsmelledfreshanddampandsweet,andthe onlysounds tobreakthe silence were those ofthe birds andthe farmanimals He allowedthe peace andthe beautyintohis worldandwondered,vaguely,whyitwasnotenough.Still,hewascontenttosearchformore.
Closertowhatwasleftofthebuilding,onthelowerhilltohisleft,afemalefiguresatbeneathalargeumbrella.Aneasel was set up before her and she was painting. Although he could not see her face from here, he knew it was Helen. He recognizedherposture herbodybentforwardineagerness,lackingjustalittleoftheramrodstraightnessdinnedintogirlsof gentlebirth
He walked obliquelynearer, approachingbetweenthe ruinand where she sat ona small, three-legged stool. She might haveknownhewastherebeforeshelooked.Although,frowningoverherwork,therewasahintofdelicateflushinhercheeks. Didshewishhimjusttowalkon?
Hedecidedtodojustthat,andmerelyraisehishandifshegreetedhim Butquitesuddenly,shesaid,“Oh,stop!” It was half command, half plea, but not remotely frightened. He halted, looking directly at her, and she smiled in a distractedkindofway Herbrushflewoverthepaper,dippedandflewagainwhileshespoke “Sorry!Butplease,willyounotmove?Thelight,orlackofit,isperfect,andI…Well,I’meitherspoilingadecentpicture orcreatingamasterpiece…”
Intriguedalloveragain,hekeptperfectlystill somethinghehadbeenincapableofevenforafewsecondsthismorning andwatchedher face as she painted.Her eyes dartedbetweenhim,the abbey,andher easel.Her expressionwas absorbed, determined,herobservationsomehowbothintimateanddetached
Hehadbeenrightwhenhesaw herintheballroomlastnight.Shewasbeautifulandrare,andhelikedlookingathertoo much She had pushed her hat off so that it hungbyits ribbons at her back Her hair was pinned up but contrived to look stylishlymussed.Herealizedtherewasnofashioninvolved.Itwashernaturallookthathesuspectedhermaidhadmadethe mostofwhendressingherlastnight.Itsuitedhersomuchthathewantedtosmile.
There was intelligence inher high, delicate brow, humor and passioninher eyes, a vulnerabilityabout her soft mouth, grace and determination in her posture. All these things drew him. But there was so much more to her than a particular combinationofcharms Hewishedhewereyounger,moreinnocent,worthier Andyetwouldhisyoungerselfhaveappreciated herasheought?
No,thatwasnotquitetrue.ManywomenweremarriedyoungerthanHelen,andtomenmucholderthanRoderick.Buthe was too battered bylife to be fitfor marriage to anywoman, letalone toone so innocent And wheninhell had marriage enteredhisstupid,feveredbrain?
He walked across the ground betweenthem, pleased thatshe wanted his opinion, relieved thatshe trusted himto come closer.Wasitpossiblehereallyhadn’tfrightenedherlastnight?
“You are right,” he said “The abbey does have an interesting face” All spiky, broken stone walls and tall, arched windowsopentotheelements.Shehadcaughtthetragedyofitsformerbeauty,itslostgrandeur.
“Ithasseveral,”sheagreed “AndIshouldprobablyapologizeforusingyouasamereaidtotheimpressionIwanted Do youthinkitworks?”
“Icould notwrite or draw or paintto save mylife,” he said, thenadded, almostwithsurprise, “Iused to enjoymusic, though.”
“Usedto?”
“Well, I couldn’t take a pianoforte on campaign.” He smiled suddenly at the memory of some light and entertaining moments.“ThoughIoccasionallycameacrossoneinbilletsandwinterquarters.”
“YouhavenoneatBlackHillHouse?”
“Actually, we do.” He had almost forgotten. She must thinkhimanidiot. All the same, his fingers flexed of their own volition,asthoughpreparingtoplay “Inevertookitseriously Iwasonlyeverseriousaboutwarandsoldiering”
Don’t dare say you understand, hethoughtsavagely. You could not possibly!Noonewhohadnotbeentherecouldgrasp thesheer,horrificscale.Nordidhewantherto,buthecouldnotbeartritewordsoffalseempathy,notfromher.
Hestaredather.“The wounds no one sees?”hequoted,deliberatelymocking,becausehewasangryagainfornoreason. “ForGod’ssake,whatdoyouwantofme?”hedemandedbetweenhisteeth Hereyeswidened.“Nothing.”
“Onthecontrary,”hesaidwithforcedlightness “I’msuremyabsencewouldbeappreciated IfIpromisetobegood or atleastcivil mayIhelpyoupackupyourthings?”
“Notyet.Iwanttowaituntilthisisdry.”Shescowledatherpainting,and,whetherdeliberatelyornot,hermindseemedto jumpagain “Iwouldpaintitbymoonlight,too Themoonisfulljustnow,isitnot?” “Yes, but youdon’t want to come out here alone inthe dark. The twins myyoungbrother and sister have seenvery suspiciousgoings-on Horsethieves AndIhearahighwaymanescapedfromBlackhavenprisonlastnight”
“Oh,somethingisalwaysgoingoninBlackhaven,”shesaiddismissively. Hefrowned.“Seriously,mylady.Thedangerisreal.Notjustfromhorsethievesandhighwaymen.Blunderingaboutinthe dark, anyaccidentcould befall you, and no one would find youfor hours. Ifyoumust, take your brother, or atleasta stout groomwithyou.”
Nothing I would be nothing “It’sallIknow,”hesaidwithashrug “Ifyouwere notanofficer and a gentleman, youcould be a doormanatthe hotel or the assemblyrooms. Youwould be excellentatthrowingoutthedrunksandkeepingtheguestssafe”
He bent to give her a step up into the saddle, then passed her the reins It seemed quite natural to walk beside her, sometimestalking,sometimesnot.TheypartedclosertothecastlethantoBlackHill,buthismindwassobusyashewalked homethatthetimeflewby
Inevitably,theytraveledinthe oldcarriage,withthe under-coachmananda footman,whomtheydismissedatthe market and instructed to meetthematthe innintwo hours. Fromthere theywalked around to the theater, where flyers onthe wall advertisedasomewhatluridplay,jugglers,andEuropeandancers.Thefrontdoorswereopen,andHelenwasrelievedtosee thefoyer wasaslargeassheremembereditfromayear ago,whensheandAlicehadfirststucktheir headsinandcomeup withtheplan.Now,theyapproachedtheclerkintheticketboothandaskedforthemanager.
Infact,Helenmadeitmoreofacommandthanarequest Aliceregardedherwithamusement,butHelenknewinstinctively thatsucharrogance was the onlywayfor two youngladies to be takenseriously. And, infact, the clerkwas backwithina coupleofminutestoconductthemtoanofficeatthebackofthetheater.
Hedidn’t,althoughhisclaspedhandsbegantorubtogetherasthoughoftheirownvolition “Charming Quitecharming As ithappens, we have a veryfine pianoforte, whichIcanshow you although, ofcourse, youwould be welcome to use your owninstrument Obviously,wehavestafftoarrangethestageasyouwish Wecansupplyandsellthetickets,arrangeushers, doormen,safety ”
“Safety?”Aliceinterrupted.
“Of yourselves,” Mr Pritchard said smoothly, “our patrons, and, of course, the art exhibits We have our fair share of opportunisticthievesinWhalen,plusafewrough,unemployedsailorswhoarenotwelcomeatgenteelestablishments.Butyou needneverseesuchpeople Wecantakecareofallofthatforyou Now,whatdateswereyouconsidering?”
“Let’sdoit,”Helensaid.Shewastiredofwaiting.“Providingwecanagreeonaprice,Mr.Pritchard?” Pritchard picked up his pen, scribbling down some figures while he murmured. “Hire…staff…printing costs…with discountfortakingupacancellation ”Helookedup,beamed,and,likethebearerofunexpectedlyexcellentnews,nameda staggeringsumofmoney.
Helenstoodup “Ibelievewehavebeenwastingyourtime” “Andourown,”Aliceadded. “Ah, don’tbe hasty, ladies. Allow me to pare downsome costs, and remember, most ofthe ticketsales would come to you.”
Aclerk fromthe local bank hurried by, doffing his hat deferentially. Meg nodded graciously in return, but somehow it addedtoherrestlessness.
Shewastiredofbeingabig,richfishinthistinypond.Shehadclimbedfrompovertytodomesticservicetomarryinga richoldmanwho’dmadeafortuneinshipping.Shehadlearnedtomodifyheraccentandlorditoverthelesserladiesinthe townwhostillgossipedthatshewasfast, but then, my dear, what do you expect from the gutter? Her father was a docker! Sohewas,andadrunkenoneatthat.ButitwasMegwholivedinthebiggesthouseintown,whocouldbuyandsellthem all Theycouldallpursetheirprimlipsindisapproval,buttheywerestillobligedtoacknowledgeherandinviteher
Butithadbeentwoweeks now,andshe was bothoffendedandafraidthather wiles reallyhadnotbeenenoughtobind him.He,the brother ofa landowningbaronet,anofficer andagentleman,anda heroinhis ownright,was tohave beenher gatewaytothegentryandthehigherSocietyshesought.Oneday,she would beinvitedtotheballsatBraithwaiteCastle. She had evenimagineditmightbe this summer,exceptRoderickhad suddenlyended their reallyrather enjoyable affair Meghadnottrulybelievedhim.Noonehadeverdismissedherbefore.Shewastheonewhodecidedwhenaconnectionhad gone far enough And she had the charm and the beauty, the wiles and the tricks, to keep any man she wanted Except, apparently,RoderickVale.
Still,shethought,lengtheningherstep,perhapsshehadalreadybegun.YoungMr.Glover,whohadbegunbypursuingLady Alice,nowseemedatleasthalfinclinedtoswitchallegiancetoLadyHelen ItwouldnottakemuchforMegtoentanglesucha fickle, impressionable creature, seduce him, and marryhim. And he, God bless him, was heir to Lord Bow. She could be a viscountessoneday…
make Aubrey drink the famous Blackhaven waters in order to improve his delicate health, although he was happy to cede companionshipinthistasktoLucy.
Lucywas more restless thanusual since the ball, whichshe had left secretlyfor at least halfanhour withanunknown cavalier, and Roderick was worried about her. Trying to find a balance between her safety and the kind of heavy-handed naggingthatwouldinevitablyleadtoopenrebellion,hedecidedtoleaveLucyandAubreytolookaftereachother Heplanned towalkonthebeachandperhapsenjoyapintofaleinthemoredisreputableofBlackhaven’shostelries.
As his siblings went into the pump room, a gentleman civilly held the door for thembefore sauntering out Roderick, alreadyturningawaytoward the beach, swungbackagain, frowningatthe emerginggentleman, who blinked athim, equally startled.
Skeltonnodded withsympathy. “The difficultyis findingsomethingelse to do instead. Don’twantto live offthe family forever.Couldbuyalittlelandwithmyprizemoney,perhaps,butIknownothingaboutfarming.”
Thelinesbetweenofficerandman,gentlemanandservant,wereobviouslyblurred,forNorthsatwiththemasifbyright whenhe’dfetchedtheale ItremindedRoderickofhischildhood,hereinBlackhaven,andatvariouscapitalsaroundtheworld where he had stayed with his diplomat father. He and Julius and Delilah had played with local children of all classes, acceptingandacceptedbeforerankandsocialpositionhadinterfered.
“I’d been wondering how such skills could be adapted to peacetime, and then I was talking to a young lady of my acquaintanceaboutsafetyandthisideacreptintomymind.Adiscreetservicethatcanbehiredforparticulartasks outriding onjourneys, protectingcargo or people, buildings, or events. Somethingmore discreetthanlarge, liveried servants. Do you thinktheremightbeacallforsuchaservice?”
