A Matchmaking Miss (5 page)

Certainly he looked nothing like the late marquess. Where Lord Frederick had been exquisitely slender, with light brown hair and hazel eyes, Lord Kirkswood was powerfully built, with deep russet hair and icy green eyes that stared coldly out at the world. He was hard where his brother had been soft, and there was something about him that made her hope for the future. Now, if she could just convince him to stay. . . . She drifted into a restless sleep.

"Your captor appears to have fallen asleep," Raj said in English, nodding at Matty. "Shall we make a break for it?"

Joss gazed over at the peacefully sleeping woman. "A tempting thought," he agreed, annoyed to find himself wanting to cover her against the morning chill. "Unfortunately, I've already given her my word I won't try to escape. Besides, I doubt it would do any good; she'd only track us down."

"Not if we run to India," Raj said, with a laugh. "But I must warn you, the thought of boarding another ship is enough to make me contemplate murder."

Joss said nothing, although he more than shared Raj's sentiments. The five-month journey from Calcutta had been a nightmare of violent storms and sluggish seas, and the thought
of a return voyage was hardly cheering. Still, he didn't see that he had any other choice. His responsibilities in England aside, his real life was in India, running the business he'd built with his bare hands. If all went as he hoped, he'd be free to return once he'd cleaned up the mess Frederick had left behind.

The thought of his brother's death brought a swift stab of pain. Although he'd never cared overly much for Frederick, he was his brother, and he loved him after a fashion. He'd always meant to return to England before this, but somehow there hadn't been time. Now, Frederick and his parents were dead, leaving Joss without any close family to call his own. Not that it mattered one way or another, he thought bitterly. He'd always been alone. The only difference was, now it was official.

Raj saw the bitter expression, and his heart ached for the pain his friend was feeling. He would have liked to offer Joss consolation, but knew he would reject any show of sympathy. Instead he folded his arms across his chest and regarded Joss with a faintly bored expression.

"Tell me more of your home," he ordered languidly. "You have only said it has been in your family a donkey's age."

"Not quite that long, although it does date back to the days of Queen Anne," Joss said,
turning his thoughts to his estate. "The main house is in the Palladian style, and it was something of a showpiece in my father's day. Lord knows what it will look like now," he added, grimacing as he recalled Miss Stone's words.

"Well, at least the estate has been in capable hands," Raj said, shooting Miss Stone an admiring look. "From what you said, she has done a remarkable job of holding things together."

"So she has," Joss conceded, reluctantly giving the hellcat her due. He stared at her for a moment, then sighed, unfolding the blanket he'd discovered beneath the cushions. When she was covered to his satisfaction, he settled back against his seat.

They continued down the winding road, and as they passed increasingly familiar landmarks Joss's heart began to pound with excitement. When he and his father had parted after that last bitter quarrel, he'd thought never to see Kirkswood again. Now he was back, and although he still wasn't certain what he meant to do, one thing was abundantly clear. He was the marquess, and no one, he vowed, could ever force him to give up his home again.

The sudden cessation of movement pene
trated Matty's dreams, bringing her slowly awake. She lay still for a few moments, rubbing her eyes like a sleepy child and glancing curiously about her. Finding herself in a carriage confused her, and she wondered groggily if she might still be dreaming. Then she saw the two men sitting opposite her, and in a flash it all came flooding back to her.

"We've arrived at Kirkswood, Miss Stone." The marquess spoke first, his voice chillingly polite as he regarded her. "Are you all right, or will you require some assistance?"

Matty's cheeks fired with embarrassment. "I am quite fine, my lord," she replied, the blanket tumbling from her shoulders as she sat up. She couldn't remember pulling it over her, and decided Mr. Fitzsimmons must have covered her. He, at least, was a gentleman, she thought, frantically straightening her badly rumpled clothes.

"Very well." Joss was human enough to take pleasure in her discomfiture. "Shall we go inside, then, or is it your intention that we sit out here all morning?"

"Naturally we shall go inside, your lordship," she answered, wondering how she could have been so foolish as to think there was anything the least bit admirable about his character. "I'm sure Lady Kirkswood will be expecting you."

The mention of his sister-in-law put an end to Joss's mocking smile. This was the first time he would meet his brother's wife, and he couldn't help but be uncomfortable. What was she like? he wondered uneasily. Would she be all clinging and teary-eyed, or would she be as cool and calculating as the widows he had met in Society? What manner of woman had Frederick married?

Matty saw the marquess's expression, and felt a grudging flash of sympathy. She supposed it couldn't be easy meeting an in-law under such circumstances, and she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Not that she intended letting him hurt her employer, she decided protectively. If he said or did anything to cause the marchioness a moment's distress, she would make him wish himself back in India.

"Lady Louisa is still recovering from her husband's death," she began, eyeing him with marked suspicion. "She has led a sheltered life, and these past twelve months have been rather difficult for her. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from upsetting her."

Joss grew rigid at her inference that he would hurt his brother's widow. "Despite what you might think of me, I am hardly an ogre, Miss Stone," he informed her, his voice stiff with anger. "Lady Louisa is quite safe from my evil de
signs, I assure you."

Ouch
. Matty winced mentally at his haughty tone. Obviously she had offended his lordship's considerable pride, which she hadn't meant to do. She was tempted to apologize, but then she reminded herself that his tender feelings were none of her concern. Lady Louisa and Kirkswood were all that mattered, and so long as they were safe she would be satisfied. Keeping these thoughts to herself, she allowed a tiny smile to curl her lips. "So long as we understand each other, my lord," she drawled, watching his eyes darken to purest emerald. "So long as we understand each other."

Lady Louisa was waiting anxiously in the Golden Room, and the sight of her brother-in-law brought tears to her eyes. "You look like your grandfather," she said, offering him her hand as she dropped a graceful curtsey. "Welcome home, my lord."

"My lady." Joss accepted her hand, doing his best to hide the sudden surge of emotion that washed through him. "Pray accept my deepest condolences at your sad loss. I am more sorry than I can tell you."

"I know." She raised tear-washed eyes to study his stern features. "But you are here now,
and that is all that matters." She glanced past him, her eyes growing wide as she saw the darkly handsome stranger standing beside Stone. The marquess caught the direction of her stare and hastily introduced his friend.

"Lady Kirkswood." The man bowed his head politely. "I hope you will forgive my intrusion into what must be a sad time for you, but—"

"Oh, but it isn't in the least bit sad," Lady Louisa hastened to assure him. "In fact, it is the happiest of occasions! My brother-in-law is now home," and she gave Joss a brilliant smile.

Matty was annoyed to find her own eyes filling with tears at the tender scene. Feeling like a voyeur, she began inching her way from the room. She'd almost reached the door when Lady Louisa called out to her.

"Why, Stone, wherever are you going?" she asked, linking her arm through Joss's. "I was just about to ring for breakfast."

"That is very kind of you, my lady," Matty said with a grateful smile, "but truth to tell, I am rather tired. With your permission, I would like to retire."

"Oh, you poor dear!" Lady Louisa abandoned her brother-in-law to rush to her companion's side. "Are you all right? You look fagged to death!"

"I am only tired, ma'am," Matty replied, feel
ing like a fraud. "I am sure I'll be fine after a brief nap."

Lady Louisa's blue eyes moved anxiously over Stone's pale face and glittering eyes. "You're to spend the rest of the day in bed," she lectured firmly. "And if you aren't better by dinner I shall have Nancy bring you your meal on a tray."

"Yes, Lady Kirkswood," Matty said, touched by her employer's obvious concern. Her worry for her staff was one of her nicest attributes, and doubtlessly one of the reasons the servants were so devoted to her. No matter what was going on about her, the marchioness could always find time to notice others.

"I believe I shall also retire," Raj said, his eyes thoughtful as they rested on his hostess's lovely face. "If Miss Stone would be so good as to conduct me to my room?"

"Of course, sir." Matty seized the excuse he offered, murmuring a polite "Good day" to both Lord Kirkswood and Lady Louisa as she guided Mr. Fitzsimmons from the room.

Once they were in the hall he gave her a sardonic smile. "Before you show me to my rooms, Miss Stone, there is something I should like to say to you."

"Indeed?" Matty asked, aware of a certain hardness that had stolen into his melodic voice.

"I do not appreciate your kidnapping my friend," he said simply. "I understand your reasons for doing so, but I do not like it. Joss might have been hurt."

"I wouldn't have harmed him," Matty denied indignantly.

"Perhaps not, but that is beside the point." He gave her a cold look. "I have precious few friends in this world, and those I have I guard most zealously. You would do well to remember that, Miss Stone."

"As you say, sir," she replied, admiring his devotion to the marquess. She only hoped the wretch appreciated it. "Now, if you will excuse me, I — "

"There is just one more thing." He laid a detaining hand on her arm.

"And what might that be?"

He gave her a grin. "What do you suggest Joss and I do about clothes and the like? Thanks to your haste in fetching Joss here, we haven't a clean shirt or a hair brush to our names. A most shocking state of affairs, do you not agree?"

Although she had fully intended to lie down, Matty found herself helping the staff cope with the new arrivals. Lady Louisa had moved into
the dowager rooms during her absence, leaving the master suite available for Lord Kirkswood. After careful thought she arranged for Mr. Fitzsimmons to take the Oriental Room, reasoning that the marquess would wish his friend to be close at hand. That done, she next turned her attention to the matter of the gentlemen's wardrobes.

Mr. Fitzsimmons's teasing remarks had brought to mind the need not only for fresh clothing, but for such necessities as razors and soap as well. Fortunately Linton, Lord Frederick's valet, had been kept on in another capacity, and she assigned to him the task of seeing to both men's needs. She also instructed him to go through his late master's wardrobe, gleaning whatever he could for their guests. With luck, he would find enough to see them through until their luggage could be sent from London.

That she could have overlooked something so vital as luggage vexed her, for she prided herself on her thoroughness. Had she given the matter careful thought she'd have anticipated his lordship's needs, and had his luggage already tucked in the carriage when she abducted him. Apparently there was more to this kidnapping business than was first supposed, she decided with a glum sigh.

She was in the study going over her account books, prior to presenting them for the marquess's approval, when there was a knock at the door. Expecting Lady Louisa, she was surprised when Lord Kirkswood came striding into the room. He seemed equally as shocked to see her, his light green eyes widening when he saw her sitting behind the massive oak desk.

"Miss Stone, what are you doing here?" he demanded, his brows descending in a scowl as he continued advancing toward her. "I was told you were resting."

"I changed my mind, my lord," Matty answered, fighting a flash of resentment at the censure in his deep voice. She knew she was overreacting, but was too weary to care. It had been an impossibly long day, and it was finally catching up with her.

"Yes, I can see that," Joss growled, his eyes narrowing as they studied her. Her skin was white and drawn over her high cheekbones, and the shadows beneath her eyes were so deep they might have passed for bruises. She looked on the verge of collapse, and he wondered that she was still on her feet.

"Was there something that you wished, sir?" Matty dashed a hand over her burning eyes. It wasn't noon yet, but she wanted nothing more than to crawl into her bed and remain there for
hours.

"Nothing that can't wait," Joss replied, abandoning his plans to inspect the household accounts. "In the meanwhile, I want you to go to your rooms. We shall continue this discussion when you are rested."

Matty's hand dropped to her side. "I beg your pardon?"

"I shall have to have a sharp word with Lady Louisa," he continued, not noticing the militant gleam that had crept into her eyes. "She has no right working you like a lackey, and so I intend telling her. It is obvious that she has taken shameless advantage of you, and — "

" 'Tis nothing of the sort!" Matty exclaimed, outraged that he should dare accuse her gentle employer of anything so heinous. "I have never had anyone treat me half so kindly as her ladyship has treated me!"

"Then I can only conclude you have worked for a succession of misers and despots," Joss retorted, recalling all he had learned from his sister-in-law less than an hour ago. "Perhaps you are unaware of how things are handled in most households, Miss Stone, but companions are not customarily required to act as estate managers for their employers."

His unjust remarks drove Matty to her feet, her brown eyes bright with fury as she leapt to
Lady Louisa's defense. "I daresay they are not," she snapped, her chin jutting out pugnaciously. "But then, most households are able to employ managers, aren't they? Thanks to your brother's preoccupation with his own pleasures, that wasn't a luxury we could afford!"