Ducal Encounters 03 - Portrait of a Duke (32 page)

“That is a relief.”

“And before you ask, your grandfather is working contentedly on the duke’s portrait. He has recovered from Annie’s barbaric assault and doesn’t seem to remember much about it.”

“Thank goodness for that.” Nia stretched and wiggled into a more comfortable position. “How long have I been asleep?”

“All night.”

“All night!” Nia attempted to sit up too fast and immediately flopped down onto her pillows again, her head spinning. “You should have woken me sooner.”

“The doctor gave you something to make you sleep. Besides, Lord Vince would have scolded me if I had tried to rouse you before now.”

A small part of Nia rejoiced at his concern. The sensible part chided her for her stupidity. “My actions are no concern of his lordships,” she said, her voice sounding prim and unconvincing.

Sophia smiled. “You can tell him that, if you like. Speaking personally, I do not dare.”

Nia eased herself into a sitting position, lured by a tempting aroma. “I brought you some breakfast, which is why I woke you.”

“Thank you.” Nia gratefully accepted a cup of tea and nibbled at a slice of buttered toast. “What has happened to Kenton?”

“The duke had the local constable take him in charge. He will stand trial and most likely be deported, if he is fortunate enough to escape the hangman’s noose. Abducting children is not a crime that will be looked upon with leniency.”

“He was in league with Lady Fairstock.”

“Yes, so we understand.”

“He implied that he killed her husband so they could be together.” Nia wrinkled her nose. “It would not surprise me if he did, but I don’t suppose he will actually admit it and there is not the smallest possibility of proving it after all this time.”

“There is more than enough to charge him with. He will not escape justice this time.”

“And Annie?”

“She is still locked in the cellar. We wanted to consult with you before we decided what to do about her.”

“She was quite taken in by Kenton, you know. She actually believed he was in love with her and would give her the life of a lady to which she aspired.” Nia cautiously shook her head. “Foolish child! She cannot stay with us. She assaulted Grandpapa and allowed the twins to be abducted without trying to prevent it, or at least warning us.
And
she was going to destroy the duke’s portrait. Then she helped me, only to change sides again.” Nia spread her hands. “But still, she is not the first woman to be deceived by a handsome rogue, and I don’t believe she is inherently bad.”

“I tend to agree with you. Her father is a parson, you know, in a small village in Devon. Beth tells me she ran away from home because he was too strict and she wanted excitement. I think the worst punishment would be to send her back to her father.”

Nia took a moment to consider the matter. “Yes, it most likely would be.”

“Very well. I will make sure Sean arranges it.” Sophia took Nia’s empty cup from her. “Now then, the boys are anxious to see you. Are you up to it if I send them in?”

“No, I shall get up. I have no excuse to laze about in bed.”

“Oh, Nia, are you sure?”

“Perfectly. Now will you help me or must I dress myself?”

“Very well, if you insist.” Sophia pulled the covers back. “Oh, by the way, I have some good news. My sketches have been found. When Kenton regained his senses, Lord Vincent questioned him about them.”

“Whereas I had forgotten all about them.”

“You had more pressing priorities.”

“Where had Kenton hidden them?”

“As it transpires, he did not have them. The wretched man talked his head off before the constable took him in charge, hoping to save his miserable skin. But he denied all knowledge of the sketches, claiming he was not in the habit of stealing other artists’ work—”

“Merely forging it,” Nia said disdainfully.

“Quite. He seemed to think there was an important difference. Anyway, we have Lord Vincent to thank for their recovery. He saw Annie and Kenton together in Compton a while back and saw Annie pass something to Kenton. He assumed it was the sketches but both Kenton and Annie denied it vehemently. They both said the papers were sketches drawn up by Annie of the layout of this house and the grounds.”

“Because Kenton thought he might need to break in, or at least gain access to the grounds, which of course, he did.”

Sophia nodded. “Lord Vincent believed them, especially since Kenton admitted to painting the forgeries. Being under lock and key, he could not benefit from the sale of the sketches, so why not give them up, if he had them?”

“Yes, I can see Lord Vincent’s reasoning.”

“He deduced that if Kenton and Annie both knew nothing of the disappearance of the sketches then someone living beneath this roof must be responsible for their theft.” Sophia laughed. “You should have seen him, Nia. He was like a dark, avenging angel. He stormed into Drake’s room, ignored its occupant’s protests, and turned it upside down until he found the sketches hidden at the back of his closet.”

Nia, in the process of stepping into the petticoats Sophia held out for her, paused and widened her eyes. “Mr. Drake stole the sketches?”

“Yes, he was put out when you rejected him—”

“So was Kenton, apparently, my refusal being the catalyst for his subsequent activities.” She sighed. “What is so special about me that it drives men to criminal activities?”

Sophia shook her head. “You still do not know?” Even after Lord Vincent—”

“There is nothing
to
know.”

“Have it your way.” Sophia flashed a smug smile. “Anyway, Drake stole them as an act of revenge. He anticipated being evicted from this household when we return to Ireland and wanted something to live on. Suffice it to say, he too is now under the constable’s care.” Sophia grinned. “At least he still has free accommodation.”

“How very clever of Lord Vincent,” Nia mused. “But I wish I had arrived at the truth myself. I do so hate being beholden to him.”

Sophia chuckled. “Do you indeed?”

***

Vince visited Stoneleigh Manor that afternoon, more in hope than expectation of seeing Nia. After her ordeal, she was likely to remain in bed, recovering her strength, for several more days yet. He was both surprised and delighted to see her sitting alone in the sunshine on the terrace, staring into space. The boys bounded up to him, seeming none of the worse for their ordeal, Ruff dancing around their feet. He handed Forrester over to them, took a few minutes to answer their barrage of questions, and then presented himself to Nia.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

“Much better, I thank you. Without you…well, without your timely intervention I do not care to think how matters might have resolved themselves. I am very much obliged to you, Lord Vincent.”

“It was a pleasure to be of some small service to you.”

“Small!”

“How is your grandfather?”

“None the worse for his ordeal, thankfully.” She smiled at him. “We are returning Annie to her very strict clergyman of a father whom she was at pains to escape from. We think that will be punishment enough for her.”

“Why am I not surprised at your soft-heartedness?”

“She is a very silly girl, but I believe she has learned her lesson.”

“Let us hope so.” He paused. “Zach hopes to arrange a private viewing of his portrait in two weeks’ time. I know it is no longer strictly necessary, since we know the identity of the forger, but he is determined to do it.”

“He has not seen it yet. It might be unflattering.”

Vince laughed. “He is not so conceited that he would let that concern him.
You
have declared it to be amongst your grandfather’s best work, so too has Sophia. That is enough for Zach.”

“Then I am sure it can be ready in time. Then we can concentrate upon arranging the exhibition in London and return to Ireland until it is time to return for it. But this time we shall be living without the usual entourage my grandfather manages to attract. I only have Miss Tilling to be rid of and we will be ourselves again.”

“Just so long as your grandfather does not adopt any other good causes.”

Nia shuddered. “We shall be on our guard and ensure it doesn’t happen. Grandpapa means well, but we now have definite proof of just how ungrateful people can be.”

“Quite so.”

“I never did like Mr. Kenton. He definitely had an inflated opinion of his own self-worth. I just did not realise that by adopting him, for want of a better word, Grandpapa had only made matters ten times worse.”

“Your grandfather had faith in him, reinforcing Kenton’s self-belief. And by having the good sense to reject his proposal, to his warped way of thinking, you gave him justification to feel resentful.”

“Odious man!” She shrugged. “He was convinced I would accept him with open arms. However, enough of him. I have yet to thank you for recovering Sophia’s sketches and exposing Mr. Drake’s treachery.”

“When one understood his reason for feeling aggrieved, he was the obvious suspect.”

“Not to me.”

“That is because you underestimate the effect you have on the opposite sex.”

Nia laughed, already shaking her head in denial. “You mistake the matter.”

“I am obviously not the first man to appreciate your compelling femininity. You have a lot to answer for, Miss Trafford.” His smile was deliberately provocative as he gently traced the curve of her face with his forefinger. “You inspire men to great love, and equally great iniquities, without having to lift a finger. That must be a very heavy burden to bear.”

“No, Lord Vincent, this has nothing to do with me.”

“It has everything to do with you,” replied softly.

She shook her head, clearly not convinced. “It is ladies like Sophia who inspire men’s artistic souls, not I. Kenton and Drake both wished to exploit me for their own personal gain. I am not such a numbskull that I cannot recognise false flattery when I hear it.”

Vince was filled with admiration for the modest, headstrong and determined female who had so effortlessly captured his heart. Part of him wanted to shake her modest attitude out of her, turn her in front of a mirror and make her see herself as others did.

As he did.

Now was not the time to tell her how he felt, but there never would be a right time. He guessed she would already be formulating plans to leave these shores for Ireland, and could not let her go without a fight. He reached for her hand and held it between both of his own, drawing patterns on her palm with the pad of one thumb.

“I have no reason to offer you false praise.”

“I don’t know what to say. I…”Her pale cheeks were suffused with a pink glow. Her lips parted as though she knew precisely what to say, but no words came out.

“I admire your dedication to your grandfather, your determination to do the right thing by him and all of your family, regardless of the personal sacrifices involved.”

“I cannot take any credit for that,” she replied, looking embarrassed. “Grandpapa is an impossible person not to love. I am fortunate to have him in my life.”

“I dare say he would say the same thing about you, and he would be in the right of it.” He wagged a finger at her. “Now stop interrupting when I am attempting to pay you compliments.”

“I beg your pardon, Lord Vincent,” she said with an engaging smile. “Pray continue.”

“Very well. Now, where was I? Ah yes, I adore your staunch defence of Sophia, your efforts to keep the twins from running completely wild, and so many other things about your character.” He paused to offer her an intensely passionate smile. “But most of all, I love your modesty, your sharp mind, the natural beauty and vitality you don’t seem to be aware of.” He shook his head. “The list is endless, you know.”

“Lord Vincent…Vince, I don’t quite know what to say to all of that.”

“There is only one thing you need to say,” he responded in a stirringly passionate tone. “Say you will do me the very great honour of becoming my wife.”

Nia’s mouth fell open. “Your wife!”

Nia trembled with a combination of dizzying shock and momentary joy. She was acutely aware of the honour of his proposal, even though it would be impossible to accept it.

“Thank you.” She shook her head, dazed and deeply disappointed. “If circumstances were different I would accept you with pleasure. But alas, we are not all masters of our own destinies.”

Still holding her hand, Vince pulled her onto her feet and into his arms. Nia definitely should not go quite so willingly into them. All the time he was simply holding her hand, she could find the strength of will to disappoint them both—just about. But if his arms closed around her or, worse, if he brought his lips into play, then it would be a very different matter.

“I know you have decided against matrimony, but then you did not expect to ever fall in love. Situations change.”

She moistened her lips and attempted a haughty toss of her head. “What makes you suppose I am in love with you?”

He chuckled. “Then deny it. Convince me, if you possibly can, that I have got it wrong and that you do not return my feelings.”

She immediately lowered her gaze. “Even if what you say is true, I cannot leave my grandfather.”

“Your grandfather has Sophia, your brother and the boys. Besides, once the exhibition is over, he will have the money to live wherever he likes. This place could be renovated. I will pay for it if your grandfather cannot.”

She looked up at him and gasped. “You would do that. For me.”

“I would do that for my wife, and much more besides, with gladness in my heart. Your grandfather could divide his time between here and Ireland. Or, if he decided to live permanently in Ireland, we could visit as often as you wish. We could even purchase a house of our own, close to his. My duties for Zach do not require my continual presence at the Park.”

He linked his hands behind her waist and pulled her fractionally closer. She really should not allow him to. Passion overcame clarity of thought whenever he crowded her with his masculinity. Worse, her hands appeared to have taken up a position on the back of his coat quite without her giving them leave to do so. She could feel sculpted muscles rippling beneath her touch through the layers of his clothing. Dear God, this simply would not do! She instructed both her hands and her body to distance themselves from him.