His Shadowed Heart ((Books We Love Regency Romance)) (2 page)

“She is his daughter and Diana swears that though she is only nineteen, she has proved an invaluable help. She stays with them until Marchant’s furlough is over and then returns to her aunt in Portsmouth. No doubt we will make her acquaintance at the christening.”

“I have no doubt that we will,” the earl replied, pushing his chair from the table and losing all interest in the subject. “Now if you will excuse me, my dear Victoria, I am promised elsewhere this evening.” So saying
, he rose and took his leave, remaining in the house only long enough to order his valet not to wait up for him.

*****

Ross Edward played his part admirably and slept throughout his christening, waking only to receive everyone’s good wishes at the reception held in his honor. Upward of eighty guests had attended so notable an occasion. Now the main salon in Lord Marchant’s London home abounded with lively conversation as they enjoyed a magnificent cold collation set for their refreshment.

Leaving Julia in the care of his sister, the earl joined with her husband, who had recently returned to London, and along with several other gentlemen of the party, retired to the library to blow a cloud. Here the visitors sat with their host, enjoying a glass or two of excellent burgundy and a cheroot, relieved to be away from the formality of the event. As the afternoon wore on, their conversation ranged from what sport they may expect in the coming season, to matters in the Peninsular. Each one in turn lament
ed the need for Lord Marchant’s imminent return to his regiment.

Lady Victoria was delighted to see her brother in such an expansive mood, visibly well pleased with his companions and appearing much in his old way. She remained seated on a small chaise in the salon with Julia, a beguiling three-year-old with riotous dark ringlets and china blue eyes, sitting happily engrossed with a toy, at her feet. With teacup in hand, Victoria viewed the company, picking out familiar faces and exchanging pleasantries with her acquaintances.

There was one young lady who, having just returned from taking the children to the nursery, stood quietly just within the room. Her Ladyship was not familiar with her but rightly guessed her to be Miss Northam. She studied her for a brief moment, seeing before her a petite young woman, with dusky curls and delicate features who possessed a pair of expressive violet eyes. From Diana’s description, she had expected to see a mouse of a creature, but although the girl appeared reticent and not eager to put herself forward in any way, she liked what she saw. Attracting Miss Northam’s attention, she invited her to join her on the chaise.

Miss Northam willingly took her seat at
Her Ladyship’s side. “Is not Ross Edward an agreeable child?” she said in a pleasantly low voice, “and he behaved so well. Even at the font he slept.”

“It will not last,”
Her Ladyship replied, smiling. “In my experience, young gentlemen soon start to feel their feet. I have one son and two daughters and believe me when I say that boys can be a severe trial to one’s nerves and one’s pocket.”

“Is this your daughter?” Miss Northam enquired, as Julia rose to peep shyly at the newcomer from the safety of her aunt’s knee.

Her Ladyship looked fondly at the child. “Sadly no, she is my niece, my brother’s daughter. My children are much older. I have a son, John, at Cambridge and my daughters, Charlotte and Anne, are just out of the schoolroom. I cannot lay claim to this little one, but she is a prodigiously sweet child. She has so much the look of her mother about her and my brother positively dotes on her.”

“Diana has told me of the earl,” Miss Northam said
, lifting Julia onto her lap and attempting to keep her amused. “It’s a sad case. No wonder he spoils the child. If she were mine, so would I.”

Julia appeared well pleased with her new playmate. She chattered away claiming Miss Northam’s attention so that she was obliged to share her conversation between the child and
Her Ladyship. As the afternoon progressed, they appeared to set up a rapport and Miss Northam was more than content to remain with them.

As members of the company began taking their leave, the earl returned to the salon. Standing in the doorway, his gaze swept the room in search of his daughter and sister and he saw that they had a young companion.

Seeing him standing there, Victoria smiled, beckoning him forward, and he groaned inwardly. He knew she would expect him to be civil to the chit and would be eager to push the girl in his way, but he had no intention of playing into her hands. However, he knew it would appear churlish if he did not allow introductions and, fixing a pleasant smile on his lips, advanced into the room. If the smile did not reach his eyes, Victoria did not notice.

At sign of his approach, Miss Northam put Julia from her knee and rose to take her leave saying, “I would not wish to intrude.”

“Nonsense, child, will you not stay to meet my brother?” Her Ladyship asked, smiling. “He is no ogre I assure you, thought at times he would have you believe it.”

“Stay,” pleaded Julia catching hold of Miss Northam’s skirts with a small insistent hand.

“What a charming trio you present,” His Lordship said, coming forward.

“Papa,” Julia cried jubilantly, and immediately went to him to be lifted aloft, her small arms clasping his neck possessively.

“You imp,” he chided. “Do not your companions satisfy you that you run to me as soon as I appear?” He seemed to scold the child but it was obvious that her actions had pleased him. Kissing her cheek, he once more set her on her feet, giving her a gentle push in her aunt’s direction and smiled indulgently as she skipped toward Her Ladyship. “This young lady must learn to contain her exuberance when in company,” he said, attempting a firm tone but not quite achieving it. “It would seem I am too lax with her.”

“That would be a great pity, sir, her liveliness is enchanting,” Miss Northam said, smiling. “Surely you would not have the child stand in awe of you when she obviously regards you so highly.”

The earl stiffened slightly, perceiving censure where none was intended. “My daughter knows she has no need to stand in awe of me, Miss…?”

“Allow me to introduce Miss Caroline Northam to you Richard,”
Her Ladyship said, rising to join them. “She has been so obliging as to help me keep the child amused whilst she was in my company. ’Pon faith, they have chattered like two jays the whole while. They make me feel positively old.”

Taking the hand that Miss Northam extended,
His Lordship queried a little less stiffly, “You like my little one?”

“Indeed I do, sir,” she replied, blushing as she made a brief curtsey. “She is an engaging child, quite delightful. I am only sorry to relinquish her company as we have become firm friends.”

The earl bowed perfunctorily over the hand he held. “Then it’s a pity that I must rob you of it so soon. I’m afraid that, as soon as Lord Stanton rejoins us, we must make our departure or Julia will be overtired and become fractious.” He was not eager to prolong the interview, and when Miss Northam once more dropped a slight curtsey and withdrew, he made no effort to detain her.

*****

When returning to Waverly House in the earl’s coach a short while later, Lady Victoria, who sat bristling with indignation at her husband’s side, found it necessary to take her brother to task. “You treated the poor girl shamefully, Richard,” she said. “She is such a pleasant young woman, and you—well you certainly did not show her any cordiality at all. I dread to think what her opinion must be of you.”

“I’m sure I care not what Miss Northam’s opinion may be of me,”
His Lordship replied. “As is common with most young ladies, I found her manner quite irritating.”

Her
Ladyship chuckled wryly. “Then that is a great pity.”

“Why so?” he enquired, giving only half a mind to the question. Having declined the services of the nursery maid on this occasion in favor of having her in his own care, he settled Julia more comfortably in the crook of his arm as tiredness overcame her. Already half-asleep, the child nestled contently to his side.

“Because, my dear brother, now that we have become acquainted, it would appear unkind if we did not acknowledge her when next we meet. The Marchant’s are giving a ball on the eve of his return to his regiment and we are to attend.”

“You may be, Victoria, but I believe that is one pleasure I must forego.”

Lord Stanton, a large, floridly handsome man who usually remained silent during exchanges between his wife and brother-in-law, sat forward in his seat. His customary quiet manner rebelled against the earl’s decision and he joined in the conversation for the first time. “What? You would not attend to wish young Marchant well on his return? I cannot believe you so unsympathetic to the boy. Surely, on such an occasion, we must offer what support we can.”

The earl slightly inclined his head. “When you state the fact so baldly, Henry, I see it would appear boorish to decline the invitation, therefore, as you so rightly put it, I must attend.”

Lady Victoria smiled to herself, feeling some satisfaction at the outcome of the conversation and settled back into the corner of the coach. It was her intention that her brother should be seen more in society, even if it meant delaying her departure to the country for a few weeks. Was it not her duty to try to bring him about? A concerted effort on her behalf was what was now needed.

*****

The spring evening was pleasantly warm when the earl’s coach stopped outside a charming house in Curzon Street, and instantly the door swung wide to admit him. The footman who relieved him of his hat and cane, informed him that Lady Christina was in her boudoir, and taking the stairs two at a time, the earl repaired immediately to the second story landing,

It was not necessary for the servant to announce him. He entered the room without ceremony, as one accustomed to the right.

At his entrance, Her Ladyship, dressed only in a negligee of primrose satin and lace that perfectly complimented her fair complexion, rose gracefully from the chaise where she had been reclining in anticipation of his arrival and held out her hands invitingly to him.

Taking her fingers, he raised them to his lips in an almost mechanical salute.

“You are very formal tonight, my love,” Her Ladyship complained petulantly. “Is this the reception I am to expect whenever I return from my wanderings? I had hoped that my absence would have only served to increase your passion, but instead, you find it necessary to scowl at me.”

He made no reply but stood regarding her with a cold light in his eyes.

Her fingers clasped his, drawing him to her. Then, leaving go of his hand, she wound her arms about his neck, bringing his head down to hers, and he briefly kissed her. Not possessively as she would have wished, but in a more obligatory manner, before drawing away and sitting in a large upholstered chair by the hearth.

Seeing that he appeared not to be in the best of humors, she crossed the room to a small table upon which stood a decanter and poured out two glasses of wine and taking them returned to his side. Sitting on the arm of his chair, she presented him with the wine but laid her own glass on a low table. She attempted to smooth his hair from his brow, but he moved his head impatiently.

She would have complained at his action but thought better of it. She wished not to alienate him. Instead, feigning injury, she hung her head and made to move away, surprised when he did not detain her. She moved no further than the footstool at the side of his chair. Perching there, she arranged her features into those of an innocent and cast him a look of injured inquiry. “Your mood is less than charitable this evening,” she complained. “Tell me what it is that has displeased you and I will attempt to put it to rights. Is that not my sole purpose?”

He stood, looking down at her. “You play the guiltless so well, my dear,” he said, his eyes cold and impersonal. “If I did not know you so well, I would be tempted to believe you innocent.”

“Guilty of what?” she cried, coming hastily to her feet. “Of what do you accuse me?”

“I beg you not to take me for a fool,” he mocked. “I am not as easily duped as you would believe. I am aware of your arrangement with Massey and believe me when I say that he is welcome to you. I will tolerate your duplicity no longer. It is time our association ended.

“Exactly of what do you accuse me?” she asked, attempting to brazen out his allegations. She had not dreamed that he would have any suspicion of the other caller she received in Curzon Street. It took her completely off guard to realize that he was not so easily deceived and she asked nervously, attempting to lighten the moment, “Are you perhaps jealous?”

“Not in the least. To be jealous one needs to be in love, and I can assure you that that is one emotion to which I have not succumbed.”

“How long have you known?”

His jaw set and without answering her question, he replied, “You may inform Lord Massey that he shall have no rival. Your favors are not worth contending for, my dear. I will tolerate your duplicity no longer and leave his way clear. From this point forward, my patronage will cease. Any further debts you incur are to be laid at his door. However, I doubt you will find him quite so generous.”