Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One (2 page)

            "Lady Cambroke awaits you at your earliest
convenience. Would you care to refresh yourself or see her directly, my lord?"

           
Again with the censuring
? Gilles wondered
at the older man's presumption. He must be quite assured of his position. Which
wasn't surprising. He liked him instinctively and wondered why he was found
lacking.

            He was led forward and then to the left through
a long hallway. The floors were highly polished but hidden beneath even more
oriental rugs, the wood paneling on the walls glowed warmly and the smell of
orange oil filled his nose. A set of doors opened to a room that took Gilles by
surprise. In the past it had been a ballroom. The floors were parquet but were
obscured again by rugs. The long walls were almost completely floor to ceiling
windows and French doors that were thrown open to allow as much light and air
into the space as possible. The space was filled with marble sculptures of
various sizes. They ranged in size from a small, lifelike rendering of a flower
arrangement to a great majestic horse. Various figures from history and
mythology lounged or towered here and there as well as the occasional small
replica of famous palaces. Outside, jasmine, roses, rosemary and lavender
bloomed and their evocative scents floated into the space with the breeze.
Somewhere in the distance a piano played, it's melody beautiful yet haunting.

            Gilles took it all in, "Her ladyship must
not be much of a dancer but her taste in art is to be commended." he
turned to Holderson, the large smile across his face fell as he took in the
older man's withering glare.

            "Lady Cambroke is just through here. Would
you like to me to have your bag sent upstairs or to your study, my lord?"
he asked as he motioned towards the satchel under Gilles' arm.

            Gilles shook his head and patted the leather bag.
"I have some papers I'd like her ladyship to look over and sign. I'm sure
she'll be quite pleased." He'd had an agreement drafted that rewarded Lady
Cambroke with an increase in her allowance and reasserted her possession of
Harwood Grange. He'd hoped it would open discussion to the point of her leaving
so that he could have Longwood to himself.

            Holderson stopped and turned. "My lord, you
should know that if her ladyship should leave Longwood, the majority of the
staff would follow." With that he led the way out of the ballroom and
gestured towards a small, opened door just off to the left in the small
hallway.

            Stunned, Gilles nodded and walked into what must
have been a small music room or parlor. Holderson left, leaving Gilles to
wonder if the staff of Longwood had just resigned. 

            As he surveyed the room, he became aware that
the music had ceased. Blinking his eyes at the brightness, he took in more
tapestries as well as patterned velvet wall paper in cream and gold, cream
colored velvet fabric draped about the room and windows and several large
pieces of furniture upholstered in various shades of cream and gold. The far
wall was again a formation of glass windows and doors and bright, golden light
flooded in. Centered in the glow sat a small ethereal figure at a large piano
at the back of the room. Gilles could make out very little of the figure other
than she was very small and definitely not elderly. He detected flowing, golden
hair and delicate shoulders. As he edged along the wall, the light shone less
in his eyes and he became acutely aware of her testing a single key. The soft,
low note echoed though the room as he drew closer. He reached the far end of
the piano and regarded the woman at the bench.

            "Woman" seemed inadequate as Gilles
took in the totality of her. He felt as if he were Icarus, too close to the
sun. Melting and falling towards the sea. The soft golden locks he'd noticed at
the door cascaded around a face so delicate and fine it could be no more than
twenty. Glowing ivory skin kissed at the cheeks with the softest blush was
adorned by a small, delicately pointed nose and full, pink lips. Her chin was a
touch firm and her neck long and graceful. From what wasn't obscured by the
piano, Gilles observed a petite yet lush figure encased in pale aqua silk.

            The testing of the key continued as he drew
close and she finally looked up and gazed slightly off to his left.
Instinctively, Gilles looked and found nothing but the wall behind him before
turning back to her. He was immediately struck by how similar in color her eyes
were to her gown. Instantly, Gilles realized her eyes were not distant but
unseeing. Almost like a blow to the chest, he knew that Lady Cambroke was not
only the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, she was blind. And he was
completely and inexplicably in love. 

            "Welcome to Longwood, my lord." Had a
voice ever sounded as lovely? He thought as he edged closer and the note
repeated and carried through the air.

            "Lady Cambroke?" He asked though he
was quite sure. Other questions flooded his brain. How old was she? How could
she be Basil DeVere's widow? How long would they be alone? Why did the note
keep repeating? Had any other woman smelled so lovely? If he touched her would
he melt like Icarus' wings? Could he ever be worthy?

            She inclined her head.

            "Of course. I hope your journey from London
was uneventful."

            Gilles nodded and then corrected himself.
"Indeed, my lady. Longwood is quite lovely." He blurted out stupidly.

            Lady Cambroke smiled warmly. Indulgently.
Apparently, men often behaved like fools in her presence.

            "The late earl had a loving hand with the
grounds and Martha, his first wife was a woman of exceptional taste, I'm told.
The staff here is devoted and tireless."

            "I have noticed." He said as much to
himself as her. Their odd behavior started to make more sense.

            "If you'd take a seat, I'll join you. If
you could, please sit in the chair farthest from the piano."

            Gilles turned and considered the room behind
him. Two comfortable chairs sat facing each other in front of a large
fireplace. A small table sat between them and a long couch sat beyond it. He
crossed to the chair and sat. The chair opposite him was identical but more
worn. The seat cushion wore a permanent indent and an ancient pillow was
pressed into the corner against the left arm. As she rose, Lady Cambroke softly
snapped the fingers of her left hand. The light staccato clicking continued as
she made her way to the seat opposite Gilles. Miraculously, she glided to the
chair and sat. Her eyes settled again just left of his face. She smiled gently
then cocked her head slightly to the right and breathed deeply.

            "Holderson will be here shortly with
refreshments. I believe sandwiches, definitely tea and scones."

            Gilles opened his mouth but before he could
reply he heard the faint rattling of a tea service on a tray. Moments later,
Holderson arrived. He was indeed bearing tea, sandwiches and scones. And a very
dour expression. Suddenly, the last half hour rushed at Gilles. His comments
about the entryway, her ladyship being absent at his arrival, her taste in art
and dancing, the paperwork all crashed upon him like a great wave. He shot to
his feet.

            "Holderson!"

            "My lord?" The older man regarded him
dryly.

            Gilles rushed towards him. "I'm sorry! I
had no idea about Lady Cambroke. If I had, I would not have behaved so
cruelly."

            Immediately, Holderson seemed to relax and his
expression softened. "I'm quite relieved, my Lord. The staff and I were
concerned."

            "Please, convey my apologies. I'm aware
that I made a terrible first impression." Gilles begged as he held out his
hand.

            Holderson took it shyly and shook it. All
bravado and bluster had vanished.

            "Certainly, my  lord. And may I say again,
welcome to Longwood."

            "Thank you."

            As he turned, Lady Cambroke smiled mischievously.
"I believe Basil preferred oil over water colors. There's a gallery on the
second floor, if I remember correctly."  She'd heard his first comment.  

            Gilles colored slightly as he returned to his
seat.

            "My apologies, my lady. I knew only that
the late earl's wife was in residence, nothing else."

            She inclined her head regally, "I
understand. Tell me, my lord, why has it taken you well over two years to make
your way to Longwood? I'm told you hadn't even looked over the documents
pertaining to your inheritance until a few weeks ago."

            For a brief moment, the cover story about India
and his travels rolled towards his lips and almost spilled forth but he clamped
down on the impulse. He didn't need to lie anymore and somehow, lying here
seemed perverse. Especially with her. He felt instinctively that she'd know and
judge him for it. "I was in France. I'd been there for quite some time
before Lord Cambroke died."

            She wasn't expecting that. She gasped and her
head tilted upward.

            "France? But the war..."

            "I was a spy, my lady. I only returned six
months ago and I've spent the time with my family and trying to acclimate
myself to civilian life."

            "Of course. How very remarkable."

            "Indeed." Volunteered Holderson as he
poured a cup of tea and placed two cubes of sugar and a drop of milk in it. He
stirred it gently and placed it on the table closest to Lady Cambroke, turning
the handle to the right before he poured a second for Gilles.

            Holderson withdrew and Gilles watched as Lady
Cambroke carefully lowered her widespread hands to the table until they gently
rested upon her cup and saucer, then raised her tea to her lips and drank. Once
again, Gilles was aware of how lovely her lips were. The lower was slightly
fuller and when she swallowed her tea they pushed out in a slight pouting
motion. He ran his finger along his throat, slightly loosening his cravat. The
room seemed warmer and his mouth dryer. He gulped the entire cup of tea at once
and leaned towards the pot for a refill.

            "Are you too warm, my lord? Would you like
the doors opened for the breeze?"

            How could she know? Did she know that he was
staring at her as if she'd grown a second head?

            She set her cup on the table and began snapping
her fingers again.

            "You're still here. You grew quiet and I thought
perhaps you'd left."

            "Why do you do that?" He asked.

            "My fingers? So I can see, in my own way.
As long as there's sound, I can feel how it moves through a room."

            "That's why you kept playing that
note."

            She nodded. "I usually keep my feet bare so
I can feel the vibrations."

            "Then why are you wearing shoes?"
Gilles asked as he glanced at the white slippers she wore, they were crisp and
spotless. Surprised at how strong the desire was to see her feet, he couldn't
take his eyes off of them. "Take them off." He said softly.

            She didn't hesitate. A moment later, her feet
were bare and she sighed as she tucked them under her. Gilles bit his lip as
desire streaked through him. Her feet were finely boned and he longed to touch
them.

            They passed the next hour talking about his
family, London and the history of Longwood. Gilles was reluctant to do so but
he excused himself as his valet had had sufficient time to unpack and could
assist him in changing into fresh clothes and cleaning off the dust from the
road. It wasn't until he was in his new bedchamber that he realized she'd kept
the conversation away from details about herself. He smiled wolfishly. She had
been brilliant but she'd made a tactical error: she'd only piqued his interest.

Chapter 2

            "Anna, would you consider his lordship to
be handsome?" Elise asked as casually as she could manage. She'd sensed
that he was masculine and athletic. He also had an air of confidence that she
was certain was not only a result of his wealth and rank but also an attractive
appearance. He was definitely charming. One needed only a moment in his
presence to know that he was a rake. Elise had never met a rake but she'd heard
the maids whispering from time to time and Martha used to read the gossip pages
out loud.

            "Oooh! Handsome doesn't begin to describe
his lordship!" She sighed (sighed?) as she pulled and twisted Elise's hair
into some painful shape. She usually wore her hair simply, preferring her neck
to be covered as it was sensitive. Tonight, she'd asked to be dressed in a more
formal gown and to have her hair dressed in a more current style. She'd even
allowed Anna to put earrings and a necklace on her.

            "I don't blame you for wanting to look
extra nice tonight, my lady. He's top of the trees, that one. Wouldn't do for
him to think you aren't as sophisticated as he is."

            "But, I'm not. If look at all presentable,
it's because of you. I wouldn't know a nightgown from a ball gown."

            "I wouldn't say all that! You're the
loveliest woman in all of Surrey. Maybe even England."

            Elise reached for her maid's hand. Once she
found it, she gave it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you for that. Tell me about
his lordship." For academic reasons, of course...

            "Well... He's quite tall and broad
shouldered. His backside is nearly as nice as his front. I'd wager he spends a
great deal of time on horseback."

            Elise chewed on her thumb nail to keep from
smiling. Anna had always been blunt. It was one of the things she appreciated
most. Being blind, she didn't need the people closest to her hiding truths and
feeding her nonsense.

            "He's got a face that looks like it's been
carved from stone. Those cheekbones and that jaw could slice a lady's heart
right in two. And those eyes! Grey like an angry day. The sort where you want
to just stay under the covers. With lashes any lady would sell her soul for.
Chocolate brown hair with a hint of red and skin just shy of being too brown.
He must spend a great deal of time out of doors. Maybe with his shirt
off..."

            "Anna! How could you know that? Though I
dare say, you seem to have observed him thoroughly in quite a short time."
Elise doubted she sounded severe.

            "I did pay close attention in the hall. I
make it my business to know about anything that pertains to you, my lady. And
we've all been comparing notes, below stairs."

            "Pertains to me? I don't see how he
pertains to me, Anna."

            "Don't you? Hmmm... We'll see, dear."
With that, the maid patted Elise's shoulders and left the room.

            Elise placed her hand against her stomach,
trying to calm the fluttering. A face carved from stone and lashes women were
jealous of? Broad shoulders and a nice backside... How could someone like that
pertain to her?

            She rose and tried to wiggle her toes in the
slippers she'd donned and frowned. Elise wanted to look sophisticated and an
appropriate companion for dinner. But she didn't want to bump into anything or
stumble.
That would certainly ruin the effect
, she thought. Elise
recalled the moment he had told her to take off her slippers earlier.
Goosebumps danced along her arms. The manner in which he'd said it made her
stomach flip. It was as if he'd asked her to do something much more improper,
to reveal a great deal more than her feet. Even now, hours later, she shivered.
She had a feeling she wouldn't have refused him if he had. Strange, that.

            Elise decided the moment had been a little
illicit and toed off her slippers with a giggle. It might be the closest she'd
come to being seduced. She'd take whatever she could get.