The Wild Child (23 page)

Wrexham recognized her irritation but merely shrugged. “We were on our way north, and I decided I wanted to see how Maxwell was doing with his courting.” His gaze swung to Meriel. “A pretty little thing. Doesn’t look mad.”

Meriel had drifted back to one wall, her gaze blank. Grateful for once that she didn’t talk because he was afraid of what she might say, Dominic said hastily, “You must be tired from your journey. Would you like a glass of sherry?”

“I wouldn’t say no to some brandy.”

Dominic moved toward the drinks cabinet, hoping the ladies wouldn’t mind that he was acting as host.

“Lucia?”

“My usual.” Lucia’s apologetic gaze went to her hostesses with a sweet earnestness that could touch the hardest heart. “Mrs. Marks, Mrs. Rector, I’m so sorry that we’ve come at an awkward time.”

Mrs. Marks’s expression softened. “It’s no trouble, my dear. I’ll simply have dinner set back an hour.”

“No, no. We’ll just finish our drinks, then take trays in our rooms.” Wrexham covered a yawn. “No wish to put you out more than we already have. We’ll stay through tomorrow and be off the next morning.”

Dominic noted wryly that his father didn’t consult Lucia about her dining preferences, or the ladies about whether they minded having uninvited guests for two nights. The charitable interpretation was that Wrexham thought of the families as already joined in marriage, but it was probably more accurate to say that it simply never occurred to him that anyone might object to his wishes. As he poured the brandy, Dominic wondered what his sister’s usual drink might be; she’d still been in the schoolroom when he’d left Dornleigh. Once she’d been fond of lemonade, but he didn’t see any, nor any other beverage that he remembered her enjoying. Hoping for the best, he poured a sherry and crossed the room with the drinks.

Engaged in polite conversation with Mrs. Marks, his father accepted the brandy without looking up, but Lucia frowned when he gave her the other glass. “Sherry, Kyle?”

Then she raised her gaze. Slowly her eyes rounded, and the glass almost dropped from her hand. There was nothing wrong with Lucia’s vision, and there wasn’t a prayer that Dominic could fool her. She’d have recognized him immediately if she hadn’t been expecting to see Kyle. Turning his back so that she was the only one in the room who could see, he touched his finger to his lips, his eyes pleading for her cooperation. She swallowed and took a firmer grip on the stem of her glass, her gaze darting to her father.

Voice almost inaudible, Dominic murmured, “A good thing he’s too vain to wear his spectacles. There’s a sound reason for this, I swear.”

Lucia regarded her brother sternly. “There had better be.”

“I’ll explain later,” he promised. Then he slid away, grateful that she hadn’t given him away. Yet. Dominic was relieved when his father and sister withdrew to their newly prepared rooms, but he could still feel his father’s presence in the house like a thundercloud. Though he was safe for this evening, what about tomorrow? Wrexham’s vision might be weak, but he wasn’t stupid. If Dominic couldn’t discuss topics familiar to Kyle and the earl, he’d be caught, and there would be holy hell to pay. It was hard to enjoy dinner when his mind persisted in counting the number of people who would be outraged to learn the truth. In fact, Dominic couldn’t think of anyone who wouldn’t be shocked. Meriel disappeared after the meal, and Dominic excused himself from the drawing room early. It was a kindness, really, because with him gone the ladies could discuss the Renbourne invasion freely. The footman on duty directed him upstairs to his sister’s room. There he tapped on the door, half hoping she’d be asleep, but she called out, “Come in.”

He opened the door and stepped inside. Clad in a flowing blue robe, Lucia sat on a stool in front of the dressing table while her maid brushed her hair. Turning, she gave her brother a baleful glance. “Jane, you may go now.”

She waited for the door to close behind her maid before asking, “What on earth is going on, Dominic?”

He crossed the room to her. “I’ll explain, but don’t you have a hug for your prodigal brother first?”

“Of course.” Her expression relaxed into a smile as she rose and embraced him. “It’s been too long since you came home, Dom. But what a wicked prank this is! I’ve spent the evening worrying about how much trouble you’ll be in if you’re discovered.” She pulled away, a furrow between her brows. “You do have a good reason, don’t you?”

“Why am I not surprised that I’m the one being blamed for this?” Dominic said wryly as he sat on the canopied bed. “It’s simple, really. Kyle had some other pressing engagement— he wouldn’t say what—so he asked me to come in his place.”

“Kyle asked you to help him, and you agreed,” Lucia repeated incredulously as she dropped onto the stool again. “And you say that’s simple? You’ve hardly spoken to each other in years.”

“Which is why it’s obvious that this is very important to him.” Dominic hesitated a moment, wondering how much to say. Deciding that if he was going to ask his sister to lie for him, she deserved the truth, he continued, “I don’t know what he’s doing, but I believe he’s left the country. He only intended to be gone for a few weeks, though.”

Lucia started twisting her long hair into a rope. “Why did you agree? Did you think it would be amusing to deceive two sweet old ladies and a girl who is deranged?”

“Lucia!” He propelled himself from the bed and began pacing the room, thinking that his sister was becoming entirely too cynical. But of course, she had been moving in London society for several years. That tended to take the edge off innocence very quickly. “Believe me, I’m no happier about this deception than you are. I did it for two reasons. First, Kyle has offered to give me Bradshaw Manor if I manage to impersonate him successfully.”

Lucia’s eyes widened. “Heavens, he really was serious. I can see why that would be a hard offer to refuse.” She cocked her head. “And the other reason?”

He hesitated, wishing he had restricted himself to real estate. “Because he seemed so… so desperate. As if he’d break from the pressure if I didn’t agree to help.”

“He has seemed upset lately,” she agreed. “I’ve been worried, but of course he wouldn’t tell his little sister what was wrong even if I’d dared to ask.”

“Kyle could give a rock lessons in silence.” He’d kept things from Dominic, too, creating another wedge between them after they were sent to separate schools. During the holidays, Dominic talked about his lessons and new friends, trying to maintain the fabric of their relationship. But Kyle hadn’t been interested in Dominic’s life.

Lucia regarded Dominic gravely. “I’m glad you care about him enough to help. I’ve never understood why you two are so estranged. It seems as if twins ought to like each other. You did once.”

He stopped pacing and stared out the window. The room faced the front lawn, where moonlight illuminated the sweeping drive. “I’ve never disliked Kyle. I’m not sure the reverse is true.”

“Oh, he cares about you,” Lucia said softly. “And resents that you’ve turned your back on him. Just as you resent the fact that he’s the heir and you’re not.”

He spun on his heel and glared at his sister. She had definitely grown up. He thought longingly of when she had been ten, with grass stains on her skirt and her hair every which way. She’d loved her big brothers quite uncritically then. “I didn’t ask for your opinion on my relationship with Kyle.”

She smiled sweetly. “I know. That’s why I thought I’d better volunteer it.”

“Mistress Mischief rides again,” he said, resurrecting her childhood nickname. “Enough about me. Have you any exciting news?” She blushed, her worldly air falling away. “I’m betrothed.”

“Really!” he said, delighted. “I missed seeing the notices in the newspapers.”

“The formal announcement hasn’t been made yet.” She shook her twisted hair free. “Actually, that’s why Papa and I are here. We’re on our way to Robert’s family in Lancashire. The notices will be sent after the settlements are signed.” Dominic grinned. “And you’d rather be there instead of wasting time in Shropshire. Wrexham must be glad you finally accepted someone. Another year or two, and you’d be on the shelf.”

She laughed. “You’re right, Papa is much relieved, even though he’s not enthusiastic about the match. He keeps muttering that I could have done better than the son of a mere baron.”

“Obviously you don’t think so.” He picked up one of the small glass cosmetic jars from his sister’s dressing table. Did Meriel have pretty little feminine trinkets like these? Would she want them? “Who’s the lucky man? Some handsome devil, I’m sure.”

Lucia leaned forward on her stool eagerly. “Robert Justice, Lord Justice’s heir. He isn’t exactly handsome, not like you and Kyle, but Robin has such a twinkle in his eyes, and he’s so wonderful to talk to, and…” She broke off, blushing again.

“And wonderful to kiss, I daresay.” Dominic searched his memory, and a solid, brown-haired young man with an easy smile came to mind. Not showy, but good for the long haul. Lucia had sound judgment. He hugged her again. “I wish you happy, little sister. I’ve met him once or twice. He’s a good fellow.”

“I know.” Lucia’s voice was muffled against his shoulder. Emerging from his embrace, she continued,

“What about Lady Meriel? Do you think she’ll make Kyle happy? There are some very… very odd stories about her.”

He stiffened at the reminder that Meriel was destined for Kyle. “She’s unusual, but very… charming. If Kyle takes the time to really get to know her, I’m sure they’ll deal well together.”

Lucia nodded, clearly unconvinced. “She’s rather pretty, though her gown was terribly out of date.”

Dominic bit back a desire to point out that Meriel was not merely pretty but beautiful, and that a gown that had been handsome twenty years earlier was handsome still. If he said that, his too-perceptive sister might notice that his feelings were not exactly brotherly. “She has no need of a new wardrobe in the country, but she has skills other than fashion. For example, she’s a wonderful gardener. Also, in India she learned how to paint interesting henna decorations on the skin.” He grinned. “Perhaps you should ask her to draw Robert’s name in a place where not just anyone would see it.”

“Dominic, you have a low mind.” Lucia’s eyes narrowed pensively. “Still… the designs are temporary?”

“Yes. I promise you that Robert would be most intrigued.” He covered a yawn. “Time I went to bed. I need my rest if I’m to persuade Wrexham that I’m really Kyle tomorrow. I was never very good at dealing with him.”

“Papa really isn’t so bad, Dom, except when his gout is hurting him,” she said earnestly. “Just be more patient. If you lose your temper and stamp off, you’ll give yourself away. Kyle is always very cool and polite, even when Papa is being difficult.”

Dominic had always had more freedom to lose his temper and leave when Wrexham was being impossible. As the heir, Kyle had been forced to stay and endure. For the first time, it occurred to Dominic to wonder if his brother came by his rigid control naturally, or if it had evolved out of the necessity of dealing with the earl. “Will you keep silent, Lucia? I know it’s a lot to ask, but if Wrexham realizes what we’ve done…” Dominic made an expressive gesture.

“I won’t tell. I don’t want to even think about the unpleasantness that would result if Papa discovers you aren’t Kyle.” She caught her breath. “The valets! Papa’s Wilcox must have already seen your valet in the servants’ hall.”

“Kyle lent me Morrison. He doesn’t want Kyle to get into trouble, either.”

“Then you might be able to carry this off. Try to say as little as possible.” Lucia shook her head. “But what about later? Surely the next time Kyle comes to Warfield, people will notice the difference.”

Dominic shrugged. “I said the same thing, but he wasn’t concerned. He thought that the opinions of Mrs. Rector and Mrs. Marks and the servants didn’t matter, and Lady Meriel wouldn’t know the difference.”

Lucia sniffed. “Do you believe that?”

“I have to hope he’s right.” Uneasily Dominic considered the future. Exchanging twins would probably work if months passed between Dominic’s departure and Kyle’s appearance. But if the marriage were to take place before Lord Grahame returned, there wouldn’t be enough time for memories to become obscured.

Damnation, he didn’t want Kyle to marry Meriel. Yet if Dominic revealed their deception now, the situation would only get worse.

Mind chasing in futile circles, he bid his sister good night and went to bed. Meriel waited until a few minutes after Renbourne had left his sister’s room. Then she took a flower arrangement to the bedroom door and knocked. Seeing Jena Ames again had sharpened her curiosity about other young women. Especially one who was Renbourne’s sister.

Lady Lucia opened the door. She shared her brother’s dark brown hair and blue eyes. Though she was inches taller than Meriel and very grand, the two girls were probably about the same age. “Oh! Good evening, Lady Meriel.”

Meriel held out her floral offering, a tall glass cylinder once used for storage in the pantry. Now it held clusters of fragrant lilac and trailing vines of dark, glossy ivy. Meriel had deliberately made the bouquet rather conventional, since she doubted that a London lady would appreciate one of her wilder creations. Renbourne was the only one who’d ever really understood her arrangements. Lucia took the vase with a pleased smile. “Why, thank you.” She buried her pretty nose in lilac blossoms. “How lovely this smells.” Glancing up, she said, “Would you like to come in? Since we are going to be sisters-in-law, I should like to become better acquainted.” She stepped back and made a welcoming gesture.

Meriel had hoped for such an invitation. With someone else she might have simply entered the room without being asked, but she didn’t want Renbourne’s sister to dislike her. Odd to care what a stranger thought; she wasn’t sure she liked the experience, but there it was. She did care. Lucia set the flowers on her bedside table, then turned, expression uncertain. “I’m told you can’t speak, and I… I don’t know quite how to behave. Please excuse me if I accidentally offend you. I don’t mean to.”

Meriel liked her for her directness. Truly Renbourne’s sister. She made a small gesture encouraging Lucia to talk.