The Willful Widow (20 page)
At Buckland the precariousness of her pecuniary circumstances was more evident than at Brook Street. The carpets, though of magnificent quality, were worn, and the rich material of the draperies was threadbare, though once again, as it was at Brook Street, everything was in excellent taste and exquisitely clean.
Several account books were strewn on the floor, and a copy of
Lowe on Discount and Interest
lay open on a chair. Justin raised an appreciative eyebrow. The lady's tastes in reading were heavy indeed! What a curious and intriguing mixture she was. He found himself looking forward to discussing Jeremy's suggestions with her, though he could tell from the skeptical look in her eyes as he had offered the reason for his visit that she hadn't believed him for a moment. It was a novel experience dealing with someone 184
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
who was awake on every suit. Though he welcomed the challenge, Justin was forced to admit it was the slightest bit unsettling.
Diana rang the bell and Mrs. Tottington, who had already divined her mistress's wishes and only stopped to allow enough time so that Diana would not know she had been hovering shamelessly at the door listening with all her might, appeared bearing a tray of sherry, ratafia, biscuits, and orgeat.
Smiling at the housekeeper's ill-concealed interest, Diana thanked her and offered Justin his choice before adding thoughtfully, "Though I daresay you must be thirsty after your ride and are longing for a pint of home brewed. Mrs. Tottington, I believe, is accounted the producer of one of the best ales in the county." She smiled again as that lady blushed with pleasure.
"If her brewing is anything like her housekeeping I am sure it is beyond compare, but this selection is more than ample, I assure you," Justin replied, winning yet another female heart with his customary ease and address. Blushing and disclaiming in delighted embarrassment, Mrs. Tottington edged out of the room, though she would have given anything to stay. She was just about to pull the door to behind her when there was a squawk, and Boney sailed into the room to light on his mistress's shoulder. Carefully she closed the door and hurried back to the kitchen.
"I tell you, Daisy, he is that handsome and such an air of distinction," the ecstatic housekeeper confided later to the scullery maid hired temporarily from a local farm to help out 185
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
during the mistress's visit. "You could have knocked me over with a feather when he came driving up asking for the mistress. I do hope..." She sighed. "Poor lamb, she deserves a fine gentleman such as he, but she vows she will never let another man bring worry into her life. And it's no good telling her that not everyone is as helpless as that young wastrel she was married to nor as absentminded or as lacking in sense as her father." Mrs. Tottington shook her head and applied herself vigorously to the pastry she was rolling out, while Daisy nodded in solemn agreement and returned to chopping onions.
Unaware that she was the topic of such speculation, Diana greeted her pet. "Hello there, Boney." She stroked his head as he nuzzled her cheek. "You remember Justin St. Clair."
"Insufferable, arrogant man," Boney muttered in disgust tucking his head under his wing and promptly falling asleep.
"I can see he never forgets a face or an epithet." Justin grinned.
It was Diana's turn to look uncomfortable. "No," she responded ruefully. "You'll have to forgive him. He has been thoroughly enjoying commanding my undivided attention here in the country, and he is just put out at having to share it with anyone. He is a rather jealous creature, I'm afraid, but as he has often been my only companion, I feel compelled to indulge him."
Her tone was light, but there was a wistful note that did not escape Justin's keen ears, and once again he felt a swell of—was it tenderness or compassion—as he pictured the lonely life she must have led.
186
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
Diana sank gracefully into a comfortable chair, gesturing toward one opposite as she did so. "But you mentioned news that you wished to impart." Again there was an ironic raising of delicately arched brows and a dry note in her voice that suggested she was not fooled for an instant by the ostensible reason for his visit.
Nor was she. Diana knew the surrounding countryside well enough to be aware that there was no one in the immediate vicinity who would be hosting Justin St. Clair, especially at this time of year. Neither did she believe that he had just heard economic news of such import that he felt compelled to inform her of it immediately. Then why had he appeared? It must have something to do with Reginald, but she could not fathom what.
She had been blessedly relieved when that young man had confided rather sheepishly that he was attending a study party with Denby and the Duke of Bellingrath's son at Bellingrath's country seat, for it meant that without having to resort to out-and-out cruelty, she was freed of his adoring presence, which, flattering though it was, had increasingly begun to wear on her nerves.
"Why yes, I happened to encounter a particular friend of mine in the exchange the other day," Justin began. Then he paused. No, he could not lie to her. He would tell her the real reason behind his unexpected call. She would be furious, with every justification, but that could not be helped. For some strange and inexplicable reason, he wished to be totally honest with her, no matter what it cost him. Somehow it was the vision of her in the garden and the realization of just how 187
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
young and vulnerable she truly was, and guileless as well, that had forced this decision upon him.
This picture of her made him feel like a world-weary cynic who could no longer appreciate the simple truth when he saw it, who attributed devious methods to everyone merely because he had been too long among those who were that way. But, more importantly, Justin wished very much to be friends with her, and one could not be friends without complete openness with each other. She had been open with him, and he felt the veriest cad for not treating her in a similar manner.
The more he knew of Lady Diana Hatherill, the more he wished to know. She had begun by proving to be a uniquely worthy opponent, had continued to impress him by demonstrating that she was possessed of a cultivated mind and keen intelligence, and had finished up by revealing herself as an enchanting girl-woman. He was captivated and there was no help for it, Justin decided. If he were to learn more about her, he would have to reveal more about himself no matter how unpleasant such a revelation might be.
188
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
He coughed uncomfortably. "Actually I ... in truth that is ... no, that is not precisely why I came here." He paused as his characteristically ready wit deserted him entirely. "That is, I did see Jeremy, and he did offer most interesting advice, but I really came here because..." How difficult it was to admit it with those blue eyes regarding him so cautiously. "I came here because Reginald told me he was going into the country, and you had disappeared, and I thought, I thought..." he broke off helplessly, fuming at himself for his lack of address. There was a squawk of protest as Diana leapt up from her chair. "You thought I had cozened your precious nephew into running off with me," she hissed. "You, you..." words failed her as she took a furious turn around the room in a futile attempt to control her temper. She stopped directly in front of him, eyes flashing. "I ought to call you out!" Justin was momentarily diverted by the thought. "Pistols or swords?" He almost wished she would call him out, for he was virtually certain that this surprising woman was probably adept at both, and it would allow him some form of atonement for his unchivalrous behavior.
"Your choice," she snapped. "But never mind, I shouldn't waste my time fighting with someone as despicable as you are." She resumed her angry perambulations.
"Very wise," he agreed with her. "I shouldn't either. They're not likely to fight fair you know."
"Precisely. You have not been fair from the start, while I..." 189
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
"No, no," he interrupted soothingly. "I was completely honest with you at the outset. I told you, rather baldly as I recall, what my motives were, what I thought of you. It is only lately that I can be accused of having been less than candid with you. But I do not think you have been entirely forthcoming yourself."
"What?" Diana came to a dead halt in front of her adversary while Boney flapped desperately in an attempt to maintain his balance. "I have never lied to you the way you have lied to me."
"No,
hoaxed
was more the word I had in mind." She stared at him, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Come now, do you really mean to tell me that you would have allowed my nephew to become such a regular fixture in Brook Street if it hadn't been for my opposition?" A delicate flush crept across her cheeks.
"Just so," he could not help retorting with a certain smug satisfaction.
"And why should I not when you and your brother, pompous fools that you are, kept worrying that I should ruin him.
I
ruin
him,
ha! The Bucklands were managing estates here far before any upstart St. Clairs appeared.
I
ruin
him
! At least I might give him a little character. If you think I wish to be saddled with Reginald or any other man, you are fair and far off. Men are nothing but babes with no more idea how to look after themselves than ... Oh it's beyond all bearing. Of course I don't want Reginald. But why I should give such a precious pair as you and the Earl of Winterbourne the satisfaction..."
190
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
"No," he held up a hand. "Granted, I have been all kinds of a fool, and a boor besides. Undoubtedly I deserve any insult you can hurl at my head, but please don't put me in the same class as Alfred."
"Very well then, you are worse than he is because at least he, odiously condescending though he was, said his piece and left me alone. You, however, have dogged my footsteps, spied on me..." Diana was too furious to continue, but her faithful companion took over, beating his wings and squawking.
"Well, I shall have to be satisfied with that I suppose," Justin conceded. "Being worse than Alfred is preferable to being likened to him."
"Yes, no doubt it is all very amusing to the great Justin St. Clair, but I ... Oh, you..." Diana broke off.
"Insufferable arrogant," Boney suggested helpfully.
"Yes! And infuriating, too. I should have you thrown out," she fumed.
"Please do not, for I should like very much for us to become friends and that will not happen if you show me the door, though I richly deserve it, I admit. But bear in mind that I volunteered all this with the certain knowledge that it was to my discredit, and I did so in the hopes of making you trust me. I should find it difficult myself to forgive someone who had intruded so brashly into my life, for I detest meddlers of all sorts. But I am willing to acknowledge that I was entirely in the wrong. And I do sincerely wish to become better acquainted. I admire your spirit. You have a character and an independence that is too rarely encountered in this 191
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
world. Your mind is particularly well-informed, and..." Damn!
In his desperate effort to convince her, he sounded as eager and verbose as Reginald ever had.
He did sound as though he were trying to flummery her, but a quick glance informed Justin that his words had given the lady pause. Some of the fury had drained from her eyes, she was breathing more calmly, and her posture was more relaxed. Smiling ruefully he continued, "I am going about this all wrong, I know, but believe me, I am entirely sincere. I wouldn't mind if you did marry Reginald, should be delighted, in fact. But you would be bored with him in a fortnight, and the idea of Alfred as a father-in-law doesn't bear thinking of. Trust me on that one. I freely admit that you have given Reginald as much dash as anyone could—something his father and uncle so noticeably failed to do. Why, in his courtship of you, he has even stood up to his father, which makes me quite begin to like the lad." Justin stole another cautious glance at Diana.
Her lip quivered. It was infuriating, but she could not help it. There was something irresistible in the man's outrageousness. He truly did appear to be sincerely sorry for his behavior despite his flippant attitude. Besides, she did enjoy crossing swords with him, and if she were to throw him out now, he was like to go out of her life forever, and she would not entirely wish for that. One thing that could be said for certain about Justin St. Clair was that he had greatly enlivened her existence.
Quickly taking advantage of her hesitation, Justin pressed home his argument. "And I quite honestly have financial 192
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
matters to discuss with you. You will find I can be quite helpful when I am not trying to thrust a spoke in someone's wheel," he pleaded.
"I suppose, since you have had the nobility to reveal your nefarious plot, the least I can do is to respond with a certain degree of magnanimity," Diana conceded doubtfully.
"Not nefarious," he implored his gray eyes twinkling,
"merely misguided."
"Very well, misguided, then." She shook her head. "Small wonder you have the women of Europe at your beck and call and the diplomats eating out of your hand. I must say, though it galls me to do so, that you do have considerable address. I can rarely be talked 'round, but as you say, you do have some advice to share with me, so perhaps it is worth my while to allow you to stay."
Justin grinned. "My misspent youth did teach me one thing, and that was how to calm down someone who was in a towering rage. Lord knows I induced enough of them." He looked at her keenly. "No, don't poker up at me. You see before you, someone who is most sincerely repentant. And, yes, I do have something of significance to pass along to you."