The Willful Widow (25 page)

The Willful Widow

by Evelyn Richardson

he had come to admire and respect for her own unique qualities liked him for the same reason.

All this was the revelation of a minute as he helped the ladies into the carriage, but Lady Walden, who had been observing him intently, quickly concealed a knowing smile. Even when her niece and St. Clair had been at daggers'

drawing, she had sensed how it would be. Years of traveling with her husband and meeting people from a wide variety of backgrounds had made her wise in the ways of the world, and she knew that two people who could provoke each other to such a degree had more in common than they recognized, and that sooner or later they were bound to realize it. It had not escaped her either that even though each professed to be disgusted by the conduct of the other, they never failed to gravitate toward one another no matter how large the crowd that separated them. As much as she was gratified by her own perspicacity, Aunt Seraphina was even more delighted to see the glimmerings of contentment and happiness that had lately manifested itself in Diana's animated expression, renewed energy and zest for everything. The arrival of a new puppy, no matter how delightful, could not solely account for this. However, watching Diana and Justin together at this moment, Seraphina knew she had to look no farther to divine the true cause of the change in her niece.

"I understand we are to thank you for the introduction of a charming new member to our ménage, and a good thing it is, too. We were fast on our way to becoming more sedate than the town tabbies, and stood in desperate need of a little 232

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livening up," Lady Walden commented as Justin climbed in behind the ladies.

"Now, that is a bouncer if ever I heard one." He laughed.

"Never have I seen two ladies in less danger of becoming town tabbies than you two. Why, if I call and discover you at home—not jauntering off to the country, the Stock Exchange, or some fearfully blue event of high cultural significance—I consider myself extremely fortunate. I live in constant expectation that Lady Walden will convince Lady Diana to repair her fortunes by becoming a nabob, and I shall arrive in Brook Street one day only to discover you have both taken off for India. Oh Lord," he broke off as the ladies exchanged glances, "now I have done it. You will be off tomorrow. I shall have to set a watch on all the ports in order to keep the only two intelligent women I know in England."

"Not likely." Lady Walden chuckled. "Much as I would enjoy adventuring again, I fear I am not what I once was and should only burden my companion on such a trip, dearly as I would love to go."

"So should I," her great-niece echoed wistfully.

"Having introduced such a radical notion, I am almost tempted to offer my escort, but for the moment, I shall have to confine it to St. James Street—sadly flat I know, but I shall do my best to enliven it as much as I can," he apologized. And indeed Justin did enliven it. Having accepted his invitation as much out of curiosity and—she hated to admit it—a desire to see St. Clair again, Diana found herself agreeably surprised by his familiarity with the painters exhibited. He spoke most knowledgeably of the artists of the 233

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Flemish school that were being offered for consideration. Certainly Mr. Stanley, who welcomed them with utmost cordiality, seemed to hold his patron in high esteem. It was an aspect of Justin that Diana had never seen, and it intrigued her to think that a notorious rake, a man of affairs and one who obviously excelled in athletic pursuits could also possess such an appreciation for the aesthetic, such a degree of refinement and discrimination in fine arts. Diana was noticeably silent observing his reactions to certain paintings—as he peered closely at the execution and the brush strokes and then stepped back to experience the full effect of the composition—It was an entirely unexpected aspect of his character and she enjoyed watching his appreciation of it all.

Ever sensitive to Diana's presence, Justin soon became aware of her scrutiny and turned to her with a smile. "I am not a complete barbarian you know."

She blushed vividly. "Indeed, I never said you were. I..."

"You may be pardoned for holding such an opinion of me, as I am always at pains to keep the world from guessing any serious interests I might have," he replied sardonically. "For it is the quickest way to destroy one's pleasure in something—

letting the world in on it to cheapen it with inane comments and senseless chatter. When I was with Stewart, I had the opportunity to indulge my taste for such masterpieces to the top of my bent as we traveled from country to country stopping at one palace after the next. In the midst of such intense negotiations, I found it most soothing to wander off and spend time alone with the art of our hosts. I was always 234

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certain to find solitude, as the rest of them were far too busy dividing up Europe and sharing the spoils to waste their time in the contemplation of beauty."

"How wonderful it must have been to see so many places, to learn so many new things." Diana sighed.

"Yes it was. I miss waking up in the morning knowing that I shall be going to bed in some place entirely new the next day." However, as he spoke, Justin realized that he was enjoying it all far more now that he was sharing it with her than he had before. How much more exciting it would have been if he had had Diana with him, her eyes shining with interest and enthusiasm as they were now, and how much more life would have to offer now if she were sharing all of it with him.

The fleeting expression on Justin's face was not lost on Lady Walden, who, never one to miss an opportunity, chimed in, "Indeed, it is highly invigorating to be constantly experiencing new places, different scenery, and foreign customs, but it is not half so instructive and not nearly as comfortable if one is doing it alone. Thomas could always point out things I had missed, and I did the same for him. We discussed our impressions endlessly as we made our journeys, which whiled away some exceedingly tedious moments, I can assure you. But I must ask Mr. Stanley if this is a Ghirlandaio, as I suspect it is." Having deftly planted this seed, she made haste to leave the two of them alone as she went over to speak to their host.

"Do you collect any particular artists yourself?" Diana wondered.

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"I admit to a highly unfashionable preference for the Flemish masters. Their ability to capture light and use it to its fullest extent, their close attention to detail, and their interest in the observation and recording of the elements of everyday life appeals to me far more than the grandiose subjects and vast canvases of most of the others. I should like to possess a few very special favorites of mine, but I have never stopped anywhere long enough to call home," Justin replied, surprising himself as he heard the hint of wistfulness in his tone.

He had always thought that his peregrination sprang from a boredom with the
ton,
a disgust for the sort of narrow life that Alfred and so many others led, but now he seemed to detect a note of regret in his own voice. Perhaps he truly did wish for the comfort of such an existence but feared being caught in the trap of mundane details that would surely make him as lacking in vitality and insight as his brother was. Or perhaps he had thrown himself into a life full of challenge and adventure in order to hide his loneliness from himself. His had been a solitary existence in spite of the scores of women who had participated in it. However, none of them, no one in fact, had actually shared it. And whenever he had stopped long enough to consider it, Justin had instantly become aware of such a corroding sense of emptiness that he had kept moving, amusing himself with one outrageous exploit after another. He looked down to discover the blue eyes regarding him with such a wealth of comprehension and sympathy that it was his turn to be stunned. In an odd way, he suddenly felt as if he
had
come home. For the first time in his life, someone 236

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seemed to understand and to take on his feelings. He was overcome with a sense of peacefulness and comfort that he had never known before.

"It must be difficult not having some place to retreat to where you can restore your spirits and forget the follies of the rest of the world." Diana's reply was simple, but somehow it made Justin aware of a very special bond between them. Until now no one had ever taken the trouble to know him except in the most superficial sense, but she was making the effort to look below the surface, to discover the real Justin St. Clair. He found himself overcome with gratitude, and something much more, at her concern.

A discreet cough brought Justin to his senses, and he realized that Mr. Stanley was waiting expectantly for him to comment on the collection in general or some paintings in particular. "I beg your pardon, Stanley. You have a rare offering here, and I appreciate your generosity in showing it to us privately. I am quite intrigued by that Jordaens over there, but I am afraid I shall require more time for consideration if I am to spend the rest of my life with it." Mr. Stanley beamed. "Very good, sir. I quite understand. You have made a wise choice. One must not purchase any work of art unless one is totally
bouleverse.
I shall hold it separately awaiting your instructions." Still beaming, he ushered them off the premises and set the painting aside to keep it until his patron should decide.

As they emerged into the warm sunlight, their host remarked, "As it is such a fine day, I hope I might be able to entice you into a drive around the park before I return you to 237

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Brook Street. I realize," he nodded toward Diana, "that it is rather tame sport for such an intrepid horsewoman, but..."

"Oh, I do not care, and it is so deliciously sunny. In fact, I quite enjoy being driven because I am at leisure to take everything in, instead of worrying about keeping Ajax in check," she replied hastily.

In truth, it was one of those beautiful spring days when the earth seemed full of possibility, from the buds bursting on the trees to the daffodils springing up everywhere, and she rather disliked the idea of returning indoors. They rolled along in contented silence, relishing the fineness of the day and observing the splendid horseflesh and equipages crowding the park. However, they had barely a chance to make any headway in the park before they were accosted. First it was Tony Washburne who trotted up, a welcome smile on his ruddy countenance, booming, "Lady Diana, devilish good to see you again. Beautiful day, eh what?" and seemed content to ride silently alongside the carriage for a while, smiling affably until he was hailed by an eager group of young bucks.

The next to command their attention was Lady Blanche Howard, whose costume of an open robe in the chemisette style with blue ribbons on the sleeve and a white lace cornette headdress also trimmed with blue ribbons, made everything and everyone around her seem clumsy and dirty in comparison to her blond loveliness. The beauty, despite the coquettish glances cast in Justin's direction, was considerably less pleased to see his companions than Tony had been. 238

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However, except for one quick disdainful glance in Diana's direction, she hid her dismay under a barrage of inconsequential chatter. Did St. Clair know that the Montmorencys were in town? She believed Ralph, Lord Montmorency, had been a friend of Justin's at university. And she felt certain he would be attending Lady Topham's masquerade. Had he selected a suitable costume? For her part, she believed she had at last settled on Cleopatra. Unwilling observers of this concerted attention, Diana and Lady Walden could not help exchanging glances of amusement. The gentleman looked to be so very bored and the lady so very eager.

At length, Justin was able to break in and stem the seemingly inexhaustible flow of inanities. "I would not worry so Blanche, if I were you. You will no doubt appear so lovely in whatever costume you choose that everyone will recognize it as you, and never even stop to wonder what character you are portraying." Damn! He had thought the blasted masquerade over, and that he had successfully avoided it.

"But have you met Lady Walden and Lady Diana Hatherill?

Please allow me to make them known to you. Lady Blanche Howard is a friend of the
family."
He turned to his companions, neither of whom had missed the slight emphasis he had placed of the word family or the rueful expression in his eyes.

Forced to acknowledge the presence of the other women, Blanche lost all interest in the conversation and, hurriedly summoning over an eager swain who had been hovering 239

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nearby in the hopes of attracting her attention, instructed her coachman to drive on.

"Actually, I am only acquainted with Lady Blanche as a neighbor down at Winterbourne, but she claims it does a great deal of good for her reputation as an incomparable to be seen with me," Justin hastened to explain. Then, realizing the infelicitousness of this remark, he fell uncomfortably silent as he became aware of just how much an
insufferable
arrogant
man he must appear.

A small stifled sound made him glance at Diana to see her looking over at him, eyes dancing merrily. "Of course, I do not agree with her, nor do I understand why..." he became hopelessly tangled in his disclaimers. Just precisely why was he so anxious that she be assured that Blanche meant nothing to him? Justin could not remember when he had ever been at such a loss for words, surely not since Cook had caught him stealing a plum tart she had left cooling in the window.

Fortunately for his self-esteem. Lady Walden took immediate charge of the situation. "Diana tells me that you are encouraging her to put some of her capital into the waterworks. She assures me that you expect them to show more profit in the near future."