Trondelaine Castle (18 page)

But then, she thought bitterly, he no doubt always
looked on people as property to be manipulated and
used. He had said as much himself earlier. Was that what wealth did to people? She began to understand
what lay behind the saying her college roommate had
once told her: “It’s as easy to fall in love with a rich man
as a poor man. So for the sake of your character, fall in
love with a poor man!”

When Charles announced dinner was served, they
moved to the dining hall without any interruption in
the conversation. At some point, it changed to other
topics and Wendy joined in. The atmosphere was
relaxed and, when they rose from the table later, Lord
Richard said, “We will have brandy in the music room,
Charles.”

“Very good, sir.”

Wendy left the men long enough to retrieve her
needlework from her room. By the time she returned to
the music room, the Earl had started a Mozart record
on the stereo. As Wendy relaxed over her canvas, the
men sipped their brandy in silence. Then, abruptly, as
the record ended, Lord Richard said, to Wendy’s
amazement, “Since I am certain you and Kevin have
much to talk about, Tony and I shall retire.”

Tony was on his feet immediately. “An excellent
idea.”

Kevin grinned broadly as they left the room.
“Milord is a bit of all right, isn’t he?”

Wendy nodded self-consciously, suspicious of the
Earl’s sudden consideration. “Unless, of course, there’s
a secret stairway and he intends to spy on us,” she said
sourly.

Kevin began laughing. “You’re too bloody silly,
luv.”

After a moment, Wendy joined in the laughter. It felt
good to be able to relax in Kevin’s arms after so long.
No doubt she was being silly. “I’ve missed you, luv,”
she said to him.

As an answer, he kissed her. “You had me worried. I mean, his lordship has a reputation, you know. And
then this Tony came asking about you.” He paused. “I
understand you’ve told them we’re engaged.”

She flushed. “I-I’m sorry, Kevin. I didn’t know what
else to say when he accused me of chasing him.”

“Oh, I’m not angry, ducks. In fact, I think it’s a jolly
good idea. Why don’t we get engaged? I’ve even
brought a ring with me.”

“Kevin,” she said hesitantly, “I-I’m not sure I’m
ready for that. I mean, I need more time.”

“Why?” he demanded. “You bloody well were ready
a few weeks ago! What’s changed you? Have you got
your eye on the Earl? Or maybe the accountant?”

“Don’t be absurd!” Wendy flared. “I just don’t feel
ready to be engaged to anyone. I’m sorry, but I need
more time.”

“Okay, okay, luv. I’ll give you time. But don’t expect
me to wait too long,” he warned. Then Kevin forced
himself to relax. “Really, Wendy, I do understand. You
have to realize I might feel a bit of impatience. But, not
to worry. Just relax.”

He kissed her again, and she leaned her head on his
shoulder. And for a while, they talked about mutual
friends. Finally, glancing at his watch, Kevin said, “I
think you’d best go get some sleep.”

Sheepishly, she conceded, “I am tired. Good night,
luv.”

“Good night.”

He watched as she left the room, then his expression
became thoughtful. Had she seen it, Wendy would
have recognized it as his plotting expression. And she
might have worried. Had he been less engrossed, Kevin
might have heard a strange sound from near the
fireplace. But he was too preoccupied, and the
sounds-much like a panel closing and muffled
footsteps-passed unnoticed.

Next morning, after breakfast, Wendy sought refuge
in the library. She knew she wouldn’t get any work
done, but at least she was likely to be left alone there.
And she needed time to think. Lord Richard’s behavior
could be simply dismissed as his usual eccentricity, but
that didn’t mean she wanted to expose herself to a
repetition this morning.

And her feelings for Kevin were all mixed up. Two
months before, she had been thinking in terms of
marriage. Had he asked then, she would almost
certainly have accepted. Now-now she couldn’t see
herself as his wife. Was it a fundamental change in her?
Or him? Or just the strangeness of seeing him after such
a long absence?

Wendy did try, more than once, to work. But by lunchtime, she knew it was definitely hopeless. Gwen
brought the lunch tray, as usual, but set for two.
Kevin followed her into the room. “Cheers, luv! You
look like you need a rest. Remember, it is supposed to
be your vacation.”

She forced herself to smile, hiding her fears. “Hello,
Kevin. You’re quite right, I do need a break.” As he
bent to kiss her, Wendy hastily turned to the lunch tray.
“Tell me, how did you spend your morning?”

He frowned, but sat down and answered easily, “Oh,
out and about, looking at the grounds. Milord lives
well here.”

“Yes, he does,” she admitted. “Though he says he
dislikes the castle and prefers London.”

“I would too!” Kevin grinned. “But I’d also enjoy
owning a family seat like this one. His lordship has
promised to take me riding again this afternoon, and
show me more of his estate. Hey, luv, you ought to
come.”

“I can’t. I’ve work to do and-”

“Luv, it’s Sunday and this is your vacation time,”
Kevin said patiently.

“I-1-my foot. I don’t think it would be good for
my foot.”

“Oh.” Kevin paused. “Right. I’d forgotten. A pity.
The Earl has a marvelous stable. Well, if you can’t, you
can’t.”

As Wendy stared at her plate, she was in a turmoil.
He could have offered to spend the afternoon with her,
quietly. Was the riding that much fun? Fortunately,
Kevin was well able to carry on a conversation by
himself and seemed not to notice her silence.

After lunch, when Kevin rose to change to go riding,
Wendy turned to her work and pretended to be busy.
Soon after that, she heard the men leave and she pushed her chair away from the desk. The castle
suddenly felt too small and, with her cane, she went
down the hall and out the door near her room.

It was a beautiful, sunny day, and Wendy immediately felt some of her gloom lifting. For the first time
that day, she felt like smiling. Wandering toward the
orchard, Wendy found a reassuring calmness about the
deep green leaves. This time, she walked to a stream
that Lord Richard had told her ran through the
orchard. There, she sat on one of the large stones on its
bank.

Wendy had no notion of how long she had been
there when she heard a branch crackle nearby. She
turned to find Tony approaching her. He seemed
distinctly troubled. “May I sit down?” he asked.

She nodded and said, a little stiffly, “Of course.”
There was a brief silence and she added tentatively, not
wanting to disturb him further, “I thought you were
out riding.”

“No. I wasn’t quite in the mood this afternoon.”

Again, there was a silence. And it seemed to Wendy
that Tony’s distress had deepened. Impulsively, she
said, “Tony, what’s wrong?”

If it seemed a strange question coming from her,
Tony gave no sign that he thought so. “Wendy, when
did you tell Richard you were not engaged to Kevin?
That you had fobbed off his proposal?”

“I didn’t,” she replied, puzzled. “He must have found
out from his investigators or Kevin. Why?”

It was a while before Tony answered. And even then,
it was with some hesitation, and with a question.
“I-how do you really feel about Kevin, Wendy?”

At another time, she would have been indignant.
Now, Wendy only sensed the answer was somehow
important, and she tried to be honest. “I don’t know, Tony. That’s why I’m out here, now. Last night, Kevin
asked me to marry him, and I didn’t know what to say.
He doesn’t seem like the same man anymore. Or rather,
he hasn’t really changed, but he doesn’t seem like the
man I need.”

“Perhaps because, by contrast with someone else, he
seems less than he did before?” Tony suggested gently.

“Y-yes, maybe that’s partly it,” she conceded,
“though by contrast with who, I’m not sure.”

Tony stared carefully at the ground. “I think
Richard intends to cause trouble between you and
Kevin.”

“I’m not sure it matters,” Wendy blurted out. Then,
embarrassed, she tried to explain, “I mean, I’m not sure
he could do anything that would make a difference.”

Tony wasn’t reassured. “I’m afraid he’ll try.”

She rested her hand on his. “Don’t worry, Tony. The
worst he could do is make Kevin and me realize we
don’t trust each other. And if we don’t, what is our
relationship worth anyway? Kevin and I might as well
find out now if we can handle such things. And if we
can talk to each other about them.”

Tony smiled wryly. “It must be nice to have such
confidence in yourself. All right, it’s none of my affair. I
hope you’re right, Wendy.”

They suddenly both became very much aware that
her hand still rested on his. She self-consciously
withdrew it and again there was a long silence. Wendy
avoided looking at Tony and so did not see that his face
still looked troubled. After a while, she asked, “Why
haven’t you married, Tony? Is it because of Sylvia?”

He stiffened. “No, it’s not because of Sylvia.” Then
he relaxed and his tone became dry. “She may be a
good friend, but that doesn’t mean I would ever want to marry her. Good lord, what a disaster it would be. No, I
haven’t married simply because I haven’t found the
proper woman. I take marriage very seriously.” He
paused and laughed self-consciously. “Well, that’s a
stock answer for you, but true, nevertheless.”

Wendy glanced at Tony oddly. “I shouldn’t have
asked, of course. But I so rarely find it easy to really
talk with men about such things and find out how they
think.”

He smiled again. “I, on the other hand, have a great
deal of experience with women. And it seems to make
no difference. I still often misunderstand them.”

“Do you, now?” Wendy asked dryly. “I never should
have guessed!”

“Wendy, I-” He broke off. “No, it’s no use. In this
case I know we understand each other. About Richard.
You told me so often enough while Sylvia was here.”
He ran a hand through his hair and stood, his voice
gentle. “I believe it must be teatime. Shall we return to
the castle? If you’re not there, Richard and Kevin
would probably send out search parties.”

“Okay,” she agreed quietly, conscious of a desire to
go back in time and change so many things she’d ever
said or done.

Tony gently but firmly helped her to her feet. He was
right, of course, about Richard looking for her. As they
emerged from the orchard, they saw the Earl striding
quickly in their direction from the castle. As he spied
them, Richard slowed and waved. By the time the three
met, he was smiling. “Came to call you. Teatime, you
know. Your young friend is rather anxious about you,
Wendy.”

She grinned. “He’ll survive.”

As they walked toward the castle, Richard ex plained, “We’re to have tea in the garden, today. Your
fiance, by the way, Wendy, is an excellent horseman.
And he indicated you enjoy the sport.”

“I do,” she answered uneasily, “but I haven’t a
British seat. It always looked too uncomfortable to
master.”

“Spoken like a true rebel!” Tony observed.

“Hmmm, but only because she’s never had the
proper instructor,” the Earl countered.

Bewildered by undertones she sensed but did not
comprehend, Wendy grew increasingly disturbed. But
then they reached the garden, where Kevin was waiting
to drop a light kiss on her forehead. And it no longer
seemed to matter what the Earl was thinking. Almost
immediately, the ever efficient servants appeared with
tea. They also brought out a chess table and set it
between Lord Richard and Kevin. The latter flashed a
grin at Wendy. “Sorry, luv, you know I can never resist
a good game.”

She smiled indulgently. Tony, on her other side,
handed her a cup of tea. “Do you play also?” he asked
her quietly, so as not to disturb the other two men.

“Sometimes,” she admitted. “And you?”

“Sometimes.” They both laughed and he added,
“But I’m generally not very competitive about games. I
simply haven’t the proper spirit, of course. Games
never seem important enough to get upset about. Other
things matter too much more.”

For a moment Wendy didn’t answer. When she did,
she said carefully, “It’s an unusual philosophy-for a
man.”

He shrugged. “I stopped caring, long ago, what the
`usual’ qualities were for a man. I decided that I had a
more important commitment, to do the things I felt
important and to set my own standards as to what matters. That makes it harder for some people to
accept me, but at least I can accept myself.”

Wendy was impressed by the sincerity with which he
had spoken and couldn’t think of any answer that
wouldn’t sound hollow by comparison. Her distress
must have been evident for, after a moment, Tony said,
“It doesn’t matter. I didn’t really expect you to
understand. Though I rather hoped you could.”