Gayle Buck (30 page)

Evelyn let out a sigh. ‘Thank God for that.”

“He will be fine, until the next time that Doro has too many stewed Spanish onions before she nurses him.” Victoria laughed at Doro’s startled reaction. “I remember well how Jessica kept both Rebecca and me awake when I ate something which did not agree with her. I thought we should never quieten her, but warmth worked amazingly well.”

“I do thank you, Victoria. And I promise you that I shall never touch another onion,” Dorothea said feelingly.

Victoria laughed again and shook her head. “Oh, you shall. When James is bigger, he will not mind in the least what you eat.” She turned to Evelyn. “If you will light my way, Evelyn, I desire nothing more than to return to my room and my lovely soft bed.”

“Of course, cousin.” As they walked down the hall, he said, “Doro and the baby are able to travel now, and since the Christmas holiday is almost gone, I think that we will shortly leave for home.” He slanted a sideways glance at her. “My father has accepted our invitation to visit at Rosewood, at least until the London Season begins.”

“I hope that it is a reasonably agreeable visit for all concerned,” said Victoria.

Evelyn laughed heartily. “Oh, we shall quarrel. On that head I have no doubts. But we seem to get on better than we were used to and he positively dotes on little James, so that is all right.” He fell silent again, then said, “I suppose that you and Jessica will be returning to Portugal shortly.”

“Yes,” said Victoria simply.

He found her hand and awkwardly squeezed her fingers. “Doro and I shall miss you both, you know. If ever you and Jessica are back in England, pray come stay with us at Rosewood. We would be delighted to have you.”

“Of course we shall be back. We have family and friends in England now,” said Victoria, giving him a quick smile through a fine mist of tears. She tucked her hand in his arm and they continued down the hall in companionable silence.

Suddenly they heard a woman’s light coquettish laugh. “But you shall compromise me, my lord!” A man’s deep voice made a low reply,

Evelyn and Victoria looked at one another. Victoria had stiffened at first hearing the voices and she murmured, “Perhaps it would be best if you went on alone. I shall await you here.”

Evelyn took one sharp look at her face in the candlelight and grasped her elbow. “I believe you would do better to come with me, cousin.” He firmly led her around the comer.

Upon their appearance the couple standing before an open bedroom door disengaged. Margaret fell back against the wall, her hand clutching the deep opening of her pretty negligee. Her eyes gleamed. “Oh! We are found out, my ford.”

Lord Damion’s dark hair was disarranged and he was in his silk dressing gown. He stood silent in the half-open doorway to his room and slowly put his hands into the dressing gown’s large pockets. His expression was stem as he looked at Victoria with unreadable eyes. Victoria wished heartily that Evelyn had not dragged her in to witness this scene.

“Pray leave off this nonsense, Margaret,” said Evelyn impatiently. “No one believes it for a moment.”

“I am sure I do not understand what you are saying, Evelyn. Your appearance has come as a complete shock,” Margaret cast a meaningful glance up at Lord Damion’s impassive face.

“Allow me to be blunter, then. This shabby trick to compromise my cousin is wasted. Everyone in the place has known for months that your only reason for coming to the Crossing was to entrap the new Earl of March into marriage. And I for one am heartily tired of your games,” Evelyn said roundly.

Margaret drew herself up as though stung. “How dare you insult me in such a manner!” she exclaimed, her eyes flashing.

“You have begged for it these many weeks. Go back to your room before I am compelled to escort you, Margaret, for I promise you that I shan’t be the gentleman about it,” said Evelyn.

Margaret opened her mouth, but after glancing at Evelyn’s implacable face she thought better of whatever it was she meant to say. Instead she brushed past him, her head high. Margaret met Victoria’s eyes and startled her with a broad wink. “I did promise you, did I not?” she murmured for Victoria’s ears alone, and gracefully went on without a backward glance.

Victoria realized in a flash that Margaret had indeed found an outrageous way to exact revenge for the warning Victoria had given to Sir Harry about her. A knot loosened inside her and she was able to look on the situation with far different eyes.

“I apologize for my sister-in-law, my lord,” said Evelyn formally. “She sometimes allows her fancies to override her better judgment.”

Lord Damion inclined his head. Evelyn glanced from him to Victoria. He handed his candle to Victoria. “Cousin, I wish you good night.” Evelyn bowed to her and left the scene.

Margaret’s shameless ploy appealed strongly to Victoria’s sense of the ridiculous and she had difficulty meeting his lordship’s eyes. “Pray excuse me, my lord. I wish to look in on Jessica once more before I retire,”

“I should like to accompany you if I may,” said Lord Damion.

Victoria nodded, feeling that it would be awkward to deny him. Together they walked the short distance and entered the nursery. Victoria placed the candle on the bedside table and bent to smooth the coverlet over her daughter’s sleeping form. She smiled tenderly as she caressed Jessica’s rosy cheek, then straightened.

“She is a beautiful child,” said Lord Damion in a quiet voice.

Victoria gave him a quick smile. “So I think also, my lord.”

Lord Damion took her hand. “And her mother is a very lovely woman,” he said softly, drawing her into his arms.

Victoria began to tremble. She pressed her hand against his chest. “My lord—”

“Hush. You’ll wake Jessica.” His breath was warm on her upturned face. Lord Damion lowered his head and took possession of her half-parted lips. His arms tightened around her when he felt her response.

After several moments he raised his head, but his arms remained about her. Victoria let her head rest against his broad chest and sighed. She felt his hand softly stroke her hair.

“I hope you realize that little scene earlier was staged for your benefit,” said Lord Damion.

“Yes, I knew,” said Victoria. She was reluctant to spoil what she was feeling with words.

“Victoria, I love you. I want you for my wife. And you must know how I feel about Jessica.” Lord Damion put his hands on her shoulders and held her away from him. “Victoria, I know the contents of the codicil. I had it out of Sir Aubrey that day.” He shook her a little. “Damn you, did you truly think it would matter to me? I would gladly trade all I possess for you. Can you not—”

Victoria put her fingers across his lips. “Hush, or you will wake our daughter.”

He stared at her and she smiled in sudden mischief. His eyes blazed and he caught her up in a none-too-gentle embrace. “Fair warning, my girl. I shall demand payment for every moment you have kept me dangling,” he breathed, and his hands caressed her suggestively.

“You are no gentleman, sir!” said Victoria, laughing breathlessly. She slid her arms around his neck.

“I once told you that a gentleman born could play the rake better than any,” said Lord Damion. He looked down at her, fire in his eyes. “And I mean to do so with you, Victoria.” He swept her once more into his ungentle arms and Victoria raised her lips, willingly surrendering to his ardor. Sometime later Lord Damion and Victoria settled themselves comfortably in a wingchair before the fire. Victoria rested her head on his strong shoulder and her fingers were entwined firmly between his. While Jessica slept, they spoke softly, contentedly of the bright future.

Copyright © 1986 by Gayle Buck

Originally published by Signet (ISBN 0451146093)

Electronically published in 2008 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads

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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.