Hearts of Gold (28 page)

‘Is that all he said?’

‘Yes. Were you expecting something else? You can always call him.’

‘It can wait until New Year.’

‘You’re not thinking of accepting Gerald’s proposal, are you?’

‘Of course I’m thinking about it. You said he would make me a good husband, and told me to consider it. Have you changed your mind about that?’

He hesitated, then said, ‘I have. What if I enforced my guardianship and refuse to consent to the marriage?’

She needed to punish him for what he’d done. She needed to punish both of them.

‘First, you could refuse until your eyes turned blue, for all the difference it would make to my decision. Second, I haven’t agreed yet. Third, you’d have to give me a good reason, otherwise I’d simply ignore your advice and dispense with your claim to guardianship. She gave him the chance to confess about the wager. ‘Do you have a good reason?’

He shrugged. ‘Not one that I’d care to voice at the moment.’

‘That’s what I thought. Excuse me now, Magnus. I need to go and make sure the tablecloths are free of stains.’

‘Damn the tablecloths, I’m not interested in discussing domestic arrangements. Sarry, please, I’m asking you not to accept this proposal unless you’re very sure you love Gerald.’

Like him, yes. Love him? Sarette was very sure that she didn’t. She turned and gazed at him, waiting for him to explain, to lessen her hurt.
Tell me you love me . . . lie to me. I’ll believe anything you tell me
, she thought.

He did neither, and the shock in his dark eyes made her ache inside when she said, ‘Have you considered that it might be possible that I am in love with Gerald.’

She walked away without another word.

The summons to Magnus’s study came just after he returned home from Dorchester.

Sarette had been helping Verna dust the rooms and make up the beds for the overnight guests expected for New Year’s Day.

She finished what she was doing, then presented herself to him, pink-faced from her exertions and straightening her apron. She blew a stray strand of hair from her face, and smiled at him. ‘Branston said you wanted to see me.’

‘You shouldn’t be working in the house. We have extra servants.’

‘Verna won’t allow them in the bedrooms. She’s worried they might steal something. I don’t mind helping her. I’m enjoying it.’

‘Are you managing the arrangements, all right? My former housekeeper always used to do it all before.’

‘Verna is very efficient, and we’re managing everything together. I’m learning from her. It might hold me in good stead one day, in case I need to be a housekeeper.’

‘Which is doubtful. But it might stand you in good stead when you’re married, and have a home to run.’ He indicated the seat by the fire, and took the one opposite. ‘Remember me telling you that I had someone searching for any relative you might have. I’m afraid nobody has been turned up. Do you want me to continue the search?’

‘Thank you for trying, and for keeping me informed, but no, I don’t see the point. My father never mentioned us having any living relatives.’

‘We were careful not to reveal your circumstances during our enquiries. The world is full of fraudsters and trickery.’

Magnus and Gerald were living proof of that, she thought sadly. She said, ‘It certainly is,’ then she rose. ‘I must go and help Verna, else your guests will end up having to make their own beds.’

He moved towards the door, barring her way. ‘Are you still annoyed with me?’

Slanting her head to one side she gazed up at him. ‘Would it worry you if I were?’

‘Not particularly.’

She laughed, she couldn’t help it. ‘You know, you’re the most arrogant man I’ve ever set eyes on. Move out of my way else I’ll stamp on your foot.’

‘I’m quite sure I deserve every snub, slight and physical offence you care to offer me.’

‘Oh, please, Magnus . . . humbleness just doesn’t suit you.’

‘I never know the right way to act around you.’

‘Just be yourself . . . you might be annoying, but I think I like you better that way.’

He grinned at that, and moved aside. ‘By the way, Gerald will be here shortly. He intends to reprise his proposal.’

Her eyes flew open at the thought. ‘He’ll have to wait until I’ve finished what I’m doing.’

‘Have you decided yet?’

‘No.’

‘If you’re unsure, you shouldn’t accept him.’

She didn’t need his advice. What did he know about marriage, when his experience was limited to mistresses? How many women had he taken to his bed, promised them all they desired, then taken advantage of them, and taken their feelings lightly. Jealousy twisted its blade in her heart, then sliced into her tongue so every word she uttered was forked with insincerity. She hated herself for not being as honest as she wanted to be.

‘Your advice is appreciated. Thank you for trying to find any kin I might have. I think you must be disappointed that I must still impose on your generosity.’

He drawled, ‘Don’t presume to know my mind, Sarry. You’re wrong if you imagined I was trying to get rid of you.’

‘I didn’t imagine anything of the sort.’ She shrugged, and altered her train of thought. ‘Yes, I did think that. I’m sorry.’

‘So you should be.’ He stepped aside and allowed her to leave the room.

She was forced to find time for Gerald when he arrived.

‘I apologize for embarrassing you.’ Gerald shuffled the toe of his shoe in the carpet. ‘My father said that I must honour the proposal. He is waiting in the study with Magnus.’

Sarette gave Gerald the opportunity to withdraw his declaration, sure that he would. ‘You’d been drinking . . . are you really sure that’s what you want?’

‘I wasn’t too drunk to know what I was doing.’ His eyes avoided hers and he gave a defeated sort of sigh. ‘We get on well, and we have fun together, and my father likes you.’

‘Which is immaterial because I wouldn’t be marrying your father.’

He gave a bit of a grin. ‘Just as well, I’d hate it if you became my step-mamma.’

Sarette laughed. ‘Yes, I suppose it would be a bit silly to have a stepmother younger than yourself.’

‘Then what’s your answer?’

She wondered why saying yes to Gerald was so difficult when he was a perfectly presentable and clever young man. ‘Do you love me?’

‘Lor, yes . . . I forgot about the affection bit. Would I have asked you if I didn’t care for you?’

She couldn’t bear to hear him avoid the one issue that should be at the core of a happy marriage, and she hardened her heart as she remembered the demeaning wager. ‘I’m still thinking it over. Marriage to you was not something I’d ever aspired to, and your proposal was unexpected.’

His face flushed and he winced. ‘The intention was always there, I was just a little premature in announcing it. What must you think of me?’

Sarette thought Gerald was not a very good liar, and she was not going to allow him to appeal to her heart. He was not a small boy who’d been naughty and obliged to beg forgiveness from his mother, while sure it would be forthcoming. He was a man, and a man experienced with women, no doubt.

Even so, the trapped expression in his blue eyes was hard to bear. ‘I want to think about this. I’ll give you my answer in March – on my birthday.’

The expression on his face became one of quiet resignation, and there was more than a hint of desperation in his eyes when he murmured, ‘Of course.’

‘You realize that there is already some unpalatable talk about me.’

‘Which nobody who knows you believes, and for which, on behalf of my family I apologize profoundly. What about Magnus? He knows what I’m about and will expect to be informed.’

‘When I’ve given you a definitive answer he will be.’ Then he can collect his fifty pieces of silver, Judas, she thought. ‘Besides, I’m not really interested in Magnus’s thoughts on the matter.’

Gerald looked a bit worried. ‘I thought he seemed quiet. Perhaps an affirmative news would cheer him up.’

‘I daresay he’ll be glad to get the problem I present to him off his hands. After all, if people are talking about me, then they must be talking about him, too, since I live in his home.’

‘I’m sure he won’t be pleased at being kept waiting for this issue to be settled between us. You’re not being fair to him, Sarry. Magnus is a good, honest man.’

‘Is he, indeed? Perfection must belong in the eye of the beholder I should imagine. You’ve been friends for such a long time that you’ve created your own mutual admiration society.’

He took her hands in his. ‘Believe me, Sarette, Magnus holds your welfare dear to his heart, as we all do.’

She slid her hands from his and looked him straight in the eye. ‘Does Magnus want us to wed?’

Gerald’s glance skittered away, then came back to her. ‘He wants what’s best for you.’

‘Then to do him justice, I shall take some time to decide what that best is.’ She rose at the same time as he did, smiled, and said formally. ‘Thank you for your proposal, Gerald. I’ll let you know my answer in due course.’

He hesitated, clearly piqued. ‘Is that what I’m to tell them, that you haven’t made your mind up?’

‘That’s it.’

‘How long are you going to keep me hanging on a thread?’

‘I’ve already told you that you’ll get my answer in March.’ Colour touched her cheeks. She must remember that this was an intelligent man she was dealing with. ‘Is that what you think I’m doing, keeping you on the thread?’

Amusement came into his eyes. ‘All right, Sarry. I’ll indulge you by playing your little game, but I don’t know whether it will wash with Magnus.’

‘Hah! to Magnus. It’s nothing to do with him.’

A step brought him closer, his eyes were sharp against hers. ‘It’s everything to do with him, since you’re in his charge. We have always had the same taste in women and are rivals in love.’

‘Is that what you both call your womanizing . . . love?’

She bit down on her bottom lip when Gerald’s gaze narrowed in on her. She’d nearly confessed that she knew about the bet. It had been too ambitious of her to take on these men and play them at their own game. What had she been thinking of?

However, she knew he’d misread her when he said, ‘Mind you don’t get your fingers burned trying to play each of us off against the other?’

‘You’re full of conceit,’ she said angrily.

‘I prefer to call it pride. You might have fooled John Kern with such tactics, since he was an old man. But you won’t fool Magnus for long.’

‘John Kern?
Fooled him?
I think you’re fooling yourself, Gerald, if that’s what you think. John Kern may have had a chequered past, but he was all heart. He rescued me when I was thirsty and hungry and ready to give up. In doing so he rescued himself, for he thought he had nothing left to live for. I would have given my life to save his.’

Gerald sounded slightly ashamed when he said, ‘What else am I supposed I think? Most people think you were after John Kern, and when you heard he was dead you set your sights on Magnus.’

‘And you said nobody who knew me would believe such a thing. Obviously you didn’t include yourself in that.’ Sadly, she asked him, ‘Have you been listening to gossip, Gerald? Funny, but I really thought you were above that.’

‘I am . . . don’t know why I said it. I’m jealous, and despite that, my proposal still stands. Once you’re married nobody will dare criticize you.’

‘Ah, so you want to save me from the gossips. I was thinking, Gerald, perhaps I should sue these people who are slandering me. Should I retain you for the task now I have the resources to pay for them?’

‘I do have
some
dignity. I wouldn’t take the case.’

‘Would it be a conflict of interest, perhaps?’ she asked gently, for she was certain that his sister Olivia, and the obnoxious Jessica were behind the gossip.

He didn’t answer.

‘Perhaps I should ask Magnus then.’

‘He wouldn’t take it either, and he’d crucify you for suggesting such a thing.’

‘Are you certain about that?’

He stared hard at her, then said slowly, ‘Magnus is too sure of himself where you’re concerned. Has he . . . made certain advances to you?’

She wondered, would a kiss or two be classified as certain advances?

‘Touched you perhaps?’

Her blush became a furnace. This had become a no-holds-barred conversation, and she didn’t like it. ‘Gerald, stop this. It’s upsetting.’

But he was relentless. ‘Taken you to bed . . .
Ouch!
’ he said when her palm flattened against his cheek.

The door swung open and the dogs came in. They picked up the tension in the room. Boots came between them and leaned against her skirt, his head pressed to the side of her knee and his hackles raised. Patch sniffed at Gerald’s legs and gave a short, rattling growl that revealed a row of sharp teeth.

Gerald took a step backwards, his abused cheek burning bright, his eyes filled with his own shame. ‘I think I deserved that.’

Magnus entered. He was wearing black trousers and a frock coat over a double-breasted ruby waistcoat. His cravat was fixed by a matching ruby tie pin. His imposing presence brought with it its own tension, and even though he looked quite relaxed he dominated the room.

Gazing from one to the other his mouth twisted in a wry smile when his glance settled on Gerald’s flaming cheek. ‘Oh dear, have we had a falling out?’ he said, irony saturating the deep chuckle he gave.

The dogs deserted her for him, making ingratiating little noises and wagging tails. One strong hand came down to fondle their thrusting muzzles and Sarette felt a response in herself when he caressed Boots’s floppy ears.

‘I’ve come for Sarette,’ he said and gave her a slow, beautiful smile that melted her insides as well as lifted her spirits.

She reminded herself that she was still as furious with him as she was with Gerald.

‘Mrs Carradine and her daughters are about to arrive, I saw their carriage coming along the road and thought you might like to be introduced, then show them where they’re to sleep tonight. Gerald, if you’ve finished your business here, your father is waiting for you in my study. I’ll join you there in a little while.’