Natalya (27 page)

Upstairs, their tour was more abbreviated. Grey did little more than poke his head in doorways and nod as Kristin pointed out each of the welcoming bedrooms. Most had window seats built in below recessed windows, and he found this a charming touch. The elder Beauvisages shared a large bedchamber decorated in blue and white with Chinese red accents; next to it was a small sun-drenched morning room with freshly painted lemon-yellow walls and a circular Aubusson carpet. In passing, Grey glimpsed a lovely bedroom done in ivory and moss green with a Sheraton field bed as its centerpiece, and then Kristin pointed out her own room, which was rose and pale blue.

Voices drifted out to them from a room at the back of the house. "We ought to join the others," Kristin said, opening the door. "I suppose I should warn you that Belle Maison is quite famous for its library."

Grey let out his breath appreciatively as they entered a magnificent room that spanned the depth of the second floor. There were two other entrances at the middle and far end of the library, and all the walls were lined from floor to ceiling with handsomely bound books. Alec Beauvisage's desk was across the room from where Grey and Kristin stood, and Natalya and her parents were seated on a settee and wing chairs grouped before the mahogany-framed fireplace in the center of the library.

"Ah, here you are at last!" Caro called cheerfully. "We've just poured a glass of sherry, and Rose announced that we shall dine in half an hour. Do come and join us."

As Grey and Kristin took matching flame-stitched wing chairs, Natalya murmured, "I thought perhaps you two had gotten lost."

Kristin laughed, glancing at Grey under her lashes. "Have we been terribly long?"

"I've been admiring your home," Grey interjected, speaking to Alec and Caro. He sat back in his chair and stretched out his long legs, appearing to be very much at ease and oblivious to Natalya's suspicious looks and Kristin's smitten gaze. "I like it immensely."

"It's kind of you to say so," Caro rejoined. "We love Belle Maison."

"It does seem to have a character all its own," Alec agreed. "Sometimes I feel that the house is as alive as we are."

Distracted, Natalya sipped her sherry and beamed. "It really is wonderful to be back. I've missed all of you—and Belle Maison—more than I realized."

"I still cannot believe it," her mother said, reaching over to clasp her hand. "It's like a dream."

Looking at Grey, Kristin murmured, "It certainly is...."

* * *

Dinner was exceedingly festive. Natalya brightened when Caro seated Grey next to Alec and placed Kristin at the opposite end. If Grey St. James had to intrude on her family reunion, she would rather he befriend her father than further intoxicate her sister.

Hyla DuBois and her staff had labored in the kitchen behind the house to create a magnificent meal on short notice: clam-and-mushroom bisque, sour milk biscuits with sweet butter, duckling with apple stuffing, codfish cakes, mashed carrots and parsnips, and young greens with bacon dressing. Natalya and Grey were both famished and ate far too much. Natalya happily answered questions about Nicholai and Lisette, discussed the publication of
My Lady's Heart,
and divulged selected details of her sojourn with Adrienne in London. Alec, along with the others, wanted to hear all about Napoleon's downfall and Grey's other experiences in the war. Finally Natalya and Grey took turns describing their flight from France and voyage across the Atlantic.

"I cannot express the gratitude my wife and I feel for all you have done to help Natalya return to America," Alec said at last, pushing his plate away with a satisfied sigh.

"Natalya aided in my escape from France," Grey replied. "I might well have failed without her assistance, and failure would have meant death. What I have done to repay her is really very little." He gave Natalya a wry smile, his gray eyes twinkling with secrets. "Actually I've quite enjoyed myself. Your daughter is highly... original!"

Her cheeks flaming, Natalya wished with all her heart that he would go away. She picked up her fork and aimed it at her plate—only to discover that there wasn't a bite of food left on it. "Goodness! I've been a monstrous glutton, haven't I?" Her voice was loud with false gaiety. "I have an excuse, though. Hyla is the best cook in the world, and besides, it's been six years since I've eaten real American food. Lisette still prepares some of her old recipes from the coffeehouse, but somehow they taste different in France."

Grey helped himself to the rest of the greens. "For my part, I can attest that this is quite possibly the best meal I have ever had. Is this the sort of thing everyone in Philadelphia eats?"

"Everyone who can afford good food," Alec said.

"Then I may never leave!" Grey laughed with a trace of mischief, enjoying himself as he witnessed the flush that rose again in Natalya's cheeks.

"I am suddenly very tired," she announced. "It must be all the excitement. Krissie, why don't you come upstairs and help me unpack? I want to hear all about your suitors. And Maman, you must come, too, and tell me the news of Etienne. When is he coming home from that horrid war, and what of his wife and baby?"

Caro watched in surprise as her daughter stood up. "But, Talya, there's rhubarb tapioca for dessert. It was always your favorite."

"Oh, Maman, I simply couldn't eat another bite. Tell Hyla I'll have mine for breakfast, won't you?" Natalya came around the table, held out her hand to Grey, and said, "You must think me incredibly rude, making such an abrupt exit, but I really am too exhausted to sit up a moment longer. I have already told you how grateful I am to you for bringing me all this way, and I wish you all the best in your new life in England." She forced a smile but avoided his keen silver eyes as she delivered her prepared remarks: "Good-bye, Grey. I know I've been a trial to you at times, but these past weeks have been memorable, and you were a gift from heaven. Have a safe journey home, and I hope that you'll think of me with a smile from time to time."

Coolly he arched his eyebrows, all too aware of their audience. Standing to face her, he lifted Natalya's hand to his mouth and kissed it. It pleased him to feel her involuntary shiver. "Good night, Natalya."

She waited for him to make a farewell speech, but none was forthcoming. Blushing again, she pulled her hand free and stepped backward, nearly landing in her father's lap, then turned toward the doorway. "Krissie, are you coming with me?"

Reluctantly Kristin rose from the table. She was beginning to feel foolish for having flirted openly with the Englishman since he was apparently leaving on the morrow, so she mustered her dignity and exchanged pleasant words of parting with him. He leaned across the table to clasp her hand, smiling as he thanked her for the tour of Belle Maison.

"I'll be up momentarily," Caro called as the sisters left the dining room. Then, turning to the men, she said, "I have a notion that the two of you would enjoy some time alone to chat. I'll have dessert and port served, then go upstairs and tuck my daughter into bed."

"I'll come up to kiss her good night after a bit," Alec said, squeezing his wife's hand. "Don't look so puzzled,
cherie.
It's her first night home and she's bound to be restless and preoccupied."

"You're right, of course." Caro gave him a grateful smile. "I ought to bid you good-bye, Mr. St. James, and thank you once more for all you've done. If we can ever repay you, do not hesitate to call upon us."

After Grey offered more words of appreciation for her hospitality, Caro went upstairs, and he found himself alone with Alec Beauvisage. Crystal dishes of tapioca were served and port was poured from a cut-glass decanter.

"Are you really sailing tomorrow?" Alec asked, raising his glass. "Talya keeps insisting on it, but I haven't heard a word of confirmation from you."

"Actually"—Grey sipped his port, smiling slowly,—"no. I have a few matters to attend to in Philadelphia before I return to England. Your daughter would prefer that I make myself scarce, but since I cannot accommodate her wishes, I thought it might be better for the moment to not comment on my plans in her presence."

Alec couldn't bring himself to ask why Natalya was so anxious that Grey return to England. Instead he said, "Won't you tell me more about yourself and your family? I've spent some time in London, and your name seems familiar somehow."

"Actually, sir, I believe you know my father, the Earl of Hartford," Grey replied.

Alec registered astonished delight. "Of course! You're Hartford's elder son, aren't you? I'd simply forgotten that St. James was his family name. My God, now I am indebted to both of you, for Hartford spared my life in 1781, during the battle of Yorktown...." His gaze wandered as memories returned, then he looked back at Grey, smiling. "Your father must be very proud of you. Is he well?"

"Quite, sir. He's not a warm man, but I suppose that he enjoys life after a fashion. And he's had his share of sorrows. My mother died in childbirth when I was ten, and then my brother David was killed in the battle of Salamanca two years ago."

"Lord, what a terrible blow for a father—and for you. I cannot imagine what it would do to me if our Etienne were lost in this war." Alec sighed. "Hartford was full of life and fun when I knew him. He'd had a few whiskies the night he caught me spying on Cornwallis. He started asking me questions about myself and we became friends. I gave him my word to leave quietly, and so he let me go."

Grey blinked, trying to imagine his father in the scene Beauvisage had described. "He has always spoken kindly of you, sir, and has been pleased to receive your letters."

Nodding thoughtfully, Alec sipped his port for a moment before asking, "Can you discuss your business in Philadelphia, or is it private? If I can assist you in any way..."

"It's a long story," Grey said lightly. "I'd rather not divulge all the details, but I can say that I am searching for someone who may have recently arrived in Philadelphia. Have you by chance met a beautiful Englishwoman, somewhat haughty, I should think, with auburn hair and green eyes? Her name is Francesca and... she is in possession of some property that belongs to my family. I hope to find her and reclaim these lost items before I return to England."

"I see...." Alec digested this information with interest. "I cannot recall meeting such a woman, but I can ask Caro, and—"

"Please, sir, do not," Grey said curtly. "I must ask that this conversation remain between us for the time being. If Francesca should hear of my presence in Philadelphia before I discover her whereabouts..."

"I may know someone who can help you. Before Lisette married my brother, she inherited Hahn's Coffeehouse from her father. The coffeehouse has long been one of Philadelphia's most popular meeting places. It is now owned by James Stringfellow, her old friend and the barman there for many years. He's an Englishman and a wonderful fellow who keeps his ears open and is always aware of the latest news. If anyone has word of the woman you seek, it would be Stringfellow, and he can be trusted to keep your secrets." Alec grinned. "If he knows that you're a friend of Lisette's, he'll move heaven and earth for you."

Grey, who had been listening intently, returned his host's grin. "Thank you, sir. I have a feeling that I shall be able to make good use of that information."

"You will need a place to stay," Alec decided, "and I have just the solution. Nicholai's house on Spruce Street is large and comfortable, and we have kept it for the use of visiting relatives. I insist that you make yourself at home there for as long as you care to stay."

Their eyes met, and Grey realized that he had a friend who offered the sort of camaraderie he had always longed to share with his own father. A smile lit his face as he replied, "I appreciate your generous offer and accept with gratitude."

"It's the least we can do for you. We'll loan you a carriage, and one of our drivers will deliver you and your manservant tonight, then your things can be sent over from the ship in the morning." Alec paused to take a spoonful of tapioca. "I confess that I've missed my son since the war took him away, and my father's death this past year has left me lonely. I like you, Grey, and I hope to spend more time with you. I'd like to show you our shipyards, and I could take you to my club...."

"Your kindness renders me speechless, sir."

"Nonsense." He grinned. "And for God's sake call me Alec! I'm not in my dotage yet."

"I'd be honored, Alec," he said, smiling back, thinking that this family was like a fantasy in comparison with his own. "I ought to go out to the kitchen and inform Speed, my valet, of our plans. Oh, and I should ask you about Charlotte Timkins, Natalya's maid these past weeks. She came with us from the ship, just in case."

"Naturally, if she chooses to remain here, she is welcome," Alec said immediately. He rose to his feet and held out his hand to Grey. "I shall bid you good night, then. Pierre will arrange for your carriage. Perhaps I'll drop by to visit you in a day or two, to make certain there's nothing you need."

"I'll look forward to it, Alec."

Beauvisage walked Grey to the back door, pointing out the brightly lit kitchen building behind the house, then he started up the servants' stairs to visit his elder daughter.

* * *

Alone at last, her family's good-night kisses still warm on her cheeks, Natalya lay in the Sheraton field bed and gazed up at the moonlit snowflake pattern in the net canopy that curved above her. This had been her mother's room when she had first come to Belle Maison as Alec's ward more than thirty years ago. Growing up, Natalya had shared the rose-and-blue bedroom with Kristin, but now she was sleeping here. She had always loved this room, most especially the beautiful field bed with its arched canopy frame draped in hand-tied snowflakes. She had spent many a daylight hour lying here on her back and dreaming.

Smiling contentedly, Natalya burrowed deeper into the soft linens and quilts covering her. It felt so safe to be back at last. The dangers of her journey, the risks and confusion of her relationship with Grey, were behind her. The future, complete with the challenges of adjusting to life in Philadelphia and meeting old and new friends, could still be held at arm's length. For now, she could be her mother's and father's daughter again, tucked snugly into her favorite bed at Belle Maison.