Natalya (29 page)

* * *

Drawing on a pair of kid gloves, Natalya walked into the dining room where her parents were sitting down to a lunch of cold chicken, perfect crimson strawberries, and corn bread with honey.

Caro's face glowed at the sight of her daughter. "Darling! How lovely you look! Do come and join us. I was just about to ask Pierre if you had made an appearance yet today."

Clad in the blue-sprigged, silk-sashed gown of white muslin that she had worn during the ride from Dover to London, Natalya did indeed look lovely, if a trifle pale. Her hair was drawn up in a soft Grecian knot, honey-hued tendrils framing her delicate yet sensual features. Smiling, she went to the table and kissed both her parents before taking a chair.

"Have some strawberries," Alec said, spooning a few onto a dessert plate and placing it before her. "Hyla's very proud of them. She has a little hothouse behind the kitchen now and gives us all sorts of exotic fruits and vegetables year-round."

"She is very eager to see you, Talya," Caro added.

"Goodness, how you both stare at me!" Natalya laughed, blushing. "Have I a spot on my chin?"

"It's still difficult to realize that you are truly here," her mother replied.

"And that you have grown so beautiful," added Alec. "You were a girl when you left, and now you have returned to us a woman. I might add, without an ounce of paternal bias, that you are one of those rare women who grows more beautiful with the passing years. I must brace myself for a veritable onslaught of suitors!"

"Don't be silly, Papa. I'm twenty-six, in case you've forgotten. Hardly marriageable." Cheerfully she ate a strawberry, closing her eyes with rapture. "How utterly delicious!... Why are you two looking so concerned? Do you imagine that I
want
a husband? Just the opposite. I am perfectly content to write my books, socialize with friends, and enjoy the company of my family." As the tall case clock near the doorway struck twelve, Natalya inched her chair away from the table. "I really hate to leave you so abruptly, but Krissie has convinced me to come with her to the dressmaker, and we thought we'd visit Grandmama for tea. Do you mind terribly? You know, Grey and I were forced to travel so lightly that I was unable to bring most of my gowns, so it is imperative that I have new ones made."

"Must you go
today?
" Caroline could not suppress her disappointment. "Your father and I were so looking forward to spending the afternoon with you, and so many of the staff have been waiting to greet you. We haven't even had a look at your book yet, and we wanted to take you out behind the garden to your great-grandmother's cottage—"

"We thought it might serve as a study for you," Alec said. "A quiet place where you could write."

Flushing guiltily, Natalya hastened to apologize. "This is truly not the way I planned to spend this first day at home, but I can't go around in the same two or three crumpled gowns, can I? I'd love to see the cottage again, and using it as a study is a wonderful idea. It's so generous and thoughtful of you to offer it!" She reached over to pat her mother's hand. "Pray do not be unhappy with me. I promise that once these other matters have been resolved, I shall be able to relax and enjoy my homecoming."

"I could accompany you," Caro murmured.

"Nonsense, Maman. Why should you suffer the boredom of my fittings?" Unable to meet her mother's eyes, Natalya busied herself with donning the blue spencer she'd carried in with her. Then, just before she rose from the table, she glanced at Alec and said in an offhand tone, "Oh, Papa, I heard that you invited Grey to live at the house on Spruce Street. I'll own that I was rather surprised to hear that he was not returning to England, and to discover that you and he had become so friendly in such a short space of time."

"I like St. James very much," he replied frankly. "I don't often take to people so readily, but I sensed immediately that he was a man of character. But of course you know that, since he was good enough to bring you all the way from Nicky's door to our own. I couldn't have been more pleased by his decision to remain in Philadelphia for the time being, and I look forward to improving our acquaintance."

Feeling rather ill, Natalya tried to smile. "How... nice."

Kristin appeared at that moment to announce that they would be terribly late if they didn't leave immediately, so both girls kissed their parents and hurried out the front door.

For a long moment Caro and Alec were silent, then their eyes met.

"I wonder what our little girl is up to?" he murmured, arching a white brow.

"Why do I doubt that it has little to do with an overpowering need for new gowns?" Caro replied. Pensively she drizzled honey over a wedge of corn bread and added, "She's behaving very oddly. We may not have seen her for six years, but I know my daughter...."

"Less than twenty-four hours have elapsed since she arrived in Philadelphia," Alec exclaimed. "How could she have become embroiled in a drama so quickly?"

* * *

"I think Grandmama may have a gentleman friend," Kristin said. She and Natalya had just settled back into their carriage after being turned away by their grandmother. She hadn't time for tea that afternoon, she'd explained, because of a pressing engagement she could not break. The girls had hinted that they could remain at the house on Third Street and partake of refreshments without her, but Antonia had been firm, if apologetic. It was a most inconvenient day, she'd sighed, shooing them gently out the door.

"Grandmama?" Natalya echoed, incredulous. "But she's past eighty! And it's been less than a year since Grandpapa's death. What you suggest is... unthinkable!"

"Is it? She's been awfully secretive lately, and why did she make us leave?"

"I don't know. Why did she?"

Kristin's voice dropped conspiratorially. "Because her gentleman friend was about to arrive and she didn't want us to see him."

"Ridiculous! If Grandmama is behaving oddly, it is probably because she's becoming a trifle eccentric in her old age."

Kristin shook her head. "She's as alert as ever, and still very much a woman, Talya. Don't underestimate her." Looking out the carriage window as they turned onto Spruce Street, she gasped suddenly and drew back against the seat. "Oh, dear, I think he saw me!"

"Who?" Natalya asked in surprise.

"Hollis Gladstone. He's determined to court me whether I desire it or not." Kristin made an exasperated face. "I just caught a glimpse of him, turning west at the corner, but now I'd wager that he's following us."

The carriage drew up in front of a three-story red brick house with Georgian window frames and shutters and a doorway complemented by two columns and an arch. Natalya had always adored this house; it was here that Nicholai Beauvisage had lived when he and Lisette fell in love. It galled her now to think that Grey St. James was making himself at home inside.

As the driver assisted the two young ladies out of the carriage, a pleasant-looking man hurried toward them on the brick footpath. Clad in a rather old-fashioned suit of brown broadcloth, his cravat slightly askew, he had the look of an amiable bear. When Kristin smiled politely, he grinned with unabashed pleasure.

"Hello, Hollis," she said, smoothing her exquisite pale lavender walking dress. "I don't believe you know my sister, Natalya. She is a published authoress, you know, and has just returned home after six years in France."

He turned to smile at Natalya. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Beauvisage. Kristin has told me a great deal about you, and I don't doubt that your return to Philadelphia is cause for much celebration by your family." His tone was friendly and his green eyes were warm, but as soon as the amenities were dispensed with, he returned his attention to Kristin. "I was just about to summon my carriage to drive to Belle Maison, Kristin. Had you forgotten our plans?"

"Plans?" she repeated.

"Why, yes! When I visited you on Saturday and you were unable to attend the theater with me that evening, you promised to dine with me tonight instead."

"Oh, of course! No, no, I hadn't forgotten." He was so ardent that her heart went out to him.

"Then you must have come into town to spare me the journey out to Belle Maison. How thoughtful you are, and how fortuitous that we are able to begin our time together early. My aunt Felicia has just arrived from Williamsburg, and begged me to bring you for tea at the Man Full of Trouble Inn. Her own daughter died recently, so I have been trying to cheer her up a bit, and meeting you would surely do so."

Kristin's lips parted as she groped for an excuse, then conscience quickly overcame her more selfish instincts. "I would be delighted to take tea with your aunt and do whatever I can to improve her spirits, but first—"

"I can look after this matter on my own," Natalya assured her quickly. "After all, we were only paying a courtesy call on Mr. St. James. I'll inquire after his comfort, offer a servant or two if needed, and be on my way. You go along with Mr. Gladstone and have that tea we missed at Grandmama's." Silently Natalya gave thanks for Hollis Gladstone's timely appearance, for she had been worried that she might not be able to speak to Grey alone. Certainly what she had to say to him was not fit to be overheard by her sister.

Presently matters were sorted out, and Natalya bade the couple good-bye and walked alone up the steps to the front door. Lifting the knocker, she fantasized that an old family retainer would answer and tell her that Grey St. James had decided not to remain in Philadelphia after all.

The door swung open to reveal a startlingly familiar face, followed by a gravelly cockney voice inquiring, "Can I help you, mum?"

"Fedbusk?" Natalya blinked at the sight of the weathered, balding sailor clad incongruously in a black frock coat, knee breeches, and a white cravat.

"The same, mum." He eyed her knowingly. "Here to see the cap'n?"

"Why—why, yes, I am." In struggling to regain her composure, Natalya was relieved to discover that her sense of humor had not deserted her entirely. Fedbusk gotten up as a butler was definitely cause for amusement. "Is Mr. St. James available?"

"Follow, me, mum." He turned and walked with a rolling, seaman's gait through the entry hall that led to the beautiful house's most impressive feature, a stunning elliptical stairway that soared and curved unsupported up three floors.
Trailing
after Fedbusk down the long central corridor, Natalya peeked into familiar rooms and noticed that most of the holland covers had been removed from the elegant furnishings. She expected to find Grey in her uncle Nicky's study, but Fedbusk passed that and continued on into the kitchen. "Miss Beauvisage to see your lordship," he announced loudly.

The cozy, whitewashed kitchen was dominated by a large, open fireplace, a hundred-year-old Welsh dresser lined with Bristol delft china, copper pots that hung from the ceiling, and a scrubbed worktable in the middle of the room. A beautiful woman with skin the color of cafe au lait stood next to the table writing on a long piece of paper. Swallowing, Natalya finally allowed her gaze to rest on Grey St. James.

The sight of him made her heart leap, for he had never looked more devastatingly handsome. Clad in a simple white shirt and biscuit breeches, and perched casually on a rough-hewn stool, his booted feet propped on a rung, he was the embodiment of male virility in repose. His skin was deeply tanned, his black hair was windblown, and his eyes glinted silver as they met hers.

"Ah, Miss Beauvisage," he murmured, a hint of mirth in his voice. "What a surprise. How thoughtful you are to pay us a call of welcome. I'm
deeply
gratified."

Natalya smiled sweetly, fighting a powerful urge to choke him. "Knowing your fondness for surprise visits, sir, I could not resist the temptation to bestow one upon you. Moreover, there are certain matters we should discuss...."

"Indeed?" His brows flicked upward. "I wonder what those might be...."

Chapter 19

April 29, 1814

Grey stood up, smiling, and gestured toward the woman on the other side of the table. "Natalya, you must meet the gracious lady who has agreed to be my cook. This is Laviolet Pritchard. Laviolet, allow me to present Natalya Beauvisage."

"A pleasure, mam'selle," Laviolet said in a lilting French accent. "I believe I know your
grandmere.
I've helped cook for her parties. She is a woman of great beauty and character."

"I agree," Natalya said warmly. "It's good to meet you, Laviolet." She looked at Grey with curiosity. "How did you find a cook so quickly?"

"Speed discovered her when he went to the market this morning. Laviolet came to Philadelphia from Santo Domingo, during the slave revolts many years ago, and married a cabinetmaker. It seems that her last employer died recently, and Speed heard her mention that she was seeking a new position." He grinned. "Fate is kind to me, don't you agree?"

"You do have the devil's own luck," Natalya replied, with a touch of irony.

"Laviolet insists on knowing all my tastes in food, hence the notes she is making." Grey couldn't resist the opportunity to further annoy Natalya. "I fear that she will spoil me so outrageously that I may never leave Philadelphia...."