The Reluctant Suitor (24 page)

A slow, negative shake of the grimy head provided a mute reply. “Don’t recall. Ain’t heard no more stories since me pa went off ta war,” the lad mumbled and held up four fingers, black as soot. “I weren’t but maybe this many when he left. After that, me ma ne’er wanted ta tell us stories. She traded the good book off for a bottle o’ gin, an’ a few vittles. When she’d work, she’d come home wit’ mo’

o’ the same. She’d stay in bed a few days, sippin’ gin, an’ then go out an’ find mo’ work ta buy some more.”

“Well, I happen to know that Mrs. Abernathy is very fond of the Bible, and she’d be happy to read it to you. It has some very exciting stories about men and women with names like your own.” Indicating the marquess with a nod of her head, she announced, “This nice gentleman here is Lord Randwulf. He will make all the necessary arrangements so you can stay with the Abernathys until you’re old enough to go off to learn professions worthy of respect. Now, if you’ll let him and Lady Burke help you into one of the shiny black carriages outside, I shall follow close behind with your sister.”

Colton was dumbstruck by the young beauty’s ability to charm the three, who upon his initial entry into the cottage, had fled with frightened screams into a corner where they had crouched together in absolute terror. Until his eyes had finally adjusted to the gloom, all he had been able to see in the dark, drab, soot-shrouded interior were their huge eyes, wide with a kind of feral fear, staring at him from thin, grimy faces. No matter how he had tried to convince them that he meant them no harm, they had cowered away and then, whenever he’d try to approach, would start screaming, as if they had expected to be soundly thrashed or taken off to some evil place, as their mother had warned. Yet when Adriana had entered, the situation had been entirely different. It was obvious she had a natural way of talking to children that easily calmed their trepidations and won their trust. He had no doubt that one day she would make a wonderful mother . . . possibly for offspring she would bear him.

Once outside, Colton lifted the children in his sister’s carriage and then, after handing Samantha in, turned to Adriana, delaying her a moment as he took her fingers within his. “I’m indebted to you,” he said in a muted tone. “ ‘Twould seem I’m not very gifted with children, at least not these poor, frightened waifs. I was at a complete loss until you came. Thank you for your kindness and help.”

Adriana couldn’t help but smile. His voice, soft, warm, and soothing, had seemed to stroke along her senses. “Poor cherubs, ‘tis evident they’ve been lacking compassion and care for some time, but the Abernathys will change that for the better. They’re very wonderful people. I have no doubt these children will come to love them in time, as have others who were fortunate enough to have been found by the couple. Mrs. Abernathy swears they’ve truly been blessed with a large family now. Still, with so many to feed and clothe, they must work hard to provide for the ones they’ve taken in. If you’re of such a mind, my lord, perhaps you could spare something to help them in that endeavor. ‘Twill be greatly appreciated by all concerned. If not, I’m sure my father would be willing to give more. . . .”

“No need to bother him, Adriana. I’ll gladly take care of the matter myself. Indeed, I came here this morning for that precise purpose, to see to the welfare of the children after the groom told Harrison the three were in desperate need, but when I entered and discovered their mother had died, I really didn’t know how to go about finding a suitable home for them without hiring some woman to take care of them.

It sounds like the Abernathys are the type of loving, caring people these children need. Thank you for coming to my rescue . . . and for comforting the children. If not for you, I’d probably still be in there, trying to win their trust.”

“They’ll likely want to know in years to come where their real mother is buried,” Adriana murmured, pleased that he was willing to subsidize the Abernathys for taking care of the children.

“I’ll see that she’s buried in a marked grave and that proper words are spoken as her body is laid to rest.

I’ll make arrangements today and then inform the Abernathys of the time so they can bring the children.

In fact, if you’re of such a mind, the three would likely be pleased to see you there, for you seem to have won their trust. Would you consider accompanying me to the woman’s funeral on the morrow?”

“Of course, my lord.” She lifted a smile to him, realizing she was feeling far better than she had all morning. Indeed, after seeing evidence of his empathy toward complete strangers, her spirits had been buoyed by a rekindling hope. The day now seemed far brighter and much more beautiful. “Just let me know what time and I’ll be ready.”

“I’ll send someone over to Wakefield with that information just as soon as I know when the arrangements will be. There’s no need for us to go separately. I shall come around to fetch you in the landau about a half hour before the service. Would that meet with your approval?”

“Will Samantha be going?” Adriana asked, hoping to have someone else with them.

“I shall ask her later about going. As for now, we’d better get the children to the Abernathys’ so they can be fed, bathed, and clothed.”

“Thank you for the consideration you’ve extended to these children, my lord,” she replied with heartfelt gratitude. “ ‘Tis obvious they haven’t had much of a life since their father left, but they’ll have a much better one in the future.”

“ ‘Tis I who should be beholden to you, Adriana. Never once while you and Samantha were tending all those stray animals you were wont to bring home did I lend consideration to the possibility there’d come a day when I’d be overwhelmed with relief to see that gentle, nurturing instinct in action once again. It was definitely helpful in calming the fears of homeless waifs in need of loving care. May I never again laugh at you—or Samantha—about your role as a good Samaritan.”

The corners of Adriana’s mouth turned upward tantalizingly. “I shall remind you of your words if you ever broach the subject again. As was your wont when you were younger, you seem to enjoy teasing us, no matter the circumstances.”

A slow grin curved his handsome lips as his eyes glowed into hers. “Oh, I needn’t resort to pestering
you
about your admirable qualities when I
now
have far more intriguing memories to rag you about.” Briefly his gaze descended to caress her breasts. “I shan’t by any degree forget those revealing moments.”

Feeling the heat of a blush flooding into her cheeks, Adriana turned away abruptly and felt his hand sliding beneath her elbow as he lent her assistance into the carriage. Though she was of a mind to snub him, it was the gentle tightening of his grip upon her arm that swept away all thoughts of retribution. If she hadn’t lost her wits entirely, then she’d be inclined to think his touch could have been an affectionate squeeze.

S
o! I hear Colton Wyndham has finally returned to claim his rightful title as Lord Randwulf,” Melora announced, plopping herself down beside her youngest sister as they waited for their mother to serve tea.

The petite blonde wiggled her hips as if trying to get comfortable on the huge ottoman, motivating Adriana to roll her eyes at her sister’s antics. With all the other chairs, settees, and ottomans in the drawing room, it seemed unnecessary for Melora to crowd her off the cushion in order to acquire more room for herself.

“Are you comfortable now?” Adriana inquired, barely able to restrain her sarcasm.

“Yes, thank you,” Melora replied pertly, bobbing her head once as if happily reaffirming her answer.

“You wished to talk with me privately?” This time an acute ear would have detected the copious dash of derision flavoring Adriana’s tone.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. All these years I’ve been most curious about something. Perhaps you’d care to enlighten me since Lord Sedgwick doted upon you so much.”

A delicately sweeping brow jutted upward suspiciously. “Yes?”

“I’ve often wondered if Lord Sedgwick ever regretted the contract he initiated between Colton and you and which one actually came to rue his agreement more, his lordship or his son. Had he been able to

foresee Colton’s willingness to leave home rather than face the rest of his life with you, Lord Sedgwick probably would have chosen Jaclyn or me rather than staking his aspirations entirely upon the idea of Colton marrying you. No one has ever explained just why he seemed to favor you as a choice for his heir. But, of course, that is now neither here nor there. The past has been etched in stone. What can yet be adjusted is still in the future. So, tell me, what do you think of your betrothed now that you’ve seen him again?”

Bristling at Melora’s taunting theories and inquiries, Adriana declared emphatically, “Colton is
not
my betrothed, and he may never be, so stop calling him that. You know the contract as well as I do. He has three months of courtship in which to decide if he’d be amenable to a betrothal before actually committing himself to it, so until then, if you’d kindly refrain from addressing him as such, I’d be ever so grateful for your forbearance, bereft of understanding and diplomacy as it obviously is.” Not willing to mention her meeting with Colton that morning, she lifted her shoulders in a noncommittal shrug. “Who can rightly judge the manner of a man in a few hours’ time? Colton seems nice enough, but then, we are little more than strangers.”

“Is he handsome?”

Adriana was reluctant to give Melora any information that might return somewhat distorted. “He strongly favors his father.”

“Oh, then he must be
very
handsome. Didn’t you think so?”

“I always thought Lord Sedgwick was a very distinguished-looking man, so I suppose, in that same respect, I must admit that Colton is just as worthy to gaze upon.”

“Do you think he’s all that anxious to proceed with the courtship after being away so many years? After his rebellious refusal to consider the proposed nuptials so long ago, he’d probably now prefer to negate the whole thing.”

Keenly aware of her sister’s penchant for tweaking her nose whenever she could and prying into her feelings until every fragment of knowledge had been thoroughly divested of any confidentiality, Adriana bolted from the overstuffed cushion in a bit of a snit and hastened across the room to receive a cup of tea from her mother.

“Thank you, Mama,” she murmured, grateful her parent had such a calming influence on her. Leisurely she savored a sip before accepting a plate of scones her mother had spread with a thin layer of clotted cream and strawberry preserves.

Joining her sister, Melora made a point of sizing her up. “You know, Adriana, you really should wear fuller gowns to disguise the fact that you’re so tall and thin. And may I also suggest that a little rouge on your cheeks would be beneficial. You look like death warmed over. But then, I’m sure the trauma you’

ve been experiencing since Colton’s return has something to do with that. As much as I can sympathize with your mounting fears that he’ll reject you as harshly as he did years ago, you really shouldn’t allow your emotions to become so obvious. ‘Tis the English way to keep your feelings well confined, though obviously you’ve never learned the art of appearing serene. Everything is written on your face for all the world to see. Why, I can almost read what you’re thinking when I look into your eyes.”

Adriana bestowed a loving smile upon her mother, trying her best to ignore her sibling, who at times could be as vexing as a hangnail. “The tea is delightful as usual, Mama. You always know just the right combination of cream and sugar to make it so flavorful.”

“Thank you, my dear,” Christina said, reaching out and squeezing her youngest daughter’s hand fondly. “

You have such a wonderful knack for making me feel special even when the services I do for my family are so simple.”

Imposing herself between them, Melora placed a doting kiss upon the older woman’s cheek. “That’s because you
are
special, Mama.”

“Save some of that affection for me,” Gyles bade with a chortle as he strode into the drawing room.

Whirling with a gay laugh, Melora seemed to float across the room toward him in her haste to claim his attention. Bracing her hands upon his wide shoulders as he leaned down to her, she rose on tiptoes and brushed a kiss upon his cheek. Only Sedgwick Wyndham had ever seemed taller than her father, whose own towering height dwarfed her. Even her fiancé, who was shorter and of stockier build, seemed to loom over her at times. “Papa, you know you will always have my heart in your hands.”

“Oh, none of that pretty cajolery now,” he rumbled through his laughter, squeezing her shoulder fondly. “I know very well your heart has been stolen away by that young buck you’re about to marry. I have no doubt when you leave here you’ll be taking a piece of mine with you.”

Smiling in satisfaction, Melora tossed an imperious glance toward Adriana. She was forever mindful of the amount of attention bestowed on her by her parents, other kinfolk, and friends in comparison to what her sisters received, especially since their father, because of common interests in hunting, riding, archery, and other pastimes, seemed to spend far more time with his youngest than he did his two older offspring.

Melora never felt more gratified and victorious than when he bestowed lavish praise or testaments of love upon her in the presence of the other two. Yet she felt a sharp sense of disappointment when she realized that Adriana was oblivious to what was going on behind her. Her sister was staring almost wistfully through the diamond-paned windows overlooking the front lawns and the narrow lane that wended its way past their house toward the Wyndhams’.