Velvet Embrace (20 page)

"How romantic!"

"Good heavens, whatever makes you think that straining one's eyes in poor light for fourteen hours a day with raw, bleeding fingers could possibly be romantic?"

"I never thought of that."

"No, I don't suppose you did," Brie murmured as a smile touched her lips. Her cousin was proving to be more diverting than she had expected.

After the fitting, Brie and Caroline changed into riding habits and warm cloaks,
then
made their way to the stables. John spent some time instructing Caroline on how to handle the small gray mare he had chosen for her, but shortly the two cousins were cantering along the lane to the village, a groom trailing unobtrusively behind.

Brie critically observed her cousin at first, but she soon relaxed. Caroline was in no danger of falling off, and while she didn't seem particularly delighted to be riding, at least she was no longer complaining.

Brie's own mount, another gray, was more spirited and required more attention, particularly once they reached the village of
Oakham
. They made their way slowly along the cobbled streets, avoiding the square where crowds of people, attracted by market day, shopped and mingled and exchanged gossip.

They stopped first to buy some lace of a particular shade for Katherine, before going on to the milliner's. Caroline exclaimed joyfully over the profusion of bonnets on display in the shop and spent her money freely, and by the time they left the shop, she was all smiles. She was chattering to Brie about her new bonnets, not minding where she was going, when she literally ran into the gangling young dandy who happened to be passing.

"I say!" he protested, trying to untangle
himself
.

Brie winced when she recognized the high-pitched voice, for it belonged to Rupert
Umstead
. As usual, Rupert was dressed in an outlandish fashion. His cravat and shirt-points were so high that he had difficulty turning his head, and the bright colors he wore made him resemble a strutting peacock. Brie had considered pawning Rupert off on cousin, but seeing him now, she was no longer certain Caroline deserved such an ill turn.

Rupert was obviously delighted to see Brie, however, for he exclaimed over seeing her, acting as if her presence in town was a unique occurrence. Brie ground her teeth at his inanities, but when he turned and made Caroline an abject apology, she had no choice except to present her cousin.

Rupert made Caroline a sweeping bow. "I am honored to meet such a beautiful creature," he said solemnly. "I am at your feet, my dear lady—"

"There is no need for that, Rupert," Brie responded. "You can grovel at her feet some other day. For now, I'm afraid you must excuse us. We have another engagement." She firmly refused Rupert's offer to escort them and escaped with her cousin in tow.

Caroline said nothing until they had walked some distance down the street. "What was that all about?" she asked.

Brie smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I've repented."

"What?"

"Never mind.
You don't want to know Mr.
Umstead
, believe me. He would have spoiled our tea and probably invited himself to dinner as well. The man is an utter fool. Come, Julian will be expecting us."

Caroline was unconvinced, for she had enjoyed being called a beautiful creature, but she decided not to argue.

The Viscount
Denviile
had indeed already
arrived,
they discovered when they entered The Blue Fox Inn. Brie and Caroline were led upstairs to a private parlor where he was waiting for them.

A handsome man, Julian was a few years older and a good deal taller than Brie. He had blue eyes, blond hair, and a ready smile, and his friendly open charm made him extremely likable. Dressed as he was in a dark brown coat and buff leather breeches, he looked every inch the sporting gentleman.

He rose when Brie and Caroline entered. "You are both looking beautiful today," he said pleasantly as he bowed over Brie's hand.

Caroline blushed at the compliment, but Brie laughed. "It sounds far more pleasing coming from you, Julian. Rupert
Umstead
just said the same thing, only he positively drooled."

Julian clasped his hand to his breast in mock horror. "Brie, you have wounded me mortally. How dare you compare me to that oaf?"

When they were all seated at the table, enjoying the delicate
finger sandwiches and dainty iced cakes the inn had provided, Julian asked Caroline how she was enjoying her stay. He listened politely when she described the shopping she had done, but his eyebrows rose when he learned she had ridden into town. "You rode? I thought you didn't care for horses."

"Oh, I didn't," Caroline stammered, "but I do." She blushed at Julian's grin, but then her expression became quite serious. "No one has ever taught me before, like Mr. Simms and Brie did. What to do and say, I mean. And I rode the nicest little mare. Fanny was wonderful."

Julian laughed. "Take care, Caroline. If your cousin has you talking to horses, you'll soon be eating oats. Speaking of horses," he said, turning to Brie, "I've been meaning to ask about your progress with Jester. What do you think? Is there hope for the beast?"

It was Brie's turn to color. "Some," she replied, trying to sound composed. "He still has a tendency to shy at unfamiliar sights and sounds, even though we've kept him around activity as much as possible. But I'm not willing to give up on him yet. Will you let me hunt him next week?"

"If you think it best, of course.
By the way, I have a friend who is looking for some broodmares to expand his stable. Do you suppose John might be interested in parting with one or two of your Arabians?"

"He might," Brie said cautiously. "It would depend on the buyer."

"I can vouch for Stanton. He knows about horses and wouldn't mistreat them. I expect you will be green with envy when you see his stallion.
A huge animal, black as coal.
Spanish, I think."

Brie hardly heard his praise of the stallion. At the mention of Dominic, she paled visibly.

"What is it, Brie?" Julian asked when she threw a darting glance over her shoulder.

"Nothing," she prevaricated. "Tell
me,
is your friend here now?"

"No, but I expect him any day now. He was at the Lodge a few weeks ago during that fierce storm we had, but he was called away before I arrived. So then, do I have your permission to speak with John about the mares?"

The conversation turned to other subjects and Brie tried to keep up the appearance of enjoying herself, but she found it difficult since she wanted to run and hide. Dominic had been so very angry when she had hit him. If he returned, he would certainly seek her out. But perhaps when he discovered she was the owner of Greenwood, he would see that she merited the respect due a lady. And as Julian's guest, he would surely behave like a gentleman.

In spite of her rationalizations, however, Brie's nervousness did not diminish. When they had finished their tea, she rose and absently gathered up her belongings, hardly realizing when Julian draped her cloak over her shoulders. When he asked if she still wanted a fencing lesson on the morrow, she only nodded.

Caroline had been listening and was shocked. "With swords?" she exclaimed, her brown eyes wide with concern. "Brie, you don't mean to fence with him, do you? Why, you could be killed!"

Julian smiled down at Caroline. "There is no danger," he said gently. "The points of the foils are covered, and we are very careful. Your cousin has been working to develop her coordination and reflexes. In fact she is getting to be quite a good match for me." He threw a teasing look at Brie. "I get the feeling that Brie aspires to manhood. She already rides and shoots like a Cavalryman. I expect her next to try her hand at fisticuffs."

His remark jolted Brie out of her abstracted mood, and she scowled at him. "Julian
Blake, that
was a wicked thing to say. If you don't wish me to come, you only have to tell me. Fisticuffs, indeed! I ought to give your blasted horse back and let you suffer."

Surprised by her cousin's sudden outburst, Caroline glanced
at Julian. She had seen the effect Brie's occasional flashes of temper had on men before, and she wondered how he would react. But either Julian had more self-command or he was accustomed to Brie's sharp repartee, for he laughed and held up his hands.
"Truce, truce.
Calm down, Brie.
Caroline will think we fight like this all the time."

"We do," Brie retorted. "But one of these days I shall best you, and you will be at my mercy."

"I already am,
m'dear
," he replied, grinning.

Brie was in no mood to be teased, though. Pulling on her gloves, she curtly thanked Julian for the tea,
then
marched from the room.

Julian followed her retreating figure with his gaze. The odd look that crossed his face was gone in an instant, but Caroline saw it. Realizing he was still half in love with her cousin, she felt an urge to comfort him. "I think something is bothering Brie," she said quietly. "She argued with Katherine this morning, too."

Julian shook himself,
then
smiled down at Caroline. "Well," he said, gallantly offering her his arm, "if you are interested in seeing an exhibition in swordplay, you may come tomorrow with your cousin."

Dimpling, Caroline wrinkled her nose. "I expect I will find the sport a bit too arduous for my taste, but I should like to watch." When they reached the
innyard
, Brie was already mounted. Julian assisted Caroline onto her horse, but he barely had time to say farewell before Brie turned and rode out of the yard. Caroline had to spur her mare into a canter to keep from being left behind.

"Brie, are you sure you're all right?" she asked when she caught up.

Brie laughed shakily. "Why is everyone suddenly so concerned with my health? I am perfectly well, I assure you."

"Well, you look pale, like you've just seen a ghost."

Brie shook her head. Stanton was only a man, after all, not a specter. But she couldn't prevent her own silent thoughts from
surfacing. "No, not a ghost, dear cousin," she murmured to herself. "Just my own, private devil come to haunt me."

It was early afternoon when Dominic arrived at the Lodge. Homer Dawson was obviously pleased to see him, for the elderly man beamed and bobbed as he accepted Dominic's beaver hat and greatcoat.

Dominic was in the process of asking about Mattie's recovery when he heard the sounds of clashing steel and feminine laughter issuing from the vicinity of the drawing room. When Homer explained that a fencing lesson was in progress, Dominic's curiosity was aroused. He followed the sounds to the drawing room, pausing at the door to survey the scene.

The furniture had been pushed to one side to clear a space on the floor, while near the
door,
a pink-cheeked young lady was perched on the edge of a chair, trying to stifle a nervous giggle as she watched the action. In the center of the room, Julian was dancing across the carpet in his
stockinged
feet, gaily wielding a foil. But it was his opponent, a slender, auburn-haired woman, who captured Dominic's complete attention.