When We Meet Again (24 page)

"Clarissa." Roman said her name as if it were a prayer or a promise, and Alexei couldn't help a brief stab of envy.

He brushed it aside. "You do not need my permission, old friend, but if you wish for my approval, you have it. As well as my wishes for every happiness."

"I always thought I was happy or at least content with my life. I certainly never thought a woman was necessary to make my life complete. Of course, I had never met this particular woman." Roman sipped his wine, but his gaze lingered on Lady Overton. "I had no idea." He glanced at Alexei. "We should join them."

"And so the farce begins," Alexei said under his breath. He could do this, of course. He had played far more treacherous games on the fields of politics, where the stakes were considerably higher. Only his heart was at risk now. Unfortunately, so was hers.

"Your Highness?" A footman appeared at his side bearing a silver salver holding a folded note. Alexei accepted the note, read the brief lines, then glanced at Roman. "It seems the father of my intended would like to have a word with me."

"That could be a bit awkward," Roman murmured.

"I cannot imagine why," Alexei said wryly.

A few moments later Alexei entered the Effington House library. A most impressive room with book-lined shelves reaching toward the heavens. As much an expression of significant fortune as of scholarly pursuit.

"The collection was amassed primarily in the last century. Volumes have been added on occasion as warranted." Lord Edward glanced around the room. "But this room looks essentially as it did when I was a boy."

"And did you read a great many of these as a boy?"

"I confess I did not read many I was not forced to read. My brother Harry was much more inclined toward academic pursuits than any of the rest of us." Lord Edward chuckled. "I fear I have never been overly scholarly."

Alexei smiled. "Then we have that in common."

"That and my daughter." Lord Edward nodded in a brisk manner and moved to sit behind a desk as impressive as the rest of the room. He gestured at the chair in front of the desk. "Do sit down, Your Highness."

"I believe I would prefer to stand, Lord Edward," Alexei said slowly.

"This is not an inquisition, you may let down your guard." Lord Edward glanced up at him. "Indeed, I would offer you a brandy, but this will not take long. It is nothing more than a business matter I should like to dispose of so that we may enjoy the remainder of the evening."

"A business matter?" Alexei sank into the chair.

Good Lord, he wasn't referring to Pamela's dowry as a business matter, was he? Certainly marriage negotiations between heads of state regarding the union of their respective offspring were considered matters of business as well as affaires of politics, but this was decidedly different. To all appearances this was a love match. Or at least it was supposed to be.

Lord Edward shuffled through several papers laid out on the desk in front of him. "It has come to my attention that you currently have a significant fortune on deposit in the Bank of England."

"Go on." Alexei narrowed his gaze. He could have denied it of course, but it seemed rather pointless.

"I understand you have been unable to draw on the account, indeed you have been denied any access to it at all. Political absurdity of course but there you have it." He looked at Alexei. "Am I correct?"

"About political absurdity or my inability to claim my own fortune?"

"Both."

"Yes."

Lord Edward nodded. "The matter has been taken care of. Your funds will be at your disposal within the next few days. Probably as soon as tomorrow or possibly as long as a week but no longer." Lord Edward cast him a satisfied smile, then got to his feet. "Now, then, I suggest we return to the party."

"That is it?" Alexei stood slowly. Surely there was more to this meeting with Pamela's father than this?

"That is all you wish to discuss?"

Lord Edward's brow rose. "Is there something else we should talk about?"

"I thought you would want to talk about Pamela. About my intentions and my prospects and that sort of thing."

"Your Highness, I know your prospects down to the last penny. At least financially. I know as well your political status and your personal reputation." His expression was reserved, cool, and considering, and once again Alexei had the distinct impression the man was measuring his worth. "You played the rake exceedingly well up until a few years ago, when political affairs in your country demanded your full attention. You have scarcely left Avalonia since. From all accounts, you are considered both intelligent and honorable.

"While I do not specifically know your plans for the remainder of your life, aside from my daughter, that is, a man with a fortune as large as yours has the luxury of time to decide on the path for his future. As for your intentions, given that I am to make an announcement later in the evening—oh, and I did think we could do that right before we go into supper if that meets with your approval?" Alexei stared.

"Yes, I thought it would. As I was saying, as I am announcing your engagement, I am assuming your intention is marriage."

"Then we have nothing else to discuss?" Alexei said slowly. "Nothing else you wish to talk about or to ask me?"

"I believe I already know a great deal." Lord Edward studied him for a moment, then heaved a resigned sigh, settled back into his chair, and waved for Alexei to sit. "I was afraid of this." Alexei sat down and chose his words carefully. "Afraid of what?"

"That you would wish to have a long, earnest discussion about whatever men in your position wish to have long, earnest discussions about. It has been a very long time since I had such a discussion with the father of the woman I intended to marry, and I remember little of it save the unrelentingly earnest nature of the talk." He opened a drawer, pulled out a bottle of brandy, set it on the desk, then retrieved two glasses. "This will take longer than I expected."

He filled the glasses and pushed one across the desk toward Alexei. "To begin with I suppose you probably wish to know how I knew of your financial difficulties and the other details of your life."

"Not at all." Alexei shrugged. "Your brother is the Duke of Roxborough and has a great deal of power. Furthermore, I assume you have any number of business interests and therefore know people who would be willing to provide such information. I would quite frankly consider it ill-advised on your part if you had not made certain inquiries regarding the man your daughter intends to marry." Lord Edward chuckled. "Well said, Your Highness." A frown furrowed his forehead. "Should I continue to address you as Your Highness? It will seem decidedly odd to do so after you are officially a member of the family. What should I call you?"

"Whatever you would call any man who would marry your daughter," Alexei said smoothly.

"Damn lucky, Your Highness. I would call him damn lucky." Lord Edward took a sip of his brandy, settled back in his chair, and studied Alexei. "Do not for a moment think that I am not exceptionally fond of my oldest daughter."

"As well you should be, Lord Edward."

"She was a bright child and lovely as well. At least in my opinion, but I am only the father and apparently know nothing of such matters." He paused as if choosing his words. "I do not wish to see her make another mistake with her life. However, she is also a grown woman soon to be the recipient of a substantial inheritance that will make her, at least, financially independent. That, coupled with her age, means she can do precisely what she wishes with her life, and I daresay she will. To be honest, at this point, she has no practical need for a father or, for that matter, for a husband." Alexei took a swallow of his brandy, noted the excellent quality, and waited.

"Independence is not what I would wish for her. I have always wanted her to marry and have a family of her own. Needless to say, I was delighted to learn she had indeed found a suitable match." Alexei smiled in a noncommittal manner but held his tongue. He was willing to go along with the deception, but he did not care to lie outright to this man.

"Even in the short time I spent with her today," Lord Edward continued, "I could see she has changed substantially in the years she has been away. She is a woman who knows her own mind now, God help you.

"I always thought she would, you know, come to know her own nature, that is. A pity it did not occur sooner." Lord Edward's gaze narrowed. "You are aware of her past, are you not?" Alexei nodded.

"Good. I don't think a marriage should be based on deception." The older man paused for a moment.

"At least not an inordinate amount of deception. A touch of deception between a man and wife, however, is acceptable. Adds a hint of mystery and all that." He grinned, tossed back the rest of his brandy, and got to his feet. "If there is nothing else?"

"I do not think...yes." Alexei stood and met the other man's gaze. "It is about the incident that caused Pamela to leave London."

"Perhaps," Lord Edward chose his words with care, "any questions you have should be addressed to Pamela."

"No, Lord Edward," Alexei shook his head. "This is for you."

"Very well."

"It is my understanding that Pamela did not marry the gentleman in question because she did not wish to. Given the circumstances, why was she not made to marry?"

"Regardless of scandal, I would never force any of my children to marry against their will. Marriage is far too permanent a state to enter into reluctantly." Lord Edward paused for a moment. "You must understand, while she is most intelligent, Pamela was not wise in the ways of men. She was never especially flirtatious as opposed to her sister. Amanda has been able to wrap men around her fingers since the moment she could walk.

"Indeed, I would hazard to say Pamela has read more books in this library and the libraries of all the members of the family than most of the rest of us. In spite of her feelings for this man, she was wise enough to realize a bad marriage is worse than none at all." He chuckled. "It was the first time I suspected her quiet and reserved demeanor was not her true nature."

"I see." Alexei nodded. "I must ask as well why you or your sons did not defend her honor." Lord Edward raised a brow. "A duel you mean?"

"Yes."

"My dear sir, dueling is illegal in this country."

Alexei shrugged. "Nonetheless—"

"Pamela forbid us to do so. She said, and she was right, that a duel would only end in more scandal and possibly tragedy. She had by then already decided on her own course of action."

"Travels with her aunt?"

Lord Edward nodded. "She said if any of us initiated a duel with Penwick, she would learn of it, and she would never return home."

"Because she cared for him?" Alexei held his breath. It was long ago, and Pamela herself claimed she had been mistaken about her feelings for Penwick. Still, what a woman might say aloud was not always the same as what she might feel.

"I prefer to think it was because she cared for us."

"Regardless—"

"Regardless." A definite gleam of satisfaction showed in Lord Edward's eye. "The moment Pamela was safely out of England, Penwick suffered a nasty beating at the hand of an unknown assailant. And at his own home no less. It was weeks before the bruises faded enough for him to appear in public."

"Your sons?"

"Did not duel with the gentleman, as per their sister's wishes. Indeed, they gave him a sporting chance to defend himself. Even going so far as to let him select which of them would thrash him." Lord Edward chuckled. "To my knowledge, Pamela is still unaware of the incident."

"I see."

"And while I don't think it has any significance, you should probably be aware," Lord Edward's gaze met Alexei's, "that Penwick's wife died a few years ago and he has not yet remarried."

"And?"

"And nothing at all. Simply something I thought you should know. You should know as well that I would rather have you wed my daughter than have her marry Penwick. Of course, it is Pamela's choice, not mine."

"Of course." And who would Pamela's choice be? Did she know Penwick was free to marry now where he was not free six years ago? And more importantly, did she care?

"You should know something else as well. I should not like to see my daughter embroiled in another scandal. Regardless of the veneer of sophistication she has acquired, I suspect she remains more fragile than she appears. Penwick broke her heart. I will not allow it to be broken again." Alexei raised a brow. "Perhaps I am mistaken, Lord Edward, that sounds suspiciously like a threat."

"Not at all, Your Highness." Pamela's father smiled pleasantly, but his gaze was hard and unyielding. "It's a promise."

"Where on earth do you think he disappeared to?" Pamela skimmed the crowd. She well knew from past experience once you lost sight of someone in the overly packed Effington House ballroom, only luck and prayer could bring them back into view in a reasonable amount of time. "He was there just a moment ago, then I turned to speak to Lady Frederick, and now he seems to have vanished."

"Leaving poor Count Stefanovich to his own devices." Clarissa's gaze fixed on the count. "Fortunately, he is making his way through the crowd."