The ravages of a night spent weeping were only too evident in Laura’s tear-marked eyes the following morning, and she did not feel able to face the household in such a sad condition. Anxious to learn how Nicholas progressed, she immediately sent Kitty to inquire, and Daniel sent back the reassuring word that his condition had not deteriorated and that he slept for most of the night, which was the best possible tonic.
Laura sat on the window ledge of her room, clasping her knees as she gazed out over the rain-swept park. Low clouds scudded dismally over the gray skies and the trees swayed wildly as the wind gusted over the escarpment. The hounds were disturbed by the change in the weather, and even though the window was closed, she could hear their noise from the kennels. Thoughts of the hounds brought her inevitably to the document she and Nicholas had put their names to the night before. She had his authority to act for him and she would not fail him. Maybe she was a makeshift wife, a temporary bride whose unconsummated marriage would soon be discarded, but for the time being she was still Lady Grenville of King’s Cliff, and she would play her part to the best of her ability.
By the early evening she felt up to leaving her room. The judicious application of powder had done something to disguise the effects of her tears, but nothing could completely mask the reddened rims and dark shadows of her eyes. She looked lovely, wearing her blue silk gown, her Kasmir shawl draped lightly over her arms, but an air of sadness surrounded her even though she smiled at Daniel as she entered the library.
He saw immediately that she had been crying and he knew that it could only be because of her love for Nicholas Grenville. Had he not loved her so very much himself, he would have attempted to ease her heartbreak by telling her he believed Nicholas to have an affection for her, but to do that would be to risk bringing husband and wife together, and that was something Daniel had no wish to see happen. He had never loved as he loved now, never desired anyone as fiercely as he desired this one woman, and it was this that drove him now. Winning her from Nicholas was all that mattered, and the fact that Nicholas was his oldest friend was immaterial—as was the fact that he suspected Nicholas to hold her in a far greater regard than she herself could ever imagine. The ends justified the means, and so Daniel remained silent, determined to press his own suit as and when the time seemed appropriate. But the time was not appropriate just yet, not when the tears were still so fresh.
He smiled at her, taking her hand and raising it to his lips. “You look very beautiful tonight, Laura.”
“And you are as chivalrous as ever, sir,” she replied.
“I am also a little remiss, for I did not think you would join me this evening and have therefore ordered only a cold supper.”
“I have little appetite anyway.”
“You must look after your own health, Laura.”
“Oh, I will probably eat like the proverbial horse once I know that he is better.”
“I am well pleased with his progress thus far. His temperature remains steady, and is only a little too high. His pulse is regular, and his sleep not at all restless. The dressing I removed this evening was more than satisfactory, and all in all I cannot see anything to cause me too much concern. He will be weak for some time, of course, and must therefore be prevailed upon to remain in bed, and I still advise against worrying him unduly with anything pertaining to the estate. He received last night’s tidings well, but only, I believe, because you were able to immediately reassure him that the matter could be attended to. It would not be wise to assume that another occasion would go as well.”
“Of course not.”
“Actually, I am more concerned now with the malaria.”
“But surely it has gone!”
“It is merely in abeyance. There is always the possibility of its return, for such is the nature of the disease. However, when I leave in the morning, I will see to it that you have an adequate supply of the bark in case it is needed.”
“Leave?”
“I think I must, Laura, for I have a great many other patients who need my attention, and my medicines and books are at my own house.”
“Of course, I had not thought. It will not be the same here without you, though.”
“Ah,” he said theatrically, “she will miss me. By my troth, she hath made me a happy man.”
She laughed. “I will miss you, that is true enough.”
“For my engaging personality, or because I will leave you alone to face the rat and the cats?”
“That is an unfair question, but I will answer it. Now that I have Nicholas’s authority to overrule them, I do not particularly fear them. So that must mean that I will miss you for your engaging personality, sir.”
“That is a sweet salve for my pride.”
“It was very good of you to stay here as long as you have, Daniel. Thank you.”
His dark eyes swept her face for a moment. “It was no hardship to enjoy your company, Laura.” The atmosphere changed subtly.
She was aware of him again, and she moved away a little, glancing out of the window at the stormy evening. It was early, but already the candles had been lit. “Do—do you think Mr. Dodswell will return tonight?”
“Possibly. But it will be an arduous journey and he is not in the first flush of youth. I think it more likely that tomorrow will see his return; after all he has to go to Flaxton’s, then to the moneylender’s fellow, who I understand lodges in Taunton. And then he has to return here.”
“Yes, you are probably right. Oh, I do hope everything goes well, Daniel.”
“There is no reason why it should not.”
“No.”
Hawkins brought the cold supper, placing an elegant tray on the table. He inquired if she wished him to bring something for her too, but there was already more than enough provided, and Daniel remarked that it would appear the King’s Cliff cook believed him to be in need of considerable nourishment!
The cold roast beef was particularly succulent, and the bread still warm from the oven. Daniel poured her a glass of the red wine, and she sat back in her chair, sipping the wine and thinking. “Daniel, how should I go about selling the hounds? And the land Mr. Dodswell has listed?”
“Christie’s.”
“The auctioneers?”
“There is no better way of selling, and no better way of reaching the beau monde. Notices of such an auction would appear in all the publications, and therefore a great deal of attention would be focused on King’s Cliff.”
“There will be a fuss, won’t there? I mean, when fashionable society learns what is to take place here. At the moment only this neighborhood is really aware, and already they condemn the changes out of hand….” Somehow the thought of the highest circles learning of Nicholas’s plans was not a pleasant one.
He put down his napkin. “Did Nicholas seem perturbed at the thought of high society when he told you of his plans?”
“No.”
“Then why should you be?”
She smiled. “No adequate reason, I suppose. I think I am merely of a cowardly disposition.”
“As we all are, Laura. The trick is in masking the fact.” He smiled then. “Present a confident face to the world and it will not succeed in harming you.”
“Is that your philosophy?”
“One of them.”
“How many do you have?”
“Enough to suit each situation.”
“How very enterprising.”
He picked up his glass. “It is strange you should apply that word to me, for it is the same one used by my friend in America.”
“You have decided to go there?”
He shrugged slightly. “Possibly. There are pros and cons. However, I do not need to decide that just yet. I must await another letter from New York and then I will know exactly when he would like me to go there. Until then I shall remain undecided—one day remaining in this green and pleasant land, the next determined to go to the land of fortune.”
“If you go, America’s gain will certainly be England’s loss, Daniel.”
He lowered his eyes to his glass. She was the only reason he was undecided, for while there was a chance of taking her from Nicholas, then nothing on earth would make Daniel Tregarron leave England….
She gave a short laugh. “So, we both expect to leave here soon then, for one reason or another.”
“Come with me,” he said lightly. “Be my companion instead of some doddering old dowager’s.”
“What a very improper suggestion.”
“It was a thought. Improper—but exceeding agreeable.” He smiled at her. She thought he teased, but he meant every word.
Hawkins returned to the room. “My lady, Mr. Dodswell has returned.”
She could hear her own heartbeats. Please let it be good news…. “Show him in, Hawkins.”
“Very well, my lady.”
To her relief there was a smile on the agent’s travel-worn face, and she knew that everything had indeed gone as planned. His coat was mud-spattered and soaked through by the rain, and his boots left a damp mark on the carpet as the moisture trickled down. Droplets of water dripped as he removed his hat and gloves.
“Forgive my odious state, my lady, but I thought you would wish to hear my news as quickly as possible.”
“I do indeed.”
“The jewels fetched the necessary sum. Flaxton’s made no protest about the price asked, and I was saved from having to ride back to Taunton as the duns were having me followed. One of Peterson’s fellows was waiting for me outside Flaxton’s, would you believe! He relieved me of the sum owed, and gave me a receipt.” He put a piece of grubby paper on the table.
“Nicholas is free of them?”
“He is, Lady Grenville.”
She exhaled slowly. “Thank God,” she whispered.
“I have something else to tell you, my lady, a happy coincidence which I believe will be of interest. I lodged last night at the White Hart on the Bath road, and I shared a table with a certain young Scottish gentleman, a Mr. Alistair McDonald, who by good fortune happened to be a surveyor and engineer. He had until recently been assisting the eminent engineer Sir John Rennie in a scheme to drain part of the Fenlands in Cambridgeshire. He knew a great deal about the drainage of such marshy places, and so I took the liberty of requesting him to come to King’s Cliff to give his opinion of what might be done here. I realize that I overstepped my authority, but it seemed too good an opportunity to let pass.”
“When is he coming?”
“As soon as he can. He has several other minor matters to attend to first.”
She looked at Daniel. “It is so sudden—”
“Don’t bite off more than you can chew, Laura,” he warned.
She laughed a little. “I shall not be going out personally with my spade to dig drains, Daniel.”
“Possibly not, but you will still be taking on responsibility.”
“No one is forcing me against my will.”
He said nothing more.
She looked at the agent. “Please sit down and take some wine.”
“No, my lady, if I sit down, you will never get me up again. But I thank you, all the same.”
“You have done very well, and I will be most interested to meet Mr. McDonald.”
“He is a very shrewd young man and I believe you will be able to rely on his opinion.”
“As I can rely on yours?”
“I trust so.”
“Then what would you say if I told you that I have decided to conduct the sale of the hounds, the land, and everything else through Christie’s?”
The agent nodded. “I would say that that is a capital idea, my lady.”
“Good. Then when you have recovered from your exertions in Bath, will you please communicate with them and make the necessary arrangements?”
“So soon?” He seemed taken aback.
“What reason is there to delay?” She smiled. “You still have reservations because I am a woman, don’t you?”
He shifted uncomfortably. “King’s Cliff is a very large estate, Lady Grenville, and you have no experience—”
“But you have, sir, and I shall be relying upon your help.”
“You may call upon me in whatever way you wish, my lady.”
“Thank you, Mr. Dodswell. You will write to Christie’s then?”
“I will, and I will inform you the moment I hear from them. And now, with your permission, I would dearly like to return to the farm.”
“Of course. And thank you again, sir.”
“For you and Sir Nicholas, my lady, I would attempt to move heaven and earth.”
She smiled. “I don’t know about heaven, Mr. Dodswell, but I sincerely hope you will shortly move a little earth, to say nothing of a good few pairs of hounds, and sundry other items.”
* * *
She did not disturb Nicholas, but stood for a moment by the bed looking down at him as he slept. Even when his health was brought so low, he was still very handsome, and so very arresting with his pale, clear complexion and golden hair. She touched his hair now, her fingertips so gentle that he felt nothing. She became aware of Augustine’s portrait at the bedside, and slowly she removed her hand.
The wind howled eerily across the park, flinging rain against the window, and she crossed the room to look out. A draught moved through the house, making the solitary candle in the room sway a little. Shadows loomed over the pale gray walls and the gilded plasterwork glowed momentarily before the light settled into an arc which fell across the bed. Laura’s reflection was broken by the rain, and her distorted face was that of a stranger seen in a nightmare.
She glanced back at Augustine’s portrait. She had spoken bravely enough to Daniel about not fearing to face her opponents now, but inside she was not at all confident. She had right on her side, but employing it successfully was another matter. And right would not keep her marriage intact, it would not win Nicholas’s heart, and it would not bring happiness.
He stirred a little then and she went to him. He heard the movement and opened his eyes. “Augustine?”
She stepped into the arc of light. “No, it’s only me.”
“Only you?” He smiled a little. “My poor Laura, have I been so neglectful a husband that you feel like that?”
“How are you feeling?”
“There is not so much pain.”
“You have Daniel to thank.”
“I know. I know too how much agony I have been saved by his interest in sweet vitriol.” He paused, remembering other things. “I have seen field operations during battle; I know only too well what it could have been like.”
“You will soon be well. Nicholas, I have good news for you. The jewels have been disposed of and so has the danger from the moneylender.”
“It went well?”
She nodded.
“For which I have you to thank.”
“I did nothing.”
“That is not true. Laura, there are things that must soon be said between us.”
“Yes.” Her voice was very small. Please don’t say it, please don’t tell me now….
He watched her for a moment. “Has Augustine returned?”
“No.”
“I must see her first.”
“I will see that she is told when she returns.”
“Laura, I want to tell you—”
“You must rest,” she said quickly. “You need all the rest you can get. I only came to tell you Mr. Dodswell’s news.” She backed away from the bed. If she wasn’t in the room, then he couldn’t say it; he couldn’t destroy the little dreamworld she sought so desperately to cling to.
When she had gone, he thought he could still smell her perfume. So sweet a perfume.