As they drove onto the graveled path leading up to the Thorncliff stables the following afternoon, Christopher lowered his head toward Sarah’s ear and said, “If anyone asks about your absence, just tell them you went to visit the modiste in Portsmouth and were forced to remain there until today due to inclement weather and a lame horse.”
“At least part of that story is technically true,” Sarah said with a smile. Seated beside him in the carriage, she’d enjoyed her return to Thorncliff a great deal more than she had her departure.
“And if you agree, I’d like to announce our engagement at the first available opportunity. The sooner we get on with planning our wedding, the sooner we’ll be able to live together as husband and wife.” He pressed a kiss against the curve of her neck, sending delicious sparks across her skin and down her spine.
“Then I suggest we announce it immediately.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Christopher said as the carriage rolled to a stop. Opening the door, he stepped down and turned so he could help Sarah, soon to be Viscountess Spencer, alight.
But before she reached the ground, Christopher placed his hands upon her waist and pulled her into his arms.
“What on earth are you doing?” she asked when he failed to put her down and started toward the house.
“Precisely what it looks like, my love. I’m carrying you.”
“But you can’t possibly! It isn’t seemly!” She kicked her feet in protest.
“If you think I’ve any intention of letting you go again, then you are quite mistaken.” Lowering his head to her ear, he whispered, “Since we’re already weaving a Banbury tale, you may include that you just now twisted your ankle when you alit.”
Chuckling, she relaxed her head against his shoulder. “You’re absolutely incorrigible, my lord.”
“And you are quite delightful,” he said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as he strode up the front steps. As soon as they entered Thorncliff, Lord Andover was upon them. “Sarah! Are you all right? Why on earth are you being carried?”
“I misstepped, Papa,” Sarah said.
“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time, I suppose.”
Christopher frowned at the double entendre, to which Lord Andover responded with an uncomfortable laugh. “No harm intended, my lord. I’m just glad she’s been found, although I cannot imagine what you were thinking, Sarah, running off the way you did. Lady Andover is quite beside herself, you know. She feared you might have decided to do something just as foolish as . . . well, we needn’t discuss your past indiscretions.”
“We most certainly do not,” Christopher agreed as he tightened his hold on Sarah.
“Quite a delicate matter, to be sure,” Lord Andover remarked. “But now that you’re back, I hope to assure her ladyship that she needn’t worry about you any longer. You’ll do your duty, won’t you, Sarah?”
Christopher winced, hating the condescending tone with which Lord Andover addressed his daughter. Drawing himself up, Christopher prepared to rebuff it, when Sarah spoke instead.
“You may rest easy now that Lord Spencer has returned me to Thorncliff, for I shall trouble you no further. But if you imagine that I will submit to any of the plans you’ve contrived to rid yourselves of me, please know that I don’t accept.”
“But you must,” Lord Andover blustered.
“On the contrary, Papa, I shall follow my heart.”
Lord Andover’s face reddened. “Have you learned nothing from your idiocy?”
“Have a care, my lord,” Christopher bit out. Had he not been holding Sarah, he would likely have dealt the earl a blow to the face. Christ, he was feeling protective.
“I have learned that you and Lady Andover were capable of tossing me to the wolves without much consideration, that you were completely unsympathetic and uncaring. I know my actions were dishonorable, but I had hoped that your love for me as my parents would allow for better treatment of me as a person.”
“Love must be earned, Sarah.”
“And yet I still love you and Lady Andover, in spite of everything.”
Christopher’s chest swelled with pride. She’d just bested her father by dealing a staggering blow to whatever conscience he might have left. Lord Andover’s eyes widened, surprise evident upon his face as he drew back.
“You should also know that Lord Spencer has proposed and that I have accepted,” Sarah continued. To Christopher’s satisfaction, Lord Andover’s mouth fell open. “However, I think it prudent to point out to you that when I marry him, it won’t be out of duty or because I have no other choice. It will be because I love him and can think of no other man with whom I’d rather spend the rest of my life.” With a smile brighter than the sun, she beamed up at Christopher with adoration in her eyes.
Lord Andover’s transformation was immediate. A smile lit his face, his eyes bright with the satisfaction of a man who’d just unearthed a vast treasure. “Well, whatever your reasons, I certainly consider it wonderful news, Sarah. Congratulations,” he said, leaving Christopher with the distinct impression that in spite of his positive words, the man still cared more about the prospect of getting his eldest daughter off his hands than he did about the fact that she’d made a love match. Locking his jaws together, Christopher chose not to comment. “And to you, Lord Spencer. You’ve made an excellent choice for yourself. Heavens, Sarah, just wait until Lady Andover hears about this. She’ll be thrilled! Absolutely thrilled!”
“I don’t doubt it for a second,” Christopher murmured. Setting Sarah down, he offered her his arm and began leading her down the hallway, while Lord Andover followed behind them, still wishing them well.
He was so loud in his exclamations, in fact, that there was no need to go looking for Lady Andover at all. She soon found them, saying, “Sarah! There you are! Where on earth have you been? Oh, I was so terribly worried about you after—”
“She went to Portsmouth as you suggested, to visit the modiste,” Christopher said, stopping her tongue before she said something stupid. Other guests could hear their conversation. “Unfortunately, the weather and a lame horse resulted in the delay and she chose to remain there until she was certain of returning safely. Quite wise of her, wouldn’t you say?”
“Oh yes! Yes of course,” Lady Andover agreed, abandoning whatever reprimand Christopher suspected her of having had on the tip of her venomous tongue. “But tell me, is it true? I was just having tea with Mrs. Penbrook in the Chinese salon when Viscountess Eagelton arrived to tell us that she’d heard my husband hollering about his daughter marrying Viscount Spencer. Has an offer been made?”
“I wasn’t hollering, my dear,” Lord Andover said dryly. “Her ladyship has completely exaggerated the details.”
“Frankly, I don’t give a toss about the details,” Lady Andover said, sounding just as mercenary as Lord Andover had earlier. “All I want to know is whether or not Lord Spencer has finally proposed.”
“Finally?” Christopher asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, when you hurried after her the way you did, I knew you would probably do so eventually. The only question was whether or not she’d accept,” Lady Andover explained, her expression suggesting that she was struggling not to elaborate on that point. Christopher decided his glower was probably having the intended effect.
“I have,” Sarah said.
“Oh, my dear girl,” Lady Andover said as she threw her arms around her stepdaughter. “You’ve finally made a wise decision.”
Lord Andover coughed. Christopher stepped forward, intent on defending his fiancée’s intelligence, but he was prevented from doing so when Lady Andover released Sarah and, looking at her, said, “Whatever our differences may have been in recent years, I do wish you happy.” Her stiff tone suggested it was a chore for her to say as much. While Christopher wished Lady Andover would apologize to Sarah for the way in which she’d treated her, he accepted that this was as close as Lady Andover would probably ever come to admitting she’d done anything wrong.
“Thank you, Mama. Your approval means a great deal to me,” Sarah said.
Christopher’s heart swelled. Sarah’s ability to address with such kindness the woman whose love for her should have been unconditional was not only remarkable but also a powerful reminder of why Christopher loved Sarah as much as he did.
“Of course I approve,” Lady Andover said, clearly determined to ignore that she’d recently made a very deliberate effort to force Sarah into a distasteful marriage with Mr. Denison. “Why on earth wouldn’t I? He’s an eligible gentleman—a fine-looking one too, I might add. No, I have no cause for complaint. I’m sure the two of you will be exceedingly happy together and that your children will be the handsomest ones in England.”
“Mama!”
Christopher chuckled in response to the blush that rose to Sarah’s cheeks. She was looking adorably self-conscious. “May I suggest we celebrate with champagne later?” Christopher asked. “I’d like to tell my own family the good news, and then we can all meet in the . . . conservatory in, say, one hour?”
“The conservatory?” Lord Andover grumbled. “Won’t it be horribly hot and humid in there?”
“Most likely,” Sarah said, “but it’s where Spencer and I first met. I can’t think of anything more fitting.”
Happily, they found Christopher’s parents and sisters gathered on the terrace, where they were having tea with Lady Duncaster and Chadwick. “Ah! There you are, Spencer,” Christopher’s mother said as he and Sarah made their approach. “We were quite worried when we discovered you and Sarah missing last night, but Lady Duncaster assured us that it was probably just a question of a broken-down carriage and that you would bring Lady Sarah back to Thorncliff safely.” Looking to Sarah, she said, “I trust you’re all right?”
“Of course she’s all right,” Lady Duncaster said. “Just look at her, Lady Oakland. She’s practically glowing!”
“Thank you for your concern, Lady Oakland, but Lady Duncaster is quite correct. I’m perfectly fine,” Sarah said, accepting a vacant seat next to Laura while Christopher grabbed a chair belonging to another table and brought it over, placing it where there was most room, next to his father. “I took a carriage to Portsmouth with the intention of doing some shopping and got caught in the rain with a lame horse.”
“Oh, how awful!” Fiona said.
“Accidents do happen,” Rachel pointed out.
“Fortunately I found her and was able to escort her back to the house this morning,” Christopher said.
“I’m sure you were,” Lady Duncaster said with a sly grin.
“That aside,” Christopher said, determined to prevent those present from dwelling too long on the information he and Sarah had just supplied or the question of how they’d spent the night, “there’s something I’d like to tell you all. In fact, it’s more of an announcement really.” He could see on their faces that everyone had guessed what he was about to say, yet he was still overwhelmed by the squeals of delight from his mother and sisters, as well as the well-wishes from his father and Chadwick, the moment he told them that Sarah was going to be his wife.
Sarah received her fair share of attention too. Of course all his sisters and his mother began crowding her with questions about the sort of gown she’d like to wear, her preference for flowers and a slew of other things pertaining to a wedding. Christopher sat back and watched the spectacle with amusement, coupled with a small degree of pity for Sarah. Evidently, she had not fully considered what she was getting herself into when she’d agreed to marry him, which was really just as well.
“This is madness,” Christopher heard his father mutter after a good five minutes of chattering about various types of cake. From the other side of the table, Chadwick served Christopher a look of clear exasperation, which was understandable, since he’d been stuck between Fiona and Christopher’s mother.
Christopher chuckled. “It’s only just the beginning, Papa. Don’t forget you have one more son and five daughters.”
Lord Oakland sighed. “God help me!”
A short while later, the entire Heartly family, accompanied by Lady Duncaster and Lord Chadwick, followed Spencer and Sarah into the conservatory, where footmen had been ordered to bring champagne and glasses. “Lord Montsmouth,” Sarah said as she rounded a corner and found the earl crouching beside the fountain, as if searching for something. “What on earth are you doing?”
Looking up with an irritable expression, he said, “I was startled when I heard the door open, and I accidentally dropped my snuffbox. I’m beginning to think it might have rolled into the shrubbery.”
“Getting startled in here is apparently a common occurrence,” Sarah said. She smiled as she looked at Spencer. “Perhaps we can help you?”
“Thank you, Lady Sarah,” Lord Montsmouth said. “I’d appreciate that a great deal.”
“And once we’ve found it, I hope you’ll join us for a celebratory glass of champagne,” Spencer added.
“Oh, what’s the occasion?” Lord Montsmouth asked.
“My engagement to Lady Sarah,” Spencer said, straightening in a manner indicative of his pride. “We’re making the formal announcement tonight.”
Sarah’s heart expanded, filling her with warmth from her head down to her toes.
“I say, that certainly is wonderful news,” Lord Montsmouth declared. “Felicitations to you both!”
“Oh look,” Lady Fiona said just as Sarah’s parents arrived. “There’s something shiny over there. Could that be it?”
“Ah, yes. Well done, Lady Fiona,” Lord Montsmouth said as he peered down between the leaves of a large fern. “I do believe you’ve found it. Thank you ever so much!”
“I’m just happy I could help,” Lady Fiona said while Lord Montsmouth stepped forward to retrieve his snuffbox.
“Do be careful,” Lady Duncaster said. “I’d hate for you to crush my beautiful plants.”
The expression on Lord Montmouth’s face mirrored that of the rest of the men. Clearly they couldn’t comprehend why Lady Duncaster would describe the plants as beautiful when there wasn’t even a flower in sight.
Thankfully, Lord Montsmouth managed to complete the task without damaging the foliage and without getting dirt on himself in the process. The footmen readied the glasses of champagne, while Sarah’s father tugged at his cravat. He was clearly suffering from the heat in the room but was considerate enough toward Sarah and Spencer not to mention his discomfort, for which Sarah was most grateful.
“A toast!” Spencer said as soon as everyone had a full glass in their hand. “To Sarah, with whom I look forward to spending the rest of my life.”
“And to you, Lord Spencer,” Lord Andover said somewhat dryly, “for ensuring her happiness.”
“Hear, hear,” Lord Chadwick and Lady Duncaster chanted in unison while Sarah leaned closer to her father and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Papa,” she whispered in his ear, grateful for whatever support her parents were willing to give.
“I think it’s time for you to meet my brother,” Spencer said to Sarah when the last of the champagne had been drunk and the party began to disperse. “He’s not very sociable, but I know he’d like to make your acquaintance.”
“Are you certain of that?” Sarah asked. “It was my understanding that he doesn’t want anyone to see him because of the disfigurement.” She regretted her phrasing when Spencer winced. “Forgive me. I spoke without thinking.”
“It’s all right,” Spencer said, “but in future, I’d appreciate it if you’d avoid that word, since Richard isn’t any such thing. What he is, is living proof that war encourages evil unlike anything you and I can possibly comprehend. To think that I was out for a pleasant ride or enjoying a cup of tea while he was being tortured is sickening, to say the least.”
“You cannot blame yourself for what happened,” Sarah said, anxious at the vehemence in his voice.
“No?” The pain emanating from him reached across the distance between them so powerfully that Sarah felt she might be able to hold out her hand and touch it. “I’m his older brother, Sarah. It isn’t right that he was made to suffer—that I was safely home in England instead of being there to protect him.”
“As your father’s heir, it would have been irresponsible of you to go to war, Spencer. You have a duty to your family to protect the legacy your father has been upholding for generations.”
“Richard has told me the exact same thing, but it just seems so wrong and so cowardly.”
“There is nothing cowardly about watching your younger brother head off to war, uncertain of what might happen to him and unable to help him in any way. I know you worried about him each waking hour—that you undoubtedly had countless restless nights wondering if he was all right.”
Expelling a shuddering breath, Spencer quietly said, “As it turns out, I was right to be concerned. The things they did to him . . .”
“Try to focus on the positive rather than the negative. Your brother’s alive, and whether he wishes to show his face in public or not, he’s still in possession of all his limbs. Some of the men who returned weren’t quite so lucky.” Reaching out, she took his hand and gave it a little squeeze, aware that the guilt Spencer felt wasn’t going to disappear anytime soon, if indeed it ever did. But he had her by his side now, and she was determined to help him through these difficult moments. “Come, let’s go visit your brother.”
When Christopher entered Richard’s room, he didn’t feel nearly as bad as he usually did. He had Sarah to thank for that. It was still hard to stand there in the dark, gazing at Richard’s back and knowing why he wasn’t allowed to approach, why lights were never lit in Richard’s room and why the mirrors had been covered up, but at least Richard was still alive and physically able to do as he wished. There was a measure of hope to be found in that. “I came to tell you that Lady Sarah has agreed to marry me. I have brought her with me, since I thought you might appreciate meeting your future sister-in-law.”
There was a short pause before Richard spoke. “I’ve heard good things about you, Lady Sarah, though I must confess I was a little concerned after that other . . . forgive me, I—”
“It’s quite all right,” Sarah said. “I know all about the horrid Miss Hepplestone, so I cannot say I blame you at all for taking an interest in your brother’s choice of bride—especially since his decision to marry has, from my understanding of the matter, been even hastier this time.”
Richard chuckled. “Yes, he does have an ingrained need to strike while the iron’s hot, but I think he made the right decision in this instance. Welcome to the family, Lady Sarah.”
“I think you should just call me Sarah, since we’re soon to be brother and sister.”
“Then you must call me Richard.” He turned the unblemished side of his face toward her and offered a smile that warmed Christopher’s heart.
“Will you allow me to come closer, so I may see you properly?” Sarah asked quietly.
The question practically knocked the air from Christopher’s lungs, it was so startling. In truth, he could scarcely comprehend what Sarah had just asked. Hell, he wasn’t even certain of how to react to such a situation. Instinct told him to apologize to his brother for her forwardness, while another part of him warned he might inadvertently offend both Richard and Sarah by doing so. Thankfully, Richard saved him from contemplating the situation any further by saying, “Why? Because you feel the need to satisfy your own curiosity?”
“As a matter of fact, yes,” Sarah told him boldly.
Christopher closed his eyes on a groan.
“Well,” Richard said somewhat nonchalantly, “you’re refreshingly straightforward and honest.” A moment went by. “And since you’re apparently feeling brave, then by all means, come closer and take a look. Just promise me you’ll still agree to marry my brother.”
Christopher opened his eyes in dumbfounded amazement. Nobody had seen Richard’s face since his return to England, except for Christopher and Lord Oakland. Not even Lady Oakland had been permitted to do so, yet he was allowing Sarah? It was incomprehensible.
Watching as she made her way toward his brother with tentative footsteps, Christopher waited for her reaction—some startled response when her eyes finally settled upon the burned flesh that rippled across the right side of Richard’s face. But when Sarah halted no more than two feet from where Richard was standing, her expression registered neither pity nor horror. On the contrary, she appeared to study him for a while, her brow creased to signify deep contemplation until she finally said, “It’s not nearly as bad as I expected.”
Christopher’s jaw dropped. She was a lady accustomed to living a protected existence. How could she not be affected by Richard’s appearance? Even Christopher, who loved him dearly, had to admit the scarring was ugly. Then again, Sarah’s kindness probably prompted her to look beyond the wound to the man as a whole.
“And what did you expect?” Richard asked.
Sarah shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure. A frightening monster, perhaps?”
“But you don’t find my appearance the least bit frightening, do you?” Richard asked with interest.
“No, though I do understand your reluctance to venture out into public, since I’m sure there are many who would disagree with me—especially those who knew you before this happened. They will likely be shocked a great deal more than I.” She hesitated a moment before saying, “Have you considered a half mask? I’m sure one could be molded to fit your face with precision—by a milliner perhaps.”
“A milliner?” Richard echoed.
“They’re accustomed to making fabrics adhere to any number of shapes, and with a wire running along the top, you could wear it in much the same way you’d wear a hat. It would be as though you were at a masquerade, which I do believe would work to your advantage.”
“How so?” Richard asked.
“Well, it would add that air of mystery to you. I’m sure the ladies would be terribly intrigued.”
“Thank you for your suggestion,” Richard said as he turned away from her, “but I have no desire to attract any woman’s attention. Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I’d like to be alone with my thoughts.”
“But—” Sarah began.
“Congratulations once again, Kip. I’ve enjoyed meeting Sarah, but it’s time for both of you to leave now.”
The hard tone that Richard applied warned Christopher that his brother was at the end of his patience. “Come along, Sarah. We must respect his wish for privacy.”
“Yes, of course,” she said weakly as she walked back to where Christopher was waiting. Her features were drawn in tight lines that marked her concern. “I just—”
“Not now,” Christopher told her firmly as he took her by the arm and guided her back out into the hallway. “Thank you for your time,” he told his brother, receiving no response in return before he closed the door behind him.
“I’m so sorry,” Sarah whispered as soon as they were alone. “I should never have implied that wearing a mask might lead to a romantic attachment.”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” Christopher agreed, “but you did so because you want him to have a normal life and to be afforded the same chance at happiness that you’ve been given. Realistically, however, it’s unlikely that will ever happen. His confidence has been crushed, Sarah. I doubt he’ll ever be the same again.”
“One can always hope,” she said, “because without hope, what point is there?”
“It certainly shouldn’t be discredited, but it’s of little use to a man if he doesn’t have luck on his side,” Christopher said. Looking down at her, he could see the goodness of her soul reflected in her eyes, and as he bowed his head to kiss her, he considered for the millionth time how fortunate he was that she’d come into his life.