A Gentleman Always Remembers

by Candace Camp

  “It describes him perfectly,” Vivian retorted. “And we are among friends. I don’t think Camellia and Lily will mind.”

  “Of course not,” the two girls chorused.

  Sabrina smiled thinly. “Still, it will scarcely help poor Mrs. Hawthorne’s efforts to teach them how to converse in the drawing rooms of the ton, will it?”

  “I think Miss Bascombe and Miss Lily understand the difference between speech among family and friends and that with mere acquaintances,” Eve responded. “It is very kind of you, though, Lady Sabrina, to be concerned about them.”

  “Besides,” Vivian added, “they will also have your conduct as an example to counter mine.”

  Sabrina narrowed her eyes at the other woman but apparently could find nothing at which to take offense, so she kept silent. A small silence fell upon them. Lady Sabrina’s unaccustomed presence added an awkwardness to the usually talkative group.

  “We are going to have a dinner party,” Lily offered after a moment, with an air of relief at having found a topic. “Eve—I mean, Mrs. Hawthorne—said she thought we were ready.”

  “Indeed?” Sabrina looked amazed but followed it with a quick smile. “But how wonderful. Your chaperone is quite right. ’Tis a perfect opportunity for you to exercise your social skills without having to worry about any mistakes you will make.”

  It was all Eve could do not to grind her teeth. She was beginning to understand what Vivian had been talking about when she described Sabrina’s way of wounding with compliments.

  “Yes, isn’t it?” Camellia agreed cheerfully. “I’m sure it’s just like shooting or riding; you have to practice to get really good at it.”

  Eve had to look down to hide a smile. Trust barbs to bounce off Camellia like arrows off armor. The Bascombes’ confidence, she was finding, was likely to carry them through any situation, social or otherwise.

  Lily went on happily describing their plans for the party, politely asking Lady Sabrina for her opinion of the dishes they should have, even though Eve knew that they had already made their decisions regarding the menu. Lily, Eve had noticed, was growing more adept at the art of conversation, despite her slip-up a few moments ago, regarding it as a sort of game, a concept that, Eve thought, would stand her in as good a stead as Camellia’s general indifference to other people’s opinion.

  As she talked, Vivian said to Eve, “Pray, may I borrow that, um, book we discussed last week?”

  “Of course.” Eve smiled. “Ladies, if you will excuse us . . .”

  Eve dared not look at her charges as she and Vivian slipped out the door. Vivian shared the same sentiment as she looped her arm through Eve’s, murmuring, “I know I should not have abandoned Lily and Camellia to Sabrina like that, but I did not think I could bear another minute in that woman’s company. Really, we have been back only a day, and already Cousin Peck’s drafty castle seems more and more appealing.”

  Eve chuckled. “Was it really as bad as that?”

  “Worse. Everyone dreads visiting him, but Uncle Humphrey feels guilty if he does not do so regularly since he lives only a half-day’s ride away. I’m glad I went, for it seemed to make my uncle happy. It was nice to talk all the way there and back.” She sighed. “Though I think perhaps he doesn’t feel entirely well. Or perhaps he’s merely sad. He talks a great deal about Aunt Amabel, which of course infuriates Sabrina.”

  “I can understand that it would annoy a second wife.”

  Vivian shrugged. “No doubt. But do not expect me to feel sorry for her. She should not have married a man who was still mourning his wife if she did not want to have to live with the woman’s ghost.”

  Eve smiled. “I would not expect you to feel any differently. That is one of the most endearing things about you—your utter and unqualified loyalty to those you love.”

  Vivian smiled. “I am glad you think so. I have heard it called less flattering things . . . like being bloody-minded.”

  “I presume you must plan to return home soon, then, to get away from Lady Sabrina.”

  “I told Uncle I would stay another week. It will give me a chance to visit with you, and he was loath for me to leave. I think he has realized what a mistake he made in marrying Sabrina. That’s the problem, of course, in marrying. If you make a mistake, you are burdened with it for the rest of your life. As my parents were—I know that is why Father has never remarried.” She gave a little shiver. “I could not bear that. Anyway, I can endure Sabrina one more week, I think, as long as I can slip away from her to visit you now and then. Next time I shan’t tell her I’m coming and order the carriage. I’ll just go out for a ride. Besides, I imagine this afternoon’s trip will be quite enough for Sabrina as well. We argued all the way over.”

  Eve smiled. “Really? I would never have guessed.”

  Vivian chuckled. “No need for sarcasm. I realize I must have looked thunderous when we arrived. After hearing myself criticized for twenty minutes for everything from my hairstyle to my too free manner, I am surprised we were both still alive when we got to your door.”

  They had reached Eve’s room, and Eve glanced around. “What book should you like? I’m not sure I have anything you haven’t read, probably many times.”

  “That doesn’t matter. I’ll say we couldn’t find it. Or perhaps I’ll take one of Lily’s. She won’t mind as long as she isn’t reading it. Come here. Sit down with me and tell me what has been happening. What has transpired between you and Fitz?”

  “Why, nothing. Why should there be anything?”

  Vivian rolled her eyes as she perched on Eve’s bed and patted the space beside her. “This is me you are speaking to, remember? I hope you don’t expect me to believe that you and Fitz have had nothing to do with each other for the past week.”

  “Well, we have not. At least, not alone.” Eve sat down on the bed, turning to face her friend and curling her legs up under her. “We have been together in company many times—every day, in fact. But except for once when we talked about his cousins, I have been quite careful not to be alone with Mr. Talbot.” At her friend’s frown, Eve raised her brows. “What? It was you who warned me against him.”

  “I didn’t mean for you to barricade yourself away or start wearing your hair in that spinsterish knot.”

  Eve chuckled, her hand going automatically to the bun at the nape of her neck. “I am not barricading myself away. And I don’t see that it’s a problem if I choose to wear my hair in a sensible manner. As you can see, I have given in and am wearing the clothes Rose left behind, so it isn’t as if I am being dowdy—which is not, in any case, a cardinal sin.”

  Vivian smiled. “No, ’tis but a venial one, I believe.” She reached out and placed a hand on her friend’s arm. “I have been thinking and thinking. I’m not sure I should have said what I did about Fitz. I like him; truly I do. There is nothing to say that he might not change. Nor is there any reason why you should not enjoy yourself if you choose to. No one will know; I am quite certain Fitz is utterly discreet.”

  “No, you were right. I am not the sort of person for a casual affair. Nor am I going to deceive myself into thinking that Fitz will suddenly change. My mind is quite made up.” Eve was unaware of the wistful expression that crossed her features as she said the words.

  Vivian drew in her breath sharply. “But you wish it were not so.”

  Eve glanced at her, surprised, and opened her mouth to deny her friend’s words. Then she sighed and nodded. “I do.”

  “Do you care for him? Have you already given your heart?”

  “No. I mean, I do like him. There is little not to like about Fitz. I do not love him. But . . .” She leaned forward, her voice lowering as she said, “Oh, Viv, the way I feel when he kisses me!”

  Vivian’s eyes widened in a way that made Eve suspect her friend was not quite as sophisticated as her manner indicated. “You mean you have—has he—”

  Eve shook her head. “We have kissed, that’s all.” She ignored the other liberties h
e had taken; there was no need to tell Vivian everything. “But I have never felt that way before.”

  “Oh my.” Vivian paused. “Even with Major Hawthorne?”

  Eve blushed. She had never told anyone, even Vivian, about the problems of her marriage. It had always seemed a betrayal of Bruce, and, empty as their marriage had been in that respect, she had loved him too much to expose him. Besides, it was altogether too embarrassing to talk about, even with her closest friend. So she had allowed Vivian to assume that theirs had been a normal marriage, and she could hardly explain to Vivian now that she was as lacking in experience as Vivian herself.

  “No,” Eve said in a lowered voice, looking away. “Not even then. It is—I feel—so tempted.” She raised her head to look at Vivian. “Have you ever felt that way?”

  “Sadly, no.”

  “That night of the wedding, when you found me on the terrace, I had been in the herb garden with Fitz. I was—Vivian, I was lost not only to propriety but to all good sense. If anyone had stumbled upon us, I would have been ruined. But it was Fitz who stopped.”

  “That is a good sign. I mean, that he would be discreet and careful, not expose you to gossip.”

  “Even discretion cannot guarantee that, and you know it. But the point is not that he was careful but that I was not. I am not myself when I am with him. Or maybe I am a me I should not be. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that Fitzhugh Talbot is dangerous. I have to stay away from him.”

  “That may prove rather difficult. Willowmere is large, but . . .”

  “I know.” Eve frowned. “I tell myself that I have been doing quite well, but the truth is, I have been sorely tested. When Fitz is not around the day is duller. When he comes into a room the whole place is suddenly brighter.”

  “Mm. I’ve noticed that . . . when Sabrina leaves.”

  Eve smiled at her friend’s remark. “Yes. It is like that. Only bigger.” She sighed. “I never expected this problem when I agreed to come here. I can only hope that when the earl returns, Fitz will have grown bored and decide to return to London.” She did not look particularly happy at the prospect.

  “Why do I think that is not what you really hope?”

  “Because you know me too well.” Eve gave her a rueful glance. “Why is it that we want what isn’t good for us?”

  “I don’t know.” Vivian’s face turned wistful now. “But isn’t it odd how the Talbot men fall into that category?” With those words she hopped off the bed. “We’d best get back to the others. It is a trifle hard to justify looking for a book this long.”

  Stifling the curiosity Vivian’s words had aroused, Eve followed the other woman out the door.

  Chapter 10

  When they returned to the sitting room downstairs, Vivian and Eve found that the Bascombe sisters had been joined by Fitz and Neville. Lady Sabrina was flirting madly with Neville while Lily sat across the room glaring at the woman.

  Neville, Eve noticed, was not flirting in return. Indeed, when she and Vivian entered the room, he sprang to his feet with alacrity and bowed. “Mrs. Hawthorne. Lady Vivian. Please, sit down.” He gestured toward the chair where he had been sitting, which stood at right angles to Sabrina’s.

  Eve, her eyes twinkling, obligingly sat down in the spot he indicated, while Neville shot over to the hearth to join Fitz. Fitz gave him a sardonic look before he bowed to Eve and Vivian.

  “Ladies. So good of you to join us. Lady Sabrina was describing the beauties of the gardens at Halstead House.”

  “Yes, I was telling Mr. Carr he must come and view them sometime. But of course, it would be difficult to best the gardens of Willowmere. I am sure Mr. Carr is well occupied here.”

  “Indeed, we go riding every day,” Lily responded. “As well as taking walks in the gardens.”

  Sabrina cast the gentleman in question a glance from beneath her lashes, an impressive maneuver given the fact that he was standing several feet away and somewhat behind her. “Perhaps you will be so good as to show me the gardens here, then, Mr. Carr, given that their beauty is unequaled.”

  “An excellent idea.” Lily popped up from her seat. “Why don’t we visit the garden right now? I am sure that we can show you some lovely sights, Lady Sabrina, even if the flowers are all but gone.”

  Eve smothered a smile. Apparently Lily was not as unprepared to deal with the social warfare of the Season as Eve had assumed. Eve cast a look at Fitz, and the glinting laughter in his eyes was almost enough to make her spill over into giggles.

  Everyone, it seemed, was eager to view the gardens. The American girls did not wear their bonnets, as was often the case, and today the other ladies joined them, for the pale autumn sun offered a welcome warmth on their faces. Even Sabrina abandoned her hat, perhaps realizing that her shaded face offered little competition for the way Lily’s features glowed in the sunlight.

  Eve was content to stroll behind the others, letting the distance between them lengthen. She had few worries about Lily spending time alone with Neville as long as Sabrina was around. Fitz, she noticed, also lagged behind, matching his long strides to hers.

  He glanced toward the others, now well ahead of them, and said, “I spoke to Neville this morning.”

  “Oh?” Eve glanced up at him. He was gazing straight ahead, and she could not see his expression.

  “He has promised to be most circumspect in his conversations with Lily. He told me that he has no intention of providing the slightest harm to her reputation.” As Eve started to speak, he went on quickly, “I reminded him that her heart was in question also, and he assured me that he would be careful with her feelings as well. I think he likes the child, but he knows that it can go no farther than that. He has not yet proposed to Lady Priscilla, but it is his intention to do so in the future. He considers himself committed to it.”

  “I see.”

  “I believe him. He is my friend, and as I said, he likes Lily. He would not wish to hurt her.”

  “Thank you. I know that it must have been difficult for you.”

  “I felt a bit of a fool, questioning him about his intentions.” He cast a grin at her. “And no doubt I shall have to endure some jests about my newly acquired stodginess.”

  “It was good of you.”

  “I felt so filled with righteousness that after that I talked to Stewkesbury’s estate manager.”

  “My goodness.” Eve pulled a face. “Such courage in the face of danger.”

  “Yes, well, you may laugh. But it was dicey, I assure you. I was in danger of expiring from boredom within minutes after he started.”

  Eve let out a laugh.

  “I have never heard so many facts about things I am not even slightly interested in. It was a wonder I didn’t start to scream and pull my hair like a lunatic.” He shrugged. “I fear I must be the lightweight you named me after all.”

  Eve looked at him with some dismay. “No, please, do not take what I said to heart. I spoke in anger. I know that you are not an uncaring or thoughtless person. There’s nothing wrong with disliking to listen to reports. Not everyone enjoys numbers and business arrangements. That does not mean that you are not good at a number of other things.”

  “Well, there is dancing. And gossip. I’m rather good at them. Not to mention introductions; I rarely get a name or title wrong.”

  “Those are not insignificant skills. I am sure you are the savior of many a hostess.”

  “Mm. No doubt. And if I were in the wilds of Lily’s and Camellia’s country, no doubt my shooting abilities would come in handy . . . though I do not think I would care for the lack of amenities.”

  “Nor would I. But still, your handiness with your pistols did make me feel safer after that fellow broke into the house.”

  “I knew we could hit on something useful if we kept at it.” Fitz grinned. “I found out a number of important things from the estate manager.”

  “Indeed?”

  “Indeed. Will Blankinship’s daughter is ill. The widow Ca
rter’s hens are laying poorly.”

  “Oh my.”

  “Yes. Someone’s barn roof needs to be rethatched, but alas, my poor brain, I cannot remember whose it was. Most important, Tim Whitfield’s wife has borne him a new son.”

  “Ah. That is important.”

  “Yes. I am sure I ought to do something. Oliver would, but I’m not sure what it is I ought to do. I think the estate manager expected me to know, so I dared not ask. I must congratulate the father; I am certain of that much. But am I supposed to go look at it? It seems an intrusion somehow.”

  “You must congratulate the father, but I think visiting the wife and child is more the sort of thing the lady of the house does. She takes a basket of foodstuffs, of course, and no doubt something for the child, and oohs and ahs over the infant. I suppose that Lily and Camellia are the closest thing here to ladies of the house.” Eve brightened. “This would be a good experience for them. It is the sort of thing they will have to do in the future, after they are married. We can get all we need from Cook and the housekeeper.”

  “Excellent. I will escort you three there and congratulate Whitfield while you admire the baby.”

  Eve smiled at him. It occurred to her that she was far too happy at the thought of spending an afternoon with Fitz, even if they would not be alone. She could only hope that it did not show on her face.

  She glanced ahead of them. “Oh dear. They’ve left us behind.”

  “What? Oh.” Fitz followed her gaze. He shrugged. “I do not think you have to worry. Lady Sabrina will be more than an adequate chaperone for our Romeo and Juliet.”

  “Do not call them so. Lily would be lost to all reason if she thought that.”

  “Come.” Fitz took Eve by the hand and whisked her onto another path. “I want to show you something.”

  Curious, she let him lead her along the colonnaded arbor. After a few twists and turns they slipped between two high hedges, and Eve found herself in a corridor of green. The hedges on either side were a good foot taller than even Fitz, so that she could see nothing but the hedges and the sky overhead. Passing offshoots of corridors, Fitz turned confidently right at one, then left at the next.