Aware that his attention was directed elsewhere, his companion followed the line of his vision and her face broke into a broad smile. Lucy’s did likewise when she recognised Amelia. Turning to her brother, Amelia said something to him and then she was riding in Lucy’s direction. Lucy noted the dramatic changes in her and wondered a little apprehensively if what had happened to her in the past had left scars that went too deep to be put right. But bringing her horse to a halt at the side of the carriage, Amelia widened her smile.
‘Lucy! I cannot believe it is you! You have returned from Europe, I see.’ Her voice was filled with pure delight.
‘We returned a week ago.’
‘Then you must come and visit us. Christopher is always away on some business or other and I am left alone, craving company.’
‘Thank you. I would like that.’
Urging her horse closer, Amelia launched into a torrent of questions. ‘What was Europe like? I mean to go there one day. How long are you staying in London? I do so hope your aunt is not going to whisk you away again.’
Lucy laughed. ‘We are done travelling for a while, Amelia, and will be content to remain in London indefinitely.’ Lucy noted the dramatic changes in Amelia in the past year, thinking how elegant she looked attired in a sapphire riding habit, her dark curls exposed from beneath a matching hat set at a jaunty angle. She looked different. There was a certain transformation in her face and she possessed an air of confidence that had been sadly missing when they had met at Rockwood Park.
Amelia turned and looked at her brother, who was approaching at a slower pace than his sister had done. ‘See, Christopher. Lucy has returned from abroad. Isn’t that splendid? I’ll leave you to catch up while I go and speak to Lady Sutton. Our meeting was brief when she came to Rockwood Park and I would like to become better acquainted.’
Lucy watched Christopher come closer, her gaze absorbing the sheer male beauty of him. Suddenly she felt the time they had been apart fall away. It was like a dam wall that had contained all the water behind it bursting in a flood and all the feelings she had kept tight inside her burst forth. His bottle-green riding coat clung to wide shoulders that were broader and more muscular than she remembered, and his thick dark hair beneath his tall hat was almost black. His face had an arrogant handsomeness and she noticed the cynicism in those silver-grey eyes and the ruthless set to his jaw that she had obviously been too young to notice before. Elegant, virile and as beautiful as a demigod, he looked into her eyes and gave her a polite bow.
‘Lucy.’
The intimate caress when he said her name sent a tremor down her spine she could not repress. A world of meaning passed between them. But she was increasingly aware of his presence and of the barely leashed tautness she had sensed in him when they had looked at one another across the park. All she could think about just then was being in his presence again and how happy that made her. He was darkly bronzed from the sun and, in contrast, his silver-grey eyes seemed to shine like bright jewels. Just when she had thought she might get over him, that he no longer affected her, he appeared and all her carefully tended illusions were cruelly shattered. He edged his horse closer and looked down at her, frowning, as if uncertain what to say or do next. Lucy drew a deep breath, steadying her nerves and her heart which had started to beat far too fast.
‘Hello, Christopher. How are you?’ She was amazed that her voice sounded calm when she was trembling inside.
‘I am doing nicely. You look exceedingly well. You enjoyed Europe?’
‘Yes—enormously. I was sorry to leave. Our travels were quite extensive and we visited all the conventional places.’
‘Tell me what you thought of Italy—Florence is a place I’ve always wanted to visit. It sounds fascinating.’
‘There are many who would agree with you. We strolled along the Arno—where Dante met Beatrice and fell hopelessly in love with her. We also visited Pisa, with its leaning tower, and Rome before returning to England. And you? You have become settled at Rockwood Park?’
He nodded. ‘If one comes from such a family as mine, then one is expected to uphold tradition.’
‘Why, you poor thing,’ she uttered with mock sympathy, ‘but somehow I do not think you find it such a trial.’
He laughed. ‘I dare say I deserve my fate. I have done my adventuring—made mistakes along the way.’
‘I think that is not uncommon with most of us.’
He looked at her with a doubtful frown. ‘I cannot imagine you have made any.’
She raised her eyebrows and laughed. ‘I am certain I have, but nothing major. I suppose everyone looks back on their lives and thinks—if only.’
‘What a perceptive young woman you have become. Your time abroad has suited you well.’
‘Yes, I did enjoy it, but I suppose it was ineffectual. Nothing that has gone before can be changed.’
‘And would you?’
‘Oh, yes. I would have seen what Sofia was up to when she arrived at the academy to take me away. I should have looked at the letter my father was supposed to have sent. I would probably have seen it was not his handwriting and everything would have been different. Is it business that brings you to London?’
‘I do have business affairs to take care of, but they do not absorb me so much than I cannot find time to escort Amelia to this and that and visits to the theatre to see popular melodramas which she cannot get enough of.’
The tone of his voice was as natural as if they had met the day before and nothing untoward had passed between them. Its very ordinariness struck at Lucy’s heart. His eyes remained fixed on her. It unsettled her, for she had not forgotten how brilliant and clear they were. In a strange, magical way they seemed capable of stripping her soul bare. Every inch of her cried out for him, but her betrayed spirit rebelled.
‘Amelia looks very well,’ Lucy said, observing how Christopher’s sister was chatting animatedly to Aunt Caroline.
‘Yes, she is.’
‘She is very beautiful.’
‘I think so. Since I brought her to Rockwood Park her life has taken on another dimension and she is happy. I fear for her sometimes, but she has weathered what happened to her and is stronger because of it.’
‘You have heard nothing of Mr Barrington?’
He shook his head. ‘The man remains elusive, but I watch and wait. I’m sure he’ll emerge from wherever it is he’s hiding eventually. There is a warrant out for his arrest and I still have men looking for him. There’s always a chance that someone will see him and recognise him.’
‘I remember him saying to you that it wasn’t over, that he’d be seeing you again.’
‘If he said that, then it will more than likely turn into a point of pride with him to make good on his boast.’
‘I don’t think he was boasting—more a statement of fact. Perhaps he’ll change his mind—he might think it’s too great a risk to take to seek you out for whatever evil purpose. If he should reappear, what will you do?’
‘Unless he can settle his debts to me, I shall have him arrested.’
‘I remember that night at the Skeffington ball so clearly. From my own observations I know what happened is not forgotten and that I am likely to be ostracised when I attend my first society event—the Wilmington ball, as a matter of fact. Aunt Caroline has high hopes for me and is quite determined to make me a success. She will not be satisfied unless the King himself proposes marriage.’
‘Then she must remember that the King has been declared mad and his son, the Prince Regent, has a wife—although he is not averse to the odd mistress or two,’ he said with some amusement. ‘As for you being ostracised—I can’t say since I don’t listen to gossip, although I sincerely hope it is forgotten. What happened was not your fault.’
‘No, it was not, although those who witnessed that unfortunate game of cards didn’t think so—or the
fact that we were observed on the terrace earlier.’
Christopher frowned, his expression serious. ‘I know that and because of the harm it did you, I deeply regret it. What else can I say?’
She shrugged. ‘There is nothing you can say. One thing I have learned is that society is neither discerning nor kind. I was branded a woman of easy virtue. When my aunt launches me into society I shall be at the mercy of the ton. If my indiscretion is remembered and I am censured, my reputation will be in shreds and everyone will cut me dead. If that happens, then I can see nothing for it but to leave London and live in shamed seclusion in the country.’
‘I very much doubt that will happen. If I happen to be present, then you can rest assured that I will do the gentlemanly thing and come to your rescue.’
‘That’s reassuring, but I’m used to using my head and fighting my own battles. Although why life should be plagued by gossips puzzles me. The gossips are like vultures. They watch everything one does, take note and remember it and embellish it and feed off it for evermore.’
‘Which seems grossly unfair that you will be ostracised while the unprincipled reprobate who brought so much censure should have walked away scot-free.’
‘Is it Mr Barrington you are referring to or yourself?’
‘Both, I suppose. We neither of us did you any favours that night. I sincerely hope it is all forgotten.’
‘My thoughts exactly, although heaven preserve me from such scrutiny. Aunt Caroline has been walking on air since our return—but I know she is concerned about how my reappearance into the ranks will be received. They really might decide to give me the cut direct. I have not set my hopes too high that all is forgotten. I should hate them to be disappointed.’
‘That won’t happen.’
‘It might.’
‘Don’t tempt fate.’
‘I have a sneaking feeling that fate likes to be tempted.’
‘That’s just your opinion.’
‘I dare say it is, but then I never did care for the opinions of others. I am a realist, an individualist, and I will defy those who try to discredit me. So you see, Christopher, here I am, fresh from my travels, all grown up at last and prepared to do battle with whatever is amusingly called polite society throws at me.’
‘And full of common sense.’
She smiled. ‘Not as much as you appear to think.’
‘I am sure you are.’
‘You have not seen me for a whole year. How can you think that?’
‘Because I know a good deal about you. You told me, remember.’
‘I was fresh out of school then—still a child in many ways.’
‘That may be, but you have never been far from my thoughts while you have been away.’
Lucy laughed. ‘How gallant you are, Christopher.’
‘Not at all. When I first saw you I had never met anyone like you.’
‘I certainly had never met anyone like you—but then I wouldn’t, would I, being fresh out of the schoolroom?’ She paused and looked at him steadily. ‘The truth is that I have thought of you also. It is hard not to think of someone who has saved one’s life.’
‘Now you exaggerate.’
‘Indeed I do not. Remember the horse that nearly ran me down on our first meeting—and you were the one I ran to when I needed a friend. I had no one else and you sustained me during those days. I will be eternally grateful to you for that—and you were right to send me away, telling me to live life to the full—although I didn’t think so at the time.’ She thought back to that moment when he had sent her away. He hadn’t wanted her then. Why would he do so now? Her pride brought her head up high and she looked him directly in the eye. ‘So you see, in a way you did me a favour.’
‘I did?’
‘Yes. And I must thank you for being so frank with me.’ Lucy watched his dark brows lift in surprise at her bluntness, and she could not suppress a hint of satisfaction.
His expression softened. ‘That didn’t stop me missing you.’
Something in his voice made her pause. What was it she heard? Longing? Emotion? Regret? Trying to imply that she was indifferent to him was no easy matter, but she was resolved to keep him at arm’s length. She would not humble herself at his feet and pride—abused, stubborn pride—straightened her back and brought her head up high as she met his steady gaze. But she noted that as they talked, she could feel an extraordinary lassitude creeping over her. She was unsure what it meant, except that it was a warning. She ought to put an end to it quickly.
Christopher made a choked sound that sounded suspiciously like a laugh and Lucy’s sense of satisfaction evaporated. She had wanted her words to sting.
‘I see you have not lost your tongue, Lucy,’ he commented, a wry note in his voice.
‘I was not aware that I had,’ she answered at once. ‘To my knowledge my tongue has always remained firmly in my mouth and I am not likely to curb it for your sake.’
He laughed outright. ‘Heaven forbid you would do that. I would not wish it.’
‘Then I won’t. Now tell me, have you managed to sell your ship?’
He nodded. ‘Shortly after you left for France.’
‘And how is your grandfather—in good health, I trust?’
‘He does remarkably well and takes comfort in having Amelia around. Speaking of which,’ he said, pulling his horse further away from the carriage when his sister joined him, ‘here she is.’ He turned his attention to Lady Sutton, who had climbed back into the carriage and taken her seat across from Lucy. ‘I am happy to meet you again, Lady Sutton. I was just enquiring of Lucy if you enjoyed your travels abroad.’
‘We had a splendid time—did we not, Lucy? There was so much to see—so many friends to meet and to be introduced to Lucy. And here we are, back in London and ready to enjoy what is left of the Season.’
‘And you must,’ Amelia said enthusiastically. ‘You must also visit Rockwood Park again soon. I know Grandfather would be delighted if you would.’
‘Thank you,’ Lucy replied by way of being polite, but knowing that as things stood between her and Christopher it was unlikely to happen. But she was immediately transported back to the time she had spent there and the happy memories that crowded into her mind, memories of a time when she had temporarily put aside her fears.
They talked some more of inconsequential things before they had to move on since their carriage was causing an obstruction, but not before Amelia had said how she was looking forward to seeing them at the Wilmington ball the following week.
* * *
Christopher stared after the carriage with a firestorm of emotions erupting from his heart, searing their way through every vein and artery. He could not believe the change in her. Could the stylish goddess of a creature, as breathtakingly elegant as a fashion picture, with her gleaming dark hair swept back and up in a perfect chignon beneath an adorable little hat, be Lucy Walsh? This was a different Lucy Walsh from the one he had known before. There was an unspoken message about her now that said, Don’t come too close.
He had hardly recognised her. She looked stunning. When she had been at Rockwood Park one year ago, he had told himself that their relationship was over and done with. But it was not as simple as that. She might have disappeared from his sight, but he had been unable to banish her from his heart and mind, and he resented her for having the power and the ability to do that. Although he had not seen her for so many months, the image of her had remained fixed in his mind as if carved in stone. Ever since he had known her she had stirred his baser instincts and during her absence he had found himself beset by visions of her. As much as she ensnared his thoughts, he found his dreams daunting to his manly pride, for she flitted through them like some puckish sprite.
* * *
The evening of the Wilmington ball arrived. Having sat for what seemed like hours in front
of the dressing table mirror, watching as her maid painstakingly arranged her hair into an elegant coiffure, Lucy turned her attention to the gown she was to wear. It was a vibrant, off-the-shoulder peacock silk which brought out the bronze lights in her rich dark hair. It set off her figure to perfection and Lucy turned this way and that in front of the cheval mirror to survey her reflection.
‘What do you think, Aunt Caroline? Will I do?’
Lady Sutton stood back to take a good look. Lucy was already beautiful, but tonight she looked positively breathtaking, daring, elegant and special. ‘Indeed you will. Any man who sees you tonight, looking as you do, will surely be unable to take his eyes off you. Here,’ she said, producing a narrow box and opening it to reveal a necklace, a single row of diamonds with an oval-shaped pendant, and matching drop earrings. ‘I would like you to wear these. My husband gave them to me as a wedding present. I would like you to wear them tonight. They will complement your gown and your hair.’
Lucy fingered them at her throat. They were hard and cold and exquisite in their beauty. The earrings brushed her cheeks and the pendant rested just above her breasts.
‘They’re lovely, Aunt Caroline. Thank you.’
She smiled. ‘Nothing but the best for you tonight, Lucy. Nothing but the best.’
CHAPTER NINE
Waiting for Amelia, who had disappeared into the ladies’ retiring room to adjust her gown, promising him that she wouldn’t be long, Christopher lounged against a pillar at the top of the stairs, idly watching the arrival of the glittering cream of London society into the hall below. Raising a lazy brow on seeing Lady Sutton enter, his eyes slid to the young woman by her side. On recognising Lucy he slowly drew himself upright. A cool vision of poised womanhood, attired in a peacock-blue dress and glittering diamonds, and undeniably the most magnificent woman he had seen, though it was not the way she looked that drew his eye, since the distance between them was too great for him to see her features clearly. It was the way she tossed her imperious head, the challenging set to her shoulders and the defiant stare that did not see those about her.
Harlequin Historical May 2021--Box Set 1 of 2 Page 39
