by Unknown
"I suppose."
"Suppose?"
"Oh, Charity. We were never raised to associate with royalty. You're a good actress, but me . . . I'm just a little orphan girl who's out of her depth with these people. I always have a feeling Noah and his mother and sister are looking right through me. Charity, for pity's sake, what does one say to a queen?"
"I suppose what one would say to anyone else. After all, she was a woman before she was a queen. Besides, from what Kathy and Sofia have said, her relationship with Prince Albert is very romantic. If she knew of our situation, she would be compassionate."
"Or she'd have us executed. We shouldn't meddle in court affairs."
"I don't want to meddle in court affairs!" Charity said in exasperation. "I want those letters. Then Gregory and I can go on with our lives."
"You're excited because you enjoy a challenge. Yes, you do, don't deny it. But . . . after you succeed, what will you do when you and Noah come face to face again? As Gregory's wife, you will. He will not be as compassionate as the queen, I don't think."
"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it," Charity replied. She looked into her own eyes in the mirror and tried to convince herself that it would not matter what Noah thought once the game was over. It annoyed her that she wasn't quite successful.
Noah closed the lid of the small velvet-lined box and looked at Kathy with what she had always called his pirate's grin.
"Are you sure about this, Noah?"
"As sure as I am about anything, Kat. Mother gave me this topaz necklace for the lady who will be my bride."
"And you truly intend to wed Charity?"
"Do you doubt it?" He looked at her with an amused lift of a dark-winged brow.
"I don't ever doubt that you'll get what you want.
But I have a lot of other doubts. Like, what kind of mischief Anne will cause when she finds out, and what will happen to your plans if she decides to have a little talk with Charity? A lot of things are at stake here."
Noah unknowingly repeated Charity's words. "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."
"You haven't even asked Charity. What has come over you? You've never been careless before."
"Trust me, Kat, I'm not going to be careless now. But I'm not going to let Charity slip away from me either."
"You always know so much more than you say, dear brother, and I never thought my wild and rather untamed sibling would tumble for a sweet, misty-eyed virgin." Kathy chuckled. "She is a virgin, isn't she, or have you seen to that little matter already?"
"You know, Mother was remiss in your training. She should have washed your mouth out with soap more often than she did. I've not laid a hand on Charity."
"That in itself is remarkable." Kathy laughed, but her laugh faded when she looked closely at her brother, who was completely unamused.
"I happen to be in love with her. Why is that so hard to believe?" Noah said quietly.
"I'm sorry, Noah," she said softly. "I just thought"
"That she was another conquest. I'd thought you were beyond listening to rumors."
"She's so young . . . so"
"Innocent, yes, she is. She has a purity and honesty about her I haven't experienced since I was a hot-
blooded boy. It's a rare quality, and I hunger for it like a starving man for food."
"But you know so little about her."
"Getting snobbish, Kat?"
"God, no, but I don't want you to be taken by surprise, or taken in by a pretty face."
"Have I ever?"
"There's a first time for everything."
"Worry less about me and more about yourself."
"Me?"
"I've heard a few rumors too. I don't believe them, but others might. What of you and Gregory Hamilton?"
"Gregory Hamilton! I'd rather bed a leper," Kathy said so venomously that Noah had to laugh.
"We know him for what he is, but nothing can be proved and no one else has a suspicion. When did you decide he was not the perfect catch of the season?"
"The first time he began to pursue me and ask probing questions about you and your friend Brandywine. I'm averse to being used like a whore while I'm being treated like a fool."
"Ah . . . pity the man who thinks you a fool." Noah chuckled. "I'd better hurry. I want to see Charity and give her this before we go." He walked to the door, then turned and looked at his sister. "I'd take it as a personal favor if you could contrive for you and Mother to take a separate carriage.''
"That can be arranged."
"And Beth?" Noah added.
"Of course."
"Thanks. Speaking of Beth, have you seen her
somewhere before? I keep getting the feeling I've seen her, but for the life of me I can't remember where."
"No. I hadn't noticed," Kathy said thoughtfully. "But now that you mention it, there is something . . ." She shrugged.
"It's elusive as hell and I can't rid myself of the idea that it is an important memory. Oh well, maybe it will come to me. In the meantime, thanks again for your help."
"I'll remember that you owe me a debt."
"I don't doubt it for a minute."
Noah walked toward Charity's room. If Kat was surprised at him, he was even more surprised at himself. He hadn't thought of marriage, had actually thought that one day it would have to be done as a matter of convenience and to produce an heir. He'd never been prepared to woo a delicate half child who had slipped so easily past all his defenses. She had come into his heart like a breath of clean morning air. When he knocked on her door, it was Beth who answered.
"How very pretty you look, Beth."
"Thank you."
"My sister is looking for you. She and Mother are prepared to leave, and they would like you to ride with them. I shall bring Charity."
"All right. I'll get my shawl. Please, come in. Charity is ready to . . ."
Beth paused because she knew Noah wasn't listening to a word she said. She had opened the door wide and Noah had come nearly face to face with Charity, who wore a warm, welcoming smile.
"I'll see you at the ball, Charity," Beth said and she left, closing the door on anything Charity might say.
"Charity," Noah said. "What a vision you are." He crossed to her, standing close enough to make Charity catch her breath at his overwhelming masculinity.
Her self-control wilted like a frosted flower. He was overpowering. When he took her hand in his and pressed a soft kiss on it, she felt it to her depths. She was grateful that they had to leave.
"We'd best hurry or the others will leave without us." Her voice sounded breathless even to herself.
"We needn't rush. The others have already gone. I'll escort you. But before we go, I have something for you." He held the box before him and slowly opened it. Charity could not help gasping.
"Noah, how beautiful." Slowly she removed the pearls she wore.
He took the jewels from the box, stepped behind her, and placed them about her neck. Charity touched them gently, and when Noah had the necklace in place, she went to the mirror.
"What a perfect color." She turned to face him. "I'm sure they are either your mother's or Kat's. Whose are they? I shall have to thank her and assure her I'll be very careful."
Noah laughed and drew her into his arms to kiss her lightly. "They are not my mother's, nor Kat's. They are part of my inheritance, and they are a gift from me to you. They couldn't be worn more effectively than around your beautiful neck."
For a minute Charity was silenced and her face paled a bit. Was this his first step in seduction? She
didn't believe that Noah was one who had to buy favors.
"I . . . I can't accept them."
"Then wear them just for tonight. They look as if they had been made just for you to wear with that gown." Noah felt he knew Charity well enough to know she was not going to commit herself so easily.
"All right." She was hesitant.
"Charity, later tonight there is something of utmost import
ance I must talk to you about. Will you join me for a ride through the park when the ball is over?"
Something of importance to talk to her about! She almost panicked. Did he know about her? Had she made a fatal slip? Worse, had he been aware all along? Had he been playing with her? She wanted to say no, but his hand was warm in hers and the intensity of his gaze drew a word of agreement from her almost without her will.
In the semidark of the carriage Charity felt beneath her cloak to touch the warm stones that lay against her skin. She was so aware of Noah sitting close beside her that she could hardly think.
But thought was unnecessary when they entered the magnificent ballroom at Buckingham Palace. All she could do was to react to the spectacular sights around her.
Noah could easily read the excitement on Charity's flushed face. Color! Glittering crystal chandeliers, the glow of diamonds and rubies, the fabulous gowns, and the music! All of it captivated Charity. When Noah swept her out onto the dance floor, she felt as if she were flying on a cloud.
Charity relented and accepted the glass of champagne Noah coaxed her to take. She was laughing at something he had said and waiting in breathless expectation for the arrival of the queen, when she turned almost instinctively toward the entrance.
Two men and a woman, obviously entering together, stood framed in the doorway. One man was tall, distinguished looking, in his mid-fifties and quite handsome. Beside him stood a young and extremely beautiful woman. She was tall, her hair the color of ripe wheat, her eyes a golden amber. She smiled the smile of a contented woman.
But these were not the two on whom Charity's eyes were fixed. She was gazing at the younger man. Handsome and proud, Gregory Hamilton smiled down into the face of the beautiful woman beside him.
Noah saw where her eyes had wandered and spoke. "Ah, I see Hamilton has arrived."
"Who is the man with him?" Charity was hesitant to ask the question, not certain she really wanted an answer.
"Lord Douglas Van Buran," Noah replied and his tone was as cold as chips of ice. "A cold-blooded fish who would do in his own mother for a pound."
"And . . . and the lady?"
"Eleanor Van Buran, his daughter . . . and, I'll wager, Gregory's future bride if his plans go as he hopes."
Chapter Ten
Charity felt as if her heart had been violently grasped in a huge hand and squeezed until she could hardly breathe. Gregory? It couldn't be! It was court rumor only. Gregory would not lie to her. He loved her; she refused to listen to malicious gossip. She would find out the truth for herself.
She had not spoken a word, but when she turned to look at Noah she found him studying her. He smiled when their eyes met. Noah was about to ask Charity to dance with him when still more guests were announced. Charity heard the namethe Duke and Duchess of Claymondand saw Noah's smile falter.
Charity knew at once, when Anne Ferrier's gaze fell on her and Noah, that the duchess had been looking for him. Her smile never wavered, her posture and
control never faltered for a moment. If her eyes narrowed and her smile grew a bit rigid, no one noticed . . . except Charity. Charity was going to say something to Noah, when she sensed a ripple of expectation traveling over the entire company. The huge double doors were opening, heralding the arrival of the queen.
Charity stood nervously beside Noah in the long line of people. Her every muscle was filled with tension and she knew her hands were shaking.
She watched closely the deportment of each woman as the queen approached and memorized each movement so that she would not shame Noah when her turn came.
The queen was at least seven inches shorter than Charity and quite a bit plumper. She wore rings on every finger of each hand, and her hands were so small that Charity wondered how she managed to do anything with the weight of the jewels on them.
It was not surprising that the queen was no longer slim, Charity thought. After all, she had borne the tall and surprisingly handsome man behind her nine children.
When the queen reached her and Noah made the formal introduction, Charity emulated the deep and graceful curtsies she had seen the other women make. When she slowly rose, her eyes met the queen's and a sense of relief flowed over her. There was warmth in the depths of the monarch's eyes.
"We have not seen you at court before." Victoria spoke with the calm, authoritative tone only a queen could carry.
"No, Your Majesty. I have lived a great distance away and have never had the opportunity for such an honor."
"But you live in London now?"
Charity was quite aware that Noah was watching her, that his strong arm brushed hers, that the power of his presence seemed to reach out to shelter her.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The queen's eyes turned to Noah and Charity would have sworn she saw a gleam of mischievous amusement in her eyes.
"Lord Morgan, it has been some time since you have visited Windsor. We have missed you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"See that you and your family pay us an informal visit soon, and" her eyes returned to Charity and Charity was sure they were smiling now"bring Miss Gilbert with you."
"It will be my pleasure, Your Majesty," Noah replied.
The queen and her entourage moved on but Charity could hardly get her breath. The queen actually wanted her to visit again. She was so awed she didn't hear Noah's soft laugh. Then he was taking her arm and they were moving into the crowd.
"Oh my," Charity said softly, and Noah laughed again. Charity looked up at him and had to smile.
"You'll find Her Majesty most charming. She is very proud of her family, has a delightful sense of humor, and"he winked and grinned"loves to play cards and games and be amused."
"I should think she would like to be amused. Wear-
ing a crown must be tedious at times. The weight of it all, I imagine, must become very heavy."
"You are very astute," Noah said quietly. Charity glanced at him, not quite understanding the look in his eyes.
Before Charity could speak again, a deep voice came from behind her. Gregory. As she turned to face him she caught a look in Noah's eyes that alarmed her. It was feral . . . like a tiger gazing at its next meal. Beneath Noah's calm exterior lurked a devastating force.
"Hello, Hamilton," Noah said. His smile was controlled. "Lord Van Buran . . . and the always enchanting Eleanor. May I present Charity Gilbert."
Charity smiled and acknowledged the introduction. Eleanor was even more beautiful close at hand. Charity gulped back both her curiosity and her insecurity.
"Noah." Van Buran's voice was deep and resonant and his eyes were a penetrating gray. "I have not seen your friend Charles for over a week. Nothing is amiss is it? I have not known him to be absent from the queen's side for such a long time."
"He is quite well"Noah's grin widened"and busy as usual, protecting the queen from any . . . distractions."
No one's smile slipped, but there was an atmosphere of such palpable hatred that Charity could feel it to the center of her being. She had just began to understand what Kathy had been talking about when she spoke of undercurrents at the royal court.
Gregory, as soon as it was socially possible, asked
Charity to dance with him. Once they were away from the group, his smile warmed.
"Charity, you look remarkably beautiful. You seem to belong here, as if you were raised at court. I was watching as you were presented. Even the queen seemed impressed."
"Thank you." Charity tried to smile, but a tingle of annoyance moved through her. How condescending he sounded, how . . . snobbish. "The only difference between me and the other people here is circumstance and clothes . . . and attitude."
"I didn't mean to imply . . . Charity, what's wrong? Has something happened?"
"Gregory" She decided a straightforward question was best. She needed to know the truth. "What does Eleanor Van Buran mean to you?"
"Lord van Buran is my friend and mentor. I've been friends with Eleanor
for over ten years. Charity, can I hope this is a bit of jealousy on your part?" His eyes revealed his pleasure at this thought.
"She . . . she is very beautiful," Charity remarked, feeling a bit foolish. Yet . . . what she felt wasn't really jealousy. But what it was she really didn't know.
"Yes, Eleanor is beautiful. Her father is very powerful as well. He has done a great deal for me and I will be forever in his debt. As far as Eleanor is concerned, I'm sure she feels toward me as she would toward a brother."
"Rumor says you want her as your wife."
"By now you should know better than to listen to rumors. Charity, if you choose not to go through with this, I'll understand. I will just have to find a way to
. . . perhaps negotiate with Noah, give him whatever he wants. I shall have to live with the idea of betraying the queen and Parliament's trust.''
"No, Gregory, I didn't mean that. I suppose it was a bit of jealousy."
"It wasn't Noah who whispered that little rumor into your ear, was it?"
Her expression told him he'd guessed right. "Of course. Leave it to Noah to be so clever. He wants no competition. The man wants you all to himself. Please, Charity, talk to me when you feel . . . unsettled."
"I . . . I sound so foolish."
"No, my sweet. Just like a woman in love, I hope. You couldn't have pleased me more. Come, smile for me . . . and forgive me."
"Of course." She did smile, but she still fought an unnamable, dark, and insidious feeling that was building inside her.
Before the dance was over and the music had stopped, Gregory had whisked Charity into the shadows of an alcove where they were alone.
"Charity, you must tell me what you have found out. Is there any sign of where the packet might be? What progress have you made?"
Charity needed warmth and reassurance. She needed to be held and to hear Gregory say he loved her. She fought a feeling of disappointment. Of course Gregory was worried, and he had given her a great deal to perform this one act for him. She struggled to exchange disappointment for understanding.
