Reckless

by Shannon Drake

  “Good morning, Katherine,” he said. He realized that her father was staring at her with a strange look in his eyes, a mix of worry, concern. Lady Daws had a look of annoyance. Eliza gazed at her sister with anxiety, as well. Was she, too, seeking something from all this?

  “Good morning,” Katherine replied, and her eyes moved to light upon her father. Was he concerned that their home had been thus invaded? He must know everything that Lady Daws had said to her.

  William Adair stretched his hands out. Kat, her head at a curious angle, a small smile curling her lips, took his hands as she reached the landing. “My princess of the sea,” William murmured softly as she stood in front of him. He turned to look at Hunter. “A man’s riches, you see, Sir Hunter, are not in gold or coin. My daughters are my treasure.”

  Hunter decided that he not only liked the man, but admired him greatly. But he felt a slight ripple of unease. His intentions, if not entirely honorable, were at the least to teach his “treasure” a sad lesson in life—that such men as David Turnberry were not worth the seeking. And he felt a strange excitement, as well, because he had discovered a treasure himself. Those who had seen William Adair’s work referred to him as the “king of the sea,” for his paintings of great ships at sail were exquisite.

  That he made most of his income doing individual and family portraits was not a waste, for he was excellent at such work, as well; it was evident in the oils he had done of his daughters, framing either side of the firelight. Just as he caught the wind and the fury of the waves in his seascapes, he had caught something special in his subjects in his portraits. There, in Eliza, was the pride, and in Kat’s face the recklessness in the eyes, the dreams in the slight upturn of the lips.

  And, of course, it was true, absolutely, that his daughter showed hints of his talent in her quickly dashed-off sketch.

  “My dear, Sir Hunter has come to ask the family to breakfast. It seems that Lord Avery is most insistent on meeting you, and seeing that you receive his patronage, as well. I have explained that no thanks of any kind is necessary, but it seems that Sir Hunter and Lord Avery wish what they consider a favor from me in return.”

  “A favor?” Kat said. She smiled, but her eyes narrowed slightly, letting Hunter know that she was wary of this “favor.”

  “I’m a tremendous fan of your father’s work,” Hunter said.

  “Yes, and…” William began, still looking a bit uncertain.

  “Oh, Father!” Eliza cried. “You mustn’t be so stunned.” Eliza spun on Kat with a brilliant smile. “Sir Hunter, did you know, is close friends with the Earl of Carlyle—who has one of Papa’s paintings on his walls at his castle! So Sir Hunter knew who Papa was when they met, and he wants to commission several oils from Papa, and…and he thinks you show equal promise! Mr. Thomas Atworthy, one of the finest tutors from the college, will be accompanying the group with which Sir Hunter is associated on their dig this season, and he wants to take you on as a pupil, and in return, of course, you will be at the excavations, serving as an assistant for Sir Hunter, helping in many ways—sketching and keeping notes. Papa has assured him that you can act in the capacity of secretary with diligence and capability!”

  He watched Kat spin around, look at her father, and then at Lady Daws.

  Hunter had been afraid that his entire scheme—though rather clever, he thought—might still be far too overwhelming for William Adair.

  But he’d discovered that he had an ally.

  Lady Daws.

  He’d never been overly fond of the woman himself, not that he knew her well. He had seen her on occasion at various social events. Since the death of her husband, perhaps five or six years past, she had been into a number of strange enterprises. He’d heard that her husband’s son had completely alienated himself from his stepmother, and that she had therefore been left scrambling to make a living. A sad state of affairs. Except, there had been rumor that she had married the old fellow in the hopes that he would make a quick exit from the world of the living.

  Apparently, she had sometime ago befriended William Adair. Hunter knew that she had put herself forward to him as something of an art expert and had been busy selling his work.

  He had a strong suspicion that her commissions were well above the artist’s take.

  But at the moment, he was certain, the woman was eager to assist him. Perhaps she didn’t care for competition from the man’s rather extraordinary daughters.

  Kat looked at him then, her hazel eyes burning with excitement. “So…this is all true. I would accompany your group on the voyage and during the entire season in Egypt?”

  “Yes, of course,” he said pleasantly. “I know that I am asking a great deal to tear you away from your home and your family.” His sarcasm was certainly audible only to her. “And there are long days at sea. A few stops along the way…perhaps a week spent in Rome. And you will have to work, I’m afraid, but in return, you’ll have time most days with a man considered to be one of the finest art tutors in our country. Of course,” he lied, “I haven’t the least idea if such an arrangement appeals to you. You—and your father—must give the concept grave consideration.”

  She glanced immediately at her father.

  Lady Daws was also looking at him. He still appeared uncertain.

  “Yes, well, please, think on it,” Hunter said. “In the meantime, I entreat all of you to come for breakfast at my town house. And there, Mr. Adair, should you have more questions or concerns, you can speak with Lord Avery himself. So, please, do come.”

  “Oh, yes!” Eliza answered for them all.

  “Papa?” Kat said.

  “Sir Hunter, thank you for your kindness. It would be churlish of me, I suppose, to refuse such an invitation,” William Adair said. “But if Kat accompanies you, she will fulfill all the tasks that you have for her. I do stress that there will be no reward given or accepted.”

  “I will make your wishes known to Lord Avery,” Hunter assured him. “My carriage awaits,” he reminded them.

  “But we’re an entire household!” Eliza pointed out.

  “I’m returning now, on my own. I rode my horse behind the carriage. I think that the four of you will find you’ve plenty of room.”

  Kat’s eyes were on his again, alive with speculation. He inclined his head slightly in her direction, bid them all farewell and departed.

  They would, he was certain, follow.

  ELIZA, KAT KNEW, WAS NERVOUS about meeting the great Lord Avery. But she herself was in a similar state about another momentous meeting.

  With David, of course. It did occur to her that Lord Avery’s lovely daughter might be there, as well. But she had watched David Turnberry from afar for so long, and she was certain in her heart that Margaret could not really love him. In fact, surely, she was being pressured into the marriage but was doubtless in love with someone else. Kat had convinced herself that if she could somehow make David fall in love with her and end his relationship with Margaret, the young woman would be entirely grateful.

  The carriage pulled up under the porte cochere.

  “The house is magnificent, isn’t it, Papa?” Eliza said. To Kat she whispered, “Ah, and so is Sir Hunter!”

  Kat looked up. As they exited their host’s carriage, the man himself was there. Kat had to acknowledge that Hunter made quite a striking picture. He wore a gray suit, cut admirably to his lean and muscled form, a brocade waistcoat, white shirt beneath. His stance was nonchalant, yet still tall and imposing. His eyes were filled with humor, and Kat found herself resentful despite his largesse—this was all a game to him. She had amused him, and he would be further amused to watch her as the weeks wore on. Was he hoping that she would fail? Did he mock her quest, find it ridiculous?

  Yes, well, the majority of the sane world would, an inner voice warned.

  And yet what did it matter? He mocked her, yes, maybe was even betting with his friends on when she would realize her position in life. And whatever that might be, it wasn’
t among these elite.

  Still, her father could prosper from Sir Hunter’s patronage. And if Lord Avery were impressed with her father’s work, a truly decent living could be found.

  Moments later, they were all inside, and Hunter was leading the way to the drawing room. Kat hadn’t realized that there were already visitors within and was at a disadvantage when Hunter instantly said, “David! I’ve brought your mermaid. Lord Avery, Margaret, may I present Miss Katherine Mary Adair, her father, William, sister, Eliza, and I believe you’ve met Lady Daws.”

  Whatever other introductions went round, Kat did not know. She was completely unaware of all else, because David Turnberry was standing and looking at her, his smile deep and full of admiration. He walked to her, taking her hands—touching her!—and she was aware of nothing but the force of his eyes.

  “I cannot convey what a pleasure this is,” he said, and his voice was such a tremulous tenor, so full of emotion, she was afraid that her knees would give up. “You saved my life. And I am eternally grateful.”

  Perhaps her adoration, despite the fact that she had been quite certain she could hide it, was far more apparent than she would have wished, because he quickly stepped back, releasing her hand. “You risked your own life. Truly, I will never thank you enough.”

  She, who was usually so quick with words, found herself speechless.

  “My God, and what a beautiful mermaid from the sea!” Another voice extolled, and then a second man, tall, lean and dark with deep blue eyes, stepped between her and David. She recognized him as one of David’s regular companions. “Robert Stewart, at your service. And may I say, should I ever so sadly fall into the drink, as well, Miss Adair, that you would be there to do me like service?”

  “Miss Adair!” And now, it was Margaret who spoke, her voice as soft as the touch of her hand. “I’m Margaret Avery, and I, too, must express my deepest appreciation. Were it not for you being there, being so capable, brave, poor David might not… Oh, how easily he might have drowned!”

  Kat felt her cheeks color; the young woman sounded so sincere, so sweet and so very admiring. The praise was beginning to make her uncomfortable. She had thought that she would revel in this moment, glory in it, and instead, she felt the need to protest.

  “Please…it was…I swim very well,” she said simply.

  She felt a touch on her shoulder. Hunter was behind her. She longed to shake him off, but he murmured, “Ah, but the thing of it is, you did not save just any life. You saved David’s! So here, we are all grateful—as would be the friends and loved ones of any man’s—or woman’s—life that was saved.”

  Then Kat realized that Hunter was directing her toward an older man. “Miss Katherine Mary Adair, Lord Avery,” Hunter said.

  She managed to offer her hand. “My Lord.”

  “Jagger to my friends, my dear,” the fellow said, smiling. She liked him instantly. He was tall and gaunt, white-haired, and with a gentle smile that reminded her of his daughter’s. She felt her cheeks flame slightly as she realized that both these people, who were being so kind to her, would be appalled if they were aware that her humble sights were set on David.

  Who would be affianced to Lady Margaret.

  And still…

  They were rich. Titled. The world was theirs. They could have anything.

  She wanted only one thing in the world.

  And she could not give up her quest.

  “It’s a pleasure meeting you…Jagger,” Kat said softly.

  “No, no, my dear, the pleasure is mine. In so many ways! We were eager to offer a reward, but it seems, according to Sir Hunter, that none will be accepted. And it is not, I’m afraid, with any thought of reward that I have championed Hunter’s suggestion that you must accompany us, both to work and to learn. We would have had to find an assistant somewhere, and Professor Atworthy will be pleased to have a student such as you. And I am quite in awe to meet your father. Mr. Adair!” he said, addressing William. “Your ships at sea entrance me. There is one on the wall in a castle belonging to a good friend, and I have long coveted it. He did not know where the artist was to be found. And now, I have made your acquaintance!” He chuckled. “The Earl of Carlyle has not yet had that pleasure, so I have one-upped the man, you see.”

  Her father looked rather flushed, as she was sure she herself was. But he did stand straight and proud, as well. “Lord Avery, I must tell you, I am not a man who needs or feeds on flattery. You need not feel that you must purchase any of my pieces because of what has occurred. Your words are kind. And your sponsorship of my daughter is an incredible piece of fortune for her.”

  “The apple does not fall far from the tree, dear fellow. I try to think of myself as a patron of the arts. She is so young…Sir Hunter showed me the little sketch that she did and I was instantly enchanted. Mr. Adair, you are doing us the favor.”

  Lord Avery could not be judged as anything other than sincere. William Adair ceased any protest. “Lord Avery, I thank you.”

  Emma appeared at the entryway. “Breakfast is served,” she said cheerfully.

  Kat was still in pure bliss as they filed into the dining room.

  Hunter, however, had made the seating arrangements, and she found herself not beside David, but between Lord Avery and his daughter. Lady Daws was between David and Robert Stewart—good heavens, she had managed to completely forget the woman!—and Eliza was seated next to David’s other close friend, Allan…Allan something. He was fair-haired and pleasant, and he smiled with approval when he looked at her, and naturally, she smiled when she looked back.

  “What a lovely breakfast, Emma!” Margaret said cheerfully, helping herself to a slice of ham as the plate went round the table. “Ah, muffins, eggs, ham…bacon! And soon we’ll be on a ship, and off to foreign parts—we’ll miss your cooking, Emma!”

  Emma nodded, pleased with the compliment, but said, “My lady, there will be fine fare aboard the ship, and in the company of such prestigious folk, I daresay, none of us will suffer.”

  “But nothing will be so fine as your creations,” Robert Stewart said, and catching Kat’s eye, he winked.

  Margaret shivered. “This is such an adventure for all of you! I’m not at all sure why we can’t remain right here where we are, in London. After all, London is the heart of civilization!”

  Margaret’s words made Kat forget any sense of shyness, or that she was not among the company she usually kept. “But London is the heart of civilization because we English have explored so vastly, in such faraway places!”

  “Bravo, Miss Adair!” David said, delighting Kat.

  Margaret did not seem to take offense. She laughed. “That’s because you haven’t been wretchedly seasick for days on end. Or felt the desert sands in your mouth when you breathe! You’ll see.”

  “I’ve never gotten seasick,” Kat murmured.

  “Because you’re a mermaid!” Robert Stewart teased.

  “No, because she has a sense of adventure,” Hunter murmured.

  Lord Avery cleared his throat. “Indeed, a joie de vivre. We’ve forgotten, Hunter, I believe. I am, dear friend, sorry that I neglected to mention that we owe you a debt, as well. You, too, went diving in for David and wound up rescuing the rescuer.”

  “Oh, but you see, she didn’t really need rescuing,” Hunter said, looking at Kat. Then he looked at her father apologetically. “In my fear that she should drown, I believe I caused her injury.”

  “But ‘all’s well that ends well!’” Eliza quoted cheerfully.

  “Indeed,” Lady Daws said, staring at Kat with narrowed eyes. “Yes, now the dear girl will have excellent opportunities, and, gentlemen,” she added, her gaze sliding from Sir Hunter to Lord Avery, “you will have works of sheer passion and genius to hang on your walls.”

  “Here, here!” Lord Avery said. “When will we see some of your work, Mr. Adair?” he added.

  “I…I…”

  “There is a great deal of it hanging in my apartments,” Lad
y Daws said. “After breakfast, perhaps, we will all take a very small expedition and go see them.”

  “Oh, I’m afraid not,” Hunter said. “I’m due at the museum to tie up a few loose ends with Brian. And Miss Adair must accompany me.”

  “But dear Lord Avery!” Lady Daws persisted. “There is so little time left before you leave the country!”

  “Hunter, you and Miss Adair go on to the museum,” Lord Avery said. “If you will forgive me, Hunter, the rest of us will go on Lady Daws’s art expedition! She is quite right. Time is a precious commodity right now.”

  “Indeed, Lord Avery, I wouldn’t deny you such a pleasure.”

  “I should accompany the crowd,” Kat murmured. “I know my father’s work so well—”

  “But I shall be there! And you must learn your duties, Katherine,” Lady Daws said.

  “I will be there, as well,” Eliza said firmly.

  “Yes, you do need to become aware of what the future will bring,” Hunter said, staring at her. His eyes were hard. She didn’t know if he was referring to all that she needed to know regarding ancient Egypt—or if she needed to learn that, despite the charm and camaraderie they were all enjoying today, her place among them was slightly below the rest.

  “But surely,” Kat murmured, “one afternoon will not matter so much?”

  “One afternoon matters greatly when so few are left,” Hunter said.

  “I insist you accompany us!” Robert Stewart protested gallantly.

  “She must not,” Lady Daws said firmly. “Such an excellent offer for learning does not come to every…young woman.”

  Kat bit her tongue, wondering just what adjectives Lady Daws really intended to use.

  She looked at her father, who was smiling at her with assurance. She realized that he believed her protests were because she was worried about him. “It’s all right, Kat. If you need to see the museum, then you must do so.”