“Pshaw. Women do all that to show off for each other. Men are always more intrigued to find out what’s underneath.”
“Is that so? So if women paraded around naked?”
“In a perfect world.”
She smacked him again. “No. We would all look much the same. You would become horribly bored with it all. One chest is much the same as the next…”
“Not in my experience.” He gestured as if weighing breasts in his hands.
“You’re impossible. Where were we? Peacocks. Bad example from the start. Let’s look at us, shall we? On our honeymoon, you went deer stalking. Deer stalking!”
“Only for one day. It rained so much that I had to cancel our plans for an outing in the carriage. Deer stalking, on the other hand, occasionally benefits from the rain. You said you wanted to stay in front of the fire with a good book.”
“Exactly. Because I knew you wanted to go deer stalking. I wanted to think the idea of me in front of a roaring fire would be enough for you to want to stay in with me. I imagined tossing aside the book in favor of, ahem, other things. Things a lady could not suitably suggest.”
“Why not? If you’d said, ‘Please stay with me, and we’ll swive like bunnies all afternoon,’ do you think there’s any chance I would have gone off after deer? But no. Men have to do all the guessing. We can’t read your minds. You said you were going to catch up on reading. I imagined being horribly bored. Might as well go deer stalking.”
“You might benefit from reading more.”
He pulled a face. “Marcus was the reader. In fact, if he’d taken you on our honeymoon, the two of you would never have taken your faces out of books to get to it at all.”
“Get to it?”
He arched a brow. “It. What honeymoons are made for?”
“And yet Eve and Marcus have had two children in three years. I think reading is an aphrodisiac for them. But again, back to the point. I was the one willing to sacrifice in order to make you happy.”
“Really? One afternoon? You believe my dream honeymoon involved shopping along the Seine, strolling the Champs-Elysees, and opera? I went to the opera, Sophia! And the ballet. You can’t imagine any of that was for me. Our entire trip was built around what would delight you most. And I don’t regret a second. Bringing that smile to your face, the genuine one, has always been my greatest enjoyment. You would watch the opera, and I would watch you, while my heart exploded with joy that you were the one at my side.”
“Oh.” A frisson of happiness danced on her nerves. “That’s beautiful, darling. Thank you. I think we’ve determined that our young runaways will both want to be at their best for each other. And they don’t have much money, so that rules out a few things.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure. I don’t think he’s quite what he appears to be.”
“Not a farmer?”
“Not born and raised. You saw them at dinner. He was subtly coaching her along. He knew his way around a place setting.”
“And his clothes. He dressed much finer than I had expected. But why would he be working on a farm if he were from a family of means?”
“It happens. Young men follow their interests. Perhaps he was an agricultural scholar. Or interested in animals, the veterinary sciences? I think he comes from a respectable family, but how well-to-do I couldn’t say. Does it change your opinion?”
She bristled at the idea. “Why would it?”
He shrugged. “She’s young, but she’s not likely to do much better for herself. It’s a good match, from her perspective.”
“A good match? Perhaps. Does it matter so much now? A woman doesn’t need to rely on finding a good match as she had to in the past. Anna can take care of herself. If she stays with me and learns from Mr. Kenner, she can be a good secretary. It will open doors for her. With time and experience, I can recommend her to any position she should choose. What need has she for a man to give her status? She can marry for love when she’s ready. As it is, she has no idea what love is. She’s experiencing infatuation, probably for the very first time. Once that wears off, what have they?”
“I’m pleased to hear it. And a little surprised. I’m not sure you would have given the same answer in the past. You used to enjoy making a good match. You really have changed.”
“I’ve come to my senses, perhaps. It’s no longer enough for me to think that a woman’s worth depends on the man she entices.”
“Is that what you believe happened between us, Sophia?” He reached out to let his hand linger on her wrist. “That you enticed me and I was helpless to resist you? I can assure you that I decided upon you for myself. It wasn’t a matter of bending to your will, but of convincing you to bend to mine. And yet you have a point. I’m not sure I would have been successful if I didn’t meet certain criteria of yours in the first place.”
“It didn’t hurt that you were heir to an earldom. Mother was hoping for a duke.” She felt her pulse thrum under his fingertips.
“Would you have married me had I been a mere baron? Or worse, not titled at all.”
She shook her head. “I really can’t say now. I don’t know. I was determined to make a good match. I doubt anyone could fault me for it, considering that a woman is measured by her success at marriage. It will be a beautiful new day when that is no longer the case, but among our set…well, you know it’s true. That doesn’t mean I loved you any less, but perhaps your title provided incentive to love you more.”
“I thought so.” With a hurt look in his eyes, he let go of her wrist.
“Don’t deny that you held exacting standards of your own. You wouldn’t have looked twice at me had I been a housemaid.” She pursed her lips.
“I would have looked,” he assured her. “I might have acted. As for marrying you, it would have been out of the question. I would have set you up in a lovely house and visited you frequently.”
“A lovely, small house. Until you tired of me, or your wife put a stop to it. What makes you think I would have settled for such an offer? To be your escape from real life.”
“I would have tried anything to make you mine, no matter your status. At least, I would like to think so. To be fair, I’ve no idea. We’re lucky we never had to consider it. You suited me, and I suited you.”
“Are we suited after all these years, Gabriel? Just when I want to think so, everything shifts and makes me wonder. You seem well acquainted with the mechanics of keeping a mistress.”
“I know men who do. I’m not one of them. You’re going to have to stop questioning and have some faith. I’ll prove it to you just as soon as we’re done setting these youngsters straight.”
“I hope we can find them.”
The train stopped all too suddenly, nearly spilling Sophia out of her seat. Everyone shot to their feet at once and began heading for the doors.
“Come on.” Gabriel took her hand. “We’re here. Let’s start with Mayfair.”
“Mayfair?” Breathless, she followed him through the throng. London. Crowds. She hated crowds. She had barely an inch to walk without bumping into someone. She held tightly to his hand until they eased out of the congestion, focused on her breathing. In, out, in, out. There was no reason to panic…
“If he has some money and wants to impress her, he’ll take her shopping in Mayfair. She only has her simple clothes. She’ll want something more extravagant for the wedding,” Gabriel shared his logic.
“Not entirely true.” The crowds thinned slightly as they made their way out of the station to the street, where she could breathe easier and begin to think again. She’d been about to say something important… It would have to wait. Their task was at hand. “I had Jenks altering some of my older gowns to fit Anna.”
“When you say older, you mean last year’s styles.” He shook his head. “Perfectly serviceable gowns.”
“Serviceable but…”
Men thought one year was as good as the next as far as fashion went. They had no idea how much things could change in a year. Shorter hems. Shorter sleeves. Soon enough, they wouldn’t even be wearing corsets. Everything changed. “Anna is more petite. Jenks can cut my gowns down to fit her and still manage to make some alterations to suit the more modern styles. She might have finished a gown or two before Anna and Ethan set off.”
“Jewelry, then? Perhaps they’re buying rings.”
“We’re going to need to split up to cover more ground.” She hated the idea. Alone in London. But she saw the need for it. She could manage.
“No.” He clung to her hand. “It’s London. I’ll not leave you alone.”
“Shops are closing. We’ll lose our opportunity.” She smiled, touched by his instinct to protect her. “We won’t stay apart long. I’ll check the dress shops and millineries. You look into the jewelry shops. We’ll meet back every few blocks.”
“Let’s start on Bond Street, shall we?” He kissed her hand. “Good luck.”
“And to you.” She left him at Bloomfield Place.
They met again at Grosvenor Street and again at Brook Street.
“Maybe we’ll have better luck on Regent Street,” he suggested.
“I spoke with a modiste who thinks she might have discussed a fitting with Anna, but she couldn’t be sure. Anna’s description fits so many young women in town.”
“Ethan doesn’t stand out as unique either. Perhaps we’ll have a better chance checking lodging houses.”
“But where to begin?” It seemed a daunting, if not impossible task. “They might have gone to Gretna Green after all.”
“I hope Lord Markham and Agatha have better luck.” He removed his hat to run a hand through his hair.
“You mentioned his family. It’s possible he comes from London. Where would they live?”
“Brilliant, my dear! If he wants to marry her and he’s an honorable young man, he would bring her home to meet his family. It’s the only reason that they would have come to London over Gretna Green in the first place, isn’t it? To do things properly?”
“In that case, she should have spoken to her mother.” Breaking the news to Prudence Cooper that she had been distracted enough to let Anna slip away was not a conversation Sophia wanted to have.
“But Prudence is a busy woman. And Mrs. Dennehy is an intimidating judge of character.” Gabriel shuddered. Anyone would shudder to fall under the scrutiny of Mrs. Dennehy. The woman had a gift for drawing out one’s every flaw.
“You’re all too right about that. Anna wouldn’t want to risk their disapproval. Plus, knowing sixteen-year-old girls, she is carried away by the romance of it all. She’s not thinking logically.”
“There is no logic in love,” Gabriel said, casting a meaningful glance her way. “Let’s start in Bloomsbury. With luck, we might stumble onto someone who knows his family name.”
* * *
They had no such luck. After a late afternoon and evening of walking London’s streets, hoping for a glimpse or a clue, they gave up and headed to Averford House.
“Times have changed, as you’ve reminded me. As far as we know, Anna Cooper is about to spend the night with a young man without benefit of marriage. Will her reputation be irreparably damaged?” He counted on Sophia to know such things.
“Unfortunately for Anna, I’m not sure times have changed that much. We can hope that they’re prudent. If they’re in Scotland, perhaps they are already married, or maybe Agatha’s sixth sense has led her to them by now.”
“Did she bring Miss Puss? I have faith in that ghost cat. Miss Puss never seems to steer her wrong.” He smiled to show that he wasn’t entirely serious.
“Anything as long as it helps. If only Anna’s aura could glow like a beacon to Aunt Agatha. Let’s put in a call to Thornbrook Park to see if they have any news.”
They didn’t. And yet Gabriel couldn’t manage to be all that disappointed. He had a night alone with Sophia, with the exception of a few servants who could be trusted to stay out of the way.
“Not a word from Agatha and Charles,” Sophia said, returning to the drawing room after making the call. “I do hope they’ve been more successful than we have. Your mother says that Teddy has been an absolute angel.”
“We’re left without any new clues,” Gabriel lamented.
“I have no fresh ideas, and I’m exhausted. I think I could sleep for two days without benefit of Mrs. Mallows’s elixir.” Sophia practically fell into a chair by the fireplace. “But London’s not so bad when I’m with you. I suppose I could come more often. I’ve been meaning to get these chairs redone. And maybe find some paintings to brighten up the place.”
“Really?” She surprised him again. “I hadn’t realized you’d put so much thought into it.”
“I noticed a few things on that night when I was here alone, before Lord Markham arrived and Marcus and Eve came to join us. If I spent more time here, I could really make some improvements.”
“Mother hadn’t put much into Averford House either, I’m afraid. She always suspected that Father spent time here with his mistresses, though I believe he would have gone to hotels.”
“The place needs a woman’s touch.”
“You’re just the woman to make the necessary improvements. Stay there.” He stood. “I know just what you need.”
He went to the parlor and called for Sutton. “I want our best bottle of wine opened. Pour a glass for Lady Averford and bring it to her, please. Is Mrs. Peele in the kitchen?”
“Certainly, my lord. She’s preparing the meal.”
“I’ll go have a word with her.” He left Sutton and found Mrs. Peele rolling a crust for a savory pie.
“Steak and kidney,” she affirmed. “For the lot of us. I’m working on a roast duck for you and Lady Averford.”
“Lovely as it sounds, I have other ideas.” He told her of his plan to make dinner for Lady Averford and made sure they had all the necessary equipment and ingredients. Mrs. Peele only had to get her pie in the oven and arrange for the servants to eat later than usual. Then he could take over the kitchen temporarily. Satisfied, he returned to his wife.
“Lady Averford, are you feeling more relaxed?”
“Yes, I believe so. The wine was delightfully refreshing, thank you.” She had clearly only taken a few sips and set the glass down next to her. “Where did you run off to?”
“A surprise. You’ll see.”
She nibbled her lip. “The last time you surprised me, it didn’t go well. I ruined your fun by misunderstanding you.”
“You merely reminded me to be more careful in thinking I know what’s best. This time, I think I have it right.” He pulled the box out of his coat pocket and presented her with it. “Your first surprise of the evening.”
“Gabriel.” She placed a hand to her chest. “How did you manage it?”
“I was in and out of jewelers’ shops half the day. How could I have failed? I think it’s what you wanted.”
She opened the box. “I’m astounded. It’s breathtaking.”
It was an aquamarine ring, set in platinum. A single aquamarine larger than a robin’s egg, surrounded by tiny diamonds and amethysts. “Do you like it?”
He didn’t need an answer. He could tell by the sly smile playing at the corners of her lips, and the fact that it was already on her finger even as she tried to refuse it.
“It’s too extravagant.” She held out her hand to admire it from afar, and then close up again. “Look how it catches the light!”
“Almost as beautifully as your eyes, but nothing can ever compare.”
She smiled at him, then twisted the ring off her finger and handed it back. “If you don’t mind, I would like to return the ring and accept your earlier gift. I know that you meant no offense by it. Giving me a parcel of Thornbrook P
ark is like handing me a piece of your heart. I could want nothing more.”
He took her hand and slid the ring back on her finger. “No, you were right. You own all of Thornbrook Park along with me, to manage at my side. I was foolish not to see that sooner. My eagerness to convey how much I value your opinion superseded my best judgment, and I sent the wrong message entirely. All I wanted was to let you know how much you mean to me.”
She blushed. “After all we’ve been through, all I’ve done.”
“And all I failed to do. If I had a chance to do it all again, I wouldn’t let you spend one day lacking my full attention. You’re the wife of the Earl of Averford. It puts you in a position to be spoiled. All I ask is that you enjoy it. And don’t even think about asking me to take the ring back. I can hardly remember which shop I bought it in, and it will take me forever to find it again.”
“I really don’t deserve it, Gabriel. I have a confession to make. I’m more awful than you can imagine. I went behind your back and told Mr. Grant to keep the guesthouse reservations. I was just so angry with you for excluding me and discounting my opinions. I know the idea of keeping a guesthouse might seem vulgar to you, but it does bring in some income. Your mother is bound to get bored and travel again, and in the meantime… Well, we honestly seem to be getting along. I know you were only thinking of me, and I’m glad of it. I was wrong to undo your plans with Grant.”
He reached for her hand. “I was wrong to make plans without you in the first place. I was deliberately attempting to keep you out of my way that morning so that I could start working on moving my mother back to the Dower House. But I shouldn’t have forged on without you, even if I thought my plan was for your own good. We’re a team. I’ll never act without consulting you again.”
“Thank you, Gabriel. I suppose that means we can discuss the guesthouse again once we bring Anna safely home. And I don’t mind you acting without consulting me when it involves delightful surprises like this ring. But I don’t have a gift for you.” She pouted, but her eyes held the gleam of a smile. “In all fairness, if I’m going to demand to be treated as your equal, I should probably shower you with gifts and adoration too.”
The Great Estate Page 24
