untied cravat. Good heavens, we're here.
I must get out or the coachman will think
we've fallen asleep."
She scrambled about the carriage, collecting
her walking stick and coat. As she
pushed open the door she realized that
Lucas was moving far more cautiously
than usual. She frowned at him as she
jumped down. Are you all right?"
No."
Oh, dear, your leg."
It is not my leg that is bothering me."
He stepped down beside her and adjusted
his coat with great care.
Then what is it, Lucas?" Victoria
prodded.
Nothing you can do anything about
tonight, but rest assured I will look forward
to you resolving the problem in the near
future." He rapped on the side of the
coachman's seat with his stick. Be so
good as to wait a few minutes. I shall
return shortly."
The coachman tipped his hat with a
bored air and reached for the flask he
kept under his box.
But Lucas, what is it? What is the
matter?" Victoria asked again as they
hurried around the corner and through
an alley to the garden wall.
Think back on all your studies of
natural history, particularly the details
of reproduction among the male of the
species and I'm sure the answer will come
to you."
Oh dear." She swallowed, aware that her
face was burning. She was not precisely
certain what he meant, but she was at
last getting an inkling of the probable
source of his discomfort. Heavens. I had
no idea. Are you, uh, very uncomfortable,
my lord?"
Don't look so contrite," he said with a
quick, fleeting grin. I am well pleased with
the results of the experiment. They were
worth any minor discomfort I am now
experiencing." He gave her an assist up the
garden wall. And I did offer myself in the
spirit of intellectual inquiry, did I not?"
I do wish you would stop talking about
the whole thing as an experiment." Victoria
dropped down into the fragrant, shadowed
garden and stood back as he lowered
himself down beside her.
I think it will be easier for you to
think of it that way for a while." He
kissed her nose and stood back. Good
night, Victoria. Sleep well."
She stood watching for a moment as
he vanished back over the wall and
then, reluctantly, she turned toward the
conservatory door. She abruptly longed for
the privacy of her room so that she could
think about what was happening between
her and Lucas.
The feelings he was arousing in her
were startling in their intensity and a little
frightening. For a few minutes there in
the coach she knew she had surrendered
a large measure of her self-control to him.
She had put herself literally in his hands
ind he had shown her the power of her
own body.
She frowned in thought as she aproached the
conservatory door. She must
not let matters get out of control. She had
to be careful. But Lucas was so different
from any other man she had ever met.
it was becoming increasingly difficult to
link logically about him. More and more
she was reacting on the basis of emotion,
and that, she knew, was dangerous.
Damn it, she thought resentfully, it
simply was not fair that a widow such
is Isabel Rycott was free to indulge in a
discreet romantic liaison while a dedicated
spinster was not granted the same privilege,
least not a spinster who was only
twenty-four. Perhaps in another ten years
she would be able to behave as she wished,
but who wanted to wait ten years to
discover the mysteries Lucas was now
revealing to her?
And who knew where Lucas would be
ten years from now, Victoria thought in
sullen disgust. He would undoubtedly be
off in the country, attending to his estates,
a wife, and several children.
It simply was not fair.
Victoria knew now that if she was ever
going to experiment with this particular
aspect of natural history, she wanted that
experiment to take place with Lucas.
Perhaps she should do as he said and
regard this entire matter from a scientific
point of view.
She was mulling over the pros and cons
of that angle when she spotted the white
silk neck scarf fluttering from the handle
of the conservatory door.
One of the servants must have left it here
when he or she went into the garden to
collect herbs for supper, she thought. But
surely she would have noticed it earlier
when she had left the house to meet
Lucas.
Curious, she lifted the scarf away from
the handle. She felt the monogram beneath
her fingers but could not read it in the pale
moonlight.
Victoria hurried indoors, paused in the
conservatory to listen for any sound, and
then decided her aunt had probably not
yet returned from the Crandalls" ball. The
Crandalls" affairs were famous for lasting
until dawn.
Victoria went upstairs and into her room
and immediately lit a candle. Then she
held the end of the scarf near the glow
of light and deciphered the monogram.
It was in the shape of an elaborately
worked W."
Victoria's fingers shook as she carefully
folded the scarf. She had seen similar
monograms before. They had been embroidered
on the handkerchiefs and neck-cloths
of her dead stepfather, Samuel Whitlock.
The morning light poured through
the conservatory windows, illuminating
the spectacular spray of Plumeria rubra
that Victoria was endeavoring to capture
with her watercolors. She frowned at
the emerging flower portrait on her
easel, knowing her attention was not
completely on her work and wondering
if she should simply abandon the project.
Normally when she was engaged in her
sketching or painting, her concentration
was complete .
But this morning her thoughts churned,
writhed, and danced with memories of her
passion in Lucas's arms the previous night.
She had been unable to get the images
out of her head although she had spent
several fitful hours trying to calm herself.
She knew she would turn herself into
a candidate for Bedlam if she did not
sort out her confusion and make some
decisions.
There you are, Vicky, dear. I have been
looking for you." Cleo Nettleship rounded
the corner of the aisle of plants and headed
toward her niece. She was we
aring a
delightful morning dress of pale coral.
Such a lovely day, is it not? I should
have known I'd find you out here." She
paused briefly, her attention caught by a
small plant on a tray. Good heavens,
did you notice the new American iris
we got from Chester last month? It's
blooming beautifully. How exciting. I must
remember to tell Lucas."
Victoria gave a small start and a drop
of pink splashed on the page. Damn."
I beg your pardon, dear?"
Nothing, Aunt Cleo. I just had a small
accident with my paint. Do you think
Lucas will be interested in the iris?"
Certainly. Haven't you noticed how
enamored he has become of horticulture?
He is learning everything he can about
such matters in preparation for taking over
his estates. But he is particularly fascinated
with the new species of plants that are
arriving in this country from America. I
imagine that at the rate he's going, his
gardens at stone vale will one day be a
great attraction," Cleo said.
Victoria concentrated on putting a faint
shadow on the pink blossom. He does
seem to have developed a strong interest
in the subject, doesn't he? Does that strike
you as odd, Aunt Cleo? The man has been
a soldier most of his adult life."
I don't find it in the least odd. Only
think of Plimpton and Burney. Two ex
military men who have settled down on
their estates and produced magnificent
results both in their gardens and in
their crop production. Perhaps there is
something in the business of gardening
and horticulture that appeals to men who
have witnessed a great deal of violence and
bloodshed."
Victoria recalled Lucas's refusal to
discuss the circumstances surrounding the
injury of his leg. I wonder if you might
be right about that, Aunt Cleo."
Speaking of Lucas, dear." Cleo paused
again to examine another plant that was
putting forth shoots.
Victoria caught the slight change in
her aunt's inflection and braced herself.
Cleo rarely lectured, but when she did,
Victoria had learned to pay attention. For
all her scattered scientific interests and her
unending social life Cleo Nettleship was a
wise and intelligent woman.
What about him, Aunt Cleo?"
I hesitate to say too much, Vicky, dear.
You are, after all, a grown woman and
you have always given every indication of
knowing precisely what you are about. But
I must confess I have never known you to
spend quite so much time in the company
of any one man. Nor have I heard you
mention a particular male acquaintance
quite as frequently as you seem to mention
stone vale. And one cannot help but notice
lately that he seems to be underfoot a great
deal of the time."
Victoria's fingers tightened around her
brush. I thought you liked Lucas."
I do. Very much. That is not the
point, Vicky, and I think you know it."
Her aunt spoke gently as she poked a
finger into a bedding tray to check for
moisture.
If Lucas seems to be underfoot much
of the time, I expect it is because you are
constantly inviting him to attend lectures
and demonstrations you think will interest
him," Victoria declared defensively.
True, I have extended a number of
invitations and he has always accepted."
Cleo looked thoughtful. But it is not just
at our natural history and horticulture
meetings that he appears, is it? Lately
he seems to have put in an appearance
at nearly every soiree you have attended."
Victoria swallowed uneasily. He is
a friend of Lady Atherton's. She has
introduced him into her circle."
Cleo nodded again. Very true. And
Lady Atherton's circle of acquaintances
does include us, does it not? But all the
same, I think perhaps you should consider
exactly what it is you wish to have happen
next, Vicky."
Victoria set down her brush and looked
at her aunt. Why don't you come out and
tell me what it is that's worrying you. Aunt
Cleo?"
I am not worried so much, dear,
as concerned that you understand your
position vis-a-vis the earl. You have
always insisted you do not wish to
marry."
- Victoria stiffened. That has always been
true and still is."
Cleo's face softened as she regarded her
niece's stubborn expression. Then, Vicky,
you have a certain obligation, one might
even say your female honor requires that
you do not give false hope to your male
acquaintances. Do you comprehend what
I am trying to say?"
Victoria stared at her aunt in outraged
astonishment. You think I have been
leading the earl on? Allowing him to
believe an offer of marriage might someday
be welcome?"
Not for a moment do I think you have
done such a thing deliberately," Cleo said
hastily. But lately, my dear, I have begun
to wonder if stone vale might interpret
some of your interest in him as a signal
that you might be willing to entertain
an offer. He could hardly be blamed if
he had."
Victoria bristled. And what about your
interest in him? How is he supposed to
interpret all your various invitations, Aunt
Cleo?"
It is not at all the same thing, dear. If
he is misinterpreting my invitations, it is
only because you always choose to attend
the same lectures and demonstrations he
chooses to attend," she explained evenly.
There is hardly anything to remark
upon in that. I have always attended the
most interesting of the lectures and talks
given by your friends."
I cannot help but note, dear, that until
recently you rarely attended the talks on
crop rotation, orchard management, and
viticulture," Cleo pointed out dryly. Your
interests have always focused more on
animals, electricity, and exotic plants."
Victoria felt her face growing very warm.
I assure you, Aunt Cleo, stone vale is very
well aware of my opinions on marriage. I
am certain he would not misinterpret our
friendship."
What about you, Vicky?" Cleo came
closer and smiled down at her niece.
Is there any possibility you may not
be quite so certain of your own feelings
on the subject of marriage as you once
were?"
Believe me, my opinions on marriage
have not changed in the least," Victoria
said with absolute conviction.
Forgive me for asking, my de
ar, but is
it possible that you are toying with the
notion of another sort of liaison with
stone vale?"
Victoria's eyes collided with her aunt's.
You think I am contemplating a an affair
with Lucas?"
Cleo held her niece's gaze and spoke
very firmly. I am not blind, Vicky. Nor
am I lacking in intelligence. Furthermore,
I am a woman who has been out in the
world for a good many years. I have seen
the way you look at stone vale when you
don't think he is aware of your regard. Add
to that his obvious interest in you and the
fact that you are a normal, healthy young
female who does not wish the chains of
marriage, and I fear we must conclude
you are treading on treacherous ground.
I would be extremely remiss in my duty
as your aunt if I did not warn you."
Victoria's hand clenched into a small
fist in her lap. She stared blankly at
the half-finished flower in front of her.
I appreciate your concern. Aunt Cleo."
No, you don't, you resent it, and I
cannot entirely blame you for that. But
we must face facts and it is not only
your own reputation you must consider
here. stone vale's is in jeopardy as well,"
Cleo said.
Victoria's head snapped up. stone vale's
reputation?"
You know very well, my dear, that a
man of his position has an obligation
to his name and title. Some day he
must marry a socially acceptable woman
from a good family. He cannot afford to
be known as a seducer of respectable,
innocent young females. Such a reputation
would immediately ruin his chances for
a proper marriage and cast him out of
Society. Nor would he wish for such a
nasty reputation. He is a decent man,
Vicky."
It is all so very unfair."
What is unfair? That your status as a
young, unmarried woman of good breeding
makes it completely impossible for you
to even consider a romantic liaison with
stone vale? Yes, it is most unfair. But
Society is very strict about such matters
and you must heed most of the unwritten
laws if you wish to survive in our world.
You flout enough of the rules as it is. Be
patient. And as you grow older you will
be able to get away with disregarding more
and more of them."
I am four and twenty. Quite on the
shelf and you know it. Aunt Cleo."
Cleo smiled and shook her head. You
know as well as I do that is not completely
true. Society still views you as eligible and
the size of your inheritance guarantees that
Surrender Amanda Quick Page 14
