“That was only on paper, Daniel,” she said in a lofty manner. “When talking about you in person I preferred the phrase arrogant, pompous ass.”
He chuckled. “Obviously, I was doing a better job than I’d thought.”
“Indeed, I didn’t like you at all and I certainly had no desire to marry you. But you’re right, as annoying as your letters were they could have been much worse.”
“Regardless, you have my apologies.”
“However, your most recent notes…” She smiled a reluctant smile. “One might even call them charming.”
“And romantic?” He flashed her a grin.
She laughed. “There might have been a suggestion of romance, yes.”
“I shall endeavor to do better in the future.”
She fanned her face thoughtfully. “So you did wish to avoid this marriage in the beginning?”
In this, at least, he could be completely honest. “Yes, Cordelia, I did.”
“I would assume, given what you’ve said and your efforts at charm thus far this evening, not to mention your last letters, that you have changed your mind.”
“You’ve changed it, Cordelia.” He moved to her and took her free hand.
“As we’ve never met, how could I have changed your mind?” she said cautiously.
“I’ve read your work.”
“You’ve what?”
“I’ve read your articles on travel. I had to wade through a fair number of ladies’ magazines in order to do so.”
“And?”
“And I liked them. I liked your witty style of writing and the cleverness of your observations. I think your writing is wonderful. I have always thought you can tell a great deal about a person from the way they write, my own letters to you notwithstanding, and I like the person who wrote those articles. Very much so. I think that person and I would suit as if we were made one for the other. Furthermore, I am confident I can spend the rest of my life with the author of those articles and not regret it for so much as a single second.”
“Oh my,” she murmured. “I didn’t expect this.”
“It was romantic wasn’t it?” He grinned.
“Surprisingly so,” she said under her breath.
“I might point out as well, those magazines are showing fashions that are not quite as,” he cleared his throat, “revealing as the gown you’re wearing tonight. In the future it might be best if you forgo this particular dress.”
She stared at him. “Are you telling me what I can or cannot wear?”
“I’m just suggesting that this particular gown might be too…too provocative.”
“Daniel.” She drew a deep breath, obviously fighting the urge to smack him with her fan, and stepped back. “If we marry, I should be most willing to listen to your opinions and suggestions, even seek your guidance on occasion. But until you become as well versed on fashion as you are on railroads, you will have no say in what I choose to wear. This gown is French, terribly expensive, the latest fashion and looks quite well on me. Why on earth would I agree to not wear it again?”
“Because it encourages every man in the room to wonder exactly what perfection is beneath it.” He stepped closer. “And every man in the room to want that perfection.”
“And isn’t that precisely why—”
“Cordelia, I’ve never considered myself a jealous man, but I must be honest. I find myself experiencing what can only be jealousy when it comes to you.” The moment the words were out of his mouth he realized they were true, even if the man he was most jealous of was himself. “I know it sounds odd, since we’ve only really met tonight, but I do feel I know you very well.”
“Because of my writing,” she said slowly.
“Yes, of course.” And hours walking the corridors of a museum and walks on the beach and an ill-fated night on a pier.
“And you’re telling me all this in the interest of honesty?”
“Absolutely.” Certainly, it wasn’t everything he could say but it was a start. And it was true as far as it went. “Do you think you could care for me, Cordelia? Someday?”
“Someday? I’m not at all—”
“Are your affections engaged then? Elsewhere that is.”
“Does it matter? Our match is the result of business. Affection has nothing to do with it.”
“Still, it is preferable to like the person you marry.”
“Preferable but not necessary.”
“I very much want you to like me, Cordelia.”
“Why wouldn’t I like you, Daniel?” She cast him a brilliant smile. “You have a forthright, charming manner.”
He drew a deep breath. “I have something to tell you.”
“Go on.”
“It’s a bit awkward.” What if she couldn’t forgive him?
“Then say it, Daniel, just say it.”
“And unpleasant.” What if the love she felt for Warren had nothing to do with Daniel?
“Then it’s best to get it over with.”
Say it, Daniel say it. “It’s about Warren.” What if the truth destroyed any chance of a future?
“Yes?” She leaned toward him.
“Warren is…”
“Yes, yes.” She rested her fan on his chest and gazed up at him.
“Warren is,” he repeated and stared down at her. And he realized he was not as brave as he’d always thought he was. Fear twisted his stomach. Still, the words that leapt from his mouth as if of their own accord surprised even him. “Warren Lewis is married.”
When invited to partake of native customs or celebrations one should do so with enthusiasm and an openness of spirit.
An English Lady’s Traveling Companion
Chapter 15
“What?”
Cordelia stared at Daniel in utter disbelief. This was his matter of great importance? This, in the interest of honesty, was all he had to say? She would have laughed if it hadn’t been so annoying.
“Warren Lewis is married,” Daniel muttered in the manner of a man who had said something he shouldn’t have and was now stuck with it.
She chose her words with care. “Why are you telling me this?”
He shrugged. “I thought you should know.”
She narrowed her eyes behind her mask. “Why?”
“Because you—your companion, Miss Palmer that is.” He straightened his shoulders. “I think she’s been seeing him.”
“Seeing him?” Cordelia gasped with feigned surprise. “What do you mean by seeing him?”
“Meeting with him. Privately. That sort of thing.”
“In a romantic sense?”
“That’s it exactly.” Daniel nodded. “And most improper too, I would think.”
“And he’s married.” Contrived shock rang in her voice and she sank down on a nearby bench. This made no sense at all. Why on earth would Daniel want her to think poorly of “Warren” rather than simply tell her the truth about his deception? It was certainly possible he was as apprehensive about confessing to her as she was about confessing to him. Still, this nonsense about “Warren” was absurd. One would think…At once the answer occurred to her. The dear man was indeed jealous—of himself! After all, she had told “Warren” she loved him. Clearly Daniel thought if he tempered her affection for him as Warren she’d be inclined to turn said affection toward him as Daniel. It was exactly the sort of idea she might have had. At once smashingly brilliant and completely stupid. “Oh dear.”
“He’s a cad, Cordelia, and you—your Miss Palmer should have nothing more to do with him. Furthermore, if she has developed any feelings for him—”
“Feelings?”
“Affection, love if you will,” he said firmly. “It is misplaced.”
She sighed. “Because he’s married.”
“With children,” Daniel added in an ominous manner.
“Dear Lord.” She paused to compose her features. Now Warren had children? Just how far would Daniel take this? “How many children?”
“
Quite a few. So many I forget the actual number.” He shook his head in a mournful manner. “Mrs. Lewis is always having another child.”
“What’s her name?”
“Who?
“Mrs. Lewis.” Cordelia did wish she could see Daniel’s entire face. Still, the blasted masks were appreciated at the moment. She couldn’t see what she suspected was probably desperation on his face, but then he couldn’t see how amusing she was finding this either.
“Her name,” he said uneasily.
“I was under the impression you and Mr. Lewis were great friends.”
“How did you know that?” Suspicion sounded in his voice.
“You must have mentioned it in your letters.” She shrugged. “Surely you know Mrs. Lewis’s given name?”
“Of course I do. It just escapes me at the moment. I have been ill,” he said in a haughty manner.
“Ah yes. Lingering effects of the…cold was it?”
“Yes.” He coughed in a completely unrealistic way. “The fever, you know. It must have affected my mind.”
“Poor man,” she murmured and bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud. “You probably can’t remember the names of any of the children then.”
“No, no. Except for the one who is named after me,” he added quickly. “But other than little Daniel—”
She choked back a laugh.
“—I’m afraid I can’t.”
“Well…” She sighed, shook her head, and was silent for a long moment. Let him think she was considering this revelation of his. “Well…”
“Well?” he said hopefully.
“That’s that then.” She cast him her brightest smile and rose to her feet. “We should get back to the ballroom.”
“That’s that?” Disbelief rang in his voice. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
She adopted an innocent tone. “What else should I say?”
“Something other than that’s that. This man may well have broken the heart of the woman who is your companion, your cousin, and your dear friend. Surely that calls for some justifiable indignation on your part.”
“One would think so.” She thought for a moment. “But I don’t seem to have any indignation, justifiable or otherwise, within me. No.” She nodded. “In fact, it seems to me it’s all worked out for the best.”
“The best?” His voice rose.
“Yes, of course.”
“But, but—”
“Besides, I doubt that Sarah’s heart is so much as cracked. Indeed, I’ve never seen her happier.” She leaned toward Daniel in a confidential manner. “It hasn’t been announced yet but she is going to marry my brother.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Aren’t you upset?”
“Not at all. I’ve never had any desire to marry my brother. That would be illegal and immoral and most disturbing. Ancient Egyptian kings and queens, however, often married siblings.”
“I don’t care about ancient Egyptians. I care about you!”
“How very sweet of you, Daniel. And charming. And romantic.” She tapped the lapel of his coat with her fan. “I’m really quite impressed with how charming you can be.”
His jaw clenched. “Then you don’t care that Warren Lewis is married?”
She raised a shoulder in a casual shrug. “Not particularly.”
“And you don’t think you should?” he said slowly. “All things considered?”
“Not really. All things considered.” She paused. “What’s done is done and it’s best to move on. Sarah certainly has.” She studied him curiously. “Can you give me one good reason why I should care about Mr. Lewis’s marital state?” Now, Daniel, this is the perfect opportunity to confess all.
He was silent for a long moment then finally sighed. “No, I suppose not.”
Cordelia ignored an immediate stab of disappointment. It would have been quite nice if he had confessed. She would have promptly done the same then this game of theirs would be at an end. Still, she could certainly understand his reluctance and apprehension. She would feel precisely the same if she didn’t already know that he knew of her deception.
“Then we should return to the others. It wouldn’t do for anyone to notice our absence. Gossip you know.” She smiled pleasantly and turned toward the house.
“Cordelia.” He caught her arm.
She turned back to him. “Yes.”
He stared at her. “Are you going to tell me tonight?”
“Tell you what?”
“Whether you intend to marry me?”
“I don’t know.” She moved closer to him, so close he could easily kiss her if he wished. “Do you intend to take off your mask tonight? Reveal all as it were? In what amounts to a very public setting?”
He shook his head. “I’m not sure that would be wise.”
Or she could kiss him. “Very well. You keep your secrets and I shall keep mine. At least for the moment.”
“For the moment.”
She’d rather like to kiss him. She knew she’d enjoy it and it certainly couldn’t make the situation any worse. He probably already thought she was the worst sort of tart and completely lacking in morals for having shared “Warren’s” bed and not being especially bothered by his marital status. She wasn’t completely lacking in morals, she did have some standards. After all, the bed she had shared was that of her soon-to-be husband. He just didn’t know it yet. Or rather he didn’t know she knew. Blast it all, this was getting most confusing. Still, if he hadn’t started with all that ‘Warren is married’ nonsense and had just come out and finally confessed. Or if he had just taken his mask off.
“Daniel Sinclair.” She sighed. “You are a stubborn, stubborn man.” She slipped her arm around his neck and pressed her lips to his in a kiss just long enough for desire to flutter in her stomach. Dear Lord, no matter what name he used, the man was irresistable. She released him and stepped back.
“My mother returns home tomorrow, Daniel, and I understand you and your family are joining us for dinner the next day. It was supposed to be for the purpose of introducing us, formally that is.” She thought for a moment. “I think it might be best if we both pretend that it is.”
“Pretend we didn’t meet tonight you mean?”
She laughed. “Exactly. When we meet for the first time at dinner we can act as if it is indeed for the first time.”
He nodded slowly.
“Now, I for one would like to return to the festivities and enjoy the rest of the evening.” She smiled, turned, and started back the way they had come. The moment she returned home, she intended to have a long talk with Sarah. It was past time she knew exactly what Daniel knew and when he had known it. “And I shall quite look forward to hearing all your secrets.”
“I wouldn’t wager on that,” he said under his breath and trailed after her.
She laughed.
“And I’m not stubborn,” he muttered behind her.
“Oh, but you are, Daniel.” She grinned. “I find it adds to your charm.”
Warren lit the lamp on his desk in the office, settled into his chair and paged through the nearest ledger. “You do know what they say about men who drink alone in the dark, don’t you?”
“Not specifically but I can imagine.” Daniel sat in the shadows at the far end of the room, his feet propped on his desk, a whisky in his hand. “I suspect it’s true. And probably similar to what they say about men who work at their desks in the dead of night.”
“I couldn’t sleep.” Warren turned a page, his tone was mild. “I gather the ball did not go well.”
“Actually, Warren, it went surprisingly well. You should have changed your mind and come. Cordelia and I had a lovely evening.”
“And what did she say when you told her—”
“I didn’t.” Daniel swirled the whisky in his glass. There was something to be said for good whisky after a night of dancing and deception and fear.
Warren looked up. “You d
idn’t take off your mask?”
“I couldn’t.” Daniel took a long swallow of his drink. “I didn’t have the courage. I came very close to telling her but I couldn’t get the right words out. I ended up saying something remarkably stupid.”
“Again.”
“Yes, again.” Daniel blew a long breath. “I don’t recall my being this stupid with women before, do you? Unless excess alcohol has at last dimmed my memory, it seems to me I was always rather successful with women, wasn’t I? Clever and charming and amusing, without any particular effort mind you. And great fun to be with. I’d say women always liked me, wouldn’t you? Now I’ve become…”
“A befuddled, confused, pathetic shell of a man?” Warren suggested in an overly pleasant manner.
Daniel slumped farther down in his chair. “She’s done this to me. Even when I thought she was Sarah Palmer, I wondered if she had bewitched me. Now I know. She’s turned me into a babbling idiot.”
“You didn’t have far to go,” Warren said under his breath.
“I heard that and I did have far to go. I was competent and confident when it came to the fairer sex.” A mournful note sounded in his voice. “But you’re right, she’s turned me into a pathetic shell of a man.”
Warren laughed.
“It’s not funny.”
“It’s very funny and I’d bet that someday you’ll laugh about it.”
Daniel snorted.
“And in answer to your questions, no, you’ve never been this stupid with women. Yes, you were most successful with women. And indeed women have always liked you.”
“That’s what I thought.” Indignation sounded in his voice. “It’s Cordelia, she’s the problem. She’s not a normal woman, Warren.”
Warren choked back a laugh.
“First, she managed to engage my heart, which was never intended to be engaged. And then she sucked the confidence right out of me.”
“Thus leaving in her wake the man we see today.”
“Bewitched.” Daniel shook his head in disgust. “Cursed.”
“Still, all is not lost.” Warren adopted a serious note Daniel didn’t believe for a moment. His old friend was enjoying this entirely too much. “Now tell me what happened. I thought the whole purpose of this evening was to tell her the truth.”
Secrets of a Proper Lady Page 26
