by Buck, Gayle
Mr. Nickleby nodded. “Done, sir.” Mrs. Nickleby was outraged, and made her feelings known in no uncertain terms.
Judith thought she must get away from the awful woman or she would not be able to retain control over her temper. She turned on her heel and walked swiftly toward the stairs.
“But what of my rubies?” shrilled Mrs. Nickleby, surging after her.
Judith paused, her hand on the balustrade, and looked down at her from the advantage of the first step. “My dear madam, you are fortunate that one of my extremely larcenous nature does not strip you of the petticoats that you stand in!” she uttered. Without a backward glance she went swiftly up the stairs.
Chapter Eight
Judith took refuge in her private sitting room, done in pale lime silk and cherry wood that gave it a warm effect. She paced about the pretty room, giving full rein to her fury for several minutes.
A servant timidly knocked to inquire if she would be joining the gentlemen downstairs for dinner or if she wished to be served dinner in her room, to both of which she gave an emphatic negative but added that she would like tea. By the time that the servant brought in the tea and a selection of biscuits, she had calmed considerably and she was even able to swallow a few bits of biscuit.
When her maid quietly entered to relay a request from Sir Peregrine that he be allowed to wait on her, Judith was able to view the prospect of once more playing hostess with equanimity. Judith indicated that she would see him and seated herself in front of the fire.
When Sir Peregrine strolled into the sitting room, he was struck immediately by her air of unruffled composure. He said humorously, “My word, I thought to find you rending the draperies at least.”
Judith laughed at such a fitting description of her recent state. “I hope that I am too old for such dramatics, though I will admit to a strong desire to strangle a certain vulgar female.”
“If I had known, I most certainly would have delayed the Nicklebys’ departure for such an admirable inclination. But unfortunately, I myself saw them off more than an hour past,” said Sir Peregrine. He suddenly grinned at her. “You were magnificent, Judith.”
Judith flushed and pressed her palms against the heat of her cheeks. “Oh dear! My wretched temper. I so very nearly disgraced myself.”
“True, but in such a noble cause. However, Mr. Smith was apparently so overawed that he preferred to share a carriage with a hysterical Mrs. Nickleby and her increasingly short-tempered spouse rather than outstay his own welcome,” said Sir Peregrine.
Judith felt thoroughly ashamed of herself. “That poor unassuming little man. I grew rather fond of him.” She gestured at the small table beside her chair, upon which sat the teapot. “I usually have tea at this hour, as you see. Pray won’t you join me, Sir Peregrine?”
“Thank you, I should like that, I think,” said Sir Peregrine. He seated himself opposite and idly watched as she poured. He declined sugar or milk and took the cup from her hand. “By the by, I have visited Cecily. I do not think that I shall tear her from Elmswood just yet. She appears on the mend, but I shall not risk bringing on a relapse of her fever by traveling in this weather.”
“I am happy to hear that your good sense prevails,” said Judith with a touch of soft irony.
Sir Peregrine’s eyes lighted with laughter even as he acknowledged her thrust. “I am not so lost to a proper sense of my responsibilities as to risk my ward’s health, whatever thoughts you may have had on the matter.”
“Why, sir, I would not dream of interfering,” said Judith with bland innocence.
“Quite,” said Sir Peregrine dryly. “I noticed, however, that Cecily is becoming restless at her enforced inactivity and I have given permission for Lord Baltor to visit with her. He seems willing enough to wait on her, while I harbor no such inclinations. You will say next that I am shirking my duty not to dance to whatever tune Cecily wishes to pipe.”
“Not that, no,” said Judith instantly. “But do you think it wise to throw Cecily and Lord Baltor together in such a fashion? They were so taken with one another, after all.”
Sir Peregrine brushed such considerations aside. “Cecily will be madly in love with the fellow for six weeks and then she will quite literally forget his lordship’s name. Believe me, I have seen the pattern before. She’ll take no hurt from proximity with Lord Baltor. As for his lordship, one always makes a recovery from one’s first calf love.”
“You are cynical, sir,” said Judith, smiling at him over the rim of her cup. Sir Peregrine returned her smile and bowed from the waist in acknowledgement of her observation. She was aware that several seconds had ticked by and she marveled at the usual ease of their companionship. She spoke her thoughts. “Do you know, I believe this is the first time that we have managed a civil conversation of any length between us? It is…pleasant.”
“We did not often use our times together to such advantage,” said Sir Peregrine in agreement.
“No. We were engaged more in seeking out one another’s weaknesses. Those are not particularly good memories,” said Judith quietly, her eyes contemplating the fire.
“It is odd, but I do recall a few good memories,” said Sir Peregrine softly.
Judith’s eyes flew to his and what she saw in his expression made the color rise in her face. “Perhaps there were some,” she acknowledged. “But the quarrels between us overwhelmed any sort of lasting affection.” She was silent a moment before she summoned up a smile. “Actually, I am surprised to feel so much in charity with you. I do not know what has come over us. We have not ripped up one another for the better part of two days.”
Sir Peregrine studied her face. “I suppose that we have become infected by the yuletide season.”
“Yes, I suppose that must be it,” said Judith. She felt distinct dissatisfaction that he offered such a simple explanation. It had not been the Christmas spirit that had set her pulses racing when he kissed her. But certainly she could not have expected an acknowledgement of anything more from him.
A knock at the sitting room door heralded the entrance of Withers. Judith looked inquiringly at the butler. “Yes, Withers, what is it?”
Withers’ usual expressionless countenance appeared troubled. “Miss, I have come with rather singular tidings,” he said. He advanced toward her and held out his hand. In his palm was a gold band set with a large ruby.
Judith instantly recognized Mrs. Nickleby’s lost ruby ring. “My word! Wherever was it found?” she asked, taking it between her fingers. The ruby flashed in the light.
“It was found in Mr. Smith’s room, together with this note,” said Withers. He handed a twist of paper to her.
Judith smoothed open the note. It took but a moment to scan it. Then she went into a peal of laughter. Sir Peregrine instantly demanded to be let in on the joke and she thrust the note at him. “Here, sir! Read it for yourself! I was never more amused in my life,” she gasped.
Reading the note, Sir Peregrine started to laugh as well. “Our John Smith seems to have been a cunning devil. Who could have guessed that he was a thief? And an honorable one at that.”
“Indeed, and I had thought that he was reading on those occasions that I found him in the library. I never dreamed that he was squirreling away odd bits of silver and Mrs. Nickleby’s jewelry!” said Judith, still chuckling. She looked up at the faintly disapproving expression on Withers’ face. “Come, Withers, surely you must see the humor. It is not every day that a thief leaves a token of his appreciation for the hospitality of Elmswood!” As she spoke, she held up the ruby ring.
“The hospitality was not all that John Smith admired, Miss Grantham. He appeared quite impressed when you dealt so summarily with Mrs. Nickleby. I suspect that was what persuaded him to leave your silver spoons in the library,” said Sir Peregrine.
“I suppose that I must be flattered,” said Judith, laughing again.
“A most singular gentleman, indeed. I shall go at once to the library and retrieve the silver,” sai
d Withers repressively. He nodded at the ring. “Shall I take custody of that object, ma’am?”
“Pray do so,” said Judith promptly. She handed over the ring. She shook her head as the butler left the sitting room. “I fear that it will be some time before Withers can look on this with any degree of humor. He has taken it as a personal failing that he was not able to see through Mr. Smith’s mild demeanor.”
Her quiet words seemed to trigger a parallel of recognition in her companion. “We all fail to correctly divine an individual’s character on occasion,” said Sir Peregrine, all levity gone from his expression.
Judith stared at him, her heart beginning to sink. The truce between them was obviously over. “Quite true. I think we may agree on that point, Perry,” she said coolly.
He smiled, though no amusement appeared in his eyes. “We seem to have come to another Rubicon, Judith. Being in your company these past days has forced me to acknowledge a desire to understand what happened between us. I do not think that I shall let you go until we have hammered it out.”
Judith gave the faintest of laughs. The ironic expression in her eyes was reflected in her voice. “It does seem the perfect opportunity, does it not? Perhaps this time we may even manage to preserve a semblance of civility.”
“The rules are established, then. Civility and frankness are the only limits. And as a gentleman, I must bow to your prerogative to begin,” said Sir Peregrine with a wolfish grin.
Judith stopped herself from delivering a withering setdown. It would hardly forward relations if she were to immediately set up his back, and quite suddenly she wished very much to be able to hold this frightening conversation.
Quite frightening, she thought, aware of her dry throat and the tenseness of her shoulders. But she would not give way to it, as she had before. There was deeply buried pain within her that had never quite healed. She knew now it never would unless she went through this confrontation.
A long silence fell while Judith thought over and rejected a dozen questions. There was one that had always stayed at the forefront of her mind, but she did not have quite the courage to ask it. Despising herself for a coward, she said, “I have found certain contentment in my life. I have always wondered whether you did as well.”
Sir Peregrine gave a short laugh. His piercing eyes derided her timid start. “I suppose one may say so. I do not lack for friends, if that is what you mean.”
Judith bit her lip. She felt ready to sink, but from somewhere she found the courage to continue the dangerous game. “Have you – have you a female companion?” she asked hesitantly.
He was silent a moment. “No. I am not entangled in any sort of relationship. But surely you know that?”
She shook her head. “No one ever speaks of you to me, you see.” She gestured helplessly. “It was as though there was always a determination to shelter me from anything that might cause me unpleasantness. Or more likely, to ward off any possibility of my making an uncomfortable scene if I were to learn anything I did not quite like.”
Sir Peregrine regarded her steadily. “Would you have? Made a scene, I mean.”
Judith laughed, though a bit shakily. “Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps early on, but at this point it hardly matters, does it? We have grown inured to one another’s existence and in the last few days we have proven that we are even able to be civil toward one another. That in itself is rather refreshing, do you not think?”
“I think that we were both fools,” said Sir Peregrine forcibly.
Judith looked over at him in astonishment.
He got swiftly to his feet and turned to stare into the fire, presenting his hard profile to her. “Do not look at me like that, Judith. You do not know what your eyes say to me.” He glanced around at her then and his mouth curved into a rueful smile. “You always had the most bewitching eyes, did I ever tell you?”
Judith clasped her fingers tightly together. She felt as though she was about to suffocate. “No, I do not think so. But then there was not much time for such words.”
Sir Peregrine gave a bark of laughter. “That is surely an understatement, my girl! We fought nearly every moment that we were ever together, which was not often since we were surrounded by a constant crowd of the curious. It was a ridiculous courtship. In public we were the epitome of polite breeding, smiling and gracious to every personage who wished to congratulate us on what a splendid match we were making. It makes me ill now to recall how I allowed myself, and you, to go through that rot, when all I wanted was to speak to you alone and to make love you. My God, Judith, why did you jilt me?”
Color flamed in her cheeks. She stared at her hands, clasped tightly in her lap. Her voice came low and intense. “I discovered that you were bought for me.”
Sir Peregrine swung around. “What the devil are you talking about?” he snapped.
Chapter Nine
There was a commotion at the door and it was thrust open. Cecily’s voice sounded a determined note. “I do not care! I shall speak to him at once, Arthur!” She came into the sitting room on the tail of her words. Lord Baltor was close on her heels, his countenance perturbed.
Cecily stopped when she saw Miss Grantham’s expressionless face and her guardian’s unfriendly gaze. She raised her delectably pointed chin. “Forgive my intrusion, Miss Grantham. But I was told that I would find my cousin with you and I must speak to him at once.”
“Of course, Cecily. Pray join us, and you also, my lord,” said Judith, her experience as a hostess granting her the poise she required to form a gracious reply. Her lips felt stiff as she smiled. She gestured to the settee situated near the fireplace.
Cecily shook her head. “We shall stay but a moment, I think. At least-“ As her eyes went to Sir Peregrine’s grim expression, her voice faltered slightly. She felt Lord Baltor’s fingers on her elbow and the contact gave her courage. “Sir Peregrine, I have come to inform you that I have engaged myself to Lord Baltor. I shall therefore refuse to consider the suit of the gentleman whom you chose for me. I hope that this does not come as too great a shock to you and that you will grant us your blessing,” she said in formal tones.
“You shall catch cold waiting for it,” said Sir Peregrine pithily. He looked at Lord Baltor with something akin to impatience. “Come, Baltor, you do not truly wish to tie yourself to my flighty ward. She tumbles in and out of love with such regularity that I have become resigned to it. Believe me, you would do better to wait on a more steadfast maiden.”
“I am aware of Cecily – Miss Brown’s – past, sir. She has informed me of it herself, which but adds to my admiration,” said Lord Baltor.
“I have not the stomach for this,” muttered Sir Peregrine. He met Judith’s gaze for a second only, because she at once turned her head away, but he was quite able to read the censure in her eyes. It gave him pause.
“Perry, I know that I have given you cause to mistrust my steadiness. So I have thought up a compromise, if you should like it,” said Cecily. She clasped her hands in front of her. “I have discussed the matter with Arthur and he has agreed that my plan is reasonable.”
Sir Peregrine threw a sardonic look at Lord Baltor, who met his gaze unflinchingly even though a flush rose in his boyish face. “I see. Pray continue, Cecily. I cannot deny you a hearing, I suppose.”
Cecily drew a breath. “I am under age, of course, so you have the right to squelch any union that I may wish until I attain my majority. I know that I have at last truly fallen in love, but I realize that I must prove that to you. So I propose than an informal understanding be recognized between myself and Lord Baltor. In the meantime, I should like to be brought out in London so that I may be exposed to positively scores of gentlemen. If I do not change my allegiance from Lord Baltor to another in the year before my majority is up, you will agree to a formal announcement of our engagement to be inserted in the Gazette.”
There was a short silence during which Sir Peregrine studied his ward with an unreadable expression. He said finall
y, “You have at last succeeded in surprising me, Cecily. It seems that you have learned a bit of common sense. Your stay at Elmswood seems to have been to your advantage.” He did not glance toward Judith, but he sensed her start of astonishment.
Cecily flushed with the beginnings of excitement. “Then you do agree to my compromise?”
“I think that I do,” said Sir Peregrine. He glanced at Lord Baltor. “And now, my lord, you may escort my ward back to her parlor. She appears ready to faint at my easy acquiescence.”
The young couple extricated themselves from the sitting room with several exclamations of thanks. When the door was closed behind them, Judith glanced at Sir Peregrine with a faint smile. “I am glad for Cecily.”
“At this moment I care not one jot about my ward’s future,” said Sir Peregrine. He stared frowningly at Judith. “I believe that we left off with a positively idiotic statement regarding my motives for offering for you. Pray enlighten me further, Miss Grantham!”
Judith stiffened and something flashed in her expression. Her eyes challenged him, daring him to deny her accusation. “You were my father’s choice. After we became engaged, he congratulated himself for having struck a bargain with you, though it had cost him what he termed a tidy little sum!”
Old anger had laced her tumble of words, but now she sighed. She passed hand over her eyes. “He told me that I should be a grateful daughter because he had found such a splendid match for me. I knew in that instant I could never be happy with you.”
Her eyes were shadowed when she looked at him. “I had thought you cared me a little. It was unbearable that you had offered for me for quite different reasons. Oh, I know that marriages are still arranged and that bride’s money changes hands, but I was a naïve and romantic young girl and that was not what I wanted for myself.”
Sir Peregrine had been riveted by her account. He understood now why a few days previously she had been so hostile when he had mentioned bribing away one of Cecily’s undesirable suitors. He expelled a breath. “That is when you decided to reject my suit, then.”
