Amanda inclined her head. “Your arrival is not inconvenient at all, my lord. Will you join me here, or would you prefer that we go back inside where I can order some refreshments?”
Although her words were gracious enough, she had yet to return his smile and Blackbourne suspected he was still out of favor with her. He made a point of looking around. “Your garden is much too lovely to desert at the moment.” He walked to her side. He had noticed that, despite the heat, she wore a long-sleeved gown and he feared he knew the reason. “Is your scratch healing properly? If not, I wish you would allow me to fetch a physician for you. After all, I am responsible for having irritated it, for which I profoundly apologize.”
“I will accept your apology,” she responded, “if you will accept mine. I said some unforgivable things to you yesterday. But…” She lowered her gaze to her lap where her fingers were engaged in folding pleats into the soft fabric of her gown. “I was wrong in trying to raise David in the old dower house. He needs to become accustomed to life in his own world. And…” She lifted her gaze and finally smiled, “I will appreciate any efforts you may feel inclined to undertake on his behalf.”
Blackbourne gazed into Amanda’s face, forcing detachment as he scrutinized her diffident smile. Memories of Oliver’s tales about her acting abilities flooded back. Did she hope to convince him that her feelings toward him had changed overnight from animosity to appreciation? Apparently so, he decided, watching as her smile faded in the face of his silence. Not at all sure whether he could believe her, Blackbourne nevertheless nodded in agreement.
“I’m pleased that you’ve decided to cooperate with my plans for David,” he said, unconsciously imitating the tone of the serious-minded vicar he had so recently visited. “I feel certain that each of us is interested in what is best for David, and I am equally sure that you will be pleased with the tutor I have brought for him.”
“You brought him a what?” Amanda jumped to her feet. “I mean… I would not think David would require a tutor just yet. He’s still very young.”
“I believe you will be pleased with Thomas,” Blackbourne continued calmly. “He is a young man who seems to have a particular affinity with children, no doubt because he is the eldest of thirteen. His father, who has been a vicar near my principal seat for the past twenty-five years, has seen that Thomas is well educated and—”
Blackbourne stumbled to a halt, having suddenly glanced into Amanda’s face. Her delighted smile was reflected in her eyes, deepening them to a sapphire so brilliant that he felt his train of thought slipping away. He was finding it more difficult than he could believe to maintain the level of anger he had nurtured for years against Amanda. But he reminded himself that she was supposedly an expert manipulator. Oliver had often mentioned that particular trait in connection with his wife.
“You appear pleased that I’ve engaged a tutor for David,” he said. He knew the slight curve of his lips was much closer to a sneer than a smile. Obviously Amanda could detect the censure in his voice because her smile faded.
Although a puzzled frown touched her forehead, she lifted her chin and met his gaze. “You have convinced me that you have David’s best interests at heart, my lord, and I welcome your assistance. If you believe a tutor is what David needs, I would appear unappreciative were I to object.”
She was right, of course, Blackbourne admitted to himself, but that bit of knowledge did nothing to assuage his irritation. “I hope you will be equally pleased with the other plans I have made on David’s behalf,” he said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.
“Other plans?” Amanda moistened her lips. “What plans might those be, my lord?”
“Plans that are directly related to David’s need for a tutor to reside with him here at Willow Place. You see, my lady, I must return to London immediately and, for David’s sake, I insist that you join me there as soon as possible.”
Chapter Eight
Stunned, Amanda stared into Blackbourne’s face, searching his expression for some clue as to what he was thinking. She couldn’t believe he was serious about her visiting London, but neither could she find any indication that he was joking. “London?” she murmured at last. “In heaven’s name—why?”
“I told you. For David’s sake.”
Amanda whirled, turning her back on Blackbourne lest he read the anguish in her eyes. She did not consider herself a coward but this was asking too much. “No,” she murmured. “I cannot.”
“Not even for your son?” Blackbourne had moved to stand just behind her and his breath ruffled the hair near her ear. She forced herself not to react either to his closeness or to his distinct scent that set her heart to beating faster. She wished he would give her a little more space. She had trouble thinking clearly with him so close.
“You need not be concerned for David, you know,” he continued, addressing the back of her head. “I assure you that Thomas can be trusted to keep the boy occupied in your absence.”
He took a quick step back when Amanda spun to face him. “What do you really want from me, your lordship?” she demanded. “Shall I go to London and prove to the world how ill-equipped I am to be the mother of an earl? Is that what you want? To make David’s mother a laughingstock before he is old enough to make his own entry into the ton? How will my humiliation help my son?”
Blackbourne stared, frowning, as though trying to understand the reason for her outburst. “What makes you so certain you will be humiliated?” he asked at last. “You are, after all, a countess, and I have noted no characteristics that would label you as ill-bred. On the contrary, you are quite capable of exhibiting the speech and manners of a lady. With the proper person to introduce you to the ton, there is no reason you should not be accepted. And that acceptance, you must realize, will someday be of great importance to David.”
“You don’t understand,” Amanda murmured, dropping her gaze. Her anger faded, replaced with a numbness that chilled her blood as she recalled events from the first year of her marriage. She breathed deeply before she spoke. “Oliver took me to London once.”
Blackbourne frowned, obviously confused. “What happened? Did he attempt to introduce you to society without seeking assistance from some respectable female who could help you meet the right people?”
Amanda nodded without lifting her gaze. She could not bring herself to describe the horrors of her foray into her husband’s world. It was a venture that neither Oliver nor she had wanted, but her father had insisted, feeling cheated when his daughter had been a countess for several months and had not yet become a part of the glittering world he had long envied.
Oliver had agreed to escort Amanda to a few ton parties only because his father-in-law had informed him that if he did not, his latest gambling debts would remain unpaid. And Oliver, angry at having his hand called, had done all in his power to ensure that Amanda would be miserable. His slight sneer when introducing her to their hosts and hostesses, combined with his immediate departure for the card room, had ensured that Amanda would find no allies in his world. Frightened and embarrassed, she had soon affected a haughty tilt to her head that had convinced the ton she was an upstart with no breeding. They had avoided her in multitudes.
“The ton can be unkind.” Blackbourne’s gaze contained a hint of sympathy. “That is why you must face them down now, while David is still a child and not subject to their cutting glances and cold shoulders. Do you have the courage to try again? With my help?”
Amanda narrowed her eyes and met Blackbourne’s gaze. His sympathy had served to strengthen her resolve. “Of course I have the courage to try, but I’m not convinced it’s wise to do so. Are you certain your patronage will be sufficient?”
A smile twisted Blackbourne’s lips. “My patronage? Definitely not. But you should encounter no difficulties with my aunt Cordelia as your sponsor.”
Amanda gaped at him for several seconds. “Your aunt Cordelia?” she said at last. She had never seen the lady in question, but she c
ould recall hearing about her. Lady Cordelia Melbourne was said to be a high stickler, as well as one of the most influential people in the ton. “Surely you cannot ask your father’s sister to sponsor me.”
“Why not?” Blackbourne’s eyes suddenly narrowed.
“I am convinced Lady Cordelia will not wish to be burdened with me. After all, she is so extremely well respected that…” She stumbled to a halt, unnerved by the unnamable emotion she saw flickering in the depths of Blackbourne’s eyes.
“Nonsense,” he said, grinning as though an imp of Satan had materialized on his shoulder. “My aunt would never dream of refusing me.”
Amanda stared into Blackbourne’s unfathomable gaze, wishing she did not feel as though she were being caught up in a vortex that was destined to whirl her away and drop her into an alien land where she would be completely out of her element. She was forced to moisten her lips before replying. “In that case, I shall consider your offer. If you are certain that your aunt—”
“I am positive,” Blackbourne interrupted, still grinning. “I plan to visit her immediately upon my return to London tomorrow. In fact, I can hardly wait to see her reaction when she learns about the treat I have in store for her.”
Blackbourne watched Amanda closely, anxious to gauge her reaction to his plan. A few seconds passed before she nodded in agreement. Only then did he allow himself a silent sigh of relief. Obviously Amanda was not aware of the bad blood between him and his aunt. Cordelia had hated his mother, and she’d transferred that hatred to him even though he’d done her no wrong. In fact, she’d gone out of her way to avoid him even though he provided her a home and income from the estate.
But whatever animosity Cordelia might feel toward him, she had the advantage of possessing excellent ton. If willing, she could establish Amanda with ease. He believed he could bribe her into cooperating.
But now, he realized with no small degree of shock, he wanted to see Amanda accepted by the ton for her own sake as well as David’s. Perhaps it was because he could empathize with her to some extent. After all, he too had occasionally felt the sharp bite of his peers’ rejection for no reason other than the lies his half brother had told about him.
Looking deep into Amanda’s eyes, Blackbourne thought he detected a new attitude toward him reflected there. Clearly he was doing something right, for he was positive he was not misreading the appreciation, perhaps even a hint of attraction, that had supplanted the hostility he was accustomed to seeing in her gaze.
Allowing his lips to tilt upward slightly, he continued to gaze deeply into her eyes. When he spoke, he lowered his voice almost to a whisper. “Has anyone ever told you, my lady, that your eyes are— Damnation!”
“I don’t believe so, your lordship.” Although Amanda’s tone was solemn, her lips twitched suspiciously. “’Tis an original thought, although not necessarily a flattering one.”
Blackbourne clapped a hand onto the top of his head. “I didn’t mean—that is—blast it all.” He turned and stared upward. Two heads hung over the edge of a balcony two stories above.
“Come down here immediately,” Blackbourne bellowed. The two heads disappeared from view.
When Blackbourne turned back toward Amanda, she had bent to retrieve something from a patch of phlox. “I’ve always known David did not care for scones with his tea.” She straightened and held up a mutilated pastry. “However, I have never known him to toss his food from a balcony. Was that his new tutor with him?”
“That was Thomas,” Blackbourne confirmed. “I shall certainly have a word to say to that young—”
“Your lordship,” Amanda interrupted. “Would you mind bending over?”
Blackbourne regarded her through narrowed eyes. “What for?”
“You have crumbs in your hair. Some rather large ones actually. And perhaps just a small blob of clotted cream. I suggest you allow me to brush your head off before you begin lecturing the miscreants. Otherwise they might—”
When Amanda paused, Blackbourne completed her thought for her. “They might laugh as hard as you obviously long to do?” he inquired with a sudden grin.
Amanda grinned back. “Ah, you do have a sense of humor,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “I had begun to fear you might not.” She dropped the scone onto the grass and pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. “If you will lean forward a bit, I shall attempt to restore your dignity.”
“Easier said than done,” Blackbourne muttered in a grim tone, but he was still grinning as he lowered his head so Amanda could remove the crumbs and cream.
He had just straightened when two breathless young men rounded the corner of the house in a run.
“I’m real sorry, your lordship,” David called out while still running. “I didn’t know you was in the garden.”
“It’s all my fault, your lordship,” Thomas said, still puffing as he stopped to bow in front of Blackbourne. “We had been discussing the effects of gravity and—”
“But you didn’t tell me to drop anything,” David interrupted. “You didn’t know why I took my scone onto the balcony. If anyone is going to get punished, it ought to be me.”
“You mustn’t blame David, my lord,” Thomas interjected. “The responsibility was mine.”
“So it was, Thomas,” Blackbourne agreed solemnly but without imbuing even a hint of censure into his tone. “However, since no harm was done, I believe we can safely assume that a lesson has been learned this afternoon—although it was not the lesson you were attempting to teach. But let us not compound our mistakes by continuing to ignore David’s mother. Lady Willowvale, may I present Thomas Clappton, the gentleman whom I hope you will accept as David’s tutor?”
Blackbourne had felt sure he would not regret his decision to fetch Thomas, but still he was pleased to see the boy make his bow to Amanda. When she smiled at him, he flushed a bit but otherwise conducted himself with confidence, returning her smile but waiting for her to speak first.
“I am pleased to meet you, Thomas. I am also pleased to hear that you can begin serving as David’s tutor so quickly. You will find that he enjoys learning but sometimes exhibits a bit too much enthusiasm. I am certain that as soon as you have had time to become acquainted with him, you will grow adept at helping channel his enthusiasm into more productive expressions.”
“Th-thank you, my lady,” Thomas stammered, his blush deepening. His guileless expression clearly reflected both his gratitude and his instantaneous infatuation with his pupil’s mother. In fact, as Blackbourne acknowledged with a hastily suppressed smile, Thomas had just tossed his shoulders back and lifted his chin in the eternal posture of a man about to preen.
“You see, my lady, I decided to take advantage of teatime to introduce David to Newton’s law of gravity,” he said with solemn self-importance. “You may not be aware that it was an Englishman who first advanced that particular law of nature. He also, of course, formulated the law of motion and the elements of differential calculus.”
“Yes,” Amanda replied with the slightest of smiles. “I am conversant with Sir Isaac’s accomplishments. In fact, my father, who fancied himself somewhat of an inventor, collected several of Sir Isaac’s papers. My father was convinced that Sir Isaac’s theories could be put to more practical use than has been done to date. Since you are an admirer of the gentleman, perhaps you would enjoy looking through his papers someday.”
Thomas’ mouth fell open, but Blackbourne doubted the boy felt half the degree of amazement as he did. “Your father was an admirer of Sir Isaac Newton’s work?”
“Why, yes.” Amanda’s smile reflected pride in her parent. “Papa had many interests. Before he died, he was convinced that England is on the verge of some astounding changes, both in transportation and in manufacturing.”
“What kind of changes?” Thomas asked.
“He was positive, for example, that locomotives will soon supplant much work that is done by horses today.”
“Your father was obviously a wise man,
” Thomas said, nodding solemnly as though to affirm his own vast wisdom. “I was fortunate enough to see Trevithick’s mechanical engine when my father took me to London in 1810. It ran on circular rails and easily outstripped the speed of any horse, you know.”
Blackbourne, who had stepped back a couple of feet, watched Amanda suppress a smile. Obviously, she was as amused as he by Thomas’ efforts to impress her but she seemed careful not to say or do anything to embarrass the young man.
“Yes,” she said in an agreeable tone. “I recall reading that Mr. Trevithick’s engine exhibited remarkable speed. I’m delighted you had the opportunity to see the ‘Catch-me-who-catch-can’. You must have enjoyed that very much.”
“I’m hungry, Mama.” David stepped to Amanda’s side. “Can Thomas and me go back to our tea?” He threw Blackbourne an anxious glance. “If I promise not to try any more gravity drops?”
Amanda regarded her son with raised brows. “You should have said, ‘May Thomas and I go back to our tea’, David. And yes, you may, but only after you have offered Lord Blackbourne a formal apology.”
Blackbourne felt quite proud of David when the boy squared his shoulders and looked up to meet his gaze. “I’m very sorry, my lord, that I hit you in the head with a scone.” Then he bowed so low that he lost his balance and would have toppled over had Thomas not reached out to steady him.
“Your apology is accepted,” Blackbourne replied solemnly. “Now, with your mother’s permission, I think you should go back inside and finish your tea.” He glanced toward Amanda, who nodded her agreement. Both Thomas and David bowed once more before turning and heading back inside.
He glanced at Amanda, whose expression clearly expressed her pride in David. Once again he was struck by how devoted she was to the boy and couldn’t help wishing his own mother had possessed even a fraction of that degree of devotion. Shaking off unpleasant memories, he smiled at Amanda. “David is learning the art of apology at a young age.”
My Elusive Countess Page 6
