********
Dinner was a gala, celebratory affair, with course after delectable course served while sherry, Madeira, and champagne flowed freely. At the start of each course, beginning with a delicate soup, then turbot with lobster, lamb cutlets with French mustard, and asparagus and creamed peas, everyone raised their glasses and toasted Elizabeth and Lily.
Sitting between Caroline and his mother, Robert ate his fill of each perfectly prepared dish, but the fine meal was truly lost on him. Allie sat directly across from him, and it was nearly impossible to take his eyes off her. Never had he seen her so animated, so full of laughter and fun. He'd long since lost count of her smiles, and he found himself utterly, completely enchanted by her.
And the sight of her in that gown… the topaz color glowing against her creamy skin…
Bloody hell, she stole the breath from his lungs.
Elizabeth, resplendent in a pale green muslin gown, sat at the foot of the table. As the dishes were cleared in preparation for the next course, she turned toward Allie and said, "Do you recall the first time we went fishing?"
Allie raised her gaze toward the ceiling. "I shall never forget."
"What happened?" Caroline asked.
"We were twelve," Allie said, "and for some reason I shall never understand, we allowed my father to goad us into claiming that we could certainly fish as well as he could, in spite of the fact that neither of us had ever attempted to fish before. After all, how difficult could it be to catch a few fish? So off we went to the lake to prove ourselves. Unfortunately, we quickly discovered that neither of us wanted to put the worm on the hook."
"The worms were slimy," Elizabeth stressed.
"This from my robust wife?" Austin teased from the head of the table.
"Slimy has nothing to do with a robust constitution," she said with a haughty sniff.
"We knew, of course, that it is quite impossible to catch fish without bait," Allie continued. "Unless you are a bear or bird or some such-"
"-which we are not," Elizabeth interjected.
"-so we decided to use something else as bait," Allie said. "Sadly our choices were somewhat limited. But based on our experimentation, I can report that fish do not like to eat acorns, leaves, rocks, or cheese."
"Cheese?" asked Robert.
"We'd brought a hunk with us," Allie acknowledged. "Quite a nice cheese, too. You would have thought that there would be one fish in that large lake who liked cheese."
"Obviously not the most intelligent of fish," Robert murmured with a smile.
"That is exactly what we said!" Allie replied with a wide smile of her own. "Still, despite our best efforts, we were unable to catch a single fish. But we simply could not go home without one. Papa had teased us unmercifully before we'd set out on our fishing expedition, claiming that we wouldn't be able to catch any fish without his manly presence to help us."
"So he was proven correct?" Caroline said, her disappointment evident.
"Oh, no," Allie said. The devilish gleam in her eyes was at complete odds with her angelic, innocent smile. "On our way home, we detoured through the village. And stopped at the fishmonger."
"By pooling our resources, we were able to purchase a very respectable fish," Elizabeth said with a laugh. "Allie's father never knew that we'd bought the fish instead of catching it. It cost us every bit of money we had between us, but it was well worth it."
"Amazing," Austin said. "Just when I think I know everything about my wife, I learn something new." He made a tsking sound, his eyes gleaming at Elizabeth down the length of the table. "I never would have suspected her capable of such despicable chicanery."
Elizabeth raised her chin with a regal, duchesslike air. "The dastardly deed was entirely Allie's idea."
An expression of mock shock widened Allie's eyes. "My idea?" She frowned, then pursed her lips. "Oh, well, yes, I suppose it was."
Everyone laughed, and Robert spent the remainder of the meal falling more and more in love with her. Every time their eyes met, his heart jumped. Every time she smiled, his heart melted. Every time she laughed, his heart rolled over in his chest. Indeed, by the time dessert was served, he realized with an inward wry smile that his heart stood a good chance of not making it through the evening, what with the beating it was taking.
Bloody hell, she was lovely. Everything he'd always wanted. Everything he'd been searching for. Witty, intelligent, generous, caring, honorable. And she set his blood on fire.
"You're awfully quiet," Caroline said to him in an undertone, leaning toward him as conversation buzzed around them. He looked at her, noting her arch smile. "And you're sporting a very interesting gleam in your eye. I wager I can guess why." She flicked her gaze toward Allie in a totally unsubtle way.
Robert shot Caroline an equally arch look, then flicked his own gaze toward Allie. "I don't believe I'll take that wager, because I'm certain you're correct."
He bit back a smile at her smug expression. She leaned closer to him. "You mean… Allie?"
He arranged his features into a look of confusion. "Allie? Whatever do you mean? I thought you were referring to the syllabub. It is absolutely delicious. Cannot possibly speak when eating it, you know. Must concentrate all one's attention on the delicate flavor. And that subtle taste of lemon always puts a gleam in my eyes."
Caroline bared her teeth at him. "Do you know who is more vexing than you?"
"Who?"
"No one."
He threw back his head and laughed. Ah, yes, life was good. He'd found the woman he loved, and could still get a rise out of his sister. And life was very soon to be even better. For he had the entire night planned. Making love to Allie, then asking her to be his wife. His inner voice roused itself, pointing out that she might very well have some objections to his past, but he pushed the bothersome warning aside. Nothing would spoil this evening. Certainly not something that had happened four years ago. You're fooling yourself. You know how she would react if she knew. Indeed. Which was precisely why he had no intention of telling her now.
Later. He would tell her later. After she loved him enough to understand. Of course, he would never be able to tell her the whole truth, but surely he could make her understand. But not tonight. Tonight he would propose. She would say yes, and they would announce their betrothal at breakfast tomorrow. The family would welcome her with open arms, for it was obvious, especially after this meal, that she fit like a glove. Elizabeth loved her, and it was clear that Caroline and Mother liked her enormously. And he… he was a man deeply in love.
Ah, yes, life was good indeed.
********
After dinner, Robert suggested they retire to the music room.
"Why?" The question came from the duke, who Allie noted was glaring at Robert with ill-concealed suspicion.
"I wish to entertain you all with a song."
Allie nearly choked with laughter at the range of horrified expressions surrounding her. Caroline and her mother looked as if they'd just spied an insect swimming in their teacups, while the duke and Lord Eddington appeared as if they'd bitten into sour pickles. Only Elizabeth seemed amused.
"Good God, man," the duke said, "if you won't take pity on the rest of us, at least have some consideration for Elizabeth. She's just been through a trying ordeal."
"Nonsense," Elizabeth said, taking Robert's arm and leading the way toward the music room. "You know how robust I am. I should love to hear a song."
A collective groan went up, but everyone followed the duo down the corridor, albeit with obvious reluctance. Allie walked beside Robert's mother, who whispered, "I'm sorry, my dear. He's my son and I love him, but he cannot carry a tune in a bucket. We tried to discourage him, but I'm afraid the dear boy loves to sing."
"I've already heard him sing," Allie confided. "And play the pianoforte. At the town house in London."
"Oh, dear. So you know."
"That he's completely tone-deaf? I'm afraid so. But then again, so am I."
"Ah, then you shall fit in with us quite nicely, my dear. We're all abysmal singers, although Caroline plays the pianoforte passably well."
When they arrived in the music room, Patch raised his head from his cozy position on the hearth rug, and thumped his tail in greeting. Everyone settled themselves on the settees and wing chairs, except Robert, who took his place at the pianoforte. The instant he sat before the instrument, Pirate, clearly sensing what was coming, scrambled to his feet and trotted swiftly from the room, head down, tail tucked between his legs. The duke muttered something that sounded suspiciously like smart dog.
Robert smiled at his audience. "Would anyone else prefer to go first?"
"No!" they all answered in unison.
"We want you to get it over with, brother dear," Caroline said with a sweet smile.
"I'll have you know, the piece I plan to play will astound you-"
"Frighten is closer to the truth," the duke said dryly.
Robert lifted his nose into the air in dramatic fashion. "-will astound you because it is a duet. And I'd now like to ask my lovely partner to join me." He turned toward her. "Allie?"
Heat rushed into Allie's cheeks and she shook her head. "Oh, I couldn't possibly."
"Of course you can," Robert said. "We'll perform the song we played in London-to commemorate Lily's birth."
"That would be lovely, Robert," Elizabeth said.
He glared at his audience. "There? You see? Elizabeth thinks it would be lovely."
"Elizabeth is hopelessly polite," the duke muttered.
"Actually," Elizabeth said, her eyes gleaming with unmistakable mischief, "I’m anxious to hear Allie sing and play the pianoforte. These must be newly acquired skills for her. I've known her my entire life and"-she coughed discreetly into her hand-"and a singer and musician she was not."
Forcing herself not to laugh, Allie put on her best haughty expression. She then swept toward the pianoforte like a ship under full sail, and positioned herself on the cushioned bench next to Robert.
"I believe aspersions have been cast upon our musical talent, sir," she said.
"Indeed they have," he agreed. "Therefore, we must, in the name of honor, redeem ourselves."
"I'll pay you twenty pounds if you don't," the duke offered with a hopeful expression.
Robert gave his brother an angelic smile. "You already owe me twenty for the billiards game you lost."
That revelation set up a hum of conversation. Allie turned to Robert and said in an undertone, "You won? With your eyes closed?"
"I won. I told you-I always play to win."
"I suppose your brother was quite distracted," she murmured with a teasing grin.
"Yes." In spite of their teasing banter, she clearly read the heat in his eyes. "But taking advantage of your opponent's weaknesses is part of the game."
"Ahem. You can begin anytime now, brother," came the duke's voice. Allie pulled her gaze away from Robert's and realized with no small amount of chagrin that the conversation had stopped, and five pairs of eyes were focused on them with varying degrees of speculation.
Yet instead of appearing embarrassed, Robert grinned broadly. "Well, since you insist…"
They played the same song they'd played before, and if it were possible, their performance was even more horrendous than the last time. Probably because Allie could not catch her breath from laughing at Robert's dramatic antics, his voice booming, several notes off key.
When they reached the final verse, however, he slowed the tempo and lowered his voice, singing the final words softly, albeit still off key.
The sunlight reflected her features so fair
As she waited and wondered, to see if he d dare.
And he did not disappoint his lovely young miss,
For upon her sweet lips he did bestow a sweet kiss.
With the final discordant note still echoing in the room, she felt his gaze upon her, and she purposely kept her eyes cast down at the ivory keys, afraid if she looked at him that he and everyone else would see how much she anticipated him obeying the song's words and bestowing a sweet kiss. Only when the applause started did she dare raise her gaze, and then she deliberately focused her attention on the audience.
Elizabeth came forward and hugged Robert, then enfolded Allie in her arms. "That was wonderful," she enthused.
The duke said in a loud aside to Lord Eddington, " 'Wonderful' is an American word that means 'Robert, you are hopelessly tone-deaf and should be ashamed of yourself for dragging poor Mrs. Brown down with your lack of musical acumen.' "
"Perhaps you would care to regale us with a song, Austin," Caroline suggested.
A look of pure horror crossed over his handsome face. "God save us, no. I've no desire to see you all jump out the window to escape the cacophony. Indeed, I believe it would be best if Elizabeth and I retire." He looked toward his wife with loving concern. "I would not want you to overtire yourself, darling."
"I am rather fatigued," Elizabeth agreed. She hugged Allie's shoulders. "But this has been a marvelous evening. And thank you both for the song."
As it was nearly midnight, everyone else decided to retire as well. They climbed the wide staircase as a group, then separated to adjourn to their respective bedchambers. Allie was very careful not to look directly at Robert, for she knew her face would give her away. Indeed, even not looking at him, she knew her cheeks flamed crimson. After bidding everyone good night, she walked swiftly to her bedchamber. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against the oak panel and closed her eyes, her heart pounding with anticipation.
How long would it take him to come to her?
*********
In Lily's nursery, Elizabeth stood looking down at her tiny, sleeping daughter. Austin came up behind her, placing his warm hands on her shoulders, and she leaned back into his chest. He pressed a loving kiss to the side of her neck, then rested his cheek against hers as they both admired Lily.
A sigh escaped Elizabeth, and Austin straightened, turning her so they faced each other. "Are you all right?" he asked, his gaze anxiously roaming her face.
She forced a smile to ease his worry. "Yes. Just tired." She shook her head. "No, not just tired. I'm also worried. About Robert and Allie."
"Have you seen something else?"
She looked into his eyes. "He's in love with her."
A tiny smile edged up one corner of his mouth. "Darling, even I, who do not possess your clairvoyant abilities, can see that." When she did not return his smile, his amusement disappeared. "I would have thought a match between them would please you. Indeed, had you not predicted he would fall in love with her?"
"Yes. And it would make me happy, except…"
"You're concerned about the danger you sensed?"
"Yes. I still feel that. But I sense something else… something even more imminent." She shook her head. "Robert's heart is going to be broken, Austin."
His fingers tightened on her shoulders. "Are you certain? It seems quite clear she cares for him as well."
"I felt it, very strongly, when I touched them in the music room. Heartbreak. For both of them."
********
Michael Evers settled himself onto the lumpy mattress, his every muscle aching with fatigue. He'd ridden hard with little rest, changing horses frequently, trying to keep ahead of the storm he saw brewing in the skies just south of his route. He'd arrived in Liverpool less than an hour ago. Exhausted, he'd found an inn, eaten some stew, then all but collapsed upon the bed.
Tomorrow morning he would cross the Irish Sea to Dublin, a journey he was not relishing. Damn it all, he hated the water. Hated everything to do with it. Sailing, fishing, all of it. Most likely his intense dislike arose from the fact that he could not swim. Every time he ventured near water, a sheen of sweat broke out over his entire body. Of course, his fear was not something he shared with anyone. Never show weakness was his motto. And in his line of work, and given the company he kept, he could not afford to do so. He'd rather ride a blood
y horse all day than spend five minutes in a bloody boat. Aye, give him some solid horseflesh beneath him-not some wooden planks at the mercy of unpredictable tides and waves that rolled and undulated in a way that made his stomach feel queer.
In truth, he could have secured passage on a livestock barge scheduled to depart at midnight. But damn it, he couldn't face the prospect of crossing all that water in the dark. Best he spend the night here, rest up, and cross during daylight hours. When he could see what was going on. See where the railings were, so he didn't accidentally fall off the bloody deck.
Besides, for years Mrs. Brown had had possession of the note now secreted in his waistcoat. What possible difference could a few more hours make?
Chapter 18
At precisely half past midnight, Robert slipped into Allie's bedchamber, closing and locking the door behind him. She stood near the fireplace, surrounded by a golden, backlit glow that made her appear ethereal. Except for her eyes. They looked wickedly aware, and full of desire.
A lump lodged in his throat. It seemed as if he'd waited forever to find her, had searched everywhere for her. And here she was. Waiting for him. At last.
With his gaze fastened on hers, he crossed the room, his bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. He wore only his royal-blue dressing gown, knotted loosely at his waist, and with each step he took, the silky material abraded his overheated skin. He stopped directly in front of her, his heart slapping against his ribs as if he'd run ten miles.
"I want you to know," he said softly, "that I shall try my best to go slowly this time, but given how I feel right now-without having even touched you-I'm afraid the chances are not particularly good."
She stepped forward, erasing the two-foot space he'd left between them, then splayed her palms against his chest in the V opening of his dressing gown, instantly tightening his groin. He rested his hands on her waist, sucking in a breath when she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his exposed skin.
"I think," she said, her breath caressing him, "that slowly can wait for later." She replaced her fingers with her warm mouth, flicking her tongue over his nipples, sending a shudder through him. Her hands slid down his abdomen to the tie at his waist. Grasping her wrists, he took a shaky step back.
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