"Then it won't hurt you to listen," he answered reasonably. "I promise it won't take more than a moment."
The door opened wider. Taking advantage of her indecision, he pushed it open still further and slipped inside, closing it tightly behind him.
After his eyes accustomed themselves to the dim candlelight he saw that the room was in complete disarray. Delicate cambrics and linens, shining satins and costly velvets covered the bed, spilled from the wardrobe and lined the huge travel trunk, now open in the center of the room.
"You don't waste time do you?" he observed dryly. "Are you planning to leave tonight?"
"You know I cannot." She was quick to defend herself. "It would hardly be the civil thing to do after everything Georgiana and your mother have done for me."
"I was wondering if that would weigh with you."
"Of course it does. What kind of person do you think I am?" He noticed her accent deepened when she was angry. Ignoring her question, he spoke calmly. "I have lodgings close to Westminster. I frequently stay there when I am in London. No one will be surprised if I do so now."
"How dare you?" Her voice shook with suppressed rage. "You led me to believe what you had to say was of the utmost importance. What have I done that you should insult me so?"
Confusion was quickly replaced by dawning awareness. She had mistaken him completely.
"Tess." In two steps he was standing in front of her, his hands grasping her shoulders. "You have it all wrong," he said urgently. "I merely suggested that you stay here with Georgiana. I'll move to the government lodgings. That way you won't be made uncomfortable by my presence."
Embarrassment deepened the color in her cheeks. She was grateful for the darkness.
"I can't go to parties and balls while my country is at war and my husband a prisoner," she whispered.
"You can do nothing else," he insisted. "Don't you see that the people you meet at those parties and balls are the same people who will decide your country's fate? Campaign for America, Tess. Think of it as winning sympathy for America's right to govern herself. Give us a favorable impression that will convince those who matter that Americans aren't illiterate yokels."
She lifted her chin. "I won't toady to the people who are responsible for Daniel's kidnapping."
He looked at the flawless face reflected in the moonlight, the chiseled, delicate bone structure, the smooth skin and loose pale hair. He thought of the way her mouth felt under his. Suddenly the room seemed uncomfortably hot. "All of us must compromise at some point in our lives," he said wearily.
She hesitated.
He used his final weapon, hoping his instincts were accurate. "My sister cares for you deeply."
Still she said nothing.
Desperation tinged his next words. "You have even managed to win over my mother. Surely you can't wish to hurt either of them."
Tess bit her lip. She had been neatly outmaneuvered. "Very well, m'lord," she sighed. "I'll accept your hospitality until we have word of my husband."
Devereaux released his breath. He hadn't been off the mark, after all. Loosening his hold on her shoulders he walked to the door and opened it.
"Good night, Tess," he said. His wide shoulders filled the doorway for a brief moment. Closing the door behind him, he left her alone in the darkness.
* * *
The following morning Tess found Georgiana arguing with Lizzie in the breakfast parlor.
"You promised you would take me." Lizzie's lower lip was pulled down in a definite pout. "Mother is promised to Lady Ashton today and there is no one else."
"Lizzie," Georgiana protested, "Judith isn't at all interested in gadding about London seeing sights she's seen countless times already. I promised to take you and I shall, but not today."
"Where did you wish to go, Lizzie?" Tess helped herself to a cup of coffee.
"To Piccadilly and the Tower of London," replied Lizzie, her eyes shining with excitement. "I haven't been to London since I was seven years old and probably won't again until I'm grown. Georgie promised to take me and now she won't." Her voice had risen to a wail. "She's the meanest thing in the entire world."
"Lizzie!" Georgiana laughingly protested. "That is the outside of enough. What will Tess think of us?"
"Well, it's true," said Lizzie mulishly. "Now that James is gone, I'll never see anything."
Tess's eyes met Georgiana's, a question in their depths.
The dark-haired girl nodded her head. "He's staying at his lodgings near Westminster. Five women can be a dreadful distraction for him."
"James said he would take me if you couldn't," Lizzie pouted. "Now he isn't even living with us."
Tess flushed guiltily. Setting her cup on the table she looked at Lizzie.
"If you wouldn't mind a replacement, I'll take you," she said. "This is my first visit to London, and I should dearly like to see Piccadilly and the Tower of London."
"Truly, Tess?" Lizzie's blue eyes shone like stars. "That would be just the thing. You are married and even more respectable than Georgie."
Georgiana smothered her laughter. "Tess, you can't possibly want to spend your day with this impossible child."
Tess's eyes sparkled. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend my day with."
With a cry of delight, Lizzie pushed back her chair and rushed to Tess's side. Throwing her arms around her she kissed her several times on the cheek.
"We'll have the most wonderful time. I'll be ever so good, you'll see. I'll go and tell Mother." Making a face at Georgiana she ran out the door.
Georgiana sighed and looked at Tess. "You can't possibly realize what you've volunteered for. She'll wear you out before noon."
Tess laughed. "I'll manage. You forget that I have five sisters. Besides, I do want to visit the sights. Lizzie's company will relieve you of an extremely tedious day."
"I wouldn't mind at all, some other day," insisted Georgiana loyally. She looked down at the napkin in her lap. "For some reason I thought James had planned to show you about."
Tess could no more prevent the hot blush that swept across her face than she could stop the evening tides from breaking on the shores of the Chesapeake.
"No," she said, her voice very low.
"We are friends, are we not, Tess?" Georgiana's words, warm and deeply understanding, demanded an answer.
Tess sighed and looked up to meet the sympathetic blue-eyed gaze.
"Yes, Georgie. We are very good friends."
"You could do much worse, you know. My brother is really a wonderful man."
Pain and resignation shone from the wide grey eyes. "Has everyone given up hope of finding Daniel?"
Georgiana bit her lip. Reaching across the table she covered Tess's clenched hand with her own. "The frigates in the Chesapeake that night have all been thoroughly searched. Unless Daniel escaped, there is a strong possibility that he died in battle and was buried at sea."
"He could have escaped."
Georgiana hesitated and then forged ahead. "I have never known you to be a coward, love."
Tess pulled her hand away. "Is it cowardly to hope?" she asked.
"Of course not." Georgiana smiled bracingly. "All we ask is that you be prepared for the worst."
"We?" Tess inquired.
Georgiana nodded. "Would it be so terrible to stay here with us permanently?"
Tess thought of the massive Langley holdings and the icy hauteur of Leonie Devereaux. She thought of the duke's impressive title and generations of aristocratic ancestors, their portraits staring down at her from the walls of the great hall, the thousands of servants spread across nine Langley estates, and the enormous responsibilities of such a lineage.
She closed her eyes and remembered a dark face alive with laughter, a hard mouth tight with pride, softening with tenderness against her own and the blazing passion in eyes as blue as the North Atlantic in summer. Her voice when she spoke was not as firm as she intended.
"I am an American," she whispered. "How can someone withou
t noble blood become a duchess?"
"James would never marry to please anyone other than himself." Georgiana assured her." If he loves you, nothing else would weigh with him."
"I'm not sure the emotions I inspire in your brother can be called love," replied Tess, dryly.
"Then you are a fool, Tess Harrington," announced Georgiana, pushing herself away from the table and rising to her feet. "Surely you can see for yourself the effect James has on women. If he were only interested in what you suggest, he has the whole of London to choose from. Why would he concern himself with a skinny nobody from America who is bent on making his life difficult?"
Shocked at the lapse in Georgiana's normally beautiful manners, Tess could only stare at her. Then, all at once her lips twitched and she collapsed into gales of laughter.
"Oh, Georgie," she gasped, fighting for breath. "Surely, I'm not skinny."
Georgiana's eyes twinkled, her good humor restored. "You know I didn't mean it," she confessed. "You are the loveliest thing imaginable and I should dearly love to have you for a sister."
"You are rushing things a bit," replied Tess, completely sober once again. "It hardly seems real discussing this with you, but if Daniel is dead, rest assured I shall miss him terribly." Her voice shook. "He was my husband for only one day, but he was my friend for most of my life. To think of replacing him so quickly is indecent, not to mention immoral."
Georgiana hung her head. "Forgive me, love. I didn't even consider that."
Rising from her chair, Tess slipped her arms around her friend's slim waist. "I know what you meant. You have a good heart Georgie, but now I must get ready." She smiled. "Lizzie is waiting."
Georgiana groaned. "You'll be sorry, Tess. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Chapter 11
Tess and Lizzie were equally dazzled. London was filthy and exciting and incredibly crowded. The noise made their heads ache but the color and glitter bypassed even their wildest dreams.
Tess decided the Langley town carriage with its elegant horses and liveried driver and groom was an extremely comfortable way to see London. She stared out the windows at fashionable Piccadilly Square. Phaetons and barouches crowded the streets, their wheels so close to one another that Tess feared an accident would surely occur. An impressive Household Regiment rode by in perfect synchronization. Red and white brick mansions lined the wide streets, reminding her of Washington, only there were ten times their number.
On Bond Street, ladies in high-waisted gowns escorted by elegant Corinthians made Tess feel decidedly old-fashioned even though her own wardrobe, part of her trousseau, had been fashioned by an expatriated Parisian seamstress. Carlton House, where the Prince Regent lived, was like nothing she had ever seen before. Its impressive portico and lacy columns were even more amazing than the guidebook's description.
By the time they had seen the zoo and Westminster Abbey, Tess was ready to skip the Tower and Hyde Park in favor of home, but one look at Lizzie's disappointed face, changed her mind. She did, however, insist they stop for tea. Fortified with a repast of tiny ham sandwiches, hot tea, and raspberry tarts she felt revived enough to continue.
It was five o'clock when their carriage reached Hyde Park. In the late afternoon sunlight it was a place of glittering color, green foliage, and gaily dressed ladies. Gentlemen in immaculate uniforms pranced about on horses groomed to glossed perfection. Chaises and barouches promenaded terrifyingly near pedestrians who, unaware of the dangers lurking around every corner, were out for an evening stroll.
Although she knew it was extremely unfashionable to appear so provincial, Tess craned her neck as eagerly as Lizzie to gaze at the sights and sounds and smells of London.
Just ahead of their carriage, she recognized a pair of very large shoulders and a familiar dark head. James Devereaux, on a massive chestnut, was smiling down at a lovely young lady Tess recognized as Cynthia Davenport. The odious Mrs. Davenport was with her. Just as Tess was about to look the other way, hoping they hadn't been recognized, Lizzie clutched her arm.
"Tess," she said, "there's James with that hateful woman Mama wants him to marry." She turned a mischievous smile on Tess. "Let's surprise him."
Before Tess could protest, Lizzie leaned out of the carriage window and cried, "James, it's us. Do wait."
Tess flushed with embarrassment at the older woman's outraged expression, but Devereaux only grinned. Excusing himself, he missed the look of pure venom on Cynthia Davenport's face.
"How are you, brat?" he said affectionately, maneuvering his horse close to the carriage. "I see you finally arranged a chaperone for your sightseeing." He smiled at Tess.
"Oh, you mean Tess." Lizzie smiled sunnily. "She's a great sport, James. We've had the loveliest day. You can't imagine all the things we seen." She went on to describe in infinite detail the horrors of the Tower.
Throwing back his head, Devereaux shouted with laughter. "You never fail to amaze me, love," he said. "What I don't understand is that Tess looks as pleased as you do." He looked appreciatively at the tasteful burgundy pelisse molding Tess's slender figure. A chip hat, complete with matching ribbons, rested stylishly on her head. He noticed that her smile was softer than usual and those incredible eyes had lost their look of suspicion.
"Why shouldn't she look pleased?" Lizzie turned innocent eyes to the older girl. "You did have a good time, didn't you, Tess?"
"I had a wonderful time," Tess assured her. "You were very well-behaved and by far the finest tour guide I could have asked for."
Devereaux smiled indulgently and was about to speak when a well-dressed gentleman on an energetic bay rode up to the carriage and stopped. Sweeping the glossy beaver from his head, he bowed.
"How fortunate to see you again so soon, Mrs. Bradford. Devereaux, I hope I don't interrupt."
"Not at all, Fitzpatrick." Devereaux's tone was cool. "Do you know my sister Lizzie?"
"Never had the pleasure. Glad to make your acquaintance, Miss Devereaux."
"Thank you." Lizzie, confused at the sudden change in her brother's manner, looked from James back to the newcomer and then at Tess. Seeing nothing that would give her the slightest clue, she turned away, bored with the conversation.
"James," she interrupted. "I should like to get down and walk by the lake. May I?"
"Why not?" he replied. Dismounting, he handed the reins to the groom and lifted his sister from the carriage. "A walk might do us all good."
"You won't mind if I join you?" Fitzpatrick's question hung on the air, unanswered.
Breaking the silence, Tess answered politely. "Of course not, m'lord. Please join us."
Lizzie ran ahead while Tess, walking between the two gentlemen, followed. Three children were playing with a small monkey near the edge of the lake. Their nurse hovered nearby. Lizzie ran to join them and soon her happy laughter was echoed by the two younger girls. Tess, drawn by the laughter, excused herself and walked toward the children.
Just as she reached them, the monkey pulled away from Lizzie's hold and darted into the path of a high-perched phaeton pulled by an enormous grey stallion. The child, unaware of her danger, chased after him.
Without thinking, Tess cried out. Throwing herself in the path of the horse, she pushed Lizzie to the ground, rolling her away from the terrifying hooves. Somewhere in the background she heard a woman scream.
Devereaux, his face rigid with terror, forgot his leg and broke into a run. He fell and dragged himself up again, his only thought to stop the frightened horse with his bare hands. The animal reared up and swung aside, controlled, once again, by the strong arms of the driver.
Tess never heard his stammering apologies. She held Lizzie in a gentle embrace, her gown torn and muddied, her eyes wide with horror. The child was unconscious, and blood seeped from a deep gash in her temple.
Without a word, Devereaux lifted his sister into his arms and walked to the carriage. Stepping inside, he cradled her in his arms and ordered the driver to proceed quickly to Grosven
or Square. Leaning his head out the window he shouted to Fitzpatrick.
"See Mrs. Bradford home and for God's sake, send a physician."
Tess, seeing the terrible fear in his eyes, lowered her head into her blood-smeared hands and sobbed.
A steady voice attempted to soothe her. "She was merely stunned from the fall, Mrs. Bradford. I'm sure she's not seriously hurt."
"Please," Tess wiped away the tears that continued to stream down her cheeks, "take me home."
"Of course." Fitzpatrick hurried to hail a hackney. Helping her inside, he tied his mount to the rear and rode with her to the Langley town house. At the door he stopped and lifted her hand to his lips. His eyes were warm with affection.
"Never have I seen a lady act with such selflessness. You are an amazing woman, Mrs. Bradford."
"Thank you, m'lord," answered Tess. "I only hope Lady Langley can bring herself to forgive me."
Fitzpatrick lifted his eyebrows. "You saved her child's life."
"She was in my care," Tess reminded him. "If only I had watched her more carefully, this would never have happened."
"Nonsense," Fitzpatrick spoke briskly. "You underestimate Her Ladyship. She would not be so foolish as to blame you."
"You don't understand, m'lord." Tess looked very young and forlorn standing there in her disheveled state. "I blame myself."
He ached to comfort her. Obeying the impulse of the moment, he reached out to pull her into his arms. At that moment the door opened. Litton, his face inscrutable, ushered her inside, leaving Fitzpatrick staring at the massive oak-carved entrance.
Tess lifted agonized eyes to his face. "Is she all right?" she whispered.
He pointed to the drawing room. "In there, madam."
Straightening her shoulders, Tess walked to the open door and peered inside. There, leaning against the mantel, his face an iron mask, stood Langley. On the sofa near her daughter sat the duchess, anxiously watching the doctor run his hands over the child's body.
"She seems all right," he pronounced at last. "Nothing is broken. The cut on her head will have to be stitched."
Leonie pressed the handkerchief she carried in her hand to her lips.
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