Love Birds: The Complete Collection

by Ruth J. Hartman

  Conrad tightened his hand into a fist. “Not one of the grooms? The stable hands? My coachman? Tell me who it was so I can deal with him severely.”

  Amelia turned to Conrad. “Dear, why don’t we let your sister finish speaking before you get yourself worked up to an apoplectic fit, shall we?”

  A red tint appeared on Conrad’s cheeks. He reached for a handkerchief in his pocket and wiped his brow. “Yes, certainly. You’re right, of course, darling.”

  Cecilia lifted one corner of her mouth in a smile. They really were precious together. So in tune with each other’s thoughts. Oh, how she wanted something like that for herself. “No. I had words, well more than words, with my mother.”

  “I see.” Amelia covered Cecilia’s hand with her own. She leaned closer and squinted. “Your… there’s a red mark on your…”

  Cecilia swallowed. “She wasn’t very happy with me, I’m afraid.”

  Conrad balled his hands into fists. “Your mother struck you?”

  “I was hoping to… that it wouldn’t be noticeable. I wasn’t going to mention that. Please don’t say anything to anyone.”

  “We won’t.” Amelia squeezed her hand and released it. “Let’s not speak of it again. But, there must have been a reason you were rushing over here.”

  “I wanted to thank you for your offer to sponsor me for a season.”

  “There’s no thanks necessary.” Conrad smiled. “It’s something I wanted to do. And you didn’t have to come over just to tell us that. You know you’re welcome anytime.”

  Amelia nodded. “Yes, anytime at all. And actually, with the dress fittings and dance and etiquette instruction, I’m certain you’ll be here even more often.”

  “That’s why I’ve come. Mama has decided that she doesn’t want me to visit you anymore.”

  “That’s preposterous. Your mother appears to be as disagreeable as my own.” Conrad’s face reddened again. “Pardon me, Cecilia. That was uncalled for. No one should be compared to the dowager.”

  “No pardon necessary. Because it’s true.” Unfortunately.

  “But why wouldn’t your mother want this for you? Amelia and I are so excited to help you in this way.”

  “And you both are very sweet for wanting to. I think it has to do with…” She glanced at the doorway and back. “With the dowager.”

  Conrad frowned. “Why would your mother have said anything about mine?”

  “Conrad, think.” Amelia raised one eyebrow. “Andrew loved your mother before he met Cecilia’s. Jealousy, perhaps?”

  “That’s ridiculous.” Conrad smoothed his hands down the front of his jacket. “Why in the world would she still be harboring bad feelings after all this time?”

  “Because, dear husband, matters of the heart never die. Once you love someone, even if you are never close to them again, you will always have a small pocket down deep inside where you hold the memories.”

  “I see.” With a sigh, Conrad addressed Cecilia. “But I still don’t understand why she wouldn’t want this for you? You’re her daughter. She loves you.”

  “I don’t understand it either. She was so angry this morning. Didn’t want me to visit you again. At all. Didn’t want me to have a season. Even went so far as to tell me I had to tell Leah we no longer needed her.”

  “The nerve.” With a sigh, Conrad ran his hand down his face. “Have you already spoken to Leah?”

  “No, I didn’t have the heart.”

  “Think no more of it. I’ll speak to her.”

  “Please assure her that it’s not my wish for her to stop coming by.”

  Conrad smiled. “I will. Although, I’m sure she’ll already know that.” He glanced at Amelia and his smile melted away. “And here I was trying to do something nice for my family.”

  Amelia leaned forward and patted his hand. “But that’s just it. Don’t you understand? Mary is not your family.”

  “I made it clear when I had the cottage built and loaned them Leah’s services to help out that it was for all of them.”

  “I know. And it was so very kind of you, dear. But we’re getting off the subject. The reason Cecilia is here.” She looked at her sister-in-law. “If your mother has forbidden you to visit, then…” Amelia waved her hand around, indicating their surroundings.

  “She’s taking a nap.” Cecilia toyed with the lace at the cuff of her sleeve. “So I snuck out.”

  “Bravo, sister.”

  Amelia laughed. “I completely agree.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, Conrad and I both want this for you, for you to have a come-out. It will make such a difference in your life. Believe me. And perhaps, if you are very fortunate, you’ll meet your one true love in the process.” Amelia glanced at Conrad, whose eyes were moist.

  Cecilia’s heart nearly burst with joy. To view such love between a husband and wife! All she’d ever witnessed was her father and mother arguing and her mother complaining constantly. To know that there were those who did truly love each other and longed to be together gave her hope that maybe one day she could have that, too. “It all feels so deceptive, though.”

  “I’m so sorry your mother doesn’t approve. It’s your choice, of course.” Conrad tilted his head. “If you’d rather not have a season…”

  “No! I mean yes, I desire one. More than anything. I just hate lying to Mama.” Cecilia sighed. “How would we…?”

  “Proceed?” Amelia smiled. “Well, you’re here now. Is it your mother’s habit to take a nap very often?”

  “Oh my goodness, yes. Usually one in the morning and one in the afternoon.”

  “I see.” Conrad raised his eyebrows.

  “Mama got into the habit of napping frequently when she was ill. Now that she’s doing so much better, for which I’m thankful, I think she just never changed her ways.”

  “And we are thankful she’s doing better, too.” Amelia glanced at Conrad, who nodded. “That being said, Cecilia, perhaps now that we know of your desire to be sponsored for a season, we might have to resort to…” She angled a glance at her husband.

  “Hmm. Yes, a bit of trickery.” He steepled his fingers together beneath his chin and narrowed his eyes, attempting to appear every bit the scoundrel bent on wreaking havoc.

  Cecilia and Amelia bit their lips against smiles. Cecilia had heard that Conrad used to be snippy and rude. She’d never known that side of him, though, because once he had met Amelia, he set about changing himself to be a better man. Because of his new wife’s influence, he tried his hardest to be thoughtful and kind.

  And he certainly had been that to Cecilia and her family.

  Amelia tilted her head. “Cecilia, if it’s agreeable to you, why don’t we try to plan dress fittings and lessons only when your mother is napping? Is it usually around the same time each day?”

  “Yes. I could almost set our clock by it.”

  “Good.” Amelia smiled. “We may not have much opportunity this morning, so why don’t we plan on this afternoon for another dance lesson?”

  “All right.” She glanced at her brother.

  With an exaggerated sigh, he rolled his eyes. “I suppose I could be your partner again… if I must. The things an earl does for his family.” His lips twitched.

  “Ah, I knew you loved me.” Cecilia laughed.

  “Indeed I do, little sister.”

  Chapter Ten

  “You’ve met someone. I can tell.”

  Barrington stared at his uncle. How did he do it? There wasn’t any way he could know that Barrington had made the acquaintance of one Miss Fleming. It rankled him enough that he refused to admit it right out. “That’s ridiculous, Percy.”

  “You’ve a glow.”

  Barrington barked a laugh. “Glow? I think not. That’s something one might say about a lady.” Or a candle, or a sunset. Maybe even a crazy uncle who’s had too much to drink.

  “Not necessarily. When one is in love.”

  Barrington held up his hand. “Love?
Honestly, Percy. Perhaps you need to leave the house more often. Get some fresh air. You sound ready to take a trip to Bedlam.”

  “Though you deny it, I know what I’m about. Your expression is completely changed from when I saw you earlier today.”

  Barrington gave a snort. “Nonsense.”

  “It will do you not a whit of good to deny it, nephew. I can see it clear as a raven on a sunny day.”

  “Wait. Are you saying you can see the raven clearly? Or the raven sees clearly?” Why do I even care?

  “The raven sees clearly, of course.” Uncle Percy clucked his tongue, as if concerned for Barrington’s mental capability at not grasping the concept.

  “Of course. I should have noted the bird reference.”

  “Ravens are very intelligent creatures.”

  Why is it always birds with the man? “I fail to understand what any of this has to do with me.”

  “It has everything to do with you.”

  “I’m not a bird, Percy.”

  “Of course not.” He clucked his tongue. “More's the pity.”

  “Are you saying that given a chance, you would be a bird?” He swore their conversations retreated to the bizarre even quicker than they used to.

  “Naturally.” Percy pivoted and lifted his arms as in flight, flapping them up and down and around in wide circles.

  Oh merciful heavens.

  “Wouldn’t it be a dream to wear silky feathers and fly about from tree to tree?”

  This cannot be happening to me.

  “Or to build a nest with your lover and watch in fascination as she laid eggs containing your children?”

  He ran his hand down his face. “Percy.”

  “To soar amongst the clouds.” He hopped onto the settee and back down, bobbing his chin in and out while his arms were still outstretched as if in flight.

  “Percy, perhaps you shouldn’t—”

  “Barrington, join me. Flap your wings. It’s so freeing!”

  He’s lost his mind. “I think not.”

  “Life is short. Seize every opportunity.”

  “To be a bird?”

  “To be whatever you wish.” Thankfully, Percy sat down on the settee.

  Now maybe he will stop acting like a—

  Percy’s hands were curved around the sides of his mouth. “Caw caw.”

  Oh dear. Time to get the man’s mind off of fowl. “Uh, Percy…”

  “Caw?”

  “Why don’t we dispense with being a bird just for now.”

  “But I love it. It’s—”

  “Freeing. Yes I know.” Barrington let out a slow, long breath, hoping to control his exasperation. “Perhaps you could be a bird later. I… I could use your advice about something.”

  Percy nodded and smiled.

  “Are you still a bird?”

  “Of course not. Not when you have need of me.” He crossed his arms and waited.

  Now Barrington had no choice but to discuss something, anything, to divert Percy’s attention.

  “How can I help you?” Percy patted the cushion on the settee next to his.

  Reluctantly, Barrington crossed the room to sit by his uncle. The only thing right then that would get his uncle’s mind off of birds was to discuss Barrington’s affairs of the heart. Or lack thereof. “When you’d said that you’d thought I’d met someone…”

  “Oh, I didn’t think. I knew.”

  “Very well. You knew. There may have been some truth to the matter,” he admitted grudgingly.

  Percy grinned. “Of course! Tell me about her. What’s her name?”

  “Miss Fleming.”

  “Ah, an Irish lass, is it? Some of them have the most beautiful red hair. Like the rust-colored hue of a falcon’s breast.”

  “Yes, well, her hair is actually blond.”

  “Does she have a brogue? I love a good Irish brogue.” His expression turned dreamy.

  “No. No brogue.”

  “So she must not be first generation Irish, then.”

  Barrington shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.”

  “Oh, but you must find out these things! If she’s to bear your children, certain things are important to know.”

  “Children? Well, we’re not really—”

  “What is her Christian name?”

  Miss Fleming had not disclosed it, but her cousin had called her by name. “It’s Cecilia.”

  “Marvelous. Cecilia Fleming. Soon to be Cecilia Radcliff. Yes. I like it. I like it very much.”

  “That’s truly wonderful that you’re pleased, Percy, but I’ve only just met her, and—”

  Percy waved his hand. “That means nothing.”

  “I beg to differ. When you plan to marry someone, it behooves you to get to know her well beforehand.” Plan to marry? The conversation was taking a direction he hadn’t intended. Now that Barrington had broached the subject, he’d be hard-pressed to divert Percy’s attention again.

  Percy leaned closer as if to disclose a secret. “When are the nuptials?”

  “No, I… We… She…”

  “Hmm.” Uncle Percy narrowed his eyes. “Sounds like you need to have a discussion with Cecilia. Ladies like to have a say as to when they marry. If I’m correct, and, of course, I am, I’m sure she already has a date in mind.”

  “I highly doubt that.” Barrington ran his hand through his hair.

  “I must meet her.”

  “Pardon?” No, definitely not! That would only lead to frightening events for Miss Fleming and for me.

  “I must meet her at once.”

  “Percy, the truth is, I’ve met her, I’ve found her to be beautiful and charming, but that’s all.”

  “What more does one need?”

  Barrington stood and paced in front of the settee. “This one needs a little more than that before, well, before anything of a serious nature takes place. I don’t even know if she’s spoken for.”

  “Then you fight the other man. A duel. You’re in fine form. I’m sure you could beat the scoundrel handily.”

  “There may not even be a scoundrel — uh, other man.”

  Percy crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “Then why are you so upset about it?”

  Barrington closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. “I’m not upset. There just hasn’t been — That is, there needs to be…”

  Percy winked. “I understand.”

  “You do?”

  “You need to spend more time with Cecilia before you’ll feel comfortable asking for her hand.”

  “To put it mildly, yes.”

  “It wouldn’t be my way, of course, but to each his own.”

  Barrington ran his hand over his face. “May I remind you that you’ve never been married either?”

  “That has nothing to do with whether or not I have a way with the ladies. Which, I do.”

  Barrington sighed. There wasn’t any way his uncle would let the subject go until Barrington took the next step to get acquainted with Cecilia. His lips curved upward. But that wouldn’t be a chore by any means.

  “Ah, there’s a smile. So you’ll do it? You’ll marry her?”

  “Percy. No. I will not marry her. At least not now. I will however, take great delight in spending more time with her.”

  “Splendid. That’s all I ask.”

  Barrington rolled his eyes.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Your voice is lovely, Amelia. Even when you’re only humming.” Conrad smiled at his wife.

  “Thank you, dear. Shall I begin The Soldiers Adieu again for you?”

  “Yes, please. You know how I love it.”

  Cecilia sighed and took her position standing next to her brother. Would she ever get the dance steps right? Others performed them effortlessly, but when she attempted it, the outcome was much less than satisfactory. If she were to dance at her come-out, she’d rather not resemble a horse stumbling about with its boots on the wrong feet.

  “Let’s try
again, shall we?” Conrad held out his hand for hers.

  “I suppose.” They’d been practicing for days. Trying again felt somewhat pointless.

  “You’re doing beautifully. Now let’s not waste my wife’s pretty tune. Ready?”

  Cecilia nodded even though she truly was not ready. I suppose if I don’t practice I have no hope of improving. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, she stepped closer to Conrad.

  Amelia began humming the song from the beginning note loud enough that they could keep time with their steps. Cecilia stepped on Conrad’s boot. “Pardon.”

  “You’re doing fine.” He stepped to the left, but Cecilia moved the wrong way.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Sister, dear, you don’t need to apologize. Don’t you think Amelia and I had to learn various dance steps the very same way you are?”

  “But you were so much younger. You dance beautifully together now.”

  He raised one eyebrow. “Thank you. And you’ve only watched us in the parlor. Wait until we’re on a ballroom floor.”

  Cecilia giggled. “I’m very much looking forward to seeing that.”

  “The dance and your come-out will be here before you know it. Now, you’re trying to distract me from dancing, aren’t you?”

  Warmth rose to her cheeks. How well he knew her and they hadn’t been acquainted more than a few months.

  “Ready this time?”

  “Yes. I’m ready.” Concentrate, Cecilia! She bit her lip and listened to Amelia’s humming.

  Conrad cleared his throat. “Remember to keep your eyes on your partner, not your slippers.”

  One corner of her mouth rose in a smile. “Yes, my lord.” She kept her gaze locked on him, imagining her feet in relation to his. They stepped left and then back. Next came the twirl. A step to the right, a half-turn. I did it!

  “I knew you could accomplish the task.”

  Amelia clapped and stopped humming. “Cecilia that was wonderful! Do it again.”

  When Amelia resumed the music, Cecilia once again kept her gaze on her brother. So far no mistakes… step… step… turn…

  “Pardon me, my lord.”

  Conrad didn’t look away from Cecilia at his butler’s voice. They kept dancing. “Yes?”

  “You have a visitor.”