I knew it. “I’m glad I’ll be away from all of it. I’m not used to being the centre of gossip.”
“Will your Lord Strang be arriving soon?”
I sincerely hoped so. “He wrote that he would come soon, but there are guests at Eyton, and he can’t get away yet.” I stifled my sigh. It wouldn’t be proper to reveal just how much I missed Richard and how much I looked forward to seeing him again.
The conversation was about my forthcoming nuptials, what I would wear, when Lord Strang would arrive, what we would do after the ceremony. I really tried to satisfy the old lady’s curiosity without becoming too impatient, but waiting for Richard this last month had been hard, and my nerves were frayed.
Evidently, Tom didn’t have to wait long at the blacksmith’s, because he was back in good time. We saw him at the end of Mrs. Hoarty’s front garden with his steed within the hour, so we began to take our leave.
Georgiana looked out of the window as she passed it. It had an excellent view of the main street in the village. “What’s Tom staring at? He looks as if he’s seen an apparition.” We joined her at the window, but we couldn’t see what he was gazing at so intently.
Mrs. Hoarty chose to walk with us to the end of the garden, to take some fresh air and incidentally to investigate the spectacle outside. I gave her my arm to lean on, and Georgiana supported her on the other side.
We stood by the gate, and looked in the same direction as Tom. His freshly shod horse stamped and jingled his harness beside him, but nobody took any notice.
Two figures walked up the street towards us at an easy pace. I knew them immediately. I waited, my throat tightening as I watched.
I felt stupid, behaving like a lovesick schoolgirl. I stood back a little to regain my composure, taking a few deep, steadying breaths. In any case, I wanted to see what impact the brothers would make on my friends. Separate, they were remarkable enough, but together they could stop the conversation in a room without effort.
As usual, the Kerres were dressed in the height of fashion. One wore impeccably cut, sober garments of the finest cloth, simple but full of quality, his natural fair hair held back in a plain queue. He walked with a confident stride, chatting casually to his brother. His twin brother.
The other man was the picture of fashion. He wore deep, rich, blue cut velvet today, a heavily embroidered waistcoat underneath, with an elaborately curled and tied wig. He carried a clouded Malacca cane at a precise angle. He looked like a visitor from a distant country. Taking his ease, he ignored the curious stares of the villagers, effortlessly picking his way through the ruts on the road. One woman stood at the door of her cottage and stared at them without any effort at subterfuge. She put her hand to her mouth as though suppressing a laugh, but then the brothers glanced in her direction. She turned her back and went indoors, the recipient of twin icy stares, the kind that depressed all pretension in their own milieu of fashionable London.
“A popinjay,” breathed Tom in delight. “We don’t get many of those here.”
Georgiana, standing just in front of me, stared in unconcealed admiration at the vision. “They’re beautiful.”
Lizzie smiled.
I wondered which one my old friend would choose for me. “Which one is it then, Tom?”
“Oh, you wouldn’t take up with a dandy. I can’t see you at ease with the fashion plate, so it has to be the other. I must say he looks quite a pleasant man, for a great lord—and a rake.”
I reluctantly tore my gaze away from the brothers to Tom. “He’s not a great lord. His title’s only a courtesy one.”
But Tom didn’t seem to be listening any more. He stared at me, his eyes wide. I frowned crossly. “What is it, Tom? Do I have a smut on my nose?”
“No, something about you—oh, I don’t know!” He turned away in exasperation as at last, the brothers drew near.
It must have become obvious to Georgiana and Tom now that the Kerre brothers weren’t just twins—they were identical twins. The only difference between them was Gervase’s darker, rougher complexion, gained during his years in India. Their similarity was one of the reasons why they turned so many heads when together, something neither of them liked but had learned to live with in their separate ways.
Appreciatively I watched them make their bows, and allowed Lizzie to perform the introductions. Georgiana blushed and curtseyed prettily when Richard took her hand and kissed the back of it. She was eighteen, only just out, but she would do well, and she was the picture of rustic innocence today. Lizzie had also seen Tom’s confusion, and mischievously, she introduced the twins together, so Tom wouldn’t know which one was which. He bowed his head, and they bowed in return, but didn’t add any extra flourishes.
Finally I came forward and gave my hand to Gervase. He bowed over it. “You’re looking well, Rose.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, and passed on to Richard.
A smile flirted at the corners of Richard’s mouth. His clear gaze met mine for the first time, and reminded me yet again how helpless I felt in his company. He took my hand and kissed it lightly, then offered me the support of his arm. “You, my dear delight, have just made me walk the length of that street. You could have met me halfway.” He used a complaining tone, but with a softness underneath that told me he was teasing.
I smiled. “I wanted to see the spectacle.”
“Witch.” He smiled so warmly I had to look away, towards Tom. “It’s the popinjay. You lose.” Tom flushed and I was sorry at once for the tease.
“You thought my brother had cut me out, sir? He might be as rich as Croesus, but I do have some attractions of my own.” I met Richard’s eyes and I lost myself in them all over again, like the first time I had gazed into those blue depths.
I introduced the brothers to Mrs. Hoarty, who declared herself overcome by the honour. This would give her plenty of ammunition when she next met her particular friends. She took in every detail of Richard’s appearance. Although aware of her scrutiny, he didn’t give her any kind of set-down as he could so easily have done.
“Mrs. Hoarty has an invitation to our wedding. She was so kind to us as children. I used to use her house as sanctuary when the Manor got too crowded for me.”
“Then I shall ensure she has the best of attention, as my meagre thanks for keeping you safe before I could do so,” he said at once. I knew he meant it, and that he would remember. Mrs. Hoarty had been delighted to receive an invitation, but since the wedding was at Exeter Cathedral, it might have proved too much for her if she didn’t have the best of care. Her health was too frail. The pampering Richard would make certain his people bestowed on her would guarantee her presence. I was sure she would enjoy herself much, which was more than I could say for myself.
The location of the wedding had been a matter of dispute between us. I wanted to be married in my local church, but Richard’s mother, Lady Southwood, wanted the chapel at Eyton. However, she agreed to Richard’s suggestion of Exeter Cathedral. She was so pleased to see her son take a wife at last that the venue for it lost its importance. At least this compromise meant I would be married from home.
We took our leave of Mrs. Hoarty and proceeded along the busy street. The villagers stopped to watch us pass, except the one who had received the icy stares earlier. She stayed indoors. Odd how many people found business to attend to at the front of their houses. The more respectable brought buckets and scrubbing brushes to clean the steps, the less respectable just stood, shoulders idly propped against the doorjamb, watching in silence.
Richard and Gervase, used to the stares of strangers, ignored them but the rest of us had to nod and acknowledge the greetings we received. “A raré show,” Richard commented acidly to me. “It serves you right.”
I was so happy nothing could spoil the day for me. “Well, now they’ve seen you in all your glory and they can be satisfied. When did you arrive?”
“Barely an hour ago. I couldn’t bear my immolation in the coach any longer, especially on
such a fine day, so I asked Lady Hareton where you were and came to meet you. Besides,” he added simply in a low tone, turning his head to speak to me alone, “I’ve missed you. I couldn’t wait to see you again.”
I was touched by the honesty of his statement. Such confessions were hard for him, after so many years locking his feelings away. “It’s only been a month.”
“Has it? Well, I’ll not make any foolish comments about it seeming like a year, but it does seem considerably longer than a month.”
His tone was conversational. No one who wasn’t within earshot would have realised he was not merely passing the time of day with me. I didn’t think Tom, leading his horse behind us, heard. He had his hands full with the animal now the blacksmith had done his job. The horse champed at the bit, longing for something more exciting than a sedate walk.
At last, after what seemed like an age, we reached the end of the street and took the road to the Manor. We didn’t live far from the village, a problem for James’s development plans for the house, but the architect had promised to come up with a solution for him. The hill at the end of the street obscured the view to our house, and mature trees surrounded it, so at least we were not overlooked.
Georgiana had taken to Gervase, and he behaved with great gallantry towards her, indulging her desire to flirt. When he saw his sister’s attempts, Tom snorted, and then tried to turn it into a cough. “She’s trying her wings with every man who comes her way these days.”
By mutual consent, Richard and I dropped back to walk with him. I let my hand fall from Richard’s arm, to take his hand in a less formal pose. To touch him, skin to skin. He gripped it and threaded his fingers between mine. Tom saw the gesture, but didn’t comment.
“It’s natural to flirt at eighteen. And Georgiana has been sheltered. Most girls are out by seventeen at the latest.”
“I don’t remember you ever doing such things. Not until—oh, Lord—” Tom broke off when he remembered. The jingle of the harness filled the sudden silence.
“Drury.” Richard’s mouth set hard. Tom didn’t know what Drury had tried to do to me at Hareton, but Richard had nearly killed him for it.
Tom was confused by his slip, his reference to my previous would-be lover. “I’m sorry, my lord, I shouldn’t have said anything, but I’ve known Rose forever, and I told her it would come to no good.”
“I wish she’d listened to you,” Richard replied.
This accord seemed to put Tom more at his ease. “She never said what happened. Not properly.” He gave the reins a little tug when his steed found an attractive patch of grass.
I didn’t want to explain to him. I still felt that some of it was my fault.
Richard’s hand tightened around mine. “He offered Rose behaviour that was far from acceptable.”
Tom nodded. “I thought he might be that sort. He was the curate here, you know, and he seemed to spend all his time in the homes of eligible young women. I can only be thankful Georgiana was too young for him.”
“She’s extremely fortunate in that.” Richard turned his head to me, his concern evident in his eyes. “I’m afraid we might come across the Drurys again. Julia’s father has forgiven her, and they are living in his house. They may wish to re-enter society. I thought I must tell you,” he added, as he saw the dread in my expression, “but you are not to let that concern you. He will not be allowed near you.”
I smiled tentatively in reply, but I was not entirely reassured, as I knew Steven was a schemer and I had every reason to suppose he held a grudge.
Tom made a sound of disgust in the back of his throat, and Richard turned to look at him, one eyebrow delicately arched. “Beg pardon, my lord. I’m glad the man is away from here, though. If you need any help dealing with him, I’m your man.”
“Thank you,” said Richard gravely. “I’ll remember that.” Some of the wariness they showed towards each other thawed in the grim smiles they exchanged.
Chapter Three
WE PARTED AT THE HOUSE. Tom shook hands with Richard and Gervase. “My mother is having people to dinner tomorrow night. I’m sure she’d love it if you could come.”
“Delighted,” said Richard promptly.
Tom gestured vaguely across the fields. “We live at Peacock’s, a mile or two over the hill. I usually walk, because it’s longer by road.”
“I think we might take the carriage.” Richard swept a bow over Georgiana’s hand, and she took her leave with her brother, after turning to bestow a winsome smile on Gervase.
We watched Tom and Georgiana walk up the hill towards their house, and then we turned to go in. The Manor stood in front of us, sturdily foursquare; the sort of house that brooked no dallying with fancy columns and curlicues. Its creamy stonework was clean and scrubbed, like everything and everyone inside. Martha was a good manager.
The front door opened and Martha came outside with the children to greet us. My sister Ruth, sweet sixteen and practising to be a heartbreaker, had not yet seen Richard, and although Lizzie had described him to her, it was nothing like experiencing the reality.
She gazed raptly into Richard’s face as he bowed over her hand. He gave her the blinding smile he usually reserved for attractive females and entranced her. She wouldn’t be out for a while, but she was forming well. Ruth was Lizzie’s full sister, and it looked as if she would inherit her mother’s blonde prettiness; the prettiness my mother hadn’t possessed, and so I didn’t have either. I exchanged a glance with Martha, who was watching the small performance with a cynical eye. She had her reservations about my choice of husband because of Richard’s fearsome reputation in society as a philanderer. We read about it in the newspapers for years before we actually met him, and it would take some time for her to trust him.
I’d always thought of myself as an unremarkable brunette, too tall for beauty, too shy for flirting, until the startling events of the previous autumn disabused me of that notion. I still found it hard to believe, but here I was and here he was. Richard had signed one of the most punitive marriage settlements I had ever seen without a murmur, and declared himself perfectly content.
Richard left me to greet Martha, who had a few quiet words with him. Gervase moved to my side. “He missed you very much, you know.”
I looked away, feeling my cheeks flush with heat. I was one of the only two people Richard allowed inside the barrier he’d built up for himself—Gervase because he couldn’t hide anything from his twin and me because I had stormed barriers I never noticed at the time. But I was a newcomer, and although I loved Richard, I felt I didn’t know him well.
“I missed him,” I confessed. “I feel stupid really, because it’s only been a month, but I can’t be completely content without him.”
“Don’t worry. Soon the circus will be over and you’ll have time to yourselves.” Gervase smiled reassuringly at me, and I smiled back.
Not for the first time, I thought how strange it was that Richard should arouse such strong emotions in me, and his twin brother engendered nothing more than the sort of warmth I felt for Tom Skerrit.
“I’m not happy about all of it,” I confided to Gervase now. “I don’t suppose you understand because you’ve been in the public eye all your life, but I’m nervous. The only thing I’m sure about is Richard.” It would have been difficult enough getting married to a local man in the local church, because I hated to be the centre of attention, but a public marriage to such a well-known figure as Richard made me deeply apprehensive.
Half polite society had promised to attend the wedding and Lizzie was more excited than I was. I didn’t know if Richard knew about my nervousness; I had tried hard not to show him.
“You just do as you are bid, look beautiful, and everyone will be satisfied,” Gervase whispered to me. “Tell Richard how you feel; no one else will comfort you like he will.” I laughed at him, foolish man, but at least he had made me forget for a time what was to come the next month, the thought of which made my stomach contract.
He closed the door behind us. “Your estimable sister-in-law has given us half an hour, and then she says I must go upstairs and meet the rest of your prodigious family. I need some sustenance to see me through that. So will you come and greet me properly?”
His smile made the warmth increase inside me. “With pleasure.” I put my arms around him under his coat and turned my face up for his kiss.
The first touch of his lips on mine gave me the bliss I’d missed this past month, and I lost myself in him. He pressed me close, letting me feel how much he’d missed me, and I responded, trying to show him I’d missed him too, letting my hands roam over his body, holding him tight. After the first, tentative touch, he took my mouth like a man starved and I feasted along with him.
I was breathless by the time he drew away and looked down at me. “So you didn’t miss me at all?”
“Not at all.” When he looked at me with that warmth, he made me wonder how I could wait another month before I gave him all he asked for and more. And all I wanted, too. Once, an afternoon out of time, he’d taken me in his arms, undressed me and loved me but since then, none of our diligent chaperones had given us the opportunity.
His eyes were a bright, cold blue, but I saw the warmth he reserved just for me.
“I didn’t expect you so soon.”
He smoothed his hands over my back. I felt his touch through the layers of clothes, through my stays, as though he was touching my bare skin. “Without you I found our guests too tedious for words. My mother doesn’t approve of my choice, you know that, but she knows better than to quibble. I told her it was you or no one. She tried—” He broke off and took another kiss, effectively confusing my mind so I forgot he hadn’t finished his sentence. “Lady Hareton volunteered to let us stay here, though where we’ll sleep is a mystery to me. This house seems to be stuffed as full as it can get.”
Devonshire Page 3
