A Lady's Past

by A. S. Fenichel

  Sebastian drank from the steaming mug and collapsed into a chair at the far end of the table. “Westow. He and his cart were left in a barnyard.”

  Jacques’s stomach tightened on the eggs and sausage he’d just finished. “Dead?”

  Gesturing with the hand holding the towel, he cut a line across his throat from ear to ear. “I apologize, ladies.”

  Diana paled and placed her napkin on the table next to her plate. “Poor man. He had no idea who he was dealing with.”

  “Probably not.” Alex rounded the table. “Mr. Farmer’s fate is unfortunate, but it probably means that Caron will make his move very soon. We must all remain vigilant in keeping watch for signs of him.”

  Mr. Bates returned and took the towel from Sebastian. He placed a plate filled with food on the table and retreated.

  Sebastian must have been out all night with the searchers, because he dived into the food. Dark rings circled his eyes and he ate as if starved. “I received a letter from London. The map Miss MacLeod drew was quite accurate. The army has discovered two storehouses of munitions along the route to Porto. They have been confiscated.”

  Alex raised an eyebrow. “Excellent news for us and the Portuguese.”

  Standing, Diana frowned. “I’m glad it was helpful. One never knows after so much time if a plan like that will still be in place. I’m afraid all these dramatics have left me tired. I’ll just take myself back to bed unless you require me to do something this morning, Mr. Lynds?”

  “We shall give Caron some time to stew and worry. I will alert you when we are ready to go forward with our plan.”

  With a quick curtsy, Diana strode from the room.”

  * * * *

  It was another day before they could get out of the castle grounds and visit the small village of Scrayingham. Preparations were being made for the Christmas holiday, keeping the town hopping with residents gathering provisions.

  Jacques and Diana strolled through town in full view, as if they had not a care in the world. On their right, a charming stone church, complete with cemetery, gave him a chill. All he wanted was to protect Diana and here he was, leading her into danger.

  Knowing that Preston and the Horsemen watched gave Jacques little comfort. Even though he knew he had to free her from Victor’s terror, he hated this plan.

  The only thing Jacques was certain of was that Victor was watching. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as soon as they’d entered the village.

  Children tossed snowballs at each other and laughed. It was easy to scoot around them and continue to act the courting couple, as that was precisely what they were. Even walking with Diana for the sake of luring a maniac into public was still time well spent with her and time he cherished.

  “I don’t think this is working,” Diana said, but she smiled and gazed longingly at him to keep up the show.

  “We have to give it more time. Besides, it is unlikely it will work this first time.” He pointed to a hat in the window of a shop. “We need to allow Caron to believe that we assume he has headed back to France.”

  Diana pointed to a lace scarf. “So this is only act one of our farce?”

  “The only lie is that we think it safe to stroll about the country. The rest is exactly what I would do to court you. The fact that madness brought us together is unfortunate, but I cannot regret any of it.”

  They continued their walk, and Diana pulled her overcoat close against the cold. “You know, courting has never gone very well for me.”

  “This time will be different.” He led her down the high street exactly as the Horsemen had directed.

  “How can you be so sure?”

  The open carriage waited at the end of the street. Jacques handed her up before joining her. It was too cold to use the vehicle, but a closed conveyance would have been scandalous and might have revealed to Victor that they were setting a trap. “I am sure because I know what I want. I have no need for a large dowry or a wife who will bring me notoriety. Those are reasons Englishmen of the ton marry, and I assume whoever courted you had such an agenda. I only want you, Diana. I need nothing else and no other will do.”

  “Jacques, will you always say exactly the right thing?”

  “No. I will fumble and make a dozen errors daily.”

  She nodded. “Good. If you were perfect all the time it would be too much to live up to.”

  Everything about her brought joy into his heart. “Who is saying the right thing now?”

  Giggling, she watched the road as they wound their way back to Buckrose Castle.

  * * * *

  Each day they took a different path, hoping to draw Victor out of hiding. They strolled local gardens and the hilly path east of Buckrose. Each route was carefully thought out and designed to allow them to be observed by their friends the entire way.

  Finally Christmas arrived, but no sign of Victor.

  Honoria had the staff bring in sprigs of evergreen and holly to decorate the house for the holiday. She’d tied large red bows on anything that would stay still long enough.

  The castle smelled of pine, the greenery giving Jacques more hiding places where he could steal kisses from Diana. He rather liked Christmas at the castle, with its long halls and odd angles. As long as he had Diana with him, their location didn’t matter.

  After luncheon, he and Diana walked to the front door hoping for a stroll in the garden. They were intercepted by Alex. “I think it best not to go out today. It is brutally cold, and the wind has picked up. If you must walk, please take care and stay in the back gardens. The high walls will protect you there.”

  Diana frowned. “I had hoped to walk the line of holly along the drive, but I suppose it can wait for another day.”

  “Never mind,” Jacques said. “We can go to the study and find a treasure trove of books for you to read.”

  Her eyes brightened. “That is a wonderful idea.”

  Honoria shuffled down the hall. “Don’t be too long. I have spoken to Cook, and since we are such a fine party and it is Christmas, I have arranged a special meal complete with pudding. You will want to dress for it, my dear.”

  Laughing, Alex bowed. “I see I have completely lost control of my house and staff.”

  “Only for a short time, sir. Soon I will return to London and you will have nothing but peace and quiet.” Honoria said the last as if it were a poison dart.

  “It will be our loss when you go,” Alex said, and walked to the parlor where the Horsemen met each afternoon.

  Jacques said, “We will not be too long, my lady. Your supper sounds like just the right thing to make us all feel better about the holiday being celebrated at Buckrose.”

  Honoria frowned and put her hands on her hips. “It’s not so bad, is it? You are here among friends and we have much to look forward to.”

  Taking her hand, he chided himself for sounding petulant and bowed. “You are quite right. I had other plans for this day, but it is wonderful to be here with you and Miss MacLeod.”

  Immediately pleased, her face lit up. “There you have it. It doesn’t matter where you are in life as long as you have friends beside you, monsieur. As long as you have friends, life is glorious. I have had to make new and younger friends over the years as my old friends have met their ends. I shall always miss the old ones, but I am grateful for you and Diana and so many more I have been blessed to meet through the Everton Domestic Society. You can spend time with your family when we leave here, and have yourself a second Christmas.”

  “That is a wonderful idea.” Jacques couldn’t wait to introduce Diana to Mother and Father. They were going to love her.

  * * * *

  As promised, Christmas dinner was spectacular. The bitter cold weather meant that they had been cooped up in the house all day, but the feast was magnificent.

  Mrs. Fallcraft joined them, mak
ing for a lively meal. “Thank you for inviting me to dine with you all, Lady Chervil.”

  Honoria waved away the thanks. “It was Mr. Lynds’s idea. I only wrote the note.”

  Remarkably, Alex actually blushed.

  Jacques couldn’t help laughing. “You look as if you’ve been caught in the act of kindness, Lynds.”

  Raising his glass, Alex toasted, “Merry Christmas. I am pleased to have such a merry group around the table.”

  “Hear, hear,” came the reply from everyone.

  Diana cleared her throat. “Mrs. Fallcraft, perhaps you will play for us this evening. I assume the pianoforte in the large parlor we never use is in working order.”

  Tapping his crystal glass with a fork, Sebastian gave enthusiastic agreement. “It is, and that is an excellent idea, Miss MacLeod. I haven’t heard you play in many years, ma’am. It would be a treat.”

  “I am not as good as I once was, but I will play for you.” Mrs. Fallcraft rubbed her hands together as if trying to warm them.

  The pudding was a triumph, and both Cook and Honoria smiled with pleasure. The entire table erupted with applause.

  Diana sat across from Jacques. Perhaps it was the Christmas spirit or just the sense of family around the table, but she bloomed with smiles and joy. She laughed and chatted with Sebastian and Oliver, her dinner partners. Her wine-colored gown was trimmed in white lace and fell from just above her breasts, showing off her lovely figure. She was a confection, and he longed to taste every inch of her.

  Jacques had a moment of jealousy, but quickly realized her banter with her neighbors was more like brothers and sisters, and held none of the flirtation and warm gazes she shared with him. Her special regard for only him coiled around his heart and tugged, until he wished everyone in the room would suddenly disappear and he could have her to himself.

  When the pudding was properly devoured, they retired to the grand parlor. As Diana had said, the room was rarely used. An ornate pianoforte with gold filigree and curved legs sat in the corner.

  Mrs. Fallcraft went directly to the instrument, and Sebastian assisted her, while Oliver and Nathaniel shifted furniture from the center of the room. Following a series of descending notes, Mrs. Fallcraft played a festive array of music.

  Taking Diana’s hand, Jacques led her to the center of the room, where they were joined by Sebastian and Honoria, and the dancing began.

  They managed every country dance they knew, and Jacques even withdrew his hold on Diana a few times to allow the others to dance.

  After an hour, Mrs. Fallcraft broke from the festive tunes and played a waltz.

  Alex bowed to Honoria and offered his hand, and the two settled into a steady turn around the room.

  With Diana only a breath away at his right, he reached for her hand. Even through the gloves, her warmth infused him. Once she turned toward him, she stepped into his arms as if they had each been born for this moment, dancing around a parlor in Yorkshire staring into each other’s eyes.

  “I enjoyed seeing you this evening.” He loved the way her eyes shined in the candlelight. Smitten was what he was, and it was remarkable that he didn’t mind one bit.

  “You have seen me every evening for almost two weeks.”

  Each step in the dance brought her closer and further away, like an intimate torture designed to drive him to madness. “Tonight, you were different. You enjoyed yourself far more. It is the first time I have seen you in public when I did not detect worry.”

  “I suppose I am feeling more at ease. Perhaps your optimism is wearing off on me.” The way her delicious mouth turned up in a pretty bow undid him.

  “You will have to stop looking at me as if I am the only man that exists, or I will embarrass myself here in the parlor in front of all these people.”

  Eyes wide, she missed a step but recovered. Her cheeks burned bright red. “I’m not at all sure I know what you mean, but perhaps I do.”

  “Are you horrified by what you think you know?” Jacques held his breath, waiting for her answer.

  “No.”

  He filled his lungs. “Because you are safe here in Buckrose?”

  Diana biting her bottom lip forced his eyes to follow. Lord, but she was a delight. “I am safe with you regardless of our location.”

  “I am not at all certain that is true, Diana. I want you quite fiercely.”

  Meeting his gaze directly as the music came to an end, Diana leaned in far enough so that he was the only person who could hear her. “My desires are equal to yours, Jacques Laurent. Perhaps I might have an opportunity to look at you as if you are the only man who exists in a private setting.”

  For several beats, he didn’t believe what he’d heard. If she hadn’t been bright pink in the aftermath of her seductive invitation, he would have thought his desire had actually driven him to hearing things.

  Before he recovered enough to ask her to specify what she wanted from him, she’d walked over toward Honoria.

  Mrs. Fallcraft said, “I am tired, my dears. Thank you for a lovely evening. I shall just make my way back to the school and find my bed for the night.”

  “I shall be honored to escort you, ma’am.” Jacques offered his arm to the person his father admired most in the world.

  Accepting his offer, she wound her thin arm through his and said her good nights. There were several passages from the Horsemen’s side of the castle to the school. None were permitted to be used by students, but all were known to him. When his father attended Buckrose, the east wing had been off limits because it was reserved for the earl who donated the castle. On one summer visit, Father had shown him all the sneaky passages he’d used to escape as a boy.

  “I’m very pleased you managed to get your parents out of France before anything terrible happened to them.” Mrs. Fallcraft shivered. “I have seen enough of my students leave this world.”

  Jacques had fought off many nightmares when his parents were trapped in France. “It was the greatest day of my life when they stepped off that boat and I could bring them to the house I bought them.”

  “I’m quite happy for you, Jacques. You are a good son and shall make a fine husband to Miss MacLeod.”

  “Have I been so obvious in my intentions, ma’am?”

  She patted his arm and kept both hands on him. A bit of her weight as well. Her age was catching up with her and the late night must have been a strain. “It is clear to me that you are smitten and she, too.”

  “I wanted to bring her to meet Mother and Father, but this trouble we have has put a delay on the process.”

  Mrs. Fallcraft sighed. “Lady Chervil is a fine chaperon, but you must realize that all this time at the home of four men is not likely to be greeted with warmth from society at large. She works for that Everton Domestic Society, does she not?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Well, should you choose to break your own heart, she will be protected by them.”

  He stopped at the end of the passage. The door in front of them led to the school. “What makes you say such a thing? I intend to marry her.”

  “There is no need to become impassioned, Jacques. Anything could happen. You could be killed, or she could refuse you.”

  He opened the door. The school was silent. The few students who didn’t go home for Christmas would have eaten long ago and gone to bed, happy after a fine Christmas day.

  “I apologize. I should not have raised my voice. You make a good point. I shall write several letters tomorrow so that should anything happen to me, Miss MacLeod will be well taken care of.” He’d been foolish to not take such measures before. If he was killed in all of this, Diana would have a hard time of it.

  “Miss MacLeod seems the kind of lady who can take care of herself. She has a keen mind and is quite capable.”

  “It is one of the things I find most attractive abo
ut her.”

  At the stairs, she stopped and turned to him. “You are much like your father, though more controlled. It is a fine thing to be both passionate and restrained at the same time. A rare gift, in my opinion.”

  Thoughts of Diana ran rampant in his head and heart. “You do me honor, ma’am. I feel completely out of order and filled with anxiety.”

  She laughed. “Then you hide it well, Jacques. You will find your way and do well by your lady, I have no doubt. I can manage the way from here. Happy Christmas.”

  Kissing her hand and then her cheek, he smiled. “Thank you for the talk, ma’am. Happy Christmas.”

  Jacques wandered the halls of Buckrose Castle for an hour or more after leaving Mrs. Fallcraft. By the time he returned to the grand parlor, everyone was gone and the candles snuffed. A small fire had been banked but still gave some warmth. The drafty halls had given him a chill, and he stood near the heat lost in thoughts of Diana and her troubles.

  Preston spoke from the doorway. “I thought you’d gone to bed.”

  “I have been walking and thinking.”

  “I’m sure I know of whom you’ve been thinking. Why the milling about, though? Is something troubling you?” Preston stood next to him. He’d removed his coat and loosened his cravat.

  “Something Mrs. Fallcraft said. She worried that if something happened to me, Diana would be exposed to much ridicule. Of course, I shall take precautions for her benefit. Still, I have spent so much time worrying over her well-being, and I foolishly did nothing to protect her beyond the physical. A stupid oversight.” He grabbed the poker and stirred the embers back to life.

  Crossing his arms over his chest, Preston turned toward Jacques. “Are you planning to marry her?”

  “Of course I am. As soon as this mess is resolved.”

  “Are you certain about this?”

  Jacques’s temper flared as he faced Preston. “What did you think all of this was about, Pres? I’m in love with her.”

  “Keeping an innocent woman safe. I can see you care for her, and I like her. She’s a lovely girl.” He ran his hand through his hair as he did whenever he searched for words.