True Nobility

by Lori Bates Wright

“Where is the captain?” The earl scanned the area with an impatient glower.

  “I’ll be the one seeing you over to the Haverwood’s residence. Mr. Nicholas has gone on to the office for the afternoon. He told me to see to your comfort and tell you he’s mighty glad to have had the pleasure of servin’ you. Especially the lady, he said.”

  Lord Haverwood sputtered while Tori closed her eyes and took in a deep, calming breath.

  “What is your name, sir?” Tori inquired with an honest smile.

  “Jonas, Ma’am.”

  “Thank you, Jonas, for seeing to our comfort. You are quite thoughtful.” She was determined to disregard Nicholas’s lack of consideration, ignoring the tweak it left on her pride.

  “I must say your employer is quite resourceful if a bit spineless sending his valet to complete his obligations.” Her annoyance escaped her lips before she could think better of it.

  “’Scuse me, ma’am?” Jonas seemed truly astonished. “Cap’n Saberton? Cap’n Nicholas Saberton?”

  “Victoria, remember yourself.” Though the earl’s reprimand was directed at her, Tori knew he was also irritated by Nicholas’s disregard.

  “I don’t fault the man, Father. I believe he spent far too many days in the sun. I hear one can become completely addle-brained in excessive heat.”

  “Actually, my dear, I was under the impression the captain was quite taken with you. I spied him watching you last evening.” The earl’s remark drifted up as he climbed into the vehicle behind of her.

  “Wearily watching me, perhaps. I believe I quite intimidate the man.” Nibbling her lower lip, she lowered her parasol and nodded politely at Nicholas’s driver thanking him for his help.

  The coach lurched forward as the horses took lead onto the well-traveled road. It occurred to her that her association with Nicholas Saberton had finally come to an end. She’d likely never see him again. Never be drawn by his mesmerizing gaze one minute, or spurned by his cool indifference the next.

  The top of the vehicle was folded down, and Jonas was a delight as he pointed out various landmarks along the way. Savannah was neatly laid out in prominent squares, each having a specific function for the city.

  They passed Johnson Square, where Jonas said the important families participated in nightly promenades, mainly to see who was with whom. Market Square was where the ladies took their daily constitutional walk, exchanging gossip while the servants shopped for food. Chippewa Square, Jonas explained, held the theater and was lined with glittering carriages by night.

  Twenty-four squares in all and Tori looked forward to exploring the individual personalities of each of them. By the time they turned onto the sandy drive of Habershire Street where the exquisite Haverwood home was poised in grand elegance, Tori was more excited than she’d been in weeks.

  “Father, this trip was a marvelous idea. You always know what we need.”

  He tried his best to suppress a smile that threatened to crack his gruff exterior. His mustache wobbled with the effort.

  “Whoa, there.” Jonas secured the horses and climbed down from the driver’s seat.

  “Jonas, you’ve been most kind to show us about.” Tori turned her best smile on their driver and he was quick to return it.

  The large front door swung open and an elderly man tottered down the wide steps to receive the new arrivals.

  A woman with in an outdated fuchsia gown stood in the doorway, spouting instructions in a loud voice. Fiftyish, with a rather wide girth, she waved a white handkerchief at each one that she addressed.

  “Gabe, you be careful now and don’t break anything. Help them down, Jonas. Tell Flossie to put on a kettle for tea. Edward likes his tea, you know. My, my, my, but look at you. What a beauty. Come on in here, honey. Hello, Edward!” She sang, flagging him with her tatted hankie, chattering in what Tori was beginning to recognize as a soft Georgian drawl.

  “Charlotte,” the earl grumbled in greeting.

  “Aurora has been on pins and needles waitin’ for you all to get here. This is her season, you know. Her comin’ out party was earlier this month. Why, you girls have a whirlwind of social engagements comin’ up. It’ll make your head spin, yes it will.”

  Finally pausing to take a breath, she got a good look at the earl and lifted her skirts to meet him halfway. “Lord have mercy, Edward. You’re lookin’ so much older than the last time I saw you. A cane! Merciful heavens. Flossie, nevermind the tea, fix the earl a stout lemonade.”

  “I detest lemonade.” Her father sloughed off his sister-in-law’s assistance. “I do not need your help. And in case you haven’t noticed, woman, walking sticks happen to be the thing this season. However, it would seem that you, Charlotte, have not changed in the least.” He added something to that statement under his breath, as he came up the steps to join Tori.

  “Why thank you, Edward. You’re a dear to say so. You know, I’ve always tried to keep myself up. Believe it or not, it’s not as easy as it used to be.”

  “So you are my Aunt Charlotte?” Tori spoke over her father’s muted response. “I’ve so looked forward to meeting you.”

  “My manners, child. Of course I’m your Aunt Charlotte.”

  She caught Tori up in a crushing hug, calling out over her shoulder. “Aurora! Darlin’, come on down here now. Our guests have arrived.” An overwhelming vapor of French perfume nearly stole Tori’s breath.

  Struggling to gain her release, Tori stepped into the grand foyer. “Your home is lovely, Aunt Charlotte.” She looked up at the magnificent high ceilings.

  “Why, thank you, sweet. It was a gift from my dear, dear, Percy. One of his many indulgences over the years.” She took a moment to sniff into her kerchief before leading them on a tour. “It was built by Isaiah Davenport. He’s famous, you know.”

  Tori didn’t.

  “Edward, you’ve never seen this house. I do believe we were still living over on Liberty Street when you last visited. Come on into the drawing room, you two. I want to hear all about your trip.”

  The ornate double doors leading into the parlor stood open, and as Tori followed her aunt into the room, she stopped short. Her jaw dropped at the sight looming before her as her father ran into her from behind.

  Tori turned to see Lord Haverwood’s bushy eyebrows shoot upward. “Dear heavens.”

  Not a piece in the room matched another. Yards of sheer yellow gauze crisscrossed over floor-length windows, tied in billowing festoons at each side.

  On one wall, hung red-flocked wallpaper, while the other walls were painted in pumpkin stripe. A colorful blue rug covered the dark wood floor, and two purple paisley settees faced each other in the middle. A low wrought iron table completed the hideous ensemble.

  “I see you’re admiring the illustrious and well-known work of my decorator, Madame Dupree.” Aunt Charlotte overflowed with pride as she sashayed over to sit on a settee.

  “You see no such thing, I assure you.” The earl chose an overstuffed floral side chair.

  “I can’t tell you the compliments I get over the wonderfully unique and different schemes that woman comes up with. Why, it just boggles the mind.” She patted the seat for Tori to sit beside her. “She’s straight from Paris.” Her aunt leaned in to see if Tori was impressed. “In France.”

  Tori nodded, deliberately ignoring the earl’s grunt.

  “Those people over there have a knack for these sorts of things that you don’t find anywhere else. She and her son Jean Pierre own the most fashionable shop in town. Jean Pierre designs all my hats and gowns for me. Exclusively. That means no one else has any like them.”

  “Simply … fascinating, Aunt Charlotte.” Tori tried to remain diplomatic. “I can truly say, I’ve never seen such a diverse application of color and pattern. Quite an original effect, to be sure.”

  The earl snorted, and Tori’s teeth caught the edge of her lower lip.

  “Mother?” A quiet summons came from the hallway.

  “In here, precious. That’
s my Aurora. Oh, you two are going to be such friends.” Aunt Charlotte tapped Tori on the knee with her fan, then rushed over to the double doors.

  Be worthy of love and love will come.

  ~ Louisa May Alcott

  Six

  Aurora was just as Tori had pictured her. Her pale blond ringlets hung down past her small shoulders, and she had a fresh, milky complexion. Her eyes were as blue as Tori’s own, and she wore a pleasant, shy smile.

  Only a year and half separated them, yet Aurora stood at least two inches taller than Tori’s five feet and five inches.

  “I beg your pardon. I hope I didn’t interrupt.” Aurora joined her mother obviously uneasy as all eyes turned to her.

  Charlotte took her daughter by the elbow and half dragged her to where Lord Haverwood was seated. “Edward, this is Aurora, your niece.”

  As the earl stood, Aurora greeted him with a sweet smile. “Uncle Edward, I’m happy to meet you.”

  “How do you do, my dear? I’m pleased to see you’ve inherited your grandmother’s eyes. Percival must have been delighted. Positively delighted.”

  He took her arm and brought her over to the settee. “Might I introduce your cousin, Lady Victoria.”

  “Hello, Victoria, I can’t tell you how much I’ve looked forward to your arrival.”

  “Please, call me Tori.”

  It felt as if they already knew one another. They’d corresponded by long, detailed letters since they were old enough to hold a pen.

  “I hope you’ll have a chance to play the harp for us this evening, Aurora. I’ve so looked forward to hearing you play.”

  “Oh, my yes! Lordy, you have such a treat in store. Not a cherub in heaven can play as beautifully as my own little angel. Aurora, honey, you’ll have to play that little sonata you’ve been practicing all week. Edward just wait’ll you hear. I declare you’ll think you’ve crossed on over into Glory.” Aunt Charlotte was as puffed up as an excited peahen and Aurora’s fair complexion was two shades darker than before.

  It occurred to Tori that Aurora might not be as timid as she first appeared. Aunt Charlotte just never gave her an opportunity to speak.

  “I shall look forward to it. Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I should like to freshen up. Which way to our chambers?” Lord Haverwood headed for the doors.

  Charlotte raced him to the entrance. “Gabe! Come show his Lordship to the chartreuse guest room. You go on and rest now, Edward. You do look tired.” She patted him on the back.

  The earl glared at her but held his tongue. Instead he stamped his cane noisily as he followed the butler from the room.

  “And you girls can go upstairs, too, if you’d like. Aurora, show Victoria to the room adjoining yours, darlin’. Y’all spend a little time getting to know one another before dinner. I’ll have Flossie bring up some tea cakes to tide you over.”

  “Yes, Mama,” Aurora’s answer was quiet.

  “Oh, and since we’re having company for dinner, I’d like you all down here early to receive them. Be sure to wear something appropriate for an evening with guests, now. You’ll be acting as hostess for plenty of social functions in the coming months, Aurora, so you must get in as much practice as you possibly can.”

  Aunt Charlotte turned toward the door again. “Not that those two Sabertons are the best guests to practice on, mind you. Still, we must show our gratitude to them for kindly lookin’ out after Edward and Victoria these past few weeks.” With that she disappeared around the corner, leaving a stunned silence in her wake.

  Aurora stared straight ahead, looking petrified.

  Tori found the edge of the settee with her hand and slowly lowered herself onto it. The very breath had been knocked from her lungs.

  It had not occurred to her that she might encounter Nicholas socially once they’d set aground. A costly assumption. Savannah was his home after all, and it would only be reasonable to expect a man of his stature to move in the same circles as the Haverwoods.

  Wealth, it appeared, dictated social status in America rather than birth. And, by all indications, Nicholas Saberton had plenty of wealth.

  Surely Aunt Charlotte would understand if she explained she was too exhausted from traveling to come down for dinner. Her father, however, would insist she join them, or demand to know why.

  From of the corner of her eye, she spied Aurora still affixed to the same spot as when her mother left the room. The girl nibbled on a thumbnail and a frown worried her brow.

  Poor thing. She must be terrified of her new responsibilities. Tori had handled this sort of thing at Miss Mair’s. It wasn’t uncommon for a young lady to be nervous when first called upon to make her entertaining debut. All but forgetting her aversion to tonight’s guest, Tori’s focus now centered on her frightened cousin.

  “There’s really nothing to it.” She spoke gently, as she came to Aurora’s side. “I’ve done it dozens of times, and I shall be right here to help if you need me.”

  “Beg your pardon?”

  “I know it can be overwhelming to suddenly carry the burden of entertaining, but you’ll do just fine. And thank heavens it won’t be as if we are having legitimate callers over this evening. From what I’ve seen neither one of them cares a fig about social graces.” Tori tried her best to sound reassuring. “Although, Zachery, at least, can be quite charming when he takes a notion.”

  “Oh, Tori!” Aurora spun around and landed in a side chair. “That’s the whole problem, don’t you see?”

  “I … well, no. I’m afraid I don’t. What is it? Surely Nicholas doesn’t frighten you.”

  Tori watched her cousin continue to shake her head. “Well, it couldn’t possibly be his brother.”

  “Yes!” Aurora’s ringlets bounced as she nodded emphatically.

  “Zachery? What could possibly be frightening about—” Tori stopped herself as understanding dawned like a beacon of light.

  Aurora blushed profusely.

  “Oh, I see.” Tori smiled knowingly. “Does he suspect how you feel?”

  “Oh, heaven’s no. To tell you the truth, he barely knows I’m alive. Whenever he’s near, I waste time trying to think up something clever to say. In the end, I never say much of anything. He must think I’m such a goose.”

  She covered her face with her hands and Tori thought for a moment that the poor girl had dissolved into tears. Just as she moved to comfort her, Aurora looked up with laughter shining brightly in her blue eyes.

  “And it’s no wonder. When he speaks to me, I freeze up and choke. I look like a chicken with an onion skin caught in its throat. I’m surprised he bothers to talk to me at all.”

  “I see.” Rather an unorthodox description, but Tori caught her meaning. “Well, at least you have the proper attitude, Aurora. I always say one can change an unpleasant circumstance as long as one keeps a good head and goes about it in the right way. And now that I am here, I shall help you.”

  “Would you? I mean if you could somehow get Zach to notice I’m a woman now, nearly eighteen. That would be a start. Don’t you think?”

  Tori nodded. “Certainly and we shall. Don’t you worry, Aurora. Zachery will take notice. You’re a lovely girl.”

  “You think so?”

  “You have a quick mind and you’re extremely talented. Why, we’ve simply to show him what it is he’s been missing all this time. Zachery’s a bright enough young man. He will soon be congratulating himself over his marvelous new find.”

  Tori folded her arms and walked over to look out of the tall window, taking in the beautiful panorama bathed in springtime. A couple of blue jays caught her attention as one pursued the other in a merry game of tag.

  Giggling, Aurora sprang from her chair to look out of the other window before she wandered around the room. “Tori, I’m so glad you’re here. Oh! Won’t Viola Mae Jenkins be positively beside herself?”

  “Who?” Tori asked absently, still not fully accustomed to the accent.

  “Viola Mae Jenkins. She goes a
round telling everyone she’s got Zach Saberton wrapped around her pinkie finger. As far as I can tell he doesn’t give her the time of day. Her sister, Felicity, is the same way about Nicholas.”

  Tori was suddenly staring at the window instead of out of it, as Aurora’s words became more than just chatter.

  “…always fawning after him like a lovesick calf, telling everyone he’s on the verge of proposing marriage. Pooh! Nicholas would never take up with that hussy.”

  Tori turned to face Aurora.

  “She was married once, for about two years. The poor man drowned in a lake somewhere. But, she flirted shamelessly with Nicholas even before her husband was dead. Of course, he didn’t pay her any mind. At least, I don’t think he did.”

  Aurora frowned for a moment and brought her thumbnail to her mouth, then rushed on. “Mother says the Saberton brothers are too handsome for their own good.” She sighed heavily. “Nicholas and Ian are well known for turning heads. They are the two oldest. But, I think Zach is every bit as attractive.”

  “There’s more of them?” Tori returned to the settee to retrieve her reticule and parasol. “Heaven help Savannah.”

  It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been aware that Nicholas was an old hand in the art of flirtation. His skill had been more than apparent. It just galled her at how easily she had let him lead her down a path he’d obviously taken many, many times before.

  “Ian goes to seminary up in New York somewhere. But he comes home for holidays.”

  “A Saberton minister?” Try as she might, Tori couldn’t imagine it.

  “Not yet, but he’s working on it. He’s always been nice to me.” Aurora came to Tori’s side. “Do you suppose Zach might be persuaded to escort me to the Hermitage Soirée in August? It’s the party of all parties during the season. The Hamiltons throw it every year over at their plantation out on Argyle Island. I’m dying to go, but it would be even better if I were to show up with Zach.”

  Her cousin’s pained expression was all the encouragement Tori needed. “First things first. Let’s get you upstairs and ready for this evening.” Tori smiled and patted Aurora’s hand. “Then, we shall go to work on the big soirée.”