“I believe you promised us a musical treat, Aurora. Would you mind playing something?” Zach leaned over her to make his request.
Aurora looked like she was prepared to stand on her head—anything to keep him looking at her that way. With a gentle nudge, Tori reminded the smitten girl to stay within the plan.
Aurora sat up straight. Adopting her best coquettish expression, she tilted her head ever-so-slightly toward Zach. “Why certainly Zachery, if that’s what you wish.”
All was going splendidly until Aurora turned skittish under Zach’s warm gaze. Her eyelash flutters became increasingly exaggerated until her eyes resembled canvas flapping in the wind, her head nodding perceptibly with each ridiculous blink.
“Aurora?” Zach straightened and appeared at a loss. “Have you something in your eye?”
Aurora’s Mona Lisa smile fared no better. Actually, it gave her the unfortunate appearance of one who had eaten too many green apples.
“Good heavens!” The earl motioned for the butler. “She’s ill. Grab a vase.”
“Father.” Tori was up in an instant. She couldn’t fathom how things were going so awry, but she did know her father was only going to make matters worse.
“Has the girl got bowel trouble?” he asked Charlotte who was lying back against the settee with her eyes closed.
“Our Father, which art in heaven …” Aunt Charlotte furiously fanned herself.
“Aurora please, let me help you lie down. Should we call the doctor?” Zach’s concern was more evident by the second.
Aurora ceased her bumbling flirtation. Looking around the room, she took in the odd stares of the others. She appeared mortified.
With nervous hands, she reached up to smooth her hair, but caught her bracelet in one side of the upswept locks. Tiny rosebuds rained across her lap as an entire section of her hair came tumbling down.
Zach’s look of unmasked pity proved her final unraveling. Aurora pushed past him and ran from the room.
Tori, on the other hand, fumed. She started to go after her cousin, but Nicholas stepped in front of her, refusing to let her pass. “Why do I get the feeling this fiasco is somehow of your making?”
“Let me by!” She pushed against his wide chest.
“Aurora doesn’t need any more of your help. Why don’t you just tell Zach the truth? She was attempting to flatter him. Let them work it out themselves.”
This was her fault.
With a groan, Tori bit her lower lip and stole an irritated look at him. Why must he be so sure of himself all the time?
Turning her back to him, she addressed his brother. “Zachery, did it ever occur to you that Aurora might have been trying to gain your attention?”
“Well, she got it. What was that all about?”
Tori sighed before going on. “For some reason, she is a bit infatuated with you. What you and Father mistook for queasiness, was her innocent attempt at wooing you.”
The earl took a seat and opened a periodical with a brisk shake.
Aunt Charlotte sniffed loudly into her hanky.
“What? Why didn’t she just say so?” Zach went to the mantle and rested both hands on it, gazing down into the empty hearth.
“That would have been too easy.” A muscle flicked in Nicholas’s jaw, and he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Zachery, you must listen carefully to what I’m telling you.” Tori caught up her skirts and went to stand next to him. “It’s quite possible you’ve broken the poor girl’s heart.”
Zach provided the exact look Tori was going for. Astonishment with just a smidgeon of guilt.
“Well, you’ll simply have to make it up to her. That’s all there is to it.”
“I never meant to embarrass her. I thought she was in pain.” The young captain was nearly beside himself. “What should I do now?”
“Well, there is only one thing you can do, I suppose.” Tori glanced at Aunt Charlotte, who ceased her fan in mid-flutter, sitting forward with a nod of understanding as it finally dawned on her what her niece was up to. “It seems to me she mentioned a certain event coming up. Heritage, is it?”
Tori strolled to where a vase of colorful tulips adorned a rosewood side table, carefully avoiding Nicholas. He wouldn’t approve of her tactics.
Zach mouthed the word, without recognition.
Tori brought her finger to her chin. “Herman’s Ball? No, no that’s not it.”
Nicholas cleared his throat and rolled his eyes.
“Hermitage?” Zach provided.
“Yes!” Tori pointed at him to indicate he’d guessed correctly. “The Hermitage Soirée”
“What about it?” The look of confusion on Zach’s face told her she was going to have to spell it out for him.
“Aurora would like to go.” She paused for effect. “With you as her escort.”
“Well, why didn’t she just say so?” Zach settled a hand on his hip and turned back to the hearth.
This time Tori did chance a look at Nicholas. Though he shook his head, he was grinning.
“Do you think you can get her to come back down? I’d like to apologize. I’ll invite her then,” Zach spoke over his shoulder.
“I’ll be right back!” Charlotte Haverwood’s skirts billowed as she bounded from the room.
“I say, Zachery, you’re a noble chap, if nothing else.” The earl turned the page of his newspaper with a bored tone. “However, don’t go overboard with it. Women should be kept in their place, you know. They actually prefer it that way.”
Tori winced at her father’s careless remark. He couldn’t possibly understand the makings of a woman’s heart.
“You look perturbed, Victoria.” All eyes turned to her, as Nicholas called her out. “You wouldn’t by chance, have something to say about your father’s comment, would you?”
Tori froze.
Gathering her wits, she faced them both. “My father has every right to his opinion.”
“Yes, but, what is your opinion on the matter?” He persisted in a low voice.
“I don’t remember offering one,” she ground out.
“There you see?” The earl snapped his paper shut and motioned for Gabe. “Go find your mistress. Rather rude to leave us here to ourselves.”
Tori glared at Nicholas as she settled on the edge of a side chair. Zach remained at the door, peering anxiously down the hallway.
Footsteps sounded in the marble corridor.
“Here we are.” Charlotte warbled cheerily, reentering the room with Aurora in tow. “Good as new. Edward, I’ll have Flossie bring in some spearmint tea, with honey.” With that she traipsed back out again.
Tori carefully moved to her cousin’s side. “Aurora, I’m delighted to see you’re feeling better. Come and sit with me.”
Zach joined Tori at Aurora’s side. “Your color has returned. You look lovely as ever.”
“Thank you, Zach, but you don’t have to pretend. You know I wasn’t really sick. I just wanted you to notice me. I guess I tried a little too hard.” She shrugged and gave a timid smile to her cousin. “I’m sorry, Tori. I’m not good at being subtle.”
That wasn’t at all how it was done., although Tori had to admit she almost envied Aurora’s forthright confession.
“Then, I suppose that you also know I’d like you to go with me to the social out on Argyle Island.” Zach smiled easily and Aurora responded in kind.
“I believe Mother did mention something about it. But I won’t hear of it if you’re just feeling sorry for me.”
“Never.” Zach laughed lightheartedly. “It’s all the other young men that never got a chance to ask that I feel sorry for.”
“Really, Zach?” Aurora sighed.
Zach nodded.
The earl snorted.
Tori stood and turned her back to the group, making a pretense of studying the odd lines of the pumpkin-colored wallpaper. Tears stung the back of her eyes and she blinked to collect herself. Aurora had gotten the invitation she
’d hoped for and Tori was overjoyed for her cousin.
It was the ache in her own heart that took her by surprise.
“I hadn’t planned on going, myself.” Nicholas spoke softly at her back, interrupting her quiet reflection. “But someone needs to look after you. Will you allow me to once again play your escort, princess?”
Tori swiveled just enough to meet his gaze. As usual, she found an odd comfort in the midnight depths.
“Oh, please say you’ll go, Tori.” Aurora came up next to her and took her hand. “For me.”
Of course, Aurora did need her. Before her mind could fully reason it out, she accepted his invitation.
“Wonderful! Shall we adjourn to the music room? I’ve had Flossie lay out tea and cakes. Aurora always feels much better when she’s playin’ her music.” Aunt Charlotte went straight over to Lord Haverwood. “Edward, let me give you a hand.”
He tried to stand, but had a hard time as her aunt was tugging at his arm. “I’d thank you to remove your hands from my person, Charlotte. I am perfectly capable of seeing to myself.” He snatched his arm back, took up his cane, and smoothed his rumpled waistcoat before sidestepping her without another glance.
Across the entryway, a long narrow room was sparsely furnished with little other than six wingback chairs set in pairs around English oak tea tables. As promised, tea cakes and pots steeping with tea were laid out on silver trays. Rich, golden-framed paintings of Biblical characters hung above the wainscoting on each wall and a cool night breeze wafted in through the open French doors, ruffling the tasseled swag above.
Moving to the head of the room, Aurora bore no signs of her earlier bashfulness. Gabe pulled a tapestry-covered stool in front of the exquisite gilded harp. She swept her dusky pink skirts around her, and pulled the instrument back to rest against her shoulder.
Everyone was seated and Aunt Charlotte took up her fan.
Music filled the room as Aurora began with Beethoven’s Sonata No. 2, Moonlight. The composition was enchanting. Her fingertips alternately strummed and plucked at the long vibrating strings, performing a melody that had endured for ages. Mesmerizing chords, played in bass minors, silenced the audience into awed appreciation.
Upon the last run of the sonata, Tori slipped through the tall French doors leading out onto the verandah. The others listened as Aurora began a second piece, this one a familiar hymn.
The sweet performance had only contributed to her melancholy mood. Lifting her face to the breeze, she let the night air cool the warmth in her cheeks.
She didn’t have to turn to know Nicholas had followed her outside.
Running her hand along the rail of the wooden verandah, she stopped to lean against a Roman column. “You needn’t gloat so.”
A chuckle rumbled from his chest as he came to stand behind her. “Why would I care to gloat, Victoria? I should thank you. You’ve once again provided an entertaining evening.” Nicholas rested his forearm on the pillar above her head and she turned to face him.
“Why must you believe the worst of me? Like it or not, Aurora needs me.”
“Like she needs the plague,” Nicholas commented with a casual air as he looked over the top of her head, at the manicured gardens. “You know, if you share any more of your expert advice, she’ll never survive it.”
“According to Miss Sarah Hale—”
“Who?” Nicholas quirked an eyebrow, looking down at her.
“Sarah Hale. The utmost authority on goodness and virtue. She has a regular commentary in Godey’s Lady’s Book, a model for the perfect lady.”
“Victoria, you don’t need anyone to tell you how to be a lady. It comes naturally. The Good Book is the only authority you need to live by.”
“Miss Hale abides by the Good Book as well.”
“Believe it or not, I’ve read that Book a time or two. Nowhere does it say that you should apologize for being you—that your unique ideas and opinions are any less valuable than anyone else’s.”
He twirled a curl at the base of her neck and any reasonable argument left her head. Tracing her jaw with his thumb, he tilted her chin up to force her gaze to meet his own.
Nicholas looked down at her and the message in his eyes spoke of safety and security. When his gaze dropped to her mouth, however, she got another message altogether.
Tori shivered from both the breeze and the intensity of the moment.
He cradled her face in his hand and her eyes drifted shut. When his lips met hers, Tori’s breath caught in her throat. He tasted of spearmint and the effect of his kiss was heady. Leaning into his solid chest, she felt as if she couldn’t get close enough.
“Captain? Victoria? I say, can’t see a blooming thing out there.” The earl’s voice put an abrupt end to Nicholas’s kiss.
Tori ducked under his arm and stepped around him to go to her father.
Nicholas clasped her arm as she passed but she kept her head down, refusing to let him see the desire in her eyes.
“Hold up, princess. We can’t have your father thinking anything improper is going on out here.” With that, she did look up at him, and he flashed a facetious grin.
“Are you mocking me?” she half whispered.
“I am.” He had the most disarming way about him. “But we go back inside together. Otherwise, you’d be here all night trying to concoct a suitable alibi.”
Nicholas took her hand and started back toward the house, pulling her along.
Tori spoke again, quietly. Barely audible.
“Did you say something?” Nicholas glanced down at her.
Tori stopped and lifted her chin, meeting his questioning gaze straight on. “Yes, Nicholas, I did.” Taking her hand back, she lifted her skirts with a swoosh, “I said, shove off!”
Brushing past, she left him to enjoy his laugh alone, glad he couldn’t see her satisfied grin.
Strength and honour are her clothing.
~ Proverbs 31:25
Nine
Three weeks passed since their arrival in Savannah. As July wound slowly to a close, Tori missed the cool afternoon breezes she was accustomed to back home.
Teas and luncheons took up most of their days. As word spread about town of the earl’s arrival from England, she and her father became the main attraction at countless social engagements.
The Ladies Academy had trained her well for this sort of thing, barring one minor detail. Georgia had a style all its own. Women here were no demure misses, nor did they hesitate to say and—for the most part—do exactly as they pleased. They were allowed to speak freely. Not that they weren’t submissive to their husbands, but it was a different sort of submission. A mutual respect existed between genders that Tori found utterly refreshing.
During their many garden get-togethers, the ladies discussed fundraising for a good cause, such as quilting blankets for the orphanage or raising monuments to heroes of the Revolution. Back in England, these decisions were always made by men. As far as Tori knew, ladies were never even consulted. This land of liberty apparently was designed to include the female population as well.
Tori had watched her father carefully over the past few weeks, curious to take in his reaction to this generous concept. As long as these Savannians fawned after him as if he were Prince Albert himself, he appeared happy to extend whatever tolerance was needed on their behalf.
With concealed amusement, she’d observed lady after lady greet him with, “so nice to meet you, Your Royal Eminence,” or “are you enjoying your visit, Your Graciousness?” As it was, his invitations extended through most of August.
Most days, however, Lord Haverwood indicated that he preferred the familiar atmosphere of the Savannah Gentlemen’s Club. The camaraderie among the other gents, along with his genuine liking for the natural southern wit, kept him occupied well into the evening most days.
Without a doubt, Tori found dusk in this American South utterly fascinating. High society folk migrated toward Bull Street to promenade around the plaza until dar
k. Everyone nodded in passing. Babies in carriages were proudly strolled about while ladies and gentlemen of all ages donned their finest to come out and exchange pleasantries. With every turn around the square, Tori fell in love with the unique charm of this city.
By the time the oil lamps were lit at all the major intersections, stately carriages made their way to the magnificent theater on Chippewa Square.
Aunt Charlotte was in a virtual euphoria, or as Aurora so aptly put it—she was in a “tizzy.”
Her aunt’s outlandish fashion sense stemmed directly from Madame Dupree’s flair for the absurd. The first time Tori laid eyes upon Aunt Charlotte’s round little form bedecked in one of her truly outrageous hats, Tori didn’t know whether to compliment her aunt or rescue her from the ghastly contraption.
No one for three rows behind her could see the pulpit, yet none at First Christian Church gave her or her hat a second glance, except to rave about the skills of the popular French designers. Charlotte Haverwood was one of the city’s most prominent matrons, therefore much was overlooked.
Such was the case this morning, as Tori and Aurora waited for Aunt Charlotte to join them in the family’s plum-colored barouche. The day promised to provide the most elaborate affair yet.
A parade was scheduled in her father’s honor, followed by a speech and presentation from the Ladies Historical Society. A picnic luncheon on the square would be served directly afterward by wives of the Chatham Artillery. Lord Haverwood was immensely flattered by all the attention and had gone ahead of the Haverwood ladies to meet early with the parade committee.
Tori suspected it didn’t take much of an event to set these Georgians in a whirl. Any excuse could be turned into a perfectly justifiable reason to socialize. The city’s newspaper devoted entire sections to who was where, with whom, wearing what.
These Americans had their own provincial version of the English ton.
Aurora chattered excitedly, wondering at the chances of Zach Saberton making an appearance at the parade. Tori’s thoughts turned to Nicholas.
True Nobility Page 7
