True Nobility

by Lori Bates Wright

  Tori frowned. “Why on earth?”

  “He protects himself that way. From having to feel anything.” Mrs. Saberton paused, carefully considering Tori before going on. “I’m going to tell you something, Victoria, that I don’t normally make known.”

  Tori stopped petting the horse to listen intently.

  “Nicholas did allow himself to care once. Very deeply, as a matter of fact. But just before the marriage was to take place, Celine decided a naval cadet wasn’t good enough for the daughter of a ten-year admiral. Instead of telling anyone how she felt, she ran off with some first classman a month before she and Nicholas were to wed.” Dottie Saberton gave a deliberate look. “I never want to see my son hurt like that again.”

  This was a mother who had seen her son’s heart shattered and was bold enough say what needed to be said to make certain it wouldn’t happen again.

  Tori was silent, filled with compassion for the young cadet. No one, not even Nicholas, should have to live through such pain and humiliation.

  She knew Mrs. Saberton was waiting for her to respond, but she felt inadequate in offering such assurance. She was no threat to Nicholas’s heart. Instead, Tori looked away.

  “My son has much love to give, but he must allow the Lord to rid his heart of the bitterness that has taken root there.” Mrs. Saberton shook her head and the horse turned toward her. “Only the healing touch of grace can break down the walls he’s put up to guard himself.”

  Felicity’s red-clad curves flashed through Tori’s mind and she spoke before thinking it through. “Well, he will never find the kind of love he needs in the places he’s been looking.”

  Mrs. Saberton smiled with a wise nod of her head. “Very true. I believe he’s coddled that broken heart long enough. Let’s pray he finds love again.”

  Tori remained quiet.

  Nicholas was infinitely obstinate, and more than annoying at times. But there had been times—precious few times—when she’d seen something else, a tenderness toward her that had drawn her to him from the beginning.

  “So if it seems he occasionally distances himself from you, dear, it’s only because you do make him feel something.” Mrs. Saberton grinned and retethered her horse’s reins. “Though he’d rather have you detest him than admit it.”

  “Thank you for telling me, Mrs. Saberton.” Tori gave a weak smile and sighed, remembering Nicholas’s constant impatience with her. “This explains much. But I’m afraid his lack of interest is quite real.”

  “Lack of interest? I don’t think so.” Mrs. Saberton drew Tori’s attention to the second story window of a building across the street on Commerce Row. High above the crowd, Nicholas stood looking down at them in full view from where they stood.

  His mother raised her gloved hand in greeting and he returned the gesture before pulling the shade.

  “I daresay I’ve not seen him as interested in anyone in quite a long while.” Mrs. Saberton grinned at her with a wink and a nod.

  “Help! Someone help!”

  Tori looked over the top of the horse toward the pond where a crowd was gathering.

  Mrs. Saberton hitched her skirt with one hand and headed for the commotion.

  Looking around for Aurora, Tori found the blanket empty under the tree. From across the park she spotted Zach coming from underneath the gazebo. He, too, appeared to be looking for someone.

  “Tori!” The voice sounded oddly like her cousin. Tori didn’t waste a moment. She lifted the hem of her skirt and ran toward the panicked cry.

  Pushing through the crowd, Tori stood at the edge of the murky water. Just on the other side, Aurora hung for dear life onto a low limb of a scrub oak that snaked out over the pond. Viola Mae Jenkins stood shrieking on the bank while her sister, Felicity slowly stood up from the center of the pond where she’d apparently fallen in.

  Ripples of laughter followed her slow trudge from the mire.

  Crisscrossing between the onlookers Tori made her way to where Aurora hung precariously from the tree limb. By the time she got to her, Zach was already helping her down and Viola Mae had dissolved into an unladylike wail.

  A group of children were highly amused and their laughter filled the air.

  “What on earth happened?” Tori took Aurora’s hands and dusted the bark from her palms.

  Dottie Saberton came to stand on the other side of Zach.

  “Felicity said she lost her wedding ring.” Aurora said. “Viola Mae’s afraid of water, so she asked if I could see it.”

  Tori slipped a protective arm around her cousin.

  A little girl stepped forward to provide more information. “We saw the whole thing. We were playing jacks on that stump over there. That lady there tried to push her in, but Miss Aurora grabbed a limb and hung on. The lady went splash!” She motioned big with her arms to the delight of the other children.

  “Lies! You m-miserable little brat.” Felicity stood dripping, with chattering teeth, looking every bit like she wanted to throttle the child. “I was trying to help and l-lost my balance.”

  “Felicity, you’ve ruined everything.” Viola Mae stomped her foot. “Zach’s standing there with his arm around Aurora, not me.”

  Tori’s hand went to her bosom, to the cross she wore next to her heart. “Sweet merciful heavens.”

  With slow progress, Felicity sloshed noisily out of the water while her heavy red gown threatened to remain. She jerked at the low bodice with an irritable tug, glaring at the twittering crowd as she made her way back to her carriage.

  Tori took her cousin by the hand, salvaging as much decorum as she possibly could. “Collect Aunt Charlotte, will you please, Zach? I do believe it’s time we went home.”

  High above Forsyth Park, Nicholas looked down at the scene below from the second-story window of his offices. His building on Commerce Row faced the square with full view of the fish pond. No doubt all a part of Felicity’s scheme.

  It didn’t take much to piece together the facts. Felicity had clearly planned on it being Aurora who was fished from the pond, and she was mad as a hornet that her trap had gone awry.

  He had no interest in Felicity. She’d set her talons for him ages ago. There was no room in his life for any female, and certainly not for one the likes of Felicity. He’d escorted her to a couple of social events but had maintained that there was nothing between them, nor would there ever be.

  As the throng scattered, Nicholas watched Tori and Felicity flounce off in opposite directions.

  He had watched his mother and Tori talk earlier over by the new mare. Dottie Saberton was taking a personal interest in Haverwood’s daughter and Nicholas couldn’t help but wonder why.

  Ever since Celine had run off, his mother made no secret that she believed his heart was in no shape to become entangled again.

  Nicholas blew a heavy breath. On that account, his mother was right. He’d given his heart once, for all the good that had done. He never saw the blatant betrayal to come. All without remorse. Celine had made him the laughingstock of the Naval Academy.

  He had his business. Haverwood Shipping and Trade was as vital and energizing as any human mistress could be. And for now, it was the love of his life. He’d spend every waking moment making certain it was thriving.

  Studying the familiar advertisement hanging on the wall of his office, he was again filled with anticipation. With the new steam engines that were just rolling out, expeditions abroad could be made in half the time. It was an exciting time to be in the merchant business and he’d gotten in on the ground floor.

  Commerce was a faithful companion. If cultivated with determination and perseverance, he had made the connections to be a world runner one day. Hopefully soon. He was already the largest transporter in the southern states for cotton, iron and textiles. It was a pivotal time for the country—the south in particular—and they were making great strides in finding innovative solutions to farming, processing, and transport. All with new, more efficient machinery. He planned to be an
integral part of the “New South.” His dream went beyond business with the big conglomerates of the northern Union. He wanted an international trade port based right here in Savannah.

  Just thinking about it improved his mood.

  Turning back to the window, he was able to smile when he caught sight of Victoria Haverwood. Without so much as a glance behind her, she marched off with her back stiff as a board and head held high, with a dazed Aurora in tow.

  Victoria Haverwood was quite a catch. But for someone else. They were all wrong for each other. Anyone could see that.

  Chuckling, he saw Felicity slapping away the hands of onlookers reaching out to touch her soggy dress as she passed them by. Trudging none-too-lady-like toward her carriage on the opposite side of the square, she looked fit to be tied.

  Victoria was another story. She greeted everyone with a cordial nod, and no one who hadn’t witnessed the ridiculous ordeal at the pond would ever guess she wasn’t having a lovely afternoon.

  “Princess, I can’t leave you alone for a minute, can I? For someone so painfully proper, you draw trouble like a bull in a china shop.”

  With a shake of his head, he pulled the shade.

  Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

  ~ 1 Peter 5:7

  Eleven

  Miss Aurora Haverwood

  The pleasure of your

  Company is respectfully requested at

  The Hermitage Soirée on Argyle Island

  Friday 10th of August

  Music will commence at 8 PM

  Dinner promptly at midnight

  MISTER ZACHERY L. SABERTON

  Tori watched as Aurora reread the invitation for the tenth time since it had been hand-delivered by messenger half an hour past. An identical one had come for Tori, set with Nicholas’s personal seal in royal blue wax.

  “I hope my dress is ready in time.” Aurora set a small glass of orange juice next to her plate. “Mr. Jean-Pierre will never forgive us turning down his design.” Her cousin was excitable on any given day, but this morning she was especially animated. “I thought his eyes would pop right out of his head when you showed him the pattern we want from Graham’s Book of Fashions. It’s a good thing we don’t know French. I have a feeling we would have suffered in the translation.”

  “I do speak French.” Tori made a face as she spread a generous spoonful of apple butter on her toast. “And we did.”

  “Oh, but that frightful gown he had drawn up for me, trimmed in a solid mass of daisies. No discernable shape at all, just hundreds of white daisies tacked about from head to foot.” Dissolving into giggles, she licked a spot of orange marmalade from the corner of her mouth. “I want to attract Zach, not a horde of bumblebees.”

  Tori couldn’t help but laugh, too. The dress was hideous. “I do love the material you picked instead though. You will look glorious in ivory taffeta.”

  “This is fun! Kind of like preparing for a wedding.” She tasted marmalade from the tip of her finger, then caught Tori’s eye. “I mean … because of the dress. Being white and all. Debutantes always wear white …” Aurora blushed.

  “Of course.” Tori took on a somber expression. “The thought of marriage to someone like Zachery Saberton would never cross your mind.”

  “It most certainly would, too.” Aurora gave a fervent nod. “And Zach will marry me someday. He just doesn’t know it yet.”

  “Oh, I see.” Tori smiled and lifted her water goblet in salute. “Well, congratulations to you both. Zachery is a fine young man and I wish the two of you many happy years together.”

  “What about you and Nicholas?”

  “Hmm?” Tori lowered her glass. “That’s hardly a fair comparison. There is no Nicholas and me.”

  Aurora looked doubtful.

  “Aurora, really. You come up with the silliest ideas.” Tori took a bite of warm cheese grits and swallowed with concentrated effort. “Zachery asked you to the ball, and Nicholas felt an obligation to see I was invited as well. He was merely being polite.”

  Her reasoning sounded hollow in her own ears. Nicholas didn’t do a thing he didn’t want to do, and they both knew it.

  “I think he fancies you.” Aurora took a sip of her juice and peered at Tori over the rim of her glass.

  “I can’t hold another bite.” Removing the napkin from her lap, Tori placed it next to her plate. “We’d best get dressed if we are going to make Mrs. Merriweather’s luncheon by noon.”

  “There’s plenty of time. Mother’s not even up yet. Tori, don’t you like Nicholas?”

  On a heavy sigh of resignation, Tori sat back in her seat. “It’s not a matter of whether I like him or not, Aurora. We are from completely different worlds. He would never be accepted in mine and I don’t belong in his.” The truth in her words caused her heart to ache.

  “Why not? Uncle Edward accepts him. As a matter of fact, I think he secretly wishes you two would get on with it.”

  “Yes, he made that quite clear. But, it’s not as simple as all that.” Voicing her doubts was proving much harder than she would have expected. “I was born into a class of people that frown upon marriage outside of their class. Father believes that if Nicholas married me, he would reclaim his rightful place. But, Father doesn’t know him as well as I do. Nicholas would never leave his home here, nor should he. He’s not had a suitable upbringing, and the peerage would eat him alive.”

  “Mrs. Dottie is very suitable!”

  “No, I mean as far as the peers are concerned.” Tori forged ahead quickly to ease Aurora’s pout, reaching her hand across the table to rest upon her cousin’s arm. “An upbringing suitable for titled persons.”

  “Sounds like plain ol’ snobbery to me.” Aurora moved her arm and folded it with her other one across her chest. “Remind me never to go to England.”

  “It’s not just in England. Snobbery exists everywhere, I’m afraid. We of the nobility have simply perfected it, that’s all.” Her admission brought heat to Tori’s cheeks. Things were so different here. Everything was cut-and-dried at home. Commoners never questioned the lot into which they were born. Did they?

  “How is it that we have the very same amount of Haverwood blood running through our veins, but you see yourself as so much better?” Aurora tilted her head slightly. “Are you ashamed of mother and me?”

  “Oh, Aurora, no. You have it all wrong. I’m proud of you and am happy to be with you any time, anywhere.” Tori left her seat to go to her cousin’s side. “You are my family. I love you dearly.”

  “Really?” Aurora pinned Tori with a serious look for a long moment. “So love does make a difference.”

  Try as she might, Tori could come up with no reasonable response.

  The days flew by and Tori became as eager as her cousin to attend the biggest event of the season. Aurora’s excitement was contagious. When the evening of the ball was finally upon them, neither could stand still long enough to have their corsets laced.

  Gabe had heralded the arrival of the Sabertons a short time earlier and had indicated that they would be waiting in the parlor with the earl.

  Finally, Aunt Charlotte stepped out ahead of them from the door of Aurora’s bedroom and lowered her voice, as if anyone else could hear. “Let me go down first. I’ll make sure y’all make a memorable entrance.

  Aurora nodded and brought her hand to her mouth to chew on a fingernail.

  Her mother scurried down the stairs as fast as her small feet would allow. Tori and Aurora watched from the top of the stairway as she made it to the doorway of the drawing room and waved the men onto their feet. “Gentle …men. Up!” It was all she could manage having run completely out of breath.

  Aurora entered the room with a shy smile. Her ivory gown, with its high waist and lacy collar, swished with each step. A matching bow caught up her blond hair and simple pearl earrings were her only jewelry.

  Zachery brought over a small nosegay and placed it in her hand.

  “Edward,
aren’t they pretty?” Charlotte took a small hankie from her sleeve and held it to her mouth.

  “Quite.” He checked his timepiece without even glancing at his niece. “Where is Victoria? It’s nearly a quarter past seven and we’ve a good hour’s drive.”

  Charlotte Haverwood tapped his sleeve, directing his attention to Tori, who still stood in the doorway.

  She’d been so taken with watching Aurora blossom under Zach’s warm gaze that she forgot about making her own entrance.

  “You look especially lovely tonight.” Nicholas came to meet her, offering his arm. “I hope you’ll make room for me on your dance card.”

  “Maybe just one,” Tori conceded with a playful grin.

  “I’ll have the first dance, princess.” He smiled. “And the last, too—if you behave.”

  “Enough gibberish.” The earl grabbed up his cane and hastened to the doorway. He had been invited to act as an honorary chaperone for the evening and was anxious to begin his duties.

  Tori turned so that Nicholas could help her with her white ermine cape. Holding her loose curls, she was careful with the sapphire combs on either side of her temples. Her pale blue gown was fitted with a wide sash at her waist. White mitt sleeves hugged her arms to the wrist, hooking over her thumbs. A three-strand choker of pearls lay against her throat.

  “Men shall sit on one side of the carriage. Ladies on the other.” Lord Haverwood donned his top hat and pulled on his white gloves. “Let’s be off.”

  Nicholas and Zach exchanged glances suggesting the earl had lost his proverbial marbles.

  Her father remained undaunted. “It’s a good hour’s drive and I’ll not tolerate any dallying behind my back.” With an emphatic thump of his cane, he motioned for Gabe to open the door.

  The ride to Argyle Island was uneventful, save the ferry ride which Tori thought was quite unique. Her father conceded somewhat, yet still insisted on depositing himself directly in between Nicholas and Tori. He had seen to it that Zach and Aurora sat at opposite ends of the seat across from them. Awkward silence hung in the air of the coach until they pulled into the drive of the Hermitage plantation.