Nicholas alighted and threw his cape off to the side of one large shoulder before reaching for Tori’s hand. He looked dashing in his formal Navy attire of dark blue, which of course, he wore with his usual air of self-assurance. Brass buttons gleamed in rows down each side of the tailed jacket and his black Hessians were polished to a high shine.
Tori took his hand and set foot lightly from the step, taking in the marvelous view of the lit-up grounds. Strains from the orchestra filtered out, filling the courtyard with a rich melody. Well-dressed ladies on the arms of proud gentlemen strolled past, smiling in greeting.
“Tori,” Aurora whispered beside her. “I declare, I have never been so excited in all my life. This feels like a dream, and I hope I never wake up.”
Tori was amazed at the opulent surroundings. She had imagined a working plantation would be rather plain. Nothing was farther from the truth.
Swags of white material hung from the ceilings of the grand ballroom and hundreds of candles glistened from an enormous chandelier, reflecting brightly in a wall of windows on the opposite side. A lush garden, equally as brilliantly lit, could be seen through several pairs of open French doors.
Off to one end, on a small platform, the musicians moved their bows in unison. Several maids in uniform attended the refreshment tables on the other side. A row of chairs lined the outer walls where older matrons admired various couples as they swayed, dipped, and swirled past.
Lord Haverwood twirled his walking stick before proceeding down the steps in a stately posture. Two Naval widows waited for him at the bottom step and propelled him over to their cluster of friends gathered in a far corner. Her father stood tall, only slightly leaning on his cane.
Dozens of couples filled the dance floor, all moving gracefully with the music.
Tori glanced up at Nicholas. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve attended a ball.” She could barely think straight with him standing so near—and looking so handsome. “We were taught the steps in school, but rarely had a chance to practice them in mixed company. Do you suppose we could take a turn at the next go around?”
“There’s plenty of time for that. How about I get us some refreshments?”
“Could it be that you don’t know how?” She couldn’t help herself. The festive atmosphere had her feeling cheerful, if not a tad daring. “Well, not to worry, sir. I shall teach you. There’s nothing to it once you learn the basics.”
“Do be gentle.” He gave her a bright smile. “I’ll try my best not to get flustered.”
Tori bit her lip to keep from laughing. “You’re quite impossible, you know.”
When he laughed, dozens of eyes turned to them. “If truth be known, princess, you’d be downright brokenhearted if I didn’t tease you at least once in a while.”
“Well, now.” She lifted her head. “It appears you don’t know me well at all.”
He chucked her defiant chin. “I can fix that, too. For now, though, I’ll go find us some punch.”
Starting in the direction of the tables, he was soon intercepted by three giggling young women. One toyed with her ringlets as she spoke to him. Another tapped his arm with her fan with every other word. He nodded graciously and attempted to step around them, only to have another come up to keep him from his task.
Tori watched with a grin. His tall, broad shoulders commanded attention. Eyes from all over the room followed his every movement. Splendidly garbed in his captain’s uniform he was an impressive figure. Even Tori had stolen more than a second glance.
Aurora attempted to gain her attention from across the room. Frowning slightly, she tried to comprehend her cousin’s gestures.
Following the girl’s pointed direction, Tori suppressed a chuckle. Viola Mae Jenkins walked through the door with a young man, inches shorter than herself. And Lord help her if she wasn’t looking particularly daisy-like this evening.
The very same dress Jean-Pierre Dupree had created for Aurora now hung on Viola Mae Jenkins, and from the looks of things, she was quite pleased with herself as she tugged her harried suitor along beside her. Tori and Aurora smiled knowingly at each other.
“Might I have this dance, Lady Victoria?” A well-dressed young gentleman stood next to Tori, with several others hovering nearby.
“Thank you, but no. I’ve come with an escort, and I promised the first dance to him.”
“My apologies. I thought since Captain Saberton was already dancing, you would be free to accept an offer.” He started to return to the eager group, but Tori stopped him.
“I’m afraid you’re mistaken. Captain Saberton is my designated partner for this first dance.” She searched her reticule for her card. Lifting it she pointed to the space where Nicholas’s name had been crossed out. This dance was indeed open.
“No, ma’am. Nicholas assured me you were free to dance if it pleased you to do so. May I be so bold as to say we were hoping he would give the rest of us a chance.”
Confusion marred her brow for just a moment until she remembered her manners. Turning a forced smile toward the bewildered young man, she politely accepted his offer. The conductor had announced a Virginia Reel and though the dance was new to her, she soon found herself enjoying it immensely. She hadn’t realized how much she missed the excitement of dancing and being the center of attention.
Every now and again, she tried to spot Nicholas amidst the magnificent array of colors swirling past, but to no avail. She refused to let the thought of him ruin what was becoming a pleasant evening.
The orchestra called a brief intermission, giving Tori a welcome chance to catch her breath. Accepting a glass of punch offered from a silver tray, Tori savored the cool melon drink while looking over the animated guests.
She glanced up to see Nicholas watching her in a wide mirror above the food tables. Turning her back to his indiscreet inspection, she tried to focus on the young man hovering over her. He was quite the chatterbox, yet Tori hadn’t heard a word he’d said.
The orchestra resumed with the soft flow of a waltz. Nicholas made his way toward her and her pulse quickened as he drew near.
“Excuse us, won’t you Jackson?” Nicholas approached and the young man stepped aside. With an offer of his hand, she didn’t hesitate to accept. Neither did she give resistance when he pulled her into the circle of his arms once they reached the dance floor.
“You are quite horrid.” Tori spoke though a forced smile for the benefit of those who watched them on every side. “You’ve behaved quite unbecomingly this evening—even for you.”
Nicholas smiled in response, tightening his arm around her waist.
“I expect I shall be angry about this for quite some time.”
“I’ve seen how it’s kept you from enjoying yourself so far.” Nicholas caught her in a full turn that left her breathless. “If you’d notice, princess, I traded my name on your dance card from the first Virginia Reel to this waltz. It’s much cozier.”
She’d been so dejected at seeing his name crossed out on the first dance that she hadn’t bothered to look to see if he’d added it elsewhere.
“What must I do to earn your forgiveness? Name it and it’s yours.” Nicholas caressed the small of her back, and Tori to leaned into his warm embrace.
“Well, now that you mention it, I would like to visit your mother’s home some weekend. She invited me to come riding.”
“It would be my pleasure.” The sincerity she heard in his voice made her look up into his eyes to make sure she’d heard him right. Once more, she was taken unaware by his thoughtfulness. No teasing. His offer appeared genuine.
Unable to tear her eyes from his warm gaze, she was absorbed by his nearness, enchanted by the dance they shared.
“Princess?” The corner of his mouth ticked with the beginnings of a smile.
“Yes, Nicholas?”
He smiled down into her eyes. “The music stopped a good bit ago, but we can continue dancing if it makes you happy.”
Dreamily, she s
miled back.
When his words finally pierced her daze, Tori came to an abrupt halt. She scanned the questioning faces now openly staring as they swayed together in the center of the dance floor. A clap sounded from somewhere in the back and soon others joined in to offer polite applause.
Heat burned her cheeks as Nicholas took her hand to lead her through the pleased crowd. He paused only to pull her up beside him and tuck her hand into the crook of his arm. Several people spoke to them along the way, but Tori had no idea what they were saying.
Nicholas headed for the large French doors. She welcomed the cool breeze on her face and the chance to breathe again.
Swelling clouds now covered the moon and distant thunder rolled in from the sea. The air, heavy with moisture, smelled of the rain to come. The night breeze ruffled Tori’s curls as she looked around at the couples who had paired off all around them. Some were seated on the white wrought iron benches placed in the lawn, while some sat on a low wall surrounding the patio.
“That was utter humiliation.” Tori spoke in a ragged whisper.
Nicholas shrugged, as they strolled past a bubbling fountain.
“I should think you would care a bit more about your reputation than that.”
“People will talk, Victoria, and say what they will.” He stopped and cupped her face to place a kiss on her forehead. “There’s nothing to be humiliated about unless there’s something you’re guilty of.”
“Guilty or not, appearances can hang a person. Don’t you care what people think about you? How could you not?”
“What do you think of me, princess?” His dark eyes searched hers as if trying to read her answer before she responded.
“I –”
A disturbance erupted from inside, and Tori to peered around his shoulder. A loud scream rent the air. Tori startled, clinging to his arm. Uneasiness gripped her when she lifted her head and saw his worried expression.
“Come on.” Nicholas grabbed her hand. Tori was forced to run just to keep up with his long strides back toward the ballroom.
“Lady Victoria.” A gray headed man met them halfway. “You’d best come inside.”
Now Tori truly was frightened. Something dreadful had happened, and she somehow knew it had to do with her father. Reentering the building, Tori immediately searched for his beloved face, but he was nowhere to be found. Turning, she implored the man to explain, tightly clasping Nicholas’s hand.
“It’s the earl,” the older gentleman began. “I’m afraid there’s no easy way to say this.” He looked to Nicholas briefly before going on. “His Lordship has been abducted.”
“Tori’s blood ran cold as fear seized her. Faint weeping could be heard behind her. She could not summon her voice to work.
“What happened, Hamilton?” Nicholas drew her close to his side.
“The servants say the earl stepped out front to see someone who had come asking for him. He was attacked by two men and thrown into a rented hack. It sped off before anyone could stop them.” The man called Hamilton gave Tori a sympathetic glance before returning his attention to Nicholas. “The authorities have been notified. I suggest you see the lady home. There’s nothing you can do here. And Saberton …” He took the younger man by the arm. “Take care.”
Aurora pulled her cousin into a tearful embrace. The ground felt unsteady beneath Tori’s feet. She should be crying, too. But for the moment, she felt nothing but a debilitating numbness that threatened to swallow her whole.
The easiest person to deceive is one’s own self.
~ Edward Bulwar Lytton
Twelve
“Zach, have Jonas bring the carriage around.” Nicholas settled his cape around Tori’s shoulders before leading the two women past the nervous whispers and curious stares of Hamilton’s guests.
It had begun to drizzle, and he could feel Tori trembling. Yet she stared straight ahead. Her face was as pale as an icy moon. He needed to get her seated for fear she would crumple beneath the shock. Barely waiting for the carriage to roll to a stop, Nicholas called for Jonas to throw open the door.
“No!” As if coming to herself, she pulled away from Nicholas and pushed against Zach when he stepped in to block her from returning to the grand foyer. “I’m not leaving here. My father is somewhere on this island and I’ll not leave until he is found.”
“Victoria.” Nicholas regretted his patronizing tone when he saw it only intensified her resolve.
“Go if you must. But I will not leave.”
Though she was the subject of indelicate whispering all around them, for once it didn’t dictate her behavior. Unfortunately, for all of her newfound bravery, Nicholas wasn’t about to let her stay on Argyle Island as long as danger had already targeted one Haverwood tonight.
“Get in the carriage, princess. We’ll discuss it on our way back to the city.”
“Lady Victoria, I must agree with Nicholas. You might not be safe here.” Hamilton and six other men came to form a half circle around them. “You’d do best to return to Mrs. Charlotte’s and let the authorities take care of the particulars.”
Tori turned an imploring face toward Nicholas. “I cannot just leave him here.”
“We have no way of knowing if the earl is even on the island at this point.” Hamilton stood back and lifted his arms. “Attention, please. Since this gathering has taken an unfortunate turn, I suggest all our guests make their way to the ferry for safe passage home. We will shut down the ferry with the last conveyance. Good evening and thank you for your gracious understanding.”
Before Tori could argue, Nicholas scooped her into his arms and headed for the carriage with Zach and Aurora close on his heels.
“Put me down! This instant!” When Nicholas failed to comply, he got a bony little elbow jabbed into his side.
“To the Haverwood’s, Jonah.” Nicholas called up as he stepped into the carriage. “Zach, get the door.”
Zach lifted Aurora inside and swung the door shut behind him. Jonas set the carriage in motion.
Nicholas settled her onto the seat and she scooted over to hug the far corner when he slipped in beside her. Thunder rolled in the distance. Nicholas expected her mood to match it but was surprised when she looked out the small window and said nothing.
He knew she was furious, but his first priority was to make sure she was safe.
The sound of rain pattering on top of the rig filled the space of the carriage, along with an occasional sob from Aurora as she wept softly against Zach’s shoulder.
All the while, Tori remained quiet.
Nicholas rested his arm along the back of Tori’s seat, watching the lights play over her delicate profile. The carriage jostled across the planks of the ferry that took them from Argyle Island to the mainland.
As badly as he wanted to question her to try and make sense of the earl’s odd disappearance, he knew this wasn’t the time.
Nicholas searched his mind for anything the earl may have said regarding the danger he supposed was following them, trying to piece together some clue as to who might have taken such a risk on a plantation full of witnesses.
On more than one occasion the earl had mentioned that Nicholas must see to Victoria’s safety, never emphasizing his own well-being. After the attack on the ship, Nicholas conceded someone indeed wanted her injured—or worse. But he could have sworn they’d managed to elude that threat and left whatever peril that followed them at Wrenbrooke Harbor.
Passing under a lamplight glowing in a haze of rain, Nicholas caught sight of unshed tears shimmering in Tori’s eyes. Still, she was silent.
Mulling over the facts, Nicholas had yet to make sense of the earl’s disappearance. If robbery had been the motive, the assailants wouldn’t have risked such a public spectacle. They would have hijacked his carriage or seized him on a deserted street in the city after dark.
If Haverwood was kidnapped, they’d done a clumsy job of it. At least a dozen eyewitnesses could describe the two that had come asking for hi
m, not to mention the rented hack could be easily traced.
The only thing for sure was that Victoria needed to be kept safe until the earl was found and the culprits caught.
He heard her sniff but still she gazed out the side window.
“Victoria, I need you to listen to me.” He softened his voice and place a hand on the both of hers clasped in her lap. “I know you’re upset with me, but removing you from Argyle was for your own good. We will find your father.”
He knew she heard him when she blinked back tears, but she refused to answer.
“Have you any idea who might have done this?”
“I know of no one who would wish my father harm.” Finally she spoke, but her answer was quiet.
Careful not to upset her more, he nodded and let the matter drop as they pulled onto Habershire Street leading to the Haverwood house. Once stopped in front of the large steps, Zach helped Aurora down and into the house.
When Tori didn’t move, Nicholas sat with an arm resting on the back of the seat as he watched her. He knew she needed a moment before going inside to face an hysterical Mrs. Charlotte. Once he was certain she was safe, he’d go in search of the earl himself.
Several minutes passed until he broke the silence between them. “I think we’d better get you inside before you catch your death of cold.” Again, he noticed her shivering. “I’ll see that Gabe has the house secured before I leave.”
She followed him out of the carriage and up to the door, where she turned on him like a lioness. “How dare you?”
Nicholas was taken aback.
Fury blazed from her blue eyes as she suddenly advanced on him. “Because of you, I am miles from where my father was last seen. I needed to be there in case he is found.” She became teary again and could barely speak, fighting for composure. “I should have been with him in the first place, not out cavorting in the gardens.”
She looked away and bit her lip for a mere second.
True Nobility Page 10
