It wasn’t that he hadn’t believed there was a threat. No, he’d seen it aboard The Tempest. But he had believed they’d left it behind, convinced whoever wanted to harm Victoria was an ocean away. Or so he’d thought.
Part of him wanted to toss decorum to the wind and insist she move to his home for her own safety. What other people chose to believe about him didn’t concern him at all. They would always find something to gossip about, even if they had to make something up. It was the kind of thing this town thrived on, had an insatiable appetite for as a matter of fact.
But, this was different. This time it would mean hurting someone who didn’t deserve it.
I know you’ll do the right thing. He couldn’t get away from Abner’s words.
Mulling over every option, he was left with only one that made sense. Nicholas listened to the stately chime of the tower clock as it struck one from the church across the square.
By the stroke of two, Nicholas forged down the steps of the editorial offices of The Georgian. Passing a couple of Savannah’s matrons with barely a greeting.
Walking the few blocks to his home, he entered the foyer with a slam of the heavy wooden door and shouted for Jonas on the way to his library. “I need you to deliver a note to Zach. You’ll no doubt find him at the Haverwoods.”
“Yes, Sir. Mr. Ian arrived home from seminary. He’s in the library.”
“Good. When Zach gets here have him join us there.”
Nicholas wanted his brothers to be the first to congratulate him on his forthcoming marriage.
Perhaps it is our imperfections that make us perfect for one another.
~ Jane Austen
Sixteen
Lady Victoria Haverwood lowered the newspaper, staring straight ahead in absolute horror. Surely there was a mistake. A misprint, at the very least.
Either way, Nicholas Saberton had some fast explaining to do.
“More tea?” Aunt Charlotte eyed Tori closely and nearly scalded herself with the gold-rimmed teapot. “Good gracious. Victoria, say something for pity’s sake.”
The Sunday newspaper had come earlier, followed by a note from Zach promising to explain everything as soon as he could. Tori’s first thought was that someone might have spotted her father. Yesterday’s copy of The Georgian had been filled with talk of his disappearance, and she’d hoped for more news today.
Having skimmed the first couple of pages, she was beginning to lose hope of reading anything of interest until she turned to page three where Nicholas’s public intentions were center page in bold print.
“Now, honey.” Aunt Charlotte wrung her linen napkin. “I know it looks bad, but Zachery will be over later. He’ll set this whole thing straight. You’ll see. Why, it’s not what it seems, that’s all. Nicholas isn’t one to do anything foolish.”
Tori lifted a brow at her aunt, who rolled her eyes heavenward.
“Lord forgive me.” With a grimace, Aunt Charlotte clarified. “All right, he is occasionally. But he’s not a complete buffoon. I’m certain there’s a perfectly good explanation for this.”
The main door came open with a thud, straining noisily on its hinges. Aurora, rushed past the sitting room, calling out to her mother.
“In here, darlin’.” Charlotte motioned for Flossie to set out another plate.
“Mama, have you seen this morning’s—” Aurora froze when she came into the room and her gaze fell to the newspaper in Tori’s hand. “Georgian?”
Tori gathered as much composure as she possibly could. “Yes, Aurora, we have. We were just discussing it.” Laying the paper aside on the table, she rose. “I’ve decided not to wait for Zachery, Aunt Charlotte. Nicholas owes me an explanation face to face.”
“Of course, sweet.” Aunt Charlotte also stood and followed her niece to the stairway. “A marvelous idea, actually. We all need to get out for a while. No sense in sitting here waiting for news.”
“I shan’t be long.” Tori turned from the bottom step. “However, Aunt Charlotte, I’m afraid you are mistaken on one account. If Nicholas Saberton thinks that I am going to marry him, he most certainly is a buffoon.”
With that Tori lifted her skirts and ascended the stairs.
Once inside the solitude of her room, she collapsed onto the window seat, leaning her head back against the cool wall next to the open pane. The absurdity of such an announcement was almost laughable.
A special license had been procured from a Judge Henderson. It had gone on to claim that because of the Earl of Wrenbrooke’s abduction and given the understandable distress of the intended bride, all concerned had decided to forego the usual betrothal period in favor of a quiet private ceremony tomorrow.
Tomorrow!
Why was Nicholas doing this? He wasn’t interested in her father’s estate. He certainly wasn’t in need of money. She held no claim to any part of Haverwood shipping. Honestly, becoming Nicholas’s wife wasn’t altogether distasteful. If only he had asked.
Something stirred in the bushes directly under the window where Tori sat. Aurora’s tabby cat in pursuit of another hapless mouse, no doubt.
Every girl, at one time or another, has thought about marriage. Tori certainly had. But she’d hoped her suitor would declare his undying devotion first. Then on bended knee, he would ask that she make his happiness complete by agreeing to become his beloved bride. Like a tender scene from a fairy tale.
Unfortunately, her life since coming to America had been anything but a fairy tale.
Moving from her seat, she smoothed the purple satin covering on the bed. Oh, how she wished for news of father. Every moment that passed felt like he was slipping further and further away.
Something dark in the mirror caught her eye. Spinning around, she searched the open window for a source of the odd reflection.
Nothing.
She shook her head. The pressure of the past two days was taking a toll. Now she was imagining things that were not there.
A loud knock reverberated through the room, causing Tori to startle.
“Tori, are you all right?” Aurora came into her cousin’s room. “We’ve been waiting for you downstairs, but we can go later if you’d like.”
“Oh, Aurora.” Tori put a hand to her throat and felt her pulse race beneath her fingers. “Come in. I’ve not changed, but it won’t take long.”
“That’s all right. I’m sure you must be completely worn out with all you’ve been through these last few days. I’d be in absolute ruin by now. I’ll go back downstairs to wait for you.”
“No, please stay. Really. I’ll only be a moment.” Tori didn’t want to be left alone with her wild thoughts.
Aurora dropped into a chair next to the hearth. “Please don’t be too angry at Nicholas. I’m sure he has his reasons for all this. Goodness knows, plenty of women would love to be in your shoes right now. He’s always one to go against the tide, and he’ll push every limit to take care of you. I’ll bet he gets away with it, too. Oh, it’s all so romantic.”
Behind the privacy screen, Tori stepped into a blue and white striped day dress while her cousin continued to make excuses for Nicholas’s impossible behavior. Coming around the partition, she motioned for Aurora to help fasten the buttons in back.
Picking up her brush, she ran it lightly over her hair, before taming it into a neat chignon at her nape. “Aurora, you are such an innocent. There is nothing romantic about any of this.”
All the while, Aurora rattled on about love, and—
Once more, something in the mirror caught Tori’s eye and she whirled around to get a better look.
Most likely just a shadow, but Tori could have sworn she’d seen something—or someone—move. The curtains billowed a tad more than the breeze warranted but otherwise, nothing was out of place.
Rubbing away goose flesh trickling over her arm, Tori cautioned herself to stay calm. Her imagination was getting the best of her.
“Did you say something, Tori?”
“We’d best h
urry before Aunt Charlotte begins to worry. If you’ll hand me my drawstring bag there on the table next to you, we can be off.” Tori ushered her cousin into the hallway.
Making one last sweeping glance about the room, she closed the door behind them.
What loneliness is more lonely than distrust.
~ George Eliot
Seventeen
Along the way, Aunt Charlotte and Aurora chattered about a luncheon they were to attend the next day.
Thunder rumbled overhead, yet the brimming clouds still held possessively to their burden. The thick heavy air was much too warm for comfort. Everything around seemed to cry out to the sky for relief.
Tori adjusted her white scoop bonnet, tying the ribbons under her chin with a determined set to her jaw. She was still plenty perturbed that Nicholas hadn’t even the decency to ask her in person but had posted a public notice informing her she was to be married.
She’d tolerated her father’s narrow-minded disregard of her for years, but by George, Nicholas would hear exactly what she thought of his actions today.
People stopped on the street to stare as the Haverwood carriage passed. A few people waved briefly, with open curiosity on their faces. If Tori had worried Aunt Charlotte would find this dreadful situation an embarrassment, one look at her beaming face as she waved back dispelled that notion.
Aurora was equally excited as she continued her recitation on the virtues of love and marriage as she saw them through hopelessly romantic eyes.
Tori hated to disappoint them, but this farce was about to end. She had only one objective and that was to find her father. Anything else, including marriage, was out of the question.
Upon their arrival, Jonas greeted them at the door with a smile wide as the Savannah River. After showing them into the parlor, he hurried off to inform Zach they had guests.
Tori looked around the room as she removed her bonnet. She had only seen Nicholas’s house briefly the fateful night of the ball and then only in dim light. Reluctantly, she admitted that he had superb taste. The Duncan Phyfe sofa was lovely with its matching chairs, all facing a fireplace made of blue marble. Dark mahogany trimmed the mantle, the moldings around the windows were hand-carved, and the wonderfully high ceilings made the space feel expansive. A beautifully stenciled long table along the side of the room held a silver coffee set.
The bayed alcove extended from the front of the room overlooking the street. It was windowed on all three sides, with a grand piano tucked neatly inside.
“Good morning, ladies.” Zach appeared in the doorway, clearing his throat.
Aurora greeted him from the sofa with a radiant smile. “Hi, Zach. Isn’t this a lovely morning?” Her enthusiasm made them all grin, considering the gray skies looming just outside the windows.
“I’d planned on coming over to see you just as soon as I heard back from Nicholas.” He approached Tori and offered his hand. “Shall I be the first to congratulate you?”
Tori’s pursed her lips at the awkward gesture. “Congratulations are hardly in order, Zachery. Where is your brother?”
Zach gave a quick glance over his shoulder to the darkened hallway. “He’s, uh, he’s gone riding. He should be back any time.”
“Well, then, we can wait for him.” Aunt Charlotte seated herself next to her daughter. “How long ago did he leave, Zach?”
“Yesterday evening.” Zach smiled weakly at the incredulous looks he got all around. “He enjoys long rides. It sort of clears his head. He promised to be back by ten.”
It was half past eleven.
“Well, isn’t this a fine kettle of fish?” Tori crossed her arms in a huff.
Aurora snickered until the others frowned her into silence.
“We can leave him a note and go have a little somethin’ to eat over at Ruthanne’s while we wait.” Aunt Charlotte snapped her fan and wiggled to get up from the overstuffed sofa. “That little tea room down on Broughton Street, you know the one. Jonas can have Nicholas join us there when he comes in.”
The last thing Tori wanted was to be subjected to any more curious stares from the townspeople. She had no answers to their inevitable questions, except that this was the most bizarre predicament she’d ever been in.
Overtaken with a sense of despair, Tori turned from the others and closed her eyes.
Lord, please help.
Hugging her arms, she continued to pray silently. There was nothing stable left in her world, everything was completely upside-down. She couldn’t lay all of the blame on Nicholas. She couldn’t place all the blame anywhere.
“Princess?” Nicholas’s low voice spoke quietly behind her like balm to her tattered nerves.
Turning, she lifted her eyes and was immediately taken aback. “Good heavens. You look ghastly.”
At least a day’s worth of stubble shaded his jaw, his hair windblown, and his clothes were hopelessly wrinkled.
“And you smell of lathered horse.” She covered her nose to make the point.
Nicholas’s deep chuckle filled the room as he moved to the door to call for Jonas to prepare a bath.
“Oh, no, you don’t. We are going to have a talk.” Tori was primed to have this out once and for all. “And you shall stay where you are and hear me out.”
As Nicholas and Tori continued to stare at one another, tension filled the room.
“You know, now that you mention it, Mrs. Charlotte, lunch sounds like just the thing.” Zack took Aurora’s arm and helped her to her feet.
Aunt Charlotte waved him off. “Not now, Zachery. I want to hear this.”
“Please don’t let us keep you, Aunt Charlotte.” Tori turned from Nicholas’s silent challenge and forced a smile. “I know you all must be famished. I promise Nicholas and I shall have a long talk and get this entire misunderstanding worked out before you return. I’ll tell you all about it then.”
Charlotte allowed herself to be led to the door, addressing Nicholas along the way. “Don’t you go disappearing again.”
Tori waited until she heard the front door close, then reeled about, placing her hands on her hips. “It may be acceptable here in Georgia to up and announce one’s intent to marry a person without even consulting them first, but I am not a Georgian, nor am I available to marry one.” She paused only long enough to take a breath. “So you can just go right back over to that newspaper and make a retraction, because until my father is found, I’m not marrying you or anyone else. The whole idea is utterly preposterous.”
Nicholas calmly walked to the side table and poured himself some coffee as if she wasn’t even speaking. He ignored her, swirling a splash of cream around in the cup with a spoon, until Tori was on the verge of hysterics.
“Do my feelings mean anything to you? My father is missing, Nicholas. How can I possibly consider marriage?” Frustrated tears filled her eyes and she fully expected him to loathe her for it.
Instead, Nicholas barely smiled and set his cup aside. Coming to stand in front of her, he caressed her cheek. “Feel better?”
No. Actually she wanted to scream.
“I take it you have some reservations about marrying me?” He held a hand out toward the sofa. “Sit.”
She stood.
“Suit yourself. I’ve been sitting too long, anyway. I believe I’d rather stand.”
She sat.
Nicholas leaned against the mantle with fresh amusement shining in his eyes.
Tori knew she was being disagreeable, and what’s more she didn’t care. She needed to know why he had done such a callous thing.
“I gave your father my word.” As usual, Nicholas seemed to read her thoughts.
“Your word to marry me?” Her tone implied he was lying through his teeth.
“My word to keep you safe, Victoria. To see that you’re taken care of, no matter what. And that’s what I intend to do.”
Tori laughed with an unladylike sputter. It was preferable to crying. Nicholas had offered to marry her out of some stupid sense of obli
gation? She almost wished it had been a prank. She could take a joke, but she couldn’t bear the humiliation of his pity.
“Well, Nicholas, thank you just the same. But, in case you haven’t noticed, I am a grown woman and quite capable of taking care of myself.”
“I’ve noticed. Grown up quite nicely by the way.” He smiled when she rolled her eyes at him. “But, as to your ability to take care of yourself—well, that’s debatable. This way, you won’t need to. I’ll do it. As of tomorrow, you’ll be my wife.” He took the seat next to her. “Princess, listen to me. Your father was convinced you were in some kind of danger.”
Tori shook her head. “He never mentioned anything of the sort.”
“I’ll admit, I had my doubts at first, but after the attempt on the ship, and now the earl’s gone missing, I’m more inclined to agree with him.”
“Then hire an armed guard. But you certainly don’t have to marry me.” Her pride stung as he laid out his motive for their sudden betrothal.
“It’s the only way I can offer you absolute protection. Unless you’d consider moving in here as my legal ward without the benefit of marriage?”
Tori lifted a brow in answer.
“I didn’t think so.” Dark smudges under his eyes told her he hadn’t had much sleep. His expression became serious as he ran a hand down the stubble on his cheek. “You know, your father did ask me to marry you once. Remember?”
“Only because he thought you would become a duke, making it a prosperous match. I think he came to realize after a while, however, you simply aren’t cut out for aristocracy. I believe he gave up on that idea.”
Nicholas took her hand. “Is the thought of becoming my wife so repulsive?”
Before she could answer, a fleeting image came back to haunt her. The movement she had seen in the mirror as she pinned her hair this morning still filled her with unease.
True Nobility Page 13
