by Cari Hislop
“I’m not angry.”
“You’ll still show me the gardens this evening, won’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Could you stop for minute?” She loudly caught her breath as he abruptly stopped. “I need to know that you’re not upset with me.”
“I’m not upset with you.”
“Yes you are.”
“No I’m not.”
“Yes you are! I can smell your irritation and its wafting in my direction.”
“So your intuition is valid, but mine is not. I’ll remember that in future…”
“Hah! I knew you were upset with me.”
“Those people are bad news and you dismiss my intuition, which is always right, and now you’re trying to make me feel bad for wanting to protect you.”
“I don’t…I’m not!”
Adam folded his arms in defiance. “Yes you are.”
“No I’m not…why would I want to make you feel bad?”
“To prove that you’re right, when clearly you’re not.”
“Right about what?”
“About letting those ghastly people stay the night; you wanted your way so you poked at the poor creature caged in my chest. I’m sorry if you were forced to marry me. There’s still time to change your mind if you find your present situation repugnant.”
“I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. I was just trying to…”
“Get your way?”
“Help a heavily pregnant woman!”
“Eve, Mr Roberts is probably not the father. He’s probably not her husband. I doubt Roberts is even his name. They’re a pair of charlatans and now, thanks to my helpful mother, you think me a savage villain. You’ll never love me and my poor heart will starve to death…”
He tensed as Eve flung his cloak back over his shoulders and tapped on his chest with a light finger. “Hello in there? Did I hurt you? I’m sorry.”
Adam manfully sniffed back emotions as she pressed her cheek over his heart. A soothing peace oozed through layers of fabric and penetrated his skin. “My heart is purring with pleasure at your nearness. Forgive me for thinking you’d want to hurt us.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you and I don’t care how I came to be in your clutches. I’m content to remain, if it suits you.”
“It suits me!” Adam felt his heart smile allowing his face to follow suit.
“Good, tell my creature that at dusk I’ll be knocking on your study door demanding its attention.”
“It’ll be unlocked. We’ll be waiting for you; silently arguing over which one of us loves you more.” Adam’s shoulders relaxed as she laughed in amusement.
“What will you do if it’s a draw?”
“We’ll be duelling at dawn with pen and paper. You might get some vile poetry, but I assure you that will be from the creature…Ouch! It just pinched me. It says I’m a vile mannerless toad who couldn’t win a woman with ink and paper if my life depended on it.”
“Which one of you wrote me the charming note this morning?”
“That was me. Your creature says I’m a liar…”
“Well since you can’t decide I’ll have to thank you both.” She kissed her hand and pressed it to his shirt front and then kissed her hand again and reached into the darkness of his hood to touch his chin.
Adam took hold of her hand pressed a firm kiss to her palm before reluctantly allowing it to escape. “Until dusk my Lady…”
“Until dusk my Lord…” He turned and watched her shadow cheerfully skip back down the long hall. How long would it take to win her heart? He wanted to order every oil lamp in the house to be brought to his study. He wanted to look her in the eyes as she entered and see that she wasn’t repulsed by his face. He flung the hated hood back off his head and continued towards his study mumbling curses on silly hopes.
Chapter 13
Eve was still smiling to herself as she handed her cloak and bonnet to a servant and asked them to be delivered to her husband’s study. Hopefully he’d hang them up and think of her every time he looked at them. He might even decide to stop hiding and show himself. The thought produced a pleasant ache in her stomach. She didn’t care if he was hideous; she needed to see the face of the man whose kisses had changed her. Her heart agreed as it slumped in dejection against its cage as it whispered with longing; Adam…Adam…Adam…
Finding Mr and Mrs Roberts cheerfully stuffing themselves with cake, Eve sat down nearby and poured herself a cup of tea. Mrs Roberts chatted away at lightening speed about Adam’s mother’s last dinner party as Mr Roberts eyed her with a smile that reminded her of a dog waiting to snatch food off its master’s plate. She ignored the man and concentrated on his wife. Adam was probably right about the couple being charlatans. They appeared comfortable with each other, but there was no sign of intimacy or tenderness. Mrs Roberts only once glanced at her husband and that was with a scowl as he snatched the last piece of cake. The pregnant woman kept touching and fondling her large belly as if the child inside needed reassurance that it would still have a father after its birth.
The conversation remained a one-sided affaire until Mr Roberts excused himself, presumably for a call of nature. As soon as the door was closed behind him, Mrs Roberts effortlessly jumped off her seat and replanted herself next to Eve. “My dear Lady Latham, do you mind if I sit next to you?” Eve opened her mouth to reply, but the lady continued, “I’m so glad he’s finally left! It’s so hard to have an interesting conversation with a man mooning at one’s elbow. Don’t tell my husband or he’ll be furious, but I wasn’t really having pains. Lord Latham’s mother has sent me on a special mission.” Eve again opened her mouth, but wasn’t given time to reply. “I have something for you. Her Ladyship gave me repeated instructions to implore you not to tell your husband that you’ve received it. Her Ladyship says the last time she mentioned it in his hearing she thought he’d kill her.”
“I don’t…”
“For your own safety, you must give me your word.”
“I think…”
“I’m sure you’ll understand the delicacy of my mission when you see what I’ve brought you. Has Lord Latham revealed his face to you?”
“No, but…”
Mrs Roberts solemnly nodded her head. “It’s as Lady Latham, the Dowager, feared. She’s long worried that her son would be driven mad by his scar.”
“I don’t think he’s…”
“Lord Latham would be furious if he knew what I’m about to give you.”
Eve was starting to get irritated at the overblown theatrical delivery. She clenched her teeth and smiled. “Perhaps if you gave it to me…”
“Of course…” Mrs Roberts took a small wrapped object out of her pocket and pressed it into Eve’s hand. “…open it!” Eve refrained from asking the woman if she could say anything without sounding like she was on a stage and untied the ribbon. She didn’t have time to pick up the gift before Mrs Roberts had leaned over and hissed, “It’s a picture of Lord Latham…before the incident! He would kill me if he knew I was giving you this…” Eve turned the miniature over and stared at the handsome black haired boy smiling under the glass, but her heart wasn’t impressed. It snubbed the picture and kept calling for the man in the study.
“Thank you, that was very kind of his mother to think of me.” Eve slipped the picture into her pocket and picked up her cup and saucer.
“Well what do you think; wasn’t he handsome?”
“Yes, but he’s thirty-seven now; frankly I don’t care what he looks like.”
Mrs Roberts looked momentarily confused, but her smile returned as she fondled her large belly. “Lady Latham is so happy that her eldest son had finally married. Lady Latham longs for grandchildren…” Mrs Roberts ogled Eve’s stomach before whispering, “Is there any chance you might be increasing?”
Eve flushed at the rude question and tactfully changed the subject. “So where are your family?”
The woman looked confused. “My family?”
&nb
sp; “Yes, the family Lady Latham lent you the carriage to visit.”
“Oh, a ways North of here…” Mrs Roberts waved her hand to dismiss them as her eyes lit up. “…so Latham hasn’t come to your bed yet? Oh dear, his mother was afraid he might not have the nerve to…you know…with a young lady of refinement. Your mother, she explained the marriage bed?” With her face on fire Eve opened her mouth to give the lady a sharp retort, but wasn’t given the chance. “They say lie back and think of England, but that’s so boring. I advise you to purchase some bon bons and keep them next to your bed. Then while he’s…you know…you can eat them and think of a pleasant play or a pretty bit of scenery. There’s a particular part of Sheridan’s The Rivals I always find amusing. They…he always thinks I’m enjoying myself and that makes them happy! It’s always good to keep one’s man happy.”
“Is that how you came to be enlarged Madam?”
The woman again looked confused. “Enlarged?”
“Your impending joy…”
“Oh…you mean Cabbage…I know its silly, but you have to call it something.”
“True, though perhaps Baby might be more appropriate?”
Mrs Roberts snorted in amusement. “Yes of course…but do you think his Lordship might come to your bed tonight?”
Eve’s face turned a darker shade of pink as her temper started to rise. “Lord Latham’s nightly movements are his own affaire.”
“Oh yes, I suppose it is awfully rude of me to be so bold, but I have a dreadful curiosity. Mr Roberts says it’ll one day land me under a mail coach.”
“What an awful thing to say.”
“Men are like that dear…Lady Latham has been deeply concerned for her eldest son. He was one of those difficult children. She secretly despairs of ever helping him.”
“Perhaps if she were to ask him directly he’d be able to enlighten her. Perhaps he doesn’t need help…”
“Of course he needs help! After that villain slashed out his eye and nearly slit his throat, he was never the same. He hides away pretending he likes solitude when really his heart is breaking for company. His mother has tried everything imaginable to get through to him. He must be the most mulish man alive; I don’t envy you my dear. Heavens! If his mother’s experience is anything to go by, you’ll be begging the rest of your life for a new fan or hair comb. Men can be so selfish, but perhaps he’ll be different with you. That was a pretty broach you were wearing on your cloak. They looked like real stones.”
“Lord Latham gave it to me this morning.”
Mrs Roberts’ eyes widened as she leaned closer. “Really? His mother will be astounded…did he demand you kiss him first?”
“No. Why?”
“How odd…well perhaps he won’t be as bad as her ladyship fears, but he’s always been so closed fisted. It’s an awful thing to say to a new bride. Mr Roberts was generous until I got too fat to…you know!” The enlarged lady sighed in irritation as the man returned looking smug. “Where have you been; filling a chamber pot or a chamber maid?”
Eve decided she’d had enough. She turned to the footman who’d been guarding her throughout the embarrassing conversation. “John, show Mr and Mrs Roberts to their room and make sure there are two servants outside their door in case a doctor is needed. If you’ll excuse me I fear I’m about to have one of my fits. I’m afraid they make me unpleasant company. In a few minutes I’ll start to say all sorts of rude things and I may even attack you. For own your safety do remain in your chamber. I’ll see you at dinner if the fit has passed, but if not have pleasant dreams. Your carriage will be harnessed first light to enable you to have a long safe journey. Good day.” With both Mr and Mrs Roberts staring at her in horror, Eve managed a straight face until she was out of earshot. After laughing until her side ached she ran outside and around the house to the arched window. The silly man was sitting in the dark. She tapped on the arched window and rubbed her arms.
The shadow behind the desk was soon opening the door in his hooded cloak. “Are you trying to catch a chill and break my heart?”
“You have my cloak and bonnet…” She pressed past him with her eyes lowered, her heart savouring his nearness. “…any excuse to enter the forbidden room.”
The hooded man closed the glass door and turned his back to the window. “They’re on the desk.”
Eve slowly picked up her bonnet and fingered the ribbons. “I hate to admit it, but you were right about those ghastly people.” She could easily imagine masculine lips smirking in triumph hidden in the shadows. “I couldn’t repeat Mrs Roberts’s embarrassing tirade without my cheeks bursting into flames.”
“Did Mother send her to pump you for personal information?”
“Yes and the next time you talk to your mother, I warn you she’ll fear for your safety. I told them I have fits, that I attack people. It wasn’t really a lie. If I’d had to listen to that horrid woman another minute I’d have pulled all her hair out. You can laugh! You didn’t have to listen to the most outrageous lies about you. The way the woman went on one must conclude that either your mother thinks you a monster or she sent the woman to frighten me into demanding an annulment.”
“Mother didn’t approve of my choice of bride.”
Eve sniffed unimpressed, “Well I’m afraid if Mrs Roberts is anything to go by, I don’t much approve of your mother.”
“She lives to ‘help’ her children. That translates to, ‘she lives to control us’. She feels
deeply uncomfortable when things don’t go her way. I’m afraid I’ve been a grave disappointment to her.”
“I’m relieved to hear it. I suppose you’re waiting for me to leave so you can resume sitting here staring at the window?”
“Not unless you’re in love with me.”
Eve’s hands were suddenly shaking. She pulled on her bonnet and absently tied a half hearted bow. “How will I know I’m in love with you?”
“You’ll feel tormented when I’m out of view. The sight of me will make you feel more alive as if my nearness heightens your senses and makes you feel…happy.”
“How could I be in love with you after one day?”
“I was in love with you in minutes.”
“Not everyone can be so blessed.”
“I suppose not.”
With her cloak buttoned up to her neck she paused next to Adam leaning against the glass and lightly touched his chest. “How is the creature?”
“Panting for you…”
Eve felt her own heart shudder in delight as it pressed against her ribcage returning the call, ‘Adam…Adam…Adam…’ She couldn’t be in love with the man. It was ridiculous. Something as serious as losing one’s heart had to take at least a week, but an invisible magnate seemed to draw her in the direction of his arms. She resisted the lure causing her heart to wail in disappointment. She unconsciously rubbed her chest as she glanced into the dark hood that revealed nothing, but the outline of a well shaped chin and the beginning of a jaw line. “May lunch in here with you? I promise not to make a mess.” The shadow’s quiet laughter caused pleasant chills as she smiled in triumph. “Come out and wave at me when it arrives.”
“What are you going to do, stand at my window and peer in at me?”
“You’ll see.”
“You’re not going to do your lunatic act again, are you?”
“It just so happens that Mr and Mrs Roberts windows look out over this end of the garden. I thought I’d give them something to talk about. Isn’t that good of me?”