The Earl and His Lady: A Regency Romance (Branches of Love Book 4)

by Sally Britton

  She walked around the desk and sat down, feeling strange in the seat that had always been the baron’s. But not for long. Taking in a deep breath, the familiar scents of the room settled her. She could smell the tobacco from Charles’s favorite pipe, caught in the curtains most likely. The leather of the chair, the scent of books and furniture polish, hung around her in a comforting embrace.

  Resting her hands on the desk before her, Virginia’s eyes lingered on the ink blotter and the fresh pens laid out for her use. How many times had she entered this room to see Charles bent over correspondence, or reading? He would look up at her, his brown eyes lighting up, and put everything aside to speak with her.

  Her eyes came up to meet Lucas’s. He stood at the shelves still, watching her with a knowing expression.

  “Will it always be like this?” she asked before thinking better of it.

  “Does it hurt?” he asked in turn.

  Virginia contemplated that question, studying her heart and it’s slow, peaceful rhythm. To her surprise, she found no pain. “No,” she answered. “But I miss his company.”

  Lucas’s smile was sad, not quite making it to his eyes. “I missed Abigail for a very long time. Would you like to know what helped?”

  “Yes.” She dropped her hands from the desk into her lap, watching him come nearer. “What did you do?”

  “You may think me a little strange for it.” He stopped at the corner of the desk and raised a hand to rub the back of his neck. “But I spoke to her. Or, I spoke aloud, as if she were listening. It helped, to ease my thoughts, to express them and imagine what Abigail might say to me if she were present.” Lucas shrugged and dropped his hand. “It made me less lonely for her.”

  Virginia did not have time to ask more questions, to tell him how often she’d wished to do that very thing, because a knock at the door announced the steward.

  Lucas shared one more look with her, and a wink of encouragement, before moving to stand behind her chair, as he said he would. His support silent but firm.

  She took in a deep breath and bid the steward enter.

  Chapter Twenty

  Lucas woke Sunday morning, early as always, his eyes on the dark blue canopy of his bed. He rang for Randal and then went through the motions of getting ready, though his thoughts remained on the day before. The steward’s meeting with Virginia had gone well. The books were all in order, the correspondence adequate, and Lucas could find no fault in the man’s conduct. The steward had been amiable and kind to the baron’s widow, and he’d expressed his hope that he would one day work with Phillip as well.

  The household staff remained stiff, but Lucas dismissed that as a real concern. If it became a problem, he knew Virginia would be ready to handle the situation. She was a supremely confident woman in matters of household management.

  This morning, Lucas had another concern entirely. Church. Virginia had told him, as if in passing, that she had decided to attend in order to renew acquaintances in the neighborhood.

  “You needn’t come, if you’d rather rest,” she had added. But the lack of care in her tone was not matched by the look in her eyes. She was worried.

  What if the rest of the neighborhood had the same view of her new marriage as her household?

  “I wouldn’t want to miss it,” Lucas had said. “When would you like the carriage to be ready?” And that was that.

  Virginia met him for breakfast in the dining room, wearing all black. The stark color, the complete lack of embellishment on her gown, brought him up short when he saw her. Her gowns had been growing lighter—he mostly saw her in gray and even lavender at times—and if she wore black she usually had white lace or a cream-colored fichu at her throat. But not today.

  Virginia met his startled look and a rosy hue grew in her cheeks.

  At least that’s some color. Lucas forced a smile.

  “It’s the first time I have attended since Charles’s death. They should see— The people here liked him. I want them to know that I am respecting his memory.” Her fingers fidgeted at the folds in her skirt while she spoke, her voice tight with anxiety.

  “You do great honor to the baron,” Lucas said, nodding deeply to her. “No matter what you wear.”

  She smiled and sat down to breakfast. He watched her eat, noting with concern that she barely nibbled at her food. It had taken him some time to coax her into a healthier appetite, but he supposed today would be an exception for them both. He wasn’t all that hungry either.

  The carriage came to fetch them at the appointed time. Virginia pulled her gloves into place before they stepped out into the cool morning. Only the barest hint of blue could be seen on the horizon, the rest of the sky was a dismal gray. Lucas narrowed his eyes at it, thinking of his wilting crops.

  Climbing into the carriage, Lucas settled next to Virginia on the seat. Her hands were tucked in her lap, clutching a reticule.

  “Virginia,” he said, bending his head to catch a glimpse of her down-turned eyes. “You mustn’t let the opinions of others worry you. They cannot know the full story.”

  She nodded. “I know.” Her eyes darted up to his, their green depths drawing him in, making him wish he could protect her from all her fears. “I don’t dread it for my sake. Not really. But for the boys. For our family’s reputation and place in the community.”

  He nodded, then reached into his coat and pulled out the black band he’d asked Randal to procure for him. “Would you help me with this?”

  Virginia’s eyes went to his hand and widened. “Lucas, you don’t have to—”

  “Of course I don’t. But I want to. Really, I think I should’ve been wearing one before now.” He held the band, meant to be wrapped around his arm, out to her. “I didn’t have a black cravat or ornament for my hat, but I thought this would do.” It would stand out well on his gray jacket sleeve.

  “Indeed.” She held the material in her gloved hands, looking down at it. “Thank you, Lucas.” Then he extended his arm and she tied the band, twisting it around so the knot would be inside his arm instead of out. Her eyes glistened, brightening them considerably.

  “Would you like my handkerchief?” he asked. He hadn’t meant to make her cry. He wanted to show he stood by her, he wanted the world to see that he respected her choices of both mourning and marriage. He wanted to save her from censure.

  Virginia shook her head and breathed deeply, in through her nose and out again. “I think I will be all right. Thank you.”

  And the carriage stopped. Lucas reached out to clasp her gloved hand in his own, offering a quick squeeze of reassurance, before he stepped out. He had also ordered that they take one of the baron’s carriages, emblazoned with the Heatherton crest. He had no intention of calling more attention to himself than necessary.

  Virginia stepped down, her hand in his.

  There were already people in the churchyard, conversing, watching. Some were going into the church and after a nod from Virginia, Lucas took her in that direction. It did not take long to find their seats, at the very front of the room. Lucas slid in beside Virginia, on the outside of the pew. She kept her gaze forward from the moment she sat until the end of the service, and he followed her example.

  The moment the vicar stepped away from the pulpit, skirts rustled, whispers began, and Lucas readied himself to be whatever support Virginia needed. If she needed him at all. They stood and an elderly woman dressed in purple came forward, on the arm of a younger woman.

  “My lady,” the elderly one said, her voice loud in the nave. “My condolences, my lady. And my congratulations.”

  More than a few conversations stopped near them and Lucas could practically see ears stretching in their direction to hear Virginia’s response.

  “I thank you for both, Mrs. Carter. Please, allow me to introduce Lord Lucas Calvert, Earl of Annesbury. He has been most kind during these past months.” Virginia hadn’t so much as batted an eye as she spoke, her tone natural and gracious, as if it was the most normal t
hing in the world to mourn one husband and wed another.

  Lucas inclined his head as the old woman curtsied.

  “A pleasure, my lord. It is good to know our fine neighbor is being looked after. I did worry for her and those boys. But where are my manners? Here, this is my great-niece, Miss Tabitha Clark.” Miss Clark curtsied and Lucas showed her the same courtesy he had shown Mrs. Carter.

  “How is the rest of your family, Mrs. Carter?” Virginia asked. Others in the church shuffled around, and most went out the door. Lucas had no idea what significance Mrs. Carter held in Virginia’s life, but he was immensely grateful that the woman chose to present herself immediately.

  After a few minutes spent in simple niceties, the old woman took her niece and her leave.

  Virginia’s hand went to Lucas’s arm. Had he not known the state of her mind that morning, Lucas would never believe her to be anxious about meeting her neighbors again. Her expression remained perfectly pleasant, her smile mild, and her posture relaxed.

  As they walked down the aisle, Lucas leaned down just enough to speak in her ear. “You are a masterful actress, my lady.”

  She looked at him from the corners of her eyes. “Surely, as an earl, you can claim to have perfected your own outwardly displayed character, my lord.”

  He raised his eyebrows at her and schooled his features immediately, becoming no more than an impassive nobleman. He saw her smile but did not remove his mask to return it.

  The vicar, a roundly-shaped man in his fifties, stood by the door to the church. “My lady, welcome home,” the vicar said with a deep bow. “You have been greatly missed. Will you introduce me to your husband?”

  Virginia made the introductions, the vicar bowed politely, then presented his next question to Lucas. “Will you and Lady Calvert remain in the neighborhood long, my lord?”

  “Not this visit, Mr. Andrews. After some business is seen to, I’m afraid we must return to Annesbury.” Lucas darted a quick glance at Virginia before adding, “Though I do hope we will visit often, and for longer, in future.”

  “Excellent, excellent.” The vicar’s warm smile turned uncertain. “My lady, I do offer my condolences on the baron’s loss. And if you have any need to speak of it, or if you would like me to show you to his resting place, it would be my honor to assist you.”

  Virginia’s cheeks paled at the mention of her late husband’s grave, but to Lucas’s surprise she shook her head. “That will not be necessary, Mr. Andrews, though I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I will visit another time, perhaps.”

  Because I am here? She must want to see it for herself, to make certain all is right with it.

  Lucas would broach the subject with her later. For now, he bowed to the vicar again and led Virginia into the yard, where they were soon met with more fluttering women and stoic gentlemen, all casting him curious glances. No one asked outright about Virginia’s speedy marriage, of course, and more than a few people cast their eyes at his armband. Let them make of the situation what they would; he hardly cared, so long as they remained civil to his wife.

  And they did. No one spoke an unkind word to her.

  The neighborhood held her in high enough opinion, and honored her late husband’s memory, enough to trust her actions.

  Then why was the household so unwelcoming? Perhaps he ought to see if Randal had learned anything on the matter.

  When he handed Virginia back into the carriage, Lucas saw her shoulders slump. He climbed in next to her and as soon as the vehicle started moving, she untied the bonnet’s ribbons and pulled the whole thing off her head. She cast it onto the seat across from them and turned to face him, her genuine smile back in place.

  “You’re quite right, Lucas. It is rather freeing to take that thing off in the carriage.”

  Lucas couldn’t help it. He laughed, the tension from the morning gone. Perhaps the rest of their visit would go as smoothly. For Virginia’s sake, he hoped so.

  ¤

  Monday morning came, and Virginia’s first order of business was to meet with the housekeeper and go over the household expenses. Without the family in residence, some of the servants were extraneous as well, but Virginia wanted to find a way to retain them without incurring unnecessary expense.

  Mrs. Thackery came in at the requested time, moving stiffly, her expression sour. Virginia had never had reason to complain about the woman before, but now she wondered if it was wise to continue working together.

  “My lady, here are the accounts.” She put the book on the table and took her seat.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Thackery.” Virginia opened the little book and began going through the expenditures, asking the occasional question, making notes in her own little book. She paused over one notation. “What is this order for beef here, Mrs. Thackery? That is a higher amount than I would expect. Was there a celebration?”

  “Mr. Macon was in residence that week, my lady.”

  The blood drained from Virginia’s cheeks and lay cold in her heart. “Mr. Macon? Here?” She checked the date again. “Two weeks past? Why was I not informed?”

  Mrs. Thackery straightened her shoulders and raised her chin. “He is family, my lady. I thought you knew and, if you did not, it would be a little matter. He has always been welcome here.”

  The cold treatment, the disrespectful attitude, all of it made sense. Mr. Macon had been present and likely filled the staff’s ears with his complaints and slurs against her and Lucas.

  She would set the matter right at once.

  “Mrs. Thackery,” she said, her tone strong. “That man is to never enter this house again unless I give express permission for him to do so.”

  Mrs. Thackery’s eyes narrowed behind her spectacles. “But he is family—”

  “Not anymore, Mrs. Thackery. Family does not threaten a mother’s children, nor does it call a woman a harlot before her husband.”

  Mrs. Thackery’s cheeks pinked. “Whatever are you speaking of?” she asked, the words half-whispered. “Mr. Macon informed us that you had been coerced, forced, into your new marriage. He said that your family poisoned you against him. That—”

  “Enough. Please.” Virginia raised a hand to her brow, trying to sort through the lies, wondering how much she ought to say to a servant. She had to make it right, but she did not wish to lay her private affairs at this woman’s feet. “I chose to marry Lord Calvert, after his kind and generous proposal, in order to protect my sons from Mr. Macon. My late husband’s brother wanted guardianship of the children and access to the estate funds. He is a greedy, conniving, unfeeling man. He is not permitted in this house or on our land again. Do I make myself clear?”

  Mrs. Thackery, her eyes now the size of dinner plates, started nodding. “Yes, my lady. My apologies, my lady.”

  Virginia dropped her eyes to the book as she spoke. “You gave great insult to the earl and to me when you disobeyed my orders for our rooms, Mrs. Thackery. I would demand an apology, but I feel it is best if we let the matter alone.”

  Mrs. Thackery nodded again, lowering her eyes to her lap. “Yes, my lady. As you see fit.”

  They went through the remainder of the accounts without further incident. Virginia added to her notes and suggested a few minor changes in expenses. Then she pointed at a staff member’s name. “How is Mr. Brennan doing as first footman?”

  “Very well, my lady. He has held that position for three years now.”

  Virginia nodded and bit her bottom lip, thinking on Gresham’s position at Annesbury. She would need to speak to Lucas, but perhaps it was time to pension the butler off, give him one of the cottages, and put a younger man in his place.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Thackery. That will be all today.”

  The woman stood to leave but hesitated before offering her departing curtsy. “My lady, I am truly sorry for my foolish mistake.”

  Charles would’ve forgiven her. Virginia must as well. She nodded but said no more.

  Her next item of business would, of course,
be to meet with the steward again in the afternoon. This time they would be discussing the tenants’ needs.

  Virginia made a few more notes in her book before standing, trying to stretch the stiffness from her back and shoulders. It was nearing time for lunch. She ought to find Lucas.

  A knock on the door, and the earl’s blond head popping around the door frame, made the search unnecessary. “Would you care for a walk?” he asked.

  Virginia looked down at her charcoal gray gown, then put a hand up to the twist of her hair. “I don’t know—”

  “Just around the hedges,” he said. “You hardly even need a bonnet. The sun is being shy again.”

  A smile tugged at her lips and she made a show of sighing. “Oh, very well. But only a short walk, Lucas. Luncheon will be served soon.”

  He pushed the door all the way open and waited for her to join him in the hall. Once he had her tucked against his side, Lucas steered them down the stairs and out the front door. He took her to a path that wrapped around the back of the house, neither of them saying a word, but the silence was not uncomfortable.

  Virginia appreciated Lucas’s ability to converse with ease or allow quiet between them. He never tried to fill the space between their conversations with inane comments, nor did he make small talk. When he spoke to her, it was with purpose and thoughtfulness. His intelligence and kindness made him the rarest and best sort of company.

  “I discovered the motive behind the staff’s discouraging behavior,” Lucas said after they’d entered the rear courtyard.

  “Did you?” She raised her eyebrows at him, studying his composed expression. He did not seem upset or offended. What had he learned? “How did you achieve that knowledge?”

  “Servants gossip. Randal asked a few questions.” Lucas shrugged, his eyes remaining on the hedges and the scenery beyond them. “I learned your brother-in-law came for a visit.”

  “That corroborates what I have learned of the situation,” she said, still studying his profile. His strong, angular features, the confident tilt of his head, was something she knew many women would admire. How many ladies in London had cursed her name when they learned of his marriage?