The women exchanged glances, then stood with obvious reluctance.
“I assure you, you will miss nothing of significance by leaving.” The dowager chuckled. “And should anything of great interest transpire, I will inform you both.”
“Thomas, Lord Stephen, ladies.” The duke stepped to the door and waited.
“I always knew they were married,” the duchess said sotto voce to her daughter-in-law as they passed from the room. “You could tell by looking at them.”
“Yes, but wouldn’t it have been delightful”—Lady Helmsley cast a wicked grin at Matt from the doorway—“if they weren’t?”
“I’m still not sure why we needed to be here,” the marquess muttered to his father. “We haven’t said a word.”
“Only our presence was required, my boy, not our opinion,” the duke said wryly. “Scandal is not official unless it is acknowledged by the gentlemen in attendance with the loftiest titles. It is an odd rule of life you would do well to accept, as it is perpetuated by the wives”—he cast the dowager an affectionate grin—“and mothers of those with the loftiest titles who are truly in control of this world.”
“Indeed we are,” the dowager said with a chuckle, and the duke closed the door firmly in his wake.
Her Grace directed her attention back to Matt and Tatiana. “As much as I am certain I would find the explanation of what has transpired between the two of you fascinating, it is no doubt none of my concern.” She gestured for Tatiana to sit in a chair to her right. “Not that that would particularly stop me, but at the moment there are other issues of concern. Don’t you agree, Lady Matthew?”
Tatiana settled in the chair and considered the question. After a long moment she met the dowager’s gaze. “Yes.”
“I thought you would.” Her Grace folded her hands together primly in her lap. “Now, then, it’s past time for you to tell me exactly what you are looking for”—she smiled pleasantly—“Your Highness.”
Chapter 17
“Do you know everything, Your Grace?” Tatiana said with a smile.
“Not everything, Your Highness. But I have the means to discover what I don’t know. In addition, I have a son who is a duke with excellent connections. What I do not know, he does or can find out.”
“I do apologize if my deception has offended you in any way,” Tatiana said slowly. “That was not my intention.”
“I never imagined it was.” The dowager studied her carefully. “You look far too much like your aunt for it to be a coincidence. Therefore, I made certain assumptions, and my son managed to confirm them for me.” She leaned toward the younger woman. “If one is going to meddle, it helps to have powerful relations.”
Tatiana smiled. “So I have always believed.”
“Why are you asking about Sophia’s travels?” The older woman’s eyes sparkled with interest. “I am fairly confident you have very little interest in writing a history of your family.”
Tatiana paused.
“Your Highness, I would not have sent the others from the room if I were not committed to keeping your secret. My son is the only one who knows who you are.” The dowager’s voice was firm, her manner honorable. “I am astute enough about the affairs of the world to know there was a good reason for a princess to conceal her identity.”
“She didn’t trust you,” Matthew said coolly. “She doesn’t particularly trust anyone.”
“Sometimes, Matthew, that is extremely wise.” She turned toward Tatiana. “You do not know me, my dear, therefore it seems rather foolish for me to simply ask for your trust and expect to receive it. However, do consider that your aunt trusted me. And, as immodest as it sounds, she did not regret it.”
“No, I do not think she would.” Tatiana drew a deep breath. “Did Sophia ever speak to you about the Heavens of Avalonia?”
“Do keep in mind the annoying problem I have with my memory, but to the best of my recollection, it does not sound familiar.” Her Grace shook her head. “What are the Heavens of Avalonia?”
“Jewels, Your Grace,” Matthew said. “Large and priceless. An opal, a ruby and four flawless diamonds originally set in a wide, gold cuff. I’m certain you would remember if you had seen, or been told, of them.”
“I should think so.” Her Grace’s eyes widened. “Flawless, you said? Oh, my, yes. That I would remember. One never forgets jewels, particularly if they are large or perfect.”
“Their value is far greater than any monetary amount. They are a symbol to my people of the right to rule Avalonia. Of Avalonia’s very right to exist. It was not until recently that we learned they had been replaced by nearly perfect copies. It appears they vanished at the same time Sophia left the country.”
“I see.”
“Their guardianship is a charge of my position as hereditary princess. But I must confess, until now, recovering them was very much a personal quest.”
“And now?”
“Now,” Matthew said, “someone, more than likely a cousin of hers who wants to claim the throne for herself, is also on the trail of the jewels. We suspect she was responsible for the wrecking of Tatiana’s room and the tampering with my balloon.”
“Actually, Matthew”—Tatiana met his gaze—“it is no longer mere suspicion. It was Valentina. She was here tonight.”
“What?” He started toward the door.
“Do not bother. She has gone by now. I met her on the terrace. She said she had impeded my progress and I now understand what she meant.”
“She started the rumor about you and your husband?” the dowager said. “But why?”
Tatiana shrugged. “Perhaps to force me to reveal my title. I thought—admittedly a mistake—that it would be easier to inquire about Sophia and the Heavens as a simple scholar. I see now that Matthew’s insistence that I am dealing with honorable people and should therefore be honest with them has merit.”
“Complimentary as always, Your Highness,” he said under his breath.
She ignored him. “However, it is more likely, as she was unaware that Matthew and I are truly married, that she assumed if our deception was uncovered we would no longer be welcomed here or at the home of the next lady on the list.”
“But she has no idea that lady is my grandmother, does she?” Matthew asked.
“I had no idea,” Tatiana said pointedly. “The woman mentioned in Sophia’s letter was a Lady Cranston, not Stanwick.”
“My grandmother was married more than once,” Matthew said. “Her first husband was Lord Cranston. Her second was my grandfather.”
“Sophia stayed at Weston Manor because Beatrice resided there for a considerable time before her marriage.” Her Grace chuckled with the memory. “Another interesting scandal long since forgotten.”
“Oh?” Matthew said.
The older woman paid him no heed. “This is all fascinating, Your Highness, and explains a great deal. You are certainly welcome to look throughout the house for your jewels, a room-to-room search if you wish—if, of course, you have not already done so.” Laughter sparked in the old lady’s eye.
Matthew raised a brow. Tatiana smiled weakly.
“I am fairly certain, though, after this length of time, if they have not yet been found, they are in all likelihood not here. I can recall no stories through the years of anyone finding jewels, nor can I recall abrupt, unexpected and unexplained wealth among relations or guests or servants.”
“I am beginning to think Sophia would not have been so foolish as to hide them where she could not watch over them.” Tatiana blew a long breath. “When Matthew and I began this, I confess the search for the Heavens was not well planned. I simply hoped that all would work out. In truth, the purpose of my quest was deeply personal and the jewels were little more than a convenience.” She slanted a quick glance at Matthew.
Tatiana rose to her feet and paced before the sofa. “Since learning of Valentina’s presence in England, I have spent much of my time studying the letter Princess Sophia wrote to her mother. I
was doing so the morning before it was stolen.
“She mentions your help and the assistance of the other ladies. It is apparent she trusted the three of you greatly.” Tatiana cast the dowager an appreciative smile. “She also writes of duty and heritage and honor. Sophia wrote that heritage is the tie that binds the past to the future. I paid no heed to those words at first, but now I wonder if her writing may be an oblique reference to the Heavens. I know it was a very long time ago, but have you any idea what she meant?”
“None whatsoever. Although there could well be another explanation, Your Highness.” Her Grace’s voice was gentle. “Sophia was quite private about her concerns. There was an air of determination about her even as she seemed burdened with an awful sorrow. Understandable, given all she’d been through. Her words may well be more reflective of the upheaval in her life than anything else.”
Tatiana heaved a heartfelt sigh. “I am beginning to fear the jewels are lost forever.”
“It is not nearly time to give up yet, child. It is entirely possible Beatrice knows more than I. Sophia did stay with her for more than a month, I believe. It was during that visit she met and married Lord Worthington.”
“And then moved to Worthington Castle, essentially exiling herself from the rest of the world.” Tatiana spoke more to herself than the others. “But Alexei searched there and found nothing. He is convinced the jewels are not there.”
“You have not spoken to Lord Beaumont about this, have you?” the dowager asked.
Tatiana started with surprise. “No, of course not.”
“He is your cousin and Sophia’s grandson.” Her Grace paused to press her point. “He could be a great deal of help.”
“Possibly, but”—Tatiana shook her head in as firm a manner as possible—“I do not wish to involve anyone else at this point. In my brother’s last letter he wrote that he is confident the viscount had never heard of the Heavens until Alexei told him.” She sat down on the edge of the sofa and met the dowager’s gaze. “I cannot help but think that the fewer people who are aware of my search, the better the chances for success. Just revealing the loss of the Heavens would give Valentina an advantage in Avalonia I fear to consider. It is a weapon already in her hands, but I am confident she will not use it, nor will she give up looking for the Heavens, until I do. Or until the jewels are found.”
“Then you have little time to lose. You should leave for Weston Manor at once.” The dowager rose to her feet. Tatiana followed suit. “Given your brother’s presence at your side tonight, my lord, I gather you have gotten over your reluctance to return home?”
“Indeed I have, ma’am.” Matthew grinned. “And I am most appreciative of your assistance in that regard.”
Her Grace snorted. “Come, now, my boy. Call it what it is. Meddling, plain and simple.” She cast him a smug smile. “And most successful. Now, if you will excuse me, I shall return to my guests.”
Matthew quickly stepped to the door and opened it for the elderly lady.
“I shall leave the two of you alone.” Her Grace paused in the doorway and leveled a firm gaze at Tatiana. “I suspect you have much to discuss.”
“As for you…” She leaned toward Matthew and lowered her voice. “Sometimes, my boy, love is indeed enough.” The dowager turned and swept from the room.
“What did she mean?” Tatiana said.
Matthew closed the door slowly and deliberately, as if he needed time to pull his thoughts together. It did not bode well.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was level and cool. She hadn’t the slightest idea what he was thinking.
She stifled the immediate urge to pretend she had no idea what he was referring to as well. “I did.”
He scoffed. “When?”
“Well…” She bit her bottom lip and thought for a moment. “Any number of times, I just can’t recollect exactly, at the moment.”
He raised a brow. “Odd, how they seem to have slipped your mind.”
“Now I remember.” She nodded firmly. “When I discovered your deception regarding your grandmother—”
“My deception?”
“I distinctly remember saying then that I was your wife and would always be your wife.”
“I thought you were being sentimental.”
“Sentimental?” She planted her hands on her hips and stared. “If I remember the circumstances of that conversation correctly, the pervasive sentiment was not undying love and affection.”
“Yes, well…” He waved away her comment and stepped toward her. “You should have told me long before then.”
“I’ve called you my lord husband. Several times, I believe.”
“I considered it nothing more than sarcasm.”
“Well, it certainly is now.” She blew a frustrated breath. “I tried to tell you, Matthew. The day you brought up the annulment, I attempted to say something then, but you did not want to discuss it.”
His eyes narrowed. “I did not want to discuss the annulment of our marriage, not the fact that you did not have it annulled at all.”
“That makes no sense whatsoever.”
“It makes perfect sense.” He paused. “Or perhaps it doesn’t, but you know what I mean nonetheless.”
“I knew this was how you would react,” she huffed. “You are angry, are you not?”
“Angry?” His brows pulled together. “Of course, I—”
“I knew it. For fifteen months and so forth and so on, I knew this would be your response.” She pointed a finger at him. “This is exactly why I did not tell you, although, in truth, I did tell you.”
“You did not,” he snapped. “And what is thrown about wildly in the course of an argument does not count as a legitimate announcement of something as serious as the state of a marriage.”
She tossed back her head. “In your country, perhaps.”
“In any country where men and women are forced to live together!”
“You are not being forced to do anything! Nor have you ever been forced to do anything including marrying me!”
“No, indeed. I did that of my own free will. I married you because I wanted to make you my wife.” He moved closer. She stood her ground. “You are my wife. Apparently you have always been my wife, and with luck you shall be my wife until my dying day.”
“Which could well be any moment if you do not tell me right now you are not unhappy about this!”
“I am not unhappy about this. I am bloody blissful!”
“But you are angry with me?”
“Not, I’m not angry. I am beside myself with joy. Ecstatic! I can hardly control myself. Look, Tatiana.” His mouth stretched into a bizarre showing of teeth. “I am so happy I can scarce contain my smile!”
“That hardly counts as a smile,” she scoffed. “I have seen better smiles on the faces of condemned prisoners.”
“Oh, were they married too?”
“Only if they were very, very lucky!”
“Well, I consider myself very, very lucky!”
“Why?”
“Because I’m still married to you! And I love you! And… and—that’s why!”
“Hah! How can you expect me to believe that?”
“Because…” A wild, desperate light showed in his eye. “Damn it all, Tatiana, what do you want me to say? Because it’s true?”
“I do not know.” And in truth she was as confused as he. “You just said nothing thrown about wildly in the course of an argument carries any weight.”
“Yes, well…” His brow furrowed and he looked like a drowning man grasping at a fraying rope. “I lied.”
“You lied? Matthew Weston? Lord Honesty? I doubt if the rest of us mere mortals can accept such a concept.”
“It’s true, and I shall say it again.” He raised his chin in a gesture she recognized at once as her own. “I lied. Or perhaps”—he thought for a moment—“I did not lie so much as I merely omitted a few pertinent facts, misstated a bit, dissembled somewhat.”
“Not at all.” He stepped closer to her. “I am simply turning the tables on you.”
“You are an annoying man.”
“And you…” He jerked her into his arms. His blue eyes glared down at her intensely. A slow grin spread across his face. Slightly wicked. Quite wonderful. “Are my wife.”
His lips crushed hers in a kiss hard and powerful. A kiss of possession. Of reclamation. Of reunion. And she responded in kind to possess, to claim, to reunite.
An endless moment later, he raised his head from hers. “I too have a confession to make. I have lied before.”
“Oh?” She struggled to catch her breath.
“Indeed.” He kissed her again. “When I said I had missed you only as the horse misses the flies about his tail, that was a misstatement.”
“Was it?” She sighed.
“It should have been more as the fox misses—”
“Oh, do stop that, Matthew.” She slid her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes. “Are you angry that we are still married? Or worse, disappointed?”
“No,” he said without so much as a heartbeat of hesitation. “I am shocked, of course. It’s rather difficult to go from not married to married in the blink of an eye without benefit of ceremony.” His arms tightened around her. “Beyond that, I feel… grateful, I think. As if we have been given a second chance.”
Her breath caught. “Then you are not going to insist on an annulment? I know it is extremely difficult in England, but in Avalonia, as I am a member of the royal family, it would take little more than a decree from my father. Although there would be rather a lot of explaining to do. And quite frankly, I would much prefer to explain why I have a husband I have never mentioned rather than why I want to get rid of one.”
“No, I don’t want a dissolution of our marriage.” He shook his head. “I never wanted that.”
“Are you certain?” She couldn’t hide the concern in her voice. “You married a companion to a princess, not a princess.”
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