Louisa grimaced. "You make me ill."
"Do I? I seem to remember a time when you didn’t feel that way." Tristan leaned forward and Louisa moved away, her back coming up against the pillows heaped on the chaise. “I swear I could have you right now, couldn’t I? I wonder how Gravesmere would feel about that? And of course, I'll take that lovely wife of his as well. It would be marvelous if she was still a virgin, as I suspect she is. She's quite amazing, you know. Not as ripe as you, Louisa, but so exquisite, so delicate, and I suspect a fire under that porcelain surface. I could teach her so much. Don't you agree?"
He smiled at the stream of invective that fell from Louisa’s lips. "What, you don't like discussing other women? But there's no pretense between us, is there? Why should I not have other women; you were never faithful to me, were you Louisa? Of course not.”
"I despise you," said Louisa her face turned away, as she fought down her desire for him.
"I despise you, too, darling." Tristan dropped a kiss into the palm of her hand. "If you hear something else from Gravesmere, please let me know. And remember, I'm watching you. Don't think you can double cross me." He turned and left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Chapter 7
Gravesmere
The luxurious traveling carriage rocked along the rutted road, and Allegra took a moment to be thankful that it was well sprung. However, her gratitude for the deep blue velvet upholstery and the gentle ride was insufficient to make up for her annoyance. Her mood was composed of equal parts anger at Adam's behavior the previous night, frustration at driving rather than riding, and unacknowledged jealousy of the mistress to whose arms Adam had returned to after his mother's dictum had been issued. Her stormy humor lurked in her eyes, and in the strained lines of her face, but for Emily's sake she did her best to conceal it under a complacent smile. Outside the coach, Adam was nowhere to be seen. He had ridden on ahead of their party, and this irked Allegra still more, for although she had no reason to wish for his company, she felt that he should have ridden alongside them. Finally Allegra napped, soothed by the swaying of the chaise and encouraged by her own lack of sleep the previous night.
She awoke with a start when the carriage slowed sharply before a turn. She looked out the window just in time to see a half-timbered gatehouse and long, well tended drive bordered by a manicured lawn. Flowers bloomed along the way, nodding sleepily in the breeze. Emily was smiling softly and Allegra needed only to inquire, "Gravesmere?" Her companion nodded. A few moments later the grand old house loomed into view. It drowsed in the late afternoon sun, at that peculiar time of day when the low angle of the light lends a preternatural sharpness to outdoor scenes. The golden sandstone of its walls seemed to be warm with an inner life, and the central hall, embraced by the lower wings of the building, beckoned.
"I had no idea that Gravesmere was so beautiful, Mama," exclaimed Allegra.
Emily seemed almost on the verge of tears. "It looked just like this the afternoon that Adam's father first brought me here. It was our wedding day though, and all the staff was here to greet us. He carried me across the threshold, and they all cheered, and drank a toast to our long life and happiness. I still believe that the good wishes of all of those good people were a part of the joy that we knew together." Allegra took her mother-in law's hand and held it tightly in silence, not knowing how to respond, when her own relationship with the current Duke was in such disarray.
The carriage drew up before the huge oaken door, and Allegra, leaning out the window in a distinctly unladylike fashion, could see that Adam had already dismounted and one of the grooms was at his horse's head. Adam lounged in the drive, conversing with the servant, an older man, who, to judge by the casual nature of their interaction, might well have been the man who put the Duke on his first pony as a child. Adam’s golden head glowed in the last rays of the dying sun, and the width of his shoulders and narrowness of his hips were set off by his riding coat and breeches. Allegra drew in her breath sharply as a strange sensation, now becoming almost familiar, shot through her. Why did she always feel so uncomfortable around her own husband, she wondered.
When the carriage door opened, Adam straightened and strode over to help Allegra and his mother disembark. As he did so the great doors of Gravesmere House opened, and a stately figure issued forth, followed by an army of servants, their livery starched and pressed. Emily smiled. When the servants were lined up before the Duke and Duchess, the butler bowed and cleared his throat stentoriously.
"It is a great honor to see Your Grace and the Duchess here," he proclaimed. "There are a great many firsts for us to observe today. It is the first time that we have seen Your Grace here since you ascended to your father's (God rest his soul) honors. It is the first visit of Her Grace the new Duchess to Gravesmere, and it is the first time that we have seen Your Grace and the Duchess here at your ancestral home together since you were wed. I think that I am within my rights to state that the entire staff is delighted to be here to witness such a remarkable moment in the history of Gravesmere, a history that is long and honorable and brings credit to our great country. Your health, Your Grace, and the health of your lady, and your mother. May your marriage be long and happy and may you be blessed with many healthy children. Three cheers for the new Duke and Duchess."
To the intense embarrassment of both Allegra and Adam, the butler raised a glass high, and suddenly the entire staff was cheering, and a demand rose from several dozen throats that the Duke carry the Duchess across the threshold of her new home, as the footmen circulated among the staff, filling glasses so that they might drink a toast. Adam looked clearly harassed, Allegra felt nervous and distressed. However, it soon became clear to both of them that the only way through the situation was to make the best of it. Adam advanced on Allegra with a suddenly wicked grin and swept her up in his arms.
"Relax, my lady, I won't bite," he murmured.
"You had best not," she snapped. "I might bite back."
Her sober blue traveling dress tipped to reveal a foam of white petticoats and frivolous little satin shoes, covering white silk stockings with absurd pink clocks. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Adam felt a bubble of laughter deep within at the sight. He ran lightly up the steps two at a time, and paused at the doorstep to toss Allegra up in the air.
"My lady and I thank you for your generous thoughts," he announced as he caught her again and held her firmly against his chest. "We are pleased to be here at Gravesmere, which is our home and our mainstay. I know that my lovely bride and I will spend many happy days here, and that we will provide you with many heirs to continue our tradition." He gave Allegra a laughing look, and she colored. How dare he tease her so, when things were so uncomfortable between them?
Adam then swept across the threshold with a flurry of the full skirts of his riding coats and his ruffled cuffs, to set her down in the hall. He swept off his hat, made her a most elegant leg, and then kissed her heartily in full view of the staff. More cheering ensued. Allegra blushed desperately. There was an air of expectation around the great doors, and Allegra realized that she too was expected to say something to the assemblage. Feeling rather like a hunted doe, the cynosure of all eyes, she stepped forward to face the situation.
"Every woman dreams of being as lucky as I," she said in a soft voice. Silence fell over the servants as they listened to her. "To have a gallant husband, a beautiful home and a mama-in-law that I love. I hope that I will be a credit to the noble women who have preceded me and that I can be the wife to the current Duke which he deserves."
Prolonged cheering followed and Allegra felt that she had passed an important test. She shot Adam a glance to see if he had understood the gentle reprimand she had delivered to him in her speech, and was surprised to see him eyeing her appreciatively. "You did very well, Allegra," he said. "This must have been quite an unexpected event. I thank you for rising to the occasion so nobly."
"I am not the paltry creature you apparently
think me," answered Allegra. "My family, after all, is nearly as venerable as yours, and I have been well-trained in my duties as your wife."
"I see that you have been. My apologies for doubting you." Adam raised her hand to his lips and dropped a light kiss on it. Allegra's eyes widened at the gesture and Adam looked down into her face, a question in his own eyes.
Emily joined them at that moment. "Fie, Adam, for keeping poor Allegra standing about in the hall. She must be exhausted after the journey. As am I, I assure you!"
Adam blinked and then turned to summon servants to conduct his wife and mother to their chambers. Allegra felt almost sorry to leave him, but she followed the butler upstairs and through a seemingly endless corridor to her room. It adjoined Adam's and, as always, she saw the closed door between the two suites and worried about what the future held. Emily had very nice taste in furnishings, and Allegra was delighted with the modern and charming decor of her chamber. The aquamarine and white color scheme could have been selected specifically to set off her coloring, and the hangings, carpets and furnishings appeared to be almost new. She threw herself on the bed to gather her strength for an evening in Adam's bewildering company and soon was fast asleep.
The entrance of her maid woke Allegra, and soon she was standing docilely to be dressed for dinner. Despite the fact that there was no one to impress except her mother-in-law and husband, she found herself taking exceptional pains with her appearance. Merriwether waited patiently as Allegra hesitated between the blue satin and the green silk dress and fretted over whether her hair should be powdered or not, elaborately dressed, or casually curled. Her maid managed to send her down to dinner only a little late, charmingly dressed in a pale yellow gown that brought out the warm highlights in her skin and hair.
Dinner was surprising for its lack of formality or fireworks. Adam and Allegra, to their own and Emily's surprise, made it to the end of the meal without a single disagreement. The ladies retired to the drawing room after dinner, but Adam did not linger long over his port. He soon joined Allegra and his mother in the sitting room, and they engaged in a few hands of whist.
Allegra excused herself early, pleading weariness from the trip. As she prepared to leave the room, Adam touched her arm. "If you would care to, I would be delighted to show you the estate on horseback in the morning," he said, his tone formal.
Allegra looked up, surprised, but saw nothing in his eyes except sincerity. "Thank you, Adam. That sounds delightful." She couldn't resist teasing him. "You know how I enjoy riding."
The remark only brought a smile to Adam's face. "Indeed, I do. I'll await your summons in the morning." Adam held the door for Allegra as she exited the room. Perhaps, she reflected as an unbidden glimmer of hope flared in her breast, this visit to the country would not be so unpleasant after all.
The couple's meeting in the morning was polite, if formal. With grooms hovering in attendance they spent some time selecting Allegra's mount, and if Adam thought the horse she chose a trifle strong for a woman, he held his tongue. It had occurred to him over the last day that Allegra perhaps had some depth to her character that he had not previously perceived; certainly, she had a strong will and great control, and he had seen for himself how capable she was of handling a horse. He was prepared to humor her to some extent, at least here in the country where her actions would not reflect so strongly on him.
They rode out of the stable yard side-by-side, and turned their horses down a rutted lane. At first they spoke little, rather uncertain of what to say to one another, but when Allegra ventured a complimentary remark on the neatness of the estate, she was amazed to draw forth a long and enthusiastic response on the problems and joys of managing such a large land-holding. Adam, she was surprised to discover, was deeply involved in the day-to-day affairs of his estate, and took the welfare of his tenants to heart. Although little acquainted with such matters, Allegra's intelligent questions and her evident appreciation of the beauty of the countryside drew Adam out, and soon the two were chatting like old friends. Almost before they realized it, several hours had passed, and they realized that they were due back at the house for tea. As they turned their horses, Allegra looked at Adam with a wistful expression. "You have been so kind to me, my lord. Perhaps you will indulge me in one small wish?"
"And what might your small wish be?"
"I see you must hear it before you promise. You are truly a cautious man," laughed Allegra.
"I fear that with you I need to be cautious," said Adam, but a rueful smile softened the words.
"Oh, unkind!" replied Allegra. "Nonetheless, I will ask anyway. May we perhaps gallop? I believe my mount would appreciate the chance to stretch his legs."
"And you, of course, will derive no pleasure from this gallop," responded Adam.
"None at all," replied Allegra meekly. "I think only of my horse."
"In light of the needs of your mount, I can only say yes," said Adam gravely. "I wouldn't want so magnificent an animal to suffer."
Allegra's dimples appeared. "Thank you, my lord. You spoil me."
She urged her horse to an easy canter, as she took the measure of his gait, and then with a tiny kick pushed him into a full gallop. Adam, who hadn’t expected the rapid transition, had a fine view of her very straight and steady back and the gold lace ribbon floating from her hat before his horse too broke into a gallop. He deliberately lagged behind for some distance, watching the stability of Allegra’s seat and the steadiness of her hands. Then he urged his gelding forward, and began to gain on her. As Allegra heard the hooves behind her drawing near, she tapped her horse’s side gently with the stick and he answered her call with additional speed, opening the gap between them once more. Surprised, Adam considered a race, but even as he began to dig in his heels, Allegra further demonstrated her horsemanship, by smoothly slowing her horse to a canter so he could draw up next to her.
“Your horse is too green to be racing in these open fields,” she said as Adam came even with her.
Surprised she had noticed, Adam could do nothing but agree. “He is just 3 years old, and while he is well trained and good natured, you are right, he needs a great deal more time in the open to be trustworthy.” Allegra slowed to a trot, and looked over.
“I think he will make an excellent hunter when he has more experience,” she remarked kindly. “He has a well shaped shoulder and good hind quarters. He should be able to go all day and be clever with the jumps.” Adam knew that she was correct in her comments, but was astonished at her rapid and casual assessment of his horse’s capabilities. There was silence for a few moments as they trotted to the crest of a hill, where Allegra stopped to admire the view over a small lake below.
“This is a very lovely country side. Far more fertile than the north Yorkshire hills of my father’s estates,” she remarked.
“It is good land to be sure,” Adam replied, “and my father and grandfather have given it a great deal of attention.” He twisted in the saddle to look at her as the started to walk down the hill. “You ride like you were born in the saddle,” he said.
Allegra smiled merrily, “There is little enough to do in the North Riding, and my father keeps a very good stable. I don’t remember learning to ride, and have always spent a great deal of time in the stables.”
"I truly believe that the back of horse is your natural element, Allegra. I watched you quite carefully, and very few men can bring as much from their mounts as you."
"My father, you know, has a passion for the stables which is nearly as strong as his love of gambling and drinking. As a little girl at Redecombe I often spent hours loitering about the mews, hiding from my governess." She smiled dreamily, remembering those happy times, and Adam was struck by her extraordinary beauty.
"The grooms treated me kindly, and there was always time to help me with my pony, or show me what they were doing to treat some injury or ailment. I learned a great deal more from them than I did from Miss Wolsterly."
Adam digested this i
nformation in silence, as it was in conflict with the images he had of her as a terrified child, and as a flirtatious empty headed lady of fashion.
The horses trotted sedately into the stable yard, the sound of their hooves echoing roundly from the surrounding buildings, and Allegra smiled at Adam. "What a lovely ride," she exclaimed. "And no critical biddies to tell me that a lady does not gallop ventre a terre. Your mother was absolutely right that a few days away from the racket of town would be delightful."
Adam, in the act of swinging down from his horse as one of the grooms grasped the reins, did not reply. He walked over to Allegra's mount, an attractive sorrel gelding whose coat gleamed like copper in the sun, to help her dismount, and arrived just in time to grasp her about the waist as she jumped down on her own. Her face was flushed from her exertions and she was smiling joyfully. A sudden impulse made him grip her close, allowing her to slide against his body as he set her down. The increasingly familiar feeling of desire for his wife made his abdomen clench, and instead of releasing Allegra he held her closer and looked down into her beaming face with a smile of his own.
A wild notion of kissing this suddenly soft Allegra crossed Adam's mind, but he banished it, and released her. She felt an obscure regret when he did so, for the warmth and strength of his arms had been very pleasant, but did not allow the feeling to linger. The pair walked across the stable yard, boot heels ringing on the ground, Allegra leading the way into the barn.
A Most Unusual Situation: A Traditional Version Georgian Romance (The Gravesmeres Book 1) Page 9