A Matter of Duty

by Sandra Heath

  He still held her close, his eyes very dark and blue as they looked into hers. It was so good to hold her, false as she was. She was made to be held and kissed, to be made love to. But he wasn’t the first to think this; Geoffrey Lawrence had thought it before him. Jealousy and resentment flooded through him once more, and he slowly released her. For the moment, however, all must seem well. He glanced up at the window again, but his grandfather had gone. He met her eyes. ‘A promise sealed with a kiss, Louisa,’ he said softly, offering her his arm.

  They proceeded up to the terrace. Orange and lemon trees in large terracotta pots had been placed along the stone balustrade, and their dark-green, shiny leaves shivered in the breeze sweeping up from the Solent. The cries of sea gulls echoed from the beach, the sound suddenly drowned by the excited baying of two large liver-and-white pointers that bounded out of the main door of the house as the butler opened it. They loped delightedly toward Kit, and the butler tried in vain to call them back.

  ‘Hengist! Horsa!’

  They ignored him, leaping up to try to lick Kit’s face. He paused to fuss them for a moment and then ordered them sternly to heel as he and Louisa once again proceeded toward the door, with Pattie now keeping a very wary distance because of the dogs.

  The butler bowed. ‘Welcome home again, Master Kit,’ he said warmly, but then his smile became uncertain as he looked at Louisa. ‘Welcome to Highclare, my lady,’ he murmured respectfully.

  She wondered how the news of Kit’s astonishing match had been received, but she smiled. ‘Thank you. I’m afraid I don’t know your name.’

  ‘Newton, my lady.’

  ‘Thank you, Newton.’

  A moment later she’d crossed the threshold of Highclare for the first time. She found herself in a gracious gray-and-white entrance hall where a double white marble staircase rose immediately on either side of the door, leading up to a magnificent gallery landing on the floor above. The pedimented door of what she was to discover was the great parlor was directly opposite the main entrance, and on the floor above, in perfect symmetry, was the door of the dining chamber. Lesser doors opened off the hall and landing, but it was to these two principal portals that her eyes were immediately drawn.

  The pointers’ paws pattered on the gleaming floor as they danced around Kit, still trying to win his attention. He removed his hat and gloves and handed them to the butler. ‘I take it from your greeting that news of my marriage has reached here.’

  ‘Indeed it has, Master Kit. One of the underfootmen was sent to Cowes yesterday to collect a delivery of the earl’s Stilton cheese from the Southampton packet, and the whole town was talking about it. May I be so bold as to offer you my sincere congratulations?’

  ‘Thank you.’

  She smiled again. ‘Thank you, Newton.’ Inside, she wondered what the man was really thinking, for he undoubtedly knew from the gossip that until recently she’d only been a governess, and so he was probably finding it very difficult indeed to be completely respectful.

  Kit glanced up the stairs. ‘When we arrived I noticed my grandfather in the gun-room window. Is he still there?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  She lowered her glance. So that was the reason for the sudden kiss.

  Kit turned to the butler once more. ‘I presume my grandfather has made arrangements for us?’

  ‘Indeed so, Master Kit. He gave orders that the adjoining Venetian suites were to be aired.’

  ‘Newton, will you have a cold luncheon prepared for us, it’s some time since we breakfasted.’

  ‘Certainly, Master Kit.’ The butler bowed and then hurried away in the direction of the kitchens, which, evidently lay beyond a door on the left hand side of the hall.

  Kit turned to Louisa. ‘Shall we go up?’

  She drew a long, nervous breath. ‘Yes.’

  ‘It will be all right, I promise you; my grandfather isn’t an ogre.’

  ‘Maybe not, but I still can’t help wondering how he’s taken the news about me.’

  ‘He’ll be happy for us.’ Suddenly he took her hand, drawing it to his lips and at the last moment turning it palm uppermost.

  She was startled at the unexpected intimacy, instinctively going to snatch her hand away, but his fingers tightened and he looked quickly into her eyes. ‘Remember your promise, Louisa,’ he said, his voice was low and soft that only she could possibly hear. ‘Houses like this have ears, there are servants everywhere, and as you said yourself a moment ago, servants whisper.’

  ‘I know, it’s just that I wasn’t expecting you to—’

  ‘Show such apparent tenderness?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then you must expect it from now on, for in this house I am your perfect husband, remember?’ Slowly he released her hand.

  They began to ascend the staircase, and her heartbeats quickened. In a moment or so she’d be meeting the Earl of Redway. Would he really be glad about his grandson’s marriage? Or would he, like the rest of society, really think of it as a misalliance?

  The gun room lay on the western side of the house, its windows gazing out over the Solent toward Lymington. It had oak-paneled walls hung with a magnificent display of swords, cutlasses, sabers, rapiers, and fencing foils, as well as pistols, blunderbusses, muskets, carbines, flintlocks, and matchlocks. It reminded her poignantly of another such room, at Cherington Court, and a collection that had had to be dispersed to help settle Tom’s debts.

  More weapons lay on a large oval table, having been removed from their places on the walls, and Kit’s grandfather was standing by the table, lovingly polishing a pistol with a soft cloth. He was a slightly built man of a little less than medium height, with stooping shoulders and thinning gray hair that he wore long and tied back with a black velvet ribbon. He evidently favored clothes that were comfortable rather than fashionable, for his coat was loose and had seen a number of summers, and his breeches were of an easy fit. He put the pistol down the moment they entered, his quick glance moving over Louisa. His eyes were as blue and piercing as Kit’s.

  After a barely perceptible hesitation, he came toward them, smiling. ‘Kit, m’boy, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you again, and under such auspicious circumstances. Congratulations, my dear fellow, congratulations.’ He seized Kit’s hand, pumping it up and down with a force surprising for one of such delicate appearance.

  Kit turned to draw Louisa forward. ‘Grandfather, may I present my wife, Louisa.’

  The earl looked at her. ‘Welcome to Highclare, my dear. I trust that you will find only happiness here.’ He came to kiss her on the cheek, and she was relieved to sense the genuine warmth in the gesture.

  ‘Thank you, sir.’

  ‘I confess I didn’t think this wretch of a boy was ever going to do his family duty, but in marrying you he’s more than done that, for he’s also managed to please me immensely. You’re very beautiful, my dear, and you’ll be an adornment to the family and to this house.’

  She flushed a little, lowering her eyes, for how could he really be so pleased when all society was talking about her past?

  He put a hand to her chin, making her look at him. ‘I mean every word, Louisa, for it doesn’t matter to me that recent years have been less than kind to you. I’m only concerned that you and Kit are happy, and from what I witnessed from the window when you arrived, I know that that is indeed so.’ He patted her hand. ‘I’m truly sorry about your brother, my dear. That insect Rowe should be hanged for his crimes, as I think most honorable men would agree, but for you the past must be the past, because from now on you’re going to know only joy.’

  His kindness made her feel guilty, and she glanced at Kit.

  The earl smiled again. ‘It occurs to me that your first day at Highclare should be marked in some way, and so I think I’ll have Newton make arrangements for us to dine on the roof this evening. It’s a particular treat I like to keep for very special occasions, and what could be more special than this?’ He glanced at Kit then.
‘By the way, it’s come to my notice that there’s to be a grand ball in a few days’ time. Did you know?’

  ‘Yes, we encountered Alistair Glenfarrick in Southampton.’

  ‘That mischievous popinjay? Well, there’s nothing that passes him by, so he’ll have told you all about it. It goes without saying that I won’t be attending, but I’m glad to think that Highclare will be represented by both a Lord and Lady Highclare.’

  ‘I’m afraid it won’t,’ said Kit quickly, ‘because Louisa and I have decided not to attend. Haven’t we dear?’ He glanced directly at her.

  Until that moment she hadn’t really believed he would carry out his threat, but now she had to face the fact that he’d meant every word he said about keeping her away from anyone who mightly conceivably cause her to speak her mind.

  ‘Louisa?’ He was still looking at her.

  She met his gaze unwillingly. ‘Yes, that is what we’ve decided.’

  The earl didn’t seem unduly concerned. ‘Oh, well, I don’t suppose it’s all that vital. Besides, newlyweds are expected to spend all their time together on their own, are they not? And where better to do that than here at Highclare?’ He smiled at them both. ‘I can’t tell you how happy all this has made me, and now I offer no excuse for saying that I look forward to the next happy event, the announcement that I am to become a great-grandfather.’

  Louisa felt utterly dreadful, but Kit seemed equal to the moment. He smiled at her, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her on the lips. ‘That will indeed be a happy announcement,’ he murmured.

  24

  As that first day at Highclare drew toward a close, they dined on the roof as the earl had promised. The gazebo beneath the cupola was light and airy, exquisitely decorated with pale-green Chinese silk and comfortable chairs, and had a circular mahogany table of particular elegance. The large French windows stood open onto the roof promenade, and a light evening breeze played over the small dinner party as they lingered in the fading light. Fruit and liqueurs were on the table, and Newton had just withdrawn after lighting the candles. The new flames shivered a little, moving shadows over the delicate silk on the walls, and the wisps of pale smoke were carried away, threading until they became invisible. Beyond the house the summer day had almost closed, and the setting sun was a stain of dull crimson on the skyline. The Solent gleamed like soft gray satin.

  Louisa wore the lilac silk and plowman’s gauze evening gown she’d had on at the opera house, and there were pearls from the Highclare collection in her hair. There were more pearls at her throat, and over her arms she had a lacy shawl, its ends knotted to hang heavily to the floor.

  Next to her the earl was very stylish in a black coat and white waistcoat, a voluminous neckcloth at his throat, and a black velvet ribbon tied in a precise knot to hold back his hair. Kit sat opposite, his fair hair shining in the candlelight, and he was putting himself out to be amusing. He was describing the performance of Cosi Fan Tutte, and he was doing so with such wit and humor that Louisa could again see quite clearly the scene in the opera house that night. She watched him as he lounged easily in his chair. How attractive he was, and how devastatingly charming when he chose to put himself out; surely there wasn’t another man in the world to compare with him. How she wished their marriage was founded on more than mere duty.

  The conversation drifted on for a little longer, and the sun had almost completely set when the earl put down his glass and looked apologetically at her. ‘I’m afraid it’s time for me to toddle off to my bed. The state of my health has long dictated early retiring and early rising, and I do hope you won’t be offended if I leave you on this, your first night here.’

  She smiled quickly. ‘No, of course not.’

  ‘Bless you. Besides, I’ve no doubt that you and Kit will prefer to be on your own.’ He got up, drawing her hand to his lips.

  Kit escorted him to the staircase that descended into the house, and then returned. She’d left the table and was standing out on the roof, by the stone balustrade edging the promenade area. The park was shadowy far below, and the Solent was visible only as a faint silvery gleam to the north and west. The breeze toyed with the gauze on her gown, and she drew her shawl a little closer, turning as she heard Kit approaching.

  ‘I wish we weren’t deceiving your grandfather.’

  ‘Are we deceiving him?’

  ‘You know we are.’ She searched his face in the darkness. ‘Why can’t you be honest, Kit? You haven’t any intention of really making me your wife, because you’ve realized that I’m not the milksop creature you originally believed I was. I also think that now you’ve seen Lady Rowe again, you’re glad your anger with me has kept us apart, because now you have that most perfect of situations: a marriage that apparently satisfies your grandfather’s desire to see you honoring your family duty, but that in fact is conveniently open so that, should Lady Rowe choose to come to you, after all, you’ll be able to set me aside. You’re using me, Kit, and you’re also using my so-called indiscretions with Geoffrey Lawrence as an excuse to justify your own despicable conduct.’

  For a long moment he met her accusing gaze. ‘Think that if you wish, Louisa; it’s your prerogative.’

  Her chin rose defiantly. ‘Don’t let me keep you, sir, for no doubt her ladyship is waiting for you even now. I trust that you’ll able to make your peace with her and that she’s more trusting than you, for to be sure she’ll have a lot to swallow when you promise her faithfully that you haven’t consummated your shocking misalliance with Tom Cherington’s unlikely sister.’

  Anger flashed into his eyes and abruptly he went back into the gazebo, extinguishing the candles. Then he turned to face her again. ‘You’re right, madam: she is waiting for me and I see no reason why I should dally pointlessly here with you when I could be with her.’

  Without another word, she walked past him toward the staircase. There were tears in her eyes, but he didn’t see them. She’d provoked the argument without really knowing why – she just hadn’t been able to help herself – and now her worst fears were being realized: he was going to his beloved Thea.

  The villa Rowe had had built some five years before stood in a leafy lane on the hillside overlooking Cowes. Small and elegant, it was set in beautiful gardens and was protected from the lane by a high wall and a screen of evergreen trees. It was approached through wroughtiron gates beside a little lodge, and this lodge was in darkness as Kit rode quietly along the lane. The absence of lights indicated that the lodgekeeper’s duties were at an end for the night, which could only mean that Thea had retired to her bed.

  He rode past the lodge to where the wall veered away from the lane toward a thicket, then he dismounted and led the horse into the bushes where it wouldn’t be seen. He’d left it there many times in the past, gaining access to the villa grounds by climbing the huge oak tree next to the wall. As he tethered the horse, he paused. If he proceeded now, he’d be picking up the threads with Thea again. For a long moment he hesitated, then he went toward the oak tree.

  There wasn’t a sound from the villa as he dropped down into the gardens. Open lawns stretched toward the house, where there weren’t any lights to be seen. Thea’s rooms opened on to an elegant balcony on the first floor and could be reached by climbing another tree, this time a mulberry growing against the house. He moved silently, slipping across the lawns and swinging himself up into the mulberry’s branches with only the minimum of sound.

  The French windows were open, they always were when she was expecting him. He stepped into the dark room beyond. It was an elegant, feminine chamber, furnished in the Oriental style, with paleblue hand-painted silk on the walls and an immense four-poster bed draped extravagantly with the same costly material. He expected to see Thea lying there, but the bed was empty, the coverlet hadn’t even been turned back.

  Her absence took him by surprise, for he’d been so certain she’d be there, but then she spoke behind him and he turned sharply to see her sitting in a chair
by the fireplace.

  ‘I’m amazed you’ve come here, sir,’ she said, ‘for I imagined your new bride would occupy you on your first night on the island.’ She rose to her feet, her magnificent figure outlined very clearly, even in the darkness, by the low-cut, flimsy muslin robe she wore. Her hair was very golden, and a slight smile curved her lovely lips, for she was triumphant that he’d so swiftly deserted Louisa. ‘Why did you marry her, Kit? I’m all curiosity to know. Was it to spite me?’

  ‘Hardly.’

  ‘Then why take such a vapid little nonentity as your bride?’

  ‘Louisa isn’t vapid and she certainly isn’t a nonentity.’

  It wasn’t a reply she cared for, and she turned petulantly away. ‘You’ll be telling me next that the rumors are true and it is a love match.’

  ‘Does it matter what it is? After all, you refused to leave Rowe and marry me, didn’t you? Or was I mistaken that night on board the Spindrift?’ He leaned back against one of the bedposts, folding his arms as he surveyed her.

  ‘You caught me unawares that night, Kit.’

  ‘And if you’d sensed what I was about to ask, would you have given me a different answer?’

  She glanced at him. ‘We’ll never know now, will we?’ she murmured. ‘But you’re trying to change the subject, aren’t you? I asked you why you’d married the governess.’

  ‘Shall we agree not to inquire about each other’s marriages, Thea?’

  It was another displeasing answer. ‘I’ll warrant you’d prefer not to answer my questions, for no doubt you’ve very swiftly realized how much a fool she’s made of you.’