Damon refused to react. He did not plan to discuss his intentions. He had to convince Verbena first and she might be the bigger challenge. He simply said, “I would rather feel sympathy for those children than scorn them. I have a feeling Edeline wants to stay here and help her family.”
Father made an ugly snort of sound. “She only wants what will embarrass us. If it would humiliate us if she stays here, she will want to stay. If it would be more embarrassing to go to London, she will go. Common folk are totally unaware of proper behaviors. It is a constant indignity. All one has to do is spend a night at the theater or the opera to see what the lower classes are like. And Edeline comes from that class.” He clapped a hand on Damon’s shoulder, and leaned close, speaking softly and quickly as if he feared being overheard. “Watch. She will find a way to embarrass us.”
Damon wondered why Verbena had insisted on her greeting being given in privacy. He might have been accidentally accurate in telling her she was ashamed of who she was. A drunkard’s daughter living in a crumbling house. Strange that she did not seem eager for a way out. He could not believe she had not had a single offer of marriage in all these years. Edeline had taken her chance and married Andrew, but then, his father said Barnes had not been a drunkard at the time.
Damon saw again Verbena with the basket of bread those years ago, young and carefree. Barnes’ drinking must have started later, after Edeline’s marriage, because if the man had been in this state, Edward would never permitted the marriage, Andrew’s stubbornness or not.
She only wants what will embarrass us. He did not know Edeline, that was true. Underneath his father’s wild, grieving words, there might well be experience. He himself had not seen Edeline in Society, he did not know what she was like there.
He would have to watch, particularly now, after Father’s warning. “I should go inside. I’m certain I was seen and I can hardly hide much longer.”
“Go, then. Lord knows, I am not much company right now, myself.” Edward turned away.
There was nothing else to do but square his shoulders and face the horde of women, find Edeline and give her Verbena’s message.
He moved toward the large sitting room, behind which he thought he heard the murmur of voices. Bracing himself, he pushed the door open and walked through.
He had never seen a room so oppressive, so determinedly in mourning. It seemed everyone had come prepared for the occasion. Several wore black gowns, and everyone had some evidence of sympathetic mourning, black gloves, black scarves, capes and rings, earrings and necklaces of jet, the only proper mourning jewelry. Around the room, eyes turned toward him, people anxious for a disruption in the gloom.
The hole Andrew’s death left suddenly opened in front of Damon, endless years without his brother, his own grief a black maw threatening to consume him with guilt. Every inheritance, Thernwood, the London house, this new, unexpected title that he would someday receive, all because Andrew had died.
He bowed to the group. “Thank you all for coming. Your presence is a comfort.” He scanned the room quickly, and saw his quarry sitting against the wall behind the small circle of chairs that held his mother and sisters. She looked very much like she wanted to cry. Again.
She did not look like a woman who meant to embarrass anyone. Instead, she looked exactly like what she was, a new widow far too young for her grief. He knew of very few who faced her loss with such impressive dignity.
As Damon crossed the room, nodding at the many greetings, he noted the contrast between the sisters. Even in mourning, Verbena’ sunlit hair would have been a beacon in the room, while Edeline’s brunette tresses nearly blended with her black cap. Despite her fairness, Verbena’s skin had the richer color, speaking of time working outside, and energy.
That might be unfair, Damon scolded himself. Edeline had just lost her husband. Of course she would be pale, or perhaps it was just the contrast with the dark circles under her red-rimmed eyes that her skin seemed washed out.
As he drew nearer he saw more differences between the two. Differences that were more than skin deep. Verbena would hardly hide behind others, grieving or not. She would not sit to be waited on, but would find something to do.
He bent and kissed his mother and sisters, then turned to Edeline, and held out his hand. “My dear sister, if you would be so kind, I would beg a moment of your time.”
At first, Edeline did not move. He wondered if she had even heard him. Maybe movement itself was beyond her at this moment. With an odd jerk, she suddenly reached out her hand and set it on his bent arm, clenching it with a convulsive grip. “Thank you,” she said, her voice soft and thin. “I have not had time with you since . . .” her voice trailed off.
They made it out of the room without being stopped, Edeline’s pale face and black gown providing more of a deterrent than even a regiment of armed guards. Her grief was like a living thing. It was hard to believe his father’s words. She did not seem capable of planning the humiliation of anyone.
The railing was empty. Damon wondered where his father had gone. He glanced down at Edeline. “May I take you to the gazebo? We should have a measure of privacy there, and I think the air would do you good.”
There was a brief hesitation as if she doubted his intentions, then she said in that subdued way of hers, “Yes, that would be very nice.” He could not imagine Verbena being so submissive, and fought back a smile at the thought.
They walked across the stoned drive, roughed by all the carriages and horses’ hooves. Just beyond the false wall formed by the hedges came the real attraction, a sunlit glade so perfectly created it looked as though it had grown there without assistance of any kind.
Rosebushes teased by the sun made the border, a thorny barrier for a small building in the glade’s center. The flowers at the gazebo’s base were in full bloom, reds and pinks, yellows and blues, whose names he had never known, a display almost garish for a house of mourning. The ivy growing over the little building helped subdue the white stone walls that otherwise might hurt the eyes in the sun’s glare.
It was romantic, even he could feel it. The only problem was that he had brought the wrong woman here, and a whole room of gossiping guests had seen him escort Edeline out. He thought of Verbena and her trek through the woods those short days ago. She must love all things natural and growing. He wished he could see her as she strolled around this tranquil place.
The gazebo was already occupied. A woman stood with her back to them, one hand tapping a slender finger against her cheek, the other clenched down at her side.
“Excuse me, madam?”
The woman inside jumped and whirled around. She appeared genuinely surprised. “I am sorry. I did not expect to be disturbed.”
Damon nodded once. “I apologize, but my sister-in-law needs a respite from all the guests, kind though they are. If we may take your place here?”
The woman smiled, and it lit up her face. She was tall and voluptuous, hair so black it was nearly blue piled on her head in thick curls, tendrils left dangling on either side of her face, a face that needed no attention drawn to it. High cheekbones, large dark eyes hinting at mysteries waiting to be discovered, a sculptured nose, a chin firm but not stubborn, round breasts puffing over the top of her bodice, deep cleavage. The loose skirt could not hide the tiny waist beneath. If Damon had not found his heart engaged, he might – and probably once would – have found that smile intriguing and irresistible, those eyes mesmerizing, that waist tempting. But in the last few days, he had seen genuineness, and he knew in an instant’s warning that this smile was practiced. It reached her face, but her eyes were untouched.
She bent over and picked up a sheaf of music and a summer wrap. He did not have to touch the wrap to know how soft it would be. She would hold it out to a man, asking him to help it arrange it over her shoulders. She would flirt at balls, making her captive sweat that her favors were straying, allow men of unsavory reputation bring her plates of food and glasses of wine, forget d
ances promised and go onto the floor with another, leaving her victim standing snubbed on the side with the wallflowers.
He had done that once when young and foolish. Never again. Now he wanted a woman who would look straight at him, speak her mind, protect who she loved.
He bowed politely, then stepped aside as she passed through the door. “Madam.”
She gave him a sidelong look from beneath long, dark eyelashes. “Sir Damon.”
This one would be a dangerous enemy. He waited for her to sashay out of the glade before he turned to Edeline, who had stepped to one side, pretending to enjoy the roses. “I have a message from your sister. She insisted I talk to you in privacy. She wanted you to know that she did go to the funeral. I don’t think she should have gone and I told her so, but she would be there. She said no one would have stopped her.”
“I wish . . .” Edeline’s voice was still soft, and it shook with tears held under tight leash. “I wish I could have seen her.”
“I saw her at the very end, but she was on her way home. Which was for the best.” He caught the edge that had crept into his voice just thinking of Verbena’s foolishness.
Edeline smiled. A small one, but for just a moment her grief had lifted. “Yes, she is very strong-willed.” The smile faded. “She has had to be.”
Damon waved toward the empty gazebo. “You look like you could use privacy. Stay here as long as you wish. I will wait in the clearing, just in case anyone decided to follow us.”
He ushered her inside, gave a bow, then turned and walked out the gazebo, but did not go far.
CHAPTER 10
Edeline knew full well why her sister wanted the message to be given in privacy. She had had about all she could take of the Thern’s guests. They did not have to say anything to her face. It all had been said in open rooms with the doors left wide open, and when they knew she was nearby.
“At least they will be rid of Andrew’s wife.” “Have you heard she lived in this very village?” “I was shown her house. You should see it! It is falling to pieces!” “And she had no dowry, either!” “Of course she had none. With that house!” “And her father! Have you heard about the man? He is a drunk! The entire village is ashamed of him.”
No, she did not want to be in this family any longer. She rested her hand on her belly and thought of the child hiding inside, then realized what she had done and pulled it away. The only one to see was Damon, and she did not know where he was standing at the moment.
But that touch reminded her why she had to go and soon. Their child, nestled inside. Life would be so much harder without Andrew’s money, but she expected nothing from the Thern’s anyway.
Well, nothing from the other Therns. Damon thus far had been different. She did not know how he fit in. He looked so much like his mother. She shivered. Might that unpleasant a nature be hiding beneath his courteous words?
Edeline shook her head at her thoughts. She had seen enough of the Therns, more than enough, and of all of them. Damon included.
Verbena had showed up at the funeral. It could only mean one thing. Her sister was still ready to try and help her escape.
No one in the house had mentioned to her how – or even if – the Therns planned to leave for London. Leave or stay, if she was going to get away, she had to do it soon. If she had to guess what her in-laws planned for her, it would be to find her a little place far away from their hallowed section of London and forget about her. Alone in London, severed from Andrew’s house and Andrew’s money, that would be just like them.
Thank goodness they did not know she was pregnant.
She had to get word back to Verbena, and Damon seemed to be her only chance, although trusting him any further brought its own risk. She had seen him talking with his father on the portico and she knew what her father-in-law thought of her. Or was he still her father-in-law? She rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand, trying to soothe the ache that just would not go away.
They could hardly plan unless she and Verbena had a chance to talk. Alone. Edeline stepped to the gazebo door, only to see her brother-in-law standing a short distance away, his hand braced against the trunk of a tree. She should have remembered his weak leg and sent him back, someplace where he could sit down and rest.
She saw his gaze sharpen when she appeared at the door. Damon had left her by herself, but he had been watching.
“Edeline.” His long legs ate up the short distance, even with his uneven steps. “Do you wish to go back to the house?” Despite their vigilance, his eyes held their own sadness.
At last, this was the very opening she wanted. She had to push down the flash of sympathy at those eyes. “No. I can’t be around so many people any more. I want to go to my family’s house and check on Verbena. Maybe their troubles will take my mind off my own.”
“I was just there,” he said smoothly. “I can tell you whatever you wish to know.”
“I need to see them.” Sudden irritation stiffened her resolve. “It has been two days since I had a chance to talk to any of them. As you yourself said, I did not even see Verbena at the funeral.”
Damon sighed and nodded. “Very well. I can see that the worry is not doing you any good.”
Edeline turned and walked out of the clearing, not even letting herself look behind lest he take that as a second thought and change his mind.
*
Verbena was in the parlor when they arrived. Her sewing basket sat on the floor by her feet. She was busily stitching a pair of pantaloons that, at a guess, were being altered for Matthew. She still could not get used to how tall the two boys were getting. And the little girls – maybe after the baby was born, Aunt Mabel would let them all come to Bath for a visit.
Edeline knelt by the settee and took her hand, using the opportunity to kiss Verbena’s cheek and whisper, “We need a moment.”
Verbena met her eyes and gave a faint nod. Edeline asked in a normal voice, “How are your bindings?” She lifted her eyebrows. “As long as I’m here, why don’t I check them?”
Verbena’s eyes twinkled. “Oh, would you? They pinch something awful. I am not at all certain they are doing any good. I wish I could just remove them altogether, but I can’t get them off by myself.”
“They are not supposed to come off,” Damon interjected from the doorway, his deep voice surprising them both. “You will not disobey the doctor, is that understood?”
Verbena felt heat rush up her cheeks. She would not have spoken so freely about removing anything, even bindings of which he was well aware, had she realized he stood close enough to hear. She wrinkled her nose at her sister, and Edeline tried not to grin.
“They should at least be checked.” Verbena flushed, but she winked at Edeline. “Don’t you think?”
“Of course.” Edeline looked expectantly up at their guest. “I apologize for deserting you, but would you mind very much if we step out for a moment?”
Damon gave an elegant bow. “I will wait for you here, if I may.”
They slipped past him and through the house into Verbena’s room arm in arm. Damon watched them go, a small furrow between his eyes.
Verbena pulled the door shut, and whispered, “I think he suspects something.”
“Off with your gown. Where are the clean wraps?” Edeline hissed. “Let’s get this done. I don’t know how long we dare delay. Hold still.” She set to work untying the gown’s ribbons quickly. “Have you heard back from Aunt Mabel?”
“No,” Verbena whispered back, her voice so faint there was no worry about being overheard. “I only sent the letter today before the funeral. There has scarcely been time to get a response. But I am certain she will welcome you. She was always so tolerant with us children, and she does write from time to time.”
Edeline started on the wrapping knot. “Goodness, it is tight. No wonder you felt pinched.” She looked up from her efforts. “I have been thinking. I believe they will try to bar me from Andrew’s house. If I were so much as to head that dir
ection even to get clothes, I think I would be followed, just to be sure I’m not trying to arrive before them. I think my only choice is to leave early and go straight to Aunt Mabel’s. I can hardly ask for one of their carriages, either, in case they try to find out from the coachman where we went, so there must be another way.”
“The mail coach,” Verbena said slowly.
Edeline’s fingers froze on the ribbons. “Oh, please, anything else. Mail coaches are notorious. They get robbed regularly, they’re uncomfortable, and they carry only members of the lower classes.”
“We are the lower classes, Edeline,” Verbena hissed tersely. “It is not ideal, I know, but they are cheap and fast, and right now, that is the only option we have.”
“The stage is cheaper. Why can I not just go by stage?” Edeline’s voice raised.
“Hush! Do you want Damon to hear? The stage is too slow.”
Edeline sank down on the bed. Her face seemed paler than a moment ago, or perhaps it was just the way the light came through the curtains. “Once I get away, I should be safe enough. They don’t know about the babe.”
Verbena thought about that. She would definitely rather have her sister in a stage than a mail coach, but preference was no longer an option. “You look pale. We might be able to pass it off as grief, but what if someone guesses about the child? I think speed is of the essence now. The faster the trip, the sooner you will be at Aunt Mabel’s. And the fastest way is by mail coach.”
“You are right.” Edeline stood again and started back on the knot. “Again. But how will we pay for even that? The mail is more expensive.” The knot finally gave. Verbena raised her arms and let Edeline begin unwrapping. “I should have remembered my allowance, but Andrew was so sick, I did not even think of asking for it. I only wanted him – ” her voice broke and she dabbed at her eyes with the end of the wrapping.
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