She inclined her head.
"Of course. I hope your journey from London was uneventful."
Gilles nodded and then corrected himself. "Indeed, my lady. Longwood is quite lovely." He blurted out stupidly.
Lady Cambroke smiled warmly. Indulgently. Apparently, men often behaved like fools in her presence.
"The late earl had a loving hand with the grounds and Martha, his first wife was a woman of exceptional taste, I'm told. The staff here is devoted and tireless."
"I have noticed." He said as much to himself as her. Their odd behavior started to make more sense.
"If you'd take a seat, I'll join you. If you could, please sit in the chair farthest from the piano."
Gilles turned and considered the room behind him. Two comfortable chairs sat facing each other in front of a large fireplace. A small table sat between them and a long couch sat beyond it. He crossed to the chair and sat. The chair opposite him was identical but more worn. The seat cushion wore a permanent indent and an ancient pillow was pressed into the corner against the left arm. As she rose, Lady Cambroke softly snapped the fingers of her left hand. The light staccato clicking continued as she made her way to the seat opposite Gilles. Miraculously, she glided to the chair and sat. Her eyes settled again just left of his face. She smiled gently then cocked her head slightly to the right and breathed deeply.
"Holderson will be here shortly with refreshments. I believe sandwiches, definitely tea and scones."
Gilles opened his mouth but before he could reply he heard the faint rattling of a tea service on a tray. Moments later, Holderson arrived. He was indeed bearing tea, sandwiches and scones. And a very dour expression. Suddenly, the last half hour rushed at Gilles. His comments about the entryway, her ladyship being absent at his arrival, her taste in art and dancing, the paperwork all crashed upon him like a great wave. He shot to his feet.
"Holderson!"
"My lord?" The older man regarded him dryly.
Gilles rushed towards him. "I'm sorry! I had no idea about Lady Cambroke. If I had, I would not have behaved so cruelly."
Immediately, Holderson seemed to relax and his expression softened. "I'm quite relieved, my Lord. The staff and I were concerned."
"Please, convey my apologies. I'm aware that I made a terrible first impression." Gilles begged as he held out his hand.
Holderson took it shyly and shook it. All bravado and bluster had vanished.
"Certainly, my lord. And may I say again, welcome to Longwood."
"Thank you."
As he turned, Lady Cambroke smiled mischievously. "I believe Basil preferred oil over water colors. There's a gallery on the second floor, if I remember correctly." She'd heard his first comment.
Gilles colored slightly as he returned to his seat.
"My apologies, my lady. I knew only that the late earl's wife was in residence, nothing else."
She inclined her head regally, "I understand. Tell me, my lord, why has it taken you well over two years to make your way to Longwood? I'm told you hadn't even looked over the documents pertaining to your inheritance until a few weeks ago."
For a brief moment, the cover story about India and his travels rolled towards his lips and almost spilled forth but he clamped down on the impulse. He didn't need to lie anymore and somehow, lying here seemed perverse. Especially with her. He felt instinctively that she'd know and judge him for it. "I was in France. I'd been there for quite some time before Lord Cambroke died."
She wasn't expecting that. She gasped and her head tilted upward.
"France? But the war..."
"I was a spy, my lady. I only returned six months ago and I've spent the time with my family and trying to acclimate myself to civilian life."
"Of course. How very remarkable."
"Indeed." Volunteered Holderson as he poured a cup of tea and placed two cubes of sugar and a drop of milk in it. He stirred it gently and placed it on the table closest to Lady Cambroke, turning the handle to the right before he poured a second for Gilles.
Holderson withdrew and Gilles watched as Lady Cambroke carefully lowered her widespread hands to the table until they gently rested upon her cup and saucer, then raised her tea to her lips and drank. Once again, Gilles was aware of how lovely her lips were. The lower was slightly fuller and when she swallowed her tea they pushed out in a slight pouting motion. He ran his finger along his throat, slightly loosening his cravat. The room seemed warmer and his mouth dryer. He gulped the entire cup of tea at once and leaned towards the pot for a refill.
"Are you too warm, my lord? Would you like the doors opened for the breeze?"
How could she know? Did she know that he was staring at her as if she'd grown a second head?
She set her cup on the table and began snapping her fingers again.
"You're still here. You grew quiet and I thought perhaps you'd left."
"Why do you do that?" He asked.
"My fingers? So I can see, in my own way. As long as there's sound, I can feel how it moves through a room."
"That's why you kept playing that note."
She nodded. "I usually keep my feet bare so I can feel the vibrations."
"Then why are you wearing shoes?" Gilles asked as he glanced at the white slippers she wore, they were crisp and spotless. Surprised at how strong the desire was to see her feet, he couldn't take his eyes off of them. "Take them off." He said softly.
She didn't hesitate. A moment later, her feet were bare and she sighed as she tucked them under her. Gilles bit his lip as desire streaked through him. Her feet were finely boned and he longed to touch them.
They passed the next hour talking about his family, London and the history of Longwood. Gilles was reluctant to do so but he excused himself as his valet had had sufficient time to unpack and could assist him in changing into fresh clothes and cleaning off the dust from the road. It wasn't until he was in his new bedchamber that he realized she'd kept the conversation away from details about herself. He smiled wolfishly. She had been brilliant but she'd made a tactical error: she'd only piqued his interest.
Chapter 2
"Anna, would you consider his lordship to be handsome?" Elise asked as casually as she could manage. She'd sensed that he was masculine and athletic. He also had an air of confidence that she was certain was not only a result of his wealth and rank but also an attractive appearance. He was definitely charming. One needed only a moment in his presence to know that he was a rake. Elise had never met a rake but she'd heard the maids whispering from time to time and Martha used to read the gossip pages out loud.
"Oooh! Handsome doesn't begin to describe his lordship!" She sighed (sighed?) as she pulled and twisted Elise's hair into some painful shape. She usually wore her hair simply, preferring her neck to be covered as it was sensitive. Tonight, she'd asked to be dressed in a more formal gown and to have her hair dressed in a more current style. She'd even allowed Anna to put earrings and a necklace on her.
"I don't blame you for wanting to look extra nice tonight, my lady. He's top of the trees, that one. Wouldn't do for him to think you aren't as sophisticated as he is."
"But, I'm not. If look at all presentable, it's because of you. I wouldn't know a nightgown from a ball gown."
"I wouldn't say all that! You're the loveliest woman in all of Surrey. Maybe even England."
Elise reached for her maid's hand. Once she found it, she gave it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you for that. Tell me about his lordship." For academic reasons, of course...
"Well... He's quite tall and broad shouldered. His backside is nearly as nice as his front. I'd wager he spends a great deal of time on horseback."
Elise chewed on her thumb nail to keep from smiling. Anna had always been blunt. It was one of the things she appreciated most. Being blind, she didn't need the people closest to her hiding truths and feeding her nonsense.
"He's got a face that looks like it's been carved from stone. Those cheekbones and that jaw could slice a lady's hea
rt right in two. And those eyes! Grey like an angry day. The sort where you want to just stay under the covers. With lashes any lady would sell her soul for. Chocolate brown hair with a hint of red and skin just shy of being too brown. He must spend a great deal of time out of doors. Maybe with his shirt off..."
"Anna! How could you know that? Though I dare say, you seem to have observed him thoroughly in quite a short time." Elise doubted she sounded severe.
"I did pay close attention in the hall. I make it my business to know about anything that pertains to you, my lady. And we've all been comparing notes, below stairs."
"Pertains to me? I don't see how he pertains to me, Anna."
"Don't you? Hmmm... We'll see, dear." With that, the maid patted Elise's shoulders and left the room.
Elise placed her hand against her stomach, trying to calm the fluttering. A face carved from stone and lashes women were jealous of? Broad shoulders and a nice backside... How could someone like that pertain to her?
She rose and tried to wiggle her toes in the slippers she'd donned and frowned. Elise wanted to look sophisticated and an appropriate companion for dinner. But she didn't want to bump into anything or stumble. That would certainly ruin the effect, she thought. Elise recalled the moment he had told her to take off her slippers earlier. Goosebumps danced along her arms. The manner in which he'd said it made her stomach flip. It was as if he'd asked her to do something much more improper, to reveal a great deal more than her feet. Even now, hours later, she shivered. She had a feeling she wouldn't have refused him if he had. Strange, that.
Elise decided the moment had been a little illicit and toed off her slippers with a giggle. It might be the closest she'd come to being seduced. She'd take whatever she could get.
Chapter 3
Dressed for dinner and determined to keep the upper hand, Gilles waited at the bottom of the stairs in the foyer. He didn't have to wait very long before Lady Cambroke appeared. Her bedchamber was in the same hall as his? Once again, his mind veered towards more carnal thoughts. He tried to shake his wits back into place but found it difficult as she made her way down the stairs. Dressed in deep blue silk with gold embroidery that traced her décolletage and wrapped around her slender waist, if it weren't for her bare feet, she could have fit in at any society event in London. Her left hand glided along the banister and her right snapped softly. She moved so easily, so gracefully it was easy to forget she was blind.
"You do remarkably well without any help."
"Thank you. I've had years to learn the number of stairs and steps between the various rooms I use. I'd be quite lost in one of the other wings or if I needed to get to the kitchen."
"Fascinating." Gilles remarked as he took her hand to place it on his sleeve. At the contact she jumped. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?" He held his breath, afraid that he had.
"No!" Lady Cambroke replied breathlessly as she tentatively placed her hand on his arm. "I wasn't expecting it, is all."
Her hand fluttered against the dark grey fabric of his coat. It was the first time she appeared unsteady since his arrival.
"How long have you lived here?" Gilles asked as he steered her towards the dining room.
"Seventeen years."
Gilles stopped, holding her hand firmly on his arm to keep her next to him.
"How old are you, my lady?"
"One and twenty. You, my lord?" Attempting to keep her voice even and to move the conversation in a different direction.
"Two and thirty but it doesn't signify. So, you came to Longwood when you were four? When did you marry DeVere?" His stomach began to tighten and his head began to pound. He knew he wouldn't like the answer he was about to receive.
"Four years ago. Shortly after Martha died." Lady Cambroke tugged on his arm and they began moving towards the dining room again. "Did you know Basil?"
"I thought I did..." Gilles began. "He used to call upon me in town before I left for France. We'd share a few drinks at our club or he'd dine with me at Spencer House. I assumed it was because he had so few relatives in town but in hindsight, it seems he was keeping an eye on his heirs. He always talked warmly about Martha, I thought it was a love match. I find it hard to believe he'd quickly take such a young bride. Especially one that must have been like a daughter to him." At the thought, he tasted bile in the back of his throat. He guided Lady Cambroke to her seat and carefully scooted it forward. He took the seat at the head of the table, just to her right. How could he have been so wrong about Basil DeVere?
"Basil and Martha were a love match. Her death nearly destroyed him." She paused as she placed her napkin in her lap. "Martha was my great aunt and rescued me from what would have been a terrible life. No one wanted me after my father died. He'd been a poor baronet and I had no means to provide for myself. My cousin inherited our home and made it clear that I would only be a burden and couldn't stay."
Lady Cambroke paused again as Holderson poured the wine and the first course was set down. Gilles looked down and saw that his knuckles were white around the silverware he held. "Basil said that there had been no question when they heard of my situation. They sent for me immediately. They were never blessed with children and wanted me despite my blindness. From the moment I arrived, they doted on me and began altering the house around my needs."
As Holderson supervised the next course, Gilles noticed his eyes were damp and his lip trembled slightly. He'd been here when Lady Cambroke arrived and probably recalled the scared little girl she had been.
"I'm glad that you had them and no doubt you brought them great joy. Which makes it even more disturbing that Basil would have married you. One only has to look about to see that he loved you as if you had been his own child."
"It was Martha's idea." She said softly.
Gilles' head snapped up in surprise. "Martha?"
She nodded and swallowed as she waited for her emotions to settle.
"It was for my protection. She was worried about what would become of me when they were gone. She didn't want me to be turned out again once a new earl arrived. Basil and I were opposed but she was determined. He thought that settling an allowance and leaving Harwood Grange to me would ease her mind but the more ill she became, the more she pushed. Eventually, the idea took hold of Basil, if I was countess and a widow, I'd be allowed more independence and have more power. They couldn't prevent me from being alone but I wouldn't be vulnerable like before."
Gilles, closed his eyes as the tension left him. Basil hadn't taken advantage of a young woman in his care. "Then I'm glad you accepted. I didn't know the gentleman that was supposed to inherit before me but I wouldn't want your security to be dependent upon his whim."
"George Whittcomb committed suicide before Martha passed away. It was you they were unsure of."
That stung. He thought he'd made a good impression on his predecessor. "What happened with Whittcomb?"
Lady Cambroke's face became adorably pink and Gilles rolled his eyes at his defining a shade of pink as adorable. She cleared her throat and worried her lower lip. "Well... it seems that he was quite in love. And. Well... He was quite in love with a... with..."
Gilles waved his hand in a circular motion, willing her to just say whatever it was that she was struggling to say. "A barmaid? A midwife? Another man's wife? A fishwife?" He offered, hoping to move the story along.
"A captain." She said a bit too loudly and clapped her hand over her mouth.
"I see... And he killed himself because the relationship had been exposed?"
Lady Cambroke shook her head, her expression turned solemn.
"His captain died in battle. He was so distraught when he learned of it, he locked himself in his rooms and shot himself. Because of the nature of his grief and the fact that he had killed himself, it was all kept as quiet as possible."
"You know, I'd never wanted it." Gilles whispered. He wasn't sure why he needed her to know but he leaned towards her. "I'd learned that I was second in line while I was in school. Fro
m the very beginning I'd assumed it would never come to me and I never wanted it. I certainly didn't need it. I've never wanted for anything and the mamas were relentless enough without it."
"The mamas?" A smile threatened.
"The matchmakers. The ones with daughters to marry off. They always looked at me as if I were a piece of ham or a cake, but lewdly. They mentally undressed me and pictured my bank accounts. This inheritance only makes my life more complicated."
For a moment, Lady Cambroke's mouth hung open. Then, closed. Then, opened again. It closed for almost a minute before she giggled. She giggled. At him. If the sound hadn't been so charming and the nature of his complaints so trivial, Gilles might have taken offense.
"Come now, my lord! Surely you're aware that there are worse fates than to be handsome, wealthy and burdened by a title."
Gilles sighed and raked his hand through his hair.
"I do know. But I would like to have settled into my old complicated life before having the added attention of my new complicated life."
"I'm sorry. I imagine it's been a lot to adjust to after being away for so long." She set down her fork and began rolling the napkin in her lap between her fingers.
Gilles found this quite interesting. And telling. She had a question but was unsure if she should ask it. Was she afraid of offending him, or afraid of the answer?
"Lady Cambroke?" He asked gently.
She took a deep breath, drew herself up and looked in his direction. Despite her attempt at bravery, Gilles saw her tremble. He wanted to take her hand in his. Or pull her into his arms and reassure her. Suddenly, he was slightly afraid. How could he be so effected after just one day in her presence?
"Lord Cambroke." She stated. Almost as if she was reminding herself that he was Cambroke now. "Have you given any thought to what you would like to do with me?"
It was Gilles turn to stare with his mouth opening and closing like a landed fish. Of course he'd thought about what he'd like to do with Lady Cambroke. He'd thought of little else since they'd met. Why in God's name was she asking him directly, over dinner?
Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One Page 2