"Is she not the most enchanting thing you've ever seen?" He whispered as he crossed the room. Elise blushed and looked towards him.
"My lord, have you come to join us?" Elise became even more radiant as she tried to follow his movements.
"I couldn't stay away." He murmured as he rounded the piano and sat next to Elise. Mirabelle silently prayed that her plan didn't backfire. Her brother was in the habit of forgetting other people were around when they were close. She wanted him besotted, not putting on a show. She held her breath as he lifted Elise's hand, turned it and kissed the inside of her wrist. Easy, Gilles. Mirabelle thought. He brushed a curl over her shoulder and Elise blushed anew. Lady Gasden and Lady Hathewaite both watched with blatant curiosity. Gilles stared intently at Elise for a moment before he acknowledged their guests.
"Lady Gasden and Lady Hathewaite, it's good to see you again. I'm pleased that you could finally meet my wife. I would have brought her to London sooner, but as you can imagine, there are a few more considerations involved when we travel. Though I must admit I was loath to share her." He flashed his famous grin and both women smiled indulgently.
"I can't blame you one bit, my lord." Lady Hathewaite gushed. "Congratulations to the both of you!"
"Indeed! You make a lovely couple!" Lady Gasden declared as she stood. "May we return to our tea?"
"Actually, I'm sorry, but I'll have to steal Lady Cambroke." Gilles helped Elise rise and placed her hand on his arm.
"Steal her, my lord? In the middle of our tea? We were just getting to know your lovely wife and now you're taking her. This is highly irregular!" Lady Gasden blustered.
Gilles inclined his head and smiled knowingly. Mirabelle almost groaned. He wasn't going to suggest he was carrying her off to bed, was he? She'd punch him in the throat if that was his plan.
"Unfortunately, the doctor has arrived earlier than I requested and says he cannot return today if we don't make time for him now."
"Doctor? Is Lady Cambroke not well?" Lady Hathewaite asked, her eyes grew wide.
Mirabelle smiled. It was brilliant, really.
"Lady Cambroke is feeling as well as one can expect when a lady is...in her condition." He whispered the last part and winked. Lady Gasden and Lady Hathewaite's eyes lit up. "You'll have to indulge me, I am probably being overly cautious but you know how we men can be." Gilles looked at Elise with the most sincere look of adoration on his face as he rested his hand on top of hers. Lady Hathewaite sighed. Gilles looked at his guests, charming them to their toes.
"If you'll excuse us." He bowed and led Elise away. Mirabelle almost clapped. Once they were gone, maman led them back to the parlor.
"Darling couple and a delightful young woman!" Lady Gasden announced as she sat.
"It's so romantic! I don't know who thought she forced his lordship into marriage, he's clearly smitten with her." Lady Hathewaite stated as she plucked a biscuit from the tray. "And to say that her character was questionable! I just can't imagine."
"How much will Lady Cambroke be able to go about?" Lady Gasden asked. "The ton will want to see her. If you plan to prove the rumors false, you can't hide her away." Lady Hathewaite nodded in agreement, again. Maman chewed her lip, pretending to consider the problem anew.
"Even if she was not... in a delicate condition," she whispered, "it would still be a challenge for her to attend many events."
Lady Gasden and Lady Hathewaite both nodded understandingly.
"My son and I will be hosting a ball to celebrate Lord and Lady Cambroke's nuptials and to welcome Lady Elise to the family. He considers her like a sister and I love her as a daughter already." Madeline said. Mirabelle tried to hide her surprise. A ball hadn't been discussed and it was a touching gesture. She looked at maman, her eyes were blinking rapidly. She was trying not to give away how surprised and overwhelmed she was.
"That's a very big statement." Lady Gasden announced.
"Why? His lordship has always been like a son to me, I was not able to be at the wedding so I should like a chance to celebrate with them as well."
"Oh! Was His Grace at the wedding?" Lady Hathewaite asked excitedly.
"Of course! I can't imagine he'd be anywhere else. He and Sir Alastair stood with my brother." Mirabelle added as if it was obvious, because it was.
"How lovely!" Lady Hathewaite declared.
Almost as if the devil had heard his name, Mirabelle saw him walk past the parlor door. She grinned wickedly. A little torture would be just the thing.
"He just walked by! Let me get him, he wouldn't want to miss a chance to see the two of you!" Mirabelle jumped from her seat.
"His Grace is here?" Lady Hathewaite asked rapturously. Mirabelle rolled her eyes. Why did every woman have to be in love with him? She smiled over her shoulder. "We can't seem to get rid of him." Lady Gasden cackled.
"Your Grace?" Mirabelle called loudly, making her voice as sweet as possible. Lucien froze in front of the library door. "Lady Gasden and Lady Hathewaite are here! Surely, you wouldn't want to miss a chance to say hello!" She heard him groan, he turned on his heel and scowled at her.
"Certainly!" He replied. His eyes shot daggers as he walked across the hall. He entered the room and bowed as the two elderly women rose and curtsied.
"What a lovely surprise to see you, Your Grace!" Lady Hathewaite gushed. "We've had the pleasure of meeting Lady Cambroke and now we hear there is to be a ball!"
Lucien took the seat next to Mirabelle. As he sat he stepped on her foot and ground the heel of his boot. She let out a squeak and had to pretend it was a hiccup. Silently, she vowed revenge.
"Lady Cambroke is a true delight. I wish that there were more ladies like her." He smiled pleasantly at the women across from him but Mirabelle felt the barb like a knife to the gut. She considered the best tactic for revenge.
"Does that mean you're looking for a lady, Your Grace?" Mirabelle leveled her sweetest stare over her teacup and held it to hide her smile.
"Indeed! Will you finally be looking over the field, Your Grace?" Lady Gasden asked as her eyes drilled into Lucien. Lady Hathewaite leaned forward. "It's about time you stopped lifting skirts and did your duty!" Lady Gasden declared.
Lucien leaned forward to fill his teacup and renewed the pressure on Mirabelle's toes. He looked up at the ladies as he spooned sugar into his cup.
"I am told that marriage is a long undertaking. Therefor, I do not feel so inclined to rush. Of course, it is not unusual for a man my age to be a bachelor..." He sat back and lifted his teacup to his lips.
"Turnabout, sweetheart..." He whispered. Mirabelle's eyes widened as she realized her miscalculation. Lucien cleared his throat.
"Miss Mirabelle, you're... six and twenty, correct?" She lifted her cup and cursed under her breath.
Lady Gasden and Lady Hathewaite both looked at her expectantly. She felt a flush rising.
"If you'll excuse me, I just remembered that I was supposed to walk Lady Elise's puppy! Poor Lucy must be quite distressed." Mirabelle leapt to her feet and fled the room. Once out of sight of the parlor, she ran for the back doors. Tears were forming in her eyes and she couldn't breath. How could he tease her about that? Mirabelle heard him call to her but she pushed the doors open and ran. The sun blinded her for a moment but she dashed towards the ornamental pond and found the tiny playhouse at the end of the path. She dropped to her knees and crawled inside. Mirabelle made herself as small as possible. Her knees were pressed against her chest and she hugged them to her tightly. She felt the walls of the tiny cottage pressing against her as tears rolled from her eyes.
Lucien's head and shoulders pushed into the door of the cottage causing Mirabelle to jump. The tiny shutters rattled and Lucien laughed.
"Go away!" Mirabelle yelled.
"Not until you tell me what's going on." She could feel his breath against her ankles. Shivers raced up her spine. She knew he was laying on his stomach and must have looked ridiculous with his head stuck in the little playhouse.
"How did you know I'd be in here?" She pouted. Mirabelle thought about kicking him but decided it was too unladylike. Not that pulling oneself into a tiny ball and hiding in a toy house was ladylike.
"You always hid here when we hurt your feelings." Lucien said softly. "And I know I hurt your feelings, I'm just not sure how or why." He tugged playfully on the toe of her shoe. Somehow, it made Mirabelle want to cry even more. She sighed.
"I'm not a child anymore, Lucien." She whispered. He suppressed a grin and took an exaggerated look at their surroundings. Mirabelle scowled. "It was the best hiding place I could manage at short notice."
"One would argue that adults don't hide. What's going on, Mirabelle? We used to talk about everything." His eyes looked so sincere, his beauty made her heart stop. What if she kissed him? She thought. How in the world would she manage, cramped like this? Her rational mind countered. But she knew she wouldn't. She couldn't face his rejection, if he rejected her. It's why she never acted on her feelings. Better to always wonder than know that she was doomed once and for all.
Mirabelle smiled wistfully.
"We did talk about everything. But that was when we were young and things were simpler."
Lucien brushed her shin with his knuckle. He meant it to be soothing but Mirabelle felt a fire spread through her. He looked up at her and searched her eyes.
"Things don't have to be complicated. They can be simple if we choose to make them so." He whispered.
Was he saying that he wanted her to keep them simple, for them to remain as they were when they were children, just friends? Or was he saying that it would be simpler if she just let go and moved on? Mirabelle wanted to scream.
She shut her eyes and shook her head.
"We don't always get what we want, Lucien. I can't talk to you about this right now." She said softly. He stared at her for several minutes and then nodded. Mirabelle thought he was about to leave but he simply rolled onto his back and rested his hands on his chest.
"What are you doing?" Mirabelle whispered. Lucien shut his eyes and smiled.
"Remember when we stole the rolls from Ms. Hobbs and we hid in here and ate them so fast we thought we'd be sick?"
Mirabelle smiled and nodded.
"We had to sneak around for a week." Lucien chuckled. "I still can't look at a sweet roll."
"I know." Mirabelle said shakily.
"You do, don't you. You always know." He whispered.
"I can't help it." She sighed.
"And yet you can't tell me why you're upset right now and have been ripping up at me every time we talk." Lucien said softly.
"I... I can't."
Lucien nodded.
"Then I'll lay here and remember what it was like when we could tell each other anything and how you were the first person I'd choose when I felt the urge to cause a little mischief."
"Oh, Lucien..." Mirabelle whispered as tears began sliding down her cheeks. She pulled a lock of his hair around her finger and toyed with it. He smiled and sighed contentedly and Mirabelle's heart broke a little more.
They stayed like that for at least an hour, until it felt like it was time to head inside and get ready for dinner.
Mirabelle avoided Lucien for the rest of the evening and tried to share in everyone's joy. The tea with Lady Gasden and Lady Hathewaite had been a tremendous success and a doctor had truly visited and announced that Elise was indeed expecting and in very good health. Thanks to Gilles' announcing Elise's condition, effectively to the ton, she would not be expected to make more than a minimal appearance for the season. It was decided that in addition to the ball at Clarendon House, attending an opera would be excellent opportunity for Elise to be seen but not approached by too many. Both families had a box at the theater but it was agreed that using the Clarendon box would once again emphasize that Lady Elise had Lucien and Madeline's full support. When combined with the ball, any rumors should once and for all be put to rest and the acceptance of the ton would be assured.
Mirabelle could see that the day had taken it's toll and the plans were beginning to overwhelm Elise. As soon as the last of the plates were cleared she made their excuses and escorted Elise to her room. They both needed some quiet. Once inside Elise and Gilles' room, Elise asked Mirabelle to lead her to the chaise. She had learned her room well but she was still a little unsure, especially when she was tired.
"What happened today, Mirabelle?" Elise lifted her hands to Mirabelle's face. Mirabelle smiled. It had seemed so strange in the beginning, now it felt soothing and natural.
"I've had feelings for someone for some time..." Elise smiled and cut her off.
"Lucien. I know, I sensed it before he came to Longwood." Mirabelle nodded. Of course Elise noticed. She noticed everything.
"Why are you the one that everyone thinks is blind?" Mirabelle asked gently and laughed. Elise smiled and pressed her forehead to Mirabelle's.
"What happened? You've seemed tense around him lately but something changed today."
"Nothing changed with him. Everything changed with me. I've tried so hard not be jealous of you and Gilles but I realized that I need what the two of you have, it's that or nothing."
Elise nodded. Mirabelle had never discussed her feelings for Lucien with anyone before but when her and Elise talked like this, she felt her feelings were safe and understood. She continued.
"I can't have that with anyone but Lucien. He teased me today. I know he knows but it's like he doesn't. He's never been insensitive but it was almost as if he was teasing me for my feelings for him."
"I think he knows but he doesn't want to admit he knows. As if he doesn't want to have to act either way."
"Because he doesn't feel the same?" Mirabelle whispered.
"I'm not sure he doesn't. There's something there but he keeps pushing it away. I don't think he's ready for that with anyone just yet." Elise brushed the tears from Mirabelle's cheeks. "Lucien is a good man and he cares for you deeply. If he truly didn't feel anything, I think he would have been honest with you. He wouldn't string you along if he was aware he was doing it." Mirabelle smiled and nodded, she knew Elise was right.
"So all I can do is continue to wait and hope that one day he'll stop seeing me as the little girl that splashed in the mud and climbed trees with him?"
"I suppose so, unless you decide to stop waiting and look for someone else."
Anna entered to help Elise prepare for bed. Mirabelle stood and kissed Elise on the cheek.
"Thank you for being the very best sister."
Elise squeezed her hand.
"Thank you for being my sister and my hero today. I could not have survived it without you."
"You know, I think you could have. But you will never have to find out. I'll check on you in the morning." With that, she got out of Anna's way and went to her own room. She had a great deal to think about.
Chapter 49
As the Cambroke and Clarendon carriages made their way through the streets, Gilles kept a close eye on Elise. He could feel how nervous she was, and tired. He hadn't wanted to push her but it was to be a gala performance of one of Rossini's Operas. The women had decided that it was better to get that appearance out of the way before the pregnancy became more difficult. More difficult? Gilles had only experienced two mornings as an expectant father and the idea that it could get worse made him shudder.
Elise had been pale as a sheet and scrambled for the basin when she woke up. This time, Gilles refused to leave. She hadn't wanted him to see her bent over a basin but he argued that he'd put her there, he might as well support her. He'd rubbed her back and neck, applied cool wet cloths to her forehead and exchanged her basins. Whenever Elise relaxed, Gilles rubbed her feet and served her tea. He wasn't sure if it helped but it made him feel useful. He'd quickly realized how helpless he really was. The pregnancy would go it's course and Gilles could do nothing to influence it other than keep Elise comfortable and feed her as well as he could when she was able to eat. He was start
ing to feel more paranoid and helpless in general.
As Gilles massaged Elise's feet, he felt the familiar heaviness of dread and panic overwhelming him. Why now? He'd been fine for weeks. Gilles closed his eyes and saw the scene on the beach. This time, when the pistol fired it was Elise that fell to the sand. It was her blonde hair the waves pulled towards the sea. He opened his eyes and clenched his jaw to keep from crying out. He felt nauseas and terrified. Gilles rose and pulled Elise close to him and breathed in her familiar, intoxicating scent and forced the fear and the vision from his mind.
As it had the day prior, the nausea lifted shortly before lunch time and Elise was ravenous. Gilles served her two plates of food and left her napping. When it was almost time to get ready, he snuck into their room to check on her. He was surprised to find the room vacant. Gilles made for the music room but found it silent. He looked in her parlor and that too was empty. Terror filled him as he strode into the hall. His heart began to beat rapidly and his hands shook.
"Elise?" Gilles yelled. When he heard no response he ran for the back door. Just as he was about to pull it open, Mirabelle pushed it open, holding it wide for Elise. She had Lucy on a lead and they were laughing.
"Did you call for me?" Elise asked as she reached a hand towards him. Gilles almost fell to his knees in relief. He pulled her into his arms and breathed her in.
"Gilles! You're shaking! What's wrong?" Elise asked as she pressed her ear to his chest.
"I couldn't find you. I thought something had happened."
"Oh, Gilles!" Mirabelle squeezed his arm and left them alone.
He hovered the rest of the day, not wanting to let Elise out of his sight.
Gilles pulled his thoughts back to the carriage, to Elise. The women had dressed her to conquer. Once again in a nearly nude shade of peach, this time velvet with gold lace sleeves and gold detailing around the clinging bodice, she was every inch the siren he often imagined. While The Mothers had chosen to wear turbans and Mirabelle wore a large feather in her hair, Elise wore a simple beaded ribbon woven about her loosely piled curls. He wished they were heading home instead of away from it.
Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One Page 27