by Brenda Hiatt
"No, please don't apologize. I was quite sincere." He picked up the sandwich she'd just set down and handed it back to her. "Go ahead. Eat."
But Dina's appetite had rather abruptly deserted her. She was forcibly reminded of their discussion that day in Scotland, when he'd made it clear theirs was to be a marriage in name only. She had accepted then that she was not the sort of woman to whom men were romantically attracted. So why should Thor's words bother her now?
"I, ah, believe I will go ask your mother whether there is anything she wishes me to do to help prepare for the ball," she said, setting the sandwich down again and rising. "Pray excuse me."
She could only be who she was, she reminded herself as she turned away. She'd never had a high opinion of women who pretended to be weaker or stupider than they actually were, simply to please men. Her mother had been a prime example, hiding her light under a bushel. Dina refused to be like that.
Already, she and Thor were well on their way to becoming friends. That should be enough for her. Indeed, she suspected it would have to be.
Thor started to his feet, ready to follow Dina, but then restrained himself. It was obvious from her distressed expression that she wished to get away from him— and no wonder. He'd never been as smooth with the ladies as some of his friends, but he couldn't remember ever bungling a compliment so badly before.
The truth was, he did find Dina's strength and energy, and yes, even her appetite, inordinately attractive. Calling attention to it so bluntly, however, had been undiplomatic in the extreme, given the standards drummed into ladies from birth. Recalling his exact words, it was not surprising she'd interpreted them as veiled criticism, especially given their recent argument over her brother.
It was as though he had no control over his tongue around Dina, simply blurting out whatever he happened to be feeling. Perhaps it was because he felt so comfortable around her, but it did not give him license to hurt her feelings. That was the last thing he wanted to do, particularly after discovering how difficult her life had been with a bullying brother and oblivious parents.
That thought brought him back to his feet. His mother's —and Dina's— protestations notwithstanding, he had no intention of leaving Violet to Silas Moore's tender mercies for the entire afternoon. Calling for his cloak, he headed back outdoors, determined to find them.
He had taken only a few steps, however, when he heard the crunch of carriage wheels on the front drive. Curious, he rounded the house, to see a familiar crest on the traveling coach that was just discharging its occupants. Violet and Moore temporarily forgotten, he strode forward with a grin.
"Rush, Stormy, welcome," he called out. "So you decided to accept my invitation after all, did you? Mother will be delighted—as am I. Is Killer not with you?"
Lord Rushford gripped his outstretched hand in greeting. "No, his mother arrived only an hour or two after you left Melton and insisted he stay for Christmas at Wheatstone. We, however, found ourselves completely overcome by curiosity about your new bride. Where is she?"
"With my mother, somewhere about the house. Let's go find them." So saying, he led his friends up the front steps, absurdly pleased not only with their arrival, but with this perfectly legitimate excuse to seek out Dina again so soon.
They found the two ladies they sought in the ballroom, discussing the placement of greenery and other last-minute decorations.
"Mother, see what has turned up on our doorstep," Thor announced as they entered. As he'd expected, his mother hurried forward with a wide smile of welcome.
"Lord Rushford! Sir Charles! How delightful this is. Grant told me that he had invited you, but warned me you were not likely to come. Perhaps I'll not have a shortage of gentlemen at my ball tonight after all, what with the two of you and Mr. Moore."
Rush glanced at Thor. "Mr. Moore?"
"Yes, dear Dina's brother," Lady Rumble explained. "Oh, I suppose you will not have met Grant's new wife."
Drawing Dina forward, she made the introductions. Thor felt a glow of pride at the way Dina greeted his friends with a perfect blend of propriety and pleasantness. And that blue gown became her remarkably well. They would have to admit that he'd done quite well for himself in a wife.
And indeed, both Rush and Stormy seemed both startled and charmed, each glancing back at Thor questioningly before bowing over her hand in turn.
Stormy was quicker than the earl. "I can't tell you how delighted I am to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Turpin. Or may I call you Dina?"
"Of course you may," she replied, pinkening slightly.
"And you must call me Stormy, as all of my friends do. Has this big fellow got you calling him Thor yet?"
Her color deepened further, and she avoided Thor's gaze. "Er, not exactly," she murmured.
"They are very recently wed," Rush said, gently disengaging Dina's hand from Stormy's to take it in his own. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind, though, would you Thor?"
Now Dina did flick a glance his way and he responded with a self-conscious smile. "Of course not."
"And you must call me Rush," the earl continued. "Dina—is that your given name or a nickname?"
"The latter," she replied with a shy smile that Thor would rather be directed at himself. "It is short for Undine."
"The water sprite? How appropriate, for one so ethereal," Rush said, and was rewarded by a chuckle.
Thor realized with a start that he had not heard her laugh since returning to Plumrose and felt suddenly irritated that Rush had been the one to elicit such a delightful sound from her lips.
"I don't believe I've ever been called ethereal before," she said now. "It sounds much more pleasant than 'small' or 'puny,' I must say."
Rush looked over at Thor. "I see we must encourage your husband to pay you more compliments, then, for 'ethereal' seems a perfect way to describe you, Dina."
"Perhaps you will have more success than I have had in that area," said Lady Rumble, irritating Thor further.
It was no business of theirs whether he paid Dina compliments —though he had to confess that 'ethereal' really was an apt description. He wished he'd thought of it first.
"We should go find Violet," he said, eager to change the subject —and divert his friends' attention from Dina. "She will want to know about our latest guests."
"Yes, I'm sure she will. Run along, then." Lady Rumble glanced about the spacious room. "When she's finished showing Mr. Moore about, she may wish to join us here, to have a say in the final preparations. Oh, and pray send for Mrs. Hornbuckle, Grant, so that I may consult with her about rooms for your friends."
"Of course. Gentlemen?"
His friends seemed inclined to linger, clearly wishing to learn more about Dina, but when he headed out of the ballroom, they reluctantly fell into step behind him.
"You sly dog," Stormy said before they were properly out of earshot. "From what little you told us in Melton, I was more than half prepared to find that your new wife was an antidote. You never dropped a hint of how pretty she is."
"No indeed," Rush agreed, though at a lower volume. "In fact, I believe I understand things a good deal better, now that I've met her."
Thor glanced at him sharply, but Rush's expression reassured him that he hadn't shared the true story with anyone else. "I've never been one to brag. Besides, as I've known her for such a long time, I, ah, tend not to think of her in that way."
He hated to lie to a friend, but both Dina's honor and Violet's were at stake and Stormy was not known for his ability to keep a secret. Still, perhaps he'd do better not to downplay his attraction to Dina . . .
Not until he'd spoken with the housekeeper and sent her off to the ballroom did he finally realize that the unpleasant sensation at the pit of his stomach was pure, unadulterated jealousy —which was ridiculous.
"Now, let's see if we can find Violet and Mr. Moore," he said briskly, leading them back outdoors, glad of an excuse for some action.
It had been foolish enough to feel the stirring
s of that emotion when he'd seen Dina dancing and chatting with some of the local gentry, but these were two of his very best friends. He would trust either of these men with his life.
But not with his wife? He wasn't sure he wanted to explore the implications of that.
Instead, he told his friends, in general terms, of his reservations about Silas Moore as they walked toward the stable yard. It seemed likely that Violet might have taken him to see the new pups, though after Dina's story, Thor didn't want the fellow anywhere near his dogs.
"Yes, you said the brother was the reason you felt it necessary to marry so quickly," Stormy said. "I'm surprised you would have him here at all, if he's so untrustworthy."
Thor shrugged. "Mother and Violet are unaware of his failings, and they extended the invitation. And he is still Dina's brother, whatever his intentions may have been."
"All part of the marriage package," Rush commented. "It's one reason I hope to delay the inevitable as long as possible. Still, I hope you won't find Moore a continual thorn in your side. Have I ever met the fellow in Town?"
"It's possible. I had a brief run-in with him once, when he tried to bully young Heywood into playing more deeply than he could afford. Moore clearly remembered it when we met." He smiled grimly at the memory.
Rush furrowed his brow. "Big fellow? Handsome, in an obvious sort of way?"
Thor nodded.
"Ah, yes, I know who you mean. He nearly took a commission, as I recall —his father paid for it, in fact —but he apparently decided he hadn't the stomach for battle and turned around and sold it before ever reporting. Probably just as well. I certainly wouldn't have wanted him in my unit."
That fit with Thor's general impression of Moore, though he hadn't known that bit of his history. "I hear voices from the direction of the kennels. They must be there."
Rounding the corner, he saw Violet holding one of the puppies while Moore stood beside her— rather closer than was necessary, he thought. He wore an expression of mild distaste as he watched Violet touch her nose to the pup's.
"Here you are, Vi." Thor forced a joviality he didn't feel into his voice. "Look who have come to boost the numbers for Mother's ball."
Delight spread across her face when she saw Rush and Stormy. Not bothering to set down the puppy she held, she hurried forward to greet them.
"Why, Lord Rushford, Sir Charles," she exclaimed. "How delightful. I haven't seen either of you for an age."
Moore, Thor noticed, looked considerably less delighted, though he quickly hid the grimace that had crossed his features as he turned and converted it to an insincere smile. He greeted the two men with perfect politeness, though Thor thought he detected a certain wariness in his eyes.
Once the introductions were completed, Rush and Stormy turned back to Violet with twin expressions of disbelief.
"I would never have believed a few short years could work such a change," Stormy declared, bending over her hand. "You have grown up with a vengeance, Miss Turpin."
"May I take that as a compliment?" Violet asked with a saucy smile.
Thor became doubly determined to keep a much closer eye on his sister in the future. When had she become such a flirt?
"You may indeed," Stormy replied.
"Then you will both dance with me at the ball tonight?" She looked from Stormy to Rush, her face becomingly flushed and her eyes twinkling.
Stormy agreed with alacrity, and Rush nodded as well, though he seemed more amused than eager.
Silas Moore seemed less than pleased by this development. "Don't forget that you have promised two dances to me already," he reminded Violet.
"Of course I will not forget." She smiled up at him so warmly that Thor's earlier concerns returned in full force. Surely she could see that Moore was inferior to either of his friends?
"That reminds me," Thor said now. "Mother and Dina are in the ballroom, up to their elbows in decorations. I would have thought you would want a say in the final decisions."
As he'd hoped, that pulled her attention away from Moore. "Indeed I do. I'll see you all at dinner tonight, if not before." Handing the puppy unceremoniously to Thor, she turned and hurried toward the house.
Stormy, never known for his tact, turned to Moore. "So, did this wedding between your sister and Thor, here, take you as much by surprise as it did us? Could have knocked me over with a feather when Thor showed up in Melton a fortnight ago and told us he was married."
"Melton?" Moore repeated, glancing at Thor. "Your sister mentioned that you had just returned home last night, Turpin, but not that you'd been gone a whole fortnight."
"I'd already missed a full week of the foxhunting season and the weather becomes unpredictable after Christmas." Thor knew he sounded defensive, so forced a grin. "Can't have my new bride thinking I'll give up my favorite pastime just because I'm married, can I?"
Rush and Stormy both chuckled and expressed agreement, lightening the moment —until Moore spoke again.
"To answer your question, Sir Charles, I expect I was even more surprised than you were by the wedding." He flicked another glance toward Thor. "But then, I suppose elopements generally catch people by surprise."
"They eloped?" Stormy exclaimed, turning to regard Thor with renewed interest. "For some reason, Thor kept that small detail to himself."
This was dangerous ground, as Moore had no idea about the story Thor had told in Melton to account for his sudden marriage, to include the fictitious longstanding connection between their families. And Lady Rumble, he knew, had been putting about the tale of Violet playing chaperone to his own supposed elopement, which Moore presumably didn't know either.
"It, ah, seemed the most expedient solution," he improvised, setting the puppy down with its mother to hide his sudden alarm. "As I said, I didn't wish to miss any more of the hunting season than necessary."
"Of course." Moore's eyes narrowed speculatively, but he didn't ask any more awkward questions, to Thor's relief.
He would have to say something to Moore before tonight's ball, he realized, though he dreaded giving the man any sort of leverage. Otherwise, a slip might put Violet's reputation at risk. To do that, though, he needed to get the fellow alone.
"Why don't I show you to your rooms," he suggested on sudden inspiration. "You'll want to change your shoes, at least, before touring the house itself. After that, perhaps we can play a few games of billiards to while away the afternoon. That should keep us well clear of my mother's preparations for tonight."
On reentering the house, he inquired of a maidservant which rooms had been assigned to the new arrivals and was told that Mr. Moore was in the east wing while both of his friends were in the west wing. Perfect, for his purposes.
"You've both been here before, so I'm sure you can find your rooms," he said to his friends when they reached the landing between the two wings. "They'll be the first doors you reach after the turning, across the hall from each other. Come, Moore, I'll show you where you'll be staying."
He waited until they had turned a corner before saying, "As you may have guessed, my family thought it prudent to, ah, change a few details before making the story of my marriage public— primarily for my sister's sake."
"So I gathered. Hushing up her aborted elopement by making it yours, or something like that?" There was a gleam in his eye that Thor didn't care for at all.
"My mother has accounted for her absence by saying that she came along to preserve propriety until Dina and I were able to marry. I'm sure you wouldn't want to compromise my sister's reputation by implying otherwise?"
Moore raised a brow at the implied threat. "Of course I would not want Miss Turpin's name sullied. I regard her as . . . family. Now, which will be my room?"
"Here, on the right." Should he warn Moore away from Violet now, or would the fellow see that as a challenge of sorts?
"I hope you'll excuse me from billiards this afternoon," Moore said before he could decide. "I'd thought to ride into Alford. I've never visite
d it, so wanted to have a look about, buy a few things I forgot to pack, that sort of thing."
Though more than a little bit suspicious, Thor was too relieved at the prospect of having Moore out of the house—and away from Violet—to question him. "Very well. Will we see you at dinner, before the ball?"
"Of course," he replied with a smile that was nearer a smirk. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Chapter Fourteen
Silas waited until he had turned from Plumrose's long drive onto the lane leading to Alford to give vent to his feelings, cursing loud and long.
What foul luck to have Lord Rushford and that other fellow show up just now, when he'd been making such good progress with Violet Turpin. He was confident of his ability to compete with any local suitors she might have, but an earl— particularly a Meltonion, who had served with distinction in the army—was another matter.
A few discreet inquiries in the village of Rumbleton on his way in had revealed that Miss Turpin was universally liked, and, more importantly, that she would come into a considerable fortune one day. A fortune he sorely needed, as he'd already managed to lose nearly all of the money Dina and Turpin had given him, in an effort to increase it before paying his debts.
The invitation to Plumrose had been welcome indeed, as he was finding it increasingly difficult to dodge his creditors. London was essentially closed to him now, nor would it be wise even to return to Ashcombe without something to pacify the most insistent of them.
Winning Miss Turpin might not be as easy as he'd thought, however, with this new competition. He needed a drink, and some time to think —and to plan how he might put this latest information on the doctored elopement story to good use.
Half an hour later, he was well into his second mug of ale at the Half Moon tavern but no closer to a plan.
He'd first thought to persuade Violet Turpin with the threat of exposing her folly, but that might only worsen his chances of marrying the chit, particularly if her brother found out. There was always a risk that Turpin might take more permanent measures to silence him, if he believed his sister's name threatened. So desperate was his need that he would even have considered more direct measures, but for a conviction that he could never carry off an abduction unaided.