by Brenda Hiatt
Belatedly, he gazed around the room, really seeing the decorations for the first time. Evergreens and holly festooned the walls, with extra candle sconces cunningly nestled amid the greenery.
In addition, numerous kissing boughs had been hung in every archway and from each chandelier, as well. His mother's innovation, no doubt. Nervously, he glanced up and was relieved to find that they did not happen to be standing directly under one at the moment.
"I think it's very festive," he assured her. "It is Christmas Eve, after all. Would you care for a glass of something before the dancing begins?" That would give him a chance to get his emotions under better control —and also to memorize the locations of all of the kissing boughs, so that he could avoid them without it seeming obvious that he was doing so.
"Yes, thank you."
Perversely nettled that she seemed as willing to have him leave her side as he was eager to leave hers —if only for a moment —he gave her a terse nod and headed toward the refreshment table. Passing close to Violet and Silas Moore, he frowned at the latter, only to have the man surprise him with a broad smile.
"Grant, did we not do a nice job with the decorations?" Violet asked him, glancing around.
"Indeed," he all but growled, reassuring himself that the pair before him were not too close to any of the kissing boughs, either. "Whose idea--?"
"I fear I can take little credit, for Mother and Dina had all but finished the arrangements by the time I joined them. However, the red velvet bows on all of the sconces were my suggestion. A nice holiday touch, don't you think?"
"A lovely touch," Moore agreed before Thor could reply. "You have a skilled eye, Miss Turpin."
She dimpled up at him. "Now, Silas, you know I have asked you to call me Violet. We are family, after all."
"Of course— Violet."
Thor caught the smugness in the fellow's tone and decided he could not afford to wait for Dina to speak with Violet about him. "A word, if you don't mind, Moore?"
Though his brows rose, Moore did not hesitate. "Of course. If you will excuse us, Violet?"
Drawing him off to the side where they could not be overheard, Thor turned to his brother-in-law. "You seem to be spending a great deal of time with my sister," he said without preamble.
"Yes, well, she is quite a fetching thing, and extremely sociable." His tone was bland, giving nothing away, which irritated Thor further.
"I know what you are about, Moore. Don't think I'll stand idly by while you attempt to take advantage of my sister's good nature."
Again Moore surprised him by smiling. "Are you telling me to stay away from her? That would look rather odd, would it not?"
"Don't play the fool with me, or I may believe you are one," Thor said warningly.
"Oh, no." Suddenly Moore was quite serious. "Far from being a fool, I'm awake on all fronts. It would be awkward, however, if everyone in the neighborhood —and in London —were to learn the truth about sweet Violet's elopement, would it not?"
Thor narrowed his eyes. "Are you threatening me, Moore?" he asked softly. After all Dina had told him today, he was itching for an excuse to thrash the man.
"Of course not. But it seems imprudent of you to antagonize a man who knows, not only about your sister's indiscretion, but that you were my own dear sister's third choice of a husband in as many days. That must be rather galling to you, I would imagine, and even more so should it become common knowledge."
"How—?" Surely, Dina would not have shared those details with her brother. Had Violet?
Moore's smile widened. "I met a most interesting fellow recently—a man by the name of Plunkett. The tale he had to tell was quite, ah, enlightening."
Damn. "And just where is Plunkett?" He should have killed the fellow when he had the chance.
"You can't think I would betray the man after he was so forthcoming with helpful information? To tell you his whereabouts would be to play accessory to murder, from the look on your face."
With an effort, Thor forced himself to relax. It would do him no good to give anything away to Silas Moore. "So, you would ruin the reputations of both our sisters? That would seem counterproductive, as you seem set on wooing mine."
"I would rather not, of course," Moore said with a shrug. "It occurs to me that the dissolution of your marriage might be a palatable alternative to courting sweet Violet, though less enjoyable."
"An annulment, do you mean? A bit late for that, wouldn't you say?"
"Is it?"
Awareness of his surroundings stopped Thor just in time from forcibly removing the smirk from Moore's face. Even so, his involuntary movement made the other man take a step back. How the devil could he know—?
Though it had slipped for a moment, Moore's smirk was now back in place. "Of course, I can't really blame you, if you are the, ah, reticent one. My sister is such a little dab of a thing, not in your usual style at all."
"Be careful, Moore," Thor warned.
The other man's eyes narrowed, though the smile never left his lips. "I might say the same to you, you know, with respect to Dina. I shouldn't like to learn that you had injured her in any way. Best not to take the chance, wouldn't you say?"
It was disconcerting to have a man like Silas Moore echoing Thor's own concerns. Did that mean they were unfounded, or so obvious that anyone of intelligence would think the same? He didn't know.
When Thor did not answer, Moore shrugged. "Still, it must rankle to have played the gallant rescuer and then be denied the just rewards of heroism. I trust those rewards are not being bestowed elsewhere? I did hear some rumors . . ." He let his voice trail off suggestively.
Again, Thor was nearly moved to violence, but this time he managed not to show it. "I strongly recommend you keep any such insinuations to yourself. The intimate details of my marriage are of no concern to you."
"In this particular circumstance, I must beg to differ. But I see that the first set is about to form, so I will say no more —for now. No doubt you are as eager to join your partner as I am to join mine." He glanced over to where Violet waited. "An observant —and talkative —girl." With a parting smile, Moore sauntered back to Violet's side.
So, that was how he'd discovered the state of Thor's marriage. And now the blackguard offered him the choice of annulling it, or allowing him to marry Violet, or having both ladies' reputations destroyed. Or Thor could just kill the fellow and hope, in time, that Dina would forgive him— assuming he wasn't hanged for it.
Chapter Fifteen
Dina spent the first five minutes of the opening minuet wondering whether she should ask Thor about his conversation with her brother. It had been clear, from both men's expressions, that it was no friendly chat. And now, though he strove to conceal it, she could see that Thor was in an extremely foul temper.
Not that she could blame him. Silas often had that effect upon her, as well. Still, she was exceedingly curious to know what had occurred between them to put Thor in such a towering rage.
Whatever it was, it would be best for all concerned if she could smooth his ruffled feathers. She was far too fond of Lady Rumble by now to wish her embarrassed by any kind of scene at her Christmas Eve ball.
"How is it that you dance so well, after so many years spent soldiering and hunting?" Dina asked him when the movements of the dance allowed for speech.
Thor blinked, distracted for at least a moment from his black mood. "Do I? Wellington did insist that all of his officers master the art, but I can't recall anyone complimenting my dancing before. Thank you."
They moved apart, but a few moments later they were face to face again. "You are quite skilled at the dance yourself," he told her now, "particularly as you have lived so retired."
"I had the benefit of a master when younger," she replied, dipping and curtseying as the dance demanded. "Until these past two weeks afforded me some much-needed practice, however, I would hardly have been a fit partner for you."
That, apparently, had been the wrong thing to
say, judging by his sudden frown. "Now I am here, perhaps you'll not feel so great a need to practice with other partners."
Again, she wondered what Silas had said to him, but with people on every side, this was hardly the place to ask. If Thor only knew how very much she preferred dancing with him, talking with him, spending time with him . . . But no, it was better that he did not. Less mortifying, at any rate.
"Perhaps," she responded, just before they were separated again. There. Let him wonder what she meant by that.
The dance ended before they had another opportunity for conversation, and then Sir Charles Storm came forward at once to claim her for the next. Thor bowed stiffly and moved off to partner Miss Nesbit in the lively country dance that followed.
"Guess I'd better be careful to keep you away from all of these kissing boughs, judging by the look Thor just gave me," Sir Charles commented as they took their places. "What have you done to put him in such a pucker?"
"Nothing," Dina sighed. "I believe it was my brother."
"Ah, yes. Some definite friction there." The dance began then, saving them both from pursuing that uncomfortable topic.
Sir Charles's mention of the kissing boughs reminded Dina that she still needed to have a word with Violet about Silas— which led her to wonder whether Violet might have been the cause of this latest disagreement between Thor and her brother.
Glancing around, she was relieved to see that Violet was now dancing with Sir Albert, whom Dina was fairly certain would never have the courage to steal a kiss. She knew perfectly well that it was because of herself and Thor that Lady Rumble had insisted on hanging so many kissing boughs, but at the moment it seemed unlikely in the extreme that any would be put to their hostess's intended use. She stifled another sigh.
The next dance was a waltz. Dina had deliberately left her waltzes free, hoping to share them with Thor, but it was Silas and not her husband who stepped to her side as the music began.
"I'm quite certain your husband would not approve of my waltzing with his sister, but surely he can have no objection if I partner mine," he said, leading her onto the floor.
Though disappointed, Dina realized this was a perfect opportunity to relieve her curiosity. "What were you and he discussing earlier?" she asked before she could change her mind. "Just before the first dance, I mean."
Silas guided her through the opening steps of the waltz before replying. He was a competent dancer, though he lacked Thor's flair. "We discussed several things. His disapproval of my admiration for Miss Violet, for one."
"Can you really blame him for that? He knows your financial situation, after all. It's not surprising he should want the best for his sister." Dina couldn't quite keep the irony from her tone.
Silas didn't seem to notice. "Which I'm not, eh? Fine sense of family loyalty you have there, Dee."
"Oh, please. I could say the same of you, Silas, and well you know it." Now she made no effort to conceal her bitterness.
He maneuvered her past two other couples before replying. "Aye, I admit I haven't always put your interests first, and I'm sorry for that. Maybe if I had, we wouldn't find ourselves in this fix." He sounded contrite, but she wasn't fooled.
"What fix? Between us, Thor— Mr. Turpin —and I have settled most of your debts. And, as you said earlier today, I've done quite well for myself in my marriage."
The look he turned on her was openly pitying. "Have you, then? Can you honestly say you are happy in your marriage?"
Dina dropped her gaze, suddenly confused and unwilling to let Silas see it. Was she happy? She could be. She could be very happy, if only— "I . . . yes, I'm happy," she finally said, telling herself it wasn't precisely a lie.
"Even knowing that you're not the sort of woman your husband prefers?" He lowered his voice so that there was no possibility of being overheard. "Everyone knows that he has always gone for tall, buxom wenches: Margot Fowles, Belle Bonnet —opera dancers he cavorted with in London," he clarified. "No wonder most folks around here thought he'd marry someone like Miss Fiskerton."
Unwillingly, Dina followed his gaze and saw Thor waltzing with Missy Fiskerton, who indeed was of noble proportions, and nearly a full head taller than Dina herself.
"Why, I wouldn't be surprised if he can barely bring himself to touch a puny thing like you," Silas continued, "though of course that isn't your fault. And no doubt some men prefer smaller women."
But not Thor, Dina thought dejectedly. Hadn't Violet said something about him regarding small women as too delicate to touch? She'd thought to show him she wasn't delicate at all, but there was nothing she could do about her size. No wonder he held himself so aloof from her.
"We will simply have to make the best of it, I suppose."
Silas's dark eyes reflected only sympathy and concern. "Dina. Wouldn't it be fairer —to both of you—to renounce this sham of a marriage, so that you each might have a chance to find a better match?"
Suddenly, she understood. "An annulment would be very convenient for you, would it not? It would be as though my marriage had never taken place. But then you would have to pay back that generous settlement, you know. Or did you already offer to do that? Was that something else you and Mr. Turpin discussed?"
"We didn't get so far as such details, but yes, he did say something about an annulment, I confess."
Dina tried to stifle a gasp, shock causing tears to start to her eyes. "No," she whispered.
"Now, now, Dee, would that be such a bad thing? As I said, it might well benefit you as much as it would him. You're not so very old yet. You may still have time to find a man who likes you for yourself, who will give you a . . . proper marriage."
Stricken, Dina wondered if it was obvious to everyone that she and Thor had not yet consummated their union. Clearly Silas assumed it. But then her pride reasserted itself and she lifted her chin to stare defiantly at her brother.
"I'm sorry, Silas, but you seem to be laboring under a misapprehension. I assure you that matters have progressed between myself and Mr. Turpin to an extent that would make an annulment quite impossible. In fact, I may already carry his heir."
The stunned outrage on her brother's face was almost worth committing such a flagrant falsehood. Indeed, she might have laughed, if her heart had not been so full of pain from his earlier words.
"But . . . but . . ." he stammered. "Miss Turpin said—"
So that was how he knew. "Violet and I have become quite close, but there are some things that are rather too private to discuss," Dina said.
The waltz ended then, before he could question her further. With a perfunctory curtsey, she turned to look for her next partner, relieved at her escape. She was not at all certain she could play her part convincingly much longer, however, when all she really wanted to do was cry.
"—don't you agree, Mr. Turpin?"
Thor reluctantly pulled his gaze away from Dina, who was waltzing with her brother on the opposite side of the floor. "I beg your pardon, Miss Fiskerton?"
His partner pouted in a way he had once thought rather fetching but now found contrived and vaguely irritating. "I was saying that Lady Rumble has outdone herself with the decorations, but I can see your attention is elsewhere."
"Er, yes, of course," he responded vaguely. What the devil was Moore saying to make Dina look so unhappy? Perhaps he should have drawn the fellow's cork earlier, after all.
"Ah, the dance is ended, and for once I can't say I'm sorry." Miss Fiskerton tossed her blonde curls. "Really, sir, I think you do the ladies a disservice tonight to dance with anyone but your wife. Ah, here comes Rose for the next one. With so many kissing boughs about, you'd best watch your step with her, Mr. Turpin."
With another toss of her head, she flounced away and Thor realized she was right —his obsession with Dina was making him rude to his mother's guests. Determined to do better, he turned to greet his next partner with a smile.
"Ah, Miss Nesbit. You look very . . . festive tonight." Nearly as tall as Miss Fi
skerton, Rose Nesbit had festooned her gown with sprigs of holly and red bows, making her look rather like a vertical yule log.
It was clear she could not divine his thoughts, for she curtsied and dimpled flirtatiously. "Why thank you, Mr. Turpin," she simpered. "Or may I call you Thor, as your friends from Melton do? After all, we've known each other simply forever. I must say, I think it a fitting nickname for an imposing gentleman like yourself." Her giggle grated on his nerves.
"Call me whatever you wish," he said shortly, noting that Dina was moving to stand opposite Jeremy Nesbit, his partner's brother, for the reel that was forming. He debated hurrying across the room to join the same set, but the music began, trapping him where he was.
He went through the motions of the dance mechanically, his eyes more often turned to Dina's set than his own until a misstep forced him to pay better attention.
"Really, sir, I had thought you a better dancer than this," Miss Nesbit remarked as he executed a belated allemande with her. "Has all that foxhunting put you out of practice?"
Thor murmured an apology and strove to do better for the remainder of the reel. He didn't need the whole room gossiping that he couldn't keep his eyes off his wife, as Miss Fiskerton had already remarked. Accordingly, he made a point of smiling at Miss Nesbit every time he faced her, and giving cordial nods to the other ladies and gentlemen he passed as they went through the dance. His partner preened at the attention, showing that she, at least, had no suspicion that his real thoughts were elsewhere.
As the dance concluded, Thor decided to partner Dina for the next one. Perhaps a few words with her would allow him to put her from his thoughts for a while —long enough to avoid insulting the other guests, at least. When he started to move away, however, Miss Nesbit clung to his arm.
"Oh, look," she exclaimed with a coy titter.
Following her gaze upward, he felt his heart sink. They were standing directly under one of those damnable kissing boughs. Blast his inattention.