by Lavinia Kent
Thankfully, a blur of motion further along the path caught his attention. He glanced up just as a flurry of pale pink satin and light hair disappeared into the trees, taking the arbor path back to the house.
He was about to return, himself – he had no desire to stumble on anyone’s secrets – when Tris stepped on the path. Even in the dark his skin looked flushed. His eyes burned with their usual intentness. He made no apology, indeed, from his demeanor he appeared a man about an evening stroll. Still, that flush and the fleeing skirts told their own story.
Wulf resisted the urge to inquire. That was a story for another night. Tonight he had his own business to attend to.
Tris smiled ruefully. “Is it time then? Are you sure this is the road you choose to follow?”
“There may be bumps and even a skirmish or two, but my course is set.”
“Let’s get to it then. I’d hate to keep a lady waiting.”
Tris passed him and strode off ahead down the path, not giving Wulf time to comment on ladies who hadn’t been kept waiting.
The time had come. Rose watched Wulf and Wimberly enter the room as the music stopped and Williams led her to the side. She could feel Wulf’s glance burn into her from across the room, feel his eyes lock on her hand as it wrapped around Williams’ arm. With the barest nod of his head he gestured that she should join him, come to him.
Who did he think he was? This was her house. He could make his way across the room to her. Besides this end of the room, by the main entrance, a was better place to make an announcement. She held his gaze and shook her head, then gestured that he should head her way.
He stopped and glared, turned and whispered something to Wimberly. The marquess smirked. Rose held her ground and refused to budge, they stood across a room from each other, locked in battle.
It might have continued for hours, or at least some minutes, if Lady Clarington hadn’t chosen that moment to appear. She descended on Wulf like some florid bird of prey, all sparkling blue, fine feathers, and deadly talons.
“Major Huntington, I was wondering where you’d gone off to. Have you forgotten this is my dance? It’s a pity we missed the waltz.”
Rose didn’t know why she heard the words among the cacophony of voices, but they reached her ears shrill and clear.
Several other heads turned in Wulf’s direction.
She couldn’t hear his reply, but his white lips said enough. He glanced back at her, fire and determination in his eye, and then with a jerk of the head that promised much, led Lady Clarington onto the floor.
Wimberley stood at the sideline, surveying all. She could see his gaze move from person to person in consideration. Several times his glance returned to Wulf – no, to Lady Clarington. Now that was a surprise. She wouldn’t have thought Lady Clarington would hold much appeal to such a man, but it did show that wearing a dress that was little more than a skirt with straps could catch any man’s attention.
Although, Wulf seemed to be doing his best to look anywhere but. His eyes were glued over Lady Clarington’s shoulder and she didn’t think she’d seen his lips move once during the dance. Something small and dear warmed within her. When his gaze sought her out again she didn’t frown quite so fiercely.
“What’s he doing with her?”
Marguerite’s words echoed her own thoughts.
“I am not sure she gave him much choice. I couldn’t hear the whole conversation, but from his glower I don’t think he was pleased with the matter.”
“I thought you were going to make the announcement. I want to be sure I don’t miss it.”
“We were just about to when the man was waylaid. Truthfully, it does give me one more moment of freedom.”
“Sometimes you talk such nonsense, Rose. If it were me I’d have run across the room to cut Lady Clarington off before she could approach him. How can you bear to wait? Don’t you want to proclaim your love to all? Do you think he’ll kiss you?”
“What makes you think he’d . . .”
“Oh, I know it isn’t really quite the thing, not truly proper, but when have you worried about being proper? Besides, I’ve heard that after a betrothal is announced an ardent groom will kiss his bride to be. Isn’t he ardent?”
Rose didn’t know where to begin. She was getting tired of people casting aspersions on her propriety. She might not always follow along just because it was the normal thing to do, but she never stepped beyond the pale. And as for Wulf being ardent, well that was one conversation she was not having with Marguerite.
“I am sure he’ll come to me and we’ll make the announcement right after this dance. As for a kiss, that really isn’t for me to say.”
“I think it is.”
“You think I should demand a kiss? How can you even think such a thing? A lady would never ask for a kiss.”
“Well, not exactly ask, but tilt your head, press your lips out a bit, and stare at his lips. That’s how a lady asks for a kiss.”
Rose looked at her sister, aghast. “Marguerite, wherever did you hear such a thing? I am not even going to ask if you’ve ever tried it.”
“Well, of course, I haven’t.” A telltale blush marked her cheek.
This bore looking into. Rose tucked her own worries into a back pocket and took her sister’s hand.
“Lord Simon hasn’t . . .”
Marguerite turned redder, her glance darting across the room to where Lord Simon stood behind Wimberly. “Of course not, his mother would never . . .”
“His mother seems otherwise occupied. Are you sure he never . . . I know you would never . . . well, I’ve never talked to you about men. I assumed Mary would have, but if I think back to what she told me before I married Burberry . . . well, I should speak to you.”
Marguerite was prone to blushes, but Rose had never before seen her the color of a polished apple. “Surely this isn’t the place.”
“No, you’re right. But, if Lord Simon or someone else – it wasn’t Sir Barton, was it?” Rose had no problem imagining Sir Barton cornering her young sister in some hallway.
“No, no. Rose, I am sorry I’ve caused you such a worry, but really I must assure you I’ve never been kissed – other than by you, Mama, and Anna. Not even father ever placed his lips to me.”
“If you say so.” Why was Marguerite such a deep shade if nothing had happened? “So how do you know how to ask for a kiss?”
“Emily, the vicar’s oldest daughter, she’s promised to the village school master and she explained to us all.”
“Just don’t tell Mary. Your mother would never let you visit again if she knew you were learning such things.”
“Yes, sister.” Marguerite glanced at the twirling dancers and then looked back. “Can I ask you one thing, though?”
“I suppose.”
“What did Mama tell you?”
Rose knew her own cheeks pinkened. Still it couldn’t hurt to tell Marguerite that. “Mary said to lie down, close my eyes and it would all be over soon. All true, but not quite the way it sounds. But, we’ve already decided that is the conversation for another day. Besides, the music is coming to an end.” Her eyes instinctively sought Wulf’s large frame as he walked from the floor – towards her. Lady Clarington hurried along behind him, but he paid her no notice.
He would end this foolishness now. He locked his gaze on his target and moved forward with purpose. This time there would be no delay. She stood proud before him, her queenly mantle wrapped about her, her chin raised at that slight angle he must admit he found delightful. Her gaze dropped to his feet, traced the path to her own feet. She raised her eyes again, as a slow easy smile spread across her face, the first natural one he’d seen that evening. It stayed his desire to stop in the middle of the floor and force her forward. He would let her have her victory.
Damn, but she was a lady. The thought passed without bitterness. Only a lady could conquer with a smile and a nod. He reached her side and, taking her hand in his, raised it to his lips. He could feel
her quiver through the thin fabric of her gloves.
“Shall we?” His words sounded hoarse to his own ears.
“Wimberley is making his way across the room, but Lady Smythe-Burke seems determined to lay siege.”
He drew a deep breath in and slowly released it. “Having waited this long, what are a few more moments?”
“A few more moments? I thought you’d engaged Lady Smythe-Burke in conversation. It is never brief.”
“You’ve never seen the marquess at his best. It should be an interesting standoff.”
“If you say so.” Her measured words reverberated with doubt.
He crooked his own smile and together they stood and watched as Lady Smythe-Burke laid her hand on Tris’s arm. Tris stopped and turned to her. He did not lift his gaze to her face, but kept it pinned on the hand that held his sleeve. The lady did not step back but rather her lips moved with increasing speed. A careful grin lit Tris’s face until he raised his glance to meet Lady Smythe-Burke’s full glare. They nodded to each other and proceeded across the room together.
“Compromise?” Was that laughter he heard in her voice?
“It appears that way. I’d not have thought it. Wimberley rarely backs down.”
“Well, he didn’t actually, did he?” Rose turned fully towards him and in meeting the glow of her eyes something hard cracked within him. He had not realized how long it had been since he shared a laugh.
Her fingers wiggled in his hand and he realized he had not released it after the earlier kiss. Was he so comfortable with her that he was not even aware that they still touched? The idea shook him hard. What was happening to him?
“It is really time then, isn’t it?” Her voice was soft and hesitant and he found himself longing to offer reassurance. He met her gaze squarely and simply nodded. He did not know what words were right.
“Wimberly informs be he has something to say, something regarding the two of you.” Lady Smythe-Burke faced Rose. “This was not in our plans.”
“No, it was not, but somehow unavoidable,” Rose answered.
Lady Smythe-Burke drew her shoulders back. “Is it wise?”
“Does wisdom enter into these things?”
“I thought that was the point of your whole endeavor, to use your brain in choosing a fitting husband.”
Wulf could not let that one pass. “And would no woman with a brain would choose me?”
“That remains to be seen. It would all depend on the reason for the choosing.”
Wulf glanced at Tris, hoping for back-up. All he got was a grin. Tris was clearly enjoying this too much.
“And what would be a good reason?” Wulf and Rose spoke together. He glanced at her as a deep flush spread from her neckline.
“That, I’ll leave the two of you to determine. I’ve a feeling you haven’t yet. The young never do see straight about these things or when they do they still head off somewhere else. I had a pup once who’d bury the most delicious bones in the same spot every time. He’d still insist on digging all through the flowers before getting it right. Foolish dog never did want to take the easy route. Well, I am off to stand by Lady Clarington. That’s a show I want to see. I’ve manners enough to say congratulations, although good luck might be more appropriate.”
Lady Smythe-Burke sailed off, all sails to the wind.
Without further word Tris turned to the gathered company. With the barest flick of a wrist he silenced the band, every eye turned to him. Wulf would never understand how the man accomplished so much with so little effort.
“Ladies and gentlemen, gathered company, I’ve a very pleasurable announcement to make. My good friend and often comrade, Major Beowulf Huntington has asked me to share with you the news that our dear Lady Burberry has agreed to his offer of matrimony. They intend . . .”
Before he could finish the sentence, Matson came rushing into the room, his hurry so great that his feet slid on the polished floor.
Chapter Fifteen
The butler stopped, turned and stepped back, abashed. He had clearly never intended to draw every eye. Wulf watched as he stepped back again, his eyes shifting between Rose and the door which promised escape.
Finally, with clear reluctance, he strode over to Rose.
“Forgive me, my lady.” He glanced around the room, his eyes darting to and fro as he tried to determine why every eye was focused on him. He drew his shoulders back and spoke, his voice low and intended only for his lady. “Perhaps I should not have disturbed you. But, there’s trouble in the nursery and Nanny indicated that you had requested to be informed immediately if . . . .”
“Is Anna alright?” Rose lost that becoming blush of color.
“No, my lady, that is to say . . .”
Whatever else Matson had to say was lost as Rose bolted from the room heading for the stairs.
Wulf started to follow, all that mattered was checking on Anna, but Tris stopped him with a gentle hand on his arm.
“Why don’t we listen to the rest of the story first? I think there are enough curious eyes with Lady Burberry rushing off the moment your engagement was announced.”
“All right.” Wulf pierced the butler with a glance. He longed to run after Rose, but forced himself to patience.
“Ah, well, I didn’t mean to cause this spectacle, thought I could just pull my lady aside. Seems the young miss woke up screaming. Nanny went to investigate and, well, there was a sooty foot print on the floor, a man’s. The maid was careless with the ash and spilled it, but there shouldn’t have been a man up there.”
Evidently exhausted with this speech Matson clamped his mouth shut. Wulf kept his feet planted as Tris calmed the situation. One more minute and he would depart, regardless.
“Well, I believe I should be pleased I was allowed to finish my announcement. I’ve never been interrupted by a butler before. Nothing to worry about. Let’s start the music again while Major Huntington accepts congratulations. Lady Clarington, will you partner me?” Again Tris spoke in that magic voice that wasn’t loud, but commanded attention. Inviting Lady Clarington to dance could not have been a more thought out move as she tittered and pranced her way across the floor, creating her own show. Lady Smyth-Burke smiled from the side.
As soon as the company had resettled and a belated toast drunk, Wulf slipped to the door. It was time to find out what was happening. His pace picked up the moment he was out of sight.
Rose flew up the stairs, her only thought of Anna. The terror and delight of listening to Wimberly’s speech almost forgotten. Her daughter was all that mattered now.
She heard the first scream as she rounded the corner and headed for the nursery stair. She was halfway up when the second sounded. Her pace increased.
She swung open the door to see her daughter crouched in the middle of her bed, her face a picture of anger and fear.
On seeing her mother enter, Anna stopped immediately.
“You came.”
“Yes, poppet, I did.”
“I didn’t think you would. Nanny said you were having a party. Why wasn’t I invited?”
Rose stopped. Was that all this was about? Her daughter wanted her attention. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart.
“Little princesses don’t go to adult parties. Is that why you screamed?”
“No, monster.”
“There was a monster? You must have been dreaming.”
“NO! The monster was here!” The little voice threatened to scream again, as pudgy arms crossed and a small chin lifted.
“Shh, darling.” Rose hugged her daughter tight and hoped the antics were due to the child being four and not to being overindulged, maybe having a father’s discipline would not be bad. She couldn’t imagine Wulf giving in to this behavior.
“My lady.” Nanny spoke up from the far side of the room. “You should see this.”
Rose gave her daughter another squeeze and then pried herself loose from the tight grasp. She walked over to Nanny who was poin
ting to the floor.
A smudged boot print lay etched in soot at the edge of the fire.
“There hasn’t been a man up these stairs in weeks, not since John Footman carted up the new wooden horse for Miss Anna. Well, Major Huntington has . . .”
“Major Huntington has what?” Rose looked for any possible explanation for the intruder.
“Well, he’s come to visit Miss Anna on several occasions, but his foot – it’s much larger than this.”
As if to prove the point there was the loud creak of the stair and Wulf stalked into the room. He walked first to Anna and giving her a quick cuddle came to stand beside Rose.
“Is this what caused the interruption?” He planted his own feet around the print as if to demonstrate the difference.
Nanny’s head bobbed. “That and Miss Anna saw a monster. I was asleep in my bed and her screams awoke me. I thought it was just another nightmare at first, but she was so sure she’d seen something. She kept pointing to this corner by the fireplace. When I looked I saw the print.”
Rose stared down at the smaller print between Wulf’s shoes. She didn’t want to be frightened, but something slinked deep in her belly. “Are you sure it wasn’t one of the footmen? Maybe, you just didn’t know they came up.”
Nanny puffed her chest. “I know who’s in my nursery. Not a gentleman, but Major Huntington’s been up and none of the staff would dare without letting me know. Besides the ash wasn’t there this afternoon. I’d never put up with such dirt. The maid must have tipped it when she laid the fire this evening.”
“When did she come up?” Wulf’s deep voice surrounded Rose with reassurance. She was not alone in this.
“Right before the first of the guests went down. She wanted to peek through the railing and see the ladies in their finery.”