Lady Beneath the Veil

by Sarah Mallory

  ‘That’s as may be, but Master Gideon is changed now, anyone can see that.’ Mrs Ellis folded her arms, a satisfied twinkle in her kindly eyes. ‘He and the new mistress is a match made in heaven, you mark my words.’

  * * *

  With a liveried coachman on the box and a footman standing up behind them, Dominique found her drive out with the viscount a much more stately excursion than when Gideon had taken her out in the phaeton, but she enjoyed it very much, as she told her father-in-law when he expressed his surprise at finding her in the drawing room after dinner that night.

  ‘You have had a busy day, my dear. I would not have you tire yourself by sitting here with me late into the night.’

  She laughed at that.

  ‘A steady drive with you was a tonic, my lord, and not exhausting at all.’

  ‘Nevertheless, I have sent a note to Dr Bolton to call tomorrow morning to see you.’

  ‘I saw him two days ago and he declared me perfectly healthy.’ Dominique bit her lip, then added in a milder tone, ‘As I explained to Gideon several times, I always feel better for a little fresh air.’

  ‘My son is anxious for your well-being.’

  ‘A little too anxious,’ she replied, smiling. ‘Before we left London Dr Harris told him that we ladies should not be cosseted and encouraged to think ourselves ill—’ She broke off, flushing, and added haltingly, ‘I beg your pardon. I realise that not everyone is as fortunate in their health.’

  ‘You are thinking of Gideon’s mother.’

  ‘Yes. I am very sorry if my condition brings back unhappy memories.’

  ‘It does, but your presence at Rotham more than compensates for that.’ He stared into the fire. ‘It was my fault, you see.’

  ‘My lord—’

  ‘I loved her too much, and she—she could deny me nothing. I wore her out.’

  He put a hand across his eyes. They were sitting together on the sofa before the fire and she touched his arm.

  ‘Lord Rotham, I am sure—’

  He shook his head.

  ‘There is no excuse. She was delicate and I was too hot-headed, too passionate.’ He put his weight on his stick to get up and walk to the hearth. ‘I only realised what I had lost after she had died. But I made sure Gideon knew of it. I would not have him make the same mistake in his own marriage.’

  Dominique thought of Gideon’s letters. They were cheery, full of the entertainments and diversions he was enjoying. She could not believe he had gone away to avoid temptation.

  ‘I think your case was very different,’ she said candidly. ‘You were very much in love with your wife.’

  ‘Ah.’ He rested one arm on the mantelshelf and gazed down into the empty fireplace. ‘That is something else for which you should blame me, my dear. I am the reason Gideon plunged into marriage.

  ‘When James was... After James died, I refused to let Gideon leave Rotham. He was my heir and I needed him to learn about the estate. He was a young man and needed to see more of the world, I should have understood that. When he inherited the Telford fortune it was only natural he should kick over the traces and go off to town. I live very retired here, but I have acquaintances in London and what I heard of Martlesham’s set worried me deeply. Even then I could not see that it was my own doing—if only I had been less hard on the boy—!

  ‘Last December, when Gideon came home, I could only criticise his way of life. Is it any wonder that he stormed off back to his friends?’ He turned to look at Dominique, the sadness of the world in his eyes. ‘It resulted in a marriage neither of you wanted and I beg your pardon, my dear.’

  Dominique forced a smile.

  ‘What is done cannot be undone, but I intend to be a good wife to Gideon.’ She went over to him, reaching out to take his hands. ‘My lord, I am not a delicate flower from the hothouse that wilts at the first chill breeze. My mother always told me I came of sturdy stock. I promise you if I am tired I shall rest, but otherwise let me do my duty here.’

  He regarded her silently for a long, long moment, then nodded.

  ‘Very well. I will send again to Bolton in the morning and tell him not to call. You must forgive me, my dear, I am an interfering old fool.’

  With great daring she reached up and planted a kiss on his lean cheek.

  ‘No, sir, you are my caring papa-in-law and I am very grateful for your interest in me.’

  With that she said goodnight and went up to her room to reflect upon everything she had heard. It explained a great deal, but confirmed her worst fears.

  ‘A marriage neither of you wanted.’

  Well, she was not the first unloved bride, and she would not be the last, but she would make the best of her situation.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gideon was restless. In previous summers he had enjoyed making his way from one house party to another, but this year nothing pleased him. Even in Brighton with Gwen and Anthony his mind constantly wandered to Rotham.

  He corresponded regularly with Nicky, but was a little disappointed that she did not appear to be missing him. At the end of August he made his excuses to leave Brighton and went to Chalcots. He had visited the house only once since he had inherited it—after all, the Brook Street house was much more convenient for when he was in town, but now he realised that this pretty little villa would make an ideal family home and he began to draw up plans for its refurbishment.

  September slipped by as he threw himself into the work at Chalcots, exchanging letters with Nicky on colour schemes and plans for the gardens. With all the work he had put in hand the house was quite uninhabitable and he resided at Brook Street, but did not even consider going to the clubs, theatres and gambling dens that he had frequented as a bachelor. He spent his evenings writing to Nicky, or reading her letters.

  He was sitting in his study, the cheerful fire there driving off the first chill of autumn, when he realised with a shock how much he missed her and, instead of picking up his pen, he gathered up all the drawings and swatches into a pile. He would take them to Rotham and discuss them with her in person. Tomorrow.

  * * *

  Once the decision had been made he was eager to get away and, after making sure that the builders and decorators knew exactly what was expected of them, he set off, arriving late in the afternoon, tired and dusty, to find the house in uproar. Servants scurried about, too absorbed to notice him. Intrigued, he left his horse in the stables and quickly ran into the house, but arriving in the great hall he stopped and stared in amazement at the scene of feverish activity. The gardener’s boy was carrying in armfuls of plants and flowers while the maids were busy covering trestle tables with snowy cloths. And in the midst of it all, issuing directions, was Nicky. Her condition was very evident, but there was a bloom about her that he had not seen before. She looked...radiant.

  At that moment she saw him and, after a quiet word to the housekeeper, she came towards him, hands held out. His heart lifted at the sight of her welcoming smile. He took her hands, pressing a kiss on to each in turn.

  ‘What is this, madam?’ he demanded with mock severity. ‘I am away for a few weeks and return to find Rotham in chaos!’

  She laughed.

  ‘We are holding a harvest supper tonight. I am so glad you are here, you will be able to join us.’

  ‘We have not celebrated the harvest here since Mama died.’

  Long-buried memories returned as he watched the preparations and heard the snatches of song and laughter coming from the servants as they worked. That, too, was something he had not heard for many years.

  He brought his gaze back to her face and grinned. ‘How did you cajole my father into this?’

  ‘I was reading Robinson Crusoe to him—’

  ‘Wait!’ He put up his hand. ‘You were reading to Father?’

&nb
sp; ‘Why, yes. It would be very monotonous if I could only entertain him with my music, so we play at backgammon or cards, and when the tea tray is brought in I read to him. I bought a number of my favourite works to bring with me. Lord Rotham enjoyed The History of Sir Charles Grandison, and Sterne’s Tristram Shandy although I have not suggested I should read him Mrs Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho...’

  ‘No, don’t,’ said Gideon, his mind reeling at this new vision of his father. ‘I beg your pardon, I interrupted you.’ He waved his hand towards the hall. ‘You were telling me how all this came about.’

  ‘Well, Defoe mentions sowing seeds and I merely suggested that he might like to hold a harvest supper.’

  ‘And where is my father now?’

  ‘In his study, keeping out of the way.’ She tried to look serious and failed, going off into a peal of laughter.

  Gideon found himself laughing, too, but he sobered quickly.

  ‘I am surprised Father allows you to do so much. He was more anxious than I that you should not overtax yourself.’

  ‘I am not overtaxing myself, Gideon. Your father and I agreed that I am the best person to know just what I can do.’ He was not convinced, but she merely shook her head at him, her green eyes full of warm amusement. ‘Pray do not be anxious for me, sir. My role here is merely to oversee matters. To prove it, I shall leave the rest to Mrs Ellis and take you away for some refreshment.’

  As she led him upstairs to the drawing room, he noticed that the house no longer had a sad air of neglect. Fresh flowers adorned side tables, brass wall sconces gleamed and the grand staircase smelled of beeswax and lavender. The drawing room, too, was much more comfortable. Furniture had been moved into a less formal arrangement, curtains were thrown wide and the hard wooden chairs were covered in cushions.

  * * *

  His valet had also noticed the difference, as he told Gideon when he went upstairs to change.

  ‘Warner tells me the viscount is like a new man. When Mrs Albury began changing things he thought there would be hell to pay, but it seems his lordship is content to let her have her way. And none of the staff have left, either, which was a worry, when the mistress began wanting this cleaned, and that moved, but, no, she’s charmed ’em all, just like she did at Brook Street.’

  ‘Yes, well...’ Gideon buttoned his jacket, a slight frown creasing his brow ‘...I only hope she does not find it all too much for her.’

  ‘Not Mrs Albury,’ opined Runcorn confidently. ‘She’s as canny as she can hold together and knows what she is about.’

  Gideon bent a searching look upon the valet.

  ‘Do you think her scheming, then?’

  Runcorn stepped back, a mixture of shock and outrage contorting his features.

  ‘In no wise, sir! I hears nothing but good of the mistress from everyone who’s met her. A proper lady she is, and no mistake.’

  Gideon was relieved to know that Nicky was so well respected at Rotham, but he was still concerned that she was doing too much.

  * * *

  He found his opinion shared by the viscount. They were sitting together after the harvest supper, watching as the room was cleared for dancing.

  Gideon’s eyes were on Nicky as she left the minstrels’ gallery after talking to the musicians. He heard his father murmur that she had been up since dawn and must be exhausted.

  ‘She took a rest this afternoon,’ said Gideon, ‘but it was only a short one.’ He jumped up to hold her seat for her when she returned to the top table. ‘My father was just saying how tired you must be.’

  ‘Not as tired as you,’ she countered. ‘You only arrived at Rotham today.’

  The musicians struck up a lively tune and a number of couples took to the floor.

  ‘You will not dance.’ Her brows shot up and he added quickly, ‘I beg your pardon, I do not mean to browbeat you, but I am concerned,’

  She smiled. ‘And I am grateful for it. You are right, this is far too energetic for me, but you must dance, Gideon. I believe it was always the custom for everyone to stand up together, was it not, my lord?’

  ‘Aye, in the old days,’ agreed the viscount, ‘although I do not dance now.’

  ‘Then your son must do the honours,’ she declared, giving Gideon’s hand a squeeze. ‘Go along, sir, and do your duty.’

  Smiling, Gideon went off to find partners for a succession of energetic country dances. The mood was very merry and the old rafters echoed with laughter and good cheer. When he returned to the top table Nicky pushed back her chair and rose.

  ‘It looks such fun that I must join in.’

  ‘Oh, no, you must not.’

  ‘I have not worked so hard on this party to be denied.’

  ‘Pray consider, madam, it would be most unwise,’ put in the viscount, frowning.

  Dominique pointed to a lady moving ponderously to join the new set that was forming.

  ‘Mrs Plover is even more advanced than I.’ She fixed her eyes upon Gideon. ‘I am not so delicate that I must sit out every dance, sir. I may not be able to dance a fast jig, but I shall join in this more stately measure.’ A mischievous smile lilted on her lips. ‘Which is why I instructed the musicians to play something slower. Now, will you partner me?’

  She saw the smouldering fire in Gideon’s eyes and wondered if she had gone too far. The viscount laughed.

  ‘Your wife is a very determined lady, Gideon.’

  The anger was replaced by a reluctant gleam. And there was something else in the back of those hazel eyes that set her spirits soaring. Admiration.

  ‘I am beginning to learn that, sir.’ Grinning, Gideon took her hand and led her off to join the next set.

  He felt a curious rush of pride at the spontaneous applause that greeted them. It was something of a surprise to find how well she had been accepted at Rotham. The servants called her ‘the new mistress’ and even his father had warmed to her, despite her French blood.

  * * *

  The harvest supper was hailed as a success, and although the servants were clearly stifling yawns as they served breakfast the next morning there was an air of gaiety about the house that Gideon had not known for years. Nicky was already downstairs and looking none the worse for her exertions and the viscount was positively jovial when he greeted his son.

  ‘I thought I should be breaking my fast alone this morning,’ Gideon remarked, smiling.

  He noted the bloom on Nicky’s cheeks. The thin, rather nervous girl he had married was gone, replaced by a cheerful, confident woman. He decided he liked the change. However, when the viscount suggested she should rest for the day, Gideon could only agree.

  ‘You must think of the child you are carrying,’ he told her, softening his words with a smile.

  ‘But I had planned to take a carriage ride today with Lord Rotham,’ she protested. ‘It has become our custom—’

  ‘Out of the question,’ replied the viscount firmly. ‘I would much rather you took a rest today.’ He hesitated. ‘I thought perhaps Gideon might ride out with me, to see the improvements that have been made to the estate.’

  Dominique quickly perceived that she had been outmanoeuvred. The viscount was extending an olive branch to his son and he knew she would not do anything to prevent Gideon accepting this peace offering.

  ‘Yes, of course, sir,’ said Gideon. ‘But I have the renovations at Chalcots to discuss with Nicky.’

  Smiling, Dominique shook her head.

  ‘We can do that later. I shall spend the morning attending to my correspondence.’ She added shyly, ‘But perhaps, Gideon, if the weather holds, you would take a turn in the garden with me when you come back?’

  The alacrity of his assent was reassuring and she went off to write her letters. The windows of the morning room commanded a good view of t
he park, and she happened to look up sometime later to see Gideon and his father riding off together. They looked to be conversing and she hoped that this was the beginning of a better understanding between father and son.

  * * *

  The pair did not return until late afternoon and Gideon went immediately in search of his wife.

  ‘If you still wish to stroll in the gardens, I am at your command,’ he told her. ‘As long as you do not mind me in all my dirt.’

  ‘Not in the least.’ She laughed at him and, taking his arm, she accompanied him out to the shrubbery.

  It was a beautiful afternoon with just enough breeze to prevent the heat from being uncomfortable.

  ‘The gardens look better than I remember,’ remarked Gideon.

  ‘Your father gave permission for another apprentice gardener.’

  He slanted a look down at her.

  ‘At your suggestion? Of course it was, you have no need to tell me.’ He stopped and smiled at her. ‘You have made a great difference to this house, my dear. I have much to thank you for.’

  A stray curl fluttered across her face and Gideon gently pushed the tendril behind her ear. His hand hovered for a moment, cupping her cheek, and she gazed up at him, a shy smile in her eyes. He drew back immediately, alarmed at how quickly the slumbering desire deep inside him had awoken. He looked away and they began to walk on.

  ‘Father and I talked, when we rode out this morning,’ he said. ‘It is a long time since we did anything together save quarrel.’

  ‘I am glad. One should not be at odds with one’s family.’

  He heard the sadness in her voice and asked quickly, ‘Have you had news of your father?’

  She shook her head, frowning.

  ‘No, it is not that. It is Max.’

  ‘The earl? What has he been doing now?’

  ‘It is rather what he did not do.’ She bit her lip. ‘When we lived at the Abbey Mama gave nearly all her letters to Max to frank, but since moving to the village she has been going to the posting office. The number of replies she receives now makes me think that my cousin was throwing her letters away.’