a member of our little society, collected
them."
Fascinating." Lucas sat down slowly, his
eyes on Victoria as she took a place on the
sofa next to her aunt." One wonders how
Lady Woodbury managed to kill so many
large insects."
In the usual manner, I presume," Cleo
said." Pinched them under the wings or
used camphor or a length of wire."
Do you collect insects. Miss Hunting
ton?" Lucas asked.
No, I fear I have not the stomach for
it." She glanced down into the box." The
poor things do not always die quickly, you
know."
He watched her profile." The will to
survive can be amazingly strong."
Yes." She put the lid on the box of
beetles.
I fear my niece is a bit too softhearted
for certain areas of intellectual inquiry,"
Cleo said with a smile.
I will admit I prefer botany and
horticulture to the study of insects."
Your interests appear to be quite varied,
Miss Huntington," Lucas observed.
Did you think them limited?" She
glanced at him through her lashes, her
eyes gleaming with a mocking innocence.
Lucas recognized a trap when he saw
one." Not at all. In the course of our brief
association it has become quite clear to me
that you are a woman with a most unusual
mind."
Cleo glanced at him with interest." Are
you a student of horticulture and botany,
sir?"
As you may have heard, I have only
recently acceded to my title. I find that
coming into my inheritance has greatly
expanded my range of interests. It seems
to me that I shall need to learn something
about horticulture and similar subjects if
I am to implement improvements on my
estate," Lucas said.
Cleo looked pleased." Excellent. Then
you will no doubt be interested in Victoria's
watercolors and her drawings of plants."
Victoria turned a bright shade of pink,
which amazed Lucas." Aunt Cleo, I'm
sure his lordship would not be in the
least interested in my dabbles."
I assure you, I would be most inter
ested," Lucas said quickly. Anything that
could make Victoria blush was bound to
be fascinating.
She has a wonderful ability." Lady
Nettleship said as she jumped to her
feet and went to a nearby table to fetch
a sketchbook." Take a look at these."
Aunt Cleo, really ."
" Now, no false modesty, Vicky. Your
work is lovely and so wonderfully true to
life. I have been telling you for ages that
you should get some of it published. Here
you are, my lord. What do you think of
these?" Cleo thrust the book into Lucas's
hands with an air of expectant triumph.
Aware that Victoria was watching him
in a resigned silence, Lucas took his time
examining the sketchbook. He opened it
expecting to find the usual assortment of
amateurish artwork a man associated with
females. It was considered quite fashionable
for young ladies to learn to sketch and paint
flowers.
But Lucas was startled at the clarity and
liveliness of Victoria's work. Her plants
bloomed on the pages of the sketchbook,
glowing with exuberant energy. They were
not just artistically beautiful, they were
precise in every detail.
Lucas was fascinated as page after page
full of roses, irises, poppies, and lilies came
to life in front of him. Each one was
labeled in a fine hand with its formal,
botanical name: Rosa provincialis, Passiflora
alata. Cyclamen linearifolium.
He looked up to find Victoria still
watching him with an oddly anxious
expression. He realized then that her art
was a vulnerable subject for her. He closed
the sketchbook." These are excellent, Miss
Huntington, as I'm sure you've been told.
Even to my untrained eye these sketches
and watercolors are beautiful."
Thank you." She smiled suddenly, very
brilliantly, as if he had just told her
that she, not her art, was beautiful. Her
amber eyes were almost gold." You're very
kind."
I am rarely kind, Miss Huntington," he
told her quietly." I am merely telling you
the truth. I will admit, however, that I
don't recognize all of these plants. Where
did you get your subjects?"
From the conservatory," Cleo explained.
Together, Victoria and I have established
what I like to believe is a most creditable
botanical garden. Nothing on the scale of
Kew, of course, but we're rather proud of
it.
Would you care to view the conservatory?
Victoria would be happy to give you a
short tour."
Lucas nodded." I should very much like
to see it."
Victoria rose gracefully." This way, my
lord."
Run along, then," Cleo said." Perhaps
you will join us for a dish of tea when
you have finished viewing the plants, my
lord?"
Thank you." Lucas smiled to himself
as he followed Victoria out into the hall
and down a short passageway that led to
the back of the house. Matters were going
well, he decided as she led him into a large
glass gallery filled with plants and the rich,
humid scent of soil. Already he was alone
with his quarry.
He looked around and realized that
today he would be doing his hunting
in a real jungle. He examined the view
through the glass. Beyond the conservatory
windows was a large, charming garden
with a familiar-looking brick wall covered
in ivy.
I wondered what the garden looked like
by day," Lucas remarked.
Victoria's brows snapped together in
an admonishing frown." Hush, my lord.
Someone might overhear you."
Not likely. We appear to have the
place to ourselves." He examined the lush
greenery and the array of exotic blooms
that filled the glass room." You and your
aunt are, indeed, interested in horticulture,
aren't you? This is amazing."
My aunt had the conservatory built
some years ago," Victoria said as she started
down one green-shrouded aisle." She has
friends who travel all over the world and
send us cuttings and small plants. Recently
Sir Percy Hickinbottom, one of her many
admirers, sent a new variety of rose he
discovered on an expedition in China. He
named it Cleo's Blush China in her honor.
Wasn't that sweet? Last month he sent
the most beautiful chrysanthemum plant.
We are quite hopeful it will survive. Are
you at all familiar with chrysanthemum
s,
my lord?"
No, but I do know what it means when
a person suddenly becomes excessively
chatty. Relax, Victoria. There is no need
to be so anxious."
I am not at all anxious." Her chin
lifted proudly as she paused beside a large
tray of strange, lumpish-looking plants that
were covered in thorns." Do you care for
cacti?"
Lucas glanced down curiously at the
assortment of spiny plants that were unlike
anything he had ever seen. Experimentally
he touched one of the thorns and
discovered it was needle sharp. He glanced
up and met Victoria's gaze.
I am always interested in an adversary's
defenses," Lucas said.
Is that because it is your instinct to find
a way past those defenses?"
Only when the prize promises to be
worth the battle." He was going to enjoy
fencing with her, Lucas thought. She was
no coward.
How can you estimate the value of the
prize in advance of the battle?"
t had not been a mistake after all to
kiss her last night, Lucas decided. He knew
from the way she was watching him that
she had been thinking a great deal about
the embrace they had shared," Sometimes
one is allowed a small sample of the goods.
The bit I was allowed to taste last night
was very promising."
I see. And do you go around sampling
a great many potential prizes before you
determine which ones you will pursue?"
She glared at him.
His mouth quirked as he saw the hauteur
flash in her eyes." One must have some
basis for comparison."
The hauteur changed almost imperceptibly
into disgust. She turned away and
started down the aisle again." I rather
suspected that might be the case."
Lucas was suddenly annoyed. She had
started this. He reached out and clamped
a hand around her wrist, drawing her to a
sudden halt. She swung around to fix him
with a defiant gaze.
What is it, Victoria? You don't like the
fact that there have been other prizes in my
life? They have not been very important."
I do not like the fact that you may
have been very indiscriminate in selecting
and pursuing those prizes, nor the fact that
you have been casual about the matter."
I assure you, I have never been
indiscriminate and rarely casual. In truth,
there have not been all that many prizes.
I have spent most of my life in the army,
and one does not keep expensive mistresses
on an officer's pay." He deliberately exerted
enough pressure on her wrist to draw her
closer." What about you? You fence very
skillfully. Is it because you have had a great
deal of experience at this game?"
I have had a great deal of practice at
playing the role of cactus, my lord."
And tell me," Lucas said smiling,"
has anyone ever gotten past the spines?"
That is none of your affair, is it?"
He saw the bright warmth in her cheeks
but her eyes never wavered." Forgive me.
I cannot help but entertain a certain
curiosity under the circumstances. After
all, I fully intend to get past the thorns
and claim the treasure for myself. I told
you that much last night."
You are not subtle, are you, stone vale?"
she said.
I am when subtlety is required, but I
think I can be completely honest about
my intentions in this case. You're not
a silly young girl straight out of the
schoolroom. I do not think you are the
type to be easily frightened by an honest
man's intentions."
Victoria straightened and peered at him.
Speaking of honesty, just what are your
intentions, my lord? You were not quite
clear on that subject last night. I must
know."
I thought I had made myself very
plain. You must be aware by now that
I want you. I will do what I must to
claim you."
Last night she began urgently, and
then broke off, hunting for the right words.
Last night I warned you not to think in
terms of marriage."
I heard your warning. You issued it
several times in a variety of ways, as I
recall."
You do understand, then, that I am
not playing a game when it comes to that
subject? I have no interest in marriage."
I understand." Lucas smiled faintly at
the earnest expression in her eyes. She
might not think she was playing a game,
but that fact would not save her from
losing it." You do want to play other
games, though, do you not, Victoria?
Midnight games?"
She was silent for a moment, but Lucas
noticed that her fingers trembled ever so
slightly as she reached up absently to
touch a broad leaf that draped over her
shoulder." You were right last night, my
lord. I would dearly love a companion to
share my evening adventures. Someone I
can trust to keep his silence, someone
who can take me into the sort of places I
cannot go alone or even with friends such
as Annabella Lyndwood and her brother. I
admit that what you offered in the garden
last night is very tempting. What worries
me most is that you seem to be aware of
just how tempting I find it."
You hesitate because you are not certain
you can take what I offer and get away
without paying for it. Is that the problem,
Victoria?"
She nodded, her mouth curving wryly.
You are quite correct, my lord. You have
gone straight to the heart of the matter.
I am not at all certain you will remain
satisfied with whatever payment I choose
to bestow."
Lucas drew a long breath and folded
his arms across his chest." The problem,
it would seem, is mine. As long as I am
satisfied with the bargain, why should you
worry?"
Because, quite frankly, my lord, I do
not see you remaining content with a few
stolen kisses taken in the garden, and I
promise you that is all you will get from
me by way of payment. There. Have I
made myself perfectly clear?"
Perfectly."
She waited for him to argue, and when
he politely examined the unusual cacti
instead, she lost a measure of her self
control, just as Lucas had known she
would. The lady was swimming far out of
her depth and she did not yet realize it.
There will be no talk of marriage?" she
demanded.
None." He tested the spine of another
of the curious cactus plants and found it
as sharp as the first." But I feel compelled
to warn you that my guar
antee not to speak
of marriage does not mean I will not do
my best to lure you into my arms. You
are right, Victoria. I would like more than
a few stolen kisses from you."
You are far too bold, my lord."
I see no need to dance around the truth.
You know what I want in exchange for my
companionship at midnight."
Then the price is too high. I will never
pay it," she said.
I said you would know the price I seek,
I did not say I will force you to pay it."
He looked at her, enjoying the storm of
emotion and curiosity that lit her eyes.
You need have no fear of me, Victoria.
You have my word of honor I will not
force your surrender."
Pray, do not use that word again," she
said through her teeth.
Lucas shrugged." Surrender? Very well.
Use whatever word you wish to describe
my goal, but do not deceive yourself about
the nature of that goal."
Her mouth pursed with strong dis
approval." Your goal, my lord, is a most
dishonorable one."
You leave me little choice. You have
forbidden me to speak of a more honorable
one."
It seems to me you agreed very quickly
not to speak of it," she pointed out tartly.
She toyed thoughtfully with the leaf that
hung over her shoulder." One would almost
think, my lord, that you are not interested
in marriage, after all."
Not every man is, Victoria. Why should
a sane man rush to sacrifice his freedom
if he can claim the woman he wants
without giving her his name?" he pointed
out dryly.
Assuming he can claim her without
doing so."
Lucas grinned." It happens all the time.
Surely you have been out in the world long
enough to know that, Victoria."
I know it." She sighed, sounding
exasperated." Don't misunderstand me.
I am well aware that most men do not
go into marriage out of a feeling of love.
They generally go into it out of necessity,
either to ensure themselves of an heir or
to get their hands on a fortune or both."
I have always found love to be a very
vague and totally insufficient reason for
doing much of anything."
She studied him through narrowed
lashes." You sound very cynical, my
lord, but I suppose that is only to be
expected from a man who is proposing
to try for what is nothing more than a
sordid, scandalous affair."
Lucas shook his head ruefully." I fear
you are confused, Victoria. You forbid me
to talk of the honorable estate of marriage
and then in the same breath accuse me of
Surrender Amanda Quick Page 9