with the story, my lord."
Lucas took a swallow of tea, wondering
how in hell he had allowed the conversation
to get so wildly off track. The earl had
his suspicions, but no proof, and since he
was very much in love with his new wife,
he decided to believe what he wanted to
believe. That worked until the babe was
born dead. His lady was so grief-stricken
that she lost her wits. She confessed all,
blamed her unhappiness on her husband
for having made it impossible to marry
her true love, and claimed she was now
so miserable she wanted to die. Then she
promptly did precisely that."
Victoria's eyes flew to his, deep suspicion
in her amber gaze. How?"
Tray do not look at me like that. He
didn't kill her, you know. She simply never
recovered from childbirth. misses Sneath
says the legend has it that she willed
herself to die and the fever obligingly
took her."
What a tragic story. What did the earl
do?"
He grew bitter and cynical toward all
women, There was pressure from the
family to produce an heir, so he eventually
21C
remarried. But this time not for love. It
was strictly a business decision on his part
and he and his second wife hardly formed
what could be called a happily married
couple. In fact, after the required heir was
born, the earl and his wife spent very little
time together and none at all at stone vale,
apparently."
Was that when the lands began to go
into a decline?"
Lucas nodded. Yes, according to the
tale and to the old ledgers and records.
I went through several of them today
just out of curiosity and I must admit
one can trace the gradual decline of the
estate to that disastrous marriage three
generations ago."
Truly?"
Yes, truly. The next earl, my uncle's
father, was not only a cold and bitter
man, he was also a rake and a poor
game ster. He started the tradition of the
Earls of stone vale spending more time
at the gaming tables and less on their
lands. He, too, eventually married, but
not for love. Once my uncle was born,
his father and mother went their separate
ways," Lucas said.
And the lands continued to decline.
Hardly surprising, given the lack of interest
on the part of the masters. What about
your uncle?"
Maitland Colebrook never even bothered
to marry for the sake of the title
or anything else, let alone love. He
concentrated instead on going through
what was left of the family fortune. He
bled the estate dry and then retired to the
country to rail against his ill fate."
So that is how the villagers explain their
present impoverished situation." Victoria
stared thoughtfully into the fire again.
Interesting."
Lucas studied her averted profile, won
dering what she would do if he pulled her
into his lap and kissed her. Would she
melt for him the way she always had in
the past or would she use her nails on
his eyes and cut him to shreds with her
tongue? One thing was for certain, when
he eventually got around to taking her into
his arms, it would be a real adventure for
all concerned.
The most interesting part is that
business of the Hawkins child in the
village calling you the Amber Lady," Lucas
said quietly.
Why is that? She had obviously been
told the tale, and when she saw me
dressed in that particular shade of yellow,
she jumped to a child's conclusion."
Lucas watched the firelight bring out
the amber and gold in Victoria's tawny
brown hair. I am not so certain she
jumped to the wrong conclusion. There
is something rather amberish about you,
you know. Your eyes, your hair, the colors
you choose to wear."
She glared at him. For heaven's sake,
Lucas, do not talk such nonsense."
He held out his cup for more tea. It is
little wonder the child would like to believe
you are the Amber Lady. I have not yet
told you the last bit of the legend."
She glanced at him warily as she poured
tea into his cup. How does the tale
conclude?"
Tis said that one day the Amber
Knight and his lady will return to the
great house and the lands of stone vale will
once more prosper along with their love."
What a tidy ending," Victoria said
scornfully. But if the luck of the region
depends upon the lord and lady marrying
for love, then it is obvious everyone around
here will have to wait for another chance at
bettering their fortunes. The newest Earl of
stone vale married for money, not love."
Damn it, Vicky ."
She was already on her feet. If you will
excuse me, my lord, I will bid you good
night. I grow weary."
Lucas swore again as he got to his feet.
He waited until the door had closed behind
her before he put down his teacup and,
with cold deliberation, went across the
room to pick up the brandy decanter.
Idly he massaged his aching leg. It was
going to be a long night.
Three hours later as Lucas lay awake
in bed listening to the soft sounds in
the room next door, he wondered if he
was being a fool to continue to restrain
himself. Maybe this waiting game was not
such wise strategy after all.
He heard another whisper of movement
from the next chamber. It sounded as if
Victoria had gotten out of bed. It was
obvious she was not yet asleep. Perhaps
she was afraid to go to sleep too early for
fear of inducing another nightmare.
There was nothing like the sort of
passion they could experience together to
ward off bad dreams, Lucas told himself.
As a concerned husband he owed her
what comfort and reassurance he could
give her, even if he had to force it
on her.
Resolutely he pushed back the covers and
reached for his dressing gown. This had
gone far enough. One way or the other they
had to form a normal marital relationship
and it was rapidly becoming clear that his
self-imposed restraint was having no effect
whatsoever on her recalcitrance.
In other words, he thought ruefully, she
was hardly begging for his lovemaking.
He heard the outer door to her
bedchamber open and close just as he
lifted his hand to knock on the connecting
door. Quietly he twisted the knob and
stepped into his wife's empty room.
Fury and panic s
eized him. Surely she
was not idiotic enough to run off in the
middle of the night. Then he recalled
that Victoria was very much accustomed
to running about in the dead of night. He
had even taught her something about how
it was done.
Lucas put down his candle and hastily
pulled on breeches, boots, and a shirt. A
few minutes later he was moving swiftly
down the hall. His instincts told him she
would leave via the kitchen door. It was
the way he would have gone if he had
been trying to sneak out of the house. He
hurried after her.
A few minutes later he emerged from the
house. He saw Victoria almost at once. She
was standing quietly in the dilapidated,
sadly overgrown kitchen garden. She was
wearing her long, hooded, amber-colored
cloak to ward off the chill and she was
bathed in moonlight. Memories of all those
other nights when he had rendezvoused
with her in her aunt's garden swept over
him, leaving him filled with a hunger that
was sharpened to the point of pain.
This was his wife and he wanted her.
Lucas stepped slowly out into the
shadows, making no sound. But she
sensed his presence and turned toward
him. He sucked in his breath.
I have missed our midnight meetings in
the garden," he said softly.
You wooed me most cleverly when you
promised me adventure in the middle of
the night, did you not? I succumbed to
that lure as I would have succumbed to
no other."
His stomach clenched at the soft
bitterness in her voice. Were you going
to seek an adventure on your own tonight,
Vicky? I doubt there are any gaming
hells or brothels or inns filled with
young lordlings and their opera dancers
in the village." He walked toward her
until he was standing only a short
distance away.
I merely wanted to walk," she said
quietly.
Will you allow me to accompany you?"
Have I any choice in the matter?"
No." As if he would allow her to
wander around out here alone at night,
Lucas thought. Where were you planning
to walk?"
I am not certain. I had not really
thought about it."
He considered quickly, trying to re
member what he had seen during the
past few days as he had ridden over
his lands. There is an empty cottage
not far from here. I believe it belonged
to the gamekeeper back in the days when
stone vale had a gamekeeper. Why don't
we walk there and back?"
All right." She fell silent.
It is a lovely night, is it not?"
I find it rather chilly," she told him
distantly.
Yes," Lucas agreed thinking swiftly.
There was some old firewood stacked
outside the cottage, he recalled. Too bad
he had not ordered the place cleaned
yesterday when he'd examined it. He
stumbled slightly over a nonexistent stone
and stifled a small groan.
What is the matter with you?" Victoria
asked, frowning in annoyance.
Nothing important. My leg is acting up
a bit tonight." He tried to sound stoic and
brave.
Really, Lucas, I should think you would
have learned by now not to go about in
the cold night air when it is paining
you."
You are undoubtedly correct about that,
madam. But you seem to favor running
about at night and that leaves me with
little choice but to accompany you."
You should have gone after an heiress
who is not fond of this sort of sport," she
told him. The Perfect Miss Pilkington
would have done nicely for you."
Do you think so? I admit she was
on Jessica Atherton's list, but somehow
I could not seem to work up much
enthusiasm. There was something a bit
boring about the prospect of being married
to Miss Pilkington. As you and Annabella
said, she was a bit too much like Lady
Atherton."
Victoria retreated deeper into the hood
of her cloak until her voice was muffled.
You are right on that account. If you
think Lady Atherton has grown somewhat
dull over the years, you should see Miss
Pilkington. Do not mistake me. She is very
nice but she's only nineteen and she told
me herself, she believes she may have a
religious calling."
I see. We would not have suited each
other at all. I cannot imagine taking her
to a gaming hell. Nor can I envision
her using a walking stick on a brothel
butler."
On the other hand, she probably
wouldn't have given you any trouble. I
am certain she would have made a most
dutiful wife. Speaking of duty ."
He sighed. Yes?"
Lady Atherton did warn me that I must
be prepared to do mine and provide you
with an heir."
I wouldn't mind throttling Lady Atherton."
She was only trying to help. After all,
you did ask her to assist you in finding
an heiress."
You need not remind me."
Lucas?" Victoria asked shyly.
Hmmm?"
Lady Atherton pointed out that if I
thought doing my duty was going to be
difficult for me, I should only consider how
very hard it was going to be on you to have
to pretend some degree of affection in the
marital bed."
God damn it to hell and back." Lucas
came to a halt and swung her around
to face him. He glared down at her
incredulously. You cannot tell me you
believed her? After that night we spent
together at the inn?"
She faced him staunchly, her eyes
glittering within the shadow of the cloak.
I have learned from both my mother and
my aunt that men do not seem to have
any great degree of difficulty pretending
that sort of physical affection when it suits
them."
Men are not the only ones who can
manage the trick," Lucas muttered, and
then added ruthlessly, Some would say I
have good cause to question the depths of
your feelings that night."
Anger flashed in her gaze. How dare
you question my feelings that night? I was
painfully honest with you about the depth
of my emotions, as I recall."
He shrugged. If your feelings ran as
deep as you imply, I doubt you could
have buried them so quickly afterward."
I buried them quickly because I felt
ill-used. Damn you, I had no choice but
to suppress my foolish affection. I feel
nothing but humiliation whenever I recall
my actions that cursed night."
I must say you have done an excellent
&nb
sp; job of suppressing your feelings. One would
never guess you ever held me in anything
but complete dislike."
Yes, well, that is certainly She broke
off as he stumbled and winced. What's
wrong now?" she demanded impatiently.
I told you, my leg is troubling me
somewhat this evening."
There are times, Lucas, when you
display very little common sense." She
took his arm to steady him. I suppose
we ought to return to the house before
you take a bad fall."
I don't believe I can make it that far.
The cottage is closer. If I could just rest
inside it for a while, I am certain I will
be all right."
Very well," she muttered irritably. Here,
you had better let me assist you."
Thank you, Vicky. You are very kind."
Leaning rather heavily on her, Lucas
allowed himself to be assisted into the
dark confines of the small gamekeeper's
cottage.
Strategy.
Lucas settled himself on the floor of the
cottage, his arm propped on one up-drawn
knee, his sore leg stretched out straight.
He watched cheerfully as Victoria busied
herself building a fire. She had refused to
allow him to carry the wood, insisting he
rest, instead.
This is a pleasant little place, is it not?"
she asked, glancing about as the fire she
had just built blazed into existence and
revealed the interior of the cottage. It
looks like someone has lived here fairly
recently. The chimney is clear and the
floor is not nearly as dusty as one would
expect."
I wouldn't be surprised if some evicted
tenant took up residence here until we
arrived. My uncle was extremely prone to
evictions."
A nasty man."
Bear in mind that I descend from a
slightly different branch of the family," he
pointed out.
Instead of smiling, she took that very
seriously. We are certainly not responsible
for the actions of other members of our
family. Here, let me rub your leg for
you."
Lucas did not protest. His mind was on
fire with images of what had happened the
first time she had rubbed his throbbing leg.
Thank you. I would appreciate it."
She folded her cloak on the floor and
knelt on it. Keeping her eyes focused on
his leg, she went to work, massaging
gently. Lucas groaned at the first touch
of her hands.
Am I hurting you?"
No. That feels wonderful." He closed
his eyes and leaned his head back against
the wall. You can have no idea."
It must have been terrible."
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