However, it proved hard to concentrate and she found her attention straying from the novel to the alcove opposite where her brother’s picture hung. The dark gaze held hers, steady, kind and understanding. Being only a year apart they were close as children, finding in each other the warmth and affection so lacking in their parent. It was always easy to talk to Henry. He was a good listener and he never judged her. She wished so much that she could talk to him now. What advice would he give? It might be impossible to answer that, but she could at least keep faith with him; could at least try to serve her country, as he had.
* * *
Being deeply engrossed in thought she failed to hear the door open and, as she was curled up in the chair, the Earl was halfway across the room before he noticed her presence. He checked abruptly, taking in the scene at a glance. At any other time he might have smiled at its artless charm, but just then what struck him most forcibly was the expression on her face. It was sad and wistful and achingly lonely. More than ever he would have liked to draw her close and kiss away the sadness he saw there, but he knew he could not. If he touched her he might not be able to stop at a single kiss and anyway she would not welcome the attention. Conscious of trespass, he would have retreated then, but some sixth sense warned her that she wasn’t alone any more. She looked round quickly, her expression registering both surprise and wariness.
‘Anthony.’
‘Forgive me, my dear. I didn’t mean to startle you.’
Keenly aware of him and of her informal position, she straightened and rose from the chair. ‘Was there something you wanted?’
‘I came in for those.’ He nodded towards the papers reposing on the small table nearby.
‘Ah. Yes, of course.’ She summoned a brittle smile. ‘Be my guest.’
He drew nearer and then glanced towards the picture she had been looking at before. It was head and shoulders portrait of a young man in army uniform. His warm colouring was very like Claudia’s, and, although the lines of the jaw and brow were much stronger, he could detect similarities in the eyes and mouth.
‘Your brother?’
‘Yes. It was painted just before Henry went to Spain.’
‘I can see a certain likeness between you.’
She nodded. ‘I like to think there is one.’
‘You and he were very close, I collect.’
‘He was my best friend.’ The words came out involuntarily. Moreover, they revealed rather more than she had intended and she was immediately aware of the attention bent her way. She averted her eyes to the painting again.
The Earl smiled faintly. ‘My brothers and sisters died in infancy so I never got to know them, but I have often thought that it must be pleasant to have siblings close in age to oneself and to whom one felt an affinity.’
‘I don’t know what I would have done without Henry,’ she replied. ‘He was a rock in all the turmoil.’
‘Your mother’s untimely death must have been a dreadful shock.’
‘It was, but the turmoil began long before. Like so many of their generation, my parents’ marriage was arranged but it was not a happy union. Some of my earliest memories are of their rows. Those became increasingly bitter with time.’ She sighed. ‘Their tastes and interests were opposed, and my mother, though beautiful, possessed of a fiery temper. My father was authoritarian, a cold and undemonstrative man, though I think he did care for her in his way.’
‘And what of you and your brother?’
‘Henry was the heir. My mother doted on him. My father, though he could never be said to dote, was nevertheless very proud of him and took a keen interest in his education and his future career.’ She smiled ruefully. ‘Being a girl I was never of any consequence to either of my parents. After my mother died, my father hired a governess and considered his duty done. He never showed any interest in me, until I was old enough to be of use to him. Henry was the only person who ever made me feel that I mattered.’
‘I see.’ Suddenly he did see; indeed a great many things became clear.
Claudia glanced up at him. ‘I think it is not uncommon. Sons always take precedence over daughters in terms of importance.’
‘Even so, it does not excuse emotional neglect.’
‘And yet, having met your father, I suspect that your own experience was not so very different.’
‘It wasn’t,’ he replied, ‘or not where he was concerned. My mother was affectionate when we met, though I saw little of her, and there wasn’t a Henry around to confide in.’
‘I was fortunate in that at least.’
‘Yes, you were.’
‘I used to be able to tell him anything, and he was never shocked or angry.’
‘An ideal confidant then.’
‘We would talk about all manner of things. He was always interested in politics, and especially the progress of the war. He said he wanted to serve his country, not sit in a dreary office surrounded by ledgers.’
‘How did your father respond to that? Surely he wanted his son to go into the business after him.’
‘Yes, but Henry refused. They had a fierce argument about it, but, in the end, my father backed down and agreed to buy him a commission in the army.’
‘What about the business?’
‘One of my cousins stepped into the role that Henry declined.’ She shook her head. ‘Sometimes I try to imagine how things would have been if he had stayed, but it’s always much easier to see him leading a charge.’
‘His love of adventure has rubbed off on you.’
‘I suppose it has, although I still can’t see myself leading a cavalry charge.’
Anthony smiled. ‘Well, that’s a relief anyway.’
‘It was a great pity he never married. I should have liked to have some little nieces and nephews.’
He glanced down at her. ‘Should you?’
‘Yes. I like children.’ As the implications of that remark dawned, she hurried on. ‘I mean, I’m sure I should have liked them...if he’d ever had any. Which he didn’t.’
The Earl’s lips twitched. For a moment he fought temptation but it proved too strong. ‘And should you not like to have children of your own, Claudia?’
Under that cool scrutiny her blush deepened. ‘I...I really hadn’t thought of it.’
‘No?’
‘Of course not. How should I? It was never relevant.’
‘And now?’
She lifted her chin. ‘It is no more relevant now than it was before.’
As soon as the words were out she knew them for falsehood. The subject was going to become increasingly important because Ulverdale would require an heir. Moreover, Anthony would be within his rights whether he demanded one or many children. Her entire body turned hot at the thought. Out of nowhere came the thought that it might be pleasant to have a family of her own. Then the spectres of pregnancy and childbirth returned with force. She had no intention of becoming a brood mare to satisfy the Brudenell family’s dynastic interests. However, there was more involved here than just her feelings. Given the situation, what were the odds that history would repeat itself? Even if she braved childbirth and survived, would Anthony love his children, care for his children, or would he reveal the same indifference to his offspring as his father had shown? As indeed her father had shown? How would Anthony regard her once he had the heir he needed? Would he abandon her as he had before? The possibility was chilling.
Although he was unable to follow her thoughts, her expression was more eloquent. Therefore, instead of the verbal challenge she had been expecting, he merely returned a wry smile.
‘You’re right of course, my dear.’ He retrieved the papers from the table. ‘And now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and read these and leave you to your book.’
She waited until the door closed behind
him and then hurled her novel on to the chair, furious with herself for rising to the bait. He must have enjoyed that little scene immensely. The wretched man always seemed to know exactly how to provoke her, and she fell for it. She already knew he didn’t love her; he didn’t even want her apparently. Her unwillingness to share his bed was a matter of supreme indifference to him. It shouldn’t have mattered to her either, but the knowledge rankled deeply. To be an unwanted wife was bad enough, but to be a virgin wife took a bad joke to a new dimension. Of course, Anthony had time on his side. They were husband and wife and he was no doubt calculating that, eventually, she would yield. Even worse was the inability to forget how it had felt to share his bed. Her treacherous thoughts kept returning there giving rise to sensations that were as shocking as they were unexpected. It was like a sickness that had no cure.
* * *
Anthony scanned The Times, his mind rapidly assimilating the details of the latest news from France. Given the rapidity with which Napoleon was gathering his forces together, confrontation was inevitable. The only question was where? No doubt Genet’s spies were kept busy trying to learn the details of troop movements, and the most likely route for an invasion. If the work had been dangerous before it was much more so now. For a moment Alain Poiret’s face came to mind. You must warn Claudine...get her safe away.
The Earl frowned. Thank heaven the warning had come in time to get her out, in spite of her initial efforts to thwart him. His former career had led him to the expectation of instant obedience from those in his command. Nothing had prepared him for Claudia. Of course, he’d fondly imagined then that their relationship would be of short duration. How wrong could a person be? Yet being wrong, would he change things?
It took but a moment to know the answer. She was in his blood; had been from their meeting on that astonishing evening in Paris. It was vain to deny it. He wanted her as he’d never wanted a woman in his life, but it meant nothing without her full and free consent. He sighed. Once he might have rated his chances more highly; might have been able to woo her and win her, but that was before a French cavalry sabre had destroyed his face.
* * *
An improvement in the weather next morning provided all the excuse Claudia needed to get out of the house. However, when she arrived at the stables it was to find that Anthony was already there and a groom leading out his horse. The bay was a beautiful animal standing over sixteen hands and, quite evidently, being possessed of a spirited temperament. She guessed that it wouldn’t be an easy horse to ride. With its small head and powerful neck and flowing mane it had the look of the Spanish breed. Had Anthony brought it back with him? Suddenly she was curious.
The Earl swung into the saddle and was about to depart when he looked up and saw her. His gaze lingered. The full-skirted green habit was elegant and in the first stare of fashion. It also showed off her figure to advantage. The jacket was cut in the latest military style, its severe lines relieved by gold frogging. A dashing feathered shako completed the outfit.
He smiled. ‘Good morning, my dear.’
Feigning nonchalance, she returned the greeting. Then, to divert his attention, she nodded towards the horse. ‘That’s a beautiful animal. Andalucian?’
‘That’s right.’
‘What do you call him?’
‘Diablo.’
‘And is he a devil?’
‘He can be, when he feels like it.’
She could well believe it. The bay was no mount for a novice. As the groom led Spirit out the mare looked small in comparison.
The Earl glanced at the chestnut and then at Claudia. ‘Come with me this morning.’
She hesitated, but it was impossible to refuse without seeming sulky or petulant. Better to let him think she attached no importance to the matter one way or another.
‘As you wish.’
He waited while the groom helped her into the saddle. Supremely conscious of the Earl’s undivided attention, she casually arranged her skirts and gathered her reins.
‘Ready?’ he asked.
‘Yes.’
As they set off he reined the bay alongside. For a little while they rode in silence. For all her feigned indifference Claudia was aware of the man to her fingertips. From time to time she darted a glance his way. He had an excellent seat, she noticed, but then it was hard not to when the close fitting riding clothes accentuated every line of that hard, virile frame. A frame whose strength she had already experienced. The hands that held the reins with such deceptive lightness now were also capable of punishment—and arousal. Far from being an imposition, his presence was both stimulating and exciting. Embarrassed by the direction of her thoughts and annoyed with herself for thinking them, she looked quickly away.
In fact the Earl hadn’t noticed that covert inspection. His attention was temporarily elsewhere, taking in the prosperous and well-tended look of the whole demesne. It was everywhere apparent from the neatly-laid hedges and clear, free-running ditches to the cultivated fields in the distance where the new green wheat showed above the dark earth. He looked across at his companion.
‘Is Charles Trevor still the land agent here?’
‘He retired four years ago,’ she said. ‘His son, Hugh, now occupies the position.’
‘I see. An appointee of my father’s, I presume.’
‘No, an appointee of mine.’
The Earl knew he shouldn’t have been surprised, but all the same he was.
‘Hugh Trevor learned the business from his parent,’ Claudia went on, ‘and bids fair to be every bit as good.’
‘You say that with great confidence so you must be familiar with the quality of his work.’
‘Of course. We have regular meetings, and I have ridden out with him and his father on numerous occasions.’ She smiled reminiscently. ‘Hugh has the same love of the land. He is so enthusiastic and energetic, and very knowledgeable about the latest farming methods.’
The warmth of her tone combined with the smile didn’t escape her companion. However, he was also curious and didn’t want to stop Claudia in this expansive mood.
‘Is he indeed?’
She nodded. ‘His introduction of the new plough and seed drill paid dividends on the wheat harvest last year.’
‘Did it?’
‘Yes. The yield increased by about five tons to the acre.’
The Earl became more intrigued by the moment. That any young woman should take an interest in such things was entirely beyond his experience. He decided to probe a little further.
‘And what did you do with the extra profit?’
‘Most of it was invested in more up-to-date machinery. There was a new harrow that Mr Trevor was particularly keen to acquire. The rest paid for replacement thatch on the farm labourers’ cottages in Thorney Lane.’
As he listened the Earl was quietly impressed. It was quite apparent that she had involved herself fully in the running of the estate, and he applauded that. She was interested and knowledgeable and, he suspected, competent. That she should have undertaken such a role only served to revive his guilt.
Unable to decipher his thoughts, Claudia wondered if he were displeased. Now that he was back perhaps he felt it was not her place to make financial decisions on that scale.
‘Do you mind?’ she asked.
‘Do I mind what, my dear?’
‘That the money should have been spent in that way.’
‘Certainly not. You have made all the right decisions. Not many young women would concern themselves over such things.’
‘Well, someone had to.’ As soon as the words were out she could have bitten off her tongue. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean...that is, I...’ she broke off, floundering.
‘Don’t be uneasy. You were right: someone had to and I wasn’t here.’
Spots of colou
r appeared in her cheeks. ‘The work was overdue. I would have done something about it before if I’d been able to. However, it was out of the question until I attained my majority. Your father had no interest in Oakley Court, or his tenants.’
‘I can quite believe it. He had no interest in anything besides gaming and hunting.’ He smiled wryly. ‘When I was a child I used to hope he would take me out riding or shooting or fishing. He never did.’
‘Why would any man let such opportunities slip? He might have established a much closer bond between you.’
‘He never saw them as opportunities, only as potential hindrance. Besides, he didn’t want a close bond.’
‘But your mother cared.’
‘Yes, but she was dominated by him. I was left first in the care of a nursemaid and then a tutor, and brought out for inspection once a day. If the tutor reported any deficiencies in my behaviour or studies my father would administer a beating.’
‘Good heavens.’
‘When I was nine I was sent away to school. My father said the discipline would do me good.’
Claudia paled. ‘That’s dreadful.’
‘Not in the least. It was a blessed relief since the regime at Eton was much easier and far more pleasant.’
The tone was light enough but she glimpsed the hurt that lay beneath. It revealed an unexpected vulnerability. The lonely, brutal childhood had in part shaped the man he had become. The conversation shed light on an area of his life about which she knew nothing, and it whetted her curiosity.
‘What happened after Eton?’
‘Cambridge; at my father’s insistence. I wanted a career in the army, but that is usually the preserve of younger sons and the old man wouldn’t hear of it.’ He paused. ‘Then, at the end of the second year I was summoned home and informed that I was to marry.’
‘I can well imagine how that was received.’
‘Yes, I expect you can. There was a fierce row, of course, and I refused point blank to comply, until the full extent of the financial situation was revealed. After that I knew there was no choice.’ He shot a swift look her way. ‘Hardly a flattering description of events, is it?’
The Caged Countess Page 10