Tom and Jack hovered, their faces crumpled. “Is Uncle Lucas poorly, Melza?” Tom asked.
“Why has he got a lump on his forehead, Melza?” Jack tugged on her sleeve.
“He fell off his horse, but I’m sure he’s no more than dazed. Keep well away from Bruno; remember he doesn’t like noisy boys.”
“Can we hold the grey horse, Melza? Bill’s taking Bruno.”
The stable boy had already grasped the gelding’s reins. She hesitated. This was not a good idea. The children could be in danger, especially from the massive horse. She was torn; Lucas needed her but the children’s safety was paramount. “Jethro, you and Molly take Dr. Fairfield upstairs. I’ll sort out the horses.”
Turning back, her eyes widened. Lucas’s horse, who had previously looked ready to eat her brothers, had lowered his head and was gently nuzzling the boys. His ears were pricked as if listening to them chattering.
Bill grinned and scratched his head. “Would you look at that, miss? Ain’t as fierce as we thought. I reckon he’s got used to us now and ain’t so tetchy.”
Demelza walked over and patted the huge animal’s sweating neck. “Bruno, I believe I could begin to like you. Come along, boys, let Bill take care of this one and we’ll unload the grey.”
“Shall I take off the packages, Melza? If I stand on the mounting block I can easily undo them,” her sister asked.
“Thank you, Serena, but first take her to the water trough. Josie and Betty will be here in a minute or two to help us carry all these interesting parcels into the house.”
Sure enough, a few moments later the girls came out and were as eager as the children to unload the patient beast.
Demelza forced herself to smile as if she wasn’t concerned in any way about Lucas. “Serena, I shall leave you and the boys to take care of the mare. I must finish the task I started before Dr. Fairfield returned so unexpectedly.”
Molly was in the kitchen, preparing a tray for Lucas. “The master says as you’re not to worry, miss. I’m taking him up a nice meal. I reckon he’ll be a lot better after that.”
Demelza stiffened. “In which case, I shall start unpacking the belongings he brought back. No doubt I’ll be given my next orders by the master when he’s feeling more the thing.”
Molly scowled. The cook was unused to being spoken to so harshly. Immediately, Demelza regretted her comment.
“As I wish to speak to Dr. Fairfield, I’ll take up his meal. I think after all the excitement, we could all do with a cool drink. Perhaps now is the time to use some of the lemons I bought the other day to make a delicious jug of lemonade?”
Jethro was on his way down when she entered the hall. He nodded and beamed at her. “The master’s fair starving, my lovely. I hopes you got plenty on that tray.”
“Enough for several hungry men. The children are with the horses. I’d like you to bring in Dr. Fairfield’s baggage.”
Josie appeared from the rear of the house, her arms full of brown paper parcels. “I’ll leave these in the parlour, shall I, Miss Tregorran? I reckon the master will want to sort them out for his self tomorrow.”
Demelza closed her mouth with a snap, barely restraining the urge to forcibly correct the girl’s comment. Were all the staff under the same misapprehension? This wouldn’t do at all. In her house she should decide what happened. She should have explained things better to Molly and Jethro. She had neglected to put everyone straight on this matter. To the servants Lucas must seem as he were in charge: he was certainly the paymaster after all.
“Do that, Josie. Could you please make sure they’re neatly placed and not higgledy-piggledy all over the floor?”
Fortunately, his chamber door was open and she was able to walk in without hindrance. The contents of the tray almost slithered off as she stared at the empty bed.
“Here, allow me to take that before you drop it. I’m famished. I don’t want to lose a single morsel.”
She blinked and looked away, her cheeks turning pink. He was standing beside her in his breeches. The sight of his broad chest sent shivers down her spine. She’d seen him from a distance with as little on, but close up he was quite overwhelming. Shoving the tray into his outstretched hands, she turned and marched to the window seat where she sat, back firmly turned. “Kindly put on some clothes, Lucas. A gentleman should not prance around his bedchamber in front of a lady the way you are.”
His hateful chuckle made her want to throw something at him. “Very well, give me a moment and I’ll find a clean shirt.” Drawers opened and fabric rustled and then he spoke again. “You can turn round, sweetheart. I’m respectable again.”
“And another thing, kindly don’t use endearments when addressing me. It’s not at all proper and could be misconstrued by anyone who overheard.”
His eyebrows arched. “I beg your pardon, my love. I address your siblings as affectionately and you don’t object to that.”
“You know very well what I mean. Eat your supper. I have things I must discuss with you before we go down and join the children.” She half smiled; he was difficult to resist when he was in a teasing mood. “I take it you don’t intend to remain in bed? You have remarkable powers of recovery. Less than half an hour ago you were barely able to stand.”
He shrugged. “Tell me what brings you unchaperoned to my bedchamber. It must be important.”
She told him of the unwanted visit from Mrs. Reynolds and made it abundantly clear she disapproved both of his drinking and his fighting. “I want your word that you will not further tarnish my good name.”
His lopsided grin slipped. “Coming here as you have is only going to add fuel to the rumours. For a girl who wishes to keep her reputation unsullied you’re going about it in a strange way.”
She looked at him in shock. He was perfectly correct; she must have run mad to come up here like this. A proper young lady would never enter a gentleman’s bedchamber unless it was that of her husband. Hastily, she retreated toward the door. He held up his hand to stop her.
“Please, don’t go. The damage is already done. I think your staff are loyal; they’ll not go into the village and gossip about either of us. I have things I must tell you.”
He looked so serious, her heart all but stopped. “Have you decided to leave us again?”
He didn’t answer, his mouth was too full of meat pasty, but his eyes were laughing back at her. He swallowed and took a long draught of cider. “That, my love, remains to be seen. No, don’t poker up…I was jesting.” He munched his way through half his meal before speaking again. “This gossip. I know how we can silence the tabbies. What happened is something I’ve given serious consideration to. We can say we are betrothed.”
Her mouth dropped open. How could he say such a thing so casually? Was this another jest? Unsure how to respond, she busied herself refilling his pewter tankard.
“Demelza, my love, I should not have blurted it out like that. I have feelings for you and I thought that you return them. Am I incorrect?”
Hardly daring to believe that he had made a genuine offer she raised her head. His eyes blazed into hers. “We have known each other such a short time. It’s far too soon to talk of…to talk of such things.”
Slowly he replaced his cutlery and pushed his chair back. She was pinned to her seat by his gaze. Her heart pounded and she was finding it hard to breathe. Dramatically he dropped to one knee and clasped her trembling hands.
“My angel, I love you. From the moment I saw you on the beach I knew you were the one I’ve been waiting for. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
She wanted to say yes, to throw herself into his arms and declare her love, but somehow she managed to hold back. “I think I do love you, Lucas, but I can’t say yes. You have obligations on the other side of the country and I have them here.” She twisted her hands in her lap. “It’s far too soon to talk about such things. When we know each other better, please ask me again.”
For answer he stood and pulled h
er up with him. His arms encircled her waist and his mouth closed over hers. She should protest but a heady excitement spiralled through her and she stretched to return his kiss. Eventually he released her and her legs threatened to give way. He smiled down, his eyes tender.
“Darling girl, if you love me then you will not hesitate to come with me when I leave. But I shall respect your wishes and not insist on an answer until you’ve had time to consider.”
“Thank you. Now, I shall sit over there on the window seat whilst you finish your repast and tell me all about your trip.”
He returned to the table and resumed eating. Between mouthfuls he looked over. “I’m a determined man, sweetheart, I’ve never been denied. I shall convince you that your life is with me in Hertfordshire.”
Demelza blinked back her tears. She loved him so much, but how could she ever agree to marry him when his plans didn’t include Serena, Jack or Tom? At no time had he mentioned them; the offer was for her alone. She would not marry a man, however much she loved him, if he didn’t love her darlings as much as she did.
Lucas finished his meal. “It’s good to be home again, I believe that Molly’s as good a cook as any I’ve met abroad.” He brushed off the crumbs and pushed the tray to one side.
“Another thing, Lucas. I wish there to be no further intimacies between us. I’m certain Serena is beginning to suspect our feelings might be engaged. I no longer wish us to spend time alone.”
He slammed his hand down and the tray all but leapt from the table. “God’s teeth!”
Demelza shot up from the window seat. She wished he wouldn’t use bad language or bang the furniture in this way; it was most disturbing. “You might have been an officer, but please keep your military language to yourself. I take it you don’t agree with my suggestion?”
“I certainly do not. I have told you that I love you and want to marry you. I know you will say yes when you have thought about it for a while. I don’t want to hear anything else.”
Tears spilled onto her cheeks. Why couldn’t he understand her hesitation? Did he think her a heartless sister? She straightened and faced him. “Then I will give you my answer. No, I cannot marry you. Now, excuse me, I have…”
Suddenly he was beside her, too close…her pulse raced. She couldn’t think straight. His arms slid around her waist. She trembled. She opened her mouth to protest but her words were smothered as his lips closed over hers in a tender kiss. She pressed her hands against his chest but he ignored her feeble protest.
This felt so right; her curves fitted perfectly to his hard frame. She relaxed into his embrace and her body was suffused with a delicious sensation she didn’t recognize. Then sanity returned and she shoved him violently. “Stop this at once. You can’t take liberties like this. I told you. I am not going to marry you.”
His arms dropped away and she was free. “I beg your pardon, sweetheart. I should not have done that but I could not bear to see you so distressed.”
“Enough; I do not wish to discuss it. Are you a man who keeps your word?”
A flash of anger crossed his face. “I am a gentleman. When I give my word, I keep it.”
“In which case, sir, give me your word that you’ll not attempt to kiss me again.” She held her breath. For a moment she thought he would refuse. Then he nodded curtly and turned away to pull on his jacket.
“Good. Also I want no further mention of there being feelings between us.”
He glanced toward the window and grinned. “Very well, whatever you say. Excellent, my purchases are coming in. Fetch the children. I have something to give each of you.”
He was over fond of issuing orders, but no doubt this was due to his military background. With a resigned sigh, she went into the yard to find Serena and her brothers. They were hanging over the fence, feeding the new arrivals with bits of stale bread cadged from Molly.
“Serena, Jack, Tom, you must come in now. Lucas wants to speak to you.”
The three of them scampered across the cobbles. Jack arrived first at her side. “That big horse is funny, he picked Tom up by his collar.”
“Good heavens, I hope he didn’t hurt your brother. Were you teasing him, Tom?”
“I wasn’t, Melza. Lucas’s horse is my friend now. We were playing. Look, he’s laughing and nodding at us.”
Demelza glanced across and indeed the massive gelding looked as if he was doing just that. His long yellow teeth were bared and his head was bobbing up and down. “It’s wonderful to have horses here again. Two weeks ago we had none and now we have three.”
“And we have lots of people to help us. There’s Bill and Silas in the stables. I like it with Uncle Lucas and Mrs. Smith living here. I never want them to go away.”
“Uncle Lucas has his own home to go to at the end of the summer, Serena, so we must make the most of him whilst he’s here.”
The last of the packages had been transferred to the drawing room. The children bounced with excitement at the sight of so many interesting objects. Lucas was examining each in turn.
“Ah…at last. I was beginning to think nobody wanted a gift from Plymouth.” He tossed a brown paper parcel to each child and winked at Demelza.
“Mrs. Smith, this is for you. I thought the new novel everyone is talking about would suit you.”
Martha exclaimed when she unwrapped the book. “Look, my dear! Pride and Prejudice. I’ve heard so much about it. Thank you, Dr. Fairfield.” She rushed off with her prize, presumably to begin reading it straight away.
“I’ve got a pretty shawl. Look, Melza, it’s got daisies and primroses embroidered all over.” Serena rushed across and threw herself into Lucas’s lap. For a second his arms remained at his sides, then he hugged her back. “Thank you, thank you, Uncle Lucas. It’s exactly what I wanted.”
Tom and Jack were having difficulty with their string but refused offers of assistance. “We can do it, can’t we Jack? We’re not babies.”
Eventually the knots were undone and the paper ripped away to reveal half a dozen lead soldiers for each child. Their screams of excitement at being given such treasure brought tears to Demelza’s eyes.
How could he be so kind to her siblings and not wish them to be part of his life? Was it guilt that prompted him?
“Remember your manners, boys. What do you say to Uncle Lucas for such a wonderful gift?”
They, too, flung themselves at him shouting their thanks; he laughed and ruffled their hair “I’m glad you like the soldiers. Now, off you go and play with them. You’re far too noisy to be inside.”
“Melza, I’m going to help Molly make scones for tea. Can I wear my wrap this afternoon or does it have to be kept for best?”
“I should keep it for Sundays, sweetheart. But as long as you don’t wear it whilst you’re getting covered in flour you may keep it on for the rest of today.” Her sister ran out, leaving her alone with him. She smiled. “Thank you for the children’s gifts. I can’t imagine how you managed to purchase so much in such a short space of time.”
“Aren’t you going to ask me what your gift is? Which parcel do you think contains something for you?” With dancing eyes he tossed three into her lap. “I had to guess your size, I hope you like them.” Without waiting for her to thank him, or open the packages, he headed for the door. “The grey mare is also yours. Her name is Silver. I couldn’t resist her, she’s perfect for you. I take it you can ride?”
Clutching her presents to her chest, her throat clogged and she could only nod. He smiled a toe-curling smile and sauntered off, leaving her surrounded by other unopened parcels. He had given her a riding horse. It was the best gift in the world.
She frowned at the parcels he’d left behind. No doubt these items were his and he expected her to transfer them to his closet. He was obviously accustomed to having servants running after him. It would be churlish to complain when he’d been so generous.
Scooping up as many of the items as she could, she carried them upstairs and dumped them on
his bed.
Botheration!
She shook her head. Now her things were muddled up with his and she could hardly open everything in order to discover which were meant for her. It was unseemly for her to handle his garments. Betty could do that when she’d finished her morning tasks.
What she would do was check her breeches and riding boots still passed muster. She smiled wryly when she put them on. The breeches would need a belt of some sort to keep them up. She was shocked to think how much weight she must have lost for them to fall straight down as they did. Her boots were equally loose, but with two pairs of stockings inside they would do. She’d never had a riding habit. Around here, women rode astride like their men folk. Her lips twitched at the thought of Lucas’s face when he saw her dressed like this.
Chapter Eight
Demelza changed back into her everyday clothes. Her first ride must wait until the mare had recovered from her arduous journey. She wasn’t sure where Lucas was but had no wish to come face to face with him at the moment. She decided to walk into the village when she’d finished sorting the linen and gauge for herself the amount of gossip associated with her name.
With her bonnet swinging from one hand and her reticule in the other, she stepped out onto the terrace.
Oh dear, another storm was imminent.
“So, here you are. You have been conspicuous by your absence, my dear. Are you by any chance avoiding me?” Lucas was sitting on the stone bench, legs stretched out in front of him and apparently unmoved by their emotional interlude upstairs. However, his complexion was a trifle pale and the lump on his forehead was turning an interesting shade of blue.
“I’m not. I’ve been completing a task upstairs.”
He smiled. “I’ve got my evening rig. Shall we all dress for dinner?”
“You don’t look at all well, Lucas. Perhaps you should dine in your room tonight?” She raised a hand to forestall his protest. “And anyway, I’ve nothing suitable. My silk is too hot for such a humid evening.”
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