Rebel Dreams

by Patricia Rice

  “You almost have it,” Deirdre laughed. “If it were not for women plotting and planning as we do here tonight, men would never get things straight. They would take swords to each other and be done with it. Alex and Rory have come that close to blows, but look how much better it is when they work together. Do you think that would ever have happened if Alyson had not been there whispering soft words in Rory’s ear?”

  A dreamy smile drifted across Alyson’s face as she sought some memory. Evelyn watched her with fascination, knowing Alex considered his cousin half-mad.

  “Not always words, Deirdre,” Alyson said. “We take action too, but we’re not as big and strong as they, so we cannot beat them physically.”

  “But we can join them physically.” Deirdre laughed as she completed out loud what Alyson left unsaid. “We are all married ladies here, cherub, we need not be shy.” She turned her attention to the newest married member of the company. “I think Evelyn already knows the power we can wield without saying a word. I don’t think Alex’s gaze left you all evening.”

  Evelyn blushed and wished she had something to occupy her hands as all eyes turned toward her. She had no power over Alex. He controlled her heart, her soul, her life. She was helpless. Perhaps it was different when a husband loved his wife, but these women did not know that Alex was incapable of love. She shrugged diffidently. “Alex is his own man. I have no desire to control him,” she responded.

  Alyson smiled affectionately, and Deirdre patted her hand. “With Alex, that’s probably wise. Nevertheless, there are some things you must teach him. A little sugar always makes it easier.” She rose and straightened her skirts. “Everett should be awake by now. Will you go up to see him before you go home, Alys?”

  “Rory and I both will. You go on now. I know he’ll wish to see you first.” Alyson sadly watched her stepmother hurry away.

  The unspoken truth lay between them with these simple words. The physicians came and went on a daily basis with pills and nostrums and advice, but the earl’s health still did not improve. Rory and Alyson normally stayed in Deirdre’s old home with their two rambunctious youngsters when in London, but this last week Alyson had practically lived at her father’s side. The strain was beginning to tell despite the evening’s light chatter.

  “I wish there were something I could do,” Evelyn said morosely. “When my father was ill, I managed to keep busy and felt useful, even if I could not make him well. Here I can do nothing, and I feel guilty that Lord Cranville’s illness is partially my fault.”

  “That is nonsense.” Alyson threw her threads and needles in a nearby basket. “Father had this same inflammation of the lungs last year. His physician advised that he return to warmer climes, but he was enjoying himself too much here. The decision to stay was his alone. Marrying Alex is the best thing you could have done for either of them.”

  Evelyn said nothing, and Alyson continued. “I suspect if you mention to Deirdre that you have a talent for business, she will happily unload the household finances on you. She detests bookwork, and with Father ill and Alex so busy, there is no one to help her.”

  That was something Evelyn could do, and she nodded gratefully. Only then did she remember that Alex had never mentioned to his family that she had operated a warehouse and knew bookkeeping. Perhaps Lord Cranville had said something. She was surprised that Lady Alyson did not frown upon such a plebeian occupation, but the earl’s daughter tossed the matter out as if she spoke the price of butter.

  “Thank you, I will do that. Alex is gone so much of the time that I seldom have time to talk with him about such things.”

  Alyson gestured dismissively as she rose to capture her straying husband. “Should you find yourself less than occupied, you need only visit my home. I have two little rogues who wear out more nursemaids and governesses than any ten children. They would be happy to do the same for anyone else foolish enough to volunteer to care for them a little while.”

  The family gathering broke up shortly afterward, but Alex remained in the downstairs study while Evelyn made her way to bed. The huge suite seemed icy, though warm fires burned in the grates. The maid Deirdre had assigned her removed the lovely gown the dressmaker had brought just that day. Deirdre had been the one to hire a mantua-maker to see that Evelyn was adequately gowned, and Deirdre had been the one to introduce her to servants and family. Alex had remained aloof and remote, and she felt his distance as much as the icy chill of these rooms.

  If she only knew why he avoided her, perhaps she could deal with the problem. Surely he did not really believe she had encouraged Thomas Henderson? Her solicitor had called to leave his new address and visit for a few minutes, but there was nothing wrong in that. But then, there had been nothing wrong in viewing the whales the night that Alex had practically attacked her. She had thought it had only been the liquor and his fears for the earl speaking that night. Perhaps she was wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time.

  There was such a distance between their rooms that she did not even know when Alex finally retired. He entered through his own door, avoiding hers as he had every night since they arrived.

  ***

  Henderson called again the next day to see if Evelyn would care to drive in the park or view the sights of London, since her husband was too busy to escort her. Christmas was a week away, and she had done no shopping. She consented without a second thought.

  When they returned laughing, their arms full of packages, Alex was waiting for them. Evelyn caught sight of his black glare but blithely ignored it, surrendering her packages to a maid and her pelisse to a footman. Henderson had no such options. Once the packages were safely on their way upstairs, he had to face Alex.

  “Good evening, Hampton. Home early for a change?” Challenge tinged his voice.

  “I needed to see about a few papers Cranville was holding for me,” Alex replied. “I need to make some decision as to how to use them. Perhaps you and I might discuss them sometime.”

  Though said calmly so as not to cause notice among the servants, Alex’s words hid a silky threat that Evelyn heard plainly. She glanced between the two men and felt their scowls. Without wishing to know what inane game they played, she lifted her skirts and took her leave of them. “I am off to brush the icicles out of my hair, gentlemen, if you will excuse me.” She sidestepped the massive obstruction of her husband to ascend the stairs after the maid.

  Alex waited for the other man to take up his offer or leave. Henderson returned his hat to his head. “Your wife has my address. Call on me if you wish.”

  Alex cursed as the man escaped under the protection of the servants. Swinging on his heel and starting after Evelyn, he halted abruptly, remembering the last time he had tried to warn her away from Henderson. That fiasco flared large in his mind, forcing him to retreat into the study. He reached for a brandy, caught himself, and shoved his hands into his pockets. Somehow he had to sort out this mess he had made of their lives, but he couldn’t do it with drink.

  He had no idea if he had ruined their chances of an annulment. He had meant to persuade Evelyn that she didn’t want to end their marriage at all, but after that night he feared she despised him. Perhaps if he could arrange to have her charges dropped, Evelyn might speak to him without scorn again.

  Not that he had given her much chance to speak to him except in company. She was making a coward of him. Evelyn appeared to be adjusting nicely to his home. He didn’t wish to disturb the peace with his usual rash words. Perhaps he was just learning caution. Sighing, he picked up a pen and busied himself with work.

  Upstairs, Evelyn waited for Alex to follow and vent his anger. It had been exciting to get out of the house and explore a new world today. Henderson was as obsequious as always, but she could easily dismiss him as she perused the enticing curiosities that London’s shops offered. Thomas had assured her that her dowry was sufficient to make her purchases inconsequential. She disliked charging things to Alex, but her lawyer’s assurances had assuaged her con
science. Now she wasn’t at all sure she had done the right thing, but Alex did not come to chastise her.

  On the ship she had wished for the privacy to exchange all the angry words churning in her breast. Now that they had the privacy, they seemed to be treating each other with the delicacy of fragile porcelain. It wasn’t natural to either of their natures. She feared Alex had truly lost interest in her.

  ***

  Alyson descended upon the household with her tribe the next evening. The ensuing screams from the nursery brought Evelyn to investigate. She found her brother on the floor with two wild Indians threatening to scalp him and all three making enough noise to scare off banshees. She looked around for some sign of the nursemaid that should be attending the younger two or the tutor assigned to her brother.

  At the increasing racket, Alyson hastened in from her father’s room, but by then Jacob was in the process of disentangling himself. He glanced at Lady Alyson with a shamed face and tried to hush the toddlers.

  Alex’s black-haired cousin gave the scene a distracted look and turned absently to Evelyn. “Have I misplaced a maid somewhere?”

  Evelyn couldn’t help smiling at her dazed expression. She lifted the younger toddler. A cherub of barely two, he crowed with delight and buried his little fists in Evelyn’s loosely looped hair. “Perhaps she eloped with Jacob’s tutor.”

  “One can only hope.”

  At the unexpected male intrusion, Evelyn swung around so quickly the child in her arms squealed with delight.

  Alex admired the sight of his wife with a child in her arms, hair tumbling in dishevelment about her shoulders. He hated to tear his gaze away, but he could see the other toddler launching a frontal assault. Deftly he bent and scooped up the plump armful before he could be knocked to the floor by an exuberant hug about the knees. Alyson’s little demon let out a war cry suitable for a Highland warrior, nearly deafening him. He laughed and tickled a bare tummy beneath a shirt hanging from dusty breeches.

  “Confess, Jacob, how did you get rid of your wardens?” Alex lifted his burden to his shoulder.

  Jacob relaxed once he realized he wasn’t about to be read a lecture. “I was done with my lessons, and Millie promised the boys a treat. Mr. Harrison said I might have one too if I waited here while they went to fetch it. You’ll probably find them spooning on the back steps. I expect a double helping of Cook’s tarts for watching the brats.”

  “Oh, my, Millie’s really too young. I’ll have to send her back to her mother.” Alyson drifted out in a flutter of petticoats and ribbons, leaving Alex and Evelyn holding the deserted culprits.

  Alex turned back to his flustered wife. “You see what I mean about howling brats, don’t you?”

  As the one on his shoulder was systematically untying Alex’s queue and demolishing his jabot without a word said in reprimand, Evelyn gravely returned his gaze. “Yes, I most certainly do. They shouldn’t be allowed in public until they’re safely out of Oxford, and not even then until they’re firmly under the influence of some genteel young woman.”

  “Right. They’re heathens without fear of God until then,” Alex agreed. “Do you think Cook will give us all tarts if Jacob fetches them?” Well aware that the kitchen was the favorite haunt of starving young lads, Alex watched the boy’s eyes light with eagerness. Jacob was gone before Evelyn could object.

  Evelyn watched this defection with exasperation. The toddlers were already squirming for the freedom of the floor and new delights, and she let her armful down. She skillfully blocked his attempt to follow Jacob.

  Alex laughed and put the Maclean heir on top of a dresser where he could grab at several toys on a wall shelf. “Now what, wife? Have you any experience at minding children?”

  “I rather thought they were supposed to mind us. I don’t suppose they will sit and play quietly with a toy apiece?”

  Alex brought down a large wooden soldier for the tot on the floor. The older brother had both fists wrapped around a stick horse. The younger immediately set up a cry for the elder’s toy.

  Alex leaned his shoulders against the wall, crossed his arms, and waited for Evelyn to resolve the battle. She gave him a scathing look, grabbed a ball from another shelf, and sat down in front of the crying lad. The bouncing ball instantly halted his tears.

  “Stalling tactics, very effective, my dear. Do you wish to spend your life that way?”

  That blunt question brought color to her cheeks, and she refused to look at him. The other boy dropped his horse and rushed to join the game, and both were squealing with glee as a chastened nursemaid hurried in, saving her from reply.

  Jacob and Alyson returned with tarts. Alex took his treat and made his excuses. “I am keeping Farnley waiting, I fear. As much as I would enjoy helping you smear jam across your chins, business calls. My regards, Alyson.” He bowed and stalked out, his back stiff and his stride long.

  Alyson rolled her eyes. “He’s all splendid show, you know. He calls the boys all kinds of terrible names and pretends he detests children, but the children adore him. Children aren’t fools. They know when they’re loved. You’ll notice how quickly he appeared when the commotion began. A man who hated children would have walked out and found the solitude of his club.”

  Evelyn turned her attention to the tot in her lap, who had decided two jam tarts were better than one. “I think I knew that, but it’s nice to hear one’s opinions confirmed. He denounces all of you, as if pretending he doesn’t care will save him from hurt, but he does care, far more than he’ll ever show.”

  “So you know that.” Alyson absently wiped at a sticky hand. “I was wondering if you did.”

  Evelyn laughed as the two-year-old went after an escaping dab of jam with his tongue. Perhaps she wasn’t suited to spending her days in a nursery as Alex had implied, but she rather enjoyed these few precious moments. When the jam was caught, she returned her attention to Lady Alyson. “He had me convinced you were half-mad, but I see now that is a mark of his esteem. He really does admire you.”

  “Moon dreams,” Alyson murmured in the same tone another would have said, fustian. “He thinks dreams are impractical. He is very much a man of the world. But everyone has dreams. We cannot live otherwise. That is why he thinks I’m mad. I’m a dreamer.”

  “Perhaps, then, so am I.” Evelyn set down her tyke for the nursemaid to wash and rose from the table. “Do you think your husband would mind very much if I asked to speak with him and the family solicitor?”

  Wiping the hands of her son, Alyson answered without hesitation, “I will tell him that you have asked. I’m sorry Father isn’t well enough to help you, but Rory will gladly lend his hand.”

  It had taken every ounce of courage Evelyn possessed to make that request. She hadn’t known she would do it until the words were out.

  It was time one of them quit stalling.

  Chapter 27

  Christmas Eve Alex returned home early, only to find Henderson just stepping into a carriage and pulling away. Alex clenched the package in his coat pocket as if he could take his wrath out on the object. Somehow he would have to warn Evelyn away from her lawyer. He had thought warning Henderson away would be sufficient, but the man seemed particularly dense. Perhaps he ought to turn the evidence over to the authorities and devil take the Upton family. Trying to do the honorable thing didn’t seem to be reaping many rewards.

  Unfortunately, he had too many other concerns to bother with smugglers again. He’d ended their use of his ships and Evelyn’s warehouse. Now he had the problem of the charges against Evelyn plus the situation in the colonies, along with the day-to-day concerns of an organization as large as Cranville Enterprises.

  He had taken the time from his busy schedule to make a few personal purchases for Christmas, but he could see the time would have been better used guarding his own front door. Containing his anger, Alex entered the house just as Rory and the family solicitor came into the hall.

  Their expressions as they saw him betrayed a hint
of guilt, as if he had just been the topic of conversation. Cursing to himself for not being able to go directly to Evelyn, Alex set aside his hat and greeted them.

  Rory was seldom given to physical expressions of affection toward his partner, but he slapped Alex soundly on the back. “Decided no work can be done when the whole town is closed for the holiday?”

  “Something like that. What brings you here? Shouldn’t you be home singing carols with your wife? And I should think Mr. Farnley serves us well enough to deserve a holiday too.”

  “I’m going home directly,” Farnley assured him. “I must tell you that it is a pleasure knowing your wife. A fine, sound mind she has. I congratulate you on your choice. Many another in your place would not have noticed her quality.”

  Meaning anyone else expecting to hold the title of earl would have sought among the nobility for a bride, Alex translated. But then, very few of the nobility would be interested in a man engaged in trade. Cranville called it “investing,” and for him, perhaps, it was. The earl had made his fortune and had no need to earn more. Alex’s position was more precarious. The bulk of the Cranville fortune had gone to Alyson on the death of Everett’s father. Everett’s wealth would go to Deirdre and a daughter in Barbados. Alex had only what he earned. A wife who knew what it meant to earn money was perfect for him.

  “Evelyn and I are well suited,” he agreed. He didn’t know why Evelyn’s name had come into the conversation, but he had more pressing business and was anxious to see these two gone.

  They, too, seemed eager to be off. As soon as they left, Alex strode up to the suite. It seemed the logical place to look for a woman who had just been out with her cicisbeo.

  He entered through the sitting room, catching Evelyn by surprise. She swung around with a guilty start, still holding the papers she was placing in the secretary. Seeing him, she hastily closed the drawer.