“Where are you?”
He was closer than she knew.
Nine
DEVERELL LOUNGED AT THE FOOT OF HER large bed. The dark did not affect his vision, and he watched as she snuggled into the deep feather pillows. She closed her eyes and gave a tiny sigh of contentment. The day had been long, and she must be more tired than she would ever admit. He decided not to continue their conversation.After all, hadn’t everything been said that could, should be said?
“Where are you?” she mumbled in a drowsy voice.
“Sweet dreams,” he whispered, his voice as light as a breeze.
The corners of her mouth lifted in a smile as her breathing deepened in sleep.
Certainly he had never found watching a woman sleep mesmerizing before. Had never wondered about her dreams.When he began wondering what she would look like if he held her in his arms, he knew he needed to leave. Immediately.
Josie woke with a start, having slept better than ever. She stretched in the luxurious feather bed, vowing to get one when she returned home no matter what the cost. Usually an early riser, she welcomed the morning sunbeam that found its way through a crack in the bed curtains.Today she needed to seek out Dev and persuade him to convince his mother to hold a séance...hopefully that very evening.
A little shiver shook her insides, but whether it was the thought of seeing him again or attending the séance or just plain ordinary hunger she refused to analyze. Instead she jumped out of bed, eager to get started.
She was soon stymied by her inability to dress herself in the fashions of the day. After considering whether she could get away with skipping the dreaded corset, she rang for Dora to help.When the maid arrived with a large pitcher of hot water, Josie had already chosen her clothes for the day and laid the multiple pieces out on the bed.
“Yes, miss? Oh, my! What are you doing?”
“Getting dressed, of course.”
“But it’s so early.You haven’t even had your hot chocolate and toast. I’ll get that right...”
“Never mind that. I need your help getting dressed so I can go downstairs for a proper breakfast. I’m starving and I need protein.”
The maid looked confused.
“Eggs,” Josie explained.“Bacon. Sausage.”
“L...ladies don’t usually eat breakfast.”
“I don’t see why not. It’s my favorite meal.”
“They don’t usually rise until after ten o’clock.”
“Waste of the best part of the day.”
“But you can’t eat in the dining room with the men.That wouldn’t be proper.”
Josie bit her bottom lip.Talking about breakfast had made her hungrier than ever, and she was more than ready to leave the room, which suddenly seemed confining. “Fine. I’ll have my breakfast on the terrace.You can bring me a tray.”
“Outside?”
“Of course.”
“But...but...”
“I know, it’s not proper,” Josie guessed, rolling her eyes.“Surely picnics are proper.”
“Well, yes.”
“Fine. We’ll call it a breakfast picnic.”
“I suppose I could ask one of the footmen to move a small table from the parlor to the terrace.”
“Excellent. You do that and I’ll meet you downstairs as soon as Mrs. Binns is ready.”
“Oh, she’s sound asleep in her chair. Poor thing didn’t sleep a wink before dawn. I know because she rang for tea several times during the night.”
Josie decided to let the other woman sleep, but she wasn’t ready to give up on her idea.“Nellie can let us know when she wakes, and until then you can have breakfast with me.”
“Oh no, miss.That would...”
“Not be proper,” Josie finished.
“Staff had the morning meal hours ago.”
“Fine. I have no problem eating alone.” Heaven knew she’d done it many times before. On the road. At home in front of the television. The trick to dining solo in a restaurant was to bring something to read. “You run along and get things started. I’ll meet you downstairs. And don’t be skimpy on the portions. I’m starving.”
“But miss...”
“No more arguments. My mind is made up.”
Dora left muttering about crazy foreigners, which only made Josie smile. If only the girl knew how very far she’d really come to get there.
After grabbing her book and a thick shawl, Josie tiptoed across the sitting room and let herself out as quietly as possible so as not to disturb Mrs. Binns. Her soft leather shoes made little noise on the plush Persian carpet as she walked down the hall. She slowed when she heard angry voices ahead.
Suddenly an unfamiliar maid came barreling around the corner. The young girl sobbed into her apron as she rushed past and disappeared through the door to the servants’ passage at the end of the hall.
Ready to confront whoever had made the girl cry, Josie turned back toward the low voices and marched to the turn in the hall that led to the grand stairway. She pulled to a stop when she recognized Dev and one of the men she’d met the night before.
“Aw, come off it,Waite,” Galway said, his words slurred as if he was still drunk from the night before. He was barely dressed in a loose paisley robe that appeared to have been hastily donned. “We’ve been whoring together many a time.You’re not averse to a little slap and tickle in the morning. Why the fuss?”
Dev, meticulously attired for his morning ride and with his hat tucked under one arm, tapped his crop against his booted shin.“This is not a whorehouse, you imbecile,” he said in a tight voice. “You’re a guest in my mother’s home—my home.”
“One bed is as good as another, I always say.And you’ve agreed with me.”
“Perhaps. However, I do draw a distinct line between seduction and rape. Forcing an unwilling female is beyond the pale.”
“She led me on. Flaunted herself in front of me. Shaking that sweet rounded...”
Dev made a disgusted noise. “She was cleaning the banister. Fortunately I spotted you dragging her toward your room on my way out or...”
“Or she and I would have enjoyed a mutually satisfying morning interlude.”
“Hardly. Since you do not seem to understand the error of your ways, and do not seem willing to conform to the standards I expect of my houseguests, perhaps you should repair to London where...”
“The company is more convivial?”
“Where your perverted brand of entertainment is treated with a blind eye. A footman to help you pack and your carriage will be waiting.” Dev turned and started down the stairs.
Galway followed a few steps after him, stumbling and grabbing the banister for balance. “You’re a bloody hypocrite,Waite,” he hollered.
Dev paused and turned slowly to face the other man.“I prefer to think of myself as discerning. In my selection of women and in my choice of friends. I no longer count you among the latter.”
Galway straightened and pulled the sash of his robe tighter. “I shall be leaving within the hour. Good day to you, sir.” He turned and spotted Josie. “What have we here? If it isn’t Lord Waite’s little American heiress. Keeping you for himself is he?”
Josie looked down her nose at him, which wasn’t easy considering his height. “Congratulations on your ability to display bad manners, ignorance, and stupidity all at the same time,” she said in her best imitation of a high-and-mighty duchess.
As he pondered her words with a confused look, she swept by him only to meet Dev as he rushed back up the stairs.
“Miss Drummond. May I escort you somewhere, anywhere?”
“Yes, thank you, Lord Waite. I was on my way to the terrace when so rudely interrupted. Fresh air has even more appeal now. The foul stench at this location is quite disagreeable.”
He offered his arm.“My apologies.The matter will soon be remedied and will not offend you again.”
They walked down the stairs in silence. Even though she wore gloves she felt the warmth of his arm th
rough his sleeve, and a slow heat resonated within her.
As they walked through the entrance hall to the gallery he said, “Please accept my apologies. You should not have had to witness such unpleasantness.”
“Not necessary. My fault entirely. If I’d been in my room like a good little girl, I wouldn’t have seen a thing.”
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “You have an interesting way of putting things.”
“Will the maid be all right? Last I saw of her she seemed very upset.”
“She was not harmed, only distressed.”
“Could you make sure?”
“The housekeeper will deal with the matter. Mrs. Osman is highly regarded by my mother. I’m sure if there is anything further that I can do, one of them will let me know.”
Josie was forced to drop the issue. Obviously it would be inappropriate for the lord of the castle to inquire about a maid’s state of mind. As they walked along the gallery that ran parallel to the ballroom, she realized she was wasting a perfect opportunity to accomplish her goal.
“Although I hadn’t expected to see you this morning, I’m glad I ran into you.”
“Ran into me?”
“I can see you were on your way out,” she said with a nod toward his riding hat and crop. “But if you could spare a few minutes, I’d like to speak with you on a matter of some importance to me.”
“Would you like to accompany me? I’m quite proud of my stables, and I would gladly wait for you to change. Of course, a groom would come along as a chaperone.”
She shuddered at the thought of getting on a horse.“No thank you.”
At the end of the gallery he opened the French doors that led outdoors and stepped aside for her to precede him.
Dora and a footman waited on the terrace. In the short time available she’d accomplished a minor miracle. Not only had a table been moved to the location, but it had been set with dishes and a silver coffee service on a snowy floor-length tablecloth.
“It’s lovely,” Josie said, clasping her hands together. She sniffed in appreciation. “You even remembered I prefer coffee in the morning.Thank you.Thank you both,” she said to the servants, who returned her smile although the footman quickly masked his as he held out her chair.
“Breakfast alfresco.What a novel idea,” Dev said.
“Nothing better for the appetite than fresh air, sunshine, and a beautiful view,” she said, gazing out over the gardens as Dora poured her coffee. Josie turned back to face him. “Won’t you join me, Lord Waite?”
He nodded to the footman, who rushed off.
“I broke my fast earlier, but I will take a cup of tea while we talk,” he said.
The footman returned with a chair, and Dev sat across from her. Dora placed a plate piled high with thick ham slices and fried potatoes and a dish of buttery shirred eggs in front of Josie. Dev raised an eyebrow, and it inched higher with each dish the maid added. Half a pound of crispy bacon and several sausages.Four large biscuits.A pot of jam and another of honey. An oval salver with an artful arrangement of fruit slices. Josie shook her head at the offer of kippers but nodded to the small bowl of creamy butter.
“I think you need a larger table and a few more chairs to seat the army you must be expecting to join you,” he said.
Josie was forced to make a choice. She could nibble delicately as any Regency lass would do and leave the table hungry, as she’d done the previous evening, or she could really enjoy the meal. She shrugged as she placed her napkin in her lap.
“What can I say? I have a healthy appetite,” she said. Even though she remembered her table manners, she wasn’t shy. “Are you sure you won’t join me? These eggs are fantastic.”
Dev raised his cup in salute. “My pleasure is in watching you enjoy yourself.” And to his surprise he meant it. What was it about this woman that made mundane matters seem fresh, exciting, and appealing? He shook his head to clear his thoughts. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Mmmm.” She gulped a swallow of coffee. “I heard Madame X is here to hold séances, but your mother canceled the one planned for tonight because...”
“You heard? You should know better than to listen to servants’ gossip,” he said with a scowl.
“Oh, no, the servants haven’t said anything. I’ve always been fascinated by spiritualists, and I specifically came here to attend a séance by Madame X. I’m quite anxious to contact my deceased father.”
Dev rolled his eyes. “My mother has been after me to attend one of those silly things, but I managed to escape involvement so far. You don’t seriously believe that hogwash?”
“I’ve never been to a séance that actually con-tacted...” “Of course not.”
“But the possibility...”
“There is none.”
“You can’t know that for sure. Strange things happen every day that can’t be explained by ordinary logic.” Like time travel.
“Ha! If logic fails to explain something, that simply means salient facts are missing.”
“Well, I think it’s worth a try.”
“If you have already made up your mind, why come to me?”
Josie took a deep breath. “Because Madame X doesn’t want to add any guests to the séance, but if you say you will attend and want to include me, then they will,” she said in a rush.“Include me, that is.”
“That’s all?”
“Yes. No. Could we do it tonight? Please?”
“You want me to promise to attend so Mother will convince Madame X to hold the séance...”
“Tonight.”
“Why?”
“I told you. My father...”
“Why tonight?”
“Because...because today is the anniversary of his death and it is an auspicious time to contact him.”
Dev knew she was lying. Rather than being put off, which was the usual case when he was confronted with liars, he was more intrigued than ever. She probably didn’t lie often since she did it so poorly. That left the question of what she felt the need to conceal—and why.
“If I do this favor for you, I shall expect something in return.”
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.“It’s a very small favor.”
“You’re asking me to rearrange my schedule, forgo a potentially lucrative card game to attend a silly...”
“Okay, okay.What favor...”
“O-kay?”
“It means all right, fine, yes. Now, what do you want in return?”
“Simple. The pleasure of your company.Walk with me after the séance.The rose garden is especially lovely by moonlight.”
Josie was tempted. The heady scent of roses, sparkling stars in a midnight velvet sky, and Dev, a dangerous combination even in her imagination. Not to mention she would need to talk to Deverell right after the séance to plan the revelation of Madame X as a fraud. She couldn’t talk to him if he was around. She shook her head. If she thought too hard about differentiating between the ghost and the man, she would get a splitting headache.
Would Dev agree without her promise? “Tomorrow afternoon,” she said, offering a safe alternative. If all went as planned, she would be long gone by then.
“I have an appointment in the afternoon I can’t cancel again. Some unpleasant business I must settle once and for all.”
She shrugged.
“Tomorrow morning,” he counter-offered. “Breakfast together right here and a walk in the garden.”
She raised an eyebrow to signal she understood he’d raised the stakes.Agreeing to meet him in the morning would be a gamble, but if the ghost cooperated, they could still be out of there in time. She nodded and forced a smile.
He did not return her expression.
She dismissed an uneasy feeling that he knew she had no intention of keeping the bargain.
“Excuse me, miss,” Dora said with a curtsy.“Nellie says Mrs. Binns is awake and asking for you.”
“Thank you, Dora.” Josie stood. “I
must see to Mrs. Binns. I thank you, Lord Waite, for doing me this small favor. If you’ll excuse me?”
He’d also stood.“I wish you a pleasant rest of the morning.”
After Josie left, Dev wandered to the edge of the terrace. He lit a cheroot and gazed over the grounds. A surge of pride surprised him. From the time he’d severed the leading strings, he’d spent little time in the country, preferring the stimulation of the city. And yet on this visit he hadn’t felt the crushing press of boredom after three days, the itch to move, the hankering for excitement.
Miss Drummond presented an interesting puzzle. At times he could read her as easily as if she sat across the gaming table from him. He knew when she thought she held a winning hand and when she was considering folding. At other times she was a complete and utter mystery. Fortunately he knew the cure for such fascination.
He turned to the footman, who was clearing the breakfast area. “Joseph, please tell the groom I will not be riding this morning.”
“Yes, milord.”
“And let Lady Honoria’s maid know I will call on my mother in her boudoir shortly.”
Dev left the terrace with a light step, eager to change his clothes and set the wheels in motion.
He had a few surprises planned for Miss Josie Drummond.
“If you’ve come to say good-bye, I refuse to wish you a smooth journey.”
“Good morning to you, too, Mother.”
Dev took a lounging position on the chaise that flanked his mother’s dressing table. He crossed his legs at the ankles and tucked his hands behind his head.
“Stop fussing,” she said to her maid. “Go, go.” Honoria waited for the nosy maid to slowly place the hairbrush on the vanity and unhurriedly make her way out of the room before she turned to her son. “Whatever excuse you have to offer, I will not accept it.The ball is tomorrow night, and I expect you to...”
“What makes you think I’m here to say goodbye?”
“Let me see. You have been here four days.You are not out riding wildly across the countryside.” She counted the reasons on her fingers. “You are visiting me in my rooms rather than waiting until a civil hour when I will be available downstairs.” She threw her hands in the air.“I am not a fool.”
Laurie Brown Page 12