“I think we need to invite another person to the supper on Thursday after all. We are seven, and the table is unbalanced. Actually, we need another man, although I suppose another woman would do at a pinch.”
“I could ask my cousin—”
“Oh no, no, Papa, we said no family members to gawk at Alexis. I have just the right man to invite. Cornelius Glendenning.”
“Well, why not? He’s a rather nice chap, good-looking, and he’s well brought up. Smart enough not to start flirting with Alexis.”
“Oh he’d never do that, not Connie…” Her voice faltered, and she sat back in the chair, realizing she was growing red in the face. She had given herself away without intending to do so. She was mortified.
There was something about the way she had said the man’s name that made Sebastian look at his daughter more intently. After a moment, he said softly, “Claudia darling, you’re blushing. Are you growing close to Cornelius, and he to you?”
When she was silent, and appeared slightly embarrassed, he leaned across and took her hand in his. “You and I have supported each other for years. Surely you can confide in me about something that appears to be important to you.”
There was a moment’s silence. Claudia compressed her lips together, then she nodded. “As you well know, over this year, Mrs. Glendenning has invited me to many events … dances, teas, luncheons, and a garden party in June. Her eldest son, Cornelius, has always been present … we got to know each other … and … well … we have a very special friendship now. He asked me the other day if I cared for him in the way he cared for me, and I said I did. He asked my permission to speak to you, Papa. He wishes to marry me. He wants us to become engaged. Actually, he proposed to me.”
She had taken him by surprise, and he did not answer for a few seconds. Finally, he said, “It’s really your decision, Claudia. Are you in love with Cornelius? Do you wish to marry him?”
“Yes, I do love him. I do want to be his wife.”
“Then of course he can come and see me. I’ve known his parents half my life. I like Cornelius; he’s a decent man, and he certainly works hard at his father’s bank.” Sebastian rose, pulled her to her feet, and put his arms around her and hugged her to him. Then he held her away and stared deeply into her eyes.
“If you are really sure this is what you want, the man you want, then by all means tell him we can meet. I have no objection to Cornelius, none at all. I shall welcome him into the family.”
Claudia’s face was radiant, and she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Papa, thank you very much. You’ve made me extremely happy. And Connie will be happy, too.”
“I hope he’s overjoyed,” Sebastian responded, smiling at her, full of love for this young woman who had been so strong and devoted to him after her mother’s death. She deserved to marry the man she wanted. In any case, the Trevalians had never liked or condoned arranged marriages. They had always believed a marriage had to be made out of true love.
* * *
In midafternoon, after lunch, Sebastian went up to his bedroom, wishing to be alone. His daughter had taken him by surprise. He had not had any inkling that she and Cornelius had fallen in love. He was glad that she had put her sights on a man from a family he knew well. Cornelius was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight; he didn’t consider him too old for Claudia, who, at twenty, was mature for her age. An old soul. They were a good match, and he’d never heard any gossip about Connie, as she called him.
Before lunch Claudia had returned to the library, asked him not to mention anything about Connie Glendenning in front of her sisters; he had agreed it was far too soon to let them in on their secret.
Now he had come to understand that she hadn’t meant to mention her friendship with this young man until after the supper on Thursday, when he would have seen their interaction together.
Sebastian smiled to himself. The words had slipped out of her mouth when he had mentioned the word “flirting” in relation to Connie. Her sudden flustered appearance had given her away. He had often wondered when she would meet a proper young man and make the right choice. It appeared that she had already done that. It was sooner than he had expected, but then Claudia was lovely, from a renowned family, and one of the most eligible and desirable young women in London.
Walking across the floor, he went into his dressing room, opened a cupboard door, and unlocked the safe inside. He took out several leather jewelry cases, instantly found the one he was looking for.
Opening the case, he stared down at the single strand of diamonds, a necklace he had given to Margot after Claudia’s birth. He had intended to pass it on to his daughter on her twenty-first birthday, but now seemed the appropriate time. He would give it to her once she became engaged. He replaced the cases, locked the safe, and went back to the bedroom.
He seated himself at the bureau plat, an elegant French writing desk he had bought at an antique shop years ago, where he often worked on personal papers. He would write a check for a thousand pounds from his personal funds. Then he realized he did not know the name of the charity Alexis had started. Claudia had not informed him.
Alexis. The image of her had not left his mind since he had helped her into her carriage. Yesterday. Was it only twenty-four hours ago? It seemed much longer to him. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. He had been captivated by her at first sight, could hardly wait to see her again, and had endured a restless night thinking about her.
Reggie’s idea of inviting her to tea today to talk about the charity had been seized upon this morning after breakfast, when he had told Claudia of Reggie’s suggestion. She had acted on it at once, writing a note and sending the footman, Gerald, to the Malvern house in Charles Street. This was only a few minutes away from Grosvenor Square.
He glanced at the small carriage clock on the bureau plat and saw that it was already three-thirty. In half an hour she would arrive here. He couldn’t help wondering how he would react when he saw her. Perhaps he had simply imagined there was something magical about her in his head …
Maxwell knocked on the door and entered, disturbing his inner thoughts. “Do you wish to change your clothes, Mr. Trevalian?”
Sebastian stood up, walked toward his valet. “Do you think I should? I rather like this suit … whoever invented the new lounge suit should be congratulated, don’t you agree, Maxwell?”
“I do, sir, and it’s ideal for tea on Sunday.”
Sixteen
It was the butler who opened the front door and ushered her into the grand entrance of the Trevalian mansion in Grosvenor Square.
After he had helped her to take off her cape, she turned around and was startled to see Sebastian Trevalian on the landing at the top of the double staircase, standing in front of the large window. He was caught in a ray of sunlight, and she noticed how elegantly dressed he was.
Her breath caught in her throat. What a handsome man. For a split second she wanted to leave this house, run far away, and put distance between them. But she knew she could not leave. She had come for tea. And so she must stay. But not for long. She would leave as soon as she could. She sighed. No, she wouldn’t. She had come because she had wanted to see him again, be in his company, be with him, to know him better.
He raised his arm, moved his hand in greeting.
Alexis Malvern responded in the same way.
She watched him closely as he descended the stairs, an expression of admiration settling on her face. He was wearing one of the fashionable lounge suits many men currently favored. His consisted of the loose-fitting jacket, double-breasted and worn open, in silver gray, a pale gray waistcoat, and gray-on-gray checked trousers that were fuller and fell down over the front of his shoes. It was a more casual style, and even her father had bought several lounge suits for himself.
As he stepped into the hall, she walked across the floor to meet him. Suddenly he was in front of her, his liquid gray eyes sweeping over her.
He thrust
out his hand. She took it. He held it tightly in his, and said, “I’m so glad you were able to come, Miss Malvern.”
Her mouth was unexpectedly dry, but she managed to say, “It was kind of you to invite me, Mr. Trevalian.”
They stood gazing at each other for the longest moment, neither of them able to look away; green eyes riveted on translucent gray.
It was Sebastian who blinked and let go of her hand. “Come along,” he said, firmly guiding her toward the library. “We always have tea in the blue room; however, I need a few moments alone with you, regarding the donation I want to make to your charity.”
“Thank you for caring, for doing this,” Alexis answered, and felt his hand holding her arm as he led her into the library. She glanced around swiftly and noticed at once how well decorated it was, with the mellow antiques and the play of reds which dominated the room and were so warm and welcoming.
“It is my pleasure,” he said. “And from what Claudia has told me, it is a good cause.”
He looked down at her and a fleeting smile crossed his face. “Come, sit here.” He indicated a chair at the other side of his desk.
She nodded, did as he asked, and he went around his desk and sat down opposite.
“Does the charity have a name?” As he spoke, he took the check out of his coat pocket, placed it on the blotter in front of him. “How shall I make it out?”
Now, sitting face-to-face with her, he was relieved the desk was between them. She was perfection this afternoon, wearing a pale green silk dress and jacket, the color emphasizing the green of her eyes. Her auburn hair, piled high in the latest style, was a burnished crown of curls on top of her head.
The same emotions he had experienced yesterday were flooding through him once again. He longed to take her in his arms and hold her close to him, to kiss her, love her.
“The charity itself doesn’t have a name,” Alexis murmured. “But I thought about that last night, and decided it should be called Haven House. You see, I hadn’t expected to receive money from anyone, and at the tea Delia held I received three thousand pounds, and my father had given me a thousand pounds. All the checks were made out to me.”
“Four thousand pounds! That’s a small fortune!” he exclaimed. “I am donating a thousand pounds, which brings it to five thousand. My goodness, how remarkable!” He shook his head. “It can’t just sit in a bank account, you know. Money has to be made to work … to make more money.” He looked at her keenly, and added, “But then you of all people should know that. Your reputation as a businesswoman precedes you, Miss Malvern. From what I have heard, you are extremely clever.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Trevalian, and I think you should make the check payable to Haven House … I will make that the name of the charity.”
Sebastian picked up a pen. He had already filled out the rest of the check upstairs. Once the name was written he lifted his head, leaned across the desk, and handed her the check.
“Thank you for your generosity,” she said, taking it from him.
“Do you have a bank account for the charity?”
“No, because I’ve been using my own money for the last year, to get it going, to become an entity.”
“I can open a bank account for you at Trevalian Brothers, my own bank, if you so wish.”
Momentarily taken aback, she stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise. “Thank you, so kind of you.” She leaned over the desk the way he had and gave him the check back. “I will give you the other checks later, to be deposited with your bank.”
Sebastian sat back in his chair, a reflective look in his eyes. After a few seconds, he said, “I have a suggestion to make. I could invest the five thousand on behalf of the charity, and that would help your funds to grow.” When she was silent, he exclaimed, “Well, perhaps not … I see your hesitation.”
“No, no, I’m not hesitant! I was just surprised that you would do that for me.”
He seized the moment. “I’m glad you answered that way, because I would be doing it for you, not for the charity, although it is a worthwhile cause.”
She looked at him, her face suddenly solemn. “I know that.”
“You also know what happened between us yesterday, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
“Tell me what happened. I want to hear it from your mouth, so there are no misconceptions between us.”
“We … made a connection. We instantly saw something in each other that we liked, that we wanted from each other. I realized you wished to see me again, and I felt exactly the same way.”
Her answer thrilled him. He felt that rush of excitement, that overwhelming desire, and that wonderful sense of being fully alive. “So, are we going to have a … friendship, Miss Malvern?”
“Alexis. And yes, we are going to be … friends.”
“Call me Sebastian. Mr. Trevalian sounds like an old man, like my father … Sebastian, please.”
“I am twenty-five, Sebastian. How old are you?”
He gaped at her for a moment, taken aback by her blunt question, and then he chuckled. “I’m forty, although at this moment I must admit I feel like a twelve-year-old schoolboy.”
“Why?” She gazed at him, her face serious, but there was laughter in those deep green eyes.
“Because I behave like one … I’m so enamored of you, Alexis.” There. It was out, said, and hopefully well received.
“So am I, of you.” She stood up, walked around the desk, looked down at him.
Immediately he rose, his eyes intent on hers, his expression changing from one of confusion to sudden understanding. He took a step toward her, and she did the same. They were very close, face-to-face.
Looking up at him she said in a low voice, “Would you hold me in your arms, just for a moment? I want to be close to you. That’s all I could think about last night, being in your arms.”
Sebastian did as she asked, embracing her, breathing in the scent of her, the essence of her. Oh God, he thought, there’s nothing like the scent of the woman you desire.
They stood together for the longest time without moving. He was aroused, and he knew she knew that, but he couldn’t help it. And he wasn’t going to let go of her until she made the first move.
“I want to tell you something,” she said at last, her head resting against his chest.
“What is it?”
“I have never felt drawn to a man in this way, Sebastian. Not ever. You are the first. I have been seen out and about at events with several men during the last few years, but they have only been platonic friends, escorts really, and most of them introduced to me by my father, who wished me to have a social life.
“When I met you yesterday it was different; something tremendous happened. My attraction to you was so enormous I realized I had to see you again.”
“Likewise,” he said against her hair.
“Thank you for holding me.” Her voice was a whisper. She took a step back, and he released her. She moved away, returned to the chair on the other side of the desk.
Sebastian sat down swiftly, endeavoring to gain control of himself.
Alexis pulled her chair closer to his desk and leaned over it. She said in the same low voice, “I’ve never felt like this before, experienced anything so compelling. We will have a friendship, because it seems we can’t help ourselves, but you must go slowly with me…” She let her voice trail off, knowing he would understand what she meant.
He reached out, took hold of her hand resting on the desk. “I’m aware of that, Alexis, just as long as we can see each other frequently. I need that promise from you.”
“You have it. I believe we have the same feelings. But what about Claudia? Will she think it is strange … our becoming close friends?”
He shook his head, and his quirky smile flickered around his mouth. “She will applaud it. I can assure you of that. She’s been aware of my loneliness for years.”
“You have been a widower for a long time.”
Sebastian noticed the questioning look in her eyes, and felt the need to explain his past. “That is true. The problem is I’ve never met a woman I thought was right for me. Mind you, I have had a social life, and I’ve had many women on my arm on special occasions. Platonic friends, like those men who escorted you.”
He broke off as Claudia came into the library.
“Hello, Alexis!” she exclaimed, walking across the room. “Would you please come to the blue drawing room? And you too, Papa. It’s almost teatime.”
* * *
Alexis walked through the entrance hall with Claudia, leaving Sebastian behind, who had paused to speak to the butler.
As she was led into the blue drawing room, the first thing she noticed was that the blue room wasn’t really blue at all, but rather a faded bluish gray. The walls were painted this soft color and matched the silk draperies at the two windows, and the carpet. Several chairs and sofas were upholstered in varying shades of blue. No doubt it was these pieces that gave the room its name. But it was a charming room and not over-cluttered like so many were in other homes.
A painting hanging at the far end of the room soon caught her eye as she glanced around. She turned to Claudia and exclaimed, “What a lovely painting that is … the garden scene.”
“Yes, it is, and it’s at Papa’s house, which is in the background. Come and look at it closer.” The two young women walked down to the end of the room, where the painting hung on the end wall above an antique chest.
The rendition was of an old house, and in the foreground was a stunning garden filled with masses of blue flowers, including delphiniums, irises, and cornflowers. Here and there were pink rosebushes, and to one side, a weeping willow tree. A blue sky with drifting white clouds floated above the house, which appeared to be very old.
After gazing at the painting for the longest moment, Alexis asked, “Where is the house, Claudia?”
“In Kent,” Sebastian answered, and she felt the light touch of his hand on her shoulder. “In a village called Aldington, near Romney Marsh.”
Master of His Fate Page 11