by Lady Vixen
Glowering at his grandson, Simon loftily made no reply, but after a second his lips twitched into a grin. "Perhaps," he admitted grudgingly. Then his face the picture of hypocritical piety, he said somberly, "There are so few pleasures left a man of my age, and you would deny them to me."
Laughter bubbling in his throat, Christopher shook his black head. "Oh, no, grandfather! You have my blessing to amuse yourself however you see fit—especially when it is the discomfiture of the Markhams that pleases you!"
Unaware they would be viewed with amusement, the Markhams were prepared to descend upon Cavendish Square. Astonishingly though, after their arrival in London on Thursday, Edward suddenly reversed himself and declined to accompany his parents to Lord Saxon's. More astute than either William or Agatha, he surmised correctly that Lord Saxon had no intention of tamely releasing Nicole into their hands. He could also picture the confrontation that would result—Lord Saxon arrogantly adamant and his father raging and blustering while his mother proceeded to have hysterics. No, he thought with a shudder, he would not accompany them.
He would instead let his parents do all the threatening and abusing, and he, appearing with all cousinly candor, embarrassment at their actions barely hidden, would proceed to woo Nicole on his own. There was, Edward decided with self-satisfaction, no reason to put all of one's eggs in a single basket. If his parents failed to gain custody of Nicole one way, he would do it another. He had no wish to be part of an uncomfortable scene that Nicole would no doubt remember with distaste.
William and Agatha were not unnaturally disturbed by his about-face. It was especially provoking in view of how angry and furious he had been at first. Now he seemed indifferent, and they could think of no reason for it, Edward having declined to tell them of his own personal plans.
Consequently on Friday morning, the morning after Christopher's meeting with Simon, it was only William and Agatha who came to call at the elegant house in Cavendish Square. They were met by an extremely supercilious Twickham. Simon had instructed him to be as high-stomached as he pleased, so he looked them up and down disparagingly and murmured with disdain. "If you will wait, I shall see if the master is receiving this morning."
He left them standing in the hall and with stately movements disappeared down the hallway. Finding Simon alone in the breakfast room, a conspiratorial gleam in his eyes, Twickham, in a voice hushed with anticipation, said, "They have arrived, sir! I have left them waiting in the hall."
"Ha!" Simon snorted with satisfaction, the light of battle leaping in his eyes. Thoughtfully he regarded Twickham. "Think we should keep them waiting more than thirty minutes?"
Reflecting with pleasure that his master had not been so lively for some time, Twickham allowed his punctilious features to lapse into the semblance of a smile and said calmly, "Yes, sir, I believe around thirty minutes would be sufficient. The gentleman was already somewhat impatient. He should be nicely browned by then!"
Almost rubbing his hands together in glee, Simon remarked, "You know, Twickham, I'm going to enjoy this! Damn, but it's a good thing my grandson has come home! Haven't had as much sport in years!"
CHAPTER 24
While the Markhams waited in the hall with growing choler, Simon settled back to savor the coming meeting. Twickham busied himself about the study, thinking with fondness and satisfaction how fortunate it was that the young master had come home.
Upstairs in her dressing room, ignorant of the pending encounter, Regina was thinking much the same. Christopher's return had done a world of good for her brother and for that she was thankful. She was especially thankful that Christopher had so opportunely met with Letitia Eggleston.
Regina preferred the single state herself, but could not bear to lay eyes on an unmarried man without instantly devising schemes to change his way of life. A bachelor was somehow a personal affront to her honor, and she felt it was her duty quickly and efficiently to rectify such a deplorable state.
She had for years nagged Simon to remarry and had gone to great lengths to introduce him to suitable widows and spinsters. To her mortification Simon would have none of them. When Colonel Eggleston had died she had, after a tiny pious thought for his departed soul, been almost indecently overjoyed. She had been sure that, after a proper period of mourning, Letitia would marry Simon as they should have done years before. When she learned of Mrs. Eggleston's abrupt and unexpected departure, she could have bitten off her tongue in vexation. But now all would be well. She would see to it!
Christopher's unmarried state did not interest her at the moment to the same degree that Simon's did. But she did give it a passing scrutiny and decided judiciously that once her brother was safely settled she would see to Christopher's affairs. As she had grown very fond of Nicole, it was only logical to conclude that a match between Christopher and Nicole was something to be greatly desired.
Nicole, sitting in her room, was staring blankly off into space, her spirits unaccountably low. Earlier she had listlessly allowed Mauer to dress her, and when Mrs. Eggleston had popped into her room to inquire if she wished to go to Colburn's Lending Library, she had apathetically declined. Even the news that Christopher would be escorting the two of them, if she cared to come, aroused no response.
A little worriedly, Mrs. Eggleston had acquainted Christopher with Nicole's refusal, but Christopher had only shrugged his shoulders, and a moment later he and Mrs. Eggleston had left the house on their way to the library.
Knowing Mrs. Eggleston and Christopher were gone from the house, Nicole wandered around her room in a sudden fit of restlessness, wishing that she had accompanied them. Anything would have been better than her own company. Unable to bear her own lonely society a second longer, she started down the stairs in search of Regina, not realizing that Regina was still hovering over her morning toilet in her dressing room.
Nicole, concentrating hard on why she was so spiritless and malleable lately, was halfway down the stairs leading to the main entrance hall when she became aware of the man and woman standing there. She stopped in surprise, for it was unlike Twickham to leave someone standing there, and as she looked at the waiting couple with growing curiosity, recognition was instantaneous.
A gasp of surprise and dismay escaped her, and at the sound William and Agatha, who had been busy whispering angrily to one another, glanced up.
If Nicole had recognized her aunt and uncle instantly, it took them a moment or two longer to realize that the tall, lovely young woman in the stylish lavender gown of French cambric was their niece. An intangible air of grace and elegance about her gave them pause, and in those few measuring moments the inconsequential thought crossed Nicole's mind that five years hadn't changed them very much.
Agatha was fatter, her hair a brighter, more improbable shade of gold, her dress still as indecently snug, this morning's choice being an unflattering puce silk. And William, well, William, if possible, was redder in the face, his lank, nondescript hair thinner, and his girth greater.
Staring unblinkingly at the slim young woman on the stairs William felt a swift rush of fury, suddenly aware that it might not be as simple as they had thought to crush this objectionable creature into submission. She was obviously no longer a child to be ordered at will, nor was she totally at their command—she had Lord Saxon's protection. She could no longer be scolded and dismissed lightly, nor would her money spill unquestioned into his hands. The thought of what an inquiry into his guardianship would reveal increased his sense of ill-usage, and his anger, kept barely below the boiling point, burst its bounds as with an oath he vaulted up the stairs.
Grasping a startled Nicole in a painful grip around her wrist, he attempted to drag her down the stairs. Throwing Nicole a malevolent look, he commanded, "You'll come with me, miss! And this instant! How like you to run away and embarrass us so. After all we did for you, you ungrateful little snip. I can promise you, you're going to regret that you ever shamed us so. Come along now, I say!"
Nicole, after her
first astonishment, was furious, and twisting her wrist in his hand, she struggled violently to free herself. Promptly forgetting all the precepts drilled into her brain by Mrs. Eggleston, she spat, "Let me go, you slimy eel, or I'll darken both your daylights!"
Flabbergasted at such unladylike language coming from a picture of refinement and elegance, William's grip loosened, and Nicole immediately slapped him across the face and, for good measure, gave him a crippling kick in the shins.
Howling with rage and pain, William seized her arm and shook her brutally. "Why you little slut! I'll—"
Simon had just motioned to Twickham to show them into his study when William's angry howl vibrated in the air.
The sound galvanized Simon into action, and moving with the speed of a man half his age, he thrust the speechless Twickham aside and marched out into the hall. At the sight of Nicole fighting desperately with a man he freely stigmatized as a grubbing maw worm, his temper exploded.
"How dare you! Unhand her this instant, you blackguard!" he roared in a voice that shook with fury. His eyes spat sparks of molten gold as he advanced into the hall. "How dare you!" he thundered again, his voice carrying throughout the house, bringing on the run several of the servants and Regina. Regina, stopping at the head of the stairs, took in the situation in a glance, but knowing that her brother abominated interference, she held her tongue.
William, queasily aware that he had exceeded himself beyond all limits, ventured a sickly ingratiating smile, while Agatha speedily fell into hysterics. Babbling incoherent excuses and crying in noisy gulps, she stood in the center of the hall completely ignored except for one or two nervous glances sent her way by one of the younger servants.
If William had been content just to focus his apologetic manner on Simon, the scene might have ended differently, but he made the fatal error of trying to redeem himself with Nicole. With the same ingratiating smile in his face, he patted her arm and muttered, "Now, now, this is not what it appears. Little Nicole and I were just having a minor disagreement, weren't we, my dear?"
Nicole, her temper still flaming, and genuinely horrified by what had happened, but wanting the unpleasantness over as soon as possible, probably would have followed his lead and smoothed over the incident if William, his smile fading a trifle and an ugly look in his eyes, hadn't tightened his hand threateningly on her arm and prodded, "Isn't that so, my dear?"
Distastefully she shook off his hand and in a cold voice said clearly, "Please release my arm this instant! No, we were not having a minor disagreement! You attacked me and were trying to force me to leave with you."
There was a concerted gasp from those assembled, and Simon, his anger barely under control, approached the stairs with stiff-legged strides. One foot on the bottom step, he stated in a dangerous tone, "Leave my home, immediately, and do not ever show your face here again! If you are unwise enough to do so, I shall have you beaten from my door like the cowardly jackal you are!"
Inflamed by Simon's barely concealed contempt, William's face went dark with rage, and spinning on Nicole, he snarled, "This is all your fault, you wicked jade! But I am your guardian and you will come with me!" Flashing Simon a look of dislike, he sneered, "You forget yourself, my lord. Nicole is my niece and I am her legal guardian. You have no right to stop me from removing her from this house!"
And William proceeded to compound his already precarious position by once again laying an ungentle hold on Nicole and ordering loftily, "Come along, now. Your belongings can be sent to our lodgings later."
Knowing that Simon could do nothing to help her unless she made the first move, Nicole thought swiftly. She knew Simon would not allow her to be taken against her will, but he could do nothing if she didn't fight herself. William's overbearing tone and manner had shown her unmistakably that her uncle had certainly not changed in the passing years, and as he gave her a vicious yank down one stair, her decision was made.
Drawing herself up proudly, she said quietly, "I have no intention of going anywhere with you." Then twitching her arm quickly away from his grasp, she whirled and sprinted up two steps, intending to avoid further conflict. But William, cursing and swearing, caught her by the shoulder. Wrenching her around, and oblivious to Regina at the head of the stairs and Simon and the others staring at him, William struck Nicole a savage blow across one cheek and shouted, "We'll just see about that, miss! You'll learn who is your master after I get through with you!"
Any restraint Nicole may have tried to put on her temper vanished, and with the imprint of William's hand burning her face, in a voice full of loathing, she spat, "Why you fat toad!" and returned his violence with a stunning wallop to his left cheek.
William rocked on his heels, and Nicole, deciding she was damned as it was, gave him a punishing right to his protruding stomach.
Everything had occurred so swiftly that those watching were momentarily stunned, but as William stumbled backward, Regina, upon whom Agatha's histrionics were beginning to wear, started determinedly down the stairs. Simon, his cane held like a club, rushed angrily up the stairs and commenced to give the already reeling William several smart blows about his shoulders.
The added attack was enough to overbalance William, and with profanities streaming from his mouth he tumbled ungracefully down the eight or nine steps to land in a crushing heap at Agatha's feet.
"Ha!" Simon grunted satisfactorily, his eyes bright with elation. Nicole glanced at him, and the audacious wink he sent her caused a sudden glint of laughter in her eyes. Looking quickly away to keep from giggling, for Simon was so blatantly satisfied with their combined endeavors, she watched as Regina sailed passed the recumbent William and the sobbing Agatha to snatch up a vase filled with roses and efficiently throw it in Agatha's face.
The shock of the water stilled her noise, and even William was startled enough to cease his string of gutter language. Silence reigned in the hall at Cavendish Square.
Then in her most awesome and grand fashion, Regina said calmly, "Twickham, see that these callers are removed, at once!" Sending a stern pair of eyes in which an imp of amusement danced to the two culprits still standing on the stairs, she commanded, "Nicole go to your room, we'll discuss this later. Simon, I believe you had better retire also. Remember, the physician has said exertion is bad for your health."
Picking up her cue instantly, Simon muttered, "Yes, yes, you're absolutely right." He and Nicole beat a hasty retreat up the remaining stairs and out of sight.
William, seeing his prey vanishing, staggered to his feet, crying hoarsely, "No! Nicole is to go with us."
Regina fixed an admonitory look on him and said dispassionately, "That, I hardly think so, sir! You have entered, uninvited, my brother's home; harassed and abused our guest; treated myself to a display of the type of language I hope never to hear again; and your wife has nearly deafened my ears with her ill-bred screechings. With those events fresh in my mind, I can assure you that Nicole Ashford will never be released into your hands. Further, I am thinking seriously of laying charges against you and your wife. You would be wise to leave before I make my decision!"
Speechless for once, William stared open-mouthed at her, and before he even realized it, Twickham, with the help of the under-butler, had skillfully piloted both the Markhams out the massive front door and bolted it behind them.
Bowing with deep respect to Regina, Twickham said solemnly, "If you will permit me to say so, madame, that was very well done!"
"Well, yes, I rather thought so too!" Regina agreed with her usual modesty. "Simon, where are you?" Regina called. "I know you're probably hanging over the upper railing like some vulgar housemaid. Come down!"
"Ha!" Simon barked, appearing so promptly that Regina's unkind cut was proved true. In an aggrieved tone he went on, "What else could I do when you ordered me about so? And in my own home too! I tell you, Regina, I won't put up with your overbearing ways!" Unfortunately he ruined this reproachful tirade by a delighted chuckle. "Clever of you to hustle the
m out that way," he admitted. "Always said you were a great gun for a woman!"
His sister only gave an unladylike snort and asked, "Where is Nicole?"
"Here I am," Nicole called and followed Simon down into the hallway.
Aware of the interested stares of the still-assembled servants, Simon whisked the two ladies into his study. Twickham, he knew, would see to it that nothing of this morning's incident was bruited about among the servants, but he suspected that for the next few days there would be many snickers in the kitchen and stables. While it had afforded him a certain amount of enjoyment, he was uncomfortably aware that it had been a very serious affair.
Nicole, too, was conscious of the gravity of the situation, and feeling she had disgraced herself she was thoroughly ashamed of her own part in the fracas. In a low, mortified tone she said. "I must apologize for my share in that deplorable scene. I should not have lost my temper, and I should never have struck my uncle. If you throw me out into the street, it will be no more than I deserve."
"I quite agree. You acted little better than a fishwife," Regina replied amiably, a twinkle deep in the dark eyes, however, taking the sting out of the words. "But I must own that in this case I can hardly blame you. What a disgusting creature your uncle is! No wonder you have no wish to return to his roof. But," she said with a frown, "what has occurred is a most serious event. What are we to do now, Simon?"
The two ladies were sitting on a red-brocade couch while Simon was seated across from them in a high-back chair of black leather. His face was stern and thoughtful, and Nicole, filled with guilt at her shocking conduct, was certain that despite the conspiratorial wink on the stairs, he was disgusted with her and meant to ban her from his home.
Until this moment she hadn't realized how very fond she had grown of Lord Saxon and his sister, Regina. Being thrust away from them would be anguish, almost like losing her family again. Bitterly she regretted her actions, and once again she attempted to apologize. But Simon held up his hand and did not allow her to speak. He gave her a measured scrutiny, and then when she thought she could bear it no longer, Simon grinned at her.