by Lady Vixen
"Aha!" he snorted with gratification. "What'll we do, hey? Well, we'll fight!" He shot Nicole a piercing glance. "Won't we, gel?"
The cold fear around her heart melting, Nicole smiled tremulously. "If you say so, sir."
"Of course, I say so! Why I wouldn't let that... ah... fat toad, I believe you called him, have say over one of my dogs!" Thoughtfully he added, "He does resemble one, doesn't he?"
Regina gave an exasperated sigh. "Fat toad, or not," she began determinedly, "he is Nicole's legal guardian. We had no right to deny him. Legally, he can remove her from this house and order her to do as he pleases." Looking at Nicole, Regina, always forthright, asked, "I don't wish to wound you, my dear, but how is it that you have two such dirty dishes for relatives?"
"They are not really related to me at all," Nicole answered truthfully. "Aunt Agatha is my mother's stepsister, and when my parents died, there was no one else."
"I see," Regina said slowly. "That means that their guardianship of you could be overthrown. Especially if someone like Simon were prepared to push the issue. Are you?" she asked Simon.
"Of course, I am! Didn't I just say so?" he barked testily. "Now that the Markhams have arrived in town, I'll go around and visit my friend Judge White in Russell Square. He'll have the ticket—I have no doubt of that! Very knowing fellow, Judge White. Besides," he added thoughtfully, "the Markhams ain't going to do anything. I've a suspicion that your uncle has been playing ducks and drakes with your fortune, and I'll wager he don't relish an inquiry. We'll just sit tight. It's my guess that for a while at least they'll bide their time and keep mum."
"Hmmm. For once I rather agree with you. Particularly if there is anything illegal in his handling of the estates," Regina remarked reflectively. "Certainly they won't seek a court's ruling. And even if they did—today's contretemps would definitely put them in a bad light. There are several of us who can swear that he struck Nicole in a rage, and I think the fact that he is no relation would weigh against them. Especially if Nicole's fortune is a great deal more than their resources. Is it, my dear?"
"I think so," Nicole replied uncertainly. "I really have no idea."
"It is," Simon said dryly. "William Markham is barely a gentleman farmer. His property would provide his family with a comfortable living, nothing more. Nicole's father was a wealthy man. He could have bought and sold someone like Markham a dozen times over and never even noticed it. As I see it, all we have to do is outwait them. Nicole will reach her majority in less than three years, and if she marries before then, she'll come into her fortune even sooner."
"But I can't live off you for three years," Nicole exclaimed, feeling that Simon had already done a great deal for her.
"Why not?" Simon growled. "I see nothing wrong with it. You and Letitia will be my pensioners and I'll gladly stand the nonsense. You'll not break me, you know."
Biting her lip, Nicole was driven to protest, guiltily aware that she was already in Cavendish Square under false pretenses. "It wouldn't be right. I can't allow you to do such a thing. There must be a simpler way."
"You can't allow me?" Simon burst out irascibly. "Listen here, missy, it's either letting me do so or going to your uncle. Now you can take your choice!"
Two spots of hot color burning in her cheeks, the topaz-brown eyes no longer soft, Nicole's volatile temper flared. Stiffly she said, "You know there is no question of choice! But I must insist that you keep a strict record of your expenditures on my and Mrs. Eggleston's behalf, and when my fortune is my own, I will repay every penny!" Having again forgotten that young ladies of quality hardly spoke and acted as she was doing, she rose angrily to her feet and swept from the room.
Once the door was shut firmly behind her, Regina and Simon silently regarded each other. Finally Simon smiled ruefully. "Got spirit, that little filly! I suppose I shouldn't have been so blunt?"
"Exactly!" Regina answered promptly. "Really, Simon, you do alarm me sometimes. There was no reason to be so tactless."
His moment of compunction disappeared instantly, and Simon scowled at his sister. "Bah! Don't you start now with one of your famous scolds. The morning has been lively enough!"
"I quite agree," she snapped. Rising to her feet, she continued, "When will you see Judge White? I don't feel that you should delay it too long. After all, the Markhams may have an entirely unblotted copybook, and may go directly to a lawyer and start proceedings against us!"
Simon grimaced. "This afternoon. I'll send a note over this morning to see if it will be convenient. Does that satisfy you?"
Regina permitted herself to smile. "Yes, my dear, it does. But Simon, remember not to tax yourself too far. I know you don't like anyone to speak of your health, but you did nearly die with that last seizure five years ago. And your physician says you mustn't overtire yourself." Ignoring the gathering storm on Simon's face, she added, "Why don't you have Christopher see the judge instead?"
"Damn you, Gina! If you and that mealy-mouthed sawbones are going to coddle me, I might as well be dead! Besides," he finished with a very youthful grin, "I'm enjoying myself!"
Shaking her head and smiling, Regina dropped an affectionate kiss on his dark head. "I know you are, you old devil! But for my sake, don't overdo it."
"Ha!"
With a laugh at his usual bad-tempered retort, she left the room. But her smile faded as she walked slowly up the stairs. The situation was grave. If Nicole were compelled by law to live with the Markhams, there was no doubt in Regina's mind that her life would be wretched indeed. Wretched and dangerous, she decided thoughtfully, recalling the ugly look in William's eye and the savage manner in which he had struck the girl. Like Simon, though, she believed that for the moment the Markhams would do little except grumble. If they were wise, she reflected without enjoyment, they would put forth a smiling face and pretend that Nicole, with their blessing, was visiting with the Saxons and say no more. As long as there were no immediate demands for an accounting of his stewardship and no requests for money, Mr. Markham would probably not press too hard in changing the situation. It was unfortunate that there were three years in which the circumstances would remain unresolved, because she was certain there would be several more repellent scenes with the Markhams before Nicole's majority was reached—unless Nicole married...
Regina stopped in mid-stride, her expression suddenly very pleased. Yes. The very thing! An objective in sight, a pleasant one at that, Regina smiled happily to herself and walked toward her room to finish her interrupted toilet.
It was nearly an hour later when she descended the stairs again, feeling she now looked her best, especially with the silver-streaked hair caught up in a fetching chignon and her dress of Devonshire brown twilled sarcenet fitting her angular body admirably. She had stopped for a moment in Nicole's room, but Nicole, she was informed by Mauer, was in the conservatory downstairs. Staring thoughtfully at the thin-lipped dresser, she had asked, "How is she?"
Mauer had hesitated then admitted bluntly, "She'll have a nasty bruise for a few days where that monster struck her. She didn't say much about it."
Frowning, she had left the room. Deciding to leave Nicole to her own devices for the time being, she headed for the morning salon, not certain what she was going to do—a most unusual state of affairs for someone of Regina's temperament. But before she had a chance to think very deeply or become bored with her own company, Christopher and Mrs. Eggleston arrived home.
Mrs. Eggleston was rosy-cheeked and full of enthusiasm for the several books she had selected.
"Oh, Regina, just look here! I was most fortunate to obtain a copy of Lord Byron's The Corsair. It has just been published, you know."
"How very nice, my dear. I do not care for that young man's work, but he has been very popular since his Childe Harold was published a year or two ago."
"Oh, yes, I was quite excited to find a copy of it just after we arrived. Such an admirable young man!"
"I won't argue with you, but you have been ou
t of the country for some time and know nothing of his carryings on. The way he and Caro Lamb have been behaving is beyond belief. Although," Regina added with satisfaction, "I believe that little affair is now over. I have heard that he means to offer for Annabella Milbanke. You know she turned him down once already?"
Mrs. Eggleston's blue eyes wide with interest, she breathed, "Why, no! However do you hear all these things?"
Christopher, realizing that the two of them were ready to sit down and brew some scandal broth, stifled a grin and remarked, "If you ladies will excuse me? I have an appointment with my agent to view some lodgings, and I don't wish to keep him waiting."
Mrs. Eggleston gave him a dismissing smile and repeated again how very much she had appreciated his company, but Regina, gossip instantly the farthest thing from her mind, said, "I would like a word with you first, Christopher. Letitia, please excuse us for a moment, won't you?"
Bewildered, but correctly divining that Regina wanted a word in private with her grandnephew, Mrs. Eggleston quickly murmured something about seeing to her tea and faded gracefully from the room.
Her departure created a momentary silence, and Christopher, his relaxed, smiling manner gone, a wary expression in his eyes, asked after a second, "Well, Aunt, what is it?"
Regina hesitated, knowing she should probably leave the telling of this morning's events to Simon. But she wanted to see for herself how Christopher took the news of the Markhams' arrival, and more interestingly William 'Markham's attack on Nicole. So bluntly and succinctly she told him what had transpired. For all the reaction she got from him, she might as well have saved her breath. There was the tiniest flick of muscle in his right cheek and an odd flash that lit his gold eyes for the briefest second to reveal that he felt anything at all. Regina searched his handsome dark features intently, hoping for some further sign that Markham's striking of Nicole had affected him, but there was nothing. And when she had finished speaking, he merely drawled in an indifferent tone, "And where is Nicole now?"
Frustrated by his lack of emotion, Regina almost didn't tell him, but thinking better of it, she snapped, "I'm sure I don't know why you should wish to know, but she is in the conservatory."
Christopher raised one heavy brow at the tone of her voice and only added to her sense of disappointment by saying smoothly, "Well, then, if Nicole was well enough to leave her room, she can't have been too upset by the Markhams' visit." With an infuriatingly mocking smile on his beautiful mouth, he added, "And if I know Nicole, she probably enjoyed herself thoroughly. Now, if you will excuse me?"
Regina glared at him, wishing violently that she could read what went on behind those thickly lashed gold eyes. But she could not and had to console herself with the small knowledge that while he had not given much away, that telltale bunch in his lean cheek and that momentary glitter in his eyes boded ill for someone.
As he left his aunt, his air of disinterest vanished; his face was suddenly hard and ruthless. Taking the stairs two at a time, he quickly reached his rooms. Declining Higgins's help, he swiftly changed into a pair of buckskins and riding boots. It took only a second, and on the point of rushing out the door, he threw over his shoulder in a curt voice, "Find out where the Markhams are staying. As soon as I've seen Nicole, I'll be paying Mr. William Markham a visit!"
The conservatory was at the rear of the house and it was the pride of Lord Saxon's head gardener. The domed roof was all of glass, and a profusion of greenery and blossoms enchanted the eye and titillated the senses. A miniature waterfall and fishpond were cleverly constructed in one corner of the huge room, and there were stone benches scattered throughout the seemingly natural paths that crisscrossed the area. It was like finding a beautifully cared for private park under glass. Unfortunately it was seldom used or displayed, only being in demand when a ball or some important function was in progress. Nicole had quickly discovered it was one place that she could always find privacy, and she often escaped to its quiet and peace.
Christopher found Nicole seated on one of the stone benches near the fishpond. She didn't hear his approach, and for a moment he watched her as she stared, apparently engrossed in the orange and gold fish that swam in the shallow depths. She was still wearing the lavender gown, and her hair, worn loose today, hid part of her face as she bent forward.
He said her name softly, and with a start of surprise she jerked around. Her eyes flew to his and she knew instantly that he had already been told of this morning's affair. What his response had been she couldn't quite determine—his features were carefully controlled. But then Christopher always kept himself in perfect command of any situation, she thought bitterly. Nothing ever perturbed him or set him back—damn it!
She greeted him coolly, her own emotions held firmly in check. All she needed now, she decided tightly, was another scene to send her screaming to Bedlam.
But Christopher seemed to have no intention of creating a scene as his eyes carefully scanned her upturned face. Without comment he noted the pale complexion and taut curve to her usually soft mouth. Then he reached out and slowly tipped up her chin, and stared keenly at the disfiguring bruise that marred one perfect cheek. His hand, incredibly gentle, brushed it lightly, and when she flinched, his lips thinned and an angry glitter entered his eyes. But Nicole, unable to stand the silence or his touch, was too conscious of her emotions to notice his, and she slapped his hand aside, snapping outrageously, "I've already been mauled once this morning, do you intend, now, to gloat over it?"
Christopher's expression didn't change except, perhaps, to grow harder, and Nicole experienced the familiar surge of resentment at his ability to remain aloof and unmoved. Her resentment didn't abate one bit when, his eyes mocking hers, he said coolly, "I don't recall that I have ever gloated over your misfortunes, Nick."
Her eyes sparkling angrily and the faint flush of temper blooming on her cheeks, she taunted, "At least I should be used to being struck—you did it often enough! Do you think William does it as well?"
For just a second Nicole wondered if she had pushed him too far. But he made no move and said instead in a scathing voice, "I may have boxed your ears, which you richly deserved upon occasion, but I'm afraid my memory falls short of remembering ever hitting you so hard that I bruised your face in such a fashion!"
"No!" she retorted sweetly. "Instead you seduced me!"
A muscle knotted in his jaw, and Nicole had the hollow satisfaction of knowing she had gotten under his skin. Her mixed elation was short-lived, however, for Christopher countered levelly, "Yes, I did that. But I think I am more sinned against than sinning. How was I to know that you were no more than some little tart after adventure or that you hadn't been Allen's mistress? I did no more than any other man in my position would have. And," he added cruelly, his own temper slipping its leash, "I seem to recall that you enjoyed it!"
Nicole's face paled, and without thinking, she leaped to her feet and struck Christopher full force with an open palm across the mouth.
His eyes shutting instinctively in protection, he stepped back in surprise—surprise and anger. When he opened his eyes a split second later, anger was very apparent in them.
Rebelliously, Nicole awaited his reaction, hating herself and him for the seemingly effortless way he could arouse her to fury and blind action. What was there about him, she wondered fiercely, that drove her to defy him, to goad him until he reacted as blindly as she did.
For a long minute Christopher surveyed her; his lips twisting into a tight smile, he said at last, "No wonder your uncle struck you! If you behave with him as you do with me, I think I should offer him congratulations instead of a sword point!"
Warily, Nicole eyed him, well enough acquainted with his actions to know that, despite his careless words, he was furious and that her maddened blow would not be allowed to pass so easily. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, frowning at his words.
His expression bland, he answered quietly, "You don't think William is going to get by with m
erely a scold from my grandfather, do you?"
Dry mouthed at the implication of what he said, her eyes very big, Nicole whispered, "You're not going to challenge him to a duel?"
Christopher's mouth smiled, but his eyes remained cold and deadly and she read her answer there. Forgetting instantly their own argument, she placed a pleading hand on his arm and said breathlessly, "Oh, Christopher, do not! He is a dangerous man, and he will not meet you without first having taken steps to assure that he will win! He will kill you! It was only a blow—not a mortal insult. Let it be!"
Unemotionally, Christopher removed her hand from his arm. "I rather think it is up to me to decide whether it was a mortal insult or not," he replied dryly.
"Oh, but..."
His face darkening with rage held barely in control, Christopher cut off her further protest by grasping her by the shoulders and snarling, "Shut up, Nick! You may be willing to overlook his actions, but I'm afraid I am not! No one strikes you, while you are under my protection. I may do it if you drive me to it, but I will not allow that piece of offal to do so!" Lips curling in a sneer at her look of disbelief, he added, "Oh, yes, even you I will not have mistreated—except perhaps by myself."
In confusion she stared at his angry face, wishing desperately that she understood him, but beyond the cold anger in his eyes, his features revealed nothing. She couldn't help herself from feeling a twinge of fear for him and softly said, "Be careful, Christopher."
His hold on her tightened painfully and his mouth curved in a crooked smile. "Concern for me? Now that I find hard to believe!"
The ready anger came flooding back, and she fought violently against the hands that held her prisoner. "You utter beast!" she panted. "Let me go!"