“I’d love to open a culinary school one day,” she said, hoping her own dream would help lift her spirits.
“That’s quite an ambition.”
“A real dream ought to be, don’t you think? If it’s easily attainable it’s more of a task you decide to complete as opposed to a goal you must work toward or hope for.” His mouth slanted, the left side scrunching a little as if in thought. “I’ve made some calculations and since I don’t require much on a daily basis, saving the majority of my salary ought to allow me to realize my dream in about ten years.”
“Good lord. That is a long time.”
“It will certainly require patience, but in the end it will be a wonderful achievement. I hope.” Inhaling deeply, she allowed the fragrant smell of the countryside to infuse her senses. “In my opinion anything worth having requires work.”
“One could say your food is testament to that notion.”
He smiled at her with charm and warmth and such openness that it was easy for her to imagine him pulling her into his arms and holding her close. Of pressing his lips to hers and offering her a glimpse of what life by William’s side would look like.
Fearful of how her heart might suffer, Eloise pulled away and went to inspect the brook. She needed distance, a chance to collect her thoughts and regain her composure – time in which to build a much needed wall between them.
“Eloise.”
Her name whispered close to her ear, sparking her awareness until every nerve in her body strained with anticipation. “Don’t. Whatever it is you mean to say, please don’t.”
“I’ve been thinking at great length,” he said, as if she hadn’t spoken, “and I’d like to make a suggestion.”
Eloise turned toward him. She knew what he would say. There was only one option really, and it would not involve an offer of marriage. It couldn’t. So she balled her hands into fists and forced her spine into a rigid position.
“No. Whatever it is you’re hoping for it’s not going to happen.” Taking advantage of his momentary surprise, she walked away as fast as she could, hastening back up the hill with every intention of finding Athena. Spending time in William’s company had been a monumentally bad idea.
“But you don’t even know what I was going to say.”
“Of course I do,” she hissed at him over her shoulder. “I am a servant and you are a viscount’s son, so if you want what I think you want, then there’s only one way to achieve it and I won’t allow that.”
“But—”
“Non! Arretez.” She swept her hand out in a gesture of finality. This thing between them, whatever it was and however much it made her heart beat faster, was over.
Spotting Athena, Eloise breathed a sigh of relief and forced a smile. “There you are. Did you manage to find some good specimens for your project?”
Athena turned toward her. She nodded, then frowned and tilted her head. “Why does my brother look so sullen? Did the two of you quarrel?”
“Of course not,” Eloise assured her. “That would imply I am in a position to question what he might say when all I am is a servant.”
Athena responded with a belligerent look. “You’re more than that, Ellie.”
“My mother was, perhaps, but I’m not, and while I do enjoy your company, I cannot afford to forget my place. It would help a great deal if you would try to remember that.” Instead of trying to match me with a man I want but cannot have.
“Of course. I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need.” Eloise managed a wide smile. “Now let me see the flowers you’ve found.”
She’d rejected him before he’d even had a chance to voice his idea. Irritated, William thrust his rapier at Charles, striking his padded chest with brutal force. A good thing they weren’t fencing with real swords, or he would have impaled him on the spot.
“Well done,” James applauded from the sideline.
Charles stepped back and glared at them both. “This is supposed to be an elegant sport based on skill, yet all you’ve displayed here this afternoon, Will, is anger. And it’s given me a damn bruise to boot.”
“I’m sorry,” William said. “I got carried away.”
His older brother’s scowl didn’t diminish. “It’s her again, isn’t it?”
“Mrs. Lamont?” James asked, his voice incredulous.
“You haven’t managed to evict her from your mind yet,” Charles continued. “Have you?”
William shook his head. He had no energy left to argue. “No.”
“Christ,” Charles muttered.
“I think it’s time for us to intervene,” James said.
“Absolutely not,” William told them. He wasn’t sure what their suggestion would be, but he was fairly certain he wasn’t going to like it.
“Distracting yourself with us and your friends clearly isn’t enough,” Charles said. “You’ve been doing it for almost two weeks, and yet our parents’ French cook is still on your mind.”
“You need a woman.”
I certainly do. I need Eloise.
“Not that woman,” Charles muttered, reading his thoughts. He followed the utterance with an exasperated sigh. “A different one who can see to your needs so you can stop panting after Mrs. Lamont.”
William frowned. He detested the imagery Charles crafted with his words. “I’m not a dog.”
James snorted. “You’re after one particular thing.”
“Unless, of course…” Charles mused.
“Unless what?” William asked when his brother began strolling toward the changing room. He shot a confused look at James before jogging after Charles.
Charles shrugged his broad shoulders. “Unless you love her.”
Startled laughter rose up William’s throat. “Love her?”
Charles halted his progress and turned to face him with shocking seriousness. “Yes.”
William shook his head and glanced at James, who’d approached in the meantime. His expression was equally grave. “If you love her, bedding another woman isn’t likely to help.”
“In fact, I suspect it might make everything worse,” Charles murmured.
William flattened his mouth. “I’m not in love with Eloise—” both brothers raised their brows on account of him using her given name “–but that doesn’t mean she can be replaced by some harlot for hire. Good lord. You’re so besotted with your wives you can’t see an alternative.”
“Which is?” Charles asked.
“That I simply want her the same way I wanted that blue kite when I was little. The green one papa eventually bought me was probably equally good but it wasn’t the same.”
“You know,” James said with a wry twist of his lips, “in the dark you wouldn’t have known the difference, and I rather think—”
“Ugh.” Disgusted with both his brothers and what they implied, William shoved his way past them. Eloise was special, funny, charming, and spirited. No one could replace her, not even in the dark. But how could he make them understand without their insisting he must love her if that were true?
He couldn’t, and he was through trying.
“I think I’ll walk home,” he said when they parted ways outside the fencing club half an hour later. “The fresh air will do me good.”
“I can walk with you if you’d like some company,” James offered.
“Thank you, but I’d prefer to walk alone, if that’s all right. See you later?”
“Of course,” Charles said. James merely nodded. Both had a dubious look about their eyes – the sort that seemed to say without words, you’re drowning, reach for a life line, damn it.
William simply turned away and started toward Townsbridge House. He had no use for their pity or for the guidance they were trying to give him. And keeping his distance from Eloise wasn’t helping. He’d thought that if he filled his days and kept himself busy, he’d avoid thinking about her. But that wasn’t the case.
As the days went on, he just thought of her more, regardless
of whether or not he saw her. In fact, it had gotten to a point where seeing her, or at least being near her, actually offered some small relief. Even when she was trying to push him away.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he turned onto Oxford Street. His heart still beat in a steady rhythm, but it felt heavier than usual. How on earth was he going to solve this conundrum? How was he going to convince her to listen to him and accept what he wanted to give her?
He glanced toward a shop window and stopped. Several books were on display, but one particular one caught his eye. French Landscapes in Color. He studied the beautiful cover for a good five minutes while weighing his options, and eventually decided to inquire about the price.
“A stunning piece for any library collection.” The clerk was an enthusiastic older gentleman with a beaming smile. He placed the book on the counter and pushed it toward William. “Have a look inside. It’s bound to take your breath away.”
William opened the book and was instantly drawn in by the vibrant display of color depicting a lavender field stretching toward a rustic farm house with rolling green hills in the background. He turned the page to a vineyard, then to the Mediterranean shore. Each image was labeled with the location where it had been painted, along with a brief description of the area.
“How much is this?” William asked while carefully closing the book. His heart was knocking about his chest with excitement. Eloise had told him she missed her homeland. Hopefully, this would help bring it closer.
The clerk shifted. “The application of color on every page makes it more pricy than a novel or any other book printed in black ink.”
“I expect as much.” William gave him a direct look.
“It’s three pounds.”
Good God! That was more than thrice as much as he’d thought it would be. Not that he couldn’t afford it, but really, it was an exorbitant amount – as much as he’d paid for his last saddle. “Is it hand painted and inlaid with gold?”
“Umm…”
William sighed. “It’s fine. I’ll take it.”
“You will?”
“Yes. Please wrap it for me.” He wanted to do something not only nice but useful for Eloise, and while it was inappropriate of him to purchase a gift for her, he decided to ignore the social stricture. Making her happy was more important.
The shopkeeper beamed as he handed over the brown paper parcel in exchange for William’s coin. “Thank you, sir.”
“Thank you too.”
Pleased with himself, and with his heart a great deal lighter than earlier, William continued on his way. He arrived home and handed his hat and gloves to Simmons. A nervous sort of energy fizzed through his veins. He wanted to seek out Eloise right away and give her the gift, only that wouldn’t do at all, would it? Someone might see and he couldn’t have that. Not if he was to safeguard her reputation.
He pondered his options. The upper floor where the servants slept should be vacant right now. Perhaps if he went up there and left the book in her bedchamber? No. That wouldn’t work. Not only because he’d no idea which room was hers but because it would be disastrous if he got caught.
Athena.
That was it.
He’d enlist her help.
It wasn’t the perfect solution, especially since he dreaded all the questions he’d most likely have to answer, but it was the best he could think of. He started upstairs and was soon standing outside her door. He raised his hand to knock but paused when a muffled sound met his ears. Was his sister crying?
Leaning in, he strained to listen. Another sob sounded. William frowned. His sister was allowed her privacy. He didn’t want to intrude. But drat it all, if she was suffering and he could help... The least he could do was tell her he was there to offer support.
He knocked.
A pause followed and then the door opened a smidgen. Athena’s face appeared in the crack, completely blotch free. “Yes?”
Uncertainty prompted William to hesitate. His sister didn’t look unwell in the least, so perhaps the sound he’d heard had been something else. He cleared his throat. “May I come in?”
“Er…” He raised an eyebrow when she glanced over her shoulder. “Right now?”
What an odd question.
“I’d rather not stand out here waiting.”
“Hmm…”
“Athena?”
“Yes?”
“What’s going on?”
She scrunched her nose. “Perhaps you can come back later?”
Something in her tone made the back of his neck prickle. He placed his palm against the door and gave it a push. Athena stepped back with a muttered and very unladylike curse. William took a step forward and entered the room. His gaze roamed the neat space until he found Eloise. She was sitting on Athena’s bed.
“Forgive me, I…” He studied her hunched shoulders, the way her hand covered her mouth, and her downcast eyes, then turned to Athena, “What’s happened?”
“A letter arrived. Eloise’s grandfather has taken ill, and her mother writes that he hasn’t a lot of time left.”
A knot formed in William’s throat, and his heart beat loud in his ears. “You must go to him at once.”
It was the only solution.
“I’ve told her as much but she insists on waiting to speak with Mama. She’s afraid she’ll lose her position if she’s gone for too long.”
“And where is Mama right now?” William asked. He’d returned his attention to Eloise, who looked nothing like the strong and capable woman he’d gotten to know. Instinct told him to lift her up, to help her through this, and ease her pain in whatever small way he was able.
“I’m not sure. She had a bit of shopping to do and mentioned visiting some friends, but I wasn’t paying attention and—”
“Every moment is precious right now. We cannot waste a single one.” Heaven above, he’d get Eloise to France on time so she could see her grandfather again before it was too late. “Help her pack, Athena. I’ll have one of the carriages readied.”
“Thank you, Will.”
He gave a curt nod on his way out the room. “Think nothing of it.”
Hastening back downstairs, William placed the book he’d been meaning to give Eloise on the hallway table. It would have to wait. Right now, hitching the horses and telling the driver he’d have to head for Portsmouth post haste was of far more importance.
“I can escort you,” he told Eloise a short while later when she prepared to climb into the carriage. “If you like.”
Her smile wobbled, but held. “Thank you, but I think you ought to stay here.”
“Take this then.” He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a pouch. The coins within jangled ever so softly as he offered it to her.
“William, I—”
He grabbed her hand and closed it securely around the pouch. “I’ll make certain you have a job to return to. I promise.”
She gave a tight nod – the sort that suggested she struggled to keep her composure – and he released her with gnawing regret. The door closed and he stepped back. “Drive carefully, but make haste.”
The coachman tipped his hat and whipped the horses into motion. William stood behind on the pavement, feeling as though his heart had just ridden off without him.
He waited until the conveyance was out of sight, then strode back inside, collected the book he’d bought, and took it upstairs to his room for safekeeping. After a change of clothes and a brief exchange with Athena, who promised to solve the immediate cooking problem the household faced, he went to his father’s study and patiently waited for Roxley to return from his club.
It took nearly two hours before the man finally walked through the door. He looked at William, who immediately stood.
“This is a pleasant surprise,” Roxley said. “It’s been a while since you’ve come to see me, you’ve been so busy of late.”
“My apologies.” William clasped his hands behind his back to keep from fidgeting.
&nbs
p; His father cut him a speculative glance as he went to pour two glasses of brandy. He handed one to William. “You look more anxious than usual. Care to discuss it?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.” William took a large sip of his drink and then promptly said, “I would like to request your help with purchasing a house.”
A tiny flinch was the only indication of Roxley’s surprise. He took a seat, waited for William to do the same, and finally asked, “Why now?”
“Because I, um…would like to be more independent.” He raised his chin. Whatever plans he’d had of going to Florence had vanished with Eloise’s departure. He had to wait for her return, had to do what he could to make her his. “After living alone for a year in Lisbon, I only planned to stay with you and Mama temporarily.”
“I see.” His father steepled his fingers. “You want to be able to do as you please without us or your sisters being the wiser. Have you started searching for a new position?”
“Not yet.” After all, he’d been meaning to travel. “But I will.”
“Houses don’t pay for themselves, you know, so while I am happy to cover the cost of buying one for you, seeing as I did help your brothers in a similar capacity, I would like to make sure you have the necessary income to keep it.”
“I’ll start looking for a position tomorrow.”
“Excellent.” Roxley reached for his glass. “Let’s drink to success then, shall we? I’ll find out what’s on the market and we can go take a look.”
Pleased with how well this conversation had gone, William thanked his father and stood. His next task was to make sure Athena had met with success and that food would indeed be served at seven o’clock that evening.
“William?”
Roxley’s voice stopped him before he reached the door. He turned and met his father’s thoughtful gaze. “Yes?”
“If this sudden desire of yours to change your life has something to do with a woman, I do hope you’ll stop and think with your brain before you allow your baser instincts to guide you.”
William barely managed a tight smile. It was the best he could do short of sputtering in response. He inhaled deeply, then let the air out with slow deliberation. “Of course.”
The Townsbridge's Series Page 27