She considered his words for a moment. “You’re right. I still see you as I did when I first met you over three years ago.”
“I’m not a schoolboy anymore.”
She nodded. “No, you’re not.”
During the remainder of their delicious meal Neil updated her on the status of the Yorkshire estate. He told her he had complete confidence in the estate manager his brother had employed. The only staff change he deemed necessary was to employ a better cook.
They rose from the table at the end of the dessert course. She suggested a stroll in the garden.
The lanterns bordering the gravel garden path were lit. the fragrance of blooming flowers filled the air. She walked with her hand on Neil’s sleeve. Contentment washed over her. It was a relief not to have to hide her problem with alcohol from him.
“You should be proud of the man you have become.” She hastily added, “It is merely a compliment, I do not mean to sound condescending.”
Neil came to a halt near the bench she’d sat upon with Cecily not so long ago. Anna took a seat and Neil settled next to her.
“I feel very blessed not to have been raised by my father,” her companion said as he turned to look at her.
She remained silent.
“I don’t really remember my father, but I do recall the shouting and cursing between him and my mother. He died when I was six years old and the house was a quiet, tranquil place after he was gone.”
“Danforth never told me anything about your parents.” And she’d never asked. She and her husband had never discussed their childhoods or families. Anna knew more about Devlyn than the man she’d been married to for over a year.
Her brother-in-law looked at her intently and she wondered what he really wanted to tell her.
“My mother died. Danforth decided to marry. He told me there should be a woman in the house to teach me how to be a gentleman.” Neil took one of her hands in his. “He knew you were a good woman, a kind woman, so he chose you.”
She nodded to make some sort of response to his words. She couldn’t imagine Danforth doing anything to benefit anyone besides himself.
“My brother told me once he wished he’d never been born. He hated our father and he hated being his son. Our father raised Danforth to be the same arrogant, selfish bastard he himself was.”
“Danforth would never allow anyone to call him Stafford,” she replied with a nod.
“He despised our bloodline. Our mother tried to make a better man of him. Danforth told me by the time father died it was too late for him. I thought I was sent to school early because my brother didn’t want me around. He told me later he sent me away so I wouldn’t be influenced by his bad behavior.”
She couldn’t reconcile the man she’d known with the man Neil described as conflicted and regretful.
“Why are you telling me all this now?” she asked. “Danforth has been dead for over a year. Your brother made his own choices in life.”
“I don’t want you to marry someone like my brother again.” Neil squeezed her hand. “You are a widow and not a green girl any longer. You are the master of your future and are free to choose a good man who will make you a good husband. My brother grew up in a home where our parents hated each other most of the time and tolerated each other the rest of the time. You deserve better.”
She leaned forward and kissed her brother-in-law on the cheek. “How did you become so wise?” she asked him, her tone light.
“I’ve spent a lot of time around you.”
His affectionate words soothed her. Although she’d had an overwhelming craving for wine with her dinner that evening, she’d resisted the urge to leave the house to find alcohol anywhere she could.
“My manservant mentioned an acquaintance of yours having a terrible accident. I can’t remember the unfortunate woman’s name. Has the loss upset you?”
She shook her head. “I never met the woman although I am familiar with her mother-in-law and brother-in-law. Her name was Lady Millicent Cameron. She fell out of a box in the Drury Lane Theatre.”
“My brother always said accidents are a part of life. How ironic that one took him away from me.”
She remembered the day of Danforth’s funeral. Neil had returned to Stafford House after the service with several of Danforth’s friends. The boy had held up remarkably well, the only crack in his armor coming once all the mourners had left the house.
“My only family is gone,” the young man had said with tears rolling down his cheeks. “All of them are gone.”
She hadn’t shed a tear for Danforth. She shed them then for Neil’s loss. Although it had been hard to think of something nice to say about the man who had been her husband, she’d found the words to comfort her grieving brother-in-law. “Always remember your brother loved you very much.”
Neil released her hand and stood. “I think I could do with another piece of Cook’s currant cake.”
Anna also got to her feet. She put her arm through his. Together, they followed the gravel path toward the house.
The fragrance of the flowers surrounding them drifted through the air. The twilight sky was covered with clouds and she wondered if the last few days of sunshine were at an end.
“I see you have taken a lighter hand with your cologne.”
“A young lady in York told me I smelled as if I had bathed in scent,” he replied, looking affronted at the memory.
“And was this young lady very pretty?” she asked, her words playful.
“It doesn’t signify. I need to be careful about what connections I invite. You should see the young ladies flock to me once my title is announced.”
“They may seek you out because you are an extremely handsome young man with impeccable manners,” she replied with a gentle squeeze to his forearm below her hand.
“You must be on your guard as well.” Neil continued to guide her to the French doors on the terrace. “You are a countess and there will be a large settlement when you marry again.”
She didn’t want to talk about her future marriage plans. She was confused about what she wanted. Did she want Devlyn or the chance at having a family?
“What are your plans at present?” she asked Neil.
“The estate manager at Belsley Manor would like me to hear his proposal for a new stable block at the estate in Suffolk. Would you like to accompany me to the country?”
“When do you leave?”
“I have business to see to in town and would like to depart the middle of next week.”
They both stopped short as a cat darted out in front of them.
“What was that?”
“My stray cat, Kitty.” She laughed at Neil’s outraged glare at the shrub into which the feline disappeared.
“You named a cat, Kitty?”
“Andrew actually named the beast.”
“How are Andrew and his mother?”
She was surprised at Neil’s detached tone of voice when he asked after Cecily. Perhaps an outspoken young lady in York had caught his fancy.
“I spent some time with Andrew this afternoon. He and Cecily depart for Norfolk on the morrow to visit relatives.”
“Did I miss any shocking on-dits while I’ve been away?”
She kept her gaze on the French doors in front of her and replied, “Nothing of any consequence.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Cameron!” Caroline rose from her seat when her two sons entered the parlor. The butler had alerted her to their arrival home. Both men knew not to approach her until they’d washed off the dirt from the road.
Her eldest son limped toward her with the assistance of a cane. Tears filled her eyes. The last time she’d seen Cameron he’d stumbled around Wiltham Hall on crutches.
“Mother,” Cameron replied, his face softening. He leaned down to kiss her cheek as she reached up to touch his face. His eyes closed a moment as they repeated the ritual greeting both boys knew from their childhood.
Her mind filled
with thoughts of Millicent. Never in her darkest days had she ever contemplated taking her own life. She’d felt like dying when she lost her husband but could never have deprived Cameron and Devlyn their remaining parent. Her greatest fear when she’d left Kent was that Cameron would succumb to the darkness surrounding him.
Her eldest son moved aside so she could greet his brother. Devlyn had a huge grin on his face.
“No tears for me, mother?”
She couldn’t help a smile at her incorrigible younger son. Devlyn had been born with a gift for lightening her moods.
“Do sit down,” she replied a little gruffly after Devlyn dutifully kissed her on the cheek. She felt weepy with relief to have both her boys near.
Both men declined refreshment.
Cameron was the first to speak. “Devlyn has agreed to accompany me when I call on Millicent’s father. We will visit the duke this afternoon.”
“You know he is unwell?”
Cameron nodded. “Devlyn explained the duke’s ailment.”
“And you? You are quite well, mother?” Devlyn asked.
“I had a lovely visit from Lady Stafford yesterday. Anna reminded me how much I miss having company in the house.” She didn’t mention the fact several other ladies had visited for condolence calls. She’d had the impression those women were more concerned about finding out about her newly widowed son’s physical condition than paying their respects.
“Lady Stafford? She is married to Lord Danforth Stafford?” Cameron asked.
“Anna Stafford is his widow,” she replied with a look to Devlyn. “Lord Stafford died over a year ago in a riding accident. Lady Stafford has recently become an acquaintance of ours.”
Cameron eyed Devlyn. The look passed between brothers led her to believe Devlyn had told Cameron something of his relationship with Anna.
“Now I have both my sons in London, I am happy.”
“I plan to return to Kent after the funeral,” Cameron said and frowned. “You know I despise town. I have plenty to do at Wiltham Hall.”
“The gardens?” she asked him, her tone hopeful.
“They are nearly restored to their original brilliance.”
She breathed a sigh of relief when Devlyn nodded in agreement at his brother’s statement. “Thank goodness. Your father and I designed some of the plots together.”
“I do recall during one of my laudanum-induced stupors your shouting such a thing at me.”
“I never shout,” she replied primly. “I do on occasion speak rather forcefully.”
Both men chuckled at her words. She felt decidedly outnumbered.
“You may both run along now. Dinner will be at seven of the o’clock.”
Both of her sons stood and bid her farewell until the evening meal. She would inquire further about Cameron’s well-being later. Cam looked tired, but otherwise better than she’d expected. The fact none of them brought up Millicent’s accident directly didn’t concern her. She hadn’t expected her son to mourn his wife’s passing.
* * * * *
Devlyn heard very little of Lady Beauchamp’s words to his mother. His thoughts were occupied by the knowledge Anna stood in line to give condolences to his family in the company of a younger man. As he wondered at the identity of her companion, he realized how very little he knew about the woman he loved. The gentleman looked entirely too young for Anna. Perhaps the man was a relative?
The next family to speak to his mother included two young women who looked hard pressed to refrain from giggling every time one or the other stared at Cameron or himself. He cynically believed the numerous mourners calling on the family after Millicent’s funeral came not out of respect for the family but merely to be part of the tragedy of Millicent’s death. Or to ingratiate themselves with his newly widowed brother.
On doctor’s orders, Millicent’s father did not attend the funeral service. Devlyn had met the old duke yesterday and he agreed the man was aware of very little around him. He had no memory of a daughter.
The small party accompanying Millicent to the cemetery had consisted of the clergyman, Joseph Planta, the duke’s solicitor, Devlyn and Cameron. Now their family stood together and accepted the condolences of the ton. He spied more than one marriage minded mama looking Cameron over, presumably weighing his disability against his title and wealth. His brother had wanted to leave his cane in his bedchamber and conceal his limp as best he could.
“You should bring your cane downstairs and limp quite visibly,” Devlyn said and added a grin. “Unless of course you want to encourage the interest of all the women of marriageable age in London.”
Cameron had blanched at his brother’s words. He was left with the impression his brother was in no hurry to get leg-shackled again.
In the end their mother told her eldest son “he should begin as he meant to go on” and the cane accompanied Cameron to the drawing room.
Many curious glances were directed Cameron’s way although nobody appeared brave enough to ask after his injury.
“I am so very sorry for your loss.” He heard Anna’s voice repeat the sentiment the family had received numerous times already.
The young man next to Anna bowed. “We have not been formally introduced. I am Lady Stafford’s brother-in-law. I regret our meeting occurs due to a very sad occasion. Please accept my condolences on your loss.”
“Thank you, Lord Stafford. I knew your brother,” Cam replied. “We briefly sat together in the House of Lords.”
Anna and her brother-in-law moved along to his mother and himself and repeated the same sentiments. There were still many others waiting to pay their respects and too soon his moment with Anna came to an end. He glanced after her and she chose that precise moment to look back. How lovely he thought she looked, even dressed in black.
Anna’s brother-in-law said something to her, she turned to the man and the spell was broken. He returned his attention to the next family in line. He felt the heaviness of Cameron’s gaze and chose to ignore it.
“Thank goodness everyone is finally gone,” Cam said a few hours later as both men sipped claret in the study. “After our meeting with the solicitors tomorrow I can return to Wiltham Hall and my solitude. I felt like an insect under a microscope today.”
The rain that had threatened all morning now came down. He did not envy Cameron his journey south tomorrow. The roads would be muddy and slow.
“Yes, you’ll be quite alone with some twenty servants on the estate.”
“None of them are looking to marry me,” his brother replied with a shudder.
“I would have thought we might have dissuaded some of the title-hunters with your limp.” He shook his head in disbelief at the audacity of some of the women who gawked at his brother while expressing their sympathy at his loss.
“Titles are evidently thin on the ground at present,” Cam replied as he narrowed his gaze on Devlyn. “I did see one lovely lady with eyes only for you.”
He snorted. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You know very well I’m referring to Lady Stafford. She is a nice bit of muslin.”
“Cameron…”
“I’m merely trying to determine how serious you are about the lady.”
“She’ll not have me,” he replied and took a hearty swallow of the dark red liquid in his glass.
“She refused you?” Cameron raised a brow in disbelief.
“I didn’t ask.”
“Then how do you know? She looks rather taken with you.”
He grunted. “I’m not what she really needs.”
Cameron moved to pour more claret into his glass. “Although I am no great expert, I have seen love before. Lady Stafford looks at you the way our mother looked at father. Ask her.”
“Could we talk about something besides my personal affairs?” he asked irritably.
“All right, I will change the subject. What do you know about growing wheat?”
* * * * *
Although A
nna had enjoyed tea at Clearwater House the day before, she would prefer to spend time with Lady Gainsley somewhere other than the lady’s ornate mansion. All the public rooms she’d visited at Clearwater House contained a liquor tray and she’d been bombarded with memories of the rout she and Devlyn attended at the house. Those memories led to thoughts of their tryst in the drawing room at Stafford House later that same evening.
“Thank you for walking with me today,” Lady Gainsley said from her place at Anna’s side. “Your kindness has helped me adjust to my new life here in England.”
“I must thank you for your invitation. I do love to walk in the park, and it is far more pleasant with good company.”
She wouldn’t tell her companion she preferred a leisurely morning stroll in the pastoral grounds of Kensington Gardens to the posing and posturing on display during the fashionable hour in Hyde Park.
It took so little effort to be nice to the young woman beside her or anyone, really. The idea she could touch someone’s life by merely being a part of it made her quite happy.
Ahead of her on the path she saw two male riders approach them. One of the riders looked familiar.
“Lady Stafford,” one of the men called out. She immediately recognized Devlyn’s voice.
She imagined the rider who accompanied Devlyn might be his brother Cameron. The two men halted their mounts near the spot she and Lady Gainsley now stood. Anna made the introductions, all the while aware of Devlyn’s assessing gaze.
“I would like to express my condolences on the loss of your wife,” Lady Gainsley said to Cameron.
Lord Cameron inclined his head. “Thank you, Lady Gainsley.”
“It is a beautiful day to be outside for a walk,” Devlyn said. “We have just returned from a visit to our solicitor’s office. Excuse us for not dismounting. We have another appointment this afternoon.”
“Not at all, Mr. Maitlin,” both women said in unison.
“It is a pleasure again to meet you ladies,” Cameron Maitlin said.
“Enjoy your day.” Devlyn nodded at both women before both men nudged their mounts forward and away from Anna and her companion.
A Lady's Addiction (Honor Prevails Book 1) Page 24