He seemed undismayed. “I thought you might enjoy the outing, but if you would rather stay here with me, I’m sure we can find something to do while the Leicesters are away.” Peering at her askance, he awaited her reaction.
Irate sparks flashed in the blue-violet eyes as Erienne became aware that she had been snared. She knew the folly of remaining in the manse alone with the Yankee rake. By the time the Leicesters returned, there would be serious doubt as to the continued state of her virtue. Cousin or not, she would be hard pressed to avoid his amorous bent.
“Your persistence amazes me, sir.”
“I simply know what I want, that’s all,” he answered warmly.
“I am a married woman!” she gritted.
“How well I know!”
At the table Christopher held her chair as she slipped into it, and then he went around the table to take a place opposite her. For Erienne, his presence caused as much distress as when her husband sat across from her. With those glowing eyes constantly on her, she felt as if she were being devoured instead of the excellent fare.
Shortly after the morning meal, the Leicesters made their apologies and hurried on their way, leaving Erienne no choice but to let Christopher escort her to the waiting coach. It was evident that he had expended a goodly amount of coin in the hiring of such a fine livery, and he was most gallant as he handed her into its plush interior.
“Since I favor your company, madam, I shall try to be on my best behavior,” he said as he settled into the seat beside her.
“If you are not, my husband will hear of it, sir,” she warned direly.
He chuckled. “I shall try to remember everything my mother taught me about proper decorum.”
Erienne rolled her eyes in wide disbelief. “This should prove to be an interesting day.”
Relaxing back in his seat, Christopher smiled at her. “Might I start off by saying that I am honored by this privilege, madam? You are an exceptional-looking woman, and ’tis a joy to see you appropriately gowned. At least Stuart is not stingy with you.”
He was right, of course. Lord Saxton was generous beyond the measure of most husbands. It made her even more cognizant of the fact that she had never given him anything in return, not even his rightful due as a man or as a husband.
Erienne smoothed the cream-colored skirt of watered silk, feeling very much a lady of worth. The emerald-green velvet bodice was cut in the manner of a short vest but with a stiff, standing collar and long, fitted sleeves. Puffs of silk adorned the velvet hat that Tessie had encouraged her to wear, and a long streamer of creamy silk swept gracefully beneath her chin and over her shoulder. The creation combined rich, stylish flair with discriminatingly good taste, something both the Talbots lacked but which was applied with almost casual ease in everything her companion assayed. He had completely destroyed the low opinion she had previously held of Yankees, and yet at the same time he had also confirmed her suspicions that their gall was beyond measure.
“Would it be improper for me to ask where you are taking me?” Her question carried more than a hint of satire.
“Anywhere my lady wishes. Vauxhall Gardens might do to begin.”
“ ’Tis really not the best season for it,” she commented.
Christopher glanced at her in surprise. “You have seen it?”
“My mother took me there several times.”
He tried again. “We might have tea at the Rotunda.”
“I wonder if it’s changed much.”
“You’ve been there, too,” he stated with deflated enthusiasm.
“Why, Christopher,” she said and laughed, detecting his disappointment, “I used to live in London. I really can’t name a sight that I haven’t seen.”
He mulled over her reply for a moment, then a slow smile came upon his face. “There is at least one thing in London you haven’t seen.”
Erienne could only stare at him in bemusement as he opened the small door behind the driver and spoke with the man. Then with a confident grin, he leaned back in the seat.
“ ’Twill be a few moments before we get there, my lady. You might as well relax and enjoy the ride.”
His suggestion was hard to follow, and she swiftly came to the conclusion that he was about as easily dismissed from mind as her husband. She could no more feel at ease with him than she could the other, though the contrast between the pair was like night and day.
“How well do you know Stuart?” she asked, determining that conversation was better than silence. Though he had promised to conduct himself in an orderly fashion, he was taking the opportunity to study her in detail.
“As well as anyone, I guess,” he replied easily. “But then, no one knows him very well at all.”
“Are you aware that Timmy Sears is dead?”
He gave a brief nod. “I had heard as much.”
“Stuart seemed…ah…distressed over the man’s death.”
Christopher’s answer was slow in coming. “Perhaps Stuart realizes the possibility of someone accusing him of the killing. A few of your husband’s tenants voiced their suspicions that it was Timmy Sears who torched Saxton Hall, mainly out of spite because of the many times he had been chased off the lands. Nothing could be proven, of course, but the man was into constant mischief. Stuart lost a great deal because of that fire.”
“Do you really think Timmy set fire to the manse?”
A shrug conveyed his indecision, and he replied with care. “I have heard a wide variety of tales about that. One as acceptable as any is that perhaps Lord Saxton inadvertently rode into a highwaymen’s camp and recognized some of them. The marquess received a message to that effect, but before the authorities could arrive, the new wing wherein Lord Saxton had made his chambers was torched.” Christopher glanced out the window as he added, “He had often complained of the drafts of the old house, and now I suppose he has to endure the cold.”
Erienne sensed a poignant sadness in him in that moment of silence but could find no reason for it, except that he sympathized with his cousin. The mood seemed completely out of character for the man himself. “But if Stuart knows who was responsible for the torching of the hall, surely he could call them before the courts to make them pay their due.”
Again there was a long pause before an answer came. “Lord Saxton is not the same man he once was. He thinks differently. He saw his father slain, and he remembers hiding beside his mother, afraid to let out a frightened whimper for fear the men would find and kill them, too. The burning of the manor brought it all home to him. ’Tis possible to see a long series of apparently unrelated events in the happenings, from the slaying of the old lord and the driving of his family away from the hall, to the burning and even the piracy that has laid hold of Cumberland. Perhaps Stuart sees a single hand behind it all and seeks a meticulous justice that can extend to the leaders and the highest one involved.”
Erienne gave serious thought to his answer and was uncertain as to what part she played in all of it. Was her husband a man bent solely on revenge? Or was he seeking out a broader sweep of his vengeance? If she dallied too long, would she someday find his anger turned to her?
“Do you know why his father was slain?” she asked quietly.
A long sigh slipped from her companion. “ ’Tis difficult to say, Erienne. Several harsh accusations were thrust upon his name when he tried to bring about a peaceful settlement with the Scots over the bordering lands, and some lords at court took it upon themselves to question his loyalty because he had married the daughter of a Highland chieftain. At the same time a band of highwaymen began to range through the North country, thieving and murdering. Many accused the Scots, but Stuart’s father argued that it was some of the locals who had banded together. He set about to prove his suspicions, but he was killed before he could. Of course, the blame for that also fell to the Scots.”
“If this is all true, I don’t understand why Stuart went back to Saxton Hall.”
“Why does any man go back to his heri
tage? To clear the family name. To take his rightful place as lord of his lands. To avenge the murder and destruction of his family and bring to task those who were responsible.”
“You seem to know a great deal about my husband after all,” Erienne pointed out.
Christopher smiled wryly. “As much as I hate to admit it, my lady, I’m kin to the man, and I’ve learned all the family secrets.”
“What of his mother? Where is she?”
“After the death of her husband, Mary Saxton took what remained of her family and left the North country. She spent many years a widow, then married an old friend of the family. She will no doubt arrange a visit to Saxton Hall after her son puts his house in order. She does not wish to intrude until then.”
“She must have been greatly saddened by what happened to her son.”
“She is quite a woman. I think you’ll like her.”
“But will she like me? A wife bought on the block?”
“I can assure you, my lady, you have naught to fear. She despaired that Stuart would marry at all, and since you’re such a fine choice for her son, she can’t help but like you.” His grin broadened. “If she doesn’t, I hope she makes Stuart give you up so I can have you. After being married to such a beast, perhaps you could tolerate me a little better.”
“Stuart is not a beast!” Erienne protested impatiently. “And I dislike the fact that everyone calls him one.”
“You rise quickly to his defense.” He regarded her closely as he teased, “I hope you’re not falling in love with the man.”
“From what I’ve heard, he needs someone to love him, and what better person to do that than his wife?”
“You distress me, Erienne.” His mouth twisted in a lightly mocking grin. “You give me no cause to hope for myself.”
“Nor should I,” she retorted pertly. “I am a married woman.”
He laughed briefly. “You seem to take special delight in reminding me.”
“If you hadn’t been so fond of your precious debt, you might have…” She halted abruptly, aghast at what she had been about to say. She had her pride, and she could not bear to let him perceive her disappointments or the reasons behind them.
Christopher peered at her closely and took note of her sudden uneasiness. “I might have what, my lady?”
Erienne held her silence. She had not meant to chide him openly, but she was firm in the belief that if he had truly wanted her, he would have done something more at the roup than just casually accept the outcome.
“Bought you for a wife?” he pressed.
“Don’t be absurd!” Her slim nose tilted upward as she turned it in profile to him.
“Have you so quickly forgotten, my lady? Your father prevented me from taking part in the bidding.” His eyes never wavered from her face. “Did you expect something more of me?”
“Pray tell, what more could you have done?” Her sarcasm came through clearly. “You goaded my father until he was forced to seek a higher bid.” She flung out a hand. “And you came eagerly enough for your payment when the coins were being counted.”
“Madam, can it be that you resent me because I failed to snatch you away from your father and carry you off to some hidden valley?” His tone was one of amazement.
Indignant color stained Erienne’s cheeks. “You’re right, of course. I do resent you, but not for the reasons you state.”
“Might I remind you that I proposed marriage, and you were the one who rejected my offer? In no uncertain terms, you let me know how you loathed me. Was that a lie?”
“No!” The word was lashed out in anger.
“You seem to be content with Stuart,” he began slowly and saw a frown flicker across her lovely brow. “Do you, indeed, prefer the cripple above me?”
The tiny nod she gave was stiff and difficult. “Stuart has been very kind.”
“Useless as a man,” he muttered scornfully.
“That’s not fair!” she cried.
He stared at her curiously. “The statement is fair unless you’re the one who keeps him at bay.”
A livid blush swept into her cheeks, and she quickly directed her attention out the window, unable to meet his probing gaze.
“How you managed that, madam, is quite beyond me,” he stated, taking a cue from her silence. “By now, the man must be in torment, knowing that you are his but forbidden to touch you. I can well understand his plight.”
“Please!” She cast him a quick glare. “This is not a proper discussion, even for cousins!”
Christopher relented, at least for the moment, and allowed her ire to cool. When she was able to take note of her surroundings again, Erienne became aware that the coach was winding its way down to the waterfront. She was relieved when it soon halted, for the confines of the carriage had provided no escape from his unwavering contemplation. Glancing about, she saw that they had stopped near a huge three-masted ship docked close against the quay. A figurehead of a woman with flowing red tresses graced the head of the ship, and the name Cristina was carved into the stern.
Christopher opened the door and stepped out. She laid a gloved hand into the one he offered up and descended to the cobbled wharf. Though a smile was in his eyes, he remained silent beneath her quizzical gaze and took her arm through his, leading her past kegs, barrels, and bales of hemp toward the gangplank of the vessel. Other ships were in dock, but none compared to the lady, Cristina. Like a proud queen, she stood tall and serene amid her consorts. On board, a man in a blue coat came to where the gangplank touched the ship. When he espied the couple, he smiled and waved a greeting that was immediately returned by Christopher.
“Captain Daniels, have we permission to come aboard?” he called.
The man gave a throaty chuckle and beckoned them aboard. “At your pleasure, Mr. Seton.”
The wind ruffled the dark russet hair as Christopher swept off his hat and gave her a rueful grin. “Madam, may I entice you aboard?”
Her gaze flicked over the faces of the men who had come to the rail to appease their curiosity. She could not hear what was being said as they murmured and chuckled together, but she sensed that she and Christopher were the topic of their animated conversation.
“With so many to come to my aid should you prove incapable of continuing your gentlemanly performance, I suppose I shall be safe enough,” she quipped.
An amused chuckle came with his reply. “Madam, if we were cast upon a lonely isle with these same men, I’m sure the stress of your beauty would soon overwhelm them, and you would have to depend upon me to provide protection for you. There is not always safety in numbers, my sweet, and sometimes circumstances play a heavy hand upon the actions of men.”
Finding no appropriate retort, she accepted the arm he offered and allowed him to escort her across the plank. When she glanced down and saw how far they were above the water, she tightened her grip and tried to dismiss the fact that his arm pressed casually against her breast.
The captain greeted Christopher with a broad smile and a hearty handshake. “Welcome aboard, sir.”
Christopher kept her near as he made the introductions. “Erienne, may I present Captain John Daniels, a man I have often sailed the seas with? John, this is the Lady Saxton. I believe you have heard me mention her.”
Captain Daniels took the slender, gloved hand between his own and spoke with jovial warmth. “I thought Christopher had lost his senses when he talked about how lovely you were. I am relieved to see that his claims are quite well founded.”
Erienne was not displeased with the compliment and murmured her gratitude before she met Christopher’s steadfast gaze.
“This is your ship?” she queried and raised her gaze along the tallest mast to where it seemed to touch the underbelly of the sky. The mast rose to a staggering, dizzying height, and she had to look down quickly to set her swaying world aright and was glad for the support of her escort’s arm.
“Aye, my lady,” Christopher replied. “This one is the largest of
the five ships I own.”
“Would you care to see her?” the captain offered.
She sensed the man’s pride for his ship and laughed gaily. “I was hoping I could.”
Captain Daniels walked beside the couple as they moved toward the quarterdeck. Only a brief glance about was enough to assure Erienne that the vessel was well tended and everything was in its place. Christopher held his silence as they descended to the lower decks, allowing the captain the sole privilege of showing off the ship. No more than a third of the hands were aboard, and some of them stared outright as the lady passed, while others cast surreptitious glances in her direction, but each in his fashion paused to admire her beauty.
When the tour of the lower decks was complete, the captain led Erienne and Christopher to his cabin, where he poured a light cordial. He gave a nod to each of the two bedrooms that lay at either end of the main cabin and made a casual comment.
A Rose in Winter Page 32