And if he did forbid it, would she listen? She had money which she had inherited, but upon their marriage, Burke was automatically in charge of all that. He held the purse strings now, she could not spend a penny without his permission.
Of course, he had not put his foot down. She had her allowance, for herself and for the household. He was not mean about it. However, the bank accounts were in his name, she could draw out nothing unless his note went to the bank with her.
How unfair it was, she thought, lying in the great bed, turning restlessly from time to time. Children and women were so hemmed about that abuse was often inevitable.
She finally heard the carriages returning after midnight. There were steps in the downstairs hall, a murmur of voices, a soft laugh, then steps on the stairs. She turned over again, and went to sleep.
She wakened slowly in the morning. The September sunlight was streaming in the narrow gaps between the draperies. She had slept late. Oh, had Burke gone out without her? Anxiously, she pulled the bellrope, and Netta soon appeared.
“There, now, you had a good sleep, Miss Lesley,” said Netta, smiling at her kindly, like a mother. “I brought your tea. You’re to stay in a bit, Mr Burke has not gone out. He says to let him know when you’re awake.”
Lesley relaxed against the pillows Netta had plumped up. “Oh, he has not gone out without me.”
“No, miss, he’s got something on his mind, I think. He was turning it about and about as he drank his tea, so Irving says to me.”
Irving was Burke’s very proper valet. In his forties, he was greying, devoted and silent. He and Netta had made friends early on in the marriage, and there was a friendly conspiracy between them to mend matters between the master and mistress, though Netta did not confide this.
Lesley had just sipped at her tea when Burke knocked lightly at the half-open door and came in. She smiled at him. “I was afraid you had gone out without me, Burke,” she said quickly.
“Good morning, my dear. No, there is no rush. I must go to the bank today, I believe.” He looked serious, for all his quick smile at her. He seated himself beside the bed, and Netta discreetly disappeared into the parlour.
“Sandy? You have heard something?” She set down her cup with trembling fingers. He shook his head.
“Not directly. It is another matter. Talk at the party last night revealed that Uncle Stukely was at his club in a very passion yesterday morning. It seems that Aunt Felicia forged his name to a note, to the bank, and withdrew a vast sum from Sandy’s account. She wept and said it was for jewels and new gowns, but it was so large, and Stukely swears she has no new gowns but for the ones he bought for her this summer. It was murmured to me by one man that Stukely suspects a lover, but he was in such a passion no man dared to say it to him.”
“Guy Janssen,” breathed Lesley. “How did she dare to be so bold?”
“I think she is desperate,” said Burke thoughtfully. “It may be he is threatening her ... I wonder if he did take the child, or knows his whereabouts? If I could find the man, I would shake him until his wig fell off!”
Neither smiled, they were intent on the problem. Burke sat frowning into space, Lesley picked up her cup again and sipped at the cooling tea, worrying the idea around in her mind.
Lesley finally said, “If Janssen does know where Sandy is, and would reveal it for money, I would gladly pay whatever he asked to recover Sandy!”
Burke frowned. “I would not reward him a penny!” he said shortly, “and I wish you would not even consider it! He is a villain, and is probably sucking blood from Felicia so as not to reveal her foolishness to her husband. It may have nothing to do with Sandy. If her eyes have wakened to his greed and motives in being her lover, she may have tried to break off the affair. That may be all there is to the matter. However, I am going to the bank this morning, and find out the procedures for a court order to close Sandy’s account.”
“Close it?”
He nodded. “Yes, there is no reason to draw upon it if he is not with them, and there is no excuse for money to spend upon him. The amounts they drew in the past were ridiculously high. They could not have needed such amounts, even if the lad were buying a house ... carriages, horses ... we all know he does not have such items. Nor is he of an age he needs a house.”
Burke leaned forwards and touched the ruby heart pendant lying on the bedside table where she had placed it the night before. “You are wearing this daily,” he said quietly. “I am so pleased you like my gift, Lesley.”
She looked down shyly. “I ... like it, thank you, Burke. And I think it a good talisman ... pray forgive my superstition. But Sandy liked it, and I ... do also. I thought it might bring me luck.”
“I hope it will,” he said. He set it down, and came to sit on the bed beside her, as though casually. She flinched, stiffened, he did not seem to notice it. “Rest in bed this morning, Lesley. I shall return about noon, we can have luncheon, then set out again. Can I persuade you not to come with me today?”
She shook her head, very aware of his closeness, his thigh on the bed near to her, though she was covered by the bed clothes. “No, I will come, please, Burke. I keep thinking I will see Sandy, or he will see me and call to me, ‘Aunt Les, Aunt Les, I am here.’ It is foolish of me, perhaps. However, it is a little hope I have.”
There were tears in her grey eyes. Burke bent and tenderly kissed each eyelid, to brush the tears away. “This is very hard on you,” he said. “I would we may find him soon, and he will be back in our nurseries once more. You may be sure I shall do my best to secure our guardianship of him. I have already asked my solicitors to proceed with this course.” He brushed back her tumbled red-gold hair, and bent again to her.
He hesitated, then brushed his lips slowly against hers. She did not move, holding her breath. She eyed him from under her long dark-gold lashes. She wished she could read his expressions truly, and see into his heart. Did he kiss her and caress her to woo her truly, or did he have only lust in his heart for her?
She thought of the letters he had written to Aunt Maude and felt herself softening. He had seemed passionately honest in them. If only she could believe in him! If only she could trust him!
Burke held her by one shoulder, the bare flesh under the loose sleeve seemed to burn at his warm hold. He bent again, as she spoke no protest. His mouth moved slowly on hers, then he nibbled gently at it, until her lips opened. He took one lip between his, and drew on it, in a strangely pleasing way. Then he kissed her, open-mouthed, and breath mingled with breath. She felt heat rising in her, as he stroked her shoulder over her arm, down to her wrist, then up again, his mouth still on hers.
His other hand moved from beside her to her waist, and he held it firmly in his fingers. His head moved, he brushed his lips down over her cheek and chin, down to the tender, sensitive side of her throat, to her warm curve of neck. His lips lingered there, she could smell the pomade on his thick curls, the tobacco smell of his first pipe of the morning.
Some spell seemed to hold her motionless and unprotesting in his hold. Perhaps she was tired and still half asleep. She had been late going to sleep last night, and emotionally she was exhausted from the weeks of searching. Or perhaps it was a more subtle reason.
Lesley wondered, did she want Burke to make love to her? Had she been disappointed and jealous that he had not persisted in his attentions, and insisted on his marital rights? She could not think straight while his arms were so close about her and his mouth lingered on her soft throat.
He raised his head slightly, she could not see his face as his right hand moved her nightdress aside, so his hand could slip inside it, to the rounded full breast. She caught her breath in a gasp, his hand paused, then moved on slowly as she did not push him away.
His fingers touched the soft nipple, fingered it, nipped it between thumb and finger until it rose in a point. Then he bent his head and slipped the nipple between his lips. He pulled at it softly, seductively, and his tongue slid around th
e breast. His mouth opened further to hold the breast, and she felt his tongue licking the nipple, his mouth pulling strongly on the apple-shaped mound. It was the most exciting sensation she had ever felt. Her hand went to his head in protest, but she could not make herself push him away. Instead she wrapped her fingers in some of his curls, caressing him.
He worked at the breast like a baby, yet not a baby ... he was very much a man. His right hand moved down over her body, to her waist, stroking her, over her thigh, to her knee and slowly up again. He was pushing her back into her thick pillows, she felt she was drowning in erotic feelings.
His large hand on her thigh, close to her intimate parts, yet avoiding them, slid up again to her waist. And still his mouth pulled at her breast, then moved to the other breast and tenderly gave it close attentions. Her nightdress was pulled down until her lower arms were held by the shoulder pieces, and she was bare to the waist. He nuzzled at her, as though he enjoyed her immensely, and both hands were stroking in explorative manner over her.
She should push him away, she thought, distracted. She was lying under him half naked. If he insisted on taking her, she would not be able to stop him. That thought was suddenly thrilling instead of disgusting. What would he feel like? What would he do? She thought of his naked thighs on hers ... the way he had tried to take her that first night ... and something was melting and yearning in her.
Burke slowly lifted up. He gazed down at her silky white body, his fingers moved to touch the breast and the peaked rosy nipple. He seemed to swallow, she saw his brown throat move convulsively. “You are so beautiful,” he murmured.
She could not speak. She was shy, ashamed she had not fought him, yet ... yet... He lifted up further, one hand planted on either side of her, and gazed down intently into her face. She could not take his gaze, she was blushing and her eyes were half-closed.
“Lesley,” he murmured. “I think you are not so hating of me any longer,” and his large mouth curved into a slight smile. “I would I had more time to woo you today! Will you invite me to remain with you this morning?”
She shook her head violently, her eyes flashed open and stared in shock up at him. “No ... no, Burke!”
“More wooing,” he said, and laughed softly. “I am pleased to do it, it is no hardship! But I must go ... my darling, rest. I will return in two hours or so.”
He bent, pressed one last kiss on her breast, then tenderly drew up the thin nightdress to cover her nakedness. Then he regretfully drew the blanket over her, and stood up. She slid down into the blankets, feeling one great blush of shame, yet of delight also. Her body burned with his caresses and the heat in her that had come in response to them.
Burke left the room, and Netta finally came back, moving quietly about, setting out a light green muslin dress for Lesley today.
Lesley lay with her eyes closed, her face half buried in the pillows. She was considering what he had done, her body felt as though he had left an imprint of himself on her. And she felt ... disappointed, as though she had wished him to stay!
“Oh, no,” she muttered, and sat up, deeply flushed. She washed and dressed, and went down to the drawing room to wait for Burke. She ate something on a tray, absently, scarcely knowing what she did.
And in spite of worry about Sandy, in spite of doubt of her husband, her body and her heart seemed to sing today. The sunshine spilled into the room, a dusty London bird sang outside the window, chirping about joy even in town. Lesley fingered the ruby heart and began finally to hope and dream.
CHAPTER 14
Burke moved rapidly to close the accounts of Sandy and Viola. The courts agreed, as Aunt Felicia had removed such a large unwarranted amount recently. The banks were ordered to close the accounts, and accountants appointed to audit the books.
Uncle Stukely was furious. He raged at Burke, and half confirmed Burke’s suspicions that they had drawn heavily on both of the children’s accounts to pay their own large bills.
“How can I pay the household bills?” he raged. “The cook must be paid, the housekeeper, the grocer, and so on.
Burke eyed him coolly. “You have no excuse to keep the townhouse open,” he said pointedly. “It is not your home. You could close it, and remove to your own house.”
“It is rented,” Stukely grumbled, his face an angry red. “You would have us live in poverty!”
“It is not your money that you speak of,” said Burke shrewdly. “Surely you have funds of your own. You cannot live on the accounts of Sandy, he has such few expenses. And Viola will soon marry, her husband will then take charge of her fortune.”
“Marry!” yelped Stukely in alarm, jumping up to pace the drawing room of Sandy’s house. “She is too young! I will forbid it! She must come back to live with us! She goes about unchaperoned —”
“She is always chaperoned,” said Burke firmly. “Mrs Grigson goes with her, if her sister or Mrs Meredith are not free. She lives a very sheltered life, you may be sure of it. We do not wish her snatched away!”
At the pointed remark, Stukely fell silent. Burke soon left and on the way back to his townhouse he thought deeply.
First he spoke to Lesley. “Do you think your sister is serious about Edgar?”
“Serious? I think she loves him deeply, and I do not wonder at it,” replied his wife, with a blush.
His gaze lingered on her lovely face. “Why do you say that?”
“Why ... he is a good and fine man, kind, wise, gentle. Their tastes are much in common, their values, their interests. She leans on him, and he delights in her good mind.”
“Hmm.” He frowned slightly. All she said seemed to point to the fact that she admired Edgar ... who was so different from himself! He felt a pain at the wasted years of his life, when he had built such a stupid, wild reputation for himself.
He stood up to pace the room, as Lesley watched him anxiously. They were alone in the late afternoon, the others had scattered after tea. Lesley was weary from riding about, watching for Sandy; he should encourage her to rest before dinner, but he wanted to consult with her.
He finally seated himself beside her on the sofa. “I have been concerned,” he said slowly. “Viola is not in a safe position. She is six months from her eighteenth birthday. I have petitioned the courts to get guardianship of Sandy and of Viola. Sandy has disappeared. Stukely is wild that the money is being audited. The courts might not find for us. If they do not, or Stukely finds some way to open the accounts by taking Viola back with them, I dread for her. They may force her into marriage with some highly unsuitable person.”
“Oh!” Lesley gasped, and reached out for his hand. He took hers in his, gently, and clasped it. “They could ... do that? Oh, Burke...”
“That was what they were trying to do before she came to us,” he said. “Lord Ramsey has been enquiring about Viola, he hung about her skirts the one night we went out. Now, he is too strong-willed for them to approve, he would wish to control her fortunes, of course. But out of spite, they might approve such a marriage. I could not wish that on her.”
“Oh, no, how horrible that would be! Lord Ramsey is a vain, cruel person, a rake, selfish ... I would not wish Viola in his clutches for the world!”
Burke squeezed her fingers carefully. A rake, the words haunted him, rake, Corinthian ... He tried to put that from him, and concentrate on the problem at hand.
“I do not wish to push Viola into a marriage before she is ready. However, I am most concerned about her future. If not Lord Ramsey, it could be some fool over whom they would keep control. I know they have two such hanging about them, and it is not inconceivable they might force such a marriage.”
“How could they force her?” Lesley, frowning, seemed puzzled. For all her intelligence, she was ignorant of much of the world, and he would wish her to remain so. It could be ugly and despicable.
He said merely, “There are ways. Would you speak to your sister, and try to discover her mind on this? I will speak to Edgar, in a tactful manner. If
they are of a mind, and wish to marry, I think it would be wise to announce a formal engagement. The marriage need not take place for a time; however, the engagement would protect her in the eyes of everyone.”
“Yes, yes, if that is what you think best. I want Viola protected. The thought of her in Uncle Stukely’s hands once more ... oh, it does not bear considering!”
Burke raised her fingers to his lips and kissed them. She averted her gaze, her grey eyes flickered, she flushed. He noted carefully her reactions to him. He would not move hastily, he would be careful. But her shy reactions the other morning had encouraged him mightily. And he had been almost wild with desire for her. He had had to depart in haste, to keep from going too far.
He could scarcely trust himself near to her. Yet her weakness, her need of him at this distressing time, kept him gentle and waiting. He leaned closer, kissed her cheek, then stood up.
“I will leave you to rest, nobody shall disturb you. Perhaps you might speak with Viola in the next days...”
She nodded, leaning back in the cushions with a weary movement. He bent and pushed a pillow under her head, and lifted her feet to the sofa. “Thank you, Burke. Yes, I shall speak to Viola quite soon. And you will speak with Reverend Creswick...”
“Yes, I shall.”
He left her and shut the door, requesting the servants to let her rest for two hours before dinner. He went to his study where he found Edgar working on some papers.
“Was there anything in the lead of that pickpocket?” Burke asked as he sat down at his desk.
“Nothing. I paid him and asked him to continue to be on the alert. The boy he had found was about ten, though small, and a runaway from a harsh master. I ... did feel sorry for the lad, and managed to place him with a man, the owner of a clothing store, to do some errands. The lad said he had no family at all. I will keep my eye on him.”
The Ruby Heart: A classic Regency love story Page 17