Chapter 25 #2
Virginia laid her fork down, smiling back. “I liked it very much. And I agree, Askeaton is beautiful.”
“Is it as nice as your home in Virginia?”
“Yes.” Virginia was touched briefly with wistful longing. “Sweet Briar is a wonderful place. But the riding trails are better at Askeaton.” She smiled at Sean, remembering all the long country rides they had shared.
Eleanor glanced between them with confusion. “I forgot…while Devlin was away, you only had Sean for company.”
Virginia became uncomfortable. She didn’t know what to say.
Sean ignored the conversation, concentrating on his food.
“I haven’t ridden about Askeaton in years,” Cliff remarked languidly. Although he remained impossibly relaxed, Virginia knew he meant to rescue her from an uncomfortable moment. “Sean has some fine horses, does he not?”
She glanced at him. He was a bit unsettling even now, and she had little doubt that he was the kind of man to enjoy the favors of a notorious widow.
But she was grateful he was redirecting the conversation.
“Yes, he does. There are some fine horses at Askeaton. Especially Bayberry,” she added, smiling as she recalled the brave little filly.
Sean finally looked at her. “She is yours,” he said suddenly. “Please accept her as my wedding present.”
Virginia was so overcome she could not speak.
Eleanor looked back and forth between them, her expression stunned. “But you bred her! And you’re giving her to Virginia?”
Sean glanced at her. “Virginia loves the horse.”
Eleanor was suddenly standing. “Excuse me, I seem to have a terrible migraine.” She hurried from the room.
Virginia blinked. What was that?
Sean sighed. “I forgot…she was there the day the filly foaled. She helped me bring her into the world.” He stood, appearing grim. “Excuse me.” He walked out.
Edward looked perplexed. “Mary, what is going on? Why is Eleanor upset?”
Mary began to smile. “I do think your daughter is growing up.”
Tyrell said thoughtfully, “What a strange turn. Eleanor has spent her life provoking Sean, from the time she could walk. Her favorite game used to be ‘ambush’—she would assault him when he would least expect it. Her favorite weapons were sticks and stones.” He started to grin, shaking his head.
“Indeed. She is now jealous of Virginia,” Rex said smoothly, and he saluted Virginia with his wineglass before sipping.
Virginia began to protest.
Cliff said calmly, “Sean needs to kiss her. That will solve one matter—while creating a few new ones.” And he laughed, leaning back in his chair.
“That is enough!” Mary de Warenne cried. “Benson, the next course, thank you.”
The days passed slowly, but without a dull moment.
Virginia rode in the early mornings with one brother or another, although never with Sean.
She made afternoon calls with Mary and Eleanor, or stayed home to rescue Rex from the various ladies calling upon him and Cliff.
It was clear that Cliff was having an affair with the widowed Lady Arlette, as they were not very discreet.
Cliff reminded her very much of Devlin now, as he did not seem to care about his rather notorious reputation.
Evenings were either a family affair or spent on the town.
Virginia found herself swiftly reintroduced into society by the powerful de Warenne family.
There were dinner parties, charities and balls.
Escorted as she was by either the Earl of Adare and his wife or the three strapping de Warenne brothers and Sean, she became a favorite, fawned over and admired by all.
She only once bumped into William Hughes and his wife, and polite greetings were cursorily exchanged.
She met the other de Warennes and learned a little of the family’s history.
The family’s founding father had fought with William the Conqueror.
Once a landless Norman, he had married a wealthy Saxon heiress and eventually had been awarded an earldom.
One of his descendants had journeyed to Ireland to obtain lands and titles there, the result being the Adare branch of the family.
The original Northumberland branch of the family had become too powerful for any king to bear.
Apparently those lands and titles had been forfeit in a deadly rebellion centuries ago.
Afterward, some of the de Warennes had become wealthy merchants; a few had managed to win back some small estates, while others had emigrated to America to make brand-new fortunes.
It was a most interesting family that she had married into.
And Virginia never stopped missing Devlin.
There was no word from him. She followed news of the war avidly, aware that every tidbit was months old.
The biggest news was the defeat of the USS Vixen by the HMS Southampton, and for a week, everywhere Virginia went, Londoners rejoiced.
She could not share their enthusiasm and her loyalties were painfully torn and divided.
“I will kill him if he doesn’t write you,” Sean told her in late January.
“I can’t imagine how a naval captain can post a letter,” Virginia replied. She missed him so much that there were days when it hurt. One letter was all she would need to endure their separation. She counted the days until June. He had promised her he would be back by the middle of that month.
“Our naval ships go back and forth between America and Britain all the time to resupply,” he said. “There is no excuse.”
“He is in a war, Sean,” she said quietly.
He smiled a little at her. “I am going back to Askeaton, I have been away too long. But you are in good hands now, I feel certain. Everyone loves you, Virginia. You have truly become a sister here.”
Virginia warmed with real pleasure. “I love your family, Sean. I actually feel as if I belong here.”
“You do,” he said firmly. “And you do know that if you ever have a problem, you can turn to any of us. I will come running in an instant, but Tyrell, Rex and Cliff would do the same.”
“I think I know that,” she said, meaning it. While Rex and especially Cliff intimidated her somewhat, she had little doubt they would rush to defend her honor if ever the need arose.
He hesitated. “You and Eleanor have become friends. I’m glad. She’s so young…” He trailed off.
“Of course we are friends. She is my new sister,” Virginia said softly. “And every time you look at me she watches us like a hawk.”
He seemed very surprised and he made a face. “What? I don’t think so.” Then he kissed her cheek. “I want you to promise me that you will not hesitate if in need. You have a real family now, and no one here lacks courage, loyalty or purpose.”
“I doubt I will need to call out the de Warenne cavalry,” she teased.
He laughed, the sound warm.
Virginia knew then that his heart had healed and she was happy for him.