Chapter Eleven
T he next day was their last full day. In the evening, they would enjoy a grand ball. Brilliance ought to be melancholy over the former and happy at the latter. Instead, she was simply vexed and puzzled.
Martine noticed it over breakfast. “You have barely spoken two words.”
Brilliance sipped her chocolate. “I am sorry for being such poor company.”
Lord Hewitt entered at that moment, followed an instant later by Lady Georgiana, as if they had walked down the stairs together. It was quite possible they had arranged to meet that morning.
Brilliance hunched over her plate of coddled eggs and bacon, as yet untouched.
“Is he the reason?” Martine asked. “Or is it her ?”
Brilliance would not say that it was both of them together that was the problem, so she said nothing. To her amazement, Lady Georgiana came over and drew out a chair beside Brilliance as if they were the best of friends.
“Can you believe we are nearly at an end to this delightful party?” she asked. “I vow the week has flown by.” She poured herself a cupful from the porcelain teapot. “I don’t know about you, but I shall certainly miss the other guests.”
Brilliance realized that Lady Georgiana was staring across the room to where Lord Hewitt was filling his plate. Her stomach twinged as it had the night before. As if he sensed being watched, he turned, scanned the room, and nodded in their direction. And then he began to walk over, holding his laden plate steadily in one hand.
“Good morning, my lord,” Lady Georgiana was the first to greet him.
“Indeed it is, my lady. We have a practically empty schedule today.”
Lady Georgiana laughed as if that was the funniest thing she had ever heard. Brilliance felt Martine’s leg press against hers, obviously wondering what was unfolding before her eyes.
“Surely the opportunity for last discussions with those whom we have become close ,” Lady Georgiana said, batting her lashes at the gentleman, “also makes the day a promising one. Not to mention the ball tonight.”
Lord Hewitt nodded, pouring his coffee and stirring in some crystallized sugar. “And good morning to you, ladies,” he said, taking in both Martine and Brilliance, who had yet to speak.
“Good day,” Martine returned, now tapping her knee against Brilliance’s.
She supposed she must make an effort. “Good morning, my lord. You seem to have a greater appetite for breakfast than usual.”
He glanced at his plate before sending her a handsome grin, which made her curl her toes within her shoes. “I confess I hadn’t realized anyone noticed whether I broke my fast with eggs or with nothing at all. But you are correct, this morning I am famished.”
“What might have brought on this hearty appetite?” Lady Georgiana asked, in a too-familiar, teasing tone.
Brilliance rose to her feet before she knew what she was doing.
“Excuse me,” she said to Martine. “I shall see you ... later.” Without awaiting an answer, or even remembering to wish the others a good day, she strode from the room.
In truth, the day had much to offer despite Lady Twitchard and her staff being entirely consumed with preparing for the evening’s ball. The printed schedule to which they had all been slaves the entire week was woefully thin. Regardless, there would still be croquet, and even jeu de Paume if guests wished to don a thick leather glove and hit a ball back and forth. They could fish, too, or use the bows. And, as always, there was riding.
None of it interested her. Brilliance knew she was sulking. Most of the other guests would enjoy the outdoor activities and then, if they’d exerted themselves, take baths to ensure they were refreshed and sweet smelling for the last festive dinner and dancing.
Any staff not needed in the kitchen or for the final decorations in the ballroom would be kept busy lugging hot water and portable copper tubs to each room in turn. While there were a few dedicated rooms for bathing, those would be reserved for the Colonel, Lady Twitchard, and perhaps Lord Hewitt since he was family.
For the first time, Brilliance felt homesick, thinking of the splendid cast iron tub at her home on Piccadilly. She wandered outside, through the gardens, and down toward the river. Tomorrow, by nightfall, she would be back with her parents, but she would be changed.
Surely in her two decades, she had never experienced such a range of emotions, and in such a short time, too. Choosing a pebble, she threw it as far as she could to watch the rippling on the surface of the gentle stream. It was satisfying, so she did it again with a larger rock.
“You will scare the fish,” came Lord Hewitt’s voice.
Brilliance gasped and whirled to face him, heart immediately pounding.
“My apologies,” he said. “I did not mean to frighten you.”
“I was wool-gathering, a nasty habit.”
“And throwing stones,” he pointed out. “Is that also a habit?”
She didn’t answer. In her mind, she was imagining him kissing Lady Georgiana. “Why are you here? Without a fishing pole?”
“ You don’t have a pole,” he pointed out.
“I didn’t come to fish.” She looked around. “I didn’t even mean to walk this far.”
“I didn’t come to fish, either,” he said. “I was looking for you.”
Brilliance almost gasped a second time. She wasn’t normally a dramatic person, but his gaze was unwaveringly direct. And they were alone.
Just as he had been with Lady Georgiana.
“I am surprised your lady-friend isn’t with you.”
“My lady-friend?” he asked quizzically. Then he barked out a laugh. “Do you mean Lady Georgiana?”
Brilliance was mortified. She had sounded irrationally, humiliatingly jealous. Dignity was not always necessary, nor even pride. But being pitiful was beyond the pale. Turning away, knowing she could not speak civilly to him when he was so casual with his kisses, she began to walk back the way she had come.
“Here now, where are you going?” Lord Hewitt fell into step beside her. “Are you angry with me? You didn’t seem so at supper last night, but at breakfast, you had lost every ounce of friendliness.”
“I am not to be trifled with,” she said through gritted teeth, increasing her pace so she would pass quickly through the copse of trees.
“I am no trifler,” he said, but she kept walking.
“Lady Cheese,” he called after her, his tone teasing, but that only made her angrier. “Giver of fruit and fabulous kisses,” he added.
She halted. Damn the man! When she looked back at him, his gray-green eyes were welcoming and happy behind his spectacles, and his mouth — so perfect — was in a half smile. She took a step toward him.
“You say you are not a trifler, but you were hidden away in the conservatory kissing Lady Georgiana last night, and now you have the gall to joke about kissing me! I shall report your behavior to your cousin.”
Brilliance turned away, but suddenly he had closed the distance and grabbed her arm.
“Release me,” she demanded, giving a little tug to free herself.
“I have not kissed Lady Georgiana,” he stated. All traces of humor had vanished. “You have no reason to believe me, except I shall be insulted if you don’t. What’s more, I have never kissed two women at the same party. That would make me a trifler, indeed!”
Brilliance considered his words. “Oh,” she said finally, believing him both because she wanted to and because he was too affronted to be lying. At least, she hoped so.
“You may release me now,” she said.
His eyes narrowed. “Will you run away like a frightened rabbit?”
“No.”
He let go of her.
“Do you deny she came to the conservatory after everyone had gone upstairs to bed?” Brilliance asked, needing to know the entire truth.
“I don’t deny it, but she came uninvited. And I sent her back upstairs as soon as I sussed out her game.”
“I see.”
He took hold of both her hands. “I believe you did see. I heard a noise. Was that you?”
“Perhaps,” she said, letting him draw her toward him.
“And what were you doing creeping downstairs?” he asked. “Were you meeting a lover?”
Her cheeks heated. He had caught her. Lord Hewitt knew she had intended to do exactly what Lady Georgiana had done.
“If you had slipped into the conservatory, I promise you, I would not have thrown you out as I did her.”
“Why?” she asked, looking up at him. She wanted him to compliment her, and it must have shown.
“Well, that is a first,” Lord Hewitt said. “Lady Brilliance is flirting with me. Shamelessly, too. I would have kept you locked in the music room with me until all hours. And if you do not know why, then I will show you.”
Without warning, he kissed her. Without a thought, she snaked her hands up to rest behind his neck while his hands spanned her waist.
Brilliance had learned a few things that week, such as how to tilt her head and make her mouth fit against his perfectly without their noses bumping. She’d learned it made the kiss better to part her lips. But when his tongue began its quest, she slid hers into his mouth, surprising him.
It was a delicate dance, and while they performed it, her heart was pounding so hard that the noise filled her ears like a drumbeat. Why it should be pleasurable to crush her breasts against him, she could not explain, but it was. In fact, she could not get close enough.
How long they kissed, she couldn’t say. Leisurely, he raised his head and she sighed. Then, seeing how her bonnet brim was half over her left eye, she started to straighten it.
“I nearly forgot!” he exclaimed. “I bought you a gift.”
“Whatever for?”
“For all you have given me, all the fruit and the friendship. And simply because I wished to.” He reached inside his coat. “There was not much selection in the village, and now we’ve crushed the silly thing.”
Lord Hewitt handed her a decidedly flat but lumpy parcel of creased tissue-paper.
Not the least hesitant, she tore it off in two seconds. “A bonnet,” she said softly, staring at the folded hat in the lightest cotton. “And the prettiest shade of blue.”
“To match your eyes,” he said.
“Thank you. I adore it.” She undid the bow under her chin and wrenched off the cream and pink bonnet she was presently wearing, tucking it under her arm. Giving the new one a shake that didn’t succeed in removing its many wrinkles, she set it atop her head.
“How does it look?” she asked.
“Beautiful, albeit crumpled. I am sure your maid will tend to it.” He took hold of the blue ribbons dangling down. “Meanwhile, allow me to tie these for you, my lady.”
Brilliance felt his fingers under her chin as he made a lopsided, clumsy bow. As soon as he had finished, she went up on tiptoe and kissed him again.
Instantly, heat curled through her body, increasing when he pressed one of his thighs between hers. Lost in the ardor of their embrace, she was hampered only by the cotton of her day dress from feeling his firm leg against her most intimate part.
Voices had them springing apart, with Brilliance sucking in a shocked breath while Lord Hewitt tugged at his coat sleeves.
“Walk toward them,” he ordered, “and I will go back to the stream. I shall come find you, and we’ll go riding.”
She did as he suggested without hesitating, only wishing large animals weren’t going to play a part in the rest of her day.
She hurried forward, meeting Colonel Twitchard and a cluster of the male guests carrying poles.
“Well met,” said the Colonel. “Would you care to join us?”
“No, thank you,” Brilliance said. “I walked this far, and that was far enough.” After all, she had already made her catch for the day.
When Vincent caught up to Lady Brilliance twenty minutes later, having skirted the fishing enthusiasts entirely, he found her already wearing her riding habit. Unfortunately, she was surrounded by other guests who all intended one last ride before they dispersed by late morning the following day. Most of them were going back to London. If they liked riding, then this was a far better place than Hyde Park or St. James’s, although with less chance of being seen by the right people.
His cousin was among those standing in the stable yard.
“There you are,” Alethia said. “Go change, and we’ll wait unless you have other plans.”
Lady Brilliance’s gaze was upon him, almost rueful, but there was nothing for it except to join the group.
“I am surprised you are riding,” he said to his cousin. “After all, you are putting on a ball tonight.”
“I am thoroughly organized, and my staff even more so. We shall be ready. A ride will clear my head.”
Vincent hurried inside to change. He hadn’t brought his valet, but he was well able to look after himself, and took no longer than five minutes. Upon his return, however, his cousin had coupled the riders, including Lady Brilliance, who was to ride beside Lord Fincham. He dreaded to discover his partner was Lady Georgiana, much relieved to see it was, in fact, Lady Martine.
“You are more at ease in the saddle than your friend,” he remarked when they had set off across the fields.
“I suppose I am.” After hardly any hesitation, she asked, “Speaking of my friend, what are your intentions, my lord?”
He was shocked. Lady Brilliance’s forthright manner was apparently contagious. Or perhaps that was why she and Lady Martine were friends, birds of a feather and all that.
“The answer should come easily,” she added. “It is not a riddle.”
“I was only wondering whether Lady Brilliance asked you to ask me, or if playing the part of a parent was your own idea?”
“Hardly a parent,” she said. “Simply a concerned friend. Lady Brilliance is one of the sweetest, candid, most genuine people I have ever had the fortune to meet. I cherish her, as she deserves.”
As she deserves . Vincent considered that. “Don’t you, and all of us for that matter, deserve to be cherished?”
Lady Martine smiled. “I suppose you are correct, my lord.”
At that moment, Lady Georgiana who was riding ahead turned and gave him a hungry stare. The woman was not subtle. What a shame he had no interest in a quick flyer against some convenient wall, for he had a notion she would be willing — albeit with some serious strings attached, such as the leg-shackling chains of marriage.
In any case, the lady caused no rise in him. If Lady Brilliance had given him such a look, he would have felt it searing him down to the soles of his riding boots.
Lady Martine cleared her throat, reclaiming his attention. “I caution you against trifling with Lady Brilliance in the short time you have left. Even if I am powerless, you may recall who her father is.”
There was that word again, trifling . It put Vincent’s back up. While he had engaged in some passionate kisses with the lady, he had not forced her! Nor would he ever lose control and compromise her virtue.
“In that particular regard, I am in no fear of the earl, and you need not be concerned for your friend. I believe she and I are like-minded.”
To his surprise, Lady Martine shook her head. “Oh, my lord. That is highly doubtful. No one has a mind like Lady Brilliance. Have you noticed how she has a tendency to say what she is thinking? Her heart is similarly open. Too easily won over, I believe. At least, once she has let it become inclined in one direction over another. She is wonderfully frank, but also trusting and in some regards, na?ve. She lacks ... defenses.”
He appreciated Lady Martine’s warning, her worry for her friend, and her discreet language.
More than that, Vincent found himself pleased, exceedingly so, at the prospect of Lady Brilliance opening her heart to him. It had been a mere sennight, but the devil take him if he wasn’t absolutely captivated by her.
“I shall remember what you have said, my lady. And I thank you for it.”
While he enjoyed Lady Martine’s thoughtful company, he was glad when they reached the first rest area, where the stream fed into the River Cray. While the horses drank, they were able to switch partners.
As Lady Georgiana made a move toward him, straight and swift as a blackbird, he ducked and wove his way through the riders, avoiding her, until he arrived at Lady Brilliance’s side. She was laughing over something her companion, Lord Fincham had said.
The lucky chap! Vincent wanted to knock him flat.
Her eyes widened when she saw him. “How was your ride, my lord?” she asked. “I admit that I am becoming more at ease with each long journey.”
“That was hardly long,” Lord Fincham said. “In fact, with you as my partner, it seemed monstrously brief.”
Bleh! Vincent hoped Lady Brilliance didn’t appreciate such drivel.
“Then the next part of your ride will return to the normal scheme of time,” he told the man. “Because Lady Twitchard has announced we are all to switch partners. And Lady Brilliance is now mine.”
“Egads!” Lord Fincham said, looking around. “Then I must make haste and find my new one before all the pretty ladies are taken.”
Vincent and Brilliance watched him go, heading straight to Lady Georgiana, who was staring back at them with a glowering expression.
“That wasn’t nice of him,” Lady Brilliance said. “At least he ought not to have stated it aloud. Any of the ladies can be good company regardless of their looks. And in truth, I don’t think there is an unattractive one here.”
Privately, he thought there was an assortment of horse-faced, big-eared, snaggle-toothed, scraggly-haired ladies along with the few pretty ones, such as Lady Martine and Lady Georgiana. However, Lady Brilliance was the only breathtaking beauty at the party.
Aloud, Vincent said, “He is an insolent blackguard who should have kept his miserably mean thoughts to himself.”
“Oh my,” she said. And then her laughter bubbled up again.
He was glad he had been the one to inspire it. What’s more, it was infectious, and he laughed with her. A life with her by his side would be one of happiness, he was certain.
“Shall we ride?” he asked, as others were starting to gain their saddles.
“If we must,” she replied. Then she leaned closer until he could catch her intoxicating floral scent. “I wasn’t lying about enjoying riding a little more each time, but I am happier to be your partner than Lord Fincham’s. Or anyone else’s here, for that matter.”
He beamed down at her, feeling honored. And when he assisted her into the saddle, he felt something else. Touching her, lifting her, sliding her foot into the special leather slipper stirrup — all these incidental encounters left him hard as a piano leg.
In turn, this made climbing into his own saddle a tad painful. But she was worth it!