Chapter 6
six
The next day, Effie pondered whether to go to Lord Montcrest or not for about two minutes.
He hadn’t sent a message, asking to see her father, and she was worried.
Knowing how Zeus was faring was more important than any dispute he and her father might have had.
Curiosity about him had a role in her decision, too.
After breakfast, she hurried along the already busy pavement with her friend Jane, Viscountess Vaughan.
The end of winter was being generous to Londoners. The sunny days drew everyone out but made the smell of horse dung stronger. Not that she minded it, but it covered the scent of the evergreen trees coming from the park.
“Did you see those parasols? So pretty.” She pointed at a couple of ladies twirling their light blue parasols.
Jane glanced at them. “I agreed to come with you, but we shouldn’t call on a gentleman without having an appointment. Gossip spreads quickly, especially when Montcrest is involved.”
Effie chuckled. “You don’t like Lord Montcrest, I gather.”
Jane patted her dark hair styled in a complicated French braid with curls and rolls. Her lady’s maid had a gift when it came to hairstyles. “From what I heard about him, he seems a rather ruthless person. Inviting him to next week’s ball was my husband’s idea.”
She perked up. “Is he coming? I didn’t know.”
“He hasn’t confirmed his presence yet. I agreed to send him an invitation, only because not inviting him would have started rumours. Montcrest’s father was…” Jane shook her head. “I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.”
“Why not? They won’t gossip.”
“Very funny.”
“I want to know your opinion.” She paused before turning the corner towards Montcrest House. “Did something happen between my father and Lord Montcrest’s father?”
“I would say between the late marquess and everyone in London. My father-in-law told me the late marquess was a ruthless businessman. He tricked more than one gentleman with his greed, and I fear the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”
“Did Lord Montcrest’s father damage Papa as well?”
Jane leant closer. “I don’t know the details. I heard the late marquess didn’t behave like a gentleman in a business deal. The rumours about his second wife are rather muddled, though. Apparently, she moved to the country to visit a relative and died of fever or something similar.”
Effie understood little of Papa’s business; animals were more interesting than numbers, but she could easily believe Lord Montcrest was a determined businessman.
Well, for now, she cared only about Zeus. And Lord Montcrest had nothing to do with a quarrel that had happened years ago between Papa and Lord Montcrest’s father.
Montcrest House towered over a cul-de-sac in its dark glory.
Despite the fact its whitewashed walls sparkled, the glossy black front door, black-framed windows, and heavy-looking black fence gave the house a gloomy atmosphere.
The cypress trees did nothing to cheer up the look, and the dark amphorae on the porch resembled two guardians ready to kick out intruders.
Jane hesitated before knocking. “It looks like a cemetery.”
She agreed. “Anyone living here would have a temper.”
A tall, imposing butler opened the door, staring at them as if they were thieves.
Effie forced a smile. “Good morning.”
“Lady Vaughan.” Jane handed her calling card gracefully. “Lady Euphemia and we would like to see the marquess. if he’s accepting calls. If not, we’ll leave immediately. Good day.” She half-turned around.
“Or…” Effie stopped her. “If Lord Montcrest isn’t home, I may pay a visit to his stallion, Zeus, and see how he’s faring, if you would be so kind as to tell me where he is.”
The butler arched one of his bushy black eyebrows, the tails of which were completely white, so the eyebrows resembled two small skunks. “Please come in, my ladies. I’ll inform His Lordship you’re here.”
Effie and Jane entered the cavernous hallway.
Only a small console table and a painting decorated the entry hall.
Lord Montcrest didn’t waste space on frills, although the table was an expensive Sheraton piece and the painting looked like a Jacques-Louis David.
Her footfall echoed in the domed ceiling.
Jane whispered, “The butler looks like a mortician and is just as cheerful.”
“You’re being influenced by the stern house.”
The butler showed them to the drawing room and bowed his way out with a quick, “Please wait here, my ladies.”
Effie took a stroll around the room, trying to learn more about Lord Montcrest. But the serious room didn’t reveal any secret passion for animals, sports, or music.
The expensive furniture had been likely chosen by someone who had heard about cheerfulness as a passing comment.
The brocade drapes were so heavy they could be used as theatre curtains, and no recent family portraits or still nature hung on the wall.
The only touch of colour was a wooden toy horse on a shelf.
“Lady Vaughan. Lady Euphemia?” Lord Montcrest’s deep voice rose in question as he said her name, but still…it could be interpreted as frightening or accusatory, depending on one’s mood.
His dark suit matched the house and drew attention to his limpid blue eyes. They were such a contrast to the rest of his grim persona that they attracted her attention.
“Good morning, my lord.” She smiled.
Jane gave a nod of her head but kept her gaze on him.
“I didn’t expect your visit.” With his bright golden hair and clear blue eyes, one would expect him to have an angelic look; it couldn’t be further from the truth.
He was anything but angelic. His lines made him handsome, but they were rough, and his stern expression broke the illusion of a celestial appearance.
“I’m here to see Zeus. How is he faring?” she said.
He nearly smiled, but he must have changed his mind because the smile never had the chance to fully develop. “He’s recovered, thanks to your prompt intervention.”
“May I see him?”
Jane slanted her an alarmed look, perhaps because Effie had taken the initiative and not waited for him to offer.
He took his time. His face gave nothing away. “Of course. The stables aren’t far.” He rang the bell.
“Are you enjoying the sunshine?” She waved towards the window.
“Not really. I’m working.” He showed again a fleeting smile.
Jane became suddenly fascinated with a ribbon on her sleeve.
“My lord.” The butler appeared a moment later.
“Harris, I’ll be showing the ladies to the stable. I will be back shortly.”
Harris glanced at her. “Yes, my lord.”
She and Jane followed the marquess out of the house and around it towards the stables in the rear. The stables were essentially part of the house; one of the advantages of being a marquess and having a very large backyard, she guessed.
Jane grimaced as she sidestepped the puddles of mud and dung. “Effie, dear, you know I’m not fond of mud.”
“We’ll be quick.”
“My lord.” A stable hand bowed at his passage as he swept the stable alley.
“My lord.” The groom removed his flat hat to bow.
He acknowledged them both with a few shy nods. Inside the stalls, he turned to Effie. “There’s Zeus.”
At hearing his voice, Zeus lifted his head from the manger and whinnied, relaxing his ears.
The change in Lord Montcrest’s face was immediate.
A full smile stretched his lips; dimples appeared on his cheeks, and a certain softness appeased the hard lines of his face.
If he looked like that all the time, she would swoon.
“He’s in excellent shape.” She caressed Zeus’s muzzle.
“The asafoetida works.” Even his voice sweetened and sounded more excited. “He’s more lively than last night.”
“Good morning,” a young voice said from behind them.
Effie turned around. A boy in riding breeches took off his hat and bowed.
The resemblance with Lord Montcrest was striking, the same blue eyes and blond hair, but his expression lacked Lord Montcrest’s confidence or harshness.
“Good morning,” she said.
Lord Montcrest stiffened a little. “Lady Euphemia, Lady Vaughan, this is my brother, Lord Rowan.”
The boy showed a bright smile. “Tristan told me how you saved Zeus, my lady. Thank you. I don’t ride him because he’s too big for me, but he’s my friend.”
“We both love Zeus.” He stared at his brother and for a second there was a fond understanding between them.
“It was my pleasure, Lord Rowan,” she said.
Rowan took a step closer. “May I ask you something?”
“Please go on.”
Rowan hesitated, twisting the hem of his jacket with nervous fingers.
“Perhaps you could tell me how you became so knowledgeable. I wish to study veterinary medicine, but I don’t know where to start.”
Lord Montcrest’s soft expression changed to surprise.
“Lord Rowan, I’ll be delighted to share my knowledge with you.”
When Rowan beamed, his resemblance with his brother increased. “Thank you, my lady.”
Jane cleared her throat discreetly. “We should return home.”
Effie stroked Zeus again. “I’ll be back again if you don’t mind, Montcrest, to see Lord Rowan and Zeus.”
He shifted his weight and took a breath before saying, “I don’t mind at all. Allow me to escort you to the high street.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing you again, Lady Effie.” Rowan showed his brilliant smile again, and two dimples appeared on his cheeks, like those of his brother.
The marquess walked them back to the high street in silence, and Effie paused before heading home.
“Are you honestly happy about Lord Rowan learning veterinary medicine?” she asked. “You didn’t seem to approve.”
“I do approve.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “Rowan is young and enthusiastic. I hope you meant it when you said you wanted to give him your time.”
“I did. I wouldn’t have said so otherwise.”
“I’m grateful. Ladies.” He gave a quick nod and waited for them as they stepped out into the street, then he turned and left.
She was confused. “I don’t understand. Did he think I was lying?”
Jane clicked her tongue. “The horse is a better gentleman than he is.”