In the morning she woke to a thin, gray light with Nicholas still asleep beside her.The worst was over.She was safely a wife; her husband was no monster.In fact, he was a great deal better than a monster.She took delight in studying him as he lay in defenseless sleep.
He was definitely handsome, though his features, like his brother’s, were a little too fine.She found the casual fall of his hair over his brow very attractive.
She thought back to last night.He had been kind and patient.She owed him a great deal for that and she resolved to try to be a dutiful and un-troublesome wife.
But how, she wondered sickly, was she to greet Lord Stainbridge today?
There was a scratch on the adjoining door.Her husband did not wake.Hesitantly, she shook him.“Nicholas.”The only response was a groan.In alarm, she flung on her wrap and ran to open the door to the valet.
“Clintock, I cannot wake him!”
The valet tut-tutted and came over.“I warned him, ma’am.I warned him clear as day.But did he take a blind bit of notice?”
“What ails him, Clintock?”
“Tiredness, ma’am, nothing more.He won’t listen to a soul.A couple of hours a night the last few nights.It catches up on a body, it does.”
Suddenly he seemed to recollect himself and his surroundings and draw on the manner of the perfect gentleman’s gentleman.“Begging your pardon, ma’am.There’s nothing to be concerned about.A breakfast is spread next door as the master ordered.I’ll just wake him.”
“Oh no,” Eleanor protested.“Do not.There is no need.”
He approved of this wifely consideration but shook his head.“Orders, ma’am.It’s more than my job’s worth.The master said he was to be woke at this time—considerably later than usual, I assure you—and he isn’t one whose orders are gainsaid.”
Eleanor thought a clap of thunder by the bedside wouldn’t wake her husband, but Clintock was obviously no novice at the job.By talking and firm shaking he broke down the resistance in Nicholas Delaney’s mind until his eyes opened.
“Hell!”He closed them again.“What godforsaken hour is it?”
“Pushing nine o’clock, sir,” said Clintock woodenly.“Your lady wife is present, sir.”
“Who?”The heavy eyes scanned the room and then lightened when they rested on Eleanor.“I’m sorry, my dear.Bachelor habits.”
“Breakfast is laid out next door, sir,” said Clintock as he held up his master’s robe discreetly.Nicholas slipped out of bed and into its concealment.
“Come eat breakfast, Eleanor.”Her husband took her hand in a casual, friendly manner and drew her to the next room.Eleanor felt no constraint at all.
They both made a hearty meal, talking only on inconsequential matters in the presence of the servant.When they had finished, Eleanor returned to her room and rang for one of the inn’s maids to assist her with her hair.The girl worked out the tangles and braided it into its normal long plait.Eleanor twisted it up into a tight knot and then dressed in her traveling clothes.
Thanking the maid with a small coin, Eleanor looked around the room.She would remember it.
As she descended the stairs, however, she wondered again how she should treat Lord Stainbridge.Surely Nicholas would say something to his brother about the deception he had practiced.
When she entered the parlor she knew something had occurred between the brothers.Nicholas was as before, but Lord Stainbridge reacted to Eleanor like a twice-burned cat.He was doubtless expecting recriminations from her, but she found she could not refer to the subject of her rape.She just wanted to put the memory behind her.
When she recalled that they were to all live together in Lord Stainbridge’s house, however, she quailed.She could not possibly stay there once her husband left.She must discuss it with Nicholas as soon as possible.
She need not have worried.When they arrived in London Nicholas informed his dismayed brother that they would not be living in the earl’s house but in his own home.
“Nicky,” protested Lord Stainbridge.“You cannot take Eleanor off to live in some dingy rooms somewhere.You and she will do very well here until you find a respectable address.I will get you a house if you want one.”
Nicholas’s smile was rueful.“Thank you, Kit, but it’s not necessary.I have a respectable address.Five Lauriston Street.”
There was a moment’s silence, and Eleanor could see that Lord Stainbridge was stunned, but he made a good recovery.“That’s fine, fine.But it will take time to fix the place up—”
“Oh, I don’t think so.The nurseries will need some attention”—that caused Lord Stainbridge to redden—“but I have owned the house for three years and visit it occasionally.”He met his brother’s hurt look.“I’m sorry, Kit.”
“But why?”
“A house is an excellent investment.I haven’t lived there much, but sometimes when you’ve thought me to be staying with friends I have stayed there, safe from the giddy social whirl.I’m sorry for not telling you, Kit, but you really aren’t very good at keeping secrets.”
