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 USSVixenby the HMSSouthampton,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.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
January 1, 1813
Dear Virginia,
The New Year has come and I hope this missive finds you in good health and good spirits. How do you fare at Waverly Hall? I assume by now that you have become fast friends with my mother, and I hope you will not hesitate to ask her for anything you may be lacking. I also hope that my brothers have not overwhelmed you with their various characters. How has the winter been? It has been freezing cold as we sail the Atlantic, but that is to be expected. We now approach the coast of New Jersey, having seen little action thus far. We turned back a single American merchantman, theSouthern Belle,although we seized a French privateer, which I have sent to Newfoundland to be outfitted there. The men are in good spirits, although growing bored, as they are not used to such inactivity, and they remain eager to engage the enemy. I have a new ship’s surgeon, Paul White, a gentleman I think you would find erudite and amusing should you ever meet. He plays the violin and brought his instrument with him, providing the men with many hours of entertainment.
Please give my regards to my family. I wish you happy New Year.
Yours truly,
Devlin O’Neill
VIRGINIA RECEIVEDDEVLIN’S LETTERon the fifth of February. She was so excited she flew to her room to tear open the sealed parchment. Her heart slammed in her chest as she read it quickly, and then she read it again, more slowly. She wished he had written that he missed her and could not wait to come home. But Devlin had never been comfortable with intimacy in person, so why would he be so in a letter, especially one written at sea, to his bride, their very first exchange since their wedding night?
Virginia sighed and gave up. She was happy that he had taken the time to write to her and had made the effort to get the letter to her at all. And he had asked her several questions, so clearly he wished for a reply.
February 5, 1813
