“No, but somebodyisthere,” Naomi interrupted. The front door had swung wide, and after a hurried colloquy the footman ran back to the coach, followed by a manservant with a far from pleased expression, and a large umbrella.
“An my lady’s coachman ’e will drive to ze stables,” said this fussy little individual, his French accent pronounced, “zere should be ze wheel you can ’ave. Meantimes, you will be kind to come in ze ’ouse.”
Naomi was more than willing to avail herself of this offer. She and Maggie were handed from the vehicle and ushered into a great hall with a fine, though coldly empty, fireplace at one end. The only furnishings were several bishop’s chairs and some ancient-looking chests. The air was chill and there were no maids bustling to greet them, no candles or lamps sending out a welcoming glow. The withdrawing room, however, was a wainscoted delight, richly furnished, and lit by the flames of a dying fire. The manservant left them, muttering something about tea, and after a few minutes an elegant gentleman hurried into the room.
“’Tis my very great pleasure to welcome you, Lady Lutonville,” he said with a sweeping and magnificent bow.
She had believed that Gideon Rossiter was safely in Europe with his regiment, and that she might suddenly come face-to-face with him had not occurred to her. For a panicked moment she was speechless, staring blankly at the tall young man who advanced to bow over her hand, and taking in the meticulously curled and tied wig, the lean, proud face with its finely cut features, the splendid physique, the peerlessly tailored riding coat of dull gold, the moleskin breeches and gleaming top-boots. She drew a breath of relief when she realized that the eyes watching her with such patent admiration were hazel. ‘Newby!’ she thought, and said, “Your pardon. La, but I must seem a proper wool gatherer! I had not expected to—”
“To find anyone here?” He smiled faintly. “To say truth, we were on the point of leaving. Is my good fortune that I am tardy as ever, and thus win the privilege of being of some service to so lovely a lady.”
‘Hmm,’ thought Naomi, and gently detached the hand he still held. “I am truly grateful for your hospitality, Mr. Rossiter. Especially in—in view of the circumstances. I would not have dreamed of intruding, save that one of the wheels of my carriage split, and I recollected that your—that Promontory Point was nearby.”
Although his eyes laughed at her, he said solemnly, “Thank heaven for your excellent memory, my lady. But your hand is like ice. Allow me to draw a chair closer to the fire. There. Your woman will want to go to the kitchens, I fancy.”
Maggie gave a gasp and turned shocked eyes on her ladyship.
Before Naomi could dispute this naughty suggestion, however, Mr. Rossiter went on apologetically, “I fear most of our servants have already gone to the Town house, and my man will appreciate her assistance.”
He turned a winning smile on Maggie, and led her to the door. “’Tis this way, m’dear. All the way to the end there, then turn to the right and you’ll find it.”
Maggie darted another scandalised glance at her mistress, but Naomi jerked her head and the girl went out.
Rossiter sauntered back to the hearth. “I think you did not at first recognize me, my lady. I protest, I am desolate. I should knowyouanywhere.”
The glint in the eyes, the provocative half-smile, were all too familiar. A handsome rascal, and very sure of his charm was Newby Rossiter, thought Naomi. Still, he was a gentleman and would doubtless behave himself did she show no inclination to flirt with him.
She said with cool hauteur, “Faith, but you have a most excellent memory, sir. It must be at least seven years since last we met.”
“Ah, but I travel also, Lady Naomi. You were pointed out to me in Rome four years ago, and the year before that I saw you in Vienna. What a tragedy that your sire’s duties for so long denied London the very fairest of her flowers.”
He stepped closer, smiling down at her with a glow in his eyes she did not at all care for. Her manner became frigid. “Fie, sir! Such blatant flattery! I vow the Ambassador could benefit from your services. There are doubtless occasions when a silver tongue is an asset.”
Refusing to accept the set-down, he put one hand on the arm of her chair and bent to her, saying lightly, “Ah, but then ’twould be a case of being obliged to flatter the vast spouse of some foreign dignitary, or waste my talents on elderly harridans and dowagers. Whereas, in this case, I have no need to flatter—only to speak purest truth.”
He expected his words to evoke a blush, or shyly downcast eyes. Naomi gave him a cold stare, and asked, “Did you travel in Europe so as to visit Captain Rossiter, sir?”
“No, I did not.” Amused, he said, “So we turn the conversation to my graceless twin, at last.” He noted her slight frown and laughed. “But of course, forthatis why you are here! That is why you looked so startled when first I came into the room! You hoped to find Gideon come home! Why, you little minx!” He touched her cheek gently. “But such a very lovely minx.”
Naomi came to her feet. “You forget yourself, sir! My maid accompanied me to the cathedral and—”
“And you justchancedto break down upon my doorstep? Come now, fairest. Be honest and admit you came to discover is my brother as black as he’s painted. I’ll wager you believed all the rumours, poor child. Do you not yet know that you can trust to very little of what you hear? Only look at what is said of—you, m’dear… Were Gideon to believe all the tales—”
“Your brother is at liberty to believe whatsoever he wishes, sir!” She started for the door, but Rossiter moved very fast to block her way.
“Do you beat a hasty retreat because you dare not face the facts, dear lady?”
Allowing rage to overcome her reluctance to bandy words with this man, she said, “To what facts do you refer, Mr. Rossiter? The fact that I committed some silly indiscretions which have been exaggerated out of all proportion to the actual events? Or—”
“But my poor brother might well say the same, sweet soul. Likely, people exaggerate his—er, liaison with the beautiful lady of the gardens. Only think how discreetly he conducted thisaffaire de coeur,for even now nobody knows who she was, nor where they met—save that it was very frequently…” Watching her slyly, he went on: “And as for the little Belgian lovely he took for his mistress, that is not so dreadful, surely? I’ll admit ’twas unfortunate there was a by-blow, but you may be sure he’s left ’em by this time. Troth, but when a man is at war, one cannot expect him to be a saint.”
Her chin very high, her eyelids drooping with disdain, she said icily, “Nor would I expect anygentlemanto discuss such things with an unwed lady. But since you have been so crude as to put the matter into words, Mr. Rossiter, I will tell you that I believe any gentleman who gives a lady a child and then leaves both to starve is ’neath contempt! Indeed, I wonder he was not asked to resign his commission! Good day to you.”
With a swift pounce he had caught her by the arms. “Little prudery,” he said, amused.
His hands were bruisingly hard, and knowing she could not escape she stood very still, looking up into his laughing face, seething with rage. “I see you have forgot what few manners you possessed. I’ve a mind to be released, sir. At once!”
“But ’tis notmymind to release you, Lady Lovely. ’Twould be perfectly horrid. Now, if you will only be at ease, I shall dismiss Gideon from your thoughts, and we can be—”
