Page 49 of The Earl and His Lady

“It isn’t solely my hat you envy, but my hair.” His valet would have choked on his disapproval had he seen Lucas reach up and run his hands through his hair in such a way as to purposefully leave it a mess. But Virginia laughed, which was a rare enough sound that made it worth the ridiculousness of the moment. It set the tone for their time together, too, and Lucas would rather begin with a laugh than stiff politeness.

“I don’t envy it when it looks like a nest made of straw.” She folded her hands primly in her lap and pressed her lips together, obviously trying to regain a more proper manner.

He frowned as severely as he could make himself and put his nose in the air. “Madam, I have been told my hair looks like burnished gold.”

Virginia’s laugh came as a short burst this time. She covered it the sound with one hand. “Oh, dear. Who made that proclamation?”

“A very eager young miss, about eight years ago.” He grinned and folded his arms across his chest. “But as someone with hair of a similar hue, you must’ve heard worse.” Though her hair was brighter than his, more like the reflection of the sun on water. His was dark, burnished gold in need of shining. He’d never considered the beauty of such hair until he met Virginia.

Someday, he might tell her so.

“I certainly have.” She raised a finger to tap against her lips, narrowing her eyes as she thought. “One of the worst was when someone compared it to a crown, only lacking acceptable jewels to adorn it.”

That was the worst? “It sounds rather poetic to me.”

“The man was a fortune hunter,” she added with a shrug. “If seeing me made him think of tiaras and jewels, I had a fair idea of what he was really after.”

“Ah, that does make more sense.” Lucas let his eyes rest on her lovely face, taking in the beauty of her eyes. “And what have you heard about your eyes? Mine are usually compared to a stormy-sea.”

“Emeralds, of course,” she said, getting into the spirit of the game. She raised her chin loftily. “What other shade is there?”

He leaned forward and peered at her, pretending to study her eyes. Even in the darkened carriage, they shone. “I can understand that, for the unimaginative, it is the first thing that comes to mind.”

“And for the imaginative?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

“They are the cool green of a forest pool on a summer day, giving and reflecting the life around it.”

Her cheeks went pink and her expression faltered. “That is more imaginative,” she said, false levity in her voice.

He shrugged, maintaining his casual attitude. “You asked.” He leaned back into his corner and lowered his eyes. “What did Charles say about them?” Lucas needed to make certain she knew, that she understood, he was not trying to turn their relationship into more. Not yet. No matter how much he wished it.

Virginia looked down at her gloved hands, adjusting the fingers of the light material. She was quiet long enough he thought he might need to apologize for overstepping. But just before he opened his mouth, she started to speak, her voice soft with memory.

“Charles compared them to any number of things. Summer meadows, I think, was my favorite. Mostly he just told me he loved them.”

“Smart fellow.” Lucas allowed his eyes to drift to the window on her side, looking out over the verdant fields they passed by. “How did you meet him? If you don’t mind my asking.”

It was the right topic for both of them. As she spoke of her first season, beginning slowly at first but then with more feeling, he realized how much she needed to talk of Charles. She apologized often enough for bringing up her late husband, but being without him likely made the memories the sweeter to hold. He listened, only making an occasional remark, as she told him how spoiled she had been before meeting the young baron.

Their love story drew him in, and he saw Virginia as she had seen herself. Young, naive, too proud, until love and tenderness softened the edges of her heart. But she credited motherhood with causing her true change.

“Charles adored the boys. He paid them so much more attention, from the start, than my father gave me. He was besotted with them.” Virginia’s posture had relaxed as she spoke, her hands rested in her lap.

“I can understand that. They are endearing children.” He remembered Edward’s drawing and pulled it from the inside of his coat. “Edward has been giving me artwork nearly every day for the last several weeks.” He unfolded the paper and moved so they could both look at it. “He has an excellent eye for color.”

Virginia held her hand out, taking one corner of the drawing to examine it. It was the house, drawn in red near the shade of the brick. He’d made the sky above it blue with gray clouds. There was green grass all around it, and too few windows. He’d added white, swirling blobs in the grass that must be his depiction of sheep. He’d written his name in the corner, the letters as well-formed as his unlearned hands could make them.

Lucas studied Virginia as she looked at the drawing, real interest in her eyes. They sat close, close enough that he could bend his head and place a kiss on her cheek if he were inclined.

He released his side of the paper and went back to his corner. “If I could frame all of his little masterpieces, I would,” he said brightly, covering his retreat. The scent of oranges followed him.

“We would swiftly run out of wall space,” Virginia said, her smile almost sad. “He used to do drawings for Charles, too. I think you have captured Edward’s heart. I’m not surprised. He’s a loving child and you’ve been so good to him. Thank you for that.”

Lowering his eyes to the floor, Lucas didn’t know what to say. Did it bother her, that Edward had so fully attached himself to Lucas?

“I do not mean to take your late husband’s place. Does it trouble you that he—?”

“Not at all, Lucas. I want them to have someone in their life who is good and kind, who teaches them how to grow into good men.” She reached out and laid her hand on his arm, her expression earnest. Though separated from her touch by the layers of her gloves, his jacket, and shirt, Lucas was supremely aware of it, and the gentleness in it.