Eloisa James - Duchess by Night (16 page)

Eugenia was a strange little girl, with a huge mop of undisciplined hair and an old-fashioned quality about her. To al appearances, she had never played with a child her own age, and it showed. She spoke with al the quaint rhythm of the plays she loved to read.

Just when Harriet started to get tired, Strange said that they should try a match again. She leaned against the cabinet next to her and tried to catch her breath. Are you sure, sir? she asked. You are injured from yesterday.

Sir? he said. You drew blood yesterday; I think we might as wel be on intimate terms. I like to be cal ed Jem.

And your given name is?

Buried in the mists of time, he said promptly. Whats your given name?

Harry, Harriet said. Suddenly this was al making her nervous. Strangeor Jemkept coming up behind her, pul ing her arms into the right angles. It made her knees weak. Having his lean, muscular body, clad only in thin breeches and a white shirt, touch hers made her skin flare. She kept beating back an al -over body blush.

This was so dangerous.

Strangeor Jemstrode into position in the middle of the room.

Eugenia, you stay behind the case.

Yes, Papa, Eugenia said. I hope you dont mind, but Im going to cheer for Harry.

Not at al , Strange said, shifting his rapier from hand to hand. Harriet couldnt help it. She looked at the muscles in his legs and nearly groanedand it wasnt al her sore muscles this time. Come on, Harry. Feeling a touch of fear?

She walked forward and fel into a defensive position. Strange began circling her, his eyes fixed on her face, a little smile curling the corner of his lips.

Down with him, Harry! Eugenia cal ed excitedly. Down with him, down with him!

I only know one attack, Harriet complained. This isnt real y fair.

Strange tensed his shoulder, and Harriet raised her rapier to blunt his attack. Unfortunately he spun in a circle and came in from the opposite direction. His blade stopped a hairs breadth from her shoulder.

Not fair, she grumbled, fal ing back a step. Youve never described such a move.

You did watch my shoulder, he said, starting to circle again. Youre not a total loss.

I think you must have some sort of hunters obsession, she said, turning to keep always in front of him. Are you one of those men who spend hours loping through the woods with dead creatures slung over your shoulder?

Why, Harry, he said softly, youre surprising me again. I thought you were an avid hunter. Im sure you told me so.

Humph, Harriet said. Her arm was tired, and the rapier felt as if it weighed at least three stone. It was taking everything she had just to keep it to waist level. She had to try to attack. So without thinking about it very much she just stabbed forward.

His sword blocked hers instantly, moving so fast that she didnt even see it. The shock of the two swords coming together went right through her shoulder.

To him again, cal ed Eugenia. Cut him in the leg, Harry!

Be quiet, you bloodthirsty child, Strange said. He had turned his head to Eugenia, so Harriet took advantage and raised her rapier to his throat, stopping an inch from his skin.

Ha! she said.

He turned his head to look at her. Foul play, Harry?

There was something in his eyesshe let the rapier fal . Could Isidore be right? Could it be that Strange was interested in heras a man? Im finished for today, she said, turning around to sheath her rapier.

When she straightened, she glanced back at Strange to find that he was staring at her bottom.

A little shiver ran through her. This was not good. It was one thing for Kitty to be leaning up against her, and another for a man like Strange to be thinkingwhatever he was thinking.

I think you should just aim that sword a little lower and stab him in the leg, Eugenia said, running up to her.

You are bloodthirsty, Harriet said. Thats your father youre making into my pincushion.

Do you have another letter for me? Strange asked.

She handed it over and he ripped it open, waving it in the air.

I dont suppose you could ask my secret correspondent to be a little less generous with her perfume?

No, Harriet said. Shed used Isidores best French perfume.

My musics in the night, Strange read aloud, So is the nightingales. Nice. Brief yet evocative. And it rhymes with yesterdays delight and night.

Harriet shot Strange a look. Your letters are hardly suitable reading for a young girl.

He ignored that entirely. So, Harry, do you have any sense what my mystery correspondent wants from me?

Harriet frowned at him. I have no idea, she said, thinking his question as unsuitable for Eugenias ears as was the poem.

She wants your company, Papa, Eugenia said.

Strange grinned at her. I agree.

Its a love poem, she continued.

Or something along those lines, Strange agreed.

I think she wants to meet you at night, Eugenia persisted.

Wel , Harriet said brightly, I suppose youl have to wait until the poem is complete to find out precisely what the poetess requests.

Love, Eugenia said flatly. My governess was in love with Papa for a long time, but she final y gave up. Hes not easy to catch. Do you want to see the calculations I did last night, Harry? I stayed up til real y late but I figured out al the angles on my dol house roof.

How late? Harriet said, before she thought.

Youre pitiful, Strange said. I can hear your mother speaking every time you open your mouth. It may be impossible to turn you into a man, Harry, if you dont mind me pointing it out. Eugenia is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

Id like to see your calculations, Harriet said to Eugenia, ignoring him. He was a fool to let his eight-year-old daughter stay up half the night parsing calculations but at least that explained the odd gray shadows under Eugenias eyes. She almost looked il .

Eugenia reached up and took her hand and even though Harriet was longing for a bath and a nap, she let herself be drawn past the barrier of the footman into the locked wing of the house.

Who lives here besides you? she asked.

No one, Eugenia said blithely. That is, theres always a maid with me, of course. Papa likes to keep me safe, so theres always a footman on guard.

But when they got to the nursery, it was deserted.

Wheres your maid? Harriet said, looking around. The fire was burning low.

She must have gone downstairs for a bit, Eugenia said. My governess wil probably be here any moment. Shes in love with one of the footmen, so I always know where she is.

And where is that?

Kissing the footman, of course, Eugenia said. They kiss in the knife closet on the second floor.

How on earth do you know that?

She told me.

Harriet nodded. Then she squatted down, suppressing a groan over her cramped muscles, and al owed Eugenia to show her the angle of every wal and roof on her three-story dol house.

Did you demonstrate al the angles for your father? she asked.

Papa? No, Papa designed my house, so he knows the angles.

I mean, did you figure out the angles because it wil make him happy?

Eugenia looked at her with the clear, surprised eyes of childhood. Why would that make him happy? It makes me happy.

Harriet, put in her place, began to sort out the tiny furniture that was toppled this way and that within the house.

Do you have a cat? Eugenia asked, sitting down next to her.

I have a dog, Harriet said. He is a sil y old spaniel named Mrs. Custard. Do you have a pet?

Eugenia shook her head. I dont know very much about animals.

Theres nothing much to know. You feed them; they love you.

But they need to run outside. And Im in my room so often. It wouldnt be fair.

But you must go outside, dont you? A dog would be happy to be inside with you and then go outside for some exercise.

Eugenia frowned down at her little house. I wouldnt want an animal locked in my room. He might start to hate me.

Of course he wouldnt! If my spaniel, Mrs. Custard, were here, youd see how much he would love it. He would curl up in front of the fire and be perfectly happy.

Actual y, he might be cold. Il add another log to the fire, Eugenia said, getting up.

Wait a minute, Harriet said, hurrying after her. Youre not going to do that yourself, are you?

Eugenia cast her a pitying look. Of course I am, Harry. You do know how to feed a fire, dont you?

I leave it to the footmen, she said firmly. And you shouldnt be doing it either. What if your skirts caught a spark?

They never do, Eugenia said. Im very careful. And before Harriet could stop her she picked up a smal log and tossed it on the fire. A huge burst of sparks sprang into the air and slid up the chimney. I like it when that happens, she said. Its so pretty.

Im going to speak to your father, Harriet said, pul ing on the bel cord. Where are your governess and the maid? What if there was a fire in this room, Eugenia?

You do sound like a mother! Eugenia said, giggling. Papa never worries the way you do. Id run out of the room, of course.

But the hal way is locked, Harriet said. Is there another exit?

Thats the only way out, but the footman is always there. Or do you mean a secret passage? Eugenias face lit up. I never thought of that. She instantly started walking around the room and peering at the wainscoting. Anyway, she added, pul ing at a carved knob on the elaborate fireplace, I have a plan for escape in case I need it.

What is it?

Eugenia nodded toward the window. Il go out that window. Theres a huge oak tree there, and Im sure I could scramble down without any problem.

Harriet looked out the window. The oak tree was a good two feet away and she wasnt sure that even she would be able to jump to it.

You look so fidgety, Eugenia said, giving up her search for a secret door. Tel me more about Mrs. Custard, please. Thats a strange name for a boy dog.

So Harriet did.

In Which Harriet Finds Herself Shocked

D inner that night was a formal affair. Rather to Harriets surprise, she found that she was seated toward the head of the table, with Isidore between herself and Strange. Kitty was to Harriets left.

How are you? Kitty whispered with an effusive smile. Did you have a good day? We practiced for our next performance. Were going to sing madrigals for a bishop.

Madrigals for a bishop? Harriet said, spreading her napkin in her lap.

Kitty started giggling madly, so much so that she couldnt speak.

There was something about being dressed in mens clothes that made Harriet far less patient, she was discovering.

He wants us dressed as little angels, Kitty final y managed to say.

Angels singing before a bishop. I suppose it makes sense.

But wait until you see our costumes, Kitty said. It must be very warm in Heaven, if you understand me.

She gave Harriet her practiced, naughty smile.

Harriet smiled back, rather more stiffly. Do you have wings?

Yes, real y lovely ones, made of real feathers. Lord Strange has a French secretary who helped with the costumes. The wings are so soft and pretty. At one point we take them off and actual y lie down on them.

Lie down? Harriet said.

Kitty leaned closer. I could give you a private rehearsal if you wished, Harry. I couldnt sing a madrigal without three of us, but I could sing another love song.

Did you say rehearsal? Strange said from the head of the table. Are you discussing the angel performance? I would love to see that.

She instantly gave him the same dimpled smile that she had just bestowed on Harriet. Id be happy to include you, my lord.

Isidore, Strange said, turning to her with a touch on her arm, would you be interested in seeing a private concert given by an angel?

Of course, Isidore said, but Harriet could tel from her voice that she didnt like the idea.

Im afraid I already have an appointment after supper, Harriet said quickly.

You do? Strange said, looking at her from under his lids. Now who could that be with? He looked down the long, glittering table, lined with people more beautiful than noble. Nel , perhaps?

Harriet gave him a cool little smile. There are so many people in your house that its difficult to enumerate ones acquaintances.

After your appointment, then, he said softly. I stay up quite late and Il warrant Kitty does as wel . Shal we say eleven oclock?

Al the stable boy mentioned was learning how to trot. And mount. How long could that take?

Im not sure Kitty wil want to stay up so late, Harriet said. It sounds as if she had a strenuous days exercise.

Oh, its not so strenuous, Kitty said with a giggle. I spent a great deal of it on my back.

The little line between Isidores brow deepened. Im afraid that I couldnt possibly join you at that hour, she said, politely enough.

Im quite exhausted.

What a pity, Strange said. He stopped looking at Harriet and gave Isidore a lavish smile. It wont be nearly as enjoyable without you.

Harriet had a sudden, shocking realization. If Strange ever gave her that kind of smile, she would lose her composure. She might even beg him to take her to bed.

Eleven oclock, Kitty said. Would you like more angels than just myself? Im sure she oogled Strange any number of Graces would love to perform tonight, Lord Strange. To sing madrigals, we need three.

I think al we need tonight is you, Strange said smoothly.

Kitty erupted into giggles.

A thought occurred to Harriet. Something about what Kitty might be thinking. Her mouth fel open and at that same moment, Isidores fingers dug into her arm.

I need to speak to you. At once! she hissed.

Strange was standing up, signaling a general move away from the table. He paused just for a moment. My guests await, and you, Mr. Cope, have an appointmentShal we say eleven oclock in the library? Mr. Povy can direct you. Without waiting for a response, he walked away.

Isidores grip strengthened. Harriet!