Julia Justiss (15 page)

He shook his head as if to clear it of her sorcery. He must talk with Harrison, though he suspected convincing the butler would not be overly difficult. That done, he could trust the head of his staff to ensure Nell and Dickon were properly treated by the rest of the household.

Then, he thought with a grin, he would go see whether Miss Lambarth had managed to cajole Lady Darnell with the same passionate thoroughness she’d used to win him over.

His smile faded when he remembered he’d committed himself to returning to see Priscilla. Putting off that visit would worry her and sending a note, which he was highly tempted to do instead, might be interpreted as slighting her concern. With a sigh, he concluded he would have to wait until later to see
what miracles Miss Lambarth had worked on his stepmother.

An hour later, Harrison fully on board and the household quieted, Adam returned to the Standish town house. He was shown immediately to the parlor, where Priscilla had apparently been awaiting him.

“Ah, you are here at last! I’ve been so worried! Do tell me all is well.”

He kissed the hand she offered and followed her to a seat on the sofa. “Yes, ’twas nearer a trifle than a serious problem. As you may know, Lady Darnell has a…nervous disposition and sometimes becomes agitated by things, which, when one examines them in more detail, are not truly alarming.”

“I am glad to hear it! What was the problem, if I might inquire? Living together as we shall soon be, I should like to make sure I do not do something similar and upset your dear stepmother.”

Adam chuckled. “I am certain you would never do anything like it.”

“Like…what?” Priscilla persisted.

He had not intended to mention specifics, but in view of Priscilla’s concern and laudable desire to accommodate herself to his household, perhaps he should inform her. Briefly he summarized the cause of the commotion.

Appearing much shocked, Priscilla exclaimed, “You wrong your stepmother, Adam, in calling that a ‘trifle!’ I’m surprised even a girl with as little training as Miss Lambarth would have—but I shall try to give her the benefit of the doubt, which I admit is somewhat harder
to do after learning how greatly she distressed Lady Darnell. In any event, I trust you speedily dismissed the miscreants.”

Miss Lambarth might have little training in the niceties of ton behavior, but she’d swiftly seen to the right of a much more important matter—and defended it eloquently. Shocked at his fiancée’s lack of compassion, Adam’s newfound admiration for Helena made it difficult for him to refrain from committing what he instinctively knew would be the mistake of defending her. Instead he said stiffly, “Both employees have given stellar service. Why would I dismiss them?”

Priscilla’s eyes widened. “You didn’t dismiss them? Creatures out of a workhouse? Adam, you can’t be serious! How could Lady Darnell or Charis feel safe, knowing such persons were creeping about?”

“My dear,” he said in some exasperation, “we’re speaking of a serving maid and a ten-year-old boy—hardly villains to inspire fear.”

His fiancée would not be mollified. “Vice knows no age limits, Adam. I’ve heard such institutions are breeding grounds for all manner of debauchery.”

Adam tried to hold on to his patience. “These two have been under close scrutiny in my service for more than a month without exhibiting the slightest tendency to vice.”

Priscilla sniffed. “Doubtless they are clever enough to wait until the household is lulled into complacency before showing their true colors. Adam, I implore you to get rid of these…vermin immediately!”

“As you do not know the particulars, I will take your advice as well-intentioned,” Adam said tightly.
“But I am master in my house and will do as I feel proper.”

“Indeed!” Priscilla retorted, obviously not happy to have her recommendation dismissed. “I trust, at least, that before I enter that house as your bride, Miss Lambarth and her…exceptional employees will have moved elsewhere.”

“Of that, you can be certain,” Adam confirmed grimly.

More unsettled than he should have been over the squabble, Adam stayed for only a few more minutes before excusing himself with the need to complete some estate business. He rode back to St. James Square in a pensive mood. Though just a day ago he had longed for Miss Lambarth’s departure, now the thought of her leaving caused a hollow feeling in his chest. Such a remarkable girl…and they would not have the chance to become friends.

But the necessity of her leaving was more than just the simple fact that, should Miss Lambarth not end up marrying before his own nuptials, she and Priscilla could never live in the same house. Under the unusual circumstances that had prompted their meeting today, he’d managed to be in the same room with her without the attraction that always simmered just beneath the surface erupting to complicate matters. But he shouldn’t fool himself into believing that the respect engendered by his recent glimpse into her character would make submerging his desire easier in future.

Prudence dictated that while she remained in his house, he must continue to maintain his distance and
treat her in the offhand, elder-brother manner one would expect him to display toward his stepmother’s niece.

No matter how tempted he was to get to know this intriguing girl better. A temptation only a tad less dangerous than the desire she evoked in him.

S
EVERAL MORNINGS LATER
, Adam rose early. Rather than take coffee in his room, as had been his habit since the arrival of his houseguest, he prepared to descend to the breakfast parlor. Tonight Miss Lambarth would make her first appearance with the Darnell ladies at a ball given by another of Lady Darnell’s Society friends. Though his stepmother had told him not to worry about escorting them to the event, he’d decided to honor his sister’s debut and his stepmother’s reentrance into Society by returning after dinner with his fiancée to take them to the ball.

Though she knew Miss Lambarth would be a part of the group, Priscilla had been entirely supportive, a gracious gesture which had done much to smooth over the tension that had lingered between them since their disagreement over his handling of his domestic debacle. More cheerful than he’d felt for some time, Adam planned to surprise his stepmother with the news over breakfast—and incidentally, take the opportunity to chat with Miss Lambarth, whom he’d not seen since their interview several days previous.

Conscious of his resolve to deal carefully with that
lady, he resisted the impulse to enter and perhaps find her alone. Not until he heard his sister’s voice along with her husky tones did he proceed into the room.

“Adam, what a surprise!” Charis cried, coming over to hug him. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”

Nodding to acknowledge Miss Lambarth’s curtsey—though it hadn’t required that gesture for him to notice her, for he’d felt her presence the instant he walked in—he returned the hug. “Must I have some hidden purpose to take breakfast with my favorite sister?”

“I should hope not, though despite the fact that the house has been free of merchants for over a fortnight, we’ve seen very little of you. The obligations of an affianced gentleman, I expect!”

He allowed his gaze to return to Miss Lambarth, garbed this morning in a plain, high-necked gown of deep rose-apricot—its hue like that of the banked coals glowing on the hearth. And like them, she radiated a warmth and energy that urged one to draw nearer. Dismissing the whimsical analogy, he said, “Miss Lambarth, I see you’ve reconciled with the ladies?”

She smiled slightly, a hint of the expression that had captivated him at their previous meeting. “Aunt Lillian is still not entirely happy, but I’ve been most penitent. Have I not, Charis?”

“If you’re referring to Nell and Dickon, Adam, after Helena explained to me how they were circumstanced, I understood perfectly why she felt it essential to hire them. A brave decision on her part, do you not think?”

While Helena shook her head in demurral, Adam replied, “Risky, certainly.”

“I shall endeavor to do nothing else to distress Aunt Lillian,” Helena asserted. “I am even being careful in my conversation when we go out, that I not embarrass her.”

“I don’t think you need to worry about that,” Charis said. “Since her drive with Mr. Dixon a few days ago, Helena has been surrounded by admirers at every call we’ve made. I think she shall be the hit of the Season!”

Adam found the notion curiously distasteful. But if she was to marry, which was the best solution for them both, he would have to cease resenting her admirers.

“I’m merely the latest curiosity,” Helena countered, “soon to be forgotten when the next oddity appears.” She chuckled. “Or when the arbiters of Society find someone else to correct. ‘Scarlet is not a color to be worn by a damsel in her first Season,’” she intoned.

As Charis burst into giggles, Adam was taken aback, for she had mimed perfectly the intonation and pitch of Mrs. Drummand Burrell, a redoubtable Society patroness.

When he turned to his sister, eyebrows raised, Charis said, “She captures Princess Esterhazy and Lady Jersey just as well, Adam. Tell him what ‘Silence’ replied when you were told that, Helena.”

Her eyes alight with mischief, Miss Lambarth switched to Lady Jersey’s softer tones. “‘Not by ordinary damsels, Charlotte, but Miss Lambarth is quite exceptional.’”

“You’ve a definite talent for mimicry, Miss Lambarth,” Adam said with admiration.

The light in her eyes faded and her voice went dry. “In my youth, I sometimes found the skill quite useful.”

He could only imagine to what end she’d employed that gift—to evade her father, perhaps? He wished he could ask—but revealing details of what she’d endured would upset his sister and, if that grim line about her mouth were any indication, wasn’t something she would relish retelling.

Before he could speak, her smile returned. “Although it is the dress, rather than the voices, of Society’s notables I find fascinating. Mr. Byng, in his pastels accompanied by his poodles. Lady Wimbleton, whose bonnets remind me of those illustrated in a book in your library about the court of Marie Antionette.”

“Surely not that exaggerated,” Adam protested.

“But they are!” Charis confirmed, giggling again. “Birds, fruit, feathers, plumes all together atop a huge construction of straw and net.”

“Incredible,” Adam said with a shudder.

“All too real,” Helena affirmed. “Only look!” Putting down her cup, she snatched up a leaf of the previous day’s newspaper, then strode over to pluck a bit of charcoal from the hearth. With the charred piece she quickly sketched the profile of a woman with a long nose, protruding lips and fantastic headdress displaying all the previous items plus a quantity of lace and bows.

“Why, ’tis her very image!” Charis gasped. “Helena, you are so clever!”

As Adam wondered to what use that talent had been put during her grim youth, Miss Lambarth shook her head. “Not at all. Sketching helped pass the time when I was…forced to be idle.”

“When have you ever been idle?” Lady Darnell’s voice came from the doorway. “Adam! How delightful to see you!”

After kissing his stepmother’s hand, he protested, “You both speak as if I’ve become a stranger to my dearest kin. I see I shall have to breakfast with you more often.”

“That would be lovely,” Lady Darnell said.

“If Miss Standish can spare you,” Charis added, an edge to her voice.

Did his sister feel abandoned? Adam wondered with a pang of guilt. He
had
been avoiding the house—for reasons he could hardly confess to Charis. But though his nerves continued to hum with the awareness of Miss Lambarth’s nearness, this visit had otherwise gone well. Perhaps as he got to know her better and the searing impression of the courtesan in his library was overlaid by images of her as a lady of quality, his baser reaction to her would dissipate. So he could chance spending more time with the ladies.

“Actually, ’twas upon that topic I wished to speak. Priscilla and I both agreed that the great occasion of you ladies attending your first ball demanded an escort. So after dining with her tonight I would like to return here, if you will grant me the privilege of escorting the loveliest ladies in London to Mrs. Cowper’s ball.”

He felt amply rewarded when Charis’s face lit. “Oh, Adam, that would be wonderful! I’ve been so nervous, but I shall feel much more confident with you at my side.”

The little sister he ought to protect had been apprehensive, and he too absorbed in his own problems to notice, he thought with a surge of guilt and regret. “I wouldn’t wish to be anywhere else. I know I’ve…neglected you of late. Please forgive me, Charis.”

“’Tis very kind of you and Miss Standish,” Lady Darnell said. “But after the gentleman of the ton see my girls at their first ball, I doubt that they will lack for escorts. You need not fear we shall trade upon your fiancée’s generosity too often.”

Though he ought to be pleased at the picture of other men standing in for him, freeing him to escort his betrothed, for some reason he was not. Dismissing that illogical reaction, Adam turned the conversation to fixing the time for their departure and took his leave.

His baby sister had grown up, he thought as he walked out, feeling suddenly older and a bit wistful. Though he’d wrestled with details of finances and dowries, not until this moment had it truly struck him that soon, some man would claim Charis as his wife and remove her from Adam’s house and care forever.

The bittersweet thought of losing her made him appreciate more keenly what she must have been feeling since his engagement. He vowed to savor the time they had left before each took lifelong vows pledging their primary allegiance to another.

He would be proud to stand beside her as she made her debut. And with a curiosity still tinged by jealousy, he admitted he was intensely interested in observing Miss Lambarth’s launch, as well.

W
ITH A SENSE OF ANTICIPATION
, Adam returned to Darnell House that evening to collect the ladies. Bennett Dixon had promised to join their party. He’d also had a note from his friend Nathan Blanchard, newly returned to town and whom he’d not yet encountered, saying he would look forward to seeing Adam at the ball and standing up with each of Darnell’s ladies.

Obviously watching for him, Lady Darnell hurried down to greet him the moment he crossed the threshold. Her eyes bright with happiness and excitement, she blushed as he complimented her great good looks and stylish toilette of deep green satin, admonishing him to save his pretty words for the young ladies.

Taking his arm, she turned him to watch as Charis slowly descended the stairs, twirling for his inspection as she reached them. “So, how do I look, big brother?”

“Like a fairy princess!” As truly she did, from her blond curls done up with pearls and gold ribbon to her gown of white silk trimmed with tiny clusters of pearls to the golden slippers on her dainty feet. With the respectable dowry he could now provide, Adam thought fondly, Charis should have no lack of suitors.

After giving his sister’s hand a kiss, Adam turned his gaze back to the landing, wondering in what guise the unpredictable Miss Lambarth would appear. He started when he heard her voice coming out of the shadows to his left.

She emerged from the darkness of the hallway and he literally caught his breath. In defiance of tradition concerning the proper dress for young
maidens, she was garbed from toe to chin in shimmering gold cloth. As she glided toward them with the proud carriage of an empress, her dark eyes and ebony hair gleaming above the flash of fabric, his dazzled brain conjured up the image of a pagan queen, a gilded Cleopatra.

She halted beside him, near enough that every nerve tingled. It took him several minutes to get his galloping pulse and shaky breathing under control.

So much for becoming used to her attractiveness, he thought wryly. Given its effect on him—he who had been primed to expect the unexpected—he could only wonder at the reaction her appearance would provoke at the ball.

Still, as he angled his head to give her a covert inspection, he had to confess one small disappointment. Bad as it was of him, he’d hoped for a glimpse of the shoulders and bosom normally exposed by a ball gown. But though its color might shock, like her other gowns, this one covered her to the tips of her ears. However, he couldn’t help notice how the golden halo of fabric outlined every curve against the darkened hallway.

He didn’t realize he’d stood silent for some minutes until Charis said, a bit impatiently, “Don’t you see, Adam? Helena and I are complements!”

Pulling himself from his absorption with Miss Lambarth’s figure, he noted the pearls and white ribbon twined in her dark hair, the clusters of ribbon-trimmed pearls adorning her otherwise plain gown.

“Innocence and…Eccentricity,” Miss Lambarth said, her husky voice warm with humor. “I believe steel
is the preferred metal for armor, but I shall make do with gold.”

Did she fear her unconventional attire might incite Society’s wrath? Adam wondered. “’Tis your admirers who will need to armor themselves against your brilliance,” he countered. “You ladies are magnificent—all of you.”

“Lady Jersey herself predicted Helena would be a sensation!” Charis said.

Helena grinned. “I believe she said I should cause a ‘stir,’ which is not quite the same. But—” she gestured to her gown “—at least Society shall see at a glance that I do not intend to launch myself into the Marriage Mart. If I achieve that, dressed as I please, without alienating Aunt Lillian’s friends or Charis’s suitors, I shall be content. If not—” she turned to address Lady Darnell “—I shall withdraw from Society before I cause you further damage.”

“Nonsense,” Lady Darnell replied. “You shall consider only how much you will enjoy the ball. Now let us be off!”

Watching the reflection of Miss Lambarth’s gilded collar in the carriage lamp as the coach carried them to the ball, Adam found that, like Lady Jersey, he was curious to see the “stir” Miss Lambarth would provoke. If she did encounter the disapproval she seemed to expect, he would intervene. No less than Charis was she under his care.

Such a plucky lass, fighting for her charges one moment, facing down Society in her gold dress the next! A fierce protectiveness welled up in him. As much as
he could, he would try to insure her first ball was a success.

Though his nerves still danced at her nearness, the awareness had settled to a barely perceptible hum. Now that he’d moved beyond being blindsided by her allure, perhaps if he concentrated on extending to her the same support and protection he owed his sister, they might get on comfortably.

Despite her provocative choice of dress, he didn’t think she’d need that protection tonight. She was well-born, possessed of an unusual and arresting beauty—and reputedly very rich. Save for a few of the highest sticklers, he expected Society would warmly embrace her.