Once Upon a Kiss (Book Club Belles Society) (26 page)

He did not. He was very still, just watching her lips.

“But my mother was so certain I could never find a husband—”

“You thought to prove her wrong.”

“I didn’t want to be paraded about and bartered over like a side of bacon at the market. If I could choose for myself, and quickly, then I wouldn’t have to be compared anymore to Cathy.” She paused and bit her lip. “I don’t suppose you know what it is like to be the lesser of two siblings. As much as I love my sister and quite agree that she is far worthier of anyone’s affections…it can get very wearing at times.”

He tilted his head, contemplating her words gravely, it seemed. “Yes,” was all he said.

Justina forged ahead. “I had known Nathaniel Sherringham for a long time—five years at least—”

“Oh, a very long time indeed.”

“Hush, sir, and kindly allow me to finish! I thought that if I
must
have a husband…” Brittle in the cold air, her words shattered, falling away to dust.

“I see.”

She gasped, frustrated by his apparent inability to show emotion. “Don’t start
I
seeing
me again!”

He licked his lips and a mist curled out between them as he exhaled. “You have a most troublesome curiosity, Miss Justina.”

“So I am often told.”

After another pause he held out his arm again, she took it, and they walked on. He seemed deep in thought so she did not disturb the quiet, but gazed up at the star-sprinkled sky and wondered why she had told him all that. She didn’t have to. Not really. She could have made something up and not cared whether he believed her or not. Yet she’d told him what she’d never confessed to another living soul. Not even to Sir Mortimer Grubbins.

Well, his opinion of her could not fall much further anyway, she mused glumly. It was a wonder he still gave her his arm to hold, considering she was such a dreadful little slattern.

Eventually, unable to maintain this silence which only she seemed to find unbearably tense, she blurted, “Are you going to marry Miss Milford?”

“
Miss
Milford?
”

“I hear the lady thinks she has some sort of claim upon you, but I can’t imagine she’d make you a very good wife.” Then she shook her head and laughed lightly. “Of course, it is none of my business. You must do what you think best.”

Justina felt his gaze on her again. “Thank you, madam, I shall.”

She tried to keep from scowling, but her face was so cold just then she couldn’t feel it properly to know what it did.

“Miss Penny, you’re stomping your feet like a cart horse.”

“Because my toes are numb,” she snapped.

He looked down at her feet. Fully expecting him to make some remark about her worn boots, she was surprised when he remained silent. His gaze trailed upward and over her straining coat buttons, before he hastily took it away again and set it firmly on the horizon.

A few moments later they were at the gate and there was no time to say anything more. As she and Cathy watched the two gentlemen walk away again, she suddenly realized he still had not told her anything about Nellie Pickles. He had wormed a confession out of her about Captain Sherringham and then cleverly evaded his side of the bargain.

Again he cheated her, just like that kiss in his study.
Never
fulfill
your
side
of
a
business
transaction
while
negotiations
are
still
underway. Wait until the ink is dry.

Damn the man! He was impossible. But she discovered a new, begrudging respect for his skills. No wonder he was so successful in business and had gained the reputation—according to Miles Forester—for being thoroughly ruthless.

“Mr. Wainwright was very attentive to you this evening, Jussy,” said Cathy, as the two girls entered the house.

Her reply was a nonchalant “Was he? I did not notice.”

“Oh, I’m sure no one else did either. Your secret is quite safe.”

In the process of untying her bonnet, she paused and stared at her sister. Cathy held her lips together as best she could, but her shrewd eyes shimmered with all that went unsaid.

Justina began to understand then what it was like for women such as Diana and her sister, who kept their worries to themselves and struggled alone, putting on a brave face for the world. Managing their own challenges without making a lot of noise and trouble for others. Her fingers toyed with the ribbons on her bonnet as it swung at her side and she followed Cathy up the stairs to bed.

How funny it is that my sister and the people of Hawcombe Prior should feel protective of W already. As if, despite his superior comportment and evident faults, he now belongs here and to them, and no one has a right to steal him away. Since the arrival of his stepsister and her friend, W is no longer the stranger in our midst.

Sometimes that is how it works in a village like ours.

Even Diana’s mother, who seldom has anything good to say of young men, says he is a “fine gentleman.” If not for the dreary greengrocer, one might think she now has her sights set on W too for her daughter! Is the poor man safe from no one?

Diana has boldly decided she should take the lead in our play after all, whatever her fiancé has to say about it. I am glad, for Cathy is always too shy to take the romantic lead, and Rebecca, aside from having no ability to learn her lines, cannot play a wronged maiden without laughing. And Lucy refuses to play any part that is poorly dressed and does not demand the wearing of perfect ringlets.

W still has not returned for the hat and gloves he once left here and although Papa promised to take them to Midwitch, he keeps forgetting. There they sit upon our hall table gathering dust.

I suppose I should remind Papa.

Mama, however, continues to hope W will return for them. Apparently I inherited my optimism from her.

J. P. October 6th, 1815 A.D.

Darius was in his study very early one morning, a few days after the party, when he heard fingers tapping on his window. He turned in surprise and saw Justina there in her wilted bonnet. She looked rather pale and worried. Putting his pen down, he walked to the window and jerked it stiffly open.

“Miss Justina! What have I told you about doors? I thought we had the matter settled that you would use appropriate exits and entrances from now on.”

“Yes. Yes. This is no time for jests, sir. Has Lucy been here? Have you seen her?”

He frowned. “No. She has not been here since the last time you both came.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders sank.

“Won’t you come in? My stepsister and Miss Milford are not yet up, but I—”

“Thank you, sir, but no. I didn’t want to wake your other guests or apprise them of the situation.” Her gloved hands twisted together and she looked away into the orchard. “I had hoped she came here to see Sir Mortimer.”

“I’m afraid not. Miss Lucy Bridges seems to have lost interest in her pet of late.”

“Yes,” she murmured. “It’s a good thing you take such good care of him.”

“I’m becoming…quite fond of the creature.”

She looked at him again, blinking. “Yes.”

“Are you sure you won’t come in?”

“Quite. Thank you. Good day, sir.”

She dashed off again, leaving him alone at the window. He closed it slowly and stood very still for a few moments, wondering.

***

“Well?” Catherine and Rebecca had waited outside the gates, one hopeful, the other impatient and anxious.

Justina shook her head. “No. She is not here.”

Immediately Rebecca clutched her face and groaned. “I know what’s happened. We all do. Now it is confirmed. We’ve looked everywhere.”

“Do not despair, Becky. There must be some explanation.”

“For my brother being gone in his new curricle and Lucy disappearing on the same day? I think we all know what the explanation is but none dare say it!”

At that moment Diana came running up, her bonnet clinging on only by the ribbons around her throat. “Mrs. Dockley said she saw Captain Sherringham’s curricle go by very early this morning.”

“That’s it then,” exclaimed Rebecca, crumpling by the wall. “My brother has finally ruined us all. He is thoughtless, indiscreet, selfish! Oh, this will surely kill our papa. And poor Mr. and Mrs. Bridges! Their only daughter! Oh, I cannot face them. I cannot.”

“It is not your fault, Becky!” Justina assured her. “You are innocent in all this.”

But she shook her head violently. “I knew something was building in him and I—”

“No. I will not believe it,” Diana exclaimed firmly. “I know he has his faults, but he would never do this.”

They all looked at her in surprise.

“He can be a most frustrating man, and he has made mistakes,” she added, “as we all do from time to time. But he is not so very bad as he likes to pretend.”

“I wish I had your faith in my brother.”

Diana, however, was determined. “Nathaniel is our friend, just as dear Lucy is, and we must not turn our backs upon either of them. Whatever has happened, I am sure they meant no ill by it.”

Cathy solemnly agreed, although her pale blue eyes were dampened by tears.

The rusty whine of the gate hinges behind them abruptly heralded the appearance of Mr. Wainwright. All the ladies immediately fell silent and looked at the ground.

“I suggest someone tell me what’s going on,” he said firmly. “Unless the Book Club Belles have taken to holding meetings outside my gate.”

Justina’s mind was racing. She looked at her friends and knew none of them would dare tell him. It would have to be her.

“It’s Lucy. She’s run off. With Captain Sherringham. It is just like Lydia and Wickham.”

“Like who?”

Cathy intervened gently that they only “thought” this was what had happened. “We should not accuse anyone without proof, Jussy.”

Wainwright sighed. “I see.”

“Oh, why did you tell
him
?” Rebecca snapped angrily. “The fewer people who know, the better!”

Justina took a breath to calm herself and said, “I know we can trust Mr. Wainwright. He will be discreet.”

She felt his eyes upon her, warm and appreciative. “I can assure you all that this will go no further,” he promised.

Rebecca covered her face with her hands, and Cathy consoled her as best she could.

“Please tell me what is known already,” he added. “I should like to be of some assistance, if I may.”

Justina’s gratitude almost bubbled into tears. It would have been difficult for any of the ladies to chase after the missing couple without assistance. For one thing, none of them had transportation and would have to borrow or hire it, which meant letting more people in on their unhappy secret. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges were so far the only villagers who knew of Lucy’s sudden disappearance, and they were in great distress after discovering her empty bed that morning and a note bidding them a somewhat dramatic “Adieu.” But they did not yet know about Captain Sherringham’s departure at the same time. Only the Book Club Belles knew of both, and they had the fate of Lydia Bennet at the hands of George Wickham in
Pride
and
Prejudice
fresh on their minds.

“Oh, why did they run off?” Cathy had muttered sadly. “If they wanted to marry, there was no need for this. I cannot imagine Mr. Bridges would raise any objection if his daughter is in love. As for the major, he has long wanted his son to settle down in marriage, and Lucy is a sweet girl.”

But Justina very much doubted marriage was on the captain’s mind. He was angry with Diana and wanted her jealous. Lucy was a pretty, naïve young girl with romantic inclinations. She had proclaimed to Justina, only a few days prior, that the captain needed “
someone
to
cheer
him
up
.” Nathaniel must have taken advantage of the situation.

“This entire village already distrusts Nate,” Rebecca exclaimed, “and I am forever seeking to improve his reputation, to save him from his own worst demons. This is how he repays me. Causes a dreadful scandal that will never be lived down.”

Once again Diana defended the missing pair. “I am quite sure they can be found and the entire incident explained. Nathaniel would never do anything to harm Lucy, or any of us.”

“Do we know their means of travel?” Darius asked steadily. “Do we know their direction?”

He was so calm and collected, Justina thought. When he might easily have gone back inside and closed his gate, he volunteered his assistance and soon became the leader of a recovery mission.

The beat of her heart was thrown off-kilter when she looked up at him and felt his quiet confidence take control.

“I’ll commandeer my stepsister’s barouche—since my own vehicle remains mysteriously crippled—and bring the couple home.”

“One of us ought to go with you,” said Justina.

“No. You must all remain here. I’ll deal with this.”

When she caught the gleam in his eye, she had a sneaking suspicion he was rather enjoying playing the gallant rescuer. “Don’t do anything foolish,” she warned.

Stepping up into his carriage, he turned to look at her and smiled. “That’s why I’m not taking you with me.”

“Very amusing, Mr. Wainwright!”

Her heart and mind felt very full. She knew he was doing this for all of them—for Lucy, her parents, her friends. But he did it most of all to please her. A month ago he would not have involved himself in their troubles.

Suddenly she made a decision and, before he could shut the door, she’d leapt up into the carriage with him.

“You’re not going anywhere without me!”

Somewhere behind her she heard her sister gasp. Wainwright looked as if he might insist she stay.

“She’s
my
friend. And I wouldn’t want you to punch Captain Sherringham again.”

“What makes you think you can stop me?”

“I’m a lady, and you’re a gentleman.”

He smirked. “Are you sure about that?”

“About which?”

“Either.”

Feeling rather warm, she leaned out to wave to her sister, shouting, “Tell Mama I am gone away on another mission and I might be gone some time. And yes, I shall use the boot-scraper upon my return.” Her good-byes complete, she rapped on the carriage roof with her knuckles, the horses tugged them forward, and she fell back in her seat at the sudden jolt.

“I doubt your parents would approve,” he muttered.

“If my friend is about to be ruined, I must save her.”

His eyes narrowed. “I remember a time when you had a similar plan to discard your own virtue, Miss Justina Penny. Also at the hands of Captain Sherringham. Are you envious of Lucy perhaps?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. I’m wiser now. About a great many things! And don’t you dare say
I
see
.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

The carriage rattled speedily along the lane. Darius had instructed the coachman to head for Manderson, as it seemed likely the couple would stop there first for provisions they might need on their journey.

“I have never been to Manderson alone with a man before,” Justina exclaimed breathlessly as she bounced about on the seat.

“You realize, of course, that this will cause rumors, Miss Penny.”

“Well”—she hung onto the little leather strap by the window—“I recently read in a book that it is the only reason we live—to make sport for our neighbors and laugh at them in our turn.”

He smiled at that. “You have no objection to it then? To what people could say of
us
being alone in a carriage? An unwed young lady and a bachelor?”

“Goodness, how could they possibly suspect
us
of wicked motives?”

“Quite true.”

But his presence seemed to fill the carriage, just as the man himself filled her mind.

She stared at him. “It’s not as if anything might happen between us, is it?”

“You have decreed it so.”

With those five words he put the reins completely into her hands. No one had ever given Justina such a responsibility and that, combined with the jostling pace of the carriage, quite took the breath out of her lungs.

***

Her lips looked very full today and rosy. Several curls had tumbled to her shoulders, escaping her bonnet. Those two deep pools of blue watched him thoughtfully across the carriage, taking his measure, it seemed, inch by inch.

“You must think me a rather stupid oaf, Miss Penny.”

Her brows arched high. “Indeed not. Why would I?”

“For the clumsiness of my visit to your father’s house recently, when I failed even to deliver flowers in one piece, let alone properly explain my purpose there.”

A little color rose over her cheeks. “Perhaps we have both not been entirely adroit in our dealings, Mr. Wainwright.”

He drummed his fingers on his knees and then spread them wide, making a concerted effort to still their fidgeting. “Perhaps.”

“Shall we put that behind us then?” She hitched forward on the edge of her seat.

“I…I think we might.”

“I am glad.” She dazzled him with a bright smile and then launched forward to sit beside him. “Now we can be friends,” she said.

“You had better return to your seat, Miss Penny.”

“But I like this one,” she replied. “I am much safer wedged in beside you, and here I have more to hold on to.”

He groaned. “Are you looking for mischief? Another of your games? Think very carefully before you continue in this vein.”

“Oh, I have thought, sir. I have given our predicament much consideration.”

“What is it you want from me, Justina?”

She reached up and with one small finger traced his brows, first one and then the other. “I have decided I want you to frown less, Mr. Wainwright.”

His heart was beating too fast. He had never acted this way with a woman and never had one be playful with him. “And then?”

“Smile more.”

“And then?”

“We’ll see.”

He had to laugh at that. “Are you setting me a test, Justina?”

“Yes.” Now she ran her finger over his lips. “You may set one for me, if you like.”

Her finger ventured over his mouth again and this time he caught it gently between his teeth. Those satiny, oceanic pools widened as he gave her a finger a little suck and tasted her skin. Soft, chalky lavender. Having her this close was causing discomfort of an ungentlemanly nature. He let her finger slip from his lips.

“I want you to call me Darius, when we are alone.”

She nodded. “And?”

He wasn’t sure how much more he could ask for, but she was teaching him to be bolder. “I want you to kiss me at least once a day.”

“Mr—Darius,” she gasped. “You ask a lot of a maidenly, properly raised young woman. I merely asked you to smile.”

“But as you know, smiling is very hard for me. So once a day,” he repeated firmly, “I should be rewarded with a kiss. At least once a day. In fact, madam, I should receive a kiss in payment for every smile.”

To his amusement, she could not long keep her lips in a stern pout. “You drive a hard bargain, Mr…Darius.”

He’d never liked the sound of his name much, but on her lips he did. Slowly he grinned. “I did warn you about bargaining with me. Several times now.” Before she could speak again, he held her chin in his palm and lifted it. “Kiss me.”

She did. It was gentle and sweet, her lips melting like butter against his mouth. He quickly decided he needed more and stole another three kisses before she slipped back to her seat across the carriage.

“Any more questions, Justina? You usually have many all at once.” Darius would have been disappointed if she stopped asking.

She cleared her throat. “I have plenty, but I’m saving them for the proper occasion.”

Although he had no idea what she meant, he looked forward to it.

Now she sat demurely, feigning innocence, with her knees together and her gaze fixed upon the window, but her coat was unbuttoned and he could see her bosom rising and falling rapidly. She must have been in haste to go out that day, looking for her friend, not sparing a moment to fasten the clasps and save herself from a chill. Someone really ought to look after this woman.