He had been startled to find himself so
deeply touched by Strelitzia. Perhaps it was
because it was the first gift any woman had
ever given him since his mother had died.
He refused to count the keepsake locket
with a wisp of dark hair in it that Jessica
Atherton had given him four years ago.
She had pressed it into his palm even
as she had tearfully rejected his offer of
marriage and explained where her duty lay.
He had tossed the locket into a ditch one
night on the eve of a battle.
Lucas finished the last of the port and
contemplated the empty bottle. Then he
contemplated the notion of the empty bed
that awaited him.
If matters had not exploded in his face
the way they had, he would be back in his
London town house preparing to climb a
certain garden wall tonight. His reckless,
passionate midnight companion would be
waiting eagerly for the night's adventure.
But things had changed. He was married
to the little baggage now and somehow he
had to find a way to deal with her. He
refused to spend the rest of his days with a
sulking wife and he was even more certain
he was not going to spend his nights alone
in his own bedchamber.
It was so damn easy for Victoria to be
kind to everyone else, Lucas thought in
annoyance as he got to his feet. Why
could she not spare a little kindness for
her husband? Surely she must realize he
had not had a lot of choice in his actions
lately.
A man in his position had no option
but to secure an heiress in any manner
he could. Victoria was old enough to
understand the realities of marriage. In
any event, the deed was done and there
was nothing for it but for Victoria to accept
the situation with good grace. This sulking
business would have to stop. He would not
tolerate her ill humor much longer.
Nor would he tolerate a lonely bed for
long. He was a married man now and that
gave him certain rights and privileges.
With a hardening sense of determination,
Lucas stalked out of the dining room and
up the staircase. He would make one more
effort to talk to Victoria tonight, and if she
still refused to listen to him, he swore he
would find another way to take the edge
off her temper.
His valet, Ormsby, was busy in the
master bedchamber, still unpacking. He
glanced up with surprise as Lucas entered
the room.
Good evening, sir. Did you wish to
retire early tonight?"
Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. Tell
Griggs to send the staff to bed, too. It
has been a long trip for everyone."
Ormsby nodded.
Will you be needing
anything for your leg, sir? It generally
bothers you after long hours in the saddle."
I have just finished a bottle of port.
That should take care of it."
Very good, sir." Ormsby moved about
with soothing efficiency.
Nan told me
that Lady stone vale has also retired for
the evening. If this is any indication, it
appears we shall all be keeping rather
different hours here in the country than
we did in Town."
Just as well. I much prefer country
life to the demands of the city." Lucas
absently rubbed his bad leg. He was not
going to miss climbing that damned garden
wall one bit. Nor was he going to miss
the nerveracking business of constantly
worrying about protecting his companion's
identity and safety while she flitted blithely
through the gaming hells, brothels, and
back streets of London.
Ormsby took his leave a few minutes
later. Lucas waited until the sound of his
footsteps had receded before he picked up
a candle and went to the connecting door.
There was no sound from Victoria's room.
She was probably already in bed; perhaps
asleep.
He quietly opened the door, telling
himself he had every right to walk into
his wife's bedchamber. The knob twisted
easily in his hand. He wondered if Victoria
had tried to lock it against him. He had
taken possession of the key earlier just
in case.
Her bedroom was shrouded in darkness
except for the pale light coming in through
the window. Victoria apparently liked to
sleep with the drapes open, he noted. A
rather unusual quirk.
With the aid of the candle and the
moonlight, Lucas could make out the
slender shape of his wife as she lay huddled
under the covers. His belly tightened.
Unfortunately the candlelight also re
vealed a little too much of the faded
drapes, dirty carpet, and worn furnishings
that decorated the bedchamber. Lucas felt
a sharp twinge that could have been
embarrassment. The new home he had
provided for Victoria was definitely not
up to her usual standards.
He walked over to the bed, wondering
how to announce himself and tell her
he had come to claim his right as a
husband.
On the way up the stairs he had
composed a rather lengthy speech about
wifely duties and husbandly rights, but
now it all sounded unconvincing. What
was he going to do if she simply did
not want him anymore, he wondered
bleakly?
But even as the cold thought formed in
his head the candlelight fell on the warm
pool of golden amber that nestled between
her breasts.
She was still wearing the pendant.
Relief flooded through Lucas. All was
not lost after all, he thought jubilantly.
Even as that realization flared like fire
through his veins, Victoria stirred restlessly
on the pillow. Her lashes fluttered briefly,
and then, without any warning, she opened
her eyes, looked straight up at him, and
screamed.
Dear God, no, no. Stay away from
me."
Lucas stared in shock as Victoria sat bolt
upright in bed. She held out a hand as
if trying to ward him off. He had been
wrong. She could not bear the thought
of him coming to her bed. His insides
clenched in a sickening fashion.
Vicky, for God's sake
."
The knife. Merciful heavens the knife."
he was staring at the candle in horror.
No, please, no."
Lucas finally understood that she was
still half-asleep. He had evidently awakened
her in the middle of a nightmare and
she was trapped in the remnants of the
dream.
He moved quickly, putting the candle
down on the nearest table and grasping
Victoria by the shoulders. She opened her
mouth to scream again, her eyes focused
on something only she could see.
Lucas shook her.
Victoria, stop it."
When there was no sign of any response
in her eyes, he did what he had occasionally
had to do when confronted by a soldier
who had slipped over the edge of sanity
into battle-front hysteria. He drew back
one hand, and with cool calculation, he
slapped Victoria quite hard.
That stopped her. She gasped, blinked in
confusion, and finally focused on his face.
Lucas," she breathed.
Dear heaven,
tis
you." She gave a small cry of overwhelming
relief and threw herself into his arms. She
clutched him as if he were an angel sent
to rescue her from the pits of hell.
There were hurried footsteps in the hall
and then anxious knocking on Victoria's
door.
Ma'am? My lady?
Tis me, Nan.
Be every thin" all right?"
Lucas reluctantly disengaged himself
from Victoria's clinging grasp. She whimpered
softly in protest and he soothed her
with a touch.
Hush, darling. I have to go reassure
your maid. I will be right back."
He went to the door and opened it
to find Nan hovering nervously in the
hall.
I was on the stairs, startin" for my
bed, when I heard her ladyship scream."
Nan looked up at him, her eyes faintly
suspicious in the glow of the candle she
held.
Is all well?"
She is fine. Nan. It was my fault. I
awakened her in the middle of a bad
dream."
Oh, I wondered if that might be it."
Nan's eyes lost their trace of accusation.
Poor thing. She's been havin" some trouble
with bad dreams for the past few months.
I think it is one o" the reasons she's taken
such a likin" for the parties and nightlife
o" London this Season. Keeps her busy
till dawn. But looks like she'll be sufferin'
with those plaguey dreams again now that
we're all keepin" country hours. Mayhap I
should sleep a little closer to her."
You needn't worry about her. Nan.
She's got a husband now, remember? I
will take good care of her. I am much
closer than you are."
Nan flushed and nodded quickly.
Yes,
sir. Well, I'll be off, then." She bobbed
a quick curtsy and hurried back down
the hall.
Lucas closed the door and turned back
to the bed. Victoria was watching him from
the shadows, her arms wrapped around her
updrawn knees. Her eyes were huge in the
dim light.
My apologies, Vicky. I did not mean
to startle you awake so abruptly," Lucas
said.
What were you doing sneaking about
in my room in the first place?" she asked
tartly.
He sighed, aware that the few moments
of vulnerability had already passed.
I know
this will come as something of a shock,
Vicky, but you have a husband now and
husbands have a right to sneak around
their wives" bedchambers." He crossed the
room and sat down on the side of the bed,
ignoring her hostile gaze.
Your maid says