The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (18 page)

“My husband was almost certain. We were concerned. Damon picked you to marry so quickly after his return to society,” Elizabeth acknowledged. “Not that you aren’t a lovely girl, but Damon does not usually act on impulse.”

“He has much anger against my father. His feelings regarding my family are all interwoven in his reasons for marrying me. The strange thing is I’ve begun to wonder if his father really did commit suicide,” Caroline stated emphatically.

Hannah stepped back into the room with a shawl in her hand. “Here you are, Auntie. Now tell me any gossip I’ve missed,” Hannah said. She looked from her aunt over to Caroline.

“I know of no gossip,” Caroline said. “I would hope you could regale me with wonderful tales of London.”

“We have not returned to London since your wedding. I’m just waiting for you to tell me when I can move to my room at Atelstone’s Honor,” Hannah said.

“How did the house get that name?” Caroline asked.

“Damon said he had stood on the hill where the house is built before he left to make his fortune. He promised himself to show honor to our people by returning with the money to take care of the estate and them, and that someday he’d build a new home on that spot,” Hannah explained.

“You see, dear, Damon wanted the old house torn down. There were too many sad memories, I suppose.” Elizabeth stared into Caroline’s eyes. “My husband couldn’t bring himself to have the house destroyed.”

Caroline looked at Hannah. “It is a beautiful home. I’d love to live there one day with our children. When you marry, Hannah, you and your husband could live in the new house. We would all be close.”

Hannah’s eyes shone. “What a wonderful idea. But Damon would never agree. He hates Atelstone Hall.”

Aunt Elizabeth’s hand reached out and squeezed Hannah’s. “Never is a long time, and things can change. Ah, here is the tea at last and wonderful fresh scones.”

The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly, and Caroline had just suggested she should return home when Elizabeth invited her up to her boudoir.

“Hannah, would you mind if we had a private talk without you, dear?”

Hannah grinned. “It’s probably some wifely advice, I understand. I’m going to play the pianoforte in the drawing room.”

* * * *

“Please call me Elizabeth, and if you agree I shall call you Caroline. I feel we are going to be good friends, so we should not stand on such formality. You will make me feel quite ancient otherwise,” Lady Sommerplace added as she opened the door to her boudoir and invited Caroline inside.

Caroline looked around the lovely sitting room. The walls were pale pink with pink and white curtains. The dark wood floors shone and the fireplace was lit with a small fire. By one of the windows sat a lovely secretary made of dark mahogany.

Elizabeth closed her door and went directly to the secretary. She opened a panel revealing four smaller drawers and pulled open the bottom one. She pulled out a folded paper.

“I’ve kept this for many years. I’m not sure what I planned to do with it, but I thought eventually I’d return it to Damon. I found it wadded up in a ball on the floor of his room, after he left to go to sea. Now, I think it might be best to give it to you first. You can decide when to show it to him.” Elizabeth handed Caroline the crinkled paper.

Caroline smoothed out the stationary. It still had deep creases in it. She glanced up briefly at Elizabeth and at her nod looked back down to read the contents.

It was a note trying to explain the viscount’s actions to his son. The crumpled paper was evidence of Damon’s reaction to his father’s message.

“This does not look like the late Viscount’s writing.” Caroline spoke before she thought.

“You have seen something he wrote?” Elizabeth asked.

“I went to visit Atelstone Hall yesterday. I happened across his study in my tour of the house.” Caroline hesitated. She was reluctant to tell Elizabeth about the diary, not yet anyway. “I saw some papers in his desk that I assumed were his writing.”

“You went into the study? Does Damon know you were going for a visit?” Elizabeth walked over and sat in a chair by the fire.

Caroline joined her in the other chair. “No, but Mr. Royston followed me and was quite upset. I don’t like him. I’m not sure why, but he scares me.”

“Has he done anything to make you feel afraid?”

“Not exactly,” Caroline hesitated. “He follows me, and he is always around at the house and was in my carriage today. I put him out in the rain before we got to town, after telling him to stay out of my business.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “I would have loved to have seen that.” Her expression sobered. “You may have made an enemy of him, and I’m not sure that was a good idea.”

“Mother has always said I was willful and that it would get me into trouble. I fear she was right.”

“Do you want to stay with us until Damon returns?” Elizabeth asked. “You would be very welcome.”

“No.” Caroline stood. “Thank you for everything, but I must go. I will not let him run me away so easily.”

Caroline folded the paper carefully and put it in her reticule. “Thank you for the letter. I’ll try to choose the best time to give it back to Damon.”

Elizabeth walked with her to the carriage. “If you need anything, send word to me. We will come quickly.”

“Tell Hannah she is welcome to move back home at any time, although perhaps now would not be best. You understand?”

“I agree. I will talk to my husband about our conversation, when he returns tonight.” Elizabeth smiled warmly. “You can trust him to be a strong support.”

“I am so glad I saw you today. I felt so alone.” Caroline hugged Elizabeth and got into the carriage. She waved until Elizabeth was out of sight.

Today had turned out better than she expected, but she still planned to look around for some small pistols. She wanted to have one handy, if needed.

* * * *

Damon stepped off of his ship onto the wharf. Another shipload of goods had arrived yesterday when the ship put into port. He stood looking out over the sea. Feeling restless, he headed to the office of Higgins Import and Export.

Jack Higgins stood and walked across the room to shake Damon’s hand. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon after your wedding. Your wife is a lovely lady.”

Damon grinned at the short, thin, gray-haired man. “Thank you, sir. She is lovely.”

“So?” Jack Higgins asked. “What are you doing here?”

Damon slumped into the chair across the desk from Jack. He frowned. “I don’t know. It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

“It’s none of my business, son, but if you two had an argument, it’s best to talk it out right away. Sometimes it is difficult to stand firm and face the fire, but it’s much better in the end.” His eyes twinkled across at Damon.

Damon closed his eyes for a moment. He had not slept well the past two nights. He smelled her perfume in the air and remembered the silkiness of her skin. However, then he remembered her turning away from him. Damon opened his eyes to find Mr. Higgins studying him.

Mr. Higgins spoke up. “You were probably like I was. I’d never been with such a fine lady until my wife. I’d been to sea making my fortune.” He picked up his pipe and lit it. “Young ladies are protected and sometimes shocked by the personal side of married life. Give it time, son. Everything works out with time. Come to dinner tonight. Mrs. Higgins would love to fatten you up.”

Damon stood. “Thanks, sir, I’d like to join you another time, but I have a previous engagement tonight.”

“All right, the invitation is always open. Better yet, go home. Next time your lady can come to dinner with you.”

Damon waved and strolled outside. It was four. He was due at a dinner and dance by eight.

Damon walked home giving him time to think. He handed his hat, coat, and umbrella to his butler and went back to his study. Walking directly over to a side desk, he poured himself a tumbler full of whiskey and took a deep swallow.

“Whiskey won’t cure anything.” A deep familiar voice spoke from the shadows. A tall man stood and walked over. “How about pouring one of those for me? It was a long, cold ride from Sommerplace to here,” his uncle said.

“What brings you to town, Uncle Christopher?” Damon handed him the glass of whiskey.

“Your aunt is worried about your bride. Of course, anything that upsets Elizabeth disturbs me. What in heaven’s name provoked you enough to leave your new bride by herself, in a strange home, in a new town, without any support?” His words were loud and angry.

Damon frowned. “I do appreciate the help you’ve given me over the years, but I am a grown man. I do not have to answer to you. My lonely wife, as you described, has certainly found plenty of support in you and Aunt Elizabeth.”

“She met Elizabeth by accident in the village, and your aunt invited her to tea. She did not complain, but Elizabeth thinks she is frightened of something or someone. Elizabeth insisted I ride here immediately and ask you to come home.” Christopher Brooks turned away, annoyed, and sat in the chair he’d previously occupied.

Damon threw himself into the chair behind his desk. “Whatever could she be afraid of?” he asked. “She has a house full of servants. Somehow I never pictured her being the timid, frightened type. She’s probably putting on an act for Aunt Elizabeth. I’m sure she is quite safe. She has the servants and Charles there to handle any difficulties,” Damon stated firmly. “I will return when I am ready and not before.”

Christopher Brooks tilted his glass and emptied it. He put it on the small table by the side of his chair. He walked over to the edge of Damon’s large desk.

“So be it. I have done my duty. Damon, I have always been proud of the way you took charge of your life and succeeded. For the first time, I am disappointed in you.” With those words his uncle turned and left.

Damon sat as the evening shadows darkened his study. The only light came from a lamp in the hall. When he finished his drink, he went upstairs to change.

He would leave tomorrow, but tonight he would invite a few friends to come for a house party in a few weeks. His wife would not control him or influence his decisions. He was going home because he was ready to go.

Closing his eyes briefly, he saw long blonde curls and soft silken skin.
Damn, the woman haunts my every thought.
He would enjoy himself this evening and forget the wife he left at home.

Lady Ferrier was the first person Damon saw when he arrived at the dinner party. She smiled at Damon, obviously pleased to see he had been seated beside her.

“It is good to see you, Lord Royston,” she purred.

“You are looking lovely in your blue gown, Lady Ferrier.” Damon’s eyes roamed over her. He turned his head and met angry blue eyes staring from across the table.

“Lady Sara, how nice to see you and Lady Joan,” he greeted his wife’s two friends. “How are you?”

“We’re fine, Lord Royston, but we were wondering where Lady Royston is tonight? Is she in town?” Joan’s voice rang clear across the table and several heads turned.

Damon forced himself to smile. “She is well, but preferred to stay at home this visit.”

“How strange for a new bride,” Sara retorted.

Damon flushed and cursed under his breath. “If you’d like to see her, we are having a house party in a few weeks. I hope you can both attend. I’ll have Caroline send you a note about the exact date.” Damon turned and smiled at Marguerite. “Perhaps you and your brother can also attend?”

“We’d be delighted,” Joan answered for her and Sara, bringing his attention back to them. “I’ll write our acceptance to Caroline tonight.”

Damon forced a smile and turned defiantly back to Marguerite. Nevertheless, he soon found himself bored after the dinner and left the ball after only one dance with Lady Ferrier.

Early the next morning, Damon went to see his solicitor to take care of some business. He would set out for home sometime in the next day or two. He’d post a short letter today to Caroline about the impromptu house party he had arranged.

* * * *

The rooster crowed and woke Caroline. The darkness of the night was just beginning to lighten in the weak sunlight. She put on her robe and went to stand at her long window facing east. Servants moved around the yard, beginning their morning chores.

She’d dreamed of Damon last night, but refused to think about him anymore. Her maid brought hot chocolate and helped her dress. Caroline thanked her and went downstairs for breakfast. She halted on entering the dining room. Charles sat at the head of the table with the morning paper spread out around him.

He looked up, nodded coolly, and picked up his cup of coffee.

“Perhaps you did not understand me the other day, Charles. You are not welcome in this house without an invitation,” Caroline said firmly.

“You are not in charge, my lady, I am. Now have your breakfast and be quiet. I never could stand noisy, meddlesome women.” Charles pulled the paper up in front of his face.

Caroline stood still as a statue. She had never been so furious at another human being. Deliberately, she walked around the table and snatched the paper out of his hands throwing it on the floor.