Page 107

“For a time only. He soon realized Brandon had nothing to do with his father’s death.

It was just an accident. The real problem was that Tregate had no heart for farming—particularly the home farm.

He wanted to emigrate. Brandon arranged for him to emigrate to Canada fifteen months ago.

. .. Brandon was tres gentil always. Alors, even when that tiresome Miss Northythe, the surveyor’s daughter, fell in love with him when he was confined to a bed in their home after breaking his leg while riding, it tortured him to take his leave of her.

He thought perhaps he had in some way led her on, but her father convinced him it was missish nonsense.

She was dreaming above herself—the fault of beaucoup novels.

So, I ask, can a man who would care for a country girl’s feelings be a man to cause vengeance in the breast of others? Non et non et non. ”

Leona sighed. “Whatever the reason, I am cognizant of the fact that I owe you an apology, Mr. Deveraux.”

He turned his head to look over his shoulder at her.

She smiled ruefully. “I never believed they would do anything more. Even when I received that button, I thought it merely a bit of childish spite to try to scare me.”

“What button?” asked Lucy.

Leona flushed, realizing too late that Lucy was never apprised of her real reason for coming to Castle Marin.

“Two days before I came here, I received a box with a button from the suit I wore when I rescued Chrissy. It was accompanied by a threatening note, warning of reprisals for my actions that night. When your brother learned of the note and button, he sent a coach to fetch Maria and me. In truth, I did not believe it necessary, and I’ll grant I came with ill grace. ”

“So that is what all the antipathy has been between you! I did wonder, you know, for you are both so much alike.”

Two heads spun around to stare, open-mouthed, at Lucy. She grinned briefly, then her eyes narrowed and her mouth twisted into a grim line.

“What I do not understand is why somebody did not tell me this!” she said archly, tapping one tiny foot impatiently against the Axminster carpet.

Fitzhugh laughed and came up to drape an arm around her shoulder. “I’m afraid, my dear, you shall ever be the baby to your mother and brother.”

“But what of you?” she asked, twisting free from him. He spread his hands deprecatingly.

“He was a higher rank than I in the army. The habit of service, I suppose.”

Lucy made a disgusted noise deep in her throat.

“Then, too, Lucy, you do not have the constitution for keeping secrets,” said her mother dryly.

Lucy opened her mouth to protest, then closed it.

“You’re wrong. You’re all wrong, though I know no amount of argument on my part will convince you otherwise.

I make this promise to you. I shall not let anyone else know of this, of that you may be assured.

Then you will see that I can keep a secret!

By the way, why must the revenge—if that is what it is—be targeted against Brandon?

Maybe they’re against the Earl of Nevin in general, without caring who is currently Earl.

Like that Hinkley fellow Father had deported seven years ago for horse theft.

Now, if you all will excuse me, I have to see Miss Yardmouth for another fitting.

” Her skirts swirled angrily about her legs as she turned to go, her face set in a grim line.

“Oh dear,” murmured Maria Sprockets, feeling for the proud young woman.

Lady Nevin waved her hand airily. "Oui, but do not be overly concerned. My daughter, she is made of sterner stuff. Still, perhaps Maria, if you would be so good as to bear her company this afternoon?—”

Maria brightened. “Until she calms? Yes, of course. I should be delighted. Besides,” she said, rising to her feet and walking toward the door, “I have yet to see her wedding dress or talk to Miss Yardmouth of my gown for the ball. Though it does seem rather silly, a woman of my age and station, attending a ball,” she tentatively suggested.

Leona hid a smile. The prospect of attending a ball wrought unbelievable changes in the retiring Miss Sprockett.

Before Leona’s eyes, years were falling away from her former governess.

It was amazing to her to consider how little she knew her friend.

She would never have thought Maria harbored yearnings for society—though, when one considered the carefully preserved wedding chest in Maria’s bedroom at Rose Cottage, it should not have been a surprise.

“Nonsense, Maria. We insist. It is settled. No more talk, s’il vous plait .”

“Oh, yes, of course,” Maria said, happily flustered and pink-cheeked as she left the room.

“You are very kind to my companion,” Leona said.

“But, of course! And why not? Though I should warn you, I am fast becoming quite attached to Maria myself.”

Leona laughed. “Thinking to hire her away from me?”

Lady Nevin shrugged. “Not so long as you need her, but that may not be forever, hein?”

Leona blushed. “I do not intend to get married.”

“Why is that, Miss Leonard?” Deveraux asked, coming to sit in the chair vacated by Maria.

“Because my brother needs me, and I have a duty to him,” she simply said, as if it were obvious.

Deveraux and Fitzhugh exchanged glances. How well they remembered Captain Leonard’s deprecating comments about his little sister. Then, too, there was the news in Keirsmyth’s letter.

“But what if your brother were to marry?” Deveraux asked neutrally while seemingly absorbed in removing a piece of lint from his coat sleeve.

Leona laughed. “To marry, my brother needs to wed an heiress and has often stated that to be his object. But I put it to you, what heiress would wish to marry a mere country gentleman when there are impoverished peers on the hook for a wife? My brother, though I love him dearly, is not often clear-thinking. No. My position in my brother’s life is secure. ”

He tilted his head. “I bow to your superior knowledge.”

“Piffle. You are merely for the moment at point-non-plus . You, Deveraux, would never bow to me in any way!”

He relaxed then and grinned a slashing, feral grin. “At least we understand each other, Miss Leonard.”

“Indeed we do, indeed we do,” she said comfortably as she settled back in her chair, satisfied with achieving a win over Nigel Deveraux.