Historical Romance – The Best Of The Year. Кэрол Мортимер

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СКАЧАТЬ up to hold her seat for her when she returned to the top table. ‘My father was just saying how tired you must be.’

      ‘Not as tired as you,’ she countered. ‘You only arrived at Rotham today.’

      The musicians struck up a lively tune and a number of couples took to the floor.

      ‘You will not dance.’ Her brows shot up and he added quickly, ‘I beg your pardon, I do not mean to browbeat you, but I am concerned,’

      She smiled. ‘And I am grateful for it. You are right, this is far too energetic for me, but you must dance, Gideon. I believe it was always the custom for everyone to stand up together, was it not, my lord?’

      ‘Aye, in the old days,’ agreed the viscount, ‘although I do not dance now.’

      ‘Then your son must do the honours,’ she declared, giving Gideon’s hand a squeeze. ‘Go along, sir, and do your duty.’

      Smiling, Gideon went off to find partners for a succession of energetic country dances. The mood was very merry and the old rafters echoed with laughter and good cheer. When he returned to the top table Nicky pushed back her chair and rose.

      ‘It looks such fun that I must join in.’

      ‘Oh, no, you must not.’

      ‘I have not worked so hard on this party to be denied.’

      ‘Pray consider, madam, it would be most unwise,’ put in the viscount, frowning.

      Dominique pointed to a lady moving ponderously to join the new set that was forming.

      ‘Mrs Plover is even more advanced than I.’ She fixed her eyes upon Gideon. ‘I am not so delicate that I must sit out every dance, sir. I may not be able to dance a fast jig, but I shall join in this more stately measure.’ A mischievous smile lilted on her lips. ‘Which is why I instructed the musicians to play something slower. Now, will you partner me?’

      She saw the smouldering fire in Gideon’s eyes and wondered if she had gone too far. The viscount laughed.

      ‘Your wife is a very determined lady, Gideon.’

      The anger was replaced by a reluctant gleam. And there was something else in the back of those hazel eyes that set her spirits soaring. Admiration.

      ‘I am beginning to learn that, sir.’ Grinning, Gideon took her hand and led her off to join the next set.

      He felt a curious rush of pride at the spontaneous applause that greeted them. It was something of a surprise to find how well she had been accepted at Rotham. The servants called her ‘the new mistress’ and even his father had warmed to her, despite her French blood.

      * * *

      The harvest supper was hailed as a success, and although the servants were clearly stifling yawns as they served breakfast the next morning there was an air of gaiety about the house that Gideon had not known for years. Nicky was already downstairs and looking none the worse for her exertions and the viscount was positively jovial when he greeted his son.

      ‘I thought I should be breaking my fast alone this morning,’ Gideon remarked, smiling.

      He noted the bloom on Nicky’s cheeks. The thin, rather nervous girl he had married was gone, replaced by a cheerful, confident woman. He decided he liked the change. However, when the viscount suggested she should rest for the day, Gideon could only agree.

      ‘You must think of the child you are carrying,’ he told her, softening his words with a smile.

      ‘But I had planned to take a carriage ride today with Lord Rotham,’ she protested. ‘It has become our custom—’

      ‘Out of the question,’ replied the viscount firmly. ‘I would much rather you took a rest today.’ He hesitated. ‘I thought perhaps Gideon might ride out with me, to see the improvements that have been made to the estate.’

      Dominique quickly perceived that she had been outmanoeuvred. The viscount was extending an olive branch to his son and he knew she would not do anything to prevent Gideon accepting this peace offering.

      ‘Yes, of course, sir,’ said Gideon. ‘But I have the renovations at Chalcots to discuss with Nicky.’

      Smiling, Dominique shook her head.

      ‘We can do that later. I shall spend the morning attending to my correspondence.’ She added shyly, ‘But perhaps, Gideon, if the weather holds, you would take a turn in the garden with me when you come back?’

      The alacrity of his assent was reassuring and she went off to write her letters. The windows of the morning room commanded a good view of the park, and she happened to look up sometime later to see Gideon and his father riding off together. They looked to be conversing and she hoped that this was the beginning of a better understanding between father and son.

      * * *

      The pair did not return until late afternoon and Gideon went immediately in search of his wife.

      ‘If you still wish to stroll in the gardens, I am at your command,’ he told her. ‘As long as you do not mind me in all my dirt.’

      ‘Not in the least.’ She laughed at him and, taking his arm, she accompanied him out to the shrubbery.

      It was a beautiful afternoon with just enough breeze to prevent the heat from being uncomfortable.

      ‘The gardens look better than I remember,’ remarked Gideon.

      ‘Your father gave permission for another apprentice gardener.’

      He slanted a look down at her.

      ‘At your suggestion? Of course it was, you have no need to tell me.’ He stopped and smiled at her. ‘You have made a great difference to this house, my dear. I have much to thank you for.’

      A stray curl fluttered across her face and Gideon gently pushed the tendril behind her ear. His hand hovered for a moment, cupping her cheek, and she gazed up at him, a shy smile in her eyes. He drew back immediately, alarmed at how quickly the slumbering desire deep inside him had awoken. He looked away and they began to walk on.

      ‘Father and I talked, when we rode out this morning,’ he said. ‘It is a long time since we did anything together save quarrel.’

      ‘I am glad. One should not be at odds with one’s family.’

      He heard the sadness in her voice and asked quickly, ‘Have you had news of your father?’

      She shook her head, frowning.

      ‘No, it is not that. It is Max.’

      ‘The earl? What has he been doing now?’

      ‘It is rather what he did not do.’ She bit her lip. ‘When we lived at the Abbey Mama gave nearly all her letters to Max to frank, but since moving to the village she has been going to the posting office. The number of replies she receives now makes me think that my cousin was throwing her letters away.’

      ‘It СКАЧАТЬ