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Nicole knocked on the drawing room door, then opened it and entered, saying, “I am sorry for the delay, Mother. As you know I was working in the garden and had to change my …”
“Darling,” Lady Beaumont said, interrupting her daughter in an obvious state of agitation, “only see who has called on us this morning.” Her voice sounded distraught as she added, “You remember Lord Devlin?”
The look on Nicole’s face must have been identical to the one her mother had presented, for Lord Devlin laughed and said, “I see I have caught both of you ladies quite by surprise this morning.” Since Nicole did not move in his direction, he walked to her and raised her hand to his lips in a light salute.
Nicole was nervous, and her thoughts were running rampant. What was he doing here? It had been over two weeks since they had met! In those first few days she had lived in dread and in hope of having him call. She’d spent days after the ball trying to remember what had been said in the shadows of a moonlit balcony.
She finally decided that she did not give a hang what he was like, as it appeared he would not further the acquaintance. As the days passed into weeks, she accepted his defection. Her mother told her not to compare the men she would meet to Michael. Yet the only other man she had been attracted to since Michael had reacted the same. So she had convinced herself to keep him as a special memory and nothing more. Now he was here, and she was not prepared.
“Mama, I am sure you have ordered some refreshment for his lordship. Shall I check on what is keeping it?”
“Darling, I did offer, but Lord Devlin said he could not stay but a moment.” Indecision was evident in her voice.
Lord Devlin was enjoying himself immensely. During Nicole’s deafening silence, he had ample time to reassure himself that he had not imagined her beauty. She was not in the first blush of youth, but she looked in daylight as she had in the shadows! The Empire design kept him in the dark as to her figure, but her hair was long and chestnut with a few tendrils escaping the ribbon in back. Her eyes were large, thick-lashed and very brown.
He wished he could just sit and study all the nuances Lady Nicole presented. He watched her as she wrung her hands in her lap. He watched her foot tap under her skirt, and imagined that sitting still in her chair was driving her to distraction. Yes, he was enjoying himself to the hilt!
“I did mention to your mother that I cannot stay. I wished, however, to call upon you and ask if you would do me the honor of driving with me this afternoon. I want to apologize for not calling on you sooner. I went to visit my grandmother in Beckenham after the ball that night. Unfortunately she was not feeling as well as I had hoped, so I remained with her an extra week.”
The flash of outrage on Nicole’s face vanished quickly, but his intense study of her did not allow it to pass unnoticed. She still doubted that he had a grandmother at all!
“My lord, I would be honored to drive out with you today. However, I find the crush of carriages during the five o’clock hour puts quite a damper on the excursion.” She seemed to be bored. “I have come to wonder why anyone actually calls it a drive?”
The chit was being impertinent, and he could not wait to see where it led!
“Perhaps if we go a little earlier, we might truly enjoy it. Oh dear, I should not be putting you out so,” she said, though he did not think her sorry in the least. “I am imposing—please forgive me. Perhaps we may go another time.”
The impudent minx was actually giving him another set-down! She acted as though she did not care a jot whether she was seen driving in his curricle at the fashionable hour! Now he knew why he could not forget her. She was original and quite able to handle herself … and him!
Two could play at such a game, he thought. “Six o’clock would be better for me, my lady. It will be a little cooler then as well.” At her barely perceptible acquiescence, he rose. “Thank you for your time this morning, I look forward to this afternoon.” He bowed, and turned toward the door.
Nicole’s mother stopped him in the doorway. “Perhaps, my lord, since you will be driving with Nicky so late, you would care to stay and have supper with us afterward? I know it would be unusual,” she said in a small stammer, “however, it is our ‘at home’ night, and you would be very welcome. We are quite informal on such evenings. We would not expect you to change from your driving clothes.”
Devlin’s instinct was to give a cool denial and stop any pretensions early. But he was intrigued by the beautiful Nicole and decided to withhold presupposition at least until after the drive. He could always “remember” a prior engagement if it became necessary.
Lord Devlin shocked Nicole by saying, “I would be charmed, Lady Beaumont.” As he walked out the door he said, “Lady Nicole, my carriage will call for you at six.”
Several hours later, the usually composed Nicole was in a state of high fidgets. Drat the man! she thought. She stamped her foot in vexation. Why could he not have taken the hint to go away? His appearance had upset her entire notion of priority!
And what was her mother about, inviting him to dinner? He was a famous Corinthian! He did not do “at homes” with a countrified family he had seen only twice. It must be so unusual that it amused him to accept. He was likely ruing the day he had ever expressed an interest in calling on them.
It was too late now, however. She only hoped it would not prove too embarrassing and that he would allow them to get through the last few weeks of the Season in relative obscurity. With his standing in Society, he had the power to make them the laughingstock of London. Home looked even more tempting!
Nicole finally settled on a russet driving gown and Stella chose a matching spencer and hat. Her dress was very simple, and she tied her hair in a loose chignon at her nape to keep it from blowing during the drive. She was in the foyer pulling on her gloves when a knock sounded at the front door. Geeves bowed gracefully. “Your lordship.”
Devlin came to Nicole immediately and raised her gloved hand to his lips in a swift kiss. He did not hold it overlong and she complimented him on his promptness.
“On the contrary,” he said in a teasing tone, “I believe my groom will like you immensely. He will be amazed that he will not have to keep the horses standing. I have sometimes driven ladies who are not known for being ready beforehand.”
“My lord, do not be absurd. I do understand the importance of a late entrance at a ball when just the right dramatic flair must be achieved,” she said, raising her nose to highlight her words. “But even I know better than to make a famous Corinthian keep his horses waiting!” She smiled, hoping he found her diverting in return. “You will note my astute awareness that you are a famous Corinthian. It is new knowledge, I will admit. I was not previously aware there was a specific title for such a sportsman before I came to London, but I am now cognizant of how important your horses must be to you.” Nicole finished her absurd greeting by taking his arm and asking, “Do you not then normally drive out with intelligent women, my lord?”
Devlin laughed aloud at Lady Nicole’s teasing while trying to reconcile it with her attitude of cool pride earlier in the morning. He must remember to expect the unexpected from this fascinating woman. But all he said was, “You would be surprised, my dear, very surprised.”
As they took the first step out of doors, Nicole begged his patience for one moment. “My lord, may I let my mother know what time you envision returning for supper?”
“If you are up to it, my lady, I propose that instead of going to the park where we might still run the risk of congested pathways, we take a leisurely drive through London. I daresay we should not be much more than an hour or so. I brought my curricle rather than my phaeton so we could converse easily. In my curricle, I may pay more attention to my companion than to my driving.”
“I would enjoy a drive through Town very much,” she said. Nicole then turned to the butler and said, “Geeves, would you let my mother know an hour or so for dinner, and would you please let Toby know we are ready to leave.”
Lord Devlin was confused. “Toby?” he asked. “Is there someone else joining us? It may cause us to be overcrowded.”
Who the deuce was Toby? he asked himself. He was trying hard not to show his vexation. He had truly been looking forward to this time alone with her, and now it was being ruined by someone he had never heard of.
“Oh dear, I am so sorry, my lord! Toby is my servant. Actually, more than a servant to me—he goes with me whenever I leave the house. He will ride in the back with your groom if that is acceptable, and I assure you he will not crowd us or inconvenience us in any way.”
He was not pleased. “I have apparently given you some cause for concern if you feel the need to provide your own chaperon,” Lord Devlin said coolly. “Let me put you at ease, my lady. I am not in the habit of seducing young ladies of Quality in broad daylight.”
She put her hand on his arm and said softly, “Forgive me, my lord, I had no intention of making you angry. Toby is not for propriety, and I am sorry if I gave you that impression. You see, I was in an … accident two years ago and Toby serves as my personal servant whenever I am out, in the event any special need should arise.” She took her hand off his arm and turned away, red and flushed. “I have come to take Toby so much for granted that I sometimes forget to inform others when making plans. I will certainly understand if you wish to cry off from the drive.”
Suddenly, Devlin felt like the worst cad. Why had he jumped to such conclusions without any basis? Why had it made him so angry that she might be bringing someone else? And why, after she explained about the accident, did he still resent the servant? He wanted to meet any special needs that might arise, though he had no idea what those might be.
These were new emotions for him, and it piqued his curiosity even more. He had been intrigued at the outset, anxious to know her better, and this was his opportunity.
“Lady Nicole, if we are to be friends as I hope, you may as well know now that I have a terror of a temper and it does not require much provocation. It is I who owe you an apology for jumping to conclusions, and I beg your forgiveness. Your servant is welcome to come along and I certainly have no plans to cancel our engagement, unless you are wishing me at Jericho.”
Nicole turned back to him with a dazzling smile that made him quite happy she had not changed their plans. “Now that your groom really will be angry to have his horses kept standing, you will surely lose his approval on your taste in driving companions!” Then in a more serious vein she added, “You have certainly seen my temper flare and forgiven my outbursts. I can do no less for you.”
Toby, the manservant who was six feet four if he was an inch, was up with his groom and offered with a grunt, “A great pair of grays, Guv’nor. Ain’t never seen a better-matched pair.”
Lord Devlin humbly thanked the servant, who was, by the by, the first to take the liberty of commenting upon his cattle. He noticed a small, almost thankfu smile appear on the face of Lady Nicole. Was there no end to the mysteries surrounding this woman?
Devlin handed her into his equipage and walked around to climb in the other side. He began to steer clear of the busy Berkeley Square traffic and to move toward the outskirts of London.
Nicole purposely complimented him on his grays and his driving skill. She had secretly been concerned he might be a bit too sporting for her capabilities, but he made her feel very safe. She hoped the compliment would do much to appease their earlier contretemps.
He seemed to be concentrating minimally on the task of driving, but had not yet opened the conversation. She, therefore, resorted to humor and questioned him in a whisper, “May I ask you about something you said earlier, my lord?”
“You certainly may, my lady.”
“I would be interested to know when it is your habit to seduce innocent females, since it is not during daylight and not before dinner.”
His loud crack of laughter booming from the curricle drew the stares of several pedestrians on Berkeley Square, and not a few comments on the lack of gentility in young people today!
Lord Devlin was an excellent tour guide. He spoke freely of London’s more interesting sights, and she appeared to listen closely to his words without the silly interruptions usually accompanying such an outing with other females. When he pointed out the famed Drury Lane Theatre, he felt her excitement increase though she did not speak. He thought he could not be mistaken in her reaction. “Have you had an opportunity to visit the theater since being in Town?” Devlin inquired.
“No,” Nicole replied, softly. “I have often dreamed of attending Drury Lane, but Mama has not allowed us the time on this trip.” She laughed and shook her head. “I shall put myself beyond the pale by telling you that as a child I wished to be an actress. I was quite downcast for several weeks and took my parents seriously to task for being wellborn!”
“I have a new respect and compassion for your mother and father, my dear. Had I been your sire, I may have resorted to locking you in your room until you reached your majority.”
Devlin had a difficult time keeping his eyes off her face. She made no reply, but her smile seemed to shine directly from her heart. What an unusual woman! She truly enjoyed his light banter, unlike the females who tittered and slapped his arm while declaring him a horrible tease.
Conversation ceased for several moments as Lord Devlin maneuvered his team through the busy city streets. Very soon they were past the outskirts of London, and Devlin chose a path along the Thames which he knew was less traveled.
“The roses and honeysuckle smell simply wonderful,” Lady Nicole said. Her eyes closed in the enjoyment of it. “I do not believe I have been to this part of the city before.”
The voice of her manservant sounded from behind them. It momentarily diverted Lord Devlin’s attention.
“There’s them yellow roses you love so much over to the right, my lady.”
“Ah, Toby, thank you,” she said as she turned her head in that direction.
Perhaps, thought Devlin, she was one of the very progressive elite who allowed their servants much freedom. He knew his grandmother gave her servants much license; she believed them to be her equals in God’s eyes. More likely, Lady Nicole’s accident had given him more prominence than was usual. Devlin was certainly puzzled by the enigma.
He slowed his horses to a sedate trot. The almost deserted lane allowed him to turn his full attention to the lovely woman beside him.
“The time has come, my lady,” Devlin began. “I have waited patiently during the past two weeks to hear all about you. I would like a history of Lady Nicole Beaumont, and I shall not hesitate to quiz your charming mother should you try to dissemble.”
Nicole seemed easier in his company today, but still showed signs of reticence. She would make a teasing comment with a sparkle in her eye, then her countenance would change and he sensed an inner turmoil in her. He would take an oath she had been happy just seconds before, then as quickly, her thoughts seemed to take her deep inside herself.
He had been intrigued since meeting her, yet he admitted that her many facets might require more attention than he had ever invested in a woman. He had promised himself that after his marriage to Vivian, he would only enter into a relationship with all the cards on the table. He knew he must marry again eventually; as head of the family he must produce an heir. But he justified that at the age of one and thirty he had plenty of time.
He decided he was on the verge of a relationship with this woman, he just did not know yet of what nature. Confound it! This was the third time they had met, but he felt so drawn to her that he was sure he had to know her better.
Devlin had told her he wished them to be friends. But he had never been simply friends with a female. Truth to tell, he would not have believed such a relationship possible had not his own best friend, Lord Hampton, had such a friendship with the woman he had eventually married. There had been the rub! Peter had been adamant that they were just friends for years. The problem was, it had ended in their marriage. Beth was a wonderful woman, but Devlin found it hard to believe that their relationship as friends had only been the natural incline of deeper feelings. Peter even went so far as to say that having been friends first only increased the satisfaction in their marriage. Devlin felt only doubt.
But it was no use. He had allowed his curiosity to override his judgment, and he knew he would be unable to dismiss the intriguing Lady Nicole. He told himself he only wished to enjoy the remainder of the Season with a light flirtation. He would feel no remorse, as both of them had clearly dismissed marriage the night they met.
He felt her forcibly lighten her mood next to him. She apologized and drew his attention back to his earlier request. “My lord, there is no mystery or excitement to my life. I am afraid you shall be terribly disappointed if you have truly been waiting weeks to hear of it!” Her laughter delighted him. He found he enjoyed making her laugh and that, too, was a new feeling to him.
“I have no reluctance to tell you, my lord, I only fear boring you to tears. I would not be able to face my family should you send me home alone in your curricle.”
“You are trying to throw me off the scent, my dear, but to no avail. I am inclined to be gregarious this afternoon. Tell me about your home. Or you may talk of your parents, how well you watercolor—whatever interests you.” He paused for a moment. “And as we have agreed that we shall become fast friends, I would be honored if you would call me Jared.”
“My lord, you cannot be serious?” she asked incredulously. “You know how very improper that would be. Why, the first time anyone heard me call you such, I would be labeled forward and be ostracized from the little of the ton that accepts me now.” She thought he must be teasing her again, so she smiled as she said, “Or is that your diabolical plan?”
He was perfectly serious in reply, however. “Perhaps you could use my name when we are alone, as now, and my title when others are present?”
“I am afraid you give me far too much credit! I should not be able to carry it off, my lord,” she said. “I would be standing next to one of the patronesses of the hallowed halls of Almack’s and say, quite without thinking, ‘Jared, pray tell me how your dear grandmother is.’” She smiled wickedly as he burst out laughing. “There would not be enough smelling salts in all of England to revive the matrons!”
“Minx,” he said, in a mischievous tone. “Very well, I shall forgo your downfall in Society, for now. But I beg a compromise. May we not agree on Devlin? Your address of me in public, as in private, will prevent the censure of the great ladies of Almack’s.”
“That seems fair, my lord … urn, Devlin. In return, you must know that the ones closest to me do not call me Nicole. My friends call me Nick or Nicky. Should it please you, feel free to address me as such.” She laughed a bit as she continued, “Indeed, you quite remind me of my father when you refer to me as Nicole. He is the only one who ever did so.”
“Do not fly up into the boughs with me. Despite your strict sense of propriety, you will not deter me from calling you Nicole. You see, I believe I can safely use your Christian name in private yet appear quite formal in public. And I defy anyone to call such a beautiful woman Nick!”
He lowered his voice to a thoughtful timbre. “If it would not offend the memory you have of your father, I would greatly cherish the honor of calling you Nicole.”
She underwent another mood change, but it did not appear to be a dark one as before. He leaned closer to hear her softly spoken words and quickly had the thought that he liked the physical closeness communicating with her required.
“My lord … I mean Devlin, if you are sincere in your wish, you may certainly call me Nicole.” With downcast eyes she continued, “Indeed, I think my father would have liked you very much, and would be glad to know that someone carries on the tradition. And thank you for the wonderful compliment.”
He thought she was trying to cover embarrassment by teasing him. “Had you ever seen me at home riding astride Solomon, you would have no trouble addressing me as Nick!”
He determined to keep her thoughts buoyed. “If that was a wonderful compliment, I believe you have been hanging around some very dull dogs. It appears I will not have to pull out all of the stops to impress you. And I think I should give a king’s ransom to see you riding astride!” Her smile satisfied him.
He teased as well, but he was acutely aware of times she faced an inner struggle and would gently nudge her back to the present with a common question or remark.
“Very well,” she laughed. “You must forgive my wandering mind. There is so much to enjoy that I hate to spoil it. I would much prefer to hear about the places you have traveled or people you have met.” Nicole paused, chewing on her lower lip. “To own the truth, I should even like to know about your clubs and … Tattersalls! Why do they think a woman should not purchase her own horses?” She seemed to shake herself mentally. “In any event, as those places are closed to women, I have no way to picture them.”
Devlin laughed wholeheartedly. He thought she might be expecting a set-down and was pleased to see the smile on her face.
“I hope, Nicole, we shall have many more such outings and I promise to tell you all of the secrets of a man’s world in London. Today, however, we are talking of you.”
She was embarrassed at first, but she did as he asked. “I am three and twenty years old, so you can see that I am quite on the shelf! I grew up on our estate in Cheltenham. Beaufort Hall is such a beautiful place, and my father was only really happy when he was there. The only time he went to Town was to do his duty as a Member of Parliament.”
Nicole averted her eyes, a habit he noticed she frequently employed. “He believed the love of God, sincerity and loyalty, friendship, caring for others, and honesty to be the Golden Rule of one’s life and not the exception.” She stopped for a moment, and then added, “I only wish it were possible for us to live up to those standards.” She reddened and finished, “I am afraid I often fall short.”
Devlin felt the need to reassure her. “I know some of the world do not concern themselves overmuch with honesty and loyalty. However, we cannot assume the guilt of others. You and I have already decided upon candidness, have we not?”
Nicole’s brows furrowed for an instant, but it was gone so quickly he was not entirely sure it was ever there.
“If only we could live with complete honesty, what a better world it would be.” She gave a pregnant pause, and then continued, he thought, in a sardonic way. “We would have to tell poor Lady Swathmore her turbans were monstrous and Sir Richard that his famous waistcoats were abominable.”
He chuckled at the picture she presented, though her words did not convey what she had actually been thinking. He wondered at the kind of problems this lovely woman faced that sometimes seemed to take her somewhere else, while all the time remaining in his presence.
“What else would you like to know, my lord?”
“When you spoke of your father, a distant memory came to me about your parents. I believe your mother is the daughter of a viscount, is she not? And she was his only child, I think?”
“Yes, she was. Her father had been somewhat displeased not to have a male heir, but he did not disdain the distant cousin who would inherit the title. As several of my grandfather’s estates were not entailed, he specifically willed property and a generous dowry to Mama. But when she married Papa, she gave up the glitter of Town life to live with him at Beaufort Hall.”
“But your father, he was one of … seven, if I remember correctly.”
“You are correct. Father knew he would inherit the title, but he often lamented being the oldest. Had he not been, I believe he would have been a member of the clergy. He was interested in education and spiritual matters from an early age.”
Nicole sighed in frustration. “Are you sure you wish me to go on with this?” she queried.
“By all means, I assure you I am riveted.” “My mother’s parents were not happy with the match. They did not like that she was ‘buried’ in the country away from all her friends and the diversity of Society. But Mama had been spoiled from birth, so she could not be gainsaid. She immersed herself with father’s people and, for the most part, has always been quite content there.”
She let out a breath, happy that he had his information. However, he was not quite finished.
“I assume their happiness increased tenfold with the birth of their baby daughter?”
“Your sarcasm leaves little to be desired, my lord.” She pretended hurt feelings, but he saw the amusement in the appearance of one lone dimple.
“I was not being sarcastic, and I thought we agreed on Devlin.”
She hurried on before he could speak again. “My parents had a heart for children.” They had already planned a school for the little ones of the local gentry and the tenants who could spare them.
