A Game of Shadows (11 page)

Theo galloped after Kit, the countryside a blur of verdant green all around him as they passed fields and villages on their way to London.  Sunday was the best day to travel since most people were at home after church, enjoying a few hours of well-earned rest and time with their family.  Theo had been sorry to leave Willowbrook, especially after what happened last night, but he had no choice and only had a moment to say a brief farewell to Louisa, promising to write as soon as he spoke to Robin.  Robin was currently at Beachwood with his family for the summer, enjoying annual domestic bliss which he was most likely dying to escape.  Robin was happiest when at Court, scheming and plotting to further his interests and those of the family.  He was a true Carew, as his mother always pointed out, not without pride. 

Clumps of mud flew from the hooves of Kit’s horse, forcing Theo to keep his distance
for fear of getting splattered from head to toe.  The road was still muddy from last night’s storm, making galloping unwise, but Kit seemed unusually restless, driving the horses hard and not stopping for a rest since they left that morning.  Theo had to admit that he was glad he wasn’t expected to carry on a conversation — he wouldn’t have been able to.  Last night was still fresh in his mind, a combination of wonder and disbelief mixing with joy and hope.  He’d never expected Louisa to come to his room last night, and he should have been a gentleman and asked her to leave, but he simply couldn’t find the will to send her away.  She had been so beautiful in her white nightdress with her hair cascading down her back, her pouty mouth slightly open as she gazed at him with longing.  He’d never seen her with her hair down, and the feel of it between his fingers had been like the finest silk from the Orient, sensual and arousing. 

He had to admit that spending time with Louisa
the past few days had been an exquisite torture.  She was like no one he’d ever met before.  There were plenty of beautiful young girls at Court, paraded in front of him in a tireless attempt to catch his eye, but no one had touched him as Louisa had.  She was a complete paradox.  At first, he thought her vulnerable and fragile, a girl who needed to be healed and mended, but her grief frequently gave way to charming playfulness, which beguiled and intoxicated him with its lack of artifice.  She was seemingly unaware of her power over him, drawing him in with her innocence and complete trust, and tormenting him with desire.  Theo was ashamed of his wicked thoughts, but they kept coming back unbidden as he continued to spend time with her, growing in their intensity and demanding to be realized. 

Of course,
Aunt Maud only made things more difficult, reminding him of his duty to his family.  He had to marry advantageously like Robin and Walter, but he wasn’t like his brothers.  Robin had kept a mistress at Court until he married Beth, and never ended the relationship, continuing to see Celia Kilbourne on a regular basis, even after she had delivered a son last fall.  Theo strongly suspected that the child was Robin’s since Celia’s husband seemed too old and feeble to have fathered the infant.  Lord Kilbourne took great pride in the child nonetheless, thanking God for finally granting him a son and heir in his old age. 

Walter
was likely tumbling every female servant under the age of forty right under his wife’s nose, and enjoying every minute of it.  He never stayed faithful to one woman as Robin had; he liked variety and excitement.  The possibility of being caught was as much of a draw as the women he pursued, their faces indistinguishable in the shadows of a dark corner. 

They both married well, but had no intention of being faithful to their wives.  It was a contract between two consenting parties
— nothing more.  Theo wanted a real relationship, a marriage of body and soul that would fill his romantic heart with the love that he’d been craving.  He’d glimpsed that kind of happiness between Uncle Kit and Aunt Louisa, and now he saw it again between Alec and Valerie Whitfield, making him believe that it was possible with the right person.  Louisa was all the things he dreamed of in a wife, and he intended to keep his promise to her as soon as he faced down Robin. 

According to Lord Carew’s
Will, Robin was the head of the family and any marriage had to be sanctioned by him, even if Lady Carew were still alive.  If the marriage didn’t meet with Robin’s approval, Theo would either forfeit his sizable inheritance or give up the woman of his choice.  Theo hoped that Robin wouldn’t decide to exercise his brotherly control at this moment, since he hardly ever involved himself in Theo’s affairs, but a marriage was serious business, and Robin just might have some reservations, especially if Maud had already written to him in her never-ending desire to interfere in other people’s lives. 

At least he didn’t have to deal with Walter.  Walter would refuse immediately, laughing at Theo’s childish infatuation and calling him a
“spineless turd” as he had when they were children.  Walter only did things that benefited him in the long run, and would never even consider something as utterly ridiculous as marrying for love.  If Theo wanted love, he could find that outside the marriage.  Better yet, he could have as many women as he wanted and feel no obligation to them or their bastards, living life to the fullest and taking what he wanted from whom he wanted. 

Theo slowed down to a trot as Kit finally seemed to exhaust his horse and turn
ed toward an inn on the outskirts of a village they just passed.  They would get fresh horses, have some food and stretch their legs before continuing their journey.  It would be a good opportunity to get Uncle Kit on his side and hopefully gain his approval, which would weigh heavily with Robin, hopefully clearing Theo’s way to marrying Louisa.

The house seemed strangely silent once Kit and Theo left for London.  Little Louisa floated from room to room like a ghost, alternating between secret smiles and sudden tears, and Lou was preoccupied with the children and her fears about Kit.  She was no fool, and knew that something still wasn’t right despite Kit’s assurances that he wasn’t in love with another woman and cherished her more than ever.  Louisa wanted to believe Kit with all her heart, but her woman’s intuition wouldn’t allow her to be fooled, nagging at her day and night.  Valerie didn’t blame her.  Alec swore that Kit wasn’t having an affair, but he refused to elaborate, which left Valerie to believe there was much more to the story, and that the situation was far from over. 

Valerie
had to admit that she was eager to return to London.  This beautiful house was starting to feel like a tomb, reminding her of a saying about a gilded cage.  She looked forward to exploring London with Alec and enjoying all that the bustling metropolis had to offer.  It had been nearly two decades since she’d seen a proper play or visited an actual book shop.  What a pleasure it would be to walk down the street and take in the sights and sounds.  One could walk the length of Jamestown in ten minutes, and she rarely went there, especially since Charles and Annabel were no longer living there.

Valerie hoped that spending some time in London would distract her from constant
ly worrying about Finn and Abbie.  She often found herself frowning, desperately trying to remember obscure facts about the Revolutionary War, anything that might put her mind at ease about their mission.  Of course, nothing she could possibly remember could keep them out of danger.  They were living among the enemy, putting themselves at risk each and every day.  She’d actually remembered something the other day and ran from the room in tears, needing a few moments to compose herself. 

It was strange how tidbits of information suddenly shifted into place after decades of being buried in one’s
subconscious.  In this instance, she remembered learning about Nathan Hale, whose attempt at spying for the Revolution got him captured and hanged.  Valerie suddenly recalled walking past the statue of Hale in City Hall Park when she was still a student.  She’d even stopped to read the inscription, feeling sorry for the young man who posthumously became a hero of the Revolution. 

Valerie sighed, wishing that particular memory had stayed hidden.  How many other spies had been discovered and executed before the war finally ended?  Valerie wiped a tear, berating herself for being a worry-wart.  Finn was smart
, and she’d told him everything she could think of to prepare him for the task.  The British were nothing if not honorable.  They would not hang a person without evidence, and as long as Finn and Abbie trusted no one but Sam, they would be safe.  Nathan Hale had betrayed himself to someone who pretended to be a patriot, but Finn would never make such a foolish mistake, or at least she fervently hoped not.

“How about a boat ride on the pond?” Alec asked, interrupting her melancholy thoughts.  “It’s a lovely day out, and I want you all to myself.”  Valerie followed him out the door, still sulking.  There were things she wanted to discuss with Alec, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to give voice to her concerns for they would break his heart.  Valerie slid her arm through Alec’s as they walked to the pond, each lost in their own thoughts. 

“You don’t
need to keep it from me, you know,” Alec said suddenly, interrupting Valerie’s thoughts.  “I have eyes.”

“What are you referring to?”
she asked carefully, although she already knew. 

“I’m referring to our heartsick daughter.  She’s been
wandering about listlessly ever since Theo left yesterday.  I’d feel sorry for her if I didn’t want this romance to fizzle out so desperately.”  Alec tried to sound lighthearted, but Valerie could feel the pain underneath the words.  Louisa had always been the apple of his eye, and the idea of losing her was more than he could bear.  Alec had been secretly relieved that Thomas Gaines had chosen to run away rather than stay and marry their daughter.  He wasn’t ready to part with her just yet, no matter how desirable the potential suitor.

“I think she loves him, Alec, and he seems to be equally smitten.  Did it never occur to you that she might meet someone in England?”  Valerie had worried about this, but she never really brought it up to Alec, afraid that he might not want to make the trip.

“It did, but I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly.  They hardly know each other.  Surely it can’t be love.”  He pushed the rowboat into the water and handed her in, leaving his coat on the bench before getting in and taking up the oars. 

“Alec, how long did it take you to fall in love with me
?” Valerie asked, smiling at him.

“I fell in love with you the minute you walked into the room,” Alec
replied, a guilty smile on his face.

“The minute I walked into the room you thought I was some
mad woman wandering about the countryside in her undergarments,” Valerie suggested helpfully.

“All right, I fell in love with you a few minutes after that.  You looked so scared
; all I wanted to do was keep you safe from harm.  I should have locked you in the tower and never let my brother lay eyes on you, but it’s too late for recriminations.  You are mine, and that’s all that matters.”  Alec rowed toward the middle of the pond, lost in thought. 

“Will we really lose her, Valerie?  First
, we lost the baby, then Finn, and now we are going to lose Louisa.  Is there no end to how much loss one person should be expected to accept?” he asked, his eyes full of misery.

“Aunt Maud lost seven children.  I suppose we should be
grateful that at least two of ours are still alive.  I will resign myself to losing them, as long as they are well and happy.  That will keep me going in my darkest moments.  Of course, we can stay in England to be close to her if she marries Theo.  Charles is happy running the plantation and Finn is no longer there, so there’s nothing forcing us to return.  Don’t you want to visit Yealm Castle?” Valerie asked carefully.  Alec hadn’t mentioned returning to his home once since they left Virginia.

“I have no desire to go there
, not even to visit Finlay’s grave.  It holds nothing but painful memories.  Charles went there when he was in England.  I bid him to sell the estate, and he did.  It doesn’t belong to us anymore.”

“Why haven’t you told me?” 
Valerie always wondered what Alec planned to do with the estate.  He hardly mentioned the place, especially since Louisa had come to them and described the derelict state of the place. 

“I didn’t want to rake up the past.  You endured such suffering there.  I was glad to move on and start a new life.  We’ve been happy in Virginia, haven’t we?” he asked, finally looking at Valerie.

“Yes, we have,” she replied, smiling into his eyes.

The chamber of the Privy Council was hot as the deepest level of Hell, the windows firmly shut against the August sun, and the heavy velvet drapes open to allow the merciless rays to stream into the room making it even hotter.  The men seated around the massive table were all red in the face, looking desperate to leave and go somewhere where they could rip off their wigs and strip off their heavy doublets.  His Majesty wasn’t there, but Buckingham spearheaded the meeting, addressing issues that could easily have held until the members of the Court returned to town in September.  What had been the great urgency? 

Kit shifted in his seat, eager to escape.  There was no point returning to Willowbrook, so he would just go back to his London house and wait until the family returned the following week.  A few days alone might be beneficial in his current state of mind.  He’d taken Alec’s advice to heart, and he supposed it made sense in an abstract type of way, but to actually go through with it would be a lot more difficult tha
n making the decision to do so. 

Kit looked up as he felt Buckingham’s gaze on his face.  Several members of the Council were heatedly debating something that he hadn’t been paying attention to as Buckingham leaned back in his chair in the place of honor, watching Kit like a cat who watches the unfortunate bird it
’s about to devour.  He tried to look away, but Buckingham gave him a half-smile, his dark eyes hooded with desire.  Kit felt a trickle of sweat run down his back more from anxiety than heat.  How long would these buffoons keep talking?  He’d go take a walk by the river as soon as he could decently get out of here; maybe it would be a little cooler there, and he could go over his options one more time. 
Who are you trying to fool?
he asked himself as he pretended to fiercely concentrate on the document before him. 
You have no options; might as well just get on with it and pray that it will burn out quickly
. 

Buckingham suddenly stirred,
abruptly calling an end to the meeting.  He looked remarkably cool compared to the others, but he blamed the heat on their inability to come to a decision, and suggested they await the invaluable input of His Majesty before making a final decision.  He gathered his papers and prepared to leave the room, glancing up just as Kit was about to depart.

“Lord Sheridan, a word if you please.”  His voice was low and seductive as he gazed at Kit from beneath his dark lashes.  “Would you care to join me for a drink in my rooms
to discuss the issue at hand further?”

Kit threw a longing look at the door before turning back to face his tormentor. 
There was nothing he wanted less, but it might as well be now.  There was no point putting off the inevitable any longer.  Villiers was getting impatient; that much was obvious. 

“That would be most welcome, Your Grace,” he replied, giving Buckingham a slight bow.  “Shall I see you there in a few minutes?”

“Yes, I’ll be expecting you, so don’t disappoint me.”  Buckingham collected his papers and strolled past Kit, lightly brushing his thigh as he walked past.  Kit was grateful the room was now empty as he sank back into his chair, his legs refusing to hold him up.