Natalya (57 page)

January and half of February had gone the way of the two previous months, depressingly wet, but last week had brought heavy dose of sunshine. The vast lawns of West Hills were brown and soggy, but the sky was clear blue and mild at last and Meagan sensed that the dreary winter was behind them. Soon the roads would be fit for travel and she would be on her way to Boston. Sheer misery overtook her momentarily and a single tear escaped, clinging to her thick lashes.

"I wonder what he'll be like?" Priscilla asked her reflection as she sat at her dressing table. Lily brushed her long auburn tresses and her mistress closed her eyes, letting her head drop back slightly.

"You mean your fiancé?" Meagan stressed the last word with meaningful irony.

Priscilla's eyelids fluttered, a smile curving her lush red lips. "Isn't it a lovely word? James says he's dreadfully handsome and
so
well off. Imagine him wanting to marry me with all those beauties in Philadelphia!"

"Yes," Meagan murmured dryly. "Imagine that!"

"Life will be so exciting there! James says the assemblies never end!"

Meagan sat forward suddenly on her knees, pressing her little nose against the glass. "Priscilla, I don't mean to interrupt your dreams, but I do believe your prince is arriving!"

A horse and rider had appeared between the huge oak trees that bordered the road leading to West Hills. It was the reflection of the sun against the man's tawny hair that caught Meagan's eye, and she found herself staring at him in fascination.

His hair was caught neatly back at his neck, revealing an arresting, sun-darkened face. He rode well, carrying himself with easy grace in spite of his size.

"Why is he riding a horse?" Priscilla fretted as she joined Meagan at the window. "I thought he would surely have a carriage! Oh, but do look at his coat. Such handsome green velvet, and so well tailored!"

Meagan rolled her eyes hopelessly, then turned back to watch as Lion Hampshire drew up to the mansion, handing over the gleaming chestnut roan to a stableboy. He smiled at the slave and slipped him a coin, then started up the broad steps to the front door.

Priscilla was moving faster now than Meagan ever imagined she could. With Lily's help, expensive gauze petticoats were layered over her long legs, followed by stylishly simple beige muslin skirts sprigged with green and coral flowers. The colors made a subtle backdrop for her rich auburn hair, ivory skin, and huge green eyes.

While Lily skillfully applied rouge to her mistress's high cheekbones, Meagan pulled up a slender rosewood chair and tried to get her attention.

"Priscilla, I think I'd better be getting home. I must begin packing, and I know it would be embarrassing for you to have to explain me to Captain Hampshire."

"But do tell me, would I be overdoing it if I wore my emerald necklace?"

She got to her feet, throwing up her hands in exasperation. "I can't believe that my opinion would matter to you." A loud knock interrupted her and she turned to answer it, adding, "Why not ask your brother? He's an authority on everything, after all. Good luck, Priscilla. How long will it be before you leave for Philadelphia?"

"Four days."

"I'll come by again to say good-bye."

She opened the door to admit James Wade, whose close-set eyes glowed with triumph over his coup.

At the sight of Meagan, he beamed. "What a pleasant surprise, my dear. May I say that you are the loveliest little ragamuffin I have ever encountered? That smudge on your nose is particularly enchanting!" A perfumed handkerchief floated from his breast pocket and when she saw it coming toward her nose, she ducked under his outstretched arm.

"Wonderful to see you as always, James!" she sang and scampered down the hallway. Reaching the oaken banister, she leaned over the top to make certain her escape route was clear, then hurried down the broad stairway. Her speed was such that when she touched the last step and Lion Hampshire emerged from the parlor, it was impossible for Meagan to stop. Only Hampshire's surefootedness saved them from falling to the floor on impact, and Meagan found her face buried in his clean-smelling shirt-front. She was horrified to find her breath stuck in her lungs; even worse, she was trembling under his strong, sure grip.

"Egad!" he laughed. "Are you all right, young—ah—lady?" The last word was uncertain, the abundant raven curls winning out over the male attire in his mind.

Meagan looked up into ocean-blue eyes far above her. When his hands left her arms, she felt her confidence flow back through her veins.

"Excuse me, sir. My behavior is appalling, isn't it!" Instinctively, she returned his grin, feeling him scrutinize her.

Lion was interested and curious at the sight of the tiny, scuffed girl with her amethyst eyes and sooty lashes. Her face, with its small, tilted nose and dimpled smile was deceptively childish. He had a feeling that she was older and more clever than she looked.

"You aren't Priscilla by any chance, are you?" he queried in a vaguely hopeful voice.

"Goodness, no! What a terrible shock that would be for you! I am—I am—merely a servant," she blurted without thinking, then paused, wondering why. After a moment, she decided the situation would only be more embarrassing if she stopped to explain and continued, "I must be running along! Again, my apologies, sir!"

She was gone as speedily as she had appeared, leaving Lion standing alone in the marble entry hall, rubbing his jaw in perplexed amusement.

* * *

Long rays of iridescent moonlight slanted across the dark parlor, spilling into silvery pools on the carpet. Meagan sat with her elbows propped up on the polished block-front desk, palms cupping her chin as she stared miserably at a shadowy miniature of Aunt Agatha. In the hallway, the tall-case clock struck twelve.

Getting to her feet, Meagan pulled the sash of her Chinese silk robe more closely around her waist and walked out onto the flagstone terrace. The rush of chilly night air refreshed and fortified her.

"Lord," she whispered, gazing up into the inky, star-strewn sky, "this time, could you please lend me some assistance? I have a feeling I am going to need help to carry this off!"

With a rueful smile, she turned back into the empty house, dark and quiet after more than twenty years of gaiety and light. Her candle stood on a table in the stair hall, the flame struggling weakly in a pool of liquid tallow. Picking up the brass candlestick and shielding the flame with her hand, Meagan hurried up the stairway and down the hall to her spacious bedchamber. She pulled on a pair of clean, fraying breeches, a rough woolen shirt, and a warm gray coat. After turning up the cuffs until her hands showed, she found a ribbon with which to tie back her hair.

The back stairs that led to the kitchen were cold and winding, and Meagan slid her hands along the damp walls to feel her way down through the darkness. Her buckled shoes sat next to the kitchen door, and after slipping them on, she went outside to the stables. Her own dappled gelding was in the first stall. She was accustomed to saddling Laughter herself and only minutes later she sat astride his back as they trotted out to the road.

Moonlight cast eerie shadows as it filtered through the trees, but she had no time for midnight fears. The ride to West Hills took less than half an hour, and when she gained sight of the plantation house, Meagan slowed the horse to a walk. Hopping to the ground, she led Laughter into a grove of fruit trees and tied his lead to a low-hanging branch. In her breeches, the run to the mansion was easily accomplished, despite the muddy ground. The servants' entrance was as familiar to her as her own, and Meagan slipped in silently, pulling off her shoes. It took less than a minute for her to reach Priscilla's bechamber and she lost no time waking her friend, who immediately opened her mouth to scream.

"Don't do anything foolish!" Meagan commanded. "It is I! I have to talk to you!"

Priscilla pushed herself up against the lace-edged pillows, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Meagan! What are you doing now? I declare, you are the most shocking person—"

"I had to talk to you when I was certain Captain Hampshire wouldn't be around. I have arrived at the perfect solution to all our problems!"

Chapter 4

The high yellow wheels appeared slender to the point of fragility, and Dr. Dick eyed the post-chariot dubiously. A cool, sunny breeze ruffled his dark hair as he turned to speak to Lion Hampshire. "Are you certain that this contraption is strong enough to support the weight of human beings?"

Lion laughed out loud, his head bent as he finished strapping his valise to the carriage. "Elisha, you are entirely too skeptical! I assure you that not only is it strong enough, but it is also one of the fastest vehicles on the road." He came around then to clasp his friend's outstretched hand. "I thank you for providing me with such fine accommodations

. It has been wonderful to see you again and to meet Hannah at last."

"The pleasure has been entirely ours! You are welcome in our home at any time." Dr. Dick paused, frowning slightly. "Are you certain that this marriage to Priscilla Wade will go according to your plans?"

"Well," Lion smiled dryly, "I'll admit that her brother may have oversold her to me, but I believe she'll do. Priscilla's shallow beauty should suit my purposes quite well."

Elisha cocked an eyebrow, then shrugged. "I suppose farewells are in order. Again, thank you for coming to me; it's been wonderful catching up on each other's lives. I hope, after all you've told me, that your problems with Marcus Reems can somehow be resolved. It seems such a shame... Perhaps your marriage might help—"

"I don't lose sleep over Marcus, and haven't for fifteen years," Lion replied laconically. "His bitterness goes too deep to allow room for hope of mending matters between us. I cannot enjoy knowing that any man would name himself my enemy, but at least I am assured that the fault lies in Marcus, not in me."

Elisha's face puckered with sadness, not only because of what Lion had said, but also because of the tone of his voice. The gregarious, magnetic youth he had known so well at the Academy had a new, diamond-hard facet to his personality; cool, determined, and apparently lacking in sentimentality. Was it possible for him to have hardened so, or could this attitude be a defense? Blinking, Dr. Dick extended his hand. "Good fortune to you, Lion. Give my regards to our old friends in Philadelphia and keep in touch. If you should change your mind—if your plans don't work out—we should be delighted to see you settle here. Alexandria is destined to become a great seaport, you know!"

Lion grinned, white teeth contrasting with his tanned face. "I appreciate that, but I intend that my future will be all that I desire."

He called to Joshua, his coachman, who hopped onto the carriage perch, and then Lion mounted his own chestnut roan. Hair shining in the sunlight, he waved to Elisha and to Hannah, who had appeared in the doorway, then rode away down Cameron Street.

It was still early when the white columns of West Hills appeared on the horizon, rising over the bare treetops. The yellow carriage was right behind him as he cantered down the drive.

Priscilla stood on the veranda, looking attractively nervous. The robe of her emerald green silk gown was parted to reveal a pale muslin underskirt tiered with narrow ruffles, while her lovely breasts curved above the low, round neckline. Only a woven shawl protected her from the crisp February air and she took care that it was held open across her bodice. As Lion came toward her she smiled at him coquettishly, dropping her eyes when he raised her soft white hand to his lips.

"You are looking exceedingly lovely this morning, Miss Wade. I am honored by this personal welcome!"

His eyes lingered on her bosom in a way that made her blush, her long lashes sweeping her cheeks. "You are too kind, Captain Hampshire... but now that we're betrothed, won't you call me Priscilla?"

He grinned. "Nothing would please me more. Now—are you ready to leave? Where are your things?"

Flustered, she hurried past him into the marble entry hall. A large assortment of trunks and boxes filled the area, and Lion let out a low whistle, at the sight.

"Ah—Priscilla, I was not able to bring an extra wagon for the baggage due to the weather, and I fear that if we attempt to load all of these onto my carriage, the wheels would sink out of sight in the mud!"

Her expression was horrified. "Sir, I hope you are not suggesting that we leave any of my possessions behind! I was given to understand that I could bring whatever I wished!"

Lion raised an eyebrow coldly, deciding that his fiancée was beginning to resemble a petulant child. "That, my charmer, was before I realized that you owned more possessions than even one of my ships could carry!"

"How insufferably rude you are!" she shrilled.

"Perhaps you had better become accustomed to it or else cease your spoiled tirades. Now, if you still want to travel to Philadelphia, I suggest that you choose two of those trunks and one bandbox. Anything else you need I will purchase for you after we arrive."