chapter 25
“What?” Laura stared, her stomach tightening. It had taken her several minutes strolling through the garden to even out her nerves, and already James had destroyed her calm. “No! It’s not safe. I didn’t dispose of the mercury.”
“Then we must get rid of it. I cannot continue to hide in here.”
Laura swallowed the protest that rose in her throat. He was right, of course; their life must revert to a normal state at some point. No doubt James felt caged and uncomfortable here. It was absurd, really, to feel this stab of hurt. “Still, you must give the room time to air out.”
“In a few days then.” James was all business now, the dispassionate man she had known before.
“Very well. You intend to reveal that we found the mercury?” Laura was determined that she could be as matter-of-fact as he.
“I suppose I’ll have to.” He frowned. “Though I’d like to have some proof of who is responsible before I do anything.”
“What do you intend to do?” Laura asked.
“I don’t know.”
“It’s good to see you have a well-thought-out plan.”
A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Clearly you’re going to force me to think.” He rubbed his forehead.
“Do you have a headache?” Laura took a step toward him. “Shall I massage your head again?”
James moved back a step. “No. Best not.” He began to pace. “I’ll go down to dinner tomorrow.” He held up a hand to forestall her. “I know you think I’m too weak. But so do they, and I want to surprise them. I need to judge their reactions.” Laura crossed her arms, jaw set stubbornly, and glared at him. He sighed. “Very well. I’ll wait two days.”
“I’ll agree to that.” Though James wasn’t even close to fully recovered, Laura had learned how far his will could take him. And she would be there to help him if he had trouble. “You intend to keep everyone uninformed about your progress until then?”
“If possible. I’ve either been asleep or pretended to be whenever anyone comes in. So all they know is that I haven’t died. You didn’t tell anyone I had improved, did you?”
Laura shook her head. “No one except Graeme and his family. They wouldn’t have said anything, knowing you are in danger, not even Mirabelle.”
“Everyone views their visit today as a ‘last good-bye’?”
“Yes.” The words sent a shiver through Laura.
“I made it clear to Owen that he must not gossip with the other servants about my condition. I dangled a permanent position as my valet as a carrot, so I think he will keep his mouth shut.”
“What about this evening? I imagine Walter will visit you again, and Tessa. Claude usually comes to see you in the evening, as well.”
“Checking to see how his plan is progressing, no doubt.”
“James, you don’t know that.”
“Why are you so protective of Claude?” He raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not. I just—I don’t want it to be one of your siblings,” Laura admitted. “Do you? Honestly?”
“Well, if you’re going to insist on honesty . . .” He sighed, shrugging a shoulder. “No, I’d rather it not be one of them. But I cannot let sentimentality interfere with my thinking.”
“I know.”
“I shall just continue my pretense of sleep. That’s easiest. What about you? Can you keep up the charade?”
“It’s a trifle hard not to look lighter of spirit,” Laura admitted. “But I managed it this morning.” That seemed ages ago. “And, aside from your mother and Walter, I am not usually given to conversation with any of them.”
“You won’t have to hide much longer. Everything can return to normal.”
“Aside from possible attempts to murder you.”
“Yes, aside from that.” He smiled at her. “But life always has its little ups and downs, doesn’t it?”
When James and Laura strolled into the dining room two days later, every jaw in the room dropped. But if James had hoped to see an indication of guilt on any of the gathered faces, he was doomed to disappointment. Astonishment so stamped their features that there was little room for anything else. Even the butler stood in blank shock, staring.
Simpson, not surprisingly, was the first to recover. “Sir James. Please, allow me.”
He whisked out the chair at the head of the table, in two quick gestures sending one of the footmen to bring in more place settings and another to pull out Laura’s chair. Tessa sprang to her feet, tears welling in her eyes, and went to her son, bending to kiss him on the cheek.
“James, love, I knew it.” Tessa turned and sent a smile bright with triumph at the others. “You see, Claude? I told you he would be fine.” She stroked her hand across James’s hair and bent to kiss him again. Then she burst into tears.
“Mother . . .” James looked pained, but stood and took his mother’s hand, patting it, and glanced over at Laura for help.
Laura went to her mother-in-law’s side, curving an arm around Tessa’s waist. “Of course you knew best. You are his mother.”
“Yes.” Tessa glowed at her. “Mothers always know, don’t they?” Tessa pulled out a delicate lace handkerchief and dabbed at her tears.
Before she could sit down, Mr. Netherly shot up from his chair across from Cousin Maurice and went to Tessa, taking her hand solicitously. “Lady de Vere, this must be a shock for you. Let me escort you to your room so you can rest after this excitement.”
“Careful, Netherly,” James drawled. “Mother is far too young a woman to be laid low by a happy surprise.”
“Of course.” Netherly shot him a dark look. “I didn’t mean to imply—it is just that Lady de Vere is so sensitive. So delicate.”
“Thank you, Mr. Netherly.” Tessa gave her swain a gracious nod, but disengaged her hand as she sat down again. “I assure you, I am not as fragile as I may appear.” Laura saw a silvery flash of amusement in the older woman’s eyes that reminded her forcibly of James. “Besides, we must celebrate.” She raised her glass toward James. “Welcome back, love.”
“Mother.” James nodded to her, a grin tugging at his mouth, and raised his glass in return. “I am most happy to find myself still in the land of the living.”
Laura had been watching everyone’s faces since they entered the room, but she had caught no sign of anything suspicious. After the initial shock, they continued to eye James, some curious, others more wary.
Only Walter grinned. “I say, James, this is splendid. I thought for sure you were, well, you know . . .”
“Dying?” James asked, quirking a brow. “No. Sorry to disappoint everyone.” James looked at Claude.
Claude returned James’s gaze stonily. “Don’t worry. We’re all accustomed to that by now.”
Adelaide looked sweetly puzzled, Archie laughed, and Tessa said placidly, “Now, boys.”
“No, James . . .” Walter protested, looking appalled. “You know we were all worried. Terribly worried.”
“Were you? How kind.”
Claude’s wife, Adelaide, offered a tentative smile. “It’s so nice that you are feeling better, Sir James. Claude has been most anxious. We all were.”
“Yes.” Patricia appeared more aggrieved than anxious. “You looked positively ghastly. Don’t tell me you were shamming all this time.”
“No, Patricia, I assure you, I was not malingering. Thank you for your concern.”
“Well, I was concerned. I came to see you several times. Whenever your wife would let me in.” She turned an accusatory gaze on Laura. “She positively hid you away.”
“Mm. I’ve found Laura to be quite dictatorial.” He slanted a dancing look at Laura.
“James, you cannot mean it,” Walter said anxiously. “Laura is the most pleasant, gentle . . .”
“Clearly she hasn’t been forcing noxious liquids down your throat.”
“Do stop teasing everyone, James.” Laura sent a kindly smile toward her champion. “Don’t worry, Walter. I’ve learned that Sir James is not nearly so fearsome as he would have one believe.”
“No?” James raised his brows.
Laura raised hers in return. “No.”
James held the supercilious look for another moment before his lips twitched and he murmured, “Clearly not to you.” He turned his cool gaze back to his sister. “I am sorry, Patricia, that you were not allowed in the sickroom the numerous times you wanted to keep watch at my bedside.”
Patricia, not fool enough to misunderstand his dry remark, fell back on her usual pout. “I would have been happy to. She would not let poor Archie in at all.”
“Astonishing.” James’s eyes moved to the man in question. “And when Archie has been so kind to Laura.”
Patricia colored and opened her mouth to retort, but her husband said, “Leave it alone, Patsy. You’ll never induce James to like me.”
“It’s not fair,” Patricia said, setting her chin stubbornly, but she subsided.
“Any other complaints?” James asked lightly, glancing around the table. “Walter? Cousin Maurice? I hope my illness did not discommode you.”
Walter, correctly taking his question as rhetorical, said nothing. Maurice replied, “Good heavens, no, no bother at all. I’ve been laid up all week with my lumbago.”
James cut his eyes toward Laura, whose eyes were dancing, her lips pressed tightly together to keep from laughing. James clamped his napkin to his mouth, muffling a choked noise.
“James, what’s the matter? Are you all right?” Tessa asked. “Claude, do something.”
“No, no.” James held up a hand. “I’m fine, Mother. I was just overcome for the moment by the joy of being back in the bosom of my family.”
“Of course you were.” Tessa gave him a sparkling smile. “Now that you are better, perhaps we should have a party. What do you think, Adelaide? We haven’t had the chance to introduce Laura to everyone.”
The conversation moved on as the other three women, ignoring Laura’s protests, launched into plans for a party. Laura said little, spending most of her time studying the faces of everyone around the table, hoping for some look or gesture or words that would give someone away. Now and then she cast a glance at James, monitoring his condition.
When the meal finally wound to a close, Laura moved to head off the possibility of James lingering with the other gentlemen over port. As she rose with the other women, she gave a smile to the table of men and said, “I hope you will excuse me. I am rather tired. Dear?” She turned to James. “Will you escort me?”
Amusement flickered in his eyes. “Of course. Dear.”
As they climbed the stairs, James leaned in to murmur, “You know they will all assume you are a shockingly demanding bride.”
“Oh, hush.” Laura could feel her cheeks heating. “Perhaps they are not as low-minded as you.”
James chuckled, a deep rumbling sound that set up the same sort of tingles in her as his wicked smile. “They are men, Laura.”
“Well, I couldn’t rely on you to take care of yourself. And I don’t think you’re quite up to another sparring session with Mr. Salstone.”
“You might be right. I’m not objecting, you understand. No doubt they are all green with envy.”
“Come in and stop talking nonsense. Does your head ache? Sit down and I’ll rub it for you.”
“It’s not necessary.”
“I didn’t offer because I had to.”
James hesitated, then sank onto the stool in front of her vanity. Laura came up behind him and slid her fingers into his hair. She glanced in the mirror before them. James was watching her reflection, and he quickly looked away. Laura began to massage his temples. He closed his eyes, hiding their silver gleam. Laura felt his body relax, leaning back into her. His head was heavy against her stomach.
Anticipation coiled low in her body, a breathless sense of waiting. She thought of sliding her fingers over his neck and across his shoulders, down onto his chest. It was wicked of her, for he had amply demonstrated yesterday that he wanted nothing like that from her.
Then why had he kissed her? Why, in his delirium, had he caressed her and fitted his mouth to hers, his fingers seeking her breasts, his tongue hot and eager in her mouth? Even though she was inexperienced, Laura couldn’t believe his actions had not meant that he was as hungry for her as she was for him.
It was pointless to deny her own passion. However wanton that made her, Laura wanted him. She wanted to be married to him in this most intimate way, to feel his heat and desire. Laura gazed at her reflection again. Her face was loose and soft, her eyes lambent. If James opened his eyes and saw her this way, he would know how she felt. It would be horridly embarrassing. She had to stop thinking this way. Feeling this way.
Suddenly James surged to his feet, taking a long step away from her. He dragged his hands through his hair, pulling it into some sort of order, and it seemed to Laura that he was trying to sweep away the touch of her hands. Had he sensed her thoughts? Her emotions?
She turned away, humiliation roiling in her. However much it might appear that James desired her, it was equally clear that he wished he did not. “I’ll ring for Owen to help you.” She yanked at the bell pull. “Since it’s clear you don’t want mine.”
“Laura, no . . .” He took a half step toward her. “I didn’t mean . . .”
“What nonsense. Of course you did. You seem to have acquired some notion that I am about to impose myself on you. Well, let me reassure you—the fact that I helped you when you were ill does not mean I want anything more from this marriage than we bargained for. I don’t.” She gave a sharp nod for emphasis. “Now. I am going for a walk and leaving you to yourself, since that is obviously the company you prefer.”
Without waiting for a response, Laura whirled and stalked out the door.