CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Travel expands one’s horizons and broadens one’s mind and view of the world. If one is not open to new experiences, if one is not willing to accept broadening, one should stop reading this guide immediately and stay home.
—The Lady Travelers Society Guide
IT WAS NEARLY noon by the time Derek made his way to the breakfast room. He had stood guard in the hall while India made her way back to her room, comforter and all. He didn’t want so much as a whisper of gossip to touch her. He grinned. She would hate being embroiled in scandal. He’d never given any consideration to a woman’s reputation, but then he’d never been with a woman who had never been with another man before.
And he’d never been in love. Oh certainly he had fancied himself in love any number of times. It had always struck fast and hard and had vanished just as quickly. Love, for him, had always been easy. Nothing with India was easy. Why, he hadn’t even particularly liked her in the beginning. The feelings he had for her had been slow to take root and slow to blossom. He’d had to earn her friendship and her trust. Now—and she could debate semantics all she wished—now she was his. And he was hers. For today and for the rest of their lives. This was right and this was real.
This was forever.
“Good day.” He strode into the breakfast room with what he suspected was a silly grin on his face. He couldn’t help himself. The rest of his life had begun in the wee hours of the morning and he couldn’t wait for it to continue. He nodded to Val and the Greers, not the least bit surprised to see his mother had not yet made an appearance, and headed to the sideboard. “Estelle, you are looking even lovelier than usual today.”
“Goodness, Derek, the things you say.” She waved off his comment but beamed with pleasure nonetheless.
“I must say, Professor—” Derek poured a cup of Val’s blend of coffee “—you seemed to be having an excellent time last night.”
“I was indeed.” The older man smiled. “There was a most interesting assortment of guests in attendance.”
“And he does love to dance.” Estelle patted her husband’s hand.
The professor shot her a jaunty grin.
“You look in good spirits today,” Val said.
“And you look dreadful.” Derek took a seat next to his brother. “Why?”
“I did not sleep well.” Val shrugged. “Oh, a telegram came for you this morning.” He picked up an envelope beside his plate and handed it to Derek.
Derek opened the envelope and pulled out the message. “It’s from Uncle Edward.” He read the first line, looked up at the others and grinned. “Lady Heloise has been found safe and has returned to her home.”
“Wonderful!” Estelle clapped her hands together.
“Excellent,” the professor said with smile. “India will be extremely relieved.”
“And now you can tell her everything,” Val said. “Although you did say you would tell her after the ball.”
“This will make that much easier,” Derek said with a profound sense of relief. His uncle was apparently taking his role as mastermind behind the search to heart and had personally spoken with Lady Heloise. He resumed reading, and the momentary feeling of reprieve vanished. “Lady Heloise requests that while I may tell India she’s home and well, she wishes to explain the rest of it herself.”
“That takes it out of your hands then.” Val shrugged.
“Indeed it does but...” He grimaced. “I hate keeping something like this from her.”
“You didn’t seem to have a great deal of difficulty keeping it from her before.” Val studied him curiously.
“I don’t like the idea of a lie between us.” Derek’s gaze returned to the telegram.
“It’s not your lie,” Val said.
“What lie?” the professor said in an aside to his wife.
“I don’t know, dear,” Estelle said quietly. “Now, hush.”
“I am complicit in it.” Derek blew a long breath. “And things are, well, different now.”
“Now you’re in love with her.”
The Greers traded glances—Estelle’s was distinctly smug, her husband’s resigned.
“That does make a difference. But more important, she trusts me. I have no desire to betray that trust.”
“Your reasons for not telling her everything are as valid now as they were before Lady Heloise’s reappearance. The only difference is that now I agree with you.” A firm note rang in Val’s voice. “It is not your place to tell her this. This is no longer your decision.”
“You’re right, I suppose, but it feels wrong. It feels like a lie. But...” Derek shook his head. “It’s not my story to tell. It’s been taken out of my hands.”
“What’s been taken out of your hands?” India appeared in the doorway, cast him a brilliant smile—a smile full of shared secrets and promises—and nodded at the rest of the gathering, gesturing at the men to remain seated. “Lovely day, isn’t it?” She headed for the sideboard. “Do forgive me. For some reason I am famished today.” She took a plate and surveyed the offerings. “What isn’t your story to tell, Derek?” she said over her shoulder.
Derek rose to his feet and glanced at Val. His brother was right—this was not his place. “I received a telegram this morning.”
“Another from your uncle?” She selected several sausages. “I do so love these sausages. About business?”
“Not exactly.” He braced himself. “India.”
There must have been something in his voice. She set down her plate and turned around. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong,” he said firmly. “In fact, I have wonderful news.”
“Your cousin is home and safe in London,” Estelle blurted, then winced. “Goodness, Derek, I do apologize but you were taking forever.”
India stared at him. “Is this true?”
Derek smiled. “I believe the quest is over.”
“Thank God.” A sob broke from her, and she choked it back as her eyes filled with tears. “My apologies. I’m not an emotional sort—I certainly never cry. And I know given Heloise’s nature that there was as good a chance that she had simply forgotten to write as there was that something dreadful had happened but...”
Derek moved close and wrapped his arms around her. Muffled sobs shuddered against his chest. “But she is home now, and all is well.”
“It is, isn’t it?” She sniffed then stilled. India raised her head and looked up at him. “What isn’t your story to tell?”
“We should go,” Professor Greer murmured to his wife.
“Absolutely not,” Estelle whispered.
“Uh...” Derek had always considered himself fairly glib. Words came easily to him, especially when they were fashioned in the form of an excuse or an explanation. But now, staring down at India’s expectant face, he realized there was nothing he could say. No one could make this right except Heloise. The only chance the older lady had of repairing whatever damage she may have done with her deceit was if she explained everything to India herself. God knows, Derek had no idea why she’d done what she’d done. No, he couldn’t say anything even if he had any idea what to say. And absolutely nothing came to mind.
“Derek?” She stepped back, a frown furrowing her forehead. “What has been taken out of your hands?”
“I...” Even as he said the words he knew it was a mistake. But what choice did he have? “I really can’t say.”
She stared at him for a long moment, then held out her hand. “May I see the telegram?”
He hesitated.
“Bloody hell.” Val jumped to his feet and grabbed the telegram out of Derek’s hand. “Of course you can. He has nothing to hide.” He passed the paper to India and glared at his brother. “Even if he’s doing all he can to make you think he does.”
“What does this mean?” India read the message. “Snuggs wishes Prendergast be told she is home. Requests nothing further be said.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.” Her gaze met his. “Do you?”
“No,” Val said sharply.
“Yes,” Derek said at the same time.
“Would you care to explain it to me?”
For a long moment their gazes locked. He ached to reveal everything. And while she might appreciate his candor, he knew he could cause irreparable damage by doing so. He couldn’t risk her losing the only family she had.
“As I said,” he said slowly, “it is not my story to tell.”
Disappointment and hurt filled her green eyes. “But you do know this story, don’t you?”
He nodded. “Some of it.”
“And you have known for some time?”
“No.” He shook his head firmly.
“But you knew before last night?”
“I did.”
“I see.”
I see? Never a good response but she was wrong. I see said a great deal. About trust and betrayal and disappointment.
He drew a deep breath. “You should go home, India,” he said quietly. “You need to speak with Heloise.”
“Indeed I do.” Her tone was abruptly brisk and impersonal. “If you will excuse me, I must gather my things.” She nodded at the group, turned and left.
Derek hesitated then followed her out of the room. “India.”
“What?” She whirled toward him.
“Let me explain.”
“Very well.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Explain.”
“I only found out about this a few days ago.”
“Then you had a few days to tell me about whatever this is and you chose not to.”
As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t deny it. “I thought it was best, given Heloise had not yet been located.”
“And now that she has—” her eyes narrowed “—it’s not your story to tell?”
A horrible sinking sensation settled in his chest. “I’m afraid so.”
“I see.”
He winced.
“Then if you will excuse me.” She nodded, turned and headed toward the stairs.
He wanted to run after her, confess everything but—regardless of whatever happened between them now—he would not be the one to destroy her relationship with the only family she had. Heloise’s secrets were hers to tell. He could do nothing more than stand by India’s side. If she would let him.
“What are you going to do?” Val asked beside him. Derek hadn’t even heard him approach.
“Go with her,” Derek said without thinking.
Val nodded. “I shall have a maid pack your bags. While we wait...” He took his brother’s elbow and steered him toward the library. “I think a whisky is in order.”
“It’s too early in the day,” he murmured.
“Good God, what has she done to you?”
“Nothing more than any avenging angel bent on reforming my wicked ways might do.” He slanted his brother a halfhearted smile. “She has stolen my heart.”
* * *
A SCANT QUARTER of an hour later, voices sounded outside the library door. Surely India couldn’t be ready to leave so soon? Derek and Val exchanged glances and hurried into the hall.
India had changed into her gray dress and stood talking to the professor and Estelle, Luckthorne by her side. A subtle gleam of victory showed in the man’s eyes. It did not bode well.
“Lord Brookings.” India turned to Val with a polite smile. “I would like to thank you for your gracious hospitality. You have been most welcoming under awkward circumstances.”
“It has been my pleasure, Miss Prendergast.” Val took her hand and raised it to his lips, his gaze never leaving hers. “I hate to see you go.”
“Are you leaving?” Mother’s voice rang from the stairway and she hurried down the steps. “Surely not without saying goodbye?”
“I had intended to,” India began, “but—”
“But we do need to be on our way if we are to be home at a reasonable hour,” Luckthorne said firmly.
Mother shot him a curious look, then turned her attention back to India, stepped toward her and took her hands. “My dear child, I shall miss you terribly.”
India paused then smiled. “I shall miss you, as well.”
Mother glanced around. “Aren’t you taking your new clothes with you?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have anything to put them in. My trunk...” She shrugged. “Well, you know.”
“I shall have them delivered to you in London.” Mother nodded in that way she had of ending a subject, then leaned close to India and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you,” India said quietly.
“I don’t believe my bags are ready yet.” Derek glanced at his brother. “Would you have my things sent on to me?”
Val nodded.
“Excellent.” He turned to India. “As Sir Martin is so eager to be on our way, we should be off.”
Luckthorne’s eyes widened. “You’re coming with us?”
“I am.” Derek directed his words at Luckthorne but kept his gaze fixed on India. “I started this quest with Miss Prendergast. I intend to see it through to the end.”
Luckthorne scowled. “I really don’t think that’s necessary.”
“Regardless, I don’t intend to be left behind.” Derek shrugged in a casual manner as if this wasn’t the least bit important.
“I see no reason why you should accompany us.” Luckthorne stepped toward him in a challenging manner. Good. Perhaps Derek would get to thrash the man, after all.
“Might I speak privately with you for a moment, Mr. Saunders?” India stepped between the two men. “In the library perhaps?” She glanced at Val. “My lord?”
“Of course.” Val nodded.
“Thank you—this won’t take long.” She walked into the library with a resolute step, Derek right behind.
“I shall hail a cab for—”
Derek closed the doors on Luckthorne’s comment. He stepped toward her. “India.”
“Derek.” She held out a hand to stop him. “I am doing exactly what you said I should do. I am returning home to speak with Heloise.”
“Let me go with you.”
“No.” She paused. “I am trying very hard to retain whatever semblance of my sensible nature that may still linger. I suspect it is the only way for me to proceed at this point. You have no place in that.”
“But—”
“I cannot, at the moment, consider the repercussions of our actions last night or what was said.”
“What was said was that I love you and you love me.”
“I’m aware of that,” she said, refusing to meet his eyes. “However...”
“However,” he said slowly, “even now you cannot bring yourself to completely trust me.”
“In that you’re wrong,” she said sharply, her gaze snapping to his. “The problem between us is that you don’t trust me. You don’t trust that I can face whatever this story that is not yours to tell entails. You don’t trust that I have the strength or the courage or whatever is necessary. You don’t trust that I will not fall apart at this revelation, whatever it may be. You may well be right but...” She drew a steadying breath. “I would hope, after all this time together, you had as much faith in me as I do in you.”
“I do,” he said staunchly.
“Furthermore, it appears I was right all along.” She shook her head. “I am not the type of woman—no—I am not the woman you should marry.”
He could deny it but it would do no good. “I don’t know what to say.”
She smiled a resigned sort of smile, and his heart twisted. “I think we’ve both said quite enough.” She turned toward the door, then looked back at him. “I believe one of the Lady Travelers pamphlets says travel is an unexpected adventure. Thank you, Mr. Saunders, for the unexpected and the adventure.” She nodded, opened the door, then closed it behind her.
For a long moment, he could do nothing more than stare, stunned by the finality of the faint thud of the door closing behind her. The woman he loved had just walked out of his life, and there was little he could do about it. Surely this awful aching sensation, this almost physical pain was heartbreak.
No, resolve coursed through him. She was wrong. Again. He did have faith in her, in them. Why, the chances that they would ever meet in the first place let alone fall in love were slim. That they had found each other—the carefree scoundrel and the sensible spinster—was nothing short of a miracle. Or fate. And that was worth fighting for.
Trust had nothing to do with it. Letting Heloise tell her story was absolutely the right decision even if India didn’t yet realize it. But she would and he would be there when she did. Once, he might have let her go. Resigned himself to the fact that he had lost her and go on with his life. But if he had learned nothing else from Uncle Edward in these months since his birthday it was that making the right decision was rarely easy. It took strength and courage and, yes, faith. Derek could be—he was—a better man than he had imagined. A man his father would be proud of.
India Prendergast was exactly the kind of woman—the only woman—he should marry. And he intended to do exactly that. Now he simply had to convince the stubborn, annoying creature who did not believe in love or romance that he was right and, once again, she was wrong.
He grinned. Another grand, romantic gesture was called for and he knew exactly what it should be.
The door opened and Val stepped into the library, followed closely by his mother.
Val stared. “Why on earth are you smiling? You do realize she’s gone?”
“I do.”
“She left this for you.” Val handed him the souvenir medal he had given her on the Eiffel Tower. “She said she didn’t need it.”
“Well, I shall have to return it to her.” Derek slipped it into his waistcoat pocket.
“Then you are going to go after her?” Mother said hopefully.
“Not quite yet.”
“Why on earth not?” Mother’s eyes widened. “She’s accompanying Sir Martin, and I am certain he is going to use whatever has happened between you to try to engage her affections.”
“Sir Martin has had years to engage India’s affections.” Derek chuckled. “I doubt that his efforts will be successful now.”
“How can you possibly be sure of that?” Mother glared at him as if he had lost his mind.
“Faith, Mother.” He shrugged. “It all comes down to faith.”
Val studied him closely. “You have a plan, don’t you?”
“More or less.”
“Then you should be on your way to London.” Mother waved in the general direction of England. “At once.”
“Oh, I will but not quite yet. First—” he grinned “—I need to go to Prague.”