The Second Lady Southvale Read online

  Philip turned to Rosalind, gently taking her hands. ‘Do you regret coming here today?’ he asked softly.

  ‘No,’ she whispered.

  He smiled, pulling her closer. His arm slipped around her waist, and she moved into his embrace as if she’d done so a thousand times before. He held her for a long moment and then tilted her face toward his, kissing her slowly and luxuriously on the lips.

  A rich and heady desire stirred through her, and she felt as if she were awakening from a long and deep slumber. The desire increased, becoming an exhilarating passion, and a soft moan escaped her as she linked her arms around his neck to return the kiss. Her body ached for him, and her skin tingled at his touch; she felt warm and weightless, alive only for him, and she knew that a craving had been aroused that would only be slaked by complete submission to this one man. There was nothing hesitant or uncertain about her feelings, they were vibrant and clear. She loved him, in less than a day she loved him, and it was a love that would never falter.

  He drew away, cupping her face in his hands. His blue eyes were dark and his voice low with feeling. ‘You know that I love you, don’t you?’

  A wild joy swept through her and tears filled her eyes. ‘Yes, I know, because I love you too.’

  ‘I meant what I said when John was here. I did say those things he overheard, but Celia truly became the past for me when I saw you. I removed my wedding ring before I left for the ball, and I know that I will never wear it again.’

  ‘Did you love her very much?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘What was she like?’ she asked suddenly.

  ‘Do you really want to know about her?’

  ‘Yes, Philip, because she possessed you first. She shared your life, your love, and your bed, and I want desperately to know about her.’

  ‘You have no need to fear her, for it’s you I love now.’

  ‘Please tell me.’

  He exhaled slowly and nodded. ‘Very well. She was very beautiful indeed, with dark curls, lilac eyes, and a heart-shaped face. She was petite, witty, vivacious, and totally fascinating. Men were drawn to her like moths to a flame, she was the belle of London society, and of all the many suitors who sought her hand, I was the one upon whom she bestowed her favor. We were married for only two years before she died, and to my eternal regret we parted that last time on a sour note.’

  ‘You’d quarreled?’

  ‘Not quarreled, exactly, but we’d certainly disagreed. As you now know, I have a sister. Her name is Katherine, she lives with me, and she and I are very close. At about the time Celia decided to go on yet another of her many trips to visit her family in Ireland, Katherine’s hopes of marrying the man she loved came to an abrupt and cruel end when he deserted her to marry someone else. Katherine was distraught, and although I tried my best to offer her comfort and sympathy, it was the understanding of another woman she really needed. My great-aunt, Lady Eleanor Laird, who also resides with us, happened to be away in Scotland at the time, and so there was only Celia for Katherine to turn to. But Celia refused to even delay her visit to Ireland, even though I specifically asked her to, for Katherine’s sake. We therefore parted a little acrimoniously, and word reached me a week later that her ship had foundered on rocks off the Irish coast.’ He looked away, falling silent.

  Rosalind slipped her hand into his.

  His fingers closed over hers. ‘I was in despair, distraught with grief, and I didn’t think I’d ever get over it. Ironically, it was Katherine, so unhappy herself, who gave me the comfort and understanding I needed. She knew I needed something to take my mind off my loss, and she urged me to return to my diplomatic interests. It was because of her that I roused myself to take the assignment in St Petersburg, and because of her that my name was put forward at the last moment to come here.’

  ‘Then I have much to thank her for,’ Rosalind said softly.

  He smiled. ‘We both have much to thank her for.’

  ‘What is your life like in London?’

  ‘Privileged, in a word.’

  ‘Tell me about it.’

  ‘At the risk of boring you?’

  ‘I want to know all about you.’

  He raised her hand to his lips. ‘Then I’ll tell you whatever you wish to know. My title and family go back into the mists of time, and I have many responsibilities as landlord of a great estate five miles outside London, owner of woolen mills in the Cotswolds, tin mines in the north of Cornwall, shipping interests in Falmouth, in the south of the same county, and various other commercial dealings in the City of London. I have a town residence in St James’s, overlooking Green Park, and I keep saddle horses that are the envy of many a sporting gentleman. My racehorses have managed to win me the Derby on two occasions, and the Ascot Gold Cup once, and I have a cutter, the Lady Eleanor, that I race on the Thames estuary. I’m usually to be found on the best guest lists – at least I was until a year ago – and I am known in royal circles. I am a friend of the Prince of Wales, or rather the Prince Regent, as he’s been for the past few months, and I have often stayed with him at Carlton House. I ride in Hyde Park, have private boxes at both the Theatre Royal and the Italian Opera House, belong to several of the more exclusive clubs, and can always gain entry to Almack’s.’ He smiled into her eyes. ‘Will that do? Or do you wish to know still more?’

  ‘I think that will do. You’re right, your life is indeed privileged.’

  ‘Yours is hardly deprived.’

  ‘That’s true. Is there anything you wish to know about me?’

  His eyes moved tenderly over her face. ‘I found out all I needed to before I met you yesterday. Rosalind….’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Last night I told you that I might be sent back to London at any time.’

  Dismay leapt through her. ‘Have you heard something? Is there going to be war?’

  His fingers tightened reassuringly over hers. ‘No, I haven’t heard anything. As to whether there will be war, I have to say that I fear there will be.’

  ‘You seem very sure.’

  ‘I can’t see that there’s any alternative. America is determined to protect her freedom and right to trade as she chooses, which includes trading with France, but Britain is fighting for her very life against Bonaparte, and thus cannot possibly stand by and allow that French trade to continue. Don’t misunderstand me, for I’m not attempting to sanctify the British. I know we’re at fault, we treat the high seas as if we own them, we stop your shipping, impress your seamen, blockade your shores, and generally behave as if you’re still our colony. But you’re not still our colony, you’re an independent nation now, and the last thing you’re going to do is bow to arrogant British demands. The last thing Britain is going to do is let you get on with it at present, and so, yes, I fear war is inevitable, with the only benefactor being Bonaparte, who must be hugging himself with joy at the way things are going.

  She lowered her eyes. ‘War will separate us, Philip.’

  ‘Rosalind, I told John that my intentions toward you were honorable, that they couldn’t be more honorable, and that’s exactly what they are. I want you to be my wife, to become the second Lady Southvale, and to come back to England with me.’

  She stared at him. ‘Your wife?’ she whispered.

  ‘Do you imagine I could be satisfied with anything less? I love you, Rosalind, and have done so from the very first moment I saw you. Events have moved so swiftly that I can scarce believe they’ve happened, but of one thing there can be no doubt at all. You mean everything to me, and I can’t envisage returning to England without you.’ He drew her fingertips to his lips again. ‘I know I’m asking a great deal of you, not only to marry me so quickly, but also to leave your home and come halfway across the world, but I still ask you. Will you be my wife?’

  ‘Philip….’

  ‘Marry me, Rosalind,’ he pressed softly.

  His voice caressed her, and caution slipped away into the

  warm air. She smiled. �
�Yes, Philip, I’ll marry you.’

  5

  It was another warm, humid evening two days later when Mr Carberry reluctantly prepared to receive Philip in the library at the mansion. From the window he could see the rose garden, where Rosalind and her mother waited anxiously in the summerhouse for the outcome of what was bound to be a difficult meeting.

  Mr Carberry sighed, for his wife was resigned to the match, having perceived the way things were going from the moment Rosalind had declared that nothing less than a love match would do. John wasn’t in favor of Philip de Grey as a brother-in-law, he’d made that clear enough, and his reason was the same as his worried father’s: Philip’s recent and well-known grief over his first wife was just that, too recent and well-known. It would be far, far better if things could be postponed, so that the first Lady Southvale had indeed ceased to matter, and that was how Mr Carberry intended to conduct the interview.

  He waited by the window, gazing across the marsh toward Washington. He’d be civil enough, but if he had his way, Philip de Grey would depart after agreeing to indefinitely postpone any thought of a formal betrothal, and certainly any thought of an early wedding. He sighed heavily, for Rosalind had always been a dutiful daughter, but the advent of this damned Englishman had changed all that. For the first time she’d made it plain that for Philip de Grey, she was prepared to defy her father.

  Steps approached the library door, and Mr Carberry turned, automatically straightening his cravat and charcoal-and-white-striped coat.

  Philip was announced, and came in, bowing respectfully. Mr Carberry’s critical glance raked him from head to toe, taking in the stylish fawn coat, brown brocade waistcoat, cream breeches, and frilled shirt. The fellow knew a thing or two about sartorial matters, that was for sure, and had the sort of looks that attracted the female sex like pins to a magnet.

  A rather embarrassed silence hung for a moment, and then Philip spoke. ‘Thank you for receiving me, sir.’

  ‘When my daughter’s happiness is at stake, I don’t have much choice.’

  ‘Rosalind’s happiness is my only concern as well, sir,’ replied Philip quietly.

  ‘Is it? If you’ll forgive me for saying so, Lord Southvale, the speed with which you’ve moved so far can’t have given you much time to consider anything with any depth.’ Mr Carberry pressed his lips together, not wanting to allow his natural antagonism toward this man get the better of him. He’d promised Rosalind and her mother that he’d be courteous, and courteous was what he’d damned well be. ‘May I offer you a glass of cognac, sir?’

  ‘Thank you.’

  The decanter clinked against the glasses, and then Mr Carberry gave one to Philip, before indicating a chair by the fireplace. ‘Please be seated, sir, for I see no reason why we should not be comfortable while we speak.’

  Philip did as he was bade, and Mr Carberry sat opposite him.

  ‘Lord Southvale, I cannot pretend to welcome what’s happened.’

  ‘I didn’t expect that you would, sir.’

  ‘Indeed?’ Mr Carberry raised an eyebrow.

  If I were in your place, sir, I’d be displeased as well. I’m hardly likely to be your notion of an ideal choice, am I?’ A faint smile touched Philip’s lips.

  ‘No, sir, you’re not, but if I’m completely honest, your unsuitability arises from your feelings toward your first wife, and not from anything else. Forgive me for speaking plainly upon a matter that is private to you, but you must understand my anxiety.’

  ‘It’s clear that John has repeated to you what he overheard at the Hardiston house.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I don’t pretend I didn’t say those things, but I do deny that they are of any significance now.’

  ‘Because you glanced out of a window and saw my daughter drive past?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Mr Carberry gave a slight laugh. ‘I’m sorry, Lord Southvale, but I find that very hard to believe. Perhaps it’s because I’m not of a romantic disposition.’ He swirled his cognac, sniffing the bouquet. ‘Love matches are an unknown quantity to me, sir, since my marriage was arranged before my wife and I had ever met.’

  ‘But you’ve nevertheless been very happy?’

  Mr Carberry nodded. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Can you envisage life without Mrs Carberry?’ Philip asked quietly.

  Rosalind’s father paused. ‘No, I don’t think I can.’

  ‘Nor can I envisage life without Rosalind.’

  Mr Carberry surveyed him for a long moment and then sipped the cognac. ‘I understand from Rosalind that there are two ladies who reside in your household, your sister and your aunt?’

  ‘Great-aunt. Yes, sir, my sister, Katherine, is unmarried and lives with me, and my widowed great-aunt, Lady Eleanor Laird, acts in the capacity of chaperone.’

  ‘I’ve no doubt that they will be as shocked by your whirlwind romance as I’ve been.’

  Philip smiled a little. ‘It will startle them, yes, but they will make Rosalind very welcome.’

  ‘If she leaves here,’ qualified Mr Carberry.

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘What if they don’t welcome her?’

  ‘Then they are the ones whose position will be difficult, because Rosalind will be Lady Southvale, mistress of the house, and I will uphold her in every way. But the problem is hypothetical, for I know them both very well and am quite content that they will be glad about her.’

  ‘Glad about an American Lady Southvale when war is in the air?’

  ‘Mr Carberry, London society hasn’t set its face against America; indeed, I think you’ll find a little more hostility against the British here in Washington than you’ll find vice versa in London.’

  Mr Carberry drew a long breath. ‘You’re probably right. We’re still a young nation, sir, and fiercely proud of our hardwon independence.’

  ‘Independence from the British yoke,’ murmured Philip dryly.

  Mr Carberry smiled. ‘Precisely, sir.’

  ‘I don’t intend to impose my will upon Rosalind. What I propose is an alliance of the very highest order. I love her, and I want to cherish her, always.’

  ‘Pretty words, Lord Southvale.’

  ‘Truthful words, Mr Carberry.’

  Rosalind’s father nodded. ‘Yes, sir, I think they probably are.’

  ‘I’m relieved to have convinced you of that.’

  Mr Carberry rose to his feet. ‘What you haven’t convinced me, however, is that there’s any need for the haste you both seem set upon.’

  ‘I may be sent back to London at any moment.’

  ‘Yes, I know. I also know that in the new year you expect to go to St Petersburg, which means that Rosalind will be left alone in London.’

  ‘Hardly alone, sir, she’ll be with my sister and great-aunt. And besides, I’ll be away only for a few months.’

  Mr Carberry chose his words carefully. ‘It seems to me that it would be better all around if you waited until after St Petersburg, and then came back here to marry, if you and Rosalind are still so inclined.’

  Philip’s blue eyes rested closely upon him. ‘Are you counseling a delay because you feel it would be sensible and more becoming, or because you hope in your heart that in the meantime Rosalind will change her mind about me?’

  Mr Carberry turned. ‘If you want the truth, I have to admit that at the outset of the interview the latter was indeed the case. I was extremely cynical about an affair of such short duration, and I didn’t want Rosalind to enter a marriage that would take her so far away from her home, family, and friends. But you’ve impressed me, Lord Southvale, and I accept that I must bow to the inevitable, or lose my daughter.’

  The light of relief passed through Philip’s eyes. Permission was going to be given.

  ‘However,’ went on Rosalind’s father, ‘I am determined to protect her reputation, and so must insist that matters proceed from now on in a very proper way. I’m not suggesting that impropriety of any kind has already taken place
,’ he added quickly, ‘it’s just that such a hasty betrothal and marriage is bound to cause talk that will tarnish Rosalind’s name.’

  ‘I respect your point, sir, but there is something else that has to be considered.’

  ‘And that is?’

  ‘That if we wait until after my return from St Petersburg, war will in all probability have broken out between our two countries, and that will mean an indefinite postponement.’

  ‘War may yet be diverted.’

  ‘I fear it won’t be, for both sides appear to be intransigent.’

  Mr Carberry drew a long breath and then nodded regretfully. ‘There is a certain inevitability about it, I have to admit,’ he said quietly. ‘Very well, I concede that such a long wait is out of the question, but I’m still concerned that unwelcome comment will arise if the wedding takes place too quickly. I understand from Rosalind that you both wish the marriage to take place as quickly as possible, maybe even before July is out.’

  ‘Yes, because I could suddenly have to go back to London.’

  ‘But it’s true, is it not, that you could be here for many months yet?’

  ‘Whether or not there are any developments in the talks, I’ll still have to be in England again by Christmas, because I have to receive detailed instructions prior to leaving for Russia in the new year.’

  ‘I understand your feeling of urgency, but I’m afraid July is unacceptably soon when it’s very doubtful that you will have to leave so quickly. Politicians always have a great deal of hot air to expel before they resort to broadsides, and so I suggest a compromise.’

  ‘A compromise?’

  ‘Rosalind’s twenty-third birthday is at the end of August, and that would seem to me to be a suitable date to choose. Eight weeks or so, that’s all I ask, and at the end of it there will be a wedding that Washington will talk of with admiration for years to come. Will you agree to that?’

  Philip wished he could feel as confident that the talks wouldn’t yield anything within the next eight weeks, but he could see that Mr Carberry had made his mind up on the matter. It was important to Rosalind that she have her parents’ blessing, although she was prepared to defy them if necessary, but was the possibility of an early return to London worth the risk of a family rift that would undoubtedly cause her unhappiness in the future? No, it wasn’t. Putting his glass down, he smiled and rose to his feet, his hand extended.