Part 16 (1/2)

”Because I know her and what she considers of value.”

”The fact you still consider her a child is indication enough that you know very little about her, indeed.”

”What, exactly, is this depth of her I do not know?”

”Devlin, Jessica is a lovely, lovely young woman. She is eighteen years old, elderly for an unmarried girl from a village.”

”She has had opportunities at wedlock.”

”That would be exactly what marriage to a villager would be for Jessica, with her sensibilities. Wedlock would be cruel punishment. She is a winsome child. Like you, I do not want to see her broken by the drudgery of life in a place like Welter with a man like that Lout person.”

His sight almost completely gone, Devlin wheeled and took two strides toward his mother, stopping beside her chair. ”What do you know of John Lout?”

”I've overheard the servants. Just as we think them sometimes invisible, they are not always aware that I am present. Some of the girls live in fear of a John Lout in their futures. Others find him attractive with animalistic appeal. Jessica refuses to speak of him, as if she is resigned to the inevitability of marrying him.”

The dowager's voice took on an edge. ”Devlin, I simply cannot allow that beautiful child to fall into that brute's filthy hands.”

Filthy hands? A brute with dirty hands? That probably described most men in the countryside, yet that was Devlin's impression of the man who had delivered the blows that knocked him out of his saddle that night. The harsher beating had come after Devlin was on the ground, from a gentleman's boots, and hands beneath fine leather gloves.

Wouldn't that be irony, for Jessica's intended to have caused the injuries that resulted in Devlin's fortuitous meeting with his Nightingale?

He gave a short, mirthless laugh. ”How much would be required of me in providing the coc.o.o.n for this caterpillar whilst she transforms into a b.u.t.terfly?”

Lady Anne clapped her hands and he heard a subdued wheeze of pleasure. ”You will need to pay for everything, of course.”

”Of course.”

”When she is properly schooled and introduced, you will need to squire her to parties and b.a.l.l.s and the theater and serve as her chaperone.”

”A blind man? You jest. Perhaps you can have Lattimore play the lady's sponsor and guard dog.”

”No, Devlin. I have other plans for Lattimore's role.”

”What might those plans be, dear Mamma?”

”He is only a little older than Jessica.”

”Twenty-five to her eighteen. Seven years.”

”She is more mature and far more responsible than he. If we can arrange the match, she could influence him toward improvement.”

”They are not a match, Mother. She is too ... ”

”What, Devlin? She is too what?”

”If you are set on marrying them, why the trouble and expense of introducing her?”

”Because Lattie would balk if I paired them directly. He must be encouraged into this. He must see other men admire her and offer for her before he realizes what a treasure she is, one living within his own family. Please, Devlin, say you will help me.”

”What of John Lout? Will he allow you to disregard him?”

”Yes, well, that is another thing you might manage.”

”Must I keep reminding you, Mother, I am blind. It hardly seems fair to make so many demands of your sightless son in order to arrange an agreeable match for your sighted one.”

”I know, dear, it seems insensitive, but you may benefit from all of this too.”

Somehow, he didn't see how he was going to benefit from paying for everything, coaxing his dunderheaded brother into a marriage Lattimore did not want, and losing his Nightingale in the bargain.

When had he begun thinking of the girl as his Nightingale?

Of course, neither he nor his mother had considered Jessica's opinion. She was a practical soul. He doubted she would object if the proposition were presented well.

Lady Anne rang for Patterson who immediately opened the door to the study.

”Yes, Your Grace.”

The dowager hesitated, but Devlin had no intention of initiating her plan.

”Patterson, please ask Jessica to join us here.”

The girl arrived breathless moments later, her face the color of a ripe peach. She stopped just inside the door and dropped a quick curtsy.

In spite of not being able to see her, Devlin swallowed a smile, as the scent of hay wafted into the room. He pictured her by her sounds - her noisy entry, the staccato steps which stopped abruptly, the rustle of her skirts as she curtsied, and the breathless, ”Yes, Your Grace, you wanted to see me?”

”My dear, Devlin and I have been speaking of your future. We have come to agreement and would like your impression of our thoughts.”

He heard Jessica turn to him. ”Is this your idea, Dev ... er, Your Grace?”

He tried to look severe, his arms folded over his chest as if he had final say over her destiny, which he knew he had not. He would never impose his will upon her, no matter how concerned he might be, and, he conceded, he was concerned.

”I cannot take credit, Nightingale. The dowager has concocted a scheme and I have agreed to help. It is of considerable importance to her. I ask only that you hear her out.”

She rustled again, obviously turning attention back to the dowager, who began in low, dulcet tones. ”Come sit beside me, child.”

He heard the rustle of skirts settling before his mother began to speak.

As if addressing someone she loved, the dowager outlined her plan. Jessica listened without interruption until the conclusion.

”I have given my word to John Lout, Your Grace,” Jessica said, and Devlin heard regret in her voice. From their earlier conversations, he understood that Jessica had no intention of marrying Lout, so why use him as an excuse?

”Yes, well Devlin mentioned that. I wondered if we invited Mr. Lout here to see the advantages available to you as my ward ... ”

”I doubt that, ma'am. You see John has a habit of knowing and doing what is best for himself. He has little concern for the needs or wants of others, including his own mum and dad.”

Devlin felt compelled to interject a thought. ”Mother, you may recall that, historically, surnames come from occupations, physical attributes, or behavior. The name Lout might have been a.s.signed to the man's ancestors due to certain familial traits.”