Part 50 (1/2)

”I haven't ridden about Askeaton in years,” Cliff remarked languidly. Although he remained impossibly relaxed, Virginia knew he meant to rescue her from an uncomfortable moment. ”Sean has some fine horses, does he not?”

She glanced at him. He was a bit unsettling even now, and she had little doubt that he was the kind of man to enjoy the favors of a notorious widow. But she was grateful he was redirecting the conversation. ”Yes, he does. There are some fine horses at Askeaton. Especially Bayberry,” she added, smiling as she recalled the brave little filly.

Sean finally looked at her. ”She is yours,” he said suddenly. ”Please accept her as my wedding present.”

Virginia was so overcome she could not speak.

Eleanor looked back and forth between them, her expression stunned. ”But you bred her! And you're giving her to Virginia?”

Sean glanced at her. ”Virginia loves the horse.”

Eleanor was suddenly standing. ”Excuse me, I seem to have a terrible migraine.” She hurried from the room.

Virginia blinked. What was that?

Sean sighed. ”I forgot...she was there the day the filly foaled. She helped me bring her into the world.” He stood, appearing grim. ”Excuse me.” He walked out.

Edward looked perplexed. ”Mary, what is going on? Why is Eleanor upset?”

Mary began to smile. ”I do think your daughter is growing up.”

Tyrell said thoughtfully, ”What a strange turn. Eleanor has spent her life provoking Sean, from the time she could walk. Her favorite game used to be 'ambush'-she would a.s.sault him when he would least expect it. Her favorite weapons were sticks and stones.” He started to grin, shaking his head.

”Indeed. She is now jealous of Virginia,” Rex said smoothly, and he saluted Virginia with his winegla.s.s before sipping.

Virginia began to protest.

Cliff said calmly, ”Sean needs to kiss her. That will solve one matter-while creating a few new ones.” And he laughed, leaning back in his chair.

”That is enough!” Mary de Warenne cried. ”Benson, the next course, thank you.”

THE DAYS Pa.s.sED SLOWLY, but without a dull moment. Virginia rode in the early mornings with one brother or another, although never with Sean. She made afternoon calls with Mary and Eleanor, or stayed home to rescue Rex from the various ladies calling upon him and Cliff. It was clear that Cliff was having an affair with the widowed Lady Arlette, as they were not very discreet. Cliff reminded her very much of Devlin now, as he did not seem to care about his rather notorious reputation.

Evenings were either a family affair or spent on the town. Virginia found herself swiftly reintroduced into society by the powerful de Warenne family. There were dinner parties, charities and b.a.l.l.s. Escorted as she was by either the Earl of Adare and his wife or the three strapping de Warenne brothers and Sean, she became a favorite, fawned over and admired by all. She only once b.u.mped into William Hughes and his wife, and polite greetings were cursorily exchanged.

She met the other de Warennes and learned a little of the family's history. The family's founding father had fought with William the Conqueror. Once a landless Norman, he had married a wealthy Saxon heiress and eventually had been awarded an earldom. One of his descendants had journeyed to Ireland to obtain lands and t.i.tles there, the result being the Adare branch of the family. The original Northumberland branch of the family had become too powerful for any king to bear. Apparently those lands and t.i.tles had been forfeit in a deadly rebellion centuries ago. Afterward, some of the de Warennes had become wealthy merchants; a few had managed to win back some small estates, while others had emigrated to America to make brand-new fortunes. It was a most interesting family that she had married into.

And Virginia never stopped missing Devlin. There was no word from him. She followed news of the war avidly, aware that every tidbit was months old. The biggest news was the defeat of the USS Vixen by the HMS Southampton, and for a week, everywhere Virginia went, Londoners rejoiced. She could not share their enthusiasm and her loyalties were painfully torn and divided.

”I will kill him if he doesn't write you,” Sean told her in late January.

”I can't imagine how a naval captain can post a letter,” Virginia replied. She missed him so much that there were days when it hurt. One letter was all she would need to endure their separation. She counted the days until June. He had promised her he would be back by the middle of that month.

”Our naval s.h.i.+ps go back and forth between America and Britain all the time to resupply,” he said. ”There is no excuse.”

”He is in a war, Sean,” she said quietly.

He smiled a little at her. ”I am going back to Askeaton, I have been away too long. But you are in good hands now, I feel certain. Everyone loves you, Virginia. You have truly become a sister here.”

Virginia warmed with real pleasure. ”I love your family, Sean. I actually feel as if I belong here.”

”You do,” he said firmly. ”And you do know that if you ever have a problem, you can turn to any of us. I will come running in an instant, but Tyrell, Rex and Cliff would do the same.”

”I think I know that,” she said, meaning it. While Rex and especially Cliff intimidated her somewhat, she had little doubt they would rush to defend her honor if ever the need arose.

He hesitated. ”You and Eleanor have become friends. I'm glad. She's so young...” He trailed off.

”Of course we are friends. She is my new sister,” Virginia said softly. ”And every time you look at me she watches us like a hawk.”

He seemed very surprised and he made a face. ”What? I don't think so.” Then he kissed her cheek. ”I want you to promise me that you will not hesitate if in need. You have a real family now, and no one here lacks courage, loyalty or purpose.”

”I doubt I will need to call out the de Warenne cavalry,” she teased.

He laughed, the sound warm.

Virginia knew then that his heart had healed and she was happy for him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX.

January 1, 1813 Dear Virginia, The New Year has come and I hope this missive finds you in good health and good spirits. How do you fare at Waverly Hall? I a.s.sume by now that you have become fast friends with my mother, and I hope you will not hesitate to ask her for anything you may be lacking. I also hope that my brothers have not overwhelmed you with their various characters. How has the winter been? It has been freezing cold as we sail the Atlantic, but that is to be expected. We now approach the coast of New Jersey, having seen little action thus far. We turned back a single American merchantman, the Southern Belle, although we seized a French privateer, which I have sent to Newfoundland to be outfitted there. The men are in good spirits, although growing bored, as they are not used to such inactivity, and they remain eager to engage the enemy. I have a new s.h.i.+p's surgeon, Paul White, a gentleman I think you would find erudite and amusing should you ever meet. He plays the violin and brought his instrument with him, providing the men with many hours of entertainment.

Please give my regards to my family. I wish you happy New Year.

Yours truly, Devlin O'Neill VIRGINIA RECEIVED DEVLIN'S LETTER on the fifth of February. She was so excited she flew to her room to tear open the sealed parchment. Her heart slammed in her chest as she read it quickly, and then she read it again, more slowly. She wished he had written that he missed her and could not wait to come home. But Devlin had never been comfortable with intimacy in person, so why would he be so in a letter, especially one written at sea, to his bride, their very first exchange since their wedding night?

Virginia sighed and gave up. She was happy that he had taken the time to write to her and had made the effort to get the letter to her at all. And he had asked her several questions, so clearly he wished for a reply.

February 5, 1813 Dear Devlin, I was so pleased to receive your letter and even more pleased to learn that all is well with you and your crew. I have become good friends with both your mother and Eleanor; in fact, the very day you left your mother insisted I move into Harmon House, which I have done. I have become very fond of your entire family! Alas, Rex has returned to duty, Cliff will soon sail off to Martinique (I did not realize he had a sugar plantation there!) and Sean has returned to Askeaton, so suddenly the house is so empty and so forlorn. Tyrell remains, but I only see him in pa.s.sing, as he seems preoccupied with his own affairs. Your mother and stepfather remain in good health. Soon Eleanor leaves for Bath to rejoin the Hinckleys, although there is some controversy over whether she should be allowed to go. I do wish she would stay, as I enjoy the time we spend together.

We missed you at Christmastime. That eve we had a splendid family celebration. Your mother arranged a spectacular meal with enough to feed a regiment. Eleanor and Sean fought, as usual, over her returning to Bath, where apparently she has far too many suitors for a young lady of her age (at least, in Sean's opinion). Cliff invited the widowed Lady Arlette to join us, much to your mother's dismay. Have you ever met her? She is an amazing beauty, and quite fond of Cliff. The men spent quite a bit of time discussing the change in Napoleon's fortunes, the state of Europe and what a peace might be like there. Everyone kindly avoided the subject of the American war, I suspect in deference to me. After supper Rex caught me under the mistletoe, but his kiss was a brotherly one. Sean was so angry with Eleanor that he walked out on us all, but I do not know why or what happened.

Your family has been so wonderful. Your mother gave me a lovely locket with your portrait inside and I have come to treasure it. I received a shawl from Eleanor, gloves, chocolate and a fan from your brothers, and a book from Sean. The book is a history of Ireland and it is fascinating. He also gave me Bayberry as a wedding gift and she is here now, for Sean sent her down. I ride every morning, rain or s.h.i.+ne.

I should love to meet your new s.h.i.+p's surgeon as he sounds like an agreeable man. I still have fond memories of Jack Harvey. Have you ever heard of him since he left your s.h.i.+p?

I have given your regards to your family. I wish you good health and good cheer. May G.o.d keep you and your men safe.

Your loving wife, Virginia Virginia knew that it might be months before she received a reply-the navy had told her that-but by the second week of March she was disappointed that she had not heard from him. In two more days it would be her birthday. She foolishly wished that Devlin could be home to share it with her.

”Do not despair,” Mary said, her arm around her. It was a gray, windy day and the windows rattled. ”You will hear from him again, I have no doubt.”

Virginia smiled at her. ”I do hope so.” She touched her belly, an unconscious gesture. She was beginning to think that she was pregnant. She hadn't had her monthly since Devlin had left, and she was stunned by the possibility that she might be with Devlin's child, as well as both thrilled and afraid. She dearly wished to have Devlin's child, even if she hadn't expected to become pregnant so quickly. But would Devlin be as pleased? Every man wished for a son, but their relations.h.i.+p remained a new and fragile thing and it was too soon for it to be tested in any way. He might not be ready to see their child come into this world. And if that were so, she could not really blame him.

A horse's clopping hooves could just be heard from outside, in spite of the wind and the rattling gla.s.s panes. ”Maybe it's the post,” Virginia cried. His last letter had been conveyed to the house by a postal rider and Virginia suddenly hoped that the rider was bringing her another one. She rushed to the window and looked out-and her heart seemed to stop.

The rider leaping from his mount wore a navy-blue cloak over his blue naval jacket, a black felt officer's hat upon his head. The moment she glimpsed him, even before he turned, she knew and she cried out.