Arcana (23 page)

“We have been rather busy lately. Grandmama seems to only be happy if everyone has their entire day filled to the brim.” She turns to me. “Oh, but that reminds me, I heard Grandmama say something about Lord Blackburn to her steward before we left.”

My hands tense on the reins. “What did she say?”

“I’m not sure. She was talking in a low voice, so I only caught his name. Why? Does that upset you?”

“He’s a horrible man,” I say vehemently, and she raises her eyebrows. I try not to think of the night before, but the thoughts come anyway. His disgusting proposition, his failed attempt at a kiss, and the way he threw me against the fence. The way he took my power from me.

Lucy’s curious expression changes to one of concern. “Did something happen?”

I hesitate. A part of me wants to tell her—badly. The other part wants to protect my younger sister. In the end, though, she has the gift of arcana, too. She could become a target. “He is one of the men our mother warned us of.”

Her mouth falls open in shock. “How do you know?”

“He assaulted me in the garden and siphoned away my arcana.” My words are blunt, and my jaw tightens as the echoes of the anger and helplessness reverberate over me.

Lucy throws her arms around me. “Wren, I’m so sorry. Are you all right? Have you recovered?”

I feel some of my tension melt away at her touch. “I’m fine now.”

Her head jerks up as she suddenly meets my gaze. “Oh, but what of Lord Thornewood? Is he—”

“No, not at all. Lord Thornewood is the opposite. He’s much kinder than he first appeared.”

She grins widely. “I knew it. Kind enough to marry?”

A surprising surge of hopefulness rises within me, and I dampen it. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“And how will you avoid Lord Blackburn? Do you think if we told Grandmama—”

I shake my head. “Grandmama would never help. I'll have to think of something myself.”

I guide the horses off the path and on to the thick grass until we reach a copse of trees. A low branch provides me with a place to secure their reins. I rub each of their velvety noses, glad for once my grandmother only keeps well-mannered horses.

“It feels so wonderful to be able to walk around without Grandmama watching our every move,” Lucy says. She points to a bench surrounded by flowers. “Would you mind if I sit on that bench for a while and draw? It’s so lovely here.”

“Please do. Here, I’ll walk with you.”

I pace around behind Lucy when she settles on the bench. What if Lord Thornewood changed his mind? What if he thought of the kiss as a mistake? Maybe he thought I was too forward as well. I happen to glance up, and that’s when I see him emerge from a small group of trees. He catches sight of us immediately and strides over, an uncharacteristic grin on his face.

“You came,” he says.

“I could say the same to you,” I say, trying unsuccessfully to suppress a grin of my own.

“Your doubts wound me as usual.” He turns to Lucy and bows smartly. “Good morning to you, Miss Sinclair.”

“Good morning, my lord.” She dips her head shyly.

He tilts his head for a better view of the drawing in her hand. “Those are quite good,” he says, and her eyes dart to his. “Even in black and white, it’s a perfect rendering of the area.”

As he continues to help my sister open up with casual talk of drawing, I have to restrain myself from pulling him aside and pressing my lips to his. Every time he glances at me, it’s as though I can no longer control my thoughts.

“We must be boring your sister,” Lord Thornewood says after a moment.

“Not at all,” I protest. “On the contrary, I was deeply contemplating everything you said.”

“Hm,” he says and turns to Lucy, “should we quiz her then?”

To my surprise, Lucy laughs as though he is an old friend instead of an intimidating earl. “No, that would be cruel.”

I shake my head. “When did you become co-conspirators against me?”

Lord Thornewood ignores my comment, as usual. He holds out his arm. “Shall we walk for a spell? I think we’ve distracted your sister from her drawing long enough.”

I glance at her, but she only makes shooing motions at me. “Go,” she says, “I’ll be fine.”

I take his arm, and we walk deeper in the woods. We’re still within sight of my sister, but just barely.

After a moment, he says, “There’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask you. I’ve been considering it for a while now.” My heart thumps an unsteady rhythm against my ribcage. “Would you—and your family—like to join me at my country estate?”

I’m so shocked, I do nothing but stare at the fine veins of the nearby leaves for so long he finally adds, “Others will be invited, too. My brother James will be home from Oxford and has requested a house full of guests and a ball to greet him.”

“I’d forgotten you had a brother,” I say, and then realize I’ve completely ignored his main point. “I would love to visit your home.”

He smiles, his carefully maintained mask disappearing for a whole two or three seconds. “Excellent. Your grandmother will not mind leaving town for a few days?”

I didn’t think about Grandmama’s reaction. It will be difficult to get her permission, but I am willing to do just about anything to get what I want. “Oh, I’m sure she’d love the chance. She so rarely leaves town after all.”

“That reminds me,” he says and steers me in the shade of a wide oak. “Was your grandmother terribly angry I brought you home last night?”

His voice is low, and he’s close enough that if I just leaned forward an inch or two, our noses would touch.

“Not terribly, no,” I murmur.

He reaches out and brushes a lock of hair from my neck, his fingers lingering just a moment too long. My breath hitches in my throat. “Good. Because I’ve only agreed to this party as a way to get you to my home.” He grins wickedly.

We both hear the hooves approaching and jump apart. Well, I jump away from him. He holds his ground, looking around with a disinterested expression. Two ladies I don’t know pass by, smiling in greeting.

A vein in my neck is throbbing as I meet his intense gaze. “You wish me to see your home?”

“I wish you to see a great many things, but yes, my estate is at the top of the list.”

If I was the flirtatious type, now would be the time to say something clever and provocative. For once, my wit fails me. “Then I very much look forward to it.”

He smiles as if I’ve said something much more intriguing. “I’m afraid our meeting today must be short in anticipation of your visit, as I must return home and prepare to depart London on the morrow.” He offers his arm again. “Shall we return to your sister?”

Just before we are within hearing range of Lucy, I ask, “Who else will be invited?”

He winces. “Ah, that. I’d hoped to avoid telling you.”

“It’s that bad?”

“Miss Gray overheard me discussing my plan last night at the ball. I’m afraid an invitation was unavoidable.”

I resist the urge to hang my head in defeat. Does Eliza have spies employed to watch Lord Thornewood’s every move? “Very well.”

Lord Thornewood gives me a half-grin. “There’ll be many others there. Perhaps she won’t even seek you out.”

“It’ll be the first thing she does, actually. But I thank you for attempting to comfort me. I know it was kindly meant.”

He halts our progress and takes both my gloved hands in his. “Don’t let her ruin your stay. Know this: I planned this frivolous ball with only you in mind. I care nothing for dancing, even less for socializing. But I find I’d do just about anything to have even the slimmest chance to be with you.”

A quip jumps to the tip of the tongue, but instead I say, “I’m finding I’d do the same.”

We stare at each other until I begin to think he might kiss me right here in front of everyone, but instead, he bows over my hand and presses a kiss to the back of it. My sister grins at us like it’s our wedding day.

“I’ll send word and a formal invitation first thing in the morning,” he says. “Oh, and Miss Sinclair? Tell your servants to prepare your luggage but not to load your carriage. I will send my own vehicle to transport you.”

With a smile and another kind word about Lucy’s drawing, he leaves us.

“So,” Lucy says as we both watch him walk away. “I take it we’ll be seeing more of Lord Thornewood.”

“Oh yes,” I say, “a lot more.”

SIXTEEN

W
E
arrive home in time for tea, and for once, I might even be able to tolerate my grandmother’s presence. The smile has not left my face since my meeting with Lord Thornewood. Thrills of excitement dance inside me every time I call to mind our frustratingly brief conversation. My grandmother’s dreadfully boring discussion of the various aspects of society may be just the thing to calm me.

While Lucy resumes her studies with Miss Watts, I make my way to the parlor alone. Before I reach the door, a bevy of voices escapes from within. I pause, surprised to find my grandmother engaged in anything but her usual dull routine.

“Well then, Lady Sinclair, what stakes are we to play for today?” one of the voices asks.

“I would like the chance to win back my carriage,” Grandmama says. “Though I wouldn’t mind playing for two of your lovely riding horses, Lady Hasting.”

“Those are high stakes indeed,” another voice adds.

I am of a mind to agree with the last voice. Gambling is not such a surprising thing; most members of Society indulge themselves, even ladies. But I’m quite certain most ladies gamble for negligible amounts of money—not horses and carriages. Suddenly, I think of the missing barouche the night of my debut. I knew my grandmother to be cold but not reckless. Was this what Papa warned us of? Just how serious is her penchant for cards? This newfound aspect of her character sends a chill of apprehension up my spine. The talk of horses especially unnerves me. What is to stop her from gambling away one of the horses Robert brought back for me?

“If I am to put up two of my horses,” Lady Hasting says, “then you must do the same.”

Before my grandmother can answer, I rush through the door. Four ladies including Grandmama sit in pairs playing the illegal game of baccarat. I recognize Lady Hasting, an elaborate crimson hat upon her head. The other two ladies are dressed in an abundance of satin and jewels, but their names, like so many others introduced to me by my grandmother, escape me.

Grandmama greets me with an aggravated look. “Katherine, it is abominably rude to interrupt us in such an abrupt manner.”

“Please forgive me for interrupting you,” I say with mock sincerity, “but I couldn’t help but overhear you about to gamble away the contents of your stables. As two of my horses are currently residing there, I came to be sure you would not include them in your ridiculous stakes.”

“Really, Katherine,” Lady Hasting says, the feathers of her hat quivering with her words, “this is most irregular.”

Grandmama shares a long-suffering look with Lady Hasting. “You must all forgive my granddaughter. She lost her mother at such a young age, and she has not had the benefit of knowing when to hold her tongue.”

One of the ladies makes a soft sound of sympathy and nods. “Such a terrible thing.” Her soft look melts into one of calculation as she meets my gaze. “If you are concerned about the loss of your horses, dear, then why don’t you join us for a game?”

“As I am unskilled at most card games, I must decline,” I say, anger sharpening my tone. Baccarat may be the favorite game of the king, but I’d rather not risk participating.

“Alas, Katherine has many letters to write. Isn’t that right, dear?” Grandmama says calmly, as if I am merely a child throwing a temper tantrum. When I obstinately remain standing in my spot, she sighs and says, “It wouldn’t very well be honorable for me to gamble away something that does not belong to me, now would it?”

“Those are the rules,” Lady Hasting adds when she sees me wavering.

“Very well,” I say. “I’m sorry to have interrupted.” Though I’m not sorry for much else. I have no doubt my grandmother would have done just as she pleased, whatever the consequences. As I return to my room, I am struck once again by how uncharacteristic gambling is for my grandmother. All the times she chided me for acting less than proper, and she treats her own parlor as though it were one of the gaming hells. I know but a few of the rules of gambling, only the ones Robert has seen fit to tell me, but I do know all debts must be settled immediately.