Devil's Desire (17 page)

Elysia breathed in awe as she stared down at Westerly, unaware of Lord Trevegn’s scrutiny until he asked with interest, "Do you really approve my home? Most claim it to be too isolated and desolate to visit for long-let alone to live here."

"It is isolated, but then I have always lived in the country, and in less populated places than the Home Counties. I enjoy the wide open spaces in preference to crowded, and noisy town life."

"There are certain advantages, like amusements, which are offered only by life in London."

"Yes, I am sure
you
have availed yourself of all the 'amusements', M'Lord." Elysia paused delicately over the word. "However, if one can afford but one way of life . . . then I would much prefer life in the country than an existence in London. Those who have access to both ways of life can travel between the two when ennui sets in, which is indeed to be envied, for then you have the best of both worlds."

"My wife will envy no one," Lord Trevegne said arrogantly, "for I have many estates, and a townhouse in London which we shall make use of during the year."

"I shall miss Westerly," Elysia confessed, a trifle begrudgingly. She felt reluctant to admit a liking for anything belonging to him. "It is an interesting house, especially the Great Hall, with its Spanish tiles and ornaments."

Lord Trevegne smiled at her praise. "One could almost call the hall our trophy room. My ancestors enjoyed these
objects d’art
with an added enthusiasm–plunder from the sixteenth century. It was also rather daring to decorate one's hall with Spanish possessions and architecture when England was at war with Spain. One of my ancestors told Queen Elizabeth that he enjoyed feasting his eyes upon the bounties from the vanquished–rewards of a successful freebooter. I do believe he actually admired and cherished these Spanish trophies–recognizing some of them as priceless pieces of art," the Marquis elaborated with relish as he noticed Elysia's look of distaste as he described his ancestors. "I wonder how my ancestors would have treated such a spirited wench as you, my dear? I rather doubt that you would have enjoyed it. Although I have heard that my ancestors were quite charming at Court, rivaling perhaps even Sir Walter Raleigh in gentle-manly courtesies."

"Apparently in that aspect you inherited very little, and too much perhaps of their pirate instincts," Elysia said sarcastically.

"I knew it was too good to last–this false sweetness of yours. I shall have to prescribe a spoonful of honey each morning to help sweeten that sour disposition of yours," Lord Trevegne told Elysia warningly, "for I am not accustomed to being talked back to in such a disrespectful manner. You will have to show a little more affection when in company, my dear. Try to act like the loving wife, and I shall pretend to be your devoted slave."

Elysia was saved from her angry retort by their entrance into the stable yard where Lord Trevegne dismounted quickly and lifted Elysia down before she could protest. His hands felt hard and cruel about her small waist as he held her close for a moment, and they stared into each other's eyes like protagonists. He flicked her lavender plume "with a careless finger, and set her free as he sent a quelling glance to Jims who had been standing quietly, and apprehensively, in the doorway to the stables.

"Had I not known beforehand how bewitching my wife could be, Jims, you would now be on your way from Westerly, and all of Cornwall, for disobeying my orders. Elysia has a way of twisting a man about her little finger to get her way, and I would imagine she has had years of practice with you. But I shall expect my wishes to come first from now on. You answer to me, Jims."

Jims came forward, relief written across his face. "Aye, Yer Lordship, but I didn't think ye'd be mindin' her ridin' Ariel, seein' how Miss Elysia raised him from a colt. And they both looked as if they could use the exercise," he answered, smiling at Elysia. "Did ye and Ariel enjoy ye ride?"

"I can answer that for you," Lord Trevegne said grimly. "I saw her and that damn horse racing madly across the moor, and could scarcely believe my eyes–and I had a damnable time catching them. In future, you will go out with a groom or myself but never alone. And if I might inquire, why was she alone, Jims?" he asked softly, turning to Jims with a frown on his face.

"Didn't see any sense in it, Yer Lordship, seein' how Miss Elysia would've lost him," Jims answered practically.

"Sensible as always, Jims, but
Lady
Elysia, is now my wife and she will take a groom in future-or not at all," he warned them both.

Jims chuckled, shaking his head as he watched them walk toward the house, making a striking looking couple. The Demarices may not have desired the Marquis as a husband for their daughter, but he was beginning to think that His Lordship had just what Miss Elysia needed–a good firm hand to guide her. He might be a bit wild and have a bad reputation, but he was a cut above the rest, thought Jims, even though he was not the jovial sort of bloke that liked to joke around. He'd been surprised to hear of His Lordship's marriage, but since it had been to Miss Elysia he could understand His Lordship giving up being a bachelor. There was no one as lovely as his Miss Elyisa. Must have been love at first sight, for he knew as well as anyone that Miss Elysia had no money, and His Lordship was as rich as can be–anyway you could tell by the way he looked at her that he was crazy about her. Miss Elysia was a very lucky young lady, he thought happily whistling a tune as he entered the stables.

Elysia shuddered as they entered the Great Hall with its obvious glories of war and bloodshed, and
some of the beauty, which she had admired before, faded before her eyes as she glanced about.

As if divining her thoughts Lord Trevegne said, "It was a long time ago, and no ghosts linger within these walls."

"I know, but it still saddens me to think of these things having been taken from others," she .commented, indicating a row of gold chalices encrusted with jewels, gleaming brightly in display, on a marble-topped, pier table against one of the walls.

"There is always a victor–and a vanquished in any confrontation. You of all people should realize that," he said, taking her elbow firmly as he guided her up the broad staircase.

As they entered their salon, Elysia remembered that she had not thanked him for her new wardrobe from London, and she turned abruptly to face him, a shy smile curving her lips.

"I had forgotten, in my excitement at riding Ariel, to thank you for the clothes you had made for me so quickly in London. It was very kind of you," she added hesitantly.

"Kind? Hardly that, my dear. I merely did not want you to shame me in front of my friends, looking little better than a servant. In fact, my staff was better dressed than you, and they find enough to gossip about as it is," he explained in a bored voice.

"Oh, you insufferable cad! I think I hate you more than ever!” Elysia exclaimed, the color flaming uncom-fortably into her cheeks. "You shall never hear of me thanking. you for anything again,
Your Lordship,"
she spat at him as she ran from the room, slamming the door behind her, leaving Lord Trevegne standing speechless where he was.

Elysia pulled her hat from her head and threw herself onto the bed, burying her head in her folded arms on the pillow. The beast, she thought angrily. Would she never understand him? One minute he jokes with her, then the next he kisses her, and then snaps her head off the following minute. Life was certainly not easy, she thought in dismay, as she remembered his passionate kisses on the moor. He was right, Elysia thought with disgust. She
did
want to be kissed by him–at least sometimes she felt this strange need for him, but most of the time she felt as if she could have callously murdered hirn—feeling no regrets.

Elysia rubbed her forehead wearily and stood up. How could she possibly want to be kissed by someone so cruel? she thought in exasperation. She despised herself for her weakness. She ought to put on one of her old woolens, and see what His Lordship would have to say to that, she thought defiantly. Elysia looked through the rows of dresses, but couldn't find them among the peacock colors, nor could she find her old shoes or cloak. Dany must have thrown them out when they put away her new ones.

Oh, well, she did not really want to wear them again, even if it would anger him. She was struggling with her boots when Lucy appeared with a couple of chamber-maids, carrying a tub and pails of hot water.

“Mrs. Danfield thought ye'd be wantin' to freshen up after ye ride, Lady Elysia," she said timidly, staring at Elysia as if she were a ghost.

“Thank you, and would you help me off with my boots?" she asked Lucy as the girl slowly came forward, looking frightened.

“What is the matter?" Elysia demanded as the two chambermaids stared goggle-eyed.

"Oh nothing, Lady Elysia," Lucy mumbled, helping Elysia unlace her boots with shaking fingers.

“Tell me, Lucy," Elysia persisted, seeing the girl shake at the contact with Elysia's ankle.

"Oh, Yer Ladyship! Ye rode the horse. The one even His Lordship can't ride and he be almost like the devil himself!” She rolled her eyes nervously.

“Listen, Lucy, and both of you too. I won't have you go telling tales around the house," Elysia said to the other two .who stood cowering together. "That horse before he came here, belonged to me. I raised him from a baby with wobbly legs and downy-like coat. He has only known me, and will only allow me to ride him," she explained patiently, watching the relief come to the three faces, “and you know Jims, you trust him?" They nodded their capped heads. "Well he has known me since I was a baby, and can' vouch for my lack of any mystical powers." Elysia held her hands out in supplication.

The three girls smiled and giggled as they began to prepare her bath, Lucy helping efficiently when Elysia dressed afterwards.

If
only she really did have mystical powers, then she would find a way out of this situation she was in, taking care of His Lordship once and for all in the process, Elysia thought with relish, as she walked slowly downstairs. She wore a white, muslin dress embroidered with green and blue flowers and tied with green velvet ribbons beneath her breasts. The ends trailed down her back to the hem, with similar bandings around the ruffled cuffs of the long sleeves and high neck. Her hair had been dressed high on her head
a
la Grecque the thick red-gold curls cascading about her shoulder. Odd how new clothes could give one a feeling of confidence and self-respect. She need no longer feel ashamed of her appearance—nor need anyone else!

Elysia walked soundlessly across the tiled floor of the Great Hall in her green, kid slippers. A footman opened the door of the salon, and upon entering, Elysia saw the Marquis in conversation with a thick-set gentleman sitting comfortably in one of the chairs before the fire. They stood up as Elysia entered, Lord Trevegne's golden eyes going over her figure with approval as she came forward.

"My wife, Lady Trevegne," the Marquis said with what almost sounded like pride in his voice. But she knew better than to believe that. "Elysia, may I introduce you to our nearest neighbor, Squire Blackmore."

The Squire took Elysia's hand and bowed awkwardly. "A pleasure, Lady Trevegne, and may I commend you, Lord Trevegne, on your wife's beauty!”

The Marquis nodded his head arrogantly in acceptance of the compliment, while Elysia wondered what he had to do with her looks. She sat down demurely with a serene smile on her lips, listening to the garrulous Squire Blackmore's ramblings.
         
.

"I could scarcely believe my ears when I heard in London that you had finally been caught, Trevegne. Louisa will be heartbroken," he expostulated loudly as if he still found it hard to believe.

"And how did you come to hear the news?" Lord Trevegne asked curiously.

"Well, it was in the Gazette, but I heard about it first in the shops," he said baldly.

"In the shops!" Lord Trevegne ejaculated in surprise, and then laughed.

"Well, you did order quite a trousseau for your bride, and wanted it in an uncommon hurry, so I’ve heard. It's bound to get around," he explained apologetically to Elysia, who was glaring at the Marquis' amused expression.

"You heard nothing else–except that I had wed?" he suddenly asked quietly.

Squire Blackmore looked ill at ease for a moment, his close-set eyes darting about the room nervously. "Well, not much really. You know how there is always some rumor going the rounds about Your Lordship." He laughed immoderately, sending Elysia another apologetic glance.

"Still can't believe it," he said to Elysia, "had hopes for a match with His Lordship and my daughter Louisa. Crazy about him, she is. Of course, I perfectly under-stand why he married Your Ladyship, yes indeed,"

He stood up quickly as if he had suddenly thought of something. "Well, I must take my leave, however I wanted to wish you my felicitations and ask you to dine with us one evening. I just arrived from London II few hours ago, along with several guests who are now resting from the long journey. Please come, although we shall understand if you prefer to be alone," he said ingratiatingly, bowing flamboyantly, "Lady Trevegne, a pleasure–Lord. Trevegne."

They watched him scurry off, leaving the room before the footman Lord Trevegne had rung for could see him to the door.

"It certainly did not take long for it to reach London," he commented as he lighted a cheroot. "However I really had expected the good Squire before now. I am rather disappointed."