Maggie MacKeever (24 page)

“And so,” said Isolda, “Dorcas has run away. I do not think she knew of Hilary’s intentions toward you, Loveday; I suspect she only wanted to frighten you into leaving.”

Abruptly, Loveday returned to the present. “But why, if she did not know him to be the murderer?”

“Hilary was Averil’s heir. It would not have suited either of them to see Averil safely wed.”

“He was a fool to think he’d inherit,” Averil remarked.

“He was mad,” Dillian commented decisively, touching the amber amulet that hung around her neck. Loveday had claimed to have no further need of it. “So Dorcas was responsible for the doll, and Loveday’s first midnight visitor, and Hilary did the rest?” Tibby followed the conversation with wide-eyed interest. She’d had little suspicion that such intriguing events had been taking place right under her nose.

“I think we may safely assume so. I cannot imagine Dorcas handling a rifle, or capturing a snake.” Isolda’s tone clearly conveyed her opinion of Hilary’s wife.

“I wonder where she’s gone,” Charles mused.

“Does it matter?” Isolda inquired. “She’ll not dare to show her face again here. The chit won’t starve; her family will see to that.”

Dillian yawned; none of them had managed much sleep the previous night. “Excuse me! I suppose I must see to packing if we’re to leave on the morn.”

Isolda turned an expression of benevolence upon Loveday. “Won’t you prolong your visit?” she asked sweetly. “I would like you to take away pleasant memories of your stay with us, and we have not had an opportunity to properly entertain you.”

Averil dropped his hand upon Loveday’s shoulder. “Yes, do stay,” he murmured. “There are any number of interesting things that I have not yet shown you.”

Loveday paused, wondering how to best phrase her refusal, and Tibby, concealing intense interest, watched as Jasper turned on his heel and strode from the room.

“Your invitation is kind,” commented Sylvester, “but untimely. I would suggest, ma’am, that you stop attempting to turn nature from its course!”

“I think,” said Isolda in failing tones, “that I may have a spasm!” Tibby immediately interceded with soothing words and vinaigrette. The duchess was not unaware of the contrast between this sweetly deferential behavior and Loveday’s stunned indifference, and she mused again that Tibby’s sire would come across handsomely on the event of his daughter’s wedding. She began to plan anew.

Jem arose and dumped Verdelet unceremoniously upon the floor. “Loveday,” he hissed, “since when have you become so damnably missish?” His sister shot him a startled look, picked up her skirts, and gave chase.

Jasper was already mounted when she found him, and she halted his departure by the simple expedient of grasping his horse’s bridle. He cocked an eyebrow, and surveyed his breathless nemesis.

“You wish to speak with me?” he inquired coolly.

Loveday glared at him. “Toad!” she replied irritably, and with a withering glance at an interested stableboy. “I would prefer to converse where we may not be overheard. Do you think we might contrive to be private?”

“Certainly.” Jasper still wore a mocking look as he dismounted and gallantly offered his arm. “A quiet stroll in the gardens, then? I discovered last night that they offer many surprises.”

Confronted by such aloof indifference, Loveday lost the use of her tongue. “What did you want to discuss with me?” Jasper inquired. “Do you want me to wish you happy? I do, you know.”

“Jasper, you are a wretch!”

“It’s always nice to know what others think of you,” Jasper agreed. “Tell me, do you wish to make it clear to me that our long-standing flirtation must come to an end? I’m aware of that, my love. You were not at all hesitant in forming your decision.”

“Insufferable!” retorted Loveday, convinced that her suspicion that he might truly care for her had been far off the mark. “On the contrary, I wish to tell you that my flirtation with Averil has come to a close.”

“So soon? They say ‘tis safest to begin in matrimony with a little aversion. More to the point, marriage does tend to take the spice out of a flirtation, but I’m surprised you should be aware of that particular fact of life. I hope you may not have reason to repent of your choice.”

“Jasper! I have no intention of contracting a marriage with Averil.”

“Loveday, this is the outside of enough! No, don’t pitch me any gammon.” He regarded her sternly. “I am sadly disappointed in you, my girl! If I had thought when I first saw you, deplorable urchin that you were, that you would one day act with such gross impropriety, I’d have washed my hands of you.”

Loveday followed this angry speech with confusion. “Deplorable?” she inquired.

“Yes,” replied Jasper. “Deplorable. And now, if you’ll excuse me, this is a subject upon which I am not particularly anxious, and Charmain awaits my presence. If you will accept advice from an old acquaintance, I would suggest that you keep an eye to your virtue. Pew men want damaged goods in a wife.”

“The devil fly away with you, Jasper Assheton!” Loveday shrieked at his retreating back. “You are the most bird-witted, inconsiderate, oafish, and
blind
person I’ve ever encountered, and God alone knows why I was ever so besotted as to think I couldn’t live without you!” Aghast at the words her wretched temper had caused her to utter aloud, she clapped a hand over her mouth.

Jasper turned and slowly retraced his steps. “What did you just say?”

“Devil take you?” Loveday offered faintly.

“No, the other.”

Loveday met his gaze steadily. “It is very odd in me, but I find that I love you.” She felt as though she were drowning in those green eyes. The expression on his face gave her courage to add more. “And I do think it very hard when you quit me for the fleshpots!”

Jasper was not unaware of his companion’s agitation; her cheeks were red as fire. “Fair Cyprians offer not the delights of your company,” he said quietly. “Between us, we seem to have indulged in a great deal of wrong-headedness. Tell me, do you think we might suit?”

Loveday grew surprisingly calm. “I daresay we should deal tolerably well together,” she replied.

“Then shall we defer to my father’s wishes? He has intimated to me that a match between us would not cause him displeasure.”

Loveday regarded the buttons on Jasper’s coat with fascinated interest. At length she regained the use of her voice. “I should not refuse such an alliance, were it to come in my way.”

“Am I to conclude that you look upon my proposal with favor?”

“I believe that I do. Despite Isolda’s warning that you will soon abandon me in favor of frolics with the Paphian set.”

“Isolda is mistaken, my little gypsy,” Jasper replied, and caught Loveday up in his strong arms. “I wish to keep no assignation but a life-long one with you.”

Copyright © 1975 by Maggie MacKeever

Originally published by Fawcett Crest (0449226956)

Electronically published in 2006 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads

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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.