The Willows (3 page)

“
Little brats,” she hissed
at them. “Did your mother never teach you your manners?”

“
You leave mama out of this”
to Gwen’s fear, John came at her, fists flailing, the boys in quick
pursuit.

Thinking of those ten filthy hands on
her green wool skirt, Gwen twirled. She dropped her bag in her
haste to escape, which was as well, for once again, someone blocked
her way. It was not a small boy this time, but rather a man, as
evidenced by the large chest shielding her face. If not for the two
strong arms reaching out steady her, she too could have been
knocked into the water.

My rescuer, she thought. Merlin had
indeed waived his wand and sent her this brave knight.

“
Those boys, was ruffians,”
she said breathlessly. “They will not leave me alone.”

Stepping back, Gwen became suddenly
aware that he’d been holding her closer-and longer-then the
situation would call for, yet not nearly long enough for her needs.
She rather like the comfort she found, being held against that’s
warm, sturdy chest.

But as she gazed at it and so the home
spun shirt, she realized it’s wasn’t Lance, or any other possible
suitor. Looking up into dark, glittering eyes, he found her pirate
from earlier.

Up close, he appeared more dangerous
than ever.

When he told the children to leave, she
wasn’t surprised at how readily they swallowed their protests.
Faced with his fearsome scowl, she too would probably slink off
with alacrity muttering, like they did, under her
breath.

When the children were out of hearing,
the stranger turned his glare on her. Amazing, what one man could
put into a single expression. Gwen could see his anger, his
suspicion, and resentment, and it was all she could do not back up
out of his way.

Before he could move, a voice rang out
behind her. “Gwyneth Elizabeth McCloud, is that you?”

She spun, her heart leaping with joy.
She knew that voice Lance, hero and he devoted Lancelot, had
appeared yet again when she was most in need of rescue.

Clearly not as impressed with lance’s
appearance, the other man look with disguised contempt. Trying to
deny her earlier response to him, Gwen went instantly to Lance’s
side.

Lance held her gently, as if she were
too fragile for any rough handling. “What is this?” He said with a
laugh in his voice. “Are you truly so happy to see me?”

“
Oh Lance, you cannot know
what I’ve had to endure I’ve had to stand here, alone and
unprotected, and be assaulted by strangers.”

Lance stiffened, Gwen looked up to
catch the glare he gave the other man. Good heavens, she didn’t
want him dueling over this, shedding blood is some useless battle
for her honor. “Oh, no, not him,” she said quickly, breaking away
to point at the children in the distance. “There, that gang of
ruffians. They are the ones who assaulted me.”

“
I beg to differ” the man
said, his deep voice cutting into her, “but from where I stood, it
looked as if you were assaulting them.”

Lance tensed again, setting her to the
side. “If Miss Gwen said she was the injured party, I have no
choice but to believe her.”

“
No choice?”

“
Of course not. A true
gentleman always takes the word of a lady.”

“
Perhaps.” The man’s smile
did little to warm his features. “But since no one has ever accused
me of being a gentleman, I can speak the truth as I see
it.”

Lance reached for an imaginary sword at
his hip, a gesture he’d often use in their games. Frighten as to
where his sense of honor might lead him, Gwen placed a hand on his
arm. “Lance, please, do not make a scene.”

Lance visibly restrained himself. “I
have no wish to engage in a public brawl over this,” he said
coldly. “I for one wish spare Ms. Gwen any further
unpleasantness.”

“
Of course. Always spare the
lady.”

Gwen was stunned I the man’s
bitterness. And not a little unnerved. “Please, can we go?” She
begged Lance.

He offered his arm and she took it
gratefully, happy to let him lead her away. Reaching the carriage,
though, she could not resist glancing back.

As if expecting all along that she will
look for him, the man grins with irritating insolence. He continued
to stand there, arms folded across his chest, his cool, assessing
gaze making her feel as if she’d forgotten a vital piece of
clothing.

Tightening her hold on Lance’s arm, he
stared straight ahead, determined not to let that awful man spoil
her home coming. She could forget him, and the challenge she read
in his deep, dark eyes. She was home now, and she had Lance beside
her.

She looked up at Lance, letting his
smooth, good looks sooth her spirits. From his Golden hair to his
gleaming boots, this was the man she’d always loved, the hero to
whom she’d built all her dreams, and now that she was a woman
grown, they would rule the Willows together. Gwen and Lancelot, for
ever and always.

Surely it was a good sign that he’d
come here to meet her. Maybe it meant that daddy had relented. And
even if not, hadn’t she sworn to marry first man to greet
her?

The first
gentleman
, she swiftly
corrected, casting a last, on the easy glance back at the
stranger.

Chapter 2

Bewildered, Gwen let herself be helped
into the waiting carriage, Lance taking his seat beside her. She
trusted him to know what he was doing, yet she couldn’t help but
wonder why they needed a carriage take them to the steamboat.
Noticing how the driver turned into the city, she shouted out.
“Lance, where are you taking me?” She asked, glancing anxiously
about her. “Shouldn’t we be booking a passage up river if we hope
to reach the Willows before dark?”

“
All in good time.” He
flashed his most winning smile. “I can’t tell you where we are
going. Meant to be a surprise.”

Normally, Gwen adored surprises, but
she was anxious to get to the Willows. “That’s sweet of you,” she
said slowly, not wanting to hurt his feelings, “but I need to get
home. It’s been so long. I want to see daddy. I’m a tad bit worried
about him.”

“
John is fine.” Taking her
hand in his, Lance padded it’s reassuringly.

Gwen might have been soothed had he not
avoided her gaze. “What is it?” She asked quickly, pulling back her
hand. “What is wrong?”

“
Nothing is wrong.” His life
seemed forced. “Your daddy…” Stopped, then sighed. “I declare, Gwen
Elizabeth, you take the fun out of everything. Where is the
pleasure in betting up the surprise, if you refuse to sit back and
enjoy it?”

Gwen’s heart made a little leap, even
as her mind did. Did Lance’s evasive manner mean her daddy was
here, that he might even be behind the surprise? “Perhaps I might
relax,” he said eyeing Lance coyly, “if I knew where you were
taking me.”

“
You always could worry a
thing down to the bone. Very well, we’re going to your daddy’s
townhouse. There, are you satisfied?”

“
The townhouse?” As far as
Gwen knew, no one had used their city home since… Well, since mama.
“Why there?”

He turned to her than, his expression
plain. “For pity’s sake. After such a long and tired some journey,
he simply thought you might enjoy a night out on the
town.”

“
We?” Without realizing it,
Gwen crossed fingers hopefully.

“
We’ll all be staying at the
townhouse. Your uncle Jervis, Edith, and myself. What is wrong now
that you must look so unenthused?”

“
You know very well what
happens whenever you and my cousin are together under one
roof.”

Lance shook his head. “I, too, had my
doubts about the arrangements, but to date, she’s been on her best
behavior. Why, she’s positively civil to me now.”

Gwen had to grin. “I find that hard to
believe. Remember when we’d play Camelot, and you to what gets to
scraping over just about everything? I never saw my prim and proper
cousin gets so riled by anyone as by you. I declare, there were
times I feared she’d pull the hair right out of your
head.”

“
And you were there to
instigate every altercation.”

It was so patently untrue, when turned
to gape at him. “I hated your fighting,” she said, hurts that say
such a thing. “Why would I do anything start it up?”

“
Whoa, now don’t be getting
upset with me.” Lance held up his hands and mock surrender. “I was
merely teasing. I do love to see the color rise in your
cheeks.”

“
As I recall, you’re over
fond of that past time, Lance. Indeed, I’ll wager it was your
incessant teasing that upsets Edith. I had my own times when I’d
happily have pulled out your hair.”

“
I’ll have to keep that in
mind.” He smiled in his special way, reminding her she could never
stay mad at him long. “Besides,” he went on, “that’s all in the
past. Edith and I have sworn to forget our differences and do our
but most to make your home coming special.”

Gwen felt warm, for here was the
welcome she’d expected. The hideous voyage and the fiasco at the
docks were swiftly fading into the realm of nightmare. Trust Lance
to make everything turn out all right.

“
I must say,” he said on a
sigh, “I’ve been a bit worried about daddy’s greeting, but if he’s
gone into such trouble to welcome me home, then surely he’s
forgotten what… What happened.” Even with Lance, she cannot bring
herself to talk of her mother’s death.

“
Oh, actually, John won’t be
joining us,” he said.

The warmth went instantly cold. “He
won’t?”

Lance patted her hands. “Now, before
you get to imagine the worst, let me repeat that nothing is wrong
you got to understand there’s, well, things keeping him busy back
at the Willows.”

Daddy and is damn sugarcane. Ever since
Gwen could remember, his precious plantation had come first. Before
his only child. Even before his wife.

“
No long faces,” Lance
chided gently. “Look here we ought.”

The carriage stopped before grilled
iron gateway guarding the McCloud townhouse. Unlike the more
practical neighboring homes, lined up close to the street, their
red brick residence sat back behind and entrance courtyard, hidden
by a wall of bougainvillea surrounding the yard. Amid all the iron
and stone of the city, it seemed an oasis. Stepping inside the gate
to be instantly surrounded by flowers and vines and a cool flowing
fountain, was like stepping into a different world.

Her parents had chosen a french quarter
dwelling rather than building a new were mansion across now Street,
like other Americans who settled in New Orleans. It had been
largely mothers doing, for Amanda had adored all things French, and
open admiration that one her the acceptance of even in the most
exclusive Creole families. Everyone had loved her mama, when
thought with a sigh.

Stepping down from the carriage, Lance
offered a hand to help her. “Don’t you fret funny, you’re going to
enjoy the exciting time we have planned for you.”

She shook her head. “Knowing my uncle,
plans will include a visit with half the city’s
population.”

“
Not so.” Lance helped her
down to the streets. “This afternoon, you’ll be resting, and then
tonight, we’re all off to the Fosters’, for their last of the
summer ball.”

Gwen tried not to crown. Four years,
Emily Foster had been trying to match her with her overweight son,
Charlie. It was hard to resist the lure of a party, though
especially one that included dancing.

“
They mean to make certain
this is the event of the year. I swear, if I have to listen to
Edith describe once more what she means to wear…”

Poor Edith, Gwen thought, for nothing
could disguise her bony limbs and painfully plain face. Though
perhaps when could lend her the pretty blue silk and Agatha
had…

Reminded suddenly of her own wardrobe,
Gwen grasped lances sleeve. “Lance, quickly we must go back at
once.”

“
Back where?”

“
The dock. Those dreadful
children distracting me so, I’d left my bag behind.”

“
No need to panic. I will
simply send one over the-“

“
It’s not just my bag. It’s
all of them. Virtually everything I own is in them. My gowns, my
bonnets, and my jewelry.” With a bang, she thought of mother’s
locket, tucked in her bag. If she lost its, she’d have nothing left
of her mother.

“
You females and your
foofaraws.” Lance shook his head in indulgent fashion. “I am
certain the steward arranged for your trunks to be stored
ashore.”

What steward? She could have asked, but
her mind was focused less on the trials of her voyage, and more on
the immediate problem. “We have to go back and get it at
once.”

“
You will go nowhere” Lance
said firmly. “The dock is no place for a lady. Do you think I wish
to see you assaulted by riffraff again?”

Gwen had no wish to encounter anymore
of noxious children, but she had to save her locket. “This is
important to me, Lance. I can’t risk someone stealing my
things.”