De Warenne Dynasty: The Prize Part 38

Virginia turned, softening. "Thank you, I love him. I truly do."

Devlin hesitated, and then he softened, too. "Good. I'm glad," he said, and he felt himself smiling, just a little, but he had lied. The guilt remained, festering now, a wound.

THE NEXT FEW DAYS Pa.s.sED slowly. There were no callers, unlike at Wideacre, and the mansion was so large that Virginia had no trouble avoiding Devlin, which she now felt that she must at all costs do. As he did not seek her out-they only shared a terse supper together-she was successful. She began to teach her gangling puppy to sit and lie down. And then they did have a caller-Tyrell de Warenne.

Virginia liked Devlin's handsome stepbrother, whom she had learned was exactly Devlin's age. Upon learning of his visit, she instantly went to greet him. He and Devlin were in a quiet conversation, Devlin clad in his naval uniform. Surprised and dismayed to see Devlin so dressed, she halted in the doorway as both men turned. Tyrell had said something about President Madison, she was certain. "I'm sorry," she said breathlessly, trying not to stare at Devlin in his uniform and wondering if he was about to leave on another tour of duty, "I heard that Lord de Warenne had called. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"That's all right. We were merely discussing your presidential election." Devlin smiled at her, but it did not reach his eyes. His gaze was unwavering and direct, searching hers, as if for some sign of her real feelings.

It was difficult to break the stare. "h.e.l.lo, my lord," she finally said to Tyrell, managing a smile.

"Miss Hughes." He smiled warmly at her.

"Has President Madison been reelected?" she asked, hoping so.

"Unfortunately," Devlin said wryly. "The news just arrived on one of our battles.h.i.+ps."

"He is a very good president," she said firmly. "Capable and clever," she added.

"Your capable and clever president declared war on Great Britain, in spite of the fact that the Privy Council rescinded the Orders in Council, which he and most of your countrymen demanded we do in order to avoid the foolish war we now find ourselves in."

Virginia glared at him. "This war is about far more than trade and Britain's desire to prevent us from becoming a wealthy and equal sister nation."

"Here, here," Tyrell murmured.

She glared at him, too. "This war is about your country wanting to reduce us in fact, although not de jure, to colonial status again."

"This war is about many things, including your Republican party using it as a means for their own political agenda-to crush the federalists and maintain power," Devlin smoothly returned.

"Do you deny that Britain wishes for us to be impoverished colonies?" she cried.

"No, I do not. But Britain had no desire to go to war with you. Virginia, the British government wishes Ireland to be less than a sister nation, and of course she wishes the same for your country. But no one here is dreaming of reacquiring the American colonies. That is your war hawks' propaganda."

"You are wrong. Your nation is an imperialist one." She was fierce and would not back down, for she knew she was right.

"May I refute?" Tyrell asked smoothly. He was grinning and looking back and forth between the two of them.

"Please do," Devlin said with a sigh.

"The Americans are as imperialistic as the British, Virginia. Everyone knows the agrarian agenda is to conquer Canada and expand in that direction."

"We are suffering terrible defeats in Canada," Virginia said, more quietly. She read Devlin's newspapers every day, and somehow the small British forces in the Canadian territory had managed the impossible, defeating American troops repeatedly. A half-dozen important forts and settlements had been abandoned. "But no one wishes to claim British-held territory there. We wish to trade freely, unimpeded by your navy, and it is our right."

Tyrell glanced at Devlin. "Have you met your match at last, Dev?"

"Perhaps," he said nonchalantly, gazing at some items on his desk. Then he looked up. "Did you wish to see me?"

She faltered. "I merely wished to greet your brother."

"Is that all?" And finally, his careless expression softened.

She blushed. "Yes. Yes, that is really all." Then she looked closely at him. "Why are you in uniform? Are you leaving?"

"No, Virginia, I am not off to sea. I have a meeting in town. Are you disappointed?"

She held her breath. "No," she finally admitted.

His brows lifted, indicating mild surprise. Devlin held her stare.

Her heart raced as she quickly turned away. It was too soon for him to leave again and she was foolishly glad he would stay. She smiled at Tyrell de Warenne. "Would you join us for supper? We should love for you to do so."

"It would be my pleasure, Miss Hughes." He bowed.

She smiled warmly. "Wonderful. Excuse me." She started for the door.

"Virginia?" Devlin called.

She hesitated and turned. "Yes?" And there was no choice but to meet his unwavering stare.

"There is a ball tomorrow evening at Lord Carew's London home. I have accepted the invitation."

Her heart dropped through her entire body, the sensation sickly. "I have nothing to wear!" She wasn't ready for this, not after the other day at Madame Didier's, and not now, after the solitude she had been allowed there at his Greenwich home. She could think of nothing worse than to be flaunted openly as his wh.o.r.e.

"Three of your gowns came today, including the silver ball gown." His jaw flexed with an effort she did not understand.

She tried to smile but nothing happened, nothing at all.

"We'll leave at seven tomorrow evening," he said.

"YOU ARE LOOKING WELL, Devlin, as always," the Earl of Liverpool said.

Devlin nodded and walked into the prime minister's office, Liverpool informing his clerk that there were to be no interruptions before closing the door behind him. "Tea? Brandy?" he asked.

"No, thank you."

"Have you enjoyed your stay at your Hamps.h.i.+re estate?" Liverpool gestured at a seat.

Devlin sat, as did the earl. "The interlude was a pleasant one," he lied. He hoped to never set foot in Hamps.h.i.+re again-unless it was to receive his ransom money.

"I hear you have taken a most fetching mistress, an American," Liverpool said.

"I have," Devlin returned, hardly perturbed. "So the gossips are hard at their work."

"I believe there is a broken heart or two here in town," Liverpool returned. "Shall we get down to business?"

"Please do."

"Tom Hughes has been pus.h.i.+ng for your transfer to the American theater, Devlin. With Napoleon retreating from Russia, his troops decisively routed, the ones that are left decimated and starving, I approve wholeheartedly of the idea-in spite of that fiasco last spring."

"I have no conflict with engaging in action against the Americans," Devlin said, the first wave of excitement was.h.i.+ng over him. A good war was just what he needed to get his mind off of Virginia and the odd feelings and notions she aroused. "We've suffered some grave losses at sea. Perhaps I can change that."

"Yes, we have suffered losses that worry me. However, my concern now is twofold. This American woman-does she present a problem for you?"

"How so?"

"Her allegiance to her country may be strong. Your allegiance to her may also be strong. I hardly wish to send you over to battle her countrymen if you are unwilling in any way to do so."

Devlin's mouth curved. "My lord," he said, "my mistress is a rather unique woman, and she is a patriot, but any regard which I hold for her shall not interfere with my duty."

"I rather expected that would be your answer. Now answer this. I cannot fathom why Hughes is so eager to send you to the north Atlantic. I know the two of you do not get along, but there must be more to this than an ancient dispute over a French actress. Do you have a clue?"

"She was Hungarian," Devlin said smoothly. Liverpool would know the truth about Virginia's ident.i.ty after the Carew ball, anyway, so he said, "Perhaps it is because my mistress is his cousin."

"I beg your pardon?" Liverpool gasped.

Devlin shrugged. "I have taken up with a very engaging young woman, and I am afraid she is Eastleigh's niece."

Liverpool stared, taken aback. "Devlin, have you no honor? That is despicable."

"I am afraid I have little honor, but I have answered your question."

Liverpool remained shocked. He stood, as did Devlin. "And Eastleigh allows this...trespa.s.s?"

"Eastleigh has no choice, really." Devlin shrugged.

"This behavior is simply not acceptable," Liverpool said firmly. "And you may not care, but as an officer of His Majesty's navy, you are expected to be both honorable and a gentleman. Eastleigh will insist you marry her-as will I."

He stiffened, his heart lurching oddly. Will you marry her to salvage her reputation? Tyrell had demanded. But her freedom would surely be enough. If he had to, he would make certain she returned to Virginia, where her reputation would not be blemished. "When will my new orders be given?" he asked tersely, his thoughts s.h.i.+fting to Sweet Briar. Had it been sold? If so, Virginia would have no place to go.

"In a week or two."

"She will be free when my tour commences," he said. "But marriage is out of the question."

Liverpool looked at him, clearly stunned and appalled.

"Is there anything else?" He suddenly hated himself. An honorable man would marry Virginia to make amends, but then, an honorable man would have never used her as he had in the first place.

"I have never understood you," Liverpool said heavily. "But you are a great officer, you have done your country one great service after another, and I have nothing but admiration and respect for your stepfather, Adare. Now I am at a complete loss. A senior officer of His Majesty's navy, willfully destroying a woman of family and breeding-it is not to be had."

"I suggest you think to court-martial me when my tour is over. Just now you need me, James, once again." Devlin bowed and walked out.

VIRGINIA STARED AT HER reflection in an oval mirror. She was astonished that the seductive and beautiful creature she gazed upon was herself. It simply did not seem possible.

"Oh, Miss Hughes," the maid, Hannah, breathed. "Captain will never be able to look at another woman again after he sees you!"

And staring at the slender woman in the low-cut tissue gown with its silver-velvet cap sleeves and sash, Virginia almost believed her. She turned to glance at her profile. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s seemed voluptuous in the dress and she was acutely aware of her new undergarments, all sinfully black, sinfully sensuous, trimmed in ribbon and lace. She should feel like a wh.o.r.e, considering the underwear she wore, but she did not-she was too frightened of the evening to come, and all she could feel was a dreadful anxiety and a genuine faintness.

"You are so elegant, Miss Hughes. How proud the captain will be," Hannah murmured.

At least she did not look like a wh.o.r.e-or like a mistress. She looked very regal and very rich. Virginia touched the beaded silver lace that ornamented her tightly coiled hair and looked far better than any turban or headdress. All that was missing was a necklace and earbobs. She did not dare complain.

But how would she face an evening filled with the ton's most elegant, most aristocratic ladies and gentlemen? How?

"Virginia, we are late," Devlin said.

She glanced into the mirror and saw him pause in the open doorway. His eyes widened as he saw her, moved over the reflection of her face and dropped to her bosom. "Turn around," he said softly.

As ill with dread that she was, she understood the silver gleam in his eyes was one of appreciation. She obeyed, wanting to make light of the moment-and all the moments that would surely come during that evening. She curtsied. "I hope you approve of Madame Didier's work," she said with a forced smile.

"I approve. I more than approve, Virginia, and you will be the most beautiful woman at Carew's tonight."

She made a derisive sound.

His mouth quirked. "You may leave," he said to the maid. She nodded, eyes downcast, and fled. "Come here," he said softly.

It did not cross her frozen mind to disobey or even question why. She walked over to him. He smiled a little and reached up, and for one instant she thought he was going to take her face in his strong hands. Instead, he clipped an earring to each earlobe, turned her around, and placed a necklace about her neck. Virginia looked down, trying to see, and gasped at the sight of so many diamonds dangling about her throat. "What is this?"

"Do you like it?" he asked, his hands moving to her shoulders.

Virginia found herself facing the mirror, with Devlin standing behind her, his hands clasping her shoulders. Hundreds of diamonds, all cut like stars, dangled from the necklace in random sizes. One large pendant dangled from the center. The earbobs matched.

Virginia swallowed. "Yes," she managed, wondering when he had gotten the necklace and why. Surely it was only for her to use-surely it was not for her to keep. She could never ask.

"Shall we?" he asked, releasing her and lifting her gray satin wrap and settling it about her shoulders.

She nodded, inhaling harshly and beginning to tremble. If only, she managed to think, they were going somewhere else, as something other than man and mistress.

"We will not stay too long," he murmured as he guided her from the room, as if guessing her thoughts.

One minute was too long. She wisely refrained from saying so.

He gave her an odd look. "I promise this will soon be over, Virginia," he said.

THE CAREW MANSION RESEMBLED a palace. Situated on the outskirts of Greenwich, surrounded by hundreds of acres of both park and wood, the house could easily accommodate all three of Devlin's homes. As Devlin's carriage entered the square drive, pa.s.sing a maze and a sculpture garden, Virginia saw that the line ahead consisted of the most elegant and grand coaches she had ever beheld and the dread congealed. As they waited their turn to alight, she asked, "How many guests will be present?"

"Several hundred, I think," Devlin replied.

He did not speak again, sitting beside her, his long legs crossed, as das.h.i.+ng as ever in his uniform. Virginia was immobilized-it was hard to breathe. Devlin did not seem to notice. He appeared distracted, but what matter could so preoccupy him she did not know. His tension seemed to match her own-and it belied his bland facade.

A half an hour later their carriage door was opened and a footman helped Virginia down, Devlin following. They started up the wide stone staircase that led to the open front door, following a dozen other parties.

"Captain O'Neill, sir, how fine to see you again."

"Lord Arnold, Lady Arnold." Devlin bowed to the smiling couple. "May I present my dear friend, Miss Virginia Hughes?"

Virginia felt her cheeks flame as two pairs of interested eyes came her way. Lord Arnold was a portly man with a kind face, his wife of average looks and figure, her eyes bright and indicating a superior intelligence. Arnold bowed; his wife nodded. "A fine night for a ball, is it not, Miss Hughes?" He smiled.

He had no clue yet as to her terrible status. Virginia nodded. "Very fine," she managed. She glanced at his wife, but Lady Arnold simply regarded her keenly, not saying anything, a polite smile on her lips.