The Anonymous Amanuensis Page 15

  "But Penny, as your friend, which I hope I am again, I must warn you. Do not develop a tendre for Tom Patterson. He is in no position to marry and will not be for many years. You must wait until you go to London and meet young gentlemen of the ton." She took Penny by the shoulders and forced her to look up. "You are very young yet, and there are many gentlemen in the world; you must not fancy yourself in love with each one of them."

  "Whatever must you think of me, Eve?" Penny protested, primly. "I hope I have learned my lesson. I do not ever intend to behave so foolishly again."

  "It was not foolish behavior, my dear. You acted no differently than would any girl who had never before been in contact with a young man. But if you were again to believe yourself infatuated, that would be foolish. Once a lesson is learned, to repeat the behavior that led to it does constitute foolishness."

  "Do not preach at me, Eve. I will behave myself, I promise."

  Abruptly as always, her mood changed. "Did I tell you that Miss Comstock and I are making the arrangements for the ball all by ourselves? Jamie says I must take responsibility for it," she said with hesitant pride. "And Miss Comstock will not make suggestions for the dinner menu, for she says the experience will do me good. Only...only what if I should choose badly and the dinner were inedible? I confess, I am filled with trepidation. And I have been made to choose the decorations for the tables, and the blue saloon, where we will dance, and...and everything."

  "It will all be quite lovely, Penny, for your taste is all that is gracious. Besides, if you have any doubts, you may come to me. I have had some little experience in planning such things."

  "How could you have? Young men are not skilled at housewifery?"

  Eve recovered from her gaffe quickly. "Oh, but at Elmwood, where I was employed before coming to your brother, I was required to assist in planning a number of evening entertainments, since I was Sir Wilfred's secretary." She hoped Penny would not ask about her grandfather's housekeeper, for she did not wish to explain that it had been Charlotte, too lazy to fulfill her duties as mistress of the house, who had turned all preparations for dinner and dancing parties over to her.

  They strolled among the roses, still blooming in the warm St. Martin's summer, until Eve's ankle protested its unaccustomed exercise. Eve was able to give Penny some subtle suggestions concerning the dinner menu, for the inexperienced child had planned much too lavish a menu for the twenty or so guests who would dine at Fallowfeld.

  As they were returning to the house, Penny suddenly asked Eve, "Will you be able to dance at the ball, Eve. I mean, will your ankle be comfortable enough for you to do so?"

  "No, I will not dance. In fact, I will probably not attend at all, for you know I still tire easily." Eve did not wish to join the merrymakers, for to do so would expose her even more to the scrutiny of Quinton's friends. And, too, she did not want to have to play her masculine role while she watched Quinton dance with other women. Penny argued the point, but Eve remained adamant that she did not plan to attend.

  That night, after Eve had finished her solitary dinner, she removed her shirt, loosened the laces on her undershirt, and donned her dressing gown against the slight autumnal chill. She was writing a letter to Mrs. Storridge when she heard a light tap on her door.

  Quinton had required that she remain in her room each evening, not wanting her to spend too much time in Miss Comstock's presence, and even restricting her contact with Penny to an occasional walk in the gardens. Despite Eve's protest that she had been able to maintain her masculine persona for seven months without anyone having become suspicious, he refused to allow her to be seen too frequently by other members of the household. Mosely continued to serve as her valet-cum-maid.

  She walked to the door on an ankle that ached from the long stroll in the garden. When she turned the key, it swung immediately open. Quinton moved quickly, brushing past her into the room and pulling the door shut behind him.

  "Sit down, Eve. I wish to speak with you," he said.

  He waited for her to seat herself and then took the chair on the other side of the fireplace. "Now, what is this about your attending the ball? You must know I do not want you to be seen other than by members of the family, and even those you should avoid as much as possible."

  "I told Penny I would not attend," Eve assured her employer. "Although I would like to see Tom."

  "Tom?"

  "Lord Arduin's secretary. You may recall that it was through him that I learned of your needing a secretary," she reminded him.

  "Ah, yes. Your partner in crime, I presume?"

  Eve blushed but did not reply.

  "Very well, you may see your friend, but only here, in the privacy of your room." Quinton stopped, his brows drawing together. "No. That will not do. You must not receive him unchaperoned in your bedchamber."

  "Do not be nonsensical, sir!" Eve exclaimed. "Tom is fully cognizant of all that is proper. His behavior always has been above reproach. Although it was in fact he who obtained my clothing, he never behaved as anything other than a gentleman. What earthly harm could there be in his coming here to visit me?"

  Quinton's scowl grew, if possible, more fierce. "What is this young man to you, Eve?"

  "A friend, sir. Only a friend."

  "You have not a tendre for him, or he for you?" Quinton persisted.

  "Of course not," Eve said, letting her exasperation sound plainly in her voice. "Really, Mr. Quinton. You are, I think, overly concerned with my reputation. I am to depart in less than a fortnight for Elmwood, and will probably never been seen by members of Society again. I will not be compromised by Tom's coming here to visit. It will not be the first time."

  "And what did you do together, when you invited him to join you in your bedchamber?" Quinton said. "Did you repay his assistance with your, ah, your favors?"

  "You insult me, sir! You may be my employer, but you are not the keeper of my conscience, nor are you my parent or guardian." Eve was suddenly furious. How dare he think thus of her! "My relationship with Tom Patterson is none of your business."

  "Your behavior is indeed my concern, so long as you are beneath my roof. I will allow no wanton activities here, my girl. If you wish to visit with Mr. Patterson, you will do so in the office, and with the door standing fully open. Do you understand?" He stood, towering over her threateningly as he awaited her reply.

  She also stood and, for a moment, they were almost nose to nose. Eve felt her breath catch in her throat at the nearness of him, the warm touch of his breath on her forehead. She stepped back quickly. "I understand you do not trust me to know how to behave with propriety, sir, and I am grossly insulted. Now, if you do not mind, I wish to retire. I find I am fatigued."

  His eyes narrowed. "Of course, ma'am. But remember, I will have no wanton behavior under my roof. Good night." He turned and left the room, nearly slamming the door behind him.

  * * * *

  Not feeling able to face more of Penny's excited chatter about the ball, James went to his own bedchamber. Once he had rung for his valet, he stood staring out the window into the moonlit gardens.

  Impudent chit. Telling me to leave a room in my own house. And refusing to admit that the relationship between herself and Patterson was anything beyond friendship. How can she expect me to believe that? She admitted that he obtained her clothing for her. Was she his mistress?

  James had met Arduin's secretary, but could not remember the young man, beyond an earnest face and a bushy head of brown hair. What sort of man was he, to so forget his station that he would enter into an affaire with a gently bred young woman? Mosely's entrance interrupted his mental ruminations against Eve's character.

  "A bit early for ye to be retiring, ain't it, Master Jamie? You feeling all right?"

  "I am quite well," Quinton growled. Turning from the window, he said, "What are you doing here. I thought I rang for my man."

  "Told 'im I'd see to ye tonight. It's time we had a talk about Eve."

  "Did you know that Eve
had a--call it a relationship--with Arduin's secretary?"

  "Aye. Seems 'e was the only real friend she had in London. 'E helped 'er get proper clothing so she could come to ye. Said 'e was in a real taking when she told 'im what she planned, but she convinced him to 'elp 'er anyhow."

  "I received the impression they were more than just friends," Quinton said shortly.

  "Can't see where ye got that idea. All ye have to do is listen when she speaks of 'im. Like a brother to 'er, 'e is, and she's fond of 'im in just that way." Mosely knelt to remove James' boots. "Jamie, ye were hearing more'n Eve said if ye thought she had warm feelings for the lad."

  "Well, she did deny it, but how could any young man remain indifferent to Eve? I mean..." James stopped in confusion. What had he been about to say? He silently cursed his unruly tongue.

  "Ye ought to be 'shamed ye'd even think for a moment that Eve's anything but a lady."

  Mosely's disapproval was evident in the rough way that he removed the second boot. His lips were drawn into a thin line as he assisted James from his coat and held the dressing gown ready.

  "Put yerself to bed. I got things to do," he said.

  James was speechless until the door closed nosily behind Mosely. Then he cursed. So she's captured your heart too, you old reprobate.

  He poured brandy from the decanter on his dresser and sat in his chair, staring into the fire.

  Mosely was as close to a real friend as James had, despite the difference in their stations. Though the scarred ex-sailor pretended to be a servant--groom one day, valet the next, and God-knew-what the day after that--he was a full partner in several of James' trading ventures.

  "Probably richer than I am," James muttered, not sure whom he was angry with, himself or Mosely. Because he was a friend, James felt betrayed by his defection to Eve. I am right, by God! She had no call to embark on such a lunatic prank. How could it result in anything but disaster?

  Discovering his glass to be empty, James poured himself another healthy tot and threw himself back into his chair.

  You have well and truly done it this time. Insulted Eve, outraged Mosely, made a complete fool of yourself.

  What had made him suddenly assume that Eve's relationship with young Patterson was sexual in nature? She had certainly never given him any indication her morals were less than the highest. And why had he, when the idea presented itself to him, reacted with such anger, such lack of manners?

  To accuse a respectable young woman of bestowing her favors upon an equally respectable young man was outside of enough. Other than her ill-conceived masquerade, Eve's, behavior had always been blameless. James had heard nothing from Arduin but praise for Patterson.

  Eve had had a right to be furious, to tell him in no uncertain terms to remove himself from her presence. On the other hand, the little fool had taken an incredible chance when she donned trousers. She had no idea of what sort of man she was seeking employment with. Why he could have been a rake, a wastrel, any sort of vile, unspeakable cad.

  His glass was empty again. He splashed more brandy into it.

  What right-thinking young gentlewoman would indulge in such outrageous conduct as to masquerade as a man, unless she were less than virtuous?

  Certainly among the females known to James, there were only two sorts. Some dispensed their favors and their bodies in return for some sort of recompense, be it monetary or in the form of services. Others never by so much as a word or gesture violated the very strict precepts of society.

  Eve was certainly not of the second sort. She had too much spirit, too courageous a nature. Therefore, she must be one of the first. As his mother was.

  No, James told himself, never like his mother. Eve's nature was kind, generous, and loyal. If she gave her body to a man, she would do so out of that very generosity that made her so fine a person. She would never exchange her favors for gold or jewels, as he suspected his still beautiful mother had done on more than one occasion. Despite his isolation from the ton for several years, James had never been unaware of its more common gossip, for he knew that rumor often carried with it more than a few nuggets of truth--valuable information he could act upon to increase his own fortunes.

  He reached for the decanter again. When he saw the level of the liquid inside, he took stock of himself. The end of his nose was numb and his head felt light. "Good grief! Have I really drunk a third of that bottle?" he said aloud.

  Despite the late hour, he slipped into a hunting jacket and brogans and went downstairs. A walk in the garden was just the ticket. Get his blood flowing and clear the cobwebs.

  Perhaps he could clear thoughts of Eve from his mind at the same time.

  Chapter Fourteen

  "Eve, I heard you had been injured! Are you feeling quite the thing again?" Tom Patterson strode into the office where Eve was just completing the draft of a letter to Quinton's agent in Venice. She hobbled around the end of her desk and, instead of walking into Tom's outstretched arms, held out her hand for him to shake.

  "Of course, Tom. Oh, how good it is to see you!" She smiled widely, hoping Tom would realize she had refused his embrace out of discretion rather than rejection of his affections. "Come, sit down and tell me what you have been up to these weeks we last spoke."

  She urged him into a chair and went to pull the door open widely. There! Just let James accuse me of improper conduct! As she sat, she stared meaningfully at the open door and held a cautionary finger to her lips. Tom immediately understood her warning.

  "Oh, I have been my usual wastrel self. Arduin was in the country most of the summer, and I had little to do but play until he returned last month. But it was not the same without you, Eve, for I have no other friends who so completely enter into my interests as you."

  "Nor others who will go along with so many of your pranks, either, I'll warrant," Eve replied laughing. "But have you seen Mrs. Storridge? Is she well?"

  "I knew you would ask, so I went to see her a day or two ago. She is in the best of health and sends her love. She asked me to deliver this note to you." He handed Eve a folded letter. "So tell me how you have contrived to put your arm in that sling? Horse throw you?"

  Eve blushed. "I am ashamed to admit she did, Tom. Mr. Mosely tells me that it must have been a grouse that rose just under her nose and startled her. She bucked and I was thrown. That will teach me to mind what I am about when on horseback. Do you know, I never realized what great noise birds can make. I was as startled as Raspberry."

  "They can alarm one. I remember the first time I flushed a grouse as a lad. I was startled out of my wits." Tom leaned forward across the desk. "Are you really all right, Eve? There are circles under your eyes, and you look tired and thinner. I sensed some restraint when Quinton spoke of you. Do you go on well with him?"

  "I assure you I am fine," Eve said, forcing her voice to be light and unconcerned. "It is only that this arm has been so uncomfortable that I do not sleep well. Mr. Quinton is a kind and considerate employer. I am really quite content to work for him."

  Reassured, Tom turned the conversation to other subjects. They chatted for nearly an hour, until a footman came to remind them that Tom must ready himself for the ball. Informed that Eve would take her dinner alone in her room, Tom stated that he would much rather eat with her than be among so many people with whom he was not acquainted.

  "No, Tom. You must go to dinner. And you must promise me you will dance with Penny afterward. She is a very sweet young girl and there will not be another partner for her with your youth and poise and address. She would be heartbroken if you were to be absent, particularly after I have filled her ears with praise of you."

  "But confound it, Eve, why are you not invited?"

  "I was invited, but begged off, Tom. My arm still pains me a little, and my ankle tires easily. By this time of day, I am too fatigued to be very good company. I assure you that Penny understands."

  "Well, I don't," Tom said, his voice hard. "It is outside of enough that you should sit alon
e in your chamber while the rest of us are enjoying ourselves. I don't think much of Quinton for allowing you to do so. He could have let you free to rest this afternoon so you would be fit for this evening."

  "Tom, Tom. This was my choice. Mr. Quinton would have allowed me to rest if I had so requested. And he would never forbid me such a pleasure."

  Eve lied, for Quinton had indeed forbidden her to be present at the ball.

  "Why just last month I was at table when he entertained his neighbors. He is not nearly so high in the instep that he would not make his secretary welcome, I promise you."

  "Well, I still think it's a rum go," Tom muttered, as he let himself be urged out of the office. "I tell you what. I will come upstairs halfway through the evening, bringing some champagne, and we will have a party of our own."

  "I beg you to not do so. I am tired and will no doubt retire early. But you may breakfast with me in the morning before you depart. That is, if you do not mind coming here to do so. I usually breakfast at my desk." Not quite a lie, for Quinton had also forbidden her to appear at breakfast while the guests were present.

  "What a slave driver he must be. I am glad I did not make a try for your position. He and I would have never gone on together. Very well, I will join you for breakfast. At nine?"

  Eve agreed and pushed Tom out the door. As she stood looking after him, she saw Mosely watching her from just outside Quinton's door. The man winked and nodded his approbation at Eve's handling of Tom's questions and protests. Later, when he brought her dinner tray, he said, "I won't say that I agree with 'Is Nibs that ye should stay hidden away like this. Ain't much I can do about it, though. 'E's master 'ere, after all, and it's our place to dance to 'is piping. But I gave 'im a piece of my mind about it, ye can be sure."