Damien's Destiny (4 page)

She nodded again, seeming doubtful until she saw the food.

“Oh, this all looks so good. Carpenter School always provided plenty of food but not nearly this appealing.”

Damien beamed. “Have whatever you want. Debora sees that we have an excellent cook. May I serve you?”

Toria shook her head. “Oh no, thank you. I want to take my time and think about all this bounty. I might sample it a little at a time.”

Damien watched as she did just that, taking first some eggs and bacon, then some toast, then more eggs and finally a large serving of strawberries.

He poured coffee for her and sat back watching her enjoy her food. When she finally sighed and put her spoon and fork down he smiled. He loved to see a woman enjoy her food. So many picked at it, thinking such restraint showed their delicacy. He’d no use for false mannerisms. He’d always wondered if those hypocrites had food sent secretly to their rooms.

He stood and took the back of her chair, ready to assist her as she rose.

“Shall we go riding, my lady? Debby has kept your habit for you and unless I’m mistaken it’s now in your room. And I have a mare you might like. She’s presently named Dolly and I hope you’ll love her. If you wish to change her name you may.”

Toria jumped up, eager to try out her new mount.

“Oh, my lord Damien. How absolutely wonderful. Give me five minutes to change into my lovely new riding habit.” She dimpled into a smile. “I noticed new riding boots exactly my size are in my closet. You and your sister are too generous by far.”

After a surprisingly short time she skipped down the steps, her look of anticipation making her even more beautiful. Glowing with pleasure when the groom let Dolly out, she let out a delighted gasp. Toria approached the horse with wonder. The young mare, eager to be friends, nuzzled her nose into Toria’s palm when she stroked her.

“She’s perfect, my lord. How can I ever thank you?”

Damien beamed and helped her mount.

“No thanks are necessary, Toria. My stables are large but you should have your own horse while at Tregaron. I’m pleased you like her.”

He didn’t tell her he and Jason searched for weeks to find Dolly, a beautiful mare with just the right amount of spirit for a practiced rider.

Damien and Toria rode daily. Toria fell in love instantly with the mare. Nor did he ever tell her he’d bought Dolly especially for her. He simply luxuriated in her pleasure. Exuberant with her freedom and looking like an angel but one who could ride more like a demon, Toria and the black-coated Dolly made a striking pair. Dolly proved to be a well-behaved mare of sweet disposition and perfect manners and the two together were a beautiful sight.

“She’s such a love.” Toria sighed. “I once had a horse named Minerva who much resembled Dolly.”

Damien didn’t mention he already knew of Minerva and that Dolly’s color was no accident. Yet he’d seen no way to purchase her old horse without raising suspicion, although he’d wanted to. Dolly would hopefully soon take Minerva’s place in Toria’s heart.

Damien quickly learned Toria could keep up with him in riding ability, although Dolly was not quite as fast as Araby. There was no need for a formal riding hat in the country and Toria usually wore her luxuriant hair simply tied with a ribbon. Damien liked it best when the ribbon loosened and her hair streamed behind her. The two explored the entire estate, with Toria content to stay with him on the property. Damien believed in taking no chances until he’d disposed of the threat of Baron Heath, although he wanted her to be well acquainted with Tregaron and hopefully to love it as he did. Tregaron was close to the town of Deal to the east and its magnificent castle. He’d have to take her there one day. He doubted she’d ever seen anything in the vicinity except the baron’s meager holdings. The castle was built in the time of Henry VIII and although now a magnificent old wreck, was well worth seeing. Damien loved his home and wanted Toria to know every little relevant detail.

Tregaron’s vast interests were managed well by Jason and Damien together. Jason found his spot at Tregaron soon after attending Oxford with Damien. The fourth son of a marquis, Jason had been wasting his talents with no place to exercise his undoubted business expertise. Certainly he wasn’t cut out to be a clergyman as younger sons often were destined to be. Damien recognized Jason needed a goal and Tregaron needed Jason and both men were delighted with the arrangement. Damien consulted with him almost daily and the two remained the closest of friends.

Tregaron was by far the largest estate in the area. Situated between Dover and Deal, it was near enough to the larger town to provide access and yet the grounds covered so extensive an area as to seem almost isolated. Tenant cottages rimmed the back of the property to give the main house even more privacy from its few neighbors. One of Damien’s interests included breeding horses and so he maintained large expanses of grassy meadows, keeping the other crops outside the grazing lands. The house seemed situated in a verdant garden.

On one ride Toria asked him about his parents.

“My mother was killed instantly when a horse she was trying to break threw her. Of course my father was a mage but not even a mage can heal a broken neck. I was ten years old. My father celebrated my twenty-first birthday with me and then willed himself away. I know he’d only been waiting to join my mother. He still visits me and gives me advice when I need it.”

Toria looked at him, obviously startled and not at all sure what he meant but didn’t comment.

Damien was content she didn’t ask more questions he might find difficult to answer. For now he delighted in showing her every inch of his land, although he made it clear she must never go near the borders without him.

“I’d like to have your word, Toria, that you won’t ride at all without me.”

She frowned for just a moment. She adored being able to ride again and especially on a regular saddle and now she looked a little belligerent.

“But I’m eighteen,” she objected. “Surely an age to be permitted freedom.”

“This is the one stipulation to your riding at all, my dear.”

He spoke quietly but Toria looked startled and then agreed.

Damien didn’t tell her he still felt she was in danger, although the widening of her eyes probably meant she suspected. He didn’t want to tell her he doubted that now being of age would stop the baron, so he said nothing more. The voluminous folds of the skirt on her riding habit were protective as far as her looking respectable but Damien didn’t trust anyone but himself with her essential safety. He’d no doubt the baron would use any means possible to snatch Toria away, especially when he realized the beauty she’d become.

Yet Damien made no attempt to hide her.

He expected the baron would soon come calling. Well, hell, he hoped the baron would soon call.

He positively itched to have Lord Heath visit.

Chapter Three

Damien suppressed a surge of triumph three days later when his butler announced Baron Heath.

“Show him into the front parlor, Stephens.”

Stephens raised his eyebrows but said nothing. Stephens was an older man, most noticeable for his erect bearing and large ears. He strove mightily sometimes to preserve his sense of dignity as Tregaron’s butler. Although essentially a kind man, none of the other servants dared infringe on his pride. He was utterly and always proper.

The front parlor had long been Damien’s least favorite room at Tregaron. Somehow he’d never gotten around to trying to lighten the dark atmosphere. Today its gloom fitted his mood. Sometime he’d ask Toria to redecorate the room.

Damien waited, giving Stephens time to show the baron in and then added ten minutes. Finally he strode into the room.

Heath rose to his feet, extending his hand. Damien stared pointedly at him and then seated himself without shaking his hand. After a lengthy pause he motioned the baron to a seat on the other side of the room.

“You have something on your mind, baron?”

Baron Heath flushed at the insulting tone but answered in a barely controlled voice.

“I’ve come for my ward Victoria, Lord Sinclair. She’s suddenly appeared on your estate, riding with you. I want her back where she belongs. I intend to marry her immediately. Where she’s been for three years I don’t know, although I suspect you do. I’m willing to forgive her for her involvement with you and marry her as her parents intended.”

Damien fought down the rage threatening to erupt at the crude and lying words. Her parents would certainly not want her married to this boor. Nor would they have allowed him to harm Toria or her reputation if they’d truly known the villain.

He stood abruptly so the baron was almost forced to stand also.

“I don’t think so, sirrah. I’ve already started proceedings to claim her inheritance for her, which she should have received when she turned eighteen. I’ll expect an accounting of any missing money, incidentally. My man of affairs will call on yours tomorrow.”

Heath nearly exploded. “What makes you think you can make such a demand? I’m her appointed guardian, not you, my haughty lord.”

“I have a copy of her parents’ last will and testament. Your guardianship expired the day of her eighteenth birthday. My sister and I now claim that right as close and trusted friends of Victoria, the ones she prefers. You will never see her again unless I am at her side. And never at all if I have my way.”

“You can’t do this, my lord earl.”

Heath looked like a man on the verge of a fit.

His voice rose in an almost shriek.

“I was chosen by her parents to care for her, damn you.”

“They would not choose you now,” Damien said quietly.

The baron looked to be on the very tip of apoplexy. Perhaps a good solution for all, Damien thought as he folded his strong fingers and waited, saying not a word while he stared the man down.

“I have more power than you dream, baron. Hinder me at your peril.”

Damien strode to the door and called Stephens.

“The baron is leaving. Please assist him in any way you can, Stephens.”

As the butler took a threatening step forward Heath evidently realized Damien’s glower and stance showed how happy he’d be to assist if his butler had trouble. Heath realized he had no choice. Red-faced and fuming, he hurried to the door.

Damien watched him go.

Well, hell. A stroke isn’t a bad idea at all. If I weren’t reluctant to kill even a bastard like this I’d help it along. Lucky for him I decided long ago not to murder anyone, even in extremity.

Then he went to find Toria. He didn’t believe in hell as an actual place but as a collective term for the omnipresent evil in the world. Although there should be punishment for such villains as the baron.

Even though she was already frightened he must make doubly sure she understood why she must never leave the house without him. Never. He didn’t realize he looked more stern than she’d ever seen him.

In the meantime, he’d send another message to the War Ministry. He wanted to know if the investigation into white slave traffic was making any headway. His last message had told him the smuggling had subsided for a while and now seemed to be resuming.

And Damien harbored a very nasty feeling about Baron Heath.

* * * * *

Damien knocked on Toria’s bedroom door. He intended to ask her to join him for a pre-dinner talk, something they both enjoyed. Whiskey for him, white wine for her. Sometimes Debby joined them but not always. Debby could often be found riding in Jason’s company inspecting the gardens that were her passion. Damien suddenly wondered if he should delve into Debby’s feelings for Jason. Could she be falling for his long-time friend? If so, he’d wish them well but he doubted if Jason would agree. He might feel Debora to be above him in that he was essentially a worker on Damien’s estate, even though his own birth was noble. Or did another hindrance mar a relationship between the two?

A problem to leave for another day.

Toria came to the door, white and shaking. Damien responded instinctively, folding her in his arms and holding her shining head against his chest. She burrowed into him for one precious moment and then withdrew and stepped back. But not before he’d felt the frantic thudding of her heart. Even though she now held out both hands as if to ward him off, her instinctive reaction of acceptance set his spirits soaring.

He stepped back also, folding his arms across his chest.

“Now, my dear Toria, what has you so obviously frightened?”

He knew the answer but wanted her to talk of her fears.

She hugged herself tightly, wrapping her arms around her body in a vain attempt to stop her shaking.

“He was here,” she whispered. “The baron was here. I was looking out the window and saw his horse. He had to be inside this house looking for me.”

Damien’s heart ached for his love. The love he was not even close to being allowed to claim.

“Yes, he was here, Toria. I sent him away. I’ve told you over and over you are safe with me. I will not let him near you. He is, however, why I don’t want you to ride without me. Not ever. I don’t trust him at all.”