His By Christmas (Hamilton Sisters) (16 page)

Still, the situation had alarmed William. He had been so close to making a final decision about Yvette, but her mother’s behavior had given him good reason to be cautious. Was it a mental deficiency? Was it hereditary? He wondered how ill the woman was, since Yvette had given no other details in her note. That was when he decided to pay her a visit.

Although he had already promised to call on Jane Fairmont that afternoon, he felt he needed to see Yvette Hamilton as his first priority.

He had worried about Yvette, for she’d seemed most distressed when he left the day before. How he had longed to take her in his arms and kiss her! Ever since he’d kissed her that day in the gardens at Lansdowne Manor, he had thought of little else but his desire to kiss her again.

He yearned for her desperately.

After her visit to Lansdowne, his mother had given her approval of Yvette and that had pleased William greatly. He had wanted his mother to like Yvette Hamilton. And he wanted to like her family too. But he still needed to meet her sisters and their husbands before he could propose to her. It surprised him how much he wanted to like and approve of them. He hoped fervently they were suitable. He was a bit worried about the sister who had married the American. He’d heard some stories regarding that affair.

If all went well when he met her sisters, William would ask her brother-in-law, Lucien Sinclair, for her hand in marriage before Christmas. He had come to his final decision gradually. He feared Miss Fairmont would be quite disappointed in the end, but he could not ignore that his true desire was for Yvette.

“William!”

He rose to his feet when Yvette, looking quite charmingly disheveled, hurried into the room. She was wearing a plain navy dress with a smock-like apron over it. Her long golden-blond curls, usually perfectly and most-fashionably coiffed, were rather askew, hanging loose down her back. He’d never seen her in such an informal state and he found her even more attractive than the night she’d worn that damned sapphire gown. Her surprised delight at his presence was written all over her pretty face, her luscious mouth opened slightly in undisguised astonishment.

Oh, how he wished to kiss those full lips of hers!

“I wasn’t expecting you,” she murmured nervously, her blue eyes wide. “Please forgive my appearance. I’ve been attending to my mother.”

“It is I who beg your forgiveness, Yvette. I didn’t mean to intrude. It’s just that after I received your note, naturally I became very worried about you. And your mother. I came to inquire after her health and I apologize if I am interfering. But I thought seeing you would be the best way to allay my fears.” Smiling, he stepped toward her and took both of her small hands in his. “And indeed it has.”

“Oh, William. How sweet of you!”

“Now please tell me, how is your mother faring?”

Her face clouded over with worry. “Well, it seems she had some sort of apoplectic attack. She’s awake now, but she’s having difficulty speaking and moving her right arm. The doctor left a little while ago, but he said she was fortunate that her attack was a mild one. He suggested we keep her spirits up and try to encourage her to move and speak as much as possible.” She grimaced slightly. “That will not be an easy task.”

“Oh, my poor, sweet Yvette.” He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “This has had to be a frightening and trying experience for you.”

She nodded in agreement, the weariness in her expression quite obvious. “Yes, it has. More than I can say. But at least my mother is alive. All last night I feared we would lose her, but Dr. Carlisle has since assured me that she will recover.”

“Thank heavens she will be well again. I understand how difficult it is to see your parents suffer. My father still has not recovered from his illness last year.”

“Oh, I had quite forgotten about your father, William.” She flushed prettily. “I’m so sorry.”

“There is no reason for you to be sorry, my sweet Yvette.”

“Good afternoon, Shelley.”

Surprised, William looked up to see Lord Jeffrey Eddington standing in the drawing room. What on earth was the man doing at Devon House again? William had been a bit put out by his appearance yesterday afternoon, but had been so rattled by Mrs. Hamilton’s odd behavior, he’d quite forgotten about Lord Eddington. Yvette often explained that Jeffrey was a close family friend, like a brother. However, he seemed to hover around Yvette like a guard dog. It was most annoying.

Looking at him now, William couldn’t help but wonder what the man was really up to. With his shirtsleeves rolled up and his hair tousled, Jeffrey Eddington appeared entirely too comfortable at Devon House. Just how long had he been there?

Somehow it seemed altogether improper, bordering on scandalous, that this handsome rake, a bastard no less, with a roguish reputation should be on such familiar terms with his future bride.

Frowning, William released Yvette’s hands from his own. “Eddington. This is a surprise.”

The man gave him a smug look. “It’s not a surprise at all to see you here, Shelley.”

“Lord Shelley was worried about Mother and me and came by to see if he could be of assistance in any way.” Yvette took a step away from him, looking quite flustered. “Wasn’t that thoughtful of him?”

“It is kind of you,” Eddington said, displeasure clearly written on his face. “But we have the situation in hand now.” Turning to Yvette, his expression changed entirely. “Fanny asked me to tell you that she thinks we’re overtiring your mother and that we should let her rest for the evening. She has tossed us out!”

Yvette smiled at him in amusement. “Yes, Fanny can be quite the little despot. But I suppose she’s right. Mother had stopped laughing at your antics already, Jeffrey.”

“Dr. Carlisle had said to keep her spirits up, so that’s merely what I was doing.” Jeffrey grinned mischievously. “It was good for her to laugh. Besides it was a funny story. Even Fanny was laughing.”

“I grant you, your story made Mother laugh, but that was because it was entirely inappropriate!” Yvette giggled charmingly.

William listened to their easy conversation and suddenly felt the odd man out. The strong familiarity between the two of them was revealing. Lord Eddington was on more intimate terms with the family than he’d realized, if he’d spent the day in the sickroom with Yvette’s mother, as it appeared he had. Was he here with Yvette alone in the house? Was one of her sisters here with them?

This did not sit well with William in the least. He had not been overly fond of Eddington when he’d first met him, but hadn’t thought him a bad sort of fellow. He had dismissed him and thought him rather harmless and good-natured. Now, however, William felt Eddington was intruding on his territory. Yvette Hamilton belonged to him now, not Eddington. He had kissed her quite passionately! He would be the one marrying into this family,
not
Eddington.

A strong sense of enmity surged from deep within him. When Yvette became his wife, this man would certainly not be allowed such familiarities with her and her association with this so-called “brother” would be severely curtailed.

Watching the interplay between Yvette and Jeffrey, William got the distinct impression that Jeffrey harbored more than brotherly affection for Yvette. Without thinking, William stepped closer to her. Yvette glanced up at him and smiled enchantingly, and that mollified him somewhat.

“Oh, William, forgive us,” Yvette apologized. “Jeffrey has been so sweet to spend time with Mother today. She just adores him. And he was such a great help to me after Lisette had to return home to care for her baby daughter, who is very ill.”

So, Yvette had been alone with him! William watched as Eddington made himself comfortable in one of the armchairs, propping his feet upon a footstool and folding his arms behind his head. It appeared the man was not planning on leaving Devon House anytime soon either.

William rested his stare on Eddington’s smug expression and fought the urge to toss the man out of the house. He managed to mutter, “Yes, I’ve gathered that Lord Eddington has been quite indispensable.”

“Would you care for some tea, William?” Yvette asked. “Or something to eat? It just occurred to me that I haven’t eaten all day.”

She looked so lovely standing there, gazing up at him with her pretty blue eyes. William wished they were alone so he could have a chance to kiss her again. As much as he wanted to be with Yvette, he wasn’t about to spend another minute in this man’s insufferable company.

With a disapproving glance at Eddington, William frowned. “I’m sorry, Yvette, but I must take my leave as I have another appointment. I only wanted to reassure myself that all was well with you and your mother.”

“I understand, William, and it was very kind and thoughtful of you to stop by and see me. Thank you.”

Her sweet smile turned his heart upside down. William longed to pull her into his arms and dishevel her appearance even more. Instead he made his farewells and stepped out into the cool November air, feeling quite unsettled by the jealous feelings that had been aroused in him by Lord Jeffrey Eddington.

16

Making Spirits Bright

Jeffrey watched Yvette’s expression carefully as Lord Shelley left. Did he see relief flicker briefly in her eyes? She flopped into the armchair across from him and grinned happily. In that simple navy dress, with her golden hair falling softly around her face, Yvette looked more appealing to him than ever. The naturalness of her beauty and the graceful ease with which she stretched her arms over her head caused his heart to somersault in his chest.

“He came to see me!” she squealed with childish delight. Catching her gleeful enthusiasm, Jeffrey couldn’t help but smile back at her. “Why wouldn’t he come to see you, my dear girl?” The man would have to be made of stone not to be attracted to the likes of Yvette Hamilton. Although there were times he wished the old fellow
were
made of stone.

“Yes, but he came after Mother’s humiliating behavior.”

“That wasn’t your fault, Yvette. He can’t possibly hold that against you.”

“Oh, but you don’t know how dreadful yesterday was. I was afraid William would wish to never see me again.” Her expression grew serious. “You have no idea how bad things were with Mother before you got here, Jeffrey. She insulted him! I thought I would die of mortification.”

Feeling relaxed, he crossed his feet on a footstool, curious to know more about what happened yesterday. “What could your mother have said that was so awful?”

“She called him a pompous ass, among other disparaging remarks. It was in French, of course, but we both knew what she was saying, although William was too polite to acknowledge her words and pretended she didn’t say them.”

Jeffrey grinned broadly, settling back in the comfortable chair once again. He’d always known he liked Mrs. Hamilton, in spite of her dramatics. He wished he’d been there to see the expression on the face of the “pompous ass” when Yvette’s mother said such a shocking thing. He tried not to laugh. “Well, old Shelley seems to have forgiven and forgotten. Your mother was not well and he understands that now.”

“I certainly hope so,” she said with a little sigh.

“You’re on a first-name basis with him now?” The use of their given names had not escaped his attention. Neither had the sight of Shelley holding Yvette’s hands when Jeffrey entered the room. He’d had to fight the urge to deck the man for touching her.

“Yes!” Yvette looked thrilled. “Ever since my visit with his mother. It’s quite encouraging, don’t you agree? I believe he may propose to me as soon as Lucien and Colette return.”

“Quite encouraging, yes.”

There was a comfortable silence between them. After a worrisome night and an exhausting day, they were both too lethargic to move. The two of them just sat there, across from each other, as the late afternoon turned to twilight. A fire burned low in the grate to ward off the chill.

Jeffrey spoke up again. “However, I did notice that you didn’t mention ‘William’s’ name once last night.”

Yvette’s delicate brows drew together in confusion. “Didn’t I?”

“No. Not once. With all we talked about marriage and children, you never made mention of Lord Shelley.”

“Oh.” She gave him an odd look. “I suppose I was distracted with all that happened with my mother.”

“I see.” He didn’t believe that was the reason. No, not in the least.

Another long silence followed. Neither of them made a move to leave the room. Jeffrey was certain he knew the answer, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking the question anyway. “Have you fallen in love with him yet?”

After a brief hesitation, she admitted in a small voice, “No, but I’ve given it some thought and I suspect it will come with time and marriage.”

Irrationally happy with her answer, he smiled in spite of himself. He’d known she wasn’t in love with the man. No, Yvette definitely wasn’t in love with Lord Shelley.

With a look of hope, Yvette added, “But from the way he kissed me, I believe he may be falling in love with me.”

Jeffrey’s heart skipped a beat. He could barely make his mouth form the words. “He kissed you?” He hadn’t thought old Shelley had it in him to make a move like that so soon.

“Yes, of course, when I was at Lansdowne Manor,” Yvette stated matter-of-factly, as if it were an everyday occurrence. “I don’t see why you should be so surprised, Jeffrey. I am almost twenty-one.”

“I’m not surprised.” But he was. And he did not like the idea of his Yvette being kissed by this future duke. “I’m sure that you are well aware that you are quite kissable, Yvette.”

She smiled, genuinely touched by his words. “I am?”

“Yes.” And never more so than at that moment. With that look of delight on her face, he wished he could kiss her himself.

“Well, I suppose that’s very good information for a woman to have.”

He laughed at her logic. “I suppose it would be.”

“Oh, it helps to know that gentlemen find me desirable. I’ve not kissed that many men, and never one quite like William, but I was never sure if I were doing it properly.”