Late For The Wedding

Eight

The miniature volcano erupted with a high-pitched hiss of escaping vapor. There was a crackle from the interior of the little mountain, and sparks shot from the top.

The audience gasped in appreciation. The lecturer, a spindly gnome of a man named Horace Kirk, took a step forward and made a small bow. When he straightened, he beamed at the crowd that filled the hall.

“And thus ends my lecture on the nature of hot vapors,” he said.

“My talk next week will concern the principles of electricity.”

A burst of applause filled the room.

Emeline, seated in the second row between Anthony and Priscilla, clapped along with everyone else.

Priscilla could scarcely contain her enthusiasm. She regarded the gnome as though he were one of the dashing romantic poets.

“Was that not the most astonishing experiment you have ever witnessed?” she whispered to Emeline beneath the cover of applause. “I vow, Mr. Kirk’s lectures have opened up a new world to me.”

“Very interesting,” Emeline agreed. Privately she conceded that she was far more intrigued by the subject of antiquities than she was by the wonders of electricity and chemistry, but she had to admit the demonstration that had just concluded was quite exciting.

“I must tell you that when you suggested we subscribe to Mr. Kirk’s series of science lectures, I feared they would prove somewhat dull.

“But that is certainly not the case. Don’t you agree, Anthony?”

“I certainly do,” Anthony said with genuine appreciation. “It was an excellent notion, Priscilla.” He glanced at the small journal on her lap. “I see you managed to fill several more pages with notes again today.”

Priscilla clutched the journal to her bosom and gave Professor Kirk another enraptured glance. “I have learned so much from these lectures. I only wish that I could convince Mama to allow me to purchase some instruments and equipment. I would give anything to be able to set up a proper laboratory where I could conduct experiments. But she refuses to even consider the notion.”

Emeline was not surprised by that news. She had no difficulty whatsoever imagining Lady Wortham’s horrified reaction to the idea of Priscilla setting up a laboratory.

Lady Wortham took her responsibilities as a mother quite seriously. Her chief ambition in life was to see her daughter married to a respectable gentleman from a good family, preferably one who was in line to inherit a comfortable fortune. To that end she had a great deal to work with, Emeline thought, because Priscilla was a very attractive young woman.

True, her friend’s hair was a shade of molten gold that was not considered to be in the first stare of fashion, but Emeline thought the color complemented her blue eyes quite effectively. She also knew that she was not alone in that opinion. Priscilla certainly never lacked for dancing partners at the balls and soirees they attended together. Regardless of the prevailing views of those who set the fashion, it was clear that any number of gentlemen were attracted to ladies with blond hair.

Not that her friend did not possess a number of other fine attributes. In addition to a kind, charming manner, Priscilla was endowed with pretty, delicate features and a gracefully full, rounded figure.

It was unfortunate, in Emeline’s private opinion, that Lady Wortham insisted that her daughter dress only in pink. The color did not particularly suit her.

But as far as Emeline was concerned, her companion’s best features were her intelligence, good humor, and common sense.

Those were the factors that had allowed a genuine friendship to blossom between the two of them.

By rights they should have viewed each other as rivals, Emeline thought. Their acquaintance had been fostered and encouraged originally by Lady Wortham for less than altruistic reasons. Priscilla’s matchmaking mama liked the notion of her daughter going about with Emeline because she believed that her offspring’s looks were set off to advantage by the contrast between the two young women.

Emeline was well-aware that her chief claim to fashion was her

=

thick, dark hair. In other respects, she knew very well that she did not meet the demands of true connoisseurs of style. She was too tall and too slender and her personality was much too forthright. The last was no accident. She had deliberately patterned herself after her aunt. Lavinia rarely bothered to veil her intelligence, nor did she hesitate to state her opinions.

“After all those explosive demonstrations, I believe I feel the need of some cooling ice cream,” Anthony announced, getting to his feet.

“Can I persuade the two of you to join me?”

“You will not have to ask me a second time,” Emeline assured him.

“It is very warm in this hall, is it not?”

“Ice cream sounds wonderful,” Priscilla said. “It is rather hot in here. I had not noticed until this moment.”

Emeline laughed. “That is because you were too occupied with the wonders of Professor Kirk’s demonstrations.”

Anthony stood back to allow Emeline and Priscilla to go ahead of him down the aisle toward the front of the hall. The crowd thickened briefly as several people left their seats at the same time and made for the doors.

When the path cleared a moment later, Emeline caught sight of the man who lounged with negligent ease, one shoulder propped against the wall. A disturbing sensation went around her. This was not the first time Dominic Hood had materialized in the vicinity of herself and her companions in the past few days.

“Bloody hell,” Anthony muttered behind her. “Hood is here.”

Priscilla was the only one who was unabashedly delighted to see him. “I did not know that Mr. Hood was interested in science.”

“What an astounding surprise,” Anthony growled.

“Calm yourself,” Emeline said in low tones. “I do not know why it is that you and Mr. Hood have taken such a dislike to each other, but I do not want any awkward scenes today. Is that understood?”

“What occurred yesterday at the museum was not my fault.”

“Mr. Hood may have started things off on the wrong foot when he gave us his opinion of that statue of Hercules and the Hydra, but you, sir, made matters a good deal worse when you informed him that he knew nothing about art.”

“I merely spoke the truth,” Anthony said, icily virtuous. “Hood has no eye for art or antiquities.”

“That may be true, but it was very poor manners to tell him so to his face.”

“He should have kept his remarks about the statue to himself. I wonder if he will prove to be as ignorant about science?”

“I am serious, Anthony. There will be no scenes. Do you understand?”

He smiled coldly in a way that was uncomfortably reminiscent of Mr. March.

“I give you my word that I will not start a public quarrel,” he said.

There was no time to pin him down on the details of that too precisely phrased promise, because they had almost reached the door. Emeline busied herself tying her bonnet strings. She used the moment to study Dominic Hood more closely, wondering again what it was that had created such immediate hostility between him and Anthony. In her opinion, they should have been instant friends, she thought. On the surface, they appeared to have a great deal in common. Dominic was the same age as Anthony, who had turned twenty-two last month. They were also of a similar height and both were endowed with lean, athletic frames.

They shared a sense of style too, she thought. The coat Dominic wore was remarkably similar to Anthony’s, dark blue and cut to emphasize his shoulders. Their pleated trousers and patterned waistcoats were almost identical. They both had handsome fobs attached to their pocket watches and intricate knots tied in their snowy white cravats.

It was true that Dominic appeared to possess the sort of resources that enabled him to patronize a more expensive tailor, but the overall effect was nearly identical to the effect that Anthony’s tailor achieved. Perhaps that was because neither man depended on his clothes for the impression he made, Emeline thought. Each of them radiated a certain forcefulness of personality that would have been obvious even if both dressed in rags.

At that moment Dominic straightened away from the wall and inclined his head to Priscilla and Emeline.

“Ladies,” he said, “what a pleasure to see you here today. You are both in excellent looks.”

“Mr. Hood.” Priscilla glowed. You did not mention that you would be attending Professor Kirk’s lecture today.”

“Science is a hobby of mine,” he said laconically. His eyes met Anthony’s. There was no mistaking the challenge in them. “Do you claim the same expertise in chemistry and related matters as you do in art and antiquities, Sinclair?”

=

“No,” Anthony said brusquely. “I have not made a close study of science.”

“I see,” Dominic drawled. “Perhaps that is for the best.

“Comprehension of the principles of electricity, astronomy, and the like requires a mind that is trained in logic and reason. Science is quite different from art and antiquities in that it is not subject to the whims of fashion, taste, and emotion. It follows the laws of nature instead.”

Emeline felt Anthony stiffen angrily. She hastened to take charge of the conversation.

“I thought today’s lecture was particularly enlightening,” she said quickly. “Especially the last demonstration, with the model volcano.”

“Positively exhilarating,” Priscilla declared.

“It was entertaining.” Dominic shrugged. “I will grant you that.

“But when you come right down to it, I’m afraid Professor Kirk is more showman than chemist.”

Priscilla frowned slightly. “What do you mean, Mr. Hood?”

Dominic switched his attention to her. “I am currently working on a new formula for fireworks explosives that I assure you would produce effects far more spectacular than those Kirk created with his silly volcano.”

Priscilla’s eyes widened. “You have your own laboratory, sir?”

“Yes.”

“But that is wonderful,” Priscilla breathed. “What instruments and apparatus do you own, if I may ask?”

Dominic hesitated, looking torn. Emeline got the distinct impression that he’d had another goal in mind when he had intercepted them at the door. She thought it best to keep pushing him in this other direction.

“Indeed, Mr. Hood,” she said, “this sounds very intriguing. Please tell us about your laboratory equipment.”

“I possess the usual assortment,” he allowed finally. “A microscope, an electrical machine, telescope, a balance, some chemical apparatus.”

“Your very own electrical machine.” Priscilla was clearly dazzled.

“You are extremely fortunate, sir. I would give anything to possess a properly equipped laboratory.”

Emeline felt a small rush of curiosity. “Can you create little balls of fire that fly about, the way Professor Kirk did today?”

“Certainly. Kirk’s lightning show was no more than a simple trick.” He paused, glanced at Priscilla, and then smiled very deliberately at Emeline. “I can arrange some demonstrations that I think you would find even more exciting than those Kirk performed for you this afternoon.”

“I would love to see them,” Priscilla said quickly.

“It does sound intriguing,” Emeline agreed. “I must admit, I have not taken a great interest in science until recently, but Mr. Kirk’s lectures have been quite stimulating.”

Anthony’s jaw hardened. “Out of the question. The two of you cannot possibly go to Hood’s lodgings unaccompanied. You both know that very well.”

Priscilla looked crestfallen. “I wonder if I could persuade Mama to accompany us.”

She did not sound hopeful, Emeline thought.

“I doubt that Lady Wortham would care to spend a morning viewing science demonstrations,” Anthony said flatly.

“I suppose you are right,” Priscilla said. She looked resigned.

“Mama is more concerned with fashion.”

Dominic’s jaw tensed.

“Well, that is that.” Anthony checked his pocket watch. “It is getting late, ladies. We had best be on our way if we are to stop for ice cream.”

Emeline could not abide the deep disappointment in Priscilla’s eyes. “I’m sure that I would have no difficulty persuading Aunt Lavinia to escort us to a demonstration at your laboratory, Mr. Hood.”

Priscilla’s expression warmed with gratitude. “Do you really think Mrs. Lake would be willing to do that?”

“I do not see why not,” Emeline said. “When she returns from her visit to the country I will ask her.”

“Thank you.” Priscilla was buoyant. “That is so kind of you, Emeline.”

Dominic shot Anthony a triumphant smile and then bowed politely to Emeline and Priscilla.

“I shall look forward to entertaining the two of you and Mrs. Lake as well at your earliest convenience,” he said. “My lodgings are in Stelling Street.”

He turned on the heel of one gleaming Hessian and walked out of the hall and down the steps without a backward glance.

Anthony said nothing, but Emeline could feel the anger simmering in him.

=

For the first time in their relationship, she was worried.

An hour and a half later, after escorting a still-exuberant Priscilla to her door, Emeline and Anthony walked back to Number 7

Claremont Lane.

It was a lovely day for a stroll, Emeline thought. Surely there was no finer place on earth than London on a summer afternoon.

“Sunlight warmed the lush green parks where children played with balls and small wagons. The flower sellers’ carts brimmed with a profusion of colorful blossoms. Fruitmongers offered an array of juicy peaches and pears, sweet grapes, and an assortment of berries.

Everyone seemed more cheerful and more brightly garbed than they did in winter.

Then again, maybe she felt that way because she was with the man she loved, she thought. What a pity Anthony was in such a foul mood.

“Do you know,” she said, aiming for a harmless topic, “until she suggested that we subscribe to Mr. Kirk’s lectures, I had no notion that Priscilla had such a great interest in science. She told me that her mama warned her not to discuss the subject in polite company because she would be labeled a bore by her friends.”

“Lady Wortham is the bore in that family.”

“I suspect it would be more accurate to say that she is merely a devoted parent attempting to do her best to make an excellent match for Priscilla.”

“Huh,” Anthony said without a great deal of interest.

So much for attempting to lighten his mood. There were times, she reflected, when Anthony took after his brother-in-law. She was coming to understand why Lavinia occasionally lost her temper with Mr. March.

“Out with it,” she said when they reached Number 7. “You are annoyed with me because I agreed to ask Aunt Lavinia to accompany Priscilla and me to see Dominic’s laboratory.”

“I’d rather not discuss the subject.”

“No, you would rather seethe in silence. Allow me to tell you, sir, that while such a mood is quite dramatic for a short time, it rapidly becomes annoying.”

She reached into her reticule for her key and opened the door. A

gentle breeze wafted down the long hall that ran the length of the house. The back door stood open. She glanced toward the far end of the passageway and caught a glimpse of gray skirts moving about in the kitchen garden. Mrs. Chilton was collecting vegetables and lettuces.

“Emeline removed her bonnet and gloves. Why don’t you tell me why you have taken such a dislike to Mr. Hood?”

Anthony shut the front door and turned to face her. “I dislike him because I know his intentions.”

“Indeed? What, in your opinion, are Mr. Hood’s intentions?”

“He has taken to hanging about wherever we happen to be because he wants to entice you away from me.”

Startled, she paused in the act of hanging her bonnet on a hook and stared at him. “That is absolute rubbish.”

“On the contrary, it is the absolute truth.”

“Tony, I really do not think that is the case at all.”

“It bloody well is the case.”

“You’re jealous,” she said, more than a little amazed.

“Do you blame me?”

“Yes, I do, sir. There is no need for you to worry about my association with Mr. Hood. I think he is just somewhat lonely, that’s all. He is obviously new in town and he evidently has no friends or social connections.”

“The lack of friends is perfectly understandable.” Anthony tossed his hat down onto a table. “Hood does not possess what anyone would call a winning personality.”

She thought about the manner in which Dominic had held himself apart from the crowd in the lecture hall. “He is rather aloof, is he not? And I will grant you that there is a certain intensity about him that no doubt makes it difficult for him to be at ease with people, I have the impression that he has not spent much time in Society.”

“I do not know about his experience in Society, but I can tell you that he must have some connections. He is a member of my club.”

“Is that where you were introduced?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” he muttered. “He has become my shadow because he seeks to find a way to separate you and me.”

“Anthony, you are behaving in the most ridiculous fashion. I assure you there is absolutely no need”

She broke off on a small gasp, because he abruptly took a long stride forward, gripped her forearms, and pinned her hard against him.

=

“He is not like the other gentlemen who flirt with you, Emeline,”

Anthony said quietly. “They are annoying but harmless. Hood is different. He is dangerous.”

Her irritation was suddenly transformed into anger. “Surely you do not believe for one moment that I am attracted to him? How can you even imply such a thing? Do you really think that I am so fickle?”

“Of course not. I trust you completely, Emeline. Don’t you understand? It is Hood’s determination to destroy what you and I have found together that alarms me.”

She relaxed a little. “I still do not believe that is his goal, but even if it were, I promise you he could not possibly tear me away from you.”

He shook his head once, as if she were the most naive creature in the world. “You still do not comprehend my real fear. It is that he will do you some great harm.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“I would not put it past him to attempt to compromise you in some fashion.” He paused grimly. “Perhaps worse.”

“She searched his face and saw that he believed every word of what he had just said. You think he would… would…” She could not bring herself to say the word rape. “But that makes no sense.

“Why would Mr. Hood want to do something so utterly beyond the pale?”

“I wish to God I knew,” he said quietly.

“He cannot possibly hate me so much,” she whispered. “He is barely acquainted with me.”

“You misunderstand, my love.” Anthony raised his hands to cup her face. “I do not believe that he hates you.”

“Then why would he want to hurt me?”

“It is me he despises. I am the one he wants to hurt. And he has guessed quite correctly that nothing in the world would cause me more pain and grief than seeing you harmed.”

She gazed at him, shocked at the deep certainty in his words. “But you have only just met him. What possible reason could he have for conceiving such a strong dislike of you?”

“I do not know. But I mean to find out. Meanwhile, I do not want you anywhere near him.”

“Even if I were to agree to keep my distance from Mr. Hood, you know very well that you cannot prevent him from coming near me.

Not unless you intend to keep me locked up in this house, which I will never allow’

“Damn it, Emeline.”

She covered his mouth with her fingertips, silencing him gently.

“Listen to us. Once again we sound like Aunt Lavinia and Mr. March when they are engaging in one of their heated discussions. It was our intention to go about things much differently, if you will recall.”

He narrowed his eyes. “This is not about our personal relationship.”

“On the contrary, it goes to the very heart of it. Our association is supposed to be a harmonious metaphysical connection of two likeminded souls. We agreed that we would not quarrel and snap at each other as my aunt and your brother-in-law are so inclined to do.

“We vowed that we would not become as stubborn and set in our ways as they are, that we would not follow the same prickly path that they have chosen to travel.”

Anthony’s mouth curved slightly. For the first time that day, she glimpsed a dash of genuine amusement in his eyes.

“I am starting to think that we are each just as strong-willed, opinionated, and stubborn as Mrs. Lake and Tobias. I regret to say, Emeline, that we may indeed be headed down the same thorny path.”

“Nonsense. I’m certain that with a bit of effort we can avoid that fate.”

“There, you see? You have just proven my point. We cannot even refrain from arguing about whether or not we are doomed to argue.”

His mouth was very close to hers now, and she could feel the sparkling excitement uncurling within her. She tried to retain her concentration.

“We are not quarreling,” she insisted, a little breathless. “We are having a serious-minded discussion.”

“Call it what you will.” He contemplated her mouth as though it were a rare and precious fruit that he planned to eat. “At the moment I do not particularly care.”

“But we must settle this matter.”

“In my opinion, we cannot settle it satisfactorily, so we may as well do something else that is infinitely more satisfying.”

“Anthony, you are trying to change the subject.”

“How did you guess?”

He kissed her, cutting off the remainder of her protests. She told herself they could finish the discussion later. It was exceedingly difficult to think clearly when he held her like this.

She slid her arms around his neck and abandoned herself to the exquisite delight of the moment. A heavy shudder of desire swept through him, leaving her in no doubt about the depth of his passion.

It had not escaped her notice that Anthony had begun to find an increasing number of opportunities to embrace her of late. Each kiss was more bold and more daring than the last. She had never allowed any other man such liberties, but, then, she had never loved any other man.

Society had rules about this sort of thing. She knew those rules.

It was all very well for a widow such as Lavinia to indulge in a discreet affair. But a young lady who had never been wed was obliged to avoid any action that might possibly taint her reputation.

Perception was all in the polite world.

But this was Anthony, and she loved him, and lately she found herself less and less concerned with being careful.

“Emeline,” he whispered against her throat. “What are we to do? I love you. Even when we quarrel, I want you.”

“I love you too.” She tightened her arms around his neck. “So very much.”

He raised his head slightly to look into her eyes. “I am not yet in a position to ask you to marry me. You know that. The sad truth is that I cannot yet afford to keep you in proper style.”

“How many times must I tell you that I do not care about the state of your finances?”

“I most certainly care. I will not ask you to marry me until I am in a position to establish a household.”

“You are too proud.”

“That may be, but it does not matter, because I have made up my mind on the subject. In the meantime, my great fear is that you will lose patience waiting. Some other man may come along who is financially secure, one who can give you everything.”

“Never,” she vowed. “I will wait forever, if need be. But I refuse to believe that two people as clever as you and I cannot find a way to be together sooner than that.”

He smiled slightly. “I hope that you are right.” He hesitated.

“Sweetheart, there is something I want you to know. I was not going to tell you, because things may not work out as I wish. But the truth is, I took the fees that I earned assisting Tobias in his last case and

“I purchased a share in one of Lord Crackenburne’s shipping ventures. It will be several months before I will know whether or not I shall see a profit, however. There is always a risk in that sort of investment.”

She smiled. “I, too, have a confession to make. Mrs. Dove invited Aunt Lavinia and me to invest in one of her building projects. The houses are to be completed within the next six months. They will be sold or leased. If all goes well, I shall have some money of my own before the end of the year. If we combine our incomes I’m sure we shall manage.”

“Speaking of houses, that is another problem. Even if we marry, we must find a decent place to live.”

“We can move into your lodgings.”

“Absolutely not. My rooms do well enough for a single gentleman such as myself, but I would not dream of taking you out of this very comfortable little house and installing you in Jasper Street.”

“I would not mind,” she said quickly. “Really, I wouldn’t.”

“Well, I would most certainly mind.” He scowled. “There is not even enough space for a housekeeper, always assuming we could afford one.” He groaned and folded her close. “Any way you look at it, we must wait months before we can even announce our engagement.”

He broke off abruptly, looking as though he had been struck by a sudden dazzling vision. “Unless…”

She heard the sudden change of tone in his voice and recognized it immediately. Pulling back slightly, she looked up at him. “I perceive that you have concocted a plan. What is it?”

“It is all a bit vague at the moment.” He spoke cautiously, clearly not wanting to raise her hopes at this early juncture. “It would require amp; great deal of strategy. I shall have to proceed carefully, but there just may be a way to move matters along a bit faster.”

She was torn between excitement and frustration. “You must tell me.”

“No. Not until I have some notion of whether or not it will work.”

“This is too much. You try my patience, sir.” She seized his lapels and attempted to give him a small shake. He did not move, but he did look amused.

“His hand closed over hers. You are not the only one who is impatient, my love. There are nights when I wonder if I will go mad with the waiting.”

“I understand.” Reluctantly she released him and smoothed the

lapels she had just crushed. “It is very odd, is it not? One would think that a few kisses now and again would serve to release the frustration. But for some reason, the more often we embrace, the more I wish to do so.”

He smiled a wicked, sensual smile. “Indeed, I have noticed the same strange effect.”

He bent his head to nibble on her ear.

She sighed. “Perhaps it would be best if we refrained from this sort of thing.”

“No more kisses?” He raised his head quite suddenly. “I would rather go mad, thank you very much.”

She started to laugh, but he found her mouth with his own and she moaned softly instead. He was right, she decided. Better to go mad than to deprive herself of his kisses.

His hand slipped to the back of her waist. He pressed her hips against his. She was intensely aware of the hard, bold contours of his aroused body. His kiss deepened.

A loud thud on the front step, followed immediately by the sound of a key in the lock, jolted her out of the sensual daze. Anthony stiffened and tried to step back. But the door opened wide before they could completely untangle themselves from each other’s arms.

She stared in amazement at the sight of Lavinia sweeping into the small hall. Her aunt was closely followed by Tobias, who was assisting a coachman with a large trunk.

“Home at last.” Lavinia jerked off her yellow straw bonnet and sent it sailing toward the nearest table. “Whoever said that life in the country was a soothing tonic for the nerves obviously did not have the faintest notion of what he was talking about.”