11. Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I t was odd to be woken by a maid and not to have to deal with the thousand tasks she usually managed every morning at home. Even as Ruby sipped her fragrant tea, her mind flew to how Nora was faring in Caroline's nursery. Bridget had accompanied her charge to Grafton Hall, and although Ruby knew that Nora was in good hands, she still worried. It was the longest she'd been away from her daughter since her birth, and they weren't planning on leaving until tomorrow.

"I'll take your evening gown down to the laundry, ma'am and give it a press." The maid scooped up her dress from the floor where Ruby had stepped out of it and into Charles's arms. "The silk's crumpled."

"Thank you."

Ruby's cheeks heated as the maid placed the dress over her arm. She wasn't normally so careless with her possessions and had to stifle an urge to apologize for creating unnecessary work. There was no sign of Charles or of his dinner garments, which indicated he'd either tidied them up himself when he'd left the bed, or someone had come in and done if for him.

"Breakfast is served until nine, ma'am," the maid said. "I'll come and help you with your hair after I've taken this down. The footman has drawn you a bath in the dressing room."

"There's no need to come back," Ruby said. "I can dress myself if you need to get on."

"Are you sure, ma'am?" The maid paused at the door, her expression doubtful. "I'm more than happy to help, and I'm sure you want to look your best."

Ruby didn't miss the subtle hint that the rumpled appearance of a Millcastle physician's wife wasn't quite up to scratch in an earl's house.

"Then please return when I've taken my bath."

"Yes, ma'am."

* * *

When she reached the breakfast room, which was in a separate wing to the dining room, there was no one there except the butler, two footmen, and an array of lidded silver serving dishes on a long sideboard.

"Good morning, Mrs. Nash." The butler came toward her. "Would you prefer tea or coffee with your meal?"

"Tea, please."

A footman was instantly dispatched to the kitchen while the butler walked her along the line of chafing dishes, explaining the contents and adding whatever she asked for onto her plate. By the time she reached the end, her plate was rather full, and she was grateful the butler was carrying it.

"Would you care for some porridge, ma'am?"

"I think this is sufficient," Ruby said as he placed a large linen napkin on her knees and set out her cutlery in precise lines on the mahogany table. "Do you happen to know where Dr. Nash is?"

"I believe he is visiting the countess, ma'am. Do you wish me to inquire?"

"No, thank you. I'll join him when I've finished my breakfast."

The butler bowed. "As you wish, ma'am."

The food was delicious. She was tempted to help herself to more but didn't want to cause any gossip below stairs about her indelicate appetite. She dabbed at her face with her napkin and was just about to rise when the earl appeared in the doorway.

"Ah, Mrs. Nash. Will you be so good as to accompany me on a stroll around the long gallery?"

Charles had suggested his father hadn't finished with her, and it appeared he was right.

"I'd be delighted, my lord." Ruby offered the earl a pleasant smile, placed her napkin on the table, thanked the staff, and went to join him.

He didn't bother with polite chitchat as she walked beside him through a maze of dark corridors, up two flights of stairs, and into what appeared to be the oldest part of the house. He paused to unlock an arch-shaped oak door.

"We believe this wing was the original medieval hall of the house. One of my ancestors put in another floor to make the upper level usable and created a long gallery so that his family could walk during inclement weather."

"How practical," Ruby said as he stood aside to allow her to enter first. He wasn't as tall as Charles and barely topped Ruby, which made it hard to avoid his eyes.

The long gallery had a wide-planked oak floor with a carpet down the center, paneled walls, and an intricate beamed ceiling that immediately took Ruby's gaze upward.

"It is wonderful."

The earl didn't answer her, his gaze directed toward the pictures on the left-hand wall.

"Normally, I would ask my steward or housekeeper to show you around, but what I have to say to you is best said in private." The earl pointed at a portrait of a miserable-faced man in a lace ruff. "This is believed to be the first earl of Nash—although the title was longer back then and French."

Ruby strolled over to study the portrait. "I see where Charles gets his nose from."

The earl came to stand beside her. "Are you not concerned about what I have to say to you?"

"I am merely expressing my interest in your ancestors, my lord—mine now, too, I suppose. I wouldn't wish to remain in ignorance of such a grand family history."

She continued along the gallery, stopping to comment on any of the portraits that caught her attention, the earl unwillingly supplying the barest hints of information, his impatience visibly growing because she refused to show any fear. They reached the far wall where a group portrait took up the entire space.

"Royalists, I assume?" Ruby peered closely at the numerous dogs dotted about the composition.

"Not all. One son fought for parliament, the other for the king."

"Clever." Ruby nodded.

"My family are survivors, which is why I expect Charles to provide me with an heir to continue my line."

Ruby turned to face him. "Then you should be pleased that he is married."

"Pleased is hardly the word I would use."

"Why not? Surely any woman who can bear children will provide an heir?"

Ruby was aware she might be walking into a trap, but she wasn't inclined to humor the earl's worst impulses.

"One has to wonder whether my son chose you to avoid that certainty."

"If you are suggesting we don't intend to consummate our marriage, I can assure you that you're wrong."

"So I understand from my servants."

She refused to feel any embarrassment and held his gaze until he moved to the next portrait. "If there is something you wish to say, my lord, please go ahead. I'd like to visit the viscountess this morning,"

"Did my son mention why he had to marry?"

"Because you require an heir and had picked out a young woman Charles didn't consider a good match."

"How well do you know my son, Mrs. Nash?"

Ruby shrugged. "Well enough to marry him, sir."

"Have you never wondered why a gentleman of his lineage ended up in a mill town working for a railway construction company?"

"I assumed he wished to make his own way in the world, and I applauded him for that."

"Perhaps you should ask him why he had to leave London."

Ruby kept her expression calm as the earl studied her. "We've all done things in our pasts that we aren't particularly proud of, my lord."

"I'm not concerned about the past but about the harm Charles might do in the future." The earl paused. "Harm to you and your future family."

"Are you warning me off my own husband?"

"I'm suggesting you keep a close eye on his temperament. He is more like his mother than you might assume and can become… addicted to things."

"Such as?"

He smiled. "This is merely a friendly warning that Charles is not quite the hero you imagine and that you would do well to be on your guard. Recently, I had to purchase all the gaming debts he left behind when he fled London, which was at considerable expense, and I'll get no thanks for it, I can tell you that."

The earl continued walking until he stood in front of a more recent portrait. Ruby reluctantly joined him, her thoughts in a whirl. She didn't for one moment believe the earl had anyone's best interests at heart other than his own. Was he attempting to drive a wedge between her and Charles when their marriage had barely begun?

"Here is my family in happier times when my oldest son was alive and my wife wasn't prostrated with grief."

Ruby stared at the portrait, his gaze drawn to the smiling face of a young Charles as he sat at his mother's feet cuddling a dog. The contrast between him, his father, and brother was stark. Their stiff posture spoke of heritage, duty, and pride, things Charles would now have to take on whether he wished to or not. Ruby's heart ached for the little boy. Was it any wonder he'd done everything he could to run away from such a fate?

The earl cleared his throat. "If you wish to attend the countess, her suite is at the other end of this corridor."

"Thank you." Ruby started for the door, leaving the earl behind.

She followed his directions and tentatively knocked on the suite's door. It opened and Miss Evans smiled at her.

"Good morning, Mrs. Nash. Have you come to see the countess? She is in excellent form today."

The sound of laughter filtered from another room and Ruby smiled despite herself. If the earl was all darkness, the countess was the light, and she knew which she preferred. Miss Evans showed her into a sunny sitting room decorated in shades of rose and cream looking out over the formal gardens at the rear of the house.

Charles stood up as she entered. "I was wondering where you were, my dear. Did Benson not give you my message?"

"I was somewhat delayed," Ruby said, unsure whether to bring up the earl in such pleasant company. "Good morning, my lady." She curtsied to the countess.

"No need for such formality, my dear." The countess gestured for Ruby to sit. "You may call me Lavinia, or Mother-in-law, or whatever takes your fancy."

"And you may call me Ruby." She smiled.

The countess wore a frothy cream confection of lace that seemed too grand to be described as a mere dressing gown. Her hair was down around her shoulders and her feet were tucked up under her on the couch. She looked barely old enough to have a child, let alone a grown son. Miss Evans came to sit beside Ruby and offered her some tea.

"Charles seems very happy, and I credit you for that," the countess said. "I've been telling him for years that he needed to settle down and take a bride."

"I consider myself very settled now, Mama," Charles assured her. "Ruby is a good influence on me."

"I'm glad to hear it." The countess paused. "Will you be staying for a while, Charles? It would be nice to have your company."

"Unfortunately, I have patients to attend to, and we'll have to leave this evening." Charles patted his mother's hand. "But I intend to bring Ruby to visit you more frequently."

"Or you could visit us," Ruby suggested. "We have space for you and Miss Evans."

The countess bit her lip. "I'm not allowed to leave Nash Hall."

Ruby looked at Charles. "Surely?—"

"The earl would not allow me to visit you," the countess continued, her composure crumbling. "He prefers it if I stay here where he can keep an eye on me in case I embarrass him."

Ruby was about to reply when Charles caught her eye and slightly shook his head.

"Don't worry, Mama, we will enjoy coming to visit you here. Father really does have an excellent chef."

"I hate his food," the countess said.

Miss Evans smiled. "Yesterday you were singing his praises over those little strawberry cakes you love, my lady. I believe you ate the whole plateful and asked for more."

"I don't remember that at all." The countess's sunny mood disappeared as abruptly as a cloud passing over the sun. "All food tastes the same when you are a prisoner."

"Mama…"

The countess stood up. "I think I'll take a nap."

Charles rose to his feet. "Will you come down to dinner this evening before we leave?"

"I'll see." She cupped his cheek and kissed it. "Goodbye, my dear. Thank you for visiting me and bringing your sweet wife."

With an apologetic grimace, Miss Evans rushed over to the countess and gently supported her as she turned toward the inner room. The door shut behind them, leaving Ruby and Charles alone.

Ruby sighed. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" He wasn't looking at her, his gaze turned toward the closed door.

"Ruining everything?"

He finally turned. "You didn't ruin anything. My father does keep her confined here."

Ruby stared at him. He came over and took her hand. "Let's find somewhere more private and I can explain."

* * *

Charles took Ruby through the walled kitchen garden and out onto the wide, tree-lined avenue beyond. There was some kind of folly or statue on the brow of the adjacent hill, and he headed toward it. He wasn't used to sitting around all day and was restless enough to kick his heels like an untried colt.

"Are you cold?" He looked down at Ruby. "I should have?—"

"I'm fine. It's pleasant to be outside after all that grandeur."

"It is rather oppressive," he agreed. "My father has very high standards."

She shivered. "I can't imagine growing up here."

"It wasn't as bad as you might think. We had our own nursery floor. My father never came up there. If we transgressed, he sent for us, and we presented ourselves in his study to be punished."

He abruptly stopped speaking. Good Lord, he needed to be quiet. Now she was looking even more concerned.

"Your father waylaid me at the breakfast table."

Charles stopped walking. "He did what?"

"He invited me to join him for a stroll around the family portrait gallery."

"And what did he hope to gain from that?" His tone was icier than he intended and Ruby scowled at him.

"To intimidate me? Much as you are trying to do now?"

He let out a breath. "I apologize."

"Thank you." She watched his face for a moment before continuing. "I thought he had found out about Nora, but he said nothing about her."

"Then what did he base his threats on?"

"You."

"I don't understand."

Her smile was wry. "Out of the goodness of his heart he warned me not to trust you. He suggested you were as unstable as your mother."

"And what did you say to that?"

"I thanked him for his insights and asked for directions to the countess's suite."

He had a sense she wasn't telling him everything, but what she had shared was damning enough.

She glanced up at him. "I must confess I wasn't expecting him to try and set me against my own husband."

"He's always looking ahead. He's probably decided that if he can spread doubts about my fitness to be a father, you'll be more likely to do his bidding and return to Nash Hall to raise our children, preferably without me."

She nodded. "I suspected something of the sort. He must think me a fool."

"I wouldn't take it personally. He doesn't have a high opinion of any woman's intelligence." He gestured at the folly. "Can we continue our walk? I still feel too close to the house."

"As you wish."

She took his proffered hand, and they walked up the slope to the circular folly. It had a domed roof, stone walls, and round pillars that left it open to the elements. There was a bench just inside the entrance offering them an excellent view of the house and formal gardens below. Charles dusted the seat with his handkerchief, and Ruby sat down and looked up at him expectantly.

"What else did my father say?" Charles asked.

"I'm not sure it's worth repeating, as I didn't believe a word of it." She hesitated as if choosing her words carefully, which was enough to put him on his guard. "I think he was just trying to plant doubt in my mind as to your stability."

"Just," Charles said bitterly. "I'm his only surviving son and he's still trying to paint me as an unstable madman." He turned his back on her and took a few hasty strides before swinging around. "Did he say anything specific about my past conduct?"

For the first time she avoided his gaze.

"We promised to be honest with each other, remember?" Charles said.

Sighing, she met his gaze again, her hands clasped together on her lap. "He said you fled London to escape your gambling debts."

Ice settled in the pit of his stomach. Good Lord, his father wasn't playing around. "That's not quite true."

"Which part? That you fled, or that you gambled to excess?"

He winced. He'd forgotten she could be as direct as he was. "I left London with a patient who was recovering from a long illness. Her family trusted me to care for her on the journey north, and I stayed with them for several months until she recovered her strength." He hesitated, considering how much to reveal. "I realized that being away from London and all its temptations was good for me and I decided to stay away."

"I see."

"The gambling debts I incurred were during my younger, wilder days," he added when she didn't say anything else. "I borrowed foolishly and unwisely and ended up owing five times as much as my original loans. I started paying the interest back after I qualified, but I might as well have been pissing into a sieve."

Ruby gave a choked laugh which she quickly smothered. "I'm glad you told me," she said simply. "In truth, your father's warnings couldn't affect my regard for you, but no one likes to be ambushed."

"You're right."

"And if we do wish to stand together, I need to be better informed." She held his gaze, a challenge in her brown eyes.

"He bought up all my debts." Charles forced himself to speak. "He intended to use them to force me to marry Miss Barton."

"Ah." She nodded. "Now it makes much more sense."

He sat beside her and took her hand. Surely, he'd said enough to satisfy her and didn't need to mention his father's threats against his mother.

His faint hope died as his forthright wife asked her next question. "Why won't your father allow your mother to leave this estate?"

"She's not been well."

"Ever since he married her?" Ruby's eyebrows rose.

"He married her because she was beautiful, much younger than him, and from a large family," Charles said flatly. "He expected her to provide him with a large family of his own."

"But—"

"Her health declined after my birth and worsened considerably after my brother's untimely death. She is a gentle soul whose spirit has been crushed by a man who could never understand her."

Ruby didn't reply for some time, her expression thoughtful. "You love her very much, don't you?"

"Yes."

"I am sorry that I upset her with my invitation to visit us."

"The fault lies with my father, not you." He brought her cold hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. "You must be bored to tears hearing all my family scandal. Shall we speak of something else?"

"If you wish." She eased her hand free of his and looked away. "Perhaps we should go back before we are missed."