Chapter Twenty-Six

W hen Louisa awoke, James was leaning on one elbow gazing down at her.

She stretched luxuriously. “Good morning.”

He reached for her hand, dropped a kiss into her palm and closed her fingers over it. “Don’t you think it’s about time that you shared your secret with me, Lady Lu?”

“Secret?” She searched his eyes.

“You never had a miscarriage . . . you were never with child.”

She stared at him in shock. How on earth did you find out? She licked lips gone suddenly dry. “What makes you think such a thing?”

“Because, my darling, your hymen is intact. You are still virgin.”

“James . . . I . . .” She bit her lip. “It’s very complicated. Mother didn’t deliberately deceive you.” O Lord, how can I explain? “I was the one who deceived you.” She rushed on, “But at the time, it was the lesser of two evils.” I shouldn’t have said that.

“Marrying me was the lesser of two evils?”

“No, I didn’t mean that.” She took a deep breath. “James, I couldn’t tell you the truth without betraying . . .” Her voice trailed away.

“Without betraying your sister.”

“How did you know?” Lu’s voice was filled with surprise.

“A wild guess,” he said dryly. “It’s no secret to me that Georgy was sexually active.”

“She only confessed to me just before Christmas. She said she would kill herself if anyone learned of her shameful secret.”

“Georgy is far too selfish to kill herself.”

“She’s not selfish!”

“She allowed you to take the blame—I call that selfish.”

“But I’m stronger than Georgy. She was terrified and had no one else to turn to.”

“But you did. You could have turned to me, Lu, and told me in confidence.”

“You would have killed . . .” Her voice again trailed away.

“Teddy Fox? Absolutely, I would have killed him, if he had done it to you. But what’s between him and Georgy is none of my business.”

She searched his face. “James, can you forgive my deceiving you?”

“There is nothing to forgive. You are my heart’s desire. If you hadn’t been coerced, you might never have agreed to marry me.” He winked at her. “By choosing the lesser of two evils you are the Marchioness of Abercorn until death us do part.”

She went into his outstretched arms and nuzzled his shoulder. “James, I’m so glad you know. You have lifted a weight off my conscience.” She raised her eyes to his. “I should have agreed to marry you long ago. To be precise, I’m sorry I didn’t accept your proposal the night you arranged for me to dance at Covent Garden.”

“I shouldn’t have let you leave. I should have made you my prisoner until you gave in to my demands.”

“Irish devil.” She lifted her lips and kissed him. “I love it when you are dominant.”

“I’ll remember,” he promised.

I’m so lucky. He forgives me because he loves me.

“What a clever girl you are, Tara.” The raven had hopped onto the windowsill. “You must be feeling adventurous.” Louisa filled the bird’s pot with water. “I’ll go downstairs and get you some food.”

As she moved toward the door, the young raven hopped to the floor and began to follow her. “Come on, then.” When they got to the staircase, Tara hopped down the first two steps and then stopped. “Perhaps you’d like a ride.” She reached down her hand and the raven hopped onto it. Lu carefully lifted the bird to her shoulder then continued descending the stairs with slow steps. She was absolutely thrilled that the raven considered her an ally rather than an enemy.

“I see you have cast another spell,” James teased.

The raven cawed. “Don’t you dare try to steal her affections from me, you womanizer! She’s hungry. I do hope her wing is healing. Perhaps tomorrow we could take her outside and teach her to fly.”

“She knows how to fly, Lu. She just needs to regain her confidence. When you’ve finished tending your charge, we’ll go to the stables and check on the colt. Then I’d like you to join me in the library. I want your ideas on how to redesign a couple of rooms.”

“You don’t really. You’re just trying to boost my confidence.”

He shook his head. “Any more confidence, Lady Lu, and you’ll be wearing the trousers around here.”

Louisa cut up more venison for the raven and watched her eat a few pieces. Then she took her back up to her boudoir where she knew the bird would be safe.

A short time later in the stables, they found Jasmine, suckling her colt. “Sultan looks like he has grown overnight.”

“That’s because his coat is dry and fluffy today. Tomorrow we’ll let them out into one of the paddocks. You’ll enjoy watching him learn to run.”

She drew in a deep breath of appreciation. “I love everything about Ireland.”

In a flash he had his arms around her, and dipped his head to capture her mouth. He caressed her round bottom with his hands. “Tell the truth and shame the devil—it’s the Irishman you love.”

“Cocksure sod!”

“This room is far too small for a library.” Louisa gazed up at the bookshelves as James stood at the library table looking down at the architectural plans of Barons Court.

“It certainly cannot compare to your father’s magnificent library at Woburn,” he said with regret.

“But James, there’s no reason why we cannot duplicate Woburn’s library. We just need to design it in another chamber that is more spacious.”

“You may have hit upon the solution. We have no shortage of rooms.”

They went in search of a chamber that could be redesigned. Next to the long gallery was a room that was large enough, but it was a bit dark and dismal. “I want my library to have an upper level like your father’s. We could do that here, but it wouldn’t be anywhere near as cheerful and welcoming,” he complained.

“Would it be possible to put a dome in the ceiling like the one in the rotunda? That lovely oval room lets in so much daylight and sunshine.”

James smiled and slipped his arm around her. “See what we can produce when we put our minds together?” He drew her close so that her soft breasts rested against his chest. “Together, I warrant there is no limit to what we can create.”

Louisa drew in a swift breath. There was no mistaking his meaning. By create, you mean procreate. A frisson of desire swept through her. You are breaching all my defenses, James Hamilton. I must double my guard.

That night however, in the big bed, her caution deserted her, as her body responded to his shamelessly. When he brushed his lips against her thigh, or when his fingers stroked her bud with a tantalizing rhythm, or when she felt his hot erection slide across her belly, she writhed, and panted, and cried out her pleasure.

In return she exalted in making him gasp and groan as she cupped his heavy testes and wrapped her teasing fingers around his rigid cock.

During the next few days they went fishing in their own river where the shadowy pools teemed with trout. They swam in the lake with the otters that had grown used to them, crept through the woods at night to watch the badgers romp about with their young, and took the young raven out to the park to tempt her to fly.

“James, look! Another raven has just flown into the tree.” She had perched Tara on a low branch.

“Let’s move back toward our horses and watch.”

The new arrival hopped from branch to branch until it reached Tara. They cawed to each other and bobbed their heads in communication.

“I think it’s a male,” he murmured.

The larger raven flew to a higher branch and waited. Tara flapped her wings but did not follow. Lu held her breath in anticipation. The raven called to Tara but she did not answer. “She’s afraid to fly. Perhaps her wing still hurts.” Tara fluttered to the ground and walked back to Louisa. “Do you think if we bring her back, he’ll come again?”

“Perhaps. Try again tomorrow.”

“Not tomorrow, James. I shall be busy all day. Have you forgotten we are hosting a dinner party?”

The next morning, Louisa was up with the lark. She inspected the five guest suites with Kate Connelly and asked the housekeeper to air the beds in case their guests decided to stay overnight. She spent the rest of the morning in the kitchen with the cook and her scullery maids, planning the food and wine they would serve to their guests. Then she moved on to the large dining room, selecting the china, the cutlery, the crystal, the serving dishes, the linen, the candles, and the flowers. She even chose which cheese, fruit, and nuts would be served.

When James appeared with an amused look on his face, she told him he was underfoot. “Make yourself useful. Legend has it that all the Irish are musical. Find me some fiddlers or flute players. They can play in the small dining room, where they can be heard without being seen.”

James bowed. “I warrant I can also find you a harpist, Lady Abercorn.”

“That would lend a note of refinement, Lord Abercorn.”

With a straight face he asked, “Are you planning to dance for our guests? If it’s refinement you want, may I suggest an Irish reel? The Ladies’ Pantaloons, perhaps?”

She pointed to the door. “OUT!”

James rolled his eyes in rapture and this time he was completely serious. He had come up to dress for the dinner party and found the maid, Molly, tightening the strings on his wife’s corset. He motioned for Molly to leave. “I’ll do that. I’ve never seen a red corset before.”

“I find that difficult to believe, considering your association with certain members of the theater,” Lu teased.

James refused to take the bait. He fastened the corset strings and kissed the nape of her neck. “I’m tempted to remove it.”

“I thought this dinner was to further your political ambitions to become a lord lieutenant.”

“Ah, that achievement is years away. You are here and now, vixen.”

“Hand me my petticoat.” She stepped into it and allowed him to tie the tapes at her waist. “Now for the piece d’occasion .” She lifted the gown that had been laid out on the bed and raised her arms so that he could put it on over her head. It was the crimson taffeta embroidered with deep red garnets that she’d had made in the ancestral Abercorn color. “Do you think the décolletage is too low?”

“Every female guest will think so, but I warrant every male will drink a toast to you with his eyes.”

“Please call Molly back. She’s helping me put up my hair. We’ll use my boudoir, so you can dress in privacy.”

As James and Louisa stood in the oval rotunda waiting to greet their guests, he murmured, “Here come the Earl and Countess of Belmore. Don’t mention that Claud is coming next month to campaign for the County Tyrone seat.”

“Why not?” she whispered.

“The earl is the present MP for Tyrone.”

Lu hid her smile behind her fan. “You are so bad.” She had done her homework and knew the Earl of Belmore was Amar Lowry, and that his wife Emily was from Kent.

The next couple to arrive was the Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry. Charles Vane Stuart was a charmer, and his wife, Frances, was a dark-haired beauty about ten years older than Louisa.

James introduced his wife to George Chichester and his wife Anna. Louisa knew their titles were Marquis and Marchioness of Donegal.

The fourth noble couple was the Earl and Countess of Caledon. Louisa had no trouble remembering the earl’s name was Alexander Du Pre, and that he was the present lord lieutenant of Tyrone.

“I’m delighted that Barons Court has a new lady of the manor,” Lady Catherine declared. “You must visit us at Caledon House.”

“Thank you for your warm invitation. James and I would love to come.”

“Lady Abercorn, it is a pleasure and an honor to meet the daughter of the Earl of Bedford. Your father was the most popular lord lieutenant that Ireland ever had.” The Earl of Caledon winked at her. “Rumor has it James married you for your father’s political influence, but now that I’ve seen you it’s clear he wed you for your beauty.”

Louisa smiled sweetly. “And here’s me thinking he wed me for my brother’s political influence. I warrant Lord John Russell will be prime minister of England one day.”

Lady Catherine bestowed a look of admiration and Lady Frances declared, “Touché, my dear. Your beauty is only exceeded by your wit.”

Louisa treated Mayor Fitzgerald with as much deference as she accorded her noble guests, perhaps a bit more, knowing that town officials revered attention.

At dinner she carried the conversation with ease. She was knowledgeable about Irish as well as English politics. She spoke of horses and racing with the men, and fashion with the ladies. She even promoted the flax mill. “Our mill is able to spin flax so fine, they can produce a hundred hanks from each pound. I warrant there is no finer linen or cambric spun anywhere than here in Northern Ireland. I intend to send some to Woburn for my mother and sisters.”

She discussed cosmetics and herbal creams with the ladies, since aging skin was the nightmare of every female living and breathing. When they spoke of their children, she listened attentively. When they hinted at her producing an heir, she smiled sweetly and changed the subject.

Louisa was knowledgeable about many subjects and answered all their questions about the king and queen of England, as well as the young heiress to the throne, Princess Victoria Alexandrina.

When she spoke with a male guest, she gave him her undivided attention, which was far more flattering than outright flirtation. Louisa had learned from her mother at an early age that every man’s favorite subject was himself.

Soft, lilting music could be heard throughout dinner, but because the musicians were in another room, it did not intrude on the conversation. After dinner she led her guests to the great hall for drinks and swatemates.

When the hour grew late, Louisa extended an invitation to those who lived farther away than Omagh to stay the night at Barons Court. The titled couples all opted to stay, while the Abercorns’ local guests decided it was time to depart.

It was one o’clock in the morning before Louisa was able to join James in the master bedchamber.

“Our first dinner party was a resounding success, and I owe it all to you, Lady Lu. I certainly made the right choice when I chose to wed the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Bedford.”

“The right choice to further your political ambitions, or the right choice to provide Barons Court with a perfect hostess?” she teased.

“Both, of course . . . as well as a more intimate reason. For the past two hours I’ve been anticipating undoing the strings on that red corset of yours.”

“ ’Tis said that anticipation heightens the pleasure. ” Lu allowed him to help her remove her crimson gown, which she carefully hung in the wardrobe. “Savor your anticipation a little longer, James. I must go and check on my young raven.”

His gaze licked over the provocative corset and lingered on the curve of her breasts. “The word ravenous is derived from ravens. Ravenous is exactly how I feel.”

“Then perhaps I should sleep in my boudoir tonight.”

“Don’t cocktease.”

Louisa smiled. That’s exactly what I was doing.

The following day, after their guests had departed, Louisa wanted to take Tara back to the park. “She perched on the valance above the window last night. She must have flown up there. Perhaps she’s ready to spread her wings.”

Tara perched on the pommel of Louisa’s saddle as they rode out to the park. As she dismounted, James advised, “Put her facing the wind. Birds prefer to take off and land that way. Facing windward helps keep their feathers unruffled.”

“Where did you acquire all this knowledge? I think you are fey .”

“A misspent childhood, rambling with the leprechauns, I warrant.”

She perched Tara on a branch, facing into the breeze. Then they moved back from the tree to observe. They exercised patience and sure enough, after a while, another raven swooped onto a high branch.

James murmured, “I believe it’s the same male.”

The birds exchanged a few caws , and Lu held her breath as the larger raven made his way down to the lower branch. As before, the two birds bobbed their heads in communication. Then the male flew up to a high branch and waited.

Tara stretched her wings, flapped them a couple of times, and flew up to the branch where the male raven sat. “I told you she could fly,” Lu whispered.

After the birds sat together for a minute or two, the male flew up and circled about the tree, cawing loudly. “All she needs is confidence,” James murmured.

Again, Louisa held her breath, willing her young raven to fly.

Suddenly Tara took off into the wind and joined her companion. They flew in a wide circle over the tree. “Oh, how brave she is!” Lu cried.

Her young bird flew onto a tree branch then flew to the ground beside Louisa. “No, no, Tara, you mustn’t come back to me. I want you to be free.” Lu was so disappointed she wanted to cry. She looked at James hoping he could make it right.

“Have faith and a little patience, sweetheart.”

Just when Lu thought it was hopeless, her young raven began to caw and joined the male in his flight. She and James stood with their faces turned to the sky as the pair of ravens flew higher and higher. “He gave her confidence to be free. It’s a miracle!”

James slipped his arm around her. “Every crature needs a mate. We all crave love.”

When they returned to the house, Louisa was delighted that she had once again received two letters—one from her mother and the other from Georgy. “I shall read them right away so I can reply to them before dinner. I have lots of things to write about.”

Her mother’s letter was filled with news about Lu’s brothers:

Henry has passed his first year at Oxford and Cosmo is looking forward to joining him in the autumn. Alexander is still keen on becoming a doctor, though I warrant a young man who is not yet eleven may easily change his mind in the coming years.

Edward is still in the Mediterranean and tells us he is about to get a promotion to lieutenant commander. Last week I received a letter from Charles. He seems to be fascinated with India and its people.

Wriothesley and Eliza are expecting their first child, and they are hoping for a boy.

Your father is well—I believe the time in Scotland was good for his health, and since Jack has taken over the management of Woburn, your father has more time to rest and relax. I am looking forward to seeing you and James, and of course Barons Court. I shall be there in less than a month! My darling Louisa, I think of you every day.

Lu smiled as she read her sister’s letter. It was all about Georgy:

Through mother’s dear friend, Edward Ellice, I have met a gentleman, Charles Romilly, who has quite taken my fancy. He is both tall and broad, and extremely handsome to boot. He has no title and is only a clerk of the Crown, so marriage is out of the question. But I have to admit that I am in lust with the man. I don’t really want to leave London for our upcoming visit to Ireland, but who knows? Perhaps my absence will make him all the keener for my company when I return.

Lu sat down at her writing table. Her mother’s letter was easy to answer. Georgy’s, on the other hand, posed a problem. She wondered if she should admonish her to be careful, or scold her for her discrimination over titled suitors. The latter might be hard to swallow, coming from the Marchioness of Abercorn. In the end she did neither. Instead she urged her to come to Ireland and told her that she missed her.

After dinner, Louisa remembered the unpacked crate of paintings in the gallery. “I never did see what art you bought in England. I’d like to see them and have them hung before mother visits.”

She watched James open the wooden crate. “How many are there?”

“Only two, but the subjects are extremely lifelike.” He lifted them from their packing and handed one to Louisa.

Her eyes went wide in surprise. “Edwin Landseer painted this.”

“Yes, he painted both of them. I saw his work at Woburn. I loved the portrait he painted of you with your horse. So I visited his studio in London and purchased these two. I particularly like this one titled Shoeing. And how could I resist Arab Tent portraying the white Arabian mare and her colt?”

“Oh, James, the colt looks just like Sultan! Edwin truly is a genius.” She blushed. “When he was painting my portrait, I developed a girlish infatuation for Edwin. Not long after, my feelings changed completely.”

James laughed indulgently. “It’s amazing how one week we can develop a fatal attraction for someone, and before you know it, the appeal vanishes into thin air.”

Ah, that happened to you, I warrant. Lu was immediately ashamed of her thought. “You have very good taste in art. These two paintings should be hung side by side.”

When they entered their bedchamber, Lu was in a restless mood. She undressed and donned a black silk nightgown. “For some reason I feel like dancing tonight. When I lose myself onstage, it frees my mind to soar about and ponder things so that I see them more clearly. I wish you could play for me.”

“But I can. It would give me the greatest pleasure to play the piano for you. Especially if you perform your Spanish shawl dance.” He rolled his eyes.

“A command performance done especially for the Marquis of Abercorn. Your wish is my command, Your Lordship.” She opened the wardrobe and pulled out her fringed crimson shawl. She wrapped it around her bare shoulders and together they went to the chamber where her new stage had been built.

The melody James began to play was hauntingly beautiful. Lu had never heard it before, but she had no trouble dancing to it, and it fit her mood perfectly. Her thoughts took flight. Ireland was a magical place, and she enjoyed it more every day. She was happy that she had married an Irishman who was teaching her about his country.

Louisa thought about their lakes and streams that were teeming with new life. Millions of hatchlings darted through the water. Families of otters chased about playing endless games. Skulks of foxes and setts of badgers had produced litters of young and seemed to be thriving. Their Arabian Jasmine watched her new colt Sultan dash about the meadow; then he would cuddle close and the mare would suckle him. Whenever Lu saw them together, her heart was touched with yearning.

As she swayed about the stage, swirling her shawl, she thought about Wriothesley and Eliza having their first child, and for the first time she felt envious. Her thoughts moved on to the ravens. Lu knew she could have tamed Tara and kept her as a pet, but that would be wrong. Tara showed great courage when she learned to fly and joined the male raven in a flight to freedom and happiness. Every crature needs a mate. We all crave love. She suddenly knew the truth of her husband’s words, and she realized that she had found her mate and he proved every day that he loved her.

As James watched Louisa dance, he became mesmerized by her lithe, graceful movements. When she danced she had an ethereal quality that touched his heart. Her dark, delicate beauty cried out for him to possess her body and soul. He stopped playing and sat transfixed as the glow of the lamps alternately concealed and revealed the curves of her tempting body through the transparent black silk.

James walked a deliberate path to his wife. He swept her up into his arms and carried her upstairs to his bed.