Page 65 of A Lady's Past
“I don’t think this is working,” Diana said, but she smiled and gazed longingly at him to keep up the show.
“We have to give it more time. Besides, it is unlikely it will work this first time.” He pointed to a hat in the window of a shop. “We need to allow Caron to believe that we assume he has headed back to France.”
Diana pointed to a lace scarf. “So this is only act one of our farce?”
“The only lie is that we think it safe to stroll about the country. The rest is exactly what I would do to court you. The fact that madness brought us together is unfortunate, but I cannot regret any of it.”
They continued their walk, and Diana pulled her overcoat close against the cold. “You know, courting has never gone very well for me.”
“This time will be different.” He led her down the high street exactly as the Horsemen had directed.
“How can you be so sure?”
The open carriage waited at the end of the street. Jacques handed her up before joining her. It was too cold to use the vehicle, but a closed conveyance would have been scandalous and might have revealed to Victor that they were setting a trap. “I am sure because I know what I want. I have no need for a large dowry or a wife who will bring me notoriety. Those are reasons Englishmen of the ton marry, and I assume whoever courted you had such an agenda. I only want you, Diana. I need nothing else and no other will do.”
“Jacques, will you always say exactly the right thing?”
“No. I will fumble and make a dozen errors daily.”
She nodded. “Good. If you were perfect all the time it would be too much to live up to.”
Everything about her brought joy into his heart. “Who is saying the right thing now?”
Giggling, she watched the road as they wound their way back to Buckrose Castle.
* * *
Each day they took a different path, hoping to draw Victor out of hiding. They strolled local gardens and the hilly path east of Buckrose. Each route was carefully thought out and designed to allow them to be observed by their friends the entire way.
Finally Christmas arrived, but no sign of Victor.
Honoria had the staff bring in sprigs of evergreen and holly to decorate the house for the holiday. She’d tied large red bows on anything that would stay still long enough.
The castle smelled of pine, the greenery giving Jacques more hiding places where he could steal kisses from Diana. He rather liked Christmas at the castle, with its long halls and odd angles. As long as he had Diana with him, their location didn’t matter.
After luncheon, he and Diana walked to the front door hoping for a stroll in the garden. They were intercepted by Alex. “I think it best not to go out today. It is brutally cold, and the wind has picked up. If you must walk, please take care and stay in the back gardens. The high walls will protect you there.”
Diana frowned. “I had hoped to walk the line of holly along the drive, but I suppose it can wait for another day.”
“Never mind,” Jacques said. “We can go to the study and find a treasure trove of books for you to read.”
Her eyes brightened. “That is a wonderful idea.”
Honoria shuffled down the hall. “Don’t be too long. I have spoken to Cook, and since we are such a fine party and it is Christmas, I have arranged a special meal complete with pudding. You will want to dress for it, my dear.”
Laughing, Alex bowed. “I see I have completely lost control of my house and staff.”
“Only for a short time, sir. Soon I will return to London and you will have nothing but peace and quiet.” Honoria said the last as if it were a poison dart.
“It will be our loss when you go,” Alex said, and walked to the parlor where the Horsemen met each afternoon.
Jacques said, “We will not be too long, my lady. Your supper sounds like just the right thing to make us all feel better about the holiday being celebrated at Buckrose.”
Honoria frowned and put her hands on her hips. “It’s not so bad, is it? You are here among friends and we have much to look forward to.”
Taking her hand, he chided himself for sounding petulant and bowed. “You are quite right. I had other plans for this day, but it is wonderful to be here with you and Miss MacLeod.”
Immediately pleased, her face lit up. “There you have it. It doesn’t matter where you are in life as long as you have friends beside you, monsieur. As long as you have friends, life is glorious. I have had to make new and younger friends over the years as my old friends have met their ends. I shall always miss the old ones, but I am grateful for you and Diana and so many more I have been blessed to meet through the Everton Domestic Society. You can spend time with your family when we leave here, and have yourself a second Christmas.”
