Page 46 of A Tempest of Desire
As they walked into the main entryway, she fought not to be awestruck, but the impressive surroundings took her breath. The high vaulted fresco ceiling, the wide staircase with its red runner, the walls bearing portraits of his ancestors. The furniture with its intricate carvings, polished to a shine. The statuettes, the vases, the adornments. She couldn’t help but believe that her mother had expected, at some point in her life, to have been living in a mansion such as this. To have servants at her beck and call, similar to the footman relieving Langdon of her balloon and carrying it away, after he’d been ordered to see it well cared for.
As though it were a person. A treasure as fine as any that surrounded her now.
His mother was standing at the foot of the stairs. “Come. I’ll show you to your chamber, and we’llsee about finding something of Poppy’s for you to wear. She and Stuart are out riding, so you’ll meet her later. Would you care for a bath?”
“I’d love a bath, if it’s not too much of a bother.”
“No bother at all.”
Marlowe was acutely aware of Langdon following behind her as his mother escorted her up the stairs. She was also very much aware of the elegance of his mother. Marlowe had practiced for hours to portray the same sophistication, and yet she couldn’t help but feel that her movements were shadowed by a bit of coarseness, a bit of striving too hard to be what she was not—a true lady.
After they reached the landing, everything passed in such a rush. A couple of lady’s maids—obviously the countess’s and then her daughter’s—were already waiting, as if the countess had known all along her son and his guest would be staying the night. Langdon disappeared, no doubt to get out of his wet trousers and perhaps enjoy his own bath.
In a mauve room of white furniture, a gown was located as well as all the sundry undergarments necessary. In a blue bedchamber at the end of the hallway, a bath was being prepared, a fire was dancing on the hearth, and Marlowe found herself being assisted in undressing. She had her own servant to help her dress and undress, to fix her hair, and to tend to anything else she required, so she was quite comfortable being waited upon.
“I’ll leave you in the care of these two,” the countess said, her hand on the doorknob. “If you require anything at all, let Jenny here know.” Jennybobbed a quick curtsy. “She’s served me for many years now. Feel free to rest and relax before coming down to dinner.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
When the door closed behind the countess, Marlowe wondered if perhaps she should sneak out and make her way to the village on foot. If she couldn’t carry the balloon all the way herself, she could leave a note for Langdon to deliver it to her when he returned to London.
“Lord Langdon has never brought a lady here before,” the younger of the maids said a bit slyly.
“It’s none of our business,” Jenny scolded her.
“I got caught in the storm, and he’s helping me get back to London,” Marlowe assured them. “I certainly hadn’t intended to impose on the earl and countess. My being here is more nature’s doing than the viscount’s.”
When the last of the water was poured into the tub, Marlowe lowered herself into the heavenly warmth. “The road in front of the estate, does it lead to the village?”
“Aye,” Jenny said. “When a body gets to the fork, they just go to the right, away from the water.”
“Is the village far?”
“Not too far.”
Perhaps she would head there after she washed up. She’d always believed herself good enough for a place like this but at the moment she was wishing they’d never left the island.
Chapter 19
In the library, scotch in hand, Langdon leaned against the window casing, staring out at the elaborate gardens. The sun was setting. Night would be upon them soon. He shouldn’t have waited until it was so late in the day to bring Marlowe to the mainland. By doing so, he’d ensured they wouldn’t be traveling to London this day, because he knew his mother well enough to know she’d worry about them traveling in the dark.
Although he’d planned to seek refuge in an inn along the way, he still wasn’t certain whether he would have requested a room for himself and Marlowe to share or if he would have ensured she had her own room. However, he also recognized that he’d left their departure until he knew an invitation would be offered because he’d made a mistake that morning by not introducing Marlowe to his brother.
The disappointment on her face had nearly cleaved him in two.
Hence he had decided that he bloody well wouldintroduce her to his parents. They might disown him afterward—
A corner of his mouth hitched up because he knew they wouldn’t. They didn’t sit in judgment of good people, and in spite of the majority of London questioning her morals, Marlowe was a good person. Life had tossed her a series of unfair disadvantages, and she’d made the most of a society that valued women for their breeding potential and little else. Certainly laws were changing to make life more advantageous for women, but it was a slow process.
Besides, it was no secret that his parents had been married only a few months when he made his arrival in their lives, so they certainly weren’t going to cast stones at a woman who lifted her skirts without the benefit of marriage. She lifted them for only one man. And maybe a little for Langdon. Although technically, she’d lifted his shirt.
“The estate manager says you haven’t discussed with him those plans you showed me last summer for improvements that would increase the estate’s income.”
His father’s voice held no censure, only curiosity and a bit of bafflement. Langdon had been incredibly anxious to get the improvements underway but the railway accident had derailed him—literally. He turned slightly to face his father, who was sitting in a nearby chair. “I need to map out the plans again, recalculate figures.”I need to bloody well remember what they all were.“They didn’t survive the crash.”
“You had only the one copy that you were carrying with you?”
“I didn’t think I needed more. They were in a satchel beside me. But I was unable to locate it in the wreckage.”
