Old Acquaintances: Christmas Regency Tale (Regency Tales Book 2) Read online

  While the Nicklebys seated themselves opposite, she leaned over toward Lord Baltor and said in a low voice, “I am unutterably relieved to have you for my partner at table, my lord. You have no notion how I shook at the thought of Mr. Nickleby, and just beyond him his good wife.”

  For the first time since Judith had met Lord Baltor, she saw an uninhibited smile on his face. “I consider it an equal protection, ma’am,” he said.

  Judith laughed, almost surprised by the dry witticism. She had gathered that, sober, Lord Baltor was much too serious for his years. It pleased her that his lordship was capable of charm without first imbibing from a bottle. “I hope that I am to hear a rendition of a carol from you during your stay here at Elmswood. I, too, enjoy singing,” said Judith, smiling.

  Even as Lord Baltor flushed at her gentle teasing, his grin widened. All at once he looked his young years. “If you will but join me, Miss Grantham, I will endeavor to lift the ceiling.”

  “I shall hold you to that, my lord,” said Judith. She had wondered at Sir Peregrine’s absence and now she sensed rather than saw him enter the dining room. She turned her head.

  He had paused in the doorway, sweeping the table with a glance and taking note that the only available place was beside Mrs. Nickleby. When his eyes met Judith’s, her own sparked to amusement at his thinly veiled dismay. “Do pray join us, Sir Peregrine,” she said, at her politest.

  “Aye, do so,” said Mrs. Nickleby, diverted from a running commentary on the centerpiece and those dishes that she could see on the sideboard by craning her neck. She smiled amiably and gestured at the place beside her. “There is ample elbow room, as you can see, Sir Peregrine.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Nickleby. You are most kind,” said Sir Peregrine hollowly.

  With Sir Peregrine’s sacrifice on the altar of good manners, Judith’s spirits took an upturn for the better. The butler bent down to whisper in her ear that Miss Brown would not be joining the company for luncheon, preferring a tray in her bedroom. “Why does that not surprise me?” murmured Judith, not allowing herself to be in the least upset. She did, however, make a mental note to visit Cecily later in the afternoon.

  The girl simply had to be brought to an understanding of her responsibilities, for nothing in the world would persuade Judith to go through another private interview with Sir Peregrine. She glanced down the table as the soup was served. Predictably, Mrs. Nickleby was addressing herself to anyone who was unfortunate to be within range. Judith smiled at Sir Peregrine’s pained expression. She much preferred seeing that gentleman in public. It was so much kinder to her spirits, especially if he was to act as a buffer against Mrs. Nickleby’s volubleness.

  After luncheon, the company dispersed with various announced plans for passing the afternoon. Sir Peregrine and Lord Baltor discovered a mutual interest in billiards and went off to take a crack at the balls. Mr. Nickleby voiced a half-wish to join them, an aspiration quashed by his wife who scolded him for succumbing to what would surely become a gambling match. “For we all have heard what goes on in those clubs of the Quality,” she said. He apologized for even thinking of indulging himself in such an evil and instead joined Mr. Smith in the library, each lying in an easy chair with a newspaper spread over his face that soon rose with rhythmic regularity. Mrs. Nickleby looked to Miss Grantham for what she termed a comfortable coze, but that lady firmly excused herself and took herself upstairs to visit with her recalcitrant guest.

  In the hall Judith met the maid who was looking after Cecily. Noticing the still-laden luncheon tray in the woman’s hands, Judith stopped her. “Hasn’t Miss Brown any appetite?”

  The maid shook her head. “The miss nibbled on naught but a cracker or two, Miss Grantham. And she took nothing but tea and dry toast for breakfast,” she said.

  Judith quietly thanked the maidservant and walked on. Her brows had become knit by a small frown. Cecily had not had anything substantial to eat since before she had met her. Judith thought that was something else that must be addressed. She simply could not have the girl becoming ill, not with Sir Peregrine convinced that she was capable of contriving any sort of ruse to keep his ward from him.

  Cecily granted Judith’s entrance to the bedroom with a show of reluctance. “For I know why you have come, Miss Grantham. And I have not changed my mind by so much as a hair,” she said. There was a spot of color high on her cheekbones as though she was flustered, but her eyes appeared bright with obstinacy.

  It was not a promising beginning, but Judith was highly motivated to persuade the girl to at least a compromise. She seated herself in a wing chair in front of the grate, glancing up at the young girl as she did so. “Pray sit down, Cecily,” she said quietly.

  After a moment’s hesitation, Cecily did as she was bid and perched on the edge of an accompanying chair. She folded her hands in her lap and her lashes dropped over the expression in her eyes.

  Judith was not fooled into thinking that the girl was in any fashion cowed. She was beginning to see what Sir Peregrine had referred to when he had said the he had had difficulty in reaching Cecily.

  Judith did not speak immediately, allowing her silence to work on the girl while she ordered her thoughts. Cecily was beginning to cast up quick curious glances when Judith at last addressed her. “Cecily, I perfectly understand the reasons behind your reluctance in meeting with Sir Peregrine. He has undoubtedly treated you with a great deal of unfairness.”

  Cecily looked full at her, surprise mirrored in her extraordinarily fringed, china-blue eyes. “I-I do not know what to say, Miss Grantham.”

  Judith held up her hand. “Pray allow me to finish. I have had occasion to converse with Sir Peregrine and certainly he is not the…easiest personage to deal with. However, I do believe that you must think of your best interests.”

  “My best interests?” faltered Cecily.

  Judith nodded. “Quite so. Sir Peregrine is not likely to change his mind without good reason. I think that you have gained his attention by running away, but now you must capitalize on your position.”

  “Whatever are you talking about, Miss Grantham?” asked Cecily, bewildered. Her eyes suddenly widened. “Oh! Do you mean that I should threaten him?”

  Judith shook her head, allowing a smile to flit over her face. “Not precisely that, no. But certainly you must make it plain that the same determination that led you to run off will also lead you to cause him distress whenever a decision regarding your future is made without first consulting your opinion of the matter. And you must persuade Sir Peregrine of this without showing your fear of him.”

  “I am not precisely frightened of Perry,” said Cecily haltingly.

  “Then you do agree to meet with him while at Elmswood,” said Judith. She watched as first astonishment, then comprehension flooded Cecily’s expression.

  “Oh! Of all the infamous tricks!” exclaimed Cecily.

  “I am sorry to have had to trick you, Cecily, but I really felt that you gave me little choice in the matter,” said Judith gently. “You see, if I allowed you to remain closeted away, then Sir Peregrine would almost certainly decide to come up himself and drag you from the bedroom. I do not think in that instance that he would be open to anything that you might have to say.”

  Cecily stared at her thoughtfully. “You speak as though you know Sir Peregrine very well.”

  Judith stood up. “I shall expect you to come down and join us all for dinner this evening, Cecily. And in the meantime I shall have a cup of broth sent up to you, for you are looking too pale.” She turned to leave the bedroom, but she paused with her hand on the doorknob to glance back with the faintest lifting of her winged brows. “You know, I am so glad that my first impression of you was correct. I had thought you a determined and bright young woman. You have quite restored my faith in you.”

  Once more Cecily was left to stare after her, this time with much more food for thought, not the least of which was her hostess’s declining to reply to her observation pertainin
g to Sir Peregrine.

  Once downstairs, Judith busied herself in preparation for the traditional observance of Boxing Day. When her household had assembled, she handed out the gift boxes, taking a moment to address a personal word to each servant. It was a ceremony much enjoyed by all, including Judith. As always, she was glad that she had made the effort to return to Elmswood in time to uphold this particular tradition.

  The boxing took longer than she had anticipated and she had to rush back upstairs to change in time for dinner. In the cheerful atmosphere generated by the boxing, she had forgotten the uncertain prospect before her in the dining room. There would likely be tension between Cecily and Sir Peregrine, as well as the usual reluctance of anyone to share table with Mrs. Nickleby, and she did not particularly look forward to the evening.

  Chapter Seven

  Judith had dreaded the half hour before dinner when all of her guests could be expected to assemble in the drawing room. But it went easier than she had expected, principally because the Nicklebys did not immediately appear. She was talking quietly with Lord Baltor and Sir Peregrine when Cecily came hesitantly through the door.

  Judith knew that Cecily had entered when Lord Baltor’s eyes flew wide and a stunned expression settled on his face. She rose and went toward the girl. “Cecily, my dear child,” she said, holding out her hands.

  Cecily grasped her fingers with almost a desperate grip and Judith looked searchingly at her. The girl appeared strained and her eyes were overbright. Judith smiled reassuringly. “I shall stay right beside you,” she murmured. Cecily cast up a grateful glance and allowed herself to be drawn toward the gentlemen.

  Lord Baltor had leaped to his feet. His eyes had never left Cecily’s face. His thoughts tumbled incoherently, but one remained crystal clear: He had never seen a more beautiful vision. When Judith brought Cecily up to him and introduced her, Lord Baltor accepted Cecily’s hand almost with reverence. “Your servant, Miss Brown,” he said in a strangled voice.

  Cecily was not unused to admiration and she forgot her nervousness for a moment. She looked up at Lord Baltor with her wide innocent gaze. “I am so very glad to make your acquaintance, my lord,” she said softly. She was quite taken with the manner in which Lord Baltor kissed her fingers and she was smiling as she reclaimed her hand.

  But when she met the glance of her guardian, her smile faltered and a scared look entered her eyes. “Good-good evening, cousin,” she stammered.

  Sir Peregrine looked at her somewhat grimly. “You have led me a fine chase, Cecily. I hope that you are aware of the folly of your actions.”

  Cecily looked ready to sink into the carpet. Judith came to her support. “You shall be much better able to discuss these private matters at another time,” she said firmly.

  Sir Peregrine threw a piercing glance at Judith, who awaited his reaction with lifted brows. He seemed to reconsider whatever comment that he was on the point of making and instead nodded. “Miss Grantham for once is right. We shall speak after dinner, Cecily.”

  Lord Baltor had listened to the interchange with a gathering frown. He understood little but that somehow Sir Peregrine was related to this glorious creature and that she was frightened of his displeasure. When Lord Baltor looked into Cecily’s piteous and lovely face, he was seized with a strong feeling of chivalry. He knew that he would do anything in his power to protect her from distress. “I hope that you will do me the honor of joining me at dinner,” he said, addressing Cecily as though she was the only other individual in the room.

  She nodded with a shy smile, soft color rising in her face. “You are most kind, my lord,” she said, and placed her hand trustingly in his. The young couple drifted toward the settee, their heads inclined toward one another as they softly conversed.

  Judith looked on with astonishment. Surely she was not witnessing what she thought she was. It actually appeared to her that Cecily and Lord Baltor had fallen in love on the instant. When she glanced toward Sir Peregrine, she was annoyed to find that he had been waiting for her to do so, a faintly superior smile on his face. “You needn’t look so smug, Perry,” she said, unconsciously falling into her old habit of address.

  Sir Peregrine noticed it, but he did not let on. “Needn’t I? One so rarely is handed an opportunity to be able to point out one’s infallibility. I did mention, did I not, that Cecily had been in love half a dozen times in two years? I was certain that I had. Do pray correct me if I am mistaken.”

  Judith surrendered the point with a laugh. “Oh, I would not date to counter your memory, sir.”

  “Would you not, Judith?” Sir Peregrine spoke quietly and there was a strangely intent look in his blue eyes.

  Judith felt her heart turn over in her breast. “I-I think not,” she said with an odd breathlessness.

  Mr. Smith and the Nicklebys’ came into the drawing room and Judith greeted their appearance almost with relief. She hid a shudder at Mrs. Nickleby’s appearance. That lady had attired herself in a rich purple robe, a feathered velvet turban, and a ruby necklace that was matched by large rubies in her ears. An additional deep red stone flashed on the finger of one hand. The colors clashed hideously, thought Judith, but nothing of her opinion appeared on her pleasant countenance. “Here are the others. Pray excuse me, Sir Peregrine. There you are, Mr. and Mrs. Nickebly. And Mr. Smith, too! I see that Withers is ready for us. Shall we go to dinner?”

  She was surprised when her elbow was taken in a firm grasp. In her ear was Sir Peregrine’s civil voice. “I shall claim our fair hostess’s company this evening, I believe.” Judith looked up. She was quite unprepared for his cool smile or the challenge in his keen eyes.

  “That is only proper, I am sure. You look a fine couple, too,” said Mr. Nickleby approvingly. He did not appear to notice the slightest stiffening of Judith’s frame. He held his arm out for his wife. “As splendid as you appear this evening in those shiny baubles, pet, I would not give you up if the Queen herself wished me to escort her.”

  Mrs. Nickleby tossed her head, pleased. The black feather in her turban waved above her deep-set eyes. “Why, Mr. Nickleby, I never!” For once she seemed to be content with the utterance of a mere phrase.

  Judith and Sir Peregrine preceded the others into the dining room. They were followed by Lord Baltor and Cecily and the Nickleby’s, with Mr. Smith bringing up the rear. When all were seated, only Mr. Smith was without a dinner companion, but Judith did not think that he minded in the least. He had tucked his napkin into his collar and rubbed his hands together over the first course of mince pies, barley soup, and a choice of vegetables. Her glance traveled about the table. Mrs. Nickleby was supplying her spouse with an opinion on the entrees of roast beef and the customary seasoned Christmas goose to which the gentleman was paying but half an ear, and no one else was giving even a semblance of polite attention.

  Dusk fell at an early hour in the winter and the dining room had been lit with several branches of candles, which shed a soft glow over the faces of those present. Lord Baltor’s and Cecily’s shared glances and shining faces made the candlelight seem rather redundant, thought Judith. She could only feel misgivings about Cecily’s obvious attraction to Lord Baltor. Not that his lordship was other than a pleasant young man, but this latest infatuation could only damage Cecily’s case in Sir Peregrine’s eyes.

  “A penny for them.”

  Judith glanced around. Sir Peregrine’s expression was quizzical. She shook her head and a fleeting smile crossed her face. “I was only reflecting on the caprices of human nature.”

  “Ah.” Sir Peregrine’s keen eyes immediately sought out his ward and Lord Baltor. He swung his glance back to the lovely lady at his side. And she was very lovely, he acknowledged silently, his eyes traveling slowly from her smooth-skinned face to the exquisite figure that was set off nicely by a close-cut velvet gown. He cocked his dark brow, his devastatingly keen gaze once more meeting her gray eyes. “Do I detect a hint of regret for opportunities lost, Judith?”

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bsp; Judith had colored faintly under his scrutiny. Now she sucked her breath in startled surprise. Her eyes flashed at his audacity. “I am sure I do not know what you mean, Sir Peregrine,” she said loftily.

  Across the table, despite her absorption with Lord Baltor, Cecily had caught a portion of their quiet exchange. Her curiosity had been aroused earlier by Miss Grantham’s obvious knowledge of Sir Peregrine’s nature and now she had heard him address Miss Grantham by her given name. “Why, cousin, I did not know that you and Miss Grantham knew one another so well,” she said in surprise.

  Judith’s eyes flew to meet Sir Peregrine’s. He regarded her for an infinitesimal pause before he replied. “We are…old acquaintances.” He gave his ward no chance to pursue the matter, as she seemed inclined to do, but at once asked Lord Baltor where he enjoyed shooting. Cecily’s attention was immediately diverted as well as she listened spellbound to her new-found love expound on the types of sport one might find in his part of the country.

  Judith was able to respond to a sally from Mr. Nickleby with all appearances of composure. She gradually relaxed as dinner progressed. It went far better than she had dared hope, there being no rash words between Sir Peregrine and Cecily and even few complaints from Mrs. Nickleby. Indeed, Cecily seemed in her best manners, thought Judith, approving of the subdued civility that the girl showed to her guardian and the rest. At least Sir Peregrine could not say that Cecily’s head had been so turned by Lord Baltor’s attentions that she had behaved in too forward a fashion.

  When at last the ladies left the gentlemen to their wine and repaired to the drawing room, she was actually beginning to believe that the interview between Cecily and Sir Peregrine would also go off well.

  “Miss Grantham, I do not feel at all the thing,” said Cecily faintly.

  Judith turned to look at her and she became instantly alarmed. The girl’s eyes had become fever-bright and there were hectic patches of color in her cheeks. “My dear!” Judith laid a cool hand across Cecily’s brow and her heart plunged. The girl was burning to the touch. “You must be gotten to bed instantly. I shall myself take you up to your room. Only wait one moment so that I may ring for something for the fever to be brought for you.”