Not Quite A Gentleman

by Charles Brightmore

Dinner that evening seemed a somber, tense affair to Victoria, although she wasn’t certain if it was indeed that way or simply a reflection of her own mood. Certainly there was little conversation. Only Lord Sutton seemed animated, and he soon fell quiet when all his attempts at small talk withered. As soon as the interminable meal ended, Victoria excused herself to see to her packing. No sooner had she arrived in her bedchamber than she heard a knock on the door. Was it Nathan? Heart pounding, she called, “Come in,” but it was only her maid Winifred to assist her. After everything was packed except her night rail and the clothes she would wear tomorrow, Winifred left. Walking to the window, Victoria looked down at the moonlit lawn. Her fingers clasped the lacquered shell hanging around her neck. She hadn’t had a chance to speak privately to Nathan, but surely he would come to her tonight. Her last night.

A quiet knock sounded at the door and her heart leapt. Crossing the room at a near run, she pulled open the door. Aunt Delia stood in the corridor.

“May I speak to you, Victoria?”

“Of course,” she said, guilt pricking at her for her disappointment. “Please come in.” After closing the door, Victoria asked, “Are you all right? You look… flushed.”

“I’m fine. Indeed, I’m marvelous. And most assuredly flushing. From happiness.” Reaching out, she clasped Victoria’s hands. “I want you to be the first to know, darling. Lord Rutledge has asked me to marry him and I’ve accepted.”

Victoria stared at her aunt in stunned amazement. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’re happy for me. Say you wish me years of joy.”

“I do. Of course I do. I’m just surprised. You haven’t known each other very long.”

“True, but I know everything I need to. I know he’s honorable and kind. Generous and loving. He makes me laugh. He loves me. And I love him. He is everything I did not have in my first husband, and I feel blessed to be given this opportunity for happiness and companionship at this stage of my life.” She squeezed Victoria’s hands. “It may seem like we’ve only known each other a short time, but my dear, it only takes the heart a single beat to know what it wants.”

Moisture warmed Victoria’s eyes and she pulled her aunt into a snug embrace. “Dear Aunt Delia. I’m delighted for you both.” Pulling back, she asked, “Have you decided upon a date?”

“Yes. One month from today. Here, in Rutledge’s parish.”

“But that’s an enormous amount of traveling for you…” Victoria’s words trailed off as understanding dawned. “You’re staying here. You’re not leaving with me and Father tomorrow.”

“No. I wish to remain here. Become better acquainted with this lovely house, this quaint area which shall become my new home.”

Victoria blinked. “But what of your love for Society and London? Your life there?”

Aunt Delia laughed. “Don’t look so stricken, darling. Rutledge has agreed to spend the Season in Town if I wish.” Her expression turned thoughtful. “And as for my love of Society and London, I can only say that my love for Rutledge far exceeds any fondness I have for city life.” She gave Victoria a searching look. “Have you spoken to Dr. Oliver this evening?”

“Not privately, no.” To her mortification, hot tears pushed behind her eyes. “I don’t know how I’m going to say good-bye to him,” she whispered.

Her aunt’s eyes grew troubled. “Your heart will tell you the right thing to say, Victoria. The right thing to do. Listen to what it tells you.” It appeared she wanted to say something more, but instead she merely brushed a quick kiss against Victoria’s cheek. “I’ll leave you now, my dear. I’ll see you in the morning before you leave.” With no further explanation, her aunt quit the room.

Victoria stood frozen in place, staring at the closed door. A myriad of emotions ambushed her, hitting her with such force she staggered to the nearest chair, an overstuffed chintz settee set in front of the fireplace, and sat down with an unladylike plop.

Aunt Delia’s announcement of her decision to marry Lord Rutledge had stunned her. Literally left her breathless. Dazed. Happy. But underneath all that, there was something else. Something she feared looking at too closely because it felt suspiciously like…

Envy.

A single tap sounded at the door. Before she could rouse herself to answer, the door opened and Nathan walked in. Their gazes met and Victoria’s throat swelled with emotion. God help her, she loved him so much she ached. How had she allowed this to happen? Was there any chance he felt the same way about her? He’d never said so. Yet even if he did, what did it matter? Their lives were so drastically different.

But what if he had fallen in love with her? What if, like his father had offered her aunt, Nathan intended to offer her marriage? The mere thought brought on a sensation she couldn’t define. Was it elation-or fear? None of this- Nathan, falling in love with him-had been in her plans. How could she consider giving up everything she’d planned her entire life based on a weeklong affair?

An affair based on a spark that was lit three years ago, her inner voice whispered slyly. But perhaps she had nothing to worry about. He hadn’t said he loved her. Or wanted her in any way beyond what they’d already shared. If she’d been capable of doing so, she would have laughed at her own conceit. Here she was fretting about a proposal that he’d never given any indication he intended to offer. A proposal she wasn’t prepared to hear. Still, if she became all choked up just looking at him, how would she be able to say good-bye to him tomorrow?

After closing and locking the door behind him, he walked slowly toward her, his gaze riveted on hers. He carried a wrapped parcel in one hand and a single red rose in the other. He rounded the settee, then sat next to her, setting his package on the floor. He held out the rose to her. “For you.”

She touched the velvety petals. “Thank you.”

“I checked on your father. He’s doing well. Exceedingly well if one judges health by the level of complaints coming from the patient.”

She smiled weakly. “He dislikes inactivity.”

“Indeed? I hadn’t particularly noticed. I also spoke to my father and your aunt. They told you their news.”

“Yes.”

He studied her face. “You’re not pleased?”

“Yes, of course I am. No one deserves joy more than Aunt Delia. It’s just that I’m…”

“What?”

Envious of their happiness. Of my aunt’s daring. “I’m just surprised,” she finished lamely. “Aren’t you?”

“Actually, no. I had a conversation with my father that made it clear he cared deeply for your aunt. It’s good to see him so happy. Good to see them both so happy.” His gaze searched hers. “When I opened the door, you looked pensive. What were you thinking?”

“Are you sure you want to know?”

A faint smile touched his lips. “Yes.”

“I was wondering how I was going to say good-bye to you.”

His gaze turned troubled. “I’ve been wondering that very same thing with regards to you.”

She had to press her lips together to keep from asking if he’d come up with a solution. Reaching down, he picked up the package he’d set on the floor and handed it to her.

“After much thought, I decided this was the best farewell I could give you.”

Placing her rose on the mahogany end table, she laid the package on her lap and carefully unwrapped the layers of tissue paper. When she looked down at the book nestled in the wrappings, her breath caught. Reverently, she brushed her fingertip over the title.

“Histoires ou contes du temps passe, avec des moralites: Contes de ma mere l’Oye,” she whispered. “Tales of Mother Goose?” She turned to the first page and saw the publication year: 1697. “It’s a first edition,” she said, awed. “Wherever did you find one?”

“I didn’t have to look very far, as it was in my traveling trunk. That is my copy.”

Victoria’s head snapped up from admiring the book and she stared at him. “The copy you said you wouldn’t consider selling for any sum? The copy that was the last gift you received from your mother before she died?”