Red Roses Mean Love

'Perhaps,' Justin conceded, 'but can you really blame her?'

Stephen drained his glass. 'No. I treated her terribly. I've told you more than once, she's better off without me.'

'Hmmm… perhaps you're right. It seems a Mr. Popplemore is spending quite a bit of time at Albright Cottage. Since Pamela appears taken, and Aunt Olivia is a bit long in the tooth, I can only assume Hayley is the main attraction.'

At the mention of 'Mr. Popplemore,' Stephen whirled around from the window. Justin held Callie's letter and was avidly scanning the contents.

'I don't recall giving you permission to read my letter,' Stephen said in a frigid voice.

Justin beamed a smile at him. 'Quite all right. I never asked for permission. So who is this Popplemore fellow? A suitor?'

Hot jealousy sizzled through Stephen. 'A former suitor,' he bit out.

Justin's brows rose. 'Indeed? Former? Sounds quite current according to little Callie. She says he stops over nearly every day. Imagine that.'

'Justin.' Stephen's voice held an unmistakable warning.

Justin's eyes opened wide, his face a blank mask of innocence. 'I am merely reading the child's own words. If you're content to let this Popplemore fellow court the woman you love, far be it from me to comment or cast aspersions on your decision. You obviously know what is best for you.'

Stephen slammed his glass down on Justin's desk. 'Yes. I do.'

Justin waggled the letter in the air. 'I take it then that you're not going to do anything about this?'

Stephen stalked forward and snatched the letter from between Justin's fingers. 'There's nothing I can do.'

'Actually, there is quite a bit you could do.'

'Leave it alone, Justin. It's better this way.'

'Better? Really? For whom? According to that letter, Hayley appears miserable, and it's very obvious that you are in a bad way-'

'I am not in a bad way.'

They stared at each other for a long moment. 'As you wish, Stephen. But I think you are making a big mistake.'

'Noted.'

'In truth, it really doesn't matter to me. I have enough to keep me busy, trying to keep Victoria in hand, without concerning myself with your affairs.'

'Exactly.'

'That wife of mine could test the patience of a saint, always haring off and involving herself in one scrape or another. Why look how she finagled Hayley here for that party-'

At that moment a great disturbance was heard on the other side of the room. Stephen and Justin turned their heads and watched as a small door tucked into the corner of the far wall was thrown open.

Victoria toppled head first into the room. With a startled cry, she landed on the carpet in an ignominious heap, the air whooshing from her lungs. 'Blasted unsturdy door!'

'Victoria!' Justin exclaimed, rushing to her side. 'Are you hurt?' He reached to assist her, but Victoria slapped his hands away.

'Unhand me, you… you…oohhh!' She pushed herself to her knees and swiped her hair out of her face with an impatient hand. 'Do not even think of touching me, you cad. You bounder.' She struggled to her feet, breathing heavily.

Jerking her skirts back into place, she stomped over to her stunned husband and halted directly in front of him. 'Test the patience of a saint, could I? Of all the unmitigated gall. I'll have you know there's no need for you to 'keep Victoria in hand.' I am perfectly capable of seeing after myself, thank you very much.'

She stalked over to her brother and thrust her chin upward. 'And you! You are the most stubborn, pigheaded, foolish, idiotic dolt I've ever had the misfortune to meet.' She punctuated each of her insults with a sharp stab of her index finger into the center of Stephen's chest.

'Ouch!' Stephen rubbed his offended skin and scowled at her. Did every damn woman he knew feel compelled to jab him? 'This habit of listening at doors is quite unladylike, Sister, dear.'

Victoria sniffed and raised her chin another notch. 'It is the only way I am able to find anything out around here, and I must say, I cannot believe what I just heard. I can't credit it that you won't go to Hayley and explain yourself.'

'I don't owe you an explanation, Victoria,' Stephen said in a tight voice. 'If you both will excuse me, I shall take my leave.' He turned to go.

Victoria grabbed his arm and jerked hard. 'Not until you listen to what I have to say.'

Stephen halted and looked down at her hand clutching his sleeve, then sighed. 'Very well. Say what you must, but say it quickly. I'm leaving here in exactly two minutes.'

'As you know, I am acquainted with Hayley,' Victoria said, not hesitating for a moment. 'I think she's wonderful. She's lovely, intelligent, kind, and generous, but that is not what's most important.'

'Indeed?' Stephen asked in a bored tone. 'And what, pray tell, do you deem most important?'

'She loves you, Stephen.'

'I sincerely doubt it.'

Victoria was so frustrated, she stamped her foot. 'God in heaven, Stephen, you are such a fool. She sat in this very room and told me she loves you. She's told you herself. And what's more, you love her.' She shook his sleeve, but Stephen remained stonily silent. 'You can deny it all you want,' she continued, 'but why you'd want to is a mystery to me. She saved your life, not once but twice. She deserves better than what you've given her. You were happy with her during your stay in Halstead. And anyone with two eyes can plainly see that now you're miserable. Go see her. Talk to her. She came to you once, but you sent her away. You must go to her.'

'She doesn't want to see me,' Stephen said through clenched teeth.

'How do you know?' Victoria all but shouted. 'Have you even once considered her feelings? The child's note says Hayley is miserable. And what of this other man? This Popple person. Can you really stand the thought of another man courting her? Marrying her? Loving her?'

Reaching up, she laid a gentle hand against his cheek, but she was prepared to beat him if she had to. 'How can you let someone else have her when you want her so badly yourself?' she asked softly. 'Don't deny yourself happiness, Stephen. I honestly believe one word from you explaining why you behaved as you did, and she would forgive you. Love is a gift. Don't throw it away.'

She turned to her husband. 'Don't think for even one moment I've forgotten what you said about me. I am, however, quite exhausted from dealing with my clod of a brother. I need a restorative cup of tea before dealing with my clod of a husband.' Gathering her skirts, she swept from the room, quietly closing the door behind her.

Stephen stared at the closed door. 'I feel as if a carriage just ran over me.'

'Indeed. It ran over you, then backed up and finished me off.'

Stephen slowly turned and faced Justin. 'Your wife called me a clod.'

'Your sister called me a cad.'

'She also called me a dolt.'

'You are a dolt,' Justin said with a perfectly straight face.

'That wife of yours is much too impertinent and has entirely too much time on her hands. She needs a project or hobby-something to keep her busy and I would hope keep her mouth closed.' He shot Justin a pointed glare. 'Perhaps a child might do the trick. Give Victoria something to do besides listen at doors.'

'An excellent suggestion,' Justin agreed, a wicked gleam lighting his eyes. 'In fact, since you're on your way out, I believe I'll pay my wife a visit and revive her flagging spirits with something a bit more interesting than a cup of tea.' He started toward the door. 'You are leaving, are you not?'

Stephen nodded slowly. 'Yes. Yes I am. In fact I have a great deal to do.'

'Indeed? What are you planning?'

'It appears I have some shopping to do.'

Justin raised his brows. 'Shopping?'