Page 56 of The Earl and His Lady

“Indeed.” She held the material in her gloved hands, looking down at it. “Thank you, Lucas.” Then he extended his arm and she tied the band, twisting it around so the knot would be inside his arm instead of out. Her eyes glistened, brightening them considerably.

“Would you like my handkerchief?” he asked. He hadn’t meant to make her cry. He wanted to show he stood by her, he wanted the world to see that he respected her choices of both mourning and marriage. He wanted to save her from censure.

Virginia shook her head and breathed deeply, in through her nose and out again. “I think I will be all right. Thank you.”

And the carriage stopped. Lucas reached out to clasp her gloved hand in his own, offering a quick squeeze of reassurance, before he stepped out. He had also ordered that they take one of the baron’s carriages, emblazoned with the Heatherton crest. He had no intention of calling more attention to himself than necessary.

Virginia stepped down, her hand in his.

There were already people in the churchyard, conversing, watching. Some were going into the church and after a nod from Virginia, Lucas took her in that direction. It did not take long to find their seats, at the very front of the room. Lucas slid in beside Virginia, on the outside of the pew. She kept her gaze forward from the moment she sat until the end of the service, and he followed her example.

The moment the vicar stepped away from the pulpit, skirts rustled, whispers began, and Lucas readied himself to be whatever support Virginia needed. If she needed him at all. They stood and an elderly woman dressed in purple came forward, on the arm of a younger woman.

“My lady,” the elderly one said, her voice loud in the nave. “My condolences, my lady. And my congratulations.”

More than a few conversations stopped near them and Lucas could practically see ears stretching in their direction to hear Virginia’s response.

“I thank you for both, Mrs. Carter. Please, allow me to introduce Lord Lucas Calvert, Earl of Annesbury. He has been most kind during these past months.” Virginia hadn’t so much as batted an eye as she spoke, her tone natural and gracious, as if it was the most normal thing in the world to mourn one husband and wed another.

Lucas inclined his head as the old woman curtsied.

“A pleasure, my lord. It is good to know our fine neighbor is being looked after. I did worry for her and those boys. But where are my manners? Here, this is my great-niece, Miss Tabitha Clark.” Miss Clark curtsied and Lucas showed her the same courtesy he had shown Mrs. Carter.

“How is the rest of your family, Mrs. Carter?” Virginia asked. Others in the church shuffled around, and most went out the door. Lucas had no idea what significance Mrs. Carter held in Virginia’s life, but he was immensely grateful that the woman chose to present herself immediately.

After a few minutes spent in simple niceties, the old woman took her niece and her leave.

Virginia’s hand went to Lucas’s arm. Had he not known the state of her mind that morning, Lucas would never believe her to be anxious about meeting her neighbors again. Her expression remained perfectly pleasant, her smile mild, and her posture relaxed.

As they walked down the aisle, Lucas leaned down just enough to speak in her ear. “You are a masterful actress, my lady.”

She looked at him from the corners of her eyes. “Surely, as an earl, you can claim to have perfected your own outwardly displayed character, my lord.”

He raised his eyebrows at her and schooled his features immediately, becoming no more than an impassive nobleman. He saw her smile but did not remove his mask to return it.

The vicar, a roundly-shaped man in his fifties, stood by the door to the church. “My lady, welcome home,” the vicar said with a deep bow. “You have been greatly missed. Will you introduce me to your husband?”

Virginia made the introductions, the vicar bowed politely, then presented his next question to Lucas. “Will you and Lady Calvert remain in the neighborhood long, my lord?”

“Not this visit, Mr. Andrews. After some business is seen to, I’m afraid we must return to Annesbury.” Lucas darted a quick glance at Virginia before adding, “Though I do hope we will visit often, and for longer, in future.”

“Excellent, excellent.” The vicar’s warm smile turned uncertain. “My lady, I do offer my condolences on the baron’s loss. And if you have any need to speak of it, or if you would like me to show you to his resting place, it would be my honor to assist you.”

Virginia’s cheeks paled at the mention of her late husband’s grave, but to Lucas’s surprise she shook her head. “That will not be necessary, Mr. Andrews, though I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I will visit another time, perhaps.”

Because I am here? She must want to see it for herself, to make certain all is right with it.

Lucas would broach the subject with her later. For now, he bowed to the vicar again and led Virginia into the yard, where they were soon met with more fluttering women and stoic gentlemen, all casting him curious glances. No one asked outright about Virginia’s speedy marriage, of course, and more than a few people cast their eyes at his armband. Let them make of the situation what they would; he hardly cared, so long as they remained civil to his wife.

And they did. No one spoke an unkind word to her.

The neighborhood held her in high enough opinion, and honored her late husband’s memory, enough to trust her actions.

Then why was the household so unwelcoming? Perhaps he ought to see if Randal had learned anything on the matter.

When he handed Virginia back into the carriage, Lucas saw her shoulders slump. He climbed in next to her and as soon as the vehicle started moving, she untied the bonnet’s ribbons and pulled the whole thing off her head. She cast it onto the seat across from them and turned to face him, her genuine smile back in place.

“You’re quite right, Lucas. It is rather freeing to take that thing off in the carriage.”