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“I was to play the music for the Sunday hymns, and I was practicing. At least, I was supposed to be. But I happened to glance up and see him outside, going down the lane by the church. At that moment one of the village girls came up to him and began to flirt. I thought that if I went up into the tower, I would be able to see better what was happening. But I’d forgotten that there was bell ringing practice set down for that day.”
Minnie clapped her hands with glee. “Do go on. What happened?”
“I think you can guess. I’d just settled myself nicely and was glowering at the pair of them, hating him for talking with another girl, even though I would never have approached him myself, and hating her for daring to flirt with my boy, despite the fact I had never publicly laid claim to him and never would. And then the bells began to ring. I was very nearly deafened. For an hour I lay there, my arms over my head, longing for it to end. By the time I was able to creep back down the ladder, I felt as if the bells were ringing permanently in my head. My mother wondered for days afterward why I did not answer when she called my name.”
Minnie was laughing, but Marcus looked puzzled. “But why didn’t you come down and explain?”
The two women exchanged glances. “Tell the village bell ringers that she was in the tower spying on a boy?” Minnie said as if he was lacking in wits. “How mortifying for her, nephew.”
“I don’t see why. The boy she was watching was obviously an idiot and she was wasted on him.” He gave Portia his special smile. “I wish I’d been there.”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. Marcus’s brows came down, and eventually she had to stop because he was looking so cross.
“You’re right,” she said, her voice husky. “I should have come down from the tower and faced them. I should have told him. But I was young and unsure of myself. Not the woman I am now.”
Minnie countered with her own story about a youthful and unrequited love affair, and the awkward moment passed.
It was very late when Portia retired. She’d been smothering yawns, trying to stay awake, because she was enjoying their company so much, but at last she had to admit defeat. Once tucked into the elaborately curtained bed, the concerns that had plagued her earlier returned, and she thought she might spend the night tossing and turning. But thankfully, the sea air had tired her out, and very soon she was fast asleep.
It was one of the best and one of the worst days of her life.
Chapter 13
“Marcus, she is a treasure.” Minnie removed her turban and sat it on the table. Her grizzled dark hair stood on end.
Marcus didn’t reply, staring into his glass.
“You know, I did not bring you up as a fighter so that you could give up when something was too difficult. I cannot speak for the Worthornes, but your mother’s family, the Duvals, were made of steel. You did not know your mother very well, did you, Marcus?”
Marcus shook his head, leaning back in his armchair. “She seemed so distant when I was a boy, always concerned with other matters, and then she died.”
“She and your father were very much in love. That surprises you, I see. My parents were against the match—they did not think the Worthornes were good enough, and your father had an unsavory reputation with cards and women.”
Marcus sat up.
“Yes.” Minnie nodded. “Hard to imagine, isn’t it? Once he reformed, he went all the way and became quite an austere man. But in those early days your mother was determined on him. It was him or no one. Eventually our parents gave in and let her have him, but she fought hard for her happiness, believe me. And they were happy. Perhaps a little selfish in that their love for each other took precedence. Not that they didn’t love their children, but they were so wrapped up in each other they sometimes forgot to show it. A pity your mother died before you ever really knew her, Marcus, but then that meant we got to know each other.”
“I can’t claim to be a neglected child where you’re concerned,” he agreed, reaching for her hand.
She grasped his fingers, but her voice grew serious again. “My point is, your mother fought for what she wanted. You come from a long line of fighters. The earliest Duvals were robber barons.”
“Robber barons?” he teased. “And you see me as one of them?”
“You’re a Duval, aren’t you? These were men who took what they wanted and would not be gainsaid. They even kidnapped women from their neighbors and married them; not that they stayed unwilling for long.”
“Highly illegal, surely? Or highly romanticized in the retelling.”
Minnie ignored his practical response. “I have always suspected you needed to find yourself in a crisis to learn what you were made of.”
“Aunt Minnie…”
“My dear boy, as much as I love you, I believe you are a little aimless, if not to say feckless. You must search for direction in your life. Look for a guiding star. Who knows, this woman might be your star.”
Portia, beautiful Portia, a star shining in the night sky. Was it possible he could win her if he set his mind to it? He was arrogant enough to think he could. But did he want to? Up until now he had never expected to find one woman he wanted above all others—he was a man who had never known what it was to fall in love.
“Marcus, the most important thing we can gain from our lives is not wealth, or grand palaces, or fabulous jewelry. It is love, and without love we are nothing.” Her eyes were teary, as if she was remembering someone somewhere from her colorful past. A secret robber baron of her own?
Marcus didn’t want to know, nor did he want to discuss his inner feelings with Minnie. He turned to comedy.
