Fortune's Bride Part 3

Had he been able to obtain sufficient funds to rent a house for Esmeralda, provide her with servants, and leave her money enough to live on for a month or two, he would have done so and dismissed her from his mind, except for reporting her presence to the proper authorities. Since this was impossible, he had to make other arrangements. He cleared his throat uncomfortably and explained this to Esmeralda.

"I would not have wished to remain in Oporto anyway," she said quietly, "unless there were some English family with whom I could stay..."

The indefinite ending and lift of her voice made the statement into a question. Robert shook his head. "I am very much afraid," he said slowly, "that you will have to come south with me. Unfortunately, I can get no information about the roads except that they are dreadfully bad. I am not sure a carriage could get over them, even if I could convince someone to sell me one for pounds. I am very sorry, Miss Talbot, but-"

"Good heavens," Esmeralda exclaimed, her smile lighting her face, and her eyes shining with joy. "Please do not apologize. That is just what I would have wanted, but I did not dare ask. You have already done so much, I could not think of imposing myself on you still longer. But if you are willing to take me-oh, I will be so grateful to you."

"Yes, but you know it is a good distance, over one hundred miles, and the weather..."

Esmeralda laughed like a bird singing. "But my dear Captain Moreton, I am quite accustomed to a hot climate, and I am equally accustomed to riding. Oh dear, I never thought I would be grateful to Papa for his meanness, but I am. He would never buy a carriage, and quite often we had to ride from Bombay to Goa."

She thought she would burst with joy. That invitation to ride south was her salvation. Once Robert had brought her to a place where there were other British people and introduced her as Esmeralda Talbot, her ident.i.ty would be established. Very likely Sir Arthur would send her back to England on one of the ships that carried dispatches. Esmeralda was almost certain that if Robert and Sir Arthur requested him to do so, the commander of the ship would be willing to escort her to her father's bankers and confirm her explanation of the shipwreck, her father's death, and the loss of all his doc.u.ments. Then her handwriting and her knowledge of her father's affairs should settle the matter.

All that was an enormous relief, but the real source of Esmeralda's well of joy was the knowledge that she would have several days more of Robert's company. It was no use telling herself that such thoughts were futile and unhealthy. She knew perfectly well that she was nothing but a duty-and a worrisome duty at that-to Robert. But just to look at him was a precious delight to her. And with the thought she hastily lowered her eyes, fearing that there had been an adoration in them that had made him uneasy, for he was frowning.

But Robert's frown had nothing whatsoever to do with Esmeralda's expression. Although he was looking at her, he had noticed nothing beyond her obvious relief at the proposal he had made and the confidence with which she had a.s.sured him that she would not mind the hardships of travel. Fortunately he had the evidence of her behavior on the ride from the village to Oporto to support her statement, and he could believe her. What was more, he was sure that he would be able to obtain a proper saddle and a mare or gelding with a less jarring gait so that, although the distance would be greater, the discomfort would be less.

What had brought the creases to Robert's fair brow was a very delicate matter. He and Miss Talbot would be four or five days on the road, and their only company would be a few dozen Portuguese muleteers and ox drivers, scarcely acceptable chaperones for a young lady of breeding. It was all very well to say that they were in Portugal and it was an emergency. The whole thing was still highly improper, and Robert was afraid that there would be no way to keep it a secret.

His fellow aides-de-camp were from the best families. Burghersh was the Earl of Westmoreland's heir, and Lord Fitzroy Somerset was the youngest son of the Duke of Beaufort. They were the best of fellows, but it would be too much to expect them to keep so good a story to themselves. Robert could just hear them, It's just like Moreton's luck, they would say. You'd think it was enough that he has the prettiest face in the whole army, but he goes out to pick up a.s.ses and oxen and instead finds a shipwrecked damsel in distress. Of course, they would mean no harm. They would tell the story in the strictest confidence, only intending to poke fun at him, not to make difficulties for Miss Talbot, but it was sure to get out.

Unfortunately, too, Miss Talbot had no friends or family who would support her. With a story like that going around, she would not have a chance to establish herself. Under other circ.u.mstances she doubtless could have obtained introductions to the families of people she knew in India and formed a pleasant circle of acquaintances, but with a scandal broth brewing... There was only one way out. Robert sighed.

"Indeed, I promise I will not make any difficulties," Esmeralda said earnestly, hoping her general statement would be understood in the emotional sense as well as referring to the journey south. She imagined that Robert was plagued with women worshiping him.

"You won't, but others will," Robert said with a tinge of bitterness and heaved another sigh. "There's nothing for it," he added, wearing an expression of extreme dejection. "We'll have to get married."

Chapter Six.

Esmeralda's mouth dropped open, and her eyes widened so far that they almost appeared ready to fall out of her head. In addition, shock drove the air out of her lungs while she was seeking words so that she uttered an indistinct and most inelegant gobbling noise. Robert, who had been staring past her concentrating on his private rationalizations, suddenly realized what he had done. He jumped to his feet, cursing himself for being ten kinds of a donkey. The last thing he had said to the girl was that it would be a long, hot ride, and then without the slightest warning or explanation he had proposed marriage. It would be no wonder if poor Miss Talbot had hysterics.

"No, don't," he said desperately. "I didn't mean to shock you. Oh, d.a.m.n it all, you can't go riding all over the country with me and a bunch of Portuguese ox drivers. It isn't at all the thing. People would get to talking."

Now Esmeralda was in even worse straits. One cannot laugh while one is strangling for lack of air, but the form of Robert's explanation of his extraordinary proposal was inordinately comical. At the same time, the kindness of his intention and his obvious distress absolutely required a response that would put him at ease. Esmeralda struggled for breath while Robert stood halfway between her chair and his own, afraid to approach but equally afraid that the next thing that would come out of her mouth would be the piercing shrieks of a totally unhinged mind. He knew he needed female a.s.sistance, but the thought of what Esmeralda might say to any woman who offered her sympathy almost unhinged his mind.

"I'm all right," Esmeralda gasped at last. "I am sorry to have alarmed you. You took me so much by surprise."

Robert could have kissed her. He stared down into her large, dark blue eyes, magnified now by unshed tears of stress, and again thought how remarkably beautiful they were. "I'll get some wine," he said anxiously. "Can't think how I could have been so stupid. Should have explained first. Dreadful shock for you. But I don't mean anything by it. I mean, I do, but I wouldn't expect... Oh, the devil with it. I'll get some wine."

Esmeralda was not in any need of a restorative, but she was glad to have a little time alone to rea.s.semble her wits and get control over her feelings. Although she could now breathe evenly, she still did not know whether amus.e.m.e.nt or agony predominated. Captain Moreton, set on rescuing a maiden in peril, was clearly ready to go all the way regardless of the cost to anyone. That was most laudable. Only one could not help but laugh at the sad resignation with which he prepared to sacrifice himself. It was perfectly plain to Esmeralda that he scarcely saw her as an individual and did not care much for what he saw. No, Captain Moreton's sacrifice was not for the maiden, but for the propriety itself. Esmeralda started to giggle and choked on a sob.

He was such a dear person, so upright and honest, so obviously well brought up by a family that treated its women with the utmost consideration. But that was where the danger lay. If Captain Moreton had been as practiced a hand with women as his handsome face would lead one to suspect, Esmeralda thought she would soon have recovered from her infatuation. Such a person would doubtless try to flatter her and show her attentions, which she would know to be false. In that case, close a.s.sociation over an extended period would soon produce disgust.

That could never happen with Captain Moreton. He would most likely be careful and considerate of her because he had been trained to be careful and considerate of women. He would be kind because it was his nature to be kind. And Esmeralda knew that she would fall more and more deeply in love.

She should not do it. Esmeralda knew she would suffer horribly if she yielded to the temptation. Yet what else could she do? Without Robert, how was she to prove her ident.i.ty? Perhaps she should return to India and obtain identification papers from Governor Duncan, but there was no way she could think of to pay for her pa.s.sage, and she had no idea where to find a ship going to India. Would she have to travel to England first?

No, it was insane. Captain Moreton had offered the perfect solution, simple and easy. Surely she was sufficiently adult and intelligent to keep her emotions under control when it was so very plain that he was utterly indifferent to her except as another duty. And she had intended to travel with him. A marriage of convenience could not possibly make any difference in how she would feel, since it was quite plain that Robert did not intend to act as her husband, but only lend her his name. But Esmeralda was lying to herself, and she knew it. It would make a difference. She would have to resist the idea of marriage.

Before her very urgent desire to s.n.a.t.c.h at even the most distant opportunity for an intimate relationship with Robert could take hold and manufacture arguments, he came back into the room, carrying a tray with bottles and gla.s.ses. Esmeralda could not help laughing, albeit a bit shakily. His anxious expression betrayed the reason for his acting as waiter. He did not want any witnesses if she had collapsed into hysterics again.

His eyes lighted at her laugh, and he said, "By George, you are a sport, Miss Talbot. I can't say how sorry I am. You see, I was sitting here and thinking about what you said-you know, about not having any family or friends in England-and that made me think that you wouldn't have anyone to...to stand up for you. Then I got to thinking about how long it would take to get the animals down to Leiria, and what might be said. I swear I never thought..."

"Do set down the tray," Esmeralda suggested, driven to tease by her mingled misery and mirth. "But, really, you do not need to apologize or a.s.sure me that you had no dishonorable intentions. After all, you made me a proposal, not a proposition."

Robert set the tray down rather more abruptly than he had intended. Wearing a rather hunted expression, he turned toward Esmeralda. "But-"

She burst into laughter, interrupting him. "Oh, forgive me," she gasped. "I have a most improper sense of humor. I was only teasing you. I understand perfectly that you were most kindly offering a marriage of convenience to protect my reputation. I am very grateful, truly grateful, but I cannot think it to be necessary. Surely no word of so small an incident would get back to England."

Robert's expression had changed from anxiety to amus.e.m.e.nt at Esmeralda's confession and then back to anxiety again at her final words. "Unfortunately, that's just what I'm not at all sure of," he said. He hesitated, poured two gla.s.ses of the wine, and handed one to Esmeralda. Since it was obvious he was trying to find the right words to say something else, she sipped her wine and waited. "You see," he went on slowly, "I would have to bring you to headquarters, and Sir Arthur's staff is not only all very well connected but also very young. They wouldn't mean any harm. They would think they were making a joke at my expense. I could warn them," he went on hastily, "but I fear that would only impress the incident on their minds."

"That is quite true." Esmeralda was forced to agree. "What's more, it would make telling it even more irresistible," she admitted. "As soon as one knows something should not be said, it is always at the tip of one's tongue."

As the words came out, Esmeralda remembered that she was supposed to be arguing against the marriage, not for it. Even if the story of her unchaperoned days with him did get back to England, she did not think it would greatly impede her acceptance into society once the size of her fortune was known-a cynical view perhaps. Nonetheless, she was relatively sure that five days' lapse would be overlooked in the shadow of half a million pounds.

"Still," Esmeralda went on, determined to be sensible, "it seems to me to be too great an imposition upon you. I must take my chances. After all, I survived a shipwreck and escaped from old Pedro's schemes-"

"That's just why I decided there was nothing for it but getting married." Robert sighed and tossed off the gla.s.s of wine he had been holding. He refilled the gla.s.s and turned back toward Esmeralda. "No sense rescuing you from one b.u.mble-broth and dropping you into a worse one. Not your fault the ship went down or that there aren't any ships going to England or that the d.a.m.ned Portuguese won't give me credit." Suddenly Robert smiled at her. "And you've been d.a.m.ned good about it, too. No vapors, no fuss."

Esmeralda laughed. "That would have been very poor thanks for your kindness, to saddle you with hysterics in addition to so awkward a burden."

Now Robert laughed also. "True enough, but most women don't seem to consider such things. Tend to get upset first, then they don't seem to be able to think at all. You're a very sensible girl."

"Thank you," Esmeralda said. "It is owing to having lived with Papa. He had very little sympathy with a display of the vapors.

However, I do not see that this marriage will really help. Will it not be even more exquisitely humorous to your fellow ADCs that you rescued a young woman and married her out of hand?"

"They will have a May-day frolic over the marriage," Robert agreed, grinning, "but I won't mind that, and they won't tease you. And when we have it annulled, they won't say a word to anyone about its ever having happened. They will think, you see, that something went wrong between us, and to have gossip about that would hurt me-and you also, of course. They would not wish to hurt us."

"Annulled!" Esmeralda repeated, and then added quickly, "Yes, of course. How stupid I am." She looked down at her hands, so tightly clasped that the knuckles showed white, afraid of what Robert might read in her face. "But will it not make a scandal to...to put an end to the marriage? Will that not negate the good effect you wish to produce?"

"No," Robert said eagerly, proud of his strategic planning and completely unaware of the blow he had delivered, "we can be married by the bishop, or by his priest or someone-I'm pretty sure I can talk him into that, since we're both heretics already. I mean, he wouldn't be taking a chance on having a Catholic soul corrupted, and maybe he would even think some good would rub off on us from a marriage in the 'true faith'. But the marriage wouldn't be valid in England, you see-at least, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be. And since it wouldn't have been...er..."

"Consummated?" Esmeralda offered with seeming calm.

She was really numb with pain. When Robert had seemed so pleased with her and called her a sensible girl, she had for a few minutes almost permitted herself to hope that he would be willing to let the marriage stand.

"Yes," Robert said, with relief, smiling at her again. She really was a most unusual woman. "So there wouldn't be any trouble in obtaining an annulment very privately, and there wouldn't be any scandal. And I think I know someone who could help, too. I mean, help to keep things quiet."

"It is very good of you," Esmeralda said wearily.

"Not at all," Robert responded politely. "I like to see a thing neatly done-or, as the cavalry would say, get over heavy ground as lightly as I can-and this is really the best way. Moreover, if we should suffer any surprise by the French or any reverse in a military sense, you would have the protection of my name and rank."

"I had not thought of that," Esmeralda confessed. "I had almost forgotten the French."

Robert smiled indulgently. "I can see how you would, what with one shock after another, but it would never do for me to forget them. Now, sorry I shan't be able to give you more time to get used to all this, but it looks like the stock the bishop has collected for us will all be a.s.sembled by tomorrow. That means we must leave the day after. Can't have Sir Arthur bringing the troops ash.o.r.e and having nothing to ride or to pull the wagons. So tomorrow will have to be the day."

"Very well." Esmeralda's voice was so colorless that even Robert, scarcely the most perceptive of men where women were concerned, realized something was wrong.

He looked at her closely and was shocked by the gray tinge beneath the sun-browning of her skin. "My dear Miss Talbot," he exclaimed, "do forgive me. You are exhausted. I will take myself off at once and let you rest. Would you wish to have a small supper sent up to your room, or-"

"I can scarcely come down in this dress," she began, then stopped speaking as a deep flush came up over Robert's face. "What is it, Captain Moreton?" she asked.

"About the gowns I asked you to order," he said, struggling with his embarra.s.sment. "I'm afraid I should have explained the situation more completely, but I did not know myself, until after I left you, that I could neither change a reasonable sum in pounds for Portuguese money nor obtain credit."

"Oh goodness," Esmeralda cried, getting up from her chair, "I never thought of it either. I will ring for a servant and send him at once with a note to the dressmaker. She was to bring tomorrow a riding dress and a morning dress, which she happened to have by her and which she said would need little alteration to fit my measurements. But she cannot have done much yet, so I hope it will cause no hardship to cancel the order."

"No, you must have those," Robert said. "I'm not so short as that. But I'm afraid any evening dresses-"

"I did not order any," Esmeralda a.s.sured him, forced to smile despite the lingering ache in her heart. "What would I do with evening dresses?"

Robert looked puzzled. "I don't know," he admitted, "at least, not until we settle into headquarters, but my mother and sisters never seem to go anywhere without trunks full of them." Then he burst out laughing but soon sobered and took Esmeralda's hand. "There aren't many girls who would be so sensible. You are one in a million, Miss Talbot, and if I had to come upon someone adrift, I'm glad it was you."

He raised her hand and kissed it and then left the room. Esmeralda did not permit herself to turn and watch him go out the door or to touch with her other hand the spot he had kissed. Her chest was heaving with sobs, but at the same time it was impossible not to laugh. Although Esmeralda was certainly not experienced in dalliance, it occurred to her that no man who was could possibly make so many stupid errors in dealing with a woman as Robert did.

Suddenly Esmeralda sat down hard. Could it be true? Could any man with a face and figure like Captain Moreton's not be a practiced hand with women? Odd pieces of evidence came together. Esmeralda knew Robert to be kind. If he did not wish to marry until after he had sold out of the army, a kind man who looked like Captain Moreton would avoid any except brief and casual social a.s.sociations with young unmarried women of his own cla.s.s.

As abruptly as she had sat down, Esmeralda jumped to her feet and began to pace the room, all sense of fatigue gone. If Captain Moreton's sole contact with gentlewomen was the kind one indulged in at b.a.l.l.s and with his sisters-she paused and bit her lip, thinking back on their conversations, yes, the only women he had mentioned were his mother and sisters-then the unflattering remarks he made were not at all surprising. Such comments could not hurt a sister.

Esmeralda walked slowly toward the most comfortable chair, her lips curving into a wry smile. If she had not been such an idiot as to fall in love with the man least likely to be attracted to her, the remarks he made would not have hurt her, either. She might, if she were a fool obsessed with her own importance, have been offended at the clear and implied avowals that she was a nuisance and a burden, but she could not have been hurt by them. Sighing, Esmeralda leaned back and closed her eyes. She was very tired again.

It was dark in the room when a knocking on the door awakened her. She jerked upright, uttering a low cry as her neck and back, stiffened by sleeping in an awkward position, protested, and she looked wildly around, totally disoriented. A second soft tapping brought her to her feet. No one would tap on the door of the hut. The thought recalled the adventures of the day to her, and she called "Enter" in Portuguese.

Two servants came in, one carrying a candle, the other carrying a supper tray. There were apologies for not lighting the room earlier. Captain Moreton had told them not to disturb her until suppertime unless she rang for service. Esmeralda thanked them and agreed that supper should be set on a small side table. Then she started toward the door to the bedchamber, intending to wash her hands and face, but the servant who had carried the candle held out to her a small parcel, saying that the captain had asked him to give it to her. Esmeralda took it with a mechanical smile and hurried off to the inner room. She was quite certain that Robert had changed his mind about taking her with him and had sent her what money he could spare. She did not want the servants to see her distress.

When she tore open the parcel and a hairbrush, comb, and toothbrush tumbled out, she had to bite her lips hard to keep from either laughing or crying aloud. How ridiculous to think so odd-shaped a parcel could contain coin. And how clear a betrayal of her emotions that silly fear had been. No matter what pain she would suffer in the end, there was nothing she desired more than to marry Captain Moreton and travel south with him. But if they were to be married-an odd warmth suffused her-she realized that she would have to use his given name now. Robert...how nice it was to think of him as Robert... Robert would have to call her Esmeralda, too.

She had been staring at the toilet articles without really seeing them while these thoughts ran through her mind, but when she focused on them, the realization of Robert's consideration rushed upon her. Very few men would have thought of her need. She had been so eager to leave the village, she had taken with her only the clothing she was wearing. Tears stung her eyes. He was the dearest, kindest man in the world. How unfortunate that he should be so handsome. If only he had been ugly, there would have been a chance for her to win his affection.

The hand Esmeralda had stretched out to touch Robert's gifts hung suspended as she considered her last thought. Was it utterly impossible that Robert could come to care for her? He seemed far more irritated by his own appearance than proud of it. Could it be possible that he was also annoyed or embarra.s.sed by the pursuit of women attracted by his looks? If so, would not the presence of a wife be an advantage? Particularly a wife who would encourage his dedication to his career and never interfere with him?

But never interfere could mean something quite different from not making a fuss when one's husband went into battle. Esmeralda bit her lip again as fear washed over her, bringing a cold sweat out over her body. Still, she knew she could look outwardly calm and smile and speak cheerfully while she shook like a jelly inside. She had had plenty of practice at that when she had done things of which, had he discovered them, her father would have disapproved violently. And she was certain she would never show hurt, nor, indeed, feel it, when Robert dined with his mess rather than with her. But what if, protected by a plain wife for whom he did not care, he developed a taste for pretty women?

Esmeralda looked down at the brush and comb, which she had automatically laid on the mirrored dressing table. Robert was kind. He would not flaunt his affairs in her face. If she did not look for trouble, she told herself, she would not find it. But she would know. Esmeralda shuddered. Would she be able to bear it, loving him as she did? Would it be more agonizing to her to walk away from the marriage, as Robert now planned, or to try to induce him to continue it, knowing he did not love her?

Chapter Seven.

What devices Robert used to induce the bishop to direct his priest to marry them, Esmeralda never discovered. However, she needed to exercise considerable willpower to control a tendency to giggle all through the service, since the poor priest was so plainly astonished at what he was doing. Not that it took much that morning to make Esmeralda laugh. She had eaten her supper and gone to bed in a very uncertain frame of mind and spirits, quite unable to decide what she wanted. By the time she wakened in the morning, however, her depression had evaporated with her fatigue.

It was dreadfully foolish, Esmeralda decided, to worry about the future of her marriage as if planning in advance could help her direct that future. In this case, where she knew so little really of the person with whom she was involved and, in addition, had not the slightest notion of what would occur, it was impossible to lay plans. A far more sensible line of procedure would be simply to enjoy each moment as it came, without considering the future at all.

To encourage this brighter viewpoint, a note from Robert came up with Esmeralda's breakfast tray, "having the pleasure and honor" to inform her that the wedding was set for one o'clock that afternoon, and if Esmeralda had no objection, he would do himself the honor of joining her for a light luncheon at noon so he could escort her to the church. The formal tone tickled Esmeralda's fancy, but she realized she had no time to waste on amus.e.m.e.nt and sent an urgent message to the dressmaker with the waiter who had brought up the note.

By heroic efforts on both their parts, the morning dress was ready by eleven. It was not what Esmeralda would have chosen as a wedding dress under ordinary circ.u.mstances, but nothing else was available. The gown was made of a soft silk crepe in a dull orange color, cut very low over the bosom, with tiny puffed sleeves, and with the tight waist right under the breast. It was fortunate that Esmeralda's breast was very firm and not overlarge. Looking down at herself, Esmeralda resolved not to take any deep breaths, lest she become totally naked above the waistline. In addition, the soft silk clung to her body in a rather startling manner.

As soon as she saw the dress, Esmeralda had been aware that this might be true and had sent the dressmaker's a.s.sistant to procure pantalets and petticoats. Unfortunately, although several of each were available in Esmeralda's size, they were all of silk and, although they somewhat blurred the lines of her body, only encouraged the dress to cling. The color, too, was scarcely suitable to a wedding, but when Esmeralda looked in the mirror, her spirits lifted.

The gown did become her. She had a fine figure, which the dresses her father insisted on her wearing had deliberately obscured, the color lent warmth to her complexion, making her skin look rich and velvety, and it also seemed to brighten her eyes. Only her hair was wrong. The sun's bleaching had dulled its rich chestnut in irregular streaks, which were made more apparent by the fact that it was drawn smoothly back into a heavy knot at the nape. Esmeralda's small, round chin became more prominent as a daring notion came to her.

She dismissed the dressmaker with strict injunctions to bring the riding dress to her room by dinnertime at the latest, even if it was not completed. They would work on it all night if need be. Then, as soon as the woman was gone, she slipped out of her dress, undid her hair, took a deep breath, and seized a pair of scissors she had asked to borrow. Closing her eyes momentarily and offering up a prayer, Esmeralda began to snip the hair surrounding her face. Although she knew that some women cut their hair short and realized that it would be much easier to care for that way, she did not dare attempt the back. Besides, she was reluctant to sacrifice her heavy mane.

Fifteen minutes later, she gathered the cut strands from the floor and dressing table, brushed short bits off her shoulders and breast, and put on her new dress again. Then, taking a deep breath, she put up the long hair in a high bun at the top of her head and attacked the short ends around her face with dampened brush and comb. Finally she permitted herself to inspect the result.

A long sigh eased out of Esmeralda. Her daring had not utterly destroyed her. The tr.i.m.m.i.n.g had not turned her into a beauty, Esmeralda knew she would never be a beauty, but there was an improvement. She looked fashionable. A smile of pleasure further illuminated her features, but she was accustomed to her own expressions and did not realize the charm it added to her appearance. Still, she felt satisfied and happy so that when Robert entered less than half an hour later in full regimentals which she realized he had donned in honor of the occasion, she greeted him with a glow of confidence.

His reaction was an additional delight, for he paused when he saw her and almost seemed about to excuse himself for intruding on a stranger. Then he grinned broadly. "That's a bang-up dress, Miss Talbot," he said. "I hardly recognized you. I'm glad it was done in time. I'm a little early, but I wanted to ask whether you would prefer to eat here or in the dining room?"

"In the dining room, by all means," Esmeralda replied. "I'm rather tired of this apartment. Orange isn't exactly the right color-"

"Why not?" Robert asked. "It certainly suits you."

"Thank you," Esmeralda said, her high spirits momentarily checked by the realization of just how unreal the wedding was to him. Obviously he did not a.s.sociate her comment with the fact that young brides wore pale and delicate colors. However, bubbles of mirth rose in her, and she said with abnormal gravity, "But do you not think you had better call me Esmeralda now? You will not be able to continue to call me Miss Talbot without arousing considerable curiosity among your fellow officers, and it is our first purpose, is it not, to avoid-"

Robert's hearty laughter interrupted her. "You're a bit of a tease, aren't you?" he asked with obvious enjoyment. "I was just about to suggest that we do away with surnames. In case you don't know, I'm Robert Francis Edward-the Honorable Robert Francis Edward, second son of the Earl of Moreton."

Esmeralda's big eyes opened wide. "No," she gasped, "I didn't know, that is, I remembered that your name was Robert, but I had no idea... Oh dear, whatever will your parents think of this escapade? Perhaps-"

"We aren't going to tell them," Robert said firmly, "but not because they'd have any objections. Thing is, my rnother'd welcome you with open arms. Very set on seeing me married, no matter how often I tell her that it wouldn't do at all for a military man to take a wife. d.a.m.ned unfair thing to do to a woman. Don't think my father would mind, either After all, you're a gentlewoman. Nothing wrong with your family, even if..." He stopped abruptly.

"It's all right," she said a bit absently. "I don't mind that you think Papa was a queer nabs."

"Speaking of your father," Robert added, avoiding a direct reply to Esmeralda's rather unfilial statement, "I have obtained a certificate of his decease and burial. I think you will need that."

"Oh, thank you," Esmeralda replied, accepting the folded doc.u.ment Robert held out to her.

But her mind was not on what she was saying. Robert's statement about the unfairness of marriage for a man of his profession obscured every other idea, even the essential subject of proving her father's death so she could obtain her inheritance. At the moment it was more important to her that Robert's stated feelings came very close to her own thoughts on the subject and added considerable weight to her guess that his forthright remarks were owing to a relative ignorance in the handling of women rather than any intention of warning her off.

Even more interesting were his comments on his family's probable att.i.tude to a sudden marriage under peculiar circ.u.mstances. He might be mistaken, but even if he were, the revelation of a dowry of over five hundred thousand pounds would, Esmeralda was cynically certain, reconcile the Earl and Countess of Moreton to any slight irregularity in the marriage or the background of the bride.

The information could not resolve the problem of how she would feel about being married to a man who did not love her, however, the implication that the Moretons were not so high in the instep that they would add disdain to her problems or even attempt to dissolve the marriage increased Esmeralda's pleasure. She responded to another remark without being aware of what she had said, until Robert opened the door and stood aside for her to pa.s.s.

Having shepherded her down, seated her, and ascertained with the utmost courtesy what she wished to eat, Robert suddenly seemed at a loss. Esmeralda smiled as another piece of evidence was added to the growing record. Plainly Robert had no small talk suitable for a woman who was not a relative.

"Is all your stock in as you expected?" she asked.

His face lighted. "Yes. They even managed to turn up about a hundred and fifty horses, and there are over five hundred mules. On the other hand, there are very few oxen."