Catherine Archer - Lady Thorn

Mary watched him with round eyes. “You relate it all so modestly Mr. McBride. Surely you are quite brilliant to have come up with such a design. How proud you must be.”

Jed could not restrain a satisfied nod as he thought of the ships. “Those ships are beauties, all right. Peter and I own the first two of that model, the Summerwind and her sister, the Winterwind. ” Building those ships, having Sebastian and his family accept him, those things had changed Jed’s life. Yet he’d never quite gotten over feeling as if he were an interloper, no matter how they behaved differently.

And the Cooks had come to accept him on his terms, understanding that he could not allow himself to come too close to anyone. That would all change now that he had a son. His child would be the recipient of the love he had kept locked inside himself.

He looked up then, with a self-conscious expression, feeling as if he had already given away too much. “Enough about me, Miss Fulton. Why don’t you tell me something about yourself?” He smiled at her with as much charm as he could summon up.

He was surprised to hear her laugh. “Why, Mr. McBride, are you trying to change the subject?”

This time he could not restrain a genuine grin. “Yes, Miss Fulton, I am.”

Her eyes sparkled as she replied. “Then I shall allow you to do so.”

His gaze went to Victoria, who had said nothing throughout the exchange, simply listening with avid interest. When their gazes met, she flushed and turned her attention to her meal. As he looked at her, he realized that though he found Mary Fulton quite attractive, with her delicate features and direct gaze, she seemed somehow to fade next to the regal beauty of Victoria Thorn. This realization did not please Jed in the least.

He had no desire to find Victoria Thorn exceptional in any way. It was sheer madness on his part to do so. She represented everything he disdained, extreme wealth and social position, not to mention her titled status.

Yet he cast a surreptitious glance from her to Mary Fulton and back. Did the fact that this refreshing woman was Victoria’s friend say something about her? Something that gave lie to his beliefs?

This very morning, she had told him that not all aristocrats were the same. That they were both good and bad, like anyone else.

Jed gave himself a mental shake as he turned his attention to the roast pheasant on his plate. What Victoria said might have some validity where she was concerned, but he did not think for a moment that she was being truly honest with herself as far as her peers were concerned. The power and privilege of their circumstances held them above reproach.

And God help those who had not been born to that same lofty state. Or those who had been cast out for some perceived offense against the rules of society. Cast out and forgotten, no matter how young and foolish they might have been.

As his mother had been by her own family when she had fallen in love with and married his father.

Victoria was apprised of Mr. Randsome’s arrival later that afternoon. She thanked the maid who came to inform her and sent her to fetch Jedidiah.

She hadn’t seen him since luncheon, when he had chatted so amiably with Mary. Jedidiah had been far less cryptic and jealous of his privacy than he appeared to be with her. Victoria was sure she would never have learned so much about him if Mary had not arrived for luncheon. He’d even come to the door with them when the vicar’s daughter left.

What she did not know was why this bothered her so much. Apparently without even trying, Jedidiah McBride was driving her to distraction. One moment he could be intractable and stubborn. The next he could be charming and attentive, as he had proved himself to be with Mary over the midday meal.

Victoria did not know when she had last heard her friend laugh so much, which of course was very welcome, considering the strain she was under, caring for her father. The reverend was not expected to recover from the consumption that had ravaged his once robust frame, and Mary worked tirelessly to keep him comfortable.

Why, then, did Victoria not feel more cheery?

Squaring her slender shoulders in preparation for the coming meeting with Jedidiah McBride, Victoria went directly to the green drawing room, where the tailor and an employee were waiting.

Mr. Randsome’s assistant had already taken the opportunity to lay out several lengths of fine fabric. They ranged in color from a subdued buff to a deep, vibrant blue. Victoria eyed the royal blue with a frown. For their purpose, she felt, it would be best that Jedidiah dress as conservatively as possible. They had no wish to draw too much attention to the sea captain. She very much hoped the stubborn man would not be bent on having the blue.

The very man she was thinking so uncharitably of made his appearance only a few moments later. Every time she saw him, Victoria was struck by his sheer masculine presence. He walked into every room as if he belonged there and was ready to take control of any situation. As before, Victoria found herself thinking how well his captain’s garb suited him. The snug-fitting black breeches hugged his lean hips, and the loosely cut black coat, with its gold buttons, gave him the freedom to move with that untamed grace that was so much a part of him.

As Jedidiah strode toward them, Victoria watched the tailor to gauge his reaction to the sea captain. If Mr. Rapdsome thought there was anything amiss with Jedidiah’s appearance, he made no comment. The only evidence of his curiosity was one raised brow as he seemed to size up the younger man.

When Jedidiah stopped before them, looking at the many bolts of fabric with a decided frown, she said hurriedly, “Mr…. Cousin Jedidiah, this is Mr. Randsome. As I told you, he was my own father’s tailor. I am sure he can be of assistance to you.”

She turned to the tailor with a smile. “Mr. McBride is my cousin from America.”

“America?” The older man looked to Jedidiah in obvious surprise.

“Yes.” She nodded emphatically. “It is a well-known fact that my Great-uncle Lionel went to America in search of adventure.” She turned to Jedidiah with a forced smile. “My cousin has journeyed all this way to find his family. I hope he is not too disappointed at discovering that I am the only remaining Thorn.”

Jedidiah answered quickly, his gaze catching hers with an expression she could not name. “Not at all, Cousin… ‘Victoria.” Her name on his lips had a strangely intimate sound that she had not expected and left her feeling somewhat vulnerable.

She dragged her eyes from his and looked to the tailor once more. “My… cousin will need some new things. You see, we are going up to London for what remains of the season. I am most anxious to introduce him to society.”

Jedidiah made a soft noise that sounded like a choking cough, and Victoria had the distinct impression that he was laughing at her. And for some unexplainable reason she felt like joining him, though the feeling stemmed more from nervousness than from actual amusement. She could hardly believe herself, standing here lying as if she’d been born to it.

But it must be done. She’d known that from the beginning.

“I see.” Mr. Randsome nodded quickly, though he continued to watch Jedidiah with poorly concealed interest. “I’m sure I can help you with whatever you might require.” He gestured around them as he focused his attention on Victoria. “Your message said to bring some samples of cloth that would be suitable for a gentleman’s garments. I hope these meet with your approval.” He turned to Jedidiah and bowed politely, making a better show of containing his curiosity. “And yours, sir.”