Her heart pounded almost out of control. Marriage to Colin would be…impossible. Father’s face frowned upon her and she stopped the fantasy. She perched on the edge of a chair.
“I cannot speak for Lord Clifton, ma’am.”
“So you have no intentions of claiming a child with him?”
Lifting a brow at the forward question, Najja answered, her own voice cold. “I am here for Lord Adrys and his family. I would never do anything to shame them. If there is nothing else, I have things to do.”
“I have no need for you any longer, I have what I came for.”
Najja stood and bobbed before walking to the door.
“One more thing.” The Dowager’s voice rang sharp and clear.
Gritting her teeth, Najja smoothed out her expression then rotated back. “Ma’am?”
“Did you know my son was in love once?”
Francesca. Countess Valewood. She knew. “No, I did not know.”
The guest picked up her cup and closed her eyes briefly as she inhaled. “I wonder. He never once had the gentleness in his eyes with her as he did when he spoke your name.”
Najja ignored the flutter in her belly. “Perhaps you should speak with your son on these matters, ma’am.”
“How long has it been since you have seen him?”
With a sigh, Najja returned to the vacant seat across from Colin’s mother. Seated, she loosely clasped her hands upon her knees. “I saw Lord Clifton two days ago. Miss Adrys was at the lake and he rode by. He stopped to talk with her for a short bit.”
“Just to her?”
Najja shook her head. “No ma’am. Countess Valewood stopped by as well.”
“I see.” She sipped more tea. “Do you not find this interesting? My son, an earl, ignores women who are good matches for him and tells me he would marry you.”
Ignoring the shaft of pain that lanced through her heart, she weighed her response. “I am but a companion, ma’am. I could not deign to assume what your son meant.” The woman didn’t speak, merely stared at her, seeming to see even more than Najja wished discovered. “If that is all, ma’am?”
“Yes, yes.”
Najja stood and gave another bob before exiting the room to find Jo waiting. The moment she spotted her, Jo hurried to her side.
“What happened? Is everything okay?” Jo asked. “Who wanted to see you?”
“Colin’s mother.”
Jo’s eyes widened before she slid an arm through hers. “She wanted to meet the woman her son loves.”
Those words were continually more difficult to ignore each time she heard them. Did he love her?
“I am not a woman for him, Jo.”
Her friend squeezed her arm. “Of course not. You are
the
woman for him.”
Najja smiled, disguising the pain in her heart the best she could. “You believe in love.”
“Of course I do. Now come on, I want to play chess.”
“She does not act like a companion.”
Both women froze at the sound of Countess Clifton’s voice. They turned and faced her. Her cane, gripped in one hand, tapped as she moved closer. There was no similarity to Colin in this woman. She never would have figured her to be his mother.
“She is my friend.” Jo’s tone fell crisp and absolute.
“Her words have no bearing on me, Jo. Let her say what she will.” Najja spoke low and in her native language.
“No, Najja. You are a part of our family and I refuse to allow
anyone
to speak ill of you,” Jo replied in English. “Was there something you needed, madam?”
The countess continued to approach and Najja instinctively adjusted her stance to best protect Jo. The pale face was drawn tight and thin brows converged expressing her displeasure.
“I know not what my son sees in you.”
Najja kept her mouth shut and her expression blank. Just once, she would love to be able to speak up for herself. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a luxury she had.
Jo, on the other hand, had no such problem. “Najja is an amazing person who always puts others ahead--”
“Jo, do not do this. You need to keep clear of all impropriety.”
Her blue eyes flashed with anger. “Hang that. I will not let anyone slander you, especially when there is no basis for it.” Jo snapped her fingers and a footman appeared. “Countess Clifton is leaving, see her carriage is brought around.”
Heels snapped together and the man hurried off to do as bade. Jo sent a pointed glare to their guest. “You may wait in the receiving room and someone will get you when your carriage is here. Come, Najja.”
A bit shocked by this assertive side of Jo, Najja went without a word. They moved out the countess’ view and halted.
“I am sorry you had to deal with that, Najja.” Jo spoke with soft urgency.
“Words I have heard many times before and ones I am sure to hear again.”
Jo’s eyes darkened with fury. “People are stupid. You are a wonderful person and Colin would be lucky to have you.”
Grateful no one was near, she shook her head. “There is nothing between Colin and me, Jo. He is an earl and far from the reaches of someone such as I.”
The sly grin on Jo’s face surprised her and she narrowed her own eyes suspiciously in return.
“Good luck convincing him.” She spun on her heels and walked off, a jaunty whistle on her lips.
She shook her head at both Jo’s comment and the whistling. Glancing out one of the tall windows, Najja noticed the sun beginning to set. After allowing herself on more tempting thought about Colin, she made her way to the front door. Cloak on she headed outside. The air had an ominous bite to it, sending all her senses on high alert. Out of habit, she checked the sky for Indrani before starting her walk.
Darkness had almost completely cloaked the countryside when she made her way back up the steps. The door opened spilling welcoming light around her. The butler stood there.
“They are holding dinner for you, miss.”
“Thank you.” She hurried past him after he removed her cloak and made her way to the table. “Forgive my tardiness.”
“Stop apologizing, Najja, come sit and eat,” Hayworth ordered.
The meal was wonderful and the Adrys family kept the talk lively and yet Najja couldn’t shake the feeling of foreboding. She accompanied them to the library and read one of Adrys’ botany books. They were beautifully done and while not many knew, Honoria was the one who did all the drawings.
Each flower down to the last intricate detail she drew. Najja continually raised her gaze to observe the trio who meant the world to her.
I will miss them.
The only other person she recalled with any fondness was Master Kiyoshi. She would miss them all when she left.
After the house succumbed to silence, Najja continued to wander the halls. She even slipped into the secret passageway and reassured herself it remained secure. Sleep, deep sleep, eluded her and she spent a good portion in Jo’s room, watching over her.
By the end of the week, she had almost completely withdrawn into herself. Luckily, Jo and her mother were talking about dresses for Jo’s upcoming Season, so that combined with Lord Adrys working on another book, wasn’t a huge deal.
Colin brushed Salvage, hoping for some solace from the recent thoughts that plagued him. His gelding didn’t seem bothered by his dilemma at all.
“What would you do, Salvage?” The chestnut whickered and tossed his head, eliciting a laugh from Colin. “Of course you would.”
Tonight was the night before the New Year, the village was having a celebration and he paused in the brushing as he thought about Najja.
I wonder if she will be there.
There would be fireworks; he provided them. But he only wanted to be around Najja. No matter the entertainment,
she
was who he wanted.
“What the blazes are you doing out here, Colin? You do know you have a perfectly good house which is warm. Not to mention, men in your employ who are paid to groom your flea-bitten nag.”
Colin snorted. “Salvage is the best out of the lot of us, Tryst.”
“Sad truth that.”
The men shared a handshake and Colin continued the mindless action while Tryst stood at Salvage’s head.
“What brings you to Falcon House?” Colin queried.
“London was boring.”
Colin stopped and glanced up at his friend, his best friend, with suspicion. Eyes narrowing in warning he said, “She is not a plaything, Tryst.”
An arrogant smirk turned up his lips as Trystan shrugged without shame. “You are jumping to conclusions.”
“I doubt it.” He flung the stiff bristled brush at his friend. Salvage snorted and tossed his head in displeasure as it careened by his ear. Trystan snatched it out of the air with ease and gave him a pointed look. “I mean it, Tryst. You hurt her and I will help Najja tear you into tiny pieces.”
An exaggerated sigh left him. “Fine. I will leave her alone until she comes to me.”
Colin wasn’t moved. “I do not care who goes to whom, you treat her like a conquest and I will break you.”
Trystan held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, I get it. Jo is off limits.”
“Completely.”
“You used to be more fun, you do know that, right?”
“We are not boys at Eton anymore, Tryst. I know you are a rake and proud of it. I do not care so long as you understand Jo is the sister I never had.”
“I heard your warning, Colin.”
“Good, now come in and warm up.”
“About damn time,” Trystan groused.
They left the stable and trudged through the snowy cold to the house. “Mother’s here,” Colin informed him seconds before they stepped through. The resulting expression on Trystan’s face made him laugh.
His mother grilled Trystan over the meal or else there was little to no talking. Colin didn’t mind in the least. As the dinner progressed, he found himself comparing the meal here to the one with the Adrys family. He much preferred the relaxed and fun ambiance there. Colin thought about Pug and how it would be nice to eat with him and hear about his day. Like a father would. How Lord Adrys did with Jo.
“They are having fireworks in the village, Mother. Would you like to join us?”
Her gaze was sharp for a moment before it softened. “Are they good?”
“Yes, Mother. I have a big shipment of them every year for my tenants.”
The look on her face made him wonder if she would refuse. Then she gave a small smile. “I suppose.”
He shared a grin with Trystan before waving a footman forward. “See to it Mr. Pug dresses warm, we will be going to the village for the party,” he ordered when the man dipped close to hear.
Leaning back, he thought about Berry and how he was faring. He’d gone to London before Christmas to help out more with the home for the wounded sailors and soldiers.
I will send him a post tomorrow.
Moments later Pug ran into the room, feet pounding across the floor and a sparkle in his eyes.
“Are we really going to see fireworks?” he asked, nigh out of breath.
Colin smiled at the lad. “Absolutely. Countess Clifton and Mr. Wilkes will accompany us.”
He flicked his gaze over the other two briefly. Pug tugged on his shirt and rolled his lower lip in his teeth. “Do you think Jo will be there?”
I am betting on it.
“I believe so.”
The resulting smile from Pug bespoke the beginnings of a rake. “Wonderful.” He left the room with the same enthusiasm he’d entered.
“He runs wild,” his mother commented.
Colin glanced at her in time to watch her daintily wipe her mouth with the linen and push her plate away. “Luckily, he does so in
my
house,” he replied with clear warning.
Her nostrils flared but her mouth remained blissfully closed.
His home turned into a bustle of chaos as everyone got ready. The ride in the coach was filled with Pug’s excited chatter. As it had been for the Autumn Festival, the village was packed and busy. Countess Clifton held his arm after she alighted from the conveyance. He couldn’t explain his relief when Trystan stepped up.
“May I escort you around, my lady?” She stared suspiciously at Trystan. “I am sure your son has tenants to see before the show starts. We could get a front row seat and perhaps something hot to drink.”
“Perfect,” she agreed.
Colin sent an appreciative glance to Trystan before his friend and his mother disappeared leaving him alone to seek out his heart’s desire. It took him a while but eventually he spied her, pacing behind Jo and Honoria Adrys. His heart seemed to trip over itself before once again settling into rhythm.
Najja wore black and even from a distance he could see some strain on her face. Not much but a bit. As he observed his mother, Trystan and Pug approached and talked. Trystan spoke briefly to Najja otherwise she remained silent.
He smiled when Trystan convinced Lady Adrys to accompany them as well. Pug took a bit more persuading before he left Jo’s side. Finally the women were alone. Swinging wide, he kept them in sight as he closed the gap. Jo spied him first and waved. Najja didn’t seem all that surprised to see him.