If he worked hard over the next several years, he could build a place like Belmont Court. A place of his own. And fill it with a wife and children. Damn it, Victoria was the most unreasonable woman he'd ever met.
When he returned to Whitestone, he avoided his family and the questions he knew they'd ask, but Amanda was not deterred.
"How did they settle in?"
"She and Camellia hit it off with the old earl."
"I'm glad they're comfortable there. Nicole and I are going to go make sure they are all right, but I suppose we should give Tori time to bond with her grandfather."
"Probably."
"Tori certainly is a charming young woman," she said, openly gauging his reaction.
Grant shrugged. Here it comes.
"I know you agree. So why don't you like her more?"
What to say to that? That he liked her to the point of madness? That he was so furious with her right now he could hardly speak? "I want a more conventional bride."
"Conventional?" She nearly spat the word, all her politeness gone. "I really had better hopes for you, but apparently you're going to do this the hard way. Like your brother," she added. "He didn't know how to go about getting what he wanted, but at least he could see what was just before him."
Goddamn it. He was doing the best he could with the tools he had.
Something in his look made her suck in a breath and catch his arm just as he was turning from her. "Oh, Grant, you really don't know what to do with this. You've never been in love, have you?"
Never.
He wiped any expression from his face. "Love? Not in the least."
"I'm not blind. I can see what you feel for her. I hope you won't let this lie for too long."
He gave her a stiff bow and strode away. But over a late lunch, Nicole made sure that all talk was centered on Victoria. Grant was uncomfortable at first, but then his anger receded and talking about her ceased to grate on him. He found that telling them about her beat brooding over her alone. He described her clever contraptions on the island and related how brave she'd been on the ship.
After the meal, the family settled in the great room in front of the fireplace. His mother and Derek read, while Nicole sat on a blanket playing with Geoffrey. She clapped his hands and feet, and he flashed his toothless smile. Finally Derek, who'd probably been trying to act as though he weren't a fool for that boy, couldn't take it any longer and went down to play with them as well.
Grant had never seen two parents so fascinated with their child, as if they couldn't quite believe they'd created him. And they should be delighted with him. Grant didn't believe he was biased, but Geoff was just about the best baby he'd ever seen. He was inordinately proud to be his uncle. A sudden thought made him scowl. He wondered if Geoff would grow up thinking of Grant as his somber, staid uncle.
How utterly depressing.
Victoria had said he was predictable, but he couldn't help but think she'd passed over the words plodding and boring before settling on the less hurtful predictable. They all sounded bad to him.
He cast about for something else to think of. Before long, the fire drew him, the flames reminding him of the island. Of what he felt for Victoria. Was it love? He'd never anticipated that for himself, never thought to enjoy something like what his brother had.
He shook his head. Victoria had another guardian now and was no longer his responsibility. He wanted to visit with his family, play with his new nephew, but he was distracted, only half there. And everyone seemed too understanding....
His eyes were drawn to the mantel to the intricate, spiraled shell Victoria had given his mother. Victoria had labored to keep it unbroken the entire voyage. She'd told him it was exceptional among all that she and Camellia had ever found.
Victoria had little to remind her of the island, and yet she'd given a piece of it, of herself, away. She was generous. And kind. Lovely beyond his most fevered imaginings.
A log crashed in the fireplace, snapping him out of his reverie. His breaths were shallow. I can't be in here any longer. "Going out," he mumbled to no one in particular, then strode to the front hall.
He stabbed his arms into a coat and rushed out the front door--immediately colliding with his aunt Serena. She grabbed his collar, eyes wide and swollen from tears. "You've got to help me," she cried. "I need a ship!"
Twenty-five
That Sutherland boy is a fine young man," Belmont remarked to Tori and Cammy over a game of cards that afternoon. "A fine young man."
Tori's fingers clenched, nearly wadding her cards like paper. All morning, she'd tried to conceal her anger over her and Grant's argument and had been having a hard time even when Grant wasn't the subject of the conversation. She didn't glance up, but knew her grandfather and Cammy were studying her quizzically. She forced herself to say, "I understand that many people have that opinion." That mistaken opinion.
Though Grant was the finest when it came to making her miserably angry and hurt. Luckily, no one could infuriate her as he did, and now that he was out of her life...Tori frowned when her bent cards refused to be smoothed.
"Yes, yes, he has a sterling reputation," Grandfather added, ending his statement in such a way that it sounded like a question.
Tori was saved from answering when he suddenly realized he'd won. "Observe a master at work," he said when he laid out his winning hand. Tori couldn't help but smile.
Cammy chuckled, but stood when Tori proposed a new game. "You'll have to play without me. I think I'll just go for a walk, stretch my legs a bit," she said. "Besides, I can't take another terrible trouncing from him." She pointed to the earl, who responded with a wily grin. Leaning down, she pecked a kiss on his forehead. "Have mercy on her," Cammy called over her shoulder as she left.
Once they'd dealt fresh hands, her grandfather continued in a casual tone, "I had hoped that you two would hit it off a bit more." His bushy brows drew together, indicating his weak hand.
She sighed. "Oil and water--that's what we're like. Two people couldn't be more mismatched."
"That's a shame." He forced a short laugh. "I'd, well, I'd thought you two might marry. And live here at the Court."
"If he wasn't obstinate and thick-skulled and incapable of laughter or feeling, that might have been a possibility."
He scrutinized her reaction, but she wouldn't volunteer more. What to say? That she loved him beyond measure, but he didn't return the sentiment? That he wanted a marriage without love? That she'd missed out on so much that she refused to abandon the possibility of love as well?
"Then we must start thinking of someone for you to marry. I can't stand the thought of you and Camellia not being secure."
"He told me he didn't want the Court any longer."
"What?" In his surprise, he lowered his hand until she could make out every card.
"That's what he said."
"Tori, I signed an agreement with him. It's binding." He hiked up his cards and bunched his lips at her. "Let's just hope that what he says and what he does are the same."
She didn't want to think about that now. She wanted to think about how to let Grandfather win without him knowing she'd thrown the game. She wanted to think about Cammy's growing restlessness and what to do about it.
Besides, she was done with Grant. His rejection had stung. She'd fought tears this morning after she'd slammed the door in his face because she now knew it was over forever. Even if he came around and begged forgiveness, declaring his love, she wouldn't take him. They'd had something special together--she knew it down to her toes--and for him to walk away?...He no longer deserved it.
After tea, Tori left her grandfather sleeping peacefully, and walked about the manor, surveying the vacant halls and rooms. She called out, "Echo!" in the ballroom, and her voice answered. She imagined what this place had been like when her father grew up here or when her parents had stayed here for the visits her mother remembered so fondly.
She returned to the nursery Mrs. Huckabee had show
n her and again marveled at the expanse of mullioned windows overlooking the upper court, letting in prism-cut sunlight, but even with the warm sun shining in, she shivered. The room seemed to ache for the sound of children's laughter.
During her exploring, she found Cammy standing by a window and again was struck by how vibrant she looked. Her hair was thick and shiny, and her skin had a creamy tone to it. "Cammy, you look lovely."
She whirled around. "Oh! You startled me."
"I suppose it's been happening for a while, but I didn't notice until just now."
Cammy blushed, increasing the rosy hue of her skin. "Tori, don't be ridiculous," she said, but patted her hair as if wanting to believe it was even partially true.
Tori frowned. Her friend had been staring out the window. Tori found herself doing that on most days. Did Cammy do it for the same reason, because she longed?
"Cammy, why do you stare out the window?"
She answered in a light voice, "I've missed the English countryside. Why do you ask?"
Tori didn't answer. Just searched Cammy's face.