The Castle Read online

  She felt like laughing at the strangeness of it all.

  How could Lord Waterford possibly have fallen in love with her?

  Even as she asked herself this burning question, he came forward and stood with his arm round the neck of the mare, gazing down at her.

  Valeria found herself surprised at how very tall he was. Surely he could not have grown since they last met? Perhaps it was because he looked so serious.

  “Miss Montford, your father must have told you of my offer,” he muttered, gazing at her intently. “I am afraid I am not a man who finds pretty speeches too easy, but you must be aware that I fell deeply in love with you the first time we met.”

  Valeria stepped away, memory flooding back.

  “You pretended you weren’t fluent in French,” she burst out angrily. “You humiliated me.”

  He looked surprised.

  “But you speak French so beautifully. You were so much better with the boy than I would ever have been. Had I tried to talk to him, he would have clammed up.”

  Valeria said nothing. Once again in the presence of this man, she felt confused.

  Lord Waterford stroked the neck of the mare again.

  “Does the idea of marriage to me seem anathema to you?”

  Valeria knew her Mama would have told her to find some gentle phrases to give her time to consider how she should deal with this unwanted proposal.

  Completely unwanted as far as she was concerned, but a proposal nevertheless that could save her Papa.

  Instead, she found herself blurting out,

  “You can’t have fallen in love with me! Every time we meet something happens that makes me ashamed.”

  Lord Waterford looked startled.

  “What are you talking about? Why should you feel ashamed? You have the greatest spirit of any girl I have known.”

  “I fell off at that hideous hedge. I didn’t believe the French boy’s tale about his terrible life. I failed to release Marie from those awful weeds and – oh – so many things.”

  Lord Waterford removed his arm from the horse’s neck and took Valeria’s hand.

  He looked into her distressed face, his expression very gentle.

  “You ride magnificently and I saw you before your horse threw you. You dealt so well with that boy and his family. I saw you give the girl your handkerchief and the contents of your purse. And to dive into the lake to rescue little Marie was the most courageous action ever. It is no wonder that I love you.”

  Valeria gazed at him with wide eyes.

  A strange shivery feeling ran right through her.

  She pulled herself together quickly.

  This was Lord Waterford.

  She hated him.

  The shivery feeling was all part of that.

  She could not possibly marry him.

  Then once again she recalled her father’s situation. She felt like a rat caught in a trap.

  “Lord – Waterford,” she stammered. “I don’t know you and you don’t know me.”

  He gripped her hands tightly.

  “I do know all I need to know about you. But I see now that I was wrong – ”

  He dropped her hands and turned away.

  Immediately Valeria felt abandoned.

  He was going to withdraw his offer of marriage and then where would Papa be?

  “Look,” he put his hands into his pockets and gazed at his shoes.

  “I should not have come to see your father without speaking to you. I should have made sure we got to know each other better. But, after I had held you in my arms in that lake, I was on fire and as soon as I came back here, I knew I had to approach Sir Christopher.”

  Valeria looked at him speechlessly.

  Lord Waterford raised his gaze to her face.

  “Can I suggest a possible way forward? I have just inherited a castle that is only barely habitable. I have seen your beautiful home and understand that it was designed by Lady Montford, your mother.

  “Sir Christopher says that you have inherited her talent and I wonder if you would come and mastermind the restoration of my castle? If it would make you easier, it could be a business arrangement.

  “In fact,” he added with vigour, “I think that would be best. My widowed sister lives with me and could act as chaperone.”

  The mare, tired of standing still, moved restlessly and Valeria was glad to be able to take her back to its stall.

  As she was securing the gate, Barkis appeared and she handed the mare to him. She introduced him to Lord Waterford and suggested they returned to the house.

  “Papa will be wondering what has become of us,” she remarked lightly, leading the way out of the stables.

  Valeria was sure that her father had deliberately left her alone with Lord Waterford.

  She just knew that she could not agree to this marriage.

  When she looked at him, all the humiliation she had felt at their various meetings rushed back at her.

  It was no use him telling her he was madly in love with her – she could not love him.

  There had been moments during their time in the stables when she felt that, given some time, she might just be able to be friends with him.

  But to save Papa, would she be prepared to marry someone she could enjoy friendship with, if never love?

  His suggestion that she mastermind the restoration of his castle made it seem that Lord Waterford understood her need for time and was offering her the opportunity to discover whether they could be friends.

  They walked in silence for a moment, Valeria very conscious of the height and grace of the man beside her.

  Then Lord Waterford enquired,

  “I was most impressed with three of the horses we saw this evening. Do you think that Sir Christopher would be willing to sell them to me?”

  Valeria was sure that, with his need for instant cash, her Papa would be more than willing.

  “Please do ask him,” she murmured.

  “Indeed I will.”

  As they neared the house, Lord Waterford paused for a moment and then said,

  “I would certainly not expect an immediate answer to my suggestion regarding the restoration of my castle, but I hope very much that you will agree to do it – ”

  “I will let you know before the end of the evening,” replied Valeria recklessly.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  All through dinner, Sir Christopher kept their guest entertained with stories of his equine triumphs.

  Lord Waterford was most interested in horseracing and expressed his desire to increase his own stable.

  Valeria took little part in the conversation.

  She was content to listen to Papa and ponder Lord Waterford’s proposal.

  The more she thought about it, the more she felt it could be an excellent idea. Should she, after his castle had been put into order, decide that she could not face marriage with his Lordship, then certainly she would have acquired the foundation of a career.

  Helping wealthy owners to make the most of their homes was something that Valeria knew she would enjoy.

  She had helped her mother choose fabrics and wall coverings, had gone with her to dealers to find antiques and pictures. Now she was extremely confident that her taste and approach could find universal favour.

  At the end of the meal she rose to leave her Papa and Lord Waterford to their port.

  In the drawing room, Valeria sat herself in front of the fire. She was sure that her Papa and Lord Waterford would soon join her.

  To her surprise, however, the coffee grew cold and had to be replaced before the gentlemen appeared.

  Papa did not seem to think they had taken too long, but Lord Waterford came over to her and muttered,

  “Your father is a great conversationalist.”

  Valeria said nothing, but thought how someone else, Sir Peter, for an instance, would have complained that her father could have enjoyed her company at any time and it was unfair for him to keep others from her.

  Val
eria caught a strong hint of his cologne and was suddenly aware of his manliness.

  She started to pour out the coffee and as she gave Papa his cup, she took a deep breath and said,

  “Has Lord Waterford mentioned the proposition he has made me – that I should help him restore his castle?”

  Lord Waterford turned to her with a hopeful smile,

  “I refrained from mentioning it just in case it was a proposition you were unable to accept. Dare I to hope you have decided that you will come and help me?”

  “Yes. It is an honour I am happy to accept.”

  ‘There,’ she mused. ‘I have made my decision.’

  It might well be one that she would come to regret, but when she saw how pleased not only Lord Waterford was but also Papa, she knew it was the right one.

  Not long afterwards Lord Waterford took his leave, promising to make contact with Valeria in a few days with a suggested date for her arrival at The Castle.

  “I want to ensure that all will be in place for you. I need to arrange for my architect to be available and warn my sister that rooms will need to be prepared for you.”

  He looked around the delightful drawing room.

  “I am afraid that the décor and fabric of The Castle leaves much to be desired. I just hope that you will not be too unhappy staying there.”

  Valeria laughed.

  “You forget I have just spent a year at a Finishing School in Brussels. The décor there was of the most basic, as were the facilities. I am well prepared for any condition, however run down.”

  She felt reckless again.

  Against all the odds, a feeling of freedom filled her. If nothing else, this project would be much more interesting than filling her days with Social trifles.

  After Lord Waterford had departed, Papa declared,

  “I am very glad you have taken the fellow up on his offer.”

  “Papa, just because I agreed to help Lord Waterford with restoring his castle, it does not mean I am going to marry him.”

  “Of course not, my darling girl – of course not.”

  He looked at her for a long moment.

  “But I am willing to place a considerable wager that an engagement will follow before too long.”

  Valeria flushed and felt like stamping her foot.

  “Then I am so glad no one is offering odds, as you would lose. If you had told me it was Lord Waterford who had offered for me, I would have refused to dine with him tonight.”

  “Then I am glad I didn’t! But, tell me, what has the poor man done that you should take against him so?”

  “He puts me in the wrong every time we meet. He is insufferable,” Valeria then burst out, all her antagonism flooding back.

  “I am surprised that you agreed to help him with his decorations if that is the case. Lord Waterford is a first rate fellow and I couldn’t like him more. Do you know he has bought three of my best horses – and at top rates too? My finances have received a life-enhancing injection. I should be able to hang on for your engagement to be announced!”

  “Papa!” exclaimed Valeria in despair, her feeling of freedom quite gone.

  He waved his hand as if dismissing a small fly.

  “I know, I do know. And I repeat what I said this afternoon that I would never attempt to persuade you into a marriage against your wishes.

  “I think, however, my darling, that you cannot do better than to accept Lord Waterford’s offer.”

  Valeria told herself it was quite enough that she had managed to delay any decision on the subject of marriage.

  Over the following days and much to her surprise, she found herself becoming quite excited at the thought of restoring Lord Waterford’s castle.

  *

  The day for Valeria to travel to The Castle was grey with threatened rain.

  Maybe her mood was affected by the drear weather, but the nearer the train drew to her destination, the more her feelings of optimism about this project melted away.

  Questions filled her mind – questions for which she had no answers.

  Was The Castle really in such a poor state of repair as Lord Waterford had suggested?

  If it was, what had made her think she was capable of helping to restore it?

  What was his sister like?

  Would she resent Valeria’s presence?

  And what of Lord Waterford himself?

  Was he, despite his words, going to press his suit, knowing it would be difficult for her to find refuge from him in his own home?

  Had he, she suddenly wondered, only used the need of The Castle for some decoration as an excuse to lure her?

  Maybe all that was required was some new curtains or a change of wall coverings and she would have almost nothing to do but fend off his advances.

  By the time the train drew in at the station, Valeria was strongly tempted to catch another one back home.

  Only the thought of her Papa’s desperate situation made her banish that idea.

  Resolved now on seeing the adventure through, she checked her appearance in her mirror.

  “You look grand, Miss Valeria,” intoned her maid reassuringly.

  Needing her support, Valeria had insisted Mary travelled with her rather than in Second Class.

  Valeria gave Mary a weak smile and then straightened her shoulders.

  Whatever waited for her at Waterford Castle, she would not flinch from doing her best to restore it to glory.

  And she would learn how to handle its Master.

  Then, as the train ground to a halt, Valeria could see that an imposing carriage stood outside the booking hall.

  On the platform, waiting to help her down from the carriage, was Lord Waterford himself.

  “This is so kind of you, my Lord. I did not expect you to come to meet me yourself.”

  “But of course,” he smiled. “How could I not?”

  Calmly he gathered up Valeria’s luggage.

  Outside the station she had a surprise.

  He placed Mary and the luggage in the carriage and led Valeria to a smart curricle.

  “I thought that you might enjoy a drive in this more than a lumbering old coach.”

  She allowed him to help her into the two-wheeled sporting vehicle drawn by a matched pair of grey horses.

  Lord Waterford flicked the reins and they were off.

  As they bowled along country lanes, Valeria’s mind instantly went back to the ride she had taken with Sir Peter in the high French phaeton.

  Oh, how she wished that he were here with her now! Lord Waterford might have thoroughbred horses and be an excellent whip, but he lacked the panache of Sir Peter and his delightful conversation.

  “I hope you have had a pleasant journey?”

  “Indeed, the train was most comfortable, my Lord.”

  “My sister, Lady Stratfield, is most anxious to meet you. She wanted to accompany me, but I told her that she was better occupied ensuring all was ready for your arrival.”

  “How very kind,” murmured Valeria, thinking that Sir Peter would have insisted that he could not bear to share her company with anyone else

  “My sister and I hope that you will not be too bored at The Castle. Susan, that is Lady Stratfield, is anxious to arrange some sort of Social activity, but I told her to await your arrival and ascertain your wishes.”

  “I am sure I shall enjoy any event Lady Stratfield would like to organise.”

  She had a distinct suspicion that Lord Waterford’s sister would prove to be a desiccated widow who enjoyed whist more than dancing.

  “How long have you been living at The Castle?”

  “Not very long. I inherited from a great-uncle. My father died three years after I graduated from Cambridge. His estate was not big enough to prevent me following my intended career as a lawyer.”

  “Did you never realise, my Lord, that one day you would become Lord Waterford?”

  He shook his head.

  “Jack, my first cousin once removed, should have inher
ited. He contracted cholera after a visit to India and died last year. I think it was the shock of losing him that brought on my great-uncle’s fatal seizure.”

  “How dreadful!”

  He turned and gave her a quick smile.

  “It was! I had known neither well, so the shock for me was not losing them, but finding I was responsible for a large estate.

  “And that I was no longer Mr. Charles Robinson, a lawyer building up a career, but now Lord Waterford and expected to take my seat in the House of Lords.”

  Valeria laughed.

  “You sound quite put out about it. Most men would consider that fortune had smiled on them.”

  “I think you will get on well with my sister. Susan says I should enjoy everything that has come my way.”

  He set the horses up a steep little hill.

  “At the top of this hill we shall be able to see The Castle. Prepare yourself to tell me what you think.”

  Valeria admired the strength of the horses as they took the hill in fine style.

  At the top Lord Waterford stopped the curricle.

  And there, across the valley and on top of another hill, was Waterford Castle.

  Valeria had visited so-called ‘Castles’ that proved to be more like mansions from the past, but this one looked ready to repel an invading army!

  He looked at her with a quizzical gleam in his eye.

  “Well, what do you think?”

  Valeria tried to be tactful.

  “It is – quite an edifice,” she murmured.

  “Oh?”

  “I mean, it has great character and it dominates the surrounding countryside. It looks as though you should be flying a flag on that square tower and soldiers should be patrolling the battlements. Is there a drawbridge?”

  “There is and we shall drive over it.”

  “I don’t see a moat – ”

  “No. What was once a moat is now more of a ditch filled with brambles and weeds. Come, now you have seen the outside, we’ll speed up and you can inspect the inside.”

  “I shall be imagining hordes of invading Vikings or Saxons attacking those brutal walls. Did you ever visit The Castle when you were a child and play battles?”

  “No, we were not close to that side of the family. I wish I had visited. It would have been a glorious place for all sorts of games. I think I’d have pretended to be Edward the Black Prince fighting the Hundred Years War!”