Lords to Be Enamored With: A Historical Regency Romance Collection

by Bridget Barton

  The door opened and Lady Hastings swept into the room, her eyes gleaming. “Well? I saw Martha in the hallway. What has she to say?”

  Alicia turned to her mother. “Apparently, Lady Charlotte is ailing,” she said slowly. “A mysterious condition.”

  Lady Hastings gasped. “It is as we suspected!” She started pacing the room. “Go on.”

  Alicia sighed but told her mother what Martha had said.

  Lady Hastings stopped, staring at her. “A mysterious ailment indeed. And yet it must come and go. When we saw her out and about more than a month ago, she looked perfectly fine.”

  Alicia nodded. Her heart felt heavy. “Mama, the maid told Martha that they fear she will die young because of it.”

  Lady Hastings sighed. “A sad affair for the Lady Charlotte and her family.” She stared at her daughter sharply. “But that fact mustn’t soften your resolve, Alicia. We cannot do anything for the lady, but we can do much for ourselves with this information.”

  Alicia sat down on her dressing table chair. “Mama, how can we? It seems … heartless. And the marquis has recently been paying more attention to me.” She took a deep breath. “Perhaps he has moved on from his regard for her, since she has not been on the circuit for quite a while now. Perhaps we do not need to use this sad information to secure our goal.”

  Lady Hastings stared hard at her daughter. “Alicia, you surprise me. Yes, the marquis has been showing you more attention lately, but you told me that Lord Percy said his older brother is all but in love with her.” She walked slowly towards her, standing right in front of her. “Our plan is good, to discredit the lady in his eyes so as to harden his heart towards her and open it towards you.”

  “Your plan,” said Alicia, through gritted teeth. “I did not want to send Martha to do this dirty work.”

  Her mother blinked rapidly. “Excuse me, Alicia, but you were the one who was vexed to the extreme at the marquis’s admiration for the lady. When you came to me and told me that it was Lord Percy who had sent you the necklace and not his brother, you were so angry that you could barely speak. And you were angry with Lady Charlotte.”

  Alicia turned away, her heart thumping. It was true that she had been almost delirious with anger that day. But since then, she had calmed down, and almost accepted it. If the marquis was truly in love with Lady Charlotte Lumley, then it was hardly her fault that she couldn’t turn his head, was it? The battle was over before it had even begun. Perhaps her mother would finally admit that her unwavering ambition to make her a duchess was all for naught.

  Alicia sighed. It had almost been a relief, that she didn’t have to do it anymore. That she didn’t have to endure Lord Sebastian’s cold eyes and pressed lips and pretend that she was violently in love with him.

  But, of course, she should have realised that her mother would never accept defeat that easily. The strange thing was that since the day Lord Percy had declared his admiration of her and told her of his brother’s for Lady Charlotte, the marquis’s attitude towards her had changed inexplicably. Suddenly, he was smiling at her and inviting her for walks. He listened to her and even paid her a compliment or two. It was a mystery, but it was encouraging, and her mother had been over the moon, declaring that Lord Sebastian had finally seen the light.

  It hadn’t stopped her from devising the plan to send Martha to Acton House, though, to discover anything about Lady Charlotte she could. Information she could use against her so that Lord Sebastian’s affection for the lady would dim and hopefully die.

  “A backup plan,” her mother declared now. “We will look on it as a backup plan. Lord Sebastian is finally succumbing to your charms, Alicia. But if we perceive that Lady Charlotte is still a threat then we must spring into action.” Her eyes narrowed. “You know what you must do.”

  “Yes, Mama,” she sighed, her heart thumping uncomfortably. “I just have reservations about using such tragic information for personal gain. Lady Charlotte and I are not friends, but she is just a woman like I am. It seems so cruel.”

  “Fiddlesticks.” Her mother’s voice was sharp. “Lady Charlotte would probably do the same. What do they say? All is fair in love and war. Especially when the chance to be a duchess is at stake.” She leaned closer to her daughter. “Do not let your courage fail you now, my sweet, when the victory is so close. Do not forget that we have planned a ball, at great expense to your father, to hopefully announce a betrothal.”

  “Yes, Mama,” said Alicia, her voice soft. A ball, now, of all things. A masquerade ball, no less, because her mother never did things by halves. How was she going to speed things along so that Lord Sebastian would be so enamoured of her that he might announce a betrothal? It was only two weeks away.

  Lady Hastings stared at her daughter for another moment. “The carriage is ready, Alicia, and we do not want to keep his lordship waiting.” She swept out of the room.

  Alicia sighed, staring at herself in the looking-glass, noting the tight golden ringlets falling on either side of her face and the understated rouge on her cheeks. She was dolled up to within an inch of her life, as always, for the marquis. For a man she did not love nor even particularly like. He was handsome and rich, and he would be a duke one day. But that was the truth of it.

  She kept staring at her face, as if seeking an answer. She remembered the ardour in Lord Percy’s face as he had told her how deeply he admired her, and a slow crimson blush crept over her visage. Her heart started beating faster at the thought of him. It was real, she thought slowly. Lord Sebastian would never stare at her that way, or think about her that way, she knew. Whatever was motivating him lately to act as though he liked her, she knew it wasn’t genuine.

  Could she live without love? Could she endure a cold, heartless marriage for ambition’s sake, and to save her family?

  Alicia pressed her lips together. Could she do anything, even reveal a lady’s darkest secrets, to secure such a union?

  Chapter 19

  Percy approached the parlour, hesitating. He knew she was in there. He had seen her carriage arrive half an hour earlier from his bedroom window. Alicia had stepped down from it, a vision in the palest of pink, her golden hair obscured by a cream lace bonnet. He had willed her to look up, and see him, but she had swept into the house without pausing.

  His heart quickened. He knew she was in there, waiting for his brother. He also knew that Sebastian would be delayed for at least another twenty minutes and that if he wanted to slip into the parlour and talk to her he had time. Still he hesitated. What could it accomplish anymore?

  She had made her feelings crystal clear that day she had thrown the necklace at his feet. Sebastian seemed to be finally swallowing her bait and was accompanying her everywhere. He knew that today they were planning a shopping trip to Bond Street. His mother had declared at the breakfast table that perhaps there would be wedding bells sooner rather than later, and his brother had not denied it, only smiling tightly.

  Percy took a deep breath. Yes, it would probably accomplish nothing, but he was beyond even that rational knowledge now. He just had to be near her. He opened the door and stepped into the room.

  She was seated by the window where the sunlight streamed in, turning her hair into spun gold. The maid was bending over her, serving her tea from his mother’s second finest set. The girl straightened upon his entry, curtseying low. Alicia put down her teacup and stared at him, her blue eyes wide. Then she slowly stood up and curtseyed too.

  “Lord Percy.” Her voice was high. “I was not expecting to see you today.”

  He frowned. “I didn’t think I would be seeing you today either, Miss Drake, and yet somehow my feet have carried me here.” His eyes swept over her. “You look lovely, as always.”

  “Thank you, my lord,” she said slowly. “The marquis is delayed?”

  Percy coughed into his hand. “I am afraid so. The fencing master was late to his appointment this morning and Sebastian is running over time.” He paused. “I thought you might b
e lonely in here, sipping tea by yourself.”

  She smiled gently. “I am used to it, my lord.” She hesitated. “I am often by myself. I am an only child, after all, and have grown accustomed to it over the years. You are lucky to have a brother. I often wished for a brother or sister when I was growing up.”

  Percy gazed at her, almost dumbfounded. She didn’t seem to be angry with him anymore. In fact, she was almost wistful. He took a step forward, almost involuntarily, just so he could be a little closer to her.

  “It has been good having a sibling,” he said slowly, smiling. “My mother always said that we were partners in crime, however. There is hardly any age difference between us, and we would egg each other on in the nursery. One would distract the governess while the other planted a toad in her pocket. That sort of thing.”

  Alicia laughed suddenly. “You devils! I am sure you caused the poor woman the vapours.”

  “She did resort to the smelling salts quite a bit, I must admit, and that particular governess didn’t last long.” He paused. “But then, none of them did. I think our hijinks were too much for them.”

  “What fun,” said Alicia, trailing a finger along the edge of the table. “My nursery was a lonely place. Conjugating French verbs by myself under the eagle eye of my tutor. French was never my forte, I must admit. Nor any book learning.”

  Percy grimaced slightly. “I must admit that I was never the scholar either. Oh, I did well enough, but it was Sebastian who excelled. He is a keen reader and doesn’t suffer fools gladly.”

  “I’ve noticed,” said Alicia, a little sadly. “He is hard to please, isn’t he?”

  Percy looked at her. A small wave of emotion passed inexplicably between them.

  “Our parents had high expectations of him,” said Percy eventually. “It was hard for him being the heir. So much rests on his shoulders.”

  Alicia smiled wistfully. “We all have expectations placed on us though, don’t we? And sometimes our parents’ wishes do not always dovetail with our own.” She stared him straight in the eye. “Sometimes we must do things that we are not always comfortable with, in order to please them. To do our duty.”

  “Indeed,” said Percy, staring at her hard. “Are you referring to anything in particular?”

  She hesitated slightly. “The pressure can be intense, Lord Percy. My mother desires me to marry well, above all else, and my thoughts and feelings have little to do with it …”

  Suddenly the door opened and Sebastian stood there. He looked from one to the other, then bowed his head towards Alicia. “Miss Drake. I am sorry I was delayed. Shall we proceed to the carriage? I know you must be eager to start our shopping trip.”

  Alicia smiled brightly, turning toward him and curtseying. “Indeed I am, my lord. I am simply trembling with anticipation to accompany you to Bond Street. So much so that I fear I may faint with the excitement.” She laughed, her eyes gleaming as she gazed at him.

  Sebastian laughed too, holding out his arm. “We wouldn’t want that now, would we? I would have to carry you to the carriage.”

  Alicia took his arm, smiling archly. “Perhaps I should swoon then, my lord?”

  They walked to the door. Sebastian stared back at Percy. “See you later, old boy.”

  “Have fun,” called Percy, sourly, to their retreating figures. Alicia stared back at him for a moment, a sad look in her eyes.

  He stared at the door, his heart beating uncomfortably. If he wasn’t mistaken, Alicia had been about to tell him something. Something that was hard for her to admit, and it was about how she was being compelled to do this by her mother. Yet when Sebastian came, it had all vanished in a heartbeat.

  She had put her mask back on, thought Percy sadly. A mask she was forced to wear, and which was obviously becoming heavier by the day. A mask that was prone to slip every now and then.

  ***

  Sebastian stepped down from the carriage, waiting for Alicia. He gazed up and down the street. Hopefully they wouldn’t have to stay too long. A few shops and then he could safely escort Miss Drake home, and his duty would be done for the day.

  He turned to gaze at her. She was looking exquisite, as always. Not a hair out of place. It was true that she was a beautiful woman and he supposed that if he had to choose someone to be his life partner, she was easy enough on the eye. He would just have to learn to endure her prattling about bonnets and jewellery and God knows what else occupied her mind.

  As far as he could discern, it wasn’t much of substance, that was for sure. For the hundredth time he thought how much better suited she would be to his brother. They both enjoyed pantomimes, and even their music tastes dovetailed, both preferring lively jigs to serious concertos.

  “Shall we?” He held out his arm, smiling.

  She took it happily, leaning towards him. “Lead the way, my lord.”

  They sauntered up the street together. He could see people staring at them and he knew they made a good-looking couple. Probably every gentleman on this street would give his eye teeth to be standing by her side, as he was. Miss Alicia Drake was an official catch. But even the status of having such a desirable woman on his arm wasn’t making him happy. Not in the least.

  She gasped suddenly, breaking away and going to a shop window. “Oh,” she breathed, entreating him to look. “What a divine pair of slippers. Can we go in and have a closer look?”

  He sighed, counting to ten, then smiled at her. “Of course, my dear. I couldn’t think of anywhere I would rather be.”

  ***

  Sebastian stepped out of the establishment breathing deeply. Alicia was trying on every pair of shoes in the shop and he couldn’t endure it a moment longer. He had told her he just needed some air, and left her to it, her maid by her side. He just needed a little space.

  He ambled up the street, noticing a tiny bookstore. A wave of tenderness swept over him. He was remembering the time that Charlotte had spoken of it, at the picnic at Hyde Park. The gleam of excitement in her dark eyes as she told him of the latest works of the poet Shelley she had found there. He lingered outside the store for a moment. Should he go inside? But no. Miss Drake would be out any moment and would panic if she couldn’t find him. He stared into the sky watching some birds in flight, and for a moment yearned to be that free. That he could transform into one and fly far away from here.

  He was just turning away when the door to the store opened and he smelt a familiar perfume. His heart seized and he turned slowly.

  It was her. Charlotte. He could barely believe it. His eyes avidly took in every detail, from her dark hair tucked away beneath a pea-green muslin bonnet to her simple yet elegant gown and the long white gloves. She was here, in front of him, suddenly materialising like a fairy or a woodland elf. For a moment he could only gaze at her, all power of speech gone.

  He should be furiously angry. He should turn on his heel and walk away. But all he could do was gaze at her, drinking her in, as if she were a tonic he was sorely needing.

  She looked shocked, gazing up at him almost fearfully. But then she sank down, curtseying deeply. “My lord. What an unexpected pleasure.” She was clutching a book in her hand.

  “Lady Charlotte.” His lips felt dry. “The pleasure is all mine.”

  They kept staring at each other for another long moment. Then he couldn’t help himself. He reached out, taking her hand gently.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said, his eyes flickering over her.