Heart of Decadence (Handful of Hearts Book 5)

by Jenna Jaxon

  “They may try, but I doubt they will succeed. There is a tall tree just outside my bedroom window and I have been good at climbing ever since I was in leading strings. But Nathan,” she sobered again, “can you honestly tell me that had you been engaged to Miss Burrowes, you would not have pressed her before the wedding night?”

  Nathan sat back, his plate still untouched. He didn’t even recall it being placed before him, so the footman likely had gotten an earful of their conversation. But Celinda’s words struck very close to the bone. As he remembered that night under the cherry tree—and he remembered it very well indeed—the idea had flitted through his mind to persuade Miss Burrowes to come away with him to a nearby bower and seal their accord with the joining of their bodies. If only he had done so, much would’ve been different.

  “You should also take this into consideration, cousin.” Having gotten no response, Celinda had decided to forge on with her plea. “Whether or not Miss Burrowes and Lord Carrington anticipated their wedding night would have mattered not a jot had he lived long enough to marry her. Another week and she would’ve been his widow, and absolutely none of this would’ve mattered. She would’ve been pitied then and now rather than reviled for so long. Is the lack of that single action worth throwing away your happiness again?”

  Stunned, Nathan stared at his full plate. Celinda’s arguments were persuasive, the most convincing being the last. Had Miss Burrowes been married to Carrington, no matter how briefly, she would’ve been fussed over and prayed for, would’ve been given the status of grieving widow and no one would’ve given a second thought to what they’d done before the vows were spoken. Given all Miss Burrowes had gone through, it seemed about time she was accorded the status she should’ve been given years ago. By him if by no one else in the ton.

  A footman moved in to take away his plate, but Nathan stood up, making the man dance backward.

  “My abject apologies, Haversham, Lady George, Aunt, Uncle, Lady Letitia, Lady Celinda.” He smiled down at his dinner companion. Hopefully soon he’d be able to dance at her wedding. She deserved her happiness if she’d set him on the straight path to his own. “I find I have most urgent business to attend to that will not wait.”

  “What has happened, Ainsley?” Marcus rose and made as if to accompany him out.

  “A revelation, Haversham. Like Paul on the road to Damascus, the scales have fallen from my eyes. Wish me luck, old chap.” He bowed to the company, who all looked at him with amazement.

  “Don’t tell me it has to do with—”

  “It does.” Nathan started for the doorway.

  “But you can’t—”

  “Oh, yes, I can, and I do, and I will.” With that somewhat cryptic statement, which Marcus likely understood perfectly, he hurried from the room in search of his hat and stick. After consulting his pocket watch, he was inclined to believe he might just interrupt Mr. Burrowes’s dinner, but he cared not at all for that. He had a message to deliver and the devil himself wouldn’t be able to stop him tonight.

  * * * *

  Dinner had wound down, thank goodness, and Amelia looked forward to her mother rising to retire to the drawing room without the gentlemen. Her father and Mr. Burke had talked incessantly about fox hunting, which seemed to be a most popular sport in Derbyshire. Amelia rode tolerably well, of course, but she could not hunt, and so the topic held little interest for her. Her time at dinner had been spent listening to the sighings of her mother because Lord Ainsley had not put in an appearance since he’d escorted her home after their ride two days ago.

  She’d tried to tell her mother that they would be seeing no more of the viscount, but the woman was obsessed with the belief that he wished to renew his attentions to Amelia. Perhaps once she and Mr. Burke had signed the register, Mama would accept that she was not going to marry Lord Ainsley. From the looks of things, that would be in a little over two weeks. She’d not formally accepted Mr. Burke yet, but that would likely occur in the next day or so, in enough time for the banns to begin this Sunday. Mama had insisted that she be married after the banns and not by special license. Under no circumstances should it look like they were rushing to the altar.

  The door opened, and the butler entered. “Mr. Burrowes, there is a gentleman to see you. I tried to tell him the family was at dinner, but he was most insistent. I have put him in the front receiving room.”

  “Who the devil would call at this time of night?” Annoyance filled her father’s face, his scowl sweeping around the table as if looking to them for the answer.

  “Lord Ainsley, sir.” Meyers’s straight-faced answer left everyone’s jaws agape.

  The chair on which Amelia sat seemed to waver, or perhaps the room itself dimmed for a moment. She blinked rapidly several times then turned to her mother to find the woman clasping her hands to her chest, cheeks red, eyes two wide blue pools of joy. “Come, Amelia. Let us retire this instant with Mr. Burke. We will await your father’s report in the drawing room.”

  Amelia shot to her feet, her ears roaring so she had to grab the back of her mother’s chair to steady herself as she left the room. What did this mean? Why had Lord Ainsley come? There was truly only one explanation, though she refused to believe it. Not until she heard the words from his lordship himself. Speeding behind her mother down the corridor toward the back of the townhouse, Amelia prayed as she had not for many years. Not since Lord Ainsley had gone away so long ago.

  She and her mother entered the room, in silence still, and her mother dropped into her favorite high-backed chair. “Ring for tea, please, Amelia.”

  In the process of going back to the bell pull beside the doorway, Amelia was brought up short when Mr. Burke arrived. They came face to face, his grim visage thinly veiling his outrage. Apparently, he also thought he understood what Lord Ainsley’s presence at this time of night meant. Lord, but the evening had turned into quite an explosive affair.

  After giving the bell a sharp pull, Amelia skittered away from him, seating herself on the chaise next to her mother’s chair, imploring the Almighty to direct Mr. Burke to the chair opposite them and not beside her. Either God had heard her or her face had warned the gentleman to stay away, for he paced instead, muttering to himself.

  “Beastly inconsiderate of the man to interrupt a family dinner at this hour of the night. Gentlemen with a title believe themselves free to do whatever they please, without thinking of the inconvenience to anyone else. Ought to speak a word to him about common decency.” As his agitation increased, so his strides became faster, more erratic, until Amelia’s head spun with the whirlwind motion.

  She dropped her head into her hands to steady herself. The door creaked open. Thank goodness. Nothing would soothe her better at this moment than a cup of hot tea. Raising her head, she stared into Lord Ainsley’s gray-eyed gaze, trained directly on her. Amelia gave a squeak and sat up straight on the chaise, transfixed as a mouse caught in the steely stare of a hungry cat.

  “Good evening, Mrs. Burrowes, Mr. Burke.” Lord Ainsley nodded to the others but came forward and bowed to her. “Miss Burrowes. I know it is late, but I came to speak to your father.”

  Chapter 6

  The next afternoon, Amelia waited at the window in the downstairs reception room for Lord Ainsley, even more nervous this time, if that were possible. Last night’s startling meeting, followed by loud protestations from Mr. Burke, had once more rendered her sleepless, so that the Pears had been used liberally this morning as she washed and dressed.

  Indeed, the whole affair had the quality of a dream. Less than a week ago, she hadn’t thought of Lord Ainsley in at least eight or nine years. Now he was coming to formally pay court to her. The fact that he’d insisted on driving her in Hyde Park, during the fashionable hour this time, led her to believe that his intentions were completely serious. No one would run that gauntlet and risk censure by the ton unless they meant to make an offer for her.

  The thought made her shiver, though the day was warm. She rem
embered in great detail her feelings for Lord Ainsley when they first met. Feelings that had been strictly suppressed after his defection and her subsequent courtship and betrothal to Jonathan. They were still there, simmering deep within her. Could she allow them to rise to the surface once more? And if she could not, and he asked her to marry him, did she really have any more of a choice than with Mr. Burke?

  Of course, she would much prefer to marry Lord Ainsley. A kinder, more handsome or intelligent gentleman could not be found in the ton, by her estimation. Memories of their dances together, his charming laugh, his gallantry during those few brief weeks an age ago swirled up, making her heart beat faster. Oh, dear. She sent a surreptitious glance toward the gentleman at her side and sighed quietly. Her feelings for him were apparently buried less deep than she’d suspected. Well, then, perhaps his regard for her had resurfaced as well. It would be truly wonderful if he offered for her from affection rather than monetary gain. Although… A sudden remembrance from last night drew her up short. Did he have another reason entirely? The phrase he’d used about speaking to her father echoed his last words to her under the cherry tree. Might his sense of honor and duty be playing into his courtship rather than regard?

  The black and yellow curricle pulled up to the curb in front of the townhouse and Lord Ainsley hopped down, a huge smile on his face. Turning away from the window, Amelia took a firm grip on her reticule. With her own heart in turmoil over the viscount, she needed to ascertain not only what she felt for him, but what he might feel for her. Was he calling out of a misplaced sense of duty or did he still harbor a true affection for her? This carriage ride could be the most momentous one of her life.

  The door to the foyer opened and there was a murmur of voices.

  Amelia straightened her shoulders, so her new rose gown and matching spencer fell gracefully to the floor. She smiled her brightest just as Lord Ainsley was announced. “Good afternoon, my lord.”

  “Good afternoon, Miss Burrowes. You are looking extremely well, despite last night’s excitements. You must thrive on such challenges.” His return smile was charming, but the gleam in his eyes set her heart to racing.

  “There seem to be so many of them, now I am back in London. One can do nothing but attempt to rise to the occasion.” Babbling on, she attempted to counteract his overpowering presence. How had she not remembered that the man was so very tall? He practically loomed over her. She gazed up into the bright gray eyes and smiled, though her lips trembled.

  “Shall we go?” He offered his arm. “I promise not to bite.”

  Drat. She must keep her countenance better schooled. “Thank you, my lord.” She took the proffered arm, his warmth immediately stealing through her. “I will hold you to that.”

  He chuckled, and she smiled to herself. They had bantered thus when they first met. One of the qualities that had drawn her to him in the first place. She could not abide a dullard, and Ainsley had been sharp as an assassin’s blade. He settled her securely in the curricle and she grasped the side again, although now she knew what to expect, she’d likely not be as frightened. Of the ride itself, at least.

  “The weather is cooperating with my plans. That’s a good sign.” He started the team. “Perhaps the gods are smiling down on our venture.”

  “What venture, my lord?”

  “Your reintroduction to Society, my dear.”

  Amelia’s mouth dried and her hands shook until she had to squeeze them together to stop them. It hadn’t truly dawned on her until now that this would not be the quiet easing back into Society she would’ve had on the arm of Mr. Burke. Oh, no. Lord Ainsley apparently intended a full cavalry charge straight into the jaws of the ton. After years of living with her head down, he was pulling her face up to the sun. She didn’t know whether to thank or curse him.

  “Do not be alarmed.” He patted her clenched fists, and somehow his touch did indeed calm her. “We will take it in slow stages. Today you will be introduced to an old acquaintance of yours, Lord Haversham, and both his sister and mine. The more people who are seen accepting an introduction to you, the better. Ah, and here they are, right on time.”

  They’d turned into the park, the horses trotting sedately, and come up beside an elegant red and black barouche, occupied by two women and one gentleman. The gentleman and the fair lady shared a strong resemblance. The dark lady, in an exquisite blue gown, who stared quite unabashedly at her, had Lord Ainsley’s features in a feminine face.

  “Well met, Haversham. Ladies.” Her escort bowed as best he could while sitting. “I see you’re taking advantage of the splendid sunshine this afternoon.”

  “As ordered by you, dear brother.” The dark lady’s mouth puckered, perhaps in amusement. Perhaps not.

  “It’s good for you no matter why you’re out in it, Kate.” Lord Ainsley sent his sister a scathing look and the lady laughed outright. “You see how I’m treated, Haversham? Have a care your sister is not so insubordinate.” He nodded at the blond lady, whose pale cheeks colored a becoming dark pink. “Ladies, I would like to make known to you Miss Burrowes. She’s an old acquaintance of mine, and we have been renewing that connection. Miss Burrowes, allow me to present my sister, Miss Katherine Locke,” he gestured to the dark-haired lady, “Lady Letitia Stowe, and you may remember her brother, Lord Haversham.”

  They all nodded pleasantly from their carriage, and Amelia sighed quietly to have that first introduction over.

  “Will you be at Mrs. Doyle’s card party this evening, Miss Burrowes?” Miss Locke asked politely. “I adore playing cards, especially with my brother. I fare so much better wagering at the gaming tables than I do on horseraces.”

  “Humph.” Lord Haversham cleared his throat and shot a speaking glance at Lord Ainsley that Miss Locke appeared not to see. What little contretemps was going on there?

  Amelia glanced at Lord Ainsley with a raised brow. “I don’t believe I have—”

  “Yes, Kate, we will be in attendance.” He smiled down at Amelia. “I hadn’t had a chance to tell you, Miss Burrowes, but I’ve secured invitations for both of us and your parents to Mrs. Doyle’s tonight. If you have no other engagement, may I escort you there? I would very much like to sit down with you over a hand of cards.” In a lowered voice, he whispered, “It will be fine. Another very simple way for you to ease back into Society.”

  Such a whirlwind of activity after so long keeping to her home. Amelia nodded, although she scarcely deemed herself prepared for such an outing. Of course, she played cards, and played well, but only against her parents and lately her sisters. Out in public, wagering on the outcome, was something completely different.

  Screw your courage to the sticking place, Amelia. “Yes, of course, that would be lovely.”

  “Perhaps you will join my cousin, Lady Celinda Graham, Lady Letitia, and me for a game as well, Miss Burrowes,” Miss Locke spoke up, sending a saucy look toward Lord Haversham. “We ladies can hold our own at a card table as well as the gentlemen, don’t you agree, Lord Haversham? Unless, of course, Lady Letitia is forbidden to play cards as well as waltz?”

  “No, she is not forbidden the tables, Miss Locke, although her losses are her own to pay.” He looked fondly at his sister, who was blushing at all the attention. “But Letitia does not play to excess. Do you, my dear? Moderation is her aim in all things.”

  “We will see about that,” Miss Locke muttered just loud enough for Amelia to hear her.

  She glanced up at Lord Ainsley, who simply shook his head. “We will see you this evening, then.”

  “So nice to make your acquaintance.” Amelia nodded to the occupants of the barouche as Lord Ainsley started his team again.

  “There is one hurdle passed.” He touched the ribbons and the horses picked up their pace. “Now we shall drive around the park to be seen together. That will elicit talk, but do not worry. There will be more tonight. We must expect it. But Mrs. Doyle is a woman above reproach so if she allows you entry to her card party, that wil
l speak for your character.”

  “Why go to all this trouble, my lord?” The question popped out before she could stop it.

  “Because I intend to marry you, Miss Burrowes, and I cannot stand idly by while my wife is given the cut direct when we come to Town.” Again that matter-of-fact tone that spoke of a man who usually got his way.

  Amelia’s mouth dropped open and her heart leaped in her chest. He intended to marry her. Why would the words shock her so when she’d presumed as much already? Yet shock her they did. Her whole body buzzed frantically at the thought. So much so she didn’t realize they were slowing again until they’d all but stopped.

  “Well, well, the very gentleman I’d expected to find in the park this afternoon.” Lord Ainsley pointed to a man on horseback halted beside a luxurious carriage with a crest on it. He seemed deep in conversation with the occupants.

  “Is that…?” Things were about to get rather ugly. Again.

  “Mr. Burke. Yes.” Lord Ainsley smiled and Amelia cringed. “Let the games begin.”

  * * * *

  While Nathan had not wished to find Mr. Burke in the park, he had indeed expected him to be there. After the scene at the Burrowes’s townhouse, the man would undoubtedly try to make trouble for them by any means possible.

  Even before he’d at last spoken to Mr. Burrowes, briefly explaining his absence ten years before, and asking for formal permission to court his daughter, he’d suspected Mr. Burke would not bow out gracefully. But when Mr. Burrowes’s surprise at his request had given way to immediate agreement, followed by a statement of the settlement he was prepared to make for his daughter’s dowry, Nathan had known for certain Burke would cause problems. One could not expect a man to lose five thousand pounds and not put up a fight for it. And indeed, Burke had done that, trying to browbeat Mr. Burrowes into saying the settlements had already been reached and that Miss Burrowes had already accepted him.

  Fortunately, Burrowes was made of sterner stuff. Quite likely the prospect of a daughter becoming the wife of a peer with a title had made him stand his ground and tell Burke that no such contract existed, and that his daughter had not agreed to marry him. Issuing dire threats about the truth he’d be putting about to the ton, Burke had left with the aid of two footmen.