by Cheryl Bolen
Rather than upsetting her, Daniel responded with a smile. “Then I shall take the opportunity at dinner with Lord Wentworth to request another visit to look around the estate. If it does come up for sale, then it might be a sound investment. I would be closer to family, but also closer to the main horse breeding markets and London.”
He hoped he wasn’t digging himself a hole. He really didn’t want to leave Deal but he would if his sister needed him. The idea that he might only have Rheda around for a few years made his stomach recoil. If so he would want to spend every minute he could with her. Daniel watched the breath Rheda had been holding come rushing out on a big smile and she hugged him tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear. Her happiness was all he cared about right now. He wanted to take away the fear lurking in her eyes and give her a Christmas to remember.
Chapter 3
Georgiana paced the stable chewing on her bottom lip.
“He’s coming here for dinner?” Billy asked.
She nodded and kept pacing.
“Baron de Winter? Do you think he’ll expose the fact you tried to steal Apollo?”
She turned to face Billy and threw her hands up. “I don’t know but I don’t like it. He has me in a corner when it was supposed to be me who held the upper hand.”
Billy sat on a hay bale. “And how exactly did you expect to get the upper hand. He could have me arrested for clonking him over the head. This is terrible.”
“He didn’t see you, Billy. And I certainly would not tell.” She began pacing again. “If he tells my father… You know my father has threatened to marry me off to Lord Mather’s son if I cause one more scandal.”
“He can’t force you into marriage. Can he?”
Georgiana didn’t want to answer that because she did not want the world to know how little her father cared for her or her mother. Her father had threatened to have her mother committed to an asylum if Georgiana did not do as he wished. Her mother was a shell of a woman. Marriage to her father had done that. He bullied her, belittled her for so long that her mother simply gave up living. Her grandfather, Lord Upton, had stood between her father and the asylum but now that he was dead…
Under her breath she said, “My father is capable of anything if it is of benefit to him.” At the moment there was no benefit to sending her mother away because it meant he would have no leverage over Georgiana. Her large trust was well protected. Her grandfather had seen to that. But on her twenty-first birthday it became hers. That is why her father still kept her around. Once that trust was active he would use her love and protectiveness of her mother to get his hands on the money.
She was running out of time. In eight months, when she turned one and twenty her world would become a waking nightmare.
The colt was supposed to be the start of her freedom. If she had Apollo, she could run with her mother and use the stud fees she could earn from Apollo to hide out until her money came through. They would have to watch the spending and live without servants for the few months, but she could do it. However, her father thwarted that plan when last month he gave her colt as repayment for a gambling debt.
“Perhaps if you explain the situation to Lord Hascombe he might help.”
That is what Daniel had said when he lead her from the stable. “That might have been possible before you knocked him out cold.” She rubbed her forehead and let the worry churning in her stomach consume her for a moment. Would Daniel be angry enough to expose her?
“How was I to know he wasn’t marching you outside to the magistrate.”
“It’s not your fault, Billy. It’s my fault for concocting such a risky plan.” No. It wasn’t her fault. It was Daniel Kerrich, Baron de Winter’s fault. Why couldn’t he have been in the house with the other guests for the evening?
For one moment she relived his kiss. He had been gentle, encouraging rather than demanding. She’d melted in his heat. Melted into the memory. For one moment forgetting all her misery and the weight of her situation pressing her down.
Just then she heard her father’s voice booming in the house. “I have to go. Father is in a foul temper and I need to ensure mother is not in his line of fire.”
“So, your plan to leave is on hold?”
She paused at the door to the stables. “It depends on how this evening goes. If Daniel keeps my secret then I need to learn why. I might be able to use him.”
“I know why he’s keeping your secret. He’s blinded by your beauty and wishes to use the truth to his own advantage.”
She smiled. “A man blinded by beauty is easy to control. If he is, then I shall use that to make a further attempt on Apollo. I can keep him busy while you steal the horse.”
Billy jumped to his feet. “No. If I steal and get caught I’ll be hung, but you, a lady of breeding. You would be let off.”
Bill was right. “Very well, I shall have to think of a way to keep Daniel busy and steal Apollo. Just be ready to go at a moments notice. I have Tessa and Jacob organized to take mother as soon as I send word. They will bring mother to our meeting place.”
She slipped through the door and made her way toward the house with Billy’s final words ringing in her ear, “Be careful.”
Georgiana was always careful.
Each morning when she woke up and her feet hit the floor of her bedchamber, she took comfort in knowing that her father’s first thought when he saw her would be, ‘what will she do today?’
She would never let him win.
Georgiana closed the door upon exiting her mother’s room and sagged against it stifling a sob by shoving her fist in her mouth. Tears were useless. They would not make her mother whole again. Her mother no longer recognized her. And this was a good day. Other days her mother screamed and ranted like a small child. Her father had done that to her with his constant belittling and abuse. Pain shafted through Georgiana like a spear. She hated the way her mother merely sat rocking in her chair by the fire day after day, as if the world beyond her room had vanished. Georgiana straightened to stand tall, her hands smoothing her gown, and vowed she would never let any man have the power her father had over her mother.
She gathered her warring emotions. She had visitors to greet. She knew she looked stunning. Tessa, her lady’s maid, had made her look like a princess from head to toe. Maybe she could divert Daniel’s attention this evening with a little flirtation. Men were so predictable. A bare shoulder here, a pushed up bosom there, and their brains disappeared. Instead they fell over themselves to please.
She made her way to the drawing room, early, as her father had ordered. He stood by the fire his back to her, a brandy balloon in his hand. He did not stir as she entered. She glided across the room and took a chair directly in the line of sight of the door. She wanted to be the first thing Daniel saw when he entered the room.
Her father finally sensed her presence and turned to face her. His eyes raked over her as if she was one of his prized horses to sell and her skin crawled.
“You will be pleasant and act as a proper young lady this evening, do I make myself clear.”
“Of course, father.”
To her satisfaction her docility angered him. “Don’t play coy with me, girl. I’m warning you. I will not be embarrassed in my own house. It is important that Lord Hascombe is made to feel welcome. I have horses that I wish him to purchase.”
Do not scoff. She knew what her father was doing. She knew everything that went on in those stables. “I’ve heard Lord Hascombe is a very good judge of horseflesh. He accepted Apollo for your rather large debt, after all.”
“And what do you mean by that my girl?” He moved to stand over her. “I hope you are not poking your nose into the workings of the stable. If I learn you have meddled in my business—well, just think of your mother.” The last words were said softly but she understood the venom beneath.
“I have no interest in your stables—not since Apollo was sold.”
Her father leaned in close. “Not one word abou
t Apollo tonight or I’ll send her away tomorrow. I’ve given you all the leeway I’ll allow. I mean it. Our future could hinge on this night.”
She wanted to say ‘don’t you mean your future.’ Her future was rosy, if she had any say in the matter.
Her father stepped back and played with his cravat. She hoped it choked him.
“Baron de Winter is attending too. So I have two possible purchasers. You will use your charms on the young man. Keep him busy while I converse with Hascombe.”
“As you wish, father.” She needed to talk with Daniel anyway. She needed to know what he was going to do. Oh, she understood men. Daniel would want something from her for not turning her into Lord Hascombe. She kept the smile on her face for her father but inside she was a melting pot of anger. Why was it, at every turn, a man held something over her? She longed for that moment when she would be free.
Georgiana needed a drink. Sherry was her drink of choice, she found brandy too potent and she would need her wits about her tonight. She was just about to rise and pour herself a drink when the guests were announced.
It was annoying to note that her heart began to beat faster in her chest, not from fear, but from the fact she was about to see Daniel again.
He was the last person to enter the room and she could not take her eyes from him. Handsome was too tame a word, for the picture of towering masculinity standing just inside the drawing room looking so self-assured it made her worried. He knew he held all the cards.
She barely managed to greet Lord and Lady Hascombe because Daniel filled her mind.
Beautiful. He was beautiful.
She shook her head. No she would not, could not, fall under his spell. Remember what men are really like—devious deceivers.
She had never been attracted to such an arresting man before. Normally she was wary of handsome. Her pulse hitched as she drank in the tall, broad shoulders and narrow hips. The candlelight made his hair look like spun gold, and as he caught her looking at him a smile crept onto his face that made her hands tremble. It was a private smile. The type of smile shared between—lovers, or was that enemies?
The last time she’d seen him, Billy had knocked him unconscious. Would he reveal that here tonight?
Then he was standing before her, bowing over her hand to press a kiss to her gloved fingers. She looked at where her hand lay in his large one. She sensed his inner strength. He could crush her fingers as easily as if they were twigs. He could also crush her by revealing the truth about Apollo.
Could he feel her trembling?
“Lady Georgiana. It is a great pleasure to meet you.”
His deep voice was soft but mocking. She slowly raised her eyes to look into his and her blood ran cold at the message displayed within. He was going to make her pay for his wound. Would he do so now? She hated the waiting. Why did he not simply get it over and done with? Perhaps she should attack rather than be on the offensive.
“You seem to have a problem with your memory. We have already met.” She lifted her head in a silent challenge as if saying ‘do your worst’. She loved the look of confusion on his face but it didn’t last long.
He stepped back ignoring the others staring at them. “You will have to excuse me, my lady. I was recently hit over the head by a would be thief and it may have affected my memory.”
“Oh, no. Did you capture the rogue?”
His smugness was diminishing. She saw his green eyes begin to darken with anger. Why did she have to poke the tiger?
“Unfortunately not. But I am making inquiries and I am very close to a result.”
She nodded. “And what will you do to the villain when you catch him?”
Her father handed Daniel a brandy. “I hope you run the rogue through,” her father uttered. “Hitting a peer should be a hanging offence.”
She blanched and saw Daniel smile.
He took a seat directly across from her. “I don’t think that will be necessary, Lord Wentworth. I shall think up a fitting punishment, for him or her, once I catch them. I can assure you.”
Lady Rheda interrupted her brother. “You did not tell us you’d met Lady Georgiana before.” Daniel’s sister looked confused and suspicious.
Georgiana answered. “Oh, it was of no consequence.” She turned back towards Daniel. “We merely met and had a conversation about horses one day not long ago. I’m hurt he does not remember.”
“In Newmarket?” Lady Rheda persisted.
“I do apologize, Lady Georgiana, that I forgot our brief encounter but the steed we were discussing held my attention. You know how that is?”
She felt her face flush hot with color at the insult and Lady Rheda gasped. “I do. I must admit I usually prefer horses to men.”
Silence.
“Georgiana, you will apologize to Baron de Winter at once.” Her father’s anger meant nothing compared to the anger she was feeling inside. She wanted to blurt out that he had not seemed so immune to her when he was kissing her under the mistletoe that day.
“There is no need for that, Lord Wentworth. I too find horses more interesting. Your daughter and I have that in common at least.” He raised his glass in her direction.
The conversation turned to other mundane things like the yearling sales prices and the state of the racing industry. Lady Rheda was very quiet so Georgiana was quiet too. It gave her time to study her opponent.
Daniel kept looking in his sister’s direction and smiling at her. His face would crease with worry lines whenever Rheda looked away.
“Is your brother staying with you long?” Georgiana finally asked.
“At least through January I hope. I know he’s anxious to get back to his horses, but I’m hoping to convince him to move north and settle closer to us.” Her ladyship looked sad as she spoke the words. It made her want to reach out and squeeze her hand. Something was not right in the Hascombe home.
“Your family home was in Kent?” She inquired.
Rheda nodded. “Tumbury Manor has been in our family for many, many years and Daniel has worked hard to make it profitable after our father all but bankrupted us.”
Georgiana threw a glance in her father’s direction. “I have experience of that.”
“I had heard the rumors. I’m sorry if that is not very delicate, but I wanted to let you know I will help you and your mother as much as I can if the worst should happen. I was once in your position and it took friends to help me and Daniel.”
“Thank you.” She could not say more because it was the first time another woman had sympathized with her and her throat closed up. She took a long sip of sherry. “I may well need your help one day.”
Dinner was announced and her father held out his arm to her.
Lord Hascombe said, “Your wife is not joining us?”
For the first time in forever her father’s face mottled red. “My wife is unwell. She rarely leaves her rooms.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” the earl replied. “Your daughter must bring you great comfort.”
“Indeed,” was all her father said, while Daniel looked at her thoughtfully as she led him into the dining room.
* * *
The dinner progressed with her father dominating the conversation trying very hard to interest both men in his horses. Georgiana bit her tongue on several occasions as her father sang lyrical about a horse she knew had been sold several months ago.
Finally when she could bear no more, Georgiana suggested to Rheda that they leave the men to their conversational port and the ladies escaped to the drawing room.
“I apologize for my father’s manners. With my mother no longer capable of joining us, he tends to forget about female inclusive conversation.”
“Has your mother been unwell for long?”
She was about to answer when Billie rushed into the room. He drew up short at seeing Lady Hascombe. “Sorry, my lady, but there is something wrong with Colton. He’s limping and showing signs of discomfort. Can you come look at him?”
She looked across at Rheda who simply said, “Go. I can amuse myself until the men return.”
Georgiana knew it was rude, but she could not bear for an animal to be in pain, so she quickly followed Billy.
Chapter 4
Daniel was bored with the conversation and wished he could return to the drawing room. He stood and moved to the window as Rufus and Lord Wentworth continued to discuss the prices achieved at this year’s yearling sales.
He was just about to turn away when he saw one of the grooms who’d helped with the carriage horses on their arrival, and Georgiana, dash from the house toward the stables.
On impulse Daniel decided to follow. “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, nature calls.”
He quickly made his way to the stables and upon entering walked down the center looking in the stalls. Near the back he found Georgiana on her knees next to a white gelding. He sensed Georgiana’s sorrow and crossed to the stall. The fact a beautiful woman was sitting in dirt and hay as if she were on a velvet settee in her drawing room, in a gown worth more than four times the gelding, explained how much she cared for the horse. She held the animal’s hoof in her lap the satin that only minutes earlier had hugged her sensuous curves was ripped and covered in mud. She didn’t notice the stench stifling the stale air. All she seemed to notice was the horse’s pain
He wanted to take her pain away. “Can I help?”
She lifted worried eyes to his face. “This is my favorite steed, Colton, and I’m worried about his front leg. It’s swollen. Do you think he has something in it? I can’t see any broken skin from a wound.” Georgiana stood to make room for Daniel as he entered the stall, and she gently put the horse’s leg down. Colton immediately shifted his weight off of it.
Daniel knew what the problem was just by looking at the joint. He moved closer and patted Colton on the nose. “Easy boy.” He slowly ran his hand down the horse’s leg until he reached the front elbow joint. Just as he suspected the joint was hot to the touch. He looked around for a groom. “You there, what’s your name?”
