The Earl of Arundel (Earls of England Book 1)

by Angela Johnson

  “Where is he?” Olivia yelled as she entered the house.

  “I don’t know, my lady,” Hodgens responded. Phillip knew Hodgens was aware of his current position because he had brought a tea tray minutes before. Phillip appreciated the lie on his behalf.

  “Arundel!” she yelled as she walked through the house, throwing doors open in her latest tantrum.

  He waited. Perhaps she wouldn’t find him. He hoped she would give up and head to her room and leave the fight for another time. His hopes were dashed when she threw the door to the library open and picked the first book she found off the shelf and threw it in his direction.

  “How dare you embarrass me in front of all of society!”

  He was too exhausted to engage in the fight, but he couldn’t stop himself from responding, “You spend your time with Lord Folly, and you expect me to watch you flirt and throw yourself at him?”

  “This won’t continue, Arundel. I won’t allow you to be seen in society with the trollop.”

  He wouldn’t stay silent any longer. Her accusations against Emma were unfounded and vicious. He wouldn’t allow Olivia to destroy the woman he was in love with, even if he wasn’t able to marry her.

  “You will stop speaking of Emma in this way.”

  He dodged another book as she yelled, “I loathe you.”

  “I’m not fond of you either.”

  He watched as she tore through his father’s library, throwing ink bottles, pen knives, pens, and books. She wasn’t aiming for him in particular. Her main desire was to destroy the room.

  “Olivia, you will stop this behavior,” Norland announced as he walked in the room.

  “Father, I won’t have him parading around with other women now that we are engaged. He may have mistresses, but he shouldn’t be allowed to be seen with them in public.”

  “Emma is not a mistress, nor will she ever be one,” he yelled at her, “and you are still parading around with Lord Folly. Everyone in society is talking about you and Folly and what you have done.”

  “Don’t speak to me!” Olivia yelled at him. “Don’t defend the hussy.”

  “You have no right to speak of her in this way,” he yelled, knowing he would regret losing his temper with her. But in the moment he didn’t care. “You will refrain from your lewd comments.”

  He noticed his parents standing in the doorway and wondered how his father would respond. He’d been surprised by the lack of temper Ashby had displayed during her previous tantrums. He wondered if this was now the time his resolve would break.

  “Phillip,” his mother said with concern, “your father and I will speak with you in the morning.” Turning to Olivia she coldly stated, “You will start behaving like a lady in our home.”

  Olivia’s mother grabbed her arm and dragged her from the library. He watched her go and didn’t expect his mother’s final comment.

  “You should at least try, Phillip. She is as stuck in the contract as you are.”

  He didn’t look at his parents as he left the room. He tried to sleep, but he couldn’t stop his mind from racing. He tried to read, but he couldn’t concentrate on the words. He had a difficult time sleeping, so he stared at the celling all night.

  “What were you thinking when you left the party last night? You could have been killed. You could have been abducted.” Both his parents were furious with him. He knew he deserved the censure, but he had a small amount of satisfaction with his decision to rebel if for one night.

  “I’m sorry I caused you to worry.”

  “Promise you won’t go out alone?” his mother asked. He realized he couldn’t hold back on the promise as he saw the worry lines near her eyes. He loved his mother and would do anything she asked.

  A silence fell over the room after he made the promise. He hoped they were finished until his father spoke.

  “Do you think I loved your mother when we married?”

  Phillip looked over at his mother. Her face was stone as her husband spoke.

  “I assumed you have been happy together.”

  “You are correct. We have been happy. When your mother and I married I had a girl I wanted to be with, just as you do. Mari was a maid at Wentworth Hall. My father spoke to me about duty and honor. He told me that taking a woman of a different social standing and putting her in our world would destroy her, so I married your mother. Mari stayed at Wentworth Hall for a few years after our marriage, and then my father sent her away.”

  “Son,” his mother said, cutting her husband off before he could continue. “Women of my social standing have to accept they will be in a loveless marriage. Chances at happiness aren’t available due to the connections you have to make. It is the same for men.”

  “Then why put on a show of débutantes coming out in society? Why do people go to the expense of a London season if marriage isn’t to be of one’s choosing?” he asked in defense.

  “Arundel,” his father said almost as though he were defeated, “I cannot end the contract without losing everything we have.”

  “You realize this marriage will be a nightmare?”

  “We can see this,” his father responded, “but you were once cordial to each other.”

  “Cordial doesn’t mean ‘please gamble our futures by forcing us to marry.’ I discovered what I could have with Emma Parker. I can’t ignore my feelings,” Phillip responded.

  Ashby sat in a plush armchair, his fingers pressed together in front of his face in deep thought. “You are acting like a child.”

  He could see his father had run out of patience, but instead of losing his temper he continued to act reflective over the situation.

  “Edward has made a connection and is planning a marriage himself.”

  “I’m aware.”

  “Miss Anne Parker will be your new sister.” His father paused to let the words sink in.

  Edward being married to Anne would make Emma a part of the family; it would make her a sister. He had many thoughts that he chose not to voice.

  “I’m happy for them.”

  He stood before he said anything he would regret and walked to the door. The conversation had gone better than he imagined, until Ashby pulled him around by his arm and slammed him against the bookshelf. This was the father he remembered so well.

  “You will behave yourself during the upcoming dinner parties, garden parties, and activities associated with the engagement announcements.” To illustrate, he released and slammed Phillip into the bookshelf again. “The banns will be read over the next three weeks, for both you and Edward.” Releasing his grip he finished, “You will behave in a manner conducive to your station.”

  “May I leave?”

  Ashby’s eyes shone with an anger Phillip knew well. It would be futile to argue or to push his father further, so he stood staring at the bookshelf across from him.

  “Make certain you behave, Arundel. Society loves gossip, and it would be a mistake to air our family affairs.”

  He turned to look at his father. “You won’t need to worry about me, as long as you keep Lady Olivia’s tongue in her mouth.” Before walking out the door he decided he had to make one more comment. “Society is already talking about Olivia and Lord Folly. If you don’t want a scandal, you should start there.”

  Twenty-seven

  A morning turn around the garden with her mother still hadn’t calmed Emma’s nerves. She was thankful when her family left the party the evening before because she didn’t want to see Phillip’s family any longer, but the news of her sister’s engagement to Lord Edward had renewed her dread of seeing Phillip again.

  “Why did you and Father agree to an engagement between Lord Edward and Anne?” She wiped the tears away as she asked the question.

  “Your sister is happy with her decision. Your father and I want to support her.”

  “There are
other men she could marry.”

  “Would you have your sister turn the one she loves away? Emma, this is her fourth season. She is no longer a young débutante, and Lord Edward’s proposal was most welcome.”

  “If he loves me, why won’t he defy his father?” This was the crux of her hurt and anger. She didn’t understand why Phillip was going through with the marriage contract.

  “Status and titles are a burden. Be thankful you aren’t titled.”

  “Why does it have to be difficult? He loves me—I’m certain of this.”

  “He’ll find happiness in fulfilling his role and duty. Phillip will be a duke one day. The Duke of Ashby has a great deal of influence and wealth. This is the duty his father has burdened him with.”

  “I don’t think duty should control the heart.”

  “Prepare yourself,” her mother said as they walked from the garden. “You will see him tonight. We are invited to Lancaster House for a dinner party.”

  Emma spent the day thinking of excuses as to why she couldn’t go to the dinner party. But when the time came, she dressed with care knowing she was going to see Phillip. She wanted to look her best so she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable in front of his family, fiancée, and him.

  Her family was one of the last to arrive. When she walked into the room she noticed Phillip stood by the doors leading out to the patio. She forgot to breathe as she gazed at him with his dirty blond hair offset by the brown of his dinner jacket.

  “Miss Emma.” Lady Olivia’s silky voice caused her to shudder. Olivia took her arm and pulled her to the side of the room. In a whisper she said, “He is my betrothed. Keep your eyes, hands, and lips off, unless you plan to run off to Gretna Green with him.”

  Before she could answer, the butler announced dinner was ready, and everyone lined up to file into the dining room. She watched as Lady Olivia grabbed Phillip’s arm and they walked into dinner together.

  “Emma,” Henry said, holding an arm out for her, “I’ll escort you into dinner.”

  “Thank you.” She took his arm and moved into the room to sit at the opposite end of the table. “I don’t know why it still hurts so much.”

  He squeezed her hand. “It will hurt for a while yet.”

  The room was busy with conversation, but she focused on Phillip. When the engagement announcement was made by the Duke of Ashby everyone clapped. The smile she saw on Phillip’s face was forced.

  On top of the information regarding the engagement, all of London was whispering about Lady Olivia’s outbursts at dinner and in the library. The serving staff at Lancaster House spread the gossip each day before morning tea. A visible tension fell over the room as Lady Olivia spoke. Her voice was high-pitched and loud.

  “I don’t know what his valet was thinking—a brown jacket for our engagement party. I picked a green jacket. I’m going to have to dismiss him.”

  Duchess Cecily looked surprised by her statement. “I don’t see a problem with the jacket. It’s very appropriate for the party.”

  Emma looked to Phillip to see if he’d heard the conversation. His face was passive as he ate. The surprise came when she saw the Duchess of Ashby put her hand on Phillip’s arm. She wondered if it was to keep him calm or to extend support. Emma didn’t know if he had noticed her even once during the evening, and the care she took to dress now seemed foolish.

  “The green brings out the blond in his hair. I don’t like the brown streaks. I despise brown hair,” Olivia said with a smug glare down the table at Emma.

  Duchess Cecily looked over at Phillip in confusion and responded, “His hair is rather light even with the brown jacket.”

  “Arundel and I plan to spend our time in London. With all of the diversions here, there isn’t reason to go out to the country. He is to inherit Norfolk house in St. James Square.”

  Duchess Cecily gave a quiet response, but it was obvious Olivia made the comment for Phillip because she continued to stare his way, expecting him to respond. He focused on his food while he cut the meat and appeared to be deaf to her comments.

  “Of course, Norfolk house will come after our wedding tour.”

  Emma looked over to her sister and Edward. They sat across from each other, the same as Phillip and Olivia. They had tense looks on their faces, not knowing what to expect from the loud conversation. It was soon very obvious everyone in the Watson family was focused on Phillip. His sisters and younger brother stopped eating to listen.

  “Oh yes, he no longer has amnesia. We can thank the person who tried to kill him for the renewal of his mind,” Olivia said. “I’m not worried about the attempts on his life. I think he needs another bump on the head to forget this last summer. He might be here in body, but he is not the earl he used to be.” She glared down the table at Emma.

  Emma exchanged an amused look with her parents. The room at large was uncomfortable.

  “You would have to ask the Parkers what they did to him. He has become very quiet and withdrawn,” she said, taking a bite of her bread.

  His quiet constraint had become visible, as he also was no longer eating but was holding his silverware mid-movement. Emma saw Lady Ashby exchange a look with him, and then after closing his eyes and taking a deep breath he went back to eating.

  Emma wanted to drag Olivia from the room so she could tell her how wonderful her life would be when she married Phillip. Emma was the one in line for a loveless life as she realized she would never love another man the way she loved Phillip.

  “If I have anything to say about it, he will spend less time in the library and more time engaging in other pursuits. Reading is such a bore. I like to see a man engage in activities such as . . . fencing,” she said after a short pause, as though she pulled the activity out of the air.

  “You don’t enjoy reading, Lady Olivia?” Duchess Cecily asked.

  “No, it is a waste of time. Only blue stockings spend their days in the library.” Olivia again sent a smirk in Emma’s direction. She didn’t know how Olivia knew so much about her, but she wanted to wipe the smirk off her face.

  The conversation was absurd, but everything she said was another way to goad both Emma and Phillip to anger. Guests around the table commented on her rudeness and immaturity as she continued. Olivia complained about the plainness of Lancaster House and the preparation of the food. The common opinion flowing through the room was that the marriage would be canceled before the banns were read the following Sunday. Thinking Phillip’s deafness would continue throughout the night, Emma was shocked when she heard Olivia address him.

  “Arundel” she said in a high-pitched, sweet tone.

  The chatter in the room died down as she continued to say his name. After the third time he looked up.

  “Did you have something you would like to say?” The forced smile that didn’t reach his eyes would have stopped Emma from speaking, but it didn’t stop Olivia.

  “Did you not hear me? I have been calling your name.”

  “No, I didn’t hear you, as the pitch of your voice is too high for human ears.”

  If anyone had been speaking, they shut their mouth with Phillip’s response in the air. A few utensils fell to the table. The silent shock was too loud not to notice.

  Olivia’s face turned bright red as she stared at Phillip. She didn’t speak; her smile was one of success. Emma’s mouth dropped open as Phillip glared at Olivia and finished raising the fork to his mouth.

  Emma looked over to Anne to see her hand over her mouth in surprise. Lord Edward’s head in his hands and shaking shoulders were an indication he was trying to hide laughter. Lady Marianne, Lady Charlotte, and Lord Charles were watching Phillip, waiting for his next move.

  With Phillip eating, guests went back to uncomfortable conversation. Covert glances thrown in Phillip’s direction told Emma everyone was waiting for Olivia to continue goading him to anger. As Emma went ba
ck to eating, she was shocked as Olivia stood and threw her spoon at Phillip.

  “I loathe you.”

  Phillip didn’t respond. He removed the extra spoon from his plate and continued to eat; this time a small amount of baked potato was on his fork. Emma experienced shock and joy at witnessing one of Olivia’s tantrums. Of course, poor Phillip had to endure the shame of her outburst, but it was a sight to witness.

  “I told you I wanted you to wear the green jacket,” she yelled as her fork and knife flew through the air. He moved to the side and allowed the silverware to fly past his head.

  “And I told you I’m old enough to make decisions on clothing,” he said as he continued to eat.

  Olivia picked her plate of food up from the table and threw it in his direction. Food flew across the room and hit the guests. The plate shattered as it hit the woman sitting on Phillip’s right. Phillip turned and apologized. He removed the broken pieces of glass as Olivia’s teacup flew across the table and hit him in the head.

  Emma startled as the Duke of Ashby and the Duke of Norland began yelling at each other. She worried for Phillip. He was stuck with Olivia, and if her behavior were any indication of her psyche, the woman was insane.

  Ashby yelled, “Norland, I told you to get your daughter under control!”

  “She wouldn’t behave this way if he would stop making clever comments,” Norland responded.

  Emma looked back to Phillip and saw blood on the side of his face. Thomas was next to him with a wet cloth, cleaning the blood and food. As Ashby and Norland continued to argue over the situation, Olivia grabbed her glass and threw it at Phillip. He wasn’t expecting it, and he flinched as it shattered on the table and cut his hand.

  “I refuse to marry you.” Olivia’s words were the only sound in the room for a full minute. Emma watched as Olivia and Phillip stared at each other with absolute hatred.