In Search of Love: Convenient Arrangements (Book 2)

by Pearson, Rose

  “And so you decided to punish Lord Altringham for all the injustices he had done to others as well as, inadvertently, to you,” Lady Altringham said with such a softness to her voice that it seemed to bring calm to the entire situation, allowing Thomas to breathe a little easier. “Is that what you are stating, Lord Fairfax?”

  “Yes!” he shouted, and Thomas realized that the shadowy figure of Lord Fairfax was now beginning to move closer. “He did not deserve to live in contentment and happiness, whilst treating others with such disdain! He even left his own wife to languish back at the estate! I am sure that she would have thanked me should she have ever discovered my intention.” He drew in a ragged breath. “An intention that has not left me yet.”

  Everything seemed to happen at once. Realizing that Lord Fairfax intended to lunge at him, Thomas shoved Lady Newfield hard to one side, intending to protect her, only for Lady Altringham to scream and grab at his arm, pulling him in the opposite direction. Losing his balance, Thomas fell hard to the ground, his injured head knocking back against the ground. Groaning, he rolled over and tried to right himself, hearing Lord Fairfax screaming furiously as he tried to discover where Thomas was.

  “You shall not have him!” Lady Altringham exclaimed, her voice loud over the top of Lord Fairfax’s mutinous words. “I shall not allow you!”

  Thomas pushed himself up slowly, his head thumping so furiously that for a moment, he thought he might pass out. Something knocked into him and he lurched back, his hands grasping at someone—only for something painful and sharp to pierce his shoulder.

  Letting out a bellow of pain, Thomas threw his arms out and shoved hard at Lord Fairfax, just before the world around him began to spin. Dazed, he staggered back, forcing himself to remain upright.

  “Julianna!” he shouted as more voices began to fill the gardens. “Julianna! Where are you?”

  Falling back, Thomas could find no strength left within him. Resting his aching head on the grass, his eyes closed of their own accord, unconsciousness forcing him to return to that too familiar darkness once more.

  His last thought, the last lurch of fear that ran through his heart, was for Julianna. Where was she? What had happened to her? Would he ever see her dear face again?

  Chapter Thirteen

  To see Lord Fairfax being dragged through the ballroom by two of his peers, with two others helping a half-conscious and clearly injured Lord Altringham through the room, had told Julianna that the ton were both horrified and astonished at what they had seen. There would be no place for Lord Fairfax in the beau monde now. Not after what some of the ton had witnessed.

  “He will be quite all right,” Lady Newfield said with a small smile on her face that did not quite have the reassurance that Julianna needed. “Although I confess that I am sorry he has been injured for what is now the fourth time.”

  Julianna nodded, hurriedly following the gentlemen as they helped Lord Altringham into a smaller room. Lord Fairfax was taken into another, but she could still hear him shouting and exclaiming that he had done precisely as Lord Altringham had deserved.

  Shuddering at the vehemence in his voice, she clutched Lady Newfield’s arm tightly.

  “Was it correct what Lord Fairfax said?” Lady Newfield asked as she and Julianna came to a stop just inside the room and a footman hurried past them, a bowl of water and a cloth in his hand. “Did he ask your father to court you?”

  Not certain she could trust her voice, Julianna nodded.

  “I see,” Lady Newfield said slowly. “But he did not recognize you, then?”

  “I think it must be as Lord Fairfax said,” Julianna answered, recalling how her father had told her that a gentleman had sought to court her, with the intention of taking her as a wife, but how he had thrown such a request aside, believing the gentleman to be less than suitable for her. By that, Julianna had known that her father had meant that the gentleman did not have enough wealth to satisfy him and, in her frustration and her grief, she had never once asked her father for the gentleman’s name. Lord Fairfax must have been the gentleman, even if he had never once cared to seek her out. “He sought only to marry me in order to justify himself, to make himself appear great to the ton.” She shrugged, trying to pretend that it did not matter even though the words Lord Fairfax had said had stung her. “That was all that he wanted. He wanted the same treatment as Lord Altringham has from the beau monde, thinking himself more deserving of it because of how well he appeared.” Her lips twisted, her heart pained as she looked across at her husband, wanting desperately to go to him but knowing that she could do nothing. “I am sure that you are aware, as I am, that the ton practically fawned over my husband. Even though he was a rake and a cad, they welcomed him to their gatherings and tried to catch his attention with warm smiles and open arms.” Sighing, she let go of Lady Newfield’s arm. “I believe that Lord Fairfax felt the sting of unfairness, given that he is a—was an upstanding gentleman who did very little wrong. To be foiled in his intention to marry me by my father, only for Lord Altringham, the source of his frustrations, to then do so, must have angered him terribly.”

  “But that does not justify his actions,” Lady Newfield answered, and Julianna shook her head fervently.

  “Indeed, it does not,” she answered, seeing how the footman was now dabbing at the wound, her face paling at the sight of her husband’s bloodied shirt. “But that, I think, was his reason for doing as he did.”

  Lady Newfield tilted her head, thinking for a moment. “And telling Lady Darlington of Lord Altringham’s other… interests was simply to make his life all the more difficult,” she finished, and Julianna nodded. “Ah well, it is at an end now. Lord Fairfax will not be able to return to society as he had once done now that they have all seen his disgrace.”

  “And Lord Altringham?” Julianna whispered, a trifle hoarsely. “Do you think that he will recover?”

  Her grandmother pressed Julianna’s hand, holding her gaze firmly. “Your husband is a strong man,” she told her decisively. “Have no doubt. Come the morrow, he will be up and about as usual.”

  * * *

  It was not the following day, nor even the day after that, but three days after the attack that Lord Altringham finally managed to recover enough to rise and walk about in his usual manner. His head, having already received one blow, had been damaged again by this second blow. The injury to his shoulder—the one unharmed from the previous attack—had been superficial but took some time to heal, given that every time Lord Altringham moved his arm, the wound opened itself up again. This led to much frustration but in the end, he remained abed for two days, until, finally, he was able to rise.

  Julianna had never been so glad to see him as when he was welcomed into Lady Newfield’s house, clearly eager to be in her company once more. She could not help but rise and hurry closer toward him as he came into the drawing room, her eyes filled with worry as she looked up at him.

  “Are you well, Lord Altringham?” she asked, careful not to set her hand on his shoulder but instead lifting it to his face, glad that Lady Newfield was not present at the moment. Running her fingers lightly over his cheek, she was astonished to see his eyes begin to glow, his cheeks flushing just a little as he pressed his hand against her own.

  “I am well,” he told her with such a tenderness in his voice that she wanted to throw her arms about his neck and pull him closer still. “I am not entirely healed but I am recovering, for which I am very glad.”

  “As am I,” she breathed, holding onto his arm and leading him into the room, gesturing for him to sit down. “Should you like something to drink.?” She stood hesitantly in front of him, wondering what he would ask for. “I can send for the tea tray.”

  He smiled at her, sitting down a little awkwardly on the sofa, one arm stretched out along it as though she ought to be sitting next to him. “Tea would be quite lovely, I thank you.”

  The kindness in his voice and the warmth in his eyes made her heart melt. Ringin
g the bell, she hesitated before going to sit down beside him, finding the distance between them now very little indeed.

  “It is all at an end, then,” he said softly, looking at her with such a depth in his gaze as though he could see directly into her heart and knew all that she was feeling. “Lord Fairfax is gone from London.”

  Julianna nodded, feeling a great deal of relief. “I received a note from Miss Glover this morning,” she said, thinking how much she still had to tell her about. “She informed me that Lord Fairfax had quit the town, for all invitations to social gatherings had been rescinded and if he even stepped out of doors, he was given the cut direct from everybody.” Her smile was a little lackluster. “I am sure it is for the best.”

  “Indeed it is,” he answered, reaching across and picking up her hand. “You have a good heart, Julianna. You still feel for him in a way, I believe.”

  Twisting her lips, Julianna considered this. “I do not believe that he has done anything right,” she said firmly. “Nor do I believe that the fault is entirely his.” She held her breath, fearing that she might have insulted him, only for Lord Altringham to nod slowly.

  “It is as he said,” Lord Altringham admitted. “The beau monde thought far too well of me. They ignored my less than appropriate ways whilst continuing to seek me out.” He shrugged. “I, of course, did nothing to temper that. Not until I met you.” His voice had become softer now and as she turned to face him a little more, Lord Altringham reached up and brushed his fingers down her cheeks. Her skin began to prickle, her heart going a good deal faster than ever before.

  “You have become more to me than any other,” he told her gently. “Without you, I would have remained quite lost in my ways of arrogance and selfishness.” He sighed and dropped his hand. “In fact, I might, even now, be no longer in the land of the living. My name might be carved on a stone, my body belonging to the earth.”

  Julianna shuddered and closed her eyes. “I am sure you would have—”

  “No, Julianna,” he insisted, interrupting her. “You have been more courageous than any I have known. Your strength has shown me my wrongs and I have found myself desiring to step away from all that I have once known.” Shaking his head, he reached down and pressed her fingers, his hand tight to hers. “Were it not for you, I might never have changed.”

  She looked into his eyes, realizing that he had moved a fraction closer to her. Her breath hitched and she felt her stomach turn over, her anticipation mounting furiously.

  “I intend to declare to all that you are my bride,” he said, leaning closer to her still, his mouth only a few inches from hers. “Already I have sent out the invitations. A ball will be held in three days’ time, solely in your honor.” Smiling at the surprise in her eyes, Lord Altringham let go of her hands but only so that he might cup her face gently. “You have saved me, and I want all of England to know of it.”

  She was ready for his kiss, lifting her head and closing her eyes in anticipation. Chest tight, barely able to breathe, she waited for his lips to touch hers—only for the door to open and Lord Altringham to let go of her in an instant.

  Julianna flushed red as a maid came in with a tea tray, soon followed by Lady Newfield. She gave Julianna a knowing look, as only a grandmother can give to a granddaughter, and Julianna felt her cheeks burn all the hotter.

  “Thank you for your kind invitation, Lord Altringham,” Lady Newfield said, sitting down gracefully and gesturing for Julianna to pour the tea. “A ball sounds quite wonderful. And it is to be in your wife’s honor!” Her eyes were all kindness, her delight at his obvious attentions to Julianna now lifting him in her considerations. “That is very good indeed.”

  “I was just informing Lady Altringham of what I have planned,” Lord Altringham replied, somewhat hastily. “I am determined that the ton shall know her as I do, so that they can see just how blessed a gentleman I am. A gentleman who did not deserve such loveliness, such sweetness and affection, and yet has been granted it regardless.” He smiled at her as their fingers touched, making Julianna almost drop the teacup. “The ball cannot come soon enough.”

  * * *

  The next three days were spent in eager anticipation. Julianna spent almost every day with Lord Altringham, conversing and laughing together as husband and wife would do. He told her everything about his estate, everything about his life back in the country, and she listened with delight, beginning to look forward to returning to his estate with him. It would be a happy home now rather than a place of sorrow and fear. She had not come to live with him in his townhouse as yet, and he had not come to reside at Lady Newfield’s either. He told her that this was simply so that no one in the ton would think poorly of her before the ball, which Julianna was greatly pleased with. The ball sounded quite wonderful, for it would be the first time that such a thing was simply in her honor, the first time that she would be able to hold her head high with nothing more than sheer delight and pride. But what was of the greatest significance was the way that she felt for Lord Altringham—for the way that her heart softened whenever he came into the room, for the joy that their conversation brought her. For the beginnings of love that were swelling up within her heart.

  * * *

  “Might I say just how wonderful you look this evening?”

  Julianna blushed as she looked up into her husband’s face, aware that he truly did feel the admiration that was etched there.

  “You are very kind,” she told him as he bowed and offered her his arm in a most gentlemanly fashion. “You look very handsome.” Her face colored at the way his eyes shot to hers and the broad smile that pulled at his lips at her compliment, but she meant every word with genuine honesty.

  “This evening is all to be for your benefit,” he told her fervently. “The moment we step into the ballroom, I shall have the orchestra cease their playing and shall make the announcement.”

  Despite her happiness at being on Lord Altringham’s arm, Julianna felt her heart twist within her, her stomach swirling with nerves as she contemplated walking out in front of the ton and having them all looking at her curiously.

  “There is nothing to worry about,” Lord Altringham told her gently. “Truly, Lady Altringham—Julianna. Yes, there shall be a few stares and yes, the room will be rife with whispers, but all you must do is simply look into my eyes and fix your gaze there.” Reaching up, he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Might you be able to do that?”

  She smiled at him, her stomach settling with the confidence in his eyes. “Willingly,” she answered, and he laughed and pressed her hand to his lips, before tucking it under his arm and turning toward the door of the ballroom.

  Julianna forced herself to lift her chin rather than duck her head as she stepped into the ballroom with Lord Altringham. All about her, the noise of the guests seemed to quieten, only to rise again to an almost triumphant crescendo, as though they had been expecting to see Lord Altringham do something akin to this from the very beginning.

  Lord Altringham smiled and nodded, and Julianna could see a few young ladies bat their eyelashes at him, smiling coquettishly, but Lord Altringham did not even give them a momentary glance. Juliette saw this and smiled to herself, feeling more and more confident with every step. She knew for certain that this man had begun to change before her very eyes. There was nothing she needed to fear now. Her future was bright. Their shared affection and determination to be all that the other needed would bring them both happiness and joy. She was proud to be standing beside Lord Altringham, proud to show all of England that the rake they once knew was now no longer.

  The orchestra, seeing Lord Altringham approaching, soon brought their dance to a close. The dancers returned to their companions or their chaperones, and Lord Altringham led her forward to stand directly in the middle of the room, so that everyone could see them. As though the crowd knew that they were to remain silent, a quiet began to fall over the room, with every eye slowly turning toward them.

  Ju
lianna’s heart began to quicken as she looked all about her, still holding tight to Lord Altringham’s arm. In the crowd, she spotted Lady Tillsbury and Miss Glover. Both were smiling warmly at her and she returned their smile, albeit a little more tremulous than the ones they wore.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I must thank you all for attending this evening,” Lord Altringham began, letting go of Julianna’s arm and instead, capturing her hand. “This evening’s ball is in celebration of a lady whom I have come to know very well indeed these last few weeks.” He turned toward her, his voice still raised but his words directed solely at her.

  “You have shown me my faults. You have shown me my flaws. And you have shown me the sort of character I now wish to be. I shall never again bear the name of ‘rake’. I turn from that path entirely. Instead, I seek only to be yours. To live as a gentleman who is worthy of your affection, your devotion, and your strength. To be as I have never been before.” Reaching out, he touched her cheek and then looked back at the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, might I present to you… my wife, Lady Altringham.”

  There was a moment of silence, and then the crowd erupted. Exclamations, cheers, applause, and shrieks of what Julianna supposed might be either delight or fury spread out across the room—but she did not turn to look at anyone. Instead, she kept her gaze fixed on Lord Altringham’s face, looking up into his eyes and seeing something there that had never been present before.

  “I think I am in love with you, my dear Julianna,” Lord Altringham said softly, his finger tracing the curve of her cheek, running down her neck before brushing down her arm to capture her hand. “And I intend to ensure that every day of my life is spent proving that love to you.”