The Games the Earl Plays_Heirs of High Society_A Regency Romance Book

by Eleanor Meyers

  He did need to do that, though he’d need to speak to those who’d listened more closely before he did.

  “Have you heard from him?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “Not since I left London.”

  She reached out to touch his arm but then took her hand back. “Do you think you heard anything that will help?”

  “No.” He no longer believed anything would help his father. Why did that sadden him?

  Her eyes softened. “Well, maybe you will in the next lecture.”

  “Perhaps,” he said without confidence.

  She leaned toward him and lowered her voice. “Perhaps Lord Grant will reveal a cure that is hidden in the dark caves of Africa that many have died trying to reach.”

  He smiled. “What awaits those who reach the cure?”

  “Eternal life,” she said in a matter-of-fact way.

  He rolled his eyes. “I don’t know if I wish my father to live forever.”

  “Well then, we’ll present the medicine to him and tell him that if he becomes a nice man, we’ll give it to him. Then he’ll change, and the world will be happy for it.”

  “I love... your version of reality,” he said, barely stopping himself in time before he said something entirely different.

  Did he love Rose?

  As a friend, of course. There was no shame in that. She was a very good friend.

  She stared at him for a moment and then blinked and looked down. “Well, that is the beauty of the imagination. Sometimes, if you focus on the good, the bad will hurt just a little less.”

  He wished he could do so where she was concerned, pretend that he was someone else. Not an earl whose destiny was to rule a dukedom. If he could be with anyone… “But isn’t it dangerous to pretend in one’s mind? Must we not deal with the truth?”

  She looked up with innocent pale eyes. “I think we must accept the truth, but that does not mean I must think about it all the time, especially if it will not change. What a sad existence we would have if we were incapable of dreaming.”

  He sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve more than a few nightmares I’d rather forget.”

  “Then forget them,” she told him. “Replace them with good thoughts.” She smiled.

  “I’ve few good thoughts at the moment.” He had no clue why he was sharing so much with her right now. This was a conversation he’d rather not have, and if he must, he’d rather have it alone.

  But he’d not been alone with her in days.

  He needed her friendship. He could avoid her no longer. “Meet me after dinner, after the women drink their sherry and the men have their port.”

  She looked surprised by his words, which didn’t sit well with him. They would usually meet after such things if they were together. She knew he’d been avoiding her.

  “Rose,” Wint called as he approached. When had they become so informal? “The carriages are ready.” He extended his arm.

  She took it with ease. “I’ll see you at the house, my lord,” she said to Gerard. The reference to his title irritated him, and not for the first time, but there was nothing he could do about it.

  He watched her and Wint walk away and took a breath when she tugged her ear. She’d meet with him after all.

  “He seems like a nice fellow,” Manas said at his side.

  Gerard grunted.

  Manas looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Do ye like her?”

  Gerard crossed his arms. “Rose is a lovely woman, and we share a friendship.”

  “Ye could be more than friends,” Manas suggested.

  Gerard shook his head and started for the door.

  Manas caught up with him and said, “How about this. Ye’re an unwed gentleman with the means to care for her, so I’ll allow ye to speak with her alone, but don’t try anything.”

  Gerard looked at him. “You’d threaten me during my own party?”

  “I’ll break ye at yer own table as though ye were served goosed.” He grinned.

  Gerard grinned back. “You’re a menace.”

  “Ay,” Manas replied.

  * * *

  14

  CHAPTER

  FOURTEEN

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  “What did you think of the lecture?”

  Rose smiled at Lady Davis, who was her dinner companion. “It was quite informative.” Though really, she’d not paid attention, which now bothered her greatly because every lady she’d seen since the lecture wanted to know more details than she had to give. She’d been one of only a handful of women in the audience. Men had outnumbered them greatly and part of her felt it her duty to listen and inform her sex. She swore to pay more attention next time.

  If Harley let her.

  She’d began calling him by the name Alex had lovingly bestowed upon him since their time in the carriage on the way to the lecture hall. He'd asked her to, and she had found it quite a natural thing to do. Any nervousness she’d felt at their first meeting quickly vanished as they’d found one another’s company quite enjoyable. She was beginning to count him a friend, though she had the feeling he wanted more from her.

  He’d expanded on his comment earlier about how she didn’t treat him like a lord and told her simple facts about his past. He’d grown up the son of a professor at Cambridge. His grandfather had been the Viscount of Wint, which had earned him some respect but never as much as when he’d taken the title. When she’d told her own pitiful story of life in an orphanage, he’d looked hurt, and that had touched her.

  But really, her childhood had not been all bad. She’d had Chris, Reuben, and Nash. They’d given her an abundance of love and had made sure she’d never felt the lack of anything. And then there had been Alex to mother her, even though they were only three years apart in age. She loved her family, and Harley said he looked forward to meeting the rest of them.

  She was sure her brothers would like him, and he fit into her life much more than Gerard ever would. She didn’t know why she’d begun to compare the men, yet she had. Harley had had a far humbler upbringing, while Gerard had been catered to his entire life. Though that didn’t mean that Gerard had had it easy. Growing up with a father like the Duke of Avon must have been hard. It was one of the reasons Rose had agreed to meet with him once the meal ended.

  Tonight, the dinner tables had been arranged with the titled men at one table, their wives at another, and the rest gathered into groups of either male and female. Lord Grant was also in attendance, sitting at another table.

  Rose’s dinner companions consisted of two young daughters of a marquess, Lady Rachel Lush, the daughter of the Earl of Woodley, who seemed to be around Rose’s age, Lady Davis, and Miss Louisa Grant, the daughter of Lord Grant himself. Her presence raised Rose’ anxiety.

  She watched Rose with cool blue eyes, and Rose wondered what she’d done to gain such attention.

  “Do you suppose the rest of us should go to the next session?” Lady Davis asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know. Lord Grant is very engaging.” Rose addressed Miss Grant since she was staring at her. “What do you think? I’m sure you’d know better than me.”

  Miss Grant smiled smugly. “My father draws the attention of both men and women. He remains here because he is loyal to his patients, yet from all over England doctors and students alike come to hear him speak. Though women can be quite a distraction at times…”

  A distraction? What was she trying to say? Had she been watching Rose and Harley’s interaction in the lecture hall? Rose hadn’t even known the woman was there.

  “Do you attend all your father’s lectures?” Rachel asked. She was a breathtaking young woman with hazel eyes and hair a color that seemed to change with style and dress. Tonight, it looked red while paired with blue ribbons.

  “I don’t attend them all, since I spend most of my time at boarding school, but I will be attending every session that takes place in Avon V
illage.” She directed her eyes at Rose again as if in challenge.

  Rose nearly choked on her wine and decided to avoid putting anything else in her mouth.

  “It’s fortunate that you grew up with Lady Chantenny,” one of the marquess’ daughters said. Rose wasn’t sure what her name was but believed it to be Anna, while her sister’s name was Annie. Both Anna and Annie looked alike with light brown hair and blue eyes, though one of them was older by a year. Rose had heard their father simply shout ‘Ann’ and seen both girls rush to see to his wishes.

  Possibly Anna went on, “Had you and Lady Alexandra not been friends, there would have been no way you’d have received an invitation here.”

  That comment had been said to hurt her, and might have if Rose didn’t know the truth. She was the only person in the world that Gerard wanted here.

  Or so he’d told her at the library. For the last few days, however, she’d thought he’d changed his mind. She was more than a little nervous about meeting him tonight.

  “But don’t forget her brother is the Viscount of Eastridge now,” Rachel said brightly, coming to her defense.

  Annie smiled too sweetly. “And yet, they’re not truly related at all, are they?”

  Rachel blinked and leaned back in her chair before looking at Rose.

  Rose didn’t know what to say. She’d known this situation would eventually arise. That she’d had two days of peace was a miracle.

  “I don’t know,” Louisa said. “She and Lord Obenshire seem to be friends. Are you friends?”

  Rose paused. “I… suppose. I am close to Alexandra, who is married to Obenshire’s best friend. It would only be natural that we all became close.”

  “Of course,” Louisa said with a sickening smile. “And what was it that you two were discussing at the lecture this afternoon?”

  So the woman had been at the lecture, and it wasn’t Harley who’d caught her interest but Gerard. Rose felt heat hit her cheeks, but not in embarrassment. What she felt was rage.

  The table seemed very interested in whatever Rose was going to say. Did they think Rose thought she had a chance with the earl? She didn’t. Not even slightly. Sure, she had her dreams, but she didn’t hope in that direction. Not after what he’d said to her just hours ago.

  I don’t want you.

  How Rose had managed to keep breathing after he’d uttered those words was amazing, because she was sure that her heart had died and would never be revived again. She should have known that Gerard had only ever seen her as a good friend. His flirting had all been in jest, and she’d been a fool to think otherwise.

  “Obenshire was simply making sure that I liked my accommodations. He’s a very good friend, as are Lord Chantenny and his sisters, the Padmore Darlings.”

  At the mention of Justin’s sisters, the table fell silent.

  Rose went on, looking at Anna, Annie, and Louisa. “Have any of you had the pleasure of meeting Selina and Lucy-Ann?”

  Louisa pulled in a sharp breath and went to her meal. “No, I’ve not had the pleasure as of yet.”

  “I have,” Anna whispered. Her skin had gone pale.

  Annie nudged her and frowned but didn’t say anything else.

  Rose smiled. “Well, I’ll have to tell them just how well received I’ve been by you all.” It had been Rose’s last resort to mention the girls as though they were the monsters that one feared clawing from under their beds at night, but Lucy-Ann had given her blessing while Rose had been at the seamstress’.

  Lucy-Ann’s eyes had blazed. “If anyone insults you, tell them I will gut them like a fish and use their parts like ribbons to hold up my corset!”

  There was always ‘gutting’ where Lucy-Ann was concerned. Apparently, her and Selina’s boarding school had been by the sea and they’d watched the process of fish being cleaned and used it for inspiration.

  Rose shivered at the memory of the words. She herself would never say them aloud. Even knowing that Lucy-Ann didn’t mean to physically give them harm—since her dagger of choice was always her words—it was still frightening.

  She was actually wearing the dress she’d tried on when Lucy-Ann had made the threat. The gown was tyrain, a deep purple with a red hue. She’d paired it with her amethysts and diamonds and had received more than one compliment at the results.

  She almost spilled her final course on the garment when dinner was called to an end. She stood and made her way toward the door that led to the sitting room but was stopped by Harley.

  “Rose, you are… beautiful.” His eyes were warm with want.

  She smiled. “Thank you, Harley.” She caught sight of Gerard. He stood in a group of lords, but his eyes were on her. Then she looked around for Louisa and found her to be at her father’s side. She, too, was watching Rose… but also Gerard. Did the woman want Gerard?

  She looked at Gerard again and had to place a hand over her heart. He was true beauty. He cut an impressive figure in the room, wearing black from head to toe. He touched his ear, reminding her of their plans before looking away.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Harley began.

  Rose looked at him. “What?”

  He frowned and took a step back. He looked at Gerard and then at her. “I didn’t know that you and Lord Obenshire—”

  Rose cut him off before his words drew attention. “We’re friends. Nothing more.” Though she told herself to be more careful of where she let her eyes land in the future. If Harley was new and had spotted her inner desires, then it reasoned that someone who knew them better could have done the same. She smiled at Harley again and looked him over. If she wasn’t in love in Gerard, she could easily have fallen for the Viscount of Wint. “I’m sure you’ve gained quite an amount of attention tonight by many of the ladies present.” He wore a dark blue coat, white shirt, cream-colored breeches, and high black boots. All of it looked great on him and worked to bring out his eyes.

  Not that he needed any help where they were concerned. His thick lashes and healthy tan made his eyes look like stars.

  “I’ve gained some attention… but not the attention I wanted,” he told her, his eyes warming further.

  He was flirting with her.

  Or was he?

  Did he also mean his words in jest, just as Gerard had? She was very confused now as to how these things worked.

  Her confusion must have shown because he became serious. “I was speaking of you, Rose.”

  “I know,” she told him. She looked around and noticed the room clearing, so she spoke hastily. “I simply don’t know if you actually mean it.”

  He lifted a brow. “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I’m the confused one now.”

  She laughed and started for the door. “I mean, you could be speaking in jest. Your flattery could be innocent.”

  He stopped her at the door by placing a hand on her elbow. “You’re very direct.”

  “Only when I feel comfortable around someone.” She did feel comfortable around him, and she didn’t know why. Maybe it was because she could see the similarities between him and Alex. Or maybe it was simply the fact that he seemed to be a kind man.

  He smiled. “I’m glad I make you feel comfortable.”

  Her belly flipped, and she stepped out of his hold. “Enjoy your port.” She left before he could stop her again.

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  15

  CHAPTER

  FIFTEEN

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  Rose quickly found Alex in the sitting room.

  It was the first time she’d spoken to her since meeting Harley.

  She pulled Alex into a corner and narrowed her eyes. “What did you tell Lord Wint about me?”

  Alex’s grin came slow. “He told me that you call him ‘Harley’ now.”

  Rose blushed. “He and I would never work.”

  “Why not?” Alex asked. “He’s wonderful!” She drew her dark brows together and pl
aced a hand on her stomach. “Rose, you know how worried I was about how he would treat me once he returned to England. You have no idea what it’s been like to know that he adores and accepts me when my own mother did not.”

  Rose placed a hand on her arm. “He makes you happy, and I could love him for that alone.”

  Alex smiled. “Yes, I think I do love him already. He’s quite anxious to meet the baby and plans to be very present in the rest of my life. He knew my father as well and told me a few precious stories that I can hold in my heart.” Alex’s father hadn’t known of her existence. Justin, who had known the old viscount, swore that if her father had known, Alex would have never been placed in Best Home. She’d have been accepted into his family, and the ton could hang with their opinions.

  That Harley was also giving Alex a part of her past warmed her heart even more toward the viscount, but a greater portion of it still belonged to Gerard.

  It might always belong to Gerard.

  Sherry was passed around and their private conversation went on, but Alex changed the subject. “How was dinner?”

  “Well, I did enjoy Lady Davis’ company, and Lady Rachel was very sweet.”

  Alex smiled in Lady Rachel’s direction. She was speaking to another group of young ladies, different and kinder than Anna and Annie. The Anns were with Louisa, and they’d obviously all agreed to dislike Rose.

  “The others can hang,” Alex said as she cut her eyes away from the mean-spirited women. “Rachel, however, is very kind.”

  “You know her?” Rose asked.

  Alex nodded. “Lord Woodley lived next door to my father. Justin introduced us. Apparently, when Reuben was a footman, it was for Rachel’s father.”

  Rose’s eyes widened, and she looked at Rachel. She’d forgotten that Reuben had once been a servant before he'd paid his commission to join the British Army. She suspected that Rachel couldn’t have been more than twelve or so when Reuben went away, since that was how old Rose had been. “Do you think she remembers him?”