Tabitha's Folly
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The Nobleman’s Daughter
Two lovers in disguise
Scarlet
The Pimpernel retold
Damen’s Secret
The villain’s romance
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Read all our books. They can be enjoyed in any order:
The Unwanted Suitor
An Unlikely Courtship
Mistaken Identity
The Stable Master’s Daughter
Tabitha’s Folly
Damen’s Secret
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To our dear pug, Wellington. To the Duchess and the Twins. To all our Regency House Party group, you made this more special than you will ever know. The most thanks to our authors who heard a crazy idea and said yes!
Tabitha’s Folly
Regency House Party: Somerstone
Jen Geigle Johnson
Contents
In the Quiet Before Delicious Mayhem Begins
1. Shocking Proposition
2. A Delicious Distraction is Afoot
3. Awash in the River
4. Blast His New Attraction
5. A Choice in the Dark
6. Midnight Meetings and Stained Glass
7. Whist and Wagers
8. Up to Something
9. Distrust All Around
10. Stolen Moments
11. Poetry and a Kiss, Perhaps?
12. Daring Declarations and Deceptions
13. Nothing as it Seems
14. To the Rescue
15. At Last
About the Author
Chapter One The Unwanted Suitor
In the Quiet Before Delicious Mayhem Begins
Damen, most valued footman of the Countess du Breven, walked precisely three steps behind his employer, cradling her dog in his arms.
She waved impatiently but kept at her slow pace. “Come Damen, I insist upon personally inspecting each of the rooms before our guests arrive.”
Of all the ridiculous notions. “Shall we visit all 365 rooms before tea?”
She lifted her chin. “I hear your sarcasm. It would do you well to mind your tongue.”
“But then you wouldn’t like me half as much.” He paused. When she did not respond, he added, “Perhaps if we run? We could see the first one hundred today.”
The old countess sighed, and Damen couldn’t help but grin. He cared for her with a sort of familial loyalty he couldn’t shake. There were certainly other houses not as large, other employers not so demanding, but he couldn’t find it in him to leave her. And she paid better than anyone he knew. And of course, there were the other reasons he stayed.
She called over her shoulder, “How’s Wellington? Are you supporting him properly?”
This time he sighed.
“Tut! You sound like an old woman, with your sighing.”
“Perhaps we would get further in our inspection if Wellington did not need to accompany?” He could hope.
The pug dog draped across his arms, drool wetting his sleeve. He would have to change his jacket as soon as he returned from their walk. A low growl rumbled in Wellington’s chest.
The Countess ran a gloved hand along the arm of one of the statues. “He is lovely, is he not?” The man in question stood tall, remembered in white marble.
Damen shook his head. They often came here on their walks, to admire the men who had been immortalized in varying degrees of undress. She had a fine eye for sculpture, the dimension, the expression. But he just saw a room full of shirtless men, or worse.
They continued through the statuary hall to the armory’s door. Here was a room he could appreciate. But as if she were trying to torture him, she waved her hand as they walked by. “No one will want to go in there.”
He would not argue. The more rooms they skipped the better.
This house party–another one of the countess’s eccentric efforts at meddling.
She invited select members of the ton, and she prided herself in the vast number of couples who had become affianced in her home. In the past, he had endured the many incessant, simpering demands of the titled and wealthy guests and received little in return.
But not this year. This year, he too would benefit.
1
Shocking Proposition
No one saw Tabitha standing in the doorway of her brother, Tauney’s, room.
James, the valet, lifted clothes out of Tauney’s trunks in large stacks instead of loading them in. Neat, color-coordinated piles of breeches and jackets decorated the bedding, and Tabitha’s worry increased.
She shook her head. “We are already so late.”
Tauney, only nine months her elder, finished giving animated instructions to James and then waved his hand in her direction. “Late. Psht. The party doesn’t even begin for two days.”
Of course he would refuse to understand. As the only girl in a family of four brothers, and his closest sibling, she felt responsible for him. She tried another tactic. “If we don’t leave now, we will have to delay our journey an extra day and stay at a local inn.”
The valet rushed past them, at last packing clothing into Tauney’s trunks.
“The local inns. How dreadful.” Tauney grimaced. “Do you remember the last time we stayed in one?” His face was so comical, his mouth twisted in disgust. Tabitha couldn’t help but laugh.
“But that is exactly my point, though it wasn’t so bad.”
“For you. My valet had to sleep in the barn. He wasn’t even presentable when he came to help me get ready in the morning.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “He flicked hay off his person”—Tauney shuddered—“in my presence. It fell to the floor by my foot, and I had to train one eye on it while dressing so as to rid my room of it later.” He leaned closer. “Didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Good valets are difficult to find, you know.”
She often felt pity for his valet.
Her brother was of the opinion that since women spent so many hours concerned with their appearances, they would appreciate the same from men.
Tabitha couldn’t argue with that sentiment, especially if they smelled nice. The memory of a distinct earthy aroma warmed her. And she wondered if he had arrived. She turned to hide her blush.
She hurried down the stairs. If they were to avoid a war like Napoleon had never seen, she would need to make excuses for Tauney to her other brothers.
The balls on the billiards table cracked and rolled, making her smile. Memories of many a Christmas when their father was still alive, teaching the young Eastons how to play pool, brought a comforting sense of family and home.
She had three of the best men of the ton standing right here in her study. And one upstairs, who sometimes had feathers for brains.
“Well, where is he?” Edward, the eldest, frowned.
She laughed, “He has decided on a new color scheme.”
When the others groaned, she held up her hand, “But he has promised he is almost finished. I have to admit I am a bit excited to see what he and James accomplish.”
“Well I mos
t certainly am not.” Edward’s frown deepened. “We promised the countess not to be late. She asked for our particular assistance in helping some of the ladies feel welcome.”
Julian humphed. “Of course she did. Trying to hitch us to a woman like all the other mothers in the ton. If it wasn’t for you, little sister, I would have stayed far away from this house party.” As handsome as Julian was, with many women vying for his hand, he naturally felt a bit stifled.
She could well understand the sentiment.
“Come now man, the hunt.” Oscar, the fun-loving Corinthian of the bunch, grinned. “You have yet to best me in the hunt.” He eyed his next shot. “This will not be the year of course.” He sent another ball in a blur across the table and then raised an eyebrow. “But I would think you’d be anxious to try.”
Julian took his turn, knocking in all four of the balls. With a satisfied grin, he said,
“This is the year, dear brother.”
“Ha-Ha!” Tabitha loved it when they puffed and bristled in fun. “Shall I make a wager?” She won all sorts of money from her brothers, especially when they were pitted against each other.
Julian laughed. “A wager she says! If the matrons could hear you now!”
“We’ve corrupted her.” Edward’s eyes held warmth, and she knew a part of him was secretly pleased. “I knew it would happen. What diamond talks as you do?”
Oscar, ever positive, added, “And yet she is a diamond. The books at Whites are filled with their own wagers as to who will win her hand.”
Every brother's face went ashen.
She blushed. “It’s not as if there is anything to worry about…” But how embarrassing to be discussed in such a manner.
Edward looked positively ill, loosening his cravat, and she began to wonder what had them so concerned.
“What could possibly go wrong?” She looked from face to face. A new sense of foreboding began in the back of her throat in a particular, pointed tightness.
After a silence no one filled, Edward finally said, “It wouldn’t hurt for each of you brothers to be looking for wives as well, wealthy ones.”
Julian pounded his brother's back. “Always the responsible one.” Then he turned to Tabitha. “You are the one we need to focus on this year, Tabby Cat.”
“Well, it certainly won’t help if you go around addressing me like that.”
“Why not? Your endearing nickname hasn’t turned Henry away.”
“Turned me away from what?”
Tabitha’s stomach flipped, and she whirled around to face the sixth member of their party.
With a sharp chiseled jawline and eyes sparkling in amusement, Henry filled the doorway. As a dear family friend, most of her childhood memories included Henry. But every time she saw him, a nervous energy coursed through her. She grinned up at him in welcome, but he was looking at Julian.
The brother with the honor of Henry’s attention jabbed a thumb in her direction. “Tabby thinks her nickname might not be the thing.” He winked.
She dipped her head to hide the blush. “Henry’s opinion doesn’t count.”
“Ho, Ho!” Julian nudged him. “Do you hear that? You don’t count.”
Henry winked at her. “I suppose she means because I am like a brother? Always present, even when you don’t want me.” His warm eyes twinkled at her.
She shrugged, looking away. He will never see. How can I make him see?
Julian shoved him playfully. “You’ve heard it often enough, and yet here you are.”
“Glutton for punishment.” He snatched away the stick and took a turn hitting a ball across the table. “And who says I am here for Tabby? Cook’s meat pie can’t be beat in any house.”
She lifted her chin, suddenly defiant. “Besides, I have no desire to be married.”
Laughter filled the room.
“Tabitha Easton, on the shelf.”
Oscar shook his head. “That’ll never happen.”
But Edward moved closer to her, concern on his face. “Ever?”
She sat in the nearest chair. “I suppose it will be a wonderful pastime someday.”
“Pastime, she says. Pastime.” Julian shook his head. “Let me tell you dear sister. Marriage is like a gentle lead on a new mare. At first she likes the feel. It’s soft and nice, appears harmless. But then it pulls tighter and tighter until ack!” He demonstrated a noose around the throat with his hands. “It cinches so tight you cannot break away.”
A part of her tightened inside like that rope; she wasn’t sure why.
Henry cleared his throat, bent down beside her chair, and put his arm across her shoulders.
She felt her neck heat and turned to him, searching his eyes, inches from her own. His expression was playful and full of warmth. She could barely breathe and forced herself to swallow.
“Come now, it isn’t as bad as all that." Henry's eyes turned tender. "Let’s not ruin it for her.”
Before she could stop herself, she leaned closer.
His voice, like a warm breeze, circled around and tickled her insides. “Marriage would be wonderful to the right person, someone to share the thoughts you tell no one else. Your closest friend…”
She smiled and closed her eyes. Friend. Would he want such a thing with her? They were friends. Perhaps he was considering it. As she searched his face, nothing seemed different, and yet, there was a new sparkle in his eyes. She grinned in response.
Then the brothers burst into laughter, and her irritation rose. She stood to leave.
Julian rested a hand on Henry’s shoulder. “Is that what you do with the women, Henry? Bare your innermost thoughts?”
Oscar looked perplexed. “I don’t have innermost thoughts.”
“None of us do.” Julian’s eyes held the tears of laughter. “No wonder Henry can’t hang onto a woman.”
Tabitha turned in the doorway. “Well, I thought it lovely.” She tried to show support as her eyes met Henry’s.
His wink sent her insides flipping in funny circles, and she placed a hand on her stomach.
He returned to the table taking a hit at the nearest of three balls, the game forgotten by the others. “Of course she thinks it’s lovely, being a woman. I don’t expect the rest of your sorry selves to understand.”
Oscar snatched the stick. “Whoa there, our sister is not a woman."
Julian laughed. “Oh yes she is! Have you seen her lately?”
She wished to hide beneath the floorboards. And felt so lonely for a sister it nearly caused pain. Ever since her mother had taken ill, she had precious few moments with anyone female she could trust.
“Well, we best get used to the idea.” Oscar held up one finger. “Because all the men at this house party are going to notice.”
Henry nodded. “Especially when she wears green.”
Her face blazed, and she couldn’t take any more. “I am right here, you know.”
“Then you get to listen in.” Edward waved a hand in her direction. “This conversation doesn’t require your participation.”
Indignation rose. And a great pit of fear opened. Could they have no care for her thoughts?
Oscar stood taller. “Yes. We will review the strategies to keep you protected when we arrive. Only the very worthy shall get past us.”
Henry cleared his throat. “Have we decided who she is to marry?”
Tabitha trembled to hear that question spoken so carelessly by his lips. “I believe that
decision is mine.” Her voice cracked. She rested a hand on Edward’s arm. “These choices are best left in the hands of those they most affect.”
Her eldest brother did have sympathy in his eyes, but he said, “It’s not really your decision. Father left me in charge of your welfare and wrote in his will how I was to go about ensuring a good and productive marriage arrangement for you.”
“We will consider your opinion, of course.” Julian’s calm tones lessened her mounting discomfort. “But we are all attending this infernal party
because we need reinforcements to keep the leeches away.”
“Leeches?” This party was sounding more dreadful every moment.
Julian grimaced. “Yes, those undesirables who seek fortune.”
Oscar chimed in. “Or that we don’t like.”
“Or have any sniveling habits. Or can’t play cards worth—”
“Or don’t know how to hunt a fox.” Henry added, moving to stand beside her again.
She loved the surge of tingles that shot through her, as much as she wanted to slink away and hide from them.
“Or any who enjoy battledore.” Oscar’s calculating expression increased Tabitha’s irritation.
They all stopped. Edward asked, “What’s wrong with battledore?”
“Oh nothing. I just can’t have anyone being overly good at it and beat me at all the family gatherings.”
Julian squinted, considering. “You've hit upon something. Shall we have limits on card-playing ability too? We could win money off this chap.”
Tabitha said, “Now you are being ridiculous.” She was about ready to stomp away. How would she endure an entire carriage ride of the same?
“But truly, sister.” Edward gathered all the sticks and balls. “He is to join our family, be one of the brothers. We must make certain he will be a good fit.”
“And respect you.” Henry’s eyes showed deep sympathy. “I too am roped into this. Not all gentlemen behave as a gentleman should. And we are here to make sure you don’t have to converse with any of those other sorts.”
“I do have a chaperone.”