Enticed by Lady Elianna (Fabled Love Book 3)

by Amanda Mariel

  “I cannot. You must let me go.” Her words drifted to him as she crossed through the French doors back into the ballroom.

  He stepped over the threshold more determined than ever to have answers. Where the deuce had she gone? He glanced around, looking for her tell-tale golden curls. There. She moved around the edge of the room toward the main doors.

  With his attention trained on her, he strode across the middle of the room hoping to cut her off at the exit. The room fairly burst with people chatting and dancing, making it hard to keep a good pace. All the same, he was gaining on her and hell bent to overtake her.

  Garrett plowed through a group of cackling ladies, hiding coy smiles behind their masks. They parted like the red sea allowing him through. “My apologies,” he tossed over his shoulder without missing a step.

  “Lord Sinclair, just the gentleman I’ve been looking for.” Lord Berkly stepped into his path, one hand smoothing his cravat and a stern look on his face.

  Bloody hell, he did not have time for this—for anything at present. Garrett attempted to sidestep the man. “Perhaps later, my lord.”

  Berkly reached out and stilled Garrett. “I will have a word with you, Sinclair.”

  Bloody hell, Elianna disappeared into the hallway. Irritation threaded through him as he directed his gaze back to Berkly. “Very well,” he said, his tone laced with annoyance. He’d lost her—for the time being.

  Elianna raced into her room to change before attending Lady Caroline. She shut her door with a thud, then closed her eyes and leaned against it for a moment to collect her wits. Her lungs fought to pull in air. She reached up and pressed her shaking hand to her lips. Garrett’s kisses had thoroughly disoriented her, heating her blood, making her long for something else—something she had no words for.

  Heavens, he’d completely undone her. Even now she could still smell his male fragrance, feel his chest pressed to hers. She swallowed back the memories, urging herself to calm down. There was no time to tarry, Lady Caroline would soon be waiting for her. Elianna opened her eyes. Her stomach sank clear to her toes at the sight of Lady Berkly perched on her window seat, a vile grin twisting her features.

  “What do we have here?” Lady Berkly stood and sauntered over to her. She stopped inches from Elianna, taking the pearl necklace still hung around her neck into her fist, tugging until it fairly choked Elianna. “Where did you come by such finery?”

  Fear overtook her previous emotions as she stared wide-eyed at her cousin. “I…” Elianna fought to still her shaking hands, her mind desperately searching for the proper thing to say. “Please, they are not mine.”

  Lady Berkly released the pearls with a final twist, shoving Elianna back against the door. The delicate jewels hit the floorboards and scattered about the chamber along with any hopes Elianna had of getting away with her escapade. “Where did you get them?” Lady Berkly demanded, anger flashing like summer lightning in her gaze.

  Elianna swallowed hard. “My…the g-gown was m-my mother’s.”

  “Take it off.” Lady Berkly grabbed a handful of Elianna’s bodice and pulled, tearing it. “Now.”

  “Stop,” Elianna yelled, clasping her hands over her chest to conceal her bosom. “You cannot do this.”

  Lady Berkly pushed her away from the door, then flung it open. “You like your mother’s things so much, you can rot with them.”

  “Please,” Elianna said, her voice hoarse—raspy.

  Lady Berkly grabbed her arm, propelling her into the hallway. Elianna scrambled, attempting to dig her heels into the carpet, but her efforts proved useless. Lady Berkly strongarmed her, part dragging, and part pushing her toward the attic stair well.

  She should scream, but for who? No one would hear her over the noise from the ball—certainly not while she was a floor above. No recourse remained for her. Lady Berkly controlled her as she had since the day she had arrived at Crystal Court. Fighting would only make the situation harder on Elianna.

  Resigned, Elianna bent to Lady Berkly’s will. “I am sorry.” She stepped over the attic threshold, stumbling when Lady Berkly gave a firm shove to her lower back.

  “Not sorry enough, you ungrateful harlot.” The door clicked shut behind her, followed by the tell-tale click of the lock.

  Garrett swirled the brandy in his glass waiting for Lord Berkly to state his business. He could only imagine one reason why he’d been summonsed, and he wished to be done with it at once.

  “My wife tells me that our daughter has taken a fancy to you, Sinclair.” Berkly poured his own tumbler. “What are your intentions toward her?”

  As he had expected, Lady Caroline was the topic in such desperate need of discussing. He’d be exceedingly happy to remove himself from the lady’s presence—permanently—though he could not be so forthright with her papa. Garrett chose his words carefully. “Any man should be lucky to have Lady Caroline. I, however, am not in the market for a wife.”

  Berkly took a long drink, his gaze trained on Garrett. “She comes with a large dowry.”

  “I come with a terrible reputation. You’d not wish for it to tarnish your daughter or your family name, which I assure you it would.” Garrett studied the man in kind.

  “I care not about reputations. Caroline has her heart set on you. Let us come to terms. A long betrothal, perhaps?”

  “No.”

  “For what reason, other than your soiled past, do you object to the match?” Berkly moved to his desk and withdrew a pen and parchment, then began writing on it.

  “I will make a terrible husband, bringing only misery to my wife.” Certainly if said wife were as undesirable as Lady Caroline, such a wife would bring him more misery as well. However, he would keep that a musing to himself.

  “Poppycock.”

  “What if I were to confess my love for another woman?” Elianna’s lush, warm kiss came to mind. The mere sight of her caused a wave of passion in him. Her kiss nearly made him wish for marriage for no other reason than to assure he could kiss her again.

  “Love is for fools. I do not believe you fit into such a category, Sinclair.” Berkly handed Garrett the paper he’d been writing on. “How does that suit you?”

  Garrett looked at the marriage offer, not at all tempted by the large amount of money that would come with Lady Caroline’s hand. “I am terribly sorry to disappoint, my lord, but my mind will not be swayed on the topic.” He drained his glass, waiting for Berkly to object further.

  “Let us not be hasty. The offer will remain in place until the house party has ended.” Berkly patted Garrett on the back of his shoulder. “I am sure you will change your mind, in time.”

  The devil he would. All the same, Garrett offered a smirk. “Very well, but I caution you not to mention this to Lady Caroline as I am quite certain my mind will remain firm on the topic of marriage.” He held his breath, hoping his words had assuaged Berkly, though he had agreed to nothing at all.

  “I ask only that you give my daughter the opportunity to sway your opinion on the topic.”

  Garrett set his tumbler on the sideboard, then took his leave of Berkly’s office no worse for wear, though thoroughly aggravated with the man’s antics. If not for his impromptu need to speak with Garrett, Elianna would not have evaded him. Why had she run off in such a way? More importantly, where had she gotten off to?

  He walked down the long corridor bent on finding her. Half mad with unanswered questions and a growing desire for Elianna, he reentered the ballroom. Perhaps she would reemerge. Surely, Lady Caroline still required her.

  Chapter 9

  Garrett awoke with Elianna still heavy on his mind. The kiss they had shared scorched his soul and haunted his sleep. Last night, Lady Berkly had told him Elianna retired to her room with a headache and did not wish to be disturbed. Lady Caroline added that Elianna often suffered from the ailment and that her complaints tended to come on fast. He had retired soon after, his interest in the ball having dissipated with her absence.

  He
smoothed his cravat as he glanced once more into the looking glass. While the Berkly women’s explanation of Elianna’s sudden disappearance made sense, he could not ignore the unsettling feeling he had that something was off. The expression she wore in the garden before racing off lent itself to something more than a headache. Hell, her behavior ever since the day they first met led him to believe there was something amiss.

  More determined than ever, Garrett left his room bent on having it out. If she did not wish to share her secrets, so be it, but she damn well would explain what happened last night. After searching the private family quarters and public areas, he made his way to the breakfast room, peeking into the other rooms he passed along the way. There was no sign of Elianna in the drawing room, parlor, library, or anywhere else for that matter. Reaching the breakfast room, he hazarded a look inside. Lady Caroline sat at the table with her parents, Lord and Lady Aubry, along with several other houseguests breaking their fast and chatting.

  Garrett swallowed back his annoyance at Elianna’s absence and entered the room. A chorus of good morning followed. He returned the greetings before going to the sideboard to fix a small plate of poached eggs, fruit, and bacon. With his stomach in knots, he took the seat next to Lord Aubry and attempted to act nonchalant.

  Lady Caroline smiled at him. “Will you be joining the late morning ride, my lord?”

  “I fear not.” He took a bite of egg, wishing it were not improper to inquire after Elianna. He hoped the ladies would offer up information of their own accord after telling him of her condition last night, though it did not seem they would. Perhaps he should not have entered the room, continuing his search instead—no matter that he’d already looked in every conceivable place less her bedchamber. Regardless, he was trapped now.

  Lady Caroline pouted. “The weather is perfect for horseback riding. I do wish you would reconsider.”

  “Lord Sinclair has already agreed to fence with me after the morning meal.” Aubry turned to Garrett. “And I am very much looking forward to the match.”

  “Yes, right you are,” Garrett agreed despite having never made the arrangement.

  “Perhaps we might play a game this evening?” Lady Caroline stared at Garrett as if challenging him to deny her wish. “Everyone enjoys a good parlor game, and your friends are welcome to join in as well.” She smiled broadly. “Do say you will.”

  Garrett took a sip of tea, weighing his options, not quite sure how to avoid the engagement, yet knowing he’d rather do just about anything else than spend the evening in Lady Caroline’s company.

  “Of course he will, poppet,” Lord Berkly’s voice assaulted him. “Right, Lord Sinclair?”

  Garrett swallowed back the urge to deny her request. “Indeed. I would not miss it,” he replied with an enthusiasm he did not feel.

  Lady Aubry rose, causing everyone else to stand, and placed her napkin on the table. “Thank you for another lovely breakfast, Lord and Lady Berkly.”

  Lord Aubry proffered his arm to his wife. “Please excuse us.”

  Garrett glanced at his plate still piled with food he had no desire to consume. “I am afraid I must be off as well.” He followed his friends from the room, grateful to be away from Lord and Lady Berkly’s prying eyes nearly as much as to be away from Lady Caroline.

  He waited until they were a good distance from the breakfast room before looking at Aubry. “Fencing. That was clever.”

  “As I recall, you do owe me a match.” Aubry winked. “Now is as good a time as any other.”

  Garrett chuckled. “If you insist upon me beating you again, I’m happy to oblige.” He had searched everywhere that was proper to do so. Perhaps some physical activity would settle his mind and he could begin looking afresh once they had commenced with their sport. After all, at this early hour, it was entirely possible that Elianna had yet to rise for the day. Yes, he would give her some time.

  “Very well, I will leave you gentleman to your sport.” Rose turned to her husband.

  “Until later, love.” Aubry dropped a kiss on her forehead.

  She looked to Garrett. “Do refrain from harming my husband overmuch.”

  “I shall try my best.” Garrett winked at Rose.

  “Lord Sinclair.” The shrill voice of Lady Caroline rang through the corridor.

  Garrett turned to see her and Lord Berkly strolling toward him.

  “Might we have a moment of your time?” She approached and placed her hand brazenly on his arm.

  He fought the urge to knock it away and turned his attention to Lord Berkly. The man stared at him, his jaw set firmly. Bloody hell, what could they want from him now? He gave his attention to Aubry. “I will meet you for our match the moment I am able.”

  Garrett waited for Aubry’s nod and then followed Lord Berkly to his office with Lady Caroline clutching his jacket sleeve the entire way. Irritation prickled his skin. Now he had to waste time with this troublesome pair. He leveled his gaze on Berkly. “What is the meaning of this?”

  Berkly held a hand out to Lady Caroline. “I will allow my daughter to explain.”

  “Do go on.” Garrett sighed, looking at Lady Caroline.

  “Elianna asked me to give you this.” She held out a folded piece of parchment, then averted her eyes. “It seems she has no wish to see you again, my lord.”

  Garrett smoothed the letter and began reading.

  Lord S,

  Please refrain from seeking me out. What we shared meant nothing to me as I suspect is also true for you. I have no desire to see you again.

  Kindly respect my wishes,

  E.

  His heart squeezed. How could she say such a thing? The devil their kiss wasn’t meaningful—special. He’d seen the passion in her eyes, felt it in his soul. Holding her, kissing her, he’d felt for the first time that he did not want to be alone forevermore. He’d since imagined himself with Elianna, the future they could share. Something was afoot here, it had to be.

  “You must respect her wishes, my lord.” Lady Caroline cocked one hip, a satisfied grin tugging her lips. “Elianna has no interest in you, she told me so herself before asking that I deliver her note.”

  “Indeed,” Garrett replied.

  “She went so far as to say she preferred the stable boy.”

  A mixture of hurt and anger warmed his blood at her words. He had thought Elianna to be different from the ladies of the ton. Different from his own mother who was not capable of loving him and had no time for him—father receiving all she had to give. He believed Elianna worthy of his attentions. What a bloody fool he’d been. The hell with Elianna and all proper women. Garrett scowled, drawing his brows together.

  He would leave Crystal Court immediately after he satisfied his commitment to Aubry, and she could rot in whatever secrets or trouble she had. Garrett would waste no more energy or thought on a selfish, hurtful female.

  “Of course, I am still happy to keep company with you.” Lady Caroline reached for his jacket sleeve.

  Garrett took a step back, out of reach. “I have a fencing match to attend.” He left the room, Lady Caroline staring after him, her mouth agape.

  Rose had witnessed Elianna racing from the ballroom last night, and though she knew midnight was fast approaching and she did not dare ask then, she could not help but wonder at how her new friend’s evening had gone. Regardless, Rose decided to check on her when Elianna had not appeared for breakfast. She rapped on Elianna’s bedchamber door. Her breath hitched when the door creaked open.

  Pearls littered the floor and one of Elianna’s slippers lay haphazardly in the center of the room. Rose stuck her head further into the room. “Elianna,” she called out, but received no reply. The bed did not appear to have been slept in either. How strange. Rose stepped into the room feeling a bit like a cutthroat but unable to stop herself all the same.

  She peeked into the armoire hoping to find Elianna’s gown within. Nothing. If it were only the missing gown, she would think perhaps Elianna had s
ent it to be laundered, but that added to the pearls, slipper, and bed that hadn’t been slept in pointed to something more sinister having befallen her. Rose’s belly soured. Life experiences had taught her not to ignore her instincts in regard to these kinds of situations.

  About to take her leave, Rose spotted a tiny piece of ice blue silk on the floor. She bent to retrieve it, instantly recognizing it for what it was. Part of Elianna’s gown. The evidence left no doubt clouding her judgment. Something nefarious had happened. She took her leave of the room, moving hastily below stairs in search of Anna. She wanted to go to her husband and Lord Sinclair but had promised Elianna she’d keep her confidence.

  Rose breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted Anna in the kitchen, standing near a stew pot. “Do you have a moment to spare?”

  Anna turned to her wide-eyed. “You should not be down here, my lady.”

  “I fear it could not be helped. I must discus an urgent matter with you.” Rose motioned for Anna to follow her from the room. Once they escaped the prying eyes and ears of the other kitchen maids, Rose allowed Anna to take the lead. “We need a private place where we can speak freely.”

  “Let us go to my room.”

  Rose followed Anna into her small bedchamber below stairs. A bed was positioned along one wall with a high-back chair beside it and a small chest was positioned on the opposite wall. Anna indicated the chair. “Do sit.”

  Rose shook her head, rejecting the offer. “Have you seen Elianna since the ball?”

  “No. Has something happened?” The color drained from Anna’s face.

  Rose told Anna all she knew in a rush of words, recounting the way Elianna had fled the ball and all she’d seen in Elianna’s room. She fought to still her shaking hands as she waited for Anna to speak.

  “Lady Berkly is to blame.”

  “We must find her. Help her.” Rose moved toward the door.

  “Doing so may only make matters worse. You see, we did not tell you the whole truth.”