The Elusive Earl (Love At Sea Book 2)

by Alice N. Palmer

  The Elusive Earl

  Alice N. Palmer

  Copyright 2020 by New Forest Books for Alice N. Palmer. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. For additional information, contact the author at Alice@NewForestBooks.com.

  Other books in the Love At Sea series include The Earl's Engagement, by Alice N. Palmer.

  Chapter One

  “I think he means it, this time.” Lady Sarah Knowles announced to the mirror. “He's turned over a new leaf.”

  Raymond's floozies and tawdry affairs were a thing of the past, weren't they...? More than anything, Sarah wanted that to be true. It's not that she'd ever been madly in love with Raymond. In fact, as children, he used to taunt her. Things hadn't changed much since then.

  But, since their families owned adjoining land, it was always assumed that Sarah would marry Raymond. Their estates would be joined as a result. It's the way things were done among their social circle.

  Of course, Sarah wanted to fall in love with Raymond, the Marquess of Beckford, but his dissolute ways – and his reluctance to marry – did not help the situation.

  Sarah stared at the mirror and said more firmly, “He's a new man. He's changed his ways. And I can learn to love him.”

  Sarah's sister, Emma, sauntered into Sarah's bedroom and sat firmly in the blue velvet wing chair by the fireplace. “Talking to yourself again?” Emma asked.

  Turning to face her sister, Sarah said, “I think Raymond really intends to marry me, this time.”

  “Because...?”

  “He's booked passage to America, to ask Father's permission. I just found out. He's even sailing on the same ship as we are.”

  Emma blinked. “Are you sure?”

  “He showed me his ticket. He said he didn't want to wait for Father to conclude business in Boston.”

  Emma studied her fingernails as she asked, “And the Duke's recent ultimatum had nothing to do with it.”

  Sarah shrugged. “Perhaps it did. But I think Raymond was ready to settle down, anyway. I'm sure he's turned over a new leaf.”

  Emma smirked. “For your sake – and mine – I hope he's serious. I can't have a Season until you're formally engaged. Ring on the finger, and all that.”

  “I'm sorry,” Sarah sighed. “We have the most old-fashioned parents in Norfolk. But if Raymond really does propose...”

  “You're right. I might have a Season before I'm on the shelf.”

  “Meanwhile, we do have some single neighbors...”

  “No, no, and no. Don't throw Adam at me again. I know he's an earl, but he's as boring as Raymond is wild. I can hardly believe they're brothers.”

  Sarah objected, “Adam is one of the nicest people in the world. I don't know why you won't give him a chance.”

  “Because he's never shown an ounce of interest in me, and I want to marry for love-”

  “An option I don't have,” Sarah reminded her. “Besides, if Raymond has turned over a new leaf, as he says...”

  Emma sighed, “For your sake, I hope so. But... remember two Christmases ago, when he said he was throwing an engagement party for you two and-”

  “His favorite racehorse broke a leg and had to be put down. Of course he had to go to Moorburn to say a last goodbye. You know how Raymond is about his horses.”

  “And last summer, when you saw him buying a lady's ring at the jeweler's on the high street...”

  “I read too much into it. It wasn't an engagement ring for me. It was a send-off for a female friend.”

  Emma shook her head in disgust.

  Sarah turned back to the mirror, tucking a wayward curl in back of one ear. “Besides, Raymond said it was a cheap diamond. Just something his friend-”

  “His mistress,” Emma corrected.

  “...His female friend could show off, as a token of Raymond's friendship. She'd read too much into his attentions, and he wanted to let her down gently.”

  Emma sighed. “Fine. We've had this conversation before. You can do better, but if you're set on Raymond, have pity on me and get him to the altar, quickly.”

  Sarah nodded. In her mind, everything was settled. Then, trying to sound excited about the future, the words spilled out of her.

  “Sure, we both wish Mother and Father weren't such sticklers for tradition. But don't worry. We'll go to America. You and me and Raymond and Adam. We'll see Fred again, and admire the company Father bought for him. Then, after our family get-together, Father will give Raymond permission to marry me. We'll sail back here, and...”

  Suddenly, it was like Sarah had run out of words. Or perhaps her optimism faltered.

  Emma replied, “And hope Raymond actually shows up at the church and says 'I do' when asked?”

  “He will. I'm sure of it. And then it will be fine and you'll have your Season. I have a good feeling about this. Really, I do.”

  Emma stood up and smoothed her skirt. “Are you trying to convince me... or yourself? And if you truly believed all that, why were you talking to your mirror again?”

  Sarah laughed and tossed her hairbrush at Emma, deliberately missing her.

  At the bedroom door, Emma joked, “Well, let's see if Raymond shows up at tonight's ball. I'm willing to bet my new shawl he won't.”

  “He'll be there,” Sarah insisted. “You'll see. He's a changed man.”

  Two hours later, on their way to Kenworth House – and after their chaperone, Miss Briggs, had nodded off as usual – Sarah eyes were a little too shiny and her smile seemed forced as she chatted.

  “I've heard that Lord Portsford will play his newest composition.”

  Emma nodded. “That may be awkward. They say he wrote the piece for Miss Finch, the actress. Or singer, I'm not sure which. Either way, they had a big row last week and he broke things off.”

  “I'm not surprised. She seems talented enough, but her reliance on, um, patronage...”

  “It's a little unseemly,” Emma agreed.

  “Let's see if Portsford performs, and if Miss Finch is in attendance.”

  “And, if so, which lord she has waiting in the wings.”

  With a laugh, Sarah replied, “We sound like a couple of old maids with nothing better on our minds.”

  Emma looped her arm through Sarah's as the carriage slowed almost to a halt. “We're nearly there, and – fingers crossed – everything will be perfect.”

  “You might even meet Mr. Right.”

  “Which will do me no good, even if he's the Duke of Everything Right, unless you get Raymond to the altar soon.”

  “It'll be fine,” Sarah assured her. “Raymond is a changed man. He means it, this time.”

  As the sisters stepped out of their carriage, Raymond's brother Adam was waiting on the sidewalk.

  “So where's your 'changed man' now?” Emma whispered.

  “Perhaps he's just late.”

  Emma cast a sharp glance at her sister but said nothing.

  Sarah knew her smile was forced as she greeted Adam. “How nice to see you.”

  She didn't need to ask about Raymond. Adam's face said it all.

  Chapter Two

  Sarah forced herself to smile as if everything was fine.

  Of course, it wasn't.

  Adam pushed his fingers through his blond hair and sighed. “Raymond, err, he wasn't feeling well. He might be here... later.”

  Sarah saw how deeply Adam blushed, and her heart ached. She knew how often he'd had to make excuses for his brother. But, as always,
she acted as if she believed him.

  She replied, “That's too bad. I hope he recovers quickly.”

  Adam looked at her sympathetically as he gave a one-shoulder shrug.

  She continued to smile as if everything was fine. Poor Adam, she thought, he knows he's not fooling anyone.

  As the trio walked up the stairs into Kenworth House, Adam whispered to Sarah, “Don't worry. I'll be sure he sails with you on Friday. I'm certain he'll recover quickly from tonight's, err, problems.”

  For just a second, Sarah wanted to turn and run back to the carriage. Instead, she smiled and kept walking, and tried to ignore the little voice in her heart wondering, Maybe I could do better than Raymond?

  It wasn't the first time she'd thought that.

  Once inside, Adam helped the women with their cloaks. In the candlelight, she suddenly realized how handsome he'd become in recent years. Why didn't Emma see what a catch he was? After all, Adam had many of Raymond's best qualities, and – as far as Sarah knew – none of his worst.

  Adam wrapped one arm around Sarah's shoulders and whispered in her ear, “I need to make Raymond's apologies to our hosts. I'll see you inside, later.”

  Sarah nodded. Taking Emma's arm, she asked, “Are you sure you won't consider Adam?”

  Emma shook her head and patted Sarah's hand. “Let's focus on getting you married, first. The rest will take care of itself.”

  “Raymond will come through,” Sarah promised.

  “I hope he does, for my sake, but – if I'm honest – you could do better.”

  Sarah shook her head firmly. “He'll be on the ship. I'm sure of it.”

  “We'll see. Meanwhile, don't be a wallflower. Dance with everyone who asks.”

  As if on cue, Lord Langpool and his cousin approached and, in turn, asked Sarah and Emma to dance.

  Six dances – and just as many partners – later, Sarah joined Emma near the punch bowl.

  “Thank heavens the musicians took a break. Langpool was approaching again. If he'd asked me for another dance, I don't know what I'd do.”

  “Still stepping on ladies' toes?”

  Sarah nodded and lifted her hem. As she extended one foot, it was pink and swollen above the edge of her dancing slippers.

  Emma winced in sympathy. “Ouch. Let's go outside for a few minutes. The cool air might reduce that swelling.”

  They exited through the conservatory. Outside, the garden overlooked a carriage path behind the house. The moon was full and the air had just enough bite to suggest an early autumn.

  Sarah sighed, “It's so lovely and quiet. I could happily spend the rest of the evening here.”

  Emma leaned forward and peered into the darkness. “Well, it was quiet, but I believe they're about to spoil it,” she said, pointing to group approaching from the path.

  Sarah gazed in the direction of the noise. “They're probably coming from Oxthorpe House. They say it's a gaming hell now. It's attracting all the wrong people.”

  Emma stepped away from Sarah and crossed the lawn. As she leaned over the low hedge to peer up the path, she gestured to Sarah. “Come here,” she whispered.

  Sarah limped to Emma's side, and – like Emma – leaned forward to study the approaching group. Four men. Three women, two on the arm of one man who stumbled more than the others.

  Sarah shrugged. “They're drunk. Not unusual for a Saturday night, I'm sure.”

  Emma pointed at the stumbling man. “Look again.”

  Sarah tugged at Sarah's elbow. “No, let's go back inside. When gentlemen are that drunk, they often cease to be gentlemen.”

  Emma didn't budge. “I mean it, Sarah, look closely.”

  With a sigh, Sarah squinted into the darkness. Then she sighed. “Oh.”

  Emma nodded. “Raymond.”

  Sarah's stomach lurched. She'd suspected Adam was lying, but this was too much. Being dissolute in private was one thing. To stumble his way past a party he knew she was attending... that was beyond the pale.

  Sarah turned away from Raymond's braying laughter, and limped as fast as she could back to the house.

  Emma followed her into the conservatory. “I have half a mind to call him out, right here and now, so he knows you've seen him.”

  “No, dearest, please don't. There may be a perfectly good explanation. Maybe his friends talked him into going out, even though he wasn't feeling well.”

  Emma rolled her eyes and sighed.

  Sarah continued, “Maybe his friends gave him a sort of send-off, since he's about to ask Father's permission, and... all that.”

  She knew Emma wasn't fooled. This was Raymond's usual debauchery, not a one-off indiscretion.

  Inside the conservatory, Sarah dropped miserably into a white wicker chair and stared past the potted palms, into the side yard.

  To her horror, she realized that Raymond and his friends were fast approaching.

  She sat straight upright. “Emma, we have to leave. Now.”

  Emma nodded. “They're coming here, aren't they.” It wasn't a question.

  Sarah didn't need to reply, but leaped to her feet. The pain caused her to turn her ankle, but she hobbled at a rapid pace anyway, leaning heavily on Emma's arm.

  As they passed one of the parlors, Adam approached.

  His brow was wrinkled. “Are you injured?”

  Emma replied, “She danced with Lord Langpool. He steps on toes.”

  Adam nodded, “So I've heard. Can I help?”

  Sarah looked directly at him, and between clenched teeth said, “Raymond is coming up the back path. Get him away as fast as you can, before anyone sees the condition he's in.”

  “And who he's with,” Emma added. “One on each arm.”

  Adam's lips drew a firm line as he muttered, “Blast it all. He'd promised...”

  Emma looked at Adam, then at Sarah, and then back at Adam. “You two are so gullible. That's Raymond we're talking about. He's doing what he always does. And possibly always will.”

  Sarah was in too much pain to object. “Let's talk about this later. Now, I just want to go home.”

  Adam scooped Sarah up in his arms, and carried her to the front door, passing several guests.

  Emma explained loudly, “It's the heat of the room. She's feeling faint.”

  Sarah saw guests nodding in sympathy.

  One woman took it as a cue and staggered slightly, leaning on her companion. He smiled at the sudden physical contact, and put his arm around her in support.

  Looking past Adam's shoulder, Sarah saw several other women follow suit. Had the evening not been such a disaster, she might have laughed.

  Instead, she felt miserable. Embarrassed once again.

  Adam gently placed Sarah on the padded seat inside her coach, next to Emma, who was clearly fuming.

  As the carriage pulled away, Sarah put her head out the window and gazed back at Adam.

  For just a moment, their eyes met. Adam raised one hand and nodded solemnly.

  As Sarah leaned back in her seat, Emma chuckled, “I would love to hear that conversation.”

  “Conversation...?”

  “Between Adam and Raymond, when Raymond arrives. The Riot Act may be invoked.”

  Chapter Three

  Adam winced as he watched his brother, Raymond, stumble into Kenworth House. Fortunately, the music was so loud and the guests so intoxicated, no one noticed yet another drunk young man and his companions.

  Raymond seemed oblivious to Adam's glare. “Adam, where is your drink? Can't be at a party without a drink.”

  Adam said nothing.

  Raymond continued, “And where's your companion? Can't be by yourself, y'know. It's not the done thing.”

  Adam glanced back over his shoulder, to confirm that their conversation wasn't overheard.

  Raymond misunderstood. “Lost her already?”

  Then he lurched forward. His two companions leaned into him so he managed not to fall flat on his face.

  In fact, he barely stum
bled.

  Adam glanced at the two women. One was in a gown with a shockingly low neckline. Her breasts threatened to pop out at any moment.

  The other was in an old-fashioned, high-waisted white linen dress that might have been a nightgown. Or, perhaps she'd soaked it with water to make it transparent, as they had in Adam's grandparents' era.

  Adam knew this had to stop tonight. His brother was soon to board a ship to America, ask for Sarah's hand in marriage, and then settle down, once and for all.

  Well, that's what Raymond had promised.

  Of course Adam knew sincerity wasn't Raymond's strong suit. Over the years, Adam had quietly paid over a dozen women to forget promises Raymond had made when he was in his cups.

  It broke Adam's heart when their now-elderly father discovered how dissolute Raymond was. As the heir, Raymond was supposed to carry the family name with honor.

  Adam had tried to shelter their father from the truth. But, in recent months, Raymond seemed to descend to even deeper depravity.

  Their father's lecture to Raymond still rung in Adam's ears.

  “Raymond, you're the heir. Start acting like it.”

  Raymond, drunk and disheveled, only laughed. “Have a drink, old man, you'll feel much better.”

  Their father had winced. “For God's sake, Raymond, put that bottle down, and stand up straight.”

  Raymond paused. Then he guffawed, swinging one arm around his father's shoulders. “Thought you were serious for a minute.”

  Their father pushed Raymond's arm away, and said, “I am serious, Raymond. This has to stop, here and now. Either pull yourself up and start behaving like a gentleman, or I'll leave everything to Adam.”

  Raymond looked at Adam and then at his father. And then he burst into laughter again. “Can't. Entailed, y'know.”

  His father retorted, “Only the manor at Hull.”

  “That shack?” Raymond laughed as if it was the funniest thought in the world. “You can't be serious. These days, it doesn't even have a roof.”

  “I'm completely serious. It's all you'll get if this continues. Stop this debauchery, and marry that nice girl Sarah. She's been waiting for you all these years, and...”