Heartless Lord Harry

by Marjorie Farrell

  During the day he rode next to the chaise and so she had privacy. When they stopped to eat, he joined them. After the first stiffly polite conversation they both relaxed with each other. Because he had at last been open with Lynette and received her willingness to consider him as a suitor, James felt at ease with her for the first time. Sharing meals together and commenting on the sights of the day’s traveling gave him great pleasure. He found himself opening up to her, telling her about his family and the long Otley tradition of responsibility. He even, without thinking, started to tell her of the beginning of his long friendship with Harry, and then stopped, apologizing for his insensitivity.

  “Do go on, Lord Clitheroe. I am not at all upset with Lord Sidmouth and would enjoy hearing how you met him.”

  James sketched out their meeting at school and their subsequent years at Oxford.

  “You seem to complement one another very well,” said Lynette with a smile.

  “You mean I am the dull dog and Harry the heartbreaker?”

  Lynette protested. “That is not what I meant at all. No, Lord Sidmouth seems rather volatile, and there is a steadying quality in you, Lord Clitheroe, that I am sure he needs. As you need to have your sense of duty leavened by a little lightheartedness.”

  James smiled. “You have analyzed our friendship very well, Miss Richmond.”

  “Were you upset when Lord Sidmouth purchased his commission?”

  “Envious. I wanted one myself, but was convinced by my mother and uncle that I owed it to the title not to risk my life. Otley duty, you understand. Harry, of course, ignored his family’s pleas and went off anyway.”

  “I have a hard time understanding what there is to be envious of. Surely Lord Sidmouth’s injuries convinced you of that?”

  “Oh, I know that the Peninsula was a nightmare. Or rather, I don’t know, but imagine what it must have been from the newspaper accounts and from the little that Harry and his friends say about it.”

  “My brother rarely speaks of his experiences either.” Lynette looked directly at James. “I admire you for staying, Lord Clitheroe. I think it takes as much strength of character to give up what seems to be the more glamorous course of action as it does to rush off into danger.”

  “Thank you, Miss Richmond.” For the first time since Harry had left him behind, James felt absolved of a lingering shame. He had chafed under his mother’s demands yet sometimes secretly wondered if he had used them as an excuse. As much as he had been eager to go, he had also been frightened, and had wondered which had kept him home, his fear or his sense of responsibility. Having someone appreciate the struggle meant a lot to him. And, having seen how close Harry had come to dying, had convinced him, that whatever his motivation, as the earl and his father’s only son, he had done the right thing.

  “But enough of me, Miss Richmond,” said James after a short but comfortable silence. “Tell me, what is it about Padstow that your father must be there on May first?”

  Lynette gave him one of her rare and delightfully open smiles, which transformed her from a “faerie queen” to a flesh and blood young woman. “It has long been a dream of my father’s to be in Cornwall to see the famous ‘Obby ‘Oss.”

  “ ‘Obby ‘Oss?”

  “Hobby Horse, Lord Clitheroe,” Lynette replied with a chuckle. “Padstow is one of the few small villages where traditional May Day festivities are still held. Many villages have May poles, of course, but the Padstow celebration goes back hundreds of years and lasts from May Eve well into the next day.”

  “And just what is the significance of a hobby horse?” asked James, picturing a child’s ride-on toy.

  Lynette surprised herself by blushing for the first time when discussing her father’s work. “Horses, among other things, are considered symbols of fertility, Lord Clitheroe. The rites of the old religions were often celebrated to promote the fecundity of the land…and of people. They were originally sacred ceremonies, of course, but now remain in the form of folk celebrations. My father has long been fascinated by what remains long after the ancient religions have been replaced.”

  “So people gallop around on little hobby horses, then?” asked James, trying to picture what such a celebration would be like.

  Lynette laughed out loud, and then covered her mouth, looking, thought James, like a mischievous young girl.

  “Oh, no, Lord Clitheroe, not that kind of horse. The ‘Oss—or ‘Osses, for there are two at Padstow—are made of a huge hoop covered and skirted with black oilskin. Two men carry them around on their shoulders and dance around the village. Everyone turns out for the singing and dancing. I have always wanted to see it myself.”

  “Then I am glad I convinced you to come back in time, Miss Richmond.”

  “So am I,” she replied softly.

  * * *

  Chapter 27

  They arrived in London late in the morning, and Lynette was greeted ecstatically by her parents, who despite their outer calm, had secretly been very worried about her flight.

  “We will hear the whole story later,” said her father after a thorough hug in the hallway. “Upstairs with you. You must be tired from your trip.” Mr. Richmond turned to James as Lynette shyly thanked him and said good-bye before going upstairs.

  “Lord Clitheroe, I am very grateful to you for bringing her back. I assume that means that Lynette is willing to consider your offer?”

  “She has agreed to developing our friendship, Mr. Richmond, with the understanding that I wish to eventually make an offer.”

  “That is a fine beginning, James.”

  “Did she say anything to you of her reasons for going home?” asked Lady Elizabeth.

  “Nothing. And I did not wish to pry, my lady.”

  “Very wise, lad,” said Mr. Richmond. “I hope we will see you tomorrow night at the Herberts’?”

  “Yes, sir, I will be there. But do you think it is too soon for your daughter?”

  “I hope she feels recovered, for I doubt that the ton will accept our story much longer. The gossips will have her dying of the ague or eloping if she doesn’t return soon.”

  Lynette knew she would have to give her parents a full explanation of why she had returned to Yorkshire, but she wasn’t looking forward to it. Despite Gabriel’s reassurance, she still felt a certain amount of shame and embarrassment.

  She came down shortly before tea and found her father and mother and the dowager marchioness in the morning room. As soon as her mother saw her, she got up and enfolded her in a strong hug.

  “I am so glad you returned with Lord Clitheroe, my dear. I have been very worried about you.”

  “I am sorry for running off like that, Mother. But I had to go home. There was someone I needed to talk to.”

  Lady Elizabeth looked puzzled and Lynette smiled. “Gabriel Crabtree, Mother.”

  “Gabriel?”

  “Yes. Let us sit down. I must tell you why I left, and it will not be easy.”

  “Do you want me to leave, dear?” asked her Aunt Kate.

  “Oh, no, I would like you to stay.”

  “Was it Sidmouth’s behavior?” asked her father.

  “Yes and no. He only gave me a few kisses on a balcony, after all.” Lynette paused, thinking with amazement that she could say that and mean it. All the terror was going from the memory now that she understood where the fear really came from.

  “You see, what happened was that when I leaned back against the balcony I had the strangest sensation that I was back in Yorkshire, my back against a stone wall. When I got home, and tried to remember more, I could actually hear Gabriel’s voice.”

  “Gabriel Crabtree never laid a hand on you?” demanded her father.

  “No, no, Father. It was Thomas Halloch. And Gabriel came just in time. In fact, he almost killed Halloch.”

  “And I always thought he disappeared because he had received a better offer from another farmer somewhere,” said Lady Elizabeth, wonderingly. “But why didn’t you tell us, Lynnie
?”

  “I was too embarrassed and ashamed,” said Lynette in a low voice. “Somehow, I thought it was my fault. That if I hadn’t gone adventuring so early that morning or… I can’t explain…” Lynette’s voice was shaking and her aunt got up and put her arm around her.

  “I think I understand, my dear. There is no need to put yourself through this again.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Kate. You see, I didn’t remember any of it until Lord Sidmouth kissed me. And even then, not all of it until I was speaking to Gabriel.”

  “But why didn’t Gabriel tell us, or at least tell me. I would have had the bastard hounded out of the county,” exclaimed Mr. Richmond.

  “I made Gabriel promise, Father. I swore him to silence. He wanted to tell you, but seeing how upset I was, he went along with what I wanted. And I doubt Halloch stayed in Yorkshire after Gabriel had a hold of him!”

  “Are you truly able to finish up the Season?” asked her father.

  “Yes, I think I am. And although I was a little taken aback by his appearance, I am glad Lord Clitheroe spoke to you and glad you sent him after me.”

  “Are you interested in marrying him, Lynnie?” asked her mother.

  “I can’t consider that right now, Mother. I never thought I’d want to be married at all. But now I think that that has something to do with what happened years ago. I feel somehow different. More me, if you can understand what I mean. I am not sure I do,” she added with a shaky laugh. “But if I don’t know whether I want to marry him, I do know I want to get to know him better.”

  “So you are ready to go to the Herberts’ tomorrow?” asked her father.

  Lynette smiled. “Yes, Father. The ‘week in bed’ has done me a world of good.”

  “What shall we tell Gareth and Kate, my dear?” asked her aunt.

  “As much of the truth as you want. I would rather one of you did it, though, for I don’t want to keep going over and over it.”

  “We understand, dear.”

  * * * *

  By the next day, Kate and Gareth had heard Lynette’s story. Both were helplessly furious with Halloch and were also concerned that Lynette had kept the story to herself all those years.

  “The truth is,” said Mr. Richmond, “that she almost immediately put it out of her memory and only being with Sidmouth brought it back.”

  At Sidmouth’s name, Kate blushed. She had been so sure that he was at fault, even though Lynette had denied it. And now she was hearing that he really had done no more than steal a kiss or two behind balcony doors. She owed him an apology. She wondered if he would be present that night and if she would have the courage to approach him.

  * * *

  Chapter 28

  Sidmouth was at the Herberts’ ball and, having arrived early, heard the Richmonds announced. He was distracted from the light flirtation he had going with the bolder of the two Herbert girls and glanced over at the receiving line where he was surprised to see Miss Richmond looking even more beautiful than usual. Miss Herbert saw the direction of his gaze and looked over herself.

  “Ah, I see that Miss Richmond has recovered. She is amazingly beautiful, is she not?” Miss Herbert was generous as well as daring, and Harry looked down at her and gave her his first real smile of the evening.

  “For those who like ice-blond beauty. I myself very much appreciate brunettes.”

  Miss Herbert, whose hair was a pleasing shade of brown, inclined her head at the compliment.

  “They are striking up a waltz, Miss Herbert. May I steal it from whomever you have promised it to?”

  Miss Herbert could not resist, and let Harry lead her onto the floor.

  * * * *

  James arrived shortly after and went straight over to the Richmonds. After a general greeting, he asked Lynette if she had recovered from her journey.

  “I have, Lord Clitheroe, and am very surprised to find myself happy to be back in London.”

  “May I have a waltz with you this evening, Miss Richmond?”

  “I had saved one for you, in hopes that you would ask,” she answered shyly.

  They chatted comfortably for a few minutes, and Kate watched them out of the corner of her eye. Lynette was more relaxed with Lord Clitheroe than she had seen her with anyone. Kate smiled to herself. It may well be, she thought, that Lynnie would change her mind about marriage by the end of the Season.

  Kate turned and saw Sidmouth on the dance floor with Miss Herbert. He was a graceful dancer, and, she had to admit to herself, very handsome in black evening clothes. When the dance ended, she watched him escort his partner off the floor. There was a slight hesitation in his step, which made her realize she had forgotten his injured knee because he danced so easily. She wondered if she would find the opportunity to offer her apology. After the way she had ripped up at him at Hatchard’s, he would probably never come near her again.

  * * * *

  The slight hesitation in his walk was all that Harry allowed himself. He had been so determined to get his leg back to normal that he had made himself dance, as soon as he was able to give up the walking stick. He found that if he rationed his dances, he could partner a lady as well as he used to as long as he was willing to pay the price of a more pronounced limp by the end of the evening and for part of the next day.

  He had decided that he could not ignore Miss Richmond. He did not wish to upset her further, but at the same time, wished to talk with her and reassure himself that he wasn’t the reason for her absence. He decided he would ask her to sit out one dance with him in plain sight of her parents, hoping that would feel safe enough to her.

  When he approached her, he was surprised to be greeted with more warmth than he would have expected.

  “My knee needs a rest, Miss Richmond. I was wondering if you would sit out this dance with me?”

  Lynette nodded and Harry guided her over to two chairs a little removed from those set aside for the chaperons. He cleared his throat and was about to begin his apology when Miss Richmond surprised him again by saying, “I owe you an explanation, Lord Sidmouth.”

  “Not at all,” he protested. “I have heard through both James and your sister that my behavior upset you greatly. I am the one who should explain. I assure you that it is not my way to force myself on a woman. I truly thought you were enjoying my kisses.”

  “I did not say anything to the contrary, Lord Sidmouth. And remembering back, I can understand your mistake. I cannot give you a full explanation,” Lynette continued, after a slight hesitation, “but it was not you that I ran from, but a memory of something unpleasant that had happened to me when I was younger. My reaction was as much to the memory as to your behavior. But I have to add, Lord Sidmouth, that although you are a very handsome and charming man, I did not then and do not now have any strong desire to be kissed by you!”

  “How lowering to my self-esteem, Miss Richmond, but, no doubt, a healthy blow to my egotism,” Harry replied with a grin.

  “Oh, dear, that did not come out quite the way I meant it. You are very attractive, but it is just I do not respond to you that way myself.”

  “Stop, Miss Richmond. You have wounded my amour-propre quite enough.”

  “I don’t think there is a good way to explain what I mean, my lord.”

  “You did very well, Miss Richmond! Shall we agree to be acquaintances again, and perhaps even friends? You need have no worry that I will repeat my behavior.”

  “I would like that very much,” Lynette replied.

  * * * *

  Kate, who was in conversation with Lord Heronwood and Arden, had been looking over at Sidmouth and Lynette from time to time. She told herself it was because she wanted to be sure her sister was not being made uncomfortable, but she knew that part of what drew her attention was Sidmouth himself. He looked very earnest at first, and then amused. Her sister seemed perfectly comfortable with the situation and Kate made herself concentrate on the conversation going on around her. After a few minutes she had become genuinely involved
and did not even notice Sidmouth’s approach until he was greeting her companions.

  After offering his own opinion on the new production of Othello, Sidmouth turned to Kate and requested the next dance.

  She studied her dance card intently, as though it were a document of the utmost importance, but as hard as she looked, she could find no one signed up for the next waltz.

  “Are you free, Miss Kate?”

  “Yes, I suppose I am,” replied Kate. She had, after all, wanted to apologize, but had not envisioned doing so with his arms around her. Her lack of polite enthusiasm raised a few eyebrows around her, and she suddenly blushed, realizing how offensive she sounded. “I am sorry, Lord Sidmouth. I was distracted. I would be delighted to dance with you.”

  After they had been on the dance floor for a few measures, Sidmouth said, without preamble, “That is one of the things I most like about you, Miss Kate Richmond.”

  “I beg your pardon?” said Kate, looking up into his face and quickly looking down to avoid his teasing eyes.

  “Your plain speaking. No polite fictions for you. No, you are honest and practical, like the good Yorkshire lass you are.”

  “I was at a loss, my lord. After our last meeting, I did not expect you to speak to me again, much less ask me to dance.”

  “Indeed?”

  “You must admit, I was too frank with my opinion of you. And perhaps,” she added on a softer note, “a little harsh. I am very protective where Lynette is concerned.”

  “So I have noticed. But if I assure you I have apologized to your sister and she has accepted my apology, will you relax your guard?”

  “Lynette has told us all that happened, and we now know that you are not to blame for her feeling threatened. I have no further fears about you, my lord, and in fact, had intended to offer my own apology for not believing you.”

  “Good,” said Harry. “Then let us enjoy the rest of this dance,” he added, pulling her a little bit closer. The pressure of his fingers against her back and the ease with which he whirled her around the room and the intent look on his face all combined to make Kate realize for the first time how easy it might be to succumb to Sidmouth’s charm, even if one were determined not to.