Melly sighed again. "Mary in the village," she agreed.
"How did you discover this… indiscretion?"
"Pierce told me."
"What?" He stopped, and stared down at her.
She met his gaze, and grinned. "He couldn't tell Lady Talverne, could he? So he… One day, I saw him and Mary together. She was weeping, distraught, and Pierce didn't know what to — he was tearing his hair out, I promise you. He didn't have any choice except to explain to me why Mary was overcome, and Mary admitted to the child readily enough — so, I took him to Mother."
She gasped, as a thought occurred to her. "You must not tell Lady Talverne, that would be most unkind. Mary is married now. She and the child are well, I saw them just yesterday. Please say that you won't tell!"
"I take it that Mrs. Eardley arranged Mary's match with the blacksmith?"
Melly nodded.
Linton was silent for several moments. "It will create a minor scandal, but Talverne must end his betrothal to Lady Burnley."
"What? No — why?"
"He had a pre-contract. He asked you to marry him. Whether you agreed or not, he acted in bad faith. Outrageous behavior, and unacceptable for any gentleman. You expected that he would ask you again — and you would have agreed to marry him, is that not so?"
Melly felt ill. She hadn't considered what it would mean when Linton overheard the confrontation. She took her hand from his arm, but he didn't release her fingers. "I —" she didn't know what to say.
"You will marry my nephew, as you expected that you would."
She snatched her hand away, and faced him. "Lord Linton, you will not interfere. I won't have it." When she looked into his face, she saw determination there. And anger. A lot of anger.
Well, she was as angry as he, and with more reason. "I do not want to marry Pierce. I wouldn't have him if you tied a bow around his neck and presented him to me as a gift — as you mean to do, it seems." She had to make him understand. "Pierce was 18 when he went to up to Oxford, and —"
He came very close, and laid his finger on her lips. Even more quietly, he said: "Yes, Miss Eardley — please tell me what happened on the day before Pierce went up."
"What do you mean?"
He merely waited.
Suddenly she realized what he meant. "Nothing happened." She felt the heat in her face, and put her hands to her cheeks, then dropped them. "Pierce kissed me," she admitted.
She recalled the day. She and Pierce had gone riding to the village. On their way back, he'd asked her to walk with him. Then he'd pressed her against the trunk of a tree, and had kissed her — he'd never kissed her like that before, and somehow, she knew that he was offering her more, if she'd take it.
Raised in the country, Melly knew what such kisses could inspire. Catherine had warned her, several times, that she was never, ever, to allow any man to kiss her before she was married.
"What else?" His tone was implacable. "What else did he do?"
"Nothing. I pushed him away, called my groom, and we rode back to Gostwicke Hall. I'm not a fool, Lord Linton, although you seem determined to believe that I am."
"I don't think you're a fool, Mel." He possessed himself of her gloved hands again.
She glowered, meeting his gaze and allowing him to see how angry she was.
"All right. I believe you. I apologize for doubting you, but that nephew of mine!"
She took her hands from his, and looked around. No one was close enough to hear their whispered conversation. "I need to return," she said in a normal voice. "Mother and Catherine will come looking for me. I've been gone too long."
But first, she had to make him agree that he wouldn't attempt to force Pierce to break his engagement to Lady Burnley. "You may rage at Pierce, sir, but I won't have him — not for anything. It was my mistake. Catherine warned me, but I wouldn't listen."
He rested his hands on his hips, then ran a large hand through his hair.
He was very handsome man, she thought. With his wealth and good looks, he must have real skill and determination to remain unmarried. Doubtless women threw themselves at him constantly. She knew he had a mistress — how many women had he had in keeping?
"Yes," he said heavily. "Your family. I apologize, Mel. I do most heartily."
"Whatever for? Pierce? He's apologized for himself, but thank you. I shall recover swiftly — and now I think on it, I am not disappointed. I was childish, and beyond foolish… but I hope that I will learn that lesson, and be better for it."
"Pierce is a fool. You are not. I can compel him to marry you, you know. I control his inheritance. He has no income, other than what I allow, until he's 25."
"I don't want to marry Pierce. Please — can't we agree on that? Take pity on me, Lord Linton. I've been sufficiently embarrassed… Please don't let Pierce know that you overheard, or that you've spoken to me."
"I can't promise that. He deserves to have a peal rung over him. You're sure that you wouldn't have him, even if I tied him up in a bow for you?"
With relief, she saw a glint of humor in his eyes, which looked less stormy now. "No, indeed I would not."
"I think we know each other well enough that you may call me Randall, don't you, Mel?"
"What?" How could she call him by his given name? Not only was he a peer, he was much older than she. "I couldn't do that. No."
"Why?"
"No — you… I…" She blushed again. "How old are you?"
He chuckled. "I see. I'm 33, Mel. Quite the ancient, yes?"
"Well — no, Linton. I'd say that you are in your prime." She smiled at him. When he smiled back, she felt a strange sensation in her chest, and lower.
She was about to repeat that she had to return to the house, when Catherine strolled towards them.
Outrage
"Linton," Catherine said, frost in her tone. "I wish a word with my sister."
He looked as if he were about to say something, but met Catherine's gaze, and bowed deeply. "Mrs. Grove… Miss Eardley."
Melly watched him amble back to the house. As she'd feared, Catherine had flown up into the boughs.
Catherine took her arm. "What are you about? Strolling in the garden with Linton? Melly, that's the outside of enough. You know his reputation, the man's a rake."
"How did you know where to find me?"
"I didn't, until Lady Blazon accosted Mother and demanded to know what you were doing out in the garden with Lord Linton. She put such insinuation into her tone that it was all I could do to restrain myself from slapping her. Really, Melly! Linton?"
She wouldn't have him denigrated. "Yes, Lord Linton. He's been very kind to me."
"Why did you agree to walk with him?"
"He didn't give me a choice."
"What?"
"He heard me. He heard me ring a peal over his nephew, " Melly said, exasperated. "I told you that I would speak with him — I told Pierce exactly what I thought of him, unaware that Lord Linton was in the garden outside the library and heard every word — and he was kind. Stop saying that he's a rake. He's a gentleman."
"You — you talked to Pierce? About the engagement?"
"Yes, of course I did. No matter what you may think of me, he did ask me to marry him… He said that since I didn't agree, there was no engagement." She took a deep breath, and sighed.
"Let's sit down. My feet hurt." Catherine took her hand, and pulled her towards a bench.
Melly sat beside her sister. She knew that Catherine was angry, and that her temper, once aroused, didn't cool quickly. Catherine also held grudges forever, as Major Grove had learned to his cost. Melly didn't like her brother-in-law, chiefly because he'd made Catherine unhappy, but felt sorry for him when he felt the sharp slice of Catherine's tongue.
Catherine toed off her dancing slippers and stretched slightly, after making certain that she was unobserved. "After all this excitement, I'm ready to go home. I haven't danced as much since my come-out season… I want to know exactly what you said to Pierce
, and what Linton said, but it must wait until we return to Gostwicke Hall," Catherine said, and paused. She took Melly's hand again, and squeezed it.
Melly stared at her sister. She could see that she would be raked over the coals endlessly about Pierce. And Linton.
"Melly…" Catherine took her hand. "Linton may have been kind to you, in your shock and disappointment over his nephew, but he is a rake — a libertine. You must not allow him to bedazzle you. When we bought your pearls, he was with —"
"Bedazzle? Linton? I'm not a child, Catherine. Do give over. I know all about Lord Linton, so please don't say any more."
With that, she stood and walked back to the house.
Although Melly was ready to go home too, Mrs. Eardley shook her head when Catherine suggested it. "Have you taken leave of your senses?"
Melly realized that her mother simmered with anger. "No indeed," Mrs. Eardley said. "We stay. Lady Blazon has the worst tongue of any woman in the ton. If we leave, she'll be free to spread mischief."
So the lady in green was Lady Blazon.
When Melly looked at Catherine, she saw her grimace.
The three women were in one of the ladies' retiring rooms which had been set up for the guests. For the moment, they had the room to themselves. "Mother's right," Catherine said. "We must be seen. Otherwise that wretched woman will put it about that you are Linton's latest flirt."
Mrs. Eardley groaned. "Why did the Blazon have to see you?" Her mother met Melly's gaze in the mirror. "Aside from that disaster — well done, my love. You're a wonder, I know how disappointed you are, but you're carrying yourself as an Eardley should."
Melly frowned, and patted her pearls. "I was disappointed. But now, I've spoken to Pierce, I'm not disappointed at all — rather, I am relieved. We wouldn't suit — Pierce is still very young. Lady Burnley is welcome to him." In spite of her brave words however, she felt a pang.
For so long, she'd imagined that on her marriage, she would simply move to The Oaks. Aside from that small move, her life would go on as before.
"Very forbearing of you," Catherine snapped. "We'll discuss that boy again, have no fear. He harmed you, and I won't stand for it."
Mrs. Eardley nodded in agreement. "Indeed we won't. I read his letters, and the wretch did lead you on. There'll be no keeping it quiet, either. I won't have him ruin your season."
"He'll pay for his betrayal," Catherine said.
Melly stared at her mother and sister. They were both outraged. "I hope that you won't say anything to Lady Talverne, Catherine," she said nervously.
Carriages were brought around for the guests who weren't staying at The Oaks. Most guests had left, or retired, before Mrs. Eardley decided that they could leave.
Melly saw Lord Linton dance one dance, then he vanished into a card room. For some reason, Melly was a little disappointed at that. She hadn't danced with him at all.
Neither her mother nor Catherine mentioned Pierce in the carriage on their way home. Her mother sent her up to bed immediately. "Rest, my love. We'll speak when we're all rested."
London
Noon had come and gone before Melly woke. She'd slept as soon as she climbed into bed. She remembered the events of the ball, and expected to feel disappointed. She didn't. She felt wide awake, rested, and to her immense surprise, happy.
She couldn't understand it. She recalled Lady Talverne's announcement, and her shock, but she wasn't disappointed. How fickle she was. She'd considered herself as good as engaged for years. Then Pierce had thrown her over, and she didn't grieve at all.
When she dressed and went downstairs, Catherine, Anne, and her mother were in the breakfast room.
Catherine looked up and winked at Melly. "Henry's at The Oaks. I've given the child her orders. She's to learn what gossip the servants are sharing about Lady Burnley and that wretched boy."
Melly's eyes widened. Oh no… She inhaled deeply, and told herself to be calm. Once Catherine got the bit in her mouth and bolted on her latest start, there wasn't any holding her. Catherine meant to take her revenge on Pierce.
To give herself time to think, she sliced into her roast duck as soon as the footman put the plate in front of her. She had to head Catherine off, but how?
"You look well," her mother said, staring at her with suspicion. "You mustn't pretend with us, my love. It's natural to be downhearted."
Anne spoke, and that shocked Melly. "Leave her be, Mother. I never thought Talverne a match for Melly. As we decided, we will take Melly to London, at once. Send Lady Talverne a message to let her know — if you don't, you and Catherine, and Melly, will be expected at The Oaks each day to join in the entertainments for the guests."
London? What? "I don't want to go to London."
"You will, because I am adding to your dowery," Anne said. "There's a sweet little manor in Dorset, part of my inheritance from Kingston. It's let to tenants, along with several farms, and some houses in the village. I've already discussed it with Mother and Catherine… Between us, we may not be able to make you an heiress on the scale of the Burnley chit, but you will be an heiress. That, and with your looks — by the time we're done, I promise that you'll be a diamond of the first water when we bring you out next season."
Melly blinked. She opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't say a word. What nonsense was this? Why would Anne add to her dowery?
Anne sat opposite, calmly peeling an orange.
Suddenly she realized.
Anne was wearing a green muslin day dress. And talking — she'd spoken more words than Melly had heard since she returned to Gostwicke Hall. "You're in colors!"
Anne smiled, and chuckled. "Indeed I am. When Catherine told me what happened at the ball, I decided that I'd mourned long enough… and we made plans. I need to go to London to see to my London house, and to build my wardrobe of course… I have nothing to wear that isn't black." She sighed. "We've agreed that we're all going…" She chuckled. "We're determined that we'll make the Wards suffer for the slight to you. A Ward, jilting an Eardley? The idea!"
Melly couldn't believe it. Anne was laughing.
"It's best," Catherine said. "We leave today — well, except for Henry, obviously. She won't leave her horses. Mother that child worries me, how we'll get her to —"
"Yes, yes, never mind Henry," her mother broke in. "London… We'll open the London house completely, rather than just a few rooms. Anne needs a new wardrobe, I need a new gown or two myself. I was never more shocked than when Lady Blazon had the temerity to… Well, we won't speak of that. We'll all stay at Eardley House, and we'll help Anne to open Kingston House too."
"Then, in a few weeks," Catherine said, "we'll enjoy some time at the seaside. In the autumn, we'll return to Gostwicke Hall for a house party, I think. Then it's back to London. Kingston House will be ready by then. Anne has a large ballroom there, wonderful for your come-out ball."
"I thought you hated London," Melly said to Catherine, who merely shook her head and smiled.
What was happening? Her world had been upended.
4. Christobel
A week later, Melly was in London.
One afternoon she was alone in the house and received a note from Lord Linton. He asked her to join him for a drive in the park at the fashionable hour.
Why was he in London?
She decided that no doubt he'd grown bored with the house party at The Oaks and wanted to see his mistress. She didn't like that thought, and told herself not to be missish. She didn't care what Lord Linton did.
She read the note again:
Come for a drive in the park. I shall collect you at 5. Don't fail me. I have important news.
He'd signed it "Linton" with a flourish.
What was his news?
More importantly, should she go?
Her curiosity ensured that she would. She knew that Catherine would be outraged, so for the remainder of the afternoon, Melly mentally rehearsed the coming confrontation.
She'd wasted her time, bec
ause by five o'clock, when a footman announced that Lord Linton was waiting, Catherine, Anne, and her mother still hadn't returned.
"Mel, you look enchanting," he said when she skipped down the long staircase to the foyer. "That carriage dress is new, and so is the hat."
She saw that he liked the picture she made from the warm look of appreciation in his gaze — his admiration was worth much. He was one of the most fashionable men in London. Catherine had wasted no time in bespeaking half a dozen new gowns for Melly. She'd received this dress just a couple of hours ago, and was pleased she had worn it.
Melly knew that she looked well in the scarlet pelisse, made of velvet, with its matching Hussar hat, trimmed with military chains. The combination was the most fashionable she had ever owned.
Anne had insisted that she would pay for the gowns: they would be her gifts to her sister. Mrs. Eardley smiled, and agreed. "Indeed… An excellent idea, girls — Melly's to make her come out next season, so we'll begin as we mean to go on. We will make a fine splash with you, Melly. I'm set on it."
He didn't take his gaze from her. She blushed. Perhaps she should not have agreed to meet him. He is a rake, she reminded herself.
Linton looked handsome in buckskin breeches. His dark blue jacket revealed the width of his shoulders and his narrow waist. A diamond twinkled among the intricate folds of his snowy neckcloth.
She felt shy when he kissed her fingers.
He placed her hand on his sleeve. "I'd best pay my respects to your mother."
“They’re not at home… Excuse me for a moment — I'll tell the porter that we're off the to the park."
Linton handed her up into the gleaming carriage. He took the reins and his groom released the horses. With the tiger up behind them in the light carriage, they drove out of the square.
Even before they reached the park, Melly realized that she was enjoying herself.
The park was crowded with people, riders and carriages, despite many fashionable folk having left town to enjoy their country estates. Melly contented herself with watching the throng, although she was very aware of Linton beside her.
The Lady and the Rake: A Scandalous Arrangement (The Eardleys of Gostwicke Hall Book 1) Page 4
