The Lady and the Rake: A Scandalous Arrangement (The Eardleys of Gostwicke Hall Book 1)

by Penelope Redmont

  After a few minutes, she remembered the note he'd sent her. "You have news?"

  He glanced at her, then back at the horses. He flicked a rein, and steered them around another carriage.

  "What is it?" She had no idea why he was reluctant to speak.

  "I need to apologize," he said. "Again. I'm sorry, Mel."

  She shook her head. "You've apologized — as has Pierce." She spoke his name without a pang, but winced with embarrassment as she recalled how she'd taken him to task. "Please, let's not speak of it again."

  He coughed. "I need to tell you something. I can't avoid it."

  She was becoming nervous. "Linton, what is it?"

  "Will you walk with me?"

  He guided the horses off the carriage road, then reined in the team. His tiger sprang down to stand at their heads. Linton waved to the mounted groom who accompanied them to take his place in the carriage, then he helped Melly down.

  She had to be patient. They walked for a time, but at this hour, it was impossible to be alone, so he kept his voice low. He bent down to her. "I had a chat with young Talverne, in the library. I told you I would." He chuckled ruefully. "After eavesdropping on you and Talverne, I should have been more careful… the Burnley chit heard every word I said to him."

  For a moment, she didn't understand what he meant. Then she realized. "Lady Burnley heard you — from the garden." She couldn't help it. She snorted and then giggled. "Well, that was a lesson to you, I'm sure."

  She was walking closely at his side, with her gloved hand on his sleeve. He smiled down at her, and her heart skipped a beat.

  Suddenly she was overwhelmingly aware of him, and of the scent of oiled leather, bay rum, and juniper cologne. She stopped smiling and focused on her reaction to him.

  When he fell silent she realized that she hadn't heard a word he'd said. "What? What did you say? I'm sorry, I wasn't attending."

  She felt him inhale deeply.

  Melly kept her gaze to the front, she didn't want to look at him, for fear that he might see her turmoil.

  He cleared his throat. "Lady Burnley indulged in a fine fit of hysterics. She accused Pierce — and you — of making a game of her," he said softly. "She's very young, Mel, and she insisted that the betrothal was over. She slapped Pierce, and would have clawed me, had I not grabbed her hands… Everyone heard her shrieks. It was after dinner, and the house was packed with people. Finally her mother arrived, and got her to her room, with the help of a couple of footmen."

  What an outrageous scene it must have been. Melly could picture it. Although it was badly done of her, and she did feel sorry for the girl, Melly snorted, barely able to contain her laughter.

  When she looked up at him, she saw that his eyes were amused, although he tried to look stern. "Her mother managed to talk some sense into her — but I fear that she means to do you harm."

  "Me? What?" Melly felt confused. How had she become involved?

  "She's jealous, so she's telling blatant lies. She's insisting that you threw yourself at Pierce, and enacted him a tragedy. Exasperating chit. By the time I realized what was happening, and spoke to the girl and her mother, she'd already caused a disturbance among the guests."

  "Oh my…"

  "It's unfortunate, but she's taken a set against you, and won't listen to reason. Her mother is completely ineffectual in managing her. Sophia isn't much better… Most of the guests departed swiftly."

  "I'm so sorry." What a disaster. She liked Lady Talverne, who had always been kindness itself, and was Henry's godmother.

  He squeezed her fingers again. "Please do not apologize. No one is at fault — or perhaps I am, for not ensuring that no one could overhear when I took Pierce to task."

  Melly gasped as a thought occurred to her. "You didn't mention Mary, did you?"

  "No, I didn't, and I'm very thankful for that. Pierce doesn't know that I'm aware… Please, don't be distressed."

  She felt him looking down at her.

  He went on, "I wouldn't distress you for the world, but I needed to tell you — you should be aware of what's being said… Lady Burnley will stay at The Oaks, and has no plans to come to London. Doubtless the preparations for the wedding will fill her mind before the summer is over. She'll come to her senses. But some of the house party guests are already in London… There will be talk. I aim to squelch as much of it as I can."

  He frowned. "Why that boy would tie himself to that chit passes understanding. Pierce is seeing a side of Christobel he wasn't prepared for, and doesn't much like."

  Although she felt exasperated, and embarrassed, Melly was concerned by Lady Burnley's lies.

  They returned to his carriage to take another turn around the park, then he drove her home.

  He helped her down, and took her to the front door of Eardley House. "You've your horses in town, have you not? Come riding with me in the park tomorrow afternoon at the same time… I will speak to Mrs. Eardley and Catherine then."

  She met his gaze, then realized that she shouldn't look up at him, because it caused strange feelings in her belly. "Yes, I will," she agreed quickly, then hurried past the butler and into the house.

  Lord Linton

  When Melly hurried up the staircase. Mr. Morley, the butler who had accompanied the family to town from Gostwicke Hall, coughed meaningfully.

  She stopped, and turned to him.

  "Mrs. Eardley has returned. They're in the downstairs sitting room, ma'am."

  Melly sighed. She had to tell them.

  As soon as she entered the room, she realized that they knew. She saw it in the glances that Catherine and Anne leveled at her. Catherine was angry, Anne was amused.

  "There you are." Catherine waited until the footman had closed the door, before narrowing her grayish-green eyes on Melly. "Come — sit down, we're having a discussion about you."

  Anne winked at Melly, and continued pouring tea into fine Stoke China cups. "Catherine, be kind, please," she said to her sister.

  Mrs. Eardley lay on the sofa, with her eyes closed and a linen pad on her forehead. Peppermint and lavender wafted around the room. Her mother had another one of her headaches.

  "I'll be kind, after I find out what she was thinking — Melly, have you taken leave of your senses? How often do I need to tell you that Linton is a rake! Driving with him, in the park? In full view of everyone?"

  Mrs. Eardley sat up, and handed the linen pad to Anne. "A little more lavender on that, please… Catherine, you should compliment Melly on her good sense."

  "For what? For being seen, by the ton, in the company of —"

  "Lower your voice, my dear. It's good sense because Linton is Talverne's uncle. That fact will weigh, now that the Burnley girl has taken against Melly… After all, if Melly were such a monster, why would Linton give her consequence? Besides, he's no rake — he has a mistress, and why should he not? He's unmarried. Better that than… Give me the cloth, dear, I need to lie down again."

  "Very well, Mother… Sit down, do, Melly," Catherine said more calmly. "Drink your tea."

  Melly picked up a cup from the tea table.

  Anne handed her a plate with two cream scones. "Your favorite blackberry jam, my love. The scones are still warm from the oven."

  "You could be right, Mother," Catherine said after Anne had filled Melly's cup. "Yes, Linton's attention to Melly could play to our advantage. What did Linton say?" She asked Melly.

  "He told me that Lady Burnley overhead him paying out Pierce. And that Lady Burnley hates me, and says that I threw myself at Pierce. I should never have spoken to Pierce. What was I thinking?"

  "No!" Catherine set down her cup, and stood up. "We'll have none of that. Of course you had to speak to that wretched boy. Why should you not? You can't blame yourself. If I blame anyone, I blame him. And Linton, for allowing the discussion to be overheard by that idiotish girl."

  "Sit down and drink your tea, Catherine. We need to be calm," Anne said.

  "How did you find out?" Mel
ly asked Catherine.

  "At Mrs. Browne's Modes. Mother and Anne were trying on new bonnets, and I was bespeaking a new straw hat… Mrs. Benton-Wilder was there, with one of her cronies. All we got from her was a couple of sniggers, then a concerned look. And the information that you'd been mentioned in the scandal sheets."

  "What?" Melly felt herself losing color. Her hand shook so much her cup rattled in its saucer. She set it down quickly. "Do you have the newspaper? Let me see it." She knew that a lady was mentioned in the newspapers twice. When she married, and when she died. Never at any other time. "I'm ruined."

  Catherine snorted inelegantly. "Oh for heaven's sake — of course you're not ruined. Ruined? The very idea. Because of a Ward? Not likely at all. It simply means that we'll need to step up our campaign a little that's all… I'll set matters in train."

  "Catherine, no — you can't do anything —"

  "Of course I can. By the time she marries, little Lady Burnley will be glad that anyone at all will have her, let alone that Ward boy. I thought that I should toy with him a little, but no, she'll do. He comes later." Catherine poured herself another cup of tea, and sat in an easy chair, a small smile on her lips.

  Melly knew that smile. She'd seen it often, and it never boded well for anyone.

  One time, after the smile, she heard that Major Grove had been seen entering his barracks in the early hours of one morning without a stitch on — except for his hat. The cruelly amusing tale had been the focus of two pamphlets, and three series of prints by Gillray and Cruikshank.

  She winced. Catherine's hapless husband hadn't been the sole focus of Catherine's enmity. There was also her husband's purported mistress, as well as a patroness of Alack's, and a duchess. Not to mention Lord Wellington, Mr. Brummell, and countless other unfortunates who had managed to incur Catherine's ire.

  "You can't do anything to Lady Burnley," she told Catherine. "She's just a girl. She's annoying, not malicious. I feel sorry for her. Anne, tell Catherine that she mustn't."

  Anne's eyebrows lifted, then she winked at Melly again.

  "It's my belief that you write those pamphlets yourself," Melly said crossly.

  "I've no idea what you mean, Melly. Eat those scones, before they get cold," Catherine eyed her coolly, then took a scone herself, and bit into it. Her teeth were very white. And sharp.

  "Please don't, Catherine," Melly begged again.

  "You're not thinking," Anne told her. "It's all very well for you to wish to take the high road, my love, but do consider. It's early days, with few people in town. If we allow this story to continue, you may find yourself as a caricature in a series of prints… We'd all have to leave town, then there would be no chance of a season for you — nor for Elaine and Henry."

  "Anne's right," Mrs. Eardley said, from the sofa. She didn't open her eyes. "We need to think ahead… I've nothing against Lady Burnley, but you're already the focus of gossip."

  Catherine nodded. "It's only beginning — who knows where it will end? Do you want everyone who matters to laugh at you?"

  Of course, she didn't. Suddenly Melly wished that she'd kept her temper to herself, and hadn't said anything to Pierce. She should have burned his letters.

  Cruelty

  Next day Melly discovered that Christobel's malicious tale had grown overnight.

  Several members of the family had called at Eardley House: Eardley cousins who were in town. They were shocked. They'd heard that Melly had threatened Lord Talverne with a breach of promise suit at the house party when his engagement to Lady Burnley was announced.

  They had also heard that Lord Linton had sent a message his nephew, asking him to send Christobel and her mother away from The Oaks, back to their own estate, until the gossip faded. Lord Talverne had purportedly refused.

  When Lord Linton called in Grosvenor Square just after five in the afternoon, he spoke to Mrs. Eardley and Catherine privately. His groom walked his horse for half an hour before a footman told Melly's maid that Lord Linton sent his compliments, and would she accompany him to Hyde Park?

  Catherine pulled Melly aside when she came downstairs in her riding habit. Linton had left the house to see to his horse. "Linton is concerned," she said softly, so that Mr. Morley and the footmen wouldn't hear.

  "What else has happened?"

  "You're not to upset yourself. That wretched girl's been writing to her friends." She sighed. "And there are more snippets in the scandal sheets. Nothing's happening in town, so this paltry affair is gaining more attention than it should. We'll speak later. For now — enjoy your ride. Take heed… You must be smiling, and unconcerned, no matter how many stares you get."

  It was all very well for Catherine to say that she should be unconcerned, but it was difficult.

  "Smile," Linton said to Melly, smiling broadly himself.

  They'd reached the park. As predicted, people stared.

  Melly compressed her lips for a moment. She realized that she could burst into tears of humiliation, or she could pretend that she was completely unaware of the looks being cast in her direction.

  She became annoyed. Why should she feel shame? She hadn't done anything to be ashamed of.

  She firmed her shoulders, and nudged her mare closer to Linton's horse. Tilting her head, she gave him a flirtatious look from underneath her lashes, and… smiled.

  "That's the way. Now tell me, Miss Eardley, are you enjoying your visit to London?"

  Over the next hour, Melly firstly relaxed, and then began to enjoy herself. She nodded and smiled at people, whether or not she knew them. Linton made it easy. He was a pleasant conversationalist.

  When they returned to Eardley House, he escorted her into the house, and then kissed her hand. "Well, we've managed to throw dust in their eyes… You're gracious, my dear. I admit to you, that I was more than a little wary when we reached the park, but you carried yourself with the insouciance of a duchess."

  "Thank you, my lord — I enjoyed it."

  He threw back his head and laughed. "Yes, you did — and I enjoyed it too. Say that you'll ride with me tomorrow?"

  She stared into his eyes. Today, they looked a warm sea green. He smiled, and she returned the smile. "With intense pleasure, Linton."

  He kissed her fingertips again, and opened his mouth to speak.

  Then he shook his head, and put on his hat. Mr. Morley opened the door for him, and he was gone.

  When Melly climbed the staircase, she saw Catherine watching her on the landing.

  Catherine ushered her into Mrs. Eardley's private sitting room, where Anne and her mother were waiting.

  "Well, my love?" Her mother asked.

  Melly undid her gloves, and removed her hat. Today, she'd chosen a black top hat, and a green woolen habit, simply styled — her favorite riding habit at Gostwicke Hall. Anne had refurbished the habit with golden braided cuffs and lapels, adding a snowy-white ruffled cravat to the ensemble.

  She set her gloves and hat aside, then collapsed into a chair. Her legs felt weak. "Linton says that we tossed dust into their eyes. I promised you Mother, I gave a performance worthy of the greatest actress of the age. Linton made it easy."

  "Did you meet anyone? Anyone of importance?" Catherine asked.

  They had. Linton had introduced her to several people, who'd been most kind, she assured her sisters. "I enjoyed it," she said firmly. "Linton asked me to ride with him again tomorrow."

  Catherine frowned at that, but Mrs. Eardley nodded. "Yes, you must. If Linton shows himself to be unconcerned about what's said about you, the talk will cease. He's the head of the family."

  "Mother…" Catherine said in a warning tone. "We did talk about this. Linton can't been seen to pay too much attention to Melly. People will say that she's fast."

  "Better that, than be thought of as unladylike," her mother snapped. "Christobel can say what she likes — people believe the evidence of their eyes. If Lord Linton gives Melly his imprimatur, it doesn't matter what a young chit like Lady Burnley says
."

  "I don't think it's a good idea for it to seem as if Linton's taken Melly up — what happens when he ceases paying her attention?"

  "Linton is a family friend, and Melly is new to town. What could be more natural than him introducing her to his friends?" Anne said.

  It was time to dress for dinner. Guests were expected. After her mother and Anne had left the room, Catherine stopped Melly with a hand on her arm. "What did you and Lord Linton discuss?"

  She shrugged. "Nothing — well, London, and the season. My rabbits too — he's thinking that he should get some for the tenants on one of his estates. He's thinking that spinning the wool —"

  "Enough about rabbits," Catherine snapped and rolled her eyes. She paused for a moment and cleared her throat. "Linton's very much older than you are — almost old enough to be your father… He's experienced in making up to ladies. I don't want you to become — attached to Lord Linton."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean, that you're young, and for years you were attached to Talverne. His uncle has plenty of address… I fear that you will think that he's —"

  Melly couldn't help it. She laughed. "Catherine, you're not thinking that I could form a tendre for Linton, are you? I assure you, that that is a fantastical notion. He's being kind, that's all. He's giving me consequence." She stared into her sister's eyes. "I like having him as a friend, he knows everybody. And as you keep reminding me, Linton is a rake."

  5. The Captain

  Melly went riding with Lord Linton again the next day. He told her that he needed to visit one of his estates, near Bath, so he would be away from town for a few days. He made her promise that she would ride with him again, when he returned. She agreed willingly.

  The day after that, a family disaster put Linton completely out of her mind.

  Henry arrived in town, in the care of her governess.

  Melly had just returned from a visit to her seamstress. She gaped at her youngest sister when Henry flew past her, and raced up the staircase. "Henry… What —?"