Chapter Seven
Sarah and Anne bade good-bye to the Duchess of Richmond and climbed into the carriage. Charles elected to ride one of the Thoroughbreds back to London.
“My brother has taken over from Father. He told me that from now on he would be handling the family’s affairs, business and otherwise.”
Sarah glanced through the carriage window and caught her husband’s eye. When he winked at her, she knew it was a hint and a promise of tonight’s bed play. She lowered her eyelashes, pretending she was feeling shy. She knew it enchanted him.
“He doesn’t discuss business matters with me.” Sarah sounded disappointed.
“He told me that Albemarle must come and ask him for my hand, if William wants to marry me. Charles, not Father, will negotiate the marriage contract.”
So, he will be handling the money from now on. “Do you know how much your dowry is, Anne?”
“Five thousand … perhaps ten. Whatever it is, I warrant Charles won’t part with the full amount. If he has the family trait of being habitually in debt, Champagne Charlie is bound to be acquisitive when it comes to money.”
“Why do you call him Champagne Charlie?”
“I should think that’s obvious. It’s because he imbibes too much, like our father.”
“I’ve never actually seen him drunk.” Oh, Lord, don’t start defending him, Sarah. He is the enemy.
“Well, he certainly drank too much his last year at Oxford. He and his friends were in a continual champagne fog. He got sent down once for being drunk and disorderly.”
Sarah’s brows drew together. “Like father, like son, I expect.”
“Henry, I wasn’t expecting you for another week, but I’m damn glad you returned to London early. We have a great deal of work to do.”
“Oxford turned out to be less hospitable than I expected,” Henry Grey admitted.
“Sarah, come and meet my friend. When we embarked on my Grand Tour he was my tutor. By the time we returned he was my dear friend and confidant. Henry has agreed to become my secretary. Henry, this is my lovely wife, Lady Sarah.”
Henry Grey bowed. “It is my honor to meet you, Lady March.”
She inclined her head. “Mr. Grey.” You were with Charles Lennox aboard the Green Lion when he treated me savagely. “I’ll have Soames prepare a suite of rooms for you, Mr. Grey. If there is anything I can do to make you more comfortable, please don’t hesitate to ask.” I intend to make you my ally, Henry Grey.
When she left the library in search of Soames, she found him with Anne.
“Look at these roses, Sarah. They just arrived from St. James’s Palace. Albemarle sent them to welcome me home. The card says he missed me intolerably, and he’s sent me an invitation to a Court reception at the palace tonight.”
Soames held a stack of envelopes that had arrived while Sarah was away. He handed her two and kept the rest. “These are for Lord March, my lady.”
“I, too, got an invitation to the palace. Let’s go up and decide what we’ll wear.”
“Sarah, I need your help. Tell me which gown will make me irresistible.”
“Anne, you are irresistible no matter what you wear.”
As Anne opened her wardrobe to display her gowns, Sarah opened her second envelope. “Oh, my parents are in London! They came up at the invitation of King George. They’ll be at St. James’s Palace tonight.”
“When did you last see them?”
“A little more than a month ago, at the Duke of Marlborough’s funeral.”
“Ah yes, your father was a renowned general. It must be wonderful to have a father who isn’t an embarrassment.”
“Still, I’m glad he’s not often in London. Now that he’s retired, he spends his time improving the gardens at Caversham Park.” I’ll never forgive him for forcing me to marry Charles Lennox. Sarah quickly changed the subject.
“I think you should wear this primrose yellow gown. It’s an extremely flattering color for someone with dark hair. The skirts will rustle invitingly, and you can tuck a couple of the yellow roses Albemarle sent you into the dé-colletage.”
“Sarah, you are so clever in knowing what will attract the opposite sex.”
“I’ve made a study of it,” she said dryly.
“Molly, I believe I’ll wear my pale lavender gown tonight.”
While Sarah’s maid was helping her don the gown,
Charles entered their bedchamber. When he signaled that he wanted to be alone with his wife, Molly withdrew quickly.
“I have something that will make you the envy of all the ladies at Court.” He opened the jewel cabinet and took out a necklace. He came up behind her, smiled at her reflection in the mirror, then looped the black pearls twice about her neck. “They make your skin look like alabaster.”
Sarah admired the black pearls against her throat. “They make me look beautiful.”
“No, you make the pearls look beautiful.”
His deep feelings for her were clearly written on his face, and Sarah experienced a pang of guilt for taking presents from him when she did not return his feelings. “I’m going to the Court function with Anne.”
“I’ll be along later.”
Sarah was surprised. “I didn’t know you intended to go.”
“There is no place like the King’s Court for conducting business, my love. Wealthy nobles gather like flocks of sheep waiting to be fleeced.”
“My parents will be there tonight.”
He lifted her hair and kissed the nape of her neck. His eyes met hers in the mirror. “I’ve already stolen their treasure.”
When Sarah and Anne arrived at St. James’s Palace, the first thing they did was make their curtsies to King George. “I’m willing to bet Aunt Adelaide is here tonight, though of course His Majesty won’t have his mistress sitting on a throne next to him,” Anne jested. “I can’t wait to meet your parents, Sarah.”
“You won’t have to wait. They are here before us.” She led Anne over to a couple across the chamber. “Hello, Mother. I’d like to present my sister-in-law, Lady Anne, who has become my dearest friend.”
“Lady Cadogan, I am delighted to meet you.”
When Anne curtsied to her mother, Sarah knew her mother would be flattered that the Duke of Richmond’s daughter would show her deference.
“I’m happy that the two of you are good friends. Sarah, where did you get your magnificent black pearls?”
“They were a gift from my husband,” she said quietly, and looked at her father. “It gives me pleasure to present my sister-in-law, Lady Anne Lennox.”
Cadogan made a leg and brought Anne’s fingers to his lips.
Anne dipped her knee and smiled. “I’ve been wanting to meet England’s greatest general for some time.”
“The honor is mine, my lady.”
Anne’s smile widened. “Sarah has told me all about your glorious gardens at Caversham Park. She tells me they put the gardens at Blenheim Palace to shame.”
Cadogan laughed, pleased that his daughter had praised his skills to Anne.
“Please excuse us,” Sarah murmured politely. As the friends moved away, Sarah said, “You have made a conquest of my father. He will be your slave forever.” She raised her eyes and saw the Earl of Albemarle across the chamber. “There’s William. I scent another conquest in the air.”
The earl spied Anne and immediately came to greet her. Sarah melted into the crowd, giving the couple the privacy they would need for an intimate conversation.
She joined the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough, who had brought her granddaughter, Lady Diana Spencer, to Court. “Your grace, how lovely to see you. Did you know my parents are here tonight?”
“Ah, under happier circumstances than the last time we met.” The duchess scanned the crowd. “Where’s that husband of yours? In some gaming hell, I shouldn’t wonder. With Blandford, unless I miss my mark.”
I wonder if she’s right? “I believe he had some business to attend to. The E
arl of March said he would be here later.”
The old duchess tapped Sarah’s arm with her fan. “Funny bloody business, I warrant. A guinea says that Blandford and March arrive together.”
When Sarah saw the glowing look on Anne’s face, she guessed what had put it there.
“William has asked me to marry him, and I said yes!” Anne searched the crowded room with her eyes. “Did Charles arrive yet?”
“I’m afraid not, but he should be here soon, it’s getting late.”
“Off gambling with Blandford and his friend Hartington, no doubt.”
That’s what the Duchess of Marlborough said. “Speak of the devil.” Sarah nodded toward the ornate doors, where Charles had just entered. Her eyes narrowed when she saw that he was indeed with Blandford.
Charles, who had eyes for none but his wife, walked a direct path to her.
Sarah refrained from asking where he’d been, but Anne demanded to know.
“We were at Devonshire House, bolstering poor old Hartington’s courage. Seems he is about to embark on a journey to the altar.”
“Who is the lucky bride?” Sarah asked dryly.
Charles’s eyes glittered with amusement at her sarcasm. “An heiress, Lady Katherine Hoskyns. Her father is a wealthy businessman who advises Hartington’s cousin, the Duke of Bedford.”
“Bedford must have asked Hartington to pay off his gambling debts,” Anne declared.
“You’ve hit the nail on the head,” Blandford confirmed.
“I cannot envision a more degrading reason for marriage than to settle a gaming debt.”
Sarah blanched at his thoughtless words. “Marriage must be in the air,” she said brightly, trying to mask the humiliation she felt.
Charles, who had been watching Sarah, looked at his sister and raised his brows.
Anne nodded happily. “The Earl of Albemarle is about to ask you for my hand.”
Blandford’s shoulders slumped with dejection.
Anne said wickedly, “Don’t feel badly. My brother will give you advice on how to become irresistible to a lady.”
Blandford snorted and took his leave.
Charles slipped his arm about Sarah for a brief hug. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”
Sarah watched him as he sought out the Earl of Albemarle, who was attending the king. The three men conversed briefly, then Charles returned to her side.
“That didn’t take long.” Anne looked anxious.
“We can hardly thrash out a marriage contract at a Court function. Albemarle and I have arranged to meet privately.” He took his wife’s arm. “Why don’t we ask your parents to join us in the supper room?”
“I’ll come, too. I was too nervous to eat earlier. Now I could eat a horse.”
Charles offered his other arm to Anne. “Considering the king’s frugal ways, perhaps equine hors d’oeuvres are on the menu.”
On the brief carriage ride from St. James’s Palace to Richmond House, Sarah thought about how jovial her parents and Charles had been. Her reserved mother had been almost kittenish responding to her son-in-law’s attention, and the camaraderie between her father and Charles grew with every drink they quaffed.
“Sarah, I envy you your father,” Anne said wistfully. “He has such a military bearing and is highly regarded at Court. Our father has become an embarrassment.”
“Anne, I forbid you to think unhappy thoughts,” Charles chided. “You are about to become a countess.” He captured his wife’s hand and squeezed it. “And countesses are irresistible.” He put his lips to Sarah’s ear. “Some more than others, of course.”
“I want to be married as soon as possible.”
Charles laughed. “Now that you’ve hooked him, you don’t want the poor devil to wriggle off the line. What do you mean by soon?”
“The end of the month, or certainly no later than the first week of July.”
“Such haste may be fodder for gossip,” he teased.
“I shall be the Countess of Albemarle. What the devil do I care?”
When the carriage stopped, Charles helped his sister and then his wife to alight. Sarah was surprised when he took her in his arms for a long kiss. When he finally released her, he said, “Don’t wait up for me.” Then he got back into the carriage.
“Where the devil is he off to?” Anne said from the front steps.
“He didn’t tell me.”
Anne shrugged. “Must have private business to conduct.”
Funny bloody business, I warrant.
Sarah followed Anne upstairs. She told her sister-in-law how happy she was for her and bade her good night.
“Oh, Molly, you waited up for me.”
“It’s only just gone midnight. You’ll need help with your corset, unless His Nibs claims the honor.”
“His Nibs won’t be home until later. I’ll sleep in my own bedchamber tonight.”
“Good thing you hung on to the pearls for safekeeping.”
“Molly, why do you assume he’s gone to a gaming hell?”
“I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt. They’re the only places open all night, other than brothels.”
As Sarah lay abed, her imagination played havoc. She hoped that Charles wasn’t in some gaming hell, racking up losses and going into debt, borrowing from his friends. What the devil do I care?
Her thoughts then wandered in another direction. When he’s besotted with me, why would he sleep with a whore? Doubt crept in. Charles has never consummated our marriage. I don’t satisfy his needs. Sarah thumped her pillow. What the devil do I care?
It was hours before she finally drifted off to sleep. When she began to dream, she was back at school in Reading. Two things that were hard to endure had marred those years: the cold and the loneliness. Sarah curled her toes and drew up her knees.
The dream ended, and when she opened her eyes, she realized that she was shivering. Sarah felt lost and vulnerable in the wide empty bed. She feared falling asleep again in case the dream returned.
She slipped out of bed and padded over to the adjoining door. She hesitated for long minutes as she gathered her courage to join Charles in his warm bed. Sarah turned the knob and let the door swing open. The first light of dawn was coming through the tall windows. It showed her that his chamber was empty; his bed had never been slept in.
Her heart sank. Then she raised her chin and straightened her shoulders. What the devil do I care?
Sarah was late going down for breakfast, but even so, she arrived before Anne, who came into the room yawning.
“I had the most dreadful dream. William and I had just exchanged our wedding vows when Father suddenly began shouting and arguing. He’d been drinking and couldn’t be controlled. A fight broke out, and Charles had to restrain him from choking the Prince of Wales.”
“Is someone taking my name in vain?” Charles arrived. He was bathed and shaved and wearing fresh linen. “Good morning, my beauty.” He dropped a kiss on his wife’s curls and sat down. “I got home late and didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Where did you go?” Anne asked pointedly.
“I returned to St. James’s Palace. Albemarle and I had unfinished business, if you will recall. We came to terms over your marriage contract, and he’ll be along later today to sign it. We hit it off famously. I’m delighted we will be brothers-in-law.”
Sarah wasn’t sure she believed him. Surely that didn’t take all night.
Charles smiled at her. “Your father was amazingly magnanimous. When I mentioned Richmond’s health problems, he suggested we hold the wedding at Caversham Park Manor. He said the gardens were in full bloom and that Lady Margaret would be in her glory entertaining our noble guests.”
Anne jumped up from the table and threw her arms about her brother. “Oh, thank you, Charles. Sarah, I told you I envied you your parents. It would be a nightmare to have the wedding at Goodwood. And now our problem is solved!”
Sarah glanced at her husband. Your problem is solved; min
e remains.
“There’s so much to do!” Anne had asked Sarah to be her matron of honor, and they were making a list of people who would expect to be invited to the wedding. A modiste, who had made elegant gowns for Sarah, was coming today to measure Anne for her wedding gown. Midafternoon Albemarle arrived, and Charles took the earl and Anne to the library to sign the marriage contract.
Anne accompanied William to the door when he departed. The betrothed couple kissed good-bye and promised to see each other at Leicester House that evening. Then Anne rushed to find Sarah. “Look at my ring! I can’t wait to show it off tonight. Princess Caroline will be grass green with envy when she sees the size of my diamond.”
That evening when Sarah went upstairs to dress, she found a pair of sheer black stockings embroidered with violets lying on the bed. Her lips curved with delight; she’d never seen embroidered stockings before.
“Molly, I believe I’ll wear my violet silk tonight.” The gown had puffed sleeves that were slashed so that her bare shoulders were revealed.
She was not surprised that Charles came into their bedchamber while she was dressing and signaled for Molly to leave. He cupped her exposed shoulders. “Will you wear the pearls for me tonight, sweetheart?”
“Of course. That’s why I chose to wear this violet silk. It was made for black pearls.” She lifted the hem of her gown. “As were these stockings. Thank you for the present; I’ve never seen anything so pretty.”
His voice was husky as he gazed at her legs. “You can thank me later.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I must get dressed, though I’d far rather stay home.”
Sarah moved across the room for safety. “We can always leave early,” she tempted.
At Leicester House, the reception rooms were crowded. Princess Caroline tended to hold court with her female friends, while the men gravitated toward the Prince of Wales. Most males preferred the gaming rooms to the ballroom.
Prince George greeted the couple as soon as they arrived. “Ah, just the man I wanted to see. Please excuse us, Lady March, I have business to discuss with your husband.”
Lords of Passion Page 8
