Truce (Neighbor from Hell)

by R. L. Mathewson

  For the past month he’d learned about all the men Elizabeth met with and what she did when she left the house. He also learned one rather interesting piece of information; Elizabeth had been dismissing her maid in the mornings for the past two weeks. At first he thought she knew that he was in bed with her and was trying to protect her reputation, but she never gave any indication until this morning that she was aware of his nightly visits. It still puzzled him.

  “Sir, I have something that I thought you may find interesting,” she said with another nervous look at the door and then one at the open window. “If you wouldn’t mind, sir, it might be best to close that window.”

  He closed the window, forcing himself to remain patient. She was nervous and he didn’t want to frighten her off. He gestured to the chair in front of the desk, but she remained standing.

  “What is it, Marie?” he asked.

  She licked her lips nervously. “Remember you said if I brought you something really important, you would give me an extra shilling,” she reminded him, smart.

  “Yes, is this something worth an extra shilling?” His voice was cool and calm.

  “Oh, I believe it is, sir.” Again, she shot another look back at the door.

  He sighed inwardly as he pulled the coin out of his pocket and handed it to her, hoping it would move this along. She took it and smiled briefly before putting it away.

  “Well?” he asked, feeling his patience once again leaving him.

  She cleared her throat delicately, clearly preparing for the moment. He cocked an eyebrow, silently telling her that this drama was unnecessary. Smart girl picked up on it.

  “Lady Elizabeth has been sleeping in later than normal,” she announced with flourish.

  That was what he paid a shilling for? “That is the important news you wished to tell me? Clearly you and I are of a different opinion on importance, my dear.”

  She shook her head. “That is why she dismissed Jane in the morning.”

  He glared at her. She licked her lips nervously before continuing. “She also no longer drinks her tea in the morning. Actually, she places it untouched outside her door, except for this morning.” His scowl deepened. “Also, during tea she sits far away from the tea and asks for lemonade.”

  Robert waved an impatient hand for her to continue, hoping that this was leading somewhere. “Her appetite is also gone. She only picks at her food now.”

  He hadn’t missed that over the past two weeks. The few times they ate together in the past she’d had a healthy appetite, but in the one or two times he saw in her in the dining room these past two weeks she was pushing her food around on her plate. Was she unhappy? Sick? Upset about something? Was it possible she was so preoccupied thinking about him that she was having a difficult time like he was?

  That was too much to hope for.

  “Anything else?” he asked, kicking himself for being taken in by a servant. Normally he was smart when it came to money and didn’t part with it easily.

  She nodded, clearly biting back a smile as she said, “Lady Elizabeth has been ill for the past two weeks.”

  He froze. Surely she wasn’t…..

  “And she missed her courses.”

  Every muscle in his body froze. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, sir. I had to give Jane, her maid, a shilling not to tell anyone but me.” She quietly cleared her throat. Robert automatically pulled out the coin and handed it to her. “Also, not too long ago Lady Elizabeth ran into her room and became ill.”

  His hands gripped the edge of the desk tightly until his knuckles turned white. “Is she…..do you think that…..”

  Marie nodded. “She is most certainly with child, sir.”

  *-*-*-*

  "It's so nice to have both of you for tea," Lady Norwood said to James and Lord Dumford.

  "Thank you, my Lady," James said pleasantly while Lord Dumford looked decidedly unhappy about the younger man's intrusion. It was clear to Elizabeth at least that the man came today with the intention of once again asking for her hand.

  After the incident in her study, not to mention her queasy stomach, she was in no mood to deal with Lord Dumford and his proposal that would no doubt consist of a half hour sermon on God and her place to take a husband. Turning him away unfortunately was not an option if she wanted to keep her mother happy. Knowing that she was too lightheaded to do anything more than nod, she decided the only option she had was to invite him to tea where she found James already waiting for her.

  "Lady Elizabeth, I was wondering if perhaps you would do me the honor of a walk in the garden?" James asked.

  Elizabeth had to stop herself from groaning. She’d been hoping to avoid this for as long as possible. When she was a little girl, nothing on earth would have made her happier than the prospect of marrying James. The conversation she overheard in the library hadn't affected her decision in the slightest. She could never marry James.

  Not when she was desperately in love with Robert.

  "Ah, Lady Elizabeth, I believe you promised me a walk in the garden," Lord Dumford pointed out almost desperately.

  Did the man actually think that she would say yes to the first man who asked? She had absolutely no intention of saying yes to either man. In fact, if she could manage it, she would very much like to sit perfectly still where she was since both her head and stomach were currently spinning.

  "May I have another cup, dear?" her father asked, looking quite pleased with himself.

  "For me as well," Lord Norwood said, also looking rather pleased. No doubt both men were here to witness what they thought was going to be an announcement that would lead to the joining of their families. Since everyone was well aware of her childhood infatuation with James, they probably thought she would happily accept his offer.

  Even knowing that she was about to disappoint everyone in the room couldn’t deter her from her decision. She would say no to both men. Her mother would argue for her to accept one of the men since they were both her top choices, but she would most likely push for Elizabeth to accept James' proposal the most. Her father would argue, plead and then demand that she marry James. James’ parents would unintentionally make her feel guilty because she loved them. She knew how happy it would make everyone if this match was made, officially connecting their families, but she couldn't do it.

  She couldn't marry a man she didn't love and she couldn't marry the man she did love. Robert might be able to tolerate her somewhat right now, but he would hate her when he found out that she was carrying his child. But she needed to tell him. As frightened as she was, she couldn’t do this alone. Their baby deserved better than to be labeled a bastard and right now she was terrified to continue doing this on her own.

  James stood up, holding his hand out to her expectantly. "I would be honored if you would walk with me in the garden, Lady Elizabeth," James said charmingly enough, earning smiles from both sets of parents and a disapproving scowl from Lord Dumford.

  She opened her mouth to accept just to get it over with so she could retire to her room for the rest of the day and lay down when Lord Dumford jumped to his feet.

  "I'm sorry, but I must insist. Lady Elizabeth promised me a walk first," he said firmly. She knew that he was lying, but to announce it to the room and insulting him in her mother's house was not done.

  James' smile looked forced as he pulled out a ring.

  Oh no, not here with witnesses.

  "I suppose I could ask Lady Elizabeth here just as easily as in the garden," James said, turning his attention to Elizabeth.

  "Now see here, sir!" Lord Dumford said in a huff.

  "Elizabeth, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he asked while Lord Dumford turned three different shades of red as he sputtered nonsense about proprieties.

  Her mother and Lady Bradford both gasped, pressing a hand to their chests while her father and Lord Bradford smiled smugly. Lord Dumford looked decidedly unhappy.

  "Well, Lady Elizabeth," James said,
grinning knowingly, "will you marry me?"

  She opened her mouth to ask to speak with him privately when someone unexpected answered for her.

  "I'm sorry, brother, but I'm afraid Lady Elizabeth is unable to accept your proposal."

  Elizabeth was the last to look in Robert's direction. After taking a much needed breath to calm her stomach, she looked over and frowned.

  Robert stood just inside the small ballroom with such a look of deadly determination that she couldn't help but feel a tingle of apprehension. The two men who were practically cowering behind him caught her attention. One was clearly a minister and the other could easily be a surgeon based on the small black bag he carried.

  "What's the meaning of this?" her father demanded. No doubt he was upset with the interruption to the engagement that he coveted.

  "I'm sorry, my Lord," Robert said to her father, but his angry emerald eyes were focused on her, "but Lady Elizabeth has already agreed to marry me........today."

  Chapter 20

  He knew!

  Elizabeth forced herself to remain calm, knowing that was the only way she was going to survive this. There had to be a way to get out of this and, while she sat there trying not to lose the contents of her stomach once again, she would try to think of a way out of this or pray for a miracle, probably both.

  James chuckled good-naturedly. "As much as I appreciate a good jest, Robert, I'm afraid you're interrupting Elizabeth's acceptance."

  "She most certainly was not about to accept," Lord Dumford said in outrage.

  Robert moved his gaze to the older man and said in a quiet, controlled voice, "Leave. Now." He spoke softly, but the threat was clear.

  Lord Dumford noticeably swallowed. He took a step back and to the side, well away from Robert's reach before leaving the room at a quick pace even as he glared at Robert.

  "You can't be serious," James said, indicating to Elizabeth who was the only one who’d remained seated, "You hate each other."

  Robert looked at her for a moment. She hoped to catch a glimpse of the kind, sweet stranger who'd made love to her in the orangery, but he wasn’t there. She'd never seen anyone's eyes look so cold before. The fact that it was because of her made her want to cry and beg for his forgiveness. She hadn't meant to hurt him.

  "It doesn't matter how we feel about each other. We are to be married today. Now," he said, pulling out a folded piece of parchment. It was more than obvious that everyone in the room knew what he held by their expressions of outrage and disbelief. Robert had procured a special license for an immediate marriage, something that was very likely to cause a scandal.

  Elizabeth felt her stomach turn as terror shot through her. He was serious. She couldn't marry him like this, she just couldn't. She’d hoped to explain about the baby to him and come to some sort of agreement. She wasn’t foolish enough to believe that it wouldn’t have ended in marriage, but she’d hoped for something on more amicable terms. She didn’t want to be forced into marriage by a man who hated her. She opened her mouth to tell him that just as her stomach lurched. Clamping a hand over her mouth, she practically jumped from her seat and just barely made it to the large potted plant by the piano in time.

  *-*-*-*

  Robert clenched his hands tightly by his sides as he watched Elizabeth give him further proof of her deception. There was no doubt in his mind now that she was carrying his child. He ignored the confused looks of their families and from the servants who’d lingered in the room as he watched her. The fact that no one moved to help her hadn't slipped his notice. Everyone appeared to be too stunned to do much of anything but stare at him, never mind help Elizabeth.

  As angry as he was at her, he couldn't stand to see her suffer. With a muttered curse that had Lady Norwood and his mother gasping, he stalked over to her. Kneeling down next to her, he gently rubbed her back as she finished. He ignored the loud whispered conversations going on behind him and focused on Elizabeth as she tried to calm her breathing.

  He could feel her body tremble beneath his touch. She was scared, he realized. For the first time since he'd known her, she was scared. That alone would have softened his heart if it hadn't been for one simple fact.

  She’d tried to keep his child away from him and that was unforgiveable.

  "Robert, please don't do this," she whispered.

  "What is going on here?" Lord Norwood demanded.

  Robert stood, bringing Elizabeth with him. When she tried to move away from him, he tightened his hold on her arm. He faced their families and the two men he'd brought with him.

  "Lady Elizabeth has accepted my proposal. We've decided to marry today," Robert announced to an already stunned group.

  Everyone gaped at them. Lord Norwood opened his mouth to say something, closed it, shook his head and opened his mouth again. "Elizabeth, is this true? Do you wish to marry Robert?"

  "No," Elizabeth stressed. Her refusal normally would have irritated him, but she no longer had a choice, neither did Lord Norwood for that matter.

  Lord Norwood exhaled a relieved sigh. He looked at Robert and gave him a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry, son. I understand how easily it is to become infatuated with a beautiful woman, but she clearly doesn't feel the same way. As fond of you as I am, I don't think the match would work," he shifted his gaze to James, who still looked confused, but somewhat relieved. "Now, I believe we should go to my office and have a celebratory drink. What do you-"

  Robert cut him off. "I'm sorry, my Lord, but I believe there's some confusion. Lady Elizabeth does not have a choice in the matter. She will marry me."

  All good humor fled Lord Norwood's face. He took a threatening step forward. "You dare dictate to me, boy? In my own home?" His father stopped Lord Norwood from taking another step by placing his hand on the other man's chest.

  "What is going on?" his mother asked no one in particular.

  James ran a frustrated hand down his face as he considered Robert. "This is no longer funny, Robert."

  "Do you see me laughing?" Robert bit out. "This is the very last thing on earth that I want, but I don't have a choice."

  Elizabeth managed to pull her arm free. "And it's the very last thing you will get. We are not marrying today or any day," she said through clenched teeth.

  "You will be my wife in less than ten minutes," he said coldly. "I guarantee it."

  She looked towards her father for help. "Father, please do something!"

  Lord Norwood shook his head, giving Robert a pitying look. "I'm sorry, son. She doesn't want you. You need to set your sights on someone who does. I will not force her hand in this."

  Robert shook his head, unconcerned. "The choice is no longer yours, my Lord. In the eyes of the law she is already mine and she will marry me today."

  Every pair of eyes widened at that declaration. Eerie silence once again filled the small ballroom. It was his father who finally broke the silence. "What did you do?"

  Before he could answer, James was in his face, shoving him backwards. "You stupid, selfish bastard!" He swung at Robert and would have made quite an impact if Robert hadn't ducked out of the way.

  Robert made no move to strike his brother. "I'm sorry, James. But there's nothing I can do to change this. Believe me, I wish there was." He didn't miss Elizabeth's soft gasp or her hurt expression before he was forced to duck out of the way of James' fist once again.

  After a few more swings, he was left with no choice but to end the confrontation. With one well-placed punch to the jaw, he sent his older brother stumbling back.

  James rubbed his jaw as he glared at him. "I hate you," James said evenly before he turned around and walked away, pausing only long enough to send Elizabeth a look of regret.

  His father stepped in front of him. "Please tell me that you didn't do what I think you did."

  Robert shook his head slightly. "I can't." With that his mother and Lady Norwood broke into sobs. They sat down on the small sofa and held on to each other while Elizabeth looked around nervous
ly and the men looked wary.

  "Papa, please don't let him do this."

  "It's not up to him any longer, Beth. In the eyes of the law you already belong to me," he said, gesturing to the surgeon he’d brought with him. "Unless you can prove you're not carrying my child we will marry at once."

  Lord Norwood looked pleadingly at his daughter even as the color drained from his face. "Elizabeth?" The way he said her name said it all. He wanted her to deny everything.

  Elizabeth didn't answer her father. Instead she stepped forward and held his gaze. "If you force my hand in this, Robert, you will be sorry," she said tightly.

  He looked into her beautiful eyes and sighed. "I already am, Beth."

  Chapter 21

  "It's not so bad," Mary said softly as she poured warm water over Elizabeth's shoulders.

  Elizabeth wiped her eyes with her palms. "Yes, it is. I'm married to a man who hates me. James now hates me. Mother and Lady Bradford have both taken to their beds and, according to the servants, haven't stopped sobbing since they found out word spread around the ton about my condition and the quick ceremony. Father will not speak to me," she mumbled pathetically.

  "You have been rather busy, haven't you?" Mary asked with a kind smile.

  She nodded numbly before she burst into fresh tears once again. "I'm so sorry. I don't know why I can't seem to stop crying," she said, mortified that she hadn't been able to stop crying since the forced ceremony.

  "Shhh, it's perfectly natural. It's been a very stressful day given your condition."

  Elizabeth simply nodded as Mary continued to run warm, lavender scented water over her hair. Today she was supposed to make last minute preparations for her trip. Instead she found herself married to her childhood enemy and there was nothing that she could do about it. The moment he’d found out about the baby, she belonged to him.

  Despite everything she promised herself over the years, she was now another man's property. If that wasn't bad enough, the man she now belonged to hated her and she loved him more than anything. This situation was hopeless.