Dare to Love

by Alleigh Burrows

  Guests were starting to stroll around the yard. Hoping they wouldn’t notice her riding habit, she darted up to her room. Changing into a delicate pink morning dress, she headed outside where the women and children were talking and playing games. Her sister-in-law, Betsy, was holding little Anthony under a giant parasol, querying Nicholas’s sisters about teething.

  Caroline was playing leapfrog with five rambunctious boys who were soon to be her nephews. Nivea joined her sister, helping the littlest ones climb onto the backs of their much larger brothers so they could spring off with glee. Over and over, they would push off the giggling lumps, before curling up at the front of the line to await their turn.

  Little Daphne, one of Briar’s twin girls, came up to Nivea and tugged on her skirt. “Aunt Nivvy, I’m tired. Will you pick me up?”

  “Certainly, poppet. I’m a little tired too. Would you like me to carry you over to the shade and tell you a story?”

  The girl’s eyes lit up. “Oh yes! I love stories. Can you tell Eloise, too?” The little girl’s face was full of hope, eager to share the moment with her twin.

  Nivea’s smile widened. “Of course. Let’s gather up all your friends.”

  Nivea invited the youngest children and their wilting mothers to join her on a bench in the garden under the cooling shade of a crabapple tree. “Why don’t you stretch out on the grass, while I tell you a story?”

  “What kind of story, Aunt Nivvy?”

  “Would you like to hear a poem I wrote about my cat, Samuel?”

  “Yes, yes!” they all cheered. “Tell us about Smanuall.”

  Nivea smiled at their enthusiasm. Drawing Caroline’s youngest nephew, little Colin, onto her lap, she began.

  Tabby Cat, fat and lazy

  lying in the sun.

  Eyes blink,

  you stretch and yawn

  and make to get up

  before falling back down,

  content to pass another hour

  In slumber.

  They clapped, their faces alight with joy.

  “Another! Tell one about horses! We love horses.” Of course it was Abby’s little ones who shared their mother’s obsession for riding.

  Nivea had attempted to write some, long ago, as it was the central theme in her upbringing, but had always found the subject challenging. After giving it some thought, she remembered one.

  “How about this? I call it ‘Another Day at the Races.’”

  Horses flash past,

  all brown and frothy,

  thunderous hooves and slaps of whips

  kicking up clods of dirt.

  Cheering crowds surround me

  as the winner is announced.

  No surprise,

  as it is once again

  a Horsham mount.

  She was delighted when the women laughed.

  “Too true! I didn’t know you had such talent, Nivea,” Abby said.

  Before she could respond, Caroline said, “I used to love when our governess assigned writing projects. My attempts were always dreadful, but your poems, Niv, were always so imaginative. It has been so long since I’d heard them. Have you written anything lately?”

  Nivea shook her head. While relating silly poems from her youth was fine, she didn’t wish to express her deeper thoughts with this crowd. Especially since most of them referred to her desperate yearnings for a certain black-haired rake.

  “Nothing of importance. We’ll save my ramblings for another time.”

  Seeing the children were beginning to drift off, she used them as an excuse to change the subject. “It appears Colin is not as fascinated with my poems as all of you. He’s fast asleep. Would you like me to carry him in for a nap?”

  “Yes, please. I think it’s time for everyone to rest,” answered Colin’s mama.

  Despite protests from the children, the mothers gathered up their drowsy darlings and escorted them inside.

  Chapter 9

  Dare had left for the hunt in high spirits, happy to enjoy the day with close friends and fine horseflesh. He was disappointed to find the earl had included his future son-in-law, as though he were a true member of the family, not only providing him with a superior mount, but including him in the conversation.

  “Nicholas, my boy, I expect you will have a little more luck today. I remember the last time we went out for a hunt, you nearly got yourself killed. Surprising, since I’d always heard you were a steady sort of fellow.”

  Nicholas went red around the ears. “Truth be told, sir, I was pretty damn intimidated riding with you. Never thought I’d be able to keep up, not on my little horse. Next to your stallion, he looked like a pony for criminy’s sake!”

  “Nonsense. No need to be intimidated. We’re always happy to have new blood joining us. William here could never keep up with me, and Landis, well, he’s a moody sort. Not much for conversation, unless the fairer sex is around. I’m happy to have you with us.”

  Dare ignored that comment, keeping his eyes straight ahead on the path. He could never quite accept the earl’s jovial manner around his family, even after all these years. It seemed unnatural, and Dare had maintained a wary distance. If the man saw that as moody, well, there was no help for it.

  Nicholas did not display a similar affliction. With a wide smile, he gushed, “I appreciate that. This horse I’m riding is an absolute marvel. It’s almost like he knows where to go before I tell him.”

  “So you like him, do you? Good. Consider him a wedding present.”

  “What?” Nicholas’s jaw dropped, and he pulled the horse up short. “Oh, no, sir, I could not accept that. Just having your daughter is generous enough.”

  “Don’t be silly. Can’t have you traipsing around the countryside on a half-breed. How would that look?”

  “Besides,” William added, “it will give us a chance to spread the bloodline out and ensure our dominance in the county.”

  “By the time my grandsons can ride, you’ll have your own mini-dynasty,” chortled the earl.

  Dare snorted. The best thing about hunting with the Horshams had always been their complete focus on the pleasures at hand…horses and hunting. Now, he was forced into listening to all this inane babble about family.

  In the hopes of salvaging the day, Dare decided to issue a challenge. “Now that the young pup has a proper mount, what say we have a contest? William and me against Nicholas and the earl. The first to score three birds wins.”

  Confounding him, William announced an alternative. “How about I take Nicholas for a partner, and you and the earl can hunt together.”

  In all their years together, Dare had always paired with William. They were the dominant team, always prevailing over the group. He tried to suppress the sting of abandonment as Nicholas, beaming with pride, nudged his horse to join William, but it annoyed him to hear the two men nattering away at each other as they branched off.

  Brushing off the insult, Landis tugged on his reins, forcing his horse to rear slightly before prancing back towards the earl. He ignored the sharp look the earl shot him—after all there were few greater sins with the Horshams than mistreating a horse. Attempting to make the best of it, he spit out a brief apology, and they headed into the woods.

  Determined to put young Nicholas in his place, Dare forged ahead, doing his utmost to win. Being a good host, the earl made several attempts at conversation that Dare rebuffed. His father had always made it painfully clear that hunting required absolute silence. He’d learned at a young age to follow that ironclad rule to avoid the consequences. He wasn’t going to change now to suit his congenial host.

  By providing no more than one word answers, the earl soon learned conversation was unnecessary and, once quiet prevailed, the two men managed to bag a grouse within the first hour. They almost had a duck soon after, but it took flight behind a copse of trees. It was quite a while later that Dare had a quail in his sights when they heard the blast of a horn, startling the bird.

  “Blast,” Dare gr
owled. William and Junior had won.

  “Huzzah,” crowed the earl. “My sons have bested us. Caroline will be quite pleased with her young man.”

  Dare looked over, baffled. The earl seemed genuinely pleased that he had lost. How was that even possible? Wasn’t winning everything?

  The only thing?

  Anything less was…failure. And Dare could not abide by failure.

  It was obvious that the earl was not burdened by the same sentiment. As the group reunited, and the victors displayed their kills, they all rambled on about who shot what and how well the other performed.

  “We will have to serve these birds at the wedding tomorrow. It will bring luck to our table,” announced the earl.

  Dare could do nothing more than shake his head in disbelief. The man truly did not care he’d lost to a lesser adversary. And William, he just rode alongside, acting as though he’d never had a better partner. As though all those times they’d been a team didn’t matter. It was infuriating.

  By the time they reached the house, Dare’s mood was beyond surly. After handing over his horse to the stable boy, he strode into the entrance of the hall, determined to stew alone in his room. Everyone else could go to hell.

  “Milord,” he heard a footman call.

  He didn’t bother to slow down.

  “Milord! I have good news for you.”

  Irritated, Dare stopped and turned on his heel. The sneer on his face gave the footman pause.

  “Well?” he snapped.

  “Oh, yes, sir—well, your carriage and luggage have arrived. Your man is unpacking it at this very moment. Oh, and there is a letter for you.”

  The footman scuttled back to the table, swept an envelope off, and handed it to him. Dare took one look at the handwriting and snatched the paper from the startled servant before storming up to his room.

  His man, Jackson, was in the room arranging his things.

  “Good day, milord. I have put your belongings away and can prepare your clothes for dinner now.”

  “Yes, do it with all haste and then get out. I’m in no mood for your chatter.”

  Well used to his master’s curtness, Jackson took no offence to the insinuation that he “chattered.” Instead, he helped him out of his riding clothes and into a clean linen shirt, dove-gray trousers, and spotless boots. That being done, he gathered up the dusty clothes and closed the door behind him.

  Anticipating unpleasantness, Dare stretched out in a chair by the window to read the missive from his sister.

  Adair,

  While I am usually able to overlook your abhorrent behavior, this time I must protest. I urge you in the future to unleash your baser instincts on women raised for that sort of behavior. What business have you abusing my friends so callously?

  Poor Victoria has been widowed for a mere six months, as you well know. In her fragile state, you have no right to use her and then toss her aside. It is not as though she is that attractive and has any self esteem to begin with (although I would never admit so to her).

  Would it have been too much to ask her to join you at the Horsham’s affair? Now, I shall have to invite her to come to Shavely to restore her spirits. With her moping around, it is sure to be much less pleasant than I had hoped.

  I do not understand how you can be so selfish. Just because Miss Abbington broke your heart does not mean you should take it out on the entire female species. You do not have to be as cruel as father.

  Regards,

  Anne

  He threw down the letter in disgust. You do not have to be as cruel as father. As if that were even remotely possible. The devil himself could take notes from the marquess on ways to torment people.

  Picking up the letter again, another line caught his eye, further stoking his anger.

  Just because Miss Abbington broke your heart, does not mean you should take it out on the entire female species. As though Constance Abbington had any effect on his behavior! The idea was ludicrous.

  As for breaking his heart? Relieved was more the word. If anyone was suffering, no doubt it was she. She could have had a peer of the realm. And yet she threw him over for a peasant. The man had been a servant in the Abbington household, for God’s sake! He comes back from war with a mangled leg and a pathetic title, and suddenly the wench decided being a marchioness wasn’t good enough.

  He fumed as he paced the room.

  And now that William’s father had married Constance’s mother, he had to be polite and magnanimous whenever the woman was mentioned. If William hadn’t been such a good friend, he would not stand for it.

  Growling in frustration, Dare banged on his desk, causing the writing instruments to jump.

  He had expected the wedding party to be boring but tolerable. Instead, it was one irritant after another. He merely wanted to enjoy life with no baggage, no ridiculous delusions about love and family. That shouldn’t be too much to ask.

  At least he could set his sister straight. He dashed off a quick yet cutting response to her correspondence and slammed it on the desk, ready for the morning post.

  Vowing to make the best of it, he yanked on his jacket, took a large pinch of snuff, and headed down to do some serious drinking.

  Chapter 10

  Pausing at the bottom of the stairs, Dare steeled himself. Before he could drown out his irritation, he must first suffer through another supper held before the sun was down. He would never get used to country hours. Still, he took his place at the table, bestowed a few witticisms on his companions, offered a few set-downs when necessary and, after a healthy serving of wine, began to feel more like himself.

  That is, until they finished their meal. He was almost through the doorway when Nivea stopped him with a touch of her hand. The warmth of her fingers penetrated the thin sleeve of his silk coat. Strange that he didn’t mind, as he didn’t particularly like to be touched—outside the bedroom.

  She looked up at him with an enchanting smile. “Lord Landis, thank you for delivering my luggage. I was afraid my clothes would not arrive in time for the wedding.”

  Her sweet expression made him feel strangely benevolent. “I am happy to have put your mind at ease, Miss Horsham. I regret I cannot take all the credit. In truth, it was my coachman who returned your possessions.”

  Issuing a dramatic sigh, she responded, “I suppose that’s true.” Then she flashed him a saucy grin. “In that case, perhaps I should seek out Weldon. I am certain he would be grateful of my appreciation.”

  He was bemused by her flirtatious response. Without missing a beat, he slipped into his rakish persona. “I will pass along your appreciation, milady, and let him know you are in his debt. He will be most honored to hear of it.” With a flourish, he bowed over her hand before raising it to his lips. At her gasp, a rather entrancing blush warmed her cheeks. Enjoying the sensation, he held on to her fingers a moment longer than was necessary. In fact, he found that he didn’t want to let go.

  When her eyes darted to his right, he realized others were watching. Good lord, what was he doing? He dropped her hand. Spinning on his heel, he found himself skewered by Lady Wilshire’s incredulous glare. She must be irritated that he was showing attention to another female. Perhaps he would make it up to her tonight. She was certainly a more appropriate quarry.

  With a lascivious wink in her direction, he headed into the study to join the other men. There, he grabbed a glass from the sideboard, filled it with amber liquid, and took a satisfying gulp.

  Ahh, brandy. The magic elixir. Crossing the room, he sat down in his favorite mahogany chair at the card table and nodded to his friends. Joseph was lounging to his right, Thomas, ever the soldier, sat stiffly erect on his left, and Nicholas, the nit, sat across from him. William had been chatting with a few other gentlemen around the room, but strolled over to join them.

  This was comfortable. Familiar. Dare just hoped they would behave as they ought. The rest of the day had been quite a trial.

  Eager to set things to rights, he p
laced a stack of notes next to his glass. “I am in the mood to play a bit of chance. Are you gentlemen ready for a little wagering? Vingt-et-un, perhaps?”

  “I am,” stated Joseph eagerly. “I still need to recover the funds you stripped me of last month at White’s.”

  “And what makes you think you’ll have any more success tonight?” Dare taunted as he gulped down his glass.

  “Well, I’m more sober this evening, and it appears you’ll be in your cups in no time.” Joseph grinned.

  He fixed his friend with a steady gaze. “When have you ever found me to be a poor gambler as a result of drink?”

  William laughed, slapping Joseph on the shoulder. “He has you there. Never seen a man more able to hold his liquor and his cards at the same time. It’s almost mythical.” He grabbed a deck of cards from the drawer and sat down with the others.

  “Perhaps tonight’s the night we can take down the mighty Zeus,” chuckled Nicholas as he pulled up a chair.

  Dare gave him a cold stare. “You can try, but the odds are against you.” He had achieved most of his wealth through card playing, supporting himself after his father turned him out. And this pup imagined he could win? It was laughable.

  In no time, coins and notes covered the table, each man with a glass of liquor at his elbow.

  Predictably, Nicholas was the first to surrender. “This game is too high-stakes for my blood. In the future, I will stick to whist with the ladies. I fear you lads from London are too skilled.”

  “Maybe you’re just distracted by the upcoming nuptials,” William responded, affably.

  “That could well be. I appear to have used up all my good luck attracting your sister.”

  “Well said. You two should have a very happy life together.”

  “It is my greatest wish. With that, I will adjourn, gentlemen. Tomorrow promises to be a more fortuitous day.”

  At the sound of the door closing, William said, “Nice fellow, Nicholas. Caroline is a fortunate girl. It’s too bad Nivvy hasn’t made such a match.”