“And how did you do that?” asked Aggie curiously.
Cecilie smiled again, a little wickedly. “Millie has a certain groom for a friend, Waters. And she asked him. When he was waiting for the Earl one night at White’s, he had the opportunity. So he looked over Lord Parrington’s cattle - and spoke to his grooms. They were quick to tell him that Parrington is not good to his beasts at all. They complained of him bitterly.” She gave Aggie a smug look. “Waters brought the word back to Millie and Millie to me. And I determined if ever I saw Lord Parrington again to give him a good piece of my mind.” She smiled with obvious satisfaction. “And I did, didn’t I, Aggie?”
Aggie nodded. “You did indeed, my dear. But do you think you might have been a trifle rude?”
“I hope so,” replied Cecilie complacently. “His lordship said Lord Parrington was nothing but a fortune hunter. And he was right. The man deserves to be dealt with sharply.”
Aggie did not at all deny this; what did disturb her was the flash of malevolent hatred that she had seen in Parrington’s eyes during that one unguarded second. She felt that the man was evil and very much to be feared. But surely Cecilie had given him such a set-down that he would not call again. And, since the Earl would never listen to his offer, Cecilie ought to be safe enough. Aggie pushed the fear to the back of her mind. Aside from spreading malicious rumors, there seemed very little that Lord Parrington could do.
With a sigh, Cecilie rose from the chair. “This business of looking for a husband is rather dreary.” She turned to Aggie with a little grin. “I still think my idea of a kind of marketplace is a good one.”
Aggie shook her head. “Good idea or not, it is not feasible. You know it.”
Cecilie’s grin widened. “But, Aggie, think of all those bare chest -”
“Cecilie! That is enough!” Aggie felt that she simply could not stand any more such talk. It inevitably brought to her mind a picture of the Earl’s unclothed chest. And the resultant warmth and longing that rose in her breast completely unnerved her. She wondered sometimes that she could speak to him at all. His very presence in a room gave her such an intense feeling that she could scarcely function properly. And there seemed no way to change her feelings. It was entirely useless to think of not having such feelings. No matter what she told herself about their unsuitability, she could not make them go away. She could not regard the Earl as an ordinary man; it was just impossible.
As Cecilie rose and moved toward the window, Aggie returned her attention to her needlework. “Have you seen no one that you could form a partiality for?” she asked idly.
“There is young Mr. Sadler.” Cecilie’s eyes glowed. “He’s such a courageous man. We did a deal of talking on the way to Dover. And I thought at first...” She sighed. “But no, he won’t do. You see, he won’t take a woman along with him generally. It was an accident yesterday, you know. I bumped a rope climbing in. I thought it would be glorious fun, but he said he wouldn’t want his wife floating about in a balloon. And he hasn’t much money, nor much time for animals. So I decided not to set my cap for him.”
Aggie found she had been holding her breath and slowly let it out. She made no comment. Sometimes silence was the best way to deal with Cecilie.
“But I am getting tired of waiting, Aggie.” Cecilie took a turn around the room. “I want to have a husband; to be a grown-up lady who can do as she pleases.”
Aggie smiled. “Grown-up ladies seldom get to do as they please.”
“Of course they do,” said Cecilie. “Why else should they grow up? Look at Lady Alicia. And Lady Jersey. Why, Jersey can keep anyone she wants in or out of Almack’s. Certainly she can do as she pleases.”
Aggie sighed. Cecilie was right, but only to a degree. “Lady Alicia is a fashionable widow,” she reminded her charge. “And Lady Jersey is a leader of the ton. You are neither. Nor are you likely to be for some
time.”
“I know, but still - if I had a husband -certainly he would be more amenable than the Earl.” She smiled impishly. “Especially if I were good to him.”
“Cecilie! Wherever have you heard such things?” Aggie’s outrage was in part assumed, but it was not necessary to let her know it. The girl was getting far too forward in her remarks.
Cecilie shrugged. “Millie tells me all about the great ladies. How the men flock to attend them. How they buy new gowns every week. Why, Lady Alicia never wears the same gown twice. Never. Millie says the lady has dozens of beaux.”
Aggie found this whole discussion uncomfortable, but she dared not show it.
Cecilie’s voice fell to a hushed tone. “Millie says Lady Alicia can have any man in London, but she wants his lordship.” The girl’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Do you suppose she’s seen his chest?”
Aggie was too disturbed to scold Cecilie for this unladylike talk. A small voice inside her told her that the lady in question had undoubtedly seen the Earl’s unclothed chest, not once but many times. And the thought made Aggie quite wretched.
“Oh,” cried Cecilie, “if only some wonderful man would come along and sweep me off my feet.” She hugged herself. “I want to be mistress of my own establishment.”
The door to the sitting room opened quite suddenly and the Earl stood there. He was wearing Bedford cords, a coat of brown nankeen, and a striped twill waistcoat. Though he had obviously just come in from the street, his boots gleamed brightly.
“Good day, milord.” Cecilie’s tone was quite cheerful and Aggie knew that the girl was thinking that this time, at least, the Earl would find her actions acceptable. To Cecilie’s surprise the Earl did not return her greeting.
Instead, he strode into the room and took up a stand before the hearth. Cecilie was still too lost in her feelings of virtue to notice, but Aggie sensed immediately that something was angering him. For several long moments he stared at the two of them. Cecilie did not seem to mind, but Aggie felt her breath quicken and she knew they were in for a scold. She tried to think of the reason for his anger, but she could think of nothing else that Cecilie had done wrong. Nor she herself.
Then Denby turned directly to face her. “You had callers today.” It was a statement, not a question.
Aggie nodded. “Yes, milord.”
“I see.” His frown darkened. “And did you not think it ill-advised to receive a fortune hunter?”
So this was it. Aggie took a deep breath. “I did not receive Lord Parrington,” she replied quietly. “Nor did Cecilie. He came into the room while I was trying to discover from Bates if you had left any orders concerning him.”
“And you let him stay? A fortune hunter!” The Earl’s tone was caustic and Aggie flushed in spite of herself. She was about to continue her explanation when Cecilie broke in.
Her expression of complacency had fled and she glared at Denby with the righteous indignation of one who has been terribly wronged. “Just a minute, milord.” Her voice was so sharp that the Earl’s head came up in surprise and his gray eyes focused on her.
Spellbound, Aggie watched the two glare at each other. “There was no need for Aggie to send Lord Parrington away,” Cecilie said icily. “And if you were not so intent on bullying everyone, you would give us a chance to explain.” She faced the Earl bravely, her back rigid and her eyes blazing.
His lordship’s chin went jutting out even further and Aggie saw him take a deep breath as though to control his anger. “Very well,” he said finally in a voice that clearly betrayed his efforts at restraint. “Since I suspect that this may take some time I suggest we all be seated.” As he spoke he drew up a lyre-back chair and sat down. His position was certainly not a relaxed one and when Cecilie settled herself, she took a position of equal rigidity. Denby looked at her coldly. “You may begin.”
Cecilie nodded. “As I was telling you, Lord Parrington practically forced his way in. He was very cordial and friendly.”
The Earl seemed about to say something, then curbed himself. Aggie, watching the two, felt adm
iration for Cecilie. She might be young and naive, but when Cecilie believed she was right and when she got her back up about it, there was no withstanding her.
“Yes, Lord Parrington was very friendly,” Cecilie continued while the Earl grappled with his rage. “I’m afraid, though, that I rather ruined his day.”
She paused, seeming to invite comment, and his lordship inquired in a choked voice, “How so?”
Cecilie smiled smugly. “He inquired about my health after the balloon flight and about Dillydums.” She paused dramatically. “Imagine! A man who treats his cattle so poorly! I told him I wanted nothing to do with a man who is unkind to animals.”
His lordship’s eyebrows grew closer with each sentence, but the expression of surprise that crept over his features was startling.
“Then,” said Cecilie in the same indignant tone, “he tried to feed me some Banbury tale about having new-bought his team. But I knew better and I sent him packing. I assure you, milord” - Cecilie concluded her story with obvious satisfaction - “that I would never have anything to do with such a man. Please inform Bates that in the future I am not to be at home to him.”
“Very well,” replied his lordship in a strangely strangled tone. Aggie wondered for a moment if he might be choking back a laugh. Cecilie’s attitude was rather amusing.
Denby got to his feet. “May I offer you my apologies. Miss Winthrop? You handled a difficult situation with finesse. I congratulate you.”
Cecilie rose, too, assuming an air of gravity that almost made the relieved Aggie giggle. “Thank you, milord. I appreciate your approval. And now, if we have nothing further to discuss, I believe I shall release Dillydums from his imprisonment in my chamber and take him for a stroll in the garden.”
The Earl nodded. “An excellent idea.”
As Cecilie turned toward the door, Aggie rose to follow her. She was acutely aware of the heart pounding in her breast and the blood pulsing in her veins. She did not want to be left alone with his lordship, but as she moved to pass him, he laid a detaining hand on her arm. The flesh under his warm fingers seemed to quiver with a life of its own and she stopped as he said, “Go ahead to the garden, Cecilie. I shall detain Miss Trimble for a few moments.”
Cecilie nodded. “Keep Aggie as long as you please, milord. I don’t need her right now.” And Cecilie passed from the room like some great dowager.
If the Earl’s hand had not still been on her arm, Aggie would have seen the humor in Cecilie’s actions. But Denby’s touch drove everything else from her mind. All her body seemed to be concentrating on the spot that he was touching.
He waited until the door closed behind Cecilie and Aggie stood there, her head bowed. They were too close for her to dare look up at him, she could not chance betraying her feelings. His hand seemed to burn into her flesh as he spoke. “I kept you behind because I owe you an apology.”
Aggie nodded, keeping her eyes on his buff waistcoat. She took a step to move away, but his hand restrained her.
“Being Cecilie’s guardian has unnerved me,” he said softly. “Never have I been accustomed to - to bullying women.” There was a pause as though he expected a reply, but Aggie could think of nothing to say. “I have been bullying you, have I not?”
This time Aggie’s nod was more vigorous, but still she did not raise her head.
There was the sound of a deep sigh. Then, in a voice hoarse with emotion, Denby asked, “Am I so repugnant to you that you can’t bear to look at me?”
Aggie’s head snapped up in surprise. “Of course not.” Moved by the pain in his voice, she answered without thinking. But then, as his eyes held hers, she realized what she had done. His eyes seemed to be drawing her into their smoky depths and she was powerless to prevent it. She did not know that her own eyes widened with fright and her lower lip trembled. His gaze held hers steadily and her knees began to tremble. Finally she wrenched her eyes away, but they fell on the lips so close to her own and her trembling increased. Fascinated, she gazed at the mouth that had driven her to such heights of joy and she knew with sinking heart that she wanted to feel those lips on hers again, wanted to be lost in his arms.
“Do you accept my apology?” he asked softly.
“Yes, milord.” She managed to find her voice.
“Good.” His eyes were warm and loving. Aggie fought their power. For what seemed an eternity, she stood there, waiting, her heart pounding in her throat.
Finally he spoke again. “I am glad you forgive me, Aggie. I want us to deal well together.” And then, with a warm smile and a swift caress to her cheek, he left the sitting room.
Aggie had no idea how long she stood there, fighting to regain her sense. It was useless to remind herself of what he had done to her. When he looked at her like that, she wanted only one thing, the feel of his arms, the arms of a man who had once deserted her.
Aggie sank onto a divan and burst into tears.
Chapter Thirteen
Several days passed. Aggie and Cecilie received a few callers - more blocks, Cecilie averred. Gapeseeds, peageese, none of them even remotely husband material. This one was too fat, that one too thin. This too tall, that too short. This had no use for animals, that none for children. This danced like a stick, that sat on his horse like an old woman.
In spite of this, the Earl and Cecilie returned to a state of formal politeness, though now Aggie sensed a little more respect on Denby’s part. This gave her a great deal of satisfaction. It was time he realized that Cecilie’s understanding was actually quite good. She was not at all dense, just a little stubborn, and more than a little naive.
Their dinners were almost pleasant, Cecilie and the Earl vying to outdo each other in good manners. The only jarring note was caused by Aggie’s feelings for Denby. She could not relax in his company. Even though he was unfailingly polite to her and there were no more incidents during which he made advances, she could not help but be torn by her longing for him, a longing that seemed to shake the very depths of her being.
It was nearly a week after Cecilie’s unexpected balloon flight that the Earl announced that they would be attending Covent Garden two nights hence. “Kemble is doing Hamlet,” he said, his eyes surveying them both. “It should be interesting.”
Aggie nodded. She spoke very little in his presence these days. There seemed to be a strange constriction in her throat.
“That sounds capital,” said Cecilie pleasantly. “Though it is another tragedy. Perhaps someday soon we may see a comedy.”
Denby nodded. “I will keep that in mind.” He smiled slightly. “Indeed, I had not forgotten your preference. It is only that Kemble is getting on and one never knows how much longer we shall be able to see him.”
Cecilie nodded. “I understand.”
“I believe you still have some gowns you have not yet worn,” his lordship said.
“Yes, milord. Several.”
“Good. I don’t want anyone to think that I am a nip-farthing. On the other hand, we don’t want to waste your substance.”
“You’re quite right, milord,” agreed Cecilie. There was something in her tone that caused Aggie to look at her sharply. Even with her new composure it was not like Cecilie to agree so sweetly. Unless... Then, as Cecilie smiled at his lordship and went on talking, she knew she had guessed right. “I have more than enough gowns, but Aggie has not.”
Aggie felt the blood rush to her face, but Cecilie did not pause.
“She has only the two new ones we purchased before. Her morning gowns are all quite faded, too. I should like for us to order her some new gowns. Charged to my account, of course.”
Finally Aggie found her tongue. “Really, Cecilie, what I have are fine. You must not waste your money on me.”
Cecilie turned to the Earl. “Look at the gown she is wearing now, milord. It is quite old. I swear she was wearing it when she came to me five years ago.”
As Denby’s eyes swept over her, Aggie flushed even more. The gown was old - and shabby, but she
had not minded. Now, however, under the scrutiny of the Earl’s eyes, she had a sudden picture of the charming, well-dressed Lady Alicia and she felt herself dowdy and plain.
It seemed a very long time before the Earl spoke, but when he did, his voice was soft. “You are quite right. Miss Trimble needs some new gowns. We shall see to it.”
Genuine joy shown on Cecilie’s face. “Capital, milord. You know, you are really not such a bad fellow after all.”
Denby’s eyes held amusement, but he did not smile as he answered gravely, “I hoped that time and proximity would convince you of that.” He shot a quick glance at Aggie. “It does most people.”
“You are both very kind,” said Aggie, ignoring this last thrust. “But my gowns are just fine.”
“Nonsense.” The Earl leaned over and fingered the material of her gown. “This stuff is about to disintegrate. Besides, you must consider Miss Winthrop’s reputation - and mine. You do not want us branded as clutch-fisted, now do you?”
Of course she didn’t, but neither did she want to be the recipient of the Earl’s charity, which she very much suspected was what he intended. There seemed little she could do to stop him, however, and so she resigned herself.
“Good,” said Cecilie to his lordship. “Do you suppose we can get one made before Covent Garden?”
The Earl smiled. “Of course. You can go to Bond Street tomorrow.”
“We can’t go tomorrow,” said Aggie. “We have other things to do.”
Denby continued to smile at Cecilie. “Never fear. Miss Trimble will have a new gown for Covent Garden whether she will or no. I shall see to it in the morning. First thing.”
Cecilie clapped her hands. “Very good, milord. Thank you.”
* * * *
True to the Earl’s word, Aggie’s new gown arrived early on the day of their trip to the theater. Accompanying it was a message that the morning gowns and walking dresses he had also ordered would soon follow. Aggie shook her head. This expense was too much.
But Cecilie unpacked the gown with childish glee. “Oh, Aggie, do look! It’s just lovely!”
A Matter of Honor Page 14
