The Fortune Hunter

by Jo Ann Ferguson

  Philip hesitated, clearly wanting to go, but unwilling to distress Annis. “Let me give this some thought.”

  “Bah!” Hamilton sneered. “What thought does it take to step into that basket and ride into the sky?”

  Nerissa seized his sleeve. In a low voice, that was nearly swallowed by the rumble, she said, “I think we should let them discuss this alone.”

  Although she thought he would argue, he nodded. He walked with her in a broad circle around where the men were working to hold the balloon to the ground until they were ready to let it fly.

  “Why are you pressuring him into going when he is trying to think of Annis’s feelings?” Nerissa asked.

  “To prove to him that rushing fearlessly into something dangerous is stupid.” At his cold words, she put her hand to her mouth to silence her gasp of horror. Her eyes must have revealed her thoughts, because Hamilton nodded with regret before saying, “He has not changed his mind about buying that commission. Our foray against the formidable Mrs. Ehrlich was for naught.”

  “So you wish to prove him a coward?”

  His eyes glinted dangerously. “Philip is no coward, Nerissa, only misguided in his hopes of finding a hero’s glory, when all he might find is a hero’s death. I hope this will prove he must think twice before leaping into the fray. If I am correct, he will learn a painless lesson, and I will lose only a few minutes of the day with you.”

  “And what if he fails to learn it, what do you lose then?” she asked.

  “Peace of mind.” He clasped his hands behind his back and continued to walk away from the others watching the balloon strain against its anchors.

  Nerissa looked from Annis’s eager face to Hamilton’s back. It was as rigid as the ropes holding the balloon in place. She could not doubt the sincerity of his apprehension about Philip’s plans to join the war on the Continent.

  Hamilton appeared so alone as he strode through the high grass that had yellowed with the summer heat. Following him, she said, “Hamilton, you can’t prevent Philip from doing what he feels he must. To own the truth, you are looking for an answer in the wrong place.” She pointed to where his brother had his arm about Annis’s shoulder as she leaned her cheek against his coat sleeve. “Let love convince him to see reason.”

  “I fear Philip has planned this too long to let a dalliance change his mind.”

  With a barbed laugh, she retorted, “And you think you can influence him if Annis cannot? You sadly misjudge what love can do.”

  “I have learned never to underestimate the havoc love can bring into one’s life.” His gaze pierced her, daring her to try to hide her thoughts from him when he was being so honest with her. “Those two are a prime example, for I doubt if Philip has told his beloved Annis what he intends to do. If you have not played Tom Tell-Truth with Miss Ehrlich, she has no idea of his ambition to sacrifice his life for his king and Regent.”

  “I have told her nothing. I thought he would.”

  “As I feared, Nerissa, you have miscalculated love’s determination to make all things perfect. In his attempt to win her heart, my brother has failed to inform Annis that he has already given it to his future career in the army, short though it may be.”

  “You will drive him away if you don’t try to understand his need to live beyond your shadow.”

  “I have tried to comprehend it, but to no avail.”

  She raised her chin and grimaced when the brim of her bonnet struck the spines of her parasol. Hamilton’s laugh added to her exasperation. One moment, he was the gentle lover who wooed her with enticing kisses and gentle words. The next, he played the arrogant viscount who discounted the hopes of anyone but himself.

  Turning on her heel, she waded back through the tall grass to where Philip and Annis stood. She heard a cheer and looked back over her shoulder to see Hamilton talking to the men overseeing the launching of the balloon. When he climbed into the basket, her heart lurched. She silenced its terrified thump. Let Hamilton be a complete chucklehead! She could talk no sense to him.

  Even as she thought that, Nerissa’s fingers tightened convulsively on the porcelain handle of her parasol. No matter how intolerable he was—and he was more insufferable than any other person she had ever met—she did not want him to risk his neck on this futile ploy to save his brother’s life.

  “Hamilton is really going to go!” Philip crowed as she came within earshot. “By the Lord Harry, he is really going!”

  “Philip, you need not go,” Nerissa hurried to say.

  “And let Hamilton get all the glory again?” He shook his head. “I think not.” A gentle smile tilted his rigid lips. “Annis, watch from the carriage, for I shall wave to you when we are high above you.”

  When Annis stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the cheek as she wished him good luck, Nerissa was sure her ears were betwattling her. Annis had been near to tears only minutes ago. Now she was acting as excited about the jaunt as Philip.

  She gave Nerissa no chance to ask questions. Grabbing Nerissa’s hand, she led her at an uncomely pace to the curricle. “Can you drive this, Nerissa?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Philip said to follow the breeze to the east, and we shall be able to meet them when they land on the far side of the hill.” She signalled to a man to throw them up into the high seat.

  Nerissa gasped as the man seized her around the waist and hefted her as if she was nothing more than a peddler’s pack. Sliding along the seat when Annis sat next to her, she did not take the reins her friend held out to her.

  “Look!” Annis cried. “There they go!”

  The balloon was climbing silently into the eyesearingly blue sky. Nerissa’s breath burned in her chest as she watched it go up … up … ever upward. Hamilton, you catoller! She hoped he would return to earth to gloat about how right he had been to challenge his brother in this way.

  Annis’s eyes sparkled with delight as she urged Nerissa to give chase. “How wondrous!”

  “They both are all about in their heads to do this!” Sagging against the seat, she gazed skyward at the dwindling balloon. “You are no better!”

  “Do not be such an addle-plot. Philip said nothing could happen. He—” She screamed and pointed to where the balloon was dropping back to earth too swiftly. “No!”

  Nerissa seized her friend’s arm as they stared in horror at the balloon. It was undeniably out of control. She clasped her hands at her breast as the balloon wobbled toward a copse at the top of the hill.

  “Philip!” Annis’s cry strained her throat.

  Pulling the whip from its holder, Nerissa cracked it over the ears of the horses. They leapt forward, nearly jerking the reins from her hands. She wrapped the leather straps around her wrists as she shouted to the horses to run faster. A cloud of dust flew out behind them as the curricle raced wildly up the steep road.

  She struggled to stop the horses. They neighed in terror as the balloon’s clamor sounded nearly over their heads. Only Annis’s screech was louder as the balloon’s basket struck the top of the trees. It hit deeper in the copse, the branches snagging the ropes.

  Scrambling from the curricle, Nerissa turned to help her friend down. They lurched out of the way as the terrorized horses reared up and fled along the road, the carriage bouncing after them like a child’s toy. Annis’s face bleached with horror, but Nerissa kept her from running into the thicket. A dull explosion and a flash flew out from the shadows beneath the trees.

  “Philip!” Annis cried again.

  Nerissa wanted to ape her panic, but fought the seductive tendrils of hysteria. She raced forward when she saw a man staggering out of the trees. His coat was tattered and scorched.

  “Get a cart!” he called. “There are injuries.”

  Shouts behind Nerissa made her whirl. She saw Annis fall to the ground in a swoon. Torn between helping her and finding out what had happened, she ran back to her friend. She slapped Annis’s wrists, then her cheek to bring her back to her senses. A
nnis’s eyes opened, and she moaned. Helping her to sit, Nerissa blinked back the tears in her eyes—sobbing, like Annis, would do no one any good.

  “Annis!”

  At the shout, Nerissa looked up to see Philip, his cheek scraped and his coat ripped, standing behind her. He pulled Annis to her feet and into his arms.

  Nerissa gasped, “Are you hurt? Where is Hamilton?”

  “I am fine.” He looked back at the copse where the shredded balloon could be seen among the branches. “Thanks to Hamilton.”

  “Where is he?”

  He kept his arm around Annis, but grasped Nerissa’s hand. “He should be fine, too.”

  “Philip!” Why was he choosing now to be as vexing as his brother? “Where is he?”

  “Over here,” called the voice she had feared she might never hear hoaxing her again.

  She ran to where Hamilton was being placed in the back of a filthy pony cart. Seeing his torn pantaloons and the blood flowing along his leg, she fought her head which threatened to float away. This was no time for another fit of vapors.

  “How do you fare?” she whispered.

  Hamilton gave her a flimsy smile. “Now I can comprehend how you felt, Nerissa, when Cirrus nearly trod over you.”

  “How could you be so dough-baked?” she cried. “You could have been killed.”

  “I thought a bit of danger was worth teaching Philip that he was short a sheet to consider purchasing that captaincy. Now look at him! Delighting in Annis’s adoration while I suffer from frying in my own grease.”

  “Mayhap it is time for you to listen to sage advice and let Philip choose what he wishes to do with his life.”

  “Mayhap you are right.” His finger under her chin drew her face toward his. “After all, I have not managed to keep from making a complete muddle of my life.”

  “You? Owning to a mistake twice in one day?”

  “Sarcasm isn’t appealing on your lips, although,” he added, “your lips are amazingly appealing.”

  When his mouth touched hers, the sobs beating against her lips burst outward. She clung to him, knowing that he had proved one thing this afternoon with his cockle-brained prank. She was falling in love with this impossible man, who would not want her love.

  Inactivity was intolerable.

  Tapping his fingers on the carved wood of his favorite chair in his book room, Hamilton took a sip of brandy and watched the fire on the hearth. Its pretty dance was fine for a background to conversation and cards, but to watch it endlessly was a torment.

  He considered ringing for his valet, but Eyre had garnered the habit of being busy elsewhere since the doctor had insisted that Hamilton stay off his injured foot for at least a week. Not that he blamed his valet. In the past seven days, his temper had been short, so short that even Philip had deserted him.

  A quick glance at the clock on the mantel told him that the usual hour when Nerissa called had passed. Blast! It was Wednesday. She was obliged to stay on Laura Place and hold her at home with Annis Ehrlich.

  He propped his chin on his hand and glowered at the flames. Nerissa was the only one who did not treat him as if he was as infirmed as an old horse about to be shot. She would ask him how his ankle did upon her arrival, not every few moments as others did. Instead of puffing out the pillow at his back and asking if he would like some tea, she brought him a glass of brandy and sat with him while he drank. Her quick wit and observations of the activities among Le Beau Monde kept him from surrendering to ennui.

  A rap on the door of his study brought Hamilton’s head up. Could this be Nerissa, or was it only Philip, who continued to pop in and out with questions about which cravat to wear that evening and did Hamilton think that pantaloons were too risqué for an Assembly in conservative Bath? He hoped it was Nerissa. He wanted to see her saucy smile topped by her eyes that were the blue of a summer sky and her ebony curls surrounding her finely boned face. In his ears, her soft laugh, that was beguiling and bothersome at the same time, sounded.

  “Damn,” he muttered. He did not need his life mixed up with Nerissa Dufresne’s. She was not like the other women who had passed through his days and his nights since Elinor had shamed him, leaving him with only a fond memory of their names and their lips. If he had half a brain, he would put her from his life posthaste.

  Philip was not smiling as he peered around the door. “I thought you might be here.”

  “Where else would I have gone?”

  He did not react to Hamilton’s sarcasm. Coming into the room, he closed the door behind him. He swallowed roughly, then blurted, “She is here.”

  The emphasis Philip put on the word startled him. He sat straighter in his chair. “She? Annis?”

  “No.”

  Hamilton could not halt his smile as he asked, “Then may I collect that Nerissa is calling?”

  Philip glanced at the door which opened onto the upper hallway. Softly he said, “Not Nerissa, although I wish she was calling. It’s her.”

  The venomous distaste in his brother’s voice warned Hamilton exactly who waited below. Philip used that tone only when he spoke of one woman.

  Elinor Howe!

  Hamilton fisted his hands on the arms of the chair. “Damn, what is Elinor doing here? Doesn’t she realize the truth? Whatever scrap of affection there once might have been between us is gone.”

  “On your side perhaps.”

  “As there was little on her side to begin with, I can assure you she has not been weeping night after night for the loss of my company.” Hamilton set his glass on the table beside his chair. “Do you think she has run out of blunt and intends to kick me for some? Or has she broken the heart of every young fop in the ton and wishes to commiserate with me about her misfortune in love?”

  Philip locked his fingers behind his dark coat and grumbled, “I never have comprehended why you involved yourself with her after Howe died.”

  Hamilton did not have to answer as the door came open, as if on cue, to reveal an extraordinarily beautiful woman who was garbed stylishly from the brim of her fluted bonnet to the tips of her satin slippers. No fashion plate could be more elegantly dressed than the full curves of the blonde who held out her arms to him. He said nothing, but that did not lessen her satisfied smile.

  “My dearest Hamilton,” she gushed as she enveloped him with her embrace and the lush scent of her thick perfume, “I vow I was nearly prostrate with horror when I heard of your accident. How do you do?”

  “I would do better if I could breathe.”

  She laughed, but stepped back. “There I was suffering from the worst tedium in London without you there to laugh with me about all the affectations, and here you are needing someone to entertain you. Darling, you must come back with me as soon as you are hale.” Without giving him a chance to reply, she threw her arms around him again. “You missed Priney, the Regent’s, first levée as Regent last month. It was wondrous, Hamilton. Simply without par, for all the dishes were silver, even for the lowest guest.”

  “Were you in attendance?” he asked as he drew her arms away and leaned in the other direction. “It was my understanding that no woman whose standing was less than the daughter of an earl was to be invited.”

  “You know that exceptions are made to all such silly rules.” She untied her befeathered bonnet and tossed it to Philip, who regarded it with distaste before dropping it on a table. When she met Hamilton’s unwavering gaze, she sighed. “All right, my love. You know I did not attend, but, if you had been decent enough to come to London, you could have taken me. Then you would not have been hurt in that dreadful accident. Whatever was in your mind to do something so muzzy?”

  “Philip and I decided it would be fun.”

  “Oh, Philip,” she said with a pout, dismissing the younger man without looking at him. “Everyone, truly everyone, is agog with the fact that you are loitering in this place, Hamilton. Don’t you know that Bath is no longer the fashionable site it was when our parents were young?” She dabbed
at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. “Oh, my dearest love, forgive me for my thoughtless words! What a muttonhead you must think me when I know that you are here on your quest. Have you found anything?”

  Hamilton motioned for her to sit on the sofa. “Elinor, I would have guessed that you might be wise enough to send tidings of your arrival. What if Philip and I had been out of town?”

  “Eyre would have received me with his usual gentility, I daresay.” She patted the satin cushion next to her. “Dear Hamilton, can you come and sit beside me? I have an ache in my neck from riding across the country. It hurts when I turn it, and you know how I enjoy looking at you.” Boldly, she ran her fingers along his thigh. “Have you missed me, my sweet?”

  He drew his leg off the stool, leaving her fingers outstretched. “Ratafia, Elinor?”

  “After riding in that dreadful Mail—can you believe that I would have to lower my standards to travel in that horrible drag?—I would prefer something a bit stronger. You do have more of that brandy?” She drew off her lacy gloves and dropped them on the mahogany arm of the settee. “Of course, the hardship of the journey is worth seeing you again. And you, Philip,” she added as an afterthought.

  Hamilton heard his brother’s stifled laugh, but did not look at him as Philip poured Elinor a glass of the sweet wine. He offered it to the blonde. When she regarded it with distaste, Hamilton chuckled.

  “It is unlike you to refuse a glass, Elinor,” he said coolly.

  “My portmanteau should be arriving within the hour. The disgusting creature at the inn probably will steal everything out of it.” Elinor laughed, the musical sound reaching to the farthest corner of the room, but neither man responded. “Oh, you do not care a rush that I have brought presents for both of you! I ordered you the most wonderful waistcoat, Philip, of a shade you will never see in this backwater village. A glorious green that is perfect for a ginger-hackled gent like you.” Her voice grew sultry as she added, “What I brought you, Hamilton, my dear, I shall show you later … in private.”

  “Am I to assume that you intend to stay here?”