The Genuine Article

by Patricia Rice

  Marian clasped her hands in her lap and tried to look pleased. The ruby necklace in her reticule made that more than difficult. “It will take time to make a copy, will it not? How will I explain the absence of the necklace while it is being done?”

  “Tell your mother that I am a great expert on jewelry and that I recommended it be cleaned to keep its beauty.” Mon­tague steered the horses into the park and joined the steady procession already there.

  Marian was grateful that she was wearing one of her new London gowns as they met the stares of the ton in the park. The light jonquil yellow of her gown almost matched the tiny rosebuds and ribbons of her bonnet. She did not look completely dowdy, but she was aware of being nowhere near as fashionable as the other young lovelies in plumes and vivid carriage dresses. She told herself she did not care, but she disliked being judged and found wanting.

  “How much will this copy cost?” She tried to keep her mind on business and not the picture they were presenting to the crowds. Mr. Montague looked very fine in his curly-brimmed beaver, driving his matched bays. His height made him seem exceptionally distinguished, but mostly it made her nervous. She was much more comfortable with Lord Darley beside her.

  “The price of a few gowns, I daresay. Are you certain you would not prefer selling outright? Perhaps if you con­sulted your mother—”

  Marian stiffened her shoulders. “We will make do with what gowns we have. I count them a fair price for my mother’s peace of mind.”

  He sent her a long look before returning his attention to the fashionable crowd around them. He raised his whip in greeting to several young bloods and made nods to a num­ber of dowagers taking the air. “You make it difficult to tell when you are giving me Spanish coin, my lady,” he mur­mured while keeping an affable smile fixed to his counte­nance.

  “Since it is utterly of no consequence to you, sir, it should not matter.” She responded with the same insincere smile as she waved at an acquaintance.

  “I stand corrected. There is Lady Jersey, smile pretty. I had not realized it has become fashionable to expose so much flesh in the afternoons. Do women not feel the chill?”

  Marian nearly swallowed her tongue at this outrageous remark, said with the same smile and gallant greeting he had been using since they entered the park. She had some difficulty managing a pleasant expression while in the process of swallowing her tongue, and she nearly choked before Lady Jersey’s carriage moved on in the other direc­tion.

  “You are a dreadful man,” she remonstrated once she’d recovered.

  “There is a phrase I remember from my misspent youth: It takes one to know one, I believe is how it went.” He serenely guided the horses out of the park and into the busy street.

  “No matter what you think of me, you cannot call me a man,” she reminded him. “And I fail to see in what way I am dreadful. It was not I who made that remark about Lady Jersey.”

  “But you were thinking it,” he pointed out unreasonably. “Besides, ‘dreadful’ covers quite a few sins, lying and de­ceiving being among them, I am certain.”

  “If consenting to help me gives you liberty to insult me at will, I shall withdraw my request, Mr. Montague. You may return me home now.”

  “We are almost there, and it is your own behavior that gives me reason to insult you. Darley is my best friend. I will not see him shackled to a harpy.”

  Marian was given no time to form a reply. He curbed the carriage and swung down in one fluid motion, flipping a coin to a street urchin to grab his horses’ heads before reaching to assist her out of the carriage.

  Now that the bat­tle lines were drawn, she wasn’t at all certain what she ought to say. Somehow, she had created a formidable enemy. She did not know what to do to combat his opinion of her.

  So she said nothing, and allowed him to escort her into the jeweler’s. While she examined the glittering displays, he spoke to the jeweler about insurance and values and the need to preserve family heirlooms. The jeweler seemed most sympathetic, and when he quoted his appraisal of the gem’s worth, she nearly sank through the floor. She had been carrying that much wealth around her neck?

  Montague made the arrangements for the copy to be made, received a receipt for the necklace, and returned to Marian’s side. He glanced at the case of brooches she had been admiring.

  “The ivory is very fine,” he said, taking her elbow, “but I suppose it is the diamond that has caught your eye.”

  Marian started stiffly toward the door. “Had you asked me, I would have told you that the ivory would look very well with my new willow-green morning gown. I do not think diamonds would suit it at all.” She swept out the door and toward the carriage.

  He kept a strong hold on her elbow and steered her down the street. “I think we have time for an ice, don’t you? We ought to have some pleasure from this day.”

  Marian turned her head to stare up at him in surprise. “I cannot imagine why,” she said honestly. “We both dislike each other heartily. Why should we draw out the punish­ment?”

  His lips curled in amusement as he glanced down at her. “Does that sharp tongue of yours not give you pain occa­sionally? I should think you would have cut your mouth to pieces if naught else.”

  She bit her tongue and stared straight ahead, saying noth­ing.

  “All right, this time I was wrong. You were being hon­est, but you injured my high opinion of myself. It had never occurred to me that my company might be a punishment.” He held open the door to Gunter’s and guided her in.

  “It is only reasonable to assume that since you find my company so unpleasant, that the feeling would be re­turned.” Marian took the seat offered, nodded to a few ac­quaintances, and proceeded to play with her gloves rather than face the unsmiling man taking the seat across from her.

  He gave their order before answering. When he returned his attention to her, he halted her fidgeting by the simple expedient of covering her hand with his. “When did I ever say that I find your company unpleasant? Challenging, per­haps. Amusing, occasionally. Certainly enlightening at all times. But I cannot remember one occasion of unpleasant­ness.”

  Immediately suspicious of this polite behavior, Marian jerked her hand away and glared at him. “You did not find it unpleasant being called an ass? You constantly complain of my sharp tongue; do you find pleasure in the pain of it? If so, you are a most unusual man.”

  Montague smiled, transforming his normally staid ex­pression to one of charm. “I am that, I admit. Even Darley will tell you so. Can we not cry ‘pax’ and be friends?”

  “I cannot see how.” Marian returned to worrying at her gloves. “You have all but stated your desire to keep Lord Darley from my ‘clutches,’ as I assume you perceive them.”

  The waiter placed the ices on the table and discreetly de­parted. Marian picked idly at hers. She would have delighted in the luxury at any other time. Now, her mind was elsewhere.

  “You do not love him,” Montague pointed out, heartily enjoying his confection. “All you see in him is his wealth.”

  Marian favored him with a look of annoyance. “It is not. Admittedly, I cannot marry where there is not wealth, for my family’s sake, but there are plenty of eligible bachelors with plump pockets. It may be my duty to marry well, but I will have to live with my choice for the rest of my life. Lord Darley suits me very well, and if I suit him, I cannot see your objection. Marriages are made on a great deal less than that all the time. I have not deceived him in any way as to the portion I can expect.”

  Montague cleaned his dish during this tirade. When she was done, he answered calmly, “No, you have deceived him as to your true nature. Darley needs a quiet, biddable wife, one who will not run roughshod over him as his mother does, one who will make his life pleasant and not a living hell. I am aware, where he is not, that you are not what he thinks.”

  Marian folded her napkin and stood up. “That is your opinion. We will never agree on this matter. I wish to go home.”

/>   Her cold tone forbade any other alternative. Montague escorted her from the confectioner’s and down the street to his waiting carriage.

  As he climbed in beside her, he said, thoughtfully, “I re­alize I am not titled, but am I considered wealthy enough to deserve a place on your list of eligible bachelors?”

  She stared at him in horror. “You and Jessica would not suit, I assure you. If I marry well, she may wait and marry where her heart lies. Do not try to confuse her into thinking it is her duty to marry elsewhere.”

  He gave her a thoughtful look. “You are a most unusual woman. Most would have assumed I meant to pursue them.”

  She settled back against the squabs. “You have already discovered I am not stupid. I would have to be extremely silly to be that vain.”

  A secret smile curled his lips again. “I can see you are going to lead me a merry chase, my lady. Let us get you back to the house before your mother calls the watch.”

  #

  “O’Toole, you do have your uses. The lady will be able to see herself in those.” Reginald glanced down at the pol­ished gleam of the knee-high boots his valet was returning to the rack.

  “The lady is in the habit of admiring herself in boots?” the insolent valet inquired as he came up behind his master to brush off the coat waiting to be donned.

  “Actually, the lady I had in mind is more likely to bite off my nose than admire my toes, but her young sister has an affinity for admiring floors. Perhaps my boots will keep her amused while I woo the elder.”

  The valet looked mildly interested as he helped his em­ployer into the tightly tailored coat. “If you are going to continue escorting ladies through the park, you ought to have a groom. Did I mention that I often served as the mar­quess’s driver?”

  Reginald raised a disbelieving eyebrow. “Why am I in­clined to doubt that?” he asked the ceiling as he adjusted his cravat.

  “Well, if he were not dead, he could confirm it,” O’Toole assured him. “And any nodcock can act the part of groom. All I need do is stand at the back of the carriage and look handsome. For a few extra coins, I am willing to sacri­fice myself in your service.”

  There was some truth in that. If Reginald could be cer­tain that the wretch wouldn’t decide his horses were worth more than honest employment, he could leave his valuable animals in the care of someone experienced instead of rely­ing on street urchins. And he might have less difficulty per­suading Lady Marian from the safety of her home if she felt they would be properly chaperoned. His two-seated car­riage wouldn’t hold her lady’s maid or sister, unless they wished to sit in the groom’s seat. He hummed thoughtfully as he fastened his coat buttons.

  “I suppose I would have to wear one of those devilish box coats in forest green or a color equally dismal,” the valet continued gloomily. “That would be cheaper than turning me out in a monkey suit of red and gold. I might even have something suit­able in my own wardrobe if you will trust my discretion. I could be ready when the carriage is brought around.”

  “Your presumptuousness is scarcely outweighed by your arrogance, you young nodcock. Have I said I need a groom?”

  “You did not say that you did not,” O’Toole replied reason­ably. “And if I go out with you of an evening, you will know that I am not flirting with the maid.”

  “Or stealing from the wine cellar. Jasper keeps an inven­tory, you know. I think you owe me a few evenings’ ser­vice to pay for that bottle of burgundy that has disappeared.”

  O’Toole did not look overly concerned with the accusa­tion as he put away the gentleman’s shaving gear. “I can offer my services on trial, as it were, for a few nights, until you see how well it will work out.”

  A thief, a groom, and a valet, all in one, Reginald thought to himself as he picked up his hat and stick. He was certainly getting his money’s worth. “Then go find your bottle-green coat or whatever, and let us be on our way.” He was going to regret this, he had a feeling, but he would never know for certain until he tried.

  Actually, the idea of using O’Toole as his groom was an excellent one, if the man could be relied on. Reginald did not keep a stable in London. He stored his horses and car­riage in a rental stall.

  He had to hire someone to look after his expensive mounts whenever he attended an entertainment not within walking distance. It was a pestilent nuisance, but he hadn’t the funds to maintain a town house like his father’s with a mews in back. Having someone within the household to handle the chore of ordering the carriage brought around and keeping the horses in hand would be convenient. He should have thought of it sooner.

  Of course, O’Toole probably wasn’t the ideal person, but he was available and willing, and Reginald did have several stops to make tonight. If it didn’t work out, the thief could go back to amusing the maid in the evening.

  He didn’t go so far as to allow the wretch to drive, how­ever. Reginald took up the reins himself as his valet adopted a suitably correct position in the back. The lad could emulate a duke if he tried, with his posturing and posing. He smiled at that. Perhaps he could introduce O’Toole to Lady Marian as a wealthy substitute to Darley. He wasn’t making much headway with the lady on his own.

  He wheeled up in front of the Earl of Tunningham’s town house and sent O’Toole up to announce his arrival. Darley would appreciate the jest when he saw the messen­ger.

  When the viscount came down to join him, he scarcely seemed aware of O’Toole’s presence. He had been gone several days at his father’s request on some estate matter, but it looked like the weight of the world had found him while he was gone. Reginald gave his friend a concerned look as he picked up the reins.

  “You look like the blue dismals have wrapped around you, old boy. Anything I can do?”

  Darley slouched in the seat to prevent wrinkling his trousers. “You’ve already been more than helpful, I hear. I understand you’ve been escorting Lady Marian in my ab­sence?”

  Reginald raised his eyebrows but kept his attention on his horses. “At your request, you’ll remember. She’s some­thing of a handful. Did you know yesterday she wished to see Elgin’s marbles, but because we had exchanged words the day before, she refused to get in the carriage with me? I had to leave the carriage and follow her and her sister through the streets to make certain they didn’t get into any trouble.”

  “That doesn’t sound like Marian.” Darley crossed his arms over his chest. “If you don’t like her, why did you drive her to the park and take her to Gunter’s and escort her to Hatchards?”

  Reginald scowled. “Because a certain friend of mine asked that I look after her, and I knew of no other way to do it. She’s seldom available for a discreet morning call. The woman is all about traipsing across town every minute of the day.”

  “You could have suggested she wait until I was there to escort her.”

  Reginald finally sent him an incredulous look. “Wait? Does she know the meaning of the word? I found her at Hatchards without her maid because the multitalented Lily had a gown to repair. I missed an appointment at Jackson’s because she desired to see the Tower and intended to go with her sister if I couldn’t escort her. The woman is a per­petual motion machine. You try suggesting she wait until you have time for her.”

  Satisfied, Darley drew a deep sigh of relief. “I apologize. I’m not much with the ladies and you are. It’s demeaning to know I can be jealous of my best friend. If I weren’t so hen-hearted, I’d go to her mama immediately and press my suit so I wouldn’t have to put myself through this. What if she sets her cap for Devonshire?”

  Reginald kept his voice nonchalant to hide his alarm. “She’s too sensible by far to set her cap so high. A few weeks isn’t enough time to be certain of your affections. Let the lady enjoy her freedom a while longer, while you enjoy yours. A lifetime is too long to pay if you decide wrong.”

  “I haven’t thought of Marian wishing to enjoy her free­dom a while longer. I suppose you’re right. She’s been cooped up i
n the country all these years. She has a right to spread her wings a little before I clip them. Do you think she’ll have me, though? I’m not much to look at, and the ladies put a lot of store in that.”

  “They put a lot of store in wealth and titles too. She’ll have you, no doubt, rest assured on that.” Reginald’s tone was wry.

  Darley sent him a swift look. “What if her affections fall elsewhere? All the wealth and titles will serve nothing then.”

  Affections had nothing to do with anything when you were up the River Tick, but Reginald refrained from saying that. He managed to merely reply, “You must set your sight to capturing her affections, then, hadn’t you?”

  Behind them, the spurious groom listened with great in­terest.

  * * *

  Chapter 9

  Reginald watched grimly as Darley headed straight across the room in the direction of Lady Marian. While listening to his hostess prattle about the highly successful squeeze of the crowd and the need to open a few windows in such unusually wicked heat, he managed to see Marian give Darley a slow, sweet smile that made even his own toes tingle. Damn, but she was good at what she was doing.

  Excusing himself from his hostess and making his way toward the refreshment table, he watched as Marian made graceful gestures with hands that occasionally lighted on Darley’s arm. He saw Darley laugh at some witticism that had her hiding behind her fan. She was no doubt batting her eyelashes for all they were worth, Reginald concluded dis­mally as he helped himself to the punch. No wonder Darley was smitten.

  That complicated matters severely. He had no desire to lose Darley’s friendship in a competition over a woman, particularly not a lying, deceitful woman like Lady Marian. If his friend’s affections were truly attached, he would have to surrender the game and hope for the best. But he was rather certain Darley’s interest was more in the lady’s seemingly biddable nature and easy accessibility. He would not give up quite yet, not until he had made some attempt to show Darley the lady’s true colors.