Regency Romances

by Grace Fletcher

  Earl Huxley! Was she in Huxley's castle, then? Good gracious, she must escape with her aunt and uncle as soon as possible.

  "It's always nice to have guests over for Christmas." Layla was saying. "You will stay, won't you?"

  "Oh, I'm afraid that's not possible," Christina said, trying to get up. "We must leave as soon as we are able."

  "Not this week, you can't," Layla said. "It'll take time for your aunt to be well enough to ride on a coach. Her leg's been hurt rather severely."

  Christina felt panicky again. The thought of having to face the man who she had cheated out of a bride made her feel alarmed and ashamed. The idea of being indebted to him was quite unbearable.

  "We must leave." She said again.

  "But why?" Layla looked crestfallen. "My brother and I would both love it if you stayed. Besides, you wouldn't want to cause your aunt discomfort, would you?"

  "It's not that I find your hospitality lacking." Christina stuttered. "It's that... we must be at the Mallow Estate for Christmas. Uncle Roger was going to throw a huge fete."

  "Oh." Layla laughed. "Is that all? Don't worry about it. I'll talk to my brother, and we'll send word that the fete must be canceled. You can throw a bigger ball on Sylvester night."

  "I..." Christina felt trapped, and the panic she felt now was comparable to the feeling of being alone in the dark with a raging wind around her.

  "Besides, look at the snow outside." Layla drew back a thick curtain to reveal a world blanketed with white snow and silver fog. "No one could possibly travel in these conditions. No, it's quite decided. You must stay here!"

  "Very well." Christina threw her head back, feeling defeated. "I suppose I will. I thank you again for your incredible generosity."

  "You should thank my brother, though knowing him, he'll just wave it aside." Layla smiled. "Personally, I'm delighted to have someone my age to talk to. My brother's friends are all rather serious and prefer discussing horses and business to more interesting subjects. Why there was even talk of going hunting."

  "Speaking of which..." Christina hesitated. "The man who saved me…"

  "Yes?" Layla asked.

  "No doubt, he was a poacher," Christina said. "I know that they are prohibited from hunting on private grounds like these. Nevertheless, I'd be eternally grateful if your brother could find it in his heart to forgive the man. I'll pay myself if…"

  Layla's mouth seemed to have come unhinged. Her jaw had dropped. "You, what?"

  "I'm just saying that I hope, in light of all that he has done for my family, your brother will not be harsh on him for poaching on your land," Christina said. "I can't…"

  "Oh..." Layla said. "I don't know... my brother has a very harsh temper, you see. Particularly on those who break the law, or break his trust. I believe he'll punish the man severely." She bit back a smile, but Christina, in her distress, didn't notice.

  Of course, she'd heard rumors of Earl Huxley's terrible temper. Indeed, most folks seemed to think of him as a veritable tyrant, to be feared and obeyed. Yet she had hoped... Christina sighed. Then, gathering her determination, she decided to speak to the earl herself. She would do everything she could to save the poacher. After all, he had risked his own life without a second thought, and he hadn't seemed to care about a reward. Surely, if not out of goodwill, the Earl Huxley would realize that others would scorn him for punishing such a man. He might be persuaded not to discipline him.

  "Yes," Layla said. "You must speak to him yourself, but I warn you, my brother's temper isn't easy to tolerate."

  "I'll help him see the truth," Christina said, springing up. "I'll get him to forgive the man. As a matter of fact, I intend to reward the poacher myself, and see if my father, the Viscount, cannot find him a good living."

  "Oh, but the poacher is a menace," Layla said. "He's well known around here. He's been hunting on these lands all his life, and nothing makes him stop. Yes, I'm afraid that even his good deed will not wash out his sins."

  "But…"

  "But there is a way." Layla giggled. "If you were very kind to my brother, perhaps he would humor you."

  "I'll beg him to spare the poacher if that's what's needed," Christina said.

  "Layla!" A warning voice filled the room. Large as it was, the room was only lit up by the fire, and consequently, Christina could not see to the other end. From the shadows, she saw two feet, encased in classic leather boots, and tan colored pantaloons, emerge. The rest of the man too was slowly illuminated to reveal his deep blue suede jacket and the silk cravat around his neck. A clean-shaven face, and slicked back hair and…

  Christina gasped.

  Two piercing blue eyes, hooded by dark eyebrows.

  "You!" She exclaimed.

  "My Lady." The poacher bowed. "I am most pleased to make your acquaintance. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Morgan Huxley, the 22nd Earl of Huxley."

  If she could have, Christina would have sunk beneath the earth, just to hide from the glittering laugh in those beautiful blue eyes.

  Chapter 3

  The Earl's Friends

  H aving quite recovered from the shock of meeting the Earl of Huxley, Christina felt renewed shame that the man she had cheated had in fact been the one to save her. Despite the circumstances, she found herself rather charmed by him. He had been most gracious once Layla's laughter had subsided, and invited her and her family to stay as long as they needed in his castle. He had also instructed Layla, who was of a similar build, to help her with any clothes she might need. He finished by inviting Christina to attend the traditional Christmas fete in the castle on Christmas Eve.

  "He was utterly charming." gushed Aunt Emmeline. "What a hero of a man. I can't think why others have called him bad-tempered. Why I believe he is astoundingly gentlemanly."

  "He's a good sort." Uncle Roger said, and knowing him, Christina knew that it was the highest compliment her uncle could bestow on a man.

  Her aunt had splints on her leg, while Uncle Roger had his head heavily bandaged. Nevertheless, both seemed in good cheer. Their brush with death had made them appreciate life all the more. They had their hands linked together as they sat side by side on two plush armchairs.

  "He's put us in a completely delightful suite, too." Aunt Emmeline said. "I've heard that Queen Isabella of Spain herself was once a guest here!"

  Looking around the beautifully decorated room, Christina was inclined to believe her aunt. She hadn't known opulence like this was possible and yet, the vibrant showmanship of the tapestries and beautiful carving of the furniture displayed a keen eye for taste. The furnishings showed that the owner had both a taste for the better things in life, as well as the judgment to know the truly great from the merely garish.

  "Have you explored the castle at all?" Uncle Roger asked her. "We have a few hours before you must start preparing for the ball. I suggest you take advantage of it. I know how fond you are of sculptures and paintings. The earl owns some of the finest pieces in all England."

  "Is that your way of requesting time alone with your beautiful bride?" Christina teased. She made a gesture at their linked hands and winked. "Very well, uncle. I'll be on my way."

  "Oh, you're a silly one!" Aunt Emmeline laughed and blushed, but she squeezed Uncle Roger's hand tighter.

  With a big smile still present on her face, Christina slipped away, determined to find Layla. She was wearing a beautiful blue silk dress that Layla had been kind enough to lend her, and it was far better than any she could have dreamt of procuring for herself. She ran her hand down the skirt, reveling in the softness of the material. Layla, though mischievous, was clearly as generous as her brother.

  Her brother.

  Christina's smile slipped away as she thought of him.

  Two days before Janina was to be married, Christina had found her sobbing alone in a quiet corner of their home. Alarmed, Christina had pressed Janina, who refused to talk at first. At long last, Janina had told Christina that she was being forced against her will
to marry the Earl of Huxley. In truth, Janina said, she was madly in love with Viscount Randolf Smythe.

  "My father insists on the marriage." Janina said, "He threatened to beat me within an inch of my life if I refused."

  "But…" Shocked, Christina had wondered how it could possibly be. What kind of father would force his daughter to marry a man she clearly had no feelings for?

  "A father who is convinced he's justified," Janina said. "A father who owes more debts than he can pay."

  Christina's eyes had filled with tears as she heard Janina's tale. Her beautiful cousin was trapped and in two days, would be eternally bound to a man she had no feelings for. The pain in her cousin's eyes was more than she could bear.

  "Why did you agree?" She asked Janina. "Why not talk to the earl?"

  "He has a fearsome temper," Janina said. "Besides, he has an ongoing rivalry with my Randolf. I believe that the only reason he even pursued me was so that Randolf would be vilified. There is no use telling him my feelings for he will surely be twice as determined to see the marriage through in that case."

  It had been Christina, then, who had written to Viscount Smythe and convinced him to elope with Janina. It had been Christina who helped smuggle Janina out of her home, and see her fall into her beloved Randolf's arms. The couple had sworn their eternal gratitude to her, and Christina had felt that all was right in the world.

  Until now.

  Her heart had hidden any twinges of guilt she might have felt, by rationalizing that the earl was clearly a cold, evil-tempered man and that Janina had no choice but to escape him. But after seeing how well he had behaved with her and her family, Christina had no doubt that the right course of action would have been to talk to the earl first. She understood why Janina had been reluctant; rumors about the earl's tempers were widespread. Yet were these rumors simply baseless and malicious, rather than rooted in truth? The man she had met was generous, kind and good-spirited.

  How would he react if he found out what Christina had done? She shivered at the thought. Although he had been kind to her, there was a steel determination in the way he carried himself. If he found out what she had done, Christina was sure that the warmth in his eyes would evaporate, and ice would take its place.

  Yet her guilty conscience told her she must tell him for he had saved her life and she owed him that much.

  Another, slyer voice, however, whispered that there was no need to tell. Christina was sure no one knew that she had helped Janina. So why complicate things? Why bring up things that would only make the earl unhappy and displeased? All she had to do was stay here over Christmas, enjoy the ball, be polite to the earl and then never see him again.

  Her shoulders, which had been held tight, relaxed a little at the thought. Yes. That is what she would do. The smile came back on her face.

  "Ah, the sun shines again." A voice said.

  She blinked. Unconsciously, she had wandered the halls of the castle, and found herself now in the library, surrounded by huge bookshelves and portraits of the various Earls of Huxley.

  "I beg your pardon." She said, as the earl himself stepped out of a dark corner. "I hope I have not disturbed you, My Lord."

  "On the contrary." The earl smiled. "I was engaged in rereading The Principia when my attention wandered onto a rather more delightful sight. You seemed blind to the world, so intensely were you focussed on your thoughts."

  Christina blushed and drew apart a curtain to see the fog still lay over the land, with only a few trees visible. "I don't understand what you meant about the sun shining." She said. "All I can see is the fog."

  "Ah, but from where I stand, the sunlight is blinding." He was looking straight at her, and she realized what he meant. She looked away, her cheeks suddenly turning rosy.

  "My Lord, your compliments are most appreciated, and most untrue," she said. "I was, in fact, looking for your sister when I wandered in here."

  "Impossible." He said. "I tell you, there were dark clouds over you when you walked in for your mind seemed to be tussling with some significant problem. Then, when you made a decision, the clouds parted, and your smile shone through again."

  "Oh..." Christina didn't know what to say.

  "So humor me, my lady, and tell me what the problem was that you were wrestling with. Surely, if I am able to assist, I will move heaven and earth aside to help you."

  "You've already helped enough," Christina said, then she winced at the harsh tone of her voice. He raised an eyebrow, and she added hastily, "I meant to say, My Lord that I am already drowning in my debts to you. Pray do not shame me further by offering more assistance."

  "There is no need to feel indebted." He said. "After all, a poor poacher like me must do what he can to help his fellow man." His smile broadened, and his eyes twinkled at the memory of her misunderstanding. Christina found herself laughing despite herself.

  "I must say, I'm sure you would have made an excellent poacher." She said. "You have the looks of a man who would make a good hunter."

  "Why is that?" He asked.

  "There is something positively predatory about you, My Lord," Christina said. "I'd be quite scared to be the poor little rabbit who crosses your path."

  "As a matter of fact, the reason I was hunting out of season was that there were reports of a wild boar that has been harassing villagers nearby." Earl Huxley said. "I felt it my duty to relieve their fears. The fact that dinner tonight will be most delicious is extra."

  "Oh." Once again, Christina found herself quite speechless. How had she possibly been so foolish as to think he could be a poacher? His bearing was positively regal, and the cut of his jawline, the broadness of his shoulder, and the intelligent eyes all spoke of a superior breeding that she should have immediately guessed. As her eyes met his, she felt a curl of heat lick at her stomach, and fire course through her veins. Goodness, if she wasn't careful, the earl would have her swooning at his feet.

  With a mental shake, she reminded herself not to let him capture her heart. It would be positively disastrous if she did.

  "There again." He said. "The clouds are back."

  "I..."

  "Tell me." He said, his chocolatey voice becoming lower, more alluring. "I must confess that ever since that moment I saw you at my door, nearly fainting with fear and cold, my every inch was determined that I would never see you look unhappy again. So if you will only confide your unhappiness to me, I promise I will make it go away."

  Christina's eyes widened at his words. What was he saying? Was the Earl of Huxley confessing to the fact that he cared for her? Impossible! He could not fall for a woman he had barely met, and yet he had risked his life to save her and her family.

  He seemed to be in shock over his own words. He immediately looked away from her, and with a stiff bow, he quickly backed out of the room, leaving Christina staring after him, confused and disoriented.

  Chapter 4

  A Controlled Anger

  "I was named after a shaman, according to my father." She said. "This was before he made his fortune and long before he inherited the title and estate of Dunbarrow. The woman came to him shrouded by smoke, and told him how he would find his fortune."

  The woman was beautiful beyond measure. Dressed in a ruby dress that hugged her curves, she stood confidently as the crowd around her hungered for more of her stories. Not only was she beautiful, but she also had a certain hypnotic allure like a cobra; she was sinuous and dangerous at once.

  Christina wondered if it was this danger that had attracted the earl to her, after all, the rumors all said he was bound to marry her soon. He might even propose to her this very weekend. Christina told herself to feel happy for him and forget anything he might accidentally have said to her. She'd thought it over, and decided that his words were simply those of a gentleman. He was the kind of man who would tend to an injured deer, and wish that it met with no more harm in its life. That's how he saw her, as someone to be pitied. It certainly did not mean he loved her, and she would
be a fool to think it did. Besides, she didn't want him to love her. Certainly not. Even if he were attracted to her, he would hate her as soon as he found out that she had been at the root of the scandal that had followed him.

  "Focus on enjoying the Christmas ball." She told herself. "Forget everything else."

  Indeed, the ball was a glittering affair. Crystals had been strung up all over the house, and they caught and reflected the candlelight, shimmering high above the guests like stars beneath a ceiling. The guests too lit up the room in their own way. The ton's prominent lords and ladies were present, and quite a few were dancing away, accompanied by music from an expert trio on the piano, violin, and drums.

  In one corner of the hall stood a large pine tree, covered with brightly colored ornaments. Christina smiled as she saw it, for even though the trees back home had been smaller and less impressively decorated, the uncommon sight of the Christmas tree immediately had the holiday spirit coursing through her.

  It was a beautiful evening, and she was determined to enjoy it. Despite her protests to the contrary, Layla had insisted on giving Christina yet another dress, this one made of a beautiful velvet that was apparently the work of a Parisienne milliner. Christina had never worn a dress like it in her life. She felt as though she were being hugged by a cloud, and looked as though she had danced with Apollo and Terpsichore. Her hair was done up in a bun, high on her head, displaying the elegant slenderness of her neck. The deep green of her dress had the effect of deepening the shades of green in her eyes so that she had no need to wear jewels. Heads turned as Christina walked into the room, including the earl's, who had, until then, been listening to Delicia's stories.

  Delicia caught the direction of his gaze, and her mouth thinned.

  "Ah, allow me to introduce my new friend, Lady Christina Mallow," Layla said, beaming. "She's had the great misfortune of literally crashing our party."

  There were gasps, and Layla went off into a thrilling monolog regarding the accident, her brother's bravery, and Christina's subsequent panic about "The Poacher." Christina felt herself turning red with embarrassment as the others chuckled at the last part, and the earl's glowing eyes were on her again.