An Unlikely Father

by Lynn Collum

  In an instant, Emily realized she had over-stepped the bounds of civility as well as those of decorum. Every line of the earl’s body went rigid. “Miss Collins, you go too far.”

  A little fearful of the dark look in his lordship’s eyes, she distanced herself by moving to the nearest window. She pushed aside the green velvet curtain and looked out at the garden. Not wishing to be thought ill bred, she attempted to justify her conduct. “If I have done so, my lord, you must blame it on my desire for your niece and nephews to have the best of circumstances in their new home. They have lost so much at such tender ages.”

  “And you think I don’t wish for the same?” The earl’s tone remained angry, but there was a bit of wounded pride there as well.

  Emily dropped the curtain back in place as she turned to face his lordship’s understandable ire at her meddling. “Your conduct over the past few days has been anything but reassuring as to the priority you place on the children, sir. The arrival of such females was just—”

  “A miscommunication, Miss Collins.” The earl put out his hands in a gesture of entreaty, as if determined to make her understand. He gave a discouraged sigh as he dropped them to his side in frustration, then came to where she stood. The anger was gone, and in its place was a look of earnestness.

  “Immediately upon my wards’ arrival, I sent a letter requesting that the women not come. You may think me a care-for-nobody, Miss Collins, but I do have principles.”

  With all his pride and ire gone, Emily found Hawksworth frighteningly appealing. His dark gaze seemed to capture her own and insist she believe him. She realized that despite his reputation as a rake, there might be deep within him a voice of honor trying to tell him what was correct, at least where the children were concerned. Unfortunately, she was afraid that it was buried so deep under that polished, self-indulgent exterior that he might never heed its call.

  As his compelling blue eyes seemed to draw her to him, Emily realized that her own heart might make her vulnerable to this practiced rake. In his mind she might be merely another female to conquer—a conquest to charm, then seduce and abandon. She knew that was how men of his stamp behaved, but still the thought brought a strange ache that the man was so trifling.

  She must be on her guard. In a voice a bit shaky with emotion, she glibly said, “A rake with principles—what a novel idea.” She walked round him towards the door, needing to get away from his powerful spell. As she reached for the handle, she glanced back to see a puzzled expression on his handsome face. Remembering the unsavory tales about him, some imp seemed to drive her onward. “A rake’s principles? Do you suppose that is something like an ostrich’s wings, sir? The great bird knows they are there but never bothers to use them.”

  Hawksworth stood frozen by the window as the door clicked shut behind Miss Collins. He mentally ranted and raved not only about the lady’s audacity in welcoming the actresses but her insult to him. He had principles. Were his tenants not well cared for? Were his properties not well maintained? Had he ever done harm to any human or animal? The moral questions continued to come, but when he asked himself about taking into account the wishes and needs of others, he found it more difficult to give satisfactory answers. Over the course of the years there had been women whom he’d used, then tossed aside when he’d grown tired of them without the least thought to what they wanted.

  It was in that reflective mood that Sir Ethan found Lord Hawksworth some ten minutes later.

  The first words out of the earl’s mouth were, “I tell you, I should send that Miss Prunes and Prisms packing to London, no matter the service she has rendered my family by returning my wards to England.”

  The baronet, fully expecting his lordship’s indignant mood after finding Miss Collins closeted with such low females, knew the gentleman needed some time to recover his good humor. Sir Ethan walked up to a table which held a bowl of fresh fruit and picked up a bunch of hothouse grapes. Then he moved to where the parrots’ cage sat on a pedestal near the fireplace.

  “I assume you are referring to Miss Collins?” He plucked a grape from the bunch and offered it to the red parrot, hoping his friend’s temper would subside and allow his intellect to control his actions.

  Hawksworth moved to stand beside the Scotsman as he fed the birds. “Yes, she dared lecture me on my apparent lack of principles. The lady seems to think I might not be interested in what is best for my wards.”

  The baronet arched one auburn brow as he pulled another grape free and fed the green parrot. “Are you so angry because you think perchance she may be correct, or because you do not like such a pretty lass not falling prey to your charms?”

  The earl made no comment as he watched his friend. But he suspected there was some truth to his ire being partly caused by the lady’s indifference. It was clear she didn’t see him as agreeable or charming, only as a failure at doing his duty. He wasn’t quite certain why, but he wanted her to respect, even admire him, despite her tendency to lecture him.

  Was she correct? Was he failing to do his best for his wards? The earl was interested in the baronet’s opinion. “Do you think I’m not being a proper guardian?”

  “Shouldn’t be asking an old bachelor like me, laddie.” Sir Ethan plucked the final grape, then tossed the empty stems into the fire. After giving the treat to Janus, the gentleman turned his curious gaze on the earl. “But ’tis plain that the ladies seem to think you need to do a bit more with the wee ones.”

  “More? What more?” The earl was genuinely puzzled. “I rarely saw my father except at Christmas until I was older. Then my brother and I were occasionally allowed to join him while hunting. What do they expect me to do?”

  Sir Ethan, having had private conversation with Mrs. Keaton during dinner, was well informed of what Miss Collins wanted. But the baronet was not sure his friend was the type of man who would adapt well to the demands of children, having been raised by a cold and distant father.

  Still, he decided to lay out the matter for Hawksworth. “I believe what would make the lady happy is for you to become better acquainted with the children and make them feel welcome in their new home.”

  The baronet laughed at the expression of trepidation which settled on the earl’s face. “Afraid you will be brought to grass by your brother’s spirited offspring?”

  The earl cracked a half smile for the first time since he’d entered the library. “Very likely, for I haven’t the least notion what would be expected of me.”

  Remembering his lively nieces and nephews in Scotland, Sir Ethan grinned. “They like nothing more than an adult who will join in their fun. I don’t believe it is hard to participate in such simple sports. All you require are the abilities to run, jump, shout, sing, ride and play games.”

  Hawksworth slumped down into a nearby chair. “Is that all? Sounds as though exercising my principles is going to be excessively tiring.”

  Emily closed the door to her bedroom, then walked over to the window to stare out. What was the matter with her? She was here to help the children, not to become addlebrained over Lord Hawksworth, for that was the only way she could describe her conduct in the library.

  Delia had been right. There was danger in staying in a rake’s residence. Despite her best intentions, she was finding herself unable to resist his attraction. But even worse, she was no closer to getting him to truly care for his wards than on the night of their arrival.

  Perhaps she was on a fool’s errand. His lordship might be too set in his raffish ways to make room in his life for the children. To be honest, after hearing the conversation between Lord Hawksworth and Miss Devereau, it was clear that the earl had attempted to stop the females from leaving London. On that head at least, she was convinced there was not likely to be a repeat of such inappropriate visitors in the castle.

  Still, what the children needed most was someone to take as much interest in their lives as a parent. That was where her doubts about the earl lay, and she saw no simple solution.

/>   A knock sounded on the door which led to the sitting room. At Emily’s call, Delia entered, looking at her closely. “Have you quarreled with Lord Hawksworth once again?”

  Emily shook her head and walked over to the dressing table. She picked up her brush and began to smooth down the curls which had sprung from her chignon. But her thoughts about her attraction to the earl still bothered her. “Not exactly a quarrel, more an exchange of opposing ideas.”

  Delia came to stand beside her friend. The bemused look on the girl’s face reflected something that frightened the widow. Was Emily becoming enamored with his lordship? That might only lead to disaster. Delia knew she must do something.

  “May I offer an observation, then a suggestion?”

  Emily, pushing her worries aside, ceased fussing with her hair and smiled at her companion. “Of course.”

  “I think your unusually close relationship with your uncle has given you a somewhat unrealistic impression of the role of a guardian. Mr. Ashton, having no children of his own, treated you as a beloved daughter, but most orphans are lucky to have a roof over their heads and enough to eat. Lord Hawksworth will generously provide for the children’s physical needs and, given time, he might even develop an affection for them.”

  Emily frowned. “Time! He is likely to forget about them once he returns to his—”

  Delia raised her hand. “And so he is, for most men would forget their heads if they weren’t attached, but I have a suggestion which will give the children exactly what you think they need.”

  With a wicked grin, Emily inquired, “Does it involve chains and the castle basement? I am convinced that is all that will keep Hawksworth near his young relatives.”

  “In truth, it doesn’t involve the earl, but us.”

  Emily’s gaze dropped to the hand which still held her silver brush. How could she tell Delia that staying at the castle was not a possibility that Emily would consider. She knew herself to be in danger of the earl’s appeal and was no longer certain of her ability to resist. “As much as I should delight in remaining with the children, I cannot think his lordship is willing to offer us long-term hospitality.” Especially after she questioned his principles.

  “We need not remain at Hawk’s Lair to see the children. Back in India, you said you wanted to lease or purchase a small estate in the countryside. Why not near the castle? I am certain his lordship would not deny us the opportunity to visit with Honoria, Jamie and Wesley.”

  A smile lit Emily’s face. She tossed the brush on the dressing table, then hugged her friend. “That is a wonderful suggestion. I have been so busy trying to get Hawksworth to take an interest, that I never thought about us maintaining contact. I shall begin to look for a suitable place tomorrow.”

  A knock sounded at the door. Emily called for the visitor to enter. Martin opened the door and announced that his lordship had summoned the village seamstress, Mrs. Nance, and the lady was wishing a word with Miss Collins and Mrs. Keaton in the rear parlor before Nurse brought the children.

  As the ladies made their way to meet the woman, Delia said, “See, I think you underestimate his lordship’s concern about his wards. Why, ’twas only last night that you mentioned the children’s need for warmer clothes and here is Mrs. Nance.”

  Emily shook her head. “I never doubted he would see to their material needs, my dear. It’s their emotional well-being I am worried about, but your suggestion of our remaining in the neighborhood has greatly calmed my fears about that.” She told herself it didn’t matter if the earl returned only rarely to the castle, for now she and Delia would be close at hand. But the thought of not seeing the earl again left her surprisingly melancholy.

  Putting her thoughts about his lordship aside, she followed Delia into the small parlor at the rear of the castle. Emily discovered Mrs. Nance to be a tall woman with a plain face and bright red curls, who wore a fashionable blue wool gown of exceptional cut. It was apparent that while the seamstress might live in the country, she owned a superior skill in her craft.

  After introductions, the seamstress announced, “His lordship says I am to be guided by you, Miss Collins, as to the children’s needs. I took the liberty of bringin’ a few ready-made items, since I heard the little ones are recently returned from the Indies.”

  The woman opened a trunk and took out several woolen jackets in varying sizes. She announced that the garments had been sewn for the local squire’s sons, but as they were in London at present, mayhap one might fit the earl’s eldest ward. “For it is certain I am that the young lad is anxious to be out of doors, even though it’s been colder than a woodsman’s nose in winter this year.”

  Delia selected one of the grey jackets, saying, “I think this would fit Jamie exactly.” Then she lowered the garment and looked at Emily. “You do realize that the moment the children have warmer coats, they shall be demanding an outing?”

  “I am not afraid of a little cold weather.” What Emily truly feared was an encounter with Lord Hawksworth after her loose tongue in the library. How could she have been so foolish as to question the man’s conduct?

  The business of outfitting his lordship’s wards soon took precedence over her worries. She found herself liking the practical Mrs. Nance, and while the children were sent for to be measured, the three women put their heads together and drew up a list of the necessities.

  By the time Bedows announced nuncheon to the ladies, Honoria and Jamie each had suitable attire for the cold Somersetshire weather. The other garments would have to wait until Mrs. Nance and her assistants worked their magic with needle and thread.

  With a promise to take the older pair for a walk after their meal, Emily set out with Delia for the dining room with some trepidation. As the servant opened the door, her heart hammered in anticipation of meeting with the earl, but to her relief, there were only three places set and Sir Ethan there to greet them. The baronet offered the ladies the earl’s compliments, informing them that his lordship had gone to Bath on business with his steward.

  Sir Ethan proved a companionable host, but Emily was not in a talkative mood. As he conversed with Delia, the young heiress allowed her mind to return to the earl. She knew she must now repair the damage she had done with her insulting gibe. She owed Lord Hawksworth an apology. Upon his return she would seek him out, but the thought of being closeted alone with the gentleman sent a tremor of excitement racing up her spine which, despite her efforts, she could not dispel.

  That afternoon a blustery wind swirled around Emily, her two lively charges and Kali as they explored the grounds of Hawk’s Lair. Having taken Bedows’s advice, they’d exited through the north portico into a well-maintained knot garden where remnants of snow remained only in the shadows of the tall shrubs. The children were delighted with the six intricate knots which surrounded a lovely center fountain. They each chose a separate knot and began to dash about inside the knee-high sculpted bushes, attempting to reach the center first. The small black dog ran back and forth between the pair and barked playfully.

  Emily, left to her own devices, took her first look at the exterior of the castle in the light of day. It was a building of mellow brick and interesting design with numerous domed turrets. She was certain that if she possessed such a splendid home, she would never wish to leave it.

  Just then Jamie called that there was a gate into another garden. The trio, with Kali trailing, passed through the ornate iron portal to explore a lower garden with ancient clipped topiary in a variety of shapes. In that manner they spent the afternoon venturing into new terrain and enjoying the delights of the estate.

  Nearly an hour later, Honoria announced she was quite tired, but she begged to be taken to the stable to visit with Matilda before returning indoors. In a grown-up voice, she announced, “We must see that she is properly housed, Miss Collins.”

  Jamie was agreeable if it meant extending his time out of doors, so with directions from a passing gardener, they made their way to the complex of buildings at the
rear of the castle where the goat now resided. As they approached the entry, Hawksworth drove up before the open door of the building in a high-perch phaeton. Emily’s heart began to hammer. He climbed down and tossed the reins to a young groom, then fell into conversation with a man who appeared to be in charge.

  Emily knew the exact moment he became aware of their approach. There was a perceptible straightening of his back. Her knees suddenly felt weak at the thought of facing his rancor, but she decided there was no use delaying her bad medicine.

  “Good afternoon, my lord.”

  “Miss Collins,” Hawksworth responded, his tone frosty. Then his gaze moved to the two children, who eyed him cautiously, and there was a softening in his frigid features. “I must say that I am delighted to see the pair of you looking much cleaner than when we last met.”

  Jamie glanced up at Emily; then, without the least encouragement, he tugged off his quartered cap and gamely stepped forward. Still, there was a slight tremor of fear in his voice as he spoke. “Uncle Oliver, Honoria and I wish to apologize for the dirt and disorder we caused in the kitchen this morning. Our only excuse is that we were excessively hungry, sir, but we promise never to intrude there again.”

  Hawksworth found himself touched by the lad’s bravery. He wondered how his brother had handled the matter of disciplining the children for their transgressions. He couldn’t imagine James being a hard taskmaster, having been so terrified of their father as a young man.

  Drawing his hands behind his back, Oliver knew that he could not let such a serious offense pass without some mention. “Well, I hope that you and Honoria will in the future avoid any matters concerning fireplaces, but since I think you intended no harm we shall let the matter drop. I would suggest, however, that you summon a servant or your nurse in the future if you should wake and find yourselves famished.”