Miss Foster’s Folly

by Alice Gaines

  “I didn’t think I had any choice.”

  “‘She was upset,’ he says.” Carter’s voice dripped sarcasm. “‘Miss Rhodes wanted to go with her,’ he says. ‘So, I ordered a carriage,’ he says.”

  “You didn’t think much of me holding her against her will, as I recall,” Derrington answered.

  “She wasn’t pregnant and out of her mind then,” Carter said.

  He got out of his chair again. “You didn’t realize she was pregnant any more than I did.”

  “I didn’t have anything to do with getting her that way, either.” Carter lifted his fists again.

  Harry grabbed his arm. “Think, Bump. She must have said something about where she was headed.”

  “Not to me, but she did to Miss Rhodes.” He probed his memory, but at the time of that conversation, he’d thought of nothing but the fact that Juliet was leaving him. He should have pressed for more information.

  “Well…” Harry prompted.

  “Miss Rhodes thought Juliet didn’t know the destination herself, but she thought it might be Geneva.” Yes, Geneva. Thank God that had finally come to him. “That’s it. I’ll go there immediately.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Carter said.

  Derrington glared at the man for a moment and then recalled something else Millie had said. Carter could find anyone. He’d have to take him along. “All right.”

  “How much of a head start do they have?” Carter asked.

  “They would have made the train last night. Gone to Brighton at the first rays of dawn. Probably crossing the channel as we speak.”

  “They could be on a train to Switzerland before we leave,” Carter said.

  “If, indeed, they are going there.”

  “We have some catching up to do. Luckily, I do know someone in Geneva.” Carter paused, and a tiny smile flashed over his features. “A small hotel. A twilight garden.”

  “Another time, Carter.”

  Carter cleared his throat. “I’m off to pack. Won’t take me but ten minutes.”

  “I’m right behind you,” Derrington said.

  Carter left at a near run. Derrington made to follow, but Harry caught him.

  “All will be well, Bump. You’ll find her and bring her home.”

  “I do hope so.” He sighed. “But what if she still refuses to marry me? I can’t force her.”

  “She’ll agree. She would have come ’round, in any case.” Harry rose on tiptoe and gave him a peck on the cheek. “You’re far too wonderful to resist.”

  ***

  “In the name of heaven, if I have to tour one more botanical garden, I’ll see flowers in my nightmares,” Derrington said.

  Sitting across the table from him in the elegant tearoom, Jack Carter pulled a handkerchief from his jacket and sneezed discreetly into it. “Damned pollen.”

  A distinguished gray-haired lady at the next table arched a brow in disapproval. No doubt in response to Carter’s language. Derrington couldn’t fault the man for swearing. He, himself, would much rather be sitting somewhere else where everything around him didn’t appear so smashable. The teacups, the china, the glassware…all of it would make such a satisfying crash against the tile floor if he let himself vent his frustration.

  “Couldn’t we look for Juliet in a dingy pub somewhere?” he asked.

  “I don’t think they have pubs in Geneva,” Carter answered.

  “They must have dark places that serve strong liquor.”

  “I don’t think we’d find Juliet in there.”

  “I don’t see why not,” he answered. “The day I first proposed to her, she was drinking bourbon.”

  “She was?”

  “She served me Scotch,” Derrington answered.

  Carter whistled softly between his teeth. “She must have really been terrified of you.”

  Could she have feared him? A few weeks ago, he would have laughed at any suggestion that something could frighten Juliet Foster. Now that he’d held her close to him, felt her bury herself in his embrace in the aftermath of their lovemaking—now that he’d seen her tears—he had to admit that he knew almost nothing about her at all. Just that he loved her with every last, tiny part of him and that she carried his child. And now she was pregnant in a foreign city, and he couldn’t find her. If she didn’t have Millicent Rhodes with her, he’d go mad with worry.

  “She’s all right, Derrington, I promise you,” Carter said.

  “You can’t know that.”

  “We checked all the hospitals. She wasn’t in any of them.”

  “I know.” He sighed. “Pregnancy isn’t a disease, and she’s healthy.”

  Only, she wasn’t young for a woman having her first child. She must realize her condition by now. She’d have to be scared, at least of the labor. He’d gotten her into this state, and she was facing it without him. What a damned idiotic move to let her run off. Even if he hadn’t realized her physical state, he’d seen how upset she was. He should have taken care of his woman the way any man worthy of the name would.

  “If something’s gone wrong with her, I’ll never forgive myself,” he said. “This is my fault. Every bit of it.”

  Carter clapped him on the shoulder. “Stiff upper lip, old fellow.”

  Derrington stared at him.

  “Just trying to speak to you in your native language,” Carter said.

  “Thanks.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “I don’t mean to act so out of sorts.”

  “I’ve been unfair to you,” Carter said. “I naturally assumed the worst when she disappeared and then I found the two of you together.”

  “Who would have imagined I’d stolen her away to try to marry her?”

  “Even if I’d know that, I would have suspected you wanted her money,” Carter said. “I’m sorry. I should have known you loved her by the look on your face when she ran into my arms back at your manor house.”

  “How did I look?”

  “Seasick. As if a ship’s deck was tossing beneath you.”

  “You did take the wind out of my sails, if that isn’t a mixed metaphor.”

  Carter stuck out his hand. “Truce.”

  Derrington answered with his own hand and shook. “If we find her, I’ll kiss you.”

  The man laughed. “That won’t be necessary.”

  The waiter approached the table. “Guten Tag, meine Herrn.”

  “Kaffe, bitte,” Carter said. “Mit Schlag. Und Sachertorte.”

  The man turned to Derrington.

  “Whatever he’s having,” Derrington said.

  The man smiled, but not too energetically, and went away again.

  “Well, what next?” Derrington said. “We’ve been through every horticultural attraction looking for her. What other interests does she have?”

  “Besides irritating her family?” Carter tapped his lips in thought.

  “Does she attend church?”

  “Only as much as absolutely necessary.”

  “So she wouldn’t seek out a pastor of some sort?” Derrington said.

  “Not my Juliet.”

  “Opera?” Derrington asked.

  “Not if she can avoid it.”

  “Horse shows, art galleries, literary soirees?”

  “Can you honestly picture our Juliet pouring tea and discussing literature?” Carter asked.

  “I can’t help it. I’m desperate.” Derrington slapped his hand on the table, rattling the china. “Shopping! All women shop.”

  “That might work,” Carter said. “She’ll need looser clothes soon.”

  The waiter arrived with their coffee and cake. For some reason, a dollop of whipped cream sat on top of his cup. He sipped at it and got some froth on his upper lip for his efforts.

  Carter tried his own and savored it for a moment. “Where shall we start?”

  “Not hat shops. She has an aversion to them for some reason.”

  “Maybe unmentionables,” Carter said.

  “Do they have shops for th
ose?”

  “They must.”

  “We can ask where fashionable ladies go to spend money and search door to door until we find someone who’s seen them.”

  “No one could miss a woman of her stature who’s starting to swell with child,” Carter said.

  “Nor a tall American with hair as red as Miss Rhodes’.”

  Derrington glanced toward a nearby table to find a distinguished balding gentleman eyeing them with some curiosity.

  “I beg your pardon,” the man said in a clipped Germanic accent. “I couldn’t help but overhear. Are you two looking for a pair of American women?”

  Carter’s expression picked up. “We are.”

  “And I gather they’re both rather tall?” the man said. “One redheaded and the other brunette?”

  “Yes.” Derrington almost shot out of his chair. “Please, have you seen them?”

  “I was called to a hotel,” the man said. “I’m a doctor, you see.”

  Oh Lord, no. This time Derrington did try to get up, but Carter put a hand on his arm.

  “Was there anything wrong with Miss Foster or Miss Rhodes?”

  “Miss?” The man’s brow went up. “She’s going to have a baby.”

  “Of course, she is. My baby,” Derrington nearly shouted. “And I’ll ask you to keep your opinions to yourself.”

  “Never mind my friend,” Carter said. “He’s just worried.”

  “No need. The mother and child are in fine shape,” the doctor said.

  Derrington melted with relief, his shoulders going back to their normal position. “Can you tell us where they are?”

  “Of course.” The doctor reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen and paper. “I’ll write down the address for you.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “You’re going to have to tell him.”

  “I know.” Juliet put her hand over her belly, almost imagining she could feel the life growing there. “So much for my grand adventure.”

  “You’ve had more adventure than most women do,” Millie said. “You’re embarking on the grandest one of all.”

  Ever since she’d faced the reality of what her body had been trying to tell her, her spirit had grown calm. She should have known this would happen. She should have recognized the signs. It had taken a few days away from Derrington and the chaos he had wrought on her mind—not to mention her body—to gather her wits. Once the reason for her emotional swings became clear, they had ceased and were replaced by quiet joy. She’d have a baby soon. Her own child to love and cherish. What a miracle.

  Millie sipped her tea, and Juliet took nibbles of the chutney the hotel had found heaven knew where for her. They’d sent around a doctor for her, too, and he’d confirmed what she’d suspected. She didn’t need a cure, just a nursery.

  “Imagine me with a child,” she said.

  “I imagine both you and Lord Derrington with a child.”

  “Yes, I suppose.”

  Millie set her cup in its saucer with an audible clack of china against china. “No suppose about it. You could be carrying his heir.”

  “Or a daughter I can take back to New York with me.”

  Millie brought her hand down on the table with enough force to make the dishes clatter. “Absolutely not. You’ll tell him about the baby. He’ll propose again. And you’ll marry him.”

  “Oh, fine. Then I’ve trapped him into marriage.”

  “Stop it. This instant.”

  Juliet stared at Millie. She’d never seen her angry before. Nothing ever ruffled Millie’s sweet disposition. But it appeared Juliet had finally managed. Millie’s blue eyes shot sparks, and even her hair looked redder than usual.

  “You’ve put that poor man through hell,” Millie said.

  “He’s given as good as he got.”

  “Oh, really? When did he ever run out on you?”

  “Oh, well, never.”

  “And how would you have felt if he had?”

  “Oh dear.” Her stomach sank. Why had she never thought of that? From the very beginning, she’d relied on his irrational desire to marry her. If he’d suddenly changed his mind and left her behind, it would have crushed her.

  “You see now, I hope,” Millie said.

  “It would have broken my heart.”

  “You should have seen him watching as we left.”

  “He did?”

  “He was at a window,” Millie said. “He looked as if he’d lost his last friend in the world.”

  “All right, all right.” She rose and went to the fireplace. “Don’t overplay your hand.”

  “It’s time to grow up, Juliet,” Millie said.

  She put her elbow on the mantel and her head in her hand. “I know.”

  “You’ve never had anyone to depend on besides Mr. Carter and me, but no one’s ever depended on you, either.”

  She straightened and placed both her hands over her belly. “I’ll take good care of this child. I swear.”

  “Not just the baby, but its father, too,” Millie said. “He really loves you, Juliet, and he’ll love your child, too.”

  “Yes, he probably will, and Lady Derrington will, too.”

  “Then, you know I’m right.”

  “Yes.”

  Millie threw her hands up in the air. “Glory Hallelujah!

  She went to the table and sat down again. “I’ve been such an ass.”

  “I can’t completely disagree there.”

  Juliet lifted a brow. “You could try.”

  “So, shall we go back to England?”

  “Do you think he even wants to look at me after everything I’ve done?”

  Millie put her hand on Juliet’s. “I’m sure he does. He enjoys your antics as much as he loves you.”

  She took a deep breath and let it out. “I guess I’ll find out.”

  A knock came on the door. Or more like a pounding. “Juliet, I know you’re in there. Open this door.”

  David! “Oh, my God. How did he find us?”

  “I don’t care. I’m letting him in.”

  “No, I’m not ready.”

  The banging continued. “Now, Juliet!”

  “Coming.” Millie rose.

  Juliet just managed to catch her hand. “I can’t see him now. I need to prepare, think of what to say.”

  The pounding got louder, as if he’d force the door from its hinges.

  “Let us in, love.” Jack this time. “Before he damages something.”

  Millie pulled her hand from Juliet’s grip, went to the door, and yanked it open.

  Derrington barged past Millie, nearly knocking her down. Juliet only caught a glimpse of Jack before Millie scurried out and pulled the door behind her, leaving Juliet alone with a tower of male rage.

  “I’m going to ask you two questions, and I expect honest answers.” He raised a hand and pointed his finger at her. “And then, I don’t want to hear another word out of you.”

  Good thing she was sitting down, because her knees would have buckled. He was terrifying, and he was beautiful, and the sheer joy of seeing him again would have knocked her over.

  “Are you or are you not going to have my child?” he said.

  “I am.”

  “Did you know that when you left me?”

  “No.”

  That stopped his tirade. He seemed to reel backward for just a moment before an expression of joy and awe entered his eyes. They stared at each other for a moment, until tears of happiness threatened and even he became a bit misty.

  “Very well,” he said. “You will return to England with me, and you will become my wife.”

  “David—”

  He waved the finger again. “Not a word, or I’ll paddle you again, and this time you won’t like it.”

  “All right.”

  “Now then, you’ll become my marchioness, and you’ll behave like one. You may devil me all you want in private, but in public, you’ll act the perfect lady.”

  “I don’t think
I know how.”

  He walked to the table and pounded the top with his pointing finger. “You can do anything you want, and you’ll damned well do this.”

  She leaned back in her chair and gaped at him.

  He straightened again. “I won’t hear any more nonsense about speaking foreign languages and hat shops. Especially hat shops. If you want to spout gibberish to me, you’ll provide a translation so I can understand what the hell you’re talking about.”

  “All right.”

  “Louder,” he said. “I can’t hear you.”

  “All right!”

  “And I especially won’t tolerate any more lunacy about me taking a mistress. Ever!” He began pacing up and down. Up and down. Marching across the carpet this way and that. “God’s blood, what do I have to do to prove myself to you? Open a vein?”

  He stopped in front of her and held out his hands to wave his wrists under her nose. “Fine. I’ll do it. Tell me which one.”

  “I don’t want anything like that.”

  “Then, what do I have to do to get you to marry me?”

  “Ask me again,” she answered. “Nicely.”

  That took all the steam out of his fury, and he stood mute for a long moment. “Do you mean it?”

  “Ask me and see.”

  He straightened his jacket, tugging at the hem. “Miss Foster, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  “Yes, Lord Derrington, I will.”

  “Oh, Juliet.” He wavered for a heartbeat before falling to his knees in front of her. She bent to catch his shoulders as his arms went around her ribs.

  “It’s been hell,” he whispered. “Pure hell.”

  She stroked his hair and kissed his temple. “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “Please tell me you’re not toying with me and you’ll never leave me again.”

  “Never, my darling.”

  He pulled back. “And the baby?”

  “The doctor says everything’s fine. I’m as healthy as a horse.”

  He pressed his palm against her, over her womb. “I never realized what this would mean. I only thought about having an heir.”

  “It could be a girl.”

  “A little girl.” His face lit up. “She’d look just like you.”

  “If it’s a daughter, we’ll keep trying until we get you a son.”

  He rose up on his knees and took her face between his hands. “I do love you so.”