The Earl of Heartbreak

by Bethany M. Sefchick

  Rayne raised his glass just as she had done moments before. "Agreed. But what do we move on to?" He took a sip of his wine, a particularly sweet vintage that he did not care for but he knew from Mrs. Dowdy that Sarah did.

  "How about where you will head next on your adventures?" Sarah took a bite of the pheasant in raspberry sauce and sighed in delight. It was all Rayne could do not to picture her naked in his bed making that same sound as he was the one who brought her pleasure. "I am certain that you will not be returning to Fieldown since your mother and your sisters are still hosting their annual summer women's gathering."

  Rayne gave an exaggerated shudder, which made Sarah laugh. "Perish the thought! I would rather be plunked down in the middle of a schoolroom tea party than to be present for one moment of my mother's heavy-handed attempts to find a 'proper young lady' for me to wed and settle down with! If I set one foot in Fieldown's hallowed halls before next Wednesday at the earliest, I will surely be pounced upon like a cat upon a mouse and devoured just as quickly. The mere thought is absolutely terrifying!"

  Unable to help herself, Sarah laughed harder now. Then her laughter devolved into a series of most unlady-like snorts. However Rayne didn't seem to care on whit, for he laughed right along with her, so hard until they were both tearing up a bit from the absurdity.

  Finally, she was able to draw in a breath and clam her breathing. "Yes, I can see how it would be utterly horrifying for you." Still, she continued to snicker just a bit. In her mind, Sarah could very well picture Rayne running down the halls of Fieldown, a pack of unmarried young ladies and their matchmaking mamas chasing after him like rabid dogs. It was not a pretty picture. "So what do you propose to do? You cannot hide out in the wilds of Oxfordshire all summer certainly. If nothing else, you might be set upon by a pack of wild badgers and then where would we be? So no, I don't think you can hide out all summer in the wilds of England. Tempting as it might be to try."

  For a moment, Rayne sobered even though her words were meant to cajole a smile out of him, and Sarah could see the scholarly little boy who was working out a particularly difficult puzzle in his frown. "No, I don't suppose I can, can I?" He sighed. "I can return to Town for a bit, I suppose, or I can venture on to Wellington Grange. The Marquess of Ravensboro is hosting a fortnight long house party beginning in a week or so. I can arrive early and beg a room. We came up from Eton together, after all, and I helped him with his history lessons so that he was not tossed out on his ear. That should count for something I would hope."

  "Or you could stay here until Frost returns and then venture on to Wellington Grange when the time is right or Fieldown is vacated. Whichever comes first." Sarah had no idea why she had made such a ludicrous offer, but the words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. Strangely enough, she meant them as well and had no desire to take them back. More confusion on her part, she supposed. Then again, after a lifetime of confusion where this man was concerned, what was one more week or two?

  It was evident by the look he gave her that Rayne was just as surprised by her offer as Sarah was herself. "You would do that? For me? The man who barged into your home like a Bedlamite and accused you of unseemly behavior?"

  "I would do it for an old friend," Sarah countered and tried to tell herself that she had no ulterior motive for making the offer. "And despite my harsh words earlier, I do appreciate that you cared enough for my reputation and welfare to ensure that I was safe. I was simply...cranky before. Nothing more."

  "Are you certain?" he asked, his eyebrows almost reaching his hairline in disbelief now.

  The idea of Rayne prowling the halls of Hallowby Grange made Sarah want to shiver with delight where the sat, but she also knew that if her brother was here, he would make the same offer. After all, this was the man Frost had assigned to watch over her back in London and make certain she did not come to harm when Balon was attempting to kidnap Lavinia - or any other female member of the Tillsbury household he could get his dirty hands on.

  Not to mention that this might be the last time Sarah ever saw Rayne - at least in an intimate setting such as this. It was no secret that Rayne was itching to roam again, either back to Italy or on to North Africa. If he was gone for the better part of next Season, she might well be on the shelf and retired to the country by then. Therefore, this might be the last chance she had to spend any significant amount of time with him.

  Sarah was not a fanciful woman by nature. Not like her sisters, certainly, but she was still a woman, and when she was old and gray, sitting in a rocking chair in front of a fire somewhere far from London, she would have precious little besides her memories to keep her company. Unless something changed, there would be no husband by her side to chat with and no children to keep her company in her old age. All she would have would be memories of how her life had been long ago when she was a young debutante and anything had seemed possible.

  So why not take this chance to spend a few days in Rayne's company? He might not fancy her, but he told wonderful tales of his life of adventure. She could listen to those stories for hours upon end. And if they shared a few intimate moments as well, then so much the better. This was her last chance to make any memories at all with him, and there was no reason she should not take it. No one would ever know and if someone did discover him at Hallowby, they were not likely to care. Rayne was almost like a member of the Tillsbury family. Practically a brother. There was no scandal here. And even if there was, she was retiring from Society so therefore, she did not care. Nobody else would likely care either.

  Finally, Sarah nodded firmly, her mind made up. "I am. We are like family, are we not? After all, that is what Frost always says. The very same brother who, might I remind you, sent you here after me." Though why he had done so Sarah could not even begin to guess, so she did not try. "So yes, I think you should remain here at Hallowby at least until Frost returns. It will be less than a fortnight. Then, if you wish to venture on to Wellingham, you may do so. All while avoiding Fieldown when it is full of marriage-minded young ladies."

  She could see that Rayne was seriously considering her offer and deep inside of her something warmed. There was still a part of him that cared for her. Perhaps not romantically, but as a friend. This was why she had forgiven him so easily. Because he was a part of her life whether she wished him to be or not. They were tangled up in each other, and it was better to remain friends than become enemies.

  "If you are certain..." he began again but Sarah cut him off before he could finish.

  "I am. Please, Rayne. Say you will stay. I have estate duties to attend to, but that will not be all the time. When I am not planning this party, you could regale me with tales of your time abroad. I would very much like to hear them." She smiled teasingly. "I will even allow you to tell me the historically accurate version, as you term it, of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. I know how much you relish it and how much the tale bores even your most stalwart of friends."

  "Ah, my lady, you have provided me with an offer that I find difficult to resist." There was a strange look in Rayne's eyes, but for some reason, Sarah knew he would agree to her proposal. "How could I turn down such an opportunity and with such a willing audience?"

  Sensing she was winning, Sarah smiled as saucily as she imagined a far more sophisticated woman might. "I have no idea so I suggest that you do not." She knew that she was being a bit forward, but this was Rayne. He would see friendship in her offer and nothing more.

  "Very well." He nodded though there was still something slightly off in his mannerisms. "I shall stay. Not to mention that Aversely is already here with my luggage and I dare say that he might like to rest for a bit. The Fairhaven house party was a bit rough on the old man."

  "Splendid!" Sarah raised her glass in a toast, thankful that Rayne did the same. "This shall be fun." However she said the last four words with far more confidence than she truly felt. The next sennight or so promised to be many things. She just wasn't certain "fun" was among the words she wou
ld use to describe them.

  Chapter Four

  The next morning, Sarah was still considering the wisdom in her offer when Wilson appeared at the morning room door to announce a visitor.

  "I am not receiving today," she reminded the butler, but before the man could say another word, the portly figure of Baron Hodge shoved his way rather unceremoniously into the room.

  "Seriously, man," Hodge blustered as he shoved his rather rude girth into the room, "announce me properly! I am certain the lady will receive me, of all people!"

  Sarah gritted her teeth and made a mental note that she would have to station at least one or two burly footmen at the door from this point on. If Hodge was about, she needed to be wary - more so than normal since Frost was not in residence. The baron had been trying to either coerce or trap her into marriage since she had turned eighteen. Now that she was five and twenty and still unwed, he likely thought she might weaken towards him if he pressed her hard enough. To quote her brother directly on the issue, it was not bloody likely. Ever.

  "Baron Hodge." Sarah pasted her best smile on her face as she rose to greet him and prayed that she did not look as if she was about to be murdered or had swallowed a toad. "This is a surprise."

  "Told you she would see me," Hodge snapped at Wilson who simply stood there waiting for instruction from Sarah.

  Clearing her throat, she turned to address the butler, her mind working quickly to come up with a lie that would hopefully chase the baron out of Hallowby as soon as possible. Finally, she hit upon one, though it was far from perfect. "Wilson, if Mr. Kenly arrives before I am finished here, please show him into the blue parlor. I know his business is extremely pressing and his time short, so I will not be long." Kenly was Frost's solicitor from Town, something that Hodge knew well. If the baron thought she had an important estate matter to attend to, he might allow her to cut this unwelcome visit short. She really would hate to have the man thrown out, but she would do so if necessary.

  "Very good, miss," the butler said as he turned towards the door. "I shall also call for Colleen immediately." Then he was gone, making certain to leave the door wide open behind him, which elicited a frown from Hodge, though he made no move to close it. Though it was also clear he would very much like to do just that.

  "My dear!" Hodge reached for Sarah's hands, but she snatched them back before he could ensnare her with his meaty paws. Instead, she retreated to the tea tray where she did her best to pick up a fork without the man noticing. She was dreadfully short on weapons at the moment and she did not trust this man as far as she could throw him. Given his girth, she wasn't even certain she could lift him. "How lovely it is to see you again! I was unaware that you and your family were returning to Hallowby Grange so soon! I thought you Tillsbury ladies were all in Bath, what with your brother on honeymoon!"

  Though she was appalled that this man knew so much about her family's coming and goings, Sarah did her best not to show her anger. "As I am certain you understand, my lord, given the viscount's rather recent and rushed marriage, there are many details to attend to here at Hallowby that cannot wait until he returns to be dealt with, necessitating another member of the family to be in residence sooner rather than later. Given that, we could not tarry long in either London or Bath, I am afraid, and I came on ahead to open the estate for the summer." She wanted to smack her head at that. She had all but announced that she was alone here at Hallowby. Well, alone save for Rayne, of course.

  "So your family is not yet here?" Hodge asked, peering around intently as if waiting to see if some other member of the Tillsbury family would pop out of the woodwork.

  "They will be along presently." Sarah stiffened when she saw the lecherous look in the baron's eyes. Where was that maid of hers anyway?

  "But until then, you likely need a firm male hand to guide you, I am certain. Dealing with estate affairs is not something to be left to a woman, what with their limited learning capacity and what not." The baron was all oily charm now, and he took another step towards Sarah and she gripped the fork tighter. Limited learning capacity, indeed! She was far more intelligent than he would ever be. "I could provide that for you, you know, my dear. In fact, I would be more than happy to do so. All you have to do is say the word. I am ready to serve."

  Sarah's expression hardened. It had taken just over a minute, but she was already weary of this dreadful man - as always. "Thank you, my lord, but I am perfectly capable of managing estate affairs on my own," she replied crisply.

  "So you think," Hodge countered as he reached for her again with beefy fingers, causing her to move back towards the window even more. "However I have more experience in the manly world of business, I assure you. I could be invaluable to you." Then he smiled and Sarah thought she might be sick. "In fact, I could be a great many things to you, Lady Sarah, if only you would allow it. Such as a husband. In fact, just last summer I was speaking to your brother and he agreed..."

  "He did no such thing!" Sarah snapped, her temper, which was already running high, at an end before he could even speak whatever lie he was about to spew. "Now I am very busy this morning, Baron Hodge. I am certain you can see yourself out." Where was Colleen, damn her lazy bones?

  However Hodge didn't seem to be listening. "I can help you, Sarah." She wanted to reprimand him for his familiarity, but he rushed on before she could even open her mouth. "I have said as much. A pretty thing like you shouldn't be here, defenseless, handling all of this nasty man's business on her own. You need a man to oversee things, to help you and to guide you. To be everything that a good husband should be."

  "Which is why she has me." A deeply male voice echoed through the tiny parlor and a wave of utter relief washed over her.

  Sarah had never been so glad to see Rayne in all of her life.

  The earl swept into the room like the man of wealth and power that he was before nodding briefly to Baron Hodge, a clear dismissal of the man in many ways. "Lord Brook Bexley, the Earl of Raynecourt, at your service." He raised an imperious eyebrow. "And you are?"

  Now, Hodge looked as if he was the one who might cast up his accounts or had swallowed that fictional toad. "Baron Hodge. A long-time, extremely close friend of the viscount and his family. They think of me practically as family, or so I am told by Lady Sarah." The baron did his best to look confident, but it came across more as an expression of desperation than anything else.

  "Funny." Rayne's amber gaze was flickering with anger now. "I am Frost's best friend, and know I am family without question, no one need tell me so. And yet, somehow, in all of this time, ages really, I have never heard of you." The remark was cutting and Sarah saw the baron flinch. Then Rayne raised his chin. "And I also think I heard the lady ask you to see yourself out. We have business to attend to, she and I. Family business. I am certain you understand."

  "Well, I never!" Hodge blustered but he crossed to the open door where Rayne was standing guard, the baron likely realizing that retreat was his best option at the moment. Given the dangerous air that clung to Rayne, one that even a shallow and stupid man like the baron could see, it was obvious that Hodge did not wish to test the earl's temper. Then, as a parting shot, Hodge turned back to Sarah. "My lady, I shall see you soon and we will have that discussion about our future."

  "There will be no discussion, Baron Hodge. We have no future. I will not be marrying you. Not now and not ever. Pleading your case to my brother will also do you no good." She stood stiffly, her heart still pounding in her chest. "Good day to you."

  With a huff, the baron stormed out of the room, and both she and Rayne heard him clumping down the hallway. For a long moment, neither of them said anything until they were both certain he was gone. Then, Rayne turned to Sarah with his usual sardonic smile on his face.

  "Charming man. Is he always that odious?" There was, of course, no humor in his words.

  "Usually, he is worse." Sarah made a face, which caused Rayne to chuckle, breaking the tension in the room. Slowly, she lowered the f
ork she had been clutching in the folds of her skit and carefully placed it back onto the tea tray.

  Rayne raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "A fork? You were going to defend yourself with a fork?" He was nearly incredulous, but thankfully, he did not yell.

  "Well the pistol is in the other parlor," she replied saucily, attempting to keep the mood light. She did not like this darker, angrier side of Rayne, though she knew his concern for her safety was warranted. At least this time.

  "Sarah, he could have hurt you." Rayne growled, though his anger was not directed at her, but rather at the situation as a whole. "Clearly he wishes to wed you, or at the very least, bed you. If you were caught out with him, there is no way your brother could refuse him. You would be trapped!"

  "Even if I am caught out, Frost would not force me to wed. No matter who the man is and especially not if it is the baron." Sarah held few secrets back from Rayne, but this one, along with her true feelings for him, were among them. "We have an...understanding. He will never force me to wed. Never." She was adamant as she spoke, and she knew she risked the earl becoming suspicious, but she couldn't help it. He needed to understand that she could take care of herself and that there would be no wedding - with any man - unless she wished it.

  "Frost is a stickler for propriety," Rayne reminded her darkly. "I cannot believe that he would allow you to cry off if you were caught with a man. Even a man like the baron."

  That, clearly, had been the wrong thing to say, for Rayne saw fire flash in Sarah's emerald gaze. "What is between my brother and me on that issue is for our ears alone. Not even my sisters know of our arrangement. A stickler my brother might be, but his other motto is 'family first,' which is as it should be." She raised her chin a bit higher. "And need I remind you that he just married a woman who many would have considered a soiled dove, even though she was still an innocent when they met."