The Earl of Heartbreak

by Bethany M. Sefchick

  "They will be Frost and Lavinia's neighbors!" she shot back as the sound of a carriage rattled distantly on the drive. "And I wasn't thinking. Not really." If she had been, she wouldn't have extended the invitation. Once she had mounted Glory and ridden home, Sarah had realized her error, but it was too late. The damage was already done. Their lives were complicated enough. Neither she nor Rayne needed an American marquess and his sister intruding into things here at Hallowby.

  However she had felt so sorry for the young woman and so utterly entranced by her handsome brother than she had lost all good sense. If she had been thinking, she would have known that beyond some basic guidance, she was in no real position to assist Pearl. Nor should she have agreed to Lord Lansdale's plea for help.

  In her heart, Sarah also knew that allowing Daniel Weston into her life was an extremely unwise idea. Yes, she had enjoyed flirting with him, but that was all it could ever be. It should have ended in the meadow and gone no further. She had given him the impression that she had a heart to give away when she did not. That was very unfair - to all of them. It was simply too bad that she could not undo her poor choices.

  "And what of Aunt Beatrice? For the smithy in the village today asked about her. Seems they were friends long ago when she was a child here at Hallowby." Rayne had been taken by complete surprise when the older man had mentioned befriending "Lady Bea" as he had referred to her when they were both barely out of leading strings. Rayne hadn't known what to say and instead mumbled something unintelligible about the woman only just arriving and taking the time to get settled. Fortunately, that seemed to satisfy the man and he hadn't pressed further. But what if he had? What if it was discovered that Rayne and Sarah were occupying Hallowby alone? And would be for another sennight or more?

  That fear had spurred Rayne to return to the estate and immediately send out a messenger to locate the old woman and bring her to Hallowby post haste. However, he walked a delicate line. If the dratted woman arrived too soon, then all of Rayne's plans for seducing Sarah would be lost. Unless, of course, the woman was both going blind and deaf. Rayne could only hope, he supposed.

  Then again, if Sarah truly fancied this Daniel Weston fellow, then he had more to worry about than he had thought. Aunt Beatrice would be the least of his problems.

  During the years Rayne had known her, Sarah had never been seriously courted by anyone. Oh, she'd danced and had fun while out in Society, but each time he returned home from his adventures, he always found her much the same as when he had departed. And always unattached. For as intelligent as he claimed to be, it had never occurred to him that one day, he might return and Sarah might not be the same. She might, in fact, be wed. Or betrothed. Now the very thought left him cold, especially since she had gone so far as to invite the new Marquess of Lansdale and his sister to dinner quite out of the blue. Was he moving too slowly for her? Or was he moving too fast? How was an earl who had never properly courted a woman to even know?

  Then Rayne realized that Sarah was still speaking and that he likely ought to pay attention to her rather than ruminate on the meaning behind her actions - and his own inactions.

  "We can inform people, including Lord Lansdale and his sister, that Aunt Beatrice has a megrim. Quite serious." Sarah hadn't thought about that complication at all. In fact, despite hatching this bizarre plan only a few short days ago, she had already quite forgotten about including Aunt Beatrice in their scheme. Then again, when one had a mind full of Lord Raynecourt, she supposed that was a decent enough excuse. Maybe. Or perhaps not.

  "Then you had bloody better well hope she has a megrim for days!" Rayne, whose own temper was still on a short leash, had heard rumblings about the arrival of the "American Marquess" as Daniel Weston was being called these days. The man was supposed to be impossibly handsome with impeccable manners and possessed of what some ladies were calling a "quintessentially American charm," as if that were a good thing. In Rayne's mind, it was not. Not in the least. And it was certainly not good that Sarah had been so completely dazzled by the man that she had invited him and his sister to dinner. With her acting as hostess. And Rayne acting as... Well, he didn't know what he was supposed to be acting as. Other than possibly the court jester.

  Jealous lover perhaps? It would be fitting, for Rayne was jealous. Just a bit, of course. Except that Rayne never became jealous over a woman. Ever.

  Still, what man in his right mind wouldn't be jealous if they were in his situation? Especially after the lady he had lusted after for so long had finally asked him to seduce her, and then she turned right around and invited another man to dinner as if it was a perfectly normal occurrence. It was preposterous, really. And extremely bad form in his mind. Therefore, he felt perfectly justified in his anger.

  Sadly, Sarah didn't see the situation in quite the same manner.

  "I shall deal with events as they occur and not fret over them before," she hissed back as she straightened her skirts. "For all we know, Frost will return by tomorrow."

  Oh Lord, Rayne hopped not. Then all of the planning he had done that day would be for naught. Not to mention that he had no place to go save for Fieldown, which was still rather full of marriage-minded females at the moment. Including his mother who would see him leg shackled in an instant if he but stood still long enough.

  For while Sarah had been gallivanting about the countryside, Rayne had been planning. It was what he did. He had even taken the numerous letters from the dowager viscountess in Bath - there had been a total of seventeen of them, indicating precisely how bored the lady was at her sister's residence - and begun forming a plan for Frost and Lavinia's grand celebration when they finally returned.

  It was a bit ironic that he, who was so opposed to this marriage, was the one who had begun the party planning, but Mrs. Dowdy had agreed that Sarah's heart was not in the celebration. Nor should the responsibility fall upon her shoulders. According to the cook, Sarah finally seemed to be having a bit of fun and enjoying life, which she credited to Rayne's influence. The woman also insisted that Sarah shouldn't be burdened with planning a wedding party and feast - even if it was for her brother. The older woman seemed to have a special affection for Sarah that she either could not or would not explain. All Mrs. Dowdy would say was that Sarah deserved some peace and happiness in her life, and planning this celebration for a wedding that was not her own was not the way for Sarah to find that happiness. Instead, it was enjoying her time away from London and the Marriage Mart.

  Secretly, Rayne agreed, which was why he had done some planning of his own and then given Mrs. Dowdy leave to incorporate any further instructions from the dowager into the plan he and the cook had already laid out that morning. After that, a check in every few days should be sufficient to keep things on track, he had said. No need to bother Sarah with the details. Which left her free to concentrate on other things - namely him.

  Except that now Sarah was glaring at him as if she didn't particularly care for him at the moment. Given the way she had all but melted in his arms last evening, he did not really like the change in her behavior.

  Doing his best to assume a more relaxed air, Rayne waved a hand in the air as if he had not just been railing at Sarah moments ago. "I think we both know that Frost and Lavinia will not return for a week or more. Therefore, I have dealt with the situation by sending a messenger out to locate your Aunt Beatrice and bring her to Hallowby. Your footman has instructions to enlist the help of Harry Greer as well, if necessary. The man is in the area and I know precisely where to find him should the need arise."

  Sarah gaped at Rayne. "Bring her here? But then how will we... I mean I thought..." Then her mouth closed with an audible snap and a look of confusion crossed her pretty face.

  At that, Rayne softened, recognizing his own confusion on her face as well. "Sarah, this dance we are doing? To seduce or not? To finally give in to what we both desire? It is not our first waltz, so to speak. If we are both being honest, we have been dancing to this same tune for y
ears now, have we not?"

  She pursed her lips and then immediately relaxed them. "We have. Or at least I have. I have never known if you felt the same."

  "I have. For a very long time." Rayne was quick to affirm that point. He never again wished for her to doubt his desire for her. "Therefore, I believe that it is time we change the dance. I cannot keep going in circles, never moving forward or back, and I dare say, neither can you. This is no life for either of us."

  "It is not enjoyable, no." Her eyes flickered to the hallway where Wilson was opening the door to Lord Lansdale and his sister.

  "Then trust me when I say that I have applied this rather prodigious brain of mine to the problem. And I have a plan. Aunt Beatrice or no, I will seduce you if that is what you desire. But we need time alone. Time to keep the outside world at bay, especially those who would attempt to invade our privacy and discover our secrets. We cannot keep inviting that same world in if we are to enjoy the little time we have left to us. For I think we both know that once Frost and Lavinia appear, all of this will end. If he does not kill me immediately upon arrival. Beatrice we can control. Lord Lansdale and his sister? We cannot." Rayne attempted to make his words light and playful yet make certain she took his meaning.

  When Sarah nodded, it was evident that she had. "I understand. This is a moment out of time for us. This time alone here at Hallowby will never come again." She glanced into the hall where Wilson was taking Lady Pearl's wrap. "And I invited the world outside to see the inside of our doors."

  Rayne nodded, his expression a weary one. "You did. But we shall both survive and continue on with the seduction, though sooner rather than later. If that is what you want, of course." Now it was he who glanced at Lansdale. "But if you have changed your mind? If he is your choice instead of me? Tell me now so that I do not change you in ways that cannot be undone."

  Sarah knew Rayne was speaking of her maidenhead, and once more, she felt a bit foolish for inviting the marquess and his sister to dinner. She had simply been swept up in the delight of meeting a handsome man who flirted with her. That had not happened in a very long time. She was still so very, very confused about what her future was to be. And where. This time alone with Rayne was temporary. She knew that. He was not forever. Lord Lansdale? Perhaps. Maybe. She did not know. She didn't know him well enough to...know.

  For the idea of spinsterhood was holding less and less appeal for her the more time that passed. What had once seemed like an ideal answer to her problems now did not seem nearly as appealing as it had back in London. She did not like the idea of living out her days alone. Yet she could not marry anyone other than Rayne - or at least that was what she had always believed. However she could not have Rayne because of her brother's maddening edict. So where did that leave her? She had thought spinsterhood, but now, given her immediate physical reaction to Daniel Weston, she was no longer as sure as she had once been.

  However Sarah knew one thing for certain. She had loved Rayne for as long as she could remember. She desired him with her entire being. And he had agreed to seduce her. In this little piece of time, he was hers for the taking. For the moment, that was all she needed to remember and focus on. Nothing else mattered. Or at least it shouldn't. Not even the alluring American marquess.

  Finally, Sarah shook her head. "No. Lord Lansdale is a diversion, I think. I was confused before and I confess that I still am to some degree. However I do still know what I want for the moment. You. I want you to take me to bed, to show me pleasure. To seduce me. That has not changed. He is merely a shiny bit of fluff that is nothing more than a temporary distraction."

  This time when Rayne smiled, he once more graced her with that lopsided grin. "That, my lady, is precisely what I was hoping to hear." Then he offered her his arm. "Shall we go greet our guests like the lord and lady of the manor we are not?"

  "Indeed," she teased, feeling more relaxed and confident than she had in some time. Her distant future might still be murky, but her immediate one was not. She was with Rayne. He had agreed to seduce her. She did not need to look any farther ahead than that.

  Rayne plucked a lemon tart from the dessert tray, careful to leave the raspberry ones for Sarah. The evening had gone better than he had expected really. The company was good, the food excellent and the wine even better. Lady Pearl, though a bit rough around the edges, had a winsome smile and a quick intelligence. Even if she was a bit shy, she more than made up for it with her near-angelic beauty and tinkling laugh. Coupled with her rather dry wit and instant charm, she would be a lady to be reckoned with in Society if she smoothed out some of her rougher edges before her debut.

  Lady Pearl was also rather skilled on the pianoforte and a more than passable singer. At least according to her brother. She blushed so prettily when he paid her the compliment that Rayne suspected that it was likely true.

  Lansdale was something of a revelation as well. He was well educated and thoughtful. He had considered opinions and didn't mind sharing them but was open to listening to other's views as well. Physically, he was about as perfect as a man could be, save for a slight crook in his nose which only likely enhanced his appeal, particularly to women, and was a far cry from Rayne's own more thinly muscled frame.

  Rayne did well enough, he supposed, what with his sparring at Gentleman Jackson's and his fencing with either Frost of Candlewood - or sometimes Lord Hunt and Harry Greer if the mood struck - that his body was far from running to fat. However he was not quite as solidly built as the golden blonde Adonis of a marquess, either.

  All of that, combined with Lansdale's ready smile and charming personality should have been enough to make Rayne dislike him immediately. Especially since it was rather obvious that the marquess had also developed something of an immediate affection for Sarah. However all of that combined did nothing of the sort, drat the man in his perfection. Not to mention his sheer congeniality.

  In fact, Rayne rather quite liked the new Marquess of Lansdale, which was a pleasant and refreshing change, as he had not much cared for the last one. Or the man in line to be the next one.

  Lord Daniel Weston, however, was a man who, though he spoke his mind was also very careful in his words. He meant what he said, but he did not do so in a hard or heavy-handed way. His manners and speech were a curious mix of both English and American, which was a distraction at times, but the longer Rayne was in the man's company, the less of a concern it became.

  It was also rather evident that while he was the perfect charming gentleman, Lansdale had no real romantic interest in Sarah, though there was plenty of attraction between them. Oh, the marquess was certainly interested in the possibility of Sarah assisting his sister Pearl with easing into the world of the Upper Ten Thousand, but nothing more damning than that. Daniel flirted and laughed with Sarah well enough, but Rayne had come to suspect that was simply the man's way. He meant nothing by it and had, in fact, implied that it would likely be years before he considered taking a bride as there were numerous details of the marquisate to be sorted out, including finances.

  Lansdale and Montclef were his mistresses now, the man had said, and Rayne found that he believed him. That made it much easier for him to be generous and offer the services of his own man of affairs for a short time in order to help Weston put his affairs in order. It was an offer that had clearly been much appreciated and the marquess had been in a bit of a better mood ever since, especially since Lansdale had made it plain that he did not quite trust his father's old solicitor to do right by him and Pearl.

  Rayne was glad he had made the offer, for the gesture had made Sarah happy as well. Not that she had been otherwise throughout dinner. In fact, she had chattered like a magpie with Lady Pearl. Rayne could not remember a time in recent memory when she had appeared so young and carefree. Or so happy. Then again, he was gone so frequently Sarah could very well have been like this all the time and he had never been in Town long enough to witness her behavior for himself.

  "Lady Sarah tells me that you
are noted scholar, Lord Raynecourt," Lansdale remarked to Rayne as he selected an orange tart, careful to avoid the raspberry ones as well. The man was intelligent and learned quickly. Rayne would give the man that, too.

  He held up his hand. "Please. Call me Rayne. All of my friends do. Even my mother does." He grinned. "And I am not certain how noted I am, but I do well enough. I am just back from Rome and had been planning another trip soon. Mostly likely to North Africa. Egypt to be precise. Though he is French, a young scholar named Jean-François Champollion is doing some extraordinary work in the field of archeology there, and I hope to be able to join him now that affairs between France and England have settled. There is also a new team going into the Valley of the Kings in the near future. In my estimation there are yet more tombs to be uncovered, many likely to be far more exquisite than those uncovered so far." He shrugged. "I realize that I am in the minority in that opinion, but ancient Egypt had far more rulers than we have found tombs."

  "Fascinating." From the tone of his voice, it was clear that Lansdale was truly intrigued. "But is that not considered work?" He leaned in closer and Rayne did the same. "In America, men of action and a good work ethic are prized and celebrated so that was what I became. Here? I am considered to be in trade when I merely suggest handling my own affairs, and that is frowned upon. How do you exist in both worlds so easily?"

  Instantly Rayne's respect for the man went up a great deal. "It is not easy, and I do confess that there is many an old tabby or a fussy duke who frowns upon what I do. Many in my set would simply give up. However learning is my passion. It always has been. So if I wrap what I do in terms that make it seem as if I am in scholarly pursuit of something rather than toiling at labor, it is accepted. Or at least tolerated." He glanced across the table towards Sarah. "I am also blessed with friends who do not see my exploits as a detriment but rather something to be celebrated."