by Amelia Grey
“You aren’t going to tell me where you’re taking me, are you?”
“That would spoil the surprise.”
Surprise?
What was the earl up to? She wasn’t sure she could trust him to take her anywhere, but that didn’t stop her nerve endings from tingling or keep her from wanting to go with him.
They had left the familiar part of town, past all the shopping. The houses were getting farther apart and the roads were less traveled and bumpier than the ones she was used to.
“I’m not sure this is a part of Town where I should be, my lord.”
“It’s not. But you are safe with me.”
“I was speaking of my reputation, not my personal safety.”
He laughed. “And you are right. Your reputation is always in danger when you are with me, Angelina.”
“How well I know.”
“And it’s nice to know you still remember our kiss.”
She would never forget it.
They took another turn and started down a long lane that was more two ruts in a path than a road. There were no houses on either side of the trail, but plenty of tall bushy shrubs and scrub trees showing new growth lining the way. A large dwelling came into view at the end of the lane. Unlike the drive up to the house, its spacious lawn was well tended with precision-cut yew and shrubs outlining it.
“Do the people who live here know we are coming?” she asked.
“No, but you don’t have to make an appointment to visit.”
It didn’t surprise her for a moment that he would take her someplace where no prearrangements were necessary.
“I have to say I’m quite curious about why we are here.”
He stopped in front of the house and set the brake. He jumped down and reached back for her. “Take my hand. You’re about to find out.”
Leaving her parasol in the carriage, she walked with him up to the door. He rapped the door knocker. After a short time a well-dressed woman opened the door, looked at them curiously, and said, “May I help you?”
“We’re here to see Mrs. Vaughan.”
“Come in. I’ll get her.”
Entering an unknown house with Lord Thornwick was definitely against the rules of polite Society, but Angelina wasn’t about to object without finding out why they were there.
The servant led them into a drawing room and said, “Wait here.”
“Would you like to sit down?” Lord Thornwick asked.
“I’ll stand for now,” Angelina answered. She glanced around the room, noting a large, impressive portrait of a beautiful woman sitting in an upholstered chair, holding a Pomeranian. A stately-looking Pyrenees stood by her legs and a spaniel lay at her feet.
“Lord Thornwick.”
Angelina turned to see the tall, beautiful lady in the portrait rising from a curtsy. She looked to be about the age of Angelina’s grandmother. She wore a dark-lavender dress trimmed with black lace. The neckline of the bodice was cut low. A diamond-and-amethyst necklace that seemed more appropriate for evening wear than daytime hung around her neck.
Lord Thornwick introduced her as Mrs. Olivia Vaughan. Angelina thought the woman had one of the sweetest smiles she’d ever seen.
“Thank you for coming to see what I’ve done, Miss Rule.’’
“I didn’t tell Miss Rule why we are here.”
Mrs. Vaughan’s eyes rounded. “Oh, well, then let’s get right to our tour and show her. Follow me.”
Angelina looked at Lord Thornwick and mouthed, Tour what?
You’ll see, he mouthed back to her and motioned for her to fall in step behind Mrs. Vaughan.
They walked out the back door and down the steps. As soon as they were outside, Angelina heard dogs. Some barked and some yelped, but none of them sounded as if they were hurt or in pain. They started across a spacious lawn toward a huge building. Over the entrance was a large sign that read THE ANIMAL SHELTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF HYDROPHOBIA.
“You’re not the only one who takes in wounded and starving dogs,” Harrison said.
Angelina turned to Mrs. Vaughan and asked, “You help rescue injured dogs, too?”
“I do. Maybe on a little grander scale than you, but no matter how little one can do, it is all important. Lord Thornwick thought you might like to see what I do.”
“Yes, thank you. I’d love to.”
Harrison opened the door and they stepped inside a large barnlike structure. Around the perimeter were cages with dogs of varying sizes and breeds. Angelina guessed there were close to fifty cages. The dogs barked, yelped, scratched, and clawed, trying to get out and garner the attention of the friendly faces who entered their domain.
“I’ve never seen a place that has so many dogs,” Angelina said walking farther into the building.
“We’ve been here less than a year,” she said. “When my life became less complicated last year, I knew what I wanted to do. I opened a shelter to help those poor little creatures who have no home.”
Angelina felt her chest swell. “That is so kind of you. That is something I would like to do one day.”
“And perhaps you shall. I can’t help them all but as you can see, I help all I can. I call it my dog sanctuary. By calling it a shelter for the prevention of the spread of rabies, I receive a lot of generous donations from friends and even strangers who have a fear of rabid dogs. Two gamekeepers look after the dogs for me. They feed them, exercise them, and tend their wounds if necessary.”
“I don’t know what to say. This is such a wonderful idea. I wish I could do something on a grand scale like this.”
“If you’ve saved one, Miss Rule, you’ve helped.”
“I wanted you to know this place was here,” Harrison told her. “If you find a dog that needs help, send a note to Mrs. Vaughan and she will send someone to your house and bring him here.”
“I only wish we could take all the street dogs,” she added to Lord Thornwick’s words. “Alas, we have to limit it to those who are starving or hurt and can no longer take care of themselves. I can’t bear to see a wounded animal in pain and not do something.”
“Neither can I,” Angelina echoed.
Lord Thornwick remained quiet and let Angelina talk with Mrs. Vaughan about her shelter, about how she went about trying to find homes for some of the dogs. Angelina could have stayed the rest of the afternoon, but all too soon the earl said it was time to go.
Once good-byes were said, and they were settled back on the curricle, Angelina reached over and kissed Lord Thornwick on his clean-shaven cheek. She caught a whiff of shaving soap. His eyes brightened. His gaze swept up and down her face. Finally she’d done something to surprise him. That pleased her.
“That was quite unexpected, Angelina, but appreciated.”
“Thank you for bringing me here.”
He released the brake and gave the horses the command to move. “I’m glad I finally decided it was all right to bring you here.”
“Why would you not want to? This is a wonderful place. And Mrs. Vaughan said I could bring dogs here anytime and she would see that they are taken care of.”
“No,” he said quickly. “She said for you to send her a message and she would send someone for the dog. And that is the way it must be handled.”
Angelina wrinkled her nose at him as they started down the lane. “Why? This place is not a secret, is it?”
“No.”
“Then I would like very much for you to tell me why you think I shouldn’t come here to help or for a visit.”
“All right,” he said, continuing to glance at her. “I suppose I should tell you for your own good. Mrs. Vaughan has been a mistress to several wealthy and powerful gentlemen over the past thirty years. She’s no longer in that line of business, but she is not someone who is acceptable for a young lady to associate with.”
“A mistress? Oh, I see,” she whispered. That was the last thing Angelina would have expected to hear.
“Does that shock you?”
&nbs
p; Quite a bit.
“No, no,” she fibbed, feeling heat rise up her neck and settle in her cheeks. “I mean of course I’ve heard of mistresses, but I don’t think I’ve ever met one before.”
“You’d have no reason to.”
“It’s just that she seemed like such a nice, lovely woman.”
“Mistresses are nice, lovely women, Angelina. Why would a man pay for the pleasure to share time with a shrew?”
“Of course you’re right.”
“Mrs. Vaughan is beautiful, intelligent, and discreet. She was sought after for many years. She could command any price she wanted and did. Once her beauty started to fade, she turned to other pursuits.”
“That surprises me.”
“What?” He looked at Angelina again and grinned. “That she went from taking care of two-legged animals to four-legged?”
“Of course not.” Angelina huffed and then scoffed. “She is still a very beautiful woman. Her beauty hasn’t faded.”
“I agree with you,” he said. Angelina was quiet while she opened her parasol. Finally she asked, “Was she your mistress?”
He glanced at her and chuckled. “So you are curious about that. I wondered if you would ask.”
“How could I not after what you told me.”
He remained quiet, looking at the horses trotting along the rutted lane.
“Was she?” she asked again.
Harrison’s expression softened. “No, she was never my mistress.”
Angelina believed him. “Then how do you know so much about her?”
“From other gentlemen.”
“So men talk about their mistresses.”
“Somewhat,” he said as calmly as if they were talking about the beautiful weather. “Never in any great detail.”
“Is it true that you once walked down a street in Mayfair with a mistress on each arm?”
He glanced at her. “So you’ve heard about that.”
“It’s true then?”
They left the deserted lane and turned back onto the main roadway. “It was a long time ago. I no longer try to shock people.”
“Is it also true then that you have participated in orgies?”
That got his attention and he jerked his head around. “Where did you hear that?”
“From some ladies in my reading group who swear it’s true.”
“Angelina.” He paused as if trying to decide what he wanted to say. When he’d made up his mind, he continued, “I am quite open with you about many things, most things, but there are some things I’m not willing to discuss with you and that is one of them.”
So she had finally found a subject that rattled him. Thank goodness! She was beginning to think that he was unflappable. Good to know he wasn’t. That tickled her, and she laughed.
His expression told her he didn’t think that was amusing, but a few seconds later she saw the corners of his mouth twitch with laughter, too.
Chapter 19
You kiss by th’ book.
Romeo and Juliet 1.5.110
Harrison sat in his coach dressed in evening attire with his feet propped up on the opposite seat. A tin box of hot coals sat on the floor to keep him warm, and a flask of brandy helped him pass the time while he waited and watched Angelina’s front door. It was the only thing he could do. He’d missed her the past two nights, having no idea which parties she would be attending or at what time she would be there. There was nothing to do but to follow her carriage to her first engagement of the evening.
He’d asked himself a thousand times why he hadn’t kissed her the afternoon they went to see Mrs. Vaughan. It was a perfect opportunity. He’d wanted to. Started to. But he feared that if they’d started kissing on that lonely stretch of road, he might not have stopped until she was completely his. He wanted that, and one day she would want it, too, but she hadn’t yet come to that realization. She needed more time. And as much as he disliked doing it, he had to give her that time to see that Captain Maxwell wasn’t the man for her. Harrison was. He didn’t know how, but he’d known it the moment he first saw her.
He was still thinking about Angelina and the officer. The afternoon she and Harrison had gone to Olivia Vaughan’s house, Angelina said she had a lovely time with Maxwell. Had the officer seen her since then, had he danced with her again? Harrison had wanted to know more but at the time, he decided he wouldn’t ask. He wanted Angelina thinking about him, not the captain. But Harrison couldn’t let it go. He kept wondering if Maxwell had held her hand, if he’d kissed her.
His instinct told him no. He doubted the captain had spent any time alone with her during the afternoon. It was too wet for a ride in the park, and her father and grandmother had been home. Harrison was fairly certain one of them kept Angelina in sight at all times. Mr. Rule had already made it clear he intended Harrison would wed his daughter. But Harrison had to make sure.
The front door opened and Harrison sat up. He reached up and knocked his fist twice on the top of the coach, giving his driver the prearranged signal to follow.
Less than ten minutes later Harrison’s carriage stopped in front of Viscount Thistlebury’s house. Harrison stayed inside the coach until he saw they had entered.
He left his hat, gloves, and cloak with the servant at the front door. On both sides of the vestibule were rooms filled with people. At a glance Harrison didn’t see Angelina in either of them. He walked down the corridor to see if there were other rooms where people might have gathered, but the dining room and book room were empty. The kitchen was filled with servants. It appeared the two front rooms were the only ones with guests.
He strode back to the vestibule and entered the drawing room. For a time he chatted with the Lord Mayor, but all the while he discreetly let his gaze search the packed room for Angelina. Not finding her, he soon left and entered the doorway on the other side. Lord Thistlebury immediately cornered him to let him know he’d heard about the rebuilding of Thornwick. Harrison remembered that the viscount was one of the gentlemen at the duel that morning who’d said that Harrison wouldn’t take care of the place. Harrison smiled and told the man he’d invite him to a house party once the place was finished. In fact, he would invite all the men who’d doubted his ability to change from a carefree scoundrel to being a trustworthy earl for Thornwick.
Harrison soon spotted Angelina and set his gaze on her while he continued to keep Lord Thistlebury happy with news from the building project. Harrison had no doubt the man would be eager to spread the word. Just when he thought he was going to have to approach Angelina to get her attention, she caught sight of him. For a moment he would have sworn to anyone that she was glad to see him.
He remained a little while longer with the viscount and then excused himself from his host and moved to the doorway. As he’d hoped, Angelina’s gaze followed him. He inclined his head toward the corridor. She wrinkled her brow and lifted her shoulders a little to indicate she didn’t understand him. He took two steps backward, motioned with his head again toward the corridor, and walked out. There was no way she wouldn’t understand that, he thought. He waited at the far end of the corridor and within a couple of minutes she walked out and looked straight at him.
Harrison felt that now familiar tightness in his chest and stomach. She looked stunning in a low-cut, high-waisted gown made from a flimsy, frothy-looking fabric that clung to her legs and outlined her shapely figure as she walked toward him. Three strands of pearls hung around her neck, a short single strand at her throat and a longer double strand on the enticing swell of her breasts. He was struck by an intense and immediate desire to possess her and make her his.
“Good evening, Angelina,” he said as she came up to him.
“My lord, is something wrong?”
He had hoped for a sweet smile from her but he’d settle for less at the moment. “No. Should there be?”
“You were acting strange.”
“Was I? I wanted to talk to you without being in the middle of the crush.”
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“Good. This gives me the opportunity to thank you again for taking me to see Mrs. Vaughan.”
“And it gives me the opportunity to ask you more about your afternoon with Captain Maxwell.”
Her eyes searched his cautiously. “Yes, but why would you want to?”
She was being evasive. She had to know that would irritate him. He thought he could live without knowing, but he was dying to find out if he had touched her, kissed her, and held her in his arms.
“I suppose you had many things to catch up on since he’s been gone over a year.”
“We are getting to know each other, it’s true.” She moistened her lips. “I told you, we never spent a lot of time with each other before he left. Remember, I hadn’t had my debut so our time together was extremely limited.”
“That’s right,” he agreed. “Captain Maxwell is more than a few years older than you, isn’t he?”
She raised her eyebrows and seemed to ponder his question. “I don’t know how old he is.”
“I’d guess about twenty years older than you.”
“Probably not quite that much, but age matters not to me,” she assured him quietly.
“Tell me, did he talk about his injury and how it happened with you?”
She frowned and glanced behind her as if to assure herself no one was watching them talking alone in the dimly lit corridor. “No. I didn’t expect him to. In fact, I’m sure it would be very difficult for him to talk about that horrifying time with anyone. Why do you ask? Why are you asking me these questions about the captain?”
Did she really not know that he was jealous and that it was eating at him day and night?
“I thought perhaps he might have told you how it happened. That you might have asked. Isn’t it natural to be curious as to exactly what happened to him?”
“Yes, and I suppose I am,” she admitted, then qualified by adding, “Somewhat. But that is being meddlesome, my lord. I would never ask him about it. How would you like it if I or someone else asked about your injuries?”
He gave her a puzzled grin. That was the hell of it. He had participated in all kinds of dangerous escapades for years and had never had a serious wound in his life. “What injuries would those be, Angelina?”
