Chapter Eighteen
The room was silent, aside from the faint scratching of Nicholas’ quill against the parchment. He was writing a letter to one of his friends in London, though he probably wouldn’t send it. Send it or not, writing the words seemed to put him at ease.
Everything is peaceful here, much different than it is in London. The house and the grounds are as grand as I imagined they would be. The strange thing is, I don’t feel at peace. When I first arrived, I thought I might woo my pretty cousin. But the fact of the matter is, I’ve grown fond of the mother. I’ve seen portraits of my great uncle, and it’s impossible to imagine him with that beautiful creature.
Marrying the woman is out of the question, of course. She’s older than I am, and a recent widow. But how else would I have her? She’d make a fine mistress, but she would never submit to that. She’s far too principled. My thoughts of Anne Fremont keep me awake at night. I don’t know what I want anymore.
Nicholas dropped his quill into the inkwell and looked up from his desk. Jonathan Winters was sitting in the room as he wrote the letter, but he didn't make a sound.
“You’re quiet,” Nicholas noted.
“Yes. I suppose I am,” Jonathan agreed. “I’m not much for useless chatter.”
“Are you sure about that? You used to talk more than anyone.”
“I guess I’ve changed.”
“Changed?”
Jonathan remained silent, unable to respond.
“Well, if you’ve changed, I think I know why,” Nicholas went on. “Does your change in personality have anything to do with a certain young lady with amber eyes and brown curls?”
Jonathan snorted. “She hates me.”
“I doubt that,” Nicholas disagreed. “I think she likes you quite a bit.”
“She’s been avoiding me. She runs away whenever she sees me.”
“It’s typical behavior for a woman,” Nicholas mused. “When a woman runs away, she wants to be pursued.”
“That can’t be true in every case, surely.”
“I’m certain it’s true in your case, my friend.”
Jonathan gripped the book he held in his hand. He gripped it so tightly, his hand started to shake. “I have no right to pursue her. I like her, of course. But… like her or not, she would never have me.”
Nicholas opened his mouth to disagree, but he couldn’t. Any words of protest would give his friend false hope. Evangeline was a headstrong, obstinate, spoiled girl. A girl in her position wouldn’t want to be made love to by a servant.
“I don’t have to tell you why she wouldn’t have me. The answer is obvious enough,” said Jonathan. “But let’s not talk about Evangeline. I would rather talk about anything else.”
The two men were spared from having to come up with a decent topic of conversation. They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Before Nicholas could answer, the door swung open. Stevens, the butler, was standing in the doorway with quivering lips.
“I-I’m sorry, my lord,” the butler stammered. “I tried to get him to wait, but--”
Another man appeared in the doorway, brushing the butler aside. He was tall and lanky, perhaps thirty years old, with carefully combed blonde hair. His clothes were the latest fashion, though his look was effortless enough that he wouldn’t be called a dandy. His eyes sparkled with the effervescence of the sun. The entire structure of his face was chiseled, as though he’d been touched by the hands of angels and master artisans. The cleft in his chin seemed to wink, as if to boast perfection. If he had any flaw at all, it was the shape of his nose, which was overlong and narrow.
“Fairweather!” Nicholas shouted as he sprung from his seat. “Why in the devil…?”
“That’s no way to greet an old friend!” the man called Fairweather responded. He strutted over to Nicholas and dealt him a slap on the shoulder. “You don’t sound happy to see me, old boy.”
Nicholas found himself squinting, likely from the sheen of Eldrinn Fairweather’s bright, immaculate hair. “How long has it been? One year? Two?”
“Closer to two years, I imagine,” responded Fairweather. “I came to borrow some of your luck. You’ve come into a fortune, yes? Splendid, splendid!” His green eyes moved around Nicholas’ room, admiring the lavish décor. “One needs only to open his eyes to see how lucky you really are. This is a wonderful place!”
“Thank you.”
Eldrinn Fairweather’s eyes drifted over Jonathan. “And you still have that valet? The one who’s missing a hand? Dashed creepy, if you ask me.”
Jonathan grumbled something inaudible.
“So, Eldrinn,” Nicholas interrupted, quickly changing the subject, “what brings you to this area? I’m sure you didn’t come all the way out here to visit me.”
“No, I didn’t,” Eldrinn answered honestly. At least, that part was honest. “I’ve, erm… I’ve got a sickly old aunt who lives in Yorkshire. I thought I’d pay her a visit before she, eh… you know… passes on.” An awkward hacking noise crackled in the back of his throat. His old aunt was, in fact, a buxom redhead with a sinfully skilled tongue. And she wasn’t his aunt at all—she was two and twenty, and another man’s wife.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Nicholas offered his condolences. “I hope she recovers.”
“Ah, yes… yes… so I do.” Clearing his throat again, he said, “Well, I was hoping you’d show me around the grounds, old boy. I hope you’re not too shy to show off your good fortune to a friend?”
“No, not at all. I wonder if the ladies would like to join us.”
Eldrinn's interest was piqued when his friend mentioned the fairer sex. A blonde eyebrow sprung to his forehead. “Ladies? There are ladies present? I wasn’t aware.” He tried to hide the enthusiasm in his voice.
“There are two of them,” said Nicholas. “My late uncle’s widow, and--”
“A comely widow?”
“Yes, she is,” Nicholas admitted. “And her daughter, Miss Evangeline, is here as well.”
Giving no thought to how devious the gesture would appear, Fairweather rubbed the palms of his hands together. “I see. Splendid, splendid. I would like to meet them at once!”
Nicholas peered out in the hallway, where his butler stood. “Stevens?”
The servant poked his head in the door. “Yes, sir?”
“I’m going down to the drawing room with Mr. Fairweather,” Nicholas said. “See if the ladies would like to join us, will you?”
“Of course, sir.” The butler went off at once.
Nicholas nodded in the direction of Jonathan—a silent gesture of farewell—and left the room with Eldrinn. As they traveled down a long corridor, he asked, “So, what is your aunt’s name? I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned an aunt.”
“Oh, yes. I mean, no. No, I haven’t,” Eldrinn said. He slid a finger between his neck and cravat and gave the garment a little tug. He felt strangled. It wouldn’t be a tragedy if his friend found out the truth. Still, he didn’t want everyone to know he was cavorting with married women. “Aunt B-Bessie is her name.”
“Aunt Bessie?” Nicholas repeated.
“Yes, Aunt Bessie. She’s a dear, sweet old woman,” Fairweather continued the lie. For some reason, one lie always led to subsequent lies. “God is most cruel in the way he chooses his victims. Of course, Aunt Bessie isn’t young anymore. She… erm… I believe she’s about… seventy… two?”
Nicholas held open the door to the drawing room, allowing his friend to enter. “And your fiancé?”
“Miss O’Day?” Fairweather gave a slight roll of his eyes. “She’s gone. Long gone. I’m afraid she found out how much of a cad I was.”
“I won’t disagree with that,” Nicholas said with a chuckle. “You were always a rascal during our school days.”
“And you as well.”
Nicholas didn’t have a chance to answer. The door opened again, and Lady Anne walked in with her daughter. Both women had the same welcoming smile.
&n
bsp; “Ah, here they are!” Nicholas exclaimed. “Ladies, allow me to introduce Mr. Eldrinn Fairweather. He’s an old school chum of mine from Cambridge.”
“Hello, ladies,” Mr. Fairweather said with a grin, impressed by the beauty of both women. He was already debating which one he should pursue. “Believe me when I say it is a pleasure.”
“This is Miss Evangeline Fremont. And this, her mother, is the dowager Lady Penworth.”
“Her mother?” Eldrinn shook his head, feigning disbelief. “How can it be? I thought you were sisters.”
Eldrinn seized Anne's hand, kissing it gently. She couldn’t object to a handsome man kissing her knuckles. Eldrinn Fairweather was handsome indeed. But she didn’t trust him. Perhaps it was too early to judge, but there was something about him that made her uneasy. “You flatter me, sir. But I am afraid you are mistaken. I am as old as I look, and I feel even older.”
“Well, I don’t think so.” Though he protested, Eldrinn quickly lost interest. He released her hand and turned his attention to the daughter. “And you, Lady Evangeline? It’s no wonder you have an angel in your name. Your face is a heavenly picture.”
“Thank you, Mr. Fairweather,” Evangeline answered simply. She was as stoic and rigid as a person could possibly be. She ruined her chances with Nicholas by acting too brazen. She wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice.
“Eldrinn is visiting a sick aunt in Yorkshire.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Anne. “What is her name? Do I know her? Maybe I could send her a basket of fruit?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. She, uh… I, uh… I appreciate the gesture, but really…”
“Are you sure? There are fruit trees that grow around Penworth Park. The pears are delicious.”
Eldrinn stood still and silent, not sure what to say. Nicholas, who had already questioned the existence of the aunt, spoke up to save his friend. “Do not trouble yourself, my lady. Mr. Fairweather tells me she expects a full recovery.”
“That’s very good to hear.”
“So, Mr. Fairweather,” Evangeline interrupted. “How long do you plan to stay here? I can’t speak for my mother, but I would certainly like to see a new face around here. We’re so far removed from everything else. To be honest, it gets lonely.”
“A pretty girl like you should never be lonely. If my friend will let me, I would be happy to stay until you tire of me.”
Nicholas stared at his friend, a bit skeptically. He felt protective of Evangeline, as if she was his sister. He didn’t want Eldrinn using his sweet tongue to trick her. “You are welcome as long as you’d like, of course.”
A few minutes later, the four of them decided to take a walk on the grounds, as Eldrinn had expressed an interest to see the vastness of his friend’s estate. As they headed out the door, Eldrinn confirmed Nicholas’ suspicions. He whispered, “What a goddess she is.”
Nicholas’ shoulders stiffened. “Who?”
“Lady Evangeline,” Eldrinn answered. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed! You devil! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you had such a pretty little thing tucked away up here!”
“What are you implying?” Nicholas asked, brow furrowed.
“Oh, I’m not implying anything! I think she’s a beauty. That’s all.”
“Don’t try any of your usual tricks, Eldrinn. You won’t play games with Evangeline. I won’t allow it. She’s a lady, innocent as can be. She might be a bit shrewish, but she’s still a lady.”
“Shrewish? How so?”
“I’m dying to know what the gentlemen are whispering about!” Evangeline announced, looking over her shoulder at the men behind her. “You wouldn’t be talking about us, would you?”
Eldrinn flashed a pearly smile. She wasn’t surprised to see white teeth behind his lips. With a handsome face like his, imperfect teeth would seem out of place. “Trust me, ladies… if we were saying anything about you, it would be the highest praise. There’s no other way to speak of a beautiful woman.”
Without warning, Eldrinn rushed forward, linking his arm around Evangeline’s. He moved quickly, taking the daughter from her mother, leaving the other two behind. Nicholas and Anne could still see them, but they were far enough away to have a private conversation. Evangeline didn’t protest.
“So, my lady,” Eldrinn spoke, “does anyone have a claim on your heart? Has any man been so lucky as to win your affections?”
Evangeline looked over at Eldrinn, in awe of him. He was the epitome of masculine beauty. Greek gods didn’t match the perfection of Eldrinn Fairweather. To be standing beside him, arm-in-arm, she couldn’t believe her good fortune. She had hoped for another potential suitor, and here he was.
Of course, she had to learn more about him.
“No, not in the least,” Evangeline said. “As I said, I am a lonely girl.”
“That’s impossible. I don't believe it.”
“Well, believe it!” she said with a chuckle. “I have more warts than I have suitors.”
“Warts?” His lips peeled back in distaste. He looked like he bit into something sour. “Do you… have warts?”
Evangeline laughed. “No, I have no blemishes like that. I have no suitors either.” In the corner of her eye, she saw relief rush over his countenance, relaxing his tightened jaw. “Did you mean it when you said you would stay until I tired of you?”
“Of course.”
“Then you might stay forever,” she warned him, “for I can’t imagine I would ever tire of you.”
“So, you’re enjoying my company? You like to tease me about warts?”
She flashed him a grin. “Yes, I do.”
“Then I’m sure you’ll have a great deal of fun with me, since I am as gullible as a schoolgirl.”
“Really?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“What else should I know about you, Mr. Fairweather?” Evangeline asked. “Apart from being girlishly gullible, you seem like an interesting sort of person.”
“Actually, I’m quite boring. I am the third son of a viscount, overshadowed by my siblings, born and raised in London. I have no extreme likes or dislikes. I have no talent whatsoever.”
“At least you’re handsome.”
“Yes.”
Evangeline looked over at him, surprised. “So, you admit that you’re handsome?”
“No!” he quickly changed his mind. “Or… yes. I suppose. Is it wrong to think highly of myself?”
Evangeline shook her head. “You’d be a fool to think otherwise.”
“You don’t think I’m vain, do you? I couldn’t stand it if you thought I was vain.”
“I don’t think that, Mr. Fairweather. I think you’re being honest,” Evangeline said. “Honesty, of course, is a virtue. And it’s good for a man to have confidence, don’t you think?”
“Women should be confident as well. Confidence in women is a rarity,” her companion mused. “I’ve spent too much time trying to convince lovely women of their worth.”
Evangeline wasn’t looking at him, or he would have seen her roll her eyes. “You make yourself sound like a rake.”
“Not at all!” he disagreed. “In fact, it’s funny you should say that. I think I’ve reached an age where I’d like to settle down. I want to find a pure, honest woman… a woman who makes me smile.”
Evangeline stole a glance at him, admiring his handsome profile. Even the length of his nose was endearing. “You’re smiling right now.”
“So I am,” he said with a grin. “So I am.”
Chapter Nineteen
The young maid’s name was Mary, and she was quite a treat for the eye. When Eldrinn saw her, he knew he had to have her. She couldn’t have been more than nineteen, and her lustrous blonde locks were a wonder of the world. He found her cleaning his room, and stopped to admire her from the doorway. Eldrinn could spot her type from a mile away. The guise of innocence could be easily cracked by a few pretty words. A man of his stature could have her dres
s over her head in less than an hour.
When she turned around, she was clutching his sheets in the palm of her hand. “O-oh! Sir! I didn’t see you standing there!”
Crossing his legs at the ankle, he flashed her a wicked grin. “Am I bothering you?”
“Not a’tal, Sir.” She stared at him, transfixed, like most women did. Eldrinn was very aware of his power over the fairer sex. Every female, from maids to marchionesses, was smitten by his good looks.
“Do you mind if I watch you for awhile?” Eldrinn asked, his grin as wide as ever. “It’s very rare to see a woman as beautiful as you.”
“Oh…” The maid’s cheeks were turning a pretty shade of pink.
“I’d watch you all day, if I could.”
Eldrinn’s words did the trick. Forty minutes later, Mary was lying on his bed without a stitch of clothing. An hour later, they were frolicking in the stables. Eldrinn ravished her against a stall, and once again on top of a large pile of hay. His hands deftly caressed every inch of her body. Mary moaned so loudly, even the horses were blushing.
After he bedded her several times, Eldrinn refused to let Mary don her clothes. He kept her naked as long as he could, plucking hay from her golden tresses. He lay beside her several minutes, admiring her ivory skin and silken hair. Mary was very pretty. Too bad she was a maid.
Their relationship ended as quickly as it began.
“Well, my dear, I really must be going.” Eldrinn rose to his feet and hopped into his breeches. “Thank you for sharing this time with me.”
“You’re not leavin’ already?” Mary rolled onto her stomach and lifted her chin. She looked up at him with teary, beseeching eyes, and it almost made him stay.
“I really must go,” he insisted. “I have many things to do.”
“Can I see you later?” Mary whimpered.
“It’s better if we don’t.” Dear God, this was always the hard part, thought Eldrinn with a frown. Bedding women was a most pleasurable pastime, but it was hardly worth it when they started to cry.
Eldrinn waited until her sniffles subsided and asked, “Mary, may I ask you a question?”
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