What a Wicked Earl Wants

by Vicky Dreiling

  “I hope so,” Laura said. “I always thought I saw a bit of Phillip in him.”

  “Look, there are late arrivals,” Lady Atherton said. “The Duke and Duchess of Shelbourne.”

  “Oh, yes, you introduced me to her recently,” Laura said. “What a dashing couple they are.”

  “Their love story is most unusual,” Lady Atherton said. “I would venture to say that it was the most romantic proposal that anyone can remember.”

  “They look very happy,” Laura said wistfully.

  Lady Atherton sighed. “Some couples are meant to be together.” She regarded Laura with a knowing smile.

  Bellingham saw Laura speaking to Harry’s numerous female cousins. There was something infectious about her laughter, and when she smiled, she lit up from within like a candle flame. He’d made her happy tonight, and now at last he would claim her for the waltz.

  As he threaded his way through the crowd, Laura turned round. Bell kept his eyes on her as he strolled toward her. A moment later, Pembroke dashed through the crowd and accosted her.

  Bell gritted his teeth and strode over to her in time to hear Pembroke attempting to usurp his dance with Laura.

  “Well, I see you are still waiting for your partner,” Pembroke was saying. “You mustn’t worry about the earl’s negligence. It is one of the signs of a rake. Now, I will gladly take his place.”

  Bell tapped Pembroke on the shoulder. Harry’s female cousins hid their smiles behind their fans as Pembroke turned.

  “Oh, you’re late, Bellingham,” Pembroke said. “I have already offered to partner Lady Chesfield.”

  “She promised the waltz to me earlier.”

  “I’m sure she did not know how to refuse you.” Pembroke turned toward her. “Lady Chesfield, allow me to escort you.”

  “You must wait your turn,” she said. “Now please excuse me.”

  Bell offered his arm. She took it, and they strolled away.

  “I thought Pembroke a sensible man, but he certainly forgot his manners,” Laura said.

  Bell leaned his head toward her. “He has the notion that we’re in competition for you.”

  “What? That’s silly,” she said.

  “Every time I go to White’s, he makes a point of telling me that he called on you or plans to call on you.”

  “He stayed overly long yesterday,” she said. “Today I informed Reed to say that I was not at home.”

  Bell grinned. “I’m happy to hear it.”

  She gave him a pointed look. “You will not compete over me.”

  “Very well. May I try to impress you?” he said.

  “You know that you did tonight,” she said.

  They reached the dance floor, and he leaned closer. “I want to please you.”

  She lowered her lashes, because his words held a sensual meaning. “You confuse me sometimes.”

  “Can it just be enough for tonight?” he asked.

  The orchestra played the opening bars. “For tonight,” she said.

  He clasped her waist and her hand. As they turned to the one-two-three rhythm, he thought they danced well together, despite the differences in height. He imagined he could sweep her up in his arms so easily.

  When he turned in ever-widening circles three times, she laughed. “You’re making me dizzy,” she said.

  He shortened his steps. “Who taught you to waltz?”

  “Phillip,” she said, averting her gaze.

  He’d asked the wrong question. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” she said. “Who taught you?”

  All the muscles in his arms tightened. “My mother.” He’d stupidly opened up the topic, but he didn’t want to talk about her.

  She looked up at him. “I taught Justin.”

  “He’s lucky.” That was all he could manage.

  “I’m the lucky one,” she said. “If not for you, I would be dancing with Pembroke.”

  He smiled a little. It struck him that she knew how to lighten the mood at the right time. She’d probably had to do it on a daily basis for her late husband.

  He turned her in a wide circle until they reached the end of the dance floor, and then he offered his arm. Bell caught Pembroke staring daggers as he escorted her off the dance floor. “I’ll take you to the refreshment table for a cup of punch.”

  “I think we should separate,” she said. “If we spend too much time together, we might stir gossip.”

  “Of course,” he said. Then he reluctantly let her go, because it was the sensible thing to do. But for once, logic held no appeal.

  Laura needed to be alone to sort out her feelings for Bellingham. “Lady Atherton, I must go to the ladies’ retiring room. I need to freshen up a bit.”

  “Go on, dear. You’re smart to do so. These balls can be exhausting if you do not take a bit of time to rest.”

  “Thank you. I will return shortly,” she said. Perhaps one day soon, she would ask her friend’s advice. Tonight her emotions were bouncing up and down. She needed time alone to reflect on everything that had happened with Bellingham in the last fortnight. Laura was a little frightened of her feelings and very unsure of Bell’s intentions. But that was the problem. He likely had no intentions, other than friendship. Then why would he encourage her? There was no mistaking that he had done so.

  When she stepped out onto the landing, Pembroke was waiting. He was the last man she wished to see right now, but he made a beeline for her. “There you are,” he said. “I grew concerned when I saw you leave Bellingham’s side. I hope he did not say anything to vex you.”

  She had no intention of explaining to him. “I beg your pardon,” she said. “I am on my way to the ladies’ retiring room.”

  He started walking on the stairs with her. “Tell me what he did, and I will have a word with him.”

  “I do not need you to interfere,” she said.

  “Of course, I did not mean to pry. I was only concerned, given his reputation.” Pembroke continued to natter on, but she ignored him. When she reached the next landing, he kept walking alongside her down the corridor. Finally she halted. “Lord Pembroke, you cannot follow me to the ladies’ retiring room.”

  “Oh, how silly of me. Really, I was taken with your beauty, and I only wanted to remind you about the midnight supper.”

  She continued down the corridor. “I have not forgotten,” she said.

  “Very good. Oh, I shall count the minutes,” he said. “Just hearing your sweet voice—”

  “Lord Pembroke, I am for the ladies’ retiring room. You should return to the ballroom,” she said.

  “Oh, yes, of course. How remiss of me,” he said.

  As she opened the door, he called out, “Don’t forget.”

  Laura winced. She wished she’d never agreed, but what was done was done. After entering the retiring room, she sat upon a settee. A maid offered her sweetmeats, but Laura declined. At last, she was able to think about all that had occurred during the waltz.

  They had been teasing one another, and then he’d swept her into a dizzying waltz. All had been lightness and amusement until that moment she’d asked him who had taught him how to waltz. She’d felt the tension in his arms when he’d spoken two words: My mother.

  His wounds were deep. Lady Atherton had told her that much. Others knew of the tragedy and probably speculated. Quite possibly no one really knew him. Or perhaps he was simpler than she thought. He spoke plainly and made no attempt to soften his words just because she was a female. Heavens, she would never forget his words about sexual needs.

  Beyond that, she knew only a few facts about him. He lived alone and took his parliamentary duties seriously. His friends had revealed that he liked order in his life. But there were other aspects of him she could not help noticing. The way Bellingham dealt with Justin seemed ingrained in him. He’d instinctively adopted the discipline and good principles handed down by his late father, but he’d clearly been unwilling to speak about his father that night she’d broached the su
bject. He knew the sorts of things that boys enjoyed. Most of all, he’d known Justin had been intimidated about asking Sarah to dance and had encouraged him.

  He would make a wonderful father.

  The thought had popped into her head, and now she wished to chase it out, because that road was destined for heartache. He had many good qualities and a few irritating ones, but one thing was clear. He had no intention of ever marrying and carrying on the earldom. And she had never considered remarrying because of her own fears. He knew that she didn’t wish to marry again, and so he was safe from her.

  He could tease her, flirt with her, and say things that would make her heart flutter. They were both trying very hard to pretend that what was between them didn’t exist. But it did, and she knew she must resist the pull that he exerted on her.

  Laura sat in the dining room with Pembroke and toyed with the lobster patties that he’d insisted upon bringing to her. She had no appetite, and yet he kept bringing her fruit and cheese. At least his short absence was a reprieve from his nonstop chattering. A few minutes later, Pembroke’s voice broke through her thoughts. “There you are, safe and sound,” he said. “I feared you would disappear.” He laughed as he set more food before her.

  Her temples were starting to ache.

  “I confess I’m jealous you awarded the waltz to Bellingham,” Pembroke continued. “You must promise me the waltz at the next ball.”

  She was growing weary of him. “A gentleman asks.”

  “I do apologize,” he said. “I do not usually forget myself. Oh, dear, you must think me witless, but surely you will forgive a tiny mistake.”

  She rose. “Please excuse me.”

  “Are you unwell?” he asked. “Perhaps I could bring you something else? You barely touched the lobster patties.”

  “Lord Pembroke, I thank you for escorting me to the midnight supper, but you needn’t be so attentive,” she said.

  “But I wish to be attentive,” he said.

  “My mother had an old saying: There can be too much of a good thing.”

  “But—”

  “I wish to find my son. Enjoy the supper,” she said, and quit the dining room. The man tried too hard to please, and in the process all he did was make himself disagreeable to others. She wished to be kind to him, but she had better not allow him in her drawing room again. He’d stayed far past the usual twenty minutes the last time, and he’d not stopped talking. Poor man. He really didn’t know how to get on with others.

  Laura climbed the stairs and entered the ballroom. It wasn’t as noisy since many of the guests were downstairs partaking of the supper. Admittedly, she was rather surprised that Justin had not joined the throng in the dining room, considering his large appetite. She often joked that he was like a bottomless well.

  Then she saw Justin sitting beside Sarah and smiled. She would not interrupt them. The guests were returning to the ballroom in droves. Laura craned her neck, looking for Lady Atherton.

  “There you are,” Lady Norcliffe said. “I have been looking for you all evening.”

  A gentleman stood next to her. Laura grew a bit flustered when his gaze dropped to her bosom.

  “Lady Chesfield, Lord Lindmoore applied to me for an introduction. May I?”

  “Yes, of course,” Laura said.

  Lindmoore bowed over her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you, but you are even more beautiful than I was led to believe.”

  “I hope you are enjoying the ball,” Laura said. Something about the man made her more than a little uneasy.

  “May I take you to the refreshment table for a cup of punch?”

  She scrambled to think of an excuse to evade him when another gentleman appeared.

  “See here, Lindmoore, you will not keep her all to yourself.”

  Laura regarded Lady Norcliffe with raised brows.

  “Stovington, you know the rules of conduct. If you wish an introduction, you must apply to me or another lady of her acquaintance first.”

  “Forgive me. I was overcome by Lady Chesfield’s beauty.”

  Laura was growing weary of their overblown compliments and figured they were more interested in her fortune than anything else. She’d decided to plead weariness and excuse herself when a gentleman by the name of Brodely arrived. Their avid stares disconcerted her. The gentlemen started arguing over who would get the next dance with her. She was on the verge of claiming a sore ankle when Bellingham appeared. “Gentlemen, all of her dances are spoken for.”

  Laura pressed her lips together. Once again, he’d taken over.

  He met her gaze and offered his arm. She took it, because she didn’t want to make a scene, although the men had certainly acted foolish.

  As Bell led her away, he looked at her. “You may thank me now.”

  “I intended to make a graceful exit,” she said. “Then you had to come along and make things worse.”

  “I rescued you from that pack of jackals. Every last one of them is a fortune hunter.”

  “I agree they made a spectacle, but I was perfectly capable of handling the situation.”

  “You don’t know what they were thinking,” he said in a gruff voice.

  “That is beside the point.”

  He led her over to a chair near the fireplace. “No, it isn’t beside the point. Every last one them are rogues and gamesters.”

  She raised her brows. “Do you think I didn’t guess what sort of men they are?”

  “Damn it, Laura, I meant to protect you.”

  “I can protect myself,” she said.

  He gave her a look that clearly indicated he disagreed.

  “It is a miracle I managed to safely reach twenty-eight years without mishap—until you came along, that is.”

  His jaw worked. “I did, in fact, protect you and your son from Montclief, but I suppose that no longer counts.”

  “I am not insensible about all that you have done for us, but I do not need you to step in and rescue me.”

  “Are you so proud that you will not accept my assistance?”

  “I have relied on you, but you do not give me credit. I managed quite well before I ever met you, and I will continue to do so. Understand this—I don’t need or want you to rescue me.”

  He leaned forward with his elbows on his thighs. After a few minutes, he sat back. “You are very independent for a woman.”

  “Your mistresses were independent, were they not?”

  “That topic is off-limits.”

  “Why?”

  “They were not independent. I was their protector. I paid for their keep. I trust you understand what I received in return.”

  “What happened when you tired of them?” she asked.

  “There were contracts. Pensions.”

  She bit her lip. “Where did they go?”

  “They found new protectors,” he said.

  “So they have to be independent,” she said. “They cannot rely on any one man.”

  “What is your point? I would think you would find the subject inappropriate.”

  “The point is that men may rule the world, but women have to be self-reliant because a man may not always be there for them.”

  He was silent for what seemed like an age. “It’s true for men as well. The people you depend on will not always be there.”

  She met his gaze. “Your family.”

  “I don’t want to talk about them, Laura.”

  “If or when you wish to talk, I will listen,” she said.

  “They’re gone, and that’s all.”

  No, it wasn’t all, but a ballroom wasn’t the place for such a discussion, and she knew by his responses that he was unwilling to say more on the subject.

  One week later

  Laura had decided to embroider a handkerchief for Bellingham. She had dithered because she wasn’t sure whether to use his formal title or his initials. In the end, she’d decided to make it personal by using his Christian name. While she knew she was taking liberties, she’d d
ecided to make a jest of her indecisiveness.

  She wanted the gift to be a special gesture, a thank-you for all that he’d done for her and Justin. But she ought not to even think about his Christian name, let alone use it this way. She would tell him that it was a mark of her respect and gratefulness.

  A light tap sounded. “Come in, Reed.”

  Bellingham opened the door. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

  “Oh, no, not at all.” She quickly shoved the handkerchief beneath another baby gown she’d been embroidering and hoped she didn’t look as flustered as she felt.

  He sat beside her on the sofa. “Not long after I first met you, I decided to instigate an investigation into Montclief’s affairs.”

  Laura stared at him. “Why did you not tell me?”

  “I didn’t want to alarm you and thought it best to wait until I received a report. Given Montclief’s disrespectful treatment of you, I suspected something was wrong.”

  “You have news?” she said.

  He nodded. “You said your husband left him a fortune, but something is very wrong. He’s bleeding the tenants.”

  “Oh, dear God.”

  “He has obviously run through all of his money.”

  She gasped. “But how? Why?”

  “I don’t know yet. The investigator noted that Montclief leaves Goatham Green periodically for as long as a fortnight on a regular basis. As you can imagine, the investigator must use great care so as not to tip him off.”

  “Montclief is a fool,” Laura said. “I suppose we’ll have to wait to find out more.”

  “I thought you should know.”

  “Justin’s fortune is in trust,” she said. “It is safe.”

  “But meanwhile, Montclief could take over the property. The real stickler is that if Justin were your natural child, your husband would have named the nearest relative on the mother’s side, who could not inherit. But I take it there was no one.”

  She shook her head.

  “He’s obviously desperate for money. He may try to oust you from Hollwood Abbey so that he can take advantage of Justin’s property. But this is all speculation.”

  Her heart was beating too fast. “I will try not to borrow trouble, but it is difficult.”