Sense & Sensuality: Caroline's After Dark Georgian Romance (The Gravesmeres Book 3)

by Alicia Quigley

  “I am not in love with Lord Gresham,” said Caroline, her voice rising. “Why do you not believe me?”

  Chapter 23

  The door opened as Caroline’s words rang in the air, and Bunton appeared. “Lord Gresham,” he announced, his face carefully blank.

  “Lud,” said Caroline, feeling her face grow red. “Lord Gresham, you have been kind enough to call upon me very quickly. I thank you.”

  Gresham bowed. “Your footman found me as I was about to depart for White’s, so it was merely a matter of proceeding here instead.”

  He looked around the room, and surveyed the scene blandly, taking in Caroline’s flushed countenance and Emily’s worried eyes. A tiny smile curved the corner of his lips as he bowed elegantly to the dowager duchess.

  “How charming to see you, Your Grace,” he said. “It has been some years since we have met.” He turned back to Caroline. “I understand that you have some need of me, Lady Eskmaine. How may I be of service?”

  “Caroline, you must not involve him,” protested Emily. “It will only make matters worse.”

  “Nonsense, Mother, something must be done.” Caroline turned to Lord Gresham, who bent an inquiring gaze on her. “Miss Ashdown has—Miss Ashdown has eloped with Mr. Wyman.”

  Lord Gresham raised his eyebrows. “How shocking,” he said calmly. “And what would you have me do about it?”

  “Don’t be provoking,” snapped Caroline. “I have had quite enough of that today. I need you to go after her and bring her back before she ruins herself.”

  “Ah.” Gresham’s smile grew. “And if I do you this service, what will come of it?”

  “You will have my gratitude, of course,” said Caroline uncomfortably.

  “I have no need of your gratitude, my lady,” he said.

  Caroline glanced at Emily, who was watching them avidly. “You are infuriating,” she hissed. “Please, just go after them and we will discuss this later.”

  Gresham shrugged. “Very well. I suppose I cannot let the child ruin her life now that I am aware of her situation.”

  “Thank you,” said Caroline. “It is very kind of you.”

  “You should know by now that I never do things out of kindness,” he responded.

  There was a moment’s silence as their eyes met. Caroline’s dropped first.

  “Thank you,” she said again.

  “It is nothing,” replied Gresham.

  Caroline drew herself together. “I will come with you,” she said. “I have no doubt you will be able to overtake them today and Cecilia must have a chaperone. Lord Gresham, please prepare your carriage, and I will change into travelling clothes. Can you be ready in half an hour?”

  “You cannot go with him,” protested Emily. “People will see you driving out of town with Lord Gresham! The scandal would be greater than if we simply allowed Cecilia to marry Mr. Wyman!”

  “Mother, I cannot allow Cecilia to marry a hardened fortune hunter, particularly when she does not possess a fortune, and her future misery is thus certain. Lord Gresham is our only hope,” said Caroline firmly. “If we are seen, we will simply have to invent a plausible story. Lord Gresham, I will be awaiting you in precisely half an hour.”

  “The drive will be hard, and I will not slow down for you,” said Lord Gresham. “We will need to take my racing curricle if we mean to stop the young lovers, and it is not a comfortable conveyance. Are you sure you wish to do this?”

  “As though I care about comfort at a time like this,” said Caroline. “Clearly, I do not expect you to track down eloping children at a leisurely pace.”

  He shrugged. “A chaperone would be helpful if I do catch Miss Ashdown. Having her spend hours with me would do no more for her reputation than spending them with Wyman. It would not do to rescue her only to make her situation no better. And I have no intention of marrying her.”

  “But Caroline—” protested Emily.

  “Mother, this disaster is my fault, and I must fix it,” said Caroline, kissing her on the cheek. “I will come to no harm. Lord Gresham will have a care of me.” She whisked out of the room, leaving a flummoxed dowager gazing up at Gresham.

  “Do not be alarmed,” he said calmly. “All will be made right.”

  “But you—Caroline—” Emily broke off, unable to decide precisely what she wished to say.

  “Exactly,” said Lord Gresham with a sardonic smile. “Now if you will excuse me, Your Grace, I must go. Your daughter will be annoyed with me if I am not here promptly in one half hour.”

  Bunton again appeared at the door, his curiosity barely concealed. “Lord Barford,” he announced.

  “Heavens, what next?” demanded Emily impatiently.

  The young viscount entered the room and paused as he glanced from the dowager duchess’ flushed face, to Lord Gresham, whose eyes betrayed only a calm lack of interest.

  “I came to call upon Miss Ashdown,” he said tentatively.

  “Unfortunately, she is not available,” said Lord Gresham. “I’m sure her grace can explain her absence to you.”

  He bowed elegantly to the dowager and nodded to the viscount. “Your servant, Your Grace, Barford,” he said, and was gone.

  The dowager duchess looked doubtfully at Lord Barford. It was clearly her role to explain the situation to him in a way that would not create further gossip, and also possibly further the objective of seeing Cecilia well married. She smiled graciously, and took a deep breath.

  “Lord Barford,” she pronounced, extending a hand. “Although we have not been fortunate enough to have met previously, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Your mother is a dear friend of mine.”

  Barford bowed over her hand a bit awkwardly. “Thank you, Your Grace. The pleasure is indeed mine.”

  “You may be wondering why I am presiding over Lady Eskmaine’s drawing room,” the duchess continued.

  She paused, but Barford, while clearly puzzled, politely said nothing.

  “Lady Eskmaine has been called away on an urgent errand,” continued the dowager, with a touch of drama. “It seems that Miss Ashdown has been abducted by a fortune hunter!”

  “Abducted!” exclaimed Barford, with all the emotion that somewhat stolid peer was capable of mustering. “How is this possible?”

  “I understand that Mr. Wyman has grossly deceived her as to his prospects and intentions, and may have lured her away on some pretext,” said the dowager.

  “Wyman! That bounder!” exclaimed Barford. “I have never trusted him. But Miss Ashdown is such a gentle soul, so sweet and trusting; she would not be able to see through his lies. She must be rescued from his vile intentions before her reputation is irreparably ruined.”

  “Just so,” replied the duchess. “Lady Eskmaine has gone in pursuit of her, but I fear that she will not be able to catch them.”

  “Goodness,” said Barford. “That will never do. This sort of thing needs a man’s strong hand.”

  “Indeed,” said the dowager. “A man should pursue them, and show Mr. Wyman that he cannot take advantage of Miss Ashdown’s innocence.”

  “But where could such a person be found?” asked Barford. “I understand the Duke of Gravesmere is not in town.”

  The dowager fought back an urge to shake him. “You, Lord Barford, are the man to do this job!”

  “I am?” He gaped at her.

  “You are indeed,” said Emily. “You are fond of Miss Ashdown, I believe?”

  “I am indeed,” said Lord Barford. “I scarcely know how to express my admiration of her gentle nature and sweet temperament.”

  “Then you must save her from this scoundrel! You may be her only hope!”

  Barford hesitated. “Wyman’s known to be handy with his fists,” he ventured.

  “But think of how grateful Miss Ashdown will be when you rescue her,” coaxed the dowager.

  Barford appeared to be much struck by this notion. Emily pressed her advantage.

  “You must go at once and have your fas
test horse saddled in order to follow them,” she ordered. “I understand that he is taking her to Gretna Green. You will want to pursue them on the Great North Road.”

  The dowager hoped that she would not actually have to provide a map for Barford, as he stood before her looking indecisive. But he seemed to have finally arrived at a decision.

  “Forgive me, your grace, but I must leave immediately if I am to stop them before Miss Ashdown’s reputation is ruined,” he announced.

  “An excellent notion,” she said approvingly. “I wish I had thought of it myself.” She extended her hand to him again, and he bowed to her and departed.

  Precisely one half hour after she had left her mother in the drawing room, Caroline stood in the hall of her home, dressed sensibly in a travelling coat of fawn colored twilled silk over a wide skirt of the same. Two columns of cunningly wrought brass buttons adorned the front, and the deeply cuffed sleeves were trimmed with a gilt braid. A lace trimmed muslin stock peeped from the neckline. She wore a wide brimmed straw hat with shallow crown and a dark green feather and ribbon for trim. Over it she had arranged a dark green veil, and a small valise was at her side.

  She had told Beckham and Bunton that she might be gone for a night or two, and to inform any visitors that she had gone to visit a friend in Richmond. Now, she was quite sure that behind their impassive faces, the footmen were bursting with curiosity. There came a clatter of horse’s hooves from outside, and Bunton opened the door. Lord Gresham’s curricle was without, and his lordship stood beside it, neatly clad in a dark brown coat and buff breeches, with well-cut riding boots. At the bottom of the steps, Caroline could see the carriage; the light two-wheeled vehicle was designed on elegant lines, with a shining black lacquer finish, brass fittings, and wheel spokes picked out in dark green. A team of perfectly matched, glossy bays stood stamping in the traces, and Gresham’s groom had dismounted from his perch to hold them steady. Caroline eyed the sporting vehicle with a touch of apprehension, but said nothing.

  While a footman strapped her valise to the back of the carriage, Caroline pulled the veil down over her face, hoping to avoid recognition by any acquaintances they might encounter, and Lord Gresham handed her up into the curricle. “You said you wanted to catch them today,” he said, seeming to read her thoughts. “If that is true, this is the vehicle we must use. I doubt Wyman could induce Miss Ashdown to elope in anything less than a post chaise, and we will thus be able to make up a good deal of time on them, even if he is plump enough in the pocket to hire a team rather than a pair.”

  “As you are well aware, it is imperative that she not spend one night in Mr. Wyman’s company,” said Caroline. “If you feel this is the best way to pursue them, then I bow to your superior knowledge.”

  Lord Gresham climbed into the seat next to her and took the reins in his gloved hand. “Let them go,” he said, and the groom sprang away from the heads of the matched chestnuts, as they plunged forward, and then swung up on his perch behind the carriage. Caroline drew in her breath.

  “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “They are a bit fresh, but I can hold them, and after we are free of London you will be very glad when you see not only their speed but their stamina.”

  Caroline only nodded, as Lord Gresham turned a corner briskly, missing a wagon by inches. She gripped the side of the carriage, while he worked his way through the heavy London traffic, as the bays were indeed very fresh.

  Chapter 24

  The Duke of Gravesmere walked out of Tattersalls into the busy London street, Sir William Taslebourn at his side.

  “I’m returning to Grosvenor Square to take the duchess to the park. Will you walk with me Taslemere?” Adam asked

  “My plans take me in that direction as well,” Sir William responded, then continued “You must tell me, Gravesmere, what you thought of that pair.”

  “Well put together, William, and fast, but I’m unsure how much stamina they’ll have,” replied Adam.

  “I’m not looking for them to be real stayers,” replied Taslebourn. “I just need a well matched pair to tool my phaeton around town, and enjoy when I’m at home in the country. I’m not planning on racing anyone, you know.”

  “I’d say they were a fine pair for that. Good legs, good wind, I just don’t think they have the hind quarters or hocks for long stages at speed.”

  Sir William and the Duke had been walking down Audley Street on their way to Grosvenor Square and paused at Mount Street before crossing to continue on their way. The clatter of hooves on the cobbles nearby caught their attention, and they turned to watch as a team of bay horses pulling a racing curricle proceeded towards them at a pace rather too quick for town.

  “My word, those horses are fresh, and that’s a dangerous pace,” exclaimed Sir William.

  Adam looked more carefully at the curricle and frowned. “They’re fresh alright, but that’s Gresham holding the reins, and, damn his eyes, he’s driving them well up to their bits. In town traffic, too,” he added, in a tone of grudging admiration.

  As they waited, the flashy equipage came even with them, and now it was plain that it was occupied, not just by Baron Gresham, but also by a woman, clearly dressed for travelling in a dull colored suit and wearing a heavy dark green veil over her hat. The two men turned to watch them race down the crowded street, Gresham neatly avoiding a wagon, as he swept around a corner and out of view.

  “For all that Gresham’s a notable whip, I call that very odd behavior indeed, Gravesmere. He had a woman up with him in that curricle, and what’s more there were two valises, as well as the groom’s bag strapped to the back. Do you suppose Gresham is eloping?” inquired Sir William.

  “Eloping,” scoffed Adam. “More likely, he’s abducting some foolish female. Who’d have him otherwise?”

  Taslebourn glanced at him from the corner of his eye and smirked. “Sorry to point it out to you, as I know you don’t care for the man, but Gresham’s exceedingly popular with the ladies. I hear he has some very noble attributes, if you take my meaning.” He paused and glanced thoughtfully after the curricle. “That woman had a damn fine figure, too. Lucky dog.”

  Adam was seized by a nearly irresistible urge to punch his good friend, but refrained, knowing that Sir William, fortunately, had no knowledge of the reasons for the bad blood that lay between him and Gresham. He composed himself, and changed the subject.

  “Aren’t we nearing your house, William? I think I’ll leave you here, and walk on to Gravesmere House. It’s a fine afternoon, and I’ve a mind to ride with the duchess in the park this afternoon. We’re just back from the country, and it will be a pleasant way to see much of our acquaintance since the weather is so fine.”

  Taslebourn and Adam shook hands, and Adam walked on through the sunshine, pondering the odd scene he had just witnessed. There had been something familiar about the woman he’d seen with Gresham, though he couldn’t put his finger on what it was.

  When Adam entered the elegantly tiled hall of Gravesmere House, the butler informed him that the duchess had just gone out, taking the carriage, although he was unsure exactly where she was going. Adam took a chair around to Brook Street, sure that his wife would have stopped to visit Caroline and Cecilia, who, it seemed, had occupied Allegra’s thoughts to the exclusion of almost everything else for the past month. A bright brass lion’s head adorned the dark green door, and Adam rapped the ring in its mouth on the doorplate smartly.

  When a footman opened the door, he entered promptly. “Is Lady Eskmaine in?” he asked. “I’m hoping to find Her Grace here as well.”

  “Neither Her Ladyship, nor Her Grace are on the premises, Your Grace,” the footman replied.

  At that moment, Bunton entered the hall, and started a bit at the sight of the Duke.

  “Your Grace, what a surprise to see you.”

  Adam’s eyebrows rose.

  “A pleasant one, of course,” Bunton assured him. “Her Ladyship made no mention that you were expected today.”


  “I wasn’t expected, Bunton. The Duchess and I returned to town this morning. Not finding my wife at home when I returned from a visit to Tattersalls, I thought she might be here with Lady Eskmaine and Miss Ashdown.”

  Bunton’s expression reminded Adam of a nervous horse as the butler glanced about the hall, almost as though he might discover the duchess lurking behind the pedestal supporting a marble bust carved in the classical style.

  “Umm, hmm,” he muttered. He paused, and then looked at the duke. “No, Her Grace has not been here today.”

  Adam eyed the discomfited Bunton curiously. “When do you expect my sister to return?” he asked.

  “Return? Oh, yes. Her ladyship has been called out of town. She said she would not be gone long, though she did not tell me the day on which she would return.”

  “Out of town? That’s deuced odd. Where did she go?”

  Bunton blinked. “Her ladyship did not inform me, Your Grace. I gathered it was something in the nature of an emergency.”

  “She didn’t tell you where she was going?” responded Adam, surprised. “That’s not like Caroline.”

  “I apprehended that she was called away quite abruptly,” said Bunton.

  “Did she get a letter from someone?” asked Adam.

  “I—I do not know, Your Grace.” The butler eyed him anxiously. “The dowager duchess was with her ladyship at the time of her departure. Perhaps she has more information on Lady Eskmaine’s whereabouts.”

  “My mother? What was she doing here?”

  “She did not inform me, Your Grace. It might be best if you spoke to the dowager duchess yourself.”

  Adam frowned. “My mother was here, and then my sister suddenly decided to go somewhere, and left without telling you when she would be back?” he asked. “It doesn’t make sense.”

  The butler regarded him woodenly. “I regret that I cannot be of further help, Your Grace. Lady Eskmaine did not inform me when she would return, and your mother departed shortly after Lord Gr—” He broke off abruptly.

  Adam’s eyes narrowed. “After Lord who?” he demanded. “Was Gresham here?”