Lord Weirlane

by Gianna Thomas

“Don’t you dare call me a stupid chit, you—you bastard. How dare you grab me from the middle of the street like a common tart.”

  “Oh, no. Not like a tart, rather like a stupid ninnyhammer who doesn’t know when to come in out of the rain. Look down the street and see what I saved you from,” Jules yelled at her, livid and wishing he’d ignored the chit from the beginning. He finally got to his feet and, from the smell of his favorite topcoat, he knew it couldn’t be salvaged and was destined only for the trash heap.

  As he and the girl looked down the busy street, they could see that a crowd had gathered, and Lord Farthington and a cart owner were waving their arms at each other and probably swearing like soldiers.

  “He was headed straight for you, and if I hadn’t acted quickly, you might have been killed.” He curled his lip and leaned toward her, speaking through gritted teeth. “There was no time for explanations.”

  The girl blanched, looked stricken, squeaked an apology, and quickly disappeared into the modiste’s shop from whence she had come. With the state he was in, Brookton couldn’t follow her. He could only find his driver, remove his former favorite topcoat just before entering his coach, then contemplate his relief at the fact that he hadn’t been wearing his new boots.

  ***

  Several days later, Brookton and the other three lords meet at White’s for lunch.

  “You will not believe how this happened,” said Lord Brookton in explanation for the purple, green and black eye he’d acquired.

  All three of the other lords listened attentively as they were more than a little curious to know with whom Jules had gotten into a fight. “I saved this stupid chit’s life, and her ‘thank you’ was to give me a black eye.”

  With this comment, the other three couldn’t help the guffaws and knee slapping as they pictured a young lady punching Jules.

  “And the worst part was that she is a lady from what little I saw, and I couldn’t punch her back. The coward ran,” he snarled. The look on Jules’ face set off gales of laughter again for several minutes.

  Then Jules ruefully said, “No, the worst part was the puddle I fell into. It reeked so badly that it ruined my favorite topcoat.” He sighed loudly. “My valet nearly had apoplexy when he smelled it. He didn’t even attempt to clean it. He just put it on the trash heap as it was unsalvageable.”

  This set off another round of jibes and laughs with Jules finally joining in. “I guess it is funny to be flattened in the street by a lady.”

  However, Fox didn’t laugh as heartily this time. In fact, he became pensive as the laughter died down. “Jules, when did this happen?”

  Confused by the question, Jules drew back and shot his friend a quizzical look. “Why would you ask that?”

  Fox shrugged. “Just curious how long it takes a black eye to turn green and purple too.”

  “Three days ago when I visited my bootmaker’s.”

  Matt chimed in about that time. “Isn’t his shop across the street from the modiste, Madame Flobert?”

  “Yes, and the chit ran back into the shop when I told her she had nearly been killed by that dolt, Farthington.” Jules paused and stared at his friend. “And how do you know the modiste’s name, Matthew?” he inquired with a sly grin.

  Feeling his face get warm, Matt cleared his throat then said, “I have five sisters. Do you think I could avoid ever hearing about the fabulous Flobert who makes the most beautiful ball gowns of any modiste in Town? Heaven forbid, that’s the name I heard over and over again for the last two years I lived with my family. And I still get nervous any time I hear a surname that begins with F,” he said with a shudder.

  And the laughter began again as the four friends considered the adventures of two of their number.

  “Did you get a good look at the chit who hit you? Would you recognize her again if you saw her?” Crispin wanted more information and wondered if Jules would seek to see her again.

  “No. I just grabbed her and hauled her off the street. I didn’t even see her face as she screamed and then hit me. When I had told her I’d saved her life, she hid behind her hands—I guess in shock or embarrassment—and I never got a good look at her.” He frowned, rubbed his forehead and looked thoughtful for a moment then elaborated. “She seemed rather tall if I recall correctly.” Putting his hand on the same side of his face as his black eye, he said, “My jaw hurt, and since she was safe, I was only concerned with that and my best topcoat.”

  Apparently, his friend Matt couldn’t resist one last taunt. He clapped Jules on the shoulder. “So, Jil, wouldn’t you like to see that young lady again? I am assuming, of course, that she is young.”

  “I don’t know if she was young or not, but I definitely do not want to meet up with her again. She may finish what she started.”

  And the chortles of mirth started up again.

  Now the members of White’s had been very used to hearing gales of laughter whenever the four lords were present and had often found themselves smiling at the occurrences. However, the only irritating thing about all the humor experienced by the young men was that most of the membership never could find out what was so funny. Try as they might, the four lords had been loud with their mirth and tight-lipped about ‘why’, much to the dismay of those who had been dying to know the reasons behind all the laughter. Wagers were put in White’s Book, but it was feared they would remain unsettled forever.

  Chapter II

  Crispin and Cat’s wedding, one month later

  The day before the Duke of Weirlane and Lady Catherine Benton were to wed, the young duke’s three friends arrived, fully prepared to renew the teasing they had put Crispin through before he left London.

  The duke’s butler showed all three men to the study and went to inform him of the visitors.

  “Your Grace, the three lords have arrived and are awaiting you in your study.”

  “Thank you, Grantley. Let them know I’ll be with them shortly.” Before joining his friends, Crispin located his future wife in the music room. “Cat, would you have my mother and sisters come here to the music room and order refreshments as well? My three friends have arrived.”

  Catherine Benton smiled at her fiancé, but before she could reply, he had captured her lips in a searing kiss that took her breath away. Finally, he let her go and she could reply, “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Crispin growled and said, “No ‘Your Grace’ ever. It will always be Crispin or Crisp…or beloved,” and he kissed her again.

  Cat sighed and then moaned as he gently brushed the side of her breast when letting her go. Just then Jocelyn popped her head in the music room door. “Crispin, your guests have arrived. Where should we meet them?”

  The duke just shook his head, smiled ruefully then replied, “Have mother and our sisters meet us here in a few minutes. I’ll bring my friends here to be introduced to the family.”

  Turning to Catherine, he gathered her once more in his arms for one last kiss, which he regretted only because he then had to readjust his clothing before his mother and siblings appeared. Cat turned her back and just giggled. Both looked forward to their wedding night and the prospect of no interruptions.

  He barely had time to get presentable before his mother appeared. “Crispin, where are your guests?”

  “They are in the study, Mother. I have just asked Cat to order refreshments but she hasn’t had time to do so.”

  The Duchess of Weirlane looked at the two flushed faces and suppressed a grin. “That’s why I told Grantley to inform cook and have everything sent to the music room. Is that satisfactory?”

  The duke should have realized by now that his mother would always anticipate him and to not be surprised at her knowing what he wanted. They were much more similar than he liked to admit, even to himself. Smiling in defeat, he replied to her query, “Yes, Mother, that is exactly what I wanted.”

  His siblings—Susanna, Jocelyn, and Anna Marie—suddenly came through the door talking at once.

  “The three lord
s are here?”

  “Are they all handsome?”

  “Are they all spoken for?”

  Crispin raised both hands at the onslaught of voices. “Quiet. You will meet all of my friends in a moment.” Frowning, he stopped to the consternation of his sisters and the raised eyebrow of his mother. Starting to speak then pausing again, he finally said, “My friends…are men of the world. They will not be interested in innocents such as yourselves. You are very much ladies, and I expect you to act as such…Am I understood?”

  If truth be told, his sisters did not understand, but his mother did. “Your Grace, will that be a problem?”

  “No…no, it should not be a problem.”

  But even Catherine frowned as she pondered what Crispin meant. Did he mean they were as bad as he’d told her he was when they were at the house party? Would they need to keep watch over the girls? She chewed her lower lip as she worried over the duke’s three siblings. They were like actual sisters to her; she loved them like her own, and she would allow no one to hurt any of them. The three lords had better behave as gentlemen during the entire visit.

  ***

  The duke went back his study where he greeted Matt, Fox, and Jules. “Did you have a good trip?”

  “Yes, we did. Leaving at dawn was a bit of a sacrifice, but we made it anyway.” Jules poked fun at his friend as usual, and all four had a good laugh.

  “I don’t know about Jules and Fox, but I would like to change clothes first, if I may.” Matt and the other two had left London early in order to travel during the cooler part of the day. Although the roads were dry, the dust was still hard to avoid even with the window glasses closed.

  “Would any of you prefer to bathe before joining the family?” All three shook their heads and agreed that just freshening up and changing clothes would be sufficient.

  “Shall we meet at the music room for tea in thirty minutes then?”

  “That’s perfect. Tea and something to nibble on sounds good.” Fox was ready for something better than the repast at the inn earlier in their journey. In addition to the mutton being too greasy, the food was not as hot as Lord Foxdown preferred.

  Grantley then took the three men to their rooms in the guest wing where their valets were waiting. A half hour later saw them approach the music room prepared to meet the duke’s mother and siblings as well as his fiancée.

  As the three lords entered the room, all three of Crispin’s siblings smiled at the handsome trio. Even the duke’s mother—although older in years but not in her dotage—suppressed a quick intake of breath at the men whose sensuality touched her femininity also. She could well understand the reputations of these men and wouldn’t be surprised if most of the women in London were willing to do just about anything asked of them by these young lords. Even she felt the tug of attraction after being a widow for a year and a half. Surreptitiously fanning herself, she listened as her son began introducing the lords to his family.

  “This is my mother, the Duchess of Weirlane. Mother, this is Lord Windmere, Lord Brookton and Lord Foxdown.”

  “A pleasure, Your Grace.” Lord Windmere, Matthew Fremont, bowed over the duchess’ hand as she curtsied to him.

  “Your Grace.” Lord Brookton, Jules Lagrant, bowed as well.

  Lord Foxdown, Gareth Russell, smiled at the duchess with a hint of mischief in his eyes and kissed the back of her hand. “Your Grace.”

  The duchess was torn between giggling like a schoolgirl and becoming indignant at the temerity of the blond Adonis. Speechless, she chose to merely nod in greeting.

  Walking up to Catherine and placing her hand around his elbow, Crispin proceeded to present his fiancée to his friends. All three lords told her how pleased they were to meet her and commented on her beauty to the duke. “I am a very lucky man to have Lady Catherine become my wife and my duchess.” And everyone nodded in agreement as Catherine blushed at the compliments.

  Introductions were then extended to the duke’s two younger siblings who—unlike their mother—did giggle. Jocelyn, at sixteen years old, had not seen a season as of yet and felt she might swoon at the handsomeness of the three young men.

  Her sister, Susanna, at eighteen years old, would see her first season next spring, and she was almost tongue-tied as she viewed the men before her.

  All three of the lords refrained from laughing as it would embarrass the three innocents before them. And they knew that Crispin would never forgive them for doing so as well.

  Then Fox was introduced to Anna Marie who was three years younger than her brother. As she curtsied to him and he bowed to her, she looked up at him through the longest eyelashes he had ever seen on a woman. As she came up from her curtsy, he held her gaze as he could not look elsewhere, and his heart almost stopped beating as he felt he was drowning in her beautiful eyes. Gently taking her hand, he kissed the back of it and murmured, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Anna.”

  As for Anna Marie, she could feel her heart beating so hard she was sure everyone in the room could hear it. All she could do was close her eyes and nod in greeting and try to keep from swooning. She had met many a young man during the partial season she had attended, but no one had ever affected her as this man did. What is happening to me? He didn’t pronounce my name as my family does, and why does that make my heart sing?

  Gareth, for his part, felt her tremble at his touch. Then he admonished himself. Look elsewhere, Gareth. She’s an innocent, and no one to pursue in any manner. Crispin will kill you if you do. Shaking his head, he just smiled and turned away to find a seat far away from the young lady.

  ***

  Dinner turned out to be a little awkward for Gareth and Anna. First of all, the seating arrangement had placed them side by side at the table and across from Anna’s two sisters who kept staring at all three of the lords until the duke cleared his throat loudly and got their attention. With a sigh, they turned back to their food and talked of happenings in the neighborhood.

  Gareth—against his better judgment—just couldn’t keep quiet and proceeded to speak with Anna in order to learn a little more about Crispin’s second eldest sister. “Have you enjoyed a season in London?”

  “I had a partial season before my father’s fall. We had hoped he would eventually recover…but that did not happen. Between his long illness before passing and then the mourning period, we haven’t been back.” She paused, gathered her thoughts then spoke again. “We will be back in London next spring for Susanna’s presentation to the queen and her come out as well. She and I both will enjoy a full season at that time.”

  “My apologies, Lady Anna, I didn’t mean to be insensitive. Your father was a good man, and everyone spoke very highly of him. You must have been very proud of him.”

  “No need to apologize, milord. It will soon be two years since we lost him. It hit the family hard, but now that Crispin is settling down and marrying, everything will be well.”

  “Your brother is a good man also. He’s been a friend to me and the other two lords for several years. I’m glad he found Lady Catherine. She should make a fine wife and duchess for him.”

  “Yes, she will. We’ve been neighbors all our lives, and my family loves her as if she was one of us. Marrying Crispin just makes her closer to being my sister. Her mother and mine were the best of friends, and I love Catherine as well. My brother will be very happy.”

  “I daresay he will be.”

  The conversation lagged a little bit as they gave attention to their food, but both appetites were lacking as each was very well aware of being next to the other. Although not touching, Anna could feel the heat from Gareth’s body, and he could feel hers. Neither had ever been more aware of another person their entire lives. Gareth especially was unnerved by it as he had been with various women over the years and had never been the least bit nervous except for the first time. Why would an innocent make him want to buckle at the knees? Why would he feel like he should swoop her up and carry her to Gretna Green without stopping
? He wondered if he was losing his mind to be willing to tempt Crispin into calling him out. And why did he feel like it all might be well worth it?

  Anna noticed when he shook his head and inquired, “Is the food all right? Our cook is one of the best in England.”

  “Everything is fine. I find I’m a little fatigued from the trip and perhaps that has affected my appetite as well.” He smiled at her, and she blushed then smiled back at him also.

  Across the way Jocelyn looked at the two gazing at each other, and she frowned. Why is he looking at Anna Marie like…like she’s dessert? And why is she blushing? Looking at her mother and then Crispin, she couldn’t catch their attention but wondered if she should speak with one of them on the morrow. She was too young to know why Lord Foxdown and Anna Marie looking at each other bothered her, but maybe her mother could tell her the reason it did.

  Jocelyn was also too young to be aware of the feelings between two people that could promote throwing propriety to the four winds. And although Gareth was tempted, he would never do anything to compromise Lady Anna. In fact, he would be more than willing to become her protective knight or even… He’d never cared enough for a woman to give his life for her, but felt a stab to his gut as he realized that he would be willing to die for her if necessary. It shocked him so much that he found himself quite lightheaded.

  Lord Foxdown blanched, and Jocelyn’s jaw dropped as she feared perhaps he was about to collapse at the table. But, no, then he seemed to be all right, and he chuckled at something. She frowned and stared closely at the young lord wondering what had just transpired.

  Having apparently noted that Jocelyn had seen him, Lord Foxdown smiled and reassured her, “I have a very good imagination, Lady Jocelyn. It gets me into trouble at times.” He seemed so pleasant that she could do nothing except smile back at him and wonder why she did.

  It was a universal truth that when Gareth Russell smiled at a woman, she was putty in his hands and would do anything he asked. This was also a truth that Crispin was more than aware of, and it would be a torment to Gareth’s courtship of Lady Anna Marie Copley.