The Earl's Secret

by TERRI BRISBIN

  When Lady MacLerie told him Anna’s whereabouts, he thought to have a bit of light conversation and apologize for being forward outside the theater. And perhaps to entice her to another outing before the next essay was published and hostilities increased. But from the moment he entered the room and saw her at work on some task or another, he wanted to remove the frown from her forehead and put the sparkle back in her eyes.

  The sight of his article there, and knowing that she worried over it, took his breath away. David wanted to take her in his embrace and soothe all her concerns. He wanted to make promises to her that he had not thought to offer a woman before.

  Bloody hell!

  Every promise he’d made to himself about not being drawn into anything more than a gentlemanly concern for her was blown apart at the very sight of her in distress. As she opened herself to him, offering an explanation of her noble actions and intentions, David realized that the woman who so affected him would be horrified by the sins of his past.

  The irony of it was not lost on him. The Earl of Treybourne, one of the most eligible marriage catches in all of society, one of the wealthiest men in His Majesty’s kingdom, had committed the one sin that the courageous Miss Fairchild would condemn him for out of hand, and even worse, he conjectured, it would be a far more grave offense in her view than the charade he was performing.

  He had taken advantage of a housemaid.

  A housemaid who became pregnant and was turned out for doing so.

  A girl who then died giving birth to his child.

  David reached for the whisky and filled another glass to near the rim. He drank almost all of it down in two gulps, letting the powerful brew burn a path to his gut. Penance, if nothing else, for his sins.

  In spite of his efforts since then, in spite of the good he tried to accomplish, he could still feel the shame when the extent of his actions and their terrible repercussions finally sunk into his brain. Even now, with the whisky pulsing through his veins, he could not delude himself into thinking that Sarah had truly had any choice. As Anna had pointed out, girls like her would hardly be able to raise any objection without losing their position. Their living.

  He’d liked Sarah. It wasn’t all about taking advantage, he could now think to himself. David enjoyed every moment he spent with her, whether enjoying her favors or her quick wit and humor. Perhaps that was what saved him and allowed him to realize the wrongness of his actions when he discovered her fate.

  A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

  “My lord, Mr. Forge has arrived and waits upon your convenience.”

  Thomas Forge was the man-of-business who handled his more personal matters, the ones he kept out of his father’s sight.

  “Get him settled in his room and give him something to eat, Harley. I will meet with him after that.”

  “Is there anything else you need, my lord?”

  The ultimate in efficiency and discretion, he knew Harley had heard the glass shatter. “Absolution?”

  The word came forth on its own. Harley had been the one who found out where Sarah went and had been with him when he’d discovered his infant daughter. He, more than anyone, knew his master’s sins.

  “That is out of my hands, my lord.”

  His valet quietly closed the door and David knew that no matter what he had accomplished since discovering Sarah’s fate, his guilt would never be extinguished. Sometimes he could only sleep at night by reminding himself of the countless others in Sarah’s situation and worse, whom he had helped. His daughter was one of them.

  David emptied the glass and placed it on the table at his side. There was business to discuss and arrangements to be made with Thomas, and the man had traveled hundreds of miles to handle his affairs. Standing, he stretched before the fire that Harley had stoked into a blaze on his soaking return from seeing Anna.

  Irony, he continued to discover, was a harsh mistress. In attempting to meet his father’s demands and gain the financial support he needed to fund his own charities, orphanages and school, he now endangered those established and supported by his opponent. If his stomach were not rolling, he would have laughed at the absurdity of it.

  His deepest fear was that Anna’s concern about his father destroying all she held dear was a valid one and one worth worrying over. Now that Thomas was here, he could set him off to get a better estimation of just what Anna’s interest in the Gazette was and an assessment of the financial stability of the school. And how she had managed to keep it secret, for, in spite of his man’s investigations and inquiries, her connection had never been revealed.

  Once he had a clearer idea of her involvement, he could develop a contingency plan for some of the possibilities if things went awry.

  When things went awry.

  “No, Clarinda.”

  “Anna, he seems quite nice after all.”

  “No, Clarinda.”

  “Anna…”

  Anna finally resorted to action and stamped her foot down in front of her like a recalcitrant child. “You should not have sent him to the school and you should not invite him to dinner.”

  Clarinda closed her mouth and thought on Anna’s words, but Anna knew her friend was not done. Once a topic appealed to her, she clung to it incessantly. Now, apparently, that topic was one Mr. Archer. “I am certain you are misreading his reaction.”

  “Did I misread Lord MacLerie’s when we first met?”

  Although Clarinda would like to argue the point, Anna knew she would lose, for Clarinda’s husband was not so accepting of Anna’s “eccentricities” as he called them as Clarinda was. Lord MacLerie had made his concerns known and did not wish his wife’s reputation stained by association with someone who stood just beyond the pale. Her friend had other ideas and it took only a few exchanges to disabuse him of such “folderol” as Clarinda liked to call it. Now, they both knew of most of her activities, most of them, and politely ignored them.

  “But that has changed, Anna,” she replied. “Perhaps your plan to expose him to the good that is undertaken due to the success of the magazine is the right path? Perhaps he simply needs to be brought a bit further down it?”

  “Nathaniel told you, did he?” Anna sat down on the couch and looked at her friend. How much did she know? Would Nathaniel have revealed it all?

  Clarinda followed her and took her hand. “He confides in me because I am his sister and he trusts my judgment.” She patted Anna’s hand. “And my discretion, Anna. As you know well that you can.”

  It would feel good to share some of the burden with someone who knew the details and who would keep them in confidence. When she had shared with Mr. Archer her concern over Lord Treybourne’s possible retaliation against their endeavor, she felt lighter inside. When she revealed the true nature of the school and the students she taught and her interest in the magazine, Anna understood Clarinda’s comments about her husband’s ability to be her helpmate. Not that such a thing was possible between her and Mr. Archer, but the appeal of such a relationship was intriguing.

  “We are so close to success now, Clarinda. I am just not certain of how to get there.”

  “You know, inviting Mr. Archer, as I suggested, may be just the thing. You could speak with him about Lord Treybourne and share that information with Goodfellow for his essay. If you knew more about your opponent and understood his motives, you may be able to plan a strategy that will gain you the success you need.”

  As she thought on Clarinda’s suggestion, she chose to avoid for the time being the possibility that Nathaniel had shared Goodfellow’s identity with his sister.

  “You may be correct, Clarinda. Although Goodfellow’s next piece is due in the day after tomorrow, there would still be time for Nathaniel to edit in anything we discover that could support our position.”

  “There, you see? I can be of help to you.”

  Anna began to stand, but Clarinda pulled her back down with the hand she still held.

  “He fancies himself in love
with you, you know?” she whispered in spite of them being alone in Clarinda’s chambers.

  “Mr. Archer?” Anna lost her breath at such a thought.

  “Nathaniel, silly gel! My brother has been in love with you for years.” Clarinda laughed and leaned over closer. “But he is not the right one for you.”

  “Clarinda!” Anna whispered back, feeling the heat in her cheeks from even thinking that Mr. Archer might be attracted to her. “Nathaniel and I have an understanding.”

  “As in the way of men and women, my dear Anna, what we understand and what they think they understand are two completely different matters.” Anna laughed at Clarinda’s interpretation of the issue of men and women, which only seemed to encourage her to more outlandish observations.

  “I would wish nothing so much as I do wish that you were my sister-by-marriage, but I realize through my own experience with Robert that a woman needs to have other suitors to know she is making the correct choice.”

  Anna shook her head, disbelieving that Clarinda could be so wrong about the situation between her and Nathaniel and additionally between her and Mr. Archer.

  “Although I do think your idea of gaining details about Lord Treybourne’s motives from Mr. Archer has merit, I think that to consider anything else about him, especially to use him in some way to compare his attributes to Nathaniel’s, is unfair.” A pang of guilt struck her as she remembered doing exactly the very thing from the first time she saw the man in Nathaniel’s office. Not only his attributes but now also his position with Lord Treybourne.

  “So, dinner tomorrow night. Nathaniel promised to return by noon, so let’s plan for an early meal and perhaps some music afterward.”

  “Clarinda, you are getting carried away by some strange notions about this situation. And we have no way of knowing if he will even accept the invitation. If the manner in which he left the school today is any indication, you may receive his regrets in the morning instead of the acceptance you seem fixed upon receiving.”

  “It is you, dear Anna, who will not see the truth when it sits before your very eyes. The man ran today, most likely overwhelmed by the feelings that he is developing for you. Now, all we must do is determine if he was indeed running away and how to make him run toward.”

  Anna let out an exasperated breath. Clarinda was like a hound on the trail of a fox and God help the fox, or in this case, Mr. Archer. It was best at times like this to agree with her and then find a way around her. The dinner would offer many such opportunities.

  She nodded her faux assent to Clarinda. Anna knew only that she would have to work long into the night if she were to finish the essay she’d planned. After Mr. Archer left today—stalking off in the rain, daft man!—she got no further along in its outline or completion. And, if she need wait for any tidbits or insight from him before writing it, she would barely have enough time to finish it. Still, Clarinda’s idea was a good one. Changing the subject, Anna rose now and walked to the door. “Should I invite Aunt Euphemia?”

  Clarinda thought on it for a moment and then shook her head. “No, I have some others in mind. A younger set.”

  “Please do not go out of your way on this, Clarinda.”

  “Nathaniel does not entertain enough, so I must do so while in town if for nothing else but appearance and the family reputation. If I can have a bit of fun as I do it, so much the better.”

  “If you need any help, please call on me.”

  “I have everything under control, Anna.”

  And that was what worried Anna the most as she went through the rest of her day. She tossed in her bed that night, words and phrases ringing in her ears and in her thoughts as she tried to at least plan the best approach and attitude for Goodfellow’s answer to Lord Treybourne. A man of honor would answer the insult. A man of honor would take his lordship to task for raising the very issue.

  Anger, but restrained, would be the approach. Acknowledge his lordship’s insults, but do not escalate the battle with more of her…his own. At least that would be her framework unless Mr. Archer revealed something useful in their discussions.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I told you he would attend!” Clarinda whispered as the footman announced his arrival.

  Anna did not have time to reply, for Mr. Archer came immediately to greet the host and hostess of the evening. He wore a black jacket and pantaloons with a deep rose-colored waistcoat and looked completely fashionable for an evening in London and interestingly, his choice of clothing nearly mirrored the black-and-pale-rose silk gown she wore. She would be the first to admit that he presented a dashing figure of a man, with his broad shoulders that did not appear to need padding to enhance them.

  “Lady MacLerie, Lord MacLerie, good evening. Miss Fairchild.” He bowed to the group and smiled. “My thanks for including me yet again in one of your entertainments.”

  “We will be leaving for home soon and I did so want to further our acquaintance, Mr. Archer,” Clarinda said, fanning herself as she spoke. “Nathaniel does so little entertaining without us and since you seemed to enjoy our outing last week, it seemed just the thing to include you this evening.”

  “Well, whatever the reason, I am pleased to be here.”

  “Anna, would you be so kind as to introduce Mr. Archer to our other guests? I need to speak to Cook about the timing of the courses this evening.”

  Anna knew a deception when she saw it and this was one of the best. Cook knew very well when the courses should be served, but this was Clarinda’s way of beginning the subterfuge against him. With her not-so-veiled comments about their encounter at the theater, Anna could not be certain that he would not bolt right now. When he offered her his arm to escort her to the others, Anna accepted it and guided him to the small group standing near the pianoforte.

  “Mr. Archer, may I make you known to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson of Aberdeen and Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and Miss Campbell, Mr. Campbell’s sister, from Glasgow? They are distant cousins of Lord MacLerie.”

  A few minutes later and they were conversing politely. Nathaniel arrived, late for some unknown reason, and joined the group just in time for dinner to be announced. Lord MacLerie claimed his wife’s arm and led everyone else down to the dining room, which was elegantly appointed for the dinner—candles in the chandeliers and set high in wall sconces gave light to the room and was reflected off the crystal and silver in the table settings. Anna was not surprised to find Mr. Archer holding her chair when they found their places.

  Between the soup course and the next, Lord MacLerie finally turned to Mrs. Campbell for a quiet question. Mr. Archer leaned over to her at the same moment.

  “I confess, Miss Fairchild, that I was not certain I would be welcomed by you tonight.” His voice was low in volume, the comment directed only to her ears.

  “Why ever not, sir?” She leaned over and caught his gaze. Would that piercing stare ever not affect her?

  “The last two times we have been in each other’s company, I have behaved rudely. At your school the other day and at the theater last week.” He leaned away to allow one of the footman to place a platter of roasted pheasant near their places, and then leaned in closer again. “I would plead that you so completely surprised me in each incident that I was not thinking straight.”

  Anna was startled herself by his assessment. “I surprised you, Mr. Archer? How so?” Was he horrified that she accepted his kiss and did not slap him for his impertinence?

  “I did not understand the depth of your commitment to your cause, Miss Fairchild. I underestimated you and discovered that your resolve in the matter of…” He paused and looked around to see if their conversation was drawing attention. “In the matters you shared with me was admirable and worthy of respect.”

  Could everyone see her blush? She could feel the heat climb into her cheeks at his words. She lifted a goblet of cider to her lips and sipped it, hoping it would cool her. “You are too kind, sir,” she whispered. “I would confess to you that I thought
perhaps you were shocked by my association with such women.”

  “Startled and surprised but not shocked, Miss Fairchild. With each encounter, I learn something more about you,” he said, glancing at her. “And then the evening at the theater…”

  His words drifted off and she found herself staring at his mouth, remembering the feel and the taste and the heat of it against hers that night. Her breath caught in her chest and Anna felt as though she would beg him to kiss her again in that moment.

  “As I said to Lady MacLerie—”

  “Lady MacLerie?” What did Clarinda have to do with his kiss, their kiss?

  “I spoke to her and offered my apologies for not seeing Lady MacLerie, you and your aunt home safely. I would offer them to you now. I should have sent word of my delay to my later commitment and taken you home first.”

  It took a few seconds for her to realize that he was teasing her. He did not speak of their kiss directly, instead he spoke of something quite acceptable and all the while he stared at her mouth. Exhilarated that he teased her instead of apologizing for it, Anna nodded her acceptance of the other and took another drink of the cider. She leaned away as more dishes were placed before them—from the aromas, one was fricassee of rabbit, another was a whole stuffed salmon. However, as the servants were taking away and placing new ones, and despite the evidence on her plate, she could not even remember tasting the ones being removed.

  Mr. Archer turned to Mrs. Robertson on his left and exchanged some words before facing her for a moment. A moment just long enough to shatter any control or reserve that she was maintaining.

  “I will not, however, apologize for kissing you, Miss Fairchild. And I cannot promise that it will not happen again if the opportunity arises.”

  “Oh my!” she exclaimed, gaining the attention of the whole table. Wishing for a cold Edinburgh rainshower to cover her, she coughed strenuously and lifted the goblet again. “I think that this cider is a bit strong for my tastes tonight.”