Dalton winked at her. “Celia, you’re a feast to behold, my lovely,” he lied, strolling toward the bed. “And if this wasn’t an emergency, I would never have intruded.”
“Yes you would have,” Justin said. His devilish grin flashed white teeth against his sun-bronzed face.
Celia swept her long hair over her shoulder. “It’s been a long time, darling,” she said to Dalton. “Much too long. But now that you’re here, why don’t you join us?” she cooed.
For some unknown reason, the idea of making love to the woman seemed unappealing. But he didn’t want to hurt the lady’s feelings. Dalton smiled lazily. “Only an urgent matter would force me away from your enticing invitation, my sweet.”
Celia’s green eyes glittered with self-satisfaction, her pride having been restored. She rewarded him with a dazzling smile, her gaze boldly raking over him with unabashed admiration.
Justin donned his shirt and strode to the full-length mirror to tie his neck cloth. “What’s so urgent, ol’ chap, that leaves you no time for Celia?” He scowled suddenly, his fingers paused in the middle of the lacy knot at his throat. “Don’t tell me a jealous husband has challenged you to a duel, and you want me to be your second?”
Dalton threw back his head and laughed. “God, no. But it would serve you right if I did. I remember the last time I was your second when Lord Kingsley found you with his new wife.” He shook his head. “When you aimed at Kingsley, you were so drunk you almost shot me.”
“I was only pretending to be drunk. I knew you were a better shot than Kingsley, and a damn better shot than I am.” His deeply tanned fingers returned to his lace cravat. “You’re not still angry about that little adventure, are you?”
Dalton smiled. “No, but I’m certain Kingsley hasn’t forgotten, you scoundrel. You were lucky his gun discharged too soon, and you were able to walk away with your honor.”
Celia yawned, obviously bored. She propped herself on one elbow. “When will you be returning to me, Justin?”
Justin sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on his left boot. “Good question. How long will this little favor take, Dalton?”
“Only a few days.”
“A few days!” Justin stood up, one boot in his hand. “Just what are you getting me into, old friend?”
“I’ll explain later. But you’ll be back in London in no time.” He waved a parting salute to Celia as he went to the door.
Celia’s bottom lip pouted into a pretty bow.
Justin buttoned up his waistcoat and donned his jacket as he crossed the room. “Very well, ol’ man. This will clear me of anything I owe you for helping me out with ol’ Kingsley.” Justin turned to Celia and blew her a parting kiss. “Save my place, sweetheart. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Justin scowled at Dalton as they strode from the room. “This had better be important, Dalton. Celia’s husband is grouse hunting in Scotland and won’t be back for another week. We both know the lady doesn’t like to sleep alone for very long.”
Dalton smiled as they took to the stairs. “I’ll explain in the carriage. For now, let me say that I want you to do me a very important favor.”
“Hmm. Knowing you, I’d say that the favor concerns a horse or a woman.” Justin raised a black brow, considering. “Since you own the most impressive stable in all of England, I’d guess your problem has to do with a woman.” His mouth quirked while awaiting the answer.
Dalton chuckled. “You’re right. I’m getting married and I need your help.”
“I never thought I’d hear you ask for my help in that department!”
Dalton grinned. “No, it’s Elizabeth with whom I need your help.”
Justin’s dark eyes glittered knowingly. “So Elizabeth has finally dropped the matrimonial noose around your neck, eh?”
“No, I’m marrying someone else, and I need you to keep Elizabeth occupied, shall we say, while I announce my engagement later tonight.”
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Holmes stood waiting with a cane, top hat and gloves. “Thank you, Holmes,” Justin said, taking the articles and slipping the old servant a glittering coin.
When they settled back inside the waiting carriage, Justin asked, “Of all your other useless friends, ol’ chap, why am I the one you’ve honored to assist you with Elizabeth? She and I have nothing but mutual dislike for each other, as you well know.”
“I want you to keep Elizabeth occupied during the ball when my marriage is announced. I have no wish to publicly humiliate her, and when she hears that my marriage plans don’t include her, I’m afraid all hell will break loose.”
“I’d rather face ol’ Kingsley with loaded pistols at dawn than Elizabeth!”
“That’s because Elizabeth is a better shot than you are,” he said, chuckling. He grinned at Justin’s glaring look. “Before I explain, do you remember several years ago being involved in a scandal concerning a young lady? It occurred at my mother’s London town house and the lady’s name was—”
“Alicia Spencer,” Justin finished. A glint brightened his dark eyes. “She was a lady no man would easily forget.”
Dalton waited, carefully phrasing his next question. “What do you remember about the incident?”
Justin’s eyes hardened. “I hope you won’t take offense, ol’ chap, but—” he cleared his throat “—I don’t like to speak unkindly of anyone’s mother, but…I believe your dear mum set up that poor girl.”
“That’s what Lady Alicia claims.”
“It was at a soiree held at your mother’s London town house,” Justin began. “The Season had just started, and Drake and I had more than a few drinks as we looked over the new crop of properties for the year. Drake had been avoiding your mother all evening. He said that she had been nagging him to propose to Elizabeth, but Drake said he was in no hurry. He and I and every other male couldn’t keep our eyes from this lovely new creature who had just arrived.
“She was Alicia Spencer, the daughter of a baron, but no one knew much about her family. Her grandmother had brought her out, and the older woman had been quite something in her day, from what the wags said.” Justin grabbed the hand strap when the carriage veered sharply around a curve.
“Anyway, Drake won the first dance with Lady Alicia, much to Elizabeth’s and your mother’s ire. Lady Alicia’s dance card filled faster than I can drink a hogshead of ale. With so many more worthy lads than myself claiming to dance with her, I took solace in my cups. Later, I staggered off to sleep it off.
“The next thing I knew, this commotion woke me up from the sleep of the damned. I remember your mother leaning over my head and her white-haired cronies shrieking like vultures. Poor Lady Alicia. She was helpless against them. Even in my fogged condition, I can still remember her lovely face. Exquisite, she was. I’ve often wondered what happened to her.”
Dalton smiled. She still is, he thought. He glanced to the man sitting across from him. “The lady thinks my mother deliberately sent her to your room, which my mother later denied, and that you did nothing to Alicia.”
In the soft light of the coach lamp, Justin’s expression turned serious as he stared at him. The only sounds were the horses hooves pounding the cobbles and the creak of harness. “I didn’t touch her, Dalton.”
“I believe you.”
Justin’s features relaxed. “Afterward, all hell broke out. Poor girl. I even offered her marriage, thinking that would satisfy the vultures, but she would have none of it.” Justin shook his head. “Lady Alicia and the rest of her family left straight away for home.” Justin leaned back against the velvet squabs, his eyes shuttered by his straight eyelashes. “It’s my guess that your mother set up Lady Alicia to keep her out of the running. Your mum didn’t want Drake to think twice about proposing to Elizabeth.” His gaze drifted outside the carriage window. Then he glanced back at Dalton. “So tell me, why are you so interested?”
“I’m going to marry her.”
“I wish I could have seen you
r mother’s face when you dropped that bit of news!”
Dalton grinned. “She doesn’t know yet. In fact, she thinks I’m announcing my engagement to Elizabeth tonight.” He shot Justin a knowing look. “That’s where you come in, my friend.”
“Aha!” Justin’s dark eyes twinkled. “Yes, I’m going to enjoy this,” he said, leaning back with a smile. “I’m going to enjoy this little adventure very much.”
The carriage clattered along the country road the last few miles in good speed, despite the drenching rain that had persisted and showed no hint of subsiding. Dalton listened to Justin’s soft snoring as the coach rattled across the stone bridge over the winding river that bordered the north boundary of Havencrest. He was eager to be home.
He was eager to see Alicia. The thought gave him a start of surprise, which he quickly pushed back. Of course he was impatient to see her. She was eager for the news he brought from her father. She would be relieved to hear that her family was well and looking forward to visiting her at Havencrest.
Who was he kidding? He wanted to see Alicia because he hadn’t been able to forget how she looked the last time he had seen her, standing in the garden after she had agreed to marry him. In her low-cut jade silk gown, she was as appealing as a temptress, standing in the moonlit garden with her thick reddish-brown hair tumbling over her shoulders.
But beneath her proud demeanor, hurtful pride blazed from her dark eyes. He had wanted to reassure her, comfort her and convince her that she had nothing to fear once they were married.
Alicia had suffered the indignities of the damned because of his mother. And if his plan worked, Alicia never would feel inferior to the ton again.
If his plan worked. He rejected the negative thought immediately. Of course it would work. He wouldn’t permit any nagging doubt to darken his mood like the storm clouds above. But he couldn’t brush away his hint of conscience. Alicia might never forgive him if she truly believed that he was marrying her just to avenge his mother. For if she did, he realized, she might think of him as no better than her father.
“This will be your suite,” Olivia said to Alicia as she glided into the huge room carpeted in robin’s egg blue. “My rooms are across the hall.” She smiled over her shoulder. “I’ve always wanted to have a sister.”
Alicia stared, transfixed at the splendor of the magnificent room. The bed was larger than her entire bedchamber at Marston Heath, she thought with a nervous giggle.
Olivia swept open another door and went inside a large mirrored alcove. “This is your dressing room, and opposite is your sitting room, and here,” she said, crossing the room and opening another door, “is a small bedroom for the maid.” She whirled around the room. “I must warn you, this suite faces east. You will be awakened by sunlight. I enjoy sleeping late in the morning,” she said with a smile.
Alicia forced herself to step inside the room. Her slippers sank into the thick carpet. “I’ve never seen such a luxurious suite,” she said, gazing around the delicate blue silk wall covering, the exact shade that matched the carpeting. When she glanced back at Olivia, she was aware of her bold scrutiny.
“Are you having second thoughts about marrying my brother?” Olivia’s oval face was serious.
“Wh-why, no. Why would I?” Alicia hoped her voice didn’t betray her true feelings. She felt uncomfortable and, for a moment, wished that she had remained in her cottage instead of being persuaded to prepare for the ball at the manor.
Olivia tilted her head in thought. “I believe every woman wants to be in love when she marries.” Her hand pressed against her temple. “I know you haven’t had time to come to know Dalton, but once you do, I think you both might suit very well.”
“Your brother and I have a marriage of convenience—”
“I know what my brother said.” Olivia sat down on a small sofa, her silk skirt draped becomingly around her. “But Dalton has never known love. Oh, there have been women.” Olivia drew her hand to her mouth. “Forgive me, my dear.” Her cheeks pinked becomingly. “I didn’t mean to shock you.”
Curiosity gave way to pretense. “I understand that Dalton and Elizabeth have…I believe he called it an understanding.”
“Posh! There was no understanding!” Olivia waved her hand. “I don’t know why, but Dalton abhors Elizabeth.” She smiled, showing dimples so like her brother. “I’ve always hoped that once Dalton finds love, it might mend what troubles him.”
Alicia looked up. “And what troubles your brother?”
Olivia shook her blond curls. “As long as I can remember, Dalton has been withdrawn, even among a crush of people. He so loved our father, and our uncle George. When Uncle George died in the war, I was too young to remember, but I think Dalton always missed him. Our father was gone a great deal. Last year, father died. We had already lost a brother.” Her voice trailed off. “So many sad things.” Olivia bit down on her lip, then sat up suddenly.
“Enough sad tales. It’s time we prepared for the ball.” She jumped to her feet. “Oh, Alicia. When the maids finish dressing you, you’ll be the most beautiful lady at the ball. We’ll begin by drawing your bath.”
Chapter Seven
By the time Dalton raced up the back stairs to his suite at Havencrest, it was well past midnight. He knew his mother would be furious that he had not been at her side to receive their guests, but his absence couldn’t be helped. He had to make certain that Elizabeth had left the ball by the time his engagement to Alicia would be announced.
He quashed an inner jolt of conscience when he remembered Elizabeth’s eager response, a short while ago, to his carefully worded invitation to meet him. He had felt like a scoundrel as he hid in the garden and watched her dash along the moonlit path on her way to the carriage house. He could almost see her face, flushed with anticipation to meet him secretly in his coach. A pang of guilt knifed through him as he imagined her shock and sense of betrayal when she found it was Justin who waited for her.
Damn, what choice did he have? Justin could be trusted to be discreet, and if everything went according to plan, Elizabeth’s reputation wouldn’t be sullied.
But when the coach with Justin and Elizabeth had finally wheeled past with Ulger driving the spirited horses, Dalton had felt no sense of relief. If only she might forgive him some day. Dalton quelled another surge of conscience. He was entering into this deceit for Elizabeth’s own good, he reminded himself. This was the only way to protect her from the embarrassment of witnessing his engagement to Alicia. Now, if only the rest of his plan would go as smoothly.
When Dalton arrived in his suite, his evening clothes had already been laid out by his valet, who was now preparing Dalton’s bath. “Send word to my sister’s maid that I’ve just now returned, Ives.”
The valet lifted his head from the task of filling hot water into the copper tub. “Lady Olivia had requested that I ask the stable master to inform her as soon as your coach arrived, your grace. I took it upon myself to follow her instructions.”
“Excellent.” Dalton smiled, feeling a surge of relief. He was worried about Alicia, but no one was better suited to watch over her than his sister. No doubt Olivia was hovering over Alicia like a mother hen. This was one time he had to agree with his sister. The dowager and her cronies would make short work of Alicia if they had any inkling she would be attending the ball.
He strode to the rosewood desk and took out a sheet of stationery, then scribbled a note. “As soon as you’re through here, take this to Lady Alicia, and make certain she receives it.” He folded the letter and sealed it with red wax, then placed it on the desk before undressing and stepping into the tub.
The steaming water lapped around his shoulders as he leaned back, inhaling the hint of sandalwood that Ives had poured into the bath. Without being told, his valet splashed brandy into a large crystal snifter and placed the drink on a silver tray on the sideboard within Dalton’s reach.
“Thank you, Ives,” he said, swirling the amber liquid, then inhaling
the fruity bouquet. “Anything happen while I was gone?”
“This morning at breakfast, I heard Lord Templestone ask her ladyship if you would be dining this evening.” Ives picked up Dalton’s discarded riding clothes and hung them in the anteroom where a maid would later clean and press them.
Dalton felt a knot tighten in his stomach. Templestone was a widower—a bounder whose past marriages had made him wealthy. He took a sip of brandy. “What did my mother tell him?”
Ives had picked up one of Dalton’s boots and was brushing the mud from the leather. “I heard her say that you would be announcing your engagement at the ball this evening, your grace.”
Dalton’s mouth curled faintly. “What did Templestone say?”
Ives kept his gaze on his work. “He said that the day you announce your engagement, your grace, is the day pigs fly.”
Dalton chuckled. “Too bad I wasn’t there to see my mother’s reaction.”
Ives’s face conveyed no emotion. “Yes, your grace.”
Dalton wondered if Templestone would be leaving for Scotland with his mother’s friends. Then he reminded himself that it was none of his business. “That will be all, Ives. I’ll dress myself.”
“Yes, your grace.” Ives carried the riding boots under his arm and picked up the note for Alicia before he left the room.
I can’t go through with this! Wrapped in a pink silk dressing gown, Alicia bit her inner lip and stared in the mirror at the pale image of herself. Marie, Olivia’s maid, had dressed Alicia’s hair in the latest fashion. She had drawn Alicia’s hair straight back, then pulled her thick, auburn curls atop her head in a coil secured by a rope of pearls.
Alicia’s brown eyes appeared gigantic in her small, oval face. She closed her eyes, her throat tight as the premonition of dread almost suffocated her. I can’t go through with this. I can’t go through with this, Alicia repeated as another roll of panic surged through her. She was a fool to have accepted Dalton’s proposal, and a bigger fool to think the ton wouldn’t have her tossed from the ballroom, like a mangy dog begging for scraps.
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