Lord Rakehell

by Virginia Henley

  He informed me that he has given his approval to John Claud, with whom you’ve had an understanding for years. When I informed him that you had accepted my proposal, he became adamant.

  I deeply regret your father’s objection to me, and will do whatever I can to persuade him to accept me as a son-in-law. It may take a little time before we can announce our engagement, but my resolve is firm, and I know I will prevail.

  You are my every desire. I will not allow anything or anyone to come between us.

  Anne gasped and closed her eyes. The pain in her breast was so acute it felt as if her heart were being crushed.

  “Are you all right?” Elizabeth asked.

  Anne opened her eyes. “No . . . yes. Please excuse me, I have to find Mother.” She hurried through the Summer Parlor and found Alexandra and her mother in the pillared drawing room. Clutching her letter, she looked from one to the other. “Your Highness, I would like your permission to return to London with my mother. I need to speak with my father on a most important matter.”

  “Of course, Lady Anne,” Alexandra said, gracious as always. “You don’t need my permission to visit your home.”

  “Thank you so much.” She turned to her mother, saw the startled look on her face, and hoped she wouldn’t start asking questions until they were in the carriage.

  Anne’s emotions were in such turmoil she didn’t hear her mother thank the princess for the most enjoyable garden party she had ever attended. As the pair walked toward the stables, she put the letter back in its envelope and warned herself to calm down. Anne was deaf to her mother’s questions. This has to be a simple misunderstanding. Once I explain matters to Father, all will be well.

  Anne sat perched beside her mother as she drove the small carriage down the Great West Road to London.

  “Is the letter from your father, darling? Are you keeping something from me?”

  “No, no, it’s not from Father. But I need to talk to him, urgently.”

  Lady Howe sighed. Anne was acting strangely, and didn’t seem willing to confide the reason she needed to dash home to London to talk with her father. She picked up the pace of the horse and schooled herself to patience.

  When they arrived in Grosvenor Square, Anne pressed the letter into her mother’s hand. “Read this, it will explain everything.” She picked up her skirts and hurried into the house.

  • • •

  “Father, Lord Hamilton has asked me to be his wife, and I have accepted his proposal.”

  Richard Howe stared across his library desk. His daughter’s green muslin dress and her red curls emphasized the Irish blood of her mother, and at the moment it annoyed him beyond bearing.

  “I forbid it!”

  Anne raised her chin, dug her fists into her hips, and demanded, “Why?”

  “I can think of no young noble with a more unsavory reputation. He is unfit to be the husband of any daughter of mine.”

  Anne was stunned. Then she remembered the things he’d said at the Royal Academy.

  “The prince surrounds himself with dissolute friends.” Hellfire! He was talking about James.

  “John Claud Hamilton is the young man I have chosen to be your husband. He’s been devoted to you for years—he is like a son to me, and it has always been understood that you would marry.”

  “I assure you it has not been understood by me! I think of John Claud as a friend who is almost like a brother to me. I have no intention of marrying him, and I have recently made that quite plain to him. If he insinuated anything different, he was lying!”

  “John Claud was completely honest with me. He told me you had not accepted his proposal, but that he had high hopes.”

  “He has no hope in hell!”

  The earl rose to his feet. “How dare you stand before me, swearing like an Irish washerwoman?”

  “No bloody hope in hell, and neither have you. I am in love with James Hamilton, and I intend to be his wife.”

  “I will never give my consent, and that’s my last word on the matter.”

  Anne spun on her heel and dashed from the library. As she flung the door closed, she knew she was angrier than she had ever been in her life. She saw her mother standing in the hall and Anne followed her into her sitting room.

  “He has a closed mind!” In complete exasperation, she threw her hands in the air. “He refuses to listen to reason!”

  Her mother handed back her letter. “You didn’t go about things very well, Anne. You are going to have to learn to handle the male of the species much better than that if you want to get your own way.”

  “I was being honest. I told him I refused to marry John Claud Hamilton because I was in love with his brother James.”

  “You don’t get anywhere being honest with a man, darling, especially a peer of the realm. They believe their word is law.”

  “You mean I shouldn’t have lost my temper.”

  “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Raising your voice and railing against him will gain you nothing. Believe me, Anne, I speak from experience. You must learn how to get what you want in this world.”

  “But how?”

  Anne’s mother shrugged a shapely shoulder. “There are ways. . . . Manipulation, negotiation, you often have to give something to get something. Everything has its price.”

  “That sounds so cynical.”

  “Life has made me cynical, darling.”

  “Mother, will you plead my case for me? Will you try to persuade him to change his mind? You know how to get around him.”

  “I’ll try my best, Anne. But these things take time. My advice is to go back to Chiswick and try to be patient. If you stayed here, it would just exacerbate the matter.”

  “I certainly won’t stay here. I’ll sleep at Marlborough House tonight and return to the villa tomorrow.”

  “I think that’s a wise decision, my dear.”

  “He’s very angry. Will you be all right?”

  “Don’t worry. I know how to placate him.” She rang the bell for Jenkins. “I’ll get the coachman to drive you to Marlborough House.”

  • • •

  Anne gazed at her reflection in the mirror on the wardrobe door. The muslin dress that had made her look so vivacious that morning was no longer crisp. It was limp, exactly the way she felt.

  There was a knock on the door, and when she opened it, she recognized the chambermaid, who had come to see if Anne would like a late supper tray brought up. “That’s very thoughtful, Mary. Princess Alexandra held her garden party today. I’ve had my fill of sandwiches and iced cakes. Just bring me whatever is handy in the kitchen—some soup, perhaps. But first, what I’d really like is a bath.”

  Anne lay in the scented warm water, feeling lethargic after her outburst of temper earlier in the evening. Her heart was heavy, and she just wanted the world to go away.

  Her father’s words about James filled her thoughts and a wave of disgust swept over her for the earl’s hypocrisy. When scandal erupted about his affair with Queen Adelaide, he ruthlessly used my mother as a pawn. He knew she was carrying his son’s child and arranged for him to be shipped abroad. Then it was all hushed up. Yet he accuses James of having an unsavory reputation!

  I should have thrown his hypocrisy in his face. Yet she knew she had kept silent for her mother’s sake. She loved her deeply, and could never betray her.

  Eventually, the water lulled her and reminded her of their sojourn in the Roman bath. Thank heaven I grabbed the pleasure when it was offered. We may not get the chance to be alone again for a long time.

  The water was almost cold by the time she summoned enough energy to climb out of the bathtub and dry herself. She put on her bed robe and returned to her chamber. A few minutes later, Mary brought her the soup. When she lifted the lid of the silver tureen, she saw that it was leek soup. Her memor
ies brought a lump to her throat; then she smiled through her tears. Oh James, my love, it’s as if you’ve conjured this for me!

  When Anne finished the soup and the warm bread rolls, the forlorn emptiness inside her had lessened to a marked degree and she was beginning to feel hopeful again.

  She picked up his letter from the bedside table and went over to the desk. She dipped in her pen and began to write.

  My darling James,

  When I got your letter I was filled with happiness. When I read it, my heart stopped beating. I was outraged that my father refused your honorable offer of marriage.

  I immediately left Chiswick and returned home to confront him. I told him that I had accepted your proposal, and when he said he expected me to marry John Claud, I made it plain that would never happen.

  When he refused to listen to me, I left in anger. Mother promised to plead my case, counseled me to return to Chiswick and exercise patience.

  Your firm resolve gives me comfort and hope. James, please know that you have all my heart. Yours alone,

  Anne

  Chapter Twenty-two

  “I got your urgent note and came immediately. Is something amiss, Your Highness?”

  “No, no, James, nothing amiss. I just wanted to share some ideas I’ve had.”

  James thought ruefully of the unfinished paperwork he’d left on his desk at White Horse Street to come rushing to Marlborough House at the prince’s summons.

  “Sykes’s country estate in Doncaster is exactly the sort of place I need. The house is large enough to accommodate all his friends, and the property is unbelievable—thousands of acres where he breeds horses and dogs, and the hunting is spectacular. I don’t mind admitting how much I envied him by the time my visit was over.”

  “A hunt every day and a house party every night, I take it?”

  “Exactly!” Teddy was oblivious to the mocking tone of his friend’s voice. “First night on the journey home, Carrington and I stayed at King’s Lynn in Norfolk, and it suddenly occurred to me that Sandringham, the country estate my father purchased, was in Norfolk County. When I made inquiries, I learned that it was less than seven miles away!”

  “So I assume you decided to pay Sandringham a visit.”

  “I did indeed, James. The place is ideal for my needs. More rooms than I could count and it sits on twenty thousand acres of prime hunting land. It’s an absolutely perfect residence for the late summer and autumn months. I shall be the envy of all my friends once they see it. They’ll kill for invitations to Sandringham.”

  “I hate to throw cold water on your plans, sire, but you will need Her Majesty’s permission to stay at Sandringham.”

  Teddy cleared his throat. “Yes, well, that’s where you come in, James. I thought perhaps your father could broach the subject with her. Abercorn has always had great influence with the queen.”

  “Next time I am at Hampden House, I will mention it to him.”

  “James, it is already July, and I’d like to be at Sandringham for the month of August. There’s only a skeleton staff of royal servants. We’ll need to hire a full staff and stock the stables and buy hunting dogs before I can send out invitations to my friends.”

  When you say “we,” you mean “me.” In your mind it is already a fait accompli. “Since it is July, I take the liberty of reminding you that it is over a month since you’ve seen Princess Alexandra. A visit to Chiswick would not be remiss.”

  “You’re right, of course. We’ll go tomorrow, right after we drop in at your father’s office. You don’t mind driving, do you, James?”

  “Not in the least.” I haven’t seen Anne for almost a fortnight. I’m starving for the sight of her.

  James had replied to the note Anne had pushed under his bedchamber door at Marlborough House. They had missed each other by hours, and when he read that she had been there the night before, his imagination played a game of What if? When he wrote his reply, however, he told her that he was glad she had returned to Chiswick. He wrote that though it made him happy she had informed her father of her intent to marry him, he advised that she would be wise not to confront him again. He emphasized that they must both exercise patience and assured her again that his resolve was firm and he would prevail.

  • • •

  “James, I have every hope that Abercorn will prevail with the queen. We’ll get Christopher Sykes to provide the horses for Sandringham from his Doncaster breeding farm.”

  “Well, it is by no means certain that she will give her permission, but my father does have excellent diplomatic skills.” James changed the subject. “Have you forgotten about the plans you asked me to make for the Cowes yacht races, Teddy?” He steadied the horses as the road curved at the bend of the Thames.

  “Of course not. I’m looking forward to it. Did you have the ‘Prince’s Cup’ made?”

  James nodded. “It’s ready at the silversmith’s. But Cowes Week is in August. You can’t be in two places at the same time.”

  “Cowes Regatta starts on the first Saturday, which happens to be the first day of August. We can sail over on Friday, July thirty-first, present the cup on Saturday, sail back on Sunday, and go straight up to Sandringham.”

  “Providing Her Majesty gives you permission,” James cautioned. You are so accustomed to getting your own way since you became a married man, you simply take everything for granted as your due. There’s always someone to do the donkey work for you. There are times when you are insufferable. I warrant I preferred the old, unsure, long-suffering Teddy.

  James drove through the gates and stopped the carriage in front of the villa. When the Prince of Wales alighted, he drove to the stables, then strolled back through the lovely Italianate gardens, remembering the pleasure he’d enjoyed on his last visit.

  • • •

  “Edward, I must thank you for finding this villa. It is so tranquil here in Chiswick. It’s one of the happiest summers I’ve ever had.”

  Teddy’s gaze swept over Alexandra and for the first time he realized she was an attractive woman. His eyes lingered on her breasts, which seemed quite shapely. He closed the distance between them, and drew her into his arms. His hand came up to fondle her breast; then for good measure he cupped the other one.

  Alexandra’s breasts were tender and she tried not to flinch. She reminded herself that she had been free of his demands for well over a month, and this intimacy was a relatively small price to pay.

  “I hope you won’t be disappointed, but our plans have changed for Cowes. Instead of spending the entire week on the Isle of Wight, we’ll only stay for the weekend. We’ll sail over on the last day of July, when the lease expires on this villa.”

  Alix pulled away from him. “I’d rather you went alone, Edward. Sailing, especially crossing the Solent, makes me violently sick.”

  His wife’s attraction quickly faded and Teddy lost his erection. “Just because you were sick last time doesn’t mean it will happen again.”

  “I’m sorry, Edward, I seem to be prone to bouts of nausea lately, especially in the mornings.”

  Something clicked in the Prince of Wales’s mind. His wife’s rounded figure, coupled with her morning sickness, suggested that she was pregnant.

  “My dearest Alix, do you suppose you could be with child?”

  The princess blushed, and said softly, “You have guessed my secret.”

  “But that is wonderful news!” He led her to a comfortable chair. “Why ever would you wish to keep it secret?”

  “I’ve been eager to share the news with you, Edward, but once I’m back at Marlborough House, so close to Buckingham Palace, the news will spread quickly. Perhaps it’s wicked of me, but I don’t want Her Majesty to step in and take over our lives.”

  “Yes, Mother not only enjoys ruling the Empire; she insists on dictating to everyone around her. A grandchild would give
her an excuse to intrude and foist her ideas of child rearing on us.” He took the seat beside her and patted her hand. “The last thing I want for my son is the wretched childhood I had to endure.”

  “I’m so glad you understand, Edward. Of course, she will know eventually; that is inevitable. But I would love to be able to keep the news private for a few months.”

  “And so you shall, my dear Alix, so you shall.” He surged to his feet, excited to tell her his plans. “On my way home from Doncaster, I decided to take a look at Sandringham, the country estate my father acquired in Norfolk County before he died. To my great delight I discovered it would make a perfect country retreat for us. The house has a great number of rooms and private suites, and it sits on twenty thousand acres of prime hunting land.”

  “A house in the country sounds wonderful, though I’m not sure where Norfolk is. There is a map in the study; would you show me?”

  “With the greatest pleasure. Lead the way, my dear.”

  • • •

  “This statue reminds me of you.” Anne traced her fingers along the marble thigh of Apollo. “When I feel lonely for you, I come into the garden to admire him.”

  James caressed her cheek. “Legend has it that Cupid shot him with a golden arrow. We have that in common at least.”

  “In your last letter you cautioned me to be patient because you will eventually prevail, but I despair of my father ever relenting, James.”

  “I have written to him, asking for another chance to plead my case. Though he hasn’t replied yet, you mustn’t give up hope, Anne.” James pulled her into his arms and she rested her head against his chest, drawing strength from his optimism. When his sister Frances approached, James continued to hold Anne close.

  “I’m sorry to intrude, but Teddy sent me in search of you. He and Alix are in the study looking at a map, and I’m afraid he needs your help to find what he’s searching for.”

  James took Anne’s hand. “Come on. For a man who attended Oxford and Cambridge, the prince has very little to show for it.”

  When they entered the study, known as the blue velvet room, they saw the prince poring over a library table with a huge vellum map spread out on its surface. “James, Sandringham has now become an absolute necessity. Alexandra is in need of a country retreat for the next few months, away from the prying eyes of Her Majesty.”