The night the foal had been born had proven to him that he couldn’t trust himself around the exquisite young woman. She attracted him like no other ever had, and he’d nearly gone out of his mind seeing her partially clothed beauty revealed to him in ways that he had never imagined possible.
His chest heaved at the memories of the way his body had responded to her half clothed innocence, but he was not a ravisher of maidens and it was hopeless to think of her in the only other way that he could ever have her.
As his wife.
His heart thumped madly at the very thought, but it took only a few seconds for him to regain his self-control. He was working himself up over the impossible. He’d been over it in his mind a thousand times since he had first met the alluring young woman, but nothing had changed. Not a single, damned thing could alter the fact that his status was so far below hers that he would be laughed out of Ormond for even dreaming of it.
His heart twisted inside his chest and pain lanced through every part of his body as he imagined why Alexander was asking this favour of him, of why she was going to London in the first place. The only reason any country Lady would need to go. To find a husband. Preferably one with a title as glorious as her own.
He couldn’t bear the thought. If any man came within twenty feet of her he’d want to tear them limb from limb and that wasn’t fair either. It was easier to stay right out of her way than to torture himself in her presence. He knew that the strategy worked as he had tried it every time she came on her frequent visits to Ormond. Bitterness stole his breath for a moment and he kicked at some hay until he found the strength to face Alexander again.
“From what I hear and what I have experienced myself, she always does exactly what she wants when she wants and that’s apart from the fact that I’ll stand out like a sore thumb in London. I’m not about to become either her escort or a laughing stock. I’m not one of the upper crust however much you try to ignore my upbringing. Those wagging tongues would rip me to shreds in an instant.” He was about to turn away when Alexander heaved out a great sigh and shrugged his shoulders in apparent defeat.
“Oh well, I said that I would try and persuade you. There’s nothing else to be done. We’ll just have to leave her under the care of my mother and hope for the best...it’s a pity that she has become so fond of her gin. She’ll probably leave the balls and routs early due to her dizzy spells after imbibing more than she should. I expect Callum will be able to see to Charlotte’s safety. Giles says he’s coming on really well. He’s seventeen now, quite the young man. I just hope that he’s up to taking care of Charlotte late at night.” He averted his eyes as he brushed some non-existent dirt from the lapel of his coat before he lifted his head again and raised an eyebrow at Geoffrey. He cleared his throat. “Mother was telling me only last night that Rookwood and Latham are attending the season. She’s good friends with Latham’s...” He didn’t manage to finish his sentence before Geoffrey dropped the bucket of oats again and loomed up in front of him, arms folded across his expansive chest and a nerve ticking hard in his jaw.
“What? Those scum are going to London this year? And Giles is even contemplating allowing her to go anywhere near the place? Good God, man! Has he forgotten what they attempted to do to her barely eighteen months ago?” He spluttered as he resisted the urge to punch a hole through the nearest wall.
Alexander shrugged as if he scarcely cared about the incident that nearly cost Charlotte her innocence and Giles his life. He turned as if to leave the stables, but spoke over his shoulder.
“Oh, not to worry. I suspect that Giles was making too much of it all. She’ll only be alone for two to three weeks at most. I’m sure that a resourceful girl like Charlotte will be able to handle herself for that length of time. Giles and Anne intend to join mother’s party as soon as the spring lambing is over. He assures me that his man can take care of the farm after the first rush of births. Charlotte and mother will barely have had time to settle in. They’ll probably go to one or two of the theatres around Drury Lane...” Alexander let his words linger in the air as he waited for some kind of reaction.
He didn’t have to wait long. Geoffrey looked as though he had swallowed a grate of hot coals while sucking on a lemon. His face grew red and his hands balled into fists at his sides.
Geoffrey held on to the last thread of his temper. Though he had never been to a proper theatre, he’d seen the travelling players who performed for the local crowds and he’d heard plenty of tales about the goings on around London’s stages. They were clearly the worst dens of iniquity where men and women could consort in darkened, curtained recesses. Secret rustlings were ignored and trysts apparently encouraged for the rapture and delectation of the gossiping masses. The very thought of Charlotte being anywhere near such a place without proper protection was too much. His usually placid temper flared white-hot in an instant and he punched the stable door.
“Alright! I’ll accompany them!” He yelled furiously at Alexander as he stormed about the stable, breathing hard while he bit back his riotous emotions. He waved his finger at his friend. “But I won’t put up with acting as their servant and I absolutely refuse to do any dancing either!” He added nearly as loudly as he flexed his battered knuckles.
Alexander coughed into his hand to hide his grin and nodded quickly to secure his victory.
“Never expected you to do either of those things, as it happens. It will just be a case of standing at the edge of the ballroom drinking the wine, eating the canapés while looking fierce when necessary...nothing too strenuous, I assure you. Mother will make sure that you are invited to everything as their companion and escort. I am pretty sure that Charlotte is taking that fabulous diamond with them too. You know how keen she is to put her own money into the breeding programme. She’ll need your help finding a genuine purchaser...” He took a deep breath and rubbed his cold hands together, relieved that he had Geoffrey’s promise before reminding him of Charlotte’s other plans. “Well, I am sure that you will work it all out when you get there. I’ll give you a list of the best jewellery houses to try...” His voice faded as Geoffrey’s glower deepened and Alexander carried on before Geoffrey had chance to change his mind. “Well, this is excellent. Knew we could rely on you, Geoff. I’ll let Giles know that she’ll be as safe as houses in your hands. He’ll be extremely relieved.” Alexander slapped his friend on the shoulder and strode back towards the castle with a decidedly jaunty gait.
Geoffrey stared after the man and groaned in frustration. He knew that he’d been goaded into taking on the task, but the way Alexander had brought visions of Charlotte being molested into his head, had been impossible to ignore.
He closed his eyes for long moment and took some deep, calming breaths before he opened them again and stooped to pick up the dropped bucket of oats once again. He looked up as he heard the stomp of hooves and an impatient neigh. Midnight, Alexander’s prize stallion, made his hunger known.
Geoffrey moved down the stalls until the huge horse came into sight. Midnight stuck his head over the stable door and snorted blowing clouds of condensation into the cold air. Geoffrey pushed the horse back and tipped the bucket of oats into a trough just inside the stall. Midnight snorted again before plunging his nose into the food.
Geoffrey leaned against the rail and leaned in to stroke the horse’s neck while he wondered how he would be able to restrain himself when watching the vivacious Charlotte meet potential suitors every day for two or three blasted weeks. Even in the cool air of the stables sweat beaded on his brow at the mere thought and he swiped it away roughly.
He knew that he’d avoided her ever since Starlight had been born. He’d had to for the sake of his own sanity. After barely sleeping for weeks after the event, his dreams filled with visions of a scantily clad Charlotte beckoning him and tempting his resolve every time he closed his eyes, he’d almost told Alexander that he was leaving Ormond. He had enough money set aside to rent a small house and he’d already decided t
hat it was probably his best course of action when Alexander had suddenly brought two mares in for Midnight and Lightning to service. The owner wanted his animals to remain at Ormond until the resulting foals were born while he travelled the continent for a year. Their new groom, Jonathon, wasn’t ready for the challenge of two extra horses plus Star Gazer’s foal that Lady Anne had decided to leave at Ormond while she and Giles had the stables at Caithwell renovated. Geoffrey had felt compelled to remain until the new foals were born.
Now, what with the far too alluring Charlotte about to be thrust under his nose every day for more than a fortnight, he didn’t know if he deeply resented the fact that his good nature had once again overridden his good sense.
“Damn! Damn! Damn!” he exclaimed to himself as he left the stall while Midnight tossed his head and snorted in response.
Charlotte blinked uncomprehendingly up at her cousin.
“Have you gone stark staring mad? I’m not going anywhere with Geoffrey and he’ll never agree to such an arrangement anyway. He’s made it perfectly clear over the last few months that he hates me!” She lifted her chin and blinked hard to disguise the tears that threatened to spill over her lashes as she challenged Giles’ assertion that Geoffrey was to accompany her and Alexander’s mother, the Dowager Duchess of Ormond on their expedition to London.
Giles rolled his eyes in frustration. He loved his cousin dearly, but in her childhood she had been left to her own devices for far too long. In some ways her circumstances had made her confident and charming; in others downright argumentative, but at this very moment she looked to be on the brink of tears. It was most unusual for her to be so affected and it troubled him deeply. If he had known of the animosity between Alexander’s friend and groomsman and his cousin, he might not have pushed so hard for this outcome. Given that Geoffrey and Charlotte had worked so hard together and had saved his life, Giles had honestly thought that he was the best man for the job. He had felt sure that both Geoffrey and Charlotte liked one another. Charlotte had turned to Geoffrey without hesitation when she had needed help freeing him from Oakley’s gaol.
Giles tried to convince her from another direction.
“You cannot travel alone and Callum cannot manage the horses, you and Alexander’s mother. Olivia needs someone she can trust with you both. I know that Callum is a decent young man, but he doesn’t have Geoffrey’s excellent education and manners. Geoffrey will fit in perfectly and it’s all arranged anyway, but that aside, I am curious to know why you believe that he hates you. I feel sure that you are mistaken. He’s only ever had your best interests at heart.”
Charlotte laughed loudly and pointed her finger at Giles’ chest.
“Ha! Well, I am not sure that is true. He’s been downright rude the last few months, ever since Star Gazer birthed her foal. We’ve barely seen him and he avoided the whole family that week we all went to visit Alexander and Lily and Lillian. I know that he did it to avoid me, I just know it.” She balled her hands at her sides. “On my last visits to see the mares, he gave me the barest details pertaining to their health before he walked out and left me to it. He didn’t even ask after my own health or check that I could manage. Something has changed. It’s like he’s had a poker shoved up his...”
“Charlotte!” Giles exclaimed before he swept his hand through his hair. “Please tell me that you will never use such an expression while in Mayfair. My God! If your mouth runs away with you like that I may seriously have to reconsider this season.” He took in a deep breath before he realized his mistake.
Charlotte almost leapt in the air as she clapped her hands in delight.
“Thank heavens! I’ll go and unpack immediately! I can sell the diamond another time. There’s no particular hurry to do so at this precise moment.” She smiled wildly and began pulling the pins from her tightly braided hair just as Olivia, Dowager Duchess of Ormond appeared at the head of the stairs.
“Child! What are you about? Mary took over two hours to perfect that style on you. It’s wonderful for travelling and we will be off in a few moments. Be quick and re-pin it.” Olivia’s melodious, but horrified tones echoed about the hall as she motioned for her maid to assist the now scowling Charlotte.
One side of Giles’ mouth lifted but he tamped his smile down as Charlotte winced while Mary pushed the loose pins into her elaborately styled hair once again.
Giles’ valet come butler, Craddock, appeared at the door.
“Everything is loaded, My Lord and Mr. Geoffrey is apparently keen to be off. He’d like to be at their first stopping point well before dark.” He gave the Dowager Duchess a small bow before turning towards a now muttering Charlotte.
“I’ll bet he is. He probably wants to drink himself under the table so that he doesn’t have to look at me.” Charlotte grumbled and Giles was hard pressed not to roll his eyes again.
“You will be civil to Geoffrey at all times, Charlotte. He’s sensitive to his station in life, not that any of us think any less of him for his birth. As you know, I have the utmost respect for him and value his friendship and loyalty above all men, as does Alexander. If I hear that you...” He stopped speaking as Olivia reached them and Charlotte smiled sweetly up at her cousin.
“Of course, Giles. You can rely on me for my discretion at all times.” Her honeyed tones didn’t fool him for a moment and he turned to Olivia who gave him a knowing smile.
“I’ll keep her on a tight rein, Giles, never fear. She’ll have suitors queuing at the door and be married before the end of the season. You won’t have to worry over her a moment longer. I can’t say that I will promise you a duke, but I think if we can curb her rebellious spirit just a little, with her beauty we might manage an earl.” Alexander’s mother pinched Charlotte gently on the cheek.
Charlotte looked horrified as Giles laughed and dipped his head. He didn’t want anyone to curb his cousin’s spirit at all, but if this visit gave Alexander’s mother pleasure, after the heartbreak of losing not only her husband but her eldest son too, he was more than willing to let her have her fun. He didn’t think she stood a chance of marrying his beautiful but wild cousin off, but if the woman was up for a challenge then he wished her all the best with her endeavours. Fortunately he knew Charlotte somewhat better than the older lady. He bent and brushed his lips against the Olivia’s hand.
“If you manage that, madam, I will be more than impressed.”
Charlotte’s glower became even heavier as she pulled away from the fussing maid and hissed defiantly.
“Well, I won’t be. If Olivia tries to marry me off, I’ll run away. I’m not marrying anyone. Ever! I’m only going on this ridiculous jaunt to sell the diamond and I am perfectly capable of doing that myself.” She turned sharply towards the door but immediately stopped dead as Geoffrey stared down at her from only feet away. She wasn’t sure how long he had been standing there or how much of the conversation he had heard, but he blinked slowly and swallowed before his eyes flicked away from Charlotte and moved to Giles.
“We are all ready, My Lord, Ladies” He gave a bow to Alexander’s mother and began to turn back the way he came.
Giles gave a cough.
“You have no need to be so formal, Geoffrey. We are all friends here.”
Geoffrey glanced back over his shoulder. He nodded once, acknowledging the man behind him.
“Here we may be, but I am preparing myself for London. Things won’t be quite so simple there. I don’t want to lapse and offend anyone,” he paused as he cast his gaze back to Charlotte. A slight flush spread over his cheeks as he spoke again. “Lady Charlotte’s chances on the marriage mart will be ruined if I am seen as too familiar or too crass. I wouldn’t want that to happen. She needs to be seen in her best light if she is to catch a husband by the end of the season.” His tone was as flat and as cold as the marble floor on which they stood. He walked out of the front door and back down the steps towards the carriage.
Charlotte looked as if she was about to explode.
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“How dare he! And how dare you too! I’m not some piece of horseflesh to be traded at a ball. No one is going to ruin me or my chances. I don’t want to be married. I don’t even want to go,” she hissed again as she passed Geoffrey on her way to the carriage. He didn’t turn in her direction but mounted Lightning in a swift, fluid motion.
Giles handed Olivia up first and then offered his hand to Charlotte. She lifted her chin and her skirts and bounded into the carriage without any assistance. He leaned inside the door and gave her a quick smile.
“Goodbye cousin. I will see you in a fortnight or so. Try not to get into mischief before then and do try to keep the diamond safe. I have a feeling that Geoffrey will have an apoplexy if you lose it and cause him any trouble.” He leaned in and brushed a gentle kiss over her forehead. Charlotte’s stiff demeanour faded at his show of affection. She wound her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek back.
“I have the stone perfectly safe, don’t worry. You just hurry those lambs along, cousin. I am already missing you, Anne and Marcus.”
Giles smiled warmly as he hugged her back.
“We’ll come as soon as we can. Now you be good and don’t cause Geoffrey any concern. We’ll see you all in less than a month.” He stepped from the carriage and closed the door.
Olivia tucked blankets around their knees and rested her feet on the heated bricks that Craddock had arranged to keep them warm and comfortable during their journey. She chuckled as she waved farewell out of the carriage to Giles.
Charlotte blew him a last kiss before turning to look out of the opposite window. Geoffrey rode Lightning easily by their side. His straight back and relaxed shoulders showed his excellent form. Her eyes moved lower and she felt her heart flutter dangerously. His thighs looked as though they were moulded to the saddle.
A Gallant Gamble (Unrivalled Regency Book 3) Page 3
