Brinley laughed again and then covered her mouth with the back of her hand.
Lore looked down.
“Now, I presume,” Everly said, “that after this little display of affection, a proposal is in order.”
Lore turned to her.
Brinley’s face fell. “No, don’t, please,” she begged Lore.
“But Brinley,” Lore took her hands.
“No, Lore, please.” She’d not allow a kiss— a very passionate kiss—to dictate their futures. “I’ve not been compromised. Not really. Everly, you wouldn’t tell a soul, would you?”
Everly stared at her and then sighed. “No, I suppose I won’t.”
Brinley settled with a long breath. Then she squeezed Lore’s hands and pulled her own out of his grip.
“May I speak to you alone?” Lore asked.
“Absolutely not,” Everly walked farther into the room. “It would appear that emotions are currently high. I would suggest Lord Laurel come back another day, perhaps tomorrow during the party?” Everly was looking at Brinley.
Brinley knew she could refuse her friend. Everly was only trying to look out for what she thought to be best for her… and Brinley agreed. She was far too emotionally tangled with him at the moment. Seeing him after a fortnight had been a shock to her senses. She needed time to think.
“Yes.” She turned to Lore. “Please, come to the party. We can chat then.”
Lore’s eyes held hers, and she could feel the fight that rested within him. She almost feared he’d not leave, that he’d demand to stay or even take her with him forcefully.
A small thrill went through Brinley at the very thought.
Then suddenly he bowed. “Until tomorrow night.” He took her hand, kissed the back, and then departed.
Everly barely let the sound of his steps fade before she asked, “What was that? Whatever did he say to get you in such a position?”
Brinley’s face burned. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?” Everly stepped in front of her. “What do you mean nothing? He had to have said something.”
“He didn’t even say hello.” Brinley laughed and shook her head. “Oh, dear, what have I done? What am I doing? Most likely he’ll think I’ve accepted his silly offer to become a kept woman.” Brinley had confessed to Everly her last encounter with Lore, including the kiss.
And now she’d almost given herself to him on the couch.
And all he’d done was look at her.
Though it had been more than that. That look had made her melt from the inside out.
“Is that what you want to be?” Everly asked. “If it is, I would not hate you, though you’d have to understand that it would affect your relationship with society.”
“I don’t want to be a kept woman.”
Everly grabbed her arm. “Are you sure that’s all he wants from you?”
“Yes.” Brinley lowered her gaze and recalled the night her father and Lore had made their agreement.
Lore had made it clear that it would take years for Brinley to wed, because no one would want her, not even him.
“I won’t be a kept woman,” Brinley said.
“Good,” Everly said. ”Because you deserve more.”
Brinley wanted to tell Everly that she deserved more as well, but she kept that to herself, knowing her friend believed otherwise.
“He makes me act differently than I usually would,” Brinley confessed.
“That is love.” Everly smiled. Then she clicked her teeth. “I have a mind to hit him across the head. How dare he not propose marriage to you? I say, everything will be better once we’re away from England. Things will become clear to you with distance. Come. Let us go plan our trip.”
“Yes,” Brinley said aloud, though she wasn’t sure.
Seeing Lore before she left had not been part of her plan in any way.
She wondered how he’d react once he learned that she’d be leaving.
She didn’t wish to think about it. Instead, she wanted to focus on the coming trip.
Perhaps Everly was right. Maybe things would become clear once she was gone.
∫ ∫ ∫
4 4
Lore had assumed being punctual would make him one of the first to arrive, and thus give him a moment alone to speak with Brinley, but upon his arrival, he almost felt as though he were late. Everly’s home was full of so many of the ton that Lore was sure she’d invited anyone of any importance who’d decided to remain during the autumn and winter months.
He went in search of Brinley and found her in the sitting room with a group of people Lore was familiar with.
She was stunning. She wore no cap tonight. Her hair was curled in ringlets that graced her soft face. She also wore the gown he’d chosen for her in the village. The deep purple made it impossible for her to go unnoticed. It not only made her skin glow but added to her natural air of dignity.
Even now, Lore had the urge to cross the room and claim her.
He remembered the velvety feel of her legs when he’d massaged her back at Chesterhill and the soft sound of pleasure she’d tried to conceal by pressing her lips together.
She looked over in his direction, and her words were cut off at the sight of him.
Their gazes held. He was sure his showed all of his earlier thoughts.
Her face colored before she turned away to listen to someone else.
Lore made his own social rounds, starting with the hostess.
“Laurel,” Everly said with a tone of warning. “Do not approach Brinley unless you plan to come up to scratch.”
“That was my intention yesterday,” he told her, no longer caring to hide his plans.
Everly’s eyes widened. “You wish to marry her?”
Lore frowned. “Why else would I be here, Everly?”
Everly said nothing, but her smile brightened. “Enjoy your time here and please let me or my staff know if you need anything tonight.”
“Including a private moment alone?” he inquired.
“Anything,” Everly said with deep meaning. Then she turned her head to speak to new arrivals.
Lore decided to circle amongst the guests. He would speak to Brinley when the moment was right.
At dinner, Everly placed him across from Brinley, who barely looked at him even with Everly’s urging.
She was not outright rude or unpleasant, however. She did speak to him and smile, but it was clear he unbalanced her. Lore couldn’t recall ever unbalancing his fierce and courageous Brinley.
There had been a moment when Lore wanted to shout his intentions, but he was still unsure of her reaction. Would she accept him? He had been rather annoying when they’d first met. Little had he known that his attraction to her had started that first day.
Close to the end of the meal, Everly’s footman approached the head of the table and whispered something into Everly’s ear.
Everly gasped and turned to Brinley. “You must go. It’s your sister.”
Brinley paled. “What happened?”
Lore could tell she was going into shock, so he moved to her side of the table and helped her to her feet. Whatever was the matter, he’d help Brinley through it.
Everly only spared Lore a quick glance before she excused them from the dinner and showed them to the drawing room.
Benedict, Earl of Dalewell, was there, as was his friend the Duke of Cartelle.
Lore had never seen Benedict so clearly in despair. Cartelle seemed his usual blasé self. His gray eyes disengaged from the room, though there was still a hint of agitation in him. His foot wouldn’t stop beating against the floor. Something was clearly wrong.
Benedict looked up when Brinley entered the room. “Is she here? Have you seen her?”
“Arabella?” Brinley asked before she shook her head. “No, I’ve not seen her. Why? Is she not with you?”
Benedict’s eyes were red as though he’d been crying. “When you would not return any of her letters, we came to the city to see you. Ar
abella is most distraught.”
Brinley stiffened. “My lord, you must understand my sister. She likes to make a big show in order to gain the sympathy of those around her. Though it is not like Arabella to disappear, I’m sure she’ll turn up soon. She simply likes others to worry.”
“No.” Benedict had been shaking his head during Brinley’s entire speech. “This is different. I know my Arabella. She does have the tendency to weep at the drop of a hat but never has it lasted this long. She has not been the same since we left the castle. She walks Dalewell House in a daze. Then he showed up.” Benedict pointed at Lore.
Brinley looked at him with a clear question on her face.
“I was looking for you,” Lore said.
“Why?” Brinley asked.
Benedict cut in. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that after he left, Arabella became worse and then she confessed to what she’d done to you.” Benedict closed his eyes. “My lady, you must understand that I had no idea what she’d done to get me that phaeton and horses until recently. I was sure she’d been saving her pin money, though now that I look back on the matter, I should have asked more questions.”
Lore looked at Brinley’s awestruck face and suddenly everything fell into place. “Your sister took your money. That’s why you didn’t buy the cottage.”
“Yes.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“Brinley, if that was the case, you should have told me. I would have given you anything, whatever you wanted.”
She smiled and touched his cheek tenderly. “My father told me not to say a word.”
The hand he had resting on her back became firmer.
She turned to Benedict. “I’ve never known my sister to do something so selfless. If what you say is true, which clearly it is, then I’m worried. Where would she go?”
“I don’t know,” Benedict said. “Cartelle has been helping me search for her. We’ve checked every shop, the library, and Gunters to see if she might have thought to get you an ice before coming here.”
“Oh, dear,” Brinley said. “Those are all the places she could have gone.”
“I’ll have my footmen look for her,” Everly said.
“Wait,” Cartelle said, deciding to speak. “We came to London to sell the horses and carriage.”
“Yes,” Benedict said with great urgency. “We managed to sell the carriage at a fair price, but the horses were harder. She went hysterical then. I could hardly get her to sleep. I had to send for a doctor to give her something to calm down. Then I woke up this morning and... Oh, if something has happened to her, I don’t know what I’ll do. I love her so much.” He covered his face and began to weep openly.
Lore was startled by the scene and moved. He’d never cared for Benedict. The man had almost ruined Hero’s happiness, because he wanted Beatrix to marry Cartelle.
There had been something about money, which had led Lore to believe Benedict had married Arabella for her dowry but clearly that was not the case.
Benedict loved his wife.
Brinley pressed her trembling body into Lore’s. “I should have forgiven her. We have to find her.”
Lore wrapped an arm around her and spoke to Benedict. “Do you believe she might have gone to sell the horses elsewhere?”
Cartelle spoke for his noncoherent friend. “What gentleman would buy from a woman without her husband about? She had to know it would not work. They wouldn’t allow her through the doors at the jockey club.”
“What nonsense,” Everly said. “She brought the horses without her husband’s knowledge. Surely, she can find someone to sell them to as well.”
“I know where we may start.” Lore said. “There was a gentleman I was to buy a horse from. He may know where to look.”
“Let’s go at once!” Benedict said.
∫ ∫ ∫
4 5
Brinley’s held Lore’s hand as they made their journey to the East End of London. He sat tall and imposing next to her, a strong wall that she could lean on. She was grateful to have him with her. She was worried beyond reason.
What had her sister been thinking to run off as she did? Brinley couldn’t help but blame herself. “This is my fault. I’m the eldest. Though we are very different, Arabella depends on me and enjoys gaining my opinion on matters. She values me. She… was very upset when I told her I had no plans to join her household.” And that she never wished to see her again.
It was a horrible thing to say to a younger sister, but Brinley had been so full of sorrow over her house. Now she realized how unhappy she’d have been to have the cottage at the price of Arabella. “I love her, Lore. I just… I must tell her.”
Lore squeezed her hand. “Don’t blame yourself. You had the right to be upset. She must learn to deal with her emotions better, Brinley.”
“But you don’t understand. No one ever forced her to be any other way.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “But she’s never run away before. I must have truly hurt her.”
Lore cupped the back of her head and wiped her tears with his other hand. “We’ll find her, and we will not stop until we do.”
They were alone. Benedict had ridden with Cartelle, and Everly had been forced to stay behind and tend to her guests.
Brinley stared into his hard gaze and believed him. Lore rarely ever gave up. He was one of the most determined men she knew. Hope touched her as did love for the man who held her so sweetly.
She nearly fell into grief once again when she realized that she’d never told him how she felt and wondered if she’d ever get the chance to tell her sister that all was forgiven. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d have done if you’d not been here.”
“You’d have found her,” Lore said. “You are clever and know your sister better than anyone else.”
His belief in her made it hard to draw air in her lungs.
And for one moment, she wished she was something else, someone more beautiful. A lady he would wish to marry. She wanted him for herself, but that would never be.
She started weeping again.
His lips brushed hers. “Don’t weep, Brinley. I can’t take the sight of your tears.”
She chuckled. “I suppose it is not as pretty a sight as when my sister does it.”
“The sight of your tears breaks my heart.” He kissed her wet cheeks. “We’ll find her, my love. We will not rest until we do.”
She sought his mouth and kissed him feverishly, locking her hands around the back of his neck as she did, pulling him closer. When would she ever have the chance again? Her ship was set to sail tomorrow.
He grabbed her hands to still her. “Brinley, wait.” His breathing was rushed. “There’s much we need to discuss.”
Brinley closed her eyes to keep herself from confessing her heart, knowing that doing so would likely change the course of her life forever.
She finally saw how easy the path to becoming a fallen woman was. It had taken Lore to show her the power of true emotions.
But she would not become a kept woman, even to the man who would forever keep her heart.
The carriage stopped in front of a house just outside the main portion of the city.
Lore helped her down from the carriage.
The house upon further examination was quite lovely. A cream stone with white window frames and columns with a flagstone pathway that led up to the front door.
Brinley could hear the sound of horses coming from the back of the house and prayed they were Arabella’s.
Benedict and Cartelle arrived just as the door was opened by a butler. Upon giving their names, they were immediately shown into the house.
Brinley nearly fell from astonishment at the sight of Arabella sitting on the couch in the drawing room. Across from her sat the home’s owner, Mr. Nash.
“Arabella!” Benedict pushed past everyone to reach his wife. He fell to his knees before her and took her hands. He was oblivious to the presence of Mr. Nash or anyone else for that matter. All that mattered to him
was Brinley’s sister.
Brinley crossed the room as well and took her sister’s face in her hands. “Arabella, what were you thinking? You gave us all a fright.”
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Benedict said.
Arabella stared at Brinley blankly and then turned to Mr. Nash. “My husband is here. Will you please buy the horses now?”
“If he’s agreeable to it,” the older man said after uncrossing one knee from the other. He was leaning forward, clearly caught by the scene before him. Then he turned to Lore. “Lord Laurel. I didn’t expect to see you until tomorrow.”
Lore shook his had. “I’m here on another matter.”
Mr. Nash nodded.
Benedict turned to Mr. Nash while continuing to hold Arabella’s hand. “We wish to sell.”
Mr. Nash leaned back once more. “After listening to Lady Dalewell’s urging, I went ahead and inspected the horses. I find them to be worth no more than…” He said a great number.
“It’s not enough,” Arabella said. “I bought them for more than that.”
“Then you should speak to the man who sold them to you,” Mr. Nash said.
“Please!” Arabella begged. “I must get back what I took.”
Brinley sat next to her sister and wrapped her arms around her. “Bella, it’s all right. I forgive you. I understand what you’re trying to do.”
“Brinley.” Arabella’s voice broke, her words choked and trembling from her lips. It was the first time Brinley had ever witnessed these sort of tears. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ll never, never do it again.”
“It’s all right, Arabella.” She began to pat the girl’s hair.
Arabella threw her arms around her and buried her face in the crook of Brinley’s neck. “Don’t leave me, Brinley. Please.” The rest of her pleads became muffled.
Brinley held her sister and in the back of her mind heard the door close. When she glanced around the room sometime later, she realized they were alone.
She pulled away from Arabella and looked at her sister’s puffy face. These had not been the gentle tears of an actress. Her sister was clearly in despair.
The Perfect Gentleman (Valiant Love) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 22
