His angry eyes settled on her. “St. Austell,” he grunted.
“St. Austell?” Pippa echoed. “Has he done something else now?”
Relief started to settle across Harry’s face and he raked a hand through his dark hair. “Encountered the blackguard outside. I’d worried he’d been here.”
“Then you can breathe easier, Harry. He hasn’t been here.” And had he been, Pippa had no doubt Lord Colebrooke would have tossed the wicked earl outside on his ear.
Harry agreed with a slight nod. “Davis said some other fellow was, however. Some name he didn’t recognize.”
“Lord Colebrooke.” Pippa couldn’t keep the smile from her voice. “He had tea with Aunt and me.”
“We had tea,” Aunt Eunice agreed and lifted up her cup as though presenting evidence. “Handsome young fellow.”
“Who the devil is Colebrooke?” Harry demanded.
Aunt Eunice gasped, most likely at Harry’s choice of words.
“Harry!” Pippa chastised at the exact moment Georgie appeared in the parlor’s threshold.
“Colebrooke?” Georgie asked. “Did the elusive viscount make an appearance?”
Pippa smiled, relieved more than a little by her friend’s arrival. “Georgie, I’m so glad you’ve come.” And she was. Georgie knew everything there was to know about practically everything. And Pippa had certain things that needed to be sorted through.
Harry spun on his heels and nodded curtly in greeting, apparently not terribly keen to continue his questioning with Georgie now present. “Lady Georgiana,” he grumbled.
“Lord Harrison, so nice to see you again.”
“Harry,” Pippa began, her tone just the teensiest bit placating. “Georgie is going to accompany us to Vauxhall Gardens tonight, did you remember?”
Her brother nodded, though he looked far from pleased. “Yes, of course. Just so long as the two of you keep each other out of trouble.”
Pippa couldn’t help but laugh. “As long as Albie doesn’t offer me any of his brandy, I’m certain I’ll be fine.”
After a warning glance, Harry quit the room, brushing past Georgie and mumbling something under his breath.
Georgie cocked her head towards the corridor and her blond curls bobbed against her shoulders. “He’s usually in much better spirits, isn’t he? He always seemed so to me.”
Pippa dropped back on to the settee and patted the seat beside her. “He bumped into Lord St. Austell, apparently. It put him in a mood.” She smiled widely when Georgie assumed the spot on the settee. “But I don’t care about any of that, Georgie. Lord Colebrooke was here. He sat right where you’re sitting now and he…”
“He…?” Georgie prodded.
…touched Pippa’s hand and her arm and made butterflies dance about her stomach… “He’s wonderful,” she sighed.
Georgie’s lips quirked in a know-it-all grin. “Apparently.”
“But...” Pippa shot a look in Aunt Eunice’s direction, happy to see the old woman was starting to drift off to sleep once more. “But,” she pitched her voice lower for only Georgie to hear, “I know practically nothing about him.”
“And you want me to help?”
“Aunt Eunice asked about his family and he lost a bit of his color. “ Pippa retrieved the vellum calling card Lord Colebrooke had left. “Do you now anything of his family. Something scandalous that perhaps he’s ashamed of?”
“He wouldn’t be alone in that,” Georgie mumbled under her breath, then she turned the card over in her hand. “Newly printed, it looks like.” A frown marred her pretty features. “Pippa, I have not scoured Debrett’s recently, but I don’t recall the name Colebrooke as being a peer.”
“A courtesy title?” Pippa said.
“Indeed. But who is his father?”
“Or grandfather?”
“That is the question. What is his family name? If there is some scandal or something unsavory or noteworthy about them, I’d probably remember in conjunction with his family name.”
But he hadn’t said. And it certainly wasn’t on his card. “I think asking him would only make him suspicious. And the last thing I want to do is run him off.” Pippa heaved a sigh. “Would you mind loaning me your copy of Debrett’s? Perhaps I can find some answers that way. Or at least a starting point.”
“It might take you days just to go through the first volume,” Georgie warned, “but you are welcome to my collection.”
“I knew you would help me.” Pippa squeezed her friend’s hand. “He said he would be at Vauxhall tonight. Did I tell you?”
“Lord Colebrooke twice in one day?”
“Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Wonderful,” Georgie agreed with a smile.
Vauxhall Gardens. Jason could barely believe his luck. If Pippa would just arrive, it shouldn’t be difficult at all to get her into his arms along one of the darkened walkways. And once she was in his arms—
“Jason!” Heath’s voice somehow carried over the din of revelers at Vauxhall.
Jason’s head snapped up to find his old friend gesturing for him to join Heath in his supper box. Hard to be incognito when someone was waving his arms and calling one’s name. Jason quickly scanned the other supper boxes, again, for any sign of Pippa or her brothers. They hadn’t been there moments ago, but one could never be too careful, especially with Heath bellowing his name.
Luckily, Jason didn’t spot his lady or either of her overprotective brothers in the crowd. So he made his way through the throng towards his friend’s box. As luck would have it, Heath wasn’t alone. But then he never was these days. Lady Heathfield, her sister Lady Isabel, and the lady’s husband Damien Lockwell were also in attendance. Lockwell’s lips twitched when he spotted Jason.
“Heard your Season has been far from dull,” Lockwell murmured in way of greeting.
Jason shrugged. “I heard the same about your Christmas.” In fact both Lockwell and Heath had somehow managed to get themselves leg-shackled on the very same trip to Yorkshire. Who knew traveling north was just a dangerous activity? They ought to post signs outside the county warning bachelors away.
“Care to join us this evening?” Heath asked, gesturing to one of two open seats in their box.
And forgo an evening entertaining Pippa Casemore? Jason snorted. “Do I want to endure two couples, newly wed? I’d rather enjoy my meal, but thank you anyway.” Then he flashed a grin at his friends’ wives. “No offense, my ladies.”
“After you single-handedly saw to the success of my ball, Lord St. Austell,” Lady Heathfield gushed, “I think it would be nearly impossible for me to take offense at anything you could say.”
Her husband chuckled. “Don’t challenge him, love. Or he’ll spend the rest of the evening trying to decide the most offensive thing he could say just to prove you wrong.”
“I am quite contrary,” Jason agreed good-naturedly, belying his words, which only made the ladies laugh. Then he tipped his head to Heath and Lockwell. “Do have a delightful evening, gentlemen, I shall endeavor to do so myself.”
“Ah, a planned assignation, then?” Lockwell asked in sotto voce.
“Is there any other kind?” Jason returned.
“Anyone we know?” Heath prodded, looking as though he already knew the answer. “A certain young debutant, perhaps? One who hides in copses in the park?”
“Heath,” his wife gently chastised.
But Jason refused to be baited by his friend. So he inclined his head in farewell, then started back for the main path, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pippa somewhere in the crowd. She did say she was to attend Vauxhall tonight, didn’t she? He certainly didn’t want to waste his time here otherwise.
Vauxhall Gardens and Lord Colebrooke! Alacrity bubbled just beneath Pippa’s skin. This could possibly be the best evening of her life.
She fidgeted on the bench, watching Mayfair pass by the coach window as she, her brothers, and Georgie headed towards Whitehall. Would her elusive viscount truly b
e there like he promised? Would the fireworks be all she’d imagined?
“Do sit still,” Harry complained from the opposite bench.
“I’m just excited,” Pippa replied.
“You don’t say?” Berks muttered, his brow raised in question.
Well, of course they weren’t excited. They had seen all Vauxhall had to offer many times over. But this… This was her very first time, and she couldn’t wait to explore the gardens, see the people, hear the musicians.
Georgie linked her arm though Pippa’s as though to show her solidarity. “I’m sure we will all have a delightful time.”
“Just not too delightful,” Harry grumbled. Really what was with his grumbling lately? Berks was much more predisposed to grumbling than Harry was.
Or maybe it was Pippa’s perception. Perhaps it was just her nerves getting the best of her as they got closer and closer to their destination. She tried to calm her anxious heart, and might have been successful if the carriage hadn’t slowed and then come to a complete stop.
Elation and trepidation mixed together in Pippa’s belly as the coachman opened the door and Harry bounded from the conveyance. Heavens, she was almost there!
From the opposite bench, Berks put his hand on Pippa’s knee. “Stay here just a moment, will you?”
Harry poked his head back in the coach and offered his hand to Georgie, who readily accepted it. “My lady.”
The door gently closed, and then Pippa was left staring at her oldest brother. “What’s wrong, Berks?”
He frowned and rubbed his chin the way he’d always done when something worried him. “Harry said some fellow called on you this afternoon.”
“Lord Colebrooke,” she said, smiling as she did so.
“That name means nothing to me.” Berks heaved a sigh. “Pippa—” his frown deepened, “—I’m not sure what’s happening in Town this year, the plethora of proper ladies’ names in that blasted betting book, but I don’t like it.”
Pippa wasn’t terribly happy about it either. She squeezed her brother’s hand. “I am sorry, Berks. I truly I am. If I hadn’t taken a sip from Albie’s flask—”
“I don’t care about Potsdon,” Berks grumbled. “I care about you and your name. And…” He paused for so long, she wasn’t sure if he was going to continue, but then he sat forwards on his bench, his knees bumping hers. “I’m a man, Pippa. I know the thoughts men have, and I don’t want them having those thoughts about you.”
She couldn’t imagine what she could possibly say to relieve his worry. He’d taken such good care of her for so many years, but she wasn’t a child anymore. She smiled at him, leaned across the coach, and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Berks.”
“Just be careful out there,” he warned. “All men are wolves no matter how charming they may seem or how well they present themselves.”
Pippa couldn’t hide her grin. “All men?” she asked. “Even you and Harry?”
“Especially Harry.” He finally grinned back. “And this Colebrooke fellow is probably the worst of the bunch.”
“You don’t even know him.” Honestly, how could her brother say such a thing?
“I know he’s a man. And I know he called on you. That’s all I need to know.”
If that was all the criteria Berks needed, there was no man in all of England he would ever approve of. “At least reserve your judgment on him until after you meet him.”
Berks lifted one brow in question. “And if I find him lacking then?”
“You won’t.” Pippa shook her head then glanced towards the still closed door “We shouldn’t make Harry and Georgie wait any longer.”
Berks agreed with a nod. “Just remember what I said.”
“I will,” she promised.
Berks opened the door, climbed outside, then offered his hand to Pippa. She stepped out onto the cobblestones near Whitehall and turned her attention south, across the Thames towards the Surrey bank. Vauxhall Gardens was just a short ferry ride across the river. And she couldn’t shake the thought that her future was waiting on the other side.
Jason spotted Pippa before she even entered the grove. Adorned in a cheerful yellow, the moonlight gave her an ethereal glow, almost like an angel come down to earth. He caught himself smiling like a dolt and stepped into the shadows along the path. After all, it wouldn’t do for Berkswell or Harrison Casemore to catch sight of him. The entire night would be for naught in that case.
He pulled a black domino from his jacket and slid it on, and for a brief moment thought of himself as Romeo invading a Capulet celebration in disguise. But only for a brief moment. Romeo, indeed! Entertaining such ludicrous thoughts made him question his own sanity. Besides, that particular play was fraught with one melodramatic or maudlin scene after another. A true tragedy was having to endure a performance of the damn play.
Pippa’s laugh, as she stepped into the grove, drew Jason’s gaze back towards the entrance of the gardens. The hulking Harrison Casemore escorted a pretty blonde. Behind them, Pippa held Berkswell’s arm, her curious gaze darted around the grove as though she wanted to take in and memorize her surroundings.
There was something so pure, so simple about her, Jason couldn’t help but study her. So pretty, so genuine, so… innocent.
Protectively, Berkswell tugged Pippa closer to him, and he placed his hand over hers on his arm. Jason frowned. He knew, of course, that neither brother would let her come to Vauxhall unattended, but the determined expressions on both men’s faces did not bode well for Jason’s plan to draw Pippa into the darkness.
“Berkswell!” called some fellow further along the path.
Jason glanced in the man’s direction to find Lord Eckley pushing his way through the revelers. What did Liverpool’s toady want with Berkswell?
“Eckley,” Berkswell returned. “How nice to see you.” Though the marquess’s clipped tone made Jason doubt his sincerity.
“I was hoping I could talk with you about this Catholic proposal.”
“We aren’t in the Lords until Monday,” Berkswell replied. “Perhaps we could speak before that day’s session.”
“I was hoping I could talk with you before then, sir.”
Jason couldn’t care less about Catholic relief —in fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he took his seat in the Lords—but he would owe Eckley a debt if the man managed to pull Berkswell away from Pippa. If only for a little while.
“I’m certain Liverpool would appreciate it if you could give me just a few moments of your time.”
Berkswell frowned. Then he looked down at his sister, mumbled something Jason couldn’t hear from his distance, and then turned her care over to Harrison Casemore.
One down, one to go.
After Berkswell and Eckley started back towards the grove’s entrance, Pippa, the blonde, and Casemore continued along the main path towards the gardens. The trio didn’t even notice Jason in the shadows as they passed him, but he caught Pippa’s rosewater scent and he stepped from the darkness. A moment later, Jason merged into the milling crowd, just a few people behind his quarry.
Up ahead, Casemore laughed at something one of the two women said, his hulking frame shaking with mirth. Hmm. Who even knew the man had a sense of humor?
The trio continued towards the supper boxes and Jason held back, not wanting Heath or any of the others to catch a glimpse of him. From his position, he could at least see where Casemore planned to lead the ladies. But then Pippa stopped, halting her brother and the blonde a moment later.
“What is it?” Harry asked.
But Pippa wasn’t sure. Just a feeling that she was headed the wrong way. She shook her head. “I just want to explore a bit. I don’t want to find our seats quite yet.”
“We’re already late.” Harry scowled. “I am meeting…someone, and I just want to see you settled before I go.”
Someone? A woman, if Harry’s sudden inability to meet Pippa’s gaze was any indication. Perhaps he was a wolf, like Berks had sugge
sted. How interesting. “Very well,” she conceded, knowing she wouldn’t win against her brother anyway. Best just to let him think he won.
Georgie flashed Pippa a surprised expression, to which Pippa only shrugged. They’d do exactly what they wanted once Harry went to meet his someone.
They let Harry lead them towards the supper boxes and Pippa’s face burned when she caught Lord and Lady Heathfield’s curious gazes on her. She must have made an awful scene at their ball that night. What must they think of her?
“Here we are,” Harry announced, gesturing Pippa and Georgie into one of the boxes. “Sit down. I’ll be back…soon.” And then he hurried off through the crowd.
“Where do you suppose he’s headed?” Georgie asked, as Harry disappeared from their view.
Pippa shook her head. “To some clandestine meeting, I’d guess. Berks informed me tonight that Harry is a wolf. I had no idea.”
She briefly scanned the surrounding boxes, looking for Lord Colebrooke and caught Patience’s eye, several yards away. Oh, yes, she had promised Berks would find Patience later this evening, hadn’t she? Pippa nodded at her friend to acknowledge their agreement and hoped Berks would return in time to play his role.
“And you thought if you went along with his plan of sitting in the box, that we’d do what we liked after he’d departed?”
Pippa grinned at her friend. “You really do know me very well.”
Georgie nodded as though that was quite obvious. “So what do you want to see? The Indian temples? The spring gardens?”
Pippa wanted to see it all, but first… “Let’s just head back the way we came.”
They quickly exited their box and started back towards the entrance, Pippa very careful not to meet Lord or Lady Heathfield’s gazes this time. She should probably apologize to the lady at some point, but Pippa had no idea what she could possibly say. It would help if she remembered what exactly she should apologize for.
A man in rough clothes bumped into Pippa on the path and muttered a barely comprehensible, “Sorry, mum,” before blending back in with the crowd. And what a crowd it was. A more diverse group of people Pippa had never seen. Everything from regal ladies and gentlemen to the middle and much lower classes.
The Betting Season (A Regency Season Book) Page 4
