Her Perfect Gentleman: A Regency Romance Anthology
Page 36
“I shall be perfect as soon as we are away.”
He helped her into the curricle and quickly climbed into the other side. “My sister-in-law, Meg, would like to meet you, and my brother promised to frank your letter. Shall we drive the carriage way in the Park first?”
For a moment, Sarah wished to crawl under the seat and hide. She hated to involve so many people in the plotting, but needs must. If Markville had simply left her in the country, she and Jeremy could have easily been married by her village’s vicar. But in Town, she was allowed no freedom at all, nor did she have the resources she did at home. “Yes, please. I must have some time to calm myself from my encounter with Markville and steel myself to meet your family. When I asked for your help, I did not know how many people would become involved.”
“You have no idea,” Quartus muttered cryptically. Then the corners of his lips curled up. “Neither did I. But it occurred to me that I do not even know where the nearest post office is located.”
“Oh dear. I have no idea either.” This was becoming more and more complicated. “I am very glad they offered to help.”
“Er, yes. As am I.” He slid her a look, but this time he appeared worried. “I hope you do not mind, but before Meg told me she wished to meet with your today, I had made other plans. I will leave you with her and fetch you later.”
He was abandoning her! Sarah took several deep breaths trying to calm her fears. Get a hold of yourself. You are not marrying him, so he deserves to court another lady. “I shall be fine.”
Twenty minutes later, Quartus drew up in front of a modest, but elegant house.
“Here we are.” He jumped down, and a footman helped her out of the carriage. “You will like Meg. Everyone does. Well, almost everyone. My father is probably the sole exception.”
Soon Sarah was being shown into a sunny morning room decorated in shades of cream and yellow. A young matron not much older than she came forward. “Lady Sarah. I do not know if you remember me. We met when you first came out. Meg Featherton. I am now Lady Hawksworth.”
An inkling of a memory came forth. “You were wearing pink.”
“Bright pink if I remember.” She laughed. “I do not wear that color now. I am surprised my mother allowed me out of the house in that gown.”
“Well”—Sarah pulled a face—“it was better than white.”
“Indeed it was.” Lady Hawksworth led Sarah to a small sofa. “Tea shall be served directly.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
“Please call me, Meg, and I shall call you Sarah.” She nodded. “I have two other ladies I would like to involve in your dilemma, my grandmother, the Dowager Lady Featherton, and her friend, the Duchess of Bridgewater. They are very, very good at this type of planning.”
A shiver of trepidation ran through, Sarah. “Are you certain they will wish to help frustrate my brother’s attempts to stop me from marrying my betrothed?”
“Quite certain.” Meg’s firm assurance made Sarah feel better. “They are in the garden and should be here any moment. If you will give your letter to Quartus”—Meg glanced at him—“Hawksworth is in his study waiting to frank it for you. Make sure you have our butler send it express.”
She gave him the missive as two elderly ladies entered the room.
“Grandmamma, duchess,” Meg grinned, “this is Lady Sarah Martin. Sarah, my grandmother, and the Duchess of Bridgewater.”
“A pleasure to meet you, my dear,” Lady Featherton said in a voice so sweet and kind that Sarah wanted to throw herself in to the woman’s arms and tell her all her troubles.
“Lady Sarah, we knew your parents and grandparents.” The duchess sat in a chair next to the sofa where Meg began to pour tea. “We will get this all straightened out as it should be.”
“Yes, indeed.” Lady Featherton nodded. “Helping young people is our forté. Quartus told us some of what was going on, but we would like to hear the whole story from you.”
After being served a cup of tea, and taking a large sip, Sarah began, “I was seventeen and just out when I met Jeremy. He said he knew immediately he wanted to marry me”—she couldn’t stop her cheeks from becoming warm—“but I am of a more cautious nature. After a few weeks, though, it became clear to me that I loved him. He was getting ready to sail to the East Indies, and asked my father if we could wed so that I could accompany him. My father refused. I suppose now that I think about it that should not have surprised me. Yet, at the time I was devastated. That was when the agreement was made that if we still wished to marry when he returned, we could become betrothed. However, we had to wed by my twenty-first birthday. My father insisted that I would wait no longer.” She stared at the biscuit for a moment then took a bite and swallowed. “We were given permission to write to each other, and with each letter we became closer and more in love. Two years ago, my father died and my mother went to live in Bath, and a cousin came to act as my companion. My brother wanted me to come to Town for the Season, and I refused. At the same time, I missed at least one or two of Jeremy’s letters. I wrote him immediately asking him to address his missives to me to my old nurse. She lives in a cottage on the estate. Once he began using her address, the letters came as they always had.” Sarah glanced at all three women. “I am certain Markville tried to stop me from receiving Jeremy’s correspondence. Just yesterday, my brother told me if my betrothed does not arrive by my birthday, he will choose my husband.”
“Well, of all the high-handed, imbecilic things to do. All due to his disappointment.” Lady Featherton huffed. Sarah waited for her to elaborate on that last part, but Lady Featherton stopped and frowned. “Never fear, my dear. We will see you and your Jeremy wed.”
“The question is,” the duchess said, “how do we manage to get Sarah away from her house long enough to marry her betrothed?”
An hour and a half later, Meg rose. “I am going to send a note around to your brother that you are joining us for luncheon.”
In a few minutes the missive was dispatched, and the ladies went back to discussing options.
“The problem is that we are in the middle of the Season,” she said. “If it was not for that, I would suggest a house party.” A pretty blush stained her cheeks. “It worked well for Hawksworth and me.”
“Margaret Hawksworth”—the duchess pounded her cane on the floor—“you have your grandmother’s brains. A house party is just the thing. The question is where to have it?”
Sarah listened as names flew back and forth. Finally Meg said, “Caro Huntley’s house would be perfect. It is not so far from Town that people would wonder at it, and it is far enough away that one would not wish to simply drop in. If one were rude enough to appear uninvited.”
Such as Markville. She had met the Earl and Countess of Huntley this morning during her short drive with Quartus. They had stopped and chatted with the couple as they were strolling. But would Lady Huntley agree to host a party on such short notice? Sarah sat forward on her seat. “Where is their estate?”
“Suffolk, near Long Melford,” Meg replied. “I shall send a note around asking if we may have a private discussion after luncheon.”
Within a few minutes, the message was dispatched with orders that the footman wait for a reply. Less than an hour later, a beautiful lady with pale blond hair and startling blue eyes was announced and ushered into the room.
Lady Huntley halted near the door, her eyes scanning the company, and smiled. “I sense a conspiracy.” She took the chair Meg indicated. “Now, tell me all about it.”
A little while later, she pursed her lips and nodded. “Yes, I think this will work. I shall make up a guest list and send it here for you to look over. We do not want anyone who will report back to either Somerset or Lord Markville or any of their friends.”
In the meantime . . .
“It is exquisite!” Anna exclaimed as Quartus and she explored the grounds of the Tower of London. “Such a shame that such a beautiful place would be turned into a prison.”
“
I agree. Though, it was used as a prison at different periods since the twelfth century.”
They turned back to where the Royal Menagerie was to be found. “Did you know that all the animals here were given to the king?”
“Of course. I think every English school child knows that.” She slid him one of wicked looks she had been giving him since he’d fetched her. “Even in Tortola, we are still English.”
He could have groaned. “Forgive me. I did not think.”
“No, no. I am or was, completely ignorant about the ton and most of London. It was a reasonable supposition that I would not know how the beasts came to be here.”
The side of her soft breast pressed into his arm, and he stifled a groan. She could not possibly know what she was doing to him. Despite his best efforts to keep a distance between them, he felt himself becoming closer to her. And that would not do. For a number of reasons. Firstly, she needed to marry a peer. Someone who could help her manage her holdings and vote in the Lords as she could not. All he could give her was his support and love.
Blast it all! Where had that thought come from? He was not falling in love. He would not.
Yet, he couldn’t help but wonder how soft the rest of Anna would be. How silky her skin and hair. How would her lips and mouth taste when they kissed. His member hardened, and he ruthlessly shoved down his desire to satisfy his curiosity. That was all it was. A man’s desire for a woman. He had never had a regular mistress and did not think it right to have relations with any of the women in his parish, nor would he go to a brothel. His desire was nothing more than not having lain with a woman for a while.
“Quartus, is something wrong? You look as if you are in pain? Do your boots pinch?”
Caught. At least she had thought of his boots and not other body parts. Although, no well-bred lady would have mention those, even she had thought about them. “Not at all and boots from Hoby had best not pinch. Not for the price he charges.”
They were visiting the cells of the many prisoners kept in the Tower. “Look at this writing. That is Latin, is it not? Can you read it?
“Of course,” Quartus said before reading it out loud.
“The more affliction we endure for Christ in this world, the more glory we shall get with Christ in the world to come.”
“It was done by Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel in 1587. I wonder how far back they go?”
She turned to a page in her guidebook, and her brow puckered with annoyance. “It does not say.”
His stomach made itself known. It must be close to luncheon. “I should probably take you home.”
“Yes.” Anna made a noise that sounded like a sigh. “I suppose it is time. It is my ‘at home’ day.”
He remembered his sister-in-law’s ‘at home.’ There had been a constant stream of ladies and some gentlemen all afternoon. “I do not envy you that. Even my brother heads for his club when Meg has her ‘at homes.’”
“There are times when I wish I could escape as well. At least there was. After having met Meg and Hawksworth’s friends, I no longer dread them quite as much.”
Anna still clung to his arm as they made their way out of the gate and to the pavement beyond. Once more, his body began to express a less than innocent interest in her. She could not possibly know what she was doing to him. He had to get her home and fast. The other option was to find a secluded place in the Park where he could kiss her if nothing more.
Quartus called to the boy holding the horses. He arrived at Anna’s house faster than he ever had before. It hadn’t helped that her leg kept touching his thigh all the way to Grosvenor Square. He helped her down and walked her to the door. “Thank you for an excellent excursion.”
“Thank you as well. Do you have any ideas about what you would like to do tomorrow? Richmond perhaps?”
Richmond was out of the question. She would never come back untouched. “Unfortunately, I am still helping the other person which will not give us time to travel to Richmond and return before your afternoon visits.”
“In that case, I shall ask my guest this afternoon where they would suggest and let you know in the morning.”
He kissed the gloved hand she held out to him. His lips seemed to burn through the kid leather. If only he could touch her bare skin to bare skin. “Until tomorrow.”
Quartus drove off, doing his best not to look back at Anna. If only she was not a duchess. If only he was a peer or heir to one, or if one of his mother’s elderly relatives had made him their heir. But none of that had happened. And the fact remained that she needed a man who could offer her more.
When he reached his brother’s house, he was directed to the breakfast room where his brother, Meg, her grandmother, the duchess, and Lady Sarah were partaking of luncheon. Quartus took the empty chair next to Meg. “How is it going?”
“Very well. We have decided to have a weeklong house party.”
He had been reaching for a platter of ham that was positioned within arm’s reach when a footman beat him too it and held the plate for him to make his selection. “But you said your estate was not ready yet.”
“It is not. It is also too far from Town. Caro Huntley has offered to host the party. The Huntley’s estate is too far for a day trip, but not so far that it makes it difficult during the Season.”
“I think it is a brilliant idea.” Sarah smiled broadly. “I have already written to Jeremy. He will be able to obtain our special license on his way from Plymouth to Suffolk.”
He cut into the ham. “When do we leave?”
“In a week,” Sarah answered. “I cannot wait.”
It Takes a Hero: Chapter Seven
Anna had fumed quietly to herself as she’d watched Quartus drive off. Was the man made of stone? Any other gentleman would be trying to find a place to kiss her if not more. Markville, she was sure, would actively attempt to compromise her. Perhaps Quartus was not as interested in her as she was in him. Yet—yet his eyes softened when he gazed down at her. He laughed at her jokes, and his already hard body tightened when she’d purposefully brushed against him. Pantaloons did not hide much at all.
If she did anything more, he’d think she was a fallen woman. And in a way she was. Neither she nor the man she had been betrothed to thought he would die two days before the wedding. She would have to confess her lack of maidenhead to whomever she married, and she would much prefer to make that confession to Quartus than to someone like Lord Markville.
Surely there was a way she could find out how he felt about her, short of asking, naturally. Hmm, this might take a bit of thought.
Later that afternoon, the butler announced Caro Huntley, one of the friends she had met through Meg. Anna took in who was in the drawing room and found, for a change, there were only those considered friends. “Caro, thank you for coming.”
Anna motioned for the newcomer to sit next to her as she poured tea.
“How could I not.” Caro sank gracefully onto the sofa. “I know what it is like to have to sit here for hours. Aside from that”—she lowered her voice so that only Anna could here—“I wish to invite you to a small house party I am having in about a week.”
Anna glanced at her aunt. “In the middle of the Season?”
“I know it is not the usual thing to do.” Caro grinned ruefully. “But Huntley must attend to some business at our estate, and I do not wish for him to go alone. So, I decided to have a party. It will only last a week, then we’ll all be back in Town.”
Aunt Tatiana would not approve, but it might do Anna good to have a break from the Season. There was only one problem. “I would hate to leave my father alone with only my aunt for company. Although they do try to get along, they are like chalk and cheese.”
“Bring him. With parliament in session, I have a feeling we will have more ladies than gentlemen. He can help make up the numbers.”
That was perfect. Anna was certain her father would enjoy the house party as well. “Thank you. I would love to attend.”
&nbs
p; “Is there anyone else you would like to have invited?”
Anna thought about Quartus, but decided to leave the possibility of his attendance up to chance. “No one. I shall look forward to a holiday from the Season.”
“Wonderful.” Caro smiled brightly. “I’ll send round an invitation with the directions. I know I call it a rambling old pile, but it does have its charm, and the countryside is beautiful.”
“If there is any fishing to be had, my father will be a happy man. He has told us story after story of fishing from a lake or stream.”
“I am glad we will be able to accommodate him. Huntley says the fishing is excellent. I can attest to the quality and quantity that is brought to the cook.”
Anna was happily contemplating the party, and the conversation turned to fashions and the speed with which the Royal dukes were attempting to fill the void left by Princess Charlotte’s death last year.
“The difficulty they appear to have is siring legitimate children,” Lady Fotherby said. “Although, I would not normally mention that to an unmarried lady, you are a duchess.”
It was just as well she was privy to this sort of talk. Married or not, in her position she would need to know what was going on.
Mrs. Darling, the daughter of an earl who was married to a member of the parliament, set down her cup. “My husband asked me the other day if you had chosen a successor for one of your members of parliament who has taken a royal sinecure.”
“I have heard nothing about it.” Anna glanced at Lady Tatiana. “Aunt?”
“The by-election will not take place until June. There is plenty of time to discuss it.”
“Naturally,” Mrs. Darling said. “If you marry soon, your husband will make the selection.”
The devil he would. Anna fought to keep a pleasant mien. That was the precise reason Anna was resolved not to marry a peer or any man who tried to take control of her duties. She was the duchess, and she would run her duchy. Taking a sip of her now tepid tea, she hid her frown. It might be time to take a more direct approach with Lord Quartus.