Ambersley (Lords of London)

by Amy Atwell

  Johanna’s refusal today, so calm and quiet, had been resolute nonetheless. He felt rather a fool for assuming she’d developed a tendre for him. He had a title and Ambersley to offer her, and while the title might not be important to her, he knew Ambersley was. Yet she had turned him down for the simple reason that she didn’t love him.

  Thinking back, Derek recalled he’d never won a woman’s affection, not his mother’s—certainly not his stepmother’s. Helena had proven her only interest was in the status a husband could bring her. Olivia claimed to love him, but she barely understood the emotion. He’d grown accustomed to Johnny’s childlike worship—a love akin to a dog for his master—so the loss of Johanna’s regard now left him oddly bereft.

  He wanted to be worthy of her love, Derek realized. He wanted it desperately. That desire filled him with disquiet for he knew not how to begin such a quest.

  At breakfast Aunt Bess remarked on Johanna’s heightened color. “I hope you haven’t given yourself a chill or a headache from too much riding.”

  Johanna cast him a look, clearly begging him not to mention their earlier words.

  Derek paused, his teacup midair. “Nonsense. Fresh air did her good. To listen to you one would think she was as fragile as a butterfly.”

  Johanna choked on her tea. She tried—none too discreetly—to kick him under the table, but when she couldn’t reach, she satisfied herself by glaring at him.

  Derek’s lips twitched at this reminder of how well they knew each other.

  Aunt Bess looked from one to the other in bewilderment. “I never compared her to a butterfly. I just don’t want her to wear herself out before we go to London.”

  “A morning ride doesn’t require nearly as much stamina as a night of ton parties,” Derek replied lightly. “Don’t worry, Aunt Bess. She won’t come to any harm with me. Now, how soon do you leave for Town?”

  “Friday.” Aunt Bess dabbed at her lips with her napkin. “There will be fittings for her Court dress next week, and then her presentation is the following Wednesday.”

  “Are you planning a suitable ball for her?”

  “Well, I’ve been planning, but I haven’t scheduled one. I wanted to wait until we’d arrived in London to work out the details.”

  “Allow me, Aunt Bess.” His decision made, he buttered a slice of toast. “I’ll be spending a good deal of time in Town this Season, what with my sister and my ward being presented. I should probably look over the field of suitors.”

  Aunt Bess beamed at him. “Of course, and perhaps you should look over the young ladies as well.”

  “Yes, I’ll do that,” he responded.

  Johanna concentrated on her plate while she digested that Derek was coming to London. He didn’t care for Town very much, he cared for his stepmother even less, and Johanna had refused his offer of marriage only that morning. Derek was going to London to visit his mistress and possibly to seek a wife.

  Sometimes, she wished she didn’t know Derek quite so well.

  Chapter 14

  London, April 1815

  Johanna arrived at the Coatsworth’s house in Portman Square, reeling from her first impressions of city life. London seemed to be nothing but narrow streets and tall buildings, with chimneys smoking and people shouting all day. She was relieved to discover the square offered some trees and greenery, but she hoped it would be quiet enough at night to sleep.

  Harry awaited them in the drawing room, and she was so happy to see him, she threw herself into his arms without a thought.

  “I missed you so,” she said to his shocked look.

  Harry held her at arm’s length with a pained smile. “That’s for certain, but do remember Johanna, that in public, we must not be so familiar.” With a laugh, he gave her a smacking kiss on the forehead as he lifted her off her feet and spun her around the room. “I missed you, too.”

  Aunt Bess entered the drawing room followed by Taft bearing a tray of wine and cheese. “Harry, put her down and let Taft take her pelisse.”

  “How was Ambersley?” Harry asked after Taft left them.

  Johanna glowed with her memories of the month-long visit. “It was so good to be home. So little has changed there.” Then she remembered Derek’s proposal, and her smile faded.

  Harry didn’t notice. “Did the staff recognize you?”

  “Of course they recognized me,” she said with a touch of asperity. “They’re not idiots. You cannot fool them simply by putting me in a dress and asking them to look the other way.”

  Harry nodded at her outburst. “Foolish of us, I’m sure. But will they hold their tongues?”

  “Oh yes, for Paget gave me quite a dressing down when I was too familiar with them. It seems now that I’ve become a lady, no one wishes to take responsibility for my childhood—no one except the prioresses whom Derek and Mr. Minton bribed. I’m no longer fit company for the servants, and I feel so awkward at times with the ton. I’m afraid even after all the effort you and Aunt Bess have taken to prepare me, I’m going to say or do something frightful.”

  “The beauty of it is that it won’t matter.” Harry gave her shoulders a gentle shake before crossing to the sideboard to fetch her some wine. “Johanna, the ton will lie at your feet and worship you. You’re a mystery—a gloriously rich and beautiful mystery. Should your behavior be considered unladylike, you’ll be labeled eccentric, but it won’t detract from your charms.”

  “My charms,” Johanna sighed. She looked up at Harry as he presented her wine to her. “The ton may worship me, but will any of them like me?”

  Harry sobered immediately. “I like you,” he said with simple candor. “Mother likes you. The people at Ambersley like you. Do you truly care for the opinion of anyone else?”

  Slowly, she smiled. They clinked glasses and toasted the ton to perdition.

  ~

  Derek’s coach pulled to a stop before Vaughan House. Paget and the rest had gone directly to Grosvenor Square, but Derek thought it time to confront his family. He’d not seen them since that fateful day he’d discovered the truth about Johnny.

  He was greeted by a sterile butler and shown to the drawing room where he waited to discover whether her ladyship was at home. Apparently she was, for a minute later, she entered with Olivia at her heels.

  Derek barely recognized his young sister, so great was her transformation. She’d left Ambersley seven months before an adolescent girl, but here stood a young lady in the latest fashion with her high-waisted ivory gown and ivory ribbons in her coifed and curled raven locks. Derek tried to overlook that she resembled a very young version of her mother complete to the feline smile gracing her lips. At some point he would need to discover how much his stepmother had paid for Livvie’s new wardrobe. Undoubtedly, Rosalie had included a number of new dresses, like today’s coral silk, for herself.

  “Derek, what a lovely surprise. We weren’t expecting you in London so soon.” Rosalie beckoned him to take a seat. Her actions paid no heed to the difficult terms on which they’d parted.

  “Hello, Derek,” Olivia stopped on the threshold. Despite her polished appearance, she looked too frightened to enter the room.

  Derek reached out to her. “Come here, Livvie. Let me look at you. You’ve changed.”

  She rushed to grasp his hand with tears glistening in her eyes. “If you only knew, Derek. I know how angry and disappointed you were with me when—” She faltered and looked at the ground.

  Derek squeezed her fingers gently.

  She lifted her eyes to his and found the courage to continue. “When I was at Ambersley. I know what I did was wrong. I hate knowing I ruined Johnny’s future, that I spoiled the friendship between you. I didn’t want to disappoint you, and yet, that’s exactly what I did.” Her dimpled chin quivered slightly, and Derek was reminded of the first time he’d seen it, of the child she’d been, seeking approval and love. She still sought them, he realized, because she didn’t get them from her mother. Derek knew too well what that was like. />
  Rosalie interrupted his thoughts. “I’m sure Derek has forgiven you, my dear.”

  “Of course,” Derek agreed at once. “My temper was at its worst that day, but you needn’t fear me in future. I was very angry, not so much with you as with the circumstances. As for Johnny, his destiny was not ruined, merely changed. He’ll make a new start in America.” Derek smiled at the way his words masked the real situation. “I would have you tell me the truth from now. I don’t appreciate lies of any sort. Do you understand?”

  Olivia nodded shyly, but when he smiled at her, she cast herself into his arms with a single gulping sob. “I’ll never do it again, Derek. I swear!”

  While Derek soothed her agitation, Rosalie stood by, smothering a yawn. Emotional displays still bored her, he noted.

  Derek pulled back to look upon Olivia’s wet face. “Are you ready for your presentation?”

  Her eyes sparkled between tears and excitement. “I think so. Mama and Miss Trent have had me practicing for weeks. Exactly how to curtsey, exactly where to look, exactly what the Queen or the Prince will say. My dress arrived a few days ago. It’s so beautiful. Mama says you paid for it, thank you!”

  Rosalie dared him with her smile. “It was quite generous of you to buy it for her.”

  Of course, she wouldn’t tell Livvie he paid for all her clothing. “Don’t thank me, just pray the colts keep winning. Now, have you considered a presentation ball?”

  Rosalie’s eyes lit with hope immediately, just as he’d expected. “I’ve considered it, but I wasn’t sure how we were to pay for such an extravagant affair.”

  And she would still expect it to be an extravagant affair.

  “I’ve discussed this with Minton, and here’s what we propose. Since Olivia and my ward, Lady Johanna, are to be presented this spring, I shall host one presentation ball for both ladies at Grosvenor Square. Lady Johanna’s funds shall pay a large portion of the bill. This will allow us to make the ball the most lavish event of the Season, and with two such debutantes present, it should be well-attended.”

  Rosalie curled her hands into fists, her fingernails biting into her palms. That Vaughan chit. It still irked her that the girl had turned up after all these years. Once again, her children had been forced to make way for another of more means and precedence. “Lud, Derek, I cannot fathom why you didn’t put Lady Johanna into my care from the outset.”

  Because she’s safer away from you. Derek looked to his sister. “And divide your attention? You already have charge of one of the true beauties of the Season.” He smiled at Olivia. “No, she needed a great deal of preparation, and Aunt Bess had time on her hands over the winter in Bath.”

  Rosalie considered her daughter carefully. She wanted the largest ball of the Season to be her daughter’s success alone, but there was no denying that Johanna Vaughan’s money would allow them to stage an event everyone would remember.

  Olivia truly was a beauty with her black hair and bright blue eyes, and she was gaining the polish of a rare gem. Her lips curling into a smile, Rosalie decided she would stake Olivia against any other young woman in London. Lady Johanna might be rich, but she was bound to be a plain little drab having been raised in a priory. “Very well, Derek. I agree to your plan. When shall the ball be held?”

  “A fortnight after the presentation. Everyone will have returned to Town by then. Provide me a list of guests, and I’ll have Pritchard send the invitations.”

  This met with her approval. Thank heavens Derek was through flying into the boughs over that whole stable boy incident. “Olivia will need another dress. I’m afraid she doesn’t have anything suitable for a ball.”

  Olivia opened her mouth but closed it again when Rosalie caught her eye.

  Derek’s lips thinned then bent into a tight smile. “By all means, allow me to buy her a gown. Choose something that will bring out her eyes. Oh, shall I invite Lady Jersey? Perhaps you can procure Olivia’s vouchers to Almack’s.”

  “Certainly, my lord.” Pleased, she dipped a small curtsey.

  “And be sure Curtis attends.” In truth, Derek wasn’t sure his brother was even now in London.

  “He fears you’ll not acknowledge him anymore.”

  “Good God, tell him he’s becoming more dramatic than Olivia.” Derek retrieved his hat. “All men make mistakes. Good men also make amends.”

  Their interview over, he let himself out the front door and strolled to his coach. He knew Rosalie would take immediate advantage of his softening toward her. She might be pliant and agreeable now, but once Olivia was launched on Society, he had no doubt his stepmother would revert to her insatiable demands. Were she to discover her attempt to destroy Johnny had been the catalyst to Lady Johanna’s discovery, he hated to think what she would do.

  He studiously avoided visiting Portman Square, reasoning he might fare better with Johanna if she didn’t see him for a few days. He’d missed her after she’d left Ambersley. The Hall had never felt emptier.

  Through Harry, he learned all the details of her presentation. Dining alone at Grosvenor Square, the two gentlemen nursed their port at the table while Paget cleared supper. All three pretended Paget wasn’t glued to every word.

  “The Prince Regent was on the throne yesterday, and Johanna said he smiled most graciously at her. Being a duke’s daughter, she was permitted to kiss his hand, and he told her she was quite lovely.” Unable to suppress a grin, Harry stared into his glass. “Johanna asked me last night if that’s all a man thought was important in a woman—her beauty. I told her that, of course, the Prince—like all men—wasn’t immune to a woman’s charms, but that he also had a healthy regard for her fortune as well.”

  Derek coughed up his last sip of port and dabbed at his lips. “Was she angry?”

  “Furious,” Harry said on a laugh.

  “Paget, remind me to ask Pritchard if he included His Highness on the invitation list.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.” Paget withdrew, a smile on his lips.

  Derek poured more port while Harry watched him through narrowed eyes. “Derek, you know I hate to pry—”

  Derek snorted. “Of all the outrageous lies, Harry. Why would you say that when you’re constantly doing it? Isn’t that what they teach you at the Foreign Office?”

  This last made Harry rise stiffl-backed. “Well, if that’s what you believe, I won’t bother you anymore tonight.”

  “Don’t you dare leave. I’d rather have you prying information from me than bribing my staff.”

  “I never—”

  “Then I’m sorry I suggested it,” Derek shot back. “Pour yourself another drink and tell me what’s on your mind.”

  Harry pursed his lips for a moment. “Do you plan to marry Johanna?”

  Caught completely off guard, Derek blinked at him once then threw his head back and laughed.

  “I’m serious.” Harry relaxed back into his chair. “You’re about to set all of London on her. With her beauty and her fortune, she’s going to attract the bucks faster than a doe in heat. How can you stand for that? Don’t you love her?”

  Derek sobered at the final question. Not even to his cousin would he reveal the depth of his feelings for Johanna. In truth, she held his thoughts with an unsettling tenacity. Leaning forward, his elbows braced on the table, he met Harry’s eye and said quietly, “I proposed last month.”

  “Capitol! So, the two of you are secretly engaged?”

  “No. She refused my offer.”

  Harry’s euphoria was quickly doused by this surprise. “What? You jest.”

  “I wish I did.” Derek sipped his port. “I proposed in March. It was spring, it was dawn, it was the east meadow. Oh, what the hell—it was foolish. I had this notion she loved me.”

  “But she does,” interjected Harry. “I mean, she must.”

  Derek eyed his cousin’s idealism ruefully. “That morning she told me she had loved me as a child idolizes a hero, but she didn’t love me in a way to want to marry me. I was
disappointed, I won’t deny, but—” He smiled into his glass. “Even the Prince Regent has failed to make any impression upon her. I believe she won’t care for Society. I intend to renew my suit following the Season, when I can do so without the ton’s prying eyes.”

  “Then you don’t believe your situation is hopeless.”

  “Hopeless? Never.” Derek drained his glass. “Make no mistake, I’ll marry Johanna before the end of the year.” Love or no, the restlessness in his heart couldn’t bear the thought of living without her any longer.