Love Birds: The Complete Collection

by Ruth J. Hartman

“At the least, yes.”

  “What does this have to do with your betrothal?”

  “Somehow, Miss Talbot found out this information and is using it to her advantage.”

  “To force you to marry her.”

  Conrad moved his head side to side. “Ironic, is it not?” It would be laughable if it weren’t painful to think about.

  “Very much so.”

  “If this information were ever to get out, my mother and I would be ruined. Even more than our being in debt. The scandal would rock the entire ton to its core and we would have to vacate our home. And probably even London.”

  “So even though you are attracted to Miss Talbot…”

  “I can’t afford a bride. I can’t even support myself and my mother.”

  “If things were different, would you be averse to marrying her?”

  “Of course not.” Perspiration formed beneath his gloves. “But under the circumstances, it would be a lie. And we both know that I’m a master of those.”

  Oliver held up a finger to make his point. “That was in the past, though.”

  “Yes. In the past.”

  “Since you and I are, shall we say, going to be partners, and with the advance I’ll give you within two days’ time, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to support your intended.”

  Thoughts of Amelia, the way she’d touched Conrad, kissed him, brought heat to his belly and lower. No. This was not the time to think of that. Of her. Soon, though, very soon they would be wed. Then they would be able to…

  He directed his focus back to Oliver. “About what we discussed… If you have further kindness in your heart, I’d appreciate the truth about my father not getting out.”

  Oliver edged forward and extended his hand and they shook on the agreement. “You have my word.”

  “Have your word for what?” The door to the study clicked shut. Conrad hadn’t even heard it open. Shock washed over him as he stared at the new person in their midst. Lucy, now Mrs. Oliver Shipley, stood across the room. She frowned. “Conrad? What are you doing here?”

  He stood and nodded. But no words came. He’d neither seen nor spoken to her since he’d tried to force her to marry him by blackmailing her father.

  Oliver stepped across the room and took his wife’s hand. “Darling, Lofton has come by to ask a favor of me.”

  Lucy bristled. “A favor? What right have you to…?”

  Conrad winced. He’d gotten through his meeting with Oliver with better results than he’d had a right to expect. But Lucy…

  Oliver led his wife across the room and waited as she sat on the chair across from Conrad. She glared. “Whatever gave you the notion that we owe you anything?”

  “Darling…” Oliver sat down beside her.

  Conrad held up a hand. “No, she’s right.”

  Lucy frowned. “What’s going on here?”

  Oliver glanced at Conrad and raised his eyebrows. Conrad nodded.

  “Lucy, Lofton came by today to apologize. For everything.”

  She leveled a stare at Conrad. “I see.” She turned to her husband. “And you believe him?”

  “I do.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. He’s explained to me the reasons behind why he acted as he did toward me and you.”

  “Is that so? And what would those be?”

  Again, Oliver looked at Conrad, who nodded his assent. It was easier that way. He wasn’t sure he could say all of the words again.

  “You see, it was never Lofton’s idea to… pursue you as he did.”

  “It wasn’t?” She looked at Conrad. He shook his head, but couldn’t force any sound past his lips.

  “No, his father…”

  Conrad’s heart jumped. Surely Oliver wouldn’t reveal his parentage? But his breathing calmed when Oliver smiled at him.

  “His father left Lofton and Lady Lofton in a huge world of debt. So much so that he was forced, out of desperation, to seek out means of which he wouldn’t normally attempt. Or even think of attempting.”

  Lucy frowned. “I find this difficult to believe.”

  Time to own up to her. It was the least he could do after all he’d put her through. “Lucy, it’s all true. It was my mother’s idea for me to try to get you to marry me… for your inheritance.”

  She pressed her hand to her lips. “Truly?”

  “Yes. Even so, I am extremely sorry for everything I did and said. And though I don’t deserve it, will never deserve it, I hope someday you’ll have it in your heart to forgive me.”

  Lucy leaned forward and touched his arm lightly. “Oh, Conrad, I… I do forgive you. I can only imagine how you must have felt while doing your mother’s bidding. After having met her on several occasions, I have to admit she’s a force to be reckoned with.”

  Was it possible? They both believed him? And Oliver was willing to help him? It was more than he’d ever had the right to expect. To even dream about.

  She studied him to the point he began to fidget. “Conrad, you look… different. Have you perhaps put on a little weight?”

  “Thankfully, yes. I know I was painfully thin for a time.” He reached up and rubbed his jaw. “But that’s what a bad toothache will do for you. When it’s painful to chew, you don’t want to eat very much.”

  “Ah… that explains… quite a bit.”

  Conrad raised his eyebrows but didn’t question her. Better not to rock the boat when the water seemed calm at present.

  Chapter Six

  Conrad entered his house as soon as Giles opened the door. The butler’s hair was mussed, as was his shirt.

  “Visiting the closet again, Giles?”

  Red suffused his face, and he coughed. “I… well…”

  Conrad removed his hat and gloves and handed them to the butler. “Never mind. I guess it’s good someone in this house is lucky in love.”

  “P-pardon, my lord?”

  “Stop sputtering, man. You’ll not continue to impress the maids if you look the fool.”

  “Of course, my lord.”

  “Where might Lady Lofton happen to be?”

  “In the parlor.”

  “Is she alone?”

  “Yes, my lord. She’s in there admiring her new… hats.”

  “Hats? As in more than one?”

  Giles nodded.

  Conrad mumbled a curse. “Well, that’s just perfect.” He stomped a few steps toward the parlor and then stopped. He turned back to face Giles. “Thank you.”

  Giles’ mouth gaped open and then he snapped it closed. “Certainly… my lord.”

  Guess it will take awhile for the servants to accept that I’m trying to change. Not that I blame them. Turning back, Conrad resumed his quest to see his mother. Although it wasn’t going to be pleasant. Not about the hats. Nor about the news he had for her.

  When he reached the parlor doorway, he stopped. His mother sat amid at least thirty boxes. Hats of pink, white, blue, green and peach were strewn about the floor. Where did she think the money was coming from? The air?

  Conrad inhaled deeply and tried to relax. Thanks to Oliver, his financial burden was now under control. That still didn’t excuse Mother from spending needlessly. If she knew about the meeting with Oliver, she might take it as an open invitation to spend even more.

  No, he’d not tell her. At least not yet. But about his other news… Yes, much as he hated to, he had to tell her about Amelia. Because very soon, there would be a new Lady Lofton in the manor.

  “Hello, Mother.”

  She looked up with a wide smile. “Conrad. There you are. Aren’t they lovely?”

  He stepped into the room carefully, watching his step so as not to squash any of the precious hats. “Yes, they’re adorable.”

  Her smile flitted away. “Are you being sarcastic?”

  “How did you guess?”

  “That’s not very nice of you.”

  Conrad stepped closer, his boot barely missing a long yellow ribbon that adorned a light green
bonnet. “I thought we’d agreed to watch our spending.”

  “Perhaps you agreed. I, for one, need to look my best. As the widow of an earl and the mother of his successor, it’s expected of me.”

  Conrad spotted a clear patch of floor and angled his boot to fit into it. An inch in any direction would cause the demise of any number of hats or their embellishments. From there, he hopped over a stack of three boxes until he reached the settee and sat down.

  His mother frowned at him, but said nothing.

  “About that… you being the mother of the successor…”

  “Yes, what of it?”

  “Since we both know that I’m not really—”

  “Not that again? Why can’t you let it drop? You and I are the only ones who know, so—”

  He held up a hand to stop her. “Actually, no.”

  “Pardon?”

  “There seems to be a new development.”

  She stood and brushed the wrinkles from her skirt. As she looked for a place to step, she shook her head.

  Conrad sighed, stood back up and extended his hand to assist her to the settee. She grabbed onto him, nearly pulling him over. He winced when she clutched so tightly that his hand went numb. With a hard tug, he freed his hand but the momentum also caused his mother to hurtle toward him. As he moved out of her path, she landed with a plop on the soft cushion of the settee.

  And bounced.

  Oh dear.

  “Was that really necessary, Conrad?”

  “Necessary or not, I needed you to sit down. There’s something of great importance we must discuss.”

  She lowered her eyebrows and smoothed her skirt across her chubby knees. “Now what in the blazes were you saying about some new development?”

  How to begin? May as well just blurt it right out. “Someone else knows about me. About whom I am not.”

  “What?”

  Her screech sounded like one of the awful birds from the Sanctuary. He shuddered. “A young woman somehow found out about me not actually being an earl.”

  “That’s not possible.”

  “I beg to differ. She told me herself.”

  Mother’s hands clapped to the side of her chubby cheeks. “This is terrible! Now what do we do? I suppose the wench wants money for her silence.”

  “First of all, she’s not a wench. Secondly, we have no money with which to pay her, remember?”

  “Then what does she want?”

  Conrad blinked. “Me.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “She wants a husband.”

  “And she picked you?” Mother cackled a loud laugh.

  Conrad’s mouth dropped open like a dead fish on market day. “Now there’s a wonderful endorsement from one’s own mother.”

  She had the grace to at least blush. “That may have come out differently than I’d intended.”

  “I can’t imagine how that sentiment would ever put your son in a positive light, Mother.”

  “Never mind about that.” She waved a hand at him. “Who is this wen— this woman?”

  “Miss Amelia Talbot.”

  “Of the Mayfair Talbots?”

  He nodded.

  “Then our problems are solved.”

  “How did you come to that conclusion?”

  “Her family is rich.”

  “Apparently, she wants to marry me for the reason that she believes I am rich, so that won’t work.”

  “But you’re not rich.”

  As he eyed the multitude of boxes strewn about the room, a furrow formed on his brow. “It would seem one of us thinks I am.”

  His mother bit her lip and glanced from one side of the room to the other. “Perhaps I could return one or two of them.”

  “One or two?”

  “Very well, I’ll return more than that.”

  He crossed his arms.

  “You want me to return all of them? But they’re each and every one so pretty.”

  “You may keep one.”

  “One? How will I ever choose?”

  “Pretend they’re your children and you can only keep the one you love the most. Oh wait, I forgot that you think so little of the one you do have.”

  “Oh pooh. You took my comment the wrong way.”

  “At any rate, Mother, Miss Talbot has somehow found out about me, didn’t believe me when I insisted I couldn’t afford a bride, and expects that I marry her, soon, or she’ll tell what she knows to anyone who will listen.”

  She gasped.

  Conrad leaned closer. “Must I spell out for you what would happen if that were to occur?”

  Slowly shaking her head back and forth, his mother let out a groan. “No. You don’t.”

  “At least we agree on that.”

  “What happens now?”

  “Now? I suppose I have no choice but to marry her. And the sooner the better.”

  “Wait. If you marry her too soon and people have not noticed the two of you about together, tongues will wag.”

  “What do you suggest? I have no choice.”

  “You must court her.”

  It was Conrad’s turn to groan. “Can I not just wed her and get it over with? She’ll find out soon enough that she was wrong about my finances.” Even though that had changed thanks to Oliver, he still needed to keep up the front to his mother for the time being.

  “No, you cannot. You must take her to all of the events that young people attend when they are planning to wed.”

  This can’t be happening. “But I do not wish to do all of that.”

  “Conrad, this is something I must insist upon. If I’m to be saddled with some whiney, sniveling girl for a daughter-in-law, it must at least appear proper to an outsider. You will court her. And that’s final.” She crossed her arms over her ample bosom.

  Perhaps she was right. That one time. Though he’d never admit it to her face. “Very well.” I guess I can do a couple of social events. As long as it doesn’t involve the out-of-doors.

  She clapped. “Wonderful. I’ll come up with a list of all the places you must take her.”

  “How many places are we talking about? I’d thought perhaps the opera. And if necessary, spend a few minutes at a ball.”

  “Oh, Conrad, that won’t do. Not at all.”

  Chapter Seven

  Amelia’s heart fluttered. Today was her first outing with Conrad. Lady Lofton, who she had yet to meet, had apparently insisted that Conrad properly court Amelia prior to their upcoming nuptials. Where would they go? The Tower of London zoo? Or perhaps the Bird Sanctuary? Either would be fine with her, as long as it was out-of-doors.

  Her maid handed her a warm pelisse to wear over her dress. Earlier, when Amelia had glanced out the window, she had noticed the tree branches swaying in a slight breeze.

  She’d decided on a mint green dress because she knew how well it complemented her red hair and fair skin. Would Conrad agree? A frown crept over her face. Why am I wondering that? I’ve not given him any choice in the matter of marrying me. Chances are, he hates me for what I’m doing. And who could blame him?

  With a shrug, she left her room and headed down the long staircase. Her father had requested to see her before Conrad arrived. Surely Father wouldn’t wish to speak to Conrad today?

  Amelia bit her lip. You ninny, naturally he will. You’re to be courted by someone who may be your future husband. As far as her father knew, it was still just speculation. But Amelia knew differently. And she could tell no one. How would her father treat Conrad? If she knew her father, he would be overly friendly with him because of his title and wealth.

  How will Conrad treat me? If it’s how I deserve, he’ll be hateful and rude. But perhaps… just perhaps, he’ll see past my indiscretion and see me for who I truly am.

  Doubt plagued her. No, Amelia, that’s not likely to happen. She may as well push that dream aside. But it’s what I truly want. When she’d kissed Conrad, something happened. Some kind of spark ignited deep within her. She’d alw
ays been curious about him, and even thought him attractive, but they’d never exchanged more than a few words.

  Lucy, though, had thought him repulsive. Conrad was the opposite in looks of Oliver, so it made sense that she might find him unattractive. But repulsive? No. Oliver was handsome, true, but in an obvious, tall, dark and muscular way. Conrad, though, possessed the tall, lithe frame Amelia preferred. His skin was too pale, but Amelia would remedy that with their outings to various parks about the city. Plenty of outdoors and sunshine would take care of it.

  And those eyes… pale blue so clear they revealed his soul, as if secrets resided there just waiting to be uncovered.

  Secrets…

  Certainly Conrad had wanted the secret of his parentage kept hidden and it had been, until Amelia came along.

  Guilt weighed heavily on her heart. She wished Conrad would have succumbed to her charms the old-fashioned way and would have asked for her hand without her resorting to blackmail.

  Amelia gritted her teeth. It was with no thanks to her father, though. What was a woman supposed to do when faced by the choice of that, or having to marry a man who was eighty? Still, now she felt the weight of remorse. It wasn’t fair to Conrad. Not in the least.

  She entered her father’s study and stopped abruptly. There he stood, Lord Lofton. Why hadn’t the butler alerted her of his arrival? Conrad turned. Amelia’s mouth went dry. Those eyes. They seemed to be even more arresting than the other evening when they’d been together. When she’d touched his face, kissed—

  “Amelia.” Her father’s gruff voiced caught her attention.

  “Y-yes, Father?”

  “Lord Lofton is ready to take you out for the day. Do you have a proper chaperone?”

  “Of course. Annie will accompany us.”

  “Fine.” He smiled at Conrad. “Delighted to make your acquaintance, my lord.”

  “It’s my pleasure, as well, Mr. Talbot.” But his smile didn’t reach his eyes. And why would it? He surely didn’t want to be there. “And you as well, Mrs. Talbot.”

  Until that moment, Amelia hadn’t noticed her mother sitting in the far corner. What would her thoughts be about Conrad? Amelia had no doubt she would hear them very soon.

  Conrad turned to Amelia and held out his arm. “Miss Talbot? Are you ready to depart?”