Seductive Lies

by Colleen Connally

  “Oh, Harriet, he has come as you said! My heart was beating so hard I feared Mother would hear it. She told me to wait here until called. I could not tell her it was not I. Oh, but it is so wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”

  Harriet said nothing. Her attention focused on the guests Baine, their butler, showed into the foyer. Accepting their hats and gloves, Baine led them down the foyer to Uncle Walter’s study.

  Harriet had met the elder gentlemen at a few social events, but never had exchanged more than a few polite pleasantries. A tall man only slightly shorter than his grandson, Lord Frederick, Viscount of Daneford, looked quite distinguished given the early morning hour. Dressed quite formally in a black waistcoat and pants, he carried himself with a dignity that carried a purpose. Lord Daneford wasted no time in following Baine, whereas Arthur lingered a moment.

  Looking upward, his eyes caught Harriet’s and did not waver. Her heart fluttered. Handsome. Ever so handsome with a winning smile. His light brown hair cut short was just long enough to curl at its ends. His blue eyes glittered up at her. He came in his full-dress uniform of a Royal Navy officer, a dark blue frock coat with shining brass buttons over a white buttoned-down vest covered with a dark blue sash. A pair of shiny black Hessians hugged his lean calves. Quite a dashing figure, certainly exuding his masculinity.

  He winked at her and a wave of excited expectancy surged through her. The whole of her being radiated with happiness as she watched him disappear into the study.

  An eternity passed before Harriet was called in to the drawing room. She calmed her racing heart before she entered into the overly quiet room enveloped in an uncomfortable stillness. Immediately, she felt the occupants’ eyes turn to her, watching her every move. She glanced at her aunt and uncle. There was no mistaking the shock of Lieutenant Hammett’s proposal worn on their faces.

  Her aunt greeted her with a blank smile. Harriet knew her aunt well, even to recognize her attempt to hide her irritation. Harriet returned the smile with a tentative one of her own. Anxiety riddled Harriet until Arthur gestured for her to sit in a highback chair across from his grandfather.

  Arthur needed not say a word. It was written on his face. Happiness surged once more within her. In a dreamlike state, she sat. Arthur found his place behind her, laying his hand softly on her shoulder in a reassuring manner.

  “I will admit to being quite shocked this morning, Miss Burke, when Arthur announced his intention. Took us all by surprise,” Lord Daneford said. His solemn expression betrayed none of his emotions. He cast an appraising eye over her, and then added, “A pleasant surprise.”

  “Thank you, my lord,” Harriet replied, wishing desperately to come up with some semblance of a response that reflected the grace and poise of a lady in her position would demand. Instead, she smiled demurely.

  “I found I could not leave without making my intentions official,” Arthur said. “I regret only that I have to leave so swiftly, but I’m expected in Portsmouth. I am certain all the arrangements can be seen to in a timely fashion before my return.”

  “I believe we have come to an understanding,” Lord Daneford said, looking straight at Harriet’s uncle.

  “But of course.” Her uncle nodded his head in agreement. “Harriet is indeed a fortunate girl.”

  “If all the formalities are dispensed with, then our marriage can take place swiftly when I return,” Arthur reiterated.

  “Lieutenant Daneford, do not be concerned. Harriet will be presentable. How could she not with your grandfather’s kind offer?” her aunt addressed Arthur. “Harriet will have the most successful debut into Society under your aunt’s attention.”

  “Aunt Olivia will welcome Harriet with open arms. She has long said I need a good woman in my life to give me focus.”

  Harriet felt warmth flood her face. Her Arthur, her warrior, had no patience for her aunt nor did he have faith that her family would see her have a London Season before his return.

  Lord Daneford rose. “I believe all is in order, Arthur. I beg pardon at our quick exit, Sir Burke, but Arthur needs to depart.”

  “If you would allow me but a moment with Harriet alone, I would much appreciate it. Seeing I’m leaving for an indefinite period of time,” Arthur said, walking around the chair. He offered his hand to her. She accepted and stood beside him.

  She gave little notice to the others departing the room. Her eyes held only to Arthur. He waited only until the door clicked closed.

  “We have only a moment, my darling,” he uttered and pulled her into his arms. Leaning downward, his mouth found her lips. Softly, gently, he kissed her, obliterating all thought of anything but him.

  Harriet wanted nothing more than to stay in his arms, but the world awaited them both. “I have become quite selfish,” she whispered against his lips. “I know you will make your family and myself proud, but I do not know how I will endure without your presence.”

  “You will cling to our love and the purpose behind my departure.” He broke from her for a moment and reached into his pocket. Pulling out a ring, he gently placed it upon her finger. “Wear this to know you hold my heart. I will return.”

  Harriet looked up at Arthur through blurred eyes. She closed her eyes and for a moment, she was surrounded by darkness and then it rushed forth…voices came from far away, from an ocean in time…figures floated before her…

  “Meriwether, stop! You can’t do this.”

  Slowly, a man emerged through the haze. A handsome sort. A lean, attractive face. His brows were finely shaped over dark, intense eyes. He reached for her. “Georgiana…”

  “Harriet. Harriet.”

  Frozen for a moment, she stood, confused. Her heart raced. In the past, visions had occurred, but never so vividly…so real.

  “Harriet.”

  His voice resonated around her, bringing her back to the present. “The ring,” she uttered, staring down at her hand. A beautiful ring sparkled in the morning light. An emerald surrounded by a cluster of diamonds. “It’s beautiful.”

  Arthur reached down and brought her hand to his lips. “It was my mother’s. I’m certain she would be happy for me to give it to you.”

  “I will cherish it.” Her heart rose to her throat. She hadn’t time to contemplate what she had seen. It mattered little. Arthur was leaving. The whole of her emotions overwhelmed her.

  Arthur drew her into his arms and held her close. All too quickly, he leaned down and kissed her lips one last time. “Time will pass quickly. Then we will marry.”

  “All I ask is that you return to me, Arthur.”

  * * * *

  Lieutenant Arthur Hammett stood at the top of the stairs, garbed in his Royal Navy uniform. He quickly scanned the crowd. He was shipping out on the Royal Sovereign tomorrow afternoon. Carlisle’s note stated clearly to meet him here at Mrs. Longforth’s dinner party. Mrs. Longforth had long made it her habit to throw dinner parties in honor of some of the officers leaving to defend their great country and king.

  Where the devil was his friend? He hadn’t time to waste. Despite his assurances to Harriet, he had a gnawing suspicion he had left his beloved in the midst of vipers. He expected nothing less of her relations. He had little patience for her aunt. The woman was too ambitious by half, especially upon the discovery of Harriet’s inheritance. Why, one would have thought Harriet a poor relation in the manner she was treated! Although not rich by any means, she had a substantial dowry and more than enough to have launched a successful London Season.

  If the truth be known, it was not Harriet’s family that bothered him greatly. It was his grandfather. Arthur had prepared himself for his grandfather’s wrath at his engagement to Major Burke’s daughter. Did not his grandfather hate the man?

  Major Burke had killed his grandfather’s best friend, Meriwether Carlisle…though in truth it had been in a fair duel. After Meriwether shot high over Major Burke’s head, Major Burke fired his shot into Meriwether’s right shoulder. It had not immediately killed Me
riwether, but severely injured the man. Unfortunately, Meriwether died of an infection a week later. But if the rumors held truth, Meriwether himself was to blame, having a love affair with the beautiful Georgiana Burke.

  His grandfather hadn’t blinked an eye when Arthur announced his intention to marry Harriet. Arthur wondered whether he hadn’t taken his grandfather by surprise. He wouldn’t put it past the old man to have spied on him. His grandfather’s reaction told Arthur his grandfather well had known of his secret meetings with Harriet: their picnics, walks, the midnight rides… The knowledge made him wary.

  Arthur walked down the steps amidst a flurry of murmurs. He had no desire to talk to his friend in the midst of all the revelry, but he knew his friend all too well. Carlisle would have planned to stay out the whole of the night. A moment later, he caught sight of his friend making his way through the crowd.

  A handsome gentleman by most accounts, the Honorable James Alexander Carlisle, the heir presumptive to his uncle, the Duke of Torridge, stood tall among the gatherers. His raven hair and his brooding dark eyes would make his appearance almost impossible to ignore. Dressed in the most exquisitely tailored fashion, his friend looked every bit the Corinthian he was. Carlisle caught sight of Arthur and smiled broadly.

  “By Jove! It’s about time you showed yourself!”

  Arthur accepted his friend’s rousing welcome. Carlisle stood back a step and admired Arthur’s appearance. “So you really have decided to sail. Here I thought your grandfather called you home to reprimand you for your excessive living. Should have known something was amiss when you didn’t return. I had thought you jest with your interest in the navy.”

  “And ignore my training?” Arthur answered in a mocking tone.

  “It would not be the first time,” Carlisle returned in a light manner. “You have to admit, my friend, you have talked about this for a while.”

  “You doubted my commitment?”

  “Looking at you now, I doubt nothing.”

  “Well, you shouldn’t. I am set to serve under Vice Admiral Collingwood on the Royal Sovereign. Come, Carlisle, let us go find a quiet place. I have much to tell you.”

  * * * *

  “You did what! Have you gone raving mad!”

  Arthur gestured for Carlisle to lower his voice. Sitting in the back of the gaming room, Arthur leaned over the table. “Contain yourself. It is not that difficult to understand. I am engaged to the most wonderful woman. I would hope you would be happy for me.”

  Carlisle’s eyes widened in disbelief and shook his head. “Arthur, do I need to remind you of who she is…who her father was?”

  “I know exactly who she is.” Arthur shot Carlisle a stern look. He was in no mood to defend Harriet to his friend. He pushed back his chair and rose. “I will not sit here and listen…”

  “Sit, sit.” Carlisle waved his hand in a downward motion. “I will listen to you. It is only you took me by surprise. You should have well expected the news to take me aback. Have you forgotten Sophia?”

  Arthur slowly edged back down into his seat. He hadn’t expected Carlisle to mention his cousin, Sophia, the only child of the Duke of Torridge. “You have me confused at the mention of your cousin.”

  “Do not start with me, Arthur, unless you have been blind and deaf since birth. Uncle Percival and Lord Daneford long have talked about the union between the two of you.”

  “A match with Sophia? This is the first I’ve heard. Would you not think, as it concerned me, I would have knowledge of such an alliance? Lest I remind you of my dealings with Miss Louisa Anson last Season. I did not hear any dire warnings at that time.”

  “It was dalliance at best, Arthur. You were playing with the girl,” Carlisle countered. “Since when did you become so serious? Marriage! Truly, Arthur!”

  “It is quite simple. I love her.”

  “Love?” Carlisle questioned. “Are you sure it is not lust? I leave you alone for a moment and you have gone mad. This woman…could you not have taken her for your mistress…if you feel this strongly…but to marry her...?”

  Arthur stared solemnly at his friend. No one knew him better than Carlisle. For most of his twenty-three years he had lived on this earth, Carlisle had been at his side. Arthur’s anger subsided, for there was truth in Carlisle’s words. Before he met Harriet, he had led a wild, reckless life. He doubted he could put into words what he felt for Harriet.

  He had never met anyone such as Harriet. Fiercely determined, unquestionably loyal, unfailingly caring…unfathomably desirable. Never would he forget the look she gave him running up to ole Jake, afraid the old man would renege on a deal for a horse…an exquisite stallion.

  Harriet ranted at him and took him to task for underhandedly trying to steal the horse. Never mind the fact that no money had exchanged hands or transaction agreed upon…or the fact that the stallion was too much to handle for a lady.

  At first he only intended to appease her until she calmed and he could take his prize. How he ended up taking up her challenge of a race…or how he relented even after winning…all for a kiss.

  “I do not ask you to understand my desire to marry Miss Burke. As my best friend, I ask only you accept my decision.”

  “Do you understand the ramification of your marriage?”

  “Are you threatening our friendship?”

  An awkward moment of silence ensued. Tension filled the air. Carlisle tossed back his glass of Scotch in front of him. Raking his hand through his hair, he stared straight at Arthur.

  “I have known of your desire to serve King and Country. To see you prepared to do so on the morrow, my heart surges with pride. For you are not only my friend, but my brother. We have grown up side by side. I cannot imagine anything coming between us.”

  “Neither do I,” Arthur said in all seriousness. “Trust me. I have no doubt in time you will love her as I do. But there is more. I have a favor to ask. I hesitate only from your reaction to my news.”

  “Ease your mind. I will do so.”

  “Even if it concerns Miss Burke? I don’t know how I would leave, worrying about Harriet. Watch over her for me. Can you do so?”

  Arthur met Carlisle’s eyes. He saw the reluctance, but in his next breath, Carlisle agreed. “You have my word.”

  Chapter Two

  Steam from the breath of the horse fogged the frosty air. Pulling back on the reins of her mount, Harriet stopped in front of the lane turning up towards an old deserted manor, Dartmouth Hall. The ruins lay between Ayercombe and Beebe Manor. Many a day, Harriet had met up with Arthur at the abandoned house…a perfect place to rendezvous away from prying eyes.

  Rumors abounded of the haunted mansion, giving credence to legends she had grown up with concerning the forsaken place. It was whispered restless spirits walked the grounds…giving rise to her imagination. Arthur teased her unmercifully of her wild fancies and romantic nature.

  She breathed in deeply with the remembrance. Despite the coldness of the morning, the ride rejuvenated her spirits. More than six months had passed since Arthur’s departure. Six months of exchanging letters, but no word of his return. Moreover, she feared his return would not be imminent.

  Reports of the war circulated that it had only intensified. The last word Lord Daneford received suggested Arthur’s ship was part of the blockade in the Mediterranean Sea. Harriet prayed for his swift and safe return, but prepared herself for a long wait.

  “Arthur was correct. You are a fine horsewoman.”

  Harriet turned to the voice. Riding up to her side, James Carlisle halted. He had arrived earlier in the week. Arthur wrote to her of his friend and expressed his full confidence in this man. Harriet wasn’t as confident because Mr. Carlisle had waited for more than six months to make his appearance.

  “I have to admit I enjoyed riding this morning,” Harriet said. She looked back over her shoulder, having lost sight of Bessie, Clarissa, and Arthur’s younger brothers, Ewan and Boult. “I am not so sure about the others. I’m
afraid I kicked my horse into a gallop when Bessie began complaining of being cold.”

  Carlisle smiled a brilliant smile at her and leaned back in his saddle. He seemed quite content to wait upon the others. “In time, they will catch up. It will allow us to become better familiar. Again, I will apologize. I had thought I would have made your acquaintance before this week. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to visit Ayercombe Manor until last evening. I had thought perhaps I would have met up with you at the Forhams for their fox hunt before Christmas.”

  “I would not know what would have given you the impression I would be there, as I have never attended nor have been invited,” Harriet said. She looked at him, assessing his demeanor.

  Rather slender and tall, he carried himself with a certain elegance, or perhaps it was arrogance. It did not matter to her. She cared little for him and tolerated him only because of her fiancé. Arthur chose to overlook the obvious. There was a distinct barrier between them—her father.

  Harriet stared straight at Carlisle. “I accepted your invitation to ride this morning for one reason. I know Arthur asked you to look after me in his absence. I will ease your conscience, Mr. Carlisle. I have no desire for your support as I know you have no desire to give it.”

  “Direct and forthright,” he said, appraising her with a look that annoyed her inner soul. His dark eyes met her own without blinking. “It is refreshing not to have to mince words, but I fear you have the wrong impression of me, Miss Burke.”

  “Do I?” Harriet asked. “What other impression should I have? Arthur has been gone for more than six months. I have heard nothing from you in that time. Then out of the blue, you appear at my weekly dinner at Ayercombe last evening.”

  “You may have felt I have ignored you, but that is not the case. I have been in constant contact with either Lord Daneford or young Ewan about your welfare. Until now, there was no pressing need to make an appearance.”