Hell of a Lady

by Anders, Annabelle

  Where would she be tomorrow night? Would she be in a carriage, in route to Gretna Green with Lord Blakely?

  That stupid wager! Stupid Flavion Nottingham! He’d brought all of them nothing but trouble. She had been so reckless, so incredibly careless to go walking with him at the Crabtree Ball. How many times would she berate herself for being stupid before learning her lesson? The lesson to… not be stupid?

  She’d barely dozed off before soft but persistent knocking on the door woke her up. Despite the sun filtering through the curtained windows, Coleus slept like the dead. Rhoda slid out of bed silently. It likely would be Emily, having second thoughts… contemplating declining the earl’s offer.

  A lump formed in her throat at the thought.

  She tiptoed to the door and pulled it open. Not Emily.

  Sophia stood outside, wringing her hands in front of her. “Emily’s gone!” She bit her lip.

  “What do you mean, Emily’s gone?” Rhoda ran a hand through her hair, stepped into the corridor and pulled the door closed. She didn’t want Coleus to overhear something she’d gladly share with Holly all too gleefully.

  “She’s gone. She left with… Blakely last night!” Sophia’s gaze shifted to the end of the foyer. When Rhoda didn’t respond right away, she grimaced. “Are you angry?”

  Rhoda could have been knocked over with a feather. It would have been easier to believe Emily had sprouted wings and taken flight. But was she angry? “No… But why? When? Are you certain?”

  Sophia’s eyes shifted again. “I need you to tell Carlisle. He’s in Dev’s study now.”

  “Me?” Rhoda squealed and was immediately shushed by Sophia. “Me?” she whispered. “Why me?”

  “I, er, well… Perhaps he’ll be less upset hearing it from you.” But Sophia would not meet her gaze.

  “What have you done?” Rhoda smelled a rat.

  “It’s just that you didn’t seem all that enthusiastic about Blakely. And Emily, well, I rather think she’s taken a shine to him…”

  “What did you do?” And she’d thought she’d been the manipulative one!

  Sophia handed her a folded piece of paper. Have Rhoda meet Blakely behind the mews at three in the morning. A readied traveling coach would be greatly appreciated.

  “When did you receive this? Did you have this when we met last night?” She could hardly believe Sophia had the audacity to take such matters into her own hands. Sophia didn’t need to answer. Rhoda could read the answer merely by the look on her face.

  “You must get dressed. Come into your dressing room, and I’ll assist you.” Sophia turned to open the door, but Rhoda grabbed her arm.

  “I can’t see him. I can’t be the one to tell him.”

  But Sophia was shaking her head. “Well, I cannot tell him! What kind of a hostess would I be if he found out I’d sent his intended away to elope with another gentleman?” Her blue eyes looked mortified at such a thought. “If your mother found out, she’d tell everybody!”

  “Why don’t we tell him the truth? Or some version of it anyhow? But wait! Just because I didn’t show, what makes you think Emily is eloping with Blakely?” No answer. “Oh, good Lord, Sophia! What else have you done?”

  “I might have ordered the coachmen not to stop until he absolutely had to. But she got into the carriage. I think it’s something she wanted all along.”

  Rhoda wanted to pound her forehead against the wall. This! This was what lying and manipulations led to! No wonder Justin hated her now. “I will go to him. I will tell him.”

  “Not everything? Not my part in all of this?” Sophia pleaded.

  “I will tell him… I will tell him that…” More lies? Must she lie to him some more? And furthermore, did she betray Sophia, or did she betray Emily?

  “Simply tell him Emily left. If he happens to learn that Blakely’s gone as well, then he can surmise his own opinion from that.” Sophia led them through the chamber to a small dressing room and then pulled out one of Rhoda’s favorite day dresses. “Hurry now, he’s already waiting.”

  Rhoda still hadn’t decided exactly what she would tell Justin by the time Sophia led her to Prescott’s study. She paused, intending to knock, but Sophia simply opened the door and pushed her from behind.

  Sophia would pay for this! But Rhoda loved her. They would get through this somehow. God only knew how, but they would.

  He looked even more angelic today, staring out the window, the early morning sunlight glinting off his golden hair. He turned to glance over his shoulder when the door clicked shut. Upon seeing her, confusion showed on his handsome features.

  And then his mouth twisted in derision. “Is this another joke? I was under the impression I’d be offering for Miss Goodnight.”

  She hated that he looked at her that way. As though he despised her.

  I’ve given Justin White reason to feel hatred for another human being!

  She swallowed hard and blinked away the burning sensation behind her eyes. “No more scheming. I’m simply a messenger.” Taking a few hesitant steps, she moved farther into the room. He was not going to make this easy.

  He’d turned to gaze out the window again, his feet shoulder-width apart, hands clasped behind his back.

  And then she knew what she must do. “Emily has left with Blakely for Gretna Green. It was supposed to be me. I was supposed to meet Blakely early this morning, but I never got the message. I was… I was with… you.”

  He didn’t move at first. He didn’t even blink. After what felt like a lifetime, he finally shook his head. “Miss Goodnight and Blakely?” At last, he turned to face her. Although his expression still revealed contempt, Rhoda spied a trace of something else. Was it surprise? Disappointment? Pleasure? She couldn’t tell. It was as though he’d turned off his emotions.

  He no longer trusted her.

  Rightfully so.

  Rhoda nodded and then shrugged. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t understand it myself. But Sophia asked me to tell you. And we… I… wish to apologize for the trouble we’ve put you through. The duchess and Prescott knew nothing about it.” Ah, so she would lie. “It was mostly me and Emily. I’m sorry.” She didn’t know what else she could say. Please don’t hate me? He’d come to be one of the few people in the world whose opinion of her truly mattered. She cared what he thought of her.

  He ran a hand through that beautiful hair of his and then turned to stare out the window again. “So, what will you do then?” he asked with his back to her, as though he’d rather not ask such a question.

  Rhoda dropped into the nearest chair. What was she going to do? Without the specter of Dudley Scofield hanging over her, she faced the horror of her situation clearly for the first time. The wager. The blasted bet would ruin her forever.

  And she was not the only person who would be affected.

  Coleus would be. As would Hollyhock. She raised trembling fingers to her lips and shook her head. Had she been hoping the reality of the wager would simply disappear?

  No, she’d been imagining herself hanging from the gallows. She’d imagined herself in hell for all of eternity.

  “I… I… don’t know,” she answered honestly.

  Upon returning to London, it wouldn’t be long before her mother found out about it. She needn’t worry about her father.

  Carlisle exhaled loudly and then turned and pinned her with his gaze. “Were you in love with him?”

  She wanted to rail at him for asking such a question. Had she not been kissing him less than twelve hours ago? But oh, no, her reputation preceded her. Even Lord Carlisle now would question her morals. Was she to forever be branded a woman of easy virtue?

  Except that she had been.

  So, instead of releasing a stream of venom, she shook her head. “Of course not.” But she could not help adding, “How can you ask me that after…?” She held his gaze defiantly. Those blue eyes that had always been so tender and understanding now chilled her to the core.

  “But you’d
promised yourself to him, had you not? Did he hold you in affection? Have you broken his heart by failing to meet him?”

  “I never got the message!” she defended herself, unable to remain meek for any longer. She spoke through gritted teeth. “I was with you!” But she couldn’t help wondering what would have happened if she had received the message. Would she have followed through with it?

  At last, Justin’s shoulders seemed to relax ever so slightly. “Well then, I hazard to say Miss Goodnight is no longer expecting an offer?” His chuckle rang cynically.

  Rhoda stared down at her hands. “She is not.”

  When she finally peered up through her lashes again, she found him studying her, a serious expression on his face.

  “What will you do now? About the wager? Do you have some other gentleman lined up to marry you?” His words were hurtful, but his tone was not.

  She merely shook her head. “I don’t know. There is no one else.”

  He raised one fist to his mouth, deep in thought. Should she leave him alone now? He didn’t seem overly upset about Emily’s defection. Rhoda had not truly believed that he would be.

  “Your sisters will be ruined as well,” he spoke just as she’d decided she would remove herself.

  She slumped into her chair again. “Yes.”

  “I’d prefer to speak to your father first. Is he in London?” It took a moment for her mind to wrap itself around what he was saying. So now, he’d martyr himself for her. He’d marry her despite all that had happened?

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “Is he in London?” he persisted.

  And she had to catch herself from refusing again. Because this wasn’t just about her. Her mind conjured up Coleus, trying on dresses and simply dying to make her come out. And Hollyhock, who already was showing signs of the beauty she’d become. “Father never resides in the same place as my mother. So, no. He isn’t in London. He’s at Pebbles Gate, near Oxford.”

  “I will meet with him, then and return. It shouldn’t take me more than a few days.” His words were firm. Not much enthusiasm but neither did he sound overly reluctant.

  “My mother is in a hurry to return to London. I doubt I can keep her here more than another day.” Coleus would play ill for one day but no more than that. And besides… Rhoda was tired of the deceit.

  “Very well, then.” He strode toward her, hitched his trousers at the top of his thighs, and then dropped down onto one knee.

  In any other situation, she’d be giddy with delight at the sight of such a handsome gentleman, an earl no less, preparing to make her such an offer. Would she always remember this moment? For the rest of her life? The way the sun slanted in upon the carpet; the sound of the clock as it ticked upon the mantle; the aroma of lemon oil and leather, and now, with his nearness, the scent of his soap and cologne.

  He lifted one of her hands in his, and she couldn’t help noticing how comforted she felt, hers small and fragile tucked into his strong tanned grasp.

  And yet it was wrong.

  “Miss Mossant.” His voice sounded gravelly, as though the momentousness of the occasion had suddenly struck him as well. She glanced from their hands to peer into his eyes once again. She willed his blue depths not to be cold any longer. She wanted, she needed to see a hint of the warmth they’d held last night before… before he’d realized the extent of her conniving.

  Perhaps he’d seen the pleading look in hers, for they lost the iciness from earlier but remained guarded. “Will you honor me by consenting to be my wife? Will you marry me?”

  She couldn’t help but remember all the times he’d shown her kindness. At the Crabtrees’ ball, after they’d fallen into the lake together, when she’d gone walking in the garden, and then last night. He’d freed her from a lifetime of guilt with his reason and insight.

  She owed him so much already. A steely determination came over her. She’d make this man happy. If it took a lifetime, she’d somehow repay him. And although she had no idea what this would require, she nodded. “I will,” she answered.

  Justin had never imagined such a scenario would present itself. Especially after last night, after learning she and Miss Goodnight had conspired to trap him into a marriage with not Rhoda but with the other woman.

  She likely would have preferred Blakely. Blakely, although considered a womanizer, had been considered the most sought after, although most unattainable, bachelor in London for nearly a decade. Why wouldn’t she have preferred Blakely to himself, a former vicar?

  But now here he was, kneeling before her in Prescott’s study, holding her hand, and she’d consented to marry him.

  Although something in his heart thrilled at her response, another part was terrified. Had he just doomed himself to a lifetime of pain? Would she stray? After last night, he knew she was attracted to him but once that passed, would she move on to another? Would she replace him with more sophisticated lovers?

  He wanted to believe she was the woman he’d first imagined but the lies perpetrated by her and Miss Goodnight left him with doubts.

  And yet, she gazed into his eyes with a determined glint he’d not expected. He swallowed hard and then raised her fingertips to his lips. Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer as he kissed her soft, fragrant skin.

  “Thank you.” And although he knew she believed he was doing this as an act of kindness, he meant the words wholeheartedly. “But no more lies.” If they were to stand a chance at happiness, he needed to be able to trust her.

  She nodded.

  “I will speak with your mother and then depart shortly afterward. If your father has no objections, we can begin having the banns read this Sunday and you can plan for a ceremony in London. I don’t think we should delay any longer than necessary.”

  And then he supposed he’d be obliged to introduce her to his cousins at Carlisle House. Hell, he’d be obliged to introduce himself. If he’d ever met any of them before, he couldn’t remember now.

  Her eyes flew open wide. “But I’d thought… I expected you’d want to simply elope.” Fear entered her eyes. “Or can we simply marry here? I can’t return to London until everything is settled. Can’t we just get the ceremony out of the way and then return to London?”

  “We will not simply get the ceremony out of the way.” He ground the words out. Obviously, she didn’t realize what it was going to take to restore her reputation. As her intended, he needed to address the wager at White’s in his own way. Marrying, by itself, would not be enough. Had she simply eloped with Blakely, it would have taken years for her to be able to return to the ton. And even then, he doubted she’d be afforded any respect.

  No, he had work to do. Dropping her hands, he pushed himself up from the floor. He then strode across the room and opened the door. Not surprisingly, Her Grace was pacing just beyond it. “Will you have Mrs. Mossant summoned?” He didn’t mean for the words to sound as demanding as they had. “If you please, Your Grace?” he added.

  She nodded and scurried away.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  His Way

  “But I was under the impression you were going to offer for Miss Goodnight.” Mrs. Mossant sat stiffly on the long leather settee in Prescott’s study. Sophia, Prescott, Cecily, and Mr. Nottingham were present as well.

  Justin had declared all would be aboveboard from this point forward.

  Rhoda tried not to bristle at Carlisle’s high handedness. He’d refused even to contemplate the notion of an elopement and when she’d tried to suggest he obtain a special license, he’d denied that request as well. When had he become so very overbearing?

  “Mama, Emily is eloping with Lord Blakely.” Rhoda didn’t know how much she ought to confess to her mother about all of this.

  “Not that I’m opposed to Lord Carlisle.” Her mother sent a meaningful glance toward the earl.

  Toward her daughter’s fiancé.

  Of course not! Her mother expected Rhoda to marry no less than an earl after having been s
quired about by St. John! “But I admit to being confused. And a little concerned. My Lord,” she addressed Carlisle. “Forgive me for asking, but how can you turn your affections so easily? Just last night, you were, ah, rather… exhibiting a great deal of it toward Miss Goodnight. And now, you are offering for my daughter?”

  These questions surprised Rhoda. She’d expected her mother to do no less than express glee at the engagement of her oldest daughter.

  “I understand your concerns, Mrs. Mossant.” Justin resembled the former vicar right now more than the high-handed earl Rhoda had become engaged to. “To be perfectly honest with you, I had thought Miss Goodnight was your daughter. I’ve carried my affection for Miss Mossant for several months now. Since last summer’s unfortunate event, in fact, at Priory Point.”

  Rhoda watched him speak. He’d told her there would be no more lies.

  Upon his words, her mama brightened. “Ah, well then. Of course, I give you my blessing.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” His expression had turned inscrutable, once again. “There is something else, though, that I feel you must be made aware of.”

  Rhoda’s insides flipped in her stomach. Laying all of this bare before her mother left her feeling rather naked. Sophia and Cecily knew of it, of course. But she squirmed in her seat that it was to be discussed with their husbands present.

  Her mother appeared mildly curious but simply nodded, giving him permission to continue.

  “The gentlemen of the ton have instigated some egregious behavior toward your daughter.”

  Her mama lowered her brows and frowned.

  “There is a wager, at White’s. Rumors spread by the late Marquess of St. John have done considerable damage to her reputation.”

  “What kind of rumors?” her mama asked. But then she held up a hand. “No. I do not wish to hear them.” But her face had turned a reddish hue. She pulled a handkerchief out of her sleeve and dabbed at one eye. Had her mother, in fact, heard about the rumor? Did she suspect Rhoda had been indiscreet with St. John? The thought made her cringe inside.