The Dark Side of the Earl: Historical Regency Romance

by Ella Edon

  Then someone was kneeling beside him, shaking his shoulder.

  “Nathan! Nathan, it’s me!”

  “Simon?”

  Nathan’s voice was barely a whisper. His throat felt like it was on fire. Nathan slumped onto his back and saw his friend looming over him. He had never been so happy to see a welcoming face.

  “What...where is he?”

  “I chased him away. I saw what he - you weren’t moving.” Simon was scowling but there was genuine fear in his eyes. “I thought he’d killed you.”

  “He very nearly did.” Nathan licked his dry lips. “Caught me off-guard from behind. I didn’t get a chance.”

  Simon growled. Then he took Nathan’s arm.

  “Come on, let’s get you out of here. My carriage is close by. We’ll be out of here before you can blink.”

  That sounded like a very good idea to Nathan. He couldn’t wait to get away from here.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Eleanor?” Marion gently prodded Eleanor’s knee with her finger. “What are you sewing there?”

  “Hmm?” Eleanor blinked, focusing her gaze on her friend. “What?”

  “Are you sewing an embroidery design or doing it directly onto your dress?”

  Eleanor looked down and she bit back a curse. She had somehow managed to stitch her skirt into the embroidery, a part of her dress now attached to the cloth stretched in her sewing circle. How had she managed to do that? Sighing, Eleanor took out the needle and began to unpick all the stitches.

  “I guess I just wasn’t paying attention.”

  “I’ll say. I’ve never seen anyone do that before. That’s quite impressive.” Marion frowned. “Maybe you should do something else that won’t involve you getting stuck to your sewing. You’re clearly distracted.”

  “This was supposed to distract me.” Eleanor huffed. “It’s not working.”

  She managed to get herself unsewn. It was only a few stitches. At least Marion had stopped her early enough, or she might have been wandering around with her skirt carrying a new design. It would have been fun to explain that to her father. He might start thinking Eleanor was drinking herself.

  If only she could get something to settle her mind. After last night’s revelation from Nathan, Eleanor had been unable to sleep properly, thinking about what could have happened had she come upon someone who could bring her harm because she was simply looking after children they wanted. Whoever was taking these children was the lowest of the low, in her opinion.

  Children were innocent. They should be given a chance to have a childhood and grow up appropriately, not thrust into crime and suffer loss so early in their life. Then again, loss didn’t get any better as you got older. Eleanor knew that from personal experience.

  “What’s wrong, Eleanor?” Marion asked. She laid a hand over her friend’s. “Is this marriage agreement bothering you? Captain Reynolds’ opinion over the orphanage?”

  “A little bit.” Eleanor shrugged. “It’s nothing, really.”

  “I’d believe that if I hadn’t just seen you sew yourself to your flower design.”

  Eleanor wanted to tell Marion. They didn’t keep anything from each other. But Eleanor remembered what Nathan had told her. These people were stealing children and weren’t above harming those who could be a threat. Marion helped occasionally with Eleanor at the orphanage, but she was not as dedicated as Eleanor. It was best to keep it to herself for now, until Eleanor really knew what was going on.

  Putting herself in danger was one thing. Asking her friend to do it herself was something else, and Eleanor wasn’t prepared to do that. She turned her hand over and clasped Marion’s.

  “Once I’ve got it all sorted in my head, I’ll let you know.”

  “Please.” Marion pursed her lips. “Because I want to know if there’s anything I can do, and I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”

  “I know, Marion. You’re a really good friend.” Eleanor meant it. She really did. “And I promise you that I will talk to you about it once I’ve made sense of it.”

  Once I know that you’re not going to become a target as well. The less you know, the better.

  “Good.” Marion squeezed Eleanor’s hands before withdrawing. “I don’t like being useless.”

  Eleanor smiled. “One thing I would never call you is useless, Marion.”

  She got a tongue stuck out at her in reply, which simply had Eleanor laughing. The mood lightened a little. Marion had the ability to make everything feel better. She was a shining spark, much like her mother. The mood was often lifted simply by Marion being in the room. Eleanor was glad that she had a friend in Marion Laurie. Her mother would be proud of her.

  The door opened, and Parsons entered. He bowed at Eleanor.

  “Forgive me for bothering you, Lady Eleanor, but there’s a Lady Chapman at the front door.” He held up the calling card. “She wishes to speak to you immediately.”

  Eleanor sat up. Lorraine Chapman wanted to talk to her? That was something that just did not happen. Lady Chapman made it clear that she considered Eleanor inferior and a fool. They wouldn’t associate with each other unless it was something they couldn’t avoid.

  So why was she here? There were far too many questions that needed answering for Eleanor to send the woman away. She nodded.

  “Send her in, Parsons, but stay close by in case I shout for you. I don’t expect Lady Chapman is going to stay too long.”

  “Very good, my Lady.” Parsons bowed again and left the room.

  Marion frowned and put aside her sewing. “What on earth does she want?”

  “I have no idea.” Eleanor put her sewing on the cushion beside her and rose to her feet, brushing down her skirts. “Hopefully, it won’t take long. I’ve got to help Cook with the lunch.”

  Maybe she could use that as an excuse to get rid of the woman quickly. As a guest, Lady Chapman didn’t have a right to stay if the hostess didn’t want her to. There was some advantage of being the one with some of the power for the time being.

  The door opened a moment later and Lady Chapman swept in. She was looking very cool and serene in her dress of pale yellow, her hair curled and perfectly done up on her head, but her expression was anything but serene. If anything, she looked like she was barely holding back her fury.

  What did she have to be furious about? Eleanor hadn’t said anything to her since the woman brought her donations at least a week ago. What was going on? Fixing a pleasant smile on her mouth, Eleanor approached the other woman.

  “Lady Chapman, good morning. Forgive me if this meeting is brief, as I have a lot to do today.”

  “I won’t keep you long.” Lady Chapman sniffed. She was tapping something that looked like a cane on the floor. It looked far too ornate to be a regular cane. What did she even need a cane for? “I just wanted to tell you to break off your engagement to the Earl of Brixton.”

  Eleanor was still trying to figure out what Lady Chapman was doing with such a cane, so it took a few moments for the words to sink in. She blinked and stared. Lady Chapman sniffed and lifted her chin. She hadn’t imagined the words. The woman really expected Eleanor to say that she would break off the engagement immediately because she was told to.

  Except how did she know about their arrangement? Eleanor hadn’t said a word to anyone other than Marion, and Nathan hadn’t proposed so it couldn’t be classed as an engagement.

  “We’re merely courting, my Lady. We’re not engaged.”

  “But you will be,” Lady Chapman practically snarled. “And I want you to walk away from him.”

  “Why would I want to do that? And how did you even know we were in courtship? I haven’t said anything to anyone.”

  “I saw you leaving his home yesterday. I asked around. His valet is courting my maid.” Lady Chapman looked Eleanor up and down with a sneer. “I heard a lot about you. About how you snagged him.”

  “From what I recall, I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter,” Elean
or pointed out. “Neither of us had a choice on it.”

  “Doesn’t matter if you had a choice of not, you need to call it off.”

  She looked almost determined about it. Eleanor was confused. Had Nathan and Lady Chapman had an affair in the past and she was still carrying a torch? It was the only thing Eleanor could think of. Her respect for Nathan went down a little. Lady Chapman was a beautiful woman and she had prospects, but she was everything that Nathan disliked. Eleanor didn’t see them associating beyond a few pleasantries.

  “Again, why would I do that? Give me one good reason why.”

  Lady Chapman smirked. “Because Lord Brixton and I have an agreement. From before I was married. We made a promise that once I was a widow, we would be married. He would keep himself free for me for always.”

  There was a muffled sound behind Eleanor, and she glanced over her shoulder to see Marion clamping her hand over her mouth, her shoulders shaking. Eleanor found herself resisting the urge to burst into laughter herself. It was a ludicrous reason, and Eleanor couldn’t see Nathan agreeing to that. Not with how he felt about the army. It had taken a massive twist of his arm to agree to marriage with her. Eleanor didn’t think Lady Chapman had the strength to do the same.

  “You expected Captain Reynolds to stay unmarried for the rest of his natural days until your husband died?” Eleanor scoffed. “Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?”

  Lady Chapman’s nostrils flared, her lip curling in a snarl.

  “His name is Lord Brixton, Lady Eleanor. He is an Earl, and you should remember that.”

  “He wants the title of Captain Reynolds, and I will respect it. His choice, I am not forgetting who he is.”

  Lady Chapman sniffed. “That title is silly, anyway. Lord Brixton has a more refined air about it. It suits him so much better.”

  Eleanor bit her lip. She wasn’t getting into an argument over that. She just wanted the woman gone.

  “We made a promise.” Lady Chapman was tapping her cane again, running her other hand over her hair. “And now he’s home from France, I intend to follow through. I can make him happy. You?” she sneered at Eleanor as she looked her over. “You wouldn’t know how to make any man happy.”

  The urge to cross the room and slap her for that was great, but Eleanor took a deep breath and counted to ten. She might not really care for her position in society, but she wasn’t about to be made the centre of attention. Lady Chapman would certainly make sure of that if she did react in such a manner.

  “If you came here to insult me, Lady Chapman, you can leave right now. I will not tolerate it in my own house.”

  “I’ll leave once you agree to break off the engagement.”

  The gall of the woman. Eleanor squared her shoulders.

  “I couldn’t even if I wanted to. This was an arranged match, and the banns are to be published in a couple of days. You want him? Tough.”

  The banns weren’t being published anytime soon, but Lady Chapman didn’t know that. Eleanor had hoped the bluff would have her backing down. Unfortunately, it seemed to be doing the opposite. Lady Chapman’s face went red. She looked like she was about to explode.

  “Nathan has always been mine,” she hissed. “He knows it.”

  “Shame he never got around to telling his mother, isn’t it?” Eleanor shot back. “I’m sure if he was yours, he would have married you before you married the late Lord Chapman, and I’m sure he would have made it known once he knew you were a widow that he was going to marry you when the time was right. I don’t recall any of that and he’s never mentioned it at all.” She folded her arms. “And don’t expect him to stick around after the wedding even if you did have an agreement. He’s going back to France as soon as he says, ‘I do’.”

  “Oh, I can make him stay.” Lady Chapman’s eyes glittered. “Clearly, you can’t.”

  That was a barb too much. Eleanor could only tolerate so much, and Lady Chapman had used up her second chance card very quickly.

  “I think it’s time you leave, Lady Chapman. Parsons!”

  The door opened, and Parsons stepped into the room. Lady Chapman didn’t move. She simply sneered at Eleanor, her eyes flashing.

  “Nathan is mine, Lady Heavenly. We all know it. You just need to step aside.”

  “I told you, I can’t. I wouldn’t even if I could.” Eleanor sauntered towards her. “You’re going to have to get used to being a widow alone, Lady Chapman.”

  Eleanor watched as the other woman faltered. She had clearly expected Eleanor to back down and be the meek and mild woman who bowed down to everyone in the orphanage. Eleanor always tried to be accommodating and calm so as not to frighten the children. But this was her home, and she wasn’t about to be insulted in her own house.

  “Well.” Lady Chapman recovered quickly, casting her gaze over Eleanor’s body again. “If I can’t have him in marriage, I can at least have him in bed. He won’t want an inexperienced spinster attempting to...well, I’m sure you get my meaning.”

  Eleanor could feel her cheeks burning. How dare she? It was bad enough to say that out loud, but in front of her staff? She stepped towards the woman, feeling some satisfaction as Lady Chapman took a step back.

  “That is one thing I am going to put my foot down on in my marriage,” Eleanor hissed. “No mistresses. If he has an affair, he’ll live to regret it. We may not be a love match, but I will not respect a man who sleeps with women with lesser morals.”

  “Oh?” Lady Chapman sniggered. “And how are you going to do that?”

  “I’m sure I’ll think of something.” Eleanor stepped towards her. “And I don’t think you’ll be so happy about any of the ideas I come up with. My marriage, no matter what circumstances it occurred, will not be threatened by the likes of you. Parsons why is this woman still in my home?”

  “Lady Chapman is leaving right now, Lady Eleanor.”

  Eleanor went back to her seat, not looking back as Lady Chapman left the room with many splutters and a swish of her skirts. She snapped at Parsons and was still complaining as they entered the hall, the noise becoming muffled as Parsons shut the door. Marion stared at her with wide eyes.

  “Did you just threaten her? She’ll start telling everyone that you’re not very ladylike.”

  Eleanor snorted. “I was on the shelf until not long ago. I think I crossed that threshold a long time ago.” Eleanor settled on the couch and smoothed out her skirts. “Now, where were we? I believe I was trying to do some sewing. Let’s see if I can do it without sewing myself to it, shall I?”

  That had been more invigorating than she expected. Eleanor had to fight the urge not to smirk. It had also been very satisfying.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Eleanor tried to forget what had happened earlier in the drawing room, but she couldn’t. Lady Chapman’s words had sunk in, and Eleanor couldn’t get them to budge. It was frustrating and putting her in a bad mood. The servants kept their distance and even her father Edward Heavenly and Marion stepped back. Eleanor wanted to apologize to them, let them know it was no one’s fault, but then she would be reminded of the humiliation of being spoken to in such a way by Lady Lorraine Chapman. Parsons was discreet, but Eleanor didn’t trust that one of the other servants had overheard and was telling everyone.

  It made Eleanor want to seek the woman out and slap her. Be very unladylike. How dare she come into Eleanor’s house and say that she deserved to have Nathan more than Eleanor? And what on earth was that about making a promise before she was married? If Nathan had made that promise, why didn’t he marry her to begin with? Lady Chapman’s declaration just made her sound like a madwoman who wanted someone for herself no matter what.

  Obsessed would be a word for her. Eleanor wanted to say something a little stronger, but that would result in getting a scolding from her father should he overhear her. Ladies did not curse.

  Eleanor didn’t feel like a lady right now.

  It was a good thing Nathan didn’t come to visit her t
oday, otherwise Eleanor would have unleashed her frustrations out on him. He was the reason that woman had singled Eleanor out with such outrageous claims, and Eleanor didn’t think she was ready to demand what was going on. No matter what he said, she wouldn’t believe him. She needed to have time to calm down before she discussed it like a grown-up.

  How did Nathan end up knowing a woman like Lorraine Chapman? She said they had met before she was married. She clearly had a desire for Nathan that seemed to bypass reason. Eleanor had met widows who were determined to get what they wanted before, but Lady Chapman was something else.