“Sorry for the impertinence, Your Grace, but we all care about what happens to you, especially after his lordship’s untimely devise.”
Clarence heard the hitch in Farnsworth’s voice, and his own anger melted away. Some part of him would never believe his father had committed suicide, yet why was there a note, then? He’d let the servants believe it was an accident. He’d also let his mother believe it, though it left him alone with his grief as the only one who knew about the letter. It became harder when gossips bandied about that his father’s death was suicide. If he ever tracked down who started it, he’d have a few choice words. Thankfully, like most gossip these days, it never reached Mother’s ears.
They ascended the stairs carefully and slowly. When he finally made it to his room, he was too happy to lay back down. His valet took off his trousers, then had him sit up. George stood near the water, then ordered more boiling water to be brought up.
George assisted Farnsworth in getting him in the tub, then gently pried off the bandage. The wound appeared to be healing with George’s usual flair of minimal scarring.
“That was a close one, George. Jarvis really had the intentions to kill me. I’d always suspected him of it, but it does make me wonder just how many others have met their deaths at his hand.”
“What of Lillian, sir? Does she know about her uncle’s nefarious activities?”
“She does not know of them specifically, though she is well aware of her uncle’s perfidies and dishonorable nature.”
“At least it is over for you, now, Your Grace. And may I add, that I am very glad of it. You are becoming too old for this lifestyle. It is a job for the younger generation. However, admittedly, I still keep a toe in the waters, even though I retired long ago.”
“I’d like to argue, but as I feel as if a train crashed through me, I will have to concede this one. Being a bowstreet runner on the sly is exhausting work. But this was personal, George. I’m glad you keep up with them. It helped immensely in pushing for answers.” He groaned as the last of the bandaging was removed. “Damn it all, George. Jarvis is a dirty fighter as well as a cheat. I’m glad this business is over, though. I’d hate for Lillian to find out I’d been planning this for so long. Might make her question my motives for marrying her.” And how could he blame her? With revenge being his focus for so long, he felt ill prepared for the strong emotions of caring and lust she produced in him.
“Speaking of marrying,” George said, interrupting his thoughts, “Farnsworth has your clothes chosen and ready for the betrothal party and dinner, my lord.”
Noticing how George sidestepped the issue, Clarence shook his head as took the proffered soap and washed his own hair, giving both Farnsworth and George a scowl when they attempted to do it for him.
A couple hours later, he was dressed and ready to go. “Come back in an hour. I am going to rest here until I must be below stairs. and greet our guests. I am sure Mother can handle whatever comes up in the meantime.” George and Farnsworth bowed and let themselves out.
At the appointed time, he went downstairs to play host with his mother as hostess. Her approval would guarantee that Polite Society accepted Lillian as his fiancé. He became antsy at all the names which came through, waiting for Lillian’s appearance. Plus, he was worn through and through and through.
His mother nudged him, and he looked to where she discreetly pointed. Lillian stood at the top of the stairs, and began to gracefully descend, one gloved hand on the banister. Her off the shoulder emerald green gown floated around her. Her sweet smile brightened the dark spots in his soul, the ones left by his father’s passing and the deep-rooted feeling something wasn’t right. He stepped forward with both hands out to greet her as she arrived. He took her right hand and lifted it to his lips.
Her faint blush brought out a feral need to both protect her and claim her at once. She was an odd mix of shrewd intuition and innocence. A mystery. The extra lift to her smile as he tucked her arm in his gave him a sense of pride.
“Lady Lillian, you look smashing tonight.”
“Your Grace,” she said, blushing harder.
He put his lips close to her ear and whispered. “I cannot wait until the moment I may kiss you at will.”
He pulled back to study her and smiled in satisfaction at the way her eyes darkened and lips parted.
“Clarence.” His name came out in a breathy whisper on her decadent lips.
It amazed him that she would be his. He’d given up the idea because of his revenge. Now, having put his brand of justice into being, he felt a hundred times lighter and able to fully claim her. One day, he’d tell her the whole story. For now, he’d enjoy her company and be simply a betrothed couple for the ton. “Come, my dear. We have guests.”
He had her stand next to him and smiled. His sisters arrived just then, and he was about to introduce them when Lillian stepped forward.
“Alexandra, Michaela, it is wonderful to see you again.”
“Lillian,” they both said and smiled as they hugged her.
“Clarence, you are lucky to have her,” Alexandra said as she hugged him. “I approve.”
“As do I,” said Michaela.
“All right, girls, off with you,” Mother interjected while he stood dazed.
“My lord?” Lillian studied his face with concern. “Are you quite all right? Do you need to lie down?”
He laughed deeply, and Mother slapped him on the arm with her fan. “Do not be crude, Clarence Leo Hardwick the third. It does you no credit.”
“Sorry, Mother,” he said, chastised and quickly changed the subject. “However, how do Alexandra and Michaela know Lillian?”
“We’ve had two harrowing days of taking care of you while you ran hot and talked in your feverish state.”
He paled, his face turning cold as ice. Talked? “What did I say?”
Mother stared at him intently. “Probably not as bad as you fear, though I’d like to know what has made you so secretive these past years. Mostly, you talked of Lillian and love. I’ll leave you to guess what else you may have said in her presence.” Her gleeful smile surprised him.
“Mother, I do believe that you are enjoying my discomfiture to an unseemly extent.”
She laughed though Lillian stayed strangely silent. “Lillian?”
“Yes, my lord,” she said quietly.
They were interrupted by a new group of guests. Soon, the dinner bell rang.
The rest of the night passed in a blur of names, society talk, and him trying not to pass out. At midnight, his mother sent him off to bed.
“I will make your excuses. You are about to fall over. Hold the bannister as you navigate the stairs. Alexandra, Michaela, Sarah, Amber, and I can all take care of your Lillian.”
He liked the sound of that. My Lillian. He glanced over to her, saw her smile before turning her attention back to the person conversing with her. A viscountess, if he remembered right.
A wave of dizziness passed over him, causing him to sway. He definitely wasn’t fully recovered. “I think you may be right, Mother. Please make my apologies.” He nodded at her, then moved to Lillian and took her by the arm on his way out.
“I am sorry, Lillian, but I must retire for the night. I will see you in the morning.”
She smiled gently at him. “I must return to my home now that you have recovered. You can come call. But first, come here.” She led him to where her parents stood in the crush.
“Canterbury,” her father said.
“Lamberth,” he replied warily.
“Congratulations. You have won my daughter’s hand. I cannot fight her and her mother’s wishes. You have won over the women of the household, Your Grace.”
He took Lamberth’s outstretched hand. “Thank you, sir.”
Lamberth nodded. “Now, I suggest you make a graceful exit while you still can.”
Canterbury gave him a questioning look.
“I fought at Waterloo,” he said quietly. “I know the look
of a man recovering well enough. We will talk later of how you received such a wound, Your Grace. For now, I suggest you find rest.”
Clarence bowed his head in acknowledgement, once again glad he’d found a way to make Jarvis pay that didn’t affect Lamberth and his family directly. As he walked away, he wondered how many other noblemen weren’t fooled by his demeanor tonight. So many of them had fought in the Napoleon wars. It hadn’t occurred to him that they’d recognize a man hiding an injury. Lord help him if word got to Jarvis about it.
Jarvis’ ship was due back in a little under three weeks. The dream he’d had while feverish came back, and chills cascaded down his spine. Normally, portends were not something he believed in, but fear tried to burrow its way into his heart. As he lay in bed, he decided that he would have to tell her about his revenge.
Even if it cost him his chance with her.
Chapter Eleven
Lillian watched Clarence leave the party, concerned about his health, but happy to see him on his feet. The rest of the night rushed by in a blur. Sarah blushed a lot as Archie had come for the party. Lillian grinned. She’d asked the dowager specially to make sure he attended.
Tiredness streaked through her in waves, the last few days of barely sleeping catching up with her.
“Come, Lillian,” Mother said, gently steering her away from the throngs of people trying to curry her favor now that she was about to be bestowed the title of duchess. “You’re about to fall at my feet. I’ll collect your father, and we shall go home. Your things are already there. They arrived as we were leaving. Janice will probably have it all taken care of by now.”
Lillian simply nodded. Yes, her own bed sounded perfect. Without Clarence there, the party seemed dull, as if a cloud had come over the sun. A sudden grin flashed across her face. Yes, definitely showing signs of being in love. Sarah would likely agree. Speaking of, she needed to say goodbye to her dear friend.
She searched the crowd, trying to find Sarah. Lady Amber caught her eye as she spoke to a tall servant. The servant nodded and left. Lady Amber turned to speak to an older man. Greyish white thin beard, small, bulbous nose, taller than Lady Amber’s own statuesque height, the man had a pompous air, matched only by his top hat. The understated dark grey suit looked debonair, even to her untrained eye. However, it the clothes weren’t why she stared so long. Something about their body language struck Lillian as strange, but shrugged it off. Perhaps it was a cousin or uncle.
Lady Amber had been oddly missing while they’d dressed for the party, and Lillian had assumed she’d stayed with the dowager duchess. Though her status as a betrothed woman gave her a little more freedom, she’d need Lady Amber’s services for a bit longer…unless Clarence called it off for some reason.
A frown flittered across her face. She’d not told him she wanted it to be real, not clearly. There really hadn’t been time or privacy to do so once he came out of his fever. Tomorrow, she’d have to be sure to make time to tell him. A woman could do much worse for a husband, and whether her budding feelings of love would be returned or not, he’d saved her life, proven himself honorable.
A servant, one she didn’t recognize, approached with her cloak. Perhaps he’d been hired for the party. She only vaguely recalled the dowager asking questions. She’d mostly left the details of the party to his mother and Sarah. She took the proffered cloak and put it on, but the servant continued to stare at her, causing her to become uneasy.
“What is it,” she asked him when he continued his rude gawking. He only gave a cursory bow of his head then left her side. Mentally making a note to ask the dowager about the additional servants, she shrugged it off and went to find Mother and Lady Amber again.
By the time they’d left, exhaustion had its claws in her. Her update with Sarah about Hermione would have to wait for the morrow. When they arrived the few houses down, she was dismayed to find Jarvis’ carriage there.
“Wonder what he wants at this hour,” her father mumbled.
Worry for Janice pushed adrenaline through her, and she alighted without much help and ran to her rooms, calling for Janice to be brought to her.
“My lady, are you all right?” Janice asked anxiously upon entering the room.
“Yes, are you?”
“Yes, my lady. He thinks I was not at home when he arrived. He specifically asked for me. I heard him ask Jacob.”
Lillian went to her and hugged her. “Jacob will be getting something extra for his birthday this year, I swear it. I will cover for him and tell them that I instructed them to protect you from Jarvis regardless of the situation.”
“Very good, my lady. I would hate for him to lose his position for protecting me.” The simpering blush surprised Lillian.
“Janice?”
The blush deepened. “He is handsome, is he not?”
Lillian giggled. “I suppose so. I have not looked closely at him in that way. Does he return your affections?”
“I am sure I do not know, my lady. I…it seems he might.”
“After I am Duchess of Canterbury, I will be sure to tell Father to allow you the same days off, or I will poach his servant from him. You, of course, will be coming with me,” Lillian said decisively.
“Oh, my lady. I had hoped you would take me.”
“Of course. I—”
Heavy pounding on her door interrupted their talk.
“Lillian Della Lancaster, come downstairs this instant,” Father yelled from the hallway.
She blanched. He’d not spoken to her that way since she had ruined a family heirloom. Janice grabbed her hand. “I’m coming with you,” she said.
Lillian wanted to tell her no, but she was too afraid to face Father in the current mood to turn down the offer.
Her step stuttered as she saw Jarvis’ lewd, smug look as he eyed her up and down. “Sit down, Lillian,” Jarvis said.
She jutted her chin out and crossed her arms. Janice stood a half pace behind her away from him. “No. I will stand. What is it, Father, and what does it have to do with him?” She pointed at him with the thrust of her chin, unable to hide the loathing in her voice.
Father opened his mouth and stared hard first at her then at Jarvis. When he spoke, she had the feeling he had changed his mind about how to approach her. “Jarvis has come with disturbing news. I’m afraid we will be calling off your engagement.”
She gasped. “You cannot, Father. I will be ruined. On what grounds?”
“Your reputation matters not. He tried to ruin me,” Jarvis said, taking a step toward her.
She flinched and put her hands up toward her face before she caught herself. “Maybe you deserved it,” she lashed out defiantly.
“Lillian!” Father exclaimed. “He is your uncle and your elder.”
She stood silently but refused to apologize, especially after Jarvis’ remark. How could Father be so blind to his brother’s faults?
“He blamed me years ago for the death of his father.” Jarvis sneered as he spoke. “His father became embroiled in a business deal gone wrong. We all lost money, including me. But Canterbury wouldn’t let it go. As soon as I heard about your betrothal, I came to tell your father what kind of man he really is. He’s using you to get to me, girl.”
“That’s not true,” she whispered past the tears trying to block her throat. “He could have asked for me last season.” Jarvis had to be lying again. The duke wouldn’t use her like that, would he? But what did she really know about him? Maybe he would.
For the first time since they’d met, she began to seriously doubt her instincts.
Jarvis laughed. “You really believed he would have you with your odd eyes and funny colored hair when he could have the pick of the ton? The only thing you have going for you is your family, and he just tried to ruin me.”
Faint and dizzy, she swayed. Janice’s hand supported her at the small of her back. All the blood drained from her face as she turned to Father. “I do not believe Jarvis.” Then she remembered the duke’s
threats to the marquess for a small slight. “And, even if he is correct and The Dark Duke tried to ruin him, he probably deserved it. Your brother is dishonorable and a liar. I would rather have The Dark Duke, even if every single rumor is true, than spend another minute in Jarvis’ company.” Her words were quiet, barely spoken above a whisper.
Hard to speak when your heart is broken into a million pieces. She tried to talk some sense into herself. Clarence had asked for a fake engagement in the first place. Yes, then he tried to make you believe he wanted you, but how could he want you when he hates your family so? When tears started to blind her, she turned, and with the help of Janice, went to her room.
Janice assisted her out of her clothes and into her robe. Then, with a tenderness which had the tears flowing, Janice moved her in front of the vanity and began brushing Lillian’s hair. “What am I going to do, Janice,” she finally asked.
“Marry The Dark Duke,” Janice said firmly.
“But what if he tried to ruin Jarvis? I harbor no love for him, but he’s family.” Even as she said the words, she knew it was out of habit and obligation. She hated Jarvis and secretly hoped Clarence had done as Jarvis accused him of, that he was as dark as the rumors painted him.
Janice met her gaze in the mirror. “My lady, he has never treated you as proper family. You owe him nothing. If anything, he deserves whatever his lordship tried to do ten times over just for what he did to you when you were so young.”
Lillian sucked in a shaky breath. As always, Janice’s practical viewpoint helped to clarify things. “But why didn’t he just tell me? I told him about what Jarvis did to us.”
“Mayhap that is why. He did not want to hurt you more if he failed?”
“Perhaps.”
“Mayhap he believed you would leave him. Or that your father would use it to stop him from marrying you,” she said quietly. “I don’t know. However, he’s always treated you well, us well. Do you not think that he deserves at least a chance to explain?”
Lillian’s tears dried up. She’d been so busy being hurt, she had not thought of how he might have felt. How would he have arranged it in so short a time, too? He had to have had the plan already in place the night he saved her from her brother’s plans. Which meant he had not needed her. Or maybe that is why he asked for a fake engagement. Her head jerked back at a particularly hard tug. “Ow!”
Darkest Valentine Page 10
