Rogue most wanted, p.9
Rogue Most Wanted, page 9
“If it’s mine, then my memories and my efforts are his. He’ll know I truly loved him.” She dropped his hand and stepped away. “I can’t blame you if you don’t understand. But I can’t lose Ladykyrk.”
“Even if he wasn’t aware of your care and regard, I’m sure deep down, he trusted you. He knew you loved him. You won’t lose Ladykyrk, I promise.” The cast-iron strength in his voice offered a comfort she wasn’t certain she deserved.
“You don’t know that. The solicitor told me to be prepared,” she challenged.
He leaned close until they looked each other in the eyes. “My father is very powerful in the House of Lords and carries a tremendous amount of influence. I’ll ask for his assistance, and he’ll be delighted to help you.” There was not boastfulness in the words, just certainty. “Believe it or not, Stella is not without her own allies in London. You’d be surprised by her influence at some of the highest levels.”
“Thank you. I’ll take all the help I can gather to solidify my claim.” She took a deep breath and prayed for courage and a little luck to come her way. “May I ask you a question?”
He nodded.
Never before had she revealed so much of herself or her grandfather’s tragic plight.
Or made herself so vulnerable.
“All right, then.” She stood straight and stared into his eyes. “Will you … be my friend?”
* * *
The songbirds’ warbles, the rustle of the breeze through the leaves, and every other sound slipped to silence, and all sights faded the moment Thea asked him to be her friend. He couldn’t move as the air grew heavy and locked him in place. All his concentration centered on her. Finally, the spell she wove around him lessened, and Will tilted his head and stared at the folly’s ceiling.
Cupids and cherubs frolicked in glee as if laughing at him. For the life of him, as Thea hesitated in asking her question, he’d thought she would propose to him. In those mere moments, his emotions had run the gamut from trepidation, relief, happiness, and finally, to disappointment.
Why he experienced disappointment was a complete and utter conundrum that he couldn’t navigate. They’d both agreed they didn’t want to marry the other. But something deep within him had sparked to life, like a flint against a piece of steel, igniting a hope she might want him. When Theodora had shared the tragic circumstances of her family’s demise, he’d become lost—in her and the extraordinary challenges she’d faced on her own in Northumberland. It was as if they were physically joined in some manner, and he’d never felt that tied to another woman.
The only explanation could be that he’d never met anyone like her before.
Theodora possessed a refreshing honesty and fierceness at times that belied her underlying vulnerability—much like his own. But the more time he spent with her, the more intrigued he found himself. When she’d approached Aunt Stella with her reason to marry, she’d been brutally honest, and he respected her for that.
Well, he was a Cavensham, and a Cavensham never shirked from duty or tough questions or even simple requests such as friendship. “Thea, I’d be honored to be your friend.” He slowly smiled. “But I was under the assumption we already were.”
She huffed a breath of air to blow that elusive curl from her face. “Thank you. You would not believe how much courage it took me to ask you that. I wasn’t certain you’d want my friendship after I’d practically demanded you leave my home when I received the letter from the House of Lords.”
“Don’t worry. I didn’t take offense, as you had important matters that needed your attention. Besides, I’ve been summarily dismissed many times before. That’s not what you did to me.”
“If there’s anything you need from me, all you have to do is ask.” He leaned against the doorjamb and regarded her. “Are you ready to go to London tomorrow?”
“No, I dread it.” Thea smiled and leaned close. “However, do you know what’s lovely about all this turmoil in my life?”
“No,” he answered.
“I have my first real friend accompanying me. We can chat and gossip on the way. You’ll help steer me through the muddle of London society.” She cleared her throat, then focused her gaze on him. “You’re helping me, and I’d like to help you. I hope whatever you need or want, you’ll ask for my help. I’ll do everything in my power to see it happen.”
The swirl of emotion in her eyes reminded him of a kaleidoscope, and it captivated him. Determination, loyalty, generosity, plus a myriad of others combined into a pattern that showed her true strength of character. Thea would fight with her last breath to save her home, and she’d love a husband with the same potent power. Whoever won her hand would never doubt her heart was true.
“Shall we save what you can do for me until later?” He extended his arm in offer for her to take it. She didn’t see the gesture as her gaze roamed over his figure. When her eyes found his, he winked. It marked the first time she’d ever really looked at him. “I’d rather concentrate on you. Come, let’s sit down.”
Her cheeks turned a marvelous shade of dark pink as she hooked her arm around his and led him to the sofa that overlooked the lake.
“As your friend, I’ll help you prepare for your entrance to the ton. We’ll organize dance lessons, an etiquette refresher, and whatever else you’ll need. I’ll arrange to help you ease into society as you make your claim in front of the committee. My parents will be your hosts and will introduce you into the highest echelons of the ton. You want to make an excellent impression every time you’re out in society.”
“Your aunt is already helping with the etiquette, but”—she blew out a frustrated breath—“I don’t know about the rest.”
Will rested his ankle on his other knee. “Everyone will want to meet the elusive Countess of Eanruig. I’ll have you ready.”
She wrinkled her nose and stared out the window. “Would you introduce me to some of your friends?”
“Absolutely.” He nodded.
“I might have to marry quickly.” She caught his gaze. “I trust your opinion. If they’re your friends, maybe…”
“There is no cause to worry yet.” He leaned close as if divulging a secret. “I’d like to introduce you to some of my closest friends. I think you’d like them. Plus, I’ll teach you the latest dances, how to greet other peers, and most importantly, how to stay out of trouble. After all my years as the second son of the Duke of Langham, I’m an expert at it.”
Her brief look of relief melted into an expression reminiscent of deer caught by a hunter.
“Come now, it won’t be that horrible. You’ll get to dance with me. That in and of itself will be worth the effort,” he teased. “Besides, it will make your task of taking your place in society—”
“I’ve never danced.” Her voice wobbled, a crack in her veneer of confidence.
“You mean at a ball? Never fear,” he said. “Country assemblies are practically the same, only a little smaller.”
“I’ve never been to a country assembly. My grandfather didn’t go out much in society after he became ill.”
Her skin glistened with beads of sweat that had popped up across her brow.
“You’ve never danced?” It was incredible that a young woman, the granddaughter of a duke and a countess in her own right, had never danced.
Thea stood and shook her head. “Well, my grandfather twirled me around in a circle a time or two. But you really can’t call that dancing.” She walked to the door and pretended to be interested in the lake again.
He immediately tamped down his shock. She was embarrassed, and every instinct within him wanted to comfort and protect her.
He rose, then walked to her side. “You have an innate grace and athleticism that will lend itself to mastering the steps in no time. Trust me.”
She clutched her arms around her waist. Immediately, she looked like a little girl unsure of her place in the great big world.
“As your friend, I’ll help you be ready for the ton.” He leaned closer, daring himself to offer comfort without touching her. “It’s all right. I won’t let you fail.”
She didn’t acknowledge his promise. Instead, she turned toward the opposite exit. “We should head back. We have an early start for London tomorrow.”
For a moment, he physically ached to hold her and soothe the worry from her brow, but then he thought better of it. Thea and her mysterious eyes could make a man surrender everything.
She’d have no difficulty finding a husband if she wanted one, and it set him on edge. He’d never experienced jealousy in his life. That couldn’t be what he was feeling.
The thought made him wonder if he were going mad.
The quicker they arrived at Langham Hall, his father and mother’s residence in the city, the sooner Thea could secure her title, and the sooner he’d gain his sanity back.
The Northumberland Nemesis has landed in London with her own willing victims.
Hasn’t the Duke and Duchess of Langham’s family suffered enough?
Apparently not.
Respectfully yours,
The Midnight Cryer
Chapter Seven
Theodora’s exhaustion vanished as soon as their coach entered the city of London. Never before had she seen such sights. The buildings crowded each other as if pushing their way to the front of the streets. The calls from the street vendors and the clop of horses pulling carriages harmonized into a symphony of sounds she’d never heard before. Shop windows were decorated with fashions and goods, tempting her to investigate all their treasures. Several bookstores littered the shop fronts as they traveled down Bond Street. Silversmiths, jewelers, and exclusive haberdasheries added to the spectacle. She could shop for weeks and never see it all.
But the most startling sight was the sheer number of people. Never in her life had she seen such a gathering. From all walks of life, the citizens of London fascinated her. They all seemed to be in a hurry, except the nobs and fops dressed in their finest as they strolled the streets with various servants and attendants in tow.
When Will peered out the carriage window, his shoulder brushed hers. She drew a deep breath of his bergamot scent and held it as long as she could. Slowly, she exhaled. “Perhaps you’d recommend a perfume shop. I’ve never been in one.”
A crooked half smile creased his full lips. “I have the perfect establishment. It’s become a family favorite ever since Claire’s father, the previous Duke of Langham, shopped there the first time.”
“Do you think I could have a fragrance made”—her gaze caught his, and the laughter in his eyes made her suddenly shy—“for me?”
“I like the way you smell.” He leaned close and sniffed. He closed his eyes as if judging her scent. “You smell of Northumberland, clean, fresh, a hint of floral, with a hefty dose of wild beauty.”
An uncontrollable heat licked her cheeks. He smiled in that cocky way of his, but she relaxed at the warmth in his eyes. It was a lovely compliment as Northumberland was known for its exquisite splendor.
Lord Fluff jumped from Stella’s lap to Thea’s. Stella tore her attention away from the book she had borrowed from Theodora’s library, a treatise on the history of Thea’s family. The grand dame had read it religiously for the entire five-day journey as they made their way to London. “Will, every woman wants to be unique with her own signature fragrance.” She straightened her seat, and a sly grin graced her lips as if she were enjoying a private joke. “Perhaps something light like a blend of rose water and peonies.”
Will arched one perfect brow. “How mundane. I think something more interesting. Perhaps gardenia or something with a base of melograno.”
“Melograno?” Thea asked. “Is that a flower?”
“Italian for pomegranate,” Stella answered. She narrowed her eyes and critically examined Thea. “With her coloring, it would be perfect. An incomparable scent for an incomparable beauty.”
Will’s gaze never strayed from hers. “My thoughts exactly.”
He turned slightly and winked. The intimate gesture was hidden from Stella and Nancy, the grand dame’s lady’s maid who sat between Stella and Lady Edith. Another blast of heat assaulted Thea’s cheeks.
“You’re gorgeous when you blush,” he whispered. The words were so quiet that for a moment, she imagined she hadn’t heard him correctly.
Lady Edith’s eyebrows shot up.
Thea would melt into the bench of the carriage if he continued such teasing. To preserve what little composure she had, she returned her attention out the carriage window. Without looking at Will, she could sense him drawing away. As if some vital link had been cut, her chest felt hollow.
Soon the coach arrived at a massive mansion in the middle of Mayfair, a gorgeous home that bespoke grandeur the likes of which she’d never seen. Her sharp intake of breath gave away her excitement at arriving at Will’s home.
“Welcome to Langham Hall, Lady Eanruig,” Will announced before he departed the coach. Handsome liveried footmen and groomsmen met the carriage. Will greeted each by name, then held out his hand to Stella who was the first to depart the carriage, then Lady Edith, and finally, Nancy with Lord Fluff in her arms. Thea waited inside and hoped the brief interlude alone would calm the nervousness that rumbled through her with the force of a runaway carriage.
Will returned and leaned into the carriage, his tall body framed by the doorway. The simple act emphasized his fit and lean build. Instantly, Thea’s heart raced at the sight, but she scolded herself at her response. No good would come from allowing him to unsettle her at such an innocent action.
She smoothed the wrinkles that marred her traveling gown and spencer. Though the design lacked any frills, the cerulean brocade shimmered in the sunlight that had broken through the clouds and now graced them with its presence. She’d wanted to look her best when she met his family.
“Are you ready?” He extended his hand, and she placed hers in his. The soft leather of his glove caressed her. “Put on your gloves. It’s customary when you’re introduced to others that your hands be covered.”
“Oh. I apologize.” She fumbled with her kid-skinned gloves that were dyed to match her gown.
“No need for that. We all must learn these lessons. They’re not inborn in any of us.” The gentleness in his voice did little to calm her unease.
“Do you think your family…”
His stare burrowed deep inside her. “Will they what?”
She did her best to tamp down the sudden onslaught of apprehension. “Like me?”
Will took her hand to help her down. The heat of his fingers warmed her skin through the leather. “They’ll love you.”
Her eyes watered at his simple statement. He had no idea how much that meant to her. To be welcomed by a family and accepted as one of their own was her greatest desire. To belong to someone was a gift, and if she ever possessed enough luck to be accepted by a family, she’d cherish it forever. Determined to make a favorable impression, she had peppered Stella with questions about her expected behavior around such an illustrious family, late at night when they’d stopped at an inn or stayed at one of Stella’s numerous friends’ homes along the route.
“I hope they’ll like me,” she answered quietly.
“They will.” He squeezed her hand with his, then gently tugged her to exit. Will led the way and escorted Stella and Edith to the front of the house. Thea and Nancy followed behind.
An elegant older man perfectly attired in a lovely wool suit with an embroidered blue waistcoat that matched the liveried servants’ dress opened the door. “Lord William, welcome home,” he beamed.
“Thank you, Pitts. It’s good to see you. Are my parents home?” Will smiled as he stood aside so Stella, Lady Edith, and Nancy could pass. When Thea stepped forward, he took her hand and wrapped it around his arm.
“I’m afraid not. They had a social engagement before dinner. But luck is with you. Tonight is the weekly family dinner. With you here, the entire family will be attending this evening.” Pitts helped Stella with her spring pelisse.
Stella clapped her hands. “How lucky for us all.”
Pitts turned his beaming smile to Stella. “My dear Lady Payne, may I say that it’s always a brighter day in London when you grace us with your presence.”
“You old conniving rascal,” Stella retorted as she held up her lorgnette and examined the man from head to toe. “You’re still as wily as ever. How long has it been? A year?”
“Indeed, my lady.” Completely unfazed with her rebuke and thorough examination, Pitts laughed, and Lady Edith joined in their frivolity.
“I’d like to introduce Lady Eanruig.” Stella turned to Theodora. “Lady Eanruig, this is Pitts, the most pretentious butler you’ll ever meet.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Pitts offered. The warmth and affection in his eyes was a refreshing balm to Thea’s travel weariness. “Welcome to Langham Hall.” He turned back to Stella. “Madam, if your and Lady Edith’s schedules allow, perhaps we can finish that game of whist from the last time?”
“It’d be my pleasure to take your money,” Stella retorted. “May I add, once again.”
“Perhaps your ladyship will recall that at the end of our last play, you owed me”—Pitts counted on his fingers—“ten pounds and forty shillings.”
Stella grinned playfully. “Old man, we shall meet after dinner and finish this for good.”
Will leaned over and whispered in Thea’s ear, “They do this every time they meet. It’s like a ritualistic dance.”
“I’ve never heard of a butler wagering with a baroness,” Thea whispered in return.
“As you may have surmised, Aunt Stella is a little unorthodox, and so is Pitts. My parents don’t mind their play. It’s a penny a hand, and Pitts always wins.”
“My lady, shall I escort you to your usual room?” Pitts asked.
Stella nodded. “Escort Lady Eanruig to the Iris bedroom. That’s where both William and I would like for her to stay.”
