An eye for an earl, p.21
An Eye for an Earl, page 21
part #2 of The Scarlet Salon Series
“My Belle tends to see things in absolutes,” she’d told Rebecca. “You’re either a friend or an enemy to contend with. She’d kill me if she heard me say this, but she’s just like her father in her views: stubborn and unyielding.”
“Will she forgive me, do you think?” Rebecca had asked in a small voice.
Maggie had shrugged. “It depends on how grave she believes your crime is. My advice to you is: tell the truth. She might not like what you have to say, but Isabelle appreciates honesty, and she knows about doing whatever it takes to survive.”
Rebecca had sniffed miserably but nodded. She disliked being out of favor with Isabelle; she’d enjoyed being a lady’s maid and had made more money during those few weeks in the courtesan’s employ than she had in her two years at the dressmaker’s shop. It was Arun’s cool aloofness that really hurt her, though. He’d taken it as a personal affront that she’d put his beloved Major in danger.
Her aunt, the industrious business woman she was, befriended Mrs. Kent right away and insisted on helping her run the establishment. Surprisingly, she met with little resistance; in fact, Maggie gladly embraced her as a business partner and companion.
With the incessant rain that plagued the village, Rebecca kept to the boarding house most of the time. She helped the older women keep the place clean and in good shape for the guests and spent the rest of her time sewing and learning to cook. She ventured outside a few times but didn’t encounter anyone she was acquainted with.
It was over a week before she received a summons to Bindon House. For a brief moment, Rebecca considered refusing the request, but she quickly stomped on the fear that threatened to overwhelm her. Isabelle wished to talk to her—nothing more! She shook nervously as she dressed with extra care that afternoon. She wore one of Isabelle’s cast-offs, a pink muslin gown that she’d altered to fit her shorter, more slender frame.
The rain had stopped, and she was able to walk the distance to Bindon House. She knocked on the front door and fidgeted slightly as she waited impatiently for the maid to open it. But it wasn’t the figure of Maggie’s niece that filled the doorway but rather that of a tall, dark-skinned young man.
“Arun!” she gasped.
“Rebecca,” he replied, inclining his head in greeting. “Please come in; Miss Howard is expecting you.”
In a daze, she followed him inside the house and into the parlor. Isabelle was seated by the fireplace, dressed in a peach gown with a lovely white cashmere shawl draped around her shoulders. The Earl of Digby, she noted, was nowhere in sight.
Rebecca frowned as a wave of irrational jealousy crashed through her at the thought of Arun being alone with the beautiful courtesan. Some of her emotions must have shown on her face because Isabelle tsked and said, “Really, I have no idea how you could have fooled anyone for as long as you did. Your face and body betray your every thought. Sheath your claws, little kitten, and believe me when I say that I have no designs on your beau.”
“Oh, no, I’m sure Becky had no such thought—” Arun began uncomfortably.
Isabelle laughed. “But of course she did. You must be wondering, Rebecca, why I invited Arun here.”
How she wished she could appear calm and collected. She felt like a criminal come before the Justice of Peace. Realizing she was wringing her hands nervously, she dropped them abruptly and nodded in response.
“It seems that it wasn’t just I that you ensnared in your web of lies but young Arun as well. You purposefully lured Lord Digby to London, right into Lucifer’s clutches. Now’s the time to explain yourself and your actions.”
Rebecca looked at him imploringly. “I did—that is I tried to explain, Arun—”
“All you said was that Lucifer had outwitted Miss Howard, and you had to play both ends against each other to come away unscathed.”
“Yes,” Isabelle drawled. “I’d like to hear about that. How did Lucifer stay one step ahead of me?”
“You underestimate how well he knows you, m’lady. He felt you were different, that something about you had changed ever so slightly after your return from Dorset the first time. When you announced that you’d be returning a month later, he had one of his lackeys posted near the Salon. He found out that a handsome earl was accompanying you into the country. He sent me to spy on you, already suspecting that there was something between you and Lord Digby. I couldn’t very well follow your instructions and deny the affair completely. I sent him a letter while we were in the country, besides the ones you had me show you. I told him you were lovers, but I lied and said he’d given you a few pretty baubles in exchange for your favors.”
Arun frowned but Isabelle beamed in approval. “That was quite thoughtful of you, Little Bird. Well done.”
Emboldened by the praise, Rebecca continued, “The trouble started when we returned to London. I received a note from my mother asking me to visit her. When I arrived at her home, I found Lucifer there waiting for me. It was after the first time you sent him away, I think. He was unstable and violent, and my mother and stepfather were terrified. He’d destroyed half of the furniture in the room, insisting that another man had stolen what was his. He ordered me to lure Digby to London, confident that the Earl would rush to town if he thought your safety was in jeopardy.”
“I take it your parents didn’t leave London as planned?”
Rebecca shook her head. “He kept one of his men posted at their rooms at all times. Lucifer promised that he’d call his man off once I delivered Digby to him. I had no choice!”
“Hmm…and where are they now?”
“Brighton! Lucifer kept his end of the bargain. Once the Earl of Digby arrived at the Salon, he let them go. They took the stage to my stepfather’s family right away.”
“So, you sent a missive to Arun to urge his lordship to come to London, and when he was in the Salon you gave him Sally’s address in the Devil’s Acre.”
The younger woman swallowed and nodded.
“But that wasn’t the whole of it. You warned Lord Digby and you sent the police after him. Now, how did you manage that?”
“Do you know Alice? She’d a lady’s maid that works in the Salon.”
Isabelle furrowed her brows in thought for a moment. “Yes, she’s Charlotte’s abigail I believe, a pretty redhead with a sweet disposition. What about Alice?”
“She’s being courted by a constable named John Fielding. He’s the ambitious sort and wishes to become a magistrate within the next few years.”
Isabelle smirked. “Oh, Madam must have liked that: a constable with a tendre for one of her girls. She already pays them a hefty bribe to keep them out of the Salon’s business, and having a contact on the inside would be quite useful.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. All I know is that the maids were aware of Lucifer’s nocturnal visits and more than one of them, including Alice, was aware of his deadly reputation. Fielding had been imploring her for months to help him set a trap for Lucifer in the Salon. She adamantly refused, of course. Alice would never allow the constables to raid the place; she and everyone else would be arrested or instantly out of work with no references.”
“You reached out to this John Fielding?”
Rebecca nodded. “After I wrote to Arun beseeching him to convince the Earl to come to London, I had Alice summon Fielding to the Salon. I told him that he might soon have the opportunity to bring Lucifer to justice. It would bolster his reputation and career drastically if he was able to capture such a hardened, notorious criminal. He leapt at the chance, of course, and arranged to have a few night watchmen and a couple of runners ready, waiting for me to give the word. I received a message from Lucifer instructing me to send you to the Devil’s Acre…so I did. While the Earl was upstairs waiting for you in your bedchamber, I sent a note to the constable’s office. I did urge Lord Digby to wait until the police arrived, but he refused, driven to action by his fear for you.”
Isabelle gave a small smile at that but didn’t say anything for a while. Rebecca sneaked a look at Arun and found him deep in thought, leaning forward on his elbows.
Finally, Isabelle said, “I think that you’ve missed your calling. You ought to have been a spy for the English rather than a simple lady’s maid.”
Rebecca let out a breath of relief and chuckled. “You’re not angry with me then?”
“While I do feel that you betrayed my trust, I understand what drove you to do so. To be fair, it was a well thought out plan, and you executed it quite well, considering of course that you were dealing with such a dangerous man as Lucifer. You were actually brave to risk it.”
“You offered a way out for me Lucifer could never offer,” she blurted out without thought.
“I’m glad you were clever enough to know it.”
Isabelle rose gracefully, and Arun quickly jumped to his feet.
“I’m afraid I have somewhere to be now. Thank you for coming to see me.”
She led the way out of the room toward the front door, where she proceeded to take off her Indian shawl and pull on a navy-blue spencer with silver buttons. Rebecca stood mutely, wondering if she’d been dismissed from Isabelle’s service.
“I shall expect you here first thing tomorrow morning,” Isabelle called over her shoulder as she stepped out into the small courtyard where a couple of horses were tethered. She led her chestnut stallion to a mounting block and climbed into the saddle, settling her skirts about her. She then turned to Arun and said, “I’m sure the two of you have much to discuss; please escort Rebecca home, won’t you, Arun?”
“Are you sure, Miss Howard?”
“Oh, yes! I’m off to Minterne Manor now; chances are I’ll see you there later.”
With that she was gone, leaving the young couple alone in the courtyard. Rebecca looked down shyly, refusing to meet Arun’s gaze. “If you have things to do, please don’t let me keep you. You don’t need to walk me home.”
“Of course I will! What if you were set upon by highwaymen?”
She chuckled. “Highwaymen, here? And in broad daylight?”
He shrugged. “You never know, they can be quite dastardly. Besides, my chivalrous nature would never allow you to make this perilous journey alone. Lead the way, Miss Jones.”
They spent a pleasant half hour talking, catching up on each other’s news. Seemingly by mutual consent, neither one of them discussed their employers. When they reached Maggie’s Bed and Breakfast, Arun paused in front of the door somewhat expectantly.
Was she supposed to invite him in?
“Aunt Sally and Maggie will be back from the market shortly,” she said nervously.
Arun grabbed her hand and pushed open the door, pulling her in after him. When he shut the door, he gently pushed her against it, caging her between his arms. Rebecca’s heart pounded as he brought his face mere inches from her own.
“There is something I’ve been wanting to do, but I’d rather they not witness it.”
“Oh?”
He lowered his head and kissed her softly. Before she had time to really enjoy the sensation he pulled away, his lips curled in a satisfied grin. Her mouth tingled from where they’d touched. She wanted him to do it again, but she was too flabbergasted to ask.
“I should go. If your aunt finds us here alone, it would be most improper.”
A gurgle of laughter escaped her lips. “Somehow I don’t think Aunt Sally is very concerned with propriety.”
“Well, if she isn’t, I am.” He took one of her hands and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I’ll be by tomorrow for your riding lesson.”
“Arun, are things…all right between us?” she asked hesitantly.
He smiled at her. “I believe things are very well between us.”
He gave her another quick kiss and departed, leaving her flushed and flustered but incredibly happy. The future seemed much brighter now that things were finally falling into place. She was back in Isabelle’s good graces, she had a job she enjoyed doing, and her family was safe. Most importantly, of course, she had Arun, her fascinating beau.
She smiled to herself as she opened the door to her bedchamber. Completely occupied with her thoughts, she didn’t notice the menacing shadow moving swiftly across the room until it was too late.
Chapter 29
The gardens of Minterne Manor were lush and extensive, even so late in the autumn season. Beds of chrysanthemums in a myriad of colors occupied an entire section of the garden. While Isabelle hadn’t planned on visiting the manor that day, she was glad she had the opportunity to finally see Francis’s proud accomplishment.
Normally, she’d patiently wait until he came to her, which was inevitable. But she was tired of waiting, and what Rebecca had said about him willfully ignoring the danger and risking his life to rescue her had touched her deeply. If she’d had any doubts about his feelings toward her before, she no longer did.
Isabelle strolled through the gardens for well over an hour. Finally, she sat on a stone bench and was busy admiring a group of purple daisies when the sound of someone approaching caught her attention. Expecting a gardener, she looked up and was surprised to see Victoria Gilbert approach her. Isabelle rose just as the other woman reached her side.
Her initial response was to toss a barbed comment at Victoria, knowing it was always better to go on the offensive with such an opponent. But she remembered her agreement with Francis and decided to keep her peace. If the two of them were to quarrel, Isabelle would not be the instigator.
“Do you have a secret tryst with my cousin by any chance?” Victoria asked, curling her lip. “Am I interrupting what is supposed to be a tête-à-tête?”
“My dear Victoria, I doubt you are the least bit concerned about inconveniencing Francis. No, you haven’t stumbled upon any secret rendezvous. I am here to see him, yes, but I thought I’d take a look at the gardens I’ve heard so much about first. Do you like them?”
Victoria narrowed her eyes, as though trying to determine if there was a trap in the simple question. Finally, she said grudgingly, “They’re lovely and most unexpected. When we’d heard that my late Uncle Joseph’s son was stationed in India and had been in the army for over ten years, I’d been expecting a most uncouth character. Francis was a surprise.”
“And yet you’ve been doing your best to put him down in what you perceive is his proper place.”
Victoria started to say something then hesitated.
Surprised, Isabelle asked, “What is it? Has he done something distasteful to you?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that! He’s the picture of honor and propriety. Rather stiff and without the easy humor George had, but I admit he’s been good to Mama and me. It’s just—it’s not fair, you see. Why should he swoop in and get all this?” Victoria whined, gesturing to the manor and gardens around her. “Simply because he’s a man. He was our cousin, but we’d never even clapped eyes on him until he inherited this estate.”
Isabelle raised her brows but said nothing. She didn’t need to point out that life was seldom fair, particularly to their sex.
“I suppose I shouldn’t talk to you about how unfair life is,” Victoria noted with a twisted smile.
“I doubt you can even begin to imagine just how cruel life can be to a woman who’s alone in the world.”
Her companion sniffed. “You seem to have done well for yourself.”
“Many would think so, yes.”
Except that she didn’t have the one thing she truly wanted, what her heart desired above all else.
It wasn’t long before the owner of the gardens himself came upon them. “Isabelle?” Digby asked in surprise.
Inexplicably pleased to see him, Isabelle smiled dazzlingly at him, unable to stop herself. She’d missed him so much, her Francis, the only man who’d been able wheedle his way into her heart. “I’m so glad you found us. We were just talking about you, as a matter of fact.”
“Speak of the Devil and he doth appear,” he replied with a quirk of his lips. “Did you both take turns shredding my character to pieces, or was the abuse more one-sided?”
Victoria scoffed. “I don’t think I’d dare speak ill of you in Isabelle’s hearing. She might ruin my reputation so badly I’d have to flee to America.”
Both Isabelle and Francis fell silent, confused by her strange answer.
“You might have to explain that one to me,” he finally said. “Has Isabelle decided to act as my lawyer and defend my character, by any chance?”
“You, Lord Digby, have done what I’ve always thought to be impossible; you’ve made Isabelle Howard, the country’s most notorious flirt, fall in love with you.”
Francis frowned between the two women. “I…what?”
His cousin laughed humorlessly. “We may not have been friends for the past nine years, but I know Isabelle. She’s infatuated with you but has no idea how to actually be in a relationship. While you, Francis, are completely inept at dealing with a woman like her. It’s quite tragic and infinitely amusing to watch the pair of you flail helplessly around each other.”
Tears stung Isabelle’s eyes as Victoria’s vicious words struck home. Of course, she was in love with Francis, and it was clear to her that he couldn’t accept her for who she was. She opened her mouth to reply when the sound of someone clapping, coming from somewhere off to her right, distracted her.
To her horror, Gabriel stood before her with a menacing grin on his face and an ashen-faced Rebecca trembling next to him.
Francis recovered from his shock first and lunged for him. The larger man deftly sidestepped and threw Rebecca in his path. Francis stumbled from the impact and caught her as they both fell to the ground. Gabriel tsked mockingly and pulled out a pistol from his coat pocket. “Now there, your lordship, no need for such theatrics. I’ve come here for one thing and once I have it, I may even let you live.”
“For heaven’s sake, Gabriel,” Isabelle snapped. “Do you realize just how ridiculous this whole situation has become? What do you expect will happen? That in a few years I’ll somehow forget that you kidnapped me and forced me into marriage! You can’t make someone love you, you know you can’t.”
