A Curious Heart (Love Vine: A Regency Series) (24 page)

"Well, let me see—"  Rothburn thought furiously, trying to pull together what he thought Prinny might have said to such a thing, while appearing to draw out the suspense and antagonize the old woman at the same time. "He said to tell you, Madam, that such behavior has been known to cause court exile and he would not countenance further displays from you of a detrimental or devious nature."

Having spoken and seeing his words sink into his opponent's consciousness quite nicely, Rothburn then turned his attention to Lady Alana. His voice strong and stern, he asked, "Would you accompany me in the garden for a moment?  I have something to discuss that cannot wait."

He then walked to his quarry and put his hand out to lift her from the chair, which he did with ease, for Lady Alana appeared to be in a trance as she stared at his implacable visage. Placing her hand upon his arm, he strolled with her from the room, nodding to his good friend and Lady Eleanor with a solemn cast to his features. "Afternoon, Gordon, Eleanor. We'll be back shortly, I'm sure."

When they had gone, Lady Grace, Countess of Champlay, sat staring at her grandson with a furious expression, her eyes boring into him, hoping to intimidate. "You have threatened what is mine, Gordon. Do you think I will sit still for this?"

Sir Gordon stared in return. "Grandmother, to be sure you will if you value your status in society, and the allowance that keeps the food on your table and the clothes on your back."

Though it did not sit well with him to deal so heavily with her, he knew only a very strong stance would quell her mischief in future. Sir Gordon consoled himself—what he did now was best for all. "I have control of your purse, as you well know and will not hesitate to beggar you should I need to. You have ridden roughshod over your family long enough. A retraction—prettily phrased—will appear tomorrow and you can rest assured Rothburn will bring your words to the attention of the Crown. Therefore, I advise you to be astute in your apology.
Very
astute."

Lady Grace rose from her seat with care and groped for the cane, her use of it now a reality as her legs were weak and wobbly beneath her. She went to the small desk below the portrait of herself as a young girl. "I will sketch the damnable thing now for your approval. Will that serve?"

She did not look at him, her voice was a low growl. Though defeated, she was too proud to comply without at least some show of defiance. "When I have finished here, I want you all out of my house at once."

 "As you wish, Madam. I will be only too happy to quit your parlor and your presence, as soon as you have done as I wish." Sir Gordon kept his features carefully blank.

This unsavory business—threatening an old woman, no matter she deserved it—he liked not at all. No matter she'd otherwise do worse harm. No matter she was his own flesh and blood.

Chapter Nineteen

~~

Alana almost had to skip in order to keep up with The Earl of Rothburn's rapid pace as he led her to the far wall of the garden. Seating her by a small fountain, he stood over her with an implacable gaze. She fidgeted and fussed with the ribbons on her bodice, not looking at him—fearing, in fact, to do so. The silence stretched long.

 "I have come to tell you only one thing, Alana." His stiff, angry words broke the strained quiet. "You either believe me or not regarding the
on dit
in the Times. If you do not, I shall withdraw my suit, for I have not the time nor the patience to wed a woman who cannot trust my word."

He stepped back and turned toward the wall, his hands clasped behind him, rocking on his heels. He appeared cool and composed but he was not— he'd turned away only that she might not see his misery.

His heart hammered while he awaited her response. The resolve in his voice had not yet transmitted itself to his heart—therefore, he needed to hide his eyes from her. Were he to show the least compassion, she would undo him, he was certain.

Alana sat very still, thinking over his words and her sorrow grew in proportion to her anger as she realized he would never admit the truth. Thus, she reasoned she had no choice. "Rothburn, I know you feel I have wronged you in this matter but I cannot believe you would react so strongly to such an insignificant thing. If you cannot admit the truth to me and you do not wish to continue, I will be glad to let you cry off."

She fell silent, her own heart hammering as she waited, in her turn, for him to respond.

 "Well, then it is settled. I will of course, allow you to be the one who renounces our engagement." He looked at her finally, turning slowly on his heel and assessing her features, hoping to see even a modicum of sorrow that might give him hope that she would relent.

There was only the smooth glacial gaze that he had never before seen directed at him. It put him in such a foul mood he began to walk away quickly, lest he throttle her—or kiss her, for he wanted to do both. "I shall see this business settled with your mother and be on my way."

 "There is really nothing to settle. We have handled it all. You are, as usual, too late with your assistance." She could not keep from jabbing at him with the allusion that he had not been there when she needed him. "I know not where you have been these last days, nor do I care. I will see to a new bit of gossip for the society pages that will leave no one in doubt that we are no longer a twosome."

She passed him as she ran into the house and grabbing her shawl, fled the room, calling for Sutherland to fetch her a public conveyance. Alana went to await the vehicle. With some consternation, she realized she was without her slippers—but dared not go back for them.

The trio in the small salon witnessed her hasty departure, and that of Rothburn, good manners forgotten, as he hastened after her without a by-your-leave for anyone. He stopped only long enough to sweep up the small slippers and clutching them in a fist, went swiftly through the door.

Sir Gordon stood, accepted the missive from his grandmother and gave Eleanor his hand, moving off toward the exit as well. Lady Grace, still seated at the desk, looked at them as they went. Her eyes glittered with malevolence, lips quivering with unspoken words of anger.

Lady Alana trembled with the enormity of what had just transpired. Telling herself again it was for the best—she seemed to quarrel with the man more than anything—she couldn't quell her pain. When his carriage arrived before her hired one, she stood to one side as he dropped her shoes before her and went to his carriage, hopped inside and closed the door.

She was fumbling to put the shoes on and did not see him when he came out of the carriage once more and ran up the steps, therefore she was quite off balance when he dragged her down the path and fairly pushed her into the waiting carriage.

Sir Gordon and Lady Eleanor emerged from the house just in time to see the earl push a squealing, protesting Alana into his vehicle, and though Eleanor was dismayed, Sir Gordon grinned widely at the spectacle.

Tucking the missive into his breast pocket, he offered the lady his arm, saying, "Shall we fetch your Missus Crofts and go for that ride now?"

"As you wish Gordon, but I do hope you will not be too harsh with your grandmother. She is, after all, an old person and if you really withdraw her funds, she may be subject to a terrible decline."

Lady Eleanor did not know him well enough yet, it would seem, to ascertain that he had no intention of beggaring his grandparent, though he would reduce her circumstances considerably if necessary. Enough to keep her out of London and society.

"Do you think I would actually do it?" He looked at her with dismay.

"Well, it seemed you would. I mean, you sounded as though you would." She looked up at him, studying his face, searching for her answer in the depths of his eyes, then with a smile she took his arm, maneuvering carefully down the steps.

"But then again, you are a master of deceit, I can see." She leaned against him, squeezing his arm in affection. "I do know you would never carry out such a threat."

"Do you think your aunt will brain Rothburn with a club?" Lady Eleanor giggled light heartedly. "I do so hope they get things ironed out, they are so entertaining to behold in their constant squabbles."

"Well, it will be a close call for them both. My money is on Rothburn, however, for he is not the clown everyone thinks him to be. He will have her set to rights quickly if I know my man."

* * * * *

The Earl of Rothburn shoved the love of his life—none to gently—into the corner of the carriage, rapped his cane on the ceiling and they were off. She scowled at him, still trying to get her left slipper on. The trembling of her hands prevented success in her endeavor. He reached down and shoved the slipper in place, then dropped the foot quickly.

Stunned by the touch of his hand on her bare ankle, Alana had no time to react. She sat gaping at him for some moments, while he gaped at her in return. Soon a wide grin came over his features and he could not help the guffaw of laughter that burst forth at the sight of her.

Lady Alana Fisk was disheveled in the extreme, for her hair had come down from its pins and her perky bonnet had gone askew, the ribbons dangling over her face. Her gown was crumpled from being tossed into the carriage and her face was a study in indignation—and something else.

 
Something that smoldered in her eyes that was not a bad thing at all
.

As she set about putting her bonnet straight and adjusting the pins in her hair, she lifted her arms, causing the material of her bodice to come tight over her bosoms, displaying them to ample advantage. Seeing this, Rothburn could not tear his gaze away. His smile melted into something very serious, his eyes glazing over at the sight.

"Really, Rothburn. To stare so is very rude." Her husky voice was not at all angry. Lady Alana had come so close to losing him she determined to let him think she believed him, if only he gave her another chance to do so. "Be a gentleman and stop gaping at me thus."

"But Dearest Alana, I cannot help it when you look as you do. I suppose we need to find a chaperone, but for the life of me, I want to take you off to the country now and be wed with all haste."

"What?" She looked rather stunned and willing to be kissed, so he moved himself gracefully to her side of the carriage and took her hands, lifting them to his lips. She tried at first to pull them back, her confusion growing as the man changed from one mood to another with drastic speed.

"Rothburn, whatever are you doing? You said we were quit. I do not understand, for I have not said I believe you about the Times."

"Don't matter. Want you at any rate. If I have to wed you today, I shall do so. You will learn in time that I am a truthful man and if you don't, then I shall beat you regularly until you
do
learn."

"And if you beat me, I shall take a broom to you first chance, or mayhap I will simply drown you in Port while you sleep. I vow, you should think twice before threatening me."

Leaning very close, he whispered against her lips as her arms came round his neck, "If I beat you, Love, you will be hard put to gainsay me, for I shall do a thorough job of it."

He kissed her then, and she kissed him back, their mouths clinging hungrily, parting as the coach jolted on a particularly rough patch of street.

Not one to let a swaying carriage deter him, the earl pulled her onto his lap and clasped her closer with one hand while deftly dropping the shade  on first one window then the other, leaving them in near darkness.

He then proceeded to kiss her so thoroughly they were barely aware when the carriage stopped before the Pendleton townhouse. The driver had assumed the destination—not having been instructed otherwise.

As there was much to do to rearrange clothing and re-pin fallen hair, they were a very long time emerging from the vehicle. When Rothburn called for his footman to place the step, his voice was gruff and his breathing still rather erratic.

As for the lady, well, she was breathless as well, and her eyes shown with a light of determination. "We really should get this wedding over with, Rothburn, before you completely ruin my reputation."

"All the more reason for this, M'dear." Rothburn patted his breast pocket, wherein lay the special license needed for the ceremony. "With all haste, I think we should assemble our party and be off in the morning."

"Can we be away that soon? I have not even finished my trousseau."

"It can be done for you and delivered later. You shall not need many clothes for a while at least." He grinned at her and ducked as she swiped at him, a playful grin belying any real intent to harm.

"Give me two days, Rothburn. After all, we have guests that have been waiting to assemble for a week or more. They must have some notice." She smiled at him, patting his cheek, her softly seductive voice winning him over immediately. She whispered, "We will have all of our lives to be together. I would have this one day as perfect as possible."

When they came into the drawing room at last, Allie looked up from the letter she was reading and could not help but smile in response to their joy, though her own heart was heavy with pain.

Griffin, it would seem, was having second thoughts once more about keeping her waiting. He had just written to inquire if she was certain she could or would wait such a very long time.

"Do you think I could have a moment with you both? I have something I'd like to talk to you about." Her voice was just a little shy, for she could see the lovebirds had only eyes for each other, but in truth, she felt she could not wait to discuss her problem. "Griffin feels that I must change my mind soon, and he has me very upset."

Sobering at the sight of her troubled eyes, the couple came and sat on either side of her and listened with patience as Allie explained.

"I have told him countless times I would rather wait for him than choose another, and yet he persists in asking me if I am sure. It is very difficult to carry on a courtship with a gentleman who is so far away. I wish he could give over worrying about my feelings and just accept that I love him and will wait for as long as it takes."

She then lowered her eyes and crumpled the letter, whispering, "I would rather we were wed right away, though. It is misery in the extreme to be kept from him for such long periods of time."

"Allie, you will see Griffin in three days time, and you can have him to yourself in the garden of Jennings Manor to discuss this." Rothburn spoke gently to the girl and her eyes brightened.

"We are leaving morning after next, and will be wed the day after that. You shall convince him, perhaps, not to wait so long and shorten the engagement by at least a year, if necessary."

He frowned slightly in remembrance of a conversation he'd had with the boy and said, "Griffin is worried, you know, that he cannot provide for you without the charity of the family. You must be certain before you press him, of course. It would do neither of you any good to compromise your original plans for want of a little less time together."