A Lady by Chance (Historical Regency Romance) (9 page)

Dressed in a deep, rose velvet pelisse trimmed in soft white fur at the collar and cuffs and down the front, Anna glided down the staircase, her hand tucked into a fur muff while her bonnet dangled from the other hand. Haverstock and Morgie watched her from the foot of the stairs, admiration in their gazes.

"How lovely you look, my dear," Haverstock said, bowing over her hand and pressing it to his lips. "Do me the goodness to entertain Morgie while I change into more suitable attire."

He mounted the stairs as she turned her attention to Morgie, whose well cut coat of dark blue superfine represented the understated elegance for which Morgie was noted. "Won't you come with me to the morning room, Mr. Morgan?"

As soon as they sat down, Morgie said, "Good effect you have on Haverstock. Don't know when I've seen him leave that office while it was still light outside. Man works too deuced hard."

"I agree with you most emphatically. I'm attempting to persuade him not to work so hard, but I fear it is a losing battle, Mr. Morgan."

He nodded. "Please call me Morgie. Everyone does."

"Very well, Morgie."

"I must apologize for intruding on your ride. Newlyweds and all that. But Haverstock insisted."

"Of course he did, and glad I am of it," Anna said. "Charles has told me how you are his dearest friend, and I am grateful that he means to advance my friendship with you."

He cast his eyes downward, turning his hat in his hands. "I must also apologize for my state of inebriation that day on Grosvenor Square."

Stung by her guilt over that day's events, Anna spoke gently. "You have nothing to apologize for. In fact, I should apologize to you for forcing so much liquor on you. I shall have to plead ignorance of the world. You see, I am not only an orphan but also an only child and have not been at all in society. I had no idea how a gentlewoman was to act. Then, too, I was rattled over having so eligible a gentleman in my parlor."

Morgie colored at this.

"I hope we will become friends," Anna said as her husband opened the door.

Haverstock said, "That, too, is my most sincere hope."  Anna felt a pang in her chest as she gazed at his virile good looks.

"Sorry to learn she's an only child," Morgie said, rising. "Was hoping she had a sister."

Linking her arm in both of theirs, Anna said, "I don't, but Charles has four. I am sure he would be most happy to make you a brother."

"Never thought of that," Morgie said as they reached the front door that was held open by a footman. "Course those three little ones are rather young for me, and Lydia is. . ." he cast a quick look at Haverstock.

"And Lydia has no desire to marry," Haverstock finished.

In the phaeton, Haverstock took the ribbons. "How did your morning go, my dear?" he asked.

"Oh, very well. The girls will unquestionably be the best dressed on the Marriage Mart this year. I feel so very badly, though, that Lydia got nothing. You know Charles, I've been thinking. . ."

"Better watch out, old chap," Morgie interjected.

Anna smiled at Morgie and continued. "Being city-bred, I know nothing about horses, but couldn't you select a mount for Lydia? The two of you could take morning rides in the park. I think she would love that."

She watched as a smile brightened Haverstock's face. "I believe she would. I'll go to Tatt's tomorrow."

"I say, wouldn't mind tagging along." Morgie turned to Anna. "Haverstock's noted for his knowledge of horseflesh."

"No doubt Lydia was heavily influenced by her older brother," Anna said.

The entrance to Hyde Park was a great bottleneck where conveyances of all kinds politely took turns at entering. Haverstock and Morgie tipped their hats to any number of minor acquaintances.

From beneath hooded eyes, Haverstock cast a quick glance at Anna. The white, fur-lined brim of her rose silk bonnet provided a perfect frame for her lovely face and its fringe of dark ringlets. Her rose scent seemed far sweeter than all the flowers lining the beds of Hyde Park. He was very glad indeed to be here with her today. Though he wished it were sunny, he was grateful for the absence of rain.

With pride, he introduced his bride to several acquaintances along the way but avoided long conversations that might snare the procession of equipages.

"I say Haverstock," a voice called.

Haverstock looked ahead a short distance and saw his old friend John Thornton, whose gig was mired in a muddy track just ahead.

"Could you and Morgie give a hand?" Thornton asked. "Can't seem to budge this old hack."

Haverstock reined in. "Only too happy to," he said, giving the reins to Anna and leaping, along with Morgie, from the gig.

Paying no heed to the mud, the marquess and his friend got behind Thornton's gig and put their shoulders to it until it advanced, the men shouting their approval as it did so.

The sudden movement of Thornton's gelding caused one of Anna's horse to bolt. As it leaped forward, the ribbons were pulled from her hands. She screamed.

 Haverstock looked up to see the phaeton careening off at great speed.
God in heaven, what was I thinking?
Hadn't she just told him she didn't know anything about horses?

He cursed and ran after the gig, able to think of nothing, save Anna's body crushed from a horrible spill.

He sprinted after the runaway carriage, but the gray only gained ground on him. In bitter futility, he stopped and tried to catch his breath, his eyes never leaving the phaeton and the terrified woman in rose velvet.

As the gray came to a wood, it turned as if it were rounding a track and headed back to where Haverstock stood. He stood his ground in the horse's path and heard Anna scream at him to get out of the way. As the gray's pounding hooves came upon him, Haverstock stepped aside and leaped at its neck, grabbing both neck and mane and trying to pull himself on the beast's back. He was dragged several feet before he could throw a leg over the horse's back and mount it. All the while he heard Anna's horrifying wail.

Within seconds, he brought the phaeton to a stop. He slid off the horse and in two long strides was in front of Anna, reaching for her with his huge outstretched arms. She threw herself into his protective embrace. He held her trembling body tightly to him, then set her down and spoke in a voice more calm than he felt. "Are you unhurt?"

Her face ashen and voice quivering, she replied, "My lord! You could have been trampled!"

He smiled. "Madam, it appears I need to teach you a thing or two about handling horses."

Morgie ran up. "God's teeth! I was bloody worried about both of you! You could have been killed, Charles. Never should have given her the ribbons, old boy. Fool woman – -" he shot an embarrassed glance at Anna. "Beg your pardon, my lady."

Anna smiled weakly. "It's quite all right, Morgie. I am quite the fool when it comes to horses."

The news of Haverstock's heroics spread rapidly, and he proceeded to be complimented several dozen times, all of which he found so excessively tedious he cut the ride short and left the park.

Chapter 10

The day after Anna was introduced to London society as the bride of the Marquis of Haverstock via their well publicized romp in Hyde Park, a dozen ball invitations arrived by morning post.  Anna and her sisters perused them at the breakfast table where, for the first time since Anna had moved in, the dowager joined them.

It was also the first time the dowager spoke directly to Anna. "The best thing about your and Charles' marriage is that it ensures the two of you escort the girls to the season's balls, releasing me from that chore. Having already presented four daughters, I am much too old to keep such late hours. The older one gets, the more the comfort of one's bed beckons." The dowager added another spoon of sugar to her tea. "And I know Charles is chomping at the bit to display your loveliness to all of London. He obviously wasted no time in commissioning your miniature."

That was as close to a compliment as Anna suspected she would ever get from her mother-in-law.

"It turned out quite nicely," Lydia said. "Though one must admit the artist had a lovely subject."

Feeling uncomfortable, Anna changed the subject. "Mother, you must instruct me on which invitations we are to accept."

The expression on the dowager's face softened as she reached for the invitations, eyed them hurriedly, then discarded five that would have to be turned down. The others she handed to Anna with instructions that Lord Haverstock would attend these.

Though her mother-in-law assured Anna that Haverstock's secretary could handle the correspondence, Anna personally wrote notes of regret after breakfast to the rejected five, explaining there were previous engagements for those nights.

* * *

Colette's happy anticipation of the Wentworth Ball reminded Anna of a child excitedly awaiting Christmas. The old abigail smiled and hummed as she swept back Anna's dark hair, allowing a halo of ringlets to fall around Anna's face. "If only I could see how you outshine all the others,
cheri
," Colette said.

"You are most decidedly prejudiced." Anna peered into the looking glass, quite satisfied over Colette's artistry.

When Colette finished fashioning Anna's hair, she assisted her in dressing.

"Pray, how do you like your new quarters?" Anna asked.

"
Tres bien
," Colette said as she removed the dress from its hanger. "It is not dreary like the other because on a corner it is, and sunlight comes through windows on two sides."

"I am very happy to hear that," Anna said.

"And lovely new carpet is now on the floor."

Colette helped Anna into the dress, then fastened the satin buttons which ran down the back.

Anna stood back to observe her appearance in the cheval glass. The gown's sarcenet overskirt split down the front to reveal the contrasting silk of the underskirt. Where the overskirt split, wide gold bands gave the impression of an inverted V. The same gold banding edged the train that flowed from the back.

Colette fumbled through Anna's drawer and brought out long white satin gloves which she handed to Anna before standing back to admire her charge in full length. "Oh,
mon cheri
, you are most beautiful."

The last touch was to fasten in Anna's hair a gold band from which three white ostrich feathers swept upward.

"If only your mama could see you," Colette said. "She would be so happy."

With a poignant smile, Anna whispered, "She sees."

Anna sat down before her dressing table to slip on gold and white slippers as a tap sounded on her door, and Haverstock entered the dressing room. He wore a well cut royal blue velvet coat with diamond buttons over a white shirt and white knee breeches.

Anna smiled at her husband as she thanked Colette and dismissed her.

Haverstock moved toward Anna, unable to take his eyes from her. Her loveliness never failed to captivate him, whether it be watching her sleep under dawn's hazy glow or admiring her in promenade attire as she chatted merrily with his sisters. When he was close enough to smell her rose water, he felt a sense of heady intoxication. He trailed a finger along the satin smoothness of her shoulder.

"I have brought you something," he murmured, holding out a velvet box the size of a loaf of bread.

She took it and opened it. Dozens of diamonds sparkled in the candlelight. "It's the most beautiful necklace I've ever seen," she said.

"It's yours for a lifetime. My mother has reluctantly relinquished the jewels to the new marchioness." He reached to unfasten the necklace. "Allow me to clasp this on your most exquisite neck, Lady Haverstock."

When he finished, he said, "Now, if you please, rise so that I might determine if you will do."

"I am sure I will do, my lord, for your mother herself cast approval on this gown," Anna said with false confidence as she stood up.

Haverstock circled her. "I can see I will be the envy of every man at Lord Wentworth's tonight."

Her amused eyes met his. "I hope I don't bring you embarrassment."

"I beg that you avoid the card room, my dear," he said teasingly. "It wouldn't do at all for Lady Haverstock to relieve my friends of their money."

"I shall endeavor to obey you, my master."

He looked down into her laughing eyes and kissed her softly.

Her husband's obvious pride in her did much to relieve Anna's fears over her reception at the Wentworth's. For apprehension had made her sick all week. Details of her background by now trickled off the tongues of the
ton
, she knew. She kept remembering the scathing words she had heard her husband's father utter behind closed doors on that cold January day half a decade earlier.
The daughter of a whore will not attend school with my daughters
. Would others also wish to avoid tainting their women with her presence? Would she be snubbed at the Wentworth ball?

As they sat in the dark carriage waiting for the queue in front of them to unload their finely dressed ladies and gentlemen at the Wentworths', Charlotte said, "I am so very nervous."

"You will do well," her brother assured. "I have never seen you more lovely." His eyes traveled over her virginal looking white gown.

"Charles never said such kind words to me last year when I came out," a pouting Cynthia said.

Kate answered, "Oh Charles is much kinder and more appreciative of beauty since he married."

"The three of you are quite beautiful," Anna added, trying to instill in her sisters the confidence she lacked.

As Charlotte proceeded to voice her fears of being a wallflower, Anna's thoughts turned to her own fears – fears far greater than the embarrassment of not having a dancing partner.

Finally, their barouche pulled in front of the stately house where footmen posted like sentries on every other step all the way to the opened doorway. Anna's apprehension accelerated, as did her heartbeat, when she gave her hand to her husband and alighted from the carriage.

They passed through the doorway into a brightly lit room. Her eyes flitted to the flickering chandeliers laden with rings and rings of tapers. In this room alone, Anna guessed, over a thousand candles burned.