Lady Brittany's Love (3 page)

Chapter Five

Much to his amazement the evening hadn’t turned out as horribly as he’d thought. Not only had he received permission to review the manuscript, which would aide in hunting down the traitors, but he’d found being in Lady Brittany’s presence a pleasure. What made everything even more disturbing, the emotions she excited in him. Not only when dancing, but merely being near her.

Climbing the granite stairs to the front door of his townhouse, Samuel now understood why people married for love. Brittany could very well be that lady. Not one to rush into anything he needed to be cautious when it came to matters of the heart.

Samuel reached for the solid brass latch only to have it yanked from his hand when the door swung open. Standing in front of him was his butler with two footmen.

“Stanley, is there a problem?” Samuel asked.

“Yes, m’ lord. A short while ago I received word two men attempted to break into the Bemming townhouse. Fortunately, they were captured before any damage could be done.”

On hearing this news panic overtook him. He was thankful neither Brittany nor her parents had been home at the time. Shaking his head did little to calm him. Being more a man of action than thought, he glared at his butler.

“Follow me and have the two footmen also. I need to send a note to the earl at once,” he ordered, heading to his office.

Stepping over to his desk he took a seat then retrieved two sheets of paper and dashed off a note to Lord Eli assuring him that Samuel had nothing to do with the break-in. To that extent he offered the earl footmen to supplement his staff. The next, to Lady Brittany, took a few minutes longer. He wished to thank her for a wonderful evening, glad to hear nothing had been taken and that she was unharmed.

“Have them wait for replies,” he ordered.

“Yes, m’ lord,” the butler said, bowed, then led the two footmen from the office.

With that done and nothing to do until replies were received, Samuel contemplated his bigger problem, Brittany. To compound the dilemma the only person he might possibly discuss the problem with was his friend.

Knowing Cole as he did the man would make light of the topic, which would be the last thing Samuel wanted or needed. The only other real choice he had, and not a good one, would be to approach Lady Wallace as he suspected she and Brittany kept no secrets from each other.

What he’d told the good woman had been the truth. He’d wished to make Brittany’s acquaintance to make his apology for his earlier behavior.

However, in regards to the book in her possession, there he’d not been entirely truthful. Yes, if necessary he’d be making a journey to Africa but not in search of treasure nor fame and fortune. The trip would be to seek out something far more sinister.

Frustrated, he stepped over to the window that overlooked the forecourt. Looking down he watched as the two messengers returned. For some unknown reason he felt nervous, a totally foreign experience.

It can’t be from hoping to hear from Lady Brittany
.

The sound of feet climbing the stairs then rushing down the hall brought him to the center of the room.

“Stanley, come in,” Samuel called out, even before the man got to the door.

“M’ lord, the Earl of Bemming’s response along with one from Lady Brittany,” the butler announced, handing over two envelopes.

With a nod he took them and retreated to his desk. As much as he wished to read Brittany’s response he knew duty called. He broke the seal on the one from Lord Eli.

M’ lord,

I have full faith, as a gentleman, you had nothing to do with causing the disturbance at my townhouse this eve. Fortunately, nothing was taken as the culprits were apprehended before they made good their escape.

Thank you for your kind offer, to which I accept most humbly, in providing extra staff to assist in protecting the house and its occupants.

Your servant

Eli

Earl of Bemming

Samuel set the note down, glanced up and saw Stanley standing patiently in front of the desk.

“Have several of the larger footmen report to the Bemming butler. Until this event can be put to rest we’ll be assisting in guarding their residence.”

“Consider it done. With your permission I’ll instruct them to take street attire on the chance John, the Bemming butler, wishes them to be outside.”

“The details I’ll leave to you.” With a dismissing wave he watched Stanley depart on his mission.

Next he turned his attention to the note from Brittany.

Lord Samuel,

Thank you for your concern as to my safety.

I look forward to our meeting in the afternoon.

Sincerely,

Lady Brittany

Considering the events of this evening Samuel was happy she still wished to meet with him. With a smile he left the office and climbed the stairs to his suite.

****

After an uneventful night sleep Samuel tossed off the bed cover then took care of his morning routine. Dressed in a dark brown jacket with matching trousers he headed for the small dining room.

While breaking his fast Samuel looked through
The Tattler
, wondering what useless gossip they’d printed. What did come as a surprise, they’d published a short article about him and the mysterious lady he’d danced with, referring to her as Lady B.

Considering how they’d met, he was pleased they’d not mentioned her by name. That’s when he remembered the broadsheet tended to be careful in regards to ladies while the men, of which on several occasions included him, usually received a more scathing mention.

With his first meal of the day finished he headed for his office to handle what had arrived in the morning mail. Enroute, he stopped Stanley and instructed the butler to have his curricle out front at one of the clock as he had an appointment. He also asked about the footmen and received a glowing report in regards to their behavior.

Taking a seat at the desk he surveyed the two stacks of mail. The taller pile would be invitations. It seemed his behavior last eve had shown the ladies of the
ton
he, with the proper incentive, could conduct himself as a gentleman. As there were only two from his primary estate manager he decided to deal with them, considering the last reports had been positive with not even a hint of minor problems.

The next regarded the gazebo which needed new roofing as a recent storm had damaged it. Samuel responded to have one installed, he then tackled the second letter. This one was about the new horse he’d purchased at Tattersall’s. The mare had arrived in good health and was being trained to sidesaddle. With a smile he set both aside for the more tedious task of going through the invitations.

As he sorted through them he disposed of the requests for his presence at musicals and visits to the Covent Garden to hear horrible opera. That left balls, which was the largest pile.

He was interrupted by Stanley.

“M’ lord, your curricle is in the forecourt. I took the liberty to have the grays set between the shafts.”

Samuel cursed himself for not giving instructions as to which pair to have harnessed. He was glad Stanley had made a good choice as they’d not been out in several days.

A short while later, he turned the horses over to the care of his tiger and climbed the granite main stairs to the front portico of the Bemming townhouse. There to be met at the door by the butler.

“Samuel, Earl of Brockworth. I’ve an appointment with the Earl of Bemming and Lady Brittany.”

“Welcome, m’ lord. You’re expected. Please follow me,” the man stated.

Much to his disbelief the butler didn’t take him to the first floor where the earl’s office would be. Instead, escorted him along the ground floor, past a set of doors then into a casual and well-appointed sitting room overlooking the sleeping winter garden.

“M’ lord and ladies, Samuel, Earl of Brockworth,” the butler announced.

Stepping into the room he bowed slightly as they were of the same rank.

“Thank you, for allowing me the opportunity to visit considering the recent events.”

“You’re more than welcome. As agreed, you may look at the book but it cannot leave the house,” Eli reminded him.

He responded with a nod and waited for Brittany to rise. Much to his enjoyment the countess joined her, then with a smile started out of the parlor.

Silently, he followed the ladies down the hall before standing in front of two solid oak doors held open by footmen.

When he stepped through his breath was ripped from his lungs at the sight set before him. Unlike private libraries where bookcases were set into walls, this room which he guessed to be as big as the ballroom at Kensington Palace, had row after row across and down the space.

As he studied the stacks he could see a sheen coming off the book spines. This told him they were exquisitely and lovingly cared for.

Across from where he stood, high arched windows allowed soft light in and where the sun struck the books a screen had been set to protect them.

“Lady Brittany, without a doubt this is the most extensive library I’ve ever seen. If I’m not mistaken this room could rival the British Museum in the number of volumes,” Samuel said, as he continued to take in the sight before him.

“I wish that were true. I would like to point out that my family, over the generations, has collected many rare and unique books. If I’m not mistaken, I don’t believe there’s a topic, no matter how mundane, that can’t be found in a book located here in this room. If you’ll follow me I’ll show you the section devoted to the exploration of Africa. Here we have books dating back to the first visits to the continent,” Brittany said with pride.

As they made their way down the room Samuel noticed several workmen on scaffolding repairing a window.

“Is that where the thieves gained entry?”

“Yes, m’ lord. Father is planning to install bars to prevent a similar event from happening again. And here we are, the tome you wish to study,” she said.

Chapter Six

“Have you had a chance to look through the book?” Samuel asked, holding her chair so she could sit then joined her at the table.

“Only briefly, m’ lord. As I was reviewing a few of the pages I noticed some interesting notes in the margins. Most of them make little or no sense to me. Mayhap, they will to you,” she replied.

“Shall we see what you’re talking about? This might be useful for me when organizing my expedition,” he said, hoping she didn’t realize he was lying.

After about twenty minutes of studying not only the book but notations, Samuel started to recognize a pattern. What looked like author notes could be names of people or ships but written in an unusual shorthand. Each was on a page where Hersey discussed a village and the wildlife in its vicinity. He found this all interesting but didn’t necessarily get Samuel closer to the ringleader.

“M’ lord, do you know what the notes mean?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t. I’m sure we will for I’d like to spend more time studying them in greater detail. With some of the books you already have, which exceeds my collection, we might be able to make sense of the notations.”

On seeing Brittany nod her approval to allow him to visit again he bestowed a warm smile on her. Her reaction to his request seemed to be the encouragement he needed to not only spend time with her, which he was beginning to enjoy more than he thought, but to learn more about the illegal slavery trade in Nigeria.

“Will you be attending the Rucker ball this evening? If so might I request two of the waltzes,” he inquired.

“I had planned on staying in but since you’ll be in attendance I can’t see why I shouldn’t go. Considering the vast improvement of your attitude to my personage I would be honored to partner with you,” she answered back.

“Lord Samuel, since we will be attending the same event would you care to sup with us. I’ve already invited Lady Wallace to which she’s accepted,” the countess announced, as she glided around a book stack.

Quickly, he added up those attending the dinner and with him he realized they’d be a gentleman short.

“M’ lady, if your daughter doesn’t object, I’d be honored to join you. If you’re short a gentleman, mayhap Lady Wallace might prevail upon her son to join us as he and I are friends,” Samuel recommended.

“Interesting, you should mention him as Lady Wallace did make the same suggestion and I accepted her endorsement. Now, would you care for tea?”

Samuel glanced to Brittany, who smiled back.

“That would be lovely, m’ lady, but with your permission might we have it in one of the parlors. I’ve obtained some valuable information which I need to think about before continuing on with my research,” he requested.

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Barbara said.

With him following, the ladies went to the family sitting room which again came as a shock to him. From experience, he knew the only people permitted in were family members and highly select guests, which now seemed to include him.

Waiting for the ladies to be seated Samuel selected a chair, near but not too close to Brittany. As he was about to sit he noticed the countess with her eyes directing him to take a seat beside Brittany. With a nod, he did as silently instructed.

“M’ lord, considering the time of afternoon would you prefer a whiskey instead of tea?” the countess offered.

“M’ lady, if you don’t mind I’ll have tea as I foresee a long afternoon and a very enjoyable evening,” he politely answered back.

“John, there will be three for tea and see if Cook will part with some of her famous lobster finger sandwiches. Before you say she doesn’t have any, I’ve it on excellent authority she does,” the countess ordered.

“Of course, m’ lady,” he said, bowed, then slipped from the room.

Over tea Samuel was able to direct the conversation to upcoming social events, pointedly not mentioning musicales. This was part of his plan to continue to not only endear himself to Brittany but learn more about her and her of him. Then, in the hopes when and if he obtained enough courage to offer for her not only would her parents approve but she’d accept.

“My dear Lord Samuel, have you spent so much time at your estates you’ve forgotten which are the best balls to make your presence known? Or perchance, is there another reason, on a more personal note,” Barbara queried.

“Mother, I do believe you‘ve made His Lordship uncomfortable. Of course, he wishes to learn what balls we, specifically I, will be attending. Granted, he’ll be here working on the Hersey book several hours a day but I think he’s seeking out more public and social venues to be seen with me. Which in the process would show the
ton
he’s reformed from his rakehell ways and desires to become a respectable gentleman,” Brittany explained.

“Might I suggest we invite him on a carriage drive, maybe to Richmond tomorrow? After which we could take luncheon at The Red Stag Tavern,” her mother suggested.

“Um, excuse me ladies, but you are aware I’m sitting right here and can hear everything you’re saying.” After not getting a comment or even acknowledging his presence he continued. “Yes, m’ lady, I do wish to escort Lady Brittany about town and I think the idea would be wonderful.”

“M’ lord, congratulations as you’ve fallen into one of a myriad of traps ladies use to not only learn the truth but also obtain what they desire,” Eli announced as he strolled into the parlor.

“That, my dear husband, will cost you a five strand pearl choker,” his wife calmly informed her husband.

“You see, Lord Samuel. In a situation such as this, men can’t win. Now, shall we retreat to the safety of my office?”

“Certainly, m’ lord.” Standing he turned to Brittany. “Mayhap later, as I’ve my curricle with me would you care for a drive around the park?”

He watched, enchanted at the lovely shade of pink coloring her cheeks.

“Yes, m’ lord, that would be lovely. Shall we say half an hour as that will give me time to change into a properly warm gown?” Brittany said.

With a nod he followed Eli out of the parlor, down the corridor and to the earl’s office.

“Bemming, might I have a brandy as that little interlude involving the ladies unsettled me a bit.”

“I was going to offer you one as you did seem rattled at how easily they were able to get what they wanted. Might I also suggest a small trinket for Lady Brittany, otherwise she won’t think you have affection for her.”

Samuel took a healthy sip of his brandy on hearing another verbalize what he’d been thinking. He now wondered how much the earl had overheard, quite a bit he suspected. Before he could say anything Eli interjected.

“If you’re wondering how I learned about your feelings for my daughter, Lady Wallace informed me of your request for the introduction. You see, besides being Brittany’s godmother she’s also my sister. We’ve no secrets from one another.”

“Yes, now back to the matter at hand, or should I say at neck. Perhaps a simple strand of pearls would suffice as we only are starting to know each other and we might not even get along,” Samuel stated.

“Yes, I do believe Lady Brittany would appreciate that. As for your trip around Hyde Park, considering your past reputation, I’d suggest the countess and I join you both in my landau.”

“Thank you, m’ lord, as I do believe, considering last evening and the report in
The Tattler
being seen in your company will send the correct message to the Grand Dames and the
ton
.”

Samuel was risking a great deal, including possibly Brittany’s safety in being seen out with her, but his heart told him in the end it would be worth the result. Having missed his chance for the book a week ago when he’d slipped unseen into Hersey’s townhouse now he’d had to falsify his interest to serve the Crown.

He’d been able to convince Brittany he needed to review the book. What concerned him, she didn’t become too inquisitive about the voyage where she would wish to join him. To the best of his knowledge no lady had undertaken such an adventure. Yes, they’d gone to Africa with family but never searched out the interior lands.

Samuel waited while Eli informed John they’d need the landau and to let the countess know there would be four for the excursion.

Samuel then requested to borrow a footman.

“Of course, since you’ve been so generous with aiding in the protection of our house.”

“Also, I need a piece of foolscap and pen to send a note to my jeweler. The man should have a necklace ready and be willing to part with one. With your humble permission I’ll have the package delivered to my townhouse then bring it with me on my return for dinner.”

“Perfect, as the gift will set the mood for the evening. Shall we be off so we won’t keep the ladies waiting,” Eli said.

“On that you’re correct, but they can and do I suppose leave us waiting endlessly while they primp themselves,” Samuel teased, on remembering how often he and his father had been left pacing while his mother perfected herself.

“So true, but there’s one important point you need to remember. No matter what, never let the lady of your affection hear she’s the most beautiful in all of England. By doing so might keep coin in your pocket where it belongs and not draped on her,” he quipped.

With the footman on his way to deliver the note to Samuel’s jeweler he followed Eli out of the earl’s office only to meet both ladies at the first floor landing.