Lord Dearborn's Destiny (18 page)

To Ellie, however, she merely said, "Yes, crowded rooms often affect me so, also. I find it most soothing, when I am not feeling quite the thing, to work in my rose garden. Perhaps you would care to do some pruning for me today? If you'd like to cut a basket or two of blooms for tomorrow night while you are at it, I should be most grateful."

As the Countess had suspected she would be, Ellie was thankful for an excuse to spend most of the day alone with her thoughts and agreed readily.

Half an hour later, Forrest requested an interview with his mother, which surprised her not at all. In fact, she had lingered in her rooms longer than usual in hopes of it, brushing out the fur of two of her longhaired cats even though they were not really in need of it yet.

"Mother, I—I hope what I have to say will not upset you too badly" was the Earl's disquieting introduction. "But even if it does, I cannot retract it. I have decided that I cannot marry Miss Winston-Fitts." He regarded the Countess expectantly, obviously braced for a storm of protest.

Instead, Lady Dearborn smiled. "Pray have a seat, Forrest," she said mildly. "I believe we have a few things to discuss."

He perched on the edge of the settee, regarding her warily. "I warn you, ma'am, I have thought this through and will not be dissuaded."

"I can see that," agreed the Countess, enjoying the startled look on her son's face. "I only wonder that it took you so long."

Forrest's expression became one of pure astonishment. "But... but I thought you... that—"

"You thought that I was so desperate for grandchildren that I would hurry you into marriage with the first girl you showed an interest in," his mother finished for him. "I will admit, the idea was tempting, especially given Miss Winston-Fitts's beauty."
 

She allowed herself a sigh of regret for the lovely goldenheaded grandchildren they would have given her. "But you must know, Forrest, that your happiness comes first with me— though I am not certain that having Miss Winston-Fitts constantly about would contribute much to
my
felicity, either. Your decision presents us with a problem, however."

Forrest nodded. "Her parents. They quite obviously expect me to offer for her."

"Precisely. I would not put it past that odious woman to spread it abroad throughout London that you had jilted her daughter if you do not, and we really cannot have that. Nor would that circumstance appeal to Miss O'Day, I suspect."

The Earl's head came up sharply at that. "Miss O'Day? What has she to do with this?"

The Countess merely chuckled. "Very well, you may keep your own counsel there, if you wish. I'll say no more on it."

Forrest favoured her with a reluctant smile. "You always were too sharp by half, Mother. But for honour's sake, this first matter must be settled before I can do anything about the other."

"Agreed. I have noticed that Sir George Bellamy appears to have a marked partiality for Miss Winston-Fitts. Perhaps we may make use of that."

"I had already formed a plan of sorts along those lines," replied Forrest, his smile broadening. "Now that I know you will not oppose it, I believe I shall proceed."

The Countess arched a brow, but did not question him further. "Very well, Forrest, I leave you to do whatever you can," she said, rummaging in her pockets as he rose to go.
 

"Good luck!" she called out as he reached the door, tossing him a hare's foot. The Earl caught it and turned it over in his hand consideringly, before tucking it into his own pocket.

"Can't hurt," his mother heard him murmur as he left the room.
 

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Sir George had been surprised when his host singled him out to play a game of billiards, but he had agreed readily enough. He had been quite good in his youth, and there was enough competitive spirit in him still to make him desirous of besting the Earl in this, at least.
 

It was ironic that he found Lord Dearborn so likable, he mused as he lengthened his lead in the game. Had Rosalind not stood between them, they might have become friends. He never for a moment suspected that the Earl was deliberately allowing him points, so small and skilful were the mistakes Lord Dearborn made.

"Your angle is off a bit," offered Sir George helpfully as the Earl barely missed another shot.

"Thank you," replied Lord Dearborn with seeming sincerity. "I'll work on improving it." After a brief silence while Sir George made his next shot, the Earl said hesitantly, "Perhaps you could offer me a bit of advice on another matter, as well. Actually, it would be advice that I might pass on to a friend of mine with a dilemma."

"Happy to be of any service, of course," said Sir George, preening slightly at the implication that Lord Dearborn valued his opinion. "What sort of dilemma is he faced with?"

"It involves a young lady he greatly admires," replied the Earl, picking up a cloth to polish his stick. "He believes her to return his sentiments, but her family wishes her to wed elsewhere. Someone of greater wealth or importance than my friend, I imagine."

Sir George attempted to conceal his sudden interest by turning to gaze out of the window at the excellent view it offered of the herb garden and maze below. "A fairly common problem, I apprehend," he said nonchalantly. "I once knew a fellow in similar circumstances myself."

"Ah, indeed! And what did that fellow do? Perhaps his example might be of some use to my friend."
 

Sir George pondered, trying to look as though he were remembering rather than inventing. "Why, he... he offered for her, but her parents would have none of him," he finally said rather hopelessly, putting forth the most likely scenario in his own case— assuming, of course, that he ever actually screwed up his courage to make the offer.

"And then what?" prompted the Earl. "Did he call the other fellow out? Place his heart at his beloved's feet? Elope?"

Sir George felt a surge of alarm at the first suggestion, but the last two made him more thoughtful. "As... as I recall, he told her of his feelings and persuaded her to an elopement," he replied after a lengthy pause. "He held no animosity towards the other fellow, after all."

"A clever solution, I must say." Lord Dearborn nodded as though impressed. "And far less bloodthirsty —or illegal —than a duel. I must recommend that course to my friend. He will need to act quickly, for there is reason to believe that the other fellow might offer at any time."

Sir George's felt another flash of alarm.
 

"I have no doubt he will be most grateful for this advice, as I am for your assistance, Sir George."

Sir George was already lost in thought. "Er, happy to be of service, my lord, as I said," he replied absently. His eyes were on the garden again, where he saw Rosalind herself, accompanied by the Earl's sister, just entering the maze. He did not notice Lord Dearborn's smile of satisfaction.
 

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"Would you like me to show you the secret of the maze, Miss Winston-Fitts?" Lady Glenhaven asked as she and Rosalind stepped out into the bright sunshine. Juliet had proposed a walk in the gardens that the two of them might become better acquainted. "It is not especially large, but it is rather intricate nonetheless."

Rosalind acceded to the plan and followed Juliet into the cool, roofless green tunnels of the shrubbery maze.

"Remember to always turn left as you go in," said Juliet, doing so. "Then, take your next two rights." With the ease of practice since earliest childhood, Lady Glenhaven quickly led Rosalind to the centre of the maze, where a charming Grecian folly had been constructed in the grassy square.

"Oh, how lovely!" Rosalind exclaimed without any prompting.

Juliet smiled, sternly resisting a sudden urge to leave the other girl stranded there until she promised not to marry her brother. "It is, isn't it? My grandfather designed it, and the maze, as well. Why do we not sit here in the shade and talk?"

Rosalind regarded her doubtfully, but followed her obediently enough to a stone bench inside the miniature temple.

"Are you enjoying your stay at Huntington Park?" Juliet began, thrusting down her own habitual shyness.

"Yes, very much, thank you," replied Rosalind, not helping her along at all. Juliet had not expected that she would, however, and plunged on gamely.

"I think this house party was a wonderful idea of Mama's. So often, this time of year can be rather dull. I do so enjoy meeting new people."
 

This was not quite true, but she reminded herself of Ellie to reassure herself that she was not telling a falsehood. "You, your cousin, your parents, and of course that charming Sir George Bellamy," she continued, watching Rosalind closely. As she had hoped, she detected a spark of interest at the latter gentleman's name. "You have known him some time, I apprehend?"

"Oh, yes, since childhood," responded Rosalind with more animation than Juliet had yet seen in her. "He frequently dines with my family in Warwickshire."

"How nice. He seems to admire you greatly." This was said with just a hint of a question.

Rosalind coloured noticeably at this. "I—I suppose so... at least, he used to, anyway. At one time, I thought... But it is of no consequence now, I suppose," was her disjointed reply.

"Oh, I would not dismiss such a worthy suitor as Sir George as being of no consequence," said Juliet in apparent surprise. The conversation was going much as she had hoped, thus far.

"Oh, no!" exclaimed Rosalind quickly in dismay. "I did not at all mean that
he
was of no consequence. I simply meant that now, with, well, you know... his admiration of me is not likely to lead anywhere."
 

Juliet regarded her companion's downcast face with approval before asking gently, "Do you mean because my brother seems likely to make you an offer?" Rosalind nodded unhappily. "But you would not be forced to accept him, would you?"

Rosalind looked up at her, eyes bright with unshed tears. "My mother is quite counting on my becoming a countess, Lady Glenhaven. She will never allow me to wed Sir George, even were he to ask, for he has no title. I am very fond of him, but it is all quite hopeless, I fear."

"Hmm." Juliet considered for a moment. "If you and Sir George were to marry without her consent, I daresay she could be brought round in time. What are your father's feelings on the subject?"

"Oh, he likes Sir George well enough, but he will not go against my mother's wishes, I am sure."

Juliet nodded decisively. She thought she knew now how things stood. "Miss Winston-Fitts, listen to me." Rosalind blinked at her firm tone. "It would be folly for you to go down without a fight. You must at least make an attempt to secure your own happiness."

"What... what do you suggest?"
 

Juliet was pleased to see a glimmer of hope in Rosalind's face. Perhaps the girl had enough spirit to see it through, after all.

"You must speak with Sir George. Induce him to declare himself. Once he has done so, you can surely find a way around your mother's disapproval. Would it not be worth it?"

"Oh, yes!" Rosalind's eyes shone briefly, before clouding again. "But... suppose he does not really wish to marry
me?"
she asked in a small voice.

"There is only one way to find out," said Juliet bracingly. "Your life's happiness is at stake."

"You are right, Lady Glenhaven," said Rosalind, squaring her shoulders resolutely. "I must try."
 

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W
HEN
E
LLIE
returned to the house from the rose gardens late that afternoon, laden with dozens of the best blooms, her mind was made up. In spite of her determination the night before, she doubted her ability to keep her feelings for Lord Dearborn hidden. Juliet had already guessed them, and now, with the constant memory of that kiss last night to further unsettle her, it was only a matter of time before Lady Dearborn, Rosalind and, worst of all, Aunt Mabel divined her secret. The only solution, therefore, was for her to leave immediately.

She could not journey all the way to Ireland on her own, of course —for one thing, she lacked the funds— but she could at least go back to Warwickshire, to the Winston-Fittses' house. It was only a two hour drive over good roads, she knew, for she had heard Aunt Mabel discussing the convenience of future visits to her daughter, after Rosalind's marriage to the Earl.

The only problem that remained to be settled was how she was to get there. She could think of no way of doing so secretly short of stealing a horse, which of course she could not do. At the same time, she had no desire to generally advertise her departure, which would almost certainly require painful explanations to her aunt and uncle, to the Countess and possibly even to Lord Dearborn himself. Her best solution, she thought, would be to confide in Juliet, and to ask for her help.

Accordingly, as soon as she had put the flowers she carried into water, Ellie went in search of her friend. Glancing into most of the downstairs rooms with no success, Ellie finally asked Hutchins where Lady Glenhaven might be found and was directed to Lady Dearborn's chambers. There, she found Juliet ensconced on a sofa surrounded by several cats, enjoying a comfortable cose with her mother.

"So, you see," Juliet was saying, "I did what I could to move things in the proper direction." At Ellie's tap on the open door, she broke off and glanced up almost guiltily, Ellie thought.

"Ex-excuse me, Lady Dearborn, Lady Glenhaven," stammered Ellie, suddenly feeling the awkwardness of her situation. "I wished to tell you that I have brought in the roses you asked for, and... I wondered if I might talk to Lady Glenhaven when it is convenient."