Mary Blayney - [Pennistan 03] (22 page)

The touch of his hand at her back ended her self-lecture.

He did not seem to feel her tremble. Or was that why he spoke as if it were the chill that made her shiver?

“I brought the cabriolet in case it should rain, but have left the cover down as it does appear that the sky will lighten.”

“You have a cabriolet?” So there was a little bit of
adventure in the man. “No wonder it took longer than you expected. I imagine everyone wanted a look at it.”

As they approached the carriage, she stopped to examine it herself. It was not as big as a curricle, and was less elegant, with a small boy called a “tiger” instead of a groom and, more notably, a single very beautiful horse instead of the usual pair.

“I’ve heard of them but this is the first one I’ve seen, much less been invited to ride in.”

While the duke did not smile, he did seem gratified by her appreciation.

“We will raise the top in case the weather turns on us.” He gestured to the tiger, who jumped to attention even before the duke turned to him and proceeded to do as bid.

“And I want to assure you that every wheel has been thoroughly inspected.”

“I never doubted it.”

Meryon used the one high-placed step into the carriage and then turned to help her up. The tiger scurried around from the back with a neat little set of steps that made it easier for a lady to climb into the seat.

Meryon held out his hand, offering completely necessary support, which she accepted. Gathering her skirts with her other hand, she climbed up and into the box, where they stood face-to-face.

He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of her wrist. Even with the leather of her glove between her skin and his lips, she could swear she felt the warmth of his breath on her hand.

She smiled and looked at him from beneath her lashes as she took the seat he offered.

The duke drove carefully, the cabriolet just the right size for the narrower streets of Bloomsbury. Elena let him concentrate on the road and let herself concentrate on the feel of him beside her. It was distraction enough. He did not need conversation any more than she did.

The weather cleared as if on order from the duke. Hyde Park was crowded with carriages, horsemen, and ladies in groups, some with servants following discreetly behind.

Elena had never been on Rotten Row before and was hard-pressed to see it all. Without taking her eyes from a peacock of a man carrying a monkey on a lead, she laughed. “It is a kaleidoscope of color and sound. The first place I have seen here that reminds me of Rome.”

“Seeing it through your eyes makes it all new to me.”

She gave him her attention and found that he was barely watching the road, his eyes intent on her mouth.

“I have done this too many times to count and have never found it as entertaining as I do watching you enjoy it.”

They smiled. She was sure it was the kind of smile that some poet had called “the smile of two hearts yearning.” Who knew how long they would have done so if a voice had not hailed them?

“Signora Verano! Meryon! Well met!” Lord William pulled his horse up beside them and bowed from his saddle.

“Good day to you, my lord,” Elena called out. “This is marvelous! Did you see the man with the monkey?”

“Lord Vilforth? Yes, we all avoid him for he insists that we shake hands with his pet and the monkey’s manners leave much to be desired. But if you would like to meet him or Lord Vilforth I’m sure that the duke would introduce you. Is that not so, Your Grace?”

“No, it is not. Vilforth will want to discuss his animal’s last meal, and next one, and where they are going for the evening.” The duke turned from William to face her as he added, “That is not how I would choose to spend my time with Signora Verano.”

Elena could not look away from the warmth of the duke’s eyes. He did not look away either, even as he addressed Lord William. “Do feel free to give Vilforth’s monkey our regards.”

If it was a hint for William to leave he did not take it. He stayed and then another gentleman rode up to join them. He seemed on very familiar terms with Meryon and Elena enjoyed the camaraderie between them. Meryon introduced him as Lord Kyle. Three more much younger men came along and were also introduced.

They all greeted her with enthusiasm, but the cabriolet was what they were really interested in. As they discussed its general design and merits, William urged his mount around the carriage, admiring it as he made the circuit. He stilled his horse right next to Elena, where he could speak to her while Meryon’s friends held his attention on the other side of the carriage.

“Elena.” William spoke quietly but with determination. “Save those gazes for the bedroom. Both of you are too experienced to succumb to …” He waved his hand as if afraid to voice the word he was thinking.

“Desire.” She finished for him.

Meryon had his back to them and William lowered his voice even more. “Be careful,
cara
. He is a duke.”

“Are you warning me? You, who do not know the meaning of the word caution?” She let the disapproval show in her voice but kept it at little more than a whisper. “Attend to your own business, William.”

Before William could respond, the duke, and perforce his friends, turned to include her in their conversation.

“When will Miss Castellano be in society, signora?”

William’s horse sidled and Elena knew that her nephew did not like that question at all.

“She will play the pianoforte at the Monksfords’ musicale the Thursday after Easter, and the Metcalfes’ ball will be her first opportunity to dance.”

“There, gentlemen,” Meryon said. “She is a lovely lady, and she loves to dance. Or so she tells me.” Meryon gave Lord William a smile that was not overly friendly. While the others laughed among themselves, the duke turned fully to Lord William. “You interfere in my personal life and I will interfere in yours, my lord.”

They nodded at each other and Elena remembered that William had promised there would never be another duel between a Pennistan and a Bendasbrook. Apparently he was referring to the kind with pistols.

“Lord William, join us,” Lord Kyle called. “We are going to a balloon ascension in Green Park.”

“Indeed, it sounds an adventure,” William said. To Elena he added, “What a shame that Mia is not able to join us.”

“We both know she would find a way to be included in the ascent. Go and have fun.”

“Good day to you both.” Lord William called out to the others and rode hard so he could catch up with them. Elena wanted to pull the carriage robe up over her face, for it was obvious that Meryon had heard William’s warning.

P
ERHAPS WE SHOULD GIVE
William a seat among The Gossips.” Elena tried to sound amused, rather than annoyed.

The duke laughed. “We both put him in his place. I think that should count as punishment enough.”

“You are more generous than I would be.”

He began driving again. “Your friendship with Lord William seems odd to me when you consider that his grandfather caused you such pain.”

“I would think it makes perfect sense since they are so rarely in accord.”

The duke nodded in reluctant agreement and Elena decided it was her turn to ask a difficult question, if only to distract him from pursuing the subject of her relationship with Bendas. “The Gossips say that there is no love lost between you and Bendas either.”

“I hate him. I have called him incompetent, dangerous, and a disgrace to his rank. To his face.”

“Oh dear, and I was afraid you did not know how to speak honestly.”

The duke laughed as she hoped he would, then asked, “Has Lord William told you nothing of the cause of this antipathy?”

“He told me that he knew you better after something that happened last year, but had promised you that he would not discuss it.”

They rode on in silence for a while. “If you will promise me discretion, I will tell you the story. I value your word, since it involves more than my own reputation.”

“Of course, and I am honored.” This offer of trust did as much to seduce her as a kiss.

“Bendas wanted Lord William to marry my sister, Lady Olivia. She is short, which had obvious merit in Bendas’s eyes, and altogether delightful. During her Seasons they seemed well suited, so I asked her how she felt about him.

“When she was obviously
not
interested in his courtship I sent a letter informing Bendas. He was not pleased, and arranged for her to be abducted—”

“Stop, Meryon.” She could not see his eyes, but he must be teasing her. “You are making this up.”

“I am not, though I know it sounds preposterous.”

He was so offended that she had to believe him.

“I can count on two hands the number of people who know the whole truth,” Meryon added.

“Bendas must be insane.”

“I’ve concluded the same. He aimed to ruin Olivia’s
reputation so that no one but Lord William would marry her. As soon as William found out he came straight to Pennford. But by that time Olivia had been rescued and found her way back to us.”

“The poor girl.” Elena could still remember how frightened she had been when she had been sent away, even though she had a home to go to. To be taken away by force would be a hundred times worse.

“It does have a happy ending, no thanks to Bendas. She married her rescuer.”

“Mr. Garrett?” He seemed such a quiet, gentle man. How very interesting. “Before he arrived on the scene it must have been a hideous experience for her.”

“Yes, and for us who had no idea where they took her or how to find her. Not long after that my wife died and I hoped that by the time I came back to the social scene Bendas’s son would have taken control of the estate. He had not, so I took matters into my own hands.”

He told her about the duel and the death of his groom.

This was even worse than the way Bendas had treated her, Elena thought. How could her brother not have taken steps to remove him?

“Thank you for telling me, Meryon. I promise your secret is safe with me. Based on my experience with Bendas I agree that your actions are warranted. I will say nothing to William. I promise.”

“Lord William already knows everything I have told you, one of the few so informed,” Meryon said as he turned his attention to directing the horse around a cluster of men and women on horseback.

Oh dear God in Heaven. He has told me everything and I still have my secrets
. “You know that I am in accord with you on this. I consider the duke no more reputable than a pickpocket,” she began, even though she did not think Hyde Park was the best place to tell him of their kinship.

Meryon gave his attention to directing his horse between other conveyances and men and women on horseback, then he spoke again, very quietly, for her ears alone. “I understand your feeling, Elena, and that is all I need to know.”

Someone called to him and he turned to wave. Blessed with his permission, Elena tried to put the confusion out of her mind, but the deep, dark blue of his coat was not compelling enough to make her forget that as they grew closer, more intimate, the secret she kept would become bigger and bigger.

Both of them exchanged greetings with those they recognized or who recognized them, and Elena noticed more than one of The Gossips make note of this new couple.

She felt his arm brush hers as he reined in the horse, with the still-amazing song of attraction that came with it. Whether to become involved with him or not no longer seemed an option.

What was too much to give and what was too little? Did she even have a choice but to give all of herself?

Elena noticed they were a good distance from other carriages. The raised cover of the cabriolet blocked them from sight and while it looked quite proper it was almost as private as a room with the door closed.

Was he thinking the same thing she was? When he
smiled there was little doubt of it. His eyes danced, the lines near his eyes emphasizing the goodwill that radiated from him.

“Just a moment.” He was still smiling as he turned his head. “Wilson!” he called, and the tiger jumped down from his perch behind them.

“Yes, sir, Your Grace.”

The boy stood before them with such pride that Elena thought he might pop the buttons on his livery.

“I dropped my walking stick. Retrace our route and find it, then wait for us at the Park Road gate.”

“Yes, sir, Your Grace.” He turned and walked slowly along the route they had followed, studying the road so intently that he was almost hit by a phaeton.

“Your cane is right here, Your Grace.”

“Yes, I know.” He shrugged. “I wished some privacy.”

The smile was back, still so tempting. She forced her eyes away and stared at the green of the grass and the buds on the trees. “Will he not be afraid when he is not able to find it?”

“What does the boy have to be afraid of?” He touched her hand with his fingertips, drawing her attention away from the trees. In response, as natural as Adam and Eve in Eden, Elena put her hand in his, watching the way his black gloved fingers covered the dark lavender that she wore.