Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel (22 page)

Lana stretched in bed and smiled at the ceiling, not seeing the lengthening rays of late morning sunlight so much as picturing Drew’s glorious mane. She couldn’t wait to run her fingers through his unruly locks upon waking every morning once they married, if he ever allowed her to sleep. A giggle bubbled from her chest.

Today she would become Drew’s bride, forever entwined, and forever loved.
And
well
loved
. Her scandalous thoughts made her blush. With no wedding breakfast or other celebration to attend, nothing would delay consummation of their marriage. No doubt, this was Drew’s plan. She appreciated a man with a sharp mind.

There was a light knock. “Enter.”

A chambermaid bustled inside. “Pardon me, miss, but there is a gentleman requesting an audience with you. He says it is urgent. A Lord—”

Lana squealed and threw the counterpane aside. “Tell him I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Very good, miss. He waits in the blue drawing room.” The girl swept from her chambers as quickly as she had entered.

Lana yanked the bell pull to summon Betsy. Why, Drew had arrived earlier than she had expected. She should’ve started her toilette already. Her lady’s maid came in to the room.

“I need your help dressing. I have a visitor.”

“So early?”

Lana smiled in response and lifted her arms, waiting for her maid to remove her nightrail. They raced through her preparations. Lana caught her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks boasted a rosy glow. Pinching them was unnecessary. She licked her lips before dashing for the door.

She skipped to the drawing room and pulled up short. “Lord Bollrud, what are you doing here?”

She backed toward the doorway, but he dashed between her and the door, blocking her path.

“I have a matter of importance to discuss with you, Miss Hillary.”

She offered a stern look to hide her uneasiness. “I’m sure nothing you have to say is so important it cannot wait until a decent hour.”

He closed the door and leaned against it. “It is of vital importance, I assure you. Please, Miss Hillary, hear me out.”

She crossed her arms and tapped the toe of her slipper against the Oriental carpet to mask her quivering limbs. “Do make it quick. I have much to do today.”

Lord Bollrud’s eyes narrowed for a fraction of a moment before his face reverted to a neutral expression. “I’m afraid I discovered something distressing last night.”

Lana frowned. What made the gentleman believe any news affecting him would interest her?

“I crossed paths with a good friend of Forest’s.” He took a step forward. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, Miss Hillary, but your betrothed is involved with another woman. He is playing you for a fool.”

Lying about Drew having an affair was low. “Hmm, and did the gentleman indicate which female is the object of my betrothed’s affections?”

“It brings me no pleasure to tell you this, my dear. Please, believe me.” He moved closer again and spoke in a soft voice. “It’s Lady Audley. And this isn’t their first liaison.”

Lana’s eyes widened. “W-why would the gentleman say that about Lady Audley?”

Lord Bollrud captured her hands and squeezed. “Everyone is saying the same. There is even a bet on the books at the gentlemen’s clubs. Some are betting Forest will marry the lady while others believe it is nothing more than a dalliance. Either way, everyone is certain of their involvement.”

She jerked her hands from his grip. “There is no proof in what you’ve said. Those men are nothing but drunken imbeciles who will place a bet on anything.”

“I thought the same, so I did some investigating this morning. I learned Forest owns a town house in Piccadilly where he has been meeting his lover every day for the past few weeks.”

“A town house?” Drew had led her to believe the house was uninhabitable. Why would he lie? Did he intend to keep a place without her knowledge? A place for clandestine meetings? She shook her head. No, this was a ridiculous rumor.

“My darling.” Lord Bollrud swept her against him, capturing her chin between his thumb and index finger while his other arm encircled her back. His rough finger scraped against her sensitive skin. “I would never abuse you as Forest has, my love.”

“Let me go.” Lana pushed against his chest with both hands, struggling to break his hold. “Let me go at once, or I’ll scream.”

She almost fell when he released her. “Forgive me, Miss Hillary. I… I became… overwhelmed, by my passion… for you.” He rubbed his face with both hands. “Bloody hell.”

Lana hugged herself, unable to control her shaking. “Lord Bollrud, I think it is best you leave and never come back.” When he moved aside, she raced past him to wrench open the door and run.

Once Lana had escaped, she paused outside of Jake’s chamber door. Uncertainty was a difficult place to be. Should she ask about the bet? Surely, the odious Lord Bollrud made up the entire story in a feeble attempt to win her.

Jake would be able to calm her fears. She raised her hand to knock on her brother’s door just as it flew open. “Oh.”

Jake jumped back. “Blast it, Lana. The only time you actually knock before entering and you frighten me.”

Lana’s cheeks warmed. “It’s still morning. I couldn’t be sure if you were decent.”

He scrutinized her face, before stepping aside. “Would you like to come inside? I was going down for breakfast, but I can wait.”

“Thank you.” She wrung her hands and walked into his chamber to sit on the edge of one of his chairs.

He followed and sat too, watching her quietly for a long time. “Won’t you tell me what is troubling you?”

She released a pent-up breath. “I’m sure it is nothing, but…”

Jake’s brows drew together with worry, but he didn’t rush her. In fact, he exhibited great patience and didn’t speak at all.

“I had a visitor this morning. Bollrud.”

Her brother’s jaw clenched. “What did
he
want?”

“Jake, I need to ask you something. And I want you to be honest. I believe Bollrud is lying, but if he’s not…”

“Tell me what he said. I’m always honest with you.”

“I know you are.” And he always had been. Yet, part of her feared he might fly off in a rage. “You have to promise to remain calm when I tell you.”

His eyes narrowed. “Now I
know
it’s something bad. I can’t make any such promise.”

“Then I cannot confide in you,” she replied and stood.

“Wait, sit down.” He reached out and grabbed her hand. “I promise to do my best. I
promise
.”

Lana sank back onto the Chippendale chair and cleared her throat. “Bollrud said he crossed paths with one of Drew’s friends last night. He said there is a bet on the books at the gentlemen’s clubs.” She swallowed, embarrassed to say the words. “They are betting on whether or not Drew will marry or if he is just dallying again.”

He scoffed. “Well, the fools will know soon enough. Word of your betrothal is likely making the rounds this morning.”

“Jake, they don’t mean
me
.”

“Then who? Forest has been here most evenings for near a month.”

Perhaps this was a bad idea. “Indeed, Bollrud must be lying.”

The scowl on Jake’s face showed his displeasure. “Lana Hillary, tell me whose name is linked with Forest.”

“It’s Amelia, Lady Audley.” She winced as soon as the name left her lips.

“Pardon?” He sat up straight, his knuckles turning white from gripping the arms of the chair. “What proof do they have?”

“It is rumored she and Drew have been meeting daily, at Drew’s house. He told me it was unlivable.” Her stomach churned until she feared she might be sick. “You haven’t heard anything?”

“I haven’t been to the clubs in a while, not since my injury. But I’ll get to the bottom of this rumor.” He launched from his chair and stalked from the room.

“Wait.” Lana scrambled after him. “Don’t do anything foolish.”

“I’m doing something I should have done long ago,” he snapped. He moved faster with his leg healed, but his size alone wouldn’t have allowed her to stop him anyway. He stormed from the house and left her with her heart in her throat.

***

Jake marched to his destination, ignoring the increasing ache in his leg. When he reached the town house, his anger hadn’t dissipated in the least. He reached the door and pounded on it with his fist. He banged on it a second time before the door swung open to reveal a very displeased butler.

“Sir, do you have any idea of the time?”

Jake pushed past the man, knowing he could be intimidating. “I’m a personal friend.”

“Bradford, what is the commotion?” Amelia’s soft voice made his heart skip a beat.

Jake swallowed hard. Amelia’s golden tresses tumbled around her shoulders and bounced as she moved. He had never seen her hair down, and he winced as his groin tightened painfully.

The butler made to leave the room. “I’m sorry, my lady. I shall have him tossed out immediately.”

“That is all right, Bradford.” Amelia, his lovely Mia, frowned. “Mr. Hillary, what brings you by this morning?”

“I’m sorry to barge in like this, my lady. Perhaps I should come back later.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You are here, so come in. You may leave us, Bradford.”

The butler hesitated as if weighing the wisdom in leaving his mistress alone, but he eventually followed her orders.

She waved her arm toward another part of the house. “I was having breakfast. Would you care to join me?”

“No, I don’t wish to be a bother, my lady.”

She smiled sadly. “Jake, you may drop the formality. It’s not as if we are mere acquaintances. Please, join me.”

Her blasé attitude cut him deeply, but he followed her to the breakfast room, trying not to stare at her curvaceous figure but having little success. God, he still wanted her after everything. He couldn’t stomach the thought of her with Forest, nor any man besides himself.

“What are you about, Amelia?” His voice sounded gruff and accusatory.

She whipped around with wide eyes, her mouth formed into a perfect O. Her pink lips begged for kisses, but he smothered his impulse.

He forced his gaze away from her. “Have you no respect for your husband’s memory? Running about like a wanton woman.”

Amelia fell back a step. “A wanton?”

Jake reached out to steady her when she wobbled. She recovered and slapped his hands away.

A fresh wave of anger swept over him. “How long before you allowed Forest to bed you?” he asked. How long had Jake been in Sussex?

“How dare you question my morality?”

“Tell me the rumors are untrue, Amelia. Please, tell me you aren’t involved with Forest again.”

Her hands settled on her hips, sparks shooting from her large blue eyes. “I don’t owe
you
any explanations. You are not my husband.”

Her argument knocked the wind from his sails, and he heaved a great sigh. “Indeed.” He wasn’t her husband, nor did she wish him to be. She hadn’t even extended the courtesy of answering his letters from Sussex. “I’m sorry to have bothered you. I’ll take my leave.”

He limped toward the entrance, his leg bothering him even more now that his anger was subsiding.

“What rumors?” Her quiet voice surprised Jake. He hadn’t realized she had followed.

He turned to study her countenance as he delivered the news. “People are talking. They say you and Forest are engaged in an affair. You’ve been meeting daily at his town house in Piccadilly.”

Her eyes widened momentarily before glistening with unshed tears. “I suppose everyone believes the worst about me. You obviously do.”

His heart lurched at the sight of her crying. “I don’t want to believe anything untoward about you, Mia.”

“It isn’t true.” She brushed away her tears. “At least not as the gossips are insinuating. The home is a surprise for Lana, a wedding gift. I’m simply overseeing the remodel. I needed something to occupy my mind.”

Jake cringed. He’d made a complete cake of himself. “I see.”

“You must know I would never do anything to hurt your sister. I know how you care for her.”

“Well, my apologies. Sorry to have disturbed you.”

He gripped his hat in his hand and hurried through the open front door.

“Jake, wait.”

He didn’t stop. He was too humiliated to look back.

Drew bounded from the carriage as soon as it stopped in front of Hillary House. He only needed to convince Lana’s father to allow them to marry today, and she would be his by the afternoon.

Inside, he handed his card to the butler and requested an audience with Lana first. He wanted to approach her father with her by his side.

The butler showed him to the drawing room, and he positioned himself where he could spot her as she approached the room. The clicking of heels moving in his direction made him smile with anticipation, but one glimpse of Lana’s somber expression caused it to fade.

“Peach, is something wrong?”

She hesitated inside the door, looking as if she might turn and run. Instead, she dashed across the room and threw herself into his arms. “Oh, Drew. I was so frightened.”

Her cheek nuzzled against his chest, and his arms tightened around her. He sensed her heart pounding, causing his own to race in alarm. “What frightened you?”

“I thought Jake might have found you. He left in a temper. I was afraid…”

Trying to soothe her, Drew rubbed his hands along her back and kissed the top of her head, drawing in her sweet scent. “Everything is all right. I’m certain he’ll calm once he has had time—” He held her at arm’s length. “Pardon? Your brother is angry with
me
?”

Lana dropped her arms from his waist and licked her lips. “Drew, I must ask you something unpleasant.”

He propped his forearm on the chair back, curious as to what she might ask and clueless as to the nature. “Ask whatever you’d like.”

The worry line between her brows softened. “Is it true about the property in Piccadilly?”

He blew out noisy breath. “Who ruined the surprise?”

“Surprise?”

“The place was in shambles. I couldn’t ask you to reside in bachelor quarters or with my kin. A gentleman should provide for his wife.”

“I don’t understand. Is the house in Piccadilly inhabitable or not?”

“Only halfway, I’m afraid. I had hoped to have the remodel completed before our wedding, but I don’t wish to wait any longer.”

She collapsed in a chair like a rag doll. “But rumor has it you meet Lady Audley there daily. Drew, please tell me if you still have feelings for her.”

“I don’t…” He went to Lana, lifted her, and then sat in the chair with her on his lap. “As depraved as I know this will make me sound, I’ve never had tender feelings for anyone except you. I would do nothing to jeopardize what we have.”

“You haven’t been meeting Lady Audley?”

Drew dropped his head back against the chair and groaned. “Not in the way you think. Lady Audley has been in charge of remodeling the residence. I had no idea it would spark these rumors, although I should have anticipated it.” He frowned, unhappy with his own stupidity. “It’s been two years since her husband died. Lady Audley confesses this is a difficult time of the year.” Drew held her gaze. “Lana, I’m sorry. I wanted to pay her a kindness, to make peace with my past. I never meant to cast a shadow over us.”

Lana’s wide smile eased his worries. “So, it’s untrue. You aren’t
involved
with her.”

Chuckling, he kissed her cheek. “I’m only involved with you, and I plan to keep it that way until my last breath.”

“Oh, Drew.” She tossed her arms around his neck. “I knew the rumors had to be false.”

Thank the heavens he hadn’t ruined everything with his foolishness. “Will you still marry me today?”

“Nothing could stop me.”

***

At first, Lana’s mother protested the sudden nuptials based on Lana having no wedding gown or celebratory breakfast planned. Yet, when Drew promised to buy Lana any gown she desired to wear to any celebration her mother chose to host in the near future, she had given her hearty blessings. Papa hadn’t been resistant in the least, and Lana was grateful neither of them questioned their haste to join in matrimony. She hadn’t wanted to disappoint them by revealing the necessity of a rushed wedding, but it seemed quite necessary given her cycle was a few days late. Her stomach somersaulted when she considered motherhood.

“I’ll be back at four o’clock with Vicar Dunlevy.” Drew dropped a chaste kiss on her cheek while her parents pretended not to notice.

Lana escorted him to the front door.

Drew flashed a roguish grin, looking for all the world as if he wished to devour her on the spot. “You haven’t forgotten your special vow, have you, my sweet?”

Her cheeks flamed as she recalled his wicked teasing about adding a promise to wrap her legs around him every day to her wedding vows. “Perhaps the nature of the agreement between you and my legs should remain a secret.”

Drew planted a less virtuous kiss on her lips. At this moment, she would promise him just about anything he desired.

She eased from his embrace. “You best leave so I have time to make myself beautiful.”

“You require no time at all, my sweet.”

With arms linked, they approached the front doors.

Jake barreled inside, nearly knocking them over in his rush. She held her breath, silently begging him not to cause a scene.

“Forest.” Her brother nodded before handing his hat and cane to Hogan as if nothing was amiss.

“Hillary.” Drew raised his eyebrows in askance.

Lana shrugged.

He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed his lips to her glove. “Until later, Miss Hillary.”

Once she and Jake were alone, he cleared his throat. “Later? What exactly does the scoundrel have planned for later?”

“We’re exchanging vows. Today.” She studied her brother’s blank expression. “Where have you been?”

He evaded eye contact. “I needed to speak with someone. But you needn’t worry about Forest. The rumors are untrue, but I suppose you already discovered the truth.”

“Drew denied any involvement with Lady Audley, but I’m glad for the confirmation.”

“Happy to be of service,” he mumbled as he headed toward the staircase.

***

Lana chattered as Betsy arranged her hair. She couldn’t recall ever being this excited about anything, except maybe Michaelmas when she was a child.

“And I learned today he is remodeling the town house in Piccadilly for us.” She grabbed her maid’s hand and squeezed. “I never thought I would see the day I’d become a bride.”

Her maid offered a half smile. “I knew it would happen, miss.” She twisted Lana’s hair and pinned it up. “Perhaps you would like a glass of wine to calm your nerves?”

“My nerves?” Lana giggled. “I’m not nervous. This is me
ecstatic
, Betsy. I know I’m usually a stick-in-the-mud when you’re preparing me to go out, so I don’t blame you for being confused by my current demeanor.”

Her maid placed her hands on Lana’s shoulders and leaned down to view her face in the mirror. “You are glowing, miss. I can clearly see your excitement. Maybe you would like tea and biscuits instead. It’s best to have something in your stomach. You wouldn’t want to faint at your wedding like my cousin did.”

Lana pressed her lips together and searched her memory for what she had eaten that day. She couldn’t recall having had anything, but she doubted she could sit still long enough to eat. “Perhaps some tea, Betsy. Thank you.”

“Of course, miss. I will inform the kitchen staff.”

While Betsy was out of the room, Lana surveyed her bedchamber. She would miss her home. Yet, the time had come to move forward in her life. She welcomed the change with open arms.

Finally, her maid returned with a tea tray loaded with a white tea pot and plate of lemon biscuits.

“Why didn’t you have the footman carry it up?”

Betsy shrugged. “Everyone seems busy with preparations for this afternoon. Mrs. Gibbons is buzzing around the kitchen shouting orders. It seems a feast is to be served after the vows.”

Betsy held out the tray and Lana plucked a biscuit from the porcelain plate before she placed the refreshments on a side table then poured a cup of tea and handed it to Lana. Taking a sip, Lana wrinkled her nose. “It’s strong. I believe it steeped too long.”

“Should I add more sugar and cream?”

“Please.”

Betsy doctored her tea, then handed it back, her hand shaking and causing the china to clatter. “I hope that is better.”

“Why don’t you have some, too?”

Her maid shook her head. “Oh, no, Miss Hillary. I have too many tasks to complete still. I have yet to pack your gowns and I haven’t finished laundering your undergarments. I must see if they have dried on the line downstairs.” Her maid dashed from the room.

Lana shook her head and chuckled. Maybe
Betsy
could benefit from a glass of wine to settle
her
nerves. Poor girl. Lana had never seen her as frantic. It must be disconcerting for her maid to contemplate leaving Hillary House for good.

Lana sipped her tea and found the bitter taste less noticeable. After finishing her cup, she drank a second one, but decided against another biscuit. She didn’t wish to spoil her appetite before dinner.

With a contented sigh, Lana rose to examine her two gown choices again. Should she wear the apricot one Drew had complimented her on at Irvine Castle, or should she wear green, his favorite color?

As she took a step forward, she teetered off balance and caught herself against the dresser. Her head spun as she clutched the highboy to keep from tumbling to the floor.

Good heavens. Perhaps she should have a second biscuit after all. It would be mortifying to swoon at Drew’s feet. He would never allow her to hear the end of it. Instead of her body righting itself as she expected, Lana stumbled into her dressing table. Why, she was as uncoordinated as Lord Bollrud on the dance floor.

Pinpricks of blackness started at the outer edges of her vision until all she could see was a narrow point in front of her, and her limbs hung heavy as if made from rock. Then she was falling, only vaguely aware when her head bounced on the intricately patterned carpet.

Drat
. Betsy would have to rearrange her coiffure.