Realm 04 - A Touch of Grace (47 page)

*

At least two Realm members remained by his side at all times. Whenever a stranger approached Gabriel, his friends made a concerted effort to turn the conversation from the subject of his marriage. When he saw Mrs. Cooper and Lady Cushing crossing the ballroom toward him, Gabriel quickly solicited Lady Eleanor’s hand for the next set. It was only after they were on the floor he realized they would waltz.

“Would you prefer I hand you off to your husband?” Gabriel breathed the words into her hair. “Thornhill and Swenton are without partners if Lord Worthing is not available.”

Eleanor Kerrington smiled prettily. “Of course not, Lord Godown. It shall be a delightful novelty to waltz with someone other than Lord Worthing.” She turned into his embrace. “Moreover, the dance will provide me time to determine why you wished to avoid the two ladies intent on your company.”

Gabriel chuckled, “You are too perceptive, Viscountess.”

They stepped into the dance. “I am perceptive enough to know when a man avoids a question.”

Gabriel shrugged noncommittally. “The lady in blue is the former Lady Gardenia.”

Thankfully, Lady Eleanor hid her horror well. “Why would Lady Gardenia attend a function hosted by your family?”

“That is the question I have asked myself more than once this evening.” Gabriel led her through a complicated turn. “I am certain it has a connection to Benjamin Talbot’s sentencing.”

“Surely the lady does not think to plead for your intervention in Mr. Talbot’s case.”

Gabriel glanced to where the two women stood with their heads together in conversation. “Mrs. Cooper’s friend Lady Cushing placed a note in my hand. I thought to throw it out with the rubbish.”

Lady Eleanor’s frown lines deepened. “What did the message say, my Lord?”

Gabriel’s lips tightened in disapproval. “Lady Gardenia asked me to meet her on the terrace before during the supper set.”

Lady Eleanor gasped. “The cheekiness! You shall not provide the lady what she desires?”

“Of course not,” Gabriel assured. “I hold no desire to hear anything Lady Gardenia has to say.”

Lady Eleanor nodded her agreement. After an awkward pause, she said tenderly, “Have you had no word from Lady Godown?”

Gabriel shook his head in the negative. “Her Ladyship chooses not to be discovered.”

“I am grieved, my Lord,” Lady Eleanor said sympathetically. “For what it is worth, you must know Grace loves you.”

“It was a discovery late in coming,” he said solemnly.

*

An hour had passed, and Grace had yet to be pressed into service. She had begun to think she might escape unnoticed, after all. Several women had used the facilities, but none had a need of a repair. When the room was in use, Grace had set in a distant corner with her head down and her eyes averted.

As the room had remained empty for a quarter hour, Grace took the opportunity to use the chamber pot. She stepped behind the screen and lifted her skirts. If one of the ladies of the ton caught her, the woman would be horrified with a servant taking such liberties, but with her pregnancy, even if she limited the amount of drink she had consumed, Grace found she often required use of the chamber pot.

She had just finished with her personal needs when she heard two women enter the room. As quietly as possible, Grace sidestepped from the pot, but she did not release her skirts in fear the rustle sounds would alert whoever was on the other side of the screen of her presence. Grace prayed the strangers would not discover her in such an awkward position. Holding her breath, she listened intently for the women’s approach.

“Do you suppose he read the note?” the first woman asked.

The second insisted, “Even if he did not, I will find a means to lure him onto the terrace.” The intrigue did not surprise Grace. She knew of how many women of the ton openly flaunted their affairs.

“And then what?” the first asked.

“I shall create a scandal with a ripped bodice or being caught in a compromising situation. I may not be able to exact the type of revenge I wish, but I will send him from his home again.”

The first continued, “And if His Lordship fails to succumb to your charms.”

The second woman said coldly, “I do not expect to know disappointment, but if it be so, I have brought this.”

“A gun?” Her companion gasped in surprise. “Surely you do not plan to shoot Lord Godown!”

Grace prayed she had misheard the woman, but she knew it was impossible. As the women departed the retiring room, Grace rushed to learn more of them. She dropped her skirt tails and stealthily followed them into the corridor. Just as she had nearly overtaken them, she heard Sally say, “Good evening, Lady Cushing. Lady Gardenia.”

Grace froze in mid stride. The woman who had destroyed Lord Godown’s life meant to add coal to the fire. Grace sank back against the wall. What was she to do? If she warned His Lordship, would there be another opportunity for her escape? What would happen if she ignored what she had just heard? Your husband could die! The words resounded in her head. The second woman, whom she now knew to be Lady Gardenia, had venomously answered her friend, “Why would I bring the gun if I did not plan to use it?” Grace possessed no other choice: She could not permit Lady Gardenia to ruin Lord Godown’s future. The lady had stolen his past.

Her mind made up, she turned toward the ballroom. Somewhere behind her, she heard Sally warning her if she did not return to her post Grace would lose her position. She ignored the woman. A seamstress position was the least of Grace’s worries at the moment. If she did not stop Lady Gardenia from carrying out her threat, Grace could lose the man she loved.

*

The tension had built all evening. He had repeatedly avoided the questions regarding Grace. It would have been pleasant to put everyone off with an excuse about Grace’s being with child and unable to attend, but then later the questions would return when he had neither wife nor child. He supposed he could eventually stage a mock funeral. He could say Grace had passed during childbirth. Even among the aristocracy, women often lost their lives when delivering forth an heir. But Gabriel did not want to invent a reason to mourn his wife. It would be admitting she would never return. Admitting he had failed miserably. And he was not willing to release those hopes to reality.

He glanced about the room. Somehow, he had become separated from the Realm members in attendance. With a grimace, he slipped from the crowded ballroom onto the open terrace. He inhaled deeply of the clean night air. London was not often without its layer of dirty fog, but tonight the sky seemed clearer than usual. Perhaps, it was a good omen. He would circle through the lower gardens and reenter Maison Grandiose through the study. The walk would provide him a moment to clear his head and the means of avoiding the next round of inquires.

He had reached the last step that led to the walled garden. Having earlier placed Lady Gardenia from his thoughts, her appearance along the graveled path had surprised him. “Mrs. Cooper,” he said through gritted teeth before starting around her, but before he could stop the woman, she launched herself at him. Instinctively, Gabriel reached to brace her as they fell to the hard ground.

She screamed, and he did his best to shush her before others saw them together. He gave the woman’s shoulders a good shake as he struggled to right himself beneath her. “Either you cease that caterwauling, or I swear I will cuff you,” Gabriel warned as he forcibly set her from him and scrambled to his feet. “Are you mad?” He loomed over her.

The lady brushed her fallen hair arrangement from her eyes, but her efforts only loosened it further. “I thought…I thought you wished my attentions,” she said through trembling lips. Thanks to the lighted lanterns scattered throughout the garden he could observe the confidence in her eyes.

“Why in the world would you believe such a farce?” he said bitterly. “When have I ever given you the idea I wished for a renewal of our relationship? I assure you, Madam, one kiss from you was enough to last a lifetime.” Gabriel brushed the dirt from his breeches.

Lady Gardenia’s stance spoke of defeat, but Gabriel could not shake the feeling it was all a sham. “You possess no reason to be so cruel, Lord Godown.”

Gabriel shook his head in disbelief. “I do not understand your motivation, Ma’am.” He gave Gardenia a bow and started around her.

“I would not leave if I were you,” she said coldly.

Gabriel turned to see her raise a pocket pistol to point at his chest. “You mean to shoot me, Gardenia?” he said sarcastically.

“I mean to bury you in scandal, my Lord,” Gardenia declared with a scowl.

Gabriel laughed acerbically. “A taste of déjà vu, Mrs. Cooper?”

The lady adjusted her grip on the gun. “You do not understand. I have suffered the depravation of my marriage. My father meant to shame me by forcing Mr. Cooper upon me. To teach me a woman possessed no rights in his household. He meant to see me lose my place in Society. Your refusal to save my reputation cost me everything.”

Gabriel thought of what it had cost him. What it had cost him every day since the day he had been caught kissing the lovely Lady Gardenia in the Templeton garden. He said bitterly, “Perhaps, that line should become the Templeton family motto: You have cost me everything. Your father has purported his lies for years. Recently, Mr. Talbot placed his shortcomings squarely on my shoulders. Now, you claim I have brought destruction to your door. Did none from your family have a hand in your troubles?” he accused.

“And what of you, Lord Godown?” she said smartly. “Have you not placed your troubles on my family’s mantelpiece?”

Gabriel thought to dispute her words, but there was some truth in her protestation. Even though his parents had objected, he had made the choice to pursue Lady Gardenia. “I suppose we each hold blame,” he conceded.

“Yet, it is I who cannot go into Society,” she accused. “I, who has lost everything of importance to a woman.”

He would like to remind her that she was at a Society function this very evening. He would also like to point out some women held more depth of character than to only live for what Society offered: his wife, for example. Before he could express either opinion, Lady Gardenia caught her dress’s neckline and gave it a mighty tug. The silky material ripped easily, leaving her breast exposed by a low-cut corset. With her hair drooping over her shoulders and her grass-stained dress, the woman appeared to have fought off an attacker. The realization of her attempt to discredit him became clearer. “But after tonight,” she continued. “Sympathy shall be on my side. People will realize you held a great passion for me. One so strong you have sent your wife away so we might be together. A passion so intense I had to shoot you to preserve my honor.”

Gabriel’s ire rose quickly. He hated this woman, but he also despised himself for stumbling into her trap. After all, she had warned him she would be waiting for him in the garden. Yet, he had ignored Lady Gardenia’s persistence. So consumed in his own wretchedness, he had thought himself above her. “What do you know of my wife?” he said suspiciously.

“Only what Isaacs shares of your failed marriage,” she confessed flippantly.

“Isaacs, is it, Gardenia?” he said sardonically.

She confessed, “It was always Isaacs.”

Everything suddenly became transparent. For years, he had wondered how the Templetons knew so much about his habits and of his weaknesses. His cousin had provided the information. However, they had all underestimated him. “Poor Talbot. The man will die on Friday with the belief he fathered your child,” Gabriel charged.

“I wanted Isaacs, but you were the heir,” she said without guilt. “When I discovered my possible enciente, I thought to maintain my position by turning to my cousin. After all, at the time, Isaacs was betrothed to Lady Sarah Collingwood. However, father took Talbot’s shame personally, and he sent poor Benjamin away. News of my cousin’s reported death left me with few options. Then a miracle arrived in the form of your handsome countenance. A well-respected title pleased my father, but I was unable to bring you up to snuff,” she confessed. “When your family arranged your retreat, I was distraught, and so, Isaacs encouraged Lady Sarah to know her heart. His Lordship and I had hoped the war might claim you, and then the title would come to Isaacs naturally.”

Realization fell across Gabriel’s countenance. “And then someone convinced my father to alter his will. My cousin might not inherit the title, but he could still dramatically increase his holdings. It would make his position in Society stronger. And, of course, there was always the possibility I would not marry before the deadline or my wife might not produce an heir to save my father’s legacy. My cousin was quite thorough,” he said with total contempt.

“Your refusal placed me in Benjamin’s pocket I despised it, but Mr. Talbot proved useful in many ways. My cousin always believed you at fault in his disinheritance. He was so easy to convince of my loyalty. The man despised your perfection, my Lord,” she said disdainfully.

“Which was foolish on Talbot’s part,” Gabriel countered. “Entailed land and the title cannot be turned aside. Despite Lord Templeton’s rants, Talbot would have known the position he so coveted.”

“True. Entailments are difficult to turn aside. Unless one has committed a capital crime.” A smirk graced her lips. “Both Isaacs and I were prodigiously disappointed when you married the woman to save your title. Of course, a governess is likely thankful someone even looked upon her. I understand your wife’s is quite plain.”

Gabriel’s hands fisted at his side. “My wife is absolutely stunning,” he declared. “Hers is a beauty within and without.”

“Oh, my!” Gardenia feigned empathy. “Poor, Lord Godown. It sounds as if you hold the lady with true regard.” Her tone conveyed the exact opposite of sympathy.

Gabriel had said enough. This woman had robbed him of his past. His friends had been correct; he had permitted Lady Gardenia domain over his days. Well, no more! he thought. He had stopped believing in God’s goodness long ago. But Grace’s presence in his life had proved Gabriel a fool. Now he recognized the possibilities. Could he reach her before she fired? he wondered. At this range, she will not miss. Just as he prepared to lunge in her direction, a twig snapped behind him, and another gun nestled into his side. “Do not move, Cousin,” the voice warned.