The Price of Innocence (The Legacy Series) (26 page)

For the first time in hours, as he sped across the estate grounds and beyond, a broad smiled brightened his sullen face. As he watched Adara’s mane flow in the wind, his thoughts turned to the flowing auburn tresses of Suzette. He adored his petite French doll from Paris and realized that he truly missed having her by his side.

After enjoying his fast gallop across the countryside, Robert returned to the stables refreshed. A sense of determination and strength replaced his depression, and with confidence, he strode back indoors. His boots echoed across the marble foyer floor and brought notice to another family member that he had successfully dodged until that moment.

“Robert, where have you been hiding? Mother told me that you were here.” His sister, Marguerite, quickly approached him, wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a peck upon his cheek.

“God, Robert, you need a bath,” she moaned, wrinkling her nose from his sweaty body. “Were you out riding again?” She stepped back and looked at him from top to bottom. “Still as handsome as ever, even when you smell like a horse.”

“Hello, Marguerite, and you are still as lovely and irritating as the last time I saw you,” he replied, while pulling off his riding gloves.

“Get ready for dinner, dear. I have a surprise for you!”

“Pray tell,
who
now, might I ask?”

“No, you may not! You’ll just have to see the lovely young lady I’ve chosen this time when you sit next to her at the dinner table,” she announced with a giggle.

Her news irritated the hell out of him. Every time he came home, his sister played the role of matchmaker, determined to see him married. No doubt, she had found another lady to entice his interest.

“Fine,” Robert relented as he headed for the stairs. “God, will you never stop trying to marry me off to one of your friends?” He gave her a wink to soften the comment.

He returned to his suite, bathed, and dressed for dinner. When seven o’clock arrived, he joined his family in the formal dining room. His father, mother, and sister were already at the table waiting for his arrival, along with a stunningly beautiful woman that immediately caught his attention.

He glanced at Marguerite, who smiled from ear to ear. Robert tried his hardest not to show his interest, but his facial expression had already betrayed his thoughts.

“Robert, I would like you to meet Lady Jacquelyn Spencer,” she said glowing.

Robert walked over to her side at the table. Lady Spencer raised her hand for the usual complimentary kiss.

“Lord Holland, I am so pleased to meet you. Your sister talks about you constantly.”

He took her hand and kissed it, and then turned his eyes toward his sister in response. “I’m sure she does, Lady Spencer. She’s always talking about me.” As he glanced back into her beautiful face, his eyes sparkled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He took his seat by her side and relaxed for dinner. It was difficult not to take a keen interest in their dinner guest. To his surprise, this one actually piqued his curiosity. Robert decided to pay particular attention to her every movement and hear every word that fell from her pink lips.

She was unquestionably attractive. Her fair complexion gave way to a rosy blush, betraying her shyness as she made small talk during dinner. She was gorgeously adorned in a powder blue, low-cut gown, with a sapphire necklace that encircled her swan-like neck. The color of her hair resembled pure gold, and Robert could barely take his eyes off the cascading curls that fell from her upswept hairdo.

While they ate, he noticed a slight shaking of her hand when lifting her fork. It was obvious Lady Spencer was taking her introduction to him as one of considerable importance. When he glanced at his father and mother, he recognized their clever smiles of approval. There was no need to ascertain Marguerite’s opinion, which radiated over her entire face.

After dinner, Robert excused himself, when his father invited him for a drink and cigar. Before obliging his request, he turned to Jacquelyn and lifted her hand once more to place a kiss.

“Excuse me, Lady Spencer. It was a pleasure meeting you. Perhaps I will have the pleasure of calling upon you in the near future.”

He left the dining room and tried to ignore the grinning faces of his mother and sister, who were pleased by his acceptance of their latest offering. Robert had a distinct feeling they were privy to information regarding Lady Spencer that he was not. No doubt, they deemed her a perfect match, possessing all the qualities of societal acceptance as a future Duchess.

He followed closely behind his father, apprehensive about the conversation ahead. Once inside his study, the Duke headed for the side table and began pouring two glasses of cognac.

“Close the door, will you, son?”

After doing so, Robert approached his father’s side. He knew from experience when the man called him
son
, their conversation would be a serious one. His father handed him a glass and proceeded to his cigar box on the corner of his desk.

“Cigar?” Without hesitation, Robert accepted the offer. After snipping the tip, he lit the end on a nearby candle. His father did the same.

“Have a seat, Robert.”

He sat in a nearby chair, and Robert took a puff from his cigar and a sip of cognac, bracing himself for a lecture.

“I will get straight to the point. Our family physician tells me that I don’t have long to live.”

Surprised at the brash announcement, Robert’s eyes widened, and he sat straight up. “Father, I don’t know what to say.” For a moment, Robert was stunned, and then offered the only words he could think of. “I am sorry.”

“Don’t start with the bullshit, Robert,” his father retorted in irritation. “It’s life. Apparently, my heart is on the verge of giving out. It’s not beating correctly, and I often have chest pains. What can I say?” He drew in a large puff on the cigar, which caused the tip to burn bright red, then released the smoke from his lungs into the air above his head. “This probably doesn’t help,” he said, with a hearty and congested laugh.

The Duke walked over to his son’s side and expressed his wishes. “It’s time, Robert. I can no longer afford you to sow your wild oats. When I pass, the estate will need managing.” He paused for a moment and took another puff on his cigar. “I have been quite patient with your activities, but you must come to a point in your life when you assume the responsibilities into which you were born.”

Robert could not deny his father’s words, nor could he rebel against his calling after hearing of his father’s physical condition. He somewhat expected this conversation months ago, when he announced his last trip to Paris. He now understood what was behind the Duke’s disapproving look upon his departure.

“As I see it, Lady Spencer would be a fine match for you. She comes from a well-bred family, a good bloodline. She has an acceptable dowry, as well.” He paused for a moment before emphasizing the most important matter. “You are my only son, and the Holland legacy will not continue unless you marry and bear children.”

Robert knew what his father was going to say next, and he resigned himself to the inevitable announcement that he was about to make.

“I’ve already been in discussions with Lady Spencer’s parents regarding an arranged marriage between the two of you. It will be a good match, and she’s not unpleasant to the eyes, as you can well see.”

The Duke took a few puffs upon the cigar. The air grew thick in the room, while Robert dealt with the blow and struggled with the seriousness of the situation.

“So tell me, how were your weeks in Paris?” his father asked, changing the subject. “Enjoy your trysts at the brothel?” The old man chuckled, flashing an inquisitive look in his son’s direction.

Robert was aware that his father knew of his frequent visits to the Chabanais. They were part of his Parisian entertainment while away, and they had discussed it before. What he did not know was the recent development about his last visit. The hasty rescue of Suzette began to bear its consequences, and Robert needed to clear the air with his father regarding the matter.

“My visits were pleasurable, as usual. Except, I must confess that I believe I’ve done something rather rash.”

His father’s brow rose over his son’s confession. “Rash? And what might that be?”

Robert gulped, took a drink, and then spoke. “I’ve brought a Parisian woman back to England with me.”

“You what?” his father bellowed. He leaned into Robert’s face demanding an answer. “Why in hell’s name would you do such a thing?”

“Her name is Suzette, and I met her at the Chabanais,” Robert responded.

“So you decided to bring your own private whore back to England?” His eyes glared in disapproval.

“No, father, it’s nothing like that,” he said, shaking his head in disagreement. “She was a victim of circumstance, a homeless woman after the death of her father. I believe she was forced into prostitution. I was to
break
her in, so to speak, at Madame Laurent’s price, and I had not the heart to do so.” Robert felt embarrassed, though he continued to justify his actions.

“Well, be honest with me Robert. Is she your whore or not? What do you intend to do with her?”

“She’s not my whore, father. She’s not like that, but I have taken her as my own,” he said, confessing his actions.

“For God’s sakes, Robert! You are just like you were as a young boy, rescuing every stray dog in the county, because you couldn’t stand to see the flea-bearing animals suffer.” The Duke paced across the room and shook his head in disbelief. “Bad choice, son. Bad choice.”

“Yes, I know,” Robert reluctantly admitted.

Silence filled the room, and both pondered the situation until Robert’s father insisted on knowing his intentions with the woman.

“Well, do you intend to keep her as your mistress or what?”

Robert sighed, admitting his own weakness. His first intentions were merely to provide Suzette a safe place to live, find her work, and get her back on her feet. However, as the week progressed, their intimacy grew, and he enjoyed her immensely. He took a moment to assess his motives in the matter and knew in his heart that he was not ready to release her to another life. He wanted to keep her, even though he couldn’t marry her. His adoration for her ran deep, and letting her go was out of the question. “I believe I will.”

“Well then, keep it as quiet as possible. You can have your mistress. God knows, I’ve had a few of my own.”

Robert lifted his eyes at his father’s frank admission. Though he knew it to be true, it was something they never discussed between the two of them.

“Keep her if you wish. Enjoy your sexual trysts. But I am afraid, my son, it will soon be time for you to seriously consider taking a wife, and I believe Lady Spencer is that woman.”

Robert stood and moved to his father’s side.

“I understand, sir, and will comply with your requests in these matters. Will you pursue the match with Lady Spencer’s parents?”

“Yes, of course. It’s almost a done deal as we speak. Her father is Lord Spencer of Yorkshire. She comes from a fine family with a strong background.”

“Very well.” Robert’s words half-heartedly fell from his lips, and he doused the last bit of alcohol in his glass.

“Good. I think it might be appropriate to start courting Lady Spencer when you are here. And for God’s sake, Robert, try to keep the other matter under wraps until after the wedding at least. Wives eventually understand the needs of men go beyond a marriage bed. They are to produce heirs and run households, while our mistresses are to satisfy our sexual fantasies.” His father shot his son an understanding wicked grin.

Robert reached toward his father an offered a gentleman’s handshake. “As always, father, I shall obey your wishes.” He clasped his hand tightly, sorrowful to see his father’s body wasting away. He could tell by the cold touch of his flesh and weak grip that his beating heart failed to pump the needed blood through his veins. His facial features were dull and gray in complexion. Robert felt an alarming urgency to comply with his father’s demands.

After releasing their handshake, he walked toward the door and glanced over his shoulder before leaving the study. The Duke had turned toward the window, and unbeknown to Robert, his father’s eyes welled with tears.

Robert returned to his suite and thought of his future and the days ahead. It would have been better to marry for love had he been given the chance to find a wife on his own. However, he had squandered his youth and played the wrong card. Fate had sealed his future, and now he was paying for years of selfish living.

He needed a wife, a Duchess, to carry on his father’s legacy. Robert wanted his father to die in peace knowing that his wayward son had finally become responsible. He felt indebted but remorseful, because what could have been his to choose had fallen into the hands of his parents. Arranged marriages were for alliances, money, convenience, and heirs. Old ways were hard to break.

Now that he was bound to court the young lady he had met at dinner, he wondered what she was like. She appeared alluring, but Robert could only hope her personality would be just as pleasant. In order to get to know her better, he would need to travel between Surrey and London often in the next few months. They would need a respectable time to court before an announced engagement and subsequent marriage.

His life had turned into a complicated mess, with Suzette back in London and wholly dependent upon him for her livelihood. He was not willing to release her from his care. In fact, the only question he faced was her willingness to continue their relationship as his mistress. Only time would tell, but in the interim, he would treat her as the only love in his life in order to win her completely. There was no need to share with Suzette his personal affairs. That part of his life would remain private, as well as his impending marriage to another woman. Jacquelyn Spencer would obtain his title and name, but Suzette would retain his deepest affections.

Chapter Nineteen

  Months passed, and Robert and Suzette’s life fell into a routine. Each time Robert visited Suzette, he lavished more gifts, expressing his adoration. When he needed to return to Lady Spencer’s side, he used the excuse of being called back to the estate by his father to attend to business affairs. He lit the candle at both ends, courting one woman for an impending marriage and romancing the other as his naïve mistress. His prideful ego grew over his successful pursuits, with neither woman the wiser to his escapades.