The Temptation of Lady Serena (29 page)

 

It was hard to say who smiled more broadly during the ceremony—the bride or the groom. The party had already returned to the Hall before Edward and Rupert were introduced.

Edward bowed to Rupert and looked into the mirror image of his eyes. “My lord, I’m very pleased to finally meet you.”

Rupert returned his gaze curiously. “I don’t think you need to call me ‘my lord.’ You’re my papa-in-law now. You’ll take care of her, won’t you?”

Edward stood stock still, afraid, with his rush of emotion, he’d give himself away. This young man was everything he could have wanted in a son. “Always. I love your mother very much.”

Rupert’s forehead wrinkled. “Have we met, sir?”

Edward’s jaw clenched. Adhering to Freddy’s wishes that Rupert not be told unless he asked was harder than he’d thought it would be. “No, we’ve never met.”

His son studied Edward. “How long have you known my mother?”

“For many years. We knew each other well before she married.”

Freddy came quietly up to stand behind and off to Rupert’s side.

“You loved her back then as well.” It was not a question.

Edward nodded and responded gruffly, “Yes.”

Rupert’s brow cleared, and he smiled. “Then I think you are rather more than my papa-in-law.”

Edward’s jaw dropped, and he had trouble getting his reactions under control.

His son laughed easily at Edward’s shock.

“Freddy, you were right. He is very quick.” Edward turned his gaze back to Rupert’s. “How did you guess so swiftly?”

“I’ve known for years I was none of Stanstead’s get.” Rupert flashed a grin at Freddy. “I thank you for that, Mama. I knew about my father’s proclivities, and I knew I’d been born early. Occasionally, I’d ask Grandmama, but she’d just tell me Beaumonts breed true. Still, that didn’t explain my eyes and my face. I just didn’t know who, until now. I suppose at some point you’ll explain how it all happened.”

“Your mother and I were told the whole story only yesterday.”

“Come, let’s find someplace quiet,” Freddy said firmly. “Too many secrets have been kept for too many years.”

“My love, the tea.”

“The tea is not until this afternoon, and I’ve been told I have nothing to do but appear. Serena has things well in hand.”

They walked out to the other end of the terrace where some chairs and a chaise had been set up. Freddy told Rupert what her father and old Lord Stanstead had done.

“I was raised without a father, you without a husband, and you, sir, without a wife, all to save the earldom,” Rupert said thoughtfully. “You have no heir?”

Freddy and Edward told him about the kidnappings and Aubrey’s part.

“I thought Yorkshire was supposed to be dull. I’ll have to visit more often. It sounds as if you have been having a busy time here. Will your estate escheat?”

Freddy blushed. “Perhaps not. You might have a brother in a few months.”

“You
have
been busy,” Rupert exclaimed good-naturedly. “Well, I’ve always wanted a younger brother or sister. What shall I call you, sir?”

“Other than Lord Malfrey, anything you’d like.”

“I think ‘sir’ will do for to-day, after that I’d like to call you Papa.”

Edward’s chest swelled. “If you’re sure. I wouldn’t like you to be put in an embarrassing situation.”

“If anyone comments, I’ll just tell them I like my mama’s new husband very well.”

This was more than Edward had hoped for. “You’ll come and stay with us at the Grange?”

“I’d like that. I’ll remain here tonight and come to you to-morrow. You are newlyweds, after all.” Rupert smiled as Freddy’s face grew red. “I’m going in now to find Robert.” Rupert bowed to them both and departed.

“I seem to be tearing up quite a bit to-day. Edward, I’m so happy.”

“I’m in shock. I had no idea he’d take it so well.”

“I knew he wouldn’t be that surprised, though, I agree, he took it a great deal better than I thought he would. He’s actually happy about it.”

Edward gazed down at her. “I want to kiss you—
now
—and we have no place we can go.”

Freddy stood and held out her hand. “Come with me. I know exactly the place.”

 

Rupert lifted a glass to Robert. “I never thought I’d see you married. How did she catch you?”

“She didn’t. Gave me a devil of a chase, and I almost didn’t catch her. It was a near thing, I’ll tell you.” Robert’s gaze followed Serena on the other side of the room. “Grandmama showed me the way.”

Rupert gave a bark of laughter. “Beaumont, you’re in love!”

Robert scowled. “You don’t have to shout it.”

His cousin doubled over in laughter. “If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it. The rake has been well and truly hoisted by his own petard.”

T
hey were gathering in the drawing room for the wedding tea when Robert glanced up to see his grandmother enter the room. For the first time since he was a child, she was not in black bombazine, but in a pearl dove gown of obvious Parisian origin. “Grandmama, you look wonderful and years younger.”

She rapped his knuckles. “After you left Paris, there was little to do but shop, and the modiste there was extremely persuasive. I do think I look well, though.”

He chuckled. “You do indeed.”

“Mama, you’ll take the shine out of us all.” Freddy kissed her cheek.

Robert, Serena, his grandmother, Freddy, and Edward made up the receiving line. In addition to the neighbors Serena had met previously, she was introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Calverton, Lord and Lady St. Quentin, and their daughter, Miss Quentin. Serena noticed the measuring look Lady St. Quentin gave her as she moved through the line. Serena smiled politely and raised a brow.

Lady St. Quentin’s countenance cleared. “I have it now. I saw you in the Park driving your curricle. You are St. Eth’s niece.”

Serena’s smile became genuine. “Yes, although I don’t believe we’ve met before, have we?”

“No, I was visiting my sister-in-law to arrange a house for next Season, when our Eliza will make her come out. My sister told me you were the catch of the Season. We are very pleased to welcome you to our little area of Yorkshire, my lady.”

She passed on to Lady Beaumont, continuing her theme. “Lady Beaumont, I suppose you’re happy to have Robert settled.”

“Yes, Lady St. Quentin, we are all very happy Lady Serena is to join our family.”

“She’s so beautiful and well connected,” Lady St. Quentin enthused before congratulating Freddy and Edward.

Lady Montrose arrived to cast a disapproving eye on the receiving line. She greeted Serena civilly, but with no warmth, and said to Lady Beaumont, “Well, she certainly is very forward. I’ve heard all the stories. I’m sorry for you, my dear Lady Beaumont. Your nose must be sadly out of joint.”

Lady Beaumont’s smile did not reach her eyes. “You are doing Lady Serena an injustice. She has allowed herself to be led by me and is doing precisely what I advised.”

Lady Montrose nodded. “She probably needed to be told how to go on, being from
Scotland.
” As if Serena had been from Spittle-field. “And she’s so old as well. I’m told she trapped Lord Beaumont into marriage. I’m glad to see him making the best of it.”

Before his grandmother could utter the set-down Serena knew was on her lips, Robert leaned over Serena to address Lady Montrose. “You have your story sadly confused. It is
I
who trapped Lady Serena into marriage. A circumstance you would do well to remember. I will allow no criticism of my affianced wife, nor shall I take lightly any aspersions on her character.”

Lady Montrose turned a bright red and went off in a huff, forgetting to congratulate Freddy and Edward.

“As nice a squabash as I’ve ever seen anyone give her,” Edward said.

Serena bit her lip and tried not to worry about what Lady Montrose said.

Lady Beaumont smiled reassuringly. “Don’t let what an ill-bred fishwife says fret you, my girl. You have Robert and the rest of us for support.”

“We’ll help as well.” Tom Rush had walked in behind Lady Montrose.

“Yes, indeed. I don’t know anyone more unpleasant than Lady Montrose,” Emma concurred. “Lord and Lady Malfrey, we are so pleased to be able to wish you happy. Tom, tell them your news.” Emma went on excitedly. “He’s been asked to run for Parliament!”

Tom laughed. “She’s my most enthusiastic supporter.”

Robert chuckled. “Not a bad thing to have in a wife.”

Lady Beaumont declared it was time to join their guests and herded them into the drawing room and out onto the terrace, where long tables had been set up with food and drink.

The malevolent Lady Montrose, unable to draw any of the other guests into her vicious gossip, decided to take her leave.

Serena was with Lady St. Quentin when Lady Montrose approached. Whatever she was about to say died on her lips, and after a few moments she wished Serena a courteous adieu.

“I wonder what that was about,” Serena said. “I was sure she’d planned to say something cutting.”

Lady St. Quentin’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “I think it was your guardian angel—or should I say devil? I don’t think I’ve ever heard Robert described as an angel.”

Serena grinned. “No, not even his grandmother has ever called him an angel. Where was he?”

Lady St. Quentin’s lips curved. “He appeared behind you as Lady Montrose began to speak.”

“Are there many more like Lady Montrose?” Serena asked.

“No, thank the Lord. She has nothing good to say about anyone. The fit she threw when I married St. Quentin was something to see. You’d have thought he was marrying a weaver’s daughter.”

“Are you from here?”

“Heavens, yes, I’m Tom Rush’s sister, which is the reason Tom was selected to run for Parliament. St. Quentin held the seat for years and is now ready to hand it off to someone younger. Lady Montrose married and moved south. Unfortunately for us, her husband didn’t live long and she returned. Tom claims Montrose died to rid himself of her.”

Serena couldn’t stop her lips from curving up. “You must know Freddy, Lady Malfrey, quite well.”

“We are much of an age, but no. I was sent away to school, and she was kept home. By the time I returned, she was gone and married. We’re happy to have her back. It’s past time we had some new blood in this area of the county. Now, tell me, if you will, about this new school you and Lora have begun.”

By late afternoon, the ladies were deep in discussion concerning the new school. Phoebe, who had the most experience, outlined what their immediate needs would be and which issues to discuss with the administrator. A committee was formed and each lady tasked with a job. By the time her guests took their leave, Serena was delighted that so many of the local gentry were involved. Now if she could only forget what Lady Montrose had said.

 

Robert walked into Serena’s chamber late that evening, expecting to find her already in bed. Instead she was staring out a window, her white night rail glowing in the soft candlelight. Serena’s long tresses glinted in the flickering flames. Night had fallen so darkly, he could make out her concerned countenance reflected in the window.

Clearly lost in thought, Serena gave no sign she’d heard him enter. Robert moved behind her and studied her face before putting his hands on her shoulders.

“A penny for your thoughts?”

Serena raised her eyes. Robert met her gaze in the window’s reflection.

“Lady Montrose.”

“It’s a shame I didn’t know about her earlier. We wouldn’t have sent her an invitation.”

Serena sighed. “I do not know how we can avoid inviting her. Despite her delight in attempting to make everyone miserable, she appears to be received everywhere.”

Robert searched her face in the window. “You’re concerned about what she said.”

She frowned. “I am concerned others will think the same.”

“You can’t allow them to worry you overmuch.”

“No, I suppose I should not,” Serena said quietly.

“It’ll take some time for you to grow a thicker skin.” He’d never really appreciated how isolated Serena had been before she came to London. “I’ll be with you and any gossip won’t last long. The
ton
has a very short memory.”

He gently moved her hair aside and kissed her neck.

Serena reached back to stroke him, and turned into him. “I have you, my family, and some friends to get me through.”

“I’m sorry. I haven’t made it easy for you.” He bent his head to kiss her sweetly and lingeringly. Robert smiled possessively before divesting her of her nightgown.

Later, she lay boneless beside him as Robert arranged her back against his chest. He nuzzled her ear. “Have I told you I love you?”

“Not to-day.”

“I do, you know. Love you.” He invested the word with all the joy and fear welling up in him. Joy that he’d found her and made her his. Fear that somehow she might be taken away from him. Robert gently brought her closer to him and held her tightly as he drifted to sleep.

 

For the first time since they’d begun sleeping together, Serena awoke alone. Troubled, she sat up to see Mary lay out her riding habit.

“Oh, good, you’re up. I was just about to wake you, my lady. His lordship said you must hurry as you’ve much to do to-day.”

It was on the tip of Serena’s tongue to ask why his lordship hadn’t woken her, but that was a question for Robert. One he’d better have a good answer for.

“I’ve got your wash water ready.”

Serena rose quickly, washed, and sat while Mary dressed her hair.

When Serena was ready, Mary shooed her out the door. “He’ll meet you in the breakfast room.”

Robert was already consuming his customary large breakfast when she entered. He looked up, smiling, and rose from the table.

“What is it?”

“This.” He kissed her and took her right hand and slipped a ring over a finger. “Grandmama brought it with her, as well as the rest of the Beaumont jewels. I wanted to give it to you before, but when I didn’t know if you’d marry me, I left it in London.”

The ring was of gold filigree set with emeralds, diamonds, and tourmaline. Serena studied it before lifting her eyes to Robert’s. “It’s beautiful. I love it.”

“I rather thought you would. It’s the first piece of jewelry I’ve ever selected for a lady.”

Serena didn’t believe him.

Robert held the chair for her. “It’s true. I always had Charles to go round and buy whatever was appropriate.”

She’d heard he was cold to his paramours, but... “You didn’t.”

“Indeed, I did. Eat. We must be off on our rounds.”

Though happy about the ring, she was still upset he’d left her alone this morning. Particularly since he didn’t want her to leave him. Was this another case of do what I say? “Why are you in such a rush?”

Robert’s demeanor was innocent. “The morning is slipping by. I want us to be on our way. Eat.”

Taking a bite of her eggs, she said, “I would have been up and about earlier if you’d wakened me,” she said.

He laughed. “No, you wouldn’t.”

Serena huffed and applied herself to her breakfast. As soon as she was finished, Robert pulled out her chair and took her hand.

“Robert, must you tow me behind you everywhere?”

He looked back over his shoulder and frowned. “I don’t always. Walk faster.”

Giving it up for a lost cause, Serena tried to keep up with his long stride.

“Where do you want to go first?” she asked.

“To the outer cottages.”

Robert tossed Serena onto Shamir, and after he mounted, she sent Shamir clattering out of the stable yard, jumped the fence, and flew over the meadow. Breathing the fresh morning air deep into her lungs, she urged her horse faster. She was halfway to the cottages before she reined in to wait for Robert to catch up.

They arrived at the site where the cottages had been burned to find the foundations for the new houses already laid and one of the walls begun.

“This is wonderful. Robert, you knew. Is this the reason you wanted to ride out here to-day?”

“I thought you’d be pleased and for some reason, I didn’t want the rest of our families with us.”

“I understand,” she said, softly. “This is our first project. But,” she added tartly, “I did not like waking up alone.”

Robert lifted her off Shamir and kissed her. “I’ll make it up to you this evening.”

The women and children came to meet them. “Yer lordship, yer la’yship.”

The women curtseyed, and the children surrounded them.

Robert reached into his pocket and held his hand out to the children.

“Ohh, sweets,” one little girl cried.

Robert grinned. “There, take them, then off with you.”

They briefly inspected the foundations before riding back to the Hall.

Serena glanced over to see Robert deep in thought. “Serena, despite the weather, the crops look appreciably better this year than in the past. How much of it is due to our tenants’ new living conditions, I wonder.”

She met his gaze. “A great deal, I should think. Feeling comfortable in one’s home, knowing one’s children are well—it is all of a piece.”

“Let’s go round to some of the other tenants as well. I wish to look over the repairs on the other houses.”

“A good idea.”

They returned to the Hall and entered the study. Charles rose and bowed. “I’ve just sorted the correspondence and other documents. They’re on your desk. Lady Evesham’s sisters and their husbands have arrived.”

“Charles, you are invaluable. That’s half of our task,” Serena said.

“Why don’t you join the others for luncheon,” Robert suggested. “We will be eating in here.”

“As you wish, my lord. My lady.”

Robert closed the door and in two long steps had Serena in his arms. “I’m finally alone with you.”

She put down the letter in her hand and returned his embrace.

Serena chuckled and Robert began a low-voiced tirade. “There are getting to be entirely too many people in this house. And don’t tell me it’s my fault, because I know it is. Another example of my high-handed, autocratic disposition. If I hadn’t had to have everything my way, we’d be married by now and left alone. But no,
Viscount
Beaumont had to—”

Serena stopped him with a kiss. “Robert, think. If we’d been married by special license, Rupert wouldn’t have met his father until much later. Our staff and tenants would have nothing to be excited about. None of them have been to a party in years. Who knows what else would have happened? There is no point in bemoaning it now.”