Two Beaux and a Promise Collection (3 page)

“A place where she can stay.”

Jacob frowned.

“Not here,” Richard added. “Herriard nearly grabbed her as we left St. George’s. Since everyone in town knows where I was headed, he must already be watching the house. I hoped she could use Oakhaven for a week.”

“Possibly. But first I need to meet her.”  He had to decide for himself if she was telling the truth. Richard had fallen prey to false pleas for help before. He had no sense when his compassion stirred. Herriard’s involvement would skew his logic even further. “What is her name?”

“Georgiana. Her mother and Herriard’s father were siblings. The mother married beneath her, drawing Herriard’s contempt, but I haven’t had time to learn more.”

Jacob shook his head as he led the way to his study, the plate still in his hand. Richard regularly leaped to the rescue without learning anything relevant. But Jacob wasn’t so gullible.

The library door refused to open.

“It’s locked,” said Richard, proffering the key. “I didn’t want her to be disturbed.”

“Ah.”  And maybe Richard wasn’t as oblivious as he seemed.

His papers seemed undisturbed, allowing him to relax – his parliamentary work meant he often kept sensitive documents at home. The girl was asleep on the couch, a filthy cloak jumbled on the floor beside it. While her face was fair enough in a vapid blonde way, her body could best be described as plump. And her gown was frankly hideous.

He could see why she’d caught Richard’s eye, though. The lost-waif expression would appeal to his soft heart. And her connection to Herriard made her irresistible.

“Georgiana?”  Having set his plate on the desk, Richard gently shook her shoulder. “Wake up.”

Startled, she shot upright, then groaned.

“Be careful of that ankle,” he added.

“What happened?” asked Jacob.

“Bad sprain.”  He helped her settle, his hand lingering overlong on her shoulder, then joined her on the couch. “This is the Earl of Hawthorne, Georgiana. He will help you.”

“Georgiana what?”  Jacob sat behind the desk. A surreptitious glance into the top drawer confirmed that his cash box remained intact.

“Whittaker.”

“And your father?”

She paused. “Humphrey Whittaker, my lord.”

“Ah.”  Jacob nearly laughed at the puzzlement in Richard’s eyes. Richard rarely heeded financial opportunities because he didn’t have any money. Thus he didn’t recognize the name. But Humphrey Whittaker had founded one of the more profitable independent import companies. Jacob had reaped several fortunes by investing in it.
Small inheritance
, indeed. Miss Whittaker was a considerable heiress – which explained Herriard’s interest. And Stagleigh’s.

Despite his frequent protests to the contrary, Richard needed an heiress. Jacob had sworn only last week to see that his friends found suitable wives. It was time that Richard swallowed his pride and stopped pretending he liked living frugally.

He could summon the bishop from the drawing room and demand an immediate hearing on replacing Miss Whittaker’s guardian, but this was not the time to exercise his influence. Far better to make Richard stay with her while the matter crept through the legal process. Already he could see sparks flying between them. All he had to do was shut them up somewhere safe and let nature take its course.

But first he must verify his impressions.

He soon set her at ease and elicited the full tale of her life with Herriard. It wasn’t pretty.

* * * *

Richard’s fists clenched as Georgiana revealed Herriard’s refusal to bring her out, the petty cruelties he’d inflicted, and her duties as an unofficial – and thus unpaid – governess for Herriard’s three hellions. She’d been a virtual slave. Never mind that Herriard’s wife was nearly as abused. The thought of Georgiana enduring such hardships fanned his fury.

When she finished describing her flight, Jacob nodded. “You are right,” he told Richard. “She must stay out of sight until her birthday. Take her to Oakhaven. My solicitor will file a petition on Monday to end Herriard’s guardianship.”

“So I will be free?”  Hope lit her face.

“Not completely.”  Richard patted her hand. “You still need a guardian. The court will not dismiss Herriard unless there is another willing to assume responsibility for you. Who would you prefer?”

“But—”

“That is the law, Miss Whittaker,” said Jacob firmly. “All unmarried females must be under the care of a parent or guardian. Consider it a form of protection. Many businesses won’t deal with females. Others will cheat you beyond charging you higher prices. You need someone who can see after your interests and prevent scoundrels from taking advantage of you.”

* * * *

Georgiana wanted to scream. At the world. At Hawthorne. But mostly at herself. This wasn’t something she’d learned in childhood, nor had the subject come up under Derrick’s roof. All her plans had focused on escape. She’d not considered how she would go on afterward. How many other problems would prove troublesome?  It was a question she must answer.

“Finding another guardian will be difficult,” she admitted. “I know very few people. Father’s partner now owns the business, but he criticized Father’s marriage and accused him of giving me airs above my station, so he would not make a comfortable guardian. I know no other relatives. And I was not allowed to meet callers while living with Lord Herriard.”

Richard shook his head. “We can discuss possible guardians after the guests leave. For now, Hawthorne and I must return to the drawing room.”  He stood.

But she had more questions. “Where is Oakhaven?”

Hawthorne smiled. “Four hours south of London. It’s one of my smaller estates. My staff will make you comfortable.”  He picked up a pen.

“You know we can’t stay here,” added Richard as Hawthorne pulled out a sheet of paper and began to write. “It’s the first place Herriard will look. And moving you to another town house – or even a hotel – would start rumors that would attract his attention. My friend Charles can’t help either. So going to Oakhaven will keep you out of sight.”

She nodded, then froze as his friend’s name suddenly connected the other two. Richard. Charles. The Earl of Hawthorne.

The Three Beaux.

Dear Lord, she’d fallen into a nest of degenerate rakehells.

Even living as an unpaid servant didn’t insulate her from gossip. Everyone knew of the Beaux, for the tales titillated all classes. Their escapades were legion. So were their conquests.

The Earl of Hawthorne was renowned for the swath he’d cut through the demimonde. Tales claimed he bedded someone every night, but never the same person twice. His wealth was legendary, his exploits larger than life. Even seducing his best friend’s fiancée did not tarnish his social standing, though he’d had to wed the girl. Richard’s sister.

She shuddered.

Lord Charles Beaumont always had the most desirable courtesan in London under his protection, yet he flirted with everyone he met and wasn’t averse to seducing matrons. Rumors claimed he’d bedded most of society’s hostesses. Like Hawthorne, he was wealthy, with an inviolable social position. Even being jilted in favor of Hawthorne hadn’t hurt him.

Richard Hughes was different. Not in breeding – he was heir to a viscountcy. But the family coffers were dry, so he couldn’t afford courtesans. Thus he limited his attentions to widows and matrons, who expected nothing beyond a sample of his amazing prowess. Such conquests had led to threats, fisticuffs, and at least one duel, all of which diminished his credit. Only the support of the other Beaux kept him acceptable. He was also known as a hellion, with many pranks and scrapes to his credit. Derrick hated Hughes. She didn’t know why, but they were bitter enemies – which raised the question of why Richard was helping her.

She could understand his reputation as a rake. His potent masculinity demanded attention, saturating the air until it was hard to breathe. His gentleness made him all the more attractive. But if she had any sense, she would decline further assistance.

“Before we leave, she needs to have her ankle wrapped,” Richard was saying. “It’s the worst sprain I’ve ever seen.”

“That bad?”  Hawthorne shook his head. “My housekeeper can see after it. And you will need to change clothes. You can hardly travel unnoticed in formal attire. Help yourself to my wardrobe.”

“What?” asked Georgiana, realizing she’d missed something.

Richard smiled. “Once the guests are gone, you will borrow a cloak and bonnet from Emily, then leave, accompanied by Hawthorne. If Herriard is watching, he will think you are Lady Hawthorne leaving on your wedding journey.”

“But—”

“Don’t fret. The Hawthornes aren’t actually leaving until tomorrow. I will slip out the back, then follow. Once I’m certain Herriard isn’t behind you, Hawthorne and I will change places. He can return to his bride, while you and I go to Oakhaven.”

“You needn’t accompany me. I appreciate the use of his estate, but I cannot trouble you further.”

“Nonsense. Herriard will remain a threat until the court severs his guardianship. If this ruse does not work – and it might not, for he knows you are here, and he might know when Hawthorne plans to leave – then he will follow. Even if we escape him now, he might check Oakhaven when he discovers that Hawthorne remains in town. I must be there to protect you.”

He was right. The very thought of Derrick finding her alone in the earl’s carriage made her stomach clench. Even Oakhaven would not be completely safe, for how could she trust the earl’s staff to turn away a lord who had a legal claim on her person?

She reluctantly nodded.

“Good. The housekeeper will bind your ankle and help you change. I will return when it is time to leave – we’ve been away from the guests too long already. In the meantime, eat. You’ve had nothing in hours and won’t have another chance for some time.”

He slipped out. Hawthorne studied her a moment longer, then followed. But before the door latched, she heard him murmur, “At least this lame duck is better than the last one.”

Lame duck?
  She shook her irritation away and turned to the plates on the desk. How could she have missed them?  They were loaded with a vast array of delicacies the like of which she’d never seen before. Delectable aromas filled the room.

But even fabulous food could not keep her mind from the Beaux. The future had never seemed so uncertain. Would Richard seduce her?  And would it matter if he did?  Even losing her virtue to a rake was better than staying with Derrick.

Not that it would happen, she assured herself stoutly. The Beaux might have larger-than-life reputations, but no one had ever accused them of forcing a reluctant female. So as long as she remained reluctant, she would be safe.

Her only fight would be against her own base nature, which wondered why every voice that mentioned his prowess held awe. She must not let this unexpected attraction grow. He had no reason to push her.

Unless…

But he did not know how large her inheritance was. She’d already made light of it. Since the business had gone to her father’s partner, he wouldn’t expect her to have anything beyond a reasonable dowry. If he ever found out otherwise…

One more reason to remain aloof. She could not cope with another fortune hunter.

— 3 —

Richard peered out the window as the carriage drew away from the tollgate and moved briskly south. So far their escape had gone smoothly. He’d given the carriage a ten-minute head start before following, then examined every rider and vehicle he passed as he caught up. There was no sign of Herriard, who must still be watching Hawthorne House. Their ruse had worked.

He hoped.

Unfortunately, his machinations couldn’t guarantee safety. Herriard would play least in sight where there were witnesses. And he might suspect their destination. The man would have studied the Beaux during their years of animosity. Everyone in town knew about Oakhaven, for Jacob stayed there often, as did Richard. Scrutiny of their every move was the price the Beaux paid for notoriety.

He bit back a sigh. There was no point in mentioning the possibility to Georgiana. She had enough problems as it was. Her ankle had to hurt like the very devil. Binding it had let her walk from door to carriage without limping, aided by Jacob’s arm around her shoulders. But she had been white-faced with pain by the time he and Jacob had traded places at the second tollgate. Now she sat on the facing seat, alternately biting her lip and staring out the window.

Richard wished he’d kept his horse instead of turning it over to Jacob. Riding inside the carriage was torturing him. Georgiana was too attractive. He’d chosen the opposite seat because he’d feared that rubbing her with every jolt would severely test his control. What he hadn’t counted on was the effect of looking at her for four hours.

The housekeeper had arranged her hair into soft curls that did interesting things to his libido. As did her current gown – a different one than she’d worn earlier. It might be unfashionable, but it stretched tightly across a stunning bosom, leaving him awash in sensation as his body recalled how perfectly she fit against him.

“Have you given further thought to a new guardian?” he asked to avoid hauling her into his lap so he could he ravish those luscious lips.

She shook her head. “The court will have to appoint someone. I have no suggestions.”

“None?”

“Think,” she snapped. “Few people know I exist. Even before Papa died, I spent most of my time with my governess. I’d barely recovered from his burial before Grandfather and my uncle died. Derrick kept me confined to the house, less visible even than his wife.”

He nodded. “Now that I think on it, she never accepts invitations.”

“Of course not. She must even deny callers.”

“Why?”

“Derrick’s orders. The house has not been redecorated in sixty years, so most of the furnishings are shabby. He refuses to waste money on it. Then there is the matter of fashion. Despite being a baroness, Margaret has a wardrobe no better than mine – simple gowns more suited to the working classes. Which proved fortunate in the end. Before I fled, I was able to don all of my gowns. Carrying a valise would have drawn attention.”