What a Wicked Earl Wants (14 page)

“Did you know them?” she asked.

“Oh, yes. His mother and father were madly in love and very proud of their two boys.”

Laura swallowed. “He had a brother?”

“Steven was two years younger. Andrew always looked after him.”

“Andrew?”

“Oh, I forgot myself,” she said. “That is his Christian name, and that’s what everyone called him when he was a mere boy. Lord and Lady Bellingham held a house party every summer. My husband and I always attended. The guests brought their children for the annual play.”

“A play?” Laura said.

“Yes, it’s customary for adults, but Lady Bellingham preferred to let the children put on a play. All of the ladies helped make costumes, and the older children wrote the plays. By the time Andrew was twelve, he proved himself a natural-born leader. He took over all of the plans and delegated tasks to the other children.”

Laura laughed. “I’m not surprised he took over.”

A faraway look came into Lady Atherton’s eyes. “He had an excellent father. It was such a tragedy when his family died.” She reached over and patted Laura’s hand. “But I think his involvement with your son is a very good sign.”

The tea tray arrived. Laura poured and handed a cup to Lady Atherton.

“There is nothing like a spot of tea,” Lady Atherton said. “By the way, I heard from friends that you were spotted walking with Bellingham at Mrs. Norcliffe’s Venetian breakfast.”

“Yes, he took me to see the goldfish.”

Lady Atherton smiled and sipped her tea. “He is a very handsome man, like his father before him. I believe you made more than a few ladies jealous.”

Laura finished her tea and set it aside on the tray. “His looks are striking, but we are friends, nothing more.”

“Friends,” Lady Atherton said. “So you’re not the least bit attracted to him?”

“He is charming, usually when he wants something, but neither of us wishes to marry, and I simply will not throw my principles to the wind for a fleeting
affaire de coeur
.”

Lady Atherton set her dish aside. “What do you mean you’ve no wish to remarry?”

Laura bit her lip.

“What is it?” Lady Atherton said with concern in her voice.

“There is the problem of Montclief. If I were to remarry, he might take Justin.”

“Montclief has too many mouths to feed as it is,” Lady Atherton said. “And I suspect that this isn’t the real reason. I know you’re the sensible type, but if you’re worried that it’s somehow wrong because of Phillip, you must know that he would want you to be happy.”

She shook her head. “I know he would, but there is another issue.”

“My dear, what is it?”

“I…I fear I’m barren.”

“My dear, your husband was ill.”

She blinked back tears. “No. Unlike my sisters, my monthly cycle has always been irregular. Phillip and I wanted a child together. After four months of marriage, I was almost certain that I had conceived. I swore my sister Rachel to secrecy and planned to tell Phillip by the end of the week. Three days later, all my hopes were shattered.”

“My dear, your husband was elderly.”

“He was capable.” She took a deep breath. “How can I remarry knowing that I might never be able to give my intended a child?”

“In this instance, I recommend you take a leap of faith.”

“You do not understand. How can I allow a man to court me, knowing that I might never be able to give him a child? At what point would I tell him something so intimate? And yet, if I kept it from him, it would be deceit.”

“The same could hold true of any woman before marriage,” Lady Atherton said.

“But I suspect that I am barren,” Laura said. “That’s different.”

Lady Atherton took her hands. “You may not be. Promise me that if the right man comes along, you will not throw away a second chance at love. Promise me.”

“I promise to consider your advice,” Laura said.

“I’ve lived a lot of years,” Lady Atherton said. “And my biggest regrets were always about the chances I did not take because I was afraid. Don’t make that mistake.”

After departing Laura’s town house, Virginia tapped her fan on the leather seat. Laura’s fears were understandable. Given her unreliable cycle, pregnancy might not happen right away, but Virginia was by no means convinced it was impossible. As much as she admired Laura’s principles, she believed the young woman was too hasty in taking the blame for not conceiving with her husband. Phillip had been a wonderful man, but he’d known his health wasn’t the best when he proposed to Laura. Of course, it had been a brilliant match for her, considering her lack of a marriage portion. But to throw away a second chance at love was damned foolish.

Virginia had not given up her matchmaking plan, but based on what Laura had told her, the pair had spent quite a bit of time together on account of that rascal Justin. Today she had purposely told Laura about Bellingham’s parents and the annual children’s plays. She’d set the stage with just a touch of drama so that Laura would know that deep down, Bellingham was a good man. He just needed a good woman to help him overcome his fears. Who better than a caring woman like Laura?

Soon she must devise a plan that would put them in an intimate situation. Too bad she couldn’t lock them in a boudoir together. She snorted at her preposterous plan. An opportunity would arise. Perhaps a carriage ride to an entertainment, and naturally, she would find some excuse to send them on alone. Oh, she remembered a particularly passionate carriage ride with her Alfred. Yes, that would do the trick. Virginia walked to the sideboard and poured herself a thimble of sherry. Then she raised the glass. “To carriages.”

J
ustin, you will return home in the earl’s carriage tonight,” Laura said.

He rolled his eyes. “That’s ridiculous. George will take me in his curricle.”

“No, Bellingham will bring you home. Either you agree or you stay home.”

Justin slouched in a chair and rolled his eyes. “Will you stop treating me like an infant?”

“You will go nowhere unless you agree,” she said.

“I agree.” Then he mumbled something under his breath.

“Lord Bellingham does you a great honor by inviting you to his home.”

“You’re always defending him, and I know you’re not unaware of his reputation.”

She bit back the retort on her tongue. Justin had certainly shown his worst side to the earl recently. She would say nothing of it, because she didn’t want Bellingham to find them quarreling.

Laura retrieved her sewing. She was embroidering a tiny gown for her third sister, Mary, who was expecting her first child this summer. Laura sighed. She’d experienced more than a little envy upon hearing Mary’s wonderful news. It wasn’t the first time. Her sister Rachel had two children already, and Deborah had a little girl. Judith, the youngest, was unmarried. Over the years, she’d told herself that she was fortunate to have Justin, but there were times when she found it difficult to accept that she would never know the joy of feeling a child quicken in her womb.

Sometimes she worried about being alone after Justin reached his majority, but she could not worry about what might be. She had a wonderful, caring family, but she missed those days when Phillip would take her for a walk and stop in the shade to kiss her. Wishing for the past would not bring it back, and she must go on.

The bell rang. Laura rose and hurried over to the mirror to pinch her cheeks. She smoothed her skirts, turned, and saw the accusing look on her son’s face. “What is wrong?”

“Are you pinching your cheeks for the earl?” Justin said.

She would never admit it. “Of course not. My complexion has been sallow the last few days and I merely wished to bring color to my cheeks.”

Justin muttered something under his breath again that she couldn’t hear, which was probably just as well.

Footsteps thudded outside the drawing room doors.

“Mark my words,” Justin said. “I heard he’s had dozens of mistresses.”

“Hush,” she said, perching on the sofa.

Justin shook his head slowly.

A knock sounded. Reed entered and said, “The Earl of Bellingham.”

Laura rose along with her son, and for some odd reason, she felt a bit nervous, though she could not say why. Bellingham strode inside, and for a moment, her breath caught in her throat. It was impossible not to be mesmerized, nay beguiled, by his brilliant blue eyes.

“My lady,” he said in that distinctive voice that had haunted her since the day he’d first invaded her drawing room, much like one of his marauding ancestors. He bowed, and when he rose, his mouth slanted sideways as he looked at her from beneath his lashes.

Was that her heart twirling round like a dizzy girl at her first dance? Then her cheeks grew hot as she recollected her manners and dipped a curtsy.

Bellingham turned toward Justin, and Laura dared not look at her son, for he would surely note her foolish reaction to the earl.

“Justin? Or do you prefer Chesfield?” Bellingham asked.

“Chesfield,” he said.

Laura fingered her gold cross and bit her lip. She didn’t want others to address him as Chesfield, even though he was seventeen. Among the lower orders, he would be considered a grown man. She knew she must begin to let him go in these small increments, but each little snip of the apron strings felt like a sting to her heart.

With a deep breath, she faced Bellingham again. “I hope you both have an enjoyable evening,” she said.

Bellingham drew closer. “Actually, I wish to invite you as well.”

“I would be the only lady,” she said.

His smile slanted to one side once more. “I’ve never met a rule I didn’t want to break.”

She laughed. “Are you certain?”

“My friends wish to see you again,” he said. “Do you have other plans?”

She moistened her lips. “No, but you should not feel obliged.”

“I would be honored if you would join us,” he said.

“Very well,” she said.

“Do you have a wrap? It’s chilly out,” he said.

When she lifted her long paisley shawl, he took it from her and draped it over her shoulders. She instinctively lowered her lashes, but when she raised her eyes, she saw the disapproval on Justin’s face. Her son had seen her reaction. She almost changed her mind about going, but Bellingham offered his arm, and it was too late. The entire time he led her down the stairs and across the great hall, she wished she’d used better judgment. Wouldn’t her son and Bellingham’s friends be uncomfortable with her presence? But what was done was done, and she would make the best of things.

She donned a bonnet and gloves while her son collected his own outerwear. Then the earl led them outside. Bellingham helped her up into the carriage, and Justin sat next to her. “I cannot believe you agreed,” he said under his breath.

She didn’t have an opportunity to reply as Bellingham climbed inside and sat with his back to the horses.

“Are you warm enough?” Bellingham asked. “There are wool rugs beneath the seat if you need one.”

“Thank you, but I’m quite warm with the shawl,” she said.

He knocked a cane on the ceiling. When the horses started, he sat back.

“My friends will enjoy showing off for you as they demonstrate the finer points of billiards,” Bellingham said.

“I shall be delighted to watch, though I’m certain that ladies are usually not allowed in the inner sanctum of the billiards room. But since you’ve never met a rule you didn’t want to break, I will pretend that it is perfectly proper for me to be present.”

At some point during their exchange, Justin had turned his face to the window, even though darkness had set in. He was unhappy with her for accepting the earl’s invitation. She could almost feel the waves of his resentment rolling over him, but she was weary of tiptoeing around him. Laura wished for probably the hundredth time that he would grow out of this tiresome stage. Yet, there were other times when she worried that there was more than a need for independence, but if that were the case, she didn’t have any idea what could be troubling him. Whenever she tried to ask him, he would pull a face and tell her to stop worrying. She would as soon as he acted like a rational person on a regular basis. With an inward sigh, she figured she might as well wish for rainbows and pots of gold.

When the carriage rolled to a halt, Bell descended and held Laura’s hand as she negotiated the tricky steps. All he could think after releasing her was how small her hand had felt in his palm. Her son climbed out, and though it was dark, Bell imagined the young man was displeased. No doubt he was embarrassed that his mother had come along, and truthfully, Bell hadn’t planned to invite her. But the moment he’d seen her, he’d wanted to spend more time with her.

The voice inside echoed the words again:
To what end?

He didn’t know—or perhaps he didn’t want to examine his reasons too closely—but he did know that there was something about her that he found irresistible. She was like the first creamy bite of a slice of cheesecake to savor and the richness of a very fine brandy sliding over his tongue. And all of that served in a demure, petite presentation.

The devil, he was comparing her to desserts and liquor. He needed a drink and a woman, but not just any woman. He wanted the one he couldn’t have.

For now, he would let thoughts of what might be or not dissipate into the ever-present fog swirling round them in the cool night.

He led the way past the two tall lamps. They were filled with animal fat and provided more than sufficient illumination. “My friends are already here,” Bell said, looking at her. “They’re good fellows, if a bit buffleheaded at times.”

She smiled. “I liked them when I first met them.”

Bell looked over his shoulder at the glum Justin. “I hope you have a keen eye and steady reflexes.”

Justin shrugged one shoulder, his typical reaction.

When they entered the foyer, Bell noted the gleam in Laura’s eyes as she regarded the gold-framed mirror, the marble hall table, and the marble floor. They continued on to the great hall. She gasped at the sight of the spiral staircase. “Oh, my, I’ve never seen one before,” she said.

“My great-grandfather installed it years ago,” Bell said. “It was the centerpiece of the town house.”

“Your family lived here for many years,” she said.

“In the previous century, my grandmother entertained a great deal during the season.” Bell saw Justin looking up at the staircase. “Go up and explore,” he said. “Watch your step. It’s steep.”

Justin ran up the circular stairs and looked over at one point. “It’s fantastic,” he said, his voice echoing in the hall.

His friend Paul strode out from the billiards room into the great hall.

“When did you get here?” Justin called out.

“Only a few minutes ago. I took a hackney.”

“The staircase goes up two more stories,” Bellingham said to Paul. “Go on.”

Paul raced up the steps to meet Justin and looked up. “It’s brilliant.”

Laura glanced at Bell. “I think that is high praise.”

“I never thought much of it growing up,” Bell admitted. “Probably because I couldn’t recall a time when it didn’t exist.” When he offered his arm again, she took it. “Where is the billiards room?” she asked.

“This way,” he said, indicating the direction with his hand. As they neared the room, Bell heard his friends heckling one another. He rapped on the door and pushed it open. “Keep it clean, gentlemen,” he said. “A lady is entering.”

Harry and Colin turned toward them with cue sticks in hand. They both looked a bit astounded. Laura was the sort of woman who garnered second and third glances from men. A strange, proprietary feeling gripped him, something he’d never experienced before. He told himself that it was just a foolish, momentary notion, and yet, he couldn’t quite shed the feeling.

He glanced at her. “I invited Lady Chesfield.”

Harry and Colin bowed.

“You are very welcome,” Harry said. “Do you play billiards?”

“Oh, no,” she said, “but I will try not to disturb you while I watch.”

“You may disturb us anytime,” Colin said.

Bell rolled his eyes. He might have known they would flirt with her.

“I say, Bell, she is an incomparable,” Colin said.

Laura looked at Bellingham. “Is that good or bad?”

“It’s a high compliment to you,” Bell said.

“Well, since I am the only lady, and therefore unrivaled, I am in no danger of allowing vanity to overcome my good sense,” she said.

Harry clapped his fist to his chest. “I think I just fell in love.”

“With my good sense?” Laura quipped.

Harry eyed Bell. “Pretty and clever. I’m jealous, you know.”

Bell led Laura to a chair and sat beside her.

“Where are Paul and Justin?” Harry asked.

“They’re exploring the spiral staircase,” Bell said. “They’ll tire of it eventually and remember that they’re here to play billiards. Carry on with your game.”

While his friends resumed their game, Bell leaned toward her. “I meant to tell you that Justin did well at his fencing lesson last Thursday. He showed patience, even though the positions are tedious to learn.”

The effect of her full smile was hard to resist. “Thank you for telling me. I hope he will continue. He needs to be occupied.”

The
clack, clack
of the balls interrupted them.

“Have you been enjoying London?” he asked.

She clasped her hands tightly. “I enjoy the shopping and have found wonderful gifts for my sisters and brothers.”

He noticed that she’d skillfully managed to make no opinion about the city. “Most people either love or hate London on the first visit.”

“Justin enjoyed the Tower of London,” she said. “I figured such a ghoulish place would appeal to a young man.”

“Have you been to the theater or the opera?” he asked.

“Not yet,” she said.

“I’m sure my friends and I could get up a party to attend the theater,” Bell said. “You would be very welcome.”

She smiled. “I would enjoy that very much.”

“The devil,” Harry cried out.

Bell looked at his friend. “A lady is present, Harry.”

Harry’s face reddened. “I beg your pardon, Lady C
h
esfield.”

“Don’t mind him,” Colin said. “This bacon-brained fellow learned his manners at his uncle’s pig farm.”

“Ha!” Harry said. “You’re just smarting because I’ve beat you two out of three games.”

“I gather George hasn’t arrived yet,” Bell said.

“Haven’t seen him,” Harry said.

Colin took a shot and the last two balls sank into the pockets. “I won!”

“I’ll fetch Justin and Paul,” Harry said.

“Thank you,” Laura said. “I fear all that running will disturb the servants.”

Bell liked that she was considerate of the servants. Far too many aristos treated them thoughtlessly. His father had taught him at a young age to be respectful of all those in his employ. He tightened his jaw at the intrusive thought and shoved it away.

Laura leaned closer. “Is something wrong?”

She was observant, but he refused to let the bleak memory spoil the evening. “It’s nothing.”

“I’m so sorry. I ought to have forbid my son from running on the stairs.”

He shook his head. “That isn’t it.”

“I don’t want to take advantage of your goodwill,” she said under her breath.

“I wouldn’t mind if you did,” he said, his voice a little rough.

She wagged her slender finger. “I fell into that trap once before.”

“Then I’d better build a better one,” he said.

“Be careful. I might trick you into falling into my trap.”

“What will you do to me?” he said in a low voice.

“I shall chain and shackle you until you beg for mercy.”