She glanced up to find the men still staring at her.
Certain lighting, like that of the pottery shop, made every hue in the room more potent.
Pia knew her eyes were lighting up as well. Whatever their ailment, both women had their grandmother’s cursed vision.
Pia had grown up hating her eyes. Aside from her aunt and grandmother, there had only ever been one person in her life who’d tried to encourage her. But those days and that boy were long gone.
“Those eyes,” Lord Burien said with a shake of his head. “It’s a shame you and the late Lord Ginter never had children.”
Pia put on a smile even as her aunt moved her hand away to touch Lord Burien’s arm gently. “My lord, my niece has just come out of mourning. Let us not speak of the departed.”
“It wasn’t that recent,” another gentleman, Lord Halley, argued. “Two years. Lady Pia should have been wed again by now.”
The very thought made her shiver with fear, yet the fact that they went on to speak as though she weren’t present filled her with anger.
She turned to her aunt. “I’ll meet you in the storage room. It was lovely seeing you, gentlemen.” She curtseyed and nearly ran from the room.
The next space was a hall with nothing but mirrors. Melody adored herself a little much in Pia’s opinion. Moving quickly, she pushed back the blond hair that had begun to stick out from her bonnet and walked through the only door on the left.
A man stood in the storage room. His back was toward her but then he turned and met her eyes. He wasn’t a servant but a young gentleman. She could tell from the detail in his suit. A ledger was in his hand, and he closed it at the sight of her.
She took him in quickly before looking away. Tall. Leanly built. Dark eyes and dark hair.
“Hello, Lady Pia,” he said.
She was startled and wondered how the man knew her name.
Aunt Melody rushed in at that very moment. “Pia, you’re not supposed to be here so early, dove.” Melody laughed and rushed to stand by the gentleman.
Pia was a little early. “I started my walk early this morning. It was lovely.” Pia kept her eyes steadfast on her aunt and waited to be introduced.
Aunt Melody did so at once. “Pia, this is Lord Seys, son of the Duke of Reddington. He is the one who pays you for the deliveries.”
Pia’s eyes widened, and she looked up at the lord with embarrassment. “Oh. It’s lovely to meet you.” Making deliveries for her aunt was her only means of income unless she wished to remarry.
And she didn’t.
It was unladylike to work. However, Pia only delivered the most beautiful and unusual wares from her aunt’s shop. The objects were always soft-paste, which gave them a white marble finish easily painted with fancy designs.
Also, the objects were small enough for Pia to fit into her purse and there was never a monetary exchange of money on her end.
So, in truth, it was hardly work. Pia called on some of the best homes in London and left them with a gift. She’d made more acquaintances in the last few months than she’d ever had as a child or while her husband had been alive.
Lord Seys was not a man she wished to upset.
She curtsied. “Thank you for the opportunity.”
“No, it is I who should be grateful.” He smiled and Pia was glad to see no hint of sexual intention in his eyes. The smile was simply a smile. Friendly. Calming. “The people you take my porcelain to are very important. They’d never let a servant touch their things, and I am far too busy a man to make calls all day.”
“It’s no trouble at all.” She was paid very well and did almost nothing for it. In fact, she’d made enough to not have to make deliveries during the winter. Her plan was to visit a friend whose husband had recently passed.
Seys turned to Melody. “All seems to be in order. I shall see you next Season.” To Pia, he said, “I know it is early, but it would please me if you promised me a dance for the coming Season.”
“I don’t take part in the Season, my lord,” she said.
He looked her over and then smiled. “Well, we’ll just have to change that, won’t we? Good day.” He bowed to Pia before he left.
The scent of sugared almonds lingered after his departure and made Melody’s mouth water. Marzipans were an expensive treat.
Melody closed the door behind him and smiled. “Handsome, is he not? And wealthy.”
Pia scoffed. “You are becoming worse than Mama. Handsome or not, I will not rewed.” She still suffered from the sting of her first marriage.
Her aunt tilted her head. “One doesn’t need to wed in order to enjoy a man. I could teach you how to please a man.”
“No, but thank you.”
“It’s not hard. It would help with your confidence, I’m sure. You shouldn’t let what your husband did to you ruin the rest of your life.” Aunt Melody had never married, though she’d had more offers than most Pia was certain.
Instead of marriage, Melody had taken over her lover’s pottery shop. She’d fallen for an artist much like herself. He’d named it after her and had willed it to her upon his death a few years ago.
“Men do not interest me,” Pia said. “And I wish you wouldn’t have forced the attention of those gentlemen in the shop upon me.”
Her aunt gasped. “I did nothing. That was all you. You came in here with your eyes glowing as though you’d been spellbound in a memory.” Her aunt shook her head and sighed. “You were thinking about that boy again, weren’t you?”
Pia didn’t deny it. “I loved him.”
“That was a decade ago. More than that, really.”
Pia shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.” It never mattered. She’d lost the only man she’d ever love. Perhaps her first husband had known there was something wrong with her. Pia hadn’t even been given a Season to find love. The moment her father thought her old enough, he’d married her to the son of one of his friends.
Pia hadn’t fought. Adam Jones was gone and then, years later, she’d been informed of his death. He’d been the illegitimate son of the Earl of Freylor and the first person who ever made her feel truly beautiful. In his eyes, she hadn’t been something to breed or conquer. She’d been Pia. His Pia.
Melody pushed off the door, walked toward her, and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I miss him, too. He was a charming lad.” Melody had been friends with Adam’s mother, Georgiana Jones.
It was at Aunt Melody’s home where Pia met and fell in love with Adam.
Aunt Melody hugged her and then pulled away. “Very well. I won’t bring men up again. Besides, having you here working for me has been most beneficial. Not only do I get to spend time with my favorite person in the world, but I have help. I would have made the calls myself, but for some reason, women do not enjoy my company.” She moved away, stood at the table in the back corner of the room, and grinned libidinously. She knew exactly why very few women liked her.
“If you stopped flirting with their husbands…”
Melody waved her hand. “It is not my fault that all the world thinks me the new Zofia Wittowa.” Zofia was a legendary Greek courtesan and spy that Melody held in much esteem.
Zofia died a year ago, and it hadn’t taken long for an admirer to write her memoirs. Pia had read them, finding the woman’s life grotesque, yet one could never call it dull. She’d had affairs all across Europe while secretly spying for her country.
Melody had affairs. Melody thought Pia should as well, but Pia refused.
Not that it did her any good. Since birth, it had never mattered how good she and Melody truly were, the world had been told to see them as whores, thanks to her grandfather’s ranting.
Years ago, Pia had experienced the same treatment as her aunt, but her previous marriage of over nine years—with no rumors of affairs on her part—saved her reputation and made her acceptable.
Melody’s expression relaxed as she held out a banknote. “Are you sure you can’t stay until next Season?”
&
nbsp; “I cannot.” But she was glad her aunt wished for her to stay. Pia was not used to people who cared whether she came or went.
“I’ve another room at my house,” her aunt said. “You have the key. Why not stay with me upon your return? Think of all the fun we’ll have.”
“I like my home. I enjoy my own space, and I’ve already stayed in London longer than I should. The journey could take some time. I would like to be indoors before the heart of winter strikes.”
Melody lifted a brow and tucked her chin. “You could make more if you made deliveries out into the country.”
“I can’t,” Pia said. She went for the banknote.
Melody snatched it out of reach. “Well, at least make a few for me in the city you are visiting. Where does Lady Gillian live again?”
Pia shook her head. “She lives where she’s always lived. Where we all used to live. In Chester.”
Melody dropped her shoulders with a great breath. “Chester? You’re going back? But you swore—”
“I’ve no choice.” Pia had avoided Chester since her husband Ginter’s death. She’d been promised to another before Ginter. Lord Sirius Hayes.
She detested him even though it had been many years since she’d seen him. She’d heard that he’d changed, but she doubted it. The boy had been selfish. Likely, the man had grown up to be the same.
Melody frowned. “Are you going to see your parents?”
“I pray they never know I was even there.” Her parents rarely left Chester, not even for the Season. It was the reason Pia had moved to London.
“I heard that Sirius is now the Earl of Gordie and that he’s yet to wed.”
Pia scoffed. “He’s a fool like his brother. I’m not surprised no woman would have him.” She’d detested Sirius and Tobias. She’d hated the way they’d treated Adam.
“Well, you make sure to keep that in mind,” her aunt warned. “Earl or not, Sirius would ruin your life. His association with Lord Van Dero means he can’t be trusted.”
Pia agreed. When one made a list of the worst men in England, they started with the duke. Melody’s friends went on and on about him, so much so that Pia often had trouble sleeping at night. She didn’t know how close Sirius and the duke were, and she had no intention of finding out.
“All those Roman walls and Tudor history,” Melody said as she recalled her childhood town. “I say, when is the last time I was there? I’d have likely enjoyed living there more if my father hadn’t wanted me gone. Did I ever tell you that he threatened to blind me?”
Pia gasped. “No. I’m sorry.” Pia’s father had been kinder than Melody’s, but since it was her grandfather who’d controlled their livelihood, he’d been distant. Pia’s own mama had tried to love her, but even she could barely meet Pia’s eyes. Her disappointment had been clear.
Pia was not looking forward to going home, but Gillian was in mourning for her husband, who had been the last Earl of Gordie, and could not leave.
From Gillian’s letter a month ago, she sounded so lonely. Pia could not delay the visit.
“Pia, Chester isn’t far from Liverpool, is it?” her aunt asked innocently... as though she didn’t already know the answer.
Pia sighed. It was barely a day’s ride. “Very well. Give me what you will for Liverpool.”
Her aunt squealed. “Bless you, dear. There are only two.” Melody gave Pia the note and then went to a shelf. She checked the items against the ledger and then turned to Pia and held up two small turtledoves. “This is all. I’ll write down the names of the owners for you.” She turned away to wrap the turtledoves in cloth.
Pia placed the banknote in her purse and then carefully took the turtledoves once they were ready.
Melody gave her ten guineas.
Pia’s eyes widened. “Ten guineas to deliver two small porcelain turtledoves?” She smiled. “You should have led the conversation with that.” The amount would likely secure her better housing come next Season.
“They are important, Pia. Every piece is important. Please make certain they reach their places intact. It is vital that no harm comes to them.”
“I know,” Pia said. She’d delivered nearly a hundred of the small porcelain objects and had never broken one.
“And stay away from the earl,” her aunt pressed.
“I know.” She kissed her aunt’s cheek. “I’ll see you come spring.”
∫ ∫ ∫
0 3
* * *
Shouting from Sirius’ coachman got his attention.
“There is a mail coach stuck up ahead. The driver is waving for us to stop, my lord.”
Sirius hummed in thought and wondered how likely it was that the mail coach dri was nothing more than a brigand waiting in haste to take him down.
Believing the chances to be low, he told his driver to stop. The other driver likely had passengers and would need the assistance of Sirius’ men to fix whatever was delaying them. It was far from the best weather to get stuck in. They were little more than an hour from Chester. Waiting would barely delay him.
Sirius didn’t get out when the carriage stopped. His driver and valet walked over. It wasn’t long before his assistant Mr. Porter returned.
The older gentleman with more refinement than Sirius kept a staid expression as he said, “Not one but two of the wheels have broken. It will take some time to fix. The mail coach driver only has two ladies on board. Both are heading to Chester.”
Sirius knew why the valet gave him the information. The gentlemanly thing to do was to take the women, though he’d rather not. He’d been dealing with nothing but women for months. He was so tired of them that he hadn’t even gone to see Belle, the woman who usually allowed him to warm her bed.
Upon his brother’s death, he’d inherited not only the man’s title but his widow and their three girls. Add that to the daughters Sirius was already raising and his mother… He was ready to rip his hair from his head. Not even the immense Gordie estate could manage seven women.
He tapped the book on his lap and sighed. “Tell the women they can depend on me for transport.”
“Excellent, my lord.” Porter left. It was another short spell before he returned. “Only one of the ladies has accepted your offer.”
“Very well. We’ll take the one then.”
Porter didn’t move.
Sirius put out another breath. “Yes, Porter?”
“The other woman is very young,” the valet said. “And the driver seemed more than delighted by the prospect of being left alone with her.”
Sirius frowned. Was his assistant requesting that he save yet another woman? Sirius’ stomach tightened with guilt. He had no choice. He would not leave the woman alone. “Did she say why she refused?”
“No, my lord.”
Sirius rolled his eyes, put down his book, and got out. “I’ll speak to her myself.”
“As you wish.”
It was not as he wished. Nothing was as he wished. He didn’t want to be the earl. He didn’t want seven women in his house. He hadn’t wanted to retire from the bank. Life as the earl was far too slow and far too easy. There was no risk except for when to rotate the fields.
And now he was out in the cold because some lady refused a simple ride to town.
To say he was prepared to be pleasant when he arrived at the carriage would be a lie.
The women stood outside the carriage on the other side. The older one moved toward him and offered him a gentle smile. “Thank you so very much, my lord. I don’t know what we’d have done if we could not depend on your kindness. I am Lady Sotton.” She was clearly the willing passenger.
“Yes, well... Porter will walk you to the carriage.“ He looked around her and caught sight of the other passenger.
She was a small thing. When the wind whipped around the coach, he was surprised she didn’t blow away with her skirts. Her back was to him. She was visibly trembling.
He walked over to her. “My lady, I am Lord Gordie. My carriage
has more than enough room to sit you comfortably. I, too, am bound for Chester. Seeing you to town will be no trouble at all.”
The woman shook her head. “I’m all r-right. T-thank you.” There was nothing but more trembling from her after that.
Then the mail coach driver approached. “Lord Gordie, you’ve nothing to fear. I’ll take care of the girl. You are kind but clearly a very busy man. We mustn’t delay you another minute.” The driver stepped between them and blocked Sirius from seeing any more of her.
Yet for some reason, Sirius decided he could not leave her here alone, not until he saw her face, not until she met his eyes and swore she knew what she was about, staying with the mail coach driver who was likely to take advantage of her the moment his wheels began to turn.
He moved around the driver and came to stand at the lady’s side, blocking the wind and some of the light. “My lady, are you sure you wish to remain out here? It is terribly cold.”
Pale, pale blond hair peeked from her hat and blew on the currents of the air.
He bent his head and caught a glimpse of her delicate jaw, the soft curve of her chin, and pink lips.
She turned away farther. “I’m s-sure. You sh-should go.” Was that nervousness in her voice or the effects of the cold?
Why did she refuse to look at him?
He knew some women were trained not to do so. It made it clear that they knew men to be superior to them. He wondered if that was the case with her or if it were something else that kept her eyes from him.
His heart skipped a beat. There was something about this woman… “What is your name? The least I can do is report to your family where you are before I go.”
She stiffened. “No, please, I’m quite all right.” Still, she did not look at him.
What was it about this woman that wouldn’t allow him to walk away?
He had to see her face. Every muscle in his body kept him rooted in place.
“Look at me,” he demanded.
∫ ∫ ∫
0 4
* * *
Pia struggled to breathe. The strength of the wind and Sirius’ nearness filled her with the worst sort of fear. She’d heard him coming. Even before she got a glimpse at his shoes, she’d known it was him and not another servant. There had been something in his gait, an authority that dared anyone to get in his way.
The Secret Pleasures of an Earl: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 3