Earl of Darling (Wicked Earls' Club)

by Maggie Dallen

  But when he’d smiled…

  He glanced over at her and she clamped her mouth shut as if that could erase the silly little sigh that had escaped.

  When he’d smiled, it had made her feel warm from her head down to her toes.

  “Tabetha, perhaps it would be best if you started at the beginning,” Darius said with surprising patience. No doubt, he had vast experience with Tabetha’s particular brand of enthusiasm and Evelyn was happy to let him navigate this confusing conversation.

  His sister drew in another deep breath as if preparing herself for another long-winded rant, and Evelyn reached out a hand to touch her friend’s arm. “Perhaps, let us start with the more pertinent details. The precise shade of Lady Adeline’s new gown, for example, could likely wait until later.”

  Tabetha flashed her an impish grin at the teasing. “Very well. I shall merely tell you the news as it pertains to you and your, er…” She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Your fiancé.”

  Darius shot Evelyn a sidelong look and she just narrowly managed to smother a ridiculous, giddy grin. If all went well, by the end of the day Darius would be her new fiancé.

  Oh, her father might not relish the fact that his name was tied to scandal, but now Mr. Stallworth’s was as well. Surely, her father would see that a notorious earl was a better option than a notorious merchant.

  Or perhaps he wouldn’t.

  She shook off the doubts and focused on Tabetha’s tale once more.

  “Are you sure she used the word ‘duel?’” she asked with a frown. Jacob had smoothed over the worst of it last night, surely talk of a duel was rather drastic

  Tabetha nodded eagerly and her feathers bobbed wildly. “Yes. I’m sure I heard Stallworth’s name mentioned at around the same time as I heard the word duel.”

  Darius was oddly quiet beside her, and even without looking Evelyn could feel his tension. “Tabetha, are you certain…?” He cleared his throat and cast Evelyn a quick sidelong look she could not quite interpret. “Are you certain they were not discussing...me?”

  Tabetha blinked and then her eyes widened with understanding.

  Evelyn frowned, glancing between the two of them. Clearly she was missing something.

  Tabetha nibbled on her lower lip as her brows drew together in concentration. “Possibly,” she said slowly. “There was one other name I heard mentioned.” She glanced up at Darius and Evelyn tensed at the concern in the other girl’s eyes.

  What was she missing?

  “The name Ainsworth was mentioned,” Tabetha said slowly. “Does that mean anything to you?”

  Darius didn’t immediately reply. He didn’t have to. The way he tensed, the way his jaw clenched and that implacable mask shuttered his features….

  Evelyn reached out a hand and touched his arm. “Darius, what is it? Do you know this Ainsworth fellow?” She was racking her brain to place the name. She knew plenty of Ainsworths, they were a prominent family in society, but no particular one who would cause Darius such distress.

  He glanced between her and his sister, and Evelyn could have sworn something passed between the siblings. Some sort of silent communication.

  She tried not to feel hurt that she was left out of the loop. She really did. But when it became clear that Darius was not about to take her into his confidence, she forced a pleasant smile. “Well, I suppose I had best be heading—”

  “No, wait.” Darius turned to her. “Considering what we have just discussed…” He arched his brows meaningfully. “It is only right that you should hear the full story from me. Especially if…” He cleared his throat. “Particularly as my reputation may very well be yours in the near future.”

  Tabetha gasped and her eyes grew impossibly wide, but she did not ask what he meant by that. Evelyn suspected that Tabetha knew just as well as Evelyn did that Darius was struggling to tell her whatever it was he meant to tell her, and that now was not the time to question him about their recent plan to marry.

  Evelyn reached for his hands. “Tell me, please. Let there be no secrets between us.”

  He nodded, and in slow, halting phrases he told her of the duel that transpired between his cousin and another officer. Major Ainsworth.

  “Now Ainsworth is in prison,” he said. “But the whispers still follow. I was next in line after Thomas, after all. I suppose it is right that people question—”

  “Nonsense.” Evelyn cut him off rudely, but it was all she could do not to reach out to Darius and hold him close. The guilt in his eyes as he’d talked about his cousin’s death, the way he so clearly was still haunted with regrets…

  If they weren’t in the middle of Hyde Park in broad daylight she would have wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.

  As it were, she met his look of surprise evenly. “No one should be questioning your involvement, and they likely wouldn’t if they were to hear the full story.” She took a step closer and lowered her voice so no one could overhear. “There was one person, and one person only, responsible for Thomas’s death. And you do your deceased cousin honor by taking on the title that would have been his, and doing right by the earldom.”

  He stared at her for a long moment and she couldn’t begin to name all the emotions that flickered in his gaze.

  All she knew was that she felt each and every one as if his pain were her own. As if his relief at her response could be felt in her own heart.

  When the silence grew awkward, he cleared his throat and tore his gaze away with a murmured, “Thank you.” To Tabetha he added. “So you see, all that talk...it was likely about me.”

  Tabetha winced before turning to Evelyn with a wan smile. “Well, at least the gossip wasn’t about you.”

  That eased the tension and both Darius and Evelyn let out a little huff of laughter at Tabetha’s decidedly optimistic take on the matter.

  “Tabetha is right,” Darius said. “I am used to being the subject of whispers, but I am grateful that your reputation was not harmed by the events of last night.”

  Evelyn nodded. She was glad too, of course, although it hardly seemed fair that Darius was being spoken of as some sort of brute while Stallworth escaped last night’s escapades without a single slight to his reputation.

  She might have been more put out about it all if Darius’s next words did not remind her of just how she would escape a marriage to Stallworth.

  “Evelyn, if it is acceptable to you, I’d prefer to talk to your father as soon as possible.”

  They both ignored Tabetha, who was clapping her hands together lightly and bouncing on her toes with barely concealed excitement. “So it is to happen then? You are to marry Evelyn?”

  Darius flashed Evelyn a quick smile that stole her breath. “As long as Evelyn has not had a change of heart.”

  The heart in question melted. That was the only way she could explain the unbearable happiness that flooded her, making her chest ache and her body feel as though she might fly away. She shook her head. “There is no chance of that.”

  His proposal still seemed like a miracle. How could her future go from being so bleak to so very bright in such a short period of time?

  She only hoped she wasn’t dreaming.

  But his next words confirmed that they were still living in reality. “Then I suppose we just have to hope that your father shares your confidence in this new arrangement.”

  Her smile faltered and nerves replaced that sweet, fluttery sensation. Her father. Surely he would approve of an earl.

  He would...wouldn’t he?

  A little while later she paced the hallway outside her father’s study. After bringing Tabetha home, Darius had followed her back to her house.

  She’d watched him walk into her father’s study nearly twenty minutes ago.

  What on earth could be taking so long?

  Her father would say yes, though. He had to. No one would refuse an earl, and certainly not her father, who revered titles above all else. And wealth. Certainly, it would take some expl
aining to ensure her reputation did not suffer too terribly, but after Stallworth’s bad behavior at the dinner party, and once Darius explained the circumstances surrounding his cousin’s death…

  She nodded at her own reflection in the hallway. Of course her father would agree.

  She clasped her hands together and jumped when a door clicked shut. She spun around and...Jacob. Her tension faded slightly at the sight of her brother walking toward her, his brows arched in expectation. “Have you heard the news?”

  She blinked in surprise and he gestured for her to join him in the drawing room. He was practically vibrating with excitement and his expression spoke of smug self-satisfaction as they entered the comfortable room, the fire burning merrily.

  “What is this news?” she asked.

  He eyed her from head to toe, as if just now seeing her fully. “Why do you look so pale? Is everything all right?”

  She opened her mouth to tell him of her latest doings, but thought better of it. “You first, Jacob. What has you so pleased with yourself?”

  He grinned. “It worked.”

  She arched a brow. “What worked?”

  He poured himself a drink. “Do you recall how I was out of town for a fortnight?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Of course.”

  He turned back with a wicked gleam in his eye. “I will confess, I went out of town for reasons I did not share with you. You see, I knew about Stallworth’s dalliance with the countess—”

  “You what?”

  He held up a hand for patience. “I’d heard rumors about his affair, but I also knew he would deny it if confronted. I had one last hope of getting you out of this repulsive arrangement and I took it.”

  She blinked, her lips parting. “Jacob...what did you do?”

  He grinned. “I went to fetch her husband. He returned last night.”

  She blinked rapidly, temporarily at a loss for words. “Did he hear...that is...does he know…?”

  Jacob nodded. “That was why I wished to cover up that incident with the fern at the party. I needed Stallworth to be caught in the act. By the countess’s husband.”

  Shock had her clasping a hand to her chest. “And did he? Catch them, that is?”

  Jacob nodded effusively. “Stallworth thought he’d gotten away with it.” Jacob scowled suddenly. “The nefarious knave. Can you believe he had the nerve to make arrangements to meet his mistress right there in front of his fiancée?” He sneered. “The cad deserves whatever comes his way.”

  “And what did come his way?” She took a few steps forward, her heart racing, but from excitement or fear or something else, she had no idea.

  “The earl came home and caught them together,” Jacob said. “He called Stallworth out, from what the gossips said.”

  “The gossips,” she repeated. She blinked as it became clear. So Tabetha had heard about Stallworth being challenged, after all. But that meant...

  “Ainsworth,” she murmured.

  “What about Ainsworth?” he asked. Jacob’s satisfaction seemed to fade as he eyed her warily.

  “What is the gossip about Ainsworth?” she asked.

  He winced. “It seems the Ainsworths have launched a formal inquisition into the murder of the heir to the Darling earldom. Thomas Rutland.”

  “What?” It came out as a gasp and she did not even try to hide her horror.

  Jacob moved toward her. “There have been rumors about Darling’s part in his murder from the beginning and now the family of the accused—”

  “But Darius had nothing to do with it,” she protested. Her heart was fluttering wildly now, and it was fear that had the blood rushing from her head.

  Jacob tilted his head to the side as he studied her. “If that is the case, then we must assume that the inquisition will prove him innocent.”

  She tried to swallow but choked on this horrible sensation. Just when her life was looking so bright...now this. The thought of Darling being accused, of how that would hurt the man who already suffered such guilt...

  Jacob’s hands came to her arms and he pulled her close. “Now, now. There is nothing to fear. Don’t you see, Evelyn? This was why I didn’t want you to rush into any sort of alliance with Darling. You’d be going from one scandal to another—”

  She pulled back abruptly. “No, I wouldn’t. Because Darius is innocent, Jacob.”

  He nodded, making a soothing sound as though she were a child. “That is all fine and good. And if it means that much to you, we will show our support for Darling in every possible way.”

  “Thank you,” she managed, her breathing ragged as her mind raced to catch up with these latest developments. “But then, if Stallworth was called out—”

  “You are free.” Jacob grinned at her, his satisfaction back in spades. “I spoke to Father earlier today, Evelyn. That was what I wanted to tell you. As soon as Father heard about Stallworth’s own scandal, he used that as an excuse to call off the engagement.” He leaned in closer, his tone filled with happiness. “You are free. There is no need to rush into another engagement or to compromise in your next arrangement.”

  No need.

  Compromise.

  The words seemed to swirl around her and all she could hear was her own breathing as her legs gave out and she sank down onto the settee beside her.

  “Evelyn, what is it?”

  She gave her head a shake. Poor Darius was in there even now, asking her father for her hand.

  But it wasn’t necessary.

  And he would be saddled, not only with his own rumors and scandals, but with her tainted reputation as well.

  She dropped her head into her hands as her heart seemed to split into two.

  “Evelyn?” Jacob sat beside her, and his voice was filled with concern. “What is it? What is wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she whispered.

  Everything.

  For, if there was no need to marry her, if she was no longer in dire need of a replacement fiancé….

  She ought to let him go.

  Tears welled in her eyes at the thought. She’d told herself all last night and all this morning that if he were to ask again she would say yes. Because it made sense. It was basically a business proposal. He would save her, and she would help him. But now…

  Now she would only be a burden, and she had no need of a savior.

  A door opened and closed in the distance. His meeting with her father was over.

  “Evelyn, I’m worried about you,” her brother said.

  “Don’t be.” She lifted her head with a smile that she did not feel. But appearances… If there was one thing she’d learned from living in her father’s home, it was how to keep up appearances.

  “Is there something wrong?” Jacob’s brow was creased with concern. “Has something happened?”

  Her smile felt brittle. “Nothing that cannot be undone.”

  “Evelyn—” He reached for her but she pulled back.

  There would be time for tears later, but for now…

  For now, she needed to do the right thing. For Darling. For his sisters. He could find a woman with a spotless reputation, not a viscount’s daughter who’d been tarnished by a knave like Stallworth.

  She stood and straightened her shoulders, her chin coming up as well. “WIll you give me a moment, Jacob? There is someone I must see.”

  He didn’t respond, and as she walked away, off to tell Darling that he no longer needed to marry her—she realized it. The truth came and slapped her in the face.

  She hadn’t said yes to Darling because he was a solution to a problem.

  Like a fool, she’d gone and fallen in love.

  Chapter Ten

  Darius stopped just outside the door of the Viscount of Abberforth’s study and drew in a deep breath, his hands clenching at his sides.

  That had been...a disaster.

  Wretched.

  Awful.

  Terrible.

  He stopped, realizing he sounded like his sister Tabeth
a. Which was to say, overly dramatic. But truly, the meeting had gone about as poorly as a meeting of that nature might go.

  First, the viscount had soundly rejected his offer of marriage to Evelyn.

  The older man had actually used the words, I’ll see her a spinster before I allow her to be matched to you.

  He’d also muttered something about never releasing her dowry to the likes of a man like Darling and, if Darius remembered correctly, he’d ended with… even Stallworth was a better choice than you.

  Darius had attempted to argue his side, politely and calmly, of course. If he’d learned one thing from his short time in society, it was that direct fits of temper rarely got a man his way. He’d pointed out he was well-titled, well-funded, and as a countess, his daughter would have an excellent position in life.

  But Viscount Abberforth had sneered at Darius’s words. “Excellent position? As the wife of a convict?”

  That had set Darius back. He’d stared at Abberforth, unable to utter a word. And his silence had spoken volumes.

  The viscount had half risen from his chair. “So it’s true then? You’ll be convicted in the inquisition?”

  “Inquisition?” he’d replied, his voice barely above a whisper. But part of him already knew. The Ainsworth family had retaliated. They’d believed their son over the British Army.

  His gaze focused on the empty hall before him, his mind returning to the present rather than reliving the conversation he’d finished moments before. He ran a hand through his hair. He’d been combatting public opinion ever since he’d returned from the war. At least with an inquisition he could fight the charges directly.

  Relief coursed through him. Evelyn was correct, he hadn’t done anything wrong on that day. At least, not in the eyes of the law.

  An inquisition would clear his name. And for that, he was grateful.

  But the Ainsworth family had still done their damage.

  Because they’d given the viscount grounds to refuse his suit.

  The entire point of marrying Evelyn was to save her reputation and her future. Not ruin her life with further scandal.