by Quinn, Ella
She glanced at the gilded mantel clock. There was not much time. She had just over an hour to figure out how to let Lord Quartus down before he arrived.
* * *
Quartus presented himself at number twelve St. James Square a few minutes before ten. It was not until he had talked with Meg this morning that he knew it was the residence of Lord Markville. That then, begged the question why the man had not discussed the proposed marriage between Lady Sarah and Quartus last evening when they had been introduced.
The door swung open immediately, and he was faced with a butler every bit as imposing as his father’s. “Lord Quartus, I presume.”
He inclined his head the slightest bit. “Indeed.”
The butler bowed. “If you will follow me, my lord, Lord Markville is waiting for you.”
The servant led Quartus into a front drawing room where Markville stood, hands clasped behind his back, staring out the window overlooking the square.
“Lord Quartus Trevor, my lord.” Bowing, the butler withdrew, closing the door behind him.
The man turned and looked at him, but he could tell nothing from Markville’s expression. “Lord Quartus, welcome. Lady Sarah will be down shortly. However, there is a matter I would like to discuss first.”
Was it possible that the marquis did not want his sister to marry him? Quartus raised one brow. “That would be?”
“I have noticed that you are spending a good deal of time with the Duchess of Wharton.”
Now he knew what was bothering Markville. He must think that Quartus would hurt Lady Sarah. “She is a friend of my sister-in-law’s. Naturally, I am frequently in her company.”
“It is good that there is nothing more. I intend to marry the duchess.”
He wondered if Anna knew about Markville’s plans, but before he could respond a lady who looked to be in her late sixties fluttered into the room, positioning and repositioning the several shawls she wore. “Don’t mind me, my lord.”
Markville looked as if he wanted to roll his eyes. “Mrs. Potter, may I introduce Lord Quartus. My lord, my cousin, Mrs. Potter. She is Lady Sarah’s companion.”
“Lady Sarah will be here straightaway, my lord.” The woman gave Markville a look that reminded Quartus of a wary horse before settling into a chair in the far corner of the room that seemed to have been positioned there just for her.
A moment later, a tall, slender lady with dark brown hair joined them casting a glare at her brother as she walked by him.
“Sarah,” Markville said in a bored tone. “I’m glad you could finally join us. May I introduce Lord Quartus Trevor?”
She held out her hand and he bowed over it, barely touching her fingers with his. Yet he felt none of the warmth or pleasure that he felt when he touched the Duchess of Wharton’s hands. Perhaps it would come. He hoped it would. If not, this would be a very cold and unsatisfying union.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
“I will leave you now.” Markville lost no time striding out of the room.
“Well,” Lady Sarah huffed. “It appears I must apologize for my brother.”
His behavior was odd. One would think Markville would wish to become acquainted with his sister’s prospective husband. But Quartus was not about to point out to the lady what she already knew. Calling on his years of being a rector, he set about smoothing her obviously ruffled feathers. “Think nothing of it. I have several brothers and can attest to their forgetting the most important things at the most inappropriate times.”
She smiled briefly, then glanced to her cousin in the corner. “It is a lovely day. Would you like to walk in the square?”
“That sounds wonderful.” He resisted the urge to look at his pocket watch. “But I am afraid I cannot—I apologize. This is very awkward. I had already made an appointment for eleven this morning when I was told to be here at ten.”
“A short stroll, then.” She ducked her head into the hall. “Please bring my spencer, gloves, and bonnet.”
Something was going on, for in no time at all, she practically dragged him out the door and into the square. Once they were far enough away from her brother’s house and from any others who could hear their conversation she came to a halt. “My lord, I am terribly sorry to have wasted your time, but I cannot marry you.”
Unless she had taken him into immediate dislike, which did not seem to be the case, something else was indeed going on. “May I ask the reason?”
She studied him for a few moments. “Can you keep a confidence?”
Quartus would have grinned if she had not appeared so worried. “I am a clergyman, Lady Sarah. Keeping secrets is my . . . stock-in-trade, as it were. Your secret is safe with me.”
“I did not know.” Nodding, she took a breath. “But thank you for telling me. This is very awkward for you see I am already betrothed and have been for four years. But, my brother has never liked the match.” In very short order, she explained how her engagement had come about and the terms of it. “I recently received a letter from my betrothed—”
“However, you are concerned that your brother may attempt to interfere.”
“Precisely. Particularly after what he said this morning. I am even afraid that he will do something to harm . . . my betrothed.”
After hearing the warmth in her voice when she spoke of her as yet unnamed intended, Quartus felt as if he had made an escape. Not from anything in particular, but an escape nonetheless. Perhaps he was not as resolved to a match made by his father as he thought he was. One thing was for certain. He would do everything in his power to help this lady and her lover. “Tell me what I can do to aid you.”
“Well”—her brows drew together for an instant—“I must get a letter to my betrothed as soon as possible. He does not know I am in Town.”
That was easily taken care of. “Consider it done. I shall take you driving tomorrow morning. Bring the missive with you.”
For the first time a smile graced her face. She was very pretty, but nothing in her features affected him the way Anna Wharton did. “What a good idea. That will make my brother think that you are courting me as well.”
It would make the duke think the same thing, which could only be of benefit to Quartus. “That will most likely help.”
They continued to stroll, but this time he did look at his watch. “I only have a few minutes left. Shall I see you home?”
“If you please, and when we return, you may kiss my hand.” She had a wicked twinkle in her eyes. “Markville is sure to hear of it.”
It was clear she did not trust her brother. Yet was there more than his dislike of the match that made her feel threatened? “What do you think your brother would do if he discovered your betrothed was already back in England?”
“I am not sure.” She shook her head. “It is more of a feeling really. As I said, he does not wish me to marry Jeremy, and I believe he will do anything to stop the wedding. I must find a way to either meet Jeremy here or go elsewhere.”
Quartus had heard too many people, particularly women, talk about the ‘feelings’ they got which turned out to be facts to question her conclusions. “By the way, when is your birthday?”
“In three weeks. It is imperative that we work fast.”
“Let me give it some thought.” At this point, he did not have a clue what he would do. Still . . . “Do you mind if I take my sister-in-law into our confidence? She is very good at thinking of solutions.”
Lady Sarah bit her bottom lip. “Are you sure she can be trusted?”
He gave a bark of laughter. “Absolutely. She is convinced everyone should have a love match.”
“Very well.” She glanced at him, a shy smile on her face. “Thank you. Even though you are a rector, I took a chance in trusting you. I find it hard to believe our vicar at home would have kept this to himself.”
She was likely correct. Many vicars did not wish to anger the peers who held their livings. Quartus had always held the belief that a member of
the clergy should answer only to God, his conscience, and, perhaps, his bishop. “And I thank you for it.”
Quartus escorted Lady Sarah to her door, and dutifully kissed her fingers in full sight of the butler. “I shall see you in the morning, my lady.”
“Until then, my lord.”
He waited until she was in the house before retrieving Damon’s curricle from the groom walking the horses. As soon as he was finished taking the duchess to the museum, he would speak with Meg about Lady Sarah.
He arrived in Grosvenor’s Square as the church bells struck eleven o’clock. Thanking the Fates that he’d made it in time to take Anna to the museum.
Before he could knock on the door it opened. Anna stood in the hall drawing on a pair of tan leather gloves. She glanced up at him and her smile made him wish she would always look at him as if she would never require another gentleman.
“Good morning.” He bowed as she strolled to him, and he could not resist giving her an answering grin.
“Good day to you.” She placed her hand on his arm, and he had to fight the urge to kiss her and keep on kissing her.
Whatever was happening to him he had to stop before she found the gentleman who would be her husband. He just hoped she did not choose Markville. For some reason, Quartus could not see her being happy with him, and her happiness was all he wanted.
“I cannot wait to see the marbles.”
He just wanted to spend more time with her. Which was a problem he did not know how to solve. Perhaps he should simply enjoy the time they had together. Soon, he would be back at his father’s estate. Then again, he really did not wish to be there or anywhere around the duke. Maybe he could approach his bishop about being recommended for a living overseas. He would not mind traveling. He could even go to America where Frank and Jenny were. All he had to do was to keep thinking of options to being under his father’s boot.
He helped her up into the seat, then went around to the other side.
Chapter 5
“You look to be in an excellent mood, Quartus,” Anna commented as she situated herself in the carriage.
After threading the ribbons around his fingers he gave the horses their office to start. “I have been put in the way of doing someone a good deed, and that always makes me happy.”
“I can see that.” She tried not to frown. Anna would have been much happier if he had said she was the reason he was in such a good mood. “Is it something you are able to talk about?”
“Unfortunately, it is not my tale to tell.”
That was disappointing, but it was more important that he keep a confidence than speak to her about it. Perhaps someday he would trust her not to repeat anything he told her. “In that case, I may discuss the weather. It is a very fine day.”
“The weather?” When he glanced at her he had such a boyish grin on his face, her heart stopped for a moment. “It is a lovely day. It is a shame we must spend it in doors.”
“If it was not for the marbles, I would happily go elsewhere.” She waited for him to make a suggestion, when he did not she said, “Perhaps we may plan a drive to Richmond. I hear it has beautiful grounds.”
His grip on the reins seemed to tighten. “I have not been.”
Anna pursed her lips. It seemed as if she always had to make the first move with him. Totally unlike Lord Markville. “There are so many things neither of us have seen. Would you like to take in the sights together?”
“Are you sure?” His look of surprise almost made her laugh. “I thought you—well Meg seemed to be . . .”
Did he not know how appealing he was? Not only was he handsome, with his blond curls and clear blue eyes, but he was kind as well. She knew how hard that could be to find in a strong man. “Very sure. Your sister may have made the suggestion, but I was in full agreement.”
“I did purchase a guidebook. Perhaps we could read through it and decide which attractions we would like to see.”
Anna smiled to herself. This was much more promising. What confused her was why Quartus did not have more confidence—no that wasn’t right. He had confidence in himself and his accomplishments. Only when it came to her did he seem a bit shy. It was almost as if he did not seem to think he had much to offer a lady. And truthfully, if she was a normal lady, one who needed to be supported, he might be correct. However, she was not, and she did not want a husband who would decide to subsume her duchy in his holdings. Or believe that as a mere woman, she was incapable of running her holdings. She had read the settlement agreements of the previous two duchesses, and it was made very clear that her future husband would have no part in her estates that she did not wish to give.
That was what bothered her about Markville. From the comments he had made last evening, he thought she needed a man to look after her. It was almost as if he expected her to be grateful that he was interested in her. Fortunately, her new friends had effectively hindered the man’s apparent determination to stay by her side all evening.
What Anna needed was a gentleman who was strong enough and self-confident enough to support her as she performed her duties. Not take them from her.
They had arrived at the museum, and Quartus flipped a coin to the boy who came running over. “Take care of these fellows and there is another one for you when we return.”
“Is he trustworthy?”
“So my brother told me when I asked him what to do with the rig when I got here.” He lifted her down from the carriage as if she weighed nothing, which she knew wasn’t true. She might be short, but she was not skinny. “I think it would be better for the child if he could be trained as a groom.”
“I agree.” Anna placed her hand on Quartus’s arm. “There is much I would like to do.”
“You are in a position to make changes,” he replied rather wistfully.
Now was her chance to find out more about his ideals. “Given the opportunity, what would you do?”
“Save the world, or, at least, my small part of it.” He gave her a rueful look. “Seriously?”
She nodded.
“I would make sure that no family under my care went hungry or lived in squalor. I also believe in education for the masses.” He handed the fee to the porter. “That is not a very popular idea in some circles.”
From what she had heard last night, Quartus’s views marched with the people Meg had introduced her to at Lady Featherton’s. He must be referring to his father. “On the other hand, it is very popular in other circles.”
He set her carefully on her feet, placing her hand on his arm. “I think you’ll like the Elgin Marbles. They are all everyone has been talking about.”
“So I have heard. One is made to appear provincial if one has not visited them at least once.” She rested her fingers lightly on his arm, even though she would have preferred to hold on with both hands.
He paid the small fee at the entrance before guiding her unerringly to the famous artifacts. “I never thought there were so many!”
“Yes, it’s as if Lord Elgin shipped back most of the artifacts in Europe. The Greeks are already asking that those belonging to their country be returned.”
Anna studied the sculptures and other pieces that clearly came off buildings. “Do you think they will be sent back?”
“Not after the price our government paid for them.”
“I have to say, some of my enjoyment in seeing them is lost. It is as if I’m looking at stolen goods.”
Lord Quartus leaned closer to her and now her stomach behaved like butterflies had taken up permanent residence. “I agree, but we mustn’t say anything. It would be considered not the thing. They are here to be admired, not criticized.”
As she and Quartus made their way out of the exhibit, she somehow bumped into a woman, causing the lady’s book to fall. “Oh. I am terribly sorry.” Before Anna could bend down, Quartus had already retrieved the book and handed it back to the woman.
“It is no bother at all.” The lady gave them a friendly smile. “As a matt
er of fact, I am sure I was to blame. I was paying too much attention to the guidebook and not enough to where I was going.”
The woman glanced briefly at Quartus, then back to Anna. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mrs. Grayson.”
“I am the Duchess of Wharton, and this”—she motioned to Quartus—“is Lord Quartus Trevor.”
“Your Grace.” Mrs. Grayson curtseyed deeply. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“You as well,” Anna replied. “Perhaps we shall see each other again.”
“I do hope so,” Mrs. Grayson said then walked into the room.
Anna and Quartus began ambling back toward the entrance. “She was very nice.”
“Yes,” he answered absently.
“Is anything wrong?”
“No, no. Not at all. It is just that the name sounded familiar.” He paused as if to figure out a puzzle. “Yet there are no Graysons living near my home, so I don’t know where I could have heard of the name.”
“Maybe while you’ve been here?” she suggested.
He gave a relieved grin. “You must be right.”
“Now”—giving in to her desire to touch him more intimately she wrapped her hands around his arm, drawing closer to him—“What shall we do tomorrow?”
“Well?” Meg sat on the edge of the loveseat as Quartus strolled through the morning room door behind a footman delivering a large tray with tea and other sustenance.
“You’d better tell her quickly,” Hawksworth drawled. “She has been on tenterhooks all morning.”
He ducked as the cushion his wife threw sailed by his head.
Quartus chuckled, but quickly grew serious. With any luck, his problem with Lady Sarah would distract his sister from Anna Wharton. “Meg, I need your help. Or rather Lady Sarah does.”
Meg began to pour, and he noticed there were not three cups on the tray, but five. The door to the garden opened, and in walked her grandmother and the Duchess of Bridgewater.
“You have done a lovely job with the garden, my dear.” Lady Featherton smiled beatifically.