And spending time with him these last few days had only confirmed Murdock was as self-obsessed a bore as ever. He’d proved that on their second dance at the Milfords’ house. He’d reminded her what a catch he was and even went so far as to tell her that even if the Earl of Elmwood became popular, the title of earl wasn’t as prestigious as the title of marquess and never would be. As if she cared about that.
She would have to find a way out of her predicament, of course. But there would be time enough after Beau’s wedding to figure out how to handle Lord Murdock. He was a blowhard but even he wouldn’t be crass enough to ask her to marry him at her brother’s wedding. No. He’d wait until they returned to London for that ridiculousness. And there was no possible way she’d say yes.
In the meantime, she’d be forced to spend more time with him at the wedding. God help her. Julianna had agreed to allow him to come and had promised to convince Lord Worthington to allow it as well. At least that was settled. All Annabelle needed to do now was get through the four days of the house party and weddings and get out of there. Then she would work out how to remove the odious Lord Murdock from her company forever, with or without causing a scandal.
Expelling her breath, Annabelle traced the letter A on the window the same way she’d done when she was a little girl and wanted to calm herself. Why was her heart beating so fast now? In the middle of the night? Alone in her room?
Because even now, she was remembering her kiss with David.
David.
Today David had asked to end his lessons. Annabelle could guess why. Because ever since their kiss, she’d treated him as if he shouldn’t come within twenty paces of her. She’d acted formally in front of him, erasing all the comradery they’d shared during their first lessons. She’d been as skittish as an untrained foal about to bolt every time she’d seen him. Today she’d even nearly toppled off the side of the settee trying to sit as far from him as possible. And why? Because she felt something for him. Something she could not allow herself to feel. And she was truly frightened. Because if any man was, David was marriage material.
It was for the best that he’d ended the lessons, however. Despite her many attempts at acting normal in the man’s presence since their kiss, she clearly couldn’t manage it. And what better way to announce the fact that she wasn’t normal than acting as ridiculously in his presence as she had these past few days?
David was right to stop the lessons, and she was nothing but thankful for it. She would attend a few of the Season’s parties and dinners before Sunday, and leave for Worthington Manor with Mama and Beau that morning. Then she would devote herself to keeping Lord Murdock preoccupied and away from Lady Julianna and Lord Worthington during the wedding. Nothing in the country needed to be awkward. She would see David, acknowledge him, perhaps even share a few moments of normal conversation with him, and then they’d be back to their own affairs, their own companions.
Lady Elspeth was coming to the wedding, wasn’t she? No doubt the chit would do all she could to keep David occupied. Annabelle had nothing to worry about, and if Lady Elspeth wanted to stake a claim on David, so be it. It was none of Annabelle’s affair if David chose to court and marry Elspeth. She might have seemed cold and calculating when Annabelle spoke to her at the Talbots’ ball. But couldn’t all the ladies of the ton be calculating when it came to making a match? Besides, Annabelle had no say in David’s choice of wife, and if Elspeth truly was a bad choice, no doubt Marianne would see the truth and warn her brother. Yes. Perfect. Annabelle wouldn’t worry about it again. That was that.
She wandered back to her bed and tossed the dressing gown along the bottom of it. Then she climbed beneath the covers again and willed herself to sleep. But as her eyes drifted closed, the memory of David’s scent and the feel of his hot body pressed tightly against hers filled her mind, making her moan.
She balled her hands into fists and pressed them against her closed eyes, willing the thoughts away. This wedding party was certain to be the longest four nights of her life.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The ride to Worthington’s country estate took the better part of the day. Marianne had packed all her things and said good-bye to Lady Courtney, who would be attending the wedding but traveling separately. David knew he was tasked with fulfilling the role his parents would normally play in the wedding festivities. Beyond Marianne’s dowry, Bell had insisted that no money change hands. Apparently, the marquess had won a large bet last year, beating out his friends Kendall and Worthington, and had promised to spend the earnings on the wedding three of the couples would share.
David hadn’t seen Annabelle in three days. Not since the morning of their final lesson. He’d done his damnedest not to wonder what she’d been doing since then. Was Annabelle riding the in the park with Murdock? Was she dancing with the marquess at balls? David had no idea because he’d steadfastly steered clear of all Society events specifically so he wouldn’t see her. He didn’t want to see her. No good could come of it. Especially if she were with Murdock.
David had spent the last three days doing a variety of things. He’d visited the club with Bell. He’d gone riding in the park with an old friend from Brighton, though he’d been certain to go nowhere near the places where couples ‘went to be seen.’ David had even had dinner with Lady Courtney and Marianne, who both asked him why he wasn’t attending more of the events of the Season. He’d given them some weak excuse about how the Season was already overwhelming him. Marianne had reminded him that when he escorted her to Lord Worthington’s estate for the wedding, he would be forced to be on his best Society-worthy behavior. He’d assured her that he would do exactly that. In fact, he had every intention of playing the rules-obsessed earl giving his only sister away in marriage. Marianne deserved no less. He would not embarrass her.
He also refused to inquire about Annabelle. He managed to make it through the entire dinner without mentioning her once. He didn’t need to know anything about Annabelle. She would be just another guest at his sister’s wedding. He would no doubt see her and greet her, but that would be the end to it. There was no need to make their relationship into something it wasn’t. It was all quite simple, really.
David spent the coach ride to Worthington Manor reading a new book. He made it through nearly the entire journey before he cracked. Slapping his book closed he asked, “So, did Lady Annabelle convince Lady Julianna to allow Murdock to attend the wedding?” The question had been lingering on his tongue for hours. It had finally broken loose, and it felt like a weight had lifted from his chest.
Marianne had been engrossed in reading a book of her own, but she immediately shut it and leaned toward him. “It turned out it wasn’t Lady Julianna who needed the convincing—it was Lord Worthington. The duke was adamant that Murdock wouldn’t step foot in his home. But Julianna apparently calmed Worthington and talked him into it. According to Annabelle, Julianna convinced Worthington that it would be bad form if he were to deny the man entrance to his home and attendance at his wedding after stealing his fiancée. She said it was the least Worthington could do to be the bigger man.”
David snorted. “I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”
Marianne sighed. “If I’m being honest, I think it was too kind of Julianna. You know the man tried to kick her dog?” Marianne shuddered and shook her head.
David’s jaw dropped. “What? Murdock kicked Lady Julianna’s dog?”
Marianne shook her head. “No. He tried to kick her dog. He missed. Thank heavens.”
David’s brows were furrowed. “Why in God’s name would he try to kick her dog? Or any dog for that matter?”
Marianne sighed and shook her head. “As I said, Julianna reminded me of all the hideous things he’d done. Apparently, Lord Murdock took the news of Julianna tossing him over quite poorly. He broke items in her father’s drawing room and called both Julianna and her parents terrible names.”
This time David arched a brow and sat back against his
seat, shaking his head. “Good God. I don’t blame Worthington. I wouldn’t let that scoundrel in the house.”
“Neither would I,” Marianne replied.
David waited a few seconds before narrowing his eyes and asking, “Did you happen to tell Lady Annabelle the bit about the dog-kicking?”
Marianne nodded. “Yes, we spoke about it at length.”
David nearly growled. “And she still wants the man to escort her to the wedding?”
Marianne waved her hand in the air and shrugged. “You know how these Society people are. They have such different rules for everything. Being a marquess gives you the right to be insane, I suppose.”
“Not in my book,” David replied, scowling again.
“Or mine either,” Marianne replied. “I can tell you Beau wasn’t pleased to hear that his sister is being escorted to the wedding by Lord Murdock.”
David tossed a hand in the air. “Finally, someone who sees reason.”
Marianne nodded. “Yes, but his mother talked him out of discussing it with Annabelle. Apparently, Lady Angelina was quite firm with him. Lord Murdock is the first man in all these years Annabelle has shown the slightest interest in, and his mother told Beau that if he interferes with their courtship, he’ll have to answer to her.”
David’s frown deepened. “That’s ridiculous. Bell is the man of the house. He should know who is right for his sister.”
“Yes, well, Beau isn’t pleased. But he agreed to leave it alone for the duration of the wedding at least. Now, enough about Lord Murdock. How is it going with Lady Elspeth? I’m ensuring that you’re seated together at dinner, you know.”
David tried to conjure some excitement for that news. “Very well,” was all he could muster.
“‘Very well’?” Marianne narrowed her eyes on him. “That doesn’t sound particularly fervent. I thought you liked Lady Elspeth.”
“She’s perfectly fine,” David replied, suddenly wishing the conversation were over.
Marianne arched a red brow. “If you want me to seat you next to someone else, David, do let me know.”
“No. Lady Elspeth will be a fine dinner companion,” David grumbled.
Marianne gave him a sidewise stare before returning her attention to her book. David sat in silence for the remainder of the journey, stewing over what Marianne had told him. Lady Angelina and her daughter couldn’t possibly be so enamored with the title of marquess that they’d overlook Murdock’s obvious faults, would they? If so, they were ludicrous, and Annabelle would deserve to be paired with a dog-kicker.
No, that was an awful thing to think. But why was Annabelle spending so much time with Lord Murdock? Was it possible that she actually fancied him? Was she planning to marry finally? Even a lady as steadfastly against marriage as Annabelle was would need to marry eventually, wouldn’t she?
“You know, if you’re having any doubts about this wedding, we can turn around and be in Brighton by nightfall,” David offered, with a smile.
Marianne glanced at him, before smiling too and shaking your head. “No doubts whatsoever. You know what Mama always used to say…marry for love and you’ll never regret it.”
David nodded. “She did say that, didn’t she?” He stared at his sister who’d already begun reading her book again. Marianne was someone who’d fallen in love. Real love, apparently. Perhaps she knew something that could help him sort out his true feelings. Although he wasn’t about to admit to his sister that he was likely smitten with a woman who didn’t want him.
“Marianne,” he ventured, leaning forward and clasping his hands together between his knees.
His sister looked up from her book again. She wrapped a red curl around her finger. “Yes?”
“How did you know that Bell was right for you? The right man, I mean. How did you know it for certain?”
Marianne smiled and continued to play with her hair. “The truth is, at first I could barely countenance him. And I thought he was a valet named Nicholas Baxter, but that’s beside the point.” She wrapped the curl around her finger in silence before she added, “I suppose I knew for certain when I got a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach every time he was in the same room with me.”
David frowned. “A funny feeling? Like what?”
Marianne released the curl and it sprung away from her finger. “I’m not entirely certain how to describe it. But it made me feel excited and a bit ill at the same time. Like I was about to ride a wild horse or go on an adventure or something.”
“So, you felt funny every time he was in the room?” David asked to be certain he had it correctly.
“Yes,” Marianne nodded, and a sly smile popped to her lips, “and when he wasn’t in the room, I began to miss that feeling. That’s when I knew.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
After arriving at Worthington’s estate, David managed to keep busy the remainder of the day. He found Bell and the other gentlemen in Worthington’s study, and they all went for a ride across the duke’s vast property. David returned in time to clean up, change clothing, and make his way downstairs to the dinner party in the large dining room. Both the room and the table were enormous, but he spotted Annabelle sitting next to Murdock on the far end of the space. David refrained from shaking his head.
David was seated next to Lady Elspeth, his sister’s planning obviously at work. Lady Elspeth was her usual talkative self, and for once, he was glad for the distraction. He answered her questions and inquired after her sisters and mother and generally kept his attention fixed upon the young woman. He refused to look toward Annabelle.
David made it nearly halfway through dinner before he could no longer stand the small talk. He had to get some fresh air. A cigar wouldn’t be unwelcomed, either.
Excusing himself from the table, he made his way out of the dining room, down the corridor, and into the huge foyer. He glanced around the marble-filled space realizing he had no idea how to make it to the gardens. He tracked down a footman and asked how he might get outside.
The footman provided him directions to a patio off the library and David made his way there posthaste. He peered through the French doors to ensure the space was empty before stepping out into the cool breeze. He breathed it in and closed his eyes. It felt good to be alone and in complete silence for a few moments. The pleasantries in the dining room were wearing on him. Would he ever get used to exchanging such inane banter with people he barely knew?
He strode over to the edge of the stone patio near a hedgerow and pulled a cigar from his inside coat pocket. He would quit smoking. He would. For Marianne’s sake. But at the moment, he needed something familiar. He pulled a flint from his pocket and lit the cigar. Then he pulled it into his mouth and inhaled deeply, closing his eyes and letting the comfortable feeling wash over him. If he stayed like this for a few moments, he might be able to believe he was back on the Continent, standing near his tent, his compatriots sleeping on mats around him. He might feel as if he had turned back time. Only, the scent of flowers instead of a dirty battlefield was on the air tonight. An unmistakable difference.
David had taken several more drags when a quiet sound behind him caught his attention. He turned to see Annabelle step onto the patio. The soft evening wind blew the curls at her cheeks. The skirts of the light-green gown she was wearing fluttered in the breeze. She looked so beautiful, he felt it in his gut.
“There you are, David.” His name came from her lips like a whisper.
He furrowed his brow. “Come to tell me it was rude of me to leave the dining table? Believe me, I’d already guessed.”
“I left, too.” She pointed out. “May I?” She stepped toward him and gestured to the cigar.
David arched a brow. “By all means.” He handed it to her.
She took a deep pull and blew the smoke in the opposite direction. “This reminds me of the night we met.”
The hint of a smile touched his lips. “Yes, but this time you followed me outside.”
“Guilty
,” she breathed, taking another pull.
David scratched the back of his neck. “Why did you come?”
She handed him the cigar again. “I wanted to see if you were all right.”
David bowed his head and kicked at the stones beneath his boots. “I needed some fresh air. Some quiet.”
She nodded. “I understand. I’ll go–”
“No.” He reached for her but let his hand drop before he touched her. “Stay, please.”
Annabelle turned back and studied his face. “Are you certain?”
“Yes. I’m certain.” He blew out the smoke he’d inhaled and returned the cigar to her.
“Very well.” Annabelle took another long drag. “So. Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in days. You weren’t at the Merriweathers’ dinner party three nights ago and I haven’t seen you riding in the park.”
“I’ve been staying at home.” He pulled the cigar from her fingers and took another drag.
“Yes, well. I suppose the last thing I said to you was that I’d see you at the wedding, and here we are.”
“I find I don’t like attending many of the social affairs of the Season,” David replied.
“But the social affairs were the reason I gave you lessons. Aren’t you looking for a wife?”
David paced away from her and scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I should be. Are you looking for a husband?”
“I should be.” Her voice was small.
“I have something for you, Annabelle.” He turned back and moved toward her again.
A puzzled expression played across her face. “Something…for me?”
“Yes, something to say ‘thank you’ for all the help you’ve given me.” Handing her the cigar, he pulled open his coat and took out a small parcel wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string. He handed it to her, taking back the cigar.
Earl Lessons: The Footmen’s Club Series Page 16