Reed sighed. He did not much mind if his ears suffered his mother’s wrath. He’d dealt with it time and again. And he knew all her objections. Orelia was a Romani. Practically worse than a commoner in his mother’s eyes. She did not belong here. There would be scandal. Was he bedding her? Why could he not simply go to a brothel and be discreet? What on earth had possessed him? And, of course, why was she wearing his mother’s dresses?
Oh yes, he was prepared for it all. but his biggest regret was the looks that were being slung Orelia’s way. His own servants had been excellent to her after a fashion. Of course they were paid well to do so—but he liked to think he had faithful and loyal staff who would be discreet and reserve any judgement for downstairs and far away from Orelia’s ears.
His mother had never really learned the art of discretion.
If Orelia could shrink any farther into her chair she would. He tried to catch her gaze to offer a reassuring look, but she refused to glance his way.
I will protect you, he longed to tell her. It seemed mightily ridiculous he was having to protect her from his own mother, but her prejudices were far deeper than his own. His mother’s world view had been limited since she was a girl, being born only to serve as a lady and a wife to a rich man.
Regardless of what his mother thought of Orelia, he would not allow her to make her feel ashamed, particularly not after the previous night. This young gypsy girl had proven herself to be more quick-witted, more intelligent, more graceful than every lady in that ballroom. She had them all fooled and what a wonderful sight it had been. He could not help take some pleasure in knowing how foolish they would feel if their prejudices had been exposed upon knowing her real identity.
His mother, however, did not care much if her prejudice was visible. He’d have to remind her that this was his house, regardless of the fact he had not resided in it much these past few years and Orelia was his guest. He expected her to treat her as such.
“What are your plans for today?” he asked his mother.
“Well, I was intending to receive some guests. It seems I have missed much whilst I have been away.” She slung a pointed look at Orelia who had not yet made work of her bread roll. “However, it seems I shall not be able to receive any.”
“Oh do not fear, we shan’t be here to get in your way. We are off to town today.”
“I’ve heard you were staying in town for a few nights recently.”
“Really?” He lifted a brow.
Who was it who was gossiping about him to his mother? She had taken her most loyal servants with her. He’d have to warn her not to continue gossiping. There was a very real reason most of his work had been done abroad—too many people were far too interested in his whereabouts in England. He had to wonder if he would ever be able to return to spying, even if he did complete this mission successfully.
“Pray tell, where exactly did you hear such rumors?”
His mother made a dismissive noise. “Rumors, Reed? I do not think they can be called rumors when they are in fact, truths.”
“I had some business there.”
“And you needed to take your...lady friend?” His mother slung a narrowed glance at Orelia.
“Orelia accompanied me, yes.”
Her face reddened with obvious annoyance. “Really, Reed! I expected better of you.”
“And I of you, Mother. I never expected to return to be hounded by young women thrown at me and endless invitations to events. I never expected to have my guest so disrespected.”
Orelia lifted her head at the sound of all the raised voices. Slowly, with great dignity, she rose. “I-if you shall excuse me...”
She scurried out before Reed could protest. He did not much like his mother running her out of the room but at least now he could fully berate her.
“Thank you, Mother. Your pomposity knows no bounds.”
“Pomposity? How dare you?” His mother’s dark eyes flashed. “You know that I have supported you throughout all your various adventures whilst you gallivanted about and refused to play the role you should. I have run your household to the best of my abilities and made excuses for you at every turn.”
“You could have asked Noah.”
“Noah cannot handle such responsibilities.”
“He damn well can, and you know it. Just because your pride would take a beating does not mean he should be prevented from revealing to the world what he can do.”
The duchess drew in a breath. He saw her clamp her hand around a spoon.
“If you are intending to kill me, Mother, I suggest you find something a little sharper.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “Why do I have such an undutiful son?”
Sometimes the desire to tell her what he did was unbearable. No son liked disappointing their mother, not even him. But he would never put her or Noah in danger or worry her any more than he had to. She might fret over his lack of a wife but he’d far rather she did that than panic over him potentially getting killed as he snuck through war zones and army camps.
“Forgive me,” he said instead. “I did not aim to disappoint you.” He nodded toward the spoon. “Now please put the spoon down. I have no wish to explain to the doctor how I ended up with such strange injuries.”
His mother lowered the spoon, a faint smile coming to her lips. He had long acknowledged they were similar creatures—both outspoken and with a temper at times. But at least it meant his mother would not stay angry at him forever. He might not agree with some of her actions, but he didn’t want things to be tense between them.
“You cannot keep her here. Why would you? Is she...” She fanned her face with a hand and leaned in. “Is she your lover? And you know I am being generous calling her that. Others would call her much worse.”
“Orelia is not my lover.”
Unfortunately, a dark little voice whispered.
“Well, I know you would delight in torturing me with such knowledge if she was, so you must be telling the truth.”
“I am.”
She leaned in. “So what is she and why is she here?”
“She is from the local gypsy camp. She is here to help me.”
“Eleanor said as much.”
Reed shook his head. “Eleanor needs to stop pressing the servants for information. She might be your lady’s maid, but I pay her wages.”
She gasped. “Eleanor has been with me for many years. You would not dare let her go.”
“I would if she continues to gossip about Orelia. I want no shame brought down upon her, do you understand?”
His mother pressed her lips together.
“Mother?”
“I understand,” she said tightly, “but I still do not see how you can expect me to feel comfortable with that...woman under our roof. The scandal, Reed...Sweet Lord, no one will ever marry you now.”
“Yes they will,” he said patiently. “I am a duke and I am rich. They shall conveniently forget anything scandalous ever happened at Keswick Abbey in weeks, if not days. Besides, I’ve been doing a fair job of keeping her presence here quiet.”
“What of her family? Surely they want her back?”
“Unfortunately no. Her mother is a drunkard and her father, well, we’re not sure about that.”
She paled further, if that was possible.
“Reed, I am not sure what I ever did to deserve this.”
“Deserve what?”
His mother pressed a hand to her chest. “You seem intent on sending me to an early grave.”
She genuinely did look a little close to the grave, so he didn’t laugh or try to antagonize her further. “I do not mean to, I promise.”
“How long will she be staying?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure yet.”
“And will you tell me why exactly, we are to house her?”
Reed decided to opt for the truth. Or at least a partial truth. “Well, it seems I bought her, in a roundabout way, and now she is helping me with something.”
&nb
sp; “Bought her? How does one buy someone in a roundabout way?” She was back to picking up the spoon again.
Reed watched the silverware with a raised brow. “I ran into a situation and my morals would not let me act any other way. So I bought her from her mother.”
“So it was not really a roundabout way then, was it?”
“Perhaps not.”
“And she is definitely not your lover?” she pressed.
“I have not purchased myself a whore, no, Mother. As you say, there are many brothels I could visit for that, though Lord forbid it should ever come to that.”
His mother pursed her lips. “I have little intention of discussing such matters with my son, but goodness knows, you could learn some discretion.”
“I am perfectly discreet. None of the local families have knowledge of Orelia or the fact that I paid for her company...not like that,” he reminded her. “Soon enough she will be gone, I promise, and then you can get back to thrusting clueless young ladies at me.”
“Not all are so clueless,” she muttered with a slight hint of a smile.
“I noticed. Though if they knew anything about me, they would not be so unsubtle.”
She huffed. “That is why you favor the gypsy girl perhaps. They have little understanding of manners and subtlety.”
“Orelia is nothing like that. I would hope you would take the time to discover that. Noah likes her.”
“Noah likes everyone. He is far too naive.”
Reed lifted a brow. “Or he is simply a better man than all of us.”
His mother eyed her half-finished meal. “I find I am no longer hungry.” She stood, and he followed suit. “I hope that these shenanigans, whatever they are, will not take long and you can concentrate on your duty.”
“Trust me, Mother, all shall be well. Now why do you not ask Noah to help with the meetings with the farmhands today? I find myself with little time.”
His mother shook her head. “Why must you force him into such situations? Do you not understand how humiliating they are for him?”
“No, Mother, I do not. He enjoys the responsibility and the farmhands like him.”
She gave another huff before sweeping out of the room. He understood her reluctance to involve Noah, really he did, but why his mother could not see that he was now a grown man, he did not know. There had been times, when they were young boys before Noah had been able to lip read, that he had been humiliated in public. Their mother wanted to protect him still, but he no longer needed that. Reed had seen how well his brother had done running the estate, so why could she not see that too?
Reed eyed his not quite empty plate and concluded his appetite had gone too. He would go find Noah, instruct him as to his duties for the day then ensure Orelia was dressed for Portsmouth. They would remain in their simpler clothing today to draw less attention and hopefully no one would recognize her as the beautiful countess from the ball.
He found Noah in the study, pouring over some letters. He waited until his brother spotted him. “Mother is furious.” He signed as he spoke.
“Why do you think I escaped here?” his brother said.
“You have to face her at some point. I’ve already told her you shall be taking over today.”
Noah rolled his eyes. “You know she would rather do it herself. She does not think me capable.”
“But she will once she sees you in action,” Reed insisted.
“You have more faith than I do.”
“If we could just make her see you as more than her little boy, we might succeed.”
Noah sighed. “Reed, I have not been a little boy for many years. If I have not succeeded by now, I doubt I ever shall.”
“I did not take you for a quitter.”
“I am not.” Noah signed this bit, lifting his chin and eyeing him sternly.
His brother had been through many challenges in life, first with the infection that left him deaf and then with how people treated him. He could not join the army or do anything that a second son usually did. He was far from a quitter, but Reed did fear his mother would win one day and Noah would let himself be coddled for the rest of his life by her.
“Did she meet Orelia?” Noah asked.
Reed nodded.
His brother laughed. “It went that well?”
He guessed the grimace on his face told the story well enough. “She was not happy but there is little she can do. Orelia must remain until we have discovered the culprit.”
“It will be a shame when she goes.” His brother tilted his head. “I think you shall miss her too.”
“Of course. Why would I not? She’s a lovely young woman.”
Noah rubbed his chin and eyed Reed. “I think you shall miss her greatly.”
“Orelia has many things she would like to do. She’s a Romani, Noah. They are always on the move. I have my doubts that will ever change.”
“I think you want her to stay.”
Reed rubbed his forehead. Yes, he would miss her. Yes, he was trying not to think on the day when she took his money and vanished from his life. Yes, he wanted more of those stunningly sensual kisses. Yes, he longed to take her to bed and keep her there for eternity.
But had his mother’s reaction not just proved how impossible any of it would be. Yes, he could keep her as a mistress somewhere, put her in a fine house perhaps and visit her to appease his needs when he so desired. However, he knew well enough that would be unsatisfactory for him and a nightmare for her. Orelia, tied to one place, awaiting his visits...no he would never even suggest inflicting such a thing on her.
Of course, he knew damn well that if he took Orelia to bed, he would not want to let her out of his sight, let alone tuck her away in the country somewhere.
“Orelia will follow her path and I will follow mine,” he said, in what he felt was a particularly enlightened manner.
Noah merely laughed. “I think your paths might just intersect several times.”
Reed snorted. “What do you know about women anyway, whelp?”
His brother laughed again. “More than you I think.”
Muttering a curse, Reed escaped the study and stomped upstairs in search of Orelia. Damned whelp trying to school him on emotions. Apparently, all the power he’d given Noah had gone to his head. Was every member of his family intending to fight him on his plans?
He rapped on her door and waited. He knocked again.
That tell-tale sensation in his gut triggered. He knew that feeling. The one that told him to move more quickly or escape now or hide sharpish. Without waiting any longer, he pushed open the door.
Her room was empty.
Chapter Nineteen
It was not exactly running away. She had never run from anything, Orelia assured herself as she made her way up the field and followed the indented path at the side of it. She paused to pluck a daisy from the grass and twirl it in her fingers. See? Who picked flowers when they were running away?
However, she had needed to escape. It was not the first time someone looked down upon her because of her heritage and it would hardly be the last. She could not even blame Reed’s mother for behaving so. What woman would not be shocked at a young woman in her home, wearing her gowns no less?
Her cheeks flamed. To think the duchess had caught her practically in Reed’s arms. No wonder she thought badly of her. After all, Orelia had hardly done anything to disprove the idea that the Romani were immoral people.
The stilted conversation from the morning rattled through her mind. And, despite herself, she had paused to listen to the rest of it before his mother left the breakfast room and Orelia was forced to tuck herself into an alcove and pray with a pounding heart she was not spotted.
The duchess thought she was a whore. Reed wanted her gone. Soon, at least. They had a mission to finish and she certainly did not wish to abandon it.
An ache gathered in her throat and she threw aside the daisy and continued down the path toward the gypsy camp. Reed had promised his mo
ther she would be gone soon enough. Why did that hurt?
Because she wanted to stay, a little voice told her.
She huffed at the ridiculous voice. Of course she would be gone soon enough. She could hardly stay at the abbey forever and why would she even want to? Once she had money, she would have more freedom than she had ever dreamed. The world would be hers. She could invest the money, as planned, or even travel more before settling somewhere. How wonderful that would be.
Would it not?
She looked at her feet and kicked a stone that sat stubbornly in her path. It tumbled a little before stopping. “I’m not running away,” she told the stone.
In a few hours, she would return. They were meant to travel to Portsmouth to find the one suspect that had vanished. Perhaps Reed would be annoyed with her and go on his own. Perhaps it would be easier if she let him. Then she would have some time between seeing him again and recalling the kiss in the carriage.
That kiss...
That kiss had been unlike any they shared before. It had been filled with promise. Promise of what, she was not sure, but she had been swept along and ready to find out. How could she face him now?
“I am not a coward,” she told the cloudless sky. “Am not.”
“I beg to differ,” came a deep voice from behind.
Her heart leapt. Though whether it was from surprise, excitement, or fright, she did not know.
She whirled. “What are you doing here?”
Reed grinned. “I should have known I would be the one in trouble for chasing you down.”
She lifted her chin. “I was hardly running away.”
“So you were...?”
“Taking a leisurely stroll.”
“Toward the gypsy camp?”
“Yes.”
She hated to look at him sometimes. He was too handsome, even with that silly eyepatch that was currently lodged on his head and making his dark hair stick up awkwardly. Her gaze landed on his lips of its own accord as she recalled how they’d been on hers the previous night and how she had wanted them so much more.
A Rake for All Seasons: A Regency and Victorian Romance Boxset Page 14