“Let’s talk of other things,” Ellen said. “We are neither one of us young girls anymore, seeking to catch the attention of an attractive man.”
Jane’s smile was sad, but she allowed Ellen to change the subject. She reached for a small cake and took a nibble, sighing with pleasure. “You remembered my weakness for sweets. I’ve had to banish them from my own house or I’d be twice as wide as I am now, but I’ve never been able to refuse when they’re offered to me elsewhere.”
Ellen laughed, her tension easing. “I have to tempt you to continue visiting me somehow.”
Jane shook her head. “Never again will we allow anyone to come between us. Speaking of which… I’m not sure how to ask this now.”
Ellen reached for the tray of sweets just as Jane was about to take another cake and held it out of reach. “If you want more of these, you’ll stop hedging and come out with it.”
“Fine,” Jane said with a huff of mock annoyance. “You remember how your family used to visit ours in Sussex every summer?”
“Of course. It was always the highlight of our year.”
“It’s been a few years, but I’d like to restart that tradition. In fact, that’s where we’re heading after my husband finishes his business here in London. We’ll be staying at my brother’s estate for a few weeks before heading out to Brighton where we’ve purchased our own home.”
“Will Castlefield also be there?”
Jane tilted her head to one side. “That won’t be a problem, I hope. I know the two of you used to squabble when you were younger, but you seemed to get along at the Tower.”
Ellen couldn’t help but wonder if this spontaneous invitation had been at Castlefield’s urging. Despite the feeling that he was shifting pieces on an imaginary chessboard to further whatever goals he had in mind, she found herself tempted to accept. “I’ve missed those summer visits. But I’m hoping that my brother and his new wife will return to town soon, and I’d hate to not be here.”
“I will be extending the invitation to them as well, of course.” Her eyes widened in a plea, and Ellen returned the tray of sweets. Jane snatched another small cake and gave her a sheepish smile before continuing. “I still can’t believe Brantford actually married! I was certain he’d remain a bachelor forever.”
“You should see them together,” Ellen said with a fond smile. “Brantford tries so hard to maintain his air of aloofness around Rose, but it’s clear he cares for her. I’m so happy for him… for the two of them.”
“Then I’ll make sure to leave an invitation for him before we depart for Sussex. With any luck we’ll see them before my husband and I depart for Brighton. Please say you’ll join us.”
Ellen hesitated. “Given the recent animosity between your brother and me, I’m not sure I should accept.”
Jane’s face fell, and Ellen couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Her friend didn’t try to change her mind, not with words, but the expression of disappointment on her face did far more to convince her than mere words could have.
“All right,” Ellen said, certain she would come to regret it. “I’ll come down after you’ve all had a chance to settle in.”
Jane gave her another quick hug. “Oh, we’re going to have so much fun! And it will give you a chance to become acquainted with the children.”
Her friend’s enthusiasm was so contagious that Ellen found herself wanting to believe everything would be fine. Castlefield would give up his ill-conceived notion of the two of them marrying, and she’d regain her position of almost-sister within the family.
She didn’t examine why that thought left her with a hint of remorse as she listened to Jane go on about all the things she had planned once she retired to her new home in Brighton in a few weeks’ time.
Chapter 5
Castlefield needed to burn off his excess energy, so after sending his valet off with the carriage that carried his trunks that morning, he headed out to the stables.
The road from London to Sussex was well traveled this time of year, with many heading out to enjoy the weather at Brighton. There wasn’t much chance of being waylaid by highwaymen, but just in case, he’d dressed in worn, dull-colored clothing. It would take him about four hours to travel by horseback, giving his valet just enough time to fuss over him before he joined his mother for dinner.
His mother, the Dowager Duchess of Castlefield, had taken to spending the entire year at the house in Sussex, leaving the country seat in the north to Castlefield during the winter months. He knew it was because she missed her husband a great deal. Their happiest memories were the summers they’d spent at the house in Sussex, and so he hadn’t minded that she’d chosen to make it her permanent residence after his death.
And that led him back to thinking of his own future. He didn’t want to dwell on events that might never come to pass, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Ellen. Now, of course, he realized he’d been a fool. If he hadn’t pushed her away when they were still little more than children, it was likely he and Ellen would have wed. By the time he realized the girl with whom he’d once been close friends had grown into a beautiful young woman, it was too late. She’d fallen in love with Laughton and had accepted his proposal.
Intellectually he knew he wasn’t responsible for the hurt she must have suffered at his hands—no, the blame for that lay squarely on Laughton’s shoulders—but how different could things have been if he hadn’t ended their friendship? Those thoughts had haunted him for years. But now he was done waiting for Ellen.
He’d have to be cautious in his approach. He’d told her about his intentions, but he was fairly certain she didn’t believe him. If she did, he suspected she’d already have run in the opposite direction. Buried herself at one of her brother’s estates or, as was more likely, donned one of her disguises and attempted to blend in somewhere he wouldn’t be able to find her.
He’d almost had heart failure when Brantford told him he’d employed Ellen on some of his missions since her husband’s death. His friend had assured him she was more than capable of handling herself and that he made sure she was never in real danger. Still, the thought had kept Castlefield up more than a few nights.
He could ascribe the fact that she hadn’t already disappeared to the knowledge that she wanted to make up for the years she’d missed with Jane and her family. That and her curiosity. Ellen always had an insatiable need to know everything that was happening. He knew that declaring himself as he’d done, especially since she wouldn’t believe he was being earnest, would spark her interest as to his motives. But he’d have to proceed with caution from this point forward, keep her guessing so she wouldn’t disappear.
Having to wait for her tested the limits of his patience since he couldn’t shake the feeling this would be the only chance he’d have to win Ellen’s trust. He ran through a number of strategies as his horse kept a steady canter. When he finally reached the estate, he was more determined than ever about his current course of action.
He didn’t bother riding into the stables. With the arrival of his valet, his mother would know he was en route and would have informed the staff to be on the lookout for him. When he reached the long road leading up to the house, he could see her figure by the front door.
He left his horse in the capable hands of one of the grooms who was also waiting nearby and went to greet his mother. She’d been a young woman when she had him and was still striking. However, her dark hair was now threaded with silver, and the beginnings of fine lines creased the skin around her eyes.
“You’re early,” she said, engulfing him in a hug.
He closed his eyes, content to bask in her warmth and love before pulling back and smiling down at her. In years past, his father would be standing by her side, but neither of them spoke of his absence. She’d want to talk about him later, but now was not a time for tears.
“Jane’s coming down with the family tomorrow. She invited me to travel with them, but I couldn’t wait.”
H
is mother gave him a knowing smile. “Couldn’t wait or didn’t want to be cooped up with a rambunctious child who would no doubt be pestering you with questions the entire way?”
He didn’t bother correcting her. While he knew many households had their children travel in separate carriages with their governess or nurse, that had never been the habit within their own family. Henry’s exuberance didn’t normally bother him, but he feared that in his current preoccupied state, he’d be less than patient with the boy. He wouldn’t cease being on edge until Ellen arrived at the estate.
It was as if his mother had read his mind when she spoke again. “I’m so glad to hear that Ellen will be returning for a visit. It’s been far too long since she and her brother were last here.”
“Jane was excited. I hope it won’t prove too much of an inconvenience. I know she also extended an invitation to Brantford and his new wife, but I don’t know if they’ll make it down.”
He thought he’d kept his voice impassive, but there must have been something in his tone or in his expression that caused a speculative gleam to enter his mother’s eyes. Of course, it could simply be that he was now two-and-thirty and his mother was eager to see him wed. Fortunately, she didn’t press the subject.
“You should get settled. I’ll see you at eight for dinner. That will give us a chance to talk before your sister’s family arrives tomorrow.”
He bent to press a kiss to his mother’s cheek, then made his way inside. What he’d wanted to do was groan. Talking meant that his mother planned to question him about all aspects of his life. And it wouldn’t take long for the conversation to turn to the subject of heirs.
Chapter 6
Ellen had nothing with which to occupy her thoughts as her carriage traveled from London to Castlefield’s estate in Sussex. She’d left early and tried to pass the time reading. But after remaining on the same page for some time as her thoughts continued to wander, she threw the book onto the dark cushions beside her in disgust.
It had been a long time since she’d had to deal with the sensation of nerves settling in the pit of her stomach. Not since she’d had to worry about what sort of mood her husband would be in. The past two years of calm since his passing had been a blessed relief, and she wasn’t happy about the return of unsettled emotions.
At least these nerves weren’t caused by fear, an emotion she knew all too well. Even when her husband stopped being rough with her physically—and she could attribute that squarely to her brother’s lessons in how to defend herself from an attack—she’d still had to deal with his dark moods and insults.
No, the reason butterflies currently rioted within her could be laid squarely at Castlefield’s feet and sprang from his ridiculous declaration. She’d convinced herself in the week since Jane had called on her that he was toying with her, trying to get back at her for causing several of the rumors currently being spread about him. That she now felt a twinge of guilt about creating the on-dit about his voracious sexual appetites—a rumor that surely would guarantee no one would want to see their precious daughters wed him—proved just how much he’d unsettled her.
What bothered her most about the entire situation was that she couldn’t stop wondering how Castlefield would go about trying to woo her. Would he be relentless in his pursuit, as Laughton had been in trying to win her heart? Or would he rely mainly on their shared childhood, trying to convince her that theirs was a logical union?
It was just after midday when the carriage slowed and drew to a halt before Castlefield’s Sussex estate. Ellen took several deep breaths, attempting to push aside her nerves. They didn’t disappear, but she was determined not to let them show. She wouldn’t give Castlefield the upper hand in the latest battle of the war that waged between them.
When the carriage door opened, she half expected to find him standing there, an insufferable smirk on his face. Instead, she looked into the impassive face of the footman who’d been accompanying her whenever she left the house and who had ridden alongside the carriage driver. She shook off her disappointment, telling herself she’d merely been looking forward to delivering a scathing setdown, and allowed the footman to help her.
Memories of all the summers she’d spent here had her smiling widely as she approached the main entrance. The house was smaller than the one at his country seat, but it was still impressive and had two wings. The last time she’d visited with her family was the year before she and Laughton had wed. Thirteen years had passed since that summer.
The door opened just as she reached it, and a wave of fondness hit her when she realized that Trenton still served as their butler. He allowed himself a slight upturning of his mouth before donning his impassive facade and stepping aside to allow her to enter. Waves of nostalgia swept over her, and she realized in that moment just how much she’d missed her family’s yearly visits. After she’d wed, her husband had told her that he wasn’t fond of sea air, and so her trips to Sussex had come to an end.
“It’s good to see you, Trenton.”
He responded by way of inclining his head, but Ellen could tell he was pleased to see her.
“The family is waiting for you in the morning room.”
She thanked him and made her way down the airy hallway toward the back of the house. She couldn’t help but feel as though she were coming home again. This house held so many happy memories of her childhood. Even later, when her brother and Castlefield would sneak off, leaving her behind, she’d passed the time thinking of ways to annoy them when they returned. She’d taken most of her anger out on Castlefield, however. Brantford had told her on numerous occasions that he’d wanted to wait for her, but his friend had insisted that Ellen would be bored tagging along after them. Her brother had been so earnest that she hadn’t had the heart to remain angry with him.
Castlefield had been another matter since they’d been friends and companions their entire childhood. She had to hold back a smile as she recalled how many times he’d barged into her room, furious after finding yet another frog or snake in his bed. It was her favorite way to show him her displeasure, and she never tired of his outrage. She knew he wasn’t afraid of the creatures—he was the one who’d taught her how to capture and handle them, after all—but he always took the opportunity to berate her.
The sound of laughter beckoned to her as she entered the morning room. It had always been her favorite room in the house, with tall windows along two walls that allowed the sun to stream in from morning to late afternoon. They showcased the garden just beyond, and she looked forward to strolling through them once again. Her gaze wasn’t on that sight though, but rather on its occupants, when she stepped into the room.
Jane was seated on the floor next to her son, playing a game Ellen couldn’t discern from a distance. The dowager duchess was seated in an armchair, working on a square of embroidery. A slight frown of concentration marked the space between her eyes. They hadn’t noticed her silent arrival.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Three pairs of eyes moved to look at her, followed by Jane springing up from her position on the floor and crossing the room to embrace her. “We weren’t expecting you until later this afternoon.”
“I couldn’t wait to join you and so left first thing this morning.” She turned to face the dowager duchess, who had also risen from her seat. “Thank you for the invitation, Duchess,” she said with a small curtsy.
The duchess reached out to take both her hands and gave them a slight squeeze before releasing them again. “You are always welcome here. It has been far too long since you last visited, and so much has changed.”
Her gaze moved over to her grandson, a fond smile on her face. But Ellen knew she was referring more to all the losses their families had suffered over the past several years. Castlefield’s father, Ellen’s parents, and her husband. That she didn’t mourn Laughton’s passing wasn’t something she’d ever say aloud, however.
“I couldn’t believe how much Henry had changed when I
saw him last week,” Ellen said, doing her part to keep the conversation light. “He’s almost a young man now.”
Henry had abandoned his game and stood at his mother’s side. “I remember you,” he said. “We met at the Tower.”
A pang pulled at her heart. Of course he wouldn’t remember her from his earlier years. He’d only been four when Ellen and Jane had stopped speaking. But she vowed that before this visit was over, she would again become an honorary aunt in his eyes.
“Yes, we did,” she said, crouching before him. “I seem to remember you had a younger sister. Have you hidden her away?” She feigned an exaggerated scowl.
Henry laughed, and the sound lifted her heart. “No. All Hope does is sleep all day.”
Jane laid a hand on Henry’s shoulder, her affection for her son clear. “Henry was vastly disappointed we didn’t give him a brother.”
“I have a younger brother,” Ellen said.
Henry tilted his head to one side. “I’m sure he didn’t sleep all day. Nurse says little boys always have so much energy.”
“That might be true of boys who’ve reached the grand age of six. But even little boys take naps when they are as small as your sister.”
The look on Henry’s face told her he didn’t believe her. She wanted to pull him into a hug but hesitated, not wanting to overstep her bounds.
Jane must have realized it. She gave Henry’s shoulder a pat and said, “Give your Aunt Ellen a proper welcome.”
Henry looked up at his mother and said in what was meant to be a whisper but fell far from that mark, “I forgot.” He stepped forward and wrapped his little arms around her. Dismay at all the years she’d missed had Ellen hugging him longer that she’d expected, and soon he was squirming in her arms. When she released him and rose to stand, he returned to his game on the floor.
The Unsuitable Duke Page 4