by Aston, Alexa
Luke wanted what they had. Desperately.
Some of his happiest times had been playing with his nieces and nephews. The pull of having children of his own had caused him to part ways today with the two women he was currently involved with. He would go into the upcoming Season unencumbered by any liaison. Hopefully, he would discover his soulmate among the women paraded about on the Marriage Mart.
He looked deeply into Catarina’s eyes. “You have given me many happy moments over this past year. I will always look upon you fondly.”
Luke kissed her lightly in goodbye and then leaned down and reached for his coat. He withdrew a diamond bracelet and held it up to her.
“A parting gift. I hope you’ll think of me sometimes when you wear it.”
Her eyes lit up. He could see her calculating the bracelet’s worth.
“Will you put it on me?”
“Of course.”
He unfastened the clasp and brought it about her slender wrist. Once he secured it, she held her arm out, admiring her new bauble.
“It’s quite beautiful,” she said, looking at it from different angles.
“Not as beautiful as you.”
Her eyes misted over. “I will miss you, my earl.” She pushed away from him and left the bed. “I don’t think you need my help to dress. Please, see yourself out. Goodbye.”
She reached for a dressing gown lying across a nearby chair and shrugged into it before opening the door and exiting the room. Luke quickly dressed, a sense of relief overwhelming him. Catarina had been demanding, both physically and emotionally. He was looking forward to not being drained as he had after every visit to her. Slipping on his Hessians, he glanced about the room a final time and then left the bedchamber and house without seeing anyone.
Outside, his horse awaited him and Luke mounted it. He would ride to see Rachel and Evan and visit with his new nephew. They’d only arrived in London two days ago and this would be his first time to see the newest addition to the St. Clair family. Luke knew Seth was only a St. Clair through his mother but he hoped the boy would have the St. Clair emerald eyes and black hair.
Arriving at the Merrick townhouse, he glanced across the square and saw the mourning wreath adorning the door of the late Earl of Templeton. The ton had been scandalized to learn the earl had been set upon by footpads, robbed and stabbed, and his body thrown into the Thames. Rumor had it that Templeton was destitute at his death and that everything would have to be sold in order to pay his debts. Luke felt sorry for his widow and any children left behind. He couldn’t remember hearing of any. He hadn’t gone to school with any Templeton boys or danced with any Templeton girls at balls since he’d graduated from university. It would be for the best if the earl had died with no wife and no children left behind to bear the shame of his behavior.
Luke handed his horse off to a groomsman who hurried to greet him and then knocked upon the front door. Kent, the Merricks’ butler, opened the door.
“Good afternoon, Lord Mayfield.”
“Hello, Kent,” Luke replied as he stepped inside the residence.
Taking Luke’s hat and cloak, the butler said, “Follow me and I will announce you to the marquess and marchioness.”
“I really didn’t come to see them,” he confided. “I’m strictly here for my new nephew.”
Kent’s lips twitched in amusement. “Lord Seth is already a favorite of everyone’s, my lord.”
The butler led him upstairs to the drawing room. Luke saw Rachel on a settee with her son in her arms and her husband sitting next to her. She gave her brother a joyful smile as Evan stood and greeted him with a handshake.
Leaning down, Luke held out his arms. “I’ve got to hold him.”
Rachel handed the baby over and Luke gazed down, instantly falling in love with his latest nephew.
“He’s absolutely perfect. Of course, I would expect nothing less from you and Evan.”
“He is, isn’t he?” Rachel agreed.
Luke took the baby and sat opposite the couple in a large wingchair. Seth slept on, oblivious to the world.
“How was the trip from Edgemere to London?” he asked.
“Uneventful,” Rachel said. “Seth slept most of the way.”
“Unlike Everton’s brood,” Evan said with a wicked smile. “From what Catherine told us yesterday, Philip exercised his lungs most of the way, while Timothy and Delia bounced from cushion to cushion. Only Jenny seemed to be at rest, quietly reading her latest book from Merrifield while her siblings drove her parents close to madness.”
Luke chuckled. A friendly competition had sprung up between Jeremy and Evan, first centered on how much each one loved his wife. Luke could see it had extended to their children.
“How is Merrifield?” he asked, referring to the earl who’d courted Rachel last Season, only to lose her to Evan.
Surprisingly enough, Merrifield remained good friends with both Rachel and Evan and Luke had grown close to him, as well. Along with Leah, Catherine’s sister, and her husband, Alex, the group comprised Luke’s best friends.
“You just missed him. He left not half an hour ago. He brought Seth his first book.” Rachel picked it up from the table and Luke laughed. “I see it’s one Catherine authored.”
Their sister-in-law had begun writing children’s books during the years she’d cared for her invalid father. Jeremy had encouraged her to continue since it was something she enjoyed doing. Now, every book the Duchess of Everton’s wrote became a bestseller.
“Are you ready for the Season?” he asked, deciding to bring up the purpose of his visit.
“My brother is actually mentioning the Season?” Rachel asked, studying him. “Have you changed your mind? Do you want me to look for a bride for you when I do the same for Merrifield?”
His sister, feeling guilty that she’d let down Merrifield, had determined she would make it up to her former beau by finding him a wife. She’d offered to do the same for Luke, who’d put her off, claiming Merrifield was older and needed her help before he did.
“Yes,” he said simply.
A satisfied smile lit up her face. “You’re ready to wed.” Then she frowned. “What about Catarina?”
“What? You know about her?” Luke glared accusingly at his brother-in-law.
Evan held up his hands. “It wasn’t from me. You know how the ton gossips. Rachel could have heard about your mistress from any number of people.”
“I pride myself on being discreet,” he said testily.
“I’ve known about all three,” his sister proclaimed. “And a few of your lovers, as well. Lady Morton, for instance.”
Surprise rushed through him. “How could you know about her?”
“I overheard her gossiping about you in the ladies’ retiring room last summer,” Rachel said. “You’d be amazed at what you can overhear while you’re adjusting your hair.”
“What did she say?” he asked guardedly, knowing their relationship hadn’t ended well.
“She claimed you were the best lover she’d ever had and that when you decided to end your affair, she threatened to tell her husband. Lady Morton admitted she hadn’t slept with Lord Morton since she gave birth to his spare.” Rachel grinned. “And then she said her husband would challenge you to a duel.”
Luke certainly remembered that conversation. He’d told the woman that she didn’t want to do that because he was a crack shot and would shoot to kill. He convinced his lover that she needed her husband around for the sake of their two sons. She’d considered his words and then screamed for him to get out. He hadn’t spoken to her since. They’d coolly nodded at one another at social events. Luke had heard she’d taken on a new lover—as had Lord Morton.
“Have you gotten rid of them—all of them?” Rachel demanded.
Luke pressed a kiss to his nephew’s forehead. “As a matter of fact, that’s what has occupied my time today. I parted ways with a lovely widow this morning. I think she cared more about the earrings I gifted her with than our time
together. As for the fiery Catarina? I just came from her house. That, too, has ended.”
“You are serious,” Rachel said, approval in her voice. “What changed your mind? The last you told me, you were going to sow your wild oats and worry about a wife and children years down the road.”
He glanced at his nephew. “Seth, for one. And my other nieces and nephews. I can’t seem to get enough of them.” He sighed. “And seeing how batty my brother and sister are for their spouses.”
He rose and handed Seth back to her. “I can’t help but feel there’s something missing in my life. I enjoy being around my family and friends but I want more. Someone to share what happened during my day. Someone that understands me better than anyone else I know. Someone to care for—and love. If I can find her. If she even exists.”
Evan met his eye. “You won’t have to find love, Luke. It will find you.” He put his arm around Rachel and tenderly kissed her brow. “I was the last man who wanted a wife—and I found the perfect one for me.”
Rachel turned and kissed her husband. Luke was used to it by now. Both she and Jeremy never shied away from expressing their feelings for their spouses, despite the ton’s mixed reactions to their behavior. Luke knew that when Evan had come home from war, he’d suffered not only physical wounds but emotional ones, as well. He’d been prickly, holding everyone at arm’s distance, but he had been irresistibly drawn to Rachel. Seeing their happiness—along with Jeremy and Catherine and Leah and Alex—was what now led Luke to admit how much he wanted to find his soulmate.
“Let’s go riding in the park,” Rachel declared.
“Are you ready for that?” Evan asked, concern crossing his brow.
“The doctor said I could whenever I felt so. Besides, I’ve missed being on Calypso. Let me take Seth to the nursery for his nap and change into my riding habit.”
After she left, Luke teased, “You know my sister only married you for Calypso.” The dapple gray had been a wedding present from Evan to Rachel.
“She is mad for that horse,” Evan agreed. “She spends almost as much time atop it as she does me.”
Luke roared with laughter. “Wouldn’t the ton like to hear you admit that in public?”
“They already think I’m scandalous enough. I don’t care. I love my wife and adore making love to her.”
Evan rang for Kent and asked for their horses to be saddled. By the time Rachel returned and they went outside, their mounts awaited them. They swung into the saddle as a carriage passed, pulling around and stopping in front of Templeton’s place. Curious, they all turned and glanced over their shoulders before riding from the square and turning toward the park.
“Who could she be?” Rachel asked, referring to the woman they’d all seen leave the carriage. “She had a boy with her. And a dog. I wonder if she’s Templeton’s daughter. She looked a little older than me.” She turned to her husband. “What do you think?”
“I haven’t the foggiest idea. You know we haven’t lived here but two years though the property was mine for years before that.”
“You and Rachel weren’t friendly with your neighbor?” Luke asked.
Evan laughed. “Not in the least bit. Templeton was years older than us. His drinking and gambling were legendary.”
“Well, I thought her quite pretty,” Rachel said. “If she is his daughter, I wouldn’t mind getting to know her. She could certainly use a friend in town, especially after what happened to her father. If he’s her father.”
Luke thought of the glimpse he’d gotten of the woman, whose trim figure looked very fine to him. The sun had struck her hair, burnishing its caramel color. He only wished he could have seen her face. He wouldn’t mind getting to know her, now that he was of a mind to open his heart to the possibility of love.
Wouldn’t it be an odd twist of fate if he’d just seen the woman that might actually be his soulmate?
Chapter Three
Caroline paused a moment to steady herself and then led Davy and Tippet to the door. She sat the boy atop one of her trunks and then handed him the dog’s leash.
“Davy, I’m going to ask that you sit here and guard my trunks for me.”
“And watch Tippet?” he asked eagerly.
“That, too. My father has . . . an allergy to dogs . . . and I’ll have to see where Tippet is to stay.”
“In the stables would be good. I could sleep with him,” the boy offered.
“That might work. Let me go inside and find out. You wait right here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She tried to open the door and it didn’t budge. She’d never carried a key to the place. When she’d left to go somewhere with her mother and sister, they’d always returned and were greeted by a servant so she had no need of a key. She supposed she should knock. There was always a footman about near the foyer. He could let her in.
Raising her hand to do so, the door opened before she had a chance to summon anyone.
“Stinch!” she cried, recognizing their butler, who looked dressed to go out.
“Lady Caroline,” he said, shaking his head in wonder. “Is it really you?”
“It is. May I come in?”
An odd look crossed his face. Still, he stepped aside and she gained admittance to the place that had been home for her first twenty years. As Stinch closed the door, she frowned.
“Where is the settee that used to rest there? And the painting that hung above it?” Glancing around, Caroline saw the suit of armor that had stood in the hall for as long as she remembered was also missing.
“Gone, Lady Caroline,” Stinch said sadly. “I suppose you saw the mourning wreath on the door?”
“It’s for Papa, isn’t it?”
The butler nodded solemnly. “He . . . passed. Three days ago. There were . . . debts which needed to be paid. No servant received any wages for months before the earl went.”
“Stinch! Are you still here, man?” a voice called out, sounding none too pleased.
Caroline heard approaching heels clicking on the floor and looked at the butler in confusion. Then a man appeared in the foyer, a scowl on his face. His bald pate gleamed. His waistcoat was a poor fit.
“Who are you?” he demanded. Before she could answer, he said, “You’re too early. The sale doesn’t start until tomorrow.”
“Sale? What sale? I live here,” she said.
“Oh.” He nervously shifted from one foot to the other several times.
“This is Lady Caroline Andrews,” Stinch said with dignity. “Lord Templeton’s daughter.”
“I see.” The man looked her up and down. “Well, you don’t live here anymore,” he said abruptly. Turning to the butler, he said, “You’ve done your job, Stinch. I’ll speak privately with Lady Caroline.”
She looked from the stranger back to Stinch. “What’s going on?”
“Go with Mr. Morrow, my lady. He’ll explain everything to you.”
“Where will you be?” she asked anxiously.
Standing tall, he replied, “Looking for another position.” He pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and pressed it into her hand. “I’ve taken a room at this address. I would be greatly honored if you might write me a reference.”
Understanding dawned on her. Caroline had vaguely known that since her father had no sons and no relatives to speak of, his title would revert to the crown. What she hadn’t thought about was that this house, being part of the Templeton estate, might also be returned to the king. And their country estate.
Where would she live?
“Goodbye, Lady Caroline,” the butler said and departed the residence.
She turned back to the man Stinch had referred to as Morrow. “Mr. Morrow, I would like to be informed of what is happening. We can go into my father’s study. It’s just off the foyer.”
Without waiting for him to protest, she walked quickly to the room—and found all kinds of tags on the furniture.
“What is all of this?” she demanded.
“
This is an estate sale, my lady,” Morrow said succinctly. “It will begin tomorrow. Stinch helped me place labels identifying various pieces of furniture and objects. Each one describes the piece and suggests a price for the buyers that will descend in the morning.”
Caroline sank into a chair. “Will everything be sold?”
“Absolutely. Lord Templeton’s debts are massive.”
His words were like a physical blow, rendering her speechless.
“What kind of debts?” she asked quietly.
“The usual kind gentlemen amass. His tailor. His bootmaker. His wine merchant. Far more, however, is owed to gambling houses and gentlemen from his various clubs. I am your father’s solicitor. It has fallen to me to sell everything Lord Templeton had not already parted with to cover as many of his debts as I can.”
“That’s where the suit of armor went,” she said, wishing she could have seen it one last time. As a child, she’d made up stories about it and the man who wore it. To never see it again brought her deep sadness.
“Yes. In the last three years, during your and Lady Templeton’s absence, he had begun selling off various items.” Morrow cleared his throat. “Is your mother outside in a carriage?”
“My mother died in Boston shortly after we arrived,” she said quietly, feeling a fresh flash of pain after the ache had been dulled for so long.
“I am sorry for your loss,” the solicitor said, his voice gentling. “I know it must be hard coming home to this.”
“I suppose there is nothing left for me.”
“From the London townhouse and the country estate, no, nothing at all. You do have your dowry and actually your sister’s, as well. That money was set aside long ago. It came from your mother when she married the earl and was designated for any daughters that resulted from the marriage.”
“And if I don’t wed?” she challenged.
“It would become yours on your birthday when you turn twenty-five. If I recall, that would be a little less than two years from now.”
“What am I supposed to live on in the meantime? Am I even allowed to claim my own clothing that I left in the wardrobe when I went to America three years ago?”