But nothing was the same. Not a moment went by when he didn’t think of Marianne.
He’d left her there, with her brother at the crossroads of Coulogne Road and the Andres Highway in France. He’d traveled back to the hotel alone. David had come to the hotel to gather her belongings that night, and Beau hadn’t even asked where they were staying. The next day he made his own arrangements to return to England on the ship that was taking Winfield and Albina back as prisoners. He hadn’t seen Marianne since.
“By God, he is looking at the brandy bottle,” Worth said, surprise in his voice.
“I’m not going to drink it,” Beau ground out.
“Are you considering it?” Kendall asked.
Beau narrowed his eyes on the earl. “No. Why?”
Worth sighed and rolled his eyes. “I do think it’s time, Kendall, don’t you?”
“Time for what?” Beau asked, his gaze darting back and forth suspiciously between his friends.
“Time for us to give you a little speech along the lines of the ones you gave us,” Kendall replied.
“What speech?” Beau replied, still side-eyeing them both.
“The one where we inform you that you’re madly in love with the woman, and need to ask her to marry you,” Kendall continued.
“What woman?” Beau asked, but he already felt as if a vise was being clamped around his heart.
Worth shook his head. “Seriously? ‘What woman?’ Don’t you think we know you’ve fallen in love with Marianne? It’s been obvious from everything you’ve said about her since the moment you walked in here.”
“What?” Beau pushed himself back in his seat. “I was merely telling the story of—”
“Spare us,” Worth replied. “We’ve both recently fallen in love ourselves. We know the signs. You’ve said her name no fewer than one hundred times.”
“I have not!” Beau replied, tugging at his cravat. “And if I did, it was merely because she was an integral part of the story.”
Kendall blinked calmly at Beau. “Do you want to argue with us, or do you want our help finding her?
Beau immediately sat up straight and leaned forward. “You know where she is?”
“I know where she might be,” Kendall replied, “and the fact that you just asked that with such interest proves our point. Stop pretending.”
Beau grouchily settled back into his chair without saying anything.
Worth’s brows shot up. “You, at a loss for words, Bell? I never thought I’d see the day.
“Shut up,” Beau shot back.
“Eloquent. Simply eloquent,” Kendall replied with a laugh.
“Will you please admit that you’re madly in love with her?” Worth said, his tone wheedling. “For me?”
“Damn you both,” Beau ground out. “Fine. Unlike the two of you were, I’m willing to admit it. I love her. I’ve always loved her. I want to marry her, and I don’t give a toss that she’s a lady’s maid. Are you two prepared for the scandal that will consume us all when I marry a servant?”
“See,” Worth said, casually reclining in his chair once more. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“That was a beautiful speech,” Kendall replied.
“If you have something useful to say, please say it; otherwise, do shut up,” Beau replied, his fists clenched atop the arms of the leather chair. At the moment he was ready to sock both men in the jaw and leave.
“Well, I do have something useful to say as a matter of fact. Courtesy of our friend, Clayton,” Kendall offered.
Beau’s head snapped up to face the earl. “What?”
Kendall leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers over his chest again. “Turns out Clayton has learned some very interesting things in Parliament of late. Including the fact that one Captain David Ellsworth is not actually merely a captain.”
Beau frowned. “What? What are you talking about?”
“He’s the son of the Earl of Elmwood,” Kendall continued.
The news hit Beau like a physical blow to the chest. He fell back into his chair and expelled a deep breath. “I thought that title had no heir.”
“It didn’t have,” Kendall replied. “The late earl’s only son renounced his title and left London many years ago. That man was David’s father.”
“David’s father?” Beau echoed.
“Yes,” Kendall continued. “It turns out David Ellsworth is the eldest grandson of the last Earl of Elmwood.”
“My. My. My,” Worth said, in a voice dripping with sarcasm. “By my calculations, if David Ellsworth is an earl, that would make Marianne…a lady, wouldn’t it?”
“Precisely,” Kendall replied dryly.
Beau closed his eyes briefly, letting the import of the news slowly wash over him. “Where is she?” he finally asked.
His friends exchanged a knowing glance.
“Elmwood is staying at Clayton’s town house at the moment. Poor man had no clue he was an earl. Clayton’s agreed to sponsor him. But I have it on good authority that Marianne is staying elsewhere,” Kendall said.
“What? Why?” Beau frowned.
“It was her choice,” Kendall continued.
“Where is she?” Beau repeated, leaping to his feet.
“I’m afraid I don’t know that,” Kendall replied.
Bell slammed a palm atop the desk. “Damn it, Kendall. How am I supposed to find her then?”
Worth’s crack of laughter filled the study. “You’re a spy, Bell. You figure it out.”
Chapter Forty
“Marianne, dear, I’ve just come from the foyer and you have two visitors,” Lady Courtney said as she entered the rose salon in her London town house.
“Visitors?” Marianne frowned. Who other than Lady Courtney and David even knew that she was staying here?
Everything had happened so quickly since they’d come back from France. First, General Grimaldi had informed them that David was an earl. Apparently, after his capture, and Marianne’s stint as a spy, the Home Office had done some research on their family. Grimaldi himself had learned of the connection after tracing their last name back to the estate of the Earl of Elmwood.
Marianne still couldn’t quite believe that her father, who had been so loving, kind, and humble had been born the only son of an earl.
Apparently, Papa had fallen in love with her mother, who was a commoner, when he’d been stationed in Brighton many years ago. When he informed his father of his intent to marry a woman so far beneath him, his father the earl had threatened to disown him. Rather than make Papa fall in line, that had only angered her stubborn father. He’d renounced both his father and his lineage, deciding instead to rely upon his earnings from the army and then after retiring from the military, living a simple life of a woodworker in Brighton, with no pretentions whatsoever.
David, too, had been completely unaware of their ancestry. He informed Marianne that their father had never given him the slightest hint that David was the elder son of a man who was supposed to be an earl.
David had been easily convinced to take up his place in Society, however. “Don’t you see the sort of power I’d have to influence decisions if I were to take a seat in Parliament?” he’d told her the night they’d found out. “I could advocate for the rights of soldiers, and make a real difference.”
Tears had come to Marianne’s eyes. Her brother was noble and strong and virtuous. He would use his title and power, and the money that came with it (apparently, it was a considerable sum), to do good in the country and to help people. She could think of no better man to take up such a responsibility than her beloved brother. If only Frederick were alive to see it.
The last few weeks had been nothing but a blur. Marianne had been taken in by Lady Courtney at General Grimaldi’s suggestion. The lady had taken her to the modiste and ensured that Marianne had a wardrobe worthy of an earl’s sister.
The boxes had been delivered to Lady Courtney’s town house and Marianne was now the proud owner of do
zens of costly gowns, pairs of slippers, pelisses, reticules, silk stockings, fine kid gloves, night rails with lace, chemises so delicate you could see your fingers through them, and a variety of delightful bonnets. It was as if she’d awoken in a fairy tale.
She soon learned that Lady Courtney had always known who her father was. “Your father was adamant that I not say anything, Marianne. To you or your brothers,” Lady Courtney had told her by way of apology for keeping such a large secret.
“I understand,” Marianne had replied. “I suppose it finally makes sense why my father had a family friend like you, Lady Courtney. I had always assumed Papa had done some woodworking for you.”
Lady Courtney had given her a sympathetic smile. “I promised your mother on her death bed that I would look out for you. She would be so pleased to see you and David taking your rightful places in Society. She never wished it for herself, but she didn’t like to think she was keeping her children from assuming their birthright.”
That had made Marianne’s eyes fill with tears. She remembered all the times she and Mama had ‘pretended’ that she was a fine lady, about to make her debut, as she paraded around their little cottage in Brighton. That hadn’t been just a game to Mama, after all, she realized. She was trying to prepare Marianne for the possibility that she might one day live the life she was born to.
Her mother’s insistence that she learn French also made sense. She’d assumed it had been so that she’d have a chance of securing a better position as a governess or maid, but now she realized that her beloved Mama had seen to it that she and her brothers had been educated according to their stations in life.
Marianne had blinked away the tears. If she had to ‘take her rightful place,’ she wanted to do so in a way that would honor the memories of her parents. Despite her education, she hadn’t been raised to be the sister of an earl. How would she ever manage to learn all the complexities involved in being a member of the Beau Monde? The thought made her head spin.
The last thing Marianne wanted was to be introduced to Society. She’d heard enough stories of the snobbery and formality from Lady Wilhelmina to last a lifetime. How would the famously disapproving ton react to an earl’s daughter with little grace, who’d been serving as a lady’s maid? But Marianne had little choice. Marianne Notley was dead, and Lady Marianne Ellsworth was being reborn to take her place. In Society. The thought made her stomach lurch.
Lady Courtney had already told her she’d help sponsor her. Worse, Lady Courtney had also already begun to discuss Marianne’s debut. She was already twenty-three years old. Far too old to be a debutante. The entire notion was insane.
When she wasn’t worrying over her future place in ‘Society,’ Marianne couldn’t stop herself from thinking of Beau. Not an hour went by that she didn’t wonder where he was and what he was doing.
It was as if she’d lost a piece of herself the moment she’d said good-bye to him in that tent in France. It had been the most difficult decision of her life, and it had been difficult to live with every day since.
She missed him. She could admit that to herself. She missed him desperately, and she was not at all certain that she’d done the right thing in leaving him, but at the time it seemed the only choice to save her sanity.
What future had they had together? She’d had no idea that she was about to discover she was the sister of an earl. And now…now it was too late. She could hardly appear on Beau’s doorstep and say, “It turns out my brother is an earl—would you be interested in marrying me?” Besides, Beau had never mentioned marriage. They’d merely had an affair. Why would she think he would want her as a wife, even now? He’d made it clear that his work was the most important thing in his life.
Marianne shook her head to dispel the distressing thoughts that looped endlessly through her mind. She turned back to concentrate on what Lady Courtney had just said. “Two visitors? Who would want to visit me?” she asked her benefactress.
Lady Courtney replied with a kind smile just before the butler appeared at the door to the salon. “Lady Julianna Montgomery and Miss Frances Wharton to see you, Lady Marianne.”
Marianne gulped. She still couldn’t believe that, when someone said, ‘Lady Marianne,’ they were talking to her. And what were Lady Julianna—who she’d heard was the most popular debutante of the last three Seasons—and Miss Wharton doing here?
Miss Wharton no doubt would hate Marianne for her role in turning her father over for justice. But the thought that made her swallow even harder was the fact that these two ladies were betrothed to the Duke of Worthington and Lord Kendall respectively, and those two men were Beau’s closest friends.
“Show them in, please, Tinsdale,” Lady Courtney said for her. Marianne was grateful for the assistance. She’d never been called upon to welcome guests in a sitting room in Mayfair before. She’d scarcely any idea how to handle it.
To keep her hands from shaking, she clasped them together and placed the sweaty pair in her lap. But beneath her pretty light-blue gown, her silver-slippered foot was bouncing up and down on the rug.
Lady Julianna entered first. The tall, gorgeous, blonde was wearing the loveliest gown of celadon green. The color matched her eyes.
Miss Wharton followed behind her. When the brunette smiled, it reached her warm, dark eyes. Miss Wharton was wearing a pink gown and had a small, pink flower tucked behind her ear.
Taking her cue from Lady Courtney, Marianne rose to greet them.
“Lady Marianne,” Lady Julianna said, holding out her hands to grasp Marianne’s in hers. “I’m ever so pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Likewise,” Miss Wharton said.
Marianne managed to mumble something about the pleasure being hers and to thank them for their visit, which earned her an approving nod and encouraging smile from Lady Courtney.
After all four of them had taken their seats, and Lady Courtney had requested tea be served, Marianne watched the younger women with her heart in her throat, waiting for one of them to speak.
“I suppose you’re wondering why we’ve come,” Miss Wharton began, giving Marianne another friendly smile.
Marianne nearly breathed a sigh of relief. Miss Wharton got directly to the point—she appreciated that about her. “Yes. I admit I am.”
“There are two reasons, actually,” Lady Julianna replied. The lady sat with her back ramrod straight, causing Marianne to self-consciously straighten her own back. She feared she’d never be as proper as Lady Julianna, no matter how long she studied under Lady Courtney’s tutelage.
“The first reason is that we wanted to welcome you to Society,” Lady Julianna continued.
“That’s terribly kind of you,” Marianne replied. “But I’d be dishonest if I didn’t tell you I’m not certain I’m ready for Society. In fact, I’m not certain how you two found out where I was staying.”
The two young ladies gave each other knowing looks.
“We do hope you aren’t cross with us,” Lady Julianna replied, “but gossip travels quickly in this town.”
Miss Wharton nodded. “When we discovered that you’d once been a lady’s maid to Lady Courtney, we made some discreet inquiries and learned the truth.”
Lady Courtney sighed. “Leave it to the gossip mills. I told you they’d be buzzing, Marianne.”
Marianne nodded. “Yes, well. I thank you both for your concern. Lady Courtney has been helping to teach me what I need to know…about Society, I mean.”
Miss Wharton gave her a sympathetic smile. “It can be overwhelming, to be certain,” she replied. “But we wanted to tell you that we will both do everything in our power to assist you. Though,” Miss Wharton winced, “as I’m certain you’re aware, as the daughter of a traitor, I’m persona non grata in Society at the moment. While we’re on the subject, I’m terribly sorry for the things my father did, Lady Marianne. I hope you can forgive me for my relation to the man who caused your brother’s death.”
Marianne reached out and sque
ezed Miss Wharton’s hand. “Oh, Miss Wharton. Please don’t think I blame you. You are not your father, after all. I was worried that you’d hate me for having been a party to his arrest.”
“My father must reap what he’s sown,” Frances replied solemnly. “I am only concerned about my mother now.”
“Of course,” Marianne replied, replacing her hand in her lap and giving both ladies an encouraging smile. “I do hope we’ll be friends.”
“Thank you, Lady Marianne,” Miss Wharton replied. “You’re quite kind. Please believe I didn’t know anything about my father’s schemes. Looking back, I do recall Albina asking me to teach her how to write last autumn, but I certainly had no idea what she meant to do with the knowledge. I should have asked more questions.”
“You couldn’t possibly have guessed,” Marianne replied. “And of course I believe that you had no idea what your father was planning. Just like I had no idea my father was an earl, apparently. Fathers can be quite sneaky when they choose to be.”
All four ladies laughed.
“The good news for you, Lady Marianne,” Miss Wharton continued, “is that Lady Julianna here is one of the most highly regarded members of Society and engaged to a duke. With her by your side, you are certain to be readily accepted in Society.”
“I don’t intend to allow Society to shun you either, Frances,” Lady Julianna said to her friend. “And as the fiancée of an earl, you have Kendall’s name, Worthington’s name, and my backing.”
“Mine too,” Lady Courtney offered. “God knows I’ve had a few relatives who’ve done things I couldn’t countenance.”
“Thank you so much, Lady Courtney,” Miss Wharton replied. “I’m also forgetting Lord Bellingham. Lucas tells me he’s offered his support as well.”
At the mention of Beau’s name, Marianne’s back stiffened.
Lady Courtney glanced worriedly at Marianne before turning her attention back to Julianna. “You said there was a second reason you came. What was that?”
The Valet Who Loved Me Page 21