by Tessa Candle
Tilly sighed at the man's obtuseness and tried again. “I believe, in this case, it was the pain or the bleeding that knocked you out. You were walking back from the library with Miss Norwood. When you began to fall, she tried to direct you to the bed, so you would not be further injured.”
“I hardly remember it.”
“I imagine his lordship has a rather fresh recollection, however.” She emphasized her words.
“Was he there? I do not think I saw him.” Rutherford rubbed one eye.
Tilly shook her head. He was lovely to look at, but a bit thick. She hoped it was just the laudanum.
“But he saw you. Mr. Rutherford, as we have now shared so much frankness, I believe I should just tell you directly, that when Miss Norwood tried to assist you back to your bed, she ended up being pinned underneath of you on the bed for several moments, during which time Lord Aldley arrived in your chamber, hoping for a little visit I should imagine.”
Still seeing no spark of understanding, Tilly added with a significant look, “However he left rather abruptly, while she was still trying to get out from underneath of you.”
She looked him in the eye, her brows raised in expectation, hoping to see a glimmer of realization.
Rutherford's mouth dropped open, then shut with a snap. “I see. Oh dear.”
“Yes. Oh dear, indeed. Far be it from me to interfere, but I think it might be helpful with regard to my friend's reputation, and I dare say your own, if you were to explain to his lordship what really transpired.” Tilly smiled sweetly as if to reward the progress of her slightly slow pupil.
“I shall get dressed and go to him immediately.” Rutherford began to sit up. She pushed him back down, gently, causing a stupid smile to spread over his face.
“Don't be silly. It is not such an emergency as all that. And you would be half dead by the time you reached him.”
His smile twisted into a grimace of fresh pain. “Yes, I take your point.”
“Perhaps when you have recovered a bit, you could write him a letter.” She gently brushed a lock of hair off his forehead. “In the meantime, take this and go back to sleep.”
He drank obediently. “I should like not to abandon my current dream.” He smiled and took her hand as she pulled back the empty tumbler from his lips. She slipped her hand out of his grasp, but also smiled. “But you must. Now rest well. I shall be back to check on you very soon.”
“What a sweet promise.”
Chapter 27
Lydia rode as fast as Ari would carry her. He was as eager for a gallop as she was. The trees rushed past in a streak of green and sable, and the wind beat against her face until her breath felt fused to it, and her being merged in one great ocean of movement and colour and rich woody scent. It was an ecstatic trance.
They cut across the back field and jumped the hedge, rejoining the north path and engulfing it rapaciously within Ari's massive stride. It felt good to be back on her favourite mount. But now Lord Aldley owned him.
Would he still leave Ari in her care, now that he had witnessed her squirming about on the bed beneath his best friend? Her face grew hot at the recollection. What he must be thinking? The worst was that she was so powerless in the situation.
She could not merely ride over to Essington Hall and declare to the earl that it was all a great misunderstanding. That would be as good as throwing herself at him, and in any case would probably only make her look more guilty.
And Rutherford was in no condition to travel or even write, so he could not clear things up. All these rules that allowed men to be forthright, and confined women to waiting about for them to do so, were stupid and tremendously inconvenient.
And Lord Aldley was not even yet aware of what really transpired with Mr. Delacroix. But at least in that she was blameless. Even if the earl could not accept the damage it might do to her reputation, he could not think her morality was at fault in that débâcle.
What he might believe—probably believed about her and Mr. Rutherford was so much worse. It was scandalous behaviour for which she would appear wholly responsible. And there was nothing she could do to correct this misapprehension. She had never before had less use for the rules.
It would be a miracle if he did not retract her invitation to the ball. But she had to attend, if only to preserve the false impression there had been no abduction, that nothing were amiss, when in reality almost everything was amiss.
She did not see how Mr. Rutherford would be recovered in time for the ball. She would have the agonizing choice between abandoning him, or missing what might be her last chance with Lord Aldley. Perhaps her last chance with anybody, as they would soon be giving up the London house, whether she married or not.
Only the thing was, she did not want anybody. She wanted Aldley. It was a bit confusing, but the thought of being pinned to the bed under the earl was rather appealing. She was quite sure she would enjoy it, but now he seemed further out of reach than ever.
Lydia urged Ari on and dreamed of the earl.
Chapter 28
Lord Aldley bitterly considered his fate as his hard-soled boots clacked across the flagstones of the shadowy courtyard, through the ivy-clad stone arch of Essington Lodge, and finally carried him into the sunshine and away from Essington's odious company. He gritted his teeth as he climbed into the hired rig.
His brother-in-law was now ensconced in a home he did not deserve, with a wife he did not deserve, probably drinking away the last of an unfathomably robust health, which he also did not deserve, and singing the chorus of yet another raucous drinking song.
The man was an utter embarrassment. He could not have much of a mind left, and yet could still call forth an endless repertoire of vile ditties.
That worthless specimen was reaping the benefits of Aldley's thankless sacrifice in retrieving him from Venice, while Aldley was left to have all the dire consequences of it. Here he was, stuck in a carriage on his way back to London to attend a ball which would probably be painful, when he should be back at Nesterling calling out his best friend, whom he currently could not stand the thought of.
And a good part of his misery was the fault of his own, worthless brother-in-law, whose profligacy and dissipation was the reason that Aldley had not been there, had not been the one to spend time courting Miss Norwood.
Worse still was Essington's behaviour toward her. It was utterly humiliating to have such relatives. What she must be thinking. He had hoped for a chance to apologize more thoroughly to her and her friend for his brother-in-law's conduct, but now that seemed pointless.
He was not only shamed by his relatives, but his own friend had utterly betrayed him. He could easily see it happening, a young woman falling in love with a dashing young man. If her heart needed any encouragement, then surely the time spent watching over him and worrying for his recovery would do the trick.
He was certain that there was more to the story of the attack on Delacroix. It seemed quite probable that Rutherford was acting to protect Miss Norwood, but he wondered how much she knew about it.
Surely she must be ignorant of Delacroix's schemes, for she seemed quite at ease paying call on Lord Delacroix. In fact, very oddly at ease—he might even say inappropriately light of heart.
And even if Rutherford were not such a tempting catch, certainly any romantic thoughts she might have had for Aldley would have disappeared when she was subjected to that foul verbal abuse from his brother-in-law. He should strangle Essington.
And he should stab Rutherford—as soon as he was recovered. The infidel.
Aldley knew he should have seen it coming. Why had he been so foolish as to ask Rutherford to protect her? Hadn't Rutherford practically stated his intention to make an offer for her when they had gone to see Aristophanes?
They were, after all, perfectly suited for one another: both active, horse-loving, hunter sorts. Both loved to read and were too attractive for their own good. Both were a little adverse to the normal rules of decorum.
No, that was unfair. They were neither of them nobility, why should they be overly nice about propriety?
He laughed at himself for the thought, as if the nobility were not the usual culprits when it came to rolling about on beds with paramours. He had thought Miss Norwood's middling class morality would have put her above that sort of amusement, however.
He clenched his jaw. His own friend, doing that, with that lovely, delicious creature. He clenched his fists. Doing that and what else? Had he compromised her? It was nothing he hadn't imagined doing, himself.
Ever since that day watching her ride the great stallion, he had not been able to get the thought of her spreading her legs and sliding astride him...of grabbing that slender waist and pulling her down onto his manhood.... all her flaming hair falling around him as he thrust into her. Yes, he had been overcome with lust. He should be ashamed.
And yet he could blame Rutherford for taking a few more innocent liberties—he hoped they were more innocent—when he himself had spent many an hour dreaming of tearing her clothes off.
But it was the betrayal that irritated him. He did not care in the slightest if Rutherford gave a pretty girl a green dress every day of the week, but it should not be his pretty girl. Aldley had run out of things to clench and so pressed his lips together.
Rutherford had to know what Aldley's feelings were for Miss Norwood. True, he had not explicitly stated them. He had, in fact, more or less denied them, but Rutherford gave every indication of understanding his true interests quite well.
And yet, after the first visit to Nesterling, had his friend not tried to prevent Aldley from staying? Had he not seemed bent on preventing him from creating marital expectations? In fact when he had asked Rutherford to come with him to Venice, hadn't his friend declined, claiming that someone had to stand in Aldley's stead at the ball?
Stand in his stead with Miss Norwood. How could he not have seen it before? How convenient to have the principal competition out of the way, off chasing errant relatives on the continent, while Rutherford stayed comfortably in England and chased after his fiancée.
Well, she might as well be his fiancée, though technically he had not yet asked her. Or asked permission of her father. Or done much more than dance and flirt a bit at a ball.
Though he sincerely wanted to kick the chair out from under his invalid brother-in-law and punch his best friend very hard in the teeth, the person with whom he was most angry was himself. What a great idiot he had been.
There was only one thing to be done about it. He would have to confront Rutherford. He was sorry that it should have to occur under Mr. Norwood's roof, but it had to be done. He reached out and tapped his cane on the driver's bench.
“My Lord?”
“A change in plans. Take me to Nesterling Lodge. We shall proceed on to London from there.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Rutherford was sleeping when Aldley arrived at Nesterling. Miss Ravelsham stood up from the chair by the bed, tucking something into her reticule, as she greeted him in Rutherford's chamber.
“He has not had any laudanum for three hours now, so he will be waking soon.” Miss Ravelsham stretched. “I have just been reading to him.”
“That is very kind of you, Miss Ravelsham.” Aldley forced a smile, but he knew it looked false. “I have been very worried for him.”
That much was true. As much as he had his own murderous fancies regarding his friend, he did fervently wish him to recover. The idea of losing him was unbearable. The idea of losing Miss Norwood to him, equally unbearable.
“As have I. He has been very brave, you know.”
“Has he? Yes, I am not surprised. The man has a lot of nerve.”
“Let us just say that there is more to the story of his injuries than what you have heard. But I shall let him tell you of that when he wakes. I am sure you will have much to talk about.”
There was no trace of emphasis in her voice, but Aldley thought for a moment that the turn of her countenance suggested an added significance to her words. However, he might have imagined it. It was not uncommon for people to expect everyone else's thoughts to be occupied with the same subjects as their own.
When she left, he sat for several moments staring at his friend's pale face. He thought about reading to Rutherford, but saw that Miss Ravelsham had not left the book.
So, instead, he took his friend's hand and said, “You must recover. I cannot bear to see you like this, whatever your recent behaviour toward a certain young lady. You are my dear friend.”
“Aldley.” Rutherford's eyes were still closed, but he smiled. “I am so glad you are here.”
“Are you? I thought perhaps you would prefer not to see me.”
Rutherford laughed dreamily. “Why on earth should I not want to see you?”
“I should not wish to interrupt your enjoyment of certain female company.”
“Ah yes. Where is she? Delightful girl.”
Aldley clenched his teeth. “You can say that to me, so calmly?”
“Sorry, old chap.” His words were slurred. “I took some laudanum not long ago. Calmly is about all I can muster.”
“Miss Ravelsham said that was hours ago.”
“I woke up and took some more while she was out. The pain… You retrieved Essington, then?”
“Yes. The swine is back with Elizabeth. What really happened with Delacroix? Can you tell me?”
“No one has told you?”
“Just that you saved him from an attack by his driver.”
“That is the official story. But in truth, the bastard abducted her.”
“I suspected something of the sort.”
“Only I caught up to him. We fought. The driver accidentally shot Delacroix, then left us both for dead.”
“And yet you are both alive.” Aldley did not sound entirely happy about this.
“Yes, but I think I need to sleep again...”
“What of Miss Norwood?”
“She saved me.”
“You saved her, and she saved you?”
“Yes, fashioned a contraption from branches, and got my horse to pull me behind. Amazing girl. Someone should marry her.”
He resisted the urge to bite his friend’s head off. “And then you somehow met up with the rest of the party, I take it?”
“Yes.” Rutherford's breathing slowed, and his head sank into the pillow.
“You cannot just fall asleep. We have not even addressed the matter of your infamous conduct with the lady in question.”
His friend opened his eyes a little and smiled. “Not so infamous. She is tempting, though. Don't like the idea of someone else marrying her.”
“Is that so?”
“Especially.... someone... so undeserving.”
“What?!”
“Someone who just... leaves her alone with me all the time... too busy gadding about the countryside with the stupid brother.”
“Yes, how foolish.” Aldley was indignant. “You know some people have a sense of familial responsibility.”
“Shouldn't waste herself on such a beef-witted…” Rutherford's head flopped back and he began to drool. Aldley poked him not too gently in his good shoulder, but got no response.
“Sleep well, my faithless friend.”
So that is how things were. Rutherford's senses were somewhat compromised, but his feelings were clear enough.
He thought the jab about gadding about with his brother was rather unfair. Retrieving Essington from Venice was a plan they had devised together, and it was hardly a pleasure trip. What, did Rutherford expect that Aldley would leave his brother-in-law in Dover to find his own way home, and just rush off to pursue Miss Norwood?
No, the man was merely making excuses for his own betrayal. Perhaps Aldley had not acted as quickly as he ought to make his intentions known to Miss Norwood and her father, but he did not deserve to have his own best friend sneak about and take advantage of the situation.
The only thing lef
t to wonder about was how premeditated Rutherford's betrayal was. Was it just that admiration sprang spontaneously from the experience of their saving each other? No, that was the wrong question.
The thing to wonder about was what Miss Norwood's feelings were. It was still an open question, no matter how things looked.
She might not have been a willing party to the encounter. She was alone, caring for him and he was drugged. Rutherford was a bit of a rake. He might have taken liberties. And would Rutherford speak of her marrying another if he were assured of her affections?
It might end in embarrassment, but Aldley knew what he had to do.
“Sorry, old boy.” He lifted a mocking brow at the sleeping form of Rutherford. “I cannot let her marry someone unworthy. You know, not the type of beef-wit who would lay about in bed sleeping and let her spend time with another man. Stupid fellow like that does not deserve her, would not you say?”
Aldley spoke to Mr. Norwood before he left Nesterling.
“I hope you found Mr. Rutherford in good spirits, my lord.” Mr. Norwood was all amiability.
“Yes, though perhaps a bit too relaxed for a proper visit.” Aldley thought Mr. Norwood seemed very pleased to see him, not at all awkward. That was a good sign.
“Ah, indeed. The doctor says the pain should become more tolerable in a few days.”
“However, he did more or less explain to me the nature of what actually transpired with Delacroix.”
“Yes. I suppose he would.” Mr. Norwood's brow darkened. “You must know that nothing happened—that is to say—”
“Please, Mr. Norwood, do not distress yourself. I am only glad that Rutherford managed to rescue her.” Aldley's clenched jaw belied the veracity of the statement. Aldley should have been the one to rescue Miss Norwood.
“Yes, indeed, my lord. Only, I must beg your lordship to keep this all in confidence for the sake of my daughter's reputation. She was completely blameless. If only I had warned her. I never told her about the letter, you see. I thought that there was no point in embarrassing her, if I could just keep her safely guarded. But who could have known she would be unsafe while attended by friends and servants in Hyde Park in the middle of the afternoon? I know not what the world is coming to.”