by Jenna Jaxon
“Sir.” Kinellan moved a scant inch in a bow.
“My lord.” Hugh’s nod was as brief.
“Lady Kersey, I will tell you frankly that I am here to escort your cousin to Castle Kinellan, without any further ado. If your”—he gestured to her and Hugh—“assignations are always so much in the public eye, I daresay we may have to insist on a wedding to save your reputation, my lady.”
“That is out of the question, my lord.” Pulling himself up to his full height, which made him eye to eye with Lord Kinellan, Hugh stuck out his chin, as if daring the man to draw his cork. “Much as I would wish to marry the lady, I must decline if I am to save her reputation.”
The truculent look on Kinellan’s face softened, replaced by curiosity. “An interesting argument to proffer when trying to keep a lady from ruin. Can you explain further, Granger?”
Hugh exchanged a look with Maria. “I’m afraid not at this time, my lord. Suffice it to say that I would make an offer to the lady if my prospects were not currently in a hobble. When I am able to tell you more, my lord, I will. The lady knows all the particulars, but has sworn herself to secrecy.”
“Even more intriguing, Granger. I can perhaps see why the lady finds you amusing. But that still does little to forward my cause, which is to take Lady John back to Scotland with me. She will, undoubtedly, refuse to go, citing her cousin’s circumstances as the reason.” Kinellan’s frown went straight down his nose. “In which case I will propose that Lady Kersey pack her bags and accompany her cousin to my estate.” He beamed at them, convinced he had hit upon the perfect plan. “There is nothing to keep Lady Kersey here.” A glare at Hugh kept both of them quiet—for the moment. “She and her cousin will have a fine time celebrating the holidays in Scotland. You have never done so, have you, my lady?”
Stunned by this sudden reordering of her life—without so much as a by-your-leave—Maria had had enough. “No, my lord, I have not done so, and I am afraid I will not remedy that situation this year either. My traveling to Scotland is out of the question.”
“Indeed.” Lord Kinellan fished in his jacket pocket and produced a quizzing glass, which he applied to his eye and scrutinized Maria. “You stand up for yourself. Not something one usually sees in one so young. They are most often happy to be told what to do.” Nodding, he dropped the quizzer back inside his coat. “Even though it may prove inconvenient for me, I find myself approving of you, my dear.” He glared at Hugh. “Which makes your good behavior toward the lady even more paramount.”
The tapping of running feet down the corridor alerted Maria that Jane was approaching. Now perhaps she would put Lord Kinellan and his high-handed ways in their place.
“Kinellan? Is it really you?” The door swung open and Jane rushed in, then stopped so abruptly at the sight of Maria and Hugh that she stumbled on the carpet. Maria grabbed her to keep her from plowing headlong into his lordship.
“Maria! Mr. Granger. What are you—” Her gaze pivoted to the distinguished gentleman who had turned toward her voice and now regarded her with hungry eyes. “Kinellan.”
The husky desire in Jane’s voice told its own tale to Maria.
Jane and Lord Kinellan moved as one toward one another, with an intensity that was striking to witness. Kinellan caught her in his arms and was lowering his head when Jane stopped him, her face turning bright red. “Kinellan. We are not alone.”
“It has been almost a year since I saw you, Jane. I don’t give a damn who is in this room.” He sank his mouth onto hers and her protests ceased.
Maria moved closer to Hugh and as if in accord, they turned away, but not before Jane wrapped her arms around Lord Kinellan’s neck and pulled him even closer to her.
Much as Jane might insist she had no deep affection for Lord Kinellan, her reactions in the past few moments told another tale.
“Should we leave?” Hugh whispered in her ear, tickling it with his warm breath.
“If I thought we could get away with it and they wouldn’t find us, I would say yes. However—”
“Maria, Mr. Granger.” Rather breathless, Jane’s voice nevertheless called them back. They turned to find Jane standing beside Kinellan, his gaze still on her with an avid gleam. “I beg your pardon for that most inappropriate”—frowning, she glanced up at Kinellan, who grinned back at her—“display. But as Lord Kinellan said, we have been long absent from one another due to various circumstances.” Here she glared at Maria.
Well, that was Jane’s decision. Maria raised her chin, refusing to be made guilty for a choice that had been Jane’s alone. “And now those circumstances no longer seem to exist, my dear. I am settled here at Kersey Hall, under the protection of the earl and countess. You should feel free to pursue your own, um, pleasures.”
“And leave you alone to do the same, I assume, Lady Kersey?” Kinellan raised his eyebrows, as if daring her to say more.
Jane cocked her head at Lord Kinellan, then swiftly brought her gaze to bear on Maria. “To what does he refer, my dear?” She shot a severe look at Hugh. “Why are you and Mr. Granger here? Saunders said only that Lord Kinellan waited for me.”
Maria opened her mouth, not at all sure what was going to come out of it this time.
“I was shown into this receiving room to discover Lady Kersey and Mr. Granger locked in a sensuous, and very heated embrace.” Lord Kinellan apparently did not mince words.
“Maria! Mr. Granger.” The shock in Jane’s voice was actually comical. Had she truly thought Maria would not act on her feelings just because Jane disapproved?
“I must beg your pardon, Lady John.” The perturbed look on Hugh’s face wasn’t as severe as his anger at Lord Wetherby had been; however, the grim set to his jaw told her he was deeply displeased with Kinellan. “His lordship surprised us during a private moment, for which I have also begged his forgiveness. As you yourself understand, it is rather uncomfortable to be subjected to witnessing such intimacies between two people.”
Smothering a smile, Maria took his hand and squeezed it.
“I do not, however, apologize for the sentiments I had just expressed to Lady Kersey regarding our future lives together. We had just agreed to marry—”
Hugh might as well have set off an explosion. Everyone began talking at once, except Maria, whose anger grew with each passing word.
“Mr. Granger, you have no right to ingratiate yourself with my cousin by making a proposal of any nature.”
“Granger, you and I will talk about this ill-conceived plan, this instant, sir.”
“My lord, I am sorry, but I need not speak to you, nor ask your permission for anything.” Hugh looked from one to the other. “Nor you, my lady, although you are Lady Kersey’s kinswoman.”
“I am considering the welfare of my cousin, Mr. Granger.” Jane had stepped forward, bringing her considerable poise and stature to bear. “I have sworn to keep her from making a third disastrous marriage.”
“And you believe if she marries me she will come to regret it?” A tightness came into Hugh’s voice.
“I am not prepared to make that exact pronouncement, Mr. Granger, although I believe your circumstances may be uncertain at the moment.”
“The lady is well aware of my circumstances, my lady. She has deemed them insignificant enough to have formally declared her affection for me.” He returned his gaze briefly to Maria, giving her a gentle smile before continuing. “I will tell you, however, that we are not formally betrothed, although we have both expressed the wish to marry. The circumstances surrounding my brother’s condition are, as you say, uncertain. Therefore, we have agreed to a waiting period in order for Maria to finish her mourning and for my brother’s inevitable end. After that, we will know our path more clearly.”
Silence followed Hugh’s pronouncement as Jane and Kinellan looked warily at one another.
“That actually sounds like a fair plan, my dear.” Nodding, Kinellan crossed his arms.
“But will they adhere to it?” Jane shoo
k her head, avoiding Maria’s eyes. “You interrupted an amorous tryst not half an hour ago. When I leave, what is to stop other, more sensual assignations?”
“You will have our word, Lady John.” That tension was back in Hugh’s jaw, but he remained civil in his address, thank goodness. Maria hated to think what Kinellan would do were Hugh or anyone else to disparage her cousin. “The word of a gentleman and a lady.”
“I am sorry, Mr. Granger, and I do not disparage your honor when I say I know my cousin, and while you may be able to hold steadfast to your convictions, I fear Maria will be inclined to give in to temptation once I am gone and she is left to herself.”
Her cousin’s distrust of Maria’s ability to resist Hugh’s advances hurt deeply, although she had to admit there might be more than a grain of truth to the statement. If she and Hugh ever found themselves alone, she would likely be the one who wished to throw caution in the air and indulge in intimacies best left to those duly married.
Perhaps intuiting Maria’s reluctance, Kinellan spoke up. “I suggested Maria accompany us to Castle Kinellan for the holidays. She could return in the spring when her mourning period is completed and they could judge then whether or not their affection is deep and true or merely a convenience based on proximity.” His gaze took in Jane and the hunger returned to them. “We have not seen one another for some ten months and yet our affection is as strong as it was the last time we met.” He turned his gaze to Maria and his eyes were filled with compassion. “If you and Mr. Granger can manage thus for the next several months, I would wager you will go on well together into eternity.”
The chatter broke out once again, louder than before.
“There are other things to be considered, Kinellan.”
“Your point is taken, Lord Kinellan, however—”
“Does no one wish to hear what I have to say?” Maria raised her voice until the others quieted. She looked around the small circle, Jane and Kinellan looking daggers at Hugh, who had turned apologetic eyes to her.
“Go on, my dear.” He squeezed.
“No one in this room has the right to tell me what I can and cannot do.” Staring down Jane, who had opened her mouth but closed it before speaking, Maria released Hugh’s hand and stalked over to her cousin. “But I will tell you that I will not be journeying to Scotland with you and Lord Kinellan.”
“But my dear, I believe you should.”
“What?” She whirled around to face Hugh, standing patiently with a rueful smile on his face. “You wish me to go?”
“No, my love, I do not want you anywhere but with me.” He came forward and took her hands. “But I believe your cousin is right. If we are together here on the Kersey estate, the temptation for us to meet clandestinely will be great. I am strong of will”—he tipped her chin up so she must look squarely into his eyes—“but I am no saint. No matter our resolve, I fear we will break our word. Then not only will your reputation be in jeopardy, but we may have to marry when we should not.” He raised her hand for a kiss. “Trust me, my love. All will be well in just a little while.”
Tears threatened, but Maria willed them back. Even though Hugh’s argument made sense, she wanted to be with him, be close to him, see him whenever she cared to. And that desire was exactly what she could not do. It had been the same with Alan when she had stayed with Jane at Lord Sinclaire’s. She and he had been together constantly, which had led to more intimate encounters, which had subsequently led to her pregnancy and marriage. This marriage must be different if they were to have a chance of happiness.
“Very well. I shall go to Scotland with you, Jane.” She looked only at Hugh. “But the very moment you know something about your brother and the estate, you must let me know. I will be in the next coach leaving.” She glared at Kinellan. “Even if I have to drive it myself.”
“I promise you shall know of the determination the moment I do.” Hugh’s dear face was hopeful, though sadness lurked deep in his eyes.
Quickly she reached up to him, gave him another swift kiss that lingered on her lips, then fled the room. She would be dutiful and go because Hugh wished it, but in her heart she feared it a mistake. Too many things could happen to conspire to keep them apart. Together they could make a stand. Divided they would be more likely to fail. Lord, please let her be wrong.
* * *
The moment Maria hurried from the room, the tension seemed to drain from Lady John’s entire body. “Thank you, Mr. Granger. I am afraid my cousin would have put up a more strenuous fight had you not intervened.”
“Do not thank me, Lady John.” He hadn’t intended the harsh tone, but if it gave the woman pause, so much the better. “I would not have advised Maria to leave had I not believed it the best thing for her to do.” He nodded at Lord Kinellan. “His lordship, however, made a good point about removing Maria from a situation that might pose a risk to her reputation.” He paused, went to the door and closed it before speaking again. “I agree that she should leave Kersey Hall at least for a time. Not necessarily to remove her from my sphere, but from Lord Wetherby’s.”
“Who the devil is Lord Wetherby?” Kinellan barked and Lady John put a restraining hand on his arm.
“Lord Kersey’s heir.” The lady gave him a knowing look. “There was an incident this morning that has apparently alarmed Mr. Granger.”
“It should alarm you as well, my lady. Your cousin finally confessed to me that the ‘bird’ attack was a fiction she told in order to mask Lord Wetherby’s true intent, which was to ravish her.”
“Dear lord.” Clutching her throat, Lady John stared at him helplessly. “Why did Maria not tell me?”
“Perhaps she didn’t think you would believe her. Luckily, she was able to thwart his intent, wounding him sufficiently to ward off the attack. However”—Hugh stepped closer to them—“I do not believe it will be the last one. Wetherby has been rebuffed once. With some gentlemen of his character, that kind of behavior only encourages them until they succeed. I therefore believe Scotland will be the safest place for her until we can marry. Although if circumstances go against me, then I do not know what the best course for Maria will be. I will gladly give her and her child the protection of my name and champion them in any way necessary.” He shook his head. “But if I cannot provide a decent home or living for her and the child, then I cannot take them from a life that offers such things.”
“Thank you, Mr. Granger.” The words were heartfelt, for the lady now looked at him with more respect than previously. Perhaps she understood at last how deep his devotion to her cousin ran. “We will discuss our departure and make certain you are able to say goodbye to Maria before we leave. I suspect Lord Kinellan will wish to wait a day or two before attempting the return journey.”
“A day or two only if we don’t wish to be bogged down in snow throughout most of the journey.” Kinellan sounded gruff, but his manner toward Hugh had also undergone a subtle change.
While they had been talking, darkness had fallen. “I must go see to my sister. She will be worried if I do not appear for dinner.” Hugh bowed. “My lady, my lord.”
With no further ado, Hugh opened the door and headed down the corridor. The situation, while not perfect by any means, was a great deal better than when he had entered the receiving room. He and Maria were at least pledged to one another, tenuous though that declaration might be. He’d write to Littles this evening to see if there was any change at all with Kit.
In the last letter the butler had sent, he’d written that the doctor himself was amazed at the tenacity Kit showed in clinging to life. Although his usually robust brother had wasted away to skin and bones during the last two months, he had not yet decided to give up the ghost. A blessing and a curse, but one that was ultimately in God’s hands.
Hugh strode out the front door, a lantern in his hand to light his way to Wingate. “Come on, Kit.” He spoke under his breath, almost as a prayer to whoever would listen. “Come back to the living. I want you to meet the woman
I’m going to marry and give us your blessing.” In the best of all possible worlds, that was how it should be. Otherwise, he might lose her entirely.
Chapter Eighteen
Monday morning dawned clear and cold, with no hint of snow in the air. A perfect day for a last outing with Maria.
The decorating of Kersey Hall had begun after breakfast and he’d walked his sister there to help with the festivities. However, having to stand about within arm’s length of Lord Wetherby and not plant him a facer would have been harder than riding bareback with a burr under his backside. Instead, he’d decided to spirit Maria away for some time alone before she left tomorrow. He’d been thinking all yesterday what he and Maria could do so that she would have good memories of their last day together. And with the weather cooperating, it was a perfect day, in Hugh’s estimation, for ice-skating.
He’d just sent Bella inside the Hall and handed a note to Saunders to give to Maria. He’d already told the grooms to have their horses saddled so they could ride out to the pond near the dowager’s house. It should be frozen solid after the last cold snap, making it excellent for his purpose. The skates were stored in the tack room in the stable—Bella had visited him last year and they had had such a grand time skating, he’d decided to keep the skates handy for the next winter’s use.
The groom had just brought their horses—Galahad, and Lily, a chestnut mare—when Maria came through the front door. Beautiful as always, today she looked even more brilliant in a light gray riding habit that caught the morning sun, making her seem to glow. God, but he would miss her.
Determined not to succumb to melancholy on this of all days, he smiled broadly and came toward her. “Good morning, my lady.” First names were for use only in private, but they would be private soon. “I thought you might like a special outing this morning.”