Already His (The Caversham Chronicles - Book Two)

by Sandy Raven

  Upon reentering the ballroom, Elise accepted the first dance she was invited to join. Perhaps she had been a tad naive, now that she thought about it. Edgcumbe’s interest wasn’t really in the roses her grandmother grew, he’d wanted to get her alone so he could profess feelings for her. The whelp barely knew her. Never had she given him reason to think she felt anything other than amity for him.

  She smiled and thanked her partner and returned to the relative safety of her sister-in-law’s side. Ren and Michael, she was sure, were in the card room, likely raking in as much coin as their opponents cared to risk.

  A familiar voice came from behind her, so low it almost whispered, and so close she felt the warmth of his breath on her neck. Her body trembled and her heart stopped as she recognized his scent, his presence behind her. “Dance with me, Elise.” At one time this was her fantasy. This would have been her dream come true. But tonight it took everything in her to try to ignore him. She had to remember this was the same man who had kissed her just last week, then cavalierly said there could be no future for them because he would honor a promise to her brother over a chance at love. She straightened, glanced to Lia to make sure she was still conversing with the matron to her left, then turned her head and shot him a glare. “You know you want to,” he said with a devilish grin.

  “You’re in mourning, remember. Besides, you have no idea what I want Michael. If I had my way, I’d strangle you myself then hang you from the highest tower.”

  “You wound me, my lady. May I ask why you wish me so... dead?”

  “Your actions will surely get me banished from town by my brother. Now go away!”

  “He can’t send you anywhere I can’t retrieve you.” He leaned in close and took her hand, the simple act causing her insides to tremble. “Come with me Elise. Now.”

  “Why are you doing this?” she hissed.

  “I’m not quite sure why,” he said honestly.

  “Well, until you know, leave me be.” She took two steps away from him.

  Instead of doing what she’d asked, he caught her elbow and led her behind the orchestra’s screened backdrop, and through a hidden door which opened into the servants workstation. He continued through the connecting narrow hallway, until they emerged in the library. The door closing behind them just in time, as Elise heard two footmen pass by chatting as they carried trays of beverages.

  “Michael,” she protested. He ignored her, still pulling her along behind him. His actions tonight were truly going to cause her banishment. He knew Elise wouldn’t put up a fight. Not because of any fear of what her brother might do, but because this was Beverly’s night, and Beverly didn’t deserve such behavior from her.

  They went through the library doors onto the family’s private terrace, around the corner from where she’d just been minutes ago with young Edgecumbe, well beyond the flaming torches lighting the main terrace outside the ballroom. There he pulled her into his embrace and led her in the remainder of a waltz Elise recognized. It was one of the shorter waltzes, but that didn’t matter. If her presence was missed in the ballroom, it would bring gossip down onto her. Damn him.

  “Do you want to ruin me?” she demanded.

  He gave her a wicked smile, one barely visible in the minimal light spilling out from the house. “Not in the way you think.” He twirled her around and brought her back into hold. “Will you come to my mother’s birthday celebration?” he asked as he moved them gracefully around the table and chairs.

  “I haven’t decided,” she replied, curious to see if he really wanted her at his home, or if he was playing the gracious host. Not that she didn’t believe her sister-in-law and grandmother, but Michael did have a recent history of uncertainty when it came to his desires. “I am exhausted because of this hectic schedule we’ve kept, and I thought to perhaps go home for the week to rest.” She scrunched up her nose as they danced. “I have a lingering sniffle still.” She hoped God would forgive her the tiny lie.

  “You can rest at Woodhenge. I assure you it’s large enough to find solitude wherever you wish.”

  “No,” she repeated, refusing to look at him.

  “Then who will give mother her kittens?”

  “You can, they are your gift to her.”

  “No. The kittens are your gift. My gift to my mother is something else altogether.”

  “Oh?” She lifted a brow, curious as to what he’d found to purchase for his mother. “What did you get her?”

  “I remembered something you said the other day, about the most perfect gifts not necessarily being something you buy, but one that comes from the heart.” He whirled her around. “And that is all I will say on the subject. If you wish to know what I’m giving my mother, you’ll have to attend her party.”

  Elise pretended to struggle with indecision. She was going, even though she knew time with him in such a close confine would make her fall even more helplessly under this spell he was weaving. The entire week her brother would be watching her closely, and if he so much as thought she was annoying Michael, he’d make good his threat to send her to Scotland.

  Elise turned a smile up to him and said, “I’ll come. But only if I have your word that you’ll do nothing that will get me banished.”

  “You have my word,” he said with all sincerity.

  “For some reason I’m having difficulty believing you,” she muttered as she looked up at him, never missing a step.

  He chuckled, and the deep sound resonated within her. “I see I must prove myself to you.”

  He turned her with a great flourish as the last faint strains from the orchestra were coming to a close. “We’ll see about that,” she snipped. Stepping away from his hold she said, “Tomorrow I must ride in Regent’s Park at three o’clock to meet with the children, as it has been one week. Would you care to come to see that I am right about them not showing up?”

  “I believe I shall.”

  Michael bowed to her in the solitude of the private terrace, then took her hand and led her back to her grandmother and Lia’s side.

  “Your Grace,” Elise said, when she saw a lapse in her conversation with the matron, “Would you happen to know where my brother is?”

  Lia leaned forward to say for Elise and Michael’s benefit alone, “In his office. I believe he said he needed to find something at the bottom of a bottle of whiskey.”

  Her grandmother hooted with laughter, and behind her Michael coughed, catching Ren’s humor. People around them began to turn their heads and look toward their party. “Perhaps I’ll go help him find what he’s looking for.” He bowed to both ladies and nodded to her before leaving to find her brother.

  Early the next morning, Elise went to Beverly’s room to talk with her before she left for her father’s home. Hearing voices and movement within, Elise knocked once, the door opened from within and she ran straight into her friend.

  “I was just coming to look for you,” Beverly said, retreating back into her bedroom. “I thought you might still be asleep.”

  “How can I sleep knowing you’re moving out today?”

  “As I’ve said before, I’ll only be a short drive away.”

  “Right. Well, did you have a good debut, my lady?”

  Beverly hugged her tight. “Yes! It was an amazing night. And before I forget, Caroline Randolph has more than fluff between her ears. She’s amazing with numbers, statistics, probability, and such. And that’s what she and the Captain have in common. Did you know she’s the reason her family is solvent today. She took over her father’s investments when he proved unable to turn a coin. She met Wilson when she needed a man to make her trades on the ’change. It’s really quite a romantic story. I think you would like her.”

  “Well, then I misjudged her,” Elise said truthfully, “and for that I’m sorry.” She plopped in a rather unladylike manner onto the chaise before the hearth. “I saw Lord Huddleston paying particular attention to you.” Elise looked at Beverly with hopeful anticipation for her friend, fo
r Huddleston was considered to be an excellent catch. “Was it welcomed attention on your part? Did your father like him? Do you have plans to see him again?”

  “Yes, yes, and yes! He really is a dear, and is sincere in his affection for me.” Beverly took Elise’s hands in hers. “He’s asked my father if he might court me, with the inevitable outcome being marriage, of course. Father said yes, but only after discussing Huddleston with your brother.”

  A smiling Elise wrapped her arms around her friend and nearly began to cry. “I’m so happy for you Beverly. Really I am. My brother said Huddleston loves the hunt as much as we do. That and the fact that he’s horribly rich, very handsome, and titled makes him a perfect match.”

  “I hear the household is preparing to away for Woodhenge. Are you going as well?” Beverly asked as she carried a stack of kerchiefs to her trunk.

  “Yes, though it is only because I’ve been bested. Michael will not tell me what his gift is to his mother. He says the kittens are my gift to her, and that he’s gotten his mother something else, and he chose this gift by taking my advice. Now he has me extremely curious.”

  “May I confide my observations of last night?” Beverly asked.

  “Of course! When have you ever had to ask permission?”

  “Well, you’ve got him on your hook, Elise. He couldn’t take his eyes off you the entire night. He’s smitten I say. Now all you have to do is be yourself and you’ll have him eating oats from your hand.”

  “What makes you think that?” Elise very much wanted Beverly to be right in her assessment.

  “I saw him come in from the terrace right behind you. I assumed....”

  “You’re mistaken. I wasn’t with him. Edgcumbe wanted to see grandmother’s roses.” At Beverly’s look of skepticism, she quickly justified herself. “I really did think he was interested in the garden.” Realization dawned on her with flaming embarrassment. “Oh, goodness... then he heard....”

  “Heard what?” Beverly asked.

  “Michael must have heard Edgcumbe propose marriage.”

  “What?” The shock and disbelief on Beverly’s face almost caused Elise to break into laughter. “You’re joking!”

  “That’s what I told Edgcumbe,” Elise said somberly. “Only I didn’t know Michael was nearby. He must have heard the entire exchange.”

  “Oh, I’m willing to bet he did. This is perfect! Elise, don’t you see, Plan B has landed the fish.”

  “I don’t see how you come to that conclusion, but I do plan on enjoying myself at his estate. Supposedly the previous earl had an excellent stable.”

  “As soon as you return to Town, I want to hear all the details because I think there is a great deal more to this. He’s luring you to his estate for a reason, Elise. Think about it, his mother and sisters will all be visiting while you are there. Lord Camden has something planned. I’m sure of it.”

  “No,” she replied. “He’s been a good friend to my brother since their childhood. We’re just going out to celebrate his mother’s birthday.” Elise could only dare to dream that he might consider her as a bride, but she didn’t hold out hope. He’d already said there could be no future for them. Then again, last night his behavior was wickedly seductive, asking her to dance the way he did, sent shivers racing through her body. And this was after he’d overheard Edgecumbe’s proposal.

  Perhaps Beverly was right. The idea held some merit. One usually wanted what one could not have. Elise just had to make herself less available to him.

  They spoke more about the previous night’s ball, and soon it was time for Beverly to leave. After she gave her thanks once again to her host and hostess for their patronage, she bid a tearful goodbye and climbed into her father’s carriage and left for Mayfair.

  Elise checked the time and ran to her room to change for her ride with Sinclair today. She’d told him she would meet him at ten, and it was nearly that now. She called for a groom and a quiet gelding, not knowing what she might find with Sinclair’s horses, and her geldings were preferable to have in a training situation than the unfinished mare she’d been working with.

  She found Sinclair resting his team in a shady spot near the Serpentine. That in itself told her he at least cared for their comfort. When she approached, the horses didn’t appear to be breathing as hard as the last time she saw them.

  “Good morning, Mister Sinclair,” she greeted as she rode up to his phaeton.

  “Good day to you Lady Elise,” Sinclair replied, and tipped his hat in her direction. His team began to come alive as she rode up, expecting to work again.

  “You have a nice-looking team there, can you tell me what you know about them and if you don’t mind, I’d like to drive them. While I do, you can either wait here or ride my groom’s horse.” She smiled and motioned back to her groom who rested, mounted on his horse, some twenty feet away. “So, tell me what issues you are having and I will see if I can help.”

  After a few minutes of discussion, Elise took the reins of Sinclair’s team as he held her horse and waited. She drove his phaeton twice around the track and realized the problems were caused by a lack of familiarity, being that the team were a recent purchase.

  Elise pulled up to where Sinclair stood and drew the team to a stop. She handed the reins to her groom as she pulled the brake and climbed down unassisted. She turned to Mr. Sinclair with a smile. “Your new pair are a nice match. One has more training than the other. Given time, they should do just fine for you. Your veteran horse on the right is very steady and forgiving, not flustered by distractions and whatnot, and the younger horse on the left looks to his partner for reassurance. That’s good. Your gelding on the left is softer in the mouth than your veteran on the right, which also makes a good placement in the hitch as most people are heavier-handed on the right.”

  “I am left-handed, my lady,” Sinclair said.

  “I hadn’t noticed, sir.” Elise thought about it a moment, then continued, “Then try switching their position in the hitch to see if that helps. You could unintentionally be heavier in the younger horse’s mouth. If you’re constantly preventing him from doing what you’re asking by holding him back, then telling him he’s misbehaved for not doing it, then who is at fault?”

  “You could be right. I hadn’t considered something as simple as left-right positioning.”

  “I’m not sure that is the only problem you’re having, but start with that, and after I return from the country, we will chat again. Sometimes a tiny change can make a world of difference for both the horse and driver.” He nodded, telling her he understood. She added, “relax and loosen your hold on your reins a bit. If you hold it tight, then the horse will think there is something to be frightened of and work themselves into a nervous lather. That is why you had to exercise them so hard—to wear them into quiet submission.”

  “Ho, there, Lady Elise! How jolly good to see you again.” Elise turned to see a young man she’d just recently met, Mr. Carroll, riding up on a big black hunter that was nicely balanced and muscled. Not unlike his owner, she thought.

  “Why Mr. Carroll, how are you,” she said as he neared. “I was just helping my friend, Lord Sinclair with his team. He’s just recently purchased them and was having a little difficulty with the younger of the two.” She took the reins of her horse as Sinclair went around to take the reins of his team from her groom.

  Elise made the introductions, and the two men gave a polite, if terse nod of the head in greeting. She mounted her horse with her groom’s assistance, and arranged her skirt before taking the reins from the groom.

  “I’d heard you were a fair hand with a horse,” Mr. Carroll said. “It’s rare to find a woman with such knowledge.”

  “Yes, well, I’ve loved animals since I was a child,” she said.

  “Lady Elise, I shall be on my way,” Sinclair said.

  “Think about what I have said, and if you’d like we can meet after I return from the country.”

  Sinclair nodded. “I will do
as you say, my lady, thank you.” Sinclair climbed into his phaeton and gathered his reins. “I look forward to our next encounter.” His eyes slid over to Carroll’s then back to her. “To follow up on the team’s training of course.”

  Elise smiled at Sinclair who’s team was already in motion. “You are welcome, sir. You can tell me of your progress then.”

  Sinclair tipped his hat toward her. “Good day, my lady,” he said, then cued his team to a smooth trot.

  Mr. Carroll looked at her through an apologetic grin, and said, “I hope he didn’t leave on my account.”

  “Lord Sinclair is very polite and shy. Not the outgoing sort.” Elise mounted her horse with her groom’s assistance, and once settled in her saddle. “It must have taken a great amount of courage to ask a lady for help, and so I was happy to oblige him.”

  Mr. Carroll nodded as he watched Sinclair’s phaeton round a bend in the track. “Well, Lady Elise, I’ll not keep you.” He looked over to her groom and nodded. “Good day, my lady. I hope we shall see each other soon.”

  “Good day to you too, Mr. Carroll,” she said, then cued her horse for home. She had just enough time to have luncheon before she was to meet Michael for her second ride of the day.

  She and Michael had gone through the entire Regent Park twice looking for the children, and after not finding them, Elise said, “You see? It is as I thought. They are not here.” She gave him a smile and tapped her mare with her stick and cantered off.

  Michael caught up with her and slowed them down. “You will make a fine mother one day Elise. I meant to tell you as much after seeing you with those children last week.”

  She wanted to tell him, I don’t want children if I can’t have yours, but knew it would be too shockingly forward, even if it was the truth. Instead she said, “Thank you, Michael. I do hope to be blessed with many children one day.”

  They walked their horses side by side, not speaking but enjoying the quiet companionship until they reached Caversham House.