Capturing the Earl

by A. S. Fenichel

  Standing in front of the mirror, she brushed out her forest green gown and let her image fade as her sight glazed over. Jane, the maid Mercy shared with Aurora during their travels, had braided and curled her soft strawberry blond hair, leaving several curls to hang around her neck. Mercy toyed with one curl and willed her emotions into submission.

  The door opened. Aunt Phyllis stared a long moment. “You look lovely, my dear, but perhaps a smile to complete the fine look.”

  Mercy put a demure grin in place. It didn’t denote any kind of happiness, but she had learned early in life that no one cared if she was happy as long as she didn’t look unhappy. “Are we ready to go, Aunt?”

  For the briefest moment, Phyllis frowned before putting her own contented expression into place. “The others are waiting below. We are to walk as the assembly room is just down the street.”

  With a nod, Mercy picked up her reticule and followed her aunt downstairs.

  Aurora and Wesley stood near the door whispering together while Lady Marsden preened like a cat with a large bowl of milk. When she saw Mercy, she smirked as if the prize were at Mercy’s expense.

  Aunt Phyllis’s expression remained neutral as she passed her ladyship without a glance. “Are we ready?”

  Raising an eyebrow without taking her gaze from Mercy, Lady Marsden said, “Everything is exactly as it should be.”

  In the yard, Aurora took Wesley’s offered arm. When he offered Mercy his other, Mercy only gave a quick curtsy and rushed ahead. Wishing the walk was longer did no good as they arrived at the assembly room in just five minutes.

  The crowded hall with lively music stilled as they stepped inside. Mercy had hoped to lose herself in the crowd but it seemed she had to be gawked at by the masses first.

  For a small town the hall was quite large, with a dance floor taking up the bulk of the main room. Chairs were placed in three rows on two sides and large round pillars held up the high ceiling. Beyond the dancing the room was dimly lit and it seemed refreshments were available in a small room to the left.

  At least a dozen couples stood watching from the dance floor, with three times that many milling about the assembly room.

  A moment later, the reel continued and a thin man with balding head, warm smile, and a quizzing glass approached. “Welcome to our assembly. You must be the Earl of Castlewick.” He offered his hand to Wesley. “We heard you were in the area. I’m so pleased you’ve joined us this evening. I am Sir William Butler. I serve as the magistrate here in Plumbly.”

  “We’re happy to attend the festivities, Sir William.” Wesley grinned. “May I introduce my friends. This is the Dowager Countess of Radcliff, the Dowager Countess of Marsden, Lady Phyllis Mattock, and her niece, Miss Heath.”

  “Excellent to meet you all. I’m sure the ladies will find many distractions with the dancing. I’m happy to make introductions when needed, though we are not so formal here in the country.”

  “Thank you, Sir William. We shall manage.” Wesley bowed.

  Sir William grinned and bid them enter.

  Taking the cue, Mercy rushed off to the left. She hoped to hide herself behind some chairs, where she might observe from the shadows and not be bothered by too many strangers.

  “It’s not like you to be shy, Mercy.” Aurora was only a few steps behind her.

  Mercy sat in the last row of chairs at the far end where the candelabras and chandeliers barely reached. “I’m not in the mood to meet new people.”

  Aurora sat and smoothed her ruby gown. “I thought you liked places where no one knows you and no one cares about status or family worth.”

  “I do.” Mercy sighed. “Did you like the manor house?”

  With a shrug, Aurora smiled. “I liked your idea of a school. I further liked how perfectly vexed the idea made Mother.”

  Laughing, Mercy nodded. “I thought the place extraordinary. Think of the things we might teach. Shall it be an all-girls school for music and study or shall we make a scandal and mix boys and girls?”

  “Lord, wouldn’t that turn Mother inside out?” Aurora flipped open her fan to hide her amusement from the crowd watching them.

  Wesley approached. “Lady Radcliff, might I have this dance?”

  Eyebrows raised, Aurora stood. “A pleasure, my lord.”

  It was all as it ought to be. Mercy watched as they took to the floor. Despite her own wishes, Aurora and Wesley looked very fine together. If he could make her dearest friend happy, Mercy would never fault him for marrying Aurora or for breaking his promise.

  Lost in her thoughts she was surprised when a young man cleared his throat to gain her attention. “I am Jonathan Underhill, Miss. I realize we haven’t been introduced, but things are less formal here in Plumbly than you’re probably used to in London. I hope you don’t mind my forwardness.”

  Mercy stood. “Mercedes Heath. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  Mr. Underhill was extremely tall and as it was rare to have someone tower over Mercy, she smiled. “You find me amusing, Miss Heath. Of course, you do. I am not so grand as his lordship, to be sure.”

  “You mistake me, sir. It is only that being a tall woman, it is quite nice to look up at anyone. Forgive me if I made you uncomfortable.”

  His blue eyes and tanned skin were not that of a gentleman but of someone who worked out of doors. His smile was warm and his embarrassment endearing. “Perhaps we might dance and all misunderstanding will be forgiven, Miss Heath.” He offered his arm.

  “I would be pleased to dance with you, Mr. Underhill.” Taking his arm, she let him lead her to the dance floor and they joined a lively country dance where there was little time to talk.

  After a second dance with Mr. Underhill, Mercy made a polite curtsy, thanked her partner, and went to find refreshment.

  Punch was available at a long table with ale and watered wine. Mercy sipped and hoped to lean on a wall where she could go unnoticed while she caught her breath.

  Lady Marsden spotted her from across the room and made a path directly toward her. “That young man seems quite right, Miss Heath. I asked after Mr. Underhill and found that he is a local farmer and very well respected here. You could do far worse.”

  “He seemed very nice, but it was only a dance, my lady. Do not get your hopes up too high that I might disappear from your world. Who would amuse you should I actually move so far from London?” Mercy hadn’t the slightest idea of standing up for herself when the evening started, yet speaking the truth gave her a rare sense of power just as it had at Parvus.

  Her ladyship huffed and crossed her arms over her chest with narrowed eyes and pursed lips. “You should be grateful I allow you to touch such expensive pieces of my collection.”

  Aurora rushed over, ready to battle back her mother.

  Before her friend could speak in her defense, Mercy gave a warm smile and cocked her head. “In that case, you may pay twenty pounds to have a master come and play that Stradivarius for you in the future, Lady Marsden. My services have to this point been far less expensive.”

  “Oh my,” Aurora said, but covered her grin with her fan.

  Mercy kissed Aurora’s cheek. “I shall take some air. I will return shortly.”

  As Mercy walked away, she heard Lady Marsden say, “Insolent girl.”

  “Mother, you got what you deserved and it’s about time.”

  Blindly, Mercy excused herself through the crush of people to get to the door. Bumping shoulders with several in her way, she focused on the way out into fresh air. A wave of nausea flooded her and she pressed her hand against her stomach as she stepped into the cool night on the main street of Plumbly.

  Like many small villages, buildings lined the main street with several side streets leading to residences. There were shops and homes and it was all neatly kept. Plumbly bustled with droves coming to the assembly and s
ome taking air in the street like Mercy.

  Across the wide dirt road, a hat shop displayed a green feathered confection. Mercy stared at the hat until it blurred and she saw only her reflection in the glass, a warped version of herself, fitting with her behavior displaying a complete loss of good sense. Yet it felt so good she could hardly be sorry.

  “Are you all right, Mercy?” Concern echoed in Wesley’s voice.

  Mercy blinked several times until her vision cleared and she saw herself and Wesley reflected in the glass. Turning, she took a deep breath. “I am fine. It seems I’ve told her ladyship to dig in her pockets and pay someone to play her fine instruments rather than use me as her personal musician at the ready.”

  “Did you?” There was no mistaking the amusement in his dark eyes.

  “I don’t know what came over me. I suppose I was tired of her treating me as if I should be honored to be in her presence and the company of her daughter. I think this trip to Parvus and Plumbly have changed me.” Unable to look away, Mercy searched Wesley’s face for some sign that he agreed with Lady Marsden.

  She noted only admiration in his steady gaze. “I would say that conversation was a long time coming, Mercy.”

  “I suppose it was.” Mercy kept her gaze lowered. She’d never liked being the center of attention, though she didn’t mind Wesley’s attention as much as she should.

  He stepped closer. “Are you worried that Aurora will be put out by your standing up for yourself with her mother?”

  “No. Aurora will love me no matter what I say or whom I say it to.” Warmth spread in Mercy’s chest. She could always count on the Wallflowers. They would stand by her no matter what.

  “It must be very comforting to have that kind of love from your friends.” The distance in his voice drew her attention back to his face.

  She lacked the nerve to ask him about his own friendships. “It is. I have been very fortunate in the friendships I have made. I suppose I should return to the ball, but I’d rather not face her ladyship again this evening.”

  “You could agree to the next two dances with me and by that time it would be acceptable for me to walk you back to the inn. No one would think anything amiss. Unless of course, you would prefer to dance with that nice local fellow I saw you with earlier.” Staring with his brows raised, he waited for her answer.

  At first, she’d thought him joking about Mr. Underhill, but his expression was so full of worry and hesitation, she knew better. “That gentleman does not interest me, my lord. It was very kind of him to ask for a dance.”

  “He will be the talk of the town for having danced with the pretty stranger.” Wesley’s cheeks and neck turned the brightest red.

  Watching him, she wasn’t sure what to think. “Are you jealous, my lord?”

  “It is only the two of us here, Mercy. I don’t know why you insist on calling me out so formally.” His ears were now as red as the rest of him.

  She stepped closer. “Wesley, are you jealous?”

  Closing the gap, he didn’t touch her, but he could have with little effort. “You’re damned right I am. Do you think it’s easy for me to watch you dance with other men? To see how beautiful and graceful you are in the arms of another? Then, the way men look at you. The one in there is completely smitten. Do you think it doesn’t occur to me that you might be happy with someone who lives in the country, and has a nice home and land, and whose name is not attached to a scandal that forced my current position?”

  For a moment, Mercy wondered who had lost their senses. “I am not marrying Mr. Underhill. I barely know him and had only the two dances with him. Why would you jump to such a radical conclusion?”

  He closed his eyes and stepped back a few inches. His skin returned to its normal tan before he opened his eyes and took a breath. “Forgive me. Of course you’re not. It seems all my good sense and control are lost when in your presence.”

  It seemed petty to bring up his having danced the first two with Aurora, a woman whom everyone fully expected him to marry. Besides, she wanted Aurora to be happy and Wesley was both kind and thoughtful. She’d not stand in the way of her friend getting what she deserved. “Perhaps it would be best if I went back to the inn now. I doubt anyone would notice.”

  Before she could take a full step in that direction, he touched her arm. “I would notice, Mercedes. Dance with me?”

  It was hard to catch her breath; his gaze was so intense. “Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say as she took his arm and walked back into the assembly room just as a waltz began.

  He took her hand and glided into the smooth waltz. “How do you like the music?” he asked.

  “They are quite good, which is a nice find in a country setting. I suppose it’s snobbish, but I expected to find far inferior musicians.” Her cheeks heated.

  He didn’t speak until she met his smiling gaze. “I’m sure you can attest to the fact that we have suffered cruelly at many London balls where the talent has been lacking.”

  “Sadly, true.” She laughed. “Thank you for making me come back in. I am rarely afflicted with malaise and would surely have worried myself into a stupor had I returned to the inn alone.”

  His thumb caressed the palm of her hand. “Then perhaps I shouldn’t tell you that her ladyship and your aunt are watching us rather intently.”

  Suddenly none of it mattered. “And Aurora, is she staring as well?”

  He shook his head. “She glanced over at the start of the dance, but is herself engaged with a partner for the waltz.”

  “Vexing her ladyship has been one of the pleasures of my life since her daughter dared befriend an orphan. I’ll not let her ruin our adventures this week. Not on my account anyway.” It felt good to pull back her shoulders and stand up straight. She’d let that woman bully her these last months and all over a man who, while kind, was hardly meant for her. It was enough.

  Wesley watched her closely as they whirled around the dance floor in three-step time. “It occurs to me that you never answered my question this morning, Mercy. However, I will answer yours.”

  Searching her memory, she had trouble keeping calm when she realized he was talking about the question of whether she regretted their night together. She had only responded with the same question to him. Her pulse raced and everywhere he touched her warmed.

  He leaned an inch closer. “There is not one moment I have spent with you that I regret, Mercedes Heath. Not an instant I would change or wish away.”

  Mouth dry, she swallowed several times under his direct stare. “Surely you exaggerate, my lord. You regretted kissing me in the theater almost immediately. I’m sure you were none too pleased with my attempts to distract you from wooing Aurora.”

  The music drew to a close. The crowd faced the musicians and applauded.

  Wesley’s lips almost touched her ear. “I never regretted kissing you in the theater. It was the most exquisite intimacy. I have never wished it away and only regretted putting us in a difficult position at the time. I would kiss you anywhere and revel in every moment. Nothing you have done displeases me. I have noticed that you are less eager to run me off these last days.”

  Pulling away, she faced him. “You…I…” Mercy’s heart would not slow and she couldn’t catch her breath. “If you can make Aurora happy, I will wish you both great joy. After all, who am I to disapprove of an earl wishing to marry a countess. Aurora will be settled and you will have righted a wrong. Everything is as it should be.”

  “Mercy, there is much for us to discuss.” His whisper and imploring eyes sent a jolt of fear through her. He peered around the assembly. “We cannot talk here.”

  “I see no reason to discuss anything, my lord.” She made a quick curtsy and ran from the hall. Not stopping until she’d reached The Smoker, Mercy held in her emotions until she was safely behind the door of her rented room before she let her te
ars fall.

  It would be unbearable to have him explain to her how he would marry Aurora, or worse, to tell her how much he cared for her, but must do what was best for his family and title. She knew all of those things and didn’t need to hear it again. She’d played those words over and over in her own head enough times in the past few months and each time her heart broke a little more.

  When no more tears would come, Mercy allowed Jane to help her into her night rail. She washed her face and crawled into bed.

  Outside people laughed and talked as they made their way back from the assembly. Mercy kept her eyes closed even when the door to her room opened. She felt her aunt’s gaze on her, but made no move to indicate she was awake.

  It was childish to feign sleep, but she didn’t want to answer questions. Perhaps in the morning, when she was stronger.

  Chapter 18

  Long after every reveler had taken to their beds, Wesley stood in the stable talking to his horse. “Please tell me I’m not a fool.”

  Brutus licked Wesley’s palm, then nudged his shoulder.

  “I cannot seem to convince the lady of my regard. Though I suppose I have been remiss in divulging my true feelings.” He scratched the horse’s jaw and received a snicker in reply. “I suppose I’ll not sleep tonight.”

  Making to leave the stable, Wesley received a sharp nudge from Brutus.

  “You want to walk with me, boy?” He took the harness down from the hook and opened the stall door. Once Brutus accepted the bit, Wesley secured it over his ears.

  With the reins in one hand, he led Brutus into the moonlit night. The full moon shone bright but even if it had been full dark, Wesley couldn’t have missed Mercy’s tall figure staring out over the fields.

  Horse in tow, to surprise her was impossible, and she turned before he reached the edge of the tree. “I hope I didn’t frighten you.”

  “What are you doing here?” She looked at the horse. “Are you going somewhere?”