by H. C. Brown
“Lord Beachwood? Good Lord no. I am the only person in England privy to your business.” Lord Rupert looked scandalized. “I would never divulge a word. Perhaps, as you arrived dressed in the height of Parisian fashion, he believes you made your fortune from hellholes and rich French widows.” He chuckled. “That being the case, my dear fellow, you would fall well short of his expectations for Lady Adrianna.”
Trust a Sassenach to judge a man by the cut of his cloth rather than his honor as a gentleman. He pushed the disagreeable incident aside, in truth, Lady Adrianna intrigued him, and he wanted to discover more about the bonnie lass with the flashing eyes. “Do ye ken Lady Adrianna?”
“Yes, in fact, I do have her confidence.” Lord Rupert winked.
“Och aye, why dinna I like the sound of your association wi’ such a respectable lady?”
The tips of Lord Rupert’s ears pinked.
“For heaven’s sake, Drew, I have no carnal interest in her, none at all.” He stared at the ceiling as if seeking divine intervention. “If you must know, I often seek the pleasure of her company. We are acquaintances from childhood. My father insisted Lord Beachwood tend my mother during her illness and he resided at the manor for the entire month before she died. He was of the opinion Lady Adrianna would be of some comfort to me as my brothers were away at school. We became close friends. She understands my reluctance toward being leg-shackled, and I her abhorrence of marrying one of her father’s widower acquaintances. We have an understanding and I often mark her card at these affairs to give her respite from the old codgers.” He smiled. “But I am sure you require more personal information?”
Lady Adrianna had drawn him like a moth to the flame. To be sure, she had befuddled his senses and he had not mistaken her attraction toward him. I must find a way to see her and know the truth. Arranging his features in an effort to cover his eagerness for any snippet of information about her, he narrowed his gaze. “Aye, I do but if ye had the pleasure of kenning such a delightful lady since childhood, why in God’s name have ye not mentioned her afore?”
Rupert threw both hands in the air and glared at him with an expression of incredulity.
“You, my dearest cousin are a notorious smuggler not to mention a rake and Adrianna is my particular friend. Why would I risk such a delicate flower with a man of your reputation? If you had once mentioned an intention to enter the marriage mart, she would have been my first consideration for you.” He shook one long thin finger at him. “I will not see Lady Adrianna’s heart broken. She may not be in her first come out, but she is a kind and genteel lady and deserves better.”
Abashed, Drew swallowed the stinging retort to defend his honor and smiled. “I believe I am a deal better than the ‘old codgers’ ye mentioned, especially, Lord Balham. At least, I would appreciate her as a beautiful woman, not as a means to increase ma fortune.” He swirled his drink and forced his anger to subside. “Ye have ma word. Ma intentions are honorable. She is a remarkably beautiful woman and one I would treasure.” He lifted his gaze. “I doubt ye will believe me but the moment I set eyes upon her, it was if we had known each other for a lifetime. I asked her permission to call on her and she agreed. Which makes me wonder if she had any notion of her father’s intentions. She did not act like a betrothed lady.”
“I can assure you, she is not betrothed.” Rupert raised a thin blond eyebrow. “But what of your mistresses? I know Lady Adrianna very well and she would expect a significant amount of your attention.”
“Aye well, I admit I have had mistresses in France and had one or two fancy bits at Badenoch.” Drew smiled. “But I would forgo any mistress for Lady Adrianna’s attention.” He sighed. “Ma father insists I set up my nursery soon, he wants to see at least one grandson afore he dies. God’s truth, I have enjoyed ma life without the trappings of a wife and had not given marriage much thought but the moment I laid eyes on Lady Adrianna every woman I have met afore faded into insignificance. Tell me what ye ken about her.” He grimaced. “Although, it would seem I am a wee bit late if the lass is promised to Lord Balham.”
“Not at all. Lord Beachwood’s mention of a betrothal does not signify.” Lord Rupert’s green eyes flashed in anger. “I had the pleasure of Lady Adrianna’s company this afternoon for a walk in Hyde Park. I have her confidence and would be the first to know if she had received an offer from Lord Balham. In fact, she has declined every gentleman her father has recommended to date.” He drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair. “Although, it is possible, Lord Beachwood made a lucrative arrangement with him this eve unbeknown to her.” He shrugged. “If he believes you stand to jeopardize his deal it would be a logical reason for him to remove you from the equation.”
“Well mayhap, but one would think, he would at least listen to my offer.” Drew rubbed his chin and brought to mind each detail of the brief meeting. “Unless she did not have time to mention my intention to call on her? Then again, why would he attack my good name without due provocation? It makes no sense.”
Rupert’s handsome face creased into a frown and he gave a dismissive wave with one hand.
“If Adrianna has mentioned your intentions to her father, I find it hard to believe he warned you off unless he has already made a lucrative match with Lord Balham.”
“Or he hates Scots.” Drew grimaced. “He had hate in his eyes for me as if I had caused him a great injustice and I have never met the man afore tonight.”
“I have never heard mention of his preferences toward Scots.” Rupert refilled his glass and sighed. “I agree it makes no sense at all. There was no impropriety on your part and one would think a respectable gentleman such as yourself would make a suitable match for her. You do have an unimpeachable pedigree. On the contrary, I would have thought, he would have been more than happy.” He narrowed his gaze. “I am surprised Lady Adrianna has inflamed such desire in you. Are you sure, you are not making too much of this flirtation?”
Drew leaned forward in his chair. “I understand the ways of women fine and she opened to me like a flower in the sun.” He smiled at the image dancing across his consciousness. “I caught her eye again during the first set and have nay doubt she finds me agreeable.” He rubbed his chin. “She is an honorable woman, aye, and would not have flirted with me if she had accepted an offer and why would she consider a match with Lord Balham? Christ, the man must be close to sixty.”
“Exactly.” Rupert refilled their glasses. “Something is afoot. It makes no sense at all and one would think Lord Beachwood would value her happiness above all things but apparently not.” He sipped his drink. “You will need to keep out of sight, but I will remain as close to her as decent for the rest of the evening.” He grimaced. “I dare say her father has devised a scheme to force her to marry the old reprobate.”
“Force her? Are ye suggesting, he will allow the despicable wee gomeral to compromise her then insist she marry him to protect her honor?” Drew pushed to his feet. “Maybe I should be the one doing the compromising?”
“Dear God! Have you lost your wits?” Rupert grasped his arm. “Think man. Beachwood would have you thrown in Newgate. He is very close to the king and has his ear.” He sighed. “I beseech you, take my carriage to your townhouse, and stop mooning over this chit.”
He glared at his cousin. “I am not ‘mooning’ over her but for some unfathomable reason I have a powerful compulsion to protect the lass from the likes of Lord Balham.” He met Rupert’s amused expression with a snort of derision. “Ye can wipe the silly smile off your face, I dinna need a fancy piece. Lady Adrianna is different, aye. I feel it in ma bones.”
“You want to protect her? Did you by chance hit your head on the way here?” Lord Rupert scrutinized his face for a long moment before his mouth spread into a wide grin. “Dear God you are smitten.”
“Aye well, if the lass is free to make her choice, I will offer her another option.” He rolled his shoulders. Damn, his cousin could read him like a book “Surely ye would agree I am t
he better man for such a delicate flower as ye say?”
“Oh, very well, I will keep a close watch on her this evening and inform you if this is a ruse or not but believe me she is not bacon-brained and will never allow an idiot like Balham to compromise her.”
Anger rolled over him at the thought of Lord Balham touching her. He forced down the desire to punch the corpselike weasel into offal and nodded. “Verra well, but afore I leave I must have a wee chat with the lady in private ye ken?” He cleared his throat at Rupert’s accusing gaze. “Afore I leave, I must discover the way of things between us. Can ye arrange a meeting?” He reached for his drink and swirled the amber liquid around the glass.
“Do you really want her for a wife?” Rupert raised his eyebrows. “Or do you find her a contest you must win after being denied her company?” His chest expanded with a deep breath and a puff of air whistled out between his teeth on a grimace. “You could never resist a challenge, could you? I will not risk Lady Adrianna’s good name and indeed, heart, if this is your intention.”
The image of her flushed face and inviting smile flitted across his mind. Dear Lord, he would carry her image forever. He smiled. “Aye, I would very much like to ken her better and not because her father has denied me, nay not at all. The attraction between us was powerful and I did not imagine it nor do I lust after her.” He rubbed the back of his neck and met Rupert’s amused gaze. “Aye, well, maybe I do a mite but my intentions toward her are honorable.” He shrugged. “Lady Adrianna is not a girl in her first come out, she is old enough to understand the way of things. If she is willing, I will court her in secret.”
“Indeed, but all such discussion is a waste of time unless you determine if the lady is willing to risk her reputation.” Rupert inspected his nails. “I advise you to tread carefully, old chap, if you do intend to continue in this reckless manner. Lord Beachwood does not have a forgiving nature. Should one word of this deception reach his ear, he will ship her off to places unknown.”
The memory of Lady Adrianna’s wide-eyed expression of desire urged him on like an untried lad. “If she agrees to go against her father’s wishes and walk out wi’ me”—he touched Rupert’s arm—“I would be verra much obliged if ye would offer me your assistance and act as chaperone.”
A smile lit up Rupert’s face.
“Why not indeed? Heaven forbid I should stand in the way of true love. If she agrees to meet you this evening and intends to allow your painful compulsion to woo her, I will make suitable arrangements in your stead.” He chuckled. “At least, when the chits believe I have Adrianna on my list of potential brides they will cease pursuing me for a while.” He raised both eyebrows. “Of course, I will arrange the meetings within the necessities of decency.”
“I thank ye, I would not wish otherwise.” Drew sipped his drink and observed his cousin over the rim of the glass. “Do ye think I am a fool for responding so keenly toward a lass I have just met?”
Rupert’s expression displayed no signs of chagrin.
“Ah well, life is a concoction of strange occurrences, my friend.” He lifted his drink in a toast. “If you are correct and Lady Adrianna is the one destined for you then love will find a way.”
“I thank ye. Ye are a good friend and maybe there is more of your mother in ye than ye ken.” He sighed. “If Lady Adrianna is willing, I will see how the land lies between us over the next month.” He smiled. “Although, I will have to leave London for a few weeks to take the mares ye have purchased to Badenoch. I will accept your kind offer to accompany the others to Inverness. They are too valuable to travel aboard ship unescorted.”
“It will be my pleasure and would suit me well as I do need time to tidy my affairs before leaving London.” Rupert rubbed his chin. “Lord Ramsbottom’s groom would be an asset to us. I could offer him an inducement to leave his employ to work with us. He would be invaluable to me on the journey to tend the mares. What do you say?”
Drew nodded his acquiescence. “I say a man can never have too many experienced grooms.”
“Splendid! I shall inform you the moment the transaction is completed and I have booked passage to Scotland.” Lord Rupert strolled to the door, turned the handle, and spoke to the footman. “Have my carriage brought around after supper if you please.” He turned back to Drew and smiled warmly. “My carriage is at your disposal on the event you require a swift retreat if the meeting is discovered.” He chuckled. “Do not worry too much about all this nonsense with Lord Beachwood, such unpleasantries have a way of resolving in due course.”
Lord Beachwood’s threats against his clan still rang in his ears and a cold band tightened around his heart. He lifted his chin and sighed. “Aye, they do, but I believe Lord Beachwood is set in his ways.”
“Ah, but perhaps we can turn the tide of events in your favor. You have lucrative businesses and my father would write a reference, as would my brothers on your behalf to present to Lord Beachwood.” Lord Rupert slapped him on the back. “If the lady is willing, I will arrange for a meeting after supper. There is a rotunda situated beside the lake and fortunately concealed by shadows. Wait here until my return and I will take you there.” Rupert grinned. “My goodness, I feel like a spy on a mission into enemy territory.”
Chapter Three
The evening moved laboriously on without another glimpse of the intriguing Scot, or the opportunity to speak with Lady Bracken about the gentleman. Somewhat distracted, Adrianna failed to take more than a passing interest in the droning conversation of Lord Balham during the course of their set. Indeed, the man spoke without taking a breath as if delivering a long inconsequential speech in the House of Lords.
She glanced at his flushed cheeks noting the hopeful sparkle in his beady black eyes and drew a deep breath. Had she absently agreed to a liaison with him? “I do beg your pardon, Lord Balham, I have not heard a word—the music you see is quite deafening, is it not?”
The thin spider of a man sighed and a waft of fine brandy tainted with the reek of foul breath fell over her. He inclined his head and gave her a tight smile, no doubt to disguise his blackened teeth.
“As you are so distracted, my lady, would you prefer to forgo the last set, and take the air with me on the terrace before supper?”
She fluttered her fan to disperse the odor and nodded in agreement. Even in his company, the cool evening air, and respite from the noise would be a blessing. Her attention drifted to the grandfather clock in the hallway and the tension in her jaw relaxed. Thank goodness, Lord Winton would be collecting her for supper after the next set, and her time with Lord Balham would be short. She noticed him conversing with her father on the edge of the ballroom and as she moved toward the terrace on Lord Balham’s arm, both men smiled at her conspiratorially.
A flicker of impending doom crawled up her spine and without due consideration of the consequences, she pressed her fingers into Lord Balham’s arm. He gave her a thin smile and she recoiled releasing her grip. Heaven’s above, had he escorted her to the privacy of the terrace with the intention of discussing an offer with her? The hairs on the back of her neck rose in disgust. How much longer did her father intend to thrust dusty old tomes of men at her feet?
“Come along, my dear.” Lord Balham tipped his head toward her in a far too familiar fashion.
She compared his pallid countenance and sharp tongue to her new acquaintance. To be sure, Mr. Mackenzie’s Scottish brogue had spilled over her like warm honey and the intimate appraisal given from below his long black lashes had undone her. To have such a man call on her would be glorious. Her face grew hot at the notion of swooning in his strong arms and the chance to inhale his intoxicating scent again. He had shown an outrageous amount of interest in her and his absence on the dance floor would indicate he had ignored the bevy of young beauties in their first come out. A glow of happiness engulfed her and she smiled into the darkness.
Cool, fragrant air brushed her cheek and lifted the curls on her neck. She sighed with delight an
d moved toward the balcony railing to peer into the garden below. Pools of light spilled from the lanterns and illuminated the couples strolling along the garden paths. She stared into the heavens and could not remember a night more beautiful. To be sure, Mr. Drew Mackenzie had given her hope of finding a love match.
Lord Balham’s sharp voice at her side snapped her back to reality.
“One must keep one’s feet firmly on the ground, Lady Adrianna. Do take your head out of the clouds for I wish to speak with you.” He moved closer than propriety considered decent and the sleeve of his brown superfine jacket brushed her hand. “I have spoken with your father and he agrees we would make a good match. He is quite insistent we should dispense with formalities and marry as soon as possible.” He slipped one thin arm around her waist. “I will call upon you in the morning to make my offer. We must at least appear to be interested in each other’s company.”
The image of the handsome Scot shattered. A cry of horror escaped her lips and she stepped away. Rounding on Lord Balham, she pitched her voice loud enough for all to hear. “How dare you, sir. Your actions toward me are well past the point of discretion.” She moved beside an astonished matron and her round-eyed charge seeking their protection. “Do not think to compromise me. I have a witness in this good woman. I will not be forced into accepting an offer from you.” The rage on his face unnerved her and she stepped behind the matron for safety.
The elderly woman bristled and stuck out her chin.
“Have no fear, Lady Adrianna. I will stand witness against this disreputable fiend.”
Lord Balham straightened and his thin lips turned up in a demonic smile.
“As you appear to be a little muddled headed this evening, my dear lady, allow me to clarify the situation before your witness. Your father and I have come to an arrangement. I will call on you in the morning and make my offer and you will accept.”