“Don’t you want to know why we won’t be there?” she asked when he didn’t.
His brow went up and he said on a chuckle, “You are the most audacious little brat I have ever encountered. I assumed it was because your brother is still unwell and therefore, unable to escort you.”
“That’s right, so both Georgie and I won’t be there.”
“Jules and I will have a very dull evening without you two, of that I am certain. I am persuaded you and Miss Madison are the loveliest creatures in all of Rye,” he answered and his hazel eyes glinted gold as he found hers and looked deep.
Ruefully Star countered, “I rather think you two will manage to go on without us.” So saying, she inclined her head and turned her horse away from him, “Good day, Sir Edward.”
He tipped his hat to her, “Miss Berkley—I hope my company was not too much of an intrusion on your ride?”
She laughed and threw at him, “At first I thought it might be, but no, I enjoyed your company.” She hurried forward, but just as she put distance between them she took a peek over her shoulder and saw him still in place watching her retreating form. She couldn’t help but smile to herself as she went on.
Sir Edward Danton had not only taken a place in her mind, he had somehow loomed above all others. His company always sent tickling flutters of excitement through her. He was like no other man of her acquaintance. Everything about him drew on her inner soul and told her he was worth the effort. She wondered fleetingly what unspeakable thing he had done. He obviously regretted it, so she shoved it aside.
What did it all mean? Could he be the one she had been waiting for all her adult years? Her mind objected, but her body and heart were one in accord on this. Was she simply fooling herself because he was so dashing—so attractive? She sighed and told herself that perhaps his latest experience with the woman who had hurt him might have spoiled him for another. Had he really suffered a genuine heartache? She found it ridiculously absurdly that an awful snake of green had traveled through her veins and shut it down. He didn’t look heartbroken. He didn’t act heartbroken and she was fairly certain he was not.
He was, however, quite a challenge. Is that why she was interested? Because he was a challenge? That was a question she should and must consider. What did it all matter? She was fairly certain he was merely entertaining himself. He thought her a brat, an imp, a child. She could see that he found her attractive but that wasn’t meaningful. Men were forever casting out lures and dallying with women they found pretty.
What she wanted was more. What she wanted was a love for all time. What she wanted—oh was he what she wanted?
Chapter Seven
VERN STRETCHED AND moved slowly across his room. He could not and would not allow his sister to miss this ball. He had quite made up his mind.
He stood, unsteadily and put his hand to the glass of the lead paned window overlooking the green gently rolling hills in the distance.
His lawns were no longer manicured, his gardens and yard were infested with weeds and he grimaced at the sight. He saw the flower beds glaring up at him with their unsightly borders. Once they had sported such beauty, now overgrown and full with coarse vegetation.
He was twenty-two and he told himself he should be able to bring things around. Yes, but how? He was a grown man. Still, he had not yet found a way, at least not a noncriminal way, to set his home in order.
What was wrong with him?
His door opened and he turned to the sound of a familiar and welcome voice.
“Hallo, halfling,” Miles Denning said with a wide grin.
Vern stared at his lifelong friend and grinned broadly. Miles was the best of the best, he thought. “Look at you,” he said merrily, in spite of his weakened state. “Dressed to the nines.” He tried to step toward him and wobbled.
Miles was there in the flash of a moment and had Vern’s weight firmly leaning against him, “Steady ‘ole boy…steady.”
Vern coughed and gave him a weak smile as his friend led him to the bed and deposited him there, saying, “You can cover yourself, I’m not your nursemaid.” His affectionate grin mitigated the words.
Vern smiled weakly and did just that. He regarded his friend thoughtfully as his musings had suddenly came together and he said while still trying to put his meanderings into a coherent suggestion, “Well then my fine dandy, what brings you here? And what the devil are you wearing?”
Miles laughed, ran a hand over his lightweight blue coat, “Too much do you think? It is the height of fashion, you know.”
“It might be, but not with all that wadding in the shoulders. Though I understand your need, since you have none to fall back on,” Vern teased with an accompanying chuckle.
“Can’t hurt to make the ladies look twice,” Miles beamed not at all insulted.
“Those tight fitted britches look absurd on you. You are too tall and lanky for ‘em,” said Vern still grinning mischievously. “And your hair! What have you done my man, pomading it into a roll like that?”
“You have never had any sense of…”
“Brummell would not approve,” Vern announced.
“Tis m’own style…thought I’d…”
“Don’t think, brush it out, Miles, you look like a damn quiz,” Vern interrupted him with a laugh and then coughed for a few moments.
Miles frowned as his friend’s coughing fit subsided and sighed before responding, “I am here to make you feel better. I heard you were not up to par, but if you are going to continue to insult me, ‘ole friend, I shall leave you to wallow on your sickbed alone.”
Vern grinned as he saw the twinkle in his friend’s light brown eyes. “Not quite stout yet, but I shall be. I am surprised to see you here. Thought you wouldn’t come around till you were pretty sure you’d be safe from infection.” If he had the strength he would have punched his friend’s arm with the words.
“Well, as to that, you need to rethink, for here I am,” Miles said and then more gravely, “How are you, Vern. You look…drained.”
“I am coming along…”
A knock sounded at the door and Vern called out, “Come in then.”
Dilly appeared in the doorway. She looked toward Miles who was well known in the Berkley household and blushed a bright shade of pink before she lowered her eyes and dropped a curtsy in the open doorway. Taking a tentative step forward she held out an envelope, but as it was clear she did not wish to enter the bedroom any further. Vern’s eyes narrowed as he regarded his friend.
“Bothering young Dilly here, have you?” Vern said on a note of disapproval.
“How can you say that? Have I bothered you, lovely Dilly?” Miles returned, going forward to take up the envelope and flip it toward Vern.
“Oi just came up to bring ye that…now. Oi’ll be going then…” Dilly said ignoring Miles altogether.
Vern smiled kindly at her, “Thank you, Dilly.”
She bobbed her head and ran out and they heard her steps take the long hallway outside the room with some speed. Vern turned to his friend and said, “Whatever have you done to make her act like that?”
Miles shrugged, “Done? Why no more than tell her how beautiful she looked when she bumped into me earlier.”
“Bumped into you?” Vern said one brow up.
“Well she came out of nowhere and all I did was put an arm around her to steady her….”
“Tried kissing her, didn’t you, Miles?” Vern demanded. Damn. He had thought to ask Miles to escort his sister and Georgie to the ball. Now, he was quite certain that would be a very bad notion.
“Well, only a little kiss…nothing to make her quake,” Miles answered with a twinkle.
“Scoundrel! Leave her alone. She is shy and Star adores her and besides that, we only have four servants and can’t afford to lose her.”
Miles sighed, “Aye aye, my lord, aye aye.” He shrugged his shoulder and added, “Besides, that is just a bit of dallying. You know there isn’t a maid alive that interests
me save your sister.”
“Gammon. You mean there isn’t a maid alive who doesn’t interest you.” Vern snapped, but softened the words with a boyish grin. “Who knows why you have this sudden desire to marry my sister. You have known her all your life and never before gave a hint of such feelings.”
“Ah, never say you have warned Star off me?” Miles returned grinning amiably.
“Certes! Don’t have to. M’sister isn’t a fool. She has your measure. She knows you are just going through one of your phases. Today it is her, tomorrow another.”
Vern dodged the pillow Miles flung at his head and grinned.
“Go to the devil!” Miles shouted in lively accents. “What Star needs is a man just like me. If Star would look my way, I swear to you Vern, my playing days would be over. I would never even look at another pretty again.”
“Damn, but you make me sick when you talk like that.” Vern shook his head.
“Well, but it is true, I swear it and besides…I’d settle handsomely on her…which would help you…” Miles suggested hopefully if albeit warily.
Vern sighed heavily. It was true. If Star could but bring herself to look at Miles as a viable suitor, it would solve all their problems. However, she had told him that she thought of Miles as a brother. “Star cares for you…like she does me, so you have a problem there Miles. The truth is… I would like nothing better than to have my sister wed to my best friend.” He shook his head and lay back against his pillows suddenly and a groan escaped him.
“I say, Vern…what is it? You have gone deathly white…” Miles went toward him, concern lining his words.
“Miles, Oh hell. Miles, what a tangle I’ve gotten myself into.”
“What’s this? Tell me at once,” Miles returned and pulled up a chair to sit up close to his friend.
*
Sir Edward returned to Stamford Manor and stopped at the stables where he dismounted and handed his horse and a coin to one of the grooms that hurried to take the reins. Sir Edward smiled kindly and said, “I shan’t be needing him again today, so you can just put him in the pasture and let him graze.”
“Edward!”
Sir Edward turned and found Jules striding toward him. “You old rogue you! Why didn’t you tell me you were off for a gallop? I would have accompanied you.”
“Precisely why I didn’t tell you,” Sir Edward said and grinned broadly.
“Impudent dog,” Jules rallied. “However, I forgive you. Today I am feeling generous to one and all.”
“Are you?” Edward fell into step beside his friend as they walked the long drive toward the house. “I wonder what else I can do that will require forgiveness today?” His voice was dry and teasing. His brows went up when Jules clapped his hands and sighed dramatically and against his better judgment he asked, “Do tell…what has you in the clouds?”
“Tonight is the Sefton Ball. Star will be there and I shall waltz with her. I shall take her into my arms for the first time, waltz her around the floor and make her fall in love with me.”
Sir Edward barked a laugh and then shook his head at his friend’s startled expression. “So sorry to tell you this, indeed very sorry, since I shall once again find myself falling out of favor, but the beautiful Miss Berkley will not be attending the ball tonight.” He witnessed Jules’ jaw drop as his eyes grew wide with the unspoken question. “Ah, I see you are about to ask me what I mean,” Sir Edward quickly interjected.
“What do you mean?” Jules returned and watched his friend remove his kid gloves, and then stop to lean against the post and rail fence that lined the pasture running along the drive.
“Only that Miss Berkley will not be attending the Sefton Ball,” Edward said and watched his friend’s absurd expression. He could not help but burst into laughter.
“What?” Jules shrieked.
“Certes, man!” Sir Edward said still chuckling. “It isn’t the end of the world. There will be other balls, other chits and other amusements.”
“I don’t give a monkey for other amusements!” Jules snapped and then flung out his arms. “I only want one,” He frowned and regarded Edward with a penetrating glance. “And, how do you know this? I don’t understand. Star and Georgina were supposed to attend…I am sure of it.”
“That’s right they were, but the young lord is ill. Remember? Apparently, he is still not quite up to the rigors of a ball…and Mrs. Madison is too sickly to attend.”
“Ah, yes…but wait,” Jules interrupted. “How do you come by this information?”
Edward beamed mockingly at his friend, “Look at you, like a school boy. How you can tumble from one love into another is beyond reason.”
“Edward, don’t play fast and loose with me now. How do you know Star won’t be there tonight?”
“She told me,” Edward answered maddeningly, his eyes twinkling as he tortured his friend.
“She told you?” Jules screeched. “Damnation man! If you are stealing a march on me, why….it is beyond anything the blackest thing you have ever done!”
“Oh calm down you and don’t be such a dolt,” Edward laughed. “’Tis no such thing. I have already told you that the Berkley chit isn’t even in my style.”
“Then why did you go to see her?” Jules demanded.
“I did not go to see her. As it happened, I chanced upon her during my ride.” Sir Edward watched his friend’s flitting expressions with some amusement.
Jules made a wide circle around Edward, his fingers to his chin as he considered all of this, but he stopped short and asked hopefully, “What did she say?”
“She said that she and Miss Madison were unable to attend, since they lacked proper escort.”
“Lacked…proper…” Jules’s eyes suddenly lit up. “I have it!”
“Do you?” Sir Edward’s brow rose and his voice was dry.
“We shall escort them!” Jules announced blissfully.
Sir Edward raised his eyes heavenward. “That cannot be thought proper, Jules. I don’t think it will serve.”
“Wait and listen…”
*
“I cannot believe this.” Miles stared hard at his friend and with an expression of total disbelief. “I have known you most of my life. We have been through thick and thin. If things were so dire…why did you not come to me?”
“Miles, you don’t hold your own purse strings and won’t till you turn five and twenty. There was nothing you could do.”
“Yes, but even so, I would have found a way to help. Vern…what you have done…why…this is outrageous! How could you—‘tis no more than the action of a common criminal!”
Vern’s hand worked his white-gold hair frantically. His lips were drawn and though he was a man he suddenly thought he might give over to tears. “Don’t I know it!” He shouted instead. “What other solution was there? Miles, the bank would have taken Berkley Grange. My sister would have been put into service…my sister, Miles…and me, I would have ended in debtor’s prison or shipped off to Australia!”
“Certes! You should have come to me. I would have found a way. I am very wealthy Vern and I would have found a way to get my hands on some of it. Mark me. This is bad, very bad.”
“What is done is done. Understand this Miles. I was half out of my mind with worry that night I first met Farley at the Mermaid. I had been drinking deep—too deep. I didn’t realize at first what I was getting into. The next morning, I wasn’t even sure Farley was real.”
“Not sure he was real?” Miles squealed with disbelief. “Now Vern, that is doing it too brown.”
“No, no, Miles, you don’t understand. I told you, I was in my cups when I gave him the information…and then later, when he came back to me for more, well, it was so damned easy and the blunt…he handed it over and it staved off some of the creditors.”
Miles considered him for a long moment before he spoke, “Only one thing to do.”
“What’s that?” Vern was surprised that his friend had already found a solution.
“Leave the country. I’ll come with you and Star. I’ll marry her. Settle on her and your debts will be done. We’ll go to Italy….or some other outlandish place. Never see Farley again. Then when he has moved off, we’ll come back.”
Vern stared at his friend with great disbelief and some disgust. “Don’t be absurd! First of all, Star won’t marry you. Second of all, we can’t leave the country. Am I to pack my sister off and run like a common criminal?”
“Well, don’t mean to be indelicate and all that, but…Vern, you are…a common criminal. Not a hunted one—yet, but, you never know. Best to leave the country. Star will marry me to help you and I don’t mind why she marries me just so that she does.”
“I am saddled with a madman for a friend,” Vern said closing his eyes. “Do be quiet now and let me think.”
“Shouldn’t, if I were you. That’s what started your problems in the first place. You—thinking you could take them on alone, is why you are now in trouble,” Miles said with a lecturing finger.
Vern controlled the impulse to make the attempt to get out of bed and strangle his dearest friend. “Are you, or are you not, interested in how I may now handle the matter of Farley?”
A heated discussion ensued for some minutes and so occupied them that they did not hear Dilly’s soft footsteps as she arrived. She was in fact, put to the trouble of raising her voice above theirs in order to be heard.
“Oi am sorry, m’lord…”
“Dilly, come in, do…” Miles said flirtatiously.
Vern sent him a hard look of disapproval. Dilly was a pretty young maid, but shy. He didn’t want her distressed any further by his womanizing friend.
She wrung her hands and bobbed her head, “’Tis the gentlemen—so insistent they be about visiting with ye. They wouldn’t wait below…and they be wishful of seeing ye right now,” she said and waved her hand to indicate the two men who had followed in her wake.
*
Star considered Georgie thoughtfully as they trotted their horses down the deer path, taking a shortcut to Berkley. Her friend looked lovely and fashionable in her riding ensemble of dark blue. One would never think Georgina was a modern-day crusader. She was though and insisted that all women should be. The notion of Georgie marching in London and holding a sign demanding that women be considered equal to men made her smile proudly as well as giggle. While Star was in theory for all that Georgie stood for, she wasn’t the marching and waving sign sort of woman. She sighed and silently berated herself as lazy.
Love Regency Style Page 125