Regency Admirer/The Merry Gentleman/The Gentleman's Demand

by Meg Alexander

  “My dear sir, I shouldn’t dream of it.” The Earl brushed an imaginary speck of dirt from his coat, and the gesture was not lost on Cesare.

  “Arrogant devils!” he shouted. “You English think you own the world. I’ll see you all in hell before I’ve done.” He reached behind him for the doorknob, his eyes still fixed on his tormentors.

  “A candidate for Bedlam, I believe. Don’t you think so, Perry. I wonder if anyone will listen to his ravings.”

  “Not a hope of it! Clearly his mind is over-set.” If he could keep the fellow talking, Perry hoped to move his own body to shield Elizabeth. She was still in Cesare’s line of fire. He stepped towards her slowly.

  “Don’t move, or I’ll kill her where she stands!” Cesare’s finger tightened on the trigger, and Perry froze, cursing inwardly.

  He should never have exposed her to such danger. Better by far to allow his quarry to escape him. The man might yet kill her in revenge.

  Then the door opened and Cesare backed away. He did not see the men behind him, and as he turned to flee his arms were seized by two burly individuals in the red coats of the Bow Street Runners.

  Cesare twisted away from them. With a cry he rushed across the room towards the open window, but Perry was too quick for him. He stepped forward, raised his arm, and sent his enemy crashing to the ground.

  The Earl stepped forward and looked at the inert figure.

  “Perry, that upper-cut was lacking in technique,” he murmured. “You must spend more time in training.” He raised a finger, and the Bow Street men came forward. “My guest is leaving. May I rely on you to help him on his way? You had best go by the terrace.”

  The two men grinned. Both were ex-pugilists, and the Earl was known to be a keen supporter of the Fancy.

  They eyed him with respect. “Back to Bow Street, my lord?”

  “Yes. Your superior officer has arranged a reception committee, I believe. Take him away.” Brandon strolled over to the bell-pull.

  “Briggs, I believe we should like some wine,” he told his butler. “Have you any preference, Miss Grantham?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. She was clutching Perry’s hand, and his arm was about her waist.

  The Earl’s eyes twinkled. “Then it shall be champagne. Always suitable for a celebration.”

  “We have much to celebrate.” Perry’s face was radiant. “Frederick, won’t you wish us happy?”

  “With all my heart, my dear fellow. Miss Grantham, do you know what you are taking on? This great brother of mine is a sad rogue...”

  Elizabeth dimpled. “He has told me your opinion of him, sir. Did you not say that he had a deplorable tendency to levity?”

  “It’s perfectly true, my dear. That is but one of his faults. The others you will discover for yourself.” His smiling eyes belied the truth of his words.

  “I didn’t feel much like laughing tonight,” Perry admitted. “What will you do with him?”

  “The matter is now out of my hands, but I think you need not fear to see the Count again. Shall we leave it at that?” He raised his glass to the happy couple.

  His manner was urbane, but Elizabeth was under no illusions. This was a dangerous man. In the face of his power, Cesare’s threats and posturings were no more than the babblings of a child.

  “You must excuse me,” the Earl continued. “The Prince was fully occupied when I left him, but I mustn’t neglect my duties as host.” He took Elizabeth’s hand and pressed it warmly. “Welcome to our family, my dear.” With that, he left the room, closing the door behind him.

  Perry took Elizabeth in his arms. “Kiss me, my love,” he murmured.

  She lifted up her face to his, gazing deep into his eyes. Then his mouth came down on hers, and she was swept away on a dizzying tide of passion.

  Perry released her at last, leaving her breathless.

  “Tell me now,” he urged. “When shall we be wed? I want you so, my darling. Will you keep me waiting?”

  “It shall be whenever you wish,” she told him simply. “Oh, Perry, I love you dearly, but we must tell Aunt Mary. She will be surprised.”

  This brought a shout of laughter from her love. “You think she has not guessed? She knew that you loved me before I did myself.”

  “Oh!” Elizabeth coloured. “I thought I hid my feelings very well.”

  “Too well, on occasion. Why did you not tell me of the Count’s attempt at blackmail?”

  “I was afraid,” she said in a low voice. “I thought you might believe him, and I could not bear to have you think so ill of me.”

  “As if I should! What a little goose you are! Would I take the word of a cur like that against your own?”

  “I did tell you that he was my betrothed,” she protested.

  “You told me many things, and I didn’t believe one half of them. Now I must be convinced that you wish to become my bride.” Smiling, he bent his head to kiss her again.

  “I long for nothing more!” Elizabeth threw her arms about his neck, but a last lingering doubt remained. “What will happen to Cesare? He threatened to cause a scandal, and we must think of your family, and Aunt Mary.”

  Perry sat down and took her on his lap. “Forget him!” he advised. “Frederick is not given to making idle promises. You may take his word that you have nothing more to fear.”

  Elizabeth swallowed. “He would not...I mean... neither of you would take his life?”

  “Great heavens, my dear! Murder is forbidden in this country. We are not barbarians, as you once believed.”

  She smiled at the reference to her angry accusations. “I’ve changed my mind,” she said. “Of course, because of his spying, Cesare does not deserve to live, but I could not bear it if you or your brother were to be taken up for killing him.”

  “My lordly relative a common criminal? Perish the thought! Frederick told us, did he not, that the matter is out of his hands? The Count will be asked to leave the country...that is all.”

  His words seemed to satisfy her, but for his own part, Perry suspected that the Count was unlikely to enjoy a long life. For all his charm, Frederick could be ruthless where the interests of his country were concerned. With a shrug he dismissed any further conjecture as to the Count’s fate. The fellow was not worth a second thought.

  Perry held Elizabeth close. His lips were against her hair.

  “What a merry dance you led me!” he said fondly. “I suspected that it would be so from the moment I first saw you.”

  “Did you?” She kissed the hollow of his neck. “It was the same with me. I hated you, you know.”

  “You made that clear, my darling. What caused you to change your mind?”

  “I can’t imagine!” she told him wickedly. “I must be losing my mind.”

  “I lost mine long ago, together with my heart.” He silenced her with a lingering kiss, sure now that he had won his bride.

  The Gentleman’s Demand

  Dear Reader

  The Regency period is a favourite with authors and readers, perhaps because it produced a most attractive air of confidence in men and women alike. This makes it fun to write about and strikes a chord with readers today. The stories may be set two hundred years ago, but human beings do not change.

  The heroes may seem cold and ruthless and a law unto themselves, but they are always men of honour and susceptible to love like other men. And although in those days women had few rights, many had great strength of character—and the heroine of this book, Sophie Firle, is one of them. I hope that you’ll enjoy this story as the young widow struggles against all the odds for the survival of herself and her son—with a bit of help from an attractive stranger, Mr Hatton…

  This book is the first in a new trilogy linked to the Wentworth saga—The Love Child, The Merry Gentleman and The Passionate Friends, all previously published by Mills & Boon®. The children of the characters in the original trilogy are now grown up and have their own lives to lead. Don’t worry if you didn’t read that tril
ogy—each book tells its own fascinating story and can be read independently of the others.

  Best wishes

  CONTENTS

  Dear Reader

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter One

  1810

  In the gathering dusk of a winter afternoon the long low parlour was filled with shadows. A few logs smouldered on the hearth, puffing out occasional gusts of acrid smoke. Neither of the occupants of the room appeared to notice. Then the man began to cough.

  ‘For God’s sake send for candles, girl!’ he snapped. ‘And send for someone to tend this fire before we choke to death.’

  Such a fate might be better than further hours of argument, Sophie thought wearily. She kept that sentiment to herself as she rose to ring the bell.

  ‘The wind must have changed direction,’ she said quietly. ‘We’ve always had a problem with this chimney...’

  ‘Would that it were your only problem!’ The man fell silent as a servant entered the room. It was but a momentary respite. As the door closed behind the boy he picked up the lighted candelabra and carried it over to his daughter’s side, setting it on the table by her chair.

  ‘Just look at you!’ he snarled. ‘To think that any child of mine should be living under these conditions! I shouldn’t have known you for the girl you were six years ago.’

  ‘What did you expect?’ Sophie cried in desperation. ‘Have you no mercy, Father? It’s but a month since I was widowed...’

  For a moment there was silence. Then, with a visible effort to control his anger, Edward Leighton spoke in a softer tone.

  ‘Forgive me for distressing you, my dear, but I can’t see your loss as anything but a blessing. You are still young, and you have your life before you. Come home with me and make a fresh start. We shall find some way of glossing over your absence for these past years. A single mistake may be forgiven, serious though it was...’

  ‘A serious mistake?’ Sophie gave a bitter laugh. ‘Father, you haven’t changed. How lightly you dismiss my marriage...’

  His face darkened. ‘I never took it lightly. It was the worst blow of my life. I gave you too much freedom, Sophie. When you eloped you ruined all my hopes for you, and with such a man! You could scarce have chosen worse.’

  ‘Stop!’ she cried. ‘You shan’t disgrace Richard’s memory.’

  ‘Others did so long ago. You won’t pretend that he was aught but a penniless nobody, possessed of neither character nor probity?’

  Sophie’s eyes flashed fire. ‘How dare you say such things? You didn’t know him.’

  Her father gave an ironic laugh. ‘I decided to forgo that honour. Others were not so fortunate. Why was he dismissed from the Revenue Service? Can you tell me that? I heard some talk of corruption.’

  Sophie rose to her feet and eyed him with disdain. ‘I never believed those lies. There was a plot against him.’

  ‘Others believed it. The evidence was strong, and the authorities were in no doubt. You knew better, I suppose?’

  ‘I refused to listen to rumour, or to believe those trumped-up charges.’

  ‘Still as headstrong as ever, Sophie?’ Edward Leighton sighed. ‘I must admire your loyalty, even though it is misplaced.’

  ‘You’ll never understand, so there is no point in speaking of these things.’

  ‘Very well. I haven’t come to quarrel with you. My dear, nothing will restore your husband to you, but life must go on. It is early to speak of it, but in time you will remarry... With rest and an easier life you will regain your looks, and then we’ll see. William, you know, has never married, and he is of a forgiving disposition.’

  Sophie stared at him. ‘So that’s it!’ she said slowly. ‘I might have known that there would be some reason for your sudden change of heart. It wasn’t concern for me that brought you here. Unwed, I am of use to you again.’

  Her father was quick to rebut the charge. ‘You are grown so hard,’ he complained. ‘Must you pick me up on every word? Your mother and I are thinking only of your happiness.’

  ‘And that of Sir William Curtis too, no doubt. I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you. You’ve always coveted his fortune and his lands.’

  ‘Was it so wrong to want the best for you? I could never understand why you took against him.’

  ‘A man with the reputation of a lecher? Father, you were blinded by his wealth.’

  ‘No man is perfect, Sophie, as you must have learned by now. All this high-minded disregard for comfort and position proves to me that you are still a foolish girl. It is not the way of the world.’

  Sophie did not answer him.

  ‘There is no hurry for you to wed again,’ he said in a coaxing tone. ‘We shall not rush you into making a decision. William has shown great forbearance. He has forgiven you your—’

  ‘My silly misdemeanour in marrying another man? How noble of him. I wonder, will he accept my son as well?’

  Edward Leighton’s face grew dark. ‘Don’t be a fool!’ he snapped. ‘I’m not suggesting that you bring the boy.’

  Sophie looked at him in disbelief. ‘What are you saying? You can’t mean it! Christopher is your grandson.’

  ‘No!’ he cried. ‘I’ll have no whelp of Firle’s beneath my roof. You must send him for adoption...’

  It was enough. Sophie rose to her feet. ‘I always thought you hard,’ she said. ‘But this is unbelievable!’

  ‘You may believe it, my girl. Was I ever hard with you? I gave you everything—’

  ‘Everything but understanding, Father—’

  ‘Pah! A child should be dutiful and obedient to the wishes of its parents. You had no experience of the world. At seventeen, how could you decide where your best interests lay?’

  ‘Not with Sir William, certainly...’

  ‘Firle was a better choice? In my view he was lucky not to be transported.’ A bitter laugh preceded his next words. ‘You don’t agree? Tell me, then, where did he find the money to buy this place? It is a well-known hostelry. Have you any idea how much it must have cost?’

  Sophie shook her head and turned away. It was a subject which had often troubled her. ‘He had friends...’ she whispered.

  ‘That, at least, is true, but who were they? Did you ever meet them?’

  Her silence gave him his answer.

  ‘I see that you did not. You didn’t think to ask? Well, after all, it was not a woman’s place to do so. I don’t blame you for your ignorance, but you must face the truth. The man you married was a handsome weakling, seduced by the opportunity to make easy money.’ Squire Leighton looked at his daughter and sighed. ‘You aren’t the first woman to be deceived by such a creature, and you won’t be the last, more’s the pity.’

  Sophie began to tremble, but she faced him squarely. ‘You shan’t say those things of Richard—’ She could not go on.

  ‘Stuff! What do you know of men and their desires? Firle was on the make, my dear. His prayers were answered when an heiress fell into his lap. He must have thought that I’d forgive you once you were safely wed.’

  ‘I know better!’ Sophie was on her feet, her cheeks aflame. ‘He wouldn’t have touched a farthing of your money, and nor would I, even had you offered it.’

  ‘There was no danger of that.’

  ‘No, you made that all too clear. You cut me off completely, Father. In these last six years I haven’t heard a word from you. I wrote to Mama, but I had no reply. Did you forbid her to answer me?’

  ‘I did.’ Edward Leighton looked about him in disgust. ‘Would you have had her visit you here, in a common alehouse? How pleasant it would have bee
n for her to see her daughter mixing with all and sundry!’

  ‘I’m not ashamed of it. It is an honest living.’

  ‘Bought with the proceeds of corruption?’

  Sophie controlled her anger with an effort. Then, as the gusting wind sent rain lashing against the windowpanes, she changed the subject.

  ‘The storm grows worse,’ she observed quietly. ‘Will you stay here tonight?’

  ‘I must leave within the hour. Sophie, you haven’t answered me. Come home to us. One mistake may be forgiven. It will soon be forgotten—’

  ‘As I must forget my son?’

  ‘I meant what I said.’ Her father’s lips tightened. ‘I won’t house that reminder of your folly.’

  ‘Then there’s no more to be said. I thank you, Father, but I can’t accept your offer.’ Sophie glanced through the window. ‘Won’t you stay?’ she asked again. ‘You won’t wish to travel in this weather.’

  ‘I’ll be the judge of that. I may tell you that nothing would persuade me to remain beneath your roof. Of all the wicked, ungrateful girls...’

  ‘I’m sorry you feel like that.’

  ‘I do, and I wash my hands of you. You’ve made your bed. Now you must lie in it. It will break your mother’s heart, but you must make no attempt to get in touch with her. From now on I have no daughter, and nor has she.’ He pushed past her and stormed out of the room, calling for his carriage as he did so.

  Sophie stood by the fire, listening to the bustle as his horses were put to. She felt sick at heart as the carriage rolled away, but he was asking the impossible. Nothing would have persuaded her to part with her son. Christopher was her life.

  There had been no question of her falling in with his demands, but the stormy interview had shaken her to the core. The shock of seeing her father had unnerved her, but a feeling of desolation was soon followed by anger. Then that too faded, giving way to despair. What was she to do?

  On the day that Richard died she’d closed the inn, wanting only to be left alone. A dreadful lethargy had possessed her, and when her servants began to drift away she’d made no effort to stop them, knowing that she could not find their wages. Richard had left her penniless. It was but one more blow to add to those she had already suffered.