I Shall Love the Earl

by Laura A. Barnes

  Rory felt Dallis’s gaze on him. She would wonder at his anger. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, trying to keep his temper calm. This latest setback made him desperate. Belle had sent word on a new bloke fighting tonight, if he was interested. With a dire need for money, he decided to take up the offer.

  “Wilde, will you take my wife and family home?” Rory should have asked Sheffield, but his anger prevented him from requesting Sheffield’s help.

  “Where are you going, Beckwith?” Sheffield demanded.

  “Belle’s.” The one word was enough of an explanation.

  “Rory, you need not fight. Take my loan, I know you are good for it.”

  “I will make sure they arrive home safely,” Wilde told him.

  Wilde understood Rory’s pride better than anybody. Sheffield lived an opulent lifestyle and didn’t understand Rory’s struggle. Everything came easy for him. Not that Wilde ever had financial problems, but he didn’t enjoy the luxuries of a duke.

  “Do not let pride stand in your way,” Sheffield argued.

  “Sometimes pride is all that a man has, Sheffield.”

  Rory turned to leave. He caught Dallis’s gaze. He sighed, knowing he should wish her farewell, but couldn’t without explaining why he needed to leave. Rory would make it up to her later. For now, he must go to Belle’s and fight. With a new fighting prospect the bets would be vast and he could earn enough coin to pacify the creditors.

  Dallis watched Rory leave and didn’t understand why he abandoned her without an explanation. She trusted he'd made arrangements for them to make it home. She wouldn’t ask his friends where he went. If this was how their marriage would proceed, then Dallis was glad she kept her feelings to herself too. When Lord Holdenburg requested her hand in a dance she accepted. Dallis missed his company.

  “I see your husband has abandoned you for the evening.”

  “Yes, it appears he has.”

  “Has the gentleman still not learned what a precious jewel he now holds in his possession?”

  “My husband is well aware of what he has. Only he chooses not to admire it.”

  “For shame. If he shall not, then perhaps I can.”

  “Lord Holdenburg, I am not in the mood for this flirtation you seem to want to exhibit. Should you not be focusing on your own love life?”

  “Lady Dallis, I only speak as your friend. I hoped to lift your spirits, so that you will smile. When I noticed you earlier stealing glances in your husband’s direction, I will admit it made me envy the bloke.”

  “Lord Holdenburg, forgive my harsh words. I am a trifle upset and have taken my frustration out on you instead of the man who deserves it.”

  “I forgive you. Can I be of assistance?”

  “Dance with me and make me smile. Then tell me how you plan to pursue Lady Kathleen. She is watching us dance.”

  “Is she? Does she appear jealous?”

  “No, I do not believe she is.”

  “How disappointing.”

  Dallis laughed at his dejected look. Why did her husband twist her in knots, but Lord Holdenburg only made her smile?

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “You can ask me anything, Lady Beckwith.”

  “Why are you and Rory no longer friends? Lady Beckwith speaks with loving regard toward your nature, and Kathleen explained how you were the best of friends throughout school. However, you never speak to one another.”

  “A long story. One that involves a bet with his father that would ruin his sister, if the truth were ever revealed. I only made the bet to prevent their father from raising the stakes to another man. Rory saw it in a different light and lays the blame for his father’s death at my feet.”

  “Why is this your fault?”

  “Because I am the reason they are broke. His father bet everything he owned, and one special thing he did not. Every time he raised the stakes, I raised them higher. He thought he had me beat, but alas I held the winning hand. Soon thereafter his father fell ill and passed away. Rory blames the result of the card game on his demise. When he came to me and demanded that I relinquish the bet, I refused.”

  “What were the stakes?”

  “Something I have shared with only one other person than Rory and I made a promise to never disclose the information. Although one day I will, but it shall be to the person most affected.”

  A niggling thought formed in Dallis’s mind on who he might be discussing. If Dallis was correct, then Lord Holdenburg never stood a chance with the lady he most desired no matter how much he wanted her.

  “Thank you for explaining.”

  “My pleasure. Now, on to lighter subjects, may I pay a visit during afternoon tea tomorrow?”

  “Yes, please do.” Dallis laughed.

  KATHLEEN FOUGHT HER jealously watching Lord Holdenburg twirling Dallis around the ballroom floor. When her new sister laughed, envy smothered Kathleen. If Rory saw them dancing, his temper would soar. Her brother usually kept a tight rein on his temper. However, Kathleen knew he wouldn’t control his possessiveness with Dallis enjoying the company of any man, as innocent as it may be. She knew Dallis only regarded Lord Holdenburg as a friend, because she saw the love shine in Dallis’s eyes whenever she and Rory were together. Her brother was a fool for not informing Dallis of their dire situation. Rory never discussed with Kathleen their family’s financials, but she was wise enough to realize how much their life had changed since their father died. How desperate Rory became to earn them money. He didn’t come home beaten, bruised, and then poured over the ledgers all because their finances were well. No, he tried to squeeze out every pence he could.

  When Rory left the ball, Kathleen knew his destination. Before long Dallis would discover it too. When she did, Dallis would no longer be a happy wife.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Dallis entertained their guests with a smile pressed to her face. A smile forced, because her husband was a fool. He stayed away throughout the night and into the following day. She'd only expected Lord Holdenburg to arrive for tea, but soon their small parlor overflowed. Her grandmother arrived, as well as Sidney and Sophia. Dallis played the gracious hostess. Lord Holdenburg, the only gentleman in the room, charmed the ladies with his wit. Even Kathleen laughed at a few of his jokes. He'd noticed Dallis’s worried expression and attempted to make her happy.

  The long day continued with no sign of Rory, and she moved past concern to annoyance. How dare he not come home? Dallis would have been more worried, but Rory had sent a note to his mother of his delay. Not to her, but to his mother—as if he didn’t have a wife.

  It was time he shared his secrets with her, and a good explanation for his disappearance. Dallis wouldn’t stand by and not take notice any longer. She had more than enough ample funds for them to live a comfortable life. When she wed Rory, her father endowed a small inheritance. If Rory wouldn’t say which shopkeepers needed paid, then Dallis would enlist his mother’s help. It was time for them to be husband and wife in the true sense, where it mattered the most. And that was with honesty.

  She understood, too, that if she wanted Rory to confide his money troubles, then Dallis must say how much she loved him.

  Lord Holdenburg departed and it was only a room full of ladies, gossiping and drinking tea. Dallis wished she could relax, but an uneasiness settled over her. When the door knocker echoed through the house over and over, Dallis realized she must answer it. She excused herself.

  Not one but two gentlemen who appeared to be shopkeepers stood on her doorstep. When she inquired to their needs, they thrust receipts into her face demanding payment.

  Dallis offered promises that Rory would call on them as soon as he returned home. Her excuses only caused them to bellow louder. When they still wouldn’t leave, Dallis reached for her reticule and withdrew some bills, paying enough to appease them with a further promise that on the morrow, after she made a call to the bank, she would stop at their shops to clear any unsettled bills. Both
the men, satisfied with this, changed their attitudes swiftly and treated her with the respect of the highest regard.

  After she ushered them away, she turned and found Rory glaring at her from the foot of the stairs.

  It would appear he had returned home without her knowledge, sneaking up the stairs to change his clothes. Now he stood angry, his fists folded tight and his mouth pressed closed. He narrowed his eyes at the purse, furious with her actions. Well good. Both of them could be angry for all that she cared. His pride was foolish. They were a family and if he was too knuckle-headed to realize that, then she no longer cared. She lifted her head regally and moved to return to the parlor. However, he stopped her progress before she could move past him. Rory reached out and gripped her arm. It wasn’t painful, but enough pressure for her to take notice.

  “Madam, what did I just witness?”

  “I paid off your bill collectors.”

  “Why?”

  “Because they were causing a scene and needed to be paid.”

  “I will take care of my own debt.”

  “Your debt is mine, Rory.”

  “No, my debt is only mine.”

  “Rory, we are a family now. Families carry each other’s burdens,” Dallis pleaded.

  “This was the very reason why I did not pursue you. I had no means to provide for you in the way you deserved.”

  “So instead it was all right to trifle with my affections and ruin me?”

  “Your grandmother forced my hand before I was ready.”

  Dallis tried to pull out of his grasp, his hurtful words bruising her heart. Rory never meant to marry her.

  “Well, consider yourself unforced.”

  “Dallis, you do not understand.”

  “No, I understand very well. I married a man who held no intention to wed me, only to bed me. Then when he became trapped, he toyed with my emotions by creating a bond so powerful I could never leave him, even if I wanted to.”

  “Dallis,” he growled.

  “Rory,” her voice softened. Dallis was aware her anger would solve nothing and tried gentle words. “Let me help ease your burden. I have a small savings. We can pay off your debts and fix the house.”

  “No.” Rory’s voice grew louder. “I am the man, and I will provide for my family. We will not spend your money on another item going forward. By all rights, your money is mine and I will put it into a trust for our children. If I hear or see you paying off any debts, I will make sure you never have another coin to carry.” With those words he stomped away and slammed the front door on his way out.

  Dallis sunk to the bottom stair, tears streaming down her face. His anger was so unexpected. She'd tried to show that she cared by offering to help his family, and he responded with cruelty. Rory’s touch was what hurt the most. It was impersonal, as if she meant nothing to him at all.

  “Dallis?” Lady Beckwith spoke softly at her side.

  When Dallis raised her head, she saw her guests standing in the open doorway to the parlor. Rory’s shouts had echoed throughout the entire house. The looks of pity were more than she could bear.

  “I only wanted to help.”

  “I know, my dear.” She urged Dallis to her feet, guiding her into the parlor. Once Dallis settled on the sofa, they attempted to ease her despair. The more she heard their excuses, the more depressed Dallis became. She cried on Lady Beckwith’s shoulder, pouring out her love for Rory. Each lady held her hand offering advice. When the afternoon turned into evening, Rory still hadn’t returned. Sheffield and Wildeburg arrived to escort their wives’ home, and said they would search for him. Everybody tried to reassure Dallis that this behavior was normal, and it was usual for husbands and wives to fight. The making-up was the best part.

  Lady Beckwith assisted Dallis to her bedroom, helped her undress and settle in bed for the night. She reached for Dallis’s hand.

  “Dallis, my son is a proud man who is also a fool. I only ask for you to find it in your heart to forgive him. Rory has carried an enormous burden since his father died. He wants to be a better man than his father ever was. In doing so, he has forgotten how to ask for help. I know he feels deep sorrow for shouting at you. Give him time, my dear.”

  Dallis couldn’t answer her. She already forgave him. Only, Rory would never forgive himself. It was another thing he would let hang over his head. Until Rory opened himself to her they would always have this distance between them. When Lady Beckwith left the room, Dallis curled on her side, bringing Rory’s pillow into her arms. Her tears started again and continued to flow until she fell into an exhausted sleep.

  RORY SAT IN HIS FAVORITE chair and watched how peaceful Dallis rested. His anger still boiled to the surface. Not at her, never at her. Only at himself. He was more of a fool than he thought. He let his pride ruin a beautiful thing. Shame settled over him from the way he'd spoken to Dallis. What made it even worse, the parlor was full of their family and friends. So not only did he leave speaking such hateful words, they were all witness to overhear him spout off like an idiot. He would endure a lecture from every single lady. Especially from her grandmother—he could expect to be burnt to a crisp from the fire she would unleash on him. Lady Ratcliff had warned him to treat his granddaughter with care. He had failed on all accounts.

  He wanted to reach out and wipe away the tears left on her cheeks, but didn’t want to wake Dallis. Disgust set heavy in his soul. Rory had only returned home long enough to make sure she hadn’t left him. If she had left, he didn’t know what he would do. He was a selfish bastard. With one last glance in her direction he snuck out of the house again. This time he needed to lick his wounds. When he left earlier, Rory had an appointment with the family lawyer to discuss his options. With a heavy heart, he would need to sell their home. Rory found a small house on the edge of the respectable side of London for them to move into. With a tight budget, and some extra hours from Lord Hartridge, his family would survive.

  He headed to Belle’s. Rory no longer planned to fight, but he felt the need for a drink or two. He wanted to stay away from his club. By now Sheffield would have heard how he treated Dallis and would take him to task. He cringed knowing he deserved the lecture and probably a punch or two, but Rory wanted to avoid any such confrontation.

  So instead Rory went to where everybody else escaped to. Nobody asked questions at Belle’s because they were usually there to escape too.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  What did one do with a freshly married, drunken earl? Belle understood why Rory stayed away from her gaming hell and brothel. She didn’t want to start any rumors about him visiting her girls. She had yet to meet Lady Dallis, but her friends said that she had a heart of gold. Since Belle couldn’t take him upstairs, even to her own private chambers, Rory left her with a dilemma. The man was beyond stinking drunk. Throughout the long evening he spilled his troubles. One after another into her ear. It was dangerous, the stories concerning his father. Well, it would be to anybody else, but Belle already knew the sad tale. It was a secret she'd promised to hold and never release. For it wasn’t her secret to tell. If Belle was younger and Rory not married, she would have taken him to her bed. With his hair disheveled and his clothes in disarray, he painted an adorable picture. Rory reclined in a chair, wearing only his shirt and trousers. His words slurred as he muttered his love for Dallis. Her old heart strings tugged at unrequited love.

  Rory had informed Belle this evening that he would no longer fight. She understood. While Belle would miss the profits from his handsome face, he couldn’t hide busted knuckles from a wife. Before long Lady Dallis would inquire to his injuries. From the sound of it, the poor fool had enough troubles after his row with his wife this afternoon. Belle needed to send word to Sheffield and Wilde to collect him and return Rory home to his lovely bride.

  Belle rose to instruct Ned to deliver a message just as Bruno and Magnus forced their way into the bar. She only opened the bar to the gentry, not for the hired fighters. When they spotted Rory dr
unk, they punched their fists into their other hand. Devious smiles lit their faces at their foe from the ring being drunk off his ass. Belle spotted trouble and called for Ned and her other guards, but they couldn’t reach Rory in time.

  Brutus grabbed Rory from behind, pinning his arms behind his back, and swung him around to face Magnus. The brute punched Rory in the stomach, doubling him over, but Brutus kept him standing so that he had to take the abuse Magnus threw his way. They belted punch after punch across his face. After Magnus delivered his blows, Brutus took his turn. He knocked Rory over a group of chairs, sending him flying against the wall. Brutus lifted him like a sack of flour and tossed him to Magnus, who threw him back against the wall. The whole time Rory never punched them back. He was too drunk to walk, let alone lift his arms to punch. Ned and the guards grabbed the men before they did any more damage. Belle instructed Ned to kick them out with orders to never return. Her word would spread by tomorrow and they would never find another fighting gig again. Rory wasn’t a powerful man, but his friends were.

  With one look at Rory, Belle’s heart broke. The man was already on his last rope, now he had it pulled around his throat. The only good thing was that with him unconscious, Rory held no clue what befell him. Blood dripped from his nose, his lip was slit wide open and his eyes were already turning purple. How would Belle explain this mess to his wife? Well, she wouldn’t have to—Sheffield still owed her a few favors.

  When Sheffield and Wilde walked in, that was how they found him. Beaten, bruised, and sleeping off a hangover on Belle’s bar room floor. She'd covered him in a blanket and watched as he slept. When her two friends arrived to escort him home, Belle described the scene. Sheffield had started laughing when he spotted Rory sprawled out drunk. His snores echoing around them. Wilde frowned at Sheffield’s humor. He understood why Sheffield laughed, but he still felt sympathy for Rory.