Defying the Earl

by Anabelle Bryant

  They’d reached the outskirts of Mayfair and only ventured a quarter mile down the roadway before he heard his name called across the quiet avenue, London hardly awake at the ungodly hour they attempted their subterfuge. He glanced in the direction of the summons to see Jasper driving an impressive carriage, a newly designed phaeton led by a beautiful stepper, and Randolph grinning on the bench beside him. What the devil could the two be up to when most of society lay asleep?

  He reined in Arcadia. “Wilhelmina, my brother and his comrade in shenanigans have spied our approach. Hold tight while I bring us closer.” With ease he maneuvered them beside the phaeton.

  “I look a sight.” Her objection was nothing more than a feeble mutter.

  “In that, we are a matched pair,” he reassured, his hand skittering down the length of her arm as if to wipe away the dust of travel and simultaneously offer fortitude. “I doubt you need worry about first impressions. Jasper is often the one at a loss.” His statement ended on a soft note as they came to a stop.

  “Good morning, Dash. It looks like you have Arcadia at a disadvantage.”

  His brother’s jaunty grin and clever quip did little to distract the two gentlemen were surely in pursuit of something sketchy. “Jasper. Beaufort. Allow me to introduce Lady Montgomery.”

  Wilhelmina’s face colored under Jasper’s perusal, from regard of her ruined attire or the unexpected circumstances Valerian could not know. To him, she looked utterly kissable, until she wriggled on the saddle, trapped by his thighs, and with a grunt of objection his mind spun in a different direction.

  “Have you been in an accident of sorts? If you don’t mind the mention, Dash, you look a bit frayed around the edges.” This from Randolph who had had the decency and good sense to remain silent thus far. Unfortunately, the moment had ended. “I know an excellent tailor who can stitch you the finest calf-clingers and waistcoat. I will refer you if preferred.”

  Valerian eyed Beaufort with a dismissive glance then turned his attention toward Jasper. “Why didn’t you show at Kirby Park when I messaged you? My note implicitly stated I needed your assistance.” Arcadia sidestepped, the animal attuned to his master’s disagreeable tone.

  “I would have come had I not been up to my knee-caps with important experimentation. And then the poor weather.” He threw a gloved hand upward as if to indicate where the sky was located in case Dash was unaware. “Only a fool would travel in such harsh conditions.”

  Wasn’t that a case of the kettle calling the coal bucket black? Valerian swallowed his spleen and a plethora of questions begging answer. No good could come of prolonging their unlikely meeting in the middle of the thoroughfare while London rubbed the sleep from its eyes, although a tempting notion or two teased the periphery of his mind.

  Sixth Earl of Dashwood Extinguishes Would-Be Seventh Earl.

  “We are in a hurry although I will pursue our conversation later. Be sure you are found this afternoon.” He spoke in a tone meant for young children and the aged or infirmed.

  “Absolutely. I have grand news to share.” Jasper’s grin widened.

  Valerian wondered if his brother would blurt out the unmentionable and indicate Caroline had returned to England. Jasper claimed to have good news, but only the devil could save him if he invested the last of their funds in another scatter-witted invention. Val opened his mouth to fill the silence with anything that might override an impending non sequitur but Jasper proved quicker.

  “And Randolph does as well. No more glumping for his lonely heart.” Beaufort tipped his hat in tandem with this announcement; while Jasper leaned over the reins and patted the neck of the fine horse leading his phaeton. “It’s amazing how things can change in the span of twenty-four hours.”

  “Indeed.” Wilhelmina looked surprised she’d spoken aloud as all attention shot in her direction.

  Valerian chuckled, catching her eye and nodding in agreement. He made quick work of dispatching the phaeton, but barely made progress down the street when Wilhelmina turned in the saddle, anxious to pepper him with questions.

  “Who was that gentleman with your brother? I thought I heard Jasper refer to him as Randolph.”

  “The two are a fine pair, but I fear their friendship will end badly. While Beaufort has deep pockets and generosity to spare, he is easily led into Jasper’s harebrained schemes. Accompanied by the gentleman’s low morale at nursing a broken heart, I predict a poor ending. Jasper’s experimentation and invention investment have contributed significantly to the Dashwood crisis. Beaufort may be the next mark.”

  His words came out in a matter-of-fact tone, although each syllable twisted his heart a little more. Without financial security, he could never claim Wilhelmina for wife. That proved the deepest cut.

  “I see.”

  “I doubt that you do.”

  “I’d like to learn more of Lord Beaufort.”

  A wistful note threaded through her statement and a flash of possessiveness caught Valerian unaware. He kneed Arcadia for lack of a better reaction. “Beaufort? For what reason?” Any answer would do, but one which assuaged his sudden insecurity was preferred.

  “I have a general interest.”

  Her baffling reply did little to alleviate his lamentable onset of jealousy. He slowed the horse and ran the back of his hand across Wilhelmina’s cheek to gain better attention. Some sort of appreciative noise escaped her throat and he grinned with the reaction. “We’ve arrived.”

  Valerian reined in Arcadia and after dismounting, assisted Wilhelmina, before tying off the horse at a nearby lamp post. He offered a reassuring smile that he hardly believed himself and led the way to the door, moving aside as she gently inserted a key and entered on soft steps.

  “Whimsy?” An elderly woman, petite in stature and wrapped in a crimson blanket, rushed toward the door. “Whatsoever has happened? How is it you’re coming in at this hour when I thought you safely tucked upstairs?”

  “Aunt Kate.” Wilhelmina embraced her aunt in a tight hug of consolation. So much had happened since she’d left yesterday she didn’t know where to begin or how to explain. Especially not the particulars. The private time spent with Valerian was locked in her heart. “I am well; a little shaken from a mishap yesterday, but fine in all ways otherwise.”

  They entered the house and Wilhelmina experienced the uncomfortable feeling of years ago, when she’d feigned illness and eluded her family’s planned travel. Her aunt’s expression was one of genuine concern, not judgment, despite Wilhelmina’s clothing was soiled and ruined, her absence unconscionable.

  Valerian cleared his throat.

  “Oh, where are my manners? Aunt Kate, this is Lord Dashwood, the gentleman who kindly rescued me when the carriage overturned.”

  “Carriage? Have I heard correctly?” Aunt Kate squeezed Wilhelmina’s hands and towed her from the entry. Valerian followed. “Pardon me, Lord Dashwood. I am confused. How is it you found Wilhelmina? Where were you going, dear? Livie said you paid a call to a friend.”

  Aunt Kate’s attention swung left and right, her bewildered expression filled with compassion, yet it pained Wilhelmina at the dishonesty she perpetuated. The events of the past day and now this, an explanation negligently absent of truth, compounded the events of two summers ago with agonizing irony. She took a long breath to deliberate the appropriate response.

  “I did go to visit a friend. That is correct.” She ushered her aunt closer to the fire and saw her seated before she and Valerian claimed chairs. “The poor weather caused problems on the roadways and the carriage returning me to London slid into a deep ditch. Lord Dashwood ably assisted, yet we were wet from the drenching downpour and in fear for health risks so I returned to Kirby Park, Dashwood’s estate, to dry by the fire and wait for morning’s clearing. That explains this early hour.” She recited a silent prayer her aunt would accept her explanation. It was all truth, edited to benefit everyone involved. Especially Valerian who’d made it crystal clear he had no wish to marry
her.

  “As long as you are well, Whimsy, and no one knows otherwise. Poor weather may be at fault, yet I have concern for your reputation if anyone dared speak a slanderous word.” Aunt Kate assessed her with slow scrutiny, before donning a brilliant smile and turning all attention to Dashwood. “How good of you to rescue my niece. Quite heroic, indeed. Please accept my appreciation.”

  Wilhelmina watched as Aunt Kate fawned over Valerian’s handsome ruggedness, unable to stop her from drawing the natural conclusion he presented an ideal husband candidate. In truth, he did. At least by Wilhelmina’s standards. But good sense intruded, beating down the irrational hope in her heart and forcing her to refocus.

  “We should allow Lord Dashwood to continue his day. I’ve inconvenienced him greatly already.”

  “It was never an inconvenience, Lady Montgomery.” He rose from the chair and stepped away. “Please know it was my inestimable pleasure to be of service.” Then with a short bow of farewell, Valerian left.

  “Good heavens, Dashwood is a handsome gentleman. You could do no better than to set your cap for a peer who is not only pleasing to the eye but composed of heroic qualities.” Aunt Kate glowed with enthusiasm.

  “Perhaps.” Wilhelmina thought to change the subject, not trusting her emotions to prove as valiant as Valerian. “Why are you awake at this early hour? Is everything all right?”

  “Not to worry, dear. I had difficulty sleeping and came down for a cup of tea. I didn’t wish to trouble Rose.” Satisfied with her explanation, Aunt Kate continued, “You must have a bath and rest. I wouldn’t want you to catch the chill you avoided last evening.” She motioned toward the stairs with a shooing wave. “Go ahead.”

  Happy to acquiesce to her aunt’s dismissal, Wilhelmina climbed the stairs and shed her clothes. She fingered the hem of her chemise and a rush of memories, Valerian’s heated kisses and tender caresses accompanied the pang of longing deep in her soul.

  She understood his reluctance, albeit it made little sense. He was a man of great pride and consideration, even if it caused him sacrifice. By his own admission, he’d surrendered any notions of matchbreaking once he realized he’d fallen in love. And he’d confessed how he’d enjoyed finding her in his path. She had the remedy for that. She’d put herself there and see where their hearts would lead. She smiled as she wrapped tighter in her robe to await delivery of her bathwater.

  Yet later, when she climbed abed and drifted off to sleep, the gnawing queries that poked at her brain concerned a man named Randolph. She hadn’t had a chance to see Livie since returning home and she desperately wanted to do so. Randolph…could he be another coincidence, as befuddling as the question of her charm bracelet? Or had she conveniently discovered a secret her sister intended to keep kept?

  Valerian awoke from his nap, refreshed and determined. Having bathed earlier, he dressed with alacrity and hurried downstairs where Jasper and Randolph’s voices could be heard amidst raucous foolishness. The two buffoons had complied and returned to the residence as he’d requested, although their loud conversation was likely the reason his nap had become abbreviated.

  He wouldn’t think of Whimsy despite she consumed every waking thought. Nay, he’d dreamed of her too. He grimaced with impatience at his tenuous situation then paused as halfway down the staircase a cascade of feminine laughter snagged his attention. Caroline. Damn it all, the day couldn’t get worse. Gripping the mahogany balustrade, he skipped the last step and hurried down the hall.

  “At last, you’re awake.” Jasper rose from his chair in the drawing room and approached, his eyes flared in exaggerated warning. “This is an exchange of positions, isn’t it?”

  “Never mind that.” Valerian walked in, resolute on showing Caroline the way out. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?” He flicked his eyes in her direction, then nodded to Beaufort. “I take it introductions have been made?”

  “Of course.” Randolph offered excuses and followed Jasper upstairs to the study.

  Once the room was empty, Valerian allowed his true emotion to show. “What do you want? I thought we settled matters yesterday.”

  Caroline matched his stare with rank belligerence. “Hardly.” She turned a quick smile and transformed her mood. “You escorted me to the door before I could explain what I truly proposed.” She took a few steps closer, her sultry walk an invitation. “Perhaps you forgot how well we got on together, dwelling too much on past history and not enough on what the future offers.” She smiled again, but this time he hardly spared her a glance. “Money forgives many transgressions. Why don’t you let me make your life easier?”

  If he had a whit of sense he would see her to the door with haste. But would she be back tomorrow like a recurring nightmare? Perhaps the smarter choice would be to hear her out and eradicate the problem once and for all.

  “You have my attention.”

  “At last.” She pursed her lips and sidled closer.

  “Don’t waste time with forced flirtation. Give me the smallest scrap of respect and try honesty, Caroline.”

  Her expression mutated several times as if deciding on the correct mask before settling with a long exhale. With hope she resigned he refused to be swayed by her superficial behavior.

  “I’m lonely.” She swallowed as if the words had been stuck in her throat and she was only now able to force them free. “Society perceives me as strong and independent, the demeanor I most often present, but I’ve suffered every kind of loss over the last two years. Well, except financial.” She stalled, tears watering her eyes. “I need companionship; someone to share my future, to enjoy daily conversation and nightly activities. I no longer wish to face life alone.”

  The sound of the front entry brass drew Valerian’s notice, but he forced his attention to Caroline, her discomposure striking a sympathetic note. He knew the flavor of regret well. Had the lady not devastated his plans and pride, he’d once considered their future otherwise intended. But she’d destroyed that vision, shaming him in the process and choosing wealth over emotion. Pity was the only label for his sentiments on the matter. If she desired someone to share her remaining days, she’d come to the wrong household. At his silence, she continued.

  “I’m aware I’ve embarrassed you and caused a scandal before fleeing to America, but Fate never leaves a debt unpaid. My child and husband died within months of each other, leaving me quite alone.” Tears streaked her face as she turned in his direction.

  Gone was the histrionic outpouring and sultry enticement, replaced by a shade of behavior he’d never seen Caroline emote.

  He was all at once suspicious.

  Her talents included a carefree suppression of true motive, still he would go to her the way a brother reassures a sister when her heart is broken. She turned into his chest accepting his shoulder, her face against his waistcoat. At a loss for words, he allowed her the comfort, his loose embrace consolation enough.

  When a knock sounded on the drawing room door, he speared a sideways glare as Jasper entered with Randolph in tow. But no, it wasn’t Beaufort trailing his brother. Jasper stepped aside.

  Wilhelmina.

  She stood in Jasper’s wake, her face pale and her brows knitted as she stared into his eyes.

  He smiled true joy, until it dawned with deplorable realization he still embraced Caroline.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Whimsy’s voice hammered him with the acute bitterness of a London hail storm.

  Valerian could well imagine how it appeared though Wilhelmina had no reason to fret. She owned his entire heart and he smiled wider at her endearing show of jealousy.

  Apparently Caroline noticed she’d lost his attention. He’d dropped his arms as Whimsy entered and now adrift, Caroline stepped away, recomposed, her attention drawn by Wilhelmina’s icy proclamation. Jasper had wisely taken himself elsewhere.

  “If you wanted him for yourself, you shouldn’t have accepted my payment and sent me to his door.” The smirk that followed cleared any il
lusion Caroline had changed her ways. Val watched with keen interest as she continued. “And straight into his arms.” She whispered the last bit.

  He thought to interject with an exonerating explanation, but his eyes landed on Wilhelmina, out of depth and utterly adorable. She turned in his direction and he hoped the tenderness in his heart softened his expression. “Nonsense, Caroline. Nothing untoward is happening here and I’m pleased Wilhelmina has come to visit.”

  Wilhelmina’s brow climbed on cue with his admittance. “Actually, I’m here to see Lord Beaufort.”

  “The hell you are.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Both ladies swiveled in his direction as the low muttered objection broke the silence. He was dead serious and would happily expound to dismiss any misgivings on Whimsy’s part. “A well-bred lady never visits a gentleman unchaperoned.”

  Wilhelmina swung her eyes to Caroline, Valerian’s implied message clear.

  “Must I return with Aunt Kate, because I intend to speak to Lord Beaufort whether you approve or not?”

  He glanced to her hems certain she would stamp her little boot, this charming display of temper rattling his restraint. He wanted nothing more than to rush to her side and wrap her in his embrace. But whatsoever could she wish to discuss with Beaufort? Randolph was as jangle-brained as Jasper on his sharpest morning.

  “Is Lord Beaufort in house?” Her brows rose nearly to her hairline this time.

  “Good heavens, Whimsy.” He left Caroline’s side and strode across the room anxious to understand her ill-advised mission. “He’s at home, but why the insistence?”

  “I do not pry into your personal business.” Again she shifted her eyes to Caroline. “I’d appreciate if you didn’t ask questions I’m hesitant to answer.”

  Anger overrode his early amusement. “I believe our relationship has advanced beyond casual conversation.”