Defying the Earl

by Anabelle Bryant

  “Has it now?” Caroline interjected, proving she’d absorbed every word with the interest of a viper waiting to strike. She took a menacing step and Wilhelmina reacted exactly as intended.

  “I should leave and pursue my personal business. It’s easy to see I’ve interrupted a private conversation.”

  Valerian shook his head to dissuade her. “Not at all.”

  “Of course she did, dearheart.” Caroline turned a brittle smile and pierced Whimsy with an icy glare. “Valerian and I were quite busy. You should know I can’t imagine my life without him.”

  “You might want to start.” Wilhelmina spun on her heel and returned to the hall.

  Valerian stared after her, a smile teasing his mouth at her possessive reply though his mind became conflicted by curiosity soon after. Why was Whimsy determined to speak to a man she’d never met before?

  “Let her go so we may resume our discussion.”

  Right, Caroline. “I can’t make this any clearer.” He exhaled deeply and faced his past mistake, more annoyance that true problem, yet anxious to dismiss with finality. “There is no future for us. There never will be. You should aim your attention, your efforts, whatever label fits, in some other gentleman’s direction. You may believe you can help me, but no amount of money will buy my affection.” His words struck a chord of realization, in tune to his fiscal situation and everlasting adoration for Wilhelmina. He’d dismissed Whimsy’s view of their future as feminine naiveté. But damn it to hell, he needed to reconsider.

  First, of course, he must find her. The sharp incentive sparked him into action. “Now, I have another matter to attend to. Please show yourself out.” He left before Caroline could utter an objecting syllable and climbed the stairs to the study. Why would Wilhelmina need to speak to Beaufort? He stopped short upon entering the room where Randolph and Whimsy stood alone. “What is happening here?”

  Wilhelmina might have smiled at Valerian’s endearing and jealous temperament. Good heavens, his brilliant eyes blazed with fury as he stood in the doorframe broad and demanding, his jaw set, fists clenched as if itching for provocation to throw a punch. Alas, she was too involved with Randolph to enjoy his reaction fully, but her stomach fluttered just the same.

  “So you haven’t kept correspondence with my sister Livie?” A note of disappointment mingled with relief as Lord Beaufort nodded the affirmative.

  “I’m afraid I’m of little assistance. Your sister may have written to any lucky fellow.”

  “I’m sorry to have bothered you.” She wasn’t sure exactly how she felt about the entire situation.

  “I only wish I could have supplied more answers. I daresay London is a huge city. Perhaps if I spoke to your sister directly—”

  “Oh no.” Wilhelmina emphasized her answer with a vehement shake of the head. “That is unnecessary.”

  An odd silence took hold.

  “I will take things from here, Beaufort. Now excuse yourself. I need to speak to Lady Montgomery.” Valerian’s tone verged on lethal.

  Lord Beaufort offered her an abrupt bow and left the room as if flames licked his heels. She whirled on Valerian, her emotions as muddled as his reasoning. “You had no right to chase Lord Beaufort from the room.”

  “I had every right.”

  “This is not your home.”

  “True, but you are my…”

  He faltered and she pounced upon his hesitation. “It is hard to label exactly what I am, what we are, isn’t it? You’ve insinuated yourself into my life, aligned with my matchmaking efforts, pledged your sincere promise of assistance, rescued me from danger, and seduced me with passion only to abandon me shortly thereafter. I daresay there isn’t a dictionary in England that contains a definition encompassing exactly what I am to you.” She’d worked herself into a snit of confused anger as emotion warred with logic, yet when he smiled, she needed to bite the inside of her cheek to keep a grin from escaping. There was no denying their affecting inherent connection, an unspoken commitment forged between them as they lay in each other’s arms; a promise that bound them tightly despite his reluctance and stubborn attitude concerning their future. They belonged to each other whether he realized it or not.

  “Whimsy.” He released a long-held breath. “I love you. Never should you doubt the depth of my emotion. It’s just not as simple as you believe. You’d be better off with a husband who could care for you and treasure you in the manner you deserve.”

  His words were her undoing. Still she wouldn’t run to him and provide an easing balm to assuage his conflicted conscience.

  “You don’t believe our love is enough. At some point, pride needs to stand down so your heart can lead the way.”

  “A bit of matchmaking advice for me as well?”

  “A bit of common sense.”

  “Don’t be angry. It’s because I care for you deeply that I cannot marry you.”

  “Do you hear yourself? I’ve never entertained such utter rubbish.” She strove for a reasonable tone, though his honesty lay waste to her heart. As truth took hold, that he would choose financial security over true love, her heartache worsened. “This isn’t about money.”

  “It’s always about money, one way or the other.” He shook his head to emphasize the point.

  “How dare you?” His glib comment augmented her desire to teach him a lesson or two.

  “What did I say?”

  “Your mind is sealed against reason, colored by the past, and I’m wasting my time here. You regard our intimacy as a mistake.”

  “More like a miracle.” He took a step closer. “Whimsy.” His tone pleaded despite the gleam of mischief in his eye.

  Did he think this all a game?

  “Do not call me that. As a matter of fact, do not call on me.” She rushed around the wing chair and headed toward the door. “My business here is finished.” And on that ending note, she swept from the room lest he may discover the unshed tears in her eyes.

  Valerian stared at the doorway wishing Wilhelmina hadn’t left but unable to say the words needed to cause her to stay. Apparently he was far better at matchbreaking than he’d anticipated. He just never thought it would be his own heart.

  Still Wilhelmina over-simplified the matter, as if love would pay the bills, keep her in gowns, care for her sister. He could never assume responsibility for Livie and Aunt Kate then see them run into the poor house. Damnation, Livie needed medical care. Memories of his father’s ailing days beckoned his attention. What type of protector would he be to selfishly keep Wilhelmina from finding a secure marriage and the financial stability needed to care for her dependent family?

  Yet something dark and deep twisted in his gut at the unwelcome conclusion Wilhelmina should marry another. The feeling left him hollow as an empty bank vault, lonely as the last coin in his pocket. And angry. Very angry.

  Damn his father’s wastrel habits. Damn his cursed situation and his failure to rebound. Wilhelmina made it sound uncomplicated, but it was complicated and so much more. Destitution would destroy their love and drown them in social embarrassment. Money annihilated love. Didn’t Caroline teach him that painful lesson?

  He hadn’t planned on his feelings for Wilhelmina, and because of their depth, he’d be damned sure not to commit her to the dismal fate hungrily salivating for his eminent future.

  A disparate sound drew his attention to the doorway where Jasper entered.

  Jasper.

  Jasper.

  He would wring his neck.

  “At last, I have your attention.”

  Valerian snapped from his maudlin thoughts and sliced his brother a glare in response to his nonchalant greeting.

  Jasper paced to the far side of the room as if unharnessed energy drove his restlessness. Valerian had never seen him so invigorated. Indeed, Jasper was usually the first one to recline whether the room had a suitable chaise or not.

  “What do you want?” The day had arrived, long overdue, to cease his coddling and forgiving nature.
Jasper was as guilty as their father for every scrap of their current ruin. Worse, actually. Watching Wilhelmina walk away had provided the proverbial last straw. “I’ve received several urgent notices from our creditors. I couldn’t stomach opening the threatening letters, for surely time has run out.”

  “Not at all—”

  “I would tread with caution if somewhere in your brain box you’ve the cork-witted idea to invent, invest or divest one penny of Dashwood funds – as if we had one penny.”

  “Hear me out before you set up your bristles.”

  “There’s nothing left to say.” Val charged at his brother, his strides eating up the carpet in his rush to cross the room. “I’ve allowed you to run rip shod over our future. I’ve compensated for father’s influence, wallowed in my own shameful pride, and discovered I’ve too large a heart for my own good, but the time has come to pay the piper, Jasper. No pun intended.”

  “See here, Dash. If you’ll allow me to explain…”

  “I’ve heard it all.”

  “You haven’t heard this.” Jasper donned a cocky grin. His dismissal of their impending devastation grated Val’s displeasure.

  “Our ruin has been years in the making. There is nothing you can say that will repair the damage you’ve done.” He took a last menacing step to tower over the chair where Jasper had plopped, cheerfully unaffected. Damn it, he wore a smile still. His brother wasn’t that short-witted.

  “Nothing?”

  “Nothing.” Val huffed in exasperation. “Not. One. Thing.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Good lord, Jasper. What has gotten into you? Are you purposely trying to incite me? Listen closely as I repeat. Nothing you can say will reverse the damage of your spendthrift, gambling, ill-intended, misadventures. I remember them all.”

  “Oh, very good.” His smile widened. “Do you recall the mousetrap?”

  “How could I forget such an innovative investment sure to put every feline out of business?” The derisive cut of his sarcasm marked each word as a fraying thread of patience.

  “Actually, I didn’t agree with your, eh, wary opinion and have been funneling all my monies into Atkinson’s model. He’s securing the patent with the government office in South Kensington tomorrow. I’m to accompany him as I’ve accumulated a large portion of business shares in his venture.”

  “Congratulations.” Mockery singed each syllable. “You’re a prime investor in nothing and since we already have nothing, you’ve managed to grow the earldom with a huge contribution of nothing.”

  Jasper laughed. Damn it all, he laughed. Not a chuckle or a bark of joviality disguised as a cough. He laughed outright. Valerian clenched his fists. Perhaps he’d be able to release his pent-up frustration after all.

  “See here, Dash, if you’d stop for a moment and listen.” Jasper rose from the chair and walked to the mantel where he stood with the confident air of someone intent on a prestigious proclamation. “My late-night jaunts to catch mice were for the benefit of scientific experiment. My purpose in assorted locations throughout London was to test the function and usefulness of the mousetrap. You’ve no need to lecture me or despair any longer.”

  “That attitude is exactly what brought us to this juncture. If this is some kind of scam I promise, you will have the devil to pay.” His brother would never learn. Valerian dropped into the chair now vacated. He’d hear Jasper out and then decide which action to take because something had to be done. He was penniless, virtually homeless and the woman he loved would soon be in search of a wealthy husband. “I’m all ears.”

  “Cheer up, Dash. We’re flush in the pockets and full of juice. It’s time for butter upon bacon. My shares in Atkinson’s endeavor are worth over thirty thousand pounds.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Listen well, Valerian St. David, sixth earl of Dashwood, we’re rich, bloody rich.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Livie.” Wilhelmina made a swift entrance to her sister’s bedchamber. So much needed to be said, yet she pulled up short when she saw her sister stride toward her with steady confident steps. “Oh my. You’ve improved.”

  “Yes. For the time being.” Livie pushed her spectacles further up her nose and smiled. “I’ve relief from the pain more often so I’m able to strengthen my muscles and increase my endurance. Dr. Morris said if I continue to exercise, I’ll see greater improvement.” Her smile grew larger. “Who knows, Whimsy? Perhaps I will be dancing at a ball next season after all.”

  “It is my dearest wish.” Wilhelmina moved beside her sister but resisted the urge to offer support. Much had changed, not just in her world, but in Livie’s. Her sister was becoming more independent. If things progressed as swimmingly, Livie would hardly need her assistance in the future. She’d be husband-hunting or worse, gallivanting. Where would that leave Wilhelmina? Good heavens, independence proved a scary endeavor.

  All things considered, she shouldn’t waste another moment. “I visited Lord Randolph Beaufort.”

  Wilhelmina shifted her eyes, her head angled the slightest to catch any inclination Livie knew of whom she spoke, but her sister continued to the mattress, seemingly unconcerned and uninterested in any mention of the gentleman.

  “Is he a friend of your Lord Dashwood?”

  Livie’s possessive description of Wilhelmina and Valerian’s relationship caught her off guard and it was she who suddenly felt unsteady on her feet. From her unfailing adoration or the discombobulated state of their relationship she could not decipher. She hadn’t a word from him in two days. “Yes, well, maybe not. I don’t know. Valerian is staying in Lord Beaufort’s town house whilst he visits London.”

  “I see.” Livie smiled grandly. “Randolph is a very charming name, isn’t it?”

  This bit of remark had Wilhelmina’s curiosity gnawing at her better judgment. She held the tip of her tongue between her teeth to prevent an eruption of demanding inquiries.

  Of all things, it was the letters’ fault. She should never have read her sister’s correspondence. If she hadn’t read it, Livie’s innocuous comment about the gentleman’s name would have gone unnoticed and forgotten. Now it burned like a spark shot from the hearth onto a wool rug.

  “You say that as if you know someone named Randolph. I don’t recall anyone from our past or present with the moniker.” She reached up to push a strand of hair behind her ear, the tinkling sound of her mother’s charm bracelet a reminder the future was at best, uncertain. “Is there something you wish to tell me?” The faint uplift of the question compounded her expectant tone. Wilhelmina searched Livie’s face for a trace of telltale emotion; anything to provide a clue as to whom her sister corresponded with and why.

  “Oh bother, you will forever worry over me, won’t you?” Livie leaned her forehead against the pane glass window, her attitude not discomfited a smidgeon no matter her words expressed the opposite. “I’m extraordinarily fortunate to have such a loving caring sister, but I believe the time has come for you to cease fretting over my future and begin to plan your own. I’m improving each day. Dr. Morris is confident I will continue. He explained my progress to Aunt Kate today in a very loud voice. It’s no wonder the doctor does not have a cure for Aunt’s hearing difficulties.” Livie chuckled softly with the comment. “He said the muscle spasms caused by my spinal cord injury are repairing due to the increased exercise which stretch and improve my daily range of motion. He urged Aunt Kate to increase the sessions and she readily agreed.

  “Best of all, for now, the funds you’ve collected by matchmaking have given us the security we need. We’re able to relax a little and hope for an optimistic future.”

  Wilhelmina’s eyes dropped to her hands, clasped tightly in front of her, the glint of her charm bracelet a poignant reminder of all they’d lost in the past. Livie was right. It was time for her to think of herself. Not in the selfish manner of the past, when she’d avoided the christening and accident afterward; the result blanketing her w
ith a bitter regret she’d carry forever despite the high price she’d never see her parents again.

  No. Now was the time for her to use her heart. Valerian loved her and she wouldn’t allow his money or lack of financial security to impede their relationship any more than his convoluted pride.

  Suddenly the answer couldn’t be clearer. She would sell her mother’s charm bracelet, secure the small fortune promised from its worth, and accomplish her happily-ever-after at last. The funds would keep Livie in treatments as long as needed and fortify Aunt Kate’s personal security. Valerian needn’t feel the pressure of supporting three females when the answer lay within reach. How foolish to cling to the bracelet when the true memory of her mother’s love lived in her spirit. Sentimentality need not be her downfall. Besides, she still had her commonplace book full of memories.

  Anxious to begin her future, she rushed toward Livie, gathering her in a tight hug, catching her by surprise and producing a giggle from them both. “I’ve a very important errand to run.” She turned, nearly at the door in her hurry to leave, her words spilling out with eager excitement.

  Livie’s brows rose above the rim of her spectacles, a question on her lips.

  “I’ll explain it all later.” And she waited not another moment.

  Wilhelmina’s heels clacked an eager tempo on the cobbles as she strode with purpose toward The Serendipity Shop. Why had she hesitated? Such a foolish decision on her part, risking love for sentiment, when immediate action could alleviate Valerian’s distress. Now finance remained the only wall barring their love and she’d see that barrier crumbled before sunset. The answer lay in hand all the while.

  Her determination solidified, she rounded the corner and arrowed toward the storefront where a handsome couple exited, several purchases piled high in their arms.

  “Good day and thank you.” Wilhelmina smiled at the gentleman who extended the door wider for her entry, but an unexpected warmth near her ankles pulled her attention downward.

  The shopkeeper’s cat, the same rascal who’d kept her bracelet secure, took advantage of the offered opportunity and with a flick of its tail, slipped free and headed toward the narrow alley adjacent to the store.