An Accidental Affair

by Heather Boyd

  “She did no such thing.”

  Although Holland tried to appear shocked, Arabella could see it was an act.

  Merrick drew in a several deep breaths, his body tensing with anger. “Does she bribe you to spy on me? What price did you name?”

  “It’s not like that.”

  “Really, then what exactly is it like?” Merrick faced his brother, fury evident in every move he made. “How did she know Arabella was under my roof? You must have told her. Did you send a note to arrange an urgent assignation one night?”

  “I would never.” Holland pulled a face as if disgusted. “It’s nothing at all like that.”

  “Then what the hell is she to you?” Merrick’s free hand rose and he stabbed Holland in the chest with his fingers. “What did you talk about just now?”

  Holland licked his lips, glancing left and right as if looking for rescue. “Many things. The season. The weather.”

  Merrick drew in a shaky breath and his fingers curled into a fist. “You and our half brothers are the only family I have, and I trusted you completely. What a fool I’ve been to confide in you, the very person feeding the Fords information about my life. No wonder grandfather sent a special license. I thought it less calculated than the delivery actually was.”

  “I do not tell her about you or Lady Farnsworth.”

  “You are dismissed, Holland.”

  Merrick turned and Arabella caught his expression at last. He was devastated by Holland’s betrayal. Unshed tears filled his eyes, turning them glassy. He set his arm about Arabella’s back to urge her away, and the tremble that shook him broke her heart.

  They had gone barely three steps before Holland ran around them to halt their progress. “Will you just stop and listen to me a moment? I can explain, but only if you keep an open mind and promise no harm to Lady Penelope’s reputation.”

  “Why should I do anything you ask now? Why?”

  Holland clutched his hands together before his waist, looking every bit a guilty fiend. “Of course I speak to her,” he whispered. “She’s my mother.”

  Merrick froze, clenching Arabella against him so tightly his fingertips hurt where they dug into her waist. “Never. My aunt is a spinster. She’s never even considered marriage.”

  “It’s true. I’ve always known.”

  Arabella turned in Merrick’s arms, loosening his grip in the process, and held her hand to his chest to comfort him. Beneath her palm, Merrick’s chest heaved. His eyes widened.

  “Lies,” he whispered.

  “I couldn’t tell you. No one knows about our connection.”

  “She never married, and I’ve never heard mention of suitors. There is nothing in her manner to suggest she’d ever been disappointed in love. How could you be her son?”

  Arabella glanced over her shoulder in time to see Holland bowed his head. “She will not speak of that time, but from what she has said, I can only conclude that the experience was not pleasant. A trick perhaps to gain her dowry and Rutherford’s favor?” Holland wrung his hands, eyes averted at his confession, and Arabella believed he was telling the truth.

  Unfortunately, Merrick required more information to be convinced. “Go on.”

  “She has expressed strong views on the evils of gentlemen who engage in affairs before they marry and the natural consequences of such. That is likely why she has been so hard on you. What I do know for a certainty is that my mother left Newberry Park for several years around the time of my birth, and when she returned her sister had married Father. They never got along, as you may recall.”

  Merrick shook his head and released Arabella. When he paced away a few steps, Arabella held her breath. Such a situation made every difference to the revelation. If Lady Penelope had been forced and didn’t want to marry the fiend, then Arabella could understand Holland’s reluctance to mention the connection. Merrick’s father had been truly evil.

  “Aunt Pen might have nursed an older relation through the last years of her life,” Merrick said at last. “But she never had a child. Rutherford would have disowned her.”

  “It does seem unlikely that she managed to hide my birth from him, but she was his favorite out of all his children. I cannot explain that. What I remember most were many moments when she laughed and played with me. I must have been very young for that to have happened.

  “When she left to return to Newberry Park, she placed me in the care of her maid and new husband. I was already known as the servant’s son to all who knew us and no one suspected subterfuge. But I remembered the truth and I cried for my real mother. Eventually, my new parents brought me to Essex and took up work in the tavern where we first met. I saw my mother but once a week when she came to the village. I was forbidden to call her mama except when no one could hear.”

  “You should have been the earl,” Rothwell said suddenly, his posture stiffening at the idea.

  Holland shook his head. “If that were so, then you would have been me; the bastard son of a man with absolutely no morals. Nothing would have changed his character even if he’d married my mother. He’d have taken his pleasure regardless with the same careless disregard as he has done. You may not be a saint where it comes to women, but you have been careful and kind to your lovers as he never was. She is proud of the man you’ve become, and will be even more so as soon as she realizes how deeply you care for Lady Farnsworth. I am proud of you, brother.”

  Merrick stared into the shadows instead of looking at Holland. “You should have told me.”

  Holland winced. “I could not. From the start you have suffered the weight of Father’s misdeeds very badly. When they told you I was likely his child and should be sent away to prevent any scandal, you cut all ties with the Fords. I couldn’t add another, worse, indiscretion to the burden. I kept the secret to protect you and my mother.”

  Merrick growled suddenly and stalked off, leaving Arabella and Holland alone. Arabella wasn’t sure what to do or say, but when it became clear that Merrick might not return immediately, she smiled kindly at Holland. What a burden to bear in silence—caught between a brother and a mother, both of whom you love but who were at odds with one another, with no way to make it right again.

  Holland sighed loudly and gestured to the house. “If you would be so good as to return to the house, my lady. I have a lot to do before I depart in the morning.”

  Arabella approached and saw silvery tears slide unchecked down Holland’s cheeks. She patted his sleeve. “Shouldn’t you wait to see if he will change his mind?”

  He smiled sadly. “I betrayed him. He has every right to be angry.”

  “Did you confide in Lady Penelope about me?”

  “No. Not intentionally.” He shook his head. “I have been thinking on my previous conversations with my mother. When she came to call on Merrick shortly after your arrival, she remarked that she hoped he hurried up and married, preferably to someone pure of heart.”

  “Pure of heart?” Arabella stared in astonishment. She’d never label herself that way. “Why ever would she think that meant I was there?”

  “You must know my mother thinks very well of you. She never wastes her breath on someone she finds fault with. Merrick is not wrong about my mother’s meddling tendencies.” He pressed his lips together briefly, as if choosing his next words carefully. “She is an extremely observant woman and possesses a keen eye for inconsistencies in behavior. I must have glanced up at the ceiling and not known I’d done so. I would advise you never to play cards against her.”

  “Thank you for the warning.”

  “Please believe me, Lady Farnsworth, I never intentionally said anything about your presence. I should have been even more guarded than I usually am around her, a mistake I do regret very much. He turned his back on his family because of me. Since then I have tried my best to look out for him.”

  Arabella squeezed his arm to offer what comfort she could. Surely Merrick would change his mind. If he didn’t, Arabella would talk to him about it her
self and force him to at least reconsider. “Where will you go?”

  “I’ve no idea, but I will think of something eventually.” Holland gestured to the house. “Please, he would not like you left alone out of doors tonight after all that has happened. As I am sure you’ve discovered, he’s very protective of those he loves.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

  Merrick poured himself a drink to steady his conflicting emotions and drained it in one gulp. Although Arabella and his half brother had not realized he was there, he had lingered and heard their whole conversation. Despite the betrayal, he was concerned for Holland’s future and where he might end up. His older brother had been with him since he’d come of age. They were friends as well as family.

  “There you are, Rothwell. I was just about to come searching for you,” Grayling grumbled and he drew close. “Rosemary would like to return home. The children are half asleep and wanting their beds.”

  “I’m sorry. I had a few matters on my mind.”

  “Well, I am not surprised.” Gray leaned against the sideboard. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  He glanced toward the entrance hall where Lady Grayling, the children, and Aunt Pen and Arabella had gathered, saying their farewells. Gray’s carriage must have been called while his mind was elsewhere. The girls were leaning heavily against their stepmother and grumbling to her. Any moment there could be tears. He knew Grayling’s daughters well enough to know sleep was what they needed.

  Aunt Pen appeared as she always did—aloof and unimpressed by the tired children’s interruptions. He would never be able to tell she’d ever been a mother and had harbored such a secret all these years. He could barely believe his aunt was Holland’s mother, or anyone’s, for that matter. It was unfathomable that his half brother would make up such an outlandish and potentially damaging story if it were not true. Holland worried just as much for the family’s reputation as he did—if not more at times.

  Merrick couldn’t confide in Grayling about what troubled him. He would have to grow accustomed to the idea on his own. “I think not.”

  Grayling slapped him on the shoulder. “Come see us tomorrow, or are you going back to London?”

  Tomorrow he should return to London. Arabella would not marry him, and the longer he stayed, the more damage would be done to her reputation. Yet he couldn’t bear to leave. If Arabella went to London in Aunt Penelope’s company, he would have difficulty seeing her. His aunt was sure to get in the way even if he attempted a proper courtship. “I’ll remain with Arabella and follow her back to London when she goes.”

  “Good man,” Grayling murmured. “What’s decided with her by the way? I know she told everyone the depth of your feelings when we were at the ruins, but what of hers? Have they changed in any way?”

  “I don’t believe they have. She’s made it very plain that she doesn’t want to marry again.”

  Merrick glanced past Grayling to where Arabella stood, speaking with Lady Grayling in hushed tones. The pair seemed firm friends and confidantes already, even if Parker had hinted that Lady Grayling had a scandalous past. Gray hadn’t offered up an explanation and there wasn’t time now. One day he would ask Arabella where exactly she had met Rosemary, but not today. He had enough surprises to grapple with already.

  Grayling tapped his arm, drawing his attention. “You can barely take your eyes from her. I would not have thought a proper lady would suit you, but you seem enthralled. Are you going to let her get away so easily?”

  “I want her to want to marry me, Gray. Whatever she decides is best is what I’ll have to accept. Wherever she goes, I will too, and we will see what develops.”

  “And if nothing changes?”

  Merrick pushed his glass away decisively. “I’d rather not think on that, but I suppose I’ll have little choice but to bury what I feel for her and attempt to start over.”

  “That might not be as easy as you think.”

  He stared at the beautiful woman who’d claimed him body and soul. She was unique and dear to him. She’d smoothly become a part of his life, and when they parted, he didn’t think he’d be whole. “Nothing in life is ever easy. I’d hoped finding a bride might have been somewhat simpler than this.”

  “Then I’ll hope that Arabella sees sense soon.”

  Merrick followed Grayling to the door, pausing at Arabella’s side to wave them off. When the carriage had drawn sufficiently far away, he ushered her inside and made sure the doors were securely locked. He met his aunt’s gaze several times, but in the end decided to hold his tongue and not say a word about recent revelations.

  “Good night, ladies. I think I’ll turn in.”

  Arabella’s face fell. “As you wish.”

  He nodded. His aunt’s expression grew puzzled and he turned away. He did not want to argue with her tonight. He did not want to hear her side of the story or her denial. The only opinion he wanted to hear was from his brother.

  He made his way upstairs and found where his half brother rested his head. A light shone beneath the door and when he drew closer, Holland’s baggage was the first thing he noticed. Already packed, standing beside the door in wait for the morning. Holland would be gone as soon as he could. Anxiety filled him and he pushed the door open slowly. The room was neat and orderly. It would be easy to believe the room hadn’t been in use except that Holland lay on top of the bed, dressed to leave, as if he couldn’t wait to get away. “I always wondered if you slept fully dressed.”

  A brief smile flickered over Holland’s face and disappeared again just as quickly. He did not rise as he usually would, but then again, Merrick had dismissed him. He wasn’t a servant anymore.

  “I cannot imagine why my habits are of any interest to you,” Holland said in a dull voice lacking any interest in what he was doing visiting him at that hour.

  He turned his face away and winced suddenly. He didn’t complain. He expressed no outrage that he’d been injured. Merrick pulled a chair close to the bed and sat on it backward, folding his arms across the carved back.

  He lowered his chin to his forearms and studied his brother, looking for signs of Aunt Penelope in his features. He noticed nothing different from what he’d always seen—a man of his father’s making. “How is your head feeling now? Any better?”

  “Does it matter?” Holland sighed heavily. “I will be gone in the morning, never fear.”

  Merrick chewed his bottom lip. A servant’s life was often a great deal harder than it would be for one employed in his household. At Holland’s age, without a reference to show another employer or connections he could admit to, he would have a difficult future ahead. “About that. I heard what you said to Arabella. Where are you going?”

  Holland closed his eyes, his skin turning a distinct shade of red. “Away. It doesn’t matter,” he ground out. “I’ve never been wanted anywhere.”

  When Holland put it like that, Merrick’s chest tightened painfully. Merrick would have drowned in his responsibilities long ago if not for Holland. Their half brothers, too, would have suffered and might never have come to his attention. Holland was the glue that bound their odd family together. “You were wanted, you are wanted, brother, but I could have done with the whole truth too.”

  Holland opened his eyes and slowly turned his head to stare. “You would never have wanted me around if you knew who my mother was. Admit it, you despise her.”

  He had and still did not want that woman involved in his life. Aunt Pen would meddle and pry and report his business to Rutherford. Who liked to be spied upon? He doubted she would change her habits for anyone. For years she’d ruled the family with the same opinions as her father. Family first—family meant legitimate Fords. She was not happy he chose to support so many of his father’s mistakes. “Despite that, you are my brother. I must know where you are.”

  A strange smile flittered across Holland’s face. “That is what my mother said to me when I entered your service. She wanted to know where you were so she knew where
I would be. Her spying on you is merely a ruse to cover her real motives. She cannot write to me, but I can write to her because anyone would think I’m helping her keep you out of trouble.”

  Merrick gaped. It wasn’t him under the microscope, but Holland. Her son. If that were true, then he hadn’t one leg to stand on with his complaints. He sat back in the chair as he reconsidered his decision. The only thing he’d done by dismissing Holland in a fit of temper was upset them both.

  Without Holland, he would have to advance another half brother to assist him. He didn’t want to think of the chaos that would accompany that situation. Holland worked without his supervision or instruction most days. Since Merrick had become the earl, he had never once countermanded one of Holland’s decisions when it came to the family and estate. He could easily have been the earl instead of Merrick.

  Holland was sensible, thrifty, and fair. The Rothwell estates ran smoothly because Merrick had Holland at his side. He couldn’t afford to lose him over this, and more importantly, he didn’t need to.

  He met Holland’s gaze decisively. “We’ll be in London for the rest of the season unless Arabella marries me, and then our plans may change to suit what she wants. Please ask your mother not to push the issue of marriage while Arabella is under her roof. I want her to change her own mind, not have it decided for her.”

  His brother sat up, apparently too quickly because his hand rose to his head to hold it. “You’re taking me back?”

  Merrick nodded. “If you want to stay, that is.” He stood and swung the chair back into place beside the wall, leaving the room neat, the way Holland liked it. When he glanced around, his brother had risen to his feet, his expression stunned. “Of course I want to stay.”

  “The London town house is home, isn’t it? Where else should you be but there?” When Holland said nothing to that, Merrick decided he’d done the right thing. Home wouldn’t be the same without his family about him. His odd scrambled family of misfits that no one wanted. And to prove he harbored no ill feeling, he pulled his brother into a rough hug and held him tight. “No wonder we look so damn similar. Could use each other as bloody shaving mirrors, couldn’t we?”