A Lady's Taste For Temptation (Historical Regency Romance)
Page 24
Once he had left Mr. Barry’s office, he took a deep breath. That was not at all what he expected, and he couldn’t believe he was in such a position.
He was sure his uncle did not mean any harm when putting such conditions into the will. He just wanted the family legacy to live on. Myles, however, wasn’t sure he was the one to carry that weight upon his shoulders. He didn’t know anything about the history of the title, or English traditions. He would forever have his American accent, which he was sure people would feel would taint the title.
He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know whether he should just walk away now or stay and honour the blood that ran through his veins That amount of money would help his community back home, but he couldn’t have it unless he stayed. He couldn’t build up the community unless he went back home.
Myles had no idea how he would make up his mind. He stood outside Mr. Barry’s office for at least 10 minutes, just watching the people go by. How could he make this place his new home?
He decided that at the very least, he couldn’t just leave and run off back to America, or even to Cornwall. He decided that he needed to stay, at least until he made up his mind for sure. He decided that he would take a room in town, and he would think.
When he got back to his lodgings, the landlady was standing in the hallway.
“Mr. Whitehall,” she said. “I’ll have you know that I am not running a charity.”
Myles raised an eyebrow in surprise.
‘I know?” he asked. “Is something the matter?”
“Indeed,” she said. “You said this morning that you would pay me for your room last night, and then you ran off. I have locked the room until you return. You may not have your possessions until you pay me for last night. And if you intend to stay the next few nights, I’ll need this payment up front.”
“Oh,” Myles said. He hadn’t meant to skip out on her, but his head had been very foggy this morning. “My apologies. Let me pay you now.”
He didn’t have a lot of money with him, but it occurred to him that once he got his inheritance, this would be a drop in the ocean. This would be nothing when all that money was in his account.
Of course he would have to stay.
The landlady looked very surprised that he had handed over the money with no issue.
“Oh,” she said. “I apologize, Mr. Whitehall, if…”
“No, I apologize,” he said. “I never meant to deceive you.”
“Well, sir, stay as long as you like,” she said, looking at the coins in her hand as though they were gold. Myles nodded and headed up the stairs. He certainly had a lot to think about in the coming days, and he couldn’t go anywhere until he had done so.
The next day, his head felt slightly clearer and he decided to take a walk in Regent Park. He had heard good things about it, and he thought he might as well see it while he was here. He put on his best clothes, because he had heard that people dressed up to walk in the park. He didn’t really intend to speak to anyone, but there were many people who were giving him sideways glances and then bending their heads to their companions to whisper. Myles was starting to wonder if he had something on his face, or perhaps a rip in his clothes. When someone approached him, he was afraid they were going to reveal the most embarrassing thing to him. Instead, the older gentleman was smiling.
“You’re Mr. Myles Whitehall, aren’t you?” he said. Myles looked confused.
“Yes,” he said. “Do we know each other?”
“My apologies,” the man held out his hand. “My name is Lord Dalton. And I believe you are the new baron, are you not?”
“Oh,” Myles said. He realized that news must have spread fast. “Yes. Maybe.”
“Maybe?” Lord Dalton asked. “Why would that be a maybe?”
“Oh, well I…” Myles said, and Lord Dalton raised an eyebrow.
“I had heard you were American. What a charming accent.”
“I had never heard it described as charming,” he said. “Most people around here have described it as flat.”
“Well, it’s interesting,” Lord Dalton said. “I hope to see you around here, Baron.”
Myles felt a shiver go down his spine as Lord Dalton walked off. He didn’t expect anyone to call him by that title, and it did not feel right. The baron was his uncle, not him.
He wondered if his uncle had ever considered the possibility that he wouldn’t want the title. He surely wouldn’t have left it to him the title if he didn’t think Myles would accept, would he?
“Well, hello, you must be Mr. Whitehall,” said another voice. He turned around and found a young lady looking up at him. She was quite petite, but she had lovely blue eyes and a nice smile. She was looking at him with admiration. “I have heard so much about you. I am Lady Kineton.”
“So nice to meet you,” he said, and then asked the question that was burning in his mind. “Can I ask you, my lady...how does everyone know my name?”
“Oh,” she replied. “I am sorry. Have I offended you?”
“Not at all,” he replied. “It’s just that this is my first time in this park, and as I walk around, I see it is quite crowded, so I am confused how I could stand out.”
“Oh, but you do stand out, Mr. Whitehall,” she said. “Only in the best possible way. In addition, you seem to have answered your own question.”
“Have I?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied. “The park is quite crowded, but especially during the season, many of us come here every day. We have known each other for quite a while. You are the only one dressed in such...a casual manner. And since we have heard of your great inheritance, we all presumed it must be you.”
“You think I am dressed casually?” Myles said, in doubt. He had thought he had put on his best clothes, but perhaps he had been wrong. He wished for Lady Emily’s help now, more than ever. She had always been the one to advise him on which set of clothes was proper to wear on what occasion.
“Well, I assumed that is the way one dresses in America?” she asked. Myles chose not to say anything to that comment, and she smiled awkwardly, trying to continue the conversation. “Will you be staying in town long?”
“I am not sure yet,” he replied.
“Why wouldn’t you be sure?” she asked. “Surely you aren’t considering returning to America with a title?”
“I...cannot return to America with a title,” he said. “The condition of the inheritance is that I stay here, and I take an English bride, and make a new home. I suppose that is what my uncle wanted.”
“Yes, we all heard,” she said, which made him worry just how fast news travelled. Her smile grew wider and he took a step back.
“Are you, uh...here with your husband?” he asked and she shook her head.
“Oh no,” she said. “I do not have a husband. This is my debutante season.”
“What’s that?” he asked.
She laughed.
“My, America must be very different,” she said. “For a woman, her debutante season is when she announces to the world that she is available to be married and she begins to look for a husband. Usually, the season begins with strolling through the park.”
“I see,” he replied. “So all the young ladies in this park…?”
“Are likely looking for a husband, yes,” she replied, and he sucked in a breath.
“Well,” he said. “How, uh...interesting.”
“Indeed,” she replied. “Would you like to promenade with me?”
“Not at the moment,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind. I just have a lot of things on my mind.”
“Of course,” she said. “I hope I will see more of you, Mr. Whitehall.”
She walked away and Myles heard another voice call his name. He turned around, thinking that he should perhaps leave the park, when he saw a familiar face.
“Why, Mr. Whitehall,” said Baroness Yarwood. She was arm in arm with Catherine, who had a wide smile on her face. “What a coincidence.”
“Really?” Catherine's face lit up. “You are glad to see us?”
“Indeed,” Myles replied. “It seems that everyone in this park has questions for me.”
“Oh,” Catherine said. “Yes, I had heard some talk about you. Don’t you worry. Debutantes like to gossip, that is all.”
“Well, it’s not as if they are saying unkind or untrue things,” Myles said. “They are just acting as if I am very excited, and I do not feel very exciting. I feel conflicted, if I am honest with you.”
“Conflicted?” Catherine said. “Why ever would you feel conflicted?”
She had such a pleasing smile on her face, and Myles felt he could trust both of them. He leaned in, to make sure his voice was quiet.
“Part of the...stipulations of my accepting the inheritance is that I must stay,” he said. “And marry an English bride and make a home here.”
“Oh my,” Catherine said, and turned to the baroness. “I have heard of these types of inheritances.”
“So have I,” the baroness said. “This is quite standard, Mr. Whitehall.”
“It is?” Myles asked.
“Well, yes. If the title is going to someone foreign,” she replied. “The last holder of the title must have known that you were foreign, and wanted to keep the title here.”
“I see…” Myles said, and sighed. “So I don’t know what to do.”
In his mind, he was thinking about Lady Emily. His heart was so torn over her. She wanted more than he could give. He did like her, but she wanted wealth and she didn’t think he was good enough. She didn’t want to live in America, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to stay here.
“Why don’t you come to supper with us?” The baroness said, breaking into his thoughts.
“I’m sorry?” Myles asked. “Sorry, my mind was a million miles away.”
“Well, it is understandable that you are distracted,” Catherine said. “You will be among friends if you come with us.”
Myles sighed. At the moment, all he wanted was to feel comfortable, and this entire country made him feel the opposite.
“Yes,” he said. “Yes, I would like that very much.”
“Wonderful,” Catherine cried.
“Where are you staying?” The baroness asked.
Myles gave her the address and she raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“Oh,” she said. “What an interesting place to stay.”
“It’s not...it’s fine?” he replied. “I mean, it’s not high society, but it suits me just fine.”
“Surely you can afford better?” The baroness replied and Myles shrugged.
“Perhaps,” he said. “If I decide to accept the inheritance.”
“I cannot believe you are thinking of not accepting,” Catherine said. “This is your blood.”
“That is part of the reason I am conflicted,” he said and she gave him a little smile.
“We will discuss it all over supper,” she said. “For now, you should enjoy the rest of your walk.”
“Yes,” Myles said. “I will see you both tonight. Could you give me your address and I will arrange for a carriage?”
The baroness told her where she was staying and Myles made a mental note to ask the landlady when he got back.
He also made a mental note to ask the landlady what he should wear. Without Lady Emily, he felt completely lost in every aspect.
As he finished his walk, he headed back to his lodgings.
He didn’t mind having dinner with Catherine and the baroness. And perhaps, just perhaps, one of them would say something that would make the whole situation clear for him. At the moment, he felt like he would be lost in limbo forever.
“Mr. Whitehall,” said the landlady. “I didn’t think you would be back so soon.”
“Neither did I,’ he replied. “I have been invited to supper tonight, and I was wondering if you could tell me a few things.”
“Tell you a few things?” The landlady asked. He winced.
“America is different,” he replied. “And if I am to become high society in England...I need a little advice.”
“Goodness,” she said. “Did no one give you advice before now?”
“There was someone,” he said, quietly. “But she is not here anymore.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said. Her face fell and it was clear she thought that Myles’s advice giver was dead. As far as Myles was concerned, she was. Lady Emily didn’t want anything to do with him, and he needed to accept that. Holding on to her wasn’t going to make his decision any easier.
Chapter 13
Lady Emily used to get very excited when she came into London. She used to love all the sights and the sounds, and she used to love walking in Regent Park. This time, though, she felt like her heart was dark. She had spent the entire carriage ride making small talk with Lord Reginald and her father, and when they got to the London house, she went to the room that Lord Reginald had designated as hers.
London was supposed to be a beautiful and exciting place, full of young people and energy that Lady Emily wouldn’t experience in the country. She used to stand at the window of her London lodgings whenever they came and breathe in the sights. This time, however, she simply sat on the bed and stared blindly at the wall.
What was she doing here? She needed to find Myles, or she didn’t think that any of this was worth it. She didn’t want to be here if she couldn’t find him.
“Did you want to promenade in the park together?” Lord Reginald asked, once she finally came downstairs. She had gone up under the pretence of freshening up, but she hadn’t done any freshening up. She hadn’t changed her clothes or even so much as splashed water on her face. She hadn’t even run a brush through her hair, but Lord Reginald didn’t seem to mind.
“Do you mind if we just stayed here?” she asked. “I am feeling quite tired.”
“Of course I do not mind,” he said. “Would you prefer the garden instead?”
She gave him a tight smile.
“Lord Reginald,” she replied. “I do not mean to upset you, but I do not feel like I am up to much company right now.”
“Oh my,” his face fell. “Are you unwell? Should I call your father?”
“No,” she assured him. “I am not unwell. I am just tired.”
“I understand,” he replied.
“Besides, you must have work to do,” she said. “You always mention how busy you are in London.”
“Ah, yes,” he said. “But surely that can wait a day. I can return to work tomorrow, and I can show you all the sights.”
She nodded.
“Perhaps tomorrow,” she said, and headed out into the garden.
She didn’t expect to feel this way once she got here. Her plan when she travelled to London was to seek out Myles right away, but it appeared her heart had changed over the journey.