by Ava Stone
Caroline’s mouth hung open and a frown creased her brow. “That doesn’t sound like James at all. He’s very honorable.”
Chet snorted. “I’m afraid our opinions of that man are drastically different.”
She shook her head as though she was trying to make sense of the situation. But there was no making sense out of it. Chet had tried for years to understand what had gone wrong.
“Darling, that is the worst story I’ve ever heard,” Caroline announced matter-of-factly.
A beleaguered laugh escaped his lips. “Come now, Caro, there are much worse stories than that. So I suffered a broken heart. I’m not the first and most certainly won’t be the last.”
***
Except that unless Caroline was mistaken, Chet was still suffering from the ailment. In all the time she’d known him, Chester Peyton had been a gregarious fellow, full of life, though every now and then she detected a sadness that he was covering up. And after this conversation, she was fairly certain his loss of Hannah was responsible.
Chet was and always had been a very dear friend, one she’d never known to be dishonest. However, no man was more honorable or upstanding than James MacFadyn. Which meant something was missing from this story, and Caroline was determined to find out what it was.
“Chet, I’m having a small dinner party next week.” Staveley was going to kill her, but it couldn’t be helped. How was she to find the truth unless she had all the players in the same room?
The old twinkle was suddenly back in Chet’s eyes. “A small dinner party? No fire breathers, or acrobats, or inappropriate ice sculptures?”
“You sound just like Staveley.” Caroline pursed her lips. “I am perfectly capable of entertaining on a smaller scale, I’ll have you know.”
“Perhaps,” Chet agreed with grin. “I’ve just never seen any evidence of it.”
She smacked his chest. Hard. “You’re making it very difficult for me to help you.”
“I didn’t ask for your help,” he said somberly. “My mother did.”
“Well, a debt is a debt, and you got yourself into the mess because of Robert. It’s the least I can do. Now, if we’re through with all that… Do you want to see Lady Hannah or not?”
Pain flashed across his strong features, and Chet shook his head. “I don’t know what good that would do me.”
“You can lay old wounds to rest,” she hastened to explain. “Then hopefully the next time I take you to an event flooded with ladies, one of them will spark your interest and make this entire ordeal much more manageable for me.” Or perhaps Hannah truly was the love of his life. But Caroline would have to see them together to be sure. The prospect of helping both of them quickened Caroline’s pulse, making her nearly giddy. Of course she’d have to deal with Staveley later. Luckily her husband wasn’t immune to her wiles. “You’ll have to bring Clayworth with you. Even with Kelfield, I’m two men short.”
Chet raised his brow in mild amusement. “So glad we can round out your numbers for you.”
But her mind had moved on. Strategy was absolute necessity with an operation this sensitive. “Stop chattering and listen. If what you’re telling me is true, Carteret won’t be happy to see you. So you’ll have to let them arrive first—that way they can’t leave. Not without causing a scene, and he won’t do that. At least I don’t think he will.” She was warming to the idea and bit her lip as her mind whirled with possibilities. “Oh, darling, you’ll make a grand entrance and—”
“This is to lay old wounds to rest, as you said. I don’t need to make a grand entrance.”
She needed to watch how she went on from here. But if she played her hand just right… “Darling, this is just the first of many grand entrances I have planned for you. Consider it practice. Now make sure you wear that new moss-colored waistcoat we ordered. I think it will bring out your eyes, but I’m not certain if chandelier light will give it a yellowed hue. I’m hoping not. So this is a good practice for that as well. And tell your man that simple is better than intricate where knots are concerned…” She prattled on and on, until she was certain he didn’t suspect that she was up to something else entirely.
***
As she entered the Staveleys’ ornate drawing room, Hannah wondered, yet again, how she’d let Caroline Staveley talk her into this affair. But Caroline had promised that it would be a small event, and she would know most of the people in attendance—mainly family or friends of the Carterets’ and Staveleys’. And a small affair would be all right. She could ease back into society gradually until she felt more comfortable.
Tentatively, she followed her brother and his wife into the elegant drawing room. At first glance, she was surprised at the number of people she did know and she relaxed just a little bit.
Caroline greeted her and kissed both cheeks before standing back to examine Hannah’s new gown. It was a soft black silk that really was so much more comfortable than the bombazine had been. Her neckline was scooped but conservative, and the gown draped across her lovingly. Hannah almost felt beautiful again, which was saying something, since she was standing near Bethany, who’d always overshadowed anyone nearby.
Caroline smiled approvingly. “You look wonderful, darling.”
“Ye are too kind,” Hannah replied softly. “This is so generous of ye, Caroline.”
Staveley dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Trust me, Hannah, she was glad to do it.”
“It has been a lifetime. How are ye, my lord?” Havers, Lord Staveley had aged in the years since Hannah had seen him last; she would never have recognized him.
Before Staveley could answer, his ancient butler intoned, “The Earl of Clayworth and the Marquess of Astwick.”
Hannah sucked in a breath. Astwick? She hadn’t heard that name muttered aloud in more than a dozen years. Why would Harold Peyton attend a dinner in her honor? Caroline didn’t seem the sort who would associate with a stuffed-up marquess like Chet’s oldest brother. But then again, Hannah had changed over the last decade. Perhaps the same was true of Harold Peyton. She steeled her shoulders and turned to face her one-time nemesis.
And her breath caught in her throat.
Chet?
Havers! She hadn’t anticipated ever seeing him again. And certainly not like this. He was more handsome that she remembered, and she felt transported back to when she was just a lass and she’d found herself lost in his mossy green eyes. The years had been good to him, definitely better than they had been to others, in any event. Her heart pounded fiercely in her chest when their eyes met. His penetrating stare left her nearly breathless. Then almost at once guilt dashed cold water on her disloyal thoughts. Malcolm’s memory deserved better.
“For God’s sake, Staveley!” her brother, James MacFadyn, Earl Carteret, hissed. Then he cursed viciously under his breath, something James never did. Her brother’s anger snapped Hannah back to the present, and she focused on James, who stepped protectively towards her.
***
Chet’s heart pounded in his throat. He’d forgotten how Hannah’s azure gaze could pierce his soul and rob him of his breath. She was gorgeous, swathed in black, even more lovely now than she had been all those years ago.
Instinctively, he started towards her, but Clayworth held him back. “What the devil have you gotten me into?” his friend whispered harshly.
But then Caroline swept up to them and brightly declared, “I’m so thrilled you were both able to attend.”
Clayworth kissed her cheek and then Chet followed suit. “Caroline, you look lovely.”
“You look quite dashing yourself,” she whispered. Then she added loud enough for the entire room to hear, “Darling, have I told you Lucas’ good news?”
Chet managed to drag his eyes away from Hannah. “Not that I recall.” She was in all black. Was she in mourning? The Carterets were both brightly attired. Dear God, she was widowed. He should feel sorry about that, but…
“He and Juliet are to be parents,” Caroline gushed, while linking
her arms with both Chet and Clayworth before towing them towards the larger group. “Naturally, I am simply thrilled. I can hardly wait to be an aunt all over again.”
“Caroline—” Staveley cleared his throat, looking more than furious. Chet had never seen the viscount’s face appear so harsh.
However Caroline paid her husband’s expression no attention at all. “I’m afraid you’re right, Staveley. It has grown late. We’ll have to start without Kelfield. I don’t know why the man bothered to accept my invitation if he had no intention of attending. Do escort our guest of honor in to dinner, will you?” Then she dropped Clayworth’s arm, but maintained her grasp on Chet’s in a silent show of support.
“Damn you, Staveley. I will not stand for this!” Carteret boomed. “Beth, Hannah, gather your wraps. We are not staying.”
Caroline gasped, though it must have been feigned. She had to have expected this sort of reaction when she put her little plan in place. “James MacFadyn! Whatever is wrong with you?”
But the earl paid her no attention and directed his wife and sister towards the corridor as the other guests all began talking at once.
“Stop!” Chet called over the din. It had been over a dozen years since he’d laid eyes on Hannah, and he couldn’t let her leave without at least speaking to her. Laying old wounds to rest, as Caroline had suggested. He wasn’t certain if that was possible, but he did know he couldn’t let her leave without speaking to her.
Hannah stopped and slowly turned around to face him. Confusion clouded her eyes.
“Come along, Hannah!” Carteret demanded from the threshold. “I won’t have you in the same house as that man.”
He was now ‘that man’ was he? Or had he always been so in the interfering earl’s eyes? Chet snorted. “Afraid you won’t be able to hide her from me a second time?”
Carteret stalked towards Chet, his nostrils flaring angrily like pent-up bull’s in a cage. “How dare—”
“It’s all right, Jamie.” Hannah’s soft voice halted her brother mid-step. “We should stay.”
“You don’t have to,” her brother protested.
But she shook her head. “No, but I need ta, Jamie, and I doona need ye ta protect me from this. Not anymore.” Then her blue eyes pinned Chet to the floor. “I’m no’ the same lass I was all those years ago.”
No, she was different. He could see it in the proud way she held herself, the firmness in her jaw and the wisdom in her eyes. She was stronger than the fresh faced lass who’d come to London straight from a Dumfries-shire schoolroom. He swallowed nervously as she took a step towards him and he outstretched his hand as though he held out a peace offering.
Hannah placed her delicate hand in Chet’s, and he released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Dear God, just the feel of her gloved fingers in his hand made tingles race across his skin. It had been too many years since he’d reveled in her touch; too many years since he’d been close enough to tuck one of her loose, flaxen curls behind her ear; too many years since her honeysuckle scent had enveloped him. Hannah’s pretty eyes rounded in surprise as though she was experiencing the same rush of remembrance that he was. “Why?” he breathed out before he could stop himself.
Damn it! They did have an audience. What the devil was wrong with him?
“Perhaps,” Caroline nearly sang, “the rest of us should head in to dinner, after all.”
But Chet barely heard her. All he could do was stare into Hannah’s cornflower eyes and wonder what had happened to make her flee him all those years ago. He itched to draw her into his arms and kiss her the way he once had, but he stood rooted in his spot like a marble statue.
“You won’t mind escorting Lady Hannah in to dinner when the two of you finish your conversation, will you, darling?” Caroline asked.
Chet waived one hand in the air, signaling he would do as she bade. “Aye, we’ll see all of you soon.”
And then everyone bustled into the corridor as fast as their legs would carry them, except for Carteret. Chet could sense him still standing sentry in the doorway.
Hannah’s eyes flickered in that direction and she nodded once. “I’ll be fine, Jaime. Please.”
And then they were truly alone. Hannah extricated her hand from Chet’s grasp and turned away from him. “Ye wanted ta speak with me?”
Chet wanted to close the gap between them, as though he was pulled in her direction by a force he couldn’t see. But she had turned away from him, just as she’d run from him all those years ago. So he held his ground and cleared his throat. “You look well.”
She shrugged a bit. “Caroline picked out the gown.”
Why was he not surprised? Caroline had her fingers in everything. Chet couldn’t help but chuckle. “She picked out my waistcoat, too.”
“She is very talented, our friend.”
And though Chet agreed, he didn’t want to discuss Caroline. He needed to know what had happened. Why Hannah had abandoned him. “Were you frightened?”
She spun back around to stare at him. “Frightened?”
He nodded and took a step towards her. “All those years ago. Did you run because you were frightened? Or did you just not care for me as much as I believed?”
Hannah’s eyes flashed with something he couldn’t quite understand. “I beg yer pardon?”
What was she playing at? Certainly she understood the question. Chet rose to his full height, hoping to convey a strength he didn’t feel. “I asked if you ever cared for me.”
Hannah’s mouth fell open in either surprise or outrage, he couldn’t tell. “I canna believe ye can even ask me such a question.”
“No?” He scoffed. “Seems a very valid question, considering the fact that you agreed to marry me then fled the country as another man’s wife.”
***
Hannah could only stare at Chet. She was certain she resembled the biggest fool ever born, her mouth hanging open like a simpleton. Finally she found her voice. “What should I have done considerin’ yer duplicity?”
“Duplicity?”
“Aye, should I have stayed in Town, waitin’ for word of my ruination to spread like the Great Fire?” Indignation rose up inside her, and Hannah took a step towards Chet. “Is that what ye wanted? Ta see me ridiculed before the ton? Ta see yer so—” Havers! What on Earth was wrong with her? How could she have nearly blurted out her most guarded secret? “Ta see me lowered before all of them like the fool that I was?” She tried to cover up her near blunder.
“I would have seen you as my wife, Hannah. I loved you more than my next breath.”
“Ha!” she spat at him. “I’m no’ the same foolish lass, Chet. Yer lies will need ta be better than that.”
“Lies!” he roared, showing more fire than she’d ever seen in him. “You speak to me of lies? You told me you loved me. You promised to marry me. You sent me on a merry chase—which wasn’t all that merry, by the way—across England into Dumfries-shire, only to discover you married another man and you’d fled to the continent.”
He wasn’t making a bit of sense. Not one bit. “Why would ye chase after me? Had ye no’ done enough? Should ye no’ have fled in the other direction?”
“Why would I chase after you?” he echoed with exasperation. “Well, I suppose I chased after you because I would have done anything to have you. I chased after you, Hannah, because I was madly in love with you.” He laughed sadly. “And gigantic fool that I am, I never stopped. If you set out to destroy me, my dear, you’ve done a fantastic job.”
If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was sincere. No wonder she’d fallen for him all those years ago. Chester Peyton was an expert at appearing genuine, apparently. But this time she did know better. “Please doona lie ta me, Chet. I saw the letter myself. So let’s just dispense with this pretense, shall we? What is it ye want from me? Everyone else is waitin’ in the dinin’ hall.”
“Letter?” He frowned at her as though she was an oddity in a shop.
H
annah folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes on her first true love. “Dinna think I kent about the letter ye wrote yer brother? Well, I saw it with my own eyes after Lord Astwick called on James.”
All the color drained from his face and, for a moment, Hannah thought Chet might buckle under his own weight. Apparently he hadn’t known she’d reasoned out his duplicity. Did he think he could toy with her again? To what purpose now? Weren’t they both too old to play these sorts of games?
“I have no idea what letter you’re talking about.”
So the game was to continue, was it? Hannah heaved a sigh. At one point, she’d known the words of that horrible note by heart. Though time had faded the specific words from her memory, she’d never forget the knife that had plunged into her soul when she’d read that awful letter for the first time. “The letter ye scribbled ta yer brother about havin’ compromised me. That ye needed ta leave Town before James called ye out over it. That letter. Do ye remember it now?”
Chet’s mouth fell open. “I never wrote any such thing.”
“It was yer hand, my lord. I kent it as well as my own in those days.”
“I never wrote any such drivel, Hannah. I hurried off to acquire the special license Carteret demanded, only to never lay eyes on you again. Until tonight.”
But she had seen the letter. Why would he lie about it now? What was to be gained? “If ye canna be honest with me, Chet, there is no reason ta continue this conversation.” She started for the threshold and collided with the wicked Duke of Kelfield, who wasn’t really as wicked as he let others believe. “Alexander!” Hannah gushed in surprise at seeing her brother’s old friend.
“Well, Hannah MacFadyen!” He grinned at her. “You have filled out so nicely, and in all the right places.”
She rolled her eyes at the duke. “Ye’re late. Caroline has been askin’ about ye.”