by Rose Pearson
“Of course, it is!” the baron exclaimed, loudly. “I’m not a man for idle gossip, I tell you. I want only the best.”
Phillip nodded slowly, wondering if he needed to warn Lady Harmonia about her cousin’s behavior. There was no truth in the baron’s suggestion that she was in any way engaged to Lord Darnsley but still, he wondered if she knew the truth. It would be best for her family not to associate with Lord Darnsley in any way, if what the baron said was true.
“Of course, he wants the lady’s money to cover his debts,” the baron continued airily. “He has not two shillings to rub together at this point!”
Phillip’s stomach dropped.
“Does the Duke know of this?” he asked, hoarsely. “About Lord Darnsley’s debts?”
“No, I don’t think so,” the baron shrugged. “Do you really think the old man would let such a man near his youngest daughter if he knew the truth about Lord Darnsley’s finances? I know he is ill, but I do not think that any of his faculties are less than they should be, if you get my meaning.”
Phillip nodded, lines of worry appearing on his forehead. “Yes, I understand. You are quite right, of course.” Phillip began to think quickly about the Duke’s lack of knowledge, as well the fact that Lady Harmonia would also be completely in the dark as regarded Darnsley’s true intentions. He knew that she was not interested in the man but was also aware that Lord Darnsley himself had been more than eager to capture the lady’s’ affections. It all became clear to him now, why Lord Darnsley had been so overprotective, so rude to him and so caught up with everything Lady Harmonia was doing. She was his best chance of securing a good fortune, enough to pull him out of his debts at least. Although he felt somewhat assured of Harmonia’s lack of interest in Lord Darnsley, he could not help himself but to worry about what a man who could hide secrets like this was capable of.
Otherwise, Phillip had no doubt that the truth of Lord Darnsley’s situation would come to light and no-one in their right mind would secure their daughter to a man in such debt. Particularly if they had a large dowry.
“I think I need to excuse myself, gentlemen,” he said, getting up from the table and sending an apologetic look towards Lord Marshall.
“Of course, I quite understand,” Lord Marshall said at once, a look of comprehension in his eye. “You have an appointment to keep.”
Phillip cleared his throat, holding out his hand to the baron and then to Lord Marshall. “Yes, that is quite so.”
“It is rather late for an appointment, is it not?” the baron asked, with a look of surprise.
A flush ran up Phillip’s cheeks. “Not too late at all, I assure you,” he said, aware of what the baron would think. He did not have to wait long. The baron lifted his brows and chuckled, shaking his head at Phillip.
“Well, well. Of course, go and enjoy yourself, my man! I shall stay here and keep Lord Marshall company,” the baron chuckled, lifting his glass aloft. “Have a good time, Lord Newford.”
Phillip did not respond but hurried away from the table at once. He dodged through the rest of the patrons, trying his best to keep his anxiety down. While, of course, there could be no immediate danger, Phillip had such a sense of urgency that he could not wait another moment before seeing Lady Harmonia or her father. Whilst it was late, he hoped that someone in the house would still be awake, that they would still be able to allow him entry for just a few minutes.
What Phillip did not see was a shadowy figure follow after him. A figure who had heard every word Baron Roth had said and was exceedingly angry because of it. A figure who had every intention of getting exactly what he wanted, no matter what Phillip or Lady Harmonia herself desired.
Chapter Nine
“Did you enjoy the musical evening, then?”
Harmonia lifted one eyebrow as she glanced at her sister, who burst out laughing as their father began to smile.
“No?” he continued, with an inquisitive look. “Was it truly terrible?”
“Oh, papa!” Amelia exclaimed, with a weary sigh. “There were a few good performances, I grant you, but the majority were either young ladies who could not sing for tuppence or those attempting to play the pianoforte and making so many mistakes that it sounded like an entirely different piece!” She groaned and shook her head. “I would not say it was enjoyable, no.”
The Duke chuckled. “Goodness, that is rather bad then. Did you find any enjoyment, Harmonia?”
Harmonia laughed and shook her head. “Unfortunately, not, papa. I am much the same as Amelia. I feel as though I need to sit in a quiet room for a few hours until the noise of the evening has faded from my memory!” She saw her father laugh in sympathy. “In fact, despite the hour, I may just take tea in the library before I retire.”
“I am determined to go straight to bed,” Amelia declared, giving Harmonia a quick hug. “You did very well this evening, Harmonia. You were complimentary of everyone and always found something good to say. I am sure there are a great many gentlemen who appreciate your gentle character.”
“And yet, I am aware that there is certain gentleman who has been calling recently,” Harmonia’s father smiled, with a lift of his brow. “Are you quite settled on him, Harmonia? He appears to be a very good sort of fellow.”
“I think he is,” Harmonia replied, her cheeks warming. She had been a trifle disappointed not to see him this evening but at least it was only another day until the ball. She was quite excited about it already.
“Do not tease her so, papa,” Amelia said, with a quick smile towards Harmonia. “Lord Newford is a very kind gentleman, and I have every hope that he will take care of our dear Harmonia for many years to come.”
It was the hope that was growing in Harmonia’s heart also.
“Anyhow, I am to bed,” Amelia continued, taking her father’s arm. “And what of you, papa?”
“I am also tired,” he said, with a warm smile. “Will you be quite all right alone in the library, Harmonia? I can stay up with you, should you wish it.”
Harmonia shook her head, although she appreciated her father’s offer. “No, I shall be quite contented to sit up alone, I assure you,” she said. “Goodnight to you both.”
“Goodnight,” Amelia replied, with a smile. “Only one more day until the ball, Harmonia!”
Harmonia did not reply but simply smiled to herself, her arms wrapped around her waist. She was looking forward to Lord Newford’s ball, was looking forward to dancing with him and having what was sure to be a wonderful time. Despite the loudness of the evening she had just come from, Harmonia found herself humming as she made her way to the library, hoping to find herself a good book to lose herself in for a time.
One hour later, the tea was drunk, the book was half read, and Harmonia was beginning to feel tired. It was time for her to retire. Setting the book down, she froze in her seat as she heard voices echoing along the hallway towards her. One sounded like the butler, the other she could not quite make out.
A knock on the library door had her startled.
“Come in,” she quavered, clinging to the arms of her chair in fright. Who was calling on her at this time of night? Was there some terrible news about one of her sisters?
The butler, sans his jacket, opened the door and stepped inside, closing it firmly behind hm.
“I do beg your pardon for my lack of proper attire,” he began, with a rather self-conscious look. “But there is a gentleman who insists on seeing you.”
“A gentleman?” Harmonia repeated, with a slight frown. “Who is he?”
“Lord Newford, my lady,” the butler replied, with a frown. “I told him it was much too late – for I was just about to retire myself – but he said it was a matter of urgency. What else could I do?”
Harmonia, vastly confused as to why Lord Newford had come to her father’s door at such an inappropriate time, tried to smile as she got to her feet. “Thank you, Jones. I will speak to him. Please allow him in.”
The butler nodded. “I wil
l remain outside to escort him from the house and lock up the doors again.”
Aware that he was concerned for her, Harmonia’s expression softened. “Thank you, Jones.”
The door was opened and Lord Newford stepped inside. Harmonia was surprised to see the worry in his eyes, the crease in his forehead that told her there was something he was deeply concerned about.
“My dear Lady Harmonia,” he began, hurrying towards her and giving her a slightly unsteady bow. “I must beg your forgiveness for calling so late but believe me, I would not have done so unless it was a matter of urgency.”
“Of course, I quite understand,” Harmonia replied, her heart thundering in her chest. “What is it?”
“It concerns your cousin Luke,” Lord Newford said, sitting down as the butler appeared with a fresh tea tray. “I was in Whites this evening and got to speaking with Baron Roth.”
Harmonia poured the tea and offered him a cup. He accepted it, his face a little less tortured than before. She poured her own, added a little milk and sat back in her chair, facing him.
“My cousin?” she prompted, as a curl of worry blossomed in her chest. “What has he done?”
Lord Newford pressed his lips together firmly. “It is not what he has done but what he has been doing that is the problem. I thought it best to speak to you about his behavior and current situation so that you are entirely aware of what he intends.”
Harmonia placed her cup and saucer down on the table and began to pleat her skirts nervously. “What he has done?”
“He wants to marry you.”
Harmonia lifted her face to his, not hiding the truth from him. “Yes, I am aware of that. I have refused him.”
A flash of relief crossed his face. “I am glad to hear it. However, my dear Harmonia, I must tell you that the reason he wishes to do so is because of the wealth you have.”
“My wealth?” Harmonia replied, confused. “I only have my dowry and, given that I am the last of the four daughters, it will be the smallest of the four.”
Lord Newford shook his head. “Small to you, mayhap, but not to someone who is swamped by debts.”
Her heart squeezed, shock rippling through her. Luke, in debt? She had never believed that he could be so, not when he was a fairly respectable gentleman.
“I know this is hard to believe, but Baron Roth told me that Lord Darnsley’s creditors are chasing him and that those he owes debts to are beginning to become angry with his lack of payment.”
“Debts”? Harmonia repeated, her voice barely louder than a whisper as she struggled to come to terms with what she had heard. “I don’t understand.”
“Gambling, mostly,” Lord Newford replied. “And other things, which I need not go into.”
Harmonia felt sick, heat climbing up into her face as she realized what he meant.
“He is not a good man, Lady Harmonia. It was made clear to me that neither you nor your father are aware of his behavior or his situation, and I could not rest until I spoke to you of it.”
There was a prolonged silence. Harmonia did not doubt Lord Newford in the least but was finding it difficult to accept such a thing about Luke. He was, after all, their cousin and she had assumed him to be rather close to her father. Surely there would have been some way for them to discover the truth of what he had been up to!
“I am sorry if I did wrong in coming to speak to you,” Lord Newford continued, hesitantly. His words broke the silence that surrounded them, dragging her attention back to himself again. “I have nothing but concern for you, Lady Harmonia, and I worry what Lord Darnsley will do. I know you have said that you rejected his suit – which I am grateful for, due to my own selfish reasons – but I wonder if he will give up so easily. After all, he requires a wife with a significant dowry and, since his debts might become known to the beau monde at any given moment, I cannot think that he will simply accept your decision not to court him. Not when he has spent years trying to convince you to wed.”
“I did think, at one time, that I would marry him,” Harmonia replied, her voice hoarse and weak. “I told him as much, but then my sisters convinced me that marrying a man simply because he wished it – and because I thought we might be a fair match – was not a good enough reason. They showed me that I could hope for more than a simple marriage of convenience.”
Harmonia watched as Lord Newford smiled softly, his expression growing tender.
“I would agree with your sisters on that point,” he said, with a slight laugh. “Only, I pray you, do tell someone of what I have spoken to you. Do not keep it to yourself.”
Seeing the wisdom in his words, Harmonia nodded slowly. “I will speak to Amelia first before we tell our father. I need to ensure that he is well enough to hear such news. It will come as quite a shock.”
Lord Newford got to his feet, clearing his throat as he did so. “I hope you are not overcome by the news?”
Harmonia rose as well, standing opposite him. “I confess to being very much astonished, but I will not be in distress over it,” she said, honestly. “I am now very glad that I turned him down so decisively.”
“As am I.”
They looked at each other for a long time, silence growing between them. The air around Harmonia seemed to crackle and spit with a sudden, strong tension as she looked into Lord Newford’s eyes, realizing just how alone they both were.
“My dear Lady Harmonia,” he murmured, eventually, stepping closer and holding out his hands to her. “I am so very glad to hear that you have decided against Lord Darnsley. It leaves me with a great deal of hope that there might be a future for us both. Would you consider me in such a light, I wonder?”
Harmonia hesitated, her heart beginning to quicken as she reached for his hand. He took both her hands in his. It made her jump, awareness prickling her skin as he held her hands. The warmth of his skin sent a rush of heat all through her and, as she looked up into his eyes, she saw that same awareness in his own expression.
“I do – I will – hold you in a such a light, Lord Newford,” she said, so quietly that she could barely hear herself. “I cannot tell you how glad I am of your suit.”
The smile on his face brought a delight to her heart.
“I am very much looking forward to the ball tomorrow evening,” she continued, as an inexplicable urge to be close to him began to thread its way through her veins. “It was good of you to invite me.” She was not quite sure what she was saying, suddenly dazed by the experience of simply standing by him, his hands in hers. Her breath was quick, her cheeks flushed, her mind caught up by nothing other than Lord Newford.
“It would not be enjoyable unless you were there,” he said, with a tender smile. “I would hate every moment, despise every dance.” He dropped her hands and, instead of stepping away, he ran his fingers lightly down her cheek, making her breath catch.
“You are beautiful, Lady Harmonia,” he whispered, moving a fraction closer. “Can I believe that you are truly interested in a man like me?”
Harmonia did not answer him, her mouth lifting of its own accord towards his. Lord Newford did not hesitate but answered her unspoken invitation, placing his mouth gently against her own.
It was as though she had been flung into the fire, and the heat was consuming her very bones.
Her lips brushed against his, his hand now gently resting on the curve of her waist. Harmonia let her eyes flutter closed as he kissed her again, a little more firmly this time, his hand tightening on hers.
And then, he stepped back. It was the sweetest separation she had ever experienced.
“Excuse me, Lady Harmonia,” he whispered, clearly a little embarrassed. “I ought not to have –”
“Do not spoil this moment,” Harmonia interrupted, with a shy smile. “I will not be inclined to forget it any time soon.”
He looked relieved, his smile turning warm once more. “I had better take my leave, Lady Harmonia, lest I give in to my desire to stay here with you,” he replied, with a gre
at deal of reluctance. “Do excuse me.”
Harmonia smiled as he raised her hand and kissed the back of it, her hand tingling from where his lips lingered.
“Good evening, Lord Newford,” she said softly, suddenly desperate for him not to leave. “And thank you for coming to speak to me.”
“It was my very great pleasure,” he replied, with a quick bow. “I look forward to our next meeting tomorrow evening.”
“Tomorrow,” she replied, and, with that, he was gone.
Sinking back down into her chair, Harmonia could do nothing but smile, brushing one finger over her lips. Lord Newford had kissed her, had promised her more than she had ever allowed herself to dream of before. There would be a future for them, she was quite sure. She did not know when he intended to propose but knew that it would not be too long now. Deep in her heart, Harmonia knew that the deep affection she had for Lord Newford was slowly turning to love, and that, when it came time for him to propose, she would accept without hesitation. Of that, she was quite sure, aware that she had never experienced such deep feelings before. How glad she was that she had rejected Luke, that she had listened to her sisters and allowed her heart to open towards another!
“I do not think I could live my life without love,” she murmured to herself, before rising and taking herself to bed.
Chapter Ten
“Amelia?”
Harmonia walked into Amelia’s room at the sound of her voice, seeing her sit at the dressing table as the maid finished with her hair.
“You look wonderful,” Amelia smiled, as Harmonia stood in the middle of the room. “I am quite sure that Lord Newford will be very appreciative of the effort you have gone to.”
Harmonia blushed, looking down at her cream gown that seemed to sparkle with a silver sheen. It was a new gown bought specifically for this occasion and she hoped that what her sister said was true.
“A sparkling jewel,” Amelia said again, as Harmonia pulled on her gloves. “You are truly lovely, Harmonia. I mean it.”