The Earl of Heartbreak

by Bethany M. Sefchick

  The only dark side to that happy occasion is that it seems that Lady Sophia Reynolds has, in fact, broken with Lord Selby. I am not privy as to why, of course, but I am assured that the break is irrevocable and that the gentleman in question was last seen heading for the docks in Dover, likely to catch a vessel across the Channel. I am not certain what caused the break, but I am told that there is no going back. As one would expect, Miss Reynolds departed the Duke and Duchess of Enwright's house party early, along with her mother. It is such a shame, but then, when one's heart is broken, there is little to do but retreat and heal. Is that not right, ladies?

  Finally, on a brighter note, I have received word from Oxfordshire that the infamous Earl of Heartbreak is finally headed for the parson's mousetrap! Yes, ladies, I am told exclusively that Lord Bexley, the Earl of Raynecourt, is altar bound. Is this true? Or is this merely another in his long line of ruses to throw marriage-minded mamas off his trail? I can neither confirm nor deny the rumors as my only source is something of a questionable nature. At this point, I would hold off on weeping copious amounts of tears, for something tells me this tale is not quite on the up and up. Then again, perhaps it is true at that. After all, the earl and his betrothed were seen in each other's company quite frequently this spring.

  On the other hand I have also been informed that the new "American Marquess" has finally taken possession of his ancestral home, Montclef, which just happens to border the Chillton estate of Hallowby Grange - where dinner was served to the marquess and his sister only a few nights ago. I do know that, despite his upbringing on the other side of the Atlantic, Lord Daniel Weston's blood is as blue as yours or mine. He is one of us, as is his sister, Lady Pearl. Is this the man that Lady Sarah Tillsbury has set her cap for and not our infamous earl? Is Bexley only a decoy to the gossipy ears of England? Only time will tell. And I, as a service to you, dear readers, will be here to tell it. No summer in the country for this lady! No, I shall remain firmly planted in London to record all of the news that is fit to print. And some that is not!

  -Madame C

  Even though news of his faux betrothal had broken all over London, Rayne could not bring himself to care over much. If Frost somehow managed to pick up a copy of the Town Tattler, it would be easy enough for Rayne to disavow any knowledge of the supposed engagement. There was, however, still the little matter of locating Lady Beatrice to serve as chaperone, for neither Hallowby's messenger nor even the great Harry Greer himself had managed to track down the old woman. How difficult locating one gouty old spinster could possibly be, Rayne did not know, but it was clearly far more difficult than he had first thought.

  He had also received reports from several of the footmen that Baron Hodge had been seen skulking about the edges of Hallowby's borders, likely trying to catch a glimpse of Rayne and Sarah while they were out so that he could feed the gossips, such as Madame C. Not that such skullduggery would do him much good, for the notorious Town Tattler columnist was firmly in league with Lord Candlewood and a simple letter to the duke had ensured that whatever gossip that appeared linking Rayne and Sarah was of the rather vague variety. Or intentionally misleading. Whatever the woman preferred on any given day. That morning's copy of the paper, delivered by special courier from London, had proven as much.

  In fact, for the most part, Rayne was feeling far more content than he had in years. His days were spent attending to different bits and pieces of estate business that could not wait until Frost's return. Even though he was not precisely lord and master of Hallowby Grange, with Sarah's considered input, Rayne had managed to give approval for repairs that needed to be started now so that they could be completed in time for the harvest season.

  Waiting until Frost appeared - whenever that might be, for they had yet to receive even so much as a letter from the man - would likely be too late to begin those particular estate projects, especially for ones such as extensive modifications to the aqueduct lines that fed the crops in the far fields. The original stone paths the estate used to carry water were Roman in design and had been patched together over the years until now, major overhauls were necessary. Because of his studies, it was easy enough for Rayne to give the workers guidance on repairs and even easier for Sarah to check the estate ledgers to make certain there were enough funds available to cover any necessary expenses.

  Then there was Sarah herself. Each day, she continued to surprise Rayne in one way or another. Despite the proper appearance she gave in London, the truth was, she was game for just about anything he suggested, much like she had been as a child. Whether he suggested a good stiff ride on Mercury and Glory for the two of them or another trip to the old ruins, she quickly agreed to his every suggestion. A part of him knew that it was because she truly enjoyed spending time with him, but another part of him could admit that she simply liked having fun. As the eldest Tillsbury daughter, and the one who had taken the brunt of their father's monstrous punishment, Rayne had the impression that Sarah did not have....fun. At least not as a general rule.

  In his mind's memory, he remembered her as a more gregarious girl, but now, from the perspective adulthood, he realized that even then, she had held herself apart from the others. Most likely because she was terrified that her father would inflict punishment on one or both of her sisters. Back then, Sarah had replied only when spoken to and joined in their games if asked, but mostly, Rayne could now remember her sitting quietly by herself, holding herself apart, often times with a book in her lap. When he had launched into one of his many history lessons back then, it was little wonder she had listened with such rapt attention. His stories were something new and different for her and likely held a great deal of appeal.

  Rayne was simply thankful that out of all of the young bucks she could have chosen to form a tendre for back then, she had chosen him. He was not worthy of her admiration, certainly. Nor was he worthy of her tender affections. He was far from a saint and most of the time had been a despicable sinner, especially where women were concerned. The fact that she saw something good in him, some small bit of him worth her time to care about, made something warm unfurl in his chest. It wasn't love. Rayne wasn't so reckless as to call it that, but it was some sort of emotion and far greater than he had ever felt for another woman.

  More than that, Rayne was thrilled that this attraction was not one sided. For the truth was, though there was emotion now, back in the very beginning, there had been nothing more than raw desire on his part. In those days, Sarah had still been in the schoolroom - or just out, anyway - but even so, one look at her had set him ablaze with need. She still did. Only now, he knew that she desired him as well, and even though he might never completely possess her as his own, he could still have a taste. Then again, to have her as he wished, to see her round with his child, would mean that he would have to wed her. For as long as he could remember, Rayne had run as far and as fast from marriage as he possibly could. He would not change. Not even for Sarah. Which meant that as much as he wanted her, he could never have all of her. But he could have some of her and that would have to be enough.

  And he would have her tonight. Maybe. If he could ever pry her away from her new best friend, Lady Pearl Weston. Currently the two women were seated in the yellow parlor and well out of the harsh afternoon soon. Lady Pearl had arrived as soon as the clock reached acceptable calling hours and had not yet departed. Since Rayne and Sarah were supposed to have dinner together in a few short hours, he had rather hoped the young woman would be gone by now. She was lovely, but she was also a bit tiring.

  From his position near the parlor door, Rayne could hear the woman nattering on about something, likely something frivolous. She had arrived with a copy of the Town Tattler in hand, full of questions about whether or not it was commonplace to be included in gossip rags. Apparently in Baltimore, the gossips were a bit more circumspect than they were here. Or, at the very least, they were more circumspect than Madame C. typically was. Then again, with the protection of Lord Candlewood behind
her, the woman didn't have to be circumspect if she did not wish to be - though she often was anyway since she had already been revealed to be a member of the aristocracy some months ago.

  "I simply cannot understand why people would care if we have taken up residence," he heard Lady Pearl mutter from her position opposite Sarah. Rayne had the distinct impression that if he did not intervene soon, this particular discussion would continue on all afternoon.

  Removing his spectacles as he swept into the room, Rayne offered both ladies a formal bow and waved them back to their seats when they would have both otherwise risen to curtsey. "Because, Lady Pearl, whether you like it or not, you and your brother are now members of the Upper Ten Thousand. You are among the elite of polite Society and therefore, of great interest to the masses. Not to mention to the rest of the ton as well. We are a gossipy lot, you will quickly discover, if you have not already." He picked up a plate and selected a few biscuits from the tea tray. He had a feeling that it would be awhile before dinner and he was famished now. "You are also now of great interest to the other debutantes. Particularly to them. And their mothers."

  "How so?" She wrinkled her pretty brow and for a moment, Rayne wanted to tuck her back on a ship for Baltimore. If she did not acquire some backbone and polish, the ladies of London would eat her alive.

  "Because you are now competition," Sarah said as she cast Rayne a weary look. Obviously Lady Pearl was more of a challenge than Sarah had anticipated. "The young, unwed women of London are all after the same thing. Their mothers are also extremely interested in helping their daughters obtain what they all so desperately seek."

  Rayne popped a biscuit into his mouth. "A wealthy and titled husband, if I may be so honest." He swallowed before he made a mess all over the carpets. He hated the idea of a maid having to clean up after him. "The man doesn't have to be handsome or young. In fact, older is better in this case since most pairings are not love matches, and I find that many young ladies would prefer it if the old codgers they marry pass on to their great reward sooner rather than later. So no, he does not have to be young, though that is a rare bonus. Just richer than Croesus and with the highest title available." Then he gave her his trademark grin. "Or so I am given to understand."

  "That is simply awful on all counts!" Pearl looked thoroughly disgusted and she had every right to be. "And...and you are not like that." She turned to Sarah. "You have been nothing but kind to me."

  "Ah, but I am about to retire from Society." Sarah took a sip of her tea and cast Rayne a look he could not interpret. "I am not seeking a husband. Unfortunately, many other young ladies are. You are only eighteen, Pearl, and therefore, of prime marriageable age."

  She shook her head stubbornly, her curls bouncing. "I do not want a husband. And even if I did, I would wish to be older. Most of my friends back in Baltimore are before they are wed."

  Rayne wanted to say that she wasn't in Baltimore any longer and suddenly, he understood Sarah's look. Lady Pearl was completely unsuitable for Society as she was at present, and Sarah was growing weary of attempting to explain what she needed to know. Pearl's social education was far more extensive than one woman could handle on her own.

  Clearing his throat, Rayne moved to the edge of the settee where he had eventually settled. "Lady Pearl? If I may be so bold?"

  "Yes?" Clearly she did not know she should look down and demure when a gentleman such as an earl addressed her. Once more, he wondered about America and this city of Baltimore. Were they not teaching their young ladies properly?

  "I have three sisters. Two are already out, but one of them, Miriam, is about to go off to Mrs. Witherson's School for Proper Young Society Ladies very soon. Miri is a very shy sort of girl, and my mother and I have worried for ages that she will not fare well there on her own." Actually, Miri was extremely confident, though she did not speak over much and Rayne's greatest fear was that her lack of speaking would be held against her. "Since you, and please do not take this the wrong way, still need a bit of polish before you make your debut, might I suggest that your brother see about you attending this school very soon? The school is located in Kent and is highly respected. It would, I think, be a help to you, and I know that I would feel better knowing that Miri had at least one friend there when she arrives."

  Pearl blinked a few times as if she was uncertain what to say and once more, Rayne knew this woman needed a great deal of help. He wasn't even certain why he had felt compelled to make his offer to her. She wasn't his concern. Nor did he need to curry favor with the new marquess. Not to mention that her brother was already set to step up and wed Sarah if she only gave him a bit of encouragement, thus eliminating Rayne's concerns for Sarah's future. However Pearl was Sarah's present concern and Rayne knew from experience that it was easier to seduce the body if one already seduced the mind and soul.

  "Thank you. I think I rather like that suggestion. Lady Sarah made a similar one, but I was worried that I would not know a soul there." Pearl shuddered. "It sounded horrible."

  "I can even arrange for you to meet Miri before the two of you depart." Rayne knew it would be no hardship to arrange the gathering and his mother would be overjoyed to have yet another young lady to badger for a bit.

  Now Pearl did look down, obviously embarrassed. "Thank you. You are both too kind."

  Rising from her seat beside Pearl, Sarah moved to a nearby desk and took out a piece of parchment and pen. Quickly, she wrote down the pertinent information and then handed the paper to Pearl. "Please give this to your brother. It has everything he would need to know regarding the school, and if he has questions, he can always call upon me. Or Lord Raynecourt."

  Springing to her feet, Pearl clutched the paper tightly to her chest. "Oh, thank you." She dipped into a quick curtsey. "You as well, Lord Raynecourt." When she curtseyed to him she almost fell over it was so deep. "I am in your debt." When her eyes landed on the mantel clock, she gasped. "Oh dear! I did not realize it was so late. I must be off or my brother will be worried sick about me."

  "It was a lovely visit," Sarah assured her as she saw Pearl to the doorway. "You are welcome here at Hallowby any time."

  After a few more thank yous and good-byes, Lady Pearl finally departed in a flurry of pale blue muslin and a bonnet so large that it barely fit through Hallowby's enormous double front doors.

  "She is rather exuberant," Rayne remarked when Sarah finally returned to the parlor to find him munching on the rest of the biscuits as he leaned against the door jam. "Not to mention a bit green."

  Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A bit? Those young ladies in London will swallow her whole if she does not receive some tutelage." She reached over and snatched a biscuit off of his plate. "So thank you. For what you did just now, telling her about Miri."

  "I wasn't lying." Rayne polished off the final biscuit and then placed the plate on a side table. "At least not much. And Miri really doesn't like to speak, so between the two of them, that should equal speech enough for one person." He grinned then. "I also have ulterior motives."

  "And they are?" Sarah crossed her arms over her chest, looking at him as if he had lost his mind. "As I cannot for the life of me fathom why you would care to become involved with this matter."

  "You see, I do believe that I promised someone a seduction. Very difficult to do with guests running about under foot." Reaching out, he pulled Sarah hard up against him so that she could feel the press of his erection against the front of his trousers.

  Swallowing hard, Sarah looked up at Rayne to see if he was teasing. In truth, though they had spent the last few days together, after that fateful night, he hadn't attempted to get her out of her gown even once. She was beginning to wonder if, despite his words to the contrary, her scars truly did bother him. She would not blame him if they did.

  "There is a seduction going on?" she asked as tartly as she could. "It has been so long since I have enjoyed more than a simple kiss from you, I was unaware of it."

  "Minx," he growled, reaching
out to cup her round behind and pull her more fully against him. When her mouth formed a little "O" he knew he had her a bit rattled. Perfect. "You know I have not forgotten."

  "Do I?" There was clear challenge in her tone.

  "You do." Slowly, Rayne leaned down to kiss the hollow of Sarah's throat eliciting a mewl of desire from her. "And there is more to seduction than fucking Sarah. Far more. Especially with you."

  He could tell she wished to argue the point further so he kissed her again, this time firmly on the lips to silence her. When she opened her mouth to argue again, he slid his tongue inside of her mouth to tangle with hers. That was enough to end any further protests that she might think of making.

  "Soon, Sarah," Rayne promised as he drew back for a breath. "Soon you shall have all you desire and more." Well, not everything she likely desired, he thought as he pinned her to the wall and took her mouth again hungrily, but as much as he could possibly give her. He simply hoped that it would be enough.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The moon rose high in the sky over Hallowby Grange, bathing the grounds in breathtaking silver light. Thank goodness, for Sarah wasn't convinced that she could find her way to the old summerhouse in the dark otherwise. Especially as it was fast approaching midnight and, as a rule, she did not like the dark overmuch. Monsters hid in the dark. Her father certainly had. On the other hand, Rayne was waiting for her out there, and she could not wait to see what sort of surprise he had in store for her this time.