by Cheryl Bolen
If only she could be persuaded to give up her gin. But Blanks was probably right. Some people could never give up their drink.
She must talk it over with Blanks. He was older and had seen more of life than she had. He would know what to do.
* * *
Blanks looked up from his correspondence as Glee sailed into the library.
"Oh, Blanks, I'm so happy you're here, for I most particularly wanted to talk to you." She slid into a chair across the desk from him.
His pulse sped up. Was she going to speak of the intimacy that occurred between them the night before? When confronted with it, he would not be able to lie and deny knowledge of it. But how, in a gentlemanly way, could he explain his behavior? He looked up at her. She looked so impossibly innocent. It was hard to believe this was the same woman who had offered him her body the night before. She wasn't the innocent she appeared. He knew without a doubt she had not only kissed Jefferson but had also sent him a letter this very morning. He fleetingly thought of Carlotta's warning. Glee's not the innocent you think her. His stomach knotted. Surely Glee was innocent. Gregory was most vexed with her. No matter how sweet she looked today. He arched a single brow. "Yes?"
"I talked with Archie's mother."
"May I ask why?"
"To offer her a position in our household, of course."
"Of course. And what was the woman's response?"
"What do you think it was?"
"She turned it down."
"I knew you'd understand, and you're quite right about her turning it down. How did you know?"
"Her propensity to drink. To soakers, their entire lives are ruled by the bottle."
"Is there not something we can do?"
He shook his head. "I wish there was, my dear, but the only person who can help a soaker is himself or herself. They have to want to give up the drink."
Glee nodded thoughtfully. She really was such an innocent, he thought. Her youthful idealism collided with harsh reality.
"It's my opinion," she said, "that Mrs. Agnostinio—that's her name, you know—and Archie have no real place to call home."
"You are most likely right."
"You'd think the offer of a fine roof over their heads would be attractive."
"To most people who live on the streets, that would be the case. But not to one whose life is ruled by the obsession for liquor."
"If she doesn't care about herself, you'd think she'd care for her poor son." She looked up from staring dejectedly into her lap. "You were right about her being young. She gave birth to Archie when she was but fourteen."
Gregory winced. "I doubt if she was even married."
Glee's mouth dropped open. "Oh, Blanks, you must be right! That's why she didn't answer when I quizzed her about being married twice. She was ashamed to admit Archie had no father."
"Poor lad," Gregory murmured.
"There must be something we can do."
He got up and moved to her, lifting one of her delicate hands and stroking it tenderly. "I wish there was, but I'm afraid all we can do is continue helping the lad as we are now."
"But they're so thin! I worry about them not getting enough to eat. And Mrs. Agnostinio is likely to take Archie's money and spend it on drink."
"I've already thought of that and have made some small provision for them to get at least one good meal a day."
Her emerald eyes danced as she looked up at him. "You have? Oh, Blanks, that's wonderful. You're such a good man. I'm glad I married you."
It was impossible to stay angry with the maddening wench when she spoke to him like that. And when she possessed such compassion. He rather thought he, too, was glad he married her.
Even if she drove him quite mad.
Chapter 23
Gregory had just finished giving instructions to the Bow Street Runner who had arrived from London when Hampton announced Lord and Lady Sedgewick were calling.
Dismissing the runner, Gregory bounded from the library and happily greeted George and his wife. "Are you staying at Winston Hall?" he asked.
"Yes, Felicity insisted," Diana said. "Where, pray tell, is my sister? I cannot wait for her to show me the house now that you've settled in."
"I believe Hampton's knocked her up to tell her you're here," Gregory said.
Glee's footfall sounded on the stairs, and Gregory looked up at his wife's smiling face. He would have to remember to play the part of the adoring husband in front of her brother. "Diana's most anxious for you to conduct a tour of our house, love," he said to her.
Unable to contain her joy, Glee ran up and hugged Diana and George. "It's so very good to have you back in Bath. Where's the baby?"
"She's with her nurse at Winston Hall," George answered.
A disappointed look crossed Glee's face. "Then you won't be staying with us? I declare, I shall be most vexed with Felicity for hoarding you."
"But there's so much more room at Winston Hall," Diana defended.
Gregory moved to Glee and settled his hand about her tiny waist. "I daresay Wellington could have put up his whole army in its many chambers."
"I am persuaded the house tour can go along without Blanks and me," George said. "Blanks will have to enlighten me on the current amusements in Bath." He clapped a hand on Gregory's back. Glee put her hands to her hips. "I should have known my brother would show up in time for the racing season."
George shot his sister a wry smile. "Surely you didn't think I'd come here just to see my sisters."
Blanks lifted Glee's hand and pressed a kiss on it. "George and I will run along to the library, my sweet."
The women sauntered down the foyer in front of George and Gregory, exclaiming over the paintings and the newly painted walls. Glad Gregory was he had George to divert him from such deadly dull matters as decorating.
In the library, he poured George a glass of port, then another for himself and dropped onto a sofa opposite his brother-in-law. "You've picked a most interesting time to come, old boy. Not only are the races due to begin, but a bang-up cock fight's to be held day after tomorrow."
"You don't say! Haven't been to one in an age."
"Does it not get tedious living in the country?"
"I must confess I do miss the sporting pleasures the city offers, but other than that, I've no complaints. There's nothing quite as satisfying as having one's own family and being able to continue on the same land one's ancestors have possessed for centuries. You must be anxious yourself to return to Sutton Hall and start a family."
If only he could be more like George. His father would have been proud of him. He regretted that while his father was alive, he gave him no source of pride. And since his father's death, he had done nothing which would have pleased his parent, save getting married. A pity he wanted no part of marriage. And family. And all those things George had so eagerly embraced. "In due time," he answered.
George settled back and studied Gregory. "I trust my sister is behaving herself?"
Gregory burst out laughing. "Your sister, dear friend, needs a good spanking."
George's brows shot up. "What's the minx up to?"
"For starters, she insists on addressing my friends by their Christian names."
"In public?"
Gregory nodded ruefully. "'Tis a constant source of anxiety that others will think her. . .well, rather fast, if you must know."
"But you're her master. Can you not just tell her to stop doing that?"
"Ordering a lady about, I'm afraid, does not come naturally to me. However, I have expressed my displeasure a number of times."
"If that's your only problem in a fortnight of being married, I'd say it's not too bad."
"But that's not the only problem. As much as I adore your sister, she vexes me to death. There's also the matter of the phaeton."
"What phaeton?"
"The phaeton Glee purchased herself—without my knowledge, mind you—a high perch phaeton which she proceeded to paint bright red."
"Good lord, she can’t be driving it in public?"
Gregory nodded. "And that's not all. She has taken it into her mind that as a married lady she must dress in the most shocking fashion."
"She looked rather demure today," George defended.
"I cannot disagree, but I must tell you today's gown is not typical. Your sister has taken a propensity to wearing dresses that expose a great deal of flesh. And the colors aren't at all the thing. No pastels for my wife!"
George shuddered. "I'm afraid that sounds rather like Carlotta."
Gregory leveled a stern gaze at his friend. "But Carlotta was not my wife."
George cleared his throat. "Diana informed me Glee knows all about Carlotta. Could Glee possibly be wishing to emulate the woman she may view as a rival?"
That would explain Glee's behavior. If theirs was a love match. But Glee was not in love with him. And she had no reason whatsoever to be jealous of Carlotta Ennis. Comparing Glee to Carlotta was like pitting diamonds against tarnished brass. "I haven't seen Carlotta since I declared my intentions to marry Glee, and I've conveyed as much to my wife, as painful as it is to speak of the matter to her. Unfortunately, she brings up the subject with far more regularity than I'm comfortable with."
George set down his glass and frowned. "Demmed sticky situation, to be sure. But I'm happy to hear you've given up Carlotta. I had my doubts that your love for my sister was as great as is hers for you."
Glee love him? She must be a better actress than he would have thought. The idea of Glee being in love with him curiously pleased him at the same time it vexed him. Odd, too, that this was the second time in as many days that he had pondered the possibility that Glee could love him. It wouldn't do at all for Glee to fall in love with him. His resolve against falling in love would only bring her pain, and—as troublesome as she was—he would not wish to see her suffer in any way.
Sitting face to face with her brother only impressed upon Blanks his foolishness—and selfishness—in marrying Glee. She did deserve a husband who loved her as George loved Diana and Thomas loved Felicity. "And how, my dear brother, is marriage treating you?" Gregory asked.
"As you must have already learned, it's extremely satisfying."
A lump in his throat, Gregory watched his contented friend, regretting that his own cold heart, unlike George's, was incapable of loving. Of course, he could never reveal such a dark secret to Glee's brother. "My only regret is that I waited so long to marry," he lied.
George's smile widened. "My feelings exactly. Now about Glee's fast behavior, mark my words, she's doing it to spite you because of Carlotta. In Glee's eyes, you've never been attracted to proper ladies. Trust me, I know how my wayward sister's mind works."
Almost anyone would be able to understand Glee better than Gregory. It seemed everything she did ran contrary to ordinary. But, really, she couldn't be jealous of Carlotta! The assumption that Glee thought he loved Carlotta was utterly illogical because it was founded on the ridiculous notion that Glee was in love with him. Which was absurd. "A pity I don't in the least understand how my wife's mind works. I daresay if I did, it would save me a great deal of grief."
George nodded sympathetically. "Enough talk of my perplexing sister. You must tell me all about the cock fight day after tomorrow.
Some time later, their discourse was interrupted by the appearance of their wives.
"Come, Blanks, let's go to the Pump Room with Diana and George so they can sign the book. Bless them, they came here straightaway after arriving in Bath."
"And if they hadn't," Gregory said, "I daresay you'd have boxed your brother's ears."
Glee met Blanks's gaze with dancing eyes. "But of course! How well you know me, my love."
"Would that I did," he mumbled, rising and offering his wife his crooked arm.
* * *
At the Pump Room, they met up with Felicity and Thomas. "Blanks was telling me of the cock fight day after tomorrow," George said excitedly to Thomas. "Are you going?"
Felicity watched her brother-in-law for a reaction. Thomas, who had not been born to wealth, was much more serious and bookish and less sport mad than his male counterparts who had been born to privilege.
"I haven't been to one in an age," Thomas replied.
"Exactly as I was telling Blanks!" George said. "How fortunate that we've arrived in Bath in time for it."
"Yes, quite," Thomas said without enthusiasm.
"If our husbands are going to talk of cock fights, I am persuaded that we ladies shall have to leave them and take a turn about the room," Felicity said.
Glee and Diana joined Felicity for the stroll. "Does not my sister look well now that she's a married lady?" Felicity asked Diana.
"I declare, there's a marked bloom in her cheeks. I daresay she's never looked lovelier."
Felicity smiled. "I vow, Blanks feels the same. He's so attentive."
If only they knew. Glee was shocked that anyone could find bloom in her cheeks. It seemed to her she perpetually moped over her failure to capture Blanks's heart.
Diana slipped her arm through Glee's. "How, dearest, are you enjoying being a married lady?"
"I've never been happier," Glee said. Which was partly true. While she had never been happier, she also had never been more downcast. 'Twas a most curious mixture of emotions that being married provoked in her. "Blanks is such a treasure."
"It's been my observation," Felicity said, "that marriage has evoked a most pronounced change in Blanks. He's nothing at all the hedonist he was before his marriage. And he's infinitely more mature. You wouldn't believe how zealously he tries to protect Glee and her reputation, and he's terribly jealous of any attention she may bestow on another man."
"Such is love," Diana said wistfully.
If only they knew. It was certainly not jealousy that spurred Blanks's feigned devotion. "We are all so terribly fortunate to have married men we love so unabashedly."
A glow came over Diana's face. "Indeed we are."
"You, my sisters, are the best recommendation I know of for love matches," Glee said. "I used to think that after the first blush of love wore off that husbands and wives were at daggers drawn with one another. But, if anything, I believe you seem to love your husbands--and they you--more each passing month."
"I've been blessed twice," Felicity said. "Both of my marriages were love matches. After Michael was killed, I thought I'd ever love again. It puts me to the blush to say I love Thomas more fiercely than I ever loved Michael. I declare, I'm the most fortunate woman on the face of the earth."
"No, I am," Glee and Diana said at exactly the same time.
All three women broke into laughter.
Glee's laughter was short lived. She lifted her smiling face to see William Jefferson, standing alone near the door, watching her with smoldering eyes. A scowl settled on her face. It would give her no end of pleasure to cut him direct. Especially in front of Blanks. It had been twenty-four hours since she had written him to get her jewels back, and she had heard nothing.
What if, she thought happily, he had brought her earrings today? No, that wouldn't do at all. She could not be seen with the man. Blanks was angry enough to call him out. And she would never do anything that might jeopardize the safety of her beloved husband.
They walked past Jefferson—who, thankfully, made no effort to engage them in conversation—and rejoined their husbands, whose circle now included the twins.
"Where's Timothy?" Glee asked Melvin.
"He's been every minute with his brother since Lord Appleton arrived," Elvin said.
An amused grin slid across Blanks's face. "My dear, have we not decided that your calling my friends by their Christian names might give some people the wrong idea?" He tossed a martyred glance at Glee's brother.
"You see what a stickler my husband's become since he married me?" Glee said to George with mock indignation.
George smiled. "If I find any fault with Blanks, it's that he's not heavy handed enough with y
ou, pet."
"But your sister's right, Sedgewick," Elvin said. "Blanks has become a different man since his marriage. In fact, Pixie's much more fun to be around than he is."
"Who's Pixie?" George asked, a puzzled look on his face.
"That's what we call Gl.., er, your youngest sister."
George roared in laughter, then attempted to stifle it as he turned to Blanks. "I see what you mean, old fellow." Then George directed his attention upon his sister. "Really, pet, a married woman—or a single woman for that matter—does not carry on in so familiar a manner with men. Why, I'd take Diana over my knee and spank her if she behaved in such a ragtag fashion."
To this, Felicity and Glee broke out laughing.
"What's so funny?" George demanded.
"First," Felicity said, "I cannot in my wildest imagination picture Diana ever acting without the greatest amount of propriety."
"And, secondly," Glee said, "You could never be so angry with my dear sister that you would ever turn your elegant wife over you knee."
Glee glanced at Diana, expecting her to share in their mirth, but Diana's face had gone white. "What's the matter, Diana?" Glee asked with concern.
"I don't feel altogether well."
George collapsed on his wife, voice and brows lowered in concern.
"Oh, dear," Glee said. "Allow me to fetch you some water. The water here's said to be quite a restorative." Then Glee dashed off to the fountain.
As she strode there, from the corner of her eye she saw that Jefferson shared her destination. She vowed to completely ignore him. She couldn't be the cause of Blanks getting killed in a duel. The very thought sent her stomach plummeting.
"A cup of water, please," Glee said to the attendant as Jefferson came to stand at her left. She acted as if she did not see him.
To his credit, he also ignored her. Until she was a about to step away.
"I believe you dropped this, madam," he said, holding out a folded-up piece of paper for her.
Her cheeks hot, she set down Diana's water, and tucked the note into her reticule to read later. Then she took up the water and started back to Diana when she fleetingly met Blanks's heated gaze. She glanced away quickly so she would appear not to have seen him. She could not be angered that he distrusted her so greatly when she was near Jefferson. Blanks had justification. She only hoped he had not seen her accept the piece of paper.