The Scandal of Lady Eleanor

by Regina Jeffers

  “I am a possession—no better than your dog or your horse.” Ella’s eyes flashed in anger.

  He gave her a soft laugh. In her innocence, she had opened herself up to the perfect retort. “Nonsense. I shall enjoy mounting you more than any horse; whether it be as a dog or not, I am sure I will not care.” Levering’s lethal smile returned as he caught her chin in his grip, forcing her mouth to his in a demanding kiss. “Go to your room and freshen your clothing,” he ordered through clenched teeth. “I will call to bring you down later.” To emphasize his point, he brought her arm up sharply behind her back, wrenching it hard for extra measure. “Do as I say when I say it,” he warned brazenly as he shoved Ella toward the open entranceway.

  Wiggling free of his grasp at last, Ella stumbled toward the stairs—his violence and her own naiveté weakening her ability to move. She was in the middle of nowhere, at least ten miles from the nearest village or farm with no transportation of her own, and no one to help her but an equally naïve maid.

  It was suppertime before Louis Levering appeared at her chamber door. Ella would have been happy if he had never called for her, but she did not think that likely. As it was, Levering reeked of alcohol and a sickly sweet tobacco smell, which she had remembered from his father. On the stairs, he pulled her passionately into his arms for a kiss. “I apologize if I hurt you earlier, Eleanor. I forget sometimes you are a duke’s daughter and have not experienced life outside Thorn Hall. Collins says I need to treat you with more tenderness.” Ella did not answer—she only dropped her eyes in submission. In his current state, she suspected Levering’s newfound tenderness to be short-lived.

  Downstairs, supper was a plain cream soup, cold meats, and cheese, but Ella could barely swallow any of it. She saw no end to this insanity.

  Apparently, all the men were minor noblemen, too low on the family tree to ever inherit and too lazy to accept commissions in the military or some other such honorable occupation. Levering’s father had inherited Huntingborne Abbey, evidently, by a total fluke.Three cousins, all ahead of Robert Levering in the succession line, were killed in a carriage accident, sending them to their deaths in a Yorkshire lake. The women, all except Fanny, were his friends’ mistresses. The hunting box was to host a week of decadent pleasure.

  Throughout the meal, she could feel Allister Collins’s eyes on her. Although he was as inebriated as the others, the man seemed different; she found her eyes drifting to him more often than they should have. He told the same crude jokes as the others, but his seemed less offensive somehow. “I am happy to see you welcome Collins with your eyes, my Dear. I may leave here debt-free if he likes you.” Ella started to protest Levering’s assertions, but as she thought about it, if she were to have to participate in a dalliance, she much preferred the depth of character she found in the stranger’s eyes to Levering’s revolting depravity.

  When they retired to the drawing room, the women curled up in the men’s laps to enjoy themselves. She sat beside Levering on a settee, tolerating his kisses along her neckline–eyes closed against her body’s violation.

  “I think we all need another drink,” Collins’s voice interrupted the heated moments evident in the darkened room. He held a small tray with two brandy glasses out to Levering and Ella.

  Breathing deeply, she reached for the nearest one, leaving Louis Levering the final offering. “Thank you, Mr. Collins,” she spoke softly, taking a sip from the glass. Levering swallowed deeply from his, not happy to have Collins intrude.

  “Possibly, Ella, you would consider joining me on the chaise lounge.” Collins reached for her hand.

  Ella instinctively looked to Levering, thinking he would stop her abandonment, but he nudged her forward, and she reached for the stranger’s hand. It tightened around hers, and he led her across the darkened room. She had no more than left Levering’s side when Fanny slid into the baronet’s welcoming arms. “Your betrothed loaned me his mistress for the week,” Collins whispered close to her ear, “but I find you far more fascinating.”

  “The baronet’s mistress,” she said with a sneer. “I should have known.”

  Before she could say more, Collins pulled her into him, kissing her tenderly. Feathering light kisses across Ella’s cheek, he lingered by her ear. “Lady Eleanor,” he whispered as he continued a line of softness down her neck and then back to her ear. “I am not really Allister Collins.” He caressed her cheek when he felt her reaction. Pulling her into his embrace was purposeful; he had blocked her body from view with his own. “My name is Aidan Kimbolt, Godown’s friend.”

  He paused, his lips hovering above hers. “Viscount Lexford,” she mouthed in recognition.

  A slight nod of his head told her it was true. “I am afraid, Lady Eleanor,” he nibbled on her ear again, “you and I are going to be more intimate than I would like, but understand it is for show.” He lifted her into his arms and laid her along the chaise, following her down with his own body.

  “Wrap your arms around me and kiss me,” he murmured. The others in the room were fully engaged in their own pleasures, in various stages of undress.

  Lexford draped himself across her, but Ella did not object. “I must get you out of here,” he murmured so softly she needed to listen with her whole being. “I have been watching you for a fortnight. How is Levering controlling you?”

  Ella considered a lie, but if Godown knew, then so did Bran. “He has something that will ruin Thornhill.” She kissed his jaw line, maintaining the ruse.

  Lexford nodded his understanding. “I have drugged the brandy; our ‘friends’ will sleep soon.You and I will simply lie here until the drug takes effect. I cannot send you away in a coach without my new acquaintances knowing I helped you. I am onto something important here besides Levering’s blackmail.” He took time for a long, tender kiss. “I arranged for a man in a wagon to take you and your maid to safety; Levering will never know. He cannot ask Bran because you are not supposed to be here.”

  “Sir Louis will follow me to London,” she protested between kisses and his hand rubbing up and down her arm.

  “You will not go to London. I am sending you to Kerrington.”

  Ella stiffened, unable to breathe. “Lord Worthing must hate me.”

  “From what I know of Kerr ington, he will forgive you.” He purposely nuzzled into her neck, sliding kisses along her shoulder line. “Just do me a favor; do not tell Worthing about this. He is a better shot than I, and I am sure he would call me out if he knew.” Lexford looked down at her, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, and Ella let out a slow steadying breath. “Worthing will forgive you because he loves you, and you love him.” Things from the other side of the room became quieter. “We will lie in each other’s arms for now in case any of my new associates are still conscious on some level. They will see us passed out together.” The viscount gathered her into his arms. “Worthing is one lucky bastard.” He kissed her forehead before lowering his face into her curls.

  For a half hour, Ella laid against Lexford, the first time she had felt safe in a month. It was odd; she had known the man for less than six hours, but she trusted him with her life. When he stirred and helped her to her feet, she almost cried from deprivation. He placed a finger to her lips and led Ella through the darkened halls to the servant quarters.

  When they entered the room, Hannah breathed with relief at seeing Eleanor. “My Lady, I was so worried.”

  “Come.” Lexford pulled a cloak about Eleanor’s shoulders. “We need to hurry.”

  “What about Lady Eleanor’s bags?” Hannah protested.

  Lexford looked vexed by Hannah’s insistence. “There is no time. I will bring them to Linton Park myself in a few days.” He caught Eleanor’s hand, dragging her behind as he worked his way to the back entrance. “The servants are loyal to Bradley,” he whispered. “They cannot know I helped you. Listen carefully. A quarter mile down the main road, a man named Lucifer waits for you. He has a supply wagon. It will not be comfortable, bu
t you will be safe. Kerrington’s estate is some fifty miles.You should be there by midmorning. Tell him the truth—the whole truth—and he will protect you.” She started through the door he held open, but Lexford’s hand caught her wrist. “The whole truth, Lady Eleanor. Tell the captain you are sorry and tell him how much you love him. The man has known enough sadness.”

  Ella impulsively kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” She caught Hannah’s hand, and away they ran into the night. With each step they took into the unknown, she prayed Viscount Lexford was correct, and that it was not too late to make James Kerrington love her again.

  With the late morning light, Lucifer turned the wagon team into Linton Park’s circular drive. Lexford had given him very specific orders. He had hidden the two women in a vented box under several bales of hay. No one had pursued them, something Lexford had feared. Lucifer pulled up the teams. Footmen scrambled to have him remove the dilapidated-looking wagon from the entranceway, but Lucifer ignored their protestations. A gigantic hulk of a man, he easily moved the hay away from the hiding place and lifted the lid. Both women gasped, taking in large gulps of fresh air.

  “We are here, my Lady.” He helped Ella to her feet and braced her until she could get her legs under her. Then he did the same for Hannah.

  Ella pushed the hair from her face; she had no bonnet to protect her head so she released the braid and ran her fingers through her locks to straighten them. Brushing the dust from her cloak, she let her eyes fall on the stately mansion before her. “It is beautiful,” she murmured.

  “Aye, Ma’am, it be one of England’s finest,” Lucifer told her. “Let us find Lord Worthing.”

  “Maybe he is not in residence.” She stumbled forward trying to keep up with Lucifer’s long strides.

  He stopped suddenly, realizing how weak she was. He caught Ella’s arm to steady her. “His Lordship tends his father; he will be here.”

  Ella took a deep breath. She had not seen Worthing since the night she laid in his arms. How would he receive her?

  James Kerrington had tarried at the breakfast table. Normally, by this time of day, he would be at his desk reviewing the books, but his sister Georgina had arrived late the previous evening, and he enjoyed just listening to her many tales of Devon and her life as Lady Amsteadt. It seemed a lifetime ago since she was here. Despite the fact that her confinement was well upon her, Thomas Whittington, Lord Amsteadt, had allowed her to return to her childhood home, all of them fearing it might be the last time she would see her father alive. He was thankful on multiple levels, but mainly because Georgina might provide moments when he could forget that Eleanor Fowler had chosen another. Because of Georgina’s condition, she would spend her confinement at Linton Park. Life would come to his home—a home where death lingered—and James was glad for Georgina’s company.

  “Will Amsteadt join us soon?” James asked as he buttered another of the hot rolls he mounded on his plate.

  Georgina opened her mouth to answer, but a tap at the door delayed her response. Mr. Lucas opened the sliding door to announce, “Lady Eleanor Fowler,Your Lordship.”

  James did not hear the butler’s words, but his heart knew she was there. It could not be she—but he, instinctively, knew she had come at last. Eleanor Fowler stood in the doorway of his dining room, a place he had imagined her for months; yet, he never pictured her as such: dirty cloak, rumpled dress, smudged face, and golden hair streaming over her shoulders. The woman he loved with all his heart had miraculously reappeared, and he cared not whether anyone else remained in the room.

  With the second beat of his heart he was on his feet and moving toward her. “James,” her lips moved, but no sound came out as she swayed, trying to remain standing, but finally crumpling into his arms just as he reached her.

  “Ella,” he pleaded as he scooped her up and lifted her to his chest. Unable to stop himself, James lightly kissed her cheek.

  “I need your help.”

  “I have you,” he assured her as he headed for the stairs, ignoring the thousand questions bombarding his senses. “Lucifer, bring Hannah and come with me,” he ordered upon seeing the viscount’s bodyguard and Eleanor’s maid waiting in the hallway. “Mr. Lucas, send for a bath and something to eat,” he barked as he hit the landing and turned toward the guest rooms. James waited for no one’s response. He knew they would see to his wishes. Ella was in his arms, and the emptiness of not ten minutes earlier now swelled to overflowing with love and need and protectiveness.

  Ella laced her arms around him and held tightly. “I am sorry,” she repeated over and over again. “I never meant to hurt you.”

  “Shush! You are here now. That is all that matters.” He pushed open a door with his shoulder and carried her to a bed. Laying her against the pillows, James pushed the hair from her eyes. “Delam barat kheyli tang shodeh. I missed you,” he whispered so the others could not hear.

  “And I you.” Her fingers caressed his face as if trying to memorize his features.

  He kissed the palm of her hand. “Let me deal with this, and then we will talk.” James turned to face Lucifer, whom he had left waiting at the door. “Where is Lexford?” he demanded.

  “Some fifty miles from here, Your Lordship, on business.” The man would give James specifics later. “The Viscount seemed to think you would wish to protect Lady Fowler yourself. He bid me bring the lady and her maid to you. Unfortunately, I had to hide them in the wagon under some hay.”

  “Thank you, Lucifer. Why do you not show Hannah the kitchens? Procure food for the two of you, and we will see to your lodgings. Hannah, Lady Eleanor will send for you later. Get some rest. I am sure you are exhausted also.”

  Hannah offered James a curtsy. “Thank you, Lord Worthing.” Then she followed the tender giant who had saved her and her mistress. “Lucifer be an unusual name,” James heard the maid say as they left the hallway.

  “James,” a soft voice came from behind him. Turning quickly to the woman who held his heart in her hand, he found her sitting up, ready to deal with her condition. “We must speak.”

  A shiver of anticipation ran up his spine. “Will it not wait, Ella, until you have had a bath and some food?” For some reason he did not want to know what had brought her here. He wanted all the hurt of the last month to go away and let them start anew.

  “It must be said, James.You must know it all, and if I do not tell you soon, I may lose my courage.”

  The maids rushed in with hot water, followed by a footman carrying a hip bath, setting it up behind the screen. “I will join you for breakfast in a few minutes, and then we will talk.”

  “I have nothing else with me,” she whispered.

  “I will find something for you.” He kissed the top of her head and then left the room.

  Once the water and bath soap was added to the tub, Ella slid in and began to scrub away the road dust but also the dirt Levering had left on her soul. It would take more than water and soap to remove the filth in her life; it would take James Kerrington’s forgiveness.

  Leaving Eleanor to her bath, James returned to the morning room. He had left Georgina and his mother in mid-sentence; nothing else had mattered but Ella. Now, he owed his family some sort of explanation. He put on a carefree face, but his mother’s words wiped that away.

  “So, that is Eleanor Fowler,” she said in wonderment. “An Amazon is the perfect description, Darling.”

  “Mother tells me you are in love with her,” Georgina squealed. “James, I am so happy; you have been alone too long.”

  He collapsed into the nearest chair. “I do not know why she is here.” He wiped his face with his hands, trying to clear his thinking. “Lady Eleanor is in some kind of trouble.Viscount Lexford rescued her and sent her here for my protection.What if all she needs is my safekeeping, and then she moves on? I lost Elizabeth, and I lost Ella once; I do not believe I can stand to lose her again.”

  “You will not lose her, Darling. No woman worth a grain of salt can resist you.”
His mother patted his hand. “I told your father about Lady Eleanor; I think it will do him good to meet her while she is with us. He wants to see you settled before the inevitable.”

  James took a couple of deep breaths, forcing his heart back to normal. “First, I must discover what is wrong and plan how I might be of service to Lady Eleanor. Then maybe I can renew my plight, actually ask Ella to accept me. Georgina, may Lady Eleanor borrow some of the gowns you left in your former room? It appears that whatever the Viscount did to extricate her, Eleanor’s things were left behind.”

  “Certainly, let me send for Mari. She will know exactly what to choose for the lady. It is not as if I will need them anytime soon.” She patted her increasing girth in a humorous gesture of love and disbelief.

  “Eleanor is a bit taller than you, but, otherwise, she should be able to manage. Thank you, Georgina.”

  “Of course, James. The lady shall be my sister some day.”

  “From your mouth to God’s ears.” He paused for a moment in an act of supplication. “I believe I will find Lucifer and see what he knows before I talk to Eleanor again. I suspect I will be several hours, trying to decipher what is best to do about all this.”

  Georgina rose to summon her maid. “You will entertain Lady Eleanor in one of the guest chambers, James?” It was half tease and half warning.

  He felt a surge of panic in his chest. “Believe me, if I thought being found in bed with Eleanor would have made her agree to marry, I would have planned a seduction two months ago. She is a stubborn woman, but inherently, I know that room spells safety for Ella right now. I am more likely to learn the whole of it if Eleanor feels safe.”

  “Then do what you must, Darling.Your sister and I will call on Lady Eleanor later today; I am most anxious to meet the woman.”

  “Collins, where is Ella?” Aidan Kimbolt lay face down on the chaise, pretending to be in as bad a shape as the others.