A Lord's Flaming Return: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Henrietta Harding

  The idea tantalised him for a moment. But then regretfully, he pushed it aside. He could not play with her feelings with his own such a mess. She deserved so much better than that.

  His thoughts drifted back to Lady Henrietta again. It was true – the lady was definitely angling for him. And while he had no feelings for her, perhaps her interest could be useful. Perhaps he could even encourage it. If Emmeline saw it, any burgeoning feelings of love towards him would be thwarted well and truly.

  He took a deep breath. Emmeline deserved so much better than him. She warranted a gentleman who could truly love her and give her the life she deserved. And while there was still even a whisper of love in her heart for him, she might not give any other gentleman a chance. After all, he had been gone for over three years, and she was still unmarried. Was it because she still carried a flame for him?

  He was suddenly very certain it was.

  He needed to quell that flame once and for all, not for his sake, but hers. He would never love again, but she deserved to have the opportunity to live and love. She had her whole life ahead of her.

  “Benedict,” said Ralph, his frown deepening. “Please …”

  He snapped out of his reverie. “It is over and done with, Ralph,” he said, feeling as if the words were strangling him. “My chance with Emmeline is gone. And we all need to accept that fact.” He paused. “Let us return to uncle’s study. He and Mr Hardy must be waiting.”

  His cousin opened his mouth to speak, but Benedict abruptly turned away, walking towards the house.

  His heart felt as heavy as a stone. But he was convinced it was the only way.

  Chapter 14

  Emmeline smiled tightly as she accepted the glass of champagne from a footman, gazing around the parlour of the fine townhouse. Olivia had insisted that she accompany her to this dinner party, telling her that she needed to stop moping around the house. And Mama had weighed in, of course, insisting that she attend as well. She felt like she had been ambushed.

  She had no idea who was attending this evening, but judging by the stream of visitors entering the parlour, it was a large affair. The Ashworths were serving pre-dinner drinks in the parlour before the sit-down dinner started. She sighed heavily. The evening had only just begun, and already she wanted to leave.

  Her lips tightened. Lady Henrietta Wynn had just entered the room, breezing in as if she owned the place. She was dressed resplendently, as always. This evening she was wearing a violet silk dress edged with cream Valenciennes lace. Her raven black hair was coiled around her head with soft curls framing her face. She looked so beautiful that all eyes turned to watch her as she swept into the room like a queen about to descend upon her throne.

  Another lady trailed in her wake, looking for all the world like her lady-in-waiting. Emmeline recognised her. Miss Adelaide Colby, who always accompanied Lady Henrietta. They were well known in the district as the very best of friends. Adelaide was pretty and charming, but not nearly as striking as Lady Henrietta. Emmeline almost felt sorry for the lady having to live within her best friend’s shadow.

  She watched as Lady Henrietta surveyed the room for a moment. And then, to her utter astonishment, the lady swept over to her, smiling beneficently.

  “It is Miss Vaughan, is it not?” she asked, taking a glass of champagne from a footman who suddenly appeared at her elbow. “From Lambeth House?”

  Emmeline surveyed the lady warily. Lady Henrietta had never deigned to even notice her before. Why had she suddenly decided to approach her when she had the pick of so many more impressive people in the room?

  “My Lady,” she said, waiting to see what the lady would say.

  “I saw you at the opera the other evening,” continued the lady, eying her as she sipped her champagne. “You left the theatre after intermission. I do hope that you were not taken ill?”

  Emmeline gaped at the lady. “I thank you for your concern, My Lady,” she said slowly. “I was just feeling a little faint; that is all.”

  Why did the lady care why she had left the theatre? She hadn’t even discerned that Lady Henrietta had noticed her departure at all.

  Lady Henrietta nodded. “I am so very glad to hear it, Miss Vaughan,” she said. “It can get a little stuffy in that theatre.” She paused. “My companion, who was sitting next to me seemed concerned by your sudden withdrawal as well. Do you know Lord Benedict Montagu?”

  The lady’s green eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at Emmeline, waiting for a response.

  “We are acquainted,” replied Emmeline, hiding her shock at the question. “Why do you ask?”

  The lady smiled, showing a row of small perfect white teeth. “Oh, I was just curious, that is all. You were so quiet leaving the theatre that I would not have observed you at all … except for the fact that Lord Montagu turned to watch you leave. He seemed … disturbed by your departure.”

  Emmeline reddened, not knowing how to respond in the slightest. She almost felt under interrogation by the lady. But for what purpose?

  She was saved from replying by the arrival of more people to the parlour. Her heart started to beat rapidly. It was Benedict, with his cousin Ralph by his side. Mr Lewis Hardy flanked the cousins. They stood in the doorway, gazing around the parlour before Lady Ashworth swooped down upon them.

  “Speak of the devil,” trilled Lady Henrietta. “Please excuse me, Miss Vaughan. I must say hello to the new arrivals.” She stared hard at Emmeline for a moment. “I am so very glad to hear you were not ill, my dear.”

  Before Emmeline could say another word, the lady swept away, bearing down on the group of gentlemen who had just entered the room. Emmeline watched as Benedict turned, greeting her warmly. He seemed to have eyes for no one else. She didn’t think he had even noticed she was in attendance.

  Her heart tightened. She still did not know exactly why Lady Henrietta had sought her out so unexpectedly or why she had mentioned Benedict to her. But she was starting to feel now as if the lady were warning her off in some way.

  Lady Henrietta had definitely set her sights upon him. And Benedict did not look displeased by that prospect at all.

  ***

  Emmeline watched covertly as they flirted with each other over drinks, laughing and chattering animatedly. Benedict leaned over and whispered something into the lady’s ear at one point, causing her to mock slap him on the shoulder. They gazed into each other’s eyes, smiling, as if at a secret joke.

  “Miss Vaughan?” It was Lewis Hardy, gazing at her expectantly. “Can I get you another drink?”

  Emmeline stared down at her glass. She hadn’t even realised it was empty.

  She smiled. “Of course, Mr Hardy. Thank you.”

  He took her empty glass, giving it to a passing footman, and procuring another. He smiled broadly as he handed it to her.

  “I was hoping that you would be in attendance this evening, Miss Vaughan,” he said, taking a sip of his drink. “We have not had a chance to talk again, and I have very much been looking forward to the opportunity …”

  Emmeline gaped at him. “That is a very kind thing to say, Mr Hardy. I did not realise you were seeking me out.” She shifted uncomfortably. “Are you enjoying your time in the district?”

  He nodded. “I am, Miss Vaughan. I find the south of England to be so much more civilised than the north.” His eyes slid to hers. “And the ladies far more beautiful and charming.”

  Emmeline blushed. He was flirting with her again. And she truly did not know how to handle it at all.

  She was just about to make an excuse to move away when her gaze fixed upon Benedict and Lady Henrietta again, just over Mr Hardy’s shoulder. They were still seemingly enraptured with each other. A sharp pang of jealousy stabbed her in the heart once more.

  It was obvious that Benedict had no interest in her any longer, despite Olivia’s doubts on the subject. There was no residue of their former attachment in his heart. Whatever his motivation had been for calling upon her that day, it had not b
een an attempt to win her over again. He would hardly flirt so outrageously with another lady while ignoring her entirely if he were.

  She took a deep, ragged breath. She shouldn’t be so surprised. Lady Henrietta was stunningly beautiful as well as one of the best catches in the district. Why wouldn’t he be interested in such a lady?

  She should be grateful. Even though she still harboured deep feelings for him, it was as obvious as the nose on her face that he did not … if he ever had. He had dallied with her years ago and moved on. Their affair was well and truly in the past. He was moving on to greener pastures.

  The jealousy curdled like sour milk in her stomach. She didn’t want to feel this way every time she encountered him, and as he was making it blatantly known that he was interested in another lady, then she should take the opportunity to move on as well.

  Her eyes filled with tears. She had resisted moving on for so long, mourning him like a faithful wife for all these years. And where had it got her? Nowhere. She was still unmarried and alone. Living in her family home at the grand old age of seven and twenty. Grandmama was right. If she ever wanted a family of her own, she must put him behind her once and for all and start living again. Take advantage of whatever opportunities came her way.

  She stared at Lewis Hardy. He was a respectable gentleman. Perhaps here was one of those opportunities presented to her on a platter.

  The dinner gong sounded. Everyone in the room started to move towards the door.

  She smiled up at him. “I would be most pleased if you would escort me to the dining room, Mr Hardy.”

  He looked surprised and very gratified. Quickly, he held out his arm to her.

  “The pleasure would be mine, Miss Vaughan,” he replied.

  Emmeline took his arm, and they walked slowly to the door. She tried very hard not to look back to see where Benedict and Lady Henrietta were. They were none of her concern, after all.

  ***

  The guests drifted into the dining room, checking the place names at the long table. Emmeline watched as Olivia took her seat next to Lord Ralph Montagu. They both looked pleased at the arrangement, smiling at each other. She didn’t bother to look where Benedict had been seated. Nor Lady Henrietta.

  As fate would have it, Mr Hardy was seated next to her. As they took their seats, awaiting the first course, she turned to him determinedly.

  “Tell me about Lincolnshire,” she said, smiling widely. “You claim that you prefer the south, Mr Hardy, but I am sure there are wonderful things about your home county as well.”

  He laughed. “Hmmm, let me see,” he said, picking up his wine glass, which had just been filled. “Lincolnshire is in the east midlands of the country … it has a very long and beautiful coastline … the city of Lincoln stands upon Lincoln Edge, which is a limestone incline … shall I go on?”

  Emmeline picked up her own wine glass, drinking deeply. “You reel off the facts as if you are writing an essay, sir.” She laughed. “It is rather a dry appraisal. What is it that you love the most about it? Not something that I could just read in a book, perchance.” She gazed at him playfully.

  His eyes sparkled over the rim of his wine glass. “Challenge accepted, Miss Vaughan,” he said slowly. “I love how wild and harsh the sea gets along the coastline. Sometimes I sit there for hours, watching ships battling the elements as they sail past. It is rather breathtaking.”

  “I love the sea,” she said wistfully. “It seems an age since I have walked along a beach.”

  He gazed at her steadily. “Why that is a tragedy, Miss Vaughan. You must come to Lincolnshire very soon. I shall personally show you my favourite beaches.”

  Her heart beat quicker. This was all progressing faster than she had expected, but she had resolved herself to this course of action. She must move on. She raised her chin, looking him directly in the eye.

  “That would be most agreeable, Mr Hardy,” she said slowly. “I have always wished to explore more of our country. And that coastline sounds heavenly.”

  They smiled at each other. Emmeline was the first to drop her gaze.

  The door opened, and the servants swept in, carrying the first course to the table. Emmeline put her wine glass down as she waited for the food to arrive.

  It was at that moment she made the mistake of looking around the table. She reeled back a little in shock. Benedict was glaring at her down the length of it, where he was seated next to Lady Henrietta. His face was full of thunder.

  She stared at him for a fraction of a second before turning away. Her heart was thumping in her chest. What on earth had got into him?

  Chapter 15

  Emmeline adjusted her sleeves with trembling hands as she hovered in the drawing room doorway. She still could not quite believe that Mr Lewis Hardy had just knocked on the front door of Lambeth House, requesting an audience with her.

  She had been upstairs attempting to read a book when her mother had excitedly informed her that she had a gentleman caller, who was waiting for her in the drawing room at this very moment.

  “Who?” she had asked, in alarm. Her hopes had inexplicably soared. Was it Benedict again?

  “Mr Lewis Hardy,” said Mama, glancing at the calling card. “He says he is acquainted with you, Emmeline.” Her mother’s eyes glittered. “Your recent efforts to socialise have borne fruit at last, my girl.”

  Emmeline bit her lip, as her hopes faded. She should have known, of course. She had only chatted with Mr Hardy the previous evening at the Ashworth dinner party. She had given the man every indication of being interested in him. She just hadn’t expected he would act so quickly.

  Mama had flown into action, pulling her best shawl from her closet and sweeping it around her shoulders. Then she spun her around, smoothing down some stray hairs, with her hand.

  “You shall have to do,” she muttered under her breath, as she surveyed her handiwork. “There simply is no time for you to change.”

  Emmeline had felt like a prize sow being prepared for market day. As she followed her mother down the staircase, misgivings had risen in her chest, so severe that she almost turned and walked back up the stairs. What had she been thinking, emboldening him to call upon her?

  It had seemed like a good idea at the time. Benedict had been flirting with Lady Henrietta, and Lewis Hardy was simply there. With shame, she knew now that she had used him to make herself feel better about it all. She wasn’t thinking about Benedict or the lady while she was chatting with Mr Hardy.

  She didn’t want Mr Hardy as a suitor. She didn’t want any gentleman at all if she could not have Benedict. It was as simple and as complicated as that.

  Her eyes filled with impotent tears. She was back to square one yet again.

  She took a deep breath, walking into the drawing room. Mr Hardy was sitting on the chaise longue in the middle of the room. He rose to greet her.

  “Miss Vaughan,” he said, smiling. “How lovely you look. Like a veritable angel.”

  She forced a smile onto her face, feeling like she had already waded into this territory far too deep. Mr Hardy was staring at her as if he had just seen a visitation from heaven. How on earth had she got herself into this mess?

  ***

  After the visit was blessedly over, she ran to her chambers, closing the door firmly behind her. Sighing, she threw herself across the bed, feeling as desolate as she had ever felt in her life.

  She knew that Mama would deem the visit a success. She had managed to control her angst, talking politely with Mr Hardy on a variety of topics. The gentleman seemed well pleased by it, indicating that he wished to call again. And her mother had squeezed her arm triumphantly as he had taken his leave.