“No,” Desi whispered, low enough so no one else would hear, she giggled, “I made you fill your drawers, you little toad, and I will do it again, if I have to.”
“Oh, now you are a beau nasty,” Felix said loudly, earning titters from the women, and loud belly laughs from the gentlemen.
“That’s your idea of fixing things?” Hope whispered beneath her breath.
“It worked for me.” Desi shrugged her shoulders, and grinned. “I can insult and make fun of you all I like, Hope, but everyone else better be nice—or else. Sir Hugo had this coming to him since he spread those vile rumors about you, and broke off your engagement.”
“Uh, oh,” Hope said. “We have been caught in the act, or rather, you have been caught in the act.”
Lord Cary was looking at them sternly. Slowly, his stern visage softened, and he winked at them. “Good show,” he mouthed.
Gilbert waited until Sir Hugo had left the residence in disgrace. Guests gave Sir Hugo a wide berth, and Gilbert heard the man that Sir Hugo had ridden in with say, “You are not riding back to my townhouse in my carriage, I shall never get it clean. You, sir, shall walk. You shall promptly collect your belongings and leave my house. You can head back to Devonshire or take yourself to a hotel.”
The hullabaloo died down, and everything went back to normal. The men returned to the Card Room, still guffawing about Sir Hugo’s unfortunate accident, and the musicians had started to play again, whilst the dancers returned to the dance floor. Peace returned to the party. Still, the ton wouldn’t forget about this night for years to come. Sir Hugo would have to retreat to his country residence and stay there for years. Any sort of life he wanted in London Society was over for him. Socially, he was ruined.
Casually making his way to Hope’s side, Gilbert leaned down to whisper in her ear, “His name was Charlie, and he was my baby brother.”
Chapter Eighteen
Hope’s sisters looked at her amazement.
They, too, had heard Gilbert’s confession.
“You go,” Faith said, and Desi nodded her head.
“Desi…” Hope faltered. She didn’t want to break the good mood that Desi was in, and yet, she had to know if her sister was going to behave herself.
“I will take a night off from being a little imp,” she said. “This I vow.”
Narrowing her eyes at Desi, Hope sighed. “I…”
“I had enough of a jolly with Sir Hugo. That will do me for at least a week…well, maybe not that long, but I shall try.”
She laughed. Miss Duffy and Fanny were making their way through the guests to stand with them. It was doubtful that Desi would attempt anything else tonight, and it wasn’t as if she didn’t have enough chaperones.
“Then I am off.” With those words, she dashed after Gilbert. He hadn’t left the property. She could feel him. He had wandered outside of the house, and was either on the back terrace, or out in the gardens.
Fortunately, the night was unusually warm for February. She cast her gaze over the lantern lit grounds, as she pursued him to where he sat on a stone bench in the gardens. A few snowdrops were flowering, and they looked beautiful. More flowers would bloom soon, as she was certain they would have an early spring this year.
They sat in silence for a few moments, watching other couples take a stroll around the gardens. It was easier to breathe out here, and the cool air was a welcome change to the mugginess in the ballroom.
“I don’t like talking about him,” he said, finally deciding to break the silence. “If…if we have to talk about him in order to move forward from where we are now, then…”
She placed her hand over his. “It’s the only way I can help you.”
“Lewis never speaks of him. I asked him earlier tonight whether or not I was haunted, and he said I was, and he also said that there wasn’t anything he…or anyone else could do for me. My brother wants to stay here. He…he isn’t a malevolent spirit, is he?”
“No,” she said slowly.
“Well, there you have it. There is no reason for me to banish him. Besides, I sort of like the idea that he is here with me. Although, I hope he gives me my privacy when I am…that is…I do some things that his eyes shouldn’t…” he cleared his throat nervously. “Never mind. I have said far too much already.”
“I understand that you don’t want to let him go, and that could be part of the reason why he stays. But invading your dreams the way he does…well, it isn’t helping you any. I don’t think it is his intention to torment you.”
“You would be right on that. I torment myself. I don’t need any help,” Sighing heavily, he scrubbed his left hand over his face. “I…feel guilty because I wasn’t there when it happened. I was leading my own life…I was forging my own path. I was with the Angels of Death…and he wasn’t. I didn’t even know he had signed up until it was too late. And the damnable thing is, my family blames me. Somehow, they thought I could save him. They didn’t understand how the Army works. I was his idol. He worshiped me. And that admiration for me, ultimately, led him to his death. So…don’t you see? I killed him. I killed my own brother.” His voice was filled with emotion, and it was precariously close to breaking with the intensity of it.
“You are not to blame for his death. That isn’t a burden you should have to bear. And, now,” she whispered, “you are not alone.”
He took and clasped her hand between both of his. “Will…will you marry me, Hope?”
“I thought…I thought you didn’t want me. I relieved you of your responsibility toward me. I thought you knew that. I…after what I showed you I could do…why do you still want me?”
“I could never stop wanting you, and as far as I am concerned, you are perfect. We have both been too pigheaded. It is time to stop this nonsense, and you know it, Hope.”
She sighed heavily. “Well, I suppose I cannot continue to help you with your dreams if I don’t remain affianced to you—and as your wife, I will be right next to you in bed.”
“About that. I don’t think we should share the same bed.”
“Ever?” she asked, aghast at the thought.
“Ever,” he confirmed.
“What sort of marriage would that be, then? Even my mother…with all of the show that she puts on to look like a withered up prune…I heard the ‘talk’ she gave to Fanny, and it was utter tosh. She…” her cheeks burned red. “She shared the same bedchamber with my father, and they were not a stiff couple in each other’s company. They called each other by their Christian names, and every so often, I saw my father look fondly at her. I even caught them kissing once. No…my father and mother didn’t have a cold relationship, and I don’t wish to have that either.”
“From what I have seen and heard of your mother—your father must have been a very special man.”
“He was. And, I suppose the heart chooses who you fall in love with—not your brain…apparently.”
“Apparently,” he agreed.
“We are getting off topic, here. If you wish me to accept your proposal…then, it will have to be without that one caveat. I will want you in my bed.”
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t be in your bed…only that I wouldn’t stay the night.”
Her cheeks were still warm, and she felt utterly scandalous for talking about such a thing with him.
It just wasn’t proper!
“You know my terms,” she said, pulling her hand free. “And…if you want to help your brother find eternal rest—if you want to help him to go on to a better place, then, you have to release him of his bonds. For whatever reason he feels as if he needs to stay here for you. Talk to him. Approach him in your dreams. Tell him…tell him that you want him to be happy, and that you free him to go on his way. And if he’s staying for another reason…maybe he will tell you what it is.”
“I don’t know if I can do that.”
“You have to try.”
He nodded his head, and she turned away from him. “I shall call upon you tomorrow.�
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She bit back telling him not to bother. “I…that is fine. I shall look forward to it, sir.”
Nodding curtly at him, she took a stop, and stilled at the sound of his voice. “What…what were you trying to accomplish with that frock you are wearing? Surely…surely you don’t actually like the blasted thing?”
“I…” she sighed. “It sounds childish now that I think about it…but I was trying to look unappealing. I thought you would be repulsed.”
“Hardly,” he snorted, “I just thought you had lost your mind for a while. Anything you wear…well, it can’t ever dim your beauty. You could wear a sack and still be lovelier than the rarest gemstone.”
A dry lump formed in her throat. She curtsied to him, and dashed back toward the house. Oh, how she prayed that her mother was ready to leave. If she stayed with him one moment longer…she would lose her heart—and her mind to him completely.
Breathless, she emerged back into the house, and her eyes searched the ballroom for her mother and sisters. Desi rushed toward her, gulping for air, she took a moment to compose herself.
“Mama…Mama was tired so she, Amy, Faith, Charity and Grace all went home.”
“And why did you stay?”
“Well,” Desi said, looking down at the floor. “I thought you might need me.”
“Oh, Desi. You can be so endearing sometimes.”
“We did make a truce,” Desi pointed out.
“That truce ended when we entered London,” she pointed out.
“It did?” she asked innocently. “I…well, maybe we can extend it.”
Hope laughed. “Maybe we could.”
“Did you mean what you said to Lord Langford?”
“Oh, Desi, were you eavesdropping?”
“I…I suppose so.”
“To what do you refer?”
“I…did you mean what you said about him not blaming himself for his brother’s death?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“Before Papa died, we had an awful row. He was chastising me for improperly using my magic, and I lost my temper, and started to scream at him, and I told him that I wish he would fall down dead…and then…”
“And then,” Hope prompted.
“And then, he did,” Desi whispered. Her face had lost all of its color, and she looked as if she might faint. “It was the worst thing I have ever done, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I am a vile wretched girl, and I guess that’s why I’ve been acting like such a little…witch.”
“Let’s get you some punch,” Hope said, leading her over to the punch bowl. She handed her a glass of punch, and took one for herself. Keeping her voice low, “This isn’t exactly the place to talk about such things, Desi. I…” her voice halted. “None of us can blame ourselves for what happened to Papa. He…he isn’t here with us now, and no one can be blamed for that. You did not kill him. We…we don’t have that kind of power. And even if we did, a death can only be caused by using the darkest of magic, and you might be a little brat sometimes, but you do not dabble in that kind of magic.”
Desi gave her a grateful smile. “I pray you are right,” she murmured, sipping at her punch. They handed off their empty punch glasses to a passing footman.
She took Desi’s hand, and was about to lead her back toward where their aunts sat. A gentleman stepped in front of them, and gallantly bowed. She knew him.
Lord Cedric Wisdom. Son of a marquess, Hope had been introduced to him a few Seasons ago by Lady Julia Lovett, who was now Lady Knightwick.
“That was a jolly good performance,” Cedric said, his eyes steadily fixed on Desi.
Hope sighed. “Good evening, Lord Wisdom. I wasn’t aware you were in Town.”
“I…I decided to come and take in the merriment of the Season, Miss Fortescue. I take it this lovely little dream is one of your sisters? Pray, introduce me, Miss Fortescue.”
“Aye. This is my youngest sister, Miss Desdemona Fortescue. Desi, this is Lord Wisdom.”
“Charmed,” he said, his eyes dancing merrily. “I thought this ball was going to be a disaster. Lady Grafton isn’t known for throwing the most exciting soirees. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.”
“We should be off, sir,” Hope said, attempting to leave his company. She felt as if he was laughing at some grand jest, and she didn’t know what it was—and had a feeling she didn’t want to know what it was.
Gilbert joined them, as did Freddie, Felix and Lord Cary. “Still racing, Wisdom?” Freddie asked good-naturedly.
“Aye. It’s been a sadder affair without Julia to liven things up, but we are still going strong. You and she should come and race against us. Surely, you could allow her to do it as long as you are there by her side.”
Freddie laughed. “I don’t allow Julia to do anything. She does as she pleases, and she decided it was time for her stop being so reckless.”
“You are going to break your bloody neck one of these days,” Felix murmured. “Seems such a waste to go out that way.”
“Oh, well, I like to feel the wind whipping around me. I like the speed. I suppose there are far better ways to die—old age being one of them, but at least if I die whilst racing, I shall go out with a smile on my face, and peace in my heart.”
“If that’s how you like it,” Freddie murmured. “You had best settle down and procure an heir before you leave this world. Your blessed father would be damned disappointed if you left without doing your duty by him.”
Cedric laughed. “Yes. Duty comes first with Papa. The problem is, I haven’t yet met a young lady who enchants me enough to put me under her spell, and lead me into a parson’s mousetrap.”
Enchants, and put under a spell. Those words were meant for her and Desi. Those words tipped Hope’s world. She bit her bottom lip, and prayed for patience.
“Miss Desi, would you like to take the next dance with me?” Cedric asked.
She looked down at Desi and willed her sister to deny the cocky lord of what he wanted. Wisdom offered her his arm, and she accepted, allowing him to lead her out to the dance floor. She hadn’t used her glamour on him, and that troubled Hope. It shouldn’t have, but it did.
Desi was playing with fire. Hope had to know what Lord Wisdom was teasing them about.
Did he suspect they had magic in their blood?
“Julia always calls him, Cedric,” Freddie mused, watching Desi like the rest of them.
“Yes. Lord Cedric Wisdom doesn’t care if people use his courtesy title or not. He is fine with Lord Cedric or Lord Wisdom, as his courtesy title is Viscount Wisdom. He took the lower of the two courtesy titles that go with his father’s peerage, as the earldom that goes with it could be confused with his father’s title. Julia probably calls him by his Christian name because they are old friends and he calls her Julia,” Clarence said, joining them. “I would watch him, Miss Fortescue. He is a rakehell, and he looks as if he is quite taken by your sister.”
“At least he isn’t a scapegrace,” Felix said jovially.
“Or a roaring libertine like that wretched Sir Hugo,” Gilbert said. “That man is a lecherous…” he looked inclined to use stronger language, at last sighing, and settling for, “Toad.”
“I shall indeed keep an eye on him, Lord Evesham. I…I didn’t like the way he was talking to us at all. It rather alarmed me, his choice of words, were…not to my liking.”
“I heard nothing wrong with it. He was polite,” Felix murmured.
“He was at that, but I feel as if he has something else up his sleeve,” Hope murmured.
“Oh, well, he doesn’t cheat at cards,” Freddie said. “If he did, I would have already given him a good thrashing for such dishonorable actions.”
“I think I know what Miss Fortescue refers to,” Lord Cary said. “I would keep two eyes on him. He is a bit of a trickster, and there is certainly more to him than meets the eye.”
“I had that feeling as well, Lord Cary,” Hope said worriedly.
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��I shouldn’t worry too much, Miss. He isn’t a bad man. He has his secrets, but I know enough of him to vouch for his character. He won’t hurt Miss Desi,” Lord Cary said.
“If he sets his sights on Desi, he shall find that she is more than just a pretty face. She is a handful, and her moods change like the weather.”
“There are still Lovett girls in search of husbands,” Freddie mused. “I shall ask Julia if one of them has set their sights on Lord Wisdom. He might be just the thing for Violet or Lily.”
“I don’t know,” Lord Cary mused. “I think this one is better off left alone. Lord Wisdom…well, he comes with a bit of a complicated past that I do not think would suit Lily or Violet.”
“Ah, so you have become the protective elder brother, have you, now,” Freddie teased.
“In this case, in regard to this man, aye, I have. They are my wife’s younger sisters, and as such, I do not think he would be a good match for either one of them.”
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