You Never Forget Your First Earl

by Ella Quinn

  “Please do not feel bad for me,” Elizabeth said, spearing another piece of ham. “It is nothing more than I expected. I will be glad to visit with Aunt and Gavin.”

  “Please feel free to invite them to luncheon if you wish.”

  “We could entertain them in our dining room, if you’d like,” Geoffrey said. “You have not been able to show our apartment to anyone.” He did not think Elizabeth had seen her bedchamber for more than the time it took to dress today since it had been finished.

  Her face brightened. “That is an excellent idea.” She turned toward his mother. “Would you like to join us?”

  “No, dear. You will want to spend some time alone with them.” His mother grinned. “I am afraid you will be with me most of the morning. I have a list that I received from my mother-in-law, oh, years ago, but I believe it is still pertinent, regarding items you might need that you have not already thought of.” Geoff opened his mouth to protest that he’d had a list from his father, but Mama held up her hand. “It will not hurt anything or delay your journey.”

  Later that morning, he was surprised to see trunks filled with linens and other bedding. As well as a set of dishes, and who knew what else. And he had thought he had everything they required. Obviously, he was wrong. He’d not packed any household items.

  His wife strolled by, staring at a list, a frown on her lovely face. “I am of two minds,” Elizabeth said, looking up. “Your mother has offered to give us Preston if we would like to take our own butler. His mother is French, and he speaks the language. He would like to come with us. I know hiring a butler is in your purview. What do you think?”

  “It would be helpful to have a servant who speaks French,” Geoff tried to divine what she might want.

  Her face cleared. “That is what I thought. I shall tell him we would like him to join us.”

  “Aside from bedding, what is in the trunks?”

  “Everything we will need to immediately set up our household.” Taking out a pencil, she made a mark on the paper and glanced at her pin watch. “I must finish this. Aunt and Gavin will be here shortly, and I have yet to speak with your grandmother.”

  Elizabeth crossed the final item off her list, and made her way to the dowager’s apartment. Cousin Apollonia answered the door. “Come in. We have not had a chance to welcome you to the family properly. Her ladyship’s parlor is this way.”

  They walked into a room off the small entryway. All the apartments must be set up in the same fashion as Elizabeth and Geoffrey’s. The dowager’s parlor was decorated in creams and large patterns with vines, birds, and flowers.

  “Welcome, welcome.” Squawk, squawk. A gray parrot flapped its wings in a large cage.

  How delightful! She snoodled forward, not quite sure how to approach the animal. “Thank you. What is your name?”

  The bird tilted its head first one way then the other, and blinked. “Florian, Florian. Nice chit, nice chit.”

  “Your name is Nelson, and cease using that word. She is a lady,” the dowager said. “If I have told you once, I have told you a hundred times. Nice, lady.”

  “Nice chit, nice chit.”

  “He does not appear to be at all convinced.” She grinned and curtseyed to her grandmother-in-law.

  The dowager sighed. “Ever since he heard the name Florian, he has insisted it belongs to him.”

  Elizabeth stifled a giggle. “How are you doing, ma’am?”

  “I’m better than I ought to be at my age.” The older woman’s sharp eyes focused on Elizabeth as if looking for something. “The question is how are you doing? Is my scapegrace grandson treating you as he should?”

  Thinking about yesterday and last night, her cheeks began to warm. “I think he is.” Elizabeth wished she had a fan. “At any rate, I have no complaints.”

  The dowager nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. Now, I assume you have the list I gave Catherine when she joined the family. Do you have any questions?”

  “I am a little concerned about all the items I am taking with me. I’m afraid you won’t have anything left.”

  “Piffle.” The Dowager Lady Markham waved Elizabeth’s concerns away. “You need all of it, and it just gives us an opportunity to buy new. Will you take Preston with you?”

  “Yes, ma’am, as well as the second housekeeper, who is able to cook if need be, a maid, and a footman. I have a personal footman as well. That will give us two. We should be able to make do until we can hire local servants.”

  “Yes, that should be sufficient. I understand the government is putting its hands on every vessel it can to ferry the soldiers and equipment over. You might be in Harwich for the nonce.”

  “That is what we heard as well. With that in mind, Harrington made arrangements for a ship to meet us there. Naturally, we will take anyone else who needs passage onboard with us.”

  Again the dowager nodded. “It sounds as if you have everything well in hand. I only have one thing to say. The honeymoon doesn’t last forever. Just keep in mind what brought you together, and tell him what you need. Men can be totally oblivious much of the time. Most of the time they can’t see what’s right in front of their noses. Now give me a kiss, and I shall let you finish your preparations.”

  Elizabeth dutifully bussed the dowager’s cheek. “Thank you. I’ll remember what you said.”

  Not long after her conversation with the dowager, Aunt and Gavin arrived. Before sitting down to eat, Elizabeth showed them around the apartment.

  “I like what you’ve done with your bedchamber and the entry,” her aunt murmured approvingly. “I agree that you should keep the rest as it is for the time being.”

  They took their places at the table, and Gavin raised his wineglass. “To you and Harrington. I’m glad I was able to bring you together.”

  Aunt glanced up at the ceiling and shook her head, but Elizabeth raised her glass as well. “Thank you for all you did. You are truly the best of brothers. Perhaps I can help you find a wife as well.”

  “Not in the near future,” he said drily. “But someday.”

  Luncheon was served by Preston and Kenton, her personal footman she had chosen to accompany their little household overseas. Jacobs, the new footman, stood at the door in case he was needed.

  “I’m sorry I am late.” Geoffrey kissed Elizabeth’s cheek before taking his place at the end of the table. She was glad when he joined them.

  “Have you finished your preparations?” Aunt asked.

  “Almost. I am so looking forward to the journey, and between Harrington and Gavin, I have met several people who will be in Brussels as well.”

  “I’ve half a mind to come with you,” Gavin said. “Unfortunately, someone must be here to mind the estate.”

  As much as she loved her brother, he would have been very much in the way. “You can plan to visit us after we are settled in Paris.”

  They finished eating and lingered over cups of tea until her aunt rose. “I imagine you still have a great deal to do before leaving in the morning.” Aunt embraced Elizabeth. “We shall write, and perhaps I will be able to visit in the spring.”

  “I’ll miss you.” She hugged her aunt tightly. “Thank you so much for sponsoring me.”

  “I am glad I was able to.”

  An hour after her aunt and brother left, Elizabeth was concerned there would not be enough hours to finalize their plans, but she managed to ensure everything for their journey was completed so that they could leave the next morning as planned.

  The last of her new gowns had arrived a few hours ago, and Vickers had the packing in hand. Elizabeth had accomplished the shopping for all the other bits and pieces she would need until she arrived in Paris. Although, who knew how long that would be with this dreadful war that was looming. She sent a quick prayer that it would be over quickly and successfully without too much loss of life. They knew so many men who would be fighting.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Elizabeth entered Lord Markham’s secretary’s
office with a copy of her maid’s, footman’s, and groom’s employment contracts in hand as well as the list of servants she was hiring from her in-laws. “I hope I am not interrupting you, but Lady Markham said I should speak with you.”

  Mr. Grantham, an older man with silver hair, rose and bowed. “Not at all, my lady. How may I assist you?’

  “Lord Harrington and I are hiring five of Lord and Lady Markham’s servants and three of my father’s servants. I require new employment contracts for them reflecting their change in status.” Elizabeth handed the contracts for her servants to the secretary. “These are for my lady’s maid, footman, and groom.”

  “Leave it with me, my lady. I shall ensure all is in order and have them signed.”

  “Thank you.” That was one more thing to cross off her list.

  Elizabeth headed to the kitchen to speak with the cook about a hamper for the coach. She should have sent the man a note or called him to her, but she was in a hurry to have the arrangements completed.

  Once she had discussed the basket, there was one more thing she wished to consult with Geoffrey about. Yet, they had been crossing paths most of the day, and she had no idea where he had got to.

  As she crossed the hall, the butler bowed. “Gibson, have you seen Lord Harrington?”

  “Several times, my lady.” Poor Gibson was not used to all the activity in the house, and it showed. “You might look in the library. I believe he required a map.”

  “Thank you, Gibson.” She would have liked to assure him his life would be back to normal soon, but Elizabeth did not think he would take her solicitude well.

  As she approached the library she heard Geoffrey’s voice and her father-in-law’s in response. Not wanting to interrupt them, she turned to go back toward the hall, when Lord Markham said, “Well done, on bringing Elizabeth up to scratch. You almost lost the position with Sir Charles.”

  His lordship’s words halted her steps. She should keep going, but her feet refused to move. She waited to hear her husband tell his father that they had married because he loved her.

  “Thank you, sir,” Geoffrey replied. “It took a bit of doing, but I pulled it off. She was the last choice left, and I wasn’t about to let her get away.”

  Pulled it off. Last choice?

  Elizabeth’s throat closed painfully, making it hard to swallow.

  “She seems like a nice girl,” Lord Markham continued. “Your mother is of the opinion that she’ll make you an excellent hostess.”

  “I have to say I agree with her.” Elizabeth had never heard Geoffrey sound so smug. “She has all the qualifications we discussed and then some.”

  Qualifications.

  That truly was all he wanted. A wife who would meet the needs of his position.

  Hot tears blurred Elizabeth’s eyes as she heard the clinking of glasses.

  Everything he had said, everything he had vowed . . . it was all a lie!

  Every time he touched her she could have been any other female.

  Despite what she had thought was him showing his love for her, he was simply making sure she had to marry him. Making sure she could not get away.

  Tears threatened to spill over. She was not going to cry. Not for him. After all his trickery, he wasn’t worth it.

  She turned toward the servants’ stairs. They were steeper and narrower than the main staircase, but Elizabeth ran up them, gasping for air when she reached the second floor. Taking deep breaths, she tried to calm herself before going the rest of the way to her chamber.

  If only she could escape to her father’s home, but he would just tell her to return to her husband. Even Gavin and her aunt would tell her she must try to make her marriage work.

  Straightening her shoulders, she stepped into the corridor and strode to the apartment she and Geoffrey shared. Once in the entry, she turned toward her room.

  Since their wedding she had slept in his bedchamber. Beginning tonight she would sleep in hers.

  Vickers was closing a trunk when Elizabeth entered. She hadn’t thought of what she would say to her maid. Mayhap nothing yet.

  “I’m not feeling well,” she said, avoiding her maid’s sharp eyes. “I shall take a tray in my room this evening.”

  “I knew all this hustle and bustle was going to wear you to a thread.” Vickers hurried to Elizabeth. “Just give me a minute, and I’ll have you in your nightgown.”

  Blinking her eyes to keep the tears at bay, she stood while her maid unlaced the gown. Despite all her efforts, one tear, then two slid down her cheeks. She dashed them away, hoping Vickers would not notice.

  But when Elizabeth sat at her toilet table, her maid met her eyes in the mirror. “What’s this now?”

  “I can’t talk about it.” She shook her head. “Not yet. Tell his lordship”—if he should ask—“that I am indisposed.”

  “Yes, my lady. A cool cloth dipped in lavender water might help, and some chamomile tea.”

  “I just want to rest for a while.” Elizabeth could barely think.

  She did not know what she was going to do next. All she knew was that she could not share a bed with him until she worked it out. The thought that she had given herself to him so willingly made her ill.

  How could she have been so wrong? At least she wasn’t the only one. He had deceived her friends as well, and they were watching him closely.

  Her chest ached as if her heart was actually breaking in two. She felt as if she was sinking into a black pit and could not climb out. All she wanted to do was sleep until all the pain went away.

  Tears pooled in her eyes again. She blinked them back.

  I will not weep, I will not weep, I will not weep.

  For a moment, she considered marching into the study and telling him what she thought. Unfortunately, his father would be present. And what would she do if he told her that of course he didn’t love her and she had been a goose for believing he did? Well, she might have to travel with him, but that was all she was going to do. She would be his qualified wife.

  If that is all Geoffrey Harrington wants from me, that is all he shall get!

  If only she had known now deceitful he was. If only she could disappear.

  * * *

  Geoff finished his conversation with his father, and made his way to the main stairs.

  “My lord,” Gibson said. “Did Lady Harrington find you?”

  “No, she did not. Do you know where she is?” The way she had been running around, she could be anywhere from the attics to the kitchen.

  “I am sorry to say I do not, my lord.”

  “Very well. I’ll find her.” Elizabeth had talked about a basket for the journey. She might be with the cook.

  When he got to the kitchen, he discovered she had already been and gone. He searched the main parts of the house and sent a footman to the attic.

  After looking in at his grandmother’s apartment he went to his own. She wasn’t in his bedchamber or their parlor. Where the devil could she be?

  Finally, he remembered she had a room of her own. Not that she had spent any time in it. When he knocked on the door her maid came out.

  “Vickers, have you seen Lady Harrington?”

  “She is indisposed, my lord.” The woman’s face was so stiff it might have been a mask.

  This could not be happening. Nothing could happen to her. “Indisposed?” Geoff wanted to shout at his wife’s dresser. “She was perfectly fine earlier.”

  “Well, she’s not now, my lord.” The maid stood in front of the door as if she would bar him from entering Elizabeth’s bedchamber.

  He raked his fingers through his hair. Damn. Had he been the cause? Was that the reason her maid looked as if she’d like to hit him?

  Elizabeth had been walking stiffly this morning, but she seemed fine later on. “I shall just look in on her.”

  “She does not wish to be disturbed, my lord.” The woman shifted, barring the way.

  What would Vickers do if he moved her aside? But if Elizabe
th wanted to be alone, would she be upset with him? “Will she be able to travel in the morning?”

  “I believe so. At least she plans on it.” He’d never before noticed how grim the woman was.

  Plans on it? It suddenly occurred to him that she might be ill but was still intent on traveling tomorrow. Would it be like his wife to hide a serious condition? This seemed like that was something he should know. “Should I call for the doctor?”

  “No, my lord.” The maid’s hands went to her hips. “A doctor isn’t needed.”

  “Then what?” He had to do something.

  Elizabeth could not simply have taken ill so rapidly. There had to be a reason. He was her husband. He would insist on seeing her. He’d order the maid to move out of his way. This was his wife they were talking about. He had a right to know what was wrong.

  “Goodness, what in Heaven’s name is going on here?” His mother entered the parlor. “Harrington, I could hear you bellowing from the corridor.”

  “Elizabeth is indisposed. Whatever that means,” Geoff grumbled. All he wanted to do was have everyone go away so he could see for himself how his wife was doing.

  “In that case, go away.” His mother gave him a disgusted look. “You will not do her any good by stomping and roaring around. If I were her, I would insist on waiting to depart.”

  “I am going to send for the doctor.” He started to walk out the door, but his mother’s hand stayed him.

  “You will not.” Mama rolled her eyes. “He won’t be able to help her at all.” Geoffrey stared at his mother. He had never seen her roll her eyes before. Not only that, but he distinctly recalled being punished for doing the same. “I cannot believe you are being so—so knotty-pated. Being indisposed is not an illness.” She made a shooing motion with her hands. “Away with you.”

  This was not supposed to be happening. Everything had been going splendidly and now this. And no one would allow him near Elizabeth to ensure she would be able to travel in the morning.

  How the devil was he supposed to care for her in sickness—he remembered that he had vowed to do so—if her maid and his mother wouldn’t let him through the door?