Regency Romance Collection: Regency Fire: The Historical Regency Romance Complete Series (Books 1-5)

by Bridget Barton

  “You are right, of course,” Gabriel said, nodding and turning his attention briefly back to his younger brother. “Tell me, that young lady at Richard Cunningham’s side, have you ever seen her before?”

  “No, I do not believe that I know her. But we attend so many events, brother, and so many of the ladies look like so many other ladies. I sometimes find it hard to tell between them. I often find myself introducing myself to a lady I already know,” Hugh said and gave a shrug.

  “That is the price you pay for knowing far too many ladies, Hugh,” Gabriel said and chuckled wickedly. “And I would say that there is none who knows more ladies than you, my dear brother.” He continued to laugh, and Hugh joined him.

  Gabriel turned his attention back in the direction of Richard Cunningham, who stood just a few feet from his father, Cornelius. The Duke of Horndean was having something of an in-depth conversation with Lord Borden and his son, as was his custom, hovered ineffectually on the edges of it all, looking for all the world like a man who had nothing to add.

  Gabriel could feel his mouth turning up into the sneer which had become customary when he regarded Richard Cunningham.

  Gaining nothing new from his study of Richard, Gabriel turned his attention to the young lady at his side. Richard regarded her but rarely and seemed more intent on trying to worm his way into whatever conversation his father was having.

  Gabriel could not help thinking the young lady uncommonly pretty to be standing at the side of a man of no attraction or handsomeness whatsoever. She was tall and slender, with pleasing curves and thick, bright chestnut hair. It had been piled neatly on top of her head, with many great shining chestnut ringlets framing her face. She wore no flowers, jewels, feathers, or adornments of any kind in her hair. As he studied her closer still, Gabriel rather thought that her hair was an adornment in itself. It needed no other distractions. He could not entirely discern the colour of her eyes from so great a distance but rather thought them to be blue. Still, he had every intention of getting close enough to her at some point in the proceedings to see them most distinctly.

  Richard Cunningham turned to speak to her, and the young woman began to laugh. However, Gabriel had the strongest sense that the woman was not the least bit amused by whatever it was that Cunningham had had to say. For whilst her rosy and generous mouth did, indeed, broaden into a beautiful smile as she laughed, the smile did not reach her eyes. Beyond her sumptuous lips, nothing else in her face seemed to move.

  As Cunningham turned from her once more, intent again on his father’s conversation, her smile faded immediately, and Gabriel almost laughed out loud when he detected a very distinct roll of her eyes. The gesture had been aimed at nobody in the room, but rather had been a silent expression of her true feelings.

  “What is amusing you, brother?” Hugh said, seeing a smile suddenly light up Gabriel’s intense features.

  “I think I rather like the young lady with Richard Cunningham,” he said and gave a low chuckle. “She strikes me as very interesting.”

  “By interesting, Gabriel, I assume you mean pretty,” Hugh said, turning his attention away from his brother to lift two glasses of champagne from a platter held aloft by a passing footman. “Here,” he said, handing one to Gabriel.

  “Thank you. Although why I am thanking you, I have no idea. This is, without the shadow of a doubt, the worst champagne I have ever tasted. I think the Bordens might have been better served by spending less on the food and more on the drink.”

  “How very sour of you, brother,” Hugh said and laughed. “So, tell me why it is you find the young lady across the room so very interesting.”

  “I have a sneaking suspicion that she is not as attached to our dear adversary as he might believe her to be.”

  “Quite how you can tell that from across the room, and having seen her only for the first time today, I cannot begin to imagine,” Hugh said, doubtfully.

  “I make a study of people, Hugh, and I have seen something in one simple expression that tells me all I need to know.” Gabriel turned to look his brother full in the face and gave a slow smile.

  “So, Cunningham’s young lady is not as interested in him as she might be. In truth, that is likely the situation of many a young man in the County. However, I do not see how it assists us in any way at all,” Hugh said, taking a great mouthful of the champagne before wincing theatrically. “I do believe you are right about the quality of the champagne.”

  “My dear Hugh, where you see a matter of little consequence, I see the opportunity to strike a great blow for our father.” Moving only his eyes, Gabriel looked away from Hugh and back over to the chestnut-haired young beauty. “You see, I intend to take that young lady from under the very nose of Richard Cunningham. I mean to have her for myself.”

  “Which would be a blow indeed, brother,” Hugh said, clearly not convinced. “But if you do not find you like the lady, whilst it might be a blow to Cunningham, it might also be a blow to you.”

  “Well, perhaps a little more study might be necessary before I commit to my plan,” Gabriel said, almost to himself. “But, should I go ahead, what would be a more fitting manoeuvre? Surely it would mirror, in some ways, the cruelty that was practiced upon poor Aunt Verity.”

  “You mean to make Richard Cunningham feel as desperate and unhappy at the loss of his love as Aunt Verity felt at the loss of hers?”

  “Yes.”

  “But what if he does not feel it? What if he does not hold the lady in particularly high regard and is not hurt by it all?” Hugh said, turning to place his champagne, unfinished, onto one of the tables behind him.

  “He will feel it in some way. And if he does not, he will certainly be very sensitive of the symbolic nature of it all. And any chance to humiliate him publicly ought to be taken where at all possible,” Gabriel said and was smiling. He was warming to his plan and most determined that he should find the young lady pleasing enough to be engaged to. She was certainly very beautiful, and Gabriel knew that the pleasure he would gain from the victory would outweigh any problem he might encounter subsequently.

  “I say, I do believe you are right,” Hugh said, finally seeing how the whole thing might play out.

  Their Aunt Verity had been the only sister of their father, Wentworth Farrington. When she was just twenty, Verity had been engaged to be married to none other than Cornelius Cunningham. At that time, the young Cornelius was making himself ready to take on the title of Duke of Horndean, his own father being in very poor health. Cornelius and Wentworth had been the very best of friends, having gone up to Eton together, their upcoming titles providing much common ground between the two men.

  However, with just weeks before Verity and Cornelius were to wed, everything changed. Cornelius broke their engagement without giving a reason and hastily became engaged to the woman to whom he was still married; Miss Prudence Littlefair.

  Verity, young and truly broken-hearted, had never recovered from the pain and humiliation. Being unable to live in a world where the only man she would ever love was married to another, Verity had hanged herself on the eve of the wedding of Cornelius and Prudence.

  Wentworth Farrington, who had treasured his younger sister more highly than anything in the world, had been truly devastated. He had vowed to spend this life and the next in a ceaseless effort to avenge his sister’s death, and never once had he relented.

  If Gabriel could successfully drive a wedge between Richard Cunningham and the beautiful young woman, he would be sending a very clear message. There was no chink in the armour of the Duchy of Calgarth. The new Duke, however young and inexperienced, was more than a match for his enemies.

  Chapter Three

  “How did you find the dreadful wedding of the unfortunate-looking daughter of Lord and Lady Borden?” Stuart Penhaligon, Gabriel’s closest friend, laughed as he poured them both another sherry. “I must say, I was inordinately pleased to have an ironclad excuse to absent myself from it. Tell me, did the Bordens lay
on a great spread?”

  “They most certainly did, Stuart. I must say, I find it rather vulgar to think how much of that food would simply have been scraped away or fed to the pigs. I cannot stand these families who are so keen for the approval of others.” Gabriel nodded his appreciation as he took the proffered sherry and strode slowly to the fireplace.

  The drawing room at Harbury Hall was very much smaller than the one at Calgarth Hall, and yet Gabriel always found himself rather more at home. At just a quarter of the size, and with very much lower ceilings, the drawing room had certainly been decorated to suit the tastes of its owner, rather than to conform to the latest fashions. In an age where paintwork was light and upholstery carefully coordinated, the drawing room at Harbury Hall boasted rich and sumptuous dark fabrics and the deepest of sage-green paintwork. Of course, Stuart Penhaligon, the Earl of Harbury, had always walked and talked in a manner that suited only himself. Gabriel had always admired that in his friend and had often wondered how much simpler life might be if he were an Earl rather than a Duke.

  “And tell me, how goes your dear acquaintance Richard Cunningham? I believe he was in attendance,” Stuart said, giving a wicked chuckle as he teased Gabriel.

  “He was, my dear friend, as insipid as ever.” Gabriel turned from the fire and walked back to one of the fireside chairs. “Although the same could not be said of the beautiful young lady at his side.”

  “Goodness me, has he finally managed to secure himself some poor and unfortunate female? Really, whoever she is, one would hope her father would know better. Richard does not particularly have a reputation for respectful behaviour after all, does he?” Stuart said and chuckled.

  “Well, I must admit to amusing myself with much careful questioning whilst in attendance at the dreadful wedding. It certainly made more sense than taking part in the festivities. Anyway, I have discovered that the young lady is the daughter of an Earl. The Earl of Gorton, I believe.”

  “The Earl of Gorton? Then you must be talking of Lady Evelyn Godfrey!” Suddenly, Stuart sat up straight in his chair, the sherry in his glass coming dangerously close to slopping over the edge.

  “You know the young lady?” Gabriel said, smiling as he felt his plan coming ever closer.

  “I most certainly do, Gabriel. Although I must admit, I do not know her terribly well,” Stuart said and took a fortifying sip of his drink. “You see, my dear fellow, we are vaguely related. Second cousins or something, I believe.”

  “Well, I say!” Gabriel said, more excited than ever. If Stuart knew something of the lady, there was a very good chance he could come in most terribly useful. “Are you really?”

  “We are, Gabriel.” Stuart finished his sherry and rose to pour another. The two men always drank a little too much when they were together. “My father and the Earl of Gorton are cousins. I must say, the two families are not terribly close, and Gorton’s estate is on the very edge of the county. However, I do know something of dear Evelyn. She is terribly nice, as a matter of fact.”

  “And you see her from time to time?”

  “I see her on occasion, my dear man,” Stuart said. “Whilst we are not terribly close, I would say that Evelyn and I are certainly beyond acquaintance level. We are family, but distant family. Put it that way.”

  “So, am I to presume that you were not aware that your second cousin, or whatever the relationship might be, is engaged to be married to Richard Cunningham?”

  “I did not know such a thing,” Stuart said and shook his head a little. “And quite what the Earl of Gorton is thinking in promising so nice a girl away to Lord Cunningham is beyond me.”

  “As it usually is in these matters, Stuart, I daresay that money has changed hands.”

  “Indeed, it is likely. I have a recollection that the Earl of Gorton is not particularly wealthy, so perhaps the old Duke has settled a healthy sum upon the outcome of the thing,” Stuart said and shook his head a little.

  “You seem a little displeased, my dear friend,” Gabriel said, fishing for information. After all, if Stuart Penhaligon were not happy at the idea of a nice young lady being married away to Lord Richard Cunningham, then perhaps he might be all the keener to help Gabriel in his mission.

  “Indeed I am displeased, Gabriel. Although I daresay I shall get over it in time. But I do care for dear Evelyn, although I shall not be awake night after night troubling myself over the matter. And yet, I should rather have liked to see her marry someone a little better than that.”

  “Someone like me, perhaps?” Gabriel said, cutting straight to the point.

  “And why should you marry her, Gabriel? What is she to you?”

  “At the moment, nothing,” Gabriel said, honestly. “Beyond being uncommonly pretty, I know nothing else about her. We have not been introduced, nor are we likely to be given her current ties.”

  “Then why should you want to marry her?” Stuart said. However, his initial confusion was slowly beginning to evaporate, and reality was beginning to dawn. “Oh, I see. You intend to use my poor relation as a pawn in the everlasting game of chess between the Farringtons and the Cunninghams. I must say, Gabriel, that is awfully hard. And to be so very open about your plan in front of me seems rather insensitive, I am bound to say.” Although Stuart’s words were harsh, his tone was not. The men had been friends for so long that they were able to air their views honestly without their friendship suffering as a result.

  “I do not intend to marry her simply for the sake of it, Stuart,” Gabriel said, knowing in his heart that he was perhaps dressing up the truth just a little. “But if I find her as pleasing in manner as I find her in appearance, I see no reason not to go after her. After all, would you not prefer to see your poor relation married to a friend and someone you know well would look after her? Or would you prefer to see her trapped forever with a man as unpleasing in his manner as he is in his appearance?”

  Gabriel smiled to himself. He could see that his friend was slowly digesting the ramifications of what he was saying. However underhand Gabriel’s motives might be, he rather thought that Stuart might come to the conclusion that at least his second cousin’s interest might be better served as a pawn in Gabriel’s game, rather than a prisoner in Richard’s.

  “You are right, of course, Gabriel.” Stuart sniffed. “And I do know it is true that Evelyn would be better off as your wife than Richard’s. However, I should not like you to think that I am so easily won over. Nor so easily fooled.”

  “I should not have you so,” Gabriel said and smiled as he bowed his head towards his friend.

  “Good, as long as that is clear,” Stuart said and seemed pleased to have stamped his authority upon the thing.

  The two men remained in quiet contemplation for some time, each of them slowly sipping at their drinks and closely regarding the flames of the fire.

  Gabriel did what he could to hide a certain amount of self-satisfaction. As far as he could see, things were already in motion. The whole thing was beginning to move along very nicely and very nicely in Gabriel’s favour. With Stuart at his side, Gabriel felt that there must be some way in which a suitable introduction could be made between him and the chestnut-haired beauty. Surely Stuart could come up with something rather low-key and family based that would exclude the Cunningham family without causing offense or suspicion.

  Gabriel felt sure that if he could only secure some time alone with Evelyn Godfrey, he could win her over. After all, he had many advantages over Richard Cunningham. Their statuses, of course, were rather even. Even though Richard was not yet the Duke of Horndean, it was clear that he would be one day. In that regard, they were evenly matched. However, in terms of charm and handsomeness, Gabriel knew that he was, without a doubt, the hands down winner.

  Richard Cunningham had never been a handsome man and looked a lot less like his own father than his younger brother, Oscar, did. Both Cornelius and Oscar were brown-haired and ruggedly built, whereas Richard had the slight and angular features of the
true aristocrat. His face was pale, slim, and somewhat aquiline, and his hair was a washed-out and rather faded looking red. It was not the vibrant red of Lady Evelyn Godfrey’s handsome mane, but more like the last carrots of the season. With his pale green eyes and insipid complexion, Richard Cunningham always had the look of a man who was sickening for something.

  Richard Cunningham was very much his mother’s son, taking his colouring and build from Prudence, the Duchess of Horndean. She too was most unpleasingly pale and insubstantial, and Gabriel had always wondered quite why it was Cornelius had chosen her over his Aunt Verity, who was reported by his father and every portrait of her that hung in Calgarth Hall, as a famous beauty.

  “Alright,” Stuart said, piercing the silence quite suddenly and making Gabriel start in his seat. “Following certain conditions, I shall help you.” He gave Gabriel the sort of grin he had given him when they were boys, and it was clear that he was enjoying a certain amount of power over his old friend.

  “But of course, Stuart,” Gabriel said and laughed. “And do tell me your conditions.”

  “I shall arrange an introduction for you, in a manner I have yet to decide. In fact, I have no idea how I am going to go about it, so you shall have to await the details,” Stuart said, shrugging and smiling honestly. “Anyway, since I rather care what happens to poor dear Evelyn, I shall decide in your first meeting whether or not I continue to help you. After all, if I see no particular regard between you, then I see no moral justification for continuing to act in a way most likely to upend the life and peace of mind of my cousin.”

  “That is perfectly understandable,” Gabriel said, and smiled. As much as Stuart was laying down his rules, Gabriel already knew he had won.

  “If, however, I truly think that Evelyn would be better served being married to you, and that is what she seems herself to want, then I shall do everything in my power to assist you and ensure that the whole thing comes to pass just as you would wish it to be.” Stuart inclined his head towards his friend, indicating that his speech was over.