The Earl Claims a Bride

by Amelia Grey

  “You are very brave, my dear. I know it’s devastating. I’m so sorry for you.”

  “Me, brave?” It took several seconds for her grandmother’s meaning to be clear. “Don’t feel sorry for me, Granna. I have lost nothing. I haven’t been hurt.”

  Her grandmother looked at her curiously. “But of course you have, Angelina. You’ve lost a dream. The dream of the handsome soldier coming home to sweep you off your feet and take you away to wedded bliss. That dream is gone.”

  Her grandmother’s answer caught Angelina off guard. Was that true? No. No, she couldn’t let her dream die just because of his injury. What kind of person would she be if she did that?

  “I’m not giving up on that dream,” Angelina defiantly assured her grandmother. “It can still happen. It will happen. We have Bishop Worsley working for us so that we can help Papa replace the money he borrowed, and that in turn will free me to marry the man of my choice. And it just so happens, I’m waiting now for Captain Maxwell to come claim his dance with me.”

  “That’s quite noble of you, dear.”

  “It’s nothing of the kind,” she said, feeling strength in her courage. “I’m convinced Captain Maxwell is the same gentleman he’s always been. He just looks a little different, but I will not treat him any differently and neither should you, nor anyone else.”

  “A little different, Angelina?” her grandmother questioned, and then gave her an easy smile. “Well, I suppose that’s why they say love is blind. I should have known this would not daunt your spirit. More and more you remind me of your mother, but quiet, dear, quiet. I see Captain Maxwell coming this way, and we don’t want him to hear us talking about him. And Lady Harcourt has on the most glorious gown I’ve seen all Season. I can’t believe our modiste didn’t show us that fabric first. I will definitely speak to her about that the next time we are in her shop.”

  Captain Maxwell smiled at Angelina as he stopped beside her grandmother and said, “Good evening, Lady Railbridge.”

  Her grandmother smiled beautifully, turned, and extended her hand to him. To her credit, she never blinked or showed any signs that she noticed a change in his appearance. Her earlier fretfulness about him was completely gone.

  “Captain Maxwell, it’s so good to see you again.”

  He kissed her hand and then said, “It was a long journey, my lady. I’m happy to be home.”

  “I would think so. I don’t believe I’d have the stamina to travel that far. Tell me, did you enjoy India?” Her eyes widened in panic as soon as the words were out. “Oh, good heavens! Of course you didn’t.”

  “I did enjoy most of my time in India,” Captain Maxwell said, ignoring her blunder but giving her a humorless grin just the same. “My time there wasn’t all bad.” He then looked at Angelina and said, “I was hoping this would be a good time for our dance.”

  “Yes, it is. Would you excuse us, Granna?”

  “Of course. Enjoy the dance.”

  Angelina had always thought of Captain Maxwell as a very tall and broad-shouldered man, but as they made their way to the dance floor, she realized he was shorter and thinner than Lord Thornwick. That surprised her. In her dreams of him, she always imagined him to be more the height and width of the earl.

  She looked at no one in particular as they walked, but knew small clusters of people were watching them. Good, she thought. Let them stare and gossip to their hearts’ content. Soon enough they would get used to seeing them together and move on to someone else to gossip about.

  Angelina didn’t know the dance was a waltz until they stepped onto the dance floor and took the position. Captain Maxwell’s hand clasped hers. It was warm, but his grip wasn’t firm. She hardly felt his hand, which rested on her back to guide her through the difficult steps. It was almost as if he was afraid to touch her. But most of all, she realized there were none of the tingles, sizzles, and shivers that she expected racing through her body at his nearness.

  They were quiet for the first few seconds while they waited for the music to begin. The silence became awkward so Angelina looked up at him and said, “Did you attend many dances in India before you were wounded?”

  He glanced down into her eyes for only a second before lifting his head. His expression remained emotionless. “A few,” he answered and then asked, “Have you been enjoying the Season?”

  “Mostly. It’s been very hectic,” she answered, sensing that looking at him was making him uncomfortable. It had been so long since she’d seen him, she wanted to look at him. He seemed older now. She didn’t remember the gray in his hair or the pronounced lines around his eyes. In truth, this was the closest she’d ever been to him.

  “It always is.”

  “I knew what to expect but I’ve been to at least three parties every evening for almost a week. I’ve declined all the tea and card parties that are held in the afternoons.”

  “I hope you have a good reason for denying yourself such pleasure.”

  Yes, I must paint during the day.

  “I find it difficult to dance most nights and then continue to attend parties during the day,” she said, knowing it was only partly a fib.

  The music started and so did the dance. Captain Maxwell knew the steps well and was light on his feet, but she kept thinking there was no strength in his arms. She wanted him to hold her closer and tighter. She wanted him to take command of her. She wanted to experience the unleashed power she had felt when she was in Lord Thornwick’s arms, when they had danced, when they had kissed.

  The waltz was long and she could tell the captain was winded before it was over. Her heart went out to him. How selfish of her to want him to hold her as the earl had. His injury had probably taken most of his strength for weeks, and yet he had wanted to dance with her. She shouldn’t have expected he’d have the strength of Lord Thornwick.

  “You dance very well,” she said as the dance ended and they stopped to clap for the musicians before leaving the floor.

  “Thank you for telling me,” he said. “Quite frankly, I wasn’t sure I could still do it. I’ve, well____”

  She smiled at him. “You never faltered and you never stepped on my toes. There are other gentlemen I’ve danced with who have done both, so pat yourself on the back.”

  He looked into her eyes and said, “Perhaps you’ll let me call on you, Miss Rule.”

  She thought she heard a quaver in his voice. She couldn’t fault him for being unsure of himself under the circumstances but she didn’t want him to be. She wanted him to believe in her and her love for him. This was the man whose return she’d been waiting for. He should have no doubts about her feelings for him.

  “Yes,” she said, meeting his gaze confidently.

  “Tomorrow afternoon?” he asked hopefully.

  Angelina hesitated. She wanted to, but she had three fans started that she needed to finish so Bishop Worsley could take them to the duchess. If she didn’t sell her paintings, none of her plans for the future would be possible.

  “I’m afraid tomorrow afternoon isn’t good for me, but perhaps another day.”

  He stiffened and stepped away from her. “Of course. I understand.”

  No, he didn’t. The coldness of his words surprised her, even though she knew he thought she was rebuffing him. She quickly added, “I’m available on Sunday. Are you?”

  At first he looked as if he didn’t know whether he could trust her, but then the lines around his mouth relaxed and he said, “I am. Would you enjoy a ride in Hyde Park if it’s not raining?”

  “That would be lovely.”

  Angelina wanted to say more but was at a loss for words. Did the captain want to hear that she had a deep ache in her soul for what he had lost and the pain he’d been through? Or was Lord Thornwick right that he wouldn’t want to hear how sorry she was for what had happened to him? Should she tell him she was happy to see him? What did he want to hear from her? She didn’t know what to say so she remained quiet and so did the captain.

  “
I see Granna waiting for me. Thank you for the dance, Captain.”

  He smiled and for a fleeting instant she saw traces of the gentleman she’d first seen from the stairway. Her stomach tumbled, and her heart fluttered.

  “Perhaps we can have another tomorrow night?”

  “Yes.” She smiled, suddenly hopeful that if she could free her father of his debts there might be a future for her and Captain Maxwell. “I’d like that.”

  “Until then.”

  She nodded and walked away feeling lighter of foot. She was eager to spend time with Captain Maxwell and get to know him. She wanted to renew those tender, wonderful feelings she had for him when she was sitting on the stairs in her home and he had looked up at her and smiled. She wanted to experience with him the exciting, breathless sensations that she’d felt when she was with Lord Thornwick.

  They would come for her and the captain. She had to be patient. Tonight, seeing him for the first time had been awkward and unsettling for both of them. Too, there were so many people around. Including the earl with all his comments about the officer and how she should feel. Everything would be better once she and the captain were alone and not on display as they were tonight.

  Yes, she would prove to Lord Thornwick that she didn’t pity Captain Maxwell. What she felt for him was love.

  “Angelina.”

  She stopped and turned at the sound of her father’s voice. “Yes, Papa.”

  “I saw you dancing with Captain Maxwell just now.”

  “Yes,” she said cautiously. “And did you also see me dancing with Lord Thornwick a few minutes earlier?”

  “I did and I must say I was quite pleased.”

  “Good.” Angelina started walking toward her grandmother again and her father fell in step beside her. “Have you had the opportunity to welcome Captain Maxwell home?”

  “No, though I’ve heard what happened to him. It’s a shame. He was always on the handsome side.”

  “He still is, Papa.”

  He gave her a look of doubt, but said, “Well, it’s good to know his scarring isn’t as bad as I’ve been told.”

  It wasn’t surprising that the captain had been at the ball hardly an hour before the ton was gossiping about his looks, but she didn’t have to like it. “I don’t know what you’ve heard but he’s coping well with the effects of his injury.”

  “I’d say very well. I don’t know that I would have had the courage to be seen at public events so soon after such a devastating injury.”

  Angelina stopped quickly and a lady who was following close behind bumped into her. After apologies were said, she turned back to her father and said, “Coming tonight was the best thing he could have done for himself. You know what they say about falling off a horse. You immediately get back on. He must get back in Society and the sooner the better. He lost an eye, not his brain nor his chivalry. He was a perfect gentleman tonight.”

  Unlike Lord Thornwick who made up his own rules when he felt like it and chose to ignore any rule in Society he disagreed with. He had nerve kissing her so soon after their acquaintance and calling her Angelina.

  “I hope you did nothing to encourage the captain, Angelina.”

  Not exactly.

  “I saw nothing wrong with agreeing he could call on me for a ride in the park.”

  “Angelina.”

  She met her father’s stern look of disapproval. “Because, Papa, I agreed that Lord Thornwick could call on me as well.”

  “You always have to do things your way, don’t you?”

  “Not always,” she answered, feeling a little contrite.

  Her father’s light-blue eyes pierced hers. “Do I need to remind you what will happen if you don’t marry Lord Thornwick at the end of the Season?”

  “No, Papa,” she conceded. “I know what I must do. But what is the harm in enjoying the Season and the attention of all the gentlemen who want to dance with me and call on me before I marry?”

  “I suppose none, my dear, none,” he said and hooked his hand around her elbow. “Dance with all the gentlemen, smile at everyone, and drink all the champagne you want. Enjoy yourself fully. As long as you remember your duty.”

  Angelina wasn’t likely to forget as long as she was spending her days painting.

  Chapter 13

  How bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man’s eyes!

  As You Like It, Act V, sc. 2

  Harrison left the ball. It didn’t bother him that Angelina was defending Captain Maxwell. He assumed she would, but he hadn’t expected he would do it, too. He couldn’t stay and watch her dance with the man, however. He had no desire to watch her looking at him with adoring, sympathetic blue eyes.

  Harrison leaned against a back wall in the dimly lit game room at White’s waiting for a place to open up at one of the card tables. Heavy smells of liquor and burnt wood hung in the air. He heard the clamor of voices and raucous laughter from the taproom and billiard balls smacking together farther down the corridor. The aged brandy was taking the edge off his whirring thoughts, and he was getting ready for a serious game of cards—or for that matter anything that would help him forget about Angelina and the disfigured Captain Maxwell.

  He supposed some would think he should be a gentleman and just back away and let the wounded soldier have Angelina. And a few days ago, maybe he would have done just that, but not now. Not since he had held her in his arms and kissed her. He didn’t need Hopscotch or the Prince telling him to pursue Angelina and make her his. He was telling himself that.

  Harrison knew the moment he saw her that she was the lady for him, but he’d denied those feelings when she’d told him her heart belonged to another. At the time, what else could he have done? He’d thought he could walk away from her that night and never give her a thought again, but that hadn’t lasted twenty-four hours. He had to see her. And what had he done when he’d seen her? He had tasted Angelina’s sweet mouth, smelled her warm skin, and felt her soft body melt against his. And now he was aching to hold her and kiss her again.

  He’d walked away from love once before and no matter how many times over the years he’d told himself it would be easier the second time, it wasn’t true. He didn’t want anyone else touching Angelina intimately or kissing her. And he damned sure wouldn’t listen if anyone had the nerve to ask him to back off and let the captain have her. No, Angelina was his to win, and win her he would. He just wasn’t sure how he would do that. Yet.

  “I thought I’d find you here.”

  Harrison turned and saw Bray leaning against the wall beside him. Damn, he must have been deep in thought not to have noticed him walk up.

  Harrison sipped his drink and eyed his friend over his glass. “How long have you been here?”

  “Long enough” came the answer. “I thought it might be a good idea to come find you.”

  Harrison looked at him curiously. “You were looking for me?”

  Bray nodded once.

  “Want to tell me why?”

  “I thought you might want some company.”

  Harrison grunted. “And you thought I couldn’t find any at White’s.”

  Bray smiled.

  Harrison chuckled. “I have to admit you are the last person I’d expect to be looking for me at this time of night. I thought you’d still be dancing with your lovely wife.”

  “I did, and afterward I scoured the ballroom for you.”

  “I left early,” Harrison said and turned his attention back to the card games in progress.

  “I’m not surprised. We heard the news about the wounded soldier that had come home as soon as we arrived. Is he the man?”

  Harrison sipped his drink. “You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t already know the answer to that, my friend.”

  “I suspected. I had three people tell me about him before I could get Louisa’s wrap off her shoulders. It didn’t take me long to figure out that Captain Maxwell was the gentleman we were talking about at the Heirs’ Club the
other day when I saw Miss Rule dancing with him.”

  “It didn’t take me long to figure that out, either,” Harrison said and took another drink. “Did you see him?”

  “Only from a distance,” Bray answered. “The scuttlebutt is that the scarring is quite difficult to look at but will probably get better with time.”

  “Those were my thoughts, too.”

  “From where I stood the black patch would have made him look quite the dashing pirate if he hadn’t been in a military uniform. He must have stunned everyone and Miss Rule more than most when he entered the ballroom.”

  Harrison looked down into his brandy and swirled it in his glass. “You could say that.”

  “So you talked with her after she saw him?”

  “I was with her when she saw him.”

  “Whew.” Bray blew out a short breath. “That must have caused a few awkward glances among the three of you.”

  “And more than a few heated words between me and Angelina later, too.”

  “I don’t see that as a good thing.”

  Harrison’s jaw hardened. “It wasn’t.”

  “Did you hear what happened to him to cause the injury?” Bray asked calmly.

  Harrison took his gaze off the crowded card room and looked at Bray again. “No, did you?”

  Bray shook his head. “I was curious so I asked. No one seemed to know. I assume the scuttlebutt will get around soon enough.”

  “Was she still there when you left?” Harrison questioned.

  “Both of them.”

  Harrison’s stomach clenched but he said nothing.

  “Do you want to tell me about what was said between you and Miss Rule?”

  Hell no.

  Harrison didn’t want to go through all the emotions that conversation evoked again. He grinned and answered, “I want to know what the hell you are doing here. It’s not like you to leave your beautiful Louisa at the mercy of all the stuffy old gentlemen who will be asking her to dance in your absence. That’s cruel, Bray.”

  “I’m glad you still have your good humor about you.”

  It’s hard.

  “Besides,” Bray continued, “I’m not foolish enough to do that to her. Nor would she let me. I took her home before coming here. She understood why I wanted to find you. We’d already made appearances at two other parties. Believe me, she was quite happy to get home early for a change and check on her younger sisters.”