by Diane Gaston
‘I hope you are right,’ Yates said. ‘But perhaps this private party of yours was not the best place to start.’
‘It was for me,’ Brent told him. ‘I need to get used to seeing you without animosity.’
They entered the drawing room and Brent saw right away that Anna was seated in a chair adjacent to the sofa where Miss Rolfe and her mother sat. Her back was to him. Miss Rolfe was busy pouring tea for Peter and laughed at something he said.
He and Yates walked over to them.
Anna rose. ‘You may have my seat, my lord,’ she said to him. ‘I am certain you wish to sit next to Miss Rolfe.’
It was where he ought to sit.
‘You do not have to move, Anna.’
But she moved anyway, her skirt catching in her legs, showing their shape beneath the thin muslin. Brent felt a flash of arousal. He quickly turned away, taking a moment to dampen his desires before his body betrayed him.
He sat in the chair Anna vacated for him. It was still warm from her. He watched Anna withdraw.
Miss Rolfe switched her attention from Peter to Brent. ‘Let me say, Lord Brentmore, that the food this evening has been superb. As has the company.’
‘Thank you,’ he responded. ‘I am glad to have pleased you.’
She smiled.
He glanced away. ‘Did you and your mother find something to converse about with Miss Hill?’
‘The children, of course,’ she replied. ‘And Mother had several questions about how many servants you keep, if the meals are always so well prepared, if the house runs smoothly.’
‘That is fine,’ he said.
He wished he had discussed with Anna what to say about the children. Miss Rolfe did not need to know about Cal’s affliction, nor about the abuse the children had suffered. There was so much he had not considered.
He glanced over at Anna. Yates engaged her in conversation.
‘Is Mr Yates her suitor?’ Miss Rolfe inclined her head in their direction.
‘I beg your pardon?’
She turned to him. ‘I thought perhaps Mr Yates was Miss Hill’s suitor. I thought perhaps that is why they were included.’
‘Miss Hill attends so you can become acquainted with her as the children’s governess.’ His tone was clipped.
‘Of course,’ she said mildly. ‘But I thought perhaps Mr Yates was here because of her.’
‘Do you know who Mr Yates is?’ he asked.
She lowered her gaze. ‘Peter told me. That is why I am trying to make sense of why he is here.’
It seemed too much effort to explain to Miss Rolfe the strategy behind inviting Yates. ‘I have known him since my school days and, no matter what has happened, I hold no ill will towards him.’
She gave him a placid look. ‘That is very commendable.’
Lady Rolfe broke into the conversation. ‘Are you attending Lord Lawton’s ball next week, Brentmore? We are attending, are we not, my dear?’
Her husband replied, ‘We are indeed.’
‘And you are attending, too, Peter. Is that not right?’ she went on.
‘I would never pass up an opportunity to attend a ball,’ his cousin said.
Lady Lawton twisted back to Brent. ‘Will you come? It promises to be a fine ball, as fine as if it were during the Season.’
‘Perhaps,’ Brent replied, adding, ‘I have been asked to escort Miss Hill to the ball.’
‘What!’ Lady Rolfe’s voice rose in shock.
Anna looked alarmed.
‘I spoke with Lady Charlotte at the musicale the other night,’ he explained. ‘She asked me to bring Anna. They—they grew up together.’
‘Oh, they grew up together.’ Lady Rolfe looked relieved. ‘You would be doing a kindness, in other words.’
Miss Rolfe glanced at Yates. ‘Are you attending, sir?’
‘I was invited.’ He did not explain more.
She looked over at Anna. ‘You must come, Miss Hill. It will be a delightful party.’
Brent watched Anna’s expression. He could see in her eyes the hurt and anger, an anger he deserved. What possessed him to inform her of Charlotte’s request in this manner? Was he punishing her for talking to Yates? Or for looking so lovely he could not take his eyes off her?
Whatever it was, it did him no credit.
How could he profess to be her friend when he treated her so shabbily?
‘What say you?’ Miss Rolfe pressed.
Brent watched Anna lift her chin, a gesture he now knew well. ‘It is kind of Lady Charlotte to wish to include me and kind of Lord Brentmore to be willing to escort me.’ She kept her eyes directly on Brent. ‘But I will not attend the ball.’
Miss Rolfe said, ‘I do hope you change your mind.’
* * *
Brent walked his guests to the hall and bid them goodnight. Anna waited outside the drawing room. When the door closed behind them, she crossed the hall and started up the stairs.
He hurried after her. ‘A moment, please, Anna.’
She whirled on him right on the staircase. ‘Do not speak to me, my lord. I am much too angry.’ She lifted her skirts and doubled her pace.
He caught up with her again on the first floor. ‘We must talk.’
He seized her arm and pulled her into the nearest room, lit only by light from the streets. Below them carriage lamps blazed while the Rolfes settled into Brent’s carriage, which would take them to their rooms on Somerset Street.
Anna struggled against his grip. ‘Release me, sir!’
‘No. Not until you promise to listen to me.’ This was becoming more unreasonable by the second, but he could not stop himself. He backed her against the wall between the two windows.
She suddenly stilled. ‘Very well. Say what you wish to say, so I may go!’
What words could he say? He hardly knew.
‘I am sorry, Anna,’ was all he could manage.
‘Sorry?’ she cried. ‘This is how you show you are sorry? By bullying me and putting your hands on me?’
He let his hands slip down her arms. ‘I could not let you go to bed before letting you know how wrong I was. I should not have told you about Lady Charlotte in front of them all. I do not know why I did it.’
He heard the carriage drive off. The room plunged into darkness.
She went on. ‘I did not want to attend your dinner party in the first place and then suddenly I must take your lady guests on a tour, as if I was their hostess and this was my house. But that was not enough, was it, my lord? You obviously withheld from me your conspiracy with Charlotte. You, of all people, know why I do not wish to go to that ball. You should have supported my wishes with Charlotte, and told me that she had spoken to you. Instead, you blather about it with people who are strangers to me.’ Her voice cracked. ‘I do not need this treatment, my lord. I do not deserve it.’
‘You are right. You are right.’ He cared about her. Why had he deliberately hurt her? ‘Anna, I do not know why I did any of it. I only know I could not have a dinner party and leave you sitting alone in your room. And, then, you looked so very beautiful and Yates paid you such particular attention—’
‘That was another thing. You did not do that poor man a favour by inviting him. Who else was he to converse with? Your cousin and the Rolfes made no effort to include him. Or you. You left him to me.’
Had he done so? Had he handed her to Yates, as if she were another course for dinner?
No, she was wrong. He might have acted on impulse inviting her, inviting Yates, but she had played her part in this.
‘What of you, Anna?’ he countered. ‘You knew you were included to become acquainted with Miss Rolfe, but you treated her more as a rival than the prospective marchioness—’
‘A rival!’ Her voice rose. ‘How can you say such a thing?’
‘How?’ He placed his palms on the wall, caging her between his arms. ‘Tell me you did not deliberately dress to be alluring.’
She gasped.
He was so close t
o her that he felt her breath. She was only a shadow in the dark room, but her allure was stronger than ever.
‘Roses,’ he murmured. ‘You smell of roses.’ An intoxicating scent, he decided. ‘That is a new scent for you. Tell me you did not choose that scent tonight for a deliberate reason. Was that for me?’
She rose up in defiance. ‘Does it work?’
By God, it worked very effectively.
He placed his hands at her waist and lowered his lips on to hers.
Her arms twined around his neck and he pressed her hard against him, as she hungrily kissed him back.
‘No!’ She pushed on his chest.
He regained his senses, if not his tongue. ‘Is that what you hoped for, Anna?’
He backed away, wishing he could take those words back.
She shot back at him, ‘Is that what you hoped for, my lord? Are you trying to prove to me how like my mother I am? I need no proof, my lord. It was I who told you so.’ She took a breath and her voice dipped low and tremulous. ‘Well, I will not be my mother. Do you understand? I choose not to be her.’
‘Anna—’ he began, but what could he say?
In the dim light he could see she rubbed her arms. ‘If I had some place to go, some place with someone who knew me and would take me in, I would be gone from here!’ She advanced on him, only to push at his chest again. ‘I have no one and you know it. You, of all people, know it and still you take advantage!’
She shoved him one more time and rushed past him out the door. He heard her footsteps running up the stairs.
Chapter Sixteen
By the next morning Anna realised she must do something to determine her own fate. Always she’d accepted whatever others decided for her, provided for her.
And what they denied her.
She no longer had to do that. She could choose to leave Lord Brentmore’s employ, if she wished it. She could investigate agencies in London and she had a little money, thanks to his generosity.
She’d counted her money—over five pounds. She could live on that amount for a time.
Although, what would she do if a position did not present itself?
When she entered the children’s room, though, her resolve fizzled.
Dory greeted her with a hug and a kiss, as enthusiastically as if she’d thought she’d never see her governess again.
Cal grinned at her and said, ‘Good morning, Miss Hill.’
She gave him a hug and a kiss as well.
Anna loved these children. She wanted to stay with them. She wanted to cosset them and protect them and never see them hurt again. Surely it would hurt them if she left.
‘Do we have to go to the dressmaker today?’ Dory asked in an exasperated tone.
‘I thought you liked the dressmaker,’ Anna said to her.
The child made a face. ‘The first time, I did.’
Anna smiled at her. ‘No, we do not have to go to the dressmaker today. Today we will have lessons and then, if you have worked very hard at them, perhaps an outing.’
‘Will Papa come with us?’ Dory asked hopefully.
‘Papa will be busy, Dory,’ Cal said. ‘A marquess has much to do.’
‘He didn’t have much to do at Brentmore!’ Dory whimpered. ‘I want to go back there. I miss my pony. I want to go home.’
Home. To Brentmore Hall. There she would be free to love the children without distraction.
She gathered Cal and Dory together and hugged them both. ‘Perhaps we will not be in London too much longer.’
‘Will I have to leave my doll house and Hortense?’ Dory asked.
‘No, silly,’ Cal said. ‘Papa will allow us to take the toys home.’
Cal was assured of his father’s devotion. That was a good sign. The children would adjust to not seeing him daily.
As she must do.
Anna resolved to talk to Lord Brentmore today. She would tell him to send them back to Brentmore.
As she and the children walked down to the dining room, Anna’s improved spirits flagged. Facing him was the hard part.
His kiss of the night before haunted her. She’d pushed him away, but really yearned for more.
Lord Brentmore was not in the dining room. Would he not show? What would be worse—to see him this morning or have him avoid her?
She fixed the plates and she and the children were settled in their chairs when he finally entered.
‘Papa!’ Dory jumped from her chair to hug his legs.
‘Good morning, Papa,’ Cal said.
He smiled at his son and kissed Dory on the top of her head.
His gaze turned to Anna. ‘Good morning, Anna.’
Her heartbeat accelerated. ‘Good morning, my lord.’
He looked as if he’d not slept at all and, in spite of herself, her sympathy went out to him. He’d not been wrong to accuse her of dressing to attract him, to compete with Miss Rolfe. Miss Rolfe had been cordial to her, even friendly, you might say. It had been Anna who’d wrestled with her emotions.
Lord Brentmore selected his food from the sideboard and sat, chatting with the children who were delighted to respond. Anna alone perceived his sadness.
‘Papa, will you take us on an outing today?’ Dory asked. ‘Miss Hill says we may go on an outing after lessons. No more fittings.’
He seemed to gaze at Dory intently. Did he struggle with the knowledge that she was not his child? Did he see Yates when he looked at her? Lord Brentmore had always been more reticent in his response to the girl. Now his behaviour made sense. Now his genuine devotion to the child made Anna ache in empathy with him.
He smiled at Dory. ‘Perhaps I can break away for a little while.’
‘Take us to Horse Guards to see the horses?’ Cal asked.
‘Perhaps not today.’ He ruffled Cal’s hair and his tone was almost mournful. ‘But maybe soon I can take you to see the Guards exercising the horses.’
Anna felt responsible for his misery. No doubt they must be parted.
The marquess finished his breakfast more quickly than usual. ‘I must go, children. I will try to get back this afternoon.’ He stood.
Anna also rose to her feet. ‘May I speak with you a moment, my lord?’
He hesitated before finally nodding. ‘In the library?’
‘May we go up and play?’ Cal asked.
‘Of course you may,’ Anna said.
The children scampered out of the room and up the stairs. Anna walked a little behind Lord Brentmore across the hall to the library.
‘Cal is talking so well today,’ she remarked, although she forced out the words.
‘Remarkably well,’ he agreed, but in a flat voice.
He opened the door to the library.
Anna heard a voice from within. ‘Good morning, my lord. I have some papers for you to sign.’
Lord Brentmore turned to Anna. ‘Mr Parker.’ He gestured to the drawing room. ‘We may talk in there.’ To Mr Parker, he said, ‘I’ll return in a moment.’
‘But, my lord—’ Parker implored.
Anna entered the room where she and the marquess had created such unhappiness for each other the night before.
As soon as he stepped inside and closed the door, he said, ‘What is it, Anna?’
She feared any apology she attempted would come to the same end as his had done the night before. Best they pretend none of it happened.
‘I want to take the children back to Brentmore,’ she said simply.
* * *
Brent’s muscles relaxed. He’d been prepared to hear her say she was leaving for good.
‘I cannot leave London for a few more weeks at least,’ he told her. ‘We can go back for harvest.’
‘No.’ She gave him a steady look. ‘I want to take the children back now.’ She lowered her voice. ‘I think it will be for the best.’
He turned away and walked to the window, looking out on to the square where he’d first set eyes on her. To be here without her and the children? It would be
desolate.
As he’d lain sleepless in his bed last night, he’d formulated another plan. To help her find a happy life for herself with a husband and children of her own, a family with whom she truly could belong.
He swung back to her. ‘I want the children with me.’
She looked about to protest.
He raised a hand. ‘But I am willing to compromise.’
‘How?’ She peered at him with suspicion.
‘Stay a few more days, at least,’ he said. ‘Attend the Lawton ball—’
‘Attend the Lawton ball!’ The colour rose in her face.
‘After the ball you and the children may go back to Brentmore.’
Her eyes flashed. ‘Why must I attend the ball? Why would you put me through such an ordeal?’
So she could see how easily she would attract suitors and perhaps attract a man who would be good to her.
No matter how depressing that thought was to him, it was the least he could do to repay her for all she’d done for him and the children.
‘It does not have to be an ordeal, Anna. You might enjoy yourself.’ He did not need to tell her why he was doing this. ‘Your friend wishes you to come.’
‘My sister, you mean.’
‘Very well. Your sister.’ He met her defiant gaze. ‘If Lord Lawton had any decency in him, he would have raised you to be a lady who attends balls.’
She glanced away. ‘It is ridiculous to require me to attend a ball in order to take your children back to Brentmore.’
He remained firm. ‘That is my stipulation.’
She whirled around and left the room.
Brent pressed his fingers against his temples.
He’d done it. He’d set it up so Lady Charlotte could attempt her matchmaking. Unlike last night, he still must stand aside and not interfere, not sabotage. Perhaps if he and his children were very lucky, she’d choose them over a life of her own.
He walked slowly back to the library.
As soon as he walked into the room, Parker pounced. ‘My lord, we really must go through these papers. You mustn’t allow anything—or anyone—interfere.’
That set Brent’s teeth on edge. He crossed the room and sat behind the desk. ‘Who is it interferes with what I wish to do?’