How to Bewitch an Earl

by Ally Broadfield

  “Yes, my lady.”

  She wrinkled her brow. “Then why are you hiding here in the library?”

  Isa sighed. “It’s been so long since I’ve moved in social circles of this sort.”

  “Isa, you were born into this world. You know how it works. Why are you hesitating?”

  She glanced out the window. “I’m just not sure I fit into that world anymore.”

  Lady Concord took her hand. “Isa, have you told them your true identity?”

  She shook her head, not meeting her employer’s eyes.

  Not only had she deceived the duke and duchess, Louisa, and Edward, but now she was lying to Lady Concord. She could not explain to Lady Concord that her engagement to Edward wasn’t real or she would be betraying his trust. And since she and Edward had agreed only to a temporary arrangement while they searched for the tiara, there had been no reason to tell him her true identity. Now she feared she might have waited too long. If he wasn’t able to forgive her for lying to him, she needed to leave. Soon. Her heart was already in peril, and she could not afford to risk her reputation as well.

  “I thought not. What are you waiting for?”

  “The right time to tell him.”

  “But don’t you think he deserves to know who your father was? Who you are?” She leaned closer to Isa. “You have done nothing wrong. You are a victim of circumstances out of your control, and you behaved admirably in helping your brother. If you tell them, they will understand. The duchess comes from an unusual family, and the previous duke was a disgrace, so their family is not without its own scandals.” She squeezed Isa’s hand. “Tell them. They will understand.”

  “As usual, you are correct.” She had no doubt that the duchess and Louisa wouldn’t care about her true identity, but she wasn’t so sure about Edward. Still, she had to tell him, and they needed to discuss their relationship. They had gone far beyond the bounds of their original agreement, and she had to know if he wanted to marry her. If he returned her love. If he could forgive her.

  Lady Concord stood. “Come along, then. The duchess mentioned that they were about to start charades in the drawing room. I know she will appreciate our participation since she is having a devil of a time keeping everyone entertained in this downpour.”

  Isa clasped Lady Concord’s arm and supported her as they went up one level to access the drawing room. Though it was a bit difficult to traverse, Isa loved the unconventional floor plan of Walsley.

  They entered just as the duke stood and moved to the center of the room. Isa settled Lady Concord on a chair and found one of her own along the back wall where Biscuit could fit himself next to her.

  “Eight of us go forth, but not back, to protect our king from a foe’s attack,” His Grace said.

  So they were playing the old-fashioned version of charades, where instead of acting out a silent scene, they solved a riddle. Isa had reread Jane Austen’s Emma the previous week, and they had played this version as well, where each person provided enigmatic clues, and the others had to guess the word they were describing.

  “A spider’s legs,” Thornbrook called out, and everyone laughed.

  “Who’s the king of the spiders?” Someone called from the side of the room.

  “There are eight sides to an octagon. That is all I can think of.” Lady Phoebe shrugged.

  “Pawns,” Louisa said, pointing to the chess table next to her. She stood and gave her father a kiss on the cheek, then moved to the middle of the floor. For a moment, she simply stood there, biting her lip, then smiled and said, “If you have me, you want to share me, but if you share me, you no longer have me.”

  “Could you repeat that, please?” Lady Mary asked.

  “If you have me, you want to share me, but if you share me, you no longer have me.”

  “I would never share you, Lady Louisa,” Thornbrook called out, and several people laughed. Except for His Grace, who glowered at him.

  Isa recognized his pensive look as he followed Louisa’s every movement. He wasn’t just flirting with her; he had feelings for her. Isa sympathized with him. She had been deliberately not looking at Edward since she had entered the room.

  Lady Mary frowned. “A story?”

  “No.” Lady Phoebe grinned like a Cheshire cat. “A secret.”

  Isa shifted on her chair. She wondered how many of the others in the room had a secret. Probably most of them, but she was certain none of them were as big or as potentially disastrous as hers. She needed to speak with Edward. Today. As soon as there was an opportunity for her to be alone with him, she would confess everything.

  A footman carrying a tray of lemonade moved about the chamber. Isa took a glass just to have something to hold. The sound of chatter increased as the footman navigated his way around the room.

  “Who does she think she is?” Isa glanced about her, but couldn’t determine where the voice had come from. “She’s no better than a common servant. I don’t know how she managed to get Lord Kenworth to offer for her, but I’ll bet you a hundred pounds he breaks their engagement by the time we leave Walsley.”

  After another glance around, Isa realized that the ceiling was domed, and the voices were carrying from the other side of the room where the mothers of several of the other ladies sat. Though she wasn’t overly surprised by their opinion of her, it was disheartening for her to hear someone else voicing her worst fears.

  Lady Phoebe stood and clapped her hands, then sauntered to the center of the room, ensuring that everyone was focused on her. She slowly licked her lips, then said, “What is always coming but never arrives?”

  “Tomorrow,” Edward said immediately. He stood and moved to the center of the room.

  “You’re so clever, my lord.” Lady Phoebe frowned momentarily, then grasped Edward’s upper arm and leaned in to whisper in his ear. The tips of his ears colored, and he laughed out loud. She walked slowly back to her seat, her hips swaying dramatically, then looked over her shoulder at him and blew him a kiss.

  Isa froze in place. It seemed out of character for Edward to encourage her promiscuous behavior, especially since no one else knew their engagement wasn’t genuine, and Lady Phoebe’s reputation was well-known. Perhaps he had been listening to the mothers and was beginning to doubt her as well.

  Edward took the floor and stood there for several moments before speaking. “What will be broken if it isn’t held?”

  “A teacup?” Thornbrook tossed out. Edward shook his head.

  Lady Phoebe jumped from her chair. “My heart.”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  She sat back down and pouted toward Edward.

  “A promise,” Isa said softly.

  “Well done, Miss Winthrop,” he said. Isa’s stomach lurched, and nausea rose in her throat. She feared she might be sick, but a few deep breaths calmed her. She had made a promise to George, but she had also made a different sort of promise to Edward, and she had to tell him the truth. Now.

  Her Grace stood up. “Miss Winthrop, I’m sorry to deny you your turn, but dinner will be served shortly. I promise we will finish the game after dinner.”

  “Of course, Your Grace. It is no matter.” She stayed seated, waiting for everyone else to leave in the hope of having a few moments to speak with Edward. As expected, nearly everyone rushed out to go change for dinner.

  The duchess waved for a footman to assist Lady Concord, who tilted her head toward Edward, reminding Isa of their earlier conversation.

  When she was the last one left in the parlor, she stood and moved into the corridor. Edward was there, speaking with his mother, but as soon as Her Grace spotted Isa, she left.

  He held out his arm. “May I escort you to your bedchamber, Miss Winthrop?”

  She linked her arm through his. “Somehow, that sounds rather inappropriate.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Perhaps I meant it to.”

  “Shh. Someone will hear you.” In truth, there was little chance of anyone overhearing them or even se
eing Edward escort her, since there was a separate staircase that led to the family rooms.

  “Isa, we’re engaged to be married. I imagine everyone will understand.” He glanced out the window that stood at the base of the staircase. “It seems to finally have stopped raining, thank goodness.”

  “At last. Though I imagine it will be another day or two before it will be dry enough for us to go back to explore the well.”

  He shrugged. “That depends on whether the sun decides to make an appearance. Of more concern right now is that it is nearly dark outside, which means we are in danger of being late for dinner.”

  They moved quickly down the corridor, and the closer they got to her bedchamber, the faster Isa’s heart raced. Finally, they were there, and Edward opened the door for her. She would tell him now.

  Isa clasped her hands, then twisted them before finally blurting out, “There is something I need to tell you. Will you come inside?”

  He shifted his weight. “Can it wait until after dinner? There isn’t much time for us to dress, and there will be many people moving about the house. I do not want to sully your reputation.”

  He was right. Though she wanted to get it over with, to finally know how he would react, it wasn’t something that should be rushed, and they could not be late for dinner.

  She nodded. “Yes, but I must speak with you tonight.” He kissed her forehead, and she watched him rush off down the corridor. He had seemed a bit distracted, but perhaps it was just that he was as frustrated as she was about having to wait to find the tiara.

  Isa shut the door and leaned against it. For better or worse, she would confess everything to Edward tonight.

  With the help of his valet, Edward changed quickly and headed back downstairs. Isa had been somewhat distant during the day, and he feared that she had overheard the meddling mamas complaining about her during charades. He had wanted to call them out and give them the dressing down that they deserved, but their situation was already tenuous at best, so there was no reason to draw more attention to them. Isa was likely bothered by the same doubts that plagued him. Their original agreement had suited them both at first, but their relationship had grown and developed into something more, and he needed to know whether she also wanted to make their betrothal real.

  He should have asked her, right then and there in the corridor outside her bedchamber. He cared for her deeply, and he wanted to marry her, and he didn’t want to wait another moment to tell her, but with the gossip swirling among the guests, he couldn’t take any chances with her reputation. It was going to be a long night.

  He stopped at the threshold to the parlor. Lady Phoebe was the only one inside, and the cut of her gown was so low that he imagined he would be able to see her toes if he looked down while standing near her. She had been behaving inappropriately toward him all day, and he didn’t wish to be alone with her.

  There was a knock at the front door, and he backpedaled into the corridor while Phillips, their long-time butler, answered it.

  “My lord, are you at home for Lord Stowe?”

  Edward rushed to the door. “Stowey, is it really you?” He had been Edward’s roommate at Eton, and though they hadn’t seen each other in some time, he still considered him one of his closest friends. Edward had issued him an invitation to join the house party, but assumed Stowe hadn’t been free to attend since he never responded. Stowe had spent the last several years trying to recover from his father’s felonious investment scheme that had forced him to flee to the continent. When he died, Stowey had inherited an impoverished estate and a title that had a terrible reputation attached to it. He had finally had some financial success recently, and the memory of his father’s actions had slowly faded as the members of the ton focused their attention on other scandals.

  They shook hands. “I had given up on you.”

  He frowned. “I’m afraid I had a late start, and I’ve spent the last two days holed up at the inn at Nunefield, waiting for the Wye to stop overflowing its banks so I could get here.”

  Edward thumped him on the back. “You have excellent timing. We’re just about to serve dinner.”

  Stowe’s attention shifted to the staircase, and he took a step forward. “Isa?” A huge smile broke across his face, and he rushed to the stairs and engulfed her in an enthusiastic hug.

  Edward’s ears began to ring.

  “What are you doing here? I’m sorry I haven’t responded to your latest letters yet, but as you can see, I’ve been traveling, and they only just caught up with me in Nunefield.”

  His heart pounded so hard he could no longer hear what they were saying. If Isa was writing to Stowe, then they were much more than acquaintances. And they had an audience for this revelation since most of his guests were trapped on the staircase above them.

  Stowe set her down, and her eyes immediately flew to Edward’s. “It’s all right, George,” she said in a monotone voice. Her lips trembled. “I assumed your letters were waiting for me back at Concord House. H-how do you know Lord Kenworth?”

  George’s eyes narrowed. “We were roommates at Eton.”

  She nodded mechanically.

  “Isa, what are you doing here?” he asked again.

  “I came with Lady Concord. She is a long-time friend of Her Grace.”

  George closed his eyes for a moment. “Oh. Oh, no. I’m sorry, Isa. You’re here as Miss Winthrop, and I’ve just cocked it up for you.”

  “Don’t worry, Georgie. It’s not your fault. I’m the one who is here under false pretenses.”

  Georgie? Here as Miss Winthrop? Who the hell was Isa?

  A single tear slid down her check.

  George took her hands. “Isa, it doesn’t matter. You can come home now. I’ve managed to make some sound investments and have paid off Father’s debts.”

  Father. It hit him like a brick to the head. She wasn’t involved with Stowe. She was his sister. Relief washed over him, and he nearly went to her, wanting to erase the disconnected look from her face. But once his brain engaged again, his anger returned in a white-hot rush. She had lied to him, and even after everything they had been through together, everything they had done together, she hadn’t bothered to tell him who she really was.

  His mother had been watching from the back corridor, but she finally found her voice and moved into the entrance hall. “Lord Stowe, it is lovely to have you. I’m afraid our dinner is growing cold. Perhaps we could all get better acquainted in the dining room?”

  “Of course, Your Grace.” Stowe bowed to her. “My apologies for arriving late and delaying your dinner.”

  She smiled, ever the duchess even in the face of turmoil. Edward lacked her skills of diplomacy. “Nonsense. There is no harm done.”

  A less true statement had never been uttered.

  Mother led George into dinner, and Isa slid back against the wall, allowing the other guests to descend the staircase. Once they had all disappeared into the dining room, Edward gave Isa one last glare and exited out the front door.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Isa watched the door slam closed behind Edward. All she could think was too late, too late, too late. It was too late now. Everything was ruined with Edward because she hadn’t had the nerve to speak out sooner.

  Not knowing what else to do, she climbed the staircase and went to her bedchamber, where she began to pack her things. No doubt Lady Concord had already heard what had transpired. Isa knew she would be happy to have her stay on as her companion, but it was time to go home and do her best to make a life for herself. As herself. There would be no more pretending for her. Before she left, she would speak to the duchess about taking Biscuit with her.

  As soon as she departed, the members of the house party would be free to gossip about her until a new scandal came along and she was forgotten. She would never be able to join society in London now that her duplicity had been revealed, but in time she might build a quiet life in the country with a gentleman who had no interest in the trappings of
society. Hopefully her scandalous behavior would not hinder George’s ability to find a suitable bride.

  Once she had everything stowed in her trunk, she went down to the library to put the journal and the other books she had borrowed back in their places on the shelves. On the way back to her bedchamber, she borrowed some paper and a quill and ink so she could write notes to George and to Lady Concord.

  She had just placed her last note on the table to dry when a soft knock sounded on the door. She moved slowly across the room, then allowed her hand to rest on the latch for a moment before she opened it.

  Edward stood there. He cleared his throat. “They are playing whist in the parlor, so I don’t think anyone will be heading for their bedchambers anytime soon.” He waved a hand toward her bed. “May I come in?”

  “Of course,” she said and took a few steps back to let him through. She closed the door and took a deep breath before turning to face him. His expression was devoid of emotion and at that moment, she knew for certain that she had lost him forever.

  She cast her eyes downward, unable to bear the censure in his eyes. “I am sorry about the manner in which you discovered my true identity. I tried to tell you earlier.”

  “Of course you did.”

  She lifted her eyes.

  “You lied to me. You didn’t trust me enough to tell me the truth.”

  “No, Edward, it’s not that.” She clasped her hands. “I couldn’t betray George or Lady Concord.”

  He crossed his arms. “So you betrayed me instead.”

  She shook her head. “No, I waited so I could determine a way to sort everything out without having to betray anyone’s trust.”

  “You failed.”

  “I know,” she whispered. “If you give me another chance, I can explain.”

  His eyes flashed with anger, but he nodded. “All right. Be my guest. Explain this in a way that will make everything right between us.”

  “I did this for George. He could not afford to take care of me and repair the damage my father caused, so Lady Concord offered to take me in and pay me to serve as her companion. I decided to use my mother’s maiden name to save Lady Concord from the gossip that would have surrounded me as the daughter of the infamous Lord Stowe. I hadn’t come out yet, so it was easy enough for everyone to forget that Lord Stowe had a daughter. No one but George and Lady Concord knew who I really was. I never intended to hurt anyone. Especially you.”