The Lady and the Earl

by Clark, Diedre

  “Let me ponder this a moment,” Connor said more to himself than his father. “How is this going to work without her realizing what is going on?” It all came down to the same problem Connor had been having since he returned home from London. How was he going to convince Allana that Lucas wasn’t right for her and that Cunningham was? He stared out the window, frowning as he thought. Nothing had worked so far.

  A commotion outside the window caught his eye. It was Allana storming out of the garden in tears with Lucas following on her heals. Connor’s heart leapt. This was it. Something had caused her to be upset; maybe he wouldn’t have to do anything except introduce her to the Earl. He smiled triumphantly. Then all of his carefully laid out plans came crashing down when Lucas caught Allana gently by the arm, turned her to him and passionately kissed her. Allana’s protests seemed to last only seconds before she melted into Lucas’s embrace.

  “Are you going to tell me your idea or continue to glare out the window?” Lord Tananguard asked as he saw a look of contempt wash over Connor’s features. “What are you looking at anyway?” Lord Tananguard walked over to the window. “Oh, I see.”

  “I don’t trust him. He isn’t good enough for her, Father. She deserves a king,” Connor replied. Or an earl, he thought afterwards.

  Lord Tananguard sighed. “Connor, no one will be good enough for her in your eyes.”

  “There is one man who is good enough for her, Father,” Connor began smoothly. This was the way to remove Allana from Lucas’s clutches. Convince his father an arranged marriage with the Earl was in her best interest.

  Lord Tananguard lifted an eyebrow. “Really,” he said doubtfully.

  “Lord Cunningham.”

  “Declan? Has he spoken of any interest in her?” Lord Tananguard asked excitedly. Connor smiled at his father’s sudden change in attitude. He was definitely listening now.

  “No, but here is my idea,” Connor said. He then began telling his father his plan for Allana and Declan. “We give it all to the Earl if he marries Allana. He has the finances to support it and the farmers on it. He wouldn’t have to make any restrictions like we would. It is perfect. Nobody goes hungry, and Allana marries someone we both approve of. It helps you as well. Think about it. I can go to America, manage Lilly’s estates there, and you can give the rest of Tananguard to Lilly’s unborn child, boy or girl. It’s brilliant.”

  “Are you mad? Allana is too stubborn to agree to an arranged marriage,” Lord Tananguard replied, stating the obvious. He sighed. “I do like Declan, though, and it is an awfully good and tempting plan.”

  “Yes, I know. It’s a good match too,” Connor said smoothly.

  “Yes, but what about Allana? She deserves love. I do not wish to push her toward a man she doesn’t even know,” Lord Tananguard argued.

  “They will grow to love each other, Father. You and Mother did, did you not?” That marriage had been arranged as well, but at least Lord Tananguard and Connor’s mother had known each other before they were wed.

  “We did, Son, but it was also nice to have a chance to fall in love like Lilly and I did before wedding.” Lord Tananguard sighed in frustration. “Yet, it would be ideal for Allana to marry Declan. We would finally come out ahead this year, and so would she. But I cannot bear to break her away from Lucas if she loves him.”

  “It’s for the best, Father. Trust me,” Connor stated.

  “Give me some time to think about it, Connor. In the mean time, let’s try to get some more work done,” came his father’s reply.

  Connor gave an inward growl. Time to think about it! If they didn’t act soon, it could be too late. The passionate kiss between Allana and Lucas passed through his head. He tried to push it aside by focusing his attention on the work at hand.

  Time slipped by slowly as Connor began reworking the figures he’d dumped ink on. Any other day he would have finished quickly, but with thoughts of his sister’s dismal future in front of him, the work was taking him twice as long and seemed twice as tedious. Finally, his father saved him.

  “I have an idea,” Lord Tananguard began.

  “Yes?” Connor asked, glad to have something else—anything else besides Lucas and Allana—to occupy his mind.

  “I would like you to make a visit to Westbrook. Tell Cunningham I’m planning a large hunting jamboree in two weeks and would like him to come. In the mean time, we will invite the usual lords to come such as the Russells, Davenhues, and such. When Allana finds out about it, she will be dying to come along. She never misses my hunting expeditions. We won’t tell her Cunningham is coming and vice versa. Then they can meet under casual circumstances, and we will see how the two react to one another. If I am correct, Lucas will be leaving for London tomorrow, so he will not be in the way of our little experiment. If things go well, we can discuss the proposition to Declan. If not, we will pretend we never thought about it. Sound agreeable?” Lord Tananguard asked his son.

  Connor stared at his father in astonishment. He was brilliant. It was the perfect plan and the perfect lure for both Allana and Declan. Neither would be able to resist a good hunt.

  “I gather the look on your face means you approve,” Tananguard said with a slight smile. Connor nodded his agreement.

  “Good. Then I expect you should get going.”

  “Yes, of course. I will leave right now,” Connor said with a grin. And he did. He rose from his chair and left his father’s office, but before leaving the house, he headed for Allana’s room. He hadn’t forgotten the earlier scene between her and Lucas, and he wanted to learn more. What had happened to cause Allana to be so upset then to forgive Lucas so easily? If it was something bad, Connor might be able to use it to pry a wedge between his sister and his friend. Then maybe his plan for Allana and the Earl would have an easier beginning.

  “Come in,” Allana’s voice said through the double doors to her room.

  Connor hesitated then slowly entered. He was surprised to see her tear stained cheeks and Lilly’s arms wrapped around her in a comforting embrace. Hadn’t she forgiven Lucas? “Is everything all right?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Allana replied unsuccessfully as a tear slipped down her face.

  Connor walked over to the bedside, pulled up a hard backed chair, and sat down in it. “What happened?” he asked. “I saw you leave the garden rather upset.”

  Allana looked to Lilly for help.

  “Now is the best time to tell him, Allana,” Lilly said. “In fact, I will leave you two alone so you have to tell him.”

  “But Lilly, it’s humiliating—”

  “It was wrong, and you did the right thing. There is nothing humiliating about it. Do not let your pride come between you and your brother, Allana,” Lilly finished. She smiled tenderly at Allana. Then she pulled away and slid off the bed with a grunt. “Besides, I could use a nap. Being pregnant is exhausting.” She winked at Connor, before adding, “Be gentle.” Then she slipped out of the room.

  Connor was now very curious. Why was Allana afraid to tell him about her argument with Lucas? “What happened?” he prodded.

  She gave him a dark look. “I suppose you’ll find out sooner or later,” she said irritably. “You were right.”

  He was right? Right about what? Impatiently, he waited for her to elaborate.

  “I…he…,” she trailed off as the tears began pouring down her cheeks. She buried her face in her pillows in agony and frustration.

  Connor came by her side and wrapped a comforting arm around her. “What did he do?” he asked quietly and soberly. A sinking feeling was in his stomach as all the worst possibilities came to mind.

  “He…he…oh Connor, I’ve been so foolish. I thought he loved me, but how could he do such a thing if he loved me? It’s preposterous. He said it meant nothing, but….” She sobbed into his arms.

  Connor had no idea what Allana was talking about. What had the wretch done to his sister to make her so upset? “Allana, please. Slow down and tell me what happened,” Co
nnor said as gently as he could.

  “I caught him with the maid!” she said hysterically, pulling away in anger. “They were—Oh!” she cried out as she stood and kicked the bed. “I hate him,” she said heatedly. “How could he do this? I told him I never wanted to see him again, but he wouldn’t believe me. He said he would never let me go. Can you believe the nerve?”

  She looked miserable, and all Connor could feel was relief and joy. His plans for his sister and the Earl could now begin. Everything was perfect!

  Connor pushed his feelings aside to console his sister. “Allana, it isn’t your fault. It’s his for being stupid. You are too good for him. He does not deserve you.”

  She laughed lightly. “And I was expecting to hear you say, ‘I told you so.’” She shook her head sadly. “You’re so good to me, Connor. I should have listened to you when you warned me about him.” She walked over to the fireplace across the room from her bed and sat down in the rocking chair that faced it.

  “I really would like to be alone now,” she said, head bowed.

  “Are you certain?” Connor asked. He could see her nod in reply. “Very well.” He came over to her and kissed her forehead like he used to do so often. “If you need me, you know where to find me.”

  She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

  He ruffled her hair gently before turning to go. “Wait, I know what will make you feel better. How about going for a ride with me? Riding always makes you feel better.”

  “Where are you going?” she asked, contemplating the idea.

  “I’m going to Lord Cunningham’s to…,” he stopped. She wasn’t supposed to know about the hunting party just yet, or at least know Declan was going to be there. “I’m going just for a visit. We had some unfinished business in London I thought I would try to finalize. Anyway, you are more than welcome to join me. Have you ever met him?” he asked. She blushed furiously, and memories he thought were lost came back to him. He thought the sherry had stripped his mind of those, but seeing her blush when Cunningham was mentioned, brought their conversation from his first night home back to him. He smiled at her reaction. Her rosy cheeks along with his memories from his drunken night told him Allana was infatuated with Declan. It was odd considering she’d never met the Earl before, and she’d been so insistent upon Lucas’s courtship of her. But it was promising as well.

  “No,” she said a bit uncomfortably. Was she lying? “But I saw him once talking to Father,” she added.

  Connor looked at her skeptically. She was hiding something from him. “Come with me, then, and meet him. The ride will be good for you,” Connor said, hoping she would come so he could pry her secret from her.

  “No. No. I need some time to myself,” she said.

  “If you’re certain, I suppose I will just have to go alone.” He turned to leave, thinking she would change her mind.

  * * *

  Allana watched Connor walk away from her. Maybe it was time she faced her fear and forced herself to meet Lord Cunningham.

  Allana tried to call out and stop Connor from leaving, but she couldn’t do it. Today would not be the day. To her surprise, Connor stopped just before slipping out of her room.

  He turned and looked at her expectantly, and when she didn’t say anything he said, “So you really aren’t going to come?”

  “Afraid not,” came her quiet reply.

  He smiled understandingly. “Alright, then. Perhaps another time.”

  “Enjoy your ride,” she said. He nodded, and she watched her chance to meet her Earl slip away as Connor left her room.

  Chapter 11

  “Why not wait for me, Allana?” Connor asked. “We could ride together. I will take Cherry, and you can ride Lancelot as always.”

  Cherry was Lilly’s horse. Pregnancy was taking a toll on Lilly. She’d been too exhausted over the past few days to exercise the beast herself, and thus Connor was doing it for her. Allana had volunteered, but Connor insisted on doing it himself, except for today. He was busy and couldn’t pull himself away from the work their father had him doing.

  “No, I will do it, Connor.”

  He sighed. “I would feel better if it were me.”

  “Why? Cherry is a good horse. It’s not as if she would throw me,” Allana argued.

  “Actually, it is possible. She has been lively lately and very uncooperative,” Connor admitted.

  “Possible?” Allana asked in disbelief. She laughed. “I should be insulted. She will not throw me, Connor. No horse has ever thrown me, and I have ridden quite a few lively ones.”

  “I know, but she has been ruthlessly stubborn. I think she misses Lilly, and she’s showing it. Wait for me. Let me come with you,” he pleaded.

  Allana shook her head. “I will be fine. You must stop coddling me. Learn to trust me, Connor.”

  Connor sighed in resignation. “Very well, but be careful.”

  “I always am,” Allana replied as she left the house.

  Allana rode Cherry to her secluded spot on Cunningham’s land. Cherry was a beautiful, red thorough-bred Lord Marcus Tananguard had given Lilly as a wedding gift. Marcus had picked the horse for her spunk and red-colored coat, both of which mirrored Lilly.

  Allana found it humorous her father had bought a horse because it reminded him of his wife. Lilly found it endearing. Lilly would do anything for the horse, and the horse would do anything for Lilly. But Cherry was usually quite well behaved for other riders as well. Connor had either been correct about the animal’s behavior, or he’d been too forceful with her in the past few days of riding her, trying to shape her into the type of horse he preferred. Either could explain Cherry’s defiance. She was definitely acting up.

  Allana prided herself in her knowledge of horses and riding expertise, but Cherry was actually causing her to doubt her skills. The animal was being ridiculous. Allana was struggling to keep her under control. She ground her teeth irritably. Allana had ridden Cherry several times in the past, and she never had issues with the horse before. But today Cherry was being quite stubborn. Twice the beast had reared on her and all because Allana wanted Cherry to go one way, and Cherry wanted to go another. Luckily, Allana managed to win the battle between man and beast, safely making it to her secluded lake before any real mishaps could occur.

  Allana relaxed by her spot pondering and eyeing Cherry with unease. Mischievous animal, Allana thought as she watched Cherry poke and prod her surroundings. Allana wanted to relax, but couldn’t for fear Cherry might try to get away. It was a preposterous idea since Allana had saved those briars she’d cut down years ago and hidden her entrance to her lake with them. She was quite pleased with her work too because only she recognized it as a removable part of the wall of briars that guarded this spot from intruders. But Cherry was curious, and she seemed willing to do anything to upset Allana. The blasted horse knew where the exit was, which meant she could try to force her way through it. And that thought kept Allana from relaxing. It had been a week since Lucas’s betrayal, and all she wanted was a nice hour to herself where she could forget it. And today she was supposed to finally get that hour without another person bothering her. But no. She had Cherry to worry about instead.

  “Very well. You win,” Allana said irritably to the horse. She sulked over to the animal and guided her back to the top of the cliff face then back to the makeshift gate. She removed it, guiding Cherry through before carefully replacing the barrier, making it blend into its surroundings in order to keep her lake a secret.

  “Let’s go home,” Allana said, mounting Cherry and urging her forward.

  On the ride home, instead of fighting Cherry for control, Allana gave the horse slack and let her pick her own path back to Tananguard. Allana needed to think. She was highly depressed since her misfortune with Lucas, wondering when and if she would ever marry. She’d been so determined Lucas was the man for her she denied every other suitor who had come her way. And now she couldn’t help wondering if she had lost her chance at marriage.
Would she ever find someone she could love, or had her infatuation with Lord Cunningham led her toward the miserable fate of old maid?

  A cold thump on her back cut through her thoughts.

  “What was—”

  Splat! A second thump cut her words short. She was being splattered from behind by globs of mud. “Cherry! You blasted horse! You walked right into a lake of mud!” Allana exclaimed as the cold, wet muck continued to splash up and hit her from behind.

  “Why?” Allana asked in irritation. “Of all the paths you could have chosen, you picked this one?” Allana tightened her hold on the reins and pulled Cherry to a halt. “Ugh! Now I have to get us out of this mess. Lilly won’t appreciate me bringing you home covered in this muck, and I do not appreciate being covered in it either.” She sighed irritably as she eyed her surroundings. If she headed a bit east, she would be out of this in no time. So she tugged the reigns to the left and gave Cherry a little kick to move. The horse didn’t budge.

  Allana sighed heavily, “Oh, you are so obstinate.” Again she tugged the reigns left and gave Cherry a little kick. Still nothing. “Yaw,” Allana tried this time as she tugged and kicked. Cherry didn’t budge. Allana kicked her a bit harder. Cherry snickered slightly, but still didn’t move. “I am not getting down to guide you, so you had better move,” Allana said crossly. She tugged harder and kicked harder. Cherry sidestepped slightly, but not in the right direction.

  “You infernal beast, move!” Allana exclaimed. This time Allana gave the animal a good tug to the left with the reigns and a rash, very hard kick to the sides. Cherry moved all right. She reared suddenly, throwing a surprised Allana into the air before galloping away.