Clayton lifted a defensive brow. "What do you think I did?"
"You asked Briana to marry you."
"And what if I did?"
"You oaf!" The teacup went flying toward him.
Clayton jumped back, but not before his breeches were soaked with tea. Nigel barked. Jared laughed. Emily scowled.
"You know," Clayton said with a grimace as he strode hastily toward the hall, "there is something about tea parties in this house that doesn't appeal to me." He glared at Emily. "I thought you had outgrown your tempers. Evidently not."
Emily slapped the sofa. "How could you ask Briana to marry you? After all she has gone through! I cannot believe this!"
His face hardened. "I am not an ogre, Em. There are many women who would want to marry me."
"Ha! Then marry those women!"
Clayton glanced at Jared, who was standing with his hands behind his back, his brows creased in disapproval. The man wasn't going to be any help at all. "I want a marriage of convenience. I want someone who will—"
"What?" Emily shouted, finishing for him. "Understand your lifestyle? Live in the country most of the year? Have a marriage with no love? Do you want Briana to live like Mother did?"
He groaned. "It would be nothing like Mother's situation. She loved Father. Father didn't reciprocate. I am only asking for a marriage of convenience. Both of us can go our separate ways. The emotions will be plain from the start."
Emily started toward him. "You want that castle and money so much you would hurt Briana like that? I never thought you were that kind of person."
He stiffened. "I would never hurt her."
"You already did!" She cuffed him on the shoulder. "She loves you!"
Clayton turned. "What?"
Emily glared at him. "She loves you, Clay. Since we were children. You were just too stupid to notice."
"But she ... you ... that was years ago. You were children."
"Were. We aren't anymore."
He combed a hand through his hair, knowing in his heart that Miss Garland had had a fondness for him, had even adored him at one time. But love? "How the devil was I supposed to know?"
Nigel gave a soulful whine.
Emily took an agitated turn about the room. "How could you do this to her? This will only make her go through with her plans."
"What are you talking about?"
Emily whirled on him. "Briana has plans to provide a women's home for females in, well, let's just say delicate situations."
Clayton's expression turned suspicious. "How delicate?"
Emily sank onto the sofa, her hand flying in the air. "You know, women in delicate situations ... without a husband."
Clayton looked at Jared, who was now frowning.
"And why was I never told of this?" the earl asked.
Emily's head snapped up. "Why? Because you're a man."
Clayton wasn't even going to respond to that comment. But the ton would surely shun Miss Garland if she dared try to follow through with her plan as an unmarried woman. "Why the devil would she take this project upon herself?"
"Because her sister was in such a delicate position and Sir Garland threw the poor girl out of the house. We all know Clarice drowned, but I believe she killed herself, and deep down, I believe, Briana thinks the same."
Emily shook her head in frustration. "She doesn't trust men, Clay. And now you have given her another reason not to trust them. She always thought you a wonderful man, kind and considerate. I told you she adored you when we were young. And lately I see how she looks at you when you play with Gabrielle. Her face simply glows when you are around."
"Why the deuce didn't you tell me?"
Emily swallowed. "I never said a thing to her or you. I thought eventually ..." She shrugged. "Well, it doesn't signify. You wanted to have a marriage of convenience, and the poor girl never wanted to marry after what happened with her and the lieutenant."
Clayton's expression froze and his voice rose. "What lieutenant?"
"I should not be telling you any of this, but I don't want you to hurt her any more. Briana was once in love with a lieutenant who pledged to leave the army, but the man went back on his promise and was eventually killed at Waterloo."
Clayton's lips thinned. For some selfish, idiotic reason, he didn't like to think of the lady in love with anyone but himself. "And her trust in men came to a new low when her father threw Clarice out of the house? Needless to say, the man responsible for Clarice's situation never came forward either. Am I correct?"
Emily nodded. "She vows never to marry and instead intends to take care of these women—"
"In delicate situations," he finished for her. It was a noble cause, but it was not for a young lady to carry out alone. "I take it Miss Appleby knows her goddaughter's plans?"
"She loves her, Clayton, and so do I." Emily set her chin. "And I believe you hurt her. I am sure of it. It will take me a long time before I forgive you!"
She hurried from the room, her silk gown rustling against Nigel's fur as the dog marched alongside her, his nose in the air.
Disgusted, Clayton glanced at Jared.
"I assume the lady rejected your offer," the earl said calmly. "So what's your next step?"
"I intend to find a wife. When next I see Miss Garland, I will apologize for my behavior."
Jared's eyes darkened. "I warned you, and I am not happy."
"You are not her family."
"And you are?"
Clayton threw up his hands. "I have no wish to argue with you. Emily is quite enough, thank you."
Jared crossed his arms over his chest. "Marcus told me you intend to seek out a bride in the country. Some house party, I believe. Grimstoke's, is it?"
"Hell and thunderation! Is there anything else you know?"
The earl scowled. "Don't do it, Clay. A marriage of convenience will haunt you the rest of your life."
"I am without funds. It's easy for you to say. You have a wife and children who love you. You have plenty of money. I have nothing."
"You have a family. Brothers, a sister, a mother, a stepfather." Jared smiled. "Why, you even have me."
Clayton's lips twitched at the earl's attempt at humor, but it didn't change his mind. "As a gentleman, I will see to my needs as I see fit. I have a few weeks to secure my destiny. A castle full of money sounds rather inviting, especially to a man who does not want to ride on his family's coattails the rest of his life."
Jared stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Emily is furious."
Clayton threw a booted foot upon the hearth. "Very well. I admit it. I didn't know everything about the lady before I approached her."
"Didn't you?"
A dark thundercloud seemed to hover over them as they glared at each other. Clayton knew the earl was referring to Clayton's knowledge of Miss Garland's partiality toward him. And to tell the truth, it had surprised the hell out of him that she had rejected his offer. Now, at least he knew why.
The mantel clock chimed twelve, and he realized he was running behind schedule. Because of the little tea incident, he would need to change clothes before he started for Grimstoke Hall. If he rode long and hard, however, he could make it there tonight. His trunks had been sent on ahead of him. He also had his list of ladies that would suit his needs.
Miss Cherrie Black was a bit young, but she was pretty and had a quiet disposition, not at all like the auburn-haired Fairy Lady from the other day. Miss Black would not care a whit if he lived in Town and she was to reside in the country. Yes, Miss Black was at the top of his list.
"Uncle Clay, did you have another ackident?"
Gabrielle's concerned voice made Clayton cringe. The little girl had walked into the room and was staring directly at the wet spot on his breeches.
"Yes, Gabby," Jared said, his shoulders shaking with laughter. "Poor Uncle Clay had another accident."
"Oh," she said, tipping her head. "Is that why Mama is mad?"
Jared chuckled. "Well, poppet, I think Unc
le Clay wasn't very nice."
Clayton gritted his teeth and stalked from the room.
Gabrielle ran after him. "Uncle Clay."
He looked over his shoulder, trying to smile. "Yes?"
"Mama still loves you."
He bent down and flung his arms wide.
Gabrielle jumped into his arms and kissed his cheek. "I love you, too. Don't be sad."
His heart constricted as her tiny hand patted his cheek.
"Everything will be all right. Ackidents happen."
Jared lounged in the hall. "That's what it's all about, Clay. A castle and a dungeon full of money can't buy that."
Clayton put Gabrielle down, sending her off to play. "Don't play with my mind, Jared. A woman ran away on me once. I am not about to put myself in that place again."
"Oh, I understand now. You are a coward. You won't try love again. Is that it? Or is it that you don't understand love at all and you feel stupid?"
Anger simmered in Clayton's veins. "I want a marriage of convenience."
Jared leaned against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest, his amber eyes regarding Clayton with a steady gaze.
"So, you really did ask the lady to marry you? Or was it more you telling her the two of you would make an agreeable couple?"
Clayton felt a stab of guilt. "I think you've made your point. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a house party to attend. The next time you see me, I will be married." The challenge in his words wiped the smile off the earl's face.
"You have it all figured out, except the bride, is that it?"
Clayton pulled out his list. "I have the lady right here."
Jared walked toward him and grabbed the paper from his hands. "Miss Cherrie Black?" He looked up at Clayton. "And pray tell, where is Miss Garland's name? Or is she out of the running?"
"I said I think you have made your point." Clayton snatched the paper from the man's hands and turned to leave.
"Clay."
Clayton kept walking.
"You might want to prepare for that apology."
Clayton halted. "Why the devil would I want to do that?"
Jared turned his back on his brother-in-law and started down the hall. "Oh, didn't you know? Miss Appleby and Miss Garland will be at Grimstoke's party, watching you search for a bride."
Briana sat across from Agatha as the carriage rolled toward Grimstoke Hall. They had spent part of the afternoon at a posting inn due to trouble with one of the horses. Two hours later they had started out again in hopes of reaching the mansion by nightfall.
However, Briana's mind was not on the mission. It was on Lord Clayton Clearbrook. She had been blinded by his good looks and sweet-talking ways. He had tricked her into thinking he was a true gentleman. But at the ball the other night he had degraded her, killed the last feelings of love she ever had for him.
He was looking for a marriage of convenience, nothing more. It didn't matter to him whom he married, just so the lady would bow to his requests. It was an arrangement many gentlemen of the ton preferred.
"You know, dear, I have been thinking it over," Agatha said, turning her gaze from the window and tapping her fingers along her parasol, "and I believe that someone may have caught wind of our little escapade. Mind you, it might be nothing at all."
Briana gave her godmother a look of surprise. "You mean someone knows we are on to them?"
"To be a bit more precise, someone may be on to me. Some papers were stolen at Whitehall with my name on them. I obtained this information just before we left."
"Then we must go back! You must go back!"
"La, I have always been a target. More than you will ever be. Whitehall has tried to keep my name from everything. But precautions are only that—precautions, not reality."
The lady shrugged. "Sometimes these things leak out. It may be nothing at all. I really don't think the enemy has a notion of my interest in their doings, but since it is your life on the line, I must be frank. You must keep your distance from me if things get, well, let's just say suspicious. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I realize you should keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary and that's all. I can take it from there."
Briana's brows fell into a disconcerting frown. The reality of their mission was quickly beginning to sink in. And Agatha's cavalier attitude was too calm. The lady was trying to shield Briana with an unemotional, straightforward attitude when in fact the mission was getting more dangerous by the minute. Agatha obviously didn't want Briana snooping into anything beyond her own bedchambers. But Briana wasn't going to fall for Agatha's ploy at all. "I don't like the entire arrangement."
"I know, child. But we are talking about the assassination of the Prince Regent. And although we must follow through with our mission, I must tell you that many at Whitehall believe there is a strong possibility the perpetrators are in Bath."
But did Agatha believe that? Briana wondered. Or did the lady believe the enemy was at Grimstoke Hall?
Agatha was becoming so good at this acting game, Briana wasn't sure what she was thinking anymore. In truth, the only thing Briana did know was that Agatha would step between her and the enemy if she had to, and that horrid thought sent an icy finger of dread down Briana's spine. This previously exciting mission was swiftly turning into a dangerous game of life and death, where Agatha's calm demeanor only worried her more.
A light rain began to fall, and the clip-clop of the horses' hooves slowed. "Has the Regent been told?" Briana asked.
"He's told what he wants to hear, and he definitely doesn't want to hear about an attempt on his life. He is not the most popular man in England these days, squandering money as if it were printed for the sake of him and him alone."
"I see." An unwelcome tension enveloped the carriage as Briana stared out the window. Though Agatha didn't care for the Prince Regent, Briana knew the lady would do what was necessary for the stability of her country. A country she loved.
"And for goodness' sake, keep Kingsdale at a distance, child. You will have to be firm, and perhaps a bit unpleasant. It is not in your character to give someone the cut-direct, but it must be done if he keeps bothering you."
Briana didn't like the thought of Lord Kingsdale's being at the party, but she would do what she had to do.
She turned back to Agatha. "I can handle Lord K—"
The vehicle jolted sideways, cutting off her speech. Her heart jumped to her throat at the sound of screaming horses.
Agatha threw out her hand. "Hold on, child!"
Briana reached for her godmother just as the carriage tipped onto two wheels. Both ladies shrieked in panic.
Briana’s gaze shot to the door as the ground came up to meet her. Then her world went black.
Chapter Twelve
It was raining heavily as Clayton pulled back on the leather reins of his horse, coming to a halt. He noted what looked like an abandoned cottage in the distance. Weeds and brush surrounded the small dwelling, but it would do. He could wait out the storm there.
Spurring his horse into a gallop, he turned the bend just as another blast of thunder boomed above him. His horse reared back.
"Easy, Belle." The animal whinnied and he patted her mane. "That's it. Easy now."
Something caught his attention and he squinted past the sheets of rain. What the devil? An overturned carriage?
Belle snorted as if sensing the distressed cries of the downed horses farther along the road. Clayton gripped his reins tighter.
Some idiot driver nipping at the spirits, he thought with a scowl. By heaven, he would like to whip the man.
Setting his teeth, Clayton hurried toward the accident. A man stood beside the vehicle waving to him.
"What the devil happened?" Clayton shouted, dismounting.
"My lord!" the man cried, bending toward the carriage. "It's a miracle you appeared.... Broken axle ... threw us sideways ... horses tumbled. Harry here got caught beneath the wheel."
Clayton started forward
and his heart stumbled. It was old James talking to him. His gaze jerked to the Earl of Stonebridge's crest. Emily? Gabrielle? No, he had just left them this morning. Dear Lord, he thought, instantly praying things were alright.
He had a sinking sensation in his belly as he recalled Jared's words. Oh, didn't you know? Miss Appleby and Miss Garland will be at Grimstoke's party, watching you search for a bride.
Rain continued to pour from the sky as Clayton grabbed the overturned wheel and helped lift it a couple of inches, giving Harry enough clearance to climb out from beneath the carriage. The man hadn't suffered any terrible injuries, only a bruised leg.
Clayton turned to James. "The ladies?" he asked hurriedly. Certainly they were not in the carriage.
"Inside, my lord. Haven't heard a peep since we tipped. Scared, I think. Had to get to Harry. Horses are lame, though. Whinnying like babies. We'll have to shoot them. Pistols are in the box over there."
"Forget the deuced horses! Follow me!"
Clayton had already moved around the carriage. James was still in shock and shaking from the accident, but devil a bit, Clayton needed him.
"Miss Appleby? Miss Garland?" Clayton's voice roared over the hammering rain.
No answer. He climbed on top of the tilted carriage and peered inside. He gripped the frame, his fingers digging into the opening. "Briana," he said breathlessly.
He hadn't meant to say her name, but sheer terror swept through him at the sight of her limp body. Her face was as white as his neckcloth and her forehead was streaked with blood. Agatha was beneath her, looking like a corpse.
The horses began to wiggle, shaking the vehicle. He glanced up. "James!"
"The horses, my lord?" the man asked, his body shivering.
"Shoot the poor devils! Then help me get these women out!"
Clayton carefully slipped inside the carriage, making his way to Briana first. He felt for a pulse. "Briana, sweetheart, speak to me."
His heart gave a little kick. She was alive. He lifted Agatha's hand and felt a pulse as well. He dropped his head against his chest and took a deep, agonizing breath. "Thank God."
There was a boom and then another. The horses were dead.
The Convenient Bride (The Clearbrooks) Page 12