The Appeal of an Elusive Viscount

by Hildie McQueen

  Her remark was silly, of course, since someone could very well see them no matter where they peered in.

  “Look,” Molly exclaimed much too loudly, pointing at a pile of firewood. “That’s right under a window.”

  Clara could barely keep from racing to the woodpile. However, she remembered it was best to be quiet and keep from alerting anyone of their presence.

  “I’ll go first, Miss. It would be best for me to confirm that it’s steady. I’d hate for you to be injured or worse.” Molly gave her a once over as if ensuring Clara was up for the task.

  “Worse?”

  Once again, Molly shrugged. “You could break something, be startled by a spider or such.”

  “It’s winter. There are no creatures about.” However, Clara couldn’t keep from studying the logs.

  Once Molly was steady on her feet at the top of the pile and was bent over so not to be seen from the inside, Clara followed suit.

  Ever so slowly, she then lifted up to her toes and peered through the window. “Oh, goodness. There is no one in this room but the dogs.” It was a large parlor with a stately fireplace that housed a flickering fire. Clara shivered, as the cold wind seemed to seep through her cloak. “I wonder where he is.”

  Just then, a grumble of voices and movement caught her attention. It was a woman and a man who spoke in quiet tones. Clara ducked.

  Her heartbeat quickened at recognizing William’s tone. Whoever the woman was, she spoke too softly for Clara to recognize the voice. Her heart plummeted. He was there with Rachel Witting.

  “I can’t look,” she whispered and let out a sigh. “You do it. I want to know who he’s talking to.”

  Eyes round, Molly nodded. “Very well, Miss. Here, let me move closer.” The maid inched around Clara until she stood against the house’s wall. Then, ever so slowly, she inched up to spy inside.

  “Oh, no!” Molly ducked, her face pale. “He saw me.”

  Barks sounded.

  “Oh, goodness.” Clara took Molly’s arm. “Are you sure?”

  Molly nodded emphatically. “He’s coming to the window.” The maid tried to scramble around her, effectively causing Clara to lose her balance.

  Clara tumbled off the woodpile, her head hitting a log with a hard thud. If that weren’t bad enough, Molly then finally lost her battle to remain upright and rolled off the woodpile to land atop her. That knocked the breath from her and ruined any chance they had to run away before someone caught them.

  Barks sounded closer just as Clara blacked out.

  * * *

  A soft rasping sound woke Clara. She pried her eyes open just a bit to see that the sun had fallen.

  Oh, no. She kept her eyes lowered as she tried to look about without turning her head. To her right, there was a large hand on the bed. It held her hand. Further to the right was a long, outstretched leg that was connected to a man’s hip. She further noticed a flat stomach and wide chest.

  Again the same rasping noise, a snore of sorts sounded. Clara opened her eyes fully to see William fast asleep in a chair, his head at what looked to be an uncomfortable angle. He held her hand in his lax one.

  She’d made a colossal fool of herself. And, now, here she was, practically in bed with her betrothed. Her cheeks burned with mortification realizing she no longer wore her clothes.

  Where in the blazes was Molly?

  Regardless of how absolutely adorable William looked at the moment, he was a rake and a scoundrel. How unfortunate that while she was out from bumping her throbbing head, he’d had a chance to dispatch his mistress and probably Molly and the coachman...Jasper? Jeffrey?

  Oh, goodness, did she now suffer from memory loss?

  “Are you gasping because you’re in pain?” William’s sleepy voice made her start.

  He slid his hand from hers and peered down at her. “There’s a very large bump on the back of your head. We tried our best to bring you to. But when you did come around, you argued and fussed. So after several brave tries by Molly and my staff, everyone surrendered to your temper and allowed you to sleep.”

  “I don’t have a temper.” Clara frowned. The back of her head was throbbing. Her temples were joining the celebration with pulses of their own.

  William stood. “I’ll fetch Molly and ask for something to be brought for your headache. You’re probably in need of some privacy.”

  Why did he act so thoughtful? Then again, rakes were good at making a woman feel special.

  “I would like to see Molly. You don’t have to do anything for me. Once I dress, I will be on my way. She’ll see about the carriage being readied.”

  His lips twitched. “I feel the need to inform you that it is quite late, perhaps ten at night. Secondly, your coachman was dispatched to London for a doctor.”

  Clara sat straight up. Her head immediately protested and she ignored it. “No.”

  The door opened and Molly came straight to her, tears trailing down her cheeks. “Miss Clara, thank God. I was so very worried. How do you feel?”

  Annoyed at the girl for allowing the coachman to leave without them, she waved the maid’s fears away. “Molly, where exactly is Jeffrey going?”

  Molly looked to William and then let out a sniff. “I instructed him to fetch Dr. Appleby.”

  Dr. Appleby was a large, orange tabby cat they’d both played with when they were children. Although it would distract Jeffrey for a bit, the young man would no doubt go to her family to find out where to find the make-believe doctor.

  “I also told him to make haste and ensure that he is not seen by any Humphries.”

  “You’re a dear,” Clara said. “However, I don’t require a doctor. I must go to Aunt Bettina’s house.”

  William had remained next to the fireplace, despite having said he’d give her privacy. He crossed his arms. “I don’t believe you are in any shape to go anywhere. You’ve also twisted your ankle.”

  The injury that had been absent came to life with gusto when she wiggled her left foot.

  “Ouch!” Clara cried out. “Crumpets and ash!” She fell backward into the pillow and closed her eyes. This was certainly not how things were supposed to be. Her plan had gone horribly wrong.

  Nothing had gone as she’d hoped. Her main wish had been for Vivian to marry a wonderful man. She’d dreamed of attending her beautiful sister’s wedding and smiling so broadly her cheeks would hurt. This was not supposed to be her life, one awful event right after another.

  “I want to go home.” She crossed her arms and pushed her head back onto the pillow. “And I don’t wish to marry you.”

  “I do believe our patient is having a temper tantrum again, Molly. Should we give her more laudanum?”

  Clara opened her eyes and glared at William. When she looked to her maid, the young woman tried valiantly not to smile. “Once the sun rises, we can be on our way, Miss Clara. I’m sure His Lordship won’t mind allowing us to borrow a horse.”

  “And how will you return said horse?” William’s tone was dry. “I don’t think he will return of his own volition.”

  Molly paled.

  “Don’t be cruel. She was only trying to help,” Clara snapped. “Very well. We will await Jeffrey and then once the doctor proclaims me able to travel, we will leave. It shouldn’t be longer than mid-afternoon tomorrow.”

  “It’s a three or four hour ride. I doubt Jeffrey will have time to arrive, get rested, replace the horse, find the doctor, convince said doctor to return with him and then arrive by that time.”

  Clara looked to Molly. “Did you tell Jeffrey where to find Dr. Appleby?”

  Her maid once again slid a look to William and nodded. “Yes, of course. I said Dr. Appleby’s shop is next to the small coffee shop on Tater’s Street. In the alleyway.”

  Her maid had sent for Jules. William would probably recognize him. Goodness, things were getting worse and worse.

  Chapter Eleven

  Clara woke the next morning ravenous. She could hardly believe how
well she’d rested, once getting over the shock of what could happen.

  Thankfully, she’d gleaned from Molly that the carriage and one horse remained, which meant they could steal away at a moment’s notice. Of course, there was the slight complication of not knowing how to hitch a horse to the wagon. Molly claimed to have observed it done several times. However, she wasn’t quite sure what went where.

  No matter. Once Jules arrived and pretended to be a doctor, they’d be on their way to her Aunt Bettina’s. Then, once she was back in London, she’d explain to her mother that she’d decided to remain an additional day with her aunt.

  Unless her aunt and mother spoke soon, her secret would be kept. If Aunt Bettina did visit London, the sisters would, no doubt, not discuss timetables and such.

  Her stomach grumbled just as William entered. Dressed casually, opting not to wear either a cravat or coat, he seemed quite at ease. His thick shirt seemed to keep him warm enough as did the fire in the hearth.

  His gaze moved to her. There was something in the way he looked at her, as if gauging what to do about her.

  “I’ve come to fetch you for breakfast. Your maid is sound asleep and I didn’t want to wake her.”

  Her hands automatically went to her hair, which was loose, the waves cascading past her shoulders.

  “I can’t possibly appear at breakfast like this.”

  “Of course you can.” He moved to the bed and scooped her, blankets and all, into his arms and walked out of the room. “We are very casual here at Lark’s Song.”

  He was true to his word. Not only did they sit at a small table near the kitchen by a window overlooking a creek, but also none of the staff acted as if they were surprised at seeing her dressed in only a chemise and a blanket.

  Hair disheveled and her face pale, Molly rushed into the room just a few moments later. “I’m so sorry. I overslept.” Her eyes widened at seeing Clara’s attire. “I will see about your gown straightaway, Miss Clara.”

  “See about breakfast first,” William replied, not giving Clara a chance to speak. “Your mistress is returning to bed as soon as she finishes her breakfast.”

  Once Molly was out of earshot, Clara leaned forward. “I prefer to dress and see about leaving. My head feels much better and it’s best for me to get to my aunt’s before anyone gets wind of this.” She waved her hand between them. “It’s enough to ruin not only my reputation, but affect my sisters as well.”

  His eyebrows hitched. “Did you actually think you’d get away with sneaking on the property and peering through windows without being found out?”

  She lifted and lowered her shoulders while attempting to keep a neutral expression. “Once I verified who was here, which I’m sure you hurried the person away, unfortunately, I would have canceled our engagement.”

  There was a long pause and Clara narrowed her eyes. He seemed to be collecting himself to keep from saying the wrong thing.

  “It seems to me, Miss Clara, that you are intent on finding a reason to not be engaged to me. Must I remind you that we have announced our engagement formally to London society?”

  Clara tried desperately to read him, but a thick wall was erected in seconds. It was an almost physically daunting apparition so impenetrable that she’d never be able to scale it.

  He waved away a maid who entered and returned his attention to her. “Once we marry, you can remain in London and away from me. All I will require are children. I don’t give much of a care what you do. However, you will not make my family, more precisely, my mother unhappy by terminating this engagement. This is not just about you and your foolish notions.”

  “I won’t be insulted by you keeping a mistress. By your utter disregard of how I appear to everyone by maintaining your relationship so blatantly.”

  Once again, he seemed to struggle to compose himself. The tightening of his jaw made it obvious he was not having an easy time of it.

  “I will tell you everything. I ask that you listen without interrupting.”

  Clara nodded. “Very well.”

  * * *

  William stood and went to the window. Dressed as he was, he fit with the scenery behind him. She understood, in that moment, he was meant for living in the country. There, in his small estate, he could relax and spend time doing what he wished without the constant vigilance by London society. In truth, it was easier to breathe and to have the freedom she had at the moment, like having breakfast in nothing more than a chemise and a blanket.

  When he looked at her, there was vulnerability in his gaze. “Five years ago, I visited London frequently, at least monthly. My parents lived in the townhouse and Mother insisted that I do so. Honestly, I love my parents so it was not a hardship. Often, Alexander and I went to the city to enjoy the gentlemen’s clubs and keep abreast of what was happening businesswise.”

  He paused and looked back out the window.

  “It was then that I began the assignation with Rachel. I didn’t want any formal ties to a woman because I wasn’t ready to settle and marry. As you are well aware, in our times, once a man seeks the company of a single woman, it must be with the intention to marry.”

  Clara itched to ask questions about the reason he sought a woman like Rachel and what had transpired between them lately. But she decided to be patient.

  “Then, two years ago,” he continued, “I ended things between us. I informed her that I would not be returning to the city as much. My parents moved out here, nearby, and I had no reason to go to London frequently. Honestly, at that point, Rachel had another lover and, although I don’t judge her, it was not to my liking. Then again, our relationship, if one can call it that, was only physical.”

  Heat infused her cheeks and ears, but Clara was determined to learn every detail. “Go on.”

  “The day you and I appeared together in public for the first time, I was proud to have you on my arm. I suppose I let my guard down. When a footman informed me that one of my horses had been injured, I didn’t consider that it should have been my own coachman who should have come to tell me.

  I walked outside and was hit from behind, bound and dragged away. When I came to, I was at the wharf. I was released without explanation, but I knew it was Rachel’s doing. You see, she was put out that I didn’t seek her out after returning.”

  He took a breath, his wide chest expanding, and released it. “The day I came to see you, I also went to her townhouse to warn her against any other attacks and to ensure she didn’t do anything that could affect you. Unfortunately, I believe I fell into her plan. She was prepared. I’m sure a servant was dispatched immediately to see that the gossipmonger would come and witness me being there.”

  William met her gaze and held it. “Whether you believe me or not, that is the truth.”

  She believed him. Not only because everything made sense, but also because William was a man of honor. He had no reason to lie. If he wished to continue an affair, there was little she could do to stop him. And no matter how much she’d insinuated at ending their engagement, in truth, they were idle threats.

  They would marry. The handsome man before her would be her husband. However, there was one thing she’d not be flexible about.

  “I believe you. I’m truly sorry for doubting you. It’s just that I’m nervous about all of this. Everything happened so fast.”

  William sidled next to her and took her hand in his. “I understand. We should make a fresh start of it. You’ve been cheated out of a courtship. I acted like it was of no importance whether you knew me well or not. Your feelings are important to me, Clara. We can take our time to get to know each other before marrying.”

  He lifted one shoulder. “I find you most beautiful. I suppose the reason I asked you to marry me so suddenly is because if someone else did so first, I’d be forced to kidnap you and prevent it.”

  “Oh...” Clara knew her eyes were as wide as saucers. “You do?”

  William nodded, his warm hand tightening around hers. “Yes. I sound li
ke a barbarian, I know. However, I wouldn’t have harmed you. I’d have just kept you long enough to guarantee you would never belong to anyone else.”

  “I find your narrative disturbing. Hopefully, I would have been able to escape without anyone finding out.” Clara couldn’t help but giggle at their conversation. “I find you alarmingly handsome. So much so that I can’t think straight when you are near.” She looked to their joined hands.

  Lifting her hand to his lips, William pressed a kiss to her palm. “Will you continue to be my fiancée and marry me, Clara?”

  A shiver traveled down her arm and Clara let out a sigh. “Yes, William, I will.”

  The day turned out to be most delightful. She and William spent hours in front of the fireplace discussing details of the wedding in between telling each other about their likes and dislikes.

  Although she could tell he wasn’t accustomed to sharing so much, she admired the way he tried his best to answer her questions. Albeit, many times he kept to short replies. He was an elusive, private man and Clara accepted that not everyone was an open book like the members of her family.

  She studied him while he scanned a book, searching for a passage to share with her. A frown creasing his brow, he was adorably uncomfortable while scanning the poems in the book she’d handed him.

  “It can’t be so hard to find a poem to read to me,” Clara teased. “It is part of a courtship. To read poetry.”

  When he raised his gaze to her, it was as if a bolt of lightning hit her. Her entire body shuddered. The effect he had on her was most disconcerting.

  William stood and held out his hand.

  Unsure what to expect, she took it.

  He pulled her to her feet and guided her to move closer until they almost touched. “The poem must be quite scandalous that we have to stand so close.” Her breathlessness was surely due to the fall the day before.

  Not breaking eye contact, he leaned forward until he pressed his lips to the right side of hers. “You are, by far, one of God’s most perfect creations,” he whispered and then trailed his mouth to her ear.