My Elusive Countess

by Carolynn Carey

  With David out of the room, Amanda was eager to quiz the marquess about the reason for his visit. She motioned to an armchair. “Won’t you be seated?”

  “No, thank you. I’ve been driving my curricle for most of the day and would like to stretch my legs.” As though to prove his words, he crossed the room to stand in front of the empty fireplace.

  Amanda was glad she still stood behind the desk. “Did you come from London today?”

  He looked around the room with a maddening slowness as though passing judgment on each ancient piece of furniture. Finally he responded. “I did, yes.”

  “That’s rather a tedious trip. Did you have a particular reason for seeking me out?”

  “I believe I mentioned that Oliver and I were friends.”

  Amanda couldn’t help wondering why he was so intent on making certain she understood that he and her husband had shared a friendship. “So you’ve said. Surely, then, you are aware that my husband has been dead these past two years.”

  A gleam resembling lightning flashed in his dark eyes and a chill swept up Amanda’s arms and across the back of her neck.

  His tone was grim. “I’m well aware of the date of your husband’s death, Lady Willowvale.”

  Amanda thinned her lips. “Then perhaps you’re ready to tell me what business you have with me, these two years beyond my husband’s death.”

  Blackbourne had opened his mouth but closed it again when David ran into the room. “Cook said our lemonade and cake will be ready in ten minutes, Mama. Is that very long?”

  Much too long, Amanda wanted to say. Instead, she smiled through stiff lips and leisurely stepped around to the other side of the desk. “Not so long,” she said. “Thank you for bringing me the message. You may return to the kitchen and have your cake now.”

  Obviously remembering his manners this time, David bowed and made a relatively dignified exit.

  Amanda walked past her visitor and sat on the sofa under the windows overlooking the garden. She motioned again to one of the armchairs and was relieved when Blackbourne accepted the invitation.

  Although she had intended to begin questioning him, Blackbourne spoke before she had a chance. “The name Amanda is rather unusual. Is it a family name?”

  She bit back a sigh of impatience. She had no interest in participating in the sort of banal conversation people exchanged upon first meeting, but she couldn’t afford to alienate Blackbourne before she learned the reason behind his visit. “I believe my mother found my name in a book she was reading prior to my birth.”

  “Did your mother read a great deal?”

  “I wouldn’t know. She died when I was three.”

  “I’m sorry. Is your father still living?”

  “He died a little over a year ago.”

  “My condolences.”

  Amanda inclined her head, then looked up with relief when her sole maid stepped into the room carrying a loaded tray. “Betty, please set the tray on the desk.” She stood. “Allow me to prepare you a glass of lemonade, Lord Blackbourne.”

  Needing to compose herself, she welcomed an excuse to turn her back on her visitor and walk over to the desk where Betty had deposited the tray. She took her time pouring two glasses of lemonade while trying to school her features into an expression of casual interest. Then she turned around to face him again. “Would you care for a piece of cake, my lord?”

  “No, thank you. I indulged in a filling meal when I stopped at the Three Ducks, so I’m not hungry at the moment.”

  Amanda carried a glass of lemonade to him, then sat on the sofa again. “The Three Ducks is some distance from here, so you made good time. Did you get fresh horses there?”

  “I did.”

  Amanda decided they’d exchanged enough small talk. “So tell me, Lord Blackbourne, what brings you into Sussex?”

  “A bit of business.” He turned his glass up and took several swallows. “The lemonade is very good.”

  Amanda sighed. “I shall pass your compliments along to Cook.” Aware that he had sidestepped her question, she tried another tack. “I’m rather surprised you were able to locate us. Did the butler at Willow Place tell you where to find us?”

  “I did not stop at Willow Place, at least not this trip. I was there a few weeks ago, but your butler was not able to give me your direction.”

  “How unfortunate. I’m sorry if you had to make a second journey to Willow Place merely because you wished to acquaint yourself with the family of an old friend.”

  “I didn’t find it to be an inconvenience. In fact, I was pleased to have an excuse to get out of the city.” He gave her a devastating smile.

  She ignored the smile and continued to regard him solemnly. “How did you find us if Chambers didn’t tell you where to look?”

  Blackbourne held her gaze. “Someone once described the old dower house to me and told me how to locate it. Considering that your husband would have been the only person of my acquaintance who was conversant with the various buildings on the estate, one would assume it was he.”

  “One might assume so.” Amanda raised her brows at his obvious reluctance to give her a straight answer. “Did Oliver also tell you that David and I could be found inhabiting the old dower house two years after his death?”

  “He did not possess so much omniscience as that, I’m afraid. I merely took a chance on finding you here.”

  “How fortuitous that you didn’t make a second trip in vain. But I cannot help wondering why you have gone so much out of your way to find me.”

  “Does a man need a reason for looking in on the family of an old friend?”

  Amanda pursed her lips. “I cannot speak for the motives of all men, Lord Blackbourne, but I believe in your case, the answer would be yes, you needed a reason. I further believe that we’ve danced around that reason quite long enough. It is now time for some plain speaking. Why are you here?”

  “That is plain enough, certainly,” Blackbourne replied, his tone grim. “So I will reciprocate. I am here, my lady, to assume a responsibility that was placed upon me some time ago, a responsibility that I take very seriously. In short, Lady Willowvale, I am here because your late husband appointed me as David’s legal guardian, and I fully intend from this day forth to take a very active role in David’s upbringing.”

  Chapter Four

  Liar! The word screamed in Amanda’s brain as she shot to her feet and stared, disbelieving, into Blackbourne’s face for several long seconds. His solemn expression gave away little of his feelings, but his eyes suggested he spoke the truth.

  Don’t say it, she warned herself. She’d almost blurted out that she didn’t believe him, but on second thought of course she did. Choosing a man like Blackbourne to serve as David’s guardian would have been so typical of Oliver. No doubt he’d also slandered her to the marquess in anticipation of his snatching David away from her. Suddenly cold, she shivered and folded her hands together. Clearly she’d have to use great care in dealing with this man, a man who, if he indeed spoke the truth, could upend her world with a snap of his fingers.

  He could take her son away from her.

  Fighting the need to dig her nails into her palms, she forced an icy reply. “I won’t pretend not to be surprised. Oliver had never mentioned the possibility of appointing a guardian for David.”

  A slight frown touched Blackbourne’s brow. “Had it never occurred to you that Oliver might have named a guardian for his heir?”

  “Obviously it had not.”

  “Perhaps it should have. Most men—at least most men of Oliver’s rank—wish to ensure that their heirs will be raised according to certain standards. They choose a guardian with the qualifications needed to oversee their son’s education and with the credentials necessary to guide him when he is old enough to enter society.”

  Amanda released the breath she’d been holding. The muscles in her face were much too tight to permit a smile, but she at least managed to unclench her teeth. “How kind of you to
instruct me in the ways of the nobility, my lord.”

  Blackbourne’s eyes widened with sham innocence. “Did you think I was condescending to you? That was not my intent.”

  His reply only increased the rush of blood to Amanda’s cheeks. She was well acquainted with the opinions of Blackbourne’s class. “I daresay your intent, my lord, was merely to enlighten a pathetic creature who was not born into the beau monde and thus could not be expected to understand the intricacies of the codes applying to gentlemen. I—as the mere daughter of a vulgar mushroom—must bow to your superior knowledge.”

  His smile mocked her. “I hope I would never be so crude as to describe anyone in such terms, but I can’t resist asking. Was your father a vulgar mushroom?”

  He was baiting her, damn him, and she’d allowed herself to be lured into behaving in a manner that no doubt reinforced his opinion of her. Furious at him for taunting her and embarrassed by her outburst, she held herself erect, determined to remain calm in her future dealings with him. “Papa was born into the merchant class. He would have told you himself that he did not come into the world ‘hosed and shod’ and he worked very hard to attain his wealth.” She raised her chin. “But he always behaved like a gentleman, a trait I’ve found lacking in many members of the ton.”

  He briefly dipped his head as though to acknowledge a direct hit. “How did he come to lose his wealth then?”

  “Lose it?” Amanda blinked in confusion.

  He raised his shoulders in a slight shrug. “I must assume that you did not inherit a fortune when your father died. Otherwise, you would not have found it necessary to close Willow Place and move here. While I find your efforts to economize quite admirable, as David’s guardian I must object to his being raised as though he were the gardener’s son. I will, of course, provide the funds necessary to allow you to move back into Willow Place immediately.”

  Amanda gaped at him. “You think that I—” Her words tumbled to a halt when Blackbourne waved her to silence.

  “Forgive me, Lady Willowvale. I realize I am being precipitous. You are quite within your rights to question my authority to provide money for your and David’s comforts.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a folded piece of paper and then stepped to her side. “You will wish to read this before we make further plans.”

  Frowning, Amanda accepted the paper and slowly unfolded it. It was a legal document naming the sixth Marquess of Blackbourne as David’s guardian. She read it through twice before looking up. “I don’t understand.”

  “I will agree that the language is confusing, but—”

  “Oh, I understand its meaning quite clearly, Lord Blackbourne,” Amanda interrupted. “The content is not what puzzles me. Clearly Oliver signed this document naming you as David’s guardian. What confuses me is the fact that this was drawn up in London on October 12, 1814, but Oliver was not in London on that date. He was with his regiment.”

  “At that particular point in time, Oliver had been assigned to deliver some dispatches to the War Office. He asked my permission to have the paperwork handled while he was in London. I, of course, agreed. Obviously he did not make you aware of his plans.”

  How typical of you, Oliver, to come to England and not even attempt to see your only son. Amanda read over the document again. “You’re correct. He did not make me aware of his plans.” With a silent sigh, she lifted her gaze. “However, as regards my finances, I fear you misunderstood—”

  “Mama, I am back.” David dashed into the room and slid to a stop beside the sofa. “Nanny said I was not to bother you. Am I bothering you?”

  “No, dear, but—” Amanda had intended to tell David to go outside and play until she and her guest had finished their conversation, but Blackbourne forestalled her.

  He squatted, sitting on his heels to bring himself to David’s level, and smiled. “I’d hoped to see you again before I departed today, David. Did you have a glass of lemonade?”

  David nodded solemnly. “Yes, but Cook wouldn’t let me have a second helping of cake.” He glanced longingly toward the tray and its remaining treats. “Did you have cake?”

  “No, I was not hungry.” Blackbourne straightened. “Would you sit on the sofa with me for a few minutes so we can become better acquainted?”

  David glanced toward Amanda. Although she longed to send the marquess on his way, law now prevented her from forbidding him to spend time with his ward. She smiled at David and nodded. Then she sat down in a nearby armchair.

  David scrambled onto the sofa and Blackbourne sat beside him. “Tell me about yourself, David. What do you enjoy doing?”

  David furrowed his brow for a few seconds as though in deep study.

  “I like to play soldier. My papa was a soldier.”

  “He was a very brave soldier,” Blackbourne responded. “What else do you enjoy?”

  “Books,” David said promptly. “My mama is teaching me to read. She reads to me, too, and she always knows the words. I don’t always know the words. Some words are this long.” David held his hands about two feet apart.

  “Or longer,” Blackbourne agreed with a knowing nod. “Once I saw a word as long as this room. It was a frightening sight.”

  “Where?” David demanded, his eyes wide.

  “In Spain. That word was so long no book could hold it, and the poor thing was forced to look elsewhere for a home. I found it curled up in a tree in the forest. At first I mistook it for a snake and almost shot it. Can you imagine what a mess that would have created, with all those letters flying about in the air?”

  “Oh,” David said, glancing at Amanda as though to read her reaction. She said nothing, so he looked back at Blackbourne. “What was the word?”

  “A synonym for prevaricator, no doubt,” Amanda muttered.

  Blackbourne ignored her and answered David. “I don’t have time to tell you this afternoon. It would take me at least an hour to pronounce that word.”

  David frowned. “I think you’re making that up, the way Mama makes up stories to tell me sometimes. She makes up good stories and I bet you do too.”

  Blackbourne brushed a hand across his lips, but not before Amanda saw the broad smile beneath his hand. He cleared his throat and quickly posed another question. “How would you like to move back into Willow Place, David?”

  David’s eyes widened. “Could we? Willow Place is ever so much nicer than here. There’s lots of rooms to explore in Willow Place.”

  “That’s settled then.” Blackbourne turned to Amanda. “How much money will be required to put Willow Place in order?”

  “None,” Amanda replied shortly. “Willow Place is in excellent condition. And there is no need for you to suppose that I let the servants go. They are all still in residence, and I visit with the housekeeper each week to ensure that no problems have arisen. Lack of money is not the reason I decided to move to the old dower house.”

  “Then why—? Ah! Is it because of the servants? Were Oliver’s servants unkind to you?”

  Amanda’s chin shot up. “Of course not. You are thinking, I assume, that I do not know how to deal with servants, not having been born to the manner. You’re wrong. The servants were always very respectful.”

  “Then why did you move out of Willow Place?”

  “I do not choose to discuss my reasons with you,” Amanda replied, aware that her expression must appear wooden. “Nor do I wish to move back to Willow Place.”

  Blackbourne’s lips thinned. “Very well. We need not discuss either your reasons or your desires in this matter. But understand this. David will be moving back to Willow Place where he will be housed and educated as befits his station in life. You shall, of course, please yourself as to whether you accompany him or remain here alone.”

  The room dimmed before Amanda’s eyes, but she fought back this unprecedented sign of weakness, taking a deep breath and exhaling it slowly. Until this moment, she had not fully comprehended the extent of Blackbourne’s power over David and—as a cons
equence—over her. Determined not to betray her increasing uneasiness, she forced her taut muscles to form the semblance of a smile.

  “I shall, of course, wish to accompany my son, your lordship,” she said. “Will tomorrow morning be soon enough for us to move back to Willow Place?”

  Blackbourne nodded brusquely. “I shall return by ten o’clock tomorrow morning to assist you in any way I can.” He stood, bowed and then strode to the doorway where he paused before turning back to address Amanda one last time. “I suggest you be ready, my lady. I bid you farewell until tomorrow.” Following the slightest suggestion of a bow, he turned and hurried out of the house.

  * * * * *

  Although it was a long drive, Blackbourne decided to return to the assured comfort of the Three Ducks rather than taking a chance on one of the small inns closer to Willow Place. Besides, his thoughts always came more clearly when he was driving, and he needed to analyze what had happened that afternoon.

  Amazingly, there had been that near-staggering punch of pure lust that had practically floored him when he first saw Amanda. He was, he reminded himself, thirty-three years old, not a callow youth who could be expected to allow his loins to override his brain. While it was true that the countess was a lovely woman, he had been exposed to many beautiful women in his life without having once experienced such an instantaneous and intense surge of desire. He didn’t understand it, and he certainly didn’t welcome it, but he knew he could handle it.

  More importantly, as David’s guardian he must do what was right for the boy’s future regardless of how much Amanda might object. The thing was, based on his own childhood experiences, he’d not been prepared for David’s obvious devotion to his mother.

  Perhaps he should have been. In retrospect, he realized that when he’d been David’s age, he’d also adored his beautiful mother, an adoration that had lived on long after she was gone. Eventually, of course, his love for her had been eaten away by the hell she’d left him to endure alone. He’d done well to survive in a household with a father who hated him for reasons he didn’t understand and two older half brothers who tormented him because they wanted their father’s approval.