As they raced across the meadow, in perfect harmony, Tony let his mind drift back to last eve and the vision in pink.
With the forest quickly approaching, he slowed Cory back down to a canter and searched for the path which would take him to a hillock. To him it wasn’t just any hill but a special place he used to visit in his youth when he needed to be alone and think clearly.
From its crest he would be able to see almost his entire estate but in particular the mansion where his tormentor now resided. Of all the ladies of the ton he’d met, none had stirred his blood as Chelsea had done when she seemingly floated into his mother’s sitting room.
Reaching the peak, he halted Cory then slipped from the saddle. Tying his brute to an overhanging branch, he looked around at the land starting with the mansion. He felt the corners of his lips curl into a faint smile on seeing Chelsea step from the front door and down the stairs. From the speed she was moving, a very undignified and unladylike march, he knew where she was headed.
The stable.
That got his mind thinking back to last night, as he watched several strands of hair loosen from her bun. Then, unlike now, her maid had woven into her tresses several pink roses which blended so perfectly with the color of her gown. What he had found most intriguing was that her face hadn’t been framed with several tendrils as had become fashionable of late. He was able to focus his attention on her heart-shaped face with full, but not too, lips.
And those eyes almost did him in. The deep blueness of them could make a man lose his mind if he wasn’t careful. Fortunately for him, both mothers were in the room. Otherwise he couldn’t have been responsible for what he might have done.
Looking down at the courtyard, he watched her storm out of the barn and look around. From where he stood, he knew she couldn’t see him, and even if she knew where he was hiding, was it from her or himself, Tony knew there was no way she’d be able to get here. After watching her make her way back into the mansion, he strolled over to Cory, untied him, and climbed onto the saddle.
Slowly, Tony guided his beast to the opposite side of the hill and a trail which led down to the river and maybe the answers he sought.
“Cory, this is going to be a long morning,” he said out loud.
He wasn’t surprised when his horse bobbed his massive head up and down almost as if he understood. Once he got to level ground, not that he couldn’t or wouldn’t have galloped down a hill, he set Cory into a canter. As they made their way through the forest of tall, perfectly straight oak trees Tony let his mind go blank and focus on the trail. He hoped in doing that, and not thinking about her, he might know where his heart lay.
All he knew at this moment, from last night and a short while ago, there was something which drew her to him. And that was where his problem rested . Was it?
Love.
Passion.
Lust.
But, and Tony knew it was a big but, he was incapable of loving someone ever since…
“No,” he screamed out. “She can’t be the same Chelsea I met years ago.
“She died.”
“I saw her drown in the river.”
He yanked on the reins which brought Cory to a protesting halt. Quickly, he forced his mind back to that fateful day. They, along with several other children, had been playing beside the river which ran through part of Richmond Park when she slipped and fell in.
He, along with the others, had been shuffled back to their carriages and returned to their townhouses. It had happened so long ago he’d forgotten about that horrific day until now.
But why now?
What had happened to her?
Was she the same Chelsea he’d fallen in childish love with?
What was their mother’s involvement bringing them together after all these years?
He continued to think back, then one name flashed into his mind–Valerian. The boy had tried to impress Chelsea but failed to the point where he’d been firmly rebuked by her.
Jumping down from the saddle Tony collapsed to the ground as his eyes filled with tears. Somehow, someway, he had to find the answers to these and the other questions. With his jacket sleeve he wiped the tears from his cheeks then stepped down to the river and splashed cold water on his face.
Calmed, Tony started to stand when he saw hoof prints in the river bank’s mud, and they were directed toward the mansion. Looking to his right, he saw Cory was where he’d hastily left him and was even now munching on grass. Since he was the only one permitted to ride on the estate, he knew these were from some unknown person. Could it be Valerian and he’d found out Chelsea was here?
With his eyes focused on the ground, he made his way back to Cory, disappointed at not having seen any other prints in the dirt. Swinging back up onto the saddle, he collected the reins and was about to send his beast forward but stopped at the last heartbeat.
“Should I tell them what I know, or at least suspect?” he mumbled to himself.
No, he quickly decided. If Chelsea was the same young lady from years ago then she or her mother would have to tell him. His only question was how would he react?
Relief she was alive and in his life once again?
Anger at losing then finding her again after all these years?
What? To that he had no answer.
As he started back to the mansion, he had to come up with an excuse for riding out so early with a ball needing to be planned. Ahead he saw a path which led to a tenant’s cottage.
Yes, he thought, I’ll visit several so if anyone, namely my mother or Chelsea asks what I’ve been doing I can honestly tell them.
Several minutes after taking the trail, he came out onto a pasture and followed it around to the house. Riding up, he watched as several children rushed out followed by their mother carrying a baby in her arms. Slowing to a walk, he examined the building and saw it could use a few repairs to the thatched roof.
“M’ lord.”
“Mrs. Carlton,” he said as he nodded. “I received a post from my manager as to the state of your home. I’ll arranged to have it repaired within the week.”
“Thank you, m’ lord, as it leaks right into the children’s room.”
“Make sure your husband knows, and I’ll send a few things from the mansion to help you out. One of the ladies, besides Her Ladyship, might have dark brown hair so don’t be afraid.”
“I won’t, m’ lord.”
With that simple but all important task done, Tony turned Cory and headed for the main road leading to the mansion.
Calmly, or as tranquilly as possible Tony rode into the courtyard only to be met by three angry looking females and an apparently frustrated butler.
“Ladies I do humbly apologize for my absence but there was estate business which I needed to attend to,” he declared from the back of Cory.
From the glares he was getting not one of them believed him until he noticed a faint smile coming from Chelsea.
“We’re just happy you’re safe as it would seem Her Ladyship received a letter from Her Grace, The Duchess of Fenwick,” Chelsea announced sending a shiver down his spine.
Chapter Six
While breaking her fast in her suite, Chelsea reflected on last eve and why she’d had such a difficult time sleeping. It hadn’t been the fact her maid had won the wager, rather it had been seeing Tony relaxed and leaning against the fireplace mantel.
That was when she thought she recognized him from a time long ago, but from when and where she didn’t know or remember. A few days ago at the Rucker ball was the first time, she thought, they’d met. Chelsea did know one salient fact, she was developing feelings for the man.
Quickly, she finished her breakfast because she needed to speak with her mother and the countess. Considering how she’d been introduced to Tony, there had to be some connection between them.
Standing, she turned to Katy who’d just returned from the laundry room with her freshly ironed light-blue day dress.
“In your travel
s, do you know if my mother and the countess have risen?”
“Yes, as I was returning here Her Ladyship’s maid asked me to remind you to meet them in the countess’ parlor when dressed. Why?”
Chelsea wondered if Katy would be able to help in placing where she’d possibly seen Tony. If her maid could, it might make it easier to understand what was going on. Why the sudden appearance at the ball and the invitation to depart London for the country with the countess and him? From what she remembered, wait that’s it, she suddenly realized until last year she couldn’t recall anything which happened in her youth. Everything she’d been told, when asked, didn’t fit together.
But why?
What had happened causing her to forget?
“I can’t explain right now, but will later, I promise. Now help me dress and just do my hair very simply today.”
“Yes, m’ lady.”
After dressing and having her hair done as requested, Chelsea took one last look in the mirror, stood, and marched to the door. Carefully, she opened it in case her mother was waiting for her. Seeing the hall empty she breathed a sigh of relief then made her way downstairs to the sitting room.
As she strolled down the corridor she met up with Usher walking toward her, a worried look on his face. Was he keeping a secret which involved Tony and her?
“Have you seen His Lordship?” she ordered.
“Yes, m’ lady, but not since he broke his fast.”
It wasn’t so much what he said but how he said it which had her wondering if he was telling the truth or not. He refused to meet her eyes and stared at the floor. Suspecting she wasn’t going to get anything else from him, she dismissed him with a head bob and continued to the parlor.
At the door she was happy to see both her mother and the countess were present, going over some list they’d written last night. Taking in a calming breath she stepped in, bringing the ladies attention to her.
“Countess, Mother. I’ve a question which I need an answer to if possible,” she declared.
“But first have a seat and a cup of tea as you seem greatly distressed,” the countess suggested.
Taking a chair across from them on the settee she accepted a cup then took a sip. Regrettably after having several more Chelsea didn’t feel any better so she set it down on the table, folded her hands in her lap and focused on her mother.
“Last night when I entered here, Lord Anthony was over by the fireplace, relaxed. It was then I thought there was something familiar about him, as if we’d known each other before. Yes, yes I know you’re going to say it’s nothing, but I’m convinced we have. Have we ever met before the Rucker ball?”
Chelsea waited while the mothers looked at each other, not with panic but relief. Now she was even more confused than ever. It wasn’t her mother but the countess who peered over to her.
“Yes.”
After several heartbeats when nothing more was forthcoming Chelsea turned to her mother. “Would you mind explaining?”
“Lady Rosalind and I knew that someday you’d remember him, and that time has finally come.”
“I don’t understand?” she said.
“My dear, may I use the endearment? Years ago you, he, and several other children with parents and governesses attended a picnic at Richmond Park. It was a bright, sunny day, and you all, the children that is, went down to the river to play,” the countess started.
“Chelsea, I know you most likely don’t recall, but you were always comfortable when near a stream or pond, but something happened that day. Someone, we think Lord Valerian, might have intentionally bumped you, sending you into the river. Quickly before help could arrive, you were swept away, and in the process hit your head on a rock or something,” Iris added.
“But, what does that have to do with me and Lord Anthony? I don’t understand?”
“Simply put, even at your tender age of ten and he at three and ten you both had the beginnings of affections for each other. Once you were finally rescued, you were unconscious for several days with Katy staying by your side the whole time. When you woke you didn’t recognize your father nor I. You couldn’t even remember how to read or write. For some reason, everything you’d learned had been forgotten. Over the years we, including Katy and some of the other staff, taught you what you’d forgotten. It was amazing at the progress you made, and last year we decided you were ready to have your come-out,” her mother explained.
“But unfortunately, my son was out of the country helping an old friend otherwise you would have met him then. After you entered society and rejected several gentlemen, Iris and I thought it best you retreat to the country in the hopes Tony would be out and about this season. As you know he was. Him being the most dangerous rakehell in town created a problem, and we had to protect you until the night of the Rucker ball. Then we knew it would be the perfect time to introduce you to each other. Or I should say reintroduce you both?”
As she listened to what the mothers were telling her Chelsea finally understood what they were saying and why. She already knew she had feelings for him, but where they old or new emotions for him? She hoped a combination of both.
Her question now became, what to do?
And, was it possible for them to make things right between them?
Did he have any feelings for her after all these years?
“Countess, Usher, who I don’t believe, he claims to not know where Lord Anthony went. However, being a man and possibly dealing with the same confusion I’ve had, he could have run, or raced away on horseback. If he did, do you have any suggestions as to where he’d go?”
“Yes I believe he might go to a hillock nearby. Even in his youth, when he needed solitude, he’d go there to think through a problem,” the countess informed her.
“M’ ladies if you’ll excuse me, I wish to see if he did go there,” Chelsea said.
“Then I’d suggest you see if that beast of a horse of his is in the stable as mounted is the only way to get there.”
With a nod Chelsea stood and made for the door but stopped on hearing her mother say, “Dear, do you still love him? Even after all these years and only having been reacquainted with him for such a short time?”
“Yes.” Was all she said before continuing down the hall and then to the stable. Her only question was did Tony have affections for her also?
As she crossed the courtyard, she mulled that over in her mind. If he did, that could explain why he’d gone off, to think over what to do next. Stepping into the stable she looked around and saw an elderly man approaching.
“M’ lady, you must be Lady Chelsea? I’m Barney, the stablemaster. Is there something I can do for you?”
“Yes, I’m Lady Chelsea, and I was wondering if Lord Anthony might have ridden out earlier.”
“About an hour or so ago he came in looking worried about something. I learned long ago with him it’s best not to ask what’s on his mind unless he wants me to know. His Lordship saddled his horse Cory and headed out the back door as if he wished to avoid speaking with anyone.”
“Did he by any chance say how long he’d be gone?”
“No, m’ lady, but I suspect he’ll be gone most of the morning from the dour expression he wore when leaving. The only direction he did give me was to make sure I had several grooms available to deliver invitations.”
“Thank you.”
With a nod to Barney, she turned and quickly, as ladylike as possible, returned to the mansion and the countess’ parlor. As she stepped in she noticed someone, most likely Usher, had delivered several writing desks to the room. At two of them her mother and Lady Rosalind were sitting and composing invitations.
“I’m sorry for rushing off like that, but I needed to know if Lord Anthony had gone for a ride, and he had. Barney hinted that he’d not return for quite a while.”
“Neither of us are surprised by your action. Actually, if you hadn’t both of us would have wondered if something was wrong, which apparently there is with him being
gone for so long,” her mother said.
Taking a seat at the empty desk she started to write out an invitation to the upcoming ball. Halfway through the first one she stopped and glanced over to her mother who was looking back at her.
“Am I wrong in having feelings for him?”
“Daughter, your father and I had an arranged marriage. Many times they would fail with the husband taking a mistress while the wife might find a lover. I can assure you, neither your father nor I ever did or even thought of doing it. Before we wed, your father squired me around town for several weeks. During that time we started to fall in love with each other, and have remained that way ever since.”
Chelsea knew what her mother said was true since she’d seen, on many occasions, the way her parents would look at each other. She tried to remember back over the last few days and how Tony looked at her. Was it the same as she’d seen between her parents? She wanted to inquire but thought better of it. First she needed to see for herself how he looked upon her. Was there any emotion in his eyes or was she another of his many conquests?
Returning to the invitation she’d started, Chelsea finished it, folded it, and then sealed the foolscap with wax and the seal of the earldom. Adding it to the stack, she continued on, along with the mothers, for the next hour until the requests to attend the ball were completed.
Once they were turned over to Usher so the grooms could deliver them, Chelsea wondered what was next on the list to be accomplished.
“Ladies, before we continue, might I suggest tea and some of Cook’s marvelous fruit tarts?” Tony’s mother said.
She waited while the countess rang for the butler who arrived quickly, carrying a note on his ever present silver salver.
“M’ lady, this letter just arrived from The Duchess of Fenwick for you. The man delivering it said no answer was required.”
“Thank you, and please bring a tea tray with tarts,” the countess ordered.
“Certainly, m’ lady.”
Why had the duchess sent the countess a missive Chelsea wondered, unless it might have to do with that awful Lord Valerian. Patiently, she waited while Rosalind read it, and was surprised at her smile.
An Earl's Queen (A Rogues and Rakehells Mystery Book 2) Page 4