DisobediencebyDesign

by Regina Kammer

  “This is outrageous,” said Joseph.

  “It is indeed.” Arthur stood and paced before the hearth. “The two of you must get married as soon as possible.” He stopped, his hands on his head, and stared at each one of them, his gaze landing on Anna. “That’s it!” He pointed to the startled maid. “Anna, have Wittering send a note to Geoffrey Peel to pack a bag for a short trip and get here as fast as he can in his brougham. No questions asked. And then come back here. I’ll need you.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Anna curtsied and left.

  Joseph watched Arthur intently as he paced determinedly before them. “What do you have in mind?”

  “Lamberton. The two of you are going to Lamberton.”

  “Oh,” Sophia gasped. The room started spinning. Everything was happening so quickly.

  Arthur turned to Joseph. “You’ve spent at least twenty-one days there, haven’t you?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “But enough time for people to know who you are? Briggs and Mrs. Reed could attest to your presence.”

  “Okay, I see where you’re going with this.” Joseph patted her shoulder. “Sweetheart, it will be a long journey. Can you manage?”

  Sophia placed her hand on her belly and stared blankly at the carpet. “Yes.”

  Arthur’s pacing turned into wandering. “I doubt Royston will put forth any legal argument,” he muttered.

  “Is the plan for Geoffrey to join us?” Joseph asked.

  Arthur stopped at the window. “Yes. He’s the subterfuge. I’m fairly certain Royston has a man watching my house. You’re leaving for Scotland as soon as possible. But not in my carriage.”

  “In Peel’s,” said Joseph.

  “Yes.”

  Anna entered after a gentle warning knock. “Mr. Peel has been notified, my lord.”

  “Ah, Anna. Have a seat.” Arthur indicated a comfortable chair the maid would never have sat in for all her days.

  She sat and looked up at him with soulful eyes.

  “Anna, I need you to pack two bags. One for your lady and one for yourself. Pack for a trip for a few days.”

  “My lord? Where are we to go?”

  “You will be accompanying Lady Sophia to Scotland to get married.”

  Anna turned a bright smile to her. “Oh my lady!”

  “But you,” Arthur continued, “are going to ride to the railway station with Geoffrey Peel in my coach, which carries the Harwell crest. You need to be on your guard. You will be dressed as Lady Sophia, masquerading as her.”

  “Their journey should be slightly altered,” Joseph offered.

  “Yes,” agreed Arthur. “You two will leave first in Geoff’s brougham. Geoff and Anna will leave in mine perhaps a quarter of an hour later.” Arthur studied the two women pensively. “You’ll have to switch gowns.”

  “We don’t know when or where Royston will strike,” Joseph said.

  “No but most likely in London. You should depart from different stations.” Arthur went to his map cabinet and pulled out a handful of Bradshaw’s, passing one of the timetables to Joseph. “Thanks to the chaos that is the British railway system we should be able to find two distinct routes.”

  Joseph leafed through the pages, turned the book sideways, tucked in a finger to hold his place then thumbed back to the beginning. “Geoffrey and Anna should take the more obvious route.” He checked a few pages. “The Great Northern from Kings Cross to…” More pages. “York.”

  “Yes I see,” said Arthur, flipping through his own schedule. “Then transfer to the North Eastern all the way to Berwick.” He looked at Anna. “You can hire a coach at Berwick. Lamberton’s not far from there.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Joseph’s face crinkled as he muttered over his Bradshaw’s. “Now our journey will be a bit more indirect. We’ll pick up the London & North Western at Euston Square.”

  “The North Eastern controls the northern lines.”

  “Yeah,” he said not looking up. “So we’ll go through Birmingham and Crewe up to Leeds then catch the North Eastern there, following the same route as Geoffrey and Anna.” He flashed a hopeful smile at Sophia. “I think this might work.” He turned to Anna. “You two will probably arrive at Lamberton before us. Arthur can send a message to Briggs to expect you.”

  Arthur grinned. “Helps to know the railways when planning an escape, doesn’t it?”

  Sophia stared at the floor. Anything, she’d do anything to save her child.

  * * * * *

  Geoffrey could not believe his luck. He and Anna alone in a coach? Then together on a first-class railway carriage? To Scotland of all places. Perhaps they could take a day to wander and get lost, deliciously lost, only each other and a stocked picnic basket. Or perhaps a fishing pole. He would impress her with his ability to fend and care for her in the countryside—

  The swoosh of her tugging at her taffeta skirts distracted him back to the reality of her sitting across from him in the carriage.

  “Miss Colney, are you comfortable?”

  She smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Mr. Peel. I am but I’m still getting used to such finery.”

  “Today’s fashions are rather extreme, are they not?”

  She flushed briefly, possibly at the reference to what was under her skirt. “Yes. In this one regard I am glad to be a servant. Our clothes and underpinnings are a bit more practical.”

  “You look beautiful.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise.

  Heat prickled his skin. Christ! Had he just said that out loud?

  She looked away, not out the window as the shades were drawn, just away. She sucked in her lips, chewing on the bottom one for a bit, then looked down at her hands.

  Surely he should say something.

  Anything.

  Now was as good a time as any.

  He got up and moved to her side to her utter astonishment—or was it horror? Boldly he took her hand, which trembled inside her glove. He understood. His palms were sweating inside his gloves too.

  “Miss Colney—Anna, please, you’ve touched my heart. My thoughts are filled with images of you—”

  She pulled her hand away. “Mr. Peel, you mustn’t.”

  “Geoffrey…it’s Geoffrey. And what mustn’t I do? Declare my desire for you?”

  She gasped.

  “Tell you I find you the most enthralling woman alive?”

  She clenched her hands together and looked away again.

  “That your honest beauty enchants me?”

  “Please, Mr. Peel, you must stop.” Her meek voice trembled.

  She glanced at him and in that brief moment he saw she was crying.

  “Darling, Anna!”

  He found his handkerchief and held it out for her. She took it tentatively.

  Geoffrey sat back against the squabs. “I apologize. I meant no offense.”

  “I am flattered, Mr. Peel, believe me. And I know you are a man of honor and integrity, otherwise the earl would not trust you with his interests. But the difference in our stations may have incited you to passions that should not be expressed. I beg you not to pursue the matter.”

  “The difference in our stations? Miss Colney, you must believe me when I say—” He stopped. The heat rose in his face again, this time from mortification. “My God, you must think me vile. I would never, have never tried to seduce a servant.”

  She turned her head away. “I don’t think you vile, sir,” she said in a hushed tone.

  “I’m not sure I ever thought you a servant.” He crossed his arms. “It’s just these circumstances that have inspired me. We’ve never been alone for very long. I…well, I’ve wanted to say things to you.” He best just say it. “I mean to court you, Miss Colney.”

  “Court me?” She twisted in his direction, her face pale with shock.

  The carriage lurched, thrusting them both forward. Instinctively Geoffrey held his arm out to prevent her from falling onto the floor. Her bosom crushed against his elbow.
His body immediately and inexorably responded.

  When the carriage stopped she righted herself, abashed and flushed. “I’ve never been courted before.”

  “Never?”

  “Perhaps a childhood infatuation paid me mind. But nothing since.”

  His heart picked up its pace. “Would you like to be courted now?”

  “Mr. Peel—”

  “If position in society were not an issue?”

  “But it is.”

  He drew in a breath. “Miss Colney, my father may hold a title but it does not come with much wealth or property. While he is alive I remain a commoner. I have to earn my living and will continue to do so once I inherit the viscountcy. With the Richmonds you lived in much grander circumstances than I ever did. We may have been born to different stations but now we find ourselves in the same situation with an uncertain future. So, Miss Colney, I ask with all the fervor a man of my station can muster, may I hold your hand?”

  She smiled a gentle smile. “Yes, Geoffrey, that would be lovely.”

  His heart thrummed joyously as she tugged off her right glove one finger at a time then lay her bare hand on the seat between them. The pounding of his heart grew to a crescendo as he took off his left glove and placed his hand over hers, grasping her delicate fingers. She was soft and warm. He breathed a sigh of relief.

  The driver rapped lightly on the roof.

  Geoffrey opened the hatch. “Yes?”

  “It’s the duke, sir,” the coachman hissed quietly. “It’s why we’re stopped.”

  “Thank you.” Geoffrey shut the trap. “It’s Royston,” he muttered.

  “Oh God.” All color drained from her face. “I don’t want to see him.”

  “Neither do I.”

  Voices—Royston’s and perhaps that of a man of his—filtered into the carriage from outside.

  “Don’t tell me what I can do, boy!” Royston was just on the other side of the carriage door.

  Anna pressed herself against the pillowed leather of the carriage seat, screwing her eyes shut, gripping Geoffrey’s hand for dear life.

  At that moment he knew something had happened between her and the duke. Something terrible. And he was going to do every damn thing in his power to protect her now.

  The door opened with a violent urgency. Royston shoved his head inside and glanced around.

  “What the devil is going on here?” he bellowed.

  Geoffrey tried to steady his fraying nerves. “Your Grace?”

  “You know damn well what I mean, Peel. Where the bloody hell is Sophia?”

  “I really don’t know, Your Grace.”

  Royston eyed Anna. “Where is your mistress?”

  Geoffrey squeezed her hand in support.

  “Damn strumpet! Where is she?”

  Anna paled to ashen. “I—I do not know, Your Grace,” she answered quietly.

  Royston slammed his fist on the outer wall of the carriage. “Be assured that no matter what you are up to I will find her. I will find her and her indigent colonial lover and I will have him tried for seduction and breach of contract.”

  “But there was never an official engagement,” Geoffrey blurted.

  “You think you are so damn clever,” Royston grunted. He gave Anna the once-over, his lips twisted in a lascivious grin. “You’ll find her an easy lay, Peel. Doesn’t put up much of a struggle.” He shoved the carriage door shut with a crash.

  Anna quivered, her breaths puffing rapidly.

  “Darling?” Geoffrey wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her to him.

  She tried to pull away then relented as she began to cry, her body shaking convulsively.

  He gently urged her head to his shoulder. She slumped against him, nuzzling his chest, sobbing, her arms wrapping around his waist.

  Sophia and Joseph were miles away, probably a safe distance with a good enough lead to get them to Scotland unhindered. And Royston would leave him and Anna alone from now on. Well…sort of.

  Clearly whatever evil the duke had wrought would continue to dog his victims.

  Geoffrey knocked on the roof, indicating they should resume their journey.

  The driver poked his face through the hatch. “Where to, Mr. Peel? Kings Cross? Or back to Lord Petersham’s?”

  Anna needed a respite. They would go to Scotland. Do their duty as witnesses then spend time along the coast. She would be safe and far away.

  “Kings Cross.”

  Geoffrey caressed Anna’s back, looking forward to sharing a private car with her, even if he merely held her in silence.

  Her arms around him, nestled in the crook of his shoulder, his hand stroking her back, Anna let the heat of Geoffrey’s body imbue hers with an emotion she hadn’t felt for several months.

  Safe. Geoffrey Peel was safe.

  Relief flooded over her and with it fresh tears. His hand at her back stilled, pressing into her, steadying her as she shook with sobs.

  “Geoffrey,” she began hoarsely, “what he said about me, I’m sorry you had to hear it. I understand if it changes your feelings toward me.”

  He drew her to him a little more, a sign he wasn’t letting her go. “Tell me what happened, Anna.” A squeeze. “If you can.”

  She sucked in a breath, the emotion of the memory catching in her throat. “I had chaperoned Lady Sophia on an outing with the duke. He was not pleased. He tried to get my lady alone and he almost succeeded but she fell or was pushed, I don’t really know. I came to her aid. She told me later he tried to kiss her and she did not want to be kissed by him. Then that night…” Her voice wavered. She inhaled, detecting a comforting hint of pipe tobacco from Geoffrey’s fine wool jacket. “That night he abused me. I did not struggle. He threatened violence if I did.”

  His chest rose and fell evenly, steadily, a momentary shudder betraying the emotion he tried to calm within. “If I ever see him again—” He exhaled and gave her another squeeze, crushing the brim of her bonnet into her face.

  She giggled.

  “Anna, darling,” he said, lifting her chin to tug at her hat strings, “let us not talk of this now.”

  She let him take off her bonnet although she had to help. And when the hat was off and their remaining gloves removed he rested into the corner of the carriage bench and eased her back against him.

  “Tell me a little about yourself.” His deep voice rumbled in his chest under her cheek.

  “My father was a vicar. He held the living at the Brampton estate.” She glanced up at him. “I’m sure you know the place. It’s not far from Harwell Hall. I was raised simply although educated far above my station. My parents thought I should be a governess but I was recommended to the Richmonds as a lady’s maid. I’ve been with Lady Sophia for almost five years.”

  He nuzzled her with his nose, his breath hot on the crown of her head. “I suppose I was at university with Arthur when you first arrived.”

  “Yes, I do believe Lord Petersham was at Cambridge at the time.”

  He brushed his lips across her hair then kissed her lightly, the intimacy bathing her with a joyous warmth.

  “Geoffrey…” She paused briefly to breathe courage. “You should know I am not a maid.”

  He tightened his hold. “Good God,” he hissed. “Royston?”

  She chilled at the thought. “No. No. A boy at Brampton. I won’t divulge his name. As I said, it was a mere infatuation.” She looked up at him. “I thought you should know.”

  He smiled. “And, Anna, you should know I am not without experience myself.”

  “Well there is all that kissing with Lady Sophia.”

  He laughed with heartfelt amusement, dispelling the lingering disquietude. “There hasn’t been much kissing with Lady Sophia since the arrival of Joseph. But there was one night… It was…” He chuckled. “Well I’m sure she was thinking of him.” He lifted a brow. “I was very definitely thinking of you.”

  “I should like it if you would think of me in that way.”


  “May I do more than just imagine?” His lips parted in anticipation.

  She cupped his cheek. “Yes, Geoffrey. Please.”

  He kissed her gently, tentatively until the flame of desire could be contained no longer. His hand steadied her head as he plunged in, his tongue seeking hers in the depths of her mouth, growling his satisfaction as she opened for him, taking full advantage of what she offered.

  It had been too long, much too long, the last time with him when he thought her Sophia. Before that with Jonny Brampton. But the naive yearnings of two sixteen year olds were meager compared to the fervor of maturity loosed from societal dictates of self-denial, and passion shared with a longed-for lover was far more exciting than a surprise kiss from a stranger.

  He pulled back, pecking a trail along her tear-stained face to her neck, the raw masculinity of his rough cheek spiking lust to coil in her core.

  “You’re wearing her perfume.”

  She smiled broadly. Of course he would notice. “My lady thought it a nice touch while we were changing gowns. I’m not sure I’ve ever worn perfume.”

  “It suits you.” He nibbled her neck. “But perhaps we can find something unique so I won’t be reminded of her when I make love to you.”

  The lust unwound, spreading deliciously between her thighs, the sensual freedom heightened by his palm covering her breast. She wanted nothing more than to bare herself to him, to have him inside her, to share the joy for which woman and man were purposely created.

  But she wanted so much more than that with him.

  “Darling,” she began. “Geoffrey—”

  “Yes, my love?” he asked, lazily drawing his tongue across the seam of her lips.

  “I think the courtship has gone as far as it ought for the moment.”

  He froze then sat back into the padded leather. “Of course,” he murmured, his eyes wide in surprise or mortification. He was simply precious with his tousled hair and disheveled collar.

  “Don’t give me that look,” she scolded softly. “What I mean to say is that I like kissing you but we are to do nothing further until you have properly courted me.”

  He grunted a chortle. “I suppose I was a bit too vigorous in pressing my suit just now.”

  “As was I.” She smiled. “But, darling, there is risk in pursuing such a liaison. I need the assurance that your parents will accept such a relationship.”