Eyes similar to William’s glared daggers at him. It was obvious to Amelia, Spencer wished to stay longer.
As Amelia rested in her room a while later, William’s facial expressions from their afternoon visit haunted her. One moment he had smiled and seemed to enjoy her company. The next he had appeared angry with her and left abruptly. She gave up trying to rest and paced the room instead wondering what she had done to upset William. After she paced long and hard, causing her to gasp for air, she tried once again to rest. This time she did fall asleep with visions of Daniel and William. Daniel, falling off his horse after being shot dead, had her crying out in her sleep. William, old, sick and alone living at his country estate, had her body thrashing from side to side.
***
“Now why did you insist we leave?” Spencer grumbled as they entered their carriage. “I had Norwich seeing red.”
When Amelia had said she never planned to marry, something inside William’s chest squeezed his heart. He could not breathe and had needed air. Now that he had fresh air, he realized how rudely he had left and would send a note of apology to her. He would not, however, tell his cousin the true reason for leaving.
“What are you up to?” William asked. Spencer’s innocent look, projecting across the seat, was comical. “What game are you playing? Because surely you’re up to something. I won’t stand by and watch Lady Isabella get hurt.”
No comical expression this time, but rather back to daggers. “I would never hurt her.” Spencer cleared his throat and leaned back against the cushioned seat. “If you must know, she and I have an understanding.”
William’s right eye began to twitch, so he closed it, hoping to make it stop. His eye had never done that before. Was he developing some hideous nervous habit? Just great, just great. Eye twitching would not help his cause with Amelia.
“An understanding?”
Spencer tugged on his neck cloth. “Yes, an understanding. Is that so hard to believe?”
“When it has to do with you, yes.”
“Stop.” Spencer held up his hand. “We have not seen each other in a long time. Do not assume you know me.”
“Terribly sorry. Now tell me about this thing between you and Lady Isabella.”
Once again Spencer tugged on his cravat, letting William know this meant a great deal to him no matter what he said. “I offered my services to help her make Norwich jealous.” He crossed his arms on his chest and huffed. “There, that’s all there is to it.”
William might not have seen Spencer in many years, but he sensed his cousin had not changed. That he remained the same honorable man. True, he liked to pretend to be a rakehell now and again, but deep inside he was nothing but honorable. “What do you get out of it? This arrangement, I mean.”
Spencer inhaled deeply before exhaling, then said, “Nothing. Except I hope during our time together, she’ll fall helplessly in love with me.”
“That’s what I thought. You do realize you’re setting yourself up for disappointment? She loves Norwich.”
***
Spencer groaned, then looked William straight in the eye; his anguish and frustration were clearly visible.
“Don’t you think I can see that every time she talks about him or, better yet, sees him? I’m trying not to harbor any delusions that she’ll turn that love toward me. But know this––I’m not stupid.” Spencer’s body shook with emotion from the inside out, not missing any muscle or tendon. He would not be surprised if William felt the vibration. It seemed to Spencer he shook the whole carriage.
When had he fallen so deeply in love with Bella? And why had he allowed himself that torture, knowing that his love would never be returned? He was a thirty-six-year-old, in love with a duke’s sister, who fancied herself in love with another. Could life be any more pathetic?
He looked at William across the seat from him. Yes, it could be more pathetic; he could be his cousin. Poor William, first in love with his brother’s wife, then keeper of his brother’s secrets, and now setting himself up for heartache once again. Did a more miserable gentleman exist anywhere in this vast world? And to top off William’s humiliation, he was being unfairly snubbed by the ton.
Spencer had resigned himself a long time ago to being a bachelor––until he saw Isabella. After witnessing the tragic events that love caused his cousins to experience, he thought he would never set himself up for that kind of pain. Even if it meant living life alone, living without love. “Enough maudlin thoughts,” Spencer mumbled, then coughed to hide it. “Since we’ve no plans for this evening, do you have any objections to visiting Brooks?”
“Splendid idea. I can think of nothing I’d enjoy better than to be given the cut by every gentleman there.” William tapped the top of the carriage, signaling the driving.
“To Brooks, Arthur, my good man.”
“You know, you could be a bit more optimistic and pleasant,” Spencer remarked.
***
Pleasant? Was Spencer serious? Now that William had taken time to think over the afternoon at the Seabrook home, his temper positively simmered, threatening to boil over. He’d witnessed a duke, a young duke with interest in his eyes, invite his Amelia to go riding in the park. His Amelia. William raked his fingers through his hair. I must get a grip––for she is not my Amelia, and will never be.
Which brought to mind again, her unnerving declaration that she’d never marry? Did Amelia harbor secrets of her own? Was there any truth to the gossip circulating last night about her condition and whereabouts the past year?
His mind traveled back to their last encounter by the stream, when he had nearly seduced her. Thank God Amelia had stopped him, because he would have taken her right then and there in the open for anyone to see––so lost in her he’d been. He’d been so utterly overpowered with lust and need that it shocked William when he remembered. Perhaps he should take a mistress. That way, when he saw Amelia, he could control his baser needs. It bothered him to think it, but she needed someone like the young duke with his stellar reputation. The realization caused a pain to settle deep inside his chest.
There was one thing he knew. He could not let his feelings for Amelia ruin her life. God knows he’d already ruined enough lives.
***
“Must I attend Almack’s, Mother?” Amelia complained as she descended the grand staircase where Bella, Sebastian, and her mother waited for her.
“Amelia, my dear, you already know the answer to that,” her mother replied in her sternest yet sympathetic voice.
Once in the carriage, seated next to Bella with Sebastian and Mother opposite, Amelia closed her eyes. Nerves plagued her. No matter how many times she went out in polite Society, she would be haunted by the impression made upon her by people whispering about her behind their fans last evening. And here she was again, sitting in a carriage, going out to Almack’s––of all places. Would they even let her in the door? And she knew William would not be there this evening to keep her company, to distract her from all the gossip. After the scandal surrounding him and his family, Almack’s would never have renewed William’s subscription. So where did that leave her? Sad and vulnerable. She would count the minutes until it was time to go home.
As the carriage came to a halt in front of Almack’s Amelia held her head up high and her back stiff as she exited on her brother’s arm. Let people say what they want. She could play the consummate actress for the Season. Then she would retire to the country with Olivia and live out her days within the confines of her daughter’s love.
Her stomach clenched as she wished William was here with her. But that was silly, and she must not let herself think about William. He had his own life and demons and secrets to deal with.
Thankfully, Myles and Amesbury were in attendance. Between them and Sebastian she never found herself alone. Right now she stood with Amesbury at the refreshment table, sipping the dreadful watered-down punch.
“Amesbury, how is it some pretty debutante hasn’t managed to brin
g you in front of the parson?” As soon as the words left her mouth she wanted to take them back. She placed her hand on his forearm to apologize. “I’m sorry. How terrible of me to have forgotten that you were once betrothed to Lady Beth.”
“Don’t think anything about it.” Amesbury patted her hand, but his eyes roamed the room. Who was he looking for? “Lady Beth had every right to break our betrothal. I treated her horribly.” With those words, he visibly tensed up before Amelia’s eyes. “I hear it said she’ll be engaged to Lord Robertson before the Season ends.”
Oh, dear, by the melancholy way he spoke about Lady Beth, Amelia believed Amesbury still had feelings for her. What had gone wrong to have her calling off the nuptials? Amelia would have to ask Wentworth. Why did it seem everyone was destined for heartbreak? Why did Society dictate such silly rules when it came to marriages among the ton?
Across the room Amelia spotted a tall, lean soldier in uniform. Could it be? Her knees buckled. She reached out with her right hand and grabbed Amesbury’s shoulder to stop from falling in a heap on the floor. And would not that create more fodder for the gossips.
“Who is that man in uniform?” she asked in a voice foreign to her own ear.
“Come.” Amesbury took her arm and escorted her to an empty chair well away from the crowd. “That is Captain Rycroft’s younger brother.”
“I thought I saw a ghost. He’s changed so since I last saw him. Is Daniel’s mother, Lady Dartmouth, also here?”
“Yes,” Amesbury pointed in the other direction. “There she is, with Lady Anne. Captain Rycroft’s younger sister is having her first Season. I don’t see the older Rycroft, the one who recently inherited his father’s title.”
“Yes, I remember hearing about the Marquess of Dartmouth’s death. Oh, dear, I don’t think I can face them.” Did she have the courage to talk to them, knowing she hid such a shocking secret from them? And did they not wonder about the rumors being said?
Amelia closed her eyes and prayed she did not cast up her accounts right here in front of all these people. How could she face Daniel’s mother, having kept his child from them? What would they think of her if they knew? Would they shun her or welcome her and Olivia into their family? Her body shuddered. It did not matter. If things went the way her mother and brothers planned, his family would never know. And that brought Amelia even more guilt.
“Oh, dear, are they coming this way?” she whispered, close to Amesbury’s ear.
“Yes, I do believe they are,” Amesbury replied as he spotted them heading in their direction.
Amelia squeezed his hand. “What am I to do?”
The next several minutes seemed surreal. She felt as though a puppet master controlled her every move.
“Lady Amelia,” Lady Dartmouth murmured, hugging her close. When had she stood up? “How lovely you look.” Oh, dear, Daniel’s mother’s eyes watered. “You remember my daughter, Lady Anne?”
“Yes. Lady Anne. Are you enjoying your first Season?” Amelia asked.
Pretty, petite, and blonde, Lady Anne glanced at Amesbury and blushed. “Yes. I am.”
The Dowager Marchioness of Dartmouth took Amelia by the arm and led her away. “Now, my dear, you must tell me all about your adventure in America.”
Amelia went on to describe her time in New Bedford, leaving out certain pertinent facts. “I am sorry I didn’t write more often. I just…”
Lady Dartmouth squeezed her arm. “I understand, dear. It was a terrible time for all of us. I must say it’s nice to have you back.” She waved to someone across the room. “You remember my other son, David. He’s a captain now, just like Daniel.”
Surely Amelia had not heard Lady Dartmouth correctly. It was not what she said but how she said it. Amelia hoped Lady Dartmouth did not have aspirations about her marrying David.
“Son, look who is back from America. Lady Amelia.”
David was the newest Captain Rycroft, she would forever stammer upon saying that. In her mind, only one Captain Rycroft existed, and he was dead.
“Lady Amelia,” Rycroft said, bowing over the hand she offered. He brought it to his lips and held it there just a tad too long. Surely Daniel’s younger brother was not flirting with her?
“Captain Rycroft, how nice to see you again.” But it really wasn’t, as he resembled his brother. And David’s eyes, Daniel’s eyes, were Olivia’s eyes. Tears pooled in hers and she fought their release. Except one lone tear escaped to slide down her face.
Rycroft must have noticed because he blushed. “Lady Amelia, I am sorry to upset you. Please forgive me. I know I resemble my brother.”
“It’s quite all right. The similarity just surprised me. I had not noticed it when you were younger,” Amelia replied.
The look that was exchanged between mother and son chilled her. Clearly Lady Dartmouth wanted the new captain to take his brother’s place. How could she be so coldhearted?
“Lady Amelia, may I call on you sometime?” Sympathy shone in David’s eyes. No matter what his mother wanted, she sensed David had other plans. Amelia’s body relaxed in the knowledge he only played along with his mother.
“Why, David––I mean, Captain Rycroft––please do. But not tomorrow, for I will not be home.”
Rycroft bowed, “The day after perhaps.” He glanced toward Lady Dartmouth. “Mother. Lady Amelia. I beg your leave.”
After he left, Amelia had to listen to the Dowager Marchioness go on and on about David’s accomplishments until Sebastian saved her. Did Daniel’s mother not understand that the love she had for Daniel could not just be transferred to her other son? That kind of love happened only once. William’s handsome face flashed in her mind, making her reconsider that belief.
“Thank goodness the night has ended.” Amelia sat next to her mother on the trip home. “Lady Dartmouth has it in her mind David and I would suit.”
“You should consider it, my dear.”
“Mother, you cannot be serious. I could never…ever…marry Daniel’s brother.”
“I thought not. I just wanted to make sure you knew.”
Sometimes her mother exasperated her. “Every time I looked into David’s eyes this evening, I saw Daniel’s and Olivia’s. It was quite disconcerting.”
Later, alone and buried beneath the coverlet on her bed, she fell asleep with visions of Daniel’s naked body coming down upon hers. Then the face changed, and it became William’s. The rest of the night Amelia spent tossing and turning. Visions of the two different men plagued her dreams. Daniel, the love of her young life, a life she had only just begun to experience and understand when he passed. William, older, wiser, and more mature, perhaps a match to the woman she had become.
CHAPTER TEN
It was bad enough that Spencer had dragged William to Brooks’s yesterday. Did he have to insist they spend time at White’s today? The two of them sat alone in upholstered armchairs, facing the fireplace that blazed fiercely and held off the dampness of a chilly rain that fell steadily beyond their window. William could not help but smile. The poor London weather was fortuitous in one way. The young duke would not be taking Amelia on a ride through the park today.
A glass of brandy, cradled in his hand, was halfway to his lips when a shadow appeared directly in front of him, blocking the warmth from the fire.
So this was his time of reckoning. Had William honestly thought he could come back to London and not run into him?
“Who let you out of Newgate? I thought murderers rotted behind bars in there until they died. Oh, wait, you were never convicted, and justice was never served.” Sir Phillip Trenton stared at him, hatred in his dark brown eyes.
“Sir Phillip,” Spencer spoke up reproachfully before William could get a word out.
“Cousin…” William’s one word warned Spencer not to interfere. “Trenton, how nice to see you again.” No matter what Trenton said or did, William would stay in control and not add to the scene Trenton had started.
One side of the man’s
upper lip curled into a sneer. Did Trenton think to intimidate him with that look? It took all William’s self-control not to jump out of the chair and punch the greedy bastard in the nose. Of course, it might be an improvement to his wastrel looks. The years had not been kind to Trenton. But then again, he’d always been a debauched drunk and gambler with no morals, the type that tended not to age well.
Katherine had been an angel, but her brother Trenton had been the devil himself. The stories Katherine had told him about her brother chilled William’s blood even now. Trenton’s performance, playing the loving, heartbroken brother after her death, was worthy of the stage, when in truth his actions only demonstrated he had hated his sister. After their parents had died in a carriage accident, Trenton forced his attentions on Katherine. She had no protector, and for months he’d raped her. It amazed William she hadn’t taken her own life.
William met her while she was fleeing her home in the middle of the night on foot. He and his brother Geoffrey had rescued her from some unsavory men on the docks as she tried to purchase passage to America. Over the years he and Geoffrey had spent a fortune paying Trenton to stay away from Katherine. Though she’d died twelve years ago, to honor her reputation and that of her husband––William’s brother––William had continued to pay Trenton off until last month, when he decided he’d had enough.
“How dare you show yourself in London?” Trenton snarled. “And from what I hear you’re forcing your attentions on the Duke of Wentworth’s sister. Should I pay him a visit?”
William ignored the tic in his eye and the gasp from Spencer. “Go ahead. Do you honestly believe he would take advice from someone like you?”
Before William could stop himself, he lunged at Trenton and curled his right hand around his throat, almost blocking life-sustaining air. William did not care. The hate and rage he had hidden deep inside his bones exploded up and out.
The Lady and the Earl (Seabrook Family Saga) Page 8