The Lady and the Earl (Seabrook Family Saga)

by Donovan, Christine

  Now her brother turned serious. “Maybe, for some, love does come. For others, the husband takes a mistress while the wife gives her children her love. Come on, Amelia, we see it every day. We saw it in our own parents.”

  “I know. That’s what frightens me. I don’t want to be like them. To have what they had. Call me selfish, but I want love, happiness, and children made from love. But most of all, I want a faithful husband. One who loves me above all others.” Tears trickled down Amelia’s cheeks, and she wiped them away with her gloved fingers. “I don’t think I’m capable of loving Yarmouth.”

  “You might be. Give it time. You hardly know one another.”

  “I hardly know Bridgeton, yet I fell in love with him almost instantly.” She gasped, covering her mouth. “I should not have said that.”

  “You can hardly take it back now, can you?” Sebastian cocked a brow. “You did not have to say the words for me to know you care for him. But it’s infatuation. You need to learn to love Yarmouth.”

  “How does one force one’s heart to love another?”

  “You’re asking me?” Sebastian huffed.

  “Yes, you. Didn’t you love Penelope? You courted her for over a year while in New Bedford.”

  She watched her brother squirm in his seat. Did he think she was naive, that Amelia did not know what went on between them?

  “I don’t need to answer that,” Sebastian said.

  “Why not?” she demanded.

  “Because I’m a man. It’s not the same.”

  “What about Penelope? Did she not deserve your love and respect?” Amelia asked.

  “Amelia.” Sebastian’s hand came up, and he glared at her. “I adored her, and I did respect her. Right from the beginning I never made any promises to her. I never led her to believe we had a future together. Besides, she was a widow, and that gave her certain freedoms that an unmarried lady does not have.”

  “So you’re saying it was acceptable for you to bed her and her you, because she had the misfortune to be a widow?”

  “Stop. For God’s sake, stop. What does this have to do with you and Yarmouth?”

  “I don’t know. I had this premonition of a long and lonely life ahead of me. Isn’t there anything you can do to change Wentworth’s mind?” Amelia begged.

  “Oh, as if he listens to anything I say,” Sebastian answered.

  “He might.” Dear Lord, help me. The banns would be posted the next day. After the posting, there was no going back. Amelia’s marriage to Yarmouth would take place. She could almost hear her heart cracking in two. If she had to think of her life with the duke one more time, she would tear her hair out.

  “Have you considered Marissa for your wife? You do realize she cares for you.”

  “We’re not changing this conversation back to me.” Sebastian leaned back in the seat, closed his eyes, and pretended Amelia’s words had not affected him.

  Damn his sister for bringing up Penelope and then Marissa. Sebastian’s time with Penelope had been special. They had had feelings for one another. He had asked her to marry him. She had refused because she could not leave her family and her beloved America behind. Nor would he stay. Coming home to England invaded his every waking thought while he’d been there. Obviously, their love hadn’t been strong enough to surpass those obstacles.

  With Marissa, he would be blind not to see how she looked at him. When he first glimpsed her upon his return, she was indeed a sight for a sore heart. Ever since they were children she’d held a piece of his heart. Could their childhood love transition to adult love? If they did not have a future together, Sebastian knew he had to make that point known to Marissa soon. Continuing on as they were would not be fair to her. So the big question was whether or not he had adult feelings for her. Yes.

  But he still had stronger feelings for Penelope. Penelope lived across the Atlantic; Marissa lived here. When he had waltzed with Marissa last week, held her in his arms, it had seemed the most natural thing. He’d not thought of Penelope once that evening. But was that enough to base a life-long decision on? He frowned.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  William walked daily to the stream even though he knew Amelia would not come. One could hope, though, could he not? So here he stood in the middle of the stream with his boots on, listening for footsteps. He’d known the moment he arrived in Dover that he would go back to London once he’d thought things through.

  The past few days had provided him with time to muse on his life and future direction. When he envisioned life without Amelia, bleakness took over his world. Once last night he’d woken up, unable to breathe or keep his heart from pounding as if it would jump out of his chest. The vision of Amelia married to Yarmouth and bearing Yarmouth’s children still haunted him hours after having the dream.

  After reading the London Times that morning and seeing Amelia and Yarmouth’s banns posted, he knew he would travel back to London and fight for her. If he did not, he would regret it for the rest of his life. Even if Wentworth never allowed them to be together, he would be a coward for not trying one more time.

  If worse came to worse, perhaps he could convince Amelia to run away to Gretna Green with him. And if they were married, would her brother seriously disown her? William highly doubted it. From what he had witnessed, the closeness in the Seabrook family ran deep. They were a family he wanted to be part of. But if that was not to be, he had a substantial fortune to take care of her in other ways.

  Before he left he had to find out something else.

  He walked to Stony Cross Manor hoping to get answers. He did not think he would find the answer, but he went in search of it anyway. He approached cautiously and scanned the area from a thicket.

  Sitting on a blanket in the shade of a large flowering tree sat a servant and a child. A female child that looked to be about a year old. A female child resembling Amelia. Bridgeton’s heart paused. Were the rumors true? Had Amelia borne Captain Rycroft’s child? Poor Amelia. No wonder when he first watched her, at the banks of the stream, she had seemed inconsolably sad.

  This knowledge changed his plans not one wit.

  ***

  “Cousin,” Spencer said, grinning as he let William into Bridgeton Manor, “what brings you back to town so soon?”

  “Stop laughing at me.” William ignored his cousin, put down his bag, and entered the drawing room. He headed straight to the sideboard to help himself to a glass of brandy. “Care to join me?”

  “Don’t mind if I do. It is my brandy after all.” Spencer grinned.

  “Stop. Just stop.” William knew the look Spencer gave him. The look that said ‘I told you so,’ that he’d come running back to town with his tail between his legs. Running back to plead for the hand of the lady he loved. Well, bloody hell, Spencer was right. He would do anything to have Amelia become his wife. But how should he proceed?

  “Before you decide on a plan of attack, you should read this.” Spencer handed him the daily paper. Right there before his eyes, in black and white, were the same words he had read the previous day. Words that had pierced his heart then and again now. Amelia and Yarmouth’s marriage banns were now embedded in his brain for all time.

  William’s knees gave way, and he sank down into a chair. “Am I too late?”

  “It would be too late if the vows have been spoken, but they have not. You have time, but not much.”

  “Yesterday I told myself the same thing. Today I’m not convinced. She is as much his now as when they speak their vows.” Breathe. He needed to get his emotions under control. He might have been a quitter in the past, but not now. This counted for far too much now. He believed with his whole heart that if Amelia married Yarmouth she would never truly be happy.

  Furthermore, he believed she didn’t love Yarmouth but loved him instead. If she married Yarmouth, William would face a dark future alone. So much worse than the one he’d lived the past twelve years. And he believed Amelia would be all but alone, trapped in a loveless marriage. Will
iam had discovered Amelia’s secret only the day before. He knew that his knowledge of it would matter a great deal to Amelia. When the duke found out about the child, would he accept the news and the child, or would he punish Amelia for her mistake? Abandon the child to who knows what?

  “Well, my cousin who has all the answers, what do you think I should do?” William asked.

  “Thank you for the compliment, but I hardly have all the answers. If I did, I would be openly courting Lady Bella instead of standing in the wings waiting for Norwich to declare himself. As for you and Lady Amelia, you could kidnap her and run away, never to be seen or heard from again.”

  William burst out laughing. “Thanks, I needed that.”

  “No. I’m serious. Sneak into her bedchamber and whisk her away to America. Marry her and live there, happily ever after.”

  “Indeed. What gothic novel did you take that from?” Hadn’t William thought about running away to Gretna Green with her? Would Amelia go along with it, knowing scandal would follow them for the rest of their lives? Had not Wentworth refused to allow him to court her in the first place because of the gossip associated with his past? Refused to allow them to court because both their names had been linked with gossip and scandal?

  This was the present, not the past. He needed to clear his name now and help Amelia erase her shame. Not only did his happiness rely on it, but Amelia’s as well. “Care to visit Smythe with me today to see how my case is going?”

  Spencer shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve got nothing planned. I’ll send to the mews for the carriage.”

  “Send for my carriage, you mean?”

  “I do send you funds monthly for the use of it along with your home.”

  Once again William found himself laughing. “Indeed you do. But send no more money. We can share the house. I’m here to stay until I’ve accomplished my goals. Now, where is that carriage?”

  ***

  “Please sit down, Lord Bridgeton. Mr. Spencer,” Smythe said as he shuffled papers around on the top of his desk. “I didn’t expect you again so soon. Not much has changed since the other day.”

  “It has been over a sennight,” William began. “I need the proof of Trenton’s guilt now.”

  “Now,” sputtered Smythe.

  “What my cousin is saying,” Spencer interjected, “is that he is anxious to put this behind him as quickly as possible. Money is no object. Put more runners on the case. Time is of the essence.”

  “I have men following Trenton. So far he does nothing but travel from his home to his clubs, then to his mistress’s and back. The creditors are knocking on his door. If what you say he has done is true, then it is only a matter of time before he attempts to do something to gain the funds you are no longer willing to pay him.”

  “I need to hire you for one more thing,” William began. “Would you investigate the Duke of Yarmouth? I want to know everything about him. And I want the information tomorrow.”

  Smythe coughed. “A duke! Tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow,” William repeated.

  ***

  Once inside the carriage, Spencer asked, “Why investigate Yarmouth?”

  “Just because I want to. It’s the least I can do for Amelia. In fact, it’s probably the only thing I can do for her if things don’t go well with the Trenton investigation. At least I can provide her with peace of mind, if nothing else.”

  “Have you given up on your plans to kidnap her?” Spencer asked with a smirk.

  “Those were your plans, not mine. Mine were to run away with her to Gretna Green. It is not actually kidnapping if the lady comes willingly.” Damn, his head throbbed, and rubbing his temples did not help any. “I just want to know that if she marries the duke, she will be taken care of. That he’s not hiding something hideous in his past. One glance out the window had William tensing up. “Where are we?”

  “You have eyes. I thought a little time at White’s might cheer you up.”

  “You thought wrong.”

  Upon entering, William discovered that the usual whispers traveled through the place. He glared at those who dared look down their noses at him.

  He sat by the fire, a drink in hand. Gradually William’s muscles relaxed and he grew tired, so tired he almost fell asleep there in his chair––until his glass nearly fell out of his hand. Damn it all, he was exhausted, mind and body. It was nice to sit, stare at the flames, and forget his troubles for a spell. He heard Wentworth’s voice travel through the crowded room and his troubles came back.

  It took only a moment before one shadow, then another, appeared before William. “May we join you?”

  Before William could speak, Spencer answered. “Yes, please do, Wentworth. Norwich.”

  Now all four chairs surrounding the fireplace were taken.

  “I thought you went back to Dover,” Wentworth said as a servant placed a glass filled with amber liquid in his hand and another in Norwich’s.

  “I found it to be too quiet,” William replied.

  “Is that so? I thought you rather enjoyed the solitude and peacefulness of the country,” Wentworth remarked.

  “I did.” Would the duke ever get to the point of his questioning?

  “I don’t want to be one to throw salt on your wounds,” Wentworth continued in a cautious tone, “but did you happen to read yesterday’s or today’s paper?”

  Luckily, Spencer reached over and clasped his hand around William’s forearm before William could jump out of his seat and go for Wentworth’s throat. “Yes. I hear congratulations are in order for Lady Amelia and Yarmouth.” He held up his glass in tribute. “And you, of course, for making such an advantageous match for your sister. You must be thrilled to have another duke in the family.”

  “Yes, there is that.” Wentworth downed his drink, signaling the servant for another. “Do I have your word, as a gentleman, you will not contact her or interfere in any way?”

  “You have my word I will not call on her for tea. But if we attend the same function, I cannot promise not to ask her for a dance.” William would bloody hell dance with her once more. It would not be to spite her brother; it would be to appease himself. For the rest of his life he might have to live on only the memory.

  “Fair enough. Are your sisters enjoying the Season, Spencer?” Wentworth asked, evidently done interrogating William for now.

  “Yes. It is Elizabeth’s second and Mary’s first. No serious suitors yet, but the Season is early. Mary will not be too hard to find a husband for. Elizabeth can be quite difficult. What do they teach young ladies in finishing school these days?”

  Spencer’s comment had both Wentworth and Norwich laughing.

  “Yes,” Norwich chimed in, “I have five younger sisters. I pray every day my father lives long enough to marry each of them off before his death.” He shivered. “I have nightmares about finding proper suitors for them. The oldest, Marissa, made a list of attributes she expects in a husband.” He snorted. “No man alive can be that perfect.”

  “Now that Amelia is engaged,” Wentworth said, “I have Bella to worry about. She is a bit unconventional. If only a certain gentleman who will remain unnamed would get off his horse’s ass and ask for her. Then I could rest easily at night.”

  “Yes, well,” Spencer said, looking directly at Norwich, “maybe it is not meant to be. There might be another out there for her.”

  Norwich held up his glass. “Point taken. I believe I’ve been forewarned.”

  “My, my, who do we have here?” William gave a start at the familiar voice as Sir Phillip Trenton came into view. “I thought you ran back to your hideaway in the country to lick your wounds.”

  William acknowledged Spencer’s hand once again as it clamped down on his forearm. “I have no wounds, but if you continue to bother me, you will.”

  “Come now, Bridgeton, we are family after all. Your brother did marry my sister. And you, well, we will keep that between us, for now. ” Trenton signaled for a chair to be brought over as we
ll as a drink. “You don’t mind if I join you?”

  “Yes, I do, but it appears as though I don’t have a choice,” William replied coldly.

  “Always the joker, Bridgeton.” Trenton turned his attention to Wentworth with a nod. “How are you, Your Grace? Congratulations on your sister’s betrothal to Yarmouth.”

  “Thank you.” Wentworth stood, “If you gentlemen will excuse me.”

  “Me, too,” Norwich added, rising as well.

  William inwardly groaned. As long as these two stayed, Trenton would behave, but now—. “Did I say or do something?” Trenton grinned into his glass once the three of them were alone.

  “I wouldn’t know,” William replied.

  “I’m grateful they left, it gives us time to discuss certain important matters.” Trenton stared at the full glass in his hand, then glared at William. “If you don’t call off your runners, I’ll be forced to reveal family secrets…Unless you’re willing to pay for my silence, once again.”

  “Go ahead,” William said. He had to come to terms with the secrets coming out eventually. Now might not be the ideal time, but since when did William have control over anything?

  “You don’t mean that,” Trenton said with incredulousness and fear in his eyes.

  “Indeed, I do. You will never receive so much as one more shilling from me. And they are not my runners. Have you angered someone else?”

  Trenton downed his drink and made haste out of White’s as if the devil himself were after him.

  Interesting, did Trenton have other enemies? William would not be surprised if the list covered half a page.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  For one week now Amelia had been engaged to Yarmouth. Already her mother was pressuring her to pick a wedding date. Yet how could she, when every time she thought about marrying Yarmouth she became ill? Her head pounded and her stomach flip-flopped. Was it possible to have an adverse reaction to marriage? Nay, not marriage, per say, just marriage to Yarmouth.