Earl of Carlyle (The Rogue Gentlemen Series Book 2)

by Angela Conrad

  Not used to failing, Lord Darlington decided he did not have a taste for it.

  He missed the debutantes and their easy ways. The balls where his approach for a dance was prized.

  The mornings at Riverside were passable. The extravagant table, the charming conversation of the lovely Winston sisters, and the absence of Sandshire and Carlyle made for an enjoyable start to any day.

  His spirited rides across the countryside with Audrey Winston, even tailed by a groom, were entertaining. There was mild flirting. Easy laughter and exciting races where he had to admit a woman could be a very capable rider.

  The evening dinners, the drinks in the burgundy salon, the presence of everyone bantering with quips he didn’t comprehend. Those, he despised.

  Even the phony competition for the hands of the lady’s paled over the long evenings of card games and secret looks when again, Lord Darlington did not feel up to the game.

  And Lord Bristol, a man he previously thought he understood more than any person in his acquaintance, now mystified him. All the flattering of the marquis and his estates, the hints directed to Sara Winston that she must see this or that and only the marquis could show her. What was his friend playing at?

  Wasn’t Bristol also caught in this same pickle? Didn’t both of them have to marry? Then why did his friend spend less and less time with either lady and take those solo rides about the property?

  Then it hit him, like a rare flash of a lightning bolt to his brain.

  That underhanded bastard!

  Bristol was trying to pawn off his intended bride on the marquis.

  Worse, he was sneaking off and there was only one thing that would interest his friend after a week of abstinence.

  He must be meeting Samantha Brussel! That hyena-laughing upstart mistress of his.

  And he was leaving his so-called best friend, Darlington, to his nuptial fate without a by your leave.

  The audacity!

  The very deviousness of his actions!

  The cunning!

  The brilliance of it!

  And now, Lord Darlington had only one recourse. To steal his friend’s plan and steer Audrey Winston into the arms of the only other available and present gentleman, the Earl of Carlyle.

  Yes! His own cleverness astounded him.

  He would seek opportunities, listen more carefully to conversations, and see about unloading the pretty Audrey into the earl’s future instead of his own.

  After all, he was just twenty-four and cared more about buying a new pair of spurs than marriage.

  How smart of Bristol to conceive such a plan, almost genius.

  And how heartless not to share the plot with his oldest friend.

  Darlington swore that he would get even with Bristol at some future date. Sometime in the upcoming months, he would learn about a racing stallion favoring a front leg, or a jockey with a strained shoulder and he would bite his tongue and not share that valuable news with his cousin. Yes. He would make that sorry companion pay for not sharing this important plan. He relished seeing his friend’s face when he lost a hundred pounds at the racing track. And then he remembered he also knew about the mistress, Samantha.

  That might be useful.

  Lord Darlington grinned causing Audrey to notice the joy on his handsome face and actually flush from it as if it was directed at her for some pleasurable reason.

  Darlington glanced over at Carlyle and noted that the earl seemed annoyed by his happy grin. Was there a spark of interest there already? How had he missed it?

  This might be easier than he’d feared for Carlyle was a heartless gentleman who wasn’t known for possessing a soft heart, not even for having a heart at all.

  Now all sorts of possibilities presented themselves.

  He could keep both his freedom and not land in the black books of Sandshire.

  The taste of victory rested on his tongue and Lord Darlington laughed out loud causing Audrey Winston to jump as the young lord said, “I am indeed a supremely happy gentleman.”

  That surprising declaration left everyone else free to speculate on what had caused such a wild and boisterous pronouncement from such a moody and ever-changing young gentleman.

  PART SEVEN

  Lord Sandshire

  Wild Cat

  I

  The second week of the house party began with the same guests, the exact seating at the magnificent mahogany table, and the fair just as grand but yet, something was different. Marquis of Sandshire exchanged glances with his son and noticed that Carlyle was also feeling the cold draft of something sinister happening. An invisible specter was floating around the table dipping a boney finger into their business.

  “Sandshire, your northern property, Evergreen, or something, don’t you raise sheep there?” Lord Bristol asked loudly leaning over the table and dipping the edge of his embroidered waistcoat into his pudding.

  “Oak Hall? Yes, it has grazing fields for several hundred sheep. Have you taken an interest in agriculture, Bristol for I’ve never known you to speak about sheep before in your life unless it was a request to pass the lamb chops,” Carlyle asked.

  “On occasion,” Lord Bristol huffed. “Sara has turned my mind on the subject.”

  “You couldn’t tell a ram from a goat at a hundred yards. Bristol, you waver back and forth on interests like a willow branch,” Lord Darlington laughed acting very differently towards his bosom friend.

  The two young gentlemen exchanged hot stares as the marquis looked on with interest. Then a light sparkled in his dark blue eyes and he said, “Bristol, I shall arrange for an excursion for you to visit Oak Hall next month. You might enjoy walking the thick fields and observing the sheep. It’s very remote there, no one for miles. Just the sort of place you’d enjoy.”

  Lord Bristol visibly gasped before catching himself and frowning into his banana pudding.

  “Oh, I think it sounds wonderful,” Sara Winston said. “It must be beautiful there. I’m sure you’ve arranged a superior system of raising sheep, shearing barns staffed with skilled workmen, and quality wool sold in the market, everything planned superbly.”

  “You see how she has an interest in it?” Bristol pushed. “Instead of me going, Sandshire I believe you would be a better escort to show the lady your own property than I.”

  “I think you should go too, Bristol,” Darlington smiled. “It would do you good and keep you from doing anything even more foolish.”

  “Whatever are you implying?” Bristol shot back shifting his chair to see his friend better.

  “Yes, what is he implying?” Carlyle could not resist asking.

  Audrey and Sara exchanged glances and their pale gray eyes held sharp looks.

  “Nothing,” Darlington leered, “Though an uncaged feline might be prowling the property and I wouldn’t want my friend to get scratched.”

  “A cat? You mean a wild cat?” Audrey asked sweetly. “It’s not injured is it? I could tend it if you would show me its hiding spot.”

  Bristol coughed and then covered his mouth with his hand. “Have you seen this animal, Darlington for I know nothing about it? Perhaps you saw an elephant too.”

  “No, just the female cat,” Darlington grinned. “I wouldn’t call her an elephant if I were you. I’ve heard she has quite a good aim when throwing things.”

  Sandshire was reaching the end of his politeness. He gave a hard stare to each of the young lords and said, “If there is a wild cat hidden somewhere on my property I will have my men find it and bring it here into the yard where we all might see it.”

  “Oh, how exciting,” Audrey said cheerfully. “I would adore seeing it and how observant of you, Lord Darlington to spot this cat and also identify that it is a female.”

  “Yes, you must have gotten a very close look at it,” Sara said pulling her full lips tightly. “Is it somehow attached to Lord Bristol for you do seem to be implying that it has a connection to him?”

  “Me?” Bristol shrieked. “It’s Dar
lington’s tale. I have noticed a certain animosity towards me. What has you so annoyed cousin?”

  “Am I annoyed? You know I don’t care to be left out of anything,” Darlington said pointedly.

  “Left out of what?” Carlyle asked.

  “Yes, what are you two talking about?” The marquis asked.

  “You mean the whereabouts of this cat?” Audrey guessed.

  “Does this cat have a red coat for I think I might have seen it too?” Sara asked as she watched Lord Bristol’s face grow pale.

  “Red?” Audrey asked turning in puzzlement. “You sure it’s not a fox?”

  “It might be a fox,” Darlington grinned. “It appears to be very cunning.”

  “You can’t tell a wild cat from a fox?” Carlyle laughed. “You might also need a trip to Oak Hall to study the behavior and appearance of animals.”

  Darlington, weary of being the butt of too many jokes from the earl’s lips, scraped back his chair and turned, saying, “I recognize this wild creature who is known as a cat but has the coloring and cunning of a fox. It’s Bristol’s pet.”

  “Pet?” Audrey gasped.

  “Oh for the love of…are you both referring to that loose woman who strolls down the far eastern road dressed in that lude pink gown? Is she your pet, Lord Bristol?” Sara asked snapping her fork down next to her plate.

  “Surely you haven’t brought that tart, that Brussel woman here?” Carlyle asked before catching the stern look in his father’s eyes and adding, “Darlington must be jesting.”

  “Yes, he’s a great jester,” Bristol said his voice thick with anger.

  “I saw her plainly,” Lord Darlington said hotly defending himself. “I would never jest about something so unseemly. Samantha Ray Brussel is here dear marquis. She’s squirreled away in your small gamekeeper’s cottage off the eastern road. Bristol is not being sincere with the Winston ladies. He’s playing you false.”

  “Tattler!” Lord Bristol shouted standing and pushing back his chair.

  “Cheater, keeper of secrets!” Lord Darlington howled louder.

  “Blackhearted swine!” Bristol growled.

  “Devious basta…” Darlington started.

  “Enough!” The marquis said loudly. “Get out of my sight, both of you.”

  “You mean we can leave Riverside?” Darlington grinned.

  “He means you can leave the room, don’t you father?” Carlyle asked.

  “I mean to leave my sight but stay at Riverside for the time being,” Sandshire said more calmly. “I have some thinking to do.”

  The two young lords left the massive dining room quarreling and calling each other names as the ladies both leaned back in their chairs in shock and dismay.

  “Forgive their behavior,” the marquis said glancing at the unhappy female faces.

  “Uncle warned us that they were wild gentlemen who needed some guidance,” Audrey said, “but I fear they are even more in need of change than either my sister or I can influence.”

  “Yes, marquis, perhaps we should return to our home of Summer Garden. Those two…they are not anything that Audrey or I can admire. We would not be happy with either of them,” Sara said sadly.

  Carlyle looked over at his father and saw the anger still there, his father’s hands clenched into fists, his face flushed red.

  “I think we’d best call this an end to our evening. Ladies, please don’t consider leaving just yet. Your uncle, Viscount Winston entrusted your futures into father’s hands and I’m sure he will decide what is best tomorrow morning,” Carlyle said adjusting his cuff.

  “Yes, dear ladies, forgive me. Tomorrow everything will appear clearer and we can discuss other options then,” the marquis said glancing at his son’s worried face. “I have given my solemn promise to Viscount Winston and I will honor it. You two lovely ladies will be cared for and have a bright future.”

  As the ladies left the room whispering to each other and their little silk slippers could be heard going up the stairs, Earl Carlyle turned to his father and asked, “What other options?”

  “Damn their hides. Those two scoundrels. I cannot in good conscience see either Winston lady married to either of them,” Sandshire replied.

  “I agree. They are both hopeless. Remember, I warned you that no one could improve them, not even a pair of beautiful young ladies,” Carlyle said watching his father’s face smooth out and his natural color return.

  “I sent their uncle to sea, endangering his life perhaps. I gave Viscount Winston my word that his nieces would be safely married and protected,” the marquis mused.

  “Then what other options?” Carlyle repeated feeling annoyed.

  “Well son, we’ll have to marry them then, won’t we?” Sandshire asked noticing his son’s face go pale.

  “What?” Carlyle gasped.

  “You heard me. I have noticed your reactions to the two ladies. You favor one I believe and I admire the other,” the marquis said.

  “You marry Sara and I wed Audrey? Surely there’s some law about intermarrying sisters into a family or something,” Carlyle said half in jest.

  “Yes, I thought about that. When you marry Audrey, Sara would be your sister-in-law,” the marquis mused. “There is no law against it.”

  “When I marry? Are you implying that I wed first? I thought perhaps you might marry Sara,” the earl argued his mind swirling with all the possibilities and changes to come and not sure he liked it now that it was offered. “Then, as your sister-in-law, Audrey would have a secure future. You could find her a fine match. Promote her at balls. Yes, that’s the best solution.”

  “You’d accept Audrey being courted and wed to another gentleman? Before you answer, think about it seriously, losing a chance to have her forever…is that your wish?” The marquis asked tapping his hand on the oak chair arm.

  Carlyle looked towards the fireplace and sighed.

  “I would not enjoy watching all the vultures, social climbers, toadeaters, and gamblers chasing after her. I just might be forced to make the sacrifice.”

  “The marquis laughed. “What makes you believe those kinds of men would ask for Audrey’s hand or be accepted by me? I was thinking of the Earl of Cunningham perhaps.”

  “Cunningham?” Carlyle gasped. “He’s returned from abroad?”

  “Yes, I just received a letter from him. He’ll be traveling home and passing Riverside. I invited him to stop by and stay for a few days. There are several solutions to this dilemma. There’s no need for a sacrifice,” the marquis replied noticing movement at the salon doorway and glancing there.

  Audrey entered hesitantly and smiled kindly at the marquis, “I did not mean to eavesdrop, I only wanted to tell you goodnight, Marquis Sandshire and to thank you for all you have done to honor your word to our uncle and to help us. Sara and I feel very safe in your hands and any plan you devise for our futures…other than wedding Lords Bristol and Darlington will be gratefully received.”

  Carlyle could not miss the fact that Audrey never looked in his direction. So, she must have overheard his remark about making a sacrifice by offering for her. For some reason that caused a pain in his chest to appear. He glanced at her retreating back, then her swaying hips and the beautiful profile of her face as she turned to climb the stairs.

  “There, you see. Another way is found and you no longer have to worry about being forced to marry Audrey Winston. After overhearing your remarks she would never have you,” the marquis said sipping his fresh whiskey.

  “No, I suppose not,” Carlyle replied adjusting his shirt cuff sharply until he caught his father’s searching eyes upon him. Then, he dropped his hand and sighed.

  Botched

  II

  “Lord Sandshire, I heard a rumor that a gentleman, an Earl Cunningham is going to be a guest here. Is that correct?” Sara asked the marquis the next morning.

  “Not precisely,” Sandshire said quietly. Motioning for Sara to follow him, the marquis walked further down the front stair
s and into the oak-lined driveway. Once there, in the deep shades of a row of giant trees, the couple moved closer together and nodded their heads in a secretive fashion.

  “Remember our private conversation from Friday past?” The marquis asked bending to inhale the scent of lilacs.

  “I do,” Sara Winston said. “Oh! You mean about putting a bee in your son’s top hat?”

  “Yes, did I say it that way? Goodness, I must be sitting too long with my great aunt, Lady Whistle. The bee being Lord Cunningham’s name. I thought it might force Carlyle to make an advance on young Audrey.”

  “And did it?” Sara asked breathlessly, so close to the marquis that she could study the stitching on his vest pocket.

  “I’m afraid it might have backfired but you sending Audrey back downstairs to thank me was impeccable timing,” Sandshire said. “Don’t look so surprised. I knew when I saw Audrey standing in the doorway that you had suggested it.”

  “I might have hinted that we displayed a certain lack of manners…” Sara smiled. “Audrey seemed different when she came back upstairs. Quiet.”

  “Yes, Carlyle made some reference about being forced to sacrifice himself by marrying Audrey since Darlington could no longer be considered,” the marquis said noticing Sara’s face flush a dark red.

  Sara turned her body away from the marquis and took a deep breath. Looking down she said, “Ah. That would sting Audrey’s pride. I am afraid she will not forget such a remark. No. Even if your son asked for her hand now she would see it as charity. She could not marry a gentleman who felt obligated.”

  The marquis walked a few steps, turned, and studied Sara’s beautiful profile. “Sara, you understand that I gave Viscount Winston my word that you would both be safely married and cared for and I intend to fulfill my promise.”

  “I will not marry either Bristol or Darlington and neither will Audrey. Nothing can change the fact that both of those young gentlemen only offer a woman a life of patronized misery.”