Unable to ignore his hostess, the Earl stopped and gave a little bow.
‘It is unfortunate that I am so often otherwise engaged…’
Lady Keworth laughed and tapped his arm.
‘Well, I am very glad that you are not engaged elsewhere this evening, sir, especially when we have such delightful company.’ She glanced towards Eloise, gave her an encouraging smile then turned away to greet another guest.
Lord Berrow looked around him, clearly uncomfortable to be left in Lady Allyngham’s company. She held out her hand to him.
‘My lord, I am glad we have met: I wanted to thank you personally for allowing me to buy Ainsley Wood. It was very generous of you.’
His lordship flushed.
‘Oh, yes, well,’ he muttered, ‘it is in a good cause, after all.’
‘Indeed it is, sir,’ she replied warmly. ‘When the trustees are drawing up their records I shall make sure your generosity is recognised.’
With an inward smile she watched him puff out his chest.
‘Oh, no need for that, dear lady,’ he said, looking considerably more cheerful. ‘We must all do a little something for those less fortunate, eh?’
He gave a fat chuckle and looked as if he would say more but Sir Ronald’s voice cut across the room.
‘Ah, and here is my lovely bride. Come along over here, my dear, and join us.’
Play was suspended as everyone’s eyes were fixed upon Eloise. Not by a flicker did she betray her nerves. She nodded to Lord Berrow and moved across to Sir Ronald. He was sitting at a table with several other gentlemen, including his host and Mr Edward Graham. Lord Keworth rose and began to offer Eloise his chair but Sir Ronald waved at him.
‘Sit ye down, sir. Lady Allyngham ain’t one for cards, are you, my dear?’ He reached out and caught her wrist, pulling her closer. ‘She will stand beside me, my lucky charm.’
‘Damme, sir, I think you may need it,’ laughed Mr Graham, giving Eloise a good-natured bow. ‘There are a number of gamesters here tonight, ma’am, some of ’em quite reckless. The game is bassett, you know: I fear the play will be very deep.’
She glanced around at them all and managed a smile.
‘Then pray be seated, gentlemen and go on with your game. Sir Ronald is quite correct, I am more than happy to observe the play, if you will let me.’
‘Bless you, my lady, of course you may watch,’ declared Lord Keworth, picking up his cards. ‘Though tedious work you may find it. Once Deforge has his mind on the cards, nothing will sway him!’
Lord Keworth was right; Eloise found it very dull standing at Sir Ronald’s shoulder while he played. Cards were taken and discarded, wagers were made and she found herself surprised at the high stakes. Glancing around the room, she realised that although the players at every table were doing their best to win, none had the intensity of those pitting their skill against Sir Ronald.
A light-hearted game of quadrille was just breaking up and she used the diversion to move away. As she did so Lady Parham beckoned to her.
‘My dear Lady Allyngham, I was so sorry to miss Sir Ronald’s little soirée.’ She glanced at the diamond winking on Eloise’s finger. ‘It was such a surprise to hear that you are to be married, and to Sir Ronald, too.’ She hesitated before giving another of her thin smiles. ‘I had not thought him one of your particular favourites.’
Silently Eloise inclined her head and moved to pass on but Lady Parham stepped in front of her.
‘I had thought Mr Mortimer had the advantage, especially since you have known him for so long. He is your neighbour at Allyngham, is he not? It must have been such a comfort to have him so close while your husband was away.’
The implication was plain. Eloise realised she had played her part as the wanton widow far too well. She replied evenly, ‘Mr Mortimer has always been a very good friend, Lady Parham.’
‘And what does he think of your betrothal to Sir Ronald?’ The sly look that accompanied these words angered Eloise, but at that moment there was a distraction at the door. She looked up.
‘You had best ask him that yourself, ma’am,’ she said, smiling in relief and surprise as she watched Alex limp into the room with Jack close behind him. Until that moment it seemed to Eloise that she had hardly been breathing. Now her heart swelled with pride and pleasure as the two gentlemen greeted their hostess. Alex was looking a little pale and leaning heavily upon a cane. Jack, standing tall and dark beside him, looked at the peak of fitness. Surely there was nothing to fear while she had two such champions.
‘Lady Allyngham, I fear you have forgotten your role this evening.’
Sir Ronald’s voice boomed out once again. Her eyes narrowed angrily. She wanted to tear the ring off her finger and throw it in his grinning face. She looked across the room at Jack, who gave the tiniest shake of his head. Putting up her chin, Eloise fixed her smile and walked back to Sir Ronald.
‘Stand close, my dear, you are here to bring me luck.’
He reached out and put one arm possessively about her hips. She forced herself to stand passively until Sir Ronald released her and returned his full attention to the cards. Jack was watching them, but his countenance was inscrutable. She must play her part until he gave her a sign. She watched the game progress, alarmed at the large amounts the gentlemen were prepared to wager on a single card. As banker, Sir Ronald had the advantage, controlling the cards and dealing them with practised ease. Across the room Jack and Alex were talking to Mr Renwick. They were moving closer, but so slowly that the tension made her want to scream. No one at the table had eyes for anything other than the play. Mr Graham had thrown in his hand and now sat with his head bowed, rubbing his eyes. Another gentleman pulled off a ruby ring and placed it on his card, only to see it join the growing pile of notes and coins in front of Sir Ronald.
‘Hell’s teeth, Deforge, you win again!’ With a laugh Lord Keworth stared at the cards Sir Ronald turned up on the table. ‘What luck!’
‘And skill, Keworth,’ murmured Sir Ronald, smiling. ‘Although having my future bride at my side is undoubtedly an advantage.’ He glanced up at that moment and saw Jack standing nearby. His smile grew more unpleasant. ‘It is a case of winner takes all, I think. What say you, Major Clifton?’
‘Oh, undoubtedly,’ replied Jack, ‘Only tonight I do not think the winner will be you.’
His words were quiet but uttered with such cool conviction that a sudden hush fell over the table. The players were very still, while other guests drew closer, drawn by the sudden tension in the air. Sir Ronald raised his quizzing glass and stared at Jack, his smile turning into a sneer.
‘Oh, I think you are wrong there, Clifton. You only have to look at the fortune on the table to see how successful I have been. And tomorrow, you may come to the church to watch me claim this beautiful woman as my bride.’
Jack’s slow smile was even more menacing than Sir Ronald’s.
‘I think not.’
Eloise eased away. All eyes were upon Jack and Sir Ronald: there was violence in the air, she could almost taste it. She wondered what had become of Alex. She could not see him, but there were so many people standing around the table now that her view of the room was quite limited. Lord Keworth gave an uncertain laugh.
‘Gentlemen,’ he said, ‘There are tables and cards enough for everyone. Perhaps, Major Clifton, you and Deforge would like to settle your differences with a game of picquet.’
‘My dear Keworth, we have no differences to settle,’ said Sir Ronald, rising to his feet, his cold eyes fixed upon Jack. ‘The major does not like to lose.’ His lip curled in an ugly smile. ‘Losing to me seems to be your lot in life, does it not, Major? First your childhood sweetheart and now Lady Allyngham. But you must resign yourself to it. You have no choice because, you see, I hold the winning hand.’
‘Aye,’ said Jack steadily, ‘you hold all the aces.’
Deforge gave a soft laugh.
‘I am glad you realise that, Clifton. Now if
you do not mind—’
‘Not only aces,’ stated Jack, raising his voice a little, ‘but kings and queens, too.’
There was a movement in the crowd. Alex stepped up behind Sir Ronald and pulled his coat off his shoulders.
‘What the—!’ Deforge gave a snarl of rage, but the coat was already halfway down his arms and he could only struggle against Alex’s hold.
Lord Keworth sprang to his feet. ‘Good God, Mortimer, what do you mean by this?’
‘I think it is quite clear,’ said Jack.
Alex yanked the coat even further, revealing a web of leather straps around Deforge’s left forearm. Sir Ronald stood before them, his fists clenched as he glared at the horrified faces around him. Jack stepped around the table and pulled a card from beneath one of the straps.
‘I was right, you see. A king.’ He withdrew a second. ‘And a queen. You have already played the knave, have you not, Deforge?’
With a roar Sir Ronald turned on Jack but immediately Alex grabbed him and held him fast. A low murmur broke out and rippled around the room.
‘By God,’ muttered Mr Graham, ‘the man’s nothing but a cheat!’
Lord Keworth stared across the table, shaking his head in disgust.
‘And to think I called you friend,’ he muttered. ‘I think you can release him now, Mortimer. I will have the servants escort Sir Ronald from my house.’
Alex stepped away and Deforge angrily shrugged himself back into his coat, his heavy pock-marked face almost purple with rage and humiliation. He looked at Eloise.
‘Come, madam. We are leaving.’
‘I will not.’
His eyes narrowed and he said menacingly, ‘You are promised to marry me, my lady. You know the consequences of denying me.’
Slowly she withdrew the diamond ring from her hand and placed it on the table.
‘You coerced me, but that is all at an end now.’
Jack stepped up beside her.
‘There will be a notice in tomorrow’s newspapers, announcing that the engagement has been terminated,’ he said. ‘In the circumstances I do not think anyone will be surprised. Lady Allyngham will not dishonour her late husband’s memory by marrying a cheat.’ He fixed Sir Ronald with a steady look. ‘You have no hold over the lady now, Deforge.’
Sir Ronald stared at him.
‘What have you done?’ he ground out, his chin jutting pugnaciously.
Jack merely smiled. Two burly footmen appeared behind Sir Ronald and Lord Keworth said coldly, ‘I would be obliged if you would leave my house immediately, Deforge. You will not touch the money lying on the table,’ he added, as Sir Ronald glanced towards it. ‘I do not need to tell you that you are no longer welcome here.’
An expectant silence hung over the room. Eloise found herself stiff with tension as Sir Ronald cast a venomous glare in her direction. She returned his look with a haughty stare until at last he looked away. One of the footmen put a hand upon his shoulder and with a snarl Sir Ronald shook him off. He straightened his coat and headed for the door. As he passed Eloise he stopped and turned towards her, his eyes menacing. Immediately Jack stepped in, as if to shield her.
‘Just go, Deforge. If you have not left town by the morning it will give me very great pleasure to call you out!’
Eloise caught her breath. The two men glared at one another for a long, angry moment before Sir Ronald turned and flung himself out of the room. Jack turned back to her, the angry light in his eyes replaced by something much softer. He said quietly, ‘It is over, my lady. Now you may be easy…’
She struggled to concentrate. His voice seemed to be coming from a great distance. Blackness was closing around her. The last thing she saw was Jack’s face smiling at her before the darkness overwhelmed her and she fainted.
Jack did not hesitate. As Eloise began to fall he swept her up into his arms.
‘Ah, poor thing,’ exclaimed Lady Keworth. ‘Bring her this way, Major, into my sitting room.’ She led Jack out of the salon and across the landing to a small, cosily furnished parlour. ‘I will have the fire banked up…’
‘No, thank you,’ said Jack, gently laying his precious burden on a chintz-covered daybed and sitting down on the edge. ‘I think it was the heat in the salon that caused Lady Allyngham to faint. It is quite warm enough in here.’
Alex appeared in the doorway.
‘Is she all right?’
Lady Keworth hovered over the daybed.
‘Lady Allyngham will be very well, I am sure. Perhaps you would like to leave her with me…’
‘No!’ Jack softened his first, instinctive response by directing a charming smile at his hostess. ‘I feel responsible for Lady Allyngham, I shall look after her.’ He pulled off her gloves and began to chafe her hands. ‘But perhaps a glass of water?’
‘Yes, yes, of course.’
Alex stood aside to allow Lady Keworth to hurry away.
‘I did not see,’ he said, stepping into the room. ‘Did Deforge attack her?’
‘No, she has fainted, nothing more,’ said Jack, not looking up. ‘Is he gone now?’
‘Aye. Keworth’s men showed him to the door. He was looking as black as thunder, as well he might. No one will receive him after this night’s work.’ He glanced down. ‘She’s stirring.’
Jack felt the little hands tremble and his own grip tightened.
‘Be easy,’ he murmured. ‘You are safe now.’
She looked up at him, her eyes as dark as sapphires. Her fingers clung to his and only the knowledge that Alex was in the room prevented him from pulling her into his arms.
‘Aye,’ said Alex, coming to stand beside him. ‘It is over, Elle. Deforge is finished.’
Lady Keworth bustled back into the room with a glass of water.
‘Well, my dear, I am so glad to see you have come round,’ she said. ‘Such a fright you gave us, but I am sure you will be better now.’
Eloise struggled to sit up. Jack went to rise but her slender fingers clung to his hand so he remained perched on the edge of the daybed.
Lady Keworth held out the glass. ‘There, my dear. Are you sure there is nothing else I can do for you; shall I summon a doctor?’
Eloise’s fingers were shaking when she took the glass and Jack immediately reached out to help her, putting his hand over hers to steady it. She cast a swift, grateful look in his direction before turning to address Lady Keworth.
‘Thank you, ma’am. I am sure I shall be very well, if I may only rest here quietly for a little while.’
The lady hovered uncertainly.
‘I shall look after Lady Allyngham, ma’am,’ said Jack again. ‘I am sure you want to return to your guests, they will be growing anxious.’
‘Well…’ Lady Keworth hesitated and Alex stepped up.
‘Indeed, ma’am, we should go: so much excitement—we would not wish it to spoil your card party. You may be easy, madam; before he died at Waterloo, the late Lord Allyngham consigned his wife to Major Clifton’s care.’ He held out his arm to her. ‘Let us leave them now, I am sure they have much to discuss!’ He looked back over his shoulder as he escorted the lady from the room, giving Jack a grin and the suggestion of a wink.
Chapter Nineteen
‘I thank Providence for Alex Mortimer,’ said Jack, unable to suppress a smile. ‘I thought our hostess would never go away. He has closed the door upon us, too. I fear your reputation will be ruined after this, madam, unless you agree to marry me.’ He turned to Eloise, but his smile quickly disappeared when he saw her pale cheeks and the stricken look in her eyes. He said quickly, ‘Dearest heart, what is it?’
She shook her head.
‘Please, do not call me that!’
He took the glass from her shaking hands and placed it on a small side table.
‘Now, Elle,’ he said, taking her in his arms. ‘What is all this?’
She put her hands against his chest to hold him off.
‘I c-cannot marry you!’
&
nbsp; ‘No?’ He let her go and she turned away, hunting for her handkerchief. Silently he handed her his own.
‘No. At least,’ she muttered, dabbing at her eyes, ‘not until you know the truth about me.’
He smiled.
‘I know everything I need to know about you.’
She choked back a sob. How was she ever to explain it to him? He put his hands on her shoulders and she jumped, moving to the far end of the sofa.
‘Please,’ she said quickly, ‘do not touch me, not until I have t-told you.’
‘There is no need—’
‘But there is!’ she cried. ‘I w-would have no secrets from you, Jack, not any more. But once you know everything I am very much afraid you will want nothing more to do with me.’ She turned back towards him, her hands clasped so tightly the knuckles gleamed white. ‘I must tell you. I could not bear for you to find out in the future and…and hate me.’
‘I could never hate you.’ He reached out and took her hands. He said quietly, ‘Elle, if this is about Allyngham and Alex, I know. Alex told me everything.’
‘He did? But…when?’
‘The night we broke into Deforge’s house. I was determined to leave town. I told Alex that if you would not trust me then I wanted nothing further to do with you. So he told me what you would not—what you felt you could nott—out of loyalty to your husband and your friend. After all it was their secret, was it not?’
She gazed at him wide-eyed.
‘You are not…outraged?’
He smiled at her.
‘Despite your reputation, my lady, you really have led quite a sheltered life. No. I was not scandalised to learn that Alex and your husband were lovers.’
‘But…in the eyes of the law it is a criminal offence—men can be hanged for it.’ She squeezed his fingers, not sure that he understood her. ‘Lives have been ruined, reputations lost—Tony and Alex were so careful to protect their secret. Tony knew his name would be disgraced for ever if the truth came out—no respectable person could ever acknowledge him.’
‘Then perhaps I am not quite so respectable as you think me,’ replied Jack, smiling slightly. ‘Alex’s disclosure did not shock me. I was more shocked to learn that you had married Allyngham to protect them both. Mortimer said that you are very loyal and he is right, is he not? A little too loyal, perhaps. You were prepared, nay, willing, to be thought fast—a wanton widow indeed!—rather than have anyone suspect the truth.’
Disgrace and Desire Page 24