by Em Taylor
“What is that, my dear?” asked Lord Stalwood. Kathleen watched in fascination as Lord Stalwood’s gaze remained transfixed on Christina’s lips as she licked the ice from her spoon. Christina laid her spoon down and beamed at him.
“No poor chit will be forced to marry that vile brute.”
“You sound like you have had a run in with him, Chrissie.”
Christina shrugged. “Nothing I did not get myself out of.”
“Chrissie, what happened?” growled Cedric.
“What did he do?” barked Lord Stalwood, his hands balling into fists.
“He asked to kiss me on the terrace of someone’s ballroom and when I refused he decided he would kiss me anyway. So I hit him with my knee between the legs.”
Everyone around the table looked at Christina wide-eyed.
“You mean you kneed him where a young lady should not even know to knee a gentleman?” Cedric asked, his lips pursed as if he was struggling not to laugh.
“I knew to knee him there because I did it to you a time or two when we were children, Cedric.”
Cedric grimaced. “Ah yes. You always were a violent little thing.”
“Only to you, my darling.”
“Oh, you grew up together,” Kathleen asked. She had thought they had grown up apart.
Cedric and Christina looked at one another and Lord Stalwood cleared his throat.
“Cedric and his brother came to live with us when Gabriel and I were about three. It was before our mother died. That is when our father recognised Cedric and Godfrey as his sons.”
Cedric gave a slight nod of his head to Christina and she appeared to relax. Kathleen felt that once again she had intruded upon something she should have stayed out of.
“I apologise. I should not have asked. Please if I ask anything you feel is intrusive or inappropriate, do feel free to say so.”
Cedric lifted her hand in his and raised it to his lips. “My dear, sweet Kathleen, we will we wed soon and there should be no secrets between us.” Once again he caught his sister’s gaze and a significant look passed between them. Kathleen was feeling terribly uncomfortable, and she wasn’t sure it was all to do with Cedric making her heart flutter—though he was.
“Christina, I wonder if I may trouble you to go home now. I feel a little light-headed. I fear the British weather is still a little unusual as I am used to extreme cold or extreme heat. This damp, cool weather does not yet agree with me.”
“Yes, of course. I do hope you are not coming down with whatever Cedric had.”
“Cedric said it was something he ate.”
“Likely so, but one never knows.”
“True.”
Chapter 7
“She knows,” Gabriel ground out as he sat atop his horse awaiting Miss Roberts and her groom.
“How can she know? For goodness' sake, Gabriel. No one could imagine that such a ridiculous set of circumstances could be playing out in the middle of Mayfair in the Christmas Season. It sounds more like a Drury Lane production,” Christina reasoned.
“That is exactly what I told the Duke.”
“You mean Father?”
“I mean the Duke. He is not and never has been a father to me, Chrissie. I have no fond memories to tell of, just scars where the blaggard whipped me and left marks.”
Chrissie’s gloved hand flew to her mouth and Gabriel regretted his words immediately. He’d never told her about the beatings.
“Does he still beat you?”
“No. Not since I punched back. I’m sorry, Christina, I should not have told you that.”
“Of course you should have told me. You should have told me when it was happening. Devil take it, Gabe. The man’s a monster.”
“Christina, settle down. You are frightening the horses and the ladies in their carriages.” Gabriel stifled a laugh as Stalwood rode up beside his sister and laid a comforting hand on hers encouraging her to loosen her grip on her reins. Gabriel frowned. His friend was far too comfortable with his sister. Christina was an innocent. At least he damned well hoped she was.
“Cindermaine?” Gabriel looked up at Stalwood when his friend used his title.
“Best not to call me that. Might confuse things.”
“You’re the Earl of Cindermaine, Gabriel and I shall not call you anything different when we’re alone. You have always been Cindermaine to me. Anyway, why do you glower at us as if you want to kill me?”
“You are touching my sister.”
Christina snorted. “You have never been protective of me before. I have been to balls, soirees, at homes, garden parties. Even Vauxhall Gardens and you have never cared two hoots whether gentlemen touched me.”
“Who touched you and I shall run them through with a damned sword?”
Christina rolled her eyes.
“I have been kissed.”
“Oh, you have, Lady Christina. I am disappointed to know I shall not be your first.”
Christina beamed at Myles. “But perhaps you shall be my last and the one I like the most.”
“You will not be kissing my sister,” Gabriel growled.
Christina raised an imperious eyebrow at him as his horse danced to the side. Whether it was because he had gripped the reins tighter or because he’d raised his voice, Gabriel could not be sure but, with a nudge of his knee, he brought the beast back under control.
“You do not have a say, Lord Cindermaine. You are younger than I am.”
“By eight minutes, you obnoxious little chit.”
She turned to Stalwood and grinned. “I do believe even if I did not want you to kiss me, Lord Stalwood, I would allow it, just to watch my poor brother turn that dreadful colour. Poor lamb.”
The sound of slow hoofbeats which suggested a lady rider was approaching saved Gabriel from further teasing by his sister. He turned his mount and was delighted to see a vision in forest green. A jaunty little hat with a large feather sat on her golden hair and her cheeks were pink with the cold.
An ache settled in Gabriel’s chest. How was he going to let this darling creature go when the real Cedric was well enough? And how could he let that bastard put his grubby hands on her?
Her gaze raked up his body, settling first on his thighs which hugged his new black gelding, keeping the creature steady. Riding a horse again after so long had come so naturally. Gabriel had been shocked about how comfortable he was to be back in the saddle. They had picked a well-tempered beast, unlike Stalwood’s creature who stamped with impatience and snorted. Why anyone would purchase a stallion for anything but breeding was beyond Gabriel. Thunder was nought but a menace. The beast had obviously taken a shine to Christina’s mare, which Gabriel was no more happy about than the shine that Thunder’s owner had taken to Gabriel’s sister.
Gabriel noticed a look of relief settling on Miss Robert’s face as she admired his buff riding breeches. Then he remembered the inexpressibles favoured by his half-brother. It seemed the young woman preferred her gentlemen to not have all his attributes, such as they were in Cedric’s case, out on display for the entire ton to see. He wondered if there was a way to convince Cedric to give up wearing the vile garments for Kathleen’s sake.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. Lady Christina.”
“Good afternoon Miss Roberts. It is lovely to see you again. Shall we go down to the Serpentine and see if Lord Stalwood’s horse will do us the honour of tossing him in for our amusement?”
She gave Myles a cheeky grin, and he pursed his lips in mock ennui.
They all turned their mounts in the direction of the Serpentine but had barely moved a few steps when they heard men’s voices call out Cedric’s name. Gabriel closed his eyes and continued to ride on, but Kathleen stopped.
“Mr Onslow, those gentlemen are calling you.”
“Are they? Oh, so they are. I must have been wool-gathering.” Gabriel gave Stalwood a knowing look and pulled his hat further down over his eyes. He turned and sneered at the younger men who rode up, looking exc
ited to see Cedric.
“Onslow, we thought you refused to ride.”
Damn, he had not thought of the problem of Cedric’s fear of horses. A big Clydesdale had kicked his half-brother in the ballocks when he was around sixteen on Lord Benwick’s estate and Cedric had refused to ride since. It was ridiculous really. Everyone had been at the wrong end of an argument with an angry horse at some time or other.
Gabriel waved his hand dismissively and made sure to speak through his nose, and to sound a little bored. “It is not that I cannot ride, but rather that I choose not to ride. But Miss Roberts was keen and what Miss Roberts wants, Miss Roberts gets.”
“Devil take it, Onslow, but your leg-shackle seems like a dreadfully snug fit already. Are you certain this is a good idea?” Gabriel bristled. Not just at the words Cedric’s friend, Lord Nigel Witherington, spoke, but rather that he spoke them in front of Kathleen. He turned to his sister.
“Lady Christina, Miss Roberts’ groom is here to protect you both, please ride on and Stalwood and I shall catch up in a few minutes.” He caught Christina’s gaze, and she nodded, agreeing readily. His twin was so much in tune with him.
Once they were out of earshot, he turned to Cedric’s friend. “Witherington, I would ask you to never again speak in such a derogatory way about the holy state of matrimony again in front of my intended. Miss Roberts need not hear such vulgarity.”
“Oh, come now man, it was merely jesting. The ladies all know we call it a leg-shackle.”
“That is as may be. But it is an arranged marriage. I do not want her to think I am not happy to marry her.”
“Since when were you so keen to give up whores and gambling and be home as soon as the ton entertainments were over.”
“When my father asked me to marry.”
“But no one sticks to their vows.”
“I will,” Gabriel announced with more fervour than necessary.
“I see. Will we see you tonight?”
“We shall be at the Barton ball.”
“Fine.” Cedric’s friend nodded. “You seem different Onslow. More serious. Do not lose your sense of fun because you are trying to please the Duke. He shall die and you shall end up with nothing.”
That made Gabriel stop and consider the words. Surely Cedric and Godfrey would be cared for in their father’s will.
“My father will provide for me.”
“Do not be so sure, Cede. These are hard times. The past couple of years have taken their toll. Why do you think your father is going into the iron trade with Miss Robert’s father? Farming does not bring in the money it used to. You might find that the Duke leaves all his money to the Earl of Cindermaine, no matter how poorly he is.”
His father surely would not leave Cedric and Godfrey penniless, would he? He liked the two sons he had sired to his mistress—probably even loved them in his own way. That said, his father was an ornery bugger and would do as he pleased. Who knew what sins Cedric might have committed in his eyes over the years and how the Duke would exact revenge in the long-term. In that moment, Gabriel realised that he didn’t hate his brothers. None of what happened was their fault. Of course, Cedric was an ass. But he had been brought up that way. He had been spoiled and knew no different. Because he was the son of a Duke, albeit a bastard, the ton kow-towed to him. No one would tell him he looked ridiculous. No one would tell him his behaviour was appalling. No one except his father and his father wanted to keep Lady Benwick onside so she would continue to service him in the bedroom.
“I have every faith in my father, and if not, in my brother Gabriel. He is a good sort.”
“No one has seen him.”
“I have. I know he is kind.”
“Well, as long as you know you will not have to change your lifestyle.”
“Some things may have to change but it will all be for the good. Now I have to go. The ladies are waiting. Good day, gentlemen.”
He bowed in his saddle. Bowing was not a problem to him. He did it often as a servant. And as someone who was playing a mere gentleman, he was subordinate to two lords, even if they were the second son of an earl and third son of a marquis.
He turned his horse and nodded in Stalwood’s direction. No words were needed. The two men trotted off in silence until they were out of earshot of Cedric’s friends.
“So, Cedric has every faith in Gabriel. I’m sure Cedric would be surprised to hear that.”
“I am not my father. Just because he might see my half-brothers penniless and homeless, does not mean I will. They are feckless asses. Of that, I have no doubt, but they have no role model. I hear from servants that their step-father tried to instil discipline when they visited him but the problem was that my father had already given them a home with us. My father pandered to them. And because he couldn’t send them to school, they didn’t have common sense knocked into them by their peers as we did.”
“I see. So, you feel sorry for him.”
“I feel sorry for them both, but the money will come at a price. He must treat Kathleen well. He must behave like a gentleman. No courtesans, no running up huge gambling debts and no more inexpressibles. I don’t care how he wears his cravat, quite frankly. I do not want to see his cock and ballocks through his clothing.”
Stalwood chuckled. “Thank the good Lord for that.”
“Come, let us hurry and catch the ladies, but tell me, you and Christina, is it serious?”
“I have only known her a few days, but she intrigues me. She is not like other ladies of the ton. She has a spark and a sharp wit. I could easily fall in love with her. And my concern is that your father may not wish her to marry a mere viscount if she were ever to consider me suitable.”
“My father does not give two whits what happens to Christina. He is just upset she is not male. If she was he could have seen to my demise and she, or rather, he could have inherited everything. Perhaps that is why he hates me so. I ruined his chances to have his spare.”
“That makes sense as to why he is so harsh. But I still do not understand what he expects to achieve and how he expects it to play out once he dies. You suddenly make a miraculous recovery and take your place as the Duke?”
“I think he cares not. That shall be my problem and I shall have to explain it to the ton. It will be a scandal, I am sure. And if I am old, I shall marry a young bride who shall provide me with an heir. He does not care if I am happy or find love like he found with Lady Benwick all these years.”
“You can still have companionship with your wife. I had it with mine, even though I feel more for your sister after a few days than I did for my wife after two years. Please do not misunderstand me. I cared deeply for her. I just did not have that attraction to her.”
“And in bed?”
“She was a warm, willing body. An eager student as it were. I had no complaints.”
“But would you have remained faithful to her?”
He sighed. “I must say, towards the end of her confinement, my eye was already straying. Of course, I had not acted on it but I wanted to and it made me loathe myself.”
“What proof do I have that you shall not be unfaithful to my sister?”
He smiled, his eyes glinting. They were approaching the ladies now. “I could never imagine wanting another woman if I had Christina in my bed. No woman compares to her. Why would you eat dry bread if you had pheasant on your table?”
Gabriel turned up his nose. “I hope that is not a euphemism, friend.”
Stalwood chuckled. “It was not but now you mention it, I do like it as a euphemism.”
“Uh, I wish to cast up my accounts.”
“Please resist, otherwise Miss Roberts will worry that Cedric is ill again.”
“That is a fair point.”
The ladies had stopped their mounts and were waiting for them atop a slight rise. Gabriel’s heart stuttered at Kathleen’s beauty as she sat on her horse, tendrils of golden hair which had escaped her coiffeur fluttering in the breeze. His nether reg
ions stirred, and he wriggled in his saddle. Devil take it. This was his half-brother’s bride-to-be. He could not allow himself to develop tender feelings for her. Or worse—lustful feelings.
“And what about you and Miss Roberts?”
“What about me and Miss Roberts?” Gabriel asked scowling.
“You like her.”
“She is pleasant.”
“She is more than pleasant. I see how you cast your eyes over her, Gabe. You look like you want to devour her.”
“I am pretending to be Cedric. That is how he would look at her.”
“Of course.” Stalwood gave him a sceptical eye-roll and Gabriel laughed. He had not fooled his friend.
“It matters not if I like her, Stalwood. She’s Cedric’s.”
Stalwood drew Thunder to a halt and Gabriel did likewise.
“If you like her, and I mean really like her, we can do something. She should not have to marry that dandy of a half-brother of yours.”
Gabriel shook his head. “Good Lord, Myles, has Thunder thrown you onto your head. It cannot happen. She is the betrothed of my bastard brother and that is the end of it.” And with that, Gabriel dug his heels into the side of his horse. The animal took off towards the ladies, leaving Stalwood to catch him once he had gathered his wits.
Chapter 8
It had been ten days since her betrothal ball and all of Kathleen’s initial worries about Cedric were in the past. He still had moments when he seemed a little offhand or supercilious—usually around other people, but Kathleen had concluded that deep down, Cedric was just a little shy. He used his façade to cover up his insecurities. Which was silly because he was charming and handsome and delightful company.
She had become fast friends with his half-sister Christina, who made sure they went to the same entertainments and always met up, often with the gentlemen. Kathleen knew Christina was falling in love with Lord Stalwood. But when Kathleen asked Christina about it, Christina waved her hand and said “Oh, he is a man of the world. What would he want with a spinster like me?”