by Em Taylor
“Yes please, my darling. Are you coming, Miss Roberts?”
“I am,” was the best Kathleen could muster. Her back was going to be terribly sore in the morning. And she was not keen on the sour look that Cedric was giving her as she followed Their Graces down the hall.
Once they were seated and had drinks of lemonade supplied by the Duke, and they had assured His Grace they were perfectly comfortable and Kathleen would call for help if necessary, Sarah turned to Kathleen.
“You cannot possibly marry that beast, Kathleen. Oh, I apologise. I am too familiar.”
“No, please, I am happy to grant you leave to call me by my given name.”
“Then you must call me Sarah. And you cannot marry him. He is truly awful. He was going to force you upstairs. In the middle of a crowded soiree.”
“It did not seem so crowded in that large foyer. If you and the Duke had not come along…” She allowed the sentence to trail off and she shivered.
“Oh, but we did. You must not think on what may have happened. It did not. We must get you out of that awful marriage.”
“It is fine. I am not marrying Cedric Onslow.”
“You are not? But there shall be scandal and then what shall happen. You shall have no one else to marry.”
“That problem is taken care of. I shall not be left on the shelf.”
“You have another suitor?”
“I shall be safe on Christmas night. My…” she stopped wondering if she should say anything more.
“I can promise you I shall say nothing to anyone without your express permission. However, only say what you are comfortable telling me.”
“My husband and I shall be leaving then. He is allowing me Christmas Day with my family as we do not know when I shall see them again on Christmas Day as they will be in America.”
“You are married?”
“We married today.”
“And you are spending your wedding night here?”
She blushed. “We consummated the marriage in an inn on the way back from the church in Richmond.”
“Oh! That is so romantic. And now you have to avoid Cedric Onslow until then.”
“Who is your husband? I have seen you talking to Lord Stalwood.”
“No, not Lord Stalwood.”
“I did not think so. I fancied he had a tendre for Lady Christina, Onslow’s half-sister, the Earl of Cindermaine’s sister.”
At the mere mention of her husband, Kathleen felt her cheeks warm. Lying in his arms as he made himself release made her shiver with delight. But the shrewd narrowed gaze of the Duchess was upon her.
“You blush when I mention the Earl of Cindermaine but no one has seen him in town for years.”
“I… I… no, no one has seen him. No one.”
“You are a terrible liar, Kathleen. Are you married to the Earl of Cindermaine?”
Kathleen looked at her hands.
“Yes. I believe I am.”
“So I have been conversing with a countess and was completely unaware.”
Kathleen chuckled. “You are a duchess. You still outrank me.”
“Only by one rank.”
“The purists shall not be happy. An American countess. They were less than pleased with a crippled duchess, I can tell you. So tell me, what does the Earl look like?”
“Were you at my betrothal ball or any entertainments where Mr Cedric Onslow was in attendance since—until this evening?”
“I believe I have seen him in the past couple of weeks and I was at your betrothal ball. You looked lovely.”
“Cedric has been ill since the day before my betrothal ball and has been casting up his accounts in his bedchamber. Gabriel, the Earl of Cindermaine, has been pretending to be Cedric for the past two weeks.”
Sarah flapped her free hand that was not holding her lemonade around. “I am confused, though some things now make sense. The sudden reappearance of those awful trousers for one now makes sense. And the fact he did not bring you up to be introduced to me at the ball. If he is not used to society events, he would not know that I bypass the receiving line. But why was he pretending to be Cedric and why is he not in society as Cindermaine?”
Kathleen sighed. “His father has him work as a servant. People do not look beyond his clothing. It is not for me to tell his story but the Duke of Hartsmere is not a nice person and Gabriel, I believe, keeps the peace as much for Christina’s sake as for his own.”
“But she may end up with Lord Stalwood.”
“That is a certainty.”
“I see.”
“So, Your Grace. Now you know, what are you going to do with the information?”
“I am going to ask your permission to tell my husband because I have a feeling of doom about this Kathleen. The Duke of Hartsmere is not a man to be trifled with. I don’t believe Cedric will leave you alone after Nate warned him off and you and Lord Cindermaine may need a refuge in London. If you do, you must come to our house. But Nate will need to let the butler know you and Cindermaine are to gain entry any time of the day or night.”
“That is kind. But I am sure we shall not need it.”
“Perhaps not, but I would not be doing my duty if I were not prepared for every eventuality. May I have your permission to tell Nate?”
“Tell me what?”
Kathleen turned to see the handsome duke in the doorway.
“How long have you been there, my darling?”
“I just arrived. My ears must have been burning.”
“Do I have your permission?” Sarah asked.
“Yes.”
“I shall explain to you on our way home, my love. I shall give you our address, Kathleen, so that you know where to come if you need our help.”
Sarah told her the address and Kathleen memorised it.
She just hoped Gabriel would not be angry with her for telling the Duchess their story.
Chapter 14
Gabriel had barely slept that night. Images of his beautiful wife had kept him awake half the night as he had throbbed with the need for her. Taking himself in hand and relieving his need had felt like a betrayal of her, even if her large breasts and delicious taste would have been the exact memories which would have brought him to release.
He was tired and grumpy when Cochrane walked into the room.
“I’ll finish off Mister Cedric’s Hessians, my lord. Lady Christina wants to see you.”
“I can complete this before I see what Her Ladyship is demanding now,” Gabriel grumbled.
“She was very insistent. I think her words were ‘Get my brother’s annoying arse up here or I’ll twist his ballocks off.’”
“Stalwood is having a dreadful effect on her.”
“I like the effect he’s having on her. She’s quite potty-mouthed now.”
“She shouldn’t know what ballocks are.”
“She is a married lady.”
“How the hell do you know that?”
Cochrane raised an eyebrow. “I know everything.”
“Does everyone know?”
“Nah. Her maid does but she can keep ‘er mouth shut and Connors does but he hates the Duke and the Onslow’s, so you’re safe. Otherwise, no one else has worked it out.”
“I’m safe?”
“We know about you and Miss Roberts, or rather, the Countess.”
“Devil take it.”
“Keep yer wig on. No one will tell His Grace. We prefer you to that old blaggard.”
“I had better see what her ladyship wants.”
“I would. She was pretty agitated.”
He passed the boot he was working on and the cloth to Cochrane, washed his hands at the sink nodded to his friend and left the room. He found Christina in the morning room, pacing in front of the fire.
“What took you so long?”
“Cochrane had to find me, I had to establish if you were…”
“Oh never mind. I hear there was an incident last evening at the Arbuthnott soiree. Cedric over
stepped the mark with Kathleen and the Duke of Kirkbourne threatened him.”
“Who told you?”
“The Duchess of Kirkbourne sent me a note. She is concerned about Miss Roberts. She is a little cryptic but I believe she knows the entire story. I have spoken to a few of the servants. Cedric rolled in at dawn, which must have been, nearly eight o’clock this morning. He was completely foxed so I doubt he shall see the light of day. You can pretend to do errands for me today. Of course, I can do them myself. You should go to go to Myles’s house. I took your aristocratic clothes around there yesterday and you can change there. Visit Kathleen. Take her for a walk. Find out if she is well and ensure that he did not… well… make sure she is well. That is all. I shall arrange dinner this evening at the Beatties’. You, me, Kathleen, Myles, the Duke and Duchess if they can make it and the Beatties, of course. I shall ensure you have the night off. Gabriel, are you listening?”
He had heard what she had said. He was vaguely aware of having taken it in. Dinner at the Beatties’ house. He was to change at Stalwood’s before going to see Kathleen and before he killed Cedric.
“I shall kill him.”
“No, you shall not. Your concern is your wife, Gabriel. Please go and see Kathleen. Here, take this book. I shall be at Myles’s house when you return with a few packages you can bring back to make it look as if you have been on errands for me.”
Gabriel looked at the book. “This is not even from the lending library. It is a book of Byron’s poetry.”
“I know. Myles loaned it to me and now I am done with it.”
“Why are women so fascinated by George Byron?”
“He writes wonderful poetry.”
“It is not all he does.”
“Why is he in Switzerland?”
“Ask your husband.”
“He will not tell me.”
“Then it is not my place to tell you.”
“I despise both of you.”
“You love both of us. It is why we are all sneaking around like thieves in the night.”
“You love Kathleen.”
Did he?
“I have a high regard for her.”
His sister raised an eyebrow at him.
“Is that all you have for her?”
A hard cock—but he was not about to tell his sister that.
“Stop prying, Tina.”
“Well, you have not called me Tina since I was in the schoolroom. Things must be serious, my lord.”
“I may kill you before I start on Cedric.”
“No, you would not. You adore the ground I walk upon.”
He pursed his lips, looked at the book then nodded. “I shall take this back to Lord Stalwood then, my lady, and I shall do your bidding. Good day.”
It took him half an hour to get to Stalwood’s and get changed. Stalwood had his own valet fix Gabriel’s neckcloth, so it was suitably fussy to look like Cedric’s, should he come across any of Cedric’s friends.
“Perhaps we should get you some inexpressibles now that Cedric is back on the scene,” said Stalwood as he lounged in the chair where Gabriel was getting changed. His lips twitched with humour.
“Perhaps I should plant you a facer, Stalwood.”
“Or I could give you a few coins so you can purchase yourself a sense of humour, Cindermaine. I hear there is an old woman who hawks them just off Bond Street.”
“Very droll. Did you always have such terrible jokes or just since you and my sister became besotted with each other?”
“I would think you were jealous, Cindermaine, were you not besotted with the former Miss Roberts.”
“Why are you and Christina so determined for me to be in love? You both read too much bloody Byron.”
“Well, my dear chap, you may not know it, but it is clear to everyone you are completely head over ears for the lady. At least, it is clear to everyone but you and the lady in question. You are a real pair of dolts. For the record, she reciprocates your feelings.”
Cindermaine raised an eyebrow at this.
“And have you heard anything about what happened last night at the Arbuthnott’s between Cedric and Kathleen?”
“No. I received a scribbled note from Christina ten minutes before you arrived saying something had happened and to expect you and you needed to pretend to be Cedric and go to see Kathleen.”
“Kirkbourne dealt with it, apparently. And Christina believes the Duke and Duchess now know our secret.”
“Kirkbourne is a good man.”
“He killed his friend in a curricle accident.”
“His friend killed himself and Kirkbourne was in a dreadful state for a long time. He was filled with self-loathing. He was on the road to destruction when the Duchess married him and he reformed. They had an interesting start to their courtship. Many say her dying father tricked him into marrying her and he, as an honourable gentleman, would not go back on a wager. Whether that is true or not makes no difference now. The man is like a love-sick pup around that wife of his. And God help anyone who says it is unseemly for a duke to be carrying around his wife.”
The valet finished fussing with his neckcloth and Gabriel checked it in the looking glass. “I look like a damned dandy.”
“That’s the point. Gabe.”
“Quite. Thank you, Thomson.”
Soon he was waiting in the drawing room in the house that Kathleen’s father had rented. He had told the butler that Mr Onslow was here to see Miss Roberts. He could think of no way to let her know it was he, rather than Cedric, that was visiting so he had to hope that she would take the chance. They should have had some code worked out beforehand. He was staring broodingly into the fire when the door creaked open.
Blonde curls and an ample bosom preceded his wife and he could not help but smile and have to tamp down his desire immediately. Her gaze moved from his feet and his boots up to his breeches and her eyebrow raised slightly. By the time her gaze met his eyes, her smile had relaxed and tears filled her eyes. She grasped her skirts and hurried over to him, grabbing him around the neck and kissing him on the cheek.
“Gabriel.”
“Kathleen,” he whispered. “Someone may hear.”
“I apologise. I am just so pleased it is you and not him.”
“I believe something happened last night.”
“Who told you?”
“Christina received a letter from the Duchess of Kirkbourne. Kathleen, walk with me in the park. Bring a maid if you must.”
“I shall get my pelisse and bonnet and my maid.”
She hurried out of the room and Gabriel had five minutes in which to pace. At least the weather was mild for December. Considering how awful the summer had been, he had expected a bad December. That said, it was not over yet.
They walked out of the house, and Gabriel offered his arm. Kathleen took it with a smile.
“My uh, brother.” He turned his head to look at the maid.
“Oh, Patsy knows.”
“She does. Christ, Kathleen, does the whole of London know?”
Kathleen blanched and pulled away but he held her tight.
“When we returned from Richmond, I needed a bath. Your seed had run out of me as well as some blood and it was on my thigh. I did not want her to think ill of me. Patsy is a widow. She is not stupid.”
“I see.”
“Do you, Gabriel? If the servants had learned that I was not innocent and that had got back to the servants at Hartsmere House, what do you think would have happened?”
“How do you know you can trust her?”
“Turn around and look at her.”
He did. The maid looked directly at him.
“Patsy Jones?”
“As was. Now Patsy Edwards.”
“You married Larry.”
Her eyes clouded and she looked to the side. “I did, my lord.”
“Oh, Miss Roberts, I mean Lady Cindermaine, said you are widowed. I am so terribly sorry.”
“Stupid bugger’s own
fault. Twas a bar brawl. Some idiot came onto me and he took exception. But the guy was bigger and knocked him down. Larry hit his head on the bar, and that was it.”
“So, now you know why she shall not tell on us.”
“You worked for my father.”
“Yes, Lord Cindermaine. And I am glad to see that you are at last going to take your rightful title. I am also glad that Lady Cindermaine will not become Mrs Onslow. I really wanted to say something to her. To warn her what a brute Mr Cedric is.”
“Tell me. What is Godfrey really like?”
“Mr Godfrey is nice when he is on his own. He’s influenced by Mr Cedric, but alone he can be charming, and he don’t put on them daft airs and graces. Not poshness like you ‘ave and can’t ‘elp cause it was ‘ow you was raised. I mean… Oh…”
“I know what you mean. We call it fashionable ennui. A sort of air of boredom.”
“Yeah, that’s it. Like everythin’ is too much work.”
“Precisely. Now, my lady. Hyde Park?”
“I like when you call me, my lady.”
“It’s going to be a long week,” Gabriel muttered to himself
∞∞∞
Once they entered the park Gabriel drew her down a smaller path away from Rotten Row and the people who were exercising their horses. Patsy walked behind—a far enough distance away to be respectable but far enough to give them privacy too. Kathleen explained the events of the previous evening, trying at first to downplay Cedric’s abominable behaviour. However, Gabriel did not believe a peer of the realm would step in had Cedric just been holding her arm and she had to confess that Cedric was trying to drag her towards the staircase and that she was trying to pull away. When she described falling against the baluster, Gabriel was red-faced and his fists were clenched.
“Were you hurt, Kathleen?”
“I… I have bruising on my back.” Immediately his hand lifted to between her shoulder blades and she recoiled from him.
“Kathleen. It is me, Gabriel.”
“I know. It is painful there. If you had touched it, I would have cried out in pain. I do not fear you, Gabriel.”
“Come.” He took her arm again and started marching quickly along the path.
“Where are you taking me, Gabriel?”
“To the Serpentine.”