Improperly Enticed By The Rascal Earl (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)

by Olivia Bennet

  “Sophia!” she exclaimed, dashing forward.

  Her youngest sister cracked her eyes open when Tabitha settled next to her and gazed up into her face.

  “Tabitha?” she murmured in a weak voice.

  Tabitha swallowed her panic at seeing the true state of her sister. Her face was red and sweat dotted her forehead. When Tabitha pressed her hand to her cheek, Sophia was startlingly warm to the touch. Forcing a gentle smile, Tabitha brushed a lock of hair from her forehead.

  “I am here, my darling,” she whispered. “We are all here. You are safe now, I promise.”

  Sophia closed her eyes again and tears began to slide down her face. Unity and their Papa moved around the bed to her other side, and Tabitha glanced up in time to see the Baron’s eyes misting over.

  “Oh, my poor, poor girl,” he muttered, shaking his head. “How could this have happened to you?”

  “Lord…Burrows,” Sophia whimpered. “Lord Burrows took me.”

  “We know, sweetheart,” Tabitha said in a soothing voice. “Papa found your mirror near his house. Did you drop it there?”

  Sophia nodded. “I tried to leave a trail so you would find me.”

  “You wonderful, clever girl,” Unity cooed, reaching out and taking Sophia’s hand in hers.

  “Did they catch him?” Sophia asked, her eyes shooting back open. Tabitha hated the fear that swirled within their depths. “Lord Burrows? Has he been arrested?”

  Shaking her head, Tabitha murmured, “I am afraid not. He was not at the house when Lords Morrington and Habtage found you, and no one has yet been able to locate him.”

  Sophia began to shiver. “He is still out there? What if he comes back? What if he tries to take me again?”

  Tabitha met eyes with Unity, whose expression was pinched with concern.

  Turning her gaze back down to Sophia, she said, “Do not fear, sweetheart. He will not take you again. Papa, Unity, and I are all here, and Lord Morrington and Lord Habtage have sworn to protect you until Lord Burrows is apprehended. They are out with the constables at this very moment, searching for him throughout London.”

  Sophia sniffled softly, but slowly nodded her head.

  “You promise I will be safe?”

  Tabitha’s chest tightened and she wanted to cry at her sister’s pain and rail at Lord Burrows for causing it. She kept herself calm, however, for Sophia’s sake. She did not want to upset her anymore than she already was.

  “I promise,” she said at last.

  “Sweetheart, you should get some rest now,” Unity added, leaning down to press her lips to Sophia’s forehead. “We need you well so that we can take you home.”

  “Could…could Papa stay with me? Just until I am asleep?” Sophia asked in a small voice.

  Tabitha glanced up at the Baron, but he was already nodding his head emphatically.

  “Of course I will stay with you, my darling girl.” His voice was choked, but his hand was steady when he reached down to stroke her cheek. “I will not leave your side until you tell me to.”

  Sophia’s smile was shaky. “Thank you.”

  Tabitha was tempted to linger to reassure herself that Sophia was safe, but she did not want to overwhelm her. With slow movements, she backed away from the bed. Unity followed after, and they left their sister and their Papa alone, quietly closing the door behind them.

  * * *

  The next day, Sophia’s fever appeared to break at last. She was still tired and shaken, but no longer so terribly sick. Tabitha felt as though she could relax somewhat, but not completely. Lord Burrows was still at large. The constables had no luck so far in locating him, and had decided to search his home along with the detective Edwin and Lord Habtage had hired.

  There was nothing for her to do about the situation but wait for news, and it was tortuous. She at least had Unity and Edwin to distract her from her worry. Edwin was proving a charming host to her family.

  When he and Lord Habtage had returned from their search the day before with no news, he had appeared so distraught and disappointed. She had assured him he was doing more than could have asked for, and they were eternally grateful for his help. He had spent time with her Papa, discussing Lord Burrows and his motivations, but then had visited with her and Unity in the parlor that night as well.

  This morning, he had gone back out with Lord Habtage, but the two had returned after a few hours as the constables did not want them present when they searched Lord Burrows house. The two gentlemen had gone to his study with her Papa shortly after they had returned, and had been locked away in there ever since.

  “What could they be discussing, I wonder?” Unity murmured as she and Tabitha sat in the parlor, her with her needlework, and Tabitha with her book.

  Setting her tome in her lap, Tabitha murmured, “Do you think they discovered something this morning that they are not telling us?”

  Unity appeared to contemplate that idea for several moments.

  “Perhaps, but why would they not inform us? Do we not have a right to know what is happening?”

  “I would think so,” Tabitha agreed. “But there is little we can do at present with them behind closed doors, and we out here twiddling our thumbs.”

  “If only you could speak with Lord Morrington alone,” Unity sighed. “I am certain he would reveal all to you.”

  Tabitha only nodded her head, but did not reply further. She had not yet told Unity about her secret engagement to Edwin. She had wanted to, but she and Edwin had promised to keep it between themselves for the time being. Then, when Sophia had disappeared, her engagement had not been at the forefront of her mind.

  Now it was. Taking a moment, she gazed around the richly decorated room of the very large, stately house and realized that this would be her home one day soon. She would be Countess of Morrington, a position she would never have thought achievable, or particularly desirable. Morrington was a significant name among the ton, and to be a member of that family came with a whole host of responsibilities.

  Why am I only thinking about this now? Why did I not consider all this when he asked for my hand?

  Anxiety made her stomach twist painfully. To be a Countess, particularly the Countess of Morrington, was no small thing. She suddenly began to question if she was even up to the task. She had not grown up in London among the high-society Edwin was far more familiar with. Despite her family’s wealth, they lived humbly in the country. She had never thrown a dinner party or great social event.

  Who do I think I am to take on such an illustrious title, which is so far above me?

  Her heart began racing and panic set in. Perhaps she should talk to Edwin. Explain her worries and fears…

  A sudden knock on the front door made her jump in her seat. Unity glanced up from her work with a frown.

  “Whoever could that be?”

  “Perhaps it is the constable with news!” Tabitha declared, putting her book to the side as she shot to her feet. She hurried out into the foyer, and waited for the butler to open the door. A liveried footman stood on the other side, bowed, and moved out of the way of the most glamorous looking lady Tabitha had ever seen. She was older, and beautiful, with a regal air about her that bespoke almost of royalty.

  Offer the butler a polite smile, the Lady asked, “Where is my godson? I heard he had returned to town, and I am eager to see him.”

  Tabitha suddenly recognized the lady from the times she had seen her out and about in Laurelborough.

  It is the Duchess of Cantham.

  She could not help but stare at the lady in awe. As the butler hurried off to find Edwin, the Duchess stepped fully into the house and her footman closed the door behind her. The lady’s eyes swept the room and landed on Tabitha. Her brow furrowed.

  “And who are you?”

  Tabitha was struck momentarily speechless, but was able to gather her wits enough to answer, “I…I am Lady Tabitha Walters, Your Grace.”

  “Lady Walters. Why is that name familiar to me?”


  “My family lives in a house not far from your estate in Laurelborough.”

  The Duchess pursed her lips as her expression turned thoughtful for several long moments.

  At last, she opened her mouth as if to say something, but in that moment Edwin and Lord Habtage came hurrying down the hall.

  “Your Grace, I was not expecting you to call,” Edwin said, bowing to the Duchess, and then stepping forward to kiss both of her cheeks.

  “Yes, well, I had not expected you to return to town so soon,” she replied, a small amount of annoyance lacing her tone. “The least you could have done was send a message informing me.”

  “I apologize, Your Grace,” Edwin sighed. “My return was sudden and unexpected, and I am here dealing with a rather delicate matter.”

  “Oh, indeed? Well, I am sorry to hear that, but you can tell me all about over a cup of tea.” The Duchess began moving through the foyer toward the parlor without waiting for his agreement.

  Edwin went after her. “Your Grace, I am afraid we cannot spare the time…”

  She stopped and turned to look him up and down. “I would tread carefully if I were you, My Lord. I am already suffering rather hurt feelings that you did not let me know you would be in town.”

  To her surprise, Tabitha watched as Edwin let out an exasperated breath, then shook his head.

  “I apologize, Your Grace. I did not mean to hurt your feelings.”

  “Then you may call for the tea. Thank you, darling.” With that, the Duchess continued into the parlor without a backwards glance, leaving Tabitha speechless and awed.

  Chapter 36

  The Duchess was a fascinating lady. Tabitha hung onto her every word as she regaled them with stories of her travels and youthful adventures. She even told them tales of Edwin as a boy, amusing Tabitha to the point where she was fighting back her laughter. Edwin, on the other hand, did not appear particularly pleased that his godmother was revealing all his boyhood secrets to them.

  “Thank you, Your Grace, for yet another fascinating narrative,” he said after she had finished telling them about the time when he was a young boy and he lost his trousers in the duck pond at Cantham. “Perhaps, though, we could talk about something else? Anything else?”

  Tabitha decided to have mercy on him. “Lord Morrington is likely right. I would love to hear more about your travels, Your Grace. You have been to so many extraordinary places.”

  “It is one of the privileges of my station,” she said with a wink. “The Duke often was called upon to act as emissary for Their Majesties, and I was able to join him on his trips.”

  “That sounds like such an honor,” Unity gasped.

  And such a responsibility.

  Tabitha’s mind wandered back to the concerns she had been mulling over before the Duchess’s arrival. The burden that could come with being a Countess.

  “Your Grace, may I ask you a question?” She glanced toward Edwin, feeling nervous about what she was going to say.

  The Duchess offered her a smile. “Of course, Miss Walters. You may ask me whatever you please, within reason.” She chuckled.

  “When you first married the Duke, were you…nervous at all, about what it would mean to become a Duchess?”

  She felt Edwin stiffen in his seat next to her, but she did not look his way and kept her focus entirely on his godmother.

  “What a fascinating question,” the esteemed Lady murmured. “Why do you ask?”

  She felt her cheeks heat. “No…no reason in particular. I am merely curious, having not experienced such a dramatic change in identity myself.”

  The Duchess narrowed her eyes for a moment and studied Tabitha a little more closely than what was comfortable.

  At length, she answered, “It was not an easy transition, to be sure. I was moving up into a new station that came with new rules and obligations, but I was lucky to have such a loving, patient husband in the Duke. He guided me and taught me all I needed to know. If you have a good gentleman at your side, a change in station is not so terrible a thing.”

  Tabitha felt as though a great weight was being lifted from her shoulders. She did have a good gentleman at her side. Edwin would do all he could to make her comfortable in her new role as Countess. She peeked over at him and saw him watching her intently. Turning back to the Duchess, she offered the lady a wide smile.

  “Thank you, Your Grace. That is more helpful to hear than you could know.”

  The Duchess arched a brow. “I am happy to be of assistance, I suppose.”

  Releasing a breath, Tabitha picked her tea back up to sip. She looked toward Unity, who was grinning into her own cup.

  The Duchess glanced toward Unity in that moment as well. “You are rather pretty, Miss Unity. Are you currently attached?”

  Unity blinked, her surprise clear as she stared back at the Duchess.

  “No…no, Your Grace, not as of yet,” she admitted in a small voice, her cheeks turning scarlet. Tabitha could not help but look toward Lord Habtage, whose eyes were wide as he watched the exchange.

  “Then I shall have to help you find a suitable match,” the Duchess declared. “I shall have to help both of you ladies. It is not right for such lovely creatures to go on unsettled.”

  Tabitha almost laughed out loud. Edwin went rigid again, and Lord Habtage sputtered into his tea.

  “Your Grace, I do not think that will be necessary,” Edwin said.

  The Duchess waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, nonsense. If neither of you gentlemen will take up the pursuit of these ladies, it is important that others are found who will.”

  Edwin pushed to his feet and grumbled, “Your Grace, may I speak with you privately?”

  The Duchess did not appear surprised by his request. In fact, she was smirking.

  “Of course, my dear.” Looking to Tabitha, she said, “Excuse us a moment.”

  Tabitha stared as the Duchess gracefully rose from her chair and followed Edwin out of the room. As soon as she was gone, Lord Habtage pushed to his feet and moved so he stood at Unity’s side. His expression was determined. Tabitha turned away to offer them some privacy, grinning ear to ear.

  The Duchess of Cantham is very sly indeed.

  * * *

  When the Duchess departed his house, Edwin released a breath he had been holding the entirety of her visit. She had caught onto his affections for Tabitha almost immediately, and confessed when they were alone that she was trying to tease him into admitting their attachment. To his surprise she also admitted to teasing Habtage into staking his claim on Miss Unity.

  His godmother was a crafty lady, to be sure. When they had returned to the parlor, Tabitha was grinning like a fool, and Habtage and Miss Unity were completely engrossed in each other.

  He returned to the parlor after saying goodbye to the Duchess. Habtage and Miss Unity were tucked away in a corner together. Tabitha was still in the seat she had occupied the whole time, clearly waiting for him.

  “The Duchess is rather conniving, is she not?” she asked with a giggle.

  Edwin sat next to her and nodded. “Indeed, my godmother could talk the Prince from his throne if the whim struck her. I hope she did not offend you?”

  “Not at all,” she assured him. “I found her delightful.”

  “Well, that makes one of us…”

  He was interrupted by a loud knock on the front door. Frowning, he turned and spotted his butler, Dickinson, scurrying across the foyer to answer it.

  Who in the world could it be now?

  Dickinson appeared in the doorway of the parlor the next moment.

  “My Lord, a Detective Rogers is here for you.”

  Edwin sat up straighter. “See him in.”

  Dickinson momentarily disappeared only to come back with Mr. Rogers in tow. Edwin pushed to his feet, and Tabitha stood with him. Habtage and Miss Unity moved across the room to join them as well.

  “My Lord,” Rogers said with a nod.

  “Detective,” Edwi
n nodded in turn. “What brings you here today? Have you found Lord Burrows?”

  “We believe we are closing in, My Lord, but while searching his residence, we came upon some information we thought you would like to hear about.”

  Edwin’s heart began to race with anxiety. “Oh? What information?”

  Rogers opened his coat and produced a small stack of papers. He handed them to Edwin. With a cursory glance, he could see that they were letters.