Cadenza

by Stella Riley

  ‘Yes. There’s quite a lot to like, you know.’

  The shock of her words slammed through him like a blow. With something less than his usual suavity, he said, ‘Does that mean I may speak to Rockliffe?’

  ‘Yes. It also means that I will marry you no matter what he or anyone else says.’

  He was tempted to ask why but decided not to risk her saying something he wouldn’t know how to answer. ‘You’re sure?’

  ‘Perfectly sure.’ Elizabeth summoned her nerve, hoped she wouldn’t blush and added, ‘There is just one condition though. I’d like … I’d very much like you to kiss me.’

  Another shock which this time brought laughter in its wake. He said, ‘It would be my very great pleasure – though it shames me that you had to ask.’

  And gathering her into his arms, he proceeded to demonstrate that what the ladies whispered about him behind their fans was not an exaggeration.

  * * *

  Having agreed to say nothing to anyone until Ralph had spoken to the duke the following afternoon, Elizabeth was glad that Arabella and Aunt Louisa had final fittings at Phanie’s for their ‘concert gowns’ and had taken Ellie with them. This left her free to pace up and down in her bedchamber or hover at the window until the earl’s carriage pulled up outside.

  Shown without delay into Rockliffe’s study, Ralph came directly to the point.

  ‘I imagine you can guess why I am here.’

  ‘I believe so. You wish to pay your addresses to Elizabeth – and she has presumably already signified her willingness to receive them.’

  ‘She has done me that honour, yes. But since you are currently acting in loco parentis, I considered it proper to seek your consent.’

  ‘You do not need to stress that this is a mere courtesy call,’ remarked Rockliffe dryly. ‘I am perfectly well aware that Elizabeth is of age and presumably knows her own mind. As for my role as her temporary guardian … both her maternal aunt and the eldest of her male cousins are currently under my roof. You might more properly apply to them.’

  ‘I shall speak with them, of course, and also write to her father. But since any objections are more likely to come from you than from Elizabeth’s relatives, I am here so that we may clear the air. In short, ask what you wish and let us be done with it.’

  ‘Very well.’ The night-dark eyes regarded him meditatively. ‘I take it you do know that Elizabeth is not well-dowered?’

  ‘Yes. It is of no consequence.’

  ‘Is it not?’ Rockliffe’s brows rose. ‘Forgive me for being surprised.’

  ‘Unnecessary. I am surprised myself.’ Ralph paused and then, in somewhat clipped accents, added, ‘I shall treat her with both courtesy and respect.’

  ‘And conduct your other liaisons with the utmost discretion?’

  It was impossible to tell whether the hint of colour staining the earl’s cheekbones was caused by embarrassment or anger. He said coldly, ‘Since I have never previously found it necessary to sleep with more than one woman at a time, I don’t envisage that changing after marriage. Doubtless something else you find surprising.’

  ‘No. Clearly I made a mistaken assumption.’

  Silence fell and lingered. Finally, when Rockliffe showed no sign of asking further questions, Ralph said, ‘Is that it? You are not going to ask how Edgar Wilkes died?’

  ‘If I did, would you tell me?’

  ‘If I did, would you believe me?’

  ‘Since there would seem to be no point in lying, yes.’ His Grace frowned a little. ‘Have you told Elizabeth?’

  ‘I have told her what happened but not why it did. I have never told anyone that and aside from myself, the only person who knows the truth is Philippa Sutherland.’ Ralph shut his eyes for a moment and then, opening them again, said, ‘I will break my silence if I am assured that nothing I say will ever leave this room.’

  ‘Consider yourself duly assured.’ The frown deepened. ‘How bad is it?’

  ‘It is an abomination.’

  ‘Ah. Then you had better start at the beginning.’

  ‘I will start with what you already know. Edgar Wilkes forced a duel on me with a false accusation of sleeping with his wife. We will come to his real reason later. Suffice it to say that I accepted his challenge and we met. You will doubtless recall, as he did, that I had fought three previous duels. All of them resulted in my opponent taking a bullet in the left arm. In the second that I fired, Edgar … moved. My shot took him in the heart – or as close to it as made no difference. He was dead within minutes.’

  ‘Suicide by duel? Yes. That is the story Richard Lazenby told after the event.’

  ‘The story which no one believed because I was not there … because Augustus Wilkes was singing a different tune … and because there seemed no explanation for it.’ Ralph paused, staring bitterly down at his hands. ‘It is hard to credit how naïve and incredibly stupid I was. It took me months to work out why Edgar did it – and yet the answer had been staring me in the face all the time if only I had not been too besotted with Philippa to see it.’ Still avoiding Rockliffe’s gaze, he drew a long breath and said, ‘It began when Edgar’s wife, Sarah, turned up on my doorstep – not for amorous purposes, but because she had discovered something about Edgar that both terrified and sickened her. With no male relatives to turn to and knowing I wanted to marry Philippa, she thought I could make it stop.’ He gave a tiny hard laugh. ‘Of course, I didn’t believe what she told me. How could I? But with perseverance, she eventually convinced me. Then she laid all the blame on Philippa which, once again, I decided could not possibly be true. The fault had to lie with Edgar. It had to. Philippa was not at fault. She couldn’t be. She was as much a victim in all this as Sarah was … or as I would be.’

  ‘I begin to understand why you have refused to speak of this,’ said Rockliffe distastefully. ‘So let us have it out in the open. You are talking about incest.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And I am guessing that you confronted Edgar Wilkes about it.’

  ‘Yes. I told him it had to stop immediately before anyone else found out. He denied it, we argued … I assured him that I had no intention of exposing him and left, hoping sense would prevail. Instead, on the following evening he threw a glass of wine in my face.’ As it had throughout, Ralph’s tone remained almost but not quite impersonal. ‘When we met, I expected him to try to kill me. I did not expect him to make me his scapegoat. But then, as I said earlier, it took a long time for me to realise that I had been refusing to see the whole picture … that it wasn’t Philippa who was the victim of Edgar’s obsession but he who was the victim of hers. I had painted her in the colours that would enable me to continue loving her – but they were false. And beneath them, she was someone I could not recognise.’

  Rockliffe sensed the pain behind the words. He said quietly, ‘And Edgar?’

  ‘As far as one can hope to understand what drove him, I eventually came to the conclusion that suicide put him out of his misery. It also made me the villain of the piece – and left Philippa safe from exposure.’ His mouth twisted in something not quite a smile. ‘They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Everything I did was well-meant … but all of it was wrong. If I had walked away from the entire mess --’

  ‘That is hindsight talking. And it is rarely helpful.’

  ‘Oh – quite.’ Ralph came abruptly to his feet. ‘One last thing. Even after all this time, Philippa still fears that I may reveal what I know. Having deduced something of this – though obviously not the precise nature of it – Elizabeth said as much to her face. I doubt this will become a problem … but, should it do so, I shall deal with it. And now, if you have nothing further to ask, perhaps I might speak to Elizabeth?’

  Rockliffe also rose and pulled the bell to summon a servant.

  ‘May I offer a glass of brandy first? You look as if you need it.’

  ‘I do … but I will not go to her smelling of spirits. She might take it for Dutch cour
age.’

  ‘Later, then.’ And when the butler appeared, ‘Have someone ask Mistress Marsden to join Lord Sherbourne here, Symonds. And perhaps you might ascertain whether or not Lord Brandon is in the house.’

  ‘I believe he is in the mews with Lord Chalfont’s boys, your Grace. They expressed an interest in seeing the horses.’

  ‘In that case, ask him to join me at his convenience.’ As the door closed behind Symonds, Rockliffe gave Ralph a faintly resigned smile and said, ‘We have been attempting to keep the presence of the children relatively quiet. But since you are about to join the family, you may as well know that they are not Chalfont’s progeny. He has, rather remarkably, taken responsibility for no less than three examples of the fourth earl’s sexual carelessness. And now I shall leave you. No one will disturb you, so you may bring Elizabeth to the drawing-room when you are ready.’

  Ralph nodded his thanks and, when the duke had gone, wheeled away to the window where, bracing himself against the embrasure, he attempted to clear his mind of the last hour. He was still there when Elizabeth entered the room … and if he had thought he had his expression under control, he discovered his mistake when she walked towards him saying, ‘What is wrong? What has Rockliffe said to you?’

  ‘Nothing at all unpleasant,’ he began – then stopped in surprise when she reached out and took his hands in hers. ‘You think I need comfort?’

  ‘Don’t you?’ She smiled at him. ‘Doesn’t everyone from time to time? It isn’t a crime, you know – or even a weakness.’

  ‘I shall bear that in mind.’ He lifted one brow. ‘Do you intend to cosset me?’

  ‘I intend to make you happy, if I can.’

  ‘Ah. Then in that case – Rockliffe having no objections – perhaps it is time I proposed to you in time-honoured fashion.’

  Taken by surprise, Elizabeth said hastily, ‘You don’t have to.’

  ‘I think I do. You made it easy for me last night – but I would advise you not to make a habit of that. I am likely to take advantage.’ And before she could reply, he dropped smoothly to one knee, her fingers still locked in his. ‘Elizabeth … will you give me the very great pleasure of accepting my hand in marriage?’

  ‘I – yes.’ She swallowed hard. ‘Yes, my lord. I will.’

  ‘My lord? I was Ralph last evening, was I not?’

  ‘You were. You still are.’

  ‘Well, then?’

  She shook her head at him, a smile quivering on her lips.

  ‘Yes, Ralph. I’ll marry you.’

  ‘Excellent.’ He rose to drop a light kiss on each of her wrists followed by a more lingering one on her lips. ‘And now, before we go and share the glad tidings with Lord Brandon, let us discuss when and where you wish to be married.’

  * * *

  In fact, Max was not the only one who had joined his Grace in the drawing-room. He was, however, the only person aside from Adeline to whom Rockliffe revealed that the Earl of Sherbourne was currently offering Elizabeth marriage.

  Adeline had not been surprised. Max was. He said, ‘Lizzie is to be a countess? Well … that’s good. At least, I suppose it is. What is Sherbourne like?’

  ‘I am inclined to believe him a better man than I had previously supposed,’ replied Rockliffe. ‘But they will join us shortly and you may judge for yourself.’ And, as the door opened on Louisa, Arabella and Ellie, with Tom and Rob bringing up the rear, ‘As, it appears, will everyone except Julian. But I am sure Lord Sherbourne’s habitual composure will be equal to the occasion.’

  By the time Julian sauntered in radiating his usual air of post-rehearsal distraction, everyone was on their second cup of tea and Adeline, seeing the depredations made by Tom and Rob, had rung for more cakes. Before Arabella could take more than a step in Julian’s direction, Ellie had pulled him down beside her and was chattering about the new dress she was to wear at his concert.

  ‘It’s pink and it has frills,’ she told him in awed accents. ‘And ribbons and – and special petticoats!’

  ‘Petticoats? Really? That sounds very grand,’ he replied seriously. Then, aware that Arabella was within earshot, ‘And does Miss Belle have them, too?’

  Arabella made a small choking sound, her eyes full of laughter.

  ‘Yes – only hers are blue with lace and little flowers sewn on,’ replied Ellie. ‘You just wait, Sir Julian. She looks more beautiful than anybody.’

  ‘Yes. She always does.’

  ‘Flatterer,’ grinned Arabella, handing him a cup of tea and telling Ellie to fetch him something to eat. ‘How was rehearsal today?’

  ‘The Allegro and Andantino are both going well and we’ll attack the Rondo tomorrow.’ He paused and, not looking at her, added, ‘It wasn’t flattery. I meant it.’

  ‘Oh. Thank you.’ Her colour rose a little. ‘And your evening at Sinclairs?’

  ‘Better than I expected. Everyone was very kind.’ This time he did look at her. ‘I don’t understand why you’re surprised. It isn’t just gowns. You are beautiful.’ Then had to turn away to accept the heaped plate that Ellie had brought him.

  Across the room and still standing beside Rockliffe, Max said meditatively, ‘What is it about Julian?’

  ‘What is what?’

  ‘Well, he ought to be thoroughly exasperating, yet somehow he isn’t. Within an hour of meeting him, I found myself actually wanting to dig him out of the hole he’s in at Chalfont. Then last night, he wouldn’t play cards and scarcely drank … with the peculiar result that nobody else did much drinking or gambling, either.’ He began ticking off things on his fingers. ‘The children idolise him; his servants and the villagers think the sun shines out of him; Belle’s totally besotted and Mother wants to adopt him. How does he do it?’

  ‘I have no idea – and suspect that Julian himself is equally ignorant. Perhaps that is the secret.’ The duke toyed absently with an emerald-studded snuffbox. ‘Have he and Arabella arrived at an understanding yet?’

  ‘Not that I know of,’ replied Max grimly. ‘But if he walks away, it will break her heart.’

  He stopped speaking – as did everyone else – when the door opened on Ralph and Elizabeth. Strolling across to them, Rockliffe murmured, ‘Yes, I know. Rather more people than you were expecting. But there is something to be said for getting everything over at once.’ And, in his normal tone, ‘I have a happy announcement, ladies and gentlemen. Lord Sherbourne and Elizabeth are to be married.’

  Arabella was the first to react. Flying over to her cousin, she threw her arms about her and said, ‘Oh Lizzie – this is the best news! I’m so happy for you – and for you, too, my lord. No gentleman could have made a better choice.’

  ‘I entirely agree,’ replied Ralph suavely, ‘and consider myself undeservedly fortunate.’

  ‘Very nicely put,’ said Louisa with a warm smile. ‘I am Lizzie’s aunt and I wish you both every happiness. Lizzie, dearest – I couldn’t be more pleased for you and am sure your parents will be equally delighted.’

  ‘I certainly hope so, Aunt Louisa.’

  ‘Aunt Maria will be ecstatic,’ said Max, reaching out to shake Ralph’s hand. ‘A pleasure to meet you, my lord – and many congratulations. When is the wedding to be?’

  ‘Soon, we hope – though the subject is still under discussion. I shall be showing Elizabeth our London home tomorrow and would hope to reach a decision then.’

  * * *

  Escorting Elizabeth into his house on Curzon Street, Ralph said, ‘As you will see, Kilburn House is fairly modest. Also, it hasn’t been touched since my mother’s time – so if you wish to change anything, you must tell me.’

  ‘You call this modest?’ asked Elizabeth, absorbing the wide, elegant hall while following him up the stairs. Then, entering a drawing-room decorated in shades of gold and green, ‘And why would I wish to change anything? This is lovely!’

  Ralph smiled a little. ‘You may feel differently when you’re living here some months of the year and wish to ent
ertain.’

  She smiled back. ‘Perhaps. We’ll see.’

  He drew her hand through his arm and laid his free one over it.

  ‘Come and inspect the rest, then. After which, we should attempt to reach a conclusion about our wedding.’

  She nodded, enjoying the sensation of his body, warm against her side.

  The breakfast and dining rooms were light and of good proportions. The shabbily comfortable library was very clearly Ralph’s own domain, its shelves crammed with well-used books. She said, ‘I imagine you spend a great deal of time in here.’

  ‘I do. While my brothers shared the house, this was the only room where I could usually be sure of avoiding them.’ His tone grew dry as dust. ‘When you meet them – as, unfortunately, you are eventually bound to do – you will understand.’

  ‘Aside from saying there is no love lost between you, you’ve scarcely mentioned them.’

  ‘Deliberately. Cedric and Bertram get on well enough with each other - both of them being equally asinine.’ He began leading her up to the next floor. ‘If you want an example, Cedric recently seduced the daughter of a respectable neighbour by promising her marriage. It was left for the girl’s father and me to ensure he kept his word.’

  ‘Oh,’ said Elizabeth.

  ‘Oh,’ agreed Ralph. ‘I will not sully your ears with what Bertram gets up to.’ He paused, ushering her into a pink and cream bedchamber. ‘This will be yours.’

  ‘Mine?’ she asked, colouring a little.

  ‘Yes. There is a dressing-closet and a small parlour. My own rooms are through there.’

  Elizabeth advanced a few steps into a masculine room hung in dark blue silk and dominated by a large bed. Suddenly feeling as if she was intruding, she turned hurriedly … and promptly bumped into Ralph’s chest.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she began. Then stopped as his arms came around her.

  ‘Don’t be,’ he said. And kissed her.

  He had intended it to be the same as when he had kissed her at Bedford House. Within seconds, he knew it wasn’t going to be. It was as if a fast-burning fuse had been lit between them. She sighed into his mouth, her hands rising to cup his face; he pulled her flush against the length of him and was suffused with an instant and wholly unexpected surge of acute desire. His brain shut down and just for a few, critical moments control completely deserted him. Later he would wonder about that. Now he was aware of nothing but the woman in his arms and what every cell in his body was demanding. He dug his fingers into the gold silk of her hair, sending hairpins flying; he ravished her mouth, then moved on to the smooth column of her throat and the hollow below her ear; he let his hands go where they would and felt her tremble with response whilst pressing herself even closer.