by Ella Edon
Merseyside grunted.
“Well, the man has that ability with anyone. I’m still upset that I didn’t get to you before Leicester put his hands on you.”
Amy smiled.
“You’re a sweet man, Merseyside, but you needn’t be so concerned. I’m fine. As long as I keep out of the way, there shouldn’t be any further problems.”
“Well, you can relax a little. I saw Leicester heading out to see some friends in town. You’ll have some freedom until just before dinner tonight.”
Amy hadn’t realized that. She also hadn’t realized that she had been holding her breath and sagged in her chair. Merseyside sat forward.
“Miss Hartley?”
“I’m fine.” Amy waved him away. “I’m just glad I’ve got a bit of breathing space.”
Maybe not from her father and stepmother, but Leicester wasn’t going to be around for several hours. Amy just had to keep it together. Once Derby was finished in his study, he would come and find her, and Amy was counting down the minutes.
“I did speak to Leicester last night after what he did to you.” Merseyside paused. “He was not remorseful about what he did. A few of us tried to persuade Leicester into leaving right then, that he was going to embarrass himself after his misconduct, but the man just laughed at us. He said he wasn’t leaving because it was making everyone uncomfortable.” He scowled. “Then your father said if he goes, Hartley goes, and so will Amy.”
Amy sighed.
“I’ve heard that so many times in the last couple of days. It’s making me feel trapped.”
She wanted to have a quiet visit with a few close friends and spend time with Derby. But Hartley was intent on ruining it. If Amy stayed, she would have to deal with Leicester, and the moment she left, Hartley was going to have the two of them marry. Amy felt like a prisoner.
Derby’s plan had badly backfired.
“Miss Hartley?”
Amy blinked. She hadn’t realized she had wandered off into her own thoughts. Merseyside and Anna were looking at her strangely. Amy cleared her throat and managed a smile.
“Forgive me. I wished that things were different.”
“I know.” Merseyside leaned over and put his hand over hers. “Your father’s machinations won’t work. Derby is far too stubborn to let him win. You deserve better than Lord Leicester.”
Amy’s smile widened. She squeezed his hand.
“You’re too kind, my lord. Thank you.”
She watched as something in Merseyside’s expression changed. It was fleeting, but it was gone before Amy realized what was happening. Then the Marquis cleared his throat and sat back.
“Anyway, would you two like to take a walk with me? Doctor Day and Lord Derby have suggested doing some shooting on the front lawn, and they asked if you ladies would join them.”
Amy was nodding before Merseyside had finished. She didn’t like shooting, but she was willing to sit and watch if it meant being in Derby’s presence. Anna laughed and patted her daughter’s hand.
“I think you’ve got your answer, my lord.”
* * *
Derby couldn’t help but smile as he looked at Amy. She and her mother sat under an umbrella to keep the sun off their faces. Anna was still looking unwell, but she was smiling. And Amy looked very happy, casting glances over at him every so often. Their eyes met, and Derby had to stop himself from throwing the gun aside and grabbing for her.
The more time he spent in Amy’s presence, the more Derby wanted to pull Amy into a room alone. Many images had plagued him during the night of Amy naked and lying on his bed, her hair spread across the pillow and reaching out for him. He wanted to pull her close and taste every part of her body.
Even now, his arousal built in his belly, and his trousers were beginning to get too tight. Derby cleared his throat and turned away. He needed to get a grip on himself. Proprieties in Society were a nightmare. He would be glad when they didn’t have to worry about that anymore.
Day put his gun up, tucking the stock into his shoulder, and fired. The clay target that had shot across the lawn exploded. Derby whistled. The doctor had not missed one shot since they started.
“Nice shot. Again.”
Day grinned as he lowered the rifle.
“I could give you young men a run for your money.”
“I’m sure.” Derby took his position on the firing spot and lifted his rifle. “Pull!”
The clay pigeon shot out, and Derby fired. A little bit flew off the target, the rest of it intact and only wobbling in another direction. Day laughed.
“You’ve got your mind on other things, my lord.”
Derby cleared his throat. He wasn’t about to go into that with Amy’s stepfather. He turned to the older man.
“Where did you learn to shoot like that?”
“My father was a gamekeeper at Calke Abbey.” Day leaned his rifle against the table and picked up his drink. “He taught me a lot of things growing up. From shooting to putting down poison for animals bothering the chickens and horses. He even taught me basic medicine. The man knew everything.”
“Poison?” Derby picked up his own glass and took a sip. Even with his jacket off and wearing just his shirt sleeves, he could still feel the sweat going down his back. “You mean like foxes?”
“Among other animals. Even stray dogs.” Day shrugged. “You’d be surprised how many of them were around when I was growing up.”
“Did no one ever ask where their dog was?”
“We got lucky.” Day looked over Derby’s shoulder. “I thought your brother-in-law was going to be shooting as well. He’s been sitting under that umbrella like he’s scared the sun’s going to burn him to a crisp.”
Derby turned. Merseyside had been sitting beside Amy, telling her and Anna something that had both women giggling. He seemed to be enjoying himself, and that didn’t sit well with Derby. The man was married to Derby’s sister, but even then, Derby wished it was him making Amy laugh. He whistled sharply.
“Hey, Merseyside! I thought you wanted to do some shooting. Get your backside out of that chair and get over here.”
Merseyside paused. The smile faded a little. Amy laughed and swatted his arm, nudging him out of his chair. The Marquis sighed and headed towards the two men. He was still smiling, but Derby had known his friend for a long time. There was something wrong with him. Had something happened between him and Sarah?
“Forgive me; I forgot what I was doing.” Merseyside grabbed for the third rifle leaning against the table. “Is it my turn now?”
“It’s been your turn for the past ten minutes.” Derby gestured at the firing spot. “You’ve got a bit of catching up to do.”
Merseyside said nothing and headed to the firing point. Derby and Day stood off to the side and watched as the Marquis started to shoot. The first one he hit, and both Anna and Amy clapped. That seemed to make Merseyside waver, and then he lined up for the next shot. That one was wide, completely missing the clay target.
So was the next one. And the next. And Derby was getting more and more concerned. Merseyside was a crack shot, even better than he was. He had never missed a shot in his life. Something wasn’t right with him, and it was clearly throwing the man off.
Merseyside finished the last shot and lowered his rifle, staring at the gun in his hands. Amy and Anna were sitting forward, watching him. Derby frowned at his friend as Merseyside walked back to the table, leaning his rifle against one of the chairs.
“Are you all right?” Derby asked. “You were all over the place.”
“I’m fine.”
Even that didn’t sound convincing. Derby and Day exchanged glances.
“My lord,” Day interjected, “You’re going to get someone hurt if you’re not paying proper attention.”
“I…” Merseyside sighed and shook his head as he reached for his drink. “I guess my mind is on other things.”
“Is it something to do with your wife and child?”
“W
hat? No, nothing like that. Sarah’s fine apart from the baby-making her unable to keep food down. It’s just…”
His voice trailed off, and Merseyside glanced at Derby. Derby found himself stiffening. This involved him somehow; he knew it. And suddenly he didn’t want to know.
“Lord Merseyside?”
Merseyside bit his lip and shuffled from foot to foot. He was looking away but at them now.
“I...I think I’ve fallen in love with someone else.”
Derby stared. He thought he had misheard.
“You what? I thought you were in love with my sister.”
“And I do love her. No doubt about that.” Merseyside was looking more and more embarrassed. “But now, my feelings…”
He ducked his head and mumbled something. Derby didn’t hear him properly, but he thought he heard Amy’s name.
“What did you say?”
Merseyside took a deep breath and raised his head, looking Derby squarely in the eye.
“I’m in love with Amy.”
Derby felt like he had been punched in the face. He searched Merseyside’s face, expecting this to be a joke, but the Marquis’ expression said he was not messing around.
“Amy? You mean my Amy?”
Day grabbed his arm and shook his head. Derby then realized he had been advancing on Merseyside with his voice getting louder. Merseyside snorted.
“What do you mean, ‘my Amy’? She’s not yours.”
“And she’s not yours!” Derby hissed. He shook Day’s hand off. “What do you think you’re doing, saying you’re in love with her? You’re married to my sister!”
“I didn’t ask for it to happen! It just...happened.”
Derby snorted.
“It just happened!” He sneered. “Something like that doesn’t just happen.”
“Does it not?”
Day pressed his hand on Derby’s shoulder, giving him a firm shake.
“My lord, calm yourself.” He said in a low voice. “We don’t want the ladies concerned. And getting angry isn’t going to help anyone. Do you want Amy to see you like this?”
Then Derby was aware of Amy and Anna watching them. He knew Day was right; the two of them didn’t need to see this. Taking a deep breath, Derby walked away. If he stayed at Merseyside’s side for much longer, he was going to lash out. As far as Derby was concerned, Amy was his. Nobody, not even his married friend, was going to change that.
It was then Derby winced. He was doing exactly what Amy hated. Treating her like a possession. Something instead of someone. He had promised never to do that to Amy, and yet here he was.
He was such a hypocrite.
“Daniel?”
Derby turned. Amy was walking towards him. Clearing his throat, Derby managed to give her a smile.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, but I’m more worried about you.” Amy frowned. “What happened with you and the Marquis?”
He couldn’t tell her. Amy would be duty-bound as Sarah’s friend to tell her. She would be horrified. Derby needed to sit on this for a while.
“Just a disagreement over something.” He took her hand. “It’s nothing for you to worry about. You’ve got plenty to be concerned over without worrying about me.”
“But I do worry about you.” Amy protested. “I don’t like seeing you pained or angry.”
Derby wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. She was too sweet for her own good. But he remembered where they were. Hartley hadn’t made an appearance out on the lawn, but Derby had glanced towards the house and saw him or Lady Beatrice watching from a window. He had to be careful. Doctor and Mrs. Day might not object, but the Viscount and his wife certainly would.
“Anyway, I’m just letting you know that I’m going to take Mother back to her room.” Amy went on. “She’s still feeling sick, and I think it’s best that she lay down.”
“Let Dobson know, and he can escort you.” Derby kissed her hand. “Just so you don’t get accosted on the way up.”
“I will.” Amy smiled, and Derby almost threw propriety out the window. “I’ll come and find you later.”
“Please.”
Squeezing his fingers, Amy stepped away and walked back to her mother. Derby watched her go, aware that his eyes were drifting lower. Her hips had a natural sway, barely hidden by her clothes. He wanted to see those hips on him as she rode him. He wanted to see her body flush with her arousal.
If he wasn’t careful, his trousers were going to show everyone what Derby was thinking. He coughed and turned away, trying to think of something else that could cool him down. It wasn’t easy, and it took a while.
The woman set him to fire.
“My lord.”
Day had appeared at his side. Derby turned and saw Merseyside was at the table, taking a hefty swig of his drink while watching Amy as she helped her mother to stand. Derby gritted his teeth.
“What did you say to him?”
“I told him that no matter what he was feeling, pursuing anything beyond an acquaintanceship with my stepdaughter was not a good idea considering his marital status and his friendship with you.”
“Friendship?” Derby snorted. “If he was my friend, he wouldn’t have fallen for her.”
Day sighed.
“With all due respect, my lord, would you stop acting like a child? Amy’s not a possession, and she was hoping you wouldn’t treat her like one?”
Derby felt about a foot tall being told off by his father for pulling his sister’s hair. He looked at the ground.
“That was not my intention,” he mumbled.
“I should hope not,” Day grunted. “Anyway, I’ve told him that he shouldn’t pursue anything. He’s married, and I will not have Amy reduced to the status of mistress. That’s not what I want for her, and I’m pretty sure even Lord Hartley would be scandalized by it. Plus, I know you won’t share your future wife with your friend.”
“Absolutely not.” Derby snorted.
Day was watching him with his head tilted to one side. He shook his head.
“Honestly, young men these days are just full of things they shouldn’t let take control. It’s a good thing I spoke to him and not you. You look ready to kill him.”
Derby said nothing to that because he knew his response. If Merseyside went anywhere near Amy, he would kill him. No doubt about it.
* * *
The rest of their shooting session was somewhat strained. Derby was still seething from what Merseyside had said. Day seemed to sense the tension in the air and always kept himself between them. From Merseyside’s expression, he knew he was in trouble.
It took a little longer for Derby to calm down. Not much, but enough that he didn’t feel like he wanted to put his hands on Merseyside. Things were already bad enough with Amy’s father and stepmother, along with the Earl of Leicester hanging around his home, without his best friend getting involved with the mess. And Derby didn’t want to get upset with the Marquis.
They had been friends for a long time, and Derby knew Merseyside’s reputation with women. He would flirt, but he was honorable, which was why he agreed to the arrangement that his sister married his friend. However, somehow, this was different. The first time Derby was willing to admit anything regarding his heart, it was already being threatened.
He wouldn’t have that.
When the shooting was over, his footmen started gathering the guns and walking away. Merseyside had left almost as soon as the final clay pigeon had been shot, heading back towards the house. Derby hurried after him.
“Merseyside.” The Marquis kept walking. “Kenneth!”
Merseyside stopped and turned with a heavy sigh. He looked ready for a confrontation.
“What do you want, Derby?”
Derby reached him, keeping his distance. Glancing back at Day, who was watching them closely, he lowered his voice.
“I want you to leave here,” he said. “As soon as you can.”
Chapter Sixteen
“What?” Merseyside’s mouth dropped open. “Why? I thought you invited me here as a guest with your sister, so we could be there for Miss Hartley.”
“I did, but now that you’ve made that confession about Amy, I’ve realized that was a mistake.”
Derby bit back a wince as an angry shadow passed over Merseyside’s face.