London Temptations: Historical Regency Romance Collection

by Joyce Alec

  “You shall not remove me from Lady Crampton’s house, Father,” she said curtly. “I will not go, and I hardly think that Lord Crampton would permit you to carry me bodily from the house.” She tilted her head and looked up at him, aware that he was slowly going very white but finding that she did not care. “I know what you have done, Father. You were the one to tell Lord Astley that ‘such things could be altered’, were you not? Well, I am sure you are very glad indeed now that he has managed to do so. I am certain that you are quite contented with his violence and the threats that he continues to hold over my head. And whilst I have no other choice but to agree, Father, I will not permit you to demand that I do anything more simply to satisfy your whims. You have achieved your aim. I will court, engage myself to, and wed Lord Astley, just as you wished. But I shall not do so willingly and certainly will not obey your dictates in the meantime.”

  Holding Lord Swinton’s gaze steadily, Lucinda clenched her hands tightly into fists, forcing herself not to say more. If she did, she might then give in to her threatening tears and make something of a spectacle of herself in front of the other guests. Lord Swinton’s face had gone very pale indeed and, for what Lucinda considered must be the first time, he did not appear to know what to say.

  “How dare you!”

  Lord Astley grasped her arm and swung her around, just as her father had done, one hand raised as though to strike her, but Lucinda pulled her arm away again, standing strong and determined. Lord Astley had threatened Lord Wiltshire, yes, but that did not mean that she was about to accept any sort of violence from him.

  “I shall speak as I wish, Lord Astley, for you are nothing to me yet,” she replied, uncertain where this strength had come from but finding herself all the more determined to speak so. “Do not touch me in such a fashion again.”

  Lord Astley’s lip curled. “And if I do?” he replied, coming a little closer and looking down at her in an attempt, Lucinda knew, to intimidate her. “Shall you attempt to retaliate, knowing what I can and may do in response?”

  Lucinda’s stomach dropped, her strength leaving her in an instant. “You are to hold Lord Wiltshire’s life over my head, even in this?” she asked, her hands unclenching as hopelessness threatened to overwhelm her. “You will use him in an attempt to force me to behave as you wish?”

  There was not even a moment of hesitation. “I shall do whatever is required of me, in order to gain what I desire,” he told her flatly. “Have you not understood this by now, Miss Williams?” He laughed and the sound set her teeth on edge, making her shudder violently. She did not dare look at her father, quite certain that he would have a look of satisfied contentment at Lord Astley’s remarks. Her head began to lower, her spirit fading, only for a familiar voice to come toward her.

  “Good evening, Miss Williams.”

  The voice belonged to Lord Hoskins, who bowed toward her and then looked with interest at both Lord Swinton and then Lord Astley, greeting both quickly. Lucinda did not know what he intended but found herself greatly relieved at his company, which had saved her from complete mortification.

  “Good evening, Lord Hoskins,” she murmured, dropping into a quick curtsy. “How very good to see you this evening.”

  “And to see you,” he said with a jaunty grin. “I thought it best to come to greet you quickly, before the card games begin.”

  For some inexplicable reason, Lucinda noticed that both her father and Lord Astley looked at each other swiftly at this remark, before both turned to Lord Hoskins.

  “I was not aware there was to be a game of cards this evening,” Lord Astley said, his tone rather dark. “Are you quite certain?”

  Lord Hoskins laughed as though Lord Astley had said something truly ridiculous. “But of course I am certain,” he replied with a shake of his head. “Lord Dunning always has such games at his soirees—although he is not the most fortunate, I might add.” He chuckled again, giving a small shrug as though he did not mind too greatly that the host would, most likely, be out of pocket that evening. “They are setting up the tables already, which is why I thought it best to quickly greet Miss Williams first, so that I did not appear particularly rude.”

  “That is very kind of you, Lord Hoskins,” Lucinda said quickly, a little confused by his jovial remarks and his broad smile. Did he not know that she wished desperately to ask about Lord Wiltshire’s condition but that she could not do so when Lord Astley and her father were present? Was he attempting to torture her in some way, for what she had done to Lord Wiltshire? No doubt he knew by now that she had ended their acquaintance. Mayhap, she considered miserably, he had come to berate her for what she had done, as he had every right to do. The thought of what Lord Wiltshire must have endured having read her letter had kept her awake throughout the night, had brought fresh waves of pain to her heart over and over again as she struggled to comprehend her future with Lord Astley—a future she had not wanted to even consider until she had been forced to do so.

  “Ah, Lord Hoskins.”

  Much to Lucinda’s surprise, her aunt suddenly appeared and greeted Lord Hoskins warmly, even though she had been instructed to remain away from Lucinda for a time. However, this did not seem to make any particular difference to her father who, Lucinda noted, was now speaking in low tones to Lord Astley.

  “Good evening, Lady Crampton,” Lord Hoskins said, stepping to one side so that he stood in front of Lord Astley, just as Lady Crampton came to stand in front of Lord Swinton, effectively removing them from the conversation. Neither gentleman seemed to notice and, as Lucinda glanced from Lord Hoskins to her aunt and back again, she realized what they were trying to do.

  “It has been a very enjoyable evening, has it not?” Lady Crampton said lightly, beginning to meander slowly away from Lord Swinton and bringing Lucinda with her. “I do hope you have enjoyed it, Lord Hoskins.”

  “I have indeed,” came the reply as the gentleman joined them in their walk. “And I am enjoying it all the more now that we have left Lord Astley behind.”

  Lucinda sucked in a breath, afraid they would overhear him speak, but turning her head, saw that neither he nor her father had noticed. A frown flickered across her brow as she looked back at her aunt, seeing how she smiled gently.

  “Lord Hoskins has already spoken to me, Lucinda,” Lady Crampton said quietly. “He has a letter for you from Lord Wiltshire.”

  “He did not dare send it to Lady Crampton’s house, for fear that it would be delivered at a time when either your father or Lord Astley was present,” Lord Hoskins said quickly, pulling it from his pocket and handing it to her, his eyes darting back toward Lord Astley. “Do not read it now but hide it until later.”

  Lucinda took it with a trembling hand, putting it swiftly away so that it could not be seen. What was in the letter? No doubt, she considered, hanging her head for a few moments, it would be to express his sadness and sorrow over what she had done, mayhap to beg her for an explanation—an explanation she could not give.

  “Miss Williams,” Lord Hoskins continued, speaking quickly but quietly. “Lord Wiltshire and I have discussed this matter at length. He does not believe that you wish to end the acquaintance with him but are being asked to do so by another.”

  Shaking her head, Lucinda tried to smile. “Please, Lord Hoskins, do not ask me questions about such a matter,” she said, hating herself as she spoke. “It is a private decision and one that I shall not permit to be discussed.” She could not let herself speak the truth, not if she wanted to protect Lord Wiltshire. If she told Lord Hoskins the truth, then he would speak to Lord Wiltshire and all would be lost. It was too dangerous. Lord Astley was too dangerous. For the affection—nay, the love she felt for Lord Wiltshire, she had to remain silent.

  “Miss Williams,” Lord Hoskins said slowly, “you have the most tremendous spirit. Your courage and determination are worthy of admiration. And yet I shall tell you now that your attempt to protect Lord Wiltshire shall come to naught.”

  Luci
nda’s heart slammed hard into her chest. “I—I do not know what you mean,” she said hastily, looking at her aunt with wide eyes, only for Lady Crampton to smile and shrug lightly. “Lord Hoskins, please, I—”

  “You are being forced into this situation by a gentleman who wants you for himself, is that not so?” Lord Hoskins asked, his words stealing her breath from her as she stared at him, horror-struck. “Lord Wiltshire and I have considered the matter at length, for I recounted to him all that I remembered of my visit to both you and to your aunt, and we are now quite convinced that it is either Lord Astley or your own father who seeks this from you.”

  She did not know what to say, such was her shock. Had her affection for Lord Wiltshire been so apparent that he had known it was not something she would bring to an end with such swiftness? What had she said or done in the presence of Lord Hoskins that had made him aware of her difficulties?

  “Do not look so afraid, Lucinda,” Lady Crampton said gently, putting one hand on Lucinda’s arm. “Lord Wiltshire will not, I am sure, call Lord Astley out or any such thing. Instead, he will consider carefully what can be done.”

  Lord Hoskins nodded emphatically. “Read his letter the very first moment you have the opportunity,” he said kindly. “And then write a response. I shall be in Smithton and Brown’s bookshop tomorrow afternoon. Perhaps we might meet there.” With a quick smile, he inclined his head and departed, leaving Lucinda to stare, wide-eyed, at her aunt, uncertain what she was to say or do next. Lady Crampton merely watched with a gentle smile on her face, her eyes glistening with tears.

  “What am I to do?” Lucinda whispered, feeling her heart tearing all over again. “I am so very afraid, Aunt. Lord Astley can steal what courage I have from me in a moment, and I am all the more afraid of what he might do to Lord Wiltshire, if I do not do as he asks or if he discovers that I am still nurturing my acquaintance with him.”

  Lady Crampton’s smile remained. “My dear girl, you need only read Lord Wiltshire’s letter before you make any further considerations,” she said, reminding Lucinda of the letter now safely tucked away. “I should not like to see you wed to Lord Astley, even though I know that you feel there is no other choice.”

  “I spoke to Father,” Lucinda told her, recalling the whiteness of her father’s face as she had finished her tirade. “I told him that I suspected that he both fully supported Lord Astley’s violence and encouraged it. Do you recall how he told Lord Astley that certain things could be ‘altered’?” She waited for a moment until recognition came into her aunt’s eyes. “I am sure that he knew of it all, Aunt, and that breaks my heart all the more.”

  Lady Crampton moved closer and wrapped one arm around Lucinda’s waist. “Read the letter,” she said simply. “Once we are home and safe from your father and Lord Astley’s eyes, then we will discuss it together. But take heart, my dear Lucinda. It may be that you will not have to do what you fear.”

  Lucinda could not permit herself to have even a smidgen of hope, quite certain that she would refuse whatever Lord Wiltshire suggested in his letter in the knowledge that she was keeping him safe from Lord Astley’s vile cruelty. But, feeling a little comforted, she nodded and let out a shaky breath.

  “I shall excuse myself for a short time,” she murmured as her aunt nodded in agreement. “The powder room, mayhap?”

  “An excellent suggestion,” Lady Crampton replied, letting her go. “I will await your return.”

  Lady Crampton was as good as her word. She waited until they were both returned to the townhouse, leaving Lord Crampton behind to play cards, and settled together in the cozy library, where she very often read for a short time before retiring.

  “You read his letter, then?” she asked, and Lucinda nodded, her fingers running over the refolded letter as she held it in her hand. “And what does it state?”

  Lucinda swallowed hard, feeling tears coming into her eyes and permitting them to fall. “He states that he is sure I am being coerced into this situation and begs me to draw strength and courage to my heart and not give in to whatever is being threatened,” she said, allowing her tears to flow freely. Handing the letter to her aunt, she wiped at them with her handkerchief, her emotions all rolled up together as she continued to cry. “He is desperate for us to return to where we once were, states openly that he would offer marriage in any form, if it were to be of assistance.”

  Something flickered in Lady Crampton’s eyes. “He would elope, then.”

  “I presume that is what he means, yes,” Lucinda answered, shaking her head. “But how can I agree when I know that Lord Astley would only come after us? Whether I was wed to Lord Wiltshire or not, I fear that Lord Astley will carry out his threats in order that he might gain what he wishes.”

  Lady Crampton read the letter once more, then folded it up carefully as Lucinda’s tears began to abate. “There is more here than we are aware of, Lucinda,” she said firmly. “Lord Astley is singular in his determination to wed you. Your father is quite unable to explain to either you or me why he wishes you to wed Lord Astley, although it is clearly his intention. There is something about this marriage that is of great importance, although as yet we do not know what it is.” She held up one hand, stemming Lucinda’s gentle protest. “Yes, I will agree with you that Lord Astley is a gentleman well used to being given what he wants without hesitation, my dear, and that he does not react properly to being refused anything, but I believe there is a greater purpose at work that we are as yet entirely unaware of.” Looking at Lucinda steadily, she frowned suddenly. “Your mother, when she passed away—was there anything left to you?”

  Lucinda’s skin prickled at the mention of her late mother, whom she had barely known. “I could not say, Aunt,” she replied honestly. “Father has never made mention of it. He has very rarely made mention of her, if I am truthful, save to berate her in some fashion as though she were still here.” A frown crossed her forehead. “I do not understand why you ask such a thing.”

  This did not deflate Lady Crampton in any way. Instead, she mused for a few moments and then lifted one shoulder. “There have been a few mentions of your mother of late, Lucinda,” she reminded her. “Your father speaks of her on occasion, I know, but it was Lord Astley’s remark about her that caught my interest. I will also admit that I recall how he stated to your father something akin to what you would bring to a marriage with him.”

  “What I would bring?” Lucinda repeated, not at all able to remember such a thing. “What would such a statement mean?”

  Lady Crampton spread her hands. “It might mean very little,” she said honestly. “However, it might very well suggest that there is more to your dowry than you are aware.”

  “I do not know what I am to make of such a suggestion,” Lucinda answered, a dull ache coming to sit just above her eyes. “It is all a little confusing.”

  “I am aware of that,” Lady Crampton replied gently. “And you look rather fatigued. What I will say, however, is that I think we should accept Lord Wiltshire’s eagerness to help and tell him that all must be considered. And, in addition,” she added, tilting her head, “we must discover whether or not there has been anything left to you from your mother. After all, she was the daughter of an earl and I am certain she had some financial stability of her own…if I remember correctly, that is.”

  It was something Lucinda had never once considered but given the lateness of the hour and the ache in her head, she wanted nothing more than to go to sleep and allow her thoughts to fade away until the morrow. She did not even need to state such a thing, for her aunt quickly rose to her feet and came toward her, offering her a hand.

  “Come, you must retire,” she said, helping Lucinda to her feet. “We have spoken for too long and you are already exhausted.”

  “I am,” Lucinda agreed softly. “But I thank you, Aunt. You have given me much to think of, although what we are to do next, I cannot imagine.”

  Lady Crampton smiled and patted Lucinda’s hand as th
ey walked from the room together. “It will all become clear, I am sure,” she said reassuringly. “All you need do is write to Lord Wiltshire and give him the hope that he desperately needs. And I am sure, my dear Lucinda, that you will find that very same hope enter your soul also when you know that you are no longer separated from him.”

  “I must hope so,” Lucinda whispered, longing to rest her head on her pillow and drift to sleep. “Thank you, Aunt.”

  “Good night, Lucinda.”

  12

  Ten Days Later

  “You are sure she will be there?”

  Lord Hoskins grinned as Phillip brushed an invisible speck of dust from his coat.

  “I am quite certain,” he replied as the carriage rolled along. “Lady Crampton stated that Lord Astley and Lord Swinton would be meeting together at this time to discuss marriage arrangements and would not be anywhere near town.”

  Phillip closed his eyes and dragged in air, surprised at how nervous he felt. This was the first time he had emerged from Lord Hoskin’s house in some time and, whilst his wound was still not entirely healed and he still had some pain, it was not enough to keep him bound to the house any longer.

  His heart was beating with a nervousness that surprised him. Having received the first letter from Miss Williams, he had found himself brimming with a fresh hope that all might be resolved, although quite how they were to achieve such a thing, he still did not know. Having suggested eloping, he discovered that Miss Williams feared that Lord Astley would still be determined to remove him from this earth should he do so. Because of this, he had found it very difficult indeed to come up with any other suggestion.

  And thus, they had decided to meet. A quiet tea shop in the heart of London had been the answer and they were on their way there at present. The thought of seeing her again filled him with both excitement and nervousness, and as the carriage came to a stop, such sensations only increased.