London Temptations: Historical Regency Romance Collection

by Joyce Alec

  Ignoring Lord Hoskins’ gentle jibe at his countenance, Phillip climbed down from the carriage and immediately hurried into the tea shop, not delaying for fear that he would be seen. His eyes searched the room carefully, relieved that it was very quiet indeed, and his gaze fell on the young lady sitting at a small wooden table in the corner of the tea shop.

  She rose and made her way toward him and Phillip held his hands out to her, feeling himself a little unsteady as he walked. The moment she took his hands, he let out a long breath of relief and closed his eyes, wishing he could pull her into his arms but knowing he could not.

  “Lord Wiltshire,” she whispered, tears shimmering in her eyes. “You are all right?”

  “I am recovered,” he said, lifting one hand to his lips and kissing it gently. “I cannot tell you how glad you have made me, Lucinda. To see you again…” He could not find the words to finish, for words seemed inadequate. Instead, they simply stood together for some time, looking into each other’s eyes and finding a sense of peace and contentment that had evaded them both for so long.

  “That is quite enough, now.”

  Phillip jerked as a voice came from behind him, only to see Lady Crampton rising from where she had been sitting, tucked away in the corner.

  “I think we should all sit down together,” she said briskly, although she placed one hand on his arm and smiled up at him. “It is very good to see you again, Lord Wiltshire.”

  “And you,” he said honestly, filled with happiness to be in such good company again. “Thank you for all you have done, Lady Crampton. I am sure that you have supported Miss Williams throughout this trial.”

  “It is not over yet,” she replied, a little grimly. “Ah, Lord Hoskins. Excellent.” She gestured to the table where Miss Williams had been seated when Phillip had arrived. “Shall we sit down?”

  Phillip nodded but kept Miss Williams’ hand in his as he led her there, seating himself next to her and finding himself reveling in her company. Just to be beside her again was more than he had hoped for in some time.

  “Well,” Lord Hoskins began as the tea was served to them, along with a selection of small, delicious-looking cakes. “What is it we are to do about Lord Astley?”

  Miss Williams shook her head. “I do not know,” she said, looking up at Phillip with helplessness in her gaze. “I am sure that he intends to remove you entirely from this world, if he needs to.”

  A small shiver ran through Phillip’s frame, but he did not permit it to show. “And you agreed to marry him in order to protect me,” he said gently, marveling at her courage and her clear affection for him. “I could never have asked for such loyalty, Miss Williams.”

  She smiled at him. “You have it,” she told him, a blush in her cheeks. “But it will mean nothing if we cannot prevent Lord Astley from carrying out his threat.”

  “At the very least,” Lady Crampton interjected, “we have discovered something of interest about Lucinda.”

  Phillip looked from one lady to the other. “Oh?”

  Miss Williams gave him a small, sad smile. “Lady Crampton and I visited my father’s solicitors. I have discovered, much to my astonishment, that when I wed, whilst I have a small dowry—much smaller than I had anticipated—I shall also gain what was left of my mother’s fortune. She had an independent wealth which I always presumed had gone to my father.”

  Rather astonished, Phillip let out a long, slow breath, seeing the sorrow in Miss Williams’ eyes and finding his heart wrenching for her.

  “We must wonder if this is the cause of the match between Lord Astley and Lucinda,” Lady Crampton said softly. “Although I cannot understand how it would benefit my brother.”

  Lord Hoskins cleared his throat, catching everyone’s attention. “I have noted that both Lord Swinton and Lord Astley enjoy playing cards. That is another matter to consider also.”

  This did not make any particular sense to Phillip, who frowned at his friend, wondering why he appeared to be grinning at his statement.

  “Lord Hoskins, I do not know what you mean,” Lady Crampton said with a flicker of exasperation in her expression. “What does playing cards have to do with it?”

  Lord Hoskins’ grin spread wider for a moment, before he leaned forward in his chair, speaking in a lower tone. “I mentioned to Lord Wiltshire, some time ago, that I believed Lord Swinton was cheating at almost every card game he played, when the stakes were high enough for him to win a significant amount of coin,” he said, and Phillip suddenly remembered the conversation from some weeks ago. “Since then, I have noticed that both he and Lord Astley go together to the card table and, the last time I mentioned it to them, they were both in deep discussion about the game itself, although quite what they were discussing, I could not say.” He lifted one shoulder. “If it is to do with coin, then we might consider studying what occurs around the card table also.”

  Phillip glanced quickly at Miss Williams, a little afraid that she might be upset to hear that her father was known to behave with such dishonesty at the card table, but, from her expression of calm acceptance, it appeared that she had no concern in that regard whatsoever.

  “We shall have to discover a little more,” Lady Crampton murmured, looking at Lord Hoskins before returning her gaze to Phillip. “A card game must be set up. One that has high stakes. If you invite my brother as well as Lord Astley, it may be that you will discover the truth of what is being done.”

  Reaching underneath the table, Phillip took a hold of Miss Williams’ hand and felt her press his fingers gently.

  “It could be done,” he said slowly, looking at Lord Hoskins. “Although you would have to make the arrangements, Hoskins. If it was I, then—”

  “No, it should be you!” Miss Williams suddenly exclaimed, her hand tight in his. “Can you not see, Wiltshire?” Her green eyes were wide, her cheeks coloring quickly. “Let us say that you organize a game such as we have described, and that it is mentioned in Lord Astley’s presence. Do you believe that he will simply ignore it?”

  Thinking quickly, Phillip began to smile, realizing what she meant. “He will, of course, want to join the game in order to humiliate me further,” he said as Miss Williams nodded fervently. “If he suggests such a thing in front of other gentlemen, then I shall not easily be able to exclude him.”

  “And I shall invite Lord Swinton,” Lord Hoskins added with a sly grin. “Mayhap I shall be in my cups and will do so without even asking for your agreement, Wiltshire. In that way, neither gentleman will believe that their presence is welcome.”

  Letting out his breath slowly, Phillip looked at each person in turn. Lord Hoskins was grinning, Lady Crampton was gazing at Miss Williams, whilst the lady herself was smiling up at him, her countenance quite bright.

  “We shall have to be there also, of course,” Lady Crampton interjected, as Phillip forced his attention back toward the lady. “If you note anything of interest, then we must bring it to the fore immediately.”

  “That might be dangerous, Aunt,” Miss Williams said, before Phillip could reply. “What if Lord Astley—”

  “We must be there,” Lady Crampton interrupted firmly. “I will take your uncle with us also, Lucinda. There is nothing you need fear. If we are to discover the truth, then anything that takes place must be questioned and brought into the light at once.”

  Sensing that it was best not to argue with Lady Crampton, Phillip glanced at Miss Williams and, aware that the color had gone from her face, pressed her fingers gently.

  “There is nothing you need to fear,” he said softly. “Lord Astley might threaten a great many things, but I shall not be turned from my course, Miss Williams. I should elope with you this very night, if you would permit it.”

  She blushed then, her lips curving into a gentle smile, her fear dissipating. “I am doing what I can to protect you, Lord Wiltshire,” she replied fondly. “Even though you seem more than intent on chasing away my good intentions.”

  He laughed an
d lifted her hand to his lips, before reaching for his teacup. “Then I think we know what must be arranged,” he said as Lord Hoskins nodded briskly. “It will have to take place in a few days’ time, of course.”

  “And you shall have to stay well away from Miss Williams,” Lord Hoskins said as Phillip’s shoulders sank. “There can be nothing to suggest any sort of continued acquaintance between you.”

  Silence hung over them all for a moment but, in the end, it was Miss Williams who spoke first.

  “A few days is nothing compared to the long absence that would otherwise have been,” she said, turning her gaze toward Phillip as he looked back at her. “I can endure it.”

  “As can I,” he agreed, although his sigh was a little heavy. “But only because I must.”

  This made Lady Crampton chuckle, and again, the atmosphere grew bright around them. If it had not been for Lord Astley, then Phillip might have found himself quite at his leisure—but he knew he could not linger for long. Within a few minutes, Lady Crampton rose and took her leave, permitting Phillip to have a few minutes alone with Miss Williams, as Lord Hoskins quickly exited the tea shop also.

  “I shall write only when I must,” he said, and Miss Williams nodded, rising from her chair. “It shall injure my heart greatly to be apart from you, Lucinda, but I cannot see what else there is to do.”

  “We must hope that there is something of importance to be discovered,” she answered softly, her hand still in his. “Else I fear I might have to accept your offer of elopement.”

  His heart leapt wildly in his chest as he heard those words from her lips, making the urge to clasp her tightly in his arms grow with such strength that he could not keep from doing so. A quick glance around the tea shop told him that they were, at present, quite alone, and so he slipped his arms about her waist and gently pulled her against him.

  “My dear Lucinda,” he whispered, not wanting his words to be overheard by the proprietor. “You are more wonderful with each passing day. The thought of being separated from you was more than I could bear.”

  “My heart tore with each word I wrote,” she told him, her eyes glistening with tears but a small smile lifting her mouth. “But it seems you are quite determined, Lord Wiltshire.”

  Phillip grinned but, aware that he would be hard pressed not to do more should he linger in such a fashion, reluctantly released her. “I am more than determined, Lucinda,” he murmured as she blushed furiously. “I am quite in love with you, I think.”

  She did not say anything for some moments. Her hand found his and she gripped it hard, blinking rapidly so that not a single tear would fall to her cheek. Phillip began to worry that he had greatly upset her, that he had somehow done her harm in speaking so—only for Miss Williams to step toward him, stand up on her tiptoes, and press her lips to his.

  It was only for a moment, only for a breath, and yet it felt as though the world had begun to slow all around him. Even as she stepped back, he could still feel the imprint of her lips on his, the heat of her mouth lingering on his.

  “I love you also, Wiltshire,” she whispered, her face crimson but her eyes filled with such a great emotion that Phillip could feel it radiating from her. “I would have done anything I could to protect you, even if it meant removing myself from you in the meantime.”

  He wanted to say more, wanted to tell her that he was overwhelmed by her devotion and her care for him, but his lips would not move, his whole body numb with the shock of what she had done. His heart was singing furiously, bursting with a joy that he had never once experienced before, and still, he could not say a single word.

  “Lady Crampton is waiting for me,” Miss Williams murmured, moving a little closer to him and looking up into his eyes, her beauty once more catching his breath and stealing it from him. “Let us hope that this matter is very soon resolved, Wiltshire. I do not know how to be apart from you.”

  “Nor I,” he replied, managing to find his voice. “I shall miss you desperately.”

  Her cheeks warmed again as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. And then she was gone, the door closing gently behind her. With both a great joy in his heart and a sorrow at being parted from her, Phillip watched as the carriage rolled away before slowly making his way toward the door of the tea shop.

  Opening it, he stepped outside into the sunshine and saw Lord Hoskins grinning at him from where he stood beside their carriage.

  “I presume all has gone very well, then?” he asked, gesturing to the carriage. “Might we depart?” He glanced over his shoulder, his grin fading just a little. “I should not like anyone to come upon us having only just witnessed Miss Williams departing. No doubt rumors and gossip would spread in an instant.”

  “You are quite right,” Phillip agreed, climbing up quickly with Lord Hoskins following behind. “And yes, since you have asked, all has gone very well indeed.” He sat back against the squabs and let out a satisfied sigh, which made Lord Hoskins smile broadly.

  “I am glad to hear it,” he said, reaching up to rap on the roof of the carriage, which moved away at once. “Then let us pray that we will discover something of note at this card game of yours.”

  Phillip nodded fervently. “Indeed,” he murmured, looking out of the window and recalling the hope that had burned in Miss Williams’ eyes. Hope that he had felt within his own heart also. “But if we do not, I fully intend to elope with Miss Williams regardless.”

  Lord Hoskins’ brows rose. “And Lord Astley?”

  “Lord Astley may chase us across the world, and I should not care,” Phillip replied emphatically. “He shall not succeed, no matter how much he believes himself to already be the victor.” Gently touching his side, he winced at the small stab of pain. “No matter how much he injures me, I shall not give her up,” he continued as Lord Hoskins nodded slowly. “He will not succeed in this. I am quite determined.”

  “You love her deeply, then,” Lord Hoskins said, quite matter-of-fact in his manner. “And she you?”

  Phillip smiled, his heart singing with contentment. “And she loves me also, yes,” he said with a sigh of sheer satisfaction escaping him. “We are bound to each other already, Hoskins, and I will not permit Lord Astley to separate us again.”

  “Indeed, it will be a most excellent evening.”

  Phillip grinned broadly at the gentlemen around him, trying his utmost to ignore the fact that he did not know where Lord Astley was and that the discussion he was having at present might very well come to naught if he did not join them soon.

  “I look forward to it, Lord Wiltshire,” one gentleman said. “A capital evening, I should say.”

  Two other gentlemen said something similar, while the fourth, being a little overcome with liquor already, swayed and then began to speak with such a loud tone that Phillip winced, although he prayed that it might catch the attention of Lord Astley. After all, this was meant to be an opportunity for him to forcibly join the card party, in the hope of humiliating Phillip all the more. This was now the third attempt at doing so, for the first two had failed miserably indeed and Phillip was beginning to become a little desperate. Lord Hoskins had, of course, had great success with Lord Swinton, who was now attending the card party, but it would not be much good without Lord Astley present also.

  “I think it sounds excellent!” the drunk gentleman exclaimed, waving his arms around as he attempted—and failed—to speak with any clarity. “Excellent indeed, yes. The card party, that is. What I mean to say is—”

  “Go and sit down.”

  Phillip looked up sharply, only to see his quarry grasping the man tightly by the arm and practically spinning him away from the rest of the group. The smiles on the faces of those around him immediately began to fade as they realized just who was present, whilst Phillip himself stiffened, his hands curling into fists.

  Lord Astley stood, tilting his head as he looked around the group, his gaze lingering on Phillip for just a moment before he bowed, evidently greeting t
hem all at once.

  “Good evening, gentlemen,” he said, and one or two others murmured a response. “Good evening, Lord Wiltshire.” His lips quirked in an ugly smile. “I do hope you have recovered.”

  Phillip did not answer. “Good evening, Lord Astley,” was all he said, before turning to take his leave.

  “What was Lord Dunstable so very animated about?” Lord Astley asked loudly, preventing Phillip from departing. The other gentlemen shifted a little uneasily on their feet, with one or two glancing up at Phillip. Evidently, Lord Astley was not a well-liked gentleman, which did not surprise Phillip in the least.

  “Well?” Lord Astley asked again, his voice a little sharper now although his expression remained pleasant, a small smile pulling up one side of his mouth as he spoke. “It must be something of great importance.”

  Phillip cleared his throat gruffly. “I am having a card game in a few days’ time, Lord Astley,” he said as the other gentlemen nodded and murmured quietly in agreement. “That is all.”

  Something changed in Lord Astley’s expression, although it was so subtle that had Phillip not been studying the man, he would have missed it entirely. There came a flash of interest in Lord Astley’s eyes, a small spark that lifted his mouth just a little more.

  “Indeed?” he said, and Phillip looked away, not wanting to show any sort of interest in Lord Astley’s reaction. “Does that mean, then, that you are seeking out players to join you for that evening?”

  “No,” Phillip said sharply, his gaze returning to Lord Astley at once, reminding himself inwardly that he had to appear reluctant but that, in the end, the pressure from others would force his hand. “I think we have quite enough attending, Lord Astley. Enough to make an excellent evening, I am sure.”

  Lord Astley said nothing for a few moments and Phillip began to worry that he had spoken out of turn, said too much, or refused too strongly. But his worry dissipated the very next moment, for Lord Astley shrugged and took a small step closer, clearly quite determined.