The pleasure they had taken in each other suddenly seemed fragile, like thin ice, too easily shattered. Why must happiness always carry with it the burden of doubt—that it cannot last? Despite her foolishness in going to his bedchamber and their bitter altercation, she wanted him to hold her, to seek his comfort and reassurance, but already, insidiously, she had started to feel within herself the beginnings of anxiety and apprehension, and a kind of sadness. Her godmother would be here soon. Where before it had seemed to be of no consequence, now it appeared she had not enough time left at Rockwood Park.
* * *
Christopher’s room felt surprisingly empty now Lucy had gone. When she had opened the door, helplessly he had stretched out his hand to stay her, but she had gone. He longed to go after her, to take her in his arms and slide his knuckles over her soft, silken cheek, but it was too late. Lifting the glass holding the remains of the brandy, he drank it in one swallow to dull the ache inside him, filling it up when it was empty. Combing his fingers through his hair, he threw himself into a chair, disgusted with himself and contrite.
Angrily he attacked his sentimental thoughts until they cowered in meek submission, but they refused to die down. His attraction to Lucy was disquieting—in fact, it was damned annoying. If he wanted an affair or diversion of any kind, he had a string of some of the most beautiful women in London to choose from—so why should he feel this insanely wild attraction for an eighteen-year-old girl who had hardly left the schoolroom?
He tried to put her from his mind, but failed miserably in the effort. The sweet fragrance of her perfume lingered everywhere, drifting through his senses, and the throbbing hunger began anew. He cursed with silent frustration, seized by a strong desire to go after her and cauterise his need by holding her close and clamping his lips on hers. But common sense told him that now was not the time for either of them to even contemplate forming any kind of union.
Hard logic and cold reason had always conquered his lust—with Lucy it was different. She was too much of a disruption. He had to purge her out of his mind before he was completely beaten—and if she were to remain living close to him then he would lose the battle. He was in danger of losing his heart to her and he would not permit that. The stakes were too high.
* * *
The solution to his dilemma produced itself in the form of Lady Caroline Sutton. Lucy had been at Rockwood Park two weeks when she arrived mid-morning.
A tall attractive woman with light brown hair and bright blue eyes, not only was Lady Caroline Sutton highly respected among society, but her late husband had been a skilled politician who could claim the friendship of some of the most powerful men at home and abroad.
His grandfather had taken Lucy on yet another guided tour of the estate in his carriage so Christopher had the pleasure of receiving her alone.
‘I have been in Milan. When I returned to Paris I found Lucy’s letter waiting for me. I cannot tell you how alarmed I was when I read the contents and I came as soon as I could. There was also another letter—from America.’
Christopher looked at her sharply. ‘Her father?’
‘It was from her father’s lawyer. As Lucy’s guardian he wrote to me to break the news of her father’s death—these three months past.’
‘Lucy already knows. Sofia told her prior to her coming down here.’
Lady Sutton was surprised. ‘Oh, I see. Lucy mentioned in her letter that Sofia was in London. She must have set sail as soon as her husband died.’
‘I imagine she did—along with a companion by the name of Mark Barrington. I’m afraid the pair schemed to get their hands on Lucy’s inheritance. Barrington’s closeness to Sofia Walsh and her husband’s death was an unexpected windfall that they were both swift to use to their advantage. Lucy was devastated when Sofia told her about her father.’
‘I imagine she would be. She has only seen him once since he sent her to England for her education. They were very close. He came three years ago. That was the last time she saw him. I must thank you for taking care of her. London is a dangerous place for an innocent.’
‘I couldn’t agree more, which is why I took the liberty of bringing her down here.’
‘Before Lucy comes back from her walk, I would like you to tell me exactly what happened and just how it will affect her future. How badly has she been compromised?’
With the minimum of fuss Christopher explained all that had occurred since the day he had met Lucy. He also told her about Barrington’s connection to his own family. Lady Sutton listened in silence.
‘That is a terrible story. I am so very sorry that your sister was driven to do what she did. So in different ways both you and Lucy have been touched by the evils of Mr Barrington.’
‘Yes. He makes his living out of dishonesty and deceiving people. With Barrington still out there it will be sensible to take her away. I believe he still poses a danger.’
‘You think he might try to contact her or—heaven forbid!—that he might try to kidnap her?’
‘Believe me, Lady Sutton, that man is capable of anything—but I believe he will move on to some other unsuspecting rich young woman to try to get his hands on her cash.’
‘Whatever his intentions, I will not let her out of my sight. Since Lucy came into her inheritance she has become a very wealthy young woman—and a desirable one, but I fear it will be for the wrong reasons. You say she has been compromised by her association with Mr Barrington. How dare he announce their engagement to all and sundry at the ball. How dare he do that to Lucy.’
‘My sentiments exactly. Where I am concerned, the last thing I wanted to do was compromise her in any way. I find it hard to understand why so much ill feeling was directed at Lucy instead of Barrington after he was ruined at the card tables.’
‘Which was down to you.’ She sighed. ‘It is a terrible situation. We will leave for France as soon as it can be arranged—quietly and with no one any the wiser.’
‘If it will help, I will put the word out that she has left for Louisiana.’
‘Yes, I think that would be for the best. I do not want her to be worried by all of this. She will be in mourning for her father for a while yet, so some time out of the public eye will be sensible, but eventually I want her to enjoy herself as a young woman should. The mere thought of people pointing fingers at her, gossip that will follow her around for ever, horrifies me. It was not what her father wanted when he asked me to take care of her. And it must be put out that she rejected Mr Barrington—not the other way round. I will not have it said that she was jilted by that—that blackguard. She has already endured the shame of being betrothed to him and assaulted by him. I will not have her being a source of scandal among the elite.’
‘I agree,’ Christopher replied, becoming thoughtful, not for the first time thinking that, in his determination to protect her, he had actually managed to do her harm. ‘We will both do what we can to rectify any damage done to her reputation.’
‘You have been very kind to Lucy, Lord Rockley. Without your protection I dread to think what might have happened to her. I regret that she has been exposed to society already and it is unfortunate that she has already been compromised by association with Mr Barrington—and residing for a short time in your house, but don’t worry. I’m not going to insist that you do the honourable thing and marry her. She is still young and I want her to experience everything a young woman of her age should before she settles down. But what about Mr Barrington? If you have reason to fear for Lucy, you must think he’s still in London.’
‘I have people looking out for him. They will keep me informed. When he is located I will have him kept under surveillance.’
‘And if he’s fled back to America?’
‘I’ve put word out among the captains of vessels in the pool. They will inform me if anyone tries to buy a passage who resembles him. I have spent years commanding my own vessel,
Lady Sutton, not as a gentleman of leisure. I possess an awareness that is only found among men forced to live by their wits and their cunning.’
‘I am so sorry—and I am deeply sorry for what happened to your sister. I hope I can be introduced before I leave.’
‘I will make a point of it. Amelia has warmed to Lucy’s presence and is more relaxed and approachable than she was when she first came here. However, she still has some way to go before she is back to what she was before.’
‘That man has much to answer for. But it only confirms my fears concerning Lucy’s future. She is a lovely young woman and, because of the way she looks and the large fortune she has inherited, she is vulnerable to fortune hunters. I promised her father when he was last here that if he should die, then I would see her introduced into English society and see her suitably wed. Lucy is like a daughter to me—the child I never had. Her mother and I were close. I spent some time in Louisiana when I was growing up—that was how we came to meet. When I met my husband I came to England. I am impatient to see Lucy.’
* * *
Ever since the night Lucy had sought Christopher out in his room there was tension between them that she had tried to pretend didn’t exist. His handsome face held a forbidding look that kept her at a distance. She was determined that he should not see how she agonised inside herself and took refuge behind cool politeness, her mask of reserve slipping only when he smiled, only to be put back in place when she saw the smile was not for her. He was deliberately reminding her that the time was fast approaching when she would have to leave Rockwood Park.
When she arrived back at the house she was delighted to be told that Aunt Caroline had arrived. Lucy was to her godmother the child she had never had. It worked well. Lucy loved her dearly and there was no doubt whatever that Aunt Caroline loved her. It was to her loving arms that she went in moments of crisis, the arms she had longed for when Sofia and Mr Barrington had arrived to take her away from the academy.
When she entered the drawing room, Lady Sutton rose to her feet in one sinuous movement to glide across the carpet with her arms outstretched.
‘Lucy, my dear, at last.’ She embraced her goddaughter in a cloud of expensive perfume. ‘Why, just look at you,’ she said, holding her at arm’s length, gazing at her fondly. ‘No longer the schoolgirl, but a fashionable young lady. Now come and sit beside me and tell me what you have been doing. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you,’ she said, drawing Lucy down on the sofa beside her. ‘When Lord Rockley told me of all you have suffered at your stepmother’s hands—and that truly awful Mr Barrington—I was horrified. I never met either of them, but I can imagine how they used your dear father’s death to draw you into their web of deceit. I want you to know that if I had been home I would not have allowed it.’
‘You weren’t to know, Aunt Caroline.’
‘But I should have. You were on the point of leaving the academy and I should have been here, but I had no idea you would leave so soon. It was arranged that you remain at the academy until I retuned or sent someone to chaperon you to Paris.’
‘I had no say in the matter when Sofia arrived and I was allowed to leave sooner than the other girls.’
‘Nevertheless, I was supposed to protect you and I failed miserably. I am only thankful that Lord Rockley was on hand to look after you. I intend to do everything in my power to make it up to you. I promise you.’
‘I am just happy to see you. I have missed you.’
‘As I have missed you. I believe Mr Barrington actually introduced you as his betrothed?’
‘That is so.’
‘It will be announced that the engagement is over.’
‘According to the gossip, which I have read in the newspapers, it has been reported that because of my unladylike behaviour at the Skeffington ball, Mr Barrington broke off the engagement—which, knowing how society always likes to believe the worst of a person, will go against me in the future.’
‘Hopefully in no time at all it will be forgotten.’
‘I sincerely hope so. I’m not going to sit about and wait for acceptance. I’ve decided to return to Louisiana. I have to decide what to do with Aspendale. It is mine by right.’
‘No one can dispute that. But we must think about what is to be done, Lucy. There is nothing in Louisiana for you any more.’
‘There will be papers to sign.’
‘That can be dealt with by a lawyer. You don’t have to go all the way to Louisiana to do that. If you decide to sell Aspendale, then we will notify your father’s lawyer to set things in motion.’
‘Are you to remain in London, Lady Sutton?’ Christopher asked.
‘For the time being. I have to consider Lucy’s future. I’m sure you realise that Lucy is not the worldly, sophisticated sort of female you will be used to. She could very easily be hurt.’
‘I might be young, Aunt Caroline, but I am not stupid.’
Hearing the indignation in Lucy’s tone, Lady Sutton laughed. ‘Of course you’re not—far from it, my dear.’
‘You were telling me you have plans for her future?’ Christopher said.
She nodded. ‘There is no hurry for her to land a husband. I would like to take her travelling—to see Europe. She is in mourning, but I see no reason why we can’t do that. Would you like to do that, Lucy?’
‘Yes—I mean...’ She glanced at Christopher, deeply disappointed that she would have to leave him and wishing he would give some indication that he didn’t want her to leave. ‘I would like to think about it.’
‘By the time we return from the Continent all this unpleasantness will have been forgotten. If, at that time, you still want to go to Louisiana, then that is what we’ll do. But at this point in time we will leave for London right away. You must prepare to leave, Lucy.’
Disappointment and a deep despair that she was to be whisked away from Rockwood Park—and Christopher—overwhelmed Lucy. Her world tilted crazily. There was no room in her sights for anyone except him. Her future stretched before her in a kaleidoscope of disbelief, misery and loneliness. How was she going to bear it?
While she had been walking with his grandfather Christopher had changed into black breeches and a plain grey waistcoat over a white shirt. The severe style emphasised the hard perfection of his body and attractive features. She took one look at him and had a feeling of longing and need so strong that she felt faint. He was so unbearably handsome, so splendid, that she wanted to fling herself against him and beg him to let her stay. She beheld the faint widening of his eyes as they turned on her, but his expression was as inscrutable as a marble mask. She found it difficult to endure his gaze, but she did, his words regarding her future in which he would have no part sounding inside her head like a death knell.
Seeing her disappointment, with a pained expression Lady Sutton moved to her side. ‘It is for the best, Lucy.’
‘Would you mind if I spoke to Christopher alone?’
‘Of course not. I think it’s as well that you do.’ She got to her feet. ‘I believe I saw your grandfather in the garden, Lord Rockley, with a young lady I assume is your sister. I’ll go and sit with them for a while.’
* * *
Not until Aunt Caroline was out of earshot did Lucy get to her feet, the better to challenge Christopher. ‘Why are you doing this?’ she demanded heatedly. ‘Why are you sending me away? Are you deliberately trying to be cruel?’
‘If it seems that way, then you are mistaken. The last thing I want is to hurt you. Lady Sutton is right to take you away, to let what has happened die down.’
‘I suppose it would be naive of me to believe that would happen if I didn’t go.’
‘Yes, I’m afraid it would,’ he replied quietly but firmly. ‘I’m sorry if that hurts, Lucy, but it’s best you know how society will behave. What everyone saw at Skeffington House was a man who was down on his luck at the card t
ables—an everyday occurrence, I’m afraid. But what they also saw was a young woman that gentleman was betrothed to playing fast and loose with another.’
Indignation flashed in Lucy’s eyes. ‘I most certainly was not.’
‘Nevertheless, that is how it looked to them and, eager for some fresh gossip to titillate their mundane lives, you became the focal point of their interest. Barrington committed a crime against you, but it is you who will pay for that crime if you remain in London.’
‘So I will be ostracised by everyone and not looked upon favourably as marriage material for any one of their precious sons lest I corrupt them.’
‘That is nonsense.’
‘No, it isn’t. It’s how it is. It is hard to believe and quite ridiculous that two men battled it out over a game of cards, that one of them was ruined, and before that there were people who witnessed our interlude on the terrace, yet I am the one being focused on and condemned. I hate having to obey society’s laws which seem totally absurd to me.’
‘Never having had to obey such rules and regulations myself I agree with you. But that’s the way of things, Lucy. You are young and exceedingly pretty. Prepare yourself for new experiences. Hopefully by the time you return to London, a dozen or more such incidents will have occurred to keep their tongues busy and you will have been forgotten. There will be a veritable army of young men on the Continent who will be more than happy to marry you.’
‘But I don’t want any of that. You have kissed me on occasion. Did that mean nothing to you at all?’ She wished she hadn’t mentioned that. A kiss was often as good as a declaration, a kiss with witnesses was sometimes enough to compel two people to marry.
‘Of course I remember and, yes, it meant a great deal to me—more than you will ever know. But it should not have happened and I am sorry. You are very lovely, Lucy, very sweet.’ He sighed. ‘I am a man with many weaknesses and there have been times when I have been unable to resist you—when I should have exerted more determination to do just that. I know that is no excuse.’
A Viscount to Save Her Reputation Page 14