The Earl of Arundel

by Johnson, Angela

  Even as she thought the words, she betrayed her resolve as she watched Phillip climb into the carriage. As far as she could see, he never looked back as the carriage drove away.

  Twenty-one

  Phillip stood in the yard of Springhill Abby ready to leave and thankful Emma wasn’t there to see him off. He wouldn’t be able to leave if she came out. He had a moment of embarrassment for the bruise on his upper cheek but decided the Parkers had heard everything the night before and knew about the altercation.

  “Arundel,” his father called over to him, “it’s time to leave.”

  Phillip nodded and tried not to feel devastated about leaving Emma. “Lord Anthony, I owe you my life.”

  “We were happy to have you here.”

  “I hoped Miss Emma would be here so I could speak to her.” He hesitated and stepped a little closer. “If I had known about the engagement, I never would have . . .” His voice cut off and he didn’t finish the statement.

  “We understand, and I will speak with Emma,” he responded, putting a hand on Phillip’s shoulder.

  Phillip shook hands with Henry and Richard. He was ashamed of his actions as he realized the reality of Richard’s words the day he accosted him for his inappropriate behavior. “You were correct. Everything you said by the tree was right.”

  Richard put one hand on his shoulder. “It doesn’t make me happy to be right.”

  Phillip moved over to Anne and kissed her hand. Lady Amelia pulled him into her embrace, and then he found his way to the carriage.

  As he left Springhill Abby, Phillip sat with his head back against the seat and his eyes closed. He hoped his father and brother would converse with each other instead of with him. Depression settled in as he thought about the engagement, the continued amnesia, and his desire but inability to be with Emma.

  As they neared Lancaster House, a sense of nervousness joined the other feelings he was fighting. When their father announced they had less than an hour, the tension in the carriage was unbearable, and Phillip’s left leg bounced out of nervousness.

  “Calm down, Arundel,” their father said, putting a hand on his leg to stop the bouncing.

  “What if my memory doesn’t return?” he asked, running his hand along his leg as the bouncing began again. “I have no idea which sister is Marianne and which is Charlotte.”

  “The doctor believes a familiar place should bring everything back,” Edward commented, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Also, everyone knows about the amnesia. No one is expecting you to remember everything all at one time.” Edward paused before continuing. “Charlotte is blonde, and Marianne has auburn hair.”

  Phillip nodded, telling himself to remember which sister was which, then decided to argue for time. “Father, I know you said I have four weeks before the wedding. Can’t you give me more time? Give me time to get some memories back, straighten my mind, and feel comfortable at home?”

  Ashby closed his eyes and took a deep breath before responding. He was annoyed and didn’t hide frustration well. “We will talk about it at another time.”

  When the carriage stopped in front of Lancaster House, the family was waiting just inside the gate. Edward took the cane as Ashby helped Phillip out. As soon as his good foot hit the ground, his mother pulled him into her arms and held him. Although a memory hadn’t triggered when he saw the house, he knew his mother’s arms, and he remembered the smell of eucalyptus oil in her hair. It was a relief to recognize her.

  His sisters pulled him into their arms and chatted about trivial matters. Marianne packed all of his favorite books and brought them to Lancaster House for him to enjoy. Charlotte spoke of clothing and items he had in his bedchamber at Wentworth Hall. She brought the mementos for him to enjoy and trigger memories.

  His sisters and their endless chatter made him nervous. Ashby must have noticed as he stated, “Ladies, let your brother breathe. He’s overwhelmed.”

  Charles walked forward and embraced him as well. “I’ll walk you to your room.”

  His mother walked forward and touched his face. “You look exhausted. You should rest before tea.”

  He missed tea and slept until supper. He stood in the parlor, waiting to go into the dining room with the family. He examined a few of the paintings on the wall. The landscapes caused a surge of pain as they made him think of Emma and her joy of sketching. He noticed a piano in the corner of the room and thought about playing while they waited for their parents.

  “The Duke and Duchess of Norland and Lady Olivia,” Hodgens announced to the room, pulling Phillip out of his thoughts.

  He took a deep breath and looked toward the door to see his intended. Olivia walked in with her face set in a scowl. Her hair was pulled up under her bonnet. She removed it and threw her bonnet at Hodgens to reveal curly blonde hair pinned atop her head. She would be beautiful if she didn’t wear the scowl.

  “Arundel,” she said as she pointed her glower in his direction, “welcome home.” She didn’t wait for a response. She walked across the room and sat in a chair next to Charlotte and Marianne.

  “Thank you.” He continued to look at her as she sat with his sisters.

  She didn’t speak to anyone else in the room, and no one spoke to either her or her parents until his parents arrived. Dinner was an uncomfortable affair for him, as he was forced to sit next to Olivia. This meant he was expected to speak with her. He didn’t know what to say, and so they sat in silence throughout the meal and the rest of the evening. The scowl she wore in the door stayed with her through the evening and into the next morning.

  They sat next to each other again during a tense breakfast. Every time Olivia looked at him she gave a nasty glare of disgust. Just as he was ready to leave the dining room, without a word in her direction, she spoke.

  “Arundel,” she said as she replaced her teacup on the plate, “I would like to speak with you, my parents, and your parents this morning.”

  He didn’t speak but nodded in agreement.

  “I have a feeling I know what this discussion will be,” Norland said as he pushed his plate away and motioned for the footman to remove the dishes. “We may discuss here, if you are in agreement, Ashby.”

  Phillip looked over to see his father nod.

  “Would you like us to leave?” Charlotte asked, looking to their parents.

  “No, you may stay,” Ashby replied, taking a sip of tea.

  The room was still and silent for a full minute before Olivia began her prepared speech. “I don’t mean any disrespect to the Duke and Duchess of Ashby, or to Arundel, but I am requesting to be released from the engagement.”

  Phillip looked from his parents to her parents, waiting for a response. His mother and father were both looking to Norland.

  Norland gave his daughter a blank look of disappointment. “Is this request the best you can come up with? No, Olivia. You and Arundel will be married as soon as he is well. Your mother and I agreed last night to delay the reading of the banns due to his continued amnesia, but we won’t delay long.”

  “Father, I beg of you, don’t make me marry him. I’m in love with Lord Folly.” A shrill cry escaped her mouth. She put her face in her hands and shook as though she were sobbing.

  “Arundel?” Norland asked, seeking his opinion.

  “Your Grace, I’m not one to stand in the way of true love. I’m more than willing to release your daughter from the engagement,” he replied with amusement and a wave of his hand in her direction.

  Everyone turned as Edward made a coughing noise and tea came out of his nose in an undignified manner. Charlotte poked him in the side, and Marianne and Charles both hid smiles behind the guise of wiping their mouths with a serviette.

  “Perhaps my other children should leave the room if they are unable to control themselves,” their father announced with a warning look in their direction.

&nbs
p; “This engagement was based off of an ill-advised bet,” Phillip continued. His words were bitter and angry, reflecting his emotions. “I would like to know the details of the bet.”

  Norland gave a lazy response. “Love fades over time, as does attraction. I believe you will find happiness in the future.”

  “Olivia, it is unfair of you to take your dowry from Arundel. He has been promised seventy thousand pounds for your hand,” the Duchess of Norland said as she buttered her toast.

  Phillip tried to sound obliging in his response. “Your Grace, I don’t have a need for the dowry. Lord Folly and I have been friends since Oxford.” Phillip stopped as he realized what he said. The memory of friendship came back without any effort on his part. He was elated at the thought of gaining another memory. He finished, “Folly is a good man, and the dowry will bring him more joy than it could ever bring me.”

  Edward interjected before anyone could speak. “You remember we know Folly?”

  “Yes. Just now.”

  “Amazing,” Edward said, his surprise evident. “The doctor said memories would come back, but I didn’t think it would be so quick.”

  Olivia let out a sob, bringing the attention back to her. She kept her hands over her face as she whimpered.

  “Darling,” her mother said in an effort to stop the display, “your father and I are certain you will be happy once you are married to Arundel and installed at Wentworth Hall.”

  Before anyone could speak further, Olivia stood and threw her chair backward. The footman behind her caught the chair before it hit the ground. “I won’t marry Arundel,” she stated as she made a violent and thunderous exit from the dining room. The exit started with her screaming as she grabbed Phillip’s cane and threw it at the side buffet, causing the food to fly off plates and crash to the floor. She continued her path of destruction through the room as she brushed her arms over the table and knocked over the teapot and teacups. As she made her final exit, she threw the door open and let it crash against the wall.

  Footmen, maids, the housekeeper, and butler raced to clean up the destructive path she took as she continued down the hall. They heard items crashing to the floor as she continued to scream unintelligible words. Then the front door opened and slammed shut.

  Phillip turned to look at Ashby. He was about to comment on the situation when his father beat him with the first response. “You’re going to have an interesting life if she continues behaving as a child.”

  “Can we not come to an agreement to end the engagement?” Phillip asked, hopeful her display would help convince their parents.

  “I’m more than willing to free Olivia from the contract, Norland. I have no desire to have my home disrupted by your daughter,” Ashby said.

  “Of course, you are, Ashby. And you will take my wealth along with your graciousness. I’ll speak with my daughter about her duty,” he said as he stood to leave. “Send me the bill for her demonstration.” He looked to Phillip before leaving the table. “You will have your hands full. Rest well before it’s official.”

  Before Phillip left the dining room, he turned to his father. “I don’t understand. You already have everything you need. We aren’t destitute. You’re one of the wealthiest dukes in all of England. Why do you need his money?”

  “You don’t need to understand. You need to do your duty to your name and your family.”

  Phillip hated his father. He left the dining room and went to his bedchamber. Another headache threatened to start, and he decided to sleep it off.

  Twenty-two

  Emma couldn’t stop thinking about Phillip and the last hours they spent together. She’d been waiting for him to speak to her father and ask permission to marry her. He showed what she thought were feelings of love toward her, and she’d allowed him to kiss her multiple times. She’d not expected to hear he was already engaged. Emma stopped herself mid-thought and repeated the words, I hate Arundel. I don’t want to see him again.

  She was drawn back to the conversation when she heard Henry say, “It’s best the Earl of Arundel is no longer with us.”

  “Why do you say this?” Anne asked.

  “His extended presence in our home has already caused the women of London to start gossiping. If anyone finds out about the closeness he and Emma shared, she could be ruined just by word.”

  Emma was surprised by her mother’s sudden outburst of anger as she defended the earl. “Phillip was a gracious guest in our home. How dare the gossips make it into something it wasn’t? And when have you taken to listening to rumors?”

  Looking chagrined, Henry responded, “Mother, we have much to be concerned about. We not only have our parents’ generosity, but we also have two younger sisters who have spent a considerable amount of time in his presence.”

  Taking courage from his older brother, Richard continued, “What do you think people are going to say if he doesn’t marry Lady Olivia Harrison?”

  Emma looked over at her brother. “I would prefer we don’t talk about Lady Olivia.” She tried to stop the anger, but her words dripped with emotion.

  “Your mother and I were impressed with both the earl and Lord Edward. Both were considerate and gracious while in our home,” her father said.

  “Perhaps this is true,” Henry said in an effort to convey worry, “but you haven’t heard the rumors people have spread regarding the Parker girls. We have our sisters’ reputations to think about.”

  Emma looked up from her plate. “I had no idea extending generosity to a man who was injured and near death would ruin our reputations.”

  “Can you, in all honesty, say our family only extended generosity to him, Emma?” Richard asked. Richard and Anne had seen one of the kisses she shared with Phillip, and it had been the most passionate. She didn’t know if they told the rest of the family of her inappropriate behavior, but her parents hadn’t reproved her. “Anne and I saw the two of you, Emma.”

  “I know you did,” she said, her voice rising in pitch.

  “By the tree when you were sketching,” he added, as if she had forgotten the day.

  Her cheeks went red out of embarrassment and anger. “You had no right to eavesdrop on us.”

  “We weren’t eavesdropping. But if it had been seen by anyone else, you would have a ruined reputation.” He leaned toward her to make his point.

  “I didn’t know he was engaged. Had I known, I would never have spent time with him, and I wouldn’t have kissed him nor allowed him to kiss me,” she said in defense.

  “It was inappropriate, Emma. I pray you would never allow another man to take such liberties until you are married.” The preacher in her brother was coming out in every word he spoke.

  “Liberties?” Emma squeaked. “What do you think we did?”

  “I don’t want to say in front of our parents. If you allow a man to touch you in public, what would you allow in private?”

  “We weren’t in public, and he touched my back.”

  “He also put his hands on your waist and undid your hair and ran his hands—”

  “Both of you stop this behavior!” their father demanded, slamming his fist on the table. “Emma, your mother and I will speak to you regarding proper behavior before you attend any parties this season.”

  “I pray no one else saw you kissing,” Richard continued, ignoring their father’s request. “I’ve made inquiries since being in London. No one has information regarding the engagement.”

  “Is it London’s best kept secret?” Emma said in fury, looking at her dinner plate.

  “We also found,” Henry said as he cut his meat, “Arundel hasn’t been seen in public since arriving in London.”

  “What’s the reason?” their father asked.

  “His family tells everyone he is unwell,” Richard said. “They don’t expand on his condition. Whenever anyone asks why he isn’t attending so
cial gatherings, the excuse is he isn’t well and will attend when he recovers. Any bets Ashby beat him and he’s staying out of sight until the bruises heal?”

  “A few people have speculated he isn’t in London but has been taken to one of their country estates,” Henry added, ignoring Richard’s speculation of a beating.

  Emma looked over. “His father said they were going to London.”

  “If he is unwell, a doctor hasn’t been seen at Lancaster House,” Henry replied, taking a bite of meat.

  “The Duke of Ashby’s position in Parliament puts his family in the sight lines of society. It’s not an enviable position to be in,” her mother stated, picking her teacup off the table and sipping a little.

  “If you ask me, you’re fortunate he didn’t propose marriage to find out he couldn’t follow through,” Anne said.

  “What do you mean?” Emma asked trying not to take offense but feeling very defensive of Phillip.

  “From the behavior Richard and I saw, I can’t even comprehend what you would have allowed if you thought you were engaged.” Anne’s words were a rebuke.

  “I don’t think it’s fair for you to assume I’ve been ruined. I’m not the only Parker child who’s engaged in passionate kissing.” Emma shot toward her sister. “Do I need to remind you of Mr. Bennett? And Lord Edward. Did you kiss before he left?”

  Anne’s blush told the truth of the statement. “How do you know about Lord Edward kissing me?”

  “You blushed too much when he said farewell. Do I also need to point out you lit up like a candlestick when Edward would enter a room—”

  “This conversation is over!” their father shouted. In a calmer voice he added, “I hope Arundel has not taken ill again. It would be a pity if he had.”

  Emma was thankful the discussion ended as the butler walked into the dining room with a letter on a tray.

  Anne brightened. “I hope it’s our first invitation for the season.”

  Their father opened the letter and looked to his wife. “This is a surprise.”