The Earl of Arundel

by Johnson, Angela

  Edward nodded, taking the hint. “I want to ask her to marry me.”

  Phillip’s surprise registered in his face. “You’ve already decided?”

  “Yes. I know it’s fast, even for society. But I love her.”

  Edward watched as his brother struggled to say the words he promised moments before. Phillip closed his eyes as he said, “I am happy for you.”

  The words were difficult, and Edward couldn’t stand there as his brother’s face contorted with suppressed pain. “I’ll let you have some time to process everything. I’ll visit when I return.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  As Edward closed the door on his brother, he regretted telling him so soon. Compelled by his feelings for Anne, he had rushed the conversation with Phillip. Phillip wasn’t just recovering from a bullet wound but also a broken heart. Although Edward wanted to make his intentions clear regarding Anne, he should’ve considered his brother beforehand.

  His plan was to speak with Lord Anthony before he took Anne for a ride. Reminding himself that he did not need to be nervous since he was equal in social station to her parents, Edward entered the house with as much confidence as his brain would allow. It was as though he’d be more comfortable running from the situation and hiding in a cave. Although he hadn’t taken time to speak with Anne about an engagement, he knew they were a match, and he refused to leave words unspoken between them. If good were to come out of Phillip’s injuries and accidents, it would be Edward learning to speak and say what was important.

  “Please come in, Lord Edward,” Lord Anthony said as he entered the room. Edward was surprised to see Lady Amelia and Emma waiting as well.

  Emma walked forward. “Lord Edward, is Phillip well?”

  He smiled and took her hands. “Yes. The bullet swiped the side of his head. He has a headache and a new scar, but he is well.”

  He could see relief on her face. “Are there any leads on who shot him?”

  “Nothing concrete. If you look at the society section of the paper today, you will read that everyone saw something different. The London police are as confused as Constable Adams. Phillip is a generous person, so it doesn’t make sense.”

  “Thank you,” she said looking uncomfortable. She left the room before he could respond.

  “Please sit down,” Lord Anthony said, pointing to a chair. Lady Amelia patted his arm as she walked by and left the room.

  “My daughter is heartbroken. I don’t know how many times she will ask about Arundel, but if it becomes uncomfortable, please let me know.”

  Edward made a quick decision. He didn’t know if Lord Anthony would give this information to Emma, but it needed to be said. “Phillip is also struggling. He doesn’t ask about her because he doesn’t have a choice. He has to let her go.”

  “She is trying to move on,” Lord Anthony said, “but she has her days, and the shooting at Almack’s was a disturbing situation.”

  “I understand,” Edward said, hoping to get the conversation onto the daughter he was in love with. “My lord, I wanted to speak to you today regarding Anne. I would like to ask for her hand in marriage.”

  “Before I give an answer, I have a question for you.” Lord Anthony handed Edward a drink. “If you and Anne marry, how will this affect your relationship with Arundel?”

  “I spoke with Phillip before coming here today. He choked on the words, but he said he was happy for me. I know he wants the best for me.” Edward took a drink before continuing. “Phillip always puts others first. It’s one of his greatest strengths but also a weakness for him.”

  “How do you think it will affect Anne’s relationship with Emma?” Lord Anthony asked.

  Edward looked into Lord Anthony’s eyes as he replied, “I know my brother well enough to know he wouldn’t have fallen in love with a woman who would be any less gracious than he.”

  Lord Anthony smiled. “I hope you are correct for both of them. I do have one more item for you to think about. It’s tradition for the families of an engaged couple to spend time together up to the day of the wedding and afterward. How are they going to handle being brother and sister for the rest of their lives?”

  Edward looked down before asking, “Is your answer no?”

  “No, it isn’t. I know Anne would be very upset if I said no, so my answer is yes. But you need to understand this will be an uncomfortable situation for everyone.”

  “I understand, sir.”

  “Anne is waiting to go to Hyde Park with you. She is in the hall.”

  Edward stood and left the room to take Anne on the ride he promised her. He couldn’t wait to discuss marriage with her.

  Twenty-six

  The morning meal at Lancaster House consisted of meats, eggs, breads, toast, and tea. Phillip stared at the plate Thomas put in front of him, trying to decide what to eat. He hadn’t had much of an appetite since waking at Springhill Abby, and now with the stress he was under he had stopped eating all together. But after this last attempt on his life, he decided he should regain strength, and eating was part of it.

  He acknowledged Ashby with a nod and sat next to Edward. As the room filled with his sisters and Lady Olivia, the conversation turned to the topic of the marriage, banns, and setting a date.

  “Ashby, it’s time we spoke about announcing the engagement of Arundel and Olivia.”

  His father looked up from the letter he was reading. “I told you we were going to delay the announcement.”

  “Does this mean you are forfeiting, Ashby? We both made certain the other couldn’t back out to protect our interest and family name. Arundel’s memory is back, so there’s no further need to delay.”

  “I would still like my solicitor to review the paperwork before an announcement is made.”

  “I’ll agree to this arrangement if you promise your son will no longer have anything to do with Miss Emma Parker.”

  “Norland, you are a guest in my home. Don’t make demands of me and my son.”

  “My daughter won’t be made a fool of as he attends parties and spends time with Miss Parker.”

  “You don’t have the right to tell me who I can and can’t speak with,” Phillip said as he looked at the food on his plate and again tried to convince himself to eat.

  “All of London is speaking of your obsession with her,” Olivia chimed into the conversation.

  “I’m not obsessed with Emma.”

  “You can’t keep your eyes off her, and she looks for you the minute she walks into a ballroom. The last dance at Almack’s she kept looking at you as though she expected you to ask her to dance.”

  “Both of you stop,” his mother said, ending the argument. “Phillip, until the solicitor gets back with your father, I believe it’s best for everyone’s reputation for you to keep your eyes off Miss Parker.”

  “Mother, I don’t agree.”

  “I didn’t ask you to agree with me.” His mother turned to Olivia. “You will be respectful in our home. Do you not see the wound on his head? An attempt on his life was made at the party you are complaining about, and never once have you inquired about his health.”

  Surprised by his mother’s rebuke to Olivia he asked, “When will the solicitor have an answer?”

  His father sighed. “I’ll send for him today.”

  “If you want her, then put her in the cottage at Wentworth Hall,” Olivia said, ignoring the censure she received.

  “Not all women have the same lack of self-control as you.” As Phillip said the words, he heard his sisters gasp as though he had said something scandalous. Charles hid a laugh behind a cough, and Edward dropped his silverware, making it clang against his plate.

  “If you ever speak to Miss Parker again, I will make certain she doesn’t have a virtuous reputation.”

  “You would give her the reputation you deserve?” he said, standing an
d pushing the chair away. His hands were on the table as he leaned forward, ready for a fight. Since his memory returned, he was aching to fight with Olivia. He no longer wanted to sit back and listen to her tantrums.

  “I don’t understand you, Arundel. She is tolerable to look at, but I wouldn’t consider her a beauty. Nor does she have the connections you will need for a position in Parliament.”

  “I have sufficient connections, and you can keep your opinions of Emma to yourself. The only beauty you have ever acknowledged is in your reflection.”

  “The only reason a woman would strap herself to you is for your title. Emma Parker doesn’t care for you. She wants to marry a title,” Olivia yelled as she picked her cup of tea off the table and threw it at him. He moved to the side and let the cup fly past him as tea splashed on the table and in the food of those sitting next to them. The cup hit the floor and shattered. “According to the marriage contract, I have to provide you with an heir and a spare. Two male children. I pray they are the first.”

  “Please don’t concern yourself with fulfilling any portion of the reproduction items in the contract,” Phillip said sarcastically. Pointing to his brother, he said, “Edward and Anne’s firstborn son can become my heir.”

  Olivia picked her plate off the table; it was still full of eggs, meat, and bread. She threw the plate his way, causing food to fly in all directions. He caught the plate mid-air, and before he could stop himself he threw it back in her direction. He was thankful when she moved to the side and the plate broke against the floor.

  “It is rare for a couple to have happiness in marriage. We both know what to expect with our marriage,” she yelled at him.

  “There isn’t going to be a marriage,” Phillip yelled back. “Father, I refuse to marry her.”

  “Enough!” Ashby shouted, stopping them mid-fight.

  Phillip turned to look at his father and didn’t see Olivia grab the teapot off the table. He was ready to yell back when the steaming pot hit him. It shattered and cut skin on the side of his face, leaving a red burn. Phillip wanted to throw her out of the house, but it had been Ashby’s decision to invite Norland’s family to stay with them.

  Phillip’s skin burned from the tea. He hated money. He hated gambling. He hated both dukes.

  “Olivia, stop!” her mother yelled as she found more items on the table to throw in Phillip’s direction. He ducked as he heard an uproar happening around him. Olivia had taken her parents’ dishes and silverware and threw them at him.

  “Olivia, stop throwing plates and cups at my son. He is already injured.” His mother had to shout to be heard above the commotion. “Stop your daughter from her tantrum, Norland. They will destroy each other. Is this what you want for our children?”

  Phillip turned as Thomas walked forward with a towel and helped him clean himself. Phillip shuddered as the towel rubbed against his burnt skin. He needed to lie down. “Please inform me when the solicitor arrives.” He left the dining room to clean up and get as far away from Olivia as he could.

  The solicitor arrived in the late afternoon as Phillip was getting ready for the ball at Lansdown House in Berkley Square. Lord and Lady Bennett were the hosts. Phillip looked at the side of his face. The burns had been covered in medication, and the cuts had been tended to by his valet. He touched where the bullet grazed and thought about making an excuse for the evening, but decided to go to the ball in case Emma attended. He knew he shouldn’t plan to speak with her, but a view of her from across the ballroom wouldn’t hurt anyone but himself.

  He delayed heading to Ashby’s den, trying to gather his thoughts. It was very possible the solicitor would tell them the contract was binding. If it was, he didn’t know what he would do. He only knew he wasn’t going to marry Lady Olivia.

  “Arundel, thank you for joining us.” His father’s tone conveyed annoyance at having to wait.

  “I apologize for the delay,” he said as he found a seat near his mother.

  The room was warm due to the fire in the grate. Phillip looked around in a desperate need to escape. The solicitor stood near the desk holding what Phillip could only assume was the marriage contract.

  “Let’s get this over with. What have you found in the contract?” Ashby said, glaring at Norland.

  His father’s solicitor put reading glasses on and looked over the paper. “The contract is legal and binding.”

  “I told you it was binding, Ashby,” Norland said as he congratulated himself.

  “You may stay silent, Norland,” Ashby stated in annoyance.

  “Banns will need to be posted this week,” Norland said. “We should move forward. I have no intention of staying in London for the full season.”

  “How do you break it if it is binding?” Phillip asked, catching the inference in the solicitor’s words. There could be hope yet.

  “First, the contract can be broken if both parties agree to destroy all copies. This would require the marriage contract is a secret and hasn’t been announced to society. Second, through death, as a regular marriage is also ended at death. If it is mutual, funds are not exchanged. If not mutual, the sum of all lands, monies, and titles will be paid to the injured party.”

  Phillip sat in a quiet anger for the rest of the meeting as Ashby and Norland asked questions. He kept hearing the words binding, unbreakable, and all lands and titles tossed around in the conversation. He didn’t realize the solicitor had left until his father said his name. He didn’t understand the greed and coveting his father and Norland had for the other’s assets.

  His attention was brought back to the conversation as he heard the confirmation. “The banns will be read over the next three weeks.”

  The evening seemed distant from Phillip as he walked through the room and spoke to people. He chose not to ask Olivia to dance. He stayed away from her for most of the evening and did all he could to avoid her family. She spent her time with Lord Folly and friends. As he tried to gather his thoughts and come to terms with the marriage contract, he looked across the room to see Edward speaking with Anne and Emma. In a rash decision, he found the desire to anger Olivia.

  “Miss Parker, Miss Emma, it’s nice to see you both,” he said as he kissed both of their hands. He noticed the smile on Anne’s face and concern on Emma’s. Looking at Emma he asked, “How are you?”

  “I’m well.” She leaned her head to the side in an effort to see the wound on his head. “Does it still hurt?”

  “No, I had a headache, but now it is a distant memory.” He forced a smile. He could see she didn’t believe him as she continued to look at him with concern. They locked eyes, and a rush of emotions assaulted him. He realized he shouldn’t have approached her. It would’ve been easier to stay away.

  “Does the constable have any leads on who did this?” Anne asked, breaking his eye lock with Emma.

  “No,” Phillip answered as he turned to look at Anne.

  Phillip turned back to Emma. “Will you join me for the next dance?”

  “Of course,” she squeaked, giving him her arm.

  He saw the look Edward gave, and he knew what he was thinking. He didn’t look at Edward as he guided Emma to the dance floor, or as they stood next to each other in the dance line waiting for the music to begin.

  Emma curtsied and he bowed to start the dance. At first, they both remained silent until he noticed Olivia watching him.

  “Have you been well?” he asked as he took Emma’s hand for the first turn.

  “I have.”

  “Are you angry with me?” he asked as he took her for the second turn.

  “I am.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I love you, and it is forbidden for me to feel this way about you . . . You aren’t mine to love.”

  “Emma, I know I don’t have a right to ask you, but can we pretend we live in Verona?” Without saying the words,
he was asking her to elope with him. They didn’t have to go to Gretna Green. They could find a vicar in London and purchase a special license.

  “Where would we live?”

  “We could sail to the States.”

  “What about our families? What about Edward? You can’t live such a distance from your twin.”

  Phillip knew she was right. He and Edward were linked for life, and a separation would be too hard on both of them. “We could convince Anne and Edward to go with us.”

  He watched as Emma shook her head. “Your offer is tempting. But neither one of us could leave our family indefinitely.”

  To think he had tempted her enough to make her think about the offer was thrilling, until he realized she’d turned him down—again. Deciding he needed to apologize, he chanced talking to her one more time.

  “May I speak with you? Have a conversation with you in private?”

  “No. You may not,” she said as the dance ended and she walked away.

  The coldness from Emma ripped a hole in his heart. He was finished with society for the evening. Phillip left the party and walked toward Lancaster House. His parents would be furious with his decision to leave, especially without an escort and on foot. The person attempting to kill him could sneak up in the dark and succeed. But Phillip needed a small rebellion, and a part of him hoped the assailant would succeed after Emma’s second refusal to marry him. He knew he couldn’t be angry with her because he wasn’t offering her the lavish wedding she deserved, but he loved her. He was offering her a life of love.

  The cool evening air helped bring calm into his mind. He was angry with his father. He was angry with Olivia’s parents, and he was angry with Edward because he was free to choose a wife who happened to be Anne Parker.

  As he arrived home, he wished he was back wandering the streets. Instead he spent the rest of the evening in his father’s library. Books had always been an escape for him, and he desired the release. He picked through a few and found Shakespeare’s sonnets. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the bookshelf as he thought of Emma reading to him. He would never be able to pick the sonnets up again without thinking of her. He left the sonnets alone and found a book of short stories. He was almost finished reading when he heard his family return from the party.