The Earl with the Secret Past

by Janice Preston

  Adam turned to look at Chunee. ‘And this is the elephant?’ He shook his head wonderingly. ‘I have seen drawings of such beasts—and of some of the others up here—but I had no idea of its sheer size.’

  Kitty swallowed and forced a level tone. ‘Indeed. And have you seen the lion and the tiger?’

  ‘No. And I have nae desire to see them... Kitty...’

  He paused and she waited for him to continue as he seemed to wrestle with himself.

  ‘Why did you wed Fenton not two weeks after declaring undying love for me?’

  She sucked in a breath at his unexpected question. She raised her chin.

  ‘That, my lord, is none of your business.’

  ‘Aye, it is. Ye owe it to me to tell me why.’ His blue gaze burned into her, sending sizzles of awareness chasing across her skin.

  ‘I owe you nothing.’ She spoke through gritted teeth. ‘When I would have told you the truth about my life, all those years ago, you refused to listen.’

  The unfairness of that still festered deep inside and, although back then she had steeled herself to tell Adam about her father’s cruel plan to sell her hand in marriage to settle his gambling debts, she was not prepared to expose her pain and shame to this near stranger. ‘You did not want to know then and I do not believe dragging up old, forgotten feelings will serve any useful purpose.’

  He searched her face and she fought to keep her anger in place as the intensity of his scrutiny aroused a swirl of conflicting emotions within her. She must protect herself, at all costs. Her heart was fickle...what if she fell for him again, despite the past? And if she did, there would only be more pain because even if, this time, Adam truly fell in love with her, it could never lead to marriage. Lady Datchworth was right... Adam would need an heir and Kitty could not give him one.

  But his silence gave her time to regret her harsh words. ‘Besides...’ she indicated their surroundings ‘...this is hardly the place to discuss such a subject.’

  He raised a brow. ‘Indeed not. With ears that size, the elephant would nae doubt hear every word and trumpet our secrets far and wide.’ He grinned, but then his brows twitched into a frown. ‘When may we discuss it, Kitty? I think we must. Don’t you?’

  She could think of nothing more dangerous to her peace of mind. ‘I can see no benefit in dredging up the past merely on some whim of yours.’

  He sighed. ‘Aye...well... I canna say I’m keen on being labelled as a man with a tendency to whims, Kitty, but if it pleases you to think of me in such a way—’

  ‘I would not waste my time labelling you as anything. You flatter yourself, sir.’

  She hated hearing the words snapping from her mouth, but she could not help it, she was in such turmoil. Adam, however, merely chuckled, making her feel even more ashamed of her volatile moods.

  ‘I was, believe it not, jesting with you. Have you lost your sense of humour as well as your charge, ma’am?’

  ‘My charge?’

  ‘Your stepdaughter.’

  Charis! Kitty spun around, searching the room where the animals were housed. There were several people on the upper floor, but Charis was not among them. Kitty turned back to Adam.

  ‘Have you seen her? Oh! Of course! You must have done, to know she is missing.’

  In her agitation, she clutched his forearm, registering the sudden tension in his muscles at the same time as...something...some emotion...flared and died in those intensely blue eyes, triggering a response deep inside her: a tugging, yearning sensation.

  ‘As I said before, dinna fash yersel’. She is downstairs with Lady D., who declined to come up here as she does not care for the menagerie. She says the monkeys give her nightmares. It was she who sent me to find you.’

  ‘I must go to Charis. I do not understand why she went downstairs without telling me... I thought she was looking at the Arabian camel.’

  Adam pursed his lips, his gaze wandering around the room before coming back to rest on Kitty’s face. ‘I passed her on the stairs. She appeared to be in company with a gentleman. Although...it could be I’m mistaken, but I did think you might wish to know that is a possibility.’

  ‘Do you know who it was?’

  ‘Sampford.’

  ‘Sampford? But—’ Kitty reeled with shock. That Charis should have met with Sampford here today after dancing with him last night could not be a coincidence.

  ‘I did see them together at Almack’s last evening,’ Adam said. ‘It made me question if there may be an attachment of some sort.’

  Kitty could read nothing from his expression.

  ‘You suspect they had an assignation?’

  Adam shrugged. ‘I thought it possible.’

  ‘But she is only seventeen—far too young to form an attachment.’

  His eyes narrowed. ‘We both know how headstrong such young girls can be when they fancy they are in love.’

  Chapter Eight

  Kitty sucked in a breath at that jibe. ‘Oh!’

  She glared up at him, striving to project every single ounce of her outrage into that one look, then whirled around and marched to the stairs, battening down the swell of hurt his remark had provoked. A low blow, as Robert would describe it. How could she ever have imagined herself at risk of falling in love again with him? He was nothing but a boor and she hoped she never set eyes on him again. On that thought, she slammed to a halt and spun to face him.

  ‘I thought, Lord Kelridge, you were to return to Hertfordshire this morning. Another lie?’

  Proud at the icy tone she achieved and the fact her voice did not quiver, Kitty turned and hurried down the stairs to street level, where she could see Charis and Lady Datchworth at the far end of the Change, examining the wares displayed on one of the stalls set up outside the shops. Of Sampford there was no sign. She slowed her pace, relief flooding her at the sight of Her Ladyship.

  ‘I enjoyed watching you flounce, Kitty.’

  Her pulse rocketed as the low voice sounded in her ear and his warm breath raised the little hairs at her nape. Kitty halted.

  ‘I do not flounce, my lord. And, if I did, it would be for neither your benefit nor your entertainment.’

  Somehow, she knew not how, he manoeuvred her arm through his and they were again walking towards Lady Datchworth and Charis.

  ‘You do not wish to give Her Ladyship the suspicion we have been squabbling, I hope?’

  Put like that...no, she did not, so she accepted his escort with as good grace as she could muster.

  ‘And, in answer to your...um—accusation might best describe your tone of voice—I am leaving for Hertfordshire later today. It is only a short journey and the evenings are light enough. I had a matter or two to tie up before leaving town and I wished to say my goodbyes to the few people I can regard as friends. Including Robert, of course.’

  Oh, no! Robert wanted to speak to Adam...

  ‘Have you seen Robert yet?’

  ‘No. He was unavailable, unfortunately. May I impose on your good nature—you note I do not say goodwill as you appear to have a scant quantity of that towards myself—to pass on my good wishes and my farewell?’

  ‘You may.’

  ‘I thank you.’

  Kitty breathed a little easier on learning Robert had not yet spoken to Adam about this new wing for the Hall. She would persuade him to consult a different architect, although she still couldn’t fathom why he had suddenly formed this desire to refurbish the Hall. Unless...could he be contemplating matrimony? She frowned, racking her brains, but she could not recall him paying particular attention to any young lady during the Season—other than the Marquess of Patterdale’s sister, Lady Phoebe Crawshaw. But Kitty could not believe Robert’s attention to the Incomparable—as the gentlemen had dubbed Lady Phoebe, as they clustered around her like wasps around a ripe plum—was anything more than Robert
following the latest fashion. Kitty prayed he had more sense than to view such a female as a suitable marriage prospect for, although the gentlemen were universally captivated by her beauty and her spirit, the ladies of the ton were divided upon the subject of Lady Phoebe. The younger ladies thought her fast but fascinating, the older matrons thought her fast and vulgar. Kitty’s opinion lay somewhere between the two, but she had found the other woman intriguing as she observed her, drawing upon her antics and mannerisms for Minerva, a character in her novel and the flighty, avaricious betrothed of Arthur’s villainous Uncle Sidney.

  Kitty and Adam joined the others—Lady Datchworth’s sharp gaze switching from Adam to Kitty and back again as Charis sent Kitty a look that managed to be both guilty and apologetic at the same time.

  ‘I followed the keeper down here because I needed to ask him something.’

  The rush of her stepdaughter’s words did nothing to quell either Kitty’s suspicions or her concern.

  ‘And did you find out what you wished to know?’

  ‘I... I could not catch him.’

  ‘And you then met Lord Sampford, did you not, my dear,’ said Lady Datchworth, ‘which is why you did not immediately return to your stepmother.’

  A blush lit Charis’s cheeks. ‘I did not wish to be thought unmannerly by not speaking to him.’

  ‘Well, I thank you both for ensuring Charis’s safety and for informing me of her whereabouts,’ said Kitty, fighting to keep the disapproval and worry from her countenance. ‘Charis, come. It is time we returned home.’

  She would not discuss this with Charis in front of others, but she would have plenty to say to her on the journey home. She prayed poor Charis’s heart was not engaged if that had been a clandestine plan to meet Lord Sampford because—following Robert’s revelations about the man—Kitty had no doubt Charis deserved far better than a husband like him. He was utterly unsuitable and had proved he could not be trusted and was no gentleman by encouraging Charis to go downstairs with him, away from her chaperon. Thank goodness Lady Datchworth happened to be there at the right time. Charis was so young...only seventeen...far too young to fall in love.

  Kitty sucked in a breath at the significance of Charis’s age. Seventeen...the same age she had been when she had fallen in love with Adam. Not that she had truly been in love with him, of course. Infatuation. That was what it had been. He had been right, of course. She shot a glance at Adam and it collided with his knowing gaze. His lips twitched and a gleam lit his blue eyes, drat the man. It was as though he knew precisely what she was thinking—and it was no doubt the cause of his earlier comment about young girls.

  ‘Lord Kelridge.’ Lady Datchworth’s crisp command brought both Kitty’s and Adam’s attention back to her. ‘I desire a private word with Lady Fenton. Would you be so good as to escort Miss Mayfield to peruse the wares on that stall over there?’ She waved her arm in the general direction of a stall displaying silver-plated trinkets such as snuff boxes and vinaigrettes.

  Kitty frowned at Her Ladyship’s blatant attempt to throw Adam and Charis together, in no mood to allow the Marchioness to interfere in Charis’s future. As soon as Adam and Charis were out of earshot, she said, ‘I intend to be straight with you, Lady Datchworth.’

  ‘Oh. Please do.’ A smile flickered on Her Ladyship’s mouth. ‘But, before you speak, allow me to explain that I overheard Sampford last night persuading your Charis to meet him here today, and I thought it my duty to circumvent any trouble.’

  ‘You knew about their tryst? But why not just tell me last night? Why go through this charade?’

  ‘Charade?’ Her Ladyship’s eyebrows shot skyward. ‘Allow me to remind you that I have vastly more experience of life than you, my dear. Had you banned their meeting, all you would end up doing is cause resentment and a determination to be even more secretive. This way, Charis is both embarrassed and ashamed—and the lesson has been learned that she will be found out. Besides, it gave me an opportunity to throw her and Kelridge together.’

  ‘Well, I wish you had not involved Kelridge. I told you before. I do not believe that would be a good match.’

  ‘But you have still not furnished me with a good reason for your objection.’

  Kitty’s teeth ground together. ‘I do not need to discuss my objections with you, ma’am. Suffice it to say that Lord Fenton would disapprove as well and that should be an end to it.’

  Her Ladyship shrugged. ‘Very well. If you do not wish my assistance, I shall say no more. Never let it be said that I interfere in others’ lives even though, as I said, my experience does furnish me with a unique insight into my friends’ well-being.’

  Kitty swallowed down any further hot words as Lady Datchworth beckoned imperiously at Adam, who nodded and returned with Charis on his arm.

  ‘It is time to return home, Charis.’

  ‘Very well, Stepmama.’

  Charis looked suitably chastened and Kitty allowed herself to imagine what her attitude might have been had Kitty been aware of her rendezvous with Sampford and flatly refused to come here today. Irritatingly, she realised Lady Datchworth might have a point about the best way to deal with Charis’s clandestine meeting. She summoned up a smile for Her Ladyship even as she prayed Charis had not developed a tendre for Sampford, especially in light of Robert’s revelations. She was aware it was impossible to protect Charis against heartache, but knowing she was powerless did not stop Kitty from wanting to do her utmost to protect her precious stepdaughter against any and every sorrow.

  ‘I am grateful for your sage advice, ma’am.’

  Lady Datchworth’s lips stretched into an answering smile. ‘You are most welcome, my dear.’

  Adam bowed. ‘Good afternoon, Lady Fenton, Miss Mayfield. It’s been a pleasure to meet you both again.’

  ‘Likewise, sir.’ Kitty inclined her head as Charis curtsied. ‘Good afternoon, Lady Datchworth, my lord.’

  As they walked away she heard Lady Datchworth’s peremptory tones float after them.

  ‘How the devil did you contrive to provoke her this time, Kelridge?’

  Kitty increased her pace to prevent any prospect of overhearing his reply.

  * * *

  ‘Hi! Adam!’

  Adam paused with one booted foot on the carriage step as his cousin, Tolly, sprinted up the street, a valise in one hand. He waved and increased his pace. Adam lowered his foot and waited. That valise presented a strong clue that Tolly had decided to travel to Kelridge Place with him after all, although he had declined the offer last evening, when Adam had met him at Brooks’s after he had escorted Lady Datchworth home from Almack’s.

  ‘Much obliged, Coz.’

  Tolly dropped his case and bent forward, hands on knees, panting. Adam waited patiently.

  ‘Thought I’d missed you!’

  ‘Changed your mind?’

  ‘I have.’ Tolly straightened, his face red. He hauled in a breath and blew it out again. ‘Phew! Not used to runnin’. Bit of a rush, by the time I got home and packed.’ He picked up his valise. ‘Given my man the day off, too. Never was much of a one for plannin’ and so forth.’

  Adam was surprised how pleased he was to have Tolly’s company. If nothing else, it would stop him brooding about Kitty and obsessing over his ungentlemanly jibe at the Change. He had meant his comment about headstrong young girls to be humorous, but had realised his error as soon as it left his lips. And Kitty’s reaction confirmed she had not found it amusing. He had no wish to squabble with her every time they met. Rather, he longed for the chance to question her properly, driven not only by the urge to understand why she had married Fenton, but also by this new burden of guilt over his refusal to listen to her explanation as to why she had been desperate to leave her father’s home.

  Somehow, he must find a way to have that conversation with her and he now regretted his impulsive announcement that he
was leaving Town, admitting—if only to himself—that the heaviness currently weighing on his soul was entirely due to the fact he would not see Kitty again for the foreseeable future.

  There was the consolation, however, that when she returned to Hertfordshire it would surely prove easier to find privacy there than in London. Until then, he must try to be patient. But that would be hard, especially since their meeting that afternoon. Her guard had slipped and he had glimpsed very real emotion in her eyes as they had sparred with one another. And that glimpse had given him hope that, maybe, they could work through the events of the past and reach a better understanding. And then...who knew?

  He was still unsure exactly what he hoped for with regard to Kitty, but he did know he would rather be someone she trusted than someone she eyed with caution.

  ‘Barlow—load Mr Trewin’s luggage on the rack if you please.’ The groom on the box jumped down and did as he was bid. ‘In you get, then, Tolly, and you can tell me why the change of plans.’

  Once the carriage was in motion, Tolly said, ‘I just realised you might appreciate a friendly face there, to help ease you into your new role.

  He stopped speaking, his chest still heaving with the effort of his sprint.

  Adam leaned back, stretching his legs out and folding his arms across his chest as he settled down for the journey.

  ‘Well, I admit I shall be glad of both your company and your support. Plus, the journey will finally give you the chance to tell me all about my father.’

  Adam had questioned Tolly about his father a few times since their first meeting, but Tolly had always fobbed him off—easily done when there had always been other people around. But now it was just the two of them and Adam burned to why his mother had run away from the man, depriving Adam of his father, and her husband of his son and heir.

  ‘Ah. Yes.’ A frown slashed between Tolly’s eyebrows. ‘It is...awkward.’

  ‘As are so many things about this situation. Look... Tolly...my father was who he was. Telling me the truth about him will change nothing. I didn’t know the man, so you will not be shattering dreams...’ His mother had already destroyed those, when she admitted the soldier hero he had thought was his father was naught but a figment of her imagination. ‘I just want to understand what he was like.’