Page 1 of An Alliance with the Earl (Marrying for Love #5)
CHAPTER ONE
O f all the pranks that Edward’s twin had ever played on him, this was by far the worst.
“What do you mean he hasn’t arrived yet?” Edward Berkeley, the Earl of Cheshire asked, as he scowled at his valet. “I was told downstairs that I was the last guest to arrive.”
His valet nodded seriously. “Perhaps I have been misinformed, m’lord, but I was told your brother is not among the party.”
“Perhaps it is still one of his jokes.”
The valet nodded, but it wasn’t convincing. “Then he has gone to great lengths. I asked specifically after your wishes of having a room close to your brother, and I was told in no uncertain terms that the marquess was not coming.”
Edward scowled, wishing his brother, William Berkeley, the Marquess of Cheshire were here to see how much Edward disapproved of the joke. This time William had taken his harmless pranks too far. How could his brother sign Edward up for Ivy Manor’s House Party without his consent and then not bother to show up? He would never have chosen a house party for a fortnight, and now he had no choice but to stay. His family had a deep love for the hostess, Lady Lansdowne, and though Edward was furious with his brother, he would not incur the wrath of his hostess by rudely leaving the house party before it had really begun. Perhaps William was just late, but somehow Edward doubted it.
A clock chimed, and Edward’s valet, Timothy, straightened Edward’s cravat before giving him a nod of approval. “Thank you, Timothy,” he said, then headed out the door of his bedchamber and down the long corridor to one of the drawing rooms in Ivy Manor.
Lady Lansdowne greeted everyone as they came into the room.
“Lord Cheshire, it’s always a pleasure,” she said warmly.
He bowed to her. “The pleasure is mine. And my brother’s. Though he has not shown up yet.”
Lady Lansdowne smiled, completely unperturbed by Edward’s comment. “I shall not concern myself about your brother not being here. We have a full house. I am sure he will join again another time.”
Edward blinked at the confirmation Lady Lansdowne had just given him. William’s absence was not a surprise to her. Blast his brother. He should have just pretended to be William for the fortnight to get back at him. Then it would be William’s reputation at stake, and Edward could have had some fun with a prank or two back. But alas. Here Edward was, and already announced as himself. But if he left now and then came back pretending to be his brother, then his own reputation would be tarnished. Besides, without his identical twin brother next to him, no one would believe that he could be William. So, there was nothing for it, but to be himself, and pray that William would hurry up his other business, whatever it was, and come to the house party posthaste.
When everyone was in the room, Lady Lansdowne made all of the introductions. The feather in her hair waved back and forth as she moved about the room. When she was finished introducing everyone, she said, “We shall not stand on ceremony in this group, but your names are already at your places for this evening’s dinner. I shall take the liberties of pairing you for different games and diversions; but rest assured, you will also be able to choose your own partners throughout the house party.”
Dinner was announced and Lord Lansdowne escorted Lady Lansdowne into the dining room, followed by the rest of the guests.
Thedining room at Ivy Manorexuded a moreunderstated elegancethan the ostentatious grandeur of some country estates. Thevaulted ceiling, adorned withsubtle yet intricate plasterwork, gave the room an airy openness, whiletall windows—flung open to invite the warmsummer evening breeze—offered a view of the sprawlingrose gardens in full bloom. Along oak table, polished to a soft gleam, stretched the length of the room, set withfine china, delicate crystal ware, and silver candlesticks, their flames flickering gently. Pale bluedamask drapesframed the windows, their color echoing thepainted panels along the walls, which depictedpastoral scenes in soft, muted tones.
Despite the carefulprecision of the table setting and the quiet efficiency of the footmen, there was an undeniablewarmth to the space, and Edward found his mood lightening as each course passed. He occupied himself with the usual formalities—responding to pleasantries, offering the occasional dry remark to amuse himself, and generally avoiding conversations that could lead to entanglements of the matrimonial kind.
His seat placed him betweenMiss Rosalind Spencer, a talkative young woman who had already recounted—twice—her triumph at last Season’s Almack’s ball, andLord Theodore Brightwell, a man with an unfortunate tendency to speak exclusively of hunting.
Edward had just endured a detailed account of Lord Brightwell’s latest stag pursuit when Miss Spencer interjected with an eager, “And do you hunt as well, Lord Cheshire?”
Edward suppressed a sigh and set down his wine glass. “On occasion, though I can’t say I enjoy it as much as you do, Brightwell. I prefer a sport where the outcome isn’t quite so one-sided.”
Lord Brightwell chuckled, clearly missing the point. “Ah, but that’s what makes it thrilling—the chase, the anticipation—”
“Yes,” Edward murmured, swirling his wine, “there’s nothing quite like pursuing an unarmed creature for sport.”
Brightwell, oblivious to the sarcasm, nodded approvingly.
Edward turned back to the food before him, when several audible gasps caught his attention.
He turned his head, along with half the table, to see themishap unfold at Lady Olivia Westfield’s seat. A footman, young and no doubt anxious, had stumbled while refilling a glass, sendinga deep red stainseeping into the hem of Lady Olivia’s gown.
The poor servant paled, visibly shaken. Lady Lansdowne, seated at the head of the table, gave a sharp intake of breath, likely expecting a scene.
ButLady Olivia merely glanced down, then up at the footman, and offered a small, knowing smile.
“Well,” she said lightly,blotting at the dampened fabric with her napkin.“That’s one way to ensure I do not outshine the other ladies this evening. A pity—I was rather hoping this particular gown might have its moment of glory.”
A few chuckles rippled around them, diffusing the tension.
“My lady, I am so dreadfully sorry,” the footman stammered, bowing repeatedly.
“There’s no harm done,” she assured him. Then, in a conspiratorial whisper loud enough for the nearby guests to hear, she added,“Though I daresay the punch might prefer to remain in the glass next time.”
The footman, wide-eyed, managed a feeble nod before scurrying away, undoubtedly grateful to have escaped unscathed.
Edward found himselfwatching her more closely after that. Her honey-blonde curls were styled atop her head in the latest fashion, and even from here, he could see that her eyes held amusement over the situation and not contempt. It was refreshing.
“Lady Olivia is quite gracious,” Miss Spencer murmured beside him, as if she, too, were surprised by the lack of dramatics.
Edward tilted his head. “Would you have preferred an outraged declaration?”
Miss Spencer sniffed. “Not at all. Though some ladies might feel inclined to remind everyone of their magnanimity.”
He knew what she meant. Many in Society made sport ofexaggerated kindness, ofturning small offenses into grand spectacles of patience.Yet Lady Olivia had not.
Lord Brightwell, oblivious to the subtlety of the exchange, cleared his throat. “Heard she’s a fine horsewoman. Pity about her prospects, though.”
Edward arched a brow. “How so?”
Brightwell leaned in conspiratorially. “She’s not exactly been rushing to secure a match, has she? A lady of her standing should have been married years ago. Some say she’s—”
“Particular,” Edward finished flatly.
Brightwell shrugged, clearly indifferent. “If you like. I only meant that she’s had ample opportunity.”
Edward hummed noncommittally, his gaze drifting back toLady Olivia, who was engaged in an effortless conversation.There was something distinctly refreshing about her manner—light, self-possessed, but not calculating.
A puzzle, perhaps.
After dinner, the ladies were excused, except for Lady Lansdowne, who set a silver bowl in the center of the table. “Gentlemen, I shall leave you to your port, but once you are finished, please grab a slip of paper from the bowl. The women will also pick numbers from a bowl in the drawing room. You will be partnered with the woman who shares the same number as yourself. And we will go in order of numbers for turns for our game of charades.”
After the gentlemen nodded their consent of Lady’s Lansdowne’s plan, she left the room, leaving the gentlemen to their port as promised.
“This ought to be interesting,” Baron Iverson said. “How will we know if we wish to be paired up with the lady with our matching number?”
“I think the point is to get to know everyone well during the house party,” Lord Brightwell said.
Baron Iverson shook his head. “I disagree. The whole point of this house party is to find a wife. I do not need to know everyone to find her. It’s a waste of time.”
Edward laughed at the baron’s serious nature. Both Iverson and Brightwell looked at Edward. Edward covered his mouth and coughed. “Sorry, gentlemen. I don’t mean to make light of your quest. However, this is a house party. There is no need to do anything but enjoy oneself.”
“Do not let Lady Lansdowne hear you say such things. She will not take too kindly to that,” Brightwell said.
“Indeed I shall take heed.” Edward nodded, realizing he couldn’t talk with his friends the way he did with his brother. William would understand the true meaning of his sentiment, and would likely join Edward in his opinion. Frustration mounted inside him at the reminder that his brother had completely deserted him to this house party without so much as a word of explanation.
“Then you haven’t set your eye on anyone in particular?” the Baron asked.
Edward shook his head. “Do not worry, I shall not be in competition with either of you. I am perfectly content to leave this party a bachelor, same as I arrived.”
“Don’t let—” Brightwell started saying.
“Lady Lansdowne know? I won’t.” He drew a slip of paper from the bowl, encouraging the rest of the men in the room to do the same. “Shall we?” he asked, making his way toward the doorway that led to the drawing room. He would leave a bachelor, but he wouldn’t let Lady Lansdowne suspect anything of the sort from him. He would beat her and his brother at their own games, all while pretending that he was the most ready for Society and its company.
Edward entered the drawing room with the rest of the gentlemen. Three women held up their numbers, but none of them matched his. It was no matter. He watched as his companions found their partners and began talking about their strategies for best practices in charades. He compared his number with the numbers of Miss Spencer, Miss Smyth, and Miss Fitzwilliam all in turn, and still none of them matched.
Edward looked for the woman that was paired up with him, but it became apparent that there were an odd number of people in the room.
Lady Lansdowne came over to him as all of the others were paired up. She held up a slip of paper—a five.
Edward raised an eyebrow. “Lady Lansdowne, shall I have the privilege of being your partner?” Perhaps fortune was smiling on him after all. Lady Lansdowne was happily married. This was one less event where he would have to worry about scheming debutantes.
Lady Lansdowne’s brow creased in distress. “Lord Cheshire, I do apologize. Lady Olivia is feeling unwell and has retired early.” She looked around the room, as if she were in the process of solving a most complicated ordeal. “However, we can certainly add you to one of the other groups and you can still play the game.”
Edward smiled warmly at his hostess, whose emotions were written all over her face. So, the beautiful woman at the dinner table, who had shown such kindness to a servant had been assigned to be his partner. It was a pity she wasn’t in the room.
This was only day one, and he knew that he could put the woman at ease. “Do not worry for my sake, Lady Lansdowne. I do not wish to throw off all of your preparation for the game. I shall be quite content to watch the game, rather than participate in it.”
Lady Lansdowne’s brows drew together. “I should not wish to exclude you from the merriment,” she said slowly.
“And so you shall not. I shall be quite comfortable over at the small game table where I can observe the entire room at once.”
Lady Lansdowne glanced around the room, taking in Edward’s suggestion. Finally, with a sharp nod she said, “Very well, Lord Cheshire. That will be a solution for this evening, but rest assured that this will not happen again. I should not like for you to be on the outside of any more of the festivities.”
“As you choose,” Edward said, though he didn’t think that being outside of the festivities for the entire fortnight would be a problem. In fact, it could be quite relaxing to be by oneself. He grabbed a volume from a small table, and situated himself next to the chess board on the table closest to the windows.
As Lady Lansdowne gave the rules to her game, Edward moved pieces around the chessboard, taking turns moving the white pieces and then the black pieces. If he wanted a competition, playing against himself would give him the challenge. He set up the pieces for the best moves and counter-moves.
Every so often he focused his attention on the game of charades the other couples played. He knew he could have won charades, especially if he’d been paired up with his brother.
Frustration mounted again as Edward thought of his obligation to stay at Ivy Manor’s House Party not of his choosing. William owed him for this inconvenience. Yet the reprieve of Lady Olivia indisposed was quite fortunate. It meant he wasn’t obligated to anyone else. He continued playing chess against himself. He moved his Knight and easily captured the white pawn that had been in his way. He would win this house party game. It would be as easy as playing chess against himself, because he’d already taken measure of everyone else in the room.