Page 13 of Falling for the Earl (Improper Ladies #2)

A s Lucy donned her pelisse to enter the Fairburns’ carriage, her aunt stood in the entry hall with her arms folded. “Don’t forget, we must shop this afternoon for material for your new evening gown.”

“But, Aunt, I thought you approved of my friendship with Lady Sarah.”

“Rattray warned me that Lord Dorchester is a rake. Apparently, Sir Phillip Ashton has been trying to pin him down to announce he and his daughter’s betrothal, but Lord Dorchester is resisting, even when it was arranged some time ago.”

She knew instinctively that Rattray had lied to her aunt. And this too, would be untrue. Lucy could not believe that of Lord Dorchester. He had never taken liberties with her, even though she sensed he wanted to.

“But you tell me Lord Dorchester is out of town, so I need not worry,” her aunt said.

Lucy could argue no further with her aunt just then. “They have sent a maid to accompany me. I can’t keep her waiting.”

She felt strangely lightheaded as the fine equipage carried her and the Fairburn maid across London. Aunt Mary was right. She should not grow accustomed to such finery, or the company of an elegant, titled family. They came from a different world. For now, Lucy would concentrate on helping her friend, if she could. Yet at the park, Lord Cardew had proved he would be difficult to deal with. What Sarah thought Lucy could do, and what she could achieve when faced with an angry viscount, were two different things, and made her a little nervous.

A liveried footman admitted Lucy into the soaring entrance hall. Sarah waited for her, where twin staircases climbed to the upper stories. Appearing flustered, she whisked Lucy to the drawing room. “I hope Lord Cardew doesn’t stay long. Mama might come down, and to complicate matters further, Mr. Beaufort has left his card,” she said breathlessly as they sat together on the cream, satin sofa.

“Lord Cardew won’t be overjoyed to find me here,” Lucy warned her again.

Worry rumpled Sarah’s smooth forehead. “I want to get this over and done with.”

“Then you have made up your mind?”

Sarah nodded. “Let’s say I have come to my senses at last.”

A loud rap at the door echoed through the house. Minutes later, the butler showed Lord Cardew in. When he gazed at Lucy, he scowled. “Miss Kershaw.” After a stiff nod, he ignored her, going to kiss Sarah’s hand. “Might we have a moment alone, Sarah?”

Sarah shook her head. “You can speak in front of Lucy. She is very discreet.”

Aggrieved, he folded his arms. “I’d rather not.”

Lucy grew uncomfortable as a grim silence followed.

“Very well,” Sarah said at last. “I’ll give you a few minutes, Lord Cardew.” She gestured to a chair. “But that’s all.” She turned to Lucy, her cheeks flushed. “Would you mind waiting outside, Lucy?”

This was what Lucy had feared. She didn’t trust Lord Cardew but could do nothing other than shut the door behind her and linger in the hall.

As she stood there, the front door opened, and she heard Mr. Beaufort admitted. Spying Lucy, he approached her, his eyebrows lifted in inquiry, as the butler left them.

She felt foolish at being found hovering in the hall and struggled with what she might say to him. But at that moment, Sarah’s shriek made them both turn toward the drawing room doors.

“What the devil?” Mr. Beaufort stared at Lucy. “Is that Lady Sarah? Who is with her?”

“Lord Cardew. Sarah has told him their association is at an end. I’m afraid he isn’t taking it too well.”

“The deuce!” Mr. Beaufort grasped the door latch and opened the door. Lord Cardew was gripping Sarah’s shoulders and shaking her. She struggled against him, tears in her eyes.

Mr. Beaufort strode the length of the room and towered over the young lord. “Unhand Lady Sarah, Cardew.”

“You, again!” Lord Cardew sneered. “Still can’t mind your own business, Beaufort.” He released Sarah and came toward Mr. Beaufort, his fists clenched.

At Lord Cardew’s wildly aimed fist, Mr. Beaufort feinted to the left before landing the lord a sharp facer. With a surprised yelp, Lord Cardew staggered back, a hand to his bleeding nose. “You’ll regret this, Beaufort.”

“No, you will, Lord Cardew, should your mother hear of it,” Sarah said, gasping for breath. “Please leave. I never want to set eyes on you again.”

The butler, Grimsby, burst in, followed by two tall, sturdy footmen. “Are you all right, Lady Sarah?” He gazed around and his expression turned to shock when he saw Lord Cardew holding a bloody handkerchief to his nose.

Sarah straightened her shoulders. “Grimsby, Lord Cardew is leaving.”

Grimsby eyed Viscount Cardew unsympathetically. “As you wish, Lady Sarah. John, see his lordship out.”

As the footman approached, Lord Cardew scowled at Sarah. “You’ll regret this,” he shouted, then he spun on his heel, pushed past them, and strode into the hall with John close behind him. The butler followed. A few moments later, the front door banged shut.

“It’s mere bluster. It wouldn’t serve him well to make a fuss,” Lucy said, putting her arm around Sarah’s trembling shoulders and leading her over to the sofa. Sitting beside her, Sarah wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I’m very grateful to you, Mr. Beaufort.”

“There’s really no need,” Mr. Beaufort said. “I shouldn’t think Lord Cardew will trouble you again.”

“We are in need of a drink, James,” Sarah said to the footman who stood to attention. “Ratafia, Lucy?” she asked. “Mr. Beaufort?”

“Wine, thank you.” Mr. Beaufort took a seat across from them his forehead creased with worry as he studied Sarah.

Sarah’s smile wobbled, then she smiled and sat up straight. “I hope Mama didn’t hear the commotion. I’m so very relieved it’s over.”

Mr. Beaufort nodded but made no comment. Lucy also refrained from commenting. A little shocked by the violence the young lord had displayed, she considered her dear friend certainly had a fortunate escape. Did Lord Cardew now believe there was no future for him and Sarah? Lucy hoped he would come to accept it. She’d been struck by the difference between the two men. Lord Cardew was like an overgrown, spoiled, and bad-tempered boy, whereas Mr. Beaufort was very much a gentleman, in complete control of his emotions. And she hadn’t missed the way he was looking at Sarah now. The yearning expression in his eyes showed how much he cared for her. She hoped Sarah would come to realize how fortunate she would be if they married.

Shortly afterward, Lucy accepted Sarah’s offer to send for a carriage to take her home. She wished to arrive before Aunt Mary found a reason to scold her.

Mr. Beaufort also took his leave. Lucy hoped that without Lord Cardew in the picture, they might discover much in common. Perhaps Sarah would fall in love with him. Lucy liked Mr. Beaufort very much and believed he would be perfect for Sarah, strong, and protective. As Lord Dorchester would be. She sighed.

*

Hugh’s coach reached London after an absence of more than three weeks. He and Wickstaff were pleased to be back on their feet and free of being cloistered in a rocking coach for hours on end. Hugh collected his mail and inquired of the housekeeper, Mrs. Cruikshank, as to the state of his mother’s health. She informed him his mother had left her bed and sat in the morning room, where she worked on her tapestry.

He hurried in to greet her and was relieved to find her color so much improved. “How well you look, Mama.”

She smiled as he kissed her cheek. “I am feeling more like my old self. Did you have a good trip?”

He sat in an armchair and sifted through his letters. “Well enough. Where is Sarah?”

“She is walking in the park with Mr. Beaufort,” his mother said, appearing slightly perplexed. “She has taken the maid Agnes as chaperone. I’m not sure what happened last Tuesday, while I was confined to my bedchamber, but it appears Lord Cardew has returned to Bath, and Sarah seems perfectly happy about it.”

Hugh frowned. “I thought he’d left a while ago.”

“Apparently, he did. But he returned and came to see her. I’ve not been told what occurred, but Grimsby informed me Mr. Beaufort was here at the same time.”

Hugh wondered if Sarah would tell him the truth or give him an edited version of events. Luke would be a better bet. He’d invite him to dine and have a game of cards or billiards at the club.

“Oh, and Miss Kershaw was also here,” his mother added, her needle poised over her tapestry.

At the mention of her name, Hugh’s heart gave a throb and his chest tightened. He was anxious to see her and reassure himself that no man had proposed to her. It appeared that Lucy was the calming influence on Sarah, just as he’d hoped. Cardew had left London, so it appeared the matter was at an end. Hugh wanted to see Lucy. He had news for her aunt about Rattray, and a good deal besides. But he discovered a letter from Isabel in the mail. “Excuse me, Mama. I must go up and remove the travel dust.”

“Do you have need of me, milord?” Wickstaff asked, emerging from Hugh’s dressing room with his hands full of folded cravats, already restoring order after their journey. Hugh’s valet had developed the sonorous tones of his butler. Hugh found it amusing, as he had come from the far north.

“I’ll bathe. Put out the dark-blue coat and cream pantaloons. I trust you to choose the waistcoat.” His former batman made an excellent valet. He had been invaluable during the war. They’d gone through a lot of action together, and he often wondered if Wickstaff missed it.

Wickstaff allowed himself a small smile as he laid out a change of clothes and prepared the bath, while Hugh sat down to read Isabel’s letter, wondering what revelations it contained.

She wrote to inform him the wedding was to take place in Canterbury on the following Saturday and their passage was booked for the next day . I shall write again when we reach our destination, Hugh , she wrote. And tell you all about it. Hugh folded the letter, deciding to see them off at the docks on Sunday. He wished he could be happy for Isabel but couldn’t bring himself to believe she had made a good decision. Obviously, Sir Phillip had consented to the marriage. It seemed the best solution, as Isabel loved the father of her baby, and it would spell ruin to the family should it ever get out. But he still pitied Lady Ashton, who would be distraught over losing her beloved daughter.

The other letters were put aside for his secretary. Hugh’s plan to see Lucy must wait. After all, he tended to attract attention wherever he went and had made several trips to her aunt’s house. He didn’t want any gossip to reach the Ashtons before the new Mrs. Benton sailed.

When he came downstairs having bathed and changed, Sarah was in the morning room with Luke, a footman and a maid serving tea. They were laughing together. Her cheeks were pink, and her eyes sparkled. Luke appeared to be a happy man. Hugh looked forward to finding out what had gone on in his absence. There would be three differing versions, Sarah’s, Luke’s, and Lucy’s, if she consented to reveal it. But learning it from Sarah would be no easier than asking Lucy had been. He’d laugh if the matter weren’t so serious.

As Sarah was present, Hugh resisted asking Luke what had occurred. The warning in Luke’s eyes intrigued him. But he must leave it until they dined at White’s club that evening.

When Luke took his leave, and Sarah went upstairs to see their mother, Hugh left the drawing room for the library and sent for Grimsby and the footman who had been on duty that morning.

The butler came in to the library soon afterward with John. “Yes, milord?”

“What took place when Lord Cardew was here? Anything untoward?”

Grimsby cleared his throat. “John can give you a clearer picture, my lord.”

John shuffled his feet. “Er. I believe Mr. Beaufort drew Lord Cardew’s cork, milord.”

Hugh’s eyebrows rose. “Do you know why?”

“No, but by the sound of it, Lord Cardew caused a lot of trouble,” Grimsby said.

“Was this in front of the ladies?”

“Yes, milord.”

Hugh nodded. “Thank you, Grimsby, John. That will be all.”

It was time to have it out with Sarah. He sat thinking over what he had learned, then when he heard her coming down the stairs, he went out to meet her. “Mama seems better,” he said.

“Her health has improved a lot, and the doctor is very pleased.”

“Excellent news. Will you come into the library for a moment, Sarah?”

She looked wary. “What for?”

“A drink, and a chat.”

She followed him inside and sat, her feet tucked up at one end of the sofa while Hugh poured the drinks.

He returned to hand her a glass of Ratafia. Carrying his snifter of brandy, he took his favorite chair. “I am told Cardew came here yesterday and caused quite a commotion. Mr. Beaufort had to restrain him. I am sorry I wasn’t here. Did he threaten you, Sarah? Should I teach him a lesson?”

“He will have scurried back to Bath by now.” A reluctant smile curled Sarah’s lips. “You should have seen it, Hugh. Lord Cardew tried to punch Mr. Beaufort, but he didn’t have a chance because Mr. Beaufort was so quick on his feet. Lord Cardew’s bloodied nose subdued him admirably.”

“What was Cardew’s reason for making such a fool of himself?”

“He came to tell me he is not marrying Lady Gwendolyn Piper.” She looked evasive staring down at her glass, but he didn’t press her. “But his mother hadn’t been told of this decision. I didn’t believe him, so I asked him to leave.”

“That was wise of you, Sarah.”

“Yes. I was glad to have Lucy here. She is able to see things more clearly than I do. I become too emotional.”

“It’s hard for anyone to end a long-standing relationship, Sassie.”

“Yes.” She rubbed her eyes. “But I am sure I did the right thing.”

“I’m sure of it too.” He held up his glass. “Let’s drink to the future.”

She smiled and raised her glass, then took a sip. “I wonder what the future holds for you, Hugh?”

“It’s a little unclear at the moment.”

She fought a smile. “Lucy tells me Mr. Nash is becoming serious. Her aunt believes he will propose.”

Hugh cursed under his breath. “He’s not the man for her.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Who would be the right one, I wonder?”

He ignored her provocative remark. “I’ve seen Nash at the gambling tables. He’s reckless. He’ll go through his inheritance in no time.” Hugh rose. As he passed her, he reached down to tap her nose. “You’ll be one of the first to hear my future plans, when I know them myself.”