Page 11 of One Night in Vauxhall Gardens (Singular Sensation #11)

May 7, 1819

Fitzwilliam House

London, England

It had been two days since he’d seen Theresa. Two days since she’d told him the dark secret that she’d been keeping. Two days since he’d broken through her reservations and fears which had ended with them coupling together at the British Museum.

And oddly enough, he missed her. Business and club doings had kept him away, and when he’d called earlier today, she’d been out, apparently shopping with her mother. Vowing that he would see her tomorrow, he’d taken himself off to Edenthorpe’s home, for he needed to see for himself how the duke’s health was progressing.

Now he sat at his friend’s bedside with another rogue, listening to him tell a story from his early time in the military, which kept Viscount Aldren entertained but allowed Harry’s mind to wander. The fact that he couldn’t keep his mind from jogging to Theresa and what she might be doing right now was telling.

Was he that much of a nodcock that because he’d bedded a woman after an impressive drought, he couldn’t think of anything else?

“You know, Hedgecomb, if you can’t bring yourself to attend what I’m saying, perhaps you should go home.” The sarcasm in the duke’s voice yanked him out of his musings. When he scratched at his unshaven beard, he cocked an eyebrow.

“My apologies.” He shot the man a grin. “Woolgathering that has no bearing on that story of yours, which I’ve already heard at least three times.”

Both the duke and Aldren chuckled.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t humor me.” He grimaced while he attempted to adjust his back against the mound of pillows. His left arm was in a sling, which was made of a cravat and then secured against his naked chest by another length of cloth tied about his torso. A large square of cloth had been secured to his shoulder with more lengths of cloth, no doubt covering his healing wound. “But I suppose I should be grateful you’ve dropped by. Strathfield was supposed to keep me company today, but he begged off.”

“Oh?” Harry frowned. “Why is that?” As far as he knew, the two dukes were the best of friends.

“Who can say? But from what I’ve been hearing from the other rogues, Strathfield has been steadily pushing all of us away, one by one, since last Christmastide.” Edenthorpe exchanged a glance with Aldren. “If you ask me, I think Timelbury’s marriage made an impression on him. There aren’t many bachelor rogues left at the club, and he’s probably still hurting inside from events in his own life, not including the war.”

The viscount frowned. “But that is exactly why he should be talking to us instead of excluding us.”

“Everyone is different, so let us hope he doesn’t lose himself too much. These are dark times when we should be forming a united front.” Yet Edenthorpe’s expression held far too much concern for Harry’s liking. “Have Baselford and Lockwood left Town?”

He nodded. “Yesterday morning. They hated to go without telling you goodbye, but there was nothing for it. You needed your rest, and they have promised letters when they are settled.”

“I can’t say as I blame them, but I would have liked to have all the rogues here for a united front.

Harry shrugged. “Not every man is as strong as you, Edenthorpe. Baselford and Lockwood are strong in other ways, so don’t discount their loyalty just because they found it prudent to leave London.”

“Oh, I’m not.” The duke frowned. “I am, however, thinking that I should have sent my wife and child away as well.”

“And then who would have taken care of your sorry arse after you were shot?”

Everyone glanced at the doorway as St. Vincent strode into the room.

The earl grinned. “However, I understand your reasoning, for I have felt the same of recent days.”

Aldren nodded. “At least things have been quiet, haven’t they?”

Heat rose up the back of Harry’s neck, for he’d forgotten the incident at Hyde Park when a shooter’s ball had grazed Theresa’s cheek. “Uh, not quite.” When every man in the room stared at him, he blew out a breath. “Six days ago, when I asked for Lady Theresa’s hand, we were strolling through Hyde Park when we were ambushed by a shooter. There was nothing more than a grazed cheek on the lady, and though I did investigating, I didn’t find anything beyond a Mother-of-Pearl button.”

“What?” St. Vincent looked ready to throttle him. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked as he came after Harry until the viscount sprang up and put his body between them.

“I haven’t had time, and to be fair, I did stop by the club a few days ago. “It was just a graze on the skin, that is nearly healed now. She’s fine.”

Edenthorpe cleared his throat. He waved them all into chairs. “Clearly, things have happened while I was unconscious. So tell me why the devil St. Vincent is flying into the boughs, and why you’re with his sister. Also, was the shooter connected with Lady Stover?”

Harry glanced at the other two men, but he didn’t sit until they did. “There was a bit of contretemps at Vauxhall Gardens wherein St. Vincent lost his damned mind and demanded that I become engaged—and actually marry—his sister, Lady Theresa.”

The duke’s eyebrows rose. “You are engaged to his sister.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes, but that is beside the point right now. The day after St. Vincent made his demands, I formally asked the lady for her hand, and she accepted. I then took her to Hyde Park for fresh air and a stroll. That was when someone shot at us, and before I could get her to cover, she was grazed.”

“And you said you found a button?”

“I did, and we think it belongs to the spy in our club, the man who knows who shot you.” Harry bounced his gaze from man to man. “He got away, but my first priority was seeing to my fiancée’s safety.” When his attention landed on the earl, he nodded. “She has suffered no ill effects, and what’s more, we are working through some mental… demons as we become closer friends.” No way in hell would he admit to bedding the woman or that such carnal activities had turned his previous existence on its head.

Slowly, Edenthorpe nodded. “Do we know to whom the button belongs?”

It was Aldren who answered this time. “Not yet, but I expect that answer to be forthcoming soon. If she has a spy within our house, we have our own spying on him.” His smile was on the grim side. “When we find him, I can’t guarantee his safety.”

Harry nodded. “Neither can I, for we all want Lady Stover to have her just desserts. None of us deserve to live in constant fear.” Now that he had the responsibility of keeping Theresa safe, he wouldn’t rest until she was.

Until they all were.

A chuckle escaped Edenthorpe’s throat. “Now this is the distraction I need.” Again, he gestured with a hand. “Aldren, keep leaning on your man in the club. We need information more sooner than later. St. Vincent, stop harassing Hedgecomb. If you ordered the engagement and he followed through, let him navigate the waters. Now, the two of you can leave. I’ll meet with you both again later this week. Scarecrow, you stay. I have some words for you.”

Once the other two exited the room with more than a few grumbles, Harry frowned. “Why did you want to see me alone?”

“Why did you let St. Vincent bully you into an engagement?” One of the duke’s eyebrows rose. “The last time I spoke to you, you were adamant about not having a woman in your life.”

“It is a complicated issue.” For long moments, Harry remained silent. “Suffice it to say that I wanted to protect her, and after kissing her the night that led to the engagement, I had a glimpse of a certain peace and a calm to the chaos that I’d never experienced before.”

“Ah, and you wished to see if that was a one-time occurrence.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.” He rubbed a hand along the side of his face. “Does it sound as mad to you as it does to me?”

“Not at all.” Edenthorpe grimaced as he leaned back against his pillows. Lines of exhaustion went over his face. “When I first met my wife, before we had ever married, I knew that same sort of feeling, and selfishly, I wanted more.”

“Then you believe this engagement might have more to it than being forced?” There was far too much interest in the inquiry for his taste.

“Who can say, but if you find some sort of peace—or anything else—in the lady’s company, where is the harm in pursuing it? After all, you are already engaged. There is no harm or scandal in it.”

“Perhaps.” Yet the more time he spent with Theresa, the closer he drew to her, and after what they shared in the British Museum, he was even more confused, and a bit in awe of her strength after everything she’d endured. To say nothing of the trust she’d extended to him.

“Go home, Hedgecomb. Mull it over. Be honest with yourself about what you most want from life and whether you think you might be able to have that with your fiancée. Then plan.” He offered a tired grin. “If a woman makes us better in any way at all, we owe it to ourselves to grasp at that in whatever way we can. Life is too short to live in misery, don’t you think?”

“It does make the dark days not quite as horrid.” Then he sighed. “Thank you, my friend. Now please, rest, else your wife will have my head.”

Edenthorpe’s laugh sounded a tad winded. “She will, indeed, but I’m getting stronger every day. By the time I’m healed, I want London rid of Lady Stover and her minions.”

He nodded. “I understand.” When he left the room, he wore a grin of his own.

How very odd.

Theresa glanced about the tea house where she shared that repast with one of her best friends, Lady Caroline Marlowe—sister to the duke of Lockwood—and now the Viscountess of Aldren. She’d been married for about a year and a half, which was why she was the best candidate to ask about all things concerning men.

And the confusion they brought.

“You look as if you want to say something, but something is keeping you silent.” Caroline peered at her from over the rim of her teacup. “Also, there is something different about you. A whole new outlook or appreciation, but I can’t put my finger on it. If you have gossip, share it. I need a distraction since the renovations to my townhouse are dragging on and Graham is beside himself trying to ferret out the spy within the club’s ranks.”

“Oh.” Heat slapped at her cheeks. “I suppose I haven’t talked with you in a few weeks. Much has happened, I’m afraid.”

“I knew it!” Caroline put her cup into its saucer on the table. Anticipation danced in her eyes. “Tell me. Have you finally stopped hiding enough to meet someone, or did your mother wear you down and force you into a man’s arms?”

“Everything has been a whirlwind; I scarcely know if I’m coming or going.” When her friend continued to peer at her with expectation, she sighed. “A handful of days ago, I happened upon one of my brother’s friends while at Vauxhall Gardens. He was in the grips of a nightmare or an anxiety episode and I couldn’t break him out of it.”

“It’s common with former military men. Graham still struggles with things of that nature. What did you do?”

Ignoring the continuing heat in her cheeks, Theresa shrugged. “I kissed him. It was the only way for him to stop trying to choke me.” She brushed her fingertips along her neck. “You can barely see the bruises, but when he was lost in his mind, he assumed I was an enemy.”

“While that is terrifying enough, what happened after the kiss?” Caroline’s eyes were round with shock and interest. “Did he thank you?”

“Well, he kissed me back, and then we were carried away, despite my reticence regarding men in general.” The other woman had been the only person Theresa had told some of her story to but not all.

Before Harry.

“And then?”

She shrugged. “After a bit, when Hedgecomb attempted to put a hand beneath my skirts, I had an episode and apparently cried out in protest so loudly my brother heard. He was livid, punched the earl, and then demanded that he ask for my hand.”

“Good heavens.” Caroline clasped her hand from across the small round table and keeping her voice down so other patrons of the teahouse wouldn’t hear, she asked, “The Earl of Hedgecomb? That aloof man who is rarely seen in society?”

“Yes.” With her heart beating so fast she feared it might burst from her chest, she continued in low tones. “Then we became engaged. Shortly after that, we were shot at in Hyde Park, presumably from someone in Lady Stover’s gang.”

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, yes.” She waved away the concern, for it seemed like a lifetime ago. “Hedgecomb is everything honorable. He’s pledged his protection in this and everything else, and he’s also promised the union can be one of convenience if it turns out I can’t stomach anything else with him.” When her gaze fell to the ruby and diamond ring on her finger, she sighed. “He even gifted me with a valuable parure of jewelry he’s given permission to sell if I should ever wish to separate from him.”

Silence reigned between them for some time. Finally, Caroline took a seed cake from the tea tray. She took a bite, chewed, and then swallowed, and once she laid the remainder on her plate, she dusted her hands together. “I’ll admit, I’m shocked at how quickly and wildly your life has changed since we last talked.”

“So am I.” Theresa frowned into her teacup. “Have I made a mistake in accepting him merely to quell possible rumors?”

“Is that the only reason you agreed to the engagement?”

Was it? She blew out a breath. “No. There was something in his kisses that made me feel alive where I’ve previously been quite dead.” Holding up a hand, Theresa shook her head. “I can’t explain why here, but suffice it to say, there is also a level of vulnerability about him… He needs me, Caro. Or needs someone, but oddly enough, I understand him.”

“That is a step in the right direction and will certainly help in other matters.” After finishing the rest of the seed cake, she held Theresa’s gaze. “What else has occurred? It’s more than merely being engaged; I can see it in your eyes. You are less… sad, perhaps less frightened if that’s possible, but there is also a new… hope? It’s strange, but I don’t know how else to explain it.”

Was it truly that noticeable?

Another round of heat went through her cheeks. “He took me to the British Museum because I haven’t traveled. Said he wanted to show me the world, and then…” She forced a swallow into her suddenly dry throat. “Then we hid away in a storage room. I told him some horrifying things that happened to me in the past. He comforted me, said words to me that made me feel wanted, helped the fear and shame release part of its grip on me. Afterward, he… we… Well, we…”

“I can guess.” A slow smile went over Caroline’s face. “You got up to scandal with him, didn’t you?” Before Theresa could answer, her friend rushed onward. “I’m so happy for you!” Her smile was brilliant in its authenticity. “Does this change your mind about keeping the engagement in name only?”

Did it?

“I’m not certain. It’s all so new. Besides, I haven’t seen him since we did that. Perhaps he’s regretting what happened.” It had been three days. Wouldn’t he have at least called?

“Men like Hedgecomb are busy with demands on their time, especially men who are in the Rogue’s Arcade. The little attacks against them all must be chipping away at their sanity, so give him a bit of latitude.”

“I’ll admit, that while I’m cautiously optimistic, I’m still frightened and waiting for things to go wrong.” With a frown, she pushed a jam tart around her plate. “What should I do?”

“Shouldn’t the question be, what shouldn’t you do?” Then she huffed. “Listen, for as long as I’ve known you, you’ve flirted your way through the beau monde , but I suspect that was merely your way of hiding.” When she smiled, Theresa couldn’t help but do the same, for her friend knew her well. “Now you’ve found a man who has given you purpose and has remarkably set you at ease. In addition, he’s opened your eyes to a world you’ve missed out on. Where is the harm in letting him continue in that vein?”

“What if things go horribly wrong?”

“What if they don’t?”

She shook her head. “What if I find he’s too broken for even me to live with?”

“What if he’s not?” One of Caroline’s eyebrows lifted. “What if you find he’s exactly what you’ve wanted all these years but have been too afraid to look for? What if the earl can help you heal while you do the same for him?” Her eyes were kind as she peered at Theresa. “From my experience, men from the Rogue’s Arcade are special, and though they all may be broken in some way or another, that doesn’t mean they won’t give you the moon if you asked. You’ll never need to question their loyalty or devotion, especially once they fall in love.”

“That’s the problem, though. Why would he want to fall in love with someone like me?” Unbidden, tears welled in her eyes. “I’ve told him the worse of myself, yet he says it doesn’t matter. Men lie, Caro, and eventually he’ll realize he needs someone better.”

Could she even trust him enough to fall in love with him? Was that something she wanted in her life? As much as that day in the British Museum changed her life, committing to a man for a lifetime was a greater endeavor than a one-off coupling.

Her friend frowned. Compassion filled her eyes. “I don’t know about the secrets you’ve been keeping, nor do I know of his. But I do know that you are the best friend I’ve ever had, and deep down, you are a wonderful person. You deserve a good life with an even better man at your side, but if you decide you just can’t bear to do that, it will still be all right, but promise me you will go forward from today with an open mind. Don’t let fear win, because that is something we have all had to overcome in order to grasp our happy endings.”

It was such a profound statement that a tear fell to Theresa’s cheek, but she nodded. “I promise. And you promise me that you’ll stay safe during the drama in our lives. What good is chasing a happy ending if I don’t have my best friend to share that with?” She held onto Caroline’s hand as tightly as the other woman did to hers.

“I will. Why do you think I ask my husband to continue to give me boxing lessons? If anyone thinks to attack me, I’ll put that down quickly.” Her own smile was watery. “Don’t let us be too maudlin; it will ruin our lovely tea.”

Theresa couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you for this afternoon. It was exactly what I needed.” Oddly enough, she couldn’t wait to see what would happen next in her life.

All due to the little growing seedling of hope, which was something that had been dormant for far too many years.