Page 54 of Scandalous Nights With the Earl

Everything he had believed to be true in his life was suddenly shattered into pieces. Marriage. Love. Distance. False hope.

He had protected Gretel from the first moment of meeting her and had lost himself in doing so. He had believed in the prophesies of his mad and damaged mother, a woman who eschewed closeness and honesty. He had listened to the advice of his father, who refused to believe one could not change or reform an unsuitable wife.

He had thought celibacy was the answer for a prayer of redemption and the hope of Gretel’s healing.

He had failed himself in the dread of it all.

Until now.

Willa had touched something in him that made him live and hope. and Gretel’s sadness and distance floated further away, into a place where he could remember her without despair. A small miracle, he thought as he conjured up Willa’s golden eyes and sensual body. A woman of strength and honesty and the sort of beauty that drove a man mad.

Chapter Ten

The next afternoon Wilhelmina met with Anna Cherton in town. Given the lateness of her assignation with Phillip Moreland last night she wished the arrangements had not been made a week or so before. If she did not come, though, Anna would wonder why and so, even though it was the last thing she wished to be doing, she found herself in the window seat of Gunter’s in Regent Street just before half-past two.

Willa had loved this place since arriving in London, for the tantalising treats of pastries, sweets and ice cream never disappointed; it was just today she was tired and wanted to be by herself to relive the night she had just spent with Phillip.

As they were escorted to their seats her glance scanned across the many other patrons in the room; family groups and friends all enjoying the atmosphere. Gunter’s was like a small wonderland after the strict parsimoniousness at Belton Park, the range of delicacies still astonishing to Willa, even after her years of being in town.

‘Isn’t it just magical?’ Anna, by her side, had a wide smile on her face as she rearranged her skirts to a good advantage. ‘It never becomes monotonous, either, because they change things so much and it is always delicious. I think because it is such a warm afternoon I am going to have ice cream in the orange andlemon flavourings to keep cool. After that I shall choose a pastry and perhaps a small bowl of my favourite sweets.’

Today they were both wearing pink, Willa’s gown a darker shade than Anna’s. She seldom wore this colour but the warm blue summer morning had made her choose it from her wardrobe. Perhaps the shade was a bit girlish for her but today she could not care because she felt so happy, the delight from last night still very much inside her.

‘You did not come to the Taylors’ soiree yesterday or the Smithsons’ luncheon, Willa. I looked for you especially.’

Wilhelmina found lying hard and a blush of discomfort made her face hot.

‘I’ve been busy.’ Not a fib but not quite the truth either.

‘Did you know that George Fitzgibbon has left for the Continent already?’

She nodded. ‘I had heard he was going.’

‘He blames you for his needing to leave London.’

This surprised her even as Anna continued speaking.

‘He told me you had refused his offer of marriage and he had no more wish to remain in your circle, given such a rebuff. I think actually, Wilhelmina, he was genuinely hurt when you suggested he pursue Miss Leonora Blanchard instead as a suitable bride. You were not so interchangeable to him.’

‘Which I am sorry for but can do nothing about. Everyone in London knows that I will never marry again after my first disastrous union, and who would blame me? I told George this myself a year or more ago and if he fails to accept it as truth, what else can I do?’

‘You danced with Phillip Moreland twice at the Kellands’ ball. Sharon Picton and Amelia Drummond told me you looked quite the pair.’

‘Then I think they might both need spectacles so that they can see properly.’ To change the subject Willa called the waiterover and in consultation with Anna they made two orders of ice cream to begin with.

And it was then she noticed him through the window, dressed in black and crossing the road towards them on the street outside.

Every time she saw Phillip Moreland anew Willa was astonished by his beauty but here in public today it was completely different. She knew that beauty intimately now and the same want she had experienced yesterday began to creep inside unbidden as he walked through the front door into the tea shop.

‘Lord Elmsworth.’ Willa tried for a nonchalance she was far from feeling.

‘Mrs St Claire.’ His effort was far better than hers. ‘Miss Cherton.’

The perfect gentleman. The perfect lover. Willa had always known that he had kept his secrets hidden, so why was she not surprised here? But there was a disappointment, too, because when she met his eyes he looked into hers without passion. And it hurt.

‘Would you join us for an ice, my lord, on this warm afternoon?’ Anna’s voice was flirtatious and that fact gave Willa a hollow and awful feeling.

‘I am afraid that I cannot, Miss Cherton, for I have a meeting I need to be at in a few minutes.’