The Dark Earl (14 page)
At nine o’clock the next morning, D’Arcy made his way to Buckingham Palace Road and planted himself outside the railway station. The best part of an hour went by before he spotted Thomas coming south. He walked briskly toward him, and pretended to see Anson at the last moment. “Hello, old man, where are you off to?”
“I’m meeting Lady Harriet at the train station. We’re visiting the Crystal Palace today. Is that where you’re going, D’Arcy?”
“No, no, nothing so exciting. I’m off to the palace on a matter regarding Durham.”
“Your responsibilities to your county are no small matter. It’s a good thing you have influential connections at the palace.”
“I’m amazed Lady Harriet has the stamina to go traipsing about the Crystal Palace when she was out gambling till late in the night.”
Anson’s black brows drew together.
“Gambling?”
“Gambling?”
D’Arcy rubbed his nose. “Ah, damnation, I’ve let the cat out of the bag. Don’t breathe a word, but I ran into Montagu around two this morning at White’s. . . . Said he’d escorted Harry to that gaming hell Hazard House.”
Harriet Hamilton hummed a merry tune as she left the Palace Gardens and strolled past the Royal Mews on her way to the train station. She lifted her face to the warm sun, happy that she was alive on this glorious summer morning.
I’m glad I left my parasol at home. I certainly won’t need it inside the Crystal Palace.
I’m glad I left my parasol at home. I certainly won’t need it inside the Crystal Palace.
She had chosen a new dress of mauve silk embroidered with purple violets for her outing with Thomas. Anticipating the heat of the crowds both on the train and inside the glass building, she had left off her cloak and, in place of a hat, had pinned back her dark curls with silk violets.
Harry glanced up and down Buckingham Palace Road in case her escort was waiting for her outside the building.
We agreed to meet at the train station, so I assume he’ll be inside.
She smiled at the people who were entering the station beside her, some of them with children who seemed just as excited as she was today.
We agreed to meet at the train station, so I assume he’ll be inside.
She smiled at the people who were entering the station beside her, some of them with children who seemed just as excited as she was today.
She stopped and allowed her gaze to travel about the crowds, searching for Thomas.
She spotted him at the far end. His tall figure and head of thick, curly black hair were easy to pick out of the throng. She lifted her arm and waved gaily, and her heart did a little jig of happiness as he recognized her and began to stride toward her.
She noticed that he wasn’t smiling. In fact, his features were hard, his expression grim. When he drew close, she realized that he was angry.
As he reached out powerful hands and grabbed her shoulders, Harry knew she was mistaken. He wasn’t angry. He was consumed by fury.
“Did you go to a gaming hell last night?” he demanded. His black eyes burned into her. “Answer me, damn you!” He shook her. “Did you go to Hazard House?”
“Take your hands from me, Lord Anson!” she spit.
He removed his hands from her shoulders, but his expression was still threatening.
She raised her chin. “Yes, I did, and I shall go again anytime I please!” Her anger was so hot she couldn’t control it, and she raised her hand to slap his face. She felt him grab her fingers before they made contact. Her sleeve fell back and revealed her secret.
Anson looked down in horror. “What the hellfire is that, mistress?”
“It’s a bloody tattoo—what do you think it is?” she cried defiantly.
“You defiled your body with a
tattoo
?” he ground out in disbelief.
tattoo
?” he ground out in disbelief.
“Not just a tattoo—but a
snake
! It goes all the way around my wrist—see?” Harry waved her arm in front of his nose.
snake
! It goes all the way around my wrist—see?” Harry waved her arm in front of his nose.
“Why can’t you act like a lady? You deliberately flaunt yourself so you’ll be the center of attention.”
“It’s the perfect accessory for frequenting a gaming hell! Wouldn’t you agree?”
People around them had stopped to stare, and they were quickly attracting a crowd.
He took a firm grip on her hand. “Swear to me you will never go to Hazard House again. I forbid it!”
“Forbid? Forbid?” She began to laugh, but there was no mirth in it. She snatched her fingers from his. “Don’t raise that all-powerful hand to me, Anson, or use that arrogant, dominant tone as if you were my lord and master. You will never own one small part of me.” She drew herself up to her full height. “Good-bye . . . and good riddance!”
Chapter Seven
T
hat was disastrous. I handled it so badly.
Thomas Anson was furious with himself for alienating Lady Harriet.
I know damn well she has a mind of her own. I should have known she would bolt the minute I tried to control her.
hat was disastrous. I handled it so badly.
Thomas Anson was furious with himself for alienating Lady Harriet.
I know damn well she has a mind of her own. I should have known she would bolt the minute I tried to control her.
Thomas headed toward Whitehall. He was the member for Lichfield and had constituency matters to attend to before Parliament closed next month.
D’Arcy Lambton will step into my shoes the minute he knows there’s trouble between Harry and me.
Suddenly Thomas had a revelation.
D’Arcy already knows! We didn’t meet by accident today. It was a deliberate plan. He met me for the sole purpose of telling me that Harry had visited a gaming hell last night. He knew it would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull.
D’Arcy Lambton will step into my shoes the minute he knows there’s trouble between Harry and me.
Suddenly Thomas had a revelation.
D’Arcy already knows! We didn’t meet by accident today. It was a deliberate plan. He met me for the sole purpose of telling me that Harry had visited a gaming hell last night. He knew it would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull.
When Thomas arrived in Whitehall, he picked up the papers he needed. Then he went into the pub where the members gathered for lunch. Will Montagu frequented the place almost daily and today was no exception. “Hello, Will. Mind if I join you?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Will hailed a waiter.
“I ran into D’Arcy this morning. He couldn’t wait to tell me that you took Lady Harriet to Hazard House last night.”
“Damnation, I knew I shouldn’t have told him. Harriet and Rachel were just having a lark and I went along to make sure they were safe.” Will hesitated. “Look, I know you think D’Arcy is your friend, but he’ll thwart you from wooing Harry any way he can. He is determined to make her his wife.”
“What makes you so certain?”
“He wagered me two hundred guineas that she would become the Countess of Durham. It’s in White’s betting book.”
Thomas masked his anger. If D’Arcy truly cared for Harry, he would never besmirch her by making wagers about her.
Putting her name in White’s betting book was a swinish thing to do.
A fierce surge of protectiveness for Harry rose up in him. He wanted to shield her from harm, guard her from being hurt. He cursed his own stupidity for alienating her. How could he protect her when she wasn’t even talking to him?
Putting her name in White’s betting book was a swinish thing to do.
A fierce surge of protectiveness for Harry rose up in him. He wanted to shield her from harm, guard her from being hurt. He cursed his own stupidity for alienating her. How could he protect her when she wasn’t even talking to him?
Will changed the subject and they discussed things they must do before Parliament closed for the month of August. Montagu represented the borough of Midlothian, and Thomas knew he worked hard for his Scottish constituents.
Thomas was in a somber mood when he arrived home. He’d had high expectations for his visit to the Crystal Palace with Harry. Instead, his morning had turned into a disaster.
He picked up his post from the hall table and opened what looked like an invitation. It was from Lord John Russell and his wife, Fanny. They were hosting a surprise birthday party at Holland House for his sister Louisa, Duchess of Abercorn.
“They have no idea that Harry and I are now estranged.” He went to the library intending to politely decline.
That’s the coward’s way out. If you want her, have the courage to fight for her. D’Arcy has taken the attitude that all’s fair in love and war, so fight fire with fire, and beat him at his own game.
His mood lightened considerably.
That’s the coward’s way out. If you want her, have the courage to fight for her. D’Arcy has taken the attitude that all’s fair in love and war, so fight fire with fire, and beat him at his own game.
His mood lightened considerably.
Within a half hour, Thomas was back to being somber. A knock on the library door brought a footman with a summons from his father. Thomas took the stairs two at a time and entered his father’s bedchamber.
He saw that his father’s face was bloated and mottled red. A few papers were strewn about the bedclothes.
“It’s more than halfway through the London Season. I want to know if you’ve lined up a wealthy marriage prospect yet.”
“As a matter of fact, I have not,” Thomas said coldly.
“Just as I thought. You need something that will prod you to action.” Choler made his face almost purple. “I intend to change my will!”
“Again?” Thomas asked with contempt.
“Yes, again! It will stipulate that if you have not wed an heiress before I die, you will forfeit Shugborough.”
Thomas hung on to his temper, though mention of Shugborough, so dear to his heart, always made him feel vulnerable.
Do you never tire of these threats?
“The law of primogeniture will prevail. As your heir, I will automatically inherit. It is British law.”
Do you never tire of these threats?
“The law of primogeniture will prevail. As your heir, I will automatically inherit. It is British law.”
“With the help of my attorney, I’ve come up with a way to circumvent you, unless you wed money.” Lichfield’s breathing became labored. “I will swear out and sign an affidavit that you are to be disinherited.”
Thomas recoiled. “Your thinking and your threats are twisted. An affidavit to disinherit me would only bring worry and unhappiness to Mother, and you’ve brought her enough sorrow.”
“You can prevent the sorrow. If you take a wife whose wealth can restore Shugborough, I will instruct my attorney to burn the affidavit.”
Thomas felt his jaw clench like a lump of iron.
Why do you hate me so much? Is it because you suspect I know your shameful secret, that I know you burned Ranton for the money?
Why do you hate me so much? Is it because you suspect I know your shameful secret, that I know you burned Ranton for the money?
Thomas was not overly worried. An affidavit to disinherit him would carry little weight with the court. The laws of primogeniture would prevail. But it pained him that his father was seeking revenge against him, which in turn would hurt his mother.
“I don’t believe I have much to worry about. You are too cantankerous to die.”
Thomas made his way back to the library and accepted the invitation to attend the Duchess of Abercorn’s surprise birthday celebration.
“Johnny is throwing Mother a surprise birthday party on Tuesday,” Harry informed Rachel. “He does it annually, so I doubt it will be a stupendous surprise.”
“Since I always open Campden Hill to the guests that day, it will put an end to my stay in London.”
“I’m sure Johnny and Fanny will have invited Lord Butler. They take a great interest in Mother’s matchmaking.”
“Well, Johnny does, at any rate. He’s well aware of your preference for Thomas Anson over your other suitors.”
“Oh, that’s all off,” Harry said casually.
“Whatever happened?” Rachel asked with concern.
“Nothing happened. Isn’t it a woman’s privilege to change her mind?”
“So D’Arcy is back in favor?”
“He was never
out
of favor,” Harry insisted. “The Earl of Durham has been waiting for over a year to pay court to me.”
out
of favor,” Harry insisted. “The Earl of Durham has been waiting for over a year to pay court to me.”
“Well, your mother will be happy, but perhaps Beatrix’s nose will be out of joint.”
“I feel awful that Trixy has developed feelings for D’Arcy, but she has always known he has a
tendre
for me.”
tendre
for me.”
“Well, I suppose I’d better start packing my things. I’ve truly enjoyed sharing a chamber with you, Harry. It’s been great fun.”
“Oh, let me help you, Rachel. I’ve enjoyed it too. Don’t be surprised if I come and stay with you at Campden Hill. I find your company far more stimulating than Trixy’s.”
“D’Arcy, I’ve been hoping you’d pay me a call.” Harry gave him a warm smile.
“Don’t you remember, Harry? I promised you a carriage ride.”
“Of course I remember. You said it didn’t have to be Hyde Park—you promised to take me anywhere I’d like to go. And the place I’d like to go is Campden Hill, in Kensington.”
“Such a coincidence. I just got an invitation from Lord John, who’s hosting a birthday fete for your mother on Tuesday at his house in Kensington.”
“How lovely. We can attend it together if you like.” She watched his eyes kindle. “I’ll just see if Rachel is ready.”
D’Arcy looked at her blankly. “Rachel?”
“Yes. We are taking her home to Campden Hill. It is right next door to John’s house, and the gardens run together. We use both places for the birthday celebration.”
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