An Unlikely Father (18 page)

“ ’Tis these dreadful people, the Collinses.” Seeing the look on her grandson’s face, she knew at once the direction his thoughts had taken. With a shake of her head, she added, “Oh, I don’t mean Miss Emily Collins, for she is an admirable enough young female. But until you hire a governess, she is quite determined to stay and assist you. That means her disreputable relations intend to remain fawning on the chit as if she were Princess Charlotte.”

Oliver knew there was no time like the present to break the news to his grandmother. “Madam, I know of all your plans for me, but I have some of my own. I have decided to ask Miss Collins to marry me.”

The old lady’s eyes grew round with distress. “Marry some
...
young woman who has little to offer? I like the gel, but she cannot be the new countess. Why, it would be the height of foolishness, Oliver, when there are any number of titled young females in Town who would willingly become your bride and enhance your fortune at the same time.”

“Titles and fortunes are of no consequence to me, Grandmother. I love Emily.”

“Love! Marriage is no time to be thinking about such maudlin nonsense. Love is for silly schoolgirls and poets. The rest of us do our duty to our names and our families by marrying for advantage.”

The earl had known how it would be when he tried to make the dowager understand his feelings for Emily. He’d had the lecture on what constituted a proper bride too many times over the years. Still, he’d hoped to convince his grandparent that none of the things which were so important to Society mattered to him. But it was clear that the countess would not be swayed by sentimentality or romance. So he took the simplest route to convince her that Emily would be a proper bride.

“Clearly the reason for Miss Collins’s relations sudden appearance has not occurred to you. She has returned from the Indies an heiress.”

“How do you know she is an heiress? It might be all a hum to entice you to marry her.”

“Emily has not spoken of the matter. ’Twas Miss Bettina Collins who informed me that it was the reason her father has come to whisk Emily away from here. He intends to marry her to that coxcomb, Roland.”

A thoughtful expression settled on the countess’s lined face. Emily Collins was not at all the kind of woman she would have expected an Earl of Hawksworth to marry. She herself had been a reigning beauty with a vast fortune, as had Oliver’s mother. How was it that Oliver had settled on such a modest-looking female? Clearly the lady’s fortune had little to do with his choice, since he’d only just learned of it.

She watched her grandson’s resolute expression. He had made his choice. Nora held little hope that she could change his mind. She considered the matter carefully. While Miss Collins didn’t have a title or ancient lineage, she appeared to have a fortune, which made her acceptable in the strictest sense. Then the memory of the lady’s fierce defense of young Jamie came to mind. The countess knew the young lady had something more than most young ladies—she had heart, and that would be best for the future of Jamie, Honoria and Wesley.

“So, this Uncle Nathaniel she speaks of was a nabob. Well, well, that changes things, dear boy.” Seeing an angry glint leap into the earl’s eyes, the dowager chuckled. “Don’t take that attitude with me, my boy. I was only doing what has been done throughout the ages, and that is to see to the best interest of the family with an alliance. For myself, I shall like having Miss Collins as a granddaughter-in-law, and if a fortune comes with her I am well satisfied.”

With that Oliver knew he would have to be content. He informed the countess of his intention to propose the following morning. The lady, once she’d accepted the inevitable, began to discuss the advantages to the wedding taking place at the castle chapel versus at St George’s in London.

While the pair in the library continued to argue over the details, a figure stealthily crept away from the door. Roland Collins had stolen back down the stairs after most had retired for the night, fully intending to glean a few simple trinkets to lighten the burden of his debt. After all, the earl had so much and he so little due to his clutch-fisted father. But the sounds of voices had lured him to the library door, and his eavesdropping had paid off better than a few paltry snuffboxes might. He hurried up the stairs to tell his father that drastic action would have to be taken or Emily’s fortune would be lost to them forever. He would also make certain his father punished Bettina for her loose tongue.

Eleven

Emily rose early the following morning unable to repress the excitement she was feeling. Those final two minutes in the Blue Drawing Room with the earl holding her hand had made up for the entire evening of boredom fending off the Collinses. She was looking forward to being with the earl without her dreadful relatives hovering about. She wondered what he wished to speak to her about, then assumed he had heard from the agency regarding a governess for the children.

Dressed in a simple pink morning gown trimmed with rose-colored ribbons, she entered her small sitting room, but to her surprise, she found Delia was there before her. Her companion paced the Oriental rug before the fire, halting at the sight of her employer.

“Oh, Emily, I feel I must do something to make up for my dreadful mistake.”

“Mistake? You mean writing to Uncle Joshua?”

Delia nodded. “I am not certain which one, your uncle or your cousin, I find the more detestable with all their toadeating and feigned interest in your experiences after practically throwing you out into the world. Had I any idea they would prove such pushing people, I would never have informed them of our location. Even
Sir Ethan says that Roland appears a dirty dish if ever he saw one and your uncle not much better. You would have every right to dismiss me—send me away for what I have done to you.”

Emily took her companion’s fidgeting hands between her own. “What’s done is done, my dear. You needn’t worry about me. I fully intend to inform my uncle that he and his family’s presence are not needed at Hawk’s Lair and that furthermore I shall not be returning to Twin Oaks with the Collinses.”

The widow nodded her head in agreement, but still a frown remained on her pretty face. “I don’t think the gentleman will go easily. No doubt he is aware you inherited Mr. Ashton’s wealth and thinks to gain control of the funds. His timid wife and daughter are evidence of his domination, my dear. He will intimidate you to yield to his wishes. I would guess he is much used to having his own way within the family.”

“He may try, but I am made of sterner stuff. Do not worry about the matter anymore. I want to speak of another—”

Just then an urgent knocking sounded on the door. The ladies exchanged a puzzled look before Emily called for the visitor to enter.

Joshua Collins stepped into the room. His features were schooled into an expression of great consternation. “Ah, Uncle, you are just the man I wished to see.”

“Did you?” The gentleman was wary. He’d seen little to convince him that Emily Collins was warming to her relatives. Was he too late to do anything about what Roland had told him last night? He forged ahead with the plan he and his son had devised. “Well, my dear, I’m not certain you will be so happy to see me when
I have told you what dreadful thing I have learned. May we speak in private?”

The squire gave Delia a haughty look, as if she were an intruder, but Emily took her friend’s hand. “I can handle matters here. Go and take the air, for it is very fine this morning. I shall join you later.”

After Mrs. Keaton was gone, Emily suggested they be seated. She noted the time on the Ormulu clock, making certain she would not miss her meeting with Oliver at nine. “What have you to tell me, sir?”

Mr. Collins made a great show of reluctance. “I know that you have come to admire the earl and Lady Hawksworth, but I fear they mean to use you badly.”

Doubtful, but willing to let the man have his say, Emily responded, “In what way, Uncle?”

“This shall be very hard for you to hear, my dear niece, but Roland overheard the two discussing the earl proposing marriage to you this very day to gain your fortune.”

Emily’s heart froze at that moment. How had the earl learned of her fortune? Was a marriage proposal the reason behind his lordship’s interest in seeing her this morning? Or was this some ruse on her uncle’s part? She scanned his lined face, but there was such a look of glee in the depth of his dark eyes that it was evident he wasn’t fabricating the story. Roland had been eavesdropping.

The realization of the earl’s plan sent a sharp pain through her chest. But she refused to allow her uncle to see the hurt his tale had brought. With a great effort at nonchalance, she calmly arched a brow. “And was Cousin Roland’s ear pressed to a door at the time?”

Mr. Collins’s face flushed deep red, showing that she had struck the truth. He waved a hand dismissively.

“That is of no importance, child. What is important is that Lord Hawksworth and his grandmother were cold
-
heartedly discussing a marriage to enhance his coffers. You may be a little nobody in their eyes, but even a rake won’t whistle a hundred thousand pounds down the wind over the lack of pedigree.”

The pain in Emily’s chest grew. All her worst fears were coming to pass. What she wanted most was to go to her bedchamber and weep, but she still had to deal with her uncle. She rose on unsteady limbs and walked to the window in an attempt to gain control of her emotions. At last she looked back at the gentleman who watched her eagerly. “And how does the earl’s plan differ from yours, sir?”

The gentleman straightened at her suggestion that his motives were no better. “Whatever do you mean?
We
are family.”

“Uncle, you forgot that fifteen years ago. ’Tis amazing how a fortune has suddenly revived the familial feelings which were missing for a frightened and penniless orphan.”

“I explained that—”

“So you did. And you were right. All that is in the past. I am no longer frightened or penniless and well able to handle all my own affairs, be they financial or
...
ones of the heart.” Her voice caught on the last word. She struggled to regain her composure. “You and your family should return to Warwickshire. I have informed my solicitor of my wish to purchase my
own
home. For the time being, it is my intention to go to London and establish a residence with Mrs. Keaton and to enjoy the delights of the Season.”

Mr. Collins sputtered, “I won’t have—”

Emily’s amber eyes glittered.
“You won't have
, sir?
You have nothing to say about my affairs. I am five and twenty, not a child to be ordered to the Indies at your whim. You think you can completely ignore me all those years and now expect to command my obedience?”

With that she turned her back to him. “Pray, gather your family and return to Twin Oaks, sir. There is nothing here for you.”

Joshua Collins knew he’d been a fool. He’d put the destitute child from his mind once he’d pushed her responsibility onto Nathaniel Ashton’s shoulders, never realizing the girl might come back an heiress when Mrs. Ashton proved barren. Despite their best efforts, she would have none of her family or, more important, of Roland. There was no way to erase the years of mistakes.

With shoulders sagging in defeat, he walked to the door. But like most men of his stamp, within minutes he had decided that he would send Roland to London to try his luck again. It would cost a fortune, but they couldn’t give up so easily. At least his plan had put an end to any ideas Hawksworth may have had to wed the girl, for despite her best efforts to conceal her emotions, Mr. Collins was convinced his niece believed his altered story of the truth and would refuse the gentleman. With that he departed the chamber and hurried to speak with his son.

Still at the window, Emily stood frozen as she heard the door close. Every fiber of her being wanted her to rush back to her room and give in to her overwhelming despair. The earl wanted to marry her, but for the wrong reason.

She knew she couldn’t give in to her wretchedness. She still had to face the earl. Then she and Delia must depart at once. She couldn’t stay at Hawk’s Lair knowing she loved Oliver, while he was merely looking for a wealthy wife. She would go through with her plan to have her solicitor quietly purchase a nearby property, but would always make certain the earl was not in residence before she and Delia paid a visit to the children.

With that she returned to her room and rang for the maid and Swarup. They must begin packing at once. She wanted to be on the road before noon.

Oliver paused before the lone mirror in the library and straightened the folds of his cravat. For some reason his nervous fingers only seemed to further disturb the intricate arrangement. He’d never before had difficulty in tying his neckcloth, but today he’d been all thumbs, ruining three of the starched ties before finally settling for his current style, the Waterfall.

The sound of a knock made him start; then he turned and smiled, knowing it could only be Emily. He called for her to enter and moved across the room to greet her, but his steps faltered as the door opened and he saw the look on her face. Something was wrong.

“Is there some problem, my dear?”

“No, my lord, I have merely come to inform you that Mrs. Keaton and I intend to depart for London this morning.” Her tone was clipped and impersonal.

Oliver was stunned. She stared at him as if he were a stranger. This was not the same woman he’d kissed in the library only a day ago, not the woman who’d smiled at him so intimately last night. “What has happened?”

Emily looked down at the floor, shuttering her eyes from the earl. “Nothing, my lord. I have come to realize that Delia and I have remained too long in Somerset when we have matters in London which need tending to.”

Nothing was going as Oliver had planned. She was upset and he didn’t know why. He knew that if he could just get her to hear him out all would change. “My dear Miss Collins
...
” His voice softened to a husky whisper. “My dear Emily, I know not what has caused you to wish to leave Hawk’s Lair, but I can only assume it has to do with your uncle. Pray tell me what troubles you.”

“Sir, do not assume anything about me.” Her amber gaze flew up to glare at him in anger.

She made to turn, but Oliver, desperate to comprehend what was wrong, grabbed her shoulders. “Listen to me, my dear. I don’t understand what has occurred, I only know that I don’t want you to leave.” Seeing no softening in her expression, he lost his patience. “For heaven’s sake, I want to marry you, Emily.”

Emily closed her eyes but a moment as the pain of his declaration surged through her. His very words confirmed everything her uncle had said. How else would he have known that the earl would propose today?

Opening her eyes, she stared at a button on his waistcoat, unable to look at his handsome face. “Do you, sir? Are you certain you have not been precipitous? ’Twas only two days ago you were wanting to marry Lady Cora. Perhaps if you wait another day or so, you will want to marry someone else.”

The earl’s back stiffened at the insult and his hands fell away from her shoulders. “Is that what you think of me? That I am some gadabout flitting from woman to woman? Let me assure you that I never wished to marry Lady Cora Lane.”

“Was she not led to believe that you intended to make her an offer?” Emily ventured a peek at his face and the grimness was frightening.

“Not by me, but I will not deny that before I met you, I did consider the lady as a possible bride.” He paused and looked at her intently. “Emily, do not mistake the machinations of my grandmother for some great romance. I had never even been introduced to Lady Cora before she arrived at the castle.”

The earl couldn’t know that his statement only made it worse for him. In Emily’s mind it only confirmed that he was willing to marry where there was no love as long as the female possessed money and gentility.

“Well, my lord, I believe it is proper for me to thank you for the kindness of your offer. But I must refuse, for I—”

“Proper, kindness!” The earl suddenly grabbed Emily’s shoulders and pulled her to his chest. Her gaze flew up to his, and the fierce light in his eyes frightened her. “Proper be damned, woman. Have you not heard a word I’ve said? I’m trying to tell you what’s in my heart, but perhaps I should show you.”

With that Oliver’s mouth covered hers hungrily. Despite the fact that his kiss was punishing and angry, Emily experienced the rush of all the feeling his first embrace had engendered—want and need. But deep in the back of her mind, she recalled that this man was a notorious rake. He was practiced in the art of love. She mustn’t allow him to sweep her away on a tide of passion only to recover and discover that once his lust was sated, she would be little more than a convenience to him.

She broke free from his arms, breathless but determined to do what she knew she must. “How dare you, sir! Have you not been listening to me? I have refused your offer. Do you intend to compromise me to get your way?”

Her words were like a slap in the face to Oliver. He knew he’d behaved like a cad, but he’d only meant to get through that wall she’d built between them. He loved her, but it appeared he’d been mistaken in her feelings for him. He’d opened his heart to her, and she’d rejected him. Hurt and angry at her cold response, he snapped, “Miss Collins, you must forgive my ungentlemanly conduct. You have my word it will not occur again while you remain under my roof.”

Something in his tone touched her heart; then she stiffened her resolve not to be his and his grandmother’s pawn. “Well, my lord, I shall not put too much of a strain on you since I intend to leave within the hour.” So saying, she turned and exited the library.

Oliver stood staring at the door as he heard the lady’s footsteps fading. Never before had he been on the receiving end of a rejection. He suddenly remembered all the ladies through the years who’d declared they loved him and whom he’d walked away from. For the first time he understood what they might have suffered if their words of love were true. Was God punishing him by allowing him to fall in love with a woman who wanted no part of him? What had happened to change her so greatly?

At that moment his mind, so full of hurt and anger, didn’t seem to want to function properly. All he knew was that Emily didn’t appear to love him. As he turned away from the door, his gaze hit the full decanter of brandy. With little thought but to drown his pain until she was gone, he walked to the table and poured himself a generous measure. Dejectedly he sank into a chair before the small fire and wondered how he would face the future without her.