The Dark Earl (37 page)
Fowler stared down at the document he held. His hand shook with thwarted anger as he read the words in a droning tone bequeathing Shugborough Hall, Staffordshire, to Thomas Anson, the late Earl of Lichfield’s legal heir.
When the attorney was finished, Thomas held out his hand for the document. “Thank you, Fowler. Your legal services are no longer required.”
Fowler’s face turned dark with fury. “The Earl of Lichfield stipulated—”
“
I
am the Earl of Lichfield. You are dismissed.”
I
am the Earl of Lichfield. You are dismissed.”
Fowler grabbed his case and scurried from the room like a cockroach.
“Thank you, Thomas. The affront to the vile swine was almost too much for him to bear. It was he who had to swallow the bitter pill of humiliation for a change.”
“What time is the burial?”
“I explained to the undertaker that we would like him buried today. He was aware that Hanwell Cemetery in Ealing was for the exclusive use of St. George’s parishioners. He told me that he could not have the coffin there until five o’clock.”
Thomas nodded. “Did you send word to my sisters?”
“Yes. They will be as relieved as we are, and their husbands even more so. I will finally be able to visit my daughters.” Barbara Anson shuddered and walked to the door. “I cannot bear to be in this room one more minute.”
Thomas summoned Norton and the rest of the servants. “I want this room emptied today. Give the furniture to a poor family in need. I want even the carpet and drapes stripped from the room. Norton, while I’m away at Shugborough, have the room painted.”
Harry stood at the window that overlooked the driveway long after it was too dark to see anything. All her thoughts were focused on Thomas
. He always had a difficult relationship with his father, though he never spoke of it.
Her uncle John had told her Thomas was the antithesis of his father, and she believed that the earl had had a profound influence on his son.
The reason Thomas has such rigid morals and is so honorable and straitlaced is due to his father’s disreputable character.
. He always had a difficult relationship with his father, though he never spoke of it.
Her uncle John had told her Thomas was the antithesis of his father, and she believed that the earl had had a profound influence on his son.
The reason Thomas has such rigid morals and is so honorable and straitlaced is due to his father’s disreputable character.
“Standing at the window won’t make him come any sooner, my dear. Can I make you a cup of tea?”
“No, thank you, Mrs. Bailey. You needn’t wait up with me. I won’t require anything else tonight.”
“I’m off, then. There’s brandy on the sideboard, should you feel the need.”
“Thank you. Good night.”
Harry rearranged all the pillows on the sofa and thought of Barbara Anson.
She is free at last. I wonder how many years she has endured an unhappy marriage. It’s been a dozen years since everything at Shugborough was sold at auction, but when I went to dinner, she confided that it held too many unhappy memories for her. She could have been in purgatory long before everything had to be sold to settle her husband’s gambling debts.
She is free at last. I wonder how many years she has endured an unhappy marriage. It’s been a dozen years since everything at Shugborough was sold at auction, but when I went to dinner, she confided that it held too many unhappy memories for her. She could have been in purgatory long before everything had to be sold to settle her husband’s gambling debts.
Harry went to the window again.
Perhaps Thomas won’t return tonight. It must have been a stressful day, both for him and for his mother. Perhaps she needs his company tonight. I think I’ll go up to bed. There is no point in my sitting here alone, worrying and wondering.
She picked up the brandy, turned out the lamp, and went upstairs to the lovely yellow bedchamber.
Perhaps Thomas won’t return tonight. It must have been a stressful day, both for him and for his mother. Perhaps she needs his company tonight. I think I’ll go up to bed. There is no point in my sitting here alone, worrying and wondering.
She picked up the brandy, turned out the lamp, and went upstairs to the lovely yellow bedchamber.
She undressed and put on the white silk nightgown that had lain forgotten last night.
Then she turned out the lamp and got into bed.
This bed is so wide, it feels strange to lie here alone.
She stroked the pillow where her husband’s head had lain, and her cheeks felt warm when she thought of the way he had made love to her.
Thomas gave me absolute proof that he loves me.
She closed her eyes and saw his dark image on her closed eyelids. Harry curled over onto her side and imagined she could feel the warmth of his powerful body behind her.
This bed is so wide, it feels strange to lie here alone.
She stroked the pillow where her husband’s head had lain, and her cheeks felt warm when she thought of the way he had made love to her.
Thomas gave me absolute proof that he loves me.
She closed her eyes and saw his dark image on her closed eyelids. Harry curled over onto her side and imagined she could feel the warmth of his powerful body behind her.
Some time later, a noise made her open her eyes. She did not know if she had been asleep or not. When she sat up, she realized that Thomas was there. She slipped from bed and relit the lamp. It revealed his face, taut and unsmiling. “I missed you fiercely.”
He enfolded her in his arms and kissed her hair. “It’s over and done.”
“Would you like some brandy?” she asked softly.
He nodded. “Have some with me.”
Harry poured the brandy and Thomas undressed. She handed him his glass, and together they downed the fiery liquor. They kissed and when they tasted the brandy on their lips, they smiled into each other’s eyes. Harry got back into bed, and then Thomas turned out the lamp and followed her. When he gathered her against his heart, Harry put her arms around him and held him tightly. They clung together for more than an hour as the warmth of their bodies seeped into each other. Then they drifted off to sleep, safe in each other’s arms.
Harry awoke to a room filled with sunshine. When she opened her eyes, she found her husband watching her. His eyes shone with silver this morning and she instantly realized that the dark mood of yesterday had lifted, and in its place was an atmosphere of love, happiness, and anticipation.
“Good morning, my beauty.”
“Yes, it is a good morning, Lord Lichfield.”
His arms swept about her, and his mouth captured hers in a long, slow kiss. When their lips parted, she said breathlessly, “If the kissing starts, we’ll never get to Shugborough today. I want both desperately, so you must decide which it is to be.”
Thomas made no effort to hide his amusement. “I’m guessing Shugborough is your first choice, Lady Lichfield. You’d better get dressed before you tempt me to dalliance.”
She lifted her mouth to his. “Hurry and dress. Don’t take time to shave. I want to see you haul all this luggage again just to impress me.”
Every time you do something to please me, you are proving your love. In church, you vowed to love and cherish me, and I truly believe you do.
Harry sighed with happiness.
I’m the luckiest bride in the world.
Every time you do something to please me, you are proving your love. In church, you vowed to love and cherish me, and I truly believe you do.
Harry sighed with happiness.
I’m the luckiest bride in the world.
“Shugborough Hall. We are home!” Harry grabbed his arm and dug in her fingers. “Oh, Thomas, those are the loveliest words I’ve ever uttered. It’s still dusk, and there’s just enough light left to see the hall in all its glory.”
“It’s a good thing we stopped only once to water the horses and enjoy the food that Mrs. Bailey so thoughtfully packed for us, or it would be full dark.”
When they drove up to the stables, a groom came out to greet him. “Welcome home, Lord Anson.” His appreciative glance went to the lady who accompanied Thomas.
“I’m the Earl of Lichfield now, Toby, and this is my countess, Lady Harriet. Would you send your boy up to the house to let Mrs. Stearn know what to expect? I’ll unharness the horses and get them into stalls. You can give them a rubdown and feed them.”
Toby grinned. “That I will, Lord Lichfield. Welcome to Shugborough, my lady.”
“Thank you, Toby. I’ve been enamored with Shugborough since I was a child.” Harry waited until Thomas unharnessed the pair of carriage horses; then she took the bridle of one. “I’ll take him to his stall. You lead and I’ll follow.”
Thomas teased, “I’m extremely flattered that you are bowing to my authority.”
She flashed him a mischievous smile. “Enjoy it while you can—it won’t last long.”
Toby gaped at the lovely young countess, who handled the carriage horse with skill.
The black hunter, Nemesis, whickered a greeting when he heard his master’s voice, and Thomas rubbed his nose and spoke affectionate words to him. Then he hauled Harry’s trunk to his shoulder and picked up one of the traveling bags. “I’ll send Vickerstaff for the rest of the luggage,” he told Toby.
As they walked from the stable, they met the young boy returning from the house, and Harry said, “Hello, there. What’s your name?”
“My name is Toby too,” he informed her.
“Well, Tobytoo, was Mrs. Stearn surprised?”
The boy grinned. “She were that, lady. She’s in a fair tizzy.”
Harry glanced up at her bridegroom. “Me too,” she whispered.
When the newlyweds stepped onto the elegant, columned portico, the front door swung open. Thomas set down the luggage, and picked up his bride. Harry slid her arms about his neck, thoroughly delighted that her husband was carrying her over Shugborough’s threshold. He set her down before the staff that had been hastily assembled by Mrs. Stearn.
Thomas said solemnly, “It gives me great pleasure to present my wife, the Countess of Lichfield. I know you will serve her as faithfully as you have served me.”
The housekeeper-cook bobbed a curtsy. “Welcome to your new home, Lady Lichfield.”
“I’m sure she would prefer that you call her Lady Harry,” Thomas said.
“Then Lady Harry it is.” Mrs. Stearn began her introductions with the two males. “This is Mr. Ramsey, Shugborough’s steward, and John Vickerstaff, our footman.”
Harry held out her hand to the steward. “How do you do, Mr. Ramsey?” Then she shook Vickerstaff’s hand. “I am promoting you to
butler
, John.”
butler
, John.”
Vickerstaff glanced swiftly at the new earl. When he saw no dark look of disapproval, he straightened his shoulders. “Thank you, my lady. It will be my pleasure to serve you.”
Mrs. Stearn moved on to the female servants. “This is Dorothy Nicklin, my kitchen maid, and Sally Willis, the scullery maid. Molly-Ann Hooper is the laundry maid, and this is Mary Trudgett, the stillroom maid.” The housekeeper-cook looked apologetic. “I’m sorry we don’t have a lady’s maid for you, but it’s been donkey years since Shugborough has had a mistress.”
Harry greeted them all by name, and then smiled at the stillroom maid. “I think Mary would make a lovely lady’s maid.” She took her husband’s hand and winked suggestively. “I won’t need you tonight, but tomorrow you can help me unpack.”
Mrs. Stearn threw the master an accusing glance. “If you’d let me know you were coming, I’d have prepared a grand dinner for you.”
“Whatever you have cooked will be delicious, as always, Mrs. Stearn.”
There was a loud meow, and the gray Persian cat came running into the entrance hall. It rubbed itself against Thomas’s ankles.
“Here’s Kouli-Kahn to welcome you. How lovely.” Harry bent down and picked up Thomas’s feline. “Who’s a beauty? That’s right, Kouli is a beauty.” She was rewarded with a loud purr.
John Vickerstaff was dispatched for the rest of the luggage, and once again Thomas lifted Harry’s trunk to his shoulder and headed for the stairs.
“May I choose our bedchamber?” Harry asked breathlessly.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“My room, the master bedchamber, is the only one that’s furnished, sweetheart.”
Harry was aghast. “Thomas, I’m so sorry. I’m extremely thoughtless at times.”
He led the way to his chamber, set down her trunk, and watched her face.
“Oh, it is a splendid room, and furnished so elegantly.”
He could tell she was surprised. “It took a great deal of time and effort to restore this master chamber to its original grandeur.”
She twirled about the spacious room. “It was worth it.” The tall windows that faced east had gold brocade drapes with black tassels. A huge four-poster bed was hung with matching curtains, and the black velvet cover was embroidered with golden lilies and dragonflies. The thick-piled Oriental carpet boasted a pattern of brilliant blues, gold, and jade green. On the wall that faced the bed, there was a fireplace with jade green tiles. The andirons were fashioned into brass monkeys, and the pokers and coal tongs had matching monkey handles. A double wardrobe covered one wall with polished silver mirrors mounted on the doors. The final wall was lined with black and gold lacquered cabinets. A games table held a chess set whose chessmen were carved animals.
“Oh, the kings are stags, and the pawns are dear little hares. I love it!”
Thomas joined her before the games table. He raised her chin with his fingers.
“Stags
rampant
,” he emphasized.
rampant
,” he emphasized.
“You have a wicked humor.”
“I warrant you can match me in that department.”
“You mean I give as good as I get.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “That remains to be seen.”
Harry blushed at his innuendo. “Let’s go and eat—then we can come back up to this glorious chamber and shut out the world.”
Mrs. Stearn had set the table with the few Spode china pieces that Shugborough possessed. She served the earl and countess with a humble dish of lamb shanks cooked with barley, along with a dish of salad greens from the kitchen garden.
Thomas couldn’t stop watching Harry eat because she enjoyed her food with relish. “You do everything with passion, and I find that not only admirable but stimulating.”
Harry licked her lips. “I love this sort of food. While we are here, let’s spend some time in the kitchens, and you can give me some cooking lessons.”
“Instructing you, in all things, will give me great pleasure,” he promised.
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