The Earl Claims a Bride (33 page)

He chuckled. “No, my love. This afternoon will always be our secret. I meant tell him that you are mine now and he will have to stand down.”

“I’ve already told him.”

His embrace tightened and eyes searched her face, looking for truth. “When?”

“Before you arrived today. I told him I couldn’t marry him because I love you.”

Relief washed down his face, and his body relaxed again. “How did he take the news?”

She sighed heavily and thought about telling him about the argument and that she tore the patch off Captain Maxwell’s face. Maybe in time she could tell him that but not now, not while the episode with the captain was still so raw.

“Not well.”

“Understandable.”

“It was very sad for me.”

“It had to be done.”

“I’m only sorry I couldn’t make him believe that my rejection of his proposal of marriage had nothing to do with his scars. I don’t think he’ll ever believe that.”

“You know the truth and so do I. That’s all that is important.”

“I tried to explain that I had loved him when I was younger but while he was away, I grew up and realized that dream wasn’t reality. It wasn’t a lasting love. The love I have for you is very different from the love I had for him.”

Harrison laid his forehead on hers for a moment and then kissed her sweetly. “I’m glad you realized that before it was too late. I was so afraid you’d let your deep compassion for him be mistaken for love.”

“I almost did, but when he kissed me, I never felt the desire for him that I feel for you.”

His brows rose with teasing amusement. “So he finally got the courage to kiss you, did he?”

“He had the courage all along,” she said, knowing there would still be times she’d have to defend Captain Maxwell; Harrison might as well get used to it. “You obviously forgot that he is a gentleman.”

“And you obviously prefer a man who is not.”

She kissed the side of his neck and breathed in deeply. “I prefer you.”

He rolled her on her back and kissed her lovingly for a moment before he rose from the bed and picked up his trousers. “I would very much like to show you once again how much I love you, Angelina, but I’d rather your father not come home and find that we have anticipated our wedding vows this stormy afternoon.”

“I don’t think he’ll be home anytime soon.” She sat up and leaned against the headboard. “I think he’s gambling again.”

He pulled his shirt over his head. “What makes you say that?”

“You know I gave him the money yesterday to pay his debts. When he left, I assumed he’d gone to take care of them. But he never joined us at the parties and he didn’t come home last night. He left with the money. I fear he took it and is gambling with it.”

By the look on his face, she knew Harrison thought the same. “I will go and see if I can find your father.” He reached down and kissed her lips again. “I must find him so I can properly ask for your hand in marriage.”

She felt as if her heart would swell out of her chest. “You’re aren’t teasing me, are you, Harrison?”

His brows drew together. “It was settled we would marry before I crawled into your bed. I assume you will say yes to my proposal.”

She smiled and laughed, throwing her arms around his neck. “Yes, you know I love you and want to be your wife.”

“Then as much as I hate the thought, I must leave. Usually every gambler ends up at White’s. I’ll go there and wait, talk to others who come in and see if anyone has seen him.”

“What will we do if he’s gambled all the money away again? Will the Prince still pay his debts if he finds out Papa had the means and didn’t do it?”

“It matters not to us what the Prince thinks or does. We will marry. You and your father will be my responsibility. I will pay his debts.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “Do you mean that?”

He sat on the edge of the bed and said, “Come here.” He placed his hands on the sides of her head and said, “I will take care of you and your father. Your grandmother, too. You just worry about taking care of me.”

“I will take care of you forever,” she said with all the love she was feeling.

“That won’t be long enough,” he whispered and laid her back on the bed.

The storm was waning but the passion between Angelina and Harrison wasn’t. He made love to her again before Angelina dressed and went below stairs to keep Mrs. Bickmore busy while Harrison stole out of the house.

Chapter 31

Lay on, Macduff: And damned be him that first cries, “Hold, enough!”

Macbeth
5.8.33–34

Anger wasn’t something Harrison had to deal with often. He didn’t let many things bother him and even fewer rile him. Perhaps it was that he’d seldom cared enough about anything to be bothered with the emotion. But Captain Maxwell was about to get the best of Harrison’s easygoing nature.

It was clear the man had consumed numerous pints of ale, and though he hadn’t gotten to the point he was slurring his words, Harrison knew he was only a tankard away. Harrison hadn’t wanted to play cards with the captain when he’d approached the table but there was an empty chair and an unwritten rule of conduct that if a man asked to join a game, you welcomed him. That’s one rule Harrison would have happily broken if the other gentlemen at the table would have complied.

The crowd at White’s was thin. It was that time of early evening when most gentlemen were at home having their dinner or preparing for the night’s round of parties and balls. Harrison had questioned a few of the men but none of them had seen Angelina’s father. There was only one other club Mr. Rule belonged to, and Harrison was thinking he’d quit White’s and see if the man was at the smaller club.

Captain Maxwell had lost the first two hands. Harrison had no idea how someone could get through almost twenty years in the army and not know how to play a hand of whist. Harrison and the other two gentlemen at the table were very good at cards and knew how to play the game to their best advantage. Harrison had actually thought about finding a way to let the officer win after his first loss, but quelled that idea. Win or lose, it was best to play fair.

By the third game Harrison had had enough of the officer’s remarks and decided the hand they were playing would be his last. He didn’t like the way Captain Maxwell completely ignored the other two gentlemen at the table and kept commenting about what an excellent player Harrison was and how Harrison was going to have to give him some lessons so he could get better—as if Harrison would—and all the while downing a good bit more ale.

Without warning Maxwell stood up, knocking over his chair. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, looked menacingly at Harrison, and said, “You cheated, Thornwick.”

Harrison frowned but kept his seat, and surprisingly remained calm. The other two men at the table carefully laid down their cards. There wasn’t anything Harrison disliked more than being called a card cheat unless it was being called a coward. And he hated defending himself over either one. He never minded being accused of anything he’d done wrong. The Lord and everybody else knew there had been plenty. If necessary, Harrison didn’t even mind owning up to whatever it was he was being accused of. He just didn’t like being condemned for something he didn’t do.

“I don’t have to cheat, Captain. I’m that good.”

The man huffed out a laugh. “Because you cheat. I know this isn’t the first time you’ve been caught. I say you have a problem with playing fair.”

Harrison looked at the two other men at the table. Thankfully they were remaining still and quiet. Harrison knew Captain Maxwell’s claim had nothing to do with cards. It was all about Angelina, and because of her, Harrison had to try to smooth this over.

“The only gentlemen who ever accuse me are the ones who’ve had too much to drink and are unhappy with their own play.”

“Is that your style? You don’t drink much knowing the others will. Do you wait until they are deep in their cups before you switch out your winning card?”

“You need to go home and sleep it off, soldier.”

“Don’t call me that,” he snarled. “I’m not a soldier anymore and you damn well know it.”

It was getting harder to do, but Harrison knew sometimes the wisest course of action was to keep his peace no matter the enemy. “It doesn’t matter, it’s an admirable title and you deserve it,” he said, not liking the fact he was trying to placate the sore loser.

“I don’t need you feeling sorry for me.”

“Believe me, I don’t,” Harrison said honestly. “Now either sit down and play or leave.”

“Why would I or anyone want to play with a cheater? You’re not getting out of this one, my lord. Admit you cheated and I’ll let it pass if the other gentlemen are willing, but keep in mind, once you do, you’ll never play cards with anyone in London again.”

Harrison didn’t want to do this. If the captain wouldn’t leave, Harrison would. He rose and when he did the other two men stood up and backed away from the table, too. That action caused all the other gentlemen in the room to stop playing and focus on the disturbance.

“I am not admitting to anything I’m not guilty of. I don’t cheat.” He turned to leave but the captain stepped in front of him.

“You can’t just walk away, coward.”

Harrison wished he hadn’t called him that. It was mighty tempting to just coldcock the blackguard and lay him out flat. Instead, Harrison tried again. “Don’t do this, Maxwell. I don’t want to fight you.”

The officer jerked his gloves from his belt and threw them to the card room floor. “Now you don’t have a choice.”

Harrison looked down at the gloves. Damn, he hated duels. If he fought Maxwell and wounded him, or worse killed him, Angelina would never forgive him. But if he didn’t fight the man, Harrison didn’t know if he could forgive himself.

It was best he try again to get out of this the easy way.

He looked at the other two men who had played with them. “Did either of you see any unacceptable moves by me.”

“No, my lord,” they said in unison.

“Have you ever in all the years we have played?”

“No, my lord,” they repeated.

“Good.” He nodded to them. “These men have no reason not to be truthful, Captain. That should be good enough for you.”

Harrison turned to leave. In a flash Maxwell slid his rapier from its scabbard and had the tip pressing under Harrison’s chin. Harrison froze. Damnation, that man was fast with a sword.

Gasps and low murmurings sounded around the room. Chairs scraped against the wooden floor as more men stood up. Maxwell continued to press the blade into the skin under Harrison’s chin. His head was tilted back as far as it would go, but still the sharp tip pierced Harrison’s flesh. He felt the puncture and a trickle of warm blood run down his neck.

There was nothing like the sharp point of a blade to let someone know you meant business. Damn, Harrison didn’t want to fight the man.

“What’s going on here?”

Harrison heard Bray’s voice before he saw him come up beside him. “Put that sword away, Captain or I will put it away for you.”

“Stay out of this, Bray,” Harrison said.

“Like hell I will.”

“This is my fight.”

“You are unarmed and in no position to fight right now. I am. Remove your blade, Captain,” Bray said again.

Although Harrison couldn’t see it, he knew that Bray had drawn the dagger he always wore belted around his waist.

“I caught this man cheating at cards, Your Grace,” the officer said.

“I’ve known Lord Thornwick since we were lads,” Bray replied. “He doesn’t cheat.”

“Everyone changes, Your Grace. I guess he did. He’s a coward, too. He tried to walk away from my challenge.”

“I’d say that makes him an intelligent man, not a coward.”

“I don’t know many soldiers who would agree with you on that.”

“This is the last time I’m saying, put down that sword.” Bray’s tone said the arguing was over.

Captain Maxwell whipped his sword through the air and sheathed it. Harrison’s head fell forward. He moved to grab Maxwell, but Bray’s arm landed across his chest, stopping him.

“It’s the earl’s choice,” Maxwell said smugly. “He can fight me at dawn or he can walk away now and be branded a coward and a cheat for the rest of his life.”

“I’ll meet you at Martin’s Ditch off Blackburn Road,” Harrison said in a deadly quiet voice.

“Choose your weapon?” Maxwell said just as quietly.

“You want this challenge. You decide.”

“Swords at daybreak,” the captain said with a sneer, then added, “No mercy,” and strode out of the room.

Rumblings of voices scattered about the room. Harrison thought he’d fought his last duel a few months ago. Damn, he’d wanted it to be the last. Maybe the man knew the Prince was already threatening him with prison.

“You don’t have to do this, Harrison,” Bray said, handing him his handkerchief.

“I didn’t know you were here.” Harrison pressed the white cloth under his chin and winced from the sting. Maxwell’s blade hadn’t gone deep but it was damned sharp.

Bray slid his dagger back into its holder. “One of Louisa’s sisters is having a music lesson on the pianoforte.”

“You don’t need to say more,” Harrison said, remembering that the only pianoforte music he’d ever enjoyed was Angelina’s.

“No one believes you are a cheat or a coward.”

“I know, but it doesn’t matter.”

“Do you really want to fight a man with one eye?”

“Of course not,” Harrison said in an exasperated voice, pressing the handkerchief tighter against the cut. “He left me no choice. I will meet him at dawn.”

“How long has it been since you held a blade?”

“Longer than I will admit,” Harrison said, feeling none too confident that he could take the captain. The man was a soldier. He’d lived by the sword.

“This is madness,” Bray argued. “I can have him picked up and sent to Newgate.”

“That will settle nothing. It will only prolong it.”

“It will give Maxwell time to sober and rethink this affront to your character.”

Harrison looked at the bright-red blood on the white handkerchief. “This isn’t about cards. This man wants to kill me and if I stood in his shoes, I’d feel the same way.”