The Earl of Ice (4 page)

The girls clung together, crying, and Lady Westbury left the room, allowing them some time alone. She went to find her husband to discuss with him what they should do next.

Eventually it was agreed that they would remain in London, as Lord Westbury had business to attend to and had arranged to visit the Earl of Brockwood at the end of the season with a view to expanding the Westbury stables.

Caroline would continue to attend social functions, but Diana would remain quietly at home until the incident was off everyone’s lips. Lady Westbury pleaded for an early return to Yorkshire, but Lord Westbury remained firm, naively thinking the scandal would quickly pass.

* * *

It was the morning after the Whittington Ball when Rollo became aware of what had occurred. Oliver told him casually over breakfast that Cotson had won the wager.

“What the hell?” Rollo exclaimed. “Surely not!”

Oliver, keen to be the bearer of this news, continued, “Yes. It seems that Lady Whittingham herself caught him kissing and fondling the lady, so there can be no denying it. He won fair and square.”

“And who is the young lady in question?” Rollo asked out of interest, wondering which of the silly young misses had been foolish enough to allow this to happen.

Oliver laughed. “You will never believe me when I tell you. It was Miss Wells.”

This brought Rollo up with a start. “Miss Diana Wells?” he asked, just to be sure he had heard correctly.

“Yes, yes. I admit I was surprised because she has never shown any great preference for Cotson, but I hear that she had drunk a trifle too much champagne. And now Coston’s done a bolt.”

Rollo left the breakfast room and went into his study to think. He could scarce believe what his brother had told him, but there was no reason to think that Oliver had not been telling the truth. Of all the debutantes the gentlemen had been hanging around, Diana Wells was the last one he would have thought susceptible.

His next thought was that he was partially responsible. He had been told of the wager and could have warned all four of the foolish young men not to pursue it; instead he had extracted that promise only from his brother. Diana, who had been kind enough to keep his secret, had now had her reputation tarnished, if not ruined. She did not deserve this.

All day Diana’s predicament churned in his head and he could not think of any way to right this for her. Cotson obviously had no intention of marrying her, but perhaps he could be made to. It was the only course of action Rollo could see.

With this in mind, the next day Rollo found himself knocking on the door of Viscount Westbury’s London residence and asking for an audience with the ladies of the house. He was admitted to the drawing room, where Lady Westbury, Miss Diana Wells and Miss Caroline Colpert were seated with sewing on their laps. Both the young ladies, he noted, had red eyes from, he rightly assumed, much crying.

After stiff and formal greetings Rollo took a seat in the chair indicated.

“I was not sure if you would still be in town following the unfortunate occurrence at Lady Whittington’s Ball.” He saw them all flinch and Diana’s eyes brimmed with fresh tears; he did, however, continue. “I am ashamed to say that my brother was one of the young men involved in the wager, and although I ordered him not to pursue it, I realize now I could have done more in respect of the other young men.”

Lady Westbury had been wondering why Lord Brockwood had visited when he had never previously done so. “I am sure no blame can lie with you,” she said. “It was not your brother who behaved abominably. But thank you. Your concern does you credit.”

Rollo needed to determine Diana’s feelings for Cotson before he decided on his next course of action. “Lady Westbury, with your permission, could I please take Miss Wells for a stroll in the garden? She
is
looking a little pale. We will, of course, stay within sight at all times.”

Lady Westbury looked surprised but nodded her assent. Diana hesitantly stood and took the arm he proffered.

Once outside he got straight to the point.

“Miss Wells, as I said, I am quite aware of what occurred at Lady Whittington’s Ball.” Seeing Diana blush, he continued, “I wondered if your parents were demanding satisfaction from Cotson. Your parents must know that unless he marries you, your reputation is quite ruined.”

Large brown eyes full of unshed tears met piercing blue ones as she replied, “My papa was unable to find Lord Cotson, and I myself have no wish for him to be found. How could I marry one who tricked me so cruelly to win a wager? And what if my papa called him out? Papa could be killed.”

Marriage to Cotson did not, therefore, seem a solution that would be welcome, so Rollo did not press this. “I am sure your papa will not call him out, but should you wish for such retribution, I will gladly do so on his behalf.”

His words caused Diana to look up and scrutinize his face, which, as usual, was void of any emotion. She smiled faintly at him, but the pain and hurt in her eyes caused Rollo’s stomach to tighten in discomfort.

“I don’t know if you are joking with me,” she said, “but just in case you are not, I can assure you that I do not want you to call out Lord Cotson. Thank you for wanting to help. It is very kind.” Her tone was soft. Even in her disgrace this gentleman was showing kindness to her.

Rollo squeezed her arm to show his support and suddenly found Diana confiding in him as tears rolled down her checks.

“Please understand it was my own fault. I had drunk too much champagne and lost my wits, else I would never have allowed such behaviour. I cannot remember very clearly what happened, but I know it was very wrong. I felt so poorly yesterday I hoped I might die.” She gave a choked attempt at a laugh. “Of course that would have been too easy. I will have to live with my shame as best I can. It is my family for whom you should save your sympathy, as I have brought disgrace on them, as well.”

Rollo’s experience of crying females was very limited, but he produced a freshly laundered handkerchief from his pocket and presented it to Diana. “What are you going to do now?” he asked. It pulled at his heart, seeing her so distressed.

“I want to go straight home to Yorkshire, but Papa still has business to attend to here and says he cannot leave. Mama and Papa are hoping this will blow over, but I know they are mistaken. I will not be able to show my face outside the house whilst we remain in London.”

Rollo thought she was probably right—the ton did not forgive or forget easily. Society mamas were more than happy to make an example of foolish behaviour. He thought how very different it was for men, who could sow all the wild oats they wanted with very little, if any, censure. Diana, however, knew the rules and she had broken the most important one for a young lady, even though it had not been her intention. Yes, she’d drunk too much champagne, but that was no excuse. She could have used more circumspection.

Rollo wished he could reassure Diana that all would be well, but he knew this was not so. Greatly saddened, he squeezed her arm again. “Are you ready to go back inside to your mother?” he asked. She nodded her assent and together they returned to the drawing room.

Rollo then asked if Viscount Westbury was available for an audience and was immediately shown into his study.

“Good day,” he said to Westbury, “and thank you for making the time to see me. I am sorry to hear of the upset in your house.”

The viscount, a portly gentleman in his fifty-fifth year, looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. “I am most distressed for Diana and cannot help but feel that the young dandy took advantage of her. I would have given him two hundred guineas myself to stop the wager had I known of it. As it is, it is my daughter who will have to live with the consequences.” He sighed heavily.

Rollo’s own conscience in this matter was hardly clear, and he, too, would have gladly given up two hundred guineas for this not to have happened. Unlike Westbury, he had been given an opportunity to put a stop to the wager but had done nothing.

He could, however, try to alleviate Diana’s immediate suffering. “I am aware of your intention to visit to my stables at the end of the season, and if you have no other business to attend to, I would happily bring this forward. Your wife and daughter could accompany you to Brockwood Hall, as I know they have no wish to remain in London at this time. Lady Colpert and her daughter could also join your party should they choose to.”

Viscount Westbury considered the offer and realized it made great sense, and was bound to meet with his wife’s and daughter’s approval. His slumped shoulders straightened.

“I do have some business yet to conclude in London but could complete this by the end of this week. I appreciate your offer and would very much like to take you up on it. But are you sure you are happy to leave London in the middle of the season?”

Rollo was more than happy to have a legitimate excuse to withdraw from the round of engagements that made up the London season. To have some time away from scheming mothers and their daughters to relax at his estate in Hampshire would be most welcome.

“I assure you,” he said, “that I would not make such a suggestion were it not agreeable to me. I will leave tomorrow to make preparations and will expect you and your family on Monday next if that suits.”

“I gladly accept your generous offer and thank you on behalf of my wife and daughter. I look forward to seeing your stables and stud, as well. I find myself in your debt.” Viscount Westbury felt a trifle less downhearted than he had earlier.

This settled, Rollo took his leave and went directly back to his London residence. He informed his mother of his change of plans and she reluctantly agreed to return to Brockwood Hall with him to act as hostess, even though she had been enjoying being back in London society—she had been absent during the period of mourning for her late husband. With her tall slim figure suiting the latest Grecian-style fashions and her relatively unlined face, both giving the appearance of a woman much younger than fifty, she was attracting quite a lot of attention.

Oliver was also very upset at being taken from London, but Rollo informed him that, following the incident with the wager, he could not trust him to remain in London without his and his mother’s supervision. Rollo also felt that Diana may appreciate some company her own age.

* * *

When Viscount Westbury informed his wife and Diana of the Earl of Brockwood’s invitation, they expressed their gratitude to Lord Brockwood for the kind offer, as well as to the viscount for his acceptance of it. Lady Westbury felt this was a better option than returning to Yorkshire, for she had heard that Brockwood Hall was a fine residence set in beautifully landscaped gardens; she welcomed the opportunity to see the place for herself. Diana was just happy to be leaving London, as she dared not leave the house for shame and fear of ridicule. That Caroline had also been included in the invitation pleased her greatly.

Diana knew that the Earl of Brockwood had made this offer to help alleviate her suffering and was grateful to him for this. She realized that he felt indebted to her for not revealing that he suffered from seizures, but if she got the opportunity, she must tell him that this was not necessary, although she did appreciate his actions. She now more firmly than ever believed that, beneath his icy exterior, Rollo was a kind and compassionate man.

The Westbury coach containing Diana, her parents, Caroline and Lady Colpert and a carriage containing trunks and servants, set off for Brockwood Hall on the Monday as planned. Although the journey was tiring, Diana felt her sprits lift as they left London behind. As for Caroline, she remained subdued, for although she had vowed never to speak to Mr. Straw again following his involvement in the wager, she missed him dreadfully.

“You are pining for him,” Diana murmured sympathetically to her cousin, sitting directly to her right. “Why didn’t you speak with him and give him a chance to tell his side of the story? He did call on you every day up to our leaving.”

“I can no longer trust him. How do I know if his affection was genuine or if he was just trying to get me in a compromising position to win the bet?” Caroline was again close to tears. “I really thought I had met the man of my dreams and that he felt the same, but now I don’t know. The trust is gone and I do not see how that can be recovered.”

Diana, although her situation in regard to her reputation was far worse, at least her heart had not been involved. “Perhaps,” she said, “this time away will benefit us both. It can allow us to reflect and make sense of everything.”

The carriage slowed as the gates to Brockwood Hall were opened.

“Have you ever seen such a fine avenue of trees?” Lady Westbury declared upon seeing the magnificent elms lining the driveway.

“Have you ever seen such a fine house?” Lady Colpert gasped as Brockwood Hall came into view.

The Hall was built of a golden stone and was perfectly symmetrical. A large central block with an imposing entrance was flanked by L-shaped wings. The window lintels and stone carvings were finished with gold leaf, proclaiming the wealth and fine taste of the owner.

Diana lived in a fine house, but this was breathtaking and every bit as grand as she had been led to believe. She was pleased for the Earl of Brockwood; no wonder he was considered such an eligible bachelor. The shining warmth of the building was somewhat at odds with his nickname, the Earl of Ice.

As the carriage slowed to a halt in front the wide stone staircase that led to the magnificent first-floor entrance, liveried footmen came forward and assisted them down from the carriage, while other servants whisked away their luggage. An impressive man, who introduced himself as Briggs, the butler, met them at the door and arranged for their coats and capes to be taken. He summoned maids and swiftly all were escorted to their allotted rooms to refresh themselves before dining with the family at eight o’clock.

Diana was shown to a guest bedroom furnished in pale blue and silver. Her maid, Tilly helped her out of her travelling clothes, and she lay on the large four-poster bed to rest before changing for dinner. She soon drifted to sleep as she listened to the rustling of Tilly, unpacking her clothes in the adjoining room.

Tilly returned to awaken and dress Diana in time for dinner. When she entered the drawing room, she found her parents and Caroline already waiting and shortly after that Lady Colpert arrived. Then Oliver and the Earl of Brockwood made their entrance.

Rollo, observing Diana shy away nervously when his brother approached her, quickly revised the seating arrangement. It would not do to have Oliver seated next to her.

Dinner was a quiet affair with the guests still showing fatigue from their long journey. Following the meal, when the men retired to the library for brandy and cigars, the ladies begged leave to go straight to their bedchambers.

The first few days at Brockwood Hall passed quickly. Diana saw very little of her father and the earl as they conducted their business. She kept out of Oliver’s way, feeling fearful whenever he approached her. She knew this to be irrational but could not prevent herself.

One day Oliver offered to show the ladies around the estate, which Caroline, her mother and Diana’s own mother accepted. They were found suitable mounts and spent the afternoon exploring the estate and surrounding countryside. Diana, although she loved riding, feared that she would make poor company and chose to remain at the Hall. Besides, she could avail herself of the library, her favourite haunt. The familiar smell of the leather-covered books soothed her and with a small volume in hand, she curled up in an old leather armchair facing the stone fireplace.

Engrossed in the poetry of Dorothy Wordsworth, Diana did not hear the library door open but knew that she was no longer alone when the sound of two male voices reached her ears. She identified one voice as Rollo’s and the other, she determined, must belong to his estate manager.

“The Smyths have failed to pay their rent for six weeks now. We must take action,” she heard the manager tell Rollo.

“The family have worked that farm since my grandfather’s time and have never, in the past, failed to pay the rent. Is there a reason?” questioned Rollo.

Diana realized that the men had not noticed her presence in the room as they continued their conversation.

“The old man passed away last year and it is his son, Simon Smythe, who has taken over the running of the farm. He has been late in his payments and recently has paid no rent at all. We cannot sustain this.”

There was a pause in the conversation and a rustle of papers.

“I ask again, do you know why this should be so?” Rollo persisted.

“Simon took ill in the spring and his wife was with child and could not do the heavy work. The crop, left untended, failed, and now they have no harvest to sell. We will get no rent from them for some weeks to come,” explained the estate manager.

There was another pause whilst Rollo considered the situation.

“Is he well and able to work now?”

“Yes, I believe so, but it is too late for a crop this year.”

“Does he now keep the land tended?” It seemed that Rollo was gathering all the facts.

“Yes, I believe so. I hear he is a good worker, as is his wife, although she now has the baby to attend to.”

“In that case, perhaps we can give them time to come about. If Simon will agree to an increase in rent after his harvest next year to cover some of this year’s losses, I would find that acceptable. I would not like to turn a hard-working young family out of their home. The estate can absorb the loss of his rent for this year.”

Diana’s eyes filled with tears at the compassion shown by a man known to all as the Earl of Ice.
Again her belief that there was a kind man beneath the cold demeanour was confirmed.

Realizing that the men were not just passing through the room but continuing their business, she felt she should alert them to her presence. She gave a small cough.

Rollo immediately responded, “Excuse us, Miss Wells, I had no idea you were using this room. I apologize for intruding on your solitude.”

What a shame she is cooped up in the library,
he thought,
instead of enjoying the fresh air and sunshine with the others
. His heart went out to her.

“You have not disturbed me. I was reading the poem ‘Floating Island,’” Diana explained, “and I was so engrossed that I did not hear you enter the room. I have finished the poem now and so will go for a walk in the garden and leave you to your business.”

Rollo noticing how pale she looked and thought that some fresh air would be beneficial to her. “My business is concluded. It would be my pleasure to show you around the garden, if you could bear some company?”

Diana, although wary of Oliver, trusted Rollo completely and would welcome his company. “If you are sure? I will call my maid and get my outdoor shoes and cape.”

Diana’s smile was enough for Rollo not to regret his offer. He could afford an hour of his time.

That hour proved most enjoyable for both Rollo and Diana. The sun, although not hot, was pleasant, and a gentle breeze tugged softly at Diana’s bonnet as they strolled through the formal gardens.

“These gardens were laid out in the style of Capability Brown, the great eighteenth-century landscape architect,” explained Rollo. “It was my grandparents who oversaw the design of the gardens. My own father was more interested in the expansion of the deer park.”

“The flowers are so pretty and the fountains magnificent,” Diana enthused. The four five-tier stone fountains that centred each of the four formal flower beds were ornately carved, and great quantities of water cascaded from one tier to the next. A fifth fountain was in the centre of the garden, and it, too, had the same five-tiered design, although the height and circumference was much larger. The flower beds were a riot of colourful blooms inside neatly clipped low box hedging.

“The fountains are of Italian design, and the water is pumped from a lake over yonder.” Rollo pointed to a lake just visible in the distance.

“May we visit the rose garden we passed earlier?” asked Diana. Roses were her favourite flowers.

Mentally kicking himself for not having asked Diana if she had any preference for their walk, Rollo was quick to agree. “Of course. The rose garden was also my grandmother’s favourite. I can remember her spending many hours sitting there.”

They walked in companionable silence and Rollo held open the gate for Diana to pass through into the rose garden. As she brushed by him, without thinking, he placed his hand on her back to guide her through the narrow opening. Her back stiffened in surprise as she felt a tingling sensation race through her. But she did not feel fear. She found the sensation pleasant and turned and smiled up at him.

Her smile and soft brown eyes had a strange effect on Rollo. A sudden urge to take her into his arms swept over him. It was so strong, in fact, that he had to quickly pull his hand away and clasp his hands behind his back to prevent him from doing anything so untoward.

Diana led the way along a narrow path to an ornamental stone bench, where they sat for a while with the heavy scent of roses assailing their senses. It came into Diana’s mind that she would never again be able to smell roses without thinking of this moment and the handsome Earl of Ice.

Rollo was more than ever aware of Diana’s presence, despite the distance of at least a foot between them. He glanced at her face half-hidden from view by her bonnet. Her lashes shadowed her flushed cheeks, and a wayward lock of hair had escaped from under her bonnet to curl enticingly over her ear. He noticed how very dainty and perfect that ear was, and had to stifle the strong urge to trace the delicate shell with a finger. With a shock he realized that he was in danger of becoming seriously attracted to this young lady. He must take care.

Diana found herself wishing that she could feel the earl’s hand on her back again. Or perhaps on her arm. Goodness, what a thought! Despite the perfume of the roses, she thought she could discern the clean sandalwood scent that seemed to be part of him, subtle but very pleasant. She couldn’t help but notice his fine hands, the long fingers tipped with trimmed and scrupulously clean fingernails, resting on his thighs. Trying not to let him see the direction of her gaze, she glanced at the muscular thighs clad in tight-fitted breeches and felt a little shiver of awareness course through her. My, but he was a well-formed man! How had she never noticed that before? She felt the heat rise to her cheeks.

“I must thank you again for bringing forward my father’s visit to your home and extending the invitation to us all,” she said, needing to break the silence and regain her equilibrium. “You seem to be always coming to my rescue.”

She was looking up at him, smiling, her soft brown eyes drowning him. For a moment Rollo felt disoriented. What had she said?
Oh, yes…rescue …

“Oh, hardly that,” he said a little tightly.
What the deuce was wrong with him?
“It was my pleasure to be of help. I was aware of your desire to leave London, and to tell you the truth, I welcomed the excuse to leave myself.”

“You don’t enjoy the season, then?” Diana probed. She couldn’t imagine anyone not enjoying all the ton activities.

Rollo’s lips curled in a self-deprecating smile. “It is difficult to enjoy activities where one feels much like a deer being stalked and hunted down.”

Diana chuckled. “No, I suppose not. But then you seem to have the knack for warding off even the most determined huntresses. Though—” she paused “—one would suppose that one day, you
will
have to give in if you are to have an heir.”

Rollo stiffened beside her. “Just so.
If
I intended to have an heir.”

Diana realized she had obviously said something to upset him. “I am sorry. I was just—”

But Rollo had taken out his pocket watch and announced, “I think it is time we returned to the house. The sun will soon be going down and it will get chilly.” He stood and offered his arm.

Diana gingerly took the proffered arm. She remonstrated with herself for spoiling the interlude. For a short while she had been distracted and forgotten her problems. She was grateful to Rollo for his company. Why couldn’t she have kept her thoughts to herself?

* * *

The next few days the men were busy with business matters and the ladies had only one another for company. It was the Countess of Brockwood who, at midweek, gently chastised Rollo for neglecting his female guests. She suggested that the men put business aside for a day and that they all ride out on Friday afternoon, two days hence, to Spartan Top, a hill that overlooked their land to the south of the estate. She would arrange for a picnic to be taken to a spot where they could enjoy the magnificent views.

And so that night, following the evening meal when the men rejoined the ladies in the drawing room, they began to make plans. Rollo, aware that Diana had not ridden out with the others during her stay, gently inquired, “Are you happy to ride horseback, Miss Wells? Sparton Top is a difficult place to reach otherwise, but I can arrange for you to travel by cart if you would prefer.”

Caroline immediately jumped in. “Diana is the most accomplished rider of my acquaintance.” She turned to her cousin. “Please say you will ride with us, Diana. It will be great fun.”