The Lady and the Earl (Seabrook Family Saga) (4 page)

CHAPTER FIVE

“William! My God, what are you…?”

“May I come in?” William did not want to meet his cousin’s eyes and see
the shock, disbelief, and undoubtedly unease in them. And, could he blame his
cousin for that reaction?

“Please, come in,” his cousin said with a welcoming smile.

Surprised by the warmth, William followed his cousin, Stuart Spencer,
into the drawing room and waited to be invited to sit. Once they sat facing
each other, William’s mind played with the words he needed to say to explain
his uninvited visit. Although Bridgeton Manor actually belonged to William, he
had gladly leased the manor house to his cousin twelve years ago when Spencer
had wanted to get out from under his father’s control. Even though Spencer’s
father died several years back, Spencer had stayed in William’s house on Park
Street facing Grosvenor Square.

Spencer’s mother and two younger sisters resided in Spencer House right
down the street. Grandmother Spencer, the dowager countess, lived with them as
well. How William had missed his grandmother the past twelve years. She had
backbone and had ruled his father and uncle, as well as the rest of the family,
with a loving, but iron will.

William’s father was Spencer’s father’s older brother. Spencer stood
next in line to inherit the earldom if William died without producing an
heir—which was highly likely. Spencer’s father, born the younger son, still had
considerable wealth, which made Spencer wealthy. Spencer had many connections
with the
ton
which is what William needed and hence, why he had come
here.

“Where is Devon, the doorman? It surprised me to have you answering
your own door,” William said with a knowing smirk. Spencer ran his household
rather informally. That is not to say the servants didn’t know their position.
They did. Even so, Spencer didn’t mind opening up his own door occasionally.

“I sent him on an errand.” Spencer stood up, headed to the sideboard,
and picked up a crystal decanter filled to the brim with amber liquid. “Would
you care for a drink?”

“Please.” William needed something to calm his nerves. Once he held the
proffered glass in his hand, he downed the contents in one swallow, savoring
the burn as it traveled down his throat and warmth settled in the pit of his
stomach. “
Ahh
. Good brandy. I almost forgot what it tasted like.”

Spencer’s eyes widened. “Are you telling me you have not had a drop of
brandy in––”

“Yes,” William interrupted. “I’ve not had a drink in, oh,” he flicked
his wrist and continued, “twelve years.”

“I’m shocked.”

That brought the foreign sound of laughter to William’s ears. Had he
just laughed? “I suppose you want to know why I’m here.”

“That did cross my mind. But bloody hell, it’s good to see you.”

His cousin smiled. They had been best friends growing up together,
Stuart, Geoffrey, and William. Could their friendship pick up where it had left
off? Spencer had often, during William’s years in self-imposed exile, sent him
letters begging him to come to London. William had ignored them.

“It’s good to see you, too. You’ve fared well over the years.” William
held up his hand. “I realize I’m stalling. If you must know, I’ve come for the
Season.”

“P-p-pardon?” Spencer stuttered.

The hours spent on horseback, traveling the muddy roads to London,
suffering raw, chilly winds, were worth the look on Spencer’s face. His jaw
dropped, his eyes widened, and he could not utter a single word besides,
‘Pardon.’

“Humph, I know you’re shocked. So am I. Why, you ask?” Bugger all,
William enjoyed himself at his cousin’s expense. “I met someone.” He held up
his hand again. “I know. How did I meet someone if I have been in
self-imposed-exile? Well, she just happens to be my neighbor in Dover, Lady
Amelia Seabrook. The Duke of Wentworth’s sister.”

He chose to ignore Spencer’s loud, rude gasp.

“And you wonder how I met the duke’s sister? Well, she is, or rather
was, staying at Stony Cross Manor the past few weeks with her other brother,
Lord Sebastian. And no, she does not know I’m in London. Nor does her family
know about me. Well, Sebastian saw us together once. That didn’t go well.
Regardless, I had to come and see her again.”

Finally Spencer found his voice. “You
had
to come and see her
again?”

“Is that not what I just said?”

“Forgive me if I’m struck dumb. I’ve not heard from you in how many
years? Nor did you ever answer my letters. And yet here you are in my home—well,
actually your home—stating you met a lady and are in pursuit. Please give me
several minutes for the shock to wear off.” Spencer closed his eyes, then
opened them and grinned. “I suppose you wish to stay here, just like old
times.”

“I wouldn’t want to impose.”
Would he be imposing?
Did Spencer
often entertain guests, lady friends? Did he have a mistress he brought here?

“Stay. It’s rather dull and quiet around here lately. And with you
here, things are bound to liven up. I welcome that.” Spencer raised the
decanter in the air and jiggled it. “Another drink?”

“Don’t mind if I do,” William replied.

An hour later, William noticed the room moving in circles, making
everything unfocused.
Damn, how much have I had to drink?
“Since we’re
of a size, I hoped you could lend me some clothing until I get to a tailor.”

“
You
brought
no
clothes
?
” Either Spencer’s words
slurred into one, or something was wrong with William’s hearing.

“No, I didn’t. I’ve nothing in fashion. What you see is what I’ve got.”

Spencer laughed. “Yes, you do look slightly out of fashion. Did you
give any thought to a plan?”

“No. I woke up this morning and decided what the hell, I’ll travel to
London. If I’d given it any serious thought, I’d never have come.”

“Who knows? Perhaps people have forgotten.” Spencer sounded hopeful,
but the frown on his face said that was probably not the reality William would
face.

“I don’t believe so,” William said as he sipped from his nearly empty
glass. “From what I learned from Lady Amelia and her brother, I’m still
gossiped about. One would think a new scandal would have taken over by now.”

“You’re in luck, William. There have been many scandals. Indeed,
there’s nothing like death and whispers of murder among the titled to excite
the
ton.
By the way, there’s been talk about your lady friend. You did
say Lady Amelia Seabrook, didn’t you?” Spencer held up his empty glass and
swung his arm out, almost falling off the chair. “Don’t glare at me. I do not
go for hearsay. I just thought you’d want to know. People have wondered, since
the death of her betrothed, where she’s been. Oh, it’s said she traveled to
America to be with her brother, Sebastian, so her heart could heal. But there
are some who believe she fled the country because she was in the family way.”

“You cannot be serious,” William bellowed. He did not believe in rumors,
but could there be some truth about Amelia being in the family way? What was it
she had said to him when he mentioned her innocence?

“Let me finish. I remember meeting her before. Indeed it was hard not
to notice her, her sister Lady Isabella––who, I might add, is simply
breathtaking––and the beautiful American, when the three of them came out
together two Seasons past. The American is now the Duchess of Wentworth and
that union had its own touch of scandal. Her being the duke’s ward and all, and
him compromising her in the middle of a ball.”

“Spencer, you sound similar to the old matrons and dowagers who have
nothing better to occupy their time than gossip. Do you spend your time during
the balls sitting in the chairs along the outer walls with the matrons and
wallflowers?” William asked.

“You wish,” Spencer laughed. “I’ll have you know, I’m much sought
after.”

“Then, pray tell, how come you are thirty-and-six and still a
bachelor?”

“After seeing what your brother’s marriage did to you and your
brother…” One brow rose. “Really, do you need to ask?”

Spencer had the privilege of being the only one who knew the circumstances
that revolved around William, Geoffrey, and Katherine. And he was probably the
only man alive who could get away with joking about it. Spencer never said he
knew the truth. He did not have to say it aloud. William had seen the truth in
Spencer’s eyes many times in the past, and he saw it now. “One would hope
history does not repeat itself.”

***

Amelia’s ride to London went smoothly, even though it rained for most
of the time. Which suited her mood perfectly as her heart sat heavy inside her
chest. She already missed her daughter. After spending every day during the
past year with Olivia she felt a void inside her, a void that grew with each
passing mile. It felt as if something vital to her existence was missing. She
needed to come up with a plan to convince her brother, Wentworth, to let her
spend the rest of her days in Dover. Being a mother to Olivia meant the world
to her. Dover was where she wanted to be.

Which brought to mind the picture of a tall, dark gentleman who visited
her dreams at night. In a short period of time he’d became her one true friend.
A friend she already missed dearly.

“We’re here,” Sebastian said, startling Amelia. She must have dozed
off. As soon as she alighted from the carriage she climbed the front steps
trying to swallow her sadness. The minute she stepped inside her home she heard
her mother’s voice.

“Amelia.” Her mother engulfed her in a tight hug, then held her at
arm’s length to look her over from head to toe. “Navy suits you.” Her mother’s
worry lines vanished when she smiled and touched the sleeve of Amelia’s riding
habit. “Welcome home. How I’ve missed you.” Then she turned to Sebastian, her
eyes seeking an answer to her next question. “You are home to stay for good, I
hope?”

“We will see,” Sebastian mumbled. “Where are Wentworth, Emma, and
Bella?”

“Emma and Bella are up in the nursery. Just wait until you see baby
Hamilton. He’s the spitting image of Wentworth at that age and such a good
boy.” Her mother took Amelia’s hand in hers. “How is Olivia? I can’t wait to
see her. Did she take to her new home?”

“Yes, and she’s trying to walk. I miss her already.” Being separated
from Olivia was proving harder than Amelia had thought it would be. Having
never been away from her child for even a day, how was she to survive weeks
that would turn into months? A lonely tear slid down her cheek, and she brushed
it away. Her mother squeezed her hand in silent understanding.

“Amelia! Sebastian!” screamed their sister Isabella from above, causing
Amelia to smile. How much she had missed that voice. Bella lifted her celadon
green skirts to her knees and hurried down the staircase and into Amelia’s
arms.

“Oh, my! You’re finally here.” Bella pulled Sebastian forward so all
three of them were pressed together. “My sister and my brother, back after so
long. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. Let me look at you both.” Her
eyes scrutinized them. “Neither of you look any different. It’s as if you never
left.”

Bella hurried over to the bottom of the stairs and shouted, “Emma, come
quickly. You won’t believe who is here.”

“I’m coming. Hamilton just this minute fell asleep,” Emma replied,
pausing halfway down the large winding staircase. Her eyes widened. “Oh,
Amelia! Sebastian,” she cried as she broke into a beautiful smile, hurrying
down the rest of the stairs and hugging Amelia close. “I missed you.”

Emma took Sebastian’s hand in hers. “I missed you, too.”

“Ah, the long-lost family members have come home from America at last,”
Wentworth said as he came out of his study, his dark clothing impeccable as
always.

Wentworth smiled and wrapped both her and Sebastian in a crushing hug.
“I can’t breathe, Wentworth,” Amelia mumbled.

“Too bad, I need to hold you a little longer. How I missed you both.”
Her brother, the duke, stepped back and looked deep into her eyes. “Tell me,
how are you?”

“I’m well. It feels good to be home, even if I’ve not left the foyer,”
Amelia said.

Laughter broke out, and she felt her muscles relax. She was confident
her brothers were not going to come to blows.

“Come,” Mother interjected. “Let us go into the drawing room and have
tea.”

Amelia, china cup in hand, sat on the brown velvet settee, with Emma
and Bella on either side of her. It seemed as though she had never left.
Closing her eyes, she listened to the voices she’d missed so much. They were
all speaking at once, making it hard to follow the conversation. Particular
words did not matter; tone mattered more. Laughter and love rang in her ears.
Yes, it was good to be home.

“How are Myles and Amesbury?” she heard herself ask. Myles
Frederickson, the Baron Norwich and heir to an earldom and Edward Worthington,
the Marquess of Amesbury, were Wentworth’s best friends and part of their
family.

“Our poor Bella is still waiting for Myles to declare himself. The man
must be daft in the head.” Wentworth winked at Bella. “I think he’s softening,
though.”

Bella had been in love with Myles for so many years. Amelia did not
have her brother’s faith.

Emma curled her hand around Bella’s. “Wentworth, do not embarrass your
sister. If Myles is too dense to see what he has in Bella, then he’s not worthy
of her attention and love. There are other gentlemen waiting patiently in the
wings for the chance to court her.” Emma looked at Amelia and winked. “I think
she should accept another suitor and make Myles jealous.”

“Yes, well…” Clearly Wentworth was uncomfortable with the turn of the
conversation. “How was the weather in Dover? Did anything exciting happen while
you were there?”

Laughter bubbled out of Sebastian. “Oh, come now, nothing exciting has
happened in Dover since the war ended, unless you count the appearance of our
reclusive neighbor, Lord Bridgeton, with his blackened reputation.”