The Lady and the Earl (Seabrook Family Saga) (9 page)

Spencer had resigned himself a long time ago to being a bachelor––until
he saw Isabella. After witnessing the tragic events that love caused his
cousins to experience, he thought he would never set himself up for that kind
of pain. Even if it meant living life alone, living without love. “Enough
maudlin thoughts,” Spencer mumbled, then coughed to hide it. “Since we’ve no
plans for this evening, do you have any objections to visiting Brooks?”

“Splendid idea. I can think of nothing I’d enjoy better than to be
given the cut by every gentleman there.” William tapped the top of the
carriage, signaling the driving.

“To Brooks, Arthur, my good man.”

“You know, you could be a bit more optimistic and pleasant,” Spencer
remarked.

***

Pleasant?
Was Spencer serious? Now that William had taken time
to think over the afternoon at the Seabrook home, his temper positively
simmered, threatening to boil over. He’d witnessed a duke, a
young duke
with interest in his eyes, invite
his
Amelia to go riding in the park.
His
Amelia.
William raked his fingers through his hair.
I must get a
grip––for she is not my Amelia, and will never be.

Which brought to mind again, her unnerving declaration that she’d never
marry? Did Amelia harbor secrets of her own? Was there any truth to the gossip
circulating last night about her condition and whereabouts the past year?

His mind traveled back to their last encounter by the stream, when he
had nearly seduced her. Thank God Amelia had stopped him, because he would have
taken her right then and there in the open for anyone to see––so lost in her
he’d been. He’d been so utterly overpowered with lust and need that it shocked
William when he remembered. Perhaps he should take a mistress. That way, when
he saw Amelia, he could control his baser needs. It bothered him to think it,
but she needed someone like the young duke with his stellar reputation. The
realization caused a pain to settle deep inside his chest.

There was one thing he knew. He could not let his feelings for Amelia
ruin her life. God knows he’d already ruined enough lives.

***

“Must I attend Almack’s, Mother?” Amelia complained as she descended
the grand staircase where Bella, Sebastian, and her mother waited for her.

“Amelia, my dear, you already know the answer to that,” her mother
replied in her sternest yet sympathetic voice.

Once in the carriage, seated next to Bella with Sebastian and Mother
opposite, Amelia closed her eyes. Nerves plagued her. No matter how many times
she went out in polite Society, she would be haunted by the impression made
upon her by people whispering about her behind their fans last evening. And
here she was again, sitting in a carriage, going out to Almack’s––of all
places. Would they even let her in the door? And she knew William would not be
there this evening to keep her company, to distract her from all the gossip.
After the scandal surrounding him and his family, Almack’s would never have
renewed William’s subscription. So where did that leave her? Sad and
vulnerable. She would count the minutes until it was time to go home.

As the carriage came to a halt in front of Almack’s Amelia held her
head up high and her back stiff as she exited on her brother’s arm. Let people
say what they want. She could play the consummate actress for the Season. Then
she would retire to the country with Olivia and live out her days within the
confines of her daughter’s love.

Her stomach clenched as she wished William was here with her. But that
was silly, and she must not let herself think about William. He had his own
life and demons and secrets to deal with.

Thankfully, Myles and Amesbury were in attendance. Between them and
Sebastian she never found herself alone. Right now she stood with Amesbury at
the refreshment table, sipping the dreadful watered-down punch.

“Amesbury, how is it some pretty debutante hasn’t managed to bring you
in front of the parson?” As soon as the words left her mouth she wanted to take
them back. She placed her hand on his forearm to apologize. “I’m sorry. How
terrible of me to have forgotten that you were once betrothed to Lady Beth.”

“Don’t think anything about it.” Amesbury patted her hand, but his eyes
roamed the room.
Who was he looking for?
“Lady Beth had every right to
break our betrothal. I treated her horribly.” With those words, he visibly
tensed up before Amelia’s eyes. “I hear it said she’ll be engaged to Lord
Robertson before the Season ends.”

Oh, dear, by the melancholy way he spoke about Lady Beth, Amelia
believed Amesbury still had feelings for her. What had gone wrong to have her
calling off the nuptials? Amelia would have to ask Wentworth. Why did it seem
everyone was destined for heartbreak? Why did Society dictate such silly rules
when it came to marriages among the
ton
?

Across the room Amelia spotted a tall, lean soldier in uniform.
Could
it be?
Her knees buckled. She reached out with her right hand and grabbed Amesbury’s
shoulder to stop from falling in a heap on the floor. And would not that create
more fodder for the gossips.

“Who is that man in uniform?” she asked in a voice foreign to her own
ear.

“Come.” Amesbury took her arm and escorted her to an empty chair well
away from the crowd. “That is Captain Rycroft’s younger brother.”

“I thought I saw a ghost. He’s changed so since I last saw him. Is
Daniel’s mother, Lady Dartmouth, also here?”

“Yes,” Amesbury pointed in the other direction. “There she is, with
Lady Anne. Captain Rycroft’s younger sister is having her first Season. I don’t
see the older Rycroft, the one who recently inherited his father’s title.”

“Yes, I remember hearing about the Marquess of Dartmouth’s death. Oh,
dear, I don’t think I can face them.” Did she have the courage to talk to them,
knowing she hid such a shocking secret from them? And did they not wonder about
the rumors being said?

Amelia closed her eyes and prayed she did not cast up her accounts
right here in front of all these people. How could she face Daniel’s mother,
having kept his child from them? What would they think of her if they knew?
Would they shun her or welcome her and Olivia into their family? Her body
shuddered. It did not matter. If things went the way her mother and brothers
planned, his family would never know. And that brought Amelia even more guilt.

“Oh, dear, are they coming this way?” she whispered, close to
Amesbury’s ear.

“Yes, I do believe they are,” Amesbury replied as he spotted them
heading in their direction.

Amelia squeezed his hand. “What am I to do?”

The next several minutes seemed surreal. She felt as though a puppet
master controlled her every move.

“Lady Amelia,” Lady Dartmouth murmured, hugging her close.
When had
she stood up?
“How lovely you look.” Oh, dear, Daniel’s mother’s eyes
watered. “You remember my daughter, Lady Anne?”

“Yes. Lady Anne. Are you enjoying your first Season?” Amelia asked.

Pretty, petite, and blonde, Lady Anne glanced at Amesbury and blushed.
“Yes. I am.”

The Dowager Marchioness of Dartmouth took Amelia by the arm and led her
away. “Now, my dear, you must tell me all about your adventure in America.”

Amelia went on to describe her time in New Bedford, leaving out certain
pertinent facts. “I am sorry I didn’t write more often. I just…”

Lady Dartmouth squeezed her arm. “I understand, dear. It was a terrible
time for all of us. I must say it’s nice to have you back.” She waved to
someone across the room. “You remember my other son, David. He’s a captain now,
just like Daniel.”

Surely Amelia had not heard Lady Dartmouth correctly. It was not
what
she said but
how
she said it. Amelia hoped Lady Dartmouth did not
have aspirations about her marrying David.

“Son, look who is back from America. Lady Amelia.”

David was the newest Captain Rycroft, she would forever stammer upon
saying that. In her mind, only one Captain Rycroft existed, and he was dead.

“Lady Amelia,” Rycroft said, bowing over the hand she offered. He
brought it to his lips and held it there just a tad too long. Surely Daniel’s
younger brother was not flirting with her?

“Captain Rycroft, how nice to see you again.” But it really wasn’t, as
he resembled his brother. And David’s eyes, Daniel’s eyes, were Olivia’s eyes.
Tears pooled in hers and she fought their release. Except one lone tear escaped
to slide down her face.

Rycroft must have noticed because he blushed. “Lady Amelia, I am sorry
to upset you. Please forgive me. I know I resemble my brother.”

“It’s quite all right. The similarity just surprised me. I had not noticed
it when you were younger,” Amelia replied.

The look that was exchanged between mother and son chilled her. Clearly
Lady Dartmouth wanted the new captain to take his brother’s place. How could
she be so coldhearted?

“Lady Amelia, may I call on you sometime?” Sympathy shone in David’s
eyes. No matter what his mother wanted, she sensed David had other plans.
Amelia’s body relaxed in the knowledge he only played along with his mother.

“Why, David––I mean, Captain Rycroft––please do. But not tomorrow, for
I will not be home.”

Rycroft bowed, “The day after perhaps.” He glanced toward Lady
Dartmouth. “Mother. Lady Amelia. I beg your leave.”

After he left, Amelia had to listen to the Dowager Marchioness go on
and on about David’s accomplishments until Sebastian saved her. Did Daniel’s
mother not understand that the love she had for Daniel could not just be
transferred to her other son? That kind of love happened only once. William’s
handsome face flashed in her mind, making her reconsider that belief.

“Thank goodness the night has ended.” Amelia sat next to her mother on
the trip home. “Lady Dartmouth has it in her mind David and I would suit.”

“You should consider it, my dear.”

“Mother, you cannot be serious. I could never…ever…marry Daniel’s
brother.”

“I thought not. I just wanted to make sure
you
knew.”

Sometimes her mother exasperated her. “Every time I looked into David’s
eyes this evening, I saw Daniel’s and Olivia’s. It was quite disconcerting.”

Later, alone
and buried beneath the coverlet on her bed, she fell asleep with visions of
Daniel’s naked body coming down upon hers. Then the face changed, and it became
William’s. The rest of the night Amelia spent tossing and turning. Visions of
the two different men plagued her dreams. Daniel, the love of her young life, a
life she had only just begun to experience and understand when he passed.
William, older, wiser, and more mature, perhaps a match to the woman she had
become.

CHAPTER TEN

It was bad enough that Spencer had dragged William to Brooks’s
yesterday. Did he have to insist they spend time at White’s today? The two of
them sat alone in upholstered armchairs, facing the fireplace that blazed
fiercely and held off the dampness of a chilly rain that fell steadily beyond
their window. William could not help but smile. The poor London weather was
fortuitous in one way. The young duke would not be taking Amelia on a ride
through the park today.

A glass of brandy, cradled in his hand, was halfway to his lips when a
shadow appeared directly in front of him, blocking the warmth from the fire.

So this was his time of reckoning. Had William honestly thought he
could come back to London and
not
run into
him
?

“Who let you out of Newgate? I thought murderers rotted behind bars in
there until they died. Oh, wait, you were never convicted, and justice was
never served.” Sir Phillip Trenton stared at him, hatred in his dark brown
eyes.

“Sir Phillip,” Spencer spoke up reproachfully before William could get
a word out.

“Cousin…” William’s one word warned Spencer not to interfere. “Trenton,
how nice to see you again.” No matter what Trenton said or did, William would
stay in control and not add to the scene Trenton had started.

One side of the man’s upper lip curled into a sneer. Did Trenton think
to intimidate him with that look? It took all William’s self-control not to
jump out of the chair and punch the greedy bastard in the nose. Of course, it
might be an improvement to his wastrel looks. The years had not been kind to
Trenton. But then again, he’d always been a debauched drunk and gambler with no
morals, the type that tended not to age well.

Katherine had been an angel, but her brother Trenton had been the devil
himself. The stories Katherine had told him about her brother chilled William’s
blood even now. Trenton’s performance, playing the loving, heartbroken brother
after her death, was worthy of the stage, when in truth his actions only
demonstrated he had hated his sister. After their parents had died in a
carriage accident, Trenton forced his attentions on Katherine. She had no
protector, and for months he’d raped her. It amazed William she hadn’t taken
her own life.

William met her while she was fleeing her home in the middle of the
night on foot. He and his brother Geoffrey had rescued her from some unsavory
men on the docks as she tried to purchase passage to America. Over the years he
and Geoffrey had spent a fortune paying Trenton to stay away from Katherine.
Though she’d died twelve years ago, to honor her reputation and that of her
husband––William’s brother––William had continued to pay Trenton off until last
month, when he decided he’d had enough.

“How dare you show yourself in London?” Trenton snarled. “And from what
I hear you’re forcing your attentions on the Duke of Wentworth’s sister. Should
I pay him a visit?”

William ignored the tic in his eye and the gasp from Spencer. “Go
ahead. Do you honestly believe he would take advice from someone like you?”

Before William could stop himself, he lunged at Trenton and curled his
right hand around his throat, almost blocking life-sustaining air. William did
not care. The hate and rage he had hidden deep inside his bones exploded up and
out.

“You’re the worst excuse for a man God ever created. What you did to
Katherine has saved you a nice boiling spot in Hell. And don’t think the three
of us did not know you were responsible for your parents’ accident.”

“Cousin,” Spencer urged, trying to wrest William’s hand from Trenton’s
throat. By then, Trenton’s lips were tinged blue and his eyes were bulging.

“Damn it all to hell!” William shouted as he backed up. He then noticed
all the patrons at White’s exchanging payment for bets made.
So shallow.
Was that all the members thought about?

As Trenton bent over, gasping for air, William took him by the arm and
dragged him to the door. “If you want to live to see the sun rise tomorrow,
don’t come near me again.”

The doorman opened the door, and William shoved Trenton out into the
windswept rain. William turned to see curious eyes watching him.

“Do you people not have things to do?” he snarled. With a deep breath
he returned to his chair once more, sat down, and picked up his glass of
brandy. His hand trembled so badly he almost sloshed the liquid over the rim.

Spencer held his glass up for a toast. “Well done, Cousin. Well done.”

“Something has to be done about him. I could never prove he murdered my
brother or his sister, but I know he did. I believe he would have killed me,
too, except his source of income would have ended.” As it had now.

Damn, his chest burned. William closed his eyes and tried to picture
his brother and Katherine alive and laughing, not their broken, dead bodies.
Geoffrey, so full of life and love for Katherine. It might not have been the
same love William had for Katherine, but he loved her nonetheless. It had made
sense at the time for her to marry Geoffrey instead of him to quiet the rumors
surrounding his sexual preferences. Katherine had cared for Geoffrey,
understood him, and would have done anything for him. And she did. She married
a man who could not be a husband in the true sense of the word.

Bloody hell, William missed them. If it were the last thing he did, he
would see Trenton pay for his sins.

“Yarmouth is paying a visit to Amelia today,” William said to Spencer.
“I am interested in paying a call to the Seabrook home. I want to watch the
duke try to worm his way into Amelia’s heart.”
Damn, he was a sadistic
bastard.

***

Due to the inclement weather, the ride in the park with the Duke of
Yarmouth had been postponed until another day. Amelia found herself sitting in
the drawing room with Isabella where they entertained the duke. Upon close
inspection, Amelia had to admit he appeared somewhat handsome in a young,
carefree sort of way. Daniel had only been a few years older than the duke, but
in terms of life experiences, Daniel seemed decades older. Daniel had been in
the army and seen battle. There had been a worldliness about Daniel that
attracted her at once.

And then there was William. One needed only a glimpse into his eyes to
know he’d seen more than his share of life and tragedy.

Those were the types of men who interested her. She did not want a duke
who’d had life handed to him on a silver spoon. And listening to him now, she
found that nothing he said interested her. Amelia had experienced too much in
her young life to be content with talking about the weather and wondering who
would attend the theater or ball and with whom and what they would wear. Polite
conversation seemed to go nowhere, to reveal nothing of the person.

Thank goodness for Bella and her aptitude for making small talk.

Just as the duke looked as though he might leave, the doorman entered
the room and announced, “Lord Bridgeton and Mr. Spencer. Shall I tell them you
are receiving?”

“Yes,” Amelia gushed enthusiastically. Her eyes met the pained look on
the duke’s face, and she instantly felt contrite. Yet she could not force
feelings that did not exist. Even if she spent every day with Yarmouth for a
month straight, she knew she would only regard him as a friend––nothing more.

When he was near, her body did not tingle.

Her heart did not pound.

She was not breathless while in his company.

Amelia most certainly did not want to kiss him––did not think she could
ever love him. No spark ignited between them. Surely, if he was at all
intuitive, he could also tell?

After everyone exchanged greetings, Lord Yarmouth did indeed take his
leave. Amelia alternated between guilt for being relieved he had left and
giddiness over William’s arrival. She had to remind herself that they could not
be more than friends. While her mind understood, her heart would not accept
only friendship with this new man in her life. She yearned for more.

“What brings you gentlemen by on such a dreadful day?” Bella asked as
she poured tea for the newcomers.

“Oh, is the weather bad?” Spencer remarked. “I had not noticed with you
lovely ladies smiling and lighting up the room.”

William groaned and Amelia laughed. 

 “Tell me, Lord Bridgeton, how long do you plan to stay in
London?” Amelia asked ignoring the hope soaring inside her body at the thought
of him staying until the Season ended.

“I believe I’ll stay until the Season concludes.” He shrugged. “That
is, unless something happens to change my mind.”

“Such as?” Amelia had to ask.

The look on his face now had her sucking in her breath, waiting.

“If the reason for me being here no longer exists,” William answered.

The look in William’s eyes now, had Amelia leaning toward him. The
warmth in his pale blue eyes drew her in, causing her to hold her breath. She
stared at William, unable to look away. “Bella, I just remembered Lord
Bridgeton’s interest in books. I believe I will show him the library.”

Bella sent her a warning look, but Amelia ignored it and led William
down the hall and into the dark, chilly library. No fire had been lit.

After she closed the door, William cocked a brow. “I don’t think this
is wise. Where are your mother and Wentworth?”

  “Mother’s in her room,” she answered breathlessly. “The only
other family member home is Bella.”

Amelia rose on tiptoes, placed the palms of her hands on his warm hard
chest, and stared into his eyes. Eyes that looked deep into her soul. She could
not help herself. Kissing him again was all she thought about. Her quivering
lips brushed his lightly, ever so lightly. She pulled back just a little and
stared at her hands. The hands that felt William’s heart pounding inside his
chest. She moved her fingers ever so slowly, caressing him through his
clothing. His body convulsed, and he sucked in his breath.

William placed his hands on her back and ran his fingers up and down
her spine. Warmth flowed from his fingertips into her body until her knees gave
way and they dropped down onto the sofa.

William hesitated, torn between his physical need for Amelia and the
need to keep her safe. He knew he would be damned to hell later, but right now,
he only wanted this. He took her lips with his. Gently at first, until a hunger
burst from deep inside his chest, a hunger not to be ignored, and he swept his
tongue inside her moist, sweet mouth. Amelia’s breathy gasps only fueled his
fire.

He had a vague thought that she had experienced this before, but he put
it aside. He didn’t care. He reached beneath her skirts and caressed first her
calf, then her soft, warm thigh, and then he probed higher, seeking her
womanhood.

“Amelia…” He breathed into her ear. Whatever else he meant to say
vanished as he took her soft lips with his, lips that tasted of heaven and
beyond, lips that caressed his with her moans of pleasure.

Abruptly, hands grabbed the back of his jacket and pulled him off
Amelia.

“Cousin, get a hold of yourself,” Spencer commanded.

As his eyes focused, William recognized the anger on his cousin’s face
and the shock on Lady Isabella’s. Lady Isabella’s eyes were huge, her hand
covering her mouth and her face resembling a red rose in full bloom.

Amelia jumped to her feet and smoothed her gown. Her eyes were as large
as her sister’s, and the shade of red in her face even deeper. “I…I…” Amelia
covered her eyes with her hands and sank back down into the sofa, and cried.

“Amelia,” William murmured, angry at himself for putting Amelia in this
awkward situation.

“No, Lord Bridgeton,” Lady Isabella said as she pulled herself together
and took control. “There is no time for you to console my sister. My brothers
are arriving home with Emma and baby Hamilton as we speak.”

“How can I ever thank you for coming in here as you did?” William said
gratefully.

The look Lady Isabella gave him would have felled lesser men. “You can
thank me by keeping your hands off my sister. She has had enough trauma and
heartache in her life. I hate to think what would have happened if Wentworth or
Sebastian had come in here instead of Mr. Spencer and me.”

Yes, one would hate to think. Lady Isabella’s chastisement ended as
they were joined in the library by the rest of the Seabrook family. The shocked
look on Lady Isabella’s face would not soon be forgotten. William cursed
himself for touching Amelia.

The look Wentworth sent William singed his skin.
Did he know?

“The ladies were showing my cousin and me your splendid collection of
books,” Spencer said, his voice relaxed, revealing nothing.

“Were they now?” Sebastian asked as he walked over to the fireplace and
lit some flint. A moment later a small flame began to glow.

“I thought the Duke of Yarmouth was to visit you this afternoon,
Amelia. Did he not come?” Wentworth walked over to his sister and sat in the
chair next to her. Piercing eyes scanned every inch of her. He paused and
frowned when he met her face. “Did he pay you a visit?”

“Oh, yes. He did,” she replied.

William nearly groaned at the guilty look on her features. “He was
present when we arrived,” he said, compelled to come to Amelia’s aid. “Left
shortly after, explaining he had another call to make.” Composed now, William
walked over to take the seat across from the duke. “He appears to be an affable
fellow. Are you considering him for Lady Amelia or Lady Isabella?”

“For Amelia.” Wentworth glared, clearly not liking William interfering
in their family business. “Isabella’s interest lies elsewhere.” The unfriendly
look he shot Spencer clearly proved he did not want him calling on his other
sister any better than he wanted William calling on Amelia.

Wentworth stood. “In fact, could I have a private word with you in my
study, Lord Bridgeton?”