The Untamed Earl (29 page)

“So have I,” Alex barely whispered.

Lavinia returned to the bed and shrugged and sighed. “Well, enough about me. What is your good news, Alexandra? Are you engaged? Perhaps to Lord Berkeley?”

“No! No. It's … it's nothing so grand as your news.”

“I see. Well, I do hope you'll help me plan the wedding. I know we've never been close, but I'd truly like to change that.” She reached over and patted Alex on the hand.

“Of … of course.” Alex watched, dumbfounded, as her sister turned and flounced to the door.

“I thought you'd be happier for me, Alexandra,” Lavinia said with a bit of a pout on her lips. “This is wonderful news for you, too, you know? It means that now you're free to become engaged as well.”

“Yes,” Alex whispered brokenly.

Her sister opened the door and flitted away while Alex vowed never to shed another tear for Owen Monroe.

 

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Owen wanted to punch his fist through the wall of the coach. His mind had transformed into a haze of angry red mist. After seeing that farce of an engagement announcement in the
Times
this morning, he'd gone to the Duke of Huntley's residence to both demand an explanation and ask for Alex's hand in marriage. The duke seemed to be entirely ignorant of how the announcement had made it into the paper, but he refused to allow his eldest daughter to be embarrassed by a retracted announcement. Lavinia, it seemed, had had a change of heart and was willing to accept him now. The duke had told Owen in no uncertain terms that Alex would
not
be his. Owen could marry Lavinia or no one.

Owen knew exactly who had sent the announcement to the paper. Lavinia was just the sort of devil to do such a thing. He'd underestimated her and made a grievous mistake when he'd told her he loved Alex. None of that mattered, however. He need only talk to Alex. He had no idea what her reaction to the announcement in the paper was. She was probably angry too. But they'd figure something out. Damn it. They'd strike out for Gretna Green tonight, if that was what she wanted. Her father had refused to send the butler to fetch Alex. Owen had waited outside for hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. He'd finally bribed one of the footmen to discover from her maid where she was planning to go tonight. He'd learned that she was attending the Bennetts' affair, and that's exactly where he was headed.

His coach had barely come to a rolling stop in front of the Bennetts' town house when Owen leaped out and headed toward the house with ground-devouring strides. Apparently, he was making a habit of plowing through crowds without observing the social niceties in search of Alex.

After scouring the house for the better part of half an hour, he found her, sitting forlornly near a potted palm along the sidelines of the dancing. He made his way over to her quickly.

“Alex, there you are,” he said breathlessly. “There's something I have to tell you.”

She looked up at him as if she'd seen a ghost. Pure horror registered on her face. Had she been crying? She held up a hand. “No, wait.”

Judging from her swollen eyes, perhaps she'd already heard. He took a deep breath. “You're not going to like it, but I've been to see your father and—”

“Yes. I know.” She kept her jaw tightly clamped. She wouldn't look at him. What was wrong?

Owen scrubbed a hand through his hair. “He told you?”

Alex stared off into the crowd, still refusing to look at him. “It's quite the news at my house. Did you think I wouldn't find out?”

“I want you to know, this doesn't change anything, I still plan to—”

“No!” She snapped her head toward him and met his gaze. “I don't want to hear it. It's over. Let's part ways with a bit of dignity.”

He searched her face, incredulous. “Alex, no. I—I told your father that—”

“Save your breath. I told Father I wouldn't accept your suit if you were the last man on earth. It's perfectly fine. It's all to work out the way it's meant to, isn't it? You told me that once, Owen, do you remember?”

He glanced about to ensure they were not being overheard. “Yes, but what about Bath? What about—?”

She tugged viciously at the string to her reticule. “Oh, that. I only did
that
on a dare from Lucy Hunt.”

His face crumpled into a mask of disbelief. “What are you saying?”

Her voice was a harsh, low whisper. “I wanted to see what it would be like, my first time with a rake. Thank you for your experience, my lord. It was quite enlightening.”

He snapped his head to the side as if he'd been slapped. “You don't mean that, Alex.”

“Yes, I do, and I mean this, too: Marry Lavinia, Owen. You deserve each other.” Alex stood and hurried away.

 

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

If the Duke of Huntley's butler was at all surprised to see three well-dressed young married ladies of varying aristocratic lineage knocking on the front door that afternoon, he betrayed his surprise by neither word nor deed. In fact, Alexandra had to wonder at the poor servant's shock when the three ladies introduced themselves as the Duchess of Claringdon, the Countess of Swifdon, and Mrs. Garrett Upton. But the butler must have recovered himself soon after they announced they were here to see Lady Alexandra Hobbs and not Lady Lavinia, who was indisposed at any rate, as she was upstairs having fittings with her modiste, Madame Bergeron. Lady Alexandra, however, was quite free to receive company and was sitting in the drawing room, working on her embroidery, when the three esteemed ladies marched into the room. They came in looking like a set of well-heeled fairy godmothers in smart gowns and kid gloves, their bonnets having been removed at the door. Alex glanced up from her embroidery, looked twice, and watched in awe as they fanned out around her, took seats, and deftly asked the butler for tea.

“I assume you received my note, Cass,” Alex said, letting her embroidery fall to her lap.

“I did indeed, and I was entirely horrified,” Cass replied.

Alex furrowed her brow. “I do hope you're not here to attempt to convince me to forgive Owen, because I simply cannot—”

“We're not here to convince you of anything, Alex. But you must listen to us,” Cass said quietly.

“We've done some investigating,” Jane announced. She did not have a book in her hand. This had to be serious.

Lucy nodded. “Yes, even Jane got involved this time.”

Jane shrugged. “I cannot abide injustice. It's a particular vexation of mine. And I do have a bit of experience when it comes to sleuthing about.”

“Investigating? Injustice? Sleuthing? But what has this to do with me?” Alex turned her head in a wide arc to meet each of their gazes.

“Something about the story you sent to Cass didn't quite make sense, dear,” Lucy said. “So I summoned your sister's maid.”

Alex blinked. “Martha?”

“Yes, a lovely woman. I asked her to tell me what she knew, and she did. I don't know what it is about me, but people always seem to tell me the truth. It's as if I'm a vicar or something.”

“Oh, I wouldn't go
that
far.” Jane rolled her eyes.

“Regardless,” Lucy sniffed, “Martha was quite a source of information. I learned long ago—if you want to know a lady's secrets, start with her maid. They know everything, don't they?”

The two other ladies nodded.

“Martha told me the entire sordid story,” Lucy continued.

Alex frowned. “What sordid story?”

“Why, the fact that your dear sister placed a false engagement announcement in the
Times
and then lied to you about accepting Owen's suit.”

Alex's eyebrows shot up. “False engagement announcement?”

“Seems she overheard Owen when he came to speak with your father. Owen informed the duke that he would no longer be paying court to Lavinia. He mentioned that he wanted to offer for your hand instead and would be back to do so as soon as he'd secured your agreement. Only he didn't mention your name specifically. But apparently, Lavinia guessed.”

Alex scowled. “I don't understand.”

Jane nudged her spectacles. “Your sister overheard it all and became positively green with jealousy.”

Alex expelled her breath. “But she never even wanted him.”

“It appears she changed her mind the moment it became clear that he not only no longer wanted her but wanted
you
instead,” Lucy continued.

“Which is positively horrid!” Cass declared loyally.

“
Egad,
she's worse than Mrs. Langford, the woman who tried to steal Garrett from me. But at least Mrs. Langford wasn't my own
sister
!” Jane exclaimed.

“I cannot believe she's my sister,” Alex said brokenly.

“Believe it, dear. I have the story straight from Martha,” Lucy said. “Lavinia even had Martha deliver the announcement to the
Times,
the beast. Of course, the poor girl had no idea what it was at the time. She was quite distressed when she later found out what she'd done. She likes you quite a lot, Alex. She says you've always treated her with much more kindness than Lavinia has.”

Alex pressed a hand to her cheek. “That's not difficult to do.” Her heart ached for poor Martha, forced to carry out her sister's awful plot. But her overwhelming feeling was disgust. Disgust and anger at Lavinia. “I can't believe she did this. Even for Lavinia, it's so low.”

“She's quite vile,” Lucy continued. “Apparently, she told Martha the entire tale as if she'd find it amusing. Your sister has much to learn about female friendships. Martha, poor dear, was afraid for her position, of course, but I assured her that should she be released from your sister's employ, I've no doubt I can locate a suitable position for her in my household.”

Alex stood and paced across the room. She pressed a hand to her middle. “I feel sick.”

“I would, too,” Cass offered sympathetically. “I'm so sorry we had to tell you this.”

Alex made her way over to the window and braced her other hand against the pane. She stared outside in silence for several long moments. Finally, she turned back to her friends. “You know, I once told Owen he didn't believe in himself. But I haven't believed in myself either. I've allowed my sister to dictate everything to me my entire life. It always seemed normal to me. Mother was so adamant about Lavinia's feelings and Lavinia's desires. I was always an afterthought. I never even had friends, because Mother wanted me to be at Lavinia's beck and call.”

“Not having friends is so sad, dear,” Lucy said. “I hope you'll consider the three of us your friends from now on.”

“And Daphne, too,” Cass added. “You've yet to meet her but I just know the two of you will get on famously.”

“I will,” Alex said, wiping tears from her eyes. “I do. I'm absolutely privileged to call you all my friends. And as for kowtowing to Lavinia, I'm absolutely sick of it. I refuse to do it one moment longer. Not after this. I knew she was mean and selfish, but I never believed she'd stoop to this. I think that's partially why I believed her. I just couldn't imagine she'd do …
this.
I just—” Alex paced away again, biting her fingernail. “I only wish I knew what to do … about Owen.”

Jane marched over and patted Alex on the shoulder. “It's become so complicated, you need all of us to work it out. That's what friends do. We help each other. We'll think of some way for you to get Owen back.”

“But I was so awful to him. I refused him. I told him I wouldn't accept his suit if he were the last man on earth.”

Cass winced. “Not a particularly fine moment, but one that I've no doubt can be corrected.”

Alex looked up at her with more tears in her eyes. “Do you truly think so?”

“Absolutely,” Lucy replied, her different-color eyes sparkling. “But you're going to have to be bold!”

 

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

“Bold” was the same as “daring,” and Alex had learned to love to be daring. If any day called for some daring, it was today. And Alex knew just how she'd go about it. Lavinia was still having her fitting when Alex marched upstairs in search of her. Lavinia was in the room next to her bedchamber that had been converted into a large wardrobe expressly for her use. Madame Bergeron and her trusty assistant were busily fussing over her while Lavinia held out her arms and surveyed herself in the looking glass. New gowns were one of the few things that made Lavinia happy. She was certain to be in a less foul mood. Alex smiled to herself. She would be sure to change that.

When Alex strolled into the room, Lavinia looked up. Her eyes betrayed a bit of nervousness. Good.

“New gowns?” Alex asked, pasting a pleasant but decidedly fake smile on her face.

Lavinia glanced back down to the beige lace gown she was wearing. “Yes, I need a few.”

“God forbid you wear anything more than once,” Alex muttered.

Lavinia's sharp voice stabbed through the air. “What was that?”

“Why, of course you'd need new gowns, what with your impending
marriage.
” She turned her attention to the Frenchwomen. “Did you happen to see the announcement of Lady Lavinia's upcoming marriage in the paper?”

Madame Bergeron's hand flew to her throat. “
Oui.
But of course, and we would be honored to design you zee most beautiful wedding gown in all zee kingdom,” she said to Lavinia. “Why, it shall rival Princess Charlotte's. It shall—”

“It's not
entirely
official yet.” Lavinia's voice cut through the room again, ice dripping from her tone.

Alex eyed her warily. Her sister was growing more annoyed and angry by the moment. Good.

“Not official yet?” Alex allowed her eyebrows to shoot up. “Surely it's official if it's been announced in the paper.”