The Wagered Bride (13 page)

The
older lady looked up. "Have them send you some hot water for a bath.
Stephen will see to your every need, won't you, my dear? Why you kept this girl
a secret, I'll never know."

Elizabeth
stood and brushed the dust from her skirt. She hurried across the kitchen while
Stephen followed. He took her elbow, gently pulling her close.

She
halted. "Yes, my lord?"

He
lifted her chin with his finger. "Thank you."

She
looked away, the painful gaze spearing his heart. Did she love that weasel
Fennington so?

"You're
welcome. But truly, I must ready myself for dinner. Pray excuse me."

"I
will see to your every need, of course," he said more sharply than
intended. She gasped and fled from his arms. "What the hell is wrong with
me?" he murmured, glaring at the floor.

"Confound
it, do not speak to your feet."

Stephen
looked up to find Stonebridge smiling at him. "What the deuce are you
talking about?" Stephen snapped.

"My
wife may fear it runs in the family, talking to one's feet and what not. Can
you not see that I have enough to worry about? When will you learn to stop this
nonsense?"

Stephen's
fist clenched. "Oh, go to the devil."

"Oh,
but I've been there—before I married your sister, that is. And I can tell you
something, until you face the devils inside yourself, you won't have any peace
at all."

Chapter Eight

T
he weather was horrid as Elizabeth
slowly made her way down to dinner. Sheets of rain fell from the sky while the
wind howled against the walls of Elbourne Hall, making travel all but
impossible. She knew that any guests who had been invited this evening would
not be coming. Only an idiot would dare step outside on a night like this.

She drew
in a deep breath and tried to calm her pounding heart. She had already made the
acquaintance of the duke, but it was his intense gaze that unnerved her. The
man didn't seem happy about her engagement to his brother.

She
shouldn't care, but she did. Of course, Lord Marcus seemed kind and so did his
brother Lord Clayton.

She felt
a little lift, recalling the moment she had met the duke's wife and his sister.
The duchess, Jane, as she asked to be called, since they were to be family, had
been all smiles, making her feel as welcome as Lady Emily, a dear lady whom
Elizabeth felt at home with the moment she met her.

But a
sister was one thing, a brother who was a duke was something altogether
different. What had Stephen told him? Or was it the fact that she was not of
the illustrious
ton
—that is, without her father's money?

Only
minutes ago she had discovered that she would be alone tonight with the Clearbrook
family. Milli was exhausted and had pleaded a headache. Her father had done the
same, begging to be excused. The journey in the coach always tired him out.

She
regretted speaking to him with such anger about his plans to wed her to his
lordship, but it was her life and she should decide her destiny, not him.

Her
thoughts turned to Stephen, and despite herself her heart began to soften.

She
certainly didn't want to recall the loving way he looked at his mother as she
cared for the kittens. But the episode still lay deep in her mind, refusing to
be settled. How could a man be so two-faced?

Milli
could not have been wrong about the incident with Odette, could she?

And yet,
no matter what, Elizabeth couldn't control her attraction to the man. His charm
was like a spell and she found herself beginning to like him. If that were not
maddening, she didn't know what was.

Although
his mother had said he was an impulsive child, the love in the lady's voice had
not been lost on Elizabeth, and she had instantly felt a prickle of regret at
the way she had treated him that day in the library. The man was an absolute
enigma.

"Good
evening," Stephen's mother announced, her steps quickening as she drew up
beside Elizabeth in the hall. "Did the servants bring you hot water for a
bath? Is there anything else I can do for you? I will never be able to thank
you."

Elizabeth
laughed. "I did nothing but help Egypt with her kittens. Please do not
make me some kind of saint."

The lady
raised an elegant brow. "I will never forget your kindness, Elizabeth. If
you ever have need, please feel free to come to me. But I am so sorry your
family is under the weather this evening."

The lady
waved her hand toward the dining room, her eyes sparkling, no doubt because of
her new kittens. "La, I fear it will be a bit informal tonight with our
tight little group. None of our guests will wish to travel."

As they
entered the room, the gathering turned their way.

Elizabeth
saw Stephen's expression tighten and a lump formed in her throat. The two
middle brothers gave a warm smile of welcome. The Duke of Elbourne nodded
grimly. The young duchess flashed a quick glare at the duke before she took
Elizabeth's hand in a warm welcome.

Stephen
stepped away from his stiff position at the window and walked toward her.
"You look enchanting. I'm sorry your father and Millicent are unwell. Is
there anything I could do to make them more comfortable?"

Elizabeth
managed a smile, knowing the young duchess was taking in the scene with a
calculating eye. "They are resting comfortably, thank you."

Silence
fell over the room like an ominous black cloud.

"My
dear," the duchess added gracefully, still holding Elizabeth's hand,
"you are already acquainted with Lady Emily and her husband Lord
Stonebridge?"

Forcing
another smile, Elizabeth was soon drawn into an easy conversation with Stephen's
sister. The rest of the family began to chat among themselves and the awkward
moment was over.

"I
hear you saved Egypt from certain death," Lady Emily said, laughing as she
patted her round belly, walking near the window to peer out at the storm.

Elizabeth
flushed at the candid remark, knowing the lady was referring to her delicate
condition. But it seemed no one considered the comment scandalous since Lady
Emily happened to be surrounded by family.

However,
Elizabeth immediately detected the note of worry on Lord Stonebridge's face as
he followed his wife with eaglelike eyes, and she sympathized with him. Many
ladies died during childbirth. Her own mother had died giving birth to Milli,
had she not?

"Little
Egypt is doing quite well," Elizabeth offered. "But I own the entire
day has been a great surprise to your mother."

Lady
Emily grinned. "Yes, but I daresay a delightful surprise. She needs some
diversion with Lord Bringston away."

A
thunderclap shook the mansion and Elizabeth flinched. The room darkened as the
candles flickered eerily on the tables.

Lady
Emily winced and Elizabeth stared at her thoughtfully.

"I
hope you like roasted duck with lemon sauce, sweetheart."

Stephen's
silky voice broke into Elizabeth's keen scrutiny of his sister. A small shiver
worked its way up her back as he took that moment to come up beside her.
"It is one of Cook's specialties."

Sweetheart?
Her stomach flip-flopped like a dying fish on a pier at the sound of the
endearment passing his lips. His charm was never ending. The rogue.

"I
have never had it with lemon sauce before, my lord."

Like a
besotted suitor, he guided her to her seat, whispering in her ear, "Then
we will have something to talk about later, won't we?"

His warm
breath fanned her face, and she stared helplessly at the table. Why was he
doing this to her?

"Stephen,
dear," his mother said as he took his seat, "you must be our escort
tomorrow to the dressmaker's. Elizabeth will need a new wardrobe. One never has
enough gowns, you know."

Elizabeth
looked up, dumbfounded at the lady's suggestion. "But my father has always
seen that I have the best in gowns."

Stephen
raised a brow in her direction and picked up his wineglass. "Alas, he will
not be the one to care for you when we are married. In fact, after we are wed,
I have made it clear to your father that he will pay for nothing."

The duke
seemed to choke on his food. Elizabeth blinked.

Lady
Emily smiled. "Miss Shelby, Mother tells me we are to have an engagement
ball in two weeks. It will be an extravagant affair. Of course, I won't be able
to come, but I will be settled in my chambers, sending spies for all the details."

"An
engagement ball?" Stephen exchanged confused glances with his mother and
Elizabeth.

Engagement
ball? If Elizabeth were not so horrified by the information, she would have
laughed at her fiancé's reaction. Was he too embarrassed to be seen with her?
And what of his family? Did everyone but the duke think it a love match?

For a
time the conversation revolved around the ball and the upcoming festivities.
Through it all, Elizabeth felt like a fraud. How much longer was this to go on?

After
dinner the ladies departed to the drawing room, leaving the men to their port.
Almost immediately Stephen's mother withdrew to the kitchen, wanting to look in
on Egypt.

Elizabeth
continued to converse with Lady Emily, who was quickly showing signs of
fatigue.

"Mother
was beside herself until you came, Miss Shelby. We are all so thankful that you
turned up when you did."

Elizabeth
smiled. "I did not deliver the kittens. Egypt did all the work. I just
helped make her comfortable."

Eyes
twinkling, Lady Emily wiggled her large stomach into a comfortable position as
she sat on the sofa. "Hmmmm, imagine if Egypt started having those kittens
on Mama's lap? I doubt any of us would have slept the night." She chuckled
and immediately winced as she moved again.

Elizabeth
looked at her thoughtfully, not for the first time that evening. "Speaking
of sleeping, are you sleeping well, considering?"

"As
a matter of fact, no. My back hurts like the devil."

Elizabeth
burst forth with laughter.

"The
question is, are you sleeping well, Miss Shelby?" the lady asked suddenly,
her expression keen.

Elizabeth
blushed. How could she tell this woman that her cherished brother had made a
deal with her father? Money in exchange for the use of his title. There was no
love at all.

"You
are not in love with my brother, are you?"

"I,
er, think him very handsome."

"I
see. It is a marriage of convenience then." Lady Emily sank against the
cushions. "What kind of scrape did my brother fall into now?"

Elizabeth
turned a frowning gaze toward the flames leaping in the hearth. Thunder shook
the mansion, rattling the windowpanes. "I imagine he was eager for my
father's money."

"No,"
the lady said vehemently, "Stephen could have come to Roderick for that. Or
at least Marcus or Clayton."

Elizabeth
wondered how much Lady Emily knew of her brother. "Perhaps he was tired of
coming to his family for aid."

Lady
Emily paused as she placed her hands on her stomach. "So you find him
handsome? What about charming?"

Charming?
Of course he was charming. He also had a vengeful streak that marred his
perfection.

Elizabeth
stood, walking closer to the fire. "Your brother has his charms." She
stopped and turned to face Lady Emily. "But I don't want to marry him for
that or for his title. My father wanted this marriage. Do you hate me for
that?"

"Of
course I don't hate you. I gather your father wanted a title for you. It is not
as uncommon as you think."

"Not
for me." I want to marry someone who loves me for myself. But when she
tried to picture Mr. Fennington's face, Stephen's chiseled profile came into
view.

"Oh!"

Elizabeth's
head snapped up at Lady Emily's shriek. The lady squeezed her eyes shut, and
her lips were turning white with pain.

"How
long have the pains been coming?" Elizabeth asked, hastening to the lady's
side. She grabbed Lady Emily's wrist and felt her pulse.

Lady
Emily spoke through clenched teeth. "Oh, for the past four hours, I
believe. They were only minor irritations. I never thought they meant anything.
The doctor said I might have pains off and on and should stay off my feet, but
I never thought... oh my, is it to happen tonight?"

Her face
turned ashen as she sought Elizabeth's hand and squeezed. Violet eyes filled
with fear when they met Elizabeth's gaze. "I am to have this baby next
month. Not now."

The rain
slapped hard against the windows of the drawing room, reminding them both of
the inclement weather. "Oh, dear heaven. I don't want my baby to die. The
doctor won't be able to travel in this. What I am to do? My husband is usually
as calm as a duck on water, but since I have been with child, the man has been
an intolerable nuisance."

They
both let out hesitant laughs.

"A
baby takes its time, Lady Emily. Just take some deep calming breaths and
everything will be fine."

Elizabeth
kept glancing at the door. She needed to contact Lord Stonebridge. Wanted to
scream his name. He seemed to be a man who could do just about anything. He
would drag the doctor through sleet and hail to attend to his wife if need be.

Lady
Emily took another breath and seemed to relax for at least a few seconds.
"Yes, yes, I feel better now."

Elizabeth
patted the lady's hand. "Now, you are going to have a few minutes between
pains, but when they start to come faster it will be harder to speak. But when
it is all over, you will hold a beautiful baby in your arms and all will be
well."

Elizabeth
prayed she was right. For years she had read books in her father's library on a
surgeon's life and practice. The information had become quite helpful with her
medical treatments, especially with animals. But when it came to giving birth
to a human baby, well she certainly was not qualified to be involved in that.
It just was not done.

Lady
Emily nodded as she bit her lip and passed through another contraction.

Elizabeth
straightened. "I must fetch your husband now. He will know what to
do."