The Earl's Runaway Bride Page 9

  Nathan could not but appreciate the imploring glance she cast at her husband. It was a nice mixture of regret, apology and entreaty. He found himself wishing that Felicity would direct such a look at him, but she merely sat with her head bowed. A sudden irritation came over him.

  ‘Enough of this,’ he declared, rising. ‘It is very late. If you will excuse me, I will take my wife home now.’

  From the tail of his eye he saw Felicity’s head snap up.

  Sir James set down his glass.

  ‘I appreciate how eager you are to be—er—reunited with your wife, Rosthorne, but perhaps Miss…perhaps Lady Rosthorne should remain here for a little longer.’ Before Nathan could object Sir James continued in the same thoughtful tone. ‘A couple of points for you to consider, my dear sir. One, Rosthorne House is a bachelor establishment, is it not? Surely you would wish to make a few changes before you install your bride there. Two—and possibly of more concern—if the ton wake up tomorrow morning and discover you have a wife it will make you the object of speculation for every gossip-monger in town.’

  ‘After what has occurred here, your servants will already be speculating,’ Nathan retorted.

  Sir James dismissed this. ‘I pay my people well for their silence, but once outside this house you will find the world is less discreet. You will not deny that you have allowed everyone to think you are unmarried.’

  Nathan flushed at the gentle rebuke. ‘It was unconsciously done,’ he said stiffly. ‘Those who knew of my marriage were fighting in the Peninsula with me. Most perished there. When I came back to England, there seemed no point in dragging up the past.’

  ‘Quite, but now it will be—er—dragged up, discussed and pondered over in every salon and coffee house in London,’ observed Sir James. ‘It cannot be avoided.’

  ‘Yes, it can.’ Felicity spoke up. She was very pale and was holding tightly to Lady Souden’s hand. ‘I could disappear again.’

  ‘No!’ Nathan’s anger flared. In heaven’s name, why did this woman hold him in such aversion? Even the French prisoners he had taken in battle had shown less desire to run away from him.

  ‘I’m afraid that is impossible, my dear,’ said Sir James, gently. ‘You are Rosthorne’s legal wife—we cannot ignore that fact. But perhaps we can take a little of the sting out of the gossip and speculation.’

  Nathan sat down again. ‘Go on, sir.’

  ‘We could spread it about that you sent your wife back to England for safety,’ suggested Sir James. ‘After all, the war was going badly at that time, so no one would think anything amiss there. And what more natural that she should wish to stay with her lifelong friend?’

  ‘For five years?’ Nathan could not keep the sceptical note out of his voice.

  ‘The war has only been over a few months, my lord.’

  ‘And why did she not take my name?’

  Sir James allowed himself a little smile. ‘A foible. Women are prone to them, I believe.’

  ‘Oh, well done, my love!’ exclaimed Lydia, clapping her hands. ‘An excellent notion!’

  Sir James accepted his wife’s praise with a faint smile, but his eyes were fixed upon Nathan, awaiting his response.

  Nathan shrugged. ‘I have no objection, but will Lady Rosthorne agree to it?’

  Silently Felicity nodded, so pale and unhappy one would have thought she was agreeing to her own execution. Pity gnawed at Nathan and made him uncomfortable. Impatiently he rose again to his feet.

  ‘Good, then it is settled,’ he said. ‘I shall return in the morning to collect my wife—’ He observed the look upon Sir James’s face and said impatiently, ‘Good God man, what is it now?’

  ‘I said at the outset that your wife should remain here and I still think that. Not only would it give both of you time to come to terms with the new situation but…’ Sir James gave the slightest of pauses ‘…one must consider his Highness.’

  Nathan stared at him. ‘What the d—! What in heaven’s name has the Regent to do with this?’

  Sir James spread his hands. ‘We are in the middle of his Peace Celebrations,’ he said apologetically. ‘They are not going well. Only tonight the Princess of Wales appeared at the theatre and drew everyone’s attention. The sensational news that the Earl of Rosthorne has a wife could have very much the same effect, and you know how Prinny hates anyone to steal his thunder.’ He paused. ‘The Regent would make a powerful enemy, Rosthorne.’

  Nathan was about to damn the Prince to perdition when his eyes fell upon Felicity. The abject misery in her face gave him pause. He could shrug off whatever the gossips said of him—it did not matter to him if the Prince turned him into a social outcast—but it would be different for his countess. He might disdain the Regent’s good opinion, but there was no doubt that his Highness could make life very difficult for his wife. If the fashionable tabbies of the ton decided to unsheathe their claws they could destroy any chance she had of being accepted in town. They could make her unhappy, and much as he was tempted to wring her pretty little neck he was damned if he would let anyone else hurt his wife. He rubbed his chin.

  ‘Your duties as escort to the Emperor of Russia will leave you very little free time for the next two weeks,’ Sir James reminded him. ‘I understand there are visits planned to the Royal Exchange, the Tower and the Abbey as well as various engagements in the City…’

  ‘Very well, you need not go on. I will leave her in your care until the Tsar leaves London,’ agreed Nathan. He directed a hard look towards Lady Souden. ‘I make you responsible for my wife, madam; I shall hold you accountable if she slips away from me again!’

  ‘P-perhaps I should leave town,’ suggested Felicity.

  Nathan shook his head. ‘No. I want you here, where I can see you.’

  Sir James agreed. ‘If you remain here, my dear, it will give you and Lord Rosthorne an opportunity to get to know one other again.’

  Lydia looked up, a speculative light in her eyes. ‘My lord, will you allow Felicity to continue as my companion while she is here?’

  ‘I do not see that that is his lordship’s decision,’ Felicity objected.

  ‘Well, it would need both of you to agree, of course,’ replied Lydia, unabashed, ‘but it would mean that you could come about with me, at least until Cousin Agnes arrives.’ She turned a hopeful face towards her husband. ‘Would you agree to that, my dear?’

  ‘Since my primary concern is your welfare, love, of course—but I think it is for Lord Rosthorne and his countess to decide.’

  Nathan hesitated. He did not want Felicity to be anyone’s companion save his own, but after making such a mull of this encounter he realised that it might be to his advantage.

  At last he nodded. ‘I will allow this charade to continue for a while longer.’

  ‘Excellent.’ Sir James rose. ‘Now I think that is quite enough for one night. I think we would all benefit from a little sleep. Allow me to escort you to the door, my lord.’

  Nathan turned towards the ladies, but observing the way Felicity shrank away he merely bowed to them before accompanying Sir James out of the room.

  ‘A most interesting evening,’ murmured Sir James, linking his arm through Nathan’s.

  ‘That, sir, is an understatement!’

  ‘So you and Miss Bro—Miss Bourne—met and married within a week? Hardly time to get to know one another.’

  Nathan thought back. He had known after one day that Felicity was different from any other woman he had ever met. That she was the only woman he wanted for his wife. Nothing had happened in the last five years to change that.

  Sir James continued, ‘It is to be hoped you can find some time amid your duties as royal escort to plan your campaign.’

  Nathan lifted an eyebrow. ‘Campaign, sir?’

  The older man’s smile widened and he patted him on the back. ‘Why, man, to court your wife all over again!’

  Chapter Seven

  Felicity awoke to the usual morning sounds: birdsong, the c
latter of wheels and hooves on the cobbles beneath her window, the creak of floorboards. Sounds she had heard every morning since her arrival in Berkeley Square, but this morning something was different, something that made her stir restlessly against her pillows. Then it all came back to her and she was sitting up in bed, clutching at the bedcovers. Last night had not been a nightmare, Nathan really had come to the house. He really had recognised her.

  She slipped out of bed and went to the chest by the window. Reaching beneath the neatly folded chemises and petticoats in the top drawer, her fingers closed around a small leather pouch. She pulled it out and tipped it up over her hand. Two rings tumbled into her palm.

  Felicity remembered with perfect clarity when Nathan had given her the diamond ring. It was the eve of their wedding. Nathan came to collect her to take her to dinner, to meet his fellow officers. They had not gone many yards along the road when he stopped.

  ‘Almost forgot. I bought you this today.’

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Felicity took it, a smile of anticipation hovering around her mouth, which turned into a gasp as she opened the lid to find an exquisite diamond ring winking up at her.

  ‘Oh, it is beautiful.’

  ‘We are to be married tomorrow, and I cannot introduce you as my fiancée if you have no ring. Take off your glove and put it on. I hope it is the right size.’

  ‘It is perfect,’ she breathed. ‘Thank you, Major.’

  ‘I have a name, you know; I think it is time we were a little less formal.’

  She looked up at him, smiling shyly. ‘Yes, of course. Thank you, Nathan.’

  She smiled up at him, flushing as she observed the warm glow in his eyes. She thought that only the fact that they were on a busy thoroughfare prevented him from pulling her into his arms and kissing her. Instead he looked away and cleared his throat.

  ‘You had best put your glove on again.’

  ‘Must I?’ She looked down at her fingers. ‘I want everyone to see my ring.’

  He laughed at that. ‘Very well—’ he tucked her hand in his arm ‘—but these sea winds will chap your skin.’

  ‘It will do no harm, this once. But should I not give you a ring?’

  ‘That is not necessary; I have this.’ He pulled a heavy gold ring from his right hand. ‘My mother gave me this when I came of age three years ago. I shall wear this on my left hand from now on.’

  ‘And the other ring, the band on your little finger?’

  ‘A present from my grandfather when I joined the army. He said it would buy a few nights’ lodging, or a pair of boots if ever I was in need.’

  ‘It is very unusual,’ she remarked, leaning closer to study the ring by the light of the torchères burning outside one of the houses.

  ‘Yes, it is a thorn bush, the Rosthorne family symbol—a rose thorn, you see.’

  Felicity looked at the gold band with its engraving of thorns running around it. She had a fleeting thought that he might have given her the smaller ring, rather than buying her a new one, but a glance at the little diamond on her finger, flashing fire as it caught the light, quelled any dissatisfaction. The diamond ring fitted her slender finger perfectly and she would treasure it always.

  ‘Tell me again where we are going, Major.’

  ‘To the hotel Fontana d’Oro. I want to introduce you to Adam Elliston. He and I grew up together, we are almost like brothers.’

  ‘Then I should be delighted to meet him,’ she replied, smiling.

  He hesitated. ‘He will be accompanied by a…’ he coughed ‘…by Mrs Serena Craike. She is the wife of Colonel Craike.’

  ‘And will Colonel Craike be there, too?’ Felicity asked innocently, but then she glanced up at him. ‘Oh, you—you mean that she, that she and your friend are…are lovers?’ she whispered the last word.

  ‘Well, he is besotted with her, but as for love—’ Nathan’s mouth twisted in distaste.

  ‘Perhaps she is unhappy in her marriage,’ mused Felicity.

  ‘Perhaps. Adam is not the first man to fall under her spell.’

  ‘Oh. Is she very pretty?’

  ‘A beauty, if your taste runs to ripe redheads.’

  Felicity picked up the second ring, a plain gold band, and held it between her fingers. She could remember only disjointed images from her wedding day. Being surrounded by men in bright uniforms, a loud-voiced officer with bushy side-whiskers barking orders at the chaplain, telling him to get on with it since the Guards were already marching out of Corunna, the officer’s wife pressing a small posy of wild flowers into her hands. One or two of the officers she recognised, but Nathan’s best friend, Adam Elliston, could not be spared from his duties and she was sorry for it, for Nathan’s sake. She had no friends there but she wanted none, for Nathan was constantly at her side, making his vows with clipped assurance, sliding the wedding ring on to her finger, brushing her lips with his own.

  ‘Well, Mrs Carraway…’ Nathan turned his head to look at her. ‘How do you feel?’

  ‘Very strange,’ she said slowly. ‘I feel—no different.’

  ‘Forgive me—to be married in such haste, at the drum’s head—’

  She put her hand to his lips. ‘It is the vows one makes that are important, Nathan, not where one makes them.’

  He handed her a small purse. ‘This is all I have now. There is more than enough to keep you until we are together again. I have paid for board and lodging here for the next three months, by which time I hope to be able to send for you.’ He put his arm around her. ‘I am sorry to be leaving you so alone…’

  ‘No, no, you must not worry for me. You have your duties to attend to, and as for being alone, I lived very isolated with my uncle, so I am used to that. At least now I have Señora Benitez, who is very kind, and I shall soon become acquainted with the other English ladies of the town.’

  Smiling, he caught her hand and pressed a kiss in the palm. Then he put his hand under her chin and tilted her face up to kiss her, very gently, on the lips.

  The shock set the nerves tingling throughout her body. She closed her eyes, relishing the sensation of his mouth on hers, the scent of his skin. She wanted it to go on for ever.

  He took her back to the apartment on the Canton Grande and carried her into the bedroom.

  ‘But, Nathan, your men.’ Her protest was half-hearted. ‘The colonel said you have to catch up with them…’

  ‘Let them wait,’ he muttered, setting her gently on her feet. ‘I will ride all night if I have to.’

  He put his hands on her shoulders and she trembled at his touch. She said shyly, ‘How much time do we have?’

  Nathan smiled at her. It sent a warm thrill down her spine and on, right to her toes.

  ‘As long as we need, sweetheart.’

  Felicity gave herself a shake. She dropped the rings back into the pouch and buried them deep in the drawer again. It was over. She had loved him, trusted him, and it had cost her dear. She would not allow that to happen again.

  ‘Oh, what a fool I have been!’ she exclaimed.

  ‘What was that, my love?’ Lady Souden came in, closely followed by Betsy with her morning tray.

  ‘I wish I had stayed at Souden,’ said Felicity morosely.

  She allowed Betsy to place the tray on the bed, but she did not drink her hot chocolate, merely stared into its muddy depths. When the maid had left the room she looked up.

  ‘Oh, Lydia, what am I to do?’ she wailed.

  ‘Do?’ Lydia helped herself to one of the dainty strips of buttered toast lying on the tray. ‘Why, my love, you must learn to be a countess.’

  ‘But Rosthorne hates me!’

  ‘No, no, Fee. He was a little put out last night, to be sure, but that is understandable. It was quite a shock for him to find you in London.’ She giggled. ‘It was quite a shock for me, when I followed James to the morning room and found you in Rosthorne’s arms. I had not considered him to be such a passionate being.’

&nbs
p; ‘It was not funny,’ retorted Felicity, offended. ‘It was quite frightening. I have never seen Nathan so angry. Heaven knows what would have happened if you had not arrived when you did.’

  Lydia gazed at her, a knowing twinkle in her eyes. ‘Do you not, love?’ Felicity’s cheeks flamed and with a soft laugh Lydia reached out and patted her hand. ‘I beg your pardon; I will not tease you any further. I thought James handled the whole thing very well, did not you? He is always so calm and sensible. And how delightful that Rosthorne has agreed to your remaining here with me.’

  ‘But for how long?’ replied Felicity. ‘I am very tempted to keep to my bed, knowing that he might call at any time.’

  As if to prove her words, there was a light scratching on the door and a flustered maid peeped in to announce that Lord Rosthorne was below and wishful to see Miss Brown. Felicity grew pale and turned her frightened eyes towards her friend. Lydia merely patted her hands.

  ‘Tell Lord Rosthorne that if he would care to wait, Miss Brown will be with him in thirty minutes,’ she said to the maid. She turned back to Felicity. ‘Betsy shall help you into your gown and I will send Janet to dress your hair for you. Now that the earl knows who you are there is no need for you to look quite so Quakerish!’

  ‘My uncle would have said it was a very appropriate look.’

  ‘Your uncle tried to beat your self-esteem out of you,’ retorted Lydia. ‘The Academy trained us to be fitting partners for our husbands, not meek little servants. Remember that.’

  Slightly more than half an hour later, Felicity was ready to descend. ‘I wish you would come with me.’ She gave Lady Souden a beseeching look.

  ‘I am not yet dressed,’ exclaimed Lydia, fingering the folds of her frothy negligee. ‘Besides, Rosthorne would only request that I leave the two of you alone, I am sure.’ She gave Felicity a reassuring pat on her shoulder. ‘Go on now, and stand up to him; he is a gentleman, after all.’

  Felicity cast her a darkling look. ‘I hope Lord Rosthorne remembers that!’

  She found the earl waiting for her in the library. He was standing by the window, his buckskins, topboots and the tight-fitting jacket he wore combined to accentuate his athletic form. He was idly spinning the terrestrial globe on its stand and did not look up immediately.