The Earl's Return (Marriage Mart Mayhem) (9 page)

Redgrave leaned back in his chair and rested his chin on his thumb and index finger. This was as bad as he’d feared. “What of the diamond he is flashing about?”

“Glass. Plain glass.” Charles paused and glanced at his notes. “Anyone with a mind to do so could take it to a jeweler and learn for himself it’s fake.” He flipped his notebook closed and regarded him. “But, no doubt your man would never let it out of his sight. This swindle isn’t even put together that well. If I could get this information, anyone else can. All it took was a couple of well-placed letters. It amazes me how easily blokes of wealth and power are duped.”

Redgrave wondered the very same thing. The men he’d met who were involved in this were titled gentlemen who he would have vouched for as being responsible and prudent. “Probably because we assume the others are all gentlemen and would never swindle one of our own.”

Charles shook his head and stood. “I’ll never understand it.”

“Send me your bill, and I will have my man of business issue you a draft.”

Once the man left the room, Redgrave spun in his chair and looked out the window at the shadows cast by the fading sun.

Now what do I do?

Chapter Nine

Mary took a sip of her tea and laughed at the antics of Lord Grayson. The man was entertaining the visitors in Lady Alice’s parlor by regaling them with tales of his childhood that Mary guessed were mostly made up for their benefit.

“Lord Grayson. When you were stuck out in the lake with the pack of wild dogs on shore, how did you survive? You look most hale and hearty to me.” Miss Edgeworth blushed slightly at referring to Grayson’s form, but the slip went unnoticed by most.

“Ah, that my lady, is a secret. Should I ever need to escape a pack again, I do not wish to have it spread around the entire dog population how I evaded them.”

“Oh you.” Lady Alice tapped him on his arm with her fan. “Dogs don’t talk.”

He regarded her with large eyes and his hand over his heart. “They don’t? Well, I never knew that.”

Another round of laughter followed.

Mary had spent most of the hour-long visit avoiding Redgrave. He had already been present when she’d arrived. She should not have been shocked to see him, since he’d made it clear from the very first that his return to Town was for the express purpose of finding a wife. Lady Alice was an attractive, pleasant, and anxious-to-be-married young lady, and no doubt he would consider her perfect for the role of his countess. It didn’t bother her.

Not at all.

Jeanette had arrived shortly after she had. As thrilled as she had been to see Jeanette and have the opportunity to speak with her once again, she was on pins and needles expecting Claremont to arrive at any moment. Yet she was loath to ask her friend if he was expected.

“Lady Mary, Redgrave told me you and several others supervised a picnic for the Orphan Asylum last week. How every generous of you to give your time like that to the underclass. I would be terrified to spend time with those children.” The annoying Miss Stoneridge fanned herself rapidly, as if just speaking the words distressed her. She had hung by Redgrave’s side from the time she’d arrived.

“Not at all, Miss Stoneridge. Redgrave had his pistol, so I am sure any attack from a six-year-old would have been quelled quite nicely.” Mary offered her a sweet smile.

Redgrave let out with a choking sound that he tried to hide behind a cough. Their eyes met, and Mary raised her chin. The words the idiot woman had spoken sounded like a compliment, but had turned ugly at the end.

Miss Stoneridge’s mouth dropped open as she turned to Redgrave, who was still attempting to compose himself. “Surely you would not have shot a child, my lord? Even if they are of no consequence.”

His eyes snapped, apparently no longer thinking the chit amusing. “No. I was more concerned with the nine-year-olds.”

Apparently not at all understanding Redgrave’s sarcasm, the stupid girl said, “Well that is a bit of a relief. I would hate to see you go through the mess of dealing with the magistrate over someone like that.”

Mary’s glance met Redgrave’s once again, and for a moment it was almost as if they were the only two people in the room who understood. She both relished and feared that connection. However would she get through the rest of the Season until Redgrave selected his bride and announced his betrothal? Just the look that had passed between them had her lady parts tingling and her heart thumping.

“My lady, Lord Claremont has arrived.” Lady Alice’s butler stood at attention in the doorway.

“Oh, thank you,” Jeannette said, her eyes bright with excitement.

The last meal Mary had eaten threatened to make a reappearance at her feet. Her breathing increased, and her hands were clasped so firmly in her lap that her fingers turned white. Under lowered eyelids she slid a quick glance at Redgrave who studied her carefully, his brows furrowed.

Jeanette preened as Claremont entered the room, his scrutiny settling first on Mary, and then his betrothed. “My dear, I have arrived as promised to take you on a carriage ride.”

Claremont seemed to have sucked all the air out of the room. Mary felt as though she could not get a deep breath and wondered if her maid had laced her stays too tight. Why had the man returned from the Continent, and how in heaven’s name had he ended up betrothed to Jeanette?

“Excellent, my lord.” Jeanette stood and turned to Mary. “Please say you will come with us for a ride.”

Again the black dots began to appear in her eyes, and she felt herself slipping. “I am afraid I cannot…”

“Oh, you must,” Jeanette said. “Please. I would like for you to get to know Claremont. He tells me you barely knew each other before he left for the Continent.”

The bile she’d been fighting at the back of her throat threatened to erupt all over Jeanette’s shoes.

“I am so sorry, Miss Belkin, but Lady Mary promised me her company in my carriage this afternoon.” Redgrave stood and looked kindly on Jeanette as he moved across the room to stand next to Mary.

Mary swallowed, her mouth dry. “Yes, that is true, Jeanette. I did promise Redgrave.” At this moment she didn’t care that Redgrave saw her distress and had come to her rescue once again. She did not want to spend time alone with Jeanette and Claremont. She linked her arm through Redgrave’s extended arm, practically hanging on for dear life.

Claremont moved farther into the room. “We must be off, my dear. I have an engagement later today.”

Jeanette clasped Mary’s hand. “Why not the both of you join us?” She regarded Claremont. “There is room, is there not, my lord?”

Claremont gave Mary a slow perusal that turned her blood to ice. “Yes, my dear. There is plenty of room for Lady Mary and her…” He turned to Redgrave, his brows raised.

“Friend,” Redgrave growled.

The entire room had grown silent as if watching a play. The tension between the leading characters snapped in the air. Only Jeanette seemed oblivious to it all. “See, then. It is settled. We can all fit into Claremont’s carriage.”

“Lady Mary? I leave the decision entirely up to you.” Redgrave was giving her a way out. However, the pleading in Jeanette’s face and, with no good reason to refuse without raising questions she preferred not to have raised, she capitulated.

“Very well, I will be delighted to join you and Claremont in a carriage ride.” Thank God her mother had drilled excellent manners into her from the nursery. All she really wanted to do was spit in Claremont’s arrogant face and storm from the room. Hopefully, no one noticed her voice shaking. At least she had Redgrave to buffer the strain.

Once again he had come to her rescue.

She retrieved her cape from the butler as Redgrave extended his arm. She laid her hand there, knowing full well he could feel her whole body shaking. Trying very hard to control herself, they descended the steps to the carriage.

Redgrave drew her close to him as Claremont helped Jeannette into the vehicle. He turned his back to block her from Claremont’s view. He reached out and placed his knuckle under her chin, raising her face to him. “You do not have to do this. You can plead a headache, and I will escort you home straightaway.”

How she wished to do that very thing. To be whisked away and settled comfortably in Redgrave’s carriage. She would even face his questions to avoid this encounter. “No. I cannot disappoint Jeanette. Besides, she would very well find it strange, and I don’t want to give her reason to question me.” She tried her best to give Redgrave an encouraging smile but feared she fell short. Perhaps if she could keep Jeanette talking she could ignore Claremont until the blasted ride ended.

Once they were all settled, with Jeanette directly across from her and Redgrave by her side glaring at Claremont, the carriage moved forward. Claremont slouched in the corner, his long legs sprawled in a most ungentlemanly manner. It was too bad the man had a driver. It would have eased her mind somewhat if his attention had been taken up with the driving himself.

Mary continued to shake until it caught Jeanette’s notice. “Are you cold, Mary? I believe Claremont has a blanket, do you not, my lord?”

“Indeed I do.” He cast his fake smile in her direction. “I would be happy to have you use it. We don’t want you to catch a chill now, do we?” He reached under the seat and withdrew a blue woolen blanket.

Redgrave yanked the blanket from him and spread it over Mary’s lap. Once it was draped around her, he covered her gloved, ice-cold hands with his warm one. If Jeanette or Claremont noticed his one hand underneath the blanket, no one mentioned it. If Mary hadn’t been so upset by the entire ride she would have been more concerned about the possible scandal.

“Redgrave.” Claremont snapped his fingers. “Aren’t you the one who was betrothed to Lady Abigail?”

“Yes,” Redgrave said through gritted teeth.

Claremont tilted his head, his face a false expression of innocent curiosity. “But you—never married her, did you?”

Jeanette looked back and forth between the two men, confused. Mary stared at the passing scenery, the other carriages rolling along, the occupants calling out to one another, everyone enjoying their time outdoors. Hopefully, one turn around the park was all she would have to suffer. At least the warmth from the blanket and Redgrave’s hand had helped to ease her shaking.

He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, easing her tension, but sending signals to parts of her body she preferred to ignore.

“No. I married Lady Priscilla Benson.” Redgrave’s words were as sharp as any butcher’s knife.

“Ah, yes. Now I remember.” Claremont rested one booted foot over his knee and leaned back in the carriage. “Strange how you and Lady Abigail’s sister are
friends
.”

…

Lady Mary squeezed Redgrave’s hand even as he wished to withdraw it and use it to pummel Claremont’s face. The arrogant bastard had been pricking at him since he’d offered to accompany Lady Mary on the ride that she so very obviously had not wanted to take.

Whatever had occurred between Claremont and Lady Mary had been enough to terrify the girl, and that was all Redgrave needed to necessitate protecting her. His only memory of the man was Claremont’s part in a very wild group of rakes who had run rampant over the
ton
. They had been known for drinking, huge gambling debts, questionable house parties, flouting their mistresses in public, and other activities that had crossed the line of propriety.

“Will you be attending the Ashbourne’s ball tomorrow evening?” Miss Belkin, who still seemed oblivious to the tension in the air, addressed Mary who finally dragged her attention away from the passing scenery.

“Yes. I am attending.”

“Wonderful!” Miss Belkin almost jumped up and down on her seat. How the devil had this innocent, charming young lady ended up betrothed to this man who had such a damaging past and who had done something to Lady Mary that he could only guess at?

Underneath the blanket, Lady Mary linked her fingers with his. He felt as though she was hanging on to her emotions with a fine thread. It was time to end this ride and get her far away from her antagonist.

“I say, Claremont, would you mind having your driver return us to Lady Alice’s house? I have an appointment this afternoon, and if I remember correctly, you mentioned one as well.”

Claremont regarded him lazily. “Yes. I do.” He took Miss Belkin’s hand in his and raised it to his lips. “Do you mind, my dear, if we cut our ride short? You know I hate to run off, but business cannot wait.” He kissed her hand and stared into her eyes in such a way that Redgrave wanted to roll his eyes like some poorly mannered chit.

“No, not at all, my lord. I understand.”

Claremont turned and instructed the driver to return to Lady Alice’s house. The tightness in Mary’s body eased somewhat once the carriage left the park.

Redgrave jumped from his carriage and helped Lady Mary down. She smiled briefly at Miss Belkin. “It has been a pleasure spending time with you, Jeanette. I am afraid I was not much of a companion today, however. I seem to have developed a megrim.”

“Oh, you poor dear, I am so sorry to hear that. We will just have to catch up tomorrow evening at the Ashbourne’s ball.”

“Yes. Well, thank you again.” Lady Mary hurried away from the carriage and up the steps to Lady Alice’s house.

“Where are you going?” Redgrave reached her and grabbed her hand.

“I…I don’t know. I thought I would… Oh, dear. I’m not too sure what I am doing.”

The poor girl was extremely flustered. He took her by the arm and led her back down the stairs. “I dismissed your carriage when we left with Claremont. I will escort you home in mine. Wait here until I have it brought around.”

She nodded and licked her lips.

Although it was probably not wise to arrive at Manchester House with Lady Mary in his carriage, there was no alternative. She was still distraught and he wasn’t about to put her into a hackney by herself. With any luck he could have her up the steps and into her home before anyone noticed.

“You must think me a total ninny.” Mary rubbed her palms up and down her arms as the carriage moved forward.

She was still quite pale and shaking.

He had a strong urge to pull her from her seat across the carriage and plop her onto his lap and surround her with his warmth until her body relaxed. “I think no such thing. However, what I do think is much worse, and unless you enlighten me as to what exactly happened between you and Claremont, I might be forced to pay Manchester a visit.”

She drew in a sharp breath. “No. I don’t want my brother involved.” She looked out the window. “It was so long ago, it matters not at this point.”

“Again, I must disagree with you. The state the man’s presence reduces you to matters a great deal.”

Redgrave leaned forward and took Lady Mary’s hands into his. “Mary. Did Claremont…did he…did he rape you?”

She shook her head. “No. He…well, I guess you could say he tried, and came very close to doing just that. We were alone in the gazebo at a house party and he…well, he…did things that made me uncomfortable. When I told him I wanted to return to the house he…” She took a deep breath. “I would rather not say. But I used my fingernails and knee to dissuade him. He called me a horrid name and said the only reason he even bothered with me was for my dowry.” She looked at him with tears in her eyes. “I escaped to the house, and fortunately no one saw the state I was in. The bodice of my gown was torn, and my hair a mess. I had my maid pack my things, and we left within the hour.