Her Impetuous Rakehell (3 page)

“Should we ask Lord Oakhurst to join us? Perhaps he’ll wish to see Louisa before she retires for the night. I assume she’ll stay here until he has a suitable home?”

Knightwick nodded. “I’ve extended the offer for his ward. However, I don’t think it wise to have him about while Hannah is here.”

Hannah’s lips parted in surprise. “He might not be a brother by blood, but everyone knows he is practically family.”

Mama laughed. “Knightwick, you sound like your father. Hannah’s character won’t suffer if we continue our friendship with Laurence.”

“You needn’t worry,” Hannah explained. “I’m certain Lord Downham will be asking for my hand before we leave London next month, and if not him, then Mr. Tatum.”

Mama’s eyes lit up. “Has Tatum said something to make you think so?”

“Not in so many words, be he’s so very attentive, and dances with me every evening.”

“There are three or four gentlemen who are attentive. You ride in Hyde Park with a different caller each afternoon. Then there are those who send flowers. You are quite the diamond, my dear girl.”

Knightwick slipped away quietly.

Hannah wrapped a stray lock of hair around her finger. “I’m not nearly as pretty as the Sanderson sisters. And Amelia is quite lovely, and she sings beautifully.”

“Thankfully there are some young men who haven’t gone off to fight the French Menace, so you and your friends will find husbands.” Sitting back in her wooden chair, she sighed. “And then I’ll have several years at home before we start again with the twins.”

Patience and Madeleine were more than anxious to have their Seasons, but at fifteen, they were too young to attend the balls and assemblies. Their family held an annual ball in the local village where all the children were allowed to dance, and for now that would be enough.

The small clock on the mantle chimed. Hannah rose. “Amelia will be here shortly. I must get ready.”

Wearing her favorite straw bonnet with the yellow ribbons than matched those on her gown, Hannah waited to speak until she and Amelia were well away from the house, their maids trailing behind them. “You’ll never guess the news I have. Mr. Pierce is now Lord Oakhurst.”

“No! Will that change his wild ways, do you suppose?”

Hannah held Amelia’s gaze for a moment before they both burst out laughing. “I cannot see that ever happening.” She sobered when Louisa came to mind. She told her friend about the child. “It makes me so sad to look at her. She rarely smiles unless she in playing with an old doll I found. I believe she’s pretending to be her mama.”

“I can’t imagine losing one’s family so young.”

“Nor I. Mama will interview nursemaids for Louisa. Oakhurst is looking for a home here in Town where he and Louisa shall live.”

Amelia stepped around an older couple walking slowly, then said, “Oh, yes, he can’t take the girl to Albany with all the bachelors there. Where is she staying now?”

Hannah explained the rest of the details about the changes in Laurence’s life. By then they’d arrived at their first call. Trying hard to remain attentive to their host for the entire fifteen minutes proper manners required them to stay, Hannah found herself studying the other guests in the room. One of the young ladies she knew to have a beau, but the other two hadn’t taken anyone’s notice. Lady Henrietta Thompson was a sweet girl but not meek, and among the prettiest of the ladies in Town this Season. Her father’s estate was said to be penniless, so the only gentlemen likely to consider her were wealthy ones looking to improve their position in Society by associating themselves with a title.

Laurence had his own title now, and he was far beyond wealthy enough to need to consider his bride’s income. What he needed was some respectability to improve his reputation in the eyes of the
ton
. Lady Henrietta would be a perfect wife for him.

Hannah said so the moment she and Amelia left.

“Is he looking to marry?”

“No, he is looking for a nursemaid, but what he really needs is a woman to see to his household. He has no experience with running a house. Besides, Louisa is so sweet. She should have a mother to dote on her.”

Amelia’s eyes narrowed as she studied Hannah. “I can’t believe you’d consider any friend of ours to marry that man.”

“You don’t know him as I do. He’s always been so kind to my sisters and me, and mother is quite taken with him. He flirts with her quite shamelessly at times, I admit. He’s truly harmless, however. I honestly can’t believe why anyone would speak ill of him.”

“You sound quite smitten yourself. Perhaps you should consider becoming Lady Oakhurst.”

“I’d sooner marry one of my brothers. He
is
a brother to me. I’d be so pleased if he married one of my friends so I could continue to see him throughout our lives.” She burst out laughing. “You should marry him. Then we’d be certain we’ll stay close after we leave London.”

“We’ll always stay friends. However, I might have news of my own about marriage, soon.”

“Truly? Mr. Young has spoken to your father? I’m so happy for you.”

Amelia looked as if she’d float off like a soap bubble. “He hasn’t yet, but I am certain he will.”

Hannah wrapped her arms around her friend and squeezed. “I’m so happy for you. I know how much you’ve feared not finding a husband.”

“Papa insists he won’t pay for another Season. I was afraid I would have to accept any man who asked, but I’m so lucky that Mr. Young is that man. I can’t imagine being happier.”

Sighing, Hannah said, “I hope to be as lucky as you. I want to be madly in love with the man I marry.”

Chapter Three

Wearing her pale blue gown with silver lace overskirt, her hair plaited with narrow silver lace ribbons, Hannah felt quite the thing at Lady Kettlemore’s ball. Apparently Lord Downham agreed, as he’d remained at her side since his arrival, barring the few times he’d danced with other ladies to keep Hannah’s reputation out of the scandal broth.

Hannah was too distracted to pay him much attention. In between dance sets, she studied the young ladies in order to make her list of suitable matches for Laurence. She leaned closer to Amelia, who stood beside her with Mr. Young, and pointed with her fan. “Do you know who that lady is? The one dancing with Everton.”

Amelia stood on her toes to see around the matron in front of her. “Miss Robb? She is a sweet thing. I don’t know if she would be capable of surviving the
on dits
that would come from associating with a rakehell.”

“I fear anyone who is able to withstand the stares and whispers will have a legion of titled, wealthy beaux battling over her hand. Mama will have a better chance finding him a nursemaid, I hope.”

Lord Downham cleared his throat, holding out his arm. “This is our dance, Lady Hannah.” He stood stiffly, as usual, reminding her of a statue. His handsome features were classic, as if he’d been carved by Michelangelo. He was lovely to look at.

“Pardon? Oh, yes, I see they are about to begin.” She enjoyed being seen on his arm. She took his elbow and allowed him to lead her into the lines of dancers, where they took their spot. While circling about and crossing over to dance with other gentlemen, Hannah studied the grace of the women dancers, mentally adding a few to her list. So far she had only three names, and two of those were merely somewhat suitable.

“You are very distracted this evening,” Downham said.

“I, uh, am considering a new hairstyle and wish to see what the others are wearing. My maid is young and could use some assistance.”

“I thought it looked quite lovely this evening. You are a vision, as always.”

They separated and Hannah glanced at the ladies watching from the outskirts of the dance floor. That would never do. Laurence needed a desirable match, not one who would otherwise go unnoticed.

The dance steps brought her back to Downham and she made certain she smiled his way. “Did you enjoy your visit to Newmarket? Did you choose the winning horse?”

“I was a fool to wager against a Lumley horse. Your brother’s entries are unbeatable.”

Pride swept through her in a warm rush. “David does have a good eye for quality.” She didn’t add how her sister-in-law’s training helped. Gentlemen were leery of trusting a woman’s touch in such matters, so the Lumleys kept Joanna’s efforts to themselves.

When their set of dances ended, Hannah took Downham’s arm and looked for Amelia. Had she returned to where their mothers stood?

“Lady Hannah, it’s quite warm in here. Perhaps you’d enjoy a stroll outside.”

At the recent assemblies, Downham had been increasingly persistent in wanting Hannah to join him somewhere away from the other guests. She knew why. While she’d wondered what his kisses would be like, she wasn’t quite ready to find out. Amelia had told her how exciting the first time was, and how the feeling seemed to blossom with each further kiss, but Amelia only had eyes for one man. Hannah hadn’t made her final choice yet.

She searched for an excuse. “I had a question for Mama. Perhaps we might wait until later to see the gardens.”

Upon reaching her mother, Lord Downham bowed and excused himself, to Hannah’s relief. She couldn’t think of anything to ask Mama that couldn’t wait until the morning. Now she could get back to looking for a bride for Laurence.

Her brother Trey approached, his eyes searching the people around then.

“Whom do you seek?” She asked.

“Hmm?” He jumped, then calmly slicked his hair back with one hand. “No one. I was merely seeing who had come tonight.”

She knew better than that. “You know she’s smitten with someone.”

Trey’s smile wavered. “Has an engagement been announced?”

“No. It doesn’t matter. She loves someone else, Trey.”

He nodded once. “Just so long as she’s happy.” A few minutes later, he approached a quiet girl standing to one side, and danced the next set with her.

Hannah sighed. She hated seeing her brother so broken hearted. He’d fallen hard and fast for Amelia, who saw him only as the sweet brother of her dear friend. Maybe Hannah should put her scheming toward finding him a wife, and leave Laurence to his own devices.

~*~

Flashing his invitation to Lady Kettlemore’s butler, Laurence took in the press of people in front of him on the staircase, all of whom hoped to find enough room to stand inside the ballroom.

What was he thinking in coming here?

A better question was where was the gaming room? That was his sole reason for coming. He’d surprised himself with how seriously he’d considered the propriety of his normal pastimes, now that he had Louisa’s future to consider. It made no sense to him that gaming hells were a bad thing, yet playing cards while one’s wife or sister danced was acceptable.

That was just one more reason why he avoided Society. They bent their rules to suit their needs. Laurence’s opinion was so long as no one was hurt, each man could decide his own limits.

Ignoring the wide-eyed stares of a few of the matrons, Laurence took a spot at the bottom of the staircase. Part of him wished he had the gall to push his way through and go straight to the game room, but he restrained himself.

As he finally neared the top of the staircase, an interminable number of minutes later, the thought occurred to him he should seek out Lady B and say hello before joining the gentlemen. She’d probably enjoy hearing he’d signed the lease on his new home that afternoon.

Yes, an excellent idea to speak with her.

Finding Lady B in the crowd was more difficult than being dealt a winning hand in
vingt-et-un
. He circled the room slowly, pausing here and there to wait for a matron to turn her head so he could be certain of her identity.

He recognized Hannah before seeing her mother. Well, recognized was a relative term. This beauty resembled David’s sister, but was much too ladylike, too mature, to be the little girl who’d followed them around endlessly on her father’s estate.

Lines of silver ribbons woven through her hair caught the light when she moved her head. Her hairstyle was simple, elegant, allowing her face to shine. Her slender figure somehow demonstrated her gracefulness even as she stood with her friends.

Laurence bristled at the sight of a man eying her in passing. She was too pretty to be there without one of her brothers. Lady B was watchful from a few feet away, but she was no match for some of the men he’d seen in the room. He’d have to speak to Knightwick about the matter, when he saw him next.

Lady B saw Laurence approaching. “Lord Oakhurst, how surprised I am to see you here.”

“Not nearly as surprised as I am.” He acknowledged the introduction to Lady B’s friend, then made small talk about his search for a home and Lady B’s interviews for a nursemaid.

During that time he kept one eye trained on Hannah. When one eye was no longer enough, he excused himself and strolled over to her. “My lady, you are a vision.”

She gasped, and a grin lighted her face. “My lord, I’m so pleased you are here.”

“Are you? How so? I more expected surprise, as your mother expressed.”

“Oh…well…” Her cheeks became decidedly pink. “I think it will be good for Louisa if you raise your standing in Society.”