My Fair Groom (The Sons of the Aristocracy) (3 page)

Chapter 4

Meeting a Sister for the First Time

Sitting atop his favorite Thoroughbred, Gabriel Wellingham regarded the mansion in Park Lane for a long time before finally entering the half-circle pavement. He thought at first he should inquire at the servant’s entrance at the back of the house, but the butler opened the front door before he could change his mind. He tossed the reins around a post near the steps leading up to the front door of the Palladian mansion before taking them two at a time.

“Gabriel Wellingham, Earl of Trenton,” he stated once he had reached the landing. He held out a calling card.

The butler’s eyebrows disappeared into his periwig. “My lord,” he answered, obviously surprised. “Lord Chamberlain is not in residence today.”

Breathing a sigh of relief at hearing Matthew Fitzsimmons was away, no doubt at the house party in Kent so many were attending that week, Gabriel gave the butler a nod. “I seek another. I am in search of a young girl by the name of Lily Harkins. Would she be in residence?”

His eyes wide, the butler seemed to take a moment before finally saying, “She is, but ...”

“Is there a parlor we might be allowed to use?” Gabriel wondered, realizing there should be someone else present in the room. “And someone who could act as a ... chaperone?” he added, remembering how some of the scandal of what had happened with Lady Elizabeth Carlington had been because he met with her in a parlor without so much as a footman present. With the door closed.

“Right this way,” the butler said as he motioned for Gabriel to enter the home’s vestibule.  Despite the outside of the home suggesting a modern residence, its columns and stone pediments Greek in design, the inside made the house look as if it was still mired in the pre-Georgian era.

Leaving his hat with a footman, Gabriel followed the butler to a brightly-lit parlor near the front of the house.

“I will summon Miss Harkins,” the butler said as he bowed and started to take his leave.

“Could you see to some tea as well?” Gabriel wondered, realizing his request was probably gauche considering he wasn’t an invited guest.

“Of course, my lord,” the butler said, his face reddening when he realized he should have probably offered the hospitality.

Gabriel nodded and turned his attention to the parlor. Typical in its furnishings and floral patterns, it was a bit different in that most of the woods were very dark and the fabrics were various shades of blue. He dared a glance in a mirror positioned above an escritoire, relieved to see his short curls weren’t too unruly but shocked that his cheekbones seemed more pronounced than usual.
Finally losing the baby fat
, he thought with a bit of satisfaction. He was about to lean in to check his teeth when he realized he was no longer alone in the room. Pretending to study the frame of the mirror, he reached out to touch the plaster and instead allowed his finger to drop to the desktop as he saw the reflection of the newcomer in the mirror.

Turning slowly, he regarded Lily Harkins with an expression of wonder. There could be no doubt she was related to him. Her blond hair, cropped short in the current style favored by so many of the young matrons of the
ton
, framed a face that could have been painted by Gainesborough. Blue eyes were a perfect copy of his own, and her nose mirrored his.
Cupid’s sister,
Gabriel thought before he shook his head and bowed. “Miss Harkins?” he spoke finally.

Lily Harkins regarded the young man for a moment before remembering her manners. “Yes, my lord,” she said in a breathy voice, curtsying as she did so. “At your service.”

Gabriel shook his head as he approached her, saying, “It is I who is at your service, my lady.” He reached down and took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips. Her fingers were long and slender, but a bit chapped, indicating she was probably a maid or worked in the kitchen. And at her reflexive jerk to pull her hand away, Gabriel raised his eyes to hers. “Gabriel Wellingham,” he said as he straightened. “It’s very good to finally meet you.”

The young woman’s eyes widened, a hint of fear appearing in their cornflower blue irises. “It is?” she whispered, swallowing as her gaze darted about the room, as if she were looking for a way to escape.

A maid appeared at the parlor door, pausing and nearly gasping as she carried the tea tray. She hurried into the room, placing the tray on the low table in front of the settee before making a hasty curtsy and an even hastier retreat.

“Will you do me the honor of having tea with me?” Gabriel wondered as he waved toward the table.

Lily nodded, not trusting her voice to answer. Moving to the table, she took a seat in the settee and busied herself with pouring the tea. “Would you like sugar? Or cream?” she asked as her free hand hovered over the bowls.

“A bit of cream, please,” Gabriel replied as he took the chair to her left. “I am calling on you because, until a few days ago, I didn’t know I had a sister,” he said as he took the cup and saucer from Lily’s trembling hands, wanting to get right to the point when he realized she obviously knew his identity.
The butler
, he thought, realizing the man would have told her who called on her.
But did she know they were related?
He saw her eyes widen again before she turned to pour her own tea. “Did you know that I am your brother?” he wondered in a quiet voice.

She nodded. “I did. I ... I have known for several years, in fact,” Lily replied, finally taking a sip of her tea. Her posture made her appear much taller than her five-and-a-half feet – her back was ramrod straight and her shoulders were pulled back as if she had been raised as an aristocrat’s daughter.

Gabriel wished the girl would relax. Not having considered how she might react to meeting him, he wasn’t sure what to do to put her at ease. “We have a couple of brothers, as well,” he offered. That news seemed to take her by surprise.

“We do?” she replied, her eyes still wide. “I ... I did not know that.” She took another sip of her tea. “Have ... Have you met them, my lord?” she wondered, realizing she needed to keep up her end of the conversation.

Shaking his head, Gabriel leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “Not yet. I thought to start with you, since you are apparently the eldest,” he explained, wondering at her apparent calm.
Good grief!
He’d just acknowledged  she was the daughter of an earl. Why didn’t she seem ...
happy? Or at least intrigued.
“And do call me ‘Gabriel’, won’t you?” he insisted. “You are my sister, after all.”

Nodding, Lily put her saucer down. “You say you only learned of me a few days ago. May I inquire as to ... how?” she asked in a quiet voice.

Gabriel straightened, putting his own cup and saucer on the table next to hers. “My secretary, Heatherton, informed me. I’ve suspected for several years that I might have ... siblings, but I had no details, so I had him make arrangements with an investigator.”

Lily’s eyes widened again. “Surely you didn’t need to go to the expense, given the gossip at the time of my birth,” she said in surprise. Lily knew she’d been a source of parlor room talk way back when – her mother told her the circumstances of her birth when she was old enough to ask. “Mum was released from service at the Trenton townhouse in London when she was increasing with child. It’s a wonder she was able to find a position in this household,” she explained. “Although I suspect Lady Trenton might have had something to do with the placement.”

Gabriel shrugged, not surprised his mother would have seen to removal of a maid from the London townhouse, but a bit surprised she would have helped with placing the maid in another household. Charity Wellingham could abide her husband’s infidelities if they occurred at one of their country estates; a pregnant maid in London would not have been tolerated, however. His mother despised gossip if it had anything to do with the Trentons. “No doubt,” Gabriel replied with a nod, deciding not to defend his mother. “As to your other concern, I wanted to find you, and hiring someone to do so seemed the most expeditious course.”

Leaning forward on the settee, Lily face visibly reddened. “And why would you wish to find me?” she  wondered, almost adding ‘my lord’ to the question, but catching herself at the last moment.

Gabriel regarded the lady’s maid as if she was daft. “You’re my sister.”

“I was your father’s daughter, and he made no attempt to find me,” she countered, a hint of ire in her voice.

This is not going well
, Gabriel realized, sensing Lily’s anger. “’Tis true my father had no regard for his by-blows ...” The words were out of his mouth before he could censor them, and he couldn’t help but notice Lily’s wince. “... But I am not my father’s son, and I have every intention of setting things right.”

Lily’s eyebrows shot up. “You are a bastard as well?” she whispered.

Gabriel rolled his eyes. “No. Of course, not. I just meant that I am not like my father when it comes to dealing with  ... with my half-siblings. I wish to ... know you. To have you be part of my life. And I of yours.”

Slumping in her chair, Lily stared at Gabriel. “I am a lady’s maid. Nothing more,” she said in a whisper.

“But you can be so much more. If you’d like,” Gabriel countered. “And you’re of an age to make your come-out. To be courted. I can provide a very good dowry.” Gabriel nearly grinned at her look of shock as her eyes widened.

“I am in service as a lady’s maid, my lo ... Gabriel,” she protested. “Lady Samantha is very fair and a pleasure to work for, the Fitzsimmons are kind ...”

Shaking his head, Gabriel said, “But you needn’t be, my lady. I am ... I don’t wish to sound pompous, but I have a great deal of money at my disposal. It is my intention to find you a townhouse and a companion and pay for a modiste to outfit you in the latest fashion so that you can make your come-out this Season.”

Lily stared at the earl, stunned by his words.
The life of a lady? With servants of my own? In a London townhouse?
“May I remind you that I am ... illegitimate?” She said the last in a whisper, as if she were concerned that an eavesdropper might hear her. “However could I make a come-out? One would need ...” She paused as she considered what Lady Samantha was undergoing in her preparations for her third Season as an unmarried lady. Besides the frequent visits to a modiste for fittings, she’d been taking more dance lessons and practicing elocution and French. And then there were the daily deliveries of hand-written notes from households all over the West End, invitations to balls and musicales and soirées. “One would need to be
invited
to balls and musicales and such,” she argued.

Smiling, Gabriel clasped his hands together. “I would see to those, of course,” he replied, wondering at her hesitance. But he considered what it must be like for the illegitimate children of the aristocracy. Lily would be a topic of gossip wherever she appeared in public. Until she was settled with a husband, Gabriel would have to act as her protector. At some point, she would be accepted or rejected according to the whims of the fickle
ton
.

Gabriel wondered if his brothers would suffer the same fate. From what he had overheard at
ton
balls, bastard sons were not so chastised, although they, too, would be required to learn the social niceties.

When Lily still seemed unconvinced, he added, “Just ... think about it. If you’re not ready, or if you prefer to remain in service to the Fitzsimmons, then I will not force you to do this.”

Nodding, Lily took up her tea and noticed Gabriel had drained his cup. “Would you like more tea?” she asked, quickly setting her cup and saucer onto the table so that she could lift the pot and see to his.

Gabriel regarded his empty cup, feeling as if he had failed in his mission. How could she not embrace a better future for herself? He expected her to ... well, he hadn’t really thought far enough ahead to consider how she would react to his news. “No, thank you, my lady,” he replied with shake of his head.

Lily saw the disappointment in Gabriel. She realized his shoulders had slumped and his attitude had gone from one of good humor to one of glum. “You should call me ‘Lily’,” she said in a teasing voice.

Glancing at her in surprise, Gabriel allowed a grin. “There’s my sister,” he murmured, his hope for her restored. “Should you ... change your mind, Lily, please send word to me, won’t you?” he said as he offered her his card.

Lily took it, admiring the beautiful pasteboard and elegant print. “I will,” she promised. After a long pause, she added, “I don’t mean to seem ... ungrateful, for I am not,” she assured him. “I just have known nothing of life outside of this household.”

Nodding, Gabriel said, “I understand. But you are an earl’s daughter, and by your birthright, you deserve more.”

Feeling dismissed, Lily stood up, her brother managing to do so more quickly. “Thank you, Gabriel,” she managed. Before she could curtsy, Gabriel leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

She blushed in surprise, her blush deepening when she realized someone else had come into the parlor.

“There you are,” Lady Samantha said cheerily. “Porter said you required a chaperone ...” She stopped short and stared at Gabriel. “Lord Trenton?” she said hesitantly. The man who had just kissed her maid
looked
like Gabriel Wellingham – blond, blue-eyed and more handsome than any aristocrat had a right to be – but his manner of dress was almost too conservative. His dark brown topcoat, Nankeen breeches and scarlet waistcoat were the dress of a more sedate gentleman. Samantha had heard stories of the earl’s bright-colored clothes from her mother – she’d seen him wearing an apple green satin suit at a ball the previous Season – and was led to believe he dressed in them for all occasions.

Gabriel stepped back from Lily and bowed in Samantha’s direction. “Lady Samantha. So very good to see you this fine day,” he said in greeting, moving to take her hand. He brushed his lips over her knuckles, realizing he had stunned the young woman with his move.

“What is going on here?” Samantha wondered, her shocked look going between Gabriel and her maid. “Has this man ... accosted you?” she asked of Lily, clearly upset at finding her maid in a room my herself with a man.

Lily had to suppress a grin. “You could say that, my lady, but as my
brother
, it was his right, I suppose.”

Samantha’s eyes widened as her stare returned to the earl. “Lord Trenton?” she said in a small voice.

“Please, call me ‘Gabriel’,” he said as he nodded to Samantha. “And, I apologize for having taken your lady’s maid from your service for a bit. We have finished our visit, though. Good day to you both,” he said, giving them a bow and taking his leave of the parlor. He was quite sure Lily would tell her mistress the nature of his visit.

Samantha stood frozen in place, staring at her maid. “Is  what he said ... is it ...
true?
” she whispered, her eyes wide.

Lily shrugged. “I am his sister, yes,” she acknowledged with a nod.

Samantha gave her a look of shock. “You act as if ... as if you already
knew
,” she said in a small voice.

“Indeed. I have known ... for as long as I can remember,” Lily answered with a shrug.

Taking a seat in the chair that Gabriel had vacated, Samantha looked up at her maid. “You’re an earl’s daughter,” she said, her voice still a whisper. “Like me.”

Lily shrugged again, as if she was unimpressed by Gabriel’s visit and by Samantha’s comparison. “He offered me a townhouse. A companion. A come-out this Season,” Lily said wistfully, knowing her words would have Samantha’s eyes widening even more. She was not disappointed in the girl’s reaction, although she didn’t expect to hear the next words that came out of Samantha’s mouth.

“Congratulations, Lady Lily! You can have your come-out at Lady Mayfield’s ball!” Samantha claimed as she motioned for Lily to join her. “We have much to do to prepare for the ball in three weeks, but with a bit of work, we can be the belles of the ball!”

Lily stared at Samantha in surprise.

Lady Lily?