Scandal at Dawn (A Regency Rhapsody Novella) (8 page)

Adrian wasted no time. Discarding his sword carelessly in the grass, he stepped up to Olivia, taking her hands in his own. “What brings you out so early, Miss Blake?” he asked, keeping his voice even despite the feelings erupting inside. It was all he could do to not sweep her up in his arms right there.

Olivia heard the light tone, but the strength with which he gripped her own hands betrayed his emotion. “I was worried about you,” she replied simply. “Was I supposed to wait patiently to find out if you bled to death?”

“That was precisely what you were supposed to do, though I am glad you ignored convention.” He raised one of her hands to his lips, sending a shiver down her spine. He smiled as he felt her reaction. Then he recalled the matter at hand. “But that still doesn’t explain
how
you knew to come.” Throwing propriety to the winds, he embraced her. Olivia was happy to let him, and didn’t care who saw it.

“I received an unsigned letter, telling us about the duel,” Emily explained. She recognized Robert clearly then, and glared at him. “And I expect I know the source of it now. So you
weren’t
lost the other day.”

“Not physically,” he admitted. “I wanted to see who Miss Blake’s second was. It was enlightening. In fact, you could say our previous meeting was helpful in setting me on a new path.”

Emily frowned, but before she could reply, yet another vehicle thundered up the lane. St George’s own carriage pulled up right behind the hired cab Emily had procured.

“Oh, dear,” she said in a resigned tone. “We’re all in trouble now.”

The man burst out of the carriage with the force of a small hurricane. “What is the meaning of this?” he bellowed, charging the group standing beneath the vast elm tree. He headed straight for Adrian, who still had Olivia in his arms. But before he could shout again, Crombie groaned, catching his attention. “Who is this unfortunate man?” He stared at the man on the ground, with the surgeon hovering over him.

Emily spoke first. “His name is Jonathan Crombie. He was the one spreading the false rumors about Olivia and Baron Norbury. When Norbury discovered he was the source, he challenged Crombie to a duel to defend Olivia’s honor.”

St George wavered, looking at Crombie, then Adrian, then back again. “Is that true?” He addressed the question to Crombie. “You attempted to destroy my niece’s reputation?”

Crombie only gasped as the surgeon wound more gauze around his torso. Robert looked annoyed and strode over to the wounded man. He prodded Crombie with his foot. “Tell the man.”

“It’s true,” he said sullenly.

“But why?” St George was mystified. “Do I even know you? Has our family offended yours in some way?”

“No,” said Crombie. “Just wanted to vex…Norbury.”

“By ruining my niece? What do you mean?”

“He discovered Lord Norbury wished to marry Olivia,” Emily clarified. “So Crombie raked up old rumors about Norbury’s reputation to make you wary of him, and then added fresh ones about Olivia to dash any marriage on the rocks.”

“I still don’t understand,” St George said, looking bewildered. “Why would he do this? Hurt so many people?”

“Because he’s a disgusting, pathetic worm,” Robert said, smiling thinly. “Tell Mr St George, Crom.”

“Yes,” Crombie muttered, glaring at Robert.

“Yes, what?” Robert prompted. He twitched his boot meaningfully.

“I’m a disgusting, pathetic worm.”

Robert beamed at St George. “See? He admits it.”

St George shook his head. “This is too much to comprehend before breakfast. And poor Olivia…” He turned toward his niece, and was quickly absorbed in the quiet drama of the couple he’d sworn not two days ago he’d never give his blessing to.

Emily was left to watch Robert Griffin, who colored slightly under her gaze. “You have not apologized,” she said.

“What should I apologize for?”

“Pretending to be a stranger when you knew better. Sending a letter to a woman you were never introduced to. Waking me up far earlier than I like to watch a barbaric display of arms…” She inhaled, preparing to list more grievances, but he interrupted the coming tirade.

“Forgive me, Miss St George. I should have begged your mercy instantly. But it is rather early and I’ve been distracted. The sun was in my eyes.”

A look of confusion crossed her face. “It’s foggy.”

“Really? Well, something rather brilliant is dazzling me every time I glance eastward.”

Emily made a mental check as to which way east was, realized his meaning, then smiled hesitantly. “Is that so?” The soft look changed her face completely, enchanting Griffin all over again.

“Absolutely,” he swore. “If you permit me to call on you this afternoon, I shall tell you all about it,” he said, with an appeal in his eyes. “And then, if you still insist, we can find someone to introduce us to each other properly. I should warn you, I will be incredibly charming.”

Emily, the fierce dragon, actually blushed. “I am slightly charmed already, sir. We can discuss the rest of the matter later.” She glanced toward her cousin. “And I am sure there will be
much
to discuss.”

By that point, St George had reached Olivia and Adrian. Olivia heard his approach and sought to deflect his anger. “Uncle, I’m sorry I took Emily here without permission. It was all my fault!”

“Hush, child,” he said. “If you think I’m going to let you take the blame—or credit—for this escapade, you are mistaken. Several people had roles in this.” He looked the younger man up and down. “Were you injured as well?” he asked.

“Not at all. Haven’t you heard? It’s like a trial by combat,” Adrian explained wryly. “Heaven protects the righteous.”

St George didn’t laugh. “You truly fought for Olivia’s sake?”

“Yes, and I would again.”

“I have misjudged you, sir,” St George said quietly. “I beg your forgiveness.”

“You have it on one condition.” Adrian smiled a little, and moved even closer to Olivia. “And I think you know what that condition is.”

Olivia waited in an agony, then felt her uncle take her hand. “I’ve only ever wanted to do what is best for you, my dear,” he said. “If I have sheltered you too much, it was out of love.”

“I know that, Uncle,” she said warmly.

“Just as I now know you are no longer a child. While I wish your courtship had been slightly more…conventional, I admit it seems heartfelt. So if Lord Norbury offers for you, I have no objection.”

Olivia glowed with happiness. “Oh. Thank you, Uncle. Thank you for understanding!”

“Of course, my dear. Now excuse me. I want to speak to your cousin again.” He moved off to give the couple a little privacy.

Olivia turned to Adrian, the smile on her face brighter than any sunshine. “Was there something you wanted to ask me, my…Adrian?”

Adrian caught her waist with his arm, and spoke softly next to her ear, the words thrilling her to her toes. “Yes, in fact. I was wondering if you might like to be my wife. The duties aren’t onerous, and there are some benefits to the position.”

She sighed with joy, but wondered aloud, “Are you a reformed rake, then?”

“Well, I shall probably always be a rake, my love. But I promise my scope of interest is much narrowed. To you, and only you.”

“In that case, I accept your offer,” she said, smiling.

Adrian bent down to kiss her, sealing their bargain.

* * * *

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review at your favorite online bookstore. Reader reviews really do make a difference and help others find out about great books.

Sign up
to receive an email alert when a new book is available (and maybe some special prizes, too). I hate spam as much as you do. I’ll never, ever share your info with anyone else.

Get in touch with me at:
elizabethcole.co

If you enjoyed this book, flip the page to read a special excerpt from the sequel featuring Emily and Robert,
Watch For Me By Moonlight
.

The beach was a different world in the nighttime. Emily regretted her decision to come down from the cliff house—especially as the moon was hidden behind clouds—but it was too late now. She had just scrambled onto the top of a large boulder when she heard footsteps descending the lowest stairs. 

“Miss St George?” Robert asked, stopping in front of her rock.

“Who were you expecting?” she retorted. “A mermaid?”

“May I join you?” Without waiting for her reply, he vaulted easily to the top of the rock and sat near her. 

Emily was quite conscious of him so close, of his steady, quiet breathing. She chose to be annoyed by it. “Oh, please go away,” she said finally.  “I am not done pouting.”

“You were not pouting, and Mrs Fairweather should not have said that. Any of it.”

“All the same, I’d rather be alone.”

“No,” he said simply.

Emily looked over, curiosity cutting through her frustration. “You realize staying with me is hardly an improvement.” Indeed, the idea of him alone with an unmarried lady like Emily was borderline scandalous.

He shrugged. “A risk we’ll have to take. Once you’re physically safe and back at the house, we can worry about any threats to your reputation. Until then, I stay.”

“What do you think could happen? I’ll be swept away by the sea? Or kidnapped by a selkie?”

“I doubt you’d let yourself be kidnapped by any mythological creature. You’re too practical for that. Owls, however, are a possibility.”

“Owls?”

“That’s what they sometimes call smugglers around here.”

“Smugglers are nearly as much a myth as selkies. Isn’t all that something belonging to last century?”

“It may not have the glamour of previous generations, but as a trade it will never die. Cornwall has more than its share of smugglers, you may be sure. I’ve heard about a few already.”

“Truly?” she asked, interested in spite of herself.

“It’s common knowledge around here. Folk talk. I listen.”

“You didn’t listen when I told you to go away.”

“I did listen—I chose to disregard your request.”

“I should have expected that,” she retorted, remembering the last time she’d seen him in London. She asked—rather boldly—for him to partner her in one dance at Olivia’s wedding, which he never actually attended.

His eyes narrowed, remembering the same thing. “I’m sorry I could not see you at the wedding. In fact, I had to go to India.”

Emily didn’t expect that answer. “India? To do what?”

“Business, actually. I shouldn’t bore you with it.”

“When I’m bored, I’ll tell you so.”

“Yes, you would,” he commented. “My older brother holds a title and has the income of most of the family’s lands. I am quite ordinary, but I wanted to better my situation. I had an opportunity to invest in some ventures in East India. My partners wanted someone they could trust to assess the operations.”

“What operations?”

“Cotton production. There are new mills in Manchester, and need for cotton to process. While a lot of cotton is grown in America, the recent…let’s say political strains…make it unreliable as an export for us. Thus, Indian grown cotton. Am I boring you?”

“Not at all. That sounds rather challenging. I wouldn’t know the first thing to do.”

“It’s not terribly difficult. I discovered one of the overseers was corrupt. I sacked him and installed another in his place. The process wasn’t speedy—nothing is in India. But everyone knows now such corruption won’t be tolerated. Mr Fairweather was content with the changes.”

“Mr Fairweather?”

“He is one of the partners. That is indirectly why I’m here now.”

“And they hope to marry Nerissa off to you to consolidate their influence?” she asked.

“No decisions have been made,” he said, staring at the water. “I like to make my own choices, especially for something so important.” He looked at her then. “I’m glad you’re here for the summer.”

Emily hoped her emotions were not evident on her face. What did he mean? It would be easy to be angry at Robert, to think he’d only been passingly interested in her, and now was making a cold-blooded alliance with another family for profit. But she sensed he wasn’t keen to complete the marriage. 

However, it was a practical match, and Emily could offer little that might be worth more. Her family was comfortably off. But they were not highly placed in society, nor did they have great wealth. Any rational observer would tell Robert that Nerissa was the superior choice.

“I suppose,” Emily said, feeling sad all at once, “I should go back up now, before I am missed.”

“Anyone would miss you,” he returned, his tone deliberately light.

“Oh, stop teasing me and help me down, if you want to be useful.”

He slid off the rock, then turned. Emily found there was no ladylike way to leap off a four foot tall boulder in a gown.

“What’s the matter?” he asked. “Just take my hand and jump down. I’ll make sure you don’t stumble.”

“You must not look,” she warned.

“Take my hand, and then I’ll close my eyes,” he said.

Emily did, and then jumped, finding it less demeaning than she feared. But then she was standing toe to toe with Robert, her hands in his. 

“There. Back on the ground, and your dignity intact.”

“I don’t know about that,” said Emily. “I feel quite foolish.”

“Why?”

“All this time, I thought I’d offended you. I know our meeting wasn’t…ideal.”

“Circumstances, that’s all,” he said.

“You could have simply written to me.”

“I would have, but I had no privileges to correspond with you!” 

“Your friend didn’t care for such rules when he pursued Olivia,” she argued.

“Adrian has never cared for rules, and he’s never had to. You know I’m nothing like him. And besides, the one time I did send you a letter, you nearly took my head off for the impropriety.”

“It
was
improper! You invited us to an
illegal duel!”

“And you attended.”

“I did it for Olivia, not for you.”