Evanthe tutted. ‘You should not have charged in like a bull off the rope – then Sir Giles would not have hit you, and you would not have that badly swollen eye which does not look well with your new jacket. I will ask your valet to prepare a cold compress and tend to it myself. Poor lamb! I expect you
meant
well.’
‘Damn it!’ he shouted, only for Rex to snarl at his raised voice. He sighed, knowing it was useless to argue further. ‘Yes, my love,’ he said, meekly. ‘Perhaps I was hasty.’
‘Our betrothal is not yet common knowledge here but I wrote to tell you of it, Charles. Obviously, there was no need; you have clearly been busy during your stay in London,’ observed Alyssa drily.
Charles had the grace to blush. ‘I spent a great deal of time in Evanthe’s company. At first our relationship was one of sincere friendship but it grew into love. Perhaps I should have written to you – indeed, I intended to – but you were ill and then I was caught up in the whirl of wedding preparations. I never received your letter because we left London immediately after the ceremony. We are travelling to Devon to stay on one of Evanthe’s father’s estates and your note must have been delivered after we left.’
‘Oh, I do not blame you for falling in love, Charles,’ observed Alyssa, with a chuckle. ‘I, too, have fallen in love in your absence, but then I never professed to care for you in that way in the past. We would not have made each other happy – quite the opposite in fact.’
‘Did you know we fell in love at Almack’s?’ mused Evanthe conversationally. ‘Baron Spencer had just danced with me and I was wearing my white spider gauze with the Russian bodice when Charles told me – in the most
masterful
way – that if he did not dance the next waltz with me, his heart would be broken forever. I knew there and then that I would accept if he should offer for me.’
‘Goodness! Did Charles say
that
?’ asked Letty, which earned her a quelling look from Charles; at least, the best quelling look a man with a rapidly swelling eye could manage.
‘Of course – he is very romantic. I liked him when we met again in London but in his pursuit of me, he showed himself to be a passionate man who set my heart fluttering. As for his kisses when Mama and Papa were not present—’
‘Pray do not say too much, my dear,’ observed Charles, hurriedly.
‘Oh! I am sorry; I am such a pea goose!’ she sighed and added, ‘Well, he was very attentive.’
‘Indeed? This side of Charles’s character is unknown to me,’ said Alyssa.
‘He asked my papa for permission to marry me. He and Mama have been very careful of my suitors, on account of my money,’ declared Evanthe artlessly.
‘Your money?’ queried Alyssa.
‘Oh, it is not a large fortune by London standards – only thirty thousand – but there are so many fortune hunters nowadays and they wanted me to marry someone who loved me, not my money. They have known Charles and his family for an age and could not have been happier when Charles asked for my hand, although Papa said that he had never known a man who talked so much and yet said so little to any purpose—’
Charles coughed.
‘Of course,
I
do not think that,’ she continued. ‘Bobo is the sweetest, most charming man alive, and I dote upon his every word. Even Rex likes him, don’t you, Rex?’
Rex replied by drawing back his mouth to reveal a row of sharp, white teeth. Evanthe tapped his nose. ‘Silly dog! Rex is very jealous, Miss Paradise. He is not at all happy that Charles has replaced him in my affections.’
‘So I see,’ observed Alyssa wryly. ‘No doubt Rex will become accustomed to your husband in due course.’ She rubbed her forehead, struggling to marshal her thoughts. ‘Well, this has been an evening for surprises and I admit to feeling tired. What are your plans, Charles? I presume you and your wife will stay in Dorchester overnight?’
‘Yes. We will continue with our journey tomorrow as Evanthe is eager to reach Devon as soon as possible.’ He again looked a little sheepish as he added, ‘I was hoping that we might obtain dinner here before returning to The Antelope. The food provided there, although wholesome enough, is not what Evanthe is accustomed too.’
‘I’m certain you will understand, Miss Paradise, when I tell you I was offered only mutton stew or a slice of pig’s cheek for supper,’ said Evanthe, shuddering at the memory. ‘When I refused to eat either, or give any to poor Rex, the
landlord
looked at me in
such
a disparaging way that I was overcome. An awful man! He said his food was usually good enough for the Quality so I began to cry, and told him I would rather die than eat a slice of pig’s cheek! Then Charles
remonstrated
with him for upsetting me, and said that he was sure we would be offered a more palatable supper here.’
‘An intolerable menu for a lady of your obvious sensibilities, Mrs Brook,’ observed Alyssa, raising her brows and biting her lip lest she indulged in the urge to laugh hysterically – an hour ago, she would not have believed she would be discussing the merits or otherwise of pig’s cheek! ‘I will send word to the kitchen but it might not be possible to provide several courses at this hour.’
‘Oh, no! No, indeed! I would not ask that, or wish to inconvenience you in any way. Just some simple fare will do. A little soup, cold chicken, ham, and wine … some fish if you have it, since it is a favourite of Charles’s – I have no doubt my poor darling is suffering terribly with his bruised eye, even though he will not admit it – and then perhaps a syllabub, a few pastries and sweetmeats. That would be sufficient,’ said Evanthe, with another smile. ‘Oh, and Rex is partial to a slice of cold beef although the naughty puss must make do with ham if you have none!’
It was two hours later when Alyssa finally retired to bed, physically and
emotionally
exhausted. It had been an astonishing evening, beginning with a romantic dinner
à deux
with Gil and ending with a subdued Charles leaving Hawkscote in the company of his new wife, sporting bruises that would not have disgraced a prize fighter.
Evanthe had chattered incessantly throughout the meal, and while she was telling Letty of the amusements to be had during a London Season, Alyssa managed some private conversation with Charles. He was in turn defiant and embarrassed for his earlier behaviour; he still avowed it was an understandable mistake for him to have made but did apologize for not listening to her
explanations
, and for instigating a mill in her diningroom. He would, he said, write a note in the morning to Sir Giles and ask him if he might call upon him in two weeks during their return journey. He owned he could not like the man yet but if he was Alyssa’s choice, he respected her decision.
He even graciously offered for Sir Giles to accompany him to Jackson’s saloon when next in Town, adding that the great pugilist would be pleased to receive any gentleman who could throw such an excellent right hook.
Alyssa sighed happily as she climbed into bed. Caroline was leaving for Bath; Charles was married; she and Gil had no need to conceal their love any longer. As she drifted into sleep, she smiled at the thought of setting their wedding date, blissfully unaware that the morrow held something quite different in store.
When Piers arrived the following day, he was informed that his cousin was out but Letty was in the drawing-room. Ushered into her presence moments later, he stood transfixed by the image that met his eyes.
Letty sat on a mahogany chair, reading; she was dressed in a pale twilled silk dress and bathed in the sunlight streaming through the window. This vision of her, hair that shone like burnished gold, the delicate curve of her neck, and dark lashes sweeping down towards her cheek, made him catch his breath. He had met and dallied with pretty women in the past but none had affected him as Letty did. Now, she looked radiant, a tranquil Circe, and he shivered involuntarily at the thought of her serenity changing to fury. Piers knew the next few minutes held the key to his future happiness, or his future misery.
‘Oh! Hello, Piers. I did not expect you.’ She closed the leather-bound book and put it aside.
‘I hope you are pleased, all the same,’ he replied. ‘But I have interrupted your reading – what held your attention so raptly a moment ago? Is it nonsensical to admit being jealous of a book?’
She smiled. ‘Quite absurd. It is
Guy Mannering
by Sir Walter Scott, and’ – a faint blush stole under her skin – ‘you have no need to be jealous of a hero from a novel.’
‘Thank God! I could never measure up to young Lochinvar from
Marmion
, although I’d happily try to carry you off on my charger. As to my visit, I promised my cousin I would call today so here I am.’ He clasped her hand and raised it to press his lips against her skin.
‘Yes, but Alyssa thought you—’ she began, with a puzzled expression. Letty shrugged one slim shoulder. ‘Oh well, we can discuss that in a moment. I have some surprising news too. Can I help since Alyssa isn’t here?’
‘You’ve already done so in many ways, Letty, but I called today for quite another reason.’ Piers took an agitated turn about the room. Then, turning to face her, he said in a sombre tone, ‘In fact, I am glad to find you alone: I have a confession to make to my cousin and I want you to hear what I have to say first.’ He continued, murmuring, ‘It … it is important you know everything or you will never trust me, and I very much want you to trust me in future.’
‘This is very mysterious, Piers,’ she said, noting his expression and giving a little laugh. ‘What have you to confess which requires you to be so serious?’ His demeanour did not alter at her attempt to lighten the mood and she added quietly, ‘You haven’t come to say you are leaving for London again?’
‘No, nothing like that.’
‘I’m glad.’
‘Never mind London, you may wish me at Jericho when you have heard me out,’ he said, with an odd, humourless smile.
‘Oh? I find that hard to believe, but you had best continue.’
Piers nodded. Dear God, this was the most difficult task he had ever faced. He flinched inwardly at what lay before him yet he knew she deserved the truth. Without it, they had no future: Letty would never suffer a liar.
‘Do you remember when we were out riding and I declared my feelings?’ he began.
‘How can I forget?’ replied she, with a wry smile. ‘It was the same morning you proposed marriage to Alyssa.’
He groaned. ‘Do not remind me what an idiot I was. That day you questioned something I said about my role in recent events.’
Letty nodded. ‘I asked what you meant, but you said it was of no matter.’
‘I was wrong: it did matter – it
does
matter. My actions have been shameful and I have no defence to offer.’ He drew in a breath. ‘There were several incidents of arson on the estate when Alyssa was ill.’
‘Yes, I know. Draper caught the person responsible. How fortunate you dealt with the workers and with Draper in particular.’
‘If only I were more deserving of your faith,’ he said with a grim laugh. ‘It was not an out-of-work malcontent who was responsible: it was Draper.’
Her eyes flew to his. ‘Gracious! He always seemed a sullen, rebellious man, but I would not have believed he would go to those lengths – and working alone too.’
‘But he didn’t. He carried out those acts under my instructions and received payment for doing so.’
There was long pause and an uneasy silence as Piers, whose features were now pale and shot through with anguish, waited for her response.
‘You!’
she finally exclaimed, eyes wide with shock. Rising to her feet, she cried, ‘No! No! That cannot be possible! What reasons could you have?’
‘None that sounds anything other than despicable now,’ he admitted. The disappointment he saw in her face seared his soul and he momentarily closed his eyes, struggling to contain his torment. ‘When I discovered my uncle had left Hawkscote to Alyssa, I was furious and determined to see if matters could be redressed in my favour. I had no clear notion of how this was to be achieved; indeed’ – he raked his fingers roughly through his hair – ‘I can only marvel at my arrogance now. When I found the workers were unsettled, some clamouring for higher wages, I saw I might use it to my advantage. I listened with an apparently sympathetic ear to Draper’s complaints and began to encourage his discontent, putting the idea in his head that my cousin was a nip-cheese.’
‘No!’
‘Yes, I tell you!’ he interpolated. ‘And it did not stop there: I led Draper to believe that if I was in charge I would give the labourers what they asked for.’
Letty stared at him, shaking her head in dismay. ‘How
could
you?’
‘A shocking confession, is it not?’ he observed, the muscles around his mouth flickering as he fought to control his sorrow and his embarrassment. ‘Please let me finish; you must know the whole of it. So, the seeds of my plan were sown. Draper was – still is – an ugly customer, and while I own did not like the man, I was prepared to use him: once he believed me an ally, I could control the fellow for my own purposes. I arranged for him to start several small fires.’
She drew in a sharp breath.
‘Oh, nothing serious – I did not want to harm anyone or cause real hardship to Hawkscote. I knew it was wrong, but justified it by thinking it need be only enough to be noted and, when the “culprit” was caught, I could claim to have resolved a difficult problem for my cousin.’
‘You manufactured the situation to win favour with Alyssa?’
He flushed darkly, and nodded. ‘In my conceit, I reasoned the incidents would prove that she was unable to manage alone and she would agree to a marriage of convenience. I would then have a share of the inheritance I had long coveted.’ Striking his fist into his palm, he continued savagely, ‘I was mad even to think of it! Alyssa laughed in my face when I proposed and deservedly so. I have done stupid things before but nothing to compare to this. Now, I have not only hurt my cousin, whom I hold in great affection, but
you
, Letty, whom I love.’ He exhaled on a shuddering sigh. ‘There, you have it all! At least I found the courage to confess, but I fear you will not forgive me. All my dreams are in your hands. I pray you will not reject me, but, if you do, I must accept that I have lost you through my own selfishness,’ concluded Piers, looking at her with fierce intensity, his eyes moist with tears.
Letty sank slowly on to the chair. The only sound in the room was the ticking of the clock until she said faintly, ‘W-what you have said is extremely shocking and if I had heard this story from anyone else, I would refuse to believe it. Not only have you grievously wronged Alyssa, and indirectly me, you have betrayed your own conscience.’
‘There is no censure I have not already repeated to myself a thousand times,’ he admitted. ‘If your opinion of me is ruined forever, tell me so at once and I’ll not trouble you again.’ He slumped on to the seat opposite, dropping his head into his hands.
‘Oh Piers, what am I to say?’ she answered eventually, a catch in her voice. ‘I
am
very angry.’
‘You have every right to be; so has Alyssa.’
‘But, at the same time, I give you credit for admitting your misdeeds.’
‘That is something at least,’ he replied dully. ‘You both deserved the truth. Shall I return later to see my cousin? You must feel nothing but contempt for me now,’ he murmured.
Letty watched as he sat with head bowed in contrition and shame, shoulders sagging with defeat. There was no artifice in his manner and, for the first time since she had met him, he looked devoid of his natural
joie de vivre
. His
confession
made several things clear: there had been times when he appeared distracted or lost in thought which had puzzled her. Now she understood why, just as she understood why he had offered Alyssa marriage. Piers had been a mendacious fool, but admitting to his misdeeds had assuaged much of the anger she might have harboured towards him.
And, in spite of everything, she still loved him. He was a decent, caring man at his core, she was sure of it, and hadn’t she asked him to show what lay behind that cynical veneer? With his actions this morning, he had certainly done so. She studied his handsome profile, now deeply etched with remorse.
She could leave him in an agony of suspense, but that was not her way. While she might still wish to see evidence that his love would last, she could not tease him cruelly. However, neither would it do to fall into his arms and declare her love – yet. Unseen by Piers, a little smile played about her lips as she said, ‘No, I don’t – indeed, I would be sad if you did not trouble me with your presence again.’
He lifted his head, hope flaring in his eyes. ‘Do you mean it?’
‘You should know by now I never say anything I don’t mean. I abhor what you have done, Piers – don’t imagine otherwise – but I believe you have finally grown up,’ she observed, rising to her feet. ‘Perhaps it has taken this to make it happen. Only a brave man could admit his guilt; the selfish boy you were a short time ago would never have bothered and for that reason, I will not reject you.’
‘
Letty
!’ he cried, in a husky tremulous voice. ‘I won’t let you down again, I swear it!’ He leapt from his seat, his gaze zealously skimming her face. ‘God, I want to kiss you, but I won’t abuse your trust.’
‘Oh, I think one kiss to herald a new beginning for you – and for us – might be permitted,’ she whispered.
He grinned slowly. ‘Darling Letty! You are a constant source of delight!’
She touched his cheek affectionately in response and Piers found it a poignant gesture after what had gone before. He needed no further encouragement and his mouth swooped down to take hers. Even as he exulted in her sweetness, he cherished her lack of sophistication and the open way she gave herself to his embrace. When it ended, he moved to kiss her again, but Letty placed her
fingertips
against his lips.
‘Enough,’ she whispered firmly, but not unkindly, as her eyes smiled at him, ‘for now.’
‘Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy that, my love,’ he murmured, his breath warm against her cheek. His hand slid along her arm to capture her wrist. Slowly, and with consummate skill, he sensually kissed the tip of her thumb and then each finger in turn, watching her face as he did so. ‘You see what you do to me with one kiss, but I feel your pulse racing as fast as my own.’
She knew it; her heart was hammering against her chest and every nerve ending tingled with pleasure. Exhilarated, she shuddered, laughed softly and admitted, ‘You devil, Piers! I enjoyed it very much but I’m not willing to play the coquette – I value our relationship more highly than that. I don’t want an ephemeral love, one that burns brightly for the summer and fades with the first chill winds of autumn; I need more.’
‘I want the same. Patience was never one of my virtues, but for you I’ll try, and somehow bear the wait if I can steal the occasional kiss,’ he declared,
grinning
. ‘And, one day soon when I’ve proved my love is enduring, perhaps I’ll convince you to marry me.’
Letty smiled. ‘That reminds me of my news: Charles arrived unexpectedly last night and brought his new bride. We were introduced, but not before Sir Giles had drawn Charles’s cork!’
‘Charles –
married
! Who has succumbed to his charms?’
‘Evanthe Crawford-Clarke, a lady he met in London.’
‘I know her a little,’ he replied, nodding. ‘An engaging little piece at first sight, but with a deceptively tenacious nature; Charles will not do what he wants with her. Fortunate, too, for Charles that she is quite the heiress.’ He winked roguishly and laughed. ‘Well, thank God he has renounced his claim on Alyssa, and at least now she won’t be subjected to his sanctimonious fustian. But why did Gil draw the blushing bridegroom’s cork?’
Letty giggled, and explained, adding, ‘By the time Charles opened his eyes, Gil had already left and it was only then his wife came in. It was the most
astonishing
hubbub.’
‘Lord, how typical of Charles! I envy Gil giving him what he deserved, for I have long wished to do the same and I’ll offer my congratulations when I see him. But where have you learned boxing cant, miss?’ he asked, with a chuckle.
She said primly, ‘I really can’t remember.’
‘Oh?’ said Piers amused. ‘Perhaps we should return to that subject when I’ve confessed to Alyssa—’
She started suddenly and grasped his arm, crying, ‘Oh no! Alyssa! Now it is my turn to be foolish!’
He frowned. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Piers, I should have told you earlier: Alyssa received a note this morning from Draper!’
‘What!’
he cried. ‘What did it say?’
‘It asked Alyssa to meet him in the barn at the edge of Winterborn wood,’ said Letty, racking her brain to recall the scant content. ‘It was badly written, of course, and hardly legible but it said the matter was urgent.’
‘Has she gone alone?’ he demanded.
‘Y-yes! The note said you would be there also so Alyssa felt there was no need for concern on that point. The fact that you were involved
did
make her believe something was amiss, and she should go. That was why I was surprised to see you here at first.… Oh God, I should have mentioned this sooner!’ she said earnestly, her lips trembling.