A Gallant Gamble (20 page)

He had turned to the study, dusted off the upholstery in the one big chair and sat down to think. His first major worry was about his and Charlotte’s accommodation. Until he could arrange transport home, he’d have to find somewhere suitable to rent immediately, though how he was meant to do that with virtually no funds of his own, he had no idea. Nearly all the money that he held in his purse belonged to Alexander and Giles, who had set him up with an entitlement for the duration of his stay in London. Neither of them had stipulated what it was meant to cover, but Geoffrey had assumed that it was for incidentals that either Olivia or Charlotte might need when they were about in town. He hadn’t spent a penny of it so far.

He had taken out the purse and rattled it. There were several coins inside, but he had left the best of it at the Albany, wary of thieves or vagabonds taking advantage of him and stealing his friends’ money. He had tipped the coins into his palm. Several of them were gold and he closed his eyes as the guilt swamped him. Giles and Alexander had trusted him and he had let them both down so badly. He counted the coins and put them away again, vowing to spend them only on the things that Charlotte would need in her new situation.

Her new situation. He buried his face in his hands.

A Lady to become the wife of a stable master!

And that was only if Alexander would still want him to remain at Ormond. The scandal might mean too much. He’d have to look at what cottages were available in Oakley.

A cottage, for a Lady!
Disgust built within him at what he had done. He could barely think of it. She couldn’t possibly live in one of the cottages in Oakley. The embarrassment would be impossible to overcome. No matter what his position in life, Charlotte was a Lady, the daughter of a Lord, and she deserved to be treated as one. He had groaned as he ran his fingers through his already dishevelled hair.

She must be so angry with him, so hurt and so bloody disappointed, but there was nothing to be done. They were to be married. His heart had pounded in his chest, threatening to burst from his ribs. He had pushed the chair back and risen from the seat. Taking up a candle, he had ventured into the gloomy hallway and up the cobwebbed staircase. Remembering the place from their visit earlier in the day, he had walked along the corridor and into the only other room that held any furniture.

Beneath the dust-laden cover, the sheets, though unaired, looked clean enough. He’d stripped his fine clothes, folded them and laid them carefully on the end of the large bed then tossed and turned half the night before waking early amid the sounds of hustle and bustle outside his door.

On rising, he’d discovered the house already overrun with servants and he had quickly dressed and left to wake the Bishop. On his return journey he had detoured along one of the many narrow streets surrounding them and found himself gazing into jeweller’s windows. One particular establishment caught his eye with a small but select display of the prettiest sapphires he had ever seen. The exquisite stones exactly matched the colour of Charlotte’s eyes and he couldn’t resist venturing inside.

The ring he had selected was as beautiful as his bride, and he had handed over the money from his purse without another thought. It was the least he could do for the woman who had told him that she’d had nothing before Giles had come into her life. He tucked the bill into his pocket and vowed to replace the money from his own savings as soon as he returned to Ormond.

The moment he had slid the ring on her finger was the most proud and yet most damning on his life.

She was his! His wife! His love!

He had wanted to shout it from the rooftops, but instead he had leaned forwards and brushed his lips across her forehead as he silently begged her to forgive him.

The brandy was working. His mind dulled to the noises about him and he stuck his legs out under the table as he attempted to sit more comfortably. He didn’t want to go back to St. George Street. He didn’t want to hear sobs as she realized how bleak her future would be. The thought of her tear-filled eyes was too much to bear and he picked up the bottle of brandy, not bothering with the glass as he sloshed the fiery liquid down his throat.

He didn’t know how much time passed, but the woman who had served him earlier was suddenly back at his side. She appeared a lot prettier than she had earlier in the evening. Her face had softened and her dark hair glistened in the candlelight. Ruby red lips moved and she gestured to her side. He blinked as another woman suddenly appeared. She was blonde and blue eyed and smiling warmly.

“Charlotte?” He half rose from his seat as he croaked, the brandy having burnt his throat raw. The woman nodded.

“I’ll be whoever you want me to be, my lover. Now come on upstairs with Bernadette and meself and we can show you how to forget your troubles for a few hours. I’m sure a big lad like you can manage to satisfy two women and we promise to be gentle with ye and your pocket.” She held out her hand as he squinted up at her. The two figures wavered about and solidified into one before separating yet again. He stared through bleary eyes at the blonde woman. Could it be that she had come to find him. Had she forgiven him?

“Charlotte? I’m so sorry. It wasn’t meant to happen like this. Can you forgive me?” His tongue felt swollen in his mouth and he wasn’t sure that the words came out correctly, but Charlotte seemed happy enough. Her smile widened.

“Course I can. Don’t worry about a thing. Bernadette and I’ll look after ye, me lover.” Her voice sounded strange and he hesitated for a moment before she tipped her head and held out her hand. Geoffrey stood up too quickly and swayed violently as he placed his hand within her palm to steady himself. Her fingers felt cold and bony but she gripped him well enough. She gave him a slight tug. “Come on, dearie. You look as though you could do with a rest.”

He nodded at her and leaned closer to her ear.

“So tired,” he mumbled as he nuzzled her neck, drawing back a fraction as the strange scent of onions and old cooking fat caught his nostrils, but he moved forwards as he was pushed gently from behind. He tripped over a stool and grabbed a man’s shoulder. The man leapt up in surprise and stared for a single moment into Geoffrey’s eyes. Geoffrey stumbled backwards.
Why was Rookwood here?
The man turned away quickly and lifted his collar. There was the rustle of Charlotte’s silk skirts beside him and she squeezed his hand tighter as she pulled him from the taproom.

Stairs came into view, dark and dusty with naked candles lit on either side. He stopped and stared upwards.
How had he arrived back in St. George Street?
Another gentle shove in his back and one foot fell in front of the other. Skirts swayed in front of him again and he noticed blonde curls rolling down her back.

Something was spoiling his vision. Her hair parted over one shoulder and dark strands came into view. They looked more like the dull ruined wheat that had filled the fields at Ormond not so many years previously.

He shook his head and hesitated, but she suddenly turned, smiled sweetly and beckoned him up the stairs.

Charlotte sat quietly in the freshly cleaned drawing room. She glanced out onto the street for what felt like the thousandth time. Her own reflection stared back at her in the glass. Night-time had fallen hours ago and Geoffrey still hadn’t appeared.

There was a soft knock at the drawing room door and she looked up to see Coalport standing there, a tray of tea in his hands. He put the tray on the table and poured her a cup of the hot liquid before he moved towards the window. He stared out into the darkness.

“Begging your pardon, but it’s past midnight. I’m worried, my Lady. He’s not the sort to stay out like this. I think that he has met with a misfortune.” Genuine concern filled the valet’s gentle voice.

Charlotte put down the pattern book that she had been pretending to look through. She huffed out a breath and slumped in the chair. There was no point in hiding her own concerns, but she attempted to remain calm.

“I don’t know. Maybe he has left town to head back to Ormond. He wasn’t keen on coming here in the first place, and marrying me certainly wasn’t on his agenda,” she admitted miserably.

Coalport sighed.

“If you don’t mind me saying, marrying you was the best thing he could have ever done. I know that he is more than fond of you, but he has been having a hard time adjusting to his new station in life. Some men are too humble for their own good, if you ask me.”

Charlotte choked back her tears as she wished that Anne or even Olivia were here with her. She was worried to death, sick at heart and thoroughly miserable. Coalport gave her a tender smile and she gave up the fight to be strong.

“He hates me. When I promised him that I would improve, he told me that he didn’t want a dutiful wife.” Sobs wracked her slender frame and she was suddenly enveloped in a warm embrace. She dropped her head onto Coalport’s shoulder and cried hot tears into his jacket as he held her tenderly.

Coalport shushed her desperate weeping.

“My dear, you are mistaken. Oliv... er, the Duchess has told me everything. All is not as it seems, I am sure, but that is not our first concern. If you will let me, I will go and ask Lord Caithwell to join in my search. London is not always friendly to people as honest and open hearted as Mr. Talbot. However strong and tall he is, he might not fare well in some situations.”

Charlotte stood back from Olivia’s lover. He handed her a handkerchief and she blew her nose before she nodded and gave him a despondent smile.

“I’m sorry to be such a watering pot, but this is not how I expected to ever spend my wedding night. The stress appears to have overcome me...” She took a few gulps of air before speaking again. “Yes, fetch Giles. He will know what to do.”

Coalport held her shoulders and set her away from him.

“Now, you need to put on a brave face and stand up for the pair of you. If we can sort this out now, there is no reason why you cannot have a long and happy marriage. We just need to make Mr. Talbot see that too. He doesn’t want to end up like me and wait in the wings for over thirty years for the woman he loves, just because he is too daft to see his own worth. I have been lucky enough to be given a second chance. I am not going to muck it up this time. At least Geoffrey has a good start over me. He is at least married to you, so let’s see if we can get your husband on the right track the first time around.” He smiled encouragingly.

Charlotte took a deep, steadying breath and she gazed up at the older man in front of her. He looked younger than he had when they had first arrived in London. Not only younger but also happier and far more confident.

“Why did you not ask Olivia’s hand in marriage the first time around? Why did you let her escape.”

Coalport laughed as he shook his head.

“I never even told her how I felt. How could I? It would have been an impossible match anyway. I was so young, without a penny to my name; a simple servant who could barely look her in the eye for fear that she might see what was in my heart, but it turns out that she knew anyway. For thirty years I worked my way up through the household while I remained as close to her as possible. I hated the fact that she went to another man’s bed every night, and even though the Duke was a good man and perfect for her, I would wish that he took a mistress or would leave her in London while he gallivanted about on his estate. He didn’t, of course. He loved her and his sons passionately, and she loved them just as fiercely in return. In the end, her infrequent visits to town were all I could hope for. Just a glimpse would sustain me until the next season, but then I was unexpectedly given a chance. I would never have wished the old Duke dead, but it happened anyway and I just knew that I couldn’t let her go ever again. Knowing that fate wouldn’t help me a second time, I took my chance with my own destiny and wrote to her last year, telling her everything I had ever felt about her. I knew what I was risking; my livelihood, my home, even my good name could have been taken away from me, but I had to make my feelings known before it was too late. Never once did I expect a response and I didn’t get one for months.”

Charlotte’s hand slipped over her mouth and her words came out in a shocked whisper.

“Olivia rejected you?”

Coalport’s smile widened further.

“She came to London to find me. I was only retained by the Duke for his visits to town and they had been few and far between in recent years, but I opened my own front door only a few weeks ago to discover Olivia standing there. She was barely through the door before she was in my arms. I will never forget that day for the rest of my life. Whatever happens in our future, whether people reject us or accept our relationship, I care not. I swear that I love her and will never let her go again.”

Charlotte knew that he spoke the truth.

“But you should be with her now, not here worrying about me and Geoff. Go back to her now. Giles will search for my husband.”

Coalport shook his head as he gave her hand a small squeeze.

“Now, what do you take me for? I will help find your husband and then return to Olivia, though I would ask that you keep what I have told you to yourself. When Olivia returns to Ormond, I will be going with her. I wish to speak to her son before anything becomes known. Even though he will never keep me from her, for her sake I dearly want his blessing. Losing her husband and firstborn son at the same time was a blow greater than any woman should have to bear. I must convince Alexander that our love can overcome the gossips and that even if it doesn’t, I will love, cherish and look after his mother for the rest of our lives.”