An Unlikely Father (12 page)

“Yes, my lady. They are—”

“Luella,” her ladyship interrupted, fearing what the butler was about to say, “accompany Lord Halcomb and Lady Cora to their rooms at once. See to their every comfort.”

When the marquess looked as if he might protest, the dowager added, “I am sure you will want to see your daughter safely settled after such an arduous journey as it appears to have been for her. Also you will wish to freshen up before you come to the drawing room to meet my grandson. You can have no doubt that I would prefer a word alone with Hawksworth first. I shall have tea sent up to you.”

With a disgruntled look on his lined face, Lord Halcomb took his wilted daughter’s other elbow as he and Miss Millet ushered the ailing young lady up the stairs behind a castle footman, the girl’s maid trailing behind. Once the party was out of sight, Lady Hawksworth turned to the butler to demand, “I wish to see my grandson in the library. Immediately!”

But before the butler could inform her ladyship that the gentleman was out, the front door opened to admit the earl, escorting two ladies unknown to her, Sir Ethan Russell and the two children her ladyship had seen earlier.

Upon close inspection of the young ones, the dowager’s worst fears were realized. The pair looked remarkably like Hawksworth with their dark curls and blue eyes.

Oliver walked up to his grandmother to greet her, but she stood unresponsive as he brushed a kiss on her wrinkled cheek. Seemingly oblivious to the lady’s disturbed state, he nonchalantly inquired, “Where is the estimable Miss Millet?”

“Never mind about Luella.” She glared at her grandson, then remembering her manners, peered round the earl. “Good day to you, Sir Ethan.” She gave a stiff nod to the gentleman, then her tone grew haughty and cold as she swept the women and children with an unfriendly glare. “Who are these people, Hawksworth?” The earl smiled at the children. “Jamie, Honoria, come and greet your great-grandmother.”

Upon hearing the names of her never-before-seen great-grandchildren, the fierce look on the dowager’s face changed to one of amazement, then delight. The young pair stepped obediently forward, but were uncertain about this female who was their father’s grandmother. She’d been so angry and sharp, they weren’t certain they wished to meet her.

“My young James and little Honoria, you have come all the way from India at last.” The old woman’s grey eyes grew moist as she extended her arms to the children who hesitantly went to her. The earl quickly explained about the loss of the children’s mother during the birth of the newest Carson, Wesley. Unfortunately, they still awaited word on the fate of their father. Despite the dark news, the dowager kissed and hugged the children, telling them not to worry, for they were now home.

Emily, watching the meeting, was touched by the old woman’s genuine joy at meeting her young descendants. This greeting was everything that the earl’s hadn’t been. Here was the family member who might fulfill all the children’s needs. Emily was pleased, yet she suddenly felt displaced.

That was, until the old woman’s gaze settled on her. There was a visible coolness in the lady’s inquiring eyes. “Hawksworth, you forget your manners. Introduce your other guests.”

“My lady, may I present Mrs. Delia Keaton and Miss
Emily Collins, who were kind enough to escort the children back from the Indies.

“Ladies, my grandmother, Nora, Dowager Countess of Hawksworth.”

The women exchanged polite civilities with the dowager, who offered profound thanks for their bringing the children home. With a wave of her hand, her ladyship then claimed fatigue from her own journey and asked them all to join her in some refreshments. They moved to the Blue Drawing Room, and within minutes Bedows appeared with tea, sandwiches and seed cakes. Lady Hawksworth insisted the children be allowed to remain. Emily and Delia took them to wash their hands, and upon their return there was a very lively tea party.

In no time at all the story of the children’s departure from Calcutta due to their father’s illness and arrival at the castle had been unfolded in more detail for the countess by first Emily, then Hawksworth. But as the old lady listened to the flow of conversation, she was curious why, after nearly a week, her grandson was still dancing attendance on his wards. And why were the ladies, newly-arrived from Calcutta, still in residence at the castle? Had they no place to be?

It seemed far more likely that Oliver would have hired the proper servants, then come to inform her of the children’s arrival. Knowing her grandson, Lady Hawksworth had little doubt it wasn’t his wards who were keeping him here.

The dowager soon settled on the reason why her grandson lingered at the castle as she watched the exchange of conversation between Miss Collins and Hawksworth. There was a look of interest in her grandson’s eyes as his gaze rested on the young lady that worried Nora deeply.

The countess centered her own attention on this unknown female. The young lady was pretty enough but well past the first blush of youth. She was most certainly not in Oliver’s usual style, with her demure ways and unassuming airs. While her gown was well-made, it was neither very stylish nor provocative. She looked very much like any number of country misses one would meet at a local assembly. Not a female who should be intriguing Hawksworth, and yet she was. Suddenly all Nora’s plans for her grandson appeared in danger. Was this little nobody from India thinking she might snare herself a titled husband? Not if the countess had anything to say about it—and she would.

As the party broke up, Emily and Delia offered to take the children back to the nursery. With a promise to visit them before dinner and meet her newest great
-
grandson, the dowager kissed the children farewell. At the same time Sir Ethan excused himself, suspecting that the lady wished a few words of private conversation with her grandson.

Lady Hawksworth watched as the earl’s gaze trailed Miss Collins’s exit. The countess knew she needed to put a stop to this attraction at once. As the door closed on the lady’s back, she said, “Mayhap I should mention that Lord Halcomb and his daughter accompanied me to Hawk’s Lair. They are even now resting in their rooms.”

There was no show of emotion on her grandson’s face at her announcement, but seeing the knuckles whiten on his hand as his fists clenched, Lady Hawksworth knew he was not well pleased. His words confirmed as much.

“What inspired you to drag Halcomb and Lady Cora to Hawk’s Lair?”

“The marquess heard rumors not to his liking.”

Oliver gave a mirthless laugh. “Rumors! Gad, madam, if he is nervous about a few rumors regarding me, he’d best keep his daughter safe at home in London. My way of life has always been a great topic for the gossips.”

Nora leaned back in her chair and gazed intently at the earl. “He is a man of the world, Oliver. He would pay little heed to tales of your numerous dalliances. It was those fools, Abbot and Bonham, dashing about Town gabbling about children taking up residence at the castle—children whose very existence were placed at your door by that pair of coxcombs.”

The earl grimaced at the mention of his former house guests. “And now you know the truth. My character is not as black as you and the marquess suspected.”

The dowager rose, and her grandson politely followed suit. “Facts which I must go at once and lay out for Halcomb. But Oliver, you cannot continue to dawdle with regard to paying your addresses. Lady Cora is at hand.”

Hawksworth opened the door for his grandmother, but there was bitterness in his tone as he remarked, “You will at least allow the lady and me the opportunity to become a little acquainted before I make any irrevocable declarations.”

“Of course.” So saying, Nora exited the drawing room. As she made her way up the grand staircase, she was worried. Oliver had never been enthusiastic about marrying, and had reluctantly agreed in the first place. But he’d sounded positively morose just now, calling his proposal an irrevocable declaration. What had seemed a simple matter to bring about some two weeks ago now suddenly appeared to be slipping away.

The dowager made her way to the west wing, where the guests would be quartered. She must have a long talk with the marquess or all their plans might not come to pass. She could only hope that Lady Cora came prepared to win Hawksworth’s admiration.

Emily gazed out her window at the fading light. Dressed for dinner in a simple round gown of pink satin with a short train, slashed sleeves and square-cut neckline with silver trim at the bodice and hem, she tugged the white net shawl with silver trim about her shoulders. The announcement that dinner was set back to a more fashionable hour had left her with time on her hands.

There was no denying that she was baffled by her present mood. With the arrival of Lady Hawksworth, all her worries about the children should have flown, but instead she found herself still reluctant to leave the castle. Perhaps it was her feeling that the dowager, while glad to have her great-grandchildren home, was less than delighted about Emily’s and Delia’s presence. The lady’s attitude did not bode well for future visits to Hawk’s Lair.

It could only be hoped that once her ladyship got to know them, she would see that they had only the best of intentions. But then, it was the earl who had true authority, and he had unbent considerably since their first night at the castle.

With a sigh, Emily rose after deciding there was no point in worrying. She would make an effort to be pleasant to the countess and hope that the lady would have no objections to Emily and Delia’s visits to the children once they were situated in their own home nearby.

Looking at the clock, she realized it was still another thirty minutes before they would be expected to gather in the Blue Drawing Room. Her gaze fell on the book she’d finished the night before, and she decided to return it to the library as well as make a new selection.

Certain that everyone would be in their rooms dressing, Emily hurried through the empty halls, intent on accomplishing her errand quickly. She arrived at the library and entered, closing the door quietly. The book clutched in her hand, she started towards the stacks, then was forced to duck as great red wings flapped above her head.

To her dismay she realized Juno was out of the new cage, as was Janus, whom she could see perched on the upper library rail peering down at her with interest.

“Oh, Miss Collins, I’m glad ye’ve come,” Sam, the nursery footman, called from near the fireplace. Beside him the children stood, watching their pet birds enjoying a taste of freedom.

“Why are the parrots not in their cage, Jamie?” Emily asked with alarm as she watched Juno land with a broad sweep of wings on the upper rail on the opposite side of the room from her feathered companion.

“Nurse said we might come down and help Sam feed them. I was trying to show him the tricks they can do. Only they won’t come back to us when I call them.” Jamie scratched his head, puzzled at his pets’ strange behavior.

“Whatever are we to do, Miss Collins?” Honoria asked. “Uncle will be ever so angry if we let the birds make a mess in his library as we did his kitchen.”

Just then, as if the creature had heard, Juno swooped down low over the great oak desk sending a shower of loose papers flying to the floor. Then, with majestic ease, the red bird sailed upward and landed beside the green parrot again.

Emily knew she must do something quickly. “How do you command them to come to you, Jamie?”

The boy marched to the center of the room, then elevated his left arm. He g
a
ve a soft whistle, then called first one parrot’s name and then the other, but neither responded. Instead, the contrary birds began to preen and squawk as they would have done in the wild. Clearly they were quite content where they were.

Sam moved to stand beside Emily, keeping a wary eye on the lurking great birds, fearful he might be pecked by one of the great beasts. “There be a great butterfly net in the attic, miss. Reckon that might do the trick.”

Emily nodded. “Yes, it might. I will remain with the children if you will go and retrieve it, Sam.”

The footman went out, but Emily paid little heed, putting her mind to the problem of recapturing the birds. Then a plan formed. “Do you think the parrots will come to me?”

Honoria nodded. “They would come to everyone back home. I don’t understand why they are so disobedient tonight.”

“Perhaps,” Emily said as she went to the desk, “they are still wary of their new home, my dear.” She scanned the upper level of the library. The narrow catwalk was safely railed around the entire room and there would be no danger sending the children up the spiral stairs, so she laid out her plan.

Honoria and Jamie understood what was to be done. They hurried up the stairs, then each went in the opposite direction around the catwalk, moving towards the birds slowly. At the same time, Emily climbed up on his lordship’s desk and stood in the middle with both her gloved arms extended as Jamie had, whistling for the birds. Her position was scarcely two feet below where the parrots were perched.

The children drew near the parrots, but the wily birds, seeing captors approach, took to wing. They flew about the large room in great swooping dives. Emily remained standing with arms extended and continued to whistle.

At that moment, the door to the library opened and she was vaguely aware of two tall male forms silhouetted in the door. But she was fearful of taking her eyes off the circling and diving parrots. Knowing the danger, she called, “Close the door quickly or the birds will get out.” She heard the door click shut.

Just then Juno spread her red wings and swooped down at Emily, but at the last moment, with a soft flutter, the parrot gently lit on the lady’s extended left arm. Following suit, Janus circled one last time and glided to Emily’s right arm.

“You have done it, Miss Collins. Is she not splendid, Uncle?” Honoria called from the catwalk.

Emily’s gaze went immediately to the earl, looking handsome in his evening black. Her heart fluttered much like the birds’ great wings when the gentleman smiled at her, saying, “So she is, my dear niece.”

Embarrassed by the trembling which seemed to come unbidden to her knees, Emily drew her gaze to the second gentleman. He was a stranger, and from the look on his lined face, not one happy to be at Hawk’s Lair. Tall and greying, with gaunt features, the gentleman was dressed in a black evening coat and white waistcoat, but somehow looked less splendid than the earl despite the similarity in their attire.

As the birds’ talons dug into the white gloves which protected her arms, Emily suddenly realized she didn’t know what to do now that she had them. “I am not sure how splendid I am, for I cannot get down to put these two back where they belong.”

The earl stepped forward. “Jamie, Honoria, come down slowly. I feel certain the birds will allow you to put them back, since they have known you the longest.” The children came down the stairs and slowly made their way to where Miss Collins stood like a statue, praying the parrots didn’t take flight again.

The earl positioned them on either side of the desk. “Bend down, Miss Collins and the children will each take one of your feathered friends.”

Jamie and Honoria, long familiar with their pets, each extended an arm and the parrots stepped onto the new perches without the least fanfare. The children moved them to the cage and quickly closed the door once the birds were safely behind the bars.

The earl turned and grinned at Emily. “I won’t ask how this all came to be. It is what I have come to expect in my new life as guardian. May I assist you down, Miss Collins?”

Before Emily could say a word, the gentleman put his hands about her waist and lifted her to the floor as if she were as light as a dried leaf. Briefly his hands lingered, feeling warm through her gown as he gazed into her eyes and asked, “Are you unharmed? The birds didn’t scratch your arms?”

It took her a moment to gather her thoughts. As his hands dropped away, she took a step back and then made a great show of smoothing her gloves back into place. “Not a bit, my lord. I assure you, I am fine.”

The earl’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment longer before he seemed to come to his senses. “Then allow me to present you to the Marquess of Halcomb. My lord, Miss Emily Collins.”

The scowl on the older gentleman’s face was anything but welcoming. Despite his grim look, the marquess said all that was polite, even inquiring about her journey from Calcutta.

After several minutes of polite yet stilted conversation, Hawksworth said, “ ’Tis almost time to join the others. Would you be so kind as to return these imps to Nurse, Miss Collins, or shall I?”

Feeling uncomfortable under the marquess’s unwelcome stare, Emily assured the earl that she would be delighted to see the children safely to the nursery.

With a hug for their uncle and a polite bow to the new guest, the children exited the room, Emily following. In that moment before the library door closed behind her, Emily heard the marquess’s angry tones. “I am displeased with your conduct, Hawksworth. That woman—”

What else the gentleman said was lost as the oak portal clicked shut, but Emily was curious who this marquess was and what he had to do with the earl. She led the children up the stairs, but her mind was full of the strange undertones now present at the castle. Was she in some way to blame?