Devall's Angel (15 page)

“Forgive me, my lord,” whispered a shaken voice – the footman who had been stationed at the front door. “I do not know how he got in, for he did not pass me.”

“Liar. I saw him come up the stairs. You were fawning over his grace of Woburton and paid him no heed.”

The footman gasped.

“I do not countenance incompetence, James, as you well know. You will leave my employ immediately. There will be no reference.”

Angela stifled a protest. The last thing she needed was for Atwater to corner her alone in this room. Being compromised had no place in her plans.

Again the door slammed.

She could not believe such high-handed cruelty. And why had he tried to bar Garwood? She knew Philip had received an invitation, for he had mentioned it only yesterday. Had Atwater planned to embarrass him by having him ejected from the house? Such a childish plot belied his reputation, but it fit well with a man who admitted beating his wife and who threw out a servant over so trifling a transgression. So the original rumors were probably true.

She walked slowly back to the rout. The footman should not have been expected to carry out such a plan. But it gave her the ammunition she would need to counter her mother’s fury when she accepted Philip. Not that she could do so tonight. He was undoubtedly gone, and Atwater was no longer receiving guests. She spotted him in the drawing room, apparently looking for her.

She hastily retreated, too furious to risk meeting him face to face. Instead, she sent word to Andrew that she was unwell, then refused to bid farewell to Atwater before Andrew escorted her home.

* * * *

“How dared you leave a party at which you were the hostess?” stormed Lady Forley the next morning.

“I was not the hostess,” Angela declared angrily.

“Nonsense. Atwater considered you his hostess, and it was your duty to assist him. How dared you leave?”

“I had a headache.”

“A lady does not have headaches under such circumstances, Angela. You insulted him. You are fortunate that he did not take you in disgust.”

“It would be better if he had.”

“Imbecile!” Lady Forley pulled herself up to her full height. “I have put up with enough of your megrims. You will dismiss Garwood today. He will not be admitted to this house again. It is not your place to question someone older and wiser than yourself. Your betrothal will be announced as soon as Atwater and Andrew agree to the settlements.”

“No.”

Lady Forley collapsed into a chair, frantically waving a vinaigrette. “Ungrateful child. What have I done to deserve such spite?”

“There is no spite, Mother, but you overstep your own position. This is Andrew’s house. He alone can bar callers. You must accept that I do not share your interests. Yes, you are older and have more experience of the world, but you never consider that others might not enjoy the life you favor. I will not marry where I cannot love. Of my two suitors, I am more likely to achieve that state with Garwood. And I want a partnership with my husband. Atwater is a tyrant, something I will not tolerate. As we are discussing
my
marriage, my feelings will prevail. And you will discover that Andrew agrees with me.” She paused in the doorway. Lady Forley’s mouth worked frantically, but no sound emerged. “I will send Wilson to attend you.”

She reached the breakfast room before reaction set in. She hated scenes. Despite its necessity, the confrontation had left her shaking. But peace soon settled over her. Finishing her meal, she called for her horse and headed for the park.

Chapter Nine

Angela drew her horse up near the Serpentine. Riding in the morning when few people were about was far nicer than at the fashionable hour. She did not admit that she also enjoyed mornings because she so often ran into Blackthorn. Nor did she acknowledge the warmth that filled her breast as the marquess trotted out to meet her.

“You look more relaxed this morning,” he said by way of greeting.

“An argument with my mother cleared the air,” she admitted. “Perhaps now I can enjoy the rest of the Season.”

“Argument?” His brows rose in question.

“She cannot understand that I dislike London and wish to live my life in the country.”

“Some of us are like that,” he agreed. “Though Lady Forley is not.”

“You, too, prefer the country?”

He nodded.

“What is your estate like?”

“Wyndhaven?” He looked beyond her as if he could see it in the distance. “It is the most beautiful spot on earth. It sits on the south coast, so it offers everything I love – cliffs that drop away to beaches that can change in an instant from a quiet place for thought to an exhilarating spot of crashing waves; forested hills that protect the house from storms; a pair of lakes; a marvelous fishing stream; even some authentic ruins.”

“It sounds like a combination of Forley Court and Carrisford Grange.” The Grange was Hart’s estate. “Are your ruins the remains of an abbey?”

“Actually, the site was a fortified Plantagenet-era manor that replaced an ancient walled keep. When it burned two centuries ago, my ancestor rebuilt in a new location.”

“Better?”

“I think so. It gave my great-grandfather room to expand.” He went on to describe the house – currently with a Palladian facade – and the grounds that Repton had recently revised. His love for the land sang in every word, giving her more insight into his character than any of their former exchanges and providing new evidence against his reputation. No man who cared for his estate as Blackthorn did could be the evil villain society claimed.

“But enough about me,” he said at last. “Why are you in town if you dislike it so much?”

“Stupid question.” She shrugged. “I must find a husband, and there is a dearth of unattached males near Forley Court.”

“So you’ll accept Atwater rather than return home unwed?”

“Hardly. We would never be comfortable together. Fortunately, he is not the only choice.”

“Garwood?”

She nodded.

“But will you be given a choice?” His tone was now serious. “Unless she has changed greatly, your mother is not a woman who willingly admits mistakes or accepts defeat.”

“You know her from before, I suppose.” She paused long enough to note his confirmation. “I hardly knew her at all until Father died, for she rarely visited the Court. Papa came more often, to relax and study in his library. He hated town, but he loved Mother and couldn’t stay apart from her for long. She made his life hell.”

“I’ve long suspected that. Don’t let her do the same to you.”

“She’s tried. She encouraged Atwater shamelessly despite my protests. She cannot see that I take after Papa rather than her. Her delusions were the subject of our argument this morning.”

She described Atwater’s rout and the reason for her early departure.

“So he dismissed the footman?”

She nodded. “I wish I could do something for the man. Without a reference he will be hard-pressed to find a new position.”

“I will find one for him,” he promised absently, a frown adding intimidating lines to his face.

His offer came as no surprise. In fact, her comments had deliberately sought it. Some instinct had suspected that he would help – because of Mickey, perhaps, or maybe she truly saw beyond his facade. “Why do you continue courting censure when your character is so benign?”

His eyes narrowed. “Don’t mistake me for an angel,” he warned. “I am well named. But your mother’s behavior concerns me. This insistence on throwing you and Atwater together goes beyond the usual quest for titled wealth.” He must have caught her frown, for he smiled. “Believe me, I’ve plenty of experience with fortune hunters and matchmaking mamas. They may ignore me now, but I faced my share some years ago. Lady Forley’s behavior doesn’t fit.”

“She is annoying, but only because she is selfish and assumes everyone shares her values. Now that she knows differently – for even she cannot misunderstand plain English, and I kept my objections short and simple this time – we will manage better.”

“I hope so, but be careful. I have a feeling that there is more going on than you realize.”

Without another word, he left her, but she understood his abruptness. The hour was too advanced to risk staying together. He was as conscious of maintaining her reputation as she was.

* * * *

His parting comment stayed in Devall’s mind all the way home. No lady who cared for her daughter would ignore that daughter’s wishes as Lady Forley was doing. Why was the woman so determined to tie Angela to Atwater? Even if she had initially been ignorant of Atwater’s faults, recent stories should have raised grave questions about the man.

He had never liked Lady Forley, though she had quitted town when he was still a callow youth, so he didn’t know her well. He cast his mind back to the days before his disastrous betrothal.

She had much in common with encroaching mushrooms despite her better breeding. Determined to push her way into higher social circles, she had flattered and fawned while ignoring any hint of censure. And there had been plenty. Her greed had made many people roll their eyes behind her back. As had her entertainments, which had been lavish to the point of vulgarity. Since her return, the ostentatious opulence was absent – a victim of limited finances, or possibly of Angela’s better taste. But Angela was too inexperienced to counter the machinations of a determined social climber. The fact that Lady Forley was her mother would make it even harder to stand up to her. So she needed help.

He vowed to keep a close eye on Lady Forley.

* * * *

“Mr. Garwood has called to see Miss Warren,” announced Paynes, standing stiffly erect in the drawing room doorway.

“She is shop—” began Lady Forley, abruptly closing her mouth. “Show him in, Paynes.”

She smoothed the skirt of her morning gown and slipped her needlework into its basket. One of a mother’s responsibilities was seeing that her children married well. Never would she ascribe to the notion that inexperienced, innocent girls were capable of choosing proper mates. And Angela was one of the worst. Thanks to Lord Forley’s idiocy in forcing her to share her brother’s tutors, she had acquired unladylike ideas and an unbecoming independence. It was long past time that she assume her proper place in society as the wife of a peer of wealth and consequence. If the girl was too stupid to plan her own future, her mother would have to do it for her.

“Lady Forley,” murmured Garwood politely. “I had hoped to speak with Miss Warren. Will she be down soon?”

“She is out at the moment.”

His face fell, but manners forbade leaving. “I am putting together an outing to Richmond next week and would be delighted if you would join the party. Miss Warren and Lady Sylvia will enjoy escaping the city for a few hours.”

“I do not think that would be wise, sir,” said Lady Forley with a smile. “The Season is far enough advanced that Angela must turn her thoughts to her future. There will be no more time to dally with acquaintances if she is to set everything in train before Lord Forley’s own wedding. I am sure you understand.”

Shock suffused Garwood’s face. “I assure you that my intentions are honorable. In fact, I had intended to speak with Lord Forley soon.”

“I am sure they are, but you cannot understand our situation. Angela has no dowry so cannot afford an alliance with one whose own financial position is precarious.”

He drew himself up in cold hauteur. “You have been misinformed, my lady. My situation is comfortable. Miss Warren is familiar with it and has expressed no reservations.”

The determination glaring from Garwood’s eyes sent shudders down her back. Even her lie about the dowry had not affected him. Casting all scruples aside, she assumed the open expression that had always bent gentlemen to her will. “It is you who have been misinformed, sir. It never occurred to me that Angela would not have told you. London must have turned her head, the silly girl. She has never received so much attention before. I know she has enjoyed your friendship, but that can hardly excuse such callous disregard for your feelings. The truth is that she was promised to Atwater before we came to town, though they delayed the announcement in deference to his recent bereavement. You may curse me as an indulgent parent for agreeing to such secrecy, but I never thought she might use the time to practice her wiles on innocent parties.”

His brain in turmoil, Garwood could hardly take in the words. “But she had not met him until her come-out ball,” he objected, yet he could not stop the pictures unrolling through his mind – Atwater leading Angela into the first set following her obligation dances with her brother and host; Atwater’s proprietary stance at nearly every ball; her demeanor with the earl, making no attempt to flirt or otherwise attract his attention. And now he knew why. Contrary to his own impressions, she was relaxed because no effort was necessary. Pain stabbed his heart that he immediately converted to anger over her deliberate deceit.

“That is true,” said Lady Forley. His thoughts had winged ahead so rapidly that he had nearly forgotten the words to which she responded. “But the arrangements had been made before we came to town. He met all her requirements for a husband – wealth, estates, high title. He needed an heir as soon as possible, but had little heart for a lengthy courtship. It was a pleasant surprise to find him so congenial, but they agreed to leave the official announcement until later.”

“Why did she not tell me this herself?”

“She is enjoying your attentions too much. It is always gratifying to have a court. And attracting multiple offers increases a girl’s credit in some circles. Had you pressed a suit, she must have revealed the truth, of course. But waiting that long is unfair to you.”

He took his leave, anger and pain still boiling in his mind. By the time he reached his curricle, anger had overwhelmed all else. She had deceived him from the beginning, and not just about her betrothal. Her character was sadly lacking. To court a gentleman’s affections solely to feed her own conceit was the height of dishonesty. He had hinted at a future together often enough that she could hardly claim ignorance of his intentions.