Emily Hendrickson (3 page)

“I believe that will do.” Seeing that he needed to give some explanation, he added, “My mother has one of the Herbert girls staying with her as a companion.”

The archdeacon nodded with supreme dignity. “Most appropriate. She is of good family and doubtless knows how to serve others. Most rectory children are taught from childhood to be caring people.”

Adrian had the feeling that the archdeacon knew more but chose not to say it. While it piqued Adrian’s interest, he had received the essential information he required and was content to let it be at that.

Adrian concluded the conversation while considering the intelligence given him. Caring? Oh, this chit was undoubtedly caring, and undoubtedly hoping for a fat plum to fall in her lap from his rich mother.

He had not expected the girl to be from a fine gentry family, however. The Reverend Mr. Herbert could use Esquire following his name if he chose, being the eldest son of the second son of a peer. This put a slightly different slant to the picture. The chit, this Miss Herbert, was not some nobody. She had connections. He must proceed with care. The Earl of Stanwell might be elderly and not mix in Society, but he was a man to be reckoned with. His grandson was everywhere in London, at all the best soirees and dinners. Adrian had to admit he was of the highest
ton.
He mulled over just how he ought to proceed until his thoughts were cut off when Lord Ives entered the room.

“Ives, good fellow! I am glad to see you.” Adrian rose to his considerable height and crossed the room to grasp his friend’s hand.

“I gather something has annoyed you. What ho?” They walked back to stand before the window slightly apart from the others in the room.

“A surprise. I talked with Archdeacon Pallant only to discover that the companion who clings to my mother is none other than the great-niece of the Earl of Stanwell. Her father is the eldest son of Lord James Herbert.”

“That does put a different complexion on it. What will you do now? You can scarce claim she isn’t fit to serve your mother as a companion, coming from gentry of that standing!” Ives took a seat near the window. Adrian joined him in a moment after taking two glasses of fine sherry from the summoned footman.

“I am not sure,” Adrian admitted. “I suppose I will have to decide what approach is best once I get there.”

“When do you plan to leave?”

Adrian gave his old friend an amused smile. “Several days before I am expected. The element of surprise ought to work in my favor, would you not agree?”

Lord Ives studied his longtime friend before replying. “I trust you know what you are doing. Somehow I doubt your mother is going to take kindly to your shipping her companion back to her village. What will you do if she objects?”

“My mother has never argued with me before. I have no doubt she will see the wisdom of my wishes in this instance.” Adrian ignored the skeptical look Ives sent his way. That he might upset his mother was a thought he nudged aside. All he did was for her own good.

“If you say so. I intend to join you as soon as I can leave London. All of a sudden, I have the feeling that you are going to have a turbulent time. I’d like to see that.” Ives’s grin rankled just a bit.

Later, Adrian returned to his house before going to dine with friends. He paused in the hall, then entered his study to stare down at the crisp sheet of cream paper. A roguish smile lit his face. Sitting down, he pulled out a piece of his own writing paper to compose his acceptance.

Dipping his pen into the inkpot, he thought for a moment before beginning to write. When finished he read the words aloud, satisfied that they conveyed no more than he wished. He sealed it with a blob of red wax. It did not say precisely when he would arrive on his own doorstep. After all, his household was to be ready for him at any time.

That knotty problem solved, he went to his bedroom and, with the help of his valet, Colyer, he dressed for dinner. At the same time he informed Colyer that they would be removing to the country estate in a few days’ time.

“Pack enough for a few weeks. I have no idea how long this business will take down there.”

Never mind that the estate was north of London. One always spoke of London as being up and anywhere else as being down. It had been that way as long as he could remember, and likely would remain so.

He went off to his engagement in a high state of anticipation, his lips curved into a genuine smile of satisfaction. Not even the vapid conversation of the young woman who was his dinner partner dimmed his feeling of pleasure at his coming confrontation. He would succeed. That girl would go. He’d see to it.

* * * *

Drusilla brought the post to her ladyship, where she was seated in her favorite chair by the drawing room fire.

“Here you are, dear ma’am. There looks to be acceptances to your birthday party.”

“Hmm. I recognize Adrian’s writing on this letter.” She broke the seal, bits of red wax falling into her lap.

Drusilla waited while the older lady read. Then she thrust the letter into Drusilla’s hands. “Read it and see what you make of it.”

Drusilla did as instructed. “Mother, dear, I look forward to celebrating your birthday with you. I will contrive to arrive in good time.”

Silence reigned for a few moments.

“Well, other than he says he is coming, we are given no date for his arrival.”

Tapping the note against the arm of her chair, Drusilla considered his words. “I wonder if he thinks to catch us out? I believe I will go to his room at once to make certain all is in order. I’d not have him complaining that things are not done right.”

Lady Brentford gave her a quizzical look, then nodded. “I suspect you have the right of it, my dear.”

Drusilla checked to see her employer had all she wished before seeking out Mrs. Simpson.

“Lawks, if it wouldn’t be just like his lordship to pop up when least expected. We had best air his room and see to the dusting. I’ll send the maid up when she is finished with the dining room.”

“I believe I shall inspect it for myself.” Drusilla exchanged a significant look with the housekeeper. “Perhaps if all is not to his liking he will blame me, and I’d not have that!”

“As if anyone could find fault with you, Miss Drusilla. The things you do here!”

After offering a pleased smile, Drusilla left the housekeeper’s room to find her way to the one designated as belonging to Lord Brentford.

Throwing open the door to the suite belonging to the marquess, she began a meticulous inspection. The writing desk was fine, she checked the fireplace, and made certain that the windows gleamed in the May sun. She could visualize a fine gentleman in here, relaxing before his fire, enjoying a glass of wine before going down to dinner.

At last, content the room was as it should be, she went to the adjacent bedroom. The four-poster was intimidating, very masculine in its cream and deep blue damask bed hangings. There was a crown atop the canopy, and she fancied it well became the lofty gentleman who had such regal notions.

The bed linen was reasonably fresh, lavender scent still lingering in it. She was able to report all was well when she returned to her mistress.

“I imagined it would be, my dear. Do not worry so. Adrian won’t bite you.” She smiled as she said this, but Drusilla noted that she seemed uneasy.

“No? I imagine you are right.” The subject was changed and they went in to dinner in perfect amity.

It was but two days later that dust rising from the graveled avenue alerted them to approaching company.

So warned, Drusilla stationed herself in the entryway, urging Priddy to go forth to greet the guest.

Only, it wasn’t a guest. His lordship had arrived.

“My valet will be along with the luggage shortly, Priddy. I trust all is well?”

Priddy, almost speechless with delight at the sight of the master, bowed and ushered him toward the drawing room. They were partway there when his lordship spied Drusilla.

“Good day, Lord Brentford. I hope you had a pleasant journey?” A woman stepped forward from the shadows.

The thought rushed through his mind that this young woman was not only self-possessed, she was very beautiful. Honey blond hair neatly bound back from her face allowed a man to enjoy her luminous blue eyes and creamy complexion, not to overlook her sweetly curved lips. Upon closer inspection, he observed, her eyes were the aqua-blue of the sea on a fine day. They sparkled like the sea as well, causing him to wonder what prompted that glitter. At his perusal a blush rose to tint her cheeks, creating a beauty beyond belief. However, there was no welcoming smile.

This was going to be difficult. Had she been ugly, it would have been a snap to dispose of her. Somehow, her loveliness changed matters, although he wasn’t sure why.

“I gather you are Miss Herbert?” He strove for composure, not wishing her to think she impressed him.

“Indeed so. Miss Drusilla Herbert, companion to your lady mother. You will find her much improved. She is in the drawing room as usual at this time of day, at her needlework.” She curtsied gracefully, thus affording him a good look at her figure. She had a fine bosom, he noticed, and she was slender, but not too thin.

When she straightened up, she looked at him and he was taken aback at the dislike he saw in her eyes. He was accustomed to fawning, flattering females, not a clear-spoken young woman who stared at him with her dislike—if it was no more than that—obvious.

“Excuse me, my lord. I have things to do.” She bobbed a slight curtsy before whirling about to march up the stairs. As she went up, her hips swayed in a fetching way. Looking at her blond tresses, so neatly bound, he wondered how long they were and how they would look cascading down her back. He stared after her, feeling as though someone had punched him in the stomach.

“Ahem,” Priddy said. “Her ladyship is anxious to see you, my lord.”

“What? Oh. Yes, indeed.” Feeling slightly off kilter, Adrian strolled into the drawing room to seek his mother.

“What happened, dear? You were a long time in the entryway. Did something nasty occur to your luggage?”

While something happened, it wasn’t to his luggage.

“Not at all. I merely paused to greet your companion.”

“You met Drusilla Herbert. Isn’t she a lovely creature? And she is as good as she is pretty. I do not know how I would manage without her.”

Adrian thought back to the young woman he had seen in the entryway. “Pretty” was inadequate to describe such a breathtaking female. If she chanced to walk into an assembly in London garbed in the latest fashion, she would likely create a riot with all the men seeking her hand.

He gave himself a mental shake to dislodge the image of the beautiful Drusilla. Perhaps he might call her something else less evocative. Dru sounded brief, blurring the memory of those swaying hips, that tantalizing bosom, not to mention those eyes with the hint of the tempestuous sea in them. Indeed, he would call her Dru.

“Forget this young woman you allow to impose on you. I insist you cancel this foolishness, this birthday party. Surely you are not well enough to tolerate such nonsense!”

Lady Brentford dropped her needlework, ignoring its fall to the floor. She stared at her son as though he had just gone mad. “You surely do not mean that!”

“I do. I fancy it is the influence of this young woman that led you into such absurdity. You are barely on your feet, and now you plan a house
full
of guests to entertain. I forbid it.” He had no doubt she wanted the party. The question was, would she survive it!

She sank back against her chair, her right hand clutching her throat while her left grabbed at the arm of the chair, as though she was about to faint. “I cannot deny you the right to cancel an event in what is, after all, your home. Although it was mine before you were born.” She looked into the glowing fire a few moments before returning her gaze to him.

It was an anguished gaze, causing Adrian to waver in his determination. He truly loved his mother; he had never been very good at showing it. But he also knew what her doctor had told him, that she must lead a quiet life for some time to come, else her heart might be weakened.

“I thought you cared enough to permit me the company of a few friends,” she declared in quiet accusation. “You are never here. I become lonely. It has been better since Drusilla came, but still . . .” She straightened in her chair, composing her hands in her lap and glaring at him in a defiance she’d not have done before that young woman came. Dru.

“The little affair you had here a few weeks ago did no harm?” He was weakening and he hated that. Once he set a course, he usually was determined to stay with it.

“No, no. I have been just fine. Drusilla took care of all the details for me. All I did was sit quietly and visit with friends, enjoy excellent meals, and listen to Drusilla entertain us with music in the evenings. She is a very accomplished musician.”

“I am sure she is accomplished at a number of things,” Adrian said dryly. “Nevertheless she must go, and you must forget about that party. Cancel it at once and send your regrets.” He placed his hands behind his back, pacing before the fireplace while thinking furiously.

“Did I hear you correctly? You not only want me to cancel this party, but send Drusilla Herbert home?”

“Yes.” He nodded at her comprehension.

“I cannot believe what I just heard.” Tears rolled down her porcelain cheeks from eyes so like his. She found a handkerchief in her reticule and dabbed at her eyes, blowing her nose in a refined manner. “You do not know what this girl means to me. She is like a daughter. I thank heaven every day that my dear school chum was willing to share one of her five girls with me.”

She had hit a vulnerable spot, for Adrian well knew how she had wished for a daughter.

“Nevertheless, she must go. I blame her for this party nonsense. You would not have thought of it on your own. Believe me, I only want what is best for you.”

“Drusilla takes care of every concern. I’d not have been able to cope with all the details.” She rose from her chair to confront her only son. “I shall see you later. I have no desire to look on your face at the moment, for I do
not
believe you care what is best for me.” She went to the door, her skirts swishing about her slender form.