Lord Rakehell (27 page)

“I
t's out of the question!” Richard Curzon-Howe stared fiercely across his desk at James Hamilton. “How you have the barefaced effrontery to ask for my daughter's hand in marriage is beyond me.”

Though James was both shocked and offended at Earl Howe's vehement reaction to his proposal of marriage, he masked his emotions. He remain
ed silent in the face of the man's outrage, knowing that Anne's father had not finished his tirade.

“I have given approval for my daughter's marriage to John Claud Hamilton, with whom she has had an understanding for years.”

“With due respect, my lord, Lady Anne has assured me that she has no intention of becoming my brother's wife,” James stated firmly.

The earl's face contorted with anger. “It is obvious that during John Claud's absence in Ireland, you have gone behind his back and tried your utmost to seduce my daughter. 'Tis unconscionable!”

“I assure you, Lord Howe, that I would never attempt to seduce Lady Anne. I have only the highest respect for your daughter. I asked her to become my wife, and she has accepted my proposal.”

The earl jumped to his feet and thumped his fist on his polished desk. “And I, sir, am refusing it! I will never consent to a marriage between you. Your morals stink to high heaven; your reputation as a womanizer is as legendary as the profligate prince you serve.”

James Hamilton stood up, and bowed his head politely. “Good day, my lord.”

•   •   •

James felt as stunned as a bird flown into a wall as he left Grosvenor Square. This was in stark contrast to the way he had felt when he arrived for his appointment with Anne's father. He had been on top of the world, brimming with confidence that he had finally decided to marry the beauty with whom he was in love. The decision felt so right; he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Anne, and he was overjoyed that she felt the same way.

As he made his way to his town house in White Horse Street, he laid the blame for his thwarted plans squarely on the rigid shoulders of Richard Curzon-Howe. James was highly offended at the accusations the earl had hurled at him, and self-righteously denied that he was in any way to blame for the scandalous things that were circulated about him.

By the time night descended, however, his innate honesty forced him to admit that there was perhaps a grain of truth in the fact that his morals had not always been of the highest standard. Where Anne was concerned, however, his intentions were above reproach, and he truly believed that it was completely unfair to be dismissed out of hand by the sanctimonious earl. He paced about his study, as one thought chased another.

Lord Howe completely rejects me as a son-in-law, but would welcome John Claud with open arms. How bloody ironic is that?

I am heir to the dukedom of Abercorn. Any other noble in England would consider it an honor to give me his daughter in marriage!
After a moment's reflection he admitted,
Trouble is, I don't want the daughter of any other noble in England.

James opened the window and leaned on the sill, going over every insulting word Earl Howe had flung at him.

I have given approval for my daughter's marriage to John Claud Hamilton.

James crashed his fist on the windowsill. “God in heaven, both of us must have asked Anne's father for her hand in the same week, and the earl has given his consent to my brother!”

Lord Hamilton, who was never at a loss when presented with a problem, found himself with a dilemma on his hands that would be hard to resolve. Of course it was all the more difficult that John Claud was his brother, and not some random suitor.
Difficult perhaps, but not impossible,
he vowed.

Though the hour was late, James retied his cravat and donned his jacket. He took a hansom cab to Hampden House, and opened the door with his own key. Inside, the house was quiet and in semidarkness. He was on his way to his brother's bedchamber when he spotted a light coming from beneath the library door. He quietly opened it and found John Claud sitting behind the desk.

“I see the member from Londonderry is burning the midnight oil to catch up on his parliamentary paperwork. Politics comes with responsibilities. You'll soon get used to it.”

“What the devil are you doing here at this hour?” John Claud asked warily.

“I came to see you.”

John Claud threw down his pen. “What's this about?”

“A few days ago I asked Lady Anne Howe to become my wife. She said
yes
.”

John Claud jumped to his feet. “Damn you, James. I proposed to her the day I returned from Ireland at the Royal Academy of Arts.”

James closed the distance between them. “And I believe her answer was
no
.” He placed his hands on the desk and leaned forward. “In spite of her refusal, you have somehow managed to get her father's approval.”

John Claud sneered. “Earl Howe has made it plain that he has chosen
me
for his daughter's husband.”

“That is irrelevant. Lady Anne has not chosen you for her husband. She has chosen me. Tomorrow, you will go to the earl and withdraw your offer.”

“And if I refuse?”

“I'll beat the shit out of you.” James reached across the desk and grabbed his brother by the throat.

Rising fear caused John Claud to gabble. “I didn't ask him for his daughter's hand. I told him I'd proposed to Anne, and admitted she hadn't accepted me.”

James loosened his hands and demanded, “Then why did he tell me that he had given approval for his daughter's marriage to John Claud Hamilton?”

“Oh my God, you asked him for Anne's hand in marriage, and he
refused
you?!” John Claud began to laugh. “Well, well, James, it seems we are at an impasse. She won't become my wife, but without her father's consent, she won't become your wife either!”

The look of contempt James gave his brother would have shamed a more ethical man, but John Claud relished his role of
dog in the manger
.

The library door opened and their mother looked from one son to the other. It was obvious they were having an altercation of some sort. She knew that when young men engaged in heated quarrels, the source of their conflict was usually a woman, and she was almost certain it was Anne Howe. In her wisdom, however, Lady Lu knew better than to interfere between brothers.

“I apologize for disturbing you, Mother. I was just leaving.”

“Apology accepted, James. Make sure the door is locked.”

•   •   •

Two dozen invitations to Princess Alexandra's garden party had been issued and accepted by the leading ladies of the
ton
. The number of guests who arrived, however, was greater than twenty-four, as Anne and Frances had predicted, since both mothers and daughters of those invited had begged to be included.

Anne was delighted when her mother arrived, driving her own carriage. She took great pride in formally introducing the Princess of Wales to Countess Howe, and was particularly pleased when Alix asked her mother to sit at her table.

Anne and Frances greeted Caroline Chandos, who came with her widowed grandmother, the Dowager Countess of Harrington, in tow.

“Thank you so much for the lovely invitation. My grandmother is simply dying to meet Princess Alexandra.”

“How do you do, Lady Harrington. If you come with me, I'll present you now.” Anne hid her amusement.
No doubt the dowager will sing the praises of Caroline in hope the Princess of Wales will appoint her as a lady-in-waiting.

The prime minister's wife rubbed shoulders with the Duchess of Abercorn, and her titled daughters Harry and Trixy, the Countesses of Lichfield and Durham. Even thirteen-year-old Maud had persuaded her mother to let her attend the tea party.

Frances led them to a table beneath a chestnut tree, and rolled her eyes. “I warrant there are so many Hamiltons here, there won't be enough cucumber and watercress sandwiches for the other guests.”

Lady Lu waved her hand. “Then let them eat cake, darling.”

Anne and Frances greeted their friend Florence Hastings, who had arrived alone, and invited her to sit with them at their table.

“I was hesitant about coming to the garden party today. I feared everyone would be gossiping about my husband. The rivalry between Henry Chaplin and Hastings has intensified to an alarming degree. Last week at Tattersall's auction they were trying to outbid each other on a racehorse called
Hermit.
It turned into a bidding war between the two of them. Hastings bid the astronomical sum of
two hundred thousand pounds
; then Henry Chaplin, determined to outdo him, offered
two hundred and fifty thousand
.”

“Well, think of the money your husband saved,” Frances said.

Florence pressed her lips together. “The Prince of Wales cheered when Henry Chaplin outbid my husband for Hermit. Hastings has been in a drunken rage ever since.”

“I'm so sorry, Florence. Frances and I should never have encouraged you to marry him. We thought you were in love with each other.”

“Hastings didn't love me. It was rivalry, pure and simple, that was driving him. I don't think men are capable of love.”

You're wrong, Florence.
Anne thought of the rivalry between James and John Claud, and dismissed it immediately. “I'm glad you decided to come today. An afternoon with your friends is just what you needed.”

Florence smiled brightly and shook off her cares. “This Thames-side villa is so inviting. It's the perfect place for a garden party.”

The tables were set with fine Irish linen, Georgian silver, exquisite Meissen porcelain with its delicate birds and butterflies, and Venetian crystal glasses. Every table had a large centerpiece of fragrant flowers cut that morning by the proud head gardener, Harry Hargrave, and artistically arranged by Lady Elizabeth. And at each place setting was a delicate camellia from the conservatory.

All the fashion-conscious ladies had ordered new gowns for the occasion, but all agreed that the Princess of Wales, wearing crisp white muslin, whose sash matched her blue silk parasol, had never looked more elegant. One or two of the ladies speculated, behind their fans of course, whether Princess Alexandra was already with child. It would certainly explain why she was spending the summer in such a tranquil setting, rather than accompanying the Prince of Wales on the racing circuit.

The guests strolled about the Italian gardens, admiring the sculptures of the naked Roman gods, and exclaiming over blossoms in the orange orchard. Most were agog over a visit to the pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Venus, where sandalwood incense burned on the altar and a pair of colorful lovebirds flitted about among the whimsical wind chimes.

Lady Lu declared to her daughters, “Venus is the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Thankfully, we have all three.” On the way out of the temple, she spied Lady Anne, who was wearing a gown of leaf green muslin and carrying a white silk parasol. “My dear, you look absolutely beautiful. You are radiating happiness.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. I do feel exceptionally happy today.” She smiled at James's mother, knowing it wouldn't be long before the Hamiltons learned her secret.
Perhaps Lady Lu has already guessed.

The guests seemed reluctant to leave and the sun had begun its descent before the ladies decided to take their leave. Anne spied her mother entering the villa with the princess and hurried to catch up with them. When she saw Lady Elizabeth sorting through the post, she said, “I heard so many compliments about your lovely flower arrangements. They made the tables look delightfully festive.”

“Thank you, my dear. The tea party was a resounding success.” She held up a few envelopes. “Some of the acceptances are only just arriving. It's a good thing we assumed everyone we invited would turn up.”

Anne laughed. “Not many people turn down a royal invitation.”

“The post delivered a letter for you, my dear.”

Anne's pulse began to race as she took the envelope from Elizabeth. When she saw it was from James, she was filled with joy.
My first love letter!
She tore open the envelope and took out the note, breathless with anticipation.

Her eyes focused on the beautiful script:
My darling Anne.
Her mouth curved as she read the endearment. Her smile faded as she continued to read.

 

It pains me to tell you that when I formally asked your father for your hand in marriage, he refused me outright.

He informed me that he has given his approval to John Claud, with whom you've had an understanding for years. When I informed him that you had accepted my proposal, he became adamant.

I deeply regret your father's objection to me, and will do whatever I can to persuade him to accept me as a son-in-law. It may take a little time before we can announce our engagement, but my resolve is firm, and I know I will prevail.

You are my every desire. I will not allow anything or anyone to come between us.

Anne gasped and closed her eyes. The pain in her breast was so acute it felt as if her heart were being crushed.

“Are you all right?” Elizabeth asked.

Anne opened her eyes. “No . . . yes. Please excuse me, I have to find Mother.” She hurried through the Summer Parlor and found Alexandra and her mother in the pillared drawing room. Clutching her letter, she looked from one to the other. “Your Highness, I would like your permission to return to London with my mother. I need to speak with my father on a most important matter.”

“Of course, Lady Anne,” Alexandra said, gracious as always. “You don't need my permission to visit your home.”

“Thank you so much.” She turned to her mother, saw the startled look on her face, and hoped she wouldn't start asking questions until they were in the carriage.