My Brown-Eyed Earl (17 page)

Oh,
no
. Fists clenched, Meg turned to the twins and spoke through her teeth. “Go to the nursery. At once.” The color drained from Diana's face as she scrambled to her feet. Valerie grabbed her hand, and the pair dashed up the staircase.

Meg smiled sweetly at the countess. For now that the twins were gone, she need not contain her rage.

 

Chapter
SEVENTEEN

 

Meg's eyes blazed with ire.

Will had no doubt a firestorm was about to ignite. Tinder and sparks were everywhere, with nary a water bucket in sight.

“How
dare
you?” Meg accused the countess.

His mother sniffed. “I speak the truth.”

“Have a care, Mother,” Will warned.

She shrugged. “If Miss Lacey were honest with herself she'd admit it. Wiltmore's as buffle-headed as they come.”

“He is one of the smartest people I know,” Meg seethed. “He is exceedingly knowledgeable about a multitude of subjects—topics of far more import than the latest titillating gossip or … or the current season's fashions.”

Lady Rebecca's gaze flicked to Meg's gown again, lingering on the high neckline, large sleeves, and low waist. “Lord Wiltmore appears to suffer from a knowledge gap spanning
several
seasons' fashions.”

Meg gasped and narrowed her eyes; Rebecca tossed her perfectly coiffed head.

“Enough,” snapped Will. Though he found Meg's gowns beyond irksome and had himself expressed a strong dislike for them on occasion, he would not permit his mother or Lady Rebecca to belittle Meg. Or her uncle. “I was about to invite Miss Lacey to join us for tea, but given our momentary lapse in civility, I think it best that we all conclude our visit.”

“Perhaps another time,” his mother mused in a tone suggesting she'd sooner be dragged through town by horses.

Meg raised her chin. “I must go.” She pressed her lips together as she turned to ascend the staircase, and he could see what it cost her to remain silent—well, relatively silent—in the face of his mother's and Rebecca's barbs.

“I'll see you out,” he said to them tersely.

His mother brushed her hands down the front of her gown as though ridding herself of the nastiness she'd just endured, then began walking toward the front hall at a glacial pace. “I'd not heard that you hired a governess, William. You might have consulted me.”

Will flinched. He didn't have to explain his actions to her, damn it, but old habits were hard to break. “Thomas's twins arrived suddenly. There was no time to summon you from the house party and parade a host of candidates before you.”

“I hesitate to mention it,” Rebecca said, “but Miss Lacey seemed to have some difficulty controlling the girls. A competent governess would never tolerate such churlish behavior.”

“Thank you for imparting that nugget of wisdom.”

The debutante preened, deaf to his sarcasm.

“Let me assure you,” Will continued. “Today's incident was quite unusual.”

“Was it?” His mother sucked in her cheeks, skeptical.

“Diana is simply overtired today because she suffered an ordeal last night.”

“And what sort was that?” Rebecca batted her eyes.

Damn, but he'd walked into that one. “Never mind. She is safe now, and that is all that matters.”

“Your commitment to care for Thomas's by-blows is commendable,” his mother said.

Will flinched again.

“But there are other aspects of this arrangement you must consider,” she continued. “For example, it isn't proper for an unmarried miss—even one such as Miss Lacey—to live under your roof without some sort of chaperone.”

“Are you volunteering to move back home, Mother?” Will looked straight into her icy blue eyes, praying she wouldn't challenge his bluff. Ever since Will's father had died, his mother had lived with her sister. She'd originally said it would only be for the mourning period, to help her adjust, but keeping separate residences seemed to suit her as much as it did Will.

His mother returned his gaze, unwavering, and after several beats of silence said, “I will move in, should I deem it necessary.”

“Not that anyone would ever presume there was impropriety between you and Miss Lacey.” Rebecca tittered as she navigated the stairs at his side. “After all, she's…”

Will's blood boiled, but his tone was deceptively calm. “She's what?”

“Well, she's hardly the sort of woman who would tempt a man. In fact, based on her choice of gown, I'd say she's doing everything in her power to discourage male attention. I can think of no other explanation for that unfortunate dress.”

Will bit his tongue. Clearly, thinking was not Lady Rebecca's strong suit. Thank God they'd almost reached the front door and he'd soon be rid of her company. “Thank you for your visit. I regret that it was marred by Diana's outburst.”

“Not at all, my lord,” Lady Rebecca cooed. “I find children to be fascinating creatures.” She made them sound like exotic animals in a royal menagerie. “Girls that age simply require a maternal influence. Someone to teach them proper etiquette and respect for their elders.” She smiled as if to add,
Someone like me
.

Will suppressed a shudder.

“In any event,” she continued, “I trust that our next meeting will be more conducive to … conversation.” She held out her hand, and Will dutifully bowed over it.

“Rebecca,” his mother said, “why don't you go ahead and settle yourself into the coach? I shall join you shortly.”

“Of course, Lady Castleton.” She covered her brunette ringlets with a gold silk bonnet that had probably cost more than Meg's weekly earnings and glided down the pavement to the coach.

Will turned to his mother, bracing himself.

“Lady Rebecca is precisely the sort of woman you should be courting,” she said.

“She has plenty of suitors already.”

“I've never known you to shy away from competition, William.”

“I don't. When the prize is worthy.”

“The
prize
could hardly be more worthy. She is descended from a long and respected family line. Her dowry would do much to pad our coffers—not that they need padding at the moment, but one can never accumulate too much wealth.”

“You need not worry that you'll end up in the poorhouse, Mother.”

“Do not be flippant. Your father, God rest his soul, has been gone for five years. I believed you when you said you needed time to adjust to your role and to make the estate prosperous again. Now it's time for you to do your duty—as you promised me you would.”

Will stiffened at the mention of his father. “I have not forgotten my duty.”

“Perhaps not, but you have precious little inclination to
act
. Fortunately, your wealth and good looks do much of the work for you. Indeed, Lady Rebecca has expressed to me that she might be amenable to a match. She is young, beautiful, and sophisticated—all that you could hope for in your future countess.”

Unless one wanted loyalty, strength, and fire. Someone more like Meg.

But even Will could honestly not say what he wanted at that moment. All he knew was that he needed to meet with his ex-mistress before he made promises to anyone, particularly Meg.

“I will give the matter due consideration.”

“Good. To assist you with your
consideration
, I shall host a dinner party three days hence and invite Rebecca. I expect you to be there.”

“I'm afraid my schedule won't permit me to attend. I've much to do here.”

“How terribly unfortunate.” Tilting her head, she eyed him shrewdly. “I declare, it's a curious thing. It seems that hiring the governess has somehow resulted in
more
work for you. Perhaps I
should
take up residence here. To ease some of the burden.”

He met her gaze and held it for several seconds. “That won't be necessary.”

She smiled widely, revealing white, even teeth. “You'll attend then?”

Damn it all to hell. He'd inherited his negotiation skills from his mother. “Fine. But we'll have the dinner party
here
. Mrs. Lundy has been hinting that she'd like for me to entertain. She'll be delighted to host a social event.”

“By all means, let's make the housekeeper happy,” his mother said dryly.

He kissed the cheek she offered, and said, “Eight o'clock on Thursday evening.”

“I shall inform Rebecca and her father, Viscount Redmere, of the plans.” The countess stepped out into the balmy summer day, pleased as a cat. Looking over her shoulder, she added, “I'd advise you to make sure the children are in bed before the guests arrive. We do not wish to repeat today's dreadful scene.”

“I shall chain them to their beds if necessary,” he said, rolling his eyes.

She waved warmly, the picture of maternal grace and love. “Perfect.”

*   *   *

“Do I look presentable?” Diana ran her hands down her braids and smoothed the front of her frock.

“Quite,” said Meg. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” she answered bravely.

Valerie held her sister's hand in a show of support as Meg escorted them to the earl's study. “Maybe he won't be there,” Valerie said, somewhat hopefully.

“We shall see.” Meg wasn't certain, either. He hadn't come looking for her, but it wasn't yet time for his meeting with the mysterious Marina.

Meg burned with curiosity—about who the woman was and what she meant to Will. At the same time, she was desperately afraid of what those answers might be. And since she'd been snooping, she couldn't very well demand the information from the earl.

There was, however, someone else who might know, or who could find out. Charlotte. Earlier, Meg had scrawled a brief note to her and asked a footman to deliver it to Lord Torrington's townhouse a few blocks away. She felt better knowing she'd done something, even if it might take a few days for her friend to respond.

For now, Meg would focus on smoothing things over between Diana and the earl.

The study door was closed, and Diana faced it with the same caution that mortals used when approaching Mount Olympus. Meg sympathized more than the girl could know.

Diana released Valerie's hand and looked up at Meg, who nodded encouragingly, and knocked.

“Enter,” the earl boomed with Zeus-like authority.

Her hand trembling, Diana pushed open the door. “Excuse me, sir.”

Will's gaze—intense and indecipherable—met Meg's briefly, then landed on Diana. “Yes?”

She squeezed her eyes shut and sucked in a long breath before lifting her chin and looking the earl in the eye. “I've come to apologize for my behavior this afternoon.”

“I see.”

“I shouldn't have acted that way—especially while you had visitors.”

“The timing was less than ideal.” He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully.

“I can be a monster when I'm hungry, but that's no excuse. I'm sorry for embarrassing you.”

“I accept your apology, Diana. However, I was not the only one you embarrassed. Miss Lacey deserves an apology as well.”

Meg rested a hand on Diana's shoulder. “Thank you, my lord, but she has already made amends with me.”

“Good.” He rose from his chair, rounded the desk and sat on the edge, his long legs crossed casually in front of him. “I suppose that now it's my turn.”

The twins stared at the earl, wide-eyed and wary.

“Miss Lacey,” he began, “please forgive me for subjecting you to my mother and Lady Rebecca. Their comments about you and your uncle were rude in the extreme. I made my displeasure with them known.”

“Thank you, but I do not hold you accountable for their actions—only your own.” She'd been unable to resist adding that last bit.

“Fair enough,” he said slowly, like a man navigating a field of explosives. “I hope you'll give me the opportunity to explain, if I've done something to disappoint you.”

Meg sighed. It wasn't so much what he'd done, but what he was presumably about to do—with the mysterious Marina. “Everyone deserves the chance to defend and explain their actions.”

“I'm glad you feel that way,” he said, but worry was written plainly across his face.

Valerie bounced to Meg's side and clasped her hand. “Miss Lacey said that once Diana had righted her wrongs we could go to the drawing room and have a lesson on the pianoforte.”

“If you have no objection, my lord,” Meg added.

“Not at all. I think it a fine idea, actually.”

“Do you know how to play?” Diana asked him excitedly.

“A little.”

“Oh, would you like to come with us?” Valerie blinked up at him, her blue eyes hopeful.

Will's gaze flicked to the clock on the mantel. “Much as I would like to, I'm afraid I have an appointment. Another time, perhaps.”

Disappointment stabbed Meg in the chest. Some small, foolish part of her had hoped he'd cancel his plans to meet Marina and seek her out instead. To explain why he hadn't met her in the study earlier. To make up for the horrific things his mother and Lady Rebecca had said. But his decision to keep his appointment was nothing if not enlightening. Meg now knew exactly where she ranked with him.

The earl stood and stepped closer, looking at Meg over the heads of the twins. “I shall look forward to resuming our conversation tomorrow.”

“As shall I,” Meg said. “But for different reasons than I originally did.”

His forehead creased in a mix of puzzlement and concern. “I do not follow your meaning.”

“I would explain,” she said breezily, “but I have no wish to detain you from your appointment. Come along, girls.”

 

Chapter
EIGHTEEN