Tananguard 02 - To Love a Lord (2 page)

“What is it?” Allana asked.

“Nothing, nothing,” Kara replied, shaking her head. “As I was saying, she conceived his child and grew very ill. Her brother brought her here, doing everything in his power to keep her alive. But she wanted to leave, to go back to her home in London. She kept saying she needed to be there in case
he
came for her. She was not in her right mind, and William told her so. He insisted she stay and allow us to help her. She refused, claiming she wanted none of his help and would never want any of his help after what had happened to her father. Then she spit in his face. I was furious, but William was patient. He tried to rationalize with her, telling her all her needs would be met here. He said some things to try to persuade her, but his words only made her angry. Before long, both William and Josephine were arguing heatedly, saying things neither would forget. Hurtful things. In the end, William denounced her, telling her she was a disgrace to her family and no niece of his.

“She left, but she
didn’t make it far before she lost consciousness. Her brother followed her and found her on the forest floor. He brought her back, but she was so sick and lacked the will to live. Somehow he convinced her death was not the answer. He nursed her back to health.

“Of course, William blamed himself. Even with their harsh words, he still loved her. We were never able to have children of our own, and he always considered Josephine and Garret his own especially after the deaths of their parents.

“William begged Josephine for forgiveness. He spoke to her for some time alone when she was finally well enough. I was not witness to the conversation, and he has kept their words to himself. So I do not know if she ever has forgiven him. But I will not forgive her. She has been nothing but bitter and hateful toward everyone here, and the things she said to my William and the things she accused him of are unacceptable. She is a selfish, spoiled girl who needs to learn the world is not kind. We make what we will of our lives. And she chooses to make hers miserable, blaming everyone but herself for the bad outcomes,” Kara finished angrily. She handed Allana the now bloody rag and examined Connor’s wound.

“The infection does not look as bad as I first thought. Most has bled out. I have some dried herbs in my
hut. I can make a concoction with them that should be enough to keep the infection at bay.”

“Would you like me to fetch them for you?” Allana inquired.

“No, stay with your brother. I will get them,” Kara said.

Allana watched her slip out of the tent before turning her attention to Connor, yet her thoughts were of Josephine. William had spoken to Allana of her yesterday. He had said nothing but kind words about his niece. It was strange hearing the opposite coming from his wife.

“What are you thinking, my love?” Declan asked, coming up behind Allana to rub her shoulders.

“I was thinking of what Kara said about Josephine. I don’t know what to believe. Earlier Josephine seemed very concerned for Connor. It’s hard to imagine the selfish woman Kara just described. Yet I understand it as well. I do not think Kara realizes the power Lucas may have held over Josephine. She probably loved him, and he left her with child. Where does that leave her?” Allana asked. “Defensive, hurt, and angry. At least that’s how I would feel,” Allana said quietly.

“Allana, have you seen the boy?” Declan asked.

“Josephine’s son you mean?”

“Yes.”

“No, why?” she asked curiously.

Declan hesitated then said apprehensively, “Because I have seen him. I saw him this morning, pulling Kara to Connor. And I have met Josephine before. She was introduced by a different name, but it was her.”

“Oh?”

“I do not believe the child is Lucas’s son,” Declan said frankly.

“Then who’s…?”

“I believe,” he paused, taking the time to look into her eyes. “I believe he’s Connor’s son,” came the quiet reply.

Allana gasped. Suddenly Kara’s actions and words made sense. It was right after she told Allana that Josephine had conceived Lucas’s child. The woman had studied Connor’s face then said, “
At least that is what she told us.”
What did it mean? Was Connor Josephine’s lover, or was Lucas? Then the worst thought occurred to Allana. Perhaps Josephine was lying with both men, or perhaps Josephine used Connor to get to Lucas. “Declan, are you certain?”

“The boy
looks nothing like Lucas. He resembles Connor quite fiercely but with dark hair and eyes,” Declan answered. He sighed before continuing. “When I officially met Josephine, she was with Connor, not Lucas. And it seemed there was more than friendship between them. But that is simply speculation.”

“What does this mean?” Allana asked.

“I don’t know, and we probably won’t find out for some time,” Declan replied. “I do not believe Josephine will tell us, so that leaves Connor.”

Allana nodded. Poor Connor. What had his life been like five years ago while in London?

Connor Tananguard sat in the parlor of Sarah Markham with several other nobles watching the woman with the ebony hair. She was dressed as all the other noblewomen in the latest fashion, nothing lacking in expense. Her dark hair was pulled up with tendrils of ringlets dangling about her neck. Her skin was flawless, slightly darker than the other women but not by far. And her face was lovely to look upon with rose-colored lips, dark brown eyes with long lashes, and delicate cheekbones. He decided she wasn’t simply lovely…she was beautiful. Who was she? She appeared included in the group, yet she kept herself apart, seemingly nervous or uncomfortable. She tugged unconsciously at the dainty white gloves covering her hands as if to make certain they were in the right place. She glanced around the room, swiftly studying each face until her eyes met his.

Connor smiled and nodded, and watched in pleasure as her cheeks flushed a shade darker before she nodded in return and glanced away from him. Again he wondered who she was. He was going to have to have a word with Sarah. What was his cousin doing hiding such a lovely friend from him?

“May I have everyone’s attention please,” Sarah’s voice chimed through the room.

Connor glanced her direction and waited for her to continue. Sarah loved throwing small lunch or dinner parties such as she had done today. Each one had a unique element or theme
. Lunch was over and nothing spectacular had occurred yet, so Connor was certain he was about to find out what was going to make today’s different than her others.

“Please, everyone, your attention.” Sarah waited patiently for the group to quiet. She smiled when she had all eyes on her. “Thank you. I have a special delight for us today. A dear friend of mine has agreed to entertain us on the pianoforte. She is an excellent pianist, trained by the woman responsible for
instructing many of us in the pianoforte. Please give a warm welcome to Miss Sophia Murrieta.”

Smiling in delight, Sarah clapped in the direction of the woman with the ebony hair.

Connor smiled. So her name was Sophia, and she was a pianist. He was an avid admirer of musicians. Music was art, and those who could produce it finely were to be commended. He could listen to beautifully played music for hours and be content. He hoped Sophia was as good as Sarah seemed to think she was.

Sophia stood and graced the room with a warm smile
and a curtsy then took her place at the pianoforte, gently pulling off the white gloves to free her hands.

“Sophia Murrieta,” a woman sneered beneath her breath.
“Indeed.”

Connor’s eyes searched the room for the voice.
Lady Rebecca Cunningham sat a good pace away glaring at Sophia. She had arrived with her husband—a very rare occurrence seeing the two together—but now sat with another gentlewoman, Mary Vanderhill. Rebecca smiled acidly, and leaned in toward the other woman to whisper something in her ear. The woman gave a sharp look at Sophia and frowned in disapproval.

Sophia glanced at the two women with an amused look on her face before turning her full attention to the
pianoforte. Connor pondered the look. Sophia was not unruffled by the looks the women gave her, but instead seemed rather entertained by them. He began wondering the reasons why when music filled the air, causing his thoughts to leave him altogether. Sophia played with such raw talent and emotion that one couldn’t help but be pulled into the wonderful sounds she produced on that pianoforte. He watched in awe as her delicate hands trilled over the keys with such grace and fluidity. Her fingers seemed to dance across them, barely touching them yet producing the desired sounds nonetheless. He was in awe. She was the best he had ever heard.

As she finished her first song, the crowd of people clapped enthusiastically.

Sarah laughed in delight. “It is hard to believe we have such talent among us today, but please hold your applause until the end of her performance.” The clapping died with her words, and Sarah nodded for Sophia to continue.

It was deathly silent in the room as the group waited to hear what sounds would come next from Sophia’s fingertips. She played for a good thirty minutes if not more, holding the group’s attention the entire time. It wasn’t simply songs filling the room
, but an entire story put into music. Happiness, sorrow, anger, and love flowed through Sophia and into her work. Connor could feel each emotion clearly in the music, and it awed him to no end. What he wouldn’t give to hold such a passionate woman and claim her as his own! That thought startled him. It had been a long time since his heart had spoken to him thusly. He was a player of a game that went beyond one woman, but he suddenly felt those days were coming to an end.

Sophia received a standing ovation when she was finished
. Connor stared at her in admiration. She was angelic. She had the gift of giving life through music.

It was not long before the crowd began mingling again, and Sarah was escorting Sophia around the room to introduce her to the throng.
Connor considered pushing his way through the group to meet her, but thought better of it. He wanted to observe her, to gather his bearings before he met her. He needed to contemplate these strange feelings she stirred within. When he first spied her earlier, he knew she was a woman he wanted meet, to get to know. Now those feelings went even farther. She was more than just a woman he wanted to fraternize with. She was a woman he could see himself truly courting and possibly even marrying. He shook his head with a smile. He was getting ahead of himself. He didn’t even know the woman, and he was entertaining ideas of marriage. He was a fool, that’s what he was! She had overwhelmed his heart with music. Once he was given a moment or two for the magic to dissipate, he would be his normal self, thinking normal things that didn’t involve marriage.

Connor
tried to refocus his thoughts, but he found himself watching Sophia instead. She was graceful in motion, floating through the crowds, smiling beautifully to each person introduced to. She seemed humble as people swarmed her with praise. He noticed her cheeks flushing more than once to confirm this theory. Ah, but she was a pleasant sight to look upon!

He shook his head. He was becoming obsessed
! His long-time friend, Lucas Hoffman, would be appalled. It was a good thing the man was across the room entertaining several young women at the moment. Lucas was too good at what he did—seducing women. Connor smiled to himself then frowned as a woman’s voice broke through his thoughts.

“I don’t know why everyone is so taken with her. It wasn’t as if she played anything new,” the voice grumble.

Connor turned to see who was complaining. It was none other than Lady Cunningham. The woman did not like being out-done in anything, and Sophia had done just that.

Her husband was surprisingly by her side. Connor decided the man had to make appearances
with Lady Cunningham even though all of society knew he did not enjoy her company. And rightly so. She held herself above all others—being the wife of an earl after all—and would not associate with anyone who didn’t meet her standards in society. Not to mention she was an adulterous whore. Connor felt a small well of guilt for the crude title he’d given her, but it wasn’t his fault her lovers enjoyed bragging. Connor had heard plenty about her secret deeds at the different night clubs he and Lucas frequented. If Lucas Hoffman had an equal in seduction, it would be Lady Cunningham. She had a different lover every month it seemed.

“Do not be petty, Rebecca,” Lord Declan Cunningham scolded his wife. “She was quite a fine player. There were no mistakes, and she played far better than anyone I’ve ever had the opportunity to hear.”

“I could have equaled her skill given enough time to prepare,” Rebecca argued.

Cunningham snorted. “I believe not. I’ve heard you play
. You are below her level of skill,” he said matter-of-factly.

She gave him an undignified grunt. “Why did you even come? To insult me? You hate social gatherings.”

“I do not hate them. I simply don’t attend every one invited to. Now if you will excuse me, I have a few business acquisitions to make while here.”

“Of course you do. If there is anything I do know about you, it is your love of business,” she growled.

He nodded to her. “Indeed. Now be a good wife and try not to embarrass me today.”

Her cheeks flushed red in anger. Declan turned and walked straight at Connor, a smug smile on his face.

Connor was a bit surprised when Declan actually stopped in front of him.

“Tananguard,” Declan said.

“Cunningham,” Connor replied. Was he Declan’s business acquisition?

“How is your family doing? Your father, is he well?” Cunningham asked.

“Yes. Quite well.”

“Glad to hear it. I haven’t had the opportunity to work with him much, but my father had nothing but good things to say about him and your family before he passed.”

“Of course. It has only been a year since you’ve been earl in his place. It is understandable you haven’t had the chance to work with my father more.”

Declan nodded. “Yes, I have been busy.” He sighed, sounding more tired than anything at that moment.

“And how have you been?” Connor asked.

“
As I said, busy. But that brings me to the real reason I’m here. I’ve heard you have a good sense for investments, and I have a few ideas I’d like to discuss with you if you have a mind for it.”

Connor’s eyes opened in surprise and excitement filled within.
“Yes, of course. When would you like to meet?”

“Tomo
rrow. Come for lunch, and we’ll discuss it then,” Declan said.

“Very well. I will see you tomorrow.”

Declan nodded. “Good. Now, I think I will excuse myself from this party. It was good seeing you, Tananguard. Until tomorrow.”

Connor nodded in return. “Cunningham,” he said as
he and Declan parted ways. That was a pleasant surprise. Working with Declan would surely give his name even more credit than he’d already gained on his own. Connor was a businessman and a good one at that. His father was a lord in the Peaks District, but the last thing Connor wanted was to return there and run his father’s estates. He had a keen sense for investing, and he had worked several good deals for different lords here in London. He enjoyed business affairs, but what he really wanted was to get involved in politics. Cunningham could possibly open that door for him.

Connor
pushed his thoughts aside. It was time he pulled himself from the wall and began mingling. He glanced around the room in search of Sarah’s husband, Captain Peter Markham, his eyes also searching for the ebony hair he had admired before the small concert. He spotted neither before his eyes unwillingly locked with Lady Cunningham’s. She had never given him a second glance before, but right then Connor found her eyeing him in a most uncomfortable manner. This did not bode well for him. She looked like a vulture eyeing her prey. Connor swallowed and about dashed out the door. No, that would be considered rude, and it would be disgraceful. Besides, he was probably exaggerating the look she was giving him. Perhaps he wasn’t even the focus of her attention. He looked left, then right, and even spared a brief glance over his shoulder, but no one else was even facing Lady Cunningham. He was indeed the focus of her attention.

Under normal circumstances with any other woman
, Connor would have found this amusing. He would probably smile at the woman before sauntering over to chat with her. He would compliment her on something, flirt a little, and show his interest. But this was Lady Cunningham! He refused to be her next toy. He would not dabble in that—not even for The Game!

She batted her eyelashes delicately and gave him an inviting smile. An alarm began ringing in his head.
He decided dashing out the door might not be a bad idea. He turned to do just that and ran right into a dark-haired figure. He grabbed her shoulders to steady her before glancing over his own shoulder at Lady Cunningham. She was smiling at him in amusement now, that hungry look still in her eyes. She began walking toward him. He cursed inside at his bad luck. He had to get out of here before she—
“Connor Tananguard, apologize at once! You nearly trampled
Miss Mere—er—Miss Murrieta!” Sarah said indignantly.

Connor’s heart stopped as he looked down at the figure in his hands. She was trying to turn toward him, or perhaps she was just trying to escape from his clutches.

“You may release me, sir. I’m in no danger of falling now,” she said, glancing at him from over her shoulder.

He released her immediately. “My deepest apologies, my Lady. I hope I have not injured you.”

She gave him a faint smile as she successfully turned toward him. “No, of course not. It was nothing. I am—”

“
Sophia Murrieta. Yes, I know. You play magnificently,” he said, eyes memorizing her face. Lady Cunningham slipped from his mind.

She flushed. “Thank you.”

“Connor, where are your manners?” Sarah scolded.

He stared at her in confusion, and she sighed in return.