The Dark Earl (42 page)
Harry’s lip curled in contempt. “A likely tale.”
Why would he tell me this unless it was true?
Cold fingers squeezed her heart.
Why would he tell me this unless it was true?
Cold fingers squeezed her heart.
“I have every reason to believe Thomas Anson broke into my office.”
Harry raised a defiant chin. “What is your purpose in telling me these things?”
“I wanted you to know what sort of a man you married, Lady Lichfield.”
She gave him a pitying glance. “My husband and I have no secrets. He made it quite plain that we must marry before his father died. Thomas legally inherited the Lichfield title and Shugborough Hall and that is all that matters, Mr. Fowler. I bid you good day.”
The carriage jolted and Harry came out of her trance. She realized she was riding in a hackney cab. She didn’t recall leaving the attorney’s dank office or what address she’d given the driver. She wished she didn’t remember the things Fowler had said, but unfortunately every syllable he had uttered was indelibly etched in her mind.
She wanted to scream her denial, but she was suddenly remembering things that made denial difficult. When she’d asked Thomas why he’d told D’Arcy that Trixy was mad about him, he had replied:
“Because I couldn’t let him marry you, of course.”
“Because I couldn’t let him marry you, of course.”
Harry’s thoughts flew back to the time she’d asked Thomas why he was courting her. His answer echoed in her head:
“You are the daughter of wealthy nobility.”
“You are the daughter of wealthy nobility.”
She remembered the night they signed the marriage contract, and how surprised she was at his astuteness in negotiating that everything from Shugborough be returned. Then he had declared:
“I’ve made arrangements for us to be married at St. George’s Chapel tomorrow at five o’clock. I’m sorry everything has to be rushed.”
“I’ve made arrangements for us to be married at St. George’s Chapel tomorrow at five o’clock. I’m sorry everything has to be rushed.”
Harry thought about the night he came to Hampden House to propose marriage.
“I have no intention of declaring my undying love.”
Her hand went to her throat.
I truly believed that Thomas loved me.
She was devastated to learn that he did not.
He married me to secure his inheritance. Shugborough means more to him than anything or anyone in the world. How could I have been so gullible?
I truly believed that Thomas loved me.
She was devastated to learn that he did not.
He married me to secure his inheritance. Shugborough means more to him than anything or anyone in the world. How could I have been so gullible?
As Harry sat in the swaying carriage, she could feel her heart breaking.
When the hackney stopped at 15 St. James’s Square, Harry paid the driver and walked listlessly into the house. She climbed the stairs slowly to her private sitting room, put the letter back in her writing desk, and sank into a chair. Her thoughts were in turmoil, her emotions were in chaos, and her happiness was shattered. For the first time in her life, Harry did not know what to do or say. She was so overwhelmed with sadness and disappointment, and so afraid of what she might learn, that she knew she could not bring herself to confront her husband.
“Are you cold, Lady Harry?”
She blinked. “Rose, I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Let me take your hat and coat.”
Harry stood up and allowed Rose to remove them.
“Since dinner at Montagu House will be hours away, I’ll get Clara to prepare you a substantial afternoon tea.”
She shook her head. “No, thank you. I have no appetite today.”
Rose gave her an odd look, and put some coal on the fire. “I’ll let you rest.”
Hours later, Rose found Harry sitting in the same chair. “I laid out your jade velvet gown and everything else you’ll need.”
“There’s no hurry.” Harry glanced at the window and saw it was dark outside.
How long have I been sitting here? Thomas could be home any minute. I must get ready now. I don’t want him to find me half-dressed.
“I want you to help me, Rose. We must hurry.”
How long have I been sitting here? Thomas could be home any minute. I must get ready now. I don’t want him to find me half-dressed.
“I want you to help me, Rose. We must hurry.”
Harry sat before her mirror in her corset and petticoat, absently brushing her hair.
“I believe you have some lovely hair ornaments that match your gown.”
“Never mind, Rose. I can’t be bothered with such things.” She heard a footfall on the stairs. “Quick! Help me into this dress.” She held up her arms while Rose lifted the gown over her head and settled the folds over her voluminous petticoat.
“Hello, darling.” Thomas closed the distance between them and dipped his head to kiss her. She turned so that his lips brushed her cheek. “You’re already dressed.” His face fell with disappointment.
“I thought it would save time. Lady Montagu is a stickler for punctuality.” She smiled brightly. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
Chapter Twenty-two
A
t the Montagu party and through all the entertainments leading up to Christmas, Harry was her usual sparkling self, but when she was alone with her husband, either in the carriage or at home, she became quiet and withdrawn. She avoided intimacy whenever she could with the excuse that she was tired, yet she accepted all invitations and even went out on the nights her husband was at home.
t the Montagu party and through all the entertainments leading up to Christmas, Harry was her usual sparkling self, but when she was alone with her husband, either in the carriage or at home, she became quiet and withdrawn. She avoided intimacy whenever she could with the excuse that she was tired, yet she accepted all invitations and even went out on the nights her husband was at home.
Thomas sensed something was wrong. On the few occasions they had made love lately, her response wasn’t the same. She held herself back from him and took no joy in their coupling. He watched her carefully and soon realized that the laughing, witty persona she affected in company was a brittle facade. When they were at home, she took off the mask and withdrew into silence.
On the day before Christmas, Thomas helped his wife into the carriage. They were on their way to spend the festivities with Harry’s family at Campden Hill. He thought that his wife looked unusually pale today. “Are you feeling all right, darling?”
“I never felt better.” She tucked her fur against her throat and gazed out the window.
“Is something wrong, Harry?”
“Of course not. It’s Christmas, the most exciting time of the year. My family loves and adores me, and I’m married to an earl of the realm. What could possibly be wrong?”
“When we’re alone, you seem distant and withdrawn.”
“Nonsense; it’s simply fatigue from all the season’s festivities. Please, don’t concern yourself with some imagined problem.”
There was a problem, and it wasn’t imagined, but Thomas bit his tongue. He didn’t want to upset her at Christmas. In spite of the fact that she said she felt well, her paleness disturbed him, and his common sense told him that something was ailing her. If she wouldn’t confide in him, he hoped she would discuss it with her mother.
At Campden Hill, all the men went out to cut the Christmas tree. Thomas joined Abercorn, Lord John, D’Arcy, and young James, home from Oxford. After they set up the tree, the ladies and the younger children had great fun decorating it, and Thomas saw that Harry joined in. She seemed to be enjoying herself, though she was a bit subdued.
Harry spent her time with the children, reading to them and then putting them to bed. Thomas took her mother aside. “Have you noticed how pale Harry is? She insists she feels well, but I’m worried about her.”
“She’s spent hours with the children today. Perhaps she is practicing.”
When Thomas took her meaning, his heart soared. “Perhaps you are right, but she hasn’t said anything.”
“A woman usually keeps her secret until she is sure. Don’t worry, Thomas; she’ll tell you in her own good time. I’m speculating about Trixy—she’s plump as a partridge.”
Harry sat in the darkened nursery long after the excited children hung up their stockings and had at last fallen asleep. She had avoided her husband’s company by surrounding herself with the little ones. Their obvious love made her feel less vulnerable.
Knowing that Thomas had married her to secure his inheritance was deeply humiliating. Harry’s pride had been dealt a mortal blow, and her self-confidence had deserted her. When she looked in the mirror, she found the image that looked back at her unattractive. She appeared pale and listless, and her eyes had a haunted look. Harry lived in dread of her family learning the truth of why Thomas had married her. The last thing she wanted was pity, so she had put on a false face of gaiety and laughter when she was in their company.
What a naive fool I was to go about telling everyone I needed proof that Thomas loved me before I would accept a proposal of marriage.
She closed her eyes.
Perhaps there’s no such thing as love.
She shook her head sadly. She knew that wasn’t true, because regardless of how her husband felt, she loved Thomas with all her heart.
She closed her eyes.
Perhaps there’s no such thing as love.
She shook her head sadly. She knew that wasn’t true, because regardless of how her husband felt, she loved Thomas with all her heart.
She had avoided intimacy as often as she could because she was terrified of her wanton response to him. She often pretended sleep when he came to bed, because his touch set off a wildfire of desire. If he knew how much she hungered and longed for his love, she would be mortified.
Music from downstairs floated up to her, and she knew the Yuletide carols had begun. She straightened her shoulders and went below to join in the festivities. Harry was relieved when the ladies decided to retire and the men stayed up to talk politics and enjoy a couple of drinks together, without reproachful looks from their spouses.
Christmas Day was taken up with presents, a huge feast, and sleigh rides around the lake. The entire family joined in the merriment and Harry was never alone with Thomas.
The next morning when it was time to leave, the duchess invited her married daughters to stay at Campden Hill until New Year’s, while their husbands returned to London. Thomas encouraged Harry to stay. A few days apart might be just what his wife needed, and he thought she would benefit from time spent with her mother and sisters. He kissed her good-bye and promised to return for the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
The following day, when Louisa and her three oldest daughters were alone, Trixy confided that she might be having a child. Harry was relieved that all the attention was focused on her sister. All the talk was centered on symptoms, cravings, weight gain, and babies, babies, babies.
Trixy explained that she had no intention of telling D’Arcy until she was sure. She was uncertain of his reaction and needed her mother’s assurance that he would be happy about becoming a father.
“All men look forward to begetting an heir, and if it turns out to be a girl, they welcome the chance to try again,” Louisa told her daughters. “How about you, Harry? Any secrets to confide?”
Her hand went to her throat. “Secrets?” Then she realized they were still talking about babies. “No, no, I’m not having a child.”
“Good!” Trixy declared. “I don’t want you to steal my thunder.”
On New Year’s Eve, D’Arcy arrived, but Thomas did not. Harry found her emotions were between the devil and the deep. She was relieved that business must have prevented him from joining them, yet wistful that he did not rush from London so they could celebrate their first New Year together. He showed up the next day with profound apologies, and on the ride home, Harry lapsed back into silence.
Thomas gave his wife time to unpack and refresh herself from the journey. Then he joined her in her private sitting room. He schooled himself to patience, but knew he was dangerously close to the end of his rope.
“Are you feeling all right, darling? Please tell me what’s wrong.”
“There is nothing wrong.”
Thomas exploded. “Damn it all, Harry, there is something terribly wrong! It is a brand-new year, and I intend to start it with a clean sweep. If you think I’m going to carry on allowing you to withdraw from me, you are deluding yourself. What the hellfire happened to that audacious, outspoken baggage that gave as good as she got? I married an impulsive, reckless creature with a voracious appetite for life. I want her back!”
She jumped to her feet, goaded by his words. At last her anger ignited, and her temper flared, turning her pale cheeks to bright pink. “I
deluded
myself, all right! I actually believed you married me because you loved me!” She rushed to her writing desk, pulled out the letter, and thrust it at him. “I had no idea you married me to secure your inheritance. I was blissfully ignorant!”
deluded
myself, all right! I actually believed you married me because you loved me!” She rushed to her writing desk, pulled out the letter, and thrust it at him. “I had no idea you married me to secure your inheritance. I was blissfully ignorant!”
He tore the letter from the envelope and read it. “Fowler!” He laughed bitterly. “Knowing human nature as I do, I should have expected the vindictive bastard would need to slake his revenge for being dismissed. Where’s the other letter?”
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