The Dark Earl (7 page)
“Ah yes, didn’t Fox eventually marry his mistress, Elizabeth Armistead? And wasn’t she Prinny’s mistress before Fox fell in love with her?”
“So gossip has it, but I’m speaking of Fox’s grandmother Sarah Cadogan. She was married to his grandfather, the future Duke of Richmond, when she was only thirteen and he was eighteen. The marriage was arranged to settle a gambling debt between their fathers. The pair disliked each other on sight. After the wedding Sarah was packed off to school and Charles was rushed off to the Continent on an extended grand tour.”
“Imagine being forced to marry in order to settle a gambling debt!” Rachel declared with indignation. “The Fox family was always cursed by an addiction to gaming.”
Harry continued. “Three years later, on his first night back, to avoid a meeting with his loathed wife, he went to the opera. In a box opposite was a most beautiful lady—he fell in love with her at first sight. Imagine his surprise when he learned that she was his wife! He decided to woo her properly, and he was successful. Their marriage was so happy that they kissed and cuddled in public. They ended up with twelve children.”
“Oh, that is such a romantic story. I shall incorporate it in my next book. Thank you for providing me with such a splendid plot, Harry.”
When Lady Harriet stepped up into D’Arcy Lambton’s phaeton, she was wearing primrose yellow with a matching parasol. She had contemplated pairing her outfit with a vivid black and white one, but decided it would draw too many eyes. Since she wanted the parasol only to hide behind when D’Arcy kissed her, the yellow was preferable.
“You always look lovely, Harry, but today you seem to be bathed in sunshine.”
“That’s exactly how I feel on this glorious day.”
Hyde Park was busy. Not only was half of fashionable London riding in carriages, but throngs of ladies and gentlemen were strolling along the paths, hoping to see and be seen.
The Earl of Durham drove once around the park, greeting friends and acquaintances and allowing Lady Harriet to do the same. She caught a glimpse of her brother James riding with Lady Emily, before D’Arcy took a left turn and drove across the Serpentine Bridge into Kensington Gardens. He found a secluded path where the sunshine filtered through the leafy shade trees, and reined in his horses.
D’Arcy took Harry’s hand and squeezed it. “At last, I have you all to myself.”
She glanced right and left mischievously. “Are you sure no one is hiding in the bushes?”
He slowly stripped off her glove and took her bare fingers to his lips.
“We certainly want no witnesses to such wanton behavior,” Harry teased.
“I’ll give you wanton behavior.” D’Arcy’s arms swept about her and drew her close.
Harry shielded them with her parasol and then reached out to brush her fingertips along his blond mustache. She held her breath when he captured her lips in a stolen kiss.
When he withdrew his mouth, she gazed at him for a full minute. Her parasol cast him in a golden glow and she thought him almost beautiful, in an angelic sort of way. “You have inherited your grandfather’s handsome looks. My grandmother always extolled Earl Grey’s attractiveness. I warrant she was half in love with him.”
“And could you follow in the incomparable Georgina’s footsteps?”
“I believe I could be
half in love
without much persuasion,” she teased.
half in love
without much persuasion,” she teased.
He pulled her closer and demanded fiercely, “What good is half in love?”
“Surely half in love is better than not being in love at all? You’re an earl of the realm with a castle. If you woo me in earnest, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.”
D’Arcy kissed her again and Harry closed her eyes, enjoying the intimacy of his heated embrace to the full. When his hand reached for her breast, she pulled away. “Don’t be greedy,” she murmured. “If that’s what you’re after, it will take a little more wooing.”
“I’m sorry, love. You drive me mad, and I’ve waited so long.”
“School yourself to patience. ’Tis said that anticipation is half the pleasure.”
“There you go with your
halves
again.” He smiled ruefully. “I’ve decided to host a dinner party next week. The invitation will include all members of your family, of course. I’ll invite some bachelors for your sisters as well.”
halves
again.” He smiled ruefully. “I’ve decided to host a dinner party next week. The invitation will include all members of your family, of course. I’ll invite some bachelors for your sisters as well.”
“How lovely. Too bad there won’t be dancing, since it’s a perfectly legitimate way of holding me in your arms. Still, I shall look forward to your giving me a
private
tour of your grand residence on Carlton House Terrace.” Harry pulled on her glove, indicating that their tête-à-tête in the carriage was over.
private
tour of your grand residence on Carlton House Terrace.” Harry pulled on her glove, indicating that their tête-à-tête in the carriage was over.
“Did you enjoy your afternoon drive, darling?” The duchess joined her family in the dining room for the evening meal. She made no bones about the fact that she thoroughly approved of a match between Harriet and the Earl of Durham.
“It was everything I hoped it would be,” Harry said with a smile.
“Last night it came as a surprise that you had invited Thomas Anson. I had no idea that Lichfield’s son was a friend of yours.”
“He’s D’Arcy’s friend, not mine. I believe they were at Oxford together. He introduced Lord Anson to me at the opening of the Crystal Palace.”
“Are you aware that his father is a debauched gambler who was disgraced by a financial collapse brought about by gargantuan gaming debts?”
“Completely aware, Mother. Lord Anson is the antithesis of Lichfield. I believe he is overly stern and moral, with an impeccable character, to make up for his father’s reputation.”
He’s also extremely good-looking, with black curly hair and pewter eyes that sometimes glitter silver.
He’s also extremely good-looking, with black curly hair and pewter eyes that sometimes glitter silver.
“It’s something that is never spoken of in polite society, but Lichfield’s wife is the daughter of a wealthy sugar planter in the West Indies, and it’s whispered that she could have native blood.”
“But only whispered in
impolite
society, I take it,” Harry teased.
That would certainly explain the devil’s swarthiness.
impolite
society, I take it,” Harry teased.
That would certainly explain the devil’s swarthiness.
Rachel laughed. “Well, thanks very much, Lu, for trying to palm him off on me last night.”
“I did no such thing,” the duchess protested.
“Of course you did,” Harry contradicted her mother. “But I came to the rescue and took him off Rachel’s hands immediately by switching partners so she could meet the dashing Lord James Butler.”
“Rachel . . . you are blushing!” her sister said with delight.
“Oh please, say it isn’t so. There is nothing so unbecoming in a redhead. Screamy-colored hair is bad enough without having screamy-colored cheeks to match.”
“I have it on good authority that Lord Butler adores red hair,” Harry declared.
Lady Beatrix interrupted. “William Montagu, Earl of Dalkeith, danced with me more than once last night.”
Jane, who had been quietly captivated by the conversation, said, “Oh, I think William Montagu is
divine
. His Scots burr sends shivers up my spine.”
divine
. His Scots burr sends shivers up my spine.”
“Thank heavens our brother James is dining out with Father tonight. He’d never let you live that one down,” Harry told her. “He’d follow you around teasing you about kilts, sporrans, and haggis until you ran from the room screaming.”
“Thank heavens he’s still at an age where teasing his sisters amuses him. All too soon he’ll think himself so grown-up, he’ll avoid you like the plague.”
“Before I forget, may Rachel borrow your mount, Mother? We’d like to go riding in the park tomorrow.” Harry didn’t divulge it would be at the crack of dawn.
“It isn’t even light yet,” Rachel said. “Are you sure we should do this?”
“Absolutely sure. Fortune favors the bold. It will give you a chance to be alone with Lord Butler. I shall make myself scarce as soon as you meet,” Harry assured her.
“You are very generous.”
“On the contrary, I’m quite selfish. I have an ulterior motive. A certain male acquaintance of mine might just be in the park at such an ungodly hour.”
When the pair arrived at the row, dawn was breaking. Galloping horses thundered by them, mounted by gentlemen intent upon their morning exercises. It wasn’t long before a man drew rein beside them and tipped his hat.
“Lady Rachel . . . Lady Harriet . . . what a pleasant surprise,” James Butler declared. “Would you care to join me, ladies?”
“I think my horse picked up a stone. You two go ahead and I shall catch up with you,” Harry urged. She winked at Butler to let him know it was a ruse.
She watched them gallop off, side by side, then proceeded with a slow canter. She examined each of the male riders who passed, and smiled serenely when they tipped their hats. It was a quarter of an hour before the horseman she’d hoped for reined in beside her.
Lord Anson did not tip his hat. “Surely you’re not riding here alone at this hour?” he demanded.
“I would love to tell you that I am, simply to ignite your outrage, but alas, such is not the case. I came with my aunt Rachel. By coincidence, we encountered an admirer of hers, so I’m giving them a little privacy.”
“Their meeting was accidentally on purpose, no doubt.”
“As was ours, perhaps.”
Pewter eyes looked into green. “I don’t ride here often. Rotten Row is too tame for me. I like to ride farther afield.”
“I enjoy a good gallop myself,” she hinted.
“Would you care to join me tomorrow on a ride to Richmond?”
“I thought you’d never ask. Can we ride alongside the river?”
He nodded his assent. “Meet me at Cumberland Gate—same time.” This time he did tip his hat, and galloped off on his black hunter.
Harry watched him.
If I narrow my eyes, man and horse merge into one.
She thought over their encounter.
He totally disapproves of me, yet he wouldn’t have made the assignation if I didn’t intrigue him.
She smiled her secret smile.
If I narrow my eyes, man and horse merge into one.
She thought over their encounter.
He totally disapproves of me, yet he wouldn’t have made the assignation if I didn’t intrigue him.
She smiled her secret smile.
“You were right, Harry. Riding in the row this morning was a brilliant suggestion.”
Rachel hung her habit in the wardrobe, and donned a day dress.
The corners of Harry’s mouth turned up. “The idea came to me in a vision.”
Rachel sat down at the writing desk. “I want to jot down your romantic suggestions for my next book. I’m still shocked at the idea of anyone having to marry to settle gambling debts. I don’t know much about gaming—I suppose I should do some research.”
“Oh, I’ll teach you how to gamble and wager. It’s great fun,” Harry assured her.
“Charles James Fox ran his own gaming hell. In Regency times, it was not considered decadent. It was all open and aboveboard. Even Almack’s had a gaming room upstairs.”
“Since Victoria came to the throne, the middle class is hell-bent on reforming public morality. At all costs we must be protected from the Seduction of Gambling.”
They heard someone whistling a merry tune. “It’s James. I’ll ask him to bring us some cards.” Harry went to the door and hailed her brother. “Bring us some playing cards, and some dice if you have them.”
In a few minutes, James returned with both. “If there’s any betting, let me in on it.”
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