The Earl's Passionate Plot (6 page)

Perhaps he ought to take Miss Langley into his confidence, to convince her how important this was. He could probably find her alone somewhere and hint that easing the way between Ned and the heiress might be in her best interests. Then he could hint at a few other things that might be in her best interests, too.

"Be sure you take your wrap with you," Mamma was saying as they scurried around gathering the various supplies needed for comfort on their impromptu picnic.

"Yes, mother. I have everything."

"Then why are you frowning?"

"Because it's just that... well, I'm a bit concerned, I suppose."

"About Miss Vandenhoff?" Mamma glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was nearby as they helped the kitchen staff wrap food for the hamper.

"Yes, how did you know?"

Mamma sighed. "Because I've met Miss Vandenhoff, I'm afraid."

"I just have no idea how to encourage the match between her and the earl. It seems she is eternally contrary.
Whatever will cause him to wish to marry her?"

"Oh, I think the man is likely desperate enough
to marry even someone like her," Mamma went on in hushed tones. "He'll take her no matter how disagreeable she makes herself. She, on the other hand, is the one you will have to convince."

"
By encouraging her to view the earl favorably? I've certainly tried that, Mamma, but I've exhausted the one or two virtues I've been able to detect in the man. For the life of me I can't imagine what could possibly induce either of them to rush into matrimony."

"
It is quite the quandary. I fear we will soon need to consider other options. I hold little hope this outing today can produce tender emotions in either one of them."

Poor Mamma. She appeared very down, indeed
. Mariah mumbled an encouragement and patted her on her sloping shoulder.

"It will all work out,
Mamma" she assured. "It simply has to, right? In the meanwhile, don't worry so much. I'll think of something for them."

But Mamma wasn't reassured. She shook her head and sighed heavily.
"I can't help but think it would be good for you to concentrate a bit more on yourself, my dear."

"Myself?
Have I overlooked something that needs tending?"

"I mean that you should consider what
you
will do if this scheme to get the earl married doesn't go as we hope."

"
I will find us a new place to live. Don't worry, Mamma. If Miss Vandenhoff rejects the earl, I doubt her parents will wish to let the house. Dovington may still try to throw us out of it, but at least we will have some more time."

"
Then you should use that time wisely," Mamma advised. "Consider what you might do for yourself."

"I will look after all of us, of course."

"I was thinking you might rather find someone to look after
you
."

"Someone to...? What are you saying, Mamma?"

"I know you've claimed you will never marry, but—"

"Oh, Mamma, you can't be thinking on those lines
. Heavens, we'll be making miracles happen to find one decent gentleman to marry Ella when she's out of the schoolroom. To consider finding someone for
me
is... well, it's out of the question."

"No
one thinks it's out of the question except you. Mr. Skrewd, for instance, seems to think it is entirely
in
the question."

"Mr. Skrew
d? The new curate?"

"Of course. I've seen you with him, you know. He walks with you sometimes, on your way back from the village."

"That's merely for convenience, Mamma, since he's staying in our groundkeeper's hut. Mr. Skrewd is a very nice young man and he's become something of a friend to me, but I assure you there's never been any thought of anything more than that between us."

"We are not so proud that we can look down on a curate, Mariah.
He is a relative of the Benson family who hold the living here. Our vicar is not getting any younger, and it stands to reason that Mr. Skrewd will eventually be given the living in his place. You would not live wealthy, but you'd be well cared for and respected as the wife of a vicar."

"Mamma, can you really suggest that?
Mr. Skrewd knows of my background. He'd never even consider me."

"He's in want of a wife. You and he get on so well. Why on earth should he not consider you?"

"Because I... because I have no name, Mamma. Please, I know how this upsets you. Let's do not speak of it. The important thing is to focus on getting Miss Vandenhoff to marry Lord Dovington. Then all will be as it should be and if you must daydream about getting one of your daughter's married, you can plan for Ella."

Mamma seemed to want to argue the point, but there were kitchen maids scurrying about and the lack of privacy saved Mariah from having to dwell on the subject. She was happy that sometimes Mamma was able to forget those terrible years in their past when she'd been cast out in shame by her family, when people looked on Mariah with pity and shook their heads, whispering about how sad it was that such a pretty child would never amount to much.

Well, she had amounted to more than enough. She might not truly be a lady, but she was accepted as one here in their little village. She had Mamma and Ella and, by God, she was going to hang onto Renford Hall. Whatever it took, she would see that the earl married his heiress, went back to his ancestral estate, and left them well enough alone here.

"I believe we're ready," she said cheerfully as the last of their things were packed up in hampers. "We couldn't ask for a more perfect day for a picnic. Spring is in the air, and let us hope Cupid's arrows are flying around us."

Mamma made her best effort to smile as she patted Mariah's hand and agreed.

Dovington made sure everything was being loaded properly into the carriages. From the corner of his eye, he watched the house, as well. Where was Miss Langley? Shouldn't she be out here by now, helping see to arrangements? He needed to speak with her and would prefer not to do so with the rest of the group hovering over them.

Ah, there she was, emerging from the house along with two kitchen maids carrying hampers and blankets. Miss Langley seemed perfectly composed as she directed the staff here or there, despite the fact that she must surely feel somewhat put out by Ned's spontaneous demand for a picnic. If the event did not play directly into the earl's scheme he would have shut his cousin down entirely. It was most unfair to put Miss Langley through all this effort without any warning at all. However, since Ned was being so very cooperative where Miss Vandenhoff was concerned—and since Dovington was desperate for their first meeting to be a pleasant one—he went along with it.

It was, after all, the perfect day for a picnic. The gentle breezed tossed Miss Langley's skirts playfully and the warm sun made her soft skin practically glow. The butter-cream color of her gown accented the golden tones in her hair, and her green eyes sparkled. They turned to fire, though, when she caught him looking at her.

"I hope these preparations are up to your standards, sir," she said curtly when she was forced to stand near him and help with the loading of the hampers. "As you know, we did not have much time to arrange things."

"I'm sure everything will be more than adequate, Miss Langley. My cousin and I appreciate very much that you have indulged us in this."

"I didn't realize I had the option to refuse," she said, shoving an unruly curl back up into her bonnet.

"You always have that option, of course. But I am happy you chose to go along with us on this. In fact... I wonder if I can request a favor."

"Another?"

"Regarding Miss
Vandenhoff."

They were very much alone together now, standing behind one of the carriages while the servants moved on to the other.

"And what special accommodation has she requested?" Miss Langley asked with a telling sigh.

"Er, nothing. Not y
et, at least," the earl replied. "I was hoping, though... that is..."

"Yes?"

"Well, as you may have noticed, the young lady does not seem entirely comfortable here. I was hoping you might take her under your wing, as it were, and help her to be... help her to enjoy herself a bit more."

The way she cocked her eyebrow at him and gave a delightful scowl assured him she understood exactly what he meant. And that she had ample doubts about her ability to accomplish such a thing.

"You've been such a remarkable hostess for her already," he went on quickly. "And I know it cannot be easy to have a family of strangers invade your home this way. But my cousin has not yet met Miss Vandenhoff and... well, I was very much hoping he might not find her off-putting today."

She rolled her green eyes and nodded. "Of course. And you think I can just magically make her behave. Certainly sir. I'll just wave my
enchanted wand and she'll fall directly in line."

"You hardly need a wand, Miss Langley. You've shown such a kind, understand
ing nature that surely Miss Vandenhoff will—"

"Save your flattery, sir. I will endeavor to shine the best light possible on Miss Vandenhoff, but not because you ask me. It is simply the proper thing to do."

He liked the way she did not back down even as he stepped closer to her. They were very near one another now, the servants all bustling elsewhere and leaving them markedly alone. He could hardly help himself from taking advantage of the situation. Entertainment had been in short supply for him of late and watching Miss Langley's flashing eyes and dodging her rapier wit had become quite a pleasurable distraction.

"And you always do the proper thing, don't you, Miss Langley
?"

"Of course I do. Never doubt it."

"Doubt it? Oh, I'll never do that, Miss Langley. I'm sure when you do finally decide to abandon propriety, there'll be no doubt about it whatsoever."

She narrowed her eyes and grumbled at him. "I gladly invite you to hold your breath for that day, sir."

"Be careful what you invite, Miss Langley."

Her reply
—and it would have been stinging, he was certain—was cut off by the giggling arrival of her sister. Miss Renford appeared in the doorway of the house, being escorted out by none other than Ned. And he seemed quite pleased with his role.

"I believe I've located one of our picnickers
," he announced.

"He found me in the hallway fretting over my abominable bonnet," Miss Renford tittered. "There was no one around, so we were forced to introduce ourselves."

"And a good thing we did," Ned went on. "I was able to rescue Miss Renford from that dreadful chapeau. The abominable thing was vanquished and this adorable bit was procured to take its place."

Oh good God, but Ned was making cow's eyes at the girl. This was not at all what was planned for the day. Dovington toyed with the idea of demanding Miss Langley find some excuse to keep her bubbling and blushing little sister home, but it was too late. Ned had already met the girl and it would be impossible for him to wipe her from his mind in time to avoid the obvious comparisons to Miss Vandenhoff.

As vibrant and innocent and charming as Miss Renford was, Miss Vandenhoff would merely seem that much more dour and unlikeable. Damn it all. He should have taken steps to avoid this sort of thing.

Too late now, though. Miss Vandenhoff appeared behind them, wearing a frilly gown covered over by a drab, gray colored wrap. Her face was a
s sour as Miss Renford's was sweet. Her ladies maid cowered behind her carrying a parcel nearly as large as the hampers Miss Langley's servants had packed.

Desperate to salvage what he could of the moment, Dovington stepped up and greeted the young lady before she had time to complain about the sunshine
, the scented breezes, or demand the nearby daffodils to be plowed under for being too yellow.

"Ah, here you are, Miss Vandenhoff. How good you look this morning."

"I know. Where should my maid stow my things? I wasn't sure what manner of foods would be offered to us on this outing, so I brought my own. I hope no one minds."

As promised, Miss Langley responded properly and perfectly.

"Of course not. I'm happy our kitchen staff was able to find what you wanted."

Dovington could barely detect that she bit her tongue to keep from indicating what an insult the American had given. As if Miss Langley should provide a less than adequate meal for them! By God, he had half a mind to take Miss Vandenhoff down a notch on her behalf.

He didn't, though. He bit his own tongue and presented his cousin.

"Miss Vandenhoff, may I present my cousin, Edmund Chadburne? He just arrived this morning and it was his idea, as a matter of fact, that we take advantage of the fine weather today for this
outing. Ned, Miss Vandenhoff has come all the way from America. She and her family are on holiday here."

Ned had the good sense not to recoil at the uninterested nod he received from Miss Vandenhoff. He bowed just as politely as ever and made a respectable effort to be charming.

"I hope your travel has been well, Miss Vandenhoff. I've often fancied the notion of visiting across the Atlantic myself. Have you any place you would recommend?"