The Scandal of Lady Eleanor (47 page)

“Yes, Sir.” Lucifer headed for the door, but he paused before leaving. “Excuse me,Viscount Worthing.”The man actually blushed with embarrassment. “I be wondering, Sir, if Hannah might be still serving your wife.”

Worthing laughed lightly at the probability of a love affair springing up between the two servants. “Hannah should be in the garden with Her Ladyship. I am sure she will be happy to acknowledge your return to Derbyshire.”

“Thank you, Sir.” A broad smile broke the lines of the giant's face before he disappeared into the bowels of the house.

“One of us is going to lose a servant.”

Lexford ignored both the sarcasm and the truth in his friend's words. “It appears likely.”

James took the seat behind the desk. “It will be with twisted pleasure that I tell Eleanor about Sir Louis's ‘accident
.
' Maybe that will give her the peace she has yet to find.” Kimbolt nodded his agreement. “Any other news, Kimbolt?”

“The Averettes and Miss Cashé have returned to Edinburgh. They insisted Miss Aldridge accompany them. Fowler grumbles about everything—nothing at Thorn Hall pleases him, but I expect you knew this already.”

“Surprisingly, I did not.” Worthing pretended to straighten a pile of letters. “And your relationship with Miss Cashémere?”

“The trip to Calcutta cut that short. It is all for the best, though; nothing could have come of it. I was just bored with London and the like.”

“I said the same thing when I visited Fowler at Thorn Hall.” Worthing said no more; he let Kimbolt draw his own conclusions. “How long will you stay with us?”

The viscount looked away, lost in his own thoughts. “Only for a few days; I need to return to my estate. My steward sends word that my presence is needed to deal with some of the cottagers.”

“Stay as long as you like.”

“I will give Lucifer a few days with Lady Worthing's maid.” Kimbolt stood suddenly. “I think I will see if that boy of yours would enjoy a long ride.”

“I guarantee it. I told Daniel I would take him to Tattersalls soon. Ella and I want a few days in London before the weather changes. Derbyshire winters can be very confining.”

Obviously preoccupied with his own thoughts, Lexford did not comment. “I will have our horses saddled if you will send for Daniel.” Without looking back, Kimbolt strode from the room.

Watching him go,Worthing laughed to himself. “He has it bad.”

“Who has it bad?” Ella stood in the doorway.

James looked up and smiled, always happy to see her. “Kimbolt.” He rose to ring for a servant. “The Viscount is declaring a lack of interest in your Scottish cousin.” He caught Ella's hand and brought her to a nearby chair. The servant appeared, and he asked for tea to be sent to them and for someone to fetch Daniel. “The Viscount swears that London bores him and now his estate needs him.”

“Sounds very familiar.” Ella mumbled as he bent to kiss her lips before taking a seat across from her.

“I said the same thing before I came to Thorn Hall to visit your brother, and look what it brought me.”

Ella arched an eyebrow. “An Amazon?”

“Exactly.”

 

“Lord Lexford has brought us news, which I hope you will find satisfying,” James began.

Ella looked up in anticipation. “Yes?”

“His Lordship and Lucifer have recently returned from Calcutta. Shepherd received word of someone wishing to aid the former baronet, and he sent the Viscount to stop the attempt to free Louis Levering.”

“And?” Ella held her breath.

James leaned forward for emphasis. “Sir Louis Levering has
breathed his last breath. Those he sought as his friends have seen to his death. The former baronet aligned himself with Shaheed Mir, but Sir Louis did not understand how treacherous a Baloch warrior can be.”

“Then, it is over.” Ella expelled the words in a gush of air.

For long minutes, neither of them spoke, absorbing the news and how it might impact their lives. “It is,” James murmured softly. It was over for Ella, but he knew Mir still remained a danger to them all.

A light tap at the door announced his son. “Did you need me, Papa?”

James swallowed his thoughts and motioned the boy forward. “I wondered if you would do me favor?”

“Of course, Papa.”

“Viscount Lexford is staying with us for a few days, and he would enjoy a riding partner; but, unfortunately, I have other obligations. I thought you might keep Kimbolt company.”

Daniel's eyes lit up with excitement. “I would like that, Papa.”

“Good. The Viscount is having your horse saddled. I suspect you should hurry along then.”

“Did you hear, Ella? I am to ride with the Viscount.”

Ella touched his hand, family suddenly taking center stage. “You will be careful.” James recognized how she tried not to smother his son with her attentions. Daniel wanted to be treated more as an adult; however, of late, she could not help herself, and James found that quite agreeable. “I worry when you take unnecessary chances.”

“I will ride with care,” their son assured her before bowing out of the room.

Tea arrived, and she poured them each a cup. “Daniel enjoys your mothering him,” James noted as he sipped the tea. He still was unsure how Ella took the news of Levering's passing.

“Do you believe so? Sometimes I wonder if I do the right thing by Daniel. I want to protect him, but I know he needs his freedom.”

James smiled cautiously, as she completely ignored the repercussions
of the baronet's murder. “Trust me, if I told Daniel to be careful, he would think I treated him as a child.Yet, he thrives when you say such things. He never knew a mother's love until you arrived at Linton Park.”

“Do you believe I could be a good mother? I mean, with my history, could I make a child a competent parent?” Ella bit her bottom lip, never a good sign as far as James was concerned. That action indicated something major troubled her, and he suspected that he understood.

“Ella, you are already a good mother. If you could hear Daniel go on and on to his friends about his mother, you would never doubt your worth. It is not of Elizabeth he speaks; it is of you.” It was a conversation they had had before. James placed his cup on a table and moved to kneel before her. He was waiting for the reality of life to hit her. “What troubles you, my Love?”

“Nothing.” She looked away, biting down harder on her lip.

James touched her mouth with his index finger. “This lip tells me otherwise. Talk to me, Ella; we are in this together.” He felt her shiver, but not with anticipation—with worry. James prepared to offer his comfort.

For several moments, she fought the tears misting her eyes. Finally, gulping for air, she blurted out, “I am with child.” She paused briefly before continuing. “This is not the way I had planned to tell you; something more romantic was hidden away in the back of my mind.” She paused longer, mustering her courage. “I have no time to learn to be a good mother,” she nearly whined. “I must know how now.”

James froze, her words impaling him to the spot. He had expected tears—expected self-recriminations—even expected some hysterics. He had not expected this. “Are… are you sure?” he stammered.

“I missed my courses twice, and now I can barely look at food without running to the chamber pot. I am as sure as a woman may be.”

She was not the least concerned with her former troubles. James
had read her completely wrong. Yet, even now understanding her qualms, he still did not move. James's mind calculated how far along she might be with child. He too had forgotten about their former difficulties. “Three months, maybe a bit more,” he thought aloud.

“I had my courses right before Nottingham. It is likely from before our vows or those early days in the manor house. Probably three and a half—closer to four.” Ella now noticed how frightened he looked. “You are happy, are you not, my Lord?”

Her words shook him out of his thoughts. He now considered how he would protect Ella. He had lost Elizabeth to childbirth, and nearly Georgina; James could not imagine what life might be without Ella. He almost wanted her never to bear him a child, to keep her safe. “Of course I am happy, my Love.You simply took me unawares.” Instinctively, he cupped her chin to kiss her tenderly. “We are… we are to have a child,” he continued to stutter. Meanwhile, his thoughts were on finding the best medical help possible. The village midwife would not do.

“I thought we might tell your parents together.” Ella spoke, but she remained unsure of his true feelings.

Allowing the news finally to speak to his heart, he was on his feet in one movement, lifting her from the chair. “I will carry you,” he insisted. “Anywhere you want to go.” He turned in circles, swinging her through the air. “We are to have a child.” He started toward the main staircase with her clutched to him. “First, we will tell the Earl.” Servants scurried to open doors.

“And then?” she giggled, noticing the dark desire now found in his eyes.

James stopped on the landing to nuzzle her neck with his lips. He whispered in her ear, “Then I plan to show you how much I adore you, Eleanor Kerrington. To prove you are the most precious thing in my life.”

“I love you.” She kissed him although several servants looked on. “Your father,” she reminded him when he responded to her.

“My father.” James smiled mischievously as he took the steps
two at a time. Outside the Earl's chambers, he motioned for Ella to open the door. When she did, James swept in, carrying his wife close to him.

“James?” his mother squealed, observing the odd display from her favorite chair.

Without ceremony, he announced, “Ella and I came to inform you that we are to have a child.” He turned immediately to leave with her still held close to his chest. “We will tell you more at supper. You will eat with us tonight, Sir,” he called over his shoulder as he left the room and turned toward his own bedchamber.

The Earl sputtered and then started laughing as soon as they were gone.

“He is certainly your son, Martin,” Camelia Kerrington noted with amusement, before tucking in her husband's blanket, moving to sit next to him on the bed.

“I carried you everywhere for a week, if I recall correctly, my Dear.”The Earl caught her hand and brought it to rest over his heart.

“You did.” Camelia touched her husband's cheek. “James did no such thing for Elizabeth.”

“Our boy loves this one, Camelia. It is not just youthful fa scination.”

“James will be a good earl, as good as you, Martin.” A gentle caress spoke of a lifetime of devotion. “He and Ella will surpass us, as it should be.”

The Earl kissed the palm of her hand. “Close and lock the door, Camelia,” he whispered huskily.

“Martin? Are you sure?”

“I am ill, Camelia; I am not dead. I want to lay in this bed with my wife, the woman I have loved for over thirty years.”

“I love you as well, Martin Kerrington.”

“Then lock the door, Love, and come and show me.”

Camelia smiled as she stood to do as he had said. “With pure pleasure, my Lord.”

PREVIEW OF BOOK II IN THE REALM SERIES

WHEN THE MESSAGE CAME, he could not believe his eyes; now Brantley Fowler raced across the English countryside. He had ridden throughout the day and much of the night, having stopped only long enough to change horses. He had taken a room at a posting inn for several hours, although he had slept very little. An overnight thunderstorm had driven him from the road. Riding an unfamiliar horse in a driving rain was nearly impossible. Now, he kicked his latest horse's flanks. It was a miserable-looking nag, but it was all he could secure at the last inn. As the animal clopped into the gravel drive at Linton Park, he threw the reins to a waiting footman as he slid from the saddle. At a run, he took the steps to the main door two at a time. Mr. Lucas, Kerrington's butler, pulled the door open just as Bran reached it. “Your Grace.” The offering of a quick bow came as Bran flung his hat and gloves at Mr. Lucas.

“Where is Viscount Worthing?” Fowler demanded.

“I believe the Viscount and Viscountess are in their chambers, Your Grace. Shall I let them know you have arrived?”

Bran glanced toward the main staircase before he started to move. “No, I will announce myself.”

“But,Your Grace…” the man called as Fowler bolted up the stairs.

Rounding the post and turning to the left, Bran knew where Kerrington slept. Within seconds, he pounded on Kerrington's door. “Worthing!” he hit the door again. “Worthing, I need you!”