To Refuse a Rake (9 page)

Though it was still dark, Hudson decided to rise from bed. At least he could read or work the ledgers. Anything but wake up in such a fevered state again! Slowly and methodically he dressed, trying to waste time.

The morning passed slowly, and by noon he was yawning every few moments. He went to his room and fell onto his bed, hoping he was exhausted enough to sleep peacefully.

The last thing he remembered was a pair of sea-blue eyes closing in rapture.

“Hudson! I say, are you alive?” His mother’s voice penetrated his sleep. He rolled over and landed with a thud on the floor.

With a groan, he rose and almost fell again because of the tangle of sheets at his feet. As he glanced to his bed he saw the evidence of a miserable nap. What he had thought had been somewhat peaceful slumber had certainly been filled with constant movement and thrashing, and his bed was evidence. No wonder he was still so very exhausted!

“Hudson!” His mother shouted louder.

“Yes, yes I’m alive. What is it that you need?” He glanced down to make sure he was decent and then answered the door.

“Well… are you sure you’re quite well?” His mother gazed at him questionably as she studied him.

“I’m alive and well, yes, but quite exhausted. Will you please tell me why you were so insistent that I wake?” He leaned against the door jamb and crossed his arms, resisting the urge to yawn.

“I sent your valet up a while ago to wake you but he was unable! I was worried that maybe you were sick or injured.”

“How thoughtful.” Hudson said then covered a wide yawn.

“I can see you’re alive and well. However, do not forget that we are to attend Lady Linden’s card party tonight.” She leaned forward with a sparkle in her eye. “It’s rumored that she will be hosting a weekend party at her estate in Bath!”

“And I take it you wish to be invited?” Hudson asked dryly.

“Of course! Everyone knows she throws the best weekend parties! All of the interesting things happen at Lady Linden’s! Why, there was talk of the butler being tied to Lady Wyndham’s bedpost last year! And I was not there to hear about it firsthand! That must not be the case this year.” His mother shook her head.

Hudson regarded his mother, studying her elated expression. It fought against his rational desire to stay away from Lady Linden, and any scandal she might conjure. But in the end, her pleading won out.

“Very well. I’ll attend with you.”

“Thank you. And Hudson. Remain dressed for a few minutes. I’m sending up water for a bath. You are certainly in need of one, for you are anything but… fresh.” She furrowed her brow as she studied him once again.

Hudson’s own brow furrowed as well.

She left quickly and he pushed off from the side of the door and closed it. Wandering to his bed he lay down, wondering just how he could manage to garner both an invitation for himself as well as Emma to the house party. Though he’d promised to take things slow, a house party would be the perfect place for a romantic rendezvous.

After his bath, he dressed and went to his study to take tea and wait for his mother.

“Hudson?” His mother called as she walked into the room.

“Yes, here. Are you ready then?”

“Indeed. You always did clean up nicely,” his mother quipped as she picked a small piece of lint from his coat.

“Good to know,” Hudson replied with a smirk as he escorted his mother out to their carriage.

Lady Linden welcomed them to her card party with a gracious smile. Her card parties were always fashionable but quite dull for the men who chose to attend. Hudson was quite convinced that unless by chance Emma had been invited to the party, he would find himself immediately bored. He sighed heavily. The things one did for his mother!

Dinner was served and as the servants began to clear the final course. Lady Linden stood and addressed her guests.

“I’m thrilled to announce the dates for this year’s weekend house party! However, this year I’ve decided to make it a bit more… fun. I’m not so humble to pretend I don’t know how much my invitations are coveted, so therefore I propose that there be a contest!”

The dinner guests shot each other delighted glances then turned their full attention to their hostess.

“Under your chair you shall find a clue. You have fifteen minutes to find where that particular invitation is hidden within the garden. Some clues will be the same so not every one will win. To the person who finds an invitation first, I shall grant five additional invitations for them to distribute according to their own personal preference!” Lady Linden was glowing with the attention and delighted gazes of her guests.

Hudson saw his window of opportunity and was determined to be first to secure an invitation. He could then invite Emma, her sister Lady Hodge, and even his mother with a few invitations to spare!

“On my word, you may reach under your chair! May the best man or woman win!” She waited with a dramatic twist of her mouth. “Now!”

Everyone reached under their chairs and began to open the envelopes. Hudson had a different plan. He retrieved the envelope then immediately headed out to the garden, ripping the paper open as he rushed towards the already open doors.

Bathe in me, you’ll surely be seen. But my feathers cover what won’t cover thee.

Hudson studied the words once more then scanned the garden. He noticed a fountain that stood to the side of the far wall. He ran towards it, searching under it till his hand hit another paper envelope. Grinning, he retrieved it and opened the Linden seal.

Admittance, one for Lady Linden’s house party, May 11-13
^th
, 1815.

By this time many other men and women were searching the garden but Hudson passed them and addressed Lady Linden.

“My lady, I present the first invitation.” He bowed and extended the parchment.

“Indeed you have, Lord Daventry. I must say I was quite surprised at your earnest participation. I’m thrilled you’ll be in attendance. Here is your prize well earned.” She extended another sealed envelope that was quite thick, holding the other invitations. “I only ask that you send word to me who has accepted your invitations.”

“Of course, my lady. I’m thankful for your generosity.” He bowed then went in search of his mother. She was bending over and looking under a bush.

“Mother,” Hudson addressed her and she yowled in surprise.

“Hudson! Did you find one?” She gazed at him with hopeful eyes.

“No.”

“You did not?” She lamented. “When you left so quickly I felt certain that you—”

“I have six, mother. One I found and five additional ones I was awarded.” Hudson let his grin break free as his mother sputtered then shot a triumphant fist into the air. As if remembering herself she dropped it to her side immediately and began to smooth her dress.

“Well done, Hudson.”

“Of course, one of the invitations belongs to you, Mother.”

“Thank you…” His mother studied him curiously. “And what do you plan to do with the others?

“I have a few friends I wish to attend, since I will be there as well.

“Ah. Well, I’m simply grateful to be there! I wonder what scandal will happen this year!” She leaned forward and whispered excitedly.

“I have no idea,” Hudson remarked with a wry grin.

Chapter Seven

Emma was just walking into the parlor when the butler announced a caller.

“A Lord Daventry to see you, Miss Kingsly.”

“Of course, please show him in,” Sadie answered as she entered after her sister. The butler left and Sadie grinned unrepentantly at Emma.

“I wasn’t going to turn him down, you know,” Emma defended herself as she sat down on the settee.

“But you took too long to answer. So I helped,” Sadie quipped and sat next to her sister.

Hudson’s footsteps echoed in the hall and Emma held her breath. She hadn’t seen him for a few days, and she had greedily hungered for even a glimpse of him. How she hoped she wasn’t alone in this torment of yearning.

As he entered the room, it was as if everything else faded away. He smiled at her, revealing a single dimple on his cheek as he strode forward, but it was his eyes that held her captive. He gazed with such hunger; surely he had experienced the same longing with which she had been plagued.

“Miss Kingsly.” He nodded.

“Lord Daventry,” Emma said.

“Lord Daventry,” Sadie replied as well, though her tone was full of humor.

Hudson broke the intense gaze and turned to Sadie. Emma thought she saw his face color a bit as if he were embarrassed at failing to acknowledge her.

“Lady Hodge.” He bowed deeply.

“Please sit.” Emma gestured to a chair.

Sadie rose and lifted the delicate tea pot. “Shall I pour?” She asked Hudson.

Yes, thank you.” He reached out to accept the steaming cup then leaned back slightly in his chair. “I have a gift for both of you lovely ladies,” Hudson began after blowing on his hot tea.

“A gift?” Emma asked.

“Yes.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope.

“I was privileged to win what is, I’m told, the most coveted prize of the season.” Hudson arched an eyebrow and a wicked smile teased his lips.

“Oh?” Sadie asked and leaned forward, staring intently at the paper.

“Yes. I have here two invitations to Lady Linden’s house party in Bath, should you like to attend.”

“Lady Linden?” Emma felt the breath whoosh out of her lungs.

“How did you come by two additional invitations?” Sadie exclaimed.

“I did not come by two additional invitations, Lady Hodge,” Hudson replied with a mysterious tilt of his brow. Slowly he leaned forward as if about disclose a delicious secret.

Emma felt herself lean forward as well in anticipation.

“I did, however, come by an additional five invitations. Two of which I am hoping you’ll accept, one for my mother. She has spoken of little else since! And the other invitations I’m thinking of extending to the Lord and Lady Hewett.” Hudson leaned back in the chair with a satisfied expression.

“I told you we should have attended the card party last night!” Sadie chuckled. “It seems as though it was a delight! We are pleased to accept your invitations, Lord Daventry!”

Emma glanced to her sister. Sadie was practically bouncing in her chair with excitement. Emma’s lips tugged at a smile as she watched Sadie’s reaction. Glancing back to Hudson she wished she could thank him somehow, for giving her sister such a wonderful gift.

“Miss Kingsly?” Hudson’s lowered his chin and raised his eyebrows, as if waiting.

“Th-thank you, Lord Daventry. We are certainly delighted and grateful for such an extravagant gift,” Emma stammered.

“Truthfully, it should be I that thank you. Certainly the presence of such beautiful ladies will only add to the diversion of this holiday!” Hudson chuckled and laid the invitations on the table.

Emma sipped her tea and waited, unsure of what to say next.

“It is a lovely day. Would you permit me to escort you on a walk to take in the air? Truly it would be shame to stay in on such a day.” Hudson’s rich baritone broke through the silence and caused Emma’s flesh to tingle.

Emma inwardly calmed herself then glanced outside. The sky seemed ominous with impending rain. Turning back to Hudson she gave him a disbelieving expression. He simply grinned back, completely unrepentant at being caught in his gross exaggeration of the weather.

“Afraid you’ll melt in the rain, Miss Kingsly?” He raised an eyebrow in challenge.

“Clever, Lord Daventry. Pity I can’t credit such a witty remark to your intelligence.” Emma said. His very presence was overwhelming, and Emma found herself trying to keep his chocolate gaze from melting her heart. The only way she knew how to keep any distance was to revert into the quick-witted banter that had become her false shield when dealing with the ton. Yet, even as she spoke the words, she knew that they would be no deterrent to Hudson. Rather, he just shrugged and turned to her sister.

“We would be pleased to accompany you, Lord Daventry. Will you give us a few moments to ready ourselves?” Sadie spoke with utter ladylike grace, causing a rare sense of humility to cover Emma.

“Of course.” Hudson nodded and watched as Emma and Sadie both rose to leave.

As soon as they were out of earshot Sadie leaned over and began to scold her sister.

“Just because you have a sharp tongue does not give you reason to use it. I know you, Emma. You are just trying to protect yourself. But in the end, you won’t be protected, you’ll simply be alone.” Sadie paused and let her last statement hit its mark. She studied Emma for a moment then silently entered her room.

Somehow, Emma had never thought of it that way. Alone. All the many times she’d pictured herself as a spinster, independent and unaccountable to anyone, never had she realized that she would go home… alone. Sleep… alone. Eat… alone. It wasn’t that she feared being alone, but the thought was anything but glamorous and alluring. No. She did not want to be alone. But at the same time, what was worse? To be alone, or wish she could be because her husband betrayed her? Either way, she couldn’t win. Either way she lost, because regardless of what Sadie said, either way Emma would still be alone.

Emma put an honest effort into being amicable on the walk, but her thoughts were elsewhere. It was as if all the courting couples decided to take a walk and parade themselves. Seeing the tender expression on the gentlemen’s faces and the glowing adoration of the ladies overwhelmed Emma with emotion, especially as she was still so confused about her emerging feelings. Glancing over at Hudson, she saw him watching her with a curious expression. She offered him a slight smile and turned her attention to the Serpentine.

As they headed back to the Kingsly townhome, Sadie slowed her pace until she lagged behind, leaving Emma side by side with Hudson. Emma shot her sister an accusing expression, but Sadie ignored her and paused to study a pot of boxwoods.

“Remind me to thank your sister later.” Hudson spoke gently.

“For what?” Emma glanced up into his warm chocolate eyes.