An Earl to Enchant (24 page)

“Beabe, leave the other draperies open so it won’t be so dark in here. That window overlooks the herb garden, and I don’t think anyone is out there. Cook probably just left the garden, as she should be preparing dinner by now. Come sit down with me on the settee.”

Beabe’s shoulders sagged, but she did as instructed and seated herself on the settee beside Arianna.

Not really knowing whether to believe her, Arianna picked up both Beabe’s hands and held them in hers, wanting to give her faithful servant comfort. “Now without the hysterics you showed in the carriage, tell me exactly what you saw when we came out of Mr. Warburton’s house.

Unshed tears glistened in the woman’s eyes, and Arianna’s heart ached for her. “I saw him standing in front of a carriage, not far from Mr. Warburton’s house. We looked at each other. I know he recognized me. He turned and climbed into the carriage, and it took off.”

“All right. What did he have on? Was he dressed in Indian garb, the banyan coats that are so popular there?”

“No. He was dressed like a fine gentleman.”

“Did you ever see Mr. Rajaratnum in a gentleman’s clothing the entire time he worked for my father?”

“No, Miss Ari.”

“Beabe, you have always been frightened that the man would come after us and try to kill us, haven’t you?”

Beabe nodded.

“But you know he has no reason to harm us. We have already told the authorities all we know. We have already identified him as my father’s killer. Harming us would not keep the authorities from finding him and bringing him to justice. In fact, it would make them more determined to find him, isn’t that right?”

Beabe nodded again.

“Now, is it possible that the man was another Indian who happened to look like Mr. Rajaratnum?”

“It’s possible, but I won’t ever believe it.”

Her words were said with such conviction that Arianna’s blood chilled in her veins, but she didn’t want Beabe to know that.

“All right, since you are so certain, we’ll take extra precautions whenever we leave the house. We will not walk anywhere. We’ll always have Benson take us in the carriage. He’s quite a sturdy fellow. And I’m certain that should I ever be fortunate enough to see Mr. Rajaratnum, I would not run from him, I would chase him down and beat him about the head and shoulders with my parasol until he was unrecognizable as a person.”

Beabe smiled and then laughed.

Arianna smiled, too. “What’s this? You don’t think I would do it? You laugh, but I am serious.”

“I just can’t imagine you chasing anyone with your parasol.”

Arianna let go of her maid’s hands. “But I would. Now, you know what I think?”

“What?”

“I think this is a good time for you to take the time you deserve and go visit your family.”

Beabe rose, clutching her skirts in her nervous hands. “No, Miss Ari, this is not a good time for me to leave you.”

“You said it wasn’t a good time when we first arrived in London, because you wanted to help me get settled in the house. Well, I am settled. You have been away from your family for a long time, Beabe. I know your sister and your aunt want to see you. The journey was difficult for you, too. You deserve the rest. You deserve a month off. Longer, if you want it.”

A quiver started in Beabe’s bottom lip. “But I don’t want to leave you.”

“And you never will want to, because you have looked after me for so long.”

“And who would be your maid while I’m gone?”

“I’m sure Mrs. Hartford can help me find someone. This time I am insisting you will go to your sister’s. Now, no argument. Tomorrow we will have Benson take us to the Station House and check on the schedule for the mail coach, and we’ll see about getting you a seat.”

Beabe’s eyes welled with tears once again. “You won’t really force me to leave you, will you?”

Arianna took in a deep breath and rose. “Yes, I will, Beabe. But don’t worry, it won’t be tomorrow, so don’t look so sad. It will take us a few days to make all the arrangements for you. I remember once during our journey a violent storm came up suddenly. The ship was rocking, creaking, banging. The wind was howling viciously. It was cold and damp, and I was so sick, so weak I couldn’t lift my hand or my head. Do you remember that time?”

Beabe nodded and seemed calmer.

“I was so exhausted I was ready to give up on life. I asked you to give me enough laudanum so that I would go to sleep and not wake up. Do you remember what you told me?”

Beabe shook her head.

“Yes, you do.”

Arianna watched Beabe grow stronger before her eyes. Her clutch on her dress relaxed, her shoulders lifted, her chin jutted out.

“I told you that if it was your destiny for your life to end on that ship, it would happen without any interference from either of us.”

“That’s right. The same still holds. If it is our destiny for our lives to end at the hands of Mr. Rajaratnum, as my father’s did, we cannot stop destiny. We cannot live in fear.”

Beabe sniffled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. “If I go, will you promise never to leave the house without your parasol?”

Arianna smiled. “Yes, I promise I will always have it with me.”

“Perhaps I’ll have the tip of it sharpened for you before I go.”

Laughing, Arianna said, “I don’t think that will be necessary. Besides, I have two interviews tomorrow afternoon for a companion. If either of the ladies suit me, I will hire her. And you know, once I do that, as tiresome as it will be, I will probably never be alone again.”

“Excuse me, Miss Sweet, are you all right?”

Arianna turned to see Mrs. Hartford standing in the doorway, a worried expression on her face.

A chill ran up Arianna’s spine. Beabe had her jumpier than she’d been since right after her father’s death. “Yes, I’m perfectly fine. Why?”

“There are packages strewn all over the floor in the vestibule.”

“Oh, I forgot about that, Miss Ari,” Beabe said, heading for the doorway. “I’ll get them right away and take them to your room.”

Arianna turned away from Beabe and Mrs. Hartford and looked out the window that Beabe hadn’t closed. A chill shook her.

What would she do if Beabe was right about Mr. Rajaratnum, and he had come to England, looking for them?

Eighteen

My Dearest Grandson Lucas,

Here are more wise words from Lord Chesterfield. Study on these and remember them. “Be convinced, that there are no persons so insignificant and inconsiderable, but may, some time or other, have it in their power to be of use to you. And remember that fear and hatred are next door neighbors.”

Your loving Grandmother,

Lady Elder

“As for leisure time, well, I’m certain you can find no one finer schooled in card games than I am, and you know how we spinsters love our card games, Miss Sweet. Just ask around. Anyone in the ton can tell you all about my skills, and my even temperament, which I must say you won’t find many people as composed as I am, even under the most trying of circumstances. I’m not given to fits of vapors or hysterics. And as I mentioned before, I have many other talents, though I’m quite reluctant to mention all of them myself. However, this kind of interview necessitates it, don’t you agree, Miss Sweet?”

“Yes,” Arianna said, struggling not to yawn. “This is the time for all your talents to shine.”

Arianna had stayed up to the wee hours of the morning, hoping to finish the book on Lord Chesterfield’s letters, but still had a few pages to read. Her long days and short nights were finally catching up with her. The rather robust woman with thin gray-streaked hair and big, expressive brown eyes hadn’t stopped talking since she walked into the drawing room and sat down. Arianna wanted a companion who could provide lively conversation, but she was now certain she didn’t want one who provided constant conversation.

“I think so, too,” Miss Gilberta continued. “And I do have many accomplishments to my credit, and talents, as well. Not that you need it of course, Miss Sweet, but I have the most superb washing cream for the face that will give the most delicate luster to your skin, and I don’t share my secret with just anyone, but I, of course, would share it with you. It’s much easier on the skin than the corn plaster most spinsters use to keep them looking younger long past the years of their youth.” She leaned in closer to Arianna, as if she was trying to keep Constance from hearing. “And I have the perfect remedy to prevent your breath from smelling like wine or any other spirits you might be partial to, if you ever need it. Now I’m sure you’re not one of them, you understand, but sometimes, we spinsters don’t want anyone to know what we’ve been drinking, if you know what I mean.”

“Well, I agree you certainly have plenty of qualifications to recommend you, Miss Gilberta.” Arianna reached over and placed her tea cup on the tray and sent a quick, furtive glance to Constance that said she was ready for this interview to end.

Constance rose and clasped her hands in front of her. “We so appreciate your coming today, Miss Gilberta. Miss Sweet has just started her search for a companion, and she has several more interviews to conduct.”

“Oh, of course,” Miss Gilberta said, placing her dainty cup on the tray, too, and then lifting her stout frame from the settee with a loud grunt. “And I have other interviews as well, so please let me know as soon as you have made a decision.”

“Rest assured, I will,” Arianna said and smiled pleasantly at the woman.

“Good. I would so despair at hearing that you had your heart set on me only to learn I was no longer available. I think we would get along together delightfully, don’t you?”

“Yes, I’m sure we would. Thank you for coming, Miss Gilberta. Mrs. Hartford will see you out.”

When Arianna was sure she’d heard the front door close behind Miss Gilberta, she leaned back in the settee and laughed. “If she mentioned spinsters to me once, she must have mentioned them thirty times. I do believe she is obsessed.”

“I’m terribly sorry about that,” Constance said, looking a little concerned. “She just assumes that if you are looking for a companion instead of a match, you have resigned yourself to being a spinster.”

“Hmm,” Arianna said with a smile. “I guess you are right about that. The problem is that I don’t know that I’ve resigned myself to that life. I have to admit I’ve been so busy since I arrived in London that I haven’t given much thought to the idea that if I don’t marry in the next year, I will definitely be a spinster.”

“Arianna, you still have plenty of time before making that decision. You are a beautiful
young
lady. I know you declined gentlemen who were asking to call on you when you were at Lady Windham’s party, and that was the right thing to do for now. But take my word for it, you will not be a spinster by the end of next year unless that is what you desire.”

Morgan came easily to Arianna’s mind, and her heart ached. She had enjoyed dancing with all the gentlemen at Lady Windham’s party who’d sought her attention. Most of them were quite handsome and charming, too, but they were not Morgan. She couldn’t imagine any of them holding her close, kissing her, and making her feel the way Morgan had… beautiful, desirable, delicious. She didn’t mind talking, laughing, and dancing with them, but she didn’t want any one of them to touch her in the way Morgan had.

“Thankfully it’s not a decision I have to make right now when so many other things are on my mind. Once I have my father’s business concluded, I will think about my own life and what I want to do.”

“How is the search for your father’s formula coming along?”

“Slowly, of course. I had a note from Mr. Warburton this morning, asking if I had missed sending some of my father’s papers, documents, or journals to him. I was certain I hadn’t, but I checked the house over again to be sure.”

“I know how important that is to you. For now, you have all winter to decide if you want to enter the marriage mart next spring. And if you do, I’ll be there to help you.”

Arianna smiled at her new friend. “Thank you, Constance.”

***

Morgan hurried through the pelting rain and climbed into the waiting carriage. The landau took off with a jolt and a bump down the flooding street in Mayfair. He left his hat and gloves on, since it was only a short ride from his house to The Harbor Lights Gentleman’s Club. Autumn was less than a month away, but there was already a nasty chill in the early evening air.

He had taken the time to dress for a party he’d planned to attend later in the evening, but unless his disposition improved, he wasn’t sure he would end up going. He might just decide to spend the evening at the club, playing cards or billiards. He had spent the past two nights prowling the parties, dancing with young ladies he had no interest in, just to see if he could get a glimpse of Arianna. It was downright irritating that he hadn’t seen her at any of them. It was probably Constance’s blasted idea to have Arianna attend a crush like Lady Windham’s party and then have her disappear and leave all the women chattering and the gentlemen wondering about the new lady in town.

He had spent most of the day in his book room, catching up on correspondence and reading and signing documents his solicitor Mr. Saint had sent over. That man always had something urgent for Morgan to attend to. It had been slow and tedious because he couldn’t keep his mind on the task at hand. His thoughts kept straying to Arianna.

She had bewitched him, enchanted him, or something. He didn’t know what the hell she had done to him. He only knew he was aching to see her again. He wanted to be alone with her. He wanted to kiss her and hold her close. And damnation, he wanted to know what it was like to sit across the dinner table from her and enjoy conversation while they dined.

But the worst was that for no reason he could understand, he would suddenly see her dancing and twirling under the arm of incessantly annoying Lord Snellingly, or weak-kneed Lord Waldo Rockcliffe, or that fake Count Vigone. Knowing that Italian had even touched her hand made Morgan want to bloody the fop’s nose. And then there was the gentleman who looked so much like Gibby it was eerie even to have caught a glimpse of him before he walked off with Arianna. Why the hell had anger twisted inside him every time she had a new dance partner?

But then, there were times during the day when Morgan would find himself staring out the window, remembering how angelic she looked that night they were on the coast, when she experienced her first taste of ecstasy. And despite his best efforts at forgetting, he remembered the shock and then hurt he saw in her eyes when he had rebuffed her appeal for more.

What he didn’t know at the time was that it was easier to refuse her advances when there weren’t half a dozen men crowded around her, competing for her attention, looking at her with hunger in their eyes. Now suddenly, he was the one eager for more of her. He wanted to see her, talk to her, and hold her. He wanted to touch her again, taste her, and breathe in her scent.

Oh, yes, Arianna’s scent. As the carriage rolled along at a leisurely pace and the rain pounded the roof of the landau, Morgan leaned his head back against the cushion and breathed in deeply. He’d taken her empty perfume bottle in to his apothecary’s shop to have more of the scent made. The man had told him it might take some time to get it made, because he had to find an apothecary who could read the Hindi language to know the ingredients. Morgan made a mental note to check on that and see if the man had it ready for him.

Morgan made a tight fist and socked it into the palm of his gloved hand. “Oh, yes,” he whispered aloud in the quiet carriage. “I want to see her.”

The carriage rolled to a stop and, not waiting for his footman, Morgan opened the door and jumped down. Puddled rain splattered on his newly polished boots. He quickly darted inside the dimly lit club and handed off his wet coat, hat, and gloves to the attendant at the door. He then went in search of Gibby. Morgan knew the old dandy often enjoyed a light supper at the small private club before making his nightly rounds at the parties and any other clubs he might want to visit for a drink, a game, or conversation.

As Morgan rounded the doorway to the taproom, luck was with him. Sir Randolph Gibson was sitting at his favorite table, looking out the window, a smile on his face. Morgan wondered what he could be looking at that amused him. The rain was so heavy, no one was on the walkways, and it was too dark and foggy to see even the coaches as they passed on the street.

For a man in his sixties, Gibby was still a handsome, strapping fellow with a full head of silver hair and all his teeth, which was a miracle considering his boxing match. His wealth was quite substantial, too, though Gib had never earned a dime of it by labor. He’d been damned good at managing it until a year or two ago when, suddenly, he started investing in risky business ventures. Morgan and his cousins assumed he did it just for their attention.

Gibby’s father had made his fortune in the shipping business, when England was still trying to maintain control of its colonies across the sea. That war made the old sea merchant a wealthy man, and it all went to Gibby when his father died.

Over the years, Sir Randolph Gibson had been constantly sought after by young ladies wanting to better their station in life, and more recently, by aging spinsters and middle-aged widows looking to find a bit of romance or a comfortable life. But no one had ever caught his fancy enough for him to propose matrimony. He held to the fact that Morgan’s grandmother, Lady Elder, was the only woman he’d ever loved.

As of late, Gibby had been getting himself into one predicament after another. Morgan or one of his cousins would always bail him out. But Morgan didn’t know of any way to help him out of this latest situation. Morgan had to admit that even though his cousins and Constance had assured him the twins looked just like Gib, he hadn’t really believed it until he saw one of them for himself. The resemblance was stunning.

This latest escapade, if it could be called that, wasn’t anything like the balloon venture, the time machine, or even the boxing match Gibby was involved with a couple of months ago. Those things were eventually settled. How did someone go about settling the fact that two grown men looked just like you instead of their father or older brother?

Gibby prided himself on saying that Morgan’s grandmother, Lady Elder, was the only woman he ever loved, and Morgan didn’t doubt that. But obviously, she wasn’t the only lady he’d ever made love to. It was Gibby’s and his grandmother’s great friendship, that spanned thirty years, that made Morgan and his cousins feel responsible for the dapper old man.

Morgan walked over to the table where Gibby sat, put his hand on the back of an empty chair, and said, “Is this chair taken?”

“As a matter of fact, it is. I’m waiting for someone to join me.”

“Really?” Morgan questioned and gave him a look that said he didn’t believe him for a minute. “And who might that be?”

“Viscount Brentwood is joining me, not that it’s any of your business.”