Gentleman's Guide 02 - His Contrary Bride) (18 page)

She blinked back the tears at the loss of
her friend and any future with him. It was for the best. She would
hate to see what friendship they did have die when the
ramifications of their marriage set in and resentment built in
Marius. No, this was for the best, no matter how much it hurt.

Ramsey crumpled the note from the family
solicitor and tossed it in the fire. Sabrina watched it burn,
trying not to worry. The two had already discussed how they would
handle Uncle James. They would be as gullible as they had been four
and a half years earlier. Hopefully, their uncle would become
sloppy in his confidence.

They did not have to wait long because their
Uncle James arrived within an hour of when they were advised of his
return to London.

“Uncle James,” Sabrina exclaimed with
happiness she could never truly feel as he walked through the door.
“It is so good to see you.” He didn’t look much different than he
had the last time she saw him. Still shorter than most men, but a
bit more rounded in the middle, and the same Sandalwood scent, so
overpowering one would think he bathed in the cologne. His temples
had a hint of grey but for a gentleman in his early fifties he
looked rather young with only a few crows’ feet at the corners of
his eyes. Of course, he really had no worries, until now, and that
is only if he suspects she might know the truth.

Lord Chesterfield looked his niece over. “It
appears you are well. I was worried when Lady Davies informed me
you had run away.”

Sabrina looked away in discomfort. It was
difficult to look him in the eye and tell a falsehood, or even
pretend that she still trusted him.

“Is that the truth Sabrina? She didn’t let
you go did she?” Her uncle prodded.

“No uncle, it is the truth. I ran away.” She
walked away, her head down, her back to her uncle. Let him believe
she was ashamed, it was better than letting him see her face
because she feared she would give her thoughts and emotions
away.

“But why, I thought you were content
there.”

“Oh, I was uncle, do not misunderstand. It
was only within the last day of my employ that I knew it was time
to leave.”

“Such an impetuous nature. One shouldn’t
quit their employment on a whim.” He shook his head and walked to
the sideboard and poured a glass of either Brandy or Whiskey.
Sabrina couldn’t tell which from her spot across the room.

“It wasn’t actually a whim, uncle,” Ramsey
interrupted, though he had yet to be acknowledged by their
uncle.

Lord Chesterfield looked up at his nephew.
“Go on.”

“A male guest was visiting who happened to
be attracted to Sabrina. Lady Davies tried to make Sabrina.”
Pausing, Ramsey cleared his throat. “Let’s just say, she wanted her
to fill a role beyond the duties of a maid.”

Uncle James turned his attention back to
her. “Is this true?”

“Yes. I couldn’t do what she asked and I
left.”

Lord Chesterfield straightened in anger and
tossed back all of the contents in his glass before he strode back
to the sideboard. “That foolish, stupid woman.”

Sabrina and Ramsey shared a look behind his
back, surprised at his outburst.

Taking a deep breath, Uncle James poured the
amber liquid into his glass and turned to face Sabrina and Ramsey.
“So you came straight here then?”

Distress filled Sabrina’s eyes again.
“Please, Uncle, I would rather not discuss my trip. I’m still
trying to come to terms with it myself.”

Lord Chesterfield walked toward her, picked
up her hand and offered comfort. “I understand child. I won’t speak
of it again.”

Sabrina relaxed, glad to have the ordeal
past her. Inside she was relieved that she was able to skip the
details of her travels. Taking a seat, she waited for Ramsey or her
uncle to address the next issue.

“Uncle James, why did you not come to me
when you realized the financial status of the family?” Ramsey
asked.

“I didn’t want to burden you with the truth.
Besides, there was nothing you could have done.”

“Not true uncle. I had the funds to pay for
Sabrina’s education and give her a Season.”

Lord Chesterfield smiled sadly at his
nephew. “At what cost to yourself? The debts were high. I knew you
had a few funds from your parents, but surely not enough to rescue
us all. It was bad enough Sabrina had to suffer. I didn’t want to
see my nephew destitute as well.”

Sabrina was amazed that the man could lie so
smoothly and appear deeply concerned over her plight.

As Ramsey opened his mouth to argue, Uncle
James dismissed him. “It matters little now.” He stopped and looked
around the room and probably noted the obvious wealth. “Sabrina is
back with us. I have been able to turn the family finances around
and it appears you are well-off as well, Ramsey.”

His nephew nodded his head in agreement.

“In fact, I was at the academy to retrieve
Sabrina and bring her to London when I learned she had run away.”
He turned to Sabrina. “I am so sorry dear, if only I had been
successful a little sooner.”

Sabrina smiled sweetly at her uncle. “Do not
concern yourself, Uncle James. All has worked out well.” She didn’t
believe for a moment he had gone to retrieve her. He found out some
other way, but how and from whom?

“Well, at least everything is cleared up
now.” Lord Chesterfield slapped his hands on his thighs before he
stood. “I will just take Sabrina with me. You don’t need the burden
of another person in your house.” He nodded to Ramsey. “Just have
Sabrina’s things sent over and we will have her settled
straightway.”

Panic tightened in her throat. Why didn’t it
occur to her that her uncle would want her close and under his
roof? It would be the most dangerous place to be, if what Ramsey
and Marius believed was true. Somehow she found her voice through
the constriction. “If you don’t mind, Sir, I would like to stay
here for a short while longer.”

“That isn’t being fair to Ramsey. I’m sure
he would like to be alone with his wife. He has done much
already.”

Sabrina turned to Ramsey, hoping he would
find a way to keep her from having to leave. Thankfully he stepped
forward. “Actually Uncle James, my wife and I would both like
Sabrina to remain. Juliet will soon be confined and wishes to have
Sabrina for companionship.”

James studied the two. “Very well, if that
is your wish.”

*

Sabrina knew she should be relieved the
visit with her uncle had gone so well. Instead, she was a jumble of
nerves. It had taken everything she possessed to cheerfully sit
with the man who had arranged the murder of her father. If only
they could get proof, then he would be out of her way and she could
get on with her life. Perhaps after her birthday she would leave
London and travel to her own property. Oh, she understood it wasn’t
truly hers until she married but, it was her dowry and the income
from the property was supposed to support her. There was no
stipulation stating she couldn’t live out her life there. Besides,
hadn’t the solicitor said that nobody had lived there in years?
Once she requested Ramsey’s guardianship over her uncle, she was
sure he would loosen the purse strings enough so she could live
independently. If necessary, she would play on the guilt he still
felt, though none of it had been his fault. Though she hoped it
wouldn’t be necessary, Sabrina knew she would do exactly that as a
last alternative to get away from London, and Marius.

Straightening her gown and allowing one last
glance in the mirror, Sabrina hoped Marius wasn’t present at the
rout this evening. She hadn’t seen him nor heard from him since she
rejected his proposal and she was afraid to face him again. Surely
he must realize that she couldn’t allow him to ruin his future just
because he was protective of her. Another reason to be gone. If
only they could expose her uncle. Then life would almost be
pleasant again.

Juliet had decided to impose her own
confinement. This occurred at the last moment when none of her
dresses hid her condition any longer. Ramsey insisted it was still
acceptable to go out but Juliet refused. Ramsey did not force the
issue and escorted Sabrina on his own. As soon as they had arrived,
Phoebe sought her out and the two found a place to sit away from
the crowd. Soon the two ladies were joined by Janine, who took a
seat on the other side of Sabrina. Though she had often spoken with
the two women at various gatherings, it had never been in this
manner. Perhaps they thought to fill Juliet’s shoes in friendship
and Sabrina certainly had no objection.

She was having a delightful time. Many of
the gentlemen who had been courting her stopped regularly to engage
her in conversation. In addition, Phoebe and Janine’s husbands were
often present, as well as their other male friends, with the
exception of Marius. Secretly she wondered if they knew he had
asked her to marry him and her response.

Just as she thought he would not be making
an appearance and allowed herself to relax somewhat, Parker
strolled up to their gathering with Ramsey. His behavior toward her
betrayed nothing of what had happened between them and she couldn’t
help feeling a bit surprised when he bent over her hand. Instead of
placing a kiss where it was respectable, he turned her hand over
and kissed the exposed wrist. Not only that, she felt the tip of
his tongue only momentarily and Sabrina grew warm and her hand
tingled at his touch. He was a wicked man. If anyone had noticed,
they were keeping it to themselves.

Marius’s eyes glinted mischievously as he
looked her in the eye when he stood once again. “You are looking
quite beautiful this evening, Lady Sabrina.”

She couldn’t begin to guess at the reason
behind this behavior and willed herself not to blush with
embarrassment. “Thank you, Mr. Parker.”

“It is rather warm in here this evening.
Would you care for a stroll on the terrace?” Marius asked in the
most gentlemanly manner.

Sabrina heard his question and was deciding
how to respond when she spied her uncle across the room. Coldness
swept through her and her hands began to tremble.

Marius leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I
never thought a stroll with me would be so distasteful.”

She forced her eyes back to him, confused
over his words. “Pardon?”

Marius studied her, worry etched his brow.
“Sabrina, what is it?”

She swallowed hard and licked her dry lips.
“My uncle is here. He has spotted me.”

Marius squeezed her hand quickly. “All will
be well.” He stepped to the side to converse with Taylor.

Lord Chesterfield stopped before the group
and Ramsey made the introductions. He nodded and studied each
gentleman standing by Sabrina before he looked at her.

“Are you feeling well?”

Offering her uncle a half smile, “I am fine.
It is just overly warm in here.”

“In that case dear, let me escort you
outside. I am sure after a bit of fresh air you’ll feel much
better.”

Sabrina stood and took his offered arm.
There was no way she could reject her uncle.

He said nothing until the stepped through
the doors leading to the gardens. A cool breeze swept over her but
she knew once her skinned cooled she would become chilled in the
early March weather.

He stopped just at the edge of the steps and
Sabrina looked down. They appeared steeper than most manor’s
possessed. Her uncle wouldn’t stoop to pushing her down the steps
in hopes she broke her neck, would he? She took a step back and
walked toward the railing while insisting to herself that her
imagination was getting was getting away from her.

Her uncle strolled over to stand before her.
“It appears you have gathered quite a court, Sabrina. It is a good
thing I returned when I did.”

Sabrina took a deep breath and willed
herself into control and turned. “They are of no significance.”

“Perhaps the dozen or so who stopped by to
speak with you? I am not so sure of the others.”

“What others?” Sabrina feigned
ignorance.

“I recall three bachelors standing around
you as I approached.”

Sabrina relaxed and chuckled. “They are
friends of Ramsey. I am around them often and can assure you that
none of them are interested in me in a romantic way.” To Sabrina,
it was the truth. Though Marius had asked for her hand, it wasn’t
as if he had declared any deep feelings for her.

“I am surprised. They seemed quite friendly
toward you.”

Sabrina laughed. “That is only because they
feel comfortable with me.” She paused, making the reasons up as she
went, drawing on all the gossip she had heard, keeping in mind her
uncle’s objective. “They know I have no desire to marry anytime
soon so I believe they think me safe to be around and dance
with.”

“I am surprised. Most young ladies your age
want a husband. Isn’t that the reason for coming to London in the
first place?”

“Uncle James, I am having too much fun. Why
would I want to ruin it with marriage?”

“There seemed to be a lot of gentlemen
interested in you.”

“I know, though I can’t understand why. I
like being courted, Uncle James, but none of those gentlemen you
saw hold my heart.”

Lord Chesterfield studied her. “I am glad
you told me this. As your guardian, I’ll now know how to respond to
any inquiries.”

Sabrina’s face fell. “You don’t want to
marry me off do you, Uncle James? I know you have that right, but
please let me have at least one season.”

Lord Chesterfield smiled and patted her
hand. “If that is your wish, Sabrina. Promise to tell me if you
change your mind.”

*

Lord Chesterfield took his leave less than
an hour later and his nephew followed suit, wanting to return to
his wife and confident their uncle would not return. Sabrina’s
chaperones were now Phoebe and Taylor. Thus, for the next two hours
Sabrina stood with Phoebe while gentlemen gathered close. Marius
stood at Taylor’s shoulder, directly behind the ladies, trying to
hide his irritation.