Society's Most Disreputable Gentleman (21 page)

‘A reasonable assumption on the face of it,' he replied, ‘except that, being not only kin to the Trowbridges, but wholly dependent upon them, they believe me intelligent enough not to alienate the providers of my income by trying to debauch a girl Lucien favours right under his nose.'

By now, growing more accustomed to his frank speech, she observed, ‘Since when do rogues respect any boundaries?'

He raised his eyebrows. ‘And what would a “simple country miss” know about rogues?'

She'd opened her mouth to deny any knowledge…until the memory of Greville Anders pleasuring her in the shadow of the Neville Tour flashed into her head, momentarily stilling her lips.

Lamentably astute, Hillyard noticed her hesitation. ‘Not quite such an innocent, then!' he declared, grinning. ‘Though if you're beautiful
and
naughty, I'm not so sure I shall retire from the lists. Trowbridge doesn't deserve a truly wicked miss. Too serious by half, you know.'

For a moment she teetered between amusement and anger. Humour winning out, she laughed aloud. ‘Are you always this outrageous, Mr Hillyard?'

‘Generally not with virginal young ladies, who either have no idea what I'm talking about or blush with horror at my candour. I'm delighted that you do neither. Perhaps we would suit.'

‘Indeed! Whatever leads you to that conclusion?'

He shrugged. ‘Something tells me you're more attracted to a rogue than to an upstanding gentleman like Lucien.'

Maybe not a true rogue…but she'd found one
former
rogue, now battling his way towards redemption, compelling indeed.
She returned from that reflection to find Hillyard staring at her, pure sensual assessment in his gaze.

Feeling her face flame, she protested, ‘Now you are casting aspersions on my character as well! I should probably cut you completely.'

‘Too late for that,' he said, having the effrontery to chuckle at her outrage. ‘If you keep company with the Trowbridges for long, I'm bound to turn up, like clots in a bowl of cream. Besides, I can offer one thing Trowbridge will surely not, something you may find invaluable.'

‘Indeed? And what might that be?'

‘The truth. About myself and everyone else in society, including my very proper cousin. Besides…' He hesitated, burning her with another smoky, assessing look, ‘you are not always prudent, are you, Miss Neville?'

Memories of when she had been far from prudent once again invaded her mind. Before she could dispel them and summon some prim rejoinder, he continued, ‘In any event, Lady Parnell will shortly rescue you; I believe she's about to conclude her chat with the doleful Lord Melcombe. I'll take myself off before she has a chance to chastise me. Despite your disapproving chaperon, I hope to see much more of you, my divine Miss Neville.'

Before she could tartly reply that she was neither divine nor his, he bowed and walked away.

An inclination towards rogues, indeed! she thought, shaking her head ruefully as she watched him slip from the room. Though she was honest enough to admit, after her initial shock, she'd begun to feel a sense of ease with Hillyard that she still didn't feel with the much more proper Trowbridge.

At that moment, Lady Parnell turned back to her. ‘My dear, let me present Lord Melcombe, who's most anxious to make your acquaintance.'

After an exchange of courtesies, Melcombe said, ‘You
seemed quite immersed in the conversation at dinner, Miss Neville—a rather singular reaction for a lady of your tender years. Do you truly follow events in Parliament, as Lady Parnell claims?'

‘Yes, my lord. My grandmother was an acquaintance of the Duchess of Devonshire, who inspired in her an abiding interest in political matters that she passed on to my mother and me. I found the discussions fascinating.'

He nodded approvingly. ‘I hope you ladies will each save me a dance.'

‘We would be honoured, my lord,' Lady Parnell replied for them. After Melcombe bowed and walked away, she snared Amanda by the elbow and walked her into quiet corner.

‘I couldn't be more pleased,' she said in an undertone. ‘Jane told me Lord Ravensfell was quite impressed and intended to convey to Lucien his hearty approval of you. And if that were not coup enough, you've attracted Lord Melcombe's interest as well!'

‘Might your fondness for me have you reading too much into this?' Amanda asked, a little alarmed. She wasn't sure she wanted the powerful Ravensfells urging on their son's pursuit. ‘As for Melcombe, we exchanged only a handful of sentences.'

‘Trust me, my dear,' Lady Parnell said firmly. ‘In all the times I've dined with Jane, I've never seen Trowbridge single out a young lady like he did you tonight. And since losing his beloved wife several years ago, Melcombe has never remained for the ball after the dinner. No, my dear, you are well on your way to being a triumph. Oh, how I wish your dear mama were here to see this! Now the dancing is about to begin, and I can't wait to see who you captivate next.'

T
wo weeks after the Ravensfell ball that had launched Amanda to immediate success—a fact evident from the details Althea artlessly read to him from Lady Parnell's letters to Lord Bronning—Greville arrived in London to meet with his cousin, the Marquess of Englemere.

Over those two weeks, Bronning had improved to the point that, though still forbidden to ride out, he was well enough to manage the books and consult with Farmer Smith, whom Greville had prepared to take over as assistant and supervisor during his absence.

Eager to begin planning for his own future, Greville had set off as soon as he'd ensured all was in place. Though he'd still not made up his mind whether or not he would visit Amanda Neville, simmering under the surface, adding urgency to his desire to be away, was the titillating knowledge that, after more than a month of keenly feeling her absence, he would once again be within calling distance.

After checking his baggage at the inn, Greville headed to his
cousin's home on Grosvenor Square, mentally girding himself for the interview to come.

Thinking that after his misuse of the previous opportunity the marquess had granted him, Nicky would probably leave him kicking his heels in an anteroom for some time, he was pleasantly surprised to be summoned to his cousin's library within minutes after the butler left to announce his arrival. He was further heartened by the smile with which Nicky greeted him and the warm handshake he offered.

‘You're looking very well,' Englemere said, waving him to a chair. ‘I understood from my Navy contacts that you had been rather badly wounded in that action off Algiers.'

‘Yes, I'm much recovered. First, let me thank you for obtaining my transfer from the
Illustrious
so I might recover ashore and in comfort.' A vision of Amanda's lovely face flashed before his eyes; ah, lying in her arms would be comfort indeed! ‘Life aboard a man-of-war isn't much conducive to healing.'

‘You may thank your sister Joanna for that. Not even your valet seemed to know where you'd gone when you left Blenhem, and to my discredit, until she brought me evidence of foul play, I didn't take the time to investigate.'

‘My mishandling of Blenhem Hill could hardly have inspired you to take much interest in what happened after you'd rid yourself of a bad bargain.'

‘Haven't we all made mistakes we'd undo, if we could but go back and live through those days again? But the way you conducted yourself aboard ship wasn't one of those times, from what Captain Harrington told me. It seems a stint as a common seaman is a rather drastic medicine for curing irresponsibility.'

Greville blinked in surprise. ‘You've spoken to Captain Harrington? I understood the
Illustrious
was still at sea.'

‘She and the vessel she captured arrived back in British waters last week. When I expressed my desire to Admiralty
to speak personally to the man who knew the details of my cousin's service at sea, their lordships summoned the captain to London.' Nicky smiled. ‘Sometimes being a marquess—and a member of the Navy Board in Parliament—has its uses. Although, and I don't think you ever believed this, I truly do realise it is the quality of the man, not his title that matters.'

Greville met his gaze squarely. ‘I'm pleased to hear it.'

‘I believe you'll also be pleased to hear what the Navy Board has decided. After investigating the circumstances of your impressment, they informed me that you will shortly be freed of all obligations to the Navy. An official letter to that effect will be dispatched to the Coastal Brigade station, with the lieutenant in charge instructed to notify you when it arrives.'

Picturing Belcher's disapproving face, Greville thought the lieutenant would probably command Porter to deliver the letter to Ashton Grove on foot—and hide his peg leg.

Nicky chuckled, recalling Greville's wandering thoughts. ‘The whole situation was a bit of an embarrassment for the Navy. Although impressments are technically legal, with the war and the necessity to maintain the blockade over, there's no real need for them. And as you know, the impressment of gentlemen was never permitted.'

‘After Barksdale got through with me, I didn't much resemble a gentleman.'

Nicky's face darkened. ‘For that crime and others, Sergeant Barksdale figures soon to hang. Although, it turns out, he may in the end have done you a good turn.'

‘By inadvertently helping turn a lazy, arrogant bastard into something more useful?'

Nicky grinned. ‘There is that. But as you know, it was Captain Harrington's anxiety to get
Illustrious
underway without delay that drove him to send the press gang ashore. He'd heard from reliable sources about the imminent sailing of several Barbary vessels said to be laden with gold and valuables, and
wanted to be the first ship in the area with a chance to capture them. So, Harrington told me, some superior couldn't sail over at the last minute to claim the glory—and the lion's share of the profits—after the
Illustrious
had done all the work.'

Greville nodded. ‘So the men informed me. The expectation of being able to keep all the prize money if we succeeded in capturing a ship reduced the grumbling about how hard Harrington was pushing everyone.'

‘An audacious devil, Harrington.' Nicky laughed. ‘Rather like a certain cousin of mine. Imagine the Fleet Admiral's chagrin when the
Illustrious
sailed into port, accompanied by the conquered vessel! I understand when the final tally is set, the value of the cargo, along with proceeds from the sale of the ship itself, is expected to make it one of the richest prizes ever captured. The captain—and his crew—should all profit handsomely.'

‘I'm glad,' Greville said, thinking of Old Tom and the purser and the doctor and the others who had helped him survive his time at sea. ‘I hope all the sailors will receive a comfortable retirement ashore. Perhaps with my meagre share, I will be able to refurbish my wardrobe,' he added with a grin.

‘Oh, rather more than that, I expect. Harrington told me that, though initially sceptical of your claim, he came gradually to believe you were in fact a gentleman. Which made him admire all the more your endurance and strength of character, suffering the lash until your demands to speak with him were met, then working at the tasks assigned you without further complaint, once you realised nothing could be done until the ship returned to England. He admired even more your tenacity and courage in fighting off the Barbary raiders, even though you yourself were already badly wounded.'

Greville nodded, proud to have earned his captain's rare words of praise. ‘I don't recall much about the action, other
than trying not to get killed whilst battling alongside crewmates trying to do the same.'

‘Both Harrington and First Officer Mitchell believe they would have been slain, had you not stood guard when they went down, fighting like a wild Cossack to protect them. They both agreed that, since they would not have survived to receive their share of the prize money but for your intervention, it would only be just for each of them to contribute some of their allotment into your share. Harrington estimates you stand to receive a very handsome sum, enough to allow you to live as a gentleman of leisure the rest of your life.'

As the implications of that statement penetrated, Greville was struck speechless. Then his mind began racing like a runaway colt.

‘Might the sum be enough to purchase a small property?' he asked eagerly. ‘A life of leisure no longer appeals to me. Though I'd tentatively planned to seek a position at Admiralty, I discovered whilst assisting Lord Bronning that I truly enjoy the challenge of managing an estate. To manage one of my very own would be marvellous.'

His spirits leapt when, after a moment, Englemere nodded thoughtfully. ‘Land values have fallen since the war ended, especially with a resurgence of unrest in the countryside after the return of so many landless, unemployed former soldiers and sailors. I expect there are some good bargains to be had.'

How might he approach Amanda, if he were a gentleman of property rather than just a gentleman of leisure?

He called his rampaging imagination to a halt. Even if he was able to purchase a small estate, he would never possess a title nor occupy a high position within the political society in which she sought to belong.

But what if he stood for Parliament? If he purchased land, and there was a nearby borough needing a representative… As he knew well from listening to sailors speaking of the lot
of their families back in England, the village common lands were disappearing as more fields were enclosed, throwing farm workers off their small plots and into the grinding labour of mills and factories. There was an urgent need to redress laws that increasingly placed too heavy a burden on the landless. In that cause, at least, he could share Amanda's desire to be part of forwarding the business of government.

While Greville's mind worked feverishly, Nicky said, ‘At any rate, your release papers should arrive soon. What do you intend to do then?

‘I've a small bequest from my aunt; with that and any prize money that comes through, I'd like to purchase a property and would appreciate your advice on a suitable one. Beyond that, I'm fully aware of the very poor job I did at Blenhem Hill. Arrogant, and, yes, resentful of you, I let a venal man lull me into ignoring my responsibilities, abusing your trust and leaving unprotected those who should have been under my care. My time at Ashton Grove has made me more painfully aware of just how difficult my negligence must have made life for the tenants. I'd like to make amends to them somehow, if I could.'

Englemere fell silent again, tapping one finger on his desk. ‘I'd turn Blenhem Hill back over to you and let you make those amends, but I don't own it any longer. Always a man who relished a challenge, my friend Ned—your sister's husband, Sir Edward Greaves—bought it from me. He has considerable other property to manage, however, so he might well be willing to sell it back to you.'

Return to Blenhem Hill, face those he'd injured, earn back their trust and work the rest of his life assisting them. At Blenhem, he could take up the worthy occupation he'd been seeking while at the same time redressing the wrongs of the past.

The rightness of it settled deep within him, filling some of
the emptiness Amanda Neville's departure had left at the centre of his spirit. ‘I would relish the opportunity.'

‘Why not talk with Ned, then? As far as I know, he and your sister are still at Blenhem Hill, completing the repairs and refurbishment Ned began when he took over the property last spring. Joanna is to present Ned with their first child shortly; I'm sure she would appreciate a visit.'

‘I owe her a great deal, too,' Greville acknowledged.

‘You do indeed. Had it not been for her intervention, you might still be languishing at sea. Captain Harrington was in no hurry to release such a hard-working member of the ship's company, he told me. If Ned can't give you satisfaction, come back to see me. I'll keep my eyes open; Blenhem Hill isn't the only small estate in England. I'm sure we can find a suitable challenge for a man the pirate captain called “Rage of Infidels”.'

‘Did he indeed?' Greville asked, a bit embarrassed.

‘So Captain Harrington told me.'

Clearing his throat gruffly, Greville offered Nicky his hand. ‘Thank you for all you've done.' At the words, he had to grin. ‘You can't imagine how hard that would once have been for me to say! I'm sorry I spent so many years resenting you.'

Grinning back, Nicky shook it. ‘I'm a rather charming bloke once you get to know me, or so my wife says. But it is hard to feel beholden. If Ned turns down your proposition, come back and I'll recommend a property in need of so much work, you'll swiftly recover from your gratitude.'

A knock sounded at the door, followed by the entrance of Englemere's wife Sarah. ‘Greville, how good to see you! Will you be staying long? There's a ball tonight for the daughter of your Devon host, the protégée of my old friend Lady Parnell. Won't you accompany us?'

‘A ball for…Amanda Neville?' he blurted.

At Lady Englemere's nod, he tried to sort out an immediate
torrent of conflicting feelings. He would see her again! But only as one among a great crowd, most of them London notables whose society she was endeavouring to enter. She'd have little time to spare for a man who was, and devoutly wished to remain, a simple countryman.

The political members of society led lives less devoted to idleness than the rest of the
ton
, he acknowledged, but still, the ball represented a world that no longer appealed to him. He'd already wasted far too many evenings gaming and drinking at other, admittedly much less respectable, entertainments among gentlemen of good birth. There'd be only one lady present with whom he wished to dance, and she would be besieged by admirers.

‘I, ah, didn't bring evening dress with me, unfortunately,' he said at last. ‘But thank you for the invitation.'

‘The odds at the clubs say Trowbridge is going to snap up Miss Neville…and her excellent dowry,' Englemere was saying.

‘Which only proves he's the smart lad everyone claims him to be,' Sarah replied. ‘It's nearly certain he'll receive a prominent position soon, especially if Wellington ends up forming a government in the next few years.'

Trowbridge. Was she really going to accept that complaisant son of privilege? Greville's immediate flare of jealous anger was followed by an ache of desolation.

‘You met Miss Neville before she left for London, did you not?' Lady Englemere asked.

He found that lady's penetrating gaze fixed on him. Afraid she might have glimpsed the pain on his face before he schooled his expression to neutrality, he replied, ‘Yes. A charming young lady. It would be…pleasant to see her again, but since I would like to visit Blenhem Hill before I return to Ashton Grove, I intend to leave very early tomorrow. Lord Bronning isn't fully recovered and I wish to get back as soon as possible.'