The Earl of Ice (8 page)

“I beg you, Mama, do not make me go. I could not bear it. I would rather stay at home, and then you can take Pru next year.”

“We need to see you settled and you will have little opportunity of making a suitable match if you remain in the country. Our circle is very small and I cannot think of one eligible bachelor among it.” Lady Westbury was not unsympathetic, but did not want her daughter to give up on finding a husband.

“Please, it is too soon, I should be miserable and my presence may impede Caroline’s prospects of making a good match,” pleaded Diana. How could she explain to her mother her fear of any strange gentleman approaching her, no matter how innocuous or kind he appeared? Cotson had seemed amenable and kind, too. At times she relived the dreadful night, where she was painfully made aware of just how rough and cruel men could be. Now she wrung her hands as tears filled her eyes.

Alarmed, Lady Westbury took her daughter’s hands in her own. “Why, my dear. Your hands are like ice.” She relented. “Very well, I will speak to your father,” she promised and Diana had to be content with this.

* * *

Rollo, meanwhile, was spending a quiet Christmas at Brockwood Hall, and he often found his thoughts turning to Diana. When he rode around his estate, the memory of her racing him across the field came back to him. Oh, how his stomach had knotted with fear for her safety.

He had not heard anything from Viscount Westbury, so he assumed that Demon was not causing problems at Caulder Hall. At least he fervently hoped so.

Oliver and his mother had remained in London and were enjoying the Christmas festivities there. On the rare occasions that Oliver corresponded, Rollo got the impression that his younger brother had formed an attachment that had kept him in the city. He knew that his mother, since the death of her husband, found long stays at Brockwood Hall difficult. She enjoyed lively company and such was not to be found at home.

Rollo felt it would suit him well if Oliver did settle down, found a wife and started a family. This would ensure the succession of the title and perhaps his mother would give up her quest to find a wife for her eldest son. Although Rollo had not had a seizure in the past three years, he still would not consider marriage,

For now, however, he was enjoying the solitude of Brockwood Hall. Far away from London society, he felt that he could safely
think
about Diana, the stolen kiss and her situation without any danger of the icy layer that he had constructed around his heart being in any danger of melting. In Diana’s
company,
however, when her soft brown eyes rested on him, it took all his willpower to maintain his cold facade.

He could not, however, avoid the London season entirely, as he did have his seat in the House of Lords to attend. And so, the New Year marked his return to the city.

Diana’s parents gave a lot of thought about how to reintroduce their elder daughter into society and eventually decided the best solution was to avoid the London season and take their daughter to Bath. The season in Bath ran from October to June, which gave them ample time to secure a suitable property to rent in the city.

Diana, although reluctant to appear in society again wherever that may be, was grateful they would not be returning to London. When she learnt that Caroline had decided that she, too, would eschew London for Bath, she could contemplate the visit with, if not enthusiasm, at least resignation. Fortunately, Mary would attend to Demon in her absence. But until then, she could remain in the calm environment of Caulder Hall. The months passed.

* * *

It was a crisp autumnal afternoon in early October when the Westbury carriage, carrying Diana, Caroline and their mothers, pulled into the city of Bath. The sun was low in the sky and bounced off the creamy-gold stone buildings.

“Look girls. We are passing in front of the Circus.” Lady Colpert pointed out of the window on her left. Three curved terraces of elegant three-storey houses came into view.

“Magnificent,” Diana said. “I have read that the architect, John Wood, was inspired by the Colosseum in Rome.”

“Well, we are renting a house that was also designed by John Wood just next to here, on Gay Street,” Lady Westbury informed them. Diana was delighted, and when they arrived at the property that was to be their home for the next couple of months, she was not disappointed in the three-storey with its imposing Ionic columns flanking the entrance.

The interior of the house did not disappoint, either. The rooms were well proportioned, each with a large fireplace. Long glass windows allowed light to enter the rooms. On the ground floor, glass doors led from the drawing room into the formal back garden. Each room was elegantly furnished, and crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings. All the bedrooms had four-poster beds and each had a different colour scheme. Diana chose the blue bedroom; the draperies on the bed were blue brocade, and the curtains were made of the same fabric, but lined to keep out the sun. The wallpaper had peacocks portrayed on a duck-egg blue background. A large mirror hung over the fireplace.

Diana and Caroline enjoyed their first week in Bath. The weather stayed fine and they acclimatized themselves to the city, perusing the wares in the shops on Milsom Street and strolling in Sydney Gardens. Much less to Diana’s liking were the obligatory visits to take the waters at the Pump Room. This ritual, unless you were infirm, was more about being seen in society than garnering any health benefits from the foul-tasting water,

To Caroline’s delight and Diana’s dread, in the second week they were to attend their first ball at the Assembly Rooms.

Tilly had just completed Diana’s dressing and styled her hair when Caroline tapped on the door and entered the room.

“Diana, you look beautiful!” she exclaimed. Diana was thinner than she had been the previous year and no longer had the sparkle that the excitement of her first season had given her. She did, however, have an undeniable elegance. Her white satin gown trimmed with green braid was fashioned as a Grecian-style tunic, and the fabric fell to the floor behind her into a small train. A band of green leaves adorned her hair, which Tilly had piled up on her head, leaving a wisp or two to frame her face.

“Thank you,” Diana said to her cousin, although she had no intention of dancing and had little interest in how she looked. “Your new dress looks lovely. I predict that you will be the prettiest girl at the ball.”

Diana thought this may well be true. Caroline’s eyes shone with excitement as she did a twirl to allow Diana to see the full effect of her white gauze gown with striped satin petticoat. Pink flowers trimmed the gown and her hair, and she wore the most elegant pink satin slippers that Diana had ever seen.

Since arriving in Bath, they had many times walked past the outside of the magnificent Assembly Rooms and admired the imposing stone columns on either side of the front entrance. They had taken refreshment in the tea rooms there, but this evening was the first time the cousins had seen the inside of the famous ballroom. White columns flanked the numerous windows and complemented the Wedgwood-blue walls.

The enormous room was crowded, and upon first entering, Diana found the noise of people talking and laughing and the heat of the room somewhat overwhelming. Little could be seen of the highly polished wooden floor underfoot, but when Diana looked upward, she was rewarded by the sight of the magnificent crystal chandeliers suspended from the high ceiling, which highlighted the guilt mirrors and ornate plasterwork on the walls.

The girls were ushered more deeply into the room by their mothers, who had spied several empty chairs at the far side of the room. They nodded to their acquaintances as they passed. The four of them had not been seated for very long when Caroline spotted Viscount Woods—known as Woody to his friends—to whom they had been introduced in London the previous year. Pushing purposely through the crowd, he made his way over to them. Upon arriving, he bowed gracefully.

“It is a pleasure to meet you again. I trust you are both in good health,” he said cheerfully. His wide smile confirmed that he was genuinely pleased to see them.

Diana froze in panic. Did he not remember how his friend’s behaviour had ruined her last season? Caroline smiled back at him and answered for them both. “We are both well, thank you, and looking forward to discovering the delights of Bath.”

Woody did remember last season’s wager and the outcome only too well, but he had found both these young ladies very pleasing. Having recently arrived in Bath for a short visit, he felt relieved to find he had a few acquaintances at the ball; it meant he wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of securing new introductions. He did enjoy dancing, so took the opportunity to secure a partner. “May I request that you each consider reserving a set for me if your dance cards are not already full?” he asked.

Caroline smiled and immediately pencilled him in for the next set. She hoped he would give her some news of Henry Straw, although she would not directly ask him. For her part, Diana froze. She had deliberately left the train of her dress down so as to indicate she did not wish to dance, but now that she’d been directly asked, it would be insulting to refuse.

“I am afraid I have turned my ankle,” she said, “and sadly I am not dancing this evening, as I have been instructed to rest it.” The lie tumbled out. Caroline stared at her and her mother looked at her sharply, but neither said anything. Diana blushed in embarrassment.

“I am sorry to hear that,” Viscount Woods said. He sounded genuinely sympathetic, which caused Diana to feel even more wretched. What had she become? She would never in the past have considered telling such an untruth.

Diana watched from her seat as Caroline accepted and enjoyed dancing throughout the evening. Viscount Woods was her partner prior to the break and gallantly served both girls with refreshments.

Being a little insensitive to Diana’s situation, he happily conversed about their shared acquaintances from the London season the previous year. Caroline hung on his every word and was not disappointed when Henry Straw’s name eventually came up.

“Straw and Oliver Stannington are back in London for the season, and I shall be joining them next week. I have been visiting my aunt and uncle who are here in Bath to take the waters,” he explained. “Brockwood is in London, as well—cold fish, but he’s fine gentleman who puts a stop to some of our capers. He certainly keeps us out of trouble.”

Diana’s cheeks flushed at hearing news of Rollo. She had thought of him often in the past year, though she chided herself for doing so. After all, he had probably forgotten all about her and was still deserving of his nickname, the Earl of Ice. She never did receive any response from him after she’d written to thank him for sending Demon to her father.

“Not seen or heard anything of Cotson,” the young viscount continued before suddenly remembering that Diana was the victim of the wager. “Just as well, too, bad show. Can I get either of you ladies another lemonade?” When they nodded, he made his escape, aware of his faux pas.

After the break, the evening dragged on for Diana, who sat and watched the dancing and saw little of Caroline, who had a partner for nearly every set. It was her own fault, she knew, but her nerves remained as taut as a bowstring as she prayed no gentleman would approach. Her mother remained displeased with her for saying she had sprained her ankle; how would she find a husband if she refused to talk to or dance with any of the eligible gentleman?

Although ashamed of the lie, once told, it could not be untold, and Diana was pleased to find that she could continue this charade at the ball the following week reporting that, although much improved, her ankle still needed rest. Caroline was disappointed to find that Viscount Woods had returned to London because now she could glean no more news of Mr. Straw.

In London the season was well underway and the city was crowded. Rollo was in attendance, escorting his mother to the usual events whilst keeping a close watch on his brother and his brother’s friends. He did not want a repeat of the previous year’s wager, so he kept his ear close to the ground at White’s and at his fencing club.

Last year he had received a well-written letter from Diana thanking him for sending Demon, and from this he’d assumed that she had recovered her spirits and was keeping well. He had wondered if she would return to London this season and had looked out for her and her cousin, but it seemed they were not here this year. He could understand that, for society would not have forgotten the incident from last year. As for himself, he certainly would not want to see Diana cruelly treated by the so-called respectable members of the ton.

Wednesday evening found Rollo at Almack’s Ball. He did his duty when asked and danced with this year’s debutantes as introduced by Lady Sefton. His main focus that night was how soon he could politely leave and join his friend Bono at White’s. He was just about to make his escape when his brother approached.

“I am thinking of heading to Bath this weekend,” Oliver blithely informed him.

This came as a surprise. As far as Rollo was aware, his brother had never shown any inclination to go to that city. In fact, quite the opposite. Oliver had once referred to Bath as “a poor place for old folk and desperate people.”

“Why the sudden desire to visit Bath?” Rollo inquired, alert now and wondering what scheme may be afoot.

“Woody has just come back from Bath and said he had seen Miss Colpert and Miss Wells there,” Oliver replied. “If you remember, Straw formed quite an attachment to Miss Colpert last year, until Cotson spoiled everything. So the three of us plan to go to Bath so that Straw can try to gain Miss Colpert’s favour again. He was very taken with her.”

“Yes, I remember only too well,” Rollo answered dryly. Did these young men not remember the effect of their antics on Miss Wells? However, even if he refused permission for his brother to go to Bath, he could not prevent Woody and Straw from going. What effect would those gentlemen turning up in Bath have on Miss Wells? If she
had
managed to put the incident from last season behind her, wouldn’t their presence rake it all up again? How would she cope? He remembered how anxious she’d been around Oliver at Brockwood Hall last year. Surely he owed it to her to make sure she was not distressed by his brother’s and his friends’ presence in Bath.

“If you are all set on going to Bath, I do not suppose I can prevent it. However, I am growing weary of London and will accompany you. Give me time to rent a house in Bath and we will journey together. Your friends may stay with us if they wish.” Having briefly been to Bath a few years previously, Rollo had never had any real desire to return, but he was indeed weary of London, and if he was in Bath, he could make sure that Oliver and his friends did not cause Diana, perhaps her cousin, too, further suffering. He could keep a close eye on them. He knew he’d see Diana again, but ignored the increased thumping of his heart.

Lady Brockwood declined to join her sons on their journey, preferring to stay in London where she had struck up a friendship with the recently widowed Lord Emmett. It was therefore an all-male party that arrived in Bath on a wet and gloomy Sunday afternoon. Rollo had been fortunate to secure the use of a spacious four-storey property on Royal Crescent, owned by his friend Lord Brookes, who was staying in London to take up his seat in the House of Lords.

“How dreary,” Oliver sighed as they climbed out of their carriage. “Where is everybody? This place looks deserted.”

“I should think it is the poor weather that is keeping people off the streets,” Rollo replied, although he felt equally despairing by this vision of Bath. The murky misty weather even completely obliterated the magnificent view from the park, which the clever construction of a ha-ha wall allowed on a fine day. The ha-ha wall was built inside a ditch to prevent farm animals from wandering from the fields into the formal garden without obstructing the view. The name “ha-ha” was said to be derived from the amused reaction people had on seeing the wall. Rollo wondered if he could make use of this method of landscaping at Brockwood.

Lord Brookes’ staff, however, were welcoming, and by the time the gentlemen had taken refreshments and rested after the journey, all were in better spirits.

The following day Rollo chose not to accompany the younger men in their exploration of Bath and their intended visit to the Pump Room. Without his mother’s presence, he hoped to be able to avoid many of the season’s activities. It would be a welcome relief. He
did
intend to go with them the following Wednesday to the ball at the Assembly Rooms. He wanted to be close at hand if Diana had a negative reaction to the presence of Oliver and his friends. In truth, he wanted to see her again. He needed to prove to himself that his concern for her well-being was because he still harboured some sense of responsibility for what had happened to her the previous year, and nothing deeper. The stolen kiss would be forgotten.

That Wednesday, as Rollo entered the ballroom at the Assembly Rooms, a hush descended on the crowd. The inhabitants of Bath had heard rumours that the Earl of Ice was in their city, but until this evening no one had actually seen him. Oh, yes, they had seen his brother at all the usual places, but the infamous earl had not been with him.

Rollo had dressed with care that evening. His dark high-collared tail coat was in stark contrast to the brilliant white of his linen shirt, and his neck cloth was fashioned in a traditional ballroom tie. His dark hair had no powder applied, and his blue eyes gazed coldly out from his unsmiling face. He stood proud and aloof as if warning others not to approach him. It was a look that he had perfected over many years and those attending the ball were in no doubt of the identity of this gentleman. All who saw him were in agreement that his nickname was well deserved.

The crowd parted as he walked through the room. No one approached him. He scanned the room, searching for evidence that Miss Wells and her cousin were in attendance. When he eventually saw Miss Colpert, he initially failed to recognize Diana, seated next to her cousin and so changed from how he remembered her last year. It was only when she looked up that he recognized those large brown eyes, which appeared even larger in her thinner face.

“There is Miss Colpert,” Straw said, nervous to approach her but wanting so much to speak to this young lady with whom he had been so enamoured last season. His heart skipped a beat as he realized his feelings for her had not diminished.

“Come, let us see if we can secure a dance or two with her this evening,” encouraged Woody. “When I was here earlier, Miss Wells did not care to dance and it would seem that is still the case,” he muttered, having noticed her refusal of another gentleman who had approached her. “She said she had a bad ankle, but I noticed she walked well enough. She probably does not like dancing.”

Rollo recalled that she had very much enjoyed dancing last year. “I am sure that is not the case. You must, of course, offer to partner Miss Wells, and you must not snub her if you are approaching her cousin.”

He stood back as he watched the three young men approach the two young ladies. Miss Colpert smiled in greeting when she recognized Woody and then blushed becomingly when Straw stepped forward. In contrast, Miss Wells looked startled and even frightened. Rollo saw that where Miss Colpert produced her dance card and looked to be accepting the requests for reserving sets, Miss Wells did not even appear to have a dance card. He waited for the three young men to return.

Straw was grinning. “Miss Colpert has reserved me the dance before supper,” he joyously informed Rollo. “Perhaps she is ready to forgive me.”

“What about Miss Wells?” Rollo casually asked. “Who is to escort her to supper?”

“She would not to be persuaded to dance,” Oliver said. “In fact, she barely even managed to answer our requests politely.”

“After what she went through at your hands last year, I am hardly surprised,” Rollo said harshly, but in truth, he could not understand why she wasn’t dancing. Maybe she was unwell; she had certainly lost weight.

In order to find out why Miss Wells was not dancing, when Oliver went to escort Miss Colpert onto the dance floor, Rollo accompanied him and bowed before Lady Westbury. “I trust you are in good health, my lady. I hope I may have the opportunity of securing a dance with your daughter.”

“You may ask her by all means, my lord, but she has been reluctant to take to the dance floor this season,” Lady Westbury replied tersely but not unkindly.

Given this permission, Rollo took the seat that Miss Colpert had vacated next to Diana. He was encouraged when she rewarded him with a faint smile.

Diana had often thought about seeing Rollo again and how she would feel. Now her pulse quickened at his close proximity and she caught her breath. Rollo, however, held no fear for Diana; she trusted him and he had given her Demon. “I am pleased to be able to thank you in person now for your generous gift,” she said. “Demon is settled now at Caulder Hall and I ride him every day when I am at home. He gives me great pleasure.”

“I am pleased to hear that, but tell me, is he behaving with grooms and stable hands?” inquired Rollo, sending up a silent prayer of thanks that the horse gave them an easy topic to begin conversation. His heart was beating somewhat erratically and he couldn’t seem to take his gaze away from her face. Her soft brown eyes and rosebud lips were captivating and sent a flare of heat through him.

Diana’s eyes met his and the piercing blue sent a frisson of excitement through her. How had she forgotten how mesmerizing his cold blue eyes were? But now, they did not seem cold, but heated. She tried to keep her voice steady as she replied, “Yes, he now has a groom who likes him and understands how to deal with him. So, on the whole he is now quite well-mannered although, as you are aware, he does have a mind of his own.”

Rollo’s scent was just as she remembered it, all male and so enticing she wanted to lean closer to him. Except for that time a year ago when they played hide-and-seek, she had no experience with the surge of emotions suddenly filling her. She was very much afraid he would be able to read her thoughts from her face.

“I am well aware of that,” Rollo replied, nodding. His gaze took in her smooth shoulders, her translucent skin. He remembered how soft she had been against him, how warm. His body tightened.

“I would ask you to reserve a set for me, but I have been told that you are not taking to the dance floor this season. Is this right?” Rollo questioned, still unable to remove his gaze from her.

“I find that I am no longer able to dance,” she explained hesitantly. “Ever since the…unfortunate event last year, I get so anxious, in case anything awful should happen again, that I miss steps, stumble and cannot converse coherently with any partner. I am best, and happier, just watching.”

How unhappy she must be!
thought Rollo. She was too young to give up such pleasures. “Come now, the next set is the one before supper. It is a quadrille. Let me partner you. I remember how you enjoyed dancing before.”

“I would happily partner you,” Diana admitted, her heart beating a little faster in anticipation. “But should I do so, other gentlemen may approach me and how could I then refuse them without appearing rude?”

“You will not refuse them. You will dance and enjoy yourself knowing that I am watching and that I will not allow any harm to befall you,” Rollo declared, his promise surprising even himself.

Diana was sorely tempted. If she refused she risked losing his support and respect, and that would be very sad, for she valued his friendship. And he had been her saviour last year by removing her from London, but could she keep expecting him to rescue her? Was this the price he felt he had to pay because of her knowledge of his fits? She hoped that was not the only reason and that he did genuinely care for her welfare.

“Really, it is most kind of you to offer,” she said, “but I am quite content to sit and watch the dancing.” She was giving him an escape, but he did not take it.

“I will return for you at the beginning of the next set, and I do not expect you to humiliate me by not accepting me as your partner,” he warned, his eyes flashing threateningly, though the corners of his mouth twitched in amusement.

Diana, realizing he would brook no refusal, smiled at him.

Ah,
he thought,
there is the beauty I remember.

True to his word, Rollo collected Diana for the next set. As he firmly took hold of her small gloved hand, she was pleased to find that she did not tremble and feel nauseous, as she had when approached by other gentlemen. This gave her the confidence to believe that she would actually be able to get through the set safely.

All eyes were on them as they walked out and took their place on the dance floor. Rollo had not requested any other lady to partner him, and by singling Diana out, it would give her, he knew, some standing and so might go some way in counteracting any rumours about her. Rollo was not being vain; he was merely aware of his influence. Unfortunately for him, having danced with Miss Wells, he would then be obliged to partner some of the other ladies of his acquaintance.

At the start of the set Diana trembled a little when she had to leave Rollo’s protection and dance with any of the other three gentlemen in their square. But gradually she relaxed as she realized with humour that the other three ladies appeared even more nervous when they had to exchange steps with the earl!

“Have you just arrived in Bath?” Diana asked him. “I saw you brother at the Pump Room earlier this week.” The dance parted them and he replied when they came back together. “We’ve been here a little more than a week. I find I do not have as much need of society as my brother and his friends.”

Diana picked up on the dryness of his comment and smiled her understanding. “Given the choice, I would have stayed at home in the country,” she confided.