The Temptation of Lady Serena (22 page)

“Aye, and I’ve never seen either of them happier.”

F
reddy and Lord Malfrey were already in the drawing room when Serena and Robert entered ahead of Finster.

“Malfrey, has Freddy told you that we’ve had a few children taken by procurers for the mines?” Robert asked. “Serena saved the last child.”

“Abductions here?” Lord Malfrey’s eyes narrowed. “When was that?”

“Late last week. Why, do you know something about it?” Robert asked.

“I’m not sure and I don’t wish to say anything until I know I’m right.” He frowned. “Is the kidnapper still around? I’d like to ask him some questions.”

“He escaped. I’ve got my gamekeeper watching likely places for him to hide. He may have left the area.”

“Lady Serena rescued the child?”

Robert smiled broadly. “Yes, she found the boy running away from the lout and struck him with the carriage whip so that my groom could grab the child from him. He apparently has a very noticeable slash across his face. He’d be foolish to remain here.”

Lord Malfrey inclined his head. “Well done, my lady. Well done indeed.”

“Thank you, my lord. I am only sorry it was necessary to take the action.” She turned to Freddy. “The sale on the building for the new school has been completed.”

“Wonderful. When do you propose to begin the term?”

“I hope we can commence in a few weeks.”

“A school for the estate, my lady?” Lord Malfrey asked.

Serena nodded. “For the Hall’s children and the town. Now that we own the building, we’ll present the council with a complete plan soon. I suspect we’ll start evaluating apprenticeship programs as well. The mothers I’ve spoken with want to keep their children nearby and out of dangerous mines and factories.”

Lord Malfrey remained for tea, then took his leave. Freddy walked him to the door.

“Edward, do you really think you know who is behind these kidnappings?”

“Unfortunately, I think I have a very good idea who may be causing it. I sincerely hope I’m wrong.”

“I won’t press you, of course. You’ll tell Robert if you discover anything?”

“Most definitely. Shall we meet to-morrow?” he asked.

“With Catherine away for a few days, I should really remain here. There was a slight problem to-day when Lady Montrose stopped by and neither Serena nor Robert could be found. Lady Montrose is the biggest gossip in the area. I would not want her to attempt to sully Serena’s reputation,” Freddy said. “You may join us for tea, if you’d like.”

“I’d love to drink tea with you. I understand your concern, though I doubt Lady Montrose could harm Lady Serena. The whole county is infatuated with her.” He raised Freddy’s hand to his lips.

Her fingers tingled as his lips grazed her knuckles.

“Robert could not have made a better choice than Serena. Nevertheless, we still have almost two weeks until the wedding and with Catherine gone, I am their only chaperone.” She glanced from her hand to his strong handsome face and smiled. “I expect St. Eth to arrive by the end of this week or the beginning of the next. With a house full of Serena’s relatives, I’ll have more time for you.”

Edward grinned. “I’ll look forward to that. Until to-morrow then.”

Freddy stood in the doorway as he walked down the stairs to his waiting carriage. Their days together had been halcyon. Much as they’d been before she was sent off to marry old Lord Stanstead’s heir. Recently, she and Edward had discussed bits and pieces of the past, but she still hadn’t told him all of it. She must tell him soon, and she prayed he would understand her decisions.

She closed the door and returned to the drawing room where Serena and Robert were deep in conversation. Freddy was suddenly struck by how much they behaved as if they were already married, even more so now than before. She studied Serena. There was nothing overtly different, yet she was more relaxed, more in tune to Robert, and he to her. They looked almost like lovers. Is that what they were doing all afternoon?

Freddy coughed. They didn’t jump apart as she expected. Serena merely looked up and calmly smiled at her.

“How was your day?” Serena asked.

“It was lovely. I heard Lady Montrose came by.” Freddy raised a brow.

Serena shook her head. “I don’t believe I’ve met her.”

“She is the area’s gossip.”

“Then I can’t say I’m sorry to have missed her.”

“Do you want to tell me where you were all afternoon?”

Serena and Robert silently consulted each other.

It occurred to Freddy she may not be ready for the response. “Robert, before you deign to answer, please pour me a glass of sherry. I think I’ll need it.”

Robert poured two glasses of sherry and a brandy for himself. “We were together, but neither Serena nor I will discuss where we were or what we were doing. We are now considering Serena moving into the viscountess’s apartments. The redecoration is complete and with the corridor between them, they are not directly connected.”

Freddy took a rather large swallow of sherry and wished she drank brandy. What would they do if she said no? “The chambers are a little close together. However, that’s preferable to your tripping over a maid, or anyone else.” She gave an arched look to Serena, who didn’t even blush. “Keep it quiet. Be discreet, and I’ll have no objections.”

“We’ll bid you good night.” Serena kissed her on the cheek.

Robert’s eyes were smiling when he kissed her cheek as well.

“Devil,” she said quietly to him before they left the room. Now if she could just get her own love life straightened out. She would give anything to be as happy.

 

As Lord Malfrey rode home, he couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom that hovered over him. He didn’t know why he suspected his heir was in some way involved with the kidnapped children, but he felt it strongly. He left his horse to the footman at the front door. His butler bowed him into his house.

“Have you seen Mr. Aubrey?” Malfrey asked.

“No, my lord, not this evening.”

“When you do, tell him I want a word with him before he goes anywhere in the morning.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Malfrey was reading the
Morning Post
when Aubrey knocked.

“You wanted to see me, Edward?”

Edward took his time folding his news sheet. “Aubrey, have you heard about the children who’ve been kidnapped?”

His cousin rubbed his quizzing glass with a handkerchief as if he’d not a care in the world. “No, why? Is it important?” He glanced up with an impassive look on his face. “Are they children of anyone who matters?”

Edward’s jaw clenched. “All children are important. The station of their parents is not the issue. Are you, or are you not, aware of the kidnappings?”

“No. Then again, I really do not spend much time around the locals. I prefer York.”

Edward tried to make out if his cousin was telling the truth. Even as a child, Aubrey had always been a proficient liar. Edward was afraid that Aubrey hadn’t changed since his youth. “I hope you are being truthful with me. If you are not, and I discover you’re in any way involved in the kidnappings, I’ll have no compunction in turning you over to the authorities and giving evidence against you. I’ll not have this family’s name besmirched any more than necessary.”

Aubrey’s gaze reminded Edward of an adder.

“Really, Edward, I don’t know where you get such fanciful ideas. What use have I for a pack of underbred brats? I shall see you when I am next forced to ruralize.” Aubrey turned on his heel, and glanced back over his shoulder. “Do not forget you have no other heir.”

Edward stared after his cousin and wondered if he should voice his suspicions to Beaumont.
Damn.
Malfrey threw his paper down and stood. If there were any more kidnappings, he’d have to say something. Until then, he’d keep his own counsel and watch Aubrey’s every move.

 

After being informed the previous evening that Serena would now occupy the rooms that had been redecorated for her, Mary saw Henley in the corridor between the bedchambers and gave him a speaking look.

“I am to move her ladyship’s clothes.” Mary pressed her lips tightly together.

He raised his brows. “Indeed.”

Mary nodded. “It would be best if both beds looked slept in each night.”

“Yes, I understand.” He bowed. “You may rely on me, Miss Mac Duff, to do my part.”

“Thank you, Mr. Henley. I knew I could.”

 

Serena awoke in Robert’s arms, not to the early morning sun she was used to in her previous room, but to a slow changing from dark to light. The summer solstice was in a few days. She sighed contentedly. How quickly she’d got used to sleeping not wearing a stitch and to having him large and warm next to her. She traced his chest and ran her finger through the hair. Her gaze slowly rose to his face that seemed so innocent in repose. Small bits of blond stubble covered his cheeks and chin. His lips moved as he snored softly. Serena wondered if she’d wake him if she ran a finger over his lips.

At the first touch, Robert’s eyes opened. He gazed back at her and smiled before gathering her in his arms. Serena never knew she could be this happy. As if their being together was meant to be. Was this why she’d spent so many years alone? She snuggled into him and drifted back to sleep. Two hours later, they awoke together.

Obeying her body’s prompting, she rolled to face him and rubbed sinuously against him. Robert looked his question.

“I’m fine. A good night’s sleep was all I needed.”

“Humph.” He captured her eyes and searched her face, then reached down to gently touch her.

Serena smiled and tried to hide the twinge of pain.

“That hurt, didn’t it?”

“No, not at all,” she lied.

“Serena, we’ve had this discussion before. Do not lie to me. Ever,” Robert said without humor.

Her eyes narrowed at him, ready to protest.

He pulled her closer, keeping his gaze locked on hers. “I understand you want to give me pleasure, but what pleasure could I possibly have knowing I was hurting you, even for a moment? Give yourself time to heal. We have the rest of our lives to make love.”

She flopped back on the bed in disgust and he grinned. Giving her a light kiss, he got up and reached for his dressing gown. “I’ll wait for you in the corridor.”

He left, going through the dressing room into the bathroom, then to his chamber. Henley stood waiting for him. Robert was surprised to see his bed had, apparently, been slept in. He glanced at his valet.

Henley stared into the space beyond Robert’s right shoulder.

“Remind me to raise your salary, Henley.” Laughing, Robert turned to the washbasin as a maid entered to stoke the banked fire.

“Miss Mac Duff’s as well, my lord.”

 

They were eating breakfast when Serena suddenly remembered they’d had an engagement yesterday that they’d missed. She glanced at Robert and shook her head. “I’ve lost my mind. We were to have gone to the rectory yesterday afternoon. I didn’t even send a message.”

“I had one sent.”

“Why? You could not have possibly known . . .”

He smiled wolfishly.

Heat infused Serena’s face. “Yes, well, maybe you did know. When are they expecting us?”

“This morning.”

“We may leave after I change into my habit.”

Without looking up from his plate, he said, “We’re taking the gig.”

They never took the gig when they could ride. “Whatever for?”

“Trust me. You’ll be much more comfortable in the gig than on horseback.”

Serena tightened her lips. Why did he think he always knew better? This would have to change. “I shall meet you in the stable yard.”

“I’ve ordered the carriage brought to the front.”

Serena inclined her head and rose. “I shall meet you in the corridor.”

“As you wish.”

What was he about, telling her when she could ride or make love?

By the time she opened the door to leave her new chamber, Serena had worked herself into a high dudgeon. She stepped out into the corridor and bounced off Robert.

He took her hand, kissed the inside of her wrist and, with a naughty-little-boy look on his face, said, “You didn’t specify which corridor. I chose the closest one to you.”

“Of course you did.” She hadn’t meant to sound like a shrew, though she knew she did. How could he be so completely loveable one moment and so domineering the next?

“Don’t be angry. I am only trying to take care of you.”

“Indeed.”

A smile entered his eyes, but he kept his lips straight. “Tell you what. If you still wish it, we’ll ride this afternoon. But since you’re dressed for the carriage now . . .”

Mollified, Serena said, “Very well, we shall take the carriage, this once.”

Lora met them when they drove up to the rectory. “Welcome. You look as if you have good news.”

“Yes,” Serena said. “We’ve got the school numbers from the Hall.”

Serena gave her cloak and gloves to the maid. Lora led them to the parlor and Serena took a seat on the sofa. “Over sixty children from the Hall shall attend. Not one parent of a young child declined, and if we can insure classes appropriate for the older children, we may have more.”

“Serena, how wonderful. I have twenty-two from town. Some of the parents decided to either keep them in the other school or not send their children at all. I do wish they could understand the value of even a rudimentary education.”

Serena leaned forward to pat Lora’s hand. “More may come once they can be brought to understand the benefits.”

“Yes, well, there is no use repining. I contacted the headmistress of my old school, who is a native Yorkshire woman. She just retired and is willing to help us set up our school
and
act as administrator for at least the first year or so. She will be the best person to decide how many teachers we shall need.”