The Wagered Heart: Signet Regency Romance (InterMix) (8 page)

“I have tried that,” was her glum reply. Lowering herself to the stone bench in the alcove, Caro went on, “She complained bitterly to Clive, and he scolded me for being unkind to his mama.”

“I see.”
I see that Clive is more boy than man.

Julia moved to the stone bench and brushed aside a dead leaf before sitting next to Caro. Of a sudden, a very determined expression settled on her cousin’s face.

“I am thinking of starting a flirtation to make him jealous.”

Julia’s left brow arched in surprise at this announcement. “Do you think that is wise?”

“I don’t care! He is taking me for granted after only half a year. We came to Bath only because his mama must take the waters and insists Clive escort her everywhere. What a time to be away from London! I am quite vexed that I shall miss the ball Lady Thorpe is giving in honor of Princess Charlotte’s wedding next month. So why should I not start a flirtation, if it suits me?”

“When you say it that way, I understand your ire, Caro dear. But I know better than most how something completely innocent can be placed in a very bad light. You must be careful of your reputation.”

“I do not believe I care. And as for
your
reputation, I still say you should have stayed in London and brazened the whole thing out. In a way, the fuss-up
was rather fun and would have been more so if you had stayed. What a nine day’s wonder that kiss caused! All the
ton
hunted London for you. Who was the mysterious young lady who had made Kel lose his head? It was all anyone could speak of for days! Even though his friends stated they would never forget your face, no one could find you. Mama and I were forced to laugh behind our fans on many occasions.”

Appalled, Julia jumped up from the stone bench and fixed her cousin with an indignant gaze. “Good Lord! I had no idea that wretched day was discussed at such length. And why in the world do you call him ‘Kel’? Never say you are acquainted with that unmitigated libertine.”

“Do not be a widgeon, Julia. I am not personally acquainted with the Duke of Kelbourne. It is just that
everyone
calls him ‘Kel.’ Every wild thing he does is gossip fodder for the beau monde. I admit that his behavior toward you was beyond the pale, but that kind of deed is exactly why his name is on everyone’s tongue.”

“
Every
wild thing?”

“Yes, he’s always up to something shocking. An infamous bet he made with Lord Petersham is still spoken of. They wagered five thousand pounds on which rose of a particular bush would be the first to have a bee land upon it. Despite the threat of transportation, he has been involved in several duels. There are countless stories about the Duke of Kelbourne. Even the gifts he gives his mistresses cause a commotion.”

“Good heavens, what sorts of gifts?”

“I should not have told you that last bit. As a married lady I may discuss such things, but should not with you.”

Rolling her eyes at her cousin’s prim tone, Julia
would have none of Caro’s stuffy airs. “Tosh! What sorts of gifts?”

Caro instantly gave in with a grin. “His last mistress, an opera dancer called
La Perla
, received a house and four snow-white prime bloods. When he was done with her, he gave her an enormous cache of jewels, including a ruby as large as a robin’s egg. She wore the jewel in a toque and named it
L’amour de Kel.
I saw the vulgar thing myself once as she tooled her white horses through Rotten Row. It is said that she tried to bring him back to her side by threatening suicide, but he sent her a note saying he could not leave his card game.”

Slightly shocked at this tale, Julia reseated herself. “I would believe any horrid thing I heard concerning him.”

Caro’s expression was full of sympathy. “Well, I certainly do not blame you. It was too horrid to have your Season ruined in such a scandalous way. It’s no wonder you have no desire to return to London.”

Julia nodded her agreement and watched the crystalline water cascading down from the stony mouth of the spring. At least she had been able to give the cur a resounding slap for his insult, she mused as she contemplated the beautiful scenery.

“You never seriously answered my question.”

Julia looked over at Caro. “What question was that?”

“Don’t you wish to be married?”

Julia contemplated her answer. “After a fashion, I suppose I do. I am aware that I shall be five-and-twenty this fall. While not yet a spinster, it is time to start thinking of my future. On the other hand, I do not see how my life would be improved by marriage. I have the bequest from my father, so I have no financial inducement to wed. I am not lonely—how could I be when I have my lovely family and
friends? I have all my interests and pursuits in the village to occupy my time. Social standing matters naught to me. So, at this time, I give marriage little thought. I would hate to marry just for the sake of convention.”

“I agree with you up to a point. However, what about love? Do not look at me that way. I own I am sometimes out of patience with my Clive, but when it is all said and done—I adore him.”

“Of course you do.” Julia’s tone was gentle in response to her cousin’s defensiveness. “I do not discount love. True love is why I will not bow down to the convention that says a woman must marry—that any husband is better than no husband. I just have not met a man who has caused any strong feelings in my heart.”

“Except for Steven Thorncroft,” Caro said with an impish smile.

“I have a notion that I shall regret sharing my tale with you,” Julia responded with a wry smile.

“Not a bit. I am growing cold here in the shade. Shall we make our way back?”

Julia agreed, and they left the cascading spring. Glancing back, she thought it would be an enchanting place to bring a book.

The talk between the two women continued in a desultory fashion. They discussed their time at the Upper Rooms and an impending visit to Caro’s mother-in-law.

People were beginning to crowd into the gardens as the fashionable hour approached. The cousins had to slow their walk considerably to weave through the throng. Just as they reached the gravel path that led to the gates of the gardens, Caro pulled up short and grabbed Julia’s arm tightly.

“Bless me! Julia, come this way at once—to the pavilion.” Her voice was a frantic whisper as she
whipped herself, and Julia, around in a different direction.

Struck by the urgency in Caro’s voice, Julia did not hesitate. With swift steps they moved past some flower beds to a graveled, open space where the orchestra played on gala nights. Caro finally looked over her shoulder and stopped.

Gathering her trailing wrap, Julia looked at her cousin askance. “Heavens, what has you looking so astounded? Did you see your mother-in-law?”

Caro shook her head and gulped a breath. “I swear I saw the Duke of Kelbourne! ‘Pon my soul, I cannot imagine why
he
would be in Bath.”

“The Duke of…” Staring at her cousin in shock, Julia gasped. “You must be mistaken, Caro. Your mind has played a trick upon you because we were just speaking of him.”

“Mayhap, but we will stay here for a few moments. I shall stand in front of you, and you can hide behind my bonnet.”

Julia eyed doubtfully the prodigious proportions of the yellow confection upon her cousin’s head.

“I am still too tall to be completely veiled. But I believe your efforts are needless. The Duke of Kelbourne would not come to Bath—it’s much too tame a place for one so dissolute.”

Caro’s brow furrowed in worried confusion. “I own it was only the merest glimpse, but he is a difficult man to mistake.”

Julia looked over Caro’s bonnet and scanned the growing clusters of people. “I see no one familiar. Come, let us not cower here,” she said, drawing Caro forward.

They were almost back to the path when Julia noticed a beautiful, exquisitely garbed woman staring at her from a short distance away. Julia glanced away as she and her cousin continued to move toward the
entrance. A second later, her eyes moved to the man standing next to the elegant woman. He, too, was looking directly at her. Shocked, she froze.

Caro halted next to Julia, “I told you so,” she whispered.

“I
  must say, Kel, you are certainly being more equanimous than I had expected.”

Kel sent his sister a lazy smile. “I am always equanimous, m’dear sis.”

Lady Fallbrook responded with an inelegant snort as they strode through the gates of Sydney Gardens. By mutual acknowledgment, brother and sister were relieved to be away from the tension at the Royal Crescent, where they had left their mother and grandmother bickering about the upcoming musical evening they were planning.

As Kel and his sister strolled along the gravel pathway between the overflowing flower beds, they paid little attention to the stir they were creating. The rumor had been steadily spreading throughout the town for days that Kelbourne was on the scene. Now, with this very public appearance confirming the fact, the cits and the gentry alike whispered and gawked. A few young bucks even followed at a discreet distance to get a better look at the style of his boots.

Lady Fallbrook engendered her share of stares, as well. The other ladies enjoying the park sighed in envy at the exquisite details of her summer silk promenade dress of gentian blue. Her headdress,
with its full plumes of ostrich feathers falling to the side of her face, was equally remarked upon. No one had seen this style before, and a number of women determined to visit their milliners as soon as possible.

The two notable figures continued along in the afternoon sunshine, acknowledging with a brief inclination of the head those who had the courage to address them.

“Seriously, Kel, I am all astonishment that you have not trotted off to London or Brighton. If I were not so concerned about Maman and Grandmère, I do not believe I would have stayed above a week. I am curious to know where you have found this sudden, and unlikely, reserve of patience.”

Kel shrugged as he sidestepped a nursemaid and baby. “Truth be told, I believe Maman and Grandmère enjoy their squabbling. Why else will neither of them give up and take a separate house?”

Emmaline readjusted the angle of her sunshade and nodded in agreement with her brother’s assessment. “I am sure you are right. But that still does not explain why you have stayed in Bath. Yesterday, you were on the verge of having your bags packed. Today, you seem perfectly amenable to staying here.”

Kel took his time answering.
Actually, I’ve rarely been more bored in my life, except for a few brief moments last evening when I followed a certain carriage to Laura Place.
“Bath has certain charms that are at first not apparent. Its appeal has become more apparent to me in the last few days.”

Emmaline looked skeptical at her brother’s languid explanation, but did not pursue her line of questioning. She was just thankful that he had decided to stay and help her deal with their cantankerous relatives.

She bent down to admire the blooms of an unusual
species of rose. An avid gardener, she had thrown herself into this pastime not long after the death of her husband six years ago.

“I have to admit that some of the gardens here rival those in the parks of London,” she told her brother upon straightening. But he was not attending her. Instead, he was staring into the distance with narrowed eyes. Half turning, Emmaline tried to see what had caught his attention.

“Emma, are you acquainted with those two ladies coming toward us?”

“I see several ladies coming toward us. Whom do you mean?”

“The tall young lady in pale green with the lady in the massive yellow bonnet.”

Easily locating the women he was referring to, Emmaline watched the two figures as they abruptly stopped and hurriedly took a different direction.

“The lady in yellow is Lady Farren. We met in the Pump Room not long ago when she was with her mother-in-law and I was with Grandmère. I do not know the other. Why do you ask?”

“I wish to be made known to them,” Kel told his sister decisively. “Come and make the introductions.”

Wearing a startled expression, Emmaline accompanied her brother as he quickened his stride to follow Lady Farren and the mysterious beauty.

Once off the pathway, Kel lost sight of them among the hedges and trees. He slowed his pace and cursed under his breath, looking around with a frown.

Emmaline halted her progress beneath a large beech.

“Kel, what on earth are you doing? Why do you wish to meet Lady Farren?” she demanded.

The duke was about to respond to his sister’s
query when he saw the ladies rounding the corner of a shrub bed some thirty yards away. “Ah, here they come. Emma, this may be a bit awkward, but I greatly desire a word with the taller young lady. If you could manage to occupy Lady Farren for a few moments, you would be doing me a great service.”

Nonplussed, Emmaline could only stare at her brother in complete confusion before turning curious eyes to the rapidly approaching women.

Kel took a few steps forward and saw the Beauty and her companion halt for a moment before stepping up their pace. Because of the trees, there was nothing else for them to do but continue their approach or turn around and go in the opposite way. They continued toward him and Emmaline, he noted a moment later with satisfaction.

Hoping the Beauty’s good manners would prevent her from giving him the cut direct, he sent Emmaline a significant look.

The two women were almost upon him when Emmaline stepped forward and called a cheery greeting.

“Good afternoon! It is Lady Farren, is it not? I am so pleased to meet you again after our delightful conversation in the Pump Room some days ago.”

Well done, Emma
, the duke thought with admiration. He could always count on his sister to be awake upon every suit.

He gazed down at the Beauty, who was looking at Lady Farren with startled eyes. It was disconcerting to find that her appearance exactly matched his memory. Her perfectly sculpted features, high cheekbones, and luminous gray eyes were surprisingly familiar considering the briefness of their only encounter. He became aware of his heart beating at a fast clip and chided himself for behaving like a schoolboy. But he had to own that it was not often that he found himself
in the position of making an apology to anyone, nonetheless someone he had insulted.