To Ruin a Rake (32 page)

Of a certainty, she loved Roland.
But he doesn’t love me.
Unless there was a child, she would have to marry someone else. She hated it, but what other choice was there? If she did not marry, Cat would be required to take in Arabella.

That left Harriett with Elizabeth and Oxenden. The thought made her stomach turn. She didn’t think she could stand to live under the same roof with the bastard, if he would even allow it.

Her tired mind began to wander, and she let it. What was Roland doing now? Had he gone home last night? Did he remember anything? If he did—and if there was no child—it would make things extremely difficult. Would he keep quiet?

For her own part, she would keep the truth locked away in her heart for the rest of her life. Just as it was with Arabella, no one must ever know. No one.

“Your Grace…Lord
Manchester
,” urged the insistent female.

Her voice grated on Roland’s raw nerves, and he turned away in protest.

Someone laid hands on him and shook him.

He cracked open an eye. “Bloody hell, woman! Leave me be!” He started to roll away again, but then stopped. If Nurse Hayes was here, then that meant he was not at home.

Everything flooded back in a rush. He sat up so abruptly the room spun, forcing him to brace himself for a moment until it righted itself. His head felt full of gauze, his stomach full of bile. “What time is it? Quickly!”

Nurse Hayes frowned. “Nearly nine, Your Grace.”

He could hear the disapproval in her tone. Muttering an obscenity, he rose, ignoring the shooting pain in his head. “Have a carriage sent around at once—I don’t care where you get it, just have one readied and brought around. Immediately.”

Something of his urgency must have translated, because she went at once to do his bidding.

Harriett had been here. They’d made love. He’d been a complete bastard.

On a desk. He’d taken her virginity on a
desk
. William’s desk. All at once he experienced terrible, crushing guilt—followed by a tiny twinge of shocked admiration. Had she really been so uninhibited?

I love you, Roland..
.

Even his brandy-soaked brain knew
that
was real. His heart soared. The woman who was to become his wife loved him!

He wanted to crawl out of his own flesh with impatience as he waited for the carriage. Despite his instructions to hurry, the ride home was interminably long. Alighting at last, he took the steps at a run and pounded on the front door. The second it opened he began bellowing for his valet, giving the poor butler a fright.

Two hours later, the door to Lord Dunhaven’s house closed in front of his face, leaving him standing on the stoop feeling a fool. Dunhaven was not at home. Neither was Harriett. He’d asked to speak with Lady Catherine, but she was also out. The man who’d closed the door would not tell him where any of them had gone.

Cursing, Roland returned to the Hospital, thinking maybe Harriett might return. Or that she might have sent a message.

Nothing.

He went to consult Rich, but his friend was also out. Fate, it seemed, had decided to leave him utterly bereft of counsel. After an afternoon spent in frantic, fruitless search of people determined to elude him, he returned to Harriett’s house and was told Lord Dunhaven and his daughters were out.

This time, however, Roland had an idea where they might be. Since becoming engaged, Catherine would be wherever Hammond was, and Hammond would be at the Arbuthnot ball. He didn’t bother to change, but went straight to the event.

Spying Lily, he stopped her. “Have you seen Harriett?”

She shook her head. “Cat just told me she is not here tonight.”

But she’ll know where Harriett is.
“Where is she? Is Lord Dunhaven with her?”

“They’re over there,” she said, nodding to the right. “Is everything all right?”

“It soon will be,” he told her. “Excuse me.” He left her and went over to Harriett’s father. “Lord Dunhaven, I apologize for my abruptness but I need to speak with you in private concerning a rather urgent matter.” Upon receiving bewildered assent, Roland left the ballroom with him in tow. Finding a vacant salon, he ushered him in and shut the door.

“What is this about?” asked Dunhaven. “Has something happened at the Hospital?”

Roland’s face grew hot. It most certainly had. “Is Harriett well? She did not come to work today.”

“Indeed. She is quite well.” Dunhaven peered at him in obvious confusion. “But why should you have expected her to come today? She informed you yesterday she was leaving.”

“Leaving? She said nothing of the sort. Where has she gone?”

A flush rose up from Dunhaven’s neck. “I, ah…I’m afraid I must apologize. She led me to believe she had informed you. She has gone to visit her sister.”

“She failed to mention that when we spoke last night. Has she already left London?”

Dunhaven frowned. “You saw her last night?”

“Yes. And it is imperative that I speak with her again at once.”

“I’m afraid that isn’t possible. But I will be happy to send a message to her in the morning.”

There was no point in prevaricating. “Lord Dunhaven, Harriett cannot marry Lord Russell.”

The other man’s eyes widened. “W—why not?”

“Because I love her, and I wish to marry her.” He watched with dread as Dunhaven’s face purpled.

“I am sorry,” said the other man, “but she has already accepted another man’s offer.”

“You misunderstand me, sir. Harriett cannot marry Russell.” Roland could feel himself turning the same color as the man in front of him. “She came to the Hospital yesterday evening, and I’m afraid I was not in control of myself. I behaved dishonorably.”

For a moment, Dunhaven’s mouth worked soundlessly. “Do you mean to say that—”

“Yes.”
Thoroughly
.

“Good God,” gasped Dunhaven, blanching. “If this gets out, we’re ruined. Winchilsea will make his nephew break his engagement to Catherine.”

Roland could not afford for his future father-in-law to panic, at least not right now. “Has Harriett’s engagement been announced yet?”

The other man shook his head. “No. She said Russell wished to delay the announcement. Something about not wanting to compete with Catherine and Hammond. I thought it rather odd that he did not come to me first before asking her, but it sometimes happens that way. I quite expect him to approach me tonight, actually. Though I suppose it’s pointless now, given the circumstances.”

Everything inside Roland stilled. “How many people know about their engagement?”

“Other than Russell’s family? As far as I am aware just Catherine and myself.”

The pieces were beginning to fall into place. “Lord Dunhaven, I believe Harriett may have misled you concerning her engagement.”

Dunhaven’s bushy brows collided. “Why would she do such a thing?”

“During Lady Catherine’s birthday celebration, I witnessed what appeared to be an unpleasant conversation between Harriett and Russell. When I inquired of her, however, Harriett told me he had just proposed and she had accepted. If that was true, then it was certainly not a happy occasion. I then offered myself in his stead.”

“What?” exclaimed the other man. “She mentioned nothing of this!”

“That is probably because she did not take me seriously.” Roland took a deep breath. “You may recall I did not make a very good impression on your daughter when first we met.”

Dunhaven cleared his throat. “You are referring to that business at your brother’s funeral.”

Mortification filled him. “Yes. In addition, our more recent interactions at the Hospital did not start out amicably. In the process of working out our differences, however, I grew very fond of your daughter.”

“Obviously,” growled the other man, shooting him a black look.

Again, Roland flushed hot. “Despite what you think, I have the utmost regard for Harriett. I love her honestly and want nothing more than to marry her as soon as possible. I shall be happy to procure a special license this very night if you will but give me your blessing and tell me where she has gone.”

“Considering the circumstances, I see very little other choice,” grumbled Dunhaven. “Very well, she is in—”

A small sound at the door beside them claimed their attention. Roland held a finger to his lips, grasped the handle, and jerked it open to find a woman crouched there, listening.

“I knew it! I knew she’d betray him again,” said Nanette Finchly, rising with a nasty, triumphant smile. Before either them could speak, she fled.

“I’m afraid it’s all up now,” groaned Dunhaven. “She’ll go straight to Russell. If he and Harriet are in fact engaged, there will be a terrible scandal.”

“Then let us pray they are not. Where is Harriett?”

“Berkshire,” answered Dunhaven. “I cannot leave Catherine here alone or I would go with you, but I’ll send one of my men to take you there first thing in the morning.” He paused, his manner awkward. “Manchester, there is something you must know before you go after her.”

~ * ~

“Harriett!” exclaimed Arabella, propping herself up with difficulty. Her face shone with happiness. “I thought you were not to arrive until the end of the month?”

Smiling, Harriett deposited the breakfast tray on her sister’s lap, helped plump up the pillows behind her, and sat down next to her. “Russell proposed.”

“Did he? How wonderful! And what of Cat?”

“She is engaged to Lord Winchilsea’s heir, and very happily so.”

“I’m glad for her. Glad for you both,” said her sister with a wistful smile. “I wish I could say the same for myself. Oh, Harriett—I was so stupid to believe he loved me! If only I’d not gone to visit Elizabeth, I might be in your enviable position now.”

Harriett declined to tell her just how
un
enviable her position really was. “If all goes according to plan, you may yet have that chance.”

Arabella laid a hand on her swollen belly. “How?”

“The babe will be taken to the Foundling Hospital, where I will see to it he or she is placed with a good family.” Though how she planned to do that in the event Roland remembered their last encounter was beyond her. She would find a way. “Everyone believes you ill. If we are careful, no one will ever know the truth. Papa says you may yet be able to marry in a few years’ time. It is something to consider. I will be happy to help you when you are ready.”

Her sister stared at the coverlet in silence.

“Are you comfortable?” Harriett ventured after a moment. “Is there anything you need?”

“Not at all, I have been well cared for,” said Arabella. Her smile returned, though it was only a shadow of the one she’d first worn. “And now that you are here, I am perfectly content.”

“Cat sends her love,” Harriett replied. “And yes, I am aware you told her the truth.”

Her sister’s guilty gaze slid away. “And Papa?”

“He sends his love as well. He does not know you revealed anything to Cat, by the bye. She and I have kept it strictly between us.”

“Thank the Lord for that,” breathed Arabella. “I could not bear to leave with Cat thinking me deathly ill. She was so worried.” Again, she looked down at her lap. “And...and what of Elizabeth?”

Harriett hesitated. There was no point in keeping it from her. “She wrote a few weeks ago from Holbrooke Manor. She is living there now separately from Oxenden, whom she refuses to have anything more to do with. She threatened to petition for a divorce, but was persuaded not to follow through with it for the sake of her children. She has taken Susan and Alexander with her and will be allowed to keep them, provided she remains silent. Oxenden even agreed to let Alexander stay with her until he is old enough to attend school in London.”

“Oh, Harriett—the misery I have caused! How can I ever bear to—”

“No!” Harriett said firmly. “You made a poor choice, to be sure, but the fault is ultimately his. He seduced a young girl who had never before experienced that sort of attention from a man. He manipulated and deceived you, Arabella. I am not saying you are blameless for what happened, but I understand the power of strong emotions.” She held her sister’s gaze. “I know just how dangerous they can be.”

Tears slid down Arabella’s cheeks. “I wasn’t thinking, Harriett. I should have seen the truth of him. I should have known!”

“You are human and prone to the same weaknesses as everyone else. Believe me, I know,” Harriett murmured. “When you are in love, it is as though you lose all ability to look ahead and see the possibility of your actions now having dire consequences later.” Her gaze dropped to Arabella’s midsection.
I might very well be in her place in a few months.
What would she do if Roland refused to marry her?

“Harriett, has something happened?” Arabella peered at her, her brow puckered with concern.

Forcing a smile to her lips, Harriett answered, “I
was
once engaged, you know.” She hoped it was enough to satisfy her sister’s curiosity. “Yes, you made a mistake. But it was a mistake anyone could have made.”

“Not anyone,” replied Arabella, grimacing. She brightened after a moment. “But now you are here and we shall have time to visit and talk. I want to hear everything. Every bit of gossip, no matter how insignificant. I feel as though the entire world has passed me by while I’ve moldered away out here, swelling up like a whale.”

With pleasure Harriett obliged, happy to speak of less weighty matters. They talked until Katie came for the breakfast dishes, followed by an unfamiliar woman in a white apron and Jeremy, who was loaded down with a large basket from the manor house.

Harriett greeted the woman with a smile. “I am Harriett, Arabella’s sister. You must be Mrs. Whipple.”

“Indeed, m’lady,” the midwife replied. “Just set it down over there,” she commanded Jeremy. “I’ll take everything out while you go back for the rest.”