Chapter Nineteen #2
“Thank you. But it’s over now. And there’s no need to apologize for not making yourself known sooner. All that matters is that you have now.”
“Has my great-nephew arrived from America to take over the title?”
“No, which worries me. He should have arrived by now. Maybe when I return to London, he’ll be in residence. May I ask something of you both?”
“Anything,” Lord Kendall replied.
“Is he a good man?”
The look they exchanged didn’t look promising.
“He is neither a good man nor a bad man, or at least he wasn’t. His father controlled every aspect of his life, which is why he fled to the colonies. Let us hope he returns as his own man, a family man and a good one at that,” Lady Kendall said.
“My father threatened Samuel and me. He said if we didn’t stop our courtship, he would talk to your nephew and force me into another loveless marriage.”
“I don’t believe they can force you to do anything. You’re a widow and old enough not to need a keeper. Forgive me for asking such a personal question, but do you have any funds of your own?”
“Yes. I have my annual settlement as Chesterfield’s widow—until I marry again.”
Samuel reached over and put his hand on hers. “We plan to wed very soon.”
Footsteps drew closer, and even before she turned to see who was there, every fiber of her being told her it was her father. He had found her.
“Stanton,” he said menacingly, “get your filthy hand off my daughter. And don’t think a letter from Prinny is going to change my mind on anything we talked about back in London.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Samuel said arrogantly.
Was he trying to purposely anger her father? Thank God, Samuel didn’t obey her father and kept his hand on her because she needed the connection as her body began to tremble. It started deep in her core and spread out from there until it consumed her entire body.
“This is your father?” Lady Kendall asked, gazing frostily up at him.
He looked down his nose at her. “And you are?” Obviously, there would be no polite introductions.
“We are the Earl and Countess of Kendall. I was Chesterfield’s sister, which makes the lovely Lady Chesterfield my sister-in-law.”
Portsmouth chuckled. “He had no family except for his great-nephew, the heir.”
Lady Kendall appeared annoyed and glared at her father. “Just because he didn’t tell you about me, doesn’t mean I don’t exist. I can assure you, I am his sister.”
“Very well,” her father spat, looking bored, “Chesterfield had a sister.” He bowed, barely folding at the waist. “Lord and Lady Kendall. How very nice to make your acquaintance.” He stood straight and glared once again at Samuel. “I told you to take your vile, filthy hand off my daughter.”
“I will not,” Samuel growled. “She is a grown woman and doesn’t answer to you. Nor do I.”
“Clarice, daughter of mine, may I have a private word with you?” her father asked impertinently.
“She’s not going anywhere with you,” Samuel practically growled.
“He’s right,” Lady Kendall remarked. “You don’t deserve time alone with her.”
Clarice witnessed her father’s face turn deep red and the veins in his neck and forehead bulge.
She could see the scene unfolding in front of her eyes if she didn’t appease her father.
She could handle a little gossip, but she’d rather not have her father air their dirty secrets in a hotel full of guests with nothing to do until the first race began.
She had no desire to hear anything he had to say, nor be in the same room with him, but she would do so to keep the peace and hopefully convince her father to leave.
She patted Samuel’s hand. “I’ll be right back.” She stood and spoke to Lord and Lady Kendall, “Please excuse me. I will return shortly.” Then she turned to her father. “You have ten minutes.”
She walked away without even bothering to check if he followed.
She knew he was by the sound of footsteps pattering behind her.
As she walked, she tried to breathe evenly to ease her racing heart and trembling body.
She would not give her father the satisfaction of seeing her squirm.
When they reached the library, where she had read, taken lunch, and napped earlier, she entered and sat in the same chair.
Her father didn’t sit; instead, he loomed over her, hoping to intimidate her.
It wouldn’t work. At least she would try not to let him succeed.
“What is it you want, Father?” She struggled to appear casual and unaffected by his presence.
He laughed. “That is a funny question. I believe I discussed with you what would happen if you insisted on seeing Stanton again.”
“Yes, well, you see, you have no say in what I do or don’t do. I am old enough to handle my own affairs. Nobody is in charge of my life or what I do with it but me. You no longer have the authority to marry me off to someone of your choosing.”
His brows furrowed, and he looked displeased.
Perhaps he had finally come to terms with the situation and understood that he had no control over her.
“I see. Well, you do know there are other ways to get what I want.” He placed his hand on his chin, rubbing his index finger across it.
“Perhaps Staton would prefer to keep his father’s secrets hidden and walk away from you.
If not, I’ll enjoy tarnishing my old friend’s reputation.
Not to mention the gossip I can spread about Samuel starting the fires that killed his family to inherit the dukedom. ”
She jumped up and practically growled at him like a mama lion protecting her cub—or in this case, the love of her life. Her soon-to-be husband. “Go right ahead. There are plenty of servants who witnessed Samuel going into the stables long before the fires started. He had nothing to do with it.”
More laughter from her father. A laugh that sent icy talons scratching her exposed skin and a numbing chill through her veins. She waited, breathing heavily, for him to say something—anything—to make this craziness go away.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not.
Members of the ton pay close attention to rumors.
They love to believe that everything they hear is the truth.
Some members take pride in spreading rumors, no matter how ridiculous they seem.
As for Samuel setting the fire, it’s plausible enough.
His reputation will be ruined regardless of the actual truth.
And if you marry him, you and your children will be shunned by Society.
Enjoy your lonely, isolated life. I hope you find Samuel worth it.
” He bowed, the blackhearted man. “Until we meet again, daughter.”
He walked out without looking back. The man had no conscience or morals. He just expelled words without a care as to how they hurt or upset her or anyone else. She hurried back to the salon to warn Samuel about what was to come.
When she arrived, she found him alone in the same chair she’d left him sitting in. She plopped back down in her chair. And she meant plopped. She had no energy or desire to sit all ladylike and proper. “Where did Lord and Lady Kendall go?”
“They said they wanted to rest before dinner and hoped to see you either tonight or tomorrow. They’re in town for a while, so you’ll have plenty of time to get to know them.”
“But what if I won’t be here for long?”
He appeared shocked by her words. “And why not? Now that your father knows where you are, there’s no need to go back to London.”
“True, but he intends to follow through on his threats. He plans to spread rumors about your father and accuse you of killing your family for the title.”
Samuel reached over and linked his hand with one of hers.
“If and when the rumors start, I will address them. Or ignore them. I hardly see that it matters what I say or don’t say.
The damage will be done.” He exhaled. “To be honest, I don’t care what comes of your father’s threats, as long as the two of us are together. ”
She thought about what he said, and he was right. If they cared about each other, what did the rest matter? “I agree with you.”
He raised his eyebrows and grinned. “You do?”
“Yes, and this is not the time for teasing.”
He cleared his throat. “Yes. You are right. On another note, I apologize for not discussing this with you, but I have requested a special license. When it’s issued, I think we should go to the local vicar and his quaint stone church and get married.”
“Samuel Radcliff, you tell me this now? In a room full of onlookers. I’m going to have to sit on my hands to keep from pulling you into a hug and kissing you into tomorrow.”
He answered her with a chuckle and a blush. Good Lord, he blushed. “I have something better. Would you accompany me to Ramsbury Ridge Farm so I can show off Zeus and Clover?”
“I would love that. But don’t you have a social engagement tonight?”
“I do. But trust me when I say I’d much rather spend tonight with you. Skipping one gathering before the 2000 Guineas Stakes isn’t going to hurt my chances.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, I have acquired membership in The Jockey Club, thanks to Baron Ramsbury. I am making connections regarding my stud farm.” He stood up and extended his hand. “The only thing left to do is to win a race or two or three!”
Clarice giggled. “Is that all?”
“Pretty much. I’ll take you to your room and wait outside while you gather your things.
With her hand entwined with his, she focused on the path to her room and not on any people they encountered along the way. She would not let condescending stares or looks rattle her. “This is my room.” She turned the knob. “I’ll only be a minute.”
“Take your time. We’ve got all night.”
Slipping inside and shutting the door behind her, Clarice found Penny sitting at the dressing table, drawing with a piece of coal and parchment. The maid was lost in her sketching. “Penny?”
She finally looked her way, then jumped up quickly and curtsied. “My lady. How may I help you?”
“I’m accompanying the Duke of Stanton to Ramsbury Ridge Farm to meet his racing horses. I need a cloak, a hat, and my boots.”
“Right away, my lady.”
As Penny went through the wardrobe, Clarice curiously approached the dressing table and picked up the drawing Penny was working on, along with several others. Her eyes widened. “Penny, did you design these?” The pages featured clothing designs, mostly for ladies.
“Yes, my lady.”
“These are incredible. Even in black and white, I can picture the vibrant or pastel colors you must be envisioning when you create these. You are very talented. Have you ever tried to sell your designs to a modiste?”
“No, my lady.”
Clarice sat in the chair while Penny put on her boots.
She immediately stood to receive her cloak and hat.
“Well, I think you should. When we’re back in London, Lady Rutherford and I will introduce you to Madam Serena.
She is so busy with all the ton crowding her doors for her newest creations that she can’t possibly be doing all her own designs.
Perhaps she would be interested in yours. ”
Poor Penny. Her mouth opened and closed several times as her eyes widened, and then tears fell from her eyes. “That is very kind, my lady, and I thank you.”
“Lock both outside doors when I leave. I don’t want any guests who have overindulged in spirits to think these are their rooms. Also, please inform Lady Rutherford where I went and that I don’t know when I’ll return.”
Just as Samuel said, he was out in the corridor, leaning against a wall, waiting for her.
His face lit up with a smile when he saw her.
“My dear, you look lovely.” He took her gloved hand, raised it up, and brushed his lips across her knuckles.
“Not just lovely, enchanting. You have enchanted me since I was a boy.”
A blush warmed her cheeks as she pulled her hand away. “Samuel, you are being silly.”
He took her hand again, this time wrapping it through his arm as they started walking down the corridor. “Not silly. Serious. You are lovely, enchanting, beautiful, kind, considerate . . . should I continue?”
His words, which had seemed to come straight from his heart, warmed hers. “Thank you. And forgive me for thinking you were being silly.”
“Not at all.” He nodded to the doorman as they approached the front doors. Once the doors opened, they swept through and out into her waiting carriage with Kirkland in the driver’s seat.
“Before you ask, I sent word to have your carriage brought around. I rode Smokey here, and here he will stay. When I return you to the inn, I can ride Smokey back again to Ramsbury Ridge Farm.”
“Very ingenious of you to think of that all by yourself.” She jabbed her elbow into his side teasingly.
“Now who’s being silly?”
“Me.” They sat side by side in companionable silence, holding hands for most of the ride.
Clarice had a lot on her mind, and she knew Samuel did, too.
He had his first horserace of his life coming up in just a few days.
She was amazed he was so composed. At least on the outside, he was.
She could only imagine what was going on inside.
These next five races would make or break his dreams of owning a stud farm.
“I recommend you take off your pristine white gloves before entering the stables.”
“You are right.” She took off her gloves and put them beside her.
Samuel leaned forward, pushed the curtain aside, and said, “We have arrived.”