Chapter 15 A Whirlwind of Emotion #2
Lizzie could barely breathe. Tomorrow, she would become his mistress. In spite of all common sense and better judgment, excitement rippled through her, but so did a vast trepidation.
“I have already instructed Rose to pack your belongings,” he said. He inclined his head. “I am sorry if it is inconvenient.” With that, he strode out.
Lizzie stared after him, covering her racing heart with one hand. She was relieved that he would take her and Ned with him, but his mood was daunting. Clearly something was amiss.
A form separated itself from the curtain by the terrace doors. Rex de Warenne looked at her, both dark brows lifted. “I have never seen such boorish manners in my life—not from Tyrell,” he said.
Lizzie cried out, aghast that he had been standing there by the terrace doors, listening, the entire time. Now he hobbled over to her, his gaze intent. “You manage yourself well. Most people, man or woman, would turn tail and run when faced with my brother’s displeasure.”
“Had I a choice, I surely would have,” Lizzie somehow said. “But I rather think he needs to be stood up to.”
Rex studied her. “He called his own son the child.”
Lizzie was instantly overcome with nervous anxiety. “I am sure it was a slip of the tongue.”
“One would think my brother would be thrilled to have an heir.”
“I am sure that he is.”
“Really? He is thrilled that you have presented him with his son. Hence his lack of manners and his black temper.”
“I should pack,” Lizzie began, hoping to escape.
But he stepped slightly to the side, barring the way to the door. “You do not have to stay with him and bear his rudeness. You could return to your home.”
“I would never leave my son!” Lizzie exclaimed.
“And Tyrell? You will suffer his attentions for the sake of the child?”
She hesitated, and finally looked Rex right in the eye.
“At times he does frighten me, but I know he is kind and that his heart is good. I have upset his life. I do not blame him for any anger. He did not ask for this—for me, for Ned—on the eve of his marriage. This is an inopportune time,” she said, “and I am sorry for it. I am very sorry to cause Tyrell any distress.”
Rex stared. He finally nodded, and then he smiled at her. “Shall I box his ears and remind him that he must be a gentleman, no matter the provocation?”
Lizzie began to smile in return, relieved the worst was over. “I should love for you to box his ears, but I do not think he will listen.”
“For the moment, I think you are right.” His smile vanished. “I have never seen him so conflicted or so torn.”
“I do not understand.”
“I didn’t think you would. Knowing Ty as I do, I am sure he would not reveal his real feelings to you.”
Lizzie had to know what Rex meant. “What feelings?”
“He is failing his duty, Miss Fitzgerald. Surely you know that. And I believe he is morally failing himself.”
Lizzie froze. “I am hardly his first mistress.”
“No, you are not. But he has never been engaged before. Do you love him?”
Lizzie’s heart lurched. She did not know how to answer and she slowly looked at him.
He was grim. “I think I can see the answer in your eyes, Miss Fitzgerald.”
Lizzie made no attempt at debate.
“I should like to give you some advice.”
Lizzie knew she did not want to hear it. “If you must.”
“Passions are running far too high for you both. I predict no good can come of this arrangement.”
Lizzie sank into a chair. She knew in her heart that Rex was right.
“I know this is not my place. But I care deeply about my brother. He cannot give you what you deserve, Miss Fitzgerald, not ever.”
Lizzie met his gaze. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Come! We both know you are no harlot. We both know that this arrangement does not suit you. Tyrell must marry Lady Blanche. He will never fail his family, Miss Fitzgerald, no matter how high his passions run. You should leave him,” Rex said bluntly. “Sooner is far better than later.”
Lizzie cried out, closing her eyes, knowing he was right.
And with that, he limped out.
Then her sister’s soft voice drifted to her from the terrace outdoors.
She had forgotten Georgie! She rubbed her throbbing temples, gathering her composure about her like a cloak.
It did not matter what Rex thought, for Tyrell would not let her leave.
She then got up and went out onto the terrace. There, Georgie sat sipping tea.
“Lizzie!” The two sisters embraced. “Are you all right?” Georgie asked.
Lizzie sat down, clinging to her hand. “I am caught up in a whirlwind of emotion!”
“What is going on?” Georgie asked, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Tyrell obviously knows that you are not Ned’s mother, yet he claimed him as his own!”
“No, he thinks I am Ned’s mother, but he does not see that he is the father,” Lizzie said.
Georgie just stood there, looking stupefied. “Then why would he claim Ned as his son?” she finally asked.
“He is playing a game, Georgie. In return for his silence, and if I am to stay with Ned, I am to be his mistress. In fact, we are going to Wicklowe tomorrow.”
“He blackmails you?” She was in disbelief.
Lizzie winced. “Yes.”
“But what about his engagement? It was announced last night.”
Lizzie tensed. “He is not giving me any choice. I cannot leave Ned.”
“Oh, Lizzie,” Georgie whispered, squeezing her hand. “I know how much you love him. No one knows more than I do. I cannot help but wish he had ridiculed you and thrown us all out, as we thought he would do.”
Lizzie said slowly, “I have known him my entire life, but from a distance—and all I know of him has been based on hearsay. Georgie, I am beginning to think that I do not really know him all that well—or at all!”
“That is because you have created him as a hero. You have glorified him, Lizzie, and he is just a man.”
“He has such a temper. He is so dictatorial!” Lizzie shivered. “I am not sure he is even half as kind as I thought. He is as arrogant as a real prince.”
“Do you still love him?” Georgie asked.
Lizzie nodded. “More than ever, it seems.”
A long pause ensued. “I think you should know that Rory called on us both yesterday at Raven Hall. I had to entertain him alone,” Georgie added, appearing distraught.
“It was very difficult, as you know I cannot tolerate him. He inquired about you.” Georgie threw her hands up.
“I am sorry! He so irritated me that I told him you had moved here!”
Lizzie’s heart began to beat with dread. “Did you tell him about Ned?”
“No.” Now Georgie was miserable. “I told him you had been invited to stay as a guest. He was utterly suspicious, and it is only a matter of time before he hears the gossip about you, Ned and Tyrell.”
Lizzie’s head ached. She was certain Rory would show up at Adare and demand to see her. What could she possibly tell him? “It’s not your fault,” she said. “He is a friend of Tyrell’s and I am certain he would learn of my new circumstance sooner or later.”
“What if he tells the earl or the countess the truth? Tyrell’s game will be over and you will have to leave. They will never allow you to stay, not after such a fraudulent claim, and they will certainly keep Ned.”
“How long will Rory be in Limerick?” Lizzie asked. If Rory disputed her ever having carried a child, it would be her word against his.
“Not for very long, I think. My understanding is that he is on his way back to Dublin. Maybe he is already gone?”
“That would be fortunate, indeed.” Lizzie stared across the back lawns at the rolling hills. “I am going to have to convince him to remain silent,” she said.
“He adores you,” Georgie said, her tone suddenly terse. “Perhaps you should have told him from the first.”
Lizzie stood. “Georgie? I know you have come to visit, but I am so tired. This duplicity is really too much to bear. I must lie down.”
Georgie also stood. “That’s fine. I merely wished to find out if you were all right, and learn why Tyrell has acted as he did. I still cannot believe he is forcing you to be his mistress. I do not think I admire him very much anymore.”
Lizzie’s immediate instinct was to defend Tyrell. “I seem to bring out the worst in him, but do not misjudge him now. Can you blame him for thinking so poorly of me?”
“Can you really do this, Lizzie? Knowing he is officially plighted to someone else? Are you sure that you should do this?”
Lizzie closed her eyes. “I don’t know,” she finally whispered. “Oh, Georgie, I feel very much like a small vessel lost at sea, swept this way and that by currents I cannot control! I think I am just going with the highest tide.”
Georgie hugged her, hard.
Lizzie was having a wonderful dream. She lay on her side, an extra pillow in her arms, as Tyrell lifted the heavy braid that was her hair.
She smiled just a little, somehow knowing what would come next.
This was the kind of dream she always hoped for.
He touched the side of her jaw, a caress so exquisite that instantly the heat gathered in her loins.
Her blood raced. He stroked down the side of her neck and her shoulder, which was exposed, the neckline of her bodice gaping.
His careful silken stroke moved down her side, to her waist and then her hip.
Lizzie sighed, shifting restlessly in the bed, her skin prickling with desire.
He seemed to breathe her name. “Elizabeth.”
It was Tyrell, she thought, and he was going to make love to her.
He smoothed his palm over the firm mound of one buttock, pausing there. Lizzie whimpered, somehow hearing her own sound, the flesh beneath his hand gloriously alive.
He stroked down to the back of her thigh, caressing there, until Lizzie was pulsing hard between her legs.
“Are you awake?” she thought he asked.
But she did not want to wake up, not now, when her body had so quickly become explosive. His hand was under her cotton nightgown, and his touch on her bare flesh was too much to bear. Lizzie spun away.