Chapter 1 A Lady’s Prerogative #2
They all sat without speaking for several moments, the rhythmic ticking of the ancient long-case clock the only sound in the room. Containing her desire to escape for as long as possible, Natalie waited two whole minutes before speaking. “May I be excused now, Papa?”
With narrowed eyes, her father pointed one finger at her. “You had better not disobey me! I will have your complete obedience, Natalie. And lest you find yourself tempted, remember your aunt Mary lives in Scotland and I am not opposed to sending you up there for a year or two, if necessary.”
Of course he would never do such a thing!
“Yes, Papa.” Natalie rushed around the desk to kiss her father’s weathered cheek and then dashed from the study.
Relief swept through her to be finished with such disagreeable business.
She would obey her father’s silly rules, and before she knew it, all this rubbish would be far behind her.
She simply needed to avoid trouble until after Joseph’s wedding.
That ought not to be so hard. The Season was winding down, after all. How difficult could it be?
The newly titled Earl of Hawthorne braced himself as three familiar gentlemen strolled toward him along the walk.
They were men with whom he’d broken bread, wagered cards, and practiced fisticuffs at Gentleman Jackson’s.
As they neared him, their conversation halted and their countenances transformed from pleasure to distaste.
All six eyes focused on some unknown distant object behind him.
The only sound was their booted heels and wooden canes tapping along the pavement as they passed.
This wasn’t the first time he’d received the cut today.
Walking aimlessly upon leaving his new office at Whitehall, Garrett Castleton resisted the urge to turn around and call the three of them out.
Instead, he clenched his fists and increased his pace.
News of his father’s crimes had spread quickly, and men he’d considered friends now treated him as though he had the plague. It ought not to bother him.
Although the morning air was cool, he reached up and tugged at his cravat.
Resentment festered in his chest. To avoid any further unpleasant encounters, Garrett crossed the street to Hyde Park and headed down one of its less populated paths.
The leaves rustled in the trees as a breeze stirred the air.
Any breeze this time of year in London was welcome.
Unfortunately, solitude was not to be his for long, for the fragrant breeze of nature carried with it the distinctive scent of ladies’ perfume.
Oh, wonderful, Lady Natalie Spencer—diamond of the first water—was just ahead.
Careful to avoid soiling her slippers, she daintily picked her way toward him with a maid in tow.
Just what he needed, another snub by one of London’s elite.
He slowed his pace and scrutinized her, not bothering to move to one side or the other. By no stretch of the imagination was he feeling amicable in that moment.
She looked pale and fragile, wearing an icy blue confection of a dress.
Of course, she carried the ridiculous ruffles and lace elegantly, not a bit of it hindering her practiced grace.
Atop blonde tresses, she wore a jaunty hat, decorated with, of all things, two ladybugs and a butterfly.
Ladies of the ton never failed to surprise him in their frivolousness.
Apparently sensing his presence, she glanced up. Garrett watched her lashes flutter and noted her blue eyes widen before shifting away.
He halted, opened his stance, and planted his boots on each side of the path. The trail was narrow here. She would be forced to acknowledge his presence if she wished to pass. In no mood to play the gallant, he removed his hat and bowed mockingly.
“My lady.” His gaze travelled the length of her. He did nothing to hide his appraisal. In fact, he allowed it to linger over her tiny waist, bodice, and exposed décolletage. A flush spread across her creamy skin.
Hesitating for only a moment, with downcast eyes, the lady dipped into a flawless curtsey.
“My lord…” She still had not looked directly at him.
“I’ll thank you for permitting my maid and me to pass.
” Garrett’s eyes fixed upon a loose curl dangling teasingly over one silken shoulder.
His mind conjured up thoughts of how her skin might taste, how it would feel beneath his lips.
In another world, she would be his for the taking.
But not in this one.
Although acquainted with the girl’s father and brothers, he’d never been allowed an introduction to the delicate flower herself.
“We’ve not been introduced, my lady. The Earl of Hawthorne at your service.
” His tone made a mockery of his words. Standing before her, he was aggravated to note he suddenly felt coarse and brutish.
How could he not? She embodied all of that which polite society esteemed.
She bit her lip and looked about, as though seeking escape. He could have sworn her sapphire eyes flashed. “You’ll excuse me please, my lord. I haven’t time to converse.” For the first time, he noticed she clutched a timepiece tightly. She glanced at it and frowned.
Goaded by her cool demeanor, Garrett reached out and snagged her fingers in his.
Unwilling to release her, he pried opened her palm to reveal the gold watch.
She held herself rigid. Did he frighten her, or was she merely too proud to tug against his grip?
With an irresistible urge to shock her sensibilities, he raised her hand to his lips.
Turning it over, he pressed his open mouth upon the silk of her glove and then slowly slid his tongue along the sleek fabric.
The silk was scented with something floral, but the material itself tasted sweet. Cruel satisfaction infused his cold heart when he felt her tremble. “A lady such as yourself should never be hurried. Won’t you allow me to escort you to your destination?”
She glanced up with a shudder. Her expression nearly crushed him.
She was horrified!
Shaking her head from side to side, she practically cringed.
“Oh, no! You mustn’t, my lord. My father…
I cannot possibly…No one must see me speaking to you!
” And then, pulling her hand from his, she grasped her maid from behind and pushed her way past. As she did so, the tight space of the path forced her to brush her entire person against him.
“I’m so very sorry, my lord,” she mumbled into his coat as she passed.
For such a feminine creature, she’d shown surprising strength.
As his hands instinctively grasped her hips, he was momentarily, and most inconveniently, tempted by the womanly curves pressed against him.
But Lady Natalie Spencer’s response was chilling.
He would detain her no longer. For but a moment he wished she weren’t one of them.
But only for a moment.
And then, she disappeared as quickly as she’d come.
More than even before, he burned to depart London and all it represented. Even if that meant returning to Maple Hall.
He had one last appointment today, and then he would leave and perhaps never return. He only wished he could dispense with his father’s dubious legacy so easily.
Sharing a pint of ale with one of his oldest friends, Garrett suppressed a twinge of guilt. Stone Spencer, ironically enough, was an elder brother to the lady he’d practically accosted not an hour ago in the park.
Meeting up by chance, Stone had suggested sharing a quick drink at this place, an anonymous pub just outside Mayfair. He would have known that Garrett wasn’t welcome at White’s. Even Brooks’ would balk if Garrett were to present himself.
Shame prodded Garrett as his old schoolmate ordered another round of drinks. Along with everyone else, Stone could have easily severed ties with Garrett. But he did not. In fact, he admonished some of those who had. And he worried for Garrett, God save him. The last thing Garrett wanted was pity.
“When you retrieve your mother’s trunks, you must stay at Raven’s Park for at least a fortnight,” Stone insisted.
“My mother will expect nothing less.” The Season was wrapping up, and much of London society was preparing to remove themselves to various country estates for the warmer months. Raven’s Park was one of the finest.
Although tempted, Garrett had misgivings. In spite of his and Stone’s lengthy friendship, and a few business transactions with the earl, Garrett had always done his best to keep himself separate from the Spencer clan. He was an outsider.
As he’d come to realize how perverse his own father was, he’d increasingly avoided invitations which would put him close to “normal” families such as Stone’s. Hearing Stone’s stories and adolescent complaints had taunted him enough.
To accept their hospitality now might feel something like…charity.
He’d also belatedly recalled the daughter had recently broken her engagement to a duke. The last thing the family would wish for at this time would be to associate with one such as himself.
Ravensdale, perhaps, as they’d done business together in the past. But the mother was a high stickler, and Lady Natalie—although she looked like an angel—had proven again today that she considered herself superior.
Even before the scandal with his father, she’d given Garrett the cut direct on several occasions. And now she’d jilted a duke—the Duke of Cortland, no less!
The thought of Ravensdale’s ire directed at the spoiled miss gave Garrett a small measure of gratification.
He must have been livid, for the union between Cortland and Lady Natalie would have been a dynastic one.
Garrett couldn’t help shaking his head in wonder at the chit’s impudence.
Ravensdale might lock her away for years, under the circumstances.
He wondered that she’d appeared in public at all.
But none of that concerned him.
“Maple Hall’s reduced to a pile of rubble, Stone. I can’t take a holiday now.”
His friend persisted. “Maple Hall isn’t going anywhere.
Stop in there first, if you must, but then come to Raven’s Park and stay for a spell.
I refuse to take no for an answer. You must collect your belongings regardless.
Might as well take a holiday, allow yourself some time to rest—to grieve.
I’m certain Mother won’t be entertaining, what with Natalie’s little scandal.
We’ll get in some fishing, perhaps some hunting, and in the village, other amusements.
” Stone waggled his eyebrows, mocking Garrett’s serious countenance.
“I will not mourn him,” Garrett said.
At which point Stone became serious again. “Nonetheless, you will come?”
Garrett felt his resolve weakening. Stone was relentless when he chose to be. “Very well. I do need to address the conditions at Maple Hall first, so it will be close to a fortnight before I arrive. I have your word you’ll notify me if your parents object to the idea?”
“Absolutely.”
Garrett shook his head again, exasperated. He hoped this visit wasn’t a mistake.