The Earl Not Taken Read online

  Head cocked, Aurora narrowed her eyes. “Poppy, is everything all right?”

  The two embraced. “Of course. We have much to tell you and Faith. Is she at home?”

  Aurora looked from him back to Poppy before nodding toward the parlor. “She and I were about to have tea. Perhaps you can join us and tell us all about your adventure.”

  In the parlor, Faith leaped to her feet and rushed over to hug Poppy. “Are you hurt? We were so worried. We couldn’t tell anyone for fear of ruining your reputation. It was an impossible situation. One more day and we’d have called out the Bow Street Runners.”

  He had made some very good friends at Eton, but even his friendship with Garrett could not rival the bond between these Wallflowers.

  Poppy’s joy-filled laughter filled the room. “I’m fine. We had to find shelter when the storm hit, and as luck would have it, we landed at Geb Arafa’s home.”

  “He was not there,” Rhys offered.

  “And a tree fell on the barn,” Poppy said.

  “Poppy brilliantly soothed four horses and kept them safe,” he said.

  “It was the next morning we met Mr. Arafa.”

  They continued with the story, each adding bits and pieces without ever stumbling over one another.

  He loved the excitement in Poppy’s voice when she told Faith that Mr. Arafa highly recommended Nicholas. Even the way she apologized for not finding out what his business was in France made him long to hold her again.

  Faith listened intently and sipped tea until the story brought them back to London. “It is good to know that someone you both seem to admire would allow his sister to marry Breckenridge. Still, it would help to know what he was up to and why he refused to talk about his past.”

  Aurora put her cup down. “Perhaps we’ll learn more when he comes to the country.”

  Faith grinned. “My mother is making all the preparations for the house party. I might have suggested it to get to know Breckenridge better, but it was all Mother’s idea.” Her wink said otherwise.

  “I see. And when do you leave?” A firm, steady voice gave away none of his inner turmoil.

  “The invitations went out the day you two left,” Faith said. “You should have yours when you get home, Rhys. I told Mother that Aurora needed time away from town and her brother was a big comfort to her. It is the truth, after all.”

  Flooded with relief, he swallowed down a whoop of elation. Even having been told he would be invited to join them, he worried they would leave town without him. The notion of being out of Poppy’s company for a fortnight was unbearable. “I’m honored. I’m sure we will all get to know Breckenridge better after a few weeks in the country.”

  Poppy stared at her hands in her lap with her brow furrowed.

  “I dearly hope so.” Faith abandoned her teacup.

  If he had been alone with Poppy, he’d have asked her if she preferred he not attend. He wanted to be close to her, but not to make her uncomfortable.

  Maybe it was the wrong attitude. He needed time to convince Poppy she wanted him as much as he wanted her, if that was indeed true.

  Gut clenching, he stood. “I had better get home. My staff will think I’ve turned up toes. Ladies, I will call in a day or two.”

  “I will walk you out,” Aurora said.

  In the foyer, she took his hat from the butler and waited until they were alone. “What is going on, Rhys?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Are you certain of that?”

  He kissed her cheek. “After six years, I have finally managed to make peace with your friend Poppy and now you are suspicious. She and I have been thrust together and have come to a friendly understanding.”

  “I suppose I should be happy. I’ve tried most of these past six years to keep the two of you from devouring each other. I’m glad you have formed an amicable friendship.”

  “As am I.” He took his hat, feeling somewhat guilty for the lie of omission. However, if Poppy wasn’t willing to discuss their night together with her friends, he certainly would not divulge the information. Besides, the night was more intimate if just the two of them knew of it. And intimacy with Poppy was what he wanted.

  * * * *

  The long weeks between their adventure and the Dornbury house party were interminable. Rhys sat back in his carriage and watched the rush of trees and countryside blur by.

  It had been maddening, but every time he called on his sister, Poppy was out on some errand. He had tried on no less than six occasions to see her. He’d even attended a damned ball, but only Faith was there grumbling about her mother demanding she be seen in public.

  Even sending a note was denied him as Aurora would become suspicious if he started corresponding with Poppy and not the rest of the Wallflowers.

  His driver rounded the drive at Dornbury Manor and stopped at the front doors. Faith and her parents, with a line of servants, stood waiting at the steps. Wanting to seek out Poppy wouldn’t change the fact that he had to be polite and waste an hour or so with the earl and countess before he would have his freedom.

  Faith’s parents were formal and dull. It was a miracle the girl had found time to be disobedient and get herself exiled to Switzerland.

  He accepted tea in the parlor. “Have the other guests arrived yet?”

  Lady Dornbury patted her tightly coiffed hair and pursed her lips. “Breckenridge has not yet arrived, but the other guests are resting above stairs.”

  “It was kind of you to invite my sister and me. She has needed a break from town these weeks.”

  Faith hid a grin behind her teacup.

  Dornbury cleared his throat and ran his hand along his graying beard. “Not at all. We are happy to have you both. We have always liked Lady Radcliff even if some of Faith’s other friends are questionable.”

  “Father!” Faith scolded.

  Lady Dornbury said, “All of that is in the past. They are all fine young ladies who have learned their lessons well.”

  Rhys held his tongue. How had Faith listened to such nonsense her entire life? Even now, with her on the verge of marrying a duke, her parents couldn’t contain their disappointment. “Lady Faith, would you show me the grounds? I have never had the pleasure of seeing the Dornbury Manor gardens, but I hear they are spectacular.”

  “It would be my pleasure, my lord. I believe we may even cross paths with your sister. Mother, Father, do you require anything?” Faith curtsied.

  Lady Dornbury beamed. “See to our guests, my dear. You are going to make an excellent duchess.”

  Once in the hallway, Rhys couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Are they always like that, Faith?”

  She threaded her arm through his and sped their pace through the house. “I’m afraid so. I’ve grown used to it, but it’s become such a habit for them, I don’t even think they realize that in most company I would be embarrassed.”

  “But not with me?” He patted her hand.

  “Of course not. You know me well enough to know all they say is just balderdash.”

  A footman dressed in yellow-and-white livery opened the door into the gardens, which stretched out into the lake district’s magnificent vistas.

  “Thank you, Joseph,” Faith said.

  “My pleasure, my lady.” Joseph made a stiff-backed bow as they exited.

  They rounded several large trees and followed the path. Faith walked with purpose.

  “Faith, where are you taking me?” Rhys studied the way so he could get back to the house if this was some plot to lose him in the gardens. Wallflowers could be devious, and he’d fallen prey to their antics more than once over the years.

  “To the others, of course.”

  “Should I be worried?”

  She laughed. “You are one of us now, Rhys. I promise you will not be tortured any more than you deserve.”

  “Somehow, that does not make me feel any more secure when Wallflowers are involved. I remember very clearly the summer I came to visit Lucerne and the four of you tied me to a tree under the guise of some silly game. You left me there for hours while you ran off to do mischief.” He rubbed his arm where the rope had cut into his coat and skin.

  “We came back for you. Besides, you managed to free yourself.”

  “It took me an hour, and the four of you had gone on a shopping excursion of all things.”

  Faith stopped and put her fists on her hips. “If you had agreed to take us to town for a few hours, none of that would have befallen you.”

  He held up his hands. “I am well aware of my past mistakes.”

  A bright smile spread across her face. “And that is why you are one of us now.”

  Around the next bend a grove of five trees surrounded several benches where a gurgling stream meandered past. Poppy stood staring out toward the lake in the distance. If he were a painter, he would have found great pleasure in recreating the moment.

  “Rhys, you’re here!” Aurora called from the bench.

  Mercy jumped up and took his arm. “We have been waiting for you.”

  “Really? I thought you Wallflowers preferred to be alone together.” Rhys had always liked Mercedes. She was funny in spite of a rather difficult life where she was always called by the whim of a relative. Surviving when her parents had been killed in a terrible carriage accident, she’d never lost her sense of humor.

  Her smile was infectious. “We have decided you are one of us. The first male Wallflower of West Lane. Not to mention, the only other person we’ve ever let into our quartet.”

  Dragged into the middle of the stand of trees, he bowed. “I am honored beyond words.”

  Poppy kept her gaze on the view and didn’t join the rest of them.

  Aurora said, “As you should be. Now, how do we find out what Breckenridge was up to in France?”

  “Then you ladies have not given up on this investigation despite Poppy’s accounts of Breckenridge’s good character from a man she and I both found honorable?” He waited for Poppy to chime in, but she wouldn’t look at him. His heart pounded at the sight of her, but she kept her gaze on the horizon. As lovely as ever and in a day dress not yet marred by a fall or accident of some kind, Rhys was tempted to turn her to face him. It was untenable the way he longed for her attention. Forcing himself to respect her desire to remain apart from the group and him, he focused on the other three ladies.

  Mercy fluffed her skirts and flounced onto the grass like a pink tulip. “We recognize you both liked Mr. Arafa and value his opinion. Some men will cover for others.”

  “You think Arafa lied to us? Poppy?” He waited, but she shrugged and then wrapped her arms around herself as if she might come apart at any moment.

  Sitting next to him, Faith sighed. “Men do protect one another.”

  “So do women.” Mercy winked.

  Unable to keep his seat, Rhys made every effort to keep his voice level. Somewhere between their mistrust of Geb and Poppy’s refusal to speak to him, his restraint had all but tattered. “Poppy?”

  The bit of pleading in his tone must have been enough. Poppy turned. Eyes haunted and skin pale, she met his gaze with her chin up.

  “Do you think Mr. Arafa was dishonest?”

  The way she clutched herself around the waist pushed her breasts to the edge of her peach day dress. She glanced at the other ladies before coming back to him. “I believed Mr. Arafa. He is a good and honest man, but he also sells information, which is not necessarily an upstanding profession. He’s a spy, Rhys. He could have been lying to us and be so skilled at it, we were fooled.”

  There was no disputing the assessment. “I see.”

  Faith touched his arm. “It is my life we are talking about, Rhys. It seems such a small thing for him to tell me what his life has been, yet he refused and skulked off into the gardens for some clandestine meeting.”

  Looking down into Faith’s worried eyes, it was impossible to argue. He had known these women since they were girls. Making sure no further harm came to them was the least he could do. He’d failed Aurora for three years. It would not happen again. Taking Faith’s hand, he bowed and kissed it. “I will never allow any of you to be harmed again. We shall ferret out what Breckenridge was up to and if need be, discard his proposal.”

  With a bounce, Faith hugged him. “Thank you. I knew you would help us.”

  She sat on the grass next to Mercy. Now a yellow tulip with her skirts fluffed around her.

  Mercy snickered. “All is well again and you may remain a Wallflower.”

  Sitting, he watched the four of them. Four perfect little flowers and he like a nagging thorn among them. “I hadn’t realized my new status was already in jeopardy.”

  Aurora smiled. “I wish we could stay just like this and not worry about the outside world. However, Breckenridge will arrive shortly and we need a plan. How do we find out what he’s up to?”

  “How many men will be here this week?” A spark of an idea had Rhys thinking.

  “Including Father and Lord Mitchem, there is you, Breckenridge, and a friend he’s bringing along; plus Mother met Garrett Winslow at the theater last week and invited him. She gushed about what a gentleman he was.”

  “Not to mention he’ll be a duke one day,” Mercy muttered under her breath.

  Poppy giggled. “I’m sure that was more intriguing to your mother than his good manners.”

  Raising a warning finger, Aurora halted any insults. “Garrett has been a good friend to Rhys and me for most of our lives. Nothing bad is to be said about him.”

  “But Faith’s mother is fair game.” Mercy poked Faith in the ribs, and the two fell into gales of laughter.

  Despite how adorable the four of them were together, Rhys stifled his smile. “Garrett is a good friend and might be helpful to our cause. He would not wish any harm to come to any lady and definitely not a friend of Rora’s and mine.”

  Aurora’s face turned ghost white. “Rhys, you haven’t told Garrett about my past?”

  He rushed to her side. “Of course not. I only told him your marriage was not a happy one. The details are yours to tell or not. However, Garrett cares very much about you and would make a good confidant, if ever you needed one.”

  Clutching him, she said, “I have enough confidants with you and the Wallflowers. Thank you for keeping my secret.”

  “You know, Aurora, if we told Breckenridge of your troubles and the fears they have instilled in the other ladies, he might be more willing to disclose his past.” Rhys’s stomach churned at the thought, but he felt it worth mentioning.

  She shook her head. “Only as a last resort. My troubles are not for public amusement or gossip. I understand Poppy gave some information to Mr. Arafa in order to learn what we now know. As he doesn’t know me and our paths are not likely to cross, it is harmless. Telling people we don’t know and who are in our social circle would leave me exposed to their pity. The thought makes me sick to my stomach.”

  “I only thought I should give the option. I tend to agree the matter should be kept private within a close circle of friends.” Rhys hugged her tighter.

  “Why did you ask about the men?” Faith asked.

  Keeping one arm around his sister, Rhys turned to the other three tulips in pink, yellow, and his Poppy in peach. “Often with a sizable concert of men, there is a hunting party. I might befriend Breckenridge more easily with time away from the ladies. Men sometimes divulge things about themselves to other men that they keep hidden when women are around.”

  Poppy stepped away, her attention back to the vistas. “Women do the same.”

  “I shall put the idea of a hunting party in Father’s ear.” Faith stood. “I have to meet with Mother to go over the seating for dinner.”

  Mercy rose as well. “I’ll go with you. I brought some books my aunt disapproves of and I’m going to read to my heart’s content now that I’m out from under her roof.”

  The color back in her cheeks, Aurora jumped up. “Oooh! New books. I’ll go with you, Mercy. I might have a few treats in my trunk as well.”

  Expecting Poppy to run off too, he held his breath.

  Once the others could no longer be heard giggling about books, she turned to him. “I had a thought you might not come this week.”

  “Did you want me to send my regrets?” The ache in his chest expanded.

  She sighed, looked around her at anything but him, then sank onto the bench. “I don’t know what I want. You are a puzzle I can’t make out.”

  “Do you regret our time together, Penelope?”

  “No. It was a beautiful night and I would not change anything.” Her sad expression belied her words.

  “Then why do you look as if your dog died?” She kept the space between them, and he didn’t want to make her run for the house. Even this awkward time together was better than no time at all.

  She stood, walked to the edge of the line of trees, and fussed with the lace on her bodice. “It is very strange to be around you now. I know it’s childish, but I can’t stand that you can have no respect for me now.”

  He rushed to her but did not touch her. “You could not be more wrong, Penelope. It is unfair for you to judge me as so shallow and uncaring. I don’t deserve that. After all, it was you who requested we make love.”

  “I know.” Tears slid down her cheeks and tightened her voice. “It’s completely foolish. You have done nothing wrong. You were a kind and wonderful lover, though I have nothing to compare the experience to. You are a good friend, Rhys. I will find a way to overcome my own stupidity.”

  “Look at me, Penelope.” He wanted to shake her, hold her, love her, and smother her all at once. No woman should sway his good sense as this one could.

  Her eyes were red rimmed as she turned to him.