The Earl Not Taken Page 18

  Rhys’s voice rang out. “I will call on his lordship in an hour. I would like to speak to Lady Penelope before I speak to him.”

  “If you wish. At least there is a chaperone here. I suppose this is my own fault. I should never have let her leave home. But when a grown child tells you she’s going to live with her recently widowed friend, it all sounds quite innocent.” Mother’s voice grew farther away.

  “It was innocent, madam. May I see you to the door?” Rhys’s voice faded as well.

  “Not necessary. I found my way in, and I can get out the same way. I will see you in one hour, my lord.”

  Whatever Rhys replied was lost in the hallway outside the parlor.

  Poppy slid down the wall and buried her face in her hands. How could he have agreed? And with no attempt to fight Mother. His lack of emotion on the subject showed him to be just like the rest. He might be doing this to save face rather than money, but it was all the same.

  Yet for her it was not the same. She longed for him to be different somehow, to understand her needs and put them above these stupid rules of society. She’d thought he was her friend, someone she had gone to when she needed to talk. Now she felt like a fool having poured out her heart to him and given him information he could use to hurt her later. Husbands were a menace who used what they knew to keep their wives submissive and obedient.

  A young maid, Patty, hummed as she walked through the narrow corridor. When she saw Poppy, she stopped. “Pardon me, my lady.” She ran off toward the main hall.

  * * * *

  The wall sconces gave off little light and with no windows, Poppy didn’t know how long she sat there weeping out her fury.

  Faith’s voice was soft. “Come, Poppy. Let’s get you out of here.”

  Obeying, Poppy’s legs ached from inactivity. She let Faith help her to stand before falling into a hug. Trembling, she asked, “Is he gone?”

  “Rhys? Yes. He waited a good while trying to find you, but then had to go. He will return later this afternoon.” Faith wrapped a hand around Poppy’s waist. They entered the main hall, crossed over, and entered the Wallflowers’ parlor.

  Poppy rested on the chaise but flung her arm over her eyes to block out the bright sun shining through the lightly draped windows. “You should have told him never to come back.”

  “He was very concerned for you.”

  Uncovering her eyes, Poppy sat up. “Did he tell you what happened?”

  “Yes, of course. He said your mother heard about the unchaperoned trip and demanded he marry you, and he agreed.” Faith said it as if it were an everyday occurrence.

  “He knows full well that I don’t want to marry. Not like that. He offered me up like the stuffed goose at Christmas without a word of protest. This is my worst nightmare come to pass.” That was what hurt the most. He knew her wishes and let the dictates of a society he scoffed at force him into a marriage neither of them wanted.

  Faith studied her for a long moment. Faith could act the part of a dim young woman in public, but not much actually got past her. Her scrutiny was unsettling. “Poppy, what is it you’re really upset about? Do you not want to marry, or not want to marry Rhys? Because from what I’ve seen over the last few weeks, he appears to like you very much. He watches your every move and has been solicitous to your moods and needs. I think he agreed because he wants to marry you.”

  “I doubt that very much. He’s a rake, Faith. A man who beds women for sport.” Nausea made her a bit dizzy, and she reclined.

  Brow furrowed, Faith continued her examination. “Perhaps in his youth he was, but I’ve not seen signs of that behavior in years and certainly not since he became an earl. Could it be you cannot get over a traumatic experience from more than six years ago? Perhaps you should just forgive him for one day so long ago and see if you could like the man he’s become.”

  Hating it when Faith made so much sense, Poppy gritted her teeth. Until his agreement to marry her, she thought she had forgiven him. Lord, she hated it when Faith was right. “Zeus’s beard, I have been set against being a man’s chattel all my life, Faith. How can I become a piece of property never to have my own say again?”

  Faith sat close and took her hand. “I wonder if it is the only possibility after marriage. My mother is difficult, but she does not cower to my father. She stands up for herself and even for me sometimes. Father is not a bad sort, just inconstant and moody. He usually gives my mother her way.”

  “You never told me that before.” Poppy wiped her cheeks. She was not given to fits of hysteria, and the entire scene curdled her stomach.

  Shrugging, Faith pulled a face. “I didn’t want to be the only one with parents who got along. It seems silly now, but when we were fifteen, it made sense to just go along.”

  “But, Faith, we haven’t been girls in a long time.” It somehow made her feel better for keeping her secrets knowing sweet Faith had kept one all these years. Perhaps everyone kept secrets and it was just the way of things. Poppy’s head throbbed.

  Faith smiled and made no apology. “I know, but sometimes it’s easier to just let a thing be rather than fighting all the time.”

  “I wouldn’t know.” Poppy giggled and Faith joined her.

  After sharing a good chuckle, Faith sobered. “Do you love him, Poppy?”

  The knot returned to Poppy’s throat. “Why would you ask that? I have refused to marry him.”

  Faith’s soulful eyes bore into Poppy’s heart. “I have known you for a long time, and I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen you this out of sorts. And weeping, maybe twice in all these years.”

  “Could it not be I am upset over my mother’s high-handedness and Rhys’s easy agreement?” Poppy wanted to run from the room, but running from Faith made no sense. Faith was sent in when the others would not do the deed.

  Mercy and Aurora were likely waiting to be called in when things had calmed down. When a Wallflower was very upset, they never all came at once as that could be overwhelming or confusing. The Wallflower best suited to the job would sort it out.

  Not ready to be bombarded with questions from all three of them, Poppy was thankful to only have Faith in the room.

  “I don’t think that would make you cry. You might rant and rave, but these tears make it more personal. So, are you in love with him?” Faith patted Poppy’s hand.

  “I have decided to never marry.” Her tears began again.

  “No one would blame you if you had changed your mind. We Wallflowers change our minds all the time. We also stand together. So, if you don’t want him, we will find a way to resolve the matter. It’s Rhys. after all, He’s not going to drag you by the hair and make you marry him.”

  She was right, of course. Rhys was a reasonable man, and even if he felt forced to say he would marry her, he would allow her to bow out at a later date. Perhaps he imagined she would go along with the process and save him the trouble of finding a wife elsewhere before returning to his mistress. Titled men must marry, after all. Her worries flipped from fear to jealousy in a heartbeat. Hades, she no longer knew her own mind. When had that happened? “I think it’s safe for Mercy and Aurora to come in now.”

  The door burst open and her friends rushed in. They crowded around her, asking if she was all right.

  “I’m better now. Faith was good counsel as always.” Poppy smiled.

  Aurora sat on the carpet at Poppy’s feet. She stared down, not meeting Poppy’s eyes. “You know Rhys would never hurt you physically. You would be safe with him.”

  Touching Aurora’s shoulder, Poppy said, “Yes. I know. He is not a violent man. I just don’t know how Mother could have found out about the stay at Mr. Arafa’s home.”

  Shaking her head, Mercy huffed. “I suppose someone might have seen the two of you leave London together.”

  “Mother seemed to know more than a passing notice. She knew where we’d gone.”

  “It must have been Mr. Arafa who told your mother,” Faith said.

  Poppy hated the idea that Geb would have betrayed her but could think of nothing else.

  Aurora fiddled with the lace on her gown but made no comment.

  Mercy said, “There is cake in the kitchen. I think this would be a fine time to eat an entire cake and make no apologies.”

  “Cook will be furious,” Faith warned.

  Lord, how Poppy loved these women. “Let’s go. Cook will get over her disappointment.”

  It was like being back at school again with the four of them raiding the kitchens, though those adventures generally happened in the middle of the night while all of Wormbattle’s slept.

  Halfway through the sweet treat, footsteps and banging above stairs drew them out of the kitchen.

  “What on earth?” Aurora led the way.

  Poppy’s skin prickled with a sense of doom. “I have a bad feeling.”

  “Don’t be silly. Probably one of the dogs from next door got in and is wreaking havoc.” Faith took Poppy’s hand as they ascended.

  The familiar bark of orders sounded from the foyer. There was no mistaking the Earl of Merkwood’s voice as he commanded footmen to do his bidding. “Go and gather her trunks. I want her back at Arrington House before the hour is out. I have better things to do than deal with a wayward wench who never deserved our attention to begin with.”

  Tears pricked the backs of Poppy’s eyes. Her father’s lack of regard had followed her all her life. It had never occurred to the earl it might have been his disappointment since her birth revealed her female that had made her so contrary. Perhaps if he’d had a son at some point, Poppy’s existence might have disgusted him less.

  Swallowing any show of emotion, Poppy pulled her shoulders back as they entered the foyer. “Father, what in the name of Zeus are you doing?”

  Father stood just inside the front door as if fully entering might soil him in some fashion. He filled the opening with his imposing height and barrel chest. His scowl made it clear he wasn’t happy to see his only child. He ran one hand lightly over his silver hair combed straight back from his handsome face. Even as Arthur Arrington aged and grew his sideburns long, he had not lost his looks and attracted the ladies wherever he went. Perhaps if those women knew what a fiend he was to live with, they would have kept their distance.

  Tipton, the West Lane butler, pulled his pudgy form to full height and frowned a few feet to his right as if the earl might need his coat collected or a sound thrashing at any moment.

  A deep frown creased Father’s brow and caused lines around his mouth and between his sterling eyes. “What your mother should have done from the start of this. I’m taking you in hand. You will return to your family’s home and be married from there ten days hence. The arrangements have already been made. You are damned lucky Marsden agreed to wed you, though I can’t imagine why he would be bothered.”

  Mercy stepped forward. “You are insufferable.”

  He narrowed his eyes on her. “I do not hear words uttered by a nothing with dead parents and who has leeched off the goodwill of a relation most of her life.”

  Faith gasped.

  “Not one of you is worth a damn halfpenny.”

  Aurora stepped out from behind Mercy. Fire flashed in her eyes, and her pert chin tipped up. “My lord, you are in my home, and I’ll remind you I am a countess and the daughter of an earl. My rank is equal to yours. Now that you have behaved like an animal in my foyer, you may take yourself to the street.”

  “I have never been so rudely treated.” He growled something else under his breath.

  Poppy found her voice. “Perhaps that is why you think it your right to treat people with so little respect.”

  He stepped closer, raising his hands like claws.

  Tipton raced around to block the path of the earl. Despite his lack of any rank other than servant, it was his job to keep the residents of West Lane safe, and he took it quite seriously from the fierce look on his face. “My lord, perhaps you might wait in your carriage while the packing is concluded.”

  Pure hatred burned in Father’s eyes as he glared from Poppy to her friends then back to her. “I will return home. I expect you to be there within the hour, or I will hire henchmen to come and get you. They will be instructed to use whatever force necessary to drag you home. I’m sure you wouldn’t want your friends to suffer the stain of such a scene. The neighborhood would talk of nothing else for years. I doubt any invitations would be forthcoming after such a spectacle. Especially when they are further instructed to call out about the whorehouse Lady Radcliff is running.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.” Poppy knew full well he would and he could do everything he said.

  A filthy smirk tugged at his lips. “I think you know better, daughter.”

  The danger appearing to have passed, Tipton opened the front door for the earl to exit more quickly.

  Father stormed down the front steps, and his carriage was soon on its way down West Lane.

  Her entire life and everything she’d ever hated and feared had become her reality. Poppy collapsed on the floor. “I cannot bear this.”

  Faith, Aurora, and Mercy crowded around her on the floor.

  Tipton hovered with concern. “Is Lady Penelope ill? Shall I send for the doctor?”

  “No, Tipton,” Aurora said. “She is fine. Please excuse us for a few minutes.”

  A moment later they were alone.

  Aurora took her hands and kept them in hers until Poppy met her gaze. “You can bear it and you will. You will go to your parents’ house while this gets sorted out. If you are that much opposed to marrying my brother, then we shall find another way to solve this.” Her voice softened, but she didn’t look as assured; her gaze shifted. “However, he truly loves you, Poppy. He would not have agreed to marry anyone he didn’t have strong feelings for.”

  Once again tears stung her eyes. She’d not cried this much in all her life as she had in the last few weeks. Dashing them away, she said, “He was cornered and had no choice.”

  Mercy leaned in. “There is always a choice, Poppy. He could have stalled or hesitated. He did neither. Are you certain you and he could not be a good match?”

  “I don’t know anymore. I only know I feel like a mouse snared in a trap with a large house cat hovering in for the kill.”

  Pulling a disgusted face, Faith patted Poppy’s knee. “Perhaps you might try to conjure up a less nauseating image when you think about a possible marriage.”

  A stifled giggle from Mercy made it hard to stay despondent. “I don’t know; Poppy has always had a flair for the dramatic. If Rhys be the cat, maybe a strong trap is what she needs.”

  Taken aback, Poppy faced Mercy. “What do you mean by that?”

  Standing, Mercy offered her hand to help Poppy up. When they were all on their feet, Mercy said, “You have always claimed you would never marry because you could not make such a pledge for money, power, or property. You have also said you would be no one’s property.”

  Not knowing where she was going with this, Poppy’s unease grew. “That’s right.”

  “Well, Rhys does not need your dowry and will get no property. He’s far more powerful than your blowhard father. All he gains in this bargain is you. Unless I’m mistaken. He must want you, or he would have immediately made demands on your mother in order to take your hand. He could have asked for a great many things to make the bargain advantageous for himself. Your father is rich and has many assets in England and abroad. Rhys asked for nothing but you.”

  Before Poppy could make a rebuttal, Mercy held up her hands to stop the torrent of denial.

  “I’m not telling you to marry him. I’m only suggesting you have an open mind about the idea. Perhaps you might even ask the gentleman why he wants to marry you.” Mercy raised a brow.

  Confusion and a streak of panic rumbled around like a great war inside Poppy. Her head pounded, and her heart seemed determined to punch its way out of her body. Drawing in several deep breaths, she calmed herself. “I will give the matter some thought, but I don’t want to see Rhys. At least not yet.”

  Aurora sighed. “Rhys will not like it, but he will respect your wishes if you make them clear. I’m afraid I don’t see a way out of your going back to your parents’ townhouse.”

  A fresh wave of anger washed over Poppy. “No. Father will make good on his threat and ruin all three of you. At the very least, Faith and Mercy would be doomed by such a horrible rumor. I will go back.”

  The foyer closed in as a door slammed inside Poppy. She was losing her freedom by degrees, and there was little she could do about it.

  Chapter 14

  The look on Poppy’s face when she’d rushed from the room at his agreement to marry her would haunt Rhys for a long time. He didn’t want a wife who hated him. The idea of living without Poppy in his life didn’t make him feel any better. What he needed was to talk to her.

  He jumped down from his carriage at his sister’s West Lane home without waiting for the assistance of his footman. He’d tried to think of the right words on the ride over, but all he could think was that he’d beg her to understand. Again, the despair in her eyes when he said he’d marry her haunted him.

  Before he reached the top step, Tipton opened the door. “My lord, so good to see you again so soon.”

  “I’m here to call on Lady Penelope, Tipton. Can you tell her I’m here?” He handed his hat to the butler.

  Keeping the hat in his open palm, Tipton cocked his head. He cleared his throat just slightly. Perhaps a sign the stoic butler was uncomfortable. “I’m afraid, the lady is not here.”

  “When will she be back?” It might be a good thing. Rhys would have more time to think of what to say. He could go to Rora’s study and write down a few points in his favor before he saw her again. He would wait as long as it took to see her and make her listen to him.