The Earl Not Taken Page 19

  Tipton’s expression turned dark for an instant before he pulled it back to the typical lack of expression worn by all good butlers. “She will not be returning, my lord. The Earl of Merkwood came and collected her. It was quite a scene, but the earl left her no choice, and she has left West Lane.”

  What did he mean, left her no choice? Poppy could have refused. It was not a question he could ask the butler as it would put the man in an awkward position. Telling tales was not something a good butler did, and Tipton was a very good butler. “I see. Thank you, Tipton. I will call at the Arrington townhouse.” He took his hat back and rushed from the house.

  “Good luck, my lord,” Tipton said as he closed the door behind Rhys.

  It was damned inconvenient to have to go through Poppy’s parents to see her. How was he going to get her alone with Lady Merkwood hovering about? He called the new address up to his driver and settled into the carriage.

  At the Arrington townhouse he was admitted with reluctance as it was his second call that day. He waited in the parlor for twenty minutes before Lady Merkwood entered.

  “I’m afraid Penelope is exhausted from the events of the day and asks for you to come back another time.” Her ladyship frowned, but no expression could be seen in her eyes.

  Rhys had to bite his tongue to keep from saying something he’d regret. “I take it she was displeased with her orders to return to this house.”

  A slight shrug, which reminded him of a French coquette he’d met a long time ago, made her even more distasteful. “She is not a prisoner. This is her home and the proper place to be married from. She said she will see you and your sister tomorrow at George’s.”

  “I see. I will say good day, then, my lady.” He bowed and left without ceremony or waiting to be asked if he’d like tea. The last thing he wanted was to spend time with this manipulative woman. How could his sweet Poppy have come from this woman and the arrogant villain he’d asked for permission to marry? It was a mystery.

  Rhys didn’t know what to do. He needed to speak to her alone. George’s would not offer him that opportunity. Not knowing what to do, he tramped across town on foot, telling his driver to go home. After an hour, he found himself in Garrett’s study with a glass of very fine brandy and a splitting headache.

  They hadn’t spent much time in Garrett’s home in London. His parents usually stayed in the country, so the townhouse was at their son’s disposal. However, Garrett had bolted from London over three years ago and this was the first time he’d spent any time in England in all those years.

  Sitting in one of four overstuffed chairs around a low round table, Garrett crossed his ankle over his knee and studied Rhys. “Are you going to tell me what happened, or do I have to get you good and drunk to find out?”

  Sinking into a pit of drunken waste sounded better than it should. Instead, he focused on the tall window with its arched transom and dark blue drapes. He watched the day turn to dusk and avoided Garrett’s gaze. “I’m in love with Poppy Arrington.”

  “And this has you in such a state you wander into my house at this odd hour? I don’t understand. I knew you were in love with her months ago at that ball where you couldn’t take your eyes off her. It’s one of the reasons I didn’t leave England as planned. I wouldn’t want to run off and miss your wedding. If you love her, ask for her hand. It’s not as if you don’t have to marry at some point.” Garrett smiled and sipped his drink.

  “Well, you’re in luck; the wedding is in ten days and then you’re free to follow your wanderlust wherever it takes you,” Rhys ground out and then downed the rest of his brandy. It burned on the way down, and he refilled the glass. Being cornered wasn’t how he had imagined he would win Poppy. He’d wanted to show her how he felt before he told her. He wanted her to realize she loved him too.

  Garrett sat up. “Ten days. Good Lord, what on earth happened?”

  Rhys was unable to hold his tongue, so the entire story came pouring out. He only left out the night he’d made love to Poppy and the night she’d come to him for comfort. Those things would remain theirs alone.

  When he came to the ending with Poppy refusing to see him earlier in the day, Rhys blew out a long breath. The tale was exhausting when it should be joyous, sad where it should be happy, and damning where it should be a new beginning. Nothing had turned out the way he’d hoped.

  Blinking several times, Garrett gaped. “So, she’s refused you twice yet you still intend to marry her because you were trapped by a rainstorm without a chaperone. The lady gives no indication of affection for you, yet you intend to saddle you both for the rest of your lives. Am I missing something?”

  Pain emanated from the center of Rhys’s chest. Put that way, he sounded like a fool and a bully no better than her father. “I think she loves me. I know she likes me. She’s just so stubborn about rules she made for herself years ago and ideas she’s had about me since we met.”

  “What ideas?”

  “When I first met Poppy, she had been dropped at our door in the country for one week before she and Rora were shipped off to that school in Lucerne. She stumbled upon me and a girl from town in a rather embarrassing situation. I’m afraid she has never forgiven my bad behavior.” Heat filled Rhys’s neck and cheeks.

  With a laugh, Garrett said, “Well, we all did stupid things as young men. I think she must see that is not behavior you still indulge in.”

  “Yes, well, I’m working on her seeing that. In the meantime, it is not going to happen unless I can speak to her alone, and that has not been possible since this entire thing blew up in my face this morning.” Frustration and hopelessness made him want to go back to the Arrington townhouse and climb a trellis into her bedroom where he would force her to listen to him. Of course, that would be foolish and never work.

  “What are you thinking? You have the most devious look on your face.”

  “Do men still do stupid things in the name of love, or is that reserved for those novels the ladies like to read?” An impossible plan began to form in the back of Rhys’s mind.

  Garrett poured more brandy. “What is going on in that head of yours?”

  “That Poppy said no twice because I’ve been an ass and didn’t tell her how I feel. Now, after all that has happened, she wouldn’t believe me if I told her I love her.” Excitement built inside Rhys as his plan started to take a realistic form.

  “And?” Garrett sat with his elbows on his knees and his drink propped in both hands between. This room with all its warm woods and plush decor suited his friend. Despite his continued need to travel the world, he was well suited to life in London.

  “And maybe if she understood, things would be different. I wish I could whisk her away and give her the option to toss me aside or marry me because she wants to.”

  “Then do it.” Garrett finished his drink and placed the glass on the table. He put the topper on the decanter and stood, stretching his arms above his head.

  “What, kidnap a lady of the realm and run away with her?” The idea had more appeal than it should for a sane man.

  Garrett shrugged and pulled a cord. “Why not? Not kidnap, but ask her to run away with you. Give her a choice as opposed to what her parents have orchestrated.”

  A choice… That was it. That was why she was so angry. He’d betrayed her by taking away her choice. Good Lord, what an idiot he was. “Garrett, my dear friend, you are a genius. I may need some help.”

  A wide smile spread across Garrett’s face, he spread his arms wide and gave a mock bow. “I am at your disposal.”

  When the butler appeared, Garrett told him they would be two for dinner. They had a lot to discuss.

  * * * *

  Rhys arrived at George’s Patisserie and Tea Shop with a plan, which he seriously doubted would work, but he had no choice but to try. He sat at the largest table and waited.

  The scent of sugar, fresh baked biscuits, and tea filled the small eatery. White linen covered the tables.

  A waiter asked if he needed anything, and he ordered tea for five. There was no harm in being optimistic.

  Within the quarter hour his sister arrived with Mercy and Faith. “Hello, Rhys. I wasn’t sure you would come.”

  His heart sank when Poppy wasn’t with them. “I made a commitment to the four of you. I will keep my word.”

  They smiled and sat just as the tea was served.

  Mercy’s smirk was caught between amusement and doubt. “We have some bad news, but I think we might wait until Poppy arrives before we speak about it.”

  “Are you certain it is bad news?” Aurora asked.

  Faith blinked at her gloved hands in her lap.

  “Has your intended found out about our prying?” Rhys spoke softly to Faith, who did not look at all like it pleased her. It didn’t surprise him Geb Arafa would tell his friend of the strange encounter. If it had been one of his good friends, he would have done the same.

  Eyes swimming, Faith said, “He sent a letter indicating my sneaky nature was perhaps more than he had bargained for. He said if I wanted to call it off, he would understand.”

  “And do you want to call it off?”

  The bell on the door jingled. Rhys felt Poppy in the room before she approached the table. Still, he kept his attention on Faith.

  “I don’t know.” Faith cried silent tears. “I was just starting to figure him out, which is his own fault for being so stingy with information.” The last was full of reproach.

  Without interrupting, Poppy took the last seat at the table and focused on Faith.

  Rhys wanted to help, but if he had been investigated by the Wallflowers without knowing them and their nature, he might have the same reaction as Breckenridge. “May I speak freely, ladies?”

  “Of course,” Mercy and Faith said together.

  Aurora raised a brow, and Poppy remained uncharacteristically solemn.

  “I don’t really blame Breckenridge. At least he didn’t ruin you by calling off. He doesn’t know you four or what you have been through as a group. Perhaps he needs a bit of time to sort it out. I suggest you write him a letter and explain everything. If you want to know him better, then tell him that as well. Then tell him where you’ll be, so he knows how to reach you.” Rhys waited while they thought it through.

  Poppy cocked her head. It was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen. “Why would he not know where Faith would be?”

  “Because I want the four of you to come with me to my friend Garrett’s home in the Lowlands. I’d like for you to do so this afternoon, but perhaps first thing in the morning is more realistic.” His heart was solidly lodged in his throat. This was the moment he needed her to trust him. If she refused, he didn’t know what he’d do. Kidnapping was still an option. Though, perhaps counterproductive.

  “Why on earth would we do that?” Poppy asked.

  “Garrett has a home in Scotland?” This from Aurora.

  Faith cleared her throat. “Forgive me, Poppy, I know this is a delicate subject.” She turned toward Rhys. “Aren’t you supposed to marry Poppy in just nine days? That’s a long trip to return from in such a short time.”

  “I would like to not marry Poppy in London nine days from now. Not under the current circumstances.”

  “What?” Faith.

  “You wouldn’t.” Aurora.

  “You can’t.” Mercy.

  The three of them gaped, and it was almost enough to make him laugh. They were like three fish devoid of water.

  Poppy blushed bright red but said nothing and didn’t look at him. She smelled of sunshine and roses. He could wrap himself in her scent and be content for all eternity if only she’d let him.

  Save for them and the staff, the shop was empty. He turned to the other three Wallflowers. “Pardon me, ladies, but for the next few moments I’m going to pretend you are not here.”

  Rising, he took a deep breath, rounded the table, and knelt down next to Poppy. Despite his claim to ignore them, he felt their glares on him. “Please listen to me, Poppy. The last thing I want is to force you or anyone to marry me. However, I do want to marry you. I want to be very clear. Nothing would make me happier than to make you mine and to belong to you only.”

  She remained still and stared at the white tablecloth. Yet there were subtle changes. Her back stiffened, and her fingers stilled where they’d been fussing with the edge of the tablecloth.

  Her lack of encouragement made his speech harder, but he was not going to give up. Not yet. “I propose to thwart your parents’ high-handedness. We can go where they cannot influence us with society’s ideas of right and wrong. You can leave a letter saying you have gone to the country to think about your situation and will return soon. Don’t tell them where you’re going or when you’ll return, but tell them Rora is with you as a chaperone. They will be angry, but they’ll not be panicked over your safety.

  “If after the journey and arrival at Thwackmore you do not wish to marry me, you may release me from our engagement and no one need know or care about any of this. Your mother will never tell a soul about our trip to see Mr. Arafa. I don’t even know how she found out, but she’ll never divulge the information.”

  Now the hardest part. He took a deep breath. “Poppy, yesterday was a disaster, but I couldn’t refuse to marry you. You must understand. If I had done so, your mother would have made a cad out of me. And while you felt trapped and angry, how would you have felt had I rejected you? You would have thought I didn’t care for you.”

  Finally, she met his gaze. “ I don’t know what to think.”

  Not used to her voice being soft and full of doubt, he wanted to reassure her. The public place was all wrong for this, but he leaned in. “Forgive me. I was put in an awkward position, and I handled it with less grace than I ought. I would never betray you, Poppy. I’m asking for your trust and the trust of your closest friends.”

  When he returned his attention across the table, Faith was dabbing tears from her eyes with a napkin and Mercy grinned from ear to ear. Aurora would not make eye contact and fussed with her gloves. His sister’s response confused him, but it made no difference.

  He took her hand and kissed it. “Poppy, trust me. I’ll not force you to marry me. You will always have a safe haven with Rora. I’ll see to it you have whatever you need financially regardless of whether you marry me or not. You have my word. The choice will be yours.”

  Poppy looked across at her friends for a long moment before turning back to him. Doubt clouded her eyes, but she met his gaze like a warrior. “I will have my trunk placed at the back of my parents’ garden tonight. In the morning I will tell Mother I am meeting you in the park for a walk. A maid will accompany me, but I will give her the letter to deliver to Mother. She will do as she’s told. You can pick me up at West Lane with the others.”

  Relief washed over him. Bowing his head to her lap, he said, “Thank you.”

  There was the briefest touch of her hand in his hair before she pulled away. “I have only agreed to thwart my parents, Rhys. Beyond that, I’ve made no guarantees.”

  Standing, he adjusted his coat and smiled down at her. “You have shown me trust, and that is all I ask for the present, Poppy.”

  The jingle of the bell on the door indicated they were no longer alone.

  Rhys rounded the table and sat. He kept his voice low. “I have some arrangements to make with Garrett. We will need at least two carriages.”

  With her usual calm and slight smile, Mercy said, “We shall be ready at West Lane when you arrive. You will need another carriage for trunks, and we shall bring Gillian and Jane. You can’t expect us to go away for an indefinite period without lady’s maids.”

  Using all his control to keep from dancing with glee, Rhys allowed a small smile. “I shall see to a third carriage. I want all of you to be comfortable and happy.”

  “I must go and write to His Grace. Rhys made a fine point earlier. I shall take his advice.” Faith’s eyes were clear, and she stood, pulling on her gloves.

  Aurora stood, and her expression remained guarded. Something wasn’t right, but he had no time to find out what troubled his sister. “We have things to ready as well. Good day, Rhys.”

  Having stood with the ladies, Rhys bowed. His pulse pounded. “Thank you, ladies.”

  Poppy stopped before him. The line that appeared between her brows whenever she was worried was as deep as he’d ever seen it. He longed to smooth the wrinkle and ease her stress. “I am sorry for the things I shouted yesterday. I see now that I misjudged your intentions.”

  Stepping closer than was appropriate for a public place, he whispered, “You have nothing to be sorry for. I wish I had thought of a better way to handle the situation. I never wanted to hurt you.”

  “Thank you.” She rushed away, dabbing the corners of her eyes.

  Like the four flowers they were, they bustled down the street to where two carriages waited for them.

  Rhys waited just outside George’s until they were away before he climbed into his own carriage. He put his head in his hands and thanked all that was holy she’d agreed. It was an impossible gift for her to put aside the disaster of yesterday and still trust him.

  No matter the cost, he would see Penelope Arrington happy. Even if it meant his own misery, he would see to her needs.

  The carriage rolled down the street. Rhys was glad he’d have at least twenty minutes to gain control of his emotions before he met with Garrett. He hadn’t realized how much of himself he’d had riding on her response. The idea she could have told him no and been done with it churned demons in his gut.

  Most troubling of all was she might have married him just to satisfy her parents then never forgiven him. The notion was what sent him to George’s with such an elaborate plan.

  Poppy despising him while being tied to him kept him up all night. The only thing keeping him from falling asleep in the carriage was the thrill of excitement that came with spending time with Penelope Arrington. She must not hate him yet, if she agreed. She might doubt him, but she didn’t hate him. It would have to be enough for the present.