The Earl Not Taken Page 21

  They used the common room as a dining hall and had pushed together several tables to accommodate them. Yet, it had a continuity to it with ruby-red linen covering the table and three tall candelabras lighting the food. Several others were lit in corners of the room as well. The walls were a rich cream color with wood from mid-wall to the floor.

  This was no inn, but a home, and all who entered were treated as family.

  Poppy delighted in a warm dish called Moldavian stew, a combination of a corn mash, fermented cheese, eggs, pork, sausage, and something tart. It woke all the senses and settled in her stomach like a blanket.

  The wine was rich red, and her glass was never empty. If not for the constant laughter and storytelling, she might have felt dizzy from the effects.

  Oslo asked Rhys, “Where did you and Mr. Winslow meet?”

  Frowning, Rhys drank a long sip of wine. “At school, Eton.”

  Garrett roared with laughter. “Tell the story, Rhys, or are you a coward?”

  With assurance, Rhys put his goblet down on the table. “You want me to tell that story, old friend?”

  Mercy laughed. “Now you must tell it. I’ll badger you until I know what has Garrett blushing and you hesitant.”

  “Yes, yes, we are all friends now. Tell your story,” Oslo said, slapping the table hard.

  A young man of perhaps fifteen came around and filled the glasses.

  Madelina took the bottle from him, kissed his cheek, and murmured something in an unfamiliar language.

  He bowed and walked swiftly from the room.

  Poppy watched the exchange, curious about the life the Ionescus lived.

  Madelina caught her gaze. “He lives down the road, and it is getting late. I do not want his mother to worry. I can serve the cake and pour the wine.”

  “Tell the story, Rhys.” Faith’s command was uncharacteristic and may have been a result of too much wine.

  While two girls in their midtwenties cleared the table, Madelina brought cake and cut slices for each of them.

  Rhys said thoughtfully, “It was our first year. I had been at school for over a week before the session started. Father had been in a temper all summer, and going away early was the only way to escape.” He gave Aurora an apologetic smile. “I’d gone to lunch and stuffed myself full of bread and cheese until I was bursting and needed a good nap before I would be fit for anything.

  “I opened the door to my room and there was Garrett, in the middle of the room, standing on his trunk, with his wrists bound and tied to the beam, as naked as the day he was born.”

  Everyone, including Garrett, burst out laughing.

  “What on earth had happened?” Faith dabbed tears from her eyes.

  Garrett spoke. “The upperclassmen who were supposed to introduce me to my new roommate had a little fun with me. Bound me like a pig to market and left me there to make my own introductions.” Garrett’s cheeks were red, but he shrugged and laughed.

  “What did you do?” Poppy gave Rhys her full attention.

  With a deep breath, Rhys picked up his glass and sipped. His eyes locked on Poppy’s “What anyone would. I gaped for a full minute, then closed the door and cut him down.”

  Garrett belted out another laugh. “Ha. First, he asked me a dozen questions about where I was from, who my father was, and what type of sport I liked. I thought he’d never help me. He tromped around the room gathering my clothes, which the older boys had tossed aside, and placed them at my feet. He spoke as if we were meeting over a fine meal rather than with me practically hanging naked from the ceiling. I thought I had a madman for a roommate.”

  “But then I did cut him down.” He and Poppy shared a private smile while the rest of the group laughed and Oslo told the story of how he and Madelina had escaped an uprising in Romania.

  They had been landowners, and a change of government had created chaos. They took what they could and fled the country. From the looks of the home they built, what they kept from their old home must have been valuable.

  Madelina sat and settled her gaze across the table. “What about you, Miss Poppy? Do you have a story to tell?”

  “I am not interesting, and these people know all my stories.” Poppy couldn’t conjure a single story that would incite laughter. “I fall a lot. In fact, I have ruined more dresses than most women have owned.”

  “Funny, you don’t seem at all clumsy to me. I would describe you as graceful,” Madelina said.

  Faith finished her goblet. “Actually, I’ve noticed in the last few weeks, you have not fallen or even stumbled. Perhaps something has changed for you, Poppy.” Her hiccup punctuated the observation.

  Thinking of the last time she fell brought her back to the night in Geb’s cellar.

  The warm expression on Rhys’s face as he stared across the table at her made her believe he was thinking of the same night.

  Poppy pushed the thoughts away. “It’s only a matter of time. Once I fell into a very large cake that had been constructed for a ball. Puddings have always been a hazard.”

  Suddenly tired, Poppy excused herself from the table and walked to the stairs.

  Rhys was at her side before she put her foot on the first step. Offering his arm, he escorted her up. “I hope you enjoyed the meal.”

  “It was wonderful. I’m just tired from everything that has happened in the last few days.”

  “I understand.” When he’d brought her to her room, he stopped.

  Turning to him, her pulse raced and warmth seeped into her skin. “I didn’t mean to take you from the party.”

  His lips touched hers like a promise of things to come. He rubbed his lips back and forth over hers, never asking for more but leaving his essence behind.

  Her hands went to his chest, and she leaned in.

  Touching her cheek, he nipped her bottom lip and then the top before kissing her nose and stepping back. “I would miss a thousand parties for a moment or two with you, Poppy.”

  With a reach around her, he opened her door.

  She stepped inside, and before she could turn back to him, he closed the door.

  She wanted to tell him she missed his calling her by her full name. It was clear he took her command never to call her by her full name again seriously. How she missed the sound of it on his lips.

  Despite the excitement, her exhaustion won out. By the time Jane helped her out of her gown, she was swaying on her feet. Tucked into the warm bed, she let sleep take her before she could reflect on the events of the day.

  Chapter 16

  On the second day of travel, after bidding the Ionescus goodbye, Poppy again declined to travel in the carriage with Rhys. The decision was made out of protective instinct and left her wishing she’d been braver as she watched the countryside roll by.

  She missed the way he looked at her and the way he smiled when she said something he agreed with. She even missed the frown when he disagreed. She’d somehow become sensitive to his moods and expressions.

  The day was long, and they only stopped twice to change horses and eat a quick meal before pressing on to their second stop. It was a very nice inn, but they were exhausted by the time they arrived after dark. The ladies had taken their supper in their rooms and gone to bed.

  Poppy nibbled her food and watched out the window at the moon for hours after Mercy had fallen asleep. All her life she had known exactly what she wanted and what she didn’t. When Mother had declared she would marry Rhys, she knew being forced into marriage was not what she desired.

  This turn Rhys had taken changed things. He wouldn’t force her to marry. So, the question had become, whether she wanted Rhys for her own and was willing to give herself to him. It was a far more complicated question and harder to answer.

  Movement in the yard below caught her attention. In the full moon’s light stood Rhys, gazing up at her. His smile was sad and full of longing. She had questions that needed answers. Her own cowardice had been her enemy these last few days. If she had spent them in a carriage with him, she could have questioned him to her heart’s content.

  She waved, unable to keep from smiling.

  His eyes brightened and he waved back.

  A leap was required, but Poppy backed away from the window and climbed into her bed.

  * * * *

  The farther north they traveled, the wilder the countryside became and the more Poppy’s nerves frayed. She had again declined to ride with Rhys. Staring out as the terrain became rocky didn’t help, and she closed her eyes.

  Startled awake when the carriage stopped, Poppy’s neck ached from the unnatural position. “Where are we?”

  Aurora shrugged. “I haven’t the faintest idea, but it’s quite lovely.”

  Rolling hills of grass were dotted with enormous rock formations, and a stunning lake in the distance reflected fluffy white clouds.

  Garrett opened the door. He grinned and bowed. “Apparently, we are stopping for a picnic.”

  “How nice,” Faith said, stepping out.

  Aurora gave Poppy a sympathetic smile and left the carriage.

  Mercy and Poppy followed. Mercy took her arm. “What do you think his lordship has in store for you today?”

  “I cannot even venture a guess.”

  The footmen set out a large blanket with food and wine. Every manner of food to be eaten with fingers from meats and cheeses to bread, biscuits, and wine. It was a feast.

  When she’d had enough to eat, Poppy stood and surveyed the view. The lake was like glass, and then a rogue breeze slipped through, sending ripples along its surface. The same breeze tugged several strands of her hair loose.

  She felt Rhys behind her before he spoke. He was like a caress when near. “Will you walk with me to the lake, Poppy?”

  With a nod she stepped beside him, and they strolled toward the water.

  “How are you enjoying the journey so far?” he asked when they were out of hearing of the others.

  “You have gone to great lengths to make it pleasant.” She folded her hands together, not willing to risk touching him accidentally.

  “That is not an answer to my question.”

  “It has been very nice. May I ask you something?” She steadied her breathing.

  “Anything.” He said it as if it should be obvious.

  She stopped and faced him. “Why are you doing all of this?”

  His frown made her wish she could take back the question. “Isn’t that obvious?”

  “Not to me.” She resumed the walk. “I am not so special that anyone should want to make such a fuss. I’m the unwanted daughter of an earl who longed for a son. I have a reputation for making a mess of everything and have been a constant source of disappointment for my parents. A fact which they have never kept a secret. What could the Earl of Marsden want with me?”

  Running his finger down her bare arm sent a chill through her. It was not entirely unpleasant. “When you share these things about your parents, it fills me with anger that I don’t know if I can control.”

  “I was telling you about myself, not them.” They reached the water’s edge, and she stopped to face him.

  Rhys shook his head. “You are not to blame for your parents’ bad behavior.”

  “And what about my own behavior? I have disgraced them by giving my body to you.” That night had been so wonderful, and yet, it was her downfall.

  Eyes narrowed, he glared at her with thinned lips and a tight jaw. “Your mother knows nothing of our night together. She saw an opportunity to get you married to an earl and that is all she cares about. What transpired between us was a beautiful thing, and I would hate to believe you regret it, Penelope.”

  The last was said with such sincerity and worry, that combined with the use of her full name, it broke her heart. “Not regret as much as worry. You have been more than kind, but I don’t understand why you have gone to these lengths. You need to marry at some point, I was convenient, and you feel responsible for taking my virginity. So why all of this fuss?”

  He closed his eyes, and the muscle in his jaw ticked. “At this moment, I’m going to take you back to the others. If we stay here, I will say or do something I will regret. It is amazing to me your capacity for misunderstanding. I have never met anyone who could stir my emotions, both good and bad, to this frenzied pitch.”

  Rhys spun on his heels and strode back to the carriages.

  Poppy was dazed by his anger but had no choice but to follow.

  Guilty and confused, Poppy rode in Rhys’s carriage. Aurora rode with them to keep things proper, and it was a good thing too or they would have traveled in silence.

  “How much farther is Garrett’s house?” Aurora asked after a particularly long stretch of quiet.

  Rhys grunted.

  “I beg your pardon?” Aurora was undaunted by his mood.

  He schooled his features and faced his sister. “It will take another two days at least. I have some very nice places arranged for us to stop.”

  Poppy wished the trip over. She needed to think, and it was not possible with him so close and so many people around. She’d not wished herself alone in a long time, but she needed space, and a carriage or inn was not going to provide it. The mix of his emotions with hers left her in a whirlwind.

  It was late afternoon when they rolled down a long drive to a beautiful manor with yellow-and-white stone. Tall columns stood proudly beside the front door. The drive was lined with trees, creating a canopy that opened up into a large yard with a rounded lane for the horses.

  They stopped at the front door where a line of servants waited patiently.

  “Where are we?” Poppy asked.

  “Warwick Manor. My friend David Richmond owns the house and was happy to give it to us for the night. He is not at home, but as you see the house is open.” Rhys smiled.

  “No inn tonight, what a delightful surprise.” Aurora accepted a hand down from the footman.

  With a sigh, Poppy moved toward the door.

  Rhys touched her arm. “I’m sorry I lost my temper at the lake.”

  “I try your patience. I understand. It’s a common theme in my life.” She continued toward the door.

  With more speed than she would have thought possible, Rhys blocked her way and closed them back inside the carriage.

  Outside, Garrett spoke to the butler and the ladies oohed and aahed over the pretty stone building.

  “Poppy.” Rhys swallowed and stared at his hands.

  She sat back in the seat across from him and waited.

  “I was angry for a great many reasons, most of which had nothing to do with you. I thank God every day you found good friends in Switzerland. I can’t imagine how you survived the first fifteen years of your life without them. I do not wish to speak badly about your parents, but they have not done their duty by you. It is my hope this trip will show you there is another way to live that doesn’t include scheming and threats to get what one wants.”

  “I learned that from the Wallflowers years ago, Rhys. It is marriage I mistrust. I don’t want to be any man’s property to do with as he pleases even if that includes beating me to death or ignoring me to seek pleasure in other women.” A weight lifted from her shoulders.

  Rhys leaned forward and took her hands in his. After kissing each one, he brought his gaze to hers. “Not even if the man belonged to you in equal measure? If the man swore there was no other woman who could ever capture him the way you had. If he loved you to distraction and wanted only to make you happy for the rest of his life. What if this man didn’t know how he would go on with the demands of his own life without you in it and your refusal would leave him an empty shell?”

  The touch of his hand, and the way his words sliced through her straight to her core, pushed tears from her eyes. Through a tight throat, she said, “I’m not sure I believe any man could feel emotions that deeply.”

  Closing his eyes as pain washed across his face, Rhys placed her hand against his cheek.

  The scratch of the day’s beard awakened every nerve and shot lightning through Poppy. She longed to comfort him but feared her own desires and remained silent and still, not even checking the tears rolling freely down her face.

  Rhys let out a long breath. “Will you consider my words might be true and possible? Can you do that for me, Poppy?”

  Aching deep in her chest, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips.

  His eyes opened.

  “I will give the matter and all you have said in the last few days consideration. It is all I have been able to think about, Rhys. You have been more than kind, and I’m sorry to be so much trouble.” The old shame washed over her, forcing her to look from his soulful eyes.

  With one finger, he lifted her chin so she would look at him. “I am happy to convince you there is another possible life.” His playful grin warmed the chill building inside her. “Besides, we have our closest friends, we are on a small adventure, and it has been an entertaining few days. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  When she pushed aside the battle raging inside her, she had laughed more in the past three days than she had since returning from Miss Agatha’s. “You have arranged a wonderful journey.”

  His expression softened, and he ran his knuckles along her jaw to her chin. “Then we should join our party and continue the recreation.”

  “Of course.”

  She waited for him to exit, but he stayed in the carriage with his gaze down.

  “Is there something else?” Poppy asked. She wanted to comfort him despite all her doubts.

  His eyes edged with worry. “There is, but this is not the place for such a discussion. I noticed at Mr. Arafa’s you enjoyed the art and artifacts in the cellar. David has a fine collection in his gallery. Will you meet me there after you have settled in?”

  Once she nodded, they joined the party.