The Earl Not Taken Read online

  He couldn’t change the past. The best he could do was prove to her he was not that boy anymore, nor was he like her father. It was important she think better of him. He would need to sort out why it was vital she like him, but he shook away the thought.

  Kosey bowed toward the door as Poppy entered wearing the same white day dress as she’d worn the day before. It was clean and dry and looked as fresh as the lady herself. “Good morning, my lady. Shall I make you a plate?”

  “Good morning. Thank you, Kosey, but I will do it.” Poppy took a dish and filled it from the sideboard before joining him at the table.

  He stood. “I didn’t know if you would join me this morning or break your fast above stairs.”

  She was suited to the finery around her. At Aaru even the breakfast room was ornate with gilded trim around the large window. No curtains blocked the light filtering through as day had fully broken. The tablecloth was hemmed in red and sewn with gold thread.

  Sitting, she forced a smile. “I have never cared for the habit of avoiding the mornings with others. Besides, taking one’s morning meal in bed is for married ladies.”

  “I don’t think anyone would fault you here. The staff is half in love with you after what you did for the horses.” It was the perfect opportunity to discuss his feelings, but Rhys kept silent on the matter since his mind and heart were in such a jumble.

  “I did nothing so grand but coo at them until they could be rescued.” She nibbled a bit of bread.

  “That is not what I heard.” Geb Arafa strode into the breakfast room as grand as the decor itself. Wearing a morning coat of burgundy and a crisp white cravat, he beamed at them both. His olive skin and rich accent was welcoming.

  Rhys stood and bowed. “Sir. Forgive us for intruding. Your staff has been most hospitable. I am Rhys Draper, Earl of Marsden, and this is Lady Penelope Arrington.” Poppy stood, and Rhys hesitated. “We had planned to pay you a call yesterday but were detained by the weather.”

  Waving off the apology, Geb bowed then took Poppy’s hand and bowed over it. “You are most welcome. I heard you saved my best horses from serious injury. Kosey related the entire story this morning. He is not given to exaggeration, so I am sure the lady is being modest. Running into a damaged barn with hysterical beasts is a remarkable act of bravery.”

  Blushing, Poppy resumed her seat. “I’m glad the animals survived unharmed, sir.”

  Geb sat and accepted a plate made up by Kosey. “It was fortunate for me you were detained or I might have lost them and I would not have the pleasure of meeting you.”

  It was incredible, but Rhys had all but forgotten the reason they’d come. The storm and everything that followed had clouded his purpose. “We came for some enlightenment, sir.”

  “I am intrigued, my lord.” Geb raised an eyebrow and shoveled eggs into his mouth.

  “We just have a few questions.” Poppy’s blush had not faded.

  Rhys didn’t like a shy Poppy, and he wasn’t sure if she was embarrassed by all the praise for her actions or if she liked the look of their host. Perhaps she was thinking of the picnic in her bedroom. Whatever it was, he preferred her boldness to this meek version of the girl he’d come to know.

  “The rain finally stopped early this morning. I’m afraid my small bridge is under water. I got through on horseback, but your carriage will not manage the path. As you are somewhat trapped here, we can walk in the garden after your appetites are satisfied and you can ask your questions.”

  Poppy stood, forcing both men to rise. “I am quite done. Your staff has been very gracious in providing me dry clothes to wear, sir. I will just get a shawl and meet you gentlemen in the garden.”

  They watched her go before sitting again. Geb pointed with his fork toward the door. “Remarkable girl. My horse, Pharaoh, is a fierce beast. Kosey told me she calmed him as if he were a lamb.”

  “It seems the lady has a way with animals.”

  “Has she tamed you as well, my lord?”

  Shocked by the question, Rhys took in his host.

  Geb laughed. “Forgive me. It is none of my business and we are strangers. It is rather unusual for a lady of her standing to travel alone with a gentleman. I would think she risks her reputation embarking on such a journey. She must hold you in very high regard.”

  Pushing back his plate, Rhys’s appetite fled. “She made the journey for her friend, not for me. It was meant to be a short trip, which would go unnoticed by society. Hopefully we will return today and no one will care about our absence.”

  “An unusual arrangement, my lord. It has been my experience that you English care a great deal about such things.” Geb signaled with a wave to Kosey, who poured him more coffee.

  Annoyed by the truth of what Geb said, Rhys stood and bowed. “I will see you in the garden, sir. Thank you for your very fine hospitality.”

  Still holding his fork, Geb waved off the thanks. “It was a blessing you and your lady were here last night. I owe you a great debt.”

  “It was our pleasure to be of service in your absence, Mr. Arafa.” With another brief bow, Rhys left the breakfast room and barreled through the house until he reached the back garden.

  The summer brought much of the ornate garden to bloom while the heavy rains of the previous night left the walkways strewn with pink and white petals. The air was fresh with only a slight breeze carrying the earthy soil and florals. Only fluffy white clouds remained from the torrents, and the sun shone through, warming Rhys’s face.

  It was lovely, but Geb’s words haunted Rhys. He had no idea what their return to London would bring. Poppy’s reputation might well be ruined. Only the fact that she lived with Aurora and not her parents might save them.

  “It is a spectacular garden, isn’t it?” Poppy stood several yards away on the path below the veranda.

  To join her, he trotted down the stairs. “It is very nice. I have always loved the world after a good rain.”

  She fell into step beside him, and they walked around a maze of low shrubs dotted with fountains, flowers, and dwarf trees. “Yes. It is as if the rain has washed away life’s dust and left everything new again.”

  Geb strode toward them from the path to the right. “I’m glad you enjoy the grounds. My staff works very hard to keep it in the English tradition.”

  “Are the gardens of your country so different?” Poppy asked.

  Closing his eyes and raising his face to the sun, Geb smiled. “They have more trees, and in a wealthy man’s home, there would likely be built a small pond with fish in the center. The climate is quite different, my lady.”

  They walked along the path to where the quaint garden opened up to a field. At the far end a small fenced area held the horses from the night before. “I see they are pleased with their new arrangements.” Rhys pointed toward the paddock.

  “Ah yes. A temporary arrangement until the barn can be repaired.” Geb turned the corner of the path and walked along the edge of the garden. “You have questions for me, my friends?”

  Rhys said, “It is with regard to the Duke of Breckenridge. I don’t know how to say this except to be blunt. What can you tell us about his character?”

  The lightheartedness fled Geb’s expression. “His Grace is a great friend of mine. I’ll not speak about him to you or anyone else. It would be a breach of our relationship.”

  “You don’t know us, sir.” Wide eyed, Poppy shook her head. She clutched her hands in front of her. “Forgive us for asking. I can see how it would not be proper for you to give details about His Grace to people whose motives are a mystery.”

  “I am pleased you understand, my lady.” Geb’s expression softened as he offered her a warm smile.

  Poppy’s smile would have melted any man’s heart. “It’s only that he is to marry my dear friend and we have no knowledge of his character. You can understand our desire to see a friend safe.”

  “Why would you think her unsafe with His Grace?” Geb cocked his head.

  “Men have not proven themselves to our small group in the past.” Poppy avoided a direct answer, but her clear gaze remained on Geb’s.

  Geb’s quick frown was replaced with a neutral nod. “I see, but I’m afraid I will never betray my friend by speaking of him without his knowledge.”

  “I see. Forgive my impertinence, sir.” Poppy curtsied and kicked at a pebble in the path.

  Perhaps Rhys should have let Poppy handle the questions. She seemed to have Geb half in love with her already, which grated on his last nerve. The fact that he had no rights to those feelings annoyed him even more.

  Chapter 7

  The bridge was still impassable, and Poppy needed something to do. She walked along the field behind the gardens toward the fenced area. The day had warmed up nicely, and she was back in her own dress.

  The entire trip had not only been a failure, but a complete disaster. They had offended their host, Breckenridge would likely hear of the visit to his friend, and she could only imagine what worry they had caused Aurora and Faith.

  Thank goodness they had traveled in an unmarked carriage.

  As she approached the paddock, the large black horse she now knew was called Pharaoh trotted to the fence to greet her. “You look fine. No worse for your harrowing experience,” she said to the horse.

  “He’s happy to see you.” She hadn’t noticed Geb standing in the shade of a large oak on the far side of the enclosure.

  Poppy petted his soft nose. “I’m pleased to see him as well.”

  Walking toward her, he might have been an Egyptian king in white pants and a long white tunic. Far different from the traditional English dress she’d seen him in before. “I’ve been thinking about your request, my lady.”

  Gut twisting, Poppy’s face burned. “I am so sorry we asked too much of you, sir.”

  “Perhaps if you told me why you wished to know Nicholas’s character flaws, I would be more inclined to help.” He leaned his arms across the top of the fence and placed one booted foot on the bottom rail. It was a rough paddock for a stately home, but it would keep the beasts safe while repairs were made.

  Whether or not Geb Arafa could be trusted was debatable, but he had been a good host and his staff, though unusual, was very kind. “I was sent away to school when I was fifteen, Mr. Arafa.”

  His dark eyes widened. “Is this normal for the English to send their female children away?”

  “No.” Her gut twisted in the way it always did when she thought about her parents’ disappointment in her. “I was not an obedient child, and my parents sent me to Switzerland in hopes of teaching me to be a proper lady.”

  A kind smile tugged at his lips. “And was that an effective punishment?”

  Considering her traveling alone with a man who was not her husband to a stranger’s home, it was all quite humorous. “As you may have guessed, my parents did not get the desired result, though for me it was the best thing. You see, while my friend and I were away at school, we met two other miscreants who would become our closest friends. I would do anything for them, and they would do the same for me.”

  “I see. Friendship is very important to me as well, Lady Penelope.”

  “My friends were all keen on finding husbands after school, though I have never wanted that kind of life. When we came home from school one of our quartet was married off to a man none of us knew. He did not turn out to be a nice man. Luckily, his death came before he could cause any irrevocable damage.” Poppy watched Geb to see if she might get some sense of his feelings on the treatment of women.

  He sighed. “To injure someone who is yours to care for is abominable.”

  Pharaoh nudged her shoulder with his large snout.

  Laughing, she turned and petted him. “Indeed, but he is dead and they tell me I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.”

  “I suppose because they are not available to defend themselves. However, you are not prohibited from remembering their true nature.” Geb scratched Pharaoh behind his ear as the horse had put his head between the two, demanding attention.

  “Thank you for that, sir.”

  “If I may say, this experience of your friend’s might have colored your own opinions on marrying?” His kind voice cut to the core of the matter.

  Poppy shrugged off the nauseating feelings she associated with marriage. “My own experience sullied any desire to marry long before the incident we’re speaking about.”

  “It is a great shame as you are a remarkable lady and would make someone a fine wife.”

  Blushing, Poppy focused on Pharaoh. “Thank you. However, it is not my own life I’m concerned for. Another of my friends from school is about to be engaged to a man we know nothing about.”

  “Ah. Nicholas, I presume.” Geb nodded.

  There was a war of dragons inside Poppy’s stomach. She forced a smile she hoped appeared kind and sincere. “So, you see, we came because we knew of your association with His Grace and hoped you might be able to shed some light on his character.”

  “Why not go directly to Nicholas?”

  The other black horse trotted by, and Pharaoh ran off to play.

  They walked together toward the house as a light drizzle started. “Unfortunately; His Grace is less than forthcoming.”

  “I don’t see that I can tell you about him without betraying my friendship with Nicholas.”

  They reached the gardens and took the path to the veranda. “I understand.”

  At the doors, Geb stopped. “I will tell you this, my lady. If Nicholas wanted to marry my sister, I would be filled with joy at the prospect.”

  A bubble of delight mixed with the lifting of a heavy burden inside Poppy. “That is a great relief to me, sir.”

  He opened the door and allowed her to enter first. “I would suggest you speak to Nicholas and get to know him. In my opinion, you will find him worthy of your friend.”

  Rhys stepped down the stairs just as they entered the foyer.

  “Thank you, Mr. Arafa. Our talk has been very enlightening. And thank you for your hospitality as well.”

  “Your being here last night was fate. The house and grounds are at your disposal now and always.” Geb bowed and smiled at them both before stepping through the door to his study.

  “Where were you?” Rhys demanded.

  There it was. There was what all men thought was their right. “I do not answer to you, Lord Marsden.”

  “You don’t answer to anyone for anything you do. It is what has always gotten you into trouble. I fear you will end very badly, Penelope.”

  Pulling her shoulders back, she raised her chin. “And I was just starting to think you were not the ass I had always believed you were. It seems my first instinct was indeed correct.”

  She stormed down the hall and pulled open the farthest door. Having no idea where it led, she grabbed her skirts and stomped down the stairs.

  Footsteps followed her down.

  At the bottom, a damp basement lit only by small windows near the ceiling was not the escape she had hoped for. When the fury cleared from her vision, she gawked at a long table. It ran down the windowed side of the cellar, and every inch of space held some strange treasure.

  Poppy stepped through the opening of what must have once been a dungeon’s cell, but the door had long since been removed. Perhaps it had rotted away in the dank cellar.

  “You cannot just trespass into someone’s cellar.”

  Standing among the crowns, statues, gold coins, vases, and other treasures, Poppy turned.

  Rhys stared wide eyed. “I’ll go up and see if I can find a lamp.” He ran back up the stairs.

  Geb had said they had full run of the estate, but with all these treasures, she felt she was intruding on some secret world.

  Poppy ran her hand along the smooth marble surface of a statue depicting an Egyptian queen. Her golden headdress had been inlaid with black stones forming a striped pattern. She only stood about two feet tall, yet even in her stone form she was a formidable queen.

  A strange lion with a man’s head stood next to the queen, made in a rough beige stone.

  Dozens of scrolls lay piled at the center of the table, and a box of silver and jewels shone in the light as Rhys returned with a lit candelabra.

  “What a remarkable collection. Some of these look as if they are genuine. Not the faked door knockers everyone is so thrilled with these days.” Rhys placed the light on an empty bit of table and explored with her.

  “Perhaps he deals in these things. I imagine if Geb were collecting bits of his homeland, he would display them more prominently than a rough table in the old cellars.” She brushed dust from an intricately inlaid table. Different-colored woods had been carved into the piece to create a stunning mosaic of a woman and child in a garden.

  “That is a reasonable assumption. It is also possible these items were obtained in a less than lawful way and he keeps them out of public sight.”

  Poppy fondled treasure after treasure as they made their way to the end of the table. A dark hallway continued on.

  Rhys retrieved the light. “We have snooped this far; shall we see what other treasures hide in the darkness?”

  Excitement bubbled inside Poppy. She loved an adventure, and the last twenty-four hours had certainly been a break from her normal life. “I have never been in a dungeon before. We attempted to get into the one at school, but we never got past the locks.”

  He laughed. “You four Wallflowers really were incorrigible.”

  The walls were damp, and the floor squished under her light boots. “If we had been boys, no one would have thought us odd. We would have been called spirited and hailed for our adventurous spirits.”