An Accidental Affair (5 page)

Her lips turned up, but he knew better than to trust her smiles. “I thought to ensure scandal might be avoided, but I see my fears were unnecessary.”

He tensed at her words. Could a man ever spend one night in society without even his family thinking the worst of him? It was too much. She would never believe he was out here to prevent Laurence, the baby of the Ford family, from being foolish. “Is that so?”

Her smile dimmed at his clipped response. Once, they had been on intimate terms: Aunty Pen and little Merrick. But that was many years ago, and he was no longer a child and ignorant of his aunt’s manipulative nature.

“You can cease your ridiculous coldness.” Her gloved fingers slid over his arm and squeezed. “We are family, whether you wish to acknowledge it or not, and that makes your happiness my concern.”

He stared at her hand and when she didn’t release him, he dug deep for an insult sure to send her away. Merrick would prefer to deliver an original barb than rehash a previous accusation, but unfortunately, his mind was blank. His aunt was as unfeeling as one could be and still breathe. She hadn’t a shred of compassion in her blood, but he’d accused her of that many times in many different ways. “I would prefer you stay out of my life altogether. What I do, or do not do, is my business.”

Her hand didn’t move. “You risk much with your actions.”

“I risk nothing.” Merrick stepped back so she couldn’t touch him anymore. “Do enjoy your evening. Perhaps one of your other nephews will make a scandal for you to halt before the night is through. That should keep you amply entertained and happy to be in the thick of it. Go find one of them to reform tonight.”

She said his given name,
Merrick
, exasperation tingeing her tone with annoyance, but he turned away, eager to catch one last glimpse of Arabella before he returned to the frustrating task of wading through society, searching for the one woman who could stimulate him in mind and body. Someone he could imagine sitting across from at breakfast every day for the rest of his life. To find someone who might come to care for him as he was and not want others so he might do the same.

As he entered the ballroom from the terrace, he caught sight of Lord Farnsworth and his daughter Cecily sweeping out toward the entrance hall. They were leaving and not a moment too soon in his opinion. Arabella followed after, speaking quickly to a few women of her acquaintance on her way out. She didn’t notice his return.

He glanced over the room but found his view no different than earlier in the evening. Lady Mary held court with several gentlemen all trying to gain her favor. Since he was not inclined to take the part of a fool to acquire a wife, he stayed where he was. Unfortunately, none of his other possibilities were here. Perhaps it was time to move on to another party in his endless search for the right spouse.

Although, after kissing Arabella, he had to conclude his heart was no longer as keen on the others as it had been earlier. Their kiss intrigued him. Perhaps he’d been too hasty in thinking her disinterested.

Although Louisa attempted to catch his eye, he decided to forget their meeting. He had new information to pursue where Miss Milne was concerned and would call on her father tomorrow, perhaps inviting her driving in the park later this week. Other men might clamor for the young, eligible ladies’ attention, but he would proceed at his own pace. Choosing a spouse was not a decision to rush.

He strolled after the Farnsworths and, when he gained the butler’s attention, requested his carriage to be called as well.

“Ah, Rothwell,” Farnsworth drawled. “Are you bored to death of this inane frivolity too and keen for greater excitement elsewhere?”

Farnsworth ought to watch his mouth. Their hosts were well connected and it was bad form to insult a fellow earl within his home. He glanced at the women of Farnsworth’s party. Cecily stared at him with unabashed interest. Arabella looked anywhere but at him. “I have an early meeting tomorrow and must review some papers before dawn or I would be very glad to stay.”

Farnsworth grunted and glanced at his watch. He had no interest in other people’s affairs as far as Merrick could detect. The new earl kept to himself and played fast and loose with his fortune. Farnsworth thrust his watch away and stalked to the door, cornering the poor butler. “Where the devil is that carriage?”

Merrick was impressed the butler managed to keep his composure in the face of such violent demands.

Good manners dictated Merrick not ignore the ladies present, so he turned his attention to Arabella at last. Her color was heightened, her cheeks as fresh as a young girl’s. “Did you enjoy your evening?”

Her blush increased. “I did, thank you. Lord and Lady Harrison are always gracious hosts. The music was wonderful.”

He’d seen her foot tapping as the dancers had twirled upon the floor. She appeared so enamored of music that he couldn’t fathom why she did not dance more often. “Did you venture into his library by chance? I mention this as I am aware of your interest in orchids through our mutual friend Grayling and remember now that Harrison has acquired a new specimen since his last event. The orchid is quite an unusual color. I’ve never seen its like before.”

Her face fell as Lord Farnsworth snapped his fingers to gain her attention. “I hadn’t heard, but it seems there is no time to look now. Perhaps I will see it on another night and with luck Lady Harrison’s collection too. Good night, Rothwell.”

A chill raced through him. He should have told Arabella the truth about the riding crops when he had a chance, but there was no time now. Farnsworth snapped his fingers again and grabbed Arabella’s arm to steer her to the door. Merrick ground his teeth to prevent interfering. A gentleman never rushed a lady when she was in the midst of a conversation and his temper flared dangerously. “Lady Farnsworth. Miss Cecily. A pleasure to see you again.”

When they were through the door, he followed to observe them together. Farnsworth appeared somewhat of a tyrant about punctuality and getting his way. He wasn’t close enough to speak to them but was close enough for one last glance. Arabella appeared unconcerned as Farnsworth’s tirade grew louder. She climbed into the carriage and turned her face toward the window and him immediately.

Again, Merrick was beset by a yearning for what he couldn’t have. It should be enough that he had touched her tonight, kissed her till she was breathless, an opportunity he’d seized without thought. He should regret the mistake he’d made, yet he found he wasn’t that cross with himself at all. In fact, he was rather pleased. He hoped she felt the same.

He raised his hand in farewell as the Farnsworth carriage moved off, then he entered his own as it stopped before him and gave directions to a soiree at Lady Ettington’s home a short distance away. He was two blocks from the Ettington town house when he changed his mind about his evening plans. He tapped on the roof and directed the coachman toward his own home instead. There was plenty of time to search for a wife. With luck, he would find someone who liked him just the way he was some other night.

CHAPTER FIVE

Anson Holland, Merrick’s assistant of several years, cleared his throat noisily, interrupting Merrick’s perusal of the paper spread before him. He’d been up early to deal with his business affairs, but his heart hadn’t truly been prepared. He couldn’t keep his mind away from thoughts of Arabella, so as a last resort to leaving the house entirely and strolling past her home on the off chance of seeing her at a window, he’d seized on the daily scandal sheets littering the dining room to see if her name was mentioned, even anonymously.

Merrick didn’t bother to look up when he spoke. “What is it now?”

“You returned home early last night,” Holland observed. “I trust the evening was uneventful.”

Despite his best efforts, his eyes were drawn to where Holland waited, standing at attention beside the dining table. He sighed. There were days when the man was far too nosy. Yet Merrick could never ignore him completely. Holland, though few knew it, was one of his father’s extramarital mistakes. Instead of answering immediately, he continued to peruse the paper until he was satisfied. So far, no mention of his cousin, Lady Cecily, or Arabella had made the scandal sheet and that brought relief.
 

Yet on further reflection, he had not behaved very well last night and should be ashamed. He should have apologized for mistakenly kissing Arabella rather than thanking her. “It was pleasant.”

Holland shuffled his feet. “Was that understatement for my benefit? Didn’t Lady Penelope Ford attend as well?” Holland touched the tabletop with his fingertips and then peered at them as if looking for nonexistent dust. “What did happen last night? You accepted three invitations, yet you were home by half past ten o’clock.”

Bloody hell. The man was keeping watch on his movements. If he weren’t so loyal, Merrick would actually be concerned. “Nothing.”

Holland poured a coffee from the sideboard and placed it on the paper beneath Merrick’s nose, forcing him to look up. “Your face indicates otherwise.”

Merrick stared at the man he depended on most. Holland’s calm, organized temperament was well suited to managing Merrick’s affairs. His hair was just showing signs of age in the form of patches of gray at his temples, giving him a dignified bearing, though a formerly scruffy barkeep lurked beneath. Merrick heaved a heavy sigh and sat back, stretching his legs out beneath the table, and took up the cup. “I see you’ve not the temperament for minding your own business.”

His half brother met his gaze, familiar features creased with concern. “I cannot help it. You gave up much to offer me a position, and the others too. We are here to watch over you, and your happiness affects the whole household.”

Holland was family and family, in Merrick’s opinion, was never easily dismissed, so Merrick folded the paper and set it aside. “You worry too much.”

Holland nodded. “Yes, you’ve made that very plain in the past, so tell me before I imagine the worst.”

He shook his head. “Last night I prevented one Ford scandal and merely stirred the old sow. Not a bad night.”

Holland’s eyes grew wide. “Promise me you did not call Lady Penelope that out loud.”

Merrick laughed at Holland’s shocked expression. “Why do you care? The woman can hardly bear to look at you. You are far too considerate of her feelings.”

“And what would a good woman such as Lady Penelope Ford want to look at me for? You should follow your own rules and think better of her. She is family, after all.”

“Not yours.” Merrick drained the last of his coffee and stood. “I’ve told you she isn’t even human. I won’t pretend to like her.”

Holland swallowed. “She could help smooth the way in your search for a wife. You know how important this decision is. I want you to marry well and be happy.”

Merrick shot to his feet. “If she learns from you or anyone under my roof that I am surveying the field, then there will be a ruthless cleansing of the household, after which I will never allow another relation, illegitimate or not, beneath my roof. Is that understood?”

“Yes, my lord,” Holland whispered, his face turning white. “You’ve made that very plain to all of us who depend on you.”

Merrick immediately regretted his abrupt threat. Having his half siblings under his roof these past years had proved no great hardship. He slept much better at night knowing where they all were, in fact.

He filled another cup and handed it to Holland as a peace offering. “Was there something else? Your face indicates there is,” he said, mimicking Holland’s earlier words.

Holland took the offered cup and took his time drinking the bitter brew, a sure sign Merrick wouldn’t like the news he was going to impart. “It’s not urgent.”

“Come on, man, spit it out.” He eased back into his chair to wait. Leaving out Holland, the only sensible one in the pack, his other half brothers were not temperate creatures. There was always some to-do between their brothers. A firm warning tended to calm things down. “Who is it and what have they done now?”

“Jimmy and James.” Holland quickly swallowed a mouthful of coffee before setting the cup aside. “They’ve been fighting.”

“Not a shock there. Between themselves, as usual?”

“Yes, my lord.”

Jimmy and James were the most problematic. They were arrogant little sods and proud to be employed in an earl’s house where they were well treated, fed, and clothed. He even gave them leave to visit their families three times a year. “Over what this time?”

“That I cannot get out of them.” Holland did not look happy about that fact. There was a pecking order in the house. Everyone Merrick employed knew their welfare depended on keeping Holland’s good opinion, and Holland had mentioned more than once that their comfort depended on Merrick’s continuing good graces. Most lords would not have concerned themselves with their illegitimate brothers and sisters. Merrick, the only legitimate child sired, did what he could to correct his father’s wickedness.

“Bring them in and I’ll deal with it.”

“Yes, my lord.” Holland quickly departed, returning a short time later with his two younger half siblings in tow. Both looked embarrassed to be brought before him again. If memory served, it was the third time in as many weeks. He studied them closely. Jimmy would have a black eye by dinnertime, and James’s lower lip wept blood from a cut. “Explain yourselves.”