Four In Hand (26 page)

Strangely enough, she no longer felt the need to emulate them. In the long watches of a sleepless night, she had finally faced the fact that she could not live without Darcy Hamilton. In the gazebo the previous evening, it had been on the tip of her tongue to beg to take her from the ball, to some isolated spot where they could pursue their lovemaking in greater privacy. She had had to fight her own nearly overwhelming desire to keep from speaking the words. If she had uttered them, he would have arranged it all in an instant, she knew; his desire for her was every bit as strong as her desire for him. Only her involvement in their scheme and the consternation her sudden disappearance would have caused had tipped the scales. Her desire for marriage, for a home and family, was still as strong as ever. But, if he refused to consider such an arrangement, she was now prepared to listen to whatever alternative suggestions he had to offer. There was Max’s opposition to be overcome, but presumably Darcy was aware of that. She felt sure he would seek her company soon enough and then she would make her acquiescence plain. That, at least, she thought with a small, introspective smile, would be very easy to do.

Caroline finally pushed the unhelpful piece of toast aside. She rose and shook her skirts in an unconsciously flustered gesture. In a flash of unaccustomed insight, Sarah wondered if her elder sister was in a similar state to the rest of them. After all, they were all Twinnings. Although their problems were superficially quite different, in reality, they were simply variations on the same theme. They were all in love with rakes, all of whom seemed highly resistant to matrimony. In her case, the rake had won. But surely Max wouldn’t win, too? For a moment, Sarah’s mind boggled at the thought of the two elder Twinnings falling by the wayside. Then, she gave herself a mental shake. No, of course not. He was their guardian, after all.

Which, Sarah thought, presumably meant Caroline would even the score. Caroline was undoubtedly the most capable of them all. So why, then, did she look so troubled?

Caroline was indeed racked by the most uncomfortable thoughts. Leaving Sarah to her contemplation of the breakfast table, she drifted without purpose into the drawing-room and thence to the small courtyard beyond. Ambling about, her delicate fingers examining some of the bountiful blooms, she eventually came to the hammock, slung under the cherry trees, protected from the morning sun by their leafy foliage. Climbing into it, she rested her aching head against the cushions with relief and prepared to allow the conflicting emotions inside her to do battle.

Lately, it seemed to her that there were two Caroline Twinnings. One knew the ropes, was thoroughly acquainted with society’s expectations and had no hesitation in laughing at the idea of a gentlewoman such as herself sharing a man’s bed outside the bounds of marriage. She had been acquainted with this Caroline Twinning for as long as she could remember. The other woman, for some mysterious reason, had only surfaced in recent times, since her exposure to the temptations of Max Rotherbridge. There was no denying the increasing control this second persona exerted over her. In truth, it had come to the point where she was seriously considering which Caroline Twinning she preferred.

She was no green girl and could hardly pretend she had not been perfectly aware of Max’s intentions when she had heard the lock fall on that bedroom door. Nor could she comfort herself that the situationhad been beyond her control—at least, not then. If she had made any real effort to bring the illicit encounter to a halt, as she most certainly should have done, Max would have instantly acquiesced. She could hardly claim he had forced her to remain. But it had been that other Caroline Twinning who had welcomed him into her arms and had proceeded to enjoy, all too wantonly, the delights to be found in his.

She had never succeeded in introducing marriage as an aspect of their relationship. She had always been aware that what Max intended was an illicit affair. What she had underestimated was her own interest in such a scandalous proceeding. But there was no denying the pleasure she had found in his arms, nor the disappointment she had felt when he had cut short their interlude. She knew she could rely on him to ensure that next time there would be no possible impediment to the completion of her education. And she would go to his arms with neither resistance nor regrets. Which, to the original Caroline Twinning, was a very lowering thought

Swinging gently in the hammock, the itinerant breeze wafting her curls, she tried to drum up all the old arguments against allowing herself to become involved in such an improper relationship. She had been over them all before; they held no power to sway her. Instead, the unbidden memory of Max’s mouth on her breast sent a thrill of warm desire through her veins. “Fool!” she said, without heat, to the cherry tree overhead.

———

Martin Rotherbridge kicked a stone out of his path. He had been walking for nearly twenty minutes in an effort to rid himself of a lingering nervousness over the act he was about to perform. He would rather have raced a charge of Chasseurs than do what he must that day. But there was nothing else for it—the events of the morning had convinced him of that. That dreadful instant when he had thought, for one incredulous and heart-stopping moment, that Lizzie had gone away with Keighly was never to be repeated. And the only way of ensuring that was to marry the chit.

It had certainly not been his intention, and doubtless Max would laugh himself into hysterics, but there it was. Facts had to be faced. Despite his being at her side for much of the time, Lizzie had managed to embroil herself very thoroughly in a madcap plan which, even now, if it ever became known, would see her ostracized by those who mattered in the
ton
. She was a damned sight too innocent to see the outcome of her actions; either that, or too naive in her belief in her abilities to come about. She needed a husband to keep a firm hand on her reins, to steer her clear of the perils her beauty and innocence would unquestionably lead her into. And, as he desperately wanted the foolish woman, and had every intention of fulfilling the role anyway, he might as well officially be it.

He squared his shoulders. No sense in putting off the evil moment any longer. He might as well speakto Max.

He turned his steps toward Delmere House. Rounding a corner, some blocks from his destination, he saw the impressive form of Lord Denbigh striding along on the opposite side of the street, headed in the same direction. On impulse, Martin crossed the street.

“Hugo!”

Lord Denbigh halted in his purposeful stride and turned to see who had hailed him. Although a few years separated them, he and Martin Rotherbridge had many interests in common and had been acquainted even before the advent of the Twinnings. His lordship’s usual sleepy grin surfaced. “Hello, Martin. On your way home?”

Martin nodded and fell into step beside him. At sight of Hugo, his curiosity over Maria Pavlovska had returned. He experimented in his head with a number of suitable openings before settling for, “Dashed nuisances, the Twinning girls!”

“Very!” The curt tone in Hugo’s deep voice was not very encouraging.

Nothing loath, Martin plunged on. “Waltz around, tying us all in knots. What exactly happened when Arabella masqueraded as that Polish countess?”

To his amazement, Hugo coloured. “Never you mind,” he said, then, at the hopeful look in Martin’s eyes, relented. “If you must know, she behaved in a manner which…well, in short, it was difficult to tell who was seducing whom.”

Martin gave a burst of laughter, which he quickly controlled at Hugo’s scowl. By way of returning the confidence, he said, “Well, I suppose I may as well tell you, as it’s bound to be all over town all too soon. I’m on my way to beg Max’s permission to pay my addresses to Lizzie Twinning.”

Hugo’s mild eyes went to Martin’s face in surprise. He murmured all the usual condolences, adding, “Didn’t really think you’d be wanting to get leg-shackled just yet”

Martin shrugged. “Nothing else for it. Aside from making all else blessedly easy, it’s only as her husband I’d have the authority to make certain she didn’t get herself involved in any more hare-brained schemes.”

“There is that,” agreed Hugo ruminatively. They continued for a space in silence before Martin realized they were nearing Delmere House.

“Where are you headed?” he enquired of the giant by his side.

For the second time, Hugo coloured. Looking distinctly annoyed by this fact, he stopped. Martin, puzzled, stopped by his side, but before he could frame any question, Hugo spoke. “I may as well confess, I suppose. I’m on my way to see Max, too.”

Martin howled with laughter and this time made no effort to subdue it. When he could speak again, he clapped Hugo on the back. “Welcome to the family!” As they turned and fell into step once more, Martin’s eyes lifted. “And lord, what a family it’s going to be! Unless I miss my guess, that’s Darcy Hamilton’s curricle.”

Hugo looked up and saw, ahead of them, Lord Darcy’s curricle drawn up outside Delmere House. Hamilton himself, elegantly attired, descended and turned to give instructions to his groom, before strolling towards the steps leading up to the door. He was joined by Martin and Hugo.

Martin grinned. “Do you want to see Max, too?”

Darcy Hamilton’s face remained inscrutable. “As it happens, I do,” he answered equably. As his glance flickered over the unusually precise picture both Martin and Hugo presented, he added, “Am I to take it there’s a queue?”

“Afraid so,” confirmed Hugo, grinning in spite of himself. “Maybe we should draw lots?”

“Just a moment,” said Martin, studying the carriage waiting by the pavement in front of Darcy’s curricle. “That’s Max’s travelling chaise. Is he going somewhere?”

This question was addressed to Darcy Hamilton, who shook his head. “He’s said nothing to me.”

“Maybe the Twinnings have proved too much for him and he’s going on a repairing lease?” suggested Hugo.

“Entirely understandable, but I don’t somehow think that’s it,” mused Darcy. Uncertain, they stood onthe pavement, and gazed at the carriage. Behind them the door of Delmere House opened. Masterton hurried down the steps and climbed into the chaise. As soon as the door had shut, the coachman flicked his whip and the carriage pulled away. Almost immediately, the vacated position was filled with Max’s curricle, the bays stamping and tossing their heads.

Martin’s brows had risen. “Masterton and baggage,” he said. “Now why?”

“Whatever the reason,” said Darcy succinctly, “I suspect we’d better catch your brother now or he’ll merrily leave us to our frustrations for a week or more.”

The looks of horror which passed over the two faces before him brought a gleam of amusement to his eyes.

“Lord, yes!” said Hugo.

Without further discussion, they turned en masse and started up the steps. At that moment, the door at the top opened and their prey emerged. They stopped.

Max, eyeing them as he paused to draw on his driving gloves, grinned. The breeze lifted the capes of his greatcoat as he descended the steps.

“Max, we need to talk to you.”

“Where are you going?”

“You can’t leave yet.”

With a laugh, Max held up his hand to stem the tide. When silence had fallen, he said, “I’m so glad to see you all.” His hand once more quelled the surge of explanation his drawling comment drew forth. “No! I find I have neither the time nor the inclination to discuss the matters. My answers to your questions are yes, yes and yes. All right?”

Darcy Hamilton laughed. “Fine by me.”

Hugo nodded bemusedly.

“Are you going away?” asked Martin.

Max nodded. “I need a rest. Somewhere tranquil.”

His exhausted tone brought a grin to his brother’s face. “With or without company?”

Max’s wide grin showed fleetingly. “Never you mind, brother dear. Just channel your energies into keeping Lizzie from engaging in any further crusades to help the needy and I’ll be satisfied.” His gaze took in the two curricles beside the pavement, the horses fretting impatiently. “In fact, I’ll make life easy for you. For all of you. I suggest we repair to Twyford House. I’ll engage to remove Miss Twinning. Aunt Augusta and Mrs. Alford rest all afternoon. And the house is a large one. If you can’t manage to wrest agreement to your proposals from the Misses Twinning under such circumstances, I wash my hands of you.”

They all agreed very readily. Together, they set off immediately, Max and his brother in his curricle, Lord Darcy and Hugo Denbigh following in Darcy’s carriage.

———

The sound of male voices in the front hall drifted to Caroline’s ears as she sat with her sisters in the back parlour. With a sigh, she picked up her bonnet and bade the three despondent figures scattered through the room goodbye. They all looked distracted. She felt much the same. Worn out by her difficult morning and from tossing and turning half the night, tormented by a longing she had tried valiantly to ignore, she had fallen asleep in the hammock under the cherry trees. Her sisters had found her but had left her to recover, only waking her for a late lunch before her scheduled drive with their guardian.

As she walked down the corridor to the front hall, she was aware of the leaping excitement the prospect of seeing Max Rotherbridge always brought her. At the mere thought of being alone with him, albeit on the box seat of a curricle in broad daylight in the middle of fashionable London, she could feel that other Caroline Twinning taking over.

Her sisters had taken her words of the morning to heart and had wisely refrained from joining her in greeting their guardian. Alone, she emerged into the hallway. In astonishment, she beheld, not one elegantly turned out gentleman, but four.

Max, his eyes immediately drawn as if by some magic to her, smiled and came forward to take herhand. His comprehensive glance swept her face, then dropped to her bonnet, dangling loosely by its ribbons from one hand. His smile broadened, bringing a delicate colour to her cheeks. “I’m glad you’re ready, my dear. But where are your sisters?”

Caroline blinked. “They’re in the back parlour,” she answered, turning to greet Darcy Hamilton.