Manor of Pleasure: An Erotic Historical Romance (3 page)

"I promise."

They rose from the mattress and gathered their clothes.

CHAPTER FIVE

The head housekeeper, Mrs. Fuller, met up with Abbott in the hall outside of the kitchen. "So is it true?" she asked him directly. She appeared stoic as an undertaker. "And I won't be put off, Abbott. The sooner I have it confirmed the better."

Dinner preparations were in full swing. Abbott ushered Mrs. Fuller to his office and closed the door.

"You refer of course to Lady Rebecca and Mr. Baines. Yes, it is true. I'm told that the wedding will be in June but that is all." Abbott allowed himself a brief smile. "I don't have to tell you, Mrs. Fuller, that this event will have all the grandeur of a royal wedding. It will demand our highest standard of service."

"Well, I don't know about a royal wedding but it will be grand, to be sure," said Mrs. Fuller. She sighed and pursed her lips. "Abbott, you needn't contain your glee quite so well. I only hope that Lady Rebecca aspires to deserve him. And I am happy for Lord and Lady Garway. It cannot be anything but a huge relief for them both."

Abbott could not let the comment go unanswered. "While it is the best possible resolution for the entail, I'm certain that their greater joy resides in the prospects for Lady Rebecca's happiness. She has loved Mr. Baines for many years."

"Well, she sure had a funny way of showing it." Mrs. Fuller smiled. "The romance is not lost on me, Abbott. I just hope that it's finally settled. This household has endured enough heartbreak for one year."

"Certainly, Mrs. Fuller. Now if you'll excuse me, His Lordship has ordered champagne for the evening's festivities. I should tend to that sooner rather than later."

Lady Rebecca stood in front of the full-length mirror to assess the results of her and Nora's efforts. Her red gown shimmered. She trusted that it was the dress that he wanted, for she had more than one dress that matched his request. Rebecca turned when she spied her mother's reflection in the mirror.

"Yes, Mother?"

"Desmond is here." Lady Garway smiled. "He's asked for you."

Rebecca's pleasure was not well-concealed. "What do you think, Mother?" Rebecca stood before her mother for her approval. "Do I look the part?"

Lady Garway let out a contented sigh. "You've never been one to seek my opinion, Rebecca. Now I know you're in love." She stood beside her daughter, both of them dwelling on the mirror image. "Love has a way of turning a woman into the most beautiful one in the room. Desmond will be hard-pressed to take his eyes off you."

Rebecca turned, her eyes gleaming like diamonds. "Oh, Mother…I never dreamed I would be as happy as I am now."

"Darling, I assure you, neither did I!" Lady Garway laughed.

She handed Rebecca her gloves and instantly regretted her remark. Her thoughts had turned to the Sir Isaac affair
. Did Desmond know? And if he did not, would a published newspaper scandal terminate their happiness? It was a gathering storm. Lady Garway feared the worst and made up her mind to speak to Rebecca about it. But not now.

"Shall we go down, Mother?" Rebecca waited for her on the threshold of her bedroom. Lady Garway followed.

Everyone was gathered in the drawing room. The dinner guests included Mrs. Baines, the Countess of Delafield, and Lady Claudia. True to form, the elders appeared to have just discovered yet another difference of opinion. Neither one seemed able to look at the other. That was soon to change.

"Good evening, all. Good evening, Grandmother, Mrs. Baines…Aunt Claudia, how unexpected!" She greeted her aunt with a kiss.

Rebecca then took her place beside Desmond. It felt natural to do so, as if they had already exchanged their vows.

"Rebecca, how lovely to see you," said Desmond. "You look well this evening."

"I do so love a ride in the afternoon, Desmond. The fresh air always invigorates me," Rebecca replied without the least hint of her true meaning. She tilted her head and smiled gaily at him.

"I quite agree," said Desmond. "I can see you've become quite a good rider. I shall go riding with you more often in the future, if you'll have me."

The chemistry between them was palpable. Upon Rebecca's entrance into the room, he could see or hear no one else. Her presence demanded the attention of all of his senses.

For Rebecca's part, she wanted nothing more than to throw her arms about his neck. In fact, she didn't know how much longer she could go on without touching him. It was torturous really but at the same time quite exciting.

"You and Desmond went out riding together? How was it?" Lady Louisa inquired.

"It was exhilarating." Rebecca answered. "Desmond rides very well. He showed me places I'd never been."

Desmond smiled.

"Really, Rebecca? How could that be? You know this estate better than any one of us with all the riding you do," Louisa countered in surprise.

Lord Garway spared Rebecca the bother of answering her meddlesome sister. His voice suddenly dominated the room.

"Now that everyone is here, I think it is time for a rather exceptional announcement…an announcement I'd say has been long overdue." He paused for effect. "Lady Garway and I are so very pleased to tell you all that our beautiful daughter, the Lady Rebecca Garway, is to be wed…to Mr. Baines."

Mrs. Baines rose quickly from her perch. "Why, Desmond! You said nothing to me!  Congratulations, my dear boy!" She rushed to embrace her son. She turned to his fiancee, "And Rebecca, I cannot tell you how pleased I am." She grabbed Rebecca's hands and kissed her on the cheek.

"Thank you, Mother. Rebecca and I are very happy."

"Well now, Desmond," the Countess uttered, "no one could certainly accuse you of acting precipitously. I trust this is not a trend. One only hopes that I shall still be above ground for the birth of your first child." She smiled at him broadly. "But this is happy news all the same."

"Thank you, Madam. I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge your role in the match." Desmond said discreetly to her as he took her hand. The Countess reddened slightly.

"Yes, yes. Thank you, Desmond; we shall speak no more of it."

Desmond assisted the noble lady to her feet as dinner had just been announced. The small gathering trailed into the dining room.

Dinner conversation revolved around wedding plans. Lord Garway and his soon-to-be son-in-law smiled helplessly at each other through much of the discourse. They contented themselves with the hearty meal and the fruits of the vine. By the dessert course, Desmond had had his good share of wine. But there was no doubt that the tone of the evening was festive and not a single person remarked upon their slight intoxication.

Desmond's left hand slid beneath the table's edge and found its target: the yielding thigh of his consort.

Rebecca started. She looked at him and widened her eyes.

"Rebecca, I must go to London the day after next."

"Oh? How long will you be gone?"

"For the day only. I had hoped you would accompany me. Will you?"

Rebecca was pleased. "I'll have to see."

"Is the pleasure of my company not sufficient enticement?" At that moment, Desmond was completely overtaken by all of the charms of her physical beauty, all the more for the wine that he had consumed. He leaned over to her and whispered, "Perhaps I should come by your room tonight to persuade you."

Rebecca replied coyly. "You can try. Penhope Manor is first and foremost a fortress of protection and sanctuary, Desmond."

"Is that a challenge?"

Rebecca looked at him gamely. "If you wish."

"Care to make it interesting?" Desmond arched an eyebrow to her.

Rebecca laughed. "You have a pitifully short memory, sir. I remind you that you best not bet against me if you want to keep your shirt. You said so yourself."

Desmond was contenting himself with the grapes from a nearby fruit plate. He crunched on them merrily. "Well, you see, Rebecca, the big difference is that this wager does not involve horses. Secondly, it need not be for coin."

Rebecca tilted her head. "What shall the prize be then?"

"Well, it would have to be worth my while." Desmond popped another grape into his mouth, chewed and swallowed.

"A kiss then?" she suggested.

"Ah…but I've already had one of those." Desmond grinned at her, his eyes full of mischief.

Rebecca blushed and stared down at her hands as she toyed with the stem of her wineglass.

“
Is that no longer worth your while, Desmond?" she asked him, her voice was soft.

He longed so much to kiss her just then. There was only one answer. "Of course it is, my love."

CHAPTER SIX

Lady Garway touched her husband's hand lightly. "John, look at Rebecca and Desmond. Have you ever seen two people so very much in love?"

Lord Garway looked down the length of the table. The affianced couple was rapt in conversation with one another. They might have been the only two people in the room. Rebecca was laughing. Desmond would not take his eyes from her.

"I still can't believe it," replied Lord Garway. "I mean, we all knew it, didn't we? Perhaps after her break with Sir Isaac, it was only a matter of time."

"It may have been Rebecca's plans for Wales that finally brought Desmond to his senses. Whatever it was, let us be grateful. I've already sent a letter to my mother with the news,” she told her husband.

"Will she be disappointed, I wonder?" Lord Garway turned to his wife. "I fear she still hasn't forgiven me for having stolen your heart across Mother England, along with your dowry. She may have had a grand scheme to get Rebecca settled permanently in Wales. Her last laugh, if you will." Lord Garway smiled wryly and took a sip from his wine glass.

"I'm sure you're right," Lady Garway sighed. "Thank God we're to avoid all that. I could not have borne having another child so far from home. Having Owen in Scotland is bad enough."

Lady Garway soon rose and began the slow migration of the ladies to the drawing room. Lord Garway went to join forces with Desmond in yet another volley of alcohol. He sat down next to him.

"So, my dear chap," he began. "I'm not one to comment on affairs of the heart if it can be avoided. But I make an exception in this case. No other match for my daughter could have pleased me more." Lord Garway tipped his glass to Desmond and took a drink.

"Thank you, sir." Desmond's manner was unsettled. He shifted his glass of brandy from one hand to the other. "I appreciate your confidence. I love Rebecca very much. You must know that I will do everything in my power to keep her safe, to spare her any sorrow."

"Of course, Desmond. What is it? There's something on your mind."

Desmond's eyes were very serious and he spoke in earnest. "It's a delicate topic." He paused. "Perhaps I've had too much to drink. We might discuss it later. "

Lord Garway's brow furrowed. "Please, Desmond. Continue."

Desmond took a deep breath and another drink. "Rebecca has given me her account of the events relating to Sir Isaac. I was told that he insinuated himself into her bed. And when she discovered that he had no intention of ever marrying her, it was too late. He is a gambler with no scruples about running up his debts and running away...but she has told you as much, I see.”

Lord Garway was stunned but managed to reply, "My wife told me." He put his glass down and sat back in his chair. So Desmond knew. He did not know whether to feel dismay or relief.

"Please understand," Desmond continued. "The episode means nothing to me. Your daughter is dearer to me than anything else on this earth. That will never change."

Lord Garway regarded Desmond with compassion and respect. "I'm glad we are speaking of this. Do you know as well that Sir Isaac threatened to disgrace her in the papers? He said he would tell everyone that she seduced him. That he then used it to extort Rebecca's affections, to keep her bound to him?"

Desmond nodded. "And now that atrocity hovers above her like a curse." He shifted his gaze to his glass. "Can you think of anything more despicable?" He looked up at Lord Garway intently. "When he hears of my engagement to Rebecca, it may well be the tipping point. He will be more likely to publish now than not."

"True. Still I can't see a way out of it."

"Lord Garway, that is my point exactly. I cannot be expected to stand idly by under these circumstances. When I think of Rebecca's despair as she told me of it..." Desmond clenched his jaw. He shook his head.

"Steady on, Desmond. But an angry man does not, cannot think intelligently."

Desmond took another drink. "I want to meet with Sir Isaac. He has the wealth of a king so no amount of money will turn his head. I shall have to persuade him that publication of Rebecca's story will do him more harm than good."

Lord Garway set down his empty glass. "Desmond, I cannot say what I would do in your place. But I will say this to you. Men like Sir Isaac don't respond well to threats. If you mean to have him listen to you, you will have to cater to his ego."

"I hope you can trust my motives, Lord Garway. I think only of Rebecca and her happiness."

"Yes, of course." Lord Garway put his hand on Desmond's shoulder. "No one could doubt it, my good man. You will keep me apprised?"

"I will. Now I'm afraid I must be off. My head is splitting. A function of the wine, I guess." Desmond smiled sheepishly and rose from the table. "Please make my excuses to Lady Garway and Rebecca."

"I'm sorry for that. Shall we see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, I hope so." Desmond stopped suddenly. "Would you pass on a message to Rebecca for me? Just tell her that I've not forgotten our wager…inside joke, I'm afraid."

Lord Garway smiled. "Now you are betrothed, you're entitled. Goodnight, Desmond. And thank you."

Desmond made his way to the front entrance where Abbott was waiting. The manservant helped him with his overcoat and handed him his hat.

"Thank you, Abbott." Desmond put on one glove and patted his pocket for the other. "I'm afraid I'm missing a glove." Desmond looked about randomly on the ground. A distant bell rang.

"I have to see to that call, Mr. Baines, but I will be back directly to lend a hand."

"It's all right, Abbott. I can manage. Good night." Desmond watched him as he disappeared into the next room. Assuring himself of a clear path, Desmond slipped quickly down the hall and up the grand staircase.

Lord Garway had rejoined the ladies. "I'm sorry, my dear Evelyn, but Desmond had to make an early exit. He sends his regrets."

Rebecca's heart sank. "Really, Father? Has Desmond left?"

"Yes," her father replied, "He dearly regretted having to leave but it seems he was not well, he had a headache. He asked me to remind you about your wager with him, Rebecca. Inside joke, apparently."

Lady Louisa and Lady Garway both turned to Rebecca expectantly.

"It's a bit of silliness, really." Rebecca smiled. She was sad, happy and puzzled all at once. "This afternoon, we challenged each other in a race. I won and it seems he wants to redeem himself."

"I think it's wonderful that Desmond is riding again," Mrs. Baines said brightly. "He needs to get out from under his books and files. I'm glad to see you getting him out there, Rebecca."

"Yes, of course," replied Rebecca.

"Rebecca, are you quite all right?" Lady Garway inquired of her daughter. "You look pale."

"I'm fine, Mother. I'm just exhausted. It's been quite a day." Rebecca looked to her father. "I hope you won't be disappointed if I turn in early."

"Not at all, dearest," answered her father. "I'll have Abbott send for Nora."

After proper farewells were exchanged, Rebecca left the company of her family and climbed the stairs to her bedroom.