Shattered Dreams (3 page)
“He’s not the sort of person Elly should even be introduced to,” Patience said with force.
Harrison lifted his brows. “Really? Every woman still drawing breath thinks he’s the most handsome man alive. And every father with a daughter to marry off considers him the catch of the century.”
George slammed his fist on the corner of a nearby table. “But this is Elly! Exposing her to Charfield is like handing a lamb over to a hungry wolf.”
“Not if the wolf knows up front that his role is to be the perfect partner to Elly, and that his
only
task is to make her forget an admirer her family considers an inferior choice for her.”
Harrison placed his palms flat on the top of the desk and leaned forward. “Not if he knows that each one of her brothers will stand in line to tear him limb from limb if he breaks her heart.”
“How did you get him to agree to this?”
Harrison shrugged. “Charfield’s reputed to own the finest Arabian horses in the world – next to ours. He’ll do anything for the opportunity to cross their bloodlines with ours.”
Patience and Lillian dropped onto the nearest settee as if they didn’t have the strength to stand. “But he’s a womanizer,” Lilly said. “A rake. He could break Elly’s heart.”
“You should have thought of that before you pretended to be Elly’s secret admirer!”
His sisters’ shoulders dropped in defeat. He regretted his sharp words the moment they left his mouth. “Enough recriminations. The time for assigning blame is over.”
He went around the desk and held out a hand to each sister. “Come now. Put smiles on your faces. The Down is hosting the first party we’ve had in years. That alone will guarantee its success.”
The twins rose to their feet and gave him bright smiles. “Of course it will,” Patience said. “We’ll make sure of it. For Elly.”
“Yes, for Elly.”
Elly recalled the stranger she’d met that afternoon and breathed a deep sigh. For the first time in her life, emotions she’d never realized she possessed stirred deep inside her.
There was no doubt he was one of the guests and she’d probably see him countless times during the next two weeks, but for a few unbelievably idyllic moments, someone special had treated her as if she weren’t different. For the first time ever someone thought she was the same as any other woman.
Of course, that wouldn’t last. In a matter of hours she’d meet him again and everything would change. But for a few special moments, while they’d raced toward the hedge, then jumped it together, she’d been normal in a handsome man’s eyes.
She’d never experienced such a euphoric feeling in her life.
A small part of her wished she could stay in her room for the next two weeks so that feeling wouldn’t change.
But that wasn’t possible.
Elly gave her hair a final glance and took a deep breath. The sooner she went down, the sooner she could meet their guests. Except for the man she’d met earlier, the reaction of the other guests didn’t matter. The house party wasn’t being held for her. No one would probably even notice her.
She swiped her damp hands against her skirt. It wasn’t as if she’d be paired with anyone. The twins wouldn’t be that thoughtless, and one of her brothers would always be at hand to escort her when needed. When they weren’t, she’d rely on Uncle Barclay to partner her. He was her paternal uncle and a joy to be around. If Harrison intended to force her to suffer through the next two weeks, she intended to have someone whose company she enjoyed.
She couldn’t believe the reason they were hosting a party. According to Harrison, one of her brothers had fallen in love. Either George, or Jules, or Spence, or Harri—
She stopped. No, it wasn’t Harrison. Even though he was the one she wished could find love again, she knew it wasn’t him. Perhaps it was George.
Elly sighed. No, it wasn’t George, either. She and George were twins and from the time they’d been able to speak they’d told each other everything. George would have told her if he’d fallen in love. He wouldn’t use a house party to introduce his family to the woman of his dreams.
It had to be either Jules or Spencer. They were both younger, five and twenty, and three and twenty respectively, but that wasn’t too young to give your heart to someone. Look at Patience and Lillian. They’d only been twenty when they’d fallen in love and married.
Oh, she wished Harrison had told her which brother had invited someone special but he said he didn’t want to give her any clues because nothing was finalized yet. Besides, he said it would be fun to have her guess.
She released a heavy sigh then slowly pushed herself to her feet. She stopped when the door opened.
“Oh, Elly,” Patience said, pausing just inside the doorway. Lillian followed her in. “You look lovely.”
Elly turned, then sat back onto the chair and watched the twins cross the room. They were not only exact replicas of each other, but they resembled their mother so much it was like seeing her face every time she looked at one of them.
Elly, however, took after her father, with dark hair and dark eyes and a bronzed complexion that wasn’t at all fashionable. The hours she spent riding only deepened her coloring.
“That shade of scarlet is perfect on you,” Lilly exclaimed, giving Elly a gentle hug so she wouldn’t cause any wrinkles. “I’m so jealous. With our coloring, Patience and I couldn’t be caught dead in a color that bold.”
“I’ve been waiting for an excuse to wear it. Mother had it made for me the last time she was in London.”
“It’s lovely.”
Patience stepped back to where Lilly stood so Elly wouldn’t have to crane her neck to look at them.
“Have any of the guests come down yet?”
“No. We informed everyone that dinner wasn’t until seven. It’s not yet six.”
Elly nodded.
“It’s going to be a wonderful two weeks,” Lilly exclaimed. “You wouldn’t believe the plans George and the boys have made.”
Lilly looked as if she could barely contain her excitement. Patience wore the same expression. Elly wished she could share their enthusiasm.
“Even Harrison is contributing to the festivities.”
Elly lifted her brows. “Harrison?”
“Yes. He came up with the most brilliant ideas of them all.”
The girls gave her the daily itinerary and Elly let them ramble.
Each day would include an outing of some sort. There’d be the expected picnic by the lake, boat rides down the stream, and carriage rides through the arbor for which The Down was known. They’d also scheduled trips to the village, especially to shop in Mr. Devon’s crystal palace where they made the most marvelous crystal pieces. And of course, they’d planned a variety of lawn games on the afternoons when the weather was sunny and warm.
For the men there’d be hunting and fishing opportunities while the ladies stayed indoors and read or went outdoors to stroll through the gardens. Then, every evening they’d entertain each other with parlor games. And music.
Since music had always been an important part of the Duke and Duchess of Sheridan’s home, Harrison had arranged for a number of smaller ensembles to be brought in several times during the two weeks to entertain their guests. There would be a variety of groups, including a chamber orchestra, a brass quintet, and a concert pianist.
The most lavish and formal affair of the two weeks, though, would be the ball The Down would host the night before the guests departed. Invitations had already gone out to all their neighbors and the whole countryside was abuzz with enthusiasm.
The twins assured her that this was going to be the event of the decade.
“You’re excited about the party, aren’t you?” Lilly asked fussing with her gloves. “I mean, you don’t hate the idea, do you?”
“Of course I don’t. I know how important this is to Harrison and the boys. And to both of you, too.”
“Perhaps in the future we can convince you to come to London with us.” Lilly’s tone was hopeful. “We’d all be with you. We’d make sure you had a wonderful time.”
The short, uncomfortable silence that engulfed the room indicated Lilly had entered forbidden territory.
“We’ll see,” Elly said as if she were considering the possibility of going.
A knot tightened in her stomach, the uncomfortable memories gnawing at her insides.
They didn’t understand. The twins had been too young to remember what it had been like for her.
“There are some very handsome gentlemen among the friends the boys invited,” Patience said with a glimmer in her eyes.
“I know.” Elly answered before she could stop her words from escaping.
Both her sisters gaped at her, their dainty eyebrows arched high. “You do?”
Elly hoped her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. “Actually, I met one of our guests when I was riding.”
“Which one?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t get his name.”
“He didn’t introduce himself?” Patience asked.
“No. I don’t think he considered I might be a relation. I wasn’t dressed as I’m sure he thought one of the Duke of Sheridan’s offspring would be attired when out of the house.”
“What did he look like?” Lilly asked.
Elly’s cheeks turned a degree warmer. “Oh, I can’t honestly say.” She tried to pretend the laughter in his midnight-blue eyes hadn’t haunted her since he’d ridden away from her. Or that she hadn’t studied every item of furniture in her bedroom trying to find just the right piece to match his dark, sable-brown hair. Or that she could stop the strange swirling in her chest every time she remembered the laugh lines at the corners of his eyes or the deep creases on either side of his mouth when he smiled. And oh, how easily he’d smiled.
“Was he tall?” Lilly asked.
“I don’t know. But he was riding the most magnificent Arabian I’ve ever seen. He must have nearly as fine a stable as Harrison.”
“Leave it to you to notice the horse instead of the rider,” Lilly said on a laugh, but she was the only sister who found any humor in Elly’s answer. The serious expression on Patience’s face gave Elly pause.
“What?”
“I think you made the acquaintance of the Earl of Charfield,” Patience said. Her hushed tone contained more than a hint of both awe and warning.
“Charfield?” Elly said, trying to remember if she knew the name. She wasn’t sure. “Which one of our brothers invited him?”
“Harrison. But I really wish he hadn’t.”
“What do you mean by that?” Elly’s sisters shared a glance she couldn’t interpret. “Is there something wrong with Charfield’s character?”
“Not his character...exactly,” Patience started to explain.
“We really should warn her,” Lilly said, making eye contact with Patience.
“Warn me about what?”
“About Lord Charfield,” Patience added. “He’s a...a...a rake!”
“Oh,” Elly laughed. “Is that all?”
“Is that all!” both sisters squeaked at the same time.
“You have no idea the hearts he’s broken,” Patience started.
“Or the scandals in which he’s been involved,” Lilly added.
“Is he shunned by Society?” Elly suddenly wanted to know.
“Shunned?” Patience said in a mocking tone.
“Shunned?” Lilly echoed in the same tone. “Not only is he
not
shunned, but every matchmaking mama is doing everything in her power to trap Charfield into marrying her daughter.”
“If he’s such a horrible choice, why is everyone trying to push their daughter off onto him?”
“Because he’s one of the richest, most eligible men in London, of course.”
“Yes,” Lilly added, “and one of the luckiest. None of the gentlemen at his clubs stand a chance of winning if he’s at the table.”
“Does he cheat?”
“Of course not,” Patience said. “Someone would have called him out by now if he did. He just never loses!”
“Oh, how inconsiderate,” Elly said, desperately trying to hide her laughter.
Patience propped her fists on her hips in obvious frustration. “There’s not a social affair held where his name isn’t at the top of the guest list. Even Lady Pomeroy, who only invites a select few to her annual ball, is rumored to have changed the scheduled date because Lord Charfield was unable to make her first choice.”
“Well, if Lady Pomeroy went to such lengths to include him I can hardly see why the two of you are concerned that he’s attending our small country party.”
Lilly wrung her dainty hands. “We just don’t want you to be hurt.”
“Hurt? I don’t see how I can be hurt.”
Patience stepped closer. “He’s broken countless hearts, Elly. It’s rumored that once he turns on his charm, women fall at his feet.”
Elly laughed. “Are you afraid I’m going to make a fool of myself over someone who will probably not even notice that I’m there?”
“Of course not,” Patience said. “It’s just that you haven’t had all that much experience with men.”
“I see,” Elly said, trying not to show her emotions.
“I mean,” Patience continued, using her words as a shovel to dig a hole even deeper, “we know you’re far too sensible to lose your heart to such a scoundrel.”
“Thank you for that.” Elly placed her hand over her heart. She tried to pretend she agreed with them even though she wasn’t sure the twins were complimenting her. “I’m glad you have such confidence in me.”
“We do,” Lillian said. “We both know that when you fall in love it will be to someone with a stellar reputation.”
Elly laughed. “Can you see that in your crystal ball?”
Lillian giggled. “Of course. It’s perfectly clear.”
“And Harrison? What do you see in his future?”
Sad expressions covered their faces.
“You know Harrison will never risk falling in love again,” Lilly said. “Not after he was hurt so badly before.”
“I doubt he’ll ever marry,” Patience added. “It’s been nearly five years and he’s never once shown interest in another woman.”
“It’s not Harrison we’re concerned for,” Lilly said. “It’s you.”
Elly smiled. “Well, don’t be. You have nothing to worry about. You forget. I’ve already met the man of my dreams. I’m sure Lord Charfield can’t hold a candle to my secret admirer.”
Patience and Lilly’s faces paled.
“But you’ve never met the man you’ve corresponded with,” Patience said. “Perhaps he’s exactly like Lord Charfield. Or worse.”
Elly laughed. “Don’t concern yourselves. Lord Charfield won’t give me a second glance.”
Lilly flapped her arms in the air in a graceful sign of frustration. “Don’t be so confident, Elly. No one is safe from his charms. Not even you.”
The temperature of the air in the room dropped and Elly struggled to keep the smile on her face from faltering.
After an uncomfortable silence, Lilly stepped closer and put her arm around Elly’s shoulder. “Oh, Elly. I didn’t mean that like it sounded.” Her rosy cheeks turned a blazing scarlet.