Stolen Love (22 page)

"No, Mr. Rutherford, I do not." She was now thoroughly embarrassed.

"Good, because I should hate to think I must apologize for something I enjoyed so immensely." He smiled brightly, picked up his coffee, and made a face after taking a stiff swallow of it. He put the cup back on its saucer and pushed it away. "Perfectly horrible," he murmured. She was going to pour him another cup, but he waved it off. "No, I would only render that undrinkable as well. I confess, I'm rather nervous. I'm afraid I shan't be able to carry this off well at all. I've never done this before, you know."

"Never done what before?"

"Why, this, of course."

"I see." She did not see at all but decided he would attempt to make himself clear in good time.

"I want to say, Elizabeth, I think you are an extraordinary young woman, and I consider it a great honor to know you. I respect and admire you for your kindness to me, especially when I've been so deuced difficult. As you know, I have expressed some rather strong sentiments in connection with your cousin, and I wish to assure you—" He cleared his throat. "A new leaf and all that, you understand. You needn't worry about it in the least.

"Well. Indeed," he continued. "I assure you, I only bring up the subject so it is perfectly clear it does not matter to me in the slightest. My own financial situation being what it is allows me to indulge my affections, if you will. I have nearly twelve thousand pounds a year from my grandmother, and I will, of course, come into possession of a good deal more upon the passing of my father. There's the baronetcy, naturally, and I am given to understand that I shall have in addition to my present income something like another twenty or thirty thousand a year. My father is a frugal man," he said wryly. "We might live quite easily on that, don't you think?"

Elizabeth blinked.

"I am convinced," he went on, "that it is possible to live comfortably—indeed, even elegantly—on the combined amount since I presently live extremely well on a lesser sum. I am merely trying to make the point that as husband and wife, two might live quite comfortably on the combination of my present fortune and, eventually, my prospective one, no matter what my wife might bring to the union. I do want to make it clear to you as well."

"Oh, dear." The only thing she could think was that he was talking about his apparently imminent proposal to Amelia. "I suppose two could live on just the twelve thousand. But, really, do you think you ought to be discussing this with me?" She knew too well that Amelia would refuse him.

"I thought it best to speak with you first. Not to put too fine a point on it, Elizabeth, it'd be deuced embarrassing to speak with your uncle only to be told no by the party most interested."

"Yes, I suppose you're right about that. But have you spoken with Amelia at all?"

"No!"

"Don't you think you ought to? You must, even before you speak to Uncle Havoc."

Ripton sat back in his chair and ran his thumb along the side of his jaw. "I see what you mean."

"It might save you a great deal of trouble, Mr. Rutherford."

"Your kindness is only one of the things that make me admire you. This only deepens my esteem for you, Elizabeth…" He sat up and reached across the table to take her hand. "I'm only sorry I didn't have the sense to do this sooner. I might have been made a happy man weeks ago." He raised her hand to his lips.

"Mr. Rutherford!"

He dropped her hand immediately. "You're upset. A natural enough emotion under the circumstances, I expect. But I'd be a fool if I waited any longer to ask you to marry me."

Elizabeth stared across the table at him. "If this is your idea of a joke, Mr. Rutherford, I don't find it the least bit amusing."

He blanched and quickly rose from his seat. He walked to the window, where he stood staring out at the street. "I've done this all wrong, haven't I? It was stupid of me to think anything but the truth would work." He turned to face her when he heard her stand up. "I thought I could bring this off in a more conventional manner, and I apologize for all that rot I just made you listen to. It's true, though. The emotion is quite genuine." She went to him, and when she was close enough, he grasped both her hands. "Has Beaufort Latchley asked you to marry him?"

She nodded.

He took a deep breath. "Have you accepted him?"

"No."

"I'm not foolish enough to think you love me. I know you're in love with Nicholas. But, Elizabeth, I'm in love with you, and I'll be damned if I wait any longer for him to come to his senses. If I did, I might wait until it was too late for us both, and I don't want to lose you to some clod like Latchley just because Nicholas refuses to see what it is he might have."

"Mr. Rutherford—"

"Ripton, for God's sake!" He dropped her hands.

"All right," she said softly, stepping away from him. She could hear her aunt Mary telling her that if a suitable man should make her an offer, she would be foolish to turn him down. "Ripton, I don't know what to say." He was more than suitable. He was handsome, rich, and he loved her. She turned to him. "Except, I can't say yes," she said.

"I did not expect you to," he said. "Nicholas may be a fool, but I'm not. I know how I feel about you. But if you're going to marry someone besides Nicholas, at least let it be me."

She thought about Amelia and Nicholas. "I'll think about it, Ripton," she said gently.

"That's all I dared to hope. Well, then, I should like to speak with your uncle today, Elizabeth."

"All right."

"I'll come back later, at a more decent hour of the day."

When Amelia came in a few moments later, Elizabeth was back in her seat.

"Good morning, Beth." She leaned over her cousin's shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Mr. Poyne said Mr. Rutherford was here. Where is he?"

"He's left."

Amelia sat down on the chair Ripton had been sitting in and helped herself to some toast. "Why was he here?" She shrugged when Elizabeth did not answer. "I wonder why he didn't stay?" she said. "You know, he left Lord Lewesfield's so suddenly last night, it was really quite odd. And now he's called here and left suddenly again. Mr. Rutherford is so very handsome. Don't you agree, Beth? I admire him simply too much."

"You've never paid much attention to him, Amelia."

"But I've always thought he was handsome."

"Handsomer than Nicholas?" she snapped.

"Nicholas? No, I don't believe he's quite as handsome as that. And anyway, Nicholas's family is even wealthier than Mr. Rutherford's. Why, one day, he might even be a viscount."

"Mr. Rutherford will be a baron someday."

"True enough, but I like Nicholas better than Mr. Rutherford."

"I think you like yourself better than anyone."

Mr. Willard came in just as Amelia was retorting "Why Elizabeth Willard!"

"Amelia, will you excuse me?" Havoc said. "I must speak with Elizabeth."

"She's been very rude to me. Father."

"Not without cause, I'm sure."

"Well, I'm sure that it was with none. Beth is putting on airs. You ought to put a stop to it before she makes a fool of herself."

"Will you come with me, Elizabeth?" Havoc looked at her inquiringly. When she had followed him to his study, she stood while Havoc carefully shut the door. "Sit down," he said. He waited until she was seated. "Elizabeth," he began, "you are very dear to me."

"Please don't scold me, Uncle Havoc, I could not bear it. I promise I'll apologize to her."

"That isn't what I wanted to talk to you about." He looked at his fingertips. "You worry me, Elizabeth. No, not because of Amelia." He waved a hand to prevent her from interrupting. "Has Mr. Latchley spoken to you yet?"

"Yes. Last night."

"And what did you tell him?"

"I told him I could give him no answer until I had spoken to you." Havoc nodded his approval. "He said he had already spoken to you. In fact"—her voice rose—"he seemed to think you wanted me to accept him."

"I do, Elizabeth."

She gaped at him. "Why?"

"I think the marriage would be a good one for you."

"But I don't love Mr. Latchley."

"That isn't necessary for you to be happy."

"You sound just like Mr. Latchley," she accused.

"You could learn to love him, Elizabeth."

"How could I, when he does not love me?"

"He is reserved, I grant you that. But, my dear, though he might have had Amelia for the asking, he had the sense to ask for you. I could rest easy if you were married to him."

"Are you telling me to accept him?" She spoke softly, hardly able to believe it might be true.

"Mr. Latchley is not so old that the difference in your ages concerns me overmuch; indeed, an older man might make you happier than a younger one. He admires you a great deal and is prepared to be more than generous to you."

She stood up. It seemed incredible that he wanted her to marry Beaufort Latchley. "Mr. Rutherford was here this morning," she said.

"So I was informed. But that has nothing to do with your marrying Mr. Latchley."

"It has everything to do with it. He told me he loves me. He asked me to marry him."

"Is this true?" His eyebrows drew together. "Did you accept him?"

"I told him the same thing I told Mr. Latchley."

"He ought to have stayed to speak with me."

"He is coming back later in the day."

"In my opinion, Mr. Rutherford is an irresponsible young man."

"Are you going to make me marry Mr. Latchley?"

"Elizabeth, it would be for the best."

"I would rather marry Mr. Rutherford than Mr. Latchley."

Havoc sighed. "Mr. Rutherford may, perhaps, have my approval when—if—he asks for it. Until then, Elizabeth, I want you to promise me you will not refuse Beaufort Latchley."

"Yes, Uncle, I promise."

«
^
»

N
icholas was disappointed to find that Mrs. Willard was the only person home when he arrived at Tavistock Square. He considered just leaving his card, but it was not likely he would have another chance to call before he left London. A few moments later he was sitting in the drawing room with Mrs. Willard urging a plate of biscuits on him.

"I'm sorry to have missed Miss Willard and Elizabeth," he said, taking a biscuit he did not want in order to appease Mrs. Willard.

"I'm sure they'll be equally disappointed when they learn you've called and did not stay, Mr. Villines. Amelia will be devastated. She speaks of you in the most glowing terms, don't you know."

"It is especially disappointing not to see them, because it will be some time before I am back in London." Nicholas saw no reason to prolong his visit.

"Oh? Are you leaving us?"

"I'm afraid so. I leave tomorrow for Witchford Runs. My grandfather and I share the same birthday, and he would never forgive me if I missed our party."

"But you will be back after the holidays, of course."

"Afterward, I plan to visit Spain and perhaps Portugal. It may be several months before I am back in England."

"Amelia will be disappointed, most disappointed, when she learns of this."

"I have a great deal to do before I leave London, and I regret that I am unable to stay any longer." He rose and bent over her hand. "Please, give Amelia my regards, and tell Elizabeth— Tell Elizabeth I shall write to her."

Mrs. Poyne looked relieved when Elizabeth finally came home from her visit with Jane Smithwayne. "You're to go straight to your aunt, Miss Elizabeth," she said.

"Is something the matter?"

"Nothing serious, miss." Mrs. Poyne grimaced. "She's in her room."

"At last, Beth," Mrs. Willard cried when she came in.

"What is it, Aunt Mary?"

"Something awful has happened!"

"Is Uncle Havoc all right?"

"He's fine. Good heavens, nothing's happened to him. It's Amelia. My poor Amelia!"

"Amelia?"

"Yes. She's had her heart broken, Beth, and I haven't the strength to tell her."

"What do you mean, Aunt Mary?"

"Mr. Villines is gone! Leaving without even a word to Amelia. If he never comes back from Spain, it will be too soon for me, the way he's treated poor Amelia."

She did not know what to make of her aunt's declaration. "How do you know Nicholas is in Spain?" she asked.

"He was here this afternoon and told me so. Beth, dear, you must be the one to tell Amelia. They might have been so happy."

"If he was just here, how can he be in Spain?"

"It amounts to the same thing." She waved one hand limply in the air. "He's leaving for his grandfather's tomorrow morning, and then he's going to Spain. Beth, you must be careful when you tell Amelia. She's had her heart
cruelly broken."

"Yes, Aunt Mary, I will be." Elizabeth felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders when she realized Nicholas had not proposed to Amelia. There was not going to be any marriage. Far better that he should be gone forever than to have him married to Amelia.

"Promise me you will."

"Yes, Aunt Mary."

«
^
»

M
r. Chester was just removing the last of the shaving cream from his employer's face when Mr. Baker came in and cleared his throat.

"What is it?" Mr. Chester demanded. He frowned at the interruption of his carefully constructed schedule.

"Excuse me, sir, but Mr. Rutherford is here."

"He is?" Nicholas glanced at Mr. Chester. "Send him up," he said. He stood up and offered his hand to Ripton when he came in. "Good morning, Rip. I hope you don't mind this." By "this" he meant Mr. Chester's helping him to finish dressing. "I'm taking the ten forty-seven to Witchford Runs, and Chester's got me on a strict schedule."

"By all means, Nick. I just thought I'd come to see you off." He took a seat on the edge of Nicholas's bed and watched the efficient Mr. Chester at work. "I say, Chester, when are you coming to work for me?" he asked.

"You don't travel nearly enough to suit Chester. Does he?" Nicholas looked to his valet for confirmation.