The Dark Earl (23 page)
Harry recoiled. “I want Lambton Castle to be a place where wild creatures are free from hunting and shooting.”
“When you become a wife, you must learn to be amenable to your husband’s wishes. If you please him, he will shower you with jewels.” Her mother opened a black velvet box that had arrived from her bridegroom an hour ago. “These diamonds are only the first of many priceless baubles he will gift you with.”
Harry threw her mother and sisters a pleading glance. “Would you mind leaving me alone for a few minutes? This is all so overwhelming.”
The minute she was alone, the window flew open, and there stood Tom Jones. The wickedly seductive devil beckoned to her. He had an animal attraction that she couldn’t resist, and without hesitation she gave in to the temptation. She tore off the wedding gown and petticoats, and climbed through the window in her muslin drawers.
When the rakish devil lifted her before him on his black horse, she cried, “Thomas, let’s ride hell for leather!”
“Have you ever ridden
hell for leather
?” Harry asked Rachel as they led their mounts from Campden Hill’s stables. The July morning had brought heavy dew that turned the cobwebs to brilliant diamonds.
I think I dreamed about diamonds.
hell for leather
?” Harry asked Rachel as they led their mounts from Campden Hill’s stables. The July morning had brought heavy dew that turned the cobwebs to brilliant diamonds.
I think I dreamed about diamonds.
“No, I don’t believe I have,” Rachel replied, “but there is nothing to stop us.”
“It is exhilarating beyond belief. Let’s have a race!”
“I’m game. You set the course.”
“Let’s ride in a huge circle that encompasses Campden Hill and Holland House, and also the lake. The finish line can be the courtyard.”
They both mounted and lined up their horses side by side. “Ready . . . set ... go!” Harry cried, and they took off as if they were riding the wind. Each time she glanced across at Rachel, she saw that her young aunt was laughing, as her hair streamed behind her like a red banner. Harry knew that she could easily win the race, but she realized how much pleasure Rachel would feel if she reaped this small victory.
When they arrived back at the courtyard, they reined in and slowed the pace. Then they decided to ride around again, but this time at a canter so they could converse.
“The countryside is lovely around here. Riding in Ireland is one of the things I miss most. I suppose we are lucky that our London house overlooks Hyde Park, but for a good gallop, it cannot compare with Barons Court.”
“Oh, I had the most marvelous dream about Ireland last night. Barons Court was so vivid. Mother was there and it was just like the last time we visited, except James Butler was with me. Georgina was quite taken with him.”
“Of course she was. Grandmother adored handsome, gallant men, and they in turn worshipped at her altar. I’ve been trying to remember
my
dream. Fragments keep stealing back to me, but most of it has vanished into thin air. To be perfectly honest, I think I was dreaming about Tom Jones.”
my
dream. Fragments keep stealing back to me, but most of it has vanished into thin air. To be perfectly honest, I think I was dreaming about Tom Jones.”
“You lucky devil! What were you doing? Were you the wench he was in bed with?”
“What were we doing?” Harry used Fielding’s own words. “I could only describe it by the ‘use of an expression too indelicate to be here inserted.’” They went off into peals of laughter.
After their ride, they stabled the horses, and walked through Rachel’s herb garden outside Campden Hill’s kitchen. “Look at how the mint is spreading. You must take some back to London with you.”
While Harry picked the mint, Rachel gathered a large bunch of thyme and another of rosemary. The air was redolent with fragrance as they headed toward the kitchen door. “Oh, look. The lavender is in bloom. I shall steal some to slip into my luggage when I finish my packing.”
“I have some muslin bags I made for just that purpose. I’ll get you a couple.”
By the time the pair had tied and wrapped the herbs, Harry realized the morning had slipped away. She grabbed the muslin bags of lavender. “I must be sure I packed everything—Riley could be here any moment.”
“Take your time. I’ll take him to the kitchen and feed him sandwiches and ale,” Rachel promised.
“Thank you for offering, Riley, but I won’t ride on the box this afternoon. I shall sit inside as befits a lady. I don’t want to arrive in London looking like a wild hoyden.”
Harry kissed Rachel good-bye. “Thank you for making my stay so enjoyable. My last few days have been delightfully calm and serene, and I’m sad to be leaving.”
“Don’t be sad, Harry. Think of the exciting time that is before you. I envy you.”
As the carriage rolled along the road that led from Kensington to London, Harriet’s serenity began to dissolve. She became somber as her head filled with thoughts of the disaster and the wretched existence of the coal miners and their families.
Her father’s words echoed in her head:
Every shovelful of coal helps fill D’Arcy’s coffers.
Then she remembered Rachel’s words:
Only think of the wealth that marriage to D’Arcy will bring.
Every shovelful of coal helps fill D’Arcy’s coffers.
Then she remembered Rachel’s words:
Only think of the wealth that marriage to D’Arcy will bring.
Her spirits sank further with every mile that brought her closer to London, and it began to dawn on her that it was the thought of accepting D’Arcy’s proposal of marriage that was stealing her happiness.
Harry recoiled.
Every penny of D’Arcy’s wealth is earned on the backs of coal miners. It is blood money! I could never become the Countess of Durham. My conscience would never allow me to be happy for one single day, knowing the luxurious life I enjoyed came at such a horrendously high cost to the men, women, and children of Durham.
Every penny of D’Arcy’s wealth is earned on the backs of coal miners. It is blood money! I could never become the Countess of Durham. My conscience would never allow me to be happy for one single day, knowing the luxurious life I enjoyed came at such a horrendously high cost to the men, women, and children of Durham.
She thought of D’Arcy and her stomach knotted.
How can I be so cruel to him?
She remembered Uncle Johnny’s advice:
If you are in love, you must let nothing stop you.
How can I be so cruel to him?
She remembered Uncle Johnny’s advice:
If you are in love, you must let nothing stop you.
All at once, everything fell into place. “I’m not in love with D’Arcy Lambton!”
Chapter Twelve
H
arry glanced out the window and saw that they were in London. She opened her reticule and thrust in her hand, searching for the key D’Arcy had given her. When her fingers closed about it, she hammered on the carriage roof, just behind where Riley was perched. She felt the carriage slow and pull to the side of the street.
arry glanced out the window and saw that they were in London. She opened her reticule and thrust in her hand, searching for the key D’Arcy had given her. When her fingers closed about it, she hammered on the carriage roof, just behind where Riley was perched. She felt the carriage slow and pull to the side of the street.
Riley jumped down and opened the carriage door. “What is it, Lady Harriet?”
“Before you take me home, I’d like you to stop at Carlton House Terrace.”
Riley bit his lip. He knew very well she was going to D’Arcy Lambton’s residence, but he was also under the impression that in the very near future she would be the Countess of Durham. “I’ll have ye there in a trice, my lady.”
As the carriage climbed Constitution Hill, Harry’s mouth went dry with apprehension. “It’s only fair that I tell D’Arcy right away. It is thoughtless and cruel to keep him dangling,” she said aloud. Her inner voice mocked her.
Tell the truth and shame the devil. You just want to get it over with, Harry Hamilton!
Tell the truth and shame the devil. You just want to get it over with, Harry Hamilton!
Lady Harriet ascended the front steps, inserted her key, and unlocked the front door.
She anticipated Fenton’s long, disapproving face.
I’ll tell him I have to speak to D’Arcy about a personal matter and ask him to make sure we are not interrupted.
I’ll tell him I have to speak to D’Arcy about a personal matter and ask him to make sure we are not interrupted.
As she crossed the entrance hall and reached the stairs, Fenton did not make an appearance.
I wonder if it’s his day off? It seems strange that none of the servants are about.
Harry entered the drawing room and found it empty. She went down the hall to the library, but the book-lined room, with its large desk, was also empty.
I wonder if it’s his day off? It seems strange that none of the servants are about.
Harry entered the drawing room and found it empty. She went down the hall to the library, but the book-lined room, with its large desk, was also empty.
Oh dear, D’Arcy must be out. My timing is dreadful. I feel like an intruder.
As she withdrew from the library, she thought she could hear the murmur of a man’s voice. She turned her head to listen, but when all that followed was silence, she thought she must have been mistaken.
As she withdrew from the library, she thought she could hear the murmur of a man’s voice. She turned her head to listen, but when all that followed was silence, she thought she must have been mistaken.
The sound of a woman’s laughter broke the quiet. It was so unexpected that Harry couldn’t believe her ears.
D’Arcy is entertaining a female. Who the devil can it be, and where are they?
D’Arcy is entertaining a female. Who the devil can it be, and where are they?
The next time the laugh came, it trailed off into a giggle, and Harry followed the sound. Though she had never been in the wing that held the bedchambers, she knew where they were located from the tour he had given her on the night of his dinner party at Carlton House Terrace.
Harry paused outside a bedchamber and when she heard movement inside, accompanied by murmuring, she opened the door.
Her jaw dropped as she saw D’Arcy Lambton with a female in his arms. Both were stark naked. “Trixy!”
Harry’s sister shrieked and burst into tears.
D’Arcy dropped Trixy onto the rumpled bed and grabbed his robe. “Harry, I can explain.”
Harriet ignored him and focused on Beatrix. “Get dressed immediately.” She turned and left the room. Her emotions were in turmoil, her thoughts were in disarray, and her pride lay in shards all about her.
D’Arcy hurried after her.
Harry’s blazing anger forced her to quickly gather her thoughts.
When she reached the drawing room, she held up her hand to silence him, and pierced him with a stare that pinned him to the spot. “You rapacious swine!” Harry was so furious she was panting. “How long has this been going on? My God, Trixy could be with child!” She took a deep, steadying breath. “Tonight, D’Arcy Lambton, you will present yourself to my father and ask him for the hand of his daughter Beatrix. You must insist that you do not wish to wait.”
“Harry, please—”
Harry held up her hand to silence him. She raised her chin and issued her ultimatum. “Two weeks. If you are not married at the end of two weeks’ time, I will personally see that you never,
ever
become the lord lieutenant of Durham.”
ever
become the lord lieutenant of Durham.”
They stared each other down, but it was not Harry who looked away first. She handed him his key. “I have no further use for this.”
Beatrix, trembling, pale, and a little defiant, appeared at the drawing room archway.
Harriet said quietly, “Come. The carriage is outside.”
The sisters descended the staircase and departed the house in silence. Once they were inside the carriage, Beatrix whispered, “I’m sorry I hurt you, Harry, but I’m madly in love with D’Arcy.”
“You haven’t hurt me, Trixy. I came to tell D’Arcy that I didn’t want to marry him.”
Harry saw a look of pity come into her sister’s eyes, and she knew that Trixy didn’t believe her.
She thinks I’m trying to save face.
Harry thought about what her family’s reaction would be when D’Arcy Lambton made an offer for her sister.
Hellfire, they will all look at me with pity.
Her instincts told her that she must not repudiate D’Arcy. She knew that what had happened today must remain a secret.
I love Trixy. I don’t want her to think that the only reason she got him was because I rejected him.
She thinks I’m trying to save face.
Harry thought about what her family’s reaction would be when D’Arcy Lambton made an offer for her sister.
Hellfire, they will all look at me with pity.
Her instincts told her that she must not repudiate D’Arcy. She knew that what had happened today must remain a secret.
I love Trixy. I don’t want her to think that the only reason she got him was because I rejected him.
The Duchess of Abercorn put her finger to her lips as she closed the bedroom door. Not until she undressed and got into bed beside her husband did she murmur, “I was rendered speechless tonight, which is a rare event for me.”
“Lu, I have a confession to make. When young Lambton arrived after dinner and asked to speak with me privately, I dreaded him asking for Harriet’s hand. When he asked my permission to marry Beatrix, a great weight was lifted off my chest. Harry is far too sensitive and tenderhearted to be wed to a happy-go-lucky, callous young devil like Lambton. On the other hand, Trixy and D’Arcy seem an excellent match.”
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