The Earl's Daughter (3 page)

“I'm not.”

“Very well.” Sylvie crossed her arms and sighed. “You know, you are quite arrogant for a man of your station. And rude. Disrespectful...”

“I tend to think you have to give respect before you're worthy of receiving it.”

“I quite like that viewpoint. I believe those are the wisest words I have ever heard you utter.” Sylvie tapped her chin as she considered what he meant. “Unless, of course, you are suggesting that
I
have disrespected you in some way?”

Peter drew a deep breath and expelled it with a grumble. “The carriage is ready, my lady.” He extended a hand and offered to help her inside. “We should reach our destination shortly.”

“Not that shortly, I think.” When Sylvie took his hand, he gently lifted her into the seat. “If we were incredibly close to Robert's Nottingham estate, I imagine we would have arrived last night.”

Without replying, Peter closed the carriage door behind her and climbed into the driver's seat. Fortunately, the rest of their journey was fairly uneventful, aside from a spider's brief appearance. Peter heard her screaming and quickly went to remove the unwelcome traveler from the carriage's environs.

Within two hours, they finally arrived at Robert's estate. It was a towering red brick hunting lodge surrounded by dense forest on all sides. It was an impressive edifice, to be sure, and Sylvie looked as awed by it as Peter did. It was the first time she ever visited Robert in his regal retreat.

“It looks grand,” Peter made a quiet observation as he helped her down from the carriage. “Very grand.”

“Indeed. It does.” When she saw Robert, her entire body froze. He was standing in front of the house, chatting with one of his servants. His windswept blonde hair seemed to glisten in the sun, and his dark blue greatcoat fit him so well, it was practically molded to his body. Robert Lytton was truly the embodiment of a storybook hero, in addition to being the man of her dreams. He was so handsome, Sylvie could hardly move when she saw him.

A realization dawned on her:
she
was the girl who got to kiss him. Robert's lips were for
her
. And that fact quite possibly made her the luckiest woman in the world.

“Robert!” When his name flew from her lips, he immediately turned in her direction. As soon as he saw her, her beau abandoned his conversation, extended his arms, and ran to Sylvie's side.

“Have the heavens answered my prayers?” Robert exclaimed. He took her face between her hands and gently stroked her cheeks. “Is it really you?
Truly
?”

“It is!” Tears filled Sylvie's eyes as she beheld his beautiful blue eyes. “I am here!”

“And you are...” Robert took her hand and gave her fingers a tender caress. “Not married?”

“No. I ran away,” she confessed. “I couldn't marry him, Robert. I absolutely, positively could
not
!”

When he saw a tear fall from her eye, Robert quelled it with his thumb. “I'm glad you didn't.”

“Do you think I am a fool for running?” Sylvie's lips quivered as she asked the question. “Are you disappointed in me?”

“No! Of course not, you goose!” Robert threw back his head and chuckled. “Why would you think such a thing?”

“I may have gotten myself into trouble by running... and I may have gotten you into trouble in the process. Perhaps I am not worth it?”

“Are you serious? You
are
worth it, Sylvie. I adore you. Nay, I
love
you.” Robert raised her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles several times. “The relief I feel in my heart is beyond description. I thought I'd lost you.”

“You could never lose me. In a million years, you would never lose me.” When Robert's hand went back to her cheek, she leaned against his palm. Feeling his skin made her entire body relax. “Even if I had married him, my heart would have always been yours.”

Robert pressed his lips against her head and murmured into her hair. “The world might try to part us, but I would rebel against the world if it meant that I could be with you.”

“Oh, Robert...” Sylvie ran her hands along his greatcoat. She felt a bit light on her feet, as if she was on the verge of swooning. “It does my heart good to hear you say that. You have no idea.”

Robert's lips found hers. Their kiss had Peter rolling his eyes and muttering, “Oh, for the love of...”

When she heard the carriage driver mumbling to himself, Sylvie turned away from Robert's kiss and faced Peter with a smile. “Oh, Robert! I forgot to introduce you to Hughes. Peter Hughes. He was the man who very graciously agreed to take me to you.”

“You have my thanks, good sir!” Robert exclaimed. “You are a gem among men.”

“I hope that doesn't mean I'll sparkle and shine.”

Peter's quip was lost on the reunited couple, and it was Sylvie who said, “I wasn't able to sufficiently reimburse him for escorting me. I'd hoped you would be willing to pay him for his time and services.”

“Of course, my dearest girl. I will give him all the compensation he requires.”

“Will you give
me
whatever I ask for?” Sylvie asked.

“Of course,” Robert said again. “For you, I would strive to move the stars.”

“Well then... might he join us for supper?” When Robert looked puzzled, she added, “Peter, I mean.”

Robert's gaze swiveled back to Peter, and he squealed, “
The carriage driver
?!” His tone made it sound like an outlandish suggestion—which, of course, it likely was.

“Yes. He has been very kind to me,” Sylvie said, which had Peter raising an eyebrow. It was the first time she had expressed anything other than disdain for him. “Before he leaves us, I would like to give him a proper send-off.” To Peter, she asked, “Will you stay for supper, Hughes?”

“Only if a proper send-off involves cake,” Peter joked, but when he saw her downturned mouth, he added, “I would be honored to join you for supper, m'lady.”

“While Peter's presence at dinner would be somewhat... unconventional...” Robert was wincing as he spoke, as if it pained him to say the words, “I will not deny you what you want, my dear. He may stay for supper, if that is your wish.”

“Thank you, Robert. You are always so very kind.”

When Robert offered an elbow to his lady love, she immediately coiled her arm around his. “It will be a bit strange to speak to you in private, as we are usually under the watchful eye of a chaperone.”

“Well, we won't be entirely alone.” Sylvie bowed her head in Peter's direction as they walked. “Peter will be accompanying us, at least for a time.”

“Well then... perhaps...” Robert sucked his bottom lip between his teeth.

“What is it, my love?” Sylvie pressed.

“I was hoping we
would
have some time alone. Later, perhaps.” Robert leaned toward Sylvie's ear and whispered, “Quite frankly, I am dying to kiss you. Again. And again...”

Sylvie felt heat flooding her cheeks as the words of her beau echoed in her mind. “W-we... will... y-yes,” she stammered a reply. “Yes, that would be lovely.”

As soon as they entered his estate, they were halted by the sound of footsteps on the stairs. The ornate spiral staircase was encompassed by an enormous motley mural of gods and kings, but the most breathtaking masterpiece on the stairs was the young woman descending them. Her fire red hair spilled over her shoulders, which suggested she was not prepared to receive guests. Her sapphire blue gown was dangerously low cut, revealing a considerable amount of her ample decolletage. Sylvie thought she had the look of a lady
and
a Cyprian, but she knew she would have to keep her opinions to herself.

“Ah!” Robert extended a hand to the feminine guest when she reached the bottom of the staircase. When he kissed the back of the lady's hand, Sylvie could feel her stomach clenching with jealousy. “This is my cousin, Clarissa Overton.”

“Mm. Yes.” The young woman's thin lips were pulled into a tight smile. “Your cousin.”

“Clarissa... allow me to introduce you to Sylvie Stafford,” Robert began, “who I believe I have mentioned countless times.”

“Indeed you have. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Stafford.” Robert's beautiful cousin bobbed a curtsy as she addressed the other woman. “Though I confess I was not anticipating the arrival of a guest. I am afraid I look such a fright!”

“You look lovely,” Sylvie corrected her. “Far from frightful, as I'm sure you know.”

“I am glad to hear it.” Clarissa turned her attention to Peter, who was hovering well away from his well-to-do companions. “And you, sir? What is your name?”

“I am no one of importance,” Peter assured her.

“Aww. And why would you say such a thing?”

“Peter is the carriage driver who accompanied Miss Stafford to Nottingham,” Robert explained. “He will be joining us for supper, at Sylvie's request.”

Clarissa looked surprised, to say the least, and very unimpressed. “Oh.”

“Speaking of which, I should speak to Cook and tell her we are expecting two more guests this evening.” Robert bowed to the ladies as he left their company. “If you will excuse me... I will rejoin you shortly.”

When Robert was gone, the ladies exchanged awkward smiles. An interminable moment of silence ensued; it was so long, in fact, that even Peter was desperate to end it. Finally, it was Sylvie who spoke. “Do you visit Robert often?”

“On occasion,” Clarissa replied. “But not nearly as often as I would like. He is, after all, my
very
favorite cousin.”

“I don't believe he has mentioned you before,” Sylvie confessed. “I can't imagine why he would fail to speak of a favored cousin.”

“Nor I.” When Clarissa flicked her head, it looked as if she was tossing a river of fire over her shoulder. The vibrant color of her hair was truly something to be envied. “Perhaps he does not favor me quite as much as I favor him.”

“Were you together often as children?”

“He is nearly a decade older than me, so... no.”

Which would mean the young woman was no older than nineteen or twenty. In spite of the fact that she was Robert's cousin, and likely not a threat, Sylvie could feel her jealousy mounting. “Well, it is nice to think you have grown closer.”

“Indeed,” Clarissa agreed. “Much closer.”
Sylvie sent a hopeless glance in Peter's direction, but if she was hoping for guidance from him, she would need to look elsewhere. He simply shrugged and turned his attention to the mural on the wall.

When Robert returned, he took both ladies, each on one arm, and led them to a drawing room. Peter was unsure if he was supposed to follow, so he wandered to the servants' quarters belowstairs, where he would stay until supper. Sylvie never even noticed he was gone, nor did she question his absence.

In the drawing room, Sylvie and Clarissa took turns trying to impress Robert with their vocal talent. Sylvie had considerable skill with the pianoforte, and her fingers masterfully swept across the keys. However, her voice cracked in the middle of her song, which had her feeling a bit sheepish. When it was Clarissa's turn, Sylvie was secretly hoping she would fail, and she hated herself for feeling so vindictive. As it happened, Clarissa had the voice of an angel, but her skill on the pianoforte was a bit rudimentary. Neither woman could claim victory over the other.

After they both took a turn, Robert offered to play while both of them sang, but Sylvie politely declined. She sat on the settee and watched Robert and Clarissa perform a duet, which had her heart sinking. Cousin or not, Clarissa was an undeniably beautiful girl, and her copper hair was enveloped in a halo of sunlight that poured through the window. She was so statuesque and beautiful, it was almost unfair. Her chiseled features and powdery skin were downright enviable.

When they grew tired of their impromptu concert, they retreated to the dining room, where Sylvie finally noticed the absence of her companion.

“Where is Hughes?”

“I believe he is with the servants,” Robert said. As they surrounded the table, he pulled out a chair for Sylvie first, and then Clarissa. “I will send a footman to fetch him.”
“It is a bit uncommon, is it not?” Clarissa began, “to dine with one's carriage driver?”

Sylvie nodded. “Indeed. You both must think I am very peculiar; however, Hughes was an invaluable companion when we were traveling. If not for his willingness to accompany me, my whereabouts would have surely been discovered by my father and I would have been forced into an unhappy marriage.”

“Robert has told me something of your circumstances,” Clarissa confessed. “You were nearly married to a much older man?”

“I was.” In the corner of her eye, Sylvie saw Peter enter the dining room, so she cast a brief smile in his direction. “Mr. Tonbridge is a friend of my father, and he is more than thirty years older than I am.”

“Heavens!” Clarissa gasped. “That would be a very... undesirable fate.”

As Sylvie nodded, the first course arrived. As the food was delivered, Sylvie reached for Robert's hand beneath the table, and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Needless to say, I am very glad that fate did not befall my Sylvie.” When Robert turned toward his beloved, his lips unexpectedly dropped into a frown.

“What is the matter, Robert? You look a bit blue-deviled,” Sylvie observed.

“I should have been there for you...” Robert sorrowfully reflected. “I should have been the one to rescue you from your unwanted fate.”

“Do not berate yourself, Robert. All is well.” Sylvie sipped her soup and smiled at her beau. “Besides, I cannot blame you for being fearful of my father. If you had acted against his wishes, I am quite certain he would have called you out! If anyone was going to defy him, it had to be me.”

“I'm so happy you're here, Sylvie,” Robert said. “Unbelievably so.”

“And I am very happy to be at your side again.” When Sylvie looked across the table at her other companions, she caught Clarissa staring at Peter. And Sylvie, to her surprise, was relieved to see that Peter was only interested in his food. “You have such beautiful hair, Miss Overton,” she attempted to converse with the other woman in the room.