The Earl's Stolen Bride (Marriage by Deceit Book 4) (7 page)

“I do.  Your father and I did everything we could to protect your brother’s health and well-being.”

“I don’t understand.  Why do you sound hesitant?”

“I don’t want to place any undue burden on you, my dear, but Dr. Harvey is a gentleman who only sees the most influential families.  Your marriage to Lord Hawkins allowed us to be in that small group because of Dr. Harvey’s friendship with him.”

Chloe swallowed and forced herself to nod.  Something bad was coming.  She could feel it.  This was the thing she dreaded when she saw her parents’ carriage as she and Orlando came back from their swim.  Clenching her hands together, she made herself ask, “What is it, Mother?” in the calmest voice she could muster.

“There’s no denying your marrying Lord Reddington so quickly after Lord Hawkins’ death has put us in a precarious situation.  Fortunately, the matter has been kept secret in London.  The Ton isn’t aware of what’s happened.  Your brothers and sisters don’t even know.  Your father and I found out when we went to the Duchess of Ashbourne about your whereabouts.

“As it turns out, Lady Davenport was visiting the duchess when I went to inquire about you.  Lady Davenport spoke with me in private and explained how you left with Lord Reddington.  That’s how I found out.  But your father and I were quick to tell everyone you were so bereaved by Lord Hawkins’ death, you had to take solace in our cottage in the country.  So you needn’t worry about a scandal.

“In light of the situation with your brother and Dr. Harvey, I think it’s best we avoid a scandal,” her mother finished.  “Don’t you agree?”

“Well, I assumed there’d be a scandal, which is why Orlando and I thought it best to stay here until next Season.”

“That’s the beauty of it.” Her mother smiled and put her hand on Chloe’s shoulder.  “You don’t have to worry about a scandal.  Everything is all right.  You are still a respectable lady.  Your reputation is saved, and because of that, Dr. Harvey will continue to help Alexander.” She released her shoulder.  “Fortunately, Lady Davenport knows how to keep things to herself.  As for servants, they can be paid to keep quiet.”

Chloe sensed there was something her mother wanted, and as much as she hated to ask what it was, she didn’t think she had a choice.  This conversation was playing out exactly the way her mother wanted it, just like every other conversation they’d had before.

And so, it was with great reluctance, Chloe asked, “What do you want me to do, Mother?”

“The Season isn’t over yet.  People have been wishing to come by to console you after the death of your dear husband.  I think it’d be nice if you let them.”

“But I’m married to Orlando now, and besides, I’m not sorry Lord Hawkins is dead.”

“I understand, and I accept that, dear,” her mother said.  “You will hear no complaints from me on those two things.  You and Lord Reddington have my approval.”

“But…?”

“But…some people will worry you might have taken Lord Reddington as a lover while Lord Hawkins was alive.  And if they don’t assume that, they’ll undoubtedly talk about your marriage.  You’re still in mourning, and you’re a lady.  They will say you should have waited the full year to honor Lord Hawkins’ memory.” She reached for Chloe’s hand and patted it.  “I’m just wondering if it’s possible you and Lord Reddington might be willing to conceal your marriage for the time being?”

No, there was no way Chloe could deny she’d married Orlando.  Ever.

When Chloe opened her mouth to protest, her mother quickly added, “Only for the rest of the mourning period.  When it’s been a year after Lord Hawkins’ death, we can have banns read and a wedding.  Then you can be with him openly.  In the meantime, you can be with him.  Just be discreet about it.  Many ladies are allowed the freedom to be with a gentleman as long as they’re discreet.”

Unable to think of a suitable argument, Chloe closed her mouth.

“You don’t have to make a decision right now,” her mother said.  “Your father and I will go to the cottage and spend a couple days there.  Then we will return, and if you agree to this plan, you will return with us.  Lord Reddington can return to London on his own.  That way, no one will be the wiser.  Your father and I will tell people we went to comfort you, and you were able to gather enough strength to finish up the Season in London.  Dr. Harvey said he’d like to pay his respects if he can get a chance, and others are eager to console you as well.”

Her mother rose to her feet.

“Your father and I don’t want to get in the way of you and your husband,” her mother continued.  “You two are newly married and should enjoy your time together.  Your father and I are delighted you have a love match.  You have our blessing.  I just hope you consider protecting yourself from a scandal.”

Her mother leaned forward and kissed the top of Chloe’s head.

“I love you, dear,” her mother whispered then headed out of the room.

Chapter Eight

Though Orlando had poured brandy into his glass, he couldn’t bring himself to drink any of it.  He tried to pay attention to what her father was saying, but his mind kept going to Chloe, who was in the drawing room with her mother.  One could only guess what her mother was telling her.  He should have probably stayed with her.  Even though she’d assured him it was all right, he didn’t feel at peace with it.  Something was wrong.  He just knew it.

“You play chess?”

Dragging his gaze off the doorway, Orlando looked at her father.  “From time to time,” Orlando replied.

The older gentleman sipped the last of his brandy then set the glass down.  “Are you any good?”

“I do well enough, I suppose.”

“Want to play?”

Her father offered a smile, but Orlando sensed he was only being polite.  Shifting in his chair, Orlando shook his head.  “I’d rather not, if it’s all right with you.  I don’t care much for the game.  I have it because it was my grandfather’s.”

“He was a lover of the game then?”

“Yes.  I think he played a game every day.”

And on some of those days, he had to coax his wife or one of his children or grandchildren into playing the game, but Orlando saw no reason to share this information with him.  He probably wouldn’t care anyway.  He was only here to pass the time until Chloe’s mother was finished talking to Chloe.

“I’m not much of a chess player either,” her father said, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands in front of his stomach.  “I prefer to go fox hunting.  I only recently discovered it.”

Though Orlando couldn’t care less, he figured the gentleman expected a response, so he asked, “Is that so?”

“Yes.  Lord Hawkins introduced me to it.  I’ve been an avid hunter ever since.”

Orlando wasn’t sure if her father slipped Lord Hawkins’ name into the conversation with an ulterior motive, but he saw no reason to react to it, good or otherwise.  He had the feeling he was being compared to Lord Hawkins, and, more than that, he had a feeling her father found him lacking.

Careful not to sigh aloud, he glanced at the doorway.  When would the ladies be finished?

“There’s something intriguing about the game,” her father continued, either oblivious to Orlando’s indifference or talking because of it.  “Tracking something that has the ability to outwit you is highly entertaining.  Of course, the hounds help.  Perhaps it’s not so fair to the fox, but the game isn’t really about catching the fox or killing it.  It’s about strategy, outwitting your opponent.  I suppose chess is the same way.” He chuckled.  “Maybe I like the game because it gets me out of the townhouse.  The fresh air is invigorating.  Thanks to Lord Hawkins, I was able to purchase a cottage.  Country air is so much better than London’s.”

That was the second time Mr. Boyle mentioned Lord Hawkins.  Surely, he did it for a reason.  Didn’t he?

Orlando straightened in his chair.  “This estate has been in my family for five generations.  Chloe has as much fresh air as she needs out here.”

By the expression on her father’s face, Orlando could tell he hadn’t expected Orlando to mention that Chloe might benefit from something in her marriage to him.  And it was in that instance Orlando knew her father had brought Lord Hawkins’ name up because he wasn’t happy Orlando had married his daughter.

This little fact didn’t surprise Orlando.  He was sure if he were in her father’s shoes, he’d be hesitant to welcome a son-in-law who’d eloped with his daughter, especially so soon after her first husband died.  It was a scandal, and no one wanted their daughter involved in a scandal.

“Mr. Boyle,” Orlando began, setting his glass aside, “I assure you my intention isn’t to make things difficult for your daughter or your family.  That’s why Chloe and I won’t be returning to London until next Season.  By then, the Ton should have something else to talk about.”

“The Ton thinks Chloe is at my cottage mourning the death of Lord Hawkins.”

Orlando’s eyebrows furrowed.  “How is that possible?”

“Chloe’s mother and I have used the utmost discretion in the matter.” He drummed his fingers on his armchair as if debating something within himself.  Then, after a long moment, he said, “I wasn’t going to bring up this topic.  Chloe’s mother is with her now discussing it.  But since you mentioned not wanting to make things difficult for Chloe, perhaps I may appeal to you as a gentleman.”

“What’s on your mind?” Orlando slowly asked.

“It would be in bad form if you and Chloe were to return to London as a married couple.  She’s so recently widowed, as you know.  An elopement is distasteful enough.  If you added a rushed marriage to that, things could get very difficult for her.  When I arranged her marriage to Lord Hawkins, I chose him because of his reputation.”

“I thought it was his lavish wealth that made you pick him,” Orlando interrupted before he had time to consider whether or not it was wise to do so.

Her father sharply inhaled, and Orlando knew he’d struck a nerve.  “The money helped, I won’t deny it.  My son, Alexander, is a sickly child, and we were in need of a good physician.”

“Was that the excuse you used to make her consent to the match?”

Again, the words flew out of his mouth, and Orlando criticized himself for acting this way.  He needed to speak less and listen more.  He’d tell Toby to do that very thing if Toby had been so bold in his speech.  He didn’t realize how much it’d bothered him her father had rushed her into her marriage with Lord Hawkins.  He could have been married to her for a year now if her father hadn’t intervened, and more than that, her father wouldn’t be asking him to conceal his marriage if he’d been allowed to marry her in the first place.

“It wasn’t an excuse,” her father replied, his tone stiff.  “Alexander doesn’t have a healthy constitution like most children.  He’s had to see physicians since he was a baby.”

“Forgive me, Mr. Boyle.  I apologize for my words.  I don’t wish any child to go without a doctor if he needs one.”

“Time was of the essence,” her father said.  “I needed the money sooner rather than later.  Lord Hawkins had to go to India, and there was no time to waste.  Sometimes a father has to do what’s best for his family.”

“I understand.  You didn’t know I was interested in marrying her.”

“Given the amount of money I needed, I doubt that would have made a difference.”

It took Orlando a moment to understand what her father was telling him.  Even if he had approached her father, he would have rejected his suit.  “Am I right to assume you would not have given her permission to marry me after she became a widow?”

“I certainly wouldn’t have so soon after Lord Hawkins’ death.”

“If I’d waited a year for her hand, then would you have?”

Before he could reply, Chloe and her mother came up to the doorway.

“Are we interrupting anything?” Mrs. Boyle asked, poking her head into the room, her wide smile a startling contrast to her husband’s stern expression.

“No,” Orlando said, rising to his feet.  “We were finished talking.”

Orlando had nothing else he wanted to ask her father, nor was he inclined to spend another moment alone with him.  He went over to Chloe and placed his hand on the small of her back.  The action was to comfort him more than it was to comfort her.  Had it not been for her agreeing to elope with him, he doubted he’d ever had the chance to be with her.

“By the look on your face, I can tell you and Chloe had a pleasant visit,” Mr. Boyle told his wife.

“We did,” her mother replied.  “Lord Reddington makes her happy.  The match is a good one.” She glanced at Orlando and Chloe and smiled.  “We should head on to our cottage before it gets too late in the day.”

“You won’t be staying?” Orlando asked, not necessarily because he wanted to but because it was the proper thing to do.

“I’m afraid we can’t,” her mother replied.  “We must get something from the cottage then return to London.  We could come by here on our way back.”

Orlando nodded.  “You’re more than welcome.”

“Splendid.” She walked up to Chloe and cupped her face in her hands.  “Give the matter we discussed some thought, all right?”

“I will, Mother,” Chloe said, her voice so soft Orlando almost didn’t hear it.

It was then that he realized Chloe wasn’t smiling.  If he guessed right, something was bothering her.  He’d have to wait until her parents left before finding out what that something was.

“If you won’t stay the night,” Orlando spoke up, “then I insist you have something to eat before you leave.”

“That’s very nice of you to offer,” her mother replied.  “We’ll be happy to, thank you.”

“I’ll tell Cook to prepare something at once.  In the meantime, I need to change into more suitable attire.”

He got ready to leave when Chloe said, “I should change, too.”

“Chloe,” her father called out, “if you don’t mind, I’d like a chance to spend a few moments with you.  Your mother has had you all to herself.  I’m feeling rather neglected.”

“Oh, well…” Chloe glanced at Orlando, and he sensed her discomfort.

“I can stay if you wish,” Orlando offered.

Her father frowned, an indication that he had no desire to spend any time with him, but it was Chloe who protested.

“There’s no need,” Chloe replied.  “I’d like time to talk to him.”

Though he didn’t believe her, he had no choice but to nod and head out of the room.  Maybe she’d tell him what was bothering her after her parents left.  He could tell she wasn’t about to do so while they were still here, and they were undoubtedly used to getting their way.

The poor thing probably had to do their bidding her entire life.  She couldn’t even pick the gentleman she wanted to marry without doing it in secret.  It must have taken a lot of courage for her to run off with him the way she had.

He couldn’t be surprised.  He had expected some unpleasant consequences to their hasty marriage.  But he had sincerely believed the biggest hurdle was going to be the Ton.  He had no idea her parents would choose to keep the matter private.  It was much easier to oppose a group of busybodies who had nothing better to do than mind others’ businesses than it was to oppose her parents.  He had the sinking sensation that some very unpleasant surprises were in store for him and Chloe.