When Only a Rake Will Do (18 page)

“Go back to bed, Gervais,” he said as his valet hurried into the room just a few steps behind him.  “I can tend to myself this evening.”

The Frenchman hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.  “As you wish, my lord.”  He left then, closing the door behind him.

Tossing the long, black cape onto a nearby chair, Brendon quickly shrugged out of his jacket, casting it aside as well as he moved purposefully toward the small mahogany side table that sat against the wall on the opposite side of the room.  Reaching it, he grabbed the decanter of brandy and one of the crystal tumblers that sat upon its surface.  Filling the glass, he then carried it to the window, pushing the curtains aside as he gazed outside.  Looking upward he searched the night sky, but not surprisingly the stars weren’t visible and it was only the inky darkness that met his searching gaze.

As they had throughout the ride home from the masquerade, the events of the night once again replayed themselves within his head, especially his conversation with Lady Roxleigh.  Nevertheless, his mind wasn’t any clearer now than it had been then.  All he really knew was that Daphne Hewitt was a danger to his peace of mind, as he found himself suddenly questioning everything he thought he knew about himself and everything he thought he wanted.  Unfortunately, however, he wasn’t entirely certain that he was ready to answer those questions.

As their coach made its way along the wide gravel drive that led to the front of the Warrene family’s lavish property in Suffolk, located on the outskirts of Newmarket, Brendon was eager to stretch his legs as he’d long grown weary of being confined.  Even so his mood was lighter than it had been in weeks, for he was out of the city and that alone was enough to put him in a pleasant frame of mind.  And with a weekend of racing to look forward to the only thing he needed to concern himself with, at least for the time being, was selecting which horses to wager his money on.

When the door opened and the steps were lowered a few minutes later, Brendon quickly followed his brother from the vehicle.  And with Ashleigh having taken Justin to visit her grandfather, the Earl of Dexter, for the week, it was just the two of them.

“Nick, Brendon, welcome,” Alexander Warrene greeted as he descended the front steps of the grand, three-story house that stood before them. 

“Thank you for having us,” Nicholas replied with a gracious smile.

“Yes, thank you, Alex,” Brendon seconded.

Stepping onto the gravel drive, Alex strode briskly toward them. “You’re quite welcome,” he replied affably.  “Though I didn’t think that you were coming,” he said to Brendon.

“It was a last minute decision,” Brendon replied.  “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.  In fact, I couldn’t be more pleased to see you both, for as the only gentleman in residence this house is in desperate need of some male camaraderie,” he continued, a wide grin splitting his handsome face.

“Poor Alex,” Nicholas said, chuckling as he glanced toward Brendon, “he’s perpetually outnumbered by the female members of his household.”

“Indeed, you have our sympathies, old man,” Brendon added, regarding Alex in amusement.

As two of the Warrene’s liveried footmen hastened toward the coach to see to the unloading of their bags, Alex motioned Brendon and Nicholas toward the house. “Come inside, I’m sure the two of you would appreciate some refreshment after your long drive.”

Nodding in agreement, Brendon and Nicholas followed Alex up the steps and through the front door.

“For a house overrun with women, it seems unusually quiet,” Nicholas noted as they passed through the foyer.

“A temporary reprieve,” Alex responded good-naturedly as he led them further into the house.  “Mother and the girls went into town to do a bit of shopping and Tiffany and Daphne are presently out riding.”

“Daphne?”  For a moment Brendon was completely nonplussed.  What on earth was Daphne doing in Suffolk, he wondered?

Alex nodded.  “She accompanied mother and the girls from London.”

Nicholas cast a quick, speculative look toward Brendon and then turned his attention back to Alex.  “Thomas remained in the city, I take it?”

“He did.”

“Considering Thomas’ penchant for gaming, I’m surprised he’d forgo the races,” Brendon commented, as he tried to wrap his head around the fact that Daphne was actually here, in Suffolk, and staying with the Chesterfields just as he was.

Alex shrugged.  “While I don’t know for certain, I’d wager that it was only his continued pursuit of Miss Prudence Flemming that kept him in Town.”

“Humph.  Having met the young lady, I’m not sure which one of the two that I have more sympathy for,” Nicholas commented with an amused expression.

“Honestly, I couldn’t agree more,” Alex replied with a laugh. 

“Daphne, however, is a delightful girl and I would be surprised if Thomas doesn’t receive at least a dozen offers for her by the end of the Season,” Nicholas stated, with another brief, sidelong glance toward Brendon.

“Indeed,” Alex concurred.

Noting his brother’s meaningful look, Brendon was tempted to groan aloud.  First Ashleigh, then Lady Roxleigh and now Nicholas, he thought in consternation.

Fortunately he didn’t have to endure his brother’s not so subtle glances for long, however, as their conversation quickly turned to the upcoming races.  But in the back of his mind all he could think about was the disconcerting notion that he and Daphne were going to be residing under the same roof for the next several nights and wondering how in the hell he was going to deal with the undeniable temptation that presented.

*****

“Oh look, it would appear that Nicholas has arrived,” Tiffany stated, noting the presence of the duke’s coach as she and Daphne made their way to the stables following their afternoon ride.

“I’m sure Lord Chesterfield is inordinately pleased,” Daphne replied with a look of poorly disguised amusement.

Tiffany grinned.  “Yes, I’m quite certain that my husband will be overjoyed to have another male with whom to spend his time.”

Daphne regarded her in mock disbelief.  “You don’t think he enjoyed sitting with us last night as Lizzie and Amelia demonstrated their progress on the pianoforte, or this morning during our discussion of fashion and the latest Parisian dress designs?”

“The poor dear,” Tiffany said with a lighthearted chuckle.  “Though I must give him credit, for he does remain surprisingly good-humored considering all that we put him through,” she continued laughingly.

“He does indeed,” Daphne agreed with a smile. 

Guiding their mounts into the stable yard, they were promptly met by two young grooms who rushed forward to take the reins as Daphne and Tiffany dismounted.

As they made their way into the house a few minutes later, Tiffany immediately inquired as to her husband’s whereabouts and was informed by the butler that Lord Chesterfield and his guests were presently enjoying a brandy in the library.

“Guests?” she asked in surprise.

“Yes, my lady, His Grace, the Duke of Sethe and his brother, Lord Leighton.”

At the mention of Brendon, Daphne’s eyes went wide, her heart seeming to skip a beat.  Whatever was he doing here, she wondered in shocked disbelief.

“Oh how wonderful, I didn’t think that Brendon was coming, but he must have decided to join us after all,” Tiffany said with a pleased smile before turning to Daphne.  “Shall we go and say hello before we head upstairs to change?”

Quickly schooling her expression into one of feigned nonchalance, Daphne nodded in accord.  “Yes, certainly.” 

When they entered the library, they found Alex, Nicholas and Brendon seated around a small, circular table engaged in a game of cards, a crystal tumbler of brandy and a pile of clay betting chips set before each one.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Tiffany greeted, causing the three men to turn toward the door and then immediately rise from their seats as they noted her and Daphne’s presence.  “Nicholas, Brendon, please forgive me for not being here to welcome you upon your arrival,” she continued as she walked toward them.  “However, I’m pleased to see that you three have found a way to entertain yourselves.”

“Indeed we have, though primarily at your husband’s expense I’m afraid,” Nicholas said cheerfully, motioning to the seat Alex had just vacated and to the smallest stack of chips on the table.

Alex grinned good-naturedly.  “Let’s just hope my luck changes before the races begin tomorrow,” he said as he made his way to his wife’s side.

“Nicholas, Brendon, you both know Lady Daphne of course,” Tiffany said, turning to draw Daphne forward.

“Yes, of course,” the duke replied genially.  “It’s delightful to see you again, Lady Daphne.”

“Hello, Your Grace,” she responded, curtseying politely to the duke before turning to Brendon.  “Hello, Lord Leighton.”  Her eyes lingered for a moment on Brendon’s face, drinking in the sight of him. 

“Lady Daphne,” he said, tipping his head courteously.  “It’s a pleasure, as always.” 

“So, did you ladies enjoy your ride?” Alex asked solicitously.

Tiffany nodded.  “We did.  And as Daphne has never before been to this area, we rode over to view the grounds at Chippenham Park.”

“Ah, an excellent choice,” he replied with a smile.  “And what did you think of Admiral Russell’s illustrious creation?” he asked, turning to Daphne.

“The property itself was incredible and the gardens were especially magnificent,” she stated with absolute sincerity.

“It is rather impressive isn’t it,” he agreed.  “I’m glad you were able to see it during your visit.”

“As am I.”

“Yes, well, we won’t keep you gentlemen from your card game any longer,” Tiffany interjected, patting her husband’s arm affectionately, “for Daphne and I need to go upstairs and change out of our riding clothes.”

“Don’t worry, Lady Chesterfield, Brendon and I will do our best not to completely impoverish your husband in your absence,” Nicholas said with a chuckle.

“Please see that you don’t,” Tiffany replied with a look of mock concern, “for I just ordered several new gowns before we left London and I would be sorely disappointed if I had to send them back.”

“Do not worry, my love,” Alex replied with a jovial expression upon his handsome face, “I promise not to beggar us whilst you’re away.”

Having changed from her riding clothes into a pink and white striped muslin day gown, Daphne had just left her bedchamber and was nearing the top of the stairs when she came upon Amelia, Lord Chesterfield and the dowager countess.  “What’s happened?” she asked in concern, for Alex was carrying Amelia in his arms as they made their way to her bedchamber.

Amelia grimaced.  “I turned my ankle stepping off the pavement whilst we were in town.”

“Oh no,” Daphne said, eyeing the bandage wrapped tightly around Amelia’s left ankle.

“Fortunately it is only a minor sprain,” the dowager said as they followed Alex to Amelia’s chamber, “but the local physician advised her to stay off of it for the next few days.”

“I guess I won’t be attending the races after all,” Amelia stated with a frown.

“Here now, don’t worry about that.  We’ll come to Newmarket again,” Alex assured her as he set her down atop her bed.  “In the meantime just be thankful that the injury to your ankle wasn’t any worse, for you easily could have broken it.”

“Your brother is absolutely correct on that account,” the elder Lady Chesterfield said as she shooed Alex aside and grabbed one of the bed pillows, propping it beneath Amelia’s foot.    

“You’re right of course,” Amelia agreed with a rueful smile.  “I’m merely feeling sorry for myself.”

“Alex, dear, will you inform Mrs. Vickers that Amelia will be dining in her room this evening,” the countess said then, turning back to her son.

“Certainly.”

“If you don’t mind, I’ll dine here as well tonight,” Daphne said, “and keep Amelia company.” 

“You wouldn’t mind?” Amelia asked, her expression hopeful.

“No, of course not.  It would be my pleasure.”  Besides, she thought to herself, it would keep her from having to spend the evening in Brendon’s company.  Not that she didn’t
want
to spend time with him, but that was the problem of course.  She wanted something she couldn’t have, and the more time she spent with him the more she wanted it.  Thus, hiding upstairs seemed a logical course of action, at least for the time being. 

“How very thoughtful of you, dear,” the countess said to Daphne with an appreciative smile.  “Would you inform Mrs. Vickers that both Amelia and Daphne will be dining upstairs tonight,” she said, turning back to Alex.

“I will.  And you, young lady,” he said, directing his next words to his sister, “stay off of that ankle.”

“I shall.  I promise,” Amelia replied with a nod.

Ultimately, Daphne remained upstairs for the remainder of the evening, eating dinner with Amelia and then staying to keep her company until the hour grew late and it was time to retire to her assigned chamber in the guest wing and prepare for bed.

Once she’d donned her nightgown and settled beneath the sheets, Daphne felt surprisingly weary and had to stifle a series of yawns behind her hand, nonetheless her mind soon began to race, her thoughts focused inevitably upon Brendon.  Difficult as it might be, she knew that it was time to set aside her feelings for Brendon Leighton and prepare herself for the future that awaited her.  To do anything else was sure to cause her nothing but additional pain and sorrow.  Sadly, however, she feared that it was going to be a task much easier said than done.

And so, despite her heavy lids, nearly an hour and a half had passed before her thoughts eventually grew hazy and her eyelids drifted shut for the last time, finally allowing her to fall into a fitful sleep.