Anne Herries - The Rake's Rebellious Lady

He instructed his valet to put up a travelling bag for him and send his trunk on, and then had his groom bring round his curricle.

Within three hours of receiving the letter from his grandfather he was walking into Bollingbrook Place. It was an old house, but both the building and grounds were immaculately kept, which Tom knew must be expensive. The estate was clearly flourishing. Tom had not given much consideration to it in the past, but now he wondered where his grandfather’s money came from.

‘Master Tom, it’s good to see you, sir,’ Jenkins said. He had just come into the hall as the footman opened the door and smiled his approval at the young man. ‘Milord wasn’t sure you would answer his call, but I thought you might—and here you are.’

‘Of course I came,’ Tom said. ‘He threw Mama out with instructions never to darken his door again, but I was pretty sure that he didn’t mean it. How is he, Jenkins? The gout playing him up as usual?’

‘His lordship is in some pain,’ the valet told him, ‘but not as bad this morning as it has been for the past few days. I try to keep him from his port, but you know how it is, sir.’ Jenkins sighed heavily, his long face wearing an expression of extreme martyrdom.

‘I do indeed,’ Tom answered and grinned; he knew the man had much to bear, but he also knew that nothing would prise him from the Marquis’ side. ‘May I go up and see him, do you think? His letter sounded important.’

‘I believe it would do him good to have company, sir. He dwells too much on the past when he is alone.’

‘I’ll go up, then,’ Tom said and nodded to Jenkins as he ran up the stairs. Outside his grandfather’s door, he paused and knocked, waiting until a gruff voice invited him in. ‘Good morning, sir. How are you?’

‘No better for your asking,’ the Marquis grumbled, but then thought better of it. He had, after all, invited the young man to call. ‘Not so bad, thank you, Tom. It was good of you to come to see me.’

‘I had nothing better to do,’ Tom said frankly. He saw shock and then amusement in his grandfather’s face, for it was unlike him to answer so. ‘I was considering taking a trip to London, thought I might escort Caroline to some of the affairs, save Mama the trouble—that’s if she has troubled herself, which I dare say she may not very often.’

‘I take leave to doubt she will do so at all,’ Bollingbrook growled. ‘Featherhead! Still, she produced the best of my grandchildren—the rest of them are a pack of ninnies! I won’t have them here; they argue and whinge and I can’t stand that at my time of life. However, I want to see that gel of mine—Caroline. It’s an age since she was here. I know she’s gadding about town at the moment, and I don’t want to spoil her fun, but I should appreciate a visit when she can spare the time. I want you to tell her that, Tom.’

‘Yes, sir, of course. I shall go up in a few days—that’s if you will put up with me in the meantime?’

‘I hope you won’t run off too soon,’ the Marquis said gruffly. ‘I didn’t get you here just to talk about Caroline. I have some things to discuss with you. It concerns the future—you, Nicolas and my gel. I have been remiss, but I intend to put things right. In fact, I have already had my lawyer here and the thing is done, a day or two back as it happens. It can’t be explained all in a moment. Concerns secrets that most of ’em don’t know—and are not to be told, do you hear me?’

‘Yes, sir.’ Tom was surprised and yet flattered that he was to be let into that part of his grandfather’s life that was never spoken of, though he knew the old reprobate had been a high-flyer in his heyday. ‘You may rely on me to do as you wish on the matter.’

‘Good, thought I might,’ the Marquis said. ‘Do you see that chest in the corner? The one with the iron bands? It is locked and this is the key.’ He took it from his waistcoat pocket and held it out to Tom. ‘Open it and bring me the packet you see lying on top. You may study it at your leisure, and then we shall talk…’

* * *

Caroline saw that Sir Frederick had entered the ballroom, which was overflowing with people and far too hot. He had such presence and such an air that she could not help thinking him the most distinguished man of her acquaintance, and her heart suddenly beat a little faster.

His gaze seemed to travel round the room, and then settle for a moment on her. She dropped her own gaze immediately, for she would not like him to think she was staring, even though she had been. However, in another moment her next partner claimed her and she was whisked into the middle of the dancers. For the following few minutes, she forgot about Sir Frederick; when she was returned to her aunt’s side, he had moved from the place he had been standing earlier. Perhaps he had preferred the card room, she thought, deciding to put him from her mind.

‘I should like to tidy myself,’ Caroline told her aunt. ‘Would you tell Mr Asbury that I shall be only a few moments, please?’

‘Yes, though you must be quick,’ Lady Taunton said with a look of disapproval. ‘It is rude to keep partners waiting.’

Caroline left the room immediately, going upstairs to the room that had been set aside for the ladies. She made herself comfortable as quickly as she could and left the room, beginning to descend the stairs once more, but as she reached the bottom she met Sir Frederick. He had been about to go up, but stood to one side to allow her to pass. Caroline did not know what prompted her, for she ought simply to have nodded and passed him by, but some little imp was on her shoulder.

‘You do not dance this evening, sir?’

‘I seldom dance unless I particularly wish to,’ he replied. ‘And George told me that I had no hope of securing a dance with you, since your card was full soon after you arrived.’

‘I am afraid that is so,’ she said, ‘but there are others who may have a space left, sir.’

‘Of little use when I came only for one purpose.’

Caroline caught her breath. Was he saying that he had come merely to dance with her? Surely not! She smiled at him and went to pass him, but now he would not permit it and caught her arm, his fingers seeming to close on her like bands of steel so that she could not move without pulling away from him. His touch seemed to burn her and she trembled inside, wondering why he should have such an effect on her senses.

‘You wanted something, sir?’ She looked back at him, eyes wide and clear, a hint of challenge in their depths. ‘But perhaps you came to give me news of the puppy we rescued?’

‘Well, it would seem my groom has taken rather a fancy to the creature, which fawns on him in a ridiculous manner, and would like to take it home for his children—if you have no objection?’ Freddie raised his brows. ‘I was not sure what you would wish—unless you expected me to care for it personally? I am assured it will be well treated.’

‘That is excellent news.’ Caroline smiled. ‘How very kind of your groom to take the poor little scrap in. Tell him that I am grateful for his kindness.’

‘So would you like to name the pup or shall we leave it to Jacob and his children?’

‘I should think his name ought to be Lucky,’ she said, ‘forhe undoubtedly is to find such a good home, but it must be for your groom to decide, sir. I am in your debt for relieving me of what might have proved a problem in my present circumstances.’

‘Yes, indeed you are,’ Freddie said, his expression seeming to mock her. ‘But I fear that if I asked you to walk with me in the gardens for a few minutes you would refuse.’

‘We hardly know each other well enough for that, sir.’

‘We do not know each other at all, Miss Holbrook.’ He let one finger trail down her arm, sending a frisson of sensation shooting through her. For a moment as she stared into his dark eyes, she felt as if she were drowning, being sucked down and down into a swirling pool and out of her depth. ‘I am not sure that it would be to the benefit of either of us to be become more intimately acquainted…despite our mutual interest in a lucky dog.’