Her Impetuous Rakehell (2 page)

“Yes,” Laurence said. “Louisa, you may sit down.”

“I shall ring for some milk and biscuits,” Hannah offered.

“Please don’t go to any trouble,” Laurence asked.

Glaring at him, Hannah replied pointedly, “It’s no trouble. In fact, Louisa, perhaps you’d enjoy playing in the nursery. I’ll have one of the footmen show you the way,” she added, looking at the woman who must be her nursemaid.

“I won’t be staying, my lady,” the nursemaid said.

“Oh, well…” Hannah wasn’t certain how to respond and turned to Laurence for help.

“That is part of the problem,” Laurence began. “Molly wishes to return to her family.”

“I can’t go back to Oakhurst Castle. I just can’t. The men have gone mad. I feared for my life. I’m going back to Cork, where my family is.”

“Ah, I see.” Now that she looked more closely, Hannah could see the woman wasn’t much beyond her own twenty years. It must be difficult to be so far from home. “Did you travel all the way from Oakhurst Castle with Miss Pierce? You both must be exhausted. Why don’t I have the cook send breakfast up to the nursery?”

Hannah strode to the hallway in search of a footman. Instructing the first one she found, she sent the nursemaid and Louisa upstairs, then returned to her chair. Laurence took a seat opposite her. “It occurs to me I should call you Lord Oakhurst now.”

“I probably won’t answer if you do. Can you imagine it? Me, a peer. If ever there was anyone less suited…”

“The papers are filled with
on dits
of lords and ladies who make you seem more like a monk.”

Laurence raised an eyebrow.

“Well, that does stretch the truth a little. Of course, I know nothing of your…ah, well, never mind.” Warmth washed over her. She and Amelia had spent more than one afternoon discussing the exceedingly handsome Mr. Pierce. She doubted half of what she’d heard was true, but it was so diverting to speak of it. “What will you do with the child? Send her home? Why is she even here in Town?”

He explained what little his solicitor had told him. “And now, with Molly giving her notice, I need a nursemaid as well as a place to live.”

“You don’t plan to go to Oakhurst Castle?”

He shook his head. “Can you see me wasting away in a country house?”

“But it’s a castle! It would be fun to explore it, see what your predecessors have left behind, add some small touches of your own.” She secretly hoped the man she married would have an old family home like her father’s. She loved the history of it, the connection to the past.

“It’s bound to be in a horrid state of disrepair, more likely. I have no desire to oversee such a project. There are much more pressing concerns. Such as, finding a governess.”

“She looks about four years old, is that correct? Still too young for a governess. You’ll want another nursemaid.”

“I’m thinking Louisa might be three. I forgot to ask Molly.” He paced a few feet away and turned back. “I have no idea what qualities to look for in a nursemaid. I hoped Lady B would assist me with that.”

Hannah laughed at his old nickname for her mother. “Don’t let her hear you call her that.”

He smiled that way of his that melted the heart of many a lady, young or old. “She enjoys it. She always calls me her dear boy.”

“She calls all four of my brothers that. I believe it’s to keep from calling one by the wrong name. She’ll be happy to help in any way she can. I’ll send word to her that she’s needed here.”

“I don’t want to call her away from her visit.”

“She’ll be glad of the chance to get away. Lady Usherwood has these spells quite often and insists one of her friends stays with her most of the day.”

The front door opened and Hannah expected to see Mama. Instead, her brother Knightwick entered. As he passed the open doorway where Hannah and Laurence sat, he stopped and scowled. “What is this about? Pierce, have you lost your head? What are you doing with my sister? Where’s Mother? Hannah, where is your maid?”

Before she could speak, Laurence stood and walked to Knightwick. “She is your sister, Knightwick. Nothing untoward is taking place.”

“Have you no consideration for her reputation?” Knightwick’s scowl darkened. “Anyone could call at this hour and find you here.”

“You know I do. I care for her as if she were my own sister. Calm down, man. I was simply waiting for Lady Bridgethorpe to return‑“

“And knowing my mother was away, you chose to remain.”

Hannah jumped up, putting her fists on her hips. “Really, Adam, you take this too far. Laurence has heard some shocking news and finds himself needing Mama’s assistance.”

Her brother’s features softened when he looked at Hannah. “You are too old to continue to call him that.”

“Actually, we must call him Oakhurst now,” she replied. When Knightwick’s eyebrows drew together, she nodded.

“Forgive me.” Adam looked slightly sheepish. “I hadn’t heard the news.”

“I only learned of it an hour ago, myself. I came here first thing.” The line between Laurence’s dark eyebrows was the only sign of his distress.

Knightwick clapped a hand on his friend’s sleeve. “Any way we might be of assistance, you will let us know.”

Chapter Two

When Lady Bridgethorpe arrived a short time later, Laurence rose to greet her. As she handed her bonnet and gloves to a footman she saw the group sitting together. Her warm smile spread. “Mr. Pierce, this is a special treat.” She smoothed her graying hair.

“Mama, he’s here on grave circumstance,” Hannah said.

Lady B grew pale. “It’s not David. Or Joanna?”

“No.” Laurence rushed to assure her. “My cousin and his wife were lost in the uprisings in Huddersfield. I find myself with a title and a ward.”

Raising her fingertips to her lips, her eyes widening, Lady B gasped. “The poor child. Will you go to her?”

“She is here, Mama.” Hannah pointed toward the ceiling.

“Ah, I see. Is the young lady resting after her long journey?”

Laurence smiled. “The ‘young lady’ and her nursemaid are enjoying some biscuits and milk. Their arrival was quite unexpected, and I find myself with no place for them to live.” He wasn’t going to repeat his refusal to stay at the castle. Lady B had known him since he was a boy. She’d realize how unsuitable that was without his mention.

“I’m happy we may help.” Lady B turned to look at her eldest son. “Knightwick, you will have Mr. Soames seek suitable lodging for a small family. In Mayfair, perhaps?”

Laurence nodded. “I’ve instructed my solicitor to handle that matter, so there’s no need for you to trouble yourself. I was hoping you could interview applicants for a nursemaid position. I have no idea what qualities I should look for.”

Hannah explained about Molly’s desire to return to her family. “I can help you, Mama. You know how I love to study people. I will search out their better qualities and their worst so we might be certain little Louisa has the best of care.”

“That sounds delightful. Come, Hannah, we shall send a note to the agency at once.” She swept out of the room in her usual grand flurry, the countess in all her glory.

Knightwick remained with Laurence. “Do you think it best to have the girl live under your roof? Wouldn’t she be better off in the country?”

Laurence couldn’t stop his scowl. “You can’t believe I’d be parading my mistresses up the staircase each night. Nor hosting games of cards in my drawing room.”

Knightwick chuckled. “No, I suppose not. More to the fact, I’ve never known you to keep a mistress. I just can’t see you caring for a child.”

“I’ve had enough practice with the Lumley brood. Besides, isn’t that what a nursemaid is for? My job is to provide a secure home and keep away the rakes when she’s old enough to marry.”

“It’s not quite that simple, although many would say that’s enough.”

Longing hit Laurence, making a hollow pit in his gut. “I have some memories of my mother singing to me, reading fantastic tales, before she changed. I imagine Lady Oakhurst did the same for Louisa. My father taught me to ride.” He smiled and glanced at Knightwick. “I will ask your sister-in-law to take on that duty, as I never learned to ride aside.”

Knightwick returned the grin. “Yes, Joanna would be more than suited to the task, although you might ask her to end the lessons before she shows the child how to jump. We’ll find you a calm pony when she is ready to learn.”

“That seems more a country activity, though.” Laurence gritted his teeth. London in the summer was nearly unbearable due to the heat. He only tolerated it because he slept most of the day after being at the club all night. Louisa might prefer to be in the country.

Sleeping all day would be a thing of the past, now. If he continued to do that he might as well send the girl to the castle like an unwanted burden. He closed his eyes for a moment. In no way was he going to let Louisa believe she was a burden. She deserved so much more than the childhood Laurence had had. “I’m not quite certain where she should spend the summer.”

Knightwick nodded. “Most of the families will have returned to the country. Is the castle in good repair?”

“I’ve not been there since before Louisa was born. I imagine money from the mill wasn’t enough to keep up with the repairs. I suppose I can send someone to ascertain its suitability. They were residing in it, so it must be livable.” He shook his head, again dreading what he feared was the only choice before him. “Can you see me wasting my life away in the north?”

“You never seemed to mind summers at Bridgethorpe Manor when we were young.”

“That was different. That’s all we had. All we needed. And besides, Cheshire is nowhere near as smoky and, well, industrial as Yorkshire.”

“Are you saying you
need
your club and the gaming hells to survive the summer? Again I ask if you believe having that child live with you is wise.”

“She isn’t ‘that child,’ she is Louisa. She is family.” He sighed as emotions he’d kept buried for many years rose and threatened to close his throat. “She and I are all the family either of us has left. I won’t let her feel as lonely as I did at school.”

Laurence rose and strode to the window to burn away the uncomfortable feelings inside him. “Your family treated me as one of you, and I will be forever grateful for all you offered me.”

“You were another brother as far as we were concerned. What was one more, with all the children running about?”

He was grateful once more for Knightwick’s treating the matter so casually. Knightwick and David were already wild when they’d become friends, playing practical jokes on the field hands or grooms at Bridgethorpe Manor, so Laurence’s contributions were probably not even noticed.

“I imagine I’ll require your mother’s‑or Lady Hannah’s‑assistance often in the weeks to come. There will be clothing to purchase, toys…they arrived with only one small bag for Louisa.”

“
My mother
will be happy to help you.” Knightwick’s emphasis was clear. “My sister is determined to find a suitable husband by the end of the Season, and it appears she’s hopeful about one man in particular. Being seen with you won’t do her any favors.”

Laurence grinned, placing his hand over his heart. “You wound me. You make me sound like some starving wolf eyeing a tasty snack.”

“My sister is not a dalliance. Not yours, or any other man. Don’t play games with me on this. When it concerns my sisters, I have no humor.”

~*~

Mama held up the note she’d written to the light from the window. “I think this will do. Ring for a footman to deliver it, Hannah. I’ve stressed the urgency in the matter.”

Hannah did so, and returned to her seat. “It’s a pity Louisa’s nursemaid won’t stay on at least a little while longer. The child has lost so much, it would be better for her to have something familiar in her life.”

“Even if she were still at home, the familiarity wouldn’t make up for the fact her parents are missing. Only time will help her adjust to that,” Mama said.

“Do you suppose anyone we know has brought their younger children with them to London? Perhaps she can make some friends.”

“I can ask Lady Tamwick who she recommends. Or you might take Louisa for a walk in Hyde Park in the morning and see who’s about.”

Hannah had to smile. Such a silly idea. What was her mother thinking? “I suppose I could ask the nursemaids we encounter whose family the children belong to…”

Mama shook her head. “Oh, dear, I didn’t think that through. Well, we’ll think of something.”

Knightwick entered the morning room where the ladies sat. “Oakhurst will be requesting your help regarding the child’s wardrobe and personal things.”

“Lord Oakhurst,” Mama repeated. “It will take some time to know of whom you speak. He’ll always be Laurence to me. I’ll be happy to shop for him.”

“Oh yes, that will be fun,” Hannah added.

“Come to think of it, we probably have some of Lucy-Anne’s old gowns tucked away in the attic. We’ll have one of the maids search for them.”

“There are some dolls and hoops, too, that no one plays with,” Hannah said, getting excited about being able to help Louisa cheer up.

“I’m sure Oakhurst will buy what is needed,” Knightwick insisted. “Louisa isn’t a foundling. At least where money is concerned, she’ll be well provided for. I have some business of my own to tend to, but I will be home for supper.”