Lady In Disguise (The Langley Sisters) (27 page)

“Rathbourne, Sir Humphrey, you know Lord Levermarch,” Will said, making the introductions.

Frowning, Rathbourne gave Finn a short bow to which Finn nodded but did not reciprocate. Sensing the animosity Will said, “What are you two doing in town?”

Neither had changed, both were dressed as Viscount Marshall had been at the docks earlier that day.

“Got bored in the country so we came to town for a spot of gambling and a visit with Madam Genevie, and now you are here you can join us. It will be like old times,” Sir Humphrey said. “Plenty of whores looking for excitement at this time of the year, Will.”

Confronting one’s past, especially his, was never going to be easy but Will hadn’t thought his shame would cut quite as deep as this when he did. He had been a wastrel intent only on indulging himself, just like the men before him.
 

“Thank you but no, I am to dine with my friend here and then in the morning I’m returning home to my family.”

Silence followed Will’s statement and then Rathbourne glared down at Finn.
 

“He is no friend of ours. Now come, enough of this nonsense,” Rathbourne said. “We need to get you back in shape, all this extra weight will scare off the ladies, you need a reminder on how things were and then all shall once again be as it was.”

“I believe you just insulted my friend, Rathbourne, and I do not take kindly to such a slight.”

Will’s words had not been loud yet their intent was very clear—apologize or there would be retribution.

“You have changed!”

“For the better I believe,” Will said softly. “Now apologize and then leave the club.”

“Think you’re better than us now, Lord Ryder? All that time spent with savages has obviously made you forget how to be a gentleman!” Sir Humphrey sneered.

“You believe you are better than me when the only way you know how to live is off other people?” Will questioned softly. “Neither of you have experienced a day that wasn’t self-indulgent in your life and simply live like leeches off your family. I no longer wish to drink and gamble my days away and whore through the nights. If that makes me better than you then so be it.”

“You’ll be sorry for those words!”

“I’m sorry I ever thought of either of you as friend,” Will said, meaning every word. “Now apologize and leave the club, I have no wish to look upon either of you again this evening.”

“I will never apologize to him!” Rathbourne stated, glaring down at Finn.

Sighing Will began to take of his coat, behind him the Marques was laughing softly.

“Wh—what are you doing?”

“I have no wish to get your blood on my new coat.”

Apologies were muttered hastily before he could even pull out an arm and then the two men fled from the room. Taking his chair again, Will downed the last of his brandy.
 

“Thank you, however it was unnecessary, I assure you. I have been insulted by far worse than those two,” Finn drawled.

Will looked at his friend and then the glass in his hand.
 

“Do you know, Finn, it is never pleasant to be faced with one’s failings, yet today I have been faced with mine twice. I cannot believe what a self-indulgent boy I was. It is a wonder my brother didn’t beat me frequently to knock some sense into my thick skull.”

“Had you been mine, I would have.”

Will snorted.

“Now tell me what troubles you, my friend. I can see it is a woman, because I have never seen that particular look in your eyes before.”

“No, I think not, Finn. I’m not sure what the hell is going on yet, however, if I need your assistance then you may be sure I’ll ask for it.”

“Fair enough,” Finn said. “And as my brothers are away and I have business your way I shall take up your invitation to stay with your family for Christmas if it is still open? I’m looking forward to this Derby you have told me so much about.”

“Of course it’s still open and you are welcome anytime.”

Will started going over business and soon Finn was as immersed as he and the remainder of the evening was spent discussing this while he tried to keep Olivia’s pale face out of his head.
 

Arriving at the Grillion two hours later, Will summoned both Freddy and Luke to his rooms.
 

“No one has come in or out of the Langley sisters’ room,” Luke stated after Will questioned him.
 

“Pay one of the hotel staff to watch the door till morning, then both of you get some sleep as Luke will be driving us home tomorrow while you stay in London, Freddy. Organize the purchase of the town house and then find out everything you can about Lord Langley and his associates and the previous Lord Langley, Olivia’s father,” Will said. “In fact, I want to know everything about the Langley family even if it appears unimportant.”

“Is something wrong?” Luke questioned, looking worried. “I’ve known the Langleys my entire life and would not wish them any harm.”

Will loosened his necktie and motioned for his friends to seat themselves on the sofa across from him. They were all comfortable with each other having spent the last five years together.

“The truth is I don’t know, Luke. But it is my belief that all is not as it should be with them, plus I think something has happened here in London and that it has something to do with the current Lord Langley.” Will went on to explain what he had seen when he visited Phoebe and Olivia and found them in tears.
 

“Well I’d say something is definitely amiss then, my lord.” Freddy looked worried, his usually happy face solemn. “As those two were not in that a state when I saw them earlier.”

“And that is why you will dig deep, Freddy, and when you are done in London come back to Twoaks and start there.”

“As shall I, Will,” Luke said, regaining his feet. “I’ll just go and make sure everything is in readiness for the morning now.”

Freddy followed Luke out the door and Will was left alone. Stripping off his clothes he climbed into bed. He was tired but his head was filled with Olivia. What the hell was going on with that woman? Whatever it was he would fix it because one thing was for certain, he would not lose her now, not when he finally understood what she truly meant to him.

They left early the following morning and the first part of the journey was carried out in silence. The sisters had seated themselves opposite Will and proceeded to stare out the window, rarely looking his way. Every time he tried to engage them in conversation they answered briefly and then resumed their contemplation of the winter landscape. Livvy was pale and drawn, she gnawed her lip and picked at the end of her gloves and occasionally sighed, and he knew she was totally unaware of doing so. Will was not one to speak without something to say and enjoyed silence as much as the next man, but the weight of this was heavy and oppressive and steadily driving his frustration and anger to a head. Seeing Olivia like this was making him feel helpless and he had no idea how to get her to tell him what worried her. Perhaps he should make her forget her problems for a while.

“Perhaps Major Buntley has the right of it, Olivia, if a little head ache can lay you low surely you will never be able to manage to ride in the Derby with all those strong healthy men to compete against.”

“I beg your pardon!” She looked at him in stunned surprise.

“The Twoaks Derby, remember it is not far away and you had mentioned riding in it. I’m not sure now that you are capable.”

Now that was better, Will thought, the fear had gone from her eyes.
 

“B—but you defended me against, the Major!” Olivia spluttered.

Will flicked something invisible from his sleeve before he answered. “That was before I realized how delicate your constitution was.”

Livvy looked at her sister who seemed just as surprised as she, although Will thought he saw the hint of a smile in Phoebe’s eyes.
 

“I do not have a delicate constitution, I had a headache!”

“If a mere headache can lay you low then surely a stray whip or kick from another rider will put you in bed for weeks.”

Will wondered if he got her angry enough whether she would tell him what had happened yesterday.
 

“I wish I had a whip now!”

“Livvy!” Phoebe gasped. “That’s not very nice when Lord Ryder has cut his trip to London short to accompany us home.”

“Well he’s not being very nice,” she muttered, folding her arms in a defiant gesture that made Will want to lift her into his arms and kiss her senseless.
 

“Forgive me, I had thought my words showed concern, Olivia, I did not mean to offend you.”

She sat on the edge of her seat scowling at him.
 

“Yes you did, and I do not appreciate your words at all. I will ride in that bloody Derby and do you know what, Lord Ryder?”

What was it about this woman that made him feel so much, just looking at her made something stir inside his chest?
 

“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me, Miss Langley.”

“I’m going to beat every one of those so-called strong men and then we shall see what you and the Major have to say.”

“And I hope that you do, Olivia,” he said, holding her eyes steady.
 

That deflated her; she sank back on the seat and looked at him. “You provoked me deliberately didn’t you?”

“Of course not.”

The sisters snorted their disbelief at his innocent expression but said nothing further. Will was relieved that for the remainder of the journey at least the conversation was livelier, even if occasionally Livvy’s eyes clouded with worry when she thought he wasn’t looking.

Darkness had fallen as had more snow as the carriage pulled into the small inn they had stopped at on their way to London.
 

“Come,” Will said stepping from the carriage and indicating the sisters’ should follow. The Proprietor was pleased to see them again and Will ordered food to be served in their rooms then escorted the sisters up the stairs.
 

“We shall head for home after our morning meal,” he then said stopping outside their door. He smiled at Livvy and she offered him a tentative one back and then as Phoebe went inside he ran a finger down one of her cheeks.

“Leave your worries at the door tonight, Olivia. Rest and know I am only a few minutes away should you need me.”

“I shall try,” she said before following her sister inside and shutting the door softly behind her.
 

Livvy woke up shivering. Phoebe was snoring softly beside her and every time she moved she took the blankets with her, exposing Livvy to a blast of chilly air. Slipping from the bed, she pulled on her coat and boots. She needed more blankets or a hot brick, anything to chase away this chill that seemed to have taken up residence inside her. Opening the door she closed it quietly behind her and then winced as a board creaked under her foot.

“Olivia, where are you going?”

Livvy saw Will’s head first and then his bare torso followed.
 

“I had thought to get another blanket, my lord, as the room is cold and I cannot sleep.” She couldn’t look away from his chest. Were all men as muscled as he?

“Come, I will give you one of my blankets to keep you warm while I see about getting you what you need,” he urged.

Livvy shook her head and made her way towards the stairs. “I shall just get some more from the proprietor, it will take but a minute.”

“You are not walking around here alone at this hour, Olivia.”
 

Livvy suddenly felt herself lifted in the air.

“Put me down,” she whispered loudly. “I can look after myself, Lord Ryder.”

He placed her back on her feet inside his room and shut the door behind them.

“Do you have to fight me every step of the way?”

“Yes,” Olivia said as memories of when she had last been in this room filled her head. She had opened his shirt and lay against that heated skin and it was foolish to want the same again. Dragging her eyes from him she looked at the candle she still held.

“I’m not your enemy, Olivia,” he said, taking it from her and setting it down on the table, walking back to where she stood he then wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
             

“What are you doing?”
 

“Warming you up.”

The blissful heat from his body felt so good.

“I need to go back to my room. Please, Will, let me leave.”
 

“Soon,” he whispered, pressing her head onto his chest.

Laying one hand on the solid-muscled plains of his chest she felt the steady beat of his heart beneath, and the last of her resistance fled. How could anything this right be wrong, Livvy wondered. She couldn’t fight him anymore, not tonight.
 

“Thank you, Will.”

“For what?” he said, taking her fingers in his and kissing them softly, leaving each one alive with sensation as he moved on to the next.