Regency Romance Collection From Christina Courtenay (25 page)

‘Damn it all!’ He stood up and began to pace the room.

He had long ago decided to abandon his roguish ways and become respectable and responsible. Marrying Catherine had been the first step, restoring the ancestral estate his father had ruined was the next. He’d been a wastrel too, just like his sire, but unlike him Synley had realised he had a choice. He had also appreciated the fact that he had a duty towards others – it wasn’t all about him and his wishes. There were people – adults and children – depending on him. He could only be thankful he’d come to his senses in time.

The restoration of his estate had come at a price though – ostracism. Local society was beginning to forgive him now that Catherine had been gone for two years, but people had long memories and he knew they wouldn’t forget entirely. It was a price he’d been willing to pay, until he met Lexie again.

Would it really be so bad, throwing caution to the wind and asking her to marry him? She wasn’t averse to him, that was for certain, and since she wasn’t well off, she might welcome the security of a man of means. But could he really expect a respectable woman like her to put herself beyond the pale by marrying such a notorious character as himself? He never went to London any more, he barely socialised here and he had no wish to change that. It was not the kind of life a woman wanted.

No, he’d have to be strong and resist temptation. Soon she would be gone and he would regain his peace of mind, such as it was. It was for the best.

Wasn’t it?

‘Has his lordship replied yet?’ Margaret came barging into the school room two days later without so much as a knock, interrupting Lexie in mid-sentence.

‘Who?’ She knew very well to whom Margaret was referring, but didn’t want this to be obvious.

‘Synley, of course, who else? I swear, he’s the most vexatious man on earth.’

‘No, he’s not, Mama,’ Rupert piped up, scowling at his mother. ‘He’s a capital fellow and he’s my friend.’

‘Is he really? Well, perhaps I should have asked you to invite him instead then since he doesn’t seem inclined to come at
my
bidding.’ Margaret pursed her lips, looking very much like her son when he was in a sulk.

‘He might be otherwise engaged?’ Lexie suggested.

‘Then he should say so. It’s such bad manners, not even replying. You did add a special note for him, did you not?’

‘To be sure.’ Lexie crossed her fingers behind her back. She hadn’t seen any point in doing so since she knew very well Synley would do as he pleased, note or no note.

‘You must ride over and ask him.’

‘What? I can’t do that! It would be most improper, Margaret.’ Lexie frowned at her sister, wondering if she’d taken leave of her senses. ‘Honestly, George will have to fleece someone else.’

‘But he’s set his heart on Synley and no one else will play for such high stakes. They know George too well. I tell you what, why don’t you two go riding now and see if you come across him? He may be out and about if he’s as diligent regarding estate matters as George claims.’

‘We’re in the middle of a maths lesson.’ Lexie glared at her sister.

‘That can wait, surely? Dear Rupert hates doing sums, don’t you darling?’

‘No, actually, I’m rather —’

Margaret cut her son off. ‘Of course you do. Who doesn’t? Now run along and change, dearest. You too, Lexie. Please, there’s no harm in trying, is there?’

Lexie threw up her hands in surrender. ‘Oh, very well, but if we don’t meet him, I’m
not
chasing after him, is that clear?’

‘No, no, of course not.’ Margaret smiled. ‘Thank you, I knew I could count on you.’

Lexie wanted to hurl one of the books at her sister’s retreating back, but restrained herself with some difficulty.

‘There he is. I say, Synley, over here, Synley!’ Rupert stood up in the saddle and took off his hat to wave in the direction of a rider on the far side of a field they were passing.

Lexie said something very unladylike in Italian under her breath. ‘For heaven’s sake, Rupert, do sit down. You’ll spook Jefferson again.’

It was too late, however. His lordship had seen them and came cantering over, smiling at Rupert and bowing to Lexie. ‘Good afternoon. Have you taken to riding at all hours now? I know lessons are boring, but really ...’ he teased.

Lexie felt herself flush, but tried to remain calm. ‘The maths proved particularly difficult today, so we needed a diversion,’ she replied.

‘I see. Then perhaps I may ride with you for a bit?’

Lexie glanced at him, but could see no obvious reluctance on his part. Since he hadn’t joined them for their rides all week, she had thought he didn’t want their company any more, but he looked at ease now and spoke in his usual manner to Rupert. If she detected a slight hesitation in his demeanour when he addressed her, it was barely noticeable and she told herself she might be imagining it.

Since they hadn’t seen Synley for so long, Rupert had a lot to tell him and Lexie let the two of them ride ahead of her. Synley allowed the boy to prattle on and made all the right responses, until at last Rupert ran out of both breath and things to talk about.

‘And that’s all,’ he ended with a smile, which Synley returned.

‘Really? It sounds to me like you’ve had a very busy week. Your poor aunt must be hard put to keep up with you.’ He glanced over his shoulder at Lexie.

‘No, Aunt Lexie is never tired. Are you, Aunt?’

‘Of course not,’ Lexie replied with a laugh, but she could see that Synley didn’t believe her. He just shook his head with a smile, however.

‘Why don’t you ride ahead so I may have a word with her,’ he suggested, and Rupert set off at a slightly faster pace, leaving Synley to draw up next to Lexie. ‘He’s a handful and no mistake,’ he said, looking after Rupert.

‘Yes, he’s hard work sometimes, but rewarding company nevertheless. I’m enjoying my time with him and he’s coming on very well in his lessons. He surprises me daily.’

‘I’m glad you’re not finding it too onerous. I still feel you are being used. But I’m sure you are capable of saying no when the occasion warrants it.’

‘Indeed, never fear.’ Lexie took a deep breath. His smiling eyes seemed to indicate he wasn’t just talking about Rupert. Had he expected her to say no to his kisses? And was he disgusted that she hadn’t done so? This thought made her cheeks heat up and she decided to change the subject. She was just about to broach the subject of the party, but Synley forestalled her in his usual direct manner.

‘I take it you didn’t come to find me just for Rupert to tell me about his week.’

Lexie glanced up at him, startled. ‘Well, not exactly no.’

He sighed. ‘So you must’ve been sent to enquire whether I’m coming to your sister’s infernal party.’

Lexie smiled. ‘You are correct, but can I just say that I am here under duress. I assumed that if you hadn’t replied, you weren’t planning to attend, which is of course your prerogative.’

‘Do you want me to come?’

His question took her by surprise. ‘Me personally?’ He nodded. ‘Well, of course I’d like it if you did, but more to the point, you would save me from days of other people’s grumbling and sulking.’

He laughed. ‘That bad, is it? Tell me, is it your brother-in-law who is desperate for my company at the card tables or your sister who wants the cachet of my presence at her table?’

‘Both I should think, although mostly the former.’ Lexie saw no reason not to tell him the truth. He had obviously figured it out for himself in any case.

‘Thought so. Very well, if it will make things easier for you, I’ll come, but on one condition.’

‘And what’s that?’

‘You partner me at whist this time. If I have to listen to Emma screeching another whole evening, I shall likely end up in Bedlam.’

It was Lexie’s turn to laugh. ‘That would be too bad. To be honest though, I don’t think I can afford to play with you and George. He’s hoping for high stakes.’

‘Don’t worry about that. I’ll bank you, and what’s more, I’ll guarantee to lose to keep everyone happy. Please feel free to cheat if you see the opportunity.’

‘Really, my lord, I don’t think that will be necessary.’

‘Trust me, it is. Your brother-in-law is one of the worst card players I’ve ever encountered and I’m surprised he wins anything at all.’

Lexie shook her head at him. ‘I’m astonished at you, my lord. If I were you, I’d stay away in that case. I’d never throw my money away on the likes of George.’

‘Ah, but I’m doing it for you, remember?’ He grinned at her and nudged his horse into a canter. ‘Now come on, let’s stop dawdling.’

CHAPTER SIX

Lexie had told Margaret that on no account must she allow Lady Ketteridge to partner Lord Synley at the card tables, or else he’d never grace their home with his presence again. Her sister had taken this to heart and went so far as to seat him next to Lexie at the dinner table as well, which went against all the rules of etiquette and made him raise an eyebrow at her.

‘This is a bonus,’ he whispered. ‘I’m usually always stuck with some dowager or other on account of being an earl. A dashed nuisance, let me tell you.’

‘You may tire of my company just as easily,’ Lexie answered, intending it as a joke, but he replied with fervour.

‘Never.’

She blinked at him, but was prevented from speaking just then since the soup was being served.

‘So have you arranged matters for later on as we discussed,’ he asked her,
sotto voce
.

‘Well, I’ve made sure you won’t be partnered by Lady Ketteridge at any rate, but I cannot guarantee it will be me.’

‘We’ll see about that,’ he said with a smile. ‘I can be very determined when I want something.’

‘So can I.’

He shot her a glance of surprise. ‘Tell me more. What is it you want, Lexie?’

‘I ... er, didn’t mean anything specific. Not at present. I just meant I can be very stubborn on occasion.’

‘Then, let us say that you wanted something you knew you shouldn’t have. Would you still try to obtain it?’

‘My lord?’ Lexie wasn’t sure if he was referring to anything in particular and didn’t know how to answer.

‘I mean, if you wished to do something, despite the fact that you knew it was wrong, would you do it anyway?’ His blue gaze was disconcertingly close and Lexie had trouble thinking. She concentrated on her soup and tried to answer truthfully.

‘That would depend on how bad it was, I suppose. I doubt I’d do anything that was against the law, but if it was merely something that society dictated I shouldn’t do, then I’d probably do it regardless. I don’t give a fig for silly rules made up by match-making matrons with nothing better to do.’

‘Hmm, I thought so.’ He sighed. ‘Thank you, you have given me food for thought.’

‘I don’t understand.’ She looked into his eyes once more, but couldn’t read anything in their depths.

He put his hand over hers for a moment under the cover of her napkin. ‘Never mind, I’ll explain some other time.’

The rest of the meal passed in general conversation with those around them, but Lexie couldn’t stop thinking about his words. What had he meant? What was it he wanted to do that he shouldn’t? For there had been no doubt in her mind that he’d been speaking about himself.

Synley wanted to kick himself. First of all, he shouldn’t have succumbed and agreed to come to this dinner party, and second, he should learn to keep his mouth shut around Lexie. She was too sharp for her own good and now he’d as much as told her that he was thinking of doing something he ought not to.

Devil take it!

He could only hope she wasn’t astute enough to puzzle it out, because then he’d be obliged to offer for her whether he wanted to or not. He’d more or less decided not to and it wasn’t fair to raise her hopes, if indeed she harboured any.

He was tempted to plead illness and go home early, rather than spend the evening watching her enchanting smile across the card table. He was an idiot, and no mistake, because it would be purgatory to have her so near and yet so far from being his.

‘Synley, so glad you could join us.’ Sir George Hawthorne interrupted his musings. He had come up behind him and slapped him on the back as if they were the best of friends. Synley tried not to show his impatience at this and smiled back.

‘Indeed. Couldn’t pass up the chance of another game with you.’ The sarcasm in his voice went right over Hawthorne’s head.

‘Just so, just so.’ Hawthorne looked mighty pleased with himself, although why, Synley had no idea. The man may be nice – he didn’t know him well enough to be sure – but he was definitely not the brightest of fellows. Poor Lexie, being stuck with relatives like that.

‘So what do you make of this highwayman my sister-in-law reported?’ Hawthorne was asking.

‘What? Oh, that. Some youngster playing a prank, I have no doubt.’ Synley had decided to downplay the episode and hoped that Lexie had had the good sense not to mention his part in her ride home.

‘You think? Well, the magistrate took it seriously and has sent out men to look for the culprit. I hope they catch him and string him up. Damned impudence.’

‘To be sure, we can’t have that sort of thing around here,’ Synley agreed. He noticed Torrington wasn’t joining in this conversation, but he jumped in now with his habitual smirk.

‘So are you still getting to know Rupert?’ he enquired.

‘Eh, what’s this?’ Hawthorne looked confused.

‘His lordship has been riding with young Rupert and his aunt almost daily, I understand.’

Synley frowned at him. ‘We’ve only met up occasionally,’ he protested. ‘In fact, yesterday was the first time I’ve come across them in ages. But I confess, I find Rupert a great little fellow. No flies on him.’

Hawthorne seemed pleased with this praise of his son. ‘Indeed. Hope he’s not being a nuisance.’

‘Of course not. His aunt keeps him in check.’

‘Glad to hear that. It’s what we pay her for, after all.’

‘You pay her?’ Synley couldn’t help but ask. ‘I thought that as a poor relation she was working for her keep.’

‘No, no, of course we’ll pay her,’ Hawthorne blustered, pulling at his cravat as if it was suddenly too tight. ‘When she leaves, whenever that will be. Not that she needs the money really. She has a small income under the terms of her father’s will. Not much, but enough for the likes of her, I shouldn’t doubt.’

Synley ground his teeth to stop from punching the man. What did he know of Lexie’s needs? He couldn’t even keep his own family on a vastly greater income. Synley had noticed the run-down appearance of Hawthorne Manor and the neglected state of Sir George’s land. It was obvious that whatever income the man had went on gambling and other trivial pursuits rather than where it ought to go.

‘Well, shall we go and join the ladies?’ he suggested. ‘In my experience, they don’t like us to linger too long over the port.’
And I don’t wish to linger here.

‘Don’t I know it,’ Hawthorne sighed. ‘Termagants, the lot of them.’

‘Miss Holloway, this must be such a treat for you – two parties in less than a week.’ Lady Ketteridge sat down next to Lexie on the small settee she was occupying without asking first if she minded. The woman’s gown was as tasteless as the decor of her house, its garish reds and greens so bright they were almost painful to behold. Lexie knew her own gown was plain, but she couldn’t help but feel that hers was more elegant nonetheless.

‘How do you mean?’ Lexie tried to keep her expression neutral.

‘Well, governesses aren’t usually invited out much, in my experience. You are lucky your employer is also your sister.’

‘I’m sorry, but you’ve been misinformed, Lady Ketteridge,’ Lexie said, her voice as frosty as she could make it. ‘I am not employed here, I’m merely doing Margaret a favour by helping her look after her son until she can find a suitable governess for him. The rest of the time I’m a guest in this household.’

‘Oh, I see. I do beg your pardon. Only I was sure Synley told me you were working here.’

Lexie didn’t take these words seriously, since she was sure he would never have said anything of the sort. ‘Yes, well men do get into a muddle quite often, don’t they, and they have no idea of domestic arrangements,’ was all she said.

Lady Ketteridge changed the subject abruptly. ‘Your sister was telling me the other night that you turned down no less than three eligible suitors during your London season, Miss Holloway. Wasn’t that a little ... shall we say, rash?’

‘Perhaps, but I prefer to go my own way rather than be ruled by a man I cannot respect or like.’

‘Really, you’re quite the bluestocking, aren’t you? I had no idea.’ Lady Ketteridge trilled with laughter which grated on Lexie’s nerves.

‘Yes, well, judging by the marriages I see around me, I’m glad I stuck to my guns,’ she retorted, glancing in Sir Harry’s direction. Lady Ketteridge’s husband had to be at least seventy and was decrepit besides. Lexie was glad she’d escaped being married to such a man. ‘If you will excuse me, I believe I see my sister beckoning.’

She fled before she was tempted to strangle the woman. Lexie had no idea why Lady Ketteridge was needling her, but she’d had enough of it. There was no reason why she should have to listen to any more of the woman’s prattling.

Just as she was passing the door, it opened and the gentlemen joined them. She almost walked into Synley, who grabbed her arm to steady her, then kept hold of it. ‘Ah, there you are, Miss Holloway. Ready to partner me at whist? Your brother-in-law is eager to begin.’

‘I’m sure he is. Very well, but remember, you brought this on yourself.’

‘No, you did,’ he whispered.

Lexie hadn’t played with George before, since he preferred adversaries that were much plumper in the pocket, but when Synley declared that he was paying for both himself and Lexie, George was nothing loath.

‘Capital,’ he declared. ‘Your deal, my lord.’

Lexie soon found that Synley had been correct in his reading of George’s capabilities as player. Although Margaret, who was his partner, was somewhat more astute, it was a definite struggle to play as badly as the pair of them. But that was what she and Synley did, although she looked up from time to time to shake her head at him surreptitiously. He seemed determined to lose and since George and Margaret were consuming vast quantities of brandy – Margaret on the sly, since ladies wouldn’t normally touch the stuff – it became easier to cheat as the evening wore on. Synley only sipped his occasionally and Lexie preferred to go without.

It was getting quite late when George looked up from his cards and waved Jasper over. ‘Bring the wine, Jasper,’ he called out, and his nephew obliged, wandering over with a glass and a decanter of red wine.

‘His lordship needs a drink,’ George said. ‘Perhaps wine is more to your taste, my lord?’

‘Yes, looks to me like you’re in need of fortification. Your brandy is all gone,’ Jasper agreed.

Synley looked slightly surprised to be singled out in this way, but nodded when he saw that George and Margaret still had half full snifters. ‘Yes, why not.’ He accepted the glass Jasper filled for him without looking at it and concentrated on the cards in his hand.

‘Oh, please could I have some too?’ Lexie asked. She disliked having to beg anything from Jasper, but she was parched by now and the room was becoming exceedingly hot.

‘Of course, I’ll fetch another glass.’

‘No, here, have this one,’ Synley said, holding out the glass to her. ‘I think I’ve had enough after all.’

‘Are you sure?’ Lexie hesitated, then took it from him. ‘Thank you.’

‘But my lord ...’ Jasper and George both started to protest, then fell silent. Lexie saw George frown, but didn’t care just then. She was so thirsty, she drank two large gulps in one go.

‘Not to worry, Torrington, I’ll have something later,’ Synley said. ‘We’re winning for a change.’

‘Damn me, you are too,’ George muttered, his words slightly slurred.

Lexie looked at her cards and wondered if Synley was joking. She had an abysmal hand and unless he had all the good cards, they weren’t going to win at all. They finished the game and Synley did indeed have better luck than her, but they lost overall in any case.

‘Hah! Told you Lady Luck is on my side at the moment,’ George crowed, grinning at his wife. ‘One more game, eh, before we call it a night?’

‘Very well.’

Lexie frowned at Synley, whose features were suddenly becoming very blurry. She blinked, fighting unexpected nausea, and drew in a deep breath. ‘I ... excuse me, but I don’t think ...’

Then everything went black.

‘Damn it all, someone give me some smelling salts.’ Synley had watched in disbelief as Lexie fainted dead away and fell off her chair, landing head first on the floor. The carpet was quite thick, but he could still feel a bump underneath her hair and she hadn’t stirred yet, which worried him.

He’d rushed over to pick her up and carried her to a nearby settee. Before anyone could react to his request, Lexie groaned and opened her eyes. ‘What happened? I ... oh dear, feel sick ... please ...’

Synley saw her face turn ashen and realised she was about to cast up the contents of her stomach. He lifted her quickly and sprinted towards the terrace. Fortunately the French doors had been left open to let in some fresh air. He set her down right next to the balustrade and made her lean over. He was only just in time.

She retched for what seemed like ages and he waved away the more inquisitive of the guests who had come outside to have a look. ‘Leave us,’ he commanded, and they did as they were told, scurrying back inside.

He heard snatches of conversation. ‘... poor girl ... too much to drink ... happens to the best of us ... how very vulgar, to be sure! ...’ and more in the same vein, but tried to ignore them. He would deal with their fellow guests later. For now, he was more concerned about Lexie. She wasn’t acting like someone who’d drunk too much, and in fact, he had been watching her and knew that she’d taken nothing apart from those two sips of wine.