To Refuse a Rake (4 page)

“Please follow me, my lord.” The butler opened the door wide and Hudson followed him inside. At the end of the hall the butler paused and opened the door to what appeared to be Hewett’s study.

“Daventry! Delighted to see you! Care for some tea?” Hewett stood from behind his desk and walked toward him.

“Yes, of course.” Hudson nodded, and watched the butler bow then leave.

“So what brings you here? Not that you need a reason, of course.” Hewett gestured to a horsehair chair.

Hudson sank into the cushion and leaned forward with his hands resting on his knees. He waited until Hewett sat down.

“I have a few questions and I’m hoping that you’ll be able to assist me in understanding something.” Hewett nodded and leaned forward as well.

“I’m wagering it has to do with Miss Kingsly?” Hewett asked.

“You would win that bet, my friend.”

“Perhaps I should increase my wager at White’s.” Hewett chuckled and relaxed back into his chair.

“White’s?” Hudson asked, distracted.

“Yes! After your attention last evening, the newest — and most popular, I might add — wager is how long you’ll last in your pursuit of Miss Kingsly. Personally, I wagered that you would go a full two weeks but don’t tell my wife that.” He chuckled. “She’d tell cook to put salt in the sugar cup during tea if she knew I had even thought such a thing. She and Miss Kingsly are dear friends and I must say I’m quite fond of her myself. But a gentleman can’t pass a wager such as that one… far too much fun.”

“I’m thrilled to increase your personal amusement.” Hudson spoke dryly as he leaned back.

“Don’t take it personal, old friend. Just a bit of fun.”

“Perhaps I’ll start my own wager. How long your lovely wife will lock her door at night when she finds out you bet against her friend,” Hudson challenged with a chuckle.

“You always were a cruel one.” Hewett narrowed his eyes. “I’ll remove my wager. Happy?” He slapped his knee and grinned.

“Giddy.” Hudson spoke sarcastically.

“Truly it’s wise. My wife just might lock me out of her room… although she doesn’t spend much time there…” Hewett smirked.

A plump woman entered the study carrying a tray laden with steaming tea, scones, and sandwiches. She poured for both gentlemen and left.

Hudson blew across his tea. “So, back to my question.”

“Ah yes, Miss Kingsly.” Hewett nodded.

“It’s clear that Miss Kingsly is not searching for a husband,” Hudson began.

“And I believe I already told you that,” Hewett interrupted.

“Yes. All credit goes to you, my friend,” Hudson replied impatiently.

“Thank you, proceed.” Hewett gestured with his free hand, then grabbed a sandwich.

“What I was wondering, is why? Why the decision to not marry? You must admit that it is quite odd. Scorned by a lover, perhaps?” Hudson clenched his teeth after speaking the words that provoked a fiery jealousy.

“Heavens, no! That would be far simpler. Now, I’m afraid that you’ll have quite the upward battle if you intend on pursuing the young lady. You, of all men.” Hewett shook his head.

“What do you mean?” Hudson furrowed his brow.

“Now, you should know that I’m not fully privy to the sordid details.” Hewett lowered his chin and speared Hudson with a warning glance.

Foreboding filled Hudson and his stomach clenched, rebelling against the warm comfort of the tea. Why him, of all men?

“It was all very strange and not many know the full details. I suspect Lenore knows the full story, but I’m not sure. Nor…” He speared Hudson with a pointed look. “…will I ask her.”

“Understandable.” Hudson nodded.

“But it would seem that Miss Kingsly’s reluctance to marry comes from her sister’s disaster of a marriage.”

“Her sister?”

“Yes, Sadie. She was married to the now late Lord Hodge.”

Hudson glanced down at his Hessian boots. Sadie’s courtship to Lord Hodge had begun shortly before he’d left for India. From the beginning it was rumored to be a love match. He turned his gaze back to Hewett.

“But I seem to remember that courtship being singular in its attachment. I’m afraid I don’t understand.” Hudson’s glanced to the ground in confusion. Miss Sadie Kingsly’s debut had created quite a stir. His older brother, Emmett, had been quite taken with her and even asked her father for her hand. When his suit was rejected, it had begun a downward spiral in his life that eventually cost his life. Even now his mother wouldn’t speak of it. All of it had happened while he was in India, and he hadn’t received word until long after the events had passed. A monsoon had wiped out all missives for weeks and by the time the original letter from his father
had
arrived, another one had come telling him it was better for him to stay in India. His father had mentioned some sort of scandal, but none of it made sense. When Hudson had asked his mother, she’d abruptly changed the subject.

“Daventry?” Hewett called his attention.

“Forgive me. I was simply trying to recall any details.”

“What everyone knows is that Lord Hodge was indeed in love with the elder Miss Kingsly, but what was soon discovered was that she was not the only one he had married.”

“Pardon?” Hudson felt his eyes widened in shock.

“Indeed. It would seem that he had eloped to Gretna Green a few years before his marriage to the elder Miss Kingsly, just after the death of his mother. Married a widowed baroness and lived with her in Scotland for a few weeks before deserting her there without a coin to her name. No one had known about his secret, ‘til his first wife arrived in London to find him married again. The gossip said she cornered the new Lady Hodge, Sadie Kingsly, and showed her the marriage certificate. When Lady Hodge refused to believe her, the woman scorned went to the gossip papers. Within a few days London was buzzing with the news. But it gets far worse.”

“How could it possibly get worse?” Hudson spoke through his hands as they now covered his face.

“Lady Hodge was in quite a predicament. Was she indeed married? Was she now ruined? It was all very confusing and the ton shunned her, though the fault was not her own. Now here is where I’m not sure of all the details… but you remember your brother’s fervent pursuit of her, correct?”

“Yes. He was nearly inconsolable when his suit was rejected.” Hudson nodded and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, listening intently. His skin prickled with the awareness that everything he knew was about to shift.

“Well. It would seem that he offered Emma’s sister… comfort? In what form I’m not privy to knowing. They were indeed seen together, though they kept it secretive. I only know because I saw it with my own eyes — but only once.”

“And?” Hudson encouraged.

“And late one night just around the corner from Portman Square, an accident occurred that changed everything.” Hewett paused and took a long swallow of tea, wincing. “Blah! Cold tea. Nothing’s worse.” He proceeded to warm his cup with new.

“The corner of Portman? You mean next to the bordello?”

“Precisely.” Hewett sat back with his refreshed cup.

“Two gentlemen died that night, one crossing the street from the bordello, one riding recklessly toward it.”

“Lord Hodge?” Hudson guessed.

“Yes… and your brother.”

****

“Emma, I’m just going to leave without you. I’m so sick and tired of—”

“Here I am.” Emma opened the door, effectively interrupting her sister’s statement of impatience.

“Does it actually take that long for you to get dressed? One of these days I’m just going to barge into your room and help. In the end, we’d be hours ahead of schedule! We do have lady’s maids for a reason, you know.”

“I know, but I prefer to have some time alone.” Emma tossed the retort over her shoulder as she began to walk away.

I’m more charming than funny,” Sadie teased as she caught up with her younger sister and linked arms.

“Charm is deceitful,” Emma tossed back, quoting one of their favorite proverbs.

“Yes, Emma dear. But beauty is vain. So where does that leave us?” Sadie challenged.

“Deceitful and vain.”

“Lovely. I’m sure our mother is thrilled.”

Emma giggled and they made their way down the long staircase and out front where they began their short walk to Hyde Park.

“It might not rain… quite amazing,” Sadie commented as she glanced up at the beautiful sky.

“Let us make the most of it then,” Emma urged, and she picked up their sedate pace.

The sky was filled with wispy clouds that highlighted the sun’s radiance. And the large trees created a whispering music as the breeze shook the millions of leaves that had recently grown. They nodded to several ladies out and about and made their way to the edge of the Serpentine. Gentlemen were spotted on Rotten Row, not far away, as they showed off their horseflesh. It seemed as if the entire ton had the same idea to enjoy the beautiful weather, however long it lasted.

“Good afternoon, ladies.” Emma turned around upon hearing the familiar voice of Lord Hewett. Yet when she turned, it was not only Lord Hewett and his wife, but Hudson, Lord Daventry.

“Good afternoon Lord and Lady Hewett, Lord Daventry.” Emma nodded. She resisted the urge to glare at Hudson, and instead exchanged a mischievous glance with Lenore. After all, Lenore despised having her friends call her Lady Hewett! She’d much rather be called by her first name, but manners dictated otherwise. Of course, if Emma had the same mother-in-law as Lenore, she wouldn’t want to share the name either! Hewett’s mother was known for her gossip, love of men, and brazen nature. Lenore felt the name “Lady Hewett” carried those same connotations. Effectively labeling her everything Lenore was not.

“Miss Kingsly.” Lord Hewett bowed.

Emma glanced at Hudson, to find him watching her intently. His chocolate brown eyes were gentle as they studied her face and conveyed a kind of understanding. Emma felt her eyes narrow in suspicion, though a warm security tried to overwhelm the misgiving.

“Er… Lord Daventry, have you been introduced to Lady Hodge?” Lenore spoke after a moment.

Blushing furiously, Emma broke the locked gaze that she had been holding with Lord Daventry. When she glanced back up, he was still watching her, this time with a small smile playing on his lips.

“Yes. I’ve had the honor of knowing Lady Hodge for quite some time. Indeed a pleasure to see you again.” His gaze finally traveled to Sadie who extended her hand. He bowed and released her, turning his attention back to Emma.

“It’s a beautiful day, is it not Miss Kingsly?”

“Indeed. It was a pleasure to see you again, Lord Daventry. We’ll not detain—”

“Oh, you’re doing no such thing! On the contrary, I find that nature is best observed in the presence of feminine beauty.” He nodded and then gave her a rakish tilt of his chin.

“I find its best observed in solitude.” Emma shot back, earning her a chuckle from Hudson.

“Indeed, I utterly agree with you, Miss Kingsly. Would you perhaps share with me when you enjoy nature in solitude? I’d love to experience it as you do.”

Lord Hewett coughed and Emma glanced over to him. His cough seemed like more of a laugh.

“I’d rather not.” She drew out the words.

“Pity.”

“For you perhaps.” Emma shot back and glanced to her sister.

Sadie was watching the full exchange. Her gloved hand was hiding a wide smile. Her eyes danced with restrained laughter and Emma’s heart rejoiced.

“Will you at least permit me to escort you on your walk?” Hudson asked with a humble bow.

Emma glanced at him, then back at Sadie. Was he worth the irritation? If he made Sadie smile, indeed he was.

“That would be wonderful, Lord Daventry.” Emma curtsied and gave him a bright beaming grin.

Hudson didn’t return her smile, but studied her suspiciously. Emma loved that she had thrown him off and she hoped for another occasion to do it again soon.

“Lovely.” He recovered and excused himself from Lord and Lady Hewett.

“So tell me about India, Lord Daventry.” Sadie asked as they began to make their way down the path.

Hudson gave eloquent descriptions of elephants and climate but Emma found herself fascinated with the expression with which he spoke. When something fascinated him, his chocolate eyes would sparkle and dance with an intelligent awareness. His lips were full — but not enough to seem feminine — and highlighted the strong cleft in his chin. His wavy reddish-brown hair seemed lighter in the sun. He was, indeed, tan.

The only time she had browned her skin, she had been quite young and ended up with a painful burn. In fact, she distinctly remembered the perfect outline of her dress once she had taken if off. A perfect line of reddish skin marked the lines that protected the majority of her flesh. The sun had left the silhouette of her dress on her skin via the burn. Was it the same with his tanned skin? When he took off his shirt did he look as if he was still wearing one? A giggle escaped Emma’s lips before she could cover it. She glanced up and found Lord Daventry studying her, and Sadie regarding her with a horrified expression.

“As I was saying… I’m so very sorry about your father’s passing…” Sadie enunciated as she gave her sister a meaningful glare.

“Forgive me, I was…” Emma started, a blush warming her cheeks.

“Not paying attention?” Hudson helped with a smirk.

Emma bit her tongue against a hot retort at his arrogant demeanor. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. She
hadn’t
been paying attention. Rather she had been thinking about him undressed. Yet, as she met his gaze, the idea wasn’t humorous… it was intriguing.

“Forgive me, Lord Daventry. It was inexcusable.” Emma swallowed her pride.

“Not to worry. I promise to return the favor and thus leave us even,” he replied with a wink.

Emma blinked in surprise. “You are promising to ignore me?” The words tumbled out. She fought the urge to press her hands to her mouth. It wasn’t as if she could push the question back in.

“Precisely. That way you’ll no longer feel guilty. It’s a brilliant solution, if I do say so myself.”

She inhaled sharply. The cheek! “You are certainly entitled to your own opinion.” Emma spoke crisply.