Blast, blast, blast.
Exhausted, angry, disgusted with herself, Nell collapsed onto the narrow bed in the small room that had become hers a fortnight ago. She buried her head in her hands.
Why, oh, why did the depraved marquess have to catch her searching his library? And when he did, why on earth hadnt she behaved like a proper servant? Until now, shed managed to hide any rebellious impulses under a subservient mask. If shed been humble and silent, hed have sent her away, instead of finding her of surpassing interest.
But shed just been so furious to see him alive and well, when her beloved half sister had died in such shame and misery. Caught by surprise, shed forgotten to play the circumspect domestic.
And now shed attracted his attention.
She didnt want to arouse James Fairbrothers curiosity. She wanted to find the diary that proved his offenses, then leave Alloway Chase and pass the matter of Leaths destruction over to the Duke of Sedgemoor, his sworn enemy. A woman of her humble background would get nowhere, taking on such a powerful man. But the duke could use the book to blackmail Leath into behaving himself, or publish the details and expose the marquess to trial by public opinion.
Nell hoped he chose the second course. Lord Leath deserved general condemnation.
In her bedroom at Mearsall, the plan had appeared straightforward, once shed come to terms with the exalted status of Dorothys lover. A check of her stepfathers old newspapers had confirmed his lordships presence at a house party in Kent, around the time Dorothy fell pregnant. Leath had been near enough to seduce Dorothy. Given her deathbed confession, that was enough evidence to convince Nell to pursue the marquesss downfall.
As Dorothy had promised, discovering the location of the marquesss family seat had been easy. It had also been surprisingly easy finding employment as a housemaid.
Shed set herself a daunting task, but shed made a promise to someone she lovedand she was angry. The idea of this devil ruining more innocent girls like Dorothy made her want to scream with rage. Shed left Mearsall to seek the diary and other evidence of Lord Leaths sins. If she failed in Yorkshire, shed find work in his house in London and continue her quest there. However long it took, shed make him pay for his crimes.
But now that shed met the marquess, nothing seemed so clear-cut. After that oddly charged encounter downstairs, her heart still galloped like a wild horseand her mind whirled with bewilderment.
Dear heaven, when his wicked lordship had locked the door, shed nearly collapsed with horror. She was alone in the middle of the night with a lecherous monster. Shed never imagined that her quest might involve physical risk.
Cursing her naivety, shed prepared to fight off the hulking brute.
Then the marquess had confounded every fear. Apart from catching her to stop her escape, he hadnt touched her.
Which was puzzling. And troubling.
Shed sensed his interest. At twenty-five, she wasnt a green girl, and she knew what it meant when a male leveled that prickling, intense concentration on a woman. Yet hed kept his distance and remained remarkably polite, given her barely concealed insolence.
In her mind, Lord Leath had always been a caricature of a villain. But tonight, once shed realized that he wouldnt leap on herand shed realized quickly despite that unwelcome awarenesshed proven much more real. And much more alarming.
Immediately shed noted his cleverness, his calmness, his confidence. All worked against her. The man in the portrait in his mothers apartments was big and powerful, with a personality that threatened to burst from the frame.
In the flesh, hed been more.
He wasnt a pretty man, by any means. But there was beauty in that tall, strong body and that craggy, individual face with its beak of a nose and heavy black brows. No wonder Dorothy had been smitten.
Still, Nell had expected more overt charm, a Lothario from a play, all smooth words and false compliments. She couldnt picture this man filling a girls head with nonsense until she spread her legs.
These riddles gave her a headache. And she faced a days work and, if she could evade the marquess, a nights searching.
Hope staged an uncertain return. Perhaps Leaths unexpected arrival was more blessing than curse. Perhaps Nell hadnt yet found the diary because this dedicated seducer kept his record of ruin with him.
If so, the diary was now at Alloway Chase.
Darling, I didnt know youd come home. From the chaise longue, Leaths mother extended her hands toward him.
He hated to see his mothers health deteriorate to a point where she spent most days in her apartments. At least his rustication meant that he could devote more time to her. Guiltily he realized that he hadnt been home since his sister Sophies hurried wedding last May. Parliamentary business had been pressing, as had his need to rise above the scandals engulfing his family.
I got in late last night. He took his mothers hands and pressed a kiss to her cheek. You look well.
It wasnt true, but it was less of a lie than last time theyd met. The gray morning light through the large windows was stark on her thin body. But her cheeks held a hint of color and her eyes were brighter than hed seen them in years.
Im feeling better. She indicated a chair, inviting him to stay. How long are you here?
Until people can say the Fairbrother name without a sneer, he said flatly. He supposed that hed learn to accept his exile, although at least with his mother he neednt hide his bitterness.
She frowned. Id hoped the brouhaha about your uncle might blow over by now. After all, its a year since he shot himself to escape a hanging.
A year in which everyone had eyed Leath as if afraid he might resort to violence and larceny the way his odious Uncle Neville had. A year in which Leaths every political plan had fallen foul of some opponent mentioning the Fairbrothers infamous criminal tendencies. A family flaw only widely recognized since his uncles exposure as a thief and murderer. Thanks to Camden Rothermere, the damned meddling Duke of Sedgemoor, the whole world knew about Neville Fairbrothers crimes.
For months, Leath had been furious at Sedgemoor and his cronies. Only gradually had he admitted that ultimate blame for the familys straits lay with Lord Neville.
That was little satisfaction when another snide comment in the House of Lords topped one of Leaths speeches with jeering laughter. For years, the Marquess of Leath had been the most powerful personality in parliament, his progress to the premiership taken for granted. The gossip now dogging him gratified his enemiesand a disappointing number of people hed counted as friends. He was cynical enough to recognize that the world loved to witness an ambitious mans fall. But recognition made it no more pleasant to be that man.
You forget Sophie, he said grimly, rising and prowling toward the window, too restless to sit when reviewing his recent disasters.
His sister had set tongues wagging afresh when shed eloped with a penniless younger son who happened to be Sedgemoors brother-in-law. Sophies timing had been calamitous for Leaths political hopes. The whole world now considered Fairbrother a synonym for flibbertigibbet. Or scoundrel.
Neither adjective befitted a future prime minister.
Neither adjective befitted a future prime minister.
His mother looked troubled. Shes safely married now, and you and Sedgemoor united to approve the match.
Much against Leaths inclination, hed offered the runaways what countenance he could. He and Sedgemoor had even patched up their feud, at least in public. They were never likely to be friends, but Leath no longer itched to punch His Graces supercilious nose.
Whatever measures both families had taken, they couldnt contain the scandal. Especially as it followed so closely on the heels of his uncles disgrace. Even worse, Sophie had jilted Lord Desborough, one of Englands most powerful men, and as a result his lordship had shifted from Leaths greatest ally to his implacable foe. My political career still hangs in the balance, Mamma.
He turned to see her raising a frail hand to her lips. James, Im sorry.
Damn it. His chagrin got the better of him. Upsetting his mother was the last thing he wanted. He wasnt himself this morning. And he knew who to blame. A housemaid! He had bats in his belfry.
At the moment, the party powerbrokers consider me more hindrance than asset. Im to retire to my estates, keep my head down and my nose clean, and reappear once the world has had time to forget the gossip.
Thats unfair. None of this is your fault. Your uncle was an out-and-out rogue. Your father banned him from the house after he got that poor girl into trouble.
Leath had been a boy when his uncle had raped a maid. Perhaps Uncle Nevilles crimes arent my responsibility, but Sophie was, he said heavily.
At least shes happy.
Her voice indicated that Sophies happiness hardly counted, compared to the damage shed done to her brothers career. His mother had married the late marquess, expecting to be a political hostess and eventually wife to the prime minister. After a carriage accident crippled his father in his forties, her hopes had focused on her then twenty-year-old son. For the final eight years of his fathers life and the four since, Leath had devoted himself to fulfilling his parents political dreams. Hed loved his father dearly. The possibility of failure now when the prize hovered so close made him grind his teeth in frustration.
Your exile isnt all bad. His mother had clearly decided to take the news stoically.
Isnt it? he said gloomily, wandering to the dressing table and picking up a delicate Meissen shepherdess. The simpering expression mocked his pretensions to taking on his brilliant fathers mantle.
Ill see more of you.
He sighed and replaced the figurine. Yes, and my tenants will be pleased Im home.
Theres no substitute for the lord of the manor.
Perhaps not, Leath said shortly. But I cant angle for influence in London and be here at the same time.
No, Lady Leath said without offense. But a period of reflection wont go astray. Its time you thought about a bride.
Startled, he bumped the crowded dressing table, setting the china figures and glass bottles rattling. What?
His mother regarded him patiently. Dont pretend its an outlandish suggestion, James. You need an heir. Right now, you need more than an heir; you need allies. If this mess hasnt taught you that a man cant stand alone in politics, nothing will.
With the stink surrounding the family name, who would have me?
Dont be a fool. Youre the Marquess of Leath. Anyone with a scrap of acumen knows that youll return stronger than ever.
So nice that my private requirements count in this decision, he said with a hint of sarcasm.
His mother didnt smile. Youre not an amorous shepherd in a poem, James, free to bestow his heart and hand where he likes. Fairbrothers marry for advantage, not because they fancy a pretty pair of blue eyes.
You loved my father.
Her face softened. I did. But even if I didnt, Id have married him.
Leath struggled to contain his surprise. And disappointment. Hed always thought his parents had married because they were soul mates. Yet it seemed that theyd married for the same cold-blooded reasons as most other aristocrats.
My wife and I will enjoy a mutual regard. He must marry to continue the lineand a woman from an influential family was the obvious choice. While he mightnt pant after neck-or-nothing passion, nor could he be completely pragmatic about his choice. He was a man before he was a politician, however ambitious he might be.
This time his mother smiled. Of course, that would be ideal.
Ideal but not essential, he noted. His mother continued, What about Marianne Seaton? She behaved perfectly when Sedgemoor got entangled with that dreadful Thorne woman. You might balk at Camden Rothermeres leavings, but her father would make a valuable friend.
Poor Lady Marianne, jilted when the Duke of Sedgemoor fell in love with the notorious daughter of a scandalous family. A love match that had only caused trouble. Just as Sophies love match had. Still some hitherto unsuspected part of Leaths soul revolted at the idea of marrying without affection.
Mamma, I can choose my own bride, he protested, even as he pictured lovely, sedate Marianne Seaton in the Fairbrother sapphires. Theyd match her eyes. Which seemed a dashed stupid reason for proposing to a chit.
What about Desboroughs sister? An engagement would heal the rift between you. Honestly, I could box Sophies ears for ruining that match.
A chill slithered down Leaths spine. Lady Jane is forty-five if shes a day, not to mention a dedicated spinster.
His mother sighed. Pity shes too old to bear children. She paused and Leath hoped the discussion was over. A hope quickly shattered. If only Lydia Rothermere hadnt married that penniless libertine. She was a marvelous hostess, and a Rothermere match would silence talk of a feud.
God made a mistake when he created you female, Mamma, he said drily. Youd make a capital prime minister.
She laughed and dismissed his comment with a wave, although it was true. Im a mere woman, James.
He smiled, hoping that shed stopped listing possible marchionesses. And clever as a fox.
You flatter me, darling. Briefly he saw the beautiful girl who nearly forty years ago had captivated the brilliant marquess with the glittering political future. Fate had played his parents some cruel cards.
Not at all. He sank into one of the frail chairs near the blazing hearth. The chair creaked beneath his weight. He was a large man and the furnishings in his mothers apartments were decidedly dainty. Let me establish my credentials as a respectable landholder before we plot my walk down the aisle.
Youve always been a solid, reliable, thoughtful gentleman. People will eventually remember that. Youll be back in London before you know it.
He smiled, while his vanity bucked at the description. What a dull dog he sounded. Ever the optimist, Mamma.
I have every faith in you.
Sometimes he wished she didnt. Each step of his life, hed carried the weight of his fathers unfulfilled promise and of his invalid mothers hopes. No wonder hed never kicked over the traces like his less burdened colleagues.
Now he faced a solid, reliable marriage. The prospect was depressing. I thought to find you all cast down with your own company, he said. Youre in better spirits than I expected.