April 1827

Lady Hartwick’s Drawing Room

 

Adeline set her teacup on the side table and leaned back into the tufted armchair. The fireplace radiated warmth on this chilly April afternoon. Lucy sat in the armchair’s pair and nibbled on a cucumber sandwich. Her friend had, in fact, eaten about four little sandwiches in a row.

 

Adeline raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t Hartwick feed you?”

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Lucy giggled. “Of course he does. I’m simply famished today.” She shrugged. “I’m so glad that you are here. The last four months have felt like an eternity.”

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“It is hard being so far away from you and Violet. But I love our home by the sea. The landscape is rugged and wild, and we walk every day with the sounds of the sea pounding below us. I will admit it has been lovely having Malcolm all to myself. But at some point this summer, we will have to throw a party and actually socialize with the local gentry.” Adeline realized that she and Malcolm had been living in a lovely private bubble. She sighed and looked sideways at her friend. “Perhaps you and Hartwick will come to visit?”

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“We would love to. We were there for such a short time for your wedding.”

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The door to the drawing room flung open, and Violet entered the room. “I barely escaped my mother’s clutches, but I am here. Addy!” She rushed across the carpet with her arms flung wide.

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Adeline rose and accepted Violet’s embrace. Hugging her tightly, she frowned at how thin her friend felt. She leaned back. “It’s so lovely to see you.” She studied Violet carefully. Her friend looked tired, with dark smudges under her eyes.

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“Come sit and have some sustenance. I know your mother is running you ragged with wedding details,” Lucy said.

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They settled into the seating area. And Violet accepted the cup of tea Lucy offered. She took a bracing sip. Closing her eyes briefly, she sighed. “This morning was a final fitting for my dress and the dresses for my sisters. My mother said no eating before the fitting, so everyone was cranky. It was pandemonium inside the dress shop, but I escaped.” Violet smiled mischievously.

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Adeline grabbed a plate and piled several sandwiches and two biscuits on it before handing it to Violet. “Whyever doesn’t she want you to eat?”

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Violet shrugged. “Something about fitting into the dress.”

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“But wouldn’t it be better to fit you properly when well fed? Is she not going to allow you to eat on your wedding day?”

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“Ah, my ever-practical Addy, how I have missed you.” Violet stuffed a sandwich into her mouth.

 

Adeline shook her head and reached for her tea. Violet’s mother was well known for being overbearing. She had three daughters and one son, who was the baby of the family. Violet had always known she would be the first to be bartered off into a ‘good marriage’. But Adeline had hoped that Violet would find a love match. She had wished it for all three of them. Her wish had come true for two out of three so far.

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Lucy had finally won the undying affection of the man she had loved for an age. And when Malcolm had come through Adeline’s window to kidnap her, he had also managed to steal her heart. She studied Violet carefully over the rim of her teacup. Her friend’s marriage to the Marquess of Sommerset was not a love match, but it was a smart match. Violet insisted that she was content. Adeline and Lucy vowed not to interfere with opinions as long as Violet was happy.

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“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you both that I invited another guest this afternoon,” Lucy said. “Elizabeth Harper and her son. Hartwick so enjoys interacting with his nephew and this was the only afternoon Ms. Harper had free.”

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Adeline frowned. Elizabeth Harper was not her favorite person. Last winter, when her father was arrested, the Piccadilly Press splashed the scandal on their front pages like all the other papers in town.

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“I don’t mind. I’m happy to finally meet the editor of the Piccadilly Press. She must lead such an exciting life,” Violet said.

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“Not as exciting as you may think.” A wry voice said from across the room. In the open doorway stood a woman in a simple navy dress. Her dark mahogany hair was neatly pinned at her nape, and her hand held the hand of a small boy. Everything about her spoke of quiet elegance.

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“Ms. Harper and Robert Harper,” Lucy’s butler intoned.

 

Lucy rose to her feet. “Please come in. Hello, Robert. How are you today?”

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Ms. Harper crossed to the seating area and took a seat on the settee next to Violet. Little Robert gave a short bow. “Very well, thank you.”

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Adeline’s lips twitched into a smile as she noticed his eyes stray to the biscuits on the table. He was adorable. How old was he? Perhaps six?

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Lucy’s gaze shifted back to the doorway. “Mr. Townson, could you please tell Hart his nephew is here?” Then she turned to Robert. “Would you like a biscuit?”

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 He nodded enthusiastically but didn’t grab for one before he looked to his mother for permission. When she nodded, he snatched one off the tray. “Thank you.” He managed with his mouth full.

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Ms. Harper sighed and shared a wry smile with Lucy. “Thank you for inviting us. He is very excited to play with Uncle Alex.”

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Adeline exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Violet. Uncle Alex? Hartwick was every bit as imposing and intimidating as one would expect a duke to be. They had seen him be soft with Lucy, but to hear him referred to by his given name in such a manner, well that was a surprise. Just then, the Duke of Hartwick strode into the room, followed by his half-brother, Mr. Seaton.

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Although she knew she should keep her expression neutral, she couldn’t help but narrow her eyes at Seaton. He had, after all, held her at gunpoint and smashed her statue of Artemis. According to Lucy, he was some sort of criminal, but they didn’t know what type of work he did. Adeline glanced across at Ms. Harper and was surprised to see an equally suspicious look on her face.

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The two men, though, were focused on the boy. Seaton crouched down to his eye level. “I’m glad I’ve stopped by today. It’s nice to see you again, Robert.”

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Robert looked at him shyly. From next to him, his mother said. “Robert, do you remember Mr. Seaton from last summer?”

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Robert nodded. “Yes, you pulled the coin from my ear.”

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Seaton smiled. “Shall we see what’s behind there today?” He reached out behind the boy’s ear and, with a flourish of his hand, held up a shiny blue marble. “That’s interesting. Never found a marble behind someone’s ear before.”

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Robert’s eyes were round as saucers. All the adults chuckled as he snatched it up.

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“Ooo, me next!” Violet’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

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Seaton’s gaze snapped to her, and his smile stretched wider. “Well, let’s see, shall we? Ms.?”

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“This is my good friend, Lady Violet Blakely,” Lucy said.

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“Ah, one of the Earl of Blackpool’s daughters. What does an earl’s daughter keep hidden behind her ear?” He stepped in front of Violet. Robert scampered close at his heels. Again, with the practiced flip of his wrist, he reached behind Violet’s ear. Then he held up a delicate gold band pinched between his fingers. “Of course, only gold would do.”

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Violet’s eyes widened.

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Seaton took one of her hands and slid the simple gold ring onto her ring finger. “My lady.” He bowed his head.

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Hartwick chuckled. “Come on, Robert. Let’s go out and walk about the garden. You too, brother.”

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Seaton followed them out the door, and their voices receded as they walked toward the back of the house. Adeline watched Violet twist the gold band around her finger with a bemused look.

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“Do you suppose he just carries around a plethora of random items in his pockets, just in case?” Adeline said. What a strange fellow.

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Lucy laughed. “He is a puzzle.”

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“He is a criminal,” Elizabeth said.

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“Is he?” Violet asked. Her gaze was locked on the ring as she twisted it around and around.

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“He held me at gunpoint in order to obtain my statue,” Adeline added, then she frowned. “Although he did save my life first.”

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Lucy held up her hands. “Seaton helped to save me last spring when Griffen held me captive. And he watched over Hartwick to keep him safe, although he was paid for that job. But I think he is as starved for family as Hart. He is incredibly loyal to those he considers worth it.”

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Adeline pondered Lucy’s opinion of Seaton. “He did say he would never have shot me because I was friends with you. He seemed to think that it would cross a line for him.”

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Elizabeth sighed. “He is kind to Robert. I suppose it’s all right as long as Hartwick supervises their time together.”

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“Let me pour you a cup of tea, Elizabeth,” Lucy said. “Tell us something interesting from the headlines this week.”

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“You’ll have to read tomorrow’s edition just like everyone else.” Elizabeth sent a sly smile over her teacup.

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Adeline couldn’t help the small grunt that escaped from her throat. Embarrassed, she took a sip of tea.

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Elizabeth’s gaze slid to her. “I take it you are not a subscriber of my paper?”

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“I don’t read gossip pages,” Adeline said tightly. She hadn’t looked at a newspaper from London in months. It was too painful to see her family’s scandal splashed about the pages. Violet let her know what was being said in much kinder terms. Malcolm agreed that she was wise to avoid seeing the headlines. It had been easy to bury her head in the sand while in Dorset. She desperately hoped that people had moved on to other gossip now.

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Elizabeth sighed and set her cup down. “The little tidbits I published last autumn about who you were dancing with and who walked with you in the park was gossip. What your father and Lord Bellamy did was news. Their misdeeds included murder and treason. That is not something that should be buried. Men of power need to be made accountable just like anyone else.”

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Adeline was taken aback at the woman’s passionate words. Finally, she nodded. “It is not that I have any love lost for my father. He is a terrible person. But his actions have poisoned the reputation of my entire family. My brother and mother didn’t deserve the consequences of his actions, which rained down on them. But none of that is your fault.”

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“And you? How are you holding up?” Elizabeth’s eyes were curious but kind.

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“I am lucky. My husband doesn’t give a wit about reputations. And he also doesn’t care about London society. He loves me. We live happily outside polite society on his estate on the Dorset coast.”

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“He certainly does.” Her husband’s deep voice came from across the room.

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Everyone’s gaze swung to the doorway. Malcolm strode into the room with his habitual smile. He crossed directly to her and bent to kiss her soundly. Adeline felt her cheeks heat at the display of affection in front of her friends, but she kissed him back, not about to squander a good kiss for the sake of propriety. “How did it go today?” she asked as Malcolm settled into the chair beside her.

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“Just fine. I’m glad I could be there.”

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“Be where?” Elizabeth asked.

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“Kingsbury, this is Elizabeth Harper. She is the editor of the Piccadilly Press and a friend of Lucy and Hartwick.” Adeline introduced them.

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Malcolm glanced around. “Where is Hartwick?” His smile grew wicked. “He didn’t want to stay and chat with the ladies?”

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Lucy rolled her eyes. “He is out in the garden with his nephew and Seaton if you want to join them.”

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“Seaton is the man who held us at gunpoint. He is Hartwick’s half-brother.” Adeline explained.

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Malcolm’s eyes widened in surprise. But he recovered quickly. “I think I’ll stay.” He weaved his fingers between hers. Turning, he replied to Ms. Harper’s question. “My first Lieutenant, Sebastian Trent, received a well-deserved promotion. Today was the ceremony.” He squeezed Adeline’s hand. “I’m glad I could be there to congratulate him in person.”

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She studied her husband’s expression. “It didn’t make you sad for leaving the service?”

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“Not at all.” He brought her fingers up to his mouth and brushed a kiss across them. “We can’t fulfill the fortune teller’s prophesy to have six children if I am always away at sea.”

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“Six? Good lord!” Lucy exclaimed.

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Malcolm just chuckled, his gaze still locked on her. “I’m certainly all for trying.” The twinkle in his eyes promised a lifetime full of passion in pursuit of their dream of having a large family.

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Adeline grinned at her husband. Whether they ended up with six children or only one, this man was her future. She would allow fate to surprise her with its plans. She had learned the joy in life was in the journey.