The Truth about the Earl (Whispers of the Ton #1)

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

J ames let out a long breath, sanded the letter, and folded it. Sighing to himself, he warmed the wax and then sealed it up, knowing he was about to bring great displeasure to Lady Maude.

“Is there a reason you appear so melancholy?”

Looking up, James rolled his eyes at his friend. “And are you now simply deciding to walk into my house without any warning and announce yourself without even my butler’s awareness?” His grin took any bite from his words and Lord Huntsford only laughed.

“I thought to come and join you on your walk with Lady Essington this afternoon,” he said, as James’ smile shattered. “I think St James’ Park is very fine this time of day.”

“I hardly think –”

“And one Lady Josephine has told me that she too will be in the park this afternoon also, which is my only reason to accompany you,” Lord Huntsford finished, as James let out a long breath of relief, making his friend chuckle. “I have no intention of walking alongside you and hearing what you have to say to Lady Essington, have no fear. Although,” he continued, sitting down in one of the larger, more comfortable chairs, “I must ask how the ton have treated you these last few days?”

James considered, tilting his head to one side, his eyes roving around the ceiling as he thought. “My first return to society was that soiree, where Lady Essington came to declare herself quite determined to remain in my company.”

“And, thereafter, Lady Maude.”

Sighing, James pinched the bridge of his nose, tension flooding him. “I am, just now, writing to Lady Maude.” He waved a hand, realizing he was changing the topic of conversation. “However, since then – which was only two days ago – I have found myself whispered about, talked about and certainly there have been a few more stares and two ladies, in particular, would not so much as look at me but, on the whole, I appear to have made my way out of society relatively unscathed!” Making his way across the room, he rang the bell. “I am sure there have been more rumors since that was written about me, however. That will have something to do with it?”

Lord Huntsford shook his head. “There has been nothing,” he replied, as James walked to the door to hand the letter to the waiting footman, telling him that it was to be delivered at once. When he turned back to his friend, Lord Huntsford was frowning hard. “Come to think of it, there has not been a single word from Mrs. Fullerton since the article that was written about you.”

James pursed his lips. “And is that unusual?”

“I should say so.”

Pouring himself a measure of brandy – feeling he needed it after writing his letter to Lady Maude – James poured another measure for Lord Huntsford and then handed it to him. “Perhaps something is wrong with Mrs. Fullerton.”

“Mayhap, although given that we do not know the true name of the lady – or the gentleman, for it might well be a gentleman writing also – then it is very difficult to say.” His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at James. “Did you say you were writing to Lady Maude?”

“Indeed.” James ran one hand over his eyes, shaking his head as he looked back at his friend. “Some weeks ago, it would have meant everything to me to have received such attention from her. Now, having unwittingly taken your advice of ignoring the lady and giving my attention to another, it seems she is quite determined to capture me!”

Lord Huntsford’s lips lifted on one side. “And you mean to say you are not at all interested?”

“I am not. Lady Essington is the sole keeper of my heart and I look back upon my fascination with Lady Maude and wish only to berate myself for my foolishness.”

“That would save me doing so, certainly,” Lord Huntsford quipped, making James chuckle. “And you say she wrote to you?”

“She did.” James shrugged one shoulder and tried to appear nonchalant. “I confess I found it a rather strange letter. It is as though she is most eager for my company having spent the first few weeks of the Season doing nothing whatsoever to encourage my attention!”

Lord Huntsford took a sip from his glass and then rested his head back against the chair. “Should you wish to hear my opinion on the lady, then I shall give it to you.”

“Please!” James spread out both hands wide, one still clutching his glass. “I have no affection for the lady any longer – if affection is what it was – and would be glad, therefore, to hear what you have to say.”

Grinning broadly, Lord Huntsford lifted his glass as though he were toasting James. “Lady Maude delights in the approval and the appreciation of others. She loves to be considered, loves the eagerness of those around her in their desire to fawn over her. Indeed, I believe she enjoys nothing more than toying with the various gentlemen that surround her. You would not have been the first to have sought her consideration with such desperation, I am sure.”

A slight flush ran over James’ skin but he did not deny it. “That may well be so.”

“And thus, Lady Maude thought to play with you a little. Seeing your eagerness, she pushed you away and showed you very little interest, glad when that only increased your fervor all the more!”

James’ lips tightened but he nodded. Now that he had seen Lady Maude as she truly was, he saw the truth in Lord Huntsford’s words.

“However, now that your interest in Lady Essington has entirely removed Lady Maude from your thoughts, Lady Maude herself finds that situation untenable. She wants to be admired, wants to be revered by almost every gentleman in London! And the fact that you now think of another in place of her is most unsettling. Thus, she will now do all she can to set herself before you once more, encouraging your interest and practically demanding you forget about Lady Essington entirely.”

“But I shall not do so,” James replied, as Lord Huntsford smiled. “What I feel for Lady Essington is more profound than anything I have ever felt for Lady Maude. In fact, I find myself rather ashamed I was so caught up with appearance alone. Perhaps what you have said is correct. If Lady Maude seeks my interest merely so it is given to her rather than to Lady Essington, then I am afraid she shall not be successful.”

“No?”

“I intend to court Lady Essington if she will have me.” James’ heart lifted in a great swell of hope and happiness as he saw Lord Huntsford’s smile. “I am seriously considering matrimony and the like. Lady Essington is all I might hope for in a bride and I shall not be drawn from her.”

“It is good she did not think poorly of you after the article in the society papers.”

“It speaks well of her character, and of the trust she has in me.”

Lord Huntsford lifted his glass again. “Then I do hope she accepts your court. Truth be told, I have very little doubt she will do, given the fervency with which she sought you out at the soiree!”

That remark warmed James’ heart all the more and he settled back into his chair with a sigh. He was looking forward to his afternoon with Lady Essington all the more.

“Thank you for joining me.”

“I am glad to.” Lady Essington smiled up at him, although there was a slight dullness to her eyes that James wondered at. “It is a fine day and I am very happy to see you again.”

“Then you find us both in the same mind, Lady Essington.” He offered her his arm and was surprised at the momentary hesitation she displayed. Her eyes caught his, her smile gone in a second. But then she gave herself a small shake, took his arm, and began to walk alongside him. Something began to pull at James’ heart, tugging it down toward the ground. Was this not to be as he had hoped? Would he find himself returning home in a state of disappointment?

“I had hoped we might continue our conversation that we began at the soiree some days ago,” he said, aware of the way his heart began to quicken. “That is only if you would wish for that to take place, however. I quite understand if you do not wish to.”

Her eyes lifted to his as she turned her head to look at him. “I have every desire to continue our conversation, Lord Yardley. I will make myself quite plain – I find myself drawn to you.”

There was no hesitation now and James’ heart slammed hard, making him catch his breath.

“I will say, however, that there is another matter we must discuss first. A matter, I fear, that will have you turning from me.”

James frowned, his steps slowing as he turned to face her, holding her gaze steadily. Lady Essington’s face had begun to pale, her eyes had widened at the corners and she was pressing her lips together tightly. His mind began to whirl with a thousand thoughts at once, suddenly afraid of what it was she was going to say – without having any real recognition of what such a thing might be.

“I am so afraid to tell you.”

Her whispered words spoke of pain and James lowered his head quickly, his other hand brushing across her chin, encouraging her to look up.

“Lady Essington, your words strike fear into my heart but I will hear them. Please do not be afraid to tell me.”

She closed her eyes, his fingers still holding her chin gently. “I will begin by stating I have never wanted to injure you in any way. My heart has such a deep affection for you that it has been so very difficult to do as I have been instructed.”

“Instructed?” None of what she said was of any comprehension to James and he simply stared at her, waiting for her to explain.

“Yes, instructed. Demanded. Forced upon me.” A long, heavy breath escaped her and James felt her tremble as his hand ran from her chin to her shoulder and down her arm until he caught her fingers with his own. He did not care if anyone else should see such a display, there was something gravely wrong and clearly, Lady Essington was most upset by it.

“Pray speak openly.”

Her eyes opened and she looked back into his face. “I am afraid to do so.”

“Why?”

“For fear you will step back from me, step away from me and return to your house without ever permitting me further explanation.” Her hand pressed his, her eyes darting all around his face as though she sought to find some hope in his expression. “Might you promise me you will wait until I have explained all before you decide what you will do thereafter?”

James nodded fervently. “But of course.” He wanted to say more, wanted to urge her to speak with as much openness as she could but remained silent, waiting. His stomach was churning, sweat was beading on his brow and his heart continued to clatter against his chest as he looked into her eyes.

She was close to tears.

“I – I am Mrs. Fullerton.”

For a moment, the name did not mean anything to him. Blinking, James sought to find the name somewhere in his memory, only for the truth to strike hard at him.

Mrs. Fullerton.

His eyes closed.

“It is not as you think, however.” Her words were hurried now, hasty as though she were in great pains to speak them. “You need not think that I –”

“The reason you trusted that the article was naught but a lie was because you wrote it.” Opening his eyes, he saw the pale-faced Lady Essington looking back at him. Her eyes were glistening, her mouth was opening and closing but she did not say anything in response.

“You wrote lies about me. Lies that would injure me severely.”

“I will not deny it, but it is not as it seems.”

A harsh laugh broke from his lips and Lady Essington closed her eyes. A single tear dripped onto her cheek.

“And here I was, believing you cared for me!”

“I do!” Her eyes flew open and her hand tightened on his, her other hand suddenly flat against his chest. “I do care for you, Lord Yardley. I have such a strong and growing affection that –”

“An affection that was so strong, it did not stand in your way when it came to writing such an untruth.” James knew his words held a great deal of irony and the harshness of them might very well injure Lady Essington in return, but he did not care. The shock was too great, overwhelming him with emotion that he simply could not keep in check. “Good gracious, I was only recently considering just how foolish I was when it came to Lady Maude, realizing I did not know her character – whereas now, it seems, I do not know your character very well either!”

“That is not so.” Her jaw worked but James stepped back, pulling his hand from hers. “You do know me. I am exactly as I appear, save for this one secret. A secret I have been forced to tell you because of the difficulties that have now been thrown at me.”

James did not care what such difficulties were. He wanted nothing more to do with the lady, not when he knew now that she was the one who had written those scandalous lies about him. “I think our walk together is at an end.”

“ Please , Lord Yardley!” Tears began to drip from her eyelashes but James was unmoved. “You promised me you would remain until I finished my explanation. There is so much more that you do not yet know and –”

“I believe I have heard all the explanations that I require.” He did not smile, did not even look at her but instead turned away, wanting to remove himself from her company just as quickly as he could. Without even bidding her farewell, James strode away down the path and further into the park, his breathing hard and fast, his body tense with anger.

How could she do such a thing? How could she pretend to be so eager for my company, so contented to converse with me, whilst having such an intention as that? He shook his head to himself, glowering down at the path by his feet. I have been a fool. I ought to have considered her a little more carefully.

“Do be careful, Yardley!”

A loud exclamation forced James to a stop. Lifting his gaze, he saw Lord Huntsford looking back at him with one lifted eyebrow, his arms folded across his chest.

“Is there a reason you are striding so forthrightly through the park whilst I am wandering carefully and slowly, waiting for Lady Josephine to arrive?” His mild tone clattered hard against James’ anger and he looked away.

“I am returning to my townhouse.”

“And where is Lady Essington?”

Scowling, James threw up his hands. “I care not! I do not care where the lady is nor what she is doing. Our acquaintance is at an end.”

“So soon?” Lord Huntsford’s eyes tore toward his hair. “But what has happened? This is not what was meant to happen. I thought I would find you with such a delighted heart and a broad smile on your face!”

James shook his head, his hands loosening from the tight fists he had held them in. “I had thought so also.” A heavy weariness seemed to tug at him, dropping his shoulders as his head lowered. “But it was not to be.”

“And why is that?”

Having no recourse but to tell his friend what had happened, James sighed and rubbed one hand over his eyes. “She is Mrs. Fullerton.” He waited for Lord Huntsford’s loud exclamation but, much to his surprise, it did not come. Instead, Lord Huntsford merely nodded, as though this had not come as much of a shock.

“I see.”

“I am deeply angry.”

“That is….understandable, although you must admit it is rather confusing.”

James blinked. “Confusing?”

“Recall that an additional piece was written about Lady Essington herself,” Lord Huntsford reminded him, striking James with yet another shock as that came immediately to his mind. “Why would the lady write something so injurious about herself?

You did not listen to her.

The slow, stabbing ache of his conscience drove itself into James’ heart and he looked away, letting out a hissing breath between his teeth.

“You did not ask her?”

Closing his eyes, James shook his head. “No, I did not.”

“Why ever not?”

“Because I was angry.” Throwing up his hands, James let out a loud groan, tipping his head back to the sunny skies. “She was so very afraid to tell me the truth and begged me to listen to all she had to say before making any sort of decision as to our continued acquaintance.”

Lord Huntsford’s lips pulled to one side but he did not say anything, a silent question evident in his eyes.

“No, I did not do as I had promised.” James gritted his teeth, angry now at his foolish, reactionary behavior. “I thought only of myself and my own upset and tore myself from her without permitting her to explain anything.”

“I see.”

“And now I am naught but a fool, as well I know.”

“There is much more for her to say,” came the quiet reply. “I would encourage you to return to her so she has the opportunity to do so.”

James nodded, shame building inside him until it threatened to shatter his heart into a thousand pieces. A large part of him wanted to return home and hide away, lost in his shame whilst the other part of him practically screamed at him to run and find her before it was too late.

“Go!” Lord Huntsford gave his shoulder a gentle shove, pulling him from his thoughts. “Lingering here and speaking to me will do nothing.”

Nodding, James turned and hurried away, back to where he had left Lady Essington. His breathing was ragged as he walked with quickened footsteps, his hands clenching and unclenching as he sought desperately to find her.

I am sorry. I am sorry I did not listen to you, Lady Essington. The quiet pleadings in his heart echoed what it was he wanted to say to the lady when he finally found her. What is the full explanation? What is it that has caused you to write such things about me, about yourself? That last question had his brow furrowing all the more, realizing now just how confusing that part was. Why had she written something so damning about herself? If she was Mrs. Fullerton, what reason could there possibly be to injure herself so in front of all society?

His mind whirring, James made his way back toward the spot where he had left Lady Essington, but she was nowhere to be seen. He turned to the left and then to the right, his eyes on the path in the hope she would be walking there, but he could not make her out. His heart sank. He was too late.