Chapter 10

 

“I could murder you both with my bare hands,” Noah ground out in a whispered tone.

“It is not what it looks like,” Lady Phoebe objected. Taylor, however, knew when to keep his mouth closed.

“I am well aware of that. Thank God I am the only one that saw him carry you in here.”

“He only carried me because I couldn’t walk,” Phoebe retorted defensively.

Taylor closed his eyes and said a quick prayer. Phoebe wasn’t helping the situation.

“And why is that?” Noah asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.

Phoebe blushed. “I went for a stroll and found Taylor with a, um, woman, and when I tried to hurry and leave, I fell, hurting my ankle.”

Noah raised a questioning eyebrow at Taylor. “As I recall, Mrs. Patterson returned to the party hours ago, alone.”

“I tried to make him go back, but he wouldn’t leave me sitting there, nor could he carry me back to the house for the world to see,” Phoebe continued defensively. Taylor knew that anything he would offer would be seen as guilt on his part, so he decided just to let Phoebe explain to her brother.

“So you two have been sitting in the garden this entire time. For the past three hours. Alone.”

“Yes. And we had a delightful conversation,” Phoebe insisted.

“Did anyone see you?”

“Only Mrs. Patterson,” Phoebe offered.

“Are you sure?” Noah directed the question to Taylor who only nodded his head to affirm.

“Then you two had better pray that she doesn’t breathe a word.” Noah turned to Taylor. “Now, if you would please leave my sister’s bedroom and join me downstairs.”

“Gladly,” Taylor answered, trying to appear calm, when he dreaded the meeting to come. He turned toward Phoebe. “I hope your ankle feels better.” He checked the hallway, and then left the room, followed by Noah.

The house was completely silent when the two men adjourned to Martin’s private study. The room was chosen specifically to avoid being overheard, as it had remained off limits to the guests during the weekend. Both men knew Martin would not mind them being there, given the gravity of the discussion. Helping themselves to his brandy, they took a seat. By outward appearances, Taylor seemed calm and relaxed. Truth be told, he wondered if the friendship they had shared for so many years had been pushed too far.

Noah appeared calm as well, which made Taylor all the more concerned. He knew Noah too well. The calmer he was, the angrier he felt, and he had been very calm upstairs. Holding the glass, Taylor waited for Noah to begin. Denying and begging for forgiveness for something that hadn’t occurred would not help at this juncture.

“Taylor, what the hell were you thinking?” Noah finally asked after he took a seat.

“I was trying to save her some embarrassment,” Taylor responded nonchalantly.

“By carrying her upstairs to her room? What if someone else would have seen you?”

“Why do you think I waited until the lights were extinguished?”

“You know as well as I do that you are more likely to run into people in the halls at that hour.”

“Would you rather I would have carried her out of the gardens for all to see?”

Noah sat back and loosened the buttons of his shirt. “What exactly did happen?”

“Just as she told you. She caught me, this time.” He tried to find humor again, and failed. “Anyway, your sister decided it was safe to stroll alone in the gardens, as everyone believed she was abed, and came across the attempted seduction.”

Noah sputtered and coughed on his scotch, clearly surprised by this bit of news. “What did she see?” He asked once he’d gained back his powers of speech.

“She saw a bit of leg. ” Taylor shot him a look, hoping his making light of the situation would transfer to Noah. “Mrs. Patterson’s, not mine.” So far it wasn’t working. “We hadn’t gotten very far when we heard her.”

“Why didn’t Mrs. Patterson stay and help you escort Phoebe from the garden?”

Taylor groaned. “She was rather upset with the interruption and stormed off. I half expected to be found, but didn’t know her well enough to know what form of retaliation, if any, she would use.”

“This is worse than I imagined.”

“You are imagining the worst.”

“That all depends on what Mrs. Patterson says, doesn’t it?” Noah shot back.

“Did she say anything this evening?” Taylor wondered mildly. In all reality, it would be her words that could bring everything down on Phoebe.

“Not a word. She returned and played a game. But, she did keep watching the door. I believe she was waiting for you.” Noah gave a small smile.

“Then nobody knows.” Taylor dismissed the entire situation.

“You were lucky this time. I won’t ask what you did with my sister in a dark garden for three hours.” His statement brought Taylor up short, offended Noah would think anything occurred to be concerned with.

“Calm down. I believed Phoebe when she said you talked. I also rely on your honor as a friend.”

“Thank you for your confidence,” Taylor bit out. If only Noah knew his thoughts he would be called out immediately.

“People are beginning to talk.”

“There has been talk for some time,” Taylor dismissed again.

“So far the ton finds it entertaining when Phoebe ends up in questionable circumstances and you always appear in the nick of time to rescue her.”

“I know. I have heard it.”

“There are even bets.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Had anyone seen you tonight, the situation would no longer be humorous.” A warning edge came to Noah’s voice.

Taylor shot up and began pacing. “Don’t you think I know that? Why am I the one who is always there? Don’t you think I know the repercussions of tonight? It would have been just as damaging had I left the garden with her. You know that as well as I do. My only choice was to wait.”

“I know. I meant no offense.”

Taylor could tell he didn’t and calmed considerably as he refilled his glass. Sitting back down, he decided not to wait until after the party. “I am leaving London after the weekend.”

“What? Why?”

“I need to find a wife. You know the reasons as well as I. My connection to Phoebe has made it more than difficult.” He took another drink and waited for a reaction. He didn’t get one, as Noah continued to stare into the fire slowly burning down. “That is not it alone. I will never find a wife here. You know that. Everyone is afraid my third wife will end up like the others.”

“I know. I am sorry for that,” Noah finally offered with sadness.

For an instant Taylor considered broaching the subject of Phoebe, but decided not to press Noah any further. The friendship was on shaky ground this evening. If he offered for Phoebe, Noah would no longer trust him, and they had a long weekend to get through yet.

“I am sure Parker or Chambers can step in for the rest of the Season.”

Noah looked up at him. Confusion marred his brows.

“I want you to know I have used the best judgment with your sister, but she makes it damn hard.”

“I know you have. She is a reckless girl.” Noah relaxed back in the chair, weariness showed in his eyes.

“Perhaps you should just marry her off.” Taylor waited for a reaction. It didn’t hurt to test the situation just a bit.

“I have thought about it. Heaven knows I have received plenty of offers, but the only person she seems to like is you.”

“No, there is another.”

“Who? She hasn’t mentioned anyone to me.”

“She didn’t give a name. She only said it was someone she couldn’t have. I have no clue who she meant.”

Noah studied him, head cocked as if thinking through something.

“Do you know who she meant?” Taylor would like to know the name so he could have a talk with the gentlemen. Then again, perhaps not. It all depended on who the man was.

Noah shook his head and turned away. “No, she has not confided in me.”

He placed his glass on the sideboard. “Well, we won’t find the answer tonight.” He turned to Taylor, his hands on his hips. “I don’t suppose another lecture would help.”

Taylor rose, chuckling. “I seriously doubt it.”

“Good night then.” Noah let himself out, leaving Taylor to finish his drink in peace. Unfortunately, Taylor never found peace. What had Noah said? “The only person she seems to like is you.” Phoebe had said the same thing. But she only saw him that way because he was not a threat.

What a mess. Perhaps he should just leave tomorrow and let someone else watch over her. Even as he thought the words, he knew he wouldn’t leave until after the weekend. Whoever thought this would be a safe environment for Phoebe?

 

* * *

 

Phoebe had tossed and turned a good portion of the night. When she finally woke, dressed and made her way downstairs, the others had already gathered. Taking the stairs slowly, not wishing to put much weight on her ankle, she finally entered the drawing room and made her way to the closest chair.

“My goodness. You are limping, dear. What happened?” Mrs. Patterson asked from across the room.

Noah, who had his back to the room, studied the scenery out the window. Taylor leaned on the fireplace mantel and showed only mild interest.

“Oh it is nothing. I just turned it last night,” she answered and looked away to speak with Janine.

“How did that happen, dear?” Mrs. Patterson wouldn’t let the matter drop when she knew very well what had occurred.

Phoebe looked up at her and wondered if a lie would suffice or if she should simply state the truth. She decided on something in the middle. “I went for a short walk before retiring and must have stepped wrong.”

Phoebe held her breath and waited.

“You don’t mean to tell me you were taking a walk, alone, in the dark?” Mrs. Patterson persisted.

“Would you have preferred I was with someone?” Phoebe retorted. “That would not have been very proper, now would it?”

“Anyone could have come upon you, dear. You really need to be more careful.”

“It is not as if we are in London, Mrs. Patterson. We are in the country and when I left, everyone was still in the house. I only planned to be out for a short time, and I didn’t wander overly far.” Phoebe looked her directly in the eye, daring her to tell what she knew.

With a quick glance at Taylor’s speculative face, the widow must have decided not to press any further. “Do take care, child. I would hate to see something cast a shadow on your reputation.”

Phoebe gave her a very sweet smile. “I will try to remember.” Did Taylor think of her as a child as well? She wasn’t sure she wanted an answer to that question.

Seconds passed and the room began discussing the day’s outings. Phoebe was slower to relax as she waited for the revelation from Mrs. Patterson. It didn’t come and by the time they left for the picnic, her accident had been forgotten by the rest of the guests.

 

* * *

 

Seated on a blanket with friends, Phoebe was kept from moving about because of her ankle. Taylor kept his distance, enjoying himself with the other guests. Phoebe did her best to try to ignore him, but was finding it difficult, as she only half listened to her friend’s gossip. She was not used to simply sitting and found her irritation growing as the day wore on. She began to wonder if these girls could think of anything other than gentlemen, fashions and gossip. Mildly she wondered out loud if there were any fish worth catching in the lake only to be rewarded with laughter from her friends, thinking she jested.

After returning to the house, a small group decided to take some horses out for a ride before dinner. Phoebe was on her way to the stables when Noah stopped her. “You aren’t riding,” he informed her sternly.

“Why not?” She demanded, trying to pull her arm from his grasp.

“Think of it as punishment for last night,” he stated for her ears only. “For one, you should rest that ankle. For another, you need to think of the consequences had Mrs. Patterson decided to enlighten everyone to what had really occurred.”

“She wouldn’t,” Phoebe retorted as she tried to pull away from him.

“What would stop her?”

“What I could say about her.” Phoebe gave him a confident smile.

“There you are wrong. It was no secret to anyone that she left with Sandlin.”

Phoebe searched her brother’s face. She could tell by his eyes that he was telling the truth and it tore at her. Taylor had planned to seduce that woman and she would have let him. Oh how she wished it didn’t bother her. Raising her chin she huffed. “Then I am sorry I spoiled his evening.” She tried to yank her arm away.

“You are retiring to your room. That is the end of the discussion and I suggest you don’t make a scene.”

Phoebe fumed. But she knew he would haul her upstairs if she didn’t go on her own and she had no desire for further humiliation. She was facing enough of it secretly on her own. “Very well.” Turning she limped to the house, fighting the tears in her eyes.

From her room upstairs she watched them ride away. The further they rode, the angrier she became. How dare he send her to her room as if she were a child? He didn’t have control over her, despite what he thought, and she would prove it to him. As soon as they were far out of sight, she made her way downstairs and to the stables. After a horse was saddled for her, she rode off in the direction of the other riders, and then veered off on another path as soon as she was out of sight. She wanted to ride and be defiant. Yet she wasn’t brave enough to flaunt it in Noah’s face.

After a long, hard ride, her anger dissipated and she turned the horse back the direction they had come. She still had a few hours of light left so she didn’t bother hurrying. Besides, the horse had been run a good portion of the trail and she had no intention of over exerting the poor animal.

Phoebe hadn’t really thought about much as she ran from the house. Only the need to be away and out from under Noah’s command. Now upon reflection, with her own temper cooled, she had to admit he was right. In retrospect, her actions had been spontaneous and foolish. However, they never seemed that way at the time. Even taking the horse on her own didn’t seem foolish. She rode her own horse often alone at home. This wasn’t home. This was someone else’s house and there were a number of guests who would have frowned if they knew her recent actions. All she had to do was return to the house before the others and sneak upstairs to her room. If she didn’t make it back before them, she would still sneak up to her room and hope the stable hands didn’t mention her actions to Noah. Hopefully they wouldn’t know that Noah was her guardian. If her absence was noticed, most likely they would tell Martin or Janine, and Phoebe could only hope they would keep silent.

Leading the horse into the woods, she stopped at a stream. Dismounting, she allowed him to drink, while she wandered along the bank, favoring her ankle and wishing she were anywhere else but at this house party. The events of the night before came flooding back to her. Why of all men did she have to have feelings for Lord Sandlin? He didn’t even recognize that she could be a potential wife and she had never felt so dejected. Not that she would put her mother and sister before a gentleman; it would still be nice if he felt for her a smidgen of what she felt for him.

He will never see me differently.

It was not a pleasant thought at all. The only action she could take would be to put Sandlin out of her mind and return to the house. That was her firm decision as she began walking back to her horse when a shot rang out from across the stream. Before she could react to the noise, she felt something tear through her upper arm and fell to the ground, striking her head against a rock. Spooked, the horse didn’t wait for its rider, but tore off toward the stables, leaving Phoebe alone, lying on the ground.