Chapter Fifteen

Lord Geoffrey arrived at his London town house by mid-afternoon.

“Welcome, your Grace,” greeted Neville, the majordomo. “Your horse, my lord Duke?”

“My groom will bring him to the country estate at Brighton.”

“Very good. There is a note from your mother on the card tray. Do you wish to see it?”

“No. I do believe I know what the contents will be.” Geoffrey handed Neville his hat and gloves. “Is there anything of import of which you are aware?”

“No, as you instructed, I made notations on all your papers.” Neville laid his master’s belongings neatly on the side table. “Will you be dining in?”

“It won’t be necessary. In an hour or two, I will go to White’s Club and see what has transpired during my absence.”

In his study, Geoffrey found the efficient stacks of correspondence. He sat and addressed the work. He put his hand in his jacket pocket and his fingers caught a ribbon, Serena’s band, the one she wore the day she walloped him. A tender nostalgic smile crossed his face. He thought the results well worth the slap. The band held the scent of her perfume and when he closed his eyes, he envisioned her next to him.

His eyes flashed open—she vanished. He placed the ribbon in his right-hand desk drawer where he kept his most important things. There was a knock on his door. “Come.”

His personal valet entered. “Good morning, your Grace. I unpacked your luggage and found these items in various pockets.”

On the tray, Lord Geoffrey saw another ribbon of a different color, a barrette and a hairpin. More painful memories. He fondled each one and put them in his desk drawer with the other trinket. Dashed all to hell, he tried to concentrate, but she continued to haunt him.

“I will leave for my club in an hour or so. Please prepare my black swallowtail ensemble. That will be all.”

“Yes, your Grace.” The servant left the room.

Restlessness overtook him. He never knew the meaning of lonely—until Serena.

Geoffrey turned to face the portrait of his father that hung in prominence on the wall, the man people thought he resembled. “Father, I wish we would have spoken more about what attracted you to Mother. What were the qualities you saw that made you decide to marry her? Did you have regrets? Mother doesn’t want to speak of you. She says it is because it depresses her to know you are gone. She contents herself with an attempt to find me a future duchess.”

Geoffrey arose and stood in front of the portrait. “How can I trust her to find me a lovely wife, when she herself knows nothing of love? She doesn’t know what appeals to me in a woman. I like my women lusty, but mother’s choices are frigid like her.”

He checked his pocket watch with the heirloom grandfather long case clock, which stood guard in his study, then he ascended the steps. In the hallways, two more timepieces chimed sequentially.

His valet saw to his bath and shaving needs. Pleased with his resplendent appearance reflected from the cheval mirror, he took his top hat, gloves, and walking stick and descended the stairs. “Have my coach driver pick me up at midnight at White’s,” he instructed the butler. “No need to wait for my return, Neville. I can take care of my night needs.”

Geoffrey entered the famed doors, and greeted his good friends, who hailed him over to join them at the gaming tables.

“You are back from the country and look refreshed. Did you enjoy the air?” Carleton, his best friend, clapped him on his back.

“Indeed I did.”

“Join us in a wager?” one of the men asked Geoffrey.

“No, I prefer not to gamble on games I cannot trust. I do not like to lose to anything.” He scanned the room full of gentlemen. “I see London has not changed much from the soot-ridden stacks which belch and defile the air.” He handed his hat and cane to a porter and ordered a brandy. “This is why I prefer my Brighton estate. I do believe I have been away from the city for almost three months.”

“Not a long time for anything to change, Geoffrey. However, I did miss your company.”

“No need to be polite, Carleton. I am not easily flattered, except by a good fellow like you. Know that I missed your company also, old chap.”

They laughed in companionable jest.

“We are going to the theater tomorrow to see a new actress, Jenny Gladstone. Her curvaceous body has enchanted the young bucks, although her acting leaves much to be desired. Care to come with us? It is still the place to be seen, at least for this part of the season.”

“I have just returned and there is much to do. I prefer simpler pleasures.” He grinned.

“Did you find such pleasures in the country?” Carleton smiled at his friend’s salacious expression.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. I stumbled upon her in a knoll. I showed her my rakish talents and she smacked me. I believe there is still a slight bruise on my cheek.” He sipped the brandy and looked around finding himself almost bored with the clubs and their vices.

“A mere woman was able to resist your charms? I do not believe it.” Carleton puffed his cigar, smoke rings rose into the air. “I would like to meet such a creature.”

“You will never see her if I can help it. I do not jest, Carleton. A more seductive lady I have not known. Yet, she is innocent to her charms. I have known many women, but she has something that whets my appetite in a new way. She excites with a gesture, a phrase, a glance, and the sway of her hips—all the while a complete lady. Yet when we are alone, she is like no other. My lady challenges me at every juncture. She can make the word puppy ignite my passion. I gifted her one before I left. She named him Adonis…after me.”

Carleton eyed his friend. “In over the thirty years we’ve known each other, never have I heard you sound like a man besotted.”

“She had been grossly abused by her husband, now deceased, and was fearful of all men After I overcame her fright, my adorable lady surprised me with her ardor. She has a sweet but sassy disposition. She dared me to fall in love with her. “

“I take it you accepted the dare,” Carleton laughed.

“I did.” Geoffrey recalled the time and wished she were here with him.

“So love-them-and-leave-them Geoffrey has met his match? Is this what you say? You don’t look disappointed,” his friend said. “Tell me more about her. What color is her hair? Is she beautiful?”

“Her hair is black, but when the light glistens off it, it takes a midnight blue sheen. She has natural curls and likes to tie her hair back in a ribbon to keep it off her face when she paints. My lady is also an accomplished artist and the most exotic creature I have ever known.”

Geoffrey ordered another drink. “I should like to eat. Can we order something light?”

Lord Carleton nodded. “The menu is on the table.”

They made their selections and the servant came to take the instructions.

“So you say she is a widow, Geoffrey? How can a widow be innocent?”

“It makes for another story, but yes, my lady has been a widow for about a year. She has ivory skin so soft it is like satin to the touch.” His fingers moved on his palm. “I am drunk when I glance at her, and filled with desire. Most important, I want to inhale her essence.” He tapped his fingers on the table and looked around. “I feel I talk too much about her. What about you, Carleton—have you been up to mischief?”

“My life isn’t as exciting as yours. I am still with my current mistress, though I do admit I get restless. Enough of my dull story, tell me more about your mysterious lady.” He coaxed with an agreeable smile.

Geoffrey grinned. “My lady rides like the wind on a spectacular horse, named Sheba. My horse, as you know, is Solomon. Do you think there is something biblically pre-ordained here?” Geoffrey swirled his bandy in the glass. “She is woman personified.” He paused; his thoughts took him back to her studio. “She has paid me the compliment of her honesty.”

“That is a trait most unusual in a female, Geoffrey. She sounds special, my friend. I do believe you are smitten but will not admit it to yourself.”

“I could be. I admit that, but I cannot wear handcuffs no matter how golden the temptation.”

They were interrupted by the servant who returned with platters of steaming beef and roasted potatoes. They continued to talk while they ate.

“Well, look who walked through the door.” Carleton pointed with his chin.

Geoffrey turned and saw Sir Henry Worthington with another gentleman. Their hats and canes were taken by the porter. Sir Henry led the way to their table. They arose in greeting. Introductions were made and the other gentleman, introduced as Sir Leland LeBran, appeared cool and aloof.

“Geoffrey speaks to me about a woman he met on a recent trip that interested him,” Lord Carleton joked.

Sir Henry’s eyes winged upward and his facial expression scolded.

“What color hair had she? Black or blonde?” His words were arctic.

“Her hair—”

Geoffrey interrupted Carleton. “Flamed, not that it matters. I met her in the village pub.” He hit his boot against Carleton’s foot in warning.

Sir Henry’s facial expression relaxed. “So that is the reason you wanted to visit the countryside. You are a scoundrel, to say the least.”

“I would attest to that.” Geoffrey sat down. “Do you care to join us?”

“Thank you, but LeBran and I have important matters to discuss that are personal in nature. Have a good evening, gentlemen.” The two men walked to a private corner.

“Have you lost all your senses, Geoffrey? I see now you referred to Sir Henry’s sister. She is off limits to you.” Carleton smacked his hand against his forehead. “Sorry, I almost let the cat out of the bag. You are a quick thinker, though. I will give you that.”

“Yes, I saw the enraged expression on his face when he thought I might have referred to his sister.”

“There’s no red haired village lady?” Lord Carleton questioned, as he speared a morsel with his fork.

“No, once I met Serena, there could be no other. She has an attitude about her that is sassy and engages the mind. She ran me a merry chase.”

Lord Carleton raised his brows. “Why did he ask about a blonde?”

“You talk about besotted, he dares not admit to himself his attraction to a lady guest, Miss Arabella. She teaches at a school for young orphaned ladies. The Earl of Medford’s sister is the patroness of the foundation that sponsors it.”

“Hmm, I have heard.”

“Sir Henry told me he is in a conundrum about Arabella. He is an unmitigated snob and to him her roots are common, yet, he could not keep his eyes off her. He engaged her in conversation, and when the music started, danced with her. She is the probable reason he visits London so often. She resides with the Earl of Medford and his wife.”

“Quite frankly, Geoffrey, I have never liked Henry in any capacity. I saw him once go into a tirade when a flower girl outside the theatre dared to pull at his elbow to ask him to make a purchase. He puts on airs he does not own.”

“He isn’t one of us, Carleton. His home is pretentious and stuffed with chandeliers, servants and marble statues. He had the gall to inform me that those in the know only referred to the artwork as marbles. It must cost him a fortune to keep the mansion in candles. That said, he has one of the finest stables in the county, which is why I like to hunt there. In truth, if it were not for my attraction to his sister, I would not have lasted the week. He is a pompous ass.” He paused then added, “Yet I would like to know where all this money comes from. His sister has a generous inheritance and he oversees her affairs.” His last statement caused Geoffrey to question Henry’s motives for his sister.

Geoffrey finished his meal and called for another libation.

“Will you see Lady Serena again?” asked Lord Carleton.

“Sad to say, I do not know. We made no arrangements to meet, although I did tell her where she could find me. Dammit to hell, she invades my every thought. I am not ready to marry yet she has made it clear she wants a commitment. The woman has shaken my world.”

“I do not envy you, Geoffrey. We always want what we cannot have. Do you think God plans it that way?”

“I cannot answer for God. Yet I do believe He tests our resolve. He looked to the corner of the room where Henry and LeBran spoke in animated gestures.

“That Leland LeBran—I believe he lost his wife and looks for an heiress with a large inheritance.”

Geoffrey pondered a thought that nagged. He remembered Sir Henry spoke of his sister when he mentioned he had other plans for her. Could Lord LeBran be involved?

Damnation.

“By the way,” Carleton explained, “I am to take Angelique to a French modiste tomorrow. The dressmaker has a large clientele amongst mistresses and courtesans. Since you are a woman’s fashion arbiter, it might get your mind off your lady when you see the proprietress. She has dark hair, too. Besides, I know it will please Angelique to see you.”

“What time?” Geoffrey asked.

“Eleven. Shall I pick you up?” Lord Carleton said.

“Yes, I could use an amusement. By the way, my lady’s figure is voluptuous. Perhaps I will see something I like there to purchase for her.”

“So, Geoffrey, you do plan to see her again?” he chuckled.

“The thought has come to mind.” He slapped his friend on the shoulder.