An Accidental Affair Read online

  Her hand didn’t move. “You risk much with your actions.”

  “I risk nothing.” Merrick stepped back so she couldn’t touch him anymore. “Do enjoy your evening. Perhaps one of your other nephews will make a scandal for you to halt before the night is through. That should keep you amply entertained and happy to be in the thick of it. Go find one of them to reform tonight.”

  She said his given name, Merrick, exasperation tingeing her tone with annoyance, but he turned away, eager to catch one last glimpse of Arabella before he returned to the frustrating task of wading through society, searching for the one woman who could stimulate him in mind and body. Someone he could imagine sitting across from at breakfast every day for the rest of his life. To find someone who might come to care for him as he was and not want others so he might do the same.

  As he entered the ballroom from the terrace, he caught sight of Lord Farnsworth and his daughter Cecily sweeping out toward the entrance hall. They were leaving and not a moment too soon in his opinion. Arabella followed after, speaking quickly to a few women of her acquaintance on her way out. She didn’t notice his return.

  He glanced over the room but found his view no different than earlier in the evening. Lady Mary held court with several gentlemen all trying to gain her favor. Since he was not inclined to take the part of a fool to acquire a wife, he stayed where he was. Unfortunately, none of his other possibilities were here. Perhaps it was time to move on to another party in his endless search for the right spouse.

  Although, after kissing Arabella, he had to conclude his heart was no longer as keen on the others as it had been earlier. Their kiss intrigued him. Perhaps he’d been too hasty in thinking her disinterested.

  Although Louisa attempted to catch his eye, he decided to forget their meeting. He had new information to pursue where Miss Milne was concerned and would call on her father tomorrow, perhaps inviting her driving in the park later this week. Other men might clamor for the young, eligible ladies’ attention, but he would proceed at his own pace. Choosing a spouse was not a decision to rush.

  He strolled after the Farnsworths and, when he gained the butler’s attention, requested his carriage to be called as well.

  “Ah, Rothwell,” Farnsworth drawled. “Are you bored to death of this inane frivolity too and keen for greater excitement elsewhere?”

  Farnsworth ought to watch his mouth. Their hosts were well connected and it was bad form to insult a fellow earl within his home. He glanced at the women of Farnsworth’s party. Cecily stared at him with unabashed interest. Arabella looked anywhere but at him. “I have an early meeting tomorrow and must review some papers before dawn or I would be very glad to stay.”

  Farnsworth grunted and glanced at his watch. He had no interest in other people’s affairs as far as Merrick could detect. The new earl kept to himself and played fast and loose with his fortune. Farnsworth thrust his watch away and stalked to the door, cornering the poor butler. “Where the devil is that carriage?”

  Merrick was impressed the butler managed to keep his composure in the face of such violent demands.

  Good manners dictated Merrick not ignore the ladies present, so he turned his attention to Arabella at last. Her color was heightened, her cheeks as fresh as a young girl’s. “Did you enjoy your evening?”

  Her blush increased. “I did, thank you. Lord and Lady Harrison are always gracious hosts. The music was wonderful.”

  He’d seen her foot tapping as the dancers had twirled upon the floor. She appeared so enamored of music that he couldn’t fathom why she did not dance more often. “Did you venture into his library by chance? I mention this as I am aware of your interest in orchids through our mutual friend Grayling and remember now that Harrison has acquired a new specimen since his last event. The orchid is quite an unusual color. I’ve never seen its like before.”

  Her face fell as Lord Farnsworth snapped his fingers to gain her attention. “I hadn’t heard, but it seems there is no time to look now. Perhaps I will see it on another night and with luck Lady Harrison’s collection too. Good night, Rothwell.”

  A chill raced through him. He should have told Arabella the truth about the riding crops when he had a chance, but there was no time now. Farnsworth snapped his fingers again and grabbed Arabella’s arm to steer her to the door. Merrick ground his teeth to prevent interfering. A gentleman never rushed a lady when she was in the midst of a conversation and his temper flared dangerously. “Lady Farnsworth. Miss Cecily. A pleasure to see you again.”

  When they were through the door, he followed to observe them together. Farnsworth appeared somewhat of a tyrant about punctuality and getting his way. He wasn’t close enough to speak to them but was close enough for one last glance. Arabella appeared unconcerned as Farnsworth’s tirade grew louder. She climbed into the carriage and turned her face toward the window and him immediately.

  Again, Merrick was beset by a yearning for what he couldn’t have. It should be enough that he had touched her tonight, kissed her till she was breathless, an opportunity he’d seized without thought. He should regret the mistake he’d made, yet he found he wasn’t that cross with himself at all. In fact, he was rather pleased. He hoped she felt the same.

  He raised his hand in farewell as the Farnsworth carriage moved off, then he entered his own as it stopped before him and gave directions to a soiree at Lady Ettington’s home a short distance away. He was two blocks from the Ettington town house when he changed his mind about his evening plans. He tapped on the roof and directed the coachman toward his own home instead. There was plenty of time to search for a wife. With luck, he would find someone who liked him just the way he was some other night.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Anson Holland, Merrick’s assistant of several years, cleared his throat noisily, interrupting Merrick’s perusal of the paper spread before him. He’d been up early to deal with his business affairs, but his heart hadn’t truly been prepared. He couldn’t keep his mind away from thoughts of Arabella, so as a last resort to leaving the house entirely and strolling past her home on the off chance of seeing her at a window, he’d seized on the daily scandal sheets littering the dining room to see if her name was mentioned, even anonymously.

  Merrick didn’t bother to look up when he spoke. “What is it now?”

  “You returned home early last night,” Holland observed. “I trust the evening was uneventful.”

  Despite his best efforts, his eyes were drawn to where Holland waited, standing at attention beside the dining table. He sighed. There were days when the man was far too nosy. Yet Merrick could never ignore him completely. Holland, though few knew it, was one of his father’s extramarital mistakes. Instead of answering immediately, he continued to peruse the paper until he was satisfied. So far, no mention of his cousin, Lady Cecily, or Arabella had made the scandal sheet and that brought relief.

  Yet on further reflection, he had not behaved very well last night and should be ashamed. He should have apologized for mistakenly kissing Arabella rather than thanking her. “It was pleasant.”

  Holland shuffled his feet. “Was that understatement for my benefit? Didn’t Lady Penelope Ford attend as well?” Holland touched the tabletop with his fingertips and then peered at them as if looking for nonexistent dust. “What did happen last night? You accepted three invitations, yet you were home by half past ten o’clock.”

  Bloody hell. The man was keeping watch on his movements. If he weren’t so loyal, Merrick would actually be concerned. “Nothing.”

  Holland poured a coffee from the sideboard and placed it on the paper beneath Merrick’s nose, forcing him to look up. “Your face indicates otherwise.”

  Merrick stared at the man he depended on most. Holland’s calm, organized temperament was well suited to managing Merrick’s affairs. His hair was just showing signs of age in the form of patches of gray at his temples, giving him a dignified bearing, though a formerly scruffy barkeep lurked beneath. Merrick heaved a heavy sigh and s
at back, stretching his legs out beneath the table, and took up the cup. “I see you’ve not the temperament for minding your own business.”

  His half brother met his gaze, familiar features creased with concern. “I cannot help it. You gave up much to offer me a position, and the others too. We are here to watch over you, and your happiness affects the whole household.”

  Holland was family and family, in Merrick’s opinion, was never easily dismissed, so Merrick folded the paper and set it aside. “You worry too much.”

  Holland nodded. “Yes, you’ve made that very plain in the past, so tell me before I imagine the worst.”

  He shook his head. “Last night I prevented one Ford scandal and merely stirred the old sow. Not a bad night.”

  Holland’s eyes grew wide. “Promise me you did not call Lady Penelope that out loud.”

  Merrick laughed at Holland’s shocked expression. “Why do you care? The woman can hardly bear to look at you. You are far too considerate of her feelings.”

  “And what would a good woman such as Lady Penelope Ford want to look at me for? You should follow your own rules and think better of her. She is family, after all.”

  “Not yours.” Merrick drained the last of his coffee and stood. “I’ve told you she isn’t even human. I won’t pretend to like her.”

  Holland swallowed. “She could help smooth the way in your search for a wife. You know how important this decision is. I want you to marry well and be happy.”

  Merrick shot to his feet. “If she learns from you or anyone under my roof that I am surveying the field, then there will be a ruthless cleansing of the household, after which I will never allow another relation, illegitimate or not, beneath my roof. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, my lord,” Holland whispered, his face turning white. “You’ve made that very plain to all of us who depend on you.”

  Merrick immediately regretted his abrupt threat. Having his half siblings under his roof these past years had proved no great hardship. He slept much better at night knowing where they all were, in fact.

  He filled another cup and handed it to Holland as a peace offering. “Was there something else? Your face indicates there is,” he said, mimicking Holland’s earlier words.

  Holland took the offered cup and took his time drinking the bitter brew, a sure sign Merrick wouldn’t like the news he was going to impart. “It’s not urgent.”

  “Come on, man, spit it out.” He eased back into his chair to wait. Leaving out Holland, the only sensible one in the pack, his other half brothers were not temperate creatures. There was always some to-do between their brothers. A firm warning tended to calm things down. “Who is it and what have they done now?”

  “Jimmy and James.” Holland quickly swallowed a mouthful of coffee before setting the cup aside. “They’ve been fighting.”

  “Not a shock there. Between themselves, as usual?”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Jimmy and James were the most problematic. They were arrogant little sods and proud to be employed in an earl’s house where they were well treated, fed, and clothed. He even gave them leave to visit their families three times a year. “Over what this time?”

  “That I cannot get out of them.” Holland did not look happy about that fact. There was a pecking order in the house. Everyone Merrick employed knew their welfare depended on keeping Holland’s good opinion, and Holland had mentioned more than once that their comfort depended on Merrick’s continuing good graces. Most lords would not have concerned themselves with their illegitimate brothers and sisters. Merrick, the only legitimate child sired, did what he could to correct his father’s wickedness.

  “Bring them in and I’ll deal with it.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Holland quickly departed, returning a short time later with his two younger half siblings in tow. Both looked embarrassed to be brought before him again. If memory served, it was the third time in as many weeks. He studied them closely. Jimmy would have a black eye by dinnertime, and James’s lower lip wept blood from a cut. “Explain yourselves.”

  When they looked down instead of answering, Merrick rose slowly and circled till he stood behind them. He reached out and caught them both about the neck and smacked their heads together.

  “Ouch.”

  “Hey, steady on.”

  Sometimes being unpredictable proved very satisfying. “Idiots. You’re upsetting Holland with your nonsense. Very soon he’s going to request you be sent back home to Needham Hollow and two others brought up to replace you. You know how he hates disruptions in the midst of the season.”

  “We’re sorry, milord,” they mumbled in unison.

  “I do not want an apology. You owe that to Holland.” He sat again and folded his hands over his lap. “What I want is an explanation.”

  Jimmy, the smallest of the pair, fidgeted. They glanced at each other guilty then at Holland. “James claimed a greater resemblance, sir. I don’t believe it.”

  Merrick exchanged a glance with Holland, but the other man covered his eyes. “Resemblance to what? What the devil!”

  Holland lifted his head and stared at their half brothers with annoyance twisting his lips. “Are you still debating which of you looks more like Lord Rothwell? I thought that was settled long ago.”

  Merrick stood quickly. “You must be joking?”

  “Forgive me. I thought this matter had been settled and would not recur.” Holland winced. “It seems there is a certain cache for owning a greater resemblance to yourself among those you’ve taken in. For some it is a point of pride and has led to some unfortunate behavior. This fight being a prime example of it all. I am sorry to have troubled you.”

  Merrick stared at the men before him. They wanted to look like him? To be known as the bastard son of their scoundrel father? His mind couldn’t fathom why. He threw his hands up in the air. “This is ridiculous. Jimmy, your forehead is too wide; James, your nose is too squat. You look very little like me except for your brown eyes. I will acknowledge that at least.”

  Both men perked up at his words. Jimmy nodded. “If you don’t mind having the final say, my lord, would you cast your vote on who out of all of us most resembles you?”

  Merrick rolled his eyes. “Impertinent wretch. There is but one among you cursed with such a close likeness that it is obvious to any who observe. Holland, do send them back to their duties. I don’t want to hear of this matter ever again.”

  Holland hustled the two men toward the door. “Yes, my lord. Forgive the interruption.”

  “But he didn’t say,” Jimmy squawked, peering behind to where Merrick sat.

  When they paused at the threshold, Merrick sighed. “Holland bears the closest resemblance. Any idiot, even you pair of clods, should be able to see that.”

  Yes, Holland, though older by a few years, was the closest in appearance, and that was why Merrick would never return to Newberry Park and had no time for his Ford relations. They felt Holland should be sent away and forgotten for the sake of their reputation as upstanding members of society. However, Holland had proved himself a valuable man in Merrick’s service many times over including that awkward first discovery, which had given Merrick the pleasure of thwarting his grandfather and Aunt Pen by turning his back on them instead.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “I swear, Lady Farnsworth, you must be the worst chaperone in history,” Lord Farnsworth said. “Can you not keep track of a single girl for the length of time of one ball? Perhaps you’ve spent too much time on your own to know what’s acceptable behavior and what isn’t?”

  Arabella flinched at the unfair accusation. If her brother-in-law hadn’t sired a devil in disguise, then they wouldn’t be in this predicament. After last night’s discovery, she’d reconsidered everything she knew about her niece and concluded she’d been duped. The girl was bound for trouble and by her own design, no less.

  She held her tongue rather than speak out of spite. Farnsworth’s temper was never far away, and she depende
d on his good opinion to maintain her limited independence. Although she had done everything he’d demanded with regard to Cecily’s season, he continued to cast doubts on her return to Winslette House in Wiltshire in order to get his way.

  She steeled herself to be agreeable but didn’t like her chances of Farnsworth retrieving his good humor any time soon. The morning had not gone well. Farnsworth had received several notes from important personages that raised questions about his daughter’s behavior at the festivities last night. Questions of where she may have disappeared to often led to answers. So far, there were no reports of Cecily being seen in Lieutenant Ford’s arms, but Arabella was counting down the minutes.

  Farnsworth stood and paced behind his desk, hands clasped behind his back. “Given that Cecily and tragedy are determined to be constant companions, I’ve taken steps to ensure the future is secure.”

  “What kind of steps?” But Arabella had a sinking feeling in her stomach that she already knew what his answer would be. He’d been very clear that Cecily had to marry this season and he would fund no further expeditions to London in future years.

  His gaze sharpened until Arabella was near to squirming from his scrutiny. “All in good time, my dear. See that she behaves herself today and tomorrow, and if all goes to plan, we will have everything settled. By the end of the week, life could go on as it should.”

  Arabella’s heart sank. She prayed Farnsworth hadn’t already signed marriage contracts behind their backs. Farnsworth was the most stubborn of men and hated any attempt to change his mind. He had hopefully not gone so far in his plans for Cecily’s future that he wouldn’t see reason if he’d made a bad choice for the girl. Arabella had little influence over Farnsworth, and Cecily’s tears would bring nothing but his bad temper. She just hoped if he’d made a match for the girl that the gentleman possessed a steady temperament. “Can you not offer a hint so that I may know in which direction to steer our attention? I would hate to work against your plans.”