The Offer

  “She never comes to me anymore,” the earl said, his fingers patting her hair. “It’s probably because she feels guilty. No, don’t look so surprised, Sabrina. Now you’ve insulted me. How could you ever imagine that I’d believe the filth she and Trevor told me.

  “In all truth, I’d like to kill him, but then my family would be done. But perhaps it would be best if the line died with me. It makes me shudder to think of the sort of children Trevor and Elizabeth will have.” He paused a moment, still running his fingers through her hair. His breathing sounded calm, normal. It relieved her enormously.

  “I remember when I brought that honey-voiced pretty boy here to Monmouth Abbey. I believed he was a fop, but harmless for all that. He’s not, Sabrina. I know that it’s your husband’s hand and Richard Clarendon’s that keep him from murdering me. Still, it grates that I could have been so wrong with respect to his character.”

  Was he seriously considering killing Trevor? She didn’t know. She’d never thought of her grandfather in a way that would allow him to do such a thing. She leaned back, looking up at him. “Thank you for believing me.”

  “Your husband told Jesperson what had happened. Jesperson told me. I’m in your husband’s debt for all my days, Sabrina.”

  She paused just a moment, just a veritable instant. “Phillip is very kind. He is honest and honorable. Oh, enough of this. We are together again and I want us to talk and laugh the way we used to until you groaned with weariness and finally sent me to my bed.”

  “You came home because you have no place else to go.”

  She couldn’t look away from those eyes of his that seemed to see everything both outside and inside her all her life. She ran her tongue over her bottom lip. How could he know that she’d left her husband? She tried to smile, but it wasn’t much of a success. “Could you read Grandmother Camilla’s thoughts?”

  “No, love, but I read what you didn’t write to me in your letters. I know you very well, Sabrina. There was little joy in the words you wrote, then there was none at all. If I hadn’t been tied here, I would have been in London immediately. Probably I would have challenged that viscount of yours to a duel.”

  “No, I doubt you would have done that.”

  “Well, possibly you’re right. Richard Clarendon told me all about him.”

  “Richard? He praised Phillip?”

  “Richard also is an honorable man. He told me the truth. By the time he’d finished, I felt as if I knew your husband. I can’t tell you how relieved I was, Sabrina, that you didn’t fall into the hands of another rotter, like Trevor.”

  “Oh no, Phillip isn’t a rotter by any stretch of the imagination. So now you know what sort of man he is.” She paused a moment, looking at the dancing flames in the fireplace. She said slowly, “It’s just that London, all that fine society, it’s very different, Grandfather. I didn’t do well there. Actually, I did until it came out that I’d spent the five days with Phillip and everyone called me a trollop. No, it’s the rules there. I don’t understand them. I couldn’t live with them.”

  “What rules?”

  “Phillip wanted his freedom. He has a mistress. Her name is Martine. He makes no secret of it. I just couldn’t accept it.”

  “I see.”

  “Only if Phillip hadn’t damaged me. Can you believe that word, Grandfather? Damaged. As if I were something that could be torn apart, like a bundle. It’s difficult to accept that people think like that, but they do. Not just men, but women as well.”

  She stared down at the faded pattern in the carpet. “Phillip is generous, Grandfather, and as I said, he’s kind and honorable.”

  The earl nodded for her to continue.

  “We fought. I never thought anyone could rival your temper, but Phillip does.”

  “You fought about his mistress?”

  “Among other things. It wasn’t well done of me. You see, when I made him an offer to marry me, I told him he could have his freedom.”

  The old earl would have choked if he’d been drinking anything. “You told this young man that he could continue bedding women who weren’t his wife?”

  “Yes. He rudely told me that he already had his freedom, that he’d do just as he pleased. And he did.”

  “And that’s why you left him?”

  She was so transparent, she thought, looking down at her short, blunt fingernails. “Actually, I love him. He doesn’t love me. He is responsible for me. He protects me, but he doesn’t love me. Oh, Grandfather, I did the most terrible thing to him, and yet, I know that I would do it again. That’s why I had to leave. I knew I could never accept the other women.”

  “What did you do? Something outrageous and worthy of an Eversleigh?”

  She smiled, but it quickly turned into a moan. She buried her face in his dressing gown. “I went to his mistress’s rooms and found them together. No, he wasn’t actually in bed with her nor was he naked. She was, or very nearly. I went mad. I kicked him in the groin, Grandfather, then I ran back home. He found me there. He didn’t retaliate, didn’t hurt me at all, regardless of what I’d done to him. But I knew at that moment that it was all over.”

  “Oh, my God,” the old earl said. “You kicked him? There?”

  “Yes, I brought him low. I didn’t realize that it would be so awful for a man to be kicked there.”

  “There is no worse a place to be kicked.”

  “After he left me at home, I knew I couldn’t remain. Everything was in a shambles. There was no hope, else I would have stayed. So I left the next morning. I hired a carriage and came here.”

  The earl looked thoughtfully into her violet eyes, Camilla’s eyes. He thought it likely upon brief reflection that his ferociously loyal and loving wife would have done the same to him had he been inclined to take a mistress, which had never even occurred to him to do.

  The earl leaned forward in his chair and took one of her hands into his. “You love him, with all your heart? You would give your life for him? You would do your best to protect him, no matter the cost?”

  “Yes.”

  He laughed. “Is he a blockhead then? Hasn’t he the brains to see clearly and deeply into things? Into people? Surely a wifely kick in the groin should have convinced him of your feelings.” He wished that he’d actually met the viscount. He stroked her rich auburn hair, now tumbled down her back. “Well, I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.” He looked into the orange flames in the fireplace and saw another face, so like Sabrina’s, from a past that had long since turned to ashes and memories. “I’ve told you this before. You are Camilla’s granddaughter. Believe me, Sabrina, no man who knew her would have ever willingly let her go. Once I saw her, once I really saw her, I never did.”

  41

  Ribble pulled open the front doors and stared at the gentleman in front of him. He grinned. He laughed. He held out his hand, surely not what a butler should do, but he didn’t think, just did it.

  Phillip didn’t hesitate. He shook the man’s hand. “It’s good to see you again, Ribble.”

  “Thank you, my lord. Oh, dear, this is passing strange and yet wonderful, don’t misunderstand me. Her ladyship will be so very happy to see you. She didn’t tell us precisely when to expect you. But you have come so quickly. Do come in, my lord. Yes, let me take your greatcoat and your gloves. Yes, this is a happy day.”

  “You’re right. Her ladyship will doubtless be very surprised to see me.” Phillip looked around the huge entrance hall. He saw a door open, heard the rustling of silk. There was Elizabeth. She didn’t say a word until she stood a foot from him.

  “So, you’ve come.”

  He gave her a mocking bow and smiled at her, showing his teeth. “Of course. I trust you’ve taken good care of my wife.” Now he would find out what Sabrina had told her damned sister. He waited, all calm and composed, an eyebrow arched.

  “She only arrived yesterday evening, my lord. She went immediately up to her grandfather. I’ve scarce had time to even s
ee her. I doubt she even left his room last night.”

  “Well, that wouldn’t be surprising, now would it, Elizabeth?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, my lord.”

  “Don’t you now? A very beautiful young girl just might fear becoming a victim to roaming villains in the halls. She could be afraid that one of those villains might try to break into her bedchamber.”

  “That’s ridiculous. There are no roaming villains here. But were I to guess, I would have to say that your metaphor was rude.”

  “It wasn’t a metaphor.”

  She froze. He waved his hand. “All right, no more, Elizabeth. The earl continues to improve?”

  Elizabeth got hold of herself. She even managed to shrug. “Naturally. Everyone lives and breathes to see that he continues to do so. He will outlive all of us. I will be the Countess of Monmouth, yet sometimes I wonder if I will enjoy it if I only gain it when I’m an old woman.” She shrugged again. “Undoubtedly the arrival of his precious Sabrina has made him feel even better.”

  “I’ve found that Sabrina’s presence enlivens the spirits of most around her. Where is she, Elizabeth?”

  “With the earl, I would imagine. As I told you, she hasn’t left his rooms, as far as I know.”

  “I should be delighted to escort his lordship to the earl, my lady,” Ribble said.

  Elizabeth merely waved them away.

  “Perhaps I shall see you later,” Phillip said as he turned to follow Ribble up the great staircase. “Oh, I should also enjoy seeing your sterling husband again. Does he flourish?”

  “He will always flourish.”

  Was that a note of bitterness he heard? “That’s a pity,” he said. “But you know, I’m not surprised.”

  Phillip dismissed the butler with a pleasant smile and knocked on the earl’s door.

  “My lord!”

  “Good day to you, Jesperson. How goes the earl?”

  “Ah, the laughter I’ve heard since Lady Sabrina returned. He is smiling again and he has so much more strength. Don’t get me wrong. He will be very happy to see you as well, I’m sure of it.”

  Phillip wasn’t quite as sure as Jesperson was, but he only nodded. He wondered what Sabrina had told her grandfather.

  As they walked through the sitting room to the bedchamber beyond, Phillip asked quietly, “You’ve had no interference in your care of the earl?”

  “None whatsoever, my lord, not since you and the marquess came to see Master Trevor.”

  “So the little worm has kept his distance?”

  “A very goodly distance,” Jesperson said, and grinned widely. “I hear him carp and whine outside the door, but he never tries to push his way in.”

  “Is my wife with the earl now?”

  “No, my lord. He sent her away about an hour ago. Wanted her to get some color in her cheeks, he said. She’s always loved the outdoors.”

  “She’s riding?” Phillip asked. “It’s very cold outside, Jesperson.”

  Jesperson shook his head. “No, my lord. She said something about visiting Miss Pixel’s new kittens in the stables.”

  “You mean the damned cat isn’t even married?”

  Jesperson laughed. He opened the adjoining door to the earl’s bedchamber and motioned the viscount into the room. Phillip drew to a halt and looked at the old man who sat hunched forward in a chair by the fireplace, a tartan blanket wrapped about his legs. The earl turned his head slowly and the viscount found himself staring into a pair of lively blue eyes, sunk beneath a craggy brow. He looked like a tough old bird. Phillip smiled at him.

  “You, I presume, are Sabrina’s husband?” the earl said in a rich deep voice, a strong voice, not that of an invalid.

  Phillip walked forward and took the earl’s twisted fingers in his hand. “Yes, sir, I’m Sabrina’s husband. Phillip Mercerault.”

  “Sit down, my lord.”

  Phillip did as he was bid, and sat on a faded brocade chair opposite the earl.

  “Forgive my travel dirt, sir. I didn’t wish to take the time to change.”

  The earl waved an indifferent hand. “Richard Clarendon told me good things about you, my lord. He said you were a man of honor, no matter that you’d poached upon his preserves.”

  “Richard and I have known each other since we were boys at Eton. I’m pleased he didn’t paint me as another devil to you.”

  “Oh no. The dear lad wanted desperately to kill Trevor, to strangle the cur, he told me. He said you’d told him he could kill Trevor only after you were done with him.”

  Phillip laughed. “That’s close enough. Is Sabrina all right, sir?”

  “Well, now, my lord, she will be vastly surprised to see you though I must admit I’m not.”

  “Yes, she will be surprised. She has yet to recover her confidence from the drubbing she took in London. Also, she doesn’t seem to understand what effect she has on people, particularly the effect she has on me. I’m here to fetch her home.”

  The viscount was handsome, the earl would give him that. He was well spoken, well made. There was no cruelty in his face, no signs of discontent, or displeasure at what he was. He was a man’s man, but with the charm to seduce the skirts easily off any woman he set his sights on. Perhaps he’d been like Phillip Mercerault when he’d been young. He honestly couldn’t remember the man he was before Camilla had come into his life.

  A man’s hands told him a lot as well. They were strong hands, well formed. Capable hands. The earl approved of what he saw. He said slowly, his eyes going back to the viscount’s face, “You’ve set yourself a goodly problem, lad. Sabrina just might not choose to go back with you. This is her home, you know, and I won’t force her to return with you if she doesn’t wish to.”

  Phillip, tired to his bones, so worried he was nearly cross-eyed, sat forward in his chair, his hands clasped between his knees, and said, “Forgive me, my lord, for being blunt, but Sabrina is my wife, and will do as I bid her. She isn’t yet in the habit of obeying me, but perhaps that will change once she understands what I’m about. Yes, I’m here to get her. That’s an end to it.”

  The earl’s blue eyes twinkled. “It surprises me, lad, that my granddaughter hasn’t taken a whip to you, called you a tyrant, and tried to shoot you.”

  Phillip smiled, a pained smile. “Actually, she kicked me in the groin. It wasn’t pleasant. I thought I was going to die and for a few minutes there I would have welcomed it. I don’t know how I can smile about it now. I suppose it’s because I’m here and have nearly got her again and I know that she didn’t render me impotent.”

  The earl couldn’t help himself. He laughed out loud. He squared his shoulders at the quick burst of pain, a bit difficult, but he managed it. He said quickly, seeing the look of concern on the viscount’s face, “Keep your seat, my lord. Age and infirmity are a damned bore, but it’s what awaits all of us. What is of the most importance now is my granddaughter. She spoke of you as being kind, my lord, kind and noble.”

  “She has alternately yelled at me that I’m a conceited ass, then tried to strangle me with what she perceives as my blasted nobility. It will stop.”

  “You didn’t wed Sabrina out of duty then? Nobility, if you will?”

  Phillip was silent for a moment. He said, finally, “There are rules, sir, codes of behavior that must govern society, else we might well find ourselves back in trees and caves, wearing animal skins. I suppose that in the beginning my offer of marriage to Sabrina was motivated by a sense of duty. She refused me upon several occasions. As you are undoubtedly aware, it was her imminent ruin in London society that finally forced her to wed me. It was she who offered for me then. I didn’t regret wedding her. I doubt I ever will, even if she strikes me in my manhood again. Well, perhaps I’ll entertain visions of strangling her if she does it again. A man can take just so much, you understand.”

  “I well understand you. Now, you say you don’t regret marrying her. Still, it was a marriage forced upon both of you,
by the rules of society. I wonder how such a marriage can flourish if there is nothing else to support it.”

  “Sabrina loves me. She told me she did.”

  “Did you believe her?” The old earl looked down at his twisted fingers, blast the pain of them. “Or did you just think that she was a little girl playing a woman and it was all just infatuation?”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I thought because, you see, I didn’t want her to love me. It scared me to my toes, this love of hers that offered me everything. I told her it was just infatuation. I was a fool. I freely admit it. I plan to tell her that, as soon as I get my hands on her.”

  “She’s very proud. She’s also very stubborn, just like her grandmother. That woman would get something mired in her mind and it would take the earth tilting to change her opinion. I wish you luck.”

  “These two qualities make us well suited, I think.”

  “Possibly. But it will lead you both to ferocious ragtag fights. Doubt it not, my lord.”

  “Just so long as she doesn’t try to destroy my manhood, she can screech at me as much as she wishes. Actually, she excels at hurling things such as jam pots, plates, and such, at my head.” Phillip rose then. “Sabrina did me a great disservice by leaving London before I could speak with her again.” He frowned. “Actually, that’s not exactly true. I left her. I was sunk in a sinkhole and couldn’t get my brains together. It’s also true that we haven’t dealt well together since our marriage. However, it is my intention to assure that she will never again have the opportunity to misinterpret my feelings. Now, if you will tell me where I may find her.”

  “And if she refuses to speak with you?”

  A singularly gentle smile touched the viscount’s hazel eyes. “Then I’ll kiss her until she’s silly. If I have to I’ll even tie her down, then kiss her some more.”

  “It’s likely you’ll find her either in the orchard or in the stables, playing with Miss Pixel’s new kittens.”

  “I wonder if there’s a possible racing kitten among them?”

  “Ah yes, even I’ve heard of the Mountvale racing cat trainers in southern England. It’s a wonderful sport though it has yet to catch on up here in the north. But everyone has heard of the McCaultry Racecourse near Eastbourne. Do you have a racing cat?”