Compromising the Marquess Page 7

“It is one of my many interests.”

  “Do you have a ship that transports the timber?”

  “Absolutely,” he said. “Why would the lumber warehouses be situated on the river otherwise?”

  “Of course.”

  Hal could hardly believe that two hours had passed when Felicity stood and the other ladies followed suit. It seemed more like half an hour. On his feet also, Hal helped Leah with her chair. He stood back as she followed the other ladies from the room, unsure if he’d learned anything about her that he didn’t already know. Miss Elliott certainly played her cards close to her chest.

  Chapter Six

  As Leah left the room, she was glad that Lord Denby could no longer see her face. The way he’d looked at her throughout the meal with such cool amusement had been most unsettling. He was merely countering the boredom he made little effort to disguise by toying with her, simply because he could, that much was obvious. Had he not told her at the outset that he seldom abided by the rules governing society? That was all very well, but she was no man’s plaything and ought to have felt insulted. Instead it took every ounce of ingenuity she possessed not to respond to his compelling charm.

  She was of no consequence. No one would take him to task for amusing himself at her expense. Worse though, she was fairly sure he’d recognized her as the lad from the mill. Why else would he have invited her to witness such a lawless spectacle? He ought to have been better mannered than to have mentioned it. It was insulting and she was quite out of charity with the infuriating man.

  Miss Bentley brushed past her without apology, looking on the verge of tears. She’d heard it said that his lordship was on the point of declaring for her. That being the case, surely he should have escorted his intended into dinner?

  Leah’s head spun as she tried to reason it through. She had now met Lord Denby twice, which was more than sufficient for her to deduce that he was both powerful and formidable. Was she insane, even thinking about delving into his private business? The marquess wasn’t the type of gentleman who would take kindly to interference in his affairs.

  She glanced at Beth, walking ahead of her in animated conversation with Felicity, and decided she was perfectly sane. For Beth to have the future she deserved, Leah must ensure there were funds available to make it happen. If, by so doing, she displeased an arrogant aristocrat with lethal good looks, a devastating smile and intelligent eyes that missed little, it was a price she would pay with a smile on her lips.

  Beth dropped back and linked her arm through Leah’s.

  “You were singularly honoured,” she said.

  “But I’m willing to wager that you had a better time of it with Lord Gabriel.”

  Beth’s radiant smile was a joy to behold. “He’s very charming and quite put me at my ease.”

  “And why should he not? You are by far the most beautiful young lady here.”

  Beth laughed. “Rubbish! But still, I’m so glad that the marquess didn’t require me to sit with him. I wouldn’t have known what to say to him. Poor Leah! Was it so very bad?”

  “He was amiable enough, I suppose, but I’m glad it’s over.”

  “I think Miss Bentley feels slighted.”

  “Then she’s a fool. She cannot seriously look upon me as competition.”

  “Her mother continues to whisper of a forthcoming announcement. She seems to think it’s quite a settled thing.”

  Leah had her doubts about that but since they had now reached the drawing room she kept them to herself. Their aunt joined them, appearing unsteady on her feet.

  “Well, miss,” she said, “you were honoured. What did the marquess have to say to you?”

  “Lower your voice, aunt,” Leah said, assisting Lady Wantage to a chair. “Everyone can hear you.”

  “What’s that to me?” When Leah remained silent, her aunt spoke again. “Was it really necessary to throw yourself at Miss Bentley’s fiancé and make an enemy out of her mama? I have worked so hard to cultivate her good opinion, and you have undone all my good work in one evening.”

  “Leah did nothing wrong, aunt,” Beth said stoutly. “She could hardly deny his lordship’s request without offending him. Whom would you rather be on poor terms with?”

  “Yes, you’re right, of course.” Aunt Augusta expelled a long sigh. “Just leave the field clear for Miss Bentley for the rest of the evening.”

  Before Leah could answer, Felicity came to the rescue by pouring tea and asking Leah to hand the cups round.

  “Sorry,” Leah mouthed, nodding towards her aunt, who appeared to be falling asleep.

  “Don’t give it another thought.” Felicity touched Leah’s hand. “We cannot help our relatives.”

  “No.” Leah rolled her eyes. “That’s certainly true.”

  The gentlemen joined the ladies a short time later and music was suggested. Leah was glad. It meant she could take a seat at the back of the room and become invisible. It was the best way to garner information, watching people when they were unaware they were being observed.

  Miss Bentley almost tripped over her skirts in her rush to reach the instrument. Her performance was polished. Leah couldn’t fault it, yet it gave her little pleasure. There was no passion in the execution and she found her mind wandering. The room was over-hot, the door to the terrace open directly behind her. On a whim Leah slipped through it. Everyone’s attention was on the pianist and she was convinced no one saw her leave.

  Alone on the terrace, Leah raised her arms above her head and let out a slow breath of relief. She really was the most unsocial creature on God’s earth. Everyone else appeared delighted with the evening’s entertainment but, having been treated to almost two hours of Lord Denby’s exclusive attention, everything now felt flat. Besides, she was still curious about all the security in the grounds. Perhaps she could discover a little more about the reason for it whilst everyone else was attending to the music.

  With that plan in mind she rounded the side of the terrace, peering into the semidarkness. The lawns sloped towards a large lake. On the other side of that, open woodland led to the edge of the estate. It was on the periphery of those woods that Leah had seen men patrolling with rifles over their shoulders. She squinted, thinking she detected movement, but it was now almost full dark and she couldn’t be sure. She sighed, wondering what she’d realistically expected to accomplish. It was natural enough in these unsettled times for the marquess to protect his family in any way he saw fit. There was nothing sinister about that. Besides, even if she could accost one of the men, she could hardly ask him what precisely he’d been appointed to protect.

  “You’re being ridiculous,” she said aloud.

  “In what respect?”

  Leah almost jumped out of her skin. She hadn’t heard anyone approaching. She turned, a hand pressed against her chest as her heartbeat slowly returned to normal, and confronted Lord Denby.

  “I didn’t know anyone else was out here,” she said, avoiding his question.

  “Evidently.”

  He said nothing more as he stood beside her—too close, surely?—and followed the direction of her gaze. Presumably he assumed she would find the silence unsettling, demonstrating just how little he knew her. In her capacity as a newspaperwoman she had learned to make silences work for her. The less she said, the more people felt compelled to confide in her. Since she did not desire Lord Denby’s confidence, she strolled away from him, moving farther along the terrace. He followed her.

  “If you tell me what it is that you seek, I shall be glad to direct you.”

  “Why do you suppose I seek anything?”

  “Why do you always answer a question with another question?”

  “I have an enquiring mind.”

  He chortled. “So it would appear.”

  “Should you not be listening to your guests perform?”

  “Music bores me, unless it’s played with passion, from the soul.”

  She blinked up at him. It was as though he’d read her own t
houghts in that respect before she escaped the drawing room. “And yet the young ladies who have performed appear determined to impress you. Especially Miss Bentley. She will be devastated by your incivility.”

  “I daresay she’ll get over it.” He lifted his shoulders, as though he didn’t much care if she did not. “Shall you play for us, Miss Elliott? That performance, I can promise you, I shall attend to with great diligence.”

  “Unfortunately I don’t play.”

  “Ah, alas!”

  Leah gazed up at the sky. Darkness had fallen whilst they shot verbal arrows at one another. Stars dotted the velvety sky, seemingly close enough to touch. Leah would never tire of looking at them. She felt at peace in such moments, even with the large, unsettling presence of a marquess on the prowl at her side.

  “No wonder poets take their inspiration from the galaxy,” she said softly.

  “Looking at the sky puts you in a philosophical frame of mind?”

  “Always. My mother loved the stars. She taught Beth and me to recognize the constellations. That is the Bear over there,” she said, pointing to her left. “And I believe that might be Cassiopeia, Andromeda’s mother.”

  “Cassiopeia appears in November. I think that is most likely Circini that you can see.”

  “Perhaps, but I wish it to be Cassiopeia,” she said, a hint of impatience in her tone. “Must we always be so precise about everything? Can we not pretend? Where’s the harm in that?”

  His hand brushed her back. “We can do anything your heart desires.”

  Her breath caught in her throat and it was a moment before she spoke again. “Do you believe it’s possible to die from a broken heart?” she asked, her back still turned towards him.

  “The poets would have you think so.” His breath peppered her neck as he spoke quietly in her ear. “Why do you ask?”

  She let out a soft sigh. “I sometimes think that’s what happened to my mother. My father died and she simply lost the will to live. She couldn’t exist without him, you see, and had no desire to even try.”

  “You are a romantic, Miss Elliott?”

  “I am a realist, Lord Denby.” She finally turned to face him, only to discover he was a lot closer than she’d realised, looming over her, as lithe and dangerous as a predatory cat. He trapped her against the balustrade by placing one hand on either side of her body.

  “You believe in the power of the stars, you think your mother died of a broken heart and yet call yourself a realist.” He mocked her with his eyes. “How can that be?”

  “I love the solar system, I know my mother’s heart was broken and yet I am a realist. I shall never marry, you see, or fall victim to any power that cedes control over my heart to another.”

  He laughed aloud. “Don’t all young ladies dream of being swept off their feet?”

  “Not this one. I’ve seen the sorts of lives those ladies finish up living, once the gloss wears off.”

  “So cynical,” he said softly.

  “I have lived all of my life in an unfashionable district of London, Lord Denby, and am qualified to know what I talk about. I see for myself, every day, the consequences of unguarded passion.”

  The glint in his eye made Leah wonder if he planned to contest that assertion. Part of her hoped that he would—all in the name of research, naturally. The sensible side of her character caused her to recoil. Well-bred girls simply did not linger with aristocrats on deserted terraces. But since when had Leah given two figs for propriety? Even so, she ought to object and, indeed, she would have done, had her limbs not frozen in place.

  “Are you saying that nothing, or no one, could persuade you to fall in love?” he asked in a wickedly seductive purr. “Think carefully before you answer me. A lot of men might take a response in the affirmative as a direct challenge.”

  “I’m not afraid of you,” she said, her voice coming out in a breathless whisper.

  “Then you’re a fool. I’m a very dangerous man. Hasn’t your friend Mrs. Wilkinson made you appreciate at least that much?”

  “Mrs. Wilkinson would not go that far.”

  “Perhaps not, but how far do you suppose I would go to prove a point?”

  He lowered his head and, with agonizing slowness, his lips covered hers. Leah was mesmerized. In the dim recesses of her mind she knew she ought to object but a fine tremor in the pit of her stomach caused that fleeting resolve to flee. She was here to gain knowledge of this man. Perhaps she was about to achieve that objective a little more comprehensively than she’d imagined. His tongue tickled the corner of her lips in a teasing dance that melted her resolve and yet brought her to her senses. She pulled away from him, almost but not quite in control of herself, and offered him a brittle smile.

  “Not good enough, my lord. You will have to improve your technique if you hope to make an impression upon me.”

  He threw back his head and laughed—a deep rumbling sound that started in his belly and echoed through his entire body.

  “Be very careful, little Leah,” he said. “Such talk can only land you in trouble.”

  “I don’t see how.”

  “That, precisely, is my point.” He turned away from her. “The best place to see the stars is from the deck of a boat at night.”

  “Perhaps, but I don’t have a boat.”

  “I do.” He paused. “I also have need of a cabin boy.”

  Oh hell, so he really did know who she was. “Then you ought to advertise.”

  “I have very specific tastes. I doubt that anyone answering the advertisement would suit my exacting requirements.”

  “Then I fear the position will go unfilled, my lord.”

  “That depends upon whether or not the right candidate has the courage of his convictions.”

  “I doubt that a mere cabin boy would have the courage to express himself in the presence of such a great man as yourself.”

  He chuckled. “Do I detect sarcasm in your tone?”

  She flashed a brief smile but said nothing.

  “If the lad who I met the other day were to return late tomorrow afternoon, he would have the opportunity to observe the stars and,” he added, drilling her with an intense gaze, “forget the dictates of society and be himself.”

  “Whatever do you mean?” she asked, knowing perfectly well.

  “It’s sometimes easier to commune with our true feelings when we’re playing a part.”

  A flash of movement in the garden caught her attention. “What was that?” she asked, glad of an excuse to change the subject.

  “It’s one of my men wanting a word with me.” The flirtatiousness left him and he seemed distracted. His jaw tightened and a hard glint replaced the laughter in his eyes.

  “Why do you have so many men patrolling the grounds?”

  “To protect my family,” he said curtly.

  “Do they need to be so closely guarded?”

  “Your Mrs. Wilkinson would have it that we live in dangerous times.”

  “But you don’t take her allegations seriously.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “If you did, you would receive her when she calls here and set her mind at rest.”

  “Then what would she do for entertainment? Trying to outwit me gives purpose to her days.”

  “I had not thought of you as a coward but by hiding from her you force me to reconsider.”

  His expression darkened and Leah wondered if she’d gone too far, all but calling a marquess a coward. Then he smiled. “I don’t suffer fools gladly, that’s all.”

  “Then you think she is a fool to be concerned about the happenings at the Boar’s Head?”

  He shrugged. “It’s a tavern, this is a seafaring town, and seamen must have somewhere to let off steam.”

  “Even if they terrorise the locality?”

  “Have you been terrorised, Miss Elliott?”

  “No, but that doesn’t mean—”

  “Leah, are you there?”

  Leah hadn’t
realised how closely Lord Denby was again standing. Their bodies were almost touching when her sister’s voice caused her to jump away from him and turn back towards the house. Hal faded away, almost as though he’d never been there. Leah ran her tongue across her lips and knew that he had. She could still taste the essence of him lingering and wondered what had almost happened. What would have happened, had Beth not appeared when she did.

  “Oh, there you are.” Beth grasped Leah’s arm. “What are you doing out here all alone? I wondered what had become of you.”

  “I just needed a little air. It was so hot in there.”

  “I hope you’ve not been snooping,” Beth said severely.

  No, I’ve done much worse than that. I crossed swords with a dangerous marquess, defying him to make me fall in love with him. I even allowed him to kiss me.

  “Not at all.” Leah patted Beth’s hand and together they headed for the drawing room. “Is there still music?”

  “Yes, Flick is going to play and she asked me to come and find you so that you could sing.”

  “Oh no!” Leah glanced anxiously over her shoulder, hopeful that Lord Denby hadn’t overheard. She absolutely did not wish to sing in front of these people but, if she couldn’t avoid it, she would much prefer the marquess not to be in the audience. “I was hoping she’d forgotten about that.”

  “Nonsense, Leah. You will outshine everyone.”

  Leah shuddered. “I wish I shared your optimism.”

  “It’s not like you to be nervous.” Beth wrinkled her brow. “Perhaps it’s the grand surroundings that have made you uneasy. However, it’s precisely the sort of setting that Mama would have wished you to display your talent in. Take comfort from that thought.”

  “True, but even so—”

  “Besides, Flick specifically asked for you and it would be impolite to decline.”

  “I suppose so.” Leah sighed. “Come on then. Let’s get it over with.”

  * * *

  Hal remained in the shadows, waiting for the girls to regain the drawing room, belatedly thankful for the intrusion. He’d almost forgotten himself for a moment. Leah Elliott was a tantalizing little tease—the more so because she wasn’t trying to be—a compelling mix of intelligence and naïve curiosity. He wondered if she would rise to his challenge. If she did, perhaps he would finally discover why she felt the need to disguise herself as a lad and mix with the motley clientele at the Boar.