Читать книгу The Handmaiden's Necklace - Kat Martin - Страница 11

Rafe sat on the horsehair sofa in the parlor of his suite at the William Penn Hotel. Thinking of his meeting with Danielle, he propped his elbows on his knees and rested his head in his hands.

“That bad, was it?” Emerging from the bedroom, Max Bradley strolled up beside him as silent as a wraith. He always seemed to appear without warning. Rafe still wasn’t used to it.

“Worse,” he said, leaning back against the sofa, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “I’ll never forget the look on her face when I told her I had finally discovered her innocence in the affair. My God, if she hated me before, she loathes me completely now.”

“Are you certain? Or do you just hate yourself?”

Rafe sighed, knowing it was true. “There’s no denying the guilt I feel for not believing her that night. I wish there were something I could do to make it up to her.”

Max walked over and poured himself a brandy. He was nearly as tall as Rafe, several years older, and thin to the point of gaunt. His face was weathered and hard, the deep lines hinting at the sort of life he led. Thick black hair, always a little too long, curled over the back of his plain brown tailcoat.

Max poured a glass of brandy for Rafe, walked over and handed him the drink. “You look like you could use this.”

For the first time Rafe realized that Max was speaking with an American accent. In France, he’d spoken French like a countryman. He was a man who stayed mostly in shadow and he never slipped out of whatever role he played. In Max’s line of work, such talents were invaluable.

Rafe took a swallow of brandy, grateful for its inner warmth. “Thank you.”

“You said Danielle came here to be married.”

“That’s right.”

“Have you met the man?”

“Briefly. From what I’ve been able to find out, he’s a very successful businessman, a widower with a daughter and a son.”

“Is your lady in love with him?”

One of Rafe’s dark eyebrows went up. “Danielle is no longer my lady, and I have no idea. She wouldn’t tell me.”

“Interesting…” Max took a long draw on his brandy. “In that case, I suppose it’s something you need to find out.”

He scoffed. “Why? Lots of people marry for reasons other than love.”

“You said you wished there was something you could do to make up for what happened in the past.”

“I said that. As far as I can see there isn’t a damn thing I can do.”

“If the lady doesn’t love the man she is going to wed, then you might consider wedding her yourself. She could return to England, to her aunt and her family. More important, marrying her would end the gossip, set the wagging tongues to rest and make your lady’s innocence clear once and for all.”

Rafe’s chest squeezed. There was a time he had wanted to marry Danielle above all things. That time was long past—wasn’t it?

Or had the thought been brewing in his head ever since he had found out the truth of her innocence? Was that the true reason he had gone to see the Earl of Throckmorton in regard to his betrothal to Mary Rose?

He had asked the earl that the wedding be postponed and was surprised—and secretly relieved—when the earl suggested the betrothal be ended completely.

“I believe I have made a mistake where my daughter is concerned,” the earl had said. “Mary Rose is so young, so innocent. A worldly man like you…a man so much older. It’s obvious you’re a virile man of very strong appetites…to put it bluntly, Your Grace, my daughter is completely intimidated by you, and particularly frightened of sharing a bed with you. I don’t believe, even over time, that is going to change.”

Rafe could hardly believe his ears. The man was giving up the chance to wed his daughter to a duke. It simply did not happen in the world of the ton.

“Are you certain ending the betrothal is what Mary Rose wants? I would be patient with her…give her a chance to get used to me.”

“I’m certain you would, Rafael. I hope you understand I am doing what I believe is best for my daughter.”

It was surprising, and Rafe gave high marks to the earl. “I understand completely. And I respect you greatly for putting your daughter’s best interests first. I’m grateful for your honesty and I wish Mary Rose every happiness.”

Though he should have been depressed, should have been angry that his plans for the future had been ruined for the second time in his life, Rafe had left the house feeling as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He didn’t understand it. He had imagined a future, a family, with Mary Rose.

He looked up at Max Bradley, sipping brandy in the parlor of his suite. “Though I admit the notion of marrying Danielle has merit, there is the small matter of her dislike of me. If I asked for her hand, she would most certainly refuse.”

“I suppose that’s for you to find out. And of course, there is the not so small matter of whether or not you still care for the girl.”

Did he care? Today he had looked at Dani and seen her as he had five years ago, seen her without the taint of his hatred, a beautiful young woman, intelligent and caring. A woman innocent of the betrayal he had so ruthlessly accused her of committing.

“I want Danielle to be happy. I owe her that much and I am determined to see that it happens—one way or another.”

Max clapped him on the shoulder. “Well, then, good luck, my friend. It sounds like you’re going to need it.” Max took a final sip of his brandy and set the glass down on the mahogany table in front of the sofa. “In the meantime, I’ve got a number of things to do. If my information proves correct, I may need your help.”

Rafe had told Colonel Pendleton he would help in any way he could. “Just let me know what you need me to do.”

Max simply nodded. Seconds later he was gone from the room, disappearing as quietly as he had arrived, and Rafe’s thoughts returned to Danielle.

He owed her the chance at happiness that he had stolen from her. To do that, he needed to know more about the man she was to wed.

Rafe smiled grimly.

Rising from the sofa, he walked over to the silver salver sitting on the Sheraton table in the entry. He picked up the folded piece of paper he had received that morning, an invitation from Mrs. William Clemens to a small dinner party at her home that evening.

Sometimes it paid to be a duke.

Rafe had already sent word that he would be delighted to attend.

The intimate supper with Richard’s family, Danielle discovered, would be dinner with twenty people, all formally dressed, arriving in expensive carriages at Richard’s mother’s elegant brick residence in Society Hill.

Richard had his own, slightly smaller but no less elegant home just a few blocks away, as well as a cottage in Easton that he used whenever he was there working, which apparently happened quite often.

Dani had spent the afternoon with Richard’s mother; Richard’s son, William Jr.; and his daughter, Sophie—their first real time together. Richard had been with them for a while, but the children seemed to prey on his nerves and he made an excuse to leave.

Dani almost didn’t blame him. William and Sophie had argued and fought and thrown tantrums through most of the day. They were still arguing when Dani prepared to return to Aunt Flora’s house on Arch Street so that she could change out of her day dress and into a more elaborate gown for the evening.

They were still at it when she and Aunt Flora returned at seven o’clock to join the first of the supper guests.

“Give me back my horse!” William Jr. was seven years old, Sophie only six. Both were blond, William with brown eyes and Sophie with green. Both looked a good deal like their father.

“It’s my horse,” Sophie argued. “You gave it to me.”

“I didn’t give it to you—I only let you play with it!”

“Children, please…” Dani hurried toward them, hoping she could stop this latest row before more of the guests arrived. Earlier in the day, their grandmother had tried to placate them with gifts, a toy horse for William, a new doll for Sophie, though the bedchamber they used when they came for a visit overflowed with toys she had given them before.

“Your grandmother’s guests have begun to arrive. You don’t want them thinking you are ill-mannered.”

William whirled on her viciously. “We don’t have to do anything you say! We don’t like you!”

They didn’t seem to like anyone, at least not anyone who tried to control them. Of course, neither Richard’s mother nor Richard himself bothered to try.

Dani sighed. She couldn’t help thinking of the little girl, Maida Ann, and the little boy, Terrance, from the orphanage. They were happy with the tiniest trinket, the least bit of affection. Terrance would have treasured the carved wooden horse Mrs. Clemens had given to William. Maida Ann would have loved the doll Sophie had tossed into a corner.

Dani looked down at the two blond heads in front of her. Getting the children to accept her as their mother was going to be a Herculean task. She would do it—even though she suspected that neither Richard nor his mother, or even the children themselves really cared if she succeeded.

Mrs. Clemens bustled toward her, a large woman as tall as Dani with blond hair going gray. “Richard’s driver is here to pick up William and Sophie and take them home. Their nurse will be waiting when they get there.”

Dani turned to the children, still bickering over the little carved horse. William tugged the toy from Sophie’s small hands and she started to cry.

“It’s all right, sweetheart,” Dani said. She hurried over and retrieved Sophie’s toy from where she had tossed it, then returned and knelt in front of the little girl. “Here’s your new doll. You can take her home with you if you like.”

Sophie took the doll and slammed the porcelain head against the wall, smashing it into a dozen pieces that rained down on the carpet. “I don’t want a silly old doll. I want a horse!”

Mrs. Clemens took hold of Sophie’s hand. “You mustn’t fret, dear. Grandma will get you a horse the next time you come over.” The look she cast Dani told her not to argue. Both mother and son seemed to believe that the way to make William and Sophie behave was to give them anything they wanted.

Dani hoped that in time she would be able to convince Richard that what he and his mother were doing was not in the children’s best interest.

She turned at the sound of her fiancé’s voice as he walked up behind her. “I’m sorry I had to leave, darling. In my business, sometimes these things happen.”

He had said he had forgotten an important business meeting and had no choice but to leave, but Dani smelled the faint aroma of liquor on his breath. He had stopped by his house and changed into his evening clothes, dark blue breeches and a light gray tailcoat over a silver waistcoat, and as always, looked extremely handsome.

And the way he was looking at her, his hazel eyes moving over her high-waisted green silk gown, said he was pleased with her appearance, too.

He tipped his head toward William and Sophie, who were ignoring him as if he weren’t there. “The trials of being a parent. It’ll be such a comfort to know you’ll be there to take care of the children.”

“Will I, Richard? Will I actually be taking care of them, or will I simply be their nursemaid?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m just not sure we are going to agree on how much William and Sophie ought to be indulged.”

Though the smile remained on his face, Richard’s features subtly tightened. “I’m sure we can work something out—as long as you keep in mind that these are my children. Where they are concerned, I am the one who will make the decisions.”

Angry heat rushed into her cheeks. She’d been afraid that was the position Richard would take. She opened her mouth to argue, but guests had started pouring into the house and this was obviously not the time or place.

Richard’s smile softened. “Let’s not fight tonight, darling. We’ll discuss all of this tomorrow, work everything out. In the meantime, I’ve got a surprise for you.”

He turned a little, revealing the presence of a tall man watching them from a few feet away. “When I told Mother you had a fellow countryman—a duke, no less—visiting here in the city, she invited him to join us.” Richard stepped back, allowing her to see the man behind him, but Dani had already spotted Rafael.

Her chest constricted and her heart began a too-rapid beat. Dear God, why was Rafe torturing her this way? Surely he knew how uncomfortable his presence made her. She had loved him once. Didn’t he know that looking at him now reminded her of times long past? Reminded her of what might have been?

“Miss Duval,” Rafe said, capturing her gloved hand, making a formal bow as he brought her fingers to his lips. “A pleasure to see you again.”

Dani ignored the little tremor that ran up her arm. She didn’t know why he had come. She only wished he would leave.

It wasn’t going to happen, she realized as he conversed with Richard, made polite conversation with Aunt Flora and Mrs. Clemens, then accompanied the group in to supper.

Rafael was seated at the head of the table, as he would have been back home, but Mrs. Clemens sat to his right and Jacob Wentz to his left. The remainder of the guests took their places.

Dani sat next to Richard, farther down the table, Aunt Flora across from them. Rafael made polite conversation with his hostess and spoke often to Richard and several of the other men, but even as Dani stumbled through the lavish meal, she could feel his eyes on her.

She did everything in her power not to look at him, but dear God, time and again her gaze searched for his and she seemed unable to look away. There was something in those intense blue eyes, something hot and fierce that shouldn’t have been there. Something that stirred old memories of the way the two of them once had been.

She remembered the day nearly five years ago that they had walked together in the apple orchard behind Rafe’s country estate, Sheffield Hall.

Laughing at something she said, he had lifted her into the swing that hung down from the branches, then bent his dark head and kissed her, softly at first, but with such barely leashed passion she could still recall the feel of his lips moving over hers, remember the masculine taste of him.

The kiss had grown hot and wild, and Dani hadn’t stopped him when his hand found her breast. She remembered his soft caresses and the sensual tug of heat that flowed through her body, the way her nipples hardened beneath the bodice of her blue muslin gown.

The way they were hard even now.

Dani flushed.

“Darling, you weren’t paying attention,” Richard scolded. “Did you hear what I just said?”

Her face was burning. She prayed that in the flickering light of the candles in the silver candelabra on the table, Richard wouldn’t be able to see the color creeping into her cheeks.

“I’m sorry. My mind must have wandered. What were you saying?”

“I said that the duke has agreed to join our bird hunting party next week.”

She managed to smile, but it wasn’t easy. “That is…that is wonderful. I’m sure he’ll enjoy himself.”

“I was thinking that we would make a weekend of it. Jacob’s country house is quite large and he has invited all of the ladies to join the men.”

Her stomach squeezed into a knot. More time with Rafael. What in God’s name did he want? “That sounds…very…pleasant.”

Obviously pleased with himself, Richard turned back to the conversation he was having with the duke and the other men, and Dani concentrated on her food. Why was Rafael intruding in their lives this way?

Danielle didn’t know, but she intended to find out.

Rafael endured the seemingly endless evening, determined to discover as much as he could about the man Danielle intended to marry. It was midnight by the time he returned to his suite at the William Penn Hotel. When he got there, he found Max Bradley waiting.

Sitting in the darkness, Max rose as Rafe reached over to light one of the whale-oil lamps, and Rafe swore a soft curse.

“I wish you would stop doing that. It’s extremely disconcerting.”

Max chuckled. “Sorry. How was your evening?”

“Tedious.”

“You spoke to Clemens?”

He nodded. “I’m doing my best to like the man, but so far I’m having a devil of a time. There is something about him…. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I’ve managed an invitation to join Richard’s hunting party.” Rafe smiled faintly. “Danielle will be traveling to the country, as well.”

“When is it?”

“The end of the week.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.”

“What do mean?”

“I may be on to something. If I’m right, I may need your help.”

Rafe moved across the room toward Max. “You’ve confirmed the Americans are making a deal with France?”

“It looks that way. So far I’ve only heard rumors…something to do with a schooner called a Baltimore Clipper.”

“Indeed?”

“I’ve got a lead I need to follow up on. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.”

“You’ll let me know if there is anything I can do.” According to Max, a man of Rafe’s social standing would be better able to move in upper-class circles, thereby gaining access to the men who were privy to the needed information.

“I’ll let you know if I need you. In the meantime, you look like you could use some sleep.”

Rafe nodded, more weary than he should have been. “Good luck, Max.” Rafe headed for his bedroom, leaving Max to disappear as he usually did.

As Rafe undressed, his mind returned to the earlier hours of the evening and the unsettling events he had seen.

His arrival at Mrs. Clemens’s home had been early enough to see Danielle with Richard’s children. They were spoiled little wretches, raised without manners, and mostly left to run out of control. Worse yet, from what Richard had said to Dani, he didn’t intend to allow her the slightest say in their upbringing.

Rafe believed the children would be far better off if Danielle took a hand. She had always been good with youngsters. They had planned to have a large family of their own. At the afternoon tea he had attended, he had watched her with several of the orphans, who seemed to adore her, as he could have guessed they would.

But Richard seemed too dictatorial to see the good she could do his offspring. It made Rafe wonder…what else would he be unbending about?

Rafe slid beneath the sheets trying to imagine what sort of future Dani would have with Richard Clemens.

Rafe wanted her to be happy.

He had to be certain marrying Richard Clemens would bring her the happiness she deserved.