The Earl's Mission: Defiant Brides Book 4 Read online

  “I said I would check on your progress,” he replied curtly as he walked over to one of the bookcases. Why he would sound cross, she did not know or understand. “And I am a man of my word.”

  “Is all well with you?” she asked cautiously as she took a step toward him. “You seem a bit…annoyed.”

  He turned away from the bookcase to look at her, and she was shocked by the heavy bags and redness of his eyes. It was clear he had not slept well. “I am well, thank you for asking,” he replied, that curtness still in his voice.

  “Well, you certainly do not look it. When did you last sleep?”

  “I said I’m fine!” he snapped, causing Rachel to take a step back in startlement. Then he reached out for her. “Miss Cooper, I am sorry. Please forgive my outburst. I was up late last night working with my ledgers, a task I have never enjoyed. But that is neither here nor there. I should not have spoken so harshly to you, regardless of my circumstances.”

  Rachel thought for a moment. This could be a wonderful opportunity for her to get to know him better and help him at the same time. “As it is, I was not lying when I mentioned my ability to manage the recordkeeping for my father, though I left out that it was for the pub. I have kept the books for my parents for some years now. Or had. I would be happy to perform your bookkeeping tasks for you. I am quite adept at it, or so my father has said.”

  He seemed to consider her proposal but then shook his head. “No. I appreciate you offering, but it would not be appropriate. My ledgers contain all of my financial information, and that is best left for my eyes only.”

  “I see,” she said, though she found his response foolish. “It would not be suitable to the ton if they knew your soon-to-be wife was involved in your business affairs.” She had to squeeze her arm to keep her tone even.

  Lord Linfield chuckled. “Your defiance is done with grace now, I see,” he said. “So, the lessons are helping.” He wore a wide smile that Rachel wished to slap off his face.

  However, despite her annoyance of him, she could not help but marvel at the handsomeness of his face when he smiled. Again, that uneasiness made an attempt to leap into her consciousness, but she pushed it aside. Granted, a moment ago he was annoyed, but now his smile warmed her heart once again.

  “I am pleased that you are pleased,” she said and then lifted her skirts to perform a perfect curtsy. “Now, will you be asking me to walk around the gardens or shall we remain here trading staring daggers at one another?”

  His smile widened and he offered her his arm. “To the gardens it is, then.”

  ***

  A soft breeze blew, cooling the air from the hot rays of the sun shining down upon Rachel and Lord Linfield as they strolled through the gardens. The only sounds were those of the birds singing in the trees and the light pad of their slippers on the stone path.

  “Tell me about your father,” Rachel said. She had debated for several minutes as they had walked whether to broach the subject, but finally decided that, if she was to spend the rest of her life with this man, she should find out what she could about how he had become the person he was today.

  “My father…” he paused as if unsure whether he wished to discuss the man or not. Apparently he decided the subject could be broached. “My father was a man dedicated to his work. I saw little of him while I was growing up, and when I did spend any amount of time with him, he used it to comment about ways to gain more wealth. I remember once, when I was but a young man of perhaps twelve years of age, when he took me aside after dinner and said, ‘My son, love your money first, and then you can love someone after you have wealth’.”

  Rachel wondered at how a man could use what little time he had with his child in such a way. Yet, she wondered even more how it had affected the son. “And what do you think of his wisdom?”

  Lord Linfield pursed his lips in thought for a moment. “I would say that I can see the wisdom of his words.” Not the words Rachel had hoped to hear. “However, at the same time, if you pursue wealth only, it leaves no room to find…love.” The word did not seem to come easy to the Earl, and Rachel felt pity for the man. What would it have been like to not know the love of your parents? For certainly, from what she had learned from Leah and what she had seen with her own eyes, the Dowager Countess had not shown him any form of affection. Now she had learned that his father may not have been much better.

  “Your father sounds like he was an astute businessman,” she said, those being the only words she could think of to describe the man.

  “Astute,” Lord Linfield said with a chuckle. “I do not believe anyone would have seen him as astute.” He seemed to wish to say more, but instead said, “For all the ‘training’ my father had tried to instill in me, if it had not been for Richard, I do not believe I would have learned much at all.”

  “My father sounds like a lovely man,” Rachel said with a sigh. She had not heard a bad word against him, and she wished she had been able to meet him before he died. George would always be a father to her, but to know the man who had conceived her, who had thought of her even when she was not with him, would have been satisfying.

  “That he was; one of the best men I ever knew,” Lord Linfield said. Then he added, almost to himself, “I wish he had been my father.” Rachel doubted he had meant for her to hear, so she made no comment.

  “What is it that my father saw in you, do you think?” She asked the question carefully, for it could be taken in offense, and she did not wish to offend him. She was simply curious. “Why do you believe he took you on and taught you as a father would teach a son?”

  Lord Linfield took on a pensive look, as if he had not considered this question. “I do not know,” he replied finally. “He was a close acquaintance of my father, so perhaps he did it out of obligation.”

  “Or perhaps it was because he saw how special you are, that you were becoming a man who would one day be successful.”

  The Earl’s laugh had little mirth. “Perhaps. However, I am not yet successful.”

  “Oh, now that is pure rubbish and you know it,” she said in a chastising tone. “You are a successful man with a title and you have accumulated enough wealth, I’m sure, to turn a few heads in the nobility. Richard Templeton certainly believed so if he left you to control all of his business interests.” She stopped and turned toward him. “Now, you tell me, and be careful with your words. Was my father a fool?”

  The man stared down at her as if taken offense. “Of course not,” he said firmly. “Why would you ask such a question?”

  “Because you believe you are not successful, and yet my father would not have left you in control of his business holdings if he believed you incapable of maintaining them.”

  The Earl tilted his head at her as his face lost its severity. “You are a very intelligent and perceptive woman, Miss Cooper,” he said finally. “I will take your words into consideration.”

  Rachel felt her heart warm. Although she knew men to be typically stubborn, and nowhere nearly as intelligent as women on the whole, she felt hope for the man beside her. “Well, my offer still stands,” she said firmly. “If you would like me to maintain your ledgers, you need only ask.”

  “Again, another thing I will consider,” he said, and they both laughed. It was a joyous laugh, and looking over at the Earl, Rachel felt a new emotion wash over her, one she could not recognize. However, whatever it was, it was quite satisfying.

  “Since we are on the subject of consideration,” Rachel said, “I have another request I would like you to consider.”

  They were approaching the veranda and Lord Linfield stopped at the bottom of the steps. “And what would that be?” he asked cautiously.

  “I believe I am doing well enough with my training to accompany you to town. Although it is beautiful here, I have grown bored and would like an opportunity to explore.”

  Lord Linfield led her up the stairs and to the door. “In that matter, there is nothing to consider,” he said.

&nbs
p; Rachel felt her heart fall. Had she somehow displeased him? She tried to remember what all they had spoken of during their stroll, but nothing came to mind. Perhaps he still considered her mannerisms too uncultured to be seen with him in public as of yet.

  However, even as she considered his reasons, he said, “I will be here tomorrow at noon to collect you. Please do not be late.”

  “I would never consider it,” she replied, giving him a wide grin as she walked through the door.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The carriage swayed as it made its way down the road toward Elford Estates, causing a heaviness in Joseph’s eyes. He had time to lean his head back and rest before he arrived at the house to collect Miss Cooper, and he felt apprehension at their outing today.

  Although he had promised to take her into town the day following their walk through the gardens, an urgent matter of business had delayed their outing four days. He had sent a message informing Miss Cooper of the unfortunate circumstances, but she had failed to send a reply. Either she was angry or she was yet unaware of the expectations of replying. The reason behind her misstep did not matter; he would inform her as soon as he arrived, and then he would see if it had been anger or ignorance which had caused the infraction.

  Joseph found Miss Cooper to be an enigma, a mystery. Soon they would be married, sealing his inheritance and finally giving him the recognition he craved. However, it was the last words the woman had said to him during their stroll five days earlier that haunted him, keeping him awake at night as he pondered them. She had said he was already a success, and her words had lifted her spirits. However, what did a woman of her upbringing know of success and failure? Could he believe the words of one who saw success in the number of patrons in a pub?

  Yet, why did her words plague him so? It was a dilemma he could not unravel, this person who came from lower stock, and a woman no less, one who could speak to his soul.

  The carriage slowed and when Joseph opened his eyes, he saw the front entrance of Elford Estates, Miss Cooper standing at the top of the steps. Joseph took a deep breath. The woman had made great progress in her training, but she still had much to improve. There was ‘presentable’ and there was ‘perfection’, which was more acceptable to Joseph, and Miss Cooper was far from perfect. However, Joseph had too much to gain to allow the woman to get away from him, so he would endure a visit to town, wishing that he would not run into any of his peers. Kellington was large enough that he had gone into the village without once seeing someone he knew, so the chances were good they would remain unseen, or so he hoped.

  The carriage door opened and Joseph stepped down. Miss Cooper came down the steps wearing a yellow dress with tiny white daisies embroidered on the bust. The puffed sleeves and neckline were lined with white lace. Her hair had been expertly done with white flowers pinned throughout it.

  As he approached her, she dropped into a deep curtsy that would have impressed the Queen herself. When she rose, she gave him an admonishing look. “You are late again,” she said with a shake to her head.

  Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his watch. “I am ten minutes early,” he stated, unhappy that she would make such accusations of him. “You may see for yourself.” He thrust the watch toward her, and she gave it a half-glance.

  “Your letter stated you would be here at ten and it is almost eleven,” she said with a frown.

  Joseph stood staring at the woman. He recalled saying he would arrive at eleven, but perhaps he had been so weary, he had written ten instead. This was the second time he had been late in her presence, and his frustration at his lack of discipline in managing his time irked him.

  Then he looked back up at Miss Cooper, who was giggling behind a gloved hand. “Oh, how I adore teasing you,” she said, this time laughing outright. “You have nothing to fear; you are indeed early.”

  He glared at her. “Why would you do that?” he demanded. “You know how I prefer to keep to my schedule.”

  “That I do,” she said, laughing again. “I wished to show you that it is of no import if you are ten minutes early or ten minutes late. I was still here waiting for you. Nothing else should matter. The world did not end and the sun will still set when it goes below the horizon.” Then she walked to the carriage. “I suggest we leave if you wish to maintain that schedule of yours.”

  He now recognized the playfulness in her tone and he could not help but smile. She had been right; regardless of his timing, nothing would change.

  She took his hand and he helped her alight the carriage, then he followed closely behind. A Footman closed the door and the carriage wobbled as the driver returned to his seat at the front.

  He smiled at the woman who sat across from him. “I must admit, you look quite beautiful today. Your dress, it is very becoming of you.”

  Her cheeks reddened. “Thank you,” came her reply. “And I must say, you look quite handsome in that coat.” She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Then again, you always look dapper.”

  He also leaned forward with a smile, their faces only inches apart. “As do you. I must admit that your beauty is something that leaves me at a loss for words.” When her cheeks turned a deep crimson, he smiled even wider. A wave of desire washed over him, and he felt an urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her thoroughly, and for the first time he did not regret that feeling.

  However, the carriage rocked as it began to move, and the moment was lost.

  They both sat back in their seats, and Joseph did not miss the way Miss Cooper’s breasts rose and fell, as if she found it difficult to breathe.

  “You mentioned in your letter that you were delayed due to business matters,” she said, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. “May I ask what they were?”

  Joseph went to reprimand her, to make her understand that a woman had no place in business matters, especially his. However, as he looked into her blue eyes, he felt as though he had fallen into a trance unable to refuse her whatever she might ask. “There is a carriagemaker in Exeter who is looking to expand his business. We have come to an agreement on procuring a location within the year. Then, I was able to obtain another property from a man who is moving to London.” He stopped suddenly when he saw the wide smile Miss Cooper was wearing. “Why are you smiling?” he asked.

  “When you speak of business matters, your demeanor changes. You smile more. It is as if you become a different man.”

  It was true, he thought. The art of business dealings did make him smile, but there was another reason he was smiling just then. It was the woman who sat across from him, and he found her admiration and praise of him brought on a feeling he had not had for many years.

  Happiness.

  ***

  “How can one be so happy over a hat?” Joseph asked in wonder. “I still do not understand it.” They had just left the millinery where they had spent an exorbitant amount of time choosing a new wide-brimmed straw bonnet, yellow to match her dress and adorned with flowers.

  “Because it is lovely and goes well with my dress,” Miss Cooper explained as if she had been thinking as such her entire life. She was certainly making progress toward becoming very much like a woman of the ton. “It feels so freeing, yet somehow secure.”

  Joseph had no idea what she meant, but she was so content and radiant, he did not ask. Instead he laughed with her and then said, “It is very becoming. And it complements your beauty.” He offered her a smile, which she readily returned. For a moment he wondered if, indeed, marrying the woman was the best thing for him. She had an uncanny way of lifting his spirits when nothing else could. If he had been on this shopping journey with his mother, he would have been irritable and bored, but now, in her company, he found he was enjoying himself.

  As they walked, her hand in his arm, he found his mind wandering to life with her as his wife, a life filled with laughter, and perhaps, one day, children. Unlike his home while growing up, he could see himself spending time with his wife and chi
ldren rather than allowing work to keep him away.

  Shaking his head and trying to dismiss the thoughts, he realized that that type of life would not be possible. For one, his mother did not approve of Miss Cooper and he knew her well enough to know that she would be a thorn in their side at every turn. The second, and more important, was he knew that he would not be able to keep up this charade of happiness for very long. He was too much like his father—that is the father he had known before gambling took over the man’s life—in that work consumed his days, and although Miss Cooper was a fine distraction, once they were married he would ultimately revert back to his old ways; it was in his blood.

  Truth be told, he had forgotten his reasons for tricking her into marrying him, so great had been his enjoyment of her company. If he could keep his mind focused on this day, perhaps there could be a chance for a marriage filled with happiness.

  His thoughts broke as Miss Cooper released his arm and hurried over to the dirty window of a pub at the end of the street. From within came the voice of a woman singing bawdy songs and Joseph knew immediately that the pub was an establishment the lower class frequented. It had a reputation of drunken patrons and at least one fight per night, and the idea that his future bride should be standing at the window peering inside made him feel ill.

  “Oh, My Lord, come look at the fun they are having,” she called out, her face beaming as she turned to look at him from the window. “Might we have a drink here? It would be great fun.”

  She appeared so happy that we went to respond, to tell her that they might be able to stop in and have one drink, but a couple walked by, their clothing stating that they were peers, though he was not acquainted with them. They glanced at Miss Cooper, then at Joseph and finally at the pub, their noses crinkled as if they had smelled meat that had rotted.

  Embarrassment rushed through Joseph, his cheeks burning as rage simmered. He then realized that no amount of instruction would stop this woman from being who she was, a woman of low class and no grace. She could perform the facade well enough when she wished to, but moments like this would bring only humiliation to him and his family name. No, there could be no happiness in his future with this woman, not for the duration of their marriage. What irked him more than anything was that his mother had been correct once again.