Unrivalled Regency: A Gallant Gamble Part 9

Geoffrey gulped the tea Bottomley had brought in.

"That's what I fear. It's Lord Davenport's ball tonight. I have been told that all entries must be recorded by midnight. If Charlotte will give her permission, I had thought to enter with Lightning. He is a fabulous stallion with the best pedigree. If we get a good placement it will raise our credibility for the stables and any stud fees."

Charlotte looked worried.

"But you said yourself that if the Prince enters Vanquish, other horses and riders will be in danger. He is too unpredictable. I don't want you to do it if there is the chance of any danger," her voice cracked as she spoke.

Giles took a few moments to think before he looked seriously at Geoffrey.

"What are your thoughts on the Prince's horse? Is it capable of winning if it keeps its temper in check?"

Geoffrey shrugged and glanced at Charlotte. She blinked quickly as tears threatened to fall and he had to look away. He wasn't sure if her distress was for him or her horse but he couldn't give in to her fears.

"He's a huge beast with plenty to power, but it's hard to say whether it could win. Often a heavier animal cannot stay the distance. Five miles is a long way, especially when you add in the jumps. Rumour has it that they are uncommonly harsh. Vanquish may tire quickly, or he may be strong enough to go the distance, but a lot will depend on his rider. I have no idea who the Prince is going to ask now that I have declined the honour, but I suspect that there will be many who would accept the offer without turning a hair."

Giles breathed in thoughtfully.

"Lightning is no heavyweight and we know that he can gallop five miles with ease, but Geoffrey is far heavier than you, Charlotte. That may make a substantial difference in a race. Only consider entering him if you are prepared to lose."

Charlotte heaved a sigh.

"I'm not worried about losing. That would be the last thing to concern me. It is the danger I fear, however Geoffrey has been riding Lightning for the last few weeks while I have borrowed a horse from Olivia. I suspect that Lightning is used to the extra weight by now, but I don't want to put either my horse or Geoff in peril."

Giles stirred sugar into his tea and sipped the hot liquid before he answered.

"Neither should you, but you have to agree that he has a point about the stables. It would be the ideal opportunity to show the whole of London what we can do. Winning wouldn't be the point. We can leave that to those who are reckless. Others who are serious about their own stock will be more interested in stamina and temperament." Giles smiled encouragingly at her. "Geoff could keep Lightning at the back of the field, well away from any problems and still gain us unprecedented publicity. It's worth thinking upon."

She glanced over at Geoffrey who was staring back at her. She dropped her gaze and threaded her fingers as she thought. She hesitated a few more seconds before answering.

"Fine, we'll enter him, but you must promise me that you will take no chances with him or yourself, Geoff. I can't bear to think of anything happening to either of you."

Geoffrey smiled as he breathed a sigh of relief. Not only was she worried for him but his first steps to independence were accomplished. He leaned forwards in his chair and spoke earnestly.

"I'll take no chances, you can be sure of that. You won't regret the decision, Charlotte."

Olivia took hold of Charlotte's hand and squeezed it encouragingly.

"Well done, child. Geoffrey will do you proud and I know that Alexander will be thrilled by these developments. Ormond had the most fabulous stables at one time. It will be wonderful to see them thriving again."

Charlotte nodded and blinked back tears. Her own father's stables had once been admired too but had declined rapidly with her brother's lack of regard for money. She had only kept hold of Lightning by keeping him hidden from John in the old woodcutters cottage, deep in the forest at Caithwell. Fortunately John wasn't much interested in the estate or what his younger sister was up to. So long as he had funds, he spent most of his time in London at their townhouse.

Their London townhouse? She suddenly looked up at Giles. He hadn't ever mentioned the place. Was it possible that he didn't yet know of its existence? He had spent the first several weeks of his Lords.h.i.+p incarcerated in the local gaol and then been so busy at Caithwell and so worried about his sick wife and son that it may well have been forgotten.

She leaned forwards excitedly, hoping that he wasn't going to inform her that the place had already been sold.

"Giles, are you staying here for your sojourn or are you going to St. George Street? I have never been there before and would be interested to see it if you are taking up residence."

Giles turned his attention to her again.

"I'm afraid that you have lost me, Charlotte. I don't know what you mean. Why would I go to St. George Street?" Her cousin looked at her quizzically.

Charlotte smiled triumphantly.

"It's part of the estate, but I suspect that you overlooked it what with everything else that has happened over the last eighteen months. Twenty seven St. George Street, if my memory serves. As I said, I have never seen the place, but father used to send John's correspondence there. I don't remember him mentioning that it had been sold. In fact, as part of the entailed estate, it couldn't be, but it might have been let to raise an income."

Giles rose from his seat.

"Good heavens! I never knew a thing about the place. Who would have a key?"

Charlotte grinned excitedly.

"There was a management company who looked in at the place when it was unoccupied. I don't see why they would have stopped, unless they hadn't been paid, but that should be easy to rectify. We could go now. There is still time before we have to make ready for tonight's ball."

Olivia suddenly rose from her seat, her malady temporarily forgotten.

"How exciting! And in St. George Street too. So convenient for the theatres and the shops! I'll just ask Mary for my coat." She rang the bell and gave Bottomley instructions when he appeared at the door.

Giles stood in yet another empty hallway of twenty seven St. George Street. Dust b.a.l.l.s and cobwebs had gathered in all the corners but otherwise he was pleased to see that the place seemed a lot sounder than Caithwell when he had first arrived.

Three flights of stairs had them discovering several large bedrooms suitable for the princ.i.p.al family and smaller ones in the attic for staff. Most of them were completely empty, one or two having faded curtains or a tattered rug, the others utterly bare. Only four of the rooms were furnished to any degree. The master bedroom and the connecting one next door on the first floor, plus a small salon with attached study on the ground floor. The cellar kitchen had a fireplace, a stove and a long kitchen table but nothing else remained. Charlotte imagined that her brother had always eaten out.

The man who had brought them the key swallowed nervously before he spoke.

"The young master was unreliable with the fees at the best of times and we hadn't heard anything since the last reminders we sent to the old Lord so we stopped any cleaning...not that there's much to clean, of course, but we cannot spare the time on owners who refuse to pay." He bowed his head in embarra.s.sment. "I'm sorry, but we hadn't had word of the old Lord Caithwell's demise or I would have written again to clarify the situation."

Giles shook his head as he looked around the bedroom in wonder. A thick layer of dust swathed the faded coverlet and had gathered in the folds of the curtains surrounding it.

"Not your fault. I've barely sc.r.a.ped the surface of the accounts. Unfortunately, I was a little preoccupied when first taking the t.i.tle and then my wife became ill after birthing my son. Everything but their future health and welfare paled into insignificance for some time. My solicitors should have had a note of this place somewhere, but I confess that I've not had time to go through everything personally." He apologized to the agent.

Charlotte gazed about, her initial eagerness to see the place somewhat diminished as she wondered what her brother had found so fascinating in the dark and dingy place.

"I'm sorry that I hadn't mentioned it earlier. I just didn't think about it. When John was younger, he resided here for most of the year. Later, he only came back to Caithwell for money or when he couldn't avoid his creditors. When it was obvious that he was going to remain at home, I a.s.sumed that he must have sold the place. I don't think anyone has been here since he left over three years ago."

Giles groaned.

"I'm almost sorry that you have told me now. It's another worry that I am going to leave to my poor Marcus. I pity the lad his inheritance already and he's not even a year old."

Olivia s.h.i.+vered as a huge spider dropped from a thread and looked at them curiously before scurrying back up into its web.

"The place is not fit to live in," she declared. "You'll have to pay the outstanding bill and retain some cleaners. Perhaps I can spare the staff at the Albany for a day or two. There's nothing that cannot be put right easily. Charlotte and I can organize it all. You can be in by the end of the week."

Giles rolled his eyes.

"It's going to take another small fortune to put right. Perhaps I'll have to just clean the rooms that are being used for now and do the rest as time and funds allow. I'm sure that Anne will have some furniture that we can bring from Evenleigh, though it's a nuisance having to transport it halfway across the country."

Olivia shushed him.

"Don't be ridiculous. We have more than enough furniture in the attic at the Albany to fit out most of the rooms here. I'll ask Freder...er, Coalport to see what will suit. Bottomley can bring it all over as soon as the cleaning has been completed."

Geoffrey rubbed the side of his hand against a pane of gla.s.s before looking out of one of the dusty windows.

"There's a fine view over Hanover Square and what appears to be a mews at the back too. At least you will have somewhere to stable your horse."

Charlotte joined him. She rubbed a small circle in a lower square of gla.s.s and peered out. The clock on the church tower at the end of the road struck six.

"We should perhaps leave this for another day. Exciting as it is, there's not much we can do this evening. Olivia and I will begin on it tomorrow morning. Hiring cleaners will be the first call of the day."

They made their way back down the wide stairs, out of the front door and down the steps. The agent locked the door behind him and handed Giles the key.

"I can arrange for the cleaning to be done if you would prefer. In view of the misunderstanding I would offer a special rate."

Knowing nothing of domestic arrangements, Giles deferred to Olivia who spent the next few minutes discussing exactly what needed to be done and how much it would cost. A deal was soon struck and they all climbed back into the carriage.

Olivia and Charlotte kept up a lively discourse while they travelled back to the Albany, discussing fabrics and carpets, furniture and cooking pots. They only had time for a light tea before they all made their way upstairs to make ready for the ball.

Geoffrey sat on the end of his bed after his bath and couldn't help looking at Coalport in a slightly different light after Charlotte's recent revelations, but just as there had been nothing strange in the man's manner that morning, apart from the odd stifled yawn, there was still nothing new tonight.

Geoffrey wondered at the man who had waited so long to capture his Mistresses heart. If it were him, he didn't think that he could remain so quiet and calm. He didn't think that there was any way anyone could stop him shouting it from the rooftops and declaring it to the world.

He sighed wistfully as he wondered what would happen between them if he won her first kiss. He knew exactly what would happen to him. His pa.s.sion would ignite in a fury of heat, his mind would reel at the feel of her and his heart would break if she didn't feel the same emotions in return. And she wouldn't feel the same emotions. He knew that already. She had declared many times that she didn't want to marry, didn't want any man interfering in her life. It was a foregone conclusion that he was going to be hurt if he engaged his heart in their wager.

Coalport brought him out of his reverie as he turned from the wardrobe with the highly decorated waistcoat in his hands once again, and once again Geoffrey shook his head vehemently.

"Apart from the fact that I will look like some kind of idiot while wearing it, there's no point getting dressed tonight. Now Giles has arrived he'll take on his responsibilities as guardian. They won't need me to accompany them any longer. I'll probably stay here for the evening."

Coalport shook his head.

"Lord Caithwell has already confirmed that you are going. There is no question of you remaining here. You have to put down the name of the horse you are entering into the race. It's quite the ceremony every year. Lots of money changes hands while guessing names on the lists, possible jockeys, even what colours the rider might be wearing. The actual listing is all done in private, but the gossip abounds afterwards. Being a newcomer and refusing the Prince has brought you a certain notoriety already. They are taking huge bets on who is going to be asked to fill your boots. My money is on Lord Rookwood. He may be a rake, but he has a certain natural talent with horses, I am told." He shook out the waistcoat again. "This would definitely suit the grandeur of the occasion."

Geoffrey rolled his eyes and grabbed the hideous garment. He slipped it on and turned to face the mirror, prepared to shout with laughter at himself, but he stopped and stared at his reflection. At this angle the threads didn't look nearly so bright, more of a subtle sheen. He turned this way and that to check that he didn't look like a peac.o.c.k before he picked up his black evening coat and slipped it over his shoulders. The contrast was dramatic but not gaudy. Coalport raised his eyebrows at him but forbore to mention that he had been right all along. The waistcoat was a brilliant addition to his wardrobe.

Geoffrey harrumphed and wished Coalport goodnight as he stomped from the room and met Giles at the top of the stairs.

They strode into the salon together, both tall and dark and handsome. Olivia and Charlotte soon followed, both even more radiant than usual.

"The pair of you look glorious. I swear that your dance cards will be full as soon as we enter the room." Giles bowed over Olivia's gloved hand while Geoffrey bowed over Charlotte's.

Geoffrey ground his teeth as his eyes were drawn to her chest and he realized how much of her beautiful skin was on display. The noise that rumbled out of his mouth had even Giles looking about the room for some fearsome animal. He clamped his jaws together and swallowed the feral sounds, but it wasn't easy. He wanted this night to be over, wanted to take Charlotte away from the prying eyes of the ton and go back to Ormond with her as fast as possible. He knew that it wasn't going to happen but that didn't meant that he couldn't dream of it.

He lifted his elbow and felt Olivia place her hand on his arm as he escorted her towards their carriage.

It seemed as if the whole of London had turned out for Lord Davenport's ball. The crush was unbelievable and it was some time before they found seats for the d.u.c.h.ess and Charlotte. As Giles had predicted, the ladies dance cards were soon filled. Olivia repeated her trick and put Geoffrey's name down for the second waltz in the hope that the Prince might ask her to dance again, but Charlotte had her doubts.

From time to time gentlemen disappeared into an anteroom and returned a few moments later, flushed with excitement and pride, preening as they and their friends discussed the lists of entrants for the race. It wasn't long before the Prince arrived, but he didn't remain for more than a few moments. He merely stalked to the signing room and left a few minutes later. He didn't speak to anyone on his way in or out even though Geoffrey stood by the door waiting his turn to go and sign the book. Geoffrey raised an eyebrow at Giles as the Prince pa.s.sed without even an acknowledgement in his direction.

Olivia wafted her fan in agitation as she watched the Prince take his leave of Lord Davenport.

"Oh dear. To not even be noticed, how shameful after our triumph last week. I blame you for this Geoffrey. I don't know if I can even remain in the room." She fluttered her fan as her cheeks were suffused red with humiliation.

Charlotte lifted her chin refusing to notice the put down the Prince had given her. She hadn't wanted to dance with him again anyway. After the way he had treated his injured stableman she couldn't care less whether she ever saw him again.

Geoffrey disappeared into the signing room and she turned to face the dancers. Giles took Olivia's hand and escorted her onto the floor. A few seconds later a man bowed over her hand and without looking to see who it was, she took her place on the dance floor beside him.

They were already a few seconds into the dance before he spoke.

"It is delightful to see you again, Lady Charlotte. Our last dance ended far too soon for my liking and I was hoping that we could pick up where we left off."

Charlotte gasped and shrank back as she recognized Lord Rookwood at last. He had changed somewhat since she had last seen him two years previously, when he had attempted to a.s.sault her at the Ormond ball. His hair had receded slightly making his forehead seem more prominent. His shoulders sloped downwards as if his arms were too heavy to hold up, and when he smiled she noticed that two of his teeth on the upper left hand side were broken and turning grey.

She tried to pull back her hand but his grip held her firm.

"Release me at once," she hissed, but he ignored her until he had to pa.s.s her hand to the next man in the eight. She refused to look at him again, but it was impossible to leave the floor. A dancer would be left without a partner, the height of rudeness at such a significant family's ball. She pressed her lips together and ignored the blackguard as his turn came around again.

On their next set he caught hold of her waist and pressed himself against her, leaning down and whispering into her ear.

"You might act all uptight and Ladylike, but I know different story. I know that a heart full of pa.s.sion beats beneath those beautiful b.r.e.a.s.t.s and I intend to release it."

Charlotte s.h.i.+vered in revulsion.

"You despicable man. The only thing that you could release from me is a beating such as you never had in your life before. I bested you once and can do it again." She lifted her chin a little higher and glanced about the ballroom, desperately hoping that either Giles or Geoffrey would come to her rescue.

Rookwood let out a low laugh.

"I doubt it, my dear. I was a callow youth back then, and I am far more aware now of what a woman really wants. Those that fight always end up being the most pa.s.sionate between the sheets, and you fought with an uncommon amount of vigour." He squeezed her hand to the point of pain to stop her interrupting him. "Last time I didn't have so much to offer but I can now give you far more of an incentive."

Charlotte stopped dancing. Someone crashed into her from behind and Rookwood grabbed her arm and dragged her back into the square. She wrenched herself from him as she spat out her words.

"You are clearly insane. Nothing in this world or out of it would ever induce me to be tempted by you."

Rookwood laughed again.

"My dear, you would be surprised at how easily I can tempt a woman to lie with me. A word in their father's ear about an unknown liaison or perhaps a gentleman's monogrammed handkerchief left in their carriage for a husband to discover." He left his words hanging in the air.

"Blackmail! You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You could never blackmail me for I don't have a father or a lover or a husband. Your time would be wasted." Charlotte exclaimed and Rookwood glanced quickly about the ballroom, but it appeared that none heard her words, the music having reached a crescendo.

His eyes found hers again.

"You would do well to keep your voice low, my dear and it would be best for all concerned if you would take a few moments to listen to my proposal. People might get hurt if you don't." Rookwood held her wrist and squeezed it tightly as he chuckled. "After you realize what is going to happen to your laughable dreams of winning the thousand guineas with your nag Lightning and that idiot riding him, you will be begging to accept my offer. The Prince has given me the honour of riding Vanquish. You would be wise to accept my proposition."

She gave a laugh of her own.

"Only if you win. There are other fine mounts entered into the race who could easily beat you, and you think to tempt me with your arrogance and a mere thousand guineas? You are more foolish than I first supposed." Charlotte almost rolled her eyes, but a sudden chill swept through her heart as she thought about his words. She looked up at the vile man. "What do you mean? What's going to happen to Geoffrey and Lightning?" She glanced towards the door where the race entrants entered their horses.

Rookwood threw back his head and laughed yet again as he turned her under his arm, pa.s.sing her to a frowning Charles Latham for another brief turn before gaining her back and whispering into her ear.

"See, my dear, you give the game away already. Your immediate concern for Mr. Talbot tells me exactly how important he is to you. Add in the fact that he will be riding your very own prize stallion and the race is already mine." He lifted his chin, indicating the doors to the signing room. They opened briefly and Geoffrey pa.s.sed through. He began to search the ballroom with concerned grey eyes.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Rookwood.