Counterfeit Earl

“Perhaps.” The Earl inclined his head stiffly, the faintest flicker of a smile in those faded eyes. Jack’s remark seemed to have softened him. “We should not quarrel, Denning. Is there nothing I can do to change your mind?”

“At this moment? Nothing.”

“Then I may as well go back to Stanhope. The servants will neglect your father if I am not there to remind them of their duty. I believe they hate him to a man.”

“Can you blame them?”

“No, I do not blame them, but I will not have him neglected. He shall die peacefully in his own bed, if not at peace with himself and his Maker.” For one brief moment there was a flicker of emotion in the Earl’s eyes. “I beg you, Jack. Find yourself a wife—not just for my sake, not just for duty, but for your own good. To live and die alone is a fate I would not wish on my worst enemy.”

Jack turned away, walking over to the window to gaze out at the sky, which was clouding over. For some reason he did not understand, a girl’s innocent face had come into his mind.

“If I found a woman of the right birth, a woman who could bear me near her knowing what I feel, that I am tainted to the core and can never love her, then I might oblige you. I am not unaware of my duty to you, Grandfather.”

“I pray that you will find such a woman,” the Earl said. “Indeed, you are often in my prayers, Jack. I sincerely hope that you will find peace soon.”

“Would that I could!” Jack muttered. He did not turn, for he knew that his face must reveal the inner torment he felt. “Would that I could…”

Chapter Three

“It was so fortunate that we should meet like this,” Olivia said as she linked arms with her friend. “Beatrice was feeling a little tired this morning, and begged me to take one of the maids with me on my walk rather than sit indoors on such a lovely day.”

“The Dowager Lady Exmouth felt exactly the same this morning,” Robina Perceval cried with a laugh. “It is only to be expected in her case. We have been out until the early hours for several nights—but you arrived in Brighton only two days ago. I do hope Lady Ravensden is not unwell?”

“No, no, not at all,” Olivia replied. “She is blooming. I have never seen her look so well. She was just a little sleepy this morning, but she assured me that she would accompany me to Lady Clements’s ball this evening. I understand it is to be a rather grand affair?”

“Oh, yes. Lady Exmouth knows her well…” There was a faint flush in Robina’s cheeks. “She has been very kind to me…Lady Exmouth, I mean.”

Olivia glanced at her companion. Robina had dark hair and blue eyes, and was quite lovely in her own quiet way. She had a modest manner and had not dressed to attract attention in the past, but seemed to have an air of fashion about her now; she certainly turned the heads of several gentlemen.

“You wrote to me that you had enjoyed your Season in London very much—but you did not form an attachment to anyone?”

“No…” Robina seemed to hesitate, then shook her head. “No, I have not formed an attachment.” She sighed. “Several gentleman were very kind to me, but I long for—for something different. A little excitement…romance.”

“Oh, you are so like me!” Olivia cried and laughed. “I could have married…” She blushed. “Oh, I did not mean that unfortunate business with Lord Ravensden…”

“Did you really jilt him, Olivia? People are saying it was as much his fault as yours.”

“In a way it was. I believed it was a love match, you see. I believed he was in love with me and—and I thought I would come to love him in time. When I realized that in fact he was marrying me to oblige Lord Burton, I immediately broke it off. After Lord Burton turned me out, Lord Ravensden came to Abbot Giles to ask me to reconsider—then he met Beatrice and they fell in love.”

“But he settled some money on you, did he not?”

“Yes, he has been very generous. I have ten thousand pounds, which is secured to me for life and mine to dispose of as I wish,” Olivia said. “And he set the tale about that we had parted by mutual consent—which in the end was true. For neither of us wished to marry the other after he met my sister.”

“Well, it was fortunate that you did not,” Robina said, smiling at her. “Now you are free to find someone you could love.”

“Yes…” Olivia sighed. “I wish I could, but like you I long for romance.” She laughed. “How foolish we are. We have read too many of Mrs Burney’s novels. I dare say it would be most uncomfortable being married to a hero after all. He would forever be riding off to battle with dragons and the like, leaving his poor wife to cope with all the difficulties of running his estate and rearing his children.”

Robina nodded, but her expression was slightly dreamy. “I dare say you are very right, but I would sacrifice a little comfort for the sake of true love, would you not?”

“I long to be truly loved,” Olivia said passionately. “To be loved by one person to the exclusion of all others, to know that for one person you are the most important of all.” She blushed as she realised how much she had revealed of her inner self. “Oh, I know that most girls of our class settle for much less, and I dare say I am asking for too much…” She gasped and stopped walking, clutching at her companion’s arm.

“Is something wrong?” Robina followed the direction of Olivia’s gaze. A man and a woman had stopped a few yards ahead of them on the promenade. They seemed to be looking out towards the sea at a ship in full sail, obviously admiring the view. “Are you unwell?”

Olivia’s cheeks had drained of colour. “No,” she said. “Only, may we please turn back now?”

“Yes, of course.” Robina looked at her curiously as they walked in the opposite direction. “Did you know Lady Simmons?”

“No.” Olivia turned to her. “Was that her name? She looked…remarkable.”

“She was a famous beauty a few years ago,” Robina said. “They say she could have married a duke in her first season, but she chose a mere baronet. These days she lives mostly in Bath and apart from her husband, though I believe she visits him in town occasionally. She must have come to Brighton to see someone in particular, I would imagine.”

“Perhaps to meet her companion?” Olivia suggested, her cheeks pink.

“I wondered if the gentleman might be her lover; she has one, they say, but I do not know him,” Robina said. Her gaze narrowed as she looked at Olivia’s expression. “But you do, do you not?”

Olivia blushed. “We have met briefly. On the road to Brighton. Our carriage was delayed and I went into the woods. His dog thought I was a gypsy and would not let me pass until he ordered it to lie down.”

“Then you know his name?” Robina was curious.

“Yes. He called himself Captain Jack Denning.” Olivia frowned. “He looked as though he might have been ill and he was dressed very differently that day. At first I took him for a gamekeeper.”

“Oh, Olivia,” Robina cried with a delightful laugh. “He did not look so today.”

“No…”

Olivia was thoughtful as she and her friend continued their walk along the promenade. There was no mistaking Captain Denning’s quality that morning. He was dressed in a dark blue cloth coat which fitted him to perfection, showing that although lean, he was powerfully built. His immaculate buff-coloured breeches and highly polished boots, together with his exquisitely tied neckcloth, were evidence that when he chose he could rival for elegance any gentleman Olivia had met in London. And his hair had been trimmed, though he still wore it longer than most gentlemen of her acquaintance. It gave him a slightly rakish air.

“Were you aware that Captain Denning would be in Brighton?” Robina asked.

“No. Indeed, he said he had no intention of visiting in the near future.”

“How odd. I wonder why he lied?”

“I cannot imagine.” Olivia felt a little piqued. Surely there was no reason for Captain Denning to have lied to her? “It is all of a piece with his behaviour that day. He was abrupt and harsh—and I did not care for him particularly.”

“Well, you will have to acknowledge him should you meet,” Robina said. “But I dare say there will be no necessity to do more.”

“I am sure you are right,” Olivia agreed. “Now, let us talk of something more agreeable. Beatrice was speaking of giving a dinner when Lord Ravensden arrives next week. Pray tell me, do you have an evening free of engagements?”

“I shall consult with Lady Exmouth,” Robina promised. “But perhaps you and Lady Ravensden will call for tea this afternoon?”

“Oh, yes, I am sure Beatrice will agree.” Olivia smiled at her. “I am so glad you came to Brighton, Robina. It is so much nicer to have at least one good friend one can talk to.”

“Someone to whom one can confide one’s secrets,” Robina agreed.

Smiling at one another in perfect harmony, the two girls walked on. Both were completely unaware that a pair of dark eyes was following their progress as they crossed the road and disappeared around the corner of the street.

“Jack! You were not listening to one word I’ve just said,” Lady Simmons accused. “Have you something on your mind?”