Never Deceive a Bluestocking, page 4
“I’m not certain that will benefit you.” He frowned and wished he could say more, but it wasn’t wise. He’d made his decision, and the chit would have to accept it.
“I think I am a better judge at what benefits me than you.” She glared at him. She was gorgeous. He wanted to see her in a gown, and he desperately wanted to know if she had a full, lush bosom under that baggy shirt and waistcoat.
“Is that so?” He chuckled and shook his head. “What are you, five and ten?” Wes stood and went to the decanter of brandy he had hidden on a shelf behind him. Damn it. He really needed that drink. “You’re too young to know what is best for you.”
“I’m eight and ten,” she replied defiantly.
“That’s not much better.” He tilted his head to the side. She was the same age as his sister and clearly had some of the same traits. Poppy could be defiant like this too, but at least she had the good sense not to dress like a man. “You still have a lot to learn about the world.” He took a drink of his brandy. “Perhaps this can be your first lesson. Nothing in life is fair or goes the way you expect it to. Sometimes you have to take no as an answer, even when it burns a hole in your gut and makes you want to scream.”
“Is that what you do?” She raised her brow in a mocking gesture. “You give in and show your belly like a coward?”
She had a lot of gall, and bloody hell, he almost admired her for it. That changed nothing. He would not allow her to insult him—even if he respected her for her spunk. “I’m not discussing me. You were asking what you did wrong.” He took another drink. “Your first mistake was coming at all. You don’t belong here.”
“Because you think I am poor?” She smiled at him, but it didn’t put him at ease. Something told him he’d made a few assumptions based on her appearance that were not true.
“I am not familiar with you, and you have yet to introduce yourself. How am I to determine your financial situation without all the pertinent information?” He swirled the brandy in his glass and stared at it as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “But that isn’t important. I didn’t deny you admission because of your standing in society.” In truth, that wasn’t accurate either. In some ways that was exactly why he'd denied her a place at the academy. Females were not to be admitted. “You’re not that talented.”
Her lips wobbled a little as she stared at him. He’d hurt her feelings, and he felt like a complete arse. Wes couldn’t make her feel better though, or she’d know the real reason he’d told her no. He wished he could kiss her, and that made him an even bigger arse.
“You don’t mince words.” She wiped a tear from her eye before it had a chance to fall. “You are wrong, though. I am talented. I don’t know why you won’t let me attend the school, but I know you’re lying.”
“You can certainly believe what you wish to, but I am telling you the absolute truth. You have a mediocre skill, but you are not a good fit for Pembroke.” He swallowed the rest of the brandy and set the glass down. Wes had to make her leave before he said something he shouldn’t. He couldn’t handle having her in the room any longer. She was making his guilt stay at the surface. “Now that we have settled that.” He walked across the room and grabbed her arm. Bloody hell…her scent was driving him mad. He wanted to lean in and take in how wonderful she smelled. “You need to leave.” Wes intended to escort her out, but she yanked her arm from his and nearly fell. Her violin fell from her hand and landed hard on the floor. It landed on one of the pegs and loosened it.
“Look what you made me do,” she exclaimed. A tear fell in truth. It was clear that violin meant a lot to her, and now it was damaged.
“My apologies,” he said softly, and reached for the violin. “I can repair it…”
She yanked it away and glowered at him. “As if I’d let you destroy it any more than you already have.” She stood and hugged the instrument against her chest. “I don’t trust you to know how to take care of anything this valuable to me. It’s clear you cannot discern good music from bad, and therefore, any faith I place in you would only prove me a fool.”
“You’re welcome to your own opinion.” He had blundered from the moment he told her she had no talent. There was no turning back. He didn’t blame her for thinking the worst of him.
“So good of you to allow that,” she said in an acerbic tone. “Now that we are finished, I do believe I’ll let you return to your auditions. I also believe one day you will regret turning me away.” With those words, she stormed out of the room. Her blonde curls escaped fully from the cap as she whirled out of the room, and damn if he didn’t itch to go after her and see if those strands were as silky as they appeared. Bloody hell, he needed another drink, but he didn’t pour one. Instead, he grabbed his jacket and decided he might need a bit of advice, and he knew who to ask for it.
Chapter 5
How dare he treat her that way. Carly had half a mind to stomp back into his office and tell him how wrong he was, but that would be a useless endeavor. He had made up his mind, and there was no changing it. She hated him. All right perhaps she might not feel that strongly about him; however, she disliked how dismissive he had been.
She sighed, defeated, and wandered down the street. There were no other schools she could attend. This one had been her one and only chance, and even it had been unlikely. She thought dressing as a boy would help her gain entrance. She'd considered enrolling under her brother’s name. It was his clothes she’d stolen to wear. He’d outgrown them, and Billie hadn’t disposed of them yet. Damon was still away at school. She hadn’t seen him in quite a while and thought perhaps she might not recognize him when he returned.
She glanced around and realized she’d almost walked the entire distance to Hyde Park. Carly didn’t want anyone to notice her, or worse, recognize her. She had completely lost track of where she’d been heading. It would take her at least a half hour to return home.
Carly sneaked back into the house and went up the stairs before her sister could notice her outfit. Actually, it would be best if the entire household didn’t witness her in men’s attire. Zach would have a fit and wonder if he should send her away again, the servants would tattle on her, and Billie might have the baby early because of her anxiety. She would not be responsible for her sister possibly losing another child. The first pregnancy had not gone well. Not, that Billie ever talked about it. Teddy had written to her and told her about Billie’s difficulty. She had not been far along in the pregnancy, but the loss had devastated her. Carly believed that was why Billie was always tired. She clearly was not sleeping well.
Once she was in her room, she stripped off the clothes and slipped into a simple yellow day dress. All her dresses didn’t require a maid to assist her. She wanted to be able to take care of herself and learned how at finishing school. With her clothing presentable, she sat at her vanity and started to work on her hair. The cap had ruined her coiffure. She unraveled the intricate hairstyle and plaited her hair, then wound it into a simple bun and pinned it in place. It would do for the rest of the day. She had no plans to leave the house, anyway.
Carly left her bedchamber and went down the stairs. Perhaps she should get a book to read. Her plans changed when a knock echoed from the entrance. The butler went to open the door, and Poppy flounced in with a bevy of excitement. “So?” she asked.
“So?” She lifted a brow. “What?”
“How did it go?” Her cheeks were flushed a heady pink. She must have rushed over to discover how her audition had gone.
Carly shook her head. “Come into the library with me.” She didn’t want to chance that Billie or even Teddy might be in the sitting room. Teddy had said she’d be coming by again to check on Billie. They were all worried about her as she came closer to her confinement.
She led Poppy to the library. Once they were both inside, she closed the door to ensure they’d have some privacy. Poppy had more faith in her brother than she did. Carly hadn’t had the chance to become more acquainted with Lord Sheffield when he’d come with Zach to Graystone. She hadn’t been interested in Zach or his friends. Chris had hated the Marquess of Foxworth instantly. Something Carly hadn’t understood, but shrugged off. Chris could be difficult and stubborn. There was no telling what had made her take a dislike to the marquess. Carly had ignored them all as they were not worth her interest.
That didn’t mean she didn’t have eyes and hadn’t noticed how gorgeous they all were. Sheffield hadn’t changed much in the past couple of years. His hair was a rich golden blond that was on the longer side. If he didn’t have it cut soon, he might have to use something to pull it back. It was his eyes that had been noticeable this time. They were gray and stormy, and his gaze had seemed to pierce right through her. It was something she’d unlikely forget anytime soon. Her heart had skipped a beat when he’d gotten close to her. She had liked it far more than she had wanted to—not that she’d ever admit that aloud.
And now she had to tell Poppy her brother was an arse. She couldn’t be certain how her friend would handle hearing that from her. Carly folded her arms across her chest and glanced at the floor. She didn’t want to explain how horribly it had all gone, or that she’d never been so mortified in her entire life, and that was saying a lot, considering how many scrapes her twin had embroiled her in.
She gestured to the chair. “Please sit.” Carly took the settee next to it as Poppy settled in.
“Are you going to tell me how it went?” Poppy asked. Concern was laced through her voice as she spoke.
Carly was silent for several moments, then she glanced over to meet Poppy’s gaze. She shook her head as misery filled her. “He said I wasn’t talented enough.”
“Bollocks,” Poppy said.
Her mouth dropped open in shock. “How crude of you to say that.” Carly’s lips tilted upward into a wobbly smile. “But it is all true. He didn’t believe I had what it took to be a student at Pembroke Academy of Music, and didn’t much care for me questioning his decision either.”
“I’m sorry,” Poppy told her. She clenched her hands into fists at her side. “My brother is an arse.”
Well, at least she was aware of that… “I didn’t say he was.”
“You didn’t have to.” Poppy grinned. “We’re friends, and I know you. Besides, he can be an arse, and I would know, considering we grew up in the same house. The difference is I also know he’s not always so difficult. I do wish he hadn’t been this time.” She sighed. “But he’s made up his mind, and there is no changing it now.”
“No,” she replied, a little forlorn. “He doesn’t seem the type to reconsider anything.” He kind of reminded her of Chris in that regard. Once her twin made up her mind about someone, it was difficult for her to believe differently. She was stubborn and set in her ways. The Earl of Sheffield seemed equally as obstinate. “And I’m back to where I started…unable to further my musical education.” Sometimes being a female really was the worst. She had little options, and no recourse when the ones she had didn’t offer her what she wanted.
“I wish I could make him understand…” Poppy’s voice trailed off. “Perhaps you should consider another tutor.”
“A tutor will not give me what I need. I need someone who can take me beyond what a tutor can give me. That is why I hoped to attend an actual school. There is so much I want to learn.”
“Well,” Poppy began. “I cannot assist you with that. I do hope this doesn’t dissuade you from attending dinner with us tonight.”
Carly shook her head. “He wouldn’t recognize me. There’s no reason to avoid dinner or your brother. I’ll do my best to ignore him. That way I am less likely to be rude.”
“Ignoring him isn’t rude?” Poppy lifted a brow.
“Well, it’s less rude,” Carly added in a petulant tone. “My apologies. It’s not your fault that your brother doesn’t believe I have any musical talent.”
“I’m sure he didn’t say that.” Poppy frowned. “Now that is rude.”
“He didn’t say that exactly.” Though he had been boorish. “He said I wasn’t talented enough. I suppose, in comparison to others, I might not be. It still doesn’t make it easy to accept.”
“That is quite understandable. I don’t know if I would have reacted well to his assessment if it had been me. You are handling it much better in any case.” She stood and walked over and hugged her as she sat beside Carly. “And I am glad you’re not allowing this to prevent you from attending dinner. I would like for you to meet my younger sister. I think you’ll like her. Adriana has a kind heart and a keen mind.”
“Then I am certain I’ll like her.” How could she not? Poppy clearly adored her, and she was honest about her brother’s flaws. She didn’t believe she’d see her sister incorrectly, either. “It must be nice to be able to spend time with her. How did your family react to your early return?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Mother doesn’t bother with me or Adriana. Wes was a little taken aback, but he accepted it. He loves us and wouldn’t fail to be there if we needed him. Father is at the country estate avoiding Grandfather. It’s what he does. He’s…weak. Wes is ready to burst, and if Grandfather doesn’t stop pressuring him, he might do or say something he’ll come to regret.”
“Is it really that bad?”
“It always has been. Father didn’t meet the duke’s expectations, so he started focusing on Wes when he was still a child. He claims it’s not too early to start grooming a man to run a dukedom. I suppose that’s true.” She shrugged. “I don’t envy him.”
And now she was back to feeling sorry for him. She didn’t want to have any kind feelings toward the earl. It was much easier to dislike him. Though she supposed it wasn’t easy for anyone to live up to unrealistic expectations. She had always believed it was easier for a man, and she still thought so, but that didn’t mean it was never difficult. Perhaps she should stop being so presumptive and give others the benefit of the doubt. “I’m sure he will be fine.” She hated that Poppy worried for him. “Now you should go. I need to check on Billie and tell her how the audition went. She’ll be worrying about me, and I can’t have that.” Carly actually needed time to herself before dinner later that day. She had to prepare herself for spending time with Lord Sheffield and not berate him for claiming she lacked talent. “I’ll come a little early so we can talk.”
“All right.” Poppy stood. “I do hope you’ll see Wes in a better light. He really isn’t that bad.”
“I believe you.” She wanted to at least… Carly smiled, even though she didn’t feel it. They walked down the hallway, and she stopped when men’s voices echoed through Zach’s study.
Poppy frowned. “Is that…”
Carly held her hand up for her to be silent. It was Zach, and the other man sounded like Lord Sheffield. “The girl actually thought she could audition and be accepted into the academy. Grandfather would have had my head if I let a woman attend.” That was definitely the earl. He’d known she was a woman, and hadn’t said a word. Her cheeks heated with that knowledge.
“Was she talented?” Zach asked.
“The best I’ve heard in a long while. It’s really too bad I couldn’t allow her to attend.” Lord Sheffield sighed. “I had to turn her away, but I didn’t like it.”
“If I didn’t know Christiana was still in Scotland, and had no desire to play the violin, I’d almost believe it was her. Dressing as a man is something she’d have no qualms about doing.”
At least Zach hadn’t realized Carly was the one that had done exactly that. They had always assumed Chris had been the instigator in all their wild schemes. Chris had been all right with letting them have those assumptions, and Carly hadn’t minded either. It made it easier for them to get away with some of them. But what really enraged her was that he’d told her she wasn’t talented. How dare he break her belief in herself? He’d lied to her, and for that, he’d have to pay. She wasn’t certain how yet, but he would.
Carly gestured for Poppy to follow her. When they reached the foyer, she met Poppy’s gaze and said, “I apologize for being earlier than planned…” She looked as incredulous as Carly felt.
“Oh?” Poppy lifted a brow. “What are you going to do?”
“Your brother and I need to have a little heart to heart.” She opened the door for her. “And I’m certain he won’t enjoy what I have to say to him.”
“Oh dear,” Poppy exclaimed. “I wish I could say he doesn’t deserve it.” She hugged Carly. “Do not let him have the upper hand.” She pulled away from her and then walked down the steps, leaving Carly alone to plan. She wished Chris was there. Her twin was the best scheming partner she’d ever had. Carly would have to do this on her own, and she hoped she was up to the task.
Chapter 6
Not for the first time that day, Wes wished he could bow out of family obligations. He didn’t want to stay in for dinner, but he had promised his sister he would. She’d invited her friend from school and wanted to introduce the chit to her family. Wes didn’t have the heart to tell Poppy he had no desire to meet her friend. Adriana would be there as well. Did they really need him to be there, too?
Bloody hell… Wes scrubbed his hands over his face and then sighed. He loved his family, but he needed some time away from them. Sometimes, being around them was like a weight he couldn’t shrug off. He would love to go to his club and relax. He’d give anything for a night or an hour, even to himself. Expectations were the bane of his existence and also all he had. Sure, he had friends, but he rarely had time to spend with them, and two of them had gone off and fallen in love. Now they were married men and happy to go home to their wives.
It was, as his friend Fox would say, disgusting. Having Carrolton visit him at the academy had been good. It had given him some time away from his responsibilities; however, Carrolton was one of his friends who had tied himself down. Wes needed Fox to return to London. He’d commiserate with him and wonder along with him over what the hell had happened to their friends. Was it the Neverhartts? Had the two sisters bewitched them somehow?
