Love Everlasting (Kingston Novel Book 3), page 19
“I remember,” Stanley muttered.
“I was his favorite.”
“I’m aware of that.” Stanley nodded. “As I was saying, this man is rich, handsome, and titled.”
Tulia glared at her cousin. “Well, at least those three things are in his favor. So, exactly what is wrong with this man?”
“Before coming into his title, he was insignificant. I had thought to groom him before presenting him to you.”
“How insignificant?”
“A bastard, to be precise. His mother came to her husband already carrying and ’tis her side of the family the title comes from. He’s the last in line.”
Tulia raised a brow. “A bastard who is now a duke?”
“The man his mother married claimed him as his own.”
“Then this perfect man is basically some uncouth and boorish lesser.”
Stanly nodded. “He is that, but his looks more than make up for such shortcoming and within time he could have been molded into a perfect man…if the right woman knew how to control him.”
“If he’s so handsome why hasn’t he married already?”
Stanley cleared his throat. “Well, there is a chit he going to marry.”
Tulia glared at him. “In case I hadn’t mentioned it earlier, today has been hellish and I’m not in the mood for pranks. Why tell me about this man if he’s no longer available?”
“Because…he hasn’t wed yet.”
Tulia wasn’t the least bit interested in the man Stanley was telling her about. She didn’t need his help. In fact, she would have been most content to never laid eyes on him for the rest of his life. It annoyed her to no end that this cousin assumed she needed help in finding a husband. Some women might need help in that area, but she wasn’t one of them.
She noticed Stanley staring at her and turned away. “So, who is this lucky woman this perfect man is supposed to marry?”
“The youngest daughter of the Marquess of Norbury.”
That name brought Tulia’s temper to an instant boil, as she pivoted around to glare her cousin. “Toriana Telford?” she asked, even as her eyes narrowed.
Stanley nodded. “Do you know her?”
“Unfortunately, yes! I despise the chit!”
Stanley wasn’t sure what to make of Tulia’s anger, but it was like nothing he had ever seen. She was nearly shaking with it. Suddenly, his idea didn’t seem like a very good one.
“It might already be too late,” he quickly added. “They could already be married.”
Hoping not to lose control yet again of her temper, Tulia stomped her way over to the cabinet on the far side of the room and poured herself a glass of brandy. Reaching into the pocket of her dress she pulled out the small vile of laudanum and poured into the glass and then drank down the entire contents.
She could feel the eyes of her cousin on her, watching her. She wasn’t about to let him know she knew about Toriana’s upcoming wedding. Her plans were none of Stanley’s business.
“I’ll see what I can find out come morning,” she told him as she poured another brandy and pulled out another vile of laudanum. “It would certainly devastate the little twit if I stole her would-be husband, now wouldn’t it?”
“It will take more than flirting with him.”
Tulia swung around and faced him. “You think me inadequate to flirt with some lesser?”
“He is more than simply smitten with this girl. In the past six weeks he has not taken one maid to his bed. He even warned them that should they use their wiles toward him, he would remove them from his estates.”
The effects of the brandy and laudanum were finally taking their effect on her and she smiled. “I’m not some lowly household maid.”
“No…of course, not. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“What is this man’s name?”
“Drake Easton, The Duke of Hertworth and Earl of Warwickshire.”
“My, those are very nice titles,” Tulia murmured. “You’ve done very well, Stanley.”
Stanly wasn’t so sure. If he had done well, then why did he all of a sudden feel as though he had made the biggest mistake of his life by coming here?
Tulia didn’t notice his discomfort. “Should this work out to my benefit, I will reward you greatly for your help.” And she would indeed reward him…with a visit from Willis. He would take care of Stanley once and for all.
“I’ll take my leave now,” he mumbled, turning toward the door.
“Where did you say you were staying?”
“Jansen Boarding House. It’s just east of here on the outskirts of town.”
“I guess, I could offer you a room here.”
Stanley started shaking his head before she was done making her offer. “Thank you, but no.” There was no possible way he wanted to stay under the same roof as her. He might not have excellent health, but what he did have he would like to keep for as long as he could.
Tulia waited until he almost reached the door before asking her last question. “Whatever happened to his so called father?”
“The Baron of Cester Moor had taken up residence in Newgate just before Hertworth gained his title. From the reports I received, the old man died of an opium overdose not long after arriving there.”
“You may go now,” she murmured turning away.
Once he was gone, Tulia paced the confines of her front parlor as she thought over Stanley’s words. Rich, handsome, titled…and Toriana Telford wanted him.
At any other time, the first three would be enough for her to show interest in a man, but not this time…this time it was the last which baited her hook.
She would, with great pleasure, steal away the man Toriana wanted. She would lure him and then seduce him. She might even go as far as marrying the boorish, uncouth, lesser…all just to spite the youngest Telford misbegot.
But he wasn’t the man she wanted.
The man she wanted was Logan Telford.
Of course, if she traveled this path of vengeance she very well might have to relinquish all her dreams of every claiming Logan as her own.
There was some part of her that knew her hopes to marry Logan were fruitless. Everything was stacked against her…especially his family.
Then there were the rumors that floated through the dark hallway of society; rumors that she had ruined any chances of a good marriage with her dalliances with her servants. Tulia didn’t really give them any credit. After all, men took mistresses for their experiences in the bedroom, so why wouldn’t they take a woman to wife for the same reason?
Tulia took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Her chance with Logan Telford would not be lost.
She was Tulia Henden.
She was beautiful and desirable.
Once Logan understood her reasoning…once he understood her…she was confident he would forgive her and then he would love her with all his heart.
Yes, that’s exactly what would happen.
Shaking her jumbled thoughts away, she smiled, gave her hair a gentle pat and then turned toward the door. Time was of the essence. She had a wedding to stop, a man to seduce, and it all began with finding The Duke of Hertworth.
Chapter Nineteen
It was mid-morning and Toriana linked her arm with Drake’s and led him into the front parlor of her family townhouse. “I believe I counted every minute since you left last evening,” she murmured to him.
“As did I.” he stated and then paused to look around the room. It had changed greatly overnight. There were now two extra settees and four more large chairs, giving the room a somewhat crowded, but still elegant appearance.
Toriana led him over to one of the settees and took a seat and then patted the empty space next to her.
The not so innocent smile on her face had him taking a seat beside her and pulling her into the curve of his side. “You’re a minx, my love.
“And you love it.”
“I do…now tell me about the room that grows furniture.”
Toriana laughed. “Mother had the extra furniture from the attic brought down last night,” she explained. “The back parlor now has extra seating as well. She removed the two settees from father’s study and his favorite set of chairs and then she took the two settees from her own seating room and had them brought down to the back parlor as well.”
Drake nodded. “I can see the need, mostly after everyone who seemed to fill the house yesterday.” Then he turned his attention to her. “But, now back to us…it’s my dearest hope that last night was our last night apart.”
Leaning toward him, Toriana received a sweet, if not quick kiss, which brought forth a sigh from her lips. “If my Grandfather Criston and Grandmother Francis don’t arrive today, I might just have to stay at Grandfather Justin’s townhouse tonight,” she teased.
For that comment, Drake kissed her again. “I have a very nice bed there,” he murmured. The noise from the doorway drew his attention as the rest of her family began making their way from the dining room into the front parlor. “Did nobody else leave last night?”
Vance heard him and smiled. “We did…and it was a most pleasurable evening.”
Alianore blushed. “Vance!”
“What?” he asked innocently as he placed a kiss to her cheek. “Did you not find pleasure?”
Alianore’s blush intensified. “Behave yourself!” she scolded.
Drake was tempted to get up and punch his soon to be brother-in-law right in his bragging nose.
Toriana laced her fingers with Drake’s, bringing his attention to her and away from Vance. “Don’t let him get to you,” she whispered softly. “He may feel the need to brag about their night, but once we’re married, you won’t have to resort to such tactics. Love and contentment will shine on my face for all to see and they’ll know our evenings far surpass pleasurable.”
“Words like that make me want to—”
“Though I do enjoy spending time with in-laws,” Vance interrupted as his smile widened. “I must say, I’ll be glad when the two of you get this marriage done and over with so I can get on with my honeymoon.”
“You and me both,” Drake stated, bluntly.
Vance and Alianore took a seat on the settee across from them. “I didn’t mean to ruffle your feathers,” Vance stated with a laugh. “I was only trying to lighten the mood. I’m sure by the end of the day you’ll be wed and spending the night away from all of us.”
“I don’t have feathers,” Drake growled out and then suddenly smiled. “But you’re right, today needs to be one of a light mood and not gloomy.”
“You and Toriana are so perfectly suited for each other,” Alianore stated, looking from one to the other. “Your smile only enhances hers and vice versa. I’m so glad she has you.”
Drake was touched by her words. “Thank you.”
“We knew the moment Vance and Alianore really noticed each other that they were perfect for each other,” Toriana told Drake. We couldn’t ask for a better man to be her husband, her protector, or the father of my future nephews and nieces.”
Vance smiled. “Elf, you keep up all this sweetness toward me and I’m going to end up letting you tell as many Graveyard Bandit stories as you like.”
Toriana laughed. “Even to my future nephews and nieces?” she teased.
The smile on Vance’s face disappeared. “Not bloody likely,” he muttered and then sent her a wink.
“I see you did lose some of the guests,” Drake commented, hoping to change the subject.
“Javan and Lady Milison will show up soon,” Alianore replied. “They’ve become close friends with our family and for that reason alone they won’t want to miss the wedding.”
Toriana watched as Kinsley and their mother entered the room side-by-side. “Aurora and Casler will be here at some point today, I’m sure,” she added. “Logan and Casler have been best friends for as long as I can remember.”
Alianore nodded. “Aurora and Toriana became best friends and soon after, Kinsley and I began claiming her as another sister.”
Drake smiled over that. Grandfather Justin thought his son’s family claimed just about any and all as members of their extended family. The old man found it humorous, even though he might grumble about it.
Just then Bartley and Grandfather Justin entered the room. It was easy for Drake to see the relationship that existed between father and son. It was one he hoped someday to have with whatever sons and daughters he and Toriana had together.
The thought of babies, had Drake bringing his gaze back to the woman at his side. He prayed today her other grandparents arrived and they could wed. Yesterday he practiced patience, but he was honest enough to admit that his patience had about reached its limits. He wasn’t so sure he could restrain himself today…mostly if her grandparents didn’t arrive.
“Glad you and Grandfather could join us for breakfast this morning,” Logan stated. Taking a seat across from them, he stretched out his long legs.
Drake pulled in his thoughts and gave his attention to Logan. “It’s good to know you can so easily be made happy.”
Vance laughed at that.
Ignoring him, Logan smiled at Drake. “So, did you have a nice night?”
“We did.” Drake nodded. “Grandfather Justin had a few things to see to and then we shared a few glasses of brandy, talked for a bit, threw some knives, played a game of chess, and then retired.”
Logan sat forward in his chair even as his dark brown eyes narrowed. “Threw some knives?! Are you joking or have you lost your wits?!”
Drake looked around the room, his gaze ending on their Grandfather. “Was it a secret?”
Justin laughed and shook his head. “No.”
Bartley guided his wife over to one of the settees and then pulled a chair closer to it for his father. “I’m afraid none of them knew about their grandfather’s love of such a pastime,” he stated, sitting down beside Kimbra.
“Throwing knives is a pastime?”
Justin smiled at his grandson and nodded. “It started when I was a young man, younger than you. One of our servants showed me how to throw a knife as a way of self-defense. Carried a knife in my boot ever since.”
Logan looked down at his Grandfather’s feet. “Even now?”
“Even now.” Leaning down, Justin lifted his pant leg. “Inside my boot is a specially designed sheath to hold my knife.”
“How come I’ve never heard of this before?”
“Nor us girls?” Alianore added.
“I say, carrying a knife would be much more effective than throwing a punch,” Toriana stated and then laughed when her father, brother, and Vance looked at her in horror.
“My wife will not carry a knife,” Vance stated, staring at Alianore with a look of determination on his face.
“Of course not,” Alianore murmured.
“The very idea is frightening.” Logan shook his head.
Bartley met Toriana’s gaze. “No knifes,” he calmly stated. “I’m afraid you girls don’t have the temperament for weapons. Look how many times your sisters have thrown punches. Had they been carrying a weapon they would now both be in prison for murder.”
“I see your point. I don’t think you have to worry overly much about it…Alianore and Kinsley would have to improve their aim first,” Toriana teased impishly.
The room filled with laughter.
“I have no desire to carry any weapons,” Alianore confessed. “Vance is the only weapon I need.”
“Very well said, wife.”
Kinsley slowly nodded. “I have no need for one either.”
“Do you share this pastime with Grandfather?” Logan asked his father.
“I used to.” Barley nodded. “When you children were younger I used to carry my knife much as your Grandfather does, but rarely do I find the need nowadays.”
“I don’t recall ever seeing you carry one,” Logan muttered.
“It wasn’t something he flashed about in front of you children,” Kimbra explained. “Your father wore it more for protection, like the pistol he carried.”
“Father carried a pistol?” Alianore asked and then glanced at her other two sisters. “Did you know this?”
Kinsley shook her head. “I didn’t.”
Toriana nodded. “I saw him carrying it back when I was about eight. I thought all men carried them,” she stated, with a shrug.
“I knew he carried the pistol,” Logan admitted. “But he doesn’t now.”
Bartley smiled. “When I feel it’s needed, I do still carry it, same with the knife.”
“If you like, I can teach you how to throw one,” Justin told Logan. “It’s not that hard to learn. It all is in the balance, the aim, and how you throw it.”
“I would like that.” Logan nodded with a wide smile.
“Let’s hope your aim is better than your sisters,” Drake tossed out.
Logan’s smile disappeared. “It is…shall I show you?”
Drake laughed.
“You know, I find it bloody hard to insult you if you keep laughing at me,” Logan grumbled.
“I like you,” Drake stated. “Besides, soon you’re going to be my brother and I would just as soon keep peace between us.”
Logan nodded and sat back in his seat. “So how is it you know how to throw a knife?”
“There wasn’t much to do where I was raised. Learning to use different weapons was an excellent way to spend time.
“You mean when you weren’t beating off the wenches?”
Drake smiled. “My past is not up for discussion…but if you would like to talk about yours and the women you have bedded we can.”
Logan glanced at his mother and felt his face turn warm. “Let’s not,” he grounded out.
“I thought you might see it that way,” Drake replied.
“Lord Nesbowl,” Mr. Tadmen announced from the doorway.
“Have you had breakfast, Javan?” Kimbra asked as the young man entered the room. “Mr. Tadmen, will you please see that some coffee and some of Mrs. William’s sweet pastries are sent in?”
“Yes, milady.”
Coming forward, Javan greeted Kimbra with a kiss to her hand. “Thank you. Mother and I did share a small meal this morning before she hurried off to the dressmaker. With nothing left to do, I thought I would come over here and see what everyone was doing. I hope you don’t mind.”
