Abandoned to the Prodigal, page 24
“Well, Juliet?” her father said heavily.
And Juliet actually sprang forward, hugging her mother and then kissing her father’s aloof cheek. “I am so sorry to have worried you! I was wrong to go as I did, so please forgive me.”
In that moment, Barden actually admired her. She had managed to take the wind out of her parents’ sails and thus made his own intentions quicker and simpler. It was a good omen. This was the match that was meant to be.
She turned, politely greeting both himself and Catesby, without favoring either, but he could see the curiosity on her face.
Lord Myerly explained it to her, a malicious glint in his eyes. “Apparently, they are both engaged to you.”
“Whoever told you that was utterly mistaken,” Juliet said calmly.
“Thought they must be,” Myerly agreed. “Which one do you favor, then?”
“Neither!” Juliet exclaimed at the same time as the earl said haughtily, “That is none of your business, sir!”
The huge dog, meanwhile, had dragged its master far enough to be able to lay its head on Mrs. Stewart’s lap, to the imminent danger of the tea table.
“Good morning to you, too, Gun,” the lady murmured, patting the hairy head. “Watch him, Dan, or he’ll upset everything.”
“Dan,” however, seemed to be trying to hold a low-voiced conversation with young Ames, and Juliet was asking her mother if she could not stay at Myerly until tomorrow, if his lordship did not object.
“Stay as long as you like,” Myerly said expansively, merely to stir the pot, Barden was sure. “You cheer up these tired old eyes.”
Barden had had enough. The whole ridiculous situation was beginning to spread out of control once more. He dragged it back to heel.
“I expect you are wondering why I chose to accompany your father upon the visit,” he said loudly to Lady Juliet. “The truth is, I have arranged for us to be married right away.”
Her eyes widened with undisguised horror, and in spite of everything, all that beauty afraid of him was both gratifying and arousing.
“Don’t be ridiculous, man!” Catesby exclaimed. “You cannot rush the lady into something of that nature.”
“As you would know, having so markedly dragged your heels,” Barden snapped. “Lady Juliet knows all the advantages she and her family will receive from marriage with me.” He smirked. “And the pariah she would remain with you.”
“Rubbish!” Catesby blustered. “Juliet and I understand each other very well. Tell me now, Juliet, that you forgive me and accept me, and I promise I will make all this go away.”
Everyone gazed at Juliet, who looked at first desperate and hunted. And then, to Barden’s surprise, her lip twitched, and a spark of humor gleamed in her eyes. “Actually, I think Lord Myerly is the one to do that.”
“In the meantime,” Dan Stewart said, easing the dog carefully away from the tea table, “I’m afraid Lady Juliet will not be marrying either of you today or any other day. She is, in fact, engaged to me.”
“For God’s sake, Daniel!” Cornwell exploded.
Lord Myerly snickered.
Barden wanted to throw something.
Juliet, however, cast a sudden, brilliant smile at the shabby young man, whose lips quirked upward. “If she still wants to be.”
Unexpectedly, Juliet dashed to his side, snatched the leash from his fingers, and handed it to Mrs. Stewart. “If you please, just for a moment,” she said breathlessly, and seizing Stewart by the arm, she dragged him out of the door.
Instinctively, Barden started after them. So did Catesby, Lord and Lady Cosland, and Cornwell.
Chapter Twenty-Two
As soon as they were out of the room, Dan pulled the door shut and held onto the handle.
Juliet hung onto his free arm, giving it a little shake to get his attention, for someone was clearly trying to open the door from the other side, and Dan was exerting considerable strength to keep it shut.
“Thank you for saying that,” she said in a rush. “But before we go back, I want you to know that I’ll never hold you to it. As soon as this nonsense is done, I’ll jilt you quite heartlessly. If that’s what you want. But Dan?”
His eyes had never left her face, even when the door rattled and pulled behind him. “Mmm?”
“Before… I didn’t ask you then just to get me out of trouble. I won’t ever want to marry anyone except you. But I would die rather than make you marry me from some kind of false responsibility.”
“I have no responsibility,” he said.
She smiled, “Yes, you do, Dan. Sometimes you hide it, but it’s there, behind the fun. It’s one reason I love you so much.”
“Love?” He swallowed. “You…love me?”
“Oh, Dan, of course I love you! But if you don’t l—”
The rest of her speech was lost in his mouth as he kissed her. With a sob of joy, she flung both arms around his neck and abandoned herself to the wild, hard kiss.
His arm dragged her against him, so closely, they could have been one.
“Of course I love you,” he muttered against her lips. “How could I not, you—”
And the words vanished again into another deep, wondrous kiss.
He loved her. Dan loved her, and now, now, everything would be not just fine, but wonderful. Joy stretched out before her.
At some point, it seemed, Dan forgot about the door, for both his arms were around her. And people, including her parents, spilled out the room in shock.
Juliet gasped and whisked herself out of Dan’s arms, though she seized one of them back again before anyone could separate them. “I’m going to marry Dan,” she said happily.
Her father groaned. Barden looked furious enough to be dangerous. Jeremy, oddly, looked devastated.
“Come back inside,” her mother instructed.
Juliet obeyed, but she realized, suddenly, she was not afraid, and she would not run. Because Dan stood by her side, and together, they could do anything.
But Lord Barden took the floor, drawing all eyes, although to Juliet suddenly, he looked more like a stage villain than a real threat. Mrs. Stewart released Gun’s leash, and the dog trotted happily up to Dan and Juliet. She patted his big head, and he gratefully licked her hand while she regarded Lord Barden with only faint interest.
“I believe you know and understand the power I wield in society,” Barden said. “You would be ill-advised to throw that away on a passing fancy for a handsome face. Even Catesby would be better than him, you know. But neither will bring you the…salvation that I will. Tell her, Cosland.”
Her father was scowling. “Look, Juliet, I know, I understand why you are doing this, but truly it is not the way out. Barden is your best hope of recovery in society, although if you would rather Jeremy, I have already agreed, I will respect that.”
“I have chosen Dan.” She smiled. “And Dan has chosen me.”
“God help me, I shall be sick,” Barden muttered, and Juliet laughed, which seemed to throw him.
“No,” her father said firmly. “He will do you no good, Juliet. I will not allow it.”
“Then, I shall wait until I am twenty-one and marry him anyway.”
“Juliet,” her mother pleaded.
But Barden, clearly, had had enough. He took a step nearer her. “Stop playing games, you silly little girl,” he snarled. “You will marry me today or be ruined beyond all possibility of saving.”
Beside her, Dan stirred. “And you will see to that, will you?” he said gently. “Personally?”
Barden curled his lip, giving up all pretense. “Yes.”
Dan’s hand clenched, but before he could move, Juliet caught the dog’s head and pointed his nose straight at Barden in the center of the room. Dan paused, his breath catching as he realized what she was about.
“Gun,” she said happily. “Fire!”
She had no idea what would happen, or if the dog would obey someone other than Dan. But even if he just sat there, it would have been worth it, just for the suddenly terrified look on Barden’s face. However, Gun outdid himself.
With one of his brutally sudden barks, he shot out of her hands like a ball from a rifle, sending a side table flying in a hail of crockery and silver teaspoons. Dan’s aunts squealed.
Barden staggered backward in a futile attempt to escape, but Gun landed on him, with all four paws, bringing him down like a hunted deer.
Barden yelled. “Get it off, get it off me!”
Dan strolled forward. “Then you’ll withdraw your insolent offer of marriage and attendant threats?” he inquired casually.
Gun snarled, slavering over Barden’s throat.
“Dear God, Dan,” Mrs. Stewart said, awed. “I didn’t know he did that. Is he quite safe?”
“No, not really.” Dan smiled. “He’s a street cur, and he’s had no breakfast. In fact, I might have forgotten his dinner last night.”
“Very well, very well!” Barden screamed. “Get the monster off me, and I’ll agree to anything.”
Dan appeared to think about it while everyone watched him in fascination. “You’d better keep to it. Otherwise, he’ll find you. Enough, Gun.” Dan hauled the dog off. “Let him stand.”
As Barden staggered to his feet unaided, something fell from his coat. Dan picked it up, and Barden immediately snatched it from him.
“You’re welcome,” Dan said wryly. “What is so precious?”
Barden’s lips twisted angrily. “A special license that would have saved a lady’s reputation.”
“Instead of which, the dog appears to have saved it. But since you don’t need the license…”
Hastily, Barden whisked it out of the way, and Juliet, propelled by sheer mischief, plucked it away from him, just as the door opened, and Griffin announced Mr. Coates, the vicar, in an increasingly faint voice.
The vicar halted in mid-step, regarding the carnage open-mouthed. Gun wagged his tail and loped toward the new visitor, who backed toward the door.
Hastily, Dan caught the leash. “Sorry, sir. He’s quite harmless, really.”
“No, he is not!” Barden exclaimed in high, outraged tones. “The dog is an evil, dangerous cur that should be shot!”
The evil cur rubbed his head against Dan’s leg and wagged his tail. He looked as if he was smiling, and the vicar’s face softened visibly.
“Lord Myerly, I will bid you good day,” Barden said between his teeth.
“About time,” his lordship said, scowling. “Never asked you here in the first place.”
Barden bowed stiffly. “Sir, come with me,” he said to the vicar. “Your services are no longer required.”
“Dan, get him out of here!” Myerly roared suddenly. “How dare he dictate which guests come into my house! Coates, sit down, have a cup of tea!”
Since Dan had told her Myerly frequently denied the vicar access, this sudden invitation was somewhat surprising. Barden merely sneered, but Juliet’s mother added insult to Barden’s injury.
“My lord, I really believe you have stepped beyond the line of what is pleasing, or even permitted, by a guest. Please take our carriage back to Hornby. The servants will help you pack while the carriage returns for us. Goodbye, my lord.”
Barden spun on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving the door open.
Juliet, still holding the special license, met Dan’s gaze. His lips quirked. His eyes gleamed in invitation, and her breath caught. Mischief surged along with excitement and a much more basic feeling of rightness, of completion.
“Papa.” She stepped up to her father and took his hand. “Please consider this. Because if necessary, I will wait for him, and I will marry him on my twenty-first birthday. But I would so much rather do it with your blessing.”
Her father snatched his hand back. “Look, there is Jeremy, who once you eagerly promised yourself to. What has changed?”
“I have. Papa, Jeremy does not love me. Dan does.”
“Loves your money more like,” Colin muttered. Hugh nudged him ungently with a sharp, pink elbow.
“That isn’t true, Juliet,” Jeremy said desperately. “Oh, perhaps once I took you for granted. I behaved ill, as though you could be exchanged for someone else of similar birth and influence. But the truth is, you can’t be, because you’ve made me realize….oh the devil, in short, Juliet, I do love you, and it would be my profound honor to call you my wife.”
“Why, Jeremy,” she said, touched in spite of herself. “That was a genuinely handsome speech, and I’m grateful for the sentiment. But the truth is, I am at fault, too. I didn’t realize it before when we were engaged, but I didn’t love you, either. I was wrong. I love Dan.”
To Juliet’s surprise, her mother took her father’s hand. He frowned down at her, reading her unexpected, silent plea. Juliet began to smile.
Her father groaned. “This is madness! You barely know him! He has nothing! And your reputation—”
“He is the heir to Myerly, and my reputation means nothing without him.”
The earl continued to scowl.
“Cosland, allow her this,” her mother said, low. “It is her happiness.”
“Oh, for the love of—” He threw up both hands. “Very well, have him, marry him.”
“Oh, thank you, Papa!” She hugged her father and mother together and turned, laughing, back to Dan.
“Ha!” uttered Lord Myerly. “Got round the great Lord Cosland, did you? Well, you won’t get round me. I forbid it!”
All eyes turned on him in dismay. Silence filled the room, and the old man sat back and enjoyed it.
“You can’t,” Dan said. “I’m well past the age of majority.”
“True. But I can take Myerly away again, give it to Hugh!”
“That’s not such a bad idea,” Dan said seriously, and with a jolt, Juliet remembered the bizarre revelations of the morning.
Lord Myerly stared at Dan. So did Hugh and Mr. Ames.
“Why?” Myerly barked.
“Hugh will tell you later. If you don’t shout. Mr. Coates, I have a special license here. Would you be so good as to marry Lady Juliet and me?”
*
Lord Barden sat in the bumping Cosland carriage, stunned and entirely at a loss.
And yet, this had happened before. Only four days previously, his plans for Hazel Curwen had been thwarted by his humiliating ejection from Brightoaks. And he still felt that previous failure must have contributed to this one. With Hazel as his acknowledged mistress, his social power would have been that much more apparent.
Damn Cosland, damn him! And damn that puppy and his monstrous hell-hound…
To hell with all of them. He had recovered from worse, and it was undeniably true that his initial revenge held true. Hazel Curwen and Cosland’s daughter were both ruined. He had that much satisfaction.
But now, he had to look ahead, not backward. He might have hurt Cosland, and he certainly would do his best to hurt Juliet further, but he did not have his money back. His estate was still mortgaged and rented out. He lived in inferior rooms in London instead of the gracious family townhouse. To get those things back, to live in luxury, he needed another wealthy bride. One of even higher standing than Juliet Lilbourne.
He sat up. Oh, yes. With a few tweaks to his original plan, he could still salvage everything. He hesitated, wondering whether it would be best to concentrate now on Meg Winter… Or stick to his original schedule and go to Deborah Shelby in Cheshire to cover his back.
Yes, Cheshire would be best. And while he was there, he could set the other matter in motion.
He was almost cheerful by the time he returned to Hornby Park, where he took great pleasure in revealing nothing to Juliet’s avid siblings.
*
Juliet was in awe. She could not quite believe this was happening, that she was marrying Dan. Breathless laughter bubbled just below the surface as she stood beside the man she loved and made her vows of marriage before Mr. Coates, witnessed by her parents and Dan’s family. And Jeremy, who seemed both stunned and devastated, but who shook hands manfully with Dan afterwards and wished them both happy.
Bizarrely, the man who had just tried to kill Dan remained in the room to witness his wedding. Seated by Mrs. Ames with Hugh standing behind them, he watched in silence. But when Juliet and Dan approached them, tears were running down his face. He looked terrified.
“It’s time, Hetty,” he said agitatedly. “It’s time.”
“Time for what, dear?” Mrs. Ames asked, patting his hand. “Congratulations, Dan. I wish you both the best of everything in your marriage.”
Hugh stuck out a hasty hand. “All the best, old fellow. Lady Juliet, you have broken my heart by marrying this lout, but funnily enough, he’s the best of us.”
“Time, Hugh!” Mr. Ames insisted.
“Yes, Papa.” Hugh patted his shoulder. “It is time. We won’t come to your wedding breakfast, though it is most kind of your mother to invite us. I think we’ll head back to Hertfordshire.”
“Will you manage?” Dan asked bluntly. “What will you do?”
“It’s been planned for a while. A couple of strong footmen and a kind nurse already work in the house on different duties. They will now care exclusively for my father. It’s what he wants, as you hear. He has frightened himself as much as me by what he did. I’m sorry. I only took my eyes off him for an hour a day.” His eyes flickered. “For my own sanity. Never imagined what he was getting up to in that hour.” Hugh’s smile was lopsided. “Will you take it amiss if I say I’m glad it was you, Dan? Anyone else would have had him arrested. I shouldn’t have let him come at all, but he was so eager.”
Dan gripped his shoulder briefly. “You’re not alone, Hugh. Call on me for anything. If I can help, I will.”
Half an hour later, as they waved the Ameses off, Juliet said, “You never know what people carry with them, do you? Poor Hugh has been bearing the entire weight of his father’s deterioration, covering for him, looking after him, and all anyone ever said about him—all I ever said about him—was that he wore a pink coat.”
Dan’s fingers slipped through hers. “He does have a pink coat. I expect its brightness cheers him up. But it’s far from an empty coat. Shall we ride to Hornby?”
