Capturing The Earl’s Love Part Seven ~ A Historical Romance Story

A #free short story… I’ll be telling it here, and it can also now be purchased from Amazon.

@Copyright Jane Lark; Publishing rights owned by Harper Impulse; Harper Collins UK

Capturing the Earl’s Love

A Historical Romance story

Part Three

Part Seven

Meredith skipped into the circle with the other women while the men clapped, as her eyes were, unwillingly, pulled towards Lord Morton. She had a constant desire to look at him.

He stood with his usual manner of cool indifference to the world, tall and stiff. He was speaking with Lord Edward, and no longer looking at her. His gaze had quite clearly expressed disgust when he had looked at her.

Hugh grasped her arm, capturing her attention again, and redirected her as she made an error in the dance steps and nearly moved completely awry. She blushed as he met her gaze and smiled down at her. Hugh did not insult her by ignoring her.

The music slowed and she skipped the last steps. She was breathless, hot and panting when she stopped. Hugh stepped forward and gripped her arm. Meredith looked back across her shoulder, intending to look at Lord Morton again, but before she could, she saw her father.

He lifted his hand, implying he wished to speak with her.

“Would you care to walk outside?” Hugh whispered, leaning towards Meredith’s ear.

She mentally sighed. No, Hugh did not cut her as Lord Morton did; Hugh insulted her by expecting things from her she should not give. He would not ask the same of Rowena. Rowena, he would wish to marry. Rowena, he respected. No one in this room respected Meredith.

Had he not made that offer, she might have tried to avoid her father. But she was in no mood to let Hugh steal a kiss. No matter how pointless her hopes were regarding the Earl of Morton, she was feeling rejected, and now that he was no longer chaperoning Rowena, Meredith would never see him. This happy interlude in her life was at an end. One day soon she was going to have to marry someone, and it would be someone she did not want.

“My father is beckoning me, Mr Holland. Would you take me to him?”

Hugh looked to confirm what she’d said, and when his gaze came back to her, it had an edge of irritation. “Oh, very well then. Perhaps later I could have the supper dance?”

“I… I am not sure…” She did not wish to dine with Hugh. She was inclined to torture herself a little more. If she dined with Rowena, then perhaps Lord Morton would sit with them.

“Meredith!” Her father’s voice boomed above all others. It always did.

She cringed a little as people about them stared.

Hugh swiftly bowed and disappeared.

Her father gripped her elbow tightly and turned her towards the edge of the room. Once they’d passed through the crowd he found them an empty sofa in an alcove, and bid her sit. She did, her fingers gripping the seat cushion beside her thighs as she looked up at him.

He swept back his coattails and sat next to her.

He’d never sat with her at a ball before.

“Perrigrew has a proposal for you,” he opened without preamble.

“For me?” Perrigrew was her father’s business partner. His wife had passed away six weeks ago. Since then he had spent a lot of time at her father’s house.

“Yes, it is the perfect idea. I like it quite well, myself. It would develop a true partnership between us.”

She was not following what he said, though she watched his lips. She looked up at his eyes. “I’m sorry, Papa. What proposal?”

“A proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“Oh child, do not act as though you cannot know. He has eaten with us several times in the last couple of weeks.”

She did not understand, and merely looked at her father. Her fingers were still clutching the cushion. She released it, instead clasping her hands in her lap, and straightened her back, trying to remember to look elegant, as she’d been taught.

“He intends to offer for you tonight, child. He wishes to speak with you alone. He is coming here to speak with you. He should arrive soon. I came ahead to have chance to talk to you myself. I have given my consent. So you may say yes, immediately. But Perrigrew is an old-fashioned sort. He wishes to say the words to you himself, and then we thought—”

She stood, looking down at him. “What words, Papa? Thought what?”

Meredith’s father stood too and took her hand. “That the wedding could take place in a week or so, with a special licence. There is no point in hanging about with such agreements. The marriage contract has been signed.”

Meredith opened her mouth but no words came out. No. Mr Perrigrew was older than her father! She had seen Mr Perrigrew looking at her, often, but… She had never imagined this. How could she have imagined this?

Emotion welled in Meredith’s chest, as tears and screams tied a knot in her throat. She had never imagined such an end to her life.

She would rather throw herself off a cliff than accept Mr Perrigrew. She would rather be Hugh Holland’s lover than Mr Perrigrew’s wife. Her thoughts raced – spinning and twirling and tangling up. Oh God. How could she…

Turning away, without apology, she fled the room, her heart pounding in the rhythm of a drumbeat, in her chest and her ears. Nausea and fragility besieged her as she ran out on to the terrace. She could faint… Oh God, no, please. I cannot marry a man I care nothing for. She did not stop. She carried on, one hand gripping her skirt, and her reticule, which dangled from her wrist, bounced against her hip as she raced off along the moonlit garden path, her still empty dance card tucked within it.

When she reached a summerhouse, she stopped, catching her breath and recovering her wits as she looked back in the direction of the house. The path was dark, screened off from the terrace by trees, blocking any light from the ballroom.

She sat down on a bench in the whitewashed, wooden sanctuary, covered her face with her hands, and cried, a wave of utter despair sweeping over her.

If Mr Perrigrew was who her father wished for her, she had to accept him. Her life was to be given to Mr Perrigrew. He would not take her to balls, or parties, or anywhere… She would not even be able to maintain her friendship with Rowena; she knew she would not. Mr Perrigrew rarely socialised with the ton. He called them pretentious fools and accused her father of trying to climb the social ladder.

The last charge had been thrown against her father for bringing her out into the ton. Mr Perrigrew had said her father would be seen as a parasite, and not a businessman, for doing so.

Her father thought Mr Perrigrew a friend. Meredith did not think him a friend. He seemed divisive to her, and this proved her right.

Why had her father bothered sending her to school for a year to prepare for her come-out, and give her hopes by telling her, frequently, how he wished her to win a title, if he then just gave her to Mr Perrigrew? He must have realised, now how stupid his hope had been.

Her skin tingled as tears trickled down her cheeks. Oh God. Her heart felt as though it was breaking.

“Miss Divine?”

Meredith stiffened, swiftly wiping away the tears from her cheeks, but she did not stand as she looked up at Lord Morton. She hadn’t heard him approach. But then she had been crying and her hands had been covering her face. She said nothing. What was there to say? He loathed her. He would not be interested in her fate.

She was angry with him suddenly – angry, bitter and resentful. How was it possible to love someone so much, when he hated you?

A Lord’s Desperate Love is the story of two of the secondary characters from the 1st book in

the Marlow Intrigues Series

‘The Illicit Love of a Courtesan’

NOTE – THIS – AND ALL MY BOOKS – ARE CURRENTLY REDUCED IN THE UK!

For

the story of the real courtesan who inspired The Illicit Love of a Courtesan,
another free short story, about characters from book #2, A Lord’s Scandalous Love,
the prequel excerpts for book #3 The Scandalous Love of a Duke

Go to the index

Jane Lark is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult Romance stories, and the author of a No.1 bestselling Historical Romance novel in America, ‘The Illicit Love of a Courtesan’.

Click here to find out more about Jane’s books, and see Jane’s website www.janelark.co.uk to learn more about Jane. Or click ‘like’ on Jane’s Facebook page to see photo’s and learn historical facts from the Georgian, Regency and Victorian eras, which Jane publishes there. You can also follow Jane on twitter at @janelark

Jane’s books can be ordered from most booksellers in paperback

Capturing the Earl’s Love Part Five ~ A Historical Romance Story

A #free short story… I’ll be telling it here, and it can also now be preordered on Amazon.

@Copyright Jane Lark; Publishing rights owned by Harper Impulse; Harper Collins UK

Capturing the Earl’s Love

A Historical Romance story

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Meredith Divine laughed loudly and uncomfortably as she clung to Rowena’s arm. Arriving with Rowena’s cousin and his wife, made her feel awkward. She did not really know them. Her heart raced.

She ought to be used to the censure of the ton by now – she had been out for a year – she was not. She was very thankful for Rowena. Rowena had accepted Meredith from the moment she’d come out, without judgement. Rowena was Meredith’s shield.

They reached the receiving line. Lord and Lady Marlow were introduced first, then Lady Rowena, and finally Miss-insignificant-Divine.

She was here because several of the ton were in business with her father, but she was only tolerated, not welcomed.

Her father was coming later this evening, yet he’d bid Meredith to come early with Rowena, as he’d had a meeting with his business partner over dinner.

Meredith’s gaze spun about the ballroom as they entered. It was overcrowded; she could hardly see through the crush of people, but even so her gaze searched for one person. She wasn’t even sure if he was coming. Rowena had not said, and Meredith did not like to ask. Where was Rowena’s brother? She’d not seen him since last evening, and he had not taken them out as he’d promised. His cousin’s wife had been in the barouche when it arrived.

Meredith’s heart kept beating with a firm rhythm. She knew Lord Morton did not like her, though she tried hard to be pleasing. She just wished he might at least smile at her. He never did.

Like the others in the ton, he thought she was lacking because of her low birth, and that was insurmountable. Why did it have to be him her heart favoured? Someone so very proud. He always looked as though he thought he was above most of life. The only time he showed any interest in anything was when he looked at Rowena.

“Now then, Rowena, Miss Divine, shall I fetch you a glass of orgeat to refresh you before you dance?” Lord Edward spoke to Rowena first, then glanced at Meredith.

Meredith smiled. Lord Edward smiled back.

He seemed pleasant and far less judgemental than his cousin. Yet there was little between the two men in handsomeness. They were lean, muscular and tall. Though Lord Morton’s hair was a lighter brown, and he had hazel eyes, rather than Lord Edward’s dark blue.

Meredith had been lost in Lord Morton’s hazel eyes last night as they’d danced, and she’d dreamed of them too, and dreamed of that waltz, of being held and steered so beautifully by his muscular arms.

Her heart fluttered as she nodded a thank you to Lord Edward, accepting his offer.

Her attraction to Rowena’s brother had been instantaneous on their introduction. Yet he’d only ever looked at her with disdain and suspicion, and sometimes she’d caught him staring, in his judgemental way, as if he was disgusted by her and could not believe just how ill-mannered she was.

She glanced about the room again as Lord Edward left them, her fingers grasping the reticule which hung from her wrist.

She still could not see Lord Morton. Now that he had passed the responsibility for chaperoning Rowena to his cousin’s wife, Meredith had no idea whether he would even come. He never normally danced.

Last night, then, had been a very precious exception.

For long, unending minutes she’d thought he would leave her standing there like a prize idiot, but then he’d finally asked, obviously unwillingly. She was going to treasure the memory of that dance. She was certain it was the closest contact she would ever have with him. He was too many miles above her reach. It was just a shame her heart would not be directed elsewhere.

“Lady Rowena, may I impose upon you for a dance…?”

Meredith’s gaze spun to the older gentleman, Lord Kendrick, who’d been introduced to them last night.

Rowena was blushing. Earlier she’d whispered to Meredith that Lord Kendrick had asked to marry her today. He’d met Rowena only hours before making the offer. Of course, Rowena had declined.

Meredith’s heart pounded again. If an offer was made for her, she knew her father would not let her decline. Whoever the man was, she would have to accept him, and she’d even be expected to show she was glad of the honour he’d shown her, no matter her feelings. Her father was impatient for her to make a match. Her days were numbered. If no one offered soon, her father had said a week ago, he would find someone for her.

Find who?

If only Lord Morton could be encouraged, but everything he said and did implied he not only was not interested in her, but hated her.

Yet Meredith had met no one else she wished to encourage

She did not hate Lord Morton. Last night he had looked at her, properly for the very first time and glanced down at her lips as she spoke, then looked right into her eyes. Weakness had assailed her as he’d held her, and she’d wondered if he’d sensed the trembling she’d felt inside…

“Come, let me introduce you to my family, Miss Divine.” Lady Eleanor touched Meredith’s arm, gently pressing her elbow to lead her.

It would be embarrassing if Meredith was left to sit the dance out. Especially as she was with people she hardly knew. She glanced back at the people dancing, then looked desperately about the edges of the room, trying to catch the eye of some gentleman who might ask.

“Ellen.”

Meredith’s heart leapt in her chest as her gaze spun to Lord Morton. He’d come from the direction of the entrance; he must have just arrived. His voice had that deep, subtly angry pitch she’d become used to, but, nevertheless, her heart ached at the sight of his harsh countenance.

His eyes were a clutter of light brown, green and gold.

His gaze dropped from Lady Edward to Meredith, as if saying, I did not speak to you, why, are, you, looking at me? Then in his very formal voice, he said, “Miss Divine,” before looking back at Lady Edward.

Anxiety tied Meredith’s stomach in a knot..

“Miss Divine, would you accept my hand?”

Meredith turned to face Hugh Holland. Hugh had no title, but he was born from old money, simply a couple of generations below any wealth. He was fortune hunting. But he was not hunting any fortune from her; her dowry was as many miles off what this man needed as the level of her birth was below what Lord Morton considered genteel.

However, Hugh wished something else from Meredith. He’d made numerous inappropriate suggestions since they’d been introduced. She did like him, though. If he had been at all prepared to make an appropriate offer, he was one man she might have been willing to accept, although she’d never love him. But she did enjoy dancing with him. Hugh made her laugh.

She had even let him kiss her once or twice, but never let him do more. The last thing she needed was to have a ruined reputation on top of a poor heritage and an equally poor dowry.

“I would be honoured, Mr Holland.” She dropped a curtsy, and smiled, feeling Lord Morton’s gaze burning into the back of her head. Her skin prickled. Lord Morton made her feel such odd, delicious things. It was him she wished to dance with, not Hugh. But she would simply have to keep wishing, because undoubtedly, last night’s dance would not be repeated.

A Lord’s Desperate Love is the story of two of the secondary characters from the 1st book in

the Marlow Intrigues Series

‘The Illicit Love of a Courtesan’

NOTE – THIS – AND ALL MY BOOKS – ARE CURRENTLY ON SALE IN THE UK!

For

the story of the real courtesan who inspired The Illicit Love of a Courtesan,
another free short story, about characters from book #2, A Lord’s Scandalous Love,
the prequel excerpts for book #3 The Scandalous Love of a Duke

Go to the index