Lady Edith's Lonely Heart: A Regency Romance (Lonely Hearts Series Book 1) Read online

  “Will it be a parcel this time?”

  “Yes. I sent a letter to the editor, asking specifically for his discretion. I received a reply, promising me there will be no further mishaps,” Edith assured him.

  “I’ll believe that when I see it,” came the muttered response.

  Chapter 5

  Ralph pushed himself away from the table, emptying his glass as he stood. He smiled slightly. “Gentlemen, thank you for your company tonight.”

  “And our money,” grumbled one of the still seated fellows.

  “I didn’t force you to join me,” Ralph pointed out. “In fact, I’m quite happy to let you try and win it back.”

  “A fool, I might be, an idiot I am not,” came the disparaging reply from one of his acquaintances who had been hit particularly hard by losses.

  “I’ll bid you goodnight then,” Ralph nodded and left the group.

  Leaving the building, he faltered before taking his usual route. Restlessness was affecting him these last few days and he couldn’t settle at anything. Instead of turning home, he changed direction and headed for St James’s Street.

  Entering Brook’s club, he was greeted with surprise, but welcome, by one or two of the gentlemen present.

  “Have you decided to visit a higher class of gaming establishment?” Lord Hoylake asked, blowing a cloud of cigar smoke into the air as he spoke.

  Ralph liked the man. There was no smoking allowed in the establishment, but Lord Hoylake didn’t give a damn and flouted the rules. Most of the occupants preferred snuff than the newer cigars, which were seeping into the country since the men returning from the Peninsular War had brought them back with them.

  “I don’t know about that. A change of scenery seemed appealing,” Ralph answered, ordering a drink from an attentive footman.

  “Heard your luck was having a good run. I’d be willing to put it to the test,” Lord Hoylake offered.

  “Maybe another night. I’m bored of cards tonight.”

  “Bored of cards, by gad man! Are you ailing?”

  Ralph smiled and accepted a glass of amber liquid from the servant at his elbow. “Perhaps. I doubt it will be of the long-lasting sort though, so you’ll have that game.”

  “I should hope so. The profits of half the gaming hells in London would sink if you were to reform.”

  “I’m glad my movements are providing entertainment for the tittle-tattlers,” Ralph said with derision.

  “Got to know everything about potential opponents, my boy. Doesn’t do to go into a game blind.”

  “You’d be surprised how many do,” Ralph said.

  “Aye, and that’s why your pockets are bulging. Challenge me one night and you might not be so fortunate,” Lord Hoylake promised.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Ralph nodded as the earl left him, once he was sure there was no opportunity to try and fleece the younger man.

  Settling into an ox-blood chair, Ralph placed his glass down and got out his snuff box. Flipping the lid, he took a pinch out of the exquisitely engraved silver box.

  “Don’t let Brummell, or his cronies, see you using two hands to open your snuff box,” came the laughing voice of Miles. “You’d be ostracised as being not quite the thing.”

  “Thankfully, he won’t be able to see me from Calais,” Ralph responded.

  Miles sat in the chair recently occupied by Lord Hoylake. “It’s good to see you, but what brings you here?”

  “I don’t honestly know,” Ralph admitted. “An unusual reluctance to return home.”

  “That’s unlike you. I’ve usually the devil of a task to get you out anywhere.”

  “I’ve been feeling a tad restless these last few days. Don’t know what the deuce has come over me, but I hope it doesn’t last!”

  Miles smiled. “Is now a good time to persuade you to join my sister and myself on a ride to Highgate tomorrow? Edith has a desire to explore some of the parkland around there. We could make a day of it and enjoy some refreshments at the Castle Inn. It’s a respectable establishment.”

  “I don’t think spending a day with your sister would be a good idea. We nearly came to blows after ten minutes,” Ralph said.

  “She’s quite harmless when you get to know her,” Miles defended his sister.

  “A high recommendation indeed!” Ralph mocked. “Thank you for the offer, but I’d best be thinking of returning to my estate again.” And what faces me there, he thought bleakly.

  “You are fastidious in your care,” Miles complimented him. “I feel quite the absent landlord in comparison.”

  “My estate is closer to London than yours,” Ralph said quickly. “It makes more sense for me to keep a check on what’s going on.”

  “That’s why we have stewards, dear boy,” Miles lectured with a grin. “Why employ someone and then do all the work yourself? That’s not good economics.”

  “So, you’ve turned into the worst type of absent landlord,” Ralph countered. “Shame on you.”

  “I am unrepentant. In fact, I’m even worse, for I intend to browbeat you until you succumb to my coaxing and join us tomorrow. How can you resist my company for a whole day? You know you want to!”

  Ralph paused. He did want to spend a day in which he would not be required to think, to prepare, or to react to any of his responsibilities. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a day like that.

  “I’ll join you,” he said.

  “Really? That was easier than expected!” Miles said with pleasure. “Come to Curzon Street at eleven.”

  “I’ll be there at noon. I’m not getting out of bed early for anyone,” Ralph retorted.

  Miles grinned. “That’s capital! I hadn’t expected to set off before one.”

  “I didn’t have you down for such a slyboots. You won’t get me so easily next time!”

  *

  Ralph knew he should have been late. Miles was dallying, probably fussing over his cravat if past experience was anything to go by, Ralph fulminated silently. He stood before the grand marble fireplace in the drawing room of the house. Silence had descended in the room and time was dragging interminably.

  Edith was seated, resplendent in her rich blue military-style riding habit with contrasting black braiding and watching Ralph with apprehension. He was certainly fine to look at, his clothes fitted him to perfection. There was no padding of the shoulders or calves, nor was there a corset holding in a rounded stomach; he was broad shouldered and lean. The material he wore was of the finest quality and his cravat tumbled in the nonchalant way that only the most talented nonpareils could achieve. Unfortunately for Edith, being in company with a handsome man didn’t necessarily mean the conversation would flow easily. They had made stilted attempts to converse for the last twenty minutes and both were wishing themselves miles away. It didn’t bode well for the day ahead.

  Lady Longdon surprised them both by bursting into the room. “Edith! What is the meaning of this?” she cried, not acknowledging Ralph’s presence, or possibly not even noticing he was there in her hurry to accost her daughter.

  “I don’t understand what you mean, Mama. I’m waiting with Lord Pensby for Miles to join us. We’re going to Highbury,” Edith explained, trying to bring to her mother’s attention that they had a guest.

  “No. No. Not that,” Lady Longdon dismissed her daughter’s words. “This.” She held out a poorly wrapped parcel to her daughter. “I have just been accosted on my own doorstep by a delivery boy, who winked at me! WINKED at me as he handed this parcel to me. Why are you receiving a parcel full of letters, Edith?”

  “Oh dear God,” Edith muttered, but loud enough for Ralph to hear. The colour drained from her cheeks, leaving behind a deathlike pallor. “Mama, let me take them from you.”

  “You will do no such thing without giving me an explanation first,” Lady Longdon responded tartly, pulling the parcel out of Edith’s grasp.

  Edith and Ralph watched in awed wonder as the sudden motion of Lady Longdon c
aused the already ripped wrapping paper to split and the letters to leave the confines of the parcel in an arc of paper. It seemed the letters floated to the ground, in an effort to ensure the observers were fully aware of what the parcel contained.

  A moment of stillness descended on the room before Edith sprang into action, frenziedly gathering the letters. She turned a deep crimson with shame when silently, Ralph handed her a pile he’d gathered unobtrusively.

  “Thank you,” she muttered. “Please excuse me.”

  Leaving the room and running blindly up the stairs, her progress was stayed by Miles who was about to descend. “What’s the commotion about?” her brother asked.

  “I can’t come out today. I can’t show my face ever again! What was I thinking?” Edith moaned.

  “Edith, this is not like you. Come. What is the matter?” Miles saw what she grasped in her hands and groaned. “Mother’s seen the letters?” he asked.

  Edith tried to blink the moisture away in her eyes. “Yes. The delivery boy gave the parcel to her. It was torn and when I tried to get it… Lord Pensby…” She felt almost hysterical at the thought of what their guest had seen.

  “Don’t worry about Ralph, he’s too much of a gentleman to mention anything. You are going to get a scolding off mother, once she realises what’s been going on,” Miles cautioned.

  “He might be a gentleman, but I know he’s seen them! What must he think?” Edith said. “I can’t go out. Please send my apologies, although he won’t expect to see me after this, I’m sure.”

  Miles thought it prudent not to mention that Ralph would know exactly what the letters were. “No. You are joining us, or you will spend the day being reprimanded by mother. Get rid of those letters and meet us on the pavement in five minutes. I’ve sent word to bring the horses round.”

  After a moment’s pause Edith nodded her acquiescence. Miles was right. Better to face the embarrassment of being in Ralph’s company than listen to the recriminations of her mother, which were going to be long and protracted.

  “Just one other thing, Edith,” Miles waited until Edith met his gaze. “This has to stop. It’s a recipe for disaster. It always was and I was foolish in indulging you. When you return, you will write to The Times and cancel your advertisement. The risk to your reputation can’t be borne. Today has proved how you’ve been dallying with folly.”

  Edith didn’t argue. She just nodded her head once more and continued up the stairs to her chamber.

  *

  The threesome allowed their horses to expel some energy once they’d cleared the busy streets of the city. There was little time for talking, for which Edith was grateful. Only general chat was exchanged as they approached Highbury, but when they reached the Castle Inn, Miles was fussing over his horse, so Ralph led Edith into a private parlour.

  “My lord, about this morning…” Edith started, needing to say some words about the horrific incident.

  “You’ve no need to explain anything to me. It isn’t my concern after all,” Ralph responded, taking his gloves off and walking to the fire to warm his hands.

  “It must seem a little odd.” Edith didn’t know what to say, but she was compelled to try and explain.

  “For all I know, you are heavily in debt and all your creditors decided, on the same day, to approach you for recompense,” Ralph said easily, unaccountably not wishing to prolong the distress Edith was suffering.

  Laughing despite her embarrassment, Edith sat down. “You have guessed correctly. I’m a shameful woman, my lord.”

  Unable to stop himself smiling in return, Ralph turned slightly to her. “I guessed the moment we were reacquainted. I shall have to take you to one of my gaming hells and watch you sink further as you try and pay off what you owe. It’s what those in debt do regularly.”

  “My talents are sadly lacking in that area. I would likely come out with even more problems than I entered with.”

  “Most people do.”

  “But not you?” Edith was compelled to ask.

  “No.”

  “I don’t know why, but you don’t strike me as a gambler. I suppose you don’t have the air of a man who is reliant on the turn of a card,” Edith admitted, completely distracted from her own mortification.

  Ralph couldn’t help the chuckle escaping. “You certainly don’t hesitate in giving your opinions, Lady Edith.”

  Edith flushed, but smiled. “You laugh at my forwardness, but I became overly defensive of yours. You must wonder at my inconsistent and antagonistic behaviour.”

  “Your words do not offend me. But to get back to your original statement, I’m not a man who is reliant on what others consider lady luck. I gamble for another reason,” Ralph admitted.

  “Is there another reason other than to win funds?”

  “In my case there is. Winning the funds is a pleasant consequence of the activity but the main attraction is that for those minutes of the game, I am completely focused on what is happening in front of me. I have to concentrate wholeheartedly. For those few moments nothing else intrudes and that is worth risking losing some blunt, if I do,” Ralph explained.

  Edith frowned slightly as she thought through his words. “I won’t question as to why you need to block out everything so wholly, although I admit to wishing to know,” she smiled. “I don’t forget how this conversation started and I thank you for your consideration.”

  Ralph nodded. “As no one else knows my motivation, you hold one of my too many secrets, Lady Edith. And I now know that you’re a terrible spendthrift.”

  Edith laughed as Miles entered the room. “Not coming to blows then?” he asked amiably. “Thought you would be after the evening at Vauxhall Gardens.”

  “Miles! You brute! Fancy reminding us about that disastrous event,” Edith exclaimed.

  “You wouldn’t think I was the one needing to avoid society by that faux pas,” Ralph said looking unperturbed.

  Miles grinned. “Let’s order some food. We’ll have to take it slowly on our way home; I think Casper has a problem with his hind leg.”

  “Should you be riding him?” Edith asked.

  “I’ll see how he fares. If he’s struggling, I’ll walk him back,” Miles said with a shrug.

  “But it’ll take hours! You’d never make it home before sundown!” Edith exclaimed.

  “Better that than ruin my horse. I might have to leave him here and hire a hack, which I’ll be loath to do. Probably better to be safe than sorry, I suppose,” Miles said.

  “Yes, you don’t want to permanently cripple the poor beast having to carry your weight when it’s under par,” Ralph responded, gratified when Edith laughed at the comment.

  *

  The three trundled back to London after a refreshing respite. Miles soon fell behind, muttering under his breath about the inadequacies of hired horses.

  “He’s a spoiled cavalryman,” Edith said, as the two riding thoroughbreds kept in Miles’ sight but walked ahead at a slightly faster pace.

  “He knows his horses though. I wouldn’t buy one without his approval,” Ralph admitted. He noticed her surprised look. “What have I said to astound you?” he asked with a faint smile.

  Edith flushed a little. “I suppose it’s the fact that you rely on someone for advice. You seem so self-assured, as most men are, I admit, but with you it’s different. I suppose self-sufficient is a better description.”

  “I, like many others who hold the family title have to be, especially with estates to run, but I also pride myself in not being foolish either. I know I’ll get a far better beast with Miles advising me. Come, even an independent woman like yourself, must seek advice sometimes.”

  Edith snorted in a most unladylike fashion, which made Ralph laugh. “You would think, being of age and having my own fortune would open the world to me, would you not? Instead, I feel almost as constrained as I did when I was in the schoolroom. I’m very much forced to bow to the wishes of my mother and even my brother in some instances,” Edith sa
id bitterly.

  “We all have restrictions in our lives, even as the head of the family,” Ralph reasoned.

  “I suppose you do,” Edith admitted. “But I do think being a woman, even a rich one is different to the situation of a man. I wish to return to the country, but my brother and mother wish differently, so I have no option other than to stay in the city. They doubt I know my own mind, which is devilishly frustrating.”

  “You really want to leave whilst the season is in full swing?” Ralph asked in surprise. He’d been given a hint of Edith’s character from Miles, but hearing her own views was fascinating.

  “Yes. I’m an ungrateful brat, I realise that, even if my mother hadn’t told me the same, albeit in slightly more polite terms,” Edith said ruefully.

  Ralph laughed again. “You surprise me, Lady Edith. I thought dancing, flirting and refusing proposals was the highlight of a young woman’s come-out.”

  “You make us sound positively fickle and shallow!” Edith exclaimed. “Yet, you have no recriminations for the men who offer for three women in one week. Surely that can’t be seen as good ton?”

  “No? Really? Which buffoon did that? And dare I ask, were you number one, two or three?” Ralph asked, barely suppressing the chuckle which threatened to emerge.

  Glowering, Edith huffed. “I was number three.”

  “Don’t worry. That sentence alone has persuaded me that the man is a complete fool,” Ralph said seriously.

  “Thank you. I admit, even if I’d been number one, there wouldn’t have been an acceptance given. He wasn’t refused out of my being piqued,” Edith admitted.

  “I would hope not. It does reassure me that I’m not missing anything by my remaining on the outskirts of society.”

  “It surprises me that you do. A single, handsome man is always popular.”

  “Good to know that you consider me handsome,” Ralph said with a chuckle.

  Although Edith’s cheeks flamed, she smiled. “You know full well you are. My admitting something so obvious, is not my flirting with you, my lord.”