Just then, she caught the sound of a branch snapping and hushed voices. Had they come looking for her already?
“You bloody fool, don’t make so much noise. They might not have fallen asleep yet!” A chill went up her spine as she recognized her father’s voice. She looked down at the beautifully boyish face she was cradling and suddenly noticed that it was oddly pale in the moonlight and quite still. She bent forward but could hardly detect any breathing. Placing her finger at Philip’s throat she finally found a very faint pulse. Fearing discovery was the least of her problems right now. She opened her mouth and let out a terrifying scream, the scream that her father always said could call pigs from two farms away and break all the windows in the house.
She heard her father swear again. “Forget the chit, Carlton! We’ll have the lot of them onto us in no time!”
Julius looked about him. It had been some time since he had seen Patience on the ballroom floor. Miss Arlington had fobbed him off onto a painstakingly shy and plain wallflower who obviously had not had the pleasure of a dance that evening. Aware of his duty toward the less fortunate, he had led this damsel onto the dance floor where he was now executing the steps of the longest country dance of his existence, his thoughts constantly wandering to Patience and what he had planned for her that evening.
If anyone had told him just a few days ago that he would actually be looking forward to spending time alone with Patience, he would have thought them worthy of Bedlam. He was the first to be surprised by the strength of his emotions. The rigid walls he had erected about himself since the death of his father had suddenly come crashing down when he had realized that Patience had not willingly trapped him in this upcoming marriage. Until then, he had not realized just how much anger, fear and lack of trust still resided in him. He had used the rules of Society as a wounded man used a crutch. It had taken his red-haired imp to make him realize this and much more besides. Although he did not yet feel he could adequately convey his sentiments to Patience with words, he looked forward to doing so in a different way.
When the dance finally came to an end, he escorted his partner back to her chaperone, where she would most probably spend the remainder of the evening unless another soul could be induced to dance with her.
Julius spotted Lady Westbury and made his way to her through the throng of elegantly dressed people.
“Have you seen your niece?” he asked as soon as he joined her.
“I believe I spied her going onto the terrace some time ago accompanied by Miss Arlington. I am not certain, but I think Philip may have joined them also.”
The Earl was instantly on the alert. His recent experiences of that pair led him to believe they were more than likely up to no good. Excusing himself, he strode toward the terrace doors. When he stepped out he encountered his friend, Charles Wilbury.
“You did not happen to see Miss Bingham, did you?”
“Sorry old chap. If I had, I don’t believe you would have found me standing here empty-handed.”
Julius frowned. “Don’t let me catch you making up to my betrothed, Charles!”
“As if I would be fool enough to get caught!” Lord Wilbury let out a laugh, slapping his friend’s shoulder good-naturedly.
Just then a female scream ripped the air.
“What the deuce?” said Charles.
Julius was already running toward the sound. Charles soon caught up with him and both men rushed in the direction of the gazebo, followed by the others on the terrace who had heard the scream.
Patience was relieved to hear her father’s and Sir Rupert’s footsteps hurrying away. These however were soon replaced by more steps coming toward her this time. She was even more relieved to see Julius appear with his friend, Lord Wilbury, in tow.
“What is going on here!” demanded Julius.
“Mr. Rutherford took ill and fell unconscious,” answered Patience.
The gazebo was now filled to capacity with curious faces. Miss Arlington appeared, nudging the crowd aside to reach them.
“Mr. Rutherford?” Miss Arlington sat next to Patience, her shaky hand on his pale brow. She looked up and called to the men nearest, “Lord Rutherford, Lord Wilbury, carry Mr. Rutherford inside. The rest of you, please make way!” A path immediately cleared as all obeyed Miss Arlington’s orders. Patience found herself freed of Philip’s weight. She remembered to take the bottle of wine from the table and followed the procession as Philip was carried inside.
Miss Arlington led them to a chamber on the second floor and Philip was deposited on the bed. Patience set the bottle of wine on a nearby table and proceeded to loosen Philip’s cravat.
“Can I do anything to help?” Julius asked.
“Yes, please. I will need a jug of cold water and some cloths.” She looked up noticing the crowd of curious onlookers gathered about the room. “And have everyone leave the room except for Miss Arlington. Oh, and we may need the assistance of your friend, Lord Wilbury.”
Julius nodded and politely but firmly ushered the onlookers out of the room. A maid soon returned with the water and cloths. Miss Arlington took these herself and dismissed the servant.
“What did you put in the wine, Miss Arlington?” asked Patience as Miss Arlington started to bathe Philip’s forehead with a shaking hand.
“Laudanum. But quite a lot of it, I’m afraid.” She took a deep breath before enquiring, “How much did he drink?”
“Nearly half the bottle.”
Miss Arlington blanched. “Trust him to get carried away! The man is like a bull, always rushing head first at the least provocation!” A tear ran down her cheek, and she swiped at it angrily. “I will strangle him as soon as he wakes up.”
“That may take a while. His pulse is still very weak. It might help if he were to be walked around the room.”
Julius and Charles hoisted Philip onto his feet, each securing an arm around their shoulder. The task was easier said than done, however. Philip was a big man and an uncooperative one at that. His feet dragged heavily and had a tendency to get caught in the numerous rugs spread out on the floor. After a few turns about the room, the men paused for a rest while Miss Arlington bathed Philip’s face.
“I think he is regaining a bit of colour!”
Patience came forward. “You may be right. You should resume your pacing.”
The men started forward once more. After a few more turns, Philip’s feet started to move of their own volition and his head lifted slightly off his chest. When his eyes opened Miss Arlington rushed to him, holding his face between her hands.
“Mr. Rutherford! Look at me! Can you hear me?”
Philip blinked at her. He smiled dazedly before emptying the contents of his stomach all over her white ball gown.
“You abominable creature!” cried Miss Arlington, quickly stepping backward. She turned and fled from the room.
Charles chuckled. “You need to work on your manners with the ladies, old boy! Come, let’s get you back on the bed. My arms have had quite enough.”
When Philip was settled on the bed, Patience came forward with a basin. She was just in time as Philip was violently ill again. Julius helped support him until the last of the tremors left his body. They leaned him back against the pillows while Patience cleaned his face and cooled his flushed brow.
“There, I think he will be fine now. His pulse has returned to normal and his colour is much better.”
Julius caught the hand that was resting on Philip’s brow and held it gently between his own. Patience looked up to find a strange look in Julius’ eyes, one she had never seen before and caused her heart to skip a beat.
“Thank you for all you have done for my cousin.” He leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss upon her lips.
The sound of Charles clearing his throat brought them back to the present. “I do not think my presence here is necessary anymore. I think I will bring this bottle of wine with me and see that it is thrown away.”
“That is a grand idea.” J
ulius got off the bed to shake his friend’s hand. “I will refrain from kissing you also, but thank you for your assistance. Please have a maid come up. This room will need a bit of cleaning and airing.”
When Charles was gone, Julius turned back to Patience. “It seems a lot has been going on here tonight. Would you care to explain how all this came about?”
“I do not really know myself.”
Patience felt suddenly at a loss for words. Should she give away the fact that Miss Arlington had been in league with her father? Had she wanted her out of the way because of Julius or Philip? Patience was not so sure of that lady’s motives anymore. And how could she divulge her father’s part in all this without bringing up the dowry? Now was not the best moment to go into the whole. Patience decided on divulging only as much of the story as might satisfy Julius for now without implicating her father.
“I was told that you were waiting for me in the gazebo. As you had mentioned that you had hopes of being alone with me tonight, I thought that was where you intended to, umm, surprise me.”
“I expect you got quite a different surprise.”
“That I certainly did! Your cousin was drunk, you see, and did not know what he was about. You must not hold tonight’s work against him.”
“That does not explain why Miss Arlington put laudanum in the wine.”
“That, I believe, was meant to cool Mr. Rutherford’s ardour should he get carried away.”
A knock sounded at the door. Patience was relieved to see the maid come in. She was finding that lying to Julius was becoming increasingly difficult. How did one lie to the person one loved?
Miss Arlington also returned. She had changed out of her soiled ball gown and put on a different one, just as lovely as the first.
“I left my father in charge of the party and gave him a vague explanation for Mr. Rutherford’s condition. How is that dreadful boy doing?”
“The danger has passed,” said Patience. “He is sleeping for now. I am afraid you will be stuck with him for the night as the laudanum will take some time to wear off completely.”
“Thank you, Miss Bingham. I do not know what we would have done without your help.”
“May I remind you,” Julius said coolly, “that Miss Bingham’s assistance would not have been necessary had you not put laudanum in the wine?”
Miss Arlington shot a hard look at Julius. “I am very aware of it. You may believe that I have learned my lesson well and will not meddle in others’ affairs from now on. And,” she added more gently, “I would be grateful to you both if the truth of tonight’s work did not get out.”
“Of course,” Patience assured her.
“I believe I can speak for both Lord Wilbury and I when I say that you can rely on our discretion also. We will put it about that Mr. Rutherford suffered from a bad case of indigestion.”
“Thank you to you both.”
Patience was surprised to find herself clutched in a warm embrace by Miss Arlington. “I believe you and Lord Rutherford will deal splendidly together.”
They left Philip to Miss Arlington’s care and exited the room. As soon as the door had shut behind them, Julius grabbed Patience around the waist and pulled her to him.
“Do not think I am finished with you.” He bent his head and ran kisses along her collarbone, her neck, and all the way up to her lips, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss.
“My lord!” Patience managed to say when his mouth moved from her lips to her ear. “What will people say should they happen to come into this hall?”
Julius released her earlobe to look at their surroundings. “You are perfectly right, my dear.” He led her down the hallway and choosing a door at random, opened it. He stuck his head inside, let out a grunt of satisfaction and tugged on her hand to bring her into the room. Shutting the door firmly behind them, he took Patience into his arms to resume their heated kiss.
When his mouth finally left hers, Patience slowly came back to the present, aware of her surroundings once more. She noticed her hands were still clutching his hair. He looked down at her as she attempted to comb his mussed locks with her fingers and smiled wickedly.
“I am glad you did not scream like before or we would have the whole household gaping at us right now. But I look forward to making you scream with pleasure on our wedding night.”
Aware that they must soon return to the others, he said, “I think we should go find your aunt and return you home. You have that flushed look that might make the other guests wonder what you were up to.”
“Yes, please. I have had quite enough excitement for one night!”
Julius walked over to a cheval mirror standing in a corner and did what he could to restore his hair to a semblance of propriety.
Once finished he said, “I do not think our appearance will be much wondered at as it will be known by all that we have been tending the sick.”
Lady Westbury was soon found. She had much to say on the subject of Philip’s indisposition and the rumours that had been circulating about its probable cause.
“What an adventure my darling! Everyone is saying as how you saved poor Mr. Rutherford’s life! What in the world happened to him?”
“We believe that something he ingested did not agree with him, Aunt.”
“Yes, he probably overindulged with the lobster patties,” Julius added. “He cannot seem to control himself in their presence. That is why I never serve them at my own parties.”
Patience had to stifle a laugh. If her aunt were to set this blatant lie about, hostesses would have to choose between the difficult task of either serving lobster patties or inviting Philip to their soirées.
When they reached Lady Westbury’s home, Julius escorted them inside. Before Patience could escape to her room, he steered her aside for a moment.
“I wished to tell you that I will not press you about tonight’s events. I am aware that you have not told me the whole, but I hope you know that you can trust me. Should you ever find the need to confide your troubles, I will be more than happy to act as your confidante.”
Patience felt unbidden tears rise to her eyes. His words combined with the tender look he gave her spoke volumes.
Chapter Seventeen
The next morning, the Earl strolled down St. James Street with Jessup a few paces back. The boy, having spotted a fancy bakery ahead, trotted to the shop window to inspect the cakes on display. By the look on the boy’s face, Julius predicted he would soon be persuaded to enter that establishment. A growing lad, he had come to learn, was nearly always on the brink of starvation, especially if sweets were concerned. When Julius caught up to him, Jessup lifted his face in expectation. However, the look was swiftly replaced by a frown when the boy seemed to spot something unpleasant behind his shoulder.
“What has gotten you off your appetite?” Julius asked.
“It’s that shifty fellow,” replied Jessup.
The answer became clearer when he turned to follow the boy’s glare. Lord Bingham was walking toward them deep in conversation with an older gentleman. The latter looked vaguely familiar somehow.
“Morning, Bingham!”
Lord Bingham stopped in mid-sentence and looked up startled. “Rutherford! Taking the air I see.”
“How do you do?” Julius nodded at both men. “Yes, it is a perfect morning for a stroll is it not?”
As Lord Bingham did not seem inclined to introduce his companion, Julius said, “I do not believe I have the honour, sir.”
Lord Bingham appeared to hesitate. “Oh, this is Sir Rupert Carlton. I suppose you two would not have met before. C
arlton here almost never leaves the country.”
The name did not mean anything to him, but Julius was still convinced he had seen him before. Carlton gave a slight nod before offering a forced smile and the Earl suddenly remembered where he had seen him. It was in Ventley outside the Blue Boar just before Patience had asked him to chase after the stagecoach. The portly, grizzled man with the lecherous beady eyes had not appealed to him then and he found the feeling had not improved any since. A suspicion suddenly crossed his mind. Could this be the man Patience had been running away from? If that were the case, then he really could not find it in himself to blame her.
“And what brings you to town?” Julius enquired.
Both men looked nonplussed.
“Family matters,” managed Carlton.
“Yes, urgent ones, too!” added Bingham. “If you will excuse us, we must be on our way.”
Both men moved on, but not before Julius clearly heard Carlton utter, “So, he’s the one? Thought I saw him at — ”
“Not now, you fool!”
Julius watched them leave. If he was right and that was indeed Patience’s suitor, then what was the man doing here now? He certainly had not come to attend his wedding ceremony and wish him happy, especially since it would not take place for a fortnight still. Having witnessed Bingham’s deceitfulness firsthand, he did not trust those two at all.
A tug on his coat sleeve reminded him of Jessup’s presence.
“I don’t like that other man, even less so than Lord Bingham.”
“Do you know him?”
“No, but I still don’t like him.”
“Neither do I. I find the encounter has left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Perhaps now would be a good time to visit that bakery.”
Jessup did not need further prompting. He was inside the shop before Julius had time to blink. He did not follow immediately, but watched the men’s retreating backs until they rounded a corner and disappeared out of sight. Only then did he follow Jessup into the shop.