Chapter 24
It was just after sunrise when Drew awoke to find his favorite two ladies still snuggled in Marianne’s bed and fast asleep. Marianne still wore his shirt.
Being careful not to wake them, he gathered the remainder of his clothes and made his way to his rooms. His valet helped him make short work of dressing in riding attire, then he headed to the stables. He rode out toward Mick’s cottage to see how the new bailiff’s plans for the change in responsibilities and location were going.
As he surveyed the lands and the greening of the fields, he thought of his wife and child. He worried Andrea had some awareness of his wife’s dilemma, even though they had not discussed it in her presence.
And, he wanted Marianne to make a decision. It was past time for her to pick her suitor: Gentilly, or her husband, him. Of course, he didn’t see much of a choice there. If Gentilly inspired no passion in Marianne, why would she choose him, especially when she would have to give up so much to have such a banal existence. She would be ignored in Society, yes, but more than that, she would have to relinquish their daughter and retain only visiting privileges which he would control.
Where was the choice there?
He’d only been home a few weeks and knew nothing on earth would keep his daughter from him now. How could Marianne even consider it?
Could there be something else stopping her from giving up Gentilly?
~ ~ ~
Drew pulled up before the manse, dismounted, and tossed the reins and his crop to the stable boy. Heading for the granite stairs, he was no more than halfway up when the door opened.
It never ceased to amaze him how Wellingford attended the door at any and every unpredictable moment. The aged butler must have incredible hearing to be able to greet Drew or any guests in such a timely manner.
Drew walked through the portal as he tugged off his gloves. “Mayhap you know where Lady Reignsfield is?” Of course, Wellingford would know. He knew everything that went on in and around the estate.
“She is in the drawing room with a visitor just lately arrived, my lord. I believe his name is Sir Robert Gentilly.”
Drew handed Wellingford his gloves. The butler’s face was subtly but definitively arranged in a grimace of disapproval. Without saying anything, he said it all. Drew schooled his own features and refrained from muttering expletives aloud.
This man, Gentilly, knew no bounds arriving uninvited and unannounced.
Drew headed for the drawing room. Just outside the door, he hesitated to ready himself for the confrontation only to find he was inadvertently eavesdropping on a conversation.
“Really, Robert, it was an unplanned trip. We readied rapidly, then just up and left. I apologize for not informing you.”
“You’ve been gone over a week, Marianne, and I’m still lacking the courtesy of a note. You have not responded to my letter, either.” Drew could hear the exasperation and hurt in Gentilly’s voice.
“In my defense, the letter arrived only yesterday. I’ve hardly had time to answer.”
Was that annoyance in his wife’s tone?
Drew prepared to enter but paused once again when he heard the discussion continue.
“What am I to do when he abducts you and I am given no word, no notice? How am I to protect you?”
“Stop. Robert, let go. You’re hurting me.”
“I’m sorry, Marianne. I wouldn’t hurt you for the world. My only concern is for you and your well-being. But you are acting so differently. Waltzing at all the balls. Not telling me of your plans. Disappearing without a word. Not answering my letter. None of this is like you at all. He’s having a bad influence on you and I don’t like it.”
Drew decided he’d heard enough and entered the room to enter the fray.
~ ~ ~
Relief rushed over her as Drew strode into the drawing room and stole her attention and breath. His chestnut brown trousers and brown tweed riding jacket fitted him to perfection as the fabric moved easily over the muscled length of him. He must have just returned from riding. His hair slightly mussed, his scent held traces of sandalwood, leather, and his own personal musk. The energy around him was invigorating. Though he feigned nonchalance, something in his deportment warned he was in no mood to be toyed with. Her husband was not a happy man.
Returning her gaze to Robert, who by contrast looked travel-worn and poorly put together, she caught the scowl etched upon his face just before it transformed into a conciliatory smile. He released the hand which had held her upper arm in a vise grip only moments before.
“My lord, I’ve been so concerned. I have not heard from Marianne, Lady Reignsfield, for days. That is so unlike her I made inquiries as to her whereabouts so that I could be assured of her well-being. I took the liberty of coming here to assure myself that all is well with her, and, of course, you and Lady Andrea.” He made a perfunctory if insincere bow.
Drew strode over to Marianne all confidence and possession, bowed over her hand, and placed a kiss upon it, sending shivers up her spine as memories of their lovemaking the previous night flashed in her mind and heated her person. He then moved over to the hearth, placed an elbow on the mantel and looked Robert up and down with disdain and something akin to impatience. Or could it have been loathing? Marianne thought he would have drawn out his quizzing glass if he still carried one in his pocket.
Such a shame. This would have been the perfect moment for such an action, one just shy of a cut direct. Even she could not believe her friend’s consummate audacity to show up with no invitation or notice, no matter what the circumstance.
“Gentilly.” Drew drawled as if he could only spare a moment on the interloper’s presence. “Welcome to our humble home. I see my wife has greeted you.” His gaze returned to her but gave nothing of his thoughts away before his attention returned to their guest. “I’m sure she has made you feel at ease. I sympathize with your concerns for . . . our well-being. As you can see, we are both fine and our daughter is happily absorbed with yet another new kitten. It is quite the journey from London. That being said, you must stay the night and renew yourself before you return to town. Marianne, have you given instructions to Wellingford to have a room prepared?”
“Not yet, my lord, but it will take just a moment.” She tugged the bell pull only inches away and sighed her relief when Wellingford materialized almost instantaneously. “Please see Sir Gentilly to our most comfortable guest accommodation and make him as welcome as possible.”
“As you wish, my lady. If you would follow me, sir.” Wellingford turned to leave.
Drew stepped away from the hearth. “Once he’s settled, Wellingford, please bring him to the dining room to join us for luncheon.”
“Yes, my lord.” The butler headed for the door, obviously expecting his charge to follow with no further instructions.
Robert looked at her, then at Drew, then back at her, frustration so evident on his face Marianne was surprised he did not sputter aloud and protest how he had just been summarily dismissed. Finally, he gave a slight bow to each of them and trundled off after the butler.
The door closed quietly behind the two. Marianne watched them leave then turned back to find Drew studying her. “Honestly, Drew, I didn’t know he was coming. I didn’t invite him nor did I expect that he would just arrive unannounced.”
Her husband seemed to study her, his gaze direct, his brow slightly furrowed, as if trying to discern the truth of her statements.
“I expect not; however, you have not really discouraged him either. He is living on hope that you will choose him and accept the censorship that will follow after the divorce, no less than the challenges you will personally face when you have to leave Andrea behind.” Drew strolled over to take her hand. He lifted it and placed a warm, wickedly wet kiss on the inside of her wrist. “Make no mistake, Marianne, I want you. I want you to stay and be a full partner in what I hope will be a long and wonderful life together. If you should choose Gentilly over me, however, I will never let you take Andrea with you. You will have all the visiting privileges you wish as long as I remain unmarried. Once I wed—I need a legitimate heir, after all—I would have to make arrangements with my new bride. Andrea will remain in my care no matter what transpires in the upcoming weeks.
“Please note that I am not saying this to pressure you or to force your hand with an ultimatum. I only want to be clear so that you may make your choice with all the facts. You should know what you are going to and what you are leaving behind and be clear on the matter.”
He squeezed her hand gently, then let it go. “Let’s retire for luncheon. I think the dining room shall be more appropriate with company. Don’t you?”
“As you wish, my lord.” She knew with little doubt he was using his station and the manor to intimidate Robert. There was no question as to the fact he was very put out with her friend’s unannounced arrival. So was she, if truth be told. Robert could not be thinking clearly to take such a desperate action. Why in heaven’s name would he think her own husband would abduct her unwillingly? Drew was more of a gentleman than that, especially after what he’d experienced in his own life.
“My lady?” Drew broke her reverie. She placed her hand on his offered arm. She knew she had to decide soon. If she did not, things could get quite out of hand.