Chapter 28
As she and Drew finished dinner in the intimacy of the morning room, a perfunctory knock came on the door and Wellingford walked in. He did not get a word out of his mouth before her brother, Chase, stormed into the room. Without the slightest hesitation, he strode over to her chair and tugged her up out of her seat.
“Annie, are you all right?” He hugged her close, then thrust her away to peruse her person.
Marianne pushed him away. “Of course, I’m all right. Chase, what in the world is the matter with you? Why would I not be all right?”
“Wellingford,” Drew broke in, “set another place for my brother-in-law. And could you bring him a glass of brandy? He seems quite distressed and we’ll need to hear the whole story. Also, have a room prepared for his stay.”
As the butler left for dishes and brandy, Drew turned to Chase. “Here, have a seat and tell us what the devil has happened that you descend upon us like a typhoon off the Pacific.”
As Marianne returned to her seat, Chase settled in the chair Drew pulled out for him. Chase pushed both hands through his hair then leaned toward Marianne to tell his tale.
“I’ve been out of town for over a week. A few of my friends, you know, The Unattainables, and I took off to Brighton. I returned two days ago to find mother in a fit, crying almost constantly, and father pacing the library as if he were determined to wear out the India rug.”
“That doesn’t sound like Mother or Father at all. What happened?”
Wellingford entered, so Chase stopped speaking while a generous glass of brandy in an elegant crystal snifter appeared before him. Next, Mrs. Stokes brought in plates and flatware and arranged them appropriately. When both servants retired, Chase continued.
“It seems your friend, Sir Robert Gentilly, visited our parents the day before I arrived home. He had been more than animated in relaying his discomfiture. Evidently, he had decided to take you out for a ride in the park and stopped by the earl’s town house to pick you up, but you were not in residence.”
Mrs. Stokes bustled in, set a bowl of soup before Chase, then hustled back out.
Chase paused, took a few sips of soup and sighed. “Excellent. I haven’t eaten for most of the day. Let me continue. Gentilly then explained that he had not received a note indicating why you had left or where you had gone. He had demanded information from the servants but they could say no more than that you had retired to the earl’s country estate.” He nodded to Drew. Chase paused to take a large sip of the brandy and a few more spoonsful of soup.
“The servants were quite affronted with Gentilly’s frantic, brusque manner and would only reiterate that the two of you and Andrea had retired to the country.” Chase paused to catch his breath as Mrs. Stokes entered yet again. She took away the partially eaten soup and replaced it with the entree. Chase picked up his knife and fork and started cutting meat, ribs of beef with carrots and butter, and potatoes marinated in brandy and lemon. “He came to our house in a fit, if not a rage. He claimed that his lordship had abducted you to the country without your permission, Annie.”
“That’s absurd.” Marianne placed a hand on her brother’s arm. “You can see for yourself, I am perfectly fine.”
“According to him, you would never have left London without giving him notice and telling him why. He said he could claim no less under the circumstances.” Chase drank again, a smaller sip this time. He put a piece of meat in his mouth and chewed as if savoring food for the first time in his life. “My lord, I must commend your cook. Despite being out in the country, she does a fine job of cooking.”
Drew nodded as he drawled, “I’ll tell my French chef, Jacques, he has your approval. He’ll be most complimented.”
Chase looked up with his mouth full of more food to realize he had somehow insulted his host. He swallowed hard. “I do beg your pardon. I did not mean to imply . . . It’s just that I’ve never really been in the country and didn’t expect . . .”
Drew rescued him. “Do not fret yourself, Chase. Enjoy the meal and continue with your saga.”
Chase continued. “He asked our parents for the location of your estate.” He glanced over at Drew as he continued stuffing food into his mouth and making small noises of appreciation. “Of course, Mother and Father had no idea exactly where it was and told him so. Then they told me Gentilly became even more agitated and accused them of lying to him to keep you apart.” He glanced back to Marianne. “He said that everyone sided against him and had taken his lordship’s side. He vowed he would search until he found the address. He’d go to his lordship’s club, inquire among his friends, whatever it took until he could locate you, Annie, and rescue you from the earl’s evil influence and clutches.”
Drew sat back in his chair. “That man really thought I had to abduct my own wife? He must be mad.”
Calmer now and seemingly sated by the food and finding his sister safe, Chase rolled the snifter between his palms to warm the remainder of his brandy. “Needless to say, our parents were beside themselves with worry by the end of Gentilly’s visit. They begged him to send information back as soon as he discovered your whereabouts. They promised to pay his expenses and anything needed to rescue you, Annie, and bring you safely home to them.”
“Chase.” Marianne rubbed his arm, then rose to pace the floor. “This is ridiculous in the extreme. Drew did not abduct me. We did leave in a hurry because I was excited about straightening out matters on this particular estate. It’s true I did not take the time to notify anyone, not even Mother and Father. But I came of my own free will and have been nothing but safe and protected while here.”
Chase looked at Drew, then back at her. “So has Gentilly been here? If so, what did he do?”
“He arrived uninvited and unannounced the day before yesterday late in the afternoon.” Drew rang the little crystal bell next to his plate. “He made quite the fuss over Marianne’s lack of communication. Marianne assured him she was fine and here by her own choice.”
Wellingford entered to answer his master’s call. “Yes, my lord?”
“Please bring two more snifters and the brandy. We shall remain here for now.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
Marianne picked up the story. “Chase, he had turned into a totally different person. I have never seen him like this before. He was rude and inconsiderate. I admitted that I should have written to him before I left or right after I arrived here, but he continued to carry on as if I had inflicted some personal, physical injury. We made him welcome but he continued to pressure me to return to London. I told him I could not until we resolved the challenges here on the estate. He said these problems were Drew’s now and I should leave them to him. He said I should be happy letting go of all this responsibility and live quietly with him.”
The brandy and snifters were delivered and Wellingford poured the two new glasses. “Will there be anything else, my lord?”
“Thank you, Wellingford. Just remove the dishes. Has a dessert been prepared?” Drew rolled his snifter in his palms.
“Yes, my lord. Chef Jacques has prepared crème brûlée. I saw him prepare the caramelized discs for the topping earlier this afternoon.”
“We cannot insult your French chef, your lordship.” Chase appeared to be drooling at the thought of the rich cream concoction though Drew doubted Chase even knew exactly what it was.
“Chase,” Marianne garnered his attention, “have you ever even had crème brûlée?”
“Of course not, but if it’s anywhere near as good as this meal, I’d die for a piece.”
Drew chuckled, his thoughts confirmed. “Very well. Wellingford, please tell Chef Jacques to honor us with his latest dessert creation and we will attempt to do it justice.”
Silence fell between them after the butler left the room. Before it became too uncomfortable, Marianne said, “He left this morning, Chase. He did not seem happy or satisfied that I am at ease here. We assume he is returning to London but he did not indicate so.”
“Annie,” Chase looked deeply into his sister’s eyes, “have you decided then?”
“Yes, definitely. I will remain with his lordship. He says he wants me to stay. I will be his wife and the mother of his children. I must admit I did not clarify the matter with Robert. But he left in such an unexpected rush, I had no opportunity this morning. I will write to him tomorrow and make sure he understands that we can remain friends but that is all it will ever be.”
Drew took her hand in his. “How do you think he’ll take your decision, Marianne?”
It was Chase who answered. “I don’t think he’ll take it well at all. Based on the description our parents gave of his antics just days ago, I think he fully expects Annie to leave you, my lord, and start a new life with him.”
With that, Mrs. Stokes brought dessert. As the three of them tasted the rich custard, they became quiet and concentrated on the treat before them.
Once finished, Drew spoke again. “Well, there’s nothing else to be done tonight. Chase, you’ve ridden long and hard. Why don’t you plan on spending a few days here with us rather than just overnight? I’d be happy to show you around the estate and explain to you the changes we’ve made because of your sister’s research. If you’re interested, we can do a little hunting. What say you?”
“Do stay, Chase.” Marianne beamed over at her brother with hope and sincerity. “It would be so good to spend a little time with you. And we could have Chef Jacques spoil you with more of his culinary concoctions.”
“All right. I have nothing pressing in town anyhow, and I’ve never spent much time on a country estate. We’ll have to write to Mother and Father first thing in the morning, though. If we don’t, they may be here in a few days themselves.” Chase held his snifter up to Drew. “Shall we have a little more?”
Drew uncorked the decanter Wellingford had thoughtfully left on the table. “By all means.”