“It’s such a beautiful day; I think I’ll go for a ride. Perhaps I’ll ask Lanny to come with me.” Louisa changed into a green riding dress that showed off the curve of her young breasts. She pulled on her boots and then she brushed her dark curls and pinned on a saucy feathered hat. She winked at her reflection. “A-hunting we will go!”
On her way to the main staircase, Louisa crossed the hall that led into the east wing where William and his wife were staying. The sound of Bessy’s shrill voice carried to her and she stopped to listen.
“She’s so brazen about it! There she was displaying their love child to him, like some trophy. The woman is scandalous. She brings disgrace to the entire family.”
“Keep your voice down, Bessy. The servants will hear you.”
“Servants aren’t blind, William. One look at those blatant red curls proves the child isn’t a Russell. I don’t know how your father can turn a blind eye and allow the libertine to live here under the same roof.”
Louisa gasped. How can William’s wife say such wicked things about Mother? She’s insinuating that Rachel is Edwin Landseer’s child! Louisa wanted to march down the hall and slap Bessy’s face for uttering such evil lies. She clapped her hands over her ears so she wouldn’t hear any more vile accusations and fled from the house.
Her heart was slamming against her chest as she saddled Coltsfoot and mounted her. She took off at full gallop, scattering the fan-tailed doves as they strutted about the stable courtyard.
She headed to the wooded parkland where a stream cut through the trees. She saw Georgy’s horse tethered to a tree and quickly dismounted. Her sister was wading in the water with her skirts tucked up above her bare legs. Dick lay in the grass, watching her.
Louisa jerked her head at Dick, in a gesture that told him to leave. When he mounted his horse and rode off, she looked at her sister. “I have something terrible to tell you.”
“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Louisa wrung her hands. “I don’t know where to start.”
“Start at the beginning.” Georgy waded from the water and sat on the bank.
“Lanny finished my portrait and we went to show Mother. We found her in the sitting room playing with Rachel. We were all laughing and having a good time when Bessy walked in on us. The happy mood changed instantly, as it always does when she comes on the scene.
“I put up my portrait in my bedchamber and decided to go for a ride. When I passed the east wing, I could hear Bessy saying the most dreadful things to William.”
“I think he’s afraid to stand up to her. She needs a clout round the ear!”
“By God, I almost rushed in and gave her one. She said that mother was brazenly displaying their love child to Lanny. She said that Rachel’s red curls prove she isn’t a Russell. The evil bitch insinuated that mother and Edwin are having an affair and that Rachel is their child!”
“Oh dear.” Georgy sighed heavily. “Lu, come and sit down.”
Louisa threw herself down on the grass.
“I must admit,” Georgy said tentatively, “that I’ve thought the same thing.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” Lu demanded.
“Father is past sixty and that stroke debilitated him badly. Frankly, I don’t think he was up to fathering another child.”
Cold fingers crept around Louisa’s heart. “What are you saying? That Edwin Landseer is Rachel’s father?”
“Well, it’s plain to see that Lanny is enchanted with Mother. He’s painted more than a score of portraits of her. And he was in the Highlands with us the autumn that Mother quickened with child.”
“You think Lanny is in love with her?” Louisa cried in disbelief.
“All you have to do is see them together. He’s besotted, like all her other admirers.”
“But Lanny is only in his twenties. Mother is forty-seven.”
“You’re so unworldly, Lu. Age has nothing to do with it. Most married women have affairs, especially when they are saddled with aging husbands.”
Suddenly Louisa remembered the intimate sketch Edwin had made of her mother with her breast bared. She felt the cold fingers in her chest begin to squeeze. She knew they wouldn’t stop until they had crushed her heart. She let out a sob and got to her feet. Tears blinded her eyes as she rode back to the house.
She dashed up to her room and took the portrait from her wall. She carried it down to the long portrait gallery and left it standing against the wall. She knew that she would associate Edwin Landseer with the smell of oil paint for the rest of her life and the stench of it would make her want to spew.
Chapter Three
“The gang from Oxford will be arriving today. I hope they bring some of their friends with them. We are in dire need of suitors. I shall take pains to dress for dinner,” Georgy declared as she rummaged through her wardrobe.
“I might forgo dinner.” Louisa shuddered. “The only thing worse than dining with Edward, Charles, and Jack is putting up with their loutish friends.” Men were on Louisa’s black list at the moment, especially young ones. She had been devastated over the incident with Landseer and totally avoided him. Her feelings toward her mother had suffered a blow as well. In truth, she felt alienated from everyone.
“Oxford men are thought to be the cream of the crop. Most of our prime ministers were educated there and you cannot deny you have a keen interest in politics.”
“No doubt some of them possess fine intellects, but tell the truth and shame the devil, Georgy. You have no interest in their politics or their intellects.”
Georgy laughed. “No, it’s a bit lower than that.”
That afternoon, six young nobles sat in John Russell’s famed Woburn library, drinking claret. The duke’s three sons had each brought home a friend from Oxford for the holidays. His son Edward’s best friend was Teddy Fox, whose father was Lord Holland. Both young men had now completed their studies at Oxford.
“Do you plan on making the Grand Tour, Teddy?” the duke inquired.
“No, sir. It is politics for me.”
“Do you intend to run for office?”
“That would be an ideal place to start. But eventually I hope to join the diplomatic corps.”
“The seat for Horsham in West Sussex is open. I’ll speak with your father. With our combined support, you should have no trouble.” Though the Duke of Bedford no longer played an active role in politics, he still had a great deal of political clout and used his influence behind the scenes.
“Thank you, sir.” Teddy saluted with his glass and drained it.
“Good. I’ll campaign with you,” Edward Russell promised, “but once you are elected, I intend to pursue a naval career.”
“I prefer the army,” Charles said, “but I still have another year at Oxford.”
John glanced from Charles to his son Edward. “I wish you two were set on political rather than military careers. However, I’ll see what I can do. I’ll invite the Duke of Clarence to Woburn. Though William is no longer head of the Admiralty, he can still pull a few strings. I’ll write him an invitation tonight.”
George Grey was pleased. “That’s jolly good of you, Your Grace. I too plan to pursue a career in the navy.”
The duke’s son Jack spoke up. “I haven’t decided on a career yet. I have no particular zeal in any direction. The same cannot be said for our friend James, however. Abercorn has a consuming passion.”
John Russell focused his attention on James Hamilton. “What is that, Abercorn?”
“Ireland, Your Grace. I’ve anticipated the honor of meeting you for some years. Irish Catholic emancipation has always been a cause dear to your heart as well as mine, and at long last your son Lord John, as a leading Whig, got it passed.”
“Yes, and the king finally signed it into law. You are a man after my own heart, Abercorn. I’m very proud of Johnny’s accomplishment, though we should give Wellington’s Tory government some credit,” he conceded.
> “Oh, I do, Your Grace. Wellington was shrewd enough to trust Lord John to get the bill passed.”
“Johnny will be visiting us shortly,” the duke declared.
“I cannot wait to shake his hand. I hope he arrives before I leave for Ireland. I go as often as I can. It is an honor to be invited to Woburn. I believe I can learn a great deal from you.” Actually, I have two consuming passions: Ireland and your daughter Lady Louisa. I have every intention of making her my wife.
“Feel free to join me here in the library any afternoon,” John invited. “We shall soon be thick as thieves.”
“Thank you, sir.” His dark countenance lit with pleasure. “I am most gratified.”
John Russell looked up as his steward entered the library. “Ah, here is Mr. Burke come to show our guests to their rooms. I’ll see you gentlemen at dinner.” He signaled to Charles, who remained behind, as the others left with Burke.
“James Hamilton’s stepfather is the Earl of Aberdeen—a lofty, dour Scot who has rich estates in Scotland. Yet James’s heart lies in Ireland.”
“He and Aberdeen don’t get along. He doesn’t remember his real father. He inherited the Abercorn title from his grandfather, as well as his grand estate of Barons Court in County Tyrone.”
“I knew both his father and grandfather. His grandsire and I were both Members of Parliament for Cornwall. He was one of the few aristocrats who held Irish, English, and Scottish titles. The Hamiltons were a great dynastic family. I am glad James takes such pride and interest in his Irish heritage.” John took a sip of his claret. “I wanted to ask you about Jack. How is his condition?”
“He’s still suffering occasional fits, I’m afraid.”
John’s brow furrowed with concern. “Jack hasn’t passed his exams. He’ll never make a scholar. I’m afraid he’s wasting his time at Oxford.”
“Unlike Edward and me, he has no interest in the military, and unlike you and Johnny, no passion for politics.”
“He’s a good lad. We’ll think of something for him to do.”
From the second-floor gallery, the Russell sisters’ interest was focused on the young men who had just left the library with their brothers. Or more to the point, they were transfixed by one of them.
“My God, look at his shoulders. His coat does nothing to hide his powerful muscles.” Georgy licked her lips.
“He’s extremely tall and dark.” Louisa shuddered. The male moved with the grace of a panther. He held his dark head high; pride showed in every line of his body. Without exception he is the handsomest male I’ve ever seen. He looks like a young god, come down from Olympus to walk among men. She knew immediately that his male beauty made him dangerous.
“My prayers are answered,” Georgy declared. “An eligible man who is so good-looking he makes me weak at the knees just gazing at him.”
Louisa wrinkled her nose in distaste. “It is my belief that the handsomest men are also the most arrogant and selfish. They love themselves above all others.”
“Oh, Lu, who the devil cares?”
“I see Teddy Fox is here. Why on earth doesn’t he go home to his own estate?”
“The same reason his father, Lord Holland, is always here. It’s the fatal allure of the Russell women, no doubt. I wonder who Jack brought to Woburn?”
“Lord Rancid Pinchmyarse, if the last one he brought home is anything to go by.”
“He was rather randy, but I considered that an attribute rather than a liability.”
“Our brothers are a year older now. Let us hope they are more mature and have learned to exercise decorum.”
“Our brothers, yes . . . that tall, dark, handsome brute, no. He’s got dalliance written all over him.”
“Georgy, you are incorrigible.”
“Lu, you are incorruptible.”
“Mr. Burke will accommodate them with bedchambers in the west wing, close to our brothers’ rooms,” Georgy surmised.
“Yes, in his wisdom he will keep all the troublemakers together.”
“Let’s wait for him. Burke will know who they are.”
“Surely you recognize George Grey, my lady? He’s been here before with his parents. And speaking of Earl and Countess Grey, they are coming for a visit.”
Georgy laughed. “I would have recognized him if I’d looked at him, but I had eyes only for the dark, attractive devil.”
“Ah, that would be James Hamilton, Marquis of Abercorn.” Burke kept a straight face. “If you will excuse me, ladies.”
Georgy stared at Louisa openmouthed. “Good God! We met him when we were children at Carlton House. He was good-looking then, but now he is an Adonis.” She ran after the steward. “Mr. Burke, be sure to seat me next to him at dinner.”
Louisa found Abercorn a little too confident. His black curls and dark eyes alight with laughter would be a snare for Georgy. I don’t want her to have her heart broken, as Lanny broke mine.
Louisa entered the Van Dyke dining room with trepidation. She did not wish to be seated anywhere near Edwin Landseer. She also was determined to avoid William and his wife, Bessy. She felt alarm however, when she realized that Mr. Burke had seated her on James Hamilton’s left, and her sister on his right.
James, towering above her, held her chair while she took her seat and then he did the same for Georgy. When all three were seated, his smile moved from one to the other. “Ladies, at long last, we meet again.”
Louisa raised her lashes and stared at him blankly. “We have met before?”
“When we were children . . . at Carlton House. I’m James Hamilton.”
“I do not recollect the occasion.”
“You performed a Spanish shawl dance.”
“Yes, so I did. How strange that I don’t remember you.”
He held her glance with his dark, compelling eyes. You remember me, Lady Lu. You remember me well enough to lie about it. She had a vulnerability he couldn’t resist. She fought so fiercely to keep it hidden that he was tempted to wrap his arms around her and keep her safe. Always.
“I remember you, James,” Georgy said. “I am delighted that Charles invited you.”
The duchess introduced her sons’ Oxford friends to the others at the table. “This is Teddy Fox, Lord and Lady Holland’s son, and this young man is George Grey. Both sets of parents will be joining us in the next few days. Last but not least is James Hamilton, Marquis of Abercorn. At Oxford he is a champion oarsman.” Her smile of welcome was radiant.
“Wasn’t your sister Susan’s husband a champion oarsman?” Bessy asked sweetly.
Georgina threw her a quelling glance. “We will not discuss the Duke of Manchester at my dinner table.” Her smile returned. “There is plenty to keep you occupied at Woburn. More than a thousand acres have been set aside for riding and hunting. There is the lake for swimming or boating. We have a menagerie, an aviary, and tennis courts. There is a maze, a grotto, and a folly. Inside the abbey we have one of the most extensive libraries in England, as well as sculpture and picture galleries. There is a ballroom, card rooms, and a theater, which I hope you will make use of.”
Georgy added, “We have a conservatory that leads to a greenhouse.” She glanced at Abercorn. “We have some rare camellias I’d be happy to show you, among other things.”
“Next Saturday, we will have a celebration. Since Georgy’s birthday is at the end of June and Louisa’s is the first week of July, and mine shortly after, we will have a grand party to celebrate all three.”
“This will be Georgy’s twentieth birthday, I believe?” Bessy’s smile was smug.
Lu was furious. “And this year, I believe you turned thirty-six, Bessy.” Louisa threw her a pitying smile.
Bessy choked on her wine.
The duchess hid a smile. “I forbid anyone to mention my age. A lady’s age should be a mystery. It adds to her allure.”
“The most beautiful women are ageless,” Edwin Landseer declared.
“Who the devil asked you?” Lu muttered under h
er breath.
James immediately sensed the tension, but the meal progressed without incident until the strawberries were served. He knew Lady Louisa had a sweet tooth, so he picked up the small sugar bowl and handed it to her.
She covered her strawberries with the white crystals, helped herself to the clotted cream, and carried a spoonful to her mouth. The taste was intense and overpowering. By sheer willpower she stopped herself from gagging, lifted her napkin to cover her lips, and glanced about to see which wretched brother had replaced the sugar with salt.
Across from her, Charles was a picture of innocence, so she suspected him immediately. She wondered if his friend Abercorn had been in on the prank. It was entirely possible. She swallowed without batting an eye and, smiling at her dinner partner, returned to the subject of the earlier conversation. “I think age is relative. It is maturity that reveals a man’s character. There is nothing in a male quite so unattractive as immaturity.”
Her brother Charles immediately agreed. “However, there is nothing in a female quite as attractive as a sense of humor.”
Louisa reached for a plum and managed to accidentally tip Charles’s glass. Red wine splashed across his white neck cloth. “You are right, Charles. We all needed a good laugh.”
All five of his brothers suddenly found him amusing.
Abercorn didn’t know exactly what was going on, but he knew it was a game of tit for tat and he secretly longed to be a part of this large, fun-loving family.
After dinner everyone moved into the long gallery. Its walls were lined with comfortable sofas as well as gaming tables for cards. There was also plenty of room to play charades and games such as blind-man’s buff.