My Charming Earl

The Lady and the Beast

CHAPTER ONE

A wave of envy washed through Lady Jane as she stood just inside the sitting room of the new Duchess of Langley. From her position at the entrance of the sitting room, she observed Lady Langley, her sister by marriage, and her husband, the Duke. What ever the Duke was telling his lady, the Duchess’s eyes lit up and the smile on her face was dreamy. Without warning, the Duke plucked his wife up from the couch and plopped her right onto his lap in a scandalous position that set Jane’s face aflame. Yet, she could not pull away as the Duke kissed his wife. The protest Lady Langley made at first was drowned out by her sighs and moans that now filled the living room.

When he popped her beloved sister’s bosom from her gown, Jane decided that quite frankly she had seen enough. Her breathing shallow and a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, she silently backed out of the room. She decided she would give the pair some privacy. With three children afoot they were lucky to have five minutes alone to themselves.

Mama! Papa!

As though on cue, the twins raced into the house trailing a track of mud on their shoes behind them.

Uh uh! Jane easily grasped them with both her arms before they could bolt pass her. Where do you think you are going?

We want to show mama and papa the toad we saw at the pond! Pippa cried, her eyes wide with excitement. Her long had come undone from the plaits Evelyn had introduced to her hair. Given Pippa was behind her twin brother in everything, she barely had time to listen to her governess about being a lady. She was fast tracked on the way to becoming a little hoyden and the Duke and Duchess indulged her.

I would be delighted if you showed me this toad, Jane announced, trying to distract them from their earlier purpose. Is it this big? She held her hands wide open which prompted a laugh from both Philip and Pippa.

Toads cannot really grow that big, Philip scoffed, then he frowned. Can they?

Maybe, Jane replied. Now are you going to show me this toad or not?

The children took the bait and Jane followed them out to the pond. She remained a good distance from the animal they pointed out to her because good gracious, it was quite the biggest and ugliest toad she had ever seen. She grimaced and pretended interest while keeping her eye fixed on the toad. Evelyn was going to owe her one for this.

When she was satisfied that Evelyn and the Duke had enough free time, she shooed the children back to the house, reminding them that they were forbidden from visiting the pond without adult supervision. The Duke had become strict about the pond since Pippa had fallen in and Evelyn had to rescue her. Jane still thought of the way the Duke and her sister had fallen in love to be quite endearing. In the meantime, she was waiting on her own love story to begin.

On a sigh, she walked to the house, feeling a tad depressed. It was not that she wasn’t grateful for Evelyn and the Duke to have taken her in. She was grateful, but she did not get along too well with the countryside. The nearest neighbor’s house was a good riding distance away and there were not as many entertainments to have hereabouts. She could see the appeal to a married couple but saw no benefit to her a single woman.

She wanted to return to the city and have Lord Canterbury dote on her once more. She had remained her because of the embarrassment she was likely to face should she return to London. Her mother was practically shunned from polite society after it was found out what she had done to Evelyn.

When Jane returned to the sitting room, Evelyn and the Duke were as if nothing had happened. Trying to keep back her smile, Evelyn walked in. They looked up at her with concern as she entered, and she had the feeling that something was wrong. Had they seen her before she left them in their amorous embrace this morning?

Jane, I have not seen you all morning, Evelyn announced.

I went for a walk to the pond, Jane replied and took a seat. Everything about the Duke’s home was so comfortable. Evelyn had recently decorated and the furniture had all been shipped from France. The children roped me into seeing this ghastly toad they had discovered.

They went to the pond alone? The Duke asked with a groan. I swear those two scamps will be the death of me.

They returned with me, Jane said quickly. They are about somewhere.

Probably watching James sleep. Evelyn retrieved a letter from the table beside her and held it out to Jane. This was delivered a few minutes ago.

Jane’s heart skipped a beat and she reached for the envelope with excitement. She had stopped receiving letters from Lord Canterbury six months ago. She was so certain this letter was from him. Her face fell when she recognized the handwriting on the front.

’Tis from mother.

Aye, that it is, Evelyn responded.

Hmm, she has not written in almost a year. Jane broke the seal of the envelope and took out the single sheet of paper.

Dearest Jane,

I know I have caused you great distress and I cannot fault you. All I can do is express to you and Evelyn how truly sorry I am. I do believe life has punished me for all the wring that I have done.

I am sick and dying Jane and it would bring me great pleasure to see you as it may be the last time that I will see you. I do not want to die with this anger and resentment between us. Please, give me a chance to do the right thing.

Give my regards to the Duchess of Langley and wish her long health to her infant.

Apologetically, your mother

Lady Cecilia

Jane had to re-read the letter as at first it did not make much sense. After reading the second time, she was hit by grief. Her mother was dying. When her mother had remarried to Evelyn’s father, her father’s family had washed their hands off Jane. If she lost her mother, she would have no on else who was close to her. Not a blood relative anyway. She had to go.

What is it, Jane? Evelyn asked.

I have to return to London, Jane replied. Mother is not feeling well. She says she is dying. From the urgency of her letter it seems she may not have long to live.

Oh no! Evelyn gasped, her hand covering her mouth. Did she say what was wrong?

Jane shook her head. I am not sure, but I have to return.

Hmm, have you considered this may be another trick of your mother’s?

Jane blinked at the Duke, acknowledging he had a point. It was not beyond her mother who had use machinations in the past to have her own way. Jane rose to her feet. Maybe, she is but how will I know unless I go? I would not be able to live with myself is she really is dying, and I did not see her before.

The Duke nodded. Of course, I understand. With the babe, Evelyn and I will not be able to go with you, Jane.

Oh no, there is no reason you should go through all that trouble. I will be fine going on my own.

CHAPTER TWO

My Lord, the solicitor is here. Are you receiving?

Edward, the Earl of Christophe glanced up from his desk where he had been poring over the ledgers that explained the matters of his father’s estate. He was so startled by the maid’s appearance that he forgot not to look directly at her. He saw the revulsion in her eyes and the way she placed a hand at her neck. He quickly dropped his head, hating that after almost a year he still hurt when people looked at him like he was some Frankenstein monster.

Yes, I sent for him, Edward remarked. Please escort him in, Harriet.

Certainly, my Lord.

The maid could not get out of the office fast enough. The hem of her dress almost got caught in the door. If her reaction did not sting so much Edward would have laughed at how foolish she looked, but the joke was at his expense. He was the one with the horrible disfigurement affecting the left side of his face. To make matters worse, he could hardly see out of his left eye unless he wore his spectacles. He refused to rely on them unless he was alone or developed a headache from staring at books too long with his one good eye.

He shuffled the ledgers on his desk as a knock sounded on his office door.

Come on in, Mr. Robins, he invited the man. This time he remembered to keep the left side of his face averted. He had once been told after the incident that from the right side of his profile, he could pass for normal looking. It was the left side that was terrifying with the angry puckered burnt skin of his face that the flames had ruined.

Mr. Robins entered the office nervously. An elderly gentleman who had been his late father’s solicitor, Mr. Robins handled the legal affairs of the estate. Since his father’s death two months ago, Edward had decided he could no longer leave the affairs of his father in shambles. He might have lost interest in running the estate but there was hardly anyone left to handle it. All his life he had been trained to take over the earldom but all that had changed one fateful night.

My lord, the elderly man greeted and claimed a chair across from the desk. I received your message that you wished to speak with me.

Yes, Robins, tis concerning my father’s estates. Seeing the other man’s eyes on the flask of port on the desk, Edward gestured toward it. Please help yourself.

Oh I could not. ‘Tis not yet noon.

Despite his words, the man regarded the drink with envy. "I insist, Edward remarked.

The solicitor did not need any further encouragement to help himself to a drink. A flush warmed his cheeks as he sat back in the chair. Your father always kept the best drinks. I am going to miss the old goat.

Edward had grown up around the solicitor because he had not only been his father’s solicitor but also his best friend and confidant. The solicitor and Edward’s man, Fennwood were the only ones who were able to look at him as though he was still the same man despite the incident.

Now perchance you want to discuss the extent of your father’s holdings and his last will and testament?

Edward nodded. Yes, please. I have been checking the ledgers but ‘tis all too much.

Never mind. I will break it down for you.

Robins discussed the state of his father’s affairs at the time of his death which was quite impressive even for an earl. It seemed that his father had a way with investments. What he had inherited from his own father along with the title had tripled while he had been the earl for the past forty years. Edward had no idea how his father did it, but he was quite impressed.

I think I have a clearer picture now, Edward remarked when the solicitor had finished.

Let us just say that you nor your offspring for several generations will have nothing to worry about where finances are concerned.

Thank you for the explanation, Mr. Robins.

The solicitor drank the rest of the liquid from the glass and cleared his throat. There is just this one little thing, my lord.

Edward frowned at the man. One little thing?

He nodded. Yes, everything was perfect until your-your accident. Your father wanted me to tell you that he did what he had to because he cared for your happiness. He hopes that you will not hate him for looking out for your interest and that of his estate.

What are you saying, Mr. Robins?

There is a clause in your father’s will, he explained.

A clause?

Yes.