The Bridal Contract (Darrington family Book 3) (9 page)

Across the table, Oliver gaped at his relatives. Had the world gone mad? When was it ever proper to discuss such things? A babe? A title a female could never claim anyway? He caught Eloisa’s eye. She smiled and shrugged as the female chatter rose in volume. A hint of annoyance passed through him. This was supposed to be the night he made a sensation with his family. Now, Felix stole the stage, same as he always had while growing up.

During a lull in the noise, he rose then cleared his throat. His stomach churned. This would surely cause an uproar. “It would see this is a grand day for announcements.” Once everyone at the table looked at him, he allowed a small grin. “I, too, have something I wish to tell my dear family.” He sought out Eloisa’s green gaze. Gentle humor lurked in her eyes and bolstered his courage. “Just a few days ago, Miss Hawthorne and I agreed to an engagement.”

Charlotte squealed and clapped her hands. “How wonderful, but I don’t see a ring. Never say you’re having us on.”

“We decided not to make use of that tradition,” he continued, smooth as silk. Though he did glance at that particular finger on Eloisa’s dainty hand and his chest tightened. What would it be like to see the evidence of his claim? He shook his head, again reminding himself this was naught but a farce. “Our relationship doesn’t need baubles.”

This time, Roberta laid her spoon on the tablecloth. “Is that so?” Her lips formed a thin line. “Do you think that’s wise? You’ve been back in England scarcely a week. You don’t know any woman well enough to make an offer.”

The annoyance deepened into anger. Why shouldn’t he wish to align himself with any woman he pleased? He lifted an eyebrow as he stared down his mother. “Oh, did that news shock you, Mother? I do apologize, but there is rather a lack of etiquette around the table tonight. Perhaps I should come clean with all of it.” He took a deep drink of his red wine. Then as he set the glass on the table, he said, “I also have a daughter, who was delivered upon my doorstep the very day I arrived in Brighton. She’s a by-blow from my Spanish mistress, yet not fathered by me, and though I haven’t decided if I’d like to raise her, for the time being she’s living with me at the Brighton property. Her name is Daniela, in case you had wondered.”

He calmly reseated himself to dead silence. Every pair of eyes rested on him. And he stared them all down, firm in his resolve. This was his life, however sordid and dramatic it may be. “Would anyone like to ask questions before the main course arrives?”

“Young man,” Roberta began. All color fled from her face and she fairly vibrated with anger. “I will deal with you in private after dinner concludes. I will not stand by and let you ruin your chances with all that you’ve revealed tonight.”

“I haven’t ruined anything. With Eloisa by my side to guide me in the care and upbringing of the child, what could go wrong? She’s already shown an interest in Daniela and the girl adores her. It’s a perfect situation.” Oliver nodded. It was, actually. If he had to go and hadn’t decided what to do with Daniela, could he leave the girl with Eloisa?

“I’m not a commodity, Oliver, and neither is the child,” Eloisa said in a quiet voice.

Apparently not.
“Well, everything is all very new. I’m certain we’ll work out the knots.”

“Marriage can’t be considered lightly,” his sister interjected.

He frowned. “Charlotte, will you treat me like a pariah?” It hurt that his favorite sibling would find fault with his life.

His sister shook her head as she avoided his gaze. “You know I love to support a hopeless cause, but the news of a child shocks even me.” She raised her blue gaze to his. “Do you even care what this announcement will do to our reputation, of Felix’s position, of mine?”

Of course he hadn’t thought past making a scene. Always, there was the earldom to consider, and apparently, there was Charlotte’s reputation now that she’d wed Ravenhurst.
Botheration
. Never had he felt more acutely as if he looked inside from the other side of a window. He shuttled his attention to Eloisa, the woman he’d dropped into the middle of this mess. Instead of appearing lost, a tiny smile flirted with her kissable mouth.
Kissable?
What a surprising thought. How curious, and of course he wouldn’t act on it. No doubt it was an aftereffect from the dinner. Some sort of desperate need to have what his siblings had. Yet, if he didn’t know better, he’d say she was enjoying herself. The corners of his lips pulled upward with an answering smile, but she remained silent as the soup dishes were cleared away. Perhaps they’d be a team, back to back, fighting off Roberta together with shocking scandals of their own.

It wasn’t until Graves brought out the roast beef that Oliver reminded himself his engagement to Eloisa was only temporary and would last less than thirty days—and they’d already wasted a week. What a terrible realization to have on an evening where he should have enjoyed a triumph.

Chapter Seven

Eloisa had a difficult time containing the urge to laugh as Oliver’s mother responded to both pieces of shocking news her sons had given her. Throughout the main course, as everyone tucked into the delectable, juicy roast beef and boiled peas, Eloisa watched the various members of the Darrington family. How entirely different they were from her.

The mother made no bones about reminding her brood she was in charge of the family and that she wanted nothing more than a bevy of grandchildren without delay, for she could expire at any moment. Except, the woman with the slightly graying, auburn hair looked hale and hearty, and quite managing.

She moved her gaze to the oldest—Felix. Though he was the new Earl of Snowden, there were times when he didn’t take life as seriously as Roberta probably would have wished. His eyes twinkled as he joked with Oliver. He even shared a ribald story with Charlotte’s husband, Ravenhurt. When he looked at his wife, those eyes became soft with a love so palpable, Eloisa felt it tingling her own spine.

What would that be like, to be everything to a man?

A hearty bout of laughter echoed in the room. Eloisa moved her perusal to Charlotte, a near picture of her mother except with more humor and a trace of wickedness. When she thought no one was looking, she touched her hand to Ravenhurst’s. Once, her hand disappeared beneath the table and seconds later, an expression of desire and astonishment crossed Nathan’s face. What did Charlotte do to him beneath the tablecloth and how did she come to be so daring?

Could I ever have the nerve to blatantly arouse or tease a man while at a family dinner?

She’d done nothing like that with Peter, and except for giving herself to him that one night before the benefit of marriage, they’d only shared a few kisses when they’d managed to sneak away from their guard dogs during their courtship. Her heartbeat raced for Charlotte and she hoped the hawk-eyed Roberta wouldn’t get wind of what her daughter was doing.

“Untrue!” Oliver stated in an elevated voice, recalling Eloisa’s regard to him. He pointed at his brother with his fork. “You know it was your suggestion to take Edward Carruthers to that pond. It wasn’t my fault he wanted to swim.”

“Yes, but it was your suggestion we steal his clothes,” Felix returned. “Remember that look on his face when he wandered back down the lane without a stitch on except for a few tufts of straw he held in front of him?

The two brothers howled with laughter. Even Ravenhurst joined in with a restrained chuckle.

“Oh, Gracie Carruthers was so upset at you both,” Charlotte interjected with her own smile. “She vowed she’d always get back at you, told me she’d never talk to you again, but she never did have the gumption to carry out the threat.” She shook her head and the sapphires in her ears sparkled. Really, Charlotte Darrington was a handsome woman.

Eloisa wanted to crawl under the table. She didn’t belong to this group. Everyone at the table, including Felix’s pretty wife with the French coloring, had big personalities and the confidence needed to chase their dreams. Who was she but a short, blonde woman who’d never done a thing to be ashamed over or laugh about and couldn’t cause a sensation if she tried? Well, that wasn’t true. Her cheeks warmed. What a sensation she could have caused had she shared her ruined state. But that was no one’s business and the only treasured memory she had that was hers and Peter’s combined.

The Darringtons were loud and boisterous, and part of her thrilled to hear their stories. All of her life she’d had to look after her siblings and keep them out of trouble. She’d had to be quiet, partially due to her position in the silent lending library and partially because living with Charles’ wife and their doddering aunt meant tiptoeing around lest she upset their delicate natures. What she wouldn’t give to let loose and make noise of her own.

“I think you men should consider watching your words in front of our guest,” Clarice reminded them. The faint French accent in her voice danced through the words. “She will think we have no manners.”

Felix nodded. The corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. “Yes, forgive Oliver and me. We’re not usually this uncouth. Tell us how you’re enjoying Brighton.”

“Well…” Her pulse accelerated as all eyes turned to stare at her. They were rather an intense bunch.

“More specifically,” Charlotte interrupted. “Tell us how you managed to snare Oliver and what do you think of his daughter.”

Heat spread through Eloisa’s cheeks. “I like Brighton much better than London. It’s quite noisy here with too many rules and frowning countenances. As for Oliver,” she darted a glance at the man in question, who looked back at her with an unreadable expression, “we, uh, came together as a matter of mutual interest.” Oh, dear heavens, would they know it was a sham? “And I think Daniela is sweet. She’s smart and polite, but I doubt heavily she’s his blood. Beyond that, they’ve been having a go of getting on together quite nicely.” The flush deepened. Why had she said that? It was none of her business. “She doesn’t resemble him in the least.”

Roberta harrumphed. “Whether that child is his by rights or not, it isn’t proper she’s beneath his roof at all. Something must be done, and I’ll speak to him about it—alone.” Her piercing gaze landed first on Oliver then on Eloisa.

“Unfair, Mother. You complain you want grandchildren, but now they must also be legitimate?” Oliver’s outburst earned him a glance that could have ushered in a return to winter.

“That is almost not up for urgent discussion,” his mother replied.

“Perhaps you’ll be the reason Oliver stays in England,” Charlotte said as she laid her silverware across her empty plate in a clear attempt to divert the conversation. “It would be nice to have him here and near Town.”

“Oh, I’m not sure about that,” Eloisa hedged. “Oliver seems a free spirit. I’d hate to be the one to tether him if he doesn’t wish it.” No way would she commit to something she had no idea about. She really needed to talk with Oliver more in-depth. Even if she were to be linked with his name for the contract length, she should find out what he wanted from life.

“No, she won’t, because Oliver will not be marrying her,” Roberta inserted as the dessert course was delivered to the diners. Portions of trifle were doled out and placed in front of everyone.

Though she already knew the engagement was a farce, the knowledge that Oliver’s mother didn’t think Eloisa was good enough for her son rankled.
What is wrong with me that I cannot win him?
She dropped her gaze to her plate. Was it her family’s reduced circumstances or was it just that Mrs. Darrington didn’t like her looks?

“Now, Mother—” Oliver began, but Felix interrupted him.

“Mother, remember you weren’t very fond of Clarice or Nathan either. How do you know you won’t like Eloisa?”

Roberta stared at Felix, a spoonful of trifle halfway to her lips. “Miss Hawthorne is not titled and from all accounts, her brother is a near reprobate and halfway to debtor’s prison.” She glanced at Eloisa. “No offense, dear. It’s hardly your fault. And I do want my offspring to make advantageous matches.”

“No, I completely understand,” she murmured and felt even smaller and more insignificant than ever. What she wouldn’t give to be back in the lending library, buried within the stacks and shelves of books. Volumes and tomes didn’t judge her or find her lacking the way Roberta obviously did.

“That’s enough, Mother,” Oliver stated. A deadly tone had crept into his voice and didn’t brook argument. “Eloisa is everything kind and good in this world. I won’t have you disparaging her.” He rose then took his wine glass in hand while his warm gaze lingered on her. “Perhaps we should toast Felix and Clarice instead. There’s much going on in their lives that should herald happiness and joy.”

“Hear, hear!” Felix cheered. The tense mood around the table lifted.

“I wish you both nothing but success and bliss in the coming days.” Oliver took a deep drink of his wine.

“Best wishes,” Eloisa murmured then sipped her drink. Over the rim of her glass, she caught Oliver’s intense blue gaze. When he flashed her a genuine smile that lit his eyes, her insides fluttered. With haste, she focused her attention on Felix and Clarice as he whispered something into his wife’s ear.

How could she have such a reaction to Oliver? She couldn’t feel anything for him. They’d barely met. Plus, she was supposed to still be in love with her dear Peter, wasn’t she? Confusion set in and did nothing to settle her stomach or her nerves. After one bite of trifle, she pushed her bowl away. She needed to be home, tucked in her own bedroom in order to analyze this troubling turn of events.

Once dinner had concluded ninety minutes later—Oliver had refused to linger longer—Eloisa was back in the carriage with Oliver seated across from her. Darkness shrouded the interior as no one had lit the lamp and she didn’t want to ask for it to be done though the curtains hadn’t been drawn, which allowed a bit of moonlight to shine through. The shadows were reassuring and she wouldn’t have to work at hiding her emotions. Pleasant tiredness weighed her limbs and she rested her head against the squabs as she closed her eyes.

One niggle of curiosity wouldn’t leave her in peace. Finally, she popped open her eyes and looked across at Oliver. “What did your mother say to you regarding me, our engagement, and Daniela?” Not long after dinner had ended, Roberta made a point of securing Oliver’s attention and pulling him into the study before firmly closing the door behind them.

A soft guffaw escaped him. “Oh, I’m sure she had every intention of expounding the many reasons why this engagement is a bad idea, but I didn’t give her the option. I kissed her cheek, told her I’d see her again soon then escaped her clutches for another day.”

“I’ll wager she won’t give up that easily.” The tension in her back eased. At least he hadn’t been browbeaten. She didn’t know if she had the wherewithal to continue the farce if it meant he’d be pitted against his family. Not even for the money could she plunge him into that.

“Oh, I doubt she’s done with her campaign.” He rested an ankle on his knee. “I did tell her I’d be more of a mind to listen if she visited me in Brighton. After all, she thinks it the height of bad manners that I might bring Daniela to the London address.”

“Good heavens. Is your mother that unbending?” Yes, it was scandalous to even have the child in his household and more scandalous yet to announce that news in lieu of dinner party conversation, but what would they have the poor man to do?