Chapter Seven

M abel wasted no time writing to the Duchess of Combe to organize a shopping trip to Bond Street with Leona, as the duchess probably knew all the most expensive places to go. This would aid in Mabel and Derek's plot to make Leona appear to be a frivolous spender. To justify her reaching out, she added a line in her letter expressing a desire to become better acquainted with the earl's friends since she would eventually leave Leona in their care when she returned to Philadelphia.

It wasn't necessarily a lie, Mabel told herself the morning after she received the duchess's response. She quite liked the duchess. But the truth was it didn't matter whether she found the duchess to be a wonderful person or a monster. Mabel was counting mainly on her expertise in spending money, which needed to happen immediately. With the entire Trembley household set to disembark to the country at the end of the week, Mabel would have to move quickly to help along whatever discord she could. That way, she and Leona could hurry home and put some proper distance between themselves and the Trembley men.

Not that Mabel was willing to admit that she needed an ocean to curb the desire she had for the earl. What she would admit was that kissing him had been a mistake. When she entered the dining room for breakfast, she was relieved to see that Derek was not in attendance.

"The regatta will be held a week from today, and we will absolutely host a ball at that time," the dowager countess said to Leona as she brought a teacup to her lips. "You'll love it, my dear. Boxwood Park has a wonderful view of the river. They've done the regatta several times before, but they're thinking of making it an official occurrence. Supposedly, the Crown has become interested and is looking to patronize the event."

"Is that so?" Leona asked as Mabel fixed herself a plate at the sideboard. "What does it involve?"

"Oh, it's a fine competition," Alfred said. "A public draw is held in the town, and rowers are done up into teams. Then, they're set on either side of the river to compete. It's divided into the Bucks and the Berks. Mother always bets on the Bucks—"

"Alfred!"

Alfred smirked at his mother before popping a strawberry in his mouth.

"It's a right good time," Fredrick said. "Eton was keen on trying to make a club of sorts for students, but it hasn't happened yet. Although, we all did a bit of racing ourselves while at school." He glanced at his brother. "Some of us better than others."

"I wasn't very good," Alfred admitted sheepishly to Leona. "But Fredrick and Derek were."

"Not very good?" Fredrick continued. "You were the whole reason we had to be visited by that Dutch fellow from the Society for Recovery of Drowned Persons." He buttered a piece of toast. "We all had to spend a week learning how to rescue people from drowning."

Mabel's brow raised as she spun away from the buffet.

"So, you did drown, Alfred? Leona mentioned it to me, but I thought she was exaggerating."

"Only for a moment or two," he said with a wink, as the countess rolled her eyes.

"Um, what are Bucks and Berks?" Leona repeated, confused. "You mentioned it before, but I'm not familiar with the terms."

"Bucks for Buckinghamshire and Berks for Berkshire," Fredrick explained as Mabel sat down. He faced her. "Violet tells me you're off on a shopping trip this morning with her and Clara."

"Oh, yes," Mabel said. She was unaware that the duchess had invited her sister-in-law, but she had no objection to the addition. "It should be an exciting experience. I'm eager to see what sort of things London has to sell."

"I'm sure it's no different than what we have in Philadelphia," Leona said.

"But we shan't know for sure unless we go see for ourselves," Mabel answered as another body entered the dining room.

"Where the devil is Alfred?" Derek asked before surveying his surroundings. Seeing his youngest brother, he stalked toward him, though his shifting glance caught Mabel's eye just as she sat down.

She swallowed and dropped her gaze to the plate of food before her, trying hard not to remember their kiss. Instead, she chose to focus on the task at hand. Today, their plan would commence. Derek would take his brother away for an undisclosed amount of time, without offering anyone any explanation, while Mabel would force a spending spree onto her sister.

"Derek, manners," his mother chided him.

"There's no time for niceties, Mother. We've an appointment this morning."

"Do we?" Alfred said, standing up.

"Yes. We've appointments all over town actually," Derek said, his eyes meeting Mabel's for half a second before returning his gaze to his brother. They mustn't appear to be in cahoots with one another. "Shall we?"

Alfred was clearly unaware of what plans his brother had for him, but he put forth no objection, merely wiped his mouth with a kerchief and hurried after Derek, who had already bowed and left the room.

"I wonder what they're up to," Leona said as she watched her fiancé leave.

"Who knows," Mabel said quickly. "But let us discuss what we will be doing today. Where shall we go? Oxford Street? Saville Row?"

"For what? We already have everything we need."

"Oh, but I should like to find something to take home with me when I return home. Let us find something special to commemorate this trip."

Mabel took a sip of her tea, her concentration on the plate before her, when she noticed the silence. Glancing to her side, she saw Leona's crestfallen face.

"I forgot you were planning on returning to Philadelphia," she said, shaking her head as if trying to dislodge the sudden sadness from her features. "I guess… Well, it's just that the Trembleys have been so accommodating," she said. "I assumed…"

"Leona, you couldn't have thought that I would stay here once you were married. Surely not."

"No, no, I knew you were going back, but well, I just assumed that you would stay for a few months."

"Months? Goodness no, I plan on leaving immediately after the wedding."

Leona's eyes widened in surprise. "Immediately? But why? Surely there's no need to rush away."

"My dear, Papa is expecting me before the season is over. And as obliging as your future in-laws have been, they can't be expected to house me forever. Besides, I miss Philadelphia."

"Yes," Leona said sadly. "Of course."

Mabel nodded, but a stone felt suddenly lodged in her stomach. It had been a different kind of difficult when she had left America the first time to marry the comte. Leona had still been so young at the time, and while they had been close, Mabel had craved a romantic life and believed she had found one. As sad as she had been to leave her home and family behind, she'd been full of hope for the happiness she expected to find in France. But when her marriage fell apart, and she returned to Philadelphia, with the shame of divorce hanging around her neck like a weight, Leona had been there to help her ease the pain of a broken heart and bruised ego. She and Leona had been inseparable ever since. Now her sister was going to marry Alfred and stay in England forever.

Well, not if Mabel could help it.

"Come, let's not be all doom and gloom this morning," she said, straightening her back. "Let's go see what London has to offer."

"Yes, I think that's a grand idea," the countess said as George entered the room.

"The Duchess of Combe and Lady Violet," he said with a bow as the fair-haired countess and her sister-in-law entered the room.

"Good morning," the duchess chirped as Mabel and Leona rose from their chairs. "I'm so glad you suggested this outing, Miss Meadows."

"I'm so pleased that you accepted my invitation, your grace," Mabel said, curtsying to both women.

"Oh, none of that," Violet said, taking Leona's arm. "We're to be family in a few short weeks after all."

"Yes, I suppose we will be," Leona said.

"Lady Trembley, are you sure you don't wish to join us?" the duchess asked, peering over Mabel's shoulder.

"Goodness no. I've much too many appointments myself today. George?"

The footman came forward from the door.

"Yes, my lady?"

"Have the carriage readied for our guests," she said. The footman bowed and left. "Be wary of time though, ladies. We've the opera tonight."

"Yes, my lady," Leona said as she stood, and the four women made their way out of the dining room and into the foyer.

An hour later, Mabel, Leona, the duchess, and Violet were on their third store and had already saddled their accompanying footman with several boxes. Sheet music, gloves, luxury luggage, and a crystal tea set had been purchased during their excursion.

Leona and Violet kept close to one another, whispering secrets and chatting merrily. For a moment, Mabel was glad to see that her sister had made such a friend, but then, remembering that the whole point of this excursion was to create a rift between Leona and Alfred, she glanced down to inspect an invisible speck of dirt on her glove.

"Mabel?" her sister called, causing her to glance up. "What do you think of this?"

Leona held up a tin of mint sweets. "They're so much like the ones Alfred bought in Philadelphia. The ones he sent home, remember? He liked them so."

"Oh yes," Violet said. "The earl gave them to Gavin, who very much enjoyed them."

"They were not to the earl's liking?" Mabel heard herself ask.

"Unfortunately, no. He said as much at a dinner party several months ago."

Mabel made a point to remember that information as her sister placed the tin back down on the shelf.

"My dear, why not buy them for Alfred if he enjoyed them?"

"Well, we aren't yet married, and it's untoward to buy a man a gift, isn't it?"

"But you will be soon enough," Mabel said, picking the small tin up and placing it in her sister's hands. "In fact, I wanted to encourage you to buy gifts for the entire family."

"Oh, I couldn't possibly."

"Why not? It will be a lovely gesture. They will be personal thank-you tokens, for each and every one of them. For housing us during our visit and welcoming us so generously. I'm sure they will be very well received."

Violet and the duchess did not speak—likely because they knew her words were untrue. To buy gifts for everyone in the Trembley household would be seen as excessive and unnecessary.

But Mabel had to push.

"Are you quite sure?" Leona asked.

"Of course."

Leona beamed as she and Violet picked out an assortment of trinkets and gifts.

"I hope you don't mind me saying so," the duchess said quietly when Leona and Violet were out of earshot. "But there isn't a need to bestow such gifts on the Trembleys. They would appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gesture, I'm sure, however the earl may well be embarrassed to receive gifts from his guests."

"Will he?" Mabel feigned surprise. "Well, he needn't be."

The duchess's unwavering stare set Mabel's nerves on edge, but she would not cower. She and the earl had a plan.

"You know, Derek has been somewhat out of sorts these past few weeks," the duchess said slowly, her fingers trailing down a length of silk ribbon that hung from a hook on the wall. Several dozen silken lengths hung down, in varying shades of blues. The duchess examined them carefully as she tested one after another. "I'm sure he's too much of a gentleman to speak of it with ladies, but I wonder if he's not perhaps somewhat nervous about his brothers' upcoming nuptials."

Mabel glanced at the duchess.

"Do you think so?"

"I do. Perhaps you can relate? I don't have any siblings myself, but I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a beloved sister to a man who lived on the other side of the world."

Heat began to creep up Mabel's neck. The duchess was a perceptive woman, but she wasn't exactly someone Mabel could confide in.

"I'm only glad that my sister has found love," she said evenly, turning around to gaze across the room. "She and Alfred seem very happy together."

"They do. They really do," the duchess said, pulling one of the ribbons down. "I hope they stay that way."

"As do I," Mabel said, unsure if she was lying. She did want her sister to be happy. And Alfred too, she supposed. She just didn't see how they could stay happy if they chose to stay together.

"Mabel?" Leona called from across the shop. "What about this cameo pin, for the countess? Or maybe a silk fan would be better."

"Buy them both," Mabel said, pushing along with her plot.

"Violet helped me pick out this very handsome pen for Fredrick," she said, coming over. "But I'm at a loss as to what to get the earl. Maybe a cravat? Oh, but that's too personal."

"A book," Mabel said offhandedly.

"A book? What sort of book? One on horses?"

"No, this one," Mabel said, holding a small, green leather-dyed book. " Precaution by James Fenimore Cooper."

"What's it about?" Leona asked, taking the book from her sister.

"The domesticity of life, what else?" Mabel said. "But it's written by an American, who pretended to be an English woman and wrote about this country."

"Really?"

"Yes. I think the earl will find it entertaining."

Leona bought the book, as well as several other odds and ends, all at the insistence of Mabel, who began to feel a wight of sorts around her shoulders as they made their way to the next shop and then another. It didn't help that she quite liked Alfred. Mabel believed he would make someone a fine husband. But it would be best if he made some British bride happy. Just as she had discussed with the earl.

For the rest of the day, Mabel had to continue assuring herself that what she was doing was for the best. And when she wasn't busy making justifications to herself, she was struggling to keep her thoughts from turning to the earl. It seemed every subject reminded her of him, simply because she wondered what his opinion would be on it.

It was a struggle to keep her thoughts free of him all morning and even still when they returned that afternoon. The duchess and Violet left after they returned to Mayfair, and Mabel began to dress for the evening out to the opera.

When she finished readying herself for the evening, she left her room and descended the stairs, only to find the countess and Leona alone in the foyer. Mabel arched a brow.

"Is something amiss?"

"No," the countess said, tugging on her satin gloves. "Except that my sons seem to constantly want to vex me."

Mabel studied Leona, curious to see her reaction.

"The earl and his brothers sent their regards, but they won't be able to make it tonight."

"Oh?" Mabel said, trying to sound curious. This was precisely what she had asked the earl to do. "Are they all right?"

"Quite," the countess said, sounding annoyed as she brushed past them. "Shall we depart?"

The sisters followed, eager not to upset the older woman any more than she already was. Once they arrived at the Opera house, however, Leona made a show of her slipper coming undone. Dragging Mabel away, they made their way to the ladies' waiting room to see to it. To Mabel's surprise, a visibly upset Leona gripped her hand once they were out of the countess's sight.

"What's happened?" Mabel asked, genuinely worried.

"I overheard the countess speaking with George. Apparently the earl and his brothers are staying at the gentleman's club tonight. Whites."

"All night?"

Leona nodded.

"Yes. Evidently there's some large bidding going on and, and…"

"And what?"

"And it seems that Alfred is too busy to be bothered to come and keep his plans with us."

So that was it. Well, Mabel had to give the earl credit. A gambling game was the perfect lure to use on his brothers. While it wasn't lovely, and Mabel felt rotten for causing Leona to be so melancholy, she told herself it was for the best. A sudden zing of guilt cut through Mabel's heart at her and Derek's plan, but unfortunately, it needed to be done.

Swallowing the lump of guilt that had formed in her throat, Mabel spoke.

"Well, it's to be expected of their sort, isn't it? Men of the peerage often find themselves with too much money and not enough to keep them busy."

Leona's brow pinched together.

"But Alfred isn't like that."

"No? Oh, well, then I guess you've nothing to worry about." Mabel tried to sound flippant. "Come, let us not tarry and leave the countess by herself for too long."

Leona nodded and after a moment's hesitation, she walked out to find the countess. Mabel followed, and while a sour taste formed in her mouth, she ignored it.

This was what was best for everyone. Or at least that's what she kept telling herself during the days to follow.

*

The haze of an early morning fog fell over London in the early hours, two days, and three nights after the missed opera show. Derek and Fredrick helped carry Alfred down the steps of Whites, where the three of them had spent the last few days drinking and gambling in the name of celebration. Derek had pressed the idea that his brothers should have a stag party that lasted two full evenings, as they were to have a double wedding. And then after that, he was somehow able to convince them to stay for a third night, which had obviously proven to be too much for Alfred.

"Poor bloke," Fredrick said as he missed a step, nearly causing all three of them to fall. Derek hoisted him back up, shoving Alfred toward him. Fredrick hiccupped. "Never could hold his liquor."

"You're still three sheets to the wind yourself," Derek said as they reached the bottom of the steps.

He and Fredrick dragged their semi-conscious brother to the vehicle, where the waiting driver yawned loudly before hurrying forward to help load Alfred inside like a sack of flour.

With a grunt, Alfred all but fell onto the floor of the carriage as Derek climbed in after him, fighting off a raging headache. Fredrick nearly followed him but grimaced.

"Actually, I think it would be safer if I rode with the driver," he said before closing the door.

Derek understood. He wasn't looking forward to the ride home and whispered a silent prayer not to be sick as the carriage lurched forward.

He would deserve it, he mused miserably as the carriage jolted from side to side down the cobblestone road. It had been bad form not to send word to his house about their whereabouts after that initial missive stating that they wouldn't be coming to the opera, but that was the idea, wasn't it? To make Alfred appear inconsiderate. Keeping him away for two whole days would likely solidify that impression.

The first night had been easy enough. With Fredrick, Silas, and Gavin, along with dozens of friends, Alfred had had little chance to argue. They had all come to celebrate his pending marriage, and it would be rude to argue that he had other plans. It was far easier for Alfred to allow himself to be plied with drink and enticed with gambling, particularly since he hadn't indulged for some time. A grand night was had by all.

The second night, however, was more difficult. Alfred had been ill from the first night of drinking and carousing, which meant, thankfully, that he had slept in. Derek had kept him at the club until five o'clock, offering him food and headache powders as Fredrick riled the rest of their friends to celebrate again. Soon enough, another celebration was taking place, but Alfred, who never could drink very much, had expressed his desire to leave.

"We really should return home," he had mumbled from a club chair, hand on his head. "Leona is undoubtedly worried."

"Nonsense," Derek said. "I'm sure she knows that you're just having some fun. She'll have to come to expect that you'll visit the club when you're married."

"Yes, but not for an entire night and day…and now another night again?" he said, struggling to stand. "Come, let's go."

"How about a bit of the hair of the dog?" Derek offered. "It wouldn't do the womenfolk any good to see you sick from one night of drinking. Really, I thought you would be able to hold your own for a more than a day. Take Fredrick for example."

"I've held my own plenty of times," Alfred snapped, but after a moment, he glanced at his brother. "Do you think a bit of drink will cure this insufferable headache?"

"It's worth a try."

And so, Alfred drank, ate, and eventually began a game of cards, which evolved into a second wild night of revelry. Derek had tried to keep a distance from all the whatnot, but it couldn't be helped. Instead, he and his brothers had fallen into the haze of debauchery.

All three Trembley men had been ill the next day and decided it would be best to recover at the club before returning home. Then at some point during the evening, they each came down for a game of hazards, which had quickly become one of the best games of Alfred's entire life.

It was incredible to watch as he threw nines and elevens almost repeatedly for an hour. They had all won an exorbitant amount of money and hadn't fallen asleep all night. Now, in the cold grey light of early morning, they were left with pockets full of banknotes and headaches so vicious they each swore never to drink again.

What had surprised Derek the most during their three-day celebration was Alfred's devotion to his fiancée. At least a dozen times each night, he would wax poetic about his betrothed's many charms. He was not always especially coherent when he was deep in his cups, but his fervent admiration was crystal clear as he praised her. How kind and brilliant she was. How beautiful and amiable Leona always proved to be.

It almost made Derek regret what he was doing. But this was the best for everyone.

As the carriage careened down the empty London streets, he wondered what Mabel had been doing these past few days. Had she needed to comfort her sister while they were away? Would she be annoyed that he had caused her so much discomfort, or would she be grateful that he had followed the plan?

Derek doubted he would be met with much excitement upon their return. His mother would undoubtedly be furious with him and his brothers, an unfortunate consequence of the plan, but one he could rectify quickly enough.

Leona, however, would be a different story entirely.

Folding his arms across his chest, he stretched his legs out and closed his eyes as a wave of nausea washed over him. He was in desperate need of a bath and a change of clothes. He also needed a proper night's sleep, one not interrupted by gambling or drinking. But as he rested his eyes, a familiar image popped into his mind, just as it had for the past several nights.

Mabel, dressed in her nightgown, seated next to him at the gaming table. It was a picture he had fought hard to forget. But the memory of her seated next to him, cards shuffling in her hands, and the soothing tone of her voice had lulled him to sleep each night he had spent at the club.

It was ridiculous how much he had been affected by that kiss in the library. Even with a club full of beautiful and willing women, Derek had gone to bed alone, confounded by his desire to remember the taste of Mabel's lips rather than muddle it with a kiss from another.

But he needed to stop. It wouldn't do to keep thinking about his feelings of desire that would only complicate things.

Thankfully, by the time they reached the Trembleys' house, the world had barely woken. He hoped to sneak in and put Alfred to bed before the rest of the household roused, and he was grateful when George appeared.

"My lord?" he asked, coming forward as Derek and Fredrick entered, carrying Alfred.

"Take him to bed, George. And try not to wake anyone."

"Yes, my lord," he said. "Ah, but I think you'd better visit your office."

Derek frowned as he handed off Alfred.

"Why?"

"There's a lady asleep in there," he said as he and Fredrick helped the nearly sleeping Alfred toward the staircase.

Momentarily confused, Derek turned and quickly headed for his office. Upon opening the door, he saw Mabel curled up on a chaise lounge positioned near the window, fast asleep.

Dressed in a nightgown and robe, she looked rather innocent. As if a curse had never dropped from her lips nor an ill thought crossed her mind. Derek wondered if she might have always looked like this before the world had given her such a problematic shake.

While he had always been vocal about his aversion to divorce, he wondered if sometimes it was for the best. Silas had undoubtedly needed to get out of his marriage, and by the sounds of it, Mabel had been delivered her fair share of misery with the comte, as well. Perhaps he had been too judgmental of her and of her past.

Approaching her slowly, Derek raised his hand to her face and brushed a wayward strand of hair away from her cheek. The warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips caused his breath to catch for some reason. She was so perfect in this moment and a part of him desperately wanted to see her in this state of rest for years to come.

But that wouldn't happen. It couldn't.

Letting out a heavy breath, Derek's hand moved to her shoulder.

"Mabel," he said to her, gently shaking her. "Mabel, wake up, love."

"Mm?" she spoke.

Mabel lifted her head, as if following a tune. Her eyes flittered open, and when she saw Derek, he half expected her to recoil. Only she didn't. Instead, she examined him with such a soft, welcoming smile that he was nearly convinced he had met her in a dream.

"Derek?"

It was the first time she had said his given name, and the way his heart thudded wildly at her sleep-heavy voice was another thing to add to the list of responses to this woman he was going to have to learn to ignore.

"It's late. Or rather, early. You need to return to your room."

"When did you get in?"

"Just a few moments ago."

"Oh." She sniffed the air. "Goodness, you smell like you fell into a bottle of bourbon."

He frowned.

"Yes, I know," he said. She closed her eyes and tried to roll over. "No, no, no. You have to get up. The house is almost waking up."

"What time is it?"

Derek quickly gathered his silver pocket watch out of his coat and clicked it open.

"Nearly six in the morning."

Mabel's brow furrowed.

"Oh goodness, no."

"Yes, now come on. It would be unseemly to be caught down here."

Mabel yawned as she rolled back to face Derek. Lifting her arms, he gathered her hands in his and helped her stand. Derek tried his hardest to ignore her silhouette in the tightly wrapped velvet robe, but it was impossible. His whisper turned husky. "What are you doing down here anyway?"

"I told you, sleeping evades me at night."

Yes, she had said as much, and once again, Derek found that he was curious as to why. But there was no time to ask about that now. He needed to get her upstairs so that he could wake the house and alert everyone to Alfred's return. Then he could put on an apathetic front.

"Hurry," he whispered, helping her to steady herself on her feet. "You have to get to your bedroom."

She nodded slowly, covering her mouth as she yawned and walked toward the door. She paused and spun to face him.

"Are you coming?"

God, did he want to follow her. But he couldn't.

"No."

Seemingly hearing the depth of that word, Mabel's face took on a strained expression. But she simply nodded before leaving quietly.

Derek stood there, unsure why he felt so suddenly lost.