Chapter Three

“T he 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 her 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.

Charles picked up a pillow and took off after young Henry. When he caught his brother, he began to pummel him. “That was a rat-faced thing to do to your sister. An apology is in order.”

Henry held up his arms to protect his head. “I’m sorry, Lu. I won’t put salt in the sugar again.”

Louisa stood transfixed. “Charles, you are actually sticking up for me. Will you forgive me for drenching you with wine?”

“In the past I’ve played too many loutish tricks on you. It’s childish to pit the boys against the girls. From now on we should all be friends and look out for one another. That’s what families are for.”

A pillow hit him square in the head and Charles charged after his brother Jack. It wasn’t long before the rest of the siblings and their friends joined in the melee. Games tables were overturned to act as barriers against flying cushions, cards, and candles.

James, thoroughly enjoying himself, pulled Louisa behind a card table to shield her from the onslaught. “Lady Louisa, will you—”

“You mocking swine. No, I will not marry you!” She balled up her fists and thumped him in the chest. “I gave you my answer at Carlton House and I certainly haven’t changed my mind since.”

His dark eyes filled with amusement. “I was merely proposing that you keep your head down, not proposing marriage.” His mouth curved into a grin. “You said you didn’t remember me.”

“I lied. And what’s more, you know I lied, you arrogant devil.” She blushed. When he threw back his head and laughed, her sense of humor deserted her. She felt humiliated and furious at both him and herself.

Georgy, armed with a sofa pillow, flung herself at Abercorn and began to hit him across the shoulders. Instead of snatching it away and overpowering her, as she was hoping he would, James rolled to the carpet in submission. She went down on her knees before him and whispered, “Damn, I’m the one who wants to roll on the rug.”

Louisa jumped to her feet and held up her arms. “A truce! A little more decorum, ladies and gentlemen, if you please. Why don’t we settle this with a race tomorrow?”

James got to his feet and towered above her. “I know Woburn has its own racecourse. Will your father allow us to use it?”

“Yes, if we ride our own mounts. We cannot use the Russell racehorses.”

They set the event for eleven the following morning and then went about restoring the gallery so they could play cards. Lu felt disturbed by Abercorn’s presence and distanced herself from him. She played fiercely against her brothers, determined to win money from them, which she could use to wager in the horse race.

Georgy, on the other hand, was playing for higher stakes. She gambled recklessly with her brother’s friends, Teddy Fox, George Grey, and James Hamilton. She flirted outrageously and hinted that she might be persuaded to play for certain favors.

Georgy followed her sister into her bedchamber. “It is no wonder James Hamilton has an athletic build if he is a champion oarsman. Muscles maketh the man!”

Louisa did not dare to even think of the Irish charmer, let alone discuss his muscles. She quickly changed the subject. “It was wicked of Bessy to bring up Mother’s sister Susan. She knows the divorce caused a terrible scandal.”

“From all I’ve heard the Duke of Manchester was an Adonis like Abercorn. He kept a string of mistresses. Women simply threw themselves at him. Poor Susan had one affair and the vindictive devil divorced her and took away her children.”

“Men can be so selfish and cruel . . . especially those who are good-looking. And, unlike women, they never have to pay for their sins.” With difficulty, she banished the image of Abercorn from her mind. “The wicked shall flourish as the green bay tree. The Crown appointed Manchester governor of Jamaica.”

“I warrant he planted a fine crop of bastards in the islands.” Georgy yawned and opened the adjoining door to her own bedchamber. “Goodnight, Lu. I wish you sweet dreams filled with lusty bachelors.”

As Louisa lay abed she pondered the wager she’d made with her sister about the kiss. Her birthday wasn’t that far away and she had few options open to her. I shall have to approach one of my brothers’ friends and explain about my bet with Georgy. Surely one of them will take pity on me. I’ve known Teddy the longest—I’m sure he will oblige me. She thought of Abercorn and stiffened. Under no circumstances could she ever ask the handsome, arrogant Irishman for anything. His mocking dark eyes strip me of my confidence and turn me into a seven-year-old.

When Louisa fell asleep, she dreamed that she was in the Highlands on a recruiting mission with her mother and sister. They offered a guinea and a kiss to any male who would join the Gordon regiment. The line of braw Scots stretched out for a mile, but as she offered each one a kiss, he refused and passed her on to the next man in line. To add to her humiliation, they were clamoring to fuse their mouths with Georgy and the alluring Duchess of Bedford.

After a restless night, Louisa arose early and soon forgot her mortifying dream. Before breakfast she intended to go to the stables and take a look at the mounts of her brothers’ friends prior to the race. She donned a riding dress, pulled on her boots, and made her way outside.

As she passed by the west wing she glanced up at the bedchamber windows and saw a couple of young men gazing down at her. She lowered her eyes immediately, afraid that one of them might be Abercorn. She felt shy about what they might be saying about her and hurried on by. It was fortunate she could not hear their words.

“Lady Lu and Georgy are a study in contrasts,” James Hamilton observed.

Teddy laughed. “One is winsome, and one is willing. One is fair, and one is game.”

George Grey chimed in, “One’s for wedding, and one’s for bedding. Which would you choose?”

Abercorn wished he’d kept his mouth shut. He returned to his own chamber, put on a jacket, and went down for breakfast.

Teddy continued the word game. “One is innocent, and one exceedingly guilty.”

George Grey said wisely, “Plain girls try harder.”

Teddy laughed. “A dilemma. One pretty, one plain—well actually one’s pretty plain!”

In the stables, Louisa assessed her brothers’ mounts and then carefully looked over the three horses that belonged to their friends. One animal stood out from the rest and she ran her hand down its sleek neck. It was smaller than the two geldings and it was a mare. The shape of its head was elegant. “It’s an Arabian,” she murmured with awe.

Louisa sought out Woburn’s head groom. “After breakfast, we are all going to race our mounts. Will you take charge of the bets for us, Toby?”

“That I will, my lady. There’ll be no cheating allowed today.”

“You’ll have to watch the devils carefully,” she warned with a grin. On her way back to the house for breakfast, she counted her betting money and weighed her odds.

Her brothers and their friends were there already when she arrived in the breakfast room. She took a seat beside her sister, took one look at Georgy’s plate, and whispered, “You won’t win if you eat all that.”

“Men don’t like girls who outdo them. By losing, I shall be far ahead in the game. Surely you are not going to place bets on yourself?”

Lu raised her chin. “I may not outdo them, but I intend to give it a damn good try!” She passed over the gammon ham, eggs, and sausage, and chose brown bread and honey. She drank a glass of milk and picked up an apple. When she glanced over at her brothers and their friends, their plates were piled high, as if they were having an eating contest. Louisa didn’t think she could win against her brother Edward, until she saw him washing down his breakfast with champagne. That made her change her mind.

When everyone had finished breakfast, they all walked to the stables together. The males engaged in much laughing, pushing, and bragging, and Lu kept a wise silence. When Abercorn saddled the Arabian, she was not surprised.

Teddy Fox and George Grey saddled their geldings and led them from the stables.

Cosmo and Henry dashed in and began to saddle their ponies. Their older brother Edward challenged them. “Who the devil said you two could be in the race?”

They immediately turned to Louisa for her support.

“They have mounts . . . they have money . . . and their name is Russell. They qualify in every way. What are you afraid of, Edward?” she challenged.

He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t mind taking their money.”

Louisa winked at Cosmo and Henry. “You’ll have to beat them first, Edward. Toby is looking after the bets. You have to put in an extra guinea to pick the overall winner.”

When all the horses were saddled, they led them into the courtyard so they could place their bets. They assessed each other’s mounts and Georgy, using size as her gauge, placed only two wagers. She bet that Teddy would be the overall winner, and that George Grey would beat James Hamilton.

Cosmo and Henry each bet that they could beat their sisters, and agreed with Georgy that Teddy would be the overall winner, riding his big gelding.

The three older Russell brothers each bet against every other challenger in the race, and, oozing confidence, each one bet that he would be the overall winner.

George Grey, seeing their self-assurance, wagered that he would beat the girls and the younger Russells, and bet that Edward Russell would be the overall winner.

Teddy wagered against every challenger and bet on himself as overall winner.

Louisa secretly watched Abercorn. Perhaps gallantry kept him from betting against the ladies or the two youngest Russell boys, but he wagered that he would beat all his friends from Oxford and that he would be the overall winner.

“Your turn, Lu. Hurry up,” her brother Edward urged, impatient for the race.

To everyone’s surprise she wagered that she would beat all except Abercorn, who would be the overall winner. “I’ve changed my mind, Toby. I’m not betting against Edward. He won’t even finish the race!”

Edward hooted in derision as the eleven riders mounted and trotted their horses out to the racetrack. Georgy placed herself between Teddy Fox and George Grey, dividing her inviting smiles equally between them.

They lined up at the starting gate and when Toby dropped the flag, the dust flew from the galloping hooves. For the first quarter they were all neck and neck. Then Georgy fell behind, and at the halfway point the two huge geldings began to pull ahead. To overtake them, Edward urged his horse to the outside, swerved, lost his balance, and tumbled to the track. The rest of the Russell brothers tried to avoid him and lost valuable time. At the three-quarter mark, Abercorn’s mare made her move and pulled into the lead. Louisa knew she couldn’t catch him, but she kept her head low and sailed past Teddy and George, whose big horses were winded.

As Toby calculated the winnings and prepared to pay the bets, the Russell brothers flung insults at Edward and blamed him for their losses. “Lady Louisa takes the lion’s share of the winnings,” Toby said with a grin.

“How the devil did you come in second?” Jack demanded.

“Because my horse carried the least weight.”

“What on earth made you think Abercorn would be the overall winner?”

She glanced at James Hamilton as he accepted his winnings and when their eyes met, she quickly looked away. “I bet on his horse. Arabians are bred for speed and grace. It had absolutely nothing to do with him.” That’s not true. He has a will of iron. Determination is bred into his bones. Despite his beautiful smile and charming manners, if he sets his mind on a goal, I’m willing to bet he will move heaven and hell to achieve it. Louisa shuddered.

Georgy followed Louisa into her bedchamber. “Help me out of this damn riding dress. It’s much too tight.”

Lu unbuttoned the back of the dress, then proceeded to remove her own.

“The very worst thing you can ever do is win a bet against a man. It humiliates him. But if you lose, it makes him feel superior. Don’t you know anything, Lu?”

“I know that I refuse to play games in order to attract a man.”

Georgy sat on the bed. “Catching a husband isn’t a game, Lu. It is a deadly serious business. Hasn’t it sunk in that without a husband you’ll have no status and no home?”

Lu shivered as she recalled her disturbing dream about being homeless. “Mother often complains about her own mother’s obsessive matchmaking. She insists that titles are unimportant and encourages all of us to marry for love.”

“Lu, for God’s sake, don’t be so obtuse. She says these things but she doesn’t mean them. Look at the facts! You know the history of the Gordon sisters. They all married titled, wealthy, powerful men. Mother was the youngest and her ambition knew no bounds. She managed to get herself engaged to the Duke of Bedford, the premier duke of the realm. But when Francis Russell suddenly died, she lost no time whatsoever in making sure she would still be the Duchess of Bedford. By marrying his brother, she got the status, the wealth, Woburn Abbey, and most important of all, she got the title.”

Louisa was horrified at her sister’s words. “She married Father for love!”

“How utterly convenient that she loved him.”