Page 26 of A Rogues & Gentlemen Christmas

“What terms?” Chance demanded, looking between the two men who were disregarding both him and Odette, too intent on their own power struggle.

“Might I remind you of exactly what you risk, my lord?” Uncle Guy said, his tone smooth. “The reason this little arrangement was so important to us both.”

The words might have been mild, but that a threat was being issued was in no doubt.

The atmosphere in the room, already taut and strained, seemed to thicken with the violence of feeling between the two men. A soft knock at the door made Odette almost leap from her skin, so on edge were her emotions. She turned to see Lady Blackdown come in. Odette had liked the woman, who had been the only one to show her any warmth when she’d come to this daunting place. She was tall and elegant, with honey gold hair arranged in a simple yet stylish arrangement, and her elegant figure clad in deep green.

“Chauncey, darling,” she said, her eyes alight with pleasure as she rushed to her son and embraced him. “We were so worried when you didn’t come home. I told your father you must have gotten stuck in the snow, for I knew you would not be so rude on purpose.”

Though there was a reproachful note apparent in her greeting, her expression was full of warmth.

“Yes, Mama, just as you say,” Chance replied with a sheepish smile, clearly deciding he need give no more explanation at this stage. “But I was never so glad for it. I found a lost lamb, you see.”

“Miss de Bethencourt!” his mother exclaimed, and before Odette could blink she was enveloped in an embrace every bit as fierce as Chance had received. “Oh, thank the Lord, you’re safe. You are safe, unharmed?” she demanded, taking a step back to look her over, her concern genuine and so touching on a night filled to the brim with anxiety that Odette’s eyes filled.

“Oui, Maman,” she said, daring to address Lady Blackdown as a daughter might.

The lady stilled and covered her mouth with a gasp. Her gaze flew from Odette to Chance, who smiled at her.

“I’d like you to meet my wife, Mama, my Lady Debdon.”

“Lady Debdon?” his mother repeated in a daze.

Odette held her breath, wondering if Lady Blackdown’s happiness was only for her safety, if she no longer wished to welcome Odette into her family, if….

Odette gave a choked laugh as she was embraced again, and this time the lady pulled Chance towards her too, one arm around each of them.

“Oh,” Lady Blackdown cried, her voice thick with emotion. “Oh, you naughty children. I was so looking forward to seeing you both marry, but… but I’m so glad… so… so… ha—happy.”

She dissolved into tears and Odette watched in astonishment as the icy Earl of Blackdown ran to her, his expression one of horror.

“Lucinda, Lucy, my love… don’t cry.”

Lady Blackdown was gathered into her husband’s arms, heedless of the assembled company.

“You see what you’ve done, boy!” the earl said, furious now as he turned on Chance once again.

“Oh, no, Arthur, don’t. Please, I’m only crying because I am so happy and relieved. Look at them. Can’t you see they are made for each other? I just knew it… I knew the moment I set eyes on her. I told you we ought to have warned him. If you’d only let me send the letter I wrote….”

“What difference would that make?” his father demanded with a snort, adding with no little sarcasm. “He got stuck in the snow!”

Lady Blackdown returned a reproachful glance, looking up at her husband from under her lashes.

“Arthur,” she said, her voice soft and gently chiding.

Lord Blackdown dissolved.

Odette turned to Chance, wide-eyed with astonishment. During her brief stay here she had only seen the forbidding earl himself on two occasions, both times with her uncle. He had not been present at her meetings with Lady Blackdown.

Lady Blackdown had been charming and kind. The earl had been cold and icily polite. The two of them together, though….

Chance winked at her and bent down to whisper in her ear. “My mother is a force to be reckoned with. He adores her.”

This was patently obvious as the earl let out a defeated huff, kissed the top of his wife’s head, and looked back at his son.

“Well, boy, hiding behind your mother’s skirts again, I see, but… well, we shall silence any talk. It will cost me a pretty penny, but I don’t suppose that will bother you a whit. Just get on and do your blasted duty. I want grandsons, and lots of ’em.”

Odette felt her colour rise again, but Chance only grinned and slid his arm about her waist.