Page 27 of A Rogues & Gentlemen Christmas

“Yes, sir,” he said, bowing respectfully.

“Hmph,” said the earl, though there was a glimmer of humour in his eyes.

“Blackdown,” came a warning voice from the corner of the room that sent shivers chasing down Odette’s spine. “Aren’t you forgetting something? Remember what you stand to lose if you don’t sign that agreement.”

To Odette’s alarm, her uncle slid his cold gaze to Lady Blackdown before he met the earl’s furious eye once more.

“I don’t forget, damn you,” the earl said, his lips thinning into a taut line of displeasure.

“What agreement?” Lady Blackdown asked, her keen eyes settling on the marquis sharp and full of interest.

“Oh, just the marriage settlements, my love,” the earl said soothingly. Nothing for you to fret about. Now, why don’t you take the young people off and get them some refreshments? No doubt they’re famished after their tiring day.”

“In a moment, darling,” the lady said, smiling at her husband, though there was a glimmer of steel to the expression that gave Odette pause.

She glanced up at Chance to see his attention also riveted on his mother. Clearly, this was an expression he recognised.

“What is in the settlements, Arthur, dear?” she asked, though she still watched Odette’s uncle.

“Oh, just the usual, my love,” Lord Blackdown said at once, though Odette noticed the earl was sweating now, clearly realising, as her son had realised, that Lady Blackdown was going nowhere until she knew the details.

“Men’s business, my lady,” Uncle Guy said.

Odette suspected her uncle could have said nothing more calculated to make the lady dig in her heels, a conviction only strengthened as she saw the earl close his eyes.

“Oh, men’s business,” Lady Blackdown said, a dangerous edge to the softly spoken words. “How intriguing. Tell me, Arthur dear, is this the same men’s business you were discussing the night the marquis and his charming niece arrived here? The business where he was blackmailing you by threatening to expose your illegitimate daughter?”

There was a deathly silence, and the earl went the ghastliest shade of ivory Odette had ever seen. He staggered to a chair and sat down hard, clutching the arms so fiercely his knuckles were white. Odette gasped, fearing he would take ill.

“Fetch your father a cognac,” she said to Chance, who was gaping between his parents in obvious shock.

He just stood there, staring at the earl as if he was seeing him for the first time.

“Dépêche toi,” Odette urged, chivvying him up.

Chance jolted out of his trance and hurried to the decanter.

“My love,” the earl said, staring miserably at his wife. “My love….”

His voice was thick with emotion.

“What, Arthur, dear?” Lady Blackdown said gently.

The man who had exuded power and rugged health just moments earlier seemed to shrink before their eyes.

“I’m sorrier than you’ll ever know. We were barely married, and I… I did not realise what I had, did not realise the value, how precious it was. I was a damned fool. I have no excuses for you.”

His wife moved closer and reached for his hand, twining their fingers together. “How about that we were little more than children ourselves, and married far too young? That we barely knew each other, and that a marriage takes time and patience and commitment?”

“Lucy,” he said, staring at her in wonder. “You could forgive me?”

“I forgave you a very long time ago, Arthur.”

“You knew? You knew all these years?” he said, obviously stricken.

Lady Blackdown offered a sad smile and nodded. “I always hoped that you would tell me, but it is you who must forgive yourself. Your daughter is a fine girl and you’ve looked after her well, but you must ask her forgiveness too, for keeping her a secret so long. That was not well done of you, my love.”

“No,” Lord Blackdown said, his expression one of such naked adoration Odette felt they ought not be there at all. “No, it was not.”