My Brown-Eyed Earl Read online

  “I admit, I find that terrifying.”

  “Sometimes. But it’s also liberating. Once you accept that many things in life are beyond your control, you might let go of the guilt … and realize you deserve to be happy.”

  She nuzzled his neck, letting the truth of his words sink in. “You’re not talking about just the twins anymore, are you?”

  “No.”

  He might have a point. But the guilt she’d been carrying around since her parent’s death was a heavy, palpable thing, and it had been with her so long that it seemed a part of her. She couldn’t shrug it off just because Will told her she deserved happiness.

  “I will think about what you said.”

  “Good.”

  “In the meantime, promise you won’t give up on me?”

  He chuckled. “Never even crossed my mind.”

  Chapter THIRTY-NINE

  Will traveled back to London in the coach with Meg. Normally, he’d have preferred to ride horseback and feel the wind on his face, but her company made the close quarters of the cab more than tolerable.

  Proving what a damned lovesick fool he was.

  As they approached London, he reached between them and squeezed her hand. “Would you like me to take you home?”

  “No!” she said. “You promised I could go to Lila’s and help look for clues to the identity of her lover.”

  He raised a hand in mock defense. “I only thought you might like to change or let your sisters know you’re safe.”

  She shot him an apologetic smile. “I don’t need anything, and my sisters won’t worry. I’ll send word to them this afternoon.”

  “Very well. I told the driver I want to stop at Castleton House briefly, to see if we’ve received any messages related to the twins.”

  He was thinking about Marina, and wondering if the mysterious man had approached her again. Will suspected he had something to do with this. He considered telling Meg about him, but decided against it. She was worried enough as it was.

  “A good idea.” Meg’s forehead creased as she looked out the window.

  “You’re not going to find them roaming the streets, you know,” he said.

  She frowned at him. “I hope not … but it cannot hurt to look.”

  Half an hour later, they finally arrived at Will’s house. The coach had barely rolled to a stop when Gibson sprinted down the steps, moving faster than Will had ever seen.

  Throwing open the cab door, he leaped to the ground. “What’s the hell’s gotten into you, Gibson?”

  “It’s the twins, my lord,” he said, gasping for air.

  Jesus. Dread turned his veins to ice. “What have you learned?”

  “They’re here,” said the butler. “And they’re fine.”

  “What? Thank God!” Meg scooped up Molly and jumped out of the coach into Will’s arms. He lowered her to the ground, grabbed her hand, and together they sprinted toward the front door.

  “They’re in the nursery,” Mrs. Lundy cried as his boots slid across the foyer’s tiles, “with Mrs. Hopwood!”

  They dashed down the corridor and up the staircase. Will was tempted to take the steps two at a time but wouldn’t dream of leaving Meg behind—as if she’d let him. “Are you all right?” he asked her over his shoulder.

  “I just need to see them with my own eyes,” she said in a trembling voice. “Then I’ll believe it’s true.”

  “Miss Lacey? Lord Castleton?”

  Will recognized the slightly raspy voice. “We’re here, Diana!”

  Both girls tore out of the nursery and met them on the landing. The moment Will’s knees hit the floor, he was smothered in sloppy hugs. He scooped the girls up, one in each arm and presented them to Meg, who embraced all three of them.

  “We were so worried about you two,” she said through her tears.

  “Why are you crying?” Valerie asked.

  “Because she’s so happy to see you,” Will said. “We both are.”

  Mrs. Hopwood emerged from the nursery as well, smiling at the reunion. Will had scores of questions for her and the girls but didn’t think it wise to launch into an interrogation. Not right away, at least.

  “Here’s Molly.” Meg handed the doll to Valerie. “I thought you might have missed her.”

  “I did.” The girl squeezed her eyes shut as she clutched the doll to her chest. “But I missed you more.”

  “Oh, Valerie.” Meg turned into a watering pot, and Will laughed.

  “We missed you, too, Lord Castleton,” Diana assured him, melting his heart a little.

  Before he knew what he was saying, he blurted, “Maybe you should call me something else—like Uncle Will.”

  “Really?” Diana squealed.

  Valerie hugged him tighter. “You’re not angry with us?” she asked.

  “No, darling,” Meg said firmly. “Why would we be?”

  “We ran away from the orphanage.” Diana’s voice held a hint of defiance, reminding him of a certain someone else he knew. He and Meg exchanged a look.

  “How did you come to be at an orphanage?” he asked, almost afraid to know the answer.

  “Mama took us there,” Valerie said softly. “She said she’d come back for us after a while…”

  “But I didn’t believe her,” Diana said. “After two nights in that awful place, we couldn’t stand it any longer. So we managed to sneak out of the dining hall and onto the street just before breakfast. We ran around the corner and hailed a hackney cab.”

  “You hailed a cab all by yourselves?” Meg asked, incredulous.

  “I told the driver that we were going to see the Earl of Castleton, and then I gave him the address,” Diana said proudly. “I know it by heart.”

  “Well done,” Will said. “How did you pay the fare?”

  She blushed a little. “I told him you’d pay and that you’d tip handsomely.”

  Will laughed at that. “I certainly would have. I assume Gibson saw to it?”

  “Yes, Mr. Gibson paid the driver with his own money and said he was happy to do it,” Diana said, beaming.

  “You did the right thing,” Meg said to them both. “You’re not hurt, are you?”

  “No.” Valerie shook her head. “But we had to leave all our beautiful new dresses and things behind. We were afraid if we tried to take them with us, someone would know we were running away.”

  “Do not worry,” Will said. “I’ll retrieve them for you. And if anything is lost, we’ll simply replace it. As long as the two of you are safe, nothing else matters.”

  “That’s what I told them, too,” Mrs. Hopwood said.

  “You’ll be living with me from now on,” Will told them, just to be sure there was no confusion. “And I’m very glad about that.”

  He knew it would take them some time to come to grips with what their mother had done, but he hoped they were young enough that the memories would fade over time … and be replaced with happier ones.

  As if echoing his thoughts, Valerie piped up, “Will Miss Lacey be staying with us, too?”

  Meg swallowed. “I … I won’t live here, as I did before, but I promise to visit often. And you may visit me anytime you like.”

  The twins’ faces fell. Will’s stomach sank as well, but he pasted on a smile for the girls’ sake. “I’ll take you to visit Miss Lacey as often as you wish. But right now,” he said, “I think we should celebrate the fact that we are all back together.”

  “How?” the girls cried.

  “By making a trip to the kitchen and seeing if we can convince Cook to spoil us.”

  “Hooray!”

  “Why don’t I take them down,” Meg offered smoothly, “while you chat with Mrs. Hopwood? You can join us shortly.”

  Carefully, he set the twins on the ground, oddly reluctant to let them go. “Yes, run along with Miss Lacey,” he said.

  Once they were out of earshot, he turned to Mrs. Hopwood. “Were you able to learn anything from the girls?”

  The older w
oman frowned. “When their mother left them at the orphanage, she gave no hint as to where she was going. She simply said she was sorry to leave them, but that she’d received an offer she couldn’t refuse.”

  Interesting. “Where was the orphanage?” He presumed there was more than one in London and felt somewhat ashamed that he didn’t know for certain.

  “Mr. Gibson said the hackney driver came from Whitechapel. There’s a foundling home for girls there.” She shuddered. “Terrible places, orphanages.”

  “I promise you that Diana and Valerie will never see the inside of one again.”

  “Thank heaven.” The nanny pressed a hand to her chest.

  “I’m sorry you were involved in this and very grateful that you and the girls are unharmed. I do hope you’ll stay on with us, in my employ.”

  “Of course I will. Trying to keep up with the wee ones is what keeps me young.” She looked like she wanted to say more, but pressed her lips firmly together.

  “What is it, Mrs. Hopwood? Please, I’d like you to feel free to speak your mind.”

  “It’s none of my business,” she began, “but I do hope you’ll be able to convince Miss Lacey to stay. Not because I need someone to share the responsibilities with, but because I think Diana and Valerie need her. And I suspect she needs them as well.”

  “Never fear,” Will said with significantly more confidence than he felt. “I’m working on it.”

  * * *

  “Oh, Julie, it’s lovely!” Meg and Beth circled their sister in the dress shop’s changing room, admiring her new gown from every angle. Wispy and white with petal sleeves and a shimmering, silver sash, the gown flattered Julie’s statuesque figure.

  “You look like the goddess Athena,” Beth announced dreamily.

  “Be careful,” Julie teased. “Mortals have been turned into spiders for lesser offences.”

  Meg sighed a breath of relief. Julie’s ball gown had required a few extra alterations, but every farthing they’d spent and every trip they’d made to the modiste had been worth it. She looked exquisite—and happier than Meg had seen her in ages. She’d be the belle of tomorrow night’s … er, soiree.

  The seamstress carefully lifted the gown over Julie’s head. “I’ll take this into the back and wrap it for you, miss,” she said, before whisking yards of frothy white silk out of the dressing room.

  “We’d better hurry home,” Beth said. “I want to finish up a few chores in the garden.”

  “I hope Uncle Alistair’s still napping when we return.” Julie presented her back so Meg could lace up her old navy dress. It seemed especially drab and heavy in comparison to the ethereal white one. “I need to straighten one last bookshelf in his study.”

  The sisters gathered their reticules and shawls, chatting merrily as they walked out of the changing area and through the front of the shop. Meg picked up the wrapped parcel at the counter, and the shopkeeper smiled broadly. “Thank you, Miss Lacey. I hope your ball is a smashing success.”

  Meg cringed. “Actually, it’s more of a soir—”

  “Miss Lacey?” A stunning woman with dark hair and almond-shaped eyes glided toward Meg. “Miss Margaret Lacey?”

  “Yes.” Meg searched her mind for where she might have met the woman and found nary a clue. “Forgive me. Have we met?”

  “We haven’t. However, I know of you. Please, forgive me for being so forward. I’m an old friend of Lord Castleton’s.” Meg shook the hand she offered. “My name is Marina.”

  A wave of nausea hit her. Meg had no claim on Will but couldn’t deny the fierce jealousy that bubbled up inside at the sight of his ex-mistress.

  Frown lines marred Marina’s face, smooth and flawless in every other respect. Lowering her voice, she said, “I had heard that Lord Castleton was searching for his young wards, the twins. Do you happen to know if he has found them?”

  Guilt sliced through Meg. She’d let jealousy consume her, while Marina was clearly concerned about Diana and Valerie’s welfare. “Yes,” she assured her. “They’re safe at Castleton House.”

  “I’m delighted to hear it,” Marina said, her relief palpable. “Especially after all the odd things that have been happening. Perhaps Will, er, Lord Castleton mentioned the strange gentleman to you? The one who’s been asking questions about the twins?”

  “He did,” Meg lied. So that was why Will had met with Marina. She tilted her head, thoughtful. She’d assumed that the twins’ ordeal had simply been a result of Lila’s neglectful parenting. But was it possible that someone else was involved too? And for perhaps more sinister reasons? “Do you think that the strange incidents are related to the twins’ disappearance?”

  “I don’t know for certain,” Marina admitted. She glanced around the dress shop suspiciously. “But my intuition has never failed me before. Something evil is afoot. You and your sisters should have a care when you’re out and about—just in case.”

  “Thank you,” Meg said earnestly. “We will. Allow me to introduce my sisters, Elizabeth and Juliette.”

  “Please, call me Beth.”

  “And I’m Julie.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you,” Marina said with a sincere smile. “And I do apologize for interrupting your outing. I haven’t any sisters, but if I did, I’d spend at least one day each week just as you are, shopping for gowns, hats, and shoes.”

  “Oh, this is a rarity for us,” Beth said, laughing.

  “The shopping part,” Julie clarified. “We’re always together. It happens to be our motto.”

  Meg saw the longing in Marina’s dark eyes. It appeared that she suffered a twinge of jealousy, too.

  “If you’re free tomorrow evening, we’re hosting a little soiree at my uncle’s house,” Meg blurted. Clearly, she’d lost her wits. “We’d love it if you’d come.”

  “A soiree? How wonderful!”

  Beth rolled her eyes. “It’s actually more of a ball.”

  Chapter FORTY

  Everything was ready.

  And while Uncle Alistair’s humble townhouse would never resemble the grand ballrooms of the ton, it had a charm all its own. Meg preferred the warmth of stuffed bookshelves to high ceilings and the ambiance of flickering candles to glittering chandeliers.

  She, Beth, and Julie had pushed most of the furniture to the sides of the rooms, leaving the centers free for guests to mingle … or even dance. They’d placed freshly cut flowers on windowsills and mantels, making the whole house colorful and fragrant.

  Though it had rained most of the morning, the clouds parted, leaving Beth’s newly revitalized garden damp but refreshingly cool.

  Meg smoothed the muted gold bombazine of her new dress, glad she’d opted to purchase something more practical than a ball gown. Her dress didn’t float when she walked, like Julie’s. It didn’t shimmer in the candlelight, like Beth’s. But even if it could best be described as serviceable, it was new and flattering and far nicer than any other dress she owned.

  In less than an hour, when the first guests arrived, she’d greet them with her head held high. She scurried out of her bedchamber and, in a deliciously unladylike display, shouted down the stairs. “Julie? Beth? Do either of you require help with your hair?”

  “No, we’ve finished,” Beth called back from the vicinity of the parlor.

  “But a package just arrived for you,” Julie added.

  “Coming!” Meg wanted to take one last walk through the rooms and check with the staff to make sure the refreshments were ready.

  As she glided down the stairs, the sight of her sisters looking so beautiful and elegant made her breath catch. Her brief stint as a governess in Will’s employ may have led to heartbreak and pain, but it had also led to this—a new start for her sisters. She would be forever grateful for that.

  “Oh Meg,” cried Beth. “You look lovely!”

  “Radiant.” Julie handed her a tidy parcel wrapped in brown paper. A small note was tucked beneath the string. “A messenger delivered it.”<
br />
  “I can’t imagine what it could be.” Meg went to the settee, which they’d centered under the picture window for the evening’s festivities, and opened the note. She recognized the handwriting at once.

  Dear Miss Lacey,

  We hope you like your new gown. We chose the color. We think you will look like a fairy princess. Uncle Will agrees with us. Take our advice and stay far away from chocolate. Please visit us soon.

  Most sincerely yours,

  Diana and Valerie

  “Who’s it from?” Julie craned her neck to see the note.

  “The twins. It’s a new gown.” Meg swiped at her eyes, determined not to cry. “I think I’ll open it tomorrow, when things are calmer.”

  “Tomorrow? Are you mad?” Julie placed her hands on her hips. “If you don’t open it now, I will.”

  “Very well.” While her sisters hovered over her, Meg tore off the paper and opened the box’s lid. Nestled inside was the most lovely, sparkling, sigh-inducing dress she’d ever seen.

  “That’s no ordinary gown,” Beth whispered reverently.

  Meg pulled it from the box and gasped as several feet of deep rose silk cascaded to the floor like a waterfall. The gown’s tiny, puffed sleeves were meant to be worn off the shoulder, and its low, square neckline was meant to frame her décolletage. The shimmering light pink satin sash matched the delicate lace that graced the hemline.

  It was the sort of dress Meg had never even dared to dream about.

  In a tone that brooked no argument, Julie said, “Go upstairs and change.”

  Meg swallowed. There would be no hiding in this gown. “I’ve already dressed and done my hair with a ribbon to match. Perhaps I should save—”

  “Now.” Julie gave a death stare, and Meg desperately looked for an ally in Beth.

  “I concur with our younger sister. You will wear the rose silk gown tonight—even if Julie and I have to wrestle you into it.”

  * * *