Her Rogue for One Night Page 2

  Was she? Claudine didn’t have any friends, and she liked the idea of a group of women to spend time with. Especially if they were widows like herself. They would probably understand her more than most. “I am,” she said firmly. “What do I need to do?”

  “I’m so glad you asked.” Lady Wyndam grinned. “I think we are going to be quite close the two of us. Let me order some tea and we will go over everything.” She pointed to a nearby rope. “Be a dear and pull that for me. That will signal Juliet to bring in our refreshments.”

  Claudine stood and did as she asked, then returned to her seat. She couldn’t wait to hear all the details. Perhaps there was more for her life than hiding in the country after all.

  Two

  One year later…

  Claudine’s scheduled time at Matron Manor had been up for a few days, but she didn’t want to leave. Matron Manor had become her refuge. She preferred being at the estate for the Widows’ League and actually disliked going to London at all. Lady Wyndam had insisted she return to London twice already, and she expected she would do the same soon. If she were not forced to leave, she’d gladly hide at Matron Manor.

  The foyer was one of her favorite rooms at the manor. It had a grand staircase with a regal red carpet cascading down the steps. At the top of the first flight were portraits of the original five widows that had formed the league, with Lady Katherine Wyndam’s in the center. Claudine admired all these women and the fortitude they must have had to create a safe place for any widow in need, and she was still baffled Lady Wyndam had chosen her to become a part of the Council of Five.

  One of the founding widows passed away six months before Claudine had become a widow herself. They had left the position vacant all that time, but the other widows had been pressuring the council to fill her vacancy. The Council of Five was the governing body for the league of widows, and now she was the newest inductee.

  Some widows that had been members far longer than her had been angry she’d been appointed. Claudine didn’t understand that decision any more than they did. Lady Wyndam had said she reminded her of Mrs. Williamson, the founding widow that had died. Her coloring was similar to the lost widow, and she had been married to a lieutenant as well, but that was all she really knew about her. She had to take Lady Wyndam’s word for it. Either way, she didn’t regret her decision to join the league. She finally felt as if she found a place she belonged.

  “Claudine,” a woman said. “Do you have a moment?”

  She turned toward the woman and pasted a smile on her face. Not that she wasn’t glad to help, but she was sad she’d have to return to London soon. She took more rotations at Matron Manor than most because she enjoyed being there. “Yes, Eden?” Eden, or more accurately, to most of society, the Dowager Countess of Moreland, had golden blonde hair and light green eyes. She was truly lovely, and not more than a year or two older than Claudine. Eden was sad, but Claudine suspected it wasn’t because of her husband’s death. She hadn’t said as much yet. They were becoming good friends, though, and she expected her new friend would confide in her soon.

  “This is my first time being on rotation.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “I am afraid I might mess up.”

  “Impossible,” Claudine said in a reassuring tone. “We all do things differently. If you’re ever uncertain, just refer to the guidebook. The rules are all there and any advice widows before us felt we might need to be successful in all our endeavors.”

  Eden’s cheeks pinkened a little. “I have um…” She cleared her throat. “Read some of the more risqué entries in there.” The dowager countess leaned in and said in a hushed tone, “Do you ever consider taking a lover?”

  Claudine hadn’t. Relations with her husband hadn’t been unpleasant, but they also had been anything she liked enough to do it with a man outside of marriage. She’d heard that certain men make it far more pleasurable. Claudine had her doubts about the veracity of that rumor. She didn’t quite know how to answer Eden, though. Claudine didn’t wish to discourage her from any path she may be interested in. “Honestly,” Claudine began. “I have been too busy to give it much thought.” That wasn’t a lie. She had been preoccupied. “Are you considering it?”

  Eden shook her head. “No,” she began. “I mean that is…” She sighed. “My husband’s sister has her debut season soon. It made me wonder how I’d react if I am propositioned. It may happen once I am out in society with her. I’m a young widow and some scoundrel might think I’m ripe for the picking, so to speak.”

  Claudine laughed. “You’re not wrong. Take some time to think about what you want. Once you know, then the answer will be obvious, and if you need to discern the best course of action after that, the guidebook has plenty of sage advice. Some of those widows even went on to marry again and find love. Is that something you’re interested in?”

  Eden closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, there was resolve settled into her green eyes. “I never loved my husband. He was a reprobate and had an affair with my closest friend. That is what led to his death. I can’t miss him.” She shook her head vehemently. “Our marriage was arranged by our fathers. I don’t regret it. I have a beautiful son from our union, but as to love…” She shrugged. “No, I am not against the possibility; however, I’m also not seeking it.”

  “Then there is your answer. Why plan our future when it’s so freeing to have some choices with our lives? My husband thought to arrange my life even in death. His father has complete control over my funds. If not for the league, I’d be forced to live with him and ask him for everything. I won’t be treated as if I’m a child without a mind of my own. I thank every day that Lady Wyndam invited me to join.”

  “Me as well.” Eden grinned. “My benefactor was Lady Sylvan.” She gestured toward the portrait of the fiery red-haired marchioness at the top of the staircase. “This was her home before the league was created. She donated so widows had a safe haven.”

  Claudine nodded. “She’s quite outspoken too. There’s nothing the marchioness is afraid to say. I admire that about her.”

  “She’s my mother’s godmother.” Eden sighed. “When she heard about William’s indiscretions and death, she said she regretted he died so quickly. She’d have liked to do the honor herself.”

  “You mentioned he had an affair with your friend,” Claudine prompted. This was the most Eden had said to her before this moment. “Pardon me for asking…what happened?”

  Eden groaned. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear. It was all everyone talked about for a while…” She waved her hand dismissively. “It was a couple months after Christmastide. We had a house party. William and Claire—Lady Harewood, were having an affair during that time. Lord Harewood caught them and they fought. I don’t think Lord Harewood meant to kill William, but that doesn’t change the outcome.”

  How awful… “I’m sorry you had to go through all that.” Claudine had lost her husband during the war. “How long ago was this?”

  “A couple of years ago now,” she said. “Long enough for me to go through the expected mourning period and now Roslyn—my sister by marriage, to have her debut.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be glad that you’ll be at her side as she navigates the waters of society.” Claudine’s lips tilted upward. “I’ve never had a season of my own, and I don’t particularly wish to become embroiled in it now.”

  “No?” Eden lifted a brow, then laughed. “Honestly, neither have I. Since my marriage was arranged, no one thought I should even bother with a debut season. I won’t be much help to poor Roslyn, I’m afraid.” She sighed. “I’ll be as green as her. It’s bound to be a disaster.”

  “Perhaps…” Claudine frowned. “But if you’re truly worried, there has to be a widow or two that can help you. I’ll ask Lady Wyndam, who she might believe will be of assistance. I wouldn’t want you to go through it all blind—we both know society is filled with people that say one thing, then do the opposite.” They would walk all over poor Eden… Claudine wouldn’t fare any better in her place, either.

  “I would appreciate that,” Eden said earnestly. “Even if it is just offering a bit of advice. I fear I’ll need all the help I can muster.” She sighed again. “Roslyn is also headstrong and will most likely be a difficult debutante. I wish someone else could be her chaperone.”

  “I don’t envy you,” Claudine told her. “But I’ll support you with whatever I can.” She took her role in the league seriously.

  Eden didn’t have time to respond before a maid walked over to them. “Pardon the interruption,” the maid said. “But this arrived for you a little while ago.” She handed a missive to Claudine, then curtsied and left them alone. Claudine sighed and tore it open quickly.

  My dearest Claudine,

  I expected your return days ago. If you’re reading this, that means you didn’t depart as expected. Don’t make me send someone to fetch you. Come to London posthaste.

  Lady Wyndam.

  She’d been expecting the summons. She should have just left Matron Manor when it was time.

  “Is it bad news?” Eden asked.

  Claudine shook her head. “Not at all. Lady Wyndam is just reminding me I am expected in London. The council meets in a week and I must be there for it.” At least it shouldn’t take long to travel to London. Otherwise, Lady Wyndam would be even more disappointed in her. “I must go prepare to leave. She won’t be pleased if I dally any longer than I already have.” Claudine smiled at Eden. “If you need any more advice, you know where to find me. You’ll do fine. Don’t worry overmuch about something that hasn’t even happened yet. Take one day at a time.”

  After departing that bit of wisdom, she left Eden alone. Eden had been in the league far longer than Claudine had, but this was her first time taking a rotation. She has a young son and hadn’t wanted to be parted from him. He was spending some time with her parents for a couple of weeks and had volunteered to finally take time at Matron Manor.

  Claudine hadn’t been burdened with Children from her marriage. If she had loved James as much as she thought she had, it might have bothered her more not to have a child to remember him easier. Now she was grateful she hadn’t been blessed with a baby. It would just give the viscount even more control over her, and a child should never be a tool to use against anyone. The viscount already didn’t like it, she wasn’t residing at his estate and she didn’t beg him for funds. It would be far worse if an innocent child had been thrown into that mix of unpleasantness.

  She found a maid and told her to have her trunks loaded into the carriage. There was no reason to stay at the manor any longer. She could be at Lady Wyndam’s townhouse in half a day if she left soon. At least it was still early enough in the day to leave. It was only a couple hours past dawn, and there was plenty of daylight left for her to travel.

  Once she was at Lady Wyndam’s townhouse, she would settle in for however long she was to stay there. She didn’t stay in one place for long. It made it harder for the viscount to find her and force her back to his estate. So while in London, she rotated residence every fortnight. She always started at Lady Wyndam’s and stayed until after the council meeting. Then, a couple of days after that she found a different widow to stay with. At Matron Manor, none of this mattered. No one, except those in the league, knew of its existence. She was always safest there.

  Which was why she hated leaving so… It was going to be a long few months until she could return again. The carriage was loaded with her trunk so she could depart Matron Manor. She didn’t glance back once. Claudine didn’t believe in looking backwards at what she couldn’t change. It was best to keep moving forward, and to the future—whatever it may hold.

  Three

  Hudson Lockley, the Earl of Wyndam, tapped his fingers on his knee absentmindedly. He had been at the countryseat, Wyndam Castle for an extended stay while he met with the estate manager regarding improvements. It had been tedious and had left him in a state of ennui. He would have much rather been in London at his club or even at his townhouse. He had purchased his own residence and left Wyndam House for his grandmother to use. A gentleman needed his own space though and he could always sell it later if or when he needed to.

  He should pay a call on his grandmother once he returned to town. She was the only family he had left. The Dowager Countess of Wyndam had raised him. His mother had died in childbirth and his father had used brandy to drown himself in his own grief at her death—then went riding and broke his neck when his horse threw him. Hudson couldn’t help being bitter about that. How could a man love a woman so thoroughly he would destroy his own life and abandon his son? He would never fall in love and he certainly would never let a child of his feel as if they didn’t matter.

  His grandmother had always been his rock. There was no other person he could rely upon more. Even his closest friend, the Duke of Sinbrough, could be too selfish to bother with at times. The Duke of Sin, as many in society dubbed him, had an extravagant personality and believed in surrounding himself with decadence. Hudson was fond of the duke though, and knew if it really mattered, Sinbrough would be there for him. His grandmother was a different story, though. She was a powerhouse of a different sort. All of society respected her, and no one dared to give her the cut direct.

  He sighed.

  All of these were things he shouldn’t let his mind wander over. Hudson had no plans to marry or fall in love. He didn’t give one wit about his bloody title or who might inherit it all once he was no longer alive. His grandmother might. She had lost as much as he had. They were both alone in the world. Well, as alone as two people in society could be. Neither of them had someone they could call their own. She had her group of widows she surrounded herself with, and he had a close-knit set of friends he could always rely on. That was something…

  He scrubbed his hand over his face. Even now, his boredom couldn’t be shaken. He should pay a call on Sinbrough. The duke always had some sort of entertainment at the ready. That might help this restlessness that had settled inside of him. He definitely needed…something. Hudson just didn’t know what that something was or could be. He didn’t know much of anything anymore. His life was as tedious as that estate business had been. Bloody hell…what a damn mess this all was turning out to be.

  The carriage rolled down the road, hitting little juts in the road, periodically making Hudson bounce in his seat. He cursed under his breath. There was no helping that part of travel, either. He had the best carriage available, but unless the roads could be made smoother, he had no choice but to endure it.

  It seemed to take forever, but finally, the carriage rolled to a stop in front of his townhouse. He had dubbed it Lockley House since Wyndam House already existed. It had seemed appropriate at the time. He couldn’t be certain if the name would remain. Especially if he sold it at some point…

  Hudson stepped out of the carriage and walked inside. The servants would see to his trunks. He had other plans. He wanted a bath and then he would depart again. His grandmother would expect him to visit. He’d written he would be returning to London soon, and he always paid a call on her once he was back in town. Hudson would also go to his club. Hopefully Sinbrough would be there and have some inkling of an entertaining pursuit. If the duke wasn’t there, then he would pay a call on him at his home. Chances were, he would have his own pursuits there, anyway.

  “Carson,” Hudson greeted the butler. “I trust everything is well.” He spent most of his time in London and had hired a full staff. There were staff at Wyndam Castle as well, but most of the servants remained in London.

  “Indeed, my lord,” he said. “We received your notice about returning and have prepared for your arrival. “Baldwin has been informed of your return and is already in your chambers. I believe he ordered hot water for a bath.”

  His valet knew him well. “Wonderful,” he said. “I won’t be here this evening. Please tell the cook not to prepare a full meal, but I’d like something small after I bathe.”

  “I will inform her of your instructions.” Carson was a stiff older man. He didn’t even blink, it seemed. His hair was all white and his eyes so pale a blue they almost seemed translucent. “Will there be anything else you require?”

  Hudson shook his head. “That is all.”

  “I’ll have tea and refreshments prepared and sent to your chambers.” Carson bowed. “Have a good evening, my lord.”

  He sure hoped he would. Hudson was eager to leave the townhouse again and go out for the evening. He would visit Wyndam House first, of course. After that, he would be free to do as he pleased. That was another reason not to be encumbered with a wife and family. His devotion to his grandmother was enough for him. If he started to add other individuals into his life, then he wouldn’t have that freedom.

  Hudson enjoyed his life as it was. There was definitely no need to make any changes. Then why did he feel as if nothing was right?

  Claudine stared at the books lining the shelves of the library. Lady Wyndam had told her to find a book to occupy herself with. None of the books appealed to her. She was far too restless to sit and read. Perhaps she should go for a stroll in the garden. The garden at Wyndam House was lovely. The countess had told her that the gardens at Wyndam Castle were far more extravagant and gorgeous. Claudine couldn’t imagine that.

  She sighed. Reading was definitely not happening. The library was nice. There were probably a lot of individuals that would be impressed by the collection in Wyndam House. There were too many tomes she would be there for hours, counting them all. There were even a variety of topics to choose from. Anything from proper farming techniques to gothic novels. None of them interested her. She did not need a fictional story to become lost in, and she certainly had no desire to learn how to farm. Her own life was filled with enough to occupy her mind. Daydreaming or fantasizing would not aid her on the course life had set for her.