โฆ it is possible that our letters have crossed in the mail, but it does seem more likely that you simply do not wish to correspond. I accept that and wish you well. I shanโt bother you again. I hope you know that I am listening, should you ever change your mind.
โfrom the Earl of Kilmartin to the Countess of Kilmartin, eight months after his arrival in India
It wasnโt easy hiding his illness. Theย tonย didnโt present a problem; Michael simply turned down all of his invitations, and Francesca put it about that he
wished to settle in at his new home before taking his place in society.
The servants were more difficult. They talked, of course, and often to servants from other households, so Francesca had had to make sure that only the most loyal retainers were privy to what went on in Michaelโs sickroom. It was tricky, especially since she wasnโt even officially living at Kilmartin House, at least not until Janet and Helen arrived, which Francesca fervently hoped was soon.
But the hardest part, the people who were the most fiendishly curious and difficult to keep in the dark, had to be Francescaโs family. It had never been easy maintaining a secret within the Bridgerton household, and keeping one from the whole lot of them was, to put it simply, a bloody nightmare.
โWhy do you go over there every day?โ Hyacinth asked over breakfast.
โI live there,โ Francesca replied, taking a bite of a muffin, which any reasonable person would have taken as a sign that she did not wish to converse.
Hyacinth, however, had never been known to be reasonable. โYou live here,โ she pointed out.
Francesca swallowed, then took a sip of tea, the delay intended to preserve her composed exterior. โI sleep here,โ she said coolly.
โIsnโt that the definition of where you live?โ
Francesca slathered more jam on her muffin. โIโm eating, Hyacinth.โ
Her youngest sister shrugged. โSo am I, but it doesnโt prevent me from carrying on an intelligent conversation.โ
โIโm going to kill her,โ Francesca said to no one in particular. Which was probably a good thing, as there was no one else present.
โWho are you talking to?โ Hyacinth demanded.
โGod,โ Francesca said baldly. โAnd I do believe I have been given divine leave to murder you.โ
โHmmph,โ was Hyacinthโs response. โIf it was that easy, Iโd have asked permission to eliminate half theย tonย years ago.โ
Francesca decided just then that not all of Hyacinthโs statements required a rejoinder. In fact, few of them did.
โOh, Francesca!โ came Violetโs voice, thankfully interrupting the conversation. โThere you are.โ
Francesca looked up to see her mother entering the breakfast room, but before she could say a word, Hyacinth piped up with, โFrancesca was just about to kill me.โ
โExcellent timing on my part, then,โ Violet said, taking her seat. She turned to Francesca. โAre you planning to go over to Kilmartin House this morning?โ
Francesca nodded. โI live there.โ
โI think she lives here,โ Hyacinth said, adding a liberal dose of sugar to her tea.
Violet ignored her. โI believe I will accompany you.โ Francesca nearly dropped her fork. โWhy?โ
โI should like to see Michael,โ Violet said with a delicate shrug. โHyacinth, will you please pass me the muffins?โ
โIโm not sure what his plans are today,โ Francesca said quickly. Michael had had an attack the night beforeโhis โ fourth malarial fever, to be precise, and they were hoping it would be the last of the cycle. But even though he would be much recovered by now, he would still most likely look dreadful. His skinโthank Godโwasnโt jaundiced, which Michael had told her was often a sign that the sickness was progressing to its fatal stage, but
he still had that awful sickly air to him, and Francesca knew that if her mother caught one glimpse of him she would be horrified. And furious.
Violet Bridgerton did not like to be kept in the dark. Especially when it pertained to a matter about which one could use the term โlife and deathโ without being accused of hyperbole.
โIf heโs not available I will simply turn around and go home,โ Violet said. โJam please, Hyacinth.โ
โIโll come, too,โ Hyacinth said.
Oh,ย God. Francescaโs knife skittered right across her muffin. She was going to have to drag her sister. It was the only solution.
โYou donโt mind if I come along, too, do you?โ Hyacinth asked Violet. โDidnโt you have plans with Eloise?โ Francesca said quickly.
Hyacinth stopped, thought, blinked a few times. โI donโt think so.โ โShopping? At the milliner?โ
Hyacinth took another moment to ran through her memory. โNo, in fact Iโm quite certain I donโt. I just purchased a new bonnet last week. Lovely one, actually. Green, with the most cunning ecru trim.โ She glanced down at her toast, regarded it for a moment, then reached for the marmalade. โIโm weary of shopping,โ she added.
โNo woman is ever weary of shopping,โ Francesca said, a touch desperately.
โThis woman is. Besides, the earlโโ Hyacinth cut herself off, turning to her mother. โMay I call him Michael?โ
โYouโll have to ask him,โ Violet replied, taking a bite of eggs.
Hyacinth turned back to Francesca. โHeโs been back in London an entire week, and I havenโt even seen him. My friends have been asking me about
him, and I donโt have anything to say.โ
โItโs not polite to gossip, Hyacinth,โ Violet said.
โIt isnโt gossip,โ Hyacinth retorted. โItโs the honest dissemination of information.โ
Francesca actually felt her chin drop. โMother,โ she said, shaking her head, โyou really should have stopped at seven.โ
โChildren, you mean?โ Violet asked, sipping at her tea. โSometimes I do wonder.โ
โMother!โ Hyacinth exclaimed. Violet just smiled at her. โSalt?โ
โIt took her eight tries to get it right,โ Hyacinth announced, thrusting the salt cellar at her mother with a decided lack of grace.
โAnd does that mean that you, too, hope to have eight children?โ Violet inquired sweetly.
โGodย no,โ Hyacinth said. With great feeling. And neither she nor Francesca could quite resist a chuckle after that.
โItโs not polite to blaspheme, Hyacinth,โ Violet said, in much the same tone sheโd used to tell her not to gossip.
โWhy donโt we stop by shortly after noon?โ Violet asked Francesca, once the moment of levity had petered out.
Francesca glanced up at the clock. That would give her barely an hour to make Michael presentable. And her mother had saidย we.ย As in more than one person. As in she was actually going to bring Hyacinth, who had the capacity to turn any awkward situation into a living nightmare.
โIโll go now,โ Francesca blurted out, standing up quickly. โTo see if heโs available.โ
To her surprise, her mother stood also. โI will walk you to the door,โ Violet said. Firmly.
โEr, you will?โ
โYes.โ
Hyacinth started to rise.
โAlone,โ Violet said, without even giving Hyacinth a glance.
Hyacinth sat back down. Even she was wise enough not to argue when her mother was combining her serene smile with a steely tone.
Francesca allowed her mother to precede her out of the room, and they walked in silence until they reached the front hall, where she waited for a footman to retrieve her coat.
โIs there something you wish to tell me?โ Violet asked. โI donโt know what you mean.โ
โI think you do.โ
โI assure you,โ Francesca said, giving her mother her most innocent look, โI donโt.โ
โYou have been spending a great deal of time at Kil-martin House,โ Violet said.
โI live there,โ Francesca pointed out, for what felt like the hundredth time. โNot right now you donโt, and I worry that people will talk.โ
โNo one has said a word about it,โ Francesca returned. โI havenโt seen a thing in the gossip columns, and if people were talking about it, Iโm sure that one of us would have heard by now.โ
โJust because people are keeping quiet today doesnโt mean they will do so tomorrow,โ Violet said.
Francesca let out an irritated exhale. โItโs not as if Iโm a never-married virgin.โ
โFrancesca!โ
Francesca crossed her arms. โIโm sorry to speak so frankly, Mother, but it is true.โ
The footman arrived just then with Francescaโs coat and informed her that the carriage would be in front momentarily. Violet waited until he stepped outside to await its arrival, then turned to Francesca and asked, โWhat, precisely, is your relationship to the earl?โ
Francesca gasped. โMother!โ
โIt is not a silly question,โ Violet said.
โIt is the silliestโno, quite the stupidestโquestion I have ever heard. Michael is my cousin!โ
โHe was your husbandโs cousin,โ Violet corrected.
โAnd he was my cousin as well,โ Francesca said sharply. โAnd my friend. Good heavens, of all peopleโฆ I canโt even imagineโฆ Michael!โ
But the truth was, sheย couldย imagine. Michaelโs ill-ness had kept it all at bay; sheโd been so busy caring for him and keeping him well that sheโd managed to avoid thinking about that jolting moment in the park, when sheโd looked at him and something had sparked to life within her.
Something she had been quite certain had died inside of her four years earlier.
But hearing herย motherย bring it upโฆ Good God, it was mortifying. There was no way, no earthly way that she could feel an attraction to Michael. It
was wrong. It was really wrong. It wasโฆ well, it was justย wrong.ย There wasnโt another word that described it better.
โMother,โ Francesca said, keeping her voice carefully even, โMichael has not been feeling well. I told you that.โ
โSeven days is quite a long time for a head cold.โ
โPerhaps it is something from India,โ Francesca said. โI donโt know. I think he is almost recovered. I have been helping him get settled here in London. He has been gone a very long time and as youโve noted, he has many new responsibilities as the earl. I thought it my duty to help him with all of this.โ She looked at her mother with a resolute expression, rather pleased with her speech. But Violet just said, โI will see you in an hour,โ and walked away.
Leaving Francesca feeling very panicked indeed.
Michael was enjoying a few moments of peace and quietโnot that heโd been bereft of quiet, but malaria did little to allow a body peaceโwhen Francesca burst through his bedroom door, wild-eyed and out of breath.
โYou have two choices,โ she said, or rather, heaved.
โOnly two?โ he murmured, even though he hadnโt a clue what she was talking about.
โDonโt make jokes.โ
He hauled himself into a sitting position. โFrancesca?โ he asked gingerly, since it was his experience that one should always proceed with caution when a female was in a state. โAre you quite allโโ
โMy mother is coming,โ she said. โHere?โ
She nodded.
It wasnโt an ideal situation but hardly something deserving of Francescaโs feverish demeanor. โWhy?โ he inquired politely.
โShe thinksโโ She stopped, catching her breath. โShe thinksโOh, heavens, you wonโt believe it.โ
When she didnโt expound upon this any further, he widened his eyes and held out his hands in an impatient gesture, as if to sayโCare to elaborated
โShe thinks,โ Francesca said, shuddering as she turned to him, โthat we are conducting an affair.โ
โAfter only a week back in London,โ he murmured thoughtfully. โIโm faster than I imagined.โ
โHow can you joke about this?โ Francesca demanded.
โHow can you not?โ he returned. But of course she could never laugh about such a thing. To her it was unthinkable. To him it wasโฆ
Well, something else entirely. โI am horrified,โ she declared.
Michael just offered her a smile and a shrug, even though he was starting to feel a little pricked. Naturally, he did not expect Francesca to think of him in such a manner, but a reaction of horror didnโt exactly make a fellow feelย goodย about his manly prowess.
โWhat are my two choices?โ he asked abruptly. She just stared at him.
โYou said I have two choices.โ
She blinked, and would have looked rather adorably befuddled if he werenโt a bit too annoyed with her ire to credit her with anything that charitable. โIโฆ donโt re-call,โ she finally said. โOh, my heavens,โ she moaned. โWhat am I to do?โ
โSettling down might be a good beginning,โ he said, sharply enough to make her head jerk back in his direction. โStop and think, Frannie. This isย us.ย Your mother will realize how foolish sheโs being once she takes the time to think about it.โ
โThatโs what I told her,โ she replied fervently. โI mean, for goodnessโ sake. Can you imagine?โ
He could, actually, which had always been a bit of a problem.
โIt is the most unfathomable thing,โ Francesca muttered, pacing across the room. โAs if Iโโ She turned, gesturing to him with overblown motions. โAs ifย youโโ She stopped, planted her hands on her hips, then clearly gave up on trying to hold still and began to pace anew. โHow could she even consider such a thing?โ
โI donโt believe I have ever seen you quite so put out,โ Michael commented.
She halted in her tracks and stared at him as if he were an imbecile. With two heads.
And maybe a tail.
โYou really ought to endeavor to calm down,โ he said, even though he knew his words would have the exact opposite effect. Women hated to be told to calm down, especially women like Francesca.
โCalm down?โ she echoed, turning on him as if possessed by an entire spectrum of furies. โCalmย down?ย Good God, Michael, are you still feverish?โ
โNot at all,โ he said coolly.
โDo you understand what Iโm saying to you?โ
โQuite,โ he bit off, about as politely as any man could after having his manhood impugned.
โItโs insane,โ she said. โSimply insane. I mean, look at you.โ
Really, she might as well just grab a knife and apply it to his ballocks. โYou know, Francesca,โ he said with studied mildness, โthere are a lot of women in London who would be rather pleased to be, how did you say it, conducting an affair with me.โ
Her mouth, which had been hanging open after her latest outburst, snapped shut.
He lifted his brows and leaned back against his pillows. โSome would call it a privilege.โ
She glared at him.
โSomeย women,โ he said, knowing full well he should never bait her about such a subject, โmight even engage in physical battle just for the mere opportunityโโ
โStop!โ she snapped. โGood heavens, Michael, such an inflated view of your own prowess is not attractive.โ
โIโm told itโs deserved,โ he said with a languid smile. Her face burned red.
He rather enjoyed the sight. He might love her, but he hated what she did to him, and he was not so big of heart that he didnโt occasionally take a bit of satisfaction in seeing her so tortured.
It was only a fraction of whatย heย felt on a day-to-day basis, after all.
โI have no wish to hear about your amorous exploits,โ Francesca said stiffly.
โFunny, you used to ask about them all the time.โ He paused, watching her squirm. โWhat was it you always asked me?โ
โI donโtโโ
โTell me something wickedโย he said, using his best trying-to-sound-as-if- heโd-just-thought-of-it voice, when of course he never forgot anything she said to him. โTell me something wicked,โ he said again, more slowly this time. โThat was it. You rather liked me when I was wicked. You were always so curious about my exploits.โ
โThat was beforeโโ
โBefore what, Francesca?โ he asked.
There was an odd pause before she spoke. โBefore this,โ she muttered. โBefore now, before everything.โ
โIโm supposed to understand that?โ Her answer was merely a glare.
โVery well,โ he said, โI suppose I should get ready for your motherโs visit. It shouldnโt be too much of a problem.โ
Francesca regarded him dubiously. โBut you look terrible.โ
โI knew there was a reason I loved you so well,โ he said dryly. โOne really neednโt worry about falling into the sin of vanity with you about.โ
โMichael, be serious.โ โSadly, I am.โ
She scowled at him.
โI can rise to my feet now,โ he told her, โexposing you to parts of my body I would imagine youโd rather not see, or you can leave and await my glorious presence downstairs.โ
She fled.
Which puzzled him. The Francesca he knew didnโt flee anything.
Nor, for that matter, would she have departed without at least making an attempt to get the last word.
But most of all, he couldnโt believe she had let him get away with calling himself glorious.
Francesca never did have to suffer a visit from her mother. Not twenty minutes after she left Michaelโs bedchamber, a note arrived from Violet informing her that her brother Colinโwho had been traveling in the Mediterranean for monthsโhad just returned to London, and Violet would have to postpone her visit. Then, later that evening, much as Francesca had predicted at the onset of Michaelโs attack, Janet and Helen arrived in London, assuaging Violetโs concerns about Francesca and Michael and their lack of a chaperone.
The mothersโas Francesca and Michael had long since taken to calling themโwere thrilled at Michaelโs unexpected appearance, although one look at his sickly features propelled both of them into maternal tizzies of concern that had forced Michael to take Francesca aside and beg her not to leave him alone with either of the two ladies. In truth, the timing of their arrival was rather fortuitous, as Michael had a comparatively healthy day in their presence before being struck by another raging fever. Francesca had taken them aside before the next expected attack and explained the nature of the illness, so by the time they saw the malaria in all its horrible glory, they were prepared.
And unlike Francesca, they were more agreeableโno, downright eagerโto keep his malady a secret. It was difficult to imagine that a wealthy and handsome earl might not be considered an excellent catch by the unmarried ladies of London, but malaria was never a mark in oneโs favor when looking for a wife.
And if there was one thing Janet and Helen were determined to see before the year was out, it was Michael standing at the front of a church, his ring firmly on the finger of a new countess.
Francesca was actually relieved to sit back and listen to the mothers harangue him about getting married. At least it took their attention off of
her.ย She had no idea how they would react to her own marital plansโshe rather imagined they would be happy for herโbut the last thing she wanted was two more matchmaking mamas attempting to pair her up with every poor pathetic bachelor on the Marriage Mart.
Good heavens, she had enough to put up with, with herย ownย mother, who was surely not going to be able to resist the temptation to meddle once Francesca made clear her desire to find a husband this year.
And so Francesca moved back to Kilmartin House, and the entire Stirling household turned itself into a little cocoon, with Michael declining all invitations with the promise that he would be out and about once he settled in from his long journey. The three ladies did occasionally go out in society, and although Francesca had expected questions about the new earl, even she was unprepared for the volume and frequency.
Everyone, it seemed, was mad for the Merry Rake, especially now that heโd shrouded himself with mystery.
Oh, and inherited an earldom. Mustnโt forget that. Or the hundred thousand pounds that went with it.
Francesca shook her head as she thought about it. Truly Mrs. Radcliffe herself couldnโt have devised a more perfect hero. It was going to be a madhouse once he was recovered.
And then, suddenly, he was.
Very well, Francesca supposed it wasnโt that sudden; the fevers had been steadily decreasing in severity and duration. But it did seem that one day he still looked wan and pale, and the next he was his regular hale and hearty self, prowling about the house, eager to escape into the sunshine.
โQuinine,โ Michael said with a lazy shrug when she remarked upon his changed appearance at breakfast. โIโd take the stuff six times a day if it didnโt taste so damned foul.โ
โLanguage, please, Michael,โ his mother murmured, spearing a sausage with her fork.
โHave you tasted the quinine, Mother?โ he asked. โOf course not.โ
โTaste it,โ he suggested, โand then weโll see howย yourย language compares.โ Francesca chuckled under her napkin.
โ/ tasted it,โ Janet announced.
All eyes turned to her. โYou did?โ Francesca asked. Even she hadnโt been so daring. The smell alone had been enough for her to keep the bottle firmly corked at all times.
โOf course,โ Janet replied. โI was curious.โ She turned to Helen. โIt really is foul.โ
โWorse than that awful concoction Cook made us take last year for the, erโฆโ Helen gave Janet a look that clearly meantย you know what I mean.
โMuch worse,โ Janet affirmed.
โDid you reconstitute it?โ Francesca asked. The powder was meant to be mixed with purified water, but she supposed that Janet might have simply put a bit on her tongue.
โOf course. Arenโt I supposed to?โ
โSome people like to mix it with gin,โ Michael said. Helen shuddered.
โIt could hardly be worse than on its own,โ Janet said.
โStill,โ Helen said, โif one is going to mix it with spirits, one might at least choose a nice whisky.โ
โAnd spoil the whisky?โ Michael queried, helping himself to several spoonfuls of eggs.
โIt canโt be that bad,โ Helen said.
โIt is,โ Michael and Janet said in unison.
โItโs true,โ Janet added. โI canโt imagine ruining a fine whisky that way. Gin would be a happy medium.โ
โHave you even tasted gin?โ Francesca asked. It was not, after all, considered a suitable spirit for the upper classes, most especially women.
โOnce or twice,โ Janet admitted.
And here I thought I knew everything about you, Francesca murmured. โI have my secrets,โ Janet said airily.
โThis is a very odd conversation for the breakfast table,โ Helen stated.
โTrue enough,โ Janet agreed. She turned to her nephew. โMichael, I am most pleased to see you up and about and looking so fine and healthy.โ
He inclined his head, thanking her for the compliment.
She dabbed the corners of her mouth daintily with her napkin. โBut now you must attend to your responsibilities as the earl.โ
He groaned.
โDonโt be so petulant,โ Janet said. โNo one is going to hang you up by your thumbs. All I was going to say is that you must go to the tailor and make sure you have proper evening clothes.โ
โAre you certain I canโt donate my thumbs instead?โ
โTheyโre lovely thumbs,โ Janet replied, โbut I do believe theyโd better serve all of humanity attached to your hands.โ
Michael met her eyes with a steady stare. โLetโs see. I have on my schedule todayโmy first since rising from my sickbed, I might addโa meeting with the prime minister concerning my assumption of my seat in parliament, a meeting with the family solicitor so that I might review the state of our financial holdings, and an interview with our primary estate manager, who Iโm told has come down to London with the express purpose of discussing the state of all seven of our family properties. At which point, might I inquire, do you wish me to squeeze in a visit to the tailor?โ
The three ladies were speechless.
โPerhaps I should inform the prime minister that I shall have to move him until Thursday?โ he asked mildly.
โWhen did you make all of these appointments?โ Francesca asked, a bit ashamed that she was so surprised at his diligence.
โDid you think Iโd spent the last fortnight staring at the ceiling?โ
โWell, no,โ she replied, although in truth she didnโt know what sheโd thought heโd been doing. Reading, she supposed. Thatโs what she would have done.
When no one said anything further, Michael pushed back his chair. โIf you ladies will excuse me,โ he said, setting his napkin down, โI believe we have established that I have a busy day ahead of me.โ
But heโd not even risen from his seat before Janet said quietly, โMichael? The tailor.โ
He froze.
Janet smiled at him sweetly. โTomorrow would be perfectly acceptable.โ Francesca rather thought she heard his teeth grind.
Janet just tilted her head ever so slightly to the side. โYou do need new evening clothes. Surely you would not dream of missing Lady Bridgertonโs birthday ball?โ
Francesca quickly forked a bite of eggs into her mouth so that he wouldnโt catch her grinning. Janet was devious in the extreme. Her motherโs birthday party was the one event that Michael would feel positively obligated to attend. Anything else he could shrug off without a care.
But Violet?
Francesca didnโtย thinkย so. โWhen is it?โ he sighed.
โApril eleventh,โ Francesca said sweetly. โEveryone will be there.โ โEveryone?โ he echoed.
โAll the Bridgertons.โ He brightened visibly.
โAnd everyone else โ she added with a shrug. He looked at her sharply. Define everyone. โ Her eyes met his. โEveryone.โ
He slumped in his seat. โAm I to get no reprieve?โ
โOf course you are,โ Helen said. โYou did, in fact. Last week. We called it malaria.โ
โAnd here I was looking forward to health,โ he muttered. โFear not,โ Janet said. โYou will have a fine time, Iโm sure.โ โAnd perhaps meet a lovely lady,โ Helen put in helpfully.
โAh, yes,โ Michael murmured, โlest we forget the real purpose of my life.โ
โItโs not such a bad purpose,โ Francesca said, unable to resist the small chance to tease him.
โOh, really?โ he asked, swinging his head around to face her. His eyes settled on hers with startling accuracy, leaving Francesca with the extremely unpleasant sensation that perhaps she shouldnโt have provoked him.
โEr, really,โ she said, since she couldnโt back down now. โAnd what areย yourย purposes?โ he asked sweetly.
Out of the corner of her eye, Francesca could see Janet and Helen watching the exchange with avid and unconcealed curiosity.
โOh, this and that,โ Francesca said with a blithe wave of her hand. โPresently, just to finish my breakfast. It is most delicious, wouldnโt you agree?โ
โCoddled eggs with a side portion of meddling mothers?โ
โDonโt forget your cousin as well,โ she said, kicking herself under the table as soon as the words left her lips. Everything about his demeanor screamed not to provoke him, but she just couldnโt help it.
There was little in this world she enjoyed more than provoking Michael Stirling, and moments like this were simply too delicious to resist.
โAnd how will you be spending your season?โ Michael asked, tilting his head slightly into an obnoxiously patient expression.
โI imagine Iโll begin by going to my motherโs birthday party.โ โAnd what will you be doing there?โ
โOffering my felicitations.โ โIs that all?โ
โWell, I wonโt be inquiring after her age, if thatโs what youโre asking,โ Francesca replied.
โOh, no,โ Janet said, followed by Helenโs equally fervent, โDonโt do that.โ
All three ladies turned to Michael with identical expectant expressions. It was his turn to speak, after all.
โIโm leaving,โ he said, his chair scraping along the floor as he stood.
Francesca opened her mouth to say something provoking, since it was always her first inclination to tease him when he was in such a state, but she found herself without words.
Michael had changed.
It wasnโt that heโd been irresponsible before. It was just that heโd been without responsibilities. And it hadnโt really occurred to her how well he might rise to the occasion once he returned to England.
โMichael,โ she said, her soft voice instantly gaining his attention, โgood luck with Lord Liverpool.โ
His eyes caught hers, and something flashed there. A hint of appreciation, maybe of gratitude.
Or maybe it was nothing so precise. Maybe it was just a wordless moment of understanding.
The sort sheโd had with John.
Francesca swallowed, uncomfortable with this sudden realization. She reached for her tea with a slow and deliberate movement, as if her control over her body might extend to her mind as well.
What had just happened?
He was just Michael, wasnโt he?
Just her friend, just her longtime confidant. Wasnโt that all?
Wasnโt it?