December Heart Read online

  Peter instantly dropped Mariah’s hands, pushed away and stood, facing William with his back straight and all expression erased from his face. “What do you want, William?”

  It was hard for Mariah not to be hurt as he pushed her away. But worse than the sting of being shut out was the worry that their whole marriage would be like this, constantly treading on eggshells around William to avoid losing half of everything to him. She stood and stepped away, wishing she knew more about Peter, enough to trust his actions.

  “I’ve come to talk about my allowance,” William said, his tone distracted. Mariah stole a glance at him over her shoulder. Unfortunately, William was studying both her and Peter as though he were reassessing his earlier assumptions about them.

  “Mariah,” Peter snapped. “Go put your riding habit on. I don’t have time to show you the entire estate, but if you must get a look at your new home, then we’ll make it quick.”

  Her heart raced as she fought not to feel slighted. She hadn’t said a thing about seeing the estate, but if Peter thought this was the best way to deal with his nephew, then she’d try to play along. For now.

  “Yes, my lord,” she mumbled, then turned to rush past him and William, her head lowered.

  When she reached the door, she paused to glance at Peter. He lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes. A chill went down her spine. The overall effect was terrifying. Every bit of softness was gone from Peter’s expression. The lines and crags on his face stood out, making him seem like a particularly vicious judge. She only hoped that the look was part of his act for William’s sake.

  Mariah fled from the room, but instead of heading straight upstairs to her bedroom, she whirled around to press her back to the wall, listening to see what Peter would say.

  “Your allowance is sufficient,” Peter said. Mariah heard footsteps and assumed he was moving.

  William made a scoffing sound. “You give me pennies when you should be giving me pounds, Uncle.”

  “You cannot keep racking up debts the way you have been.” The sound of paper being shuffled told Mariah he’d moved to his desk.

  “And you cannot do something as underhanded as marrying without asking me first.”

  “My personal life is none of your business,” Peter replied in a bland mumble.

  “It is if it makes my creditors see me as a risk.”

  “You are a risk.” Peter let out an exasperated breath, which accompanied the sound of papers being thrown down. “Why are you so fixed on being my heir? Why don’t you follow my example and find a wife yourself? There are plenty of American heiresses who won’t care if you’re a rogue.”

  “I have no desire to marry.”

  “No,” Peter said, sarcasm thick in his tone. “You never were one to solve your own problems.”

  “I can solve my own problems,” William argued. “I’m attempting to do that right now.”

  “By interfering with my personal life?”

  “By claiming what is rightfully mine.” He paused for a moment, then said. “If I can’t do it one way, I’ll just have to do it another.”

  Mariah frowned. Peter must have had a similar reaction, since he didn’t reply right away.

  “You are not entitled to any of this,” Peter finally said.

  “But my creditors—” William stopped abruptly, growling with frustration. “I don’t think you understand the position I’m in or what I’m capable of, Uncle.”

  “On the contrary,” Peter said, his voice as dark as Mariah had ever heard it. “I believe I understand your position better than you do. And I repeat, it is up to you to solve your own problems.”

  “What kind of heartless bastard would put his own pleasure above the life of someone he’s responsible for?” William growled.

  Mariah expected another grave, commanding reply from Peter, but was shocked when he shouted, “How dare you?”

  She flinched. She’d never heard that intensity of emotion from anyone in her life. It caused her skin to break out in prickles. Any intelligent person would run from that kind of fury and pain, but William charged on with, “You were the death of her, and now you’ll be the death of me.”

  Mariah swallowed, her mouth going dry. William could only mean Anne.

  “And probably your pretty new wife too,” William added.

  “I’m done talking about this,” Peter said, his voice quieter but still thick with emotion. “I have a mission for you. I need you to go to London to find a competent surveyor to—”

  “Are you throwing me out?” He seemed far too delighted by the prospect. “You know what happens if you throw me out.”

  The room went so silent that Mariah held her breath for fear of being discovered. William’s problems were bigger than she’d thought. And apparently, Peter’s were too.

  “I’m not throwing you out,” Peter said at last, his voice hoarse. “You will always have a place under my roof, as your father and I agreed.”

  “It sounds as though you’re finally giving me the old heave-ho, and I’m sure my solicitor would agree,” William said.

  “I’m not—”

  “All I want is for my debts to disappear and my line of credit to be open again,” William interrupted.

  “Then find a way to pay your own bills.”

  “Oh, I think I have. Which of us do you think will buckle first, Uncle?”

  More silence. Mariah’s heart beat so loud that she feared the men would hear it.

  After what felt like an eternity, Peter said, “I won’t discuss this now. I have to show Mariah the estate.”

  Mariah pushed away from the wall and hurried out into the front hall as quickly and quietly as she could. She knew the signs of a conversation coming to an end, and it would be a disaster if she were discovered eavesdropping. There didn’t seem to be anything she could do but run to her room to change into riding clothes, as she’d been ordered. There didn’t seem to be anything that could be done about the threats and accusations William had made either. At least, not until she knew more about what was behind the harsh words and accusations she’d just overheard.

  Chapter 10

  Mariah was fortunate to find Ginny in her dressing room, brushing out her dresses as she unpacked them.

  “Good morning, my lady,” she said with a curtsey. “Can I help you with something?”

  Mariah let out the breath that had been trapped in her lungs since overhearing Peter and William’s conversation. “Yes, I need to change into a riding habit.”

  “Right away, my lady.”

  Mariah sank into the small chair in the dressing room while Ginny sorted through the jumble of her clothes, some already hung in their new places, some still in the trunk. If William refused to leave Starcross Castle, then Peter would have to continue acting outwardly cold to her. And after seeing how fierce he could look when he was in a temper, she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. Beyond that, what had William meant by saying Peter had been the death of Anne?

  Of course, the answer to that was obvious, considering the way Anne had died. But surely that wasn’t Peter’s fault. Although, it did take two people to conceive a child.

  “Is something the matter, my lady?” Ginny asked as she drew Mariah’s riding habit out of her traveling trunk. “If you don’t mind my asking,” she quickly added.

  Mariah studied the young woman for a moment. At home, she would have shared her thoughts with Victoria, even though her sister was young and flighty. Ginny seemed older and wiser, and in spite of being Mariah’s maid, she could be a much-needed confident.

  “What do you think of Lord William?” she asked, standing and starting to undo the buttons of her morning dress.

  Ginny was silent, but her pinched look of disgust told Mariah everything she needed to know.

  “That bad?”

  Ginny’s cheeks pinked. “There are many things that I could tell you that I shouldn’t.”

  Mariah smirked. “If I guessed, would you be able to nod?”

&nb
sp; A flash of a grin pulled at Ginny’s lips, and she bobbed her head once.

  “Is he disrespectful toward his uncle on a regular basis?” Mariah asked.

  “That I can tell you openly, and the answer is yes.” Ginny paused, then added in a whisper. “Downstairs, we’re appalled by it.”

  Mariah’s brow shot up as Ginny helped her to step out of her dress. “So the servants like Lord Peter, then?”

  “Oh yes, my lady,” Ginny answered with genuine enthusiasm. “He’s kind, fair, and a wonderful man to work for.”

  Mariah smiled at that. It confirmed everything that she thought she knew about him, but had begun to doubt at breakfast. “I rather like him myself,” she said.

  Ginny smiled as she draped Mariah’s dress over the back of the chair and brought the riding habit to her. “I’m glad to hear it, my lady. We’ve all been wishing for Lord Dunsford to have a happy marriage, seeing as his last one….” She bit her lip, looking as though she’d gone too far.

  “I know it wasn’t happy,” Mariah admitted, stepping into the skirt of her riding habit as Ginny held it for her.

  The two of them were silent for a moment as Mariah dressed. “I’m under the impression that Lord William owes a lot of money.”

  Ginny hummed, one of her brows arching.

  Mariah was on the right track. “I take it those debts are owed to unsavory sorts.”

  Ginny met Mariah’s questioning look with silent confirmation, then shifted behind her to do up the buttons of her bodice.

  “Does Lord William interfere with the servants?” Mariah asked on. She’d heard horrible stories of maids who had been compromised by gentlemen, and how those maids had been forced into lives of prostitution, or worse, when the blame for that abuse fell on their shoulders.

  Behind her, Ginny hummed in a way that confirmed Mariah’s suspicion and sent a chill down her spine.

  Mariah glanced over her shoulder. “Has he attempted anything with you?”

  “Once,” she answered with a firmness that brought a proud smile to Mariah’s face. Ginny had obviously stood up to the man.

  “Does Peter know about Lord William’s behavior?” Mariah asked.

  Ginny let out a breath then moved to stand in front of Mariah, glancing over her to make sure the riding habit was in order. “His lordship has done everything he can to stop Lord William, my lady, but we all know that he can’t toss the blackguard out on his ear, begging your pardon.”

  “Because of Peter’s agreement with his brother,” Mariah said.

  Ginny sighed. “I don’t think Lord Dunsford could possibly have known what he was getting into with that deal, but it’s too late now. And bless him, he’s had so many other things to worry about that Mrs. Wilson is loath to tell him about every offence his nephew commits.” As soon as the words were out, Ginny snapped her mouth shut and met Mariah’s eyes warily. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “I’m glad you did.” Mariah reassured her. “Perhaps, in the future, Mrs. Wilson could come to me with these things.”

  “That would be nice, my lady.” Ginny hesitated. “But if I were you, I would urge Lord Dunsford to keep Lord William under lock and key until he agrees to leave on his own accord.”

  “I wonder if he could actually do that.” Mariah headed into her bedroom, but Ginny chased after her.

  “Lock the blackguard up, my lady?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  Ginny grinned. “If he doesn’t, downstairs, we all have bets that the law will someday.”

  Mariah stopped, eyes going wide. “Is Lord William that much of a criminal?”

  Ginny made a scoffing sound. “He has been seen keeping company with a rough sort at the pubs in Truro.”

  “You’ve seen him?”

  “Not me, my lady.” Ginny shook her head. “But Davy says he’s witnessed things that would make my hair curl. Although to be honest, I suspect young Davy says half the things he does in an attempt to impress the ladies.”

  Mariah laughed. “Young men are all the same. It makes me glad I’ve married one who is past all that nonsense.” Although after the morning she’d had, she was beginning to think that nonsense never truly went away, it just changed forms.

  “Lord Dunsford is a catch, my lady,” Ginny assured her. “And we’re all certain he’ll find a way to rid us of his nephew.”

  “I certainly hope so,” Mariah said as they made their way to the hall. “Even so, I fear Starcross Castle won’t be completely safe until….” She let her words trail off and pressed a hand to her belly.

  “Don’t worry, my lady.” Ginny grinned. “I’m sure that blessed day is right around the corner.”

  Mariah wanted to hug her maid, but propriety stopped her. “Thank you, Ginny.”

  Perhaps with friends like Ginny in her corner, there was hope for her new life being a smooth one after all.

  Peter paced the courtyard in front of the stables, wondering what was taking Mariah so long. He’d never minded when Anne took hours to dress for the simplest things, but with Mariah, every moment they spent apart seemed too long. That, and the longer she was out of his sight, the greater the chance that William might find her and cause damage he couldn’t fix.

  His conversation with William continued to irritate him. Try as Peter did to measure his responses to William’s manipulative tactics, his nephew had hit the sorest spot possible by suggesting he had put his own pleasure ahead of Anne’s wellbeing. Not because mating with Anne had been pleasurable. Exactly the opposite. But he could have tried harder to stop her. And now here he was, hanging his hopes on having a child with Mariah. But at what cost to her? If he truly cared about her, he would send her away until he could figure out how to neutralize William. And William knew it. Peter had left their conversation with the feeling that William was about to try something outlandish to get what he wanted.

  “My lord.” Harry, the head stableman, cleared his throat. “Perhaps you’d like me to saddle one of the horses with a calmer temperament than Charger?”

  Peter shook himself out of his dark thoughts and turned to Harry with a puzzled frown. “Why? Is something wrong with Charger?” He glanced to his tall, black steed. Charger was perhaps his favorite of every horse he’d ever owned, and he was currently pawing at the cobblestones as if ready to run.

  Harry cleared his throat again. “Only, my lord, you know how he tends to feel the mood of whoever’s riding him.”

  Peter loosened his shoulders as Harry’s observation hit him. The black mood that William had left him with was that obvious. He scolded himself, walking over to Charger and stroking his nose. “I’m sorry, old boy. Too much to think about these days.”

  Charger blew out a breath and bobbed his head, as if telling Peter to come to his senses or else. Peter couldn’t help but grin.

  “There’s a reason I like you best,” he murmured to the horse, patting his neck.

  The door to the house opened, and Mariah entered the courtyard dressed in a fashionable, grey riding habit. Even at a distance, she was beautiful.

  “Except her,” he said to Charger. “I like her best of all.”

  Beside him, Harry hid a wide grin by coughing into his hand. Peter raised an eyebrow at the man, then headed across the courtyard to meet Mariah.

  “You made it,” he said, reaching for her, but pulling back. He glanced at the windows of the house that faced the courtyard, anxious over whether William was spying on him from above. It was a paranoia that he had to get rid of as soon as possible.

  “I wouldn’t have been able to find my way without Mr. Snyder’s help,” she said, smiling at the butler.

  “Thank you, Snyder.” Peter nodded at him. Snyder bowed in return, then headed back into the house. Peter offered his arm to Mariah, and was relieved when she took it. If he had his way, the rest of the world would disappear, leaving them to enjoy each other’s company worry-free. “This is Harry, our stableman.” He walked Mariah over to where Harry was bringing a gray mare out
of the stable.

  “How do you do?” Mariah greeted the man.

  “Very well, my lady.” Harry bowed in return. “I’ve got Lady Jane saddled and ready for you.”

  Mariah smiled at both Harry and the mare. Peter stood back and watched as Harry helped her to mount. She seemed to know what she was doing, which was a blessing. He liked to ride, though he had little time for it. But if it were a pastime that Mariah enjoyed, maybe he’d do more of it. Once she was secure in her sidesaddle, he strode over to Charger and mounted in one, swift movement.

  “Oh my.” Mariah’s eyes were wide and her cheeks were pink when he wheeled Charger around to face her.

  “Is there a problem?” Peter asked, using his legs to guide Charger closer to her as he settled in his seat.

  Mariah raked him with a glance, her eyes sparkling. “I didn’t realize you were such an accomplished horseman.”

  Peter grinned, trying not to feel too full of himself. All things considered, after the morning they’d had, it was impossible not to gloat at being noticed for physical prowess. “I was an officer in the army,” he reminded her, nudging Charger into a walk and making sure Mariah kept up by his side. He headed to the gate that led out of the courtyard and into the castle’s front garden. “Horsemanship was a necessity.”

  “It looks like you’ve stayed in practice,” she said, her smile growing.

  Peter chuckled, turning down a path that would lead them around the immediate property of the castle. The farther they got from the castle and any possibility of William’s prying eyes, the easier he felt. “I may be a scholar by nature, but I’m a soldier by training.”

  “And is horsemanship the only military skill you’ve maintained?” Mariah asked. She too seemed easier as they rode.

  “No, I have a few other martial skills up my sleeves,” he said.

  “Like what?”

  His grin turned downright wicked. “You’ll have to wait until the time is right, then I’ll show you.”