“Someone has put her up to this scheme,” Edward replied with suspicion in his voice. ‘We have to find out who.”
* * *
“A letter has come for you, My Lady.”
Esther quickly glanced up and saw a footman with a letter in front of her. She stood and took the letter he offered her on a tray, and her heart began beating wildly when she saw that it was from Mary.
“Thank you,” she replied to the footman.
Esther turned and pulled off the wax seal, and then opened it to read. When she saw the short letter, she was a bit shocked. After all, in the last letter she had sent to Mary, she had really written a lot. She had told her all about Julia and asked for her and Edward’s help. But what she received back was just a few words. It said:
Esther,
Thank you for your letter. I have spoken to Edward about it, and we have come up with a plan. However, it is difficult to explain via letter, so we would like to invite you to come to the estate. We will explain more, then.
Your Loving Sister,
Mary
Ester was certainly confused. She couldn’t imagine what type of idea they could have to save Julia that would require her to visit. Though she certainly loved visiting with them, she just found the entire situation odd. If Mary wanted to tell her in person, perhaps the news was bad.
“Esther, can you help me with something?”
Ruth had walked into the library where Esther was sitting.
“What’s wrong?” Ruth asked. “You have an odd look on your face.”
“Oh, nothing,” said Esther. “I have received a letter from Mary about helping Julia.” Esther had told Ruth about it, too, of course, so she knew exactly what had happened. “She has invited me to come visit but has not answered my inquiry.”
“That’s strange,” Ruth said. “I would have thought that they would be happy to help.”
“As did I,” Esther replied. “I am going to write her back right now. Do you want to come?”
“Oh, I would,” Ruth said. “But I have a wedding to plan.”
Since Ruth had told her parents about her engagement, she had been walking around their home as if she were walking on the most beautiful, fluffy cloud. She was constantly happy, and though Esther was certainly excited for her sister, she couldn’t help but be a bit perturbed at times. After all, Esther’s life wasn’t going so great, considering the situation with Julia and no longer having Allan in her life.
“I understand,” Esther said. “I thought I would ask, though, as I know you always like to take the opportunity to visit with Mary and Edward.”
“I do,” said Ruth. “But I will have to pass on this opportunity.”
“What did you need help with?” Esther said, suddenly remembering that Ruth had a question for her.
“I wanted your opinion on possible wedding gown colors, and to help me find the perfect one.” Ruth explained.
“Of course,” Esther said, though she wasn’t very excited about it. Since she had, only a couple of weeks ago, been on the path to marriage herself, she had been very happy to help Ruth with the plans. However, now that she and Allan were no longer courting, it did hurt her a bit when she was included in these plans. It was still quite raw.
“We can wait until you return from Mary’s, though,” Ruth said. “We have plenty of time.”
Esther nodded. She knew that Ruth was not going to be married for a few weeks, and that was plenty of time to find a gown and get it made to fit her.
“I also want to ask Mary, of course,” Ruth said. “So perhaps it is best if we wait until you get back.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Esther replied. “I will tell her when I am there, if you like.”
“Perfect,” Ruth said. “I have to go talk to Mother about a menu, but I will speak with you later tonight.”
“Excellent,” said Esther. “I need to write to Mary, anyway, and tell her that I will see her as soon as possible.”
The mystery of why Mary wouldn’t answer her questions via letter was looming over Esther, and the sooner she got these answers, the better off she would be.
Chapter 23
Once again, Allan found himself in a carriage on his way to visit his cousins. Since Edward had returned home after the incident with Bridget, he had found out some more information and he asked if Allan would come to the house for a couple of days so they could discuss it.
Though the relief of knowing that he had not fathered a child was great, he was still struggling to get cheerful again. In addition, his nightmares and flashbacks had come back, and he had gone through several nights of tossing and turning.
Oddly, it seemed that since he had met Esther, the flashbacks and nightmares had dissipated, but now that he was back without her in his life, they had come back with full force.
He also wondered if they were coming back due to the fact that he was quite paranoid that someone was attacking him. Though Edward hadn’t revealed much, he did say that he had new information about the situation with Bridget, and that he wanted to tell Allan in person.
So Allan took the opportunity to travel to Edward’s estate to find out more, plus, since he had been feeling a bit down and unhappy, he thought it would be a good idea to spend time with his family. Perhaps that would push him to feel better and to stop having the nightmares.
Allan looked out of the window and saw the familiar landscape of the estate and breathed a sigh of relief. He always felt at home here, just as he did in his own home, and being here made him feel safe.
He could see out of the carriage window Edward and Mary waiting for him as they normally did. Like the last time however, Harry was not present.
The carriage came up to the door of the estate and stopped. Allan stepped out and smiled as he saw Edward and Mary.
Edward stepped forward. “I’m so happy you have decided to come, Allan,” he said, pulling him into a warm embrace. “I have so much to tell you.”
Allan pulled away and said, “I hope it’s good news.” He then turned to Mary and embraced her, as well. “You look as beautiful as always, Mary,” he said.
“Edward has always said you are a charmer, Allan,” she replied, “And I am finally beginning to see it for myself.”
All three of them laughed, and Allan said, “Where’s Harry?”
Edward’s expression changed from a smile to a frown. He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s hard to say. He has been acting very strangely since I returned from visiting you. The morning after I got back, he received a letter. He reacted oddly to it, though he wouldn’t tell me who it was from, or what it said. But that’s a story for another time, I suppose. For now, follow Bolt, who will show you to your room. When you get settled in, I will meet you in the sitting room.”
“That sounds wonderful, Edward.” Allan smiled at his cousin, and then looked to Bolt.
“Please follow me, My Lord,” he said.
Allan nodded, and then he followed the butler upstairs to the room that he had been staying in since he was a child.
“Please let me know if you need anything, My Lord.” Bolt said.
“Thank you,” Allan replied. He walked into the door and his valet, Harley, was already preparing his clothing for dinner.
“Harley,” Allan said. “I am going to meet Edward for a drink before dinner, but I will come back to change before the meal.”
“Very well, My Lord,” Harley replied. “I almost have your clothing laid out and ready, so I will certainly be prepared for when you return.”
“Excellent, Harley,” Allan said with a smile. Even just being in the house was putting him in a better mood. “I will see you shortly.”
Allan left the room, and then walked the familiar path to the drawing room. Bolt was standing at the door, and said “Welcome, My Lord. Please let me tell His Grace that you have arrived.”
Bolt walked into the drawing room, and Allan heard him speaking with Edward. He came back out a moment later and opened the
door wide for him.
“Thank you,” Allan said, as he walked through. Edward was sitting alone in a chair, a glass of bright red wine in hand.
“Welcome, Cousin,” he said. “Do you care for a glass of wine?”
“Yes, please,” Allan said, as he walked towards Edward. A footman bought a glass to him, and Allan took it and immediately sipped from it.
“Have a seat,” Edward said, motioning to an empty chair.
Allan sat and took another sip of wine. “Now,” he said. “Would you enlighten me about what you have found out?”
Edward laughed, and said “You really don’t want to waste any time, do you?”
“No,” Allan said. “I am very interested in what you know.”
Edward sat up straight in his chair and said, “I have done a bit more investigating. What Miss Crampton said as she was leaving just didn’t make sense to me.”
Allan nodded. “Yes, I agree. It didn’t make sense to me, either.”
“So,” Edward continued, “I took it upon myself to find out more about it, and…after a bit of convincing…she gave an interesting tale.”
“Oh?” Allan asked.
“Yes,” Edward replied. “And it involves you.”
“Please continue, then,” Allan urged.
“Miss Crampton was put up to this scheme by someone else,” Edward explained. “She won’t tell me who, as to not get him in trouble, but she did say that he is no fan of yours, and that he was trying to ruin your good reputation.”
“What?” Allan said. He was shocked by this.
Edward continued. “She does seem to care for you, which is why, I believe, she told me this information, but I felt that it was important for you to know that she was not working alone and that someone else might have a bullseye on your back.”
Allan said, “I have to admit that I’m a bit stunned.”
“I was, too,” Edward said. “Miss Crampton did say that the man only was interested in harming your reputation, but that can be quite devastating.”
“Yes, of course,” Allan agreed. “Is that it? Is that what you had to tell me?”
“Yes,” Edward said, smiling. “That’s it.”
“I certainly appreciate that news,” Allan said, “but couldn’t it have been presented in a letter?”
Edward smiled widely. “Yes, of course. But then you wouldn’t have had the chance to have dinner tonight with a very special guest.”
* * *
Esther was watching in the mirror as Rose put the last finishing touches on her hair. She had arrived at Mary’s home earlier in the day, though she hadn’t had much of a chance to speak with her sister. She was hoping that before supper she could talk with Mary and Edward about Julia.
“You are stunning, My Lady,” Rose said, as she moved one of Esther’s curls off of her face. She looked at herself in the mirror and had to agree with her maid. Though Esther didn’t often notice her looks, she always felt that Rose had a way of making her look her best.
“Thank you, Rose,” Esther replied. She gently touched her hair, and then stood up. “I am going down to the sitting room before dinner,” she said. “I am hoping to speak with Mary about Julia.”
“Very well, My Lady,” Rose replied. “I hope that you can get the answers you seek.”
“Yes,” Esther said with a sigh. “I don’t know who else to turn to if they can’t help.”
Rose’s expression changed into one of compassion, and she nodded. “I’m sure that if anyone can figure this out, it will be you.”
“I hope so,” Esther replied. “I will speak with you later,” she said, as she made her way out of the door and into the hallway. She had been in the house enough to know the exact way to go to get to the sitting room, so she was able to get to the doorway in only a moment.
She was greeted by a footman, who said, “Welcome, My Lady. Her Grace said to show you in upon your arrival.”
“Thank you,” Esther replied, as she followed the footman into the room. Mary was sitting on a settee, which looked new, and smiled as she saw her sister.
“Esther!” Mary exclaimed. “You look perfect!”
Esther smiled and laughed, “Thank you, Mary, but I’m not sure I have quite met the standard of perfection.”
“Fine,” Mary said with a smile. “At least you are close. Please have a seat and join me in a glass of wine before dinner.”
“I would love to,” Esther said. She sat on the sofa opposite the settee where Mary sat, and took the glass brought to her by a footman. “Is the settee new?”
Mary nodded. “It is,” she said. “Edward and I are updating the house with some new furniture. Much of it belonged to his grandparents, so we decided to add a bit of style.”
“I like it,” Esther said.
“We are getting a piano, too,” Mary replied. “And Lord and Lady Booth have put us in touch with some local artists. We will buy some new pieces, though, of course, keep the art that is already present.”
“I am sure you will make it look superb,” Ester said.
“Enough about me,” Mary said. “How are you?”
“I am fine,” Esther admitted. “I have been happier, of course, but I am also focused on the future.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Mary replied, sipping on her wine.
“Mary, I have to ask…my letter,” Ester said. “Why didn’t you answer it? What is your plan?”
“I was hoping for Edward to be here before we talked about it,” Mary said. “But we do have an idea. In fact, Edward is ensuring that the idea is already in motion.”
Esther was puzzled. “I don’t understand, Mary.”
“We have started working with a benefactor,” Mary said with a smile. “He has agreed to help you negotiate with Mr. Smith.”
“What?” Esther was shocked. “A benefactor?”
“Yes,” Mary replied. “You will meet him at dinner, in fact. He has taken a special interest in your case, and since it is only the four of us tonight, we can have a good conversation about it during dinner.”
“Oh, Mary,” Esther said. “Is he really going to do it? This would make me so happy!” She briefly wondered where Harry was, but as she was so excited about this news, he quickly left her mind.
“He is,” Mary said. “And you will meet him shortly.”
* * *
“So she doesn’t know I am here?” Allan asked Edward.
“No, she doesn’t,” Edward replied, taking a sip of Scotch.
Edward had just informed Allan that Esther was here, and that they would see each other for the first time at dinner.
Allan smiled. “I feel as if you have tricked me,” he said to Edward.
Edward laughed heartedly. “I’m sorry, I have. Mary is talking to her right now in the drawing room.”
Suddenly, Edward’s expression got serious. “We will make sure that she knows about Miss Crampton, but there is something else.”
“Oh?” Allan replied with curiosity.
“Keep in mind that Mary is already telling Esther that you are going to do what I’m about to ask you,” Edward said.
“All right…” Allan said, unsure of what was happening.
“Esther is here for a reason,” Edward explained. “I don’t know if she has ever told you about her favorite orphan, Julia.”
Allan shook his head. “No,” he said. “Not specifically.”
“Julia is just a young girl, only five years old, who has been taken by a greedy, odious man named Mr. Smith,” Edward explained. “Esther, of course, asked for our help in getting her back.”
“Taken?” Allan asked. “What does that mean?”
“Essentially, Mr. Smith is holding these girls until they are sold…sold for their virginity,” Edward said.
“What?” Allan exclaimed. “What type of man would do that?”
“Certainly not a good man,” Edward said seriously.
“What can I do to help?” Allan asked.
“We need to
pay Mr. Smith for Julia,” Edward explained. “Though we will be saving her, not using her for…other reasons.”
“Well, I don’t care what it costs,” Allan said, defiantly. “If it is for Esther, I will do it.”
* * *
“Dinner is ready, Your Grace.”
Mary turned to Bolt. “Thank you,” she replied.
Lusting For The Broken Earl (Steamy Historical Regency) Page 21