by Ella Quinn
“And you, Lady Dorie,” Phillida said.
Alex had completely forgotten his youngest sister was still here.
Dorie smiled at his sister. “Thank you, Phillida. Yes, and to me as your mistress.”
“Yes, my lady.” The maid nodded her head so hard Alex thought she’d do herself damage. “And I won’t ever trust another man again.”
“It is a rare woman who has not been let down by a man she trusted,” Dorie said ruefully. She glanced at Mrs. Wooton. “What do you think, Mrs. Wooton? Will you keep her on?”
She appeared to consider Dorie’s question, then said, “I’ll give her another chance. But any more slips, and she’s gone without a recommendation.”
Sukey grabbed Dorie’s hands and started kissing them. “Thank you, my lady, thank you. I promise. I won’t do anything like that ever again.”
“The important thing is that if anyone approaches you that you tell Mrs. Wooton.” Dorie rose, and gave the maid a pat on her back. After his housekeeper took the woman back inside, she looked at Alex. “The question is how are we to contain your mother?”
“We might well have to visit the Earl of Airth.” Alex could not understand how a peer could be involved in what was essentially a kidnapping.
“Lady Airth is one of Mama’s friends,” Phillida offered.
Well, that was interesting. “There is no time like the present.”
“I agree.” Dorie took his sister’s hand. “She will be waiting to receive her daughters. If you order the coach, I shall tell my mother.”
“We’ll do it together.” They went out to the stables.
“My lord, my lady.” Mawson pulled his forelock. “I’m glad everything turned out all right. When I saw them open the gate, I asked what they was doing, and the big one said they was here to collect somethin’ from the gardener.”
“Thank you. I’ll need the town coach brought to Huntingdon House. I want two footmen and one of the grooms to ride with the coachman, and I want everyone armed.”
“Yes, my lord. Give me about a half hour.”
“I am going with you,” Dorie reiterated as if Alex would forget.
“Me too.” Phillida took Alex’s hand. “It’s because of us she is doing this. I need to tell her I do not wish to go to Scotland.”
Over his sister’s head he looked at Dorie and she mouthed, “We’ll discuss it.”
“Let me think about it.” He didn’t know what they’d be facing, and he would not put his sister in any more danger. But, he trusted Dorie to act with presence of mind, unfortunately, he didn’t know how his sister would behave.
When they walked into the Huntingdon House morning room, Lord Huntingdon, Huntley, and Caro were there, and Lady Huntingdon was in the process of explaining what had occurred.
She stopped speaking when she saw them. “Did you learn anything new?”
Dorie nodded. “We discovered how they gained access to the house, and that it is highly probable that Lady Portmore is staying with Lady Airth.”
“I find it difficult to believe a peer would involve himself in the kidnapping of the sisters of another peer.” Huntley echoed Alex’s earlier thoughts.
Lord Huntingdon’s brows came together. “I think you’ll find he had nothing to do with it. Airth left for France well over a week ago at the request of Prinny.”
Dorie took Alex’s hand and led him to a small sofa. “Lady Airth must be helping Lady Portmore.”
“It would not surprise me. Isobel Airth has a heart of gold, but can also be extremely gullible.” Her mother handed them cups of tea. “Are you thinking about going to Airth House?”
“Yes, Alex has already ordered his town coach to be readied,” Dorie said.
“We’ll come as well.” Lord Huntingdon glanced at his son, who left the room. “You don’t know what you might be up against.”
“I still want to go with you,” Phillida said. “She might not listen to you and Lady Dorie.”
Dorie smiled. “I think you may call me Dorie. We will be sisters soon.”
“That is what I told Penelope and Miss Holliwell, but they both told me I must wait until you gave me permission.” Phillida came to sit with them, causing Dorie to have to move against Alex.
“Why do you not think she will listen to us?” She leaned forward to pick up the cup she’d placed on the low table in front of the sofa.
“If she had listened to Alex, she would not be here,” Phillida pointed out. “Miss Holliwell says actions have consequences. And even if it is not you who has done something one should not, one’s family will have to live with one’s actions.”
“Very well put, my dear.” Lady Huntingdon nodded approvingly. “If only everyone would learn that lesson, there would be much less suffering.”
Once again, Alex glanced at Dorie. This time she mouthed, “Yes.”
He looked at Penelope, who had been silent during the entire exchange. Her lips were flat, and her arms crossed over her chest. He’d seen that exact expression on their maternal grandmother when she was angry. “Would you like to go with us?”
“No. I am so furious I would probably say something I should not.” Her eyes started to flash, and she glanced around the room as if looking for a target for her ire. “She is a hypocrite to want to be forgiven so soon after what she did. Did you know that she cut the squire’s wife when their daughter married because her husband wasn’t gentry? It was almost a year after the squire and his family refused to have anything to do with their daughter before Mama spoke to the lady again.” Her lips formed a thin line and she blurted out, “She could have ruined us!”
Their mother almost had ruined Alex’s sisters before they were even out. He had no doubt that what he’d said to Lady Letitia and her mother had not done the trick. If it hadn’t been for Dorie, her family, and friends, there would have been a scandal.
She exchanged a glance with her mother, then said, “With the way you feel, I agree you should not come. What she did was extremely ill advised. But at some point you might wish to have relations with your mother again. It never does to completely burn one’s bridges.”
Huntley came back into the room. “The coaches are ready.”
Dorie rose and went to the door. “Are you coming, Mama?”
“No, I shall remain here with Penelope.”
Lord Huntingdon went to his wife, and whispered something into her ear. “We will return as soon as possible.”
“Do not do anything rash, my love.”
His shoulders began to shake. “I’m not the one who shot a ruffian today.”
Her forehead puckered as she tilted her head. “You have a point. In that case, come back safely.”
Dorie had been surprised to see that neither of the coaches had crests on them. She knew her parents owned an unmarked town coach, but she had not thought of Alex having one. Although, it did make sense if one wished to go somewhere and not have everyone know about it. Dorie rode with Alex and Phillida. Even if Phillida had not ridden with them, Dorie would have gone with Alex. It was one of the privileges of being a betrothed lady.
In a matter of minutes, they arrived at Airth House on St. James Square. As they drew up to the house, a curtain on the first floor moved. This was bound to be interesting. None of them knew if Lady Portmore knew the abduction had gone wrong.
Alex knocked on the door and it was opened immediately by an elderly butler. He handed the servant his card. “I am Exeter. I am here to see my mother, Lady Portmore.”
The man bowed. “Please come this way, my lord. I do not think she was expecting you, but she did not instruct me that she is not at home. She and Lady Airth are in the morning room.”
Dorie could not imagine Banwell or Coyne saying anything more than “I shall see if she is in.” Was it due to the butler’s age that he was so informative?
The dismay on Lady Portmore’s face told Dorie all she needed to know. The woman had not known she had been found out.
In an instant, a mask fell, and Lady Portmore was once again the assured peeress. “Exeter.” She moved gracefully toward him. “What a surprise. When did you find out I was in Town?”
She went on her tiptoes to buss his cheek, but he stepped back. His eyes had darkened and were so hard they looked like emeralds. “Only after you attempted to have my sisters abducted.”
She blanched, but the polite mask never faltered. “I would not have had to take such measures if you had sent my daughters to me.” Phillida, who had been almost hidden between Alex and Dorie, stepped forward. Lady Portmore held out her arms. “My darling, I am so happy you decided to come to me.” She peered at them. “But where is Penelope?”
“She did not wish to be here.” Phillida slipped her hand into Dorie’s. “I would not have bothered but I knew you would try to blame Alex. But the fact is, Mama, you abandoned us. Alex too, and you almost ruined us because you did not follow the rules.” Phillida looked up at Dorie. “If it was not for Lady Dorie, no one would have allowed us to be friends with their daughters.” Lady Portmore’s arms were still out and her head tilted slightly from one side to another almost like an automaton. “We will not go to Scotland with you. And I think you should go back to your home now.”
“Oh, Clara, what have you done?” A petite lady with dark hair stood near a door on the side of the room. “You promised me you had guardianship and that your son was keeping the girls from you out of spite.”
A tic formed in Alex’s jaw and Dorie bit down hard on her lip to keep from interfering. “Spite, Mama?”
“It was not my fault that I fell in love for the first time with a gentleman who—”
“Not your fault.” Alex bit the words off as if chipping ice.
“Well.” The word seemed to fly out of Phillida, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “It was not Miss Tinley’s fault that she fell in love with a wealthy merchant. But you cut her family because of it.” The girl paused for several moments, waiting, Dorie supposed, for some sort of reaction from Lady Portmore, who dropped her arms, but remained silent. “You may contact me again when the ton receives you. Do not ever try to have either my sister or me abducted again. We will never forgive you.” Phillida looked at Alex. “I wish to go now.”
He’d never been so proud of her before. She and Penelope would grow up to be formidable ladies. He took her other hand. “Yes. So do I.”
The lady at the side of the room, who Dorie could only suppose was Lady Airth, closed her eyes for a moment. “Clara, you must leave first thing in the morning. I shall not turn you out at night, but I cannot have you in my home.”
Barely looking in the other lady’s direction, she inclined her head slightly. “I shall be gone within the hour.”
No one spoke as they made their way back to their coaches. Phillida sniffed once and when they had taken their seats her eyes were filled with unshed tears. Alex gave her his handkerchief and put his arm around her. “You reminded me of our grandmother Exeter. She was never one to suffer fools.” Phillida wiped her eyes. “You were right when you said she abandoned us all.” Alex’s gaze found Dorie’s. “I do not know what I would have done if I hadn’t found you.”
She blinked back the tears threatening to fall. If a fourteen-year-old could manage not to cry, neither would she. Instead she let her love show in a smile. She rapped on the roof of the carriage. “Take us to Huntingdon House.”
Once they had arrived at her parents’ house, Dorie found her mother and took her aside. “Instead of attending the theater this evening, I would rather remain here. We can look for the spillikins set and play some other games.”
“That is a good idea. I should have thought of it. I think all of us can use a rest after today’s activities.”
Dorie hid her grin. Only her mother would describe shooting a man as an “activity.” “Thank you. I’ll tell Exeter and the others.”
After asking several servants, and searching much of the house, she found him as well as her father and brother in a small room in the cellar called the weapons room she had not even known existed. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for lady’s pistols,” Alex said. “After what occurred today, I thought it might be a good idea for you and my sisters to learn to shoot.”
There were times when they thought so much alike it was as if they had been together for years. “Phillida and I discussed that on the way here. We would both like to learn.” Actually, now that she knew her mother had been taught, she did not understand why she had not. “Papa, why did you not teach me how to shoot a pistol?”
He looked at her and scratched his chin. “I don’t know. Maud was taught.” He thought about it for a few more seconds and shook his head. “The only reason I can think of is that the highways became much safer, and we never thought about it because of that.”
“Maud?” Alex asked.
“My eldest sister. I hardly know her at all. She was married when I was a child. She’s not in Town this Season.” Huntley shuddered playfully. “If she had been, you would have had the privilege of being interrogated by her. Terrifying woman, my older sister.”
“Stop.” Dorie rapped him on his knuckles with her finger. “You know she is not that bad. She was very kind to me and let me look at her gowns before she went out.” Alex also had not met her other sister. “Louisa, our youngest sister, is with her for the Season. She did not wish to come to Town and Maud has a daughter her age. I shall have to ask Mama if she has written her about our wedding.”
“Knowing Maud,” Huntley said, “she will have her own methods of keeping current on the ton.”
“But who is she?” Alex asked.
“Oh.” Dorie and her brother had both forgotten about their sister’s title. “She is the Duchess of Albemarle.”
“Not that she’ll remind you of it,” Huntley said. “Maud is one of the most practical people you will ever know.”
“You will probably meet her at our wedding. Just look for an exact copy of Mama.”
“I think”—Alex took her hand and brought it to his lips—“that the only lady I will notice at our wedding is you.”
Her father cleared his throat. “It must be time to change for dinner.”
Alex’s heated gaze caught Dorie’s. She turned so only he could hear her. “Tonight.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
On their way up to change, Huntley touched Alex’s shoulder. “Exeter, come help me hunt for the games. I know where they used to be, but if someone moved them, I’ll have to have the servants search elsewhere.”
“I might have to go back to my house. I didn’t bring my kit here.” Alex actually had not thought the invitation to stay at Huntingdon House for a few days included him.
“I sent word to your valet to bring clothing for tonight and tomorrow,” Dorie said. “He should be waiting for you.”
“Thank you.” If they had been alone he would have kissed her. She went up the main stairs and he and her brother went toward the back of the house.
“I found the games earlier. I just wanted a word with you.” He was hit by a sudden panic that Dorie would be taken away from him. Huntley looked Alex in the eyes. “I have never seen her so settled and happy. Mama said you have given Dorie her head, which was exactly what she needed. I’m glad you and she are marrying.”
Alex thought back to the day he’d told her brother he wanted to wed her. “Thank you for telling me she’d settle for nothing less than love. I still don’t know quite how it happened, but you and my brother-in-law were right. It makes all the difference in the world.”
They strolled into a closet lined with shelves, and Huntley plucked the games off one of the shelves. He handed Alex the spillikins. “When we tire of this, we can play speculation.”
>
“I don’t know if my sisters even know how to play. That’s the devil about going to school, you lose contact with your younger sisters.”
“Being so much older doesn’t help either.” They headed toward the drawing room. “Maud is more like my youngest sister’s mother or aunt than her sister.”
In some ways, Alex felt more like a father than a brother. What amazed him was the way Dorie, who was only about three years older than Penelope, knew just how to manage her sisters. “I know what you mean.”
Just as Dorie had said, Flemings was waiting for Alex when he entered the bedchamber he’d been given. He dressed and was down in good time. The mood had lightened, and even his sisters seemed to have let go of their earlier anger. With the younger set with them, the talk over dinner turned more to things that interested the children rather than politics and other ton gossip.
“When may I learn to drive a carriage?” Penelope asked. This, of course, was seconded by Phillida.
“This summer at Longwood.” He couldn’t imagine trying to teach them in Town. “I meant to ask Munson what you have for hacks but haven’t got around to it yet.”
“I have Nan and Penelope has Sally.” Phillida pulled a face. “It is not that we do not love them. They are dear horses, but…”
“They don’t go at more than a walk?” Alex suggested. He knew both of the older beasts.
His sisters nodded.
“We rode Thunder and Lightning when Papa was alive,” Penelope added.
In that event they must be good riders, indeed. “Then I don’t see why you cannot continue to ride them.”
“After we marry,” Dorie said, “Exeter and I are going to tour the marquisate’s estates then visit France for a bit. Would you like to come with us?”
They had both agreed that bringing his sisters would be the best thing to do. As she pointed out, they did not know if word of his mother’s behavior had reached Longwood. Unfortunately, neither of his sisters appeared enamored of the idea.
“Or you can come home with us.” Ophelia gave her mother a beseeching look. “Is that not right, Mama? There are a number of young ladies Penelope’s age near us.”