Scandals of Lustful Ladies: A Historical Regency Romance Collection

by Meghan Sloan

  That had Cassandra stiffened. Marriage again. Ernest had been mentioning it quite a bit lately. Not pushing her, just saying it in passing. Now was not the time.

  “We’ve been over this before, Father.”

  “I know, but we also need to think practically, Cassie. You’re three-and-twenty now. Marriage needs to be thought about. Otherwise you’re going to be considered too old and life will pass you by.” Ernest sighed. “You won’t be able to live your life as you should.”

  He had said these things before, but now they were sad. Thomas’ passing had affected Ernest more than Cassandra realised. She sighed and stepped away. She didn’t have it in her heart to be angry at him.

  “I’m living my life absolutely fine. Things are as I want them to be, Father. I don’t need a husband telling me what to do, making me stay at home having children and keeping the house clean.”

  Ernest chuckled.

  “I can’t see you allowing any man to tell you what to do, or keeping house. But it’s not all about having children. It’s having someone to look after you.” He reached out and chucked her chin. “I won’t be around forever.”

  “You will be.” Cassandra took his hand and squeezed it. “You’re not going anywhere, and you don’t have to worry about anything. The house, the gambling hall, me - I’ll look after it all. Things will be as you want them to be.”

  And she meant it. Cassandra would take over if anything happened to her father, and she would work hard to make sure it was the same as Ernest wished. Even better than that. Ernest had worked hard ever since he was a small boy, and Seton Hall was like a child he had grown and nurtured. Cassandra knew she could make Ernest proud.

  Ernest sighed and hugged her gently. The sound of his sigh still came across as sad.

  “I know, darling. Now, you’d better head off. I’ve got to head over to Seton Hall and check in on things. I know you and Alice are due a meal. It’s a long journey from Hunstanton.”

  “I can skip dinner and come with you.”

  Ernest smiled.

  “No, you can’t. I know what you’re like when you skip meals.”

  “You’re the same, Father.”

  “But I’ve already eaten. You haven’t. Now, off you go.”

  Cassandra knew she wouldn’t be able to win. And Ernest was right; she was hungry. Her stomach was growling, and she needed to get some food inside her. Sighing, she nodded.

  “All right. But I’ll come by later. Make sure things are fine.”

  Ernest sighed.

  “You just won’t give in, will you?”

  “You told me never to give in, remember? I’m just doing what you raised me to do.”

  Chapter 2

  Gabriel didn’t often venture into Ipswich now. It hadn’t been too far when they had a carriage, but Gabriel’s ability to get a carriage was limited now. It involved a lot of conversation with the owner of the stagecoach in the village.

  He often went into Ipswich, and he would take people in on his regular runs. But Gabriel knew he wouldn’t be going into town at the time he needed, so he had to ask for a special dispensation.

  Thankfully, he was seen as a valued customer, and the owner had allowed his son to take Gabriel down with a horse and cart. It was only half an hour, so the bumpy roads and the rickety cart weren’t that bad. Gabriel could manage it - he had to, although he would prefer to go in his own carriage.

  However, that option was not open to him, and Gabriel had used the stagecoach a lotbefore his parents banned him from using their carriages. This was three months before he had been disowned and cut off. Gabriel had learned to improvise.

  And he would have to improvise now. He didn’t want to be accused of leading Jessica on again. If he rejected her too much, Jessica would go to her parents and lie about what was going on before Gabriel could get a word in. With his reputation already ruined, he was going to need to get things straight first.

  That meant approaching the one man who had threatened to make sure he couldn’t carry on the family line even if he was accepted back. Gabriel was intimidated by Jethro Gibson, but it had to be done. He had a firm hand over his daughter, which Jessica kept ignoring. Maybe he needed to bring the hand down a little harder.

  Montgomery’s Hall was right next to Gabriel’s favourite public house. Gabriel often went in there before and after a session at gambling. The landlord, Barrington, was a good man, and his daughter Emily was bright and sweet. Gabriel always got a smile out of her, and he liked to make her smile in return. But she was out of bounds, Gabriel knew that. If he tried any further than simple banter with Emily Barrington, her father would come down on him so hard Gabriel wouldn’t be able to see straight for weeks.

  Barrington was there behind the bar when Gabriel arrived. He raised his eyebrows at Gabriel’s entry, but then gave him a short nod. Gabriel nodded back and then went over to his usual table by the window. He checked his watch. Mr. Gibson would be here in ten minutes. The man was known to be very punctual, so Gabriel knew he wouldn’t have to wait long.

  He settled down, looking around him. The public house was just picking up on its customers, most of who would be going into the gambling hall next door to spend their wages in one evening. A lot of them did well with their winnings, but most of them lost almost all of it, waving away Montgomery’s concerns that they were going to put themselves into debt they couldn’t get out of.

  For someone who had been in charge of people playing with their money, he did try to look out for people.

  Gabriel had been one of those people. And he had been one of those who thought he didn’t need someone to watch over him. He didn’t have a problem.

  Then all his money was gone. And Gabriel wanted to get it back, and that resulted in losing more money. He had gone into a downward spiral and he had been too arrogant to realise that he was digging a hole that he couldn’t get out of on his own.

  Now he was paying the price.

  “Here you go, Mr. Tattershall.”

  Gabriel looked up. A pretty, petite redhead smiled at him as she placed his glass in front of him. Gabriel couldn’t help but smile back; the woman was infectious.

  “Thank you, Emily. You’re looking fresh and bright today.”

  “Life goes on as normal,” Emily laughed. “I’m surprised I look remotely fresh.”

  “I’d say you look divine.”

  Emily rolled her eyes, still smiling.

  “You haven’t changed, Mr. Tattershall. Good to see your face again.”

  “And yours, Emily.” Gabriel glanced towards the door. “I’m expecting someone to meet me. Jethro Gibson.”

  “Of course. I’ll show him to your table.” Emily gave him a nod. “Enjoy your evening, Mr. Tattershall.”

  Gabriel watched her go, swatting a punter’s hand as he reached for her and gently scolding him. Emily was full of fire. Her father was right on the fringes of society and was consistently pushing her to get a foot up to find a husband.

  Emily had always fought back, saying she didn’t need a wealthy gentleman to make her happy. Gabriel was surprised at her mentality. All women he knew wanted to marry into a respectable, preferably wealthy, family. Emily was cut from a different cloth.

  And it suited her. However, whoever did marry her was going to take on a handful. Emily was not shy about making her opinions known. Gabriel liked her for that. It was almost refreshing.

  Her father was now glaring at Gabriel, so he took his eyes away from Emily and sipped at his beer. Better not annoy the landlord, otherwise Gabriel might not be allowed in again. Barrington had done it before with other people for less.

  The door opened and closed, and Gabriel looked up to see a huge man step into the bar. He was so tall his head almost touched the rafters in the ceiling. His clothes were nicely tailored, his hat low over his eyes as he shook the rain droplets from his coat. When had it started raining?

  Gabriel looked out and saw that the weather had changed. After being increasingly swel
tering over the last week, the heavens had decided to open and bring the rain. It was going to make going back home interesting. Gabriel wasn’t keen on getting wet, but he couldn’t stay in a hotel room when he couldn’t afford it.

  He turned back to see Emily speaking to the newcomer, who had taken off his hat to reveal the snow-white hair full on his head and his craggy face. Jethro Gibson was certainly a sight to behold. Part of the reason Gabriel was intimidated by him. His sheer size was more than enough to make anyone back away. Jessica had called her father a soft-hearted old man, but Gabriel had yet to see it.

  Gibson turned his head towards Gabriel, and Gabriel had to stop himself from swallowing back the nerves. Never had he been nervous for anyone who wasn’t his father. Derek Tattershall was formidable. Jethro Gibson was something else.

  But he wasn’t about to show his nerves. Gabriel rose to his feet as Emily led Gibson over, giving Gabriel a nod before moving away again. Gabriel turned to Gibson, who was scowling at him.

  “Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Mr. Gibson.”

  “I don’t particularly want to.” Gibson growled. He always seemed to speak in a growl. “I just came to tell you that I want you to leave my daughter alone. And I won’t accept anything from you.”

  “That’s fine. I wasn’t going to offer anything.” Gabriel gestured at the seat across from him. “Will you take a seat a moment? I would feel better if I didn’t have to crane my neck.”

  Gibson was silent for so longer Gabriel thought he had been refused. Then Gibson pulled the chair out and settled into it, making the chair creak. Gabriel took a seat as well, but that didn’t make him feel any better; Gibson was still a huge hulk across from him. Gabriel took a deep breath, wishing he didn’t feel like such a coward.

  “I was coming to ask you to put your daughter on a tighter leash. She came to see me yesterday.”

  Gibson’s eyes widened.

  “What?”

  “Don’t get so angry. I sent her away.” Gabriel spread his hands on the table. “After what’s happened, I told Jessica that I wished no more contact with her. I respected your wishes, and theywere my wishes as well. Unfortunately, your daughter has not listened to me. I can’t count on both hands how many times she has come to the cottage under the pretense of talking to me, but I’m tired of it.”

  “I…” Gibson’s mouth opened and closed. “Melissa has never said anything about any of this. And she’s with Jessica all the time.”

  “I presume she’s the chaperone?”

  “Jessica’s maid. She always tells me that they were together the whole time.”

  “Jessica slips away whenever she can. I’m guessing Melissa didn’t say anything in case you fired her for not doing her job.” Gabriel leaned forward. “Don’t be cross with Melissa. Jessica’s very good at slipping away from someone meant to be watching her. She’s the one at fault, not the maid. I’ve told Jessica several times to get away from me, but you know what your daughter’s like. She’s a persistent woman.”

  “That she is.” Gibson’s shoulders slumped and he shook his head. “I told her to keep away from you and she started acting like a little girl who had just had her toys taken away. And this was after she told me that you had taken advantage of her, had done the seducing.” He raised his eyes to Gabriel’s. “Did she dupe me?”

  “I’m afraid so. Jessica knew what she wanted and she went out to get it,” Gabriel sighed. “I was foolish to get involved with her. I’ll hold my hands up to that, sir. But now I’ve had a bucket of cold water tipped over my head, and I realise that I shouldn’t have been anywhere near her in the first place. I don’t want to be accused of anything further with her. I just…” He ran his hand through his hair, “I just want her to leave me alone, which is why I’m appealing to you.”

  “I appreciate you telling me about this, but…” Gibson sat back, the chair creaking as he moved. “You know when Jessica’s mind is made up, she won’t let go.”

  “I know. But we could, at the very least, try. Or I’m going to go mad.” Gabriel waited until Gibson was looking at him, the man looking less like the angry giant he had been when he came in. “I have no ill will against either you or your wife. You made a choice and I’ll respect your decision. However, I wish to be left alone if that’s the case, and your daughter just won’t listen.”

  “Now you know what I’ve been dealing with since she was a little girl,” Gibson peered at Gabriel curiously. “You know, I never thought I’d hear you talk like this. You never seemed to have a care for anyone except yourself.”

  Gabriel winced. That was a fair description of his old self. His new one had to be more careful.

  “Things change. People grow up.”

  “Or lose their inheritance,” Gibson grunted. He rubbed a hand over his eyes. “I’ll see what I can do. Perhaps a visit on the south coast might be a good idea at some point. It’s getting warmer here, present weather excluded, and I think it would be perfect for a little excursion to Brighton.”

  “Sounds like a good plan.”

  Gibson rose to his feet. Gabriel leaned back so he could look up at the older man without hurting his neck. Gibson put his hat back on, his dark eyes focused on Gabriel.

  “I won’t say take care of yourself, because I won’t go that far. But thank you for being a man about this.”

  “And you, Mr. Gibson. Safe journey home.”

  Gibson snorted. Then he turned on his heel and left the bar, the door banging closed behind him. Gabriel found himself reaching for his beer and finishing it in one gulp. That had gone better than he expected, but his nerves still weren’t good. He checked his change in his purse.

  There was enough for one more drink, and then he would head home. The owner’s son said he would givehim an hour unless Gabriel said otherwise, and there was no need for Gabriel to stay. If he did, he would be tempted to go into the gambling hall.

  He needed to stay away. Even if he was going to play one more game in memory of Thomas Montgomery. Gabriel knew it wouldn’t stop at one game. He had to stop himself from picking up the dice or the cards and throwing it all away. Then he wouldn’t be any better than the man his father painted him to be.

  But one more beer wouldn’t hurt.

  Rising to his feet, Gabriel took the empty glass and went to the bar, placing it in front of Barrington.

  “Same again, please.”

  Barrington raised his eyebrows.

  “You got enough for one more?”

  “And only one more.” Gabriel began to count out the money he needed. “If I forget in the next few minutes, remind me.”

  “Will do.” Barrington took the glass and began to fill it up. “It’s such a shame Old Man Montgomery’s passing. It’s going to be different without him next door.”

  Gabriel felt a pang of sadness in his chest. Thomas was going to be missed by a lot of people, Barrington included. The landlord of the public house was also a good friend of Thomas’. The old man had that ability to make anyone friends with him.

  “It certainly will be,” Gabriel sighed as he pushed the coins across the counter. “He was a good man.”

  “That he was.” Barrington began to count out the coins. “I got a lot of custom out of him.”