Gareth sighed. “That brings the number down to three. Lord Southall, Lord Ayles, and the Duke of Berkley.”
“The Duke of Berkley! He is old enough to be her father!”
“He is not. He is thirty-five and well preserved for his age. If Laura wants him, I shall give my consent. He has among the best brains in the country. His understanding of Bolzano’s Intermediate Value Theorem is outstanding.”
“Hm.”
Chapter 23
Anthony arrived home to find Mr. Morrison awaiting his pleasure. He explained about Annie and told him what he had in mind.
Mr. Morrison’s eyebrows shot up. “I would advise you to think again, your Grace. What you suggest is irregular.”
“The child must be provided for. I don't want to put it off. Annie's circumstances make her vulnerable. If anything was to happen to me, she would become alone in the world.”
“Your sentiment does you credit, your Grace. If I may be bold, Annie … er … Miss Annie's situation is not unique. Many children are born without the er...advantages of a father's name. The usual arrangement is to place the child with a foster family and provided for the upkeep. A gentle upbringing does more harm than good. The child develops expectations that cannot be met. Illegitimate offspring are not accepted in Polite Society. I apologize if I give offense, your Grace. I consider it my duty to offer advice that is in the best interests of the family.”
“I have no doubt about your loyalty. I am aware of the arrangements you have suggested. However, it is my wish to have Annie acknowledged a Wimberley. Please draw up the papers by tomorrow.”
Mr. Morrison was nothing but thorough. He took his time ascertaining the wishes of his exalted patron, repeating each clause before putting it down. Every now and then he paused to avail himself of the excellent Madeira. Two hours later he gathered up his papers. Once again he commended Anthony on his kindness and compassion – though misplaced - and bowed himself out.
Anthony ordered his carriage. It wouldn't do to visit the foundling home in his phaeton. The carriage itself would be conspicuous with the crest but he would ask the coachman to wait at the bottom of the lane.
This time Mrs. Forsyth's reception was less cold. She unbent to the extent of acceding to his request. “You shall meet Annie if you want. It may be better not to tell her who you are. You may pose as a benefactor interested in her welfare. The truth can be revealed when you remove her from this place.”
Anthony agreed. Annie came in clutching a rag doll. It looked new. “That's a pretty doll you have there. What's her name?”
“Fanny.”
“Did Mrs. Forsyth give it to you?”
Annie shook her head. After some prompting, she said, “Miss Miller.”
Anthony praised her and the doll and promised to come again with a gift for her. The maid led her away. Anthony informed Mrs. Forsyth of his plans. “I shall be leaving for Harrogate soon. I hope to make the visit short but in case you need to contact me during my absence, this is the address.”
He removed a bank draft from his notebook. “A donation to the home,” he said. He put down some sovereigns next to the bank draft. “Please arrange a suitable treat for Annie and the other children.”
Anthony came out of the children’s home and briskly walked to his carriage at the end of the lane. Preoccupied with his thoughts, he did not notice Philip on the other side of the lane.
Philip saw him coming out and immediately moved behind a hack. He knew the house. It was a home for foundlings. What interest did his straightlaced cousin have in it? He could be there to make a donation though the possibility was remote. Persons desirous of making donations did not send their carriages away. Anthony must have been indiscreet. For all his pretensions, he was a man like any other. He must have come to place his bye-blow in the home.
Phillip started following his cousin. He pulled his hat down and kept to the edge of the lane, to avoid being spotted. His precaution was unnecessary. Anthony did not turn back to check whether he was being followed.
Phillip watched him until he got into the carriage and the carriage drove out of his sight. Even then he stood, rubbing his jaw, wondering whether he should go into the house and inquire into his cousin’s business there.
Finally, he decided to wait and gather some more information. If he played his cards right and kept a cool head, he could find a way out of his debts. Better still, he could avenge the wrongs done to his family.
His father had been a younger son. A charmer, he had married well. But he had run through his wife’s dowry and also lost the one estate his father had gifted him. His addiction to the card table reduced them to penury. It sent his wife to an early death.
All would have been well had Anthony's father helped them. He was as rich as Croesus. He also had the devil’s own luck at the card tables. It wouldn’t have pinched him to help his brother.
Philip visited the Wimberley seat often. The duke had a fondness for his nephews and was pleased to have them at White Willow.
Philip was never happy there. The stables with prime flesh, woods filled with game, and the stately mansion were like wormwood to his soul. It wasn’t fair! His father had a right to the riches. He had a right to the ease and comfort.
Philip’s father did not resent the duke and his offspring. Phillip hated him for it. Now his brother was dead, so was his father. The duke and his firstborn, Edward, had met their maker. Anthony, the weakling of the family, was now Wimberley. The old duke had scoffed at Anthony for being too soft. He was now Wimberley.
It wasn’t fair.
***
All the time Laura was in the drawing room, she kept hoping Anthony would come in. She knew he was with her brother. When she was coming down from her room, she had seen him enter the house. The curving wide marble staircase afforded a view of the entrance.
She had descended the staircase slowly. Instead of continuing to the drawing room, she had thought to go into the study. She had stood at the bottom of the stairs with her hand on the balustrade, chewing upon her lower lip. She had stood until a maid had informed her that Lady Catherine was expecting her in the drawing room.
Laura had become adept at receiving callers. She was careful not to seat the same gentleman beside her. She also tried to divide her time equally among her suitors, so as not to give rise to false expectation. The gentlemen who courted her found her refreshing because she did not flirt with them or expect them to shower compliments.
She had learned to hide her innate shyness. She had found that the callers were more interested in talking about themselves. All they needed were a few words of encouragement.
Minutes after Laura joined her mother in the drawing room, the Earl of Ayles was announced. He had recently come home from the Continent after making the Grand Tour. He was only one and twenty but his conversation sparkled with wit and intelligence. Laura had come to enjoy his visits. Not today. The young earl’s description of a quaint house in the French countryside was not holding her attention.
Every time the door opened to admit a caller, or a footman to announce one, Laura hoped it would be Anthony. She hid her disappointment when he did not make an appearance. After the last caller left, she went to see Gareth. He was alone in the library, studying a ledger. On seeing Laura, he came around the gleaming rosewood table and led her by hand to a sofa. “We haven't spent much time together since coming to London.”
“Of course we have. Maria is always trying to include me in picnics and outings. We dine together when we don’t go out.”
“You know what I mean.”
Laura did. They had always been close. Whenever Gareth came home from Eton or Oxford, they had spent hours talking. Actually, Gareth was the one who did most of the talking. She knew the names of his friends and tutors. When their father was in his cups, they pretended they didn't know he was weeping unashamedly for their mother, and their aunt was cloistered with him in the study, trying to get her brother to stop. At such times they spo
ke loudly, as if the noise they made would drown out their father's misery, or hide it from the servants.
“What is it? You look troubled?” Laura asked.
“I have been happy in securing Maria's love. But I worry about you. I want to tell you I'll always be there for you. Just like the old days. You have a claim on my heart and my time. I'll never be too busy for you. I know Mama is there. But you were to share your innermost secrets only with me.”
Laura rested his head against Gareth's shoulder. Tears pricked her eyes even though her heart swelled with love for her brother.
“I want you to enjoy yourself. You needn't look to snag a husband. You know that, don't you?”
Laura sighed. “That's what I had thought.”
“And now? Are you interested in anyone?”
“I can't say. There is one who makes me ...I think a lot about him. I don't want to but he's always in my thoughts. I used to admire him. I thought he was good and honorable.”
“And now you find he is not?”
“I don't know.”
“Have you reason to believe he is not what you thought? Has he behaved badly with you?” Gareth pressed.
“No.”
“Don't form your opinion based on rumors. If there is anything troubling you, speak to me.”
Laura rested her cheek against Gareth’s hand for a moment and left.
***
Lady Maria had gone to Severn House. Her grandmother was finding the pace grueling and had stopped accepting invitations. But she was at home to callers. Lady Maria went over for an hour or two during morning hours, to see that her grandmother did not tire herself out. After coming home, she went to the library, to speak to her husband. Gareth was at his table with a sheaf of papers spread in front of him. Instead of attending to them, he was staring out of the window.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
“Laura was here.”
“And?”
“You were right. She has feelings for Anthony.”
“Of course I am right. She follows him with her eyes. She doesn't realize she's wearing her heart on her sleeve. That's why Lady Goodall singles her out. After the play, I can tell Wimberley is also smitten.”
“Once again, you are right. Anthony is attracted to her.”
Lady Maria clapped her hands. “That’s wonderful! They are perfect for each other.”
“I am not sure the match will be good for Laura. She has suffered because of what happened between our parents. That will be nothing compared to the scandal that may erupt in Anthony’s face.”
“Do you mean the rumor linking him to Fanny? There is no truth in that. I let Laura think Anthony was interested. I hoped that would make her realize her own feelings for him.”
“No. Not Lady Mannering. That rumor will die down as soon as Anthony weds.”
“What else?”
“You must accept my word for it.”
Lady Maria was surprised. It was not like Gareth to hold secrets from her.
Gareth ran his fingers through his hair. “Drat it! Laura is in for a lot of heartache. Anthony will not offer for her. His sense of honor will not allow it.”
Chapter 24
“I wonder what surprise Lady Basset has in store for us,” Lady Maria said, arranging her gown so that it wouldn’t get crushed in the carriage. They were on their way to Lady Basset’s rout. She had been hinting about the surprise for a month. Bets were being placed at White’s about it. Gareth glanced at Laura. She hadn’t spoken a word since they had left Daventon House.
Lady Basset’s ruse had paid off. The rooms were packed with members of the ton trying very hard not to elbow one another in the ribs.
“My brother writes that it used to be in a temple. It is shocking what those heathens will worship. I had it covered up so that it did not corrupt young minds,” Lady Basset said, standing in a proprietary fashion beside the three thousand-year-old idol.
Laura fanned herself as she came out into the garden. Many other guests were also outside, the fresh air a relief from the crush indoors.
“Are you all right?” Anthony asked, coming to her side.
“I didn’t see you,” Laura said, and blushed. Why did she always let him know she had looked for him!
“I won’t be surprised if someone faints inside. Where’s Gareth?”
“He is with Mother. I told him I would wait outside.”
“Drink this. It should help,” Anthony said, planting a glass of lemonade in her hand.
Laura sipped the tart liquid and looked at Anthony. His face was inches from hers. If they were in a ballroom, their closeness would have raised eyebrows. But they stood in a crush of people. With more people spilling out of the doors, the crowd grew dense.
Anthony put his arm around Laura and turned his back towards the crowd. He drew her close, sheltering her in the cocoon of his arms. Laura leaned into his strength. “Anthony,” she murmured, tasting the name on her lips.
In spite of the noise, Laura heard Anthony’s heart beating. She also sensed a tremor in his arms. His hand brushed her face in a caress. And then he was holding her arms, gently moving her away.
“Laura, my dear, we don’t want Gareth worried for you,” he said.
Laura stared up at him wordlessly. He loved her! He couldn’t look at her like that and not feel anything!
“Shall we look for Gareth?” Anthony asked.
His hand came up again as if to stroke her cheek. Instead, he tucked an errant curl behind her ear and offered his arm. They met Gareth as he was coming out, with Lady Maria on one arm and his mother on the other.
“Laura, are you all right?” he asked.
“She’s all right, Gareth. I saw her as soon as she came out into the garden.”
“Abominable affair. Shall we return home? Cook should be able to serve some cold cuts,” Lady Maria said.
“Capital idea. Anthony, you are invited to join us.”
“Sorry, old man! I have a dinner party to attend,” Anthony said.
“Your Grace, Lord Daventon told me of your visit this morning,” Lady Maria said. “I shall do everything possible to help Lady Mannering. By a lucky chance, my grandmother is hosting a small gathering this week.”
Laura’s spirits fell. Anthony had called upon Gareth because he was concerned about Lady Mannering. He did not care for her in the least. She had longed for him to come into the drawing room. Every time the door had opened, she had hoped it was he. He must have known she was in the drawing room. If he had wanted to see her, he would have come in. Fool! He only cares for Lady Mannering. He is courting her and does not want her to suffer from the gossip. He must love her very much to seek help from his friends.
She did not hear the rest of the conversation until Lady Maria addressed her. “Laura, you must accompany me to Lady Mannering's tomorrow.”
***
Bessie was surprised that Laura wanted to retire so early. It was Lady Basset’s rout, she decided. Her mistress was tired out. Poor lamb.
Laura waited until Bessie drew the curtains around her bed and tiptoed out of the room. She opened her eyes and sighed. Why was everything so difficult? Life would be far easier if a lady was permitted to ask a gentleman whether he cared for her. How was she to know whether Anthony had feelings for her? She had felt her pulse leap when he had smiled at her. And when she had nestled against his chest, she thought her heart would burst!
A lady’s education was designed to train her for the role of a married woman. The housekeeping was good enough. But it would be more helpful for a young woman to know how to read a gentleman’s intentions. It couldn’t be helped. She couldn’t ask anyone to fill those gaps in her knowledge. Not even to Maria could she reveal anything. It would be mortifying if she was mistaken.
She feared she was indeed mistaken. Anthony was an honorable gentleman. He would not trifle with a lady’s name. His attentions to Lady Mannering must mean something and that implied he was only being gallant to her. At Lady
Basset’s rout, he was protecting her from the crush of people milling around her. She was his friend’s sister.
I hope he doesn’t think of me as his sister!
Laura pushed aside her doubts. Her moments of closeness with Anthony were far more pleasurable. She relived them again. She saw Anthony’s face. She breathed in his closeness and with a contented smile, drifted into a dream-filled sleep.
***
Anthony took leave of his hostess with relief. Never had a dinner party felt so tedious. Laura filled his thoughts. It had felt so right to have her in his arms. He had wanted to pull her closer and never let her go. Everything about her was enchanting. The pearly sheen of her skin, the gold in her hair, and the delicate fragrance of her being. When he looked into her eyes, he saw only love. A chaste love.
Could he accept her love when he had only scandal to offer in return? Laura had already suffered on account of her parents’ situation. It wouldn’t be fair to mire her into more scandal. He knew she would stand by his side. She was strong. The fools who called her Lovely Laura only saw the beauty of her face and form. That beauty paled in front of her strength and compassion. The question was not whether she would accept him after knowing the truth but whether he was prepared to see her suffer on his account.
On returning to his townhouse, his butler informed him that Philip had called twice. “Your Grace, he said the matter is urgent.”
Anthony’s brow furrowed. Had Philip come to make more threats or to come clean about his snide remarks about Margaret? Whatever it was, his vile cousin was one reason why he ought to keep away from Laura.
Chapter 25
“Lord Lancing, your Grace.”
The butler's expression told Anthony that once again, Phillip had ridden roughshod over him. A moment later, Philip brushed past him and dropped into a chair across Anthony.
“D'you keep your brandy locked or what?” he asked, his eyes roaming over the walled cabinets in the library.
Not Just Lovely Laura Page 13