Not Just Lovely Laura

by Jessica Spencer

The conversation flowing around helped Laura to recover. “They are eminently suitable,” she said, her voice not betraying her shock.

  The conversation veered off in another direction. Laura barely heard any of it but managed to make the correct responses. She didn't see Anthony again. He wasn’t with Lady Mannering, she knew that much. She had caught a glimpse of her talking to a lady in a yellow gown. He had either left or had gone into one of the card rooms. She tried to feel relieved that he had not approached her. It would have put her self-control to a severe test. During the last three days, her resolve and her anger had only grown stronger.

  “Let’s go into the garden. It is tiresome to sit in one place for long,” Lady Susanna suggested.

  Laura trouped along with the rest of the group. As they were passing through the wide doors, someone touched her arm. “Lady Laura?”

  Laura was surprised to see Lord Lancing beside her. “May I have a word with you, Lady Laura?” he asked.

  Laura looked about her, trying to find an excuse to avoid Lord Lancing. She didn’t trust him; there was something cruel in his eyes.

  “I hear my cousin, the Duke of Wimberley, has shown you marked attention. I feel it my duty to warn you that he is quite unscrupulous. Whatever you will hear about him is only a small fraction of his depraved behavior. They are many more such unfortunate cases. I cannot go into the details with a young lady. Have to guard your innocence. I beg you will be on guard.”

  Before Laura could say anything, Lord Lancing bowed and left. Laura joined Lady Susanna and the others. Her mind was in a turmoil. She had understood what Lord lancing had hinted at. The ton was soon to know about Annie. And Annie was not the only illegitimate offspring. There were more.

  What she did not understand was Lord Lancing’s motive. Of a certainty, it wasn’t honor or concern. He was out to harm Anthony. Anthony would have revealed Annie’s existence for the sake of taking his cousin’s help. Now he was using it for his own purpose. When she saw him approach a group, she knew he had made it his purpose to besmear his cousin’s name that evening.

  He deserves it! And yet she did not want to see the result of Lord Lancing’s whispers. Fortunately, Gareth signaled to her that they should leave. Perhaps he knew what Lord Lancing was up to.

  Lady Mannering had come in their carriage. They would first see her home safely.

  “Lady Mannering, did you enjoy the evening?” Lady Catherine asked.

  “I did, my lady,”

  “My son thinks very highly of Wimberley.”

  Lady Mannering smiled. “You must not think he has any interest in me, my lady. Neither do I wish to wed anyone. I have come to agree with dear Maria. If I hide from the ton in London, I will have to shy away from Polite Society anywhere on English soil.”

  Lady Catherine frowned. “Are you sure, my dear? His Grace singled you out. He gave the appearance he was at the party only to see you because he left soon after speaking with you.”

  “His Grace will never marry me, nor I him. He has a conscience which prompts him to seek me out. He is trying to right an old wrong. I've told him he was never at fault. It was my own foolishness.”

  Chapter 29

  Anthony will never wed me, nor I him. He has a conscience which prompts him to seek me out. He is trying to right an old wrong. I've told him he was never at fault. It was my own foolishness.

  Try as she might, Laura was not able to put the cryptic words from her mind. What was the wrong Anthony was guilty of? Had the two once been in love?

  It was no use to tell herself to stop thinking about Anthony. That he was nothing to her. A man who disowned his own child and wrote the dastardly letter to Mrs. Forsyth deserved only her contempt. He had no place in her heart or in her life.

  Why couldn’t she stop examining Lady Fanny’s words? Why was she disappointed that Anthony hadn't bothered to look for her at Lady Malloy's event? Why was she alert to the sound of every caller? She had surprised their unflappable butler by asking him the names of all those who had called on her brother.

  “I picked up some books. Do you want to see them?” Gareth asked at the breakfast table.

  Laura made a face. “What's the use? You must have picked up a treatise on Mathematics.”

  “I did. Three, in fact. I also bought a book on gardening and two deliciously gothic novels. The package is on the table in the library.”

  “I hope I haven't read the books already,” Laura said and left the room.

  She cut open the string of the brown paper parcel and gave a cry of pleasure. Just what she needed to keep her mind off the Duke of Wimberley! Both the novels were newly published. One was by her favorite author. Laura kicked off her sandals and sat down to read. As the story progressed, she snuggled deeper into the chair and pulled up her feet to rest on its edge.

  The story moved quickly with the hapless heroine escaping one peril and falling into another. Laura devoured the words. Her lips parted as she escaped from her worries and followed the damsel.

  The library door opened and Anthony came in. The butler had told the footman to escort his Grace to the master. Not aware that Gareth was in his room, the footman had brought him to the library. He had opened the door softly and with a curtsy, shown him in.

  Anthony gazed at the perfection of Laura's profile. Sunlight gave the cluster of curls the appearance of a halo. But no angel had such animation, such countenance! He forgot himself.

  Instead of making his presence known, he drank in her appearance. From the tip of her curls to the toes peeping from under the gown, she was beauty personified. His hands itched to smooth away the errant lock that swung free from her coiffure. It seemed to bother her too because she tucked it behind her ear. Then she looked up and blinked.

  “Pardon me. The footman showed me in. He must have thought your brother was here.”

  Laura looked at him in wonder, as if he was a dream come true. The moment she became aware of her unladylike posture, heat flooded her face. In her hurry to get up, the fringe of her gown made her stumble. Anthony rushed to her side and held her arm. Laura grasped the chair and steadied herself. There was still the matter of wearing her sandals. Drat the man! Why did he always catch her in an embarrassing position!

  “I trust you haven't come to any harm, Lady Laura.”

  “I'm perfectly all right, your Grace,” Laura said through gritted teeth. “I'll thank you to summon a footman, please.”

  Anthony divined the problem. “You don't need a footman for such a trifling errand. Allow me,” he said and went down on all fours to retrieve a shoe from under the chair.

  “Thank you,” Laura said, and waited for him to turn away.

  Anthony gave a teasing smile. Holding the sandal, he said, “Want me to help you? This contraption doesn't look easy to manage. In fact, it has as many ribbons as a bonnet!”

  Laura snatched the offending shoe. Turning her back to him, she quickly slipped on the pair, leaving the ribbons for later. If she walked slowly, she could manage without tripping.

  “Laura, have I offended you? I thought we were friends.”

  Laura turned and came up against Anthony. He wasn't touching her but was so close she could see the twitch of a muscle in his cheek. His eyes had darkened yet they glowed with a fire that sent a shiver of heat through her. A long breathless moment later, Anthony stepped back. “I apologize. I did not mean to tease.”

  Laura gave a stiff nod and gathered up her books. Just then Gareth came in. He looked from one to the other and said, “Wimberley, sorry to keep you waiting. Laura, do you find the books to your liking?”

  “Oh yes. I vow I will not be able to put them down until I finish reading them.”

  She dropped a curtsy in Anthony’s direction and made as graceful an exit as was possible without getting her foot entangled in the loose ribbons of her sandals.

  Anthony followed her with his eyes until the door shut behind her. “I didn’t expect to find Lady Laura here,” he said, looking at Gareth.
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  Gareth nodded. “I was about to call on you. Lancing is stirring up trouble against you. You must act fast to put a stop to his nonsense.”

  “He has vanished. Nethercote and I have been looking for him. I’ve also employed a runner. I thought to find him at my aunt’s ball. My aunt told me he wasn’t invited.”

  “He was at the ball. Must have walked in without an invitation. He was there to vilify you and Lady Mannering.”

  The door opened to admit Lord Nethercote. Gareth clasped his hand warmly. “Good to see you, Nethercote!”

  After an exchange of pleasantries, Lord Nethercote asked, “Wimberley, any luck?”

  Anthony shook his head. “Gareth says Lancing was at my aunt’s ball last night.”

  “Stap me if you will! Where did he come from?”

  A footman came in with a letter for Anthony. His valet had sent it after him as it was marked ‘Urgent’. Anthony slit it open and starting reading. By the time he finished the letter, he was pale. “I can’t believe anyone can be so vile. Poor Margaret!”

  “I gather the letter is from your butler at White Willow. What did he find out?” Gareth asked.

  “Philip had Margaret in his power. She was desperate to provide an heir. He took her to a quack after Mary Jane’s birth. The woman convinced Margaret that she could help her with certain herbs. From then on, Philip supplied her with a tincture. Margaret took a few drops of the concoction every night.”

  Anthony stopped and looked at Gareth with tortured eyes. “The tincture was a poison, meant to kill a babe in its very first month. Margaret was convinced the quack spoke the truth, that the tincture only removed female babes! She kept trying until the frequent loss of blood killed her.”

  Nethercote whistled. “I wouldn’t have thought Lady Margaret so heartless.”

  “The blame must lie with her ducal parent. He thought her worthless because she was female. Her only role was to provide an heir.”

  “How did your butler find out all this?”

  “He tracked down Margaret’s personal maid. She had insisted on leaving after Margaret’s death. At that time I thought it was grief over her mistress’ death. In truth she was afraid Philip would kill her if she stayed, to ensure her silence. She says she tried to stop Margaret but Margaret swore her to silence.”

  “Philip went to great lengths so that he would remain your heir.”

  Anthony shuddered. “He always had a cruel streak. But this ...this is terrible. To take advantage of Margaret’s weakness. To make her the culprit while he was the criminal.”

  “What is his game now? Can you guess?” Andrew asked.

  “He knows about Annie. He thought to use that knowledge to his advantage. I can’t think what he will do now. I told him I wasn’t about to keep Annie a secret.”

  “Do you think Annie is safe?”

  “She is no threat to him. But he may harm her out of spite. I had better remove her to the country at the earliest.”

  “What is his interest in Lady Mannering?” Nethercote asked.

  “He doesn’t have anything to do with her. He suspects Annie is her daughter.”

  Gareth disagreed. “I heard him last night. His allegations were far more damaging. He is determined to ruin her. And the reason is he fears you will make her your duchess. He does not want you to have an heir. He was able to influence Lady Margaret. Now he is trying to prevent you from marrying again.”

  Anthony sprang to his feet. “I’m going to find him and make him pay for his misdeeds!”

  Gareth and Andrew exchanged a look. They knew that Anthony seldom lost his temper. But when he did, there was no knowing what he would do.”

  Nethercote laid a hand on Anthony’s arm. “Leave him to us. You have other matters to arrange. Why don’t you finish your business with Mr. Morrison and engage that nurse?”

  “I advise you to take Annie to White Willow, or leave with her for Harrogate. The sooner the better,” Gareth added.

  ***

  Now that he knew how dangerous Philip was, Anthony decided it would be best to remove Annie from London. He would take her with him to Harrogate. Once he was there, he would find lodgings for her and the nurse and gently break the news to his mother.

  He knew it would affect her greatly. She thought the world of him. He prayed her disappointment in him would not be too much for her weak heart.

  His business with Morrison completed, he sent his footman to call the women who were interested in taking up the post of nurse. It was a difficult decision. Alice, who was clearly more competent, had qualms about traveling to Harrogate. The other woman was willing to go even to Jericho. She also indicated that she was eager to accommodate him in whatever capacity he desired. Anthony sent her away and directed his valet to speak to Alice. It was important he engage a suitable nurse. All his plans of leaving London hinged on that. The valet, along with the housekeeper and a handful of old servants, succeeded in convincing the young woman. An hour later she was prepared to take charge of Annie and accompany her to Harrogate.

  Anthony set about making arrangements. He dictated letters to be sent ahead so that the journey could be made in relative comfort. He sent word to his banker, who promptly arrived with ready funds. He sent the housekeeper to buy clothes for Annie and to have her portmanteau ready by morning.

  Only half his mind was on these tasks. Were his friends successful in finding Philip? The runner had found out that the lawyer with Philip was an impostor. His name was not Baxter.

  Anthony ordered his curricle to be brought around. He would stop at the home and inform Mrs. Forsyth that he would come for Annie in the morning. Next, he would call on Fanny and ask her to leave London.

  Just then, Lord Nethercote arrived. “The runner has a description of the lawyer. Gareth is convinced he had a run in with the fellow two years ago. He was going under the name of Stubbs at that time. Gareth remembers his office. He has taken the runner to the place.”

  “Any luck with Philip’s friends?”

  “We met everyone we could think of. Most have dropped his acquaintance months ago.”

  Anthony’s shoulders slumped. “If Gareth is wrong about the lawyer’s identity, we have no more leads. I will lodge a complaint against Philip. It won’t do much good. The police may look at it as a family dispute. I’ll have to speak to the prime minister.”

  “When do you leave for Harrogate?”

  “Tomorrow. I’ve engaged a nurse.”

  “What happens to Lady Mannering?” Nethercote asked

  “I shall ask her to leave London. She will have no choice but to return to her brothers. It will crush her.”

  Nethercote knit his brows. “Gareth is right. Lancing is interested in Lady Mannering because of you. I have a plan.”

  ***

  “Anthony, what gives you the right? You can't bring in your friends and tell me to accept their escort! This is downright demeaning!”

  Fanny stood up in a huff. The maid watched round-eyed, her eyeballs darting between Anthony who was barring Lady Fanny's way and Lord Nethercote who was staring out of the window, as if he had no interest in what was happening around him.

  “Fanny, please listen! You don't know the whole of it.”

  Fanny stared at him, her lips mutinously compressed and her eyes shooting sparks.

  “Please sit, Fanny.”

  After glaring at him for a full minute, Fanny sat down with her back ramrod straight and her hands folded in her lap.

  “My heir Philip has found out something unsavory. He tried to blackmail me with it. I refused and now he has vanished. I fear he might strike with some sordid gossip and it will ruin you.

  Fanny gasped. “What now? What has he found out?”

  Anthony gave her a level look. “It is about a baseborn child. I mean to acknowledge her. Philip has threatened to..”

  “Stop! I don't want to know,” Fanny said, raising her hand with her palm facing outward. “It is best I leave London.”

  “Whe
re will you go? If Philip makes good his threat, your brothers will have nothing to do with you.”

  Fanny flinched as if he had struck her. Lord Nethercote half rose from his chair.

  “Fanny, I didn't mean to hurt you. My words were cruel but true. Please, you must attend Lady Carter’s ball with Lord Nethercote. He will call for you and your cousin. Your entrance with him will foil any speculation about a relationship between us.”

  “Lady Mannering, it will be my pleasure to call upon you,” Nethercote said, looking at her through hooded eyes.

  For the first time since they came in, Fanny looked at him. “Are you sure you will not mind, your lordship? Some people have found it insulting to have Flighty Fanny in the same room.”

  “They must have been boors, Lady Fanny. If you point them out to me, I will refuse to have anything to do with them.”

  Fanny's lips twitched. “I would like to see you do that. It would be most enlightening.”

  ***

  On his way to the children’s home, Anthony stopped at the runner’s office and at Gareth’s. Neither was in. He hoped the delay only meant that they were closer to finding the varmit.

  Mrs. Forsyth was delighted when Anthony told her why he had come. “I will send for Annie. It is better she knows so that she is prepared to leave tomorrow.”

  But Annie was nowhere to be found.

  Chapter 30

  As soon as Laura arrived with her family at Lady Carter’s ball, Lady Emsworth told her she had heard the most shocking news. “The Duke of Wimberley sired a child and left it in a foundling home! Everyone is saying the mother is Lady Mannering. She has threatened to expose him if he doesn’t marry her!”

  When the butler announced the Duke of Wimberley, a hush fell over the packed rooms. The silence lasted for a full minute before everyone started talking. Over the hubbub, Lord Nethercote’s name was allowed. He had arrived at the ball with Lady Mannering and her cousin. The babble of excited voices drowned out the quartet.

  Lady Goodall looked livid. She bore down upon the Daventon family. “This is the out and out of everything! We must speak to Lady Carter. She must ask the creature to leave. Her presence will corrupt well-bred young women like Lady Laura.”