Donnan returned and called for the coach to stop. Vanessa felt a moment of fear when Monty opened the door to find out why. “D’you at least have a pistol?”
“One,” he said, and grinned at her. “I suppose I’ll need to make good use of it.”
But after he stepped outside, and before he even looked behind the coach, he was ambushed by a castigating remark. “You’re like a runaway dog, Montgomery. Don’t ever make me chase you down like this again.”
“Good to see you, too, Father.”
Chapter Forty-four
THIS REALLY WAS ONE conversation Montgomery shouldn’t be having yet, since he couldn’t address any of his father’s concerns. But Brian Townsend, Earl of Marlham, wouldn’t accept half-truths or evasions, which is why Montgomery had done his best to avoid him. At least he had time to think up a good excuse on the ride back to London, though not a single one had occurred to him yet.
“I think he’s more angry at having to chase you down a road than he is about those silly rumors. They were dying down, you know, while you kept out of sight. And then you suddenly showed your face in London again and poked the hornet’s nest.”
Andrew was amused by the whole situation and had offered to share his horse with Montgomery for the ride back to town. Their elder brother, Weston, had made his displeasure clear with his typical condescending look rather than a greeting. But their father hadn’t said another word after his warning, which Vanessa must have heard. At least she had stayed hidden. He didn’t need any further censure from his father about riding in a coach with a young debutante unaccompanied by a chaperone.
“How are you three even on this road?”
Andrew laughed. “We were on our way to the Blackburn residence to find out if that’s where you’ve been hiding yourself, when Weston spotted you jumping into that coach.”
“Why there?”
“Because Claire noticed the attention you were paying to the Blackburn ladies at a recent ball—you even introduced her to one of them—and mentioned it to Father. Despite his fury over those sordid rumors, he was actually intrigued by her news. I think he secretly hopes you are interested in one of them.”
Montgomery didn’t address that when he was more concerned about his father’s anger. “Fury? Really?”
“I’m afraid so, at least, once he started getting ribbed at his club over it. Typical nonsense, although Weston was with him and repeated the one that lit the fire, ‘Passing down old mistresses to your sons now?’ Even Weston was furious over that one.”
“No doubt,” Montgomery mumbled. “But why are you and Weston with Father if he was only going to make an inquiry at the Blackburns’ house?”
Andrew chuckled. “I wasn’t invited, but once I knew where they were going, I insisted on joining them. I guess Weston went along in case you needed to be dragged home.”
Montgomery snorted. “The last time I fought with our elder brother, I believe I won.”
“Did you? Or did Claire’s distraction let you get in that lucky punch? But in either case, I’m glad force wasn’t necessary. I assure you I would have been quite annoyed if Father told me to pitch in.”
“But you would have?”
“Of course! You might ignore Father’s wishes, but none of the rest of us do. So will you tell me now why you were chasing old dames around London?”
“No.”
“But you’re going to tell Father?”
Montgomery groaned. “No.”
“It’s your funeral, Brother.”
“I know, so give me a little peace so I can figure out how to keep him from shutting the lid on that coffin.”
“Very well, but please, please don’t hop off and run down one of these alleys we’re passing. That would be the final straw, you know.”
Montgomery laughed. He wasn’t sure if Andrew was suggesting it or really trying to warn him not to. But they were back in London already, the family residence even in sight, so he said, “Relax. I’ve been caught. I’ll shoulder the ceiling when it falls.”
Inside the house, the earl went straight to his study. Weston gave Montgomery a little push in that direction. “I don’t usually feel any sympathy for you, Brother, but for once I do. I believe you are supposed to follow him. Get it over with. You’ll feel better.”
That was quite possibly the nicest thing Weston had ever said to him. Montgomery nodded and entered the study, even closed the door behind him.
His father was already seated behind his large desk, arms crossed, brows furrowed by a daunting frown. There was a sprinkling of gray in his auburn hair, but his light green eyes were still crystal clear and sharp.
“Sit down,” he said.
Montgomery ignored the two comfortable chairs in front of the desk other than to put his hands on the back of one of them. “I’d rather not.”
“Sit!” Brian barked. “You’re not going to stand there poised for flight.”
“But I find comfort in having that option.”
“Then let me make it easy for you.”
Brian stood up, crossed the room, but it wasn’t to leave, damnit. He leaned his back against the door, forming a stalwart barricade. “Well, when you put it like that,” Montgomery mumbled, and sat in one of the chairs.
“Do you really intend to make light of this?” Brian said as he returned to his seat. “You’ve been to war, you’ve come back wounded, you’re too bloody old to be flippant about your transgressions. Or have you really failed to comprehend the backlash this sordid gossip has had on your own family? Your mother was looking forward to this trip, but now she refuses to leave the house. I’ve been subjected to ridiculous ribbing m’self. Evelyn has even come home crying.”
“Evelyn is always crying, which can be blamed on her husband, not me. She hates the man.”
“She loves him too much, but they are both volatile in their emotions. They fight, they patch it up. Not all marriages are as peaceful as mine.”
“I’ve heard Mother yell at you.”
“Bloody hell, Montgomery, the only fighting your mother and I ever did was over you children. All of which is beside the point. Explain yourself. Why would you let such absurd gossip about you be spread throughout London?”
Montgomery sighed to himself, because the only thing he could say wasn’t going to be enough for his father. He still had to try. “Have I ever lied to you?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“I haven’t, so believe me, everything you’ve heard was deliberately arranged and necessary, but unfortunately, it’s a fire that needs to continue to smolder.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that while it’s not a’tall what you think, I won’t deny any of it—but you can if you feel inclined to. Say I was foxed.”
Brian humphed but took the bone. “Claire said as much. So you were?”
“No, but it’s as good an excuse as any. Drink can lead to stupidity, after all.”
Brian gave him a hard look. “I expected a full denial, not this nonsense about necessity. How is scandal a necessary evil?”
“I would hardly call this sort of gossip a scandal. If anything, these rumors have merely made me a laughingstock, which I’m willing to bear. And I did deny the truth of them to you, you just can’t share with anyone else that I did.” And then to distract his father from this distasteful subject, he told him what he was sure Brian would be pleased to hear. “By the by, I think I’ve fallen in love.”
Momentary incredulity. “You think? That’s not something you really need to wonder about, boy. You either are, or you aren’t.”
“I am.”
But Brian’s frown was back. “If it’s one of those old dames—”
“Gads, no,” Montgomery cut in. “Wasn’t I clear? That is all an illusion, Father. I appeared to chase them, but never with the intention of catching any of them.”
Brian tapped his fingers on the desk for a moment thoughtfully, before his expression turned somewhat hopeful.
“She’s of good breeding, the one you love?”
Montgomery rolled his eyes. “I highly doubt that would matter to me, but yes.”
“Who is she? One of the Blackburns Claire saw you with?”
“I’m not sure I should mention names yet. The situation is rather complicated, seeing as how I’m helping her to win a different husband.”
Brian shot to his feet. “The devil you are. Why would you?”
“Because it’s what she really wants.”
His father sat back down with a sigh. “So you finally fall in love but with a young woman who doesn’t return your sentiments?”
“I didn’t say that. Didn’t I mention complicated? She doesn’t love this other chap, but marrying him will help her father, and that’s all she really cares about.”
“A girl devoted to her family? Incredible. You settle on a good girl, one I might even like, and your solution is to help her win another man? You disappoint me.”
That, unfortunately, was abundantly clear, but Montgomery pointed out, “If I lure her away from her goal, I would never forgive m’self. All I can do is hope she doesn’t succeed, but then she likely won’t forgive herself. It’s—complicated.”
“So you said. So uncomplicate it.”
Chapter Forty-five
VANESSA COULDN’T STOP THINKING about the very close call that morning when Monty’s family had stopped them on the road. What could be so important to cause them to come after him like that? Would they keep him from returning to her mother’s house? Would he come back only to collect Charley? And there could have been consequences if they had thought to look inside the coach before hieing off with him. It made Vanessa realize she’d been taking far too many risks with Monty.
She hadn’t done the instigating, but she hadn’t tried to put a stop to his tagging along with her when he ought not to, either. Because she enjoyed his company too much! Even when he wasn’t caressing her or trying to kiss her, she simply delighted in his presence, was loath to give it up. But she had to. She knew the rules and she’d been breaking too many of them. They could never be alone like that again. He’d understand. Of course he would. He knew the bloody rules, too.
Having made the decision, she fell into a dismal mood that bordered on tears. She’d been so excited about buying her own stable, but even securing an agreement from the owner didn’t lift her spirits.
She stopped by the office of her father’s solicitor to have him finalize the deal for her. She was glad to make his acquaintance because she would likely need his help in transferring her money back to William before her marriage—if there was going to be a marriage. But if there was, the Rathbans weren’t going to get a single copper from her.
She received a surprise when she returned home. The twins heard her open the door to her bedroom and rushed out of theirs into hers before she could close the door.
“You will never guess!” Layla began.
“Why wouldn’t she?” Emily said. “The real question is, why did it take so long?”
“I’ve no interest in guessing,” Vanessa said wearily, and dropped down on her bed and closed her eyes.
“He called on you, your aloof fiancé,” Emily spilled their news. “We were beginning to wonder why he wasn’t more solicitous. Or does he think no further effort needs to be made because the engagement was arranged for him?”
Vanessa didn’t want to try to defend a man who had no clue he was engaged because there was no bloody engagement yet, only the expectations of both families. “I have a dreadful headache. Go away.”
They didn’t leave.
“He departed the moment he was told you were not at home,” Layla said.
“And where did you go?” Emily asked. “You not only missed Lord Daniel but also both breakfast and lunch.”
Vanessa growled under her breath as she sat up again. “I raided the kitchen before I left. And you do not need to know how I spend my time when I’m avoiding that bloody parlor and all of your admirers. As for Daniel, did you not consider that he might feel out of his depth, competing with younger men? And why would he subject himself to niceties, inane conversation, and tea when he doesn’t have to? We’re already engaged! And we’re getting to know each other quite well at the parties we attend, or haven’t you noticed? So do not expect him to behave like your beaus when he’s already won me.”
She finally sighed over their surprised expressions and reminded them by way of an excuse, “The headache? It makes me snappish. I’m sorry.”
“He shouldn’t have won you, Nessa,” Emily said stiffly, but in apparent concern.
“We just think you can do better with a man closer to your age,” Layla added before taking her twin’s hand and leading her out of the room.
Vanessa yelled, “He’s not old!” before she lay back on the bed. Now she felt a headache coming on.
She was curious, though. She could even think of a number of reasons why Daniel had braved the lady’s den, including his mother having made an emotional appeal for him to get married. However, if Lady Rathban were going to do that, she probably would have done it back when all those other brides had been offered. Or maybe what Vanessa had implied last night at the theater about his getting disowned had him worried and he wanted to know who gave her that information. Or maybe she was just getting to him. Could he actually want to start a real courtship? She supposed she would find out tonight.
• • •
THE TWINS CAME BY to collect Vanessa when the hour approached for Kathleen’s party. They were wearing their usual colors, white for Layla, pink for Emily, but Vanessa was impressed and somewhat amused by how the dressmaker had managed to differentiate the twins’ many white and pink gowns so that they didn’t all look alike. Layla was so excited she seemed to be glowing tonight. Vanessa wondered if she was starting to fall in love with the Harris boy.
The guests had started to arrive, the girls saw as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Kathleen was there to greet them at the door and direct them to the parlor.
“The dining table has been extended to seat twenty, which I think is going to leave only one extra seat,” Layla said. “Two from my list are coming.”
“And two from mine,” Emily added. “But two other debutantes as well, with their respective chaperones, since this is a social event, not a showcase for us, more’s the pity. A few of Mother’s friends were invited, too. Oh, and the three Rathbans.”
Vanessa frowned, aware that the only reason Kathleen was giving this dinner was specifically to get Daniel here for her. “Three? Daniel doesn’t like his father. If Lord Albert shows up, his son won’t.”
Layla nodded. “Mother said as much, but etiquette, you know. She couldn’t very well not put his name on the invitation.”
“It doesn’t sound like there is going to be room at the table for our own guests,” Emily said.
Monty had told Vanessa he wouldn’t be attending, and she wondered if he would even continue to reside with them after being dragged home today by his father, as it were. But she didn’t mention this to the twins.
“That was discussed prior to the invitations being sent,” Layla replied. “Charley will be attending, but Monty declined. Something about his not being able to shine when he’s underfoot. He’s so droll.”
Vanessa grinned. He was certainly that. And she saw Charley leaning against the parlor doorway in a bored manner, though he perked up when she approached him.
“I know Monty has deserted you tonight, but is he even in the house?” she asked.
“I don’t believe so, but I have my orders. I’m to continue to be your reluctant swain’s rival, but only if needed, of course. Not that it isn’t true! I do so adore you.”
She grinned. “I think you adore all women.”
“How can I not? There is only one of me and so many of you.”
She laughed. He was such an outrageous flirt even at his young age. Heaven help women when he got older. But then she saw Daniel at the door with his
mother. Of course Albert wasn’t with them. She mustered up a wide smile for her supposed intended. He noticed because she saw him looking at her, but he didn’t smile back. So much for her cracking that icy shell of his. Nonetheless, she moved over to the little group at the door and, after a slight curtsy for Lady Margaret, put her arm through Daniel’s to lead him into the parlor.
“I was told you called today. Dare I guess you’re ready to declare yourself?”
She led him to the small bar in the back corner of the room and took a glass of champagne from the servant manning it. Daniel requested brandy instead before he said, “Women shouldn’t guess in regard to men’s motives. They are never correct, so what is the point?”
“I’m guessing you don’t know it can be fun to guess?” she rejoined. “Sort of like a treasure hunt. You never know what you’ll discover. And you’ve avoided answering the question.”
“I didn’t hear a question, merely an inaccurate guess,” he replied.
She chuckled. “If I didn’t know better, I might think you have a sense of humor buried under that icy veneer. But I do happen to prefer frankness, so the question was and still is, why did you call on me today?”
He drained his snifter and requested another. She only sipped at her champagne while she waited for his answer. He was still looking away from her when he gave it.
“I wanted to see if you were merely toying with me while you entertained other prospects closer to your own age.”
She hadn’t thought of that reason! Had jealousy actually kicked in? Or was he overly aware that he was older than the Season’s crop of bachelors? But why would he even admit it when it apparently embarrassed him, at least, he wouldn’t meet her eyes now. But, ashamed or not, she wasn’t going to let that subject go when she considered any expression of feeling from him as progress.
“So you thought you would catch me being duplicitous? I didn’t think you would resort to spying, but how encouraging that you did!”
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