Once Dishonored

by Mary Jo Putney

  Laurel nodded acknowledgment. “You told the women’s group that your first priority was to get your son back. Now that you have him, the new priority must be keeping him legally. That means restoring your reputation, which can only be done by publicly proving that Denshire not only lied, but orchestrated an elaborate fraud designed to vilify you.”

  “That’s a good summary,” Kendra said. “Do you have any thoughts about how it might be done?”

  “You said that Denshire is socially ambitious,” Laurel said. “Your female allies have a great deal of social power, and they’ve started what could be called a whispering campaign saying that he has behaved despicably and is not a desirable guest. He is getting fewer invitations, especially to more prestigious events, and he’s said to be outraged by this.”

  “I approve of anything that annoys him,” Kendra said, “but can this be used to help me to my goals?”

  “Perhaps. The strategy I have in mind is unpredictable, but it might help your reputation and your chances of getting custody of your son. We can arrange a very exclusive event, perhaps a ball or soiree hosted by two duchesses, and send invitations to Denshire and the three friends who testified to your alleged wanton behavior,” Laurel explained.

  “I’m sure he’d love that,” Kendra agreed. “Then what?”

  “Once he’s there, we confront him with his sins. Perhaps the woman who took your place will testify and confront the men who lay with her, making it clear that it was she, not you. If we can find your missing maid, she can attest that you were drugged that night and she herself was threatened.” Laurel smiled wickedly. “And among the other guests will be a high-ranking cleric or two. Perhaps even the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

  Kendra gasped. “You can arrange all that?”

  “It will be a joint effort, but yes, I believe it could be done,” Laurel assured her. “Mariah, the Duchess of Ashton, would host the event at Ashton House, which is a very fine venue for entertaining. Co-hostess would be the dowager Duchess of Charente, one of the most highly respected women in society and Lady Julia’s grandmother. Lady Julia’s brother is the young and rather reclusive Duke of Castleton, and she might be able to lure him to attend.”

  “What about the Archbishop of Canterbury?” Kendra asked faintly.

  Laurel chuckled. “He’s some kind of cousin to Lady Julia and very fond of her. If he’s unavailable, I’m sure we can find another leading cleric or two. The clerics would be useful in clearing your reputation, because if influential members of the Church believe you were unjustly accused, most of the rest of society will agree. This would help you retain custody of Christopher.”

  “I surely hope so!” Kendra considered. “Much of Denshire’s rage is because he wants the money left to me in trust by my grandfather. He’s made several unsuccessful legal attempts to claim the funds and my lawyers could attest to that. Would having one of my lawyers attend be useful? It would prove how low Denshire’s motives are.”

  “That would surely be helpful,” Kirkland agreed.

  Kendra looked over to Lucas. “What do you think?”

  “It would certainly be an interesting evening for anyone whose life doesn’t weigh in the balance!” His brows furrowed. “People are unpredictable, and Denshire more than most. I don’t think I mentioned that he seems to have advanced syphilis?”

  Kirkland gave a low whistle. “That goes a long way to explaining his unreasonable behavior.”

  “It doesn’t make him any less dangerous. Rather the opposite.” Lucas returned Kendra’s glance. “Such an event might help your cause and is unlikely to make your situation worse. Given the elaborate fraud Denshire created to destroy you and your marriage, perhaps it’s appropriate to create an equally elaborate trap to expose his crimes.”

  “How long do you think it will take to arrange the event?” Kendra asked.

  Laurel considered. “Two to three weeks? That would fall at the height of the season so our exclusive gathering will be much talked about.”

  “The doors of the ballroom should have capable gentlemen standing guard to prevent any of the guilty from leaving early,” Lucas said. “I’ll volunteer for that duty.”

  Kirkland gave a dangerous smile. “So will I.”

  Once again, Kendra was amazed at how lucky she was to have such friends and allies, and she owed it all to Lucas. “With luck, Christopher will be safely out of Denshire’s grasp by then. I look forward to meeting your Lady Agnes, Lord Kirkland.”

  “I’m sure you’ll like her. You’re both very direct females.” He stood and offered a farewell smile. “Until tomorrow afternoon then.”

  Kendra rose also. Now to persuade her son to go away to another school.

  CHAPTER 24

  Kendra waited until after lunchtime the next day to tell her son that the headmistress of a school was coming to meet him that afternoon. His small face screwed up at the news. “Why can’t I stay here with you? I like it here!”

  “This is a lovely place to stay,” Kendra agreed. “But it’s not our home. You need to be somewhere outside of London, where it’s safe.”

  “Don’t want to go to another school! I liked when you taught me,” he said stubbornly.

  “I don’t know everything you need to learn,” she explained. “Don’t you think you might like to be with other boys? Ones who are nice, not bullies like at your old school.”

  Unconvinced, Christopher turned his attention to Rupert, Simon’s friendly young dog, and the two romped to the other end of the drawing room. Lucas had joined them for their lunch, and now he said quietly, “Would Christopher be more willing to go to a school if he had his pony Patches with him? From what Kirkland said, boys at the Westerfield Academy often have pets, and many have ponies or horses.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea!” Kendra said. “I imagine Patches is still in Denshire’s stables, eating his head off and missing Kit. I doubt Denshire knows Patches exists since he was seldom at Denshire Park and he never paid attention to his son. We can send someone to go there and offer for the pony. I’ll send a letter and some money. The head groom is a nice fellow who taught Christopher to ride, and I’m sure he’ll cooperate.”

  “If that could be done, it would help reconcile Christopher to the idea of school. Assuming Lady Agnes is willing to take him.”

  Kendra nodded and mentally crossed her fingers. It was a relief when the knocker sounded. After the butler admitted the guests, Kirkland entered the drawing room with Suzanne, escorting a tall woman with silver at her temples and an air of good-natured authority.

  After Suzanne made the introductions, Kendra rose and offered her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Agnes. I’ve heard very good things about your school.” She beckoned to Christopher, who abandoned Rupert and came to her side to see what was going on.

  “This is my son, Christopher. I wanted the two of you to meet. Kit, this is Lady Agnes Westerfield, the headmistress of the school I discussed with you.”

  Wary but polite, Christopher said, “I’m pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Come, let’s sit down and become better acquainted,” Lady Agnes said. “I’m told that you were at the Scranton School? A dreadful place. Very brave of you to escape, and very clever to find your mother.”

  Christopher perched on the edge of a chair and said emphatically, “I don’t want to go to another school! I want to stay with Mama.”

  “That’s a great compliment to your mother,” Lady Agnes said seriously, “but it’s also important to learn new things and make friends. At my school, each new student is assigned an older student to look out for him like a big brother. They have to like each other—that’s very important. If you don’t, another student is chosen.”

  “I’d like to have a big brother,” Christopher said, unable to conceal his interest. “I’d like to be with other boys and not be bullied. But do your students just sit in classrooms all the time?”

  “Not at all! We encourage sports, and that incl
udes a form of Hindu fighting that was taught by one of my very first students. Everyone learned from him, and the tradition continues,” Lady Agnes said. “But there’s also time for reading or walking or arguing philosophy. These are all good ways of making friends.”

  “With your permission, Lady Agnes?” Kirkland asked. At her nod, Kirkland caught Christopher’s gaze. “I was one of the first students at the Westerfield Academy, and it was the first place where I’d ever been happy. My years there laid the foundation for the rest of my life, and the friends I made there are closer than brothers. Every student has a different experience, of course, but I don’t know a single one who regrets having attended Lady Agnes’s academy.”

  Looking thoughtful, Christopher asked, “Could I have a pony there?”

  “Yes, all the boys ride. The stables have both school horses and horses owned by students,” Lady Agnes said. “Some boys also have smaller pets.”

  Christopher’s gaze went to Rupert, who was lying across his feet. Suzanne said firmly, “Rupert is a wonderful dog, but he belongs to Simon. There are many other wonderful dogs in the world if you decide you want one.”

  Christopher actually chuckled as he leaned over and scratched the dog’s ears. Straightening, he asked, “Would I be able to see your school first?”

  “Your mother can bring you down if she likes, but before we get to that stage, I always ask prospective students two questions,” the headmistress said. “The first is what you hate and don’t want anything to do with.”

  Christopher’s expression hardened. “Don’t ever want to see my father again!”

  “I can’t guarantee that wouldn’t happen sometime later in your life, but while you’re at the school, we would do our best to make sure you don’t have to see him,” Lady Agnes promised. “My second question is what do you love? What do you want to do? For example, do you like learning new things?”

  “I do like lessons,” Christopher said slowly. “But most of all, I want to have friends. Friends like brothers, like Lord Kirkland made.”

  “To make friends, one must be a friend.” Lady Agnes studied Christopher’s small face, her gaze assessing. “I think you would be a good friend. Would you like to visit the Westerfield Academy?”

  Christopher glanced at Kendra. “Yes?” he said tentatively.

  “Then we’ll visit the school,” Kendra said with a smile as she gave a private sigh of relief. She had a very good feeling about sending her son to the Westerfield Academy.

  Suzanne said, “After listening to all this, I’m ready to sign up our son if Simon and I ever have one!”

  Lady Agnes chuckled as she stood. “If you have that son, let me know.”

  The guests left and Christopher was restless. Kendra said, “Lucas, after I find Kit something to read, will you be available to talk about the school?”

  “Of course. I’ll be here in the sitting room looking over some papers.”

  She nodded and escorted her son up to their attic room. Once there, she said, “I think the Westerfield Academy sounds perfect for you, and we’ll travel down to see it within the next week. I want you to like it and I think you will.”

  “It sounded like a good place,” Christopher said as he settled in a comfortable armchair and opened a favorite book that she’d found in the library. “But I’d rather be with you!”

  Kendra sighed and pulled another chair up beside him. Deciding on directness, she said, “I’m afraid that isn’t possible, Kit. I don’t think it’s safe for you in London because the law says you can’t stay with me. I will leave you at the school when I take you there.”

  “Are you sure I can’t stay with you?” he pleaded.

  She shook her head. “If you did, you wouldn’t be able to go outside in case you were seen and the news got back to your father. You’d hate being inside all the time, wouldn’t you?”

  He nodded glumly.

  “At the academy you’ll be out and able to ride and play games,” she said coaxingly. “If after two months or so you really hate the place, well, we’ll talk about it then and find a better solution. But please accept that the Westerfield Academy will be your future home for a while.”

  Christopher nodded, looking resigned and older than his years. “Yes, Mama. I’ll do my best to like it.” He looked down at the book again.

  “Thank you.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He was turning the pages with interest by the time she reached the door.

  Now to talk to Lucas about a potential pony-napping.

  * * *

  Lucas was frowning over a page of numbers when Kendra entered the drawing room. He looked up with a smile. “Were you able to find something to engage Christopher’s interest?”

  She nodded. “I told him that he has no choice about attending the Westerfield Academy because it isn’t safe for him in London. I think the idea of having a pony persuaded him. I need to see about retrieving Patches from Denshire Park.”

  “Kirkland will have a suitable agent, or if Simon can spare him, his man Jackson might want to go. Like Simon, Jackson is a former soldier and he enjoys getting out and about occasionally.”

  “I’ll ask Simon about Jackson then.” She glanced at the windows. “Would you like to go for a walk to Thorsay House? The weather is pleasant and there are a few things I’d like to collect for Christopher.”

  Lucas rose. “I’d love to. I’ve been studying financial reports and they’re putting me to sleep.”

  “Financial reports?” she asked as they headed outside into a brisk but bright spring day. “Are you sure you wouldn’t find a nice novel or travel account more amusing?”

  “Anything would be more amusing,” he said with a laugh. “Simon and I both inherited substantial ownership in several businesses from our mutual grandfather. Since retiring from the army, Simon has become interested in running them and he seems to have inherited our grandfather’s business brain. Personally, I’d much rather spend a pleasant afternoon setting broken bones.”

  It was Kendra’s turn to laugh. “Isn’t it fortunate that there are so many different talents in the world!”

  “Indeed,” he said as she took his arm. “I’m content to let Simon run the businesses, but he asked me to spend some time familiarizing myself with how they’re run and how money is made and spent. He’s right, I need to have a general idea of their operations, but it’s too much to ask me to enjoy it.”

  “I must admit that I find business and the management of money rather interesting,” she admitted. “I speak with my lawyers regularly about the investments made in my grandfather’s trusts. The lawyers are entirely honest and capable, but I feel it would be irresponsible of me not to pay attention.”

  “You’re sounding like Simon,” Lucas said. “I am surrounded by intimidating financial competence!”

  “But I would be hopeless at splinting broken bones,” she pointed out. “I know whom I’ll call if Kit falls down the stairs and needs mending!”

  “Different skills, as you say.”

  They continued bantering the last blocks until they turned a corner and saw Thorsay House. Several people were clustered around the open door and raised voices could be heard. Lucas swore under his breath and accelerated. Kendra kept pace, her expression tight.

  Denshire was accompanied by two men, one a burly ruffian and the other a thin gentleman who looked pained by Denshire’s shouting. Of course it would be Denshire. “I know my son is here,” he bellowed. “Give him to me!”

  Mr. Brown stood in the doorway, his wife a step behind. He was looking very stubborn and very military. “You’re talking nonsense,” he said, his northern accent strong. “There’s no child here.”

  “I’d have noticed when I was cleaning,” Mrs. Brown said acidly. “Now get you gone and leave us alone!”

  “You’re lying!” Denshire growled. “Stand aside. I’m going to find him.”

  “Denshire, don’t be an idiot!” Kendra snapped with an authority that sliced through the ang
ry voices. “Christopher is not at Thorsay House. You’re the one who sent him to a school so dreadful that apparently he was forced to run away. And whose fault is that? God only knows what may have happened to him, but you won’t find him here!”

  Lucas gave silent thanks that they’d moved Christopher to a safer place. The sooner they got him out of London, the better.

  Denshire spun around at the sound of Kendra’s voice. “You!” he snarled as he grabbed at her.

  Lucas chopped the side of his hand across Denshire’s reaching wrist. He knew a great deal about bones and nerves and where best to strike. Denshire howled and lurched back, holding his injured wrist with his other hand.

  “Who the hell are you?” he barked as he glared at Lucas.

  “I’m Foxton and I’m Miss Douglas’s bodyguard,” Lucas said calmly.

  “You don’t look like a bodyguard,” Denshire said suspiciously. “I’ve seen you sniffing around my wife before.”

  “She’s not your wife anymore,” Lucas pointed out. “You’re the one who falsely accused her of immoral behavior, then divorced and threatened her. Which is why she needs a bodyguard.”

  “Divorce is an ugly process,” Kendra put in helpfully. “But it does mean I’m free of you. Go away and stop bothering the inhabitants of Thorsay House!”

  “I’m not leaving!” he growled. “You have my son in there and you have no right to keep him. The law says he’s mine, and by God, I’m going to go in there and get him!”

  Lucas frowned. Denshire was crazy enough to come back some night and set fire to the house if thwarted now. “Mr. and Mrs. Brown, would you be willing to allow Denshire to search the house, accompanied by you and me so that he can see that his son isn’t here?”

  “I won’t have that man in my house!” Mrs. Brown snapped.

  A sentiment Lucas understood. Kendra was looking homicidal, so it was up to him to calm things down. “It’s understandable that a father would be concerned with the whereabouts of his son,” he said in a mild, unthreatening voice. “It’s equally understandable that you wish to protect your home from intrusion, Mr. and Mrs. Brown. But for everyone’s sake, it might be best if the house is searched in order to prove that Christopher isn’t here.”