Dangerous Joy

by Jo Beverley

  "It would be whitewash, and you know it," Blanche retorted. "And quick to flake!"

  "To return to this festivity," said Lucien firmly, "we're speaking of a bunch of Meltonians, not the patronesses of Almack's. They'll not so much as think of the finer points of social behavior."

  "True," said Beth, then flashed a sharp glance at her husband. "Unless you've invited any of the women."

  "Phoebe Higgs, Violet Vane, and the like?" He grinned. "I wouldn't dare. Though you'd like Phoebe. Blanche certainly does."

  "She's very good-hearted," said Blanche. "Spends a lot of time helping the poor..."

  "...and recently demanded an increased allowance of her protector at pistol-point," added Stephen.

  Beth smiled. "I think I would like her."

  "No," said Lucien firmly.

  "Certainly not at the moment," said Blanche. "For all her virtues, Phoebe is not company for a well-bred young lady."

  "What well-bred young lady?" asked Miles with a dark look at his ward.

  "There's nothing at all wrong with my breeding," Felicity replied pleasantly, helping herself to more cutlets. "My father's line can be traced back to Brian Boru."

  "Then it's the training that's lacking."

  She speared a piece of meat on her fork. "You mean I'm not quite broke to bridle yet? Not an easy ride?"

  "Pax!" cried Beth, laughing. "I wish I had a dungeon for both of you." She turned to her husband. "As long as it's just men, and on the assumption that you haven't invited out-and-out scoundrels, I think we can brush through. We ladies will establish ourselves cozily in the morning room, and gentlemen who wish to behave properly may visit us. The rest may have the run of the house."

  "Oh, as you say, they are all good fellows. As long as you can tolerate endless talk of hunting, they'll be well behaved."

  "I've tolerated endless talk of hunting for the past few weeks, haven't I? Even though you never gave me prior indication of having such a restricted mind."

  "Ah," said Lucien with a grin. "Itching for a discussion of Sophocles, are you?"

  "Now that you mention it..."

  Blanche, Hal, Miles, and Stephen groaned in unison.

  "Not at the dinner table," said Hal firmly.

  Blanche caught Felicity's bewildered look. "They were just winding the winch for a philosophical debate... in one or more foreign languages. Such things have to be nipped in the bud."

  "Later," Lucien said to his wife with an almost sensual look.

  Beth smiled back in the same manner, but the talk returned to the practicalities of the upcoming entertainment.

  Felicity glanced at Miles. "They actually talk about such things for pleasure?"

  "Astonishing, isn't it? But they'd think it just as peculiar to delight in a discussion of spavin and shoeing. Or, at least, Beth would."

  * * *

  Life at Vauxhall was not formal, but eventually the ladies did go apart for tea, leaving the men to their port. Felicity wondered if she might be treated less warmly after her flirtations, but neither Beth nor Blanche appeared to be concerned.

  She thought wistfully that it must be lovely to be so secure in the affections of a partner, but then she realized she felt entirely secure in Miles's affections. The tragedy was that she could not allow herself to enjoy them.

  When she was asked to play the piano, she did so willingly, for she could always lose herself in music. Despite having been left in a closed bedroom, Gardeen appeared to sit on the piano and enjoy the music. Locked doors did not seem to restrain the little cat at all.

  Perhaps it was just that the servants going in and out were careless. Yes, that must be it. But the fact was that Annie's cats were a strange lot, and Gardeen II just might be the strangest of them all.

  The gentlemen were not long in joining them, and Felicity was asked to play a little more. She was happy enough to demonstrate that she had at least one desirable accomplishment.

  After a few pieces, however, Miles ended the entertainment. "It's time for our council of war. We need to find a solution to Felicity's problem. Before," he added with a look, "her superb acting creates havoc."

  Felicity moved to a chair, wrinkling her nose at him. "At least you acknowledge that it is acting."

  "Sometimes. She's no harmless miss," he warned them all. "She's dangerous."

  "And proud to be so!"

  Beth clapped her hands. "Children! We are a team here. No fighting, please."

  Felicity subsided, determined to keep a civil tongue in her head and show that it was mostly acting.

  "Right," said Lucien. "Perhaps Felicity should state the problem as she sees it."

  She was taken unawares, but accepted the necessity. "You all know about my child," she said. "I hope you can understand my need to have him as my own, even if not acknowledged. When I was young, I was persuaded to give him up, and I was lucky. It worked out quite well. I'm older now, though, and have more power. I know him better, too, and love him even more. I could not abandon him to strangers now, no matter how kind they seemed." She looked around. "I admit there's greed in it. I just want him."

  "I think we understand, Felicity," Beth said.

  Felicity flicked a glance at Miles, who was stroking Gardeen on his lap. She was not at all sure he understood, understood why Kieran had to come before their love.

  She rather wished he were stroking her....

  She dragged her mind back to the subject. "Rupert Dunsmore is Kieran's father, by blood and law. That gives him all the power in this. He wants my fortune and offers Kieran by way of trade. It's an attractive-enough carrot he dangles. If I marry him, I'll be my son's mother. Then there's the whip if I do not agree: Rupert will mistreat Kieran."

  "He'll mistreat him anyway, and you know it," Miles said.

  "Not as much. And I'll be there. At the least, I'll be able to deflect his cruelty onto myself."

  "For God's sake, Felicity! Put it out of your head and settle to thinking of other solutions." Perhaps his touch had turned rough, for Gardeen leapt from his lap to curl safely in front of the fire.

  "Miles," Lucien interrupted, "let's stay calm. The most obvious solution is to remove this excrescence."

  "But then Kieran would be lost to me forever," said Felicity, trying desperately to stay calm. She knew how men reacted when women became emotional—they thought them weak. Though these men were supposed to be her allies, she was terrified that they'd use their physical and legal power to override her wishes.

  As Miles had done.

  As if he were reading her mind, Stephen said, "You can hardly blame Miles or any of us for not wanting to see you in this Dunsmore's power."

  She met his shrewd eyes. "But you must accept my right to dispose of myself as I will, at least when I am of age. It is no less than you would demand for yourself."

  "They will accept it," Beth said.

  After a moment, Lucien added, "Reluctantly." But it was agreement.

  "Agreed," said Hal.

  Stephen echoed him.

  Everyone looked at Miles.

  "I don't agree. I wouldn't let you walk over a cliff, Felicity, and I won't let you do this."

  After a moment, Stephen broke the tense silence. "Then we had best..."

  He was interrupted by Blanche clearing her throat.

  "Am I assumed to be toothless?" she asked, then looked at Felicity. "I give no promise, either. I might well decide to stop you, and I'm capable of it. I thought it only fair to warn you."

  "Thank you," said Felicity. "But why would you, of all people, stop me?"

  "Because there's bound to be a way to win clear and free if you look hard enough, and if you are ruthless enough. I'll stop you from giving in too easily."

  Felicity could think of nothing to say.

  "Now," said Stephen, "we do need to find that way, don't we? I suggest we first look to undermining Mr. Dunsmore's property rights."

  "What do you mean?" Felicity asked.

  Stephen smiled. "Simply that he h
as no claim at all to this estate. He's guilty of theft, and probably fraud and perjury to boot."

  "Good God," said Miles, "so he is!"

  "Now, it isn't quite so cut and dried," warned Stephen, "since, as far as I know, the law is unclear on dubious motherhood. It doesn't arise very often. In the case of dubious fatherhood, the child is assumed to be the mother's husband's child unless he promptly disowns it. Once having accepted a child, a man cannot change his mind. This, however, is because paternity is just about impossible to prove or disprove. In this case, however, I would say we have a provable fraud."

  "We've got him!" said Miles.

  Stephen raised a hand. "Not quite. We merely have something to hold against him. First, we have to obtain documented evidence that Felicity's story is true."

  "What?" Felicity exclaimed.

  "Don't be distressed. I believe you, but courts are tiresome about requiring proof. We need the testimony of this family you stayed with and, if possible, of Mrs. Dunsmore's doctor, who must have known she did not give birth. That might be difficult, since I assume he supported this deception."

  "You mean he might be willing to swear to the opposite to save his own skin?" Miles said.

  "Quite."

  "Damn. And if it came to his word against these Bittens, he might well be believed."

  "At the least, it would raise doubts. If, however, we can obtain enough evidence to worry Dunsmore, we might be able to frighten him off without taking it to court."

  Felicity leaned forward. "But can we frighten him into giving up all contact with Kieran?"

  "It depends how desperate and resolute he is, and how well he understands the law. Such a case would not be cut and dried, particularly if the doctor is willing to lie. It could be before the courts for years. The boy's trustees would probably have to bring the charges, so the costs could drain the estate. He could hold that threat against us."

  "I would repay any costs from my own fortune."

  "Then it would drain yours," Stephen pointed out. "Court cases have the remarkable characteristic of lasting until the plaintiff's money runs out. Your trustees would be duty-bound to prevent such an abuse of your inheritance. I understand you have trustees until you are thirty?"

  "Unless I marry." She couldn't help a betraying glance at Miles. "Then my husband becomes trustee for the property."

  Stephen shrugged. "Then you will not be able to put money into this cause until you are thirty or marry. We must hope Dunsmore backs off when he sees the cards we hold."

  The group began to discuss some practicalities of collecting evidence. Felicity interrupted them. "The problem in this plan is that Rupert will never give Kieran to me. What reason could he give?"

  Stephen rubbed his fine-boned nose. "That is a snarl in the rope, isn't it? Perhaps, since he will be leaving your area, he might leave the child in your care?"

  "The boy's trustees would be bound to question that," Miles said. "No insult intended, but Foy Hall is not the ideal place in which to raise a child."

  "And Michael Craig would have an eye on things," Felicity pointed out. "He'd object if the lawyers didn't. It won't work."

  Blanche called for attention. "Remember what I said about giving up too easily, Felicity? You Irish! You seem to always be seeking the tragic end."

  "Well, what do you suggest I do?" Felicity demanded.

  "Marry Miles."

  "What?"

  Blanche smiled. "Think of it. If you marry Miles, you have completely spiked Dunsmore's guns. According to you, he will then hurt the child out of spite. But if he is presented with evidence that could land him in jail, the pillory, or a ship bound for Australia, it will give him pause. If you can bring yourself to offer the bribe of a small income from your estate, he might even be brought to see reason."

  "I don't see how that helps Kieran."

  "Part of your price for keeping quiet and providing his income would be that he leave Ireland, after making his son a ward of one of the most respected and powerful men there."

  "The Earl of Kilgoran," breathed Beth. "Brilliant! It even gives this villain an appearance of virtue in making such a wise choice."

  "And it is even more brilliant," said Stephen, "when we remember Miles will soon inherit that wardship."

  "By God," Miles said. "And according to my mother, anyone in Ireland can find a relationship to another, so he could even claim Kilgoran as a distant relative of his wife's." He smiled at Felicity. "We've done it!"

  "Have we?" She wanted to believe, but to her it seemed as fragile as the silk lace on Blanche's gown. "I'll need to see it done before I believe it."

  "They should have called you Thomasina," Miles remarked, but it didn't dull his spirits. "So the first thing is to collect the evidence. What did you say this family is called?"

  "Bitten. They lived not far from a village called Long Upton."

  "I'll go," said Miles, rising to his feet.

  "Stop!" said Stephen. "Quite apart from the fact that it's too late to go anywhere tonight, you must not be involved, Miles. I know a good solicitor in that area. I'll write to him and ask him to collect the necessary documents, and to see if he can establish which doctor attended Mrs. Dunsmore. Though that one element still concerns me."

  Miles paced like a restless tiger. "You mean I can't do anything? "

  "Nothing that might appear to be interference or intimidation."

  Miles took another turn about the room. "Then what the devil am I to do?"

  "Go hunting, oppress Felicity, and wait for Dunsmore to turn up. God willing, soon, for then we'll know he's not elsewhere."

  "Stealing Kieran, you mean!" exclaimed Felicity, shooting to her feet.

  "I was thinking rather of his guessing our plan and interfering with the evidence. But he doesn't sound like a far-sighted man."

  Miles put an arm around Felicity, and she leaned gratefully against him. "I don't think he'd suspect this," she said. "Heavens, even I hadn't thought that what he did was illegal."

  Stephen closed the book in which he had been taking notes and rose. "I'll write the necessary letters, and we can have them off at first light. A sketch of Felicity would be useful."

  Beth said, "I can probably execute a reasonable likeness."

  Felicity put a hand on Stephen's arm. "How long will it take?"

  His eyes were remarkably understanding. "At least a week."

  "A week!"

  Miles hugged her. "You're no better than I at waiting, love, but wait we can and will if we have to."

  She looked up at him. "As long as we hear from your mother that Kieran is safe."

  "We will." Then a smile lightened his face. "And do I gather we're engaged to marry as soon as my guardianship is over?"

  Felicity pulled back a little. "I didn't promise that!"

  "It's part of the plan. If we do manage to have Kieran made Kilgoran's ward, how else are you to care for him?"

  It was such a sweet vision—that she have Kieran and Miles, both—that Felicity could have wept. But it would be dangerous to soften too soon. She moved out of the seductive tenderness of his embrace. "With that temptation, Miles Cavanagh, you might get me to the altar one day. But I'd have to see the wardship signed and sealed first."

  Beth also stood. "I think a little light relief and distraction is called for."

  She went to a drawer and, to Felicity's astonishment, produced a set of jackstraws. She spilled them on the table and the company settled to cutthroat competition at the children's game, with the added spice of ridiculously high stakes. Felicity took a little persuasion to join in, but hours later, and completely relaxed, she realized she'd just enjoyed perhaps the best time of her life.

  It came as a shock. She shouldn't be having fun at such a time. She covered her confusion with a yawn and a plea of tiredness.

  "Yes, it is late," Beth said, "and I think I have a reasonable likeness."

  Felicity was startled to see that Beth had a sketching pad out. She went to look and found a
number of clever sketches of herself at the game, both in profile and face front.

  "They're very good," she said, but in truth she hardly recognized that laughing girl as herself.

  Beth closed her pad. "They should serve the purpose of identifying you to the Bittens. Would you like a supper before retiring?"

  Felicity declined and left them to their soup, tea, and toasted cheese, wondering just why she was finding this all so alarming. By the time she reached her room and rang for Harriet, she understood. She feared that, despite all, the laughing young woman of the picture was an illusion; that reality was the wary Felicity who faced a life of fear and struggle with Rupert Dunsmore.

  * * *

  The next day being Sunday, there was no hunting, but everyone would be saved from boredom by Lucien's party. There was no postal service either, but Stephen's letter was sent off with a groom.

  As Felicity stood by Miles, watching the man ride off, she said softly, "I want to go with him."

  "I know. It's maddening, isn't it, to have to twiddle our thumbs and play silly games?"

  "Wayward ward and grim guardian," she sighed. "Well, what's the next act?"

  "Unless you want to refuse to attend church, I can't imagine."

  "Then I'll let the Sabbath mellow me a little." She glanced up at him. "I think you enjoyed tying me up, though."

  "I did not, but neither did I enjoy watching you crawling all over Lucien."

  "Crawling!"

  "A polite description. You're all too good at that particular act."

  Since they appeared to have found a good fight anyway, Felicity put her hands on her hips and raised her voice. "You're just jealous, Miles Cavanagh. Guardian or not, I think you have your greedy eyes on my money. Well, there'll be snakes in Ireland before you see a penny of it!"

  "There's one snake in Ireland already, if you would but admit it. And didn't you know that as your guardian I can claim reasonable expenses? Like the cost of bringing you here."

  "The cost... God rot your toes, Miles Cavanagh! Are you trying to make me pay for my own imprisonment? I'm off to write to my trustees this moment!" She flounced away, noting the footman rolling his eyes at these goings on.

  There really didn't seem any point in staging a fight over going to church, however, so Felicity joined the company in a two-mile walk to the nearby village of Thorpe to attend the Sunday service. Beth explained that they preferred the simple village church to the larger one in town attended by the Meltonians.