“You lie!”
“The late marquess suffered a fever shortly after Lady Cynthia presented him with Lord Giles. It left him impotent.”
“Even if what you say is true, how did you come by the knowledge?”
“I’m a collector of knowledge.” He lifted one shoulder in an elegant shrug. “You have no idea how useful that particular skill can be.”
From the repugnant nature of this conversation, Darius understood far better than he wished to.
“Lady Cynthia is a personal acquaintance of mine.” That Darius could believe. Flick’s step-mama and Pallister were two of a kind. “She often attended my little gaming parties and confided to me about her husband’s inability to satisfy her needs.” Unfortunately Darius could believe that also. “It was most frustrating for her.”
“And so she sought solace elsewhere.” Darius offered the marquess a smile laced with condescension. If this was the worst Pallister could do, it was unfortunate but nothing to be unduly concerned about. “Well, if what you say is true then the marquess would have known that Lady Julia wasn’t his progeny. He isn’t the first aristocrat to accept a cuckoo in his nest and certainly won’t be the last. Were this knowledge to become public, then society would take the marquess’s part, endorsing his decision to cut ties with his stepmother.”
“Possibly.” Pallister adjusted the lace at his wrists. “Don’t you wish to know who fathered Lady Julia?”
Darius very much wanted to know but refused to play into Pallister’s hands. “It’s no concern of mine.”
“Very well.” Pallister drilled Darius with a look. “I hadn’t wished to raise this next subject but you leave me with little choice. The matters I have already mentioned might embarrass the woman you love but, as you rightly say, would do no lasting harm. However, should it become public knowledge that Denby harboured an enemy of the state on his boat for some period of time, then all his wealth and connections would be insufficient to save him.”
All Darius’s courtroom aplomb left him and he glared at Pallister with open hostility. “That is utter fiction and I would advise even you against spreading such rumours abroad.”
“The man is French. Only when he turned on Denby during a ball at his home last summer, trying to kill the woman Denby married into the bargain, did Denby turn him over to the authorities.”
Darius felt physically ill. He’d been at that ball and knew there had been some sort of ruckus. Could Pallister actually be telling the truth on this occasion?
“I don’t know what Denby did during the war. He certainly didn’t wear a British uniform but he was in and out of France all the time in that boat of his.”
“How do you know all this?”
Pallister flashed a humourless smile. “Money is power, young man. I’m at the heart of this government and no doors are closed to me. The young man Denby associated with is now locked in a dungeon at the Admiralty until they decide what to do with him. But it’s my belief that Denby has been playing for both sides. That won’t go down too well with society, especially since so many fine families lost sons, fighting bravely for a noble cause. Others, such as Denby, used the conflict to feather their own nests.”
Darius suspected that he looked as shocked and defeated as he felt. The man seated across from him was both evil and powerful enough to inflict the sort of damage on Flick’s family that it would never recover from. One rumour, or even two, about her step-mama’s behaviour could be weathered. But if innuendo about Hal’s patriotism followed close on their heels, then nothing could save him. Darius knew only too well how society enjoyed gossiping—how much the denizens of the ton savoured the downfall of one of its number.
If that happened because Darius couldn’t turn his back on truth and justice, then Flick would hate him forever.
“Do we have an understanding, sir?” Pallister asked.
Chapter Seven
News of Leah’s condition spread joy through the Grosvenor Street house, on both sides of the green baize door. Flick willingly ceded her position as mistress of the house to Leah. It would leave her at leisure to ponder on Cuthbert and the best way to discover the truth. There had to be something they’d overlooked, and Flick was determined to find out what it was. She was in no mood to delay her union with Darius for a moment longer than was absolutely necessary.
She’d left Darius with no clear engagement to see him again, but undoubtedly he would call here today or tomorrow. They were now unofficially engaged so he was bound to seek her company.
But Darius didn’t call, nor did Leah allow her to escape her household duties.
“I’m so new to this, Flick,” she said two days after her arrival, “and rely upon you to guide me.”
“Certainly, although I believe you’re only saying that because you think I might feel displaced.” Flicked smiled at her new sister and plopped herself down on the seat next to her, casting an eye over the menu Leah was pretending to struggle with. “Let me assure you that isn’t the case. Far from it. In fact I’m grateful to be relieved of the responsibility.”
“You would prefer to look forward to the season, perhaps?” Leah’s eyes glowed with mischief. “Beth tells me you made quite a stir at Lady Bishop’s the other evening. Have you set your sights on some eligible gentleman?”
“No one in particular—”
Leah smiled. “I might be green when it comes to managing grand houses but I have a wealth of experience as an older sister.” She fastened a concerned gaze on Flick’s face. “You are not entirely yourself, my dear. I could tell as much the moment I set eyes on you today. When Hal and I first returned you appeared so animated and yet you’ve now lost your sparkle. I fear that’s happened because you do resent me.”
Damnation! Flick thought she’d covered her disquiet at Darius’s abandonment better than that. “Not at all,” she said, flinging her arms round Leah’s neck. “I’m delighted that you’re now my sister.”
Leah shook her head. “Very well, you’re entitled to your privacy, but always be aware that you can talk to me about absolutely anything. I’m a very good listener, it’s impossible to shock me and, most important of all, I don’t tell Hal absolutely everything that I hear.”
Flick managed a saucy grin. “That’s a relief.”
“Your brother does have your very best interests at heart but, of course, you already know that.”
Flick nodded, fervently wishing that Leah would change the subject.
“But I can also see your point of view. He can occasionally be a little overprotective.”
Flick rolled her eyes. “You have no idea how many frank exchanges of views we’ve enjoyed on that particular subject over the past year or two.”
“I already know him well enough to imagine.” Leah shuddered. “I anticipate many battles of my own with my husband. He already appears to think that I’m unwell, rather than simply increasing. He will doubtless try to stop me from lifting so much as a finger for the next several months.”
“Most likely.” Flick flashed a sympathetic smile. “I can’t pretend that the transference of his attention will be unwelcome.”
Leah straightened her spine. “He’s certainly welcome to try and interfere with my activities.”
Flick laughed but only one tenth of her attention was on her sister-in-law’s words. As always her thoughts were occupied with Darius and his inexplicable silence. She gave herself a mental shake, dismissing the idea of descending on him and demanding to know why he was treating her so shabbily. After all, she had her pride. Besides, now that Hal was home she’d never get away with it. She didn’t share Leah’s view that he would relax his control over her to that extent. He’d already made it plain that he didn’t think she should have visited Darius alone, and he and Rob had had words on the matter. Hal held Rob responsible, which wasn’t entirely fair.
“Now, come on, Leah,” she said, when she realized she’d fallen into a lengthy silence and that Leah was regarding her askance. “Let’s
see about these menus.”
* * *
The family left for Denby a week later. During that time Flick hadn’t once seen or heard from Darius and was beside herself with misery. She hadn’t thought him so lacking in finer feelings as all that. She was convinced he returned her love but perhaps her willingness to throw herself at him made him think less of her? Flick’s heart plummeted each time she considered that possibility. Her appetite had completely deserted her—a circumstance which had not escaped Leah’s notice—and she knew she must seem dull and listless. She tried to appear carefree but the strain of laughing off her broken heart left her with a permanent headache. Leah sent her concerned glances as the carriage rattled along on its way to Denby but, mercifully, didn’t probe.
Flick had never fathomed how he managed it but Potter had despatched them from Grosvenor Street and still managed to arrive at the Hall ahead of them. He appeared as impeccably attired as always when he opened the door to the family and directed an army of footmen to attend to the luggage.
Gabriel, the youngest of Flick’s three brothers and the closest to her in age, appeared behind Potter. Flick hurled herself at him and managed her first genuine smile in over a week.
“We didn’t expect you so soon,” she said.
“Many people have already left Cambridge for the holidays. There were few diversions to keep me there.”
“Your studies, perhaps?” Hal suggested, clapping his brother’s shoulder.
“Oh, them.” Gabe dismissed such a ridiculous suggestion with a flap of one hand, took Flick’s arm and led her into the house.
That surprised Flick. Gabe enjoyed Beth’s society but today he merely bowed over her hand and immediately returned his attention to Flick. She wondered what had happened between them but would probably have to remain in ignorance. Beth would never volunteer the information and Flick wouldn’t ask. She knew how it felt to have concerned relations begging for particulars on private matters.
“There’s a horse I’d rather like to take a look at,” Gabe said, glancing over his shoulder at Hal, “which is one of the reasons why I came down early.”
“Tell me about it later,” Hal said.
Gabe released Flick on the threshold to the drawing room and turned to Leah. “Well, sister,” he said, embracing her. “I understand I’m to congratulate you.”
“Thank you.” Leah kissed his cheek. “I’m feeling positively cosseted at present.”
“Get accustomed to it,” Hal said, offering her his arm and a tender smile simultaneously.
Flick rang the bell for refreshments, only remembering after she’d done so that it was no longer her responsibility.
“We ought to hold a small soiree before Christmas,” Leah said, pouring tea for everyone. “Local society will expect it at this time of year.”
“I really don’t think you should be—”
“Hal, will you please stop making such a fuss. The duke will be here and we ought to provide some entertainment for him.”
Rob and Gabriel choked on their tea whilst Flick flashed an impudent smile at her oldest brother. It would seem that Hal had met his match at last.
“The strain will be too much for you,” Hal said, resting a proprietary hand on his wife’s shoulder.
“I’m as strong as an ox. Besides, I’m sure Flick and Beth would enjoy a little company at this time of year.”
“They will have all the society they can handle when we return to London for the season. Talking of which—”
“I fully intend to enjoy the season with them,” Leah said with a defiant smile. “Your daughter might as well get used to the scene even before she enters the world.”
He offered her a caressing smile that pointedly excluded everyone else in the room. “My son will probably hate the entire rigmarole as much as I do.”
Leah’s eyes softened. “Time will tell who’s right, on both counts.”
“I’d abandon battles you’re unlikely to win, if I were you, big brother,” Rob said, grinning.
Flick didn’t blame him for enjoying the exchange. They’d all waited a long time to see someone take Hal on and get their way.
“Very well,” Hal said, “to the soiree at least. Flick, you’ll help Leah, of course, and tell her whom to invite. Keep it small,” he added, wagging a finger at her.
“Darius and his mama will doubtless head the list.” Gabe smirked at Flick. “He’s down already. I saw him briefly yesterday when I rode out, but I dare say you already know that.”
“Don’t presume to think that I care,” Flick said, so acerbically that her entire family looked at her askance.
“What about this horse then, Gabe?” Hal asked, breaking the uneasy silence.
Flick only half listened to Gabriel’s enthusiastic description of a Trakehner stallion. Gabe was the best horseman of her brothers and lived for equestrian sport. When he finished his final year at Cambridge Hal had agreed that he would take over and build up the currently small stud they ran at the Hall.
“With its thoroughbred and Arab bloodlines, the stallion would be just perfect for us,” Gabe enthused. “We could virtually guarantee decent carriage and riding horses for anyone who put their mares to the beast.”
“Sounds interesting.” Hal looked at Rob, who nodded. “Who’s selling it?”
“Belongs to Viscount Nathbone,” Gabe replied. Flick’s head shot up and she paid rapt attention to a discussion that had previously failed to enthral. “James Nathbone is up at Cambridge with me and mentioned that his father was thinking of selling.”
“Well, I suppose it can’t harm to take a look,” Hal said. “Nathbone’s place is only a few miles down the coast. Leave it until after Christmas though. The horse won’t sell before then. I need you and Rob here for now. It’s time to share out a few more of the responsibilities.”
Flick could see that Hal’s willingness to lighten his load surprised her brothers as much as it did her. Impending fatherhood had clearly altered his priorities. As for her, she was trying to think of a convincing reason to accompany Gabe when he went to see the Trakehner. She was a great believer in fate, and this opportunity to pay a call on one of the people involved in the Cuthbert case was simply too good to pass up.
* * *
The Forsters were back at the Hall and everyone in the village already appeared to be aware of the marchioness’s condition. Darius chuckled. Flick had guessed long before. The desire to see her was even stronger than it had been in London. She was just a short distance away but it might as well be a thousand miles. Anticipating that the ladies would call on his mother, Darius ensured that he was either out or closeted in his study at the appropriate times so that he couldn’t weaken.
He knew he was behaving badly and that she would be confused, probably angered, by his neglect, but he simply couldn’t afford to be anywhere near her. Until he decided what to do about Pallister’s repugnant threats, he had to keep his distance. She would want to know what he’d done so far to progress his investigation, would probably sense his preoccupation, and would wheedle it out of him. If that happened, she was bound to place familial loyalty before her feelings for him and he would lose her forever. Darius simply couldn’t afford to take that risk. She was his and always would be. In order to ensure his happiness, all he had to do was outwit one of the richest and most ruthless individuals in the land.
“Nothing complicated then,” he muttered, still seething whenever he thought about Pallister’s crude yet effective means of blackmail.
He made a third attempt to tie his neckcloth in advance of the soiree he and his mother had been invited to attend at the Hall two days before Christmas. Try as he might, he was unable to think of a reason not to escort his mother, mainly because he was anxious to see Flick and, against his better judgement, wished to go. In a large gathering she would be unable to quiz him about his inexcusable conduct and he would enjoy the pleasure of spending a few precious hours in her company.
It seemed strange not
to see Flick at Hal’s side when he and his mother arrived at the Hall. Instead the new marchioness greeted him with poise and apparent pleasure. She accepted his congratulations on her condition with quiet dignity. Hal, on the other hand, grinned like a simpleton.
“I believe Flick is entertaining my aunt in the drawing room,” Leah said. “I’m sure she will be greatly indebted to you if you were to rescue her, Mr. Grantley.”
“It would be my privilege, ma’am.”
Darius paused in the doorway to the drawing room, surveying the scene. Flick’s uncle, the old Duke of Dawlish, sat in the best chair in front of a roaring fire, speaking in animated terms with a rather bemused-looking Beth Elliott. His ferocious glare and inclination to deploy his cane with ruthless disregard for anyone in its path dissuaded others from joining them. Darius smiled. He’d met Dawlish once before and was aware of his happy knack for cornering the prettiest girl in the room.
Not that Beth, beautiful as she was, could hold a candle to his Flick. He glanced towards the object of his affections and died a little inside. She looked stunningly beautiful tonight in a silky lilac gown that sculpted her body—every curve and crevice of which he was now rapturously acquainted with—and ended in a swirl of frills that floated about her feet like colourful cobwebs. He was close enough to observe her expression as she patiently listened to Leah’s awful aunt ranting on.
Something had changed with Flick. Her expression had lost some of its youthful innocence, and the awareness in her eye told its own story. He was astonished that her family hadn’t noticed the difference and that Hal hadn’t called him to account for it. She noticed him but barely acknowledged his presence. Well, what else could he have expected? He’d treated her appallingly, even if he had good reason to do so, and had earned her derision. He stepped a little closer, wondering what subject could have aroused Lady Wantage to such animation. She waved her hands about as she spoke, almost drenching Flick with the contents of the ever-present glass in her hand.
Beguiling the Barrister Page 9