The Lady And The Man Of Fortune_A Wicked Secret_The Eardleys Of Gostwicke Hall, Book 3

by Penelope Redmont

  Lady Jane sat on the edge of the sofa, and removed her gloves. Clever grey eyes studied Anne for a long moment, then she smiled. "Perhaps I'd better meet Miss Bywater?"

  "She's walking in the park with her maid. I've sent a footman after them, so she should be with us shortly."

  "I understand that Miss Bywater is newly arrived in town?"

  "Yes." Anne wondered whether she should tell Lady Jane that Eva didn't want a season, but discarded the idea.

  Time passed. Where was Eva?

  Eva ambled across Berkeley Square Park with her head down and kicked at tussocks of grass in annoyance. Beatie followed her, some steps behind.

  So here she was in London, Eva thought. She didn't want to be in London. Moreover she had every intention of being shipped back home to Rayburn Manor as quickly as possible.

  She hated London. The city was dirty, and it smelled. Few smells reached Berkeley Square, of course, but she still felt as if she couldn't breathe, with so many buildings hemming her in, and so many people.

  Yes, it was her own fault that she was here. Whatever had possessed her to say to her mother that she wanted to marry Robert?

  Robert Carlisle was her mother's steward. Eva loved him.

  When she'd finally nerved herself to tell him so, he'd backed away from her as if she were on fire. His green eyes laughed at her. "You're joking miss, that's for certain — whatever will you think of next? Marriage is it? Well, I'm marrying Mrs. Cooke, as soon as she's out of mourning. You don't want me — you want a proper gentleman, not someone who works for your mother."

  He loved her. She knew he did. He'd kissed her, and more, in his cottage, and in the woods. She colored when she remembered.

  "I want to marry Robert," she told Lady Fraser one morning. She'd found her mother at breakfast, alone for once, without her sister. She knew that she was a better catch than widowed Mrs. Cooke, because she had a dowery. Mrs. Cooke was merely the village seamstress.

  Her mother had narrowed her gaze on her, and said nothing, returning to her letters.

  A week later however, her mother told her that she was to be sent to Lady Kingston in London. Lord Delmere, who was visiting his country property at Peyton Park, had agreed to escort her. "You'll travel with his lordship in his lordship's carriage. What luck, traveling post — it's a rare treat."

  An inexpensive treat, since his lordship wouldn't want paying, and Lady Fraser hated spending money, Eva realized.

  Lady Kingston had agreed to sponsor her for her first season. That was her mother's solution to every problem: get rid of it, as quickly as you can.

  Robert had been angry with her too. "I came within a whisker of being tossed off the estate, Miss Bywater. How could you tell your mother that — never mind, we will never be alone again."

  She'd tried to protest, but that only made him angrier.

  "What's the matter with you?" He'd loomed over her, and dug his fingers into her shoulders until she winced. "What we did — you know what the upshot of that might be. A babe, and you a proper lady no more. Miss Bywater," he backed away from her. "Keep away from me — get you to London, and find yourself a husband."

  What could she do? Her mother wouldn't agree to her marrying Robert. That wouldn't matter however, if Lady Kingston agreed. After all, Lady Kingston had control of Eva's fortune.

  Eva's dowery was small. She wasn't an heiress. Her dowery would be too small to tempt a London beau, but if she had control of it… and if Lady Kingston championed her marriage to Robert Carlisle…

  Eva had seen Lord Wallwood from the windows of the second floor sitting room. She knew who he was, of course. Beatie had told her; Beatie had the gossip from a housemaid. Servants' gossip said that Wallwood was Lady Kingston's suitor. Her ladyship had refused him but he pursued her relentlessly, sending flowers and gifts, and spending hours each day staring at Kingston House.

  Undoubtedly the man was foolish, but he might be useful. Eva believed that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so she'd decided that she'd befriend Lord Wallwood.

  Well after midnight, Berkeley Square became quiet. The last carriages had delivered their cargoes from parties, clubs, and gambling hells.

  Eva sat up and lit a candle. Time to explore. Lady Kingston had secrets, and Eva meant to discover them all.

  Pulling on an embroidered banyan a cousin had sent her from India, she picked up the candle and walked downstairs to the library. She didn't creep. After all, why should she not go to the library? She couldn't sleep, so naturally she wanted a book. She felt quite virtuous.

  Servants' chatter revealed how Lady Kingston spent her time. She knew that the lady worked at her desk in the library every morning and afternoon, dealing with the business of all her estates. Mr. Kettering, her man of business, called several times each week.

  Three years previously, when Lord Kingston died after being tossed from a green horse, there'd been an outcry in the family. To leave everything to his young widow! Who'd ever heard of such a thing? None of the properties were entailed, so every blessed investment, estate, house, and holding went to her. And she, as Lady Fraser pointed out, was just 21 years old, the same age as Eva was now.

  Solicitors were consulted. The solicitors briefed barristers, who wanted paying. Since by their nature everyone in the Mellows family hated to spend money, and no one had the many thousands of pounds — and years — it would take to challenge the will, everyone calmed down.

  Why fuss, after all? Lady Kingston might own everything nominally, but trusts tied up most of the money. The family were protected. They might go on as they always did, with their houses, estates, land, and allowances, exactly as they'd done when Lord Kingston was head of the family.

  Lady Kingston was just a young chit, after all. When Lady Fraser needed a new carriage, and a matched team to pull it, surely Lady Kingston would pay. One by one, Kingston's brothers and sisters and cousins and aunts and uncles made up their shopping lists and presented their lists to my lady. Mr. Kettering promptly sent the lists back, with my lady's compliments, as well as the suggestion that they save their money to pay for their requirements.

  Although Lady Kingston, to her face, might be bullied, Mr. Kettering stood in the way. He couldn't be bullied, and he knew everyone's secrets.

  For a time, there was talk of rebellion. That died down too. Lady Kingston had family of her own. Although the Eardleys were estranged from the Duke of Arndlea, Lady Kingston was his granddaughter. The Eardleys were good ton, and had influence, which the Mellows family couldn't claim.

  Then the gossip started. People said that Lord Kingston hadn't ridden in years, so why was he up on a horse? Moreover, riding alone… and he was found at the base of a dry-stone field boundary. Were they expected to believe that he'd put a green horse at a stone wall? It didn't make sense.

  Eva walked around the library, lighting branches of candles.

  Every few minutes, she paused in her explorations and listened to the house. The servants were in bed at the top of the house, Lady Kingston and Lady Jane had rooms on the third floor. Everyone was asleep.

  A horse neighed in the mews when a carriage, a hack to judge by the single hoofbeats, clattered past Kingston House. A deep male voice called out a curse. A gentleman returning home late.

  She turned her attention to the large desk in the corner, flanked by cabinets on both walls. The tall cabinets were all locked. She listened again before she set a branch of candles onto the desk, which was cleared except for a leather desk pad, and and an ornate silver inkwell stand.

  Moving behind the desk, she discovered three drawers on one side, and five on the other. All locked, as well.

  How annoying. She checked each drawer again, just to be sure. Locked.

  So, Lady Kingston had secrets, but she'd guessed that already. After all, why lock all the drawers if there were no secrets?

  Never mind. She'd find out where the keys were kept, and have her own set made up. If necessary, she'd pick the locks. She didn't want
to do that immediately. Lady Kingston would be bound to notice any scratches she'd leave on the locks.

  "Oh!" Eva realized suddenly that she'd tilted the candles when she set them down, leaving blobs of wax on the desk's glossy walnut surface. She scraped at the candle wax to remove it.

  It was time to leave.

  Once she had the keys, she could browse her ladyship's secrets to her heart's content.

  Talverne's managed to get himself into a scrape again, so Linton is sending him to you in town. Linton's decided that he is much too dangerous in his current mood to be trusted with a gun in a shoot. I had not thought that Lady Burnley's abrupt departure would affect him, but it seems that it has. Perhaps he can help you with Miss Bywater? Linton has promised him a new hunter if he behaves as he ought…

  Anne read her sister Melly's letter with amusement. What was she to make of this?

  She frowned for a moment. Pierce had been engaged to Christobel, Lady Burnley, for months. Christobel was beautiful, an heiress, but he'd longed to end the engagement. Christobel could be difficult. She could not be gainsaid, and spent Pierce's money with abandon.

  Two days later Pierce Ward, Lord Talverne, presented himself at Kingston House. Mr. Weston opened the library doors, bowed, and announced him. "Lord Talverne, my lady. I shall bring refreshments."

  Anne gaped at Weston. He'd sounded avuncular — obviously he was fond of the young man. Her eyes narrowed. Everyone liked Pierce, and it wasn't good for him. It meant that he did much as he pleased.

  Three knew Pierce, and ran to him at once. Pierce's face lit. He picked the spaniel up, and raised her above his head. "Three! You little ruffian — you're putting on weight!"

  Talverne tucked Three under his arm, and bowed to Anne. "My lady. You're in looks, as always…" He studied her carefully for a moment. "What's the matter?"

  "Nothing!" She protested. "Put the dog down, and sit down yourself. Melly wrote to me and said that there was an incident?"

  Pierce sat on the sofa, and kept Three on his lap. "Whatever she told you, it's an exaggeration, I assure you."

  She chuckled, and joined him on the sofa. Pierce was always getting himself into scrapes. He and his mother lived at The Oaks, the neighboring estate to Gostwicke Hall. She had known Pierce all her life.

  He had never been a wild young man, and now, at 25, he was titled, handsome, and wealthy, but she did not think that he would suit Eva. From what she had seen, Eva's recalcitrance meant that she needed a stronger hand than Lord Talverne's.

  "Tell me about Melly and Linton."

  He told her that they were enjoying Scotland, but that they would be coming to London in the new year, and would stay for the season. "Sommerforth's invited them to stay over Christmas and January, but they're for Watton Park. Lady Linton feels that Linton needs to observe his responsibilities to his own family. "

  Anne sighed. She'd longed to see Melly. Now Melly would miss Christmas at home, and the Boxing Day Hunt, which was an Eardley tradition. It was lowering to think that Gostwicke Hall wasn't Melly's home any more. "It's kind of you to come to me. You're staying at Linton house?"

  "Yes, Linton keeps Linton House staffed. I might ask a couple of friends to stay with me. I'm completely at your service — I will do my poor best to ensure that Miss Bywater has friends in town by the time she begins her season." He looked at her sharply. "Give me the word with no bark on it — what is she like? It seems odd that she is embarking on her first season when she is already 21."

  Anne lowered her voice although only Thomas was in the room with them. "If you'll join us for dinner, you can meet Eva and Lady Jane Vernon then. Lady Jane's preparing Eva for her season… I heard from servants' chatter that Eva doesn't like town, so she needs distraction."

  "You may rely on me."

  At dinner, Anne watched Talverne and Eva carefully when Eva came downstairs. Eva kept her gaze lowered, but Anne saw her send an assessing glance at Talverne. She was taking his measure.

  3

  Eva and Pierce were friends within days. They had a common interest in riding. Anne decided that since Eva and Pierce got on so well, she could trust him to take Eva about, so Pierce escorted Eva and Lady Jane to Eva's modiste, millinery, and dancing appointments.

  Anne wrote to Melly to tell her that that she'd never given Pierce his due — Pierce was a treasure. He had a gift for making friends. Melly could tell Linton that Talverne's behavior was everything that it should be.

  Partly Anne hoped that Eva would develop a tendre for Talverne, but Eva showed no signs of doing that. Nor was Talverne interested in Eva. He didn't flirt with her. He treated her as a friend; as someone he had had known for years.

  Kingston House was full of people now. This meant that Anne could relax. Wallwood still sent flowers, but she didn't see him in the park.

  However, one morning when Eva and Lady Jane were out with Talverne, and Anne was busy with her accounts, Wallwood pushed his way into her house.

  Anne looked up from a ledger when Mr. Weston entered the library.

  Her eyes widened. She'd never seen Weston look so grim. Weston was tall, and lean, in his mid-forties. His demeanor was always strictly correct — he never showed emotion. He met her gaze and for an instant, his dark blue eyes flashed with anger. That emotion was quickly hidden.

  She stood up immediately. "What is it?"

  He bowed. "Lord Wallwood, ma'am. I refused him but he pushed past me — he said he wouldn't leave until you spoke with him."

  Anne bit her lip. "I see. Where is he?"

  "In the drawing room, ma'am. I will have the footmen remove him immediately, but I thought to inform you first."

  "No, don't trouble yourself. I will see him." Anne was grateful to Weston. She knew that he and the footmen would manhandle Lord Wallwood from her house if she hinted that that was what she wanted, but Wallwood was a peer. That meant death or transportation for any of her servants who laid a hand on him.

  She decided to put an end to this nuisance herself. "Thank you, Mr. Weston. Please tender my compliments to Lord Wallwood. Inform him I will be with him shortly."

  Realizing that she was afraid, and hating it, she hesitated for a moment. Then she beckoned Thomas and whispered a few words. He looked startled, grinned slightly, and hurried from the room.

  Anne took several deep breaths. Wallwood had pushed himself into her house? That was beyond anything. Whatever had possessed her to allow the man such freedom? She'd allowed his impertinence, and now the man thought that he could molest her in in her own home, because he had power and influence on his side.

  On her side, she had a temper. That temper was slow to rouse, but when it was aroused it burned a great deal more dangerously than Catherine's, and Catherine was known for her incandescent temper.

  Thomas returned. He bowed and handed her an item. She thanked him and tucked it into her pocket.

  Three was beside Anne when she entered the drawing room. The spaniel didn't greeted Wallwood, but stayed at Anne's side, pressing her body against Anne's leg.

  "My lord, how kind of you to call," she said to Wallwood.

  He stood, and bowed. Then he sat down again.

  Anne blinked. He'd seated himself, in her presence, before she sat, or gave him leave to sit. She nodded to Thomas, who closed the drawing room doors, then stood beside them. "What are you about my lord? My servants informed you that I was not at home."

  "But you are, my lady — are you not?" He sounded amused, but there was a hint of temper in his tone too.

  He stood, and prowled towards her.

  Three immediately stood in front of Anne, growled, then bared her teeth at Wallwood. The spaniel's small body was tense.

  Wallwood hesitated, and stopped. He turned to Thomas. "Remove this animal at once!"

  Thomas looked an enquiry at Anne, who shook her head. "You do not give orders to my servants — Three stays where she is," she told Wallwood. "Please sit down. You're making my dog nervous."

  He remained
standing. He glared at her. "I have had enough of your nonsense. I know you better than you know yourself, my lady — and you belong to me. Why can't you admit it? Such petulance…"

  Anne hated the way he looked at her, as if he were undressing her with his eyes. After he left, she would call for a bath and scrub every inch of her skin. "Lord Wallwood… I have something to say to you. I will only say it once. Please listen to me, because I mean every word."

  He shrugged. Suddenly, before Anne knew what was happening, he lunged toward Three and seized her by the scruff of her neck. With a quick twist of his wrist, he threw the dog away from him. Three yelped, landed on the carpet with a thud, then tumbled twice and lay still.

  Anne backed away from Wallwood, who stepped towards her again.

  She took her small pocket pistol from her pocket. It felt satisfyingly heavy in her hand. She pointed it at Wallwood.

  He stopped. He blinked at the pistol, then at her. His mouth dropped open. "What are you doing?" He recovered himself, and laughed. "My lady, a pretty pistol, but I daresay it isn't loaded… Please put it away."

  At least Three wasn't badly injured, Anne thought. She watched Thomas bend over Three and pick her up. The small dog wriggled, licked his chin, then settled in his arms.

  Anne focused on Wallwood again. She inhaled inhaled sharply.

  She meant Wallwood to understand her, so she spoke with emphasis. "Lord Wallwood, I have finally had enough… You will leave my house at once, and you will not call at my house again. You will not accost me in the park, nor anywhere else. You will not trouble my servants. You will cease sending me flowers and gifts. If you do not, Lord Wallwood, I will shoot you."

  He advanced on her, his hand out. "Give me that pistol," he said impatiently. "Ladies have foolish ideas and that is a very foolish one."