An Earl to Enchant: The Rogues' Dynasty

by Amelia Grey

  “I’ve come to the conclusion that I must help you with your father’s work.”

  Arianna scooted to the edge of her chair. “Do you mean that, Mr. Warburton?”

  “Of course, I mean it. I didn’t come here just to tease you with the possibility of my input.” He chuckled, and his eyes glistened.

  “I would be so grateful to have your expertise. I’m carefully going over every note, every journal, and every scrap of paper that my father had ever written on, but it’s difficult to know what might be important. I’ve found lists and notes of various formulas, but so far nothing that I’ve thought might be the stolen formula.”

  “That is what I suspected. It would be difficult for you to identify a particular formula, even though you helped him on occasion with his writings. I’m certain many of his research formulas have much of the same basis of ingredients.”

  “Yes, I’ve noticed that.”

  “Why don’t you tell me exactly what it was that your father told you about the formula?”

  A bittersweet calm settled over Arianna. That afternoon was one of her favorite memories of her father. It was the happiest she had ever seen him, and she welcomed the opportunity to share it.

  “I remember he came home late in the day, extremely excited, laughing. He picked me up and hugged me, swinging me around and saying, ‘I’ve found a cure for consumption. I’ve found a cure, Arianna. Start packing. At last, we’re going home to England.’”

  “So he was very confident that his latest formula worked.”

  “Yes,” she said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “After he settled down, he told me he had tried the mixture he’d created on five different people, and all of them had had miraculous recoveries.”

  “That’s extraordinary,” he said.

  “I know. He knew. He said he wanted to get his discovery to the Academy so that they could begin their own testing of his formula and see what they had to say about the accuracy of his experiments.”

  “So what happened after that?”

  “Within a few days, we started packing our things and getting ready for our journey. Most of the papers I’m looking at now were shipped to London well before our departure date. I brought some of his journals with me on the journey from India, and I’ve read through all of them now and made notes.”

  “I see,” he said and rubbed his chin. “Tell me about the journal that was stolen and where you think the formula is now.”

  “Papa told me he had the formula written in the journal he always carried with him. He said he would keep it with him on the ship, but he realized accidents happened on long voyages, and that the book might get wet or torn or destroyed in some way, so he had also written it down elsewhere.”

  “And you didn’t ask him to tell you specifically where?”

  Arianna shook her head. “No, at the time I had no reason to think someone might want to kill him for the formula. He simply said that if I needed to find it, with a little searching, I could.”

  “Hmm. You know, by even telling you there was another copy, he might have had some forewarning of danger. Finding something as extraordinary as a cure for consumption would be quite a breakthrough for our world. Your father’s name would live forever in the Apothecary Society.”

  “I know,” she said, leaning toward him with eagerness. “That is why I must find it and present it to the Academy. Naturally, when I saw Mr. Rajaratnum quickly shove the journal in his coat before he fled, I knew that he had killed Papa to get the formula to sell to someone. But it’s been so long now since Papa died, I’m surprised no one has come forward to present the cure.”

  “Well, that intrigue is probably best left to the authorities, and until the man is caught, you can’t know what he had in mind. Perhaps he’s not found anyone willing to pay his price. Even if Mr. Rajaratnum had a buyer when he stole it from your father, whomever he sold it to would want to test the formula to make sure it was legitimate before making any claims. That sort of thing takes time.”

  “I do realize that, and I know time is running out for me to find the formula.”

  Mr. Warburton clapped his hands against his thighs. “That, my dear girl, is why I’ve decided I must help you. If the formula proves true, no one deserves the notoriety but your father, and the world deserves the cure; so let’s find it.”

  Sudden tears welled in her eyes. She had needed this man’s help. “Thank you, Mr. Warburton.”

  “Now, now, child, don’t cry.”

  “No, I promise I won’t,” she said, wiping at the corners of her eyes with the back of her hands. “Please excuse me, but I’m suddenly overcome with joy. For days, I’ve been reading every word my father has ever written, and sometimes I feel I’ve made very little progress.”

  “Why don’t you get everything together, as you said, every scrap of paper, even what you have already been over? You never know when you might have missed something. Have it delivered to my residence this afternoon, and I’ll get started on it right away.”

  Arianna smiled gratefully. “I’ll see that you get it before night falls.”

  ***

  Beabe rushed Arianna through the front door and slammed it shut. She dropped her packages to the floor and threw the latch.

  “Bapre, Beabe!” Arianna said, almost stumbling over her skirts. “You don’t have reason to be so frightened.”

  “Yes, I do, Miss Ari,” her maid said, leaning against the door, her eyes wild with panic. “It was him. I tell you it was him.”

  “All right, Beabe, settle down.”

  “I know you didn’t see him, but I’m certain it was that man who killed your father.”

  “But we are now safely locked in our house with several servants to help protect us if need be. Now, why don’t we go into the drawing room?”

  Beabe started to pick up the packages. “No, leave them,” Arianna said. “We’ll get them later. Come sit down with me, and let’s talk sensibly about this.”

  They walked into the drawing room. Beabe rushed over to the nearest window and untied the tassels, letting the velvet panels fall together, covering the window.

  “Beabe, leave the other draperies open so it won’t be so dark in here. That window overlooks the herb garden, and I don’t think anyone is out there. Cook probably just left the garden, as she should be preparing dinner by now. Come sit down with me on the settee.”

  Beabe’s shoulders sagged, but she did as instructed and seated herself on the settee beside Arianna.

  Not really knowing whether to believe her, Arianna picked up both Beabe’s hands and held them in hers, wanting to give her faithful servant comfort. “Now without the hysterics you showed in the carriage, tell me exactly what you saw when we came out of Mr. Warburton’s house.

  Unshed tears glistened in the woman’s eyes, and Arianna’s heart ached for her. “I saw him standing in front of a carriage, not far from Mr. Warburton’s house. We looked at each other. I know he recognized me. He turned and climbed into the carriage, and it took off.”

  “All right. What did he have on? Was he dressed in Indian garb, the banyan coats that are so popular there?”

  “No. He was dressed like a fine gentleman.”

  “Did you ever see Mr. Rajaratnum in a gentleman’s clothing the entire time he worked for my father?”

  “No, Miss Ari.”

  “Beabe, you have always been frightened that the man would come after us and try to kill us, haven’t you?”

  Beabe nodded.

  “But you know he has no reason to harm us. We have already told the authorities all we know. We have already identified him as my father’s killer. Harming us would not keep the authorities from finding him and bringing him to justice. In fact, it would make them more determined to find him, isn’t that right?”

  Beabe nodded again.

  “Now, is it possible that the man was another Indian who happened to look like Mr. Rajaratnum?”

  “It’s possible, but I won’t
ever believe it.”

  Her words were said with such conviction that Arianna’s blood chilled in her veins, but she didn’t want Beabe to know that.

  “All right, since you are so certain, we’ll take extra precautions whenever we leave the house. We will not walk anywhere. We’ll always have Benson take us in the carriage. He’s quite a sturdy fellow. And I’m certain that should I ever be fortunate enough to see Mr. Rajaratnum, I would not run from him, I would chase him down and beat him about the head and shoulders with my parasol until he was unrecognizable as a person.”

  Beabe smiled and then laughed.

  Arianna smiled, too. “What’s this? You don’t think I would do it? You laugh, but I am serious.”

  “I just can’t imagine you chasing anyone with your parasol.”

  Arianna let go of her maid’s hands. “But I would. Now, you know what I think?”

  “What?”

  “I think this is a good time for you to take the time you deserve and go visit your family.”

  Beabe rose, clutching her skirts in her nervous hands. “No, Miss Ari, this is not a good time for me to leave you.”

  “You said it wasn’t a good time when we first arrived in London, because you wanted to help me get settled in the house. Well, I am settled. You have been away from your family for a long time, Beabe. I know your sister and your aunt want to see you. The journey was difficult for you, too. You deserve the rest. You deserve a month off. Longer, if you want it.”

  A quiver started in Beabe’s bottom lip. “But I don’t want to leave you.”

  “And you never will want to, because you have looked after me for so long.”

  “And who would be your maid while I’m gone?”

  “I’m sure Mrs. Hartford can help me find someone. This time I am insisting you will go to your sister’s. Now, no argument. Tomorrow we will have Benson take us to the Station House and check on the schedule for the mail coach, and we’ll see about getting you a seat.”

  Beabe’s eyes welled with tears once again. “You won’t really force me to leave you, will you?”

  Arianna took in a deep breath and rose. “Yes, I will, Beabe. But don’t worry, it won’t be tomorrow, so don’t look so sad. It will take us a few days to make all the arrangements for you. I remember once during our journey a violent storm came up suddenly. The ship was rocking, creaking, banging. The wind was howling viciously. It was cold and damp, and I was so sick, so weak I couldn’t lift my hand or my head. Do you remember that time?”

  Beabe nodded and seemed calmer.

  “I was so exhausted I was ready to give up on life. I asked you to give me enough laudanum so that I would go to sleep and not wake up. Do you remember what you told me?”

  Beabe shook her head.

  “Yes, you do.”

  Arianna watched Beabe grow stronger before her eyes. Her clutch on her dress relaxed, her shoulders lifted, her chin jutted out.

  “I told you that if it was your destiny for your life to end on that ship, it would happen without any interference from either of us.”

  “That’s right. The same still holds. If it is our destiny for our lives to end at the hands of Mr. Rajaratnum, as my father’s did, we cannot stop destiny. We cannot live in fear.”

  Beabe sniffled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. “If I go, will you promise never to leave the house without your parasol?”

  Arianna smiled. “Yes, I promise I will always have it with me.”

  “Perhaps I’ll have the tip of it sharpened for you before I go.”

  Laughing, Arianna said, “I don’t think that will be necessary. Besides, I have two interviews tomorrow afternoon for a companion. If either of the ladies suit me, I will hire her. And you know, once I do that, as tiresome as it will be, I will probably never be alone again.”

  “Excuse me, Miss Sweet, are you all right?”

  Arianna turned to see Mrs. Hartford standing in the doorway, a worried expression on her face.

  A chill ran up Arianna’s spine. Beabe had her jumpier than she’d been since right after her father’s death. “Yes, I’m perfectly fine. Why?”

  “There are packages strewn all over the floor in the vestibule.”

  “Oh, I forgot about that, Miss Ari,” Beabe said, heading for the doorway. “I’ll get them right away and take them to your room.”

  Arianna turned away from Beabe and Mrs. Hartford and looked out the window that Beabe hadn’t closed. A chill shook her.

  What would she do if Beabe was right about Mr. Rajaratnum, and he had come to England, looking for them?

  Eighteen

  My Dearest Grandson Lucas,

  Here are more wise words from Lord Chesterfield. Study on these and remember them. “Be convinced, that there are no persons so insignificant and inconsiderable, but may, some time or other, have it in their power to be of use to you. And remember that fear and hatred are next door neighbors.”

  Your loving Grandmother,

  Lady Elder

  “As for leisure time, well, I’m certain you can find no one finer schooled in card games than I am, and you know how we spinsters love our card games, Miss Sweet. Just ask around. Anyone in the ton can tell you all about my skills, and my even temperament, which I must say you won’t find many people as composed as I am, even under the most trying of circumstances. I’m not given to fits of vapors or hysterics. And as I mentioned before, I have many other talents, though I’m quite reluctant to mention all of them myself. However, this kind of interview necessitates it, don’t you agree, Miss Sweet?”

  “Yes,” Arianna said, struggling not to yawn. “This is the time for all your talents to shine.”

  Arianna had stayed up to the wee hours of the morning, hoping to finish the book on Lord Chesterfield’s letters, but still had a few pages to read. Her long days and short nights were finally catching up with her. The rather robust woman with thin gray-streaked hair and big, expressive brown eyes hadn’t stopped talking since she walked into the drawing room and sat down. Arianna wanted a companion who could provide lively conversation, but she was now certain she didn’t want one who provided constant conversation.

  “I think so, too,” Miss Gilberta continued. “And I do have many accomplishments to my credit, and talents, as well. Not that you need it of course, Miss Sweet, but I have the most superb washing cream for the face that will give the most delicate luster to your skin, and I don’t share my secret with just anyone, but I, of course, would share it with you. It’s much easier on the skin than the corn plaster most spinsters use to keep them looking younger long past the years of their youth.” She leaned in closer to Arianna, as if she was trying to keep Constance from hearing. “And I have the perfect remedy to prevent your breath from smelling like wine or any other spirits you might be partial to, if you ever need it. Now I’m sure you’re not one of them, you understand, but sometimes, we spinsters don’t want anyone to know what we’ve been drinking, if you know what I mean.”

  “Well, I agree you certainly have plenty of qualifications to recommend you, Miss Gilberta.” Arianna reached over and placed her tea cup on the tray and sent a quick, furtive glance to Constance that said she was ready for this interview to end.

  Constance rose and clasped her hands in front of her. “We so appreciate your coming today, Miss Gilberta. Miss Sweet has just started her search for a companion, and she has several more interviews to conduct.”

  “Oh, of course,” Miss Gilberta said, placing her dainty cup on the tray, too, and then lifting her stout frame from the settee with a loud grunt. “And I have other interviews as well, so please let me know as soon as you have made a decision.”

  “Rest assured, I will,” Arianna said and smiled pleasantly at the woman.

  “Good. I would so despair at hearing that you had your heart set on me only to learn I was no longer available. I think we would get along together delightfully, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I’m sure we would. Thank you for coming, Mi
ss Gilberta. Mrs. Hartford will see you out.”

  When Arianna was sure she’d heard the front door close behind Miss Gilberta, she leaned back in the settee and laughed. “If she mentioned spinsters to me once, she must have mentioned them thirty times. I do believe she is obsessed.”

  “I’m terribly sorry about that,” Constance said, looking a little concerned. “She just assumes that if you are looking for a companion instead of a match, you have resigned yourself to being a spinster.”

  “Hmm,” Arianna said with a smile. “I guess you are right about that. The problem is that I don’t know that I’ve resigned myself to that life. I have to admit I’ve been so busy since I arrived in London that I haven’t given much thought to the idea that if I don’t marry in the next year, I will definitely be a spinster.”

  “Arianna, you still have plenty of time before making that decision. You are a beautiful young lady. I know you declined gentlemen who were asking to call on you when you were at Lady Windham’s party, and that was the right thing to do for now. But take my word for it, you will not be a spinster by the end of next year unless that is what you desire.”

  Morgan came easily to Arianna’s mind, and her heart ached. She had enjoyed dancing with all the gentlemen at Lady Windham’s party who’d sought her attention. Most of them were quite handsome and charming, too, but they were not Morgan. She couldn’t imagine any of them holding her close, kissing her, and making her feel the way Morgan had… beautiful, desirable, delicious. She didn’t mind talking, laughing, and dancing with them, but she didn’t want any one of them to touch her in the way Morgan had.

  “Thankfully it’s not a decision I have to make right now when so many other things are on my mind. Once I have my father’s business concluded, I will think about my own life and what I want to do.”

  “How is the search for your father’s formula coming along?”

  “Slowly, of course. I had a note from Mr. Warburton this morning, asking if I had missed sending some of my father’s papers, documents, or journals to him. I was certain I hadn’t, but I checked the house over again to be sure.”