Testing Miss Toogood

by Stella Cameron

  Nathan’s mouth had thinned and only a fool would fail to sense a gathering storm. “It may be easy for you to take a devil-may-care attitude toward the flowers of womanhood being borne off by a pervert. Not for me. How long can it be before this twisted criminal decides he may as well have his way with them? After all, he’s worked out his little plan very well. If they won’t mention being stolen away because they’re afraid of innuendo, they’re unlikely to announce that they’ve been ravished.”

  “Quite.” Dominic lost sleep over the same fears, but he’d allow Nathan to think he’d invented these black thoughts. “Let’s not worry until we have to.”

  “All very well for you to say,” Nathan grumbled. “From the look of you when you left your cozy session with Miss Toogood, your necessities had been—if not satisfied—pleasurably excited. A very healthy thing, that. My own necessities show signs of withering away. I need some stimulation.”

  “Withering away?” Dominic said, glancing toward the corridor where the study awaited him. “Not sure I should like to witness that. Do something about it, old chap.”

  Nathan crossed his arms and said, “Have your fun. The last laugh will be mine. Did you get a message from brother John? About Noel DeBeaufort?”

  “Yes.” Dominic closed his eyes. “Does John think he’s the only Elliot with a great deal on his mind? Having new grounds designed at this point is overwhelming.”

  “The trouble is,” Nathan said, “I think John’s trying to show his interest and do something nice for the property and the family. And everyone’s doing it so we might as well be prepared for upheaval.”

  “Heatherly is beautiful as it is,” Dominic said, with more than a little anger. “We’ll have to keep an eye out for marauding villains in heavy boots. I must get on. I can’t put Gussy off any longer.”

  “Agreed,” Nathan said helpfully.

  “McGee,” Dominic said, crossing to the butler’s wicker chair and sticking his head inside. “No offense, man. Things are a bit tense. Sure you understand. If this Miss Weller comes, Lord Nathan will stop her from coming into the house and take her to Mama himself. Not a thing for you to worry about.” He sighed. “And now I suppose I must join Miss Arbuthnot.”

  McGee nodded and rested his head in a corner again.

  Bloody servants, Dominic thought. The more you were inclined to treat a man with respect, the more he made you suffer for living at all.

  Now to Gussy. Dominic entered the corridor with reluctance and scuffed over a long, dark, Chinese runner until he reached his destination. He applied a knuckle to the door and walked in.

  Gussy Arbuthnot, with surprising purple marks beneath her brown eyes, stood motionless, a few feet inside the door. When she saw Dominic, she smiled and some of her natural impishness returned.

  “Good afternoon, Gussy,” Dominic said, disconcerted by the subdued manner of this long-term acquaintance.

  “Hello, Dominic. Forgive me for arriving unexpectedly but I had to see you.”

  A leap of hope quickly followed Dominic’s idea that she might be about to confide in him about the kidnapper. Although that might mean there was some suspicion about his own activities in this and certain other matters. “You’re always welcome,” he told her. “You don’t seem your usual cheerful self. Does that have something to do with your being here?”

  Gussy, of average height but with a voluptuous body, walked slowly around the paneled study, the rich materials of her dress and pelisse rustling as she went. Nathan always suggested she was plain but in fact Gussy’s golden hair and bright eyes, her dimpled cheeks, her softly curving mouth—and her softly curving body—made for a delightful package and the failure of some man to snap her up only underscored Dominic’s opinion that a good many fellows were light-brains.

  “Sit down,” he said, more abruptly than he’d intended. “Here, take this chair. I’ll call for refreshments. Hot chocolate, perhaps.” She looked as if a restorative would be in order.

  “No, thank you.” She clutched her gloved hands together in her lap. “Nothing at all. I wish to talk to you about my reputation.”

  It was possible, thought Dominic while his spine prickled, that he had in his presence the answer to his prayers. She was going to spill the beans about her ordeal.

  “Has something unfortunate happened to you, Gussy?” he asked, pulling up a straight-backed chair and sitting with their legs all but touching. “Has someone…done something to you? Say it isn’t so.”

  “No.” Color rose in her pale cheeks. “That’s just it. Nothing has happened and I’m about to enter my third Season. Third. I’m on the shelf!” She burst into wracking sobs and covered her face.

  She took advantage of Dominic’s vulnerable position, his being so close, and rose from the chair to throw herself into his arms—and land on his lap.

  Hellfire. “Hush, Gussy, hush. Collect yourself.”

  “I c-can’t.” She gripped him around the neck and pressed her face against his shoulder. “I need a f-friend. I have been turned aside by the man I loved. Turned aside repeatedly…ignored. No, not ignored. He doesn’t know I’m alive.”

  Dominic longed to ask the fellow’s name. “Everything will be all right,” he said and patted her back awkwardly.

  “Will you help me, Dominic?” She raised her head and the misery in her face touched him. “Everyone knows you are to be at every affair this year because of your poor little charge. One of your servants spoke to one of ours, you know. You’ve taken in an impoverished relative? Really, you are so generous. Look after me, too. I won’t be any trouble. Only dance with me now and again and show some interest in me and I shall be sought after. You—could—change—” She sobbed so hard she had to pause. “You could change—my life, Dominic. My very life. You could save me.”

  For an instant he’d feared the story of Jane Weller was out. But bloody hell. What to say? “You know I will be a friend, Gussy. Not that I think you need one when you are as attractive a woman as you are.”

  She sniffed and blew her nose in a tiny, lace-edged handkerchief. “You think so?”

  “Absolutely.” He must be mad, but the poor thing’s confidence had been badly shaken and a dance or two wouldn’t cost him anything. Although…by Jove, he needed help himself. Not one or even two, but three women would expect his attention. Dominic smelled disaster. That brother of his must do his part.

  “I have to go, Gussy,” he said. “I’m sorry to desert you at such a time, but estate business calls.”

  “Of course, my angel.” She smiled adoringly at him. “And you are my angel. I will be very kind to your little relation, you know, and I’ll make sure all the ladies welcome her.”

  “Thank you, Gussy. That’s kind.” He meant it but rapidly helped Gussy to her feet and gave her a moment to shake out her skirts and poke at her hair before ushering her from the room.

  He heard the great front door open an instant before Nathan rushed past the end of the corridor. “My pet!” he roared, arms outstretched. “You’re here at last.”

  “That was Nathan,” Gussy said and hastened her walk to the great hall. “I wasn’t very polite to him when I arrived. Nathan!”

  Other than leaping to restrain her, Dominic couldn’t imagine a way to stop Gussy’s headlong flight after his brother.

  They skidded into the hall where McGee, his wig askew to reveal a shock of graying red hair, made flapping gestures as if urging Dominic and his guest to return to the study.

  Muffled squeals seemed very loud.

  “Nathan,” Gussy cried.

  Dominic was barely in time to see his tall brother retreating through the front door with a pair of slim female ankles and well-polished black boots kicking up white petticoats at the level of his broad shoulders.

  8

  Fleur heard the rumble of men’s voices. She paused, holding her precious journal to her chest, and strained to hear where the sound came from. The ceilings were so high that all noises rose and seemed to echo from
everywhere.

  And she was lost! Lost, lost, lost.

  Furious with herself, she spun right and left in the wide, circular corridor surrounding the dome of the orangeries. White marble columns and walls hung with lemon-yellow silk looked the same in each direction. Widely spaced closed doors to suites which must overlook the dome lined the inner wall. Windows on the outer side of the corridor gave lofty views of the estate.

  The dome was very large, the corridor very long, and one of the identical doors led to the stairs she’d used to get up here.

  And this had seemed such a wonderful idea, to come up to the third floor in the quiet center of the house and find a place to sit and work on The List—which had become very long.

  On tiptoe, the pretty pink day dress Neville had made moving softly around her legs, Fleur walked on. A chest with two doors in the front and a marble-topped table made her sigh gratefully. She remembered the chest and the blue bowl on top. She had come this way before she’d chosen a lovely, deep window seat where she could be all but hidden behind looped draperies. Before too long she should be able to get down to her own floor and make her way back to the front of the house. Most of all she wanted to avoid running into someone and having to make conversation.

  Another window seat beckoned to her and she hurried ahead to peer outside. What would her sisters think of all this?

  She knelt on the seat and wedged herself into a corner. This place, such beauty, would be in her memory forever. But leaving the loneliness behind to go home again would be a good thing—she’d seen only Mrs. Neville and Blanche in the past few days. The Dowager had sent a kind note about upcoming festivities and the excitement Fleur should feel, but there had been nothing else, not even a letter from Sodbury Martyr yet. She pulled up her knees and smoothed the muslin around her legs. How the girls would love this dress.

  “If that’s the way you feel, we have nothing further to say.”

  Fleur held quite still, her journal in a vise. She didn’t recognize the man’s loud voice.

  “We have a great deal to talk about.” This was Lord Dominic.

  A door to a room behind her opened. Fleur tucked her feet far back.

  “I warned you there could be disaster this time. You shouldn’t have brought your Jane Weller here. How long do you think she can be kept hidden at Mama’s?”

  “As long as is necessary,” Lord Dominic said. “As long as those involved keep quiet. Including the staff at the Dower House and McGee here, there are only six who know. Mama’s servants would die for her and she’s told them to say nothing. McGee would cut out his tongue rather than go against family wishes. Which only leaves you, Nathan…”

  “Why, damn your hide, little brother. Snot-nosed upstart. What are you suggesting?”

  Fleur wanted to put her fingers in her ears but didn’t dare move. The angry man was Lord Nathan Elliot, Lord Dominic’s brother. She prayed he wouldn’t come this way.

  Lord Dominic sounded angry, but calm. How like him, she thought. “I’m not suggesting anything,” he said. “Just reminding the two of us of the facts. Did you make sure Jane got Brother Juste’s note?”

  “Yet again, yes, and if she’s stupid enough, she’ll keep the appointment at midnight in the little chapel.”

  “Nothing stupid about that,” Lord Dominic said.

  “There will be if she breaks her neck getting there in the dark tonight. Or if her heart stops from dread.”

  “The chapel,” Lord Dominic said, “isn’t five minutes from the Dower House. Jane is a courageous girl and will do what’s necessary.”

  “Hah. Don’t think I’ve failed to note that another of your so-called plain girls is an appealing morsel.”

  Lord Dominic laughed. “You’re fast with your judgements, I’ll give you that, Nathan. Enjoyed your encounter with Jane, did you?”

  “I won’t answer that. How are things with your little charity case?”

  “Miss Toogood isn’t my anything,” Lord Dominic said. “And in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been a busy man these past days so I haven’t seen the girl.”

  Fleur closed her eyes and rested her brow on her knees. How would she get through this degrading time?

  “I’m meeting Bertie Crewe-Burns at White’s this evening,” Lord Nathan said. “He’s promised to take me to some fast hells where he assures me the stakes are high and we won’t be recognized.”

  “Wonderful,” Lord Dominic said, clearly angry now. “You know our agreement.”

  “I’m to avoid gambling? I’m not going to gamble, just watch Bertie get foxed and pump him for information. He approached me, y’know. Said he had some interesting tidbits to share. Could be something about another kidnap victim.”

  Fleur held her breath.

  “In that case, make the best of your opportunities. But watch your back. These hells Bertie speaks of will be low and dangerous.”

  “Have you ever found me careless when it comes to my health?”

  “Mmm,” Lord Dominic said. “This evening Brother Juste meets with Jane and we’ll see what comes of that.”

  “How long will Jane stay here? We both know the position was made for your convenience.”

  “We’ll see,” Lord Dominic said. “But don’t say something like that to Mother.”

  Fleur’s eyes filled with tears. Another poor soul’s future depended upon the whims of these people. She straightened her back. Perhaps there would be a seventh person to know Jane Weller, whoever she was, someone who would befriend her. Lord Nathan had called her Lord Dominic’s Jane Weller…and he’d said she was a convenience. Back home she’d heard it whispered that a certain wealthy landowner kept a woman as a convenience and, as a warning, Mama had explained what that meant to her daughters.

  “I’d best be on my way,” Lord Nathan said. There was a short silence. “Look, Dominic, have a care, will you?”

  “It’s Brother Juste who should be cautious.”

  “As you say. But Jane Weller came to Heatherly so readily. She could be a setup. What more perfect place to waylay and kill a man than in the trees around the chapel?”

  “Indeed,” Lord Dominic said. “But remember that the men in this family are all experienced in life-and-death situations and so are their closest friends.”

  Fleur heard Lord Nathan walk into the corridor and held every muscle rigid. Slowly, she let out a breath. He walked the other way and before long his footsteps receded.

  “I’ve got you!”

  With a cry, Fleur tumbled from her hiding place, or rather she was pulled from behind the drapery by Lord Dominic who held her wrist so tightly she dropped her journal.

  “What are you doing here? Eavesdropping, yes?” He didn’t shake her but he looked as if he wanted to. Instead he pulled her with him toward an open door. She barely managed to stoop and snatch up her book before he hurried her into a large, handsome room.

  “I wasn’t eavesdropping,” she said, trying not to tremble but failing. “Not exactly.” Papa said the truth was always the best thing.

  “Not exactly. Do you take me for a fool? Fortunately for you, Lord Nathan had his back to that window or you would have felt his wrath and I, my dear girl, am a strawberry syllabub by comparison.”

  A strawberry syllabub? Anyone less like a soft, creamy confection than this glowering man couldn’t exist, but she must not laugh—even if anxiety brought her close to hysteria.

  “So,” he said with icy menace, “what have you to say for yourself?”

  “I’m lonely.” She all but swooned with horror. Why would she say such a thing? “I mean, I was alone and decided to look for a comfortable place to write.”

  “Lonely,” he said, thoughtful but still without a gentle feature in his face. “Hmm. And you just happened to choose the window seat outside my rooms as your comfortable place?”

  “I didn’t know you…these were your rooms. And I didn’t sit where you found me, anyway.”

  He looked toward the heavily carved and pai
nted ceiling. “Well, that explains everything. Especially how it was I found someone who wasn’t sitting there sitting on that window seat.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” she told him, too shaken to be cross. “I went much farther along the corridor to find a place. Then when I was coming back I heard voices and hid out there so I wouldn’t be seen.”

  “So that you could eavesdrop.”

  “No! And now I’m going back to my room.”

  He didn’t touch her, but he stepped between her and the door and backed up until he stood against it. “You will go when I tell you to.”

  The door opened against his back and he stepped forward.

  “I say, Dominic. Don’t know what I was thinking of but I wanted to mention a boy to you.”

  Another tall, broad-shouldered man came into the room; this one’s long hair even darker hair than Lord Dominic’s, and worn loose over his collar. Fleur could feel the strength in him, that same overpowering maleness Lord Dominic had.

  “Nathan,” Lord Dominic said, “this is Miss Fleur Toogood, Mama’s charge. Miss Toogood, my brother, Lord Nathan Elliot.”

  “Really?” Lord Nathan smiled at her, a wide, interested smile, and his eyes glittered. She couldn’t tell what color they were but they weren’t the shocking blue of Lord Dominic’s.

  “Yes, really,” Lord Dominic said in a tone that caught Fleur’s entire attention. His face showed nothing at all but he didn’t sound pleased.

  “Finally I meet the lovely girl my mother has befriended,” Lord Nathan said. “And a very wise woman Mother is, too—with impeccable taste. You will be a great success, my dear. But we will have many opportunities to talk when we attend the same events. It is rumored that this will be the most memorable Season in years.”

  Fleur bobbed a curtsey. “You are very kind.”

  “Think nothing of it. You’ll dance like a fluttering rose petal, or I am not the judge of female grace I know I am.”

  Lord Dominic made a strange sound but his face hadn’t moved.