Testing Miss Toogood

by Stella Cameron

  “Aye,” Lawrence said. Usually his lean face showed little emotion but today Dominic could see his steward’s anger. Lawrence’s thick hair had turned gray at an early age and, together with his bright blue eyes, gave him a commanding presence. Dominic had seen any number of ladies look at the man with longing but Lawrence seemed wedded to his responsibilities.

  “I’ll deal with DeBeaufort,” Dominic said. “You can tell the tenants the rubble will be moved in short order.”

  “It’s right where the children like to play,” Lawrence said. “And it’s blocking light from the vegetable patches.”

  Dominic nodded and checked the time. “I have an appointment with Nathan now and I want to talk to Noel before the afternoon’s over. And my aunts are coming.”

  Lawrence grinned at that.

  “I see their reputation precedes them. They have not chosen a good time to pay us a visit.”

  “Seems to me some distraction might be just what’s needed here at the moment,” Lawrence said.

  Dominic studied him with interest. “I suppose there’s a lot of chatter about the goings-on at the house, the evident dissension?”

  “Not a lot. You’ve a faithful staff and the people in those cottages feel safe because they’re on Elliot lands. A testimony to the way you treat them, my lord.”

  Dominic shrugged. He believed he did what any fortunate, well-born man should do: treat all men as equals while recognizing there were often massive differences in their lots.

  “Yes,” Lawrence said. Sometimes the steward seemed much older than Dominic when, in fact, they were the same age. He cleared his throat and looked in Dominic’s direction while avoiding meeting his eyes.

  Another thorny issue was about to rear its head. Dominic could feel the tension and expected something even more worrisome to be announced. “Something is on your mind. Let’s have it, man. You know you can speak your mind to me.”

  “Aye, I’ve always been able to do so but we may be about to enter a delicate phase between us.”

  “Wonderful,” Dominic said. “Just what we need, more conflict when we have real evil abroad.”

  “The Cat?” Lawrence said at once. “Whatever happens, we must stand together to overcome and capture that one and we have no time to waste.”

  This was the first inkling Dominic had come upon that Lawrence was at all concerned by the damnable Cat. “You’re right and I’m open to any suggestions you may have.”

  “I’m working on the problem and hoping my enquiries will help.”

  “Good. Well, I’m delighted. I thought you intended to add something more to the difficulties we’re already aware of. Thank you. If it becomes necessary, I’ll ask for your help.”

  “Yes,” Lawrence said. “There is another point. Jane Weller, who is so well cared for at the Dowager’s house. From what she tells me, you have never met her but I assure you she is a delight. And she is both brave and sensible.”

  Dominic took time to organize his thoughts. He quickly overcame a notion to seek out his mother and demand to know if she was aware of Jane’s acquaintance with Lawrence. But the fact remained that Jane’s presence, for her own good, was supposed to be completely secret except for the knowledge of immediate family members and Lymer.

  “I am aware of Jane Weller’s presence in my mother’s household. Before you say what’s on your mind about the girl, will you reveal who it was who told you her whereabouts?”

  Lawrence looked heavenward. “I wasn’t told by anyone who wanted to do Jane ill and I have made sure my informant understands the details must not be mentioned again.”

  “And you trust…Did my mother tell you?”

  “No. Little Miss Chloe did. Apparently she and Jane have become friends during the visits Chloe pays to the Dowager.”

  Dominic ran his hands through his hair, pushing the blowing locks away from his face. “Very well. I understand that, but what I don’t understand is why Chloe felt she should talk to you about it.”

  Color stained Lawrence’s cheeks. “Sometimes Chloe comes with me when I make my rounds. The Marchioness approves of this. One day I was at the Dower House because her ladyship wanted to discuss the condition of some windows. While I waited for her, Jane walked in—and ran out. Chloe was with me and told me about Jane.”

  For Dominic a battle raged between knowing and absolutely trusting Lawrence, and his own need to keep control of the situation. “You saw Jane once and now you are overwhelmed by her virtues. I don’t understand. What can you really know about her under the circumstances?”

  “Later the Dowager sent for me again and asked me to occasionally get Jane out for air and a break from the monotony of spending such a long time hidden in dark places with only Mrs. Lymer and occasionally the Dowager or Chloe for company. Lady Granville told me Jane had been recommended to her by a monk.”

  “She did, did she? I understood she needed a refuge, somewhere safe where she would not be found by certain people. But my mother completely disregarded danger and sent Jane around the countryside.”

  “Jane,” Lawrence said, “is a reader and has a good basic knowledge of mathematics. To allow her mind to go to waste is a damn shame. I did not take her around the countryside. First I made sure she spent some time in the open air right here on the estate, then I took her to my sitting room where we talked about the things that interest her—and me. The Dowager allowed such an unconventional arrangement because she threatened me with the most terrible reprisals if I betrayed her trust.” He grinned and Dominic laughed out loud.

  “So,” Lawrence said, “I would like to request permission to court her.”

  “Sounds to me as if you already are.”

  Lawrence sat straighter. “I assure you I have not pressed my advantage with Jane, not that she would be impressed if I had.”

  Dominic thought about all this. “I am not Miss Weller’s father or even a relative, but I am taking responsibility for her since she is alone in London and under my mother’s roof. If you think she is the woman for you, I wish you luck. But be careful. When she is with you, her life is in your hands.”

  “Just as Miss Toogood’s life is in yours,” Lawrence murmured. “But neither of us will make costly mistakes.”

  “No,” Dominic said. “We can’t.”

  Lawrence smiled and looked younger to Dominic than he ever had before. “I know all about Jane’s abduction. And I have seen the new scar where that devil cut her. Tomorrow evening at the ball for Miss Toogood, I suggest you allow Jane to be in evidence as one of the servants, and—”

  “No. What are you thinking of?” Dominic asked him. “It would put her at risk and that I will not do.”

  “The danger involved sickens me but Jane cannot hide forever. Until The Cat is caught he will be a threat to her. She wants to do this for herself and for others.”

  Dominic shook his head. “What you say is right, of course. Jane will not be free while he remains at large. But we cannot jeopardize her life.”

  “Do you deny that The Cat is proving clever at disguising himself?” Lawrence asked. “Not one of the women he grabbed knows what he really looks like, and we need ways to draw him out of the shadows. If Jane is recognized tomorrow as she most certainly will be, by Victoria Crewe-Burns if by no other, the word will sweep the ball. We would have to watch more closely than we have ever watched but I would be surprised if no move were made to make sure Jane is removed and silenced.”

  “And if a ghastly error is made and Jane really is captured again?”

  “You will be watching, and Lord Nathan. I believe I can get away with being dressed as a footman since your peers do not look beyond uniforms.”

  Dominic knew the comment was not intended as a criticism and did not take it as one.

  “There are not enough of us to make sure she doesn’t slip from our sight for even an instant. Unless…” This cowardly endeavor had fostered suspicions among friends. “There are other men who would gladly help us—men whom I tru
st implicitly.”

  “For one, you could enlist McGee,” Lawrence said, “And Butters. They are both men of honor who respect this family as much as they do their own.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right. And Albert and Snowdrop Parker, and the Marchioness. Not a careless or fearful soul among them.”

  “Franklin Best is beyond reproach, isn’t he, m’lord?

  Dominic winced but said, “Yes, of course he is. And Noel DeBeaufort is a man of honor who will not turn his back on a call for help. And Olivia Prentergast’s Captain Sommerfield. I hear he is incensed by the terrible ordeal his fiancée endured and anxious to bring down The Cat.”

  “How about Bertie Crewe-Burns?”

  “I am not sure he is ever sober enough to be serious about anything,” Dominic said. “I’ll ask Nathan his opinion. But you’re right, we can make sure there are plenty of people keeping an eye on Jane. We shall have a great deal to do between now and tomorrow evening.”

  “It will be worth the effort,” Lawrence said, looking across the valley again.

  “Look,” Dominic said. “I’ll go down to see the tenants personally tomorrow. You can tell them that.”

  “You’ll please them,” Lawrence said. “They all like to see you, especially the children—and the ladies.”

  “Off with you,” Dominic said, chuckling. He wheeled his horse around and started back down the incline they had climbed.

  A curtain of gray hid the sun and a blustery wind blew.

  Damn Noel for his cheek. His art must go before the comfort of others. Even the clients’ wishes were to take second place to the man’s decisions.

  “Speak of the devil,” he said under his breath. Riding at him from the direction of the rock gardens which had become twice as large as Dominic had expected, Noel DeBeaufort waved an arm. The wind tossed his curly hair and by the time he reached him, Dominic saw the healthy ruddiness whipped into the man’s tanned face.

  Noel’s horse danced, as undisciplined as his master. “I know where you’ve come from,” Noel said. “The Marquis instructed me to get the job done as soon as possible so I chose the only reasonable space to use during construction. It won’t take so very long, then the area will be cleared again.”

  “When the grass is all dead and the children are left with mud to play in?”

  “Well.” Noel seemed to encourage his mount’s high spirits. “At least they’ll have the spot back. New grass will grow eventually.”

  Dominic grew angry. “Eventually? When will that be—when there are no children to trample the area, and drive their overworked mothers mad with extra dirt and laundry?”

  Noel quieted his animal and sat back in the saddle. He spread his hands on very solid thighs. “You’re an odd one sometimes, Dominic. The land is yours to do with as you like. Why do you concern yourself with what your tenants think?”

  “You’re right. The land does belong to us and we decide what will be done here. As my brother’s advocate, I choose to respect those who make their living here. Have your men move the mound to a fallow field.”

  “But—”

  “Have them start today. They should do nothing more in the grounds until they have cleared the debris from any area close to our tenants’ homes.”

  Noel stared at him, his dark brown eyes speculative rather than annoyed. Finally he smiled and said, “I’ll get them right on it.”

  “Are you planning to attend our ball tomorrow evening?” Dominic asked.

  Noel’s smile became a grin. “You think I might miss a ball at Heatherly, particularly a ball in honor of the delectable Miss Toogood?”

  “How could I have been so foolish,” Dominic responded lightly, although he detested Noel’s interest in Fleur. But then he didn’t truly like any man’s interest in her. “Good—do you think I could enlist your help with a matter of some delicacy?”

  Noel was aware of The Cat, and of the recent threatening material printed in the paper. He didn’t know anything of Jane Weller but did agree, instantly, to join the small army of watchers at the ball. “There must be an understanding about how we proceed if something does happen,” he said.

  “Go directly toward Jane,” Dominic said. “Don’t let anyone get in your way and don’t take your eyes off her. I will inform the others. Whatever happens she must not be removed from the ballroom.”

  “Very well,” Noel said. “We shall prevail.” And he rode off.

  This had already been a long, tense day. Dominic turned his horse and went in the direction of the stables. Next came an appointment with Nathan. Then he must find a way to convince Fleur that his close watch over her was appropriate given the uncertain times.

  He heard the pound of more hoofs and Nathan met him by the trees that separated the ornamental gardens from the rest of the property.

  “Thought I’d better come catch up with you or there’ll be no time to talk before the aunts get here,” Nathan said. “They’ll be determined to arrive before sunset and that means within a couple of hours.”

  Dominic nodded. His brother was right.

  “They aren’t so bad,” Nathan said. “I like to see them with Mother. She behaves like the senior sister rather than being younger by so many years.”

  “At any other time I’d be delighted to have them,” Dominic told him. He gave Nathan a rapid sketch of the conversations he’d had with both Lawrence and Noel.”

  “Old Lawrence in love, hmm?” Nathan said. “The only time I saw the girl was when you had me rush her away from the house. You made a wretched fool out of me. But—” he held up a hand to stop Dominic from breaking in “—she is a most wholesome young woman. Perhaps a little too serious but pleasant and with intelligent eyes. Actually, she’s quite attractive.”

  Dominic didn’t have time to discuss Jane Weller’s finer points. “I’m glad you approve of Lawrence’s taste. And you understand what we will all expect of one another tomorrow?”

  “I understand. I also question the wisdom of putting one young woman in danger, but I will do my part—you can rely on me.”

  “I know,” Dominic said and slapped his brother’s back. “Now to the other.”

  “How foolish of me to hope you’d forgotten.”

  Dominic riffled the short, coarse hair on his horse’s neck. “Fleur respects and admires you,” he said.

  “I always knew she was a woman with impeccable taste.”

  His brother’s flippancy irritated Dominic. He looked away.

  “Sorry,” Nathan said. “But if you don’t understand my undisciplined tongue by now, you never will. I hold Fleur in high regard.”

  “Do you?” Dominic looked at Nathan sharply. He almost felt ill. “I have seen how she defers to you and laughs with you—and how she never says an ill word about you. I also know about the flowers you took to her room after the three of us had exchanged words.”

  Nathan turned the full force of his narrowed green eyes on him. “Who told you about those?”

  “I wasn’t told. I saw them—that night you came storming into Fleur’s room ready to accuse me of ravishing her.”

  “Ah,” Nathan said, “that night. The one when you went storming to Fleur’s room to accuse me of ravishing her.”

  “Don’t try to distract me. You gave her flowers. I don’t recall another recent occasion on which you did such a thing for a woman, or any other occasion, come to that. Can you blame me for making assumptions?”

  “No.”

  Dominic waited, but Nathan didn’t add more.

  “She’s really lovely,” Dominic said. “Inside and out. Her father has seen to it that she is educated and she is self-possessed enough to be quite at ease in any company. She admires you and you admire her. She needs a husband and although you don’t seem to think so, you need a wife. Let me promote a match between you.”

  Nathan looked at him direct. “The job Mother gave you is arduous. You want it over with. If I courted and married Fleur it would answer your prayers.”<
br />
  What would Nathan ever know about his prayers?

  “Dominic, I think you care for Fleur yourself. Your behavior when any other man attempts to show her attention is almost an embarrassment to the rest of us.”

  “No such thing.” Dominic scowled at him. “You are making excuses for yourself to take as long a time as possible to do what you know you want to do.”

  “Why not court her yourself?” Nathan said. “You’re right when you say she’s lovely, but I could not be equal to her needs.”

  “Aha.” Dominic pointed at him. “She has shown you her list, hasn’t she? That means she is serious about you.”

  “List? Fleur has shown me no list. Why should she?”

  Dominic let the air out of his lungs where he realized he’d been holding it. “Forget I mentioned it. Ask Fleur about her list and I’m sure she’ll be glad to share it with you.”

  “I admit to being enamored of Fleur, but I also know that you are in love with her. There, I shall not beat about the bush again. You love her and I don’t know why you don’t pursue her. Why, Dominic, tell me?”

  The light grew noticeably more dim and the air cooler. Dominic didn’t want to speak of his feelings to anyone, not even Nathan, but he supposed he owed him some measure of the truth. “Brother Juste spoke with Jane earlier in the week—in the chapel once more. And this time I knew more so that I could ask better questions and receive more useful answers. I have also spent time on and around St. James Street. My concern has been that the boy, Harry, might have told his vicious friend about a monk who came to the lad’s aid. I deliberately revealed myself to see if I encountered trouble. I didn’t, which makes me believe Harry didn’t mention the two men who came to his aid.”

  “You haven’t said a word about this,” Nathan said. “How do you think that makes me feel?”

  “If I had told you, you would have insisted on coming and that could have made my job more difficult.”