Valerie had interjected a few times but Joanna had brushed it off. But now she was not going to hold back.
“Kind and gentle?” Valerie snorted. “You honestly think he’s kind and gentle?”
Joanna tittered and rolled her eyes.
“You’re just jealous, Valerie. Just because I’ve got a man interested in me with a proposal and you haven’t.”
“I’m not jealous at all.” And she wasn’t. “I’m just concerned about you.”
“Well, you don’t need to be concerned about me.” Joanna sat back and gave what looked like a dreamy smile. “I can take care of myself.”
Valerie knew that this wasn’t true. Joanna couldn’t hold herself up in any situation. She fell to pieces. She had been lamenting that she couldn’t find a husband. Valerie wondered if Joanna would ever openly admit to James Linn’s proposal.
“Has Lord Aylesbury told you about his gambling habits?” Valerie blurted out.
That could have come out better, she knew, but Valerie didn’t know how else to phrase it without going around in circles. Joanna frowned.
“What gambling habits?”
“Joanna, you’ve expressed a hatred for gambling and Lord Aylesbury is known as an unrepentant gambler.”
“No, he isn’t.”
“His whole family knows! The entire party that night knew his gambling habits.” Valerie sat forward. “He will use every single coin he has for a thrill and he doesn’t care whose coin it is. You’ve surely noticed the timing of his proposal with Father’s stroke—”
“As you’ve told me several times already.”
“But haven’t you noticed as well that he only came into the picture for us when he needs money? We would never have met him like this if Father hadn’t become ill.”
Valerie could see the cogs in her sister’s head turning but then they stopped working. It was like it had stumbled on the fact Valerie could be right and it couldn’t cope. Joanna shook her head.
“He doesn’t need money from anyone else. He’s got plenty. He told me.”
“Really? You saw his house. It was sparse compared to our home. And Mrs. Linn mentioned her brother-in-law has made it clear that he’s looking for more money.”
Joanna snorted. Valerie could see her defenses rearing up.
“She’s just jealous because she didn’t get to marry Aylesbury.”
“She’s the one who wanted to marry the brother because she knew what he was like.” Valerie shot back. “She was concerned about you, as am I.”
Joanna scowled.
“No, you’re not. You’re jealous.”
“Me?”
“You are. Jealous that I have a man interested in me and not you.” Joanna began to sob. “You don’t want me to be happy.”
Valerie could see the waterworks—clearly crocodile tears—were about to start and that was the last thing she wanted.
“Joanna, I–”
But the wailing had already started. Joanna began to bawl like a baby while Valerie sat there, staring out the window and trying to ignore her. She knew the coachmen had heard but they would keep going; they had seen Joanna’s crocodile tears act before and everyone could tell when it was real from the older Davis daughter. While Valerie was glad no one was pandering to her sister, she was annoyed that she had to deal with it.
It was a while of getting the silent treatment before Joanna quietened down and sat sulkily in the corner, folding her arms like a petulant child staring out the window.
***
Valerie had never felt so glad to arrive back home. That had been three weeks ago and Joanna had purposefully avoided her since. She was more focused on the new love of her life and threw herself into the long-distance romance, writing letters all day and refusing to let anyone into her room except to bring her meals and for someone to pick up her letters.
Valerie and her mother tried to talk to her but Joanna refused to have anything to do with Valerie. She would scream and throw things if Valerie stepped across the threshold which had Valerie ducking away. She kept out of reach after that.
As the weeks passed, Valerie was getting worn out. She knew the end was coming, and it wasn’t going to be pretty but Joanna refused to listen to reason. It made her feel sick that she couldn’t set this right and others were going to get hurt. She worried so much about that she was unable to eat. She became dizzy from lack of food and had to take to her bed for several days.
Getting sick because she couldn’t fix it was something she had inherited from her mother. Janice was a big worrier over people she cared about and Valerie was just the same. The only problem was Valerie wasn’t sure if she wanted to fix it for Joanna’s sake or for her parents. They would be devastated and angry if someone used their eldest daughter and Valerie would feel like she failed.
One morning Valerie had had enough and decided to go and talk to her father about it. She had spoken to Andrew Davis several times since his stroke and while she was pleased with his startling recovery rate; she hadn't wanted to unload to him. She feared it would be too much for him. But the time for being sensitive around him had passed.
Knocking gently on the door of her father’s sleeping quarters, Valerie opened the door and put her head around. Andrew was sitting by the fireplace, a blanket across his lap as he read. He looked up, his eyes brightening behind his glasses when he saw his daughter.
“Valerie! Come in.” He closed his book and put it to one side, reaching out with a hand towards her. “I want to see a welcoming face.”
Valerie went in gratefully. She loved her father. To see him as he had been after his stroke had been frightening. Now seeing him recovering as well as he was made up for the days they had spent worrying. Andrew Davis was a fighter.
“Where’s Mother?” Valerie grasped her father’s hand and sat. “Surely she would be a welcoming face.”
“I sent her into her old room to go and sleep. She’s been up all night again.”
Her old room. The room she had first been given when they had married. Janice and Andrew had rolled their eyes about separate sleeping quarters. As far as Valerie had been told, the only time they slept separately was when Janice had been pregnant with Joanna and when either of them were ill. Otherwise they shared the same room.
They weren’t ashamed to admit it and Valerie hoped she had that level of trust and love one day.
“Why was she up all night again?”
“Worrying about me.” Andrew sighed. “I’m amazed she’s lasted this long with very little sleep.”
“She worries about you.” Valerie squeezed his hand. “You know she loves you.”
“I know. And I love her but I won’t have her dropping dead because she won’t look after herself.”
That was fair enough. Valerie surveyed her father’s face. He was looking less pale and not as thin. That was something.
“How are you feeling today?”
“Much better. I think I’ll be up and moving around without any problems soon.” Andrew patted his stomach. “My appetite’s come back as well. The doctor says I was incredibly lucky I wasn’t paralyzed after the stroke but I do need to take it easy for a while.”
“I’m glad.”
Andrew chuckled.
“You worry too much, Valerie.”
“Am I not allowed to do that?”
“Of course you are. But you’re just like your mother. You worry about others too much.” Andrew cupped his daughter’s jaw in his hand. “You’re going to wear yourself out if you’re not careful.”
Chapter 6
Attempted
Intervention
“I can take of myself, Father.” Valerie protested.
“I’m sure. But I can see you’re worried.” Andrew rubbed a thumb over the creases on Valerie’s forehead. “Those frown lines are like your mother’s. Is it Joanna?”
Valerie sighed and nodded.
“She and Lord Aylesbury are still seeing each other.”
“That’s g
ood. Someone’s interested in her at last.”
Valerie stared.
“Father, have you ever met Lord Aylesbury?”
“I have. Shortly after he became the earl. Seemed like a decent enough person.”
“That’s what he pretends to be. His whole family has told me he’s a gambler, and he’s short on money.”
That had all come out in a rush. That wasn’t meant to happen. Valerie watched as the genial look on her father’s face fell and he looked uncomfortable.
“And you think he’s planning on marrying Joanna to get to her dowry.”
“I believe so.”
Valerie knew they would get a generous dowry once they married. Andrew loved his daughters. But it would be considerably more if Andrew passed away. Valerie hated that Andrew had to deal with the fact someone might want his daughters for anything other than genuine love and affection.
Andrew pulled back and sighed.
“What does Joanna say?”
“She refuses to listen and won’t even let me anywhere near her.”
Andrew sighed. He lowered his hands and looked rather forlorn.
“I’m sorry. I wish she wasn’t as stubborn.”
“Just like her father.” Valerie teased.
Andrew grunted. He sat back and bridged his fingers to the bridge of his nose.
“I knew Aylesbury’s father. He was not good with money at all. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of his sons is the same. If I had been well, I would’ve said no to the match.”
Valerie didn’t say that Joanna took advantage of his ill health. That was something Andrew didn’t need to hear right now; he was probably thinking it already.
Andrew sighed heavily.
“I know she’s been unlucky finding a husband, but this is the only time I would have put my foot down with a potential match had I known about it.” He lowered his hand and shook his head. “I won’t have my family dragged down by that man.”
“Would you like to tell Joanna that yourself? She’s not going to listen to me or Mother.”
Valerie hoped so. If there was one person who could get through her sister’s thick head, it was her father.
Andrew was about to answer when there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
Johnson entered. He glanced between Valerie and her father as he bowed.
“Excuse me for interrupting, my lord, but the Earl of Lincoln is here. He wishes to speak to you.”
Valerie blinked. Lord Lincoln was here? She had only seen him a few weeks ago. Suddenly her pulse was skittering. Andrew looked equally perplexed.
“Lord Lincoln? He’s a bit out of his way. Did he say why he was here?”
“No, my lord. But he was rather agitated.”
Valerie glanced at Andrew. She could tell he wanted to speak to Lord Lincoln, but he was wavering between going downstairs or staying where he was. It wasn’t proper to receive people in the bedroom but Andrew was still unwell. She touched her father’s hand.
“Do you want me to help you downstairs?”
“I’m not fit enough for that yet. It’ll wipe me out for the rest of the day.” Andrew tucked the blanket around him and nodded at Johnson. “Bring him up here, Johnson. I’ll receive him as I am.”
“Very good, my lord.”
***
Link hadn’t been in anyone’s sleeping quarters before, other than his parents' when they both died several years ago. Even now he hadn’t moved into them because he couldn’t bring himself to sleep in the same bed his father had first died in and then his mother.
He followed Johnson upstairs and stepped into the bedroom. Hastings sat by the empty fire, a blanket tucked around his lap and wearing a dark red robe. He looked thin and pale and his hair was prematurely greying but his eyes were sharp. He didn’t look like he had had a stroke a month ago. Even then, Link couldn’t believe how much his friend had changed.
Then he saw Valerie standing behind her father, hands clasped in front of her. Her appearance shocked him. Her skin was pale, and she looked like she hadn’t slept. Was she ill as well? Link didn’t want to think of Valerie as ill. That worried him.
He focused on Hastings and bowed.
“Lord Hastings.” He nodded at Valerie with a smile. “Miss Davis.”
“Lord Lincoln.”
Valerie’s cheeks reddened a little. Link hid a smile. Somehow it made him feel good that he could get a reaction from her. But he turned to her father. Now was not the time to flirt with Valerie.
“I apologize for meeting you like this.”
“Don’t be silly, Lincoln.” Hastings scoffed. “I’m the one who should be apologizing since we’re in my sleeping quarters.”
“You are unwell, Hastings.” Link moved to a chair and sat. “And I don’t want to stress you further but this is important.”
“This is concerning your brother-in-law, isn’t it?” Hastings looked up at Valerie when she put a hand on his shoulder. “Valerie’s already told me about his gambling and Joanna’s attitude towards it.”
That was something. At least Link didn’t have to worry about setting off another stroke.
“We’ve all tried to talk to her. That night when your daughters stayed with Aylesbury, we all tried to talk to her. Joanna’s a nice woman and… well, Aylesbury’s youngest brother James is in love with her.”
“I heard something about that.”
Valerie’s jaw had tightened.
“Did you know Mr. Linn asked Joanna to marry him and she turned him down?”
Now Hastings was looking bewildered. He stared up at his daughter.
“What? When was this?”
“Four years ago.” Valerie glanced at Link. “Is that right?”
“Round about then, yes.” Link shook his head. “I have no idea why she turned him down but James was heartbroken about it. And this has him distraught. They were friends and now Joanna’s turned her back on him. She’s ignoring all of us in favor of Lord Aylesbury. We don’t know what to do and we know what’s going to happen.”
“And you thought you’d come to me.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Well, you are her father and the one who hands her over to her husband, essentially. She’ll listen to you.”
“She’s supposed to listen to him.”
Link exchanged a look with Valerie at this. She seemed to be thinking the same thing. Hastings didn’t look happy either.
“I think Joanna might be so desperate for marriage that she’ll take what she can get regardless of the situation. And it sounds like Aylesbury’s saying the right words.”
“He is.” Link wished he didn’t have to say that. Despite his faults when he got going Aylesbury knew exactly what to say. It was awful to see. “My sister has tried to speak to Joanna herself but it’s going in one ear and out the other.” He sighed and looked down at the floor. “It’s embarrassing coming here to plead for something that shouldn’t be any of my business but none of us know what to do. I got delegated to speak to you.”
That was partly true. Alan had been willing to travel all the way to Hastings to talk to Hastings himself but Link had jumped at the opportunity to see Valerie again. It was selfish and he should have left it to Alan but Link couldn’t pass the chance to talk to Valerie. While they had managed to converse during her stay at Aylesbury’s house, they hadn’t been able to talk much due to her over-vigilant behavior towards her sister.
From the look on Hastings’ face, he didn’t quite believe that Link had been delegated. Had he guessed the real reason? Link kept his expression passive, hoping he didn’t give himself away. Finally, Hastings sighed and looked up at his daughter.
“Is Joanna at home?”
“She’s in her room.” Valerie made a face. “Her maid is helping her choose a dress for one of the many dinners she’ll have with Lord Aylesbury when she goes back to visit.”
“When is she leaving for that?”
“She isn’t. She�
��s just getting ready for it.”
Link bit back a groan. Women like Joanna Davis were why he wanted to remain a bachelor. Then he looked at her younger sister and that determination to remain unmarried went right out the window.
“Find Johnson and tell him to send her in here. And would you escort Lord Lincoln out, please, Valerie?” He grimaced at Link. “It’s not me being rude, I hope you understand? It’s just there is going to be a lot of shouting and I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“That’s fine.” Link stood. “This was all I came for, anyway. I didn’t expect to stay.”
Which was why he had organized with a few friends to stay with them in the neighboring town, just in case he was needed. He bowed to Hastings.
“Thank you for listening to me, Lord Hastings.”
“Thank you for coming to me with your concerns, Lincoln.”
Link grunted and followed Valerie out. He was glad he had been given leave; he didn’t want to be in the firing line when Joanna went mad.
Chapter 7
Callous to the End
V alerie could feel Lincoln’s eyes on her as they went down the stairs but she refused the urge to look around. Her heart was going nineteen-to-the-dozen just knowing he was looking at her; she didn’t want it to go into overdrive if she could see him looking at her.
They had developed an acquaintance during her and Joanna’s stay at Lord Aylesbury’s house. He was kind and a gentleman, not what she had been expecting. Valerie had found herself being on edge but also relaxed around him. She was jittery but comfortable whenever Lincoln was around and it was strange. It was something she hadn’t experienced before.
And she had no idea what it meant.
They were at the bottom of the stairs when Lincoln spoke.
“I hope your father can make your sister see reason.”
Valerie sighed.
“So do I.” She turned and saw Lincoln two steps above her. They weren’t scandalously close but Valerie could feel her body getting warm. She swallowed. “But I do know Joanna is going to dig her heels in. She inherited Father’s stubbornness. She knows what she wants, and no one is going to take it away from her.”
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