Lady Thornshire came over to sit by the Duchess and pretended to give her full interest to the planning. Her mind, though, was carried away with thoughts of her daughter. If there had been letters, surely a courier would have been dispatched by her husband. After all, her other correspondence had been sent over so that she might accept or refuse various invitations, and so she may answer letters from friends and peers. If there had been any word from Luci, she would already know about it.
“Are you still thinking of your letters?” Lady Hardigree demanded. “I told you, my sources are quite sound when it comes to these dealings. Lord Ambergrave is, by all that we can assume, an upstanding member of the ton and a wealthy man as well. There is no reason to think Luci is anything other than the picture of health. She’s probably lying abed at this very moment, taking her tea and reading through her invitations for the coming weeks.”
“I don’t know, Mary. I just have this dreadful feeling that something is not right. You said yourself that no one really knew this Lord Ambergrave. It’s simply not like Luci to pass so many weeks without a word to me.”
“Can you think of any other new bride who spends her days writing tomes to send forth to her mother? I assure you, you and I had no time for such leisurely pastimes when we were wed. I had to move an entire household to Austria, remember? And any correspondence would have taken weeks to arrive, there was simply no point in bothering.”
“That is a different and unique situation, Mary. Luci has not been skirted off to Austria, she’s only gone so far north as Ashworth Hall. I should think she would at least send word to me of how she’s getting on,” Lady Thornshire said, her voice cracking as she spoke longingly.
“Angeline, this is preposterous. You cannot pine for your daughter now that she’s a grown woman, married and well-titled. She has obligations, as do you,” the Duchess said with finality, as though the matter were settled. “Now tell me what you think of roast venison with a hearty aspic to go with it?”
Lady Thornshire listened while her sister prattled on about which gamekeeper could be dispatched to hunt the venison and then in nearly the same breath changed course and began to talk of ordering a new gown for her event. She dared not tell her sister about Lord Thornshire’s letter, though.
Her husband, true to his word, had invested in a new venture but had shunned any prospect of partners. She was fearful that he might be in too deeply to take things on for himself, but then again, his last partner had tucked his tail and run. The whole reason poor Luci was gone was because of that wretched partner.
“If I ever chance to see him in the flesh, he will be very sorry he ruined my family’s fortunes.” Lady Thornshire thought for a moment, idly wondering if Angeline might have the name of a hired man who could find this former partner and inflict some harm.
“Oh my! I forgot to tell you that I had further news,” Lady Hardigree cried, putting down her pages concerning her silly ball and retrieving a different letter. “It concerns the true love of our dear Luci’s life, this Earl of Stillscar.”
“Really? But what of him? Luci is already wed and you’ve said there’s no cause to think her marriage should be undone,” Lady Thornshire answered, though she stood up and came closer to her sister anyway, reading the letter from her perch beside her.
“All the same, this information serves to let us know that your husband’s decision was sound. While I grieve for you both over the difficulty with his business affairs, when you learn what I have discovered, you will be grateful that it came to pass. If for no other reason, it spared our dear girl a life of misery and shame should Edgar have accepted the Earl’s offer.”
Lady Thornshire took the folded letter that the Duchess held out, her eyes devouring the words upon the page. Her emotions ran like loosed horses as confusion turned to anger and then an icy sort of fear. She looked up at her sister with an expression of horror, only to see Lady Hardigree’s knowing look.
“See? It is as I said. Lord Stillscar is completely penniless. Well, except for a mere sum his brother doles out to him, practically a charity offering,” Lady Hardigree said, taking the letter back and folding it once again. “While I do wish things had turned out differently for Edgar’s business affairs, I cannot even lose a moment’s sleep from it for I know that it saved Luci.”
“To think what could have happened,” Lady Thornshire whispered breathlessly. “And here I have grieved for the broken heart she endured on our account.”
“Don’t let it trouble you any further, then,” her sister said, giving her hand a gentle pat. “Edgar is back in business and will have recovered his fortunes in no time. This Lord Stillscar will not come within twenty leagues of Luci now, and moreover, I’m sure she is adjusting to her new role as a wife of a Marquess with all of the grace and happiness I know her for.”
Bradley read over the letter he’d penned one last time, holding it close to the old stump of a candle that lit his room. He pulled his coat tighter around his chest to ward off the chill of the empty room as he read.
The words on the page gave him pause due to the coarse nature of his language and intent, but there was no other way. He’d been wronged by a great many people, and he would not stand for any more ill-treatment. Once this letter reached its intended recipient, everything would change in an instant.
“You will pray for handouts and leftover crumbs no longer,” he told himself resolutely. “Finally, what is rightfully yours will belong to you, and no one shall stand in your way.”
Bradley hurried down the stairs to send the letter on its way. Out on the street, he sent the letter via post and then looked at his surroundings, taking in the sights of the city. His lodgings overlooked a busy thoroughfare, and all around him, the town proper was swarming with activity.
I should be a man of business. There is no reason a man of my learning and station could not be successful in business. But of what sort? Where would I even begin, and with what capital investment?
The thought, though fleeting, was enough to spur Bradley into setting about the next phase in his plan. The letter should arrive at its destination with the week, so he had to make ready for when that time came.
Already extended on his credit, he sought out a tailor and made promise of more funds to come if the man could but fashion him a new suit, one that would be fitting for his scheme. Reluctantly, the old man took down Bradley’s measurements and assured him the attire would be ready within three days.
Where shall I be off to next? Bradley left the shop and turned down the cobblestones. He sought out a barber to see to the sort of grooming he would require for his plan to come to fruition, and after leaving much better than when he entered, Bradley headed out for home.
“Well, if it is not the man who loses all his money at the track and blames others for it,” a low voice said as he passed a trio of men outside the tinker’s place.
Bradley only looked in their direction but kept walking. His ears pricked up as he heard the distinct sounds of footsteps following closely behind him, and he felt a strange sensation run up his spine as his nerves were alerted.
“Not so dandy now, are ya?” one of the other men asked. “You were bold enough at the horse track, but now you’ve got nothin’ to say to us?”
“No, as a matter of fact, I do not. Good day to you, sirs,” Bradley called over his shoulder as he continued on his way, already darting his eyes left and right to see who might be near enough to call out to should he be in need of aid.
“That’s right, go on to your fancy house now. We’ll just walk a-ways back, take in the sights.” The three men laughed, but Bradley could not discern the source of their amusement.
Ignoring them, he continued on until his home came into view. Bradley patted his pocket instinctively, feeling for the carefully horded coins his brother had begrudgingly given him. They represented all the wealth he owned in the world at that moment, and he was not going to give it up without a spectacle.
Glancing back, he
saw that the three men were following still, yet their expressions were now serious. He suddenly realized their intention—they were scheming to follow him and catch him unaware in his lodgings, thereby robbing him or causing him harm.
I must alert someone, he thought with a fleeting sense of urgency. Panic-stricken, he looked about for a constable who might be walking the streets, and he was relieved to see a stout man in uniform up ahead. Bradley quickened his pace until he came within shouting distance of the officer, only to stop where he stood.
What if my troubles have followed me here to my own city? Bradley was remembering how only two days’ prior he’d been in a gaol cell himself. I’m not the most sympathetic case, at least not if the local authorities have been informed of my crimes.
“Good evening to you, sir,” the constable said, tipping his hat and giving Bradley a quizzical look. “Is everything all right? You seem to be confounded by something.”
“Oh no, everything is fine. Thank you for asking,” Bradley replied, looking back to the men who’d given slow chase. They’d stopped at the sight of the constable and were now talking amongst themselves in low tones.
“That’s good to hear. Have a good evening, sir,” the constable added before continuing on his way.
At the sight of the approaching officer, the three men dispersed, leaving Bradley with ample time to slip away around the corner. Keeping a careful watch for any sign of the men, he crept up to the servants’ entrance behind his building and entered his home that way.
Only once he was safely upstairs did he let go of the breath that had caught in his chest. He did not know those men, but he knew what they were after, something he did not have to give them. Whatever funds they had come to retrieve on behalf of men from the racetrack were not to be found, at least not yet.
“But soon,” Bradley whispered, pushing back the edge of the curtain with one fingertip to look outside. “I will have all the money I require very soon.”
Chapter 19
“Are you going to watch me eat?” Luci asked one morning when she had finally regained enough strength to sit up in bed. Lord Ambergrave nodded at her weak smile and beamed. “Surely you have other diversions to keep your interest.”
“Seeing you take sustenance is all the entertainment I require,” he answered, taking the tray from the servant and placing it on her lap gently. “I need no other amusement today.”
“I happen to find it odd, though,” she teased before trying another small bite of the still-warm bread. “As if I’m an exotic creature brought back from abroad for the delight of the court.”
“Should I go, then?” Lord Ambergrave asked, pointing towards the door. “I do not wish to make you feel gawked at. I’m only so relieved that you are recovered well enough to enjoy your breakfast, meager though it may be.”
He looked with some disdain at the plain toast and cup of tea, and shook his head.
“Where is the meat? The hearty broth that will build up your strength?” he demanded. Turning to the servant, he added, “Go to Mrs. Cushings and fetch something more filling than this.”
“But I do not want something more filling,” Luci protested with a smile, even as the servant hurried to comply. “I fear I shall have enough trouble finishing all of this. I’m sorry, I simply don’t feel up to anything heartier.”
“Do not apologize,” Lord Ambergrave said earnestly, sitting beside her bed. “You shall have whatever you like. But perhaps if you tried some broth, you might feel up to it?”
Still exhausted, Luci only smiled. “If it will make you happy, I shall try. But that is all I can promise.”
“That is more than enough to make me happy,” he replied, smiling broadly.
True to his word, Lord Ambergrave sat by while Luci nibbled at the toast and drank her tea. When a servant returned with the broth—more than Luci could enjoy even had she been well—she took it gratefully and smiled.
“I’m not watching,” Lord Ambergrave said, laughing as he turned his chair away from her. “Eat it or don’t, I shall not be wounded either way.”
Luci laughed, a sound that surprised even her. It felt good to enjoy something, even something so insignificant as a bit of breakfast, after feeling for so long as though she might die. But before long, worry took hold of her again.
“Not that I am spurring you into leaving, My Lord, but do you not have important business you must attend to?” she asked, dutifully tasting a corner of bread that she had sopped in the clear brown liquid. “I cannot be so selfish as to keep you from your affairs.”
“There is nothing more important right now than seeing that you have all you require,” the Marquess answered firmly. A look of concern crossed his face as he said, “But I would like to ask something of you.”
“I am in no position to grant or deny anyone their requests,” she chided playfully, “but what is it?”
“I know that it is the custom to address one another more formally… and I know that we are not well-known to one another,” he said, struggling to find the words before giving up and speaking plainly. “But will you not call me Gideon?”
Luci blinked in surprise. It had not occurred to her to speak in such a familiar way, and she wondered what had brought about this change. Thinking back to her own parents, two people who were truly devoted to one another’s happiness, she could only recall them ever speaking formally when others were nearby. However, she had caught their adoring tones and familiar names for each other at times when they thought no one could hear.
“Of course… Gideon,” she said, blushing at how awkward it felt to speak thus. “And I have heard you call me Luci, even when you thought I might not be able to hear you. It is a sound I rather liked.”
It was Gideon’s turn to fall into shyness. He looked away and said, “As I was shouting for you that night in the storm, it just seemed the most natural thing in the world. I wasn’t inquiring after some stranger with whom I might stand on ceremony, I was desperately searching for someone who means a great deal to me, even if I did not realize it then.”
“In case I have not said as much, I am very glad you found me,” Luci said solemnly. She reached out her hand to Gideon and he took it eagerly, holding it tightly. “I will not lie, there were a number of moments these past few weeks when I feared I would not live through this. And there were perhaps just as many moments when I wished for it to be so. But you have given me sufficient cause since then to wish to live.”
“That shall be my lifelong duty,” Gideon whispered, looking away and blinking back a tear. He coughed and smiled sheepishly, then said, “But enough of somber things. I wish to talk of pleasant diversions. What shall we do when you are feeling well enough to leave your bed?”
Luci thought for several minutes, the ideas swirling in conflicting planes. What did her heart most desire at the moment? But with Gideon in tow as well? Eventually, she settled on the most honest answer she could think of.
“I truly enjoyed our excursion,” Luci admitted. “To simply be out of doors, riding Jacques. I miss him terribly. However,” she added with a knowing grin, “I have been informed that someone continues to see to his care and his exercise. You would not know who that person is, would you? I should like to thank them for their great kindness.”
Gideon looked embarrassed again. “I know that the creature matters a great deal to you, and I also know that you enjoy riding. It seemed only fitting that I practice a much-neglected skill while tending to your horse.”
“But I saw you ride that day,” she said, confused. “Why do you think you have neglected your ability?”
This time, the Marquess remained silent. He brightened again only when changing the subject.
“What about a long journey? We could go to London, visit some people, see some entertainments and performances. Would that suit you as well?”
“Oh, very much!” Luci said, joining in this new proposal now that she saw how she had pained Gideon with her questioning. “But how long must
we be gone? I would like to see my parents for a visit first if it is to be a long time.”
“How foolish I’ve been! Of course you should like to see them,” Gideon cried. “We will arrange a visit straight away, well before we make any other plans. In fact, if it suits you and once you are well enough, would you be put out if I left you in their care only long enough to tend to some business? I promise you, no more than a few days.”
“That would be wonderful, though… Gideon,” she said hesitantly, “I have been selfish. I am sorry for it. I know you have important matters to attend to, but I was feeling very put out over…well, the whole arrangement. You will not have to ferry me off to others every time you must travel. I am much relieved now and will not put that burden on you.”
“It is no burden, dear Luci.” Gideon looked somber again as he said, “I came to this arrangement with your father without much thought ahead of time. I’m fairly ashamed of how I’ve made a mess of things. In the absence of knowing you or knowing how to conduct myself around you, I simply chose to escape. It was very unfair, and I’m sorry for it.”
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