Two Hearts
Page 16
When Brand entered Gavin turned with a book in his hand and smiled at him.
“Is it all right if I take this to my room to read? I confess to being rather exhausted by the move.”
“Of course. Books should be used. But please do not leave on my account. I wanted to talk to you anyway.”
“I don’t know how to thank you. The rooms, the use of your library. I feel like I have died and gone to heaven. But why are you doing this for my brother?”
“Did he not tell you?”
“He thought it was to prevent Grace from becoming his patroness. That would not have been at all suitable.” He closed the book and sat in a chair at the library table.
“Especially if she had taken the two of you into her home with her.”
“We would never have sanctioned such an arrangement.”
“But that was not the only reason. Your brother’s work has a spark mine lacks. He has struggled.” Brand leaned his hands on the back of a chair.
“Especially to help me.”
“And he has won knowledge from it. Whereas I have never really known struggle or opposition.” Brand stared helplessly at the table. “When I reflect on it, my life has been incredibly dull. Hence my interest in literature and the theater.”
Gavin laughed but it turned into his usual rattling cough. “You should be glad for an uneventful existence.”
“I have written a comedy which I own does not displease me.” Brand began to pace to the window and back. “Assuredly I know when to laugh. My revenge play pleased me less, for I have those emotions second hand. I have never hated anyone. Well except for Grace’s brother and he doesn’t count since I only just met him.”
Gavin snorted his agreement. “Blackwell’s Revenge rings true, I assure you. Joshua took me to see it on one of my better nights.”
“And now I have presumed to write a love story when I have never experienced that emotion.”
“Indeed?”
“I have had some expert help with it so I am optimistic that it will be received well. The only thing I seem to have much experience with is lying.”
Gavin suppressed a cough with a chuckle. “Telling stories is not lying. There is more truth in fiction than in the newspapers.”
“But next I want to write about war. And I have no idea where to begin.”
Gavin’s eyes glittered. “Do we now come to why you have invited us here?”
Brand stopped pacing and his gaze came up to look into the sad eyes of a soldier aged beyond his years. “You can turn me down flat and it will make no difference in how much I support your brother’s plays but I need more than the vainglory of war, more than flags and trumpets. I need to know what it is really like. I feel like a fool for asking.”
Gavin had been nodding and smiled. “I think I can help you there. But it might be painful for you to hear some of my war stories.”
“It might be painful for you to have to tell them. You are under no obligation. I can ask my peers.”
“But you won’t. And I suspect I saw a different war than they did. It was not all bad. If it can help others understand what it was like to be a soldier I will be glad to tell you anything you wish.”
Brand nodded and gave a sigh of relief. “When you have rested we will begin. Joshua tells me you don’t go with us tomorrow tonight. I wish you would.”
“And cough through both acts? No, I will stay here and he will bring me a script to read.”
“At least, join us for supper afterward.”
“There I may be able to oblige you.”
* * * * *
Grace paced her library while Maria sat knitting small things for the baby.
“You locked the door,” Maria said. “He cannot get at us.”
“I know but as Finch said, I feel like a prisoner in my own home.” She chanced to look out the window and saw her solicitor marching up the sidewalk with a clerk in tow. “Now what?”
A moment later Finch announced Mr. Bevry and informed Grace her brother had gone out. The portly man entered and pointed to the desk where the boy deposited his portfolio. Then he turned to Grace. “So glad to find you home.”
“Please, have a seat. Is something amiss?”
The solicitor glanced at Maria and Grace said, “You may speak frankly in front of my cousin who is privy to all matters of family business.”
Bevry sank into a chair with a tired exhalation. “Your brother came to me with a set of instructions that I frankly could not credit.”
“You did not act on them, did you?”
“Certainly not, dear lady. He has called your competence into question with this statement.”
Grace held out her hand and read it. “This is rubbish.”
“And there are laws to protect women from having their property confiscated.”
“I have already threatened him with action from a magistrate. I see I shall have to call in a bigger gun.”
“He seems incorrigible. Who?”
“His wife, Ellen. She is the only person who has the slightest influence over Wallace. Much as I hate to worry her, I shall write her immediately and send the letter by express rider.”
“As I was passing this way I wanted to see how you are.”
Grace opened the desk and pulled a document out of the back of a drawer. “I had meant to call on you. This is something I have been threatening for years. A draft of my new will.”
Bevry drew out his pince-nez and scanned the document. Very wise, bypassing him in favor of your nieces and nephews but leaving the funds in trust to Ellen Montrose.”
“My other bequests remain the same.”
“I shall have copies made and you can sign them at your convenience. Rest assured I did not believe a thing he said.“
“It is my brother’s sanity that I call into question.”
“Some men experience a sort of mental tempest at this age. Some take a mistress, others buy more horses than they can ride, often killing themselves with the beasts. Some like your brother become grasping.”
“I’m very sorry you were troubled.”
“I shall communicate with your bank in case he attempts to cause problems there.”
“Yes, give it out that he has become unhinged and must be restrained until we send some sturdy footmen for him.”
Bevry chuckled. “It is tempting but I doubt that would work.”
“Yes but if Ellen thunders down on him, he will listen to her.”
Grace watched the old man leave with the lad carrying his satchel. She had done men as a class an injustice. There were good ones in the world. They were all around her. But none of them were of marriageable age.
“Do you think we could put dinner forward because of the loo party?” Maria asked. “Perhaps eat before your brother gets back?”
Grace swung around to face her. “What loo party?”
“Don’t you remember? You told me to write a note of acceptance to Lady Rimer. If I go see Cook you still have time to write your letter before we need to change for dinner.”
Grace pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the window. “Yes, let us go out tonight. Otherwise I might indeed murder my own kin.”
* * * * *
Grace greeted Lady Rimer a few hours later, very proud of having escaped for the evening and in her own carriage. It was to call for them about midnight.
“Are you playing tonight, Maria,” Lady Rimer asked.
“No, I shall find a quiet corner but Grace dearly loves to play cards.”
“Yes and I have just the partner for you. Since the Fergusons have arrived, I thought you might like to partner Lord Morewood against them at whist.”
Grace tried to keep the surprise off her face since Brand had not mentioned coming here. Perhaps he had forgotten but then, he had the ever efficient Stoddard to remind him. She was lucky she had Maria. She took the seat across from Brand and determined that she would focus only on the cards.
It did not seem strange to her th
at she could anticipate his thoughts. Any good player would but she felt especially in tune with him tonight. A burst of laughter from the smaller salon could only have come from Robin. “You nephew is with you tonight?”
Lady Rimer thought there would be no harm in a game of speculation or commerce among the younger crowd. They aren’t allowed to play for real money. I’m sure they will be closely supervised.
The arrival of Lady Charlton and her subsequent attempt to break up the game and redistribute the players to her satisfaction was coldly received by Lady Rimer. Lucy absconded to the young parlor anyway, so lady Charlton had to content herself with criticizing the decor until more players arrived.
As Grace anticipated, they won against the Fergusons but insisted they had not been playing for pound points. Their foursome went to get punch and cakes while several tables were pushed together to accommodate the late arrivals.
Grace sighed and Brand picked up on it. “Was that relief that you are not in danger of being paired with Lady C?”
“Yes, I have only so much patience and it has been used up today.”
“Then let us not find a place at the loo table until she is seated.”
“She’ll try to make you go play with the children.”
“She may try.”
The last arrival was Dahlia to Grace’s surprise.
“Where have you brought my son now?”
“You know Lady Rimer.”
“Yes, of course but gambling? Morewood, I do not think this is a good idea.”
“Go see for yourself. He is in good hands.”
Dahlia’s entrance to the other salon did not seem to dampen the spirits though they no longer heard Robin as loudly. After a short interlude, Dahlia came out and took a seat at the loo table though she professed no interest in playing.
“Harmless fun, I suppose. Robin is getting to know the other young people.” She turned toward Grace. “Miss Montrose. That brother of yours is a pain.”
“I know. He leaves me speechless with frustration.”
“He seems to be under the impression that you and Morewood—I mean that the two of you are making a scandal.”
“A scandal?” Brand asked.
“That the two of you are engaging in an affair.”
Grace stared at her in genuine surprise. “My brother has been under a severe strain.”
“I’m so sorry. Since when?”
“Since puberty, I think. Don’t regard anything he says.”
“Very well. He’s your brother. I’m so glad mine has reformed.”
Brand rolled his eyes at being discussed as though he were a naughty child. Grace tried to hide her hurt at Wallace discussing her with Dahlia. What if she were a gossip? It appeared her brother had no discretion.
Around eleven some of the other members of the party were beginning to depart. Brand turned to Grace. “I mean to offer you a ride home. Even with Dahlia and Robin in the carriage we will all fit.”
“I should not. It will only start a fight with Wallace. Besides, what would be the point?”
“No, we still would not be able to talk. There is always tomorrow morning. Not afraid, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then get Maria and your wraps and meet us in the foyer.”
Grace had to endure Dahlia’s scrutiny the whole way to Manchester Square. As Grace guessed, when the carriage pulled up in front of her house and Brand got out to help her down, Wallace sped down the walk.
“This is the outside of enough, having him bring you home in a closed carriage.”
“Wallace, we are in the company of Lord Morewood’s sister, Mrs. Briggs. But then you’ve already met.”
“We have met,” Dahlia accused. “Mr. Montrose, I suggest if you feel concern for your sister you go with her yourself instead of giving the escort of her up to someone else.”
The icy pronouncement had a damping effect on Wallace. “I shall see to it,” he replied.
Grace waited until the carriage pulled away before she said. “You most certainly shall not. Wallace, you are a pest. Nothing I say penetrates so I have taken desperate measures.”
“I won’t go. Not until I have sent Morewood packing.”
“Leaving Ellen home alone to manage all those children and the farm? What sort of man are you? I have sent her an express tattling to her about all your irrational actions since you have come to Town. If she has to come down here, you will pay dearly.”
“We can’t have you making a disastrous marriage.”
“In other words you are content to leave me alone so long as you imagine me to be declining into spinsterhood.”
“You have said yourself many times that you will never marry.”
“And nothing has changed.”
“You don’t mean to marry Morewood?”
“I also told you I would never give up my freedom to any man.”
“Then what is the point of going about with Lord Morewood?”
Grace bit back her next scathing remark, for she remembered that Wallace enjoyed conflict. Ellen never argued with him. She just told him how things were going to be. If he objected his wife controlled him with tears and, Grace suspected, by withholding sexual favors.
“Because he amuses me.” Grace left him with a trill of laughter.
Chapter Sixteen
The next morning it was raining far too hard for riding, so anything Brand wanted to say to her would have to wait. To Grace’s delight they received a card inviting them to lunch with Lady Morewood. Perhaps Brand would be there.
When they arrived, they found her in her small sitting room with Gavin.
“Welcome, my dears. The others have abandoned us in favor of more active pursuits. We have been discussing great literature.”
“It is very hard to find someone to discuss literature with,” Grace agreed.
“Gavin and I are becoming close chums. If no one minds, I think we will have lunch served right here.”
After they had dined on Shakespeare and Chaucer as well as the leek soup and lobster, Lady Morewood came to the point.
“We have been thinking the two of us should stay home.”
“Ho, dear lady. Do not include me in the we,” Gavin said. “I think you should go.”
Grace took her hand. “Everyone is expecting you. If you fear it will tire you, we can leave now and you can nap.”
“It isn’t that. I just think the party doesn’t need an old person and Gavin has agreed to keep me company.”
“I have not agreed it right for you to miss the play. I have a reason to hold back, the blasted cough.”
“Brand will be so disappointed. Please reconsider.”
“Do you think so?” A fragile flower of hope bloomed in her cheeks for a moment.
“I will be disappointed as well. Talking about the play to you will be wonderful but to share it with you would be best of all.”
“Very well, you have convinced me. But you are right. I should rest.”
Maria hopped up to push Lady Morewood to her bedroom.
How fortuitous,” Grace said. “I have been wanting a word with you.”
“Indeed? About my brother?” Gavin asked.
“No, I have some questions about the military.” When he nodded she continued, “Specifically, could a man who had seen these performances on these dates, have also been in the Peninsular campaign?” She handed him a folded list.
Gavin looked down the dates and whistled. “Only if he made the shortest possible stay in Spain. These dates are scarcely a month apart.”
“But if he were wounded the first day.”
“It’s possible if the wound meant an end to his career. Otherwise he would stay there ‘til he recuperated. Are we speaking of Captain Everson?”
Grace nodded. “If that is his name.”
“There I may be able to help you. I have a few friends in the War Office. I can ask them to check the rosters unless you want to ask Everson what his regiment is.”
“Then it would be a costume. Not a uniform. Most officers don’t bother to wear their uniforms except when in battle.”
“So Everson seems suspicious to you as well.”
“It’s not my place to question Lady Charlton’s relative.”
“If he is that either. That’s her problem but I would appreciate anything you can find out.”
“Glad to be of help. I suppose I should sell out myself.”
“What do you plan to do?”
“Go back to my father’s parish and see about work. I always had a notion to be a farmer.”
“You might be just the man for what I have in mind.”
He looked surprised. “What is that?”
“We almost had one of the maids abducted from my house. I need a safe place in the country for them to raise their children. A farm would be ideal. I need an agent to find one, buy it and run it for me. If it happened to be in your father’s parish, all the better.”
“Lord Morewood has told me of your work. Indeed, Father would love to support such a charitable venture near him. It isn’t only the cities dealing with abandoned women and children.”
“Wonderful. Write and ask him what is available. I shall put the money at your disposal and you can handle everything.”
“But miss, you mean to trust me with all this when you hardly know me.”
“I know your brother and I know you well enough. I think I can see when someone is sincere or not. And I came to you with the idea.”
“Very well, I shall write to him today.”
* * * * *
The guests gathered in the foyer of the Pantheon waiting for the Morewoods to arrive. Joshua Lake, in the guise of his pen name William Marlowe, was doing a good job of entertaining them with his theater gossip. Both Lady Charlton and Lucy were there, though they both held aloof from Grace. Apparently they felt they still had a right to attend, since the invitation now came from Brand, even though he had offended them as well. Captain Everson made it clear he had bought a seat in the pit and he would not be at dinner afterward. Grace shrugged and turned to Maria. “Our plan worked. Wallace carried the port decanter into the library and is sound asleep.”