by Fanny Finch
Angeline turned her eyes to him. “I do not wish to speak of it.”
Myles pulled in a deep breath and held it for a moment. His mind raced as he tried to think of some way to get the woman to tell him what she knew.
“I do not ask in order to pry into your business, Miss Angeline,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I do not ask in order to get Sir Franklin in trouble. I ask because a dear friend of mine is in his sights and I wish to keep her from all harm, if I can.”
Angeline’s eyes opened wide. Myles could tell he had said just the right thing. She was about to tell them everything. He braced himself but still did not expect what the woman had to say.
“You must tell her to stay away from him,” Angeline said breathlessly. “You must tell her to get away from him as soon as she can. He is not what he seems. He is wearing a mask, covering up who he is.”
The young woman stood up, ran her hands through each other nervously and then sat back down. Myles watched her curiously.
“Please tell me why, Miss Angeline,” he urged her.
Angeline held on to the arm rests with her fingers tightly, as if she might slide out at any moment.
“He is the reason I have a limp,” she blurted out. “It is not his family that must be avoided. It is him. They are all afraid of him. All of them. When he found out I was pregnant, he pushed me down a flight of stairs. I lost the baby and broke my leg in a way that I must now walk with a limp for the rest of my life.”
She lowered her head and began to cry softly. The tears strolled down her face and she wiped them away with an angry swipe across her cheek.
Myles was overcome with shock. His breath caught in his throat. He pictured Sir Franklin, dancing so close with Lavinia, being a gentleman, only when he wanted to be. How could the man possibly do such a thing? What was driving someone who could willingly take away a life they had created?
“When did this happen?” He struggled to get out the words. He did not want to appear overcome with emotion in front of the woman or Mr. Gentry. He pictured Sir Franklin pushing Lavinia down a flight of stairs and anger split through him like a hot knife.
“It was just a year ago, my lord. I was not sent from the home until six months ago. I did overhear Sir Franklin telling someone that he was intent on marrying a woman whose father had just died. It was not love that prompted him, my lord. It was profit. If that is your friend, my lord, you must tell her to stay away from him. He is a dangerous man.”
“You are having trouble finding work because they have spoken ill of you?”
Angeline looked at him, nodding. “They destroyed my reputation as a respectable woman. It is not something I can escape.”
“I have room for another employee in my home,” Myles said. What Sir Franklin had done was unacceptable. He was disgusted by what he had heard. “You are more than welcome to come work for me.”
Angeline blinked at him, silent for a moment. “Surely you cannot be serious, my lord. I have not shown you my skills.”
Myles shook his head. “I know that family. They would not keep someone in their employ for so long if that person was not efficient.”
Angeline gave him a grateful look. It was the first pleasant look Myles had seen since he entered her home.
“It is not just the opinion of the ton that hinders me, my lord. I am also slow on my feet because of my limp and my mind is not as clear as it used to be.”
Myles frowned. “You are not an old woman. You cannot be more than thirty.”
A soft smile came to Angeline’s lips. Myles felt satisfied. Making this sad woman smile was an accomplishment to be proud of.
“I am just thirty and one, my lord.”
“I insist that you come work for me, Miss. I will not see you suffer any longer.”
Angeline blinked rapidly, looking away from him with tears in her eyes. He knew she would say yes.
Mr. Gentry sat forward, propping his elbows on his knees. His eyes were intent on the woman but Myles was glad it was not a hard stare. He was looking at her with compassion. She noticed when he sat forward and her eyes darted to him in alarm.
Myles could only nod.. If Sir Franklin was willing to push a woman pregnant with his own child, down a flight of stairs, he would certainly be willing to kill off anyone who was a threat to his relationship with Lavinia.
He was certainly not worthy of her. Even without money, Lavinia was a lovely woman, a free-spirited, if not stubborn young woman who would make some man very happy someday.
But it was not going to be Sir Franklin.
Myles would make sure of that.
Chapter 17
Lavinia was surprised by the level of peace she felt, walking down the path through a garden filled with flowers and foliage. Looking at the beautiful scenery, eating delicious foods, and laughing at silly things for the last three days had refreshed her soul.
The traveling had been fun, just as Anna had predicted it would be. Even Sir Henry, who was always so grumpy in the mornings, seemed to be having a good time. Lavinia did not worry about him approaching her again with his attentions. She tried not to think about anything in London.
It was the only way she could enjoy her holiday with Anna.
“Oh, Lavinia,” Anna said with her usual enthusiasm, grabbing Lavinia’s arm. “I must get a spot of tea and a biscuit. I saw a tea parlor on the corner at the beginning of the walk through this garden. We must try it.”
Lavinia smiled. “That sounds lovely, Anna. I am so glad I came with you on this trip. I believe it is just what I needed.”
Anna’s joy was overflowing. She pulled gently on Lavinia’s arm. “I just knew it was the right thing to do. It is the scent of these flowers that fills my mind with such energy. I am sure of it.”
Lavinia looked at the assorted colors surrounding them. It was astounding, indeed. Sculptures, statues and fountains were spread through the garden, with white iron benches for people whose feet were tired.
It was one of the most beautiful places Lavinia had ever been. She hoped someday she would have a garden like that to show other people. She would have to hire someone to do it, she thought with a grin. It looked like a lot of work and skill she probably did not have.
Turning away from the beauty, Lavinia hurried after Anna who was a few steps ahead of her. Anna called out to Sir Henry, who cast a regretful look their way. Anna waved him over and informed him of their intent to go to the café.
“Anna, you had tea just an hour ago,” Sir Henry lamented in a low voice.
Anna raised her eyebrows. “I am thirsty, Henry.”
Without another word, she pushed gently past him to continue down the path. He looked at Lavinia, who gave him a confused look. He held out his hand, indicating she could pass in front of him.
She did, not giving it much more thought. Sir Henry was often moody. There was no way for her to know what had put him in that mood right then. She could not understand how anyone could be moody in a place like that. It was too beautiful. Too peaceful for negative things.
She followed Anna, who took a seat at a small round table. She leaned forward, squinting at Lavinia as she approached.
“I hope you do not mind if we sit outside, Lavinia. It is such a beautiful day.”
Lavinia shook her head. “I do not mind at all, Anna.” She glanced over her shoulder, noticing Sir Henry was meandering in their direction, taking his time. He was walking with his hands behind his back, his head down, and a solemn look on his face.
“What is on Sir Henry’s mind?” she asked Anna. “He does not seem as pleased as he was when we first started on our journey.”
Anna looked over at her brother, shaking her head. “He has not said. I am not worried about Henry. He is always moody. I cannot help the way he is. I want to enjoy my holiday. And I want you to have a good time with me.”
Lavinia smiled. She was having a good time with her friend. She had almost forgotten how well they got along. They had many things in common, such as their love for
a spot of tea with two sugars and home-made biscuits with sugar on top.
She found herself laughing at Anna’s antics and the little jokes she liked to tell. It kept her mood light and airy. She wondered how Anna could be so happy all the time.
She imagined Anna had a temper like everyone else. She just knew how to control it.
She watched her friend as she chatted, sipping her tea and talking about the sights they had seen in Newcastle, the majestic castles she wished to visit, and the places she wanted to go abroad.
“Were you thinking of going to overseas?” Lavinia asked on a whim. Anna smiled.
“How did you know about that?”
“When the Marquess first mentioned this trip, I feared you meant for us to travel abroad.”
Anna laughed. “That would be a very long trip, would it not? No, it was a thought that I had. But I did not want to be gone that long. I will go abroad another time. Maybe you will come along.”
She grinned at Lavinia over her tea cup.
Lavinia had to laugh. She was not against going on trips abroad. But she was not as anxious to do so as her friend.
“A long trip, indeed,” she said. “I would not have wanted to do that during the middle of a season. There is much expected of me.”
Anna nodded, waving one hand in the air as if to disMiss Bronson’s words. “Yes, I know. But we are not on holiday to think about that. We will return with plenty of time to find a husband for you.”
Lavinia took a sip of her tea, grinning back at Anna. “It is not just me who needs a husband, Anna. What about you? You are also in need of one. Perhaps I should focus all of my attention on finding a husband for you. Would you not like that?”
Anna laughed. “It is true. I must find a husband. I would not be a lady of the ton if I was not looking for a husband.” She sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes.
Lavinia joined her in laughter. Her friend was such a bright spirit. She did not see how any man could resist her charms. It was a wonder she was not already a married woman.
The Marquess swam through her mind. She briefly thought what it would be like if she were to match up the Marquess with Anna. She dismissed the idea immediately, upsetting herself unintentionally.
She did not expect the streak of jealousy that split through her when she thought of the Marquess with Anna.
“We must return here for dinner tonight, Lavinia,” Anna said. “I just know their evening meal would be delicious.”
Lavinia chuckled. “But, Anna, we have only tasted their biscuits and tea. How do you know the food is delicious?”
Anna responded in a bright tone. “All the establishments here have wonderful food! Have you not noticed?”
***
Lavinia dressed that evening, looking in the mirror and pressing one hand against her hair. Anna had changed her mind about dinner. She wanted something more lavish and extravagant. She had treated Lavinia to two such dinners already and tonight would be the third.
Her eyes dropped to the ground when she heard voices coming through what she thought was a closet door. She moved toward it and pulled it open curiously, looking into the darkness. She could hear voices from the room next door.
She moved to stand back in front of the oval mirror and stared at herself in the mirror. She gazed into her own eyes, unwillingly hearing every word passed between the brother and sister.
She was reminded of arguments she had overheard between her parents. This seemed like almost the exact same tone. Sir Henry was berating Anna, telling her that her spending was out of control and they would soon be penniless if she continued.
She scoffed at her brother, mentioning there was no way that would happen, as she was not spending nearly as much as he thought she was.
He mocked her and tried to lay down numbers and facts but she talked over him, saying they did not have to worry about the money being spent and he should hush when he did not know what he was talking about.
Lavinia could understand Sir Henry’s point of view, if Anna was spending lavishly. She had certainly not spared any expense the last few days. They were part of the gentry. They did not have the means that were afforded the ton, with their much larger bank accounts.
She listened to Anna insisting that Sir Henry was overreacting and her brother insisting she was spending too much money, overcome with a sense of guilt. She did not see how she could have a good time at dinner, knowing that Anna was possibly spending the family into a deep hole.
But Anna sounded so confident. She did not sound in the least bit worried as opposed to Sir Henry’s almost over-the-top reaction to the topic.
Lavinia pulled in a deep breath and held it, staring into her own eyes. She tried a smile in the mirror and found it weak. She tried again and again until her smile looked more genuine.
She wanted to have fun on her holiday and for Anna to have fun, too.
From the sound of the argument, the entire holiday was threatened to end abruptly and soon. But the argument between the brother and sister ended when Anna told Sir Henry that he did not need to continue on with her and Lavinia if he did not want to. The money she was spending was not his to control.
Lavinia heard Anna turn and walk out the door. It closed behind her with some force but Lavinia knew the doors in the boarding house were heavy.
A few moments later, a knock on the door told her where Anna had gone.
“Come in!” she called out.
Anna entered with a smile on her face. There was no indication she had just gotten done arguing with her brother.
Lavinia could not get it out of her mind that she had heard their heated conversation through the wall. If Sir Henry was still in that room, he might hear her talking to Anna and discover what happened.
Lavinia did not want Sir Henry embarrassed and did not want to be the brunt of his irritation either. She walked straight to Anna, grabbed her by the arm and smiled brightly. “We must go down and visit the parlor of this quaint little boarding house before we go to dinner. Shall we?”
Anna’s returned smile was one of relief and happiness. “Yes, we must! I do believe they have a little shop down there, too. Perhaps we will find a precious souvenir to take back to London with us.”
“That would be wonderful!” Lavinia said excitedly.
She walked down to the parlor with Anna, arm in arm. She did not see Sir Henry any more that night, as he did not come to dinner with them. Anna told Lavinia he was not feeling well. Lavinia wished him well and tried not to think any more about him.
It was the Marquess that entered her mind after a few glasses of wine. She was warm inside whenever she thought about him. She wished he was there with her.
Lavinia tried not to think about the Marquess being with any other woman. Thinking about him with Anna had set off a train of thought in Lavinia’s mind that she did not enjoy. She thought of several other ladies of the ton she knew would be interested in the Marquess.
When his duty to her was done, would he leave? Would he stay in her life?
When the secret was discovered, would she ever see him again?
It made her not want to find out the secret.
All through dinner, Anna pointed out young men around the room who looked like eligible bachelors. Lavinia asked repeatedly if they were eligible and members of the ton, why were they not in London, attending the seasonal balls and parties.
Anna waved off the notion that every man in England had to be in London during the season.
“They can travel to and fro. They do not need to live in London. Not everyone can afford to live in London.”
Lavinia just nodded. She did not mind listening to Anna’s never-ending conversation. It seemed her friend always had something to say. And she never hesitated to say whatever was on her mind.
Lavinia knew what she would be thinking about all night. The same thing she found herself thinking about all day. The Marquess of Kent.
Chapter 18
Myles sat back in the lounge
chair, watching as Jasper lined up a croquet ball. He hit it with precision and sent it flying through the air in completely the wrong direction. He set the mallet down, using it as a cane and crossed his ankles. He looked over his shoulder at Myles.
“I do not want to play this game anymore,” he said in a serious voice.
Myles laughed. He tried to remember what had brought him and Jasper together as friends. He could not remember when they first met. It seemed as though he had known him for so long, the memory mixed in with all the other times.
His friendship with Jasper was the only one he held dear. He felt guilty for his suspicions about his friend every time he spent a day with him, even though he still thought about it. The servants had made mention of a plan.