by Ava Stone
His sister wouldn’t care about any of that. She had, after all, cavorted with the Marquess of Haversham before eloping with Clayworth in Gretna Green. Cordie had never been a beacon of propriety.
“Please tell her I’m overjoyed for both of you and not to worry about anything else.” Then she took his hand in hers and dragged him over to the settee where she’d previously been. “And I’ll want to help with wedding arrangements since her mother is not available. You should acquire a special license first thing in the morning, and—”
Greg shook his head with a laugh. “I told her family I wanted to wait until Russell could be here.”
His sister frowned up at him. “Heavens, that’s not a very good idea.”
Well, at the time he’d said it, he’d meant to stall Ayelsford from wanting a quick wedding. And even now, “There’s no need for us to rush. Mother would probably kill me if I married while she’s on the Continent.” Even if it might kill him to wait any amount of time to make Bella his.
Cordie did laugh then. “Gregory, you should marry her now before Mother can scare her away.”
“You may have a point.” He couldn’t help but laugh right along with his sister. Dealing with Mother was not for the faint of heart.
“No reason to risk it,” she agreed.
“But, honestly, Cordie, if Russell could be here…”
His sister blew out a breath and her brow furrowed just slightly. “Russell is very much in love with Bridget, but there is still so much animosity between him and Tristan. They nearly came to blows at Bayhurst Court, and he told Tris he never wanted to see him for the rest of his days.” She shook her head. “I hope the two of them can find their way back to each other at some point, but neither of them have made any sort of effort to do so. And it hasn’t been that long since Tristan absconded with Phoebe, not really.”
“And it could be a millennia before they can be in the same city again, let alone the same room,” Greg agreed, knowing she was right. Unfortunate as that was, it did seem to be the case.
His sister shrugged. “Do you really want to wait that long?”
No, he really didn’t. After kissing Bella the better part of the afternoon, Greg was rather anxious to have her in his bed, but he wasn’t going to say that to his sister of all people, even if she hadn’t ever been a beacon of propriety. “A special license first thing in the morning.”
“Perfect.” Cordie grinned. “And I am already preparing the guest list in my mind. But we’ll need to speak with Mr. Bailey about availability at St. George’s.” She clapped her hands together with glee. “Oh, Greg, this is going to be wonderful. The absolute, most perfect wedding ever.”
Bella was nearly floating up to the clouds when she and her maid reached Chatham House, the memory of each of Greg’s kisses fresh in Bella’s mind. She was going to be his baroness. Lady Avery of Rufford Hall. She hoped she’d love Nottinghamshire as much as he did, but she suspected she would love any place as long as Greg was there.
Lady Avery of Rufford Hall.
The name rolled around and around in her mind. It was the last thing she’d expected when she’d left home that afternoon. She’d been so focused on…
Drat!
She’d been so caught up in kissing Greg, in daydreaming about their future, she hadn’t asked any of the questions she meant to about Elliott. She still had no idea if he had encountered her brother other places the last little while. She had no idea if Greg had somehow learned anything else about Elliott? She had no idea if there was anything else she should be aware of before telling Papa of her concerns.
She heaved a sigh, annoyed with herself for being so easily distracted. Though, she doubted any girl could have kept her mind focused on anything with Greg kissing her as thoroughly as he had done.
Bella shook her head as she started for the staircase and then her heart nearly stopped when…
“Arabella!” Grandfather’s bark from his study caught her completely off-guard and she almost tripped over her own feet.
Blast! She’d been so careful to avoid him this morning, but she’d let her mind wander about her future with Greg and her worries over her brother, and—
“Arabella!” he bellowed again.
Bella gulped as she started for the open door to her grandfather’s study. “Sorry, I was woolgather—”
“Planning something else nefarious, no doubt,” he said from behind his desk, glaring at her as though she was the worst possible fiend in the world.
Nefarious? Before Bella could even reply to that comment, Johann pushed out of a chair facing their grandfather’s desk to look her over with his icy eyes. Goodness, she hadn’t even realized he was in the study until that moment. The two men whose notice she never wanted to capture, and both were looking at her right then.
“You wanted to speak with me?” she said so quietly, she could barely hear herself.
Grandfather shook his head in annoyance. “One would think after all the time spent at that school Aylesford sent you to, you could be somewhat articulate.” He flicked a glance to Johann and said, “Excuse us, my boy.”
“Of course, Grandfather,” her cousin said, his Prussian accent filling the air. Then he started toward the threshold, where Bella stood, staring at her with complete disdain. That feeling was more than mutual. She didn’t even want to contemplate how awful a life with a man like him would be. Even so, it was difficult not to feel uncomfortable with the intensity of his stare.
“You!” Grandfather barked, his eyes narrowed on Bella. “Sit.”
As though she was a dog. She certainly felt like one at the moment. Bella brushed past Johann, glad she wouldn’t have to suffer his presence any longer. Only Grandfather’s, which was bad enough on any given day, but seemed worse for some reason today.
“Shut the door, will you, Johann?” Grandfather asked, and a moment later, the door clicked shut at the back of the study.
Bella swallowed nervously.
The hateful glare her grandfather shot in her direction reminded Bella that he’d ordered her to sit, but she was still standing. So she sat quickly in one of the chairs facing the ducal desk and tried to ignore the trembling of her hands. What in the world did he want with her?
“You wanted to speak with me, Your Grace?” she asked, hoping she sounded more articulate to him this time.
Grandfather narrowed his eyes even further until they were nearly dark slits filled with contempt. “I have never cared for you.”
He had never made that much of a secret, but he’d never come out and said that before, at least not to her face.
“You are too much like your mother in all of the worst possible ways,” he continued.
Bella wasn’t certain how she was supposed to respond to that, but muttered, “I’m sorry I’ve been such a disappointment.”
He snorted as though that was an understatement. “Even so, I never would have guessed you were nothing more than a common thief, however—”
“A thief?” she breathed out in surprise.
“Do not pretend otherwise,” he snapped. “It makes you less palatable than usual.”
He thought she was a thief? Bella’s stomach twisted, and then all the pieces fell into place in her mind… “On my honor—”
“You steal from me and want to talk about honor?” he growled.
She had never stolen one thing in her life. But Elliott had. And somehow, for some reason, Grandfather thought she was the culprit. She wasn’t sure how or why or…
Grandfather opened a drawer and placed Grandmama’s yellow diamond earbobs in the middle of his desk. “Hidden under your mattress.”
That was where she’d hidden them, to keep Elliott from finding them again and selling them once more. The trembling in Bella’s hands intensified and she thought she might faint. She and Prissa wanted to talk to Papa about Elliott, not Grandfather. She would never do that to her brother, not even now. They needed a plan to figure out what to do with Elliott, how to help him;
but the duke would never care about any of that.
“I need to talk to Prissa,” she said and stumbled to her feet.
“Certainly, you’re not going to blame your sister,” her grandfather began.
“No.” She shook her head. “But I am innocent, Grandfather, I—”
“You are a disappointment, just like your brother. And considering your choice for a husband, I have no hope for your future.” He leaned back in his seat, the intensity of his glare never lessening for even a moment. “You will end this ridiculous betrothal and I will find you a suitable husband, one who will give you the guidance you are sorely lacking.”
End her betrothal? Bella’s heart tightened and the possibility of her fainting seemed much more likely all of a sudden. “I will never marry Johann!” she blurted out.
Her Grandfather’s eyes rounded in surprise. Then a mirthless smile graced his lips. “Did Aylesford tell you that?”
Papa hadn’t, and lying about it would surely come back to haunt her. So she shook her head.
“No?” Grandfather heaved a breath. “So then you’re listening at doors too, hmm? A thief and a spy, right under my own roof. You need a stronger hand than Avery could ever provide, Arabella. If you will not end things with him, I’ll see that Aylesford does.”
A wave of nausea washed over Bella as she shook her head. “Papa would never—”
“Defy me?” The old man laughed. “You and I both know he will fall in line, like he always does.”
And he very well might. But Bella couldn’t let that happen. She couldn’t lose Greg, not now. She turned on her heel and raced for the door, throwing it open and rushing down the corridor toward the library. If she could just talk to Papa first, tell him about Elliott…
But Papa wasn’t in the library. Oh, no! A trickle of tears streamed down her cheeks. Where in the world could Papa be?
Chapter 19
Waiting in her chambers was a special sort of torture. Papa had apparently gone to his club. Prissa had gone to Bond Street with a friend, but she had yet to return. And Elliott…well, Bella had no idea where her brother was or when she would see him next.
She paced the length of her chambers, anger, fear and nausea warring within her. She was furious with Elliott for putting her in this situation, terrified of what it could mean for all of them, and beyond sick at just the suggestion that she might lose Greg. Would Papa really break her betrothal now? Would he be too afraid of Grandfather to help her when she needed him most? If only—
A scratch came at her door, halting her mid-pace.
“Yes?” she called.
Mary poked her head in the door and said, “Lady Priscilla has just arrived home.”
Thank heavens. Not that Prissa could solve any of these problems, but at least Bella wouldn’t be alone while she waited for Papa. And perhaps Prissa’s clearer mind might discover some solution that had evaded Bella thus far. "Thank you, Mary. Did you tell her I was looking for her?”
Her maid shook her head. “She was with Hellsburg and I thought you’d rather I not…”
Speaking of clearer heads. What would Bella do without Mary?
“I did hear her say she was headed to her chambers to change for dinner.”
Perfect. Bella could intercept her sister there. “Thank you so very much. When Papa returns home…”
“I will find you as soon as I see him.”
Bella started for the door, gave her maid’s arm an appreciative squeeze, and quickly made her way to her sister’s chambers. She reached Prissa’s quarters before her sister did, and sat tentatively on the edge of a chintz chair while she waited most anxiously.
She did not have to wait long, however. Prissa flew through the door with an air of irritation that was unusual for her saintly sister. “That horrid man,” she grumbled under her breath. But then she noticed Bella and her eyes widened in surprise. She quickly shut the door behind her and then turned around once more. “Are you hiding in here?”
“Waiting for you,” Bella said, pushing out of the chair as she truly was too nervous to sit for too long. “It’s been an awful day, Prissa.” Or it had become one, rather. The first part of the day…well, that had been the best day of her life, but now… “Grandfather discovered Grandmama’s earbobs under my mattress and accused me being a thief.”
Prissa’s hand fluttered to her heart. “Why was he searching under your mattress?”
Bella’s mouth dropped open. “Goodness. I never even thought to ask that.” She’d just been too surprised to think straight when everything unfolded in Grandfather’s study. She shook her head. “And now it doesn’t even matter. He found the earbobs and thinks I’ve been stealing, and—”
“Did you tell him it was Elliott?”
“I wanted to talk to Papa first. Telling Grandfather…” Bella shook her head. “I don’t know what he might do to Elliott.” And though her brother might deserve whatever His Grace would do, Bella couldn’t live with herself if she was the cause of more anguish.
Prissa nodded in agreement, and she probably was the only other person in the world who could understand. Then she reached her hand out to Bella. “I am so sorry. I should have said something to Papa when Elliott started asking for my pin money. I just—”
“It’s not your fault.” Bella sighed. “But if—”
A knock at the door halting her words. Goodness, her heart lodged in throat.
“Priscilla?” Papa’s voice came through the door. “Have you seen your sister?”
Prissa released her hold on Bella and rushed to her door. She opened it and said, “Papa, we’re both in here. Come in, please.”
Papa looked ashen as he looked from Prissa to Bella. Drat! He’d already seen Grandfather. She could tell by his pinched expression. He must have slipped past Mary somehow.
“I didn’t steal anything, Papa,” she said.
He stepped into Prissa’s chamber and closed the door behind him. “Then how did those earbobs end up under your mattress?”
Bella swallowed. “I put them there.”
“Then you did,” he began, sounding dejected.
“To keep Elliott from trying to sell them again,” Bella said hastily. “He is in trouble, Papa. Trouble neither Prissa nor I can help him out of.”
“Your brother tried to sell—”
“He didn’t try,” Bella interrupted him. “He was successful.” Then she shook her head and the rest of the tale spilled out of her. “Lord Avery and I happened upon him at Garrard, and he was selling the pair. After he left, Greg purchased the earbobs from the jeweler, and I hid them to keep Elliott from finding them again.”
“He didn’t steal my sapphire hair comb,” Prissa added. Then she swallowed a bit anxiously. “I gave it to him. And Mama’s pearls.”
Papa lost what little color he had left in his face. “Some of the silver is missing and an emerald necklace.”
Prissa gasped.
“Father thought you must have taken them to fund your painting expenditures.”
“Goodness,” Bella breathed out, the accusation stinging her once more. “I could fund my painting supplies for a lifetime with even one of those pieces, let alone all of them.”
“I know I haven’t been supportive of you in that particular pursuit.” Papa wasn’t able to meet her eyes any longer. “But you know if there’s anything you ever need…”
Bella shook her head. “It’s of no consequence now. Soon enough I’ll be Lord Avery’s to worry about.”
“You’re my daughter. I’ll always worry about you.”
“So much is missing,” Prissa said softly. “It’s no wonder Grandpapa noticed.”
Her sister was right about that, and Bella couldn’t help but wonder if there was even more that had been taken that had yet to be discovered. Elliott had been beyond reckless in quite a number of ways. “I am worried about him. About Elliott,” she clarified. “I barely recognize him anymore, Papa. I tried to talk to him today and he was so angry.”
“If he doesn’t really have a sick child to care for,” Prissa began, “what sort of trouble could he be in that he would need to take so many things?”
“A sick child,” Papa echoed, his brow lifted in surprise.
“There’s not one really,” Prissa quickly explained. “It was just a lie he told me so I’d hand over whatever he asked for. Bella tricked him into admitting as much.”
“Good God,” Papa muttered under his breath and he seemed to deflate standing right there. “Is there anything else he’s done?”
“He asked for my pin money,” Prissa said softly. “And Bella’s too.”
“He asked Lord Avery to lend him money the first time he met him.”
Papa looked like he might be ill. “Why didn’t you say something?”
Bella shook her head. “We’ve always protected each other.” They’d always had to, especially growing up under Grandfather’s roof. “But this, whatever he’s mixed up in, it’s too big for us, Papa.” Her heart ached for her brother whom she’d always loved. They’d been confidants as children, comforted each other over the years, and depended upon each other when they couldn’t depend upon anyone else. “I cannot remember the last time I saw him sober. Each time I’ve tried to reason with him, I’ve had no luck at all.”
“We’ve always told each other the truth until now,” Prissa added. “But now that he’s lying to us….”
“We have no idea the extent of the trouble he’s really in,” Bella finished.
Papa took a steadying breath. “I’ll talk to him when he returns.” He shook his head as though his heart was breaking too. Then he glanced directly at Bella and said, “Your grandfather is adamant that I withdraw my blessing for you to marry Lord Avery—”
“Papa, please,” Bella begged, stepping closer to him and reaching her hand out to her father. “My future with Greg means everything to me.”
He nodded as though he understood, and perhaps he did. There had never been any escape for him from Chatham House. “You should marry quickly, then. So it cannot be undone.”