“I would like some biscuits and apples, if you please.”
“I shall be right back with them,” said Nick as he turned for the door.
He’d barely reached the hall when Letty called him back in. “Nick! Where are you going?”
He entered the room again. “To fetch you tea, scones, biscuits and apples.”
“We are just pretending!” said Letty.
Nick looked so lost that Kate had to stifle a laugh.
“So what am I to do?” he asked.
“Pretend to make us tea and scones and biscuits,” said his sister.
“I don’t know how to do that.”
“Oh, Uncle Nick!” said Anna with a giggle.
Kate finally took pity on the man. She made a stirring motion with her hands.
He then copied her, delighting the girls. “What happens after the stirring?”
“Put them in the oven,” said Letty.
“Where is the…”
“Nick,” said Kate. “I believe this is the time to let your imagination run wild. You can determine where the oven is and, before you ask, how long the scones should bake. And do not forget to cut up the apples.”
“I had one of the kitchen maids do it earlier,” said Nick, as he put his scones into an oven. “They’re already laid out on a platter. Or can’t you see that, Countess? I guess I am not the only one with too little imagination.”
The two girls were enjoying themselves immensely. So was Kate. She’d never seen this playful side of Nick before. It made her realize that he would make an excellent father.
It gave her hope for the future, come what may.
“Are the scones done yet?” asked Letty.
Nick shook his head. “You cannot rush perfection.”
A moment later, he removed the scones, even pretending to burn himself. Then he put the scones and apples on an imaginary cart and wheeled it to them.
They were interrupted by Ava’s arrival. “Tea is ready,” she announced.
The two girls jumped up. “Nick is our butler,” said Letty.
“How did he do?” asked Ava.
“Quite well,” said Letty.
“He didn’t cut up the apples himself,” said Anna.
“That is why I have imaginary servants,” said Nick, as he kissed his grinning niece.
The two girls followed Ava from the room, but before Nick could join them, Kate pulled him back and kissed him with enough heat to leave them both breathless.
“What was that for?” asked Nick, who couldn’t resist kissing her back.
“For giving me a glimpse into my own happy future.”
With that, she led him from the room to join his family for tea.
* * *
Rose watched Nate ride toward the house as long as she dared. It wouldn’t do for him to know just how much she enjoyed watching him ride. And she would hate for him to know how much she anticipated his visits. She would be mortified if he had any idea how much she thought about kissing him and the dreams she had about him nearly every night.
So she reluctantly moved away from the window once he got close enough to possibly spot her. She had better things to do than wait for Nate. After all, she had a new sister.
Win and her brothers had done exceptionally well in choosing their spouses. She loved her new brother and sisters. But Rose felt it was time she found a husband for herself. And not just any husband. She wanted the man she had loved from afar for much of her life, Nathaniel Gage.
She knew he thought he was too old for her and too much of a rake and any number of excuses. But she also knew he had reacted to that kiss of theirs in a way that was meaningful. The cool mask of a rake had slipped and he had shown real emotion in his eyes. Emotion she would very much like to experience again.
And not just in a kiss.
Her bedchamber in the dower house had a perfect view of Bancroft Castle. She had lain awake many a night wondering what it would be like to be there with him. In his bedchamber, in his bed.
She was suddenly quite warm and it wouldn’t do to appear flustered when he arrived. So she decided to splash some water on her face – and perhaps just a bit of scent – before joining the others.
* * *
Just as the family was sitting down to tea, Stemple announced the arrival of Nathaniel Grayson, the Marquess of Grayson. Kate looked at Nick, who had said Grayson was probably an ally. She hoped he hadn’t made a mistake about that. Nick had been attacked twice. They couldn’t afford to trust the wrong man.
Their visitor entered at the same time as Rose did. There was a bit of awkwardness between the two, though the way Nick and his brothers went to greet the marquess warmly, she wasn’t sure if they’d seen it. But from the way the ladies were looking at Rose, she had a feeling they had. Winifred, in particular, made a point of putting her arm around her sister and squeezing her in a hug.
Kate hoped this Grayson fellow wasn’t toying with Rose’s heart. Kate had been a member of the family for less than a day, but she was already feeling protective toward the ladies who’d been so kind to her.
“How do you do, Lady Layton?” said Lord Grayson, as he bowed to Kate.
She curtsied politely. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
Lord Grayson grinned at Nick. “I am not in a particular rush to wed, but I must say you lot have certainly done well at it.”
“We certainly married better than we deserved,” said Colin, as he kissed Ava and his hand came to rest on her midsection. “Now our poor wives must spend a lifetime in regret.”
“I would very much like to know how you met,” said Lord Grayson to Nate.
“Anna and Letty,” said James. “Would you like to help Maude in the kitchen? She might have biscuits right out of the oven.” With a slight nod to Stemple, the butler escorted the happy girls from the room.
“It must be quite a story if you needed the girls to leave,” said Lord Grayson, as he settled in a chair across from Rose, but did his best not to look at her.
Nick repeated the story of their meeting, right up until the attack on their wedding night. Lord Grayson’s earlier casual demeanor changed to grave concern.
“It was admirable how Kate was able to keep calm and fight off the attackers,” said Win.
“Yes, wasn’t it?” asked Colin. “Refresh my memory, Nick, how many of the villains did you actually dispatch?”
“I fully admit my wife was the better fighter,” said Nick. “I even told her she has a kick like a mule.”
“You told her that?” asked Rose, horrified. “And now you’ve said it again? You cannot compare a lady to a mule!”
“This story gets better with each telling,” said Colin. “Kate, you didn’t, perchance, have to kill any spiders for him, did you?”
“Those men who attacked you,” said Lord Grayson. “Do you know who hired them?”
“Only that it was someone from London,” said Nick.
“Do you think it could be Simon?” asked Grayson. “He just happened to call at the castle earlier and the duke asked him to stay.”
“I don’t think Simon would do such a thing,” said Nick. “Not that he wouldn’t like to see me beaten. There’s certainly no love lost there. But he wants to be the earl and I’m quite certain he wishes to lord it over me. He cannot do that if I’m dead. But there’s more. And, I’m afraid, it might concern you.”
Lord Grayson slowly nodded. “Is it about the duke?”
“I believe so.” Nick then told Lord Grayson about the meetings with Deakes and Mrs. Willis. “I am sorry, Nate. But I believe your father may have been involved.”
Kate could barely breathe, wondering how the marquess would take the news. She wished she knew what kind of a man he was. She wished she knew if they could trust him.
“I have a feeling you’re right,” said Grayson.
But before he could say more, they were interrupted by the arrival of an unwanted guest, Simon Chilcott.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FO
UR
Nick’s cousin hadn’t waited to be announced. He’d simply followed Stemple into the sitting room. It was obvious the butler wasn’t pleased with Simon’s lack of manners.
“I don’t remember hearing you announced, Simon,” said Colin, who only slowly rose to his feet to greet their guest.
“I wasn’t sure I would be, given the quality of your servants. And you barely have more than one.”
“Mr. Stemple isn’t just an excellent butler, he is a friend,” said Colin coolly. “Insult him again at your peril.”
Simon laughed mirthlessly. “Defending the honor of servants, Ridgeway? I guess you have little else to do. I have come to call on my cousin for I hear he has brought a wife. At least, that’s what some are calling her.”
“If you cannot be civil, Mr. Chilcott, you will leave this house,” said Ava.
Simon nodded slightly in her direction. “My business is with Nick.”
“Nick, do you want us to leave?” asked Colin.
“No. I have no secrets from you.”
“What a touching remark,” said Simon. “But it isn’t like they’re your real family. You don’t have one.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” said Colin. “You are the one who doesn’t belong here.”
Nick studied his cousin. Simon was dressed in his town best, evidently hoping to impress the Duke of Bancroft. Nick wasn’t certain why his cousin had come to Wiltshire. Perhaps it was to find a powerful peer to champion his cause in the House of Lords. Bancroft was a good choice. Few men were more feared and if anyone could get the late Earl of Layton convicted of treason with such scant evidence, it was he.
Simon was staring at Kate with impertinence. It was clear her simple gown didn’t meet with his approval. Nick’s first instinct was to protect his wife. But while other ladies might have wilted under Simon’s withering look, Kate remained undaunted. If anything, she stood straighter, making her just a bit taller than Simon.
Finally, his cousin spoke. “I heard you had married. But I cannot imagine it is to this thing, who looks like she’d be quite at home in a scullery.”
Nick was halfway to planting Simon a facer, when Kate pulled him gently but firmly back to her.
“Your cousin is as charming as I heard,” Kate said to Nick. “Pray introduce us since we are to be family.”
“I would rather not,” said Nick, clenching his jaw so hard it hurt.
“Yet I would not be rude, regardless of the provocation,” said Kate. “After all, I am the Countess of Layton. I believe I should meet everyone in your family.”
Nick almost laughed when he saw Simon narrow his eyes at the reminder that he was still earl. Leave it to Kate to find a way to needle his cousin, even as she was saying all that was proper.
“My dear, this is my cousin, Mr. Simon Chilcott. Simon, this is Katherine Chilcott, the Countess of Layton.”
“She might be for now,” said his cousin. “I wonder if you warned her that the title will only be temporary since you’ll soon lose it and fall into disgrace. It begs the question…who trapped whom into marriage?”
Nick tensed, but Kate once again addressed the matter. “I cannot say who first had the idea to marry, but I must say I’ll be thankful for the rest of my days. Mayhap, you will find good fortune in matrimony, as well.”
Simon looked discomfited as Kate refused to rise to the bait he was most assiduously throwing her way.
Nick reached for Kate’s hand since he couldn’t punch Simon’s nose. “Yes, Simon, you should consider marrying. It might help improve your disposition.”
“I have more important matters to attend to, starting with taking your title.”
“You believe you have proof of treason?” asked Nick.
“I do. I will soon travel to the coast, where I’ll find a witness who can attest to your father’s – excuse me, your supposed father’s – perfidy.”
“We have just returned from there, Simon, and no such proof exists.”
“I have found that with enough coin, anything is possible.”
Nick felt Kate tense. He put his arm around her waist. “Simon, you should also know that I will leave no stone unturned to thwart you. Even if you bribe one hundred people to lie for you, I have no doubt I’ll find contradictory evidence that the earl was not where you say he was. After all, think of the many loyal tenants and villagers who depend on proper management of the estate.” It would be in their best interests for Nick to remain earl.
“No one will take them seriously.”
“Then what about the peers in London? I must tell you, Simon, that the ton likes to protect its own. They’ll not look kindly on someone who calls a dead earl a traitor and shows so little regard for the rules of succession. For what is the system worth if the son of a second son can take a title for himself? You could end up worse off than you are now.”
Simon lost some of the color from his face. And for once there was no insult, no wise rejoinder.
Nick continued. “Take my advice and go back to your country estate. It may be smaller than you would like, but it is adequate to support you. Give up this unwinnable fight while you still have a relatively good reputation in Society.”
“I will never give up. You’re not even a Chilcott. You’re a bastard hiding behind the deaths of your brothers.”
Nick finally lost control. He took one step toward Simon, only to be pulled back by his wife’s surprisingly strong grip. She turned to Simon, her eyes flashing.
“You are a horrid man and a desperate one, as well. How dare you bring up the tragic deaths of two young men? You do not deserve this title, for you are in no way a nobleman. I also predict that you’ll have a much harder time finding men to lie for you than you think. The fishermen of the coast may not have much money, but they possess a great deal of honor. I guarantee that for every man you get to lie for you, we’ll have ten men standing by to refute your slander. I honestly hoped we could somehow be a family, but I can spare no goodwill for a man who is cruel to my husband. Do your worst, Mr. Chilcott, but you’ll not hurt my husband again. Not while I have breath left in my body.”
Nick had no choice but to pull his wife to him and kiss her soundly.
After a kiss that was much too short, she pulled away from him. “I’m sorry love, but I am not done yet.” She turned back to Simon. “I also warn you that if you ever hire someone to attack Nick again, I will have you dealt with.”
A confused Simon laughed. “Why do you think I hired someone to attack Nick?”
“You’re saying you didn’t?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Nick studied his cousin for a long moment. If he wasn’t telling the truth, it was a convincing lie. But if Simon hadn’t hired those thugs, who had?
“Grayson,” said Simon, turning his spite in a different direction. “I should tell you that your position may no longer be secure, either.”
“I have no interest in anything you have to say to me, Simon.”
“But you should, old boy. For I happened to dig up some information on Bancroft that will be very profitable. Which means you’ll be the poorer for it, for I cannot think he means to pay me off out of his fortune. I’m certain it will be yours he takes from.”
That got Nate’s full attention. “Simon, my father is a dangerous man. You cannot go up against him and hope to win.”
“I do not hope to win. I will win.”
“Simon, you don’t know what he’s capable of,” said Nate. “Your very life may be in danger. Take Nick’s carriage and leave right now. I’ll have your things sent on to you. But don’t go anywhere my father can find you.”
“This sounds like I’m in the middle of a bad melodrama,” said Simon. “But I won’t leave now. Not when I’m this close to victory.”
“I have reason to believe he’s killed before, Simon,” said Nate.
“I have news for you,” said Simon. “So have I.”
That statement chilled
Nick to the bone. He had to wonder if Simon had, in fact, tried to have him killed. But whatever the truth, he didn’t want his cousin to come to harm. “Do as he says, Simon.”
“You’re hardly one to give orders. You’ll soon be homeless without any blunt. Will Ridgeway take you in, I wonder? Once you’re equally impoverished and the son of a traitor? I wouldn’t think your two half-brothers and two half-sisters could be dragged down further, but apparently you’re determined to try.”
“I have three sisters.”
Simon laughed. “You’re no more related to the red-haired chit than I am. At least that’s one thing in her favor.”
“What do you mean?” asked Letty quietly.
Nick and the others turned to find Letty and Anna standing in the doorway, looking heartbroken. Nick had never known if Letty clearly understood the nature of their relationship. But Simon was right about one thing. Technically they weren’t blood relations, though that mattered naught to him. He’d always loved her, but he hadn’t known if her silence on the matter had been one of tacit acceptance or ignorance.
Unfortunately, it was clear that she’d not only overheard his arse of a cousin, but that the news had come as a shock.
“What do you mean?” she asked Simon again, as she advanced timidly into the room, Anna beside her
Simon turned to Letty contemptuously. “I mean your beloved ‘brother’ Nicholas is no such thing. There’s no blood between you. None at all. His father was the old Earl of Ridgeway and his mother the Countess of Layton. Your mother was the late Countess of Ridgeway and some unknown sot who apparently had garish red hair. You’re no more related to each other than you and your butler are.”
Nick was shaking with the effort not to strike Simon. Fortunately, Kate was at his side. She slipped her hand into his and it helped stem his anger, though his heart still ached for Letty.
Anna stepped up to within striking distance of Simon, looking like the fiercest of warriors. Simon even took a step back, only to have Anna take another step forward.
“Mr. Chilcott, you’ll not say another word!” said Ava. “In fact…”
Always Believe in Love (Emerson Book 4) Page 21