His Perfect Lady

by Jenn Langston

  “Keep an ear open for me.” Jonathan knew Nathaniel to be capable of the task, as he’d requested information from him many times.

  “Of course. If I hear anything, I’ll send word.”

  With that Nathaniel went off to attend to his duties. As Jonathan surveyed the office, he remembered the last time he’d been in this room. The faint coloring of blood still tinted the carpet. Turning his head, he averted his eyes from the sight. Although intertwined with happy memories, he knew the bad ones would remain.

  “Good afternoon, Lord Linwood,” Mr. Spinner said as he entered the room. “You mentioned some business we need to attend to.”

  “Yes. Please take a seat.” Jonathan indicated the chair before him and waited for his solicitor to settle himself.

  “I apologize for my tardiness, but as you suspected, your brother came to visit me this morning.”

  “Did he request his funds?” Jonathan shook his head at his brother’s predictability.

  Stanwick never wanted to wait for anything. Jonathan, however, took comfort in the fact that his brother sought him out first. Had he not, Jonathan had no doubt his brother’s funds would be forfeit.

  “Not directly, but I could tell he hoped I would offer him an opportunity to ask. When I didn’t, he asked me to speak to you about an investment.”

  “It’s in a shipping company. From what I’ve heard, and with the players involved, I have no intention of endorsing. Nor will I allow my brother to lose his funds. However, I would like you to look into it.”

  Mr. Spinner shuffled through his papers and slid out a blank page. “Tell me what you know.”

  “The shipping company is to be started by a man named Paul Sideon.”

  “Any relation to Jackson Sideon?” Concern shone in Mr. Spinner’s eyes.

  “I have no knowledge of either man. What do you know about them?”

  Pushing his glasses up, Mr. Spinner rubbed his eyes before replying. “Many years ago there was a smuggler who went by the name of Jackson Sideon. They say the goods he smuggled from France were not stolen, but the man was reputed to be a nasty fellow. No one crossed him and escaped unscathed.”

  “Then for the sake of all involved, I hope Paul bears no relation to him. Regardless, find out what you can.”

  “Done. Now what was the other matter you wanted to discuss?”

  “I think the time has come to sell Ravenhurst.”

  Sitting at the window, Catherine watched the raindrops blanketing the London street. The sight was difficult to watch, but she couldn’t force herself to look away. Images of her last visit to Hyde Park filled her mind, bringing both longing and confusion.

  Jonathan had kissed her with such passion, she could hardly breathe. Then he snapped out of it as if nothing passed between them. She knew he’d been affected, since she’d felt the proof of his desire, but something had held him back. Had she done something wrong?

  Whatever the problem, she’d seek out a solution. After spending so much of her life as a widow and having never discovered the pleasures gained with a man, she refused to never experience it again. Jonathan had proved to be quite skilled and with his discretion, she couldn’t think of a better lover.

  When a knock sounded at her door, she was no closer to determining how to run into Jonathan again. She could send him a note, but she didn’t know where to suggest they meet, nor did she know how it would be received considering how they last parted. Sighing, she crossed the room and answered the door.

  “Mrs. Gates, your uncle and a gentleman would like to see you in the drawing room,” the downstairs maid said.

  Catherine’s heartbeat increased. Had Jonathan come? “Do you know who the gentleman is?”

  “No, my lady.”

  Nodding, Catherine dismissed the girl and then headed back into her bedchamber. She checked her hair in the mirror as she wanted to look perfect for Jonathan. After rushing downstairs, she paused a moment outside the door to reclaim her breath.

  “There you are, my dear.” Uncle Toban stood to greet her as she entered the room.

  Her expectant eyes quickly rushed to the other occupant. Disappointment deflated her when she discovered Lord Dudgery smiling at her. She silently berated herself as the letdown was of her own doing.

  “Mrs. Gates, I’m so pleased to see you,” the earl said.

  “Thank you, my lord,” Catherine dutifully responded before settling herself into a nearby chair.

  To her dismay, Lord Dudgery chose the seat next to her. She wondered why his selection bothered her as his proximity never troubled her before. In addition, she fully expected to marry him, so his nearness should not concern her.

  “Lord Dudgery has something he’d like to ask you,” her uncle explained, giving her an encouraging smile.

  Her forehead broke out in a cold sweat as her heart began to pound. Turning to the earl, she watched as a nerve twitched on his face. Surely he didn’t intend to propose to her with Uncle Toban in the room. Although unfamiliar with the ways of London, being proposed to was not new to her. As she waited for the earl to speak, she decided his question had to do with another matter altogether.

  “Yes, my lord?” she encouraged when he didn’t speak.

  He cleared his throat and wiped a handkerchief across his face. Clearly he was not as comfortable as her uncle appeared.

  “Mrs. Gates,” Lord Dudgery began. “You’re very beautiful. Every time I have you on my arm, I’m the envy of the room. Will you marry me and make me the envy of all of London?”

  Catherine stared at him in shock. Not only was his proposal the worst she’d received, but nothing felt right about this. Panic constricted her chest, making her worry she’d die from lack of breathing. Although she’d expected, and even counted on his commitment, she no longer knew how to answer.

  “I—I . . . Um, I need to t—think,” she stuttered.

  Lord Dudgery’s face fell while Uncle Toban’s darkened in fury. The level of anger mystified and terrified her at the same time. She silently watched him regain his composure as his face returned to normal.

  “Catherine,” Uncle Toban said through clenched teeth, “we previously discussed this. You made your interest in Lord Dudgery clear.”

  “Berwick, you don’t need to coerce the girl.” The earl turned to her with a gentle smile. “I must inquire, does your reticence have anything to do with Lord Linwood?”

  Asked so directly, Catherine didn’t know what to say. Although she wanted to deny it, she knew they’d see through the lie. She felt so confused, she didn’t know what to do anymore.

  Part of her wanted to remain unattached and in London with her own house and the freedom to do as she pleased, but that was not possible. Her funds wouldn’t be turned over to her until her uncle saw it fit. Judging by her uncle’s reaction, he would never agree to give her the inheritance from her father.

  She also held no proof the curse had been lifted. Studying Lord Dudgery’s understanding face, she didn’t know that she could sentence him to death. Would the curse take him, too? Would she be able to handle having three dead husbands?

  “You don’t need to answer,” the earl provided. “I can see the answer in your eyes. Just know, I offer you a comfortable life either in the country near your family or in London. You will be elevated to the position of a countess, a highly sought after position, I must add. You will be content in that life.”

  Uncle Toban seemed to snap out of his anger as he approached her. “More importantly, Linwood doesn’t want to marry you. If anything, he would seek to punish or embarrass you due to your rejection of him years ago. Surely you see you have no future with him.”

  “I understand,” she managed to force out. “I don’t seek a future with Lord Linwood. I only request a few days to ferret out my feelings on the subject of marriage.”

  “Catherine, I—” Uncle Toban was cut off by Lord Dudgery’s upraised hand.

  “Considering her past, I believe it’s only fair to allow her time t
o think. I only ask that you come to me with any questions or concerns before you make your decision.”

  “Thank you.” She offered him a genuine smile filled with gratitude.

  “I will leave you now, but you know how to find me.” With a bow, he exited the room.

  Uncle Toban instantly shot to his feet and began pacing the room. His angry footsteps made her feel uneasy. She wondered why her hesitation had brought out such a response in him. Over the years she made herself as valuable as possible. His desperation to rid himself of her proved she had failed.

  “What are you thinking, denying him like that?” Uncle Toban spat out.

  “His proposal came so suddenly. I simply want some time to resign myself to being married again.”

  “That’s ridiculous. We came here to see you married. We’ve both known for weeks Dudgery would offer for you. And not once did you voice any objections.”

  “Planning for it doesn’t prepare—”

  Uncle Toban whipped around, his face red. “You can give the earl your excuses, but not me. We both know Linwood is the only thing holding back your decision. Do I need to remind you why you rejected him years ago?”

  Catherine’s head reeled back as if she’d been slapped. This man wasn’t the same person who’d taken her in when her father died. The one who’d helped her through the worst parts of her life. Tears sprang to her eyes. She didn’t know him at all.

  “But . . . Father is dead.”

  Uncle Tobin sighed as his face softened. When he sat next to her, he took her hands in his. The warmth of his still—present anger seeped into her cold fingers. She wanted to shrink back from him, but she held on to her nerves and remained motionless.

  “I know. Please forgive me. I shouldn’t have said that. Please understand I only want what’s best for you. Lord Dudgery can offer you a life beyond that of all the previous men you have met.”

  “Yes, Uncle,” she forced out, unable to make eye contact with him.

  “Considering how quickly your past husbands died, you still have no experience with men. Allow me to help you. Lord Linwood is a man who enjoys preying on innocent young ladies. He doesn’t care for you. Lord Dudgery, on the other hand, wants to elevate you in Society and take care of you.”

  “I know,” she whispered, wishing she could stop him. Tears burned the back of her eyes. Her decision should have been easy, but reluctance tugged at her. And her defiant side began to rebel the more he spoke.

  “I will leave you now to think. However, I want you to know that Lord Dudgery’s offer will not last forever, and I’m not sure how much longer I can offer you support.”

  With the click of the drawing room door, Catherine dropped her head into her hands and allowed her unshed tears to fall. The hot moisture scalded her face, bringing only more torment with each droplet. How had her life become so complicated?

  Jonathan offered her no future, but he allowed her the opportunity to be herself. If she married Lord Dudgery and her attempt to remove the curse had been successful, she would move to his estate and never see Jonathan again. The knowledge brought an acute aching in her chest. But she couldn’t give up the opportunity to marry. Clearly Uncle Toban wouldn’t allow her to remain living on his charity any longer.

  Her choice, although not easy, was clear. She would marry Lord Dudgery. However, that didn’t mean she couldn’t see Jonathan one last time.

  Chapter 8

  Entering the seedy tavern, Jonathan’s nose twitched. The stench of the unwashed bodies and stale ale saturated the room, making the air thick and heavy. The patrons surveyed him with either distrust or anger. It was clear he didn’t belong, nor would he be welcome there.

  “Not a very cheery place, if you ask me,” Stanwick uttered, too loudly for Jonathan’s comfort.

  Once again, he wished his brother had not insisted upon joining him. In the future, Jonathan needed to speak with Mr. Spinner about using Stanwick to relay information to him. Although the outcome of this conversation would affect Stanwick as well, the man was unaccustomed to dealings where his position in Society didn’t provide him an upper hand. In this case, their wealth and Jonathan’s title would only offer a disadvantage.

  “Your lordship.” The barkeep nodded as they approached him. “Come, he’s waiting for you.”

  Jonathan inclined his head and then followed the man toward a quiet table in the back of the room. A lone person sat with his back to them. As they drew closer, he made no move to confirm if a friend or foe approached. Either this man had no enemies or he enjoyed a fearsome reputation that ensured he would not be molested.

  From what Mr. Spinner had indicated, this must be Paul Sideon. Jonathan hadn’t been sure he would show up himself. If he had any relation to Jackson Sideon, he’d have lackeys to carry out his more inane business.

  When they stood before the table, the man rose and faced them. His cheery smile seemed out of place with his dangerous reputation. Although his clothes wouldn’t be acceptable in high society, he dressed well and appeared clean. His open face was enough to instill faith and encourage confidence.

  “Lord Linwood, I’m Paul Sideon.” His eyes moved to Stanwick. “Who’s this?”

  “Stanwick Alastair,” Jonathan answered, eyeing the man warily.

  Jonathan felt he could read people well and refused to allow a first impression to color his opinion. He needed to ensure he wouldn’t miss anything.

  “Sit down. I’ll happily tell you what you want to know.”

  “Why don’t we start at the beginning? I understand you previously worked for a shipping company.” Jonathan watched Sideon closely, not wanting to miss any indication of manipulation.

  “Yes.” Sideon smiled. “I worked for Aaron Lights for five years before he up and left me.”

  “But you retained your connections with your good reputation,” Stanwick provided.

  Jonathan wanted to backhand Stanwick for his stupidity. They were there to obtain and confirm the information received from Dudgery, not to offer their knowledge.

  “I see you’ve been told.” Sideon inclined his head in Stanwick’s direction. “I’m worthy, a hard worker, and my reputation reflects that.”

  “As an investor, what return can I expect to see?”

  “Dudgery said—” Stanwick broke off as Jonathan elbowed him in the ribs.

  “I don’t want to hear about the middlemen. I came here to get reality from the source.” Jonathan turned back to Sideon. “The profits?”

  Sideon’s smile held a hint of mischievousness. “My kind of man. We don’t have to share our plans with the others.”

  “What are you thinking?” Jonathan leaned forward, feigning interest.

  As he’d expected, Sideon wouldn’t run an honest company. Cheating the other investors now would only lead to Jonathan being cheated in the future. Although he had no intention of pursuing such an investment, he was wise enough to not indicate such at this time.

  “I’ve promised five percent each to the other two, but maybe ten for you if your initial investment is enough.”

  “And the payback?” Jonathan pressed.

  “Fine. I’ll throw that in, too, for good measure.” Sideon relaxed in his chair and placed his arm around the back of the seat next to him. Clearly he believed Jonathan would readily agree.

  “Ten is not enough.” Jonathan leaned back as well in an effort to appear equally at ease. Then he crossed his arms to emphasize his point. “I want forty.”

  Anger seeped into Sideon’s face as he narrowed his eyes. “You would have me give out half my profits when it’s my toil that earns them?”

  “How the money comes about is not my concern. I only care that it comes.”

  “You’re reputed for enjoying a good investment. But clearly negotiations are not your strong point,” Sideon ground out. “Send your man to me, and we can discuss your cut.”

  Jonathan nodded, pleased to have an excuse to leave. “A helpful suggestion. I will seek counsel before mak
ing any further decisions.”

  “Wait,” Stanwick pleaded. “You hold your own counsel. Surely we can come to some agreement.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you, Stanwick, but I don’t make any decisions without the advice of my solicitor. He’s been handling everything for me for years. Let’s go pay him a visit.” Jonathan hoped his brother wouldn’t see through the lie, or at least, he would realize it best to keep quiet.

  Stanwick’s face fell, but he stood and followed Jonathan out of the establishment. Incensed, Jonathan didn’t speak until he and his brother were in the carriage and halfway back to the townhouse.

  “What in particular, about this investment appeals to you?” Jonathan kept his tone light, not wishing to alert his brother to his anger.

  “I suppose I just want to invest. You make your money, without the help of Mr. Spinner I must add, and I want to do the same.”

  “Then allow me to suggest some less risky opportunities for you to choose from.”

  “I don’t need you to hold my hand. Besides, what other options will give you ten percent of the profits? From what I’ve heard, that rate is hard to come by.”

  “Which is what makes this ‘opportunity’ more suspicious. Also, you must remember ten percent of zero is nothing. Your percentage is pointless unless profits are earned.”

  “I know, but I believe the shipping company has promise.”

  Stanwick’s pleading eyes made Jonathan shake his head. His brother seemed too passionate about this cause for his claims to hold any weight. The light sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead betrayed him. Stanwick was terrified Jonathan would pass up on the investment. But why?

  “I want to help you, but I can’t if you don’t tell me the truth.”

  Apparently reluctant to answer, Stanwick sighed and looked out the window. “I made a mistake, a huge mistake, and Kenneth Rawson caught me. He promised to keep quiet if you and I agreed to invest in Dudgery’s proposal.”