Catching the Baron

by Jenn Langston

  Froste raised his glass in salute then took a sip. Kenneth had always envied his friend for his easy way and happy demeanor, but Kenneth now realized how lonely the man was. Had it been one particular lady who brought Froste to regard women as too much trouble?

  “I’m surprised to see you here,” Lord Minor said as he approached the table. “Since you have the funds to wager, I had expected to see you in the card room.”

  Clenching his hand around his glass, Kenneth worked to keep the anger off his face. It wouldn’t do him well to cause a scene. Lord Minor had been instrumental in Kenneth’s financial downfall, and had encouraged Klein to do so as well. Of course, Minor would wish Kenneth back in a position to lose.

  “I’ve grown out of childish pursuits.” Kenneth kept his face straight as he stared at the man.

  Minor laughed as he sat in an empty chair at their table. “Good for you. The world would be much better off if more young men took to maturing before their ruination.”

  Biting his tongue, Kenneth held himself back from saying how the world would be just as bright without characters like Minor relieving those gentlemen of their fortunes.

  “So, what brings you out of the card room today?” Froste asked as he slid Minor the decanter to fill his empty glass.

  “The sport is less enjoyable when you know the other man can’t pay. Besides, I gleaned some information, and I couldn’t wait to see Berwick.”

  “What information?” Kenneth demanded, not having the remotest idea of what Minor could have to impart.

  “I just wanted to say, and I speak for all here tonight, we don’t blame you. Clearly you have been tricked like the rest of us.”

  “Tricked? What are you referring to?” Kenneth didn’t like this game. If Minor didn’t become forthcoming, Kenneth would be forced to shove his fist in his face. He didn’t like being made to look like a fool.

  “Haven’t you heard? Lady Laramie’s granddaughter, Lady Samantha, paraded as a boy some years back. It’s even said she worked in your stable for a time.”

  Kenneth rose so quickly his chair fell over. Head spinning, he could barely focus on anything. Who discovered Samantha’s secret and told everyone? He balled his fists so tight, his fingernails bit into his flesh. Whoever spread the rumors would pay.

  “No. Lady Samantha is exactly as she appears.”

  “Calm down.” Minor glanced from side-to-side. “You are drawing attention to us. Like I said, no one holds you at fault. You didn’t know.”

  “Sounds like rubbish,” Froste inserted calmly. “That lady is so luscious only a blind fool would mistake her for a man.”

  Appreciating his friend’s quick thinking, Kenneth righted his chair and sat back down. Minor gave him a questioning glance, but quickly returned his attention back to Froste.

  “I agree. I’m only recounting what I heard.”

  “From whom?” Kenneth ground out from between his teeth. “Starting rumors about an innocent woman deserves punishment. I also don’t like the insinuation it places on me or my staff.”

  Minor held his hands up, palms out. “Don’t blame me. I didn’t start this. It probably wasn’t even one person. You know, a word here, another there, then the whole story gets tossed around. Worse yet, we can’t even get the truth from the source.”

  “Why not?” Froste’s agitation began to crack through. “Surely Lady Samantha and Berwick can clear this misunderstanding.”

  “I thought so too, but Lady Samantha is gone. Lady Laramie claims her granddaughter left to visit relatives. However, her departure seems too convenient and too suspicious.”

  His vision went red. Unable to bear the conversation any longer, Kenneth stood again, forcing himself to move slowly. “Please excuse me. It appears I need to clear my name.”

  Where could Samantha have gone? And why did she leave? Didn’t she trust him to fix this? To remain by her side? As he climbed into his carriage and headed back to his townhouse, he felt restless. She had to have returned to Berwick. After all, she knew of nowhere else.

  A few short days later, he began to lose hope. Oliver hadn’t seen her and neither had any of the staff. As he made his way down the streets of the town, his depression only increased. She wouldn’t retreat to anywhere related to her grandmother as the woman could easily track her there.

  Could she have gone with that Frenchman? His hands clenched in anger. Gerard clearly appreciated Samantha’s body and wealth. He didn’t love her. Not like Kenneth did.

  His heart stopped as relief flooded him. Samantha walked ahead of him a few feet. Although dressed as Sam, he couldn’t mistake her matted brown hair. The beeswax she’d used always made it flatten down on her head. He wondered if her appearance out in plain sight was because she hoped he would find her.

  Closing the distance between them, he clasped his hand on her shoulder. As she spun around, he gasped. The startled green eyes held not an ounce of the luster of Samantha’s blue gaze. Not to mention the boy’s face could only marginally pass for a female.

  It wasn’t her. How could he have mistaken her? Hopelessness engulfed him. He couldn’t help her if she remained hidden from him. The only solution lay with both of them standing firm on her innocence. He would even have Oliver come to London with them. But he needed her first.

  Suddenly an unbidden twitch make Kenneth’s lips curl into a smile. Or maybe he didn’t need her.

  He nodded as the solution firmed in his mind. This could work. He could fix this. He could restore Samantha’s reputation without her aid.

  Chapter 18

  “I still can hardly believe you are Mrs. Lemange.” Samantha set her tea cup down and took in the sight of her good friend.

  Francine laughed. “When I’m determined, I always get what I want.”

  “So you’re happy then? Everything proceeded for the best?”

  “I’m quite content. As a wife, I have my own household to run, and my husband’s income allows me the ability to shop as I see fit. The peace and quiet is also a comfort.”

  Nodding, Samantha picked up her cup and took a sip, so she wouldn’t have to respond immediately. Her heart ached for the passion her friend missed from life. Not once had Francine mentioned a joy with her husband, simply his financial stability.

  Although the life wouldn’t suit Samantha, she couldn’t see an ounce of regret lurking in her friend’s eyes. Perhaps Francine truly received what she’d wanted. Samantha would not take that from her or bring up any deficiencies.

  “I’m ecstatic for you. It’s also helpful for me seeing as Mr. Lemange no longer seeks me out for retribution.”

  “Not since Lady Laramie settled up with him.”

  Samantha jumped to her feet. “What? When did this happen?”

  With one hand over her mouth, Francine stared wide-eyed at Samantha. “You didn’t know? Before she took you to London, she paid an agreed upon sum to stop his pursuit of you.”

  “But my father owed no debt.”

  “I think we all know that. She wanted to get rid of him, and he wanted money, so everything worked out in the end.”

  Sitting back in her chair, Samantha tried to contain her pounding heart. She kept telling herself the payoff from her grandmother didn’t confirm that her father owed the debt. Mr. Lemange was no longer the enemy. Besides, Francine benefited from any income flowing to her husband. After taking a long breath, Samantha calmed.

  “I suppose you are right,” Samantha conceded.

  “Enough about my husband. Tell me about you. Not that I’m not pleased to see you, but what prompted your visit today?”

  Samantha debated concealing the distressing truth, but decided not to. After all, she needed her friend’s help while she decided on her next move. She couldn’t stay here for long as her grandmother had discovered her here once before, so it shouldn’t be difficult to locate her again.

  “Talk has spread about me posing as a boy. My reputation is ruined, and everyone associated with me is at risk as well.”
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br />   Francine gasped. “How horrible. What can I do?”

  “I need a place to stay until I know where I’m headed.”

  “Done. My husband will have no trouble locating an acceptable place for you. Or you can stay here. We will help you as long as you need it. It’s the least we can do considering my husband is the reason you are in this situation.”

  Gratitude seeped into every pore. “Thank you, Francine. I will be no trouble, and I won’t stay long.”

  With those simple words, another chapter of her life ended. Swallowing down her sorrow, she determined to forget the loving arms of her grandmother and Kenneth’s passionate embrace.

  Wherever she established herself, she knew it couldn’t compare to the joys she’d found in London.

  Kenneth strode down the London street keeping his chin high.

  “Lower your head,” he said under his breath. “You will have plenty of time to observe your surroundings later.”

  “Yes, my lord,” Eli dutifully responded as he dropped his gaze to the ground.

  As they turned into Hyde Park, Kenneth continued to nod at the patrons and endure the gasps and whispers. He knew the picture he presented, and he wanted everyone to see it. His only concern was that no one would question his appearance with Samantha dressed as a boy.

  Spying Lady Minor, he headed her direction. She would not miss the opportunity to delve into a scandal. Not only had she begun some, but she encouraged many in her time. Before he reached the woman, Miss Doutree stood before him, concern etched on her face.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered and tried to peer around him at Eli. “Samantha, this isn’t helping you.”

  Although not the scene he hoped for, he imagined this was as good an opportunity as any. Especially with Lady Minor and her sycophants watching with intent eyes.

  “I’m doing nothing wrong,” he declared in a loud voice. “When the accusation was thrown, I rushed home, expecting to find my newest stable boy gone.”

  “No one has accused you, Lord Berwick. Come, let’s talk in private.”

  He smiled as his throat grew thick with emotion. Miss Doutree only worried about him and Samantha. Her concern did her credit and only raised her in his estimation.

  “Hear me out first. My stable boy, Eli, has been working for me the entire time Lady Samantha has been in London.”

  Kenneth moved aside to show off Eli. When the boy raised his face and glanced at the gathering crowd, the resounding gasps made Kenneth want to sag in relief.

  “Eli? So, the rumor isn’t true.” Miss Doutree put her hand against her chest as if experiencing the relief Kenneth did.

  “I challenge the one who began this rumor to come forward. Look upon Eli and tell me he isn’t the one you saw.”

  Lady Minor pushed her way forward. “What is this, Lord Berwick? A hoax? Where is Lady Samantha?”

  With the squinting glances Lady Minor cast upon Eli, she still didn’t accept he wasn’t Samantha. Kenneth wanted to howl in frustration. Was the woman half-blind or just desperate to hold on to the scandal?

  “Take a closer look. Talk to him. I promise you, my staff and I have never hired a woman to work in the stable. I, for one, can tell the difference between a male and female.”

  Nervous laughter spread through the crowd.

  Lady Minor took a step forward. “Well, boy, tell me, do you work in Lord Berwick’s stables?

  Eli’s wide grin revealed a missing front tooth. “Sure do, my lady. He done hired me up and saved my mamma.”

  Hoping no one asked the boy when he was hired, Kenneth kept his back straight. He told the boy very little, and didn’t ask him to lie.

  “Dear God,” Lady Minor exclaimed. “The resemblance is uncanny.”

  “Yes,” Miss Doutree added. “But we’re all at fault for condemning Lady Samantha when no proof existed. When she returns from visiting her family, we must be certain to apologize.”

  “Not I,” Lady Evans declared. “I never believed the preposterous rumor.”

  “Me either,” another few chimed in.

  Kenneth could barely remain upright as relief poured through him. It worked. Samantha’s name was clear. Now he only needed to find her and tell her the good news.

  After the trying day of dragging Eli through every populated street in London, Kenneth happily returned with Eli to his townhouse. The acknowledgement and apologies he’d heard were a balm to his soul. With the rumor being questioned so soon after its inception, he hoped he’d reached everyone in time.

  The next day his spirits were high as he sat in his study, more determined to locate Samantha. Would she be grateful? Or would she reiterate her desire to be rid of him? Surely his helping her would sway her to his side.

  A knock at the door brought his mother in to see him. In light of his mood, her interruption didn’t bother him.

  “Good afternoon, Mother. What can I help you with today?”

  “Have you seen this?”

  She placed a paper on his desk. The heading read “The Unscandal Sheet.” The one page listed out the details regarding Samantha’s scandal, and then told of the truth, or rather, the truth he spread yesterday.

  He stared at it in shock as warmth collected in his chest. Whoever wrote this served to further clear Samantha’s name. Gratitude for the anonymous writer filled him. Who would risk themselves to put out such a paper?

  “I hadn’t, but thank you for showing me.”

  “So, you are all right with this? For allowing someone to spread lies when we know the truth?”

  The outrage in her voice made uneasiness creep over his skin. What could she gain from the rumor? Its validity didn’t affect her one way or another.

  Leaning back, he crossed his arms. “Whose truth? According to this sheet and our new stable boy, Eli, the truth is Samantha never worked for us. As a matter of fact, we never met Lady Samantha until London. I’ll never forget the first ball where I danced with her.”

  His voice came out light as the memory surrounded him. He didn’t lie. After all, he never knew the identity of Lady Laramie’s granddaughter until long after Samantha had departed Berwick.

  “Admit it,” she nearly shrieked at him. “Samantha dressed as a boy and worked in our stable.”

  Kenneth’s mouth dropped at his mother’s tantrum. She was the one who spread the rumor about Samantha. But why? Rage bubbled within him at the woman who’d never acted as a mother to him. She saw him as a pawn and clearly wanted to remain as baroness without another woman taking her place.

  He stood. “You did this? You tried to ruin Samantha’s reputation? Why? Because I showed preference for her? Because I want to marry her?”

  “Don’t blame me. She brought this on herself. She wouldn’t listen. I tried to make her stay away.”

  Rage spread through his body like liquid fire. She was the reason Samantha denied him over and over. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t speak. How could his mother do this to him?

  “And now you spread this filth to ruin her.” Although his tone didn’t increase, fury sparkled in every syllable. “Get out.”

  A cry sounded out in the hallway. Whipping around his desk, he threw open the door and growled to see Lady Minor there. Her wide eyes looked terrified. As she should be.

  “What is this, Mother? You are trying to trick me into spreading more rumors?”

  “No, my lord,” Lady Minor said. “I simply . . . I just arrived. Lady Berwick and I were to go shopping today.”

  His eyes narrowed to slits as he glared at the woman. “Not anymore.”

  “Then I’ll take my leave.” With that she scurried from the house like the rodent she was.

  Spinning around, he faced his mother. “And you. You’ll return to the dowager house and your stipend will be reduced to the amount my father awarded you.”

  She sputtered. “But the greedy old miser left me nothing. Nothing!”

  “Good. You are used to it.”

  Without sparing another se
cond for her, he left the room. He quickly made the arrangements for both he and his mother to return to Berwick. Not only had he tired of London, but he knew Samantha was in the country.

  If it took him a lifetime of knocking on every door in England, he would find her. And once he did, he would marry her.

  Samantha shoved the trowel in the dirt just as Kenneth taught her over a year ago. Digging a small hole, she dropped in the flowers Francine had given her. The minuscule garden helped to brighten up the dreary house.

  Sitting back on her haunches, she surveyed her handiwork. The flowers slanted to the side as she’d planted it lopsided. With a sigh, she dug it up and tried again.

  As she pulled a clod of dirt out, a worm wiggled across the earth. Gently picking him up, she set him on her palm. Watching the worm move reminded her of the day she and Kenneth searched for fishing bait.

  Her heart throbbed at the memory. The pain of losing him still felt too fresh for her to appreciate the time when they were together. She closed her eyes to ward against the sadness.

  “Hand me the worm.” Kenneth’s voice whispered the same words from that day many months ago.

  As his breath washed over her neck, her eyes popped open. It wasn’t his voice from the past. He was really here.

  Quickly setting the worm back in the dirt, she spun around and stood. His laughing eyes met hers, making her toss her arms around him. As his warm embrace engulfed her, tears freely fell from her eyes. He’d come for her.

  “Don’t cry,” he rasped. “Everything is all right. I’m here.”

  Although she wanted to drown in him, she knew how her actions would appear to him. He couldn’t know how much she missed him.

  “I’m sorry.” She tried to pull away, but he held her close. “I’m much better now. Seeing you just surprised me.”