Winthrop Trilogy Box Set

by Burnett, May

  Milla was silent. In another four years, it might be too late, or too dangerous, for her friend to bear a child. And while they remained in Europe, there was always some risk of exposure. The sums involved were negligible to a lady of her wealth.

  “What if I lend you some money, and you repay it once you are successfully settled there?”

  “No, thank you. We are agreed that we shall not accept any additional favours from you, nor rely on borrowed money. In any case, you should worry about your own future, not ours, Milla. What is it that you want out of life, and how do you propose to get it?”

  “I already have wealth, security, independence,” Milla said, “so I suppose a husband, a faithful friend to share my good luck and adventures with, would be welcome.” A husband would not find it so easy to abandon her, as everyone else had done or planned on doing. “Otherwise, I already have everything I want.”

  “What about a permanent home? If you remarry, you’ll lose that dower house where you lived before.”

  “I have no desire to live there again. Whenever I am done travelling, I suppose I shall buy permanent lodgings in London or preferably some pleasant rural retreat within easy distance of the capital. But I’m not quite ready to settle down just yet.”

  “It’s time to get rid of Major Kepler, then,” Veronique said. “I can hardly stand the way he smirks at me, and the many subtle digs he gets in whenever you are not around, trying to make me go away.”

  “He wants you gone in order to move forward with his own schemes. Remember his mention, last week, of an excellent investment opportunity in a Peruvian silver mine? I’m starting to wonder, however, if he’s really eager to marry me, for if I agreed to that, he would not need to bother with any other scam. Perhaps he already has a wife hidden away somewhere.”

  “You know, that’s very possible,” Veronique said. “If they have been doing this for a while, he may have succeeded with a previous heiress, and left her once he ran through her fortune. If we could find such a person, we could expose him. Of course, you, having accepted his escort and courtship, would look a bit of a fool.”

  “It would not be the first time,” Milla said philosophically. “And nothing too serious has happened between us.”

  “For all we know, he’s going around Regensbad claiming that you have taken him for a lover. Some men are boastful, and it would put off any potential rivals.”

  Milla grimaced. “Ask Louis to check on that, please. If it turns out that you are right, he shall feel the full force of my displeasure.”

  “Whatever we do to him will be nothing more than Martin deserves.”

  Chapter 10

  “So you have decided to invest in the silver mine, Lady Fenton? I promise you will not regret it. Indeed, I am determined to do so as well. But since I don’t want to appear in the matter openly, would you be willing to handle my own investment together with yours?”

  Milla regarded her duplicitous admirer with a limpid gaze. “I don’t mind,” she murmured. “How many gulden are you putting up?”

  “I was thinking perhaps a hundred, each of us? You can buy the shares from the man I told you about, he could be here with them this very afternoon. If you are agreeable, I shall give you a hundred gulden in cash, right now, and you can buy the shares from him directly for both of us. If he sees me, he’ll likely ask for more money.” Kepler took Milla’s hand and pressed a kiss on the back. A good thing she was wearing kid gloves. “I hope that this will only be the first of many times where we shall act together in mutual trust and profit.”

  “Very well,” Milla said, smiling at him as though this prospect enticed her. “Since you discovered this opportunity, it would seem fitting that you also be there, but that might give rise to gossip. You will see that I am perfectly able to conduct a simple business matter.”

  She accepted the heavy purse he handed her without even counting the contents, and carelessly stuffed it into the drawer of the writing table.

  “You are the most intelligent, extraordinary lady I have ever had the luck to meet,” he praised. While the words were flattering, there was a perfunctory tone to his compliments. Milla remembered Veronique’s explanation that crooks despised their victims as gullible fools, deserving of their losses.

  “How soon can we be certain of a profit?” she enquired. “Since this mine is in Peru, it is rather far away, to be certain of its viability. Did I mention that my brother is in mining?”

  “You are right to question, and perspicacious as ever,” he said glibly. “In this particular case, it does not matter, since the rest of these shares are even now being offered in Berlin and Vienna. Their value is sure to rise steeply in the next two weeks. By then we can resell at a much higher price, since we got into the business earlier than the rest. The state of the actual mine has very little to do with our certain profit.”

  “Ah.” She nodded sagely. “That makes sense.” She was quite certain that the mine did not exist, and that nobody would be driving the price higher; this was the classic hook, an early, easily-won profit that would prompt the victim to follow through with much greater capital expenditure. According to Veronique, a hundred gulden was a sizeable outlay at this stage of the game. Kepler must be expecting to make thousands in return.

  He smiled at her. “Have you given any thought to my suggestion that you don’t need a prune-faced companion chasing off your most devoted admirers? As a shrewd businesswoman, why waste your funds on something so unnecessary? Whatever escort and advice you may need, I stand more than ready to supply, Lady Fenton.”

  She wrung her hands. “I know, and I’ve been trying to work up my courage to dismiss her, but I simply cannot bring myself to do it. And my family back home in England would not like it, if I dispensed with a female companion altogether. Also, Veronique knows things about me that might make it just a little awkward if we parted in discord… but I’ll keep looking for the right opportunity.”

  “She knows things about you?” That detail had caught his attention, as she had thought it might. “Do you mean your companion is blackmailing you? Do tell me more, Lady Fenton. Surely it cannot be anything terrible, and in such a predicament two heads may find a solution more easily than one.” He took her hand again, holding it in his own, and stared into her eyes.

  To her relief, before she had to strain her powers of invention further, the door opened behind her back and Louis drily announced, “A gentleman to call upon you, my lady.” She tried to pull her hand free, but Major Kepler kept hold of it, even as a familiar voice drawled, “I hope I am not interrupting?”

  Milla violently tore her hand out of Kepler’s grasp and whirled around.

  Barnaby Winthrop! Of all inconvenient moments, to be caught in such an absurd pose! The blood rose to her cheeks.

  Her eyes drank in his tall form, blond curls, and broad shoulders. Barnaby was dressed in a modish dark blue jacket, his neck cloth spotless and elaborately tied, the long, well-muscled legs ending in gleaming hessians. His blue eyes were fixed upon her quizzically. What was he thinking?

  He looked even better than in her memories, infinitely more attractive and pleasant than the vile Major, who was measuring the newcomer with a bland expression. Barnaby had also schooled his features into suspicious neutrality after the first few moments. She could tell that he disliked the other man, and would not have minded throwing him bodily off the premises.

  Her heart was beating quickly, and her skin felt warm. That Barnaby had come so soon after her letter boded well, he must still be interested. Had there even been time for him to see it? No matter, he was here. She wanted to dance for joy, and put her arms around him in an impulsive hug. But, the Major – ! Pulling her scattered wits together, she schooled her features into mere politeness.

  “Mr. Winthrop.” Was she flushing? She hoped not, and her voice sounded steady enough. “This is a surprise, but a highly welcome one. May I introduce Major Kepler to you? Mr. Winthrop’s sister is married to my brother Lord Nort
hcote, Major.”

  “How do you do.” Barnaby’s eyes narrowed at the German. Both men bowed slightly, and stiffly.

  Kepler turned back towards her, his brow raised. “Ah, a family connection, Lady Fenton? In that case, I shall leave you to receive the news or letters from home that your visitor will have brought. As to the business we discussed, all is arranged, is it not?”

  “Indeed,” she confirmed. “I shall be home between three and five.”

  Kepler took his leave with another bow to her, and a confident smile that made the corners of his moustache twitch. Milla had never cared for hair in the middle of a man’s face. Barnaby Winthrop looked after Kepler with an inscrutable expression. Did he feel at all jealous? If so, he was hiding it well.

  Left alone with Barnaby, Milla fought down the wave of mortification washing over her, mixed with her elation. She did not owe Barnaby Winthrop any explanations.

  “You are far from your usual haunts,” she said with a semblance of polite indifference. “Welcome to Regensbad. I hope everything is well in the family? You are not the bearer of bad news?”

  He shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers. “No, no, everyone is fine. Abigail is expecting again, did she write about that?”

  Abigail was a faithful correspondent, and Milla had known about her hopes for a second child weeks ago. “Yes, she did. I am happy for her.”

  “My brother is acting as though this was a miracle from above, and cosseting Abigail to such an extent, that it is painful to behold. She’s not even allowed to lift up little Michael. Susan’s two are also thriving.”

  “I am glad to hear it. How old is little Penelope now?”

  “It must be, let’s see, five months already? My niece and yours, isn’t it strange? We stand in the same relationship to her. Of course, I am also her godfather.”

  While they exchanged these commonplaces Barnaby was scrutinizing her face with almost painful intensity, trying to find – what? Evidence of change, or that she had missed him? Milla was not one to wear her heart on her sleeve. She had done well enough on her travels, learned a great deal. She would not ask his forgiveness for leaving, or ask why he had not come after her sooner. Could she act as though they were only just meeting for the first time? No, impossible. She met his gaze defiantly, and fell silent.

  “Do you miss your family at all?” he asked after a few moments.

  “Now and then. I was just thinking of them the other day, when I was climbing a mountain path that put me in mind of my rambles in Cornwall. Of course, the Alps are rather more challenging.”

  This was really the most inane, superficial subject to talk about. She wanted to ask if he had missed her. Had he come because of that letter she had sent, implying she was in trouble? If so, she had better not give away her secrets too easily, especially the fact that she was perfectly solvent. “I am happy to see a familiar face from my home, but what brings you all the way to this spa? Bavaria is rather off the beaten path.” That came out almost cold and challenging. Milla winced.

  He shrugged. “I was due a holiday. Abigail told me that you gave an excellent report of the waters here.”

  “They are mostly for invalids, which is not the case for either you or me,” she pointed out. “Admit it: you came to check on me.”

  “Nothing of the sort. I am merely desirous of enjoying the pleasant environs, and renewing our former acquaintance, if you will allow it.”

  She wanted a lot more than that from him, now she had him within reach. But it would be impolitic to betray as much at this point. “That would be pleasant. Most of the men I meet here are approaching senility.”

  “Talking of which, who was that fellow, this Major, who clung to your hand like that? Do you want me to remove him from the scene?”

  “I can handle him.”

  Barnaby’s nostrils flared. She had to restrain an impulse to wipe his concerned frown away with her hand. Of course a kiss might be more efficacious…

  “There is not the least reason why you should be bothered to ‘handle’ the man. If you need my help, I’m staying in the Hotel Bitterschwarm.”

  He would be sure to run across Kepler at the breakfast table there. Milla chose not to warn him of the fact.

  “By the by, where is that French companion of yours, Madame Rallien? Does she still work for you?” His voice sounded studiedly casual.

  How did he know about Veronique? Abigail must have mentioned her, perhaps in connection with that letter. Oh dear. That was not what she had intended at all. “Oh yes, Veronique is very useful. Right now she is out on some commissions, on my orders. I am old enough not to need constant supervision, you know.”

  He looked as though he would have like to dispute that, but swallowed whatever comment had been rising to his lips. “I look forward to making her acquaintance.”

  “You will surely like her, as I do.”

  “Since I have only just arrived, tell me, what entertainments and activities does this place offer? It looks pretty enough, but a little quiet and sedate, and the clientele are, for the most part, far older than you or I. I own I am a little surprised that you would stay here for months on end.”

  “Regensbad has its charms.” Milla could hardly confess that she had come there on the track of a notorious swindler, at least not now, their first meeting after such a long period. She breathed in and out, slowly, to calm her racing pulse. “I do not stay here all the time; just last week I went to Munich, and from there passed by the foot of the Alps.”

  “You are fond of mountains?”

  “I am fond of many things. When I lived in England I had very little conception of what my likes and dislikes were. I have made a habit of seeking out new experiences, and I’m far from done yet.” His frown deepened as she spoke. “Even such a peaceful place as Regensbad offers novelty if you look under the surface.”

  His eyes burned into hers, as though he guessed that she was not telling the whole truth, or was wondering what kind of novelties she meant. “I’ll have to take your word for it. What would you recommend, in the way of activities?”

  “This afternoon there is an open-air concert in the Rose Garden.” Milla was about to suggest that he escort her, when she recalled her appointment with the seller of Peruvian mine shares. Drat. “I have something else to do, but you can enjoy it, and afterwards try out the new-fangled pastries at the nearby Patisserie Lindenhof. They have something different every week, but their strawberry ice cream is a safe bet.”

  “You sound like a native already.” He smiled at her.

  She took a step closer to him, involuntarily, stopped herself and self-consciously passed her right hand over the folds of her skirt. “I have been here for several weeks. I am planning to move on to Strasbourg, but the exact date is still uncertain.”

  “Why not come home to England instead? You are missed there, Milla.” His voice was deep. She had always liked his voice.

  “If that is so, only by Abigail, I would bet. There is nobody else who would draw me there,” she said lightly.

  He winced. She had not hurt him, had she? No matter, he was a grown man, and she was not responsible for his feelings.

  “Perhaps I can convince you otherwise,” he said after a moment’s pause. “But in the meantime, tell me more about the pleasures of Regensbad!”

  “Perhaps it would be best to show you. I like to ride out in the early morning, and if you are game, we could explore the nearby sights and attractions. Why don’t we do so tomorrow, early? And, if you like, on subsequent days? There is an excellent livery stable at the corner of Königsstrasse, they know which horse I prefer.”

  “Nothing would give me greater pleasure. Will your companion join us?”

  “No, she is not as fond of early rising as I am.”

  From Barnaby’s expression, the crinkling of his eyes, she had given the hoped-for answer. She too wanted to spend time alone with him, to explore possibilities… suddenly the day seemed much brighter than before.
/>   Chapter 11

  Barnaby had often imagined the moment when he’d see Milla again, how with one look he would know if she returned his feelings, clasp her in his arms and kiss her silly. The reality was both worse – because of that insufferably smug German Major, who dared to grasp her delicate hand – and better, because Milla was lovelier, more devastating than his most fervent memories. If he could not have Milla, he would not marry anyone.

  It took all his savoir-faire to keep a civil face while her visitor took his leave. Why had that manservant announced him without first ascertaining that she was not in a compromising situation? Was the Major Milla’s lover? The notion twisted his guts, but the way she had yanked her hand away gave him hope that matters had not yet progressed that far, that Milla might have better taste in paramours. Lovers… Bitterness threatened to overcome him at the notion, but Barnaby had no right to censure Milla’s conduct, since they were not engaged. He had told himself as much dozens of times during the painfully long, tedious journey to this godforsaken, overgrown village.

  “So, how was your journey?” Milla asked. “Did you bring servants?”

  “All went quite smoothly, and I elected not to bring my valet. I can manage quite well without his help.” From the approbation in her lovely eyes, she was not finding fault with his appearance. “You by contrast are travelling with retainers, I gather?”

  Widows were traditionally allowed to take lovers, as long as they did it discreetly. It was too much to hope that a lovely woman like Milla would not have taken advantage of this freedom. Milla’s brief marriage had not been consummated, from what he’d gathered – it was not something he could ask about. When he first met Milla two years earlier, she had an untouched, aloof air about her. He remembered one occasion when Milla had looked at him, or rather almost through him, as she told him that independence was her ambition, that she did not need anybody. He had called upon her, just days after Abigail’s engagement to his brother Jeremy, expecting to find her down-hearted over losing her companion and friend. She had made it abundantly clear that she could cope, and would fiercely reject any sympathy or attempt to console her.