He was furiously angry at having been tricked into such an undignified position. Not only had he spent a deuced uncomfortable night on the floor, for Miss Frayne had become hysterical when he had suggested he shared the bed with her, he had been made to look a laughing stock, if not worse. He had already drunk one bottle of brandy and started another when there was a commotion outside his room. He held his head in his hands and tried to muffle the sounds.
Then Clarence began to thump on the door of his room, shouting and threatening that he would horsewhip his sister's seducer if he were not admitted, and Humphrey decided he had no option but to let the wretched fellow in, if only to stop the noise.
When he opened the door he was aghast to see several giggling maids and waiters clustered at the end of the passageway, drawn there by the noise Clarence was making. He would never be able to hold up his head in London again.
'Come in, do, and stop making that infernal din!'
Clarence marched into the room and took up a position in front of the empty fireplace. He leaned his elbow on the mantlepiece and propped one foot on the empty coal scuttle. Humphrey sank back into a chair beside the table and rested his aching head on his hands.
'I came to ask when you intend to do the gentlemanly thing?' Clarence demanded.
'What the blazes do you mean?' Humphrey asked, though he was perfectly aware of Clarence's meaning.
'You have compromised my sister, and must restore her good name by marrying her, as soon as can be arranged.'
'I compromised no one. We were both duped, tricked into that room.'
'And you made no advances to her?' Clarence leered. 'When she was at your mercy? What sort of man are you? Do you expect me to believe you had a defenceless girl locked in a room with you and you didn't take advantage of the situation?'
Humphrey thought of the way she had shrieked when all he wanted was to lie on a comfortable bed. Heaven knew what she would have been like if he had tried his luck. Not that he'd felt in the least amorous, he was too concerned for his own safety.
'Your mind is like a cesspit if that is what you believe! I consider it highly impertinent of you to visit me in such a way, making unfounded accusations. It's hounding me, and I am as innocent as your sister.'
'You refuse to do the honourable thing?'
'I refuse to be blackmailed into marrying anyone. When people know the truth, and we have discovered who it was that tricked us, your sister's reputation will still be unsullied.'
'Then you don't know the ton. They revel in gossip like this, and take my word for it, the story will be all round town before the day is out.'
Humphrey poured a fresh glass of brandy and drank it off in one gulp. Was what the wretched fellow said true?
'You can't expect Ryecot and the others not to talk about such a jest,' Clarence said, and left the fireplace, came to pour out some brandy for himself, and sat down facing Humphrey across the table.
'Come, let us be reasonable. Jennifer is a good girl, our family is noble, and though she has only a small dowry you are wealthy enough for it not to matter. You would benefit with such a wife, an aristocrat, related to the Earl of Frayne. Not the sort of bride a boat builder from Whitby could normally expect to wed. You'll be the envy of all the petty bourgeoisie in Yorkshire.'
'I did nothing wrong, and I refuse to be bullied like this into a marriage I don't want.'
Clarence stared at him for a long time, then shrugged.
'I think even the townsfolk of Whitby will condemn you when they hear. Are you not hoping to become Mayor next year?'
If this story, this allegation, unfounded as it was, reached Whitby, he would be a laughing stock. Humphrey tried to think clearly, but the fumes of brandy were making it impossible to decide what was best. At all costs, he must not let the worthies of Whitby hear what would undoubtedly be a story embellished with all sorts of untruths.
'I must have time to think,' he said eventually.
Clarence stood up, and smiled.
'Until this time tomorrow,' he said. 'Meanwhile I will apply for a special marriage licence. You will want to be wed and away from London as soon as possible, won't you?'
*
Lord Frayne was not conversant with Catherine Cartwright's new direction, but that evening he found Stanton in White's and sat down beside him.
'I need to speak to Miss Cartwright,' he said.
Lord Stanton glared at him.
'You'll not get her back, you know.'
'I don't want her back, but I believe she was behind this attempt to entrap Miss Hallem. You have no doubt already heard how Miss Hallem's cousin and mine were locked in a room together last night.'
Lord Stanton chuckled.
'A clever wheeze! Is the fellow going to do the honourable thing and marry her?'
'I have no idea and I really do not care. I do care that it was not my cousin who was supposed to be there. It was a deliberate attempt to destroy another girl's reputation.'
'And just what interest do you have in this other girl's reputation? Is it the Hallem wench, that you've set your sights on?'
He'd known it would not serve to try and protect Damaris. Too many people were aware he wanted to get back the Castle. They were watching him and speculating, calculating how far his courtship had progressed every time he rode of drove with her. They would have even more to speculate about if they knew the real situation.
'What if it is? It was a despicable trick, and it's my belief Catherine Cartwright was behind it. She resents Miss Hallem, even though she now has you as a protector. She could never endure being slighted, and she took it ill when we parted.'
Lord Stanton looked weary.
'I'm well aware she'd come back to you in a flash if you called her. I'm an old man, and even though I lavish clothes and jewels on her, I can't pretend she's fond of me.'
'She's not worth your money, Stanton. But I promise you I will never again have ought to do with her, once I have discovered if she was behind this plot.'
'Very well, but I want to come with you when you speak to her.'
'Don't you trust me?'
'I don't trust her,' he said.
'If you are there, she is unlikely to admit what she did, for fear of disgusting you.'
'Then how would it serve if I drove you there, and waited outside?'
'So that I don't have time to get her into bed?' He laughed. 'You don't know how fast the trollop can work! But if that is how you want it, I'll agree. On one condition. You don't see her or tell her I am coming in the meantime.'
'I won't be seeing her tonight.'
'Will you call for me at, let's say ten in the morning?'
Lord Stanton, protested it was infernally early, but finally agreed, and Luke went off to search for Ryecot. He had been puzzled that he and the other men should have been invited to Chelsea, as well as himself and his friend Frank. Was it merely because Catherine thought they would gossip more freely than the others? Or was there some deeper twist to the plot? Ryecot, after his initial dismissal of Damaris as not worthy of his attention, had been assiduous in his attentions to her during the past few weeks. He had not had many opportunities, with Mary and Damaris staying close to home so much, but he had been seen driving her, and had asked her to dance.
If he had ambitions in her direction, it would not have served him to destroy her reputation. If, however, he had tried his luck and been rejected, he might feel vindictive. Or was it simple revenge for the time they had been caught in the storm and he had made such a poor showing? That was the sort of man Luke believed he was.
He found his quarry in one of the card rooms, and since he was not playing, merely watching, drew him to one side.
'I want to hear what you know of that affair this morning,' he said bluntly. 'When did your invitation come, and what did it say? Do you know who brought it, or from whom it came?'
Ryecot shrugged, still looking intently at the card players.
'It came yesterday, but I don't know
who delivered it.'
'What was the incentive? Why did you rise earlier than normal and ride all the way out to Chelsea?'
'It promised something interesting, that's all.'
'Do you normally obey such vague instructions?'
'When I am bored, perhaps. The Season's dull this year. I believe I'll be glad to get back to Spain.'
There was something shifty in his look, so Luke played a sudden hunch.
'Did Catherine Cartwright have anything to do with it?'
'Catherine ? I don't know who you mean.'
'You know perfectly well. Don't try to cozen me. Was she there? Did she set the whole thing up?'
'No. I don't know. Why does it matter to you?'
'I mean to prevent more of such attempts to compromise Miss Hallem.'
Ryecot grinned. 'How is the heiress responding to you? Will we be watching for a notice in the Gazette soon?'
'You are welcome to look for one,' Luke replied, and dragged his attention back from an involuntary consideration of how such a notice should be framed. 'Catherine,' he went on, 'I can ask her if you helped. And question your footman who delivered the letters.'
'What? How did you know that?'
'I didn't. But I do now. I suspected you were involved in some way, or you would not have been there, so it was a shot in the dark – which hit the target.'
'Damn you, Frayne! I only arranged for the invitations to be delivered to you and the other fellows. I didn't know what she planned. And it wasn't my fault your pure little cousin was involved! The letter wasn't meant for her, and you can be sure I have dealt with the fool of a footman who gave it to your cousin.'
'I wish I could believe you knew no more. Would it have suited you to destroy Miss Hallem?'
'She could have married the Lee fellow if her spotless reputation had suffered! He's panting to get his hands on her fortune. It wasn't my fault it was your cousin who spent the night with him.'
*
Humphrey was woken early the following morning when one of the inn servants entered his room. He came to his senses with his head pounding, and it was some time before he could recall where he was. When he did the whole thing came back to him and he groaned. He had thought long and hard the previous night, trying to find a way out of his dilemma. He had no wish to be leg-shackled to the Frayne woman. If he were, it was the end of his chance of gaining Damaris's fortune. But he could see no way out, the Fraynes were powerful, and would no doubt coerce him.
'What do you want? Stop gabbling,' he managed when he understood he was being spoken to.
'I'm sorry, sir, but it ain't my fault. The man said I was to wake you whatever, for 'e's got news that won't wait.'
'What man? What news?'
'He didn't give his name or his business, but 'e said he's ridden day and night from Whitby. That's up north, ain't it?'
Humphrey struggled up on the pillows. He'd been afraid it was one of the Fraynes, but this must be about his business. What could have happened?
'Whitby, you said?'
'Yessir. That's what I thought 'e said, but 'e's got a funny accent, like. I may 'ave been mistook.'
'Send him up, and bring coffee.'
'And some breakfast, sir? Mutton chops, p'raps? We got some good juicy ones.'
Humphrey shuddered.
'No. Not yet.'
He was sitting on the side of the bed, fighting nausea, when the servant returned and ushered in a mud-stained man. Humphrey managed to look up at him, and saw Lloyd, the foreman he had left in charge of his business in Whitby.
'Mr Lee, sir, are you ill?' the man asked, coming across and resting his hand on Humphrey's shoulder. 'Should you be out of bed?'
Humphrey shook his head and regretted it.
'No. I'm not ill. Lloyd, is it you? What brings you here in such haste?'
'Trouble, I'm afraid. I'm sorry, sir, but it's more than I can deal with. Mr Blenkinsop's refusing to pay what he owes.'
Humphrey struggled to recall the name and the circumstances. Lloyd helpfully reminded him.
'The big fishing boat, due to be launched last week.'
'I remember. It was almost finished when I came to London.'
'Aye. Well, the launch went smoothly, and she floated like a dream.'
'Then what's wrong?'
'The man insists she's got the wrong rig. I showed him the order, and it's clear as a glass, we put the right rig on her, but he insists he asked for a schooner not a ketch rig. And he's refusing to pay, even though you cut the profit to a minimum. And the bank wants their loan repaid.'
This was serious. The design was a new one, and he'd given Blenkinsop a good price, hoping to win more orders once the boat proved itself. He'd also borrowed hugely, as most of his capital was tied up in other projects, including the carriage building business he had just invested in.
'I'll have to come home and sort it out, I suppose.'
'Yes, sir. That's why I came as fast as I could, rather than just send a letter. I thought you'd have questions.'
Humphrey was struggling to sort out his thoughts. He needed to go back to Whitby. If he left London Frayne could not force him to marry the wretched Jennifer. Even if they tried it would take them some time to find and chase him. They might think it was not worth their while.
The servant appeared with a tray and coffee. Mr Lloyd looked longingly at it, and offered to pour some for his employer.
'Yes, and have some yourself. I must pack. We'll go post.'
He hauled out his trunk and began to throw in his night clothes and the evening dress he had worn the previous night. Then he struggled into breeches and a shirt, and tied a kerchief round his neck after discarding a muslin cravat.
'Shall I get the hotel to arrange it?' Mr William asked.
Humphrey thought of the possibility of Clarence tracing him, and shook his head.
'No,' he said, dragging on his boots. 'There's a big posting inn just a short distance away. We'll take a hackney there. Now be a good chap and hand me my gear. I'll pack. The sooner we are off the better.'
***
Chapter 15
Luke's visit to Catherine Cartwright's lodging was brief and their conversation acrimonious. She denied any knowledge of the events in Chelsea, but refused to summon her groom for him to question.
'He's gone down to Kent, to visit his parents,' she said.
'Then where were you that night?'
'I challenge your right to question me, but for your satisfaction I was at the opera.'
The Earl treated her to a devastating critique of her morals and conduct, and threatened dire repercussions if she attempted to harm Damaris again.
'Can you prove which jewels I gave you, and which you bought and put on my account without my permission? No, I thought not. Some would call that theft. I can arrange for you to be transported, and I doubt you'd enjoy life on a convict ship, or the privations you'd find in New South Wales,' he said as, having drawn no admission from her, though he was convinced of her guilt, he left.
Lord Stanton drove him back to Upper Brook Street, where he found a scene of chaos in the entrance hall. Trunks, portmanteaux and hat boxes littered the floor so that he had difficulty in finding a route through them.
His sister Barbara and Mrs Frayne were disputing the ownership of one hat box.
'If you had not allowed all your baggage to be put just anywhere we would not have had them confused,' Mrs Frayne was saying. 'Why could you not have them taken straight to your room?'
'Because, as I have explained twice already, we are not staying. We go down to Beechcroft Manor later today.'
'Welcome back, Barbara,' the Earl said softly. 'Where are you going, Aunt Emily?' he asked, trying to keep the eagerness from his voice.
She turned to him and glared.
'I am taking Jennifer to Norfolk. She cannot endure the malicious gossip in London. It has spread like wildfire. Why, already Clarence has been asked by at least a dozen men whether Jennifer is marrying that
dreadful Yorkshireman. And our vouchers for Almack's have been withdrawn. The poor girl is in utter despair.'
'Then I take it she does not wish to restore her reputation by marrying the fellow?'
'I wouldn't marry him if he were the last man on earth!' Jennifer declaimed, appearing suddenly on the half landing. 'I'll never come to London again! I hate it, and I hate the malicious ton!'
The Earl was sorry for her. It had not been her fault entirely, but she was partly to blame for having meddled. He thought fleetingly that this would solve one of his problems if he lost the house to Damaris. He had been planning, if that happened, to rent it back from her, and say nothing to his relatives, but if his aunt's promise could be relied on, he would not need this subterfuge. Barbara and Alex would soon be returning to India, and Clarence did not have to be considered. He had his own rooms and never used the town house.
'Does Clarence escort you?' he asked hopefully.
Mrs Frayne shook her head.
'The stupid boy has gone galloping off to Yorkshire. He didn't even bother to ask Jennifer first if she wanted to marry the wretched man, and when he discovered the coward had decamped, and left town early this morning, he just sent me a message to say he was following, and planned to bring him back.'
Luke suppressed his amusement. He wished he could witness that meeting.
'Well, I won't be here if he does,' Jennifer said, and he thought she sounded like a petulant child. 'Mama, when is the coach coming? I don't wish to stay here a moment longer than is necessary.'
Luke occupied himself in sorting out the luggage, and the ownership of the disputed hat box was resolved when it was discovered the ladies possessed identical ones. By the time he had done this the ancient travelling coach which only his aunt ever used was by the door. The luggage was loaded, Luke submitted to farewell kisses from his aunt and cousin, and finally waved them off.
'Well, brother, now you can tell me what in the world that was all about,' Barbara said. 'Alex has gone to the Ministry for orders, he will not be back for an hour yet, so I want to hear every detail before we set off for Buckinghamshire.'
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