by Cheryl Holt
She often thought her mother was the crazed one in the family, but clearly she’d been mistaken. Her brother was deranged too.
“Even if you’d won a large sum,” she said, “why would you imagine Mr. Drummond would sell Kirkwood to you?”
“He’d have to, Sophia. It’s how gentlemen conduct business.”
“Mr. Drummond isn’t a gentleman so those rules don’t apply to him.”
“Well, I am a gentleman, and they certainly apply to me.” He waved an impatient hand. “It’s futile to discuss it. I couldn’t get any money so there’s no point in conjecturing.”
“What now?” she asked.
“I have no idea. I was hoping Mother or Georgina might have devised a solution while I was away.”
As far as Sophia was aware, she was the only one with a solution, that being her marriage to Mr. Roxbury, but she kept that information to herself.
“Mother is useless,” she said, “and Georgina has simply been cleaning house so it’s been more habitable while we’ve been in exile.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Her efforts haven’t helped.”
“At least she’s made an effort. What have you been doing?”
“I told you, Sophia. I was trying to borrow money.”
“Yes, and you utterly failed so what would you suggest instead?”
Just then, Georgina came in. She was unusually glum, but then how was a person supposed to look in the middle of such a catastrophe?
“Hello, Miles.” She trudged over and sat down too. “It’s good to have you back. We’d about given up on you.”
“He’s been in town,” Sophia said, “begging acquaintances for a loan so he can gamble some more.”
“Oh, Miles,” Georgina murmured.
“Be silent, Sophia,” Miles snapped. “I was searching for a way out. I don’t see that you’ve contributed much energy to solving our dilemma.”
“What could I do?”
He focused his irate gaze on Georgina. “How about you, Cousin? Have you made any progress with Drummond?”
“No.”
Sophia scowled. “What sort of progress were you anticipating?”
He smirked as if he had a dozen secrets, then he frowned at Georgina. “Why haven’t you finagled him? He should be completely besotted by now.”
“He’s not,” Georgina said.
“Why isn’t he?” Miles demanded. “Don’t tell me you’re not his type. I’ve heard he’ll tumble anything in a skirt.”
“There’s no need to be crude, Miles,” Georgina said.
“What’s he talking about, Georgina?” Sophia asked.
“It’s nothing,” Georgina insisted.
“Nothing!” Miles interjected. “How can you say so when the grand and imperious Mr. Drummond has offered you carte blanche?”
“What is a carte blanche, Georgina?” Sophia asked. “Is it bad?”
“I mentioned it to you, Sophia. Mr. Drummond wanted to have an affair with me.”
“She could have saved us all,” Miles spitefully complained. “We agreed on this, Georgina. You promised you’d try whatever he requested.”
“I never promised that,” Georgina hotly retorted.
“You did! You were to work your feminine wiles on him. I expected to come home and find you ensconced in his bedchamber.”
Sophia was incensed. “Miles, you told her to have an affair with him?”
“I didn’t tell her. I ordered her to.” Sophia’s jaw dropped, and he felt compelled to add, “Don’t look so astonished. Mother advised the same. We both deemed it worth the attempt.”
“You thought she should…ruin herself with Mr. Drummond?”
“Why shouldn’t she?” Miles selfishly replied. “She owes us. Haven’t we fed and clothed her all these years? This one time—this one, paltry time—we beg her for a sacrifice in return, and she can’t be bothered.”
“Georgina doesn’t owe us for our support,” Sophia protested. “She’s family.”
“Just barely,” Miles muttered.
Sophia patted Georgina’s hand. “I’m sorry, Georgie. He’s an ass, and I don’t know why the servants didn’t drown him at birth.”
Georgina flashed a tepid smile. “I wish I could have coaxed Mr. Drummond to mercy. If a bit of carnal persuasion would have helped, I might have proceeded, but he’s determined to be rid of us. I wasn’t about to sacrifice myself for a lost cause.”
“Where are we then, Georgina?” Miles snidely nagged. “I’ve had no luck reversing my financial fortunes, and you wouldn’t so much as flirt with Drummond.”
“That’s not fair, Miles,” Georgina replied. “I’ve beseeched him over and over on your behalf, but it didn’t do any good.”
“We needed more than beseeching, Georgina.” He spun to Sophia. “Perhaps you should give it a try.”
“Give what a try?” Sophia asked.
“Drummond obviously isn’t interested in Georgina. Maybe he’d take you instead. Why don’t you put on a pretty gown and head over to the manor? You could probably locate him in the bedchamber he stole from me.”
“Every time you open your mouth,” she furiously spat, “you say something more outrageous.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, we’re out of options.”
“If you think I might be able to influence Mr. Drummond when Georgina has tried repeatedly and failed, you’re mad. Are you supposing I can bat my lashes and he’ll come to heel like a trained puppy?”
“You’re so smart. What would you propose then?”
“I don’t have any answers, but I definitely know that I’m sick of you. Why don’t you go upstairs and harangue at Mother? She’d love to listen to more of your ridiculous nonsense, but Georgina and I have had enough.”
“Don’t command me, Sophia. You can’t.” He glared at Georgina. “How about you, Georgina? What would you suggest?”
“I don’t have any answers either,” Georgina responded, “except to agree with Sophia. You exhaust me, and I’m weary of your insults. I did my best for you with Mr. Drummond, but it was a thankless endeavor.”
“Why is that precisely? He is the one who was smitten by you. Why, for pity’s sake, couldn’t you have used it to our advantage?”
“We never had a chance, Miles.”
“If we had no chance it’s only because you didn’t entice him.”
“I couldn’t have. He’s too angry with you.” Georgina appeared troubled, and she rubbed her brow. “You won’t believe what I learned about him, but it certainly explains much of his enmity.”
“What is it?” Sophia asked.
“Have you any idea what happened to him and his grandfather after they left Kirkwood?”
“No,” Sophia said. “There were always rumors, but no one knew the truth.”
“How about you, Miles?” Georgina asked.
“Why would I have heard a word about the Drummonds? The old man was fired for cause. I would hardly have kept track of them after that.”
“His grandfather died in London shortly after they arrived,” Georgina said.
“Mr. Drummond was what? Nine? Ten?” Sophia mused.
“Thereabouts.”
“Was he taken in by relatives or what?”
“I don’t know the whole story, but at some point, he embraced a life of crime.”
“What?” Sophia and Miles exclaimed in unison.
“Mr. Roxbury too,” Georgina said.
“That can’t be right,” Sophia murmured.
Miles waved Sophia to silence and leaned toward Georgina. “How did you discover this?”
“They were talking privately and weren’t aware that I was out in the hall. They mentioned they’d been transported to the penal colonies at Botany Bay.”
“Botany Bay!” Sophia shrieked.
“Yes,” Georgina said. “They have to be convicted felons.”
“Very likely so.” Miles was very smug. “You’re sure of this? You’re not making it up?”
&n
bsp; “Making it up?” Georgina huffed.
“Why are they back in England?” Miles inquired. “Aren’t those types of dastardly brigands transported forever? I’ve never heard of one returning to live among civilized people. It’s not allowed, is it?”
“I can’t guess,” Georgina said, “but your dispute with him set in motion a series of mishaps that ended with him being sent to Australia.”
Miles studied Georgina, and clearly he was debating how to utilize the news to his own advantage. As to Sophia, she was struggling to decide where it left her with Mr. Roxbury. Was he a felon? Had he been transported?
He was so intriguing and cordial, and he had money to support her. Where had he come by it? Had he earned it honestly? Or was it through criminal enterprise?
Oh, why couldn’t anything be simple? It had been difficult enough to consent to marry him when she’d merely thought him far beneath her in social status. But to learn it was much more dreadful than that!
Miles interrupted her miserable reverie by leaping up and pulling Georgina up too. He twirled her in a merry circle, then he kissed her on the cheek.
“Thank you, Cousin,” he said.
“For what?”
“You’ve provided me with the answer I sought.”
“What answer is that?”
His expression grew sly. “I’ll tell you tomorrow.”
“Tell me now,” Georgina said.
“I don’t dare.”
“Why not?”
“You’re both women and you gab like magpies. I don’t want others apprised of what I’m planning.”
“Does it involve Mr. Drummond?”
“Absolutely.” Miles sounded as if he was boasting. “I’m betting we’ll be shed of him by noon, and he’ll never be back to plague us.”
“How will you accomplish this miracle?” Sophia asked.
“It’s a secret, Sophia, and I don’t choose to share it with you.”
Georgina looked a tad alarmed. “Please don’t instigate any stupid schemes.”
“It’s not stupid, Georgina. In fact, it’s the best idea I’ve had in ages.”
He started out, and Sophia said, “Where are you going?”
“I need to hurry to town.”
“At this hour?”
“Yes, but I’ll be back in the morning.”
“To do what?”
“You’ll see when I arrive.”
He rushed out, and Georgina turned to Sophia.
“I have a bad feeling about this. I probably shouldn’t have told him about Mr. Drummond.”
“Probably not.”
“I’d hate to generate more discord. We’ve had enough conflict to last ten lifetimes.”
“You couldn’t make it any worse.”
“This is Miles, Sophia. He might commit any foolish deed.”
“Yes, he might.” Sophia sighed, then pushed herself to her feet. “Would you excuse me?”
“I was hoping we could discuss your mother. Despite what Miles assumes, we’ll have to leave, and she’s not prepared.”
“I can’t worry about it now. I have to…ah…speak with Mr. Roxbury.”
“About what?”
“About…nothing.” Sophia dashed out before Georgina could ask her what she meant.
Kit was exiting the barn, his horse saddled, his packed portmanteau tied on behind, when Sophia burst out of the woods. She appeared angry or perhaps frightened, but in light of his awful fight with Damian, he wasn’t in the mood for a difficult conversation.
She was so pretty, and he was so smitten. He didn’t understand why, but his sentiment was real and potent, and he wondered what would happen between them. Damian had ordered him off the property and had revoked Kit’s chance to serve as estate agent.
For the moment, he hadn’t commanded Kit to return the gold he’d bestowed, but if he remained surly and contemptuous, he might demand it back. Then Kit would be in dire straits. When his situation had become so precarious, dare he wed her?
He couldn’t imagine giving her up. She embodied much more than simply a bride and a wife. Somehow she’d begun to represent all that he’d lost, all he’d craved for so long. He couldn’t bear to relinquish any of it merely because Damian was acting like an idiot.
She approached until they were toe to toe, and he could see she was livid.
“What’s wrong?” he inquired.
“I must ask you a question. Actually I have to ask you several questions.”
“All right.”
She glanced around to ensure no servants were lurking. “Tell me about your past.”
“I already told you I don’t remember much of it.”
“I disagree. I’m guessing you remember quite a bit. Were you quarreling earlier with Mr. Drummond?”
He studied her, curious as to what had put her in such a dither, but he suspected he knew.
“I was.”
“Georgina was eavesdropping.”
He shrugged. “I’m sorry to hear it.”
“Is it true?”
The world seemed to stop spinning on its axis. Birds stopped flying. The wind quit blowing. They stared, with her waiting, waiting, waiting for him to explain.
“Is what true?” he ultimately asked.
“Don’t make me say it aloud.”
“Go ahead. It’s certainly vexing you.”
“Are you…are you…a convicted felon?”
He would have cut off his arm rather than reply, but when the pesky details had been revealed to Miss Fogarty, he didn’t see how to deny it.
“Yes,” he quietly stated. “I am a convicted felon.”
“You spent time in the penal colonies.”
“I did.”
“Would you ever have confessed it to me?”
“I might have someday.”
“Or maybe not. Maybe you never would have confided in me.”
He shrugged again. “I don’t like to talk about it.”
“I’ll bet you don’t. What was your crime?”
“Pick pocketing.”
“Pick pocketing?” She scoffed. “You expect me to believe they sent you to Australia for petty theft?”
“You’d be surprised at the paltry offenses of the people who were with me. It didn’t take much to be judged a nuisance and banished across the globe.”
“And Mr. Drummond?”
“What about him?”
“He went with you.” Kit was stoically silent, and she asked, “What was his transgression?”
“I won’t discuss Damian. If you’d like to know any of his history, you should speak to him directly.”
To his dismay, tears flooded her eyes. “What now?”
“Nothing’s changed,” he doggedly insisted.
“Are you joking? Everything’s changed.”
“No, it hasn’t. I was punished for misdeeds I committed as a boy when I was frightened and starving and merely trying to survive. I’ve paid for my sins and been rehabilitated. I’m embarking on a new life.”
“How did you return to England?”
“After my prison term was over, I saved my wages and sailed back.”
“You’re not an escapee?”
“An escapee? No, don’t be ridiculous. They’d never have permitted me to board ship unless I had the correct papers.”
She scrutinized him, then shook her head. “I can’t decide if you’re telling the truth or not.”
“I am.”
“What will happen to me?”
“We’ll wed—just as we planned.”
“But…but…you’re a criminal!” she hissed. “How could I?”
He sighed. “Oh, Sophia, please don’t let it matter.”
“Not matter! Are you mad? Of course it matters. You are dangerous, and I was deranged to ally myself with you.”
“You weren’t. I’ve always been loyal and faithful, and I always will be. Simply ask Damian about me.”
“Ask Damian! I should seek a recommendation as to your cha
racter from another felon?”
She started to cry, which broke his heart. He pulled her into his arms, and for a second she allowed the embrace, then she stepped away.
“Not here, Kit. Not where people can observe us.”
Wounded by her disregard, he nodded with regret. “I understand, but I swear I’ll fix this. Just don’t be sad. I can’t bear to see you upset and realize that I am the cause.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you.”
“Why can’t you?”
“You know why! Don’t pretend.”
“I’m very rich, Sophia. Don’t throw me away over events that occurred when I was ten.”
“You were in prison until you were…what? Twenty? Twenty-five?”
He didn’t confirm the number, but his sentence had been for the typical seven years. The more hardened criminals received fourteen. Anne Blair was one of the few who’d faced a life term.
“I was away for a long while,” he admitted. “I won’t deny it, but it made me tough and savvy and wise. You’ll never stumble on a better man than me.”
He felt like he was begging, and he hated the plaintive tone in his voice. He never begged. He’d learned through bitter experience that it was pointless to expect empathy or compassion.
“I’m still the same person I was yesterday,” he claimed.
“No, you’re a stranger to me. I should have been more cautious.”
He yearned to reach for her again, but didn’t attempt it. He was too anguished to try. First Damian. Now her. Could the bloody afternoon get any worse?
“I have to leave Kirkwood,” he told her. “Damian has ordered me off the property.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to marry you.”
“But there’s no need for you to leave, is there? Explain to him that the wedding is off.”
“It’s not that easy. I’ve hurt him.”
“How?”
“You know how. He’s always been my friend, and I’ve always been his, but I wagered that friendship over you. I lost him and it appears I’ve lost you too.”
“Where will you be?”
“I thought I’d linger in the neighborhood and hope that he calms down.”
Actually he planned to ride to London and procure a Special License. He’d bring it back in case she grew amenable once she and her mother were evicted. That sort of catastrophe had an interesting way of riveting a woman’s attention.