Upon Dougal’s departure, Crowden had made his excuses and had departed for Staffordshire. Swenton had agreed to accompany the baron’s family to Tweed Hall. Although his hands were still raw, Lucifer offered to drive the coach.
Everything settled for their return to England, the chaos surrounding Averette’s household upon their arrival had taken them unawares. Cashé led the way through the open door. Servants scrambled from room to room, gathering what appeared to be anything of value. Raising her voice about the den, she demanded, “What goes on here?”
The servants froze in place, each looking a bit guilty at being caught. The man Morton recognized as Aldridge’s butler stepped from behind the stacked items in the front foyer. “Miss Cashémere,” he said evenly. “We did not anticipate your return.”
Cashé huffed. “Obviously.” She gave each man and woman in the room a look of pure disappointment.
“Would you like to explain, Blane, why the household staff seems intent on ransacking my uncle’s personal belongings?”
“Lord Averette has departed the country, Miss.” Marcus stayed Morton with a touch of his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Her Ladyship and Miss Gwendolyn have retreated to her family’s land in the north.” He gestured to the piled goods in the open area. “The staff has not been paid for three months, Miss Cashémere,” he offered as an excuse for what they beheld.
Cashé’s hands fisted at her waist. “So you thought it acceptable to steal from my aunt? A woman who has treated each of you with kindness?” She would not mention her reprehensible uncle. It appeared that Samuel Aldridge evaded the authorities. “Did you allow the viscountess the opportunity to make good on my uncle’s debts?”
The servants all dropped their heads in shame. “No, Miss,” confessed a maid Marcus recognized from the first time he had called at the Aldridge home.
“When did Lord Averette depart?” Marcus protectively stepped beside Cashé.
Putting down a silver goblet, Edana responded, “Yesterday evening, Sir.”
Cashé continued to eye each of her uncle’s employees. “And my aunt?”
Edana kept the floor. “Miss Nelson had us pack for Lady Averette and the child. The master be in a snit.”
Morton finally joined the conversation. “How do we know that Aldridge left Scotland?”
The butler answered, “Callum took His Lordship to the docks and placed the viscount’s belongings on board ship.”
Morton cursed under his breath.
Cashé turned to Marcus. “We cannot allow this to happen to Aunt Alice and Gwendolyn.” She motioned toward what the servants had accumulated. “Is there nothing we can do?”
Marcus eyed Morton cautiously. “What say you, Baron, to our using a bit of our governmental influence to revoke Lord Averette’s bank accounts for his personal use and to open them for his wife’s.”
“Can you do that?” Cashé looked in awe at Marcus.
“For you, my Dear, I will certainly try.”
Cashé looked to the servants. “You will cease this madness until our return. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Miss Cashémere.”
Before appearing at her uncle’s bank, Marcus had recruited his original government contact–the one Shepherd had told him to use if he had trouble with Jamot in Edinburgh. “Well, this is certainly trouble,” he had reasoned aloud. Gordon Keating was a respected local businessman, and his word at the bank proved invaluable.
Aldridge had taken two thousand pounds from his personal account sometime yesterday afternoon, but nearly five thousand remained. Marcus and the baron used their status as part of the British aristocracy to lock the funds for Alice Aldridge’s use only. Mr. Keating guaranteed the servants’ pay with his own funds. At Ashton’s suggestion, Lady Averette would seek Keating’s advice before making major withdrawals from the funds, and he would issue her a regular allowance from the investments and other sources of income.
“That is an excellent idea,” Cashé confided to the baron. “Aunt Alice is not adept at managing her own expenses. Uncle Samuel never allowed her that responsibility.”
“The lady will learn. Keating appears a fair man.”
“Might we also remove Uncle Samuel from the church account? He, Mr. Charters, and Mr. Stowbridge have equal access to the funds for the school and the other programs for the poor in the parish. I want no one else to suffer because of my uncle’s deceit.”
Marcus turned to the agent. “Keating, will you make certain that Stowbridge is a fit match in handling these church funds?”
“I will start my evaluation this afternoon, Lord Yardley.”
With everything in place to curtail Averette’s future funds, they left the bank offices behind. As Cashé expressed her gratitude to Mr. Keating, Marcus caught the baron’s arm to speak privately. “I know this is not the outcome that you sought, but it is the best we can do for the moment. Remember that if Averette left for Europe, that we will be able to track his movements. Between your former and my current connections, you might locate the viscount easily. Maybe even as you and Miss Satiné take in the sights. And do not forget, a duel to defend your family’s honor would not be against the law in many European countries.”
“I like the way you think, Yardley,” Morton whispered.
“Let us return to The Sly Fox. I am anxious to be on English soil.”
*
Along with Keating, they stopped at Averette’s house to announce their success. Cashé released the services of everyone except Blane and Edana. “My aunt may choose to secure your services again upon her return. I will write her this evening to explain what I have done to protect her home.” When the servants retreated, she turned to Marcus. “May I stay and pack some of my personal items while you retrieve my sister? I will need them in Northumberland, and I have some mementos from my parents that I wish to keep for our own children,” she whispered.
Marcus smiled at her. “You know too well how I cannot resist you. We will return in a little over an hour. Is that enough time?”
“More than enough. I am ready to start my new life in my new home,” she teased with a pouty mouth.
“Please do not tempt me.” Marcus said as he pulled Cashé behind a door to steal a kiss. His lips drank of hers like a starving man.
Cashé clung tightly to him as she returned his passion. “It is too long before I am truly yours,” she groaned.
Although he still kept Cashé in his embrace, Marcus made himself withdraw. “I will secure a special license when we return to England,” he whispered.
Cashé kissed his chin line. “Then let us be about our life. I have seen enough of Scotland.”
*
Late in the evening, the loaded inn coach came to a halt before Marcus’s home. His footmen scrambled to assist the guests to debark and to dispatch Cashé’s trunks to the chambers Marcus had ordered for her before they had left for Scotland two days prior.
“We are pleased you are home safely, Your Lordship. Lord Trevor will be beside himself with joy with the additional company,” Mr. Spear declared as he took everyone’s wraps.
“Miss Aldridge’s sister, Baron Ashton, Lord Swenton, and Mr. Hill will also require rooms, Spear,” Marcus ordered. “The baron and Miss Satiné will remain for an extended stay.”
“Yes, Your Lordship.”
“Might Mrs. Marling see to a quick meal for everyone. I am certain we are all famished. Whatever she might provide will be appreciated.”
Spear bowed to Marcus’s guests. “I will speak to cook immediately, Sir. The blue drawing room has a full fire, Your Lordship. I will see to tea for the ladies and brandy for the gentlemen.”
“Thank you, Spear. And tell Mr. Ingram to have Trevor join us.”
Everyone enjoyed an evening of friendship and family, especially after so harrowing of a mission. Even Satiné accepted quiet time with Swenton as Trevor entertained the others with innocent stories of a young Marcus’s many escapades. “How is it that you remember exactl
y what I said to you when I was ten, but you cannot remember your history lessons?” Marcus sat easily beside his older brother.
Trevor smiled that adorable lopsided smile that he gave everyone. “That is easy. I do not love my history lessons.”
Cashé smiled largely. “Lord Trevor, might I ask you to escort me to my chambers?”
Trevor scrambled to his feet. “I have never been asked to be a lady’s escort before,” he confided over a blush.
“Well, I shan’t make it the last time you are asked,” she assured him. “Good night, Gentlemen,” she said to the room before giving Marcus a lingering gaze.
When everyone retired, the baron remained. “I have considered what you suggested, Yardley, and I believe your plan to take Satiné away is a sound one. I will send word to Chesterfield Manor to have our trunks prepared for an extended journey.”
Marcus sipped his brandy. “I am sorry that it is come to this. Of course, you know that you are welcome at Tweed Hall as long as you are in need of sanctuary, Sir.”
The baron sighed deeply. “I realize that you are most anxious to marry Cashémere, but I worry for how Satiné will react,” the baron confided. “Satiné is on fragile ground.”
Marcus nodded his understanding. “I came to the same conclusion as I observed your niece today; yet, I do not expect that Miss Satiné will recover quickly, and it would be unfair to allow your preference for the child you have raised as your own to overshadow Cashé’s need for a family. Cashémere has known nothing of what family means. I do not wish to criticize you, Sir, but I have sworn to protect Cashémere, and I will do so with my life.”
Marcus paused for a few elongated seconds. He knew that the baron would take the responsibility for both sisters equally once he had time to weigh the facts. Satiné appeared to be very vulnerable, but Cashé was also. She just hid it better than her sister. Marcus continued, “It would also not be proper for Cashémere to reside in my household for a prolonged stay. We can twist the rumors to our benefit at this point, but not for months on in. How say you to Cashé and I asking Lord Worthing for permission to marry from Linton Park’s chapel. If you recall, the earl made such an offer at Thornhill’s joining. The Kerringtons would welcome our marrying in Derbyshire. Lord Worthing or His Grace could act in your stead for presenting the bride. You could remain at Tweed Hall solidifying your plans, while Cashémere and I holiday.”
“Again, it seems you have an answer for everything, Yardley,” the baron observed without enthusiasm.
“It is not my purpose to take control of your life, Ashton. I want only to protect Cashémere and her sister. I would not see Miss Satiné suffer, but neither will I allow Cashé to do so.” Marcus sat his glass on a side table. “Think about my suggestion overnight. I am at your disposal when you are ready to take action.” Marcus made his way to the door.
The baron said a bit sarcastically, “I suppose that you know where I might find a competent steward. I will need someone other than Mr. Thorne to oversee my land and holdings while I am away.”
Marcus smiled deviously and turned to face the baron again. “Actually I do. Mr. Breeson, my former batman, has been apprenticing on my estate since his return from the war. Yet, it is not likely that Breeson will assume the position any time soon. Might I send him to speak to you about the estate? Breeson would be delighted. For some time now, he has had his mind set to ask Faith Molson to be his wife, but he wanted a position of his own before he did so.”
Ashton accepted Marcus’s manipulations reluctantly. “Why not? Send the man to see me in the morning. What else do I have to occupy my time?”
Marcus bowed from the room, but he took great satisfaction in seeing his dreams coming together.
Chapter 19
“How is Lexford?” Lowery asked as he accepted a seat in one of the drawing rooms. Sir Carter Lowery arrived at Chesterfield Manor with a renowned physician in tow.
Fowler had met them in the front foyer, gladdened by the physician’s appearance. The duke shook his head in disbelief. “The viscount’s wound is nothing more than a dark bruise behind his ear, but he still has no true memory of the time after Susan’s death. I certainly do not relish Lexford’s grieving for his wife again.”
Lowery nodded in agreement. “I thought we might lose Lexford on more than one occasion. As if he punished himself for his wife’s weaknesses, he took on the most dangerous assignments.”
The physician stood. “Perhaps I should make my own evaluation. Can someone show me to the viscount’s room?”
Thornhill rose to reach for the bell cord. “My sister’s maid Hannah sets with His Lordship at the moment. We will await your diagnosis.”
*
“I will return late tomorrow or early the next day depending on the road conditions,” Marcus told Cashé as he prepared Khan’s saddle straps to his liking. “The archbishop visits Durham. I will secure a special license, and then we can make our plans.”
Cashé bit her bottom lip, a sign of her agitation. “I feel guilty for being so happy.”
“Cashé, I do not wish for Miss Satiné to suffer, but your sister has a long recovery before her; and despite her own despair, I cannot believe Satiné would deny you happiness. I regret to say that Miss Satiné will not welcome our joining, but, deep down, she knows it is right.” Marcus lifted her chin with his fingers so that he might look into her eyes. “Besides,” he said as his breathing became shorter, “now that I can claim you as my own, I do not want to waste one extra second of our time together.”
“It amazes me how much you care for me. I have never known such affection.” Tears crept from her eyes’ corners and down her cheeks.
Marcus used his thumbs to wipe them away. “No more tears, Love. You have healed me, and for that, I will forever be at your side.”
*
“Satiné, may we speak?” Cashé found her sister in her chambers. As much as she had dreaded this conversation, Cashé knew there were things to be said between them.
Without changing her expression, Satiné said, “I suppose.”
Cashé came to sit beside her sister before the hearth. “I am worried about you.”
Satiné shuddered. “I cannot seem to get warm. Do you not think it bizarre that with a roaring fire that I still can feel the coldness seeping into my bones?”
Trying to compose her expression, Cashé looked away for a second. “I wish I could change all this for you,” she whispered.
Satiné picked at invisible lint on her gown. Cashé had shared several of her day dresses with her sister; she had ordered Marcus’s staff to burn the dress that Charters had provided her twin at the cottage. Satiné needed no reminders of her trials. “I am healing,” Satiné said weakly.
Cashé paused, awkwardly trying to find a way to bridge the topic. “Lord Yardley has asked me to be his wife.”
Satiné’s eyes misted with tears. “It is as you planned then.”
“Please do not say it that way. I never meant for you or Lord Lexford to suffer.”
Satiné bit back a sob. “But we both have suffered. You have no idea how it feels to imagine yourself dirty–to imagine a stranger’s hands on you.”
Cashé felt guilty about her twin’s ordeal, but she was also a fighter. “Are you dirtier than Velvet? Jamot touched her innocence as revenge against Thornhill. And what of Eleanor? Abused by her father, as well as Sir Louis Levering. And what do you think happened to me while I was trying to reach you? Two men broke into my room to take advantage of me.” Cashé tried to calm her voice. “Satiné, what happened to you is tragic, but do not make this situation a tragedy. You do not know if Charters violated you, but even if he did, you are still the same person you were when you left for that fateful ride. Charters only wins if you permit him to win.”
“Do you not understand?” Satiné snapped. “No gentleman will ever consider me fit material to be his wife!”
“You would let a man define you? Uncle Samuel tried to break me, but I was above him.
Jamot thought to best us; yet, we survived. Luckily, Mr. Breeson assisted in my escape from those two men, but only after I had taken my vengeance on one youth’s manhood. I will not be subordinate to anyone. Lord Worthing adores Eleanor because our cousin refused defeat. The duke holds a new respect for Velvet because our sister took her rescue into her own hands. True gentlemen do not judge a woman on her innocence.”
“You know nothing of a man’s regard. Of love,” Satiné charged.
Cashé folded her arms across her chest. “If what you describe is love, then I want none of it. Lord Yardley sees my faults, but he still desires me. I am thankful that it did not occur; but if either Mr. Jordan or Mr. Stayne had succeeded in his attempt to violently take me, I do not believe that Lord Yardley would turn from me. Marcus Wellston understands life is not kind to women. Nor is it kind to men. People must make the best of what few times of happiness they have.” Cashé took Satiné’s hand. “I love you. If I could have taken your place, I would gladly have done so. Without regrets. However, God has given this to you to bear. Our Lord wishes to know if you will thrive. What will you answer Him?”
“Marry your earl, Cashémere. You do not need my blessing,” Satiné said sarcastically.
Cashé squeeze the hand she held. “You are correct. I do not need your permission to marry Lord Yardley, but I desire your good wishes.”
“I will try, Cashémere. That is the most I can promise.”
*
On the fourth day of his journey, Kerrington reached Chesterfield Manor’s drive. He slid from the saddle and ran for the steps. Mr. Whitcomb opened the door as the viscount reached it; the viscount skidded to a stop in the entryway. “Eleanor! Eleanor!” he bellowed as he searched the nearby rooms. “Eleanor!”
Fowler appeared from the back of the house. “Have you gone mad, Worthing?” the duke taunted.
Kerrington’s knees nearly buckled in relief at seeing his wife’s brother. “She is well?” he pleaded, nevertheless.
“I am here.”
Realm 03 - A Touch of Cashemere Page 33