The Lady And The Man Of Fortune: A Wicked Secret: The Eardleys Of Gostwicke Hall, Book 3

by Penelope Redmont

  11

  "You're not leaving already!" The Duchess of Sommerforth glared at her eldest sister. Her hands were on her hips. "You've only just arrived!"

  Elaine had entered Catherine's sitting room in a rush.

  Catherine was making Christmas lists, while Anne was working a velvet winter bonnet for Frieda Briggs. Anne wanted to finish the bonnet before they left Sommerforth Abbey to go home.

  Anne had met Mrs. Briggs, a lovely, but harassed young woman. Frieda's father was Colonel Briggs, who was on Wellington's staff. Mrs. Colonel Briggs had five young children under ten, and was effusive in her thanks to Anne for bringing Frieda back.

  Catherine had decided that they were returning to Gostwicke Hall the next day. "Shut up and behave, Elaine," Catherine said, while Anne merely smiled at her younger sister. Of all the sisters, Elaine was the most like Catherine. The two didn't always see eye to eye.

  Catherine continued, "you know very well that we must leave for Gostwicke Hall… We've been here a week, and there's so much to do at home for Christmas… And even more to do for the Boxing Day Hunt. Mother's still in Scotland, so there's only Anne and Henry — and me — to see to everything."

  She paused. "By all means, come with us. You and Henry can see to the horses. I'm certain that your duke would be pleased to get rid of you for a couple of weeks."

  "Stop teasing Elaine — you know that Henry will see to the horses, and that she'll relish spending all her time with the grooms and stable lads," Anne said gently. She smiled at Elaine. "You look wonderful, my dear." She was very proud of her sister, and was looking forward to greeting her new niece or nephew.

  Elaine sighed. "I wish I could join you. Sommerforth won't allow me to do anything… do you know, he's forbidden me to ride?" She sounded outraged.

  "Don't be foolish — of course you can't ride when you're carrying." Catherine rolled her eyes. "Have some consideration for your poor husband. You'll give him grey hairs."

  "Delmere's mistress has arrived."

  Anne blinked at Elaine's sudden remark. She strove to appear unaffected, but she couldn't prevent her eyes from widening.

  Of course she knew that Delmere had a mistress, but it was surprising that the woman had followed him to Sommerforth Abbey. The guests at Sommerforth's Christmas house parties were always leading figures of the nobility, the military, and politics. Most of the gentlemen were accompanied by their wives, so it was the height of bad manners for any man to bring his mistress.

  "It's Lady Minerva Buttrose. Delmere didn't invite her – she simply arrived," Elaine went on. "He's speaking with her now… Sommerforth's cross with Delmere… so Delmere cannot stay. I imagine that he will escort Lady Buttrose back to London."

  Anne felt Catherine's gaze on her and colored.

  "Well –" Elaine chuckled. She'd caught Catherine's look at Anne. "So that's the way of it, is it? Anne — good heavens, I had no idea, otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned la Buttrose."

  "You do rattle on," Anne said. She managed to keep her tone mild.

  "I know that people are talking about you and Delmere, but I didn't think that there was anything to it… Why didn't you tell me? I would have made certain that you were seated beside Delmere at dinner."

  Anne shook her head. She refused to be drawn. She kept her gaze on her stitchery, and thought about Gostwicke Hall. As Catherine had said, they had a lot to do when they reached home.

  Quite by accident, Anne met Delmere's mistress.

  Anne had been in the kitchen, begging a couple of recipes from Sommerforth's French cook. She'd been waylaid on her return to her rooms by Frieda Briggs. Frieda told her, with some pride, that she was confined to her rooms. She was being punished, she said.

  "Why? For coming off your pony?"

  "No, not that. Of course not. Last week, I was caught at the stables after I should have been in bed. Also for making my governess weep. But the silly woman weeps for no reason… there's that. And also, Mama's not pleased that I told the grooms that I had permission to ride… "

  Anne cleared her throat. She had to turn away to hide a chuckle. She reflected that the punishment didn't seem to bother Frieda overmuch. She turned back to Frieda. "Then what are you doing out of your rooms, Miss Briggs?"

  "I wanted to go to the stables, but you can go instead!" Frieda handed Anne two apples, and begged her to check on Strawberry. She hadn't been allowed to see her pony, she said, and she was worried about him.

  A few moments later, Anne was in the corridor which led the back courtyard. A woman swathed in furs hurried past on her, on her way to the door.

  "I do beg your pardon, ma'am," the woman said. She paused, and turned.

  Anne knew who she was at once. It was Lady Buttrose. Delmere's mistress.

  Anne's gaze met that of a very small, and very pretty woman with curly blonde hair, and bright, inquisitive blue eyes. Was she wearing a wig?

  The woman dropped an ermine muff. Anne picked it up for her. "Not at all," Anne said politely. Although Anne knew that she should give the woman the cut direct, she couldn't bring herself to do it.

  "You're Lady Kingston," Lady Buttrose said. "Please — you must give Delmere up. I need him, and you don't. You're completely lovely… the most lovely woman in London, it's said. You could snare anyone at all. So why are you interested in Delmere? He's sworn never to marry again you know."

  "I…" Anne's mouth dropped open. Every thought flew from her head.

  "Please say that you will give him up."

  "Ma'am, I —"

  "Your pardon, my lady," Thomas said to Anne as he brushed past her.

  He loomed over them both, then stretched out his arm to force Lady Buttrose back against the wall. "Stand aside ma'am, and allow my lady to pass." His tone was hard.

  "Thank you." Anne hurried past the woman, her heart hammering in her chest.

  In her rush to get away, her gaze was lowered and she almost collided with Delmere.

  His arms reached out to hold hers. "Lady Kingston," he began.

  "You will excuse me, sir," Anne backed away, her tone frigid. She met his gaze for an instant.

  His blue eyes widened, his scar white against his lean face. "Anne —"

  She ignored him, and hurried around a large carriage which waited just outside the door.

  A few minutes later, Anne reached the warmth of the stables.

  "Your cloak, my lady," Thomas said.

  She realized that she'd forgotten it. "Thank you."

  He set it on her shoulders, then stepped back, his gaze lowered. She knew that she didn't need to tell him not to mention the incident with Lady Buttrose to her sisters or any of the servants. "Well —" she said brightly. "I have two apples for Strawberry. Could you ask someone where they've put him?"

  Nick suppressed his temper. He sat opposite Minerva in the carriage for a full hour without speaking to her. He'd closed his eyes, pretending that he was fast asleep.

  She kicked his shin. "Wake up Nick. I've apologized, haven't I? Why do you go on punishing me? I just wanted to see you that's all. I thought that you wouldn't mind if I came to Sommerforth Abbey."

  He sighed. "Please don't lie. You knew quite well that you would cause a tempest when you arrived. That's why you did it. You wanted to humiliate me and you managed it. We won't discuss it any further."

  "She is very beautiful."

  Nick closed his eyes again. He refused to engage with her. He still couldn't believe what Sommerforth had said to him. Sommerforth rarely lost his temper, but he'd been outraged.

  "I won't have my duchess upset." Sommerforth had glared at him. "You're to remove the woman at once. Take her back to London."

  "You're asking me to leave?"

  "Of course you must leave. What are you about? Catherine told me that you're paying Anne your attentions. You can desist right now, because I like Anne. She is a very kind and gentle lady, and if you're thinking of making her your mistress, I warn you that I'll call you out… that would be beyon
d anything… I still can't believe that you brought your mistress to my home."

  "Again, I apologize. How often do you expect me to say it?"

  Sommerforth shook his head. "Just leave. For what it's worth, I think that you and Anne would be ideally suited. But if you had any chance of winning the lady before, you have no chance now. If I know Catherine, she'll take against you. She won't have Anne hurt."

  That was the devil of it. He'd seen the expression in Anne's eyes when she brushed past him. He winced.

  Minerva nudged his shin again. "I didn't know that it would cause such a fuss, did I?"

  He didn't respond.

  "Now I am shunned. I thought that — that…"

  Surely she hadn't imagined that no one knew of their connection? That hadn't occurred to him.

  "And it's all your fault." To his horror, she began to weep.

  "Lady Buttrose accosted you," Catherine said to Anne that evening. Anne looked up in surprise when Catherine swept into her dressing room.

  Anne was dressing for dinner. She narrowed her gaze on her sister.

  "Leave us for a few moments, Marie." Catherine dismissed the maid with a wave of her hand.

  Anne shook her head. Had Thomas been gossiping? She wouldn't have believed it of him.

  Catherine read her expression. "It wasn't Thomas. It was my maid. She got it from someone — who got it from la Buttrose's coachmen who was waiting in the courtyard. Servants know everything."

  Anne blushed, her face heating. Angry and humiliated, she had decided that she would never speak to Lord Delmere again. Obviously everyone was gossiping about them. She'd known it would happen, but she'd nevertheless encouraged him. She had been foolish beyond permission.

  Catherine sat down on the maid's stool, and picked up Anne's crystal perfume bottle. "Orange blossoms, and… I can't tell." She raised the stopper and sniffed… "But it's very nice… Floris?" She hesitated for a moment. "I can see that you've got yourself into a pet. Listen to me, my dear — it's not Delmere's fault that his mistress arrived at Sommerforth. Nor is it his fault that she decided that she would speak to you. Whatever possessed you to listen?"

  "I'm not angry at him." Anne realized that that was untrue. She was angry at him, but she was even angrier at herself. "I don't wish to discuss it, I need to finishing dressing."

  "You must not punish Delmere for this — what's the harm? You must pretend it never happened. Ladies do not acknowledge mistresses. We ignore them." She shook her head, and blew out her breath in a gusty sigh. "I've had much practice in ignoring them. Grove likes pretty women, and spends money on them."

  "Do I need to remind you that I'm responsible for bringing out Miss Bywater? The gossip will reflect on her." She took a deep breath, and forced herself to relax. "Please, can we forget Delmere? He's left for London with his mistress, and we're leaving for Gostwicke Hall tomorrow. There is no chance that I will see him so —"

  "Of course you will see him," Catherine said impatiently. "Or have you forgotten? You did ask him to the Boxing Day hunt, did you not?"

  Anne had forgotten. She shook her head. "I doubt that he will come, and if he does come, I won't speak to him."

  "I heard that Delmere dismissed la Buttrose some time ago… Why are you so angry?" Catherine was annoyed too. "Men have mistresses — that's the way of it. Precious little we women can do about it. And why should he not – do you expect the man to be a monk?"

  "Please leave and allow me to dress for dinner. I spent too long working on Miss Briggs's bonnet, and I'm late. As you can see." Anne was in her dressing gown. She had to dress, and Marie hadn't yet started on her hair. "Just because you're dressed –"

  Catherine lifted her hands. "Pax my dear, no need to become riled. So you do have feelings for him, otherwise you wouldn't be so angry."

  "I'm angry because you're in my rooms and I'll be late for dinner," Anne protested.

  "Forget Lord Delmere — I see that Miss Bywater is behaving herself. How odd. I thought she would give me more of a battle than she has done."

  "Yes, and I thank you for that. Although –" Anne hesitated for a moment. "Do you think we're doing the right thing?"

  "In what way?"

  "I was thinking that I would write to Lady Fraser and ask her about Mr. Carlisle."

  "Her mother won't allow her to marry a steward."

  "Perhaps not, but if I know a little bit more about the man, at least I will be able to speak to Eva… She's distant with me. I hoped that she might make friends with Henry, but Henry doesn't like her."

  "You must not do it." Catherine shook her head. "What if her mother doesn't know?"

  "She must know. That's the reason she sent Eva to me. I've been remiss. I'm failing the girl."

  "Failing her how? I don't know what you mean. We're leaving for Gostwicke Hall in the morning. We'll have more than enough to do once we get there. I'll manage the house, and you and Henry can manage the horses."

  That evening, after Marie had finished packing, Anne took out her lap desk and wrote a short letter to Lady Fraser. She didn't ask whether Eva had formed a tendre for anyone. She wasn't quite brave enough to do that. Instead, she asked Eva's mother to join them in town in before the season started.

  Then she finished Frieda's bonnet, and wrapped it in a pretty length of silk. She note a note, and pinned it to the silk. They were leaving early, so she wouldn't be able to give it to Frieda herself. She'd give it to the housekeeper when she was distributing the vails; she could give the parcel to Mrs. Briggs to present to Frieda at Christmas.

  Henry quarreled with Talverne within hours of their arrival at Gostwicke Hall.

  "That wretched boy!" Henry stamped into the library with snow on her boots.

  Catherine, Anne, and the housekeeper were working at the long library table, arranging rooms for guests, and two weeks of menus. Guests who were Eardley relations would be staying at the Hall itself for a couple of weeks. Arrangements for other guests had been made at inns and with gentry families.

  "Not breeches Henry," Catherine said, glancing at her sister. "We agreed. You're too old to be —"

  "Do you know what Talverne said to me — he said that I was a hoyden! So I told him that he was a muck worm."

  Catherine rolled her eyes. "You'll go upstairs and dress as you should. Right now. Of course he called you —" she pressed her lips together, obviously realizing that arguing with Henry was pointless. "Go!"

  Henry ignored Catherine. She stood beside the housekeeper, and glanced down at the menus. "I say, Mrs. Jago, is Molly baking those little almond crescents? They're my favorite… Do ask her to bake lots of them this year."

  Anne had to turn away from the table so that Henry wouldn't see her smile. Then she remembered and turned back. "Where's Eva? Was she at the stables with you?"

  "I don't know where she is… Lady Jane was in the stables, so perhaps Eva's out there too. Oh — Anne, you didn't tell me that Midnight was here — Delmere sent him. It's most generous of the man, to give you the horse."

  And gaped at her sister. "Midnight? No, you're wrong. You've mistaken another horse for him."

  "That I haven't. I knew him at once — besides, his groom told me. The horse has his own groom – Delmere sent him. He's to stay for a few weeks until the horse settles."

  Anne didn't know what to think. She turned on her heel and left the library. She hurried down through the kitchen, picking up her cloak in the small box room beside the outside doors.

  A few minutes later she stood at Midnight's loose box and stared at the horse. Midnight. His name was on the small plate hanging on the door, but she didn't need a plate to tell her that this was Midnight.

  "Ma'am?"

  She recognized Midnight's groom. "The horse? What's he doing here?"

  The man looked confused. "My lady…? Lady Kingston, Lord Delmere asked me to bring him to you. I'm to stay until he's settled, then I'll return to Peyton Park. I daresay his lordship wrote to you, but —"

  What co
uld she say? "Thank you," she managed, cutting off his words. Whatever did Delmere mean by sending her the horse, when she'd refused him?

  "Ma'am." The groom bowed and left her. He hurried away, carrying a bucket full of brushes, and Midnight's blanket.

  Anne bit her lip. This was beyond anything. Delmere knew that she couldn't accept the horse, but he'd sent him anyway.

  Midnight had been munching hay from a net at the rear of the box. He left his hay while she was speaking to the groom. He looked at Anne in enquiry over the half door of the loose box and whickered softly. Anne sighed. Midnight.

  "An apple, my lady." Thomas handed her an apple. She nodded her thanks, and offered it to Midnight. The horse crunched the apple with satisfaction.

  Anne tossed up her hands — she loved the horse. How could she not?

  She would keep him, drat the man. It was wrong of her, but she didn't care. She'd given up the horse once, and she couldn't do it a second time. Her instinct told her that Delmere had realized that she would react in precisely this way.

  "My lady –"

  Anne turned to Lady Jane in surprise. "I'm sorry Jane — I didn't hear you. I was thinking about the horse." She frowned when she saw that Jane was looking unhappy. "What is it? What's Eva done now?"

  "My lady, I must ask you to release me from my commitment to Miss Bywater. I mean to return to London as soon as I can."

  Anne's eyebrows lifted. "But why —? I know that Eva's not the easiest of charges, but — "

  "I did have a little argument with Miss Bywater. She wanted to wear her best riding habit, and I though that she should leave that one, until the guests arrived for Christmas. A silly discussion, not an argument but…" Jane rubbed her forehead. She paused.

  She didn't look at Anne. "I thought that by now, Miss Bywater and I would be friends, but it hasn't happened. We seem to quarrel every day. It's obvious that she needs someone else to guide her. I've done what I can, and I'm sorry."

  "You —"

  Jane shook her head. "No, it's for the best. I've thought about it. You don't need me here. By the time you go to London for next season, you can engage someone else as a chaperone for the young lady… For my part, I thought that if I return to London now, I could spend Christmas with a friend. I can take up another position in the New Year. I have several families requesting my services."