She undid her hat, and handed it to Mrs. Douglas with a smile. "You are well? I'm sorry that I put you out by returning early. I know that you meant to spend January with your daughter."
"My lady, I'd rather be here. It's too cold to travel. I'll go in the summer, if I may…" Mrs. Douglas said. "Now, there's a good fire in the library, and in your rooms, my lady. Miss Bywater and Lady Jane won't be joining us in town?"
A couple of hours later, Anne had changed out of her carriage dress, and was in the library, attempting to write a note to Delmere.
Finally, she settled on a brief sentence.
Could you come to see me?
She didn't know whether he would.
Thomas soon returned. He bowed to Anne when he entered the library, and handed her the unopened note. "His lordship is away, ma'am. At this estates. I would have asked that the note be sent on, but the butler said that the house will be closed. Lord Delmere attends to his estates, then journeys to Italy… he isn't expected to return for many months, until autumn."
15
January passed slowly. One day was much like another.
Anne worked at her business affairs in the library at Kingston House in the morning, then she rode in the park.
In the afternoons, she shopped, or walked in her garden. She took up her stitchery again, and sent no invitations, although she did have callers. And she quickly realized that most of them only wished to know whether she had gone into a decline because Delmere hadn't offered for her.
Anne pretended that she didn't hear their questions, and brought the visits to an end. She told herself that their interest would fade, surely, before the season began. Some new intrigue would snare the ton's attention.
She received letters from Catherine and Jane, as well as from Melly and her mother. Catherine wanted her to return to Gostwicke Hall. Anne wrote back immediately to say that she was too busy. Dealing with Catherine's questions would be harder than dealing with those of her visitors.
Anne wrote to Lady Fraser, to ask her to London.
I have been remiss, she wrote, I should have asked you to call on me long since. We must discuss Eva's season. I will be pleased to see you when the weather abates. Mr. Kettering would also like to speak with you about your requests to him — he would like to explain to you why he was forced to deny them.
As an inducement, Anne hinted that she might encourage Mr. Kettering to increase Lady Fraser's allowance. Mr. Kettering was irritated because Lady Fraser wrote every month, requesting an increase.
Much as Anne tried to control the direction of her mind, thoughts of Delmere were never far away. Why hadn't he come to see her again?
Now that it was too late she had second thoughts.
Delmere had offered for her. She had expected it, and she had been too quick to refuse him. What proud man would accept a rejection? On the other hand, if he had truly wanted to marry her, wouldn't he have asked her again?
She told herself sternly that she was right. Why would she marry again? She controlled her life, but it was a lonely life. She remembered Sommerforth Abbey, and the Boxing Day Hunt. He had looked so disappointed when she refused him… her heart hurt.
Gradually her sadness gave way to anger. The wretched man. Italy?
She was working in the library after breakfast one morning when Thomas entered. Her eyebrows lifted. He was carrying a bunch of roses.
At this time of year? A glance at Thomas's face told her. "Oh no…"
"Yes ma'am," he said grimly. "Lord Wallwood has returned to town. Mr. Weston found these flowers on the front steps."
She shook her head. "He is to be refused the house, of course."
"Of course, ma'am."
I should have altered my aim when I shot him, Anne thought. Mentally she castigated herself for her unchristian thoughts. Did she really wish the man dead?
Of course, if she had accepted Lord Delmere and he hadn't gone to Italy, then his lordship could call out Wallwood, and shoot him. Another uncharitable thought.
Wallwood took up his old habit of sitting in the park and staring at Kingston House. Anne kept the house's curtains closed. It was annoying, because it meant that she couldn't use her sewing room.
She gave Lord Wallwood the cut direct when she passed him while she was shopping in Bond Street, and was grateful that he didn't attempt to approach her.
Lady Fraser arrived in town. She was staying with Anne's late husband's aunt, and sent Anne a note. She would call on Anne in the morning.
Anne asked Mr. Kettering to be present at the interview. She would leave Kettering to deal with Lady Fraser's habit of out-spending each quarter's allowance.
The next morning, Anne was waiting for Lady Fraser in the library.
The lady was early. Mr. Kettering had yet to arrive.
Mr. Weston bowed Lady Fraser into the room. At 55, Lady Fraser was a handsome woman. She must once have been pretty, Anne thought. Traces remained of her earlier good looks, although her hair was grey, and her complexion was hidden under a heavy load of paint. She walked with the aid of a stick.
While they made small talk Anne realized that even after such a short time in town, Lady Fraser had already purchased new gowns. That walking gown was new. Anne had seen the roll of midnight blue wool at Madame Lola's. Although Lady Fraser was a pinchpenny when it came to Eva and her servants, she was quite willing to spend money on herself.
"You must prevail on Mr. Kettering," Lady Fraser said. "It won't do, my lady. I need new curtains in four rooms. The roof leaks. The repairs must be done before the house tumbles down onto our heads. I thought that I would have Eva's rooms redone as well… It's time I had a companion — I'm not as young as I was, and need someone with me."
"Mr. Kettering will join us — I expect him soon." Anne wouldn't allow herself to be drawn into a long conversation about money. Lady Fraser had a way of persisting until Anne gave in and gave her what she wanted merely so that the woman would stop plaguing her. "I asked you to town to speak about Eva."
"What's the girl done now? She won't write to me. I send letters each week, and I don't get an answer. I think the last time she wrote was before Christmas. Why isn't she in town with you? I do hope that you will see that she has a suitable wardrobe for the season?"
"Tell me about the man at Rayburn Manor."
"She told you?" Lady Fraser sniffed, then shook her head. "That's at an end. He married some woman in the village. They've gone away – I had to give him a fine letter of recommendation of course."
"I see. Does Eva know?"
"I can't remember whether I mentioned it in my letters — perhaps I didn't. She's forgotten him by now, surely."
Anne had little doubt that Eva knew that the steward had married.
Lady Fraser left London at the end of January to return to Rayburn Manor. Anne was pleased with the visit. She had given a small dinner party for Lady Fraser and those Kingston relatives who were in town, and had called on the lady several times.
She had even prevailed on Mr. Kettering to extend Lady Fraser's allowance, much against the man’s advice.
He grumbled. "You'll forgive me, ma'am, but you need not bear the cost of the work at Rayburn. It's completely unnecessary work — the house is in prime order. I visited last summer… the lady's just doubled her allowance!"
"Can we afford it, Mr. Kettering?"
"Well —"
"Then please, accommodate her."
"Lord Kingston would not have been as generous, if you'll forgive me, my lady."
"Perhaps not, but I'd like to see Lady Fraser comfortable." She knew that Mr. Kettering was concerned that other relatives would present their own lists of requirements.
Anne wanted to make arrangements for the ball she would give for Eva at the start of the season. However, Mr. Kettering insisted that she rely on him. "Mr. Weston, Mrs. Douglas, and I will see to all the arrangements."
With everything in hand, Anne relaxed. Wallwood had left his house as suddenly as he ha
d arrived. That improved her mood too, because he destroyed her pleasure in her home. She had been thinking about letting Kingston House to tenants, and returning to Eardley House in Grosvenor Square to get away from him.
Thomas told her that the Wallwood House servants didn't know where their master had gone. At least Delmere wasn't in London to call him out.
Anne realized that she was overcoming her megrims when she thought wryly, I hope Delmere's gone to Italy. She admitted to herself that she was angry with Lord Delmere. She still had to force him out of her mind several times a day. She missed him. Perhaps he would remain on the continent. With that thought, her depression descended again.
She had just finished writing a letter to Catherine when a footman arrived with a message from Gostwicke Hall. Anne studied the message and couldn't make any sense of it. She sent for the young footman, Davis.
While she waited she read the letter again. It was short enough — merely a few sentences.
Eva has disappeared. I don't know whether she is going to London or to Rayburn Manor or somewhere else. Please let me know the instant she arrives in London if she comes to you.
Anne looked up when Davis bowed to her.
She lifted the sheet in her hand. "What can you tell me about this letter?"
"The house was in an uproar when I left, ma'am. Miss Bywater took your horse Midnight — she goes riding every day. Helps Miss Henry to exercise the horses. No one thought anything of it, until she didn't return. Then her little maid Beatie said that a few of her clothes were missing."
"She left no letter?" Anne asked.
The young man shrugged. "No, my lady. We searched for her for three days. Beatie said that a bag, her cloak, and a couple of dresses were missing."
Why would Eva run away? Had she quarreled with Catherine? "Did anything happen which might have upset Miss Bywater?"
"I don't think so, my lady. I'm to return to the Hall as soon as I may."
"Yes, of course. Mr. Weston, look after Davis."
The young man bowed himself out of the room.
Anne didn't know what to do for the best. Why hadn't Catherine sent her a longer letter? She didn't know whether she should return to Gostwicke Hall, or hire a Bow Street Runner, and then return.
The next morning, Catherine sent her a message from Eardley House.
Anne went to Grosvenor Square at once. She found Eardley House in an uproar. The foyer was stacked with Catherine's bags, and servants were running to and fro.
Mrs. Jago and Mr. Morley had come up to town to open Eardley House hours before Catherine arrived.
Mr. Morley looked grim when he bowed Anne into the house.
Catherine met Anne on the stairs. Catherine's face was milky-white; her eyes shone more green than grey. If Catherine had been anyone else, Anne would have ascribed the glitter in her grey-green eyes to fear, but she knew that Catherine was furiously angry. "Come into the library," Catherine said. "It's the only room that's quiet."
Anne followed her downstairs to the library. Thomas closed the double doors behind them. She took her sister's cold hands in hers. "What on earth has happened?"
Catherine quivered, and closed her eyes for a moment. "Dearest, you'd better prepare yourself for an enormous scandal. It's Wallwood — he's abducted Eva. He sent me this letter."
She handed Anne a crumpled sheet.
You will pay me £10,000 for the return of Miss Bywater. She will not be harmed. Lady Kingston can well afford the money, and it will avoid a scandal.
The jeweler Phillips in Bond Street has a diamond parure: necklace, bracelet and earrings, for which he is asking £15,000. However he will take £10,000. You will buy the jewelry, and give them to the person who arrives with a letter from me. I will give you two days from your receipt of this letter to make the arrangements.
"But — why?"
Catherine sighed. "For heaven's sake, Anne — you do recall that you shot the man? You were right to do it of course — and as matters stand now, I wish you'd aimed for his heart. He must have planned this for months."
"We'll hire Runners from Bow Street immediately," Anne said.
"To what end? We'll have to buy the jewelry, and get Eva back, that's all we can do. We must avoid a scandal."
Anne shuddered. A scandal – a scandal would be inevitable if it were discovered that Eva had been abducted by Lord Wallwood. Nothing could save Eva's reputation, nor the reputation of the Eardleys. They would all need to retire to Gostwicke Hall. They would be outcasts.
"Tell me everything that happened."
Catherine told her that Henry and Eva had ridden together every day, and that Eva often rode Midnight. The girl had seemed happy enough, Catherine said.
Four days previously Eva had taken Midnight to ride. A groom had followed her as always, but Eva said she didn't need him, and encouraged him to go for an ale in the village. She knew that he was courting one of the village girls.
"He's been dismissed," Catherine said. "He confessed when Eva didn't return. Bendish questioned the groom, and the story came out. We searched everywhere. The next morning, Wallwood's letter arrived with the morning post."
Catherine paced up and down the room. "We must send a letter to Delmere at once. I trust him, as does Lady Fraser. He will advise us, and he won't noise it about."
Anne frowned at Catherine and shook her head. "Impossible. Lord Delmere has gone to Italy."
"Nonsense," Catherine said dismissively. "Italy — why would you think that? I spoke to him just days ago. He was in the village, hiring laborers. He's renovating the house at Belton Devering, as well as the estate… He purchased the estate. I chided him — he'll leave us no one to manage the harvest. He said nothing to me about Italy — he said merely that he was returning to town… Whatever made you think he was going to Italy?"
"Talverne — and I sent a note to his London house weeks ago, and the butler said that the house was closed, because Delmere was traveling to Italy."
Catherine shrugged. "He must have changed his mind. I'll send the letter at once. I'd like him to accompany us to the jewelers. I need to make arrangements for the money."
"No, I'll pay it. Eva is my responsibility."
Catherine shrugged. "As you will. All that matters is that we get the girl back… I'll return with her to Gostwicke Hall — thank heavens that she was taken from the Hall and not from London. We've a chance to keep it quiet."
Anne realized what Catherine didn't say. Anne knew that Eva was ruined. "My goodness, I should have brought Eva with me to town. I should have — "
"What difference would that have made? He could have taken her as easily from town as he could from the Hall. The man is a demon." She hesitated for a moment. "And Eva may need to marry him."
All Anne could do was shake her head. "Never. I won't allow it!"
"You won't allow it? My dear, we're well beyond your preferences now. That ship has long since sailed. If Eva has any sense, and if he acts the gentleman, she will marry him. Consider. She's been with Wallwood for days now — I don't want to think of it. Marriage would scotch the rumors, or scandal is inevitable. A scandal that would affect Henry — and I won't have that. Not even Sommerforth's consequence could save us."
Anne knew that Catherine was right. She hadn't been willing to admit it to herself. Eva might indeed have to marry the man. Now she didn't feel quite as badly for having shot him, and for wanting to shoot him again.
Anne summoned Mr. Kettering to Eardley House. She would leave the payment for the jewelry to him — he could make an arrangement with Mr. Phillips, until she'd sold one of the Kingston estates. She was in two minds whether to write to Lady Fraser, then she decided to wait.
Catherine asked her to stay on at an Eardley House, rather than returning to her own home, and she readily agreed. She sent Thomas to Kingston House to ask him to fetch Marie to her.
Thomas and Marie had returned to Eardley House with some of Anne's clothes by the time the footman entrusted with the messa
ge for Delmere returned from Delmere House.
Anne was in the library, making a list for Mr. Kettering. Although she needed to sell one of Kingston's estates, she didn't know which one. Thomas opened the library doors for Catherine.
"The footman found Delmere at Tattersall's," she said. "I'd forgotten that Tattersall's opens on Thursdays now in preparation for the season. People are starting to come back to town, so the horse trade is beginning again."
She sat on the sofa opposite Anne's writing desk, and tucked her feet under her. "It's so cold — the house is like a tomb." She shivered. "Delmere will come to us within the hour, and I've been thinking… £10,000. It's a great deal of money."
Anne's heart began to pound. She'd half-expected that Catherine was wrong, that Delmere had gone — that he was on his way to Italy. She forced herself to breathe. Referring to the cold, she said, "most of the rooms have been closed. The house will take days to feel comfortable again."
Catherine stood up. "I'll put another couple of logs onto the fire… I hope Morley's ordered more wood. You're looking pale, my dear…"
"I'll gladly pay the money to have Eva safe." She hadn't forgotten what Catherine said. Eva marry Wallwood? She wouldn't allow it.
A moment after Catherine had gone to the door to ask Thomas to fetch Mr. Morley, the butler arrived with Lord Delmere.
Delmere wore riding clothes; a dark blue jacket, and breeches.
Anne stood, clutching the edge of the writing desk. Her legs felt weak.
She'd forgotten how large he was, and how the scar down his left cheek could make him look fierce. He dominated the room as soon as he entered it. He bowed to Catherine. And to her.
His gaze skimmed over her. He didn't meet her eyes. "Mrs. Grove, my lady — I came at once. You'll forgive me. I thought the matter too important to change before I came to you."
16
Catherine nodded to Thomas to close the doors.
"Do you have the letter?" Delmere asked.
The letter was still lying on the on the dust cover on large table in the center of the library. The servants had lighted the fire, but had not yet put the room to rights. Catherine handed the letter to Delmere.
The Lady And The Man Of Fortune: A Wicked Secret: The Eardleys Of Gostwicke Hall, Book 3 Page 16