by Mariel Grey
****
It was late when Lucy and Chalifour arrived at his townhouse near Hanover Square in Mayfair. Chalifour assisted Lucy from the coach, enjoying her small hand tucked into his, even if only for a moment. They passed through the front door and into the stately entrance hall.
Lady Elizabeth's feet pattered on the stairs. She called out, "Chali, how good that you're home. I wanted to ... ," catching sight of Lucy, Elizabeth stopped short. Her mouth gaped and her eyes widened in obvious shock over Lucy's attire. "Miss Goodwin! This is a ... surprise! I didn't know to expect you," Elizabeth said, glancing at her brother.
Obviously uncomfortable, Lucy shifted from one dainty foot to another, her color rising. Sparing Lucy further embarrassment, Chalifour said, "The visit is unplanned. We met by chance at the Oaks Stakes. An unfortunate accident deprived her of her clothing."
Elizabeth's eyes widened even further and her mouth flew open again.
Seeing his sister's askance look, Chalifour protested, "No, not me! I wasn't the unfortunate accident. I rescued her from what could have been a difficult situation." Glancing at Lucy, daring her to contradict him, he continued, "She ended up in her brother's clothing. I didn't have time to return her home, so I brought her here. I promised her she could borrow some of your gowns."
"But, of course you can! I have plenty of gowns. Besides," Elizabeth said, throwing a jaunty smile at Chalifour, "my brother can certainly afford to buy me more!"
"I'm sure Miss Goodwin would like to retire. Perhaps you could arrange for her to settle into a guest room and see she is attended to?"
"No need to remind me of my hostess and chaperone duties. I know them better than you do," Elizabeth said tartly. Turning to Lucy, she said, "You look all done in. You've apparently had a trying day. We'll look at my gowns in the morning."
Chalifour knew his sister was aching for the details, but was far too polite to ask about the situation, at least in front of Lucy. He suspected Elizabeth would corner him later and the inquisition would begin.
Lucy hadn't been very forthcoming during their long ride together. Lucy tried to hide her feelings, but Chalifour sensed Lucy's sexual awareness of him. He also perceived a different kind of tension in her. This tension had nothing to do with him. Something was very wrong and he was determined to find out what. It was time to talk with Dr. Willets.
Rising early the following morning, Chalifour left to pay a call on Dr. Willets' aunt, Lady Kathryn Deerdan. The first problem would be locating the good doctor. The second problem might be getting Dr. Willets to discuss matters he might consider private. Lady Deerdan could help him solve the first problem. The second he would just have to work out along the way.
Arriving at the Deerdan residence, Chalifour was greeted warmly by Lady Deerdan. Lady Deerdan was a plump, older woman with blond hair fading to grey.
"You don't look a day older than the last time I saw you, Lady Deerdan. How do you manage to stay so youthful?" Chalifour said.
Lady Deerdan's eyelashes fluttered and she preened a moment. "You are overly kind, Lord Chalifour. It's been so long since we saw you! You know, our daughter, Lady Vera, has reached that time in her life where she will be a frequent visitor at Almacks. Why she's still got that fresh bloom of youth on her! I'm certain she would enjoy seeing you there. Do you plan on attending any events at Almacks this year?" Lady Deerdan asked coyly, batting her lashes at him.
Chalifour suppressed a smile at Lady Deerdan's very obvious attempts at matchmaking. "I am sure it would be a great pleasure to dance with your daughter at Almacks. However, I fear I will need to wade through throngs of suitors. I hear she is quite popular." He leaned toward her conspiratorially, "I've also heard Lord Perdan might have an interest in Lady Vera. Has he called on her yet?"
Chalifour had no idea why he asked her that question. He suspected, however, that Lady Deerdan would prove to be a thorn in Perdan's side if she thought Perdan had an interest in her daughter. It was well known in the ton that the woman was intent on her daughter marrying well. Men of all ages and stripes were dodging the woman. Setting Lady Deerdan on Perdan might keep him too preoccupied to harass Lucy.
Lady Deerdan's eyes sparkled and she smiled, "You're quite right. She has a great many suitors to choose from. She's being very selective, of course."
Chalifour smiled inwardly. Lady Vera was rather homely and if she had a great many suitors, they were far more likely interested in her considerable dowry than in her charms."By the by, how has your nephew, Dr. Willets been?" Lady Deerdan had married well above her station and acquired title, but she had never acquired a son. She doted on her sister's son, promoting him in society at her every opportunity.
Lady Deerdan looked at him curiously. "Why, he's very well." She probably wondered why he was asking.
"I understand that his practice has been thriving."
"Yes, he's been spectacularly successful," she gushed. "I wasn't aware that you had made his acquaintance."
"Sadly, we've not been formally introduced. I was actually hoping to remedy that in the very near future."
"I'm sure you're aware he travels to see his patients, so he's in and out of Town." She dropped her voice conspiratorially, "His patients are mostly members of the haute ton and gentry, you know."
"The station of his patients obviously reflects the high level of his skills."
"Yes, they do." She beamed with pride.
"So is Dr. Willets currently in Town?"
"Why, yes, I do believe you are in luck. He paid us a call the day before yesterday, though he was planning to leave tomorrow to make rounds among his patients. Would you like me to give you his address?"
"Please, I'll call on him today."
Lady Deerdan peered at him, eyebrows raised, "Are you in poor health? You look so fit." In all likelihood, she was reassessing his candidacy as a potential match for her daughter.
Chalifour laughed. "No, I'm fine. We have a mutual friend who may have use of his skills."
"I see. That's good. Well, not about your friend, I mean, but about you. Though I don't wish any ill on your friend either," she said hurriedly.
"I understand your meaning. Thank you. I’ll take my leave of you to call on Dr. Willets. I'll give him your regards."
Chalifour left and went directly to the address Lady Deerdan had given him for her nephew, Dr. Willets. Arriving there he surveyed the handsome brick residence with dentil moulding along the cornice and a fanlight at the top of the front door. He had apparently not misspoken. The residence did indeed reflect the status of a well respected and sought after physician, which explained why he was likely the treating physician for Lucien Goodwin. Chalifour was admitted straight away to see Dr. Willets, who greeted him with a quizzical expression.
"Thank you for seeing me. I know we've not been formally introduced, though I am well aware of your sterling reputation."
"I appreciate those kind words, Lord Chalifour. How may I assist you?"
"Dr. Willets, I believe you are treating a very dear friend of mine who was recently injured. I'm ashamed to admit I've been in Town and not had the opportunity to call on him since the accident. I was wondering if I might be able to inquire of his health?"
"To whom are you referring?"
"Lucien Goodwin."
"What is it that you wish to know?"
"How is he faring?"
"He's recovering now, but he was near death right after the accident."
On a hunch, Chalifour said, "That's what I've heard. How long was he unconscious?"
"How did you know he was unconscious?"
"I just assumed he probably was if he was near death. I was concerned because sometimes people don't recover well if they have been unconscious for a period of time. So, what precisely has been the extent of his injuries and will he fully recover? Both mentally and physically."
"I don't ordinarily speak about my patients, but, since you are obviously quite concerned, let me explain. Lucien's injuries were severe. He wa
s in and out of consciousness for nearly two weeks before he started to become lucid again. During that time, I enhanced his periods of unconsciousness with laudanum I prescribed. You see, I was fairly sure he had broken his leg, or at the very least, had fractured it. I wanted to make sure he was getting a lot of rest. It helps the healing, you see. As it turns out, his leg was fractured, but not broken. I wasn't even sure if Lucien would live at first. But he's young and strong, so he's on the mend finally. I believe he will fully recover mentally, probably physically too. Though it remains to be seen."
Chalifour blinked. He was dumbfounded.
Chapter Twenty Two
Chalifour pounded his fist on his desk. He paced his study at the townhouse, not actually seeing anything before him. Lucy had lied to him! Lucien had been unconscious for weeks after his accident! He'd also been taking laudanum! There was no way Lucien signed that contract. Chalifour hammered the table again. Damn it! He had known something wasn't right, but he had ignored his instincts.
Lucy had to have forged the document. Why? Why would she do that? She had placed herself in jeopardy of prison and to what end? Lucy had no honor and was not worthy of his trust. But no, that couldn't be right.
None of this made any sense. Chalifour stood and began pacing. He knew Lucy had signed the contract blindly because she hadn't even been aware of his negotiations with her brother prior to his visit. During that time period, according to Dr. Willets and Monique, Lucien had been comatose. Surely the Goodwins were not in such financial peril Lucy would feel obliged to forge a contract indiscriminately thinking money was forthcoming?
Monique told him Perdan had demanded money from Lucy for some debt Lucien owed. Could all of this be related to Perdan's demand for money? Just the thought of Perdan sent Chalifour's temperature soaring. What kind of debt could Lucien Goodwin possibly owe Perdan that would cause Lucy to do something like this? What hold could Perdan have over the Goodwins? There had to be a legitimate reason for Lucy's actions. Chalifour couldn't believe that Lucy would commit such reckless and dishonest acts without a good reason. Chalifour knew that much about Lucy, or hoped he did.
What about Lucy's rash impersonation of Lucien at the racecourse? What was that all about? Monique said Lucy wanted to try to win the purse. Why? Luckily he had been able to put a stop to that! There had been a real possibility Lucy could have been maimed or even killed. She was not at all prepared for that kind of race, especially riding in a foreign style. So why was Lucy willing to do something so foolish? Again the answer to the mystery pointed to the need for money.
Had he made a poor choice in aligning himself with Lucien Goodwin? Were the Goodwins hiding something which would sully his own reputation? Chalifour immediately discounted the thought, experiencing a small stab of guilt. He was thinking of himself, though Chalifour could rationalize he was thinking of his family name and the welfare of his sister. Instead, he should be trying to espy the driving force behind what was motivating Lucy to behave so rashly.
Chalifour wasn't about to let any harm come to Lucy. He could hardly put her out of his mind. He had ached to hold her in his arms all during the ride into Town. Last night, knowing she was nearby in another bedroom had been torture. He had not slept well, tossing and turning. It was all Chalifour could do to refrain from visiting Lucy's room, but given her current state of mind, Chalifour had thought better of it.
Now Chalifour had discovered Lucy had lied to him. Lucy had almost certainly forged her brother's signature. She had then devised an impetuous scheme to impersonate her brother and try and win a race. Something was very wrong with this whole scenario. It was obvious. Lucy was being driven to act this way for some reason. Chalifour had given Lucy the opportunity to confide in him about what was wrong, but she didn't trust him.
Chalifour had the impression Lucy had almost capitulated during the coach ride, but had reined in her emotions instead, raising her guard again. He had to find a way to earn Lucy's confidence. Chalifour was unable to help Lucy if he didn't understand what was threatening her.
Maybe it was time to meet Lucien in person now that he was recovering. Chalifour could make the trip out there tomorrow to see Lucien. If he planned on leaving, he had to conclude his business here in Town today.
Chalifour would take Lucy to Lady Monique's residence on his way to the meeting just as he had promised. Chalifour doubted Lucy would be returning home for several days. After all, if Lucien didn't know about Lucy's attempted participation in the race and she was expected at Lady Monique's, then the little minx must have planned all this so Lucien would think she was on a simple visit to Town.
****
"I think that gown suits you. The color complements your hair and eyes," Elizabeth said.
Lucy surveyed herself in the mirror. The gown was a pomona green silk with a dark- green velvet sash. Lucy had to agree, the color accentuated her complexion, eyes and hair perfectly. Lucy owned nice gowns, but they didn't compare with those Lady Elizabeth possessed. These gowns were of the finest quality.
Twirling before the mirror, Lucy pretended she was a princess. Lady Elizabeth was surely dying of curiosity, but to her credit, too much of a lady to ask about the events which had led up to this situation. Lucy liked Lady Elizabeth and wished they were close enough to share confidences. Mercifully, she would be able to talk with Monique later. Lucy was in need of good advice. If nothing else, it would be a relief to unburden herself.
"Thank you so much for lending me your gowns. I'll return them as soon as I'm able."
Elizabeth laughed. "Nonsense! I should be thanking you! Keep them! Now I have good reason to pester my brother for new gowns without him rolling his eyes toward Heaven."
Elizabeth lounged on a sumptuous chaise lounge covered in a blue striped damask, one foot dangling over the edge while Lucy continued to try on gowns. Lucy watched the maid carefully pack the borrowed gowns in a small trunk. Lucy was struck by the sudden realization that, not only did she arrive with no clothing, she didn't even have luggage in which to pack the borrowed wardrobe. She was mortified. Apparently Lady Elizabeth had already thought of this problem and discretely made arrangements for a small steamer trunk to be brought to her room. Lucy was in debt to this woman.
"I don't wish to pry, but is there some ... ," Elizabeth hesitated, "relationship between you and my brother?"
"No. Why do you ask?" Lucy's response was sharper than she intended, but she was inexplicably agitated that Chalifour had not come to her room last night. Lucy had lain awake, torn between her desire for him and the need to push him away. In the end, Chalifour hadn't tried to visit her and the thought piqued her, though it shouldn't have. Why should she care? Lucy had already decided their affair at the estate could not go further. Yet she longed for the security of Chalifour's strong arms and the feel of his hands.
"I believe I may have mentioned this to you when you visited the estate, but Chali never brings ladies home. You're the exception."
Lucy’s heart fluttered a moment, a small moth beating about her breast before reality set in. "I think he's looking after me because of his newfound relationship with my brother."
"I must admit this relationship with your brother is important to Chali. It’s fulfilled a dream for him. Chali has always loved horses and thoroughbred racing. Now, through your brother, he has the opportunity to combine his passion with his business. Chali hopes to breed the finest thoroughbred racing horses possible. But that's not what I'm talking about."
Lucy's cheeks warmed. Had Lady Elizabeth noticed? "I'm not sure I understand your meaning."
Lady Elizabeth looked at Lucy doubtfully. "I believe I heard my brother arrive a short while ago. Shall we see when he will be taking you to Glenhurst Hall?"
Elizabeth and Lucy entered what was apparently Chalifour's personal study. Lucy admired the masculine room with its ornately carved walnut desk and massive mahogany bookshelves filled with books of all sizes. Chalifour turned from his desk to see who had interrupted him, hi
s handsome face in a scowl.
Chalifour's features softened at the sight of them. He perused Lucy slowly from head to toe. Chalifour's eyes made contact with hers and lingered. Lucy's heart seized and her cheeks grew warm again. Lady Elizabeth would have to be blind to miss her brother's scrutiny of Lucy or the intensity of the gaze that passed between them.
"When do you plan to take Miss Goodwin to see Lady Monique?"
"Are you ready?" Chalifour asked, turning to Lucy.
Not trusting herself to speak, Lucy merely nodded.
"Fine, we'll make ready to leave then," Chalifour said brusquely.
Chalifour waved off the coachman to assist Lucy into the coach himself. Chalifour placed his hand against the small of her back and sent a small jolt through Lucy. She stiffened for a moment before ascending into the conveyance. Lucy settled in and Chalifour eased himself inside and sat directly across from her, the knees of his long legs pressing against hers inappropriately. Lucy tried to shift her legs away from him, but he held her fast, his blue eyes regarding her steadily.
"I know something is distressing you, Lucy. Why don't you tell me what is it?"
"I'm fine. I'll be much better when I reach Glenhurst Hall."
Chalifour raised one eyebrow skeptically. "Indeed? You still haven't explained your reasons for trying to race in the Oaks, pretending to be your brother. For someone who is doing fine, that seems a little odd. Don't you think?"
Lucy pressed her lips together. She wouldn't answer him. She couldn't. What could she possibly say?
The ride to Monique's was never ending. In the closeness of the coach, the sexual aura emanating from Chalifour was unmistakable. Lucy was enveloped in his musky scent. Despite herself, Lucy was drawn to Chalifour’s magnetism. Her heart palpitated in her chest and she had difficulty catching her breath. Lucy hoped Chalifour didn't notice her discomfort in his presence. Dear heavens, how could such a short trip take so long?