Eleanor recalled the look of glaring anger on the captain’s face when he saw Lucy chatting with another man, and she shivered in anticipation of coming events.
Lucy was in for a rude awakening.
Chapter 10
Derek was furious. All his carefully made plans had been destroyed by one little minx playing a game.
He picked up the clothes he had worn the night before and threw them into his trunk, not caring how they fared on the journey back to London.
A soft knock sounded at the door. “Come!” he bellowed, and then he promptly turned his back on his visitor and continued his packing. The cloying fragrance of flowers assaulted him, and without turning he said, “Lady Foxworth, it is kind of you to visit, but as you can see, I’m packing to leave. Perhaps we can chat another time.”
He heard the sound of the door closing and blew out his breath in a long sigh of relief. He had no idea what the woman wanted, but he wasn’t interested. Everything he had worked so hard to set up during the past six months had slipped through his fingers.
What was Louisa’s game, anyway? Why was she in his bed? Surely he’d have remembered seducing her, even if he had been in his cups. The fact was, he remembered coming to his bed alone, so she must have come in later. But why? And how did it happen that their hosts showed up so conveniently?
The whole thing reeked of a set-up, but why? Why? Were his true identity known, he would think Lady Louisa hoped to catch a duke in her matrimonial net. But a privateer? Surely no respectable Englishwoman would want to wed an American privateer.
Perhaps that was the key. Perhaps she was not respectable. Would a respectable young lady be locked in her room? Would a respectable young lady hatch some scandalous scheme to obtain her independence? Would a respectable young lady flirt like a practiced whore?
He slammed shut the lid on his trunk. He could mull this over for the rest of his life, but without knowing the girl or her circumstances, his thoughts would be pure conjecture, and in truth, he was being unfair. He wasn’t even sure Lady Louisa had been flirting purposefully, let alone like a practiced whore. What had she done, really, except smile and converse with the marquess? No longer under the influence of drink, he wondered if he had misinterpreted the entire scene. Perhaps she’d been watching Vanburton’s lips, the better to understand him because the room was noisy and the gentleman’s tone was low. But how had she ended up in his bed and why?
He moved to the window and stared out, trying to clear his thoughts of Louisa’s motives. There were more pressing matters to attend to now.
Was he expected to offer for her? What nobleman in his right mind would accept Captain Wainright as his niece’s betrothed? To make an acceptable offer, he must reveal his identity, and that would be an impossible state of affairs. Not only would the revelation endanger his life but Stephen’s as well. The criminals would recognize the threat he and Stephen posed, and having murdered before, they would have no compunction about killing again. That was a risk he couldn’t take.
Yet how could he walk away? A young lady’s reputation had been destroyed because of her association with him. Had he not flirted with her to begin with, none of this would have happened. No matter the rest, the fact remained that she was still a ruined young woman and he was duty-bound to set things right, even if he had to reveal his identity to do so.
It didn’t really matter what he did at this point anyway. He had lost the advantage the masquerade had given him, for if he didn’t marry the girl, he’d be ostracized by London society. Some invitations would be withdrawn regardless, but the gentlemen would not give him the cut if he did the right thing. Interaction with society was vital to his scheme. If he couldn’t move freely about the gentlemen’s clubs, he couldn’t interact with the men mentioned in his father’s journal.
It was ironic, really. Gentlemen who might cut off their association with him unless he did the honorable thing could be traitors and murderers. But he had no proof of their abominations, whereas several guests, those standing in the corridor outside this very room, had proof of Derek’s dishonorable behavior, even though he hadn’t done what he was being accused of.
He thought quickly, desperately. The plot to root out his father’s murderer had consumed his every waking moment, and he’d planned it all so well. Now he would never catch the men responsible, and that knowledge almost crushed him. He was letting his father down one last time, and this time perhaps the most important of them all.
He slammed his fist against the wall. There was nothing he could do but travel to Chelton’s town house and broach the subject of marriage. He would keep his identity a secret unless Chelton’s refusal forced his hand. And it probably would.
He turned to leave and started at the sight of Lady Foxworth standing there. She had closed the door, but had not departed as he assumed. The entire time he had been contemplating his situation, she had waited in quiet expectation.
“Captain, I must speak with you on a matter that cannot wait. It concerns Lucy—Lady Louisa—and is of direct significance to your present predicament. May I continue?”
He threw a curt nod to her. At this point he had nothing to lose.
“You have, of course, realized you were set up. However, the reason for this trap will have escaped you, since you are unaware of Louisa’s situation, and that is what I wish to share with you. You see, her father bestowed on her quite a dowry—fifty thousand pounds—”
“Fifty thousand pounds! What kind of fool gives his daughter a dowry of fifty thousand pounds? He may as well have put in an advertisement for fortune hunters.”
“I am certain he expected to be around when the time came to choose the proper man,” Lady Foxworth said softly. “In any case, according to her father’s will she receives her dowry at the age of one and twenty if she is unwed. She does not wish to marry and has been planning to wait out the time. Yet her uncle has betrothed her to Lord Harlech and threatened Louisa about the matter. She decided her only recourse is to destroy her reputation so Lord Harlech will withdraw his offer.”
Her dark eyes gleamed. “It was a good plan, and you arrived at the opportune time to fit well into it. You are a man who does not need her money, a man who cannot be compelled by English society to wed, a man who is known to take his pleasures as he chooses, without contrition.”
Derek closed his eyes as he realized the well-planted gossip about Captain Wainright was responsible for this trouble. “Go on,” he said, too weary to protest her accurate assessment.
“What Louisa does not know is that her uncle plans to seize her dowry, by whatever means necessary. There is no doubt in my mind this information is accurate. I suspect it is why Lord Chelton arranged the betrothal. I don’t know the particulars of his arrangement with Harlech, but I do know Lord Chelton uses odious means of persuasion, if you will, to get what he wants. I also know Harlech has much to hide, more than enough to make it worth his while to forgo the dowry.”
“Blackmail?” Derek was incredulous. “Chelton is blackmailing someone to marry his niece?” He shouldn’t be surprised, he realized; Stephen had mentioned such rumors.
“Yes, blackmail. Louisa knows none of this. She plans to remain unwed so she will receive her dowry in two years. Lord Chelton cannot let that happen. I suspect he has already pledged her dowry against his debts. It is a sad state of affairs, n’cest pas?”
Derek’s thoughts tumbled through his mind. So, Louisa hadn’t been trying to snare the marquess as a husband, as he had presumed. The knowledge only increased his confusion until he recalled the conversation in the gardens. She had wanted the party to be over, her words implying that she would be involved in something distasteful, but something necessary to thwart her uncle. She had said futures depended upon it.
“Why does she want the money rather than a husband?”
“For Stonecrest, of course. She loves that estate and the people… You heard her yourself. It was a dream of her father’s to restore the manor to what it on
ce was. She cannot do that without the money, and she will not take the chance of marrying a man who may squander it.”
If there was anything Derek understood, it was the compulsion to carry on a father’s work. His mind raced over the facts. If he wanted Chelton to accept his offer, then it must be more tempting than the one in hand. Perhaps offering the man money in addition to giving up the dowry would do the trick. An offer of an extra ten thousand pounds and Chelton would probably leap at the chance to throw his niece into matrimony with anyone, for a man who would steal his niece’s dowry was a man of weak and greedy character. Such a man would be easy to manipulate.
Perhaps he needn’t reveal his identity after all. If he could buy Louisa, so to speak, he could reveal the truth to her later when this other business was settled. Surely she would be thrilled to learn her husband was really an English duke and not an American privateer. His frustration lifted, replaced by hope.
He studied the widow as she turned to peek out the door, preparing to leave. “Lady Foxworth, may I ask why you tell me this? Is marriage to an American privateer better for Louisa than marriage to an odious Englishman or no marriage at all? And what about our previous conversation about Louisa, the one at the ball?” Lady Foxworth had stated matter-of-factly that she intended to pursue Louisa as a romantic conquest. In fact, Derek had assumed that was the reason for the woman’s clumsy mishap with the wine.
A ghost of a smile played across Lady Foxworth’s lips. “I knew of Louisa’s plan; I’d overheard her discussing it with Lady Sara. And so I was toying with you, Captain, trying to discern your character. Can you blame me? Rumors about you were rife. I am quite fond of Louisa, in a sisterly way, and the thought of her wed to Lord Harlech…” She shuddered. “Yet, there is no doubt Chelton means to have her fortune. It can be the only reason he fought for her guardianship, and you may be assured he will do whatever it takes to reach that end. He is her guardian and uncle, and as such, her heir. If he cannot get the money through a marriage agreement… you must not mistake my meaning.” She pulled open the door and swept from the room, leaving the scent of her perfume to linger.
Derek stared after her. Was she implying Louisa’s life would be in danger if he didn’t make the proper arrangements with Chelton? The thought chilled him. It also prompted another thought: if Chelton were that ruthless, he might well be the leader of the smuggling gang. Either way, Derek’s mind was made up. He must go to Chelton and negotiate for the marriage.
Having made the decision, he quickly realized his new plan was even better than the original. Married to Louisa and living at Stonecrest, he could search for information about her father and uncle. An additional boon was that his mother would be thrilled over his marriage, though not over the circumstances which caused it, and he had to admit he wasn’t unhappy himself.
An arousing memory of the few moments he spent in bed with the young woman flitted through his mind, and he realized he was actually pleased at this turn of events. He had been irresistibly drawn to Louisa from the first moment he saw her. Besides, his mother was right. He needed a wife, and though this one was a little too independent, he would be able to handle her.
He rang for a footman to fetch his trunk, smiling to himself at the way the disastrous situation had been so easily resolved. As he had told Stephen many times, good planning and flexibility were the keys to every successful venture.
Chapter 11
Nathan Barrick studied his reflection in the ornate mirror in the library of his London town house. He smoothed his curls over his brow, then tipped his head to one side and smiled at himself, obviously pleased with what he saw. It was enough to make Derek want to vomit.
The man was a cool customer indeed. Surely Lady Callister had told him of his niece’s situation the moment they arrived home, but he acted as though Derek were paying a social call.
Derek scrutinized the earl, noting the emerald ring that glinted in the firelight and the not-so-negligible size of the diamond in his stickpin. He’d already taken in the Chinese hand-painted wallpaper and expensive Oriental rugs and vases. The man enjoyed fine living and the baubles that went with it, and if what Stephen and Lady Foxworth had implied were true, he didn’t care how he supported that existence. Derek would have no trouble buying him off. Best to get straight to the point.
“My lord, I have no intention of wasting your time or mine. I have compromised your niece’s reputation and am prepared to marry her.”
Chelton’s jaw dropped open for the briefest of moments, and then he quickly snapped it shut. Derek could almost see the man willing his expression into one of indifference.
“I suppose you have heard of the dowry,” Chelton said mildly. He moved to the side table, poured two brandies, and offered one to Derek before motioning him to sit. “I should have thought you, of all people, above this charade. I understand, of course, that you’d be pleased to make an additional fifty thousand pounds during your trip to England, but surely you cannot expect me to consider your proposal. Besides, it is out of my hands. She is betrothed to another man.” He took a leisurely sip of his brandy, still feigning disinterest in the conversation, but the gleam in his eyes belied his ennui.
“And does this other man know she was discovered in my bed, both of us without our clothes, by the Duke and Duchess of Bellingham and several of their guests?”
Lord Chelton choked, spewing out brandy on his snowy white cravat. “Blast it!” he said, slamming his glass down and jumping to his feet.
Derek held back a smile, saying nothing while Lord Chelton rang for a servant to send for his valet and a fresh cravat and once again took his seat. Derek could hardly fathom it, but Chelton had evidently not heard the news. What, then, had he thought the purpose of Derek’s call?
“Look, I’m prepared to forgo the dowry, Chelton. In addition, I’ll pay you ten thousand pounds for your blessing.”
Lord Chelton’s scowl vanished, replaced with a look that was an odd mixture of surprise and greed. “I’m shocked you would presume to purchase my permission to marry the only niece I shall ever have. My poor brother’s only child. Her welfare is of the utmost importance to me. I daresay she would have difficulty gaining acceptance into the best houses married to a pirate—er… privateer. I shall have to convince quite a few of the ton to keep her on their lists.”
“What do you want?” Derek asked bluntly. The conversation was already tiresome, and he wanted to get to the business of informing Louisa.
Chelton drew back as though shocked over Derek’s reaction. “It’s not a matter of what I want, Captain. We are speaking of my darling Louisa’s reputation. Gaining society’s support shall be quite expensive, but I shouldn’t like to quibble about that, not with her future at stake. Still, I haven’t the funds to ensure those invitations. Restoring her standing could cost as much as fifty thousand pounds.”
Derek arched a brow. “I’m prepared to marry her, but I’m no fool. Twenty thousand is surely sufficient to guarantee her acceptance by several members of the ton. Once a few are secured, the rest will follow.”
“Forty thousand is barely enough to cover the expenses I shall incur, sir,” Chelton responded, lifting his chin. “For people to jeopardize their own reputations to sponsor a chit”—he coughed into a silk handkerchief—“a young lady who has gone astray, even if she does the proper thing about it, is expecting too much. I will have to make it worth their while. I doubt I can cover everything with that sum, but I would try. For my niece’s sake, of course.”
Derek wanted to tell Chelton to go to the devil, but he knew he must continue playing the game. “Thirty thousand is my final offer,” he said. “I shall not pay a shilling more; it’s an eighty-thousand-pound loss for me. You’d be wise to take my offer, for you won’t find a better one now that her reputation has been soiled.”
Chelton’s lips settled into a smug smile. “We will shake on it and I’ll have my attorney draw up papers. You realize I can’t guarantee society will open their a
rms to her again, no matter what sum of money I have at my disposal? I will try my best, as I’ve said.”
Derek could hardly look upon Chelton without showing disdain. The man had no intention of doing anything with the money but spend it on himself, but Derek swallowed his retort. He arose from his chair and Chelton followed suit.
“Where is she?” he asked. “Still abed?”
Chelton’s brow furrowed, then smoothed as he realized Derek’s meaning. “She didn’t return here. She must have gone directly to Stonecrest. No need for her to come to London; she surely realizes she cannot continue in the Season’s events.” He set his glass down, dabbing lightly at his lips, and then folded his handkerchief neatly and slipped it back into his pocket. “If you’ll wait, I shall have my man write out directions.”
“You aren’t coming with me to inform her of her duty?” Derek couldn’t believe the lack of concern in the man’s words and actions. It was obvious he didn’t care what happened to his only niece, as long as it didn’t inconvenience him.
Chelton shrugged. “Whatever for? You can tell her as easily as I.” He started toward the door where his valet stood waiting with a fresh cravat and then stopped and turned back to Derek. “By the way, I hear you have enough orders for your trip to the West Indies. Is that so?”
“Yes, my lord.” The orders had come in quickly, though Derek hadn’t been able to ascertain whether any of them had come from the leader of the gang he sought.
“I had no idea you could work so fast, or I’d have looked into the matter sooner. If you have a cancellation, let me know. I might want to trade a few hundred bushels of wheat for brandy, lace, and other finery,” he said. He fingered the lace edging on the cuffs of his expensive silk shirt. “The quality to be found in London isn’t what it used to be.”
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