by Rebecca King
“What do you want to do now?” Norman asked.
“Well, it is no good telling Arthur what we know. We need to think very carefully about this. I think there has to be some merit in Wilhelmina having a hold on Arthur of some kind.”
“Or, like I have said, Cedrick having a hold on Wilhelmina. It doesn’t really matter, does it? I mean, they are both out to find themselves lifestyles someone else pays for. As far as Cedrick is concerned, he can use Wilhelmina to force a marriage to one of Arthur’s daughters. Wilhelmina has probably told him that she can force the man to pay for whatever she wants. As such, Arthur’s sense of duty will be enough to make him do everything he can to help look after his daughters if any of them, even once married, find themselves unable to live independently.”
“Meaning Arthur will be expected to pay for his daughter and Cedrick’s lifestyles as well as Wilhelmina’s and all because he has a moral ‘duty’ as head of the family,” Ryan sighed. “Mother of God, they are leeches.”
“The question is, how do we get Arthur to understand that? We could show him the house but that only proves Wilhelmina lied about living there. If she has gotten herself in a financial mess, adding to Arthur’s burden by getting him to pay yet more debts for her isn’t going to do anything but drive Arthur into the poor house. If you step in, you are going to end up paying for the whole leeching lot of them.” Norman shook his head in disgust.
Ryan rubbed a hand down his face and swore. “Do you know something? If Wilhelmina owns that house, she must be put back in it. There has been a fire. The evidence of it is in the kitchen. However, it is nothing that a coat of paint cannot fix. It has to be said that she could be back in there by the end of the week, but without furniture. God knows what she has done with that. If she can be sent home, she could be out of Arthur’s house in a matter of days. It is then up to Arthur to ensure that she starts to live within her means and sticks to her allowance. If she can’t then she will have to go to a poor house. It is better that Wilhelmina goes to a poor house than Arthur and his family.”
“And if that house doesn’t belong to Wilhelmina?”
“Then we have a problem because there is no place else for that dratted woman to go,” Ryan growled.
“So, she will stay with Arthur and do her level best to get Cedrick married to one of the daughters.”
“Do you really see Wilhelmina as being close friends with that aged old woman back there?”
“No.”
“She was lying about being good friends with Cedrick’s mother then, wasn’t she?”
“Yes, which means she isn’t averse to lying about other things,” Norman added.
“I don’t care what else she is lying about. For now, what concerns me is what the Hell we are going to do about getting rid of Cedrick? I don’t know where to go to start to find out who his connections are.”
“He isn’t connected to anybody of society, and we are not going to go into the back streets looking for people who might know him. From what I have seen already, we are likely to end up losing the shirts off our backs,” Norman huffed. “We have to take it that the man hasn’t got any connections unless he can prove otherwise. He has no fortune unless he can prove otherwise, and he has no home to take a bride to unless he can prove otherwise. Ergo, why in the Hell would Arthur agree to allow any of his daughters to marry him?”
Ryan shook his head. “I just get the feeling that we are onto something, but we haven’t quite found out the true reason behind what is going on. It is hovering in front of us, but just out of reach and hidden in a place where we cannot see it.”
“Or maybe it is obscured by too many lies,” Norman offered. “What do you want to do now?”
“I think we have to go back to the house and tell Mabel and Sian what we have discovered. We can then find out what they intend to do about going to visit this distant relation of theirs. I will feel easier if they are out of the area, I don’t mind telling you. Then, you and I need to sit down and find a way of getting Arthur to see the truth behind Wilhelmina’s lies.”
“Don’t you think a visit to the house will do that?” Norman asked.
“Maybe. It should if there is nothing else Arthur has kept secret.”
“If he refuses to believe that Cedrick is unworthy, then we know for a fact that he is being blackmailed in some way.” Norman scrunched up his face and looked askance at Ryan, only to huff out a breath when Ryan nodded.
“Are you sure you want to marry into this family?” Norman asked after several miles of silence.
“I am not marrying the family. I am marrying Sian.”
“You have made your mind up then.” It wasn’t a question.
“There is no other choice,” Ryan murmured. “It has to be Sian, or I don’t get married at all. It is as simple as that.”
“Well, she has to be impressed that you are prepared to help her family out like this, surely to God. If Sian doesn’t recognise you as a credible suitor after this, she doesn’t deserve you. She has to get rid of them all and rise to your level. You cannot lower yourself to hers, Ryan.”
Ryan looked sharply at him. “I am not lowering myself to her level at all. Sian is delicate, gentle, well bred, well mannered, and will adapt perfectly well to being lady of the manor.”
Norman winced and threw him an apologetic. “But her family are a mess, she doesn’t have any wealth because her father is almost bankrupt, and her relations are lying cheats. She isn’t titled and has no training to even know where to start to become Lady of the house.” Norman kept his voice low for fear of incurring his friend’s wrath but felt it his moral duty to point out the facts to Ryan.
“I know, but there is one thing I simply cannot overlook, and it over-rides everything else.”
“What?” Norman prompted when Ryan didn’t immediately tell him.
“I love her.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
The following week, Sian ambled through the wildflower meadow. A gentle smile curved her lips as she watched Martha and Lucinda run happily through the long grass, stopping occasionally to pick the flora and fauna littering the small glade.
“It’s beautiful here,” she breathed, tipping her head back a little to allow the gentle haze of sunshine to bathe her face, which had hitherto been hidden beneath her bonnet.
Ryan smiled down at her and knew the exact moment he fell just that little bit more in love with her. Sian looked positively beautiful today. Now that the huge egg-sized lump had reduced and taken the bruising with it, the delicate oval of her face had taken on a rosy hue that highlighted her magnificent eyes, which twinkled mischievously at him whenever she smiled, as she was doing now. The gentle yellow tone of her cotton dress was as delicate as the tiny posy of buttercups she held, and matched the straw bonnet covering most of her cascading curls.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
Ryan smiled. “I thought being cooped up in the house for a week is more than anybody could stand. It is good to get out for a while.”
“It is good of you to take the time for us like this. I am sure running an estate the size of this must keep you busy.”
In fact, Sian knew from the constant ringing of the servant’s bells within the house, and the hustle and bustle of the house staff, that Ryan was an exceptionally busy man. He was the kind of estate owner who liked to get involved personally rather than leave a man of business to do his work for him. Consequently, she suspected he was enjoying being able to take a few hours out of his busy day as well.
“I have forgotten the last time I had a picnic,” he breathed.
“Do you not take the time to go for a walk around the estate? It’s beautiful.” Sian looked at the huge lake in the centre of the lavishly landscaped lawn. Today, it was bathed in a hazy glow of warm sunshine which gave it a magically golden haze that was dreamlike. On the other side of the lake, a small folly stood waiting to offer sanctuary to anybody who ventured that far away from the house.
“I am pl
eased you like it here, although the house needs a few repairs,” he sighed.
“How can you say that?” She protested instantly. “What is wrong with it?”
“It needs decorating.”
Sian shook her head. “I don’t see what’s wrong with it as it is. The colours are perfect for the rooms. Why should you wish to change it?”
Ryan lifted his brows at her. “Do you think I should leave it for a while then?”
“Yes, I do,” Sian replied with a decisive nod. “I am sure there are other things on the estate that are worthier of your time.”
Ryan grinned at her. “Then I shall leave the house as it is and turn my attention to the restoration of the old woods.”
“Is that what you are doing?”
Together, they looked toward a large bank of trees that had been a feature of the landscape for centuries. Terrell Woods was legendary in the area and was so old there were rumours that it had once been a meeting place of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table.
“We have to plant some more oak trees and clear out some of the debris. When the weather heats up, it is a fire risk if leave it as it is.” Ryan began to detail the other changes he wanted to make to the estate.
Sian listened intently and gazed at him adoringly while she did so. Ryan’s handsome features came alive with enthusiasm and shone with a deep contentment that assured her that he was as happy as she.
Today had been the most wonderful day of her life. Not only had she shared breakfast with him this morning, but Ryan had appeared as reluctant for them to part as she was when the meal was over. Because they both wanted to spend the day together, Ryan suggested a picnic, but it hadn’t turned out to be the kind of picnic anybody had expected. While they all walked, the table, picnic baskets, and chairs, blankets, and crockery all travelled with a veritable army of servants via cart. By the time Sian and Ryan, together with Mabel, Martha and Lucinda, reached the spot Ryan had chosen for their picnic, a wonderful feast and requisite servants awaited them. What had followed was the happiest, most contented day Sian had ever experienced. Ryan had told them anecdotes about his childhood and had then been left in fits of laughter when Lucinda had revealed a little too many family secrets, and a lot of Sian’s most embarrassing moments. What had transpired had been an ad hoc competition of who had the most humiliating experience. It had left everyone in stitches, including some of the servants, who had struggled to hide their mirth as they had served a wonderful array of foods. Eventually, everyone was stuffed and upon Ryan’s orders, the staff were left to tidy everything away and repack it onto the cart while he escorted the ladies around the small meadow.
Now, it was almost a shame to return to the big house, but then it wasn’t. While it heralded the end of a delightful day, the massive mansion stood in regal splendour, offering a safe sanctuary and every comfort Sian could ever wish for.
That’s because Ryan is there.
It was the truth. She knew that her opinion of the house and her enjoyment of the picnic had been made all that more pleasurable because she was able to share it with Ryan. He was, without doubt, the man of her dreams even more now. Sian now realised, and struggled to hide, just how much she adored him and always would. It had nothing to do with the luxurious home, or the many acres of landscaped estate. It had nothing to do with his vast wealth, and the army of servants. She knew she would not enjoy any of it as much if Ryan hadn’t been there to share it all with her. Being able to be a part of his life, even for a short while, was better than anything Sian had ever dreamt possible. She didn’t want the moment to end.
“Are you all right?” he murmured gently when he sensed her pre-occupation.
Sian tightened her fingers on his arm. “I am fine,” she assured him gently.
“Oh, no.”
Sian stopped to frown at her mother when she heard that low moan.
“What is it?” When her mother didn’t answer, Sian turned to look in the direction of her mother’s dark glare and felt her heart sink to her knees.
Together, everyone watched Wilhelmina descend from the carriage with all the regal scorn of royalty. She stopped and turned to study them while she waited for Cedrick to join her.
“What are they doing here?” Mabel breathed.
“They are here to cause trouble, I don’t doubt,” Martha warned, her voice as harsh as her dislike of them.
Ryan sensed an immediate tension settle over everyone and shook his head in disgust at just how much discontent Wilhelmina caused. She couldn’t be obtuse enough not to realise just how much everyone disliked her, could she? Ryan studied the woman as she sauntered toward them, eyeing the gardens with a critical air that was far too proprietary. He suspected that Wilhelmina didn’t care if she was liked or not because she didn’t like Mabel and her daughters either and did absolutely nothing to hide it. That led him to wonder why the woman had bothered to pay a visit to them today. He too suspected it was probably to cause trouble. Her first words confirmed it.
“Been having fun, have we?” Wilhelmina drawled with a somewhat sarcastic air of disapproval.
“What do you want Wilhelmina?” Mabel bit out.
Wilhelmina’s gaze slid over Sian. “Well, you seem well enough, I must say.”
“Sian is recovering nicely, thank you,” Ryan murmured.
“Sian, is it? Not Miss Mullen?”
“Wilhelmina,” Mabel chided. “It is not your place to ask things like that. This is Lord Carson. He owns Terrell House.”
Wilhelmina threw her a dark look but dutifully dipped into a brief curtsey even though her face remained a mask of cold contempt. Cedrick bowed so swiftly that it was over in a blink. Ryan barely threw the young man a second look. His gaze remained locked on the source of the forthcoming trouble; the rotund woman before him.
“I didn’t realise that you needed so much company while you were recuperating,” Wilhelmina began, piercing Sian with a beady eyed glare.
“I didn’t realise that it was any of your concern,” Mabel countered.
Ryan sighed. He eyed his front door but then didn’t want to invite Wilhelmina inside. It was best everyone remain outside where it was easy for them to leave Wilhelmina and her sidekick if they upset everyone too much. Still, he wished they had returned just a few minutes earlier, in time to be able to avoid this confrontation.
“How can we help you?” Ryan interjected before an argument could break out between the warring women.
“I am here to collect the family. Arthur has said they are all to return home at once,” Wilhelmina announced, glaring balefully at her relations.
“Why hasn’t he come to tell them himself? This is a family matter,” Ryan asked quietly.
“I am family. Arthur is a very busy man, as I am sure you are aware. He has business matters to attend to and doesn’t have the time or the intention of pandering to feminine tantrums.”
“I beg your pardon?” Mabel cried. “Feminine tantrums, did you say?”
“If Arthur wants us back then he is to come and tell us himself,” Sian interrupted.
“Like I have said, your father is too busy,” Wilhelmina reported. “Can we discuss this privately?”
She eyed Ryan as if to suggest that he shouldn’t be privy to their conversation. Sian remained where she was.
“Anything you have to say can be said in front of Ryan,” Mabel informed her pertly.
“Ryan, is it? Where are your manners?” Wilhelmina’s voice dripped scorn.
“Look, it is up to me to decide what people call me. I have informed Mabel and her daughters that they can call me by my first name. Now, I think they have made it clear that they are staying here for the time being. If Arthur does require them to return home, I am interested to know where he intends for them to stay because there isn’t the room for all of you.”
“I am sure you don’t need to get yourself involved in the family’s domestic affairs,” Wilhelmina countered. “I am just the messenger. Arthur has said that they
are to cease these feminine tantrums immediately and return home where they belong. They have inveigled themselves upon you enough.”
“But there is nowhere for them to stay seeing as you have taken – Lucinda’s room?” He threw an askance look at Lucinda who nodded.
“Well, she is perfectly able to share with Sian and Mabel.” Wilhelmina’s voice was rife with impatience.
Ryan didn’t miss the dark glare Wilhelmina threw Lucinda. “And sleep where exactly? On the floor?”
“Enough of this nonsense,” Wilhelmina snapped, ignoring him. “You are to pack your things and come home at once. All of you. This is not doing the family’s reputation any good. You don’t belong here. If you want me to be honest in front of the lord, there are rumours going around the village about your presence here.”
“What rumours?” Ryan demanded. “I have been in the village only yesterday as a matter of fact, and everyone was fine. Norman goes into the village daily. I am sure that if my good friend had heard anything he would have told me, and he hasn’t mentioned hearing anything. Besides, what happens in my home is nothing to do with any scurrilous gossips, and I should appreciate you not encouraging idle chatter about matters that don’t concern you.”
“I am merely stating what I have heard,” Wilhelmina countered, doing her best to soften her stance but failing miserably.
“There is no room at the house for us anymore,” Mabel replied, softening her own stance in deference to the uncomfortable position Ryan was now in.
He had warring females on his front driveway, arguing for the servants to hear about who was going to stay at the house. It was humiliating, and not the kind of behaviour one would expect of a family who would, hopefully, be a part of Ryan’s life on a more permanent basis one day. It wasn’t fair on Sian to have to start her ladyship of the house on a bad footing because she was linked to such crude behaviour.
“I think it would be best if you went back to town so you can oversee the repairs to your house personally. You, Cedrick, need to go home to your - family. I am sure you will appreciate that the accommodation at Arthur’s house is not that large, and certainly not suitable for guests to stay long-term. Whatever Wilhelmina has said to you, Cedrick, it is inconvenient for you to stay. I suggest you pack your things and leave.” Mabel’s voice was brisk and businesslike but no less condemning.