If you won’t assist me, I’ve nowhere else to turn.
Very Sincerely,
Violet
So her former friend had finally asked for her help, had she? Juliet frowned and tucked the letter into a book, where it wouldn’t be found. Violet Haver had made her own bed. Let her lie in it.
Lord Horatio peered at Cody from behind the closed doors of the library. “I don’t want you to imagine I disapprove of Miss Beaucroft in any way. Quite the opposite, in fact.”
A smile played around the corners of Cody’s lips. “I hear a but coming along.”
“It’s just not like you to behave in such a precipitous fashion, especially where women are concerned. Why did you rush into an engagement on such short acquaintance?”
“For Stephanie’s sake, of course. You see, Juliet and I both want to see her marriage to Lord Elbourne go forward without a snag. Thanks to Uncle William, rumors of a romance between Juliet and the earl reached Stephanie last night.”
“No!”
“Oh, yes. Juliet and I had to do something drastic to keep things on track.”
“Your engagement is a ruse?” Horatio sat back. “I’m quite astonished. Miss Beaucroft is a jolly good sport to go along with it.”
“You make it sound as if an engagement to me is a hardship.”
“I don’t mean it that way and you know it.” He frowned. “Your sister would be furious if she knew.”
“She won’t ever find out. By the time Juliet and I call off our engagement, Stephanie will be happily married and settled into her new life.” Cody smiled. “Besides which, didn’t you ask me to do whatever it took to bring the marriage about?”
“Yes, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My brother’s character is fatally flawed, I fear, and he passed his ethics to his son.”
“Speaking of Zachary, I’m going to pay him a visit this morning.”
“Is that wise?”
Cody shrugged. “Perhaps not, but I’m curious to see how he turned out.”
“I caution you not to become overly involved in his problems.”
“I won’t.”
“As for me, I’m still looking at properties and I’d like your opinion when you’re free.”
“I’m available as soon as I see Stephanie off on the train tomorrow, but why are you in such a hurry?”
“I wish to move from Lady Lovejoy’s home as expeditiously as possible.” His father gave him a pained glance. “I’ve no wish to marry again. Neither do I intend to be inveigled into doing so.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Cody chuckled. “Neither do I.”
“Is that so?” Horatio cocked his head. “I confess, you and Miss Beaucroft played the part of young lovers rather convincingly.”
“She considers me a cad and a rake. I’m sure her opinion of me will vastly improve, however, once I’m in Texas.”
Cody strolled through Leadenhall Market, trying not to look as bewildered as he felt. He disliked not knowing where he was going, particularly when he was surrounded by people who were rushing past like steamships through the ocean. Finally he managed to catch the eye of a stout woman who was examining a rack of plucked chickens available for purchase.
“Forgive me for bothering you, but could you point me toward J. Morris, Butcher?”
“If it’s good beef ye want, I’d go ter Yates and Croft.”
“Thank you, but I really must find J. Morris.”
She jerked her head to the side. “Down this street aways, and turn left at the next intersection. It’ll be on yer right.”
He tipped his hat. “Much obliged.”
A few minutes later he was at J. Morris, Butcher, where sides of butchered beef hung in the windows. As soon as he entered the place, he was obliged to press a handkerchief to his nose in a fruitless attempt to extinguish the noisome smell. Worse, he was forced to watch his step, lest he inadvertently trod upon the dark brown pools of blood that dotted the bare floor.
A clerk approached. “Can I help ye, Guv’nor? Everything ye see is fresh, as of this morning. No better beef to be had in London, even if I say so meself.”
Although Cody knew better, he didn’t say so. Having spent the last seventeen years in Texas, he was very familiar with cattle—freshly slaughtered or not.
“I was told Zachary works here.”
The clerk’s eyebrows rose. “Yer acquainted with our Zack?” He gestured toward an open door in the back. “He’s in through there. Mind the cutlery.”
Cody removed his hat before ducking through the doorway. In the room beyond, burly men were positioned at heavy wooden tables, swinging cleavers and hatchets as they carved steaks and roasts. He spotted Zachary behind the last table, his thick white apron and hands smeared with blood. His cousin sported three weeks’ worth of beard, he was exceedingly slender, and his bare head appeared to have been shaved. As Cody approached, Zachary planted his cleaver into the table and gave him a baleful glance.
“I would have known you anywhere, cousin. Forgive me if I don’t shake your hand.”
Cody hadn’t expected Zachary would be glad to see him, so he wasn’t surprised by the cold greeting. Nevertheless, it was difficult to know what to say.
“It’s been a long time.”
“How did you find me?”
“Your landlord. I gave him a crown in exchange for information.”
“He gave me up for five shillings? He and I will have to have a word about that.”
“Don’t hold it against him. I told him we were related and he could see the resemblance for himself.” Cody glanced around. “What are you doing here?”
“Working.”
“Surely your father gives you an allowance?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I owe money to people who wish to do me bodily harm. I’ve changed my appearance, but if I don’t pay them back soon, they’ll catch up to me sooner or later.”
Cody reached for his wallet. “How much do you owe?”
“Put that away, you idiot!” Zachary’s voice sounded like a low hiss of steam. “The men who work here are ex-convicts. They’d kill you as soon as look at you.”
Cody’s hand dropped to his side. “Let me do something. I want to help.”
His cousin frowned. “Meet me at the O’Shanty Tavern tonight at seven o’clock and you can buy me dinner.”
“Where—”
“Any cab driver will know where it is. Don’t show up dressed like that or you’ll be robbed.”
After a curt nod, Cody left. Outside Leadenhall Market, he hailed a cab to ferry him back to Lady Lovejoy’s residence. As the carriage rolled through the streets of London, he wished the stench of blood would leave his nostrils. Even worse was the image of his cousin, wielding a cleaver like a common laborer. He’d been told Zachary had comported himself improperly and was generally reviled by good society, but he’d never been told anything specific. Perhaps when he called on Juliet that afternoon, she’d tell him the real story.
Stephanie was playing with her puppy in Lady Lovejoy’s garden when Cody came out on the patio. She came running, with the dog close on her heels.
He chuckled. “You’re finally awake.”
“Oh, don’t be mean. I was so excited last night, I couldn’t fall asleep until dawn. Where have you been?”
“I went to see Zachary.”
“How is he?”
“He was just stepping out when I arrived.” For some reason, Cody was reluctant to disclose what he’d discovered at the butcher’s. “I’m to dine with him tonight.”
“Does he resemble you as much as people say?”
“Actually, he’s grown a beard, so I couldn’t tell.” He paused. “I’m going to see Juliet after lunch if you want me to relay a message.”
Stephanie gave an excited bounce. “May I go with you?”
He shook his head; the subject of his conversation with Juliet would be best discussed without an audience. “Not this time, I’m afraid.”
“You’ll have a great deal of time alone with Juliet on the train tomorrow, whereas I will only have a few minutes with her this afternoon.”
“I suppose you’re right, if you put it that way.”
“Besides which, Lord Elbourne will likely call on you this afternoon. You’ll want to be here to receive him, won’t you?”
“Of course. Well, please tell Juliet again how sorry I am for behaving so badly at the ball. I’m heartily ashamed for doubting her.”
“I’ll tell her, but I don’t think she’s one to hold a grudge.”
Stephanie wrinkled her nose. “You make her sound annoyingly perfect.”
“Funny, that’s exactly what I said about the earl.”
“He is perfect, but not annoyingly so.”
Cody laughed. “That’s exactly what I think about Juliet. Absolutely perfect in every way.”
Servants were busy preparing the Beaucroft home for a lengthy winter vacancy when Cody came to call. When he suggested Juliet accompany him for a stroll in the garden, she called Robin Hood and let him come along. Although she presumed Cody had something personal to discuss, she was surprised when he asked for details about Lord Gryphon’s reputation. While her puppy explored flower beds and chased insects, she related the series of events regarding Zachary’s behavior toward Kitty, the trouble it had caused, and the ruse necessitated by his wicked deeds.
Afterward, Cody stared at her, obviously aghast. “Are you sure your information is correct, particularly regarding my cousin’s assault on your sister?”
“I saw the bruises myself, and wouldn’t rest until Kitty told me everything. And then, after Lord Gryphon told an atrocious lie blaming Philip for the attack, it took the combined efforts of Augustus and my father to publicly refute the claim and turn the tables on him. I assure you, your cousin deserves his notoriety.”
Cody sat there, seemingly unmoved, and annoyance crept down her spine.
“You needn’t take my word for it. Ask Augustus, and he’ll verify everything. Surely you trust his veracity and lack of bias.” Despite her efforts to the contrary, she failed to keep a tinge of heat from her tone. Did Cody truly think she would invent such a horrid falsehood out of whole cloth, especially when it involved her own sister?
“It’s not that I don’t believe you, Juliet. It’s just that I’m exceedingly shocked. I wish to tell you something in the strictest confidence, which you’re not to repeat to anyone. No one, not even my sister and father, knows what I’m about to tell you. Zachary is hiding from creditors and is laboring as a butcher amongst the lowest persons imaginable. When I found him, he was smeared with blood and clutching a meat cleaver.”
“You’re joking. Lord Gryphon is a popinjay and fastidious to a fault!”
“Surely you don’t mean to cast aspersions on my veracity?”
“I-I wouldn’t go that far. Like you, however, I’m shocked.”
Cody sighed. “I’m meeting with Zachary tonight to see what sort of help I ought to provide. As abhorrent as his actions have been, I can’t stand back and let a member of my family suffer.”
“I disagree. If he doesn’t suffer, he can never feel the consequences of the bad choices he’s made. Lord Gryphon deserves to be punished for what he’s done.”
He peered at her. “That’s a rather harsh stance to take, wouldn’t you say? If penitence is genuine, shouldn’t people be given a second chance?”
“You’ve no idea what you’re talking about. As it so happens, I’ve just had a letter from the girl he despoiled, begging for my help.” Juliet produced Violet’s letter, which she’d retrieved from its hiding place and carried with her all day. “I show this to you also in the strictest confidence, and ask you not to share it with anyone.”
Cody frowned as he read through the missive. “Zachary’s to be a father? This changes everything.”
“In what way? I’ve read that letter a dozen times, trying to decide how I should respond, but I keep coming to the same conclusion. Violet and Lord Gryphon tried to ruin my sister’s life and our family name, and I’m determined to leave them to themselves.”
“There’s a baby involved! Clearly, you have no spark of compassion whatsoever.”
Juliet gritted her teeth against the accusation. “Obviously I do, otherwise I wouldn’t be struggling with my decision! But since you didn’t witness the tears and suffering brought about by Violet’s actions, you’ve no right to judge!”
“But now she’s the one suffering. Don’t you suppose it cost her a great deal of mortification to beg you for help? I didn’t realize anyone could be so hard-hearted.”
Any modicum of truth Cody’s words held were obscured by his self-righteous idealism. Furthermore, his mischaracterization of her opinions had pushed her too far. Since she was no longer in the mood to be particularly civil, she made no response at all other than fixing her gaze on the pup.
Cody sighed. “Do I at least have your permission to show the letter to Zachary? I think he needs to know what he’s done and be encouraged to do the proper thing.”
“You’re wasting your time, but you have my permission to try.”
His bow was curt and perfunctory. “Good day to you, Juliet.”
As he left, she drilled holes in his back with her eyes. How dare he try to make her feel guilty? Nevertheless, she viewed his visit as fortuitous. Since he’d managed to make her dislike him more than ever, she’d remind herself of this moment when he departed England. Her aversion to Cody Gryphon would stand her in good stead then.
Chapter Eight
Conscience
SINCE CODY HAD WORKED his father’s extensive ranch back in Texas, he owned several sets of unremarkable laborer clothes suitable for a visit to a hardscrabble tavern located in a rough neighborhood. Although he’d informed Lady Lovejoy he was dining out, he slipped from her residence without fanfare while everyone else was dressing for dinner. He was obliged to walk several blocks before he found a growler willing to pick him up, but at last he was on his way to O’Shanty Tavern.
As the carriage rolled through the streets of London, he reflected on his visit to Juliet that afternoon. Admittedly, her looks and manner had captivated him before, but his image of her perfection had been shattered by her heartless attitude. He wouldn’t have believed her capable of such indifference if he hadn’t seen it for himself. Fortunately he’d discovered Juliet’s true nature sooner rather than later. Armed with that knowledge, he could shield himself from her charms and stay true to his goal of returning to Texas as a bachelor.
On the other hand, was it entirely fair to expect her to overlook her grievances, especially when they were so fresh? After all, the mischief perpetrated at the hands of Violet and Zachary had not impacted him in the same way as it had her. Granted, he’d been treated with some hostility by those members of society who couldn’t disassociate him from his cousin. Nevertheless, that was hardly a disaster. What mitigating circumstances—if any—would his cousin have to offer?
Zachary shoveled beef stew into his mouth like a starved man, and washed it down with dark ale. Although Cody found the food and drink barely palatable, he ate what had been set in front of him to be polite. When his cousin had had his fill, he pushed his empty bowl to one side. Cody could barely make out Zachary’s features in the darkened tavern, but his body language radiated angry bitterness.
“So, cousin, have you satisfied yourself I’ve fallen as low as I deserve?”
“I’ve not satisfied myself of anything yet. I’ve heard reports of your behavior toward the Beaucrofts and other women that give me pause.”
“Whatever you’ve heard about me is likely true.”
“That’s all the response I’m to have?”
Zachary shrugged. “I’m wicked to the core, as is my father, and that’s why Grandfather disinherited us. You should be glad of our malfeasance, since it accrues to your family’s benefit. Your father will be a very wealthy man someday.”
“Misery never makes me glad. Furthermore, my father comes by his own exceedingly vast fortune honestly, by hard work and the sweat of his brow. As a second son, he expected nothing and yet made something of himself by striking out on his own.”
His remark earned his cousin’s scorn. “What would you know about hard work?” Zachary displayed his roughened calluses and barely healed blisters. “I butcher meat from sunup to sundown, just to earn enough money to pay my gambling debts. I fear for my life, so I don’t want to hear about your successes.”
Cody displayed his own calluses. “I worked as a vaquero on my father’s cattle ranch since I was ten years old. I know plenty about hard work, and far more than is suitable for a gentleman. Spare me your bile.”
“Touché, cousin.” Zachary’s smile was grim. “I bow to your noblesse oblige.”
Cody’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve never been tempted to thrash anyone as much as I’d like to thrash you right now.”
His cousin laughed. “You wouldn’t be the first, but I daresay it would do no good.”
Cody produced Violet’s letter and tossed it onto the table. “Read this.”
Zachary slid the candle nearer and unfolded the missive. As he read it, a myriad of expressions crossed his face. Finally, he glanced up. “How did you get this?”
“Miss Juliet Beaucroft gave me permission to show it to you.”
He frowned. “I thought Violet was lying to me before when she said she was with child.”
“Apparently she wasn’t. You must do the right thing and marry the girl.”
Zachary shook his head. “She’s better off without me, I assure you.”
“How can you say that? The lady needs a husband and provider, and your child needs a father!”
Rake & Romance Page 9