“Since she doesn’t know about the financial difficulty, she’d no reason to mention the account. Father didn’t want say anything to her until we’d sorted out the emergency.”
“Merciful heavens, Augustus! You almost ruined your life by rushing into marriage with the wrong woman!” Philip scratched his head. “Here’s what we’ll do: get your hat and we’ll go to the bank right now. You need to see the account balance for yourself. Then, we’ll go to the club to have a word with Father and Lord Horatio. This arranged marriage is wholly unnecessary.”
Chapter Nine
Miles Apart
AT A PRIVATE TABLE in his Pall Mall gentlemen’s club, Lord Moregate examined the statement Augustus brought from the bank. “So it seems we’re not so ruined after all.” He glanced up, stricken. “I don’t know whether to be relieved or angry with myself. If I’d taken a stronger interest in the management of our affairs from the beginning, I never would have overlooked this.”
Lord Horatio peered at him. “I’m glad for you, Moregate, but where does this leave my daughter? We had an agreement.”
Augustus cleared his throat. “Miss Gryphon should be told the facts, of course, so she feels no obligation. That being said, I should still like to pursue her.”
Philip cocked his head. “You would? We all believed you and Juliet—”
“Juliet and I discussed the matter and we both agreed we would be better off as friends. She’ll not be injured by me as a result of this new development, but I can’t say the same for her and Mr. Gryphon.”
Horatio raised an eyebrow. “So you’re aware of the ruse?”
“Indeed, I am. I didn’t realize it had been brought to your attention, but I’m glad you know.”
“Ruse?” Philip echoed. “To what ruse might you be referring?”
“I confess, I’m in the dark as well,” Moregate said.
“To allay any gossip about a romantic relationship between Juliet and myself, she and Mr. Gryphon agreed to enter into a temporary engagement.”
“You’re joking!” Philip looked aghast.
“Not at all.” Augustus frowned. “It pains me to say so, but it would be helpful to me if they continued the ruse until Miss Gryphon is truly convinced of my regard for her.”
“Since Cody wishes to see his sister happy, I’m sure that won’t be a problem. I’ll speak to him tonight,” Horatio replied. “Due to the fact Miss Beaucroft is no longer in town, however, there’s very little opportunity for her and Cody to interact.”
“I’m leaving for Grovebrook the day after tomorrow. Perhaps Mr. Gryphon would like to come along?” Augustus asked. “He may best demonstrate his supposed zeal for Juliet if he’s under the same roof.”
Philip shook his head. “Mr. Gryphon is more than welcome, of course, but I can’t help but be concerned about Juliet’s feelings on the matter.”
Augustus chuckled. “In truth, I’ve noticed a marked attraction between Juliet and Mr. Gryphon. I, for one, should like to see it unfold.”
“I agree,” Horatio said. “I suspect Cody cares more for Miss Beaucroft than he has yet to admit to himself.”
Philip groaned. “Romantic ruses can be dangerous ploys.”
Augustus gave his brother a sidelong glance. “And yet sometimes they work out for the best, do they not?”
“True.” He sighed. “When I return to Grovebrook tomorrow, I’ll inform Kitty of the situation privately. I’ll also announce that we are to expect a visit from both Mr. Gryphon and Augustus. Anything more than that, Augustus may address when he arrives.”
“Yes, I’d prefer to discuss the situation with Miss Gryphon myself.” He frowned. “I hope she welcomes my courtship, otherwise Mr. Gryphon and I will be returning to London on the next train.”
Lady Lovejoy was dining out that evening, and Lord Horatio had gone to his club, so Cody ate a solitary meal and then retired to his room with a book. As he read, however, his eyes kept wandering from the page. Juliet’s frosty demeanor at the train station had apparently bothered him more than he realized, if his lack of concentration was the measure. He thought back to their argument, wishing he could have handled it differently. His manner had been high-handed and he ought to apologize—but should he? Perhaps he ought to leave things the way they were. If Juliet viewed him as a villain, she could more easily turn her attention to another gentleman. No doubt Mr. Waters would be delighted to step into his shoes as her next fiancé.
He stared at a spot on the carpet, scowling. Waters was a bumbling fool and an idiot who could never make Juliet happy. Surely she’d never welcome the attentions of a man whose ears stuck out on either side of his head and whose chin was nowhere to be found. Of course, she might accept the man out of desperation, if society gossips made too much out of her broken engagement. Indeed, he might be morally responsible for driving her into the arms of all manner of reprobates. The notion of Juliet sitting on another man’s lap made him clench his fists with fury. Why couldn’t he forget about that night in the library, and why should he care whom she married?
A tap on his door interrupted his gloomy reverie. He opened the door to discover his father in the hallway with his hat in hand and a cape draped over one arm. Cody concluded he’d just arrived from the club.
“Might I have a word, lad?”
“Of course.” Cody ushered him inside the room.
Horatio sighed as he sank down into a chair. “What a night.”
“How was your dinner with Lord Moregate?”
His father frowned. “There’s been a little wrinkle in my quest to marry Stephanie to Lord Elbourne. It seems Moregate is not in financial distress after all and his son’s marriage to an heiress is no longer a necessity.”
“What?”
Just as Cody was poised to let loose a stream of ungentlemanly invectives, his father held up a quelling hand. “Despite that, he’s professed his desire to woo Stephanie.”
Cody’s shoulders relaxed. “I should hope so!”
“To that end, he’s requested you continue your ruse with Miss Beaucroft for the time being.”
“How am I to do that, exactly, when we’re miles apart?”
“You’re to travel with him to Grovebrook the day after tomorrow, for an extended visit.”
Cody groaned. “Miss Beaucroft despises me! We had a quarrel yesterday afternoon and never mended it. Once we’re together again, I very much doubt our ruse will appear believable to anyone.”
“I suggest you find a way to ingratiate yourself with the girl. Surely it won’t be too much of a hardship?”
Something stirred deep inside Cody at the thought of holding Juliet in his arms again. Although there was no future in it, he very much wished to smooth things over. He gave his father a nod. “No, sir. It will pose no hardship whatsoever.”
After a festive dinner at Constance Hall, which Prudence and Lord Kirkham attended, the small party moved into the drawing room for a little entertainment. Juliet and Prudence played the piano, Kitty and Kirkham sang a duet, and Stephanie applauded madly after each performance. Juliet tried to encourage her friend to perform, to no avail.
“Do you sing or play, Stephanie?”
“I’m afraid my skills are more the sporting variety. Archery, riding, and billiards are my favorites. I can also shoot.”
Kirkham brightened. “Shotguns?”
“Pistols, mainly. When we were in Texas, Cody and I used to line up bottles on a split-post fence and shoot the bottles off. I became rather good at it.” She laughed. “Once, when we were walking through some brush, Cody frightened a rattlesnake. I shot it when it was about three inches from his boot and he said he wasn’t certain which had made him more nervous—the snake or my marksmanship.”
Prudence’s eyes widened. “I dislike snakes so much I’m sure I would have been perfectly useless! Your cool nerves and steady hand are much to be admired.”
Stephanie giggled. “I’m worthy of admiration in Texas, perhaps, but not here. Lady Lovejoy he
ld Juliet up to me as the perfect model of decorum, and I quite agree.”
Perfect model of decorum? As Juliet remembered asking Cody to ruin her, she flushed with embarrassment. If the countess had known she was capable of such a proposition, she would never have introduced Stephanie to her at all!
After Prudence and Kirkham said their reluctant good-byes, it was time to retire. As Juliet readied herself for bed, Kitty slipped into her room, candle in hand, and shut the door behind her. She was clad in her dressing gown and her long dark hair hung down her back in a mass of curls. Even in such casual disarray, with her hair unbound, Juliet thought her sister was extraordinarily beautiful. Unfortunately, she was also shrewd.
“Now, Juliet, I can tell you’re hiding something.”
“You can?”
Kitty nodded. “Between the two of us you’re far more level-headed, so your sudden engagement makes no sense at all. I’m convinced there’s another explanation entirely, and I won’t leave until you tell me what it is.”
“You know me all too well, I’m afraid.”
Her sister put down the candle, picked up the hair brush, and began to brush Juliet’s hair, just as she had when they were little. In a rush, Juliet told her the series of events leading up to the supposed engagement—omitting the humiliating scene in the library, of course.
Kitty stared at her. “I can’t believe after everything that happened to me this Season, you’d resort to a ruse.”
“Don’t scold me. I was desperate.”
“I’m not taking you to task. It’s just that I’m worried for you.” Kitty studied her. “So your heart isn’t broken where Augustus is concerned?”
“I admit it was difficult to accept at first, but only because I’d grown so used to the idea of being his wife. After I met Cody Gryphon, however, I realized there was a different aspect to romance I’d never felt before. Forgive me if this seems coarse or vulgar, but there was a more physical element I hadn’t anticipated.”
“But I thought you said your relationship with Mr. Gryphon is a ruse?”
“The engagement is a ruse, but my feelings for him are genuine…I think.”
“Does your heart race when he’s near?”
“Yes.”
“Does he give you tingles all the way down your spine and out to your fingertips?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Do you experience a melting sensation inside when you think of him?”
“Yes, along with the most scandalous thoughts.” Juliet nodded. “Then you know exactly how I feel.”
“I understand perfectly. And such physical attraction is worth having in a marriage, if you can manage it.”
With a long sigh, Juliet pulled her hair over one shoulder and began to twist it into a braid. “I’m attracted to Cody, but we’ll never be married. Not only does he intend to return to Texas, but he and I quarreled. I think he detests me now.”
Kitty perched at the foot of her bed. “Might I ask the subject of the disagreement?”
Inwardly, Juliet winced. How could she describe the argument without giving too much away? “I-It was a theoretical discussion about how to treat a former friend who has wronged you or someone you love. If such a person asks for your help, with nowhere else to turn, what moral obligation do you have?”
“Hmm…that’s a difficult question to answer without a specific example to go on.”
Juliet pretended to think. “Um…well, let’s say someone like Violet Haver had sent a letter, begging for help. Just to make it worse, let’s say she’d been cast off by her family, was living with an elderly aunt, and was…in a family way. She wants you to contact Lord Gryphon and beg him to marry her. What would you do?”
“How ghastly. I expect my first response would be to toss the letter in the fireplace and forget she ever existed.”
“That’s what I said, but Cody thought me horribly unfeeling.”
“He doesn’t know you well at all to reach such a conclusion.”
“No, he doesn’t.”
“At any rate, if I pushed my resentment of her behavior aside and tried to view Violet as I would a complete stranger, my response might change a little. Under no circumstances would I speak with Lord Gryphon, of course, but I’d have to consider what sort of charity to extend to a desperate woman in need.” She shook her head. “One must always be careful about taking on other people’s problems, especially with a girl like Violet. Strict limits are required, or she’d always be asking for more.” She paused. “When did she send you this letter?”
Juliet felt at once miserable and relieved her sister knew the truth. “Several days ago. Violet’s living in Little Brambleton with a distant relative. I showed her letter to Cody, who then brought it to his cousin. He hoped to talk some sense into the man, but I don’t know if he succeeded or not. Nevertheless, I thought perhaps she could use money.”
“I’m certain she could, but if she’s to support herself and a baby, what she really needs is an honest trade. I expect Prudence would go with you to Little Brambleton, if you asked. She’s awfully clever with her hands, and might have some good advice.”
“Prudence is the daughter of an earl. Don’t you suppose she’d consider such a task beneath her?”
“She’s never stood on ceremony, even before her marriage to Freddie. Why don’t you visit Cousin’s Cottage tomorrow to arrange it?”
“I can’t let Stephanie know what I’m doing.”
“Hmm. In that case, perhaps we should wait until Augustus arrives. Once he’s here, she’ll not want to leave his side, I’m sure.” Kitty cocked her head. “I’m curious why you haven’t confided in your friend? She doesn’t seem the sort to shrink from the realities of human frailty.”
“At first, I said nothing because I didn’t want to trespass on Violet’s privacy. Now, I don’t want Cody to find out. He’d think the only reason I went to help is because he shamed me into it.”
Kitty’s eyebrows rose. “If Mr. Gryphon is truly that petty, I’m afraid I must agree with you. You and he will never marry.” She slid off the bed and kissed Juliet on the forehead. “Please don’t ever be afraid to confide in me.”
“Thank you. You’re the best friend anyone could ever have.”
As her sister left, Juliet blinked back tears. Was Cody indeed petty or was her assessment of his character unfair? With the awkwardness between them, she’d probably never know.
Cody settled himself in the seat opposite Augustus and shortly thereafter the train began to move. The private compartment was roomy and comfortable, which made the hours-long journey somewhat bearable. Nevertheless, Cody had a fleeting wish he could stay put somewhere for a little while. Nearly three months had passed since he left America, and he was beginning to find non-stop touring somewhat tiresome.
The earl caught his eye and nodded. “Thank you for coming with me to Grovebrook. It’s an extraordinarily selfish thing for me to ask, but your presence will reassure Miss Gryphon when I tell her the contract of marriage has been canceled.”
“You mean to say she won’t leap to conclusions as far as Juliet is concerned?”
Augustus chuckled. “Just so.”
“And what of Juliet’s feelings? You don’t suppose her hopes will be unfairly raised at the news you needn’t marry wealth after all?”
“She and I have settled matters between us.”
Cody frowned. “You could have any woman you choose, and yet you chose Stephanie. Please don’t misunderstand; I think my sister is a tremendous girl and I love her dearly, but she’s just so completely different than the other debutantes.”
“Those differences are what recommend her so highly.” Augustus smiled. “I find Miss Gryphon’s spirit refreshing. Until we met, I didn’t realize how much I’d respond to a lady like her.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
Augustus studied him. “You still intend to return to Texas?”
“I do. Father sold his cattle ranch, but I purchased land for myse
lf. Four hundred acres of prime property, with a stream. I intend to harvest timber and farm cattle.” He shrugged. “After Texas joins the Union, I might even run for office.”
“How different we are, Gryphon! I yearn for the exotic, and you wax nostalgic for the familiar.” He paused. “If it’s the life of a gentleman farmer you crave, you can obtain that in England. You remind me of Philip, in a way. He wouldn’t rest until he became a landowner.”
“I can’t say that I blame him.” Cody gazed out the window. “In Texas, a man can be anything or anyone he wants to be, without worrying about heritage. A man without a title can create his own empire, with a little luck and hard work.” He grinned. “And the girls are very pretty, too. One can have one’s pick of señoritas or Texas belles.”
“You make it sound rather appealing.”
“It’s not the sort of place for a nobleman like you, of course, but it suits me rather well.”
“If that’s the case, I beg you not to trifle with Juliet’s affections.”
“Ha! Both you and Stephanie have accused me of the same thing, but your concerns are for naught. Although we’ll act the loving couple for my sister’s benefit, Juliet and I are estranged.” Cody tried to keep a frown from his face, but his muscles tensed all the same. “I’ll do my best to ameliorate the situation, but I imagine she could never feel anything romantic for me.”
“Perhaps it’s best to keep it that way.”
Cody nodded, but he fell silent thereafter. He was to spend several days in the same house as Juliet and make no effort to caress her face or kiss her lips? A worse torture was never devised.
Toward the end of breakfast, Phillip folded his napkin by his plate, rose, and bent to give Kitty a kiss on the cheek. “I’m off to meet Kirkham about the harvest festival.”
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