The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor)

by Victoria Alexander

  “He’s given her the most ostentatious sapphire ring.” Gray shook his head in a mournful manner. “So American of him.”

  Jack laughed. “And damned proud of it.”

  Gray sighed. “He makes the rest of us look bad.”

  “That was the intention besides . . .” Sam puffed his cigar and blew a smoke ring toward the palm. “It matches her eyes.”

  “The point is, even though you didn’t marry into the family, you have certainly joined it.” Gray settled back in his chair. “We know how difficult it is to be the newest member and we’re offering our support.”

  Sam nodded. “And our friendship as well.”

  “I’d like that.” It was only since Jack had left New York that it had dawned on him that, while he had any number of acquaintances, he couldn’t name a single friend or confidant. Aside from Lucy, that is. “But I thought your assignment was to ferret out information.”

  “We can do both,” Gray said firmly. “Sam and I have already agreed to this. We won’t tell them anything you ask us to keep confidential.”

  Jack’s gaze slid from one man to the next. He knew both men’s business reputations and, as far as he could recall, their honor and honesty had never been questioned. He could certainly use a few friends here. Especially men he could trust.

  “Agreed then.” Jack raised his glass. “Friends it is.”

  The other men returned his toast and fell into a companionable silence. But only for a moment.

  “Now that we are friends,” Gray began, “as a friend, we would be appreciative—”

  “Most appreciative,” Sam added.

  “If you could give us something—”

  “Anything. Anything at all.” Sam gestured with his cigar. “No matter how insignificant.”

  “As much as I’d like to help you both out I’m not sure what I can tell you.” Jack thought for a moment. “It was all somewhat overwhelming when I first arrived and was greeted as, I don’t know, a prodigal son or a savior or something of that nature.”

  “Understandable.” Sam nodded.

  “I’m not used to feeling out of place.”

  “Of course not,” Gray said.

  “But . . .” Jack chose his words carefully. “I am starting to feel, not exactly at home, but more . . . relaxed, I would say.” Thanks in part to a spirited talking-to by Theodosia.

  “Well, that’s something.” Gray sipped his brandy.

  “So you can tell them that if you wish. And you can tell them my father and I are getting along quite well.”

  Sam and Gray traded satisfied nods.

  “That’s that then.” Sam reached for the decanter and topped off all three glasses.

  “We have what we need.” Gray drew on his cigar. “Our work here is done.”

  “I think he’s grooming me,” Jack said. “My father that is. As well as trying to give me a basic education in history, art, architecture, and all things British.”

  “Not surprising.” Sam nodded. “Lady Briston mentioned the colonel was showing you around London and introducing you to his friends. She’s not overly pleased by it.”

  Gray chuckled. “She’d be happier if you could stay hidden until the ball. But even she realizes the impossibility of that given your father’s excitement.”

  “I don’t want to sound ungrateful, and I’m not.” Jack puffed on his cigar, then blew a long stream of smoke. “I want to get to know him as much as he wants to know me. But it would be much easier if we did it, I don’t know, one step at a time maybe rather than all at once.”

  “He’s trying to make up for lost years,” Sam said mildly.

  “I know and I appreciate that.”

  “Still . . .” Gray tapped his ashes into a nearby pot. “I can see where it might be overwhelming.”

  Jack nodded. “I’ve always been a solitary kind of man and I was raised with certain expectations of, oh, independence I suppose. I feel like an ass for saying this but as much as I want to be with my father, I need a little bit of . . . distance. Don’t get me wrong,” he added. “As I said, we’re getting along together quite well. He’s a fascinating man.”

  “I always thought so,” Gray said.

  Jack chose his words with care. “But there’s such a thing as spending too much time together. From the moment we boarded the ship to New York, we have barely been out of each other’s sight. You’d think in a house this size that wouldn’t be a problem but it is. We see each other at breakfast and dinner and all the hours in between. We’re either going somewhere or meeting someone or seeing some sight.” He paused. “Actually, I was seriously thinking about moving to a hotel. For a while anyway. Given this ball Aunt Bernadette is planning, I’ll remain in England at least until the New Year.”

  “You don’t plan on staying beyond that?” Gray said slowly.

  “I really have no specific plans yet.” Jack shrugged.

  “You do realize they all expect you to stay?” Sam said.

  “I know. And this is something I do wish to keep confidential although my father is aware of it.”

  The other men nodded.

  Jack shook his head. “I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I don’t know that I want to go back to New York although I do have certain responsibilities . . .”

  “But you now have responsibilities here as well.”

  “I know.” Jack nodded. “Responsibilities to a family I didn’t know I had and to a future I never expected or, for that matter, imagined.”

  Sam studied him curiously. “Sort of like waking up and finding yourself in a whole new world.”

  Jack grimaced. “Something like that.”

  “We envy you, you know,” Sam said abruptly.

  Jack raised a brow. “Because I’m in line to be the next earl?”

  “No,” Gray said quietly. “Because, against all odds you have found a father you didn’t know you had. I lost my father when I was very young and I scarcely remember him at all.”

  “And mine died thirteen years ago.” Sam shrugged. “But at least I knew him.”

  “I am sorry, for both of you.” Jack considered the other men. “All my life I was under the impression that my father was dead, through no fault of his, I might add. Now, to find he’s not merely alive but he is this remarkable man. The kind of man you read about in dime novels or stories of adventure . . .”

  For a long moment all three men were silent, each caught up in their own thoughts and memories, about fathers lost and found.

  “So,” Gray said at last. “The idea of being an earl isn’t an irresistible temptation?”

  “It’s hard to be tempted by something that’s never so much as crossed your mind. Apparently, I have no choice in the matter. I will inherit the title whether I want to or not.”

  “The question is whether or not you wish to pick up the reins of the position, as it were. Reside in England, here and at Millworth, accept the traditional seat in Parliament, that sort of thing.” Gray studied him thoughtfully. “I imagine it’s a difficult decision.”

  “Maybe it wouldn’t be if I’d been dissatisfied with my life. I wasn’t. I was content. Now, everything is different. And you’re right.” Jack nodded at Gray. “There are new responsibilities and concerns. The idea of disappointing my uncle and the rest of this new family of mine and especially my father . . .” Jack blew a long breath. “I’m not an adventurer or explorer or the kind of man books are written about. I’m a banker. The last thing I want is for his newfound son to be a disappointment to him.”

  Without warning the thought popped into his head: Would he be a disappointment to Theodosia as well? If he decided his life, his future, was in New York? If he turned his back on the title and the family that went with it? Would she care if her minor adventure turned out to be nothing more than a mere dance, a few brief conversations, and a single kiss?

  “It’s amazing how quickly affection can grow between two people who didn’t even know the other existed a short time ago,” Sam
murmured.

  “I know.” Jack shook his head. “A few weeks ago, I was practically engaged to a woman I’d known most of my life and now my every waking thought seems to be . . .”

  Sam and Gray stared at him.

  Jack winced. “And you were talking about my father, weren’t you?”

  “We were.” Sam studied him curiously. “Who were you talking about?”

  “It’s not important.”

  “But interesting.” Gray blew a perfect smoke ring. “Very interesting.”

  “A more pressing question is what do I do about my father?” Jack said. “I don’t want to offend him. And I’m afraid he might be if I suggest moving out of this house—”

  “That will someday be yours,” Sam said.

  “That he might take your actions as something of a rejection?” Gray nodded. “Of him as well as your heritage?”

  “Exactly.” Jack shook his head. “Even though this relationship we’re forging is going well, it’s still tenuous. We’re still treading cautiously with each other. I don’t want him to think I’m not interested in his life, in his world. I’m afraid if I suggest moving to a hotel he would take it badly.”

  “Possibly.” Gray puffed thoughtfully. “But the colonel is a reasonable man. If you explain to him—”

  Jack shook his head. “Nonetheless . . .”

  “I have an idea. Why don’t you stay at Delilah’s house?” Sam said. “She intends to stay at Millworth until after the New Year. Gray and I and Camille, of course, are leaving for New York later this week. I have business to attend to and I’d like to tell my family that I’m getting married before it’s an accomplished fact. It doesn’t seem the kind of thing you should do in a letter. We’ll be back before Christmas.”

  “We don’t want to miss Christmas at Millworth Manor.” Gray chuckled. “One never knows what might happen.”

  “You’d really be doing her a favor.” Sam leaned forward. “She was just saying the other day that she hated her house being empty for too long.”

  “And,” Gray continued, “as it is the house of a family member it’s not as if you’re turning your back on them.”

  “Still, I don’t know—”

  “I won’t see Delilah until we meet her late tomorrow afternoon to return to Millworth for a few days before we leave for New York,” Sam said. “But I can send word to her new butler, a Mr. Beckley I think, something like that, to expect you before we go.”

  “I’m not certain—”

  “Come now, Jack.” Gray gestured with his cigar. “Your father is one of the most independent people I have ever met. Which means your desire for a little time for yourself is something you have in common. If anyone would understand how you feel, he would.”

  “You could move in tomorrow.” A tempting note sounded in Sam’s voice.

  Jack’s gaze shifted from one of his new friends to the other. And didn’t Gray probably know his father better than he did? Or at least longer.

  “Very well then. You’ve convinced me.” He settled back in his chair and puffed his cigar. He’d tell his father later tonight. It was for the best for both of them really. “Because as much as I have grown to care for him . . .” Jack blew a smoke ring into the air. “My father is driving me mad.”

  Chapter Nine

  The following day,

  the Ladies Tearoom at Fenwick and Sons,

  Booksellers . . .

  “. . . and my mother is driving me quite insane. Look.” Teddy held out her hands. “Why, I’m positively trembling.”

  “Your hands are as steady as a rock,” Dee said mildly.

  “I hide it well. But inside . . .” Teddy clasped her hands to her heart in an overly dramatic manner. “Inside I am quivering with indignation and fury and resentment.” She grabbed a biscuit from the plate on the table and took a vicious bite.

  Teddy and Dee sat at a table near the back wall of the Ladies Tearoom at Fenwick and Sons, Booksellers. It was the sort of place one came to see and be seen. The tearoom had become quite popular with ladies of society in recent years. Indeed, gossip had it that a silent partner in the tearoom was a lady of society. Teddy did hope so. It was comforting to think there was another woman in London engaged in business, whether she was doing so of necessity or not.

  Teddy drummed her fingers on the table. “I love my mother, I truly do but she absolutely refuses to accept the fact that I have no intentions of marrying Cousin Simon.”

  Dee’s brow rose. “Is she still going on about that?”

  “And she’s gotten worse.” Teddy heaved a frustrated sigh. “When I’m with her for more than five minutes she brings the matter up. She keeps talking about inviting him for a visit. The only saving grace in all of this is that I’m not sure Simon wishes to marry me although the last time I saw him, the week Father died, he did look at me like a puppy longing for a bone.” She shuddered. “I have no wish to be a bone, thank you very much.”

  Dee choked back a laugh.

  “It’s not funny. He’s really a very nice man. Fortunately, he has not managed to propose but I fear Mother’s encouraging him to come to London is to get him to do exactly that. I would hate to hurt his feelings but I have no intention of accepting such a proposal.” She shook her head. “Mother refuses to listen to me. It’s as if she can’t help herself. She has this one thing on her mind.” She paused. “No, two things on her mind. One is my marrying someone appropriate—”

  “A man with a respected title, or at least good family connections, and a significant fortune.”

  “Exactly. But as no one fitting that description has stepped forward—”

  “Forgive me for bringing it up but you have had no fewer than two proposals since your ill-fated engagement.”

  “You know as well as I, neither of those were the least bit appealing although admittedly my mother has never understood that.” Teddy waved off the comment. “Now, she is concentrating all her considerable energy toward the second thing on her mind.”

  Dee nodded in sympathy. “Convincing you to wed Simon.”

  “I can’t stand another minute of it, Dee.” She refilled her teacup. “Our house is entirely too small to avoid her for any length of time. I find myself doing everything I can to keep from being there at all.”

  Fortunately, between the events she was planning and those social functions she was obligated to attend, that wasn’t at all difficult. Unfortunately, it also meant she was absent on both occasions when Jack had called on her, which was at once annoying and something of a relief. She had no idea what she would say to the man when she next saw him. He had kissed her after all, in a most thorough manner. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about that kiss although admittedly, it was quite . . . wonderful. And even though Jack Channing played no role in the new course she had set for her life she couldn’t stop thinking about him. It was curiosity, of course. Nothing more significant than that and as such it was most annoying. There was no time in her life at the moment for a man, any man. Still, there was an odd sort of longing when he came to mind . . .

  “Why are you smiling?”

  “Oh.” Teddy stared at her friend. “Was I?”

  “Yes, you were.”

  “It’s nothing, really.” She waved off the charge. “Just a chance thought . . .”

  “You don’t have chance thoughts.”

  She scoffed. “Of course I do. Everyone does. And one certainly can’t help it if something springs to mind of its own accord. Without any intention at all on one’s part to think about whatever it is that has settled in the back of your thoughts and absolutely refuses to take its leave.”

  Dee’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  “Nothing.” Teddy adopted an innocent tone. “Not a thing, really.”

  “I don’t believe you.” Dee’s eyes narrowed. “Out with it, Teddy. What is filling that head of yours?”

  “All sorts of things. My mind is a very busy place.” She ticked the point
s off on her fingers. “Why there’s Lady Wellby’s upcoming soiree. I do so love it when something that was to be a small, intimate gathering grows out of control thus necessitating the need for assistance.”

  “For you, you mean.”

  “Exactly.” Teddy smirked and continued. “And then there’s the New Year’s Eve ball at Millworth. Your mother has come to London to discuss the plans with me five times now. Five!”

  “My mother can be very nearly as persistent as yours.”

  “Apparently. And then of course there’s my mother and we’ve already discussed that.”

  “Indeed we have. However . . .” Dee’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “That smile had nothing to do with your mother.”

  Teddy considered her friend thoughtfully. It wouldn’t hurt to talk to someone about this. Not that it was particularly important. It was of no more than minimal interest really. Why it stayed in her head at all made no sense. “Do I have your absolute promise that you will keep whatever I say confidential?”

  “Haven’t I always kept your secrets?” Indignation sounded in Dee’s voice. “I haven’t told a single soul the truth about your finances.” She grimaced. “Although I’m fairly certain Mother knows.”

  Teddy sighed. “Frankly, I’d be surprised if your mother didn’t. She has always seemed to know everything.”

  “She’s quite remarkable that way although it can be most annoying.” Dee met her friend’s gaze. “I don’t think even Mother suspects your other secret.”

  “You mean my having, well, fallen, for lack of a better term?”

  “Unless you have another significant secret I don’t know about.” Dee studied her carefully. “Do you?”

  “Certainly not of that nature.” She shrugged. “All things considered, this is really quite minor.”

  “Then tell me.”

  Teddy pinned the other woman’s gaze firmly. “Do I have your promise?”

  Dee nodded. “Of course you do.”

  “Your absolute word of honor?”

  “I said so, didn’t I?” Dee frowned in annoyance. “This had better be worth the trouble.”