“I assure you, it’s not.”
“Tell me!”
“Very well then.” Teddy drew a deep breath. “I saw your cousin.”
“Jack?”
“Do you have another cousin?”
“Not that I know of but I didn’t know about this one until recently.”
Teddy nodded. “It was a week ago. At the Explorers Club ball. He was with your uncle.”
“I can’t say I’m surprised. Uncle Basil has always been a staunch supporter of the Explorers Club.”
“We had a pleasant chat.” Teddy said. “I apologized for my rude behavior the day after the wedding.”
“That’s most appreciated. Thank you.”
“He accepted my apology.”
“Did he?” Dee slathered clotted cream on a scone.
“Of course.” She sniffed. “I was most sincere.”
“No doubt.” Dee took a bite of her scone. “But there’s more, isn’t there?”
“I offered him my assistance should he need it. Navigating the treacherous waters of society can be difficult, you know, especially for a newcomer.”
“That was quite kind of you. Again, you have my thanks.”
“And he kissed me,” Teddy blurted and held her breath.
Dee choked and took a quick sip of tea. Her eyes widened, whether from lack of air or surprise, Teddy couldn’t be sure, then set down her scone, evidence of just how startled she was. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Nor was I.”
“He must have been quite grateful.” Dee studied her friend. “For your offer of assistance, that is.”
“Well, yes, I suppose.” Teddy winced. “And I might have kissed him back.”
Dee’s brow rose. “You might have?”
“It was difficult to tell.” Teddy forced a casual note to her voice. “It happened so quickly.”
“I see,” Dee said slowly. “So this kiss of gratitude . . .”
Teddy nodded.
“Was this a friendly sort of kiss? The kind of kiss a brother might give you?”
“Good Lord, I wouldn’t think so. I don’t have a brother but there certainly wasn’t anything brotherly about it.” She reached for a biscuit and broke it in two. “It quite took my breath away.”
Dee stared.
“I do wish you wouldn’t look at me like that. Say something.”
“I have no idea what to say.” Dee shook her head. “I suppose I am wondering what you are going to do about it.”
“I’m not going to do anything about it.” She shrugged. “It was just a kiss after all.”
“A kiss that took your breath away.”
“Which I would think is more a testament to his ability to kiss rather than anything of a significant nature. The man has probably kissed countless numbers of women. Why, he’s no doubt had a great deal of practice.”
“I suppose that’s possible,” Dee said slowly. “But he doesn’t strike me as that sort of man. He seems more the kind to take a kiss quite seriously.”
In spite of Teddy’s accusation that his comment about her being an adventure was well rehearsed, she had to agree with Dee. He didn’t seem the type of man who would go about kissing women without so much as a by-your-leave.
“So he kissed you,” Dee said slowly, “and you kissed him back and . . .”
“And?” Teddy drew her brows together. “And there isn’t anything more to it than that.” She paused. “He did call on me. Twice actually.”
Dee’s brow rose. “Oh?”
“There’s that suspicious look of yours again.” Teddy huffed. “I offered him my assistance, remember? Goodness, it’s not as if he came to my house with the intention of having his way with me.”
“So he didn’t? Want to have his way with you, that is?”
“Of course not.” Teddy hesitated. “I assume not anyway. I wasn’t at home when he called.”
“If that had been his intention—”
“I have another secret,” Teddy said abruptly. Dee was like a hungry dog with a tasty bone when she set her mind on a subject. The only way to distract the dog was to offer it a larger bone.
Dee’s eyes narrowed. “What?”
“I have decided to seriously pursue being a woman of business.” Teddy raised her chin in a firm manner. “A successful woman of business. I am already, really.”
“So you’re going to throw off this charade that what you and your mother have been doing is nothing more than the innocent dabblings of ladies with too much time on their hands? You’re going to reveal the truth?”
“Don’t be absurd. I have no intention of allowing anyone to know we are not the dilettantes the world thinks we are.” Teddy scoffed. “That would be exceptionally bad for, well, for business.”
“And you came to this decision . . . ?”
“At Camille’s wedding.” Teddy broke another piece off her biscuit. “It simply dawned on me that my life was never going to be as I had imagined it. And it was past time to keep pretending that it was. That this enterprise we’re engaged in is nothing more than a temporary solution.”
“I know I always thought of it as temporary. Something to make ends meet. Until . . .”
“Until what?”
“Until . . .” Dee shook her head in a helpless manner. “I don’t know.”
“There are no knights-errant in shining armor that are going to ride to my rescue like those in pre-Raphaelite paintings. Simon is the only potential knight in the foreseeable future and I absolutely refuse to marry him, or any man, simply to have my needs taken care of. Once perhaps but not now. I’m twenty-six years of age and knights riding to the rescue are in short supply. Besides, marriage is no longer of interest. I have other things to do with my life.” She shook her head. “No, this endeavor of ours is not a temporary solution, it must be permanent. Because the changes brought about with Father’s death are permanent. So the only intelligent thing to do is embrace the life I have now. It’s taken me four years but Father’s debts are nearly paid off. What better time than now to start anew?” She leaned forward and met her friend’s gaze directly. “I want to be the most successful planner of wedding and social events in England. I want to be the one society turns to for a smashing event.” Everything she’d been thinking in the past few weeks rushed out, as if her words had a mind of their own. “We’ve made a good start of it but we need to do better. Or rather I do. Mother’s role is relatively minimal. I intend to remain exclusive, of course.”
“Of course,” Dee murmured, her eyes wide.
“And terribly expensive. If you can’t afford the best then you can’t afford my services. Expensive and exclusive, exactly what society wants.”
“But it’s still, well, business.”
“Without a doubt but there’s no need to bandy the word about indiscriminately. You know as well as I that if anyone knew we actually needed the money, our commissions would be at an end. I need to stand on my own and I need to make my fortune.” She blew a frustrated breath. “Why is it that only men can make their fortunes in this world?”
Dee made an odd sort of strangling sound that might have been agreement or objection, it scarcely mattered.
“Men can make their own fortunes but women are expected to marry for theirs. It’s yet another example of how this world is entirely unfair to women. Well, I’ve had quite enough of that nonsense, thank you very much.”
For very nearly the first time in the dozen or so years of their acquaintance, Dee couldn’t manage to find her tongue. Good. Teddy wasn’t finished.
“I’m intelligent, well educated, and socially connected. I am more than capable of succeeding in anything I damn well choose. Do you realize that all the money we’ve made thus far, after keeping Father’s creditors happy of course, has gone toward maintaining the illusion that we don’t need money?”
“I had no idea.”
“Well, it has.” Teddy shook her head. “It takes far more than I had ever expected simply to keep up appearances. Wh
y, the house alone costs a small fortune to run. One never imagines the sort of money it takes to continue the life one has always led until one has to pay for it oneself. I never thought about money until we didn’t have any and Mother’s no good about budgeting at all.”
“I can imagine . . .”
“She cannot get it out of her head that a good marriage is the only solution.”
“Perhaps you should try to find a match for her,” Dee said weakly.
“Don’t think I haven’t thought of that,” Teddy said sharply. “Unfortunately, most gentlemen of a certain age have no desire for an older woman. The only eligible older man I know who is the least bit charming and dashing is your uncle and he is still married. Believe me, if there was anyone who could entice my mother into marriage I’d be throwing the poor man at her like a virgin into a volcano.”
Dee choked back a laugh. “I meant to mention this before.” She leaned forward in a confidential manner. “But if you don’t want the entire world to hear what we are discussing, you’d best lower your voice.”
Teddy winced. “Is it that bad?”
“Probably not. I am just being cautious.” Dee paused, laughter in her eyes. “Although I distinctly noted the ears of a lady at the next table perking up like a good hound’s at the word virgin.”
Teddy stared for a moment, then laughed. “You did not.”
“Perhaps not.” Dee smiled and settled back in her chair. “But you do express a great deal of vehemence when the subject turns to your mother.”
“I simply find it annoying—no—infuriating that while she’s willing to sacrifice my future on the altar of holy matrimony to regain the life we lost, she’s far more selective when it comes to her own future.”
“What does she think about your newfound determination to be a woman of business?”
“I haven’t told her.” Teddy drew a deep breath. “Nor do I intend to. At least not yet.” She met her friend’s gaze. “What do you think?”
“Well, it’s most improper, scandalous, really,” Dee said slowly. “However, I can certainly understand how losing all your money changes everything. I was fortunate to have my funds restored to me but your circumstances are entirely different.” She thought for a moment. “It does seem to me that impropriety and scandal are among those things that are in the eye of the beholder. As you intend to continue to well, deceive society as to the true nature of your endeavor, you have my complete support.”
“But only if it remains clandestine?”
“Good Lord, Teddy, you are my dearest friend in the world. I want nothing but the best for you. Certainly being in business is not what I would have chosen for you. And yes, if you were to jump into the Thames naked I would not join you but I would definitely throw you a rope.”
Teddy raised a brow. “To hang myself?”
“Whatever you wish.” Dee waved off the comment. “The point that I am trying to make is that years and years ago we agreed that we would be good, true friends for the rest of our lives. And I am your good, true friend regardless of what twists and turns either of our lives may take. Regardless of what choices you make. You will always have my support even if some of the decisions you make are not as well advised as others. Even if I disagree with them. Besides . . .” She paused. “You never said a disapproving word when I married my first husband even though I know full well you find the idea of marriage to older men distasteful.”
Teddy’s eyes widened. “I never . . . that is you . . . and well I mean I . . .”
“It no longer matters.” Dee waved off Teddy’s words, the sapphire ring Sam had given her flashing in the light. “In fact, it didn’t really matter at the time. I did what was best for me just as you will do what is best for you. I will keep my thoughts to myself, as you did, and I shall be here if you need me just as you were there for me.”
Teddy stared.
“You had no idea I was quite so, oh, I don’t know, wonderful is as good a word as any, I think.” Dee smiled and popped a bite of biscuit in her mouth.
“Actually, Dee.” Teddy reached out and took her friend’s hand. “I have always known that.”
“And because I am quite wonderful as well as your good, true friend, I have an idea as to what to do about the problem with your mother.”
“Oh?”
“You, my dear friend, need a holiday.”
“That’s brilliant, Dee.” Teddy settled back in her chair. “Why, the south of France is lovely at this time of year.”
Dee cast her friend a chastising look. “Sarcasm, Teddy?”
“I am sorry but perhaps you missed that minor point about my lack of funds. I can’t afford a holiday. I have neither the time nor the money. Even a day trip to Brighton would be difficult to manage. And every extra bit I have needs to go toward replenishing my wardrobe. I’m afraid I’m beginning to look a touch shabby.”
“I didn’t want to mention it,” Dee said under her breath.
“Again, you mean.”
“Haven’t I offered to lend you anything in my wardrobe?”
“You’re entirely too short for me.”
“And haven’t I also offered to loan you however much you need to help you replenish your wardrobe? As well as what you need to finish repaying your father’s debts?”
“You are a good, true friend.”
Dee nodded smugly. “Yes, I am.”
“And as much as I appreciate the idea . . .” Teddy sighed. “I can’t possibly take a holiday.”
“I’m not suggesting you go anywhere. I’m simply suggesting you get away from your mother.”
“Excellent idea.” Teddy eyed the other woman skeptically. “Do tell me, how you propose that I do that?”
“Well, I intend to stay at Millworth until after the New Year. Mother is very nearly giddy over the thought of everyone at Millworth for Christmas. I’m sure you remember last year’s Christmas wasn’t quite as traditional as one might have hoped.”
Teddy bit back a smile. Last year’s Christmas was still something of a sore spot with Dee even though it had worked out remarkably well in the end.
“Quite frankly, since Father’s return I haven’t seen much of Mother, they’ve been traveling a lot you know. And I’ll be spending at least half of my time in New York when Sam and I marry so who knows how often we’ll see each other then. And well, as odd as it may sound, I’ve missed her.”
Dee and her mother had always been close in spite of Lady Briston’s eccentricities, or perhaps because of them. Especially since Dee’s sisters were older and paid Dee no mind at all when she was young. It was only in the last year that the Channing daughters had become true sisters. In spite of their problems in the past, Teddy couldn’t help but envy them.
“And you are always welcome at Millworth, you know. You could certainly come with me.”
Teddy shook her head. “There’s Lady Wellby’s party as well as a few others I have on my schedule. I know Millworth is only an hour by train, and I did manage to do what I needed to accomplish while I was there in the weeks before Camille’s wedding, but at the moment, I don’t think leaving London is wise.”
“I do hate it when you’re practical.”
“I hate being practical,” Teddy said wryly.
“I suspected you’d prefer to stay in London so I propose you simply move out of your house for however long you need to.”
“And where would you suggest I go?”
“Why to my house, of course.” Dee smiled in a triumphant manner. “I’m not going to be there. Sam has been residing in a hotel and he and Camille and Grayson are leaving for New York in a few days anyway. I would go with them but I have financial matters of my own that still need overseeing and I don’t want to be an ocean away should there be a problem.”
“I don’t know . . .” Although that would be a perfect solution.
“You know how much I adore that house and I hate to have it stand empty. I’ve managed to rehire my cook and one of the housemaids. The
others, including my butler, took positions elsewhere.” Dee blew a frustrated breath. “I can’t say that I blame them. When I let them go—”
Teddy nodded. “When you were forced to economize.”
“Please, I don’t ever want to hear that word again.” Dee shuddered. “As I was saying, when I let them go, I had no idea if my financial difficulties would be resolved in my favor or not. Now that they have been, I am eager to get my life back in order. Although . . .” She glanced at the ring on her finger and smiled. “There will be a few changes.”
“Are you going to keep the house?”
“Absolutely.” Determination straightened Dee’s shoulders. “Sam and I will need somewhere to live when we are in London. We intend to spend half our time here and half in America.”
“How very . . . compromising of you.” Teddy stifled a grin.
“I think so.” Dee cast the other woman a smug smile. “At any rate, I have hired a new butler but I still need a housekeeper and another maid and an assistant for the cook. If you stayed at the house, you could take care of hiring the rest of my staff for me.”
“Still, I’m not sure . . .”
“Besides, I had never considered the financial frivolity of having a house staffed even when I’m not living there.” Her brows drew together. “Now, I find it somewhat distressing but at least I haven’t reopened Hargate Hall.” She took a casual sip of tea. “In fact, I’m thinking of selling it.”
Surprise widened Teddy’s eyes. “Your country house? I never imagined you’d let that go.”
“I didn’t admit it at the time, but I never felt quite, oh, right there.” Dee shrugged. “It’s time to move on with my life.”
“Of course.” Teddy shouldn’t have been surprised. In the last years of their marriage, Dee’s late husband, Phillip, spent more of his time alone at their country house than he did with Dee in London.
She leaned forward and met Teddy’s gaze. “So you see, you’d really be doing me a great service by staying there. Your mother would surely understand, especially if you point out that I would be forever in your debt.” Dee cast her a wicked grin. “And I have always been partial to throwing parties that I will simply be too busy to manage myself in the future.”
The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) Page 14