“Imagine my delight,” she muttered and took a seat in the chair farthest from him.
“I don’t know if you’re aware of this but my brother died a few months ago.”
“Permanently?” she said with a polite smile.
“As they buried him, I would assume so. I am his only heir.” He paused obviously to let the significance of his statement sink in. “Which means I am now Viscount Nottwood.”
“My condolences on the loss of your brother.”
“My brother was far more clever than I had ever suspected, as is my mother. She and he never especially trusted me.” He heaved a heartfelt sigh. “He made certain, if he died without another heir, I might well get the title and the estates but the money remains firmly under my mother’s control.”
“How very farsighted of them.”
“That, in my opinion, is debatable. Suffice it to say, my mother was delighted when you and I were engaged. You were the perfect match, you know. In spite of your advanced age, you were quite a catch. Excellent family connections, substantial dowry. I am sorry about that by the way.”
She shrugged. Her dowry had gone the way of the rest of her family’s fortune.
“My mother thought I was finally on the right path. I was mending my wicked ways as it were.”
“I have to compliment you, Cyril, I never realized you had wicked ways. You hid it quite well.”
“I did, didn’t I?” He smirked. “I worked very hard to make certain my reputation, as far as the world knew, was, while not exemplary, no worse than most men I know.”
“But your family knew?”
He shrugged. “It’s hard to hide one’s more nefarious activities from those you rely on for financial rescue.”
“Go on.”
“You can imagine my mother’s delight when I appeared a few weeks ago, fresh from a watery grave and scarcely even wet.” He cast her a chastising look. “She was much more pleased to see me than you were.”
“She’s your mother.” In spite of herself, Teddy was fascinated by Cyril’s tale, even if every word made her feel more like an idiot. She should have known what kind of man he was. “What did you tell her? Where did you say you’ve been for the last four years?”
“Oh, you know. Shipwreck, native tribes, amnesia, the usual sort of thing.”
“I gather none of that is true?”
He scoffed.
“But she believed you?”
“As you said, she’s my mother.” He paused. “And she wanted to believe.”
“So,” she said slowly, “what does this have to do with me?”
“That’s the sticking point in all this. As much as I have sworn to her that my close brush with death has changed me, that I am an entirely new man ready to take up the mantle of family responsibility and respectability, she’s still, oh, the tiniest bit suspicious. Even though she does want to believe me she has doubts.” He met her gaze directly. “Renewal of our engagement will go a long way toward alleviating those doubts.”
“Renewal?” She scoffed. “Are you suggesting we pick up where we left off?”
“Not the exact point obviously.”
“No, because if I recall correctly, the exact point, the last time we were in the same room together, I said I detested the very ground beneath your feet. I said I never wanted to see you again. I said I—”
“Really, there’s no need to go into everything you said. You were upset at the time. Your father had just died and you had jumped to some rather unsettling conclusions.”
“Conclusions that were, nonetheless, completely accurate.”
“Regardless . . .” He waved off her comment. “I did ask you to wait, to reconsider ending our engagement until I returned.”
“I never agreed—” She stared in disbelief. “And you never returned. You died, remember?”
“And now I have returned. Although, you can imagine my dismay when I discovered you were engaged to someone else. And, I don’t care whose heir he is, an American, Theodosia? I thought you had better taste than that.”
“Perhaps you’re right about my taste in fiancés, given my first fiancé, that is.”
“You really should stop being so clever, it’s not at all becoming. Nor am I fond of clever women,” he said sharply. “Needless to say, Mother is quite distressed.” He shook his head. “So you can see why it’s necessary to break it off with him.”
“I see nothing of the sort.”
“It’s best for all concerned that you do so.”
“I can certainly see where you might have a problem, particularly with your mother. I, however, do not.”
“Ah, but my problems are your problems, my dear.”
“On the contrary, Cyril, your problems stopped being my problems when I learned the truth about what kind of man you really are and ended our engagement.”
“I’m afraid you’re still not seeing the entirety of our circumstances. Allow me to explain.” He smiled. “First of all, it would be most awkward if upon my return from the grave, my fiancé did not welcome me back into her loving arms. What would people say?”
She smiled tightly. “I don’t care.”
“Don’t be absurd, of course you do.” He scoffed. “Your public acceptance of my resurrection would go a long way toward alleviating any suspicion regarding my story as to where I have been these last years as well as convince my mother I am worthy of trust. After all, if Lady Theodosia Winslow puts her faith in me, my mother can do no less. She would certainly loosen her grips on the family purse strings if she knew you were to be her new daughter-in-law.”
“Then it would appear the next time you go to your grave you will be unwed and penniless.”
He laughed. “I have missed your wit, Theodosia. But I have no intention of returning to the grave anytime soon. Indeed, I plan to live a long and happy life with my beloved wife by my side.”
“I wish her all the best. I, however, have no intention of becoming your wife.”
“Intentions often change with circumstances or necessity, my dear. And here’s where it gets really interesting.” He leaned forward and met her gaze. “I have in my possession documents that clearly show the depth of your father’s involvement in our ill-fated venture. They paint him in the poorest of lights. Should those be made public, his name and reputation will be destroyed. As will yours, your mother’s, and that of the relative who inherited your father’s title. Anyone even distantly related to you will be ruined. And this little hobby of yours, yes, my dear, I have heard about that.” What might have been genuine admiration shone in his eyes. “It’s quite enterprising of you especially as the world seems convinced you don’t need the money. That endeavor will be at an end.” He smiled and settled back on the sofa. “Of course as your future husband it would be in my best interest to make certain such documents never see the light of day.”
Her stomach churned and she struggled to keep her tone level. “I can’t imagine that anything that would incriminate my father wouldn’t point a finger at you as well.”
“Come now, surely you don’t think I would be that stupid. Actually, my evidence makes me look fairly good. Oh certainly, I might appear a bit of a fool, taken in by the duplicity of an older man, the father of the woman I love but no worse than that.” He smiled. “It wouldn’t take much you know. Documents delivered anonymously to the right official. Or perhaps a whisper into an eager reporter’s ear. Even if nothing came of it, gossip and rumor alone would be enough to destroy everyone you care about.”
She narrowed her eyes. He was right of course. The scandal would be enormous. Her father’s name would be dragged through the mud and everyone else in the family along with it. Her mother would never survive the disgrace. She did not deserve this, nor did Simon. There had to be some way to escape Cyril’s clutches.
“I’ll consider it.” She rose to her feet.
“Consider it?” He chuckled and stood. “My darling, Theodosia, I’m afraid you misunderstand. There is nothing t
o consider. You have very little choice.”
He was right, at least for now. What she really needed was time to come up with a plan.
“I refuse to ruin Christmas and a New Year’s Eve gala my fiancé’s family is planning with the kind of gossip that ending our engagement will cause.” She thought for a moment. “However, I will break it off with him on the day after.”
“I’m afraid I can’t agree to that.” He shook his head. “Mother is growing impatient and I am perilously low on funds. We have kept my reappearance circumspect thus far but Mother would like to announce to friends and family and the rest of the world the resurrection of her lost son on Christmas Day. I want you by my side when she does so.”
“On Christmas?” She stared at him. Christmas was a scant nine days away.
“It seems appropriate given it isn’t every day one returns from the dead.”
He had her exactly where he wanted her, at least for now. Helpless rage swept through her and her fists tightened by her sides.
“As I have no choice.” She shrugged. “Fine.”
He studied her closely and she resisted the urge to squirm. “Do keep in mind that, should you renege on our agreement, I would not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to remove Mr. Channing from your life.”
“Am I to take that as a threat?”
He smiled. “Yes.”
“Very well then. I do not expect to see you again until Christmas.” She nodded at the door. “Good day.”
“Now, now, Theodosia.” Without warning, he grabbed her and yanked her into his arms. “I love it when you try to act as if you don’t want me as much as I want you.”
She clenched her teeth and ignored the frisson of fear that skated up her spine. “Release me at once.”
“You were always very good at saying no when you meant yes. You liked it, you liked this.” He tightened his hold and murmured against her neck. “And you will like it again.”
She pushed against him but he was surprisingly strong for a dead man. “I wouldn’t wager on it, Cyril.”
“Nor would I.” Mother’s cool tone rang from the doorway. “I suggest you unhand my daughter at once.”
“Lady Sallwick.” Cyril released Teddy in the unhurried manner of a man who knew he had the upper hand. “How delightful to see you again.”
“You’re looking well, given your death,” Mother said pleasantly. “Now would you like to explain why you were grappling my daughter.”
He slanted an annoyed glance at Teddy, then returned his attention to her mother. “My apologies, Lady Sallwick, I was simply overcome with joy at being reunited with my beloved. You understand.”
“I understand far more than you imagine, Mr. Goddard.”
“Lord Nottwood, if you please.”
“Very well, Lord Nottwood.” Mother’s eyes narrowed. “Now, get out of my house.”
“Come, come, is that any way to talk to the man who is going to marry your daughter?”
Mother didn’t allow so much of a flicker of surprise to show on her face but then she had said she’d be listening at the door. “It’s the way I speak to the man who ruined my husband and, quite frankly, I thought I was being more than civil.”
“This is not the welcome I expected from you.” Cyril shook his head in a disappointed manner. “You used to like me. You were delighted when I asked Theodosia to marry me.”
“Well, I’m not known for my cleverness, Lord Nottwood. Ask anyone.” Mother smiled sweetly. Too sweetly and Teddy wondered exactly where her pistol was.
“Good day, Cyril,” Teddy said firmly.
“Until Christmas then.” He smiled. “And afterward, we shall plan our wedding. Mother will enjoy that. I think a grand affair is called for as befits our union. Good day, ladies.” Cyril nodded and took his leave.
Mother stepped to the doorway and waited until Jacobs saw him out. She closed the parlor door and leaned her back against it. “I am so sorry, Theodosia. This is my fault.” She shook her head. “I encouraged that man. I had no idea.”
“It’s as much my fault as it is yours.” Although most of the blame could be laid at her father’s feet. “I have always considered myself intelligent but apparently in this matter I was sadly lacking.”
“I won’t let you marry him.” Mother straightened. “I would rather face ruin than allow that.”
“Oh, I have no intention of marrying him.”
Mother ignored her and paced. “We could sell the house. That would give us enough money to leave London, leave England altogether. Oh, we’ll certainly have to continue to be frugal but we could travel the world or start a new—”
“Mother,” Teddy said sharply. “I said I will not marry him but I might have to be his fiancée. At least until I can find a way out of this.”
“What if there isn’t a way out?”
“There must be.” Teddy paced in opposition to her mother’s steps. “Did Father tell you anything that might be helpful?”
“Nothing that I can recall, he was always rather vague about details, and it was four years ago.” She paused. “You know, your father never disposed of anything. He was something of a collector, although of nothing in particular. There might—”
A knock sounded at the door and it opened before they could respond. Jacobs blocked the opening as if he was trying to keep someone out. “I am sorry to interrupt you, my lady, but—”
Dee pushed her way passed him. “I told you this was no time for formalities. This is obviously a crisis!”
Mother’s eyes widened. “Good day, Delilah. How pleasant to see you again.”
“Lady Sallwick.” Dee nodded at Mother, her gaze shifting between the two women. “It is a crisis, isn’t it?”
Teddy and her mother traded glances.
“Crisis?” Mother said innocently. “Why, Delilah dear, we have no idea what you mean.”
“I mean I just saw Teddy’s fiancé, her dead fiancé not her current, living fiancé, leave this house not five minutes ago.” Dee glared. “I should think the fact that a dead man was here, apparently alive and well, would certainly be a crisis given the villainous nature of this particular dead man.”
“She knows, Mother.” Teddy sighed.
Mother winced. “About everything?”
“Most of it, I suspect,” Dee said.
Teddy nodded. “I’m afraid so.”
“Obviously, Delilah, you are excellent at keeping confidences,” Mother said. “I thank you for that.”
“Think nothing of it.” Dee waved off the thanks. “Teddy has kept more than a few secrets for me. Now, tell me everything. Why is he alive and what does he want?”
“It appears Mr. Goddard—Lord Nottwood—thought it best if the world considered him dead to avoid legal consequences of the scheme he had embroiled my husband in.”
“And what he wants now . . .” Teddy blew a long breath. “Is me.”
Dee’s eyes widened. “You? What do you mean?”
“He wants me to resume our engagement. He thinks it will give him respectability, especially with his mother who apparently controls the family fortune.”
“Yes, I can see that.” Dee nodded. “Then this is what had you so worried last night. Jack was concerned—”
“You can’t tell him about this,” Teddy said sharply.
Dee’s brow furrowed. “Why not?”
“Because he’ll want to help. He’ll want to be my hero. He’s very endearing that way but I neither need that nor can I allow it.” Teddy shook her head. “Cyril is dangerous and if I don’t do what he asks he’ll expose documents that detail Father’s less than legitimate activities. I don’t want Jack involved.”
“And Nottwood threatened Mr. Channing,” Mother said in an ominous manner.
Dee stared, then scoffed. “You can’t possibly be serious.”
“I tend not to doubt a threat coming from a man ruthless enough to let his own family think he is dead for four years!” Teddy glared. “Do you think I’m being o
verly cautious?”
“Yes, well, when you put it that way, probably not.” Dee thought for a moment. “You need a plan. Everything always goes much better when you have a plan.”
“I realize that.” Teddy’s jaw tightened. “I simply don’t have one.”
“Well then, it’s a good thing I’m here. I have always been excellent when it comes to plans.” Dee pulled off her cloak and hat and tossed them onto a chair. “Now then, you said Nottwood has documents?”
Teddy nodded.
“Documents . . .” Her mother’s brow furrowed in thought. “Papers.” Her eyes widened. “There is a trunk in the attic with all the papers from your father’s library, everything in his desks, at the abbey and here.”
“And it would seem to me . . .” The idea formed as Teddy spoke the words. “Cyril couldn’t possibly expose Father if he was threatened with exposure himself. If there is something in those papers of Father’s . . .”
“You could blackmail him!” Delight sounded in Dee’s voice.
Mother frowned. “I am not fond of the word blackmail.”
Dee stared. “But surely you can see how your blackmail makes his blackmail useless?”
“Oh, I’m not opposed to the practice of it, I simply don’t like the word. I much prefer . . .” Mother smiled. “Retribution.”
Dee glanced at her friend. “I don’t believe I have ever seen this side of your mother.”
“No one has, dear.” Mother smiled and called for Jacobs to have the trunk brought down from the attic.
Jacobs was quicker than expected and in no time at all the trunk was opened in the parlor. It was filled nearly to the top with assorted papers, documents, and correspondence.
Dee looked at the trunk skeptically. “Do either of you have any idea what we’re looking for?”
“Something to do with stocks, perhaps,” Mother murmured.
“That’s at least a place to start,” Teddy said with far more confidence than she felt.
The women started pulling papers out of the trunk and within a few minutes decided it would be best to stack everything into piles according to topic and then go through it one stack at a time. A few minutes after that, they realized the project was entirely too large for the small table in the parlor and moved to the dining room table. Mother remembered a cache of correspondence she’d seen in a bureau drawer and went to fetch it. And a few minutes later, Dee sank back into a chair with a sigh. “It seems to me, this would be easier if we had any idea what we were looking for.”
The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) Page 29