by Ava Stone
“We met at Lady Eccleston’s al fresco last season.”
“Of course we did.” Cordie smiled at Bella. “You wore a lilac spencer, and I remember thinking how adorable you looked in it.”
“That is kind of you,” Bella demurred.
Cordie gestured back to the settee she’d just abandoned. “Do have a seat, and tell me what sort of help you’re in need of.”
Bella followed Cordie to the settee, and Lissy dropped into a chintz chair across from them. “Tell her everything, Bella.”
Bella gulped, nodded tentatively, then pressed on. “If I don’t find a husband—”
“Fiancé,” Lissy interrupted. “There’s no reason to marry the man.”
“Which man are we talking about?” Cordie asked, looking more confused by the second.
“Any man will do,” Bella hastened to explain. “As long as he isn’t my cousin.”
“Her horrid cousin,” Lissy threw in. She wasn’t certain what made Hellsburg horrid, but if Bella thought he was, she must have good reason.
Bella nodded in agreement. “You see, my grandfather is quite adamant that I marry my Prussian cousin when he arrives in England.” She snorted. “Says he has strong barbarian blood.”
“There’s something to recommend him,” Lissy added, disliking Hellsburg more by the second.
Bella shrugged. “Grandpapa seems to think it’s a noble trait. Johann certainly has the manners of a barbarian.” A beleaguered sigh escaped her. “He has the coldest blue eyes. Looking at him makes me shiver. And he’s impossibly mean. He barks and grumbles about nearly everything and...” Bella swiped at a tear. “Lady Clayworth, I’d rather convert to Catholicism and live the rest of my life out as a nun than marry my cousin.”
“Well, I should hope it wouldn’t come to that.” Cordie smiled sympathetically and squeezed the girl’s hand.
And Lissy took that break as the opening she needed to present her plan. “If Bella is betrothed before her cousin arrives, she won’t have to marry her cousin.”
Bella nodded quickly in agreement.
“All she needs is a borrowed fiancé, at least until her cousin returns to the continent.”
“Borrowed?” Cordie’s brow rose in surprise.
“Well, she may not want to keep him. I mean, what are the odds she’ll find the love of her life in the next fortnight?” Lissy shook her head. “That would be as likely as finding a needle in a haystack. We’d be better off finding a gentleman who wouldn’t mind being part of the ruse.”
Cordie frowned a bit as though she was sorting something out in her mind. That could only be a good sign.
“So you see,” Lissy continued, “I thought Lord Haversham might be convinced to be of service.”
Cordie’s frown transformed to a look of sheer horror in less than a second. “I hardly think he’d be a good candidate.”
“But you and Clayworth are such good friends with him.” And it wasn’t as though the man was really in search of a wife. He wouldn’t care one whit when Bella eventually cried off.
Cordie heaved a sigh and cast a rueful glance in Bella’s direction. “I adore Lord Haversham. We both do. I owe him a debt I can never repay, but I’m certain Lady Araballa would like to leave this pretend betrothal with her reputation in tact.”
To which Bella’s eyes rounded in fear. “Most definitely.”
“I’m certain Haversham could be convinced to help you, but he never helps without a cost, and I doubt you would want to pay his price.”
Heavens! Even Lissy’s face burned at the comment. Had Lord Haversham demanded some sort of payment from Cordie when he’d helped her a few years ago?
“No, I don’t think I would,” Bella finally breathed out.
Fine. Haversham was off the plate. “I thought about Edmund, but Fin refused to even listen to me.”
“You talked to Lord Carraway about this?” Cordie laughed. “What were you thinking?”
“That he might, for once, not be so blasted stuffy,” Lissy grumbled. “But, of course, he was. He doesn’t know any other way to be.”
Cordie quirked her a mischievous grin. “You’re always so hard on him.”
Someone needed to be. Saint Fin could do no wrong in anyone else’s eyes. It was nothing short of maddening. “Not that it does either of us any good.” Lissy shook her head as though to shake her annoyance with Fin from her thoughts. “But enough about him. We need to find a good candidate for Bella.” She sighed. “If only Tristan wasn’t already married.”
A laugh escaped Cordie. “Yes, I don’t think Phoebe would appreciate him taking a fiancée.” Then her eyes lit with joy. “But I think I know the perfect man for the job.”
“Who?” Bella asked, leaning closer to Cordie on the settee.
“A handsome fellow. Titled.” The countess shrugged slightly. “He keeps mostly to his country estate, but he owes my husband a rather large debt.”
“Who?” Lissy echoed Bella’s question, as she couldn’t imagine who in the world Cordie had in mind. If someone owed Clayworth a debt, why hadn’t Lissy heard about it?
Cordie avoided Lissy’s gaze, keeping her eyes on Bella. “Do you have aspirations for a love match?”
A blush stained Bella’s cheeks. “Aren’t such things fairy tales?”
Cordie’s wasn’t a fairy tale. The earl and countess’ love match was something to envy, and Lissy’s heart twisted a bit. How different her outlook on life would be if she’d met a man as loving, caring and devoted as Lord Clayworth. How different her life would be if Aaron had been who she thought he was.
“They don’t have to be,” Cordie said softly.
Bella shook her head. “I don’t want to marry Johann. He’s angry and unkind. Beyond that, if I end up married to a courteous man, that’s all I require.”
“I’ll speak to the gentleman I have in mind then, and I’ll report back.”
“And he is?” Lissy pressed.
“I’d rather not say until I’ve had time to speak with him, but his name and reputation are in tact. Bella’s family won’t find issue with him, you can trust me on that.”
Haversham would have to make an appearance at some point. From what Fin understood, the marquess frequented White’s as often as he frequented bawdy houses. Since Fin wasn’t about to seek the man out in one of those locales, White’s it would have to be.
The question plaguing Fin as he sat in one of the overstuffed chairs in the club, was what could he do or say to make the malevolent marquess swear off Lissy? After all, Haversham didn’t have a care for his own reputation; he certainly wouldn’t care about Lissy’s. So what could Fin do in regards to the man? Threaten to call him out? Threaten to—
“I know that look,” came a familiar voice, just a few feet away.
Fin turned his head to the right and smiled at his cousin, Sebastian Alder, the Earl of Peasemore. “What look is that?”
“The expression of complete frustration. Let me guess.” A wicked glint flicked in Sebastian’s eyes as he dropped into an overstuffed chair across from Fin. “Felicity Pierce is vexing you again?”
Fin couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him. “Hardly a lucky guess. When does the chit not vex me?”
Sebastian leaned forward in his seat, toward Fin. “Why don’t you just bed the girl, and get it over with?”
Bed Lissy? Fin’s mouth fell open. He could not have heard his cousin correctly. “I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me,” Sebastian said, settling back in his chair. “When is the last time you bedded a chit?”
Fury coursed through Fin’s veins. “In the first place, she’s not some chit—”
“You’re the one who just called her that.”
That was beside the point. He was annoyed with Lissy; he hadn’t intended to disparage her. “She’s my nephew’s sister.”
“She’s Georgina Teynham’s sister,” Sebastian added. “So I’m betting that’s the real reason you haven’t tossed up the girl’s skir
ts yet. But Georgie wouldn’t expect you to be a celibate the rest of your days, you know?”
Fin could hardly believe he was having this conversation. Of all the utterly ridiculous things for Sebastian to say. He’d never once thought about climbing into Lissy’s bed or dragging her into his. He cared about her, was all. He didn’t want to see her ruin her life or get hurt. That didn’t mean he wanted to bed her. Just because Sebastian would have an ulterior motive in looking out for Lissy’s best interests didn’t mean Fin did. “She’s a child.”
Sebastian tipped back his laughed. Loudly. Then he wiped a tear from his eye, which was quite irritating of him, really. “Are you trying to convince me with that drivel or yourself?”
Drivel? Had Sebastian gone mad? Fin simply gaped at his cousin, at a complete loss for words.
“The woman has been widowed for three years, Fin. And one look at her décolletage makes it more than apparent that she’s the furthest thing from a child.”
Had Sebastian been ogling Lissy’s bodice? Fin thought he might strangle his cousin before he took his next breath. “Stay away from her,” he growled.
Sebastian laughed again. “Do you think I want the madness that swirls around her to encompass my life?” He shook his head. “But you, on the other hand, seem to thrive on it. So bed her and get it over with. It’s the best advice you’ll receive today.”
“I will not bed her,” Fin barked. “And I cannot believe you would suggest such a thing.”
“You can’t believe it? Shall I say it again?” Sebastian teased.
“Say it again and we’ll be making a dawn appointment.”
Sebastian’s grin grew wider. “I just want you to find some happiness, cousin. Frustration doesn’t look good on you.”
“I am happy,” Fin bit out.
“Oh, you sound it.” Sebastian nodded toward a footman at the far end of the room. “Whisky.” Then he turned his attention back to Fin. “At least think about it. You seem to have a taste for St. Claire women, and she does look like a tasty little morsel.”
Before Fin could find the words to reply to his cousin, the Marquess of Haversham stepped into the club. It was about time the blasted man made an appearance. Haversham mumbled something to a footman and then started in the direction of the card room.
“Excuse me.” Fin rose from his spot and started across the room to intercept the marquess before he escaped into the din.
“Fin!” Sebastian called after him, but he paid his cousin no notice. After the man’s suggestion, he didn’t deserve notice. Bed Lissy! Of all the awful thoughts to put into Fin’s head. For God’s sake, he couldn’t even imagine kissing Lissy, let alone bedding her. She was like an errant little sister… Except she wasn’t his sister.
A second later, he stood in the marquess’ path. “Haversham,” he greeted the blackguard with a nod. “I’d like a word with you.”
“With me?” Haversham chuckled. “I’m the last fellow you want supporting whatever act you want pushed through the Lords, Carraway. I haven’t taken my seat for at least half a decade.”
The last thing on Fin’s mind was the treasury appropriations act. “Look here, Haversham, if Luke Beckford was here, he’d be having this conversation with you—”
The marquess’ brow shot upwards, a bemused expression settled on his face. “Beckford is an old friend. I highly doubt he’d ever say to me whatever it is that’s got you twisted up in a knot.”
That was most likely true. Then again, if Beckford was in Town, Haversham might very well keep his distance from Lissy without being warned to do so. “I can’t imagine that even Luke Beckford would want you spending time with Lady Felicity.” And he wouldn’t. Rogue that he’d been in the past, Beckford did seem concerned about his wife’s little sister.
Smugness exuded from the marquess and Fin had the overwhelming desire to crash his fist into the man’s jaw. What in the world was wrong with him? He was hardly the violent sort. Yet today he’d already threated to call Sebastian out and had the urge to punch Haversham in the face. Watching after Lissy was not conducive for one’s health.
“Not that I have to explain myself to you, Carraway, but the lady and I were just talking last night. Nothing more. So you can turn your stiff arse around and get out of my way.” Then he pushed Fin from his path and disappeared into the card room.
Fin stared after the marquess. Haversham might have just been talking to her last night, but Felicity was certain to approach the man with her mad scheme for Lady Arabella Winslett. And then what? She’d find herself a pariah, that’s what. He started toward the card room himself, but a hand on his arm halted him.
He looked over his shoulder to find Sebastian standing there, shaking his head. “You’re honorable. He’s not. Don’t start something you’re sure to lose.”
Fin scoffed. “I’m not about to let him ruin her good name.”
“Then keep a closer eye on her, but don’t engage him. Have you lost your good sense? He’s not the sort of man you can reason with.”
Reason had never entered Fin’s thoughts. “I was trying to threaten him,” he grumbled.
Sebastian shrugged just a bit. “If I didn’t find your threat credible, neither will he. Besides, the last thing you want is to have your name splashed about the society pages as having been caught brawling with the likes of him. He never pays pointed attention to any particular lady, and he moves from one to another like a bumble bee pollinating a garden. He’ll move on to the next flower in the blink of an eye. Just wait it out.”
But he couldn’t wait it out. That might have been an option if Lissy hadn’t decided the villain would make the perfect candidate for her ridiculous scheme. Not that he could divulge that bit of information to Sebastian. He couldn’t take the risk of putting Lissy or Lady Arabella in an unfavorable light. “I can’t take that chance.”
Fin shrugged out from his cousin’s grasp and quickly entered the card room. Haversham sat at the far end of the room at a vingt-et-un table, a lit cheroot hanging from his mouth.
Fin took a deep breath and then stalked across the card room. He pushed Haversham’s shoulder.
The man glanced up from his cards and scowled at Fin. “You are a nuisance, Carraway.”
There were certainly worse things one could be called. “You have a daughter,” he began.
“A fact of which I am most keenly aware,” Haversham drawled.
“When she’s of an age, you’ll do your best to look out for her. I’m just doing the same.”
“Except the lady in question isn’t your daughter.” Haversham’s smug expression was more than grating. “Nor is she even a relation of yours.”
“And yet I’m looking out for her anyway.”
“And why is that?”
“Because someone has to,” Fin replied.
“And Beckford’s in Derbyshire.”
“And Beckford’s in Derbyshire,” he agreed.
Haversham heaved a beleaguered sigh. “If you’ll leave me alone so I can get back to my game, I’ll promise to leave the lady alone.”
“On your honor?”
Haversham chuckled. “I have no honor, but you’ll have to take me at my word anyway as I have nothing else to offer.”
That, Fin supposed was true, and likely the best offer he would get from the marquess. He nodded his head in acceptance. “In that case, I’ll thank you and wish you good luck with your game.”
An enigmatic expression crossed Haversham’s face. “Very well, then I’ll wish you good luck with yours. Whatever it might be.”
Lissy pinched her cheeks as her reflection stared back at her, though she wasn’t really seeing herself. Ever since she’d left Clayworth House, her mind had been a jumble. Which titled gentleman owed Lord Clayworth a debt? A debt large enough for Cordie to call in the fellow’s vowels in order to help Bella? She said the man spent most of his time in the country. Who in the world could he be? Someone she knew, or…
A scratch sounded at her door and
she automatically called, “Come.”
“My lady,” Annie said as she stepped into Lissy’ chambers. “Crawford says Lord Carraway has arrived.”
Fin! Hadn’t she seen enough of him today? That was, of course, rhetorical. She’d seen enough of him in the previous twenty-four hours to last her a month, perhaps a year. “Please inform Crawford that I am not in at this hour.”
Annie made a face. “He’s not here to call on you, my lady. He’s here to escort you to the Rotherbys’.”
There were no less than half a dozen events that night. How in the world did Fin know she meant to attend the Rotherbys’ soiree? She folded her arms across her middle. “That infernal man,” she grumbled. Why was he so insistent on hounding her? She wasn’t his ward. She wasn’t his sister. She wasn’t even his niece. No matter she’d known him nearly all her life, she wasn’t anything to him. Not really. What she did and how she did it was none of his concern. “Please inform Crawford that I will be taking the Prestwick coach and that I am in no need of his lordship’s escort.”
Annie bobbed a quick curtsey, then slid back into the corridor.
Saying the words aloud had felt a bit liberating, but Lissy knew they were of no consequence. If Fin had come to Prestwick House, intent on escorting her to the Rotherby’s, it wouldn’t matter what she said. If she refused his carriage, he’d simply follow her there and watch after her anyway.
Heavens! Shouldn’t he be focusing on some sort of legislation? Some sort of act? Some upcoming vote? She heaved a sigh and dropped onto the edge of her four-poster, waiting for Annie’s inevitable return.
An intelligent woman wouldn’t fight the unavoidable, but giving in to his will irritated her to no end. It was no wonder Georgie had refused him time and again… Well, up until she sent him a letter when he was in India, finally agreeing to marry him. Was it possible her sister had missed his overbearing ways after he’d left for Bombay?
Just like clockwork, a scratch came at her door. “Come,” she called half-heartedly.
Annie stepped inside her chambers once more. “His lordship says that if you’d rather take the Prestwick Coach, he’ll send his back home. “