An Elaborate Hoax (A Gentlemen of Worth Book 5)

by Shirley Marks

  Even from that distance, there was no hiding from Penny, nor the eyes of a few curious servants who soon gathered around her and whose unwelcome attention began to shift to him.

  “It was great fun!” Lucy announced. “We had the best time!”

  Davy was quite beside himself with a fit of the giggles and could not mimic his sister as was his habit.

  “But my dears, you are covered in . . . How is it you—” Penny, after a few false starts, decided on which question she wanted answered. “What have you two been doing?”

  Why did David feel as if he were the villain of all this? There would be some reckoning, no doubt. And to think on it, perhaps rightly so.

  “Goodness, just look at you!” Nanny did not sound pleased. “What’s happened to the pair of you?”

  “We fell into the mud!” Lucy joined her brother in a bout of giggles. “We slid right down Hercules’s back!”

  “Fell doooooow-n!” Davy finally managed and motioned with his arms the act of falling, then dramatically crumbled to the ground.

  “I can see that. Now you get to your feet, lad.” Nanny glanced at Penny and sighed. “You’re gonna need a good wash. What we will do with those clothes . . . I don’t know!”

  “Go with Nanny, if you please,” Penny instructed the children. By her expression she was clearly not half as amused with the event. Nanny, aided by two maids, ushered her charges away, and Penny’s focus shifted from them to David.

  He still had quite a ways to travel before he met up with her. By the time he arrived, Penny alone waited for him. She looked to be his antithesis in a light-colored round gown and a delicate, clean ivory lacy cap. David stood before her in all his dirt and said nothing.

  “You look dreadful,” she whispered.

  “I feel worse,” he confessed.

  “Are you hurt?” she uttered without emotion because she could not have cared.

  “Am I bleeding?” David glanced at his arms and then pressed his hands to his face, checking to see if there were telltale traces of blood. “I suppose I have firmly placed myself in your black books.”

  She remained silent.

  He would not blame her if she never spoke to him again. He sincerely hoped she would not pack up the children and leave the Willows for London that very afternoon. In the condition in which Lucy and Davy had returned, David might have put them in danger for all Penny knew.

  “The children . . . they are quite unharmed, you know.” He would never see harm come to them. Never. “Did you hear them? They actually enjoyed themselves, despite our misfortunes.”

  Again silence. What was she thinking?

  “Have you nothing to say?” He wished she would say something. Standing before her was becoming dashed awkward.

  “I am pleased none of you have been harmed.”

  That was it, then. She was merely cross with him.

  “Are you still angry?” he ventured. “Angrier, perhaps?” He paid particular attention to her face, watching for a reaction. David certainly hoped he was wrong about this, for he was well in the briars last night. “Perhaps it was not you who was vexed with me, but Mrs. Cavanaugh?”

  “Mrs. Cav . . .” Penny narrowed her eyes. It was the first real expression from her he had observed.

  “Caroline . . .” he clarified. David felt her coolness ebb when she broke eye contact with him and glanced at their feet. If he were not mistaken, the corner of her mouth softened as if a smile were contemplated. “We cannot continue in this manner. You must own that we remain at the Willows for my grandmother’s benefit, and it cannot be seemly if you and I are at odds.”

  “Of course not.” Her gaze met his once again. “I think I must apologize for my behavior last night. I had no right to—”

  “Please . . .” David made to raise his hand to stop her from saying more, but the act of creasing the arm of his jacket loosened a dried clump of mud and it fell to the ground, just missing his soiled boot.

  Penny suppressed a chortle. “I am sorry. I do not mean to laugh.” She cleared her throat. “Sir, I am not laughing at you.”

  “Say no more. I shall allow you bouts of madness if that is what you need to retain your sanity.”

  “‘Bouts of madness to retain sanity’? I am most certainly perplexed by your response.”

  David spoke softly, “I think our present circumstance may be causing both of us—” David paused, not wanting to say the wrong thing. “I think it best I apologize to you. If I behaved in such a fashion that might have disgraced my wife, you had every right, and indeed I am grateful. I had no notion my attention to Miss Lemmon would be perceived as flirtatious, for that was not my intention, and I, most sincerely, beg your pardon.” The act of bending his right knee to make a leg caused a chunk of dried mud to loosen from the right thigh of his buckskins and fall to the ground, not altogether soundlessly.

  Penny had the wherewithal to not laugh, chuckle, or snicker at the accompaniment to his gesture. David appreciated her composure.

  “I should beg Miss Lemmon’s pardon as well, but I can see your wisdom in thinking that my association with her should be kept to a minimum.”

  “That might be best,” Penny agreed.

  “I have learned my lesson. I shall show restraint in any future actions. Perhaps I will consult with you first. I only hope I can avoid causing a scandal, albeit only a local one.”

  “I’m certain your grandmother will appreciate that since this is where she resides.”

  “She would have me reside here as well, if the decision were left to her.” David’s attention grew less focused upon Penny, and he was beginning to notice the uncomfortable fit of his clothing. “I cannot understand why Gran insist I play lord of the manor when all I want is to see her health improve.”

  “The two may be related. I expect she should be very happy if you were to remain.”

  “I cannot do it, you know. It’s impossible.”

  “I know, but you must pretend it is probable.”

  “She can never learn the truth, any of it.” There were so many lies he had authored, keeping them hidden was becoming worrisome.

  “Then she must never do so.” Penny patted his shoulder, on a clean patch, before removing her hand. “Do not fret, sir. I believe all will be well in the end.”

  David sighed and wondered if it would indeed. He and Penny were managing to rub along tolerably well once again, at least for the present.

  “You have more than enough time to change your clothing. It is some hours yet before we leave for Mrs. Halifax’s.” She must have noticed his growing discomfort.

  The drying mud caused his jacket and buckskins to fit in a lumpy, bumpy fashion. David resisted pulling at the constricting material.

  “Thank goodness. I believe I am in need of a bath. And if Hendricks gives notice after setting eyes on me it will take me a great deal longer to dress for this afternoon’s entertainment.” A third chunk of drying mud dropped from his left arm and David sighed.

  “Oh dear, sir.” Penny covered her mouth with her hand, stifling her mirth. “How could anyone be angry at someone covered from head to toe in mud?”

  How, indeed. David excused himself and hoped trouble would follow him no further.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The crunching of the wheels was the only sound Penny heard while sitting in the coach with David on their way to the Halifax residence. She could not believe the discomfort between them lingered since their civil conversation of some hours before. Had they not made peace then? She thought both had agreed they needed to remain civil to maintain their charade.

  Her current unease began when David had stepped into the transport and taken the opposite seat. Once settled, he spent what Penny thought was an inordinate amount of time gazing at her. It seemed as if he were taking in every detail of her long-sleeved, cream-colored round dres
s beneath her blue pelisse.

  The perusal of her gown was followed by scrutiny of her satin-trimmed straw bonnet with a ribbon tied firmly under her chin. Penny would admit her wardrobe was far from the latest fashion and hoped she would not receive censure for that. She had only had an hour’s notice before leaving for Dorset, not near enough time to assemble a new wardrobe.

  Penny could feel her cheeks warm at the unwarranted inspection. With her reticule held tightly in one hand, she drew her Lyonese shawl around her shoulders and lowered her chin, using the wide brim of her bonnet to shield his view of her face.

  Why did he stare at her so?

  This went beyond the pale. She refused to be intimidated by him and would tolerate it no longer. As she looked up, the rising brim of her hat revealed David still gazing at her.

  “You look quite well, and your face is not hurt, I see,” she said.

  “I am as I had thought, quite unharmed. I am happy to report that Hendricks remains in my employ, at present,” he replied. “I expect part of the reason is it would be impossible for him to find another position. When we return to Town, it may be another story. He may abandon me. I might find myself without his discerning eye.” Under his breath he uttered, “What shall I do then?”

  “I believe your valet is quite devoted to you. He has been in your employ for some number of years, has he not?”

  “Yes, but he is sometimes temperamental.” David glanced skyward and sighed. “I wonder why I put up with him.”

  If anyone needed to be tolerant, it would be the valet for his master. David’s morning birdsong routine alone would cause any servant to flee the household. No, Mr. Hendricks was completely loyal to his employer, and David need not worry.

  “How do the children fare? Of course, they are young and when one has youth one can withstand much.”

  “Nanny has tidied them up, given them something to eat, and I expect soon they will be entertaining your grandmother with tales of their adventure.”

  “What are you saying?” David sat forward a bit. “Do you mean to tell me they will be visiting Gran on their own?”

  “I beg your pardon. I forgot to tell you.” Penny felt as if so much had already occurred that morning, and recalling every detail was becoming quite a chore. “Dr. Harding came to check on your grandmother. He says she is quite well. She is better than well, actually.” Penny could meet David’s gaze as they spoke now. “Mrs. Sutton and I are afraid we may soon find Madam racing up and down the corridor. She is to begin exercises in preparation to walk.”

  “Walk?” David’s eyes widened.

  “The doctor maintains it is still quite a ways off, and she must strengthen her lower limbs first.”

  “Good gracious, I had no idea.” David leaned back against the squabs. “I’m sorry I missed him.”

  “He will return in a few days. You may speak to him in person then.”

  “Of course, you are right. I am relieved to hear such good news.” David’s once intrusive gaze now focused out the window on the landscape that passed.

  Penny was glad his attention had moved away from her and she could now begin to relax in his company.

  They sat in silence for some minutes before he commented, “It is a fine day, is it not?”

  “Yes, it is,” she replied.

  “I first arranged an open transport for us but thought better of it when I saw the ominous clouds encroaching to the west.” David glanced out the window as if looking at the very clouds of which he spoke, but as they were traveling south and he faced east, it could not have been so. “It still may rain before the day is out.”

  “You have probably made a wise choice, then.” Penny had to own he was making an effort at polite conversation, and so would she.

  Their coach came upon another carriage and then another. The small group turned off the main road and continued onto a long drive leading up to a large country estate.

  “I do not wish to raise any unpleasantness between us, but I wish you to know I’ve had quite a bit of time to think about what you said last night,” he began.

  “I cannot say I recall my exact words. I only remember I was vexed.” Penny thought they had settled the matter and truly did not want to speak of it again.

  “It is that I realize attending Mrs. Halifax’s party is not what you—either of us—would choose, truth be told. We only do so because it is Gran’s wish.”

  He was correct and Penny could not have stated it any more clearly.

  “To have it known you are my wife in this small, rural part of Dorset is one thing. If the news travels much farther . . . Well, we may as well place a Scandal sign on the door.”

  No one knew better than Penny. If their scheme were discovered, she and her family’s name would be disgraced. It would surely ruin her life.

  David took her Limerick-gloved hand in his and uttered most sincerely, “I would never wish to cause harm to you or your reputation. If it were known what we have done . . .” Emotion choked his words, making him unable to continue. He shook his head. “I will not allow it to happen. It cannot.”

  The coach stopped; the footman descended from the box and let down the stairs. David gazed into Penny’s eyes and vowed, “I will do my utmost to be a credit to Gran and to you.” With that said, the coach door opened. David alit first.

  Penny emerged from the transport. She took hold of David’s proffered hand and uttered a soft, “Thank you.” She turned her head to the right and her chin upward, taking in the large stone-and-brick manor standing before them.

  After moving away from the steps and a safe distance from the coach, David did not relinquish her hand but placed it upon his arm as they neared the front door. What waited inside the Halifax residence for them, she did not know. Whatever was about to happen, they would have to face it together.

  “Oh, Mr. Cavanaugh, I am very afraid there may be someone acquainted with me from Town inside.” Her voice held a tremor he may have felt in her hand that rested in the crook of his arm.

  “I find that highly unlikely. We have already established that the Pelfry party will not be in attendance. Other than Sir Benjamin, who would know Mrs. Parker?”

  “I suppose that is yet to be determined. I truly do not wish to find out, sir.” She drew in a deep breath to steel herself for the coming events. Meeting the surrounding neighbors and those in the nearby village remained an unrealized nightmare.

  He urged her on with a whispered, “Have strength, my dear.”

  The front door opened, and David had barely escorted Penny inside before a high-pitched female voice trilled, “Oh, la! They are come at last! Our guests of honor!” The diminutive woman, not an inch over five feet tall in a puce gown and ostrich feathers waving above her head, sweeping toward them with her arms outstretched in welcome, could only be Mrs. Halifax. “Oh, my dear Mr. Cavanaugh—David, how good it is to see you!”

  Music from a harpsichord and string quartet wafted up, about, and around them, providing a pleasant backdrop for the party. It seemed the musical portion of the afternoon had begun without them.

  “Mrs. Halifax, it has been far too long.” David bowed and caught one of her hands to place a kiss on it.

  “You must, you must make me known to your . . . there she is . . . Mrs.—”

  He stared at Penny and he must have realized, as she had at that very moment, they were starting on a path where retreat would be impossible.

  “Ah, yes. May I present Mrs. Cavanaugh? My dear,” he said to Penny, “Gran’s best and dearest friend, Mrs. Halifax.”

  “How do you do?” Penny replied to their hostess.

  “I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Cavanaugh. Welcome! You must enter my home, both of you.” The elder woman drew them into the foyer. “Tell me, David, how does dear Lucinda go on?”

  However, Mrs. Halifax did not leave poo
r David an opportunity to answer.

  “I know she is much improved and all because you are here! I have not visited since your arrival. She has had such a time, having a houseful of family in attendance, the neighbors, and Dr. Harding stopping by. She begged me not to come for a bit, and I quite understand.”

  Penny and David exchanged glances. No, there would be no comments from either of them at this time.

  “Then I came up with the idea of planning a bit of a diversion for you. Lucinda thought the idea inspired, but of course she is unable to attend. We know she cannot, not this time. But I have made my sister, Mrs. Dunhurst, promise she will return for an encore performance when Lucinda is recovered and feeling much better. I do hope you are still in residence and are able to attend.”

  “That would be a shame,” he whispered. Penny squeezed his arm. She wished he would not be rude! Hadn’t he promised to behave himself?

  “What was that you said, dear?” Mrs. Halifax stopped talking and tilted her head to better hear him.

  “I said it would be a shame to miss her performance.” An equitable smile graced his lips.

  “But you will not because this afternoon she sings for you!” She clapped her small hands with glee. “Allow me to introduce you to the other guests, my dear,” the hostess said to Penny. “David, you will find Mr. Halifax in the library through the west door in the red salon if you should like to keep his company.”

  “I think I will remain with you ladies,” he remarked rather thoughtfully, then added, “You’ll only talk about me behind my back.”

  “Oh!” Mrs. Halifax slapped him playfully on his arm and giggled. “You are very naughty to suggest such a thing!”

  Penny removed her hat and pelisse and David his hat and gloves, preparing to spend the next few hours at the mercy of Mrs. Halifax and her plans for the afternoon. She led the way from the foyer through the red salon, chattering the entire way.