by Rakes Reward
‘Ah, I see.’ Hugo gazed into the fire for several moments, considering. Then he looked up again, and said, ‘That is not, perhaps, surprising…given her background. And I can fully understand why she slammed the carriage door in your face. She would have been far from pleased by your refusal.’
‘She was as mad as fire,’ Kit agreed, smiling sardonically as he remembered how passionately she had responded to him, and how furious she had been at her own weakness. There was nothing to be gained by denying his involvement, but it would not do for Hugo to learn the whole. ‘However,’ he continued, ‘given your revelations about who she is, I fancy I ought to grant her request.’
‘Twelve thousand pounds? That would be remarkably generous, Kit. Especially given your feelings about the Dowager.’
‘Nothing has changed there. It will please her not one whit to have to admit that Kit Stratton has generously forgiven such an enormous gaming debt.’ He nodded reflectively, watching his brother’s reactions from the corner of his eye. Hugo’s worried look had faded. ‘Now that I come to think on it, it should be worth all of twelve thousand pounds to see the proud Lady Luce thus humbled.’
Hugo closed his eyes and shook his head despairingly. ‘Having failed to dissuade you once before on that topic, I shall not interfere again. As to Miss Beaumont, I suppose I should—’
‘You are satisfied, I hope, Hugo?’ said Kit quickly.
‘I accept your word, naturally. And since it appears that no one saw her with you except myself… Very well, Kit. I would not damage a lady’s reputation without cause. I shall say nothing.’
‘Even to Emma?’
‘I shall suggest that she calls on Lady Luce.’
Kit choked. ‘She would not dare!’
Hugo grinned, shaking his head. ‘Of course she would. Emma will see it as a challenge. She will set about reconciling the two families, and taking up Miss Beaumont, just as she always intended. No doubt Emma will discover more about the virtuous companion in half an hour than I could do in a week of asking. I would say, Kit, that you should resign yourself to enjoying much more of Miss Beaumont’s company than you had expected. Unless you wish to forgo your visits to Fitzwilliam House?’
‘Certainly not,’ Kit said promptly. ‘If Miss Beaumont should happen to be here when I call, I dare say I shall learn to adjust.’
Checking yet again that the wafer was firmly affixed to Mr Stratton’s letter, Marina let herself in to the Dowager’s drawing room. She knew exactly what she was planning to say, having spent another sleepless night worrying about whether her ruse would work. Now, she was about to find out.
Marina walked quietly across to the window, and the Dowager’s chair. Lady Luce’s eyes were closed, but Marina did not think she was asleep. It was too early for that.
‘Don’t just stand there, girl,’ snapped the Dowager, without opening her eyes. ‘There is nothing wrong with my hearing, even when my eyes are shut.’
Marina fought back a nervous laugh. She must appear normal. Holding out the letter towards the Dowager’s motionless figure, she said, ‘A letter has been delivered for you, ma’am.’
Lady Luce half opened one eye. Then she sat up straight and took the letter, studying the handwriting. ‘Don’t recognise that fist,’ she said, casting a suspicious look at Marina. ‘Brought round this morning, was it?’
‘I am not sure quite when it was delivered,’ said Marina, who had decided to stick as closely as possible to the truth. ‘Clearly, no reply is expected, since the messenger did not wait.’
‘Hmph.’ Lady Luce broke the seal and spread the sheet, then raised her glass to read.
Marina held her breath.
‘The blackguard!’ cried her ladyship almost immediately, throwing the paper to the floor and gripping the arms of her chair with her claw-like hands. ‘How dare he? He condescends to make me a gift of twelve thousand pounds, because my intermediary has asked it of him! It is a foul lie! I would not send an intermediary to give him the time of day! And then he is pleased to inform me that he will call tomorrow to return my vowel. To laugh in my face, more like!’ She paused to draw breath, temporarily exhausted by her tirade.
‘May I read the letter, ma’am?’ Marina asked as calmly as she could.
‘If you must,’ said the Dowager, with a dismissive wave in the direction of the paper on the floor.
Marina retrieved the letter and glanced at it, as if she were reading it for the first time. ‘Perhaps one of your friends spoke to Mr Stratton without asking your leave, ma’am,’ she suggested gently, watching for any signs of a further burst of fury. ‘If so, he or she has saved you a vast deal of trouble.’
‘Confounded impudence,’ muttered Lady Luce. ‘If I find out who has dared to interfere in my affairs, I shall—’ She stopped and looked searchingly at Marina. ‘Why are you defending this so-called intermediary? Mmm?’
‘I know very few of your friends, ma’am, so I am hardly in a position to defend them. I was thinking only that, since the debt has caused so much difficulty with…between yourself and the Earl, it was a blessing that it no longer had to be paid.’
‘Blessing? Believe me, my girl, it is no blessing to be beholden to Kit Stratton.’
With that sentiment, Marina was in total agreement.
‘And if the price is to permit that young ne’er-do-well to lord it over me, I shall never accept—’
The door opened. ‘Earl Luce, m’lady,’ announced the butler.
Lady Luce uttered a very unladylike curse.
Heavens! Now I am truly in the suds, Marina thought.
The Earl strode into his mother’s drawing room with a look of grim satisfaction on his face. The Dowager eyed him with disdain as he bowed over her hand. ‘Good morning, Mama,’ he said politely. ‘I trust I see you well.’
Without waiting for a reply, he turned to Marina and looked her up and down assessingly. ‘I did not expect to find you here still, Miss…er—’
‘Beaumont,’ snapped the Dowager. ‘I will have you know, William, that Miss Beaumont is going nowhere at your behest. She is worth a dozen of those milk-and-water misses by whom you set such store. And I intend that she shall stay.’
Marina’s eyes widened in surprise. Did Lady Luce really mean—?
‘We will discuss that later, Mama. In private,’ said the Earl, so angrily that his jowls shook. He paused, took a deep breath and tried to regain control of his plain features. ‘We have weightier matters to discuss at present—your little…difficulty, Mama. I know you doubted my ability to raise so much money in so short a time. But you were wrong. I have brought you a draft for twelve thousand pounds.’ He patted his pocket. ‘At no small inconvenience to myself, I may add. I had to go into the City to conduct the final negotiations for this loan myself—’ his distaste for the whole process was very evident ‘—but of course I had no choice. No matter how great the burden on my estate, I could not let it be said that my mother would renege on a debt of honour.’
Marina could see that the Dowager was grinding her teeth more and more with every word he said. She waited for the inevitable explosion of wrath.
Lady Luce looked up at her son’s face. He clearly thought he had gained the upper hand at last. ‘You have put yourself to a vast deal of trouble, William,’ she said crisply, ‘and without there being the least need. I do not need you to lecture me about honour. I suggest you take your twelve thousand pounds and put it to good use. Buy Charlotte a new gown. Anything would be preferable to that puce monstrosity she was wearing t’other night.’
‘But you owe—’
‘I owe nothing, William,’ said Lady Luce, raising her voice a little so that the sarcastic tone was very marked. ‘I no longer have a debt to Kit Stratton. I can handle my own finances perfectly well, without interference from you. And now, if you will excuse me—’ she rose from her chair and began to make her way to the door, her full skirts swaying as she moved past him ‘—Miss Beaumont and I have an engagement this morning.
’
‘But I went—’
‘Good day to you, William,’ said the Dowager firmly, without turning round. ‘No doubt you will find your own way out. Come, Marina.’
Marina did not dare to meet the Earl’s eye. He looked as if he was about to suffer a seizure. And no wonder. The Dowager, it seemed, would do anything to spite her son. Anything. Even if it meant accepting a favour from a man she detested as much as Kit Stratton.
Chapter Eleven
There had been no engagement, of course, though Lady Luce had called for her carriage and driven around the park in order to make good on her remark to her son. And she had spent almost every moment of their outing in berating, first, her son and then Kit Stratton. It was difficult to judge which of them she hated more. Marina had guessed that it was very much a matter of timing. The Dowager had used Mr Stratton’s offer to outmanoeuvre her son, without thinking about the consequences. Those would come on the morrow, when Mr Stratton called on her to return her vowel.
Marina doubted that her ladyship would be able to control her temper in the face of such provocation, even though she now had no way of repaying the debt. It would have been quite amusing, had it not been so serious for Marina herself. The problem of Sir Hugo Stratton remained. Marina had had no reply to her latest letter to Mr Kit Stratton. Perhaps he would simply ignore her pleas? After all, why should he have any desire to oblige her? She had left him with the impression that she despised him—at least, that had been her intention.
She remembered, then, that low laugh as the door was slammed in his face. That could not be the reaction of a vindictive man.
She would have to be patient and await his response. Somehow, she was now sure that there would be one. He was not a man who would simply ignore a cry for help, especially from a lady.
How on earth did she know that? She knew nothing about him, except that he was an out-and-out rake, and that none of the matchmaking mamas would trust their daughters anywhere near him, even though he was lately become very rich indeed. The Dowager was of the firm opinion that he would be a rake until the day he died, that, since the title was settled on Sir Hugo and his sons, there was no need for Kit to set up his nursery at all. Indeed, according to the Dowager, ‘twould be better so, since a ne’er-do-well such as Kit Stratton did not deserve to inherit anything at all.
Remembering how her uncle had spoken of Hugo Stratton, Marina was not surprised that provision had been made for the scapegrace youngest son. Uncle George had always said that Hugo Stratton was the most honourable and upright of men, and that he cared for those who were less fortunately circumstanced. Strange, then, that Kit should be so very different in temperament. He—
Her musings were interrupted by a sharp tap on her door with a summons from Lady Luce. She required Marina’s presence in her drawing room immediately. Company had arrived.
It could not be Kit Stratton. That was certain. He was not expected until the morrow and, given the animosity between him and the Dowager, it was highly unlikely that he would set foot in her house one moment before it was necessary.
‘Ah, there you are, child,’ said Lady Luce as the door closed behind Marina. Her ladyship sounded remarkably amenable for once, Marina decided.
Lady Luce turned to a visitor who was concealed by the back of the sofa. ‘Come in, do,’ said Lady Luce again, beckoning Marina forward. ‘I wish to present you to Lady Stratton.’
Lady Stratton! Sir Hugo Stratton’s wife—beautiful, elegantly clad in rich blue velvet with a feathered hat perched on her golden curls—sat perfectly composed on Lady Luce’s damask sofa.
Lady Luce said formally, ‘You will allow me to present Miss Beaumont, who is recently become my companion. She is related to the Blaines, but her family hails from Yorkshire. I dare say London is more than a little overwhelming after all those empty moors.’
Lady Stratton smiled up at Marina and extended her hand. ‘Oh, I doubt that Miss Beaumont will allow a little dirt and noise to overset her,’ she said. ‘Miss Beaumont, I am delighted to make your acquaintance.’ She pressed Marina’s hand in a way that seemed significant.
Marina frowned a little, and stared into the loveliest pair of blue eyes she had ever seen. There was nothing to be read there other than innocence—and a hint of amusement. If Lady Stratton was come as envoy for her brother-in-law—and what other reason was there?—she was not about to reveal it. Marina could not help responding to that seductive smile and the friendliness in those beautiful eyes. Maybe—
‘Oh, do sit down, child,’ said the Dowager testily. ‘I cannot be doing with you towering over us in that way.’
Lady Stratton laughed. ‘I have often wished to be taller myself, ma’am,’ she said, ‘for my husband mocks my lack of inches. His brother is even worse, I have to say. But then, what else is one to expect from such a rogue as Kit?’
The Dowager snorted.
Marina had by now become well used to interpreting her mistress’s eloquent snorts and grunts. This time, it betokened a cynical agreement with her visitor’s comments.
Lady Stratton looked, with considerable amusement, towards her hostess. Then she said, perfectly politely, ‘Our families have not been much in the habit of social intercourse, ma’am. That is partly because we spend so much of our time in the country. My husband is not much taken with London Society, as you may know. However, we are fixed here for a little time and I was hoping to persuade you, ma’am, to honour us with your presence at a small musical soirée we are holding on Saturday.’ At the sight of the Dowager’s visible hesitation, Lady Stratton leaned forward and said, ‘Oh, do say you will come. And Miss Beaumont too, of course.’
Lady Luce hesitated still, but it was clear, to Marina, that she was not immune to her elegant visitor’s enormous charm. Looking shrewdly at that lovely face, the Dowager said sharply, ‘Will your brother-in-law be present?’
Lady Stratton’s musical laugh filled the room. ‘Oh, I doubt it, ma’am. I very much doubt it. Kit does not make a habit of frequenting the salons of respectable ladies, even those to whom he is related. Besides, his presence would be like to frighten off most of my guests!’
Even Lady Luce could not contain her amusement at that. Marina frankly laughed, inspired by their visitor’s open gaiety.
‘Yes,’ said Lady Stratton, turning towards Marina, ‘an outrageous thing to say, was it not? Even if it had the merit of being true. Have you met my brother-in-law, Miss Beaumont?’
‘I fear she has,’ said the Dowager acidly.
‘Indeed? How very interesting.’
Marina closed her eyes for a moment, praying that Lady Stratton would not pursue the point. If she discovered that Marina had visited Méchante’s gambling house, she would immediately withdraw her invitation.
‘Tell me,’ continued Lady Stratton, smiling in a way that seemed to envelop Marina with her charm, ‘what did you think of my brother?’
‘I…I…’ For a moment, Marina was completely at a loss. ‘He is…most striking,’ she stammered. ‘So very tall.’ Good grief! What was the matter with her? She was rambling like an idiot. ‘That is…he…’
Lady Stratton reached across and laid her hand on Marina’s. ‘You are very tactful, Miss Beaumont, and I thank you for it, but there is no need, I assure you. I am only too well aware of Kit’s shortcomings, which are many. He is certainly both tall and striking. I have known impressionable young ladies who swooned at the mere sight of him. That was before he went abroad, of course. These days, innocent young damsels are usually forbidden to look on Kit at all, lest one glimpse of those handsome features should corrupt their morals completely.’
Marina could hardly believe her ears.
The Dowager chuckled wickedly. ‘Quite right, too,’ she said. ‘Kit is a great deal too handsome. And, by all accounts, he has a most persuasive way with the ladies. Can’t say I’ve seen it m’self. Seems an arrogant young puppy to me. Plays a fine hand of cards, though.’
That brought Marina b
ack to earth with a jolt.
Lady Stratton rose, drawing on her fine kid gloves. ‘I must go. It has been a pleasure to talk to you, ma’am. Kit warned me that you were both forthright and honest. I only wish there were more in London of like mind. Society affairs can be so very dull, do you not agree?’ She extended her hand to Lady Luce, who was nodding in agreement. ‘I may expect you on Saturday, I hope? Both of you?’
Without so much as glancing at Marina, Lady Luce said, ‘Yes, ma’am. You may. And if I should chance to see that brother of yours there, I promise you that I shall not permit our morals to be corrupted in any way. Who knows, if we really tried, we might reform him.’
Smiling, Lady Stratton shook her head. ‘That, I fear, is most unlikely. All London knows that Kit Stratton is quite beyond redemption.’
Kit’s Chelsea housekeeper had never before set foot in one of the grand houses in the west end of London. She was not altogether sure that she should be here now, but the Baroness had been very specific in her instructions and very specific about the rewards that Mrs Budge would receive if she carried them out.
The French maid who had brought Mrs Budge up the back staircase seemed to have a very high opinion of herself, almost as if the back stairs were not good enough for her. Mrs Budge knew better. A servant was a servant. A member of the nobility—such as the Baroness von Thalberg—would always have the power to order the lives of servants and to dismiss them on a whim. No wonder, then, that poor servants had to make a shilling or two in any way they could. How else would they live when times were hard?
Mrs Budge curtsied carefully towards the Baroness’s back. She was attending to her toilet at the dressing table and appeared to be applying very skilful and almost invisible make-up to her beautiful features. Her sharp eyes were watching her visitor’s every move in the mirror.