by Alec, Joyce
“The hackney,” she heard him breathe as Lord Wetherby’s tight smile caught his lips. “We were nearly run from the road.”
“I can only apologize,” Lord Wetherby replied, one hand pressed to his heart. “I was doing all I could to lose the carriage, evidently afraid that the lady who had been sitting in my own was now following me.” A loud groan issued from his lips as he shook his head. “Would that I could recall her face.”
“That does not explain why you stopped at my townhouse,” the duke said quietly. “You did not want to return home, I presume?”
“I dared not,” Lord Wetherby answered, his expression now pained. “From what I now recall, I told the hackney driver to stop abruptly, paid him hastily, and gave him a little more to continue driving through the London streets for a few more minutes, in the hope that the carriage behind me would not know that I had left it. Given that I dared not return home, I found my way through to the servants’ entrance and made my way into the house.” Rising to his feet abruptly, Lord Wetherby threw up his hands. “Why I decided to sleep, I do not know,” he said heavily. “When I try to remember more, my mind refuses to give me anything but darkness. I am quite certain that I all I have said thus far is quite true, but to try and recall any more seems quite impossible.”
Frederica let out her breath slowly, letting herself think carefully about what Lord Wetherby had said. She frowned hard, looking down at her clasped hands and trying to understand what exactly had occurred.
“It was by chance that you arrived here,” the duke said slowly, and Lord Wetherby nodded, still pacing up and down in front of the fireplace. “And given that you are struggling to recall a good many things and that your memory is so very fragmented, we are left with only two possibilities.”
“Oh?” Frederica looked up, seeing her uncle nod, his own brow furrowed deeply.
“One,” the duke began, ticking them off on his fingers. “You were entirely inebriated, Lord Wetherby, which I know that you claim you were not.”
“I will insist upon it, if I have to,” Lord Wetherby replied firmly. “I am quite certain that I only had one glass of brandy that evening and that, since then, have barely touched a drop of liquor.” His eyes turned back to Frederica, who smiled at him tentatively. “I wished very much to improve the poor impression that had been made upon Lady Frederica in particular.”
“Which you have done,” Frederica told him, making a glimmer of a smile appear. “What is the other option, Uncle?”
The duke cleared his throat. “The second option is that something was added to your brandy, Lord Wetherby. Something that might make you more compliant, more willing to go along with whatever was set before you.”
Frederica blinked rapidly, her heart picking up its pace as she saw how Lord Wetherby froze in place, his eyes widening as he took in the suggestion.
“There are plenty of things that could have been surreptitiously added,” the duke continued as Lord Wetherby stared back at him, clearly having never thought of such a thing. “Perhaps the person in question hoped that you might drink a good deal more but, when you did not, added this to your brandy so that their plan would succeed.”
“Their plan?” Frederica repeated as the duke nodded. “You mean to say that someone clearly wished for Lord Wetherby to step into the carriage and by doing so, be forced into matrimony?”
“The very same person who met you in the gardens last evening, Lord Wetherby,” the duchess said quietly. “They clearly believe that you promised to wed them and have since made no effort to do so. They cannot simply stand up in society and state that you have done so, for who would believe them?”
“Precisely!” Frederica exclaimed, also getting to her feet. “Therefore, believing that you have compromised this young lady, whoever she is, they are now attempting to force you into the very situation they believe you promised to her.”
Lord Wetherby ran one hand through his hair and blew out a long breath, dropping his head low as he did so.
“That would make a good deal of sense,” the duke said, looking down at his wife. “First by making certain that you were discovered in the carriage with her and, since that ploy failed entirely, to then discover you in the gardens with the very same lady.”
“But I am quite certain I did not make any such promise,” Lord Wetherby explained, throwing up his hands. “Lord Greenford would have made certain I did nothing foolish or untoward that night of the ball and, thereafter, I was in control of myself…or,” he continued, now looking a little doubtful, “as much in control of myself as I could be.”
Frederica moved toward him, seeing the confusion and the doubt on his face and finding herself eager to encourage him. “It is clear that you did not drink as much of the brandy as perhaps the perpetrator had expected,” she said as he lifted his head to look into her eyes. “Mayhap they thought you would take one drink after another and thought to add more of their concoction so that, when you finally came to stepping inside the carriage, you would be entirely unaware of the lady sitting there.”
“Until it was too late,” Lord Wetherby muttered, closing his eyes and appearing very distressed indeed. “I had not expected such a thing, I confess. But now that we have discussed it, I can see that the conclusions reached are viable.”
Frederica did not know what to say, looking from Lord Wetherby’s somewhat forlorn expression back toward her uncle and aunt, who sat quietly, looking at Lord Wetherby with concern flickering in their eyes.
“I am sorry, Lord Wetherby,” she found herself saying, as though it was she who had put him in this position. “If there is anything that I can do to help this situation, then—”
“The difficulty is, Lady Frederica, that I do not know what can be done,” Lord Wetherby replied, lifting his gaze back to hers. “I have no knowledge, not even a single thought, as to who might be behind these dark intentions and, as such, cannot think as to what I might do.”
The duchess rose. “What you will do, Lord Wetherby, is stay for dinner,” she said practically. “Uncle?”
“But of course,” the duke agreed as a faint smile lifted Lord Wetherby’s expression. “This is clearly a lot to accept and I am sure that a hearty meal will improve matters.”
Lord Wetherby let out a heavy sigh but smiled in gratitude.
“I thank you,” he said, bowing toward the duchess. “You are both very kind, particularly when I know that I have no cause to turn to you for assistance in this matter. I came only to explain why I found myself present in your house and yet the generosity you have shown me is more than I have ever expected.”
The duke and duchess shared a look and Frederica could not help but chuckle.
“You will find, Lord Wetherby, that the duke and duchess themselves have had a difficult foray through society,” she said as Lord Wetherby’s eyes rounded in surprise. “And, indeed, we would not turn away from you now, not when you are clearly in some distress. This is a most extraordinary situation, and it would not be right to permit you to traverse it alone.”
Lord Wetherby pressed one hand to his heart and inclined his head. “Then I am all the more grateful,” he told her quietly. “I do not feel as though I deserve such consideration.”
“Then you are mistaken,” Frederica told him, smiling into his eyes and finding that her heart seemed to lift as he returned it with one of his own. “For in the midst of difficulty, everyone surely deserves kindness and generosity.”
“Perhaps they do,” he replied as the duke rose to pour two glasses of brandy and the duchess rang the bell so that she might relay her orders about their additional guest for dinner. “But not everyone is willing to give it, Lady Frederica. You are one of the most generous young ladies I believe I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and I am greatly appreciative of your kindness, your goodness, and your willingness to come alongside me in this.” He reached out and took her hand in his, lifting it for a moment as he bowed—his action hidden from both the duchess and the duke,
who were busy with their own tasks. “Lady Frederica, I am very grateful indeed.”
10
The sheer nervousness that flooded him as he stepped into Lord and Lady Ambrose’s drawing room was so great that Percy wanted nothing more than to immediately turn on his heel and make his way from the room. But, lifting his chin and putting a smile on his face, he greeted Lord Ambrose quickly before bowing over Lady Ambrose’s hand.
“Thank you very much for your invitation this evening,” he said, pushing aside his fear that he would find himself in a difficult situation once more and that, this time, he would have no way of freeing himself. “And what are we to expect this evening?”
Lady Ambrose blushed furiously, her eyes twinkling as she looked back at him. “There is to be a performer this evening,” she told him as Lord Ambrose greeted their next guest. “A wonderful conjuror—or so I have been told.”
“How very intriguing,” Percy said, his brow lifting as Lady Ambrose giggled. “I look forward to that performance, Lady Ambrose.” Seeing the other guests coming into the room, he took his leave of the lady and stepped away, looking around the room but finding that, instead of feeling his usual interest and eagerness to greet and converse with anyone in his acquaintance, he was now a good deal more reluctant. He knew a good many guests here this evening, and some were already smiling at him in welcome. Yet Percy felt no such delight or encouragement. Instead, he was aware of the tension that coiled in his stomach, that seemed to wrap around his bones as he looked all about him. Just which of these acquaintances was attempting to coerce him into marriage?
“Lord Wetherby, good evening.”
Seeing Lord Greenford, Percy let out a quiet breath of relief, pasted a broad smile on his face, and made his way to join his friend. “Good evening, Lord Greenford,” he said, before looking around the others that stood in the small group. “And Lady Simmons, Lord Willerton, and Lady Prudence.” He bowed. “Good evening to you all.” A little surprised that Lady Prudence stood without her chaperone, Percy waited until they had all greeted him in response before he continued to speak. “And are you all looking forward to seeing this conjuror?” he asked, and Lady Prudence laughed, her eyes bright. “I take it, Lady Prudence, that you certainly are.”
“Indeed, I am,” Lady Prudence said, just as her chaperone moved back beside her, having perhaps been required to step away for a few minutes. “I have never seen such a thing before.”
“I have heard there are some well-known ones on the continent,” Lord Greenford said as Percy found himself listening with a little more interest than before. “I am not at all certain about the ones here in London. I presume that Lord Ambrose has found the very best, however. This evening’s performance will be sure to take our breath away.” He chuckled as Lady Prudence giggled, her eyes dancing as Lord Greenford grinned at her. Percy’s brow lifted as he looked on, wondering quietly to himself whether or not Lord Greenford was aware of just how much he clearly enjoyed Lady Prudence’s company. Lady Prudence was something of a flirt and giggled far too much for Percy’s liking, but she would find a good match in Lord Greenford—of that, Percy was quite certain. Perhaps he would suggest to Lord Greenford that he continue his acquaintance with her, in place of the apparent affection he had for Lady Frederica.
“The performance is to begin very soon, from what I understand,” said Lady Simmons, looking rather excited. “I do wonder what will occur. I have never seen such a thing before.”
“It will be most enjoyable,” Lord Greenford said commandingly. “Lady Prudence, might I ask if you would give me the pleasure of your company during the performance itself?”
Percy’s brows rose, looking from Lord Greenford back to Lady Prudence, who was, once more, giggling delightedly, her hand at her mouth. It took her some moments to answer in the affirmative, but she did so without hesitation, leaving Lord Greenford appearing very pleased.
“I did not know that you had an interest in Lady Prudence,” Percy remarked as the group disbanded. “I was about to suggest to you that I thought her an excellent match for you, but it seems that you have already come to that particular conclusion.”
Lord Greenford chuckled. “I think her very pretty and enjoy conversation with her,” he stated, looking back over his shoulder toward the lady. “I am glad that she has agreed to sit with me, however. I was not certain she would.” He looked back at Percy, his smile drooping just a little. “Although I do hope that you will not find yourself seated alone.”
Percy grinned. “I will be contented to sit alone, if I must,” he said as Lord Greenford frowned. “But I am sure that I will have an acquaintance here or there that I might choose to sit by.” His own smile dropped as he recalled the precise reason he was being cautious. “Although,” he continued slowly, “I will choose such a person with the greatest care.”
“And why would that be?” Lord Greenford asked, giving Percy something of a startled look.
Hesitating, Percy considered for a moment before he began to explain. He told Lord Greenford everything, keeping his voice low and seeing how Lord Greenford’s eyes widened in shock.
“I must ask you,” Percy finished, looking fixedly at his friend, “whether you are quite certain that I did not do anything untoward that night of the ball. The night when I was so very foxed that I treated Lady Frederica with such inconsideration.”
Lord Greenford’s brow was lowered, and for a few moments, he did not speak. Percy wanted to close his eyes and groan aloud, fearing the worst, only for Lord Greenford to shake his head.
“I am quite certain that you did not go into the gardens and pull a young lady with you, if that is what you are asking,” he said as a sheen of sweat formed across Percy’s brow as relief coursed through him. “Being, as I am, the most excellent of friends, I remained close to you for the rest of the evening, making sure that you did not do any such thing again. Knowing that you would have to apologize to Lady Frederica for your ridiculousness, I thought it best to spare you from having to do so with a good many others also.”
“Then you are quite sure of it,” Percy confirmed, seeing Lord Greenford nod. “I did not do as this lady—whoever she is—now believes.”
“I am certain you did not,” came the reply, and Percy closed his eyes and dropped his head, entirely reassured. “This must be a mistake.”
“But I cannot tell the lady so,” Percy replied, frustrated. “I do not know who she is, and even if I were to claim that I did not do as she believes, I am not at all certain that she would accept that to be the truth.”
“I see,” Lord Greenford muttered, his frown increasing all the more. “That is most extraordinary. Whatever are you to do?”
Percy shook his head, a scowl on his face. “I could not tell you,” he stated as Lord Greenford grimaced. “I spoke with the Duke and Duchess of Ellsworth as well as Lady Frederica last evening, and for the moment, the only thing that we could think to do was to continue on as before, but to make certain that I was being very cautious.”
Lord Greenford nodded slowly, his eyes darting away, looking from one side of the room to the other. “It could be anyone here,” he said surreptitiously. “Is that not so?”
“Indeed it is,” Percy replied as Lord Greenford continued to look around the room. “That is why you find me a little out of sorts this evening, although that does not mean that I expect you to sit by me during the performance.” He grinned at Lord Greenford. “Especially when you have Lady Prudence joining you.”
Lord Greenford smiled but it did not quite reach his eyes. “I will do all I can to assist you,” he said, leaning a little closer so that Percy had to strain to hear him. “I will be on my guard. Watching so that you are not as alone as you might feel.”
“I appreciate your willingness,” Percy replied, truly grateful for his friend’s support. “Let us hope that nothing untoward will occur this evening.”
* * *
“You appear to be a little more relaxed than you were last eve
ning, Lord Wetherby.”
Percy found himself smiling at Lady Frederica as she came toward him, leaving the duke and duchess a short distance behind as they continued their conversation with another guest. “Good evening, Lady Frederica,” he replied, smiling at her. Her beautiful green eyes were warm and filled with light, her smile delicate, and her golden curls tumbling down from the back of her head, with a few brushing her temples. Percy’s breath hitched in his chest as she came closer, finding himself a little overwhelmed by her beauty this evening.
“You are a little improved?”
“I am,” Percy replied, aware of just how much strain he had been under last evening. His mind had been filled with all that they had discussed, realizing that there was a good deal more to his situation than he had first anticipated. What had concerned him the most was the awareness that he had no idea who this particular lady—or ladies—might be and thus, he was to be left entirely in the dark, fumbling around in the hope that he would be able to find a chink of light. Thankfully, the evening had slowly improved with the conversation that he had enjoyed with the duke, duchess, and Lady Frederica. He had found Lady Frederica in particular to be very engaging, and there had even been laughter toward the end of the evening.
“I am glad,” Lady Frederica replied softly. “I had wondered if you would find this evening something of a strain, but it seems that you are doing very well thus far.”
“I have spoken to Lord Greenford,” Percy told her as Lady Frederica’s eyebrows lifted in gentle surprise. “I have told him all and he, in turn, has stated that he will be as much on his guard as I.” His smile lifted the corners of his lips. “I am certainly not alone in this.”
Lady Frederica held his gaze. “No, you are not, Lord Wetherby,” she said solemnly, a great deal of meaning in her words. “Nor shall you be for the remainder of the Season—or until you find yourself betrothed.”