“It's too horrible for words,” Lydia wailed as she sat with Alexandra in a pair of matching gray wing-backed chairs before the hearth.
“Oh, Lydia, you don't have to tell me,” Alexandra said with compassion.
“But I do,” she insisted. “Word will get out, and rumors will fly. I'd rather you hear the truth from me.”
“But only if you're certain,” Aaron interjected from his perch on the settee.
Lydia's eyes fluttered closed as she began recalling the horror she'd endured. She found it easier to talk when she didn't have to look into their eyes. She purposefully glossed over the part where she'd discovered how truly atrocious her father was, though her words trailed off and she remained silent for a time as she thought back to that fateful night.
Wrapping her dressing gown tightly around her, Lydia slid from her bedchamber and tiptoed down the stairs. She'd been restless since retiring for the night and had finally decided to fetch a hot posset from the kitchen to aid her sleep.
With only sparse candlelight from the few remaining lit sconces as her guide, Lydia moved slowly, quietly, not wanting to stumble down the stairs and injure herself. As she reached the landing, she noticed a sliver of light beneath the door to her father's study. She paused, her heart saddening as she realized she had no desire to stop and speak with him as she might have done in the past. How quickly her feelings towards him had changed.
Sliding to the other side of the hall, she purposefully avoided walking near his study but still managed to hear another voice she recognized at once. Lord Whitworth was there. Curious, she pulled up short and held her breath as she slowly advanced towards the shut door. Pressing her ear against the wood, she strained to listen to the conversation taking place.
“I can assure you, you won't be disappointed,” Lord Whitworth promised.
“Did you get the girl I asked for?”
There was a moment's silence before Lord Whitworth drawled condescendingly, “Surely her disappearance a week after you mentioned your interest was not a coincidence.”
“But the paper's state her disappearance was not criminal. They mentioned something about a lover in America she was likely running away to.”
Lord Whitworth laughed confidently. “Clever cover up, wouldn't you agree?”
“So, you do have her?” Lord Phelps asked eagerly. Lydia instantly envisioned a dog drooling at the prospect of receiving some table scraps. It made her ill.
“Come to the den tomorrow directly after my match. If you don't show, I won't hesitate to sell her to the highest bidder.”
“It will take me some time to gather the funds.” The pitch of her father's voice had risen, indicating he was nervous.
“You have until tomorrow night,” Lord Whitworth barked, “or the girl will be sold to another.”
The sound of feet shuffling inside made Lydia's heart race. She backed away from the door and ran down the hall, back the way she'd come. Her breath was labored as she ran up the stairs at a rapid pace until she was safely back into her bedchamber, free to mull over all she'd overheard.
Who was the girl her father was referring to? She racked her brain trying to recall talk of a runaway. She had to confess that she'd been so focused on her own life as of late, she'd barely paid any mind to gossip, and now she was regretting it.
The next morning, tired from lack of sleep, Lydia went in search of the stack of papers her father kept in his study. She'd purposely waited until he'd gone to enter, hoping to search freely and undetected for the information she sought. Sitting in her father's leather chair, she began rifling through the papers until she found what she was looking for. The headline read: Miss Betterdon has run off to America.
Lydia read the article over and over again until she had every detail memorized. A se'nnight ago Miss Gloria Betterdon disappeared from the theatre, the paper reported. She'd paid a visit to the retiring room alone. They hadn't seen her since. Foul play was suspected at first, but it soon became apparent that Miss Betterdon had likely run away with a lover from America. The conclusion had come after a stack of letters between the pair had been discovered in her bedchamber. Her parents were heartbroken and were currently making plans to go after her.
Along with the article was printed a small sketch of Miss Betterdon. Lydia analyzed it, trying to recall if she'd ever seen the girl before, but came to the conclusion she hadn't. Stacking the papers neatly, Lydia put them back in place as she decided right then and there that she'd go to the boxing matches in disguise to investigate. If Lord Whitworth had truly abducted Miss Betterdon, she had to find out so she could save her.
So, foolishly she went, though her motives were nothing but heroic. It was easy to find her father among the crowds. She lurked in the back, keeping her eye trained on him the entire time. As soon as Lord Whitworth's match was over, she watched her father slink from the crowds and carefully followed him to the back of the building where a dark staircase led down underground. She held back, giving him time to walk the staircase alone before she quietly tiptoed down, hoping she hadn't lost him.
The stairs ended abruptly at a closed door. Her father must have gone inside. Inhaling deeply, she tried to act bravely as she hesitantly pushed open the door and stepped into the dark, smoke-filled room that housed at least a dozen men. A few of the men glanced her way then quickly lost interest as she dropped her gaze and slid to a far corner where she could hide in the shadows. She observed her surroundings with disdain as she waited. All the men present kept glancing eagerly to the front of the room as if anticipating some great show to begin.
Lydia watched her father tug at his shirt collar nervously as he picked up a glass of brandy and swallowed. Soon, noise at the front of the room startled all of them, and a hum of excitement filled the room. Lydia's gaze followed theirs to a spot in the wall that suddenly pushed open, revealing a hidden door. Lord Whitworth walked in, changed from his boxing breeches into elegant evening attire. In his arms was a young girl bound and gagged, her eyes looking fearfully around the room.
Lydia gulped. She was certain the girl standing before her was Miss Betterdon. Her hands began to shake. She had to do something to save her, but a quick glance around the room told her she was no match for all the men that were present.
Without any warning, Lord Whitworth began auctioning off Miss Betterdon, as if she were no more than an old painting from a deceased man's estate. With repulsion, Lydia watched as her father fought venomously for the prize, eventually winning.
Unbeknownst to her, she let out a loud gasp as her father went and claimed his prize, hurling vulgar comments at the frightened girl. She could not allow Miss Betterdon to suffer. She would seek help. Slipping from the room, she ran up the stairs and out the first door she could find. As the cool night air blasted her skin, Lydia took off running. She had to find the authorities and tell them what she had discovered before it was too late.
Her lungs burned from the exertion, but she refused to stop. She wasn't sure how long she'd run or how far she'd gone, but before she knew it, she was starting to feel faint from the night's events. She slowed her pace to a brisk walk when all of a sudden she felt thick arms come around her, pulling her forcefully to a solid chest as a cloth bag slid over her face, and everything went dark.
The next thing she remembered was being shoved into a carriage with the stranger, who tied her up and took her to an old, abandoned warehouse that smelled of filth and rot. He rudely explained to her that her father was trying to teach her a lesson before depositing her beneath some rotted floorboards where she remained for almost a full twenty-four hours before being miraculously rescued by Levi.
Lydia shuddered, remembering the horror she'd endured. She pried her tightly clamped eyes open to dispel the awful images from her mind as she focused on the rug beneath her feet, so she could continue her tale.
When she was finished, she felt Alexandra's arms wrap tightly around her shoulders, though no words were spoken.
“Your
mother needs you,” Aaron said softly.
Lydia's eyes widened. “I can't bear to tell her the truth of what father has done, what he's become.”
Aaron rose from the settee and stood before her like a giant. “I will go retrieve her and inform her of what has happened. I do not wish her to be alone when the news breaks.”
“Nor do I,” Alexandra replied sadly. “Your poor mother will be heartbroken.”
“I don't know how she'll survive.”
Aaron left at once while Alexandra rang for tea. She insisted that Lydia needed some fortification and had the maid bring a tray of leftover Banbury cakes as well. Though Lydia loved the small, currant-filled cakes, she found she had no appetite. She kept surreptitiously glancing towards the door, anxious for Levi to return with word or for Aaron to return with her mother.
Finally, to break the silence that strung out before them, Alexandra asked, “What will happen now? Between you and Levi, I mean.”
She smiled sadly at her best friend. “He says he wants to elope to Gretna Green, but now that I've had time to think about it, I cannot allow that to happen. It would not be wise for him to attach himself to a wife with such a scandalous family.”
Alexandra threw her head back and laughed.
“What is so funny?” Lydia asked, annoyed by her friend's response.
“You're funny, Lydia. And foolish. The only way to restore even a modicum of honor to your family is by aligning yourself with a powerful husband that has not a hint of scandal attached to his name. Levi's plan is ingenious. The shock of your elopement will be swallowed up by the more shocking news of your father.”
Lydia's lips curved into a thin smile. “I was hoping you'd say that. I was terribly worried you would find the union unfavorable in light of what it might do to your reputation as well. My marriage to Levi will make us sisters, after all.”
Alexandra's exotic, coffee colored eyes lit up. “I've always considered you my sister, but now it will be formal. In that case, can I divulge a secret to you?” Lydia nodded. Their heads bent together as Alexandra whispered gleefully, “You're going to be an aunt.”
“Are you certain? I mean, how do you know?”
Alexandra rolled her eyes. “The same way every woman in the history of the world has known. I haven't had my menses for two months.”
Lydia's hands clasped together excitedly. “Is Aaron pleased?”
“I haven't told him. I was planning to tonight, but then...”
“I interrupted things,” Lydia pointed out sadly.
“Do not feel bad, there is plenty of time to share the news with him. Tonight, we must take care of you.”
Lydia was about to tell Alexandra how much her kindness meant to her when the drawing-room door was opened and in walked Aaron and her mother. Rising from the chair, Lydia ran to her mother and threw herself into her arms.
Alexandra and Aaron held back as the two women embraced. Every woman in the room was in tears.
“Is it true, Lydia?” Lady Phelps asked into her daughter's hair.
“Yes, mother, though I wish it weren't.”
A strangled cry escaped her mother's mouth, causing Lydia's heart to ache. This was perhaps the worst part of what her father had done, seeing how he'd hurt her mother.
“I've known for some time that your father is a shame, though I could never have imagined how depraved he's become. We will be chased out of town in disgrace,” her mother wailed in agony. “No one will wed you after what he and Lord Whitworth have done.”
“That isn't true, mother. The Duke of Ludington has plans to wed me posthaste. He has promised to take care of us.”
“Yes, I have.”
All eyes turned as Levi strolled into the room. Lydia was torn between staying with her mother and rushing to his side. She finally decided the proper thing to do was to remain with her mother. “Well?” she asked, hating the suspense.
“I arrived at the station just in time to learn that the authorities had already been dispatched to the warehouse. They expect to have your father in custody tonight. I gave them the information I had regarding Lord Whitworth as well. They didn't seem surprised. I suspect they may have already been on to his criminal doings.”
“But what of Miss Betterdon?” Lydia asked with grave concern
“I told them about her as well. They will do what they can to help her.”
Lydia sighed with relief, trusting the authorities to do their job.
“So, everything is taken care of?” Alexandra asked.
Levi shrugged. “So it would seem. Now we just wait to see how everything unfolds.”
His words had double meaning. Lydia knew he wasn't just referring to her father's punishment, but the reaction of the ton as well.
Levi went and stood before Lydia and her mother. “My apologies, Lady Phelps, for the tragic circumstances of this night. Like your daughter was saying, I will take care of you both. Though it's uncouth to speak of such things, I feel that it is necessary to ease your mind a bit; your husband's windmill has dwindled to a nutshell. It was only a matter of time before he was summoned to debtor’s prison.”
“I've recently become aware of that,” Lady Phelps acknowledged stoically.
“I hope you will agree to let Lydia wed me, for I have every intention of taking care of you both and making certain you lack for nothing.”
“That's noble of you, Your Grace. Is that the sole reason you desire to wed my Lydia?”
Lydia looked up at his handsome face, and her heart flipped as he glanced down at her tenderly. “No. I love your daughter a great deal. My desire to care for you comes second to that.”
“How can I be certain that you won't end up like her father? Duncan was not a wastrel when I married him. He promised me the moon and the stars, too.”
Lydia's breath hitched at her mother's bold question, but truthfully, she wanted to know the answer as well. Her eyes penetrated Levi's as she waited for him to answer.
“I lack the ability to show you the future, Lady Phelps. Therefore, I cannot prove to you, without a doubt, that I won't. However, I can promise you that my heart will never stray from Lydia. She'll be the first thing I think of upon waking, and the last thing that enters my mind before falling asleep. Every waking minute in between will be consumed with her. I vow that my purpose in life will be to put her happiness above my own, to see that she always knows how treasured she is.”
All the eyes in the room watched him intently as he continued, “I can't promise you I won't make mistakes, for heaven knows I've already made plenty, but I can promise you I'll always admit when I'm wrong and endeavor to make my actions right. I stand before you an imperfect man, Lady Phelps, willing to try my hardest to make an imperfectly perfect woman forget about her pain, to make her realize that she's valued for the wild soul she possesses and that she's deserving of every good thing this world has to offer. If I've learned one thing in my life it is this; despite everything that has happened today, the sun will come up again tomorrow, but without Lydia by my side, my world will forever remain in darkness. Please don't resign me to that unthinkable fate.”
Levi's words made Lydia's heart swell within her as her tears of sorrow were placed by tears of joy. She glanced at her mother to gauge her reaction and was surprised to see the look of adoration that was upon her face. If Lydia had to guess, she would wager that Levi's impassioned speech had made her mother fall in love with the Duke!
“How long will it take you to acquire a special license?” Lady Phelps asked airily.
Everyone in the room laughed, a measure of tension evaporating. Lydia touched her mother's arm tenderly. “The plan is to leave for Gretna Green at once.”
Sadness filled Lady Phelps's eyes as she glanced at Lydia and lowered her voice, “But you've always had your heart set on being married in the chapel by Channing House.”
“Mother, that doesn't signify anymore, circumstances being what they are.”
“That isn't true,” Alexand
ra insisted, coming forward and standing boldly before Levi. “You can acquire a special license almost as quickly as you can ride to Gretna Green. Aaron will help you, Levi,” she added hopefully.
“But the Bann's would still need to be read in order to marry in the church,” he pointed out, practically.
Alexandra harrumphed. Turning to Lydia, she said, “It would appear that you'll need to be wed over the anvil. How romantic,” she drawled.
Lydia let go of her mother's arm and quickly linked hers through Levi's. Glancing upward, her gaze settled on his familiar brown eyes with the golden ring in the center. “I think it sounds terribly romantic. Whisk me away, my love, and make me your own.”
Levi chuckled as he pulled her into his arms. “As you wish, vixen.”
“Besides, who I marry is vastly more important than where I marry. It'll make a great story to tell our children someday.” Glancing at Alexandra, she added knowingly, “and yours.”
“Splendid,” Alexandra squealed gleefully. “Shall we all go with you then?”
“Darling,” Aaron said, stepping forth and placing his hands lovingly upon her shoulders. “It's not proper to invite yourself to a wedding. You must wait to be asked.”
Alexandra scoffed. “There's no room for formalities tonight, dear.”
“Then by all means,” Levi interjected, “go ready yourself, for we leave in an hours’ time.”
Suddenly a thought occurred to Lydia, “What of my belongings? I have nothing with me.”
“Do not worry, love. Our honeymoon won't require you to be clothed.”
Lydia's face bloomed with color as Levi roared with laughter.
Lady Phelps stiffened then quickly glanced away.
Aaron's eyes filled with mirth as Alexandra twisted her face in disgust. “Levi,” she groaned, “that was highly inappropriate.”
“Then this will offend you as well,” he said before lowering his face to Lydia's and kissing her with all the passion he possessed. He felt her try to pull back at first, but she quickly melted into his arms.
The Duke's Dastardly Mistake (Unlikely Pairs Book 2) Page 15