by Cheryl Holt
If Barbara retaliated against Miss Bates and Daisy, would Peyton ever learn of it? Or might Barbara rid herself of them so completely that Peyton could never locate them? Was it worth the risk? She thought it absolutely was.
She walked over to the fire and pitched the letter onto the flames, watching it dwindle to ash. Then she went to her desk and began making plans.
* * * *
“Josephine!”
Jo pulled up short, startled to hear herself summoned. Her sister, Maud, was the only female who’d ever beckoned her so rudely, and Jo glanced about, discovering Maud glowering from a carriage parked across the street.
Maud waved her over, and Jo vacillated forever, not inclined to chat. In light of Jo’s foul temper, she didn’t have the patience to be civil.
As she’d been doing every day since being jilted at the altar for the second time, she’d been tromping around the city to inquire about her purported fiancé. It had been over two weeks since Peyton had abandoned her. To her great surprise and dismay, he hadn’t shown up—late and apologetic—to explain what had transpired. She’d received no letter. No messenger had arrived.
She’d passed by the town house, but it was shuttered, and there was a notice posted about it being for sale. She’d written to Benton, but her letter had been returned as undeliverable. A note had been penned on the back that he was out of the country with the navy—and he’d be away for months or perhaps years.
Her rent was due, the kitchen larder about empty, but she had no money. He was to have set up an allowance, with a lawyer to disperse the funds, but he’d provided no details about any of it.
She’d visited naval headquarters and had spoken to an officer who’d apprised her that Peyton’s ship had definitely sailed on the Thursday evening when it was scheduled to. As far as the man was aware, Peyton had been on board as the captain. Even with his departure being verified by the military, she was stunned.
She was also worried and afraid and out of ideas. Who could help her?
Peyton’s friend, Evan Boyle, had once told her to seek him out if she was in trouble, but she couldn’t guess how to find him. She’d asked about him at the naval office, but they only supplied personal information to family members—and she wasn’t one.
Gradually, she was being forced to accept that Peyton had fled and wasn’t coming back, so she was hunting for a job, but she hadn’t had any luck. Her safety and security were collapsing fast.
She couldn’t bear to converse with Maud. Even in the best of circumstances, it was never pleasant and wouldn’t end cordially.
“Josephine!” Maud called again. “I can’t wait all day.”
Jo took a deep breath, prayed for strength, then trudged over. Her house was around the corner, and she doubted the meeting was an accident. How had Maud tracked her down? Why would she have?
“What is it, Maud?” she asked as she approached the carriage.
“Climb in, Jo. I have to address a difficult matter, and I don’t believe you’d like any of your neighbors to eavesdrop.”
Maud pushed the door open, and Jo stood, debating. Finally, she hefted herself in and sat down.
“I won’t dither,” her sister said.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m very busy.”
“Yes, you’re so very busy.” Maud cackled in a snide manner. “I’ll get right to the point. I received an anonymous letter about you.”
It was the last comment Jo expected, and she frowned. “About me?”
“Yes. Apparently, you’ve ruined yourself with Lord Benton.”
“I have not!” Jo indignantly scoffed, even though she had.
“Don’t pretend, Jo. The whole city has learned of your disgrace.”
“What?”
“He’s not an invisible man, and people always gossip about their betters.”
“If they’re gossiping about me, then it’s obvious they have too much time on their hands.”
“So you haven’t shamed yourself? You deny it?”
“I won’t discuss him with you.”
“Yes, you will. I am about to marry, Josephine. I can’t have a scandal arise, not now when my wedding is so close. My name can’t be attached to this.”
“Why would your name be attached?”
“Sins are never committed in a vacuum, Jo.”
“I don’t agree with that,” Jo flippantly retorted. “You kept your scandal secret for an entire decade.”
Jo’s arrow hit its target. Maud’s cheeks flushed, and she bristled.
“We’re not talking about me,” Maud firmly stated. “We’re talking about you and your current predicament.”
“I’m not in a predicament,” Jo insisted.
“Aren’t you? You’re consorting with a notorious cad who isn’t your husband. He’s been paying you for services rendered.”
“That’s not true!” Jo hotly responded.
“Isn’t it?”
Jo was the worst liar, and she couldn’t hold Maud’s gaze, for of course, she was in the wrong. Peyton had showered her with many boons that should never have been tendered. She should have been tougher and stronger and refused them, but she hadn’t, so what now?
“You will break off your relationship at once,” Maud said.
“Is that an order, Maud? For if it is, I must admit that you’re exhibiting an enormous amount of gall. When you threw me out of our home, you forfeited the right to lecture me on any topic.”
Maud didn’t swallow Jo’s bait, but pressed ahead with her argument. “My anonymous pen pal claims the Earl promised to wed you.”
“What if he did?” Jo mulishly inquired.
“Why would he propose to you, Jo? Have you asked yourself that question? You’re a commoner, a nanny’s daughter. He’s an earl. Why would he pick you?”
Jo shrugged. “I already told you, Maud. I won’t discuss him.”
“He’s gone back to the navy. It’s what my letter said.”
“Yes, I know.”
“He toyed with you, you little fool! And you fell for it! Don’t you understand what rich, powerful men are like? They trifle with girls like you for sport. They falsely offer love and marriage so you’ll give them what they crave.”
“It wasn’t like that between us.”
Maud ignored her protest. “Then—after you’ve surrendered what they desire—they abandon you. They move on to the perfect debutante, to the duke’s daughter with the stellar bloodlines or the American heiress with the huge dowry. I am living proof of that hideous reality.”
Jo sighed with frustration. Maud had always hated her, and Jo had worked to counter her animosity by being kind and tolerant, but it had never helped. Since Maud had kicked her out, she’d suffered one calamity after the next, and she wouldn’t permit Maud to harangue.
“Will there be anything else, Maud?”
“He’s left you in the lurch, Jo!”
“Maybe.”
“What is your plan?”
“Daisy is still with me. May we come with you to the country?”
“Absolutely not, and why you’ve taken that urchin under your wing is beyond me. She’ll be your ruin.”
“At least I’m trying to do what’s proper. It’s more than I can say about some people.” Jo’s glare indicated she meant her sister.
“You’re disgraced, Jo,” Maud scolded, “with a reputation as a harlot. There’s not a decent female in the kingdom who will open her door to you.”
“I have my own door. I have my own home.” Jo couldn’t guess how much longer she’d have them, but for the moment, they were hers. “I won’t be traipsing around London, begging for alms.”
“You will cut all ties with Lord Benton immediately. I demand it.”
“You demand it?”
“Yes. The gossip is all over town. Mr. Townsend hasn’t mentioned it to me, but I can’t risk that he might learn of your shame. Nor can others realize you and I are co
nnected. These scandals have a way of scorching everyone who’s too close to the flame.”
“I’ll keep any of the fire from burning you.”
Maud scoffed. “You think you’re so smart. You think your youth and beauty will guide you through this, but you should beware, Josephine! Your pretty face will only get you so far.”
Her sister constantly managed to bring any quarrel around to the fact that Jo was younger and prettier. Once the typical insults began, there was no point in continuing.
“Will that be all, Maud?”
“No, that won’t be all. You haven’t given me your word that you’ll break it off.”
“He’s left the country, Maud. You don’t need to worry about it.”
“Yes, but he’ll return, Jo, and he’ll crawl into your bed again. You have to disappear so he can never find you. If you don’t, how will you ever be free of him?”
“Perhaps I don’t wish to be free.”
“Will you spend your life, waiting for him to slink back? Don’t you want more for yourself than that?”
Actually, Jo had always wanted quite a bit more, but a better ending was always just out of reach. Was she cursed? Were the gods allied against her? Was Fate determined to see her fail? It certainly seemed like it.
“I appreciate your stopping by, Maud,” she sarcastically said. “It’s always such a pleasure.”
Jo climbed out, and Maud leaned out the window and fumed, “Give me your word! You will cut ties and vanish. Mr. Townsend can’t hear about this.”
“Yes, Mr. Townsend is definitely my biggest concern.”
“Nor can you tarry and allow Lord Benton to discover your whereabouts. You must hide.”
“I will take your opinion under advisement. Now stay off my street.”
Jo hurried away, depressed to admit the conversation had been as awful as she’d predicted it would be. She shouldn’t have let Maud coerce her into chatting. When Jo was sure it would lead to a fight, why participate?
She rounded the corner, and her house was up ahead. There was a carriage parked in front, and as she neared, the horses trotted off. For a brief instant, she thought Daisy was in it and waving madly, but she was yanked out of sight.
It transpired so rapidly that Jo figured she had to be wrong. Daisy would be inside the house, eagerly watching for Jo. Cook had promised to keep her busy in the kitchen.
Jo went to the door, and she paused to steady her breathing and her expression. She wouldn’t enter in an agitated state. After she’d calmed, she grabbed for the knob, but before she could turn it, her footman stepped out. He was wearing his coat and hat.
“Are you off to run some errands?” Jo asked him. “It’s so late in the day. I hope Cook hasn’t driven you out when supper is approaching.”
“Well, I’m going, Miss Bates. I wouldn’t call it out though.”
It was a strange comment, and she scowled. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve enjoyed working here, Miss Bates. Tell Commander Prescott, would you? I doubt I’ll see him again, and I’d like him to know I was grateful for my job.”
“You’re quitting? Why? Has someone upset you?”
He didn’t clarify. He simply doffed his cap and continued on.
Jo walked into the foyer, and the cook and her maid were there. They were dressed to depart as well.
“What the devil?” Jo was frantic for an explanation. “You can’t be leaving too.”
“This is a dirty business, Miss Bates,” Cook said, “and I’m very sorry.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You were kind to me, Miss Bates,” the maid added, “and I don’t care what they say about you. They’ll never make me believe it.”
The two women rushed out, and as they dashed away, Jo almost fainted as Barbara Prescott emerged from the parlor.
“We were starting to think you’d never arrive, Miss Bates.” The Countess smiled a tight smile and gestured into the room. “You must attend me at once.”
“Why are you in my home?”
“It’s not really your home, is it?”
“It’s as much mine as anyone’s.”
“You’re not in any position to be snide with me.”
Richard Slater appeared behind his sister, and suddenly, Jo was very scared.
“Where is Daisy?” she asked.
They didn’t reply, and she went to the stairs and yelled for Daisy over and over, but she received no response. She whipped around to face them, her gaze livid.
“Where is my niece?” she demanded of Mr. Slater.
“She’s been sent away,” Mr. Slater said.
“To where?”
“To a place where she won’t be living in a den of iniquity.”
Jo’s heart skipped a beat. “I have no idea what you’re implying.”
“Are you aware, Miss Bates,” the Countess said, “that my brother is Daisy’s legal guardian?”
“He is not,” Jo huffed. “He gave her to me. He couldn’t wait to be shed of her. I am her guardian.”
“Have you any documents to prove it?” the Countess inquired.
The query stopped Jo in her tracks. Of course she didn’t have documents. When Jo had initially left Benton with Daisy, it had never occurred to her to have Mr. Slater sign an agreement. He’d insisted Daisy be removed from the property, and Jo had obliged him. He had incredible gall to show up and pretend to be in charge.
“Where is she?” Jo fumed.
“I told you, Miss Bates,” Mr. Slater said, “she’s been delivered to a spot where carnal sins are not being committed on a daily basis.”
“How dare you take her!”
Jo marched toward him as if she might strike him, but in the end, she didn’t. He was bigger and taller, and she’d never hit anyone in her life, and he was a brute. She suspected he’d hit her back.
They were interrupted by people tromping down the stairs. She peered up to discover a trio of Benton servants, and they were hauling down boxes and trunks.
“What are you doing?” she asked them, but they didn’t acknowledge her, so she spun to Barbara Prescott. “What’s happening?”
“As of today, Lord Benton will not be renting this house.”
“This house—and his renting it—is none of your affair.”
“That’s where you’re confused, Miss Bates. He’s sailed for the Caribbean, and while he’s away, he’s put me in control of our finances. I doubt you’ll be surprised to hear that I don’t choose to support you.”
Jo’s pulse was racing. “Meaning what?”
“We’ve contacted the landlord and informed him that we’re cancelling the lease.” The Countess grinned malevolently. “We’ll be locking the doors when we leave so we can drop off the key before we head to Benton.”
“But…but…this is my home!”
“We’ve packed your belongings.” The Countess pointed to the boxes and trunks that the servants had brought down. “We’re not cruel, Miss Bates, so we’ve secured a room for you at a woman’s boarding house. We won’t throw you out on the street—despite your low tendencies. We’ve paid for a month’s lodging, but after that, you’ll be on your own.”
“I won’t go.”
Mr. Slater chimed in with, “I’m afraid you’ll have to. Weren’t you listening? We’re finished paying your rent. You’re welcome to remain—if you can pay it yourself. Can you?”
She glared at him, ashamed that he knew she couldn’t afford it.
The servants carried the trunks outside. A cab had pulled up, and they were loading her things into it. She couldn’t accept what she was witnessing and felt as if she was in the middle of a peculiar dream and she couldn’t wake up.
“As my sister mentioned, we’ve provided you with a month’s lodging.” Mr. Slater handed Jo an envelope. “And I’m furnishing you with ten pounds to ease your way. The Earl was fond of you, and he wouldn’t want you imperiled.”
“The Earl wouldn’t?” Jo bit down a hysterical laugh.
If she’d been prouder, she’d have refused the money, but she snatched it away from him. Tears welled into her eyes and dripped down her cheeks. She swiped them away, hating to have them observe her raw emotion, but the past weeks had been so grueling. Who wouldn’t weep?
“What happened to the Earl?” she asked the Countess.
“It annoys me to repeat myself, so concentrate, would you? He resumed his career in the navy and sailed to the Caribbean.”
“Yes, but I can’t understand why he flitted off. We had…ah…made some plans.”
The Countess smirked. “You may have had plans, but as far as I’m aware, he had no plans at all with regard to you.”
“You’re wrong. We were going to marry. We had it all arranged.”
When she spoke the words aloud, Jo felt like a complete dunce. Commander Peyton Prescott, Earl of Benton, was never going to marry her. Was she joking? Who was she anyway but the lowborn, common daughter of a nanny? Maud had just reminded her of that fact. Only a gullible fool would have leapt into such a fairytale.
The Slater siblings were much taller than she was, and they gazed down at her, their expressions exasperated and pitying.
“Did you really imagine he was sincere, Miss Bates?” Mr. Slater’s tone was actually very kind. “Please don’t tell me you were that silly.”
“I did think he was sincere,” Jo said. “Why wouldn’t I have?”
The Countess tsked with irritation. “Then I’m sorry, Miss Bates, but Peyton has quite a reputation as a cad.”
Mr. Slater added, “He’s engaged in this sort of nonsense before. It’s embarrassing to admit, but where young ladies are concerned, he’s notorious. He’s too much like his brother and can’t curb his worst impulses.”
Jo didn’t want to believe him. The Peyton Prescott who’d befriended her had seemed funny and clever and generous. He’d helped her, he’d rescued her, and she was positive they were lying, but how could she verify it? He’d vanished, and the naval office had confirmed his departure.
What else was there to discover?
“Where is Daisy?” she asked Mr. Slater. “I’m so worried about her.”