Always

by Cheryl Holt

  When the dishonored pair returned from Scotland, where was she expecting to reside? At Selby? After she’d jilted her betrothed and traipsed off with his brother, how could she imagine it? No, there would never be a place for her at the Blake supper table.

  As she’d raced off on her merry way, had she understood that she’d be severing ties in all directions? She and Trevor would have to live on love, and she was about to discover how meager that paltry diet could be.

  “I’m speechless,” she murmured.

  It had probably never been possible for her and Edwina to have a sane conversation about the disaster. Apparently, simple decency was beyond them too.

  “You’re speechless?” Edwina taunted. “Why would you be? Surely you had to have known that your daughter is an immature, inconstant flirt.”

  Florence countered with, “Well, Trevor isn’t much better, is he? He stole his brother’s fiancée, and in light of how rich Susan was, I certainly have to question his motives. He’s penniless, but he’ll be picturing his purse filled to the brim with Susan’s fortune. Talk about immature and inconstant!”

  “Let’s leave Trevor out of it.”

  “Your son, Percy, is no great catch either. Have you been told about his pathetic family and his two bastards?”

  Edwina’s cheeks flushed bright red. “How dare you mention them to me!”

  “I’ve hit a sore spot, have I? We had him investigated prior to the engagement, yet we were willing to proceed anyway. What sort of offspring have you raised, Edwina? You’re hardly in any position to cast stones.”

  “We will not discuss Percy’s activities in London.”

  “You can pretend he’s an angel if you like, but I won’t. If we’re going to hurl insults about each other’s children, I want it noted that yours are not saints!”

  “You penny-grubbing shrew.” Edwina’s slur landed like a sharp arrow. “I have no idea why I ever thought I’d like to have your filthy money flow into our coffers, so it’s a relief to realize it never will.”

  Edwina rose to her feet, and she loomed over Florence so menacingly that, for an instant, Florence worried the old harpy might strike her. Florence rose too, wondering if she’d fight back or if she’d run out of the room to avoid an altercation.

  Would they brawl like fishwives at the public market? The scenario was so ghastly she couldn’t decide what to make of it. Clearly, Edwina’s morning had been horrid, and since Florence detested her, she could only gloat with satisfaction.

  “I called you here,” Edwina tightly said, “merely to inform you that your presence in my home is no longer necessary. I would appreciate it if you would pack your bags and depart within the hour. Take that dissolute ward of yours with you. She’s a doxy, and I won’t have her flaunting herself at the Earl another second.”

  “You’ve thoroughly maligned my daughter. I won’t listen to you hurling unfounded accusations about Nell as well.”

  “Unfounded?” Edwina cackled out an eerie laugh. “The debauched strumpet was out all night. Shall we guess where she might have been? I can’t tell you where she was, but as the Earl was out all night too, I’m positive I know who she was with. How about you? Or will you feign ignorance?”

  Florence nearly fainted. “What?”

  “She came in at dawn. A housemaid observed her and reported it to me. She thought someone ought to be apprised so the idiotic child didn’t get herself into trouble with him. He’s a notorious scoundrel, and such an innocent female would have no defense against his many dubious charms.”

  Florence was stunned by the allegation, but she refused to let Edwina notice any upset. “You’re lying, and your maid is lying too. For some reason, you’re trying to smear Nell, and this manor is naught but a madhouse, filled with lunatics.”

  “Your daughter and your ward have proven themselves to be trollops. Pack your bags, fetch your immoral Nell Drummond, and be gone—both of you!” Edwina nodded curtly. “Good day, Mrs. Middleton.”

  “And good day to you, Mrs. Blake. I’d say it’s been a pleasure, but it hasn’t been.”

  As a parting remark, it wasn’t half bad. Florence whipped away and stormed out.

  She’d never been more insulted! She’d been tossed out by Edwina Blake! She’d been ordered to vacate the premises!

  Florence had suffered many slights in her life, but this was the very worst. Even if she never told a soul, rumors would filter out through the servants. She’d never hear the end of it, and it was all Susan’s fault.

  Susan—upon whom Florence had always doted. Susan—who’d been Florence’s hope for social elevation. She would never forgive her daughter. Never! Susan was dead to her! Dead forever!

  She raced down the hall toward Nell’s room, praying the stupid girl was there so Florence didn’t have to search for her.

  Did Nell know about the elopement? Had she encouraged Susan? Had she learned of Susan’s plans, but concealed them from Florence? After how Florence and Albert had helped her over the years, could she possibly be that disloyal?

  And what about her dallying with that obnoxious Lord Selby? Had she been out all night with him? She’d been sheltered in her upbringing, so she’d be easy prey for such a despicable cad.

  Well, if she’d misbehaved with him, she would pay the price—as Susan would pay it. When it was all said and done, where would Nell be?

  * * * *

  Nathan was still in his library, seated behind the desk.

  His thoughts were chaotic, his condition morose, but then, he was never the jolliest fellow.

  The situation with Percy and Trevor was exactly why he loathed being earl. He despised personal squabbles and didn’t believe he should be the one taxed with resolving any delicate issue that plagued them.

  The entire episode had left him extremely exhausted. Percy assumed he could convince Susan to ignore his affair and his illicit children, which was delusional and absurd. Going forward, how was he, Nathan, to deal with his cousin in a sane way?

  Then Edwina had come completely unglued and attacked both of them, and as with her son, how was he to deal with her? She’d ranted and raved like a lunatic, and the debacle had rattled Nathan, had left him feeling more adrift than ever.

  Susan and Trevor would return before too much time had passed. What were they intending? Were they expecting to move into Selby Manor and live with Edwina and Percy as if nothing had happened?

  The worst part of the fiasco was that he’d been diverted off course. He hadn’t interrogated Edwina about his sisters, about his father’s Will, or what had transpired during that depressing period. She’d been too distraught.

  Any servant who’d participated in the tragedy or who’d colluded with Edwina and his grandfather had to be fired. Didn’t they? Or had it occurred so far in the past that it no longer mattered? Should he forgive and forget?

  The problem for everyone was that he wasn’t forgetful or forgiving, and he never had been.

  Dobbs knocked and poked his head in. “I realize you asked not to be disturbed, but you have a visitor who requests an immediate audience.”

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s Miss Susan’s father, Albert Middleton.”

  Nathan grimaced. “He’s here so soon?”

  “Yes, and unfortunately, the servants were gossiping in the driveway, so he’s found out that she eloped.”

  “Must I speak with him? Can’t Edwina handle it?”

  “No, your aunt can’t meet with him for you.” Dobbs flashed a glare, his tone exasperated.

  “All right, all right,” Nathan grumbled, “send him in, and Dobbs?”

  “Yes?”

  “Did you know about Percy’s mischief with this Pamela woman?”

  “I might have.”

  “Yet you kept it from my aunt. Why?”

  Dobbs shrugged. “I don’t necessarily think it’s my place to tattle on you boys. You’re living proof of that, my lord.”

  “Yes, but I’m suddenly curious about w
hat other secrets you might have buried.”

  “Why is that—if I may be so bold as to inquire?”

  “I learned some horrific information yesterday—about Godwin and Edwina’s conduct after my father died—and I’m wondering if you were aware of it too.”

  “What is the subject of your concern?”

  “Apparently, I had two half-sisters, born by my father’s mistress, and my father charged me with protecting them. Godwin wouldn’t let them be brought here, so they were sent to an orphanage.”

  Dobbs stared forever, then finally said, “I wouldn’t have been apprised by them about such a terrible topic. I’ll escort Mr. Middleton to you.”

  He whipped away and marched off, and Nathan sighed. No doubt Dobbs was fully versed in the deplorable mess and had been swallowing details for over two decades. Nathan was surprised he hadn’t choked on them by now.

  Quickly, Dobbs returned, and he announced Mr. Middleton, then flitted off. Nathan nearly called him back. He had no desire to be alone with the older man, but Dobbs had already vanished.

  Nathan studied Middleton. He was fifty or so, short and very fat from a rich diet. His head was bald, but he made up for the lack of hair by sporting a bushy mustache and huge muttonchops. His suit was gray, his shoes gray. If he’d been standing outside on a cloudy day, he’d have been invisible against the gray sky.

  His eyes were very sharp though, blue and alert and cunning. His outward demeanor indicated he might be a bungler, but Nathan was sure it was a charade. A fellow like Middleton didn’t grow wealthy by being a fool. He likely exhibited an air of incompetence and used it to keep his adversaries off guard.

  “Hello, Mr. Middleton.” Nathan rose to his feet and gestured to a chair. “Please join me. May I offer you some refreshments?”

  “No, thank you.” Middleton studied Nathan too, his assessment keen and probing, to the point of being insulting.

  “Will you sit?” Nathan asked.

  “No.” Middleton stomped over, halting directly across from Nathan, the large desk a barrier between them. “First off,” Middleton said, “let me notify you that your servants gossip when they shouldn’t.”

  “I’ll have my butler speak to them.”

  “According to the rumors in your driveway, my daughter has eloped with Trevor.”

  “Yes, that appears to be the case.”

  “He’s the younger brother, yes? Is that the Trevor we’re discussing? He’s not some footman or stable boy?”

  Nathan scoffed. “No. He’s my cousin and Percy’s brother.”

  “I won’t question you as to who allowed this situation to develop.”

  Nathan bristled. “Well, sir, your wife has been present the whole time. Perhaps you could talk to her about the type of chaperoning she supplied.”

  Middleton’s expression became lethal. “I don’t believe you ought to blame my wife for this, Selby. I’m not in the mood to quarrel.”

  “Neither am I.”

  “Your aunt has evicted Mrs. Middleton and my ward, Miss Drummond.”

  “What?” Nathan scowled furiously. This was the first he’d heard of it.

  “I can’t say I’m surprised. In light of the trouble my daughter has caused, I wouldn’t want any Middletons lingering.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “Evidently”—Middleton was very snide—“there’s an awful lot occurring here that is a mystery to you.”

  Nathan bit his tongue. He wouldn’t bicker. “You’re right. I’m in the dark about many issues.”

  “So…I shall be collecting my wife and my ward, and we’ll depart immediately. Your aunt need not fret on that count, but before I leave, I must tell you this.”

  Nathan was panicked about Nell going with them, and his mind was racing, trying to figure out how to mention that he would be delighted to have her tarry at Selby, but there was no way to innocently suggest such a conclusion.

  “What is it?” he asked instead.

  “I demand you chase after Trevor and Susan and drag them back.”

  “Why would I? With all due respect, sir, isn’t it likely she’s ruined? Why attempt a rescue when I’m certain she wouldn’t welcome it? She’ll only run off again the minute you aren’t looking.”

  “If we can stop her prior to her marrying him, then that is what I intend. But if I am required to track them down, I shall have Trevor Blake arrested and prosecuted for kidnapping. Susan is twenty, and he has committed an outrage against me and mine.”

  “What would be the point of having him arrested?”

  “There is no point, except that I would like some revenge. I will also smear his name in every newspaper and tavern from one end of the kingdom to the other. He will be so disgraced that—once he’s out of prison—he’ll likely have to flee the country.”

  “That seems overly dramatic,” Nathan said. “Would you just calm down so we can deal with this rationally?”

  “No. I’m sure you’re thinking you’re so powerful that you can prevent any of that from happening to your cousin, but you underestimate me at your peril.”

  “I wasn’t thinking that,” Nathan insisted, although he absolutely was. “I’m disgusted over the entire debacle, and I’d like to wring Trevor’s neck. I agree with you that he’s behaved despicably, which is the sole reason I haven’t tossed you out on your ass.”

  Middleton ignored the crude comment and kept on. “The choice is yours as to how you wish to wrap up this fiasco. You can locate them, or you can let me search, but if it’s left up to me, it won’t be pretty, and I can guarantee your idiotic cousin won’t like the results.”

  “I understand.”

  “Do you really, Lord Selby? Since you have no daughter, you couldn’t possibly.”

  “You’re correct of course.” He felt ten years old and thoroughly chastened.

  A muscle ticked in his cheek. He hated being the head of his family! But out of all his annoying, odious kin, he actually liked poor Trevor, and if forced to state an opinion, he’d have to admit that he was incredibly impressed by Trevor’s brash conduct.

  It was so bold, so brazen, and he didn’t want Trevor to be in trouble with the law. He didn’t want gossipy stories in the newspapers.

  “I’ll go after them,” he said, and he sighed with exasperation.

  “If you stumble on her while she’s still unwed and unharmed, please deliver her to my address in London. Your aunt knows where it is.”

  “I will.” Nathan wasn’t positive he meant it. Who would convey a foolish girl to a father who was so livid? Would she be safe at home with him?

  “If she’s too far down the marital road, I won’t have her back.”

  “What should I do with her then?”

  As his reply, Middleton rudely snorted but didn’t clarify his position. “We’ve made a down payment on the dowry. I’ll expect you to return it to me.”

  “I will, but don’t push your luck any further.”

  “I always push my luck,” Middleton boasted. “It’s taken me a great distance in my life.”

  Nathan gestured to the chair again. “Won’t you sit and have a brandy? I’ll have the servants notify your wife and Miss Drummond that you’re waiting for them.”

  His real ploy was to delay Middleton, so he, Nathan, could rush upstairs and talk to Nell before she was whisked away.

  “I’ve already had the servants inform Mrs. Middleton that I’m here,” Middleton said. “No offense, but considering how your relatives have treated us, I’d rather not tarry. I’ll be in my carriage.”

  Middleton marched out, and Nathan’s aggravation soared. He loathed obnoxious men, and he especially loathed overbearing commoners who thought their money placed them above everyone else. When an oaf like Middleton could grow so wealthy, it upset the natural order of the universe.

  “Middleton!” he called sharply.

  “What?”

  “I can’t imagine how much of a head start they’ve had. What if they’re ma
rried when I catch up to them? What should I tell them? Is there a message you’d like me to pass on to Susan?”

  “If they are man and wife when you find them, tell them they will be very, very sorry. I’ll never give them a penny, and I shall pray they live in a ditch and eat grass for the rest of their days.”

  “They’re not the first couple to ever elope, and Trevor’s a decent sort. It might all work out. Why be so angry? It doesn’t get us anywhere.”

  “She is my only daughter, and with your cousin’s help, she has dashed our hopes.”

  He stormed out, and Nathan sank down in his chair.

  How exactly had this landed on his shoulders? He didn’t care about Susan and Trevor and their stupid antics, and he didn’t want to be roped into cleaning up their mess. Shouldn’t Edwina handle it? Shouldn’t Percy?

  What was Trevor’s burden to mend it? He’d perpetrated the disaster. Shouldn’t he be required to fix it? Susan was twenty, her parents were enraged, her father out for blood. What was best? What was worst?

  With the reckless pair having fled hours earlier, he didn’t have a lot of time to ponder his options. Wasn’t the better route to rescue Susan before any genuine harm was inflicted? Shouldn’t he at least try?

  But even if he brought them home, what would he do with them? They couldn’t reside at Selby with Percy and Edwina. Was he prepared to buy Edwina the house in London he’d always contemplated? Was he prepared to kick Percy out and send him to stay with his mistress?

  He probably should, but those problems would have to be resolved later. At the moment, he had to speak to Nell and tell her goodbye. Once the Middletons departed with her, he truly didn’t believe he’d ever see her again. What would be the purpose?

  Yet it was all happening too fast! After the night they’d spent in his cottage, he’d built an entire fantasy in his mind where they would have months or years to sneak off and misbehave. How and why would he have assumed they could walk such a dangerous path?

  He had no idea, and the notion that he’d been planning an affair at all was bizarre. What was wrong with him?