Pierce wiped it away with the pad of her thumb.
“Why Daisy Trenchard! I do believe you care for me.” He laughed as her married name spilled so easily from his lips..
She hit him in his chest with her bear.
“Of course I care for you, you idiot. How can I not? We have known each other all of my life and you are Lucas’ best friend. It would upset me greatly to see your neck stretched.”
Pierce gulped and ran a finger around the inside of his neck cloth.
“Thanks for reminding me. Believe me, it would upset me greatly too. I have grown fond of my neck over the years. It wears a cravat so well.”
Daisy managed a laugh of her own.
“It will wear my hands around it if you don’t stop being ridiculous. Did you not hear my mother in law as we left the church? She heard your real name. I doubt she will believe my mother’s words for long. After all, she only has to check in the register.”
Pierce shrugged.
“And if she does? She will know no more than my name. As I planned, she does not know where we are going.”
Daisy pinched her brows together.
“Where are we going?” She hadn’t thought to ask before now. She had assumed they were returning to Portland Hall.
“To my house in town.” He grinned confidently.
Horrified, Daisy’s mouth fell open.
“But we cannot!” Panic filled her. Apart from the danger, she hadn’t had time to retrieve the letters in Robert’s study drawer! She had to have them. Couldn’t possibly leave them for anyone else to discover. But Pierce didn’t know that. He wouldn’t understand her anxiety. As far as he was concerned, her belongings could be sent on to wherever they were going. There was no urgency.
Except that there was. She had to fight the worry creeping into her voice and keep calm.
“I don’t have all my things.” She improvised an excuse for her outburst. “And you said that the constables were waiting at your house. You will be arrested instantly!”
He smiled and shook his head.
“Your maid was still packing your belongings. Have no fear, they will reach you soon. As to the constables, I doubt they have waited around for a month, and even if they have they will not recognize me if I am disguised as a footman. I plan to work at the balls and routs. No, please don’t object. It is already arranged.” He stilled her protests with another shake of his head.
“A footman? And you have already arranged it, but how?” She could not believe his words.
He looked a little smug.
“When I rode to town yesterday for the marriage licence. I sent a note. Bertie Cravenwood has been staying in my spare rooms, looking after the house, and keeping an ear to the ground for any information.”
Something flipped over in Daisy’s stomach as worry hit her anew.
“Bertie Cravenwood! Have you gone mad! He was the worst gossip of all. He always told on us girls if we did even the most inoffensive thing. Remember poor Algernon and all the trouble he was in over Felicity kissing him. She was only thanking him for rescuing her from the housekeeper’s trunk, but Bertie couldn’t keep his mouth shut to save his life. Algernon had to face Brendon’s fist as well as an inquisition. His family were so ashamed of him that they went home and missed the rest of the house party. Bertie Cravenwood loved every minute of the scandal and related every word as he pressed his ear to the study door. He will never be able to keep quiet about your return.”
Pierce took her hand again.
“That was years ago, I doubt he was ten years old, but regardless, you clearly weren’t told the true story of why Algernon and his family went home, and quite rightly so. I’m not sure it is suitable for delicate ears even now.”
Daisy looked at him curiously.
“True story? And my ears have never been delicate. What really happened if it wasn’t as I was told?”
Pierce pressed his lips together. The tale was an unpleasant one, but it might relieve some of her doubts about their friend.
“Algernon might have taken the public blame for that little incident, but I can assure you that the family only departed because the father couldn’t keep his, er, his, er... Well, if I have to put it indelicately, the man couldn’t keep his unmentionables to himself. I believe there was a young maid involved. And it wasn’t willingly. Brendon’s parents were appalled and asked the man to leave their home the instant they found out. Unfortunately the rest of the family had to leave with him.”
Daisy was almost at a loss for words.
“Algernon’s father? An unwilling maid? He, he...” The shock hit her. She couldn’t continue. How could she have not known?
Pierce nodded slowly.
“I know how you feel and am glad that the man has gone to his grave. But have a little faith, Daisy. None of us are the children we once were. Bertie might not be the most aristocratic of us, is a good friend and knows how to keep a secret, besides Clara is arriving tomorrow and will be there to keep you company when I cannot.”
“Clara? But why would she be so willing to move into your house? And why involve more people than necessary in this scheme. Surely, the fewer who know that we are married and have returned to London, the safer you will be.” Worry filled her.
Pierce smiled inwardly, her concern warming him.
“Clara is having some rooms decorated at home. She and Bertie haven’t decorated since their parents died last year. She wanted to move out of the house while they are in disarray, but I’ve not asked her solely for that reason. And I’ve told neither Bertie or Clara that we have married. Wasn’t counting my chickens until they had hatched. You might have jilted me at the altar,” he answered Daisy’s quizzical brow. “No, Clara is there to be your chaperone, for now. As well as good company while you are confined to the house.”
“My chaperone? But I have been a married woman. It’s hardly necessary.”
Pierce laughed gently.
“Of course it is. You can’t stay un-chaperoned in the house of an apparently unmarried man, even if he isn’t meant to be in residence. It is the only way to do it, if we ever want to rejoin society. Hopefully I can find out some news fast and unmask the real killer. In the meantime, please understand that I have to do this. I had thought that you might know or hear more, but I realize now that you are too isolated at Portland Hall to have anything relevant related to you.”
She could see his point. She hadn’t heard a word in the weeks she had been at the big house. Perhaps it was best that they moved back to town. Not that she would be able to show her face, especially if all her mother in law’s recent ranting was ever heard.
“I feel nervous. My mother and mother in law are sure to return to town soon. Jane is bound to make things difficult.”
Pierce narrowed his eyes.
“I hadn’t forgotten. The woman is a witch. But I think even she will keep her mouth shut for the present. If she admits that you have remarried and are not with child, she will be living on borrowed time in that London residence. I think we are safe enough from her for now.”
Daisy groaned.
“My head was already pounding without thinking of such things. Even the thought of her is too much. The way she stomps about. Up at the crack of dawn and all over the second floor this morning. I never realized how the floorboards creak so badly. Anyone would think she was searching for something special not just a decent room.”
Pierce nodded.
“I thought exactly the same the day before. Followed her all afternoon, but she never ceased searching, therefore I assume she never found what she was looking for. Must be something important for her to make such an effort.”
Daisy gave a small snort.
“She could have just asked for whatever it is.”
Pierce nodded thoughtfully.
“I wonder why she didn’t? It’s not as though she appeared to be chasing about for the exercise. I thought she was checking the house inventory at first, but she looked in things rat
her than at them.”
“In things?” Daisy tilted her head, fear of discovery surging to her heart.
“Well, and under them. She looked inside anywhere you could hide something. Even behind a picture or two, which tells me that whatever she was looking for was small. A piece of jewellery, or perhaps a document.” Pierce indicated with his fingers the apparent size of the missing article.
Daisy felt sick again, but not because of the alcohol. It seemed that for all the woman’s surprise at Daisy’s announcement, the Dowager might already know the secret. It was all in the letters! The ones that could not be discovered. The ones that she had left locked in Robert’s desk drawer and which, with her hangover and the wedding, she had completely forgotten. Did the woman know of their existence? Or did she simply suspect what the correspondence contained? She let Pierce ramble on while she tried to think of any way that she could retrieve them.
“It must have been something important,” she said hesitantly. Lord! Now the woman would have the run of the house to look for them.
Pierce pressed his lips together and nodded.
“I confess that I was impressed with her thoroughness. She was on her hands and knees looking under the beds at one point. Then rummaging through a chests of bed linen that concealed a collection of framed cockroaches. Though she dropped the exhibit rather promptly, it must have given her confidence because later she had a poke about in her son’s other boxes.”
Daisy swallowed her fear. So she hadn’t thought of looking in the study. If Robert had revealed the truth, wouldn’t that be the first place his mother looked. Perhaps, but perhaps not. Robert might have told her that he had hidden the notes somewhere no one would think of looking. Leaving them in the most obvious place, concealed with so much other correspondence, might render them quite safe. Until the solicitors found the new heir. But it wasn’t a chance Daisy could take, the letters had the power to ruin lives. Damnation! She wished she had thought of them sooner. Now she would need an excuse to go back. The silence in the carriage became louder than she liked. Pierce was waiting for her opinion of the Dowager Duchess’ strange behaviour.
“How odd. I know where most things are kept, unless it was something personal of Robert’s. He had an odd system of filing things away. Well, not just filing things. He had many strange traits.”
Pierce recalled the boxes of insects and animals in the man’s bedroom. The glimpse of a long, hairy leg. He held back a shudder.
“Yes, well. It is not for me to comment on a man’s personal habits, but I am not sure I would have found dead spiders a comfort in the middle of the night.”
Daisy let out only her second laugh of the day.
“Who would think that the creatures could grow to the size of a man’s hand? His mother was horrified. Fortunately they are not native to our country. Along with most of the other things Robert found so fascinating. But going back to her search of the property. Now I think about it, she was adamant that she stayed in Robert’s room, until she realized that Musgrave had packed nearly all of Robert’s possessions away. There were only the boxes containing his collections lying around. Perhaps the Dowager was looking for something of Robert’s. She sent him letters often enough. I don’t know what he did with them though. I don’t think he kept them in his study. Knowing Robert, I suspect he might have burnt them. He might have hoarded some things, but I doubt he saved letters from his mother.”
Pierce considered her words and seemed satisfied.
“I doubt she wrote anything dreadful to her own son anyway. They were probably just begging letters. From what Musgrave told me, she only seemed to be interested in his money. For that carriage and four for instance.”
Glad that Pierce had changed the subject slightly, Daisy breathed in a sigh of relief, only to have her heart rate speed up again as she realized that she might have only made the situation worse. Thoughts raced through her mind and became a confused mess. One thing at a time. She told herself as she answered Pierce’s comment.
“The woman likes to be seen in society. All the fashionable parties. And everything must be the best. Her circle of friends are always trying to outdo one another. She goes to the most sought after seamstress, buys the latest fashion in hats. She has drawers full of different gloves, and her wardrobe...” She shook her head. “It has to be seen to be believed. I could never understand why Robert put up with it. Or how he afforded it.” Talking about her mother in law seemed far easier than anything else. Daisy knew that she would have to tell Pierce the truth soon, but the alcohol still pounded in her head. One more day wouldn’t hurt.
Pierce became thoughtful.
“I don’t think he could. I think that’s why he went in for Devonshire’s race. I have heard about those fashionable parties for ladies. You said that your husband didn’t have a gambling problem. But maybe his mother did.”
It was something Daisy had never considered.
“She likes to play cards occasionally, though I have never seen her gamble for more than a few pennies. But then I don’t run with the same types of friends.” Her voice was almost a whisper as she turned away from him again.
Shocked by her sudden pallor, Pierce knew that something was seriously wrong. His beautiful bride sounded so lost. So alone. Did she miss her odd but affable husband so much? He hadn’t yet seen her cry any tears for the man, but Pierce needed to find out.
“So what sort of friends do you have now that you are in the highest of society? Do you ever see Felicity or Sophia? They are both happily settled with Algernon and Brendon. And the children are delightful. But they have not mentioned seeing you. Have you not visited?”
Daisy shook her head quickly.
“Robert and his mother didn’t think...” She stopped suddenly as lump became lodged in her throat.
Pierce took hold of her hand and massaged her palm with his thumb.
“What didn’t Robert think?”
She let out a sorrowful sigh.
“It upsets me to even think about it, but given our social standing, and his dislike of balls or anything without specific purpose, Robert decided that I should drop my friends.” Blinking rapidly, she fought the tears that threatened to fall.
More shocked than he could say, Pierce took out his handkerchief and handed it to her.
“He decided? Daisy? What are you talking about? Your social standing? Good grief! If he was only going to mix with other dukes, your choice of company must have been pretty slim. How could he decide who you can be friends with? You’ve known these people the whole of your life. And Portland might have been a bit of a dolt but he never looked to be the demanding kind. Are you sure it wasn’t his mother’s decision rather than his own?”
Daisy dabbed at her eyes before glancing up at him.
“He said that they were all too in with the common crowd. Algernon was always near bankrupt. Felicity arranged to raise money for the orphans, then Bren married Sophia... None of that ever bothered me, of course, but I had no alternative. And since their marriages, they do not live close. I could not disappear for days at a time without telling my husband where I was going. I have only seen any of our friends when they have been at one of the few functions we attended. And then I was not encouraged to mix.”
Pierce slumped back in the seat, totally flabbergasted.
“But why? They are all titled and come from excellent families... Well, maybe not Bertie, being a mere Baron, and Algernon and Sophia’s family were very suspect, but it wasn’t their fault that their father was a womanizer and their uncle even worse.”
Daisy shook her head.
“Try telling that to someone like the Robert. It was like talking to a wall when his mind was made up. He would simply ignore every argument. I told him that they were kind and good hearted. I gave him their full lineage. Algernon’s went back further than the Benedict’s own, but even that did not impress Robert. I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but let’s just say that my husband was not the man I thought h
e was when I married him. They say one should not judge a book by its cover.”
Pierce hardly knew what to say.
“You married a snob! I thought you way too clear sighted to fall for someone like that.” His words sounded harsh, unforgiving.
Daisy drew in a sharp breath. She wasn’t about to be criticised for something that wasn’t her fault.
“Don’t judge me, Pierce. You have no idea what Robert was like. His public persona was quite different to his private one. But you had to live with him to see it.”
He had never heard anyone sound so hollow. Her husband clearly wasn’t the dolt he had once thought. Perhaps, like Algernon’s father, James Robert Benedict hid a brutal streak? Had the man beaten the spark out of his wife? Furious at the mere thought, Pierce meant to find out.
“So enlighten me, Daisy. What was he like? How did he force you to give up your lifelong friends? I’ve not seen you for over three years and now we are married within two days. It’s not as if I could have guessed what your life has been like during that time, but if that bastard ever laid a finger on you...”
She laughed bitterly.
“Would you believe that my mother once wondered the same, but no, there was nothing like that. I don’t know where to start.” She looked at him from the corner of her eye. “He wasn’t overtly cruel, Pierce. Not in the true sense of the word, but his lack of interest in everything and everybody except himself, his title, his collections, and his mother was more than a little trying. It wears you down, chips away at your confidence when you are told that every decision you make, even for the menus at dinner, are stupid, ridiculous, or in downright bad taste. I might have lived in the same household but it soon became apparent that I was only there so that he could say he had a wife. He was indifferent to everything about me except my title in his house.”
Pierce’s eyebrows shot to the top of his forehead. The man must have been touched in the head. How anyone could be unmoved by Daisy’s zest for life was quite beyond his comprehension.
A Fragile Chain of Daisies: Flowers of the Aristocracy (Untamed Regency Book 4) Page 17
