“Oh! Your poor horses!” Penelope said.
“Not to worry. We will have them home and blanketed in short order.”
“And the caravan and the wagon?”
“The horses for them, too. It was my impulse that brought them here, so I will shelter them.”
“Oh, thank you, My Lord.”
“You are welcome, but what am I being thanked for, Miss Chapman?”
“Everything, Lord Newhorn. The music, the wonderful biscuits, taking care of the horses and your people. You are altogether very kind.” To her embarrassment, Penelope felt tears starting from her eyes. She blinked hard, then smiled. “You are very kind, indeed,” she repeated. “I enjoyed today very much.”
“Then perhaps we should schedule a time to go riding? I believe I could arrange to have the pavilion set up again. And I am sure that young Jones would be more than happy to play for us again.”
“I think a picnic and the lutist would be enough, My Lord. But I do thank you for the thought.”
“You are very welcome, indeed, and it is my hope that we will be able to do this soon.”
“As do I, My Lord.”
Oh, this is very dreadful. I think I am beginning to care for him very much, and I fear he has fixed his attention on me. Whatever will he do when he learns that we have deceived him? I fear my uncle is right, and that we have made a fearful mess of things.
Chapter 29
Alfred Harrington entered his father’s office, then stood while Mr. Harrington closed the door behind him. “Sit, sit,” his father said. “You were quite right in bringing this to me. It looks as if Lord Steelfrost is trying to take advantage of Lord Castlemount. It is always messy business when members of the Ton seem to have it out for each other. But there are no rumors about Lord Steelfrost having a grudge against Lord Castlemount. Pray, what was it that made these names stand out for you?”
Alfred felt his ears grow hot, but he kept his voice steady enough. “Two days ago, I rescued Cousin Lola and a friend. While shopping in the marketplace, they witnessed a gang of ruffians teasing a kitten. Lola, being the hot head that she is, laid into the young toughs with her parasol. She was giving a good account of herself, while the other damsel stood to one side and shrieked in whispers.”
“In whispers?” Mr. Harrington raised his eyebrows in disbelief.
“I scarcely know what else to call it, sir. Lola was shouting full-out war cries, and giving a very good accounting of herself.”
“Where were Lola’s maid and footman?”
“Not in evidence, sir.”
“Again? I shall have to have a word with my brother. Colonel Harrington is not going to be particularly pleased.”
“No, Father, I suspect not. But he would have been proud of the blows she was striking. I think even if I had not happened along, she would have prevailed.”
“Well enough, but she will never contract an alliance of any substance if she keeps junketing about in that fashion. But the names, Alfred, the names.”
“Yes, sir. Well, Lola introduced us. Her companion was none other than Edith Chapman, Lord Castlemount’s niece.”
“The same Lord Castlemount who is named in this contract, whose loan would be called in by Lord Steelfrost?”
“The very one, Father. I learned from Lola and from Miss Edith herself that Lord Newhorn is investing in her uncle’s business, and hopes to become engaged to one or the other of Lord Castlemount’s nieces.”
“To the younger one, if rumor has it correctly. Is that not right, my son?”
Alfred felt his face grow so hot he feared the top of his head would pop off. “Yes, Father.”
“Oh, my son. Have you developed an affection for this young lady? Be truthful.”
“Yes, sir. She is sweet, biddable, and needs someone to look after her. She does not need to be made into a drawing room ornament.”
“Unlike her sister, who could easily rival Lola for forwardness, contrary attitude, and general brashness. You do know that neither of these young ladies have a dowry to speak of?”
“That does not signify, sir,” Alfred said, clamping his lips tightly together.
“Sadly, it does. The older sister has turned away a round dozen suitors, so it is no wonder that Lord Castlemount is grasping at this chance to get the gentler, and as you say, more biddable sister successfully wed. This is a fair viper’s nest you have stepped into, my son.”
“Father, Edith looks kindly upon me. I think, in time, we could make a good match of it.”
“A good match.” Mr. Harrington shook his head sadly, “Alfred, do you realize that even with the endorsement of the senior partners, it would be many years before you can support a wife? If we are forced to expose Robert for under-handed dealings, it could be even longer. In fact, I might even be forced to dissolve my association with Bastion and Bastion.”
“Would that be so dreadful a thing, Father? Surely you have enough loyal clients to hang out your own shingle.”
“It doesn’t work like that, my son. It would be highly unethical to take my clientele from here with me.”
“I guess it is a huge tangle then, Father.” Alfred looked away from Mr. Harrington. He could feel a large lump rising in his throat, and tears prickled at the back of his eyes. Crying like a little girl deprived of her dolly would not win him any favors with his father.
But Mr. Harrington must have known something of what his son was feeling, for he said, “It is a tangle, and I do not see a true way out of it. But if you can stand fast, I believe we can turn aside any wrongdoing. Even if you cannot have the damsel, would you see fit to help relieve her family’s distress?”
Alfred blinked furiously, then turned back to his father. “Yes, sir, I would. Edith does not deserve for her uncle to be in distress if there is a way to prevent it.”
His father clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s the lad. Not every good man is a knight in shining armor. Now, we might not be able to keep the lady from being wed, but I believe we can prevent her uncle from being the victim of foul play. Now, then, here is what I want you to do…”
Chapter 30
Upon arriving at home, Penelope sent James down to request the carriage be sent for Edith. It would never do to leave her transportation to chance during such a deluge.
“Will you have tea?” Stella asked.
“Not just yet, thank you for asking, Stella. Why don’t you plan to bring it up when Edith gets home?”
“Of course, Miss Penelope. I would be glad to. Will biscuits and preserves be sufficient? Your uncle says that he has news and that he wants both you and your sister at dinner.”
“It should be fine, Stella. I’m sure that Edith had something at Lady Agatha’s house.”
In truth, Penelope did not feel the least bit hungry. Even though the picnic had been rained out, she was far too unsettled to have much appetite. She picked up her journal, then realized that she could put none of her feelings on paper.
Instead, Penelope dipped her pen in the ink, and began to draw. Before she knew it, she had recreated the pavilion at the picnic, the lutist, and Lord Newhaven on paper. She added James, pulling back the curtain, and added fanciful bolts of lightning overhead.
She was just finishing, when Edith came in. Her cheeks were rosy from the unusual chill that had followed the rain, and her eyes were bright and shining. “Oh, Penny! Thank you for sending the carriage around for me. Such a thing as happened at Lady Agatha’s house.”
“Oh?” Penelope was braced for tales of Indigo’s latest antics or perhaps some dreadful thing the cat had done, such as eating Lady Agatha’s bird.
“We were just sitting down to tea, when Alfred came to call on Lady Agatha. Of course, she immediately had another place laid. Lady Agatha asked me to pour, and I had just finished her cup and Alfred’s when another guest arrived.”
“Another guest?”
“Yes. It was Lord Steelfrost. He mentioned that he had seen Lord Newhorn walking in the park with a l
ady who looked a lot like you.”
Penelope’s pen made a splotch on one of the cushions she was drawing. “Good heavens! Oh, I knew this was all going too well. Edith, we really can’t keep this up.”
“Just a little longer, please, Penny? I don’t want to tell Uncle Horace no, but I really don’t want to marry Lord Newhorn. I don’t think we would suit at all.”
“How can you tell? You only have my accounts to go by.”
“He is so big, and active and just. . .big.”
“You mean that he is not Alfred.”
“That, too.” Edith sniffled, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “Oh, Penny, whatever shall we do?”
Since Penelope was wondering the same thing, she scarcely knew what to tell her sister. “I’m sure I don’t know, Edith. We’ll try to think of something. Meanwhile, I have engaged to go riding on the back trails with Lord Newhorn tomorrow…as you. Perhaps, you might go back to the original plan of staying in Stella’s room. That way, you are not likely to run into anyone who knows either of us.”
“That won’t fadge, Penny. Did Steelfrost not propose to you just before Christmas?
“He did, but he also proposed to six other ladies within the same week, so I did not take it at all seriously. I doubt that he remembers me all that well.”
“Oh, that’s good because I told him that I’m Penelope.”
“Edie! What if he had remembered?”
She shrugged. “I would have just told him that we are often mistaken for each other. But I don’t think he did.”
“Edith, we have got to put a stop to this. You know that no matter what we do, this is not going to turn out well now.”
“Oh, Penny, just a little while longer. I love going to Lady Agatha’s house. She is such an adorable old lady. I get to play with Indigo . . .”
“And you’ve been seeing Alfred.”
“If we can just make it last a year or two longer, Penny, then Alfred will be able to marry me, and you can come live with us.”
Penelope stared at her sister in disbelief. With exaggerated deliberation, she corked her ink bottle, wiped her pen nib, and put her writing materials away. Turning back to her sister from the escritoire where the writing materials were usually stored, she said quietly, “Edith, I am not sure what world you have fabricated for yourself, but I can assure you that it has very little to do with reality. I am now going up to the long gallery to walk.”
“But Penny, what about tea?”
“I have no appetite. You ring Stella and tell her that you are ready for your tea. Our uncle is expecting us for dinner.”
With that, Penelope went out of their rooms, closing the door with extra careful deliberation even though she longed to slam it so hard that the portraits hung on either side of it would bounce off the walls.
Upstairs, in the long gallery, she tucked up her skirts and strode up and down the hall furiously. What has come over Edith? She used to be shy and quiet, and she had good sense. First it was the cat, now it is Alfred.
Penelope walked until she was out of breath, then she sat down on one of the straight-backed chairs that were placed at intervals in the gallery and wept. Why, oh, why didn’t I just tell my uncle that Edith and I had switched places? Why didn’t I simply agree to entertain Lord Newhorn in her stead? These days have been so enjoyable. What will I do when it comes time to tell him? There is no way possible that he will not be angry.
Here, alone with all the staring ancestors, Penelope acknowledged the seed that had been growing in her heart. Benjamin Gray, whom she had carefully addressed only as Lord Newhorn so that he would continue to call her “Miss Chapman,” was a man such as she would be glad to spend the rest of her days. He was the kind of husband she would like to have. But how could she deny her sister this chance?
She is set upon Alfred Harrington, but that will soon pass. Edith loves her little comforts too much to let them go. Lord Newhorn would take exquisite care of her. He is the kind of husband that she needs. I must gather my courage and tell him soon. Perhaps tomorrow while we are riding.
Penelope rose, wiped her eyes and prepared to go down to get ready for dinner. One more day. I will go riding with him tomorrow, and I will enjoy every minute, for it must be the last time. I cannot keep putting it off.
Dinner was very quiet. Penelope and Edith were not often at odds with each other, but the tension between them was palpable. Their uncle brought up several general topics, to which the sisters replied in monosyllables.
When at last the dessert was cleared away and the servants had left the room, Lord Castlemount surveyed his nieces somberly. “My dears,” he said, “are you having some sort of spat?”
“No, Uncle Horace,” Penelope said. “We are just both a little tired.”
“The rain is giving me a fit of the megrims,” Edith added. “Penelope is being very kind.”
Their uncle tugged at his beard for a moment. “I see. I had some news, but I believe that it will keep. However, one thing that you do need to know is that we will have guests for dinner come Sunday next. I would like for you both to look your best.”
“Of course, Uncle,” Penelope assured him.
“And whatever you are fighting about, pray make peace. I need for you both to be on your best behavior.”
“Yes, Uncle,” Edith said.
After their uncle left to enjoy his pipe and brandy, the sisters eyed each other. As one, they rose and went up to their rooms. When the outer door was safely closed behind them, Edith said, “What do you suppose that was all about?”
“I have no idea,” Penelope said. “Uncle has seemed very preoccupied of late. He read me quite a lecture the other morning about how I had refused every suitor he had found for me.”
Edith sank down on the occasional chair beside the fireplace. “I am so sorry, Penny. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I know you didn’t, Edie. And I think I understand. You have found the gentleman who is right for you, but he is not right in the eyes of the world. They will see him as a boy.”
“But he isn’t, Penny. He has a respectable position. Even though he works at his father’s firm, he has responsibilities and an income. We just need time for him to become established.”
“A great deal can happen in four years, Edith.”
“I know. But I do not think either of us will be inconstant.”
“Has he declared his feelings for you?”
“He would never do anything so improper, Penelope. At least not until he could follow through on making an offer. But he looks at me so, and he has managed to see me nearly every day since he rescued Lola and me from those ruffians.”
“What if he does not offer, Edith? What would you do then?”
“I’m not quite sure. But I think I might become someone’s companion. I am finding my time with Lady Agatha very pleasant.”
“Uncle would be shocked to the core to hear you say so.”
“If Uncle is no longer alive, then I will not need to worry about shocking him, shall I? You’ve successfully put off getting married.” Edith replied tartly. “I’m sure Uncle Horace will continue to support both of us as long as he is able.
Penelope studied her sister for a moment. “Edie, I’m really not certain. I have something I’d like to show you.” She unfolded the two newspapers that were on top of their little worktable, and pushed them over to Edith without further comment.
Edith looked at them for a moment, without comprehension. Then her face slowly grew very white. “Aren’t these Uncle Horace’s ships?”
“I think so. Marpole had me bring the papers up here so that he wouldn’t see them. I’m fairly sure he must know about it by now, even so.”
“Did he have a great deal of money tied up in them?”
“I think it very likely that he did. But they might yet come into port, in spite of these articles because no debris has washed ashore anywhere.”
“Oh, dear. No wonder Uncle has been testy of late.”
&nb
sp; “Now do you see why I say we must end our charade soon? Besides, it is not fair to Lord Newhorn. When we started this, I could not but worry about you, but I find him to be a gentleman in every way. I cannot think of a single reason why you should not be wed to him.” Except that I find that I have given my heart to him.
How To Catch An Earl With Ten Lies (Historical Regency Romance) Page 16
