Much to Richard’s surprise, he felt a faint stirring of sympathy within his chest as he considered this. It was clearly a very heavy burden on Mr. Markham’s shoulders, and one, certainly, that he ought not to bear.
“I do not quite understand,” Richard replied, frowning. “Why does your father do this? And do the gentlemen to whom he owes these debts agree to his lack of responsibility?”
Mr. Markham shrugged. “They care not. I believe, in fact, that some of them are relieved, given my father is not the sort of gentleman who willingly takes such responsibility and acts without thought or consideration.”
“Whereas you do what you can to manage such debts with responsibility,” Richard finished, his brows still low. “But how can you do so if you are not yet Baron Fulham?”
Another sigh emanated from Mr. Markham. “I do what I can with what I have,” he said. “I have very little left of my own coffers, whilst my father remains in sole control of the estate and all that goes with it. He does not care about whether or not I am solvent, for it simply means that he has more money with which to spend.”
Richard’s frown deepened. “But that is hardly fair!” he exclaimed as Mr. Markham nodded and gave him a wry smile.
“It is not fair at all,” he answered heavily, spreading his hands. “But what am I to do? I have paid off a good many debts, and yet my father accumulates more. Lord Sturrock has the greatest amount still owed, and he is continually demanding that I repay him, but I have nothing left to give him.”
This was a very strange situation, indeed, Richard considered, gesturing to a footman to bring them both a glass of brandy. He had been quite determined to hate Mr. Markham for what he had done, for how he had stepped in the way of Richard’s own intentions with Lady Christina. And now, however, he found himself feeling a little sorry for the man as the story he had told had pulled compassion from Richard’s heart.
“My father is inclined towards greatness,” Mr. Markham muttered, accepting the glass of brandy from the footman. “He wants to be the sort of gentleman who can live as he pleases, who had thrown around his coffers with na’ar a thought. My mother is delighted with this circumstance and only encourages him to continue, despite my urgings to the contrary.”
“Which is why Lord Fulham arranged for your betrothal to Lady Christina,” Richard murmured, slowly beginning to see the situation as it really was. “He wants the family line to have excellent connections within it and, alongside that, the wealth that such connections will bring.”
Mr. Markham let out a small, scornful laugh. “It appears you have the measure of my father already, Lord Harlow,” he said, passing a hand over his eyes. “I, of course, am expected to behave in a certain manner, expected to do as I am asked without question.” Another heavy sigh ripped from his lips. “And I do so for fear of what might occur if I do not.”
“I understand,” Richard replied with a small smile. “My father was similar in a good many ways, I think!” This was not entirely true, for Richard’s father, whilst stern, had not been as demanding as Richard now made out.
“I have felt as though you understand, Lord Harlow,” Mr. Markham remarked, beginning to look a little more relaxed. “I do not have any particularly close acquaintances with whom I could share this matter.” His lips tipped in a wry smile. “They all think that I have nothing to complain of, given I am to wed Lady Christina.”
The mention of his beloved’s name made Richard’s stomach tighten with a sudden anger that he struggled to mask. Bringing his brandy to his lips, he drank deeply until the emotion swept from him and he was able to be at his leisure once more.
“I did not mean to bring you here so that I might complain about my father,” Mr. Markham remarked a little ruefully. “I did come to ask you about how you dealt with such debts being placed upon you when you took the title.” His eyes searched Richard’s face, clearly eager—if not desperate—for answers.
Richard allowed himself a heavy sigh. “It was not as difficult as your situation, certainly, but it was trying,” he admitted, knowing that here, at least, he spoke the truth. He had not been delighted to discover that he had debts to deal with, not when he had been adjusting to all that life had thrown at him—but he had not had significant debts, such as Mr. Markham had described.
Running another hand through his hair, Mr. Markham sighed heavily. “Might I ask how you managed the requests for payment?” he asked, looking at Richard. “I am certain that, when it comes time for me to take the title, I will have so many requests that I will not know where to begin!” His expression became sorrowful. “In fact, I am beginning to fear that there will not be enough funds to cover the debts.”
“I see,” Richard answered, recalling how Mr. Markham had spoken of taking himself and Lady Christina abroad once they were wed. Was that because he did not wish his father to place any further burdens upon him once he was already married?
“I fear that, once I am wed, my father will continue as he is already,” Mr. Markham said as though he had known precisely what Richard had been thinking. “I cannot have the burden of a new wife as well as the heavy weight of his debts.”
“And thus you intend to travel with your wife until your father has passed,” Richard murmured as Mr. Markham nodded. “Precisely so that he cannot do as you suspect.”
Nodding, Mr. Markham squeezed his eyes closed, his jaw working furiously. Richard remained silent, wondering what struggles were going on within the fellow and realizing that he had no true understanding of Mr. Markham at all. He had thought him arrogant, selfish, and entirely willing to go along with what had been planned by his father. In fact, Richard had believed that Mr. Markham had not only agreed to but perhaps had planned this situation with Lady Christina, only to realize now that the gentleman had not had any choice in the matter. Was he just as shocked as Lady Christina? Was he just as unwilling?
“Whatever advice you can give me regarding such matters with the debts, finances, and other matters when taking the title, I would be very grateful indeed,” Mr. Markham said, slowly opening his eyes and looking at Richard. “It often weighs heavily on my mind, even though that time might be some distance away.”
Nodding, Richard decided that the only thing he could do would be to speak openly to Mr. Markham and to give him as much advice as he could. It was obvious that the man had a great weight on his shoulders, and, despite himself, despite the irritation that he felt regarding Lady Christina, Richard also felt eager to impart whatever he could to help Mr. Markham. The situation was a dire one, and he certainly did not envy Mr. Markham in any way.
“Certainly,” he said, taking a sip of his brandy. “Let me tell you everything that happened with me.”
Chapter Twelve
“I hear you are engaged, Lady Christina.”
Christina nodded quickly, smiling warmly at Lady Burroughs but wondering just how much pain it had brought her to speak of such a thing. “I am, yes,” she said as Lady Newfield took a sip of her tea and looked at Christina out of the corner of her eye. Christina did not say anything more, recalling that this visit was so that both herself and Lady Newfield might discover all they could about Lady Burroughs’ connection to Mr. Markham. Their time with the lady was almost at an end and, as yet, they had not managed to bring him into their conversation. Thankfully, it seemed that Lady Burroughs had done so herself.
“And when is the wedding to take place?” Lady Burroughs asked, her face devoid of expression. “It must be soon, I am sure.”
Christina dropped her eyes and did not smile in the hope that Lady Burroughs might understand that there was no joy in her marriage. “It is to be in a few short weeks,” she said, her voice low. “I cannot give you any particular details, however, for I am entirely in the dark as to what has been planned.”
“Oh, that is unusual, is it not?” Lady Burroughs remarked, although there was no real interest in her voice. “Regardless, Lady Christina, I am certain that you will have great joy in your marri
age. Mr. Markham is a very amiable gentleman.”
“I do not know him,” Christina replied swiftly. “This was arranged entirely by our respective fathers, Lady Burroughs. There has been very little time for me to become acquainted with Mr. Markham, and he, therefore, with me.” She looked at Lady Burroughs, letting a flicker of interest rush into her eyes. “But it sounds as though you are acquainted with Mr. Markham, Lady Burroughs! Tell me what you know of him, if you would.”
Lady Burroughs face paled, and her mouth opened, but no words came out.
“It would be very beneficial indeed,” Lady Newfield remarked, smiling at Christina. “I know that my great-niece has been a little distressed that she has no knowledge of her betrothed, and whatever you can say will be a great help.”
“And bring with it such a great relief,” Christina added as Lady Burroughs’ mouth closed, and she dropped her head for a moment. Christina and Lady Newfield exchanged glances, with Christina seeing the small smile flickering about Lady Newfield’s mouth. If this was as they now suspected, Lady Burroughs felt a great deal for Mr. Markham and might just, in the course of speaking of him, reveal something of it to them both. That would confirm what they now believed, and, with Lord Harlow having spoken to Mr. Markham at length, they could put what they had learned together and come up with a plan.
“I confess that I do not know a great deal,” Lady Burroughs said as though she now wanted to renege on what she had already stated. “I know he is amiable, yes, but that is all.”
Christina did not intend to accept such an end to that particular conversation and continued to press the lady. “Might I ask how long you have known him?” she asked, leaning forward just a little in her chair. “I, of course, have only been acquainted with Mr. Markham for as long as we have been engaged!”
Lady Burroughs blinked rapidly but did not smile. “I have been acquainted with him for almost three years,” she said, astonishing Christina with her answer, for she had been certain it had only been for a few short weeks. “I met Mr. Markham during the Season I became engaged to Lord Burroughs. Last Season, of course, I was not in London due to the death of my husband.”
“Of course,” Christina murmured, glancing at Lady Newfield. “And during your acquaintance, you found him to be affable?” She looked down at the floor for a moment. “I confess that I am a little afraid of what my marriage will be like.”
“Oh, Lady Christina, there is nothing that you need worry about.”
The fervor in Lady Burroughs voice sent a small shudder through Christina, but she did not make a single remark.
“I am certain that Mr. Markham will be a very suitable husband,” Lady Burroughs continued. “You need not fear that he will be a cruel gentleman, for there is no such viciousness within him.”
“He is a little arrogant and conceited, is he not?” Lady Newfield asked rather bluntly. “That is certainly the impression that I have had from him.”
Lady Burroughs shook her head. “No, indeed not,” she said, her voice softening. “That is only for appearances sake, I am sure of it. After all, must not a gentleman behave in a certain manner in order to gain the respect of others?”
Christina frowned, not quite certain that she believed this last remark. Mr. Markham was certainly arrogant, as far as she was concerned, and had never once treated her with consideration. To hear from Lady Burroughs that she felt Mr. Markham to be entirely the opposite of what she herself had experienced was almost unbelievable.
“I must wish you happiness, Lady Christina,” Lady Burroughs finished with an attempt at a warm smile. “I am sure that you will have a wonderful marriage.”
* * *
Walking into her father’s townhouse—and having discussed what Lady Burroughs had said with Lady Newfield—Christina was all the more astonished to hear from the butler that Lord Harlow had been eagerly anticipating their return for what had been at least an hour.
“I have had him wait in the drawing-room, my lady,” the butler continued quietly. “Shall I send for refreshments to be brought?”
Christina nodded, her heart beginning to quicken as she wondered what it was that Lord Harlow had discovered. Surely, he would not have appeared at her father’s townhouse without explanation had it been something minor.
“Go at once!” Lady Newfield exclaimed, giving Christina a gentle push. “I must quickly write a short note, and then I shall join you.”
Christina did not stop to consider whether or not this was inappropriate, her anticipation and eagerness to see Lord Harlow overwhelming every thought and emotion. Having handed all her sundries to the butler, she hurried towards the drawing-room, one hand pressed against her chest as the door opened and she stepped inside.
“Christina!”
Lord Harlow breathed her name as he turned towards her. He had been striding up and down the room, it seemed, for he had to turn on his heel to see her. In the next moment, she was in his arms, her head on his shoulder and his arms about her waist. All the breath left her body in an instant, tingling pouring through her as she allowed herself to rest in his arms.
“Oh, Christina,” he said again, her name on his lips sending yet another flurry of excited anticipation through her. “I can hardly believe what I have to tell you.”
His arms loosened, and he looked down at her, and Christina could barely breathe from the look in his eyes. She had never seen him so animated, so evidently filled with excitement. What she did not expect was for him to drop his head and to kiss her, for his lips to find hers and to rest there for a long moment. Everything began to whirl within her, her hands going around his neck as he held her close.
“There is a clear path ahead,” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers for a moment. “I have seen it. I know what we have to do. There is nothing now that we need to do than have Mr. Markham meet with us—and then all will become quite clear. I know it.”
Christina could not help but laugh with the joy that spiraled up within her. Even though she did not know nor understand everything that he had said, there was, now, a hope that she could see plainly in his eyes.
“I must tell you what Mr. Markham said,” Lord Harlow said eagerly, releasing her and taking her hand, pulling her gently towards the couch. “I think, Lady Christina, that we might have misjudged him.”
“Misjudged him?” Christina repeated, astonished. “Goodness, Lord Harlow—that is the second time today I have heard something about Mr. Markham that I could barely believe!”
Lord Harlow’s brow furrowed. “The second time?”
“Indeed,” she told him as the door opened quietly behind them and Lady Newfield stepped inside, quickly followed by a maid with the refreshments.
“Lady Burroughs insisted that he is amiable, jovial, and will make me a wonderful husband,” Christina replied with a wry smile. “I could not believe her, of course.”
Lord Harlow chuckled. “But I think you must, Lady Christina,” he said, referring back to her formal title now that Lady Newfield was in the room. “For I have spoken to Mr. Markham at length and am now quite certain that there is nothing in his nature that is as it appears.”
Lady Newfield sat down and arched one eyebrow. “Is that so?”
Lord Harlow nodded, his grin spreading right across his face and his eyes bright with evident elation. “Let me explain what he spoke to me about,” he said, and launched into his story. Christina poured the tea as she listened, her heart filling with both confusion and relief as she heard what Lord Harlow had discovered. She could hardly trust his words, unable to marry the two versions of Mr. Markham—the one she knew herself, and the one that Lord Harlow now spoke of.
“Therefore, I am quite certain that he is not the gentleman we believe him to be,” Lord Harlow finished. “He does not want this marriage, Lady Christina. And the reason he has acted in such a rude and conceited manner is because this is what his father expects.”
“The consequences of him refusing to behave as is expected, ho
wever?” Lady Newfield queried. “What should happen if he did not do as he asked?”
Lord Harlow hesitated, then lifted one shoulder. “I believe that he is afraid that his father would press more of a burden upon him as a punishment for refusing to do as is expected,” he said, making Christina nod slowly, understanding precisely what Lord Harlow meant. “I must confess that I believe there is a heavy weight of fear on Mr. Markham’s heart. He is struggling under the weight of the unfair responsibilities that his father has placed upon his shoulders and is anxious to do all he can to ensure his father does not further such responsibilities.”
Christina bit her lip, feeling a small tug of sympathy in her heart and yet eager to ignore it. She did not want to feel any such emotion for Mr. Markham, and yet, it remained.
“You are struggling with what you feel, are you not?” Lord Harlow said gently. “I can tell by the expression that is written on your face, my dear.” His smile was soft. “I admit to feeling the very same.”
“Truly?” Christina asked, a little surprised. “And you now feel a great deal of compassion for him?”
Lord Harlow lifted one shoulder. “I admit that my consideration has grown, yes. The Mr. Markham that you know, Lady Christina, is not the gentleman that he truly is. There is a façade, a mask that he wears. His heart is not truly in such behavior.”
Christina let out a slow breath, letting her mind consider all that had been said. Her skin prickled as she looked up to see Lord Harlow’s eyes resting on her, a gentle smile on his face. She wanted so desperately to believe him, but there was still something holding her back.
Betrayal and Lies: Convenient Arrangements (Book 4) Page 12
