“I have to be honest with you, My Lord,” Elijah admitted. “I asked Lady Diana to introduce us at Lady Strutherton’s.”
Lord Albany looked at him curiously. “Why is that, My Lord?”
“I imagine you recall the strange manner in which both of my parents passed?”
Lord Albany was silent for a moment. He stared at the water, then slowly nodded. “I do, yes. Though your mother’s death was ruled an accident, was it not?”
“Well, I was going through my father’s things, and I found this letter, from my mother.” He took the letter out, and handed it to him. Elijah had brought it, for he figured it best to show Lord Albany all that he had.
From what he knew of Lord Albany, he seemed like a kind, gentle soul. He wasn’t likely to have been involved in a murder plot. Elijah could only hope that he could believe him.
Lord Albany accepted it, then read it. “Yes. I recall the ball in question. But I do not recall whether anything odd happened…perhaps we should involve my wife. She might remember something.” He was frowning as he handed the letter back to Elijah. “I wonder—do you think that it might be the same individual?”
“Yes,” he admitted. “And I’m worried that I might be next.”
“I was a good friend of your father’s. We were neighbors for most of our lives. I want to help you in any way that I can.”
“Thank you.” Elijah felt an enormous sense of relief.
“Of course.” Lord Albany shook his head, sighing. “This is hardly the type of place where there’s murder and intrigue. It’s mostly noble estates, and small farms. Mostly quiet, godly folk.”
“That’s what I had thought, but…I can’t help but note the suspicious circumstances. My father never wanted me to come here. After I left for school, I was never here again until after his death.”
“I’d be happy to help you. My wife, perhaps, remembers more. It was nearly two decades ago. I can’t quite recall anything standing out. I’m not entirely sure if I recollect it, to own the truth.”
“Every ball is much like another.” The ton’s ever revolving cycle of balls, parties, teas, and dinners caused a blurring of individual events. Even Elijah, who had rarely been amongst them, knew this.
“Precisely.” Lord Albany’s eyes had a faraway look, as if he were trying to remember back over the years.
The two of them settled in to fish. The sun began to rise in the sky, burning off the mist that lay heavily on the land. Elijah noticed when Lady Diana’s carriage arrived, being pulled down the drive by two white horses.
His heart rose at the sight of her auburn-haired head as she sat in the landau. Spotting them, she raised her hand in greeting. He beamed, waving back.
* * *
Diana and Lady Albany sat in the parlor, sipping cups of tea. Lady Albany had a cream-colored bone china set, with silver edging. In a similar way, her parlor was in shades of cream, the wallpaper and the carpet, and even the curtains. The furniture was dark mahogany, upholstered in cream brocade.
Lady Albany’s taste in décor was the finest of the whole country. Albany Manor lacked the baroque styling of most of the other houses in the neighborhood. Diana preferred it to her father’s overwhelmingly masculine tastes.
“I saw you dance all of the first five sets at the ball at Forstall,” Lady Albany said.
“Indeed.” Diana smiled, her cheeks growing warm. Lady Albany was politely making her inquiries. Lady Albany had known Diana since she was a child. She was, in some ways, like an aunt to her.
“Did you dance with no one else after?” She took a sip of her tea, then delicately balanced it on the saucer.
“No. I was talking with Lord Cambolton, whose acquaintance I made that very night.”
“Oh!” Lady Albany beamed. “He is a very kind gentleman. I find him to be very agreeable.”
“He is,” Diana agreed. “I have been enjoying our discussions.”
“I suppose you’ll be introducing him to your father, then?” She raised an eyebrow.
Diana smiled, pleased to give her an affirmative answer. “I plan to.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Lady Albany said, setting her cup and saucer down on the sleek mahogany low table that sat between them. “After Eleonora’s accident, it’s about time Lutterhall Manor had some good news.”
“Agreed.” Diana had felt that the past six months had been a trial. Watching her sister slowly make improvements, only to fall back into a complete mess. Then, the five offers of marriage, none of them right for her. Now, though, since she had met Lord Cambolton, she had hope that things would turn out all right.
“Shall we go out for a short stroll to the pond and see how the gentlemen are faring?” Lady Albany suggested, waking Diana from her thoughts.
“Let’s do.”
The two ladies put on their bonnets, then walked arm in arm out to the fishing pond. There, they found both gentlemen, standing beside the pond, their poles in hand.
“Well, here is a most welcome sight, eh, Lord Cambolton?” Lord Albany asked.
“It is indeed,” he said, his green eyes taking her in.
Diana was beaming at him. She had worn a white cotton eyelet gown with a blue ribbon at the empire waist. Her white bonnet had a matching ribbon. She wanted to have an ethereal look. The way his eyes softened as he beheld her, she knew that she had been successful.
“Have you caught anything?” Lady Albany asked.
“No. It’s a very poor day for us, indeed.” Lord Albany’s tone was mournful, though he was smiling in contentment.
“Not a single bite!” Lord Cambolton agreed.
“Well, if you’ve both quite given up, then we should all retire to the house, where we shall have luncheon,” Lady Albany suggested.
“I would be most delighted. Lord Cambolton? Are you quite finished?” Lord Albany glanced over at him.
“I am. There’s nothing to be done, for we’ve been out here all morning.”
The two gentlemen packed up their rods and their tackle. A footman stepped forward to carry their gear.
Lord and Lady Albany walked arm in arm in front of them. Lord Cambolton offered her his arm, and she accepted. This close, she could smell him—he had a spicy, masculine scent. It made her pulse race, and butterflies to riot in her stomach.
“How have you been?” he asked in a low voice.
“Well, thank you.”
“I must admit, I’ve been thinking of our last discussion with pleasure,” he murmured. His breath was warm against her cheek, causing her skin to tingle.
“I have, as well.” She was still glowing, just thinking about it.
“Good.”
Things were going well between them. Diana felt that her father would be a little disappointed that he was not a Duke. However, he was a wealthy gentleman, and a kind one. She would be within easy distance from Lutterhall, which meant if Eleonora had another one of her fits, Diana would be able to come and help.
* * *
Luncheon was simple, yet delicious—cold meats and cheeses, fruit, and some freshly-baked bread. Afterward, the four of them retired to the parlor, where they all sipped cool lemon cordial.
Elijah gazed around him. The white, filmy curtains blew in the warm breeze. Outside of the window, the pond gleamed in the bright summer sunlight. After being out in the sun, it was a relief to be inside, where it was cool.
Elijah was seated beside Lady Diana on a white-upholstered settee. He had to keep himself from continually meeting her gaze. He didn’t want to seem rude to Lord and Lady Albany, but his inclination was to focus entirely upon her.
Her nearness caused his heart to beat faster. He felt he was better than he had been, when viewed through her brown eyes. There was a glow, emanating from his center.
“Lord Cambolton, how are you finding the countryside?” Lady Albany asked.
“I’m finding it very much to my liking.” He took a sip of cordial, which was cool and sweet, with a sour bite. “I have not spent
much time here since I was a child.”
“And Cambolton House?” she asked. “Are you comfortable?”
“It’s all in hand,” he remarked. “Soon, I plan to throw a ball of some sort, as soon as Lady Diana has introduced me to the ton in the area.” He glanced over at her, and she grinned.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Lady Albany said. “Let me know if you need any assistance in the planning of it. I have quite a bit of experience in them.”
“That would be much appreciated. I will let you know when I begin to make plans.”
“My dear,” Lord Albany said, turning toward his wife. “Lord Cambolton has brought something to my attention.”
“Oh?” She tilted her head to the side curiously, waiting for Elijah to further explain.
“I promised Lady Diana she would hear it, as well,” he began, glancing over at her. She had been in the process of bringing her glass to her lips. She paused, leaving it only halfway there. “My mother died, about eighteen years ago. The circumstances of her death were odd. Many people believed that my father had done it. Ultimately, it was ruled an accident.”
He cleared his throat. “I can personally attest to it not being him. He loved my mother dearly, and her death nearly broke him. I recently found a letter from her, in my father’s things.”
He brought out the letter, passing it to Lady Albany, who read it. She, in turn, passed it to Diana.
“You’re wondering what happened that night?” Lady Albany asked. She was frowning, as she thought back to that night, over eighteen years before. She sighed, nodding to herself. “I remember—your mother seemed upset. I found her, out in the hallway. She was crying, but I couldn’t get her to explain why.”
“Not one reason?” This information certainly confirmed that something had happened to upset his mother, only a short time before her death. Something which had caused her to leave the countryside. However, it had been waiting for her upon her return.
Lady Albany shook her head. “No. I didn’t think anything of it. When she died, I thought it was an accident, like the constable said. But now that you mention it…
“I wonder,” she mused, her hand on her pearls. “Your father’s death was certainly suspicious…”
“And, I wonder if the murderer had returned, to kill my father,” he added.
“Your father?” Lady Diana asked. “I recall that I heard he passed, but my father wouldn’t let me know how.”
“He didn’t?”
“He said that it was too unsavory for a lady’s ears,” she replied.
“He was found dead, in a cottage in the woods,” he told her. “He owned it, though no one knew anything about it. I think he was meeting someone there.”
“What did the constable say?” Diana asked.
“They could find nothing,” he said, shrugging. He looked around at all of them. They were stern-faced. After the delightful morning and luncheon, here, he had ruined the mood. “I’m sorry. I’ve upset all of you.”
“No, no. We want to help you, for both of your parents’ sakes,” Lady Albany assured him. “I just—I wonder how to go about finding out more.”
“Indeed,” he agreed. Lord and Lady Albany began to discuss what they both recalled from that evening. When Elijah looked over at Lady Diana, his eyes met hers.
Have I frightened her off?
“I apologize if I’ve upset you,” he said to her sotto voce.
“You haven’t upset me. I’m concerned for your welfare,” she admitted. “You’ll need my help, if you’re to be introduced among society in the area. If I’m present, they’ll talk to you.”
She grinned at him. “I just so happen to know everyone.”
“I’m sure that you do.” He realized then that she was far braver than anyone he’d ever met. She was a good ally to have.
“We’ll solve the mystery,” she assured him. Across from them, Lord and Lady Albany were smiling. Elijah watched as they both turned toward each other, and gave pointed looks.
He glanced over at Lady Diana, who beamed at him. He could feel the pull between them, as if she were the moon, and he was the tides, being moved by her every rotation.
Chapter 9
“I’m going to dine at Lady Southerton’s this evening,” Diana announced, standing in the doorway of her father’s study.
“Oh?” He didn’t look up from the paper upon which he was writing. Diana bit her lip. He finally looked up. “Have a good time.”
“The invitation included you, as well, Father.”
“Yes,” he replied. “Make my excuses, please.” Diana wasn’t entirely sure what he was always so busy with. He had hired men to handle his businesses, yet he always made sure to have a hand in them. Often to the neglect of his societal duties.
“Father,” Diana stated. He glanced over at her.
“Yes, Diana?”
“It’s been noticed that I have been going to almost all social engagements of late unaccompanied. Everyone is wondering if you are ill. It is most irregular that the Earl of Lutterhall has been shutting himself up.”
He cleared his throat. “You’re right,” he commented.
“Please,” she said. “Will you come to dine at Lady Southerton’s with me?” She wanted him to attend, for Lord Cambolton would be there, and her father needed to make his acquaintance. It was of the utmost importance.
To her relief, her father nodded, standing up. “I’ll go and change.” As he passed her, he leaned in, kissing her on the cheek. “I’m sorry that I’ve been so distracted of late, daughter.”
She smiled, though it did not reach her eyes. She watched him walk down the hallway. She was glad—now, he would be introduced properly to Lord Cambolton.
Her pulse raced, and nervous butterflies awoke in her stomach. She hoped that it would go well.
After all, I’ve found a gentleman that I would be happy to marry. Father did say that he wanted me safely and happily married, did he not?
* * *
Eleonora sat, watching as Sarah packed away her fancy gowns. Sarah folded them neatly, piling them up in the trunk, which would be taken up to the attic, until Eleonora needed them. It was evidence of a life that had once been hers, but now was not.
After all, if you’re an invalid, you don’t need silk gowns.
“Will you tell me?” Eleonora asked. “Will you tell me what happened?”
“When you’re better.” Sarah looked at her sternly. “Remember what happens when you get upset.”
Eleonora nodded. Whenever she got frustrated, she seemed to cry for hours and hours. She lost her temper so easily. It wasn’t how she had been, though she didn’t know how to fix it. She was just lucky that her father hadn’t sent her to an asylum.
“Promise?” she asked hopefully.
“I promise. We must keep it a secret, though.”
“Why?”
“When you’re better, then we’ll go and find your gentleman,” Sarah promised. “He’ll let us stay in his large castle, and he’ll let you wear nothing but silk gowns.”
“It sounds like a fairy story.” Eleonora hoped that Sarah would tell her a story. Her stories were the best.
“It will be your life, My Lady, because you deserve nothing but the best.” She placed the last of the fancy gowns, a purple silk confection, in the trunk.
“What if I don’t remember him?”
“You will.” Sarah looked sad. Eleonora wished that she hadn’t fallen off of her horse. It was the knock on her head which had left her all jumbled. She had forgotten something important. She had forgotten the last time that she had seen the gentleman, but she had also forgotten his name.
He was looking for her. She knew it. Just like in the stories that Sarah told her.
“He’ll bring you your glass slippers, My Lady,” Sarah said, kneeling down before her on the floor. Eleonora beamed, allowing Sarah to take her by the hand. Sarah looked up at her, as solemn as if they were in church. “He’s got a pair, just in your size.
” She tapped gently on Eleonora’s ordinary slipper. “You’ve got such small dainty feet, My Lady.”
“That’s how he’ll know me?”
“Indeed,” she said. “He’ll know you the moment he sets eyes on you, My Lady.”
“Why doesn’t he know my name, Sarah?”
“Because you gave him three guesses,” she replied. “He only got to the second guess before your accident.”
Sinfully Bound To The Enigmatic Viscount (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 5
