“Heavens! Kitty is the golden-haired girl and considered one of the most beautiful women in London!”
“Clearly, you want me to elaborate.” There was a hint of laughter in his tone. “Kitty is lovely, granted, but I was thinking about Lady Debenham, whom you so closely resemble, and if you were wearing the gown she is tonight and she the hideous bonnet that obscures your beauty, no one would look at her twice, and I’d not get a look in to ask you to dance.”
“Hush!” Lissa said worriedly. “My name is never to be linked with hers. Think of the scandal!”
“Scandal? To whom? Why be concerned now, about what will be made public when we wed.”
Lissa didn’t know what to think about that. Her mind was in a whirl of…she didn’t know what. Possibilities, fears, and doubts.
Then Ralph put his arms about her and drew her close for a parting embrace, and all her concerns drained away as she relaxed against his comforting, familiar chest.
“Everything will be all right, Lissa,” he soothed, kissing her gently upon the forehead so that she felt the warmth and comfort only he’d ever given her seep all the way down to her toes. “Believe me.”
And she did.
Araminta had not come so far in life without having honed an unsurpassed ability to put on a brave face when all seemed totally wretched. Or rather, was wretched. She thought this as she glided through Lady Richmond’s ballroom, graciously acknowledging the numerous gestures of esteem sent her way. Ah, but the admiration in the eyes of the gentlemen was balm to her troubled soul, for the events of this evening had left her deeply rattled.
Her secret was dangerously at risk of being exposed, and she had not the first idea what she was going to do about it. Then she was reminded of the next disaster in her life when the Earl of Moncreith murmured, “By Jove, but you’ve returned to us more beautiful than ever.” Of course, he was referring to the fact she’d so recently had a baby, and Araminta felt like dissolving into a puddle of woe and despair right then and there. For in eight months or less she’d be suffering the agonies of childbirth, but even worse, she’d be thickening in just weeks, and then once again she’d become invisible to all these men who looked at her with such interest.
“Lady Debenham, you look ravishing.”
It was Lord Ludbridge, as boyishly generous with his praise as he’d ever been. “I was waiting for your husband to claim you, but he appears to be occupied with Lord Smythe and Sir Smithers.”
“Plotting revolution or planning whom next to blackmail, no doubt,” Araminta said with a curl of her lip before drawing Teddy into a quieter corner. “Oh, my dearest Teddy, I do hate him so much but what can I do. You’re not going to run away with me, are you?”
“Your capacity to shock me never abates, my dear,” he said, blinking. “I really can’t tell whether you’re funning half the time.” Two furrows appeared between his brows. “You know I’d do anything for you, but in this instance, I think I must save you from your own impulsiveness.”
“Then when do you suggest?” She glanced across at the three men. “I am a prisoner of my husband’s desires. I wasn’t funning before. I was speculating. You only have to ask your brother to know that my husband is up to his neck in nefarious activities. What happens if he’s apprehended and attained? Why, his estate and whatever else he owns would be forfeited to the Crown, and his children could never inherit.”
“Why, then I should come to your rescue.”
“Why not now?”
“Because I would not ruin you.” His look became more serious. “I am devoted to ensuring your happiness, and that means ensuring your reputation is not harmed by any possibly rash and impulsive acts on your part.”
Araminta gripped his wrist briefly. “Meet me in secret somewhere after this, Teddy. Well, perhaps not tonight because Debenham is here, but tomorrow. Please say you’ll do that?”
“Alone?”
“Well, I wasn’t suggesting you invite your brother for a midnight picnic. Of course, alone. You’ve never come to me alone though you’ve suggested often enough you want to.” Just the thought made her pulse beat faster.
He swallowed, clearly liking the idea though nervous to say so aloud. “I want to help you, Araminta. But getting you the letter solves nothing.”
“No, and I understand it’s not enough to help make a case against him, which is good.” Araminta lowered her voice. “I need to protect Debenham if I’m to protect myself. Darling Teddy, if you really want to help me, I need you to find out from your brother exactly what information is held against Debenham, and what they might be following up. Please, will you do that for me? Find out?”
Chapter 20
Lissa was determined not to ask Lucinda about the source of her deep sighs as she brushed out the long locks of her wayward charge. Clearly, the girl was dying to be quizzed, but Lissa was not going to give her the satisfaction.
“Did you enjoy your evening last night?” There, that was as far as she’d go. “Were there any young men who caught your fancy?”
“Lady Julia is dying to marry me off so she can enjoy Lord Beecham’s exclusive company. She detests me, have you noticed?”
Lissa had noticed, but she said only, “Lady Julia thinks of little other than herself.”
“Exactly, which is why I must be removed. But I’m not going without having my revenge.”
“That’s rather extreme,” Lissa murmured. “Surely making a match that suits you would suffice? You need to find a husband, so if you can do so this season and please your heart, there’s no need for revenge.”
Lucinda sniffed. “Those excellent pictures you draw, Miss Hazlett. How fast do you sketch?”
Oh, lord. Lissa hadn’t expected that. “I don’t sketch very often, Miss Lucinda,” she demurred.
“Would you, though? If I could get you something you wanted? Like a few hours to spend with your young man without anyone knowing?”
Lissa stared into the girl’s speculative green eyes which immediately danced with delight at supposedly having uncovered Lissa’s secret.
“You think I don’t notice anyone else around me? I saw the way you looked at that young man and then pretended you didn’t care when he asked me to dance.”
Lissa hadn’t realized she was shaking her head so vehemently, but Lucinda just laughed again. “Really, it’s nothing to do with me, so there’s no need to look so afraid. I won’t tell Lady Julia if that’s what you’re worried about because I know you’re not allowed followers, though of course, you’d know you can’t marry a man like that in your situation. And I’m sorry for it, truly I am.”
She didn’t look particularly sorry, but then she also didn’t look as if she was vengefully motivated. She went on, “So now that I’ve proved I’m rather good at noticing things you’d not expect me to notice, I thought you might consider obliging me with a little game I’m playing that regards Lady Julia and Lord Debenham.”
“Lord Debenham? What has he to do with any of this?” Lissa hoped her voice didn’t sound as strangled as she feared it did.
“Well, that’s the thing. I really don’t know.” Lucinda frowned. “It’s just that I saw him address Lady Julia while they were both in the ballroom in a casual fashion which is nothing to take note of. Only then she looked furious, then afraid, and then she handed him a small package which he put in his pocket before she flounced off. So I wondered what—”
“She handed him a package? How big?” Lissa’s mind was buzzing. Money? Jewelry? So Lady Julia was being blackmailed! Here was something at last that she could pass on to Ralph. There were others, but Ralph was becoming increasingly frustrated at not knowing names. Finally, Lissa could tell him about Lady Julia.
“It could have contained bank notes, or it could have contained her diamond earrings,” said Lucinda as if she’d been reading her mind. “I’d happily see her hand over every single thing of value she had, but really, I suppose what’s more important is why she’s afraid of Lord Debenham. I h
eard her whispering to Lord Beecham the other day, and Lord Debenham’s name came up. Neither of them like him. In fact, I think they’re both afraid of him. I would be too, for that matter. He looks like the devil. I can’t imagine why that Lady Debenham wanted to marry him in the first place, except that of course he’s very rich and has a title.”
Lissa let her prattle on while she assimilated this information.
“You’ve not said anything, Miss Hazlett. Will you oblige me by paying close attention to Lady Julia and Lord Beecham? I’m sure you’re just as interested, now, to know what might be in the wind. If I can only find out what it is that Lady Julia is so afraid of, perhaps I might find a way of ridding this household of her. You’d like that as much as me, I know.”
It was true. Lissa detested the woman. “And if you do that, I’ll see that you enjoy a couple of hours free time when I’ll pretend you’re drilling me in deportment or some other wasted pursuit.” She smiled up at Lissa, satisfaction written all over her pretty face. And it was a pretty face, Lissa thought with a pang. Lucinda had all the requirements for being a prime catch.
Just the kind of young lady Ralph’s parents would be delighted at him snaring.
Nevertheless, all that mattered was that Ralph was as loyal and committed to them marrying as he ever was. And Lissa was nearly bursting with excitement at being able to assist him further in his dealings surrounding Lord Debenham.
So when Lady Julia and Lord Beecham were cozily ensconced in the drawing room listening to Lucinda play the piano—quite nicely, in fact,— Lissa ensured she was discreetly positioned within earshot.
Discretion was her hallmark, as Ralph had remarked. Never once had Lissa given cause for eyebrow-raising through any gesture or remark. She was as beyond notice as the furniture. While Ralph thought her beauty equal to Araminta’s—bless him! —Lady Julia clearly didn’t perceive Lissa as a threat. Lissa was just the downtrodden governess beneath notice. Why, she’d not recognized Lissa as Araminta’s companion the year prior when they’d chanced upon each other in a glovemaker’s on Bond Street.
Now, as Lucinda gently played for her own enjoyment, her fingers running over the keys, and Lissa plied her needle and thread, Lady Julia and Lord Beecham cozied up to one another. If Lissa were lucky, they’d forget she was there.
“You gave him what he asked?” This was Lord Beecham, his voice low, the bristles of his mustache twitching in outrage.
“I did, Beechy darling, and Archie is as grateful as I am for averting scandal.”
“Except that it won’t avert it, will it, my dear?”
Lady Julia looked distressed. “But it has to. He must be satisfied with that.” She smoothed her golden hair and took a deep breath. “Anyway, he can prove nothing. I paid him the money so he’d withdraw publication of his nasty little allegations from the Independent Whig.”
“Muckraking newspaper! No one believes a word of what they read it in but it holds such sway! Well, there are whisperings you’re not alone. Someone is ferreting out secrets and passing them on to Debenham, who is making hay while the sun shines.”
“Are you suggesting we go to the authorities? Beechy, I couldn’t possibly.”
“I’m suggesting we find our own means of dealing with the matter, once and for all.” Lord Beecham looked angry. “He and I have done business together. We’ve dined and gambled together. He let me believe he was my friend, but I think the time has come to show him I can be as good a friend to him as he is to me.”
“Beechy, you look like a man not to be crossed when you bare your teeth like that,” Lady Julia tittered. “I can’t imagine what you have in mind.”
Lissa wondered, too, what he might have in mind, or whether it was all big talk designed to impress his lady love. Lady Julia put her hand up to trace the line of his sideburns. “You are quite magnificent, my lord. I’ve not met anyone to equal you.”
“Not Ledger, certainly. And not that puling ninnyhammer, what was his name—Edgar? Not even Stephen Cranborne.” His lip twitched. “Gad’s teeth but I could tear his head from his neck every time I see him. Good thing I’m more motivated by the need to get rid of Debenham.”
Lissa tried to sink farther into the cushions behind her. What was this about Stephen Cranborne and Lady Julia? Or was Lissa jumping to wild conclusions?
“I’m sure we’re not the only ones who’d like to see Debenham at the end of a noose. Alas, securing evidence is likely to see too many of us floundering in the quagmire of what we don’t want made public. I think Debenham might just find himself in a sticky situation from which not even he can extricate himself.”
Now Lissa knew she really had to make Lucinda honor her promise to let her have a few hours free so she could go and tell Ralph everything about this incendiary conversation.
“Well, well, what have we here?”
Lissa smiled up into Ralph’s surprised face as he removed her black cloak, his gaze traveling from the hem of her lovely apple-green muslin to the simple twist of her topknot, so different from the severe style she generally adopted.
Putting his hand under her elbow, he led her deeper into the tiny dwelling where Mrs. Nipkins, who was busy stirring a pot over the fireplace, let out a noise of the greatest appreciation.
“I think you’ll agree that I’ve discovered something very interesting, Ralph.” Lissa hugged herself, she was so excited. “Aren’t you going to ask me what it is?”
“First I want to feast my eyes on you.” He untied the ribbons beneath her chin. “You look even lovelier than you did the night I rescued you from your upturned carriage.”
“Well, I’ve never appeared to such advantage since the night I borrowed Miss Maria Lamont’s ball gown, that’s true.” She grinned. “For more than a year, I’ve been the mousey governess—”
“Waiting to be revealed for the swan through my clever offices.”
“Only it’s my clever offices that’s going to give you the information you need, which, when added to the letter, will convict Lord Debenham.”
“Oh my, Larissa, please sit down. Believe me, I’m all ears and only too ready to cede to you the highest accolades for your clever sleuthing. Truly, you put my poor efforts into the shade. I work for the fellow and have found nothing.”
Lissa seated herself in the chair Ralph pulled out and removed her gloves. “Modesty becomes you, Ralph,” she said. “I should like to hear accolades rain down on my shoulders. Oh, but Mrs. Nipkins…Ralph! It was quite extraordinary how unguarded Lady Julia and Lord Beecham were as they discussed the fact that Lady Julia is being blackmailed—”
“By Debenham?”
“Yes, but it gets better. Lady Julia and…you’ll never guess it…Mr. Cranborne. Mr. Stephen Cranborne. Furthermore, Lord Beecham sounded quite threatening. As if he meant to do Lord Debenham harm. But of course, that would be no good as you want to ensure that Debenham gets his comeuppance through official channels. Ralph, did you hear anything I had to say?”
He looked up, his eyes alight. “Every word, my love. I’m still digesting the fact that Stephen Cranborne had dealings with Lady Julia Ledger that Lord Debenham found it worthy to blackmail him over. It doesn’t sound like it was a mere liaison.”
“You don’t think that Lady Julia being married is enough?”
“I do not, and I will have to quiz him on it. He admitted he was being blackmailed, but even I had not the clever cunning and charm to prize the truth out of him. Obviously, when he learns what you’ve told me it’ll be another matter.”
“Perhaps that’s something I can discover.”
“While I don’t wish to sound dampening, I think you’ve learned about as much as you’re likely to. Lady Julia isn’t going to go into details. Obviously, Beecham knows what the story is. I believe he’s besotted with her. No, Stephen Cranborne must make a clean breast of it when I approach him. Likely we’ll be able to keep his secret and charge Debenham with three counts of extortion and, with the testimony of Smythe and Buzby,
add a charge of high treason. My dear, you’ve done very well.”
“‘N ‘ow is that sister of yers?” Mrs. Nipkins asked, leaning across to pour them both a cup of tea.
Lissa looked confused. “Lady Debenham?”
“Lordy, no. The sweet-natured one. That famous actress wot’s so determined ter get ter the bottom o’ all this.”
“I don’t know that’s quite how I’d describe her.” Lissa smiled at Ralph, but Mrs. Nipkins clicked her tongue.
“If ever I seen someun wantin’ ter do good ‘n atone fer her wicked ways—not that they’s so wicked in me book as I dunno ‘ow else a girl’s ter get enough victuals ‘n a roof over ‘er ‘ead if she don’t ‘ave support—it were ’er.”
“She wants to because she thinks it’ll somehow make Lord Silverton more kindly disposed toward her, but it’s a hopeless situation and sadly, the sooner she realizes it the better.”
“You’re very uncharitable toward your sister,” Ralph remarked, stirring his tea. “Why do you resent her?”
“I…I don’t,” Lissa defended herself. “I was always the first to see that Kitty was all right. I was the one who ensured she had a clean apron, and a decent pair of shoes. I did her hair and dried her tears. Not Mama. But then Kitty ran away without ever telling anyone anything. The agonized letters I got from Mama were heartrending. Kitty has always thought only of herself, and now she’s enjoying the high life.”
“She chose her path just as you chose yours. I do think Kitty deserves a bit more sympathy. But let us not stray off the topic. You’ve been a wonder, my dear. And if I could raise my glass with something stronger, I would.”
Chapter 21
The season was coming to an end, and Kitty’s performance had been lauded in all the gossip sheets and newspapers. She was looking forward to a rest between performances, but worried about the length of time she’d be without income.
Thoughts of Silverton tugged at her, but she forced them away. Within two weeks he’d be married. The thought made her want to weep, but she was a professional. Each night she forced herself to smile and carry on.
Lady Unveiled - The Cuckold's Conspiracy (Daughters of Sin Book 5) Page 18
