“I have my solicitor pursuing a solution to the problem of your guardianship and I will meet with him this afternoon. By the time of the engagement ball, I hope there will be no impediment to our marriage.”
“Well!” she gasped, “I have to admit that sounds like tidy work for one morning!”
Mason looked at her, at last unable to help himself, and grinned like a fool.
“Are you pleased, my love?”
Delia jumped forward to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him full on the mouth. She gasped for breath and continued kissing him until she was able to speak without tearing up.
“That is the happiest news I can imagine!” she said with delight as she continued to kiss his nose and temples and cheek.
“My darling,” he murmured as he returned the kisses. “I am so pleased you are agreeable.”
“Mmmmm.”
“And this solves the problem of me being unable to keep my hands off of you while you are in my house. I should never manage for weeks on end and at Lady Burke’s you will be completely safe.”
“But I don’t want to be completely safe!” Lady Delia teased.
“It is not that I wish you to be. I simply cannot have my fiancé in my house for weeks ahead of the wedding, where I can bed her every night.”
“It doesn’t sound so bad, if only it wasn’t hideously improper and immoral.”
“Small considerations indeed,” he replied with a smile. “Delia, darling…soon. Soon you will be here as my Marchioness and there will be no more hiding and skulking.”
“Is Lady Delia leaving?” came a voice from the door.
“Oh!” gasped Delia as she tried to jump up from on top of Mason’s lap.
“Do you never knock?” asked Mason of his sister, as she tripped into the room.
“Why on earth should I knock? It’s a sitting room!”
Lord Durham’s eyes rose to the ceiling and he did not respond. Delia blushed but tried to reassure Lady Harriet.
“I’m sure his lordship meant nothing. Only that I am to live with Lady Burke until the wedding. He has decided it was most improper for me to remain here, which I of course agree, and I am to leave Durham House tonight.”
Lady Harriet’s sweet face fell a bit, but she said, “Of course it’s not proper for you to be here unchaperoned. But it’s probably improper for me too, so I should probably also go to live with Lady Burke, shouldn’t I? I understand that and I knew I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone. But I shall miss you! It won’t be long, will it? Before you are back?”
“No, indeed,” Mason said before Delia could reply. “You have your governess, who is a perfectly adequate chaperone until you are out. And yes, Lady Delia will reside here at Durham House immediately after the wedding, which will be announced at the engagement ball Lady Burke is giving for the two us Thursday next. And, if you are very good,” Mason told Harriet, “You may attend.”
The young lady gave a squeal of delight and jumped to hug both her brother and Lady Delia. Her dark curls bounced and her face beamed with happiness.
“I am sure you would not be so cruel as to forbid me from coming,” Lady Harriet cried, “And I shall, of course, do everything Miss Henry tells me not to do. Starting with ordering a proper gown! I am so overcome!”
Lady Delia smiled and encouraged Lady Harriet to continue speculating on what she would wear to the ball while Mason excused himself to meet with Mr. Jarndyce. As he left, she continued to listen as her future sister-in-law planned her elaborate gown.
As he waited in his study for his solicitor to appear, Mason was pleased to reflect on the tidy way in which Delia’s problematic situation was being resolved. It was lucky, he knew, that he had gone with Freddy Whitmore to the opera that night last week. The thought of what may have happened had he refrained from doing so clenched his stomach. Freddy could have persuaded her to marry him—and then he would have had to either murder Freddy or avoid him for life. Or, she could have been recognized as Lady Delia Ellsworth and her reputation would have been destroyed for good. Or, Christopher Rosewood could have taken her on the street during one of the times she foolishly wandered about London on her own. It was extremely fortunate that had not occurred on the day she had spent with her editor and publisher, as he waited for her to return for hours. She simply did not seem to understand the danger she had been in. But he was relieved that she appeared to understand now what she must do. Not that it was particularly irksome. The issue of her writing novels was another problem. He would have to deal with that later—
“Ah, Mr. Jarndyce. How good of you to wait on me here at Durham House.”
“My lord, it is, of course, no trouble for me at all.”
“Do have a seat and let me know what you have discovered? Unless I am mistaken, there is not yet any progress on the situation in which the lady finds herself?”
“No, indeed, my lord, that is not the case at all. However, I fear, the matter is much simpler, but far less innocuous.”
The Marquess leaned forward and frowned, knitting his eyebrows, as he steepled his fingers.
“I hope it is nothing that cannot be undone?”
“It is not a matter of undoing anything, my lord, as there is nothing to undo. It appears that Mr. Rosewood represented to Lady Delia that he was her guardian when in fact, nothing could be further from the case. The lady’s guardian is the new Earl of Ellsworth, Lady Delia’s cousin, Mr. Augustine Harcourt, who is traveling back from abroad, according to the new Earl’s solicitor.”
“Then how on earth was this Christopher Rosewood able to pass himself off as her guardian?”
“It appears that after the late Earl’s death, his solicitor was indeed notified and the appropriate bequests were sent out after the reading of the will. But Rosewood was able to bribe a clerk in the office of Ellsworth’s solicitor to have the will reading done in their offices instead of at Washburn Court. Lady Delia was not present due to her profound grief and instead, only Mr. Rosewood, for whom a bequest was made by the Earl due to Rosewood’s father’s relationship with him, and a proxy for the new Earl. The lady has no immediate family, as you are aware. Rosewood had presumably learned from the late Earl who the guardian was to be, and that he himself was to receive a bequest. So he simply asked that the reading occur away from the presence of Lady Delia, and while the proxy for the new Earl was in fact to be the new guardian, Rosewood knew that the proxy was only an employee of the firm and offered to take the guardianship papers to Lady Delia as a favor. He was, after all, known to the lady by his stay at Washburn Court. Rosewood simply returned to Washburn and informed everyone that the late Earl had made him Lady Delia’s guardian because he did not know the new Earl and wished his daughter to be in the best of hands.”
“So, Rosewood has no control over her whatsoever.”
“No, indeed, which might explain his desperation in attempting to achieve a marriage between the Lady Delia and himself. Upon the return of the new Earl, he would be out of the house and without control of the lady. And, of course, if they were not married by the time the new Earl arrived back in England, there is no way that a marriage between his ward and Mr. Rosewood would be permitted. Mr. Rosewood, my lord, is a man who appears to have nothing but a mortgaged estate and debts to his name. However, if he had married the girl by special license and had been living with her as man and wife…”
“There would be nothing that the new Earl could do.”
“Quite so.”
“A truly disgusting revelation, Mr. Jarndyce.”
“I certainly agree, my lord. And might I say that once it became clear that this clerk’s actions had led to Mr. Rosewood passing himself off as the lady’s guardian, he was, of course, terminated. The new Earl’s solicitor has already been dispatched to Washburn Court to ensure Rosewood is not permitted re-entry and to attempt to resolve the mess that has been created.”
“A bit late, I’m afraid, though at least Lady Delia is safe.”
“Quit
e so, my lord.”
“Jarndyce?”
“Yes, my lord?”
“Perhaps you will have gathered, due to your undoubtedly fine intellect, that I wish to marry the Lady Delia myself.”
“It had occurred to us, my lord, given the nature of the inquiry and your otherwise nonexistent relationship with the lady.”
“Will there be any impediment to my marrying her, absent the consent of her guardian, who is not yet in England?”
“In my opinion, my lord, you may apply to the new Earl’s solicitor, who will attempt to gain permission from his lordship prior to his arrival back in the country. Given the provisions of the guardianship’s marriage clause, I see no reason why the new Earl would refuse.”
“Excellent. Will you draft a letter to that effect?”
“Of course, my lord. It shall be a great pleasure.”
“Jarndyce, you have outdone yourself on this matter and may I offer my humblest thanks?”
“I endeavor to give satisfaction, my lord, and may I offer my congratulations on your impending nuptials?”
“You may. I will look forward to a response from the new Earl’s solicitor. What is his name? You mentioned it?”
“The new Lord Ellsworth is called Augustine Harcourt.”
“Thank you, Jarndyce.”
“You are most welcome. Good day, my lord.”
Mason was unsure if he should inform Lady Delia that Rosewood was not, in fact, her guardian, but it seemed like information which would only infuriate her, as well as make her feel even more powerless. Her unhappiness at being forced out of her home was bad enough, but if he told her she had been forced out by an imposter? She would not take the news well. He would put off that information until their lives had settled into some greater semblance of normalcy.
Chapter 29
Lady Delia stepped from the Lord Durham’s carriage into the garden at Lady Anne Burke’s town house feeling both excited and saddened over the loss of both Mason and Harriet’s company. It had been dizzying to have Mason so close—she had only to send for him and she could see him. Losing that, she felt as though she did not know when she would see him next. It was, to her, as if their engagement was somehow more tenuous. And Lady Harriet’s sweet disposition and chatter would be an additional loss. She had enjoyed the young woman’s company more than she could say, especially given her months of lonely mourning at Washburn Court.
“Welcome to my home, Lady Delia,” Anne Burke began as she led her into the house. “Despite your uncommon circumstances, I hope that you will be very happy here. And you will, of course, return to Durham House as soon as you and the Marquess are wed.”
“I look forward to it, my lady,” said Delia, “Though I am extremely grateful for your generosity.”
“And I am so pleased to have you, if even for a short time,” Lady Burke replied. “Do come into the drawing room and meet my daughter, Miss Felicity Burke.”
They were shown into a comfortable drawing room with a warm fire and deep crimson drapes that reminded Delia of Washburn Court. She felt, for not the first time, a twinge of homesickness. Lady Delia had never been away for so long, but wondered when she would return, as her cousin, the new Earl, would soon be living there and she would be the Marchioness of Durham. Perhaps she would be invited to visit once he arrived.
Miss Burke proved to be a delightful young woman, vivacious and outspoken like Lady Harriet, but blonder and slighter than her dear friend. She lowered her wide brown eyes when her mother came into the room, but soon had a sweet smile for Delia.
“I do hope you two will be friends,” Lady Burke said as the women settled to tea. “Lady Delia will be with us until her marriage to Lord Durham,” she told her daughter. “And we do not have a date for that happy event, so it may be some months.”
“I do hope it is not too long!” exclaimed Lady Delia and the ladies chuckled.
“Nor do I, for your sake. But you may wish to get to know the Marquess better prior to your wedding.”
“We know each other well enough, I think,” replied Delia, “Especially given our circumstances,” but at Lady Burke’s look toward Miss Burke, who was looking extremely interested, Delia quickly added “I mean, since so many marriages are arranged, and we actually were able to meet and interact a bit before our engagement. But you are right, of course, Lady Burke. I should not like to be married next week, for example, without having been taken riding in the park by his lordship.”
Lady Burke approved of Lady Delia’s quick change of direction and nodded before pouring herself a cup of tea. She directed the final preparation of her guest’s rooms and, after they had all chatted for over three-quarters of an hour, suggested an early bedtime. Miss Burke agreed and Lady Burke escorted Lady Delia to her new chamber.
“Your maid has, I believe, been unpacking?”
“Yes, my lady, and I am sure it is all in order.”
“Tomorrow I will have my modiste to the house by half-past nine. You will need a new wardrobe as Marchioness of Durham and his lordship mentioned to me that your clothes are not quite the thing. Not that it is any of your fault, of course. Only that you have nothing suitable for town and that you have been in mourning.”
“You are quite correct, Lady Burke, and I had only this morning requested that a seamstress be sent for. I am grateful that you have arranged it so neatly! I’m sure there was no way a reputable seamstress could have come to see me at Durham House, anyway.”
“Quite so, my dear. And you must endeavor to pretend that tonight was your first night in London, Delia. It is absolutely essential that you in no way suggest you had stayed in Durham House, or in Charles Street, or that you were not at Washburn Court for the past three months. It is imperative that until society believes your virtue to be intact and your reputation restored that you give no reason to doubt your story.”
“Yes, my lady. I understand completely, though I hardly think I ought to be punished for escaping from my guardian? After all, had I not run away to Town, I would be either compromised or married to him by now!”
“I am aware of that, my dear. But I am afraid society at large is not so forgiving. Please believe I entirely sympathize with your plight. We must however keep your bravery to ourselves.”
“I will endeavor to say nothing that would jeopardize either my soon to be restored reputation, nor ill-repay you for your kindness in taking me in and prevaricating slightly on my behalf, Lady Burke,” said Lady Delia with earnest dedication.
“That’s my girl,” approved her hostess. “And now, I will bid you goodnight. I will send a maid with your breakfast by eight. You will need to be prepared for fittings quite early.”
“I will be—and thank you again for your generosity, my lady.”
“You are quite welcome, my dear.”
When Delia found herself for the fourth time in three months sleeping in a new chamber, she sighed with exasperated acceptance. At least when she was finally Lady Durham, she would not have to be in some new place every week. She looked about and found her clothes, minus the two scandalous nightgowns that she assumed Mason had retained at Durham house, and toiletries unpacked and the pages of her unfinished novel bound together next to the bed. That, she decided, would have to wait until tomorrow. She was too exhausted to edit or write tonight.
The next morning when Delia awoke, she remembered for a moment when Mason had been next to her in bed the previous morning and with a small twinge of longing, turned over. She gazed at the empty pillow next to her but could not quite imagine sharing a bed with her future husband in Lady Burke’s house. It would be soon enough, she reminded herself, that she was his wife. Lady Delia rang the bell for Amelia and rose to bathe. The long day of fittings awaited her, which was slightly worrisome, given she had still the last two chapters of her novel to write. When the door was opened to the breakfast room, she was relieved to see only Lady Burke and Miss Burke.
“Good morning, my dear,” said Lady Burke, who was readin
g the Gazette.
“Good morning! I do hope I have risen early enough to meet the modiste?”
“Indeed you have! Felicity and I rarely rise in time to have breakfast in this room but today is an exception given that it involves shopping,” she continued with a wink.
“I own it has been over a twelve-month since I’ve had anything new…and it is probably evident from my wardrobe. But it’s not as if there are fashionable seamstresses in the country and no one takes much note of one’s gowns while one is in morning.”
“Which is as it ought to be,” replied Lady Burke. “I must warn you, however, that today is the day your engagement announcement to the Marquess is to run in the Gazette. Would you like to see it?”
Lady Delia gasped with surprised delight and rushed to immediately look over her hostess’ shoulder at the paper. She bent over the black-and-white print to see her name.
“Lady Delia Ellsworth, daughter of Percival Harcourt, the late Earl of Ellsworth, To Mason Broadstone, Fourth Marquess of Durham. My goodness, you put very little in the announcement, did you not?”
“Quite so. We felt it would invite speculation to draft additional text. We said only that which is factually accurate. Daughter of the late Earl of Ellsworth, et cetera.”
“You are undoubtedly correct.”
“Will people come to call today, do you think, mama, to congratulate Lady Delia?”
“I should think they must,” Lady Burke replied, “Though I confess I did not anticipate a large crowd earlier this week when I directed the menus. We shall simply have to wait until this afternoon to see what happens. The modiste will be able to get enough measurements and agreements about gowns this morning to give her plenty to work with. I told her to bring something that may be fitted to you by an assistant this morning so that you will have a gown to wear this afternoon for callers.”
“Goodness is such a thing quite possible?”
“My dear, after such an absence as you have had, and such gossip, we must ensure you are looking your absolute best this afternoon when all of the ton comes to call to have a look at you.”
A Lady Compromised (The Ladies) Page 17
