“There is that,” she murmured and idly fiddled with the ties at the neck of her cape. “Your mother said she felt all the speculation and gossip this is causing is best dealt within one clean slash rather than a slow, torturous bloodletting.”
“I had never realized that my mother could be so gruesome,” he drawled and laughed when her small elbow nudged him in the side. “She is right. That is the best way to do it. Truly. It is why I had that notice with its short explanation posted in the papers and then paraded my son and myself all around the park.”
“Stopping to speak to nearly everyone there and introduce him.”
“Exactly. Mother’s gathering this afternoon will be very busy as everyone and their mother comes to look at this rescued child of an earl. The fact that he looks so much like me only adds to the allure of the tale. Mother has even hung the portrait of me done at that age in a very prominent place, God save me.”
Chloe laughed. “Did you have pretty hair, too?”
“Hush, impudent wench. It is the lacy child’s clothes that trouble me more.” He grinned when she laughed again. “The announcement in the paper, signed by three lords of the realm and two well-respected solicitors, should be enough to quiet most of the gossip that could rise concerning his legitimacy, but a good look at the boy and my mother’s adamant belief in his right to be called my heir should quiet the rest. Considering who poor Anthony has been cursed with as a mother, it is best to make certain that there are no other slurs that might be used against him.”
“Do you think he will always suffer for Beatrice’s crimes?”
“Most will forget, and once the whole truth is out they will know that she had nothing to do with him, so could not have tainted him with any of her ways. But there are always some who like to sniff out a person’s weaknesses so that they might make themselves feel more important. Anthony will have to learn how to deal with such people. They are always about, I fear. I believe that when he is of an age to fully understand what she did, he will have a harder time learning that it had nothing to do with who he is.”
“Aye, I fear you may be right. It will be a hard blow when it comes, no matter what his life has been until then.” Chloe sighed as they pulled to a halt before the large townhouse his mother and sisters called home. “I just hope I can hold to the tales already told. Everything within me wishes to tell everyone what truly happened, not just hint at it. I want everyone to know what monsters Beatrice and Arthur are.”
“The ones who need to know have been told, and the rest will learn the whole sordid truth, or most of it, when this is over. I could openly accuse Beatrice right now and demand a trial, but I want to be absolutely certain that she pays for what she did to our child, that an accusation becomes a conviction. Right now I do not have enough to have the accusation hold firm against Arthur and Beatrice’s skills at influencing or threatening people into doing what they want.” Julian kissed Chloe just before the carriage door was opened. “You will do fine.”
Chloe was not so certain of that but followed him into his mother’s house. It was not that she feared she would forget the carefully chosen tales told about Anthony and the equally carefully selected reasons for why Julian was still living with Leo. The latter one was a lot easier than the first, as there was not much twisting of the truth. Part of her, however, had a very strong urge to simply tell anyone who asked too many questions that they were being intrusive and it was none of their bloody business. Not the way a future countess should behave, she warned herself as Lady Evelyn greeted them.
All too soon the people began to arrive. Chloe did not think the last ball she had attended had drawn so many people. Lady Marston had arrived a few minutes early, settled herself in a comfortable chair, and watched the parade of people with an amused eye. Blunt as she was, Chloe decided she liked the woman. The way Anthony kept returning to talk to Lady Marston told her that he liked her, too. The way she acted with the boy told Chloe that there was a softness beneath that blunt exterior. Other people were not so kind and looked at Anthony as if he were an exhibit at some strange museum.
When one man dressed in eye-watering colors looked Anthony over through a fancy monocle, she had had enough. Chloe was just about to go and say something when Lady Evelyn came up to her. Although she knew it was for the best that she was halted from doing anything that might cause a scandal, Chloe was still disappointed that she could not go and stomp that foolish monocle under her foot.
“That is Lord Bertram Handley,” Lady Evelyn said, her eyes bright with amusement. “He is a fool and is obviously completely devoid of any fashion sense, but he is the biggest gossip in the town.”
“And that is a good thing?” Chloe asked.
“In this matter, yes. He is just the sort we need. He will speak of this everywhere and by the look on his face, he has decided that Anthony is indeed the heir to Colinsmoor.”
“How kind of him.”
Lady Evelyn laughed. “There, Lady Marston has said what you wanted to or something very close to it. He does not look any better when he tries to puff up in offended dignity, does he?”
Chloe grinned. “Worse. One has to wonder who his valet is.” She glanced at the huge portrait that hung over a massive fireplace. “I must remember to tell Julian that he, too, had very pretty hair when he was a boy.”
Slapping a hand over her mouth, Lady Evelyn quickly smothered her hearty laugh and nodded. “Anthony has been sure to tell every woman here. I think the boy is a born flirt.”
“He is.” She looked to where Anthony was offering Lady Marston a rather battered little cake. “He likes Lady Marston.” Chloe had to smile when Lady Marston accepted the cake with great dignity and began to eat it.
“She is a good woman and she adores children. All her children adore her. I always thought she deserved a much better husband than the horse-mad fool she married, but she seems quite content.”
“He gave her those children who adore her.”
“Very true. One wit said that she carried a child seven times and had seven children. She never lost one because God was terrified that she would come after Him and demand He give it back.” Lady Evelyn grinned when Chloe laughed. “She is blunt and a bit odd, but she has a very good heart. I have also learned to never ignore her opinion of someone, no matter how bluntly put.”
Chloe slowly nodded, thinking of the advice Lady Marston had given Julian in the park. “Aye, she has excellent insight. It must have been difficult when she made no secret of her opinion of Beatrice.”
“It did not trouble me, for I agreed with her. Fortunately, a confrontation between her, Julian, and Beatrice did not occur until Julian had already begun to see what she was.” Lady Evelyn shook her head. “He made a very bad choice there. I am glad he is making a better one this time.”
Chloe stared at the small, gloved hand that patted her arm and then looked at Lady Evelyn. The woman’s look told Chloe there was no point in even arguing the assumption. She was curious as to why the woman had come to that conclusion, however.
“He is still married,” she felt obliged to say.
“Not for long. I dread the scandal of a divorce, but if that is what is needed to shake free of that harpy, then I will endure the scandal. I was a little afraid she would show herself here. She has to know what is being said about her. Julian has not openly accused her of anything, but no one else is inclined to be so cautious. It would be just like that woman to come here and try to play the poor mother whose child was stolen from her and whose husband maligns her by letting people think it was her doing. I would not be surprised if some of the people who came here did so hoping that she would.”
“I suspect Arthur holds her back.” Chloe bit back the tale of the attack on Leo and Julian that had driven their enemies into hiding, for she was not sure Julian had told his mother about it.
“True. He will need to plan a response to the gossip making the rounds.”
“I am not sure what one can say but I suspec
t he will try to turn it round. Ah, Lady Marston is trying to get our attention.”
Even as Chloe and Lady Evelyn moved toward the woman, Julian reached her side. He picked up a very sleepy Anthony, who settled himself comfortably in his strong arms. Chloe could see how everyone looked at the two together and suspected it was the final proof for many of them. No one with eyes could deny that the pair was father and son. No matter how much she had disliked the event, Chloe had to admit that it had done what was intended. Anthony was accepted by society as Julian’s legitimate heir. His future was secured. For that she could not regret the time spent politely answering rude questions.
“I believe one little boy has had a busy day,” said Lady Evelyn as she smoothed the curls off Anthony’s forehead.
“Lots of cakes, too,” mumbled Anthony.
Julian laughed softly. “I had best take him home.” He glanced at the clock on the mantel. “It is close to his bedtime anyway.”
“No, Julian. Let him stay here. I will return him the moment he is up and dressed in the morning. I have the nursery all prepared for him and someone to help care for him.”
After a brief, gentle argument, Julian agreed and took Anthony up to the nursery. Lady Evelyn excused herself from her guests for a moment to go with him. Chloe knew she had to stand back this time or risk stirring up some unwanted gossip, but one glance at Lady Marston told her that that woman knew how disappointed she was not to be able to give Anthony his kiss good night.
“He will be all yours again soon enough, gel, and with no fear that some mincing gossip will slander you for it,” said Lady Marston.
Chloe did not argue or agree, just smiled at Lady Marston and asked, “Do you happen to know if there is a Wherlocke or a Vaughn dangling from your family tree?”
Lady Marston just laughed as she stood up. “Got to be on my way now. Give my regards to Lady Evelyn.” She patted Chloe on the cheek. “You will be good for the boy, gel. Very good.”
Either Julian had said something to his mother or Lady Evelyn and Lady Marston had simply decided that Chloe Wherlocke was the one Julian should marry next. As with many women of that age, they felt their decision about such a matter was the final one. They always claimed the value of wisdom and experience over youthful passion. It was almost a shame that they would be proved correct even if Chloe was not sure that their optimism about the outcome of that marriage was right. She was not about to argue over the acceptance of two lionesses of society, however. Their acceptance of her would certainly make her life easier when she did marry Julian. Chloe stoutly ignored the knot of fear that returned each time she thought of the marriage.
Julian returned and saved her from the attentions of a young man who obviously shared Lord Handley’s valet. It took them a while to gather Leo and make their farewells as everyone seemed to need to say just one more thing. When they finally climbed into the carriage, Chloe flopped into her seat and sighed.
“It was a bit of a trial,” agreed Julian when, as soon as the carriage was on its way, he moved to sit next to Chloe. “But, for all that, I believe its purpose was served admirably.” He looked out the window and scowled. “The street is blocked. We shall have to return home by the longer route.”
“It matters not,” Chloe said. “Just as long as you do not make me look or talk to any more people who share Lord Handley’s valet.” She grinned when both men laughed.
“The man does make one’s eyes hurt,” agreed Leo.
“Your mother and Lady Marston are matchmaking,” Chloe said and grinned at the horrified look on Julian’s face.
“I shall have to tell my mother about our plans to marry as soon as I am free. Who was she trying to make a match for? Or Lady Marston?”
“For both of us.” She laughed and shook her head. “They both told me that they approve of your next choice—me.”
“Damn. One has to wonder if it is just matchmaking or if they know. I do not believe we have given ourselves away.”
“Nay, I do not believe we have, either.”
“Mayhap they just decided you are the one they want and I had better do as they say. It almost galls one that we will have to prove them right.”
“I had the same thought.” She looked out the window and frowned. “Where are we going?”
“The long way round,” replied Leo. “Once a street is as clogged as the one in front of Lady Evelyn’s, even this long route will take less time and effort.”
Chloe absently nodded but she could not pull her eyes away from the window. She tensed and grabbed Julian by the hand. “Go left. Now. Go left.”
Julian hesitated just enough that Leo beat him in giving the order to their driver. Chloe was shaking, and that had grabbed his attention. Even though he wanted to comfort her, he joined Leo in preparing their pistols. He was now glad that he had given in to his mother’s wishes and left Anthony at her home.
“Did you see something?” he asked her as he peered out the window, cursing the dark and the poor lighting.
“Not see,” she replied. “Just know. There was danger awaiting us in the direction we were going.”
Leo cursed. “It may be that the road was blocked apurpose to drive us into a trap.”
Before Julian could agree, a shot rang out. He pushed Chloe to the floor of the carriage as it sped up. He tried to see who pursued them but only shadowy forms of men on horseback were visible behind them. They had definitely been sent into a trap. Although they were still in danger, they had a chance to get away now. Leo had been right to warn him to never hesitate when Chloe gave him some abrupt warning.
The carriage bounced along the road and it was not easy to keep himself in his seat. One man actually road up alongside the carriage and Julian shot him before he hurt the driver. Julian knew the driver had been the man’s target, for a driverless carriage rolling along at top speed was a death trap.
“It appears that bringing Anthony to the fore certainly did cause our enemies to react,” said Leo.
“Aye, but which enemy? Beatrice or Arthur?” asked Chloe as she tried to press herself close to the floor to ease the hard bouncing she was suffering.
“This time they may be in accord,” said Julian and then he cursed.
Something smashed through the window on one side of the carriage and barely missed Leo as it smashed its way out the other side. Julian heard Chloe whisper a curse. She had courage, he thought. Most ladies of his acquaintance would be screaming or crying, but she held fast. She also stayed where she had been told to even though he knew it had to be uncomfortable down there.
A shout from the front of the carriage caused Julian’s heart to leap up into his throat. The carriage swerved sharply and he feared they would be overturned, but it righted itself. Leo shot out the shattered window and a scream told Julian he had found his target. He was a little surprised when Leo pulled another pistol out from beneath the seat and handed Chloe his used one for reloading. She sat up with her back against a seat and rapidly did just that. Since he had only one pistol, Julian had reloaded his own, but he cursed himself for not bringing two.
“Leo!” cried Chloe in alarm when her cousin stuck his head out the window.
“Todd’s been hit,” he said as he yanked his head back inside.
“If you keep sticking your head out there you will be, too. He is still driving the carriage, so it cannot be too bad, can it?”
“He is losing blood, so he is losing strength, and there are still three men on our heels.”
“I can get up there,” said Julian as he began to shed his coat.
“There are people shooting at us!” protested Chloe. “And you could fall into the road.”
“I have climbed out into the driver’s seat of a racing carriage before,” Julian said. “In my reckless youth. My drunken friend was driving when the drink he had consumed finally caught up with him. I was a bit more sober so I went out and took over. Just keep up a steady fire,” he said as he set his pistol next to Leo.
Before she could try again to talk him out of what he was doing, Julian was swinging himself out of the window. It was a tight fit but that did not slow him down much. Chloe was terrified for him, afraid she would soon see him fall, but she was given no time to give in to that fear. Leo was shooting and handing her each empty pistol to reload as fast as possible. The noise made her head hurt and the smell of pistol smoke was choking, but Chloe kept loading pistols and praying. When the carriage began to move much more smoothly, she nearly fainted from relief.
“Safe?” yelled Leo.
“Safe enough,” Julian yelled back. “Todd is bleeding badly but will be fine if we can get back home. Ah.”
She could hear him and Todd talking although she could not hear what was being said. Chloe could not stop the squeal of surprise that escaped her when the carriage suddenly took a sharp turn. She barely saved the ammunition for the pistols from spilling all over the floor. When Leo stuck his head out of the window again, she thought she would scream, fearing she would see him shot right before her eyes. But to her surprise, he turned toward Julian.
“They have fallen back,” he said and pulled back into the carriage.
A moment later Chloe got up on her knees and could see why the men chasing them had fallen back. They were entering the better sections of London again, the areas where there were watchmen and far too many people who would not hesitate to tell the authorities what they had seen. Their pursuers were no longer free to chase and murder someone with no fear of being caught. After another moment she eased her battered body back up onto the carriage seat, careful to avoid the glass shards scattered over it.
“Well done, cousin,” Leo said as he collected the pistols and shot.
“My brothers taught me well,” she managed to say.
The moment the carriage pulled up in front of Julian’s home, Chloe scrambled out. She needed to see that he was unharmed with her own eyes. He climbed down as Wynn hurried out of the house. Leo moved to help Wynn get Todd back into the house and Chloe threw herself into Julian’s arms. It was weak and she risked the neighbors seeing the embrace, but she had to hear his heart. It was all that would ease the fear still clutching her by the throat.
If He’s Wicked Page 18
