The Scandalous Adventures of the Sister of the Bride

by Victoria Alexander

  “And Sam.” She turned an excited gaze toward him. “There are any number of gatherings planned between now and the wedding. You should take this opportunity to demonstrate the motorwagon.”

  Samuel and Grayson exchanged glances.

  Camille continued without pause. “Which is no doubt exactly what the two of you have in mind.” She looked at Teddy. “What do you think, Teddy?”

  “I think it will be great fun.” Teddy beamed. “Most people will be fascinated.”

  Camille thought for a moment. “A small group of friends and neighbors are joining us the day after tomorrow for a garden party, tennis and croquet, that sort of thing. It’s to be very informal and the matches won’t be at all serious. Do you play tennis, Sam?”

  “I do. Not as well as I’d like I’m afraid.”

  “Delilah plays quite well,” Teddy said.

  “There is so much about you I don’t know,” Camille said to her sister. “Miss Bicklesham’s, I presume?”

  “A healthy body supports a healthy mind,” Delilah said primly. “But, you may remember, even as a child I enjoyed tennis.”

  “Of course I remember,” Camille said, although Delilah would have wagered she didn’t recall that at all. Camille turned to Samuel. “With any luck, your motorwagon will be here by then.”

  “One can only hope.”

  “I can hardly wait to try it. I’ve never ridden in a horseless carriage.” Camille’s eyes lit with excitement. “I claim the first ride.”

  “And I shall be next.” Teddy grinned. “I am quite looking forward to it.”

  Grayson smiled at Delilah. “When you see the fun the others are having, you’ll want to ride in it as well.”

  “I wouldn’t wager on that, Grayson,” Delilah said. “I told you before, I have no intention of riding in some ill-conceived mechanical beast.”

  “Come now, Delilah,” Samuel said. “Think of it . . .” His knowing gaze met hers. “As an adventure.”

  Chapter Seven

  Sixteen days before the wedding . . .

  “Will you be joining us for tennis today, Lord Fairborough?” Delilah smiled at Grayson’s aunt and uncle.

  Beside her husband, the Countess of Fairborough suppressed a laugh.

  Her husband cast her an injured look. “I don’t know what you find so amusing.” He leaned toward Delilah in a confidential manner. “I’ll have you know I was quite adept at the playing of squash in my youth. Similar to tennis but requiring much more skill and finesse.” He huffed. “And I must say, I do prefer my tennis on an indoor court. That’s the way the kings of England played and it’s good enough for me.”

  “What he’s trying to say is that he will not be playing tennis today,” Lady Fairborough said with a firm look at her husband. “Nor, I’m afraid, will I. I don’t play often anymore although I have always enjoyed it. There’s little better than a hotly contested match played under the open sky in the fresh air.”

  Lord Fairborough snorted in derision.

  “We have a croquet court laid out as well if you’d prefer,” Delilah offered. “If I recall correctly from my childhood, both Grayson and Winfield played a wicked game of croquet.” She cast the older man a teasing smile. “And I suspect I know who taught them.”

  “Competition runs in the blood.” Lord Fairborough chuckled.

  Lady Fairborough sighed. “And blood was usually the end result.” She shook her head. “One wouldn’t think something as deceptively peaceful as croquet would be a blood sport but with my boys it was.”

  Grayson’s parents had died when he was very young and he’d been raised beside his cousin Winfield, now Lord Stillwell.

  Lady Fairborough peered around the terrace. “I saw Grayson when we first arrived but now I can’t seem to find either my nephew or my son and daughter-in-law.”

  Twenty or so of Camille’s friends together with neighbors Delilah hadn’t seen in years milled about on the terrace, greeting each other and exchanging the sort of pleasantries people exchange when they haven’t seen one another for far too long. Footmen navigated between the guests bearing trays of iced champagne and lemonade. Groups of two or three or more drifted toward the courts, a ten-minute walk from the terrace. Those who intended to play were overheard making rash statements as to their sporting prowess and Delilah suspected a few friendly wagers were made.

  “Isn’t that him?” Lord Fairborough squinted and pointed out a young man demonstrating how to swing a racket to an even younger woman.

  “No dear,” Lady Fairborough murmured. “Perhaps if you were to wear your spectacles . . .”

  “Don’t need them,” he said in a gruff manner.

  Lady Fairborough sighed. “Then keep looking.”

  Most of those under a certain age, men and women alike, carried rackets under their arm as did Delilah. The older guests would probably choose to play croquet. Teddy had said the courts were set up for both games. Her mistake was nowhere in sight, much to her relief.

  She hadn’t seen him at all yesterday except in passing. Samuel and Grayson had been ensconced in the library deep in discussion and plans for their motorized folly most of the day, going so far as to take their meals there. Delilah had noted any number of mechanical drawings strewn about when she’d happened to walk by the library door. As foolish as she thought this venture was, at least it kept Samuel occupied and out of her way.

  With any luck at all, the American had decided to forgo today’s activities as well. She hadn’t encountered him at breakfast and wondered if he had decided to return to London after all. Her spirits brightened at the thought then just as quickly deflated. She certainly wouldn’t count on that and someone probably would have mentioned his leaving to her. Samuel would no doubt appear when she least expected him if for no other reason than to be annoying. He derived entirely too much pleasure from annoying her. Which in and of itself was annoying.

  Still, he had appeared on his best behavior at dinner the other night once the topic had turned to something less volatile than motorwagons. One could argue he was quite charming. Delilah too had tried very hard to be charming, or at least cordial, and thought she had succeeded nicely, all things considered. She still didn’t understand why the others couldn’t see that Samuel was wrong about the future of horseless carriages. He was wrong and she was right and there was no more to be said about it than that, even if she suspected there would a great deal more said once the blasted machine arrived.

  Not encountering him yesterday had been a welcome respite. Now that the shock of his arrival had passed, Delilah vowed to do a better job of treating Samuel like a new acquaintance. It wasn’t much of a plan but it was better than nothing. Especially as every time his name came up, Camille studied her with a speculative eye. Delilah wasn’t sure why treating him as she would anyone else was so bloody hard to accomplish but then nothing seemed to be especially easy in her life at the moment.

  Even today’s garden party was awkward. Delilah was considered an accomplished hostess and it was decidedly odd today to be something less than a hostess and more than a guest. In truth she wasn’t sure what her role was. This business of being a dutiful sister was new to her, although she had decided to simply be as pleasant and helpful as possible. As long as she avoided the American she might be able to manage that.

  “Have you met Miranda?” Lady Fairborough asked.

  “Briefly.” Delilah smiled. “At the wedding.”

  “Yes, of course.” The older woman shook her head in a disparaging manner. “You were there. I don’t know where my head is some days.”

  Lady Miranda Garret had wed Winfield shortly after his cousin, Camille, and Delilah had returned from their trip to New York. Where, of course, she had made the biggest mistake of her life. Why was it that anything anyone said on very nearly any topic brought the blasted man to mind?

  “Excellent choice on Winfield’s part.” Lord Fairborough nodded his approval. “I was beginning to lose hope.”

  “Nonsens
e.” Confidence sounded in Lady Fairborough’s voice. “I knew he’d find the right woman. Eventually.” A triumphant smile graced the older lady’s lips. “I like her a great deal. She’s quite progressive you know and very modern.”

  “How nice.” Delilah forced a weak smile. Why was everyone so concerned with progress all of a sudden? What was wrong with leaving things as they had always been?

  “She talked Winfield into installing electricity when the hall was rebuilt.” Lord Fairborough shook his head. “Can you imagine such a thing? Electricity at Fairborough Hall.”

  “Isn’t it dangerous?” Delilah asked.

  Certainly more and more areas of London were being electrified but her house had yet to be wired. This was another one of those ways of the future she thought one should be cautious about. Still, while she’d prefer not to admit it to certain parties, electricity was, well, intriguing. And if her house remained her house, perhaps it was time to take a tentative step forward. As long as that step was solidly on the ground and not into a self-propelled motorwagon.

  “We are still getting adjusted to it but I like it.” Lord Fairborough nodded. “It’s certainly not without a few awkward problems—”

  “That poor cat . . .” Lady Fairborough shuddered.

  “But all in all, I think it’s most exciting. I like being at the forefront of progress. Even Winfield is pleased and I don’t mind telling you, he was adamantly against it in the beginning. It took a bit of convincing on Miranda’s part to change his mind.” Lord Fairborough nodded in a sage manner. “But I suspect that’s when Winfield realized she was the woman for him.”

  “There’s nothing more conducive for romance than argument or being on the opposing sides of an issue.” Lady Fairborough smiled in a satisfied manner. Did all mothers smile that way or just the ones Delilah knew? “That was my advice to Miranda and needless to say I was right.”

  “Regardless, I doubt Delilah has need for your advice,” her husband said.

  “I am always grateful for words of wisdom.” Delilah cast the lady a genuine smile even if she wasn’t entirely certain of the validity of Lady Fairborough’s advice. “And I shall certainly keep it in mind.”

  They chatted for a few moments more, then the couple headed down the terrace steps toward the playing fields. A light supper would be laid out on the terrace while the guests were playing croquet and tennis or cheering on those who were. Teddy mentioned there would also be music and perhaps even dancing if anyone was so inclined.

  The crowd on the terrace had thinned. No doubt most of the guests had already made their way to the courts. She would have to hurry if she wished to play. Lady Fairborough was right. There was nothing like a well-fought game of tennis to make life look a bit brighter.

  Perhaps Samuel was already at the courts. He was still nowhere in sight. For that matter, she didn’t see Grayson and Camille or Winfield and his wife. Not that she cared where Samuel was but it would be convenient to know his location if she was to avoid him.

  What on earth was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she face being around him? And why did every word out of his mouth set her teeth on edge? Other people apparently found him quite likeable. Of course, he had never seen them in the throes of unexpected and unbridled passion. How did women like Beryl—who’d had any number of illicit affairs before she and her husband had fallen in love with each other—manage to function in public, where she might come face-to-face with a former paramour? Delilah shuddered at the thought. Why, Delilah couldn’t face the one lover she’d had let alone the scores Beryl had left in her wake. If she and Beryl were closer, Delilah might turn to her for advice. Perhaps someday, not now of course and not in the foreseeable future, but someday when they were both old and gray and, at least for one of them, over the embarrassment of encountering one’s mistakes. Although Beryl probably didn’t consider them mistakes as much as adventures. For Delilah, it was one in the same.

  “Where have you been?” Teddy appeared before her, her ever-present notebook in her hand and a touch of panic in her eyes. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

  “Apparently not. I’ve been right here.” She studied the other woman. “You, on the other hand, look as though you are quite done in.”

  “Not yet.” The always efficient Teddy looked anything but competent at the moment. “I know we talked about this when we came to Millworth so much earlier than I have ever arrived to make certain a wedding goes smoothly. I agreed to take on all these other parties Camille had envisioned because you are my friend and Camille is spending an outrageous amount of money. And, admittedly I was grateful for the opportunity to escape my mother’s house. Besides, I didn’t think it would be at all difficult. And you said you would come early as well.”

  “I had nowhere else to go.”

  “Not that you mentioned that. And you should have, you know.”

  Delilah nodded. “I do. And if I am ever threatened with destitution again, you will be the very first one I will tell.”

  Teddy’s lips twitched with a restrained smile. “I shall take that as a promise.”

  “As I meant it.”

  “Good.” Teddy nodded. “As I was saying, my mother is not here to help, for which I am eternally grateful,” she added quickly.

  “As are we all.”

  Teddy’s mother, while well meaning, had never been able to get over the fact of Teddy’s failed engagement—apparently even death was not a legitimate excuse—or her daughter’s refusal to marry the distant cousin who inherited her late husband’s title and property. Just as Teddy had never been able to forgive Phillip for his transgressions against Delilah, Delilah had never been able to entirely see past Lady Sallwick’s treatment of her only child.

  “I need your help. Usually, my mother is with me for assistance along with several members of her household staff.” She sighed. “I am only one woman and I cannot be everywhere at once. Why, even now I am expected at the tennis court to assign partners and, let me tell you, that will require the wisdom of Solomon as there will be those who wish and expect and have requested to play with their friends or relations and those who have specifically asked to play against them.”

  “Just tell me what you need and frankly I’m grateful to do it. I’ve felt a bit like a fish out of water myself not knowing quite what was expected of me.”

  It struck Delilah that perhaps this was what she might do for the rest of her life if she was indeed left penniless. Teddy’s organization of weddings and various social events was not amassing her a fortune but it was keeping her financial head above water and allowing her to keep up the pretense that nothing had changed with the death of her father. If there was one thing Delilah knew how to do and do well it was host a party. Perhaps Delilah could join forces with Teddy and her mother. If they’d have her, of course. Still, that was a matter for the future, if the future turned out to be as dire as Delilah feared.

  “Although I must say you are doing an excellent job thus far.”

  “Thus far.” Teddy gave her a half-hearted smile. “Thank you but in ways too numerous to mention I am balancing a house of cards. Still . . .” She drew a deep breath. “All will be well momentarily, as soon as I herd everyone to their respective playing courts and the servants can begin setting up here. However . . .” Teddy glanced from side to side. “A fair number of the guests are not at the courts and seem to have disappeared.”

  Delilah drew her brows together. “What do you mean—disappeared?”

  “I mean they’ve vanished. They’re gone. Missing. I don’t know what happened to them.”

  “Maybe they just went home?”

  “They can’t go home.” Teddy glared. “This is home!”

  Delilah stared in confusion. “What?”

  “Camille and Grayson have vanished.” Teddy counted the missing guests off on her fingers. “As have Lord Stillwell and his wife and a handful of others I think, including . . .” Teddy narrowed her eyes. “Sam.”

  “You
needn’t look at me like that. I haven’t done away with the man.”

  “You obviously don’t like him.”

  “Nonsense.” She waved off the charge. “We simply have a difference of opinion that’s all.”

  Teddy scoffed.

  “Regardless, even if I detested him, I would not slit his throat and throw his lifeless body in the pond.”

  Suspicion glittered in Teddy’s eyes.

  Delilah huffed. “Clearly, you are overworked and it has affected your mind. I could never do something like that.” The very idea that she could dispatch the American was absurd. Although, given her behavior around him, it was not entirely far-fetched. “Not without help anyway.”

  Teddy stared at her for a moment then smiled reluctantly. “And, as I am the only one here you would trust to help you with such a thing, I suppose he’s safe enough.” She paused. “Do you think you could find him and the others while I go on to the courts?”

  “I think that’s well within my abilities.”

  “And as quickly as possible would be appreciated.” Teddy nodded and moved away, pausing at the first group of guests she encountered, appearing calm and smoothly efficient. Delilah doubted anyone she spoke to would so much as suspect she was not in complete control.

  Delilah glanced around the terrace. There was only one way to find her missing sister and the others. Delilah stopped a passing footman.

  “William,” she said with a pleasant smile. “Lady Theodosia is attempting to usher the guests toward the games but I fear we have misplaced Lady Lydingham and Mr. Elliott and a few others. Have you any idea where they might be?”

  “I really am not certain, my lady.” An uneasy look shaded William’s eyes.

  “Your best guess, then.”

  “Well.” He shifted nervously from foot to foot.

  Delilah studied the young man closely. There was no reason for him to wish to keep the whereabouts of Camille and Grayson and Sam from her. Unless . . . “It has arrived, hasn’t it?”