by Diane Gaston
Stephen gazed out the windows, watching grooms lead their horses away. Brenner stood next to the white marble mantel, glancing at the clock.
Nicholas clapped Leo on the shoulder. ‘This will work,’ he told Leo. ‘I’m convinced of it.’
Brenner turned back and smiled. ‘I agree.’
Stephen said nothing.
It seemed an interminable length of time before they heard footsteps outside the door, although the clock’s hand had not even moved halfway round the dial.
The door opened and the footman stepped in again, announcing, ‘The Earl of Doring.’
Doring, a vigorous man in his late fifties, strode in and walked directly to Nicholas.
‘Your Grace.’ He nodded respectfully. ‘Forgive me for keeping you waiting. I was just in from the stables when you called.’
Nicholas offered a handshake. ‘I understand perfectly.’
Leo, Stephen and Brenner approached and stood behind Nicholas, who stepped aside.
‘Allow me to present my brothers.’ He gestured towards them. ‘I believe you know the Earl of Linwall.’
Brenner offered his hand. ‘A pleasure to see you again, sir.’
‘Mr Stephen Manning,’ Nicholas went on.
‘We are acquainted, sir,’ Stephen said.
Doring also shook Stephen’s hand. ‘Ah, yes. We last spoke at Newmarket, as I recall.’
‘Newmarket.’ Stephen nodded. ‘I recall it well.’
‘You may not have met my youngest brother.’ Nicholas moved on to Leo. ‘Mr Leo Fitzmanning.’
Leo noticed Doring’s eyes narrow very slightly. The man, of course, realised he was the bastard brother.
‘A pleasure to meet you.’ Leo extended his hand.
Doring accepted it without hesitation. ‘Indeed. It is my pleasure, as well.’ His gaze swept over all of them. ‘I’ve ordered refreshment, but do sit down. Your Grace, I am eager to hear the purpose of this unexpected visit.’
The man was affable. That was in Leo’s favour.
Leo allowed himself to hope. ‘If I may explain, sir. You may have heard that your cousin’s daughter is to marry Baron Kellford—’
‘Of course I heard, but I do not care one way or the other about the affairs of my cousin.’ Doring mollified his churlish tone. ‘It should be good that the daughter marries, shouldn’t it? I admit I am little acquainted with the man, but he is a charming sort.’
‘He acts the charmer, it is true.’ Leo met his gaze. ‘But he will make a cruel husband. I have seen him inflict injury on women. It is how he receives pleasure.’
Doring’s brow rose. ‘Is that so? Well, my cousin’s daughter is of age. Her father cannot force her to marry the man. Warn her against him.’
‘It is not so simple,’ Nicholas said.
Doring went on. ‘My cousin is an idiot. He should oppose her marrying any man. In two years she will be wealthy. She will make a fine cash pot for him then. He has more of a chance to get money out of a daughter than her husband.’ He threw up a hand. ‘Enough talk of my tiresome cousin. Why does his daughter’s marriage concern me?’
‘Hear him out,’ Nicholas said.
At that moment, a footman entered with a crystal decanter and five glasses.
‘Ah!’ Doring clapped his hands. ‘Some sherry, gentlemen?’
Leo waited impatiently while the sherry was poured and glasses handed out. Leo took one sip and placed his glass on a table.
When the servant left the room, he faced Doring again. ‘I shall explain why you are involved in this, Lord Doring.’ He paused, collecting his words. ‘Kellford possesses some very damaging information about your cousin. If Miss Covendale does not marry him, Kellford will disclose the information and your cousin—and his wife and daughters—will be ruined.’
Doring’s colour heightened. ‘I should have known. What has my cousin done this time? Reneged on a voucher? Cheated at cards? I am certain it is something reprehensible.’ He pointed to Leo. ‘Whatever it is, leave me out of it. I told Cecil I would no longer lift a finger to help him. He is the veriest leech, I assure you. He’ll suck me dry with his gambling debts. I have cut him off. Washed my hands of him! I do not care if he lands in debtor’s prison. I will do no more for him.’
Leo’s gaze remained steady. ‘It is not for his sake we are here, but on Miss Covendale’s behalf.’
Doring stood. ‘You cannot hold his daughters or wife over my head! I warned Cecil that he is responsible for them, not I. I told him I would do nothing more for him or his family. Nothing! My fortune was gained honestly and I do not gamble it away. Cecil plunders his estate and throws its profits into a roll of dice. It is none of my affair.’
‘It becomes your affair—’ Leo also rose ‘—because Covendale stole money from you. Kellford has the proof—’
‘Stole money from me?’ Doring blanched.
‘He forged your name on a banknote,’ Leo explained. ‘He trusted that you would not notice and that your man of business would not heed it as something unusual.’
Doring began to pace. ‘I cannot believe he would stoop so low. He will pay for this! My cousin will not get away with it. I’ll see him hanged first!’
Leo blocked his path. ‘That is why Miss Covendale is compelled to marry Kellford—’
Nicholas broke in. ‘Kellford has proof of the theft and threatens to expose the crime if Miss Covendale does not marry him.’
Doring gave a sarcastic laugh. ‘Well, tell her she doesn’t have to marry the man now. You have told me about the crime. Soon the world will know, because I intend to prosecute. Nobody steals from me. Nobody.’
‘That is what you must not do!’ Leo raised his voice. ‘Think of the man’s wife and daughters.’
Doring whirled on him. ‘My cousin should have thought of them.’ He looked at each of the brothers. ‘Why do you come tell me all this? Why is this any of your concern?’
Nicholas explained, ‘Our family is closely connected to Miss Covendale. We grew up with her. She has always been a favourite of our sister Charlotte.’
‘No.’ Leo caught Doring’s eye again. ‘The truth is that I love Mariel. I am trying to save her from this terrible marriage.’
Doring threw up one hand. ‘You’ve saved her, as I said. You’ve told me. But her father is a different matter—’
Leo spoke quickly. ‘I will repay the money her father stole from you.’
‘I will pay you interest,’ Nicholas added. ‘You will lose nothing. There will be no need to prosecute.’
‘And wait for what my cousin will do next?’ Doring laughed again. ‘Steal from someone else, perhaps? No, the man must be stopped.’
Brenner rose from his seat. ‘We’ll keep him under control.’ He walked up to Doring. ‘You knew my father, did you not, sir?’
Doring shrugged. ‘You know I did.’
‘Then you know that I was successful at keeping a foolish gambler in check.’ Brenner’s late father had nearly lost the family estate by making bad investments until Brenner took over control of the finances. ‘We will accept responsibility for your cousin.’
Stephen remained seated and looked lost in his own thoughts. His detachment annoyed Leo, even though he could not think of what Stephen could do to help the situation.
Leo tried again, turning to Lord Doring. ‘I beg of you, sir. Spare Miss Covendale. And her mother and sisters. They are innocent in this.’
Doring shook his head. ‘No. My cousin bears the burden of ruining his family, not I. I have helped him time and time again and he continues to rack up debts. I do not need the money. It is not a matter of money, but of respect. He has treated me with the greatest disdain. He deserves whatever fate a judge and jury bestows on him. This is the last straw.’
Leo lowered himself into
the chair and pressed his fingers against his forehead. His gamble had failed. Doring would not listen to reason, would not have compassion for Mariel.
He heard Stephen mutter, ‘He cares more for his horses.’
Indeed. Doring’s horses would be cosseted and indulged, but his own flesh and blood would suffer.
Leo glanced out the window.
‘Can we not convince you?’ Nicholas persisted. ‘You must know my father was a great friend of the king. If you ever need royal favour, I am certain his Royal Majesty would bestow it if we asked.’
Doring winced. ‘I have no wish to offend the king, but I cannot be swayed.’
Leo ached with each word spoken. He rose again. ‘It is no use, Nick. We might as well take our leave.’
Nicholas nodded. ‘You are right.’
Doring looked apologetic. ‘Your Grace, I do regret that I am unable to comply with your wishes. I hope you understand my thinking on this matter.’
‘I do not,’ Nicholas snapped. ‘But I will waste no more of my time with you.’ He started towards the door.
Stephen rose from his seat. He and Brenner followed Nicholas to the door.
Leo remained where he was.
‘Wait,’ he cried when they reached the door. ‘Stephen, you once offered me a breeding pair of horses from your stable. May I consider those mine?’
Stephen looked puzzled. ‘Of course you may. They are yours.’
Leo swung around to Lord Doring. ‘Then I have another proposition for you, sir. This is one I hope you will accept—’
Chapter Twenty-one
Mariel descended from the carriage in front of St George’s Church near Hanover Square. Even though she had not fussed about her appearance, she supposed she looked like a woman about to get married. She wore one of her good dresses, a pale pink muslin, and a hat with a matching pink ribbon.
Black bombazine and black gloves would have suited the occasion better.
She noticed a couple of men standing outside the church. Kellford’s men, she guessed. Were they the ones who had caused the carriage accident? Perhaps they were there to ensure she did not run away.
The day before had been agony. The nightmare of marrying Kellford had become very real and all she wanted to do was flee. During the night her fears were magnified. What would her nights be like from this day forwards? Would she be able to make this sacrifice?
It was still the best option, the only choice.
If only they had been able to stop Kellford. They’d come so close.
At least Leo was far away. She must console herself with that fact.
Mariel’s mother hurried into the church. Her father lingered behind and walked with Mariel.
As they passed between the church’s stone columns, her father whispered to her, ‘You are not going to do anything foolish, are you?’ He looked haggard with worry.
She did not answer him. Each step made it harder to stick to her resolve. Each breath became more difficult.
They entered the church where Mariel’s mother was already busy greeting the guests, about thirty friends, members of the ton who had been invited to witness the vows.
Mariel held back, scanning the church. Did she hope to see Leo there, or did she fear it?
In a pew, several rows behind where the guests sat, appeared another of those rough-looking men. Next to him was a thin, sallow-faced fellow. The bank clerk! It must be. She ought to have known Kellford would bring proof of his allegations.
Someone approached her from behind. Leo? She whirled around.
It was Walker and Penny.
She clasped Penny’s hand and asked Walker, ‘Any news of Leo?’
He frowned. ‘He left word he would be gone a day.’
‘A day?’ He must stay away until it was safe to return. Her anxiety for him returned.
‘Come,’ her father demanded.
She gave Penny a swift hug before her father pulled her away.
‘Who was that gentleman with your maid?’ Her father’s voice was tense.
She merely returned a scathing look.
Her mother hurried towards them. ‘We should start now.’ She quickly made her way to her seat.
The organist began playing a selection from Haydn and her father nearly dragged Mariel to the centre aisle. There was nothing to be done but to walk towards the altar where Kellford waited for her, the very picture of an eager groom.
‘Do not fail me, daughter,’ her father rasped.
She walked up the aisle on her father’s arm. Her father handed her over to Lord Kellford. Kellford’s cold eyes glittered with triumph as she took her place beside him.
The organ music ceased and the minister began, ‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God...’
Mariel did not heed the words. She could not do this! She could not do this! She could not shackle herself to this despicable man.
Her heart pounded harder when the minister said, ‘Therefore if any man can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak or else hereafter forever hold his peace....’
She drew in a breath, praying some miracle would occur and someone would speak.
All was silent.
The minister went on, ‘...if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined in matrimony, ye do now confess it...’
She should open her mouth. Tell the minister to stop.
He continued, asking Kellford, ‘Wilt thou have this woman...?’
Mariel’s heart pounded so hard she thought it might be heard in the back of the church. She heard a roaring in her ears. Would she even hear the minister ask for her vows?
The roar changed and seemed to come from outside the church, like muffled voices. She heard the guests moving and murmuring among themselves.
She could not do this. God help her. She could not do this.
The minister turned to her. ‘Wilt thou have this man to your wedded husband...?’
‘No,’ she protested, her voice catching in her throat.
The minister did not hear her. ‘...keep thee only to him as long as ye both shall live?’
She tried to speak louder. ‘No.’
At that same moment the doors to the church opened and a man’s voice shouted, ‘Stop!’
She turned. From the shadows at the back of the church, the man appeared.
Leo!
He burst into the church, dressed in riding clothes, followed by his brothers. Walker had joined them.
Mariel ran to Leo, caring about nothing at that moment except that Leo had come for her.
He’d come for her!
Leo gathered her into his arms. ‘We’ve done it,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘All is well.’
Leo was the miracle, the answer to her prayer.
By this time the guests were all on their feet. Mariel’s mother was wailing and her father had turned deathly white.
Kellford took a few steps forwards. ‘See here!’ he cried. ‘What is this? How dare you interrupt—’
‘There will be no wedding, Kellford.’ Leo released Mariel.
Walker and his brothers formed a protective shield around her.
Leo addressed the audience. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I know this is alarming, but my brothers and I have come to prevent a wrong.’ He pointed to Mariel. ‘This lady does not wish to marry Lord Kellford. He is compelling her to do so in order to gain her fortune.’
Kellford straightened. ‘That is a lie! And I demand satisfaction from you for speaking such a falsehood.’ He moved around the guests. ‘This man is lying, I assure you. The truth is, I am protecting Miss Covendale and her family—’
‘Say no more,’ Leo warned.
Kellford looked wild-eyed. ‘You have forced me into this, Fitzmanning.’ He pointed to Mariel’s father. ‘He is the villain in this! He stole money from his cousin, Lord Doring—’
A voice from the back of the church boomed. ‘Stole money from me?’ The Earl of Doring strode forwards.
A collective gasp rose from the pews.
‘Yes! Yes!’ Kellford hurried towards him, pointing to the back of the church. ‘See that man there?’ The bank clerk shrank down in the pew. The man who had been sitting next to him rose and hurried out of the church. ‘That man can prove I am not a liar. He knows Covendale forged a signature—’
Doring laughed. ‘My cousin did no such thing.’ He walked up to Mariel’s father and patted him on the back. ‘I recently loaned Covendale a large amount of money. Why not? I have the funds and he was in need.’ Doring glanced over to the bank clerk. ‘Are you going to believe that fellow over me? Is he known to any of you?’
‘Indeed!’ Leo spoke up again. ‘It is as I have said. We have come to stop Kellford from destroying the good name of Mr Covendale and his daughter. To prevent him from plundering this lady’s fortune.’
Mariel’s gaze went from one to the other, trying to take it all in. ‘How did he do it?’ she asked Stephen.
He grinned at her. ‘He remembered his passion for horses.’
* * *
No more than an hour later, Leo sat beside Mariel on the sofa in Nicholas’s drawing room. Nicholas’s wife had taken Mariel’s mother under her wing, distracting her and consoling her. Brenner stood in serious conversation with Covendale and Doring. Stephen and Nicholas laughed over a decanter of brandy.
‘Nicholas has sent for your sisters?’ Mariel asked him.
‘Charlotte, Annalise, their spouses, Justine and Stephen’s wife, as well.’ He smiled at her. ‘I am afraid you will be joining a rather large family.’
She took his hand and squeezed it. ‘My happiest days have been among your family. I shall look forward to many more.’ She sighed. ‘I only wish Walker and Penny had agreed to come.’
‘I do, too,’ he admitted. ‘Give them time. I have a feeling Walker is destined for such success he will soon find the company of dukes and earls commonplace.’
