Chasing Lord Mystery

by Aileen Fish

  Northcotte jumped and cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never looked for a wife.”

  “No, I imagine not.” She took his measure as a strong, forthright man. “You strike me as one who’d achieve what he went after.”

  His mouth turned down. “You make it sound like a contest. One prefers to think one would only pursue a woman he felt capable of loving, not the most sought after Diamond.”

  She smiled, knowing how thin that argument was, even if it was her dream. How many people really found love before they married? “You know very well many marriages are nothing more than business arrangements. She needs a protector and he needs an heir, so they meet on equal terms.”

  Lady Patience pouted. “I will only marry for love.”

  “As will I,” her sister said.

  “I am in agreement with you both.” Miriam played the final trick for the game. “And I believe we win, Lord Northcotte. Shall we play again?”

  Chapter Four

  Northcotte made the mistake of taking his correspondence into the drawing room, where the others had gathered on a damp afternoon, with plans of reading and responding to it. Instead, he repeatedly found himself reading the signature with no recollection of what had come before.

  He couldn’t blame the infants for the distraction, at least not directly. Their coos and laughter were quiet enough. The expression on his sister’s face when she spoke to Annie held him captive. Such joy, so much love emanated from her features.

  David stood nearby tossing William into the air and catching him. The boy had such trust, laughing as he flew and crying, “More!” when his father caught him.

  Stephen and Jane played nearby with Harry, helping him make a tower of blocks, only to start again when he would knock it down. They existed in a world of their own for a time, even Harry having eyes for none but his parents.

  Northcotte would never experience this. He’d never know the love of a father for his son or daughter. He couldn’t let his resolve weaken and consider marriage, not with the history he and his father had. Not as long as he could so easily visualize Arrington’s ghastly pale face with its unnaturally peaceful appearance.

  Stealing a glance at Lady Miriam, curled in a window seat engrossed in a book, he had a fleeting vision of what might have been—the two of them blessed with a nursery filled with blond-haired, blue-eyed bundles of energy. Peace washed over him, but he quickly tamped it down.

  The peace of marriage was short-lived. And it was not for him.

  Gathering his letters, he rose so quickly the chair almost tipped. “If you’ll excuse me,” he said to the room, and left before anyone could question him.

  He must remain strong, or too many people could be hurt.

  ~*~

  The next morning, the men rose early to go shooting, leaving the ladies to their leisure in front of a warm fire since the twins had returned home. The three ladies worked on bonnets for Jane and Stephen’s baby as they chatted.

  “Promise me you won’t be angry if I ask something of you,” Miriam began.

  Joanna looked up from her stitching. “Of course we won’t, silly. What could you say to upset us?”

  “Please stop pushing Lord Northcotte to favor me with his attentions.” There, she said it. A weight lifted off her shoulders and she let out a deep breath.

  “But we haven’t been,” Jane cried. “Not really.”

  Miriam lowered her brow. “Do not pretend with me. It’s all too apparent. But what you don’t understand is I have history with the man.”

  Joanna gasped. Jane sat forward, asking, “What is this? You never spoke of him.”

  “Not by name, no. But my mother gave a name to him.”

  Jane’s grin grew. “Northcotte is Lord Mystery?”

  “Who is this Lord Mystery? You mentioned him before but didn’t say.” Joanna asked.

  “He’s a man I was quite in love with at one time, or so I thought.” Miriam turned to Joanna and explained. “In my first Season, my very first ball, in fact, I was given the cut direct by the son of one of Mama’s friends. I was beyond mortified, certain everyone would hear of it. I knew my Season was over in that moment.”

  She shook her head in the drama of the memory. Now it seemed silly, but at the time her life had been finished. “Then a gentleman appeared before me clothed in a navy superfine wool coat and fawn breeches, tall and sun-burnished, with the kindest blue eyes. And with the simple offer of a dance, he saved my chance for a successful Season.”

  Jane’s laughter cut into her reverie. “Oh my, this gentleman was all she wrote about that year. She would never name him, saying he would become known when he spoke to her father.”

  “Why did I never hear of this?” Joanna asked. “My brother never hinted he had intentions of marrying before father died. When did you meet him?”

  “Six years ago. And I came to realize, eventually, he had no intentions towards me. I never saw him again after that night, until I sat beside him at supper here. But I was in love with that one heroic act, and every man I met that year I compared to him. None measured up.”

  “How sweet,” Jane sighed.

  Joanna burst out laughing. “This cannot be my brother you speak of. That is some hero in a novel. I cannot reconcile that portrayal with the man I know.”

  “But he’s been kind to me here.” Other than accusing her of entrapment. “I admit I still know little of him, but I do not believe he’d be capable of doing anything cruel.”

  “Oh no, never cruel. But never gallant, that I ever saw.” Joanna shook her head.

  “Of course you wouldn’t see him as gallant, you are too close a relation.” Jane set her work aside and pressed a hand to her lower back. “Northcotte is a very kind man, Miriam, you are correct. Proud, and protective, too.”

  “He hasn’t said anything to indicate he remembers me, so please don’t mention our connection.” Miriam hesitated a moment before continuing. Should she tell them the rest, the part no one else knew?

  They would laugh at her, certainly. Yet telling them would relieve the burden of the secret. Perhaps she would finally be able to laugh at herself over this. “There is more. But you must swear it goes no further than this room.”

  Her two friends leaned closer, their eyes widening, but said nothing.

  “Two years ago when Grandfather Danby demanded I come meet the man he intended me to marry, I wrote a letter to Lord Mystery, or Mr. Hurst as I knew him still. I blush to think of it. I was so brazen and so childish all at once. I begged him to rescue me as he had before, since I had convinced myself he planned to ask for my hand one day.”

  She looked from one friend to the other. “Yes, I’m fully aware four years had passed without a word, but in that moment I was desperate.”

  “Please tell me you are making sport with us.” Joanna glanced at Jane, and both turned to Miriam.

  “I wish I could say so. I don’t know what came over me to have lost all sensibility in that way. Four years without an appearance should have made it very clear he had no interest in me.”

  Joanna covered her mouth with her fingertips. “You wrote to a man you’d only met once? I never heard such a letter mentioned, and I’m certain Mama would have taken notice of a letter from a young lady. May I safely assume you didn’t post it?”

  “I didn’t, no. I had the letter folded, sealed, and addressed but hesitated to post it. I honestly believe I needed the solace of knowing I had taken some action, so I fully intended to toss it in the fireplace. Then I was told to go to my aunt in her sitting room. I left the letter on a table in my bedchamber, and when I returned the letter was gone. I fear her maid took it to be posted. I was so embarrassed and afraid Mama would find out, so I said nothing. Mr. Hurst—Northcotte, rather—certainly wouldn’t have written to let me know he’d received such a missive, so I will never know if he did.”

  After a moment’s thought, Miriam narrowed her gaze at Joanna. “And don’t you dare ask him.”

&n
bsp; Jane’s shoulders shook with restrained laughter, and Joanna’s face had turned red. A giggle burst from her lips and she drew in a breath. “Forgive me. Please, forgive me. Your tale is too scandalous to be true! I never knew you to be so…so inappropriate.”

  “I wish it weren’t true.” Miriam set down her sewing. “Can you see why I have no wish to be thrown together with your brother? I’m afraid anything I say will cause him to recall that letter and recognize me for the brazen girl who wrote it. I am so grateful he wasn’t at any other assemblies I attended that first Season, or I might have truly been chasing Lord Mystery, as my mother often teased.”

  Jane wiped her eyes with her handkerchief, her laughter overwhelming her for a moment. “In a way, it’s rather sad. If you truly ignored the attentions of other men because you were waiting for Lord Mystery to reappear, there is no way of knowing if one of them might have been a suitable husband for you.”

  Grimacing, Miriam shook her head. “But I have no wish for a suitable husband. My grandfather likely has pages of suitable men listed for his granddaughters. I want passion, romance. I want what you both have. I want love.”

  ~*~

  Northcotte shouldered his rifle and fired into the air. The pheasant dropped to the ground in a flurry of feathers.

  “Nice shot,” David said.

  “But next time, warn me when you plan to fire next to my blind side.” Stephen tugged at his ear, where the flesh was still lumpy and red after so many years.

  “Forgive me.” Northcotte stepped around to look into Stephen’s good eye. “I forget you have limitations.”

  Stephen’s lips pulled back on one side in a grin. “I forget, too, then I glance in the looking glass and receive quite a shock.”

  Northcotte couldn’t imagine losing an eye and the hearing in one ear. He didn’t consider himself to be narcissistic, but he wondered how long it took a man to adjust to seeing a new face when he shaved. He’d never realized how blessed his life had been, no matter what struggles he’d faced after his father killed himself over his financial losses. He shook off that line of thought. “Where’s that retriever of yours? I shouldn’t have to go after my own birds.”

  “It would appear you have birds chasing you,” Stephen said.

  Northcotte stopped and looked back at the other men. “What do you mean?”

  David coughed into his fist. “I believe he’s referring to his wife’s guest.”

  “Do you mean to say she instigated the sleigh ride? I thought it was Jane’s scheming ways. Lady Miriam specifically said she did not come here seeking marriage.”

  “She said that, did she?” David’s laughter rang out in the light mist. “It is certain she’s working with Jane, then. No woman would bring up such a topic on her own.”

  “She might if it were all a ruse to make her appear innocent.” Northcotte stomped his feet to knock off the built-up mud. “My feet are growing damp. Have we played at being country gentlemen long enough to return?”

  David smacked him on the back. “You wouldn’t be eager to return to a certain young lady, would you?”

  “If my sister wasn’t so fond of you, I’d have your hide for suggesting such a thing.” He hefted the bag of bird carcasses over his shoulder and followed their footprints in the muck, not caring if the others followed him or not.

  “It’s time we return to the house. We have an invitation to dine with Sir Walter and Lady Cooper,” Stephen announced.

  “You aren’t taking Jane out calling this close to her time, are you?” David asked.

  “No, she and I will remain at home. The four of you will be going.”

  Northcotte closed his eyes. How delightful. He would be required to spend an entire evening acting the proper escort. “I do hope this isn’t another of Jane’s machinations to put Lady Miriam and me together.”

  Stephen held up his hands. “We are innocent of any scheming in this, I assure you. We dine with the Coopers quite often. They’re a jovial pair, quite entertaining. You might be required to be polite to Lady Miriam, but I assure you it will go no further.”

  Northcotte didn’t fully trust him in the matter, but his fears were relieved when he met the Cooper’s two sons and three daughters. All three of the girls were in need of husbands, and were quite excited to have an eligible gentleman in their midst. If Lady Miriam wanted his attentions, she’d have to fight for them.

  “Mama, may we have dancing before supper? Mary can play for us. Please say we may.” Lucinda, the ginger-haired eldest daughter, nearly bounced with restrained excitement.

  “I see no reason why we shouldn’t,” Lady Cooper replied. “We have enough ladies for a quadrille, if I play the pianoforte so Mary may dance.”

  The three young ladies squealed, took Lady Miriam by the hand, and nearly dragged her to a small grouping of chairs in the corner. “We hear you recently came up from London. You must tell us the latest,” Lucinda said.

  “I, well…” Lady Miriam surprised him by looking his way as if she needed rescue. He was not venturing down that road. He wouldn’t sacrifice himself to a group of sirens unless it was a matter of life and death.

  Joanna motioned with her head towards their hosts and grinned hideously at Northcotte. He took the message and smiled. “Sir Walter, Lady Cooper, it was kind of you to include me in your invitation.”

  “Don’t be silly, dear boy. Any friend of the Lumleys is a friend of ours.” Sir Walter clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Come tell me what the latest is from the House of Lords.”

  They sat near the fire with Lady Cooper, David, and Joanna joining them. Joanna and Lady Cooper managed to steer the conversation away from politics, and Northcotte found himself watching Lady Miriam and the young girls. He couldn’t hear everything they said, but Lady Miriam had the Misses Cooper enthralled. Her face beamed with laughter, and the lamp behind her created a golden halo around her head.

  The image struck him like a blow in the gut from Gentleman Jackson. Such a beautiful creature, she glowed with joy and light.

  “Robert.” His sister’s sharp whisper called his attention away.

  “Northcotte, Lumley here tells me you might have a mare suitable for my youngest daughter.” Sir Walter watched him expectantly.

  “Yes, more than likely, I do.” He listened to the man describe what he wanted from the horse. “I can have a man deliver a pair of mares that might suit you, and we can work out the details if one is to your liking.”

  Lucinda rushed over to her mother’s side. “Mama, may we dance now?”

  “I see no reason why not.” She rose and instructed the boys to move the chairs at the far side of the room, clearing a space. “What shall we start with?”

  “Play Kate’s Delight,” one of the boys said.

  Two of the girls and Lady Miriam lined up opposite the two Cooper boys and Northcotte. The lighthearted music began and Lady Miriam stepped towards the center where the older Cooper boy circled about her. They returned to their places and Northcotte took his turn in the steps.

  The color in Lady Miriam’s cheeks was bright. He called out to her when she drew near. “You enjoy dancing.”

  “I do, but not any more than most young ladies. Do you not care to dance?”

  “I don’t despise it, but neither do I miss it when I don’t have the opportunity.”

  She nodded. “How diplomatic of you. May I ask when you last had the opportunity?”

  When they stood close again, he said, “I believe it was at the ball celebrating my sister’s engagement.” He couldn’t prevent the grin that followed.

  “I see. And they’ve been married these three years past, haven’t they?”

  “Yes, that sounds correct, three years.” He should just say he hasn’t danced in a lifetime, except for one waltz with his sister at her betrothal ball, but he was enjoying this repartee with Lady Miriam.

  “We have that in common, then. I haven’t danced since the last ball I attended, either.” She raised one eyebrow be
fore turning away as if daring him to question her.

  “And how long ago was that?”

  “Four weeks, give or take a day.”

  Northcotte studied her graceful moves, the way her hands flowed in each stage of the dance. “Hmmm, I will wager to guess you have missed dancing in that time.”

  She looked off towards the pianoforte for a moment. “Actually, I don’t think I had time to miss it. There was the summons from my grandfather, the invitation from Jane, and all the arrangements to be made to avoid the one visit and attend to the other. I can’t say dancing entered my thoughts.”

  “Yes, I can see why not.” He recalled the weeks before his mother and sister would travel, even for a mere week at the race meeting in Newmarket. Servants ran above and belowstairs from dawn until long past dusk, carrying gowns to be cleaned, stockings to be mended. His London home felt like a tomb in the days following their departure, and that was not necessarily a bad thing.

  “You hesitated when I asked how long it had been since your sister married.” Lady Miriam’s slight smile and half-lowered lids hinted at teasing or flirtation. “I wonder…can you tell me how many foals your mares were delivered of during that time?”

  “Eight,” he said with no hesitation. As he did, it dawned on him what that revealed. He couldn’t allow that idea to go unchallenged. “That does not imply my sister is less important to me than my horses.”

  Lady Miriam shook her head, the loose curls around her crown swaying with the movement, her gaze still friendly. “Of course not. I never meant to say so. It is the weakness of your sex to concentrate on business rather than the mundane areas of life. That is not a character flaw.”

  The music ended, but Northcotte didn’t wish to lose her attention. He offered her his arm and led her to the table where a punch bowl was set up. Handing her a glass, he said, “I’m uncertain whether or not I should take offence at the implication I consider marriage mundane.”

  “I didn’t mean it to say you, or any man, doesn’t care about the everyday events of life. Rather, a gentleman is expected to provide for his family, to keep his estates profitable. Aiding in the marriage of one’s sister is a milestone, but once accomplished, it no longer need be examined.” She took a sip of her punch as they strolled around the edges of the room. Her eyes danced about, almost nervously, looking at him and flitting away towards various spots. “On the other hand, you breed runners, and I heard you discussing the sale of a mare with Sir Walter earlier. A man in your position would need to know the number and age of the horses at his disposal at any given time. I imagine you could tell me which race meetings you will enter next year, which horses you will run, and who their biggest competition will be.”