by Diane Gaston
Now, though, Ned had even more to worry over. Rhys had not confirmed or denied an affair with the younger Lady Gale, nor even if Lady Gale was Madame Fortune, which Ned strongly suspected. It agonised Ned that he and Hugh had managed merely to muddle matters rather than rescue Adele from this vexing problem.
Ned tallied a list of numbers for the third time, getting yet another total, when the butler knocked on the door.
‘What is it, Mason?’ Ned asked.
Mason bowed. ‘Your mother requests your presence in her sitting room.’
What now? Ever since Rhys called that day and made certain his mother was informed of the crisis, she’d demanded to know every detail of every decision he and Hugh made. And every problem they encountered.
He did not wish his mother to know this new scandal Rhys had created, not when it so involved and affected Adele.
He handed the ledger to the secretary and left the library to climb the stairs to his mother’s private sitting room.
To his astonishment, when he opened the door to enter, she was there, his Adele, sitting next to his mother on her chaise longue.
‘Adele!’ He went straight to her, clasping her hands in his and looking into her beautiful eyes.
‘Do sit, Ned,’ his mother said impatiently. ‘Miss Gale has been telling me an extraordinary tale. We wish to know what you have done about it.’
Adele’s lip trembled. ‘I have told your dear mother everything. I simply had to talk to someone and I could think of no one but her.’
‘I see,’ he said non-committally. He’d wanted to handle it without his mother’s intervention.
‘Did you speak to Rhysdale about it?’ his mother asked. ‘He must marry Lady Gale, of course. I hope you told him so.’
He frowned. ‘Rhysdale would not speak to us of it. He called it gossip and all but tossed us out.’
‘It is not gossip!’ Adele cried. ‘It is my life! I know that Celia is going to have a baby. Our maid verifies that it is so...’ She paused as if reconsidering her words. ‘Or, rather, she admits it is possible. Celia has all the signs, Younie said. You can ask her yourself. She came with me.’
Ned’s brow knit in confusion. ‘Lady Gale is with you?’
‘Not Lady Gale!’ Adele rolled her eyes. ‘Younie. Our ladies’ maid.’
His mother waved a dismissive hand. ‘Rhysdale denies it?’
Ned shrugged. ‘He did not confirm or deny it.’
‘Then it must be true.’ His mother nodded with certainty.
That logic escaped him.
‘What I cannot understand...’ Adele put a finger to her flawless cheek ‘...is how it could be true? How can Celia be carrying a baby when she was barren all those years with my father?’
‘Maybe it was your father who could not...’ how to put it delicately? he wondered ‘...father a child.’
Her eyes grew wide. ‘But...but there is me! I am proof there was nothing wrong with my father.’
‘Not necessarily so,’ interjected his mother.
‘What do you mean?’ Adele turned to her.
His mother did not answer right away. ‘I told you that I knew your mother, did I not?’ she finally said.
Adele nodded her head.
His mother went on. ‘She confided in me.’ She gave Adele a very sympathetic look. ‘Your mother was unhappy in her marriage to your father.’
Adele’s expression darkened. ‘I know that. My father was not a nice man. I remember him shouting at her when I was a little girl.’ She glanced away in thought. ‘He shouted at Celia, too.’
Ned’s mother patted her hand. ‘He was a cruel and thoughtless husband.’ She grasped Adele’s hand. ‘You mother sought comfort elsewhere.’
Adele looked appalled. Ned wished his mother would stop. Surely this was no comfort to the poor young woman.
His mother went on. ‘One Season, here in Mayfair, she fell in love with a fine gentleman, an army officer of good family, but nothing else to offer anyone. They had several months of happiness before he was sent to the Continent to fight the French.’ She continued to hold Adele’s hand. ‘When news came to her that he’d died fighting the French in Holland, you were already growing inside her.’
Adele’s eyes widened. ‘Do not tell me!’
His mother turned very sympathetic. ‘I am sorry to tell you, my dear.’
Ned reached over and took Adele’s other hand. How difficult this must be for her. Had she not had enough to bear?
Adele squeezed his hand and broke out into smiles. She looked from his mother to him and back to his mother again. ‘Oh, this is marvellous news. I disliked my father very much. I am glad I am not his daughter. I only wish I could have known my real father—’ Her voice cracked and tears fell from her eyes.
‘I will tell you all I know of him, but this is enough for one day,’ his mother said to her.
Adele hugged his mother and all Ned could wish was that he could feel her arms around him, as well, but that, of course, would not be proper.
Perhaps if he could contrive to see her alone?
She glanced at him and concern filled her lovely face. ‘Do you object very much, Neddington? I mean, I am not really the daughter of a baron. Does this change your opinion of me?’
He seized her hand again and pressed it to his lips. ‘Nothing could change my opinion of you.’
His mother clapped her hands as if summoning recalcitrant children. ‘We are still left with the problem of Adele’s stepmother and Rhysdale. Perhaps I should call upon Lady Gale and speak to her about this.’ She turned to Adele. ‘As your future mother-in-law, it might be seen as my duty.’
* * *
Celia sat in her bedchamber nibbling on toasted bread and sipping tea. The events of the night before returned to her mind, even though she wanted to banish them. Rhys’s offer of marriage. The nightmare that was the gaming house. Its winners and losers.
Lord Westleigh.
Her stomach heaved and she quickly bit down on another piece of toast. The queasiness was manageable as long as she could keep some food down.
Her butler knocked on the door. ‘A word with you, ma’am?’ he asked.
‘Come in, Tucker,’ she responded. ‘What is it?’
‘Ma’am, I thought you should know that the new Lord Gale is at this moment in the drawing room. I am of the impression that the Dowager Lady Gale summoned him. They are in deep conversation about something.’
Celia pressed her fingers against her temple.
‘What is she up to now?’ she said below her breath. She looked up at Tucker. ‘Is Adele with them?’ Had Lady Gale not given up the scheme to marry Adele off to her cousin?
‘No, ma’am,’ replied Tucker. ‘Miss Gale went out with Younie a while ago.’
Where would Adele have gone with Younie? That was a worry. Adele had been so upset with Celia the previous day she would neither speak to nor listen to Celia. Who knew what she was thinking today?
Celia stood. ‘Thank you, Tucker. I will attend to it.’
Tucker left and Celia sat at her dressing table and hurriedly twisted her hair into a chignon. She pinched her cheeks to put some colour into her face and rushed out the door, not caring if her morning dress was presentable enough for Cousin Luther.
When she approached the drawing-room door, she slowed her pace, strolling in as if by accident rather than design. ‘Why, Lady Gale. Luther. What a surprise.’
Lady Gale looked lightning bolts at her.
Luther rose and did not look any more pleased to see her. ‘Good morning, Celia. We have been talking about you.’
Her gaze darted to her mother-in-law. ‘I dare say you have.’
Luther pointed to a chair. ‘Sit down. Now you are here, I wish to talk to you.’
She advanced to the seating area, but stopped some distance from their chairs. ‘I prefer to stand.’ There was nothing that would entice her to sit and be scolded as if a child.
His lips pursed. ‘As you wish.’
Besides, if she stood, he also had to stand. That would make it easier for him to leave.
He shifted on his feet. ‘Lady Gale informs me that you have been very indiscreet and that you are attempting to entrap the owner of a gaming hell into marrying you.’
Celia glanced at her mother-in-law. How cruel and heartless could that woman be? First to tell this tale to Adele and now Luther.
Celia put on a bold face. ‘Lady Gale has been busy telling stories.’
Luther baulked. ‘What? Do you say it is not true?’
She straightened. ‘I do not feel compelled to say anything.’
He raised his nose at her. ‘As the head of the family, I believe you owe me an explanation for this scandalous behaviour.’ He shook his head in dismay. ‘Imagine trying to marry a gamester. It is the outside of enough.’
A shaft of pain impaled her at the thought that Rhys wanted to marry her. She’d been unable to face him the previous night, but tonight, she must.
Not that Luther had any say in what she did.
‘Head of the family?’ She shook her head. ‘You are not the head of my family. I owe you nothing.’
‘See here, Celia!’ His cheeks puffed out.
Her temper was lost. She went on. ‘And if you were any decent head of the family, you would take responsibility for those who need your protection. Adele and her grandmother should have been allowed to stay at Gale House, at least until you bring a wife there. Or you should have given them the dower house. What’s more, you should have financed Adele’s come-out and seen that her future was well settled. Adele and Lady Gale should have been your guests at the town house, not forced into rented rooms.’ Her arm swept across the room.
‘Celia!’ her mother-in-law snapped. ‘I will not have you speak to Cousin Luther in that manner.’
She turned her glare onto Lady Gale. ‘Do not you speak to me at all.’
Lady Gale drew back as if struck.
Luther pounded the air with his fist. ‘Your husband left his property and finances in such a sorry state that I am strained to the limit. You expect me to dole out more money?’
She shot back, ‘A baron takes care of those in his charge. Or he should. The title comes with responsibility, not just property.’
Luther fussed at his collar. ‘I do not need to stay here and listen to these insults.’ He turned to Celia’s mother-in-law. ‘I planned to make an offer of marriage to your granddaughter, ma’am, but you may rest assured that will never happen now. I wash my hands of the lot of you.’
‘Spoken like a true gentleman,’ Celia said sarcastically.
For a moment he looked exactly like her husband. He looked as if he might strike her, which Gale had done. Once.
Instead, Luther started for the door.
Celia’s mother-in-law rushed after him. ‘Luther! You cannot credit anything she says. I beg you to reconsider.’
He threw up his hands. ‘I said I wash my hands of you.’
As soon as the two of them had left the room, Celia collapsed in a chair. Her legs trembled, her stomach heaved and she could taste vomit in her mouth. She fought to keep her food down.
She rested both hands on her abdomen. If only this were indeed a baby, then at least she would not be alone.
It would be some comfort.
Celia did not know how long she sat there, but the sounds of her mother-in-law pleading with Luther faded and she heard the front door close. Soon after, the sounds of the mantel clock ticking and an occasional carriage passing by were the only sounds she heard.
The knocker sounded and Tucker’s voice reached her ears.
Another caller.
She ought to have retreated to her bedchamber when she’d had the chance, so she might have avoided anyone.
Tucker rapped at the door, still slightly ajar from Luther and Lady Gale’s hasty departure. ‘A gentleman to see you, ma’am.’
She turned, knowing instantly who she would see.
He stepped into the room. ‘Hello, Celia.’
‘Rhys.’ She rose. ‘Do come in.’
He walked towards her and the air changed around her. Her body came alive to him with a yearning she knew could never be satisfied. Why should this man capture her heart, of all men?
‘I will skip the niceties, Celia.’ His face was serious. ‘Why did you leave last night? What happened?’
She turned away. ‘I do not know how to explain.’
He took her arm and turned her back. ‘I suggest you try.’ His eyes flickered with pain. ‘Explain why you left me moments after I told you I will marry you.’
She opened her mouth in an attempt to explain what settled like a pit of fear inside her, but voices from the hall distracted her.
A moment later the door opened and Adele walked in. Behind her were Lady Westleigh and Ned.
‘Celia, Tucker said you were in here—’ Adele stopped cold when she caught sight of Rhys. ‘Oh.’
A wave of nausea hit Celia, but she had to ignore it. She curtsied, instead.
‘Lady Westleigh.’ She and Rhys spoke at the same time.
‘Lady Gale,’ the woman responded. ‘Rhys. It is just as well you are here. We ought to get this sorted out.’
Tucker stood at the door, looking apologetic.
‘Some tea, if you please, Tucker,’ Celia said.
From behind him she saw her mother-in-law approaching. ‘I heard voices. Who is here?’
Tucker gave her a sympathetic look before turning away.
Her mother-in-law strode in.
Adele stopped her. ‘Grandmama, you must be civil.’
Her grandmother gave the girl a scathing look.
Rhys nodded to her and she turned her head away, instead greeting Lady Westleigh. Ned said a stiff hello to Rhys.
‘Shall we sit?’ invited Lady Westleigh as if she were the hostess.
Adele and Ned sat together on the sofa. Lady Gale settled in one chair and Lady Westleigh in another.
Both Rhys and Celia remained standing.
‘To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?’ Celia asked Lady Westleigh.
‘Adele told me about this situation of yours,’ the lady answered. ‘I will help devise a plan that will minimise any scandal to the family.’ She turned to Rhys. ‘Rhysdale, you are crucial in how we must manage it.’
Celia felt him stiffen as her ladyship spoke.
‘Adele has been busy,’ he remarked in a low voice only Celia might have heard.
Lady Westleigh went on. ‘Now, the only thing to do, of course, is for you to marry—’
‘Do not be ridiculous,’ Celia’s mother-in-law piped up. ‘This is all a sham. She is not increasing. It is impossible. She is unable to conceive. It is a proven fact.’
Rhys put his hand on Celia’s arm, a steadying gesture that surprised her as much as her mother-in-law’s unrelenting abuse.
Lady Westleigh immediately swung to the dowager. ‘Why do you say that, ma’am?’
The older woman straightened. ‘Because my son told me so. A physician confirmed the diagnosis.’ She inclined her head towards Celia. ‘She was a great disappointment to him.’
Lady Westleigh shook her head. ‘I dare say the problem was not your daughter-in-law’s, but your son’s.’
Celia’s mother-in-law huffed, ‘Of course it was not my son’s problem. He already sired a daughter.’
‘Grandmama,’ Adele broke in. ‘Papa was not my real father. My mother gave birth to me after a love affair with an officer.’
Her grandmother clasped her heart. ‘It isn’t so—’ She protested in every way manageable.
But her words did not penetrate through the blood pounding in Celia’s ears. She touched her abdomen. She’d been so afraid to hope, but now hope turned to possibility and possibility to certainty. The magic and wonder of it made her want to throw herself in Rhys’s arms. He’d given her this life growing inside her. There was no other man she would rather be the father of her child.
&
nbsp; Her mother-in-law’s words finally penetrated. ‘My son was a virile man. Her womb was as dry as an old woman’s!’
‘Ma’am!’ Rhys gave Celia’s mother-in-law a fierce look. ‘I demand you apologise to her. Do you hear me? I will not tolerate it.’
‘You will not tolerate it?’ her mother-in-law went on. ‘You dare speak to me that way when you are nothing but a—’
‘Bastard?’ He said it for her. ‘Madam, none of us choose our birth, but we do choose our behaviour. I’ve known women forced to live on the streets who have more grace and kindness than you.’
Lady Gale gave a disparaging laugh. ‘I wager you would know countless women who live on the streets—’
‘Lady Gale!’ Celia cried. ‘Leave this room now or I will have Younie pack your trunk and I will personally escort you out of the house.’
Adele shrieked and covered her mouth with her fist.
Her mother-in-law rose and, grumbling outrage and insults, flounced out of the room.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Lady Westleigh again spoke. ‘Well, that was unpleasant. But perhaps now we can address the problem at hand.’
Rhys put up a hand. ‘No, Lady Westleigh.’
Celia quickly added, ‘I appreciate your concern, my lady, but I have no intention of discussing anything.’
‘Lady Gale—’ Ned sounded outraged ‘—this affects Adele and that reason alone gives me the right to speak with you about this. My mother, as well.’
Celia turned to him. ‘I am not going to discuss it with you or your mother. Adele should have come to me first.’ She turned to her stepdaughter. ‘I tried to speak with you yesterday, you recall.’
Adele crossed her arms over her chest. ‘I did not wish to speak with you.’
‘No, you preferred the ravings of your grandmother to anything I might say.’ Celia gave her a penetrating look. ‘And then you carried tales about me.’
‘See here, Lady Gale,’ Ned cried. ‘She came to me and to my mother. There is nothing to object to in that.’
They were Westleighs and Celia wanted nothing to do with any of them. If it made Adele happy to join that family, so be it, but Celia was not obligated.
‘Your family is not my family,’ Celia said to Ned. ‘Adele should have respected that.’
