by Tessa Candle
Aldley laughed for an irritatingly long time, then wiped his eyes, saying, “Oh do not look at me so, Rutherford. I like Miss Ravelsham very well—not just because she has been a true friend to Lydia, but for her own sake. No matter how much she has shocked me in recent times, she really is a remarkable woman. And her heart is in the right place.”
Rutherford nodded. “So you can see that too, can you? I am glad. And you must see why I wish to protect her.”
“You love her. Of course I understand. But Rutherford, honestly, she runs a brothel, and I shall not to speculate what other enterprises. She cannot be overly hurt by what the ton might have to say, can she?”
“Quite the contrary. She has been extremely cautious in preventing anyone finding out about her businesses. Let the beau monde get an inkling that she was less than faultless in the loss of Mr. DeGroen’s affections, and she would be very vulnerable. Screwe has already been throwing accusations around town and spying on us both. We need not help him.”
“But if you marry her, it will not matter. Not a jot. The whole town could be convinced that she is a veritable Jezebel. If she is a duchess, their opinions can all go to the devil, and they know it.”
“Pardon me, but am I speaking with the same man who had an apoplexy when he discovered his wife’s plan to own a shop?”
“Oh that was different.” Aldley took a nonchalant sip of his drink. “I am an Aldley.”
It was Rutherford’s turn to laugh. That was the gist of it. His good family name meant more to Aldley than his title. But it did not mean more to him than his wife. And though Rutherford laughed at the absurdity of his friend’s fastidiousness, he had to concede that Aldley had the right of things, in one way. A man’s honour should prevail over his title, no matter what the ton thought. But love trumped all.
When Aldley left, Rutherford’s solicitor paid a call.
He laid out a list of assets and debts on the desk for Rutherford’s perusal.
“And these are all the debts held against him?”
“Of course, I cannot be absolutely certain, but I believe the list is comprehensive. I found most of his creditors quite eager to sell the debt, some of them were willing to be rid of it for as little as two thirds of its face value.”
“Well, to be honest, it is probably worth less than that.”
“That is my conclusion as well, given the list of the assets. However, as his grace’s instructions were to acquire the debt, I did not hesitate.”
Rutherford nodded. “And you did just as you should have done.”
“Thank you, your grace. The list of assets is certainly comprehensive. And his grace may foreclose against all of them, save for two. The property within the entail of the Screwe estate cannot be touched by creditors. However, the beneficial interest that Lord Screwe currently enjoys may be diverted to you at the order of the court. You could evict him and use the property until such time as he dies. Then the interest will revert to the heir, which is a nephew, it seems.
Rutherford nodded. All this was to be expected. “But what of the other untouchable asset?”
“That is more particularly what I wished to discuss, your grace. It is some sort of trust, over which Screwe holds a legal interest as trustee, but the money is not to Screwe’s benefit, so his grace cannot foreclose upon it. I have made some enquiries, and it seems that this trust is substantial. I am still trying to get access to the will that created the trust, so I can learn more.”
“Do you know who the beneficiary is?”
“No, your grace. That is part of the mystery. But, if I might have permission to speculate...”
“Oh, by all means.” Rutherford was listening intently. He could see the expression on the lawyer’s face and could smell blood.
“Screwe’s finances have been so behind, and for such a long time, that the only explanation I have for his sustained spending, even just considering the upkeep of his London home, is that he has been diverting trust monies to his own use.”
“Oh really? Does the law permit this?” Rutherford leaned in.
“No. Such spending would be justified, if the beneficiary were residing with him. But Screwe lives only with his wife, and I have been able to confirm that the trust is not for her benefit.”
“So there is a good chance that Screwe is defrauding this trust?”
“Unless there is some rich friend who is handing over sums of money to him whenever he asks, he is almost certainly misappropriating funds from the trust, your grace. Though I will be more sure if I can get my hands on a copy of the trust terms set out in the will.”
“Mr. Borland, this has been very enlightening. I look forward to hearing what you discover about the will. In the meantime, I want you to call in all the debts at the same time, and start foreclosing on the assets as soon as is permissible.” Rutherford’s expression looked as dark as his clothing. “Brook no delay, and show no mercy.”
Chapter 71
Tilly collapsed into a well-stuffed chair in the Aldley library and accepted a cup of tea from Lydia.
“How is the little mistress?” Tilly had to stop her hand from going to her waist. It had become a compulsive gesture, since she had discovered her pregnancy.
“Wonderful and horrible.” Lydia looked tired and smoothed a tendril of hair off of her cheek. “She awakes at all hours of the night.”
“But you have a wet nurse to take care of that.” Tilly wondered if she would be able to bear allowing another woman to nurse her child. It was not something that had ever before entered her mind.
“Oh yes. But that does not stop me from hearing the crying, and it always awakens me. My ears must be preternaturally sensitive, for it never disturbs Thomas. I must admit, it feels unnatural not to go to her. But I know if I do, it will only make it that much more difficult for the nurse to soothe her. So I am always tired.” The countess smiled. “But I do not mean to complain. She is such a joy to me. Watching her grow fills me with wonder, and at the same time a little sadness mingles in, because a part of me wants to keep her so sweet and carefree and tender as she is now.”
“I believe that is quite natural. I have heard it is so for all mothers. And it may just be the human condition. Who among us has not enjoyed a joy or pleasure and thought, if only I could stay fixed in this moment?”
“You are philosophical today.” Lydia lifted a suspicious brow. “I half expected you to make fun of my weak-brained maudlin ways.”
Tilly tried to laugh without concern. “Oh, my own brain is too weak today to think of anything clever.” Then she sighed, and she knew that the weight of it would give her heart away.
“What is it, Tilly?” A crease of worry formed on Lydia’s forehead. “I mean, you are marrying the man you love, you will very soon be a duchess, and you are tidying up your business affairs so that Lord Screwe will not have a thread to pull at. What can possibly afflict you so?”
What afflicted her? Only that the need to conceal her affair with Rutherford made it necessary to delay marrying, at least for a little while. But they had a child on the way, and the need to prevent anyone questioning the paternity of their baby made marrying expeditiously equally necessary. It was such an awful dilemma.
Tilly took a deep breath and fixed Lydia’s gaze with a look so serious it seemed to frighten the countess. “I will tell you what troubles me, but first you must swear to me that you will not tell another soul, not even your husband.”
Chapter 72
Rutherford stared at the special licence, his heart pounding with excitement. Today DeGroen had left town, and all the ton was buzzing with sympathetic words, sincere or malicious, for that poor Miss Ravelsham. Good old DeGroen.
He was that much closer to marrying Tilly. Tilly thought they should wait, but Rutherford did not want to. He would call on Tilly’s father tomorrow and make a formal proposal. It did not matter that Rutherford was still in mourning for his uncle. The old duke would have thought him a bacon-wit if he delayed such an important ev
ent for mere appearances’ sake.
And Rutherford felt an added urgency now. It was worrisome that his drive to ruin Screwe might make the man more dangerous. He should have thought of that before, but now he simply could not wait to get Tilly under his roof so he could better protect her.
Several men were discreetly watching her home and following her when she went out. But it was not enough for him.
He had thought she would resist this officiousness, for she had such an independent spirit, but the message she wrote to agree to his precautions conveyed a sense of resignation. He had only seen her once since the night of his confinement at the warehouse, for they had to be discreet, but she had not seemed herself.
At the Aldley dinner party, Tilly had looked unhappy and worried. Something was troubling her, and he wished she would tell him what it was. He did not see how it could be Screwe’s gossip, for it was fast losing any power. Rutherford’s foreclosure action had given Screwe more pressing concerns to deal with, and who listens to a bankrupt?
So what could be bothering Tilly? Whatever it was, he would address it as soon as they were wed. He was convinced that once she became his duchess, she would be carefree and merry again, free to throw herself into her philanthropic madness. And Rutherford would join her. He would be happy to be mad right alongside her.
Rutherford stood and began pacing the room. Then he stopped abruptly to hail a servant. It was daft to wait until tomorrow, he would call on Mr. Ravelsham immediately.
Chapter 73
Tilly walked down the steps from her parents’ home. Fresh from the task of acting surprised at her father’s news that the Duke of Bartholmer had asked for her hand. Of course she accepted the proposal. What else could a woman scorned do? They would not wait for the ink to dry on the announcement.
Tilly had given up on any foolish notions that they should delay further. Certainly the ton would talk, but she did not care. In a couple of weeks they would have moved on to other gossip. Tilly did not care for her own reputation. It was her baby she was concerned about.
Her discussion with Lydia had convinced her that her best chance of evading commentary on her child’s paternity was to become the Duchess Bartholmer as soon as possible.
The gossips might then speculate about her involvement with Rutherford while she was still engaged to DeGroen, which would be preferable to their later thinking that the child was not Rutherford’s at all.
She was still worried that something might happen to stop the happy resolution to her woes, but found enough joy to smile as she was handed into her carriage. Her impossible dream had come true. She would marry her beloved stallion.
But the smile dropped off her lips as she viewed through her carriage window a haggard and hungry looking Lord Screwe standing in the park, staring after her as she pulled away. She closed the curtain on his evil gaze, thankful for the armed men that followed in one of Rutherford’s rigs.
Chapter 74
Lydia hugged Tilly tightly as they walked toward the carriages, and the bells rung merrily around the little chapel at the Blackwood estate.
“Felicitations, your grace!” Lydia looked as beaming and happy as she had been at her own wedding. Tilly could not believe her luck at having the love of such a dear friend, and having married such a wonderful man. Who deserved so much happiness? She feared it would displease the gods.
“Oh do not start your-gracing me, or I shall kick you!” Tilly wiped her eyes and sighed happily. “And you are also forbidden to call me Duchess. I am always Tilly to you, as well you know.”
“Not something more formal, like Mathilde?” Lydia’s tear-filled eyes were full of mischief.
“You know very well that I hate that name. And if you call me by it, I may have to have you beheaded. We are within the bounds of the duchy, you know. I am sure there is some old, obscure relic of law that permits me to order executions.”
Lydia gave her a look of alarm and pressed a gloved hand apprehensively to her neck. Then she pulled Tilly to the side, out of the hearing of Aldley and Rutherford.
“So, have you told him yet?” Lydia’s face was full of the joy that Tilly felt.
“No, Lady Nosiness, I have not. I am saving it for a wedding present.”
“I must say, I have always admired your nerve, Tilly. I should be frightened to keep such a secret from a duke.”
Tilly’s smile was arch. “The moment of realization will be more joyous for the great surprise.”
It was true that Tilly was being over-cautious, but her motives were not so glib as they seemed. She had not built a small empire in the demimonde, while preserving her good character in the beau monde, by having loose lips.
In her experience, the fewer who knew of private matters, the better. There was too much at stake for her to risk her overjoyed husband giving the matter away to Aldley in the hearing of a servant.
She gave Lydia a final squeeze of the hand. “I shall see you at the breakfast.” She went to be seated beside Rutherford in the carriage.
The doors were barely closed before Rutherford pulled her into his lap and kissed her. “Do you think we have time for a little consummation before we arrive at the manor?”
Tilly assumed a prim air. “Your properties are extensive, Duke. But not so extensive as that.”
“Hmm.” He reached under the skirts of her dress. “I should like to acquaint you with the fact that my property grows more extensive by the moment.”
“Well.” She pretended to consider the matter. “Perhaps we might ask the driver to take the scenic route.”
“Never mind the scenery.” He set her back onto the seat, and had his pantaloons unfastened and her skirts up before she could respond to his quick movements.
Then he lifted her back to sit in his lap, reaching down to position his cock and tease her with it.
“Oh, Duchess, you are already wet.”
In reply she only moaned with pleasure.
He thrust into her. “My God.” He thrust again. “I have been waiting for this all morning.” He pushed in deeper. “Mmm. I have been so hard for you, darling.”
“Give me more.” She was breathless. “I have been hungering for this, too.”
He thrust all the way inside of her and reached around to massage her into ecstasy with his fingers.
“Oh God, yes!” she purred, then moaned with increasing intensity as he stroked her faster.
He began to drive into her frantically, faster and faster until they both cried out together, and he pinned her hips to him, his cock spasming inside of her.
“God I love you.” he growled as his member shuddered finally.
“Mmm. My stallion, you are even more delicious now that we are married.”
He kissed her collarbone, still panting with his exertion so that his breath tickled the little hairs on her neck. “So my property is extensive enough for you, then?”
She laughed. “Oh yes. And I love you, darling. You have my whole heart. But I regret to inform you that you shall have to share it with another soon.”
He lifted her off of him and set her down in the seat so he could look into her eyes. “What do you mean? Now that you are finally mine, I shall never share you. I mean to be a very greedy husband.”
“I thought as much, and yet you shall be forced to share me.” She pressed his hand to the tiny bulge of her abdomen. “Only look what your greed has already done.”
His eyes grew round as he drew her close to him. “Are you telling me that you are...”
She nodded, unable to repress the tears in her eyes or the smile on her lips.
He kissed her deeply for a long time. When he came up for air, he wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and gave her a wolfish look of hunger. His member was once again standing at attention.
He grabbed the speaking tube, looking seductively at Tilly as he spoke. “Woods, take us around the park, and be slow about it.”
Chapter 75
The wedding breakfast was an in
timate affair. Only the Aldleys, Frobisher and a few relatives of Rutherford’s, including his younger sister, were in attendance.
Smythe lurked about with his white gloves, clandestinely checking objects for dust, until Rutherford got tired of him and told him to go sit in his own chamber until he was summoned. He supposed he would have to have a word with the valet.
When the wedding breakfast was over, and the guests were going through for drinks and biscuits, Rutherford tore himself away from Tilly to speak to Frobisher.
“I must thank you for taking care of things for me, Bish. I have been so busy, I have not had a chance to express my very deep gratitude.”
“Think nothing of it. I have helped myself to several bottles from the wine cellar, and I may stuff a few more in my pockets before I depart tomorrow. But that reminds me. I meant to tell you that I have had no success in one of the tasks you assigned. I could not convey your apology to Mrs. Colling, because she has left for parts unknown.”
“She has left her cottage?” Rutherford was surprised. He knew he had behaved shockingly, but he had assumed the woman had nowhere else to go. “Did she leave some forwarding address?”
“No.” Frobisher pursed his lips in thought. “And she did not even return to get that purse you told me to give her.”
“Really?” Rutherford frowned. “That is odd.”
“Very.”
“And it is worrisome. Surely she must have little else to live on. Where can she have gone?”
Frobisher looked troubled too. “I do not know, but she most assuredly could not have gone far without assistance. She did not so much as borrow a carriage. Does she have any friends that might have collected her?”
“I have no idea of any. My uncle certainly made it sound as though her protection was entirely up to me.” Had he failed in his promise to his uncle, already?
