Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series)

by Mariel Grey

  Chalifour's thoughts deviated once again to Lucy. The image of her mouth made him shift in his seat. He had the curious sense Lucy had been simultaneously annoyed with him and grateful to him. Why she would feel either of these emotions was beyond him.

  Chalifour, no stranger to women, never lacked for female companionship. Women, however, for all the many pleasures they could provide, were frequently an enigma. Except for his occasional mistresses, Chalifour just could not make out the internal workings of their minds.

  His mistresses were the only women who were generally straightforward. They provided pleasure to him, and in return, he provided lavish gifts and money to them. Yet, a diversion with Lucy Goodwin might be worth exploring.

  Shaking off the image of Lucy Goodwin, Chalifour began to work out some of the details which needed to be included in the contract. He would meet with his lawyer first thing the next morning to get the process underway. Chalifour should be able present the contract to Lucien Goodwin on his way back to his estate in the next two to three days. His dream was within his grasp. So was Lucy. Chalifour smiled and settled back into his seat.

  Chapter Six

  Dawn broke clear and bright, but Lucy was cold and grey inside. Until Lucien was better, the task of keeping the business prosperous fell to her. They had to make payments to Perdan, or he would dishonor them with the scandal of an unpaid debt. They would be ruined. Or she could become his mistress.

  Lucy shuddered. She must succeed. If she didn’t, they were lost. How was she going to keep their business intact until Lucien recovered? Lucy wouldn't allow herself to entertain the notion that Lucien might fail to recuperate.

  Hugging her knees to her chest, Lucy brooded over the debt. Could the debt have originated from their father's funeral? In retrospect, her father's funeral was both elaborate and expensive. Her father was laid in a gilded coffin and the hearse was adorned with black ostrich plumes. The horses which bore the hearse were dyed black and wore matching ostrich feathers with black and silver trappings.

  Lucy and her brother had even hired mutes, professional mourners who walked in the funeral procession. The buffet she and Lucien served after the burial was lavish and costly. Lucy smiled. Her father would have loved the attention. Surely they were able to afford the expense?

  The first immediate problem to resolve was how to deal with their patrons. After all, Lucy possessed no legal standing. All legal standing rested with her brother upstairs in his bed, incapacitated. So where did that leave them? Lucien wasn't apt to tend to his business any time soon. While some of the merchant class might work with her, the ton most assuredly would not. And the ton constituted a majority of their business.

  Lucy needed someone to help her device a plan. There was only one person she could trust and that was her dearest friend, Lady Monique. Sitting at the ornate oak desk which had belonged to her father, and now Lucien, she removed a crisp sheet of foolscap. Lucy flipped the lid of the inkpot open and dipped the nib of the quill into the ink. She paused in concentration, and began to write.

  Dearest Lady Monique,

  I hope my letter finds you hale and hearty. I do not know what you may have heard about my recent circumstances, but I have a great need for your wise counsel. While I know this is not much notice and Season has gotten under way, if your social calendar would permit, I would benefit from your company.

  If you are able to visit me post haste, I will instruct my servant to wait upon you and bring you here. If not, please send word as to when I might expect you. Besides, it has been far too long.

  Always yours,

  Lucille Goodwin

  Lucy read the letter to herself and decided it was satisfactory. She blotted the paper carefully and waved the letter in the air. She folded the letter and removed her personal seal from the desk. Lighting a candle, she melted the wax, poured the wax over the folds in the letter and imprinted it with her seal. She would send the letter with Cedric today in the hopes Monique would be able to leave without delay and be here tomorrow evening.

  Lucy walked from the salon and into the large entrance hall. She climbed the main staircase taking one stair at a time. Reaching the last step, she exhaled. Like a sleepwalker, she drifted down the wide hallway and entered Lucien's room. Alistair hunched over Lucien and sponged his forehead.

  "How is he?"

  "The same. Though this morning he's been a little more restless. He's been speaking some, but it's mostly gibberish."

  Lucy sat on the edge of the bed and stroked Lucien's hair. "You'll be fine," she said, more for herself than for him.

  "Soon you'll be riding again and I'll be picking out our horses, just like always."

  Eyes soft, Lucy recalled when their mother passed away. Their father had been engulfed in grief. He had been overwhelmed in trying to accept the loss of his wife and the demands of his growing horse breeding business. Their father had been unable to cope well with the additional needs of two young children.

  She and Lucien had in many ways been left to fend for themselves. They were alone, not so much in a physical sense, but in an emotional sense. They too had been overwhelmed with grief over the loss of their mother. She and Lucien had clung to each other during that time and comforted one another. There was no one else to turn to, only each other. Now Lucien lay helpless in bed.

  Lucy would care for Lucien and nurse him back to health. She had to do the same for his business. The breeding business was her brother's inheritance from their father. Lucy wasn't going to let anything happen to Lucien, or to her father's legacy. Moreover, the business was their sole source of income and what stood between them and ruin. And me becoming the plaything of that repulsive man. Lucy needed a plan. Dear heavens, I hope Monique will be able to free herself.

  ****

  Monique had swept into the house the night before like a burst of summer breeze. For the first time in days, Lucy laughed and enjoyed herself with carefree abandon. They chatted and caught up on recent gossip. Monique's brother would send a coach for her on Sunday to take her back to Town.

  Both women avoided the topic which had brought Monique here at Lucy's urgent request and enjoyed their time together. Monique's family loved racing thoroughbreds and had purchased Goodwin horses on a regular basis over many years. Monique and Lucy met when Monique accompanied her father and brothers on one such trip.

  Both girls had been young and recently bereaved of their mothers. They were also surrounded by male family members and shared a love of horses. Those facets of their lives had formed the basis for an unlikely friendship despite the differences in their stations. Though now grown women, Lucy and Monique still maintained a close friendship.

  After finishing breakfast, they retired to the main salon and Lucy explained what had happened to Lucien. Shivering, Lucy wrapped her arms around herself and proceeded to describe the subsequent visits paid to her by both Lord Perdan and Lord Chalifour. Monique listened, her eyes widening in horror.

  "Good heavens! What a despicable bounder Lord Perdan is. Even if your brother owes him money! To treat you in such a way is unforgivable! I hesitate to tell you this, but I suppose I should. There are rumors about Lord Perdan. I have heard whispers that some of his mistresses may have been beaten. There was even talk of one of his women being burned."" Monique's lips twisted with distaste.

  Lucy recoiled in horror. "Do you think it’s true?"

  "I don’t know. I only heard because I was eavesdropping on my brother one day. Perdan is not well liked by anyone I know. The only reason he is even tolerated, I think, is because he is a peer. Otherwise I don't believe anyone would bother to speak with him, much less invite him to social events."

  "I should think not. He is truly repulsive, but that doesn't change the fact he claims a debt against Lucien. If anything, I think that makes the matter worse."

  "Yes, and a gambling debt is a debt of honor. That can be serious business. And so is forgery, which you are also contemplating."

  "But I don't
know if it's a gambling debt. I don't know what the debt is for! All right, let's review the situation." Lucy shot up from her chair and began to pace the room. "I have misled Lord Chalifour somewhat."

  "A lot. You have misled him a lot, Lucy," Monique said sternly.

  "What choice did I have? You yourself said a gambling debt can be serious business. What else can this debt be for? We have money, but not enough to pay this off. I can't use every bit of money Lucien has in the bank. We need money to pay our other creditors too."

  Lucy waved her hand in the air to encompass their surroundings. "Though this enterprise pays well, it's only during certain times of the year when we sell the foals or allow the stallions to sire and take stud fees. During the remainder of the year, there’s extra money if Lucien wins a race. We haven't started selling foals yet and so money is not as abundant as during other times of the year."

  "I've never known much about your business, though what you just explained makes sense. All right. Let's say you forge this contract with Lord Chalifour. Not only will you commit forgery, you will also be selling him an interest in a business your brother may not even rightly own if he is truly this deep in debt to Lord Perdan. Did you know that Lord Chalifour is a member of the Jockey Club?"

  Lucy stopped pacing and shook her head no.

  "He is one of its members who is well known for being committed to rooting out corruption in horse racing and working hard to raise the prestige of the sport. Given his stance on corruption, I think it highly unlikely he would be very forgiving of someone if he discovered them committing a forgery."

  "If I don't do this, we could be dishonored and ruined. Lucien could be looking at debtor's prison and we would lose our home. I can't let any of this happen. I must keep this business intact until Lucien is well again."

  "If you do this and things go badly for any reason, you could be looking at prison too."

  Lucy sat next to Monique on the settee. "When Lucien has recovered, we can devise a plan to pay Lord Perdan off. For the time being, I don't see an alternative course of action. Maybe Lucien will be able to compete in more races in the future. Some of the purses are rather large. A few wins would go a long way toward paying this debt. In the meantime, forging the contract is the only thing I can do right now to bring in an income. Unless, of course, you think I should become Lord Perdan’s mistress."

  "Don’t even suggest such things!" Monique reached over and placed Lucy's hands between her own and looked into her eyes. "Lucy, you could consider taking a husband," she said quietly. "I know you've had a few good offers over the years. My family's connections are available to you. We could help you find a suitable match. While you are not highborn, there are men who would gladly marry you, if for no other reason than to have access to the Goodwin horses. Have you considered that? It could help solve your and Lucien's financial difficulties."

  Lucy pulled her hand from her friend. "I do not wish to marry. And I certainly do not wish to marry a man who would consider me as a prospective wife solely on the basis that it would grant him access to our horses! I may as well be a brood mare myself if that is the case!"

  "Lucy, we all must marry. Even I have to begin seeking a suitable husband. I will be twenty-two this year."

  When Lucy did not reply, Monique grasped her hand again and stared her in the eye. "Why are you so afraid to marry?"

  Lucy lowered her eyes. She could not bear to look at her friend while she tried to distill her response. Monique was her closest, indeed only, true friend. Without hesitation, Monique dropped everything and came to her aid at her request. Monique deserved a genuine answer. Swallowing, Lucy raised her eyes. "I am afraid."

  "Afraid? Why?" Monique appeared surprised.

  Lucy exhaled, "Because if I marry, I will lose myself and my identity. I will own nothing."

  "You don't own anything now. You will not even own this property if Lucien dies. It will go to your creditors."

  "I own myself now. If I marry, I will become the property of the man I marry."

  "Yes, that's true to some degree. But you cannot depend on your brother to take care of you forever. He will marry at some point in time, and his wife may wish to run the household herself, without fighting you every step of the way. Have you ever considered that?"

  The truth of the statement sent a stab of fear into Lucy. Lucien had been pushing her on the subject of marriage as of late. "Lucien would never turn me out. We've always taken care of each other."

  "Yes, you have. And no, I do not think Lucien would turn you out. But you could create conflict for him and any future wife he may take. And he will take a wife."

  "I could move from the house."

  Monique stared at her for a moment with a raised eyebrow. "All right, Lucy. We won’t discuss the matter anymore, for now."

  Sighing with relief, Lucy changed the subject. "I wish I knew the details of this agreement Lucien made with Lord Chalifour. I don't even know how much money will be exchanged, or even for what concessions."

  "You mean you don't even know what the details of the transaction are?" Both of Monique's eyebrows raised in disbelief.

  "I couldn't appear to be too curious or I might have aroused Lord Chalifour's suspicions. I was supposed to be carrying messages between him and Lucien. Lucien would already have been privy to everything," Lucy said defensively.

  Frowning, Monique said, "I guess you will know the details soon enough. I just hope there are no unpleasant surprises."

  Chapter Seven

  Lord Perdan arrived early Friday morning. In Lucy's mind the bright day turned a shade darker when Alistair escorted him into Lucien's salon. Seeing Monique seated in the salon, Lord Perdan visibly stiffened. Turning to Lucy, he said "I believe we have some business to discuss privately?"

  "Yes, I am sure we do. Lady Monique Cathdon has been keeping me company for the last many days. I believe you have had the pleasure of her acquaintance?"

  "Yes, I've had the pleasure." Turning to Monique, Perdan said, "Good day, Lady Monique. How does your family fare?"

  "Quite well, thank you for your concern. Please do not worry about me, Lord Perdan. Since you have indicated your desire to speak privately with Miss Goodwin, I shall retire to my room. Good day to you, Lord Perdan." The door closed behind Monique. In Lucy's mind, Monique's departure from the room further diminished the light.

  Lord Perdan remained standing so Lucy did likewise. "I believe we got off to a very bad start at our last meeting. Perhaps we could begin our relationship again."

  "And what relationship might you be referring to, Miss Goodwin?"

  "Our business relationship."

  "I beg to differ. There is no business relationship between us. This is a debtor creditor relationship. Unless, of course, you wish to make it more? That offer still stands."

  Lucy sucked in her breath. "I assume you are offering me the honor of becoming your wife?"

  A look of amusement crossed Perdan’s face. "I had been considering an alternative arrangement, actually."

  Heat rose in her cheeks. Clenching her fists, Lucy fought the urge to launch herself at him and pummel him with her fists. She had never felt such an urge to commit violence on another person. The only thing stopping her was the thought of her brother lying helplessly upstairs in bed, his condition much the same. In an effort to calm herself, Lucy began counting mentally before responding to Perdan when the salon door burst open.

  Standing in the doorway was the formidable form of the Marquis of Chalifour. His intense blue eyes lit first on her and then on Lord Perdan. Alistair's small form stood behind Lord Chalifour, wringing his hands.

  "My apologies for the intrusion. Lord Chalifour insisted. He said he had an appointment with you," Alistair said.

  Lucy's heart sank to her stomach. Her mind raced through the potential scenario and panic set in. She could not afford these two men conversing with one another. Lord Chalifour might discover her brother was completely incapacitated and Lord Perdan might disco
ver Lord Chalifour was buying a stake in the business. What a disaster that would be!

  Lucy had to get rid of one of them. It would have to be Lord Perdan since she couldn't ask Chalifour to leave the contract without Perdan inquiring about the document. Lucy gritted her teeth. Now she wouldn't be able to discover more about the terms of their obligation.

  Forcing her lips into a smile, Lucy looked at Alistair, "It's fine. Lord Chalifour and I had an appointment, though it was not for a date or time certain. I must presume Lord Chalifour has some matter of urgency which has precluded his observance of the normal proprieties." Lucy shot Lord Chalifour an icy glare. The man was insufferable in his arrogance barging into her home and demanding to be seen!

  Lucy turned to Lord Perdan. Trying her best to look coquettish, she said, "Since you and I still have matters to discuss, perhaps we could continue our conversation in Town? I will be accompanying Lady Monique when she returns on Sunday."

  Lucy fluttered her lashes at Perdan and offered him her brightest smile. Lord Chalifour's face darkened and his eyes narrowed slightly. Was Chalifour jealous? No, of course not! What a ludicrous thought.

  With a perplexed look, Lord Perdan said, "I'll look for you in Town then." He inclined his head slightly toward Chalifour, who returned the gesture. "Good day, Lord Chalifour." Perdan departed, his face a mask of confusion.

  "What was that about?"

  Lucy spun toward him and found him staring at her mouth. "I do not believe your business with my brother allows you the right to pry into my personal life," she spit. While Lucy was once again thankful to see Chalifour, she was also irritated with him. His ill-timed entrance had prevented her from discovering anything further about their indebtedness.