by Julia Donner
Freddy pinched the bridge of his nose. The things that poverty and conceit can wrought when not assuaged by grace or courage. There was no excuse for their behavior. They’d made their choices, but that didn’t mean Freddy was without sympathy for the blinded idiot. He’d been blinded too.
Freddy dropped his hand and looked into his challenger’s flushed expression. So young and sincere, quivering in misplaced outrage. Freddy inwardly sighed. Thank heaven he was such a good shot. He could wing the boy in such a way he’d only need a bit of lint for the wound. But first he should attempt to talk the fool out of a duel that would put them in more legal trouble than the girl was worth. He wished he had one of Harry’s quizzing glasses. Harry used it when squashing the pretension of others with great effect.
“Mr. Hardwicke-Baines, I find myself disenchanted with the idea of shooting at green boys not yet out of university. The dueling field is meant for gentlemen with some seasoning.”
Perhaps that wasn’t the best way to smooth the waters, but his patience was at an end. The green boy then made an unfortunate display of youthful ignorance by delivering a stinging slap that echoed in the room.
Lady Caroline gasped. She was canny enough to know what was and wasn’t done between gentlemen.
Harwicke-Baines smirked, while Freddy imagined a number of ways to eviscerate the idiot. The need to pound him senseless blinded him for a moment, then good sense returned, uncurling his clenched fists. He needed this idiot boy alive. The lad was his salvation from the harlot his father had tricked him into accepting as a suitable wife.
With his cheek still burning, he turned his gaze on Lady Caroline, who retreated a step and fell backward onto the couch. The girl wasn’t entirely stupid.
Freddy nodded a mocking bow. “Lady Caroline, my legal counsel will meet with your mother at their convenience. Not hers. Mr. Hardwicke-Baines, my second, Sir Harry Collyns, will contact you. Good-day to you both.” He started to leave, then paused to add, “Oh, and Lady Caroline, be advised that you and your mother will be out of this house within the hour or see your belongings tossed out in the street.” He turned back to the lad. “Perhaps you might help her with that, since you are so inept at the other.”
He left the door open when he exited. As he walked down the corridor to find the secretary, he wore a smile that sent servants scurrying. His temper would cool by the time he met with the boy. He wouldn’t kill him, but after so shocking an insult, he’d enjoy scaring the water out of the twit.
Chapter 16
A movement on the bed stirred Evangeline from deep slumber. She opened heavy lids and saw Olivia sitting beside her. Rubbing her eyes, Evangeline sat up.
“Ollie, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be on your honeymoon.”
Olivia slipped the ruffled nightcap from Evangeline’s head. “You’ve neglected to darken your hair. Another washing and we’ll have the true color hair again.”
Evangeline pulled at the confining sheet and leaned forward to hug her friend. “But why are you here?”
“I suffered the most wretched feeling, as if something were wrong somewhere. It was the oddest thing, but I somehow knew that it involved you.”
“And Sir Harry didn’t mind coming back?”
Olivia laughed and waved away the comment. “Heavens, no. A message for Harry would have brought us back, in any event, but we’d already made a decision. That premonition, you know. Couldn’t possibly go away without assuring myself you were well. Harry drove me directly to you. It’s rather disorienting. For so long, Father and Grandfather made me toe every line, but Harry, he smiles and acts delighted with whatever I ask!”
Evangeline hugged her friend again. “Oh, Ollie, I’m so happy for you!”
When they separated, Olivia seriously said, “Evie, allow me to say that Mr. Bates would be as obliging.”
Evangeline picked at the nightcap’s lace edging. “He’s Viscount Grieves now and out of my reach. I never should have involved him. Attentions from an affianced gentleman will not reflect well on either of us.”
Olivia’s face clouded with concern, and Evangeline felt relief when her friend let the subject go, saying, “Your maid will be up presently. Asterly thought it best you be wakened. He believes we will soon have news of your son.”
Evangeline scooted off the bed, energized by a shaft of anticipation. “Did he say anything to you?”
Olivia stayed in the bedroom while Evangeline hurried into the dressing room for the necessary. Maids arrived by the time she’d finished, and the subject had to be set aside. Olivia sorted through the few dresses in the wardrobe and withdrew the only one with a pleasing color, a mauve day gown, and laid it on the bed.
Olivia clucked and marched to the vanity table, where Evangeline sat and snatched the cap that Evangeline was about to arrange on her head of tight braids. She marched to the fireplace and threw it on the coals. “No more of this. Comb out her hair, please. No braids and homely clothes.”
“Ollie, I mean, Lady Collyns—”
“No, Evangeline. Your son’s uncle knows all. There’s no reason for you to slink about and lurk in corners.” She turned to Smith, “Comb out her hair. Something loose and soft. Perhaps some curls on her shoulders.”
Evangeline immediately protested, “I can’t—”
“You must, Evie. You must look your very best today. That horrid man will come around, all smug and victorious, I don’t doubt. But we will be waiting for him. Where is that case of your mother’s? She had some lovely combs. I remember them from seminary days.”
When Olivia connected with Evangeline’s unreceptive image in the mirror, Olivia said, “You were the prettiest girl at seminary.”
“I doubt that. I do recall Mrs. Toller insisting that I was the most mulish child she’d ever had the misfortune to teach.”
Olivia laughed. “And she was right. Now where is that jewel case?”
Tension melted from Evangeline’s shoulders. She looked into her friend’s brown eyes, glowing with affection. It struck her that their friendship had become richer in the years they hadn’t been together.
“Like at school, Ollie, where we always hid our secrets. Look under the bed.”
Olivia pointed at the bed and Smith hurried to lift the bed linens. When she returned and placed the memory box on the table, Evangeline said, “Thank you, Smith. Would you arrange to have breakfast brought up?”
Smith curtsied and hurried from the room, as if she’d been given a task of monumental importance. While Evangeline unlocked the box and withdrew the carved jade combs, Olivia stared at the door the maid had gone through.
“They know, don’t they?”
Evangeline looked away from the reflection of her friend’s profile. While relocking the box, she murmured, “Somehow, they’ve always known.”
“Do you think Crimm told them?”
Folding her hands in her lap, Evangeline replied, “He would never divulge a secret. I believe it was the manner in which he treated me.”
Olivia took up the brush and began to glide it through Evangeline’s hair. Memories of when they combed each other’s hair at school eased the worried thoughts scattered in Evangeline’s mind. Soon, her eyes drooped shut. Her head and shoulders moved with Olivia’s even strokes and the thoughtless tune she hummed.
Olivia murmured, “There now. You are much improved. Evie, what if I use some rosewater with lemon? This dark rinse might fade a bit more.”
“Not today. I’m anxious to go down to speak with Asterly.”
“He was leaving as I came in and will return shortly. Now, relax. You were doing so well before that reminder. Let us talk of something else. Do you remember when you hit Moira Edgeworth over the head with a book for calling me fat?”
Evangeline opened one eye. “She deserved it, and what made you think of that?”
Setting down the brush, Olivia sat on the padded bench, scooting Evangeline over with her hip to make room. “You feel like a piano wire stretched to
its limit. It’s not only worry for Ned. It’s that temper of yours searching for an outlet. At school, you were so…intrepid.”
“I can’t think of a more deserving recipient than Moira. She was so mean-spirited.”
“Evie, there’s little I wouldn’t do for you. You must know that. I don’t know how I would’ve endured seminary without you. I told Harry how dreadful those girls were and how you faced them down.”
Evangeline wryly inserted, “I shouldn’t think a single whack to Moira’s dense skull accomplished much.”
Olivia laughed. “They stayed well away from your reach after that and no more insults. Was it worth the bread and water in a freezing closet for three days?”
Leaning into her friend’s shoulder, Evangeline said with a smile, “We were together. It passed quickly enough. I’d completely forgotten until you reminded me today.”
The maid entered, saying, “Lord Asterly has returned, and Lord Grieves is asking for you.”
Olivia stood and said to Evangeline’s solemn expression in the looking glass, “Harry and I will stand with you. Allow Asterly to handle the fiend, and Evie, it’s one thing to be intrepid but mind your temper.”
Chapter 17
Freddy braced the heels of his palms on the fireplace mantel. The mansion wasn’t kept as warmly as when Lady Asterly was in residence. She chilled easily. Normally, Freddy disliked the heat. The tension that tightened his shoulder muscles might have been eased by overheating. He almost flinched when Asterly’s hand settled on his back.
“Have patience, Freddy. She’s on her way down.”
“I don’t look forward to telling her that we’ve no news about her son.”
The bracing weight of Asterly’s hand fell away. “I don’t relish that either. Let’s see what Crimm has unearthed. He said his runners should be returning after luncheon. Not that anyone is in a mood to eat.”
Sir Harry strolled into the receiving room, brightening the interior with his dash and physical perfection. “Is Olivia on her way down with Mrs. Merrick?”
“Any moment now,” Asterly said to his brother. “Freddy and I were about to discuss what’s to be done with the bastard that’s got her boy.”
Freddy pushed away from the fireplace mantel. “Isn’t he twelve or thirteen by now? Certainly old enough to fight off the sod.”
Sir Harry drew his blond eyebrows into a scowl. “What are you suggesting?”
Asterly said, “The uncle is Archibald McInnlay.”
Sir Harry’s eyes widened. He whispered a curse, then said, “No wonder she’s hidden the boy all this time.” He joined them at the fireplace. “Will you shoot him down, Freddy, or would you rather I carve him up?”
Freddy felt a rueful grin twist his lips. “T’would be a fitting enough repayment for all the hours you made me help with the cutting in your cane fields.”
“Nonsense,” Sir Harry retorted with pretended affront. “It made you fit. Little men require muscle to lend fierce aspect to their stature.”
“Lud, Collyns, I don’t have to look up that far. And you’re not so high in the atmosphere that my fist can’t squash your pretty nose.”
Asterly murmured, “Enough squabbling, boys. I hear the ladies coming.”
The men made sure they presented an urbane image of a friendly trio as the women came through. When Evangeline started to curtsey, Olivia towed her by the arm across the room.
Freddy watched with a wistfulness he couldn’t regret when Harry greeted his wife with a kiss on the cheek. Harry and his brother were unusually demonstrative men. In the past, Freddy had never been able to quell a pang of annoyance when Asterly made a show of his fondness for Elizabeth at every opportunity. Now, Freddy understood the root of the irritation. Envy. Simple as that. Until this moment, he’d never understood how much he desired that sort of bond and easy affection in his own life.
Evangeline kept her gaze on the floor during the affectionate exchange. When she glanced up, he made sure she connected with and understood the meaning of an eloquent stare. She clutched the folds of her frock’s skirt and looked away, openly relieved when Olivia took her hand and pulled her toward a settee.
After tugging Evangeline down to sit beside her, Olivia demanded, “What news have we from Crimm?”
Asterly replied, “Nothing yet. I’m sure he’ll have something for us shortly. We don’t precisely know his methods, but we can rely on a speedy answer. Did you rest well, Mrs. Merrick?”
Freddy interrupted, “Don’t you think we might leave off with the formalities, Peregrine? She’s one of us now, whether or not she chooses to acknowledge that fact.”
Feathers up, Evangeline sent him an admonishing glare. “You presume to speak for me, sir?”
Fed up with her act, Freddy snapped back, “Someone might as well, if you won’t. You’re a duchess and outrank the lot of us.”
Evangeline muttered under her breath. Olivia tilted her head at the unfamiliar French words. Asterly covered his surprised laugh with a pretend cough.
Harry understood the epithets and had no qualms about chuckling. “Well done, Evie. Would you like me to hold him down while you hit him again?”
Olivia wove her fingers through Evangeline’s and placed their joined hands on her lap. “Remember what I said about your temper.” To the men, she announced, “My Evie has been forced to suppress certain aspects of her personality in order to fit into a particular mold. The time for dissembling is over. I would suggest you tread carefully around Evangeline. She’s had far too much time suppressing her true nature. She may be slight in her person, but her resolve and courage are large. Whatever you do, don’t hand her a crop. She knows what to do with it.”
Asterly smirked. Harry blurted a laugh, and Freddy felt heat flow up through his body and flush his face. Casting off caution, he murmured, “Do you now, Evangeline?”
He got another scorching glare for the innuendo larding his remark. Before he could savor the idea of taunting her into a stronger reaction, Olivia said, “Enough nonsense. We can still enjoy Sunday service if we hurry. Harry, arrange for a carriage, if you please.”
Asterly said, “An excellent idea, Olivia. I’ll remain here and have someone sent if we hear anything. Church should help to ease the tension of merely waiting on tender hooks.”
Harry paused at the door to ask, “Freddy, will you attend with us?”
“Thank you, no. I’ve neglected matters. If Peregrine doesn’t mind, I’ll write letters while you’re gone.”
Freddy watched them leave, smiling at how easily they accepted his excuse. As soon as they were out of the house, he planned to have a discussion with Crimm.
Chapter 18
Freddy sent a footman to fetch Crimm and sat at a secretariat, scribbling off a note and reminders of the tasks he’d been neglecting. Life went on with or without his input. The vagaries of his life would be there when he had time to handle them. Evangeline’s problems required immediate action.
As much as he disliked his cousin, the late viscount, he trusted the man’s judgment. The Bates family were a stodgy lot, ever financially prudent and sharp-eyed when it came to hiring the right sort to handle the affairs. Randall, his cousin’s secretary, had agreed to continue his position until either of them decided otherwise. Freddy folded the note, addressed, then sealed the letter. He was blotting the ink when Crimm came through.
Freddy stood. He extended the note to Crimm, who accepted the letter and said, “I shall have it delivered directly, my lord.”
Before Crimm could leave, Freddy said, “Might I have a word?”
The butler turned back. An expression of mild interest showed on the craggy features. For the first time, Freddy became fully aware of the man who stood before him holding the letter. Hidden under the pristine white of his gloves were the butler’s twisted fingers and swollen knuckles from many bare-fisted fights. Crimm, known in his youth as the Man-killer of Manchester, had considerable weight and height in his favor. That didn’t stop Fre
ddy from getting the answers he needed.
Evangeline had lived so long with silence that she’d lost the ability to share the grief and joy of her past. Crimm, for some reason, knew everything about her. The difficulty came in getting someone known for his rigid loyalty to relent and speak.
“Mr. Crimm, I should start by apologizing for putting you in a position where you might feel unjustifiably put-upon by a friend of your employers.”
Crimm’s eyebrows, bristly and silver-shot, rose. “Employers, my lord? Lady Asterly’s father hired me. I stay at the pleasure of her ladyship.”
“Yes, and I wish to ask about her friend, Mrs. Merrick.”
A definite chill rolled off the former pugilist. Before Crimm could reply, Freddy said, “I have no wish to pry for any other reason than to protect her.”
“To the extent that you have gone to protect Lady Caroline’s reputation?”
Freddy paused, surprised that Crimm already knew of the duel. “I ask that you won’t say a word to Mrs. Merrick. She has enough to occupy her thoughts at present, but I shall be frank with you. The reason for the duel is not to protect a lady’s name but to respond to severe insult. It also provides the means of how I shall end my engagement to Lady Caroline.”
Implicit in his reply was the fact that he spoke to Crimm as an equal. Personal information was not shared with servants. They found out quickly enough on their own, but it was not done to involve them directly.
Freddy waited for Crimm’s decision. Crimm pursed his lips, glanced away to think, then said, “I presume you seek clarification regarding the particulars of Mrs. Merrick’s past.”
“Exactly, and before you think to dissemble, I knew her late husband. I didn’t recall it until recently, but I was at their wedding.”
“Then you are aware of her true identity, my lord.”
“And why the son must be kept out of the uncle’s control.”
