by Julia Donner
“Almost twice your age, young Ned.”
The duke glared. He fully understood that no gentleman would accept a challenge from someone so much younger. Freddy let him stew for a while, allowing the lad time to think up a retaliatory remark. Before he could retort, Freddy asked, “Aren’t you curious as to why your mother is loved and your uncle reviled?”
Doubt flickered in the youth’s gaze. “I suppose you plan to tell me, since you’ve not hesitated to hurl any number of insults.”
Freddy smiled. “To use your mother’s words, he likes boys.”
Havardshire blinked, scowled, then an expression of profound revulsion slowly overtook his features. He leaned back against the seat, as if to distance himself from the revelation. “Sir, you’re telling me that the world knows of this?”
“It’s common knowledge in the clubs, although never talked about. He’s not barred, but is regularly avoided. It’s one thing to dally with the same gender, but men of integrity do not tolerate that sort of abuse to children. Asterly has warned McInnlay away from you. He and Lady Asterly will be assured of your safety. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the guardianship changes in the future or is somehow amended. The Asterlys will find a way to alter it, whether you wish to maintain your allegiance or not.”
The carriage halted at a congested intersection. Havardshire resumed his preoccupation of the world beyond the carriage window, but now his eyes glittered with gathering tears. In a gruff voice, and his attitude greatly changed, he said, “Lord Grieves, if you wouldn’t mind, I should like to return to Cavendish to speak with my mother."
Freddy sat back in his seat. “I think that’s a very fine idea, indeed.” When the duke swiftly brushed a cuff over his eyes, Freddy added, “Good lad. Making amends with her is the first order of business.”
After a time, Havardshire asked, “Will she forgive me?’
Freddy shook his head and silently laughed. “Havardshire, there’s no question of that. She’s of the opinion that you walk at least an inch above water.”
Remorseful, Ned muttered, “Perhaps before. After the fool I’ve made of myself today, I fear I’ve sunk quite a bit under the waterline. My thanks, Grieves, for setting me straight and pulling me out.”
When they reached Cavendish, the duke flew out of the door before the carriage stopped rolling. Freddy smiled at the energy and impetuousness of youth. He joined Havardshire on the steps, where the lad fidgeted in place, waiting for admittance. He shot through the opening and disappeared to the left.
By the time Freddy got into the vestibule and looked through the open reception room doorway, Evangeline was already caught up in a fierce embrace by her repentant son. Even though the lad had grown taller than his mother, Evangeline could see over his shoulder. Her face, tear-washed and pale, stared through the open doorway. Shock and hurt in her eyes faded to wonder, then to grateful joy.
Freddy couldn’t smile back. An ache constricted his chest and stole his breath. With a single look, she reduced him, unmanned him completely. His next surprise came when he realized that he didn’t mind. He’d do anything to keep her happiness in place. Before she withdrew from Ned’s arms, she sent a visual promise that sent heat coursing through his veins.
“Freddy!” Harry called from the first floor landing.
After a startled flinch, Freddy pulled his gaze from Evangeline’s and turned to watch Harry come swiftly down the steps, the shine on his boots flashing, every pin and crease in place. The man always made him feel grubby.
“What is it, Harry?”
Coming to a halt, Harry glanced into the receiving room. “Ah, you brought the lad back. So glad he came to his senses. We were most dreadfully concerned. Livie stayed with her. Poor Mrs. Merrick, well…the duchess. She was quite devastated by the boy’s behavior.”
“Yes. He required a lesson and further education about McInnlay. Suppose the boy can’t be blamed. He’s never been around long enough to know the truth about the man. What is it you wanted?”
Harry didn’t look directly at the footmen stationed by the door, but Freddy understood the implicit warning when Harry said, “Perhaps we should go up to the green saloon and leave them to their proper reunion.”
Freddy nodded and went up the staircase with Harry. Once inside Lady Asterly’s favorite reception room, and the door closed for privacy, Harry said, “Your note reached me in plenty of time, but Ollie had it in her head to come back for other reasons. I spoke with the second for Hardwick-Baines. Talbot is his name. Never heard of him. Apparently just off an East India ship and a distant relation. Seems to understand the particulars. But Freddy, this Hardwick-Baines doesn’t seem the sort one wishes to confront in a matter of honor. From all I’ve heard, he’s the sort who might fire before the call.”
The memory of Evangeline’s speaking gaze, the promise within, diverted him from the subject. Distracted, he murmured, “You could be right about that.”
Harry inserted into the pause that followed. “Perhaps you would allow me to arrange for an amicable resolution.”
That option, even though entirely reasonable, jerked Freddy back to the topic. “Can’t do it, Harry. Must keep the duel moving forward. But if he does turn up a bad-hearted fellow, keep in mind that I need him alive to take Lady Caroline off my hands. If he’s not around to keep her occupied, she’ll head directly back to me.”
“Ah. A duel that’s supposed to save her reputation, but will actually be the engagement’s undoing?”
“Precisely. Let everyone think it’s about her.”
“It’s better to keep these affairs quiet, but Freddy, servant gossip has spread it all over town.”
“And I know the source. The people my cousin kept in his employ are nothing like the Asterlys’ sort. When I take up residence, they’ll be more careful about what they divulge, but their loose lips and Lady Caroline’s lack of virtue have provided the easiest way out of the contract.”
Harry’s chivalrous heart showed his reluctance to besmirch a lady’s name when he said, “Forgive me, but it all sounds a bit crass.”
“Thoroughly revolting in its particulars, you may be sure. You certainly don’t have to second me, Harry. I fully understand your hesitation. Perhaps Bainbridge is in town?”
“No one has seen him for months, and you know he’ll never answer a letter. See here, I won’t have you thinking that I wouldn’t stand beside you. For such a short and weasel-faced fellow, I do feel some affection for you.”
Freddy snorted a laugh. “What a ridiculous swine you can be over a mere three inches. And if it might salve your sensibilities, you should know that even-shorter-than-I-Rupert was buttoning up his breeches as he challenged me.”
Harry’s eyes widened. “You can’t be serious. You came upon them flagrante?”
“Walked in as they were shagging away in the ground floor reception room. Lady Caroline didn’t bother to do up the front of her frock, whilst accusing me of ungentlemanly behavior.”
“Oh, Freddy, that is so appalling it’s hilarious. Better than the latest French farce.”
“Thought the same myself, at the time. If not betrothed to the wretched girl, I would’ve closed the door and left them be, but she handed me this perfect opportunity out of the engagement. Couldn’t possibly let it go. And then stupid boy had to go and slap me.”
Harry stared, stunned, then asked, “And you let him live?”
“T’was a near thing, but more than anything else, I want to be rid of that girl and her mother. Dear little Rupert is the perfect foil. Unfortunately, he must live, but I can’t walk away from that kind of insult.”
“What was the fellow thinking? They’ll be utterly ruined after this. No one will look at them again.”
Freddy smiled. “Exactly.”
“And you’ll be free to marry Mrs.—”
“The duchess. She fooled us, didn’t she, Harry?”
“If you’ll forgive me for saying so, I thought my Livie had a temper, but I fear the
future Lady Grieves has her beat to flinders.”
Freddy slapped Harry on the back. “I believe you’re right. So, did you choose the site and settle the date?”
“I will by the end of the day. Now that I’m assured that there will be no negotiation for peace, I will call on his second this evening.”
“You mustn’t be too disappointed. It won’t be an honorable meeting, so if you must shoot him down, Harry, please remember not to kill him.”
“Against my way of thinking and every right feeling, but I promise to let the fellow live. But I warn you, I might not be able to walk off the field without bloodying his nose.”
“I will most likely delope, but I doubt he’ll understand the insult. All we can do is hope his shot doesn’t puncture anything vital.”
Chapter 24
As it always was with her son, Evangeline couldn’t soak in enough of his presence. Ned didn’t act merely contrite, he looked heartbroken.
“Oh, Ned, I am so pleased you came back. Parting that way was so difficult.”
“You will forgive me, Mother?”
Olivia quickly stood, saying, “You should speak alone. I shall find my husband. He must have gone off with Grieves, hopefully not for a fencing bout.”
Ned bowed. “Lady Collyns, I neglected to ask your pardon for my behavior.”
With a laugh, Olivia replied, “Please, it is forgotten. Whenever Evie speaks of you, it is with such pride and praise. It was more than apparent that something had you very much out of countenance. If Sir Harry and I do not decide to immediately fly away on our delayed honeymoon, we shall have a delightful coz.” She added in a confidential whisper, “I will tell you some of the shocking things your mother did at school.”
Ned grinned at her. “Then, will you not reconsider leaving us, ma’am? I should love for you to stay and have you tell me about Mother’s exploits.”
Olivia’s brown eyes twinkled. “You will especially like what she can do with a book!”
Evangeline pulled her son down to sit beside her on the settee as soon as Olivia left. “You’ve forgiven me, Ned, for not telling you about your inheritance?”
“Lord Grieves explained everything. Mother, what is important is that I behaved very badly and will keep my promise to have nothing to do with Lord Archibald. It’s an embarrassment that I was so easily culled.”
She wrapped her fingers around his wrist. “He has always been a skillful liar and knows exactly how to tempt a young man. It must have come as a heady surprise that you had a beautiful house and access to fine cattle. So much, Ned, has been kept from you. I do understand how you can view my omissions as unfair.”
Hesitant, he said, “That was indeed wonderful to learn, but I wasn’t resentful about that.” His soft brown eyes met hers, and with the hesitancy that was so much like his father’s, he said, “I was so very angry, and hurt. I thought that you hadn’t been truthful. Perhaps had betrayed me. I let myself believe his lies, because I couldn’t understand why you would do such a thing. And now I feel wretched for acting the way I did in front of your friends.”
Evangeline placed her palm along the side of his cheek. “Let us choose another topic. Past pain and that man have taken up too much of our time.”
“I’m afraid we can’t escape him. One thing is irrefutable. Uncle is my trustee. You’ve always said that I’m too old for my years, but I do know that I have no understanding of how to run an estate or what is involved with my position.”
“Perhaps Sir Harry or Lord Grieves will help you. Asterly has no patience for such matters and allows Lady Asterly the running of the estate. She is quite brilliant about such things. Would you be offended if a female explained all?”
“Of course not, but there is still the matter of Uncle Archibald.”
Dropping her hand, she squeezed his arm. “That, we shall leave to Lord Asterly. I have lived in this house for over a decade. He wields considerable power socially and politically. Allow him to arrange matters.”
“It will be as you wish, but will you come live with me as soon as my uncle leaves?”
“Of course I shall!”
Ned looked at the floor. “But what of Lord Grieves? He spoke of asking for your hand.”
Hearing that, Evangeline’s heart fluttered. She caught herself in the nervous habit of smoothing the wrinkles from her skirt and flexed her fingers. What to tell and what to omit? She couldn’t express to Ned or anyone the overwhelming rush of love and gratitude she’d felt when Grieves appeared in the doorway with her contrite son in tow.
He had stayed in the foyer, watching through the open doorway, allowing her the privacy with her son that she craved. Over Ned’s shoulder, she saw devotion shining within his brilliant blue gaze, his happiness for her, and his willingness to do whatever would keep her that way. He was like the rest of the famed Eligibles. Ravenswold, Asterly and Sir Harry were content only if their wives were so. Life with Grieves would be that way, filled with considerations and devotion, but he was obliged to marry another.
Grieves had reached out and pulled shut the door, closing her off from his speaking gaze and promise of love. No matter how they felt about each other, Grieves was not for her. She would have to content herself with the company of her son until he married, but that was years away. His earlier display of childishness was out of character with his usual sensibility. She’d always thought him too mature for his age.
Perhaps she could now finally go out into society without looking over her shoulder. All doors would be open to her and her son, shortly to become one of the most sought after lords in the land. Seeing him well-married would occupy her time, for only the kindest, sweetest girl would do.
“Mother? What are you thinking? You’re scowling.”
She laughed. “Thoughts only a mother entertains.”
They were interrupted by a tap on the door, and Crimm came through. He sent a speaking look directly at Evangeline. “Ma’am, you have a visitor, the Duchess of Pendrylan. “
Evangeline closed her eyes, taking a moment to clear her thoughts and gather energy. “This has been an eventful day, has it not, Mr. Crimm?”
Beside her, Ned leaned closer. “What is it, Mother?”
She patted his hand. “A meeting that is of no interest to you. Not a pleasant person. Allow Crimm to take you to Sir Harry and Lord Grieves.”
“But Mother, if she is as unpleasant as you suggest, I should stay with you.”
Evangeline stood. “There are some unwholesome aspects of life that a parent does not wish to expose to an innocent. Mr. Crimm, if you would ask a footman to escort my son to Sir Harry and Lord Grieves? Then I shall see the visitor. In here.”
Crimm bowed and opened the door to her son’s reluctant departure. When Ned turned back for a last, concerned look, Evangeline gave him a sunny, confident smile that she could see didn’t convince him, but helped to moderate her pounding heart. It had been an emotionally draining day and she’d hoped to never again see the surly creature. Perhaps this would be the last difficulty, and she could wallow in the joy of knowing that she no longer needed to be separated from Ned.
The hope that the interview with the duchess would be brief and not entirely disagreeable evaporated the instant the woman marched in to the room, her arrogance and lofty attitude unchanged from their last meeting. The woman had a squinty-eyed, pinched-lipped expression that warned of unpleasantness ahead.
What had Grieves done with that fireplace iron?
Chapter 25
Without preamble, the Duchess of Pendrylan announced, “I have come to speak with Lord Grieves.”
No polite curtsey for the horrid female. Only a cool, “Good day,” would do.
The welcome was rejected with an annoyed flip of the duchess’s hand. “It is an exceedingly disappointing day. I vow that Freddy lives more at this residence than his own.” She gave Evangeline a suspicious, hard-eyed once over. “I fail to comprehend the attraction to one so lacking in appearance, but then, a man
must have his dalliances.”
That was enough. Evangeline unsheathed her claws. “It is no wonder that you are unable to comprehend a great many things, since you have not surmised that Lord Grieves is avoiding your company. Perhaps if you practiced civility, he might be more accepting of an inconvenient annoyance.”
The duchess, so entrenched in conceit, was impervious to insult. She twitched a shoulder and replied, “See here, you will immediately send for the viscount. We must have words before he gets himself shot to pieces.”
Evangeline’s mind and body froze as she assimilated that revelation. “What do you mean?”
“The duel, of course. He has embroiled my daughter in a scandalous challenge. If he gets himself killed, what will become of me and my other daughters?”
That remark added more confusion to her stunned thoughts. Lady Caroline was little more than a child, just out of the schoolroom. What could the girl have done to force Grieves to make a challenge to protect her reputation? The woman’s total lack of concern for Grieves left her breathless and boggled. How could anyone be so unfeeling?
Evangeline did a mental scramble to come up with a response. “I had not heard of any such endeavor.”
“Pah, why should you? You are nothing but one of his transient affairs, one of so many. He’s been salving his wounds with married women since I broke off with him. If he plans to be so reckless as to throw away his life on a dueling field, then I must have assurance that suitable arrangements have been made. That his family will stand by their agreements with mine.”
Dueling field. The words kept repeating inside her head, pushing aside all other thoughts. By reputation, Grieves had been a part of more duels that anyone had bothered to count, but not in recent years. No one feared challenging him, since he was such a fine shot, and had no interest in proving it. He had never challenged anyone. Challenges came his way merely to add a cache to a reputation. She had overheard him saying it was a bore, and not worth the risk involved when standing a short distance from an opponent with limited skill.
