The Blackmailed Beauty

by Ilene Withers

  Both men sat quiet, obviously contemplating her scolding. “And the reason, Your Grace,” Willa began again with fire in her eyes, “we were doing this today is because we have been trying to find out who Lady Regina is in love with so perhaps we can play her own game against her. If we could catch her in a compromising situation with the man she loves, perhaps we could threaten to tell her father and force her to stop blackmailing Claire.”

  “Your Grace, we’re back at the gate,” the driver’s voice intruded upon the silence.

  They were all surprised. Indeed, they had not even noticed they been through the entire park. “Take us around one more time,” the duke said. Then he turned back to her.

  “Miss Stuart, may I call you Claire?”

  She nodded, “Of course, Your Grace. After listening to my woes, I believe you have earned the right to call me by my Christian name.”

  “And you must use mine – Noel. I am sick to death of the words ‘Your Grace’ on your lips.”

  “I believe we should all be on a first name basis,” the earl piped in. “I count you as a friend, Miss Stuart, and you, Miss Dutton, I hope I can count as more than a friend. I would like you both to call me John.”

  “And I am Willa,” her cousin said with a smile.

  “Now it is settled,” Noel put in. “I promise you Claire, and you Willa, I will not act without your prior approval of the plan.”

  “Exactly,” John agreed. “But you must both realize some action is required.”

  Claire nodded, “I would like something done. I cannot live this way much longer.”

  “Willa, do tell us more of your plan,” the duke said.

  “Well, at first we thought to ask for a change in terms,” she said. “Since it had become obvious Lord, I mean, John, was no more than a friend to Claire, we decided to ask Lady Regina if any attachment for him would be acceptable to her. We thought if her goal was to have him married to someone else, it should not matter to her who it was.”

  “And what did she say?” John asked.

  “She was quite mean about it,” interjected Claire. “She refused in a few words, telling me I must be the one you marry. And she gave me but the rest of a fortnight before she spreads the rumors about me.”

  “When is the fortnight up?” Noel asked.

  “Nine days,” she said.

  “We have plenty of time,” Noel said before they all fell silent.

  “I could pretend to court Claire,” John offered. “As long as Lady Regina and the rest of the world believe we are to marry, it would get Lady Regina to back off.

  “It might work,” Willa said, “but you’d have to appear serious quite quickly for it to happen within nine days.”

  “And it’s not a permanent answer,” Noel pointed out. “What about her father?” he went on to say.

  “He’s not a nice man,” John answered him. “My father was no saint, but I always did wonder what Father saw in him as a friend. Usually the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and when you see Lord Pitt and Lady Norton you can get a glimpse of their father. Although I don’t believe he is quite as bad as they have become.”

  Again all fell silent and, as they reached the gate a second time Noel gave the order to return to Berkley Square. “Where do you attend tonight?” he asked the girls.

  “Vauxhall Gardens,” Claire said with a smile. “Uncle Yale has promised us a treat, and I daresay I am quite looking forward to it, especially the fireworks display.”

  “If I happened to be there,” Noel asked her, “would you dance with me?”

  Claire smiled, suddenly shy. “I would,” she said.

  “Good,” he said.

  The drive was almost complete when John faced Willa. “Why did you say you were questioning us about all the men today?”

  “Because we wanted to find out who Lady Regina loves in case it might prove helpful to us,” was Willa’s reply, “so we watched who she danced with, hoping one of them might be the man she cares for – maybe a younger son or a poor man her father wouldn’t approve of.”

  Noel and John both broke into laughter. “We know who it is,” John said. “We’ve known since last night.”

  “You have?” Willa asked with surprise.

  Claire, too, was shocked and did not wait for the answer. “How did you find out?” she questioned.

  “Noel, here, did an excellent job of ferreting out the information.”

  “Who is it?” Claire asked.

  “Someone you would not know,” Noel answered. “A Baron Sully. He is a man much like Viscount Pitt, if not worse. He is not on your list because he is not recognized by good society.”

  The landau came to a stop, and the gentlemen assisted the girls to the pavement. “I will see you tonight,” the duke told Claire quietly as he handed her down. “Promise me you won’t change your mind.”

  She looked up at him, her heart soaring at the emotion in his face. “I promise,” she whispered.

  The butler opened the door for them, and they both entered the house, turning in the doorway in time to watch the men drive away.

  “I am so tired,” Claire told her cousin, “but so happy at the same time.”

  “As am I. Oh, Claire, I was sure he must like me. I knew it.” Willa was practically dancing in the hallway.

  “The earl? I suspected it as well,” Claire said, “but it is so nice you have proof.”

  “And the duke,” Willa went on, “he’s head over heels for you. One can see it in the way he looks at you. John has not looked at me in that way yet, but when he does I will melt. I will, Claire. I will just melt!” She grabbed her cousin’s hands and twirled her in a circle.

  A discreet clearing of the throat sounded from the doorway, and Claire looked up to see the butler. He gave them a small smile and then lifted his eyes upward. Just then they heard Aunt Blythe coming down the hall. “Is it the girls, Dunley?” she asked from above.

  “Yes, my lady,” he replied. “Shall I have tea brought to the drawing room?”

  Aunt Blythe appeared at the top of the stairs. “Please do. Girls did you have a nice ride in the park with the gentlemen?”

  “We did, Mother,” Willa answered her circumspectly.

  “Claire,” the older woman stopped to look at her, “you do look a tad peaked.”

  “It was the heat, Aunt Blythe,” she lied.

  “Well, a nice cup of tea will surely revive you,” her aunt said.

  ****

  “I want to kill him,” Noel told his friend as they walked down the street. So full of nervous energy he could not restrain himself, Noel had ordered the driver to let him down some distance from home. John, of course, had gone with him.

  “I’ll be your second,” John said, “but I may shoot first.”

  “Shooting is too good for him,” Noel said. “Perhaps something slower. Some type of torture.”

  “Swords could be nice,” John put in. “So easy to draw blood yet not kill.”

  “Or burning at the stake,” Noel said and then changed his mind. “No, it doesn’t give me enough participation.” Then he went on, “I’ll call him out. Tonight. I can’t wait to feel the glove in my hand as I slap it across his face. To see the bewilderment in his eyes because he doesn’t realize I am aware of the truth. I’d like to take his privates and shove them down his throat, but a duel will have to do.”

  John caught at his arm. “Noel, you can’t. You promised.”

  “You’re right. I did, and I can’t. I feel so helpless.”

  “She’s handling it pretty well, Noel. Part of it, anyway. And she got away, remember, before anything serious happened.”

  Noel studied his friend, the voice of reason. Then he smiled as he thought about Pitt clutching his nether regions as he curled up on the ground. He hoped he had retched and been in unbearable pain. In fact, he hoped it had been hard enough it kept him from procreating. Heaven knew the world needed no more like him. “She kneed him! My Claire brought the man down,” he
said with pride.

  “I’m surprised her father told her how to do it,” John said. “Most women are expected to be helpless and not fight off an attacker. I would have liked to seen it, too,” he said. “She looks so delicate, but she must not be.”

  “She’s strong,” Noel said. “She has to be.”

  They walked on for a bit, both moving quickly and enjoying the chance to exercise their limbs. “By the way, John,” Noel opened, “I’m going to Vauxhall tonight. They are going to be there.”

  “Funny thing,” John said, “I am, too, but I wasn’t invited, were you?”

  “No. One does not need to be invited to Vauxhall,” Noel said.

  “I’ll pick you up,” John offered. “I thought to take my mother. She hasn’t been there in forever, I dare say. It’ll give me a touch of respectability.”

  “As if you need it,” Noel said.

  “When a man is courting someone, it cannot hurt to appear to be respectable,” John said and then, “Say, maybe you should bring your mother along. When has she last been to Vauxhall?”

  Noel slapped his friend on the back. “What a great idea, John. What time do you pick us up?”

  They arranged a time and, at the entrance to Grosvenor Square, they parted ways each going to their own front door.

  “Mama,” Noel said as he bounded into her private parlor, “I have a treat for you.”

  “Just knowing you are alive after last night is a treat,” she replied.

  “This is a much better one,” he said. “John and I are taking you and the countess to Vauxhall Gardens tonight.”

  The duchess smiled up at him. “Vauxhall. Why, I haven’t been there in forever,” she said. “It would be a bit of a diversion.” Then with a decisive nod, “What time do we go?”

  Noel told her and said they would ride in the Roydon carriage. Checking the clock on the mantel, she put down her book and stood. “If so I must begin getting ready. Do tell the butler we won’t be home to dine tonight.”

  The Dowager Countess of Roydon and the Dowager Duchess of Lamberton were in high spirits escorted, as they were, by two handsome younger men to a pleasure park, which possessed a deliciously wicked reputation. Their sons had hired a boat for the crossing and each lifted their mother from the vessel. The box they had retained had an excellent view of the orchestra and an even better one of the dance floor.

  Dinner was a delight for them both. Only at Vauxhall would negus and ham slices be a delicacy. They had settled down to enjoy this meal when the duchess pointed out another box. “Why look, Lamberton,” she told her son, “there is your Miss Stuart.”

  “Yes, Mama, I had noticed she was there.”

  “Well, go and dance with her,” the duchess demanded. “I want to see her in your arms.”

  Noel looked at her with amusement and then rose. “If you insist,” he said. As he passed by the countess’s chair, he bent near her. “You might like to know your son, John, has a bit of a tendre for a certain Miss Dutton who is seated in the same box as my hoped for dance partner.”

  “John,” the lady scolded, “you had not told me. Do go on and dance as well. Miss Dutton is an exceptional young woman.”

  The two men made their way down to the Amhearsts’ box. “Good evening, Lord Amhearst,” Noel said. “Lady Amhearst.”

  The viscount stood to shake their hands, “This is a surprise, indeed, Your Grace, Lord Roydon. It is a pleasure to meet you here. Where are you sitting?”

  Noel indicated their box. “With our mothers,” he said.

  Lady Amhearst tittered. “What a nice thing to do, to escort your mothers to Vauxhall for a bit of fun.”

  “We have come in hopes of claiming your daughter and your niece for a dance,” John told the viscount.

  “By all means,” the older man said and stood back so the two young ladies could step out of the box.

  Noel tucked Claire’s arm under his and led her down the steps. As they stepped onto the dance floor, he took her in his arms in time for the music to begin. He savored this dance. Now he knew her secret, he felt he had a chance to win her over, to make her his.

  As the dance ended, he looked up at his box and saw not only his mother and the countess there, but the viscount and viscountess as well. They were busy visiting with them, and only his mother saw him. With a discreet wave of her hand, she indicated the well-lit path leading through the gardens.

  “Would you like to walk for a bit?” he asked Claire. “We’ll take John and Willa along as chaperones.”

  “I don’t believe it would hurt anything, and I would enjoy it.”

  John and Willa fell into the plan readily, and the four moved down the path two by two. The other couple followed behind at a distance far enough to not be heard, but close enough to see and be seen.

  “It is quite a pretty evening,” Noel said.

  “It is indeed,” Claire agreed, “and Vauxhall is so enchanting.” She smiled up at him. “I am glad you came. It makes it so much more special for me.”

  Noel placed his hand over hers. “And I am more happy than I can say to know you feel the same way,” he said.

  Suddenly Claire stopped. “Look, it’s her!” she whispered.

  “Who?” Noel whispered back.

  “Lady Regina. She was ahead of us, there on the path. She was with a man.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “The darkness can make it difficult to make out details.”

  “No, I am sure,” Claire said.

  John and Willa had caught up with them. “Why have you stopped?” John asked.

  “Claire saw Lady Regina with a man ahead of us on the path,” he said.

  “We must follow them,” Willa said. “Why are we waiting?”

  Noel turned to John. “I will follow them but I must talk to you first.” He led his friend away from the girls and lowered his voice. “If I am to catch them in a compromising situation, and if we are to make it work, I will need witnesses. When I whistle you must come, but do not let Claire and Willa get too close. I do not want them to be exposed to any shocking scenes.”

  “Of course, Noel,” John replied. “You can count on me.” He returned to the girls and, taking their arms, led them to the side of the path.

  Noel strode off. If the point was to catch Lady Norton in a compromising situation, he did not want to act too quickly. Some things took time, and he wanted them to have enough to become involved. He was not sure which way they had gone, but he could guess and he went down a dark path not used by the most proper people.

  Fifty feet from the main path, Noel heard a giggle and a low moan from within a clump of large bushes. Stopping he listened. There it was again. He walked softly around until he came to a small opening in the greenery and then he stepped in.

  There on a bench were Lady Regina Norton and Baron Sully in an intimate and compromising situation.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Claire and Willa broke free from John and hurried toward the scream, which ripped through the night. John was on their heels.

  “Willa! Claire! It might be dangerous,” his voice came softly after them.

  Claire reached over and grabbed her cousin’s hand as they ran even faster. She saw Noel’s head above some bushes by the path. They slowed to a walk and took the tiny path, following him into the area created by the leaves.

  What she saw shocked her, but in truth, only a small amount. She heard Willa gasp. Then Noel was in front of her blocking the scene from her view.

  “No, Claire.” He shook his head and then pulled Willa closer to her. “Willa, avert your eyes,” he said softly.

  Claire smiled just the smallest hint of a smile. It would do no good to look away, for she had already seen it. Some man and Lady Regina were pulling out of an intimate clutch and struggling to right their clothing.

  The blackmail was over! It would not be possible anymore. Not over an attack in which she beat the man off. Or when her blackmailer completely disgraced herself in a public place. Espec
ially when it was so obvious how Lady Regina must have been welcoming the Baron’s advances.

  John bounded around the corner and came to a halt behind her and Willa. She heard his harumph and saw the silent look Noel sent him over her head. The earl grasped her arm, and her cousin’s, trying to tug them out of the sheltered area.

  “I won’t go,” she said stubbornly as she jerked away. Suddenly blinded by fury she pushed past Noel and walked right up to Lady Regina Norton.

  “You,” she said with a quiet but shaking voice. “How dare you blackmail me? How dare you threaten to tell everyone I was compromised by your horrible brother? I did nothing and you are well aware of it. I am innocent. While you… you wanton hussy give yourself to this man right here in a public place. Do not ever contact me again. Do not speak to me. Do not even look at me. The deal is off. If you so much as spread a single untruth about me, I will let the world know about your fall from grace. No decent man will want you.”

  Then, shaking like a leaf quivering in the wind, she turned and walked away leaving a rather petulant looking Lady Regina behind. As Claire pushed her way past John, a group of people walked up.

  “What has happened?” a man said.

  “Was someone hurt?” a woman inquired.

  “It is nothing like that,” she said before moving on.

  Claire got as far as the main path before she realized what she had done. How could she have been mean? Where had all the anger come from? Then Willa was beside her, and Noel was there. Her cousin had her arm around her.

  “It’s over Claire,” she whispered. “It’s over.”

  “But I was horrible,” she whispered back. “Just horrible. I should not have…”

  “Claire,” Noel said, taking both of her hands in his, “It’s natural. She has all but tortured you these last weeks. You wanted revenge, and you are only human to want it.”

  Claire looked up at him standing there, tall and handsome and strong. He was older, more experienced, and more worldly. Surely he knew. And she knew then she could always trust him. In fact, she would trust him with her life and with the lives of all those dear to her. She nodded. “I know,” she said quietly.