by Kate Pearce
She still hadn’t agreed to marry him though…
He sat on the side of the bed, his gaze drawn to the dressing table that was normally covered with Caroline’s things and was now completely bare. With a curse, he stood up and went over to the chest of drawers. Opening a drawer at random, he realized it was empty. A quick survey of the rest of the chest and the cupboards indicated that all traces of Caroline’s belongings had been removed.
Had they been there last night? The place had been very quiet, but he’d had eyes only for her, and hadn’t noticed many piddling details.
He splashed water over his face and body, and quickly got dressed before striding down the hallway to the Harding’s kitchen. He knocked and went in to find nobody there, and the fire not lit.
Had the whole family vanished right under his nose? Francis checked the bedrooms, which were also, empty and cursed in a manner in which Caroline would not have approved.
“Where the devil is she?” He asked out loud, not expecting a reply. “What the bloody hell is going on?”
“Thank you, Mr. Melksham.” Caroline shook her solicitor’s hand and accompanied him back to the front door. “I appreciate everything you have done for me.”
“A pleasure, Mrs. Harding.” He bowed and put on his hat. “I look forward to serving you in the future for all your legal requirements.”
Caroline returned to the drawing room to gather up the tea tray. She took it through to the kitchen where her new cook was busy stocking her pantry while ordering the maid around.
“You didn’t need to do that ma’am.” Nelly the maid came rushing forward. “I would’ve come for it if you’d rung the bell.”
Caroline smiled kindly at the young orphan girl Jon had found to work for her. “I wanted to see how everything was in the kitchen, so it was no hardship.”
In truth, it would probably take them all a while to remember that they now had live-in staff to help them with the basics of life. Her mother would soon be ordering everyone around just like she had in India. Shy Ivy would probably find it more difficult and Ruby would probably insist on still doing everything herself.
The house sat on the opposite side of town to the mills and slums in a road populated by those engaged in professions or the higher levels of trade. Her neighbor was a physician and had three children who played outside in the extensive garden whenever the weather allowed. She’d been given the keys two weeks previously, well before Francis had arrived to disrupt her, and had gently persuaded and eventually nagged the other members of her family to move in.
If her mother wanted to remain at the dressmakers, she could easily walk there or use a hackney cab. Caroline suspected that Marie was quite eager to stay home and enjoy the luxury of being free from debt and the shame of being obliged to earn her own living.
After talking to Cook and making sure that despite the disruptions she would be able to offer them a cooked dinner, Caroline returned to the drawing room where Ruby and Ivy now awaited her.
Ruby was pacing the new rug by the fire, her arms folded over her chest. “I still don’t understand why you moved us here.”
“Because that was our plan,” Caroline said patiently. “Don’t you remember all the discussions we had? How we chose the furnishings of this house together and set up your bedrooms just as you wanted them?”
“But that was before Captain Grafton came back.” Ruby flung herself into a chair. “I thought—”
“You thought what?” Caroline inquired. “That his return would magically make everything different?”
“He came back to make things right!” Ruby glared at Caroline. “You know that! We also know you were with him last night in our old lodgings.”
Caroline blushed. “That has nothing to do with—”
Ruby threw up her hands. “For goodness sake, Caroline! You care for Captain Grafton, why not admit it?”
Ivy chuckled and they both looked at her. “Of course she cares for him, Ruby. That’s why she’s here.”
Caroline smiled at Ivy. “Well, that is part of it,” she acknowledged. “Captain Grafton has a tendency to order everyone around and expect to be instantly obeyed. He has no idea that my circumstances have changed so dramatically.”
“He doesn’t know?” Ruby asked slowly.
“I certainly didn’t mention anything to him,” Caroline said. “Did you?”
“No, I didn’t.” It was Ruby’s turn to smile at her sisters. “Well, perhaps I was wrong after all. I wonder how long it will take him to work things out?”
Francis walked in and glared at Daniel and Mr. Ford who were working together in Mrs. Harding’s old office. “Where are they?”
“Who?” Mr. Ford looked up.
“You know damn well who,” Francis snapped. “The entire Harding family.”
“Did they not inform you of their plans?”
“If they had, do you think I’d be standing here asking you?”
Mr. Ford smiled. “If they didn’t choose to tell you, I can hardly tell you myself now, can I?”
Ignoring Mr. Ford, Francis focused on his agent. “Do you know where they are?”
“I do not, Captain. Mrs. Harding gave notice on her lodgings a month ago, but didn’t offer a forwarding address.”
“A month ago, and you didn’t think to tell me about it?” Francis fumed. “Wonderful.”
“I did hear back from Mr. Fletcher, Captain,” Daniel said in a placatory tone. “He has agreed to abide by the original contract.”
“About damned time,” Francis muttered. “Good day, gentlemen.”
He collected his hat and went down the stairs to the dressmakers. There was no sign of Mrs. Delisle or either of Caroline’s sisters anywhere in the shop. Madame herself was unavailable to comment on the matter being engaged with clients. He went out into the square and made his way across to the bank where he was greeted effusively by the manager and taken into his office.
Within half an hour, he exited the bank feeling far more hopeful and went back to the George to have his horse saddled. Nancy came out of the kitchen to ask him what he was doing, but he didn’t tell her. He’d have enough of people laughing at him for one day.
As the major roads were still blocked with snow, he encountered few large vehicles as he made his way through a maze of country roads and pathways to his old home. Leaving his horse in the stables in the care of Mr. Potts, he went to his mother’s favorite sitting room and knocked on the door. Her start of surprise when she saw him made him feel like the intruder he was.
“Mother.” He bowed. “I do apologize. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
She rose from her desk and came toward him. “Is something wrong? Are you in trouble? How can I help you?”
He awkwardly patted her shoulder. “There’s nothing wrong. I just wanted to… talk to you about something.”
“Talk to me?” she repeated his words as if in a daze. “Oh! Of course! Please sit down, and I’ll order some tea.”
He waited until she settled in the chair opposite him and tried to think how to proceed. There was far too much he needed to straighten out with her, but he didn’t have the time to go through it all today.
“This is going to sound rude.” He cleared his throat. “But do you still have the betrothal ring my maternal grandmother left to the estate?”
His mother opened and closed her mouth several times before managing a reply. “Yes, I do still have it.” She paused again. “Do you… want it?”
“Yes.” He rubbed a hand over his unshaven jaw. “You will think me quite mad.”
“You intend to marry?”
“Yes,” Francis nodded.
“May I ask who?”
“You met her.”
“Mrs. Harding? She told me she worked as a bookkeeper for you, and that was all.”
“If that was all she was prepared to admit to, I can’t say I blame her.” Francis said. “She is a widow of a naval officer, and her father served with the army in India. Sh
e is perfectly respectable.”
“I met her, Francis. I already know that she is a lady.” His mother hastened to continue. “Not that it matters in the slightest because that decision is entirely up to you.”
“Mother, it does matter to you, but I can guarantee that, unlike me, she will not disgrace our family name.”
“As to that…” She sighed. “It was all a long time ago, but I wish I’d read your letters explaining what happened at the time rather than blindly accepting your father’s explanation as to why you should be banished from our family.”
“You didn’t read my letters?” Francis asked slowly, his attention momentarily distracted from his purpose “Why not?”
“You didn’t write directly to me.” She shrugged. “I only saw them after your father died, and by then it was too late to right any wrongs even though I tried.”
“Because I had decided not to communicate with you either.” Francis sighed. “I was glad when Father died, I won’t pretend otherwise.”
“He was a hard man,” His mother said. “And he was especially hard on you.”
Francis forced a smile. “Perhaps when things are more settled we can discuss this more.”
“Yes of course. I will fetch the ring for you, directly.” She stood up. “It won’t take a moment. If the tea arrives when I am gone, please help yourself.”
Francis let out his breath as she exited the room, amazed at his mother’s heroic restraint. Was she currently gnashing her teeth in rage or dancing a jig in celebration? It was impossible to tell. All he knew was that she was trying very hard not to alienate him, which made him feel slightly ashamed, seeing as he deserved everything he’d got. Coming back home had affected him in so many ways, not least in reminding him that everyone failed occasionally and that he certainly had. His mother had been brought up to obey the dictates of a society that was rapidly disappearing. She’d done what she thought was best at the time, and he no longer had the energy or desire to keep hating her for it.
“Here you are, darling.” She came back in just as he was pouring himself some more tea. “It is quite exquisite.” She glanced down at her left hand. “In truth, as the heir, you should really have the Grafton betrothal ring, but I fear it would have to be cut off my finger at this point.”
“Don’t worry about it, Mother. I always preferred this one.” Francis opened the velvet box and studied the diamond and ruby ring. “I hope to God Caroline likes it.”
“If it doesn’t fit, it can be resized by a jeweler.”
“Thank you.” He shut the box and slid it into his coat pocket. “I appreciate I your help, and now I have to go.”
Her face fell and then she returned to her seat. “Perhaps you might bring Mrs. Harding to dinner one night?”
“If you wish.” The thread of hope in her voice made him squirm. “She has two sisters and a mother.”
“Then, they can all come.” She smiled at him. “Have you set a date for the wedding?”
He finished his tea in one gulp and smiled at her. “Not yet. I have to convince her to marry me first She is proving remarkably resistant to the idea.” He went over and kissed her rose scented cheek. “Thank you for being so kind to me today. I don’t deserve it.”
She reached up and patted his shoulder. “Maybe it’s time for a new start, Francis, for both of us. Please come back soon.”
“I will.”
Francis walked back through the house, and for the first time ever imagined what it would be like to live there again, with Caroline at his side…
“Hmmph.” His snort echoed around the ancient medieval hall. Perhaps he should stop his fanciful dreaming and focus on recovering his reluctant bride.
Chapter 17
“There’s a gentleman to see you, Mrs. Harding.” Nelly bobbed a curtsy from the door of the drawing room.
“Did he give his name?” Caroline put down her darning, her heart already thumping. It was the evening of the same day when she’d left Captain Grafton asleep in her old bed and tiptoed back to her new home. Millcastle wasn’t a large town. She was rather surprised that he hadn’t shown up earlier.
“Yes, Ma’am.” Nelly hurried over. “He gave me his card.”
Caroline turned the thick white card with its bold engraving over in her hand. “Please ask Captain Grafton to come in and bring us some tea.”
“Yes, Mrs. Harding.”
She stood by the fireplace, gathering her resources. Marie had gone up to bed early, and Ivy and Ruby were out with Jon attending a lecture at the Methodist Hall.
“Good evening, Mrs. Harding.” He came in and bowed low. His mere presence made the drawing room shrink in size. He wore his favorite dark blue coat and looked worn to the bone. “May I congratulate you on the purchase of such a charming dwelling?”
“Thank you.” She indicated the chair opposite hers. “Would you care for some tea? Nelly is just bringing me some.”
He took the seat and drummed his fingers on his knee.
“It would’ve been nice of you to tell me that you’ve moved out.”
“I told Mr. O’Brien. That’s all I was required to do.” She smiled at him. “I don’t think you will have any trouble letting the place over the shop. Both Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Ford expressed interest in the rooms themselves.”
“Then I’ll have to see to sealing that door up—permanently.” He studied his muddy boots. “I intend to employ Mr. Ford in your present position.”
“And leave me with nothing to do?” Caroline asked.
“Hardly.”
She hid a smile as Nelly came in with the tea. It was remarkably pleasant to see him at a loss, and she was, perhaps, enjoying it more than she should.
“Did you call on me for something specific, Captain or just to assure yourself that my family weren’t languishing in the workhouse?”
“You know damn well why I came.”
She widened her eyes. “In truth, I have no idea.”
“Caroline, I have had a very trying day, from waking up alone in your bed with no idea what had become of you, to rushing around Millcastle trying to find you—”
“You rushed around for me?” She pressed her palm to her bosom. “Goodness gracious.”
He scowled at her. “I even braved my mother’s company.”
That caught her interest. “Whatever for?”
“For this.” He came out of his chair, knelt at her feet, and took her left hand, sliding a ring onto her finger. “Please marry me.”
Caroline looked down at the huge diamond and ruby ring. “Where on earth did you get this?”
“I told you. I went to see my mother and asked her for my grandmother’s ring.”
“And she just gave it to you?”
“I’m the heir.” He shrugged with his usual arrogance. “Of course she did.”
She gazed at the ring for a long time, and then started to ease it off her finger. His hand instantly closed over hers.
“Don’t.” He hesitated. “For God’s sake just tell me what I have to do to make you marry me. Please.”
She considered their joined hands. Both of them had scars, burns and work-roughened skin. Could she imagine a future without him? He liked her just the way she was, and she liked him, too.
“I want you to court me. Properly.”
“What?” He glowered at her, and then resumed his seat, his expression thoughtful. “As in flowers, and dinner parties, and taking you to the theater?”
“Yes, publicly.”
He sat back and crossed one booted foot over the over. “For how long?”
She shrugged. “Six months?”
“Three, and then you marry me in the local church with my mother, your mother, and the great and the good from Millcastle and beyond in attendance.”
“Yes.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Yes, you’ll marry me?”
She nodded and bit her lip twisting his betrothal ring on her finger. A second later he was down on his knees again holding
both her hands and looking into her eyes.
“I wish I could be that perfect man you deserve, but alas, I cannot, but I love you, and I will never give you cause to doubt it.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “You are perfect—for me.”
He stood up, plucked her out of her chair, sat her on his lap and kissed her thoroughly.
“Minx,” he muttered savagely as he kissed her again. “Leading me a merry dance.”
“That you well deserved,” she reminded him, kissing him back. “Would you like to know how I bought this house, or do you still think I stole from you?”
“You can bleed me dry if you marry me.”
“You really are in love with me, aren’t you? She sighed blissfully “What an excellent notion.”
He cupped her chin. “Dear God, I have created a monster.”
She smiled back at him. “Don’t worry, it is now in my best interests to make sure you increase your wealth at every opportunity.”
“Amen to that.”
He kissed her again and she forgot all about finance for a very long time.
I hope you enjoyed reading The Lord of Lost Causes as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you want to know when the next book comes out, please join my mailing list. Turn the page to read an excerpt from Educating Elizabeth, book one in the Diable Delamere series.
Best
Kate
Excerpt-Educating Elizabeth
Diable Delamere series book #1
copyright @Kate Pearce 2012
"Miss Waterstone, there has clearly been a misunderstanding." Gervase held out his hand to her. "I swear I will not touch you again. You must let me help you."
She stumbled to her feet and continued to retreat until she reached the connecting doorway to his suite.
"Don't you dare come any closer, you...you disgusting reprobate!"
As she turned to run through the open door to his suite and into the freedom of the hallway beyond, Gervase gathered himself and made a lunge for her. With a cry, she crashed against his dressing table, knocked the contents to the floor, and went down on her knees. Her fingers closed around a small travelling clock. Straightening, she aimed it right at his head.
