Lord Phillip's Folly

by Susan M. Baganz

  What would happen to Beth? He settled back with the newspaper up in front of his face again, but his eyes failed to read the page. Instead, he thought of those haunted green eyes that somehow had drawn him across a crowded ballroom. His fingers itched to touch her hair. And those lips. He shook the paper, folded it, and set it aside. This was getting him nowhere. Standing up, he sought his own hat and headed off to his parents’ home.

  ~*~

  The Remington carriage departed London with a crow perched on top. Lizzy rested well the previous night yet now she was awake and again plagued by fear. She left behind her father, a few personal belongings and her future. Not a future she would miss. To prevent being recognized, especially with her distinctive looks, she had donned the attire of a maid, with her hair pulled back severely, braided and tucked under a cap covering every inch of the red. She dressed as an abigail and sat in the carriage with Lady Remington while Lord Remington rode astride.

  Josie confided she recently discovered she was expecting a baby in late November. She shared that mornings were difficult for her but all Lizzy observed was a serene and beautiful young Viscountess who extended her more kindness than she’d ever experienced in her life. She didn’t know what would happen when they got to the Remington estate. In spite of her anxieties, she grew at ease with her companion, and grateful this couple had so readily assisted Lord Westcombe in spiriting her out of town.

  Lord Westcombe. Now there was a man of which fairy tale dreams were made. She leaned back in the squabs and closed her eyes to think about her rescuer. Tall, fit, and painstakingly gorgeous, with his blond hair and shimmering blue eyes. Almost like an angel. He’d listened so intently to her and didn’t argue or debate. He’d believed her and cared about her plight.

  She smiled a little at remembering her hopelessness last night at the ball and how, when she spied him across the room, she hadn’t been able to tear her gaze away. He was highly sought after and she didn’t doubt his caution in dealing with her was due to the various wiles used against him. For some reason, in spite of that, he’d come to her after she’d issued a silent plea for help.

  Maybe God was listening to her after all. Her smile disappeared when she remembered who she was—a woman with a past, whom no man would want to have anything to do with—in spite of her fortune or appearance. She couldn’t bring her purity and innocence to the marriage bed. Chains of darkness held her locked in a place between heaven and hell. No amount of money could purchase her freedom from those invisible bonds.

  She glanced over at Lady Remington, who stared out the window, following the figure of her handsome husband. Why, Lizzy? Why would she embroil these lovely people in her problems? She shook her head sadly, surely nothing good could come of any of this. Despair settled over her like a dark woolen cloak, threatening to suffocate her. It would’ve been better for her to simply kill herself. She feared, however, that even in death she would not be free of the darkness surrounding her.

  Could Lady Remington be a friend to her? And why should she? Why would she embroil herself in the affairs of one such as her? Lizzy observed the brown-eyed young woman sitting across from her. Something inside her told her this lady was acquainted with heartache, pain, and would understand. She hadn’t expected an ally in her flight.

  “Why?” asked Lizzy out loud.

  “Hmmm?” Josie asked as she turned her gaze to Elizabeth.

  “Why are you helping me?”

  Josie reached over and touched Lizzy’s arm. “Dear Elizabeth, you are a lovely young woman and for some reason the Lord has seen fit to bring you into our path to provide assistance. Should I deny God when He calls me to care for someone?”

  “But I’m taking you away from London at the height of the season.”

  Josie smiled. “I’m not concerned about that. I’m sad Lord Remington will need to travel more to present speeches in Parliament, however, his need for a political hostess comes secondary to his need to cater to his wife and expected child.” Josie smiled dreamily. “There is something wonderful about being in love with a man who cares deeply. I pray someday you will experience that kind of joy.”

  “I’m happy for you, m’lady—however, given what I’ve already shared, it would be virtually impossible to find a husband for myself, especially one who might love me in spite of my history.”

  “Elizabeth, I wish I could say everything will be all right, but I cannot. However, with God, anything can be possible. Even finding someone to love you as you deserve.”

  Lizzy glanced out the window. “How could God even love me? With all the darkness surrounding my life and my heart, I doubt He would look kindly on my soul. I confess the thought of Him intrigues me.”

  “Elizabeth, God created you, loves you, and obviously, He brought you to our door for more than the rescue of your physical person, but also for the peace you’re longing for in your heart. He is real. A person, Jesus. He suffered on a cross, died, and rose again so you could have a relationship with Him now and for eternity.”

  “It sounds like a fairy tale made up for children.”

  “It’s not. It is history and it is only by His grace any of us can be saved. Your past is no worse than mine in the eyes of a holy God.”

  “Grace?”

  “Undeserved, extravagant love.”

  “That sounds nice, but I still don’t understand…”

  “I’ll pray God will reveal Himself to you so you can know the peace and joy I’ve found, even when life has been dark and painful.”

  “You had dark times?”

  “Certainly. When my mother died. And after I was paralyzed and blind from a carriage accident. When I thought I’d lost the love of my life.” With that, she glanced out toward Marcus. “I feared he might die and I would never be able to tell him I still loved him and believed in him.” Josie sniffled a little bit at the memory and brushed a tear away.

  “You went through all of that?”

  “Just last year. Although my mother had died a few years before that.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I assumed that you had been blessed. I envied you.”

  “Everyone experiences pain and struggle in this sinful world, Elizabeth, and I’m no exception. The biggest of those blessings has been God walking with me through all of the challenges. I doubt I would have emerged as you see me today if I didn’t have Him to cling to.”

  “You have given me much to think about.”

  “If God has brought you here to us, we will help and assist as He allows.”

  “Thank you.”

  ~*~

  Phillip entered the Manchester mansion and handed his hat to Fredricks. He showed himself up to the drawing room, only to discover it crowded with young sprigs fresh on the town, along with giddy debutantes. Flower bouquets littered every surface. He smiled as he came forward to bend over his sister’s hand. “Penelope, you have taken the beau monde by storm. Bravo!” He turned and bent to give his mother a kiss on the cheek before wandering over to the window to watch, wait, and listen.

  While he overheard girls giggling over the trite expressions of the young men present, Phillip grimaced as he remembered how he’d once been so full of his own consequence and determined to have the ladies slavering at his feet. He’d almost succeeded too well. He discovered quickly that flirting and courting were a bit too close in the minds of many of the young misses and he experienced a few narrow escapes from traps set for him.

  Much of that was before his brother’s wife had given the family two heirs. Even now, older, although eight and twenty was not so great an age, he still found that his appearance and rumored wealth made him a worthy catch for those not in the market for a title. In many ways, he was grateful his courtesy title was all he could offer and that he only had the responsibilities of his own little piece of the kingdom, and not the heavier duties that fell to those with landed titles.

  Many second sons were forced to choose a career, either in law, the military, or in the clergy. He a
voided all three by simply having an adequate fortune with which to sustain himself. He almost failed when a few years of gambling and other frivolous activities found him at the brink of financial ruin.

  It was his friend Marcus who gently counseled him about better ways to spend what was left of his fortune and his time. An unexpected inheritance from an aunt provided a small property which gave him new purpose…and a steady income.

  He now discovered he wasn’t as disappointed to be back in London as he thought he’d be. The busyness of all the balls, al fresco luncheons, dinners, and card games at White’s, kept him from looking any deeper into himself, or any loneliness he pretended didn’t exist.

  He glanced over at his mother. He loved his parents dearly but found it difficult to escape the reputation he’d established years ago. He shrugged. Did it really matter what they thought anyway? He didn’t need their approval for his successes to be any more real. Still, it galled him to be told over and over again his only real chance for a happy and settled life of any value, was to take a wife.

  Beth. Elizabeth. He had desired to see her, to ascertain her safety and happiness. He shook his head at his own foolishness. There were no two people he could trust more than Lord and Lady Remington. He would have to bide his time in town before he could ride out to Rose Hill and find out more about the mysterious “tortures” that this young woman had endured. Anger surged within him at the fact that she would be forced to take such drastic actions. He inwardly shook himself for his reflections. He needed to pay attention if he wanted to learn anything of value.

  Phillip scanned the crowd gathered in the room until he discovered the person who could be the most help to him. Lady Orion. An older matron of the ton, she wielded great power. She was rail thin, wiry, and shrewd. It was not easy to converse with this opinionated woman. Still, if anyone understood the truth of things, it would be her. He pushed away from the wall he’d been leaning against and crossed over to her, pulling up an empty chair nearby to sit for a coze.

  “Lord Westcombe, what have you to say about the matter?” she queried.

  “I’m afraid, dear lady that I am unaware of what you are referring to. Has King George recovered from the disaster of Prince Frederick, Duke of York, being forced to resign as Commander in Chief of the Army? I thought Sir Arthur Wellesley was an excellent choice to replace him. Has Prince George become frugal and gone on a diet? Just what have I missed?”

  Lady Orion tittered. “Silly boy. I’m referring to Miss Follett’s disappearance. Lord Wolton is now offering a huge reward for the return of his supposed fiancée.”

  “Really? Do you question whether she really is engaged to that man?”

  “What woman would not suspect something havey-cavey about the affair.” She tapped Phillip with her fan. “Anyone can see that Lord Wolton is not the man for any young girl, and definitely not as pretty an English rose as Miss Elizabeth.”

  “She is a fair picture to look upon, to be sure, but what seems to be the concern? Where has she gone? Why the reward? A woman has the right to withdraw from even the most official of engagements and yet nothing was posted in the papers regarding theirs.”

  “You are astute, Lord Phillip, and I’ve said much the same thing. I’m glad she managed to escape. If she had come to me I would have been more than willing to face Follett and Wolton to protect her. Her rescue would have been something to behold. Wolton and Follett have no clue the wrath they’ve escaped.”

  “Other than marriage to an older man, which many young women undertake for various reasons, why do you think she is opposed to this one?”

  “I have no proof, so I really shouldn’t say anything,” Lady Orion whispered, suddenly being quite circumspect, heightening Phillip’s senses.

  “I’m sure you can trust me with your suspicions, my lady. I am no gadabout, I can assure you.”

  Lady Orion looked into Phillip’s eyes and he gazed back without wavering. She nodded her head. “You’ll do.”

  “I’ll do? For what, pray tell?”

  “Yes. For Miss Follett. You must find her Phillip, and protect her.”

  Phillip’s eyes grew wide and a hand flew to his chest. “Excuse me? I cannot have possibly heard you correctly. I only met her last night.”

  “You would make a handsome couple.” Lady Orion winked.

  “I’m not of a mind to marry.”

  “Oh, men always say that, but Cupid sometimes has other plans.”

  “Cupid, huh? Chubby little baby with wings and a bow and arrow who somehow predicts true love? I wasn’t born yesterday and I don’t believe in such nonsense.”

  “I think you protest too much.” The woman grinned.

  “Regardless, you still haven’t answered my question about why you are so concerned regarding the circumstances of her disappearance. Perhaps she had a lover and ran off to Gretna Green.”

  “T’would be to her benefit if she had, but I don’t believe that to be the case. She’s been kept locked up at Lord Follett’s estate for years and my footman has tales to tell of the doings at that place, events that no proper Englishmen should be associated with. Lord Wolton is a part of it, as well.”

  “Truly, you surprise me, ma’am. What kinds of doings have you heard about?”

  Her voice lowered. “Evil things. Blood. Sacrifices. A secret society.”

  Phillip could barely hear her.

  Her wide eyes reflected the horror of the words she had related. She then waited for his reaction.

  Phillip schooled his face to show no emotion although a chill ran up his spine. “Interesting. I have heard of these kinds of activities going on, but usually much more to the north where superstition runs deep. Yet you say this is part of Miss Follett’s problem? That this may be why she ran away?”

  Lady Orion nodded, leaned over and patted his arm. “You must do what you can to save her, young man.”

  “It is not my role to assume.”

  “Something tells me you are wrong, Lord Westcombe, but I’ll pray for you.”

  “I will not refuse any prayers on my behalf although I’m not quite sure how active I believe God will be in my, or Miss Follett’s life at this point, much less the two of us together.”

  “I don’t think you will let Him down.”

  The idea that God desired to use him was ludicrous, but he wouldn’t gainsay the older woman. “Let’s hope not.”

  Phillip rose and bent over Lady Orion’s hand. “Good day, my lady.” He turned to make his farewells to his mother and sister and departed out into the street. He headed to Regent Park to walk and think.

  4

  Lord Wolton paced the study of the Follett house. He was red and perspired, frequently wiping his brow with a stained handkerchief while Lord Follett watched nervously.

  The fire was unlit due to Lord Follett’s straightened circumstances. Worn carpet, outmoded furniture, and moth-eaten draperies depressed him. A chill hung in the air. Or was that fear making him shiver? “I explained several times already. I don’t know where she could have gone,” Lord Follett pleaded with his importune visitor. Why had he ever become friends with this man years ago? He’d had no clue it would come to this.

  “You certainly must,” claimed Wolton firmly. “I hope you’re not hiding her from me.” The man glared at him.

  Follett gulped. “Why would I? I’ve always allowed you free access to my home and grounds at Follett Hall. I have nothing to hide. I want Lizzy here as much or more than you do. I’ve also prevented any staff from spreading tales. I’m certain shame alone will keep Lizzy from doing so as well.”

  “Her disappearance has jeopardized our society. You realize she will not remain alive long after I’ve wed her. We cannot risk it. If Whitehall were to discover what we were about, you and I would both be locked in the tower. Only our titles keep us from having our own necks stretched. No. It is your daughter who will pay the price for breaking the silence whether she has done so or not. There is no other choice.”

&
nbsp; Lord Follett drank an entire glass of brandy and ended up hitting himself in the chest as he coughed in reaction to the burn of the liquor in his throat. “She is still my daughter. I don’t believe she would risk her reputation by revealing our secrets. You will not be displeased with her and perhaps she would give you an heir. Would it not be worth it to keep her alive until then?”

  Wolton turned, his eyes glittering and dark. “No life is worth the risk of exposure for the greater good of what we are trying to accomplish, Folly.”

  “I dislike it when you call me that.”

  “When I’ve wedded and bedded your daughter, I’ll consider altering my name for you.”

  Lord Follett’s dislike for this pompous lord increased. He was trapped and inwardly cursed Lizzy for placing him in this position. The consequences of her disappearance were vast. He was on the brink of certain ruin, financially as well as socially, if she were not found quickly.

  “She might have returned home to Follett Hall. She appeared pale last evening.”

  “Do not make excuses for her, Folly. She must have known about the Special License I planned to use today. How did she discover that? Certainly, you’ve not been foolish enough to tell her.”

  “Certainly not. Everything was planned with precision to get her to the church and drugged just enough to ensure her cooperation. I’d no clue as to how she’d uncovered our plot, or if it was even the reason she left.”

  “What about her maid?”

  “I questioned her extensively to no avail. She became a sniveling worthless heap. She has been dismissed but unable to spread tales.” Follett didn’t bother to share just how he tried to exact that information. He was becoming as horrid a creature as Wolton. He barely felt shame for his actions.

  “Good.”

  “What else can we do? Did you want me to call in a Bow Street Runner?”

  “Are you a fool?” Wolton bellowed. “Why would we want to attract more attention and scrutiny into our affairs? No. I will set my own men on her trail. There has to be a way to uncover her whereabouts.”