The Lady's Fate (The Reluctant Grooms Volume II)

by Anne Gallagher

  “We shall never be together, Georgiana. Never.” He took her hand off his chest and stepped back. “Not marrying you then had nothing to do with the size of your dowry. I knew your character, knew I could never abide the indignity of hating you for the rest of my life. I did not want to live with the disgrace. I saw then what you were. And see that you still are. I did not want that in my wife, so I chose Anne who was sweet, and gentle, and kind, something you could never aspire to. I want nothing to do with you, Georgiana.” Ellis walked toward the door. He was done.

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Ellis. Unfortunately, you will have something to do with me. You will marry me, or I will sue you for Breach of Contract and cause the biggest scandal London has ever seen. I will drag your little nanny’s name through the courts. I will drag Anne’s name through it as well. Your father will surely cut you off from the duchy, and you will lose everything.”

  Something snapped inside of him. A cruelty he had never known sprang up from the loss of Violet and the future he had envisioned for them. Ellis reached her in two long strides. He wrapped his hands around her throat and backed her up against the wall.

  “Do not threaten me, Georgiana. I have had enough of you, and your lies. If I wanted, I could snap your neck right now and my butler would tell the world you accidentally fell down the stairs. I would get away with it too, so do not think I am afraid of the consequences. Have you forgotten I have the Regent’s ear, as well as most of Parliament? Whose side do you think the Courts would take if you were to bring your little Breach of Contract to Court?” He let her go and watched her slump to the floor. “No, do not threaten me, Georgiana. You will lose.”

  Haverlane strode to the door and flung it open. “Manning!” he shouted.

  The butler appeared in seconds.

  “Show this piece of trash back out to the street where it belongs.”

  “Very good, my lord.”

  Ellis did not wait to see her depart.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Jane sat on the floor in the library playing with her dolls. Ellis sat in his chair. It had been three weeks since the scandal broke. A fortnight since Bailey had arrived and the second banns called. Ellis had never felt so helpless in all his life. He knew Violet was safe with Lady Olivia, but was about to lose her to some upstart Scot of all people. He had to find her and had less than ten days to do so. He had to beg her forgiveness for his stupidity with Georgiana. He had to make this right.

  “Imma loves Jane, Jane loves Imma,” Jane sang.

  Ellis smiled.

  Jane turned to her father. “Papa, we go see Imma again?”

  Ellis could not have heard right. Had she said, go see her again? Jane had never gone to see Violet, Violet had always come to see Jane.

  “Jane, have you seen Imma?” he asked.

  “Yes, Papa. In the garden.”

  Of course, that is what she meant. The last time Violet had come here.

  “With duchess and Kiggins.” Jane bounced the dolls on her knee.

  “What do you mean, dearest? With duchess and Kiggins? Do you mean Lady Olivia and Quiggins?” His heart raced. Jane had seen Violet!

  “Yes, Wady Wivia and Mista Kiggins. They no had choclit biscuits. Papa, I have biscuit?”

  “Yes, of course dearest.” Ellis went to the door and yelled for Manning.

  Manning appeared and Ellis stared him down. “My daughter informs me she went to visit Violet, Lady Olivia, and Quiggins. What do you know about that, Manning? And by God, you best tell me the truth.”

  Manning blanched. “Yes, my lord, I have taken Lady Jane and Mary to visit Lady Violet.”

  “And where is she? Manning, I should dismiss you without references for this. You know I have been out of my mind with worry. How dare you!”

  “My lord, forgive me. I felt it was in my best interests not to tell you. Lady Caymore said….”

  “What? Have you completely lost all your senses? I do not give a damn about your best interests or what Lady Olivia said. Now where is she?” Haverlane would beat it out of him if he had to.

  “I do not know, my lord.” Manning had the grace to look shame-faced.

  “What do you mean, you do not know. You just told me you had taken Jane to see her.”

  “Yes, my lord. They were staying at Olmstead House as the duke and duchess are from home. Lady Violet wished to see Lady Jane one last time before being sent down to Fairhaven. However, in light of the upcoming nuptials they have since reestablished themselves elsewhere.”

  “What do you mean, elsewhere?”

  “I do not know, my lord. Lady Violet informed me this week would be her last. They would no longer be staying there.”

  “Please ask Mary to attend Jane and put her to bed. You and I shall discuss your employment when I return.”

  Ellis marched through the gloaming streets of London to Grosvenor Square. He would kill that old harridan when he found her. Keeping him from Violet. What the blazes was Lady Olivia thinking? When he found Violet, he would take her to Gretna as fast as his team could carry them. Better yet, he would make Prinny get the Archbishop to marry them on the spot. Forget the special license.

  Arriving at Caymore House, he pounded on the door. A footman answered.

  Ellis barged in. “Penny, William, Lady Olivia? Where are you? Violet? Are you here?”

  Ellis continued to shout. The footman said something, but Ellis did not hear him.

  A tall, handsome man nattily dressed, walked out to the hall.

  “I am sorry, but the duke, duchess, and dowager are from home this evening. I believe they are attending a small dinner party. May I help you?”

  “Who are you?” Ellis knew without asking.

  “Gregory Scott, Earl of Bailey.” He did not extend his hand. “And you are?”

  “Haverlane. Where is Violet?”

  “I do not know. She removed from Olmstead House last week I’m afraid.”

  “You are lying. Where is she, or by All that is Holy I shall meet you at dawn.” Ellis clenched his fists.

  “Obviously, you do not care what scandal touches Lady Violet. She has already endured one because of you. Now, you would take away the only chance she has of repairing her good name. Be gone from this house. The banns have been called, and she shall become my wife.”

  “Over my dead body.” Haverlane could not control himself. He lunged at Bailey.

  “Ellis! What do you think you are doing?” William yelled from the entry.

  “I’m going to kill this excuse of an Earl, and then you will tell me where Violet is.” He stormed up the hall to meet his brother. Penny stood behind him, the dowager holding her up.

  Instantly, he saw something was wrong with his sister-in-law. “What is it? What has happened to Penny?”

  “She became ill at the dinner and we came home.” William lifted the ashen faced Penny into his arms. “You will calm yourself and behave in a rational manner in this house, or I will kill you myself. Excuse me, I must attend my wife.” William carried Penny up the stairs.

  Ellis glared at Lady Olivia. “You and I will talk.”

  Lady Olivia glared back. “You and I have nothing to say to one another.” She moved past him down the hall. Ellis followed.

  “How dare you keep Violet away from me! Where is she?”

  “After all you have put the gel through. Do you really believe I would tell you?” She walked into the yellow parlour and dropped her shawl onto a chair.

  “After all I’ve put her through? I want her to be my wife and you have formed a conspiracy against me.”

  The duchess whirled on him. “You, my lord, have shamed and disgraced her, put her through hell and back carrying on with that guttersnipe Georgiana Baxter, and have condemned Violet to a life in exile, away from her family and friends.”

  “I am no longer associated with Georgiana Baxter. She has been put in her place and is no longer an issue. Tell me where Violet is. I shall make everything right.” He grasped at a st
raw. “I have a special license from the Archbishop. We can be married tomorrow.”

  “Now, you take to lying?” Lady Olivia snorted. “You have turned into quite a man, Haverlane. I had high hope for you. I used to think you were one of the untouchables, that you lived so far above every one else, nothing would ever mar your character. Look at you now. Anne must be rolling over in her grave.”

  Ellis clenched his teeth. “Leave Anne out of this. I am in love with Violet and want her to be my wife. You are keeping her from me.”

  “I have done nothing of the sort. Violet came to me, inconsolable. You did nothing about the vicious slander said about her. Her mother cast her from the house. Again, you did nothing. A month later, I have yet to hear you denounce the rumors. You knew Georgiana started them and you have said nothing. How much is Axminster’s bloody signature worth to you?”

  “I have told Axminster I no longer need his signature. I gave up on the project.”

  “Well, that is not what I have heard. I have it on very good authority, from your mother, in fact that your father will be announcing your engagement at his ball tomorrow evening.”

  “Like hell he will.”

  “Well, that is where you shall find yourself if you do not find the mettle to end this farce once and for all. I told you once to be careful or you would find yourself in check. Now you are, only with the wrong queen. You brought this upon yourself, Haverlane. Now find your ballocks and fix it.”

  Ellis left Caymore House. He walked for miles through the streets of London trying to vent his rage. It did not work. His father and Lord Axminster could go to the bloody devil. He would never marry Georgiana Baxter even if she were the last woman in the world. Breach of Contract be damned. He wanted Violet and no other. He needed to do as Lady Olivia said, and denounce the rumors once and for all. But how? How could he make them all see that Violet was the only woman he would marry. Tomorrow night at the ball. Yes, he would do it then in front of the whole of Society so there would be no mistaking his intentions. He would make his choice known and to hell with the scandal. Then he would find Violet and beg her to forgive him.

  Chapter Thirty

  23 June 1811

  London

  Penny placed the mask on Violet’s face. “There. Now I do not even recognize you.” She looked at Violet, concern in her eyes. “Are you sure you want to do this, dearest? I do not know what will happen tonight.”

  “I am sure,” Violet said. “If you do not recognize me, then there is no chance Haverlane will.” She looked down at the feathered creation. Another borrowed gown from Penny.

  “I hope you are right,” Penny opened the carriage door. “I shall see you inside then.”

  Penny left the carriage and closed the door. Violet was to wait ten minutes before making her entrance with Lord Bailey. He stood near the rear wheel and smoked a cheroot. Lud, she could never marry him.

  Penny, William, and Lady Olivia ascended the steps to the Chesnick mansion. Candles from the windows lit the street below. Violet faintly heard the music inside. Carriages still lined the street even though the hour was late.

  Violet wondered if Lilly would attend. Violet had not thought about Lilly, or her mother, in weeks. Her only thoughts had been of Haverlane, and Jane. She hadn’t been able to see Jane for a fortnight, and missed her sorely. She prayed Lady Olivia correct and Haverlane would find the mettle to make this right. And if he did not, Violet did not know what she would do.

  Bailey opened the carriage door. “Are you ready, my dear?”

  Violet slipped her hand in his, and he helped her down. Her stomach did a nervous dance as they climbed the stairs. The footman at the door did not look at them.

  Before they entered the ballroom filled with people, Bailey said, “Do let me know if you become overheated in your costume.”

  Violet did not know how that would be possible. Her blood ran as cold as the January stream at Fairhaven. “Of course, my lord. Thank you.”

  Violet could not count the number of bishops, and monks scattered throughout the room. A myriad of horses, Julius Caesars, and Napoleons, as well as Marie Antoinette, Joan of Ark, and Lady Macbeths also attended. Violet saw a Queen Elizabeth that could have been Lady Baxter, but she wasn’t sure. It would be an obvious choice with her hair color.

  She stood on tiptoe looking for Haverlane. Across the room, Penny and William, dressed as Tristan and Isolde, stood with another couple masquerading as Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Lady Olivia sat on a small divan next to them.

  “I believe the man you are looking for is over there,” Lord Bailey said and nodded in the direction of three Vikings.

  Violet found Haverlane dressed in blacks with a small mask covering his eyes. She should have known he wouldn’t dress in costume.

  “How did you know it was him, my lord?” Violet asked.

  “One does not easily forget the face of a man who wants to kill you with his bare hands,” he said.

  “Of course.” Violet smiled. Haverlane, who had probably never raised a hand in anger in the whole of his life, wanted to kill Lord Bailey because of her. How sweet.

  “Would you like to find a seat?” he asked.

  “Thank you, no. I do not wish to ruin Penny’s lovely costume. Could we remain by the terrace doors? I believe you were right. It is growing rather warm inside my costume,” Violet lied. Standing by the open doors afforded her the sight of Haverlane in a much better light. Handsome he was, but scowling, wearing the same look he had the first time they met by the river.

  Violet fanned herself. Seeing Haverlane so close had her unnerved. She wanted to run to him and beg him to take her away. But she could not. Foolish even to think such a thing, she must believe in Lady Olivia’s plan. She had come this far, she had to see it to the very end.

  “Would you care for a glass of lemonade, my dear?” Bailey asked.

  “Why yes, how very kind. Thank you. I shall wait right here if you do not mind.”

  “As you wish.” Bailey nodded, and stepped into the crowd.

  Violet turned to gaze at Haverlane again, but he was gone. She stood on tiptoe. She could not see him anywhere. He had disappeared.

  “You will find that two can play at masquerade,” said a voice from behind her.

  Violet whirled to find a tall man, a Viking hat on his head, and a rough cape thrown over his shoulders.

  “I would recognize you anywhere, Violet.”

  “My lord.” Through the slits of his mask, Violet had never seen this particular look in his eyes. Relief. Anger. Desperation.

  “Come with me.” He grabbed her elbow and led her out to the terrace.

  “My lord, we mustn’t. Lord Bailey is on his way back with lemonade.”

  “Hang, Bailey. I need to speak with you.” He pulled her down the steps into the dimly lit garden. He ripped off his mask and threw the hat and cape to the ground.

  “Where the devil have you been? I have been sick with worry looking for you.”

  “I have been safe, my lord. Lady Olivia has been very kind.”

  “Yes, so I heard.” He took up her hands. “Violet, have you any idea what I have been through? I wanted to explain….”

  She could not have heard him correctly. Somewhere deep inside her, the resentment of his silence during the past weeks exploded to the surface. “What you’ve been through?” she cried. “Have you any idea what I’ve been through?” She ripped her hands from his. “There is nothing to explain, my lord. Lady Baxter has said quite enough. And what she has not said, the gossipmongers took care of the rest.”

  “Forgive me, Violet. I had no idea Georgiana would be so cruel. I never meant for you to be hurt in this manner. I shall make it up to you.”

  “What shall you do, my lord?” Violet asked. “Marry her to keep her quiet? Marry her and keep me as your mistress and your nanny? What shall become of Jane? I remembered who it was, who so captivated you on that fateful day at the river. Georgiana Baxter. She turned your head, in more ways t
han one, so that you would lose sight of your own daughter. She is a loathsome thing who is not fit to be Jane’s mother.” Violet started back toward the terrace. She had no desire for him to see the tears she knew would come.

  He grabbed her arm and whirled her to face him. “Georgiana Baxter is not fit to be the mother of a dog. You, Violet, you are the only one I want.” He kissed her then. Forcefully. Built of pain, passion, longing, his kiss demanded things of her she could not give. Violet felt the wretchedness of his emotions as his lips held hers. She broke free of his embrace.

  “Stop! You must stop. You have damaged me enough, my lord.”

  “Violet,” his voice cracked. “Violet, please, you must listen to me.”

  “There is nothing to be said. You have chosen your path, as have I. Lady Olivia was right.”

  “Lady Olivia,” he bit out.

  “Yes, Lady Olivia, the only person who has taken my side and believed in my innocence. Not even my own mother believed me. You should have denounced the rumors long ago. Now my name means nothing but a joke. ‘Twas the only good thing I had in my life, the only thing my father left me. And now, it means nothing. Tell me, my lord, how are you going to repair that?” She turned and fled up the steps of the terrace.

  Bailey waited for her where he had left her, two glasses of lemonade in his hands.

  “We must go,” she said. She cast one glance back at the terrace doors. Haverlane did not follow.

  “As you wish.” Bailey deposited the glasses in a potted fern, took her arm, and guided her through the crowd as it gathered around the front of the room. Lord Chesnick was speaking loudly, but Violet did not hear.

  In the carriage, she untied her mask and looked out the window.