by Cheryl Holt
“Have I enlivened it?” she asked.
“Definitely.”
He spun and sauntered away, and she watched him until he vanished around the side of the house. She wondered if he would use the servant’s entrance, but he hadn’t seemed like a servant. She couldn’t figure out what he seemed like, and it dawned on her that she felt a bit sad at his departure. The afternoon was no longer quite so vivid or fun.
She’d assumed he’d glance back at her before he disappeared from view, but he didn’t, and she shook her head at her foolishness. Then she went to the door and banged the knocker.
CHAPTER TWO
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Miss Bates, I’m very sure. I can’t explain it more clearly.”
Jo stared at Mr. Slater. They were in his office at the rear of the manor. He was seated at his desk, and she was sitting in the chair across.
He was thirty or so, with blond hair and pleasing features, but he had severe blue eyes that made him appear very angry. He didn’t seem the type who smiled very often.
“I’m not trying to be difficult,” she said, “and I’m not usually so slow to grasp a concept. I’m just so shocked.”
“I understand.”
“We had no idea.”
“Well, that’s not precisely true.”
“What do you mean?” Jo asked.
“Your sister, Maud, certainly knew, and your father arranged for Daisy to be brought here. It was hardly a family secret.”
“My father arranged it?”
“Yes, he personally delivered Daisy to Benton after she was born. It was either that or put her in an orphanage, and neither he nor the Earl wanted that. Those places are dreadful, and she likely wouldn’t have survived for long.”
Jo couldn’t believe it. She’d always thought her father had been fond of her, that he’d liked her much more than he’d liked Maud. Maud’s fussy quirks had irked and humored them in equal measure.
Now Jo was questioning her memory of their relationship. She felt as if Maud and her father had been on one side of a fence and Jo had been on the other side, without her ever realizing she’d been excluded from their tight circle. With Maud’s disgrace exposed, what else might have been concealed?
Maud had had an affair with the Earl of Benton when she was sixteen. There had been no school trip abroad. She’d gone to a facility for unwed mothers to hide her condition. Then she’d returned home and had carried on as if it had never happened. She’d given her baby to the Prescotts and had never looked back.
Who could be so callous? Who could be so coldhearted?
Yes, the world was rigid and inflexible, and women were condemned for the smallest lapse of conduct. A female couldn’t birth a baby with no husband to slip a ring on her finger. There were laws against it. There were community standards. There were church rules.
Jo’s father had been a respected gentleman, so it was ludicrous to suppose Maud could have publically pranced about with Daisy as if no scandal had transpired.
But still…
A spurt of fury raced through Jo. Maud constantly acted as if she were Jo’s strict, unbending mother. Jo couldn’t count the times she’d been lectured for the least little infraction, when in fact, she’d been a perfect child, a perfect daughter, a perfect sister. It was galling to learn that Maud had such an illicit incident in her past, but Jo calmed her temper.
Outrage was pointless, and she had to focus on her current predicament. How should she proceed?
“When I wrote your sister,” Mr. Slater said, “it never occurred to me that someone else would open the letter.”
“She’s not home at the moment. She’s in London shopping for her wedding trousseau.”
“Oh, dear. What a tangle that will pose!”
“You’re a master of understatement, Mr. Slater.” She laughed miserably. “I’ve been answering her correspondence, and I came to Benton to inform you that you must have contacted the wrong Maud Bates.”
“There’s no doubt it’s her. We send her annual reports. We always have.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I can’t guess if she reads them or not, but we’ve continued according to the agreement we reached with your father.”
Jo studied the floor, her mind awhirl with concerns and problems. The wisdom of Solomon was required to solve this riddle. She was only twenty, and she didn’t view herself as being overly clever. She didn’t want this burden thrust on her shoulders, but who was available to deal with it?
There was just her, Jo, having to devise a good ending for her niece, Daisy. Her immediate opinion was that she’d like to take Daisy with her to Telford, but their house didn’t belong to Jo. Maud had inherited it from her grandmother. As Maud relentlessly mentioned, Jo lived there because Maud let her live there.
If Jo had had any other option, she’d have left. It had been the main reason she’d latched on to Mr. Cartwright so fast. He’d offered her an escape. She was in no position to order Maud to behave appropriately toward Daisy. Nor could she traipse in the front door with Daisy, not without garnering Maud’s permission first. It simply wasn’t possible.
“You’ve demanded that Maud remove Daisy in the next month,” Jo said.
“Yes, by July fifteenth.”
“May I ask why?”
“Circumstances have changed at Benton.”
“I’d like to bring Daisy home with me, but I’m worried about my sister’s reaction—especially with her about to marry.”
“When is the wedding?”
“September.”
“I don’t imagine she’d have confessed this fiasco to her betrothed.”
“I’m sure not,” Jo said. “I need some time to ponder this. I have to talk to my sister about it.”
“You certainly can, but you have a month to get it resolved.”
“What if I can’t persuade her?”
“We’ll probably place Daisy in a convent. We’ll tender a donation on her behalf, so she can remain there until she comes of age. It would be better than an orphanage.”
A convent? An orphanage?
Jo rippled with alarm.
“I’m confused, Mr. Slater. Why can’t Daisy stay on? She’s been at Benton for most of a decade. Is she a troublemaker? Is she cruel or petty? What’s produced this new attitude with regard to her?”
“She’s a sweet girl, Miss Bates. People like her very much.”
“Then…why?”
He scowled at her, his gaze irked and condemning—as if the current difficulty was all her fault.
“May I be frank, Miss Bates?”
“I hope you will be.”
“Daisy’s presence has been a great humiliation to the Earl’s wife.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought about her.”
“I was positive you hadn’t.” Ire flashed in Mr. Slater’s eyes, but he tamped it down. “Lord Benton has two of his other children here as well.”
“Other…ah…illicit children?”
Jo couldn’t figure out the correct terminology, and she stumbled over the words. She hated to be rude or judgmental, but the conversation had abruptly descended into the most risqué in which she’d ever participated.
“Yes, other of his illicit children,” Mr. Slater said. “The Countess has been shamed each and every minute that they have tarried at the estate.”
“Of course she has been,” Jo murmured.
“She’s suffered terribly, and it’s time for all of them to go.”
Jo blew out a heavy breath. “May I meet Daisy? Would that be allowed?”
“She’s not home today. She’s had a growth spurt, so she and her governess are in London, buying her some clothes.” He must have expected Jo to argue about it, for he hurriedly added, “She can have all of it when she leaves. We’re not misers; we won’t send her off looking like a pauper.”
“That’s kind of you.”
“She’ll be back
tomorrow afternoon if you’d like to stop by then. I’ll get you properly introduced.”
“It’s a bit of a journey, but I’ll try to return.”
“If you could take her with you tomorrow, that would be wonderful. We could have her packed and ready.”
“I won’t have arranged a spot for her by then,” she wanly replied. She felt awash with dismay. “I’ll…ah…have to travel to London to speak with my sister. I’ll have to discuss this with her.”
“Just so you work out a solution by July fifteenth.”
“I will.”
He stood, indicating the appointment was over. “Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for having me.”
“I wish it had been for a happier reason.”
“Believe me, so do I. Might I see Lord Benton before I depart? If I conferred with him, would you suppose—”
Mr. Slater cut her off. “I’m handling the situation for him. He doesn’t care to be bothered over it. He’s done more than enough over the years.”
“He definitely has,” Jo retorted as she realized the remark would sound impertinent.
“Anyway, he’s not here today either.”
“All right. Thank you again.”
Jo went to the door and stepped into the hall. The footman who had escorted her to Mr. Slater’s office was waiting to guide her out. He gestured for her to follow him, and she trudged along, barely noticing the grandiose surroundings as they meandered down gilded halls to the foyer.
As they arrived, a second footman delivered her shawl and bonnet. She was putting them on when she heard him whisper that the Earl was back and in his library. The news caused both men to raise their brows and share an indiscreet glance she shouldn’t have witnessed.
She’d never been an assertive person, but she would love to talk to Lord Benton. She would thank him for his lengthy support of Daisy, but she was also annoyingly curious about him. She was dying to catch a glimpse of the cad who had seduced Maud.
“You mentioned that the Earl is back,” she said.
“Yes, Miss Bates, he is.”
“So I haven’t missed him after all. Mr. Slater told me I could have had an audience, but he was away from the house. Might I speak with him? If he agrees, it will save me from having to make another trip to Benton. It’s quite a distance for me.”
The two men shrugged at each other, then her escort said, “I’ll check as to whether he can fit you in.”
“Marvelous. I’m very grateful.”
He was only gone a minute, and he was smiling. “He’s free, Miss Bates. If you’ll come with me?”
He marched off, and she rushed after him, but she couldn’t help nervously peeking over her shoulder, being panicked that Mr. Slater might show up to challenge her. But luck was with her, and he didn’t appear.
The footman entered the library and announced, “Miss Bates, my lord.”
Jo entered too, finding herself in a dramatic, imposing room. Three of the walls were lined with bookshelves and stuffed with books that rose all the way to the ceiling. The fourth wall was all windows that looked out at the park. There was a large desk in front of the windows and a man in the chair behind it.
To her stunned surprise, it was the cheeky fellow, Peyton, who’d walked her to the manor. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “You’re Neville Prescott? You deceitful rat! You told me your name was Peyton!”
“It is Peyton. Peyton Prescott, and I’m delighted you asked to see me. You’ve brightened up what was otherwise a very dreary afternoon.”
“I’m sure you spew a similar comment to every young lady you encounter.”
“Are you a drinker, Miss Bates?” was his reply. “I’m betting you’re not.”
“Of course I’m not,” she churlishly scoffed.
He waved to the footman. “Bring us some tea.”
The footman left, and Peyton/Neville motioned for her to approach. She nearly spun and huffed out in a snit. With his unsavory past revealed by Mr. Slater, it was no wonder he used a fake name. It was probably a subterfuge he regularly employed.
In the end though, she didn’t stomp out. Her curiosity hadn’t been assuaged, and she went over and sat in the chair across.
“You look just as fetching as you did when we were outside,” he said.
“Don’t flirt, Lord Benton. I’ve already warned you that I don’t like it.”
“You seem put out with me. Why? We’re barely acquainted, and I could swear we had a pleasant chat out on the lane.”
“Why would you lie about your identity? It’s not funny.”
“I’m not Neville, Miss Bates. Neville was my brother, and he’s deceased.”
“Really?” she snidely asked.
He snorted out a laugh. “Yes, really. I think I would know if my brother is dead or not.”
She inhaled a deep breath and regrouped. “I’m sorry. I finished my appointment, and it was…difficult. I’m in a terrible mood, and I’m taking it out on you.”
“Yes, you are, but you’re forgiven.”
“Thank you.”
“Will you tell me who you met with? I hope no one was awful to you. I wouldn’t want to hear that you were mistreated during your visit.”
“I wasn’t mistreated. It was merely a distasteful discussion, and I’m still reeling from it.”
“If that’s the case, I insist you tell me about it.”
“It was your estate agent. Mr. Slater?”
“Ah…dear Richard.” He was amused by the notion. “He’s my brother-in-law. His sister, Barbara, was married to my brother. He can be pompous and pretentious. Was he rude to you? If so, I’ll speak to him.”
“He wasn’t rude. He simply imparted depressing information.”
“Why was it depressing?”
She studied him, trying to determine if he was aware of the disaster.
Mr. Slater had claimed to be in charge of the situation, that the Earl had directed him to deal with it. To which earl was he referring? How long had Neville Prescott been deceased? How long had Peyton Prescott been earl?
If Neville had ordered Daisy to be evicted, then Peyton Prescott might not necessarily realize a tempest was brewing. But if Peyton Prescott had ordered Daisy to be sent away, then Jo didn’t like him at all.
Yet she couldn’t insult or enrage him. She’d like to win his assistance—or at least his commiseration and sympathy. Perhaps even his advice. He was older than she was, and he might have wise counsel to offer.
“It has to do with Daisy,” she said.
“Who is Daisy?”
“She’s my niece, and I guess—technically—she’s your niece too.”
“No, I have two nieces, Alice and Nancy.”
So…maybe he doesn’t realize.
“How are you at learning awkward news, my lord Benton?”
“I’m very good at it, and I still wish you’d call me Peyton. I’ve only been Lord Benton for a few months, and while I have very broad shoulders, it’s an odd and heavy yoke to bear.”
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable calling you Peyton—especially now that I’ve discovered your true identity. I’ll stick with Lord Benton, if you don’t mind.”
“I mind very much. How about if we settle on Commander Prescott?”
“Is that your rank in the navy?”
“Yes.”
He’d befuddled her. She couldn’t decide what was appropriate, and she skipped over the debate about it and pressed ahead. “You don’t appear to know that you have a niece named Daisy.”
“I told you my nieces are Alice and Nancy.”
“They’re your brother Neville’s daughters?”
“Yes, with Barbara.”
“Apparently, your brother had…ah…some other children as well.”
“What do you mean by other children?” He scowled, then comprehension donned, and his cheeks flushed. “Oh! Other children.”
&n
bsp; “Am I the first to apprise you?”
“Yes. I hadn’t heard a whiff about it.”
“Neither had I, and I’m overwhelmed.”
“Were you notified of how many others there might be?”
“No. I believe Mr. Slater said several.”
“Several! My goodness. It sounds as if he and I are due for a blunt conversation.”
Jo, herself, yearned to avoid the current one. She had no desire to confer about Neville Prescott’s amorous proclivities.
“Could we…ah…focus on Daisy for now?” she asked.
“Certainly.”
“I don’t possess any details about the others, and I’m not too keen to delve into their problems. I have enough of my own with Daisy.”
“I understand.”
The footman knocked and brought in their tea, so Jo was provided a respite as the tray was laid out and the cups arranged. Lord Benton shooed the footman out, then shocked her by offering to pour before she had a chance to offer herself.
Once he finished and handed her her cup, he sat behind the desk again. He placed his own cup on the desktop and shoved it to the side, giving every indication that he’d rather have had a stronger libation but was too polite to drink liquor in front of her.
“What about Daisy?” he asked.
“She’s living here at the estate.”
“Here? Honestly, Miss Bates, you are simply full of surprises.”
“She’s nine, and your family has supported her all these years, but that support is ending, and Mr. Slater is demanding my family take charge of her.”
“Has he explained why?”
“It’s been a humiliation for your sister-in-law, having your brother’s other children around and underfoot.”
“I can imagine. She’s in a perpetual snit.”
Jo remembered his cryptic comment out on the lane where he’d insisted the Countess wasn’t very likeable.
“Mr. Slater has announced a deadline of July fifteenth for Daisy’s removal. It’s why I was eager to speak with you.”
He grinned a wicked grin she felt clear down to her toes.
“I figured it was because you couldn’t bear to depart without seeing me one more time.”
“Out on the lane, I had no idea who you were. When I begged for an audience with the Earl, I was expecting to talk to your brother. My being in your library had naught to do with you.”
