“George, I promise you, I’m perfectly well. This has all just been a bit of a misunderstanding. Do sit down. You’ve been running yourself ragged with your guests. This little dust up is exactly not what you need.”
He wanted to grin but held it behind his teeth as Vigilia clucked over her friend like a mother hen. “Crossley, ring for some tea. We’ll get this all sorted in no time.”
“Your mother is going to kill me,” Lady Crossley suddenly wailed.
“Not in the least. If worse comes to worst, it’ll turn out that you were hugely successful. You managed to ensnare me a wildly successful husband. Mother won’t be bothered that he’s a mere mister.”
Heat climbed in Ash’s cheeks, as he was strangely repulsed by her words. But before he could say anything, there was another interruption.
“The Duke of Wexford has arrived, my lord,” the butler called through the door, prompting a moan from the countess and a growl from Crossley.
“Don’t be alarmed, my dear, this is actually perfect. Wexford will be able to solve everything.” Vigilia’s face didn’t look as completely convinced as her tone implied, but she went quickly to the door and asked the butler to show Wexford to them.
“Vicky, I came just as soon as I could. And no, I didn’t tell your sister,” Wexford announced as soon as he arrived in the room, taking in at a glance that things were clearly awry. “And it seems I’m just in time. What has happened?”
Ash wished the man to perdition, even though he considered the duke a friend. Everyone tried to speak at once, and Wexford calmly took it all in before cutting them all off with the sweep of his hand.
“Enough. I’m not certain what exactly has taken place here, but it sounds to me that it has been a great deal of nothing. Lady Vigilia’s propriety is unassailable. She needn’t marry in haste to prove that. I have no idea how she managed to get ensnared with Lord Bertram, but he is no threat to any of us, except perhaps Northcott,” the duke concluded with a nod at him before adding, “But that is his problem to deal with, and I cannot allow it to touch the ladies of my family. Vicky will be coming with me. We will say her sister needs her.”
Lady Crossley’s weeping, which had been silent up until then, began to include a hiccup, causing more mayhem in the room as Crossley and Vigilia both tried to comfort the woman. Wexford again issued his proclamations.
“Lady Crossley, once this matter has been cleared up, if you are up to it, I’m certain Lady Vigilia will be happy to return to your care. But since she was sufficiently frightened by a fellow guest in your home to write to her brothers-in-law, it would seem best for all involved that she remove for the time being.”
The countess turned to Vigilia with such an expression of reproach written all over her face that Ash was surprised the debutante didn’t crumple at her feet. He could see Vigilia’s chin quiver and her eyes filled with tears, but she held onto her composure as though by a thread.
“I’m sorry, George. I made a muddle of it. I was trying to protect everyone, including you and Crossley.”
“But we were supposed to be protecting you,” the countess insisted with another flood of tears.
To his surprise, Vigilia laughed. “Georgia Horton, are you faking right this minute?”
Even further surprising him, the countess laughed, too, even though it was through her tears. “I’m not faking. You know your mother is going to be most displeased with me for this. It’s unlikely you’ll be allowed to return with us, even if Parliament gets recalled.”
“George, Mother is far too enraptured with Augustus still to care a fig what has happened here. Disaster has been averted, all is well. I shall return momentarily, and we shall carry on just as before.”
“Well, I can’t believe you’re willing to run craven like this, to be perfectly frank.”
The room fell silent on Vigilia’s sharp intake of breath. Ash wanted to step forward and enfold her in his arms, but that was the thing that had instigated this messy scene in the first place, so he managed to restrain himself. Vigilia and her friend stared at one another while what seemed like an entire conversation took place between them without anything being uttered.
“I shouldn’t have said that, Vick, my apologies.” Her hand hovered over her midsection significantly, making Vigilia laugh again. Ash marvelled at her strength of character in the face of the sticky situation she was still mired in.
“That babe is going to have its ears filled with stories, George,” was all she said, though, with a shake of her head before turning to face the gentlemen in the room.
“Mr. Northcott, I thank you for offering a solution to the awkwardness that was thrust upon us, but I do hope you’ll understand when I accept the solution Wexford is offering.” Her face was the most impassive he had ever seen it, as though she had used up her quota of emotions and couldn’t decide which one to feel, so at the moment she wasn’t feeling any of them. She turned back to Crossley and his wife. “You know I love you both. I should have confided in you what was happening, but I thought I could handle it. I didn’t actually think Wexford would come. I thought he’d send a note,” she added with a tight little laugh. “But under the circumstances, this is probably the best all around. I’ll go home with him. He and Eastwood can clear up the situation Lord Bertram thrust upon me, and I’ll come back.”
Ash couldn’t remain silent any longer. “Surely, I should be the one to look after the Bertram mess, since it’s really my fault, not yours.”
Wexford stepped between him and Vigilia. “You have three days Northcott. If you haven’t dispatched him by then, Eastwood and I will do it for you.”
A chilled silence fell over the room again before Vigilia broke it with a forced cheer. “There you have it, George. I’ll probably be back under foot in little more than a week.”
“Vicky, your maid is already collecting your things. I’d like to leave as soon as possible, so perhaps you ought to change into your travelling gear,” Wexford urged her.
Lady Vigilia appeared startled for the briefest moment but then she hurried forward to kiss Lady Crossley’s cheek. Ashford couldn’t hear what she whispered, but Georgia’s face suddenly cleared of her concern. Vigilia kept her head down as she hurried from the room without even the flicker of an eyelash in his direction.
Awkward silence remained in her wake.
Lady Crossley suddenly stood, shaking out her skirts. “Well, that was eventful. Mr. Northcott, you were a dear for offering for her, but it seems it isn’t necessary. I do hope you’ll stay a few more days. Do you think you’ll be able to deal with Bertram without causing a great scene?”
Ash grinned. He couldn’t decide if her tears had been for show, for her friend’s sake, or if she was just that resilient.
“I will do my very best,” he replied with a bow as he left the room, going in search of Bertram.
When he found him in the archery range, it crossed his mind that it might not be the safest choice to confront the bounder when he had a bow and arrow in his hands. Ash prudently waited until all the arrows had been shot before making his presence known.
“Might I have a word with you, Bertram?”
“We’re in the middle of our match, Northcott,” the man answered without looking at him.
“Actually, my lord, my arm is ready to take a break, if you wouldn’t mind.” Lord Clifton’s youth was revealed as he hurried away from what clearly appeared to be an awkward situation.
“What do you want, Northcott? I don’t really want to give you a moment of my time. Haven’t you taken enough of what is mine already? Rumour has it you’ve also won the lady’s hand.”
Ash ignored the man’s histrionics. “Why would you say something so completely slanderous to Lady Vigilia?”
Bertram paled but tried to brazen it out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I have plenty of reason not to believe you.”
Bertram shrugged.
“Claiming I’m a traitor is trying
it a little too brown, wouldn’t you say? No one with any knowledge or sense would believe it of me. It leads me to think that there could perhaps be an element of truth in it. You were trying to paint me with your own crimes, weren’t you?”
Bertram had paled further and began to sputter as though trying to think of an objection.
“I’ve put up with your whining and complaining for years out of a misguided sense of feeling sorry for your family’s circumstances. I have never done you wrong, Bertram. Buying your father’s estate was a fair business deal. It was unentailed and he needed the money. It was of mutual benefit. There was no harm done to you or any member of your family at my hands. But rather than a thank you, all I’ve received from you ever since has been efforts to discredit me in Society. And now, you’ve stooped to slander.”
When Bertram tried to scoff and sneer at him, Ashford stepped closer, making the smaller man quail.
“The thing is, I should have put a stop to your shenanigans years ago. Perhaps it then wouldn’t have come to this. But if you’ve gotten yourself involved in treachery, there’s nothing that can be done to save you. Unless you’d like to learn a trade and earn yourself an honest living.”
“What are you threatening me with, Northcott?”
“It’s not a threat, Bertram, it’s an offer. If you’ll agree to a fresh start, I’ll send you off with one of my ships. I don’t think you’re a stupid man. Surely, you’ll be able to learn and prosper, just like I did when I went to sea as a boy. I only wish I had done it sooner for you.”
“Why would you make me such an offer? Shouldn’t you be happy to crow about one more way you’ve bested me?”
“Despite the obvious attention you’ve paid to me over the years, do you really know me so little? Or are you again painting me with your own brush?” Ash shook his head. “No, Bertram, I’m not so little that I need to declare my triumphs over those less able than me. If you don’t want to go to sea and make an honest man of yourself, I’ll be happy to turn you over to King George’s men. I’m sure they’d like to hear all about whatever you’ve gotten yourself involved in.
Chapter Fifteen
Vicky could barely look at Wexford as they headed down the long lane away from Crossley. It was going to be a long drive, she realized, as she returned his stare.
Finally, Wexford broke the silence. “Do you care to explain to me what exactly happened? How did you come to find yourself in such a state? Surely, you could have managed a little better.”
“I’m not practiced in the art of negotiating around someone dealing in treachery, so no, I’m not certain how I could have managed better.” Vicky normally felt compelled to keep the peace, but this time his criticism was too much for her to bear.
“You’re right, my apologies, Vigilia. You did the right thing writing to me and Eastwood. I appreciate that you left Rosabel out of it. Although, she isn’t likely to agree when she finds out.”
Vicky grinned. “We could just claim that I was homesick and wanted a dose of family. But I wrote to you so as to not put her on the spot in her condition.”
Wexford looked at her with newfound respect. “I thought you said you weren’t experienced in treachery.”
“There’s nothing traitorous about my desire to protect my sisters, entirely the opposite to be sure. And that is exactly what landed me in the mess I’ve found myself in and the need to ask my brother-in-law for assistance.”
“Again, my apologies, I was jesting, but I continually forget that you and your sisters are unused to having brothers.”
Vicky laughed a little but then waved away the duke’s words. “Never mind about that, Your Grace. What are you going to do about Lord Bertram?”
“I’m not going to do anything. Northcott will take care of it. I had intended for my role to be just one of checking up on you and reassuring you that you had nothing to fear on our behalf. But when I arrived and discovered that somehow Northcott had allowed the situation to get so out of hand, I decided it would be best to extricate you from the situation entirely.”
Vicky sighed. “I would have rather been heroic and solved the situation for myself.”
Wexford laughed. “You were sufficiently heroic, my dear, have no fear. And now, you will save your sister from boredom for a few days until we receive word that Northcott has cleaned up his mess.”
“But if we truly have nothing to fear from Bertram, perhaps I should have remained at the house party. I still need to find my match, after all.”
“Since the bounder was trying to ruin you, I think you’re well away from there for the time being for one thing, Lady Vigilia. For another, you know either of your sisters would be happy to escort you next year if you haven’t wedded yet. There’s truly no need for you to rush to the altar.”
“It’s time, Your Grace,” Vicky replied with dignity. “I’m not trying to rush to the altar, but I don’t care to be sitting on the shelf, either. And Georgia was doing a fine job as my hostess. She wasn’t cut out for dealing with a bounder such as Lord Bertram, either.”
“I wasn’t questioning Lady Crossley’s competence. Surely, you noticed that I offered to return you in a few days. That is truly a concession, if you must know. I would like to send you all the way home and keep you as a little girl until you’re at least thirty summers.”
Vicky laughed. “How’s that working for you with Lady Katherine?”
“I’m happily leaving her in my mother’s questionable clutches,” the duke answered with a smirk.
“You do realize that someday you’ll have to escort your daughters to Town.”
“No, I’ve forbidden your sister from giving me daughters.”
Vicky’s laughter filled the carriage. “I’m sure she took that under advisement.”
The rest of their long drive was uneventful, and they soon arrived at Wexford. Vicky was amused to hear her brother-in-law use the excuse she had come up with on the drive. Rosabel was thrilled to have her sister visiting and didn’t seem to question the surprise encounter.
~~~
Ashford was pacing in Lady Crossley’s small office. It left him feeling slightly claustrophobic. He should have asked the woman to walk with him. But this was the best way to ensure they had privacy. He didn’t want anyone to overhear their conversation.
“So, am I betrothed to the chit or not?”
“That chit is my best friend, Mr. Northcott, so I would ask you to be somewhat more respectful in your tone.”
“My apologies, my lady, I truly meant no disrespect toward her. I am just frustrated by the turn of events. I offered for her, and then she disappeared.”
“Seems to me, it saved you from an uncomfortable situation. Surely, you should be relieved rather than pacing my small space like some sort of caged animal.”
“But what am I relieved from? I offered for the—” he paused, catching Lady Crossley’s glare “—lady in good faith. Am I betrothed or not?”
“Do you want to be?” Lady Crossley asked in a much altered tone.
Ash felt heat crawl up the back of his neck. He tried to shrug as though it were of little consequence to him.
“It is time I found myself a wife,” he answered grudgingly.
“I will again remind you that Lady Vigilia is my dearest friend. You needn’t sound as though she were a mere convenience.”
Ash finally laughed. “I haven’t actually found her to be terribly convenient.”
He wasn’t sure what the countess was searching for as her eyes seemed to scour his features, but it seems as though she found it, for she suddenly nodded.
“Do take a seat, Mr. Northcott. Your pacing is going to give me a crick in my neck. I believe we have a great deal to discuss.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Mr. Ashford Northcott to see you, my lady.”
Vicky’s head snapped up at the butler’s words. Rosabel was ‘Your Grace,’ so it could only be she herself the butler was speaking to. She glanced down at her attire. It was servic
eable. She hadn’t dressed in her best despite being in a ducal residence, but she was relieved to note that Dolly had ensured she was appropriately gowned that morning.
Rosabel was staring at her with curiosity. “Mr. Northcott?” She said it as a question, as though trying to imply that her husband hadn’t, in fact, told her everything that had transpired at Crossley. Vicky had appreciated that none of them had twitted her about it, but she could see that she should have sought her sister’s counsel. She had never anticipated the gentleman would follow her here. Clearly, she had learned nothing from her experiences at Crossley. She sighed. He was probably here to make sure she didn’t consider them actually betrothed.
“Thank you, Mr. Boyle,” Rosabel answered when Vicky seemed to be at a loss for words. “You may show him in.”
It was to be Vicky’s worst nightmare. How perfectly awful to have this conversation in front of her beautiful sister, of all things. Not that it was Rosabel’s fault that Ashford Northcott still harboured feelings for her. Even he couldn’t be blamed for that, Vicky acknowledged with a sinking heart, even as her pulse picked up when the handsome man was shown into the room.
He must have ridden, she thought, as she took in his windswept hair and pinkened cheeks.
“Your Grace, a pleasure to see you again, I hope you are well,” Mr. Northcott greeted Bel first, of course. It was appropriate as she was now a duchess, but Vicky felt it like a slap. “Do you think it might be possible for me to have a private conversation with your sister?”
Vicky blinked. He hadn’t even really waited to hear Bel’s response to his greeting.
“It would depend whether or not my sister is interested in having a private conversation with you,” Rosabel answered in a cool tone, every inch the duchess and clearly in a protective mood. “And, of course, you cannot truly be private. But perhaps a stroll in the garden, if Vicky is agreeable.”
A Gentleman to Avoid: Sweet Regency Romance (Sherton Sisters Book 3) Page 14
