The Immovable Mr. Tanner

by Jennifer Joy

  Arabella began her retelling by explaining the thoughts and sentiments leading to her bold move, and Tanner listened intently while pondering various ways to keep her safe.

  Was there no tower in which he could lock her away until he could rid them of the scoundrel breathing fire at them?

  No, she would escape. She had enough gumption to attempt to slay her own dragons. Tanner admired her all the more for it. Bella was not a simpering lady needing to be rescued … although that did not dissuade him from wanting more than anything to be her hero.

  His thoughts came to an abrupt halt when she finished, “He reached out to seize me by the arm.”

  Tanner’s fists clenched.

  Arabella continued, “And that was when Brutus came to my rescue.”

  Out-heroed by his own horse, but Tanner did not care. “What happened?” he asked.

  “Brutus rammed into Lofton’s stallion and bit Lofton before I could turn away.”

  Georgiana clapped. “Brutus bit Lord Lofton? Our hero! I do hope he left a significant bruise.”

  Mrs. Elizabeth laughed too hard, her eyes sparkling with much more than her normal mischief. When tears began streaming down her face, and she attempted to hide behind a napkin before anyone noticed, Georgiana stopped laughing.

  Darcy looked at her in concern, as did Arabella.

  Stroking his wife’s hand and kissing her palm, Darcy said softly, “We are all together now. Nobody should have to bear their troubles alone when we are blessed with friends and surrounded by family.”

  Tanner tried to smile at her, but he had to resort to a bob of the head when the tight skin around his split lip threatened to tear again. ‘Twas a good thing he was not a vain man, or his pride would take a thrashing over the next few days while he strolled about with scabs and purple bruises adorning his face.

  The butler entered the room, bearing a tray with a letter on it. He handed it to Darcy, who wasted no time in opening it.

  Darcy grimaced, tossing the papers on top of the table and shoving them away from him. “The good news keeps coming,” he said sarcastically.

  “What is it?” Georgiana asked.

  Darcy directed his reply to Arabella, “Lieutenant Annesley’s closest friends are prepared to testify against you for his murder. They are willing to swear you helped him along though it is clear to my man they hope it does not come to that. He is convinced they have been bribed or otherwise coerced to speak against you.”

  Tanner gritted his teeth together. Lofton.

  Elizabeth placed her hand on Darcy’s arm. “You must go. You have much to do, and I am perfectly content to spend the whole of the day in our garden. You must not waste precious time worrying about us, and so I promise you that not one of us ladies will leave the house or accept any calls today.”

  Georgiana raised her hand in agreement to the oath, as did a subdued Arabella.

  Darcy caressed his wife’s hand against his cheek. The last thing he would want to do was to leave her in her delicate state.

  Tanner could not ask Darcy to depart from her to help him carry out a plan that was certain to fail.

  Mrs. Elizabeth, however, was insistent. “Go. That horrible man has involved our family in this, and he must know against whom he set himself. We cannot back down now.”

  Darcy knew better than to argue with her, so he did as she bid. “Come, Tanner, we have a great deal of calls to make today.”

  “If anyone will see me.” Those he did not scare away with his bashed face would never allow him an audience after they read the newspaper.

  “Why would they not?” Bella asked in an offended air.

  She looked to Tanner for an answer, so he pushed the newspaper she had not yet seen toward her.

  Her eyes moved over the page, her breath coming in huffs as she read. Pursing her lips together, her cheeks as red as the roses behind his tavern, she asked, “Have I ruined your plans?”

  It was everything Tanner could do to restrain his hands from cooling her cheeks at her concern. “Do not blame yourself for this. Lofton had to have arranged it before you met with him. We only need one listening ear and we have four days before the fighting match to secure it. Four days, and we will forever rid ourselves of Lord Lofton and his influence.” He prayed.

  “How can you be so certain?” she asked.

  “Because there is no room for uncertainty.” Lofton had already cast shadows over Darcy’s name because of Tanner. It only remained to be seen when Lofton would attack Arabella. Tanner had no doubt he would use Arabella against the Darcys just as he had used Tanner. He would stack society against them until they were ruined … and Arabella was dead. Lady or not, she would hang if a jury found her guilty of murder.

  He would not fail her.

  Darcy rose. “We must go.”

  With a parting glance at Bella, Tanner joined his brother, preparing himself for what was doomed to be a despairing day. The strength of Tanner’s current plan depended in great deal on the willingness of society gentlemen to cooperate with him. He would take their claims against Lord Lofton to the newspapers just as his lordship had done to him and Darcy.

  But who would listen to him now?

  Chapter 23

  Tanner tried not to fidget in the carriage, but Darcy must have sensed his nerves.

  “You have nothing to hide anymore. Without your past burdening you, you are truly free. I rejoice that I can now proudly claim you as my brother. It is a point against us that Lofton was the one to reveal it before we could, but we must not despair. People are, in general, good and kind,” Darcy said.

  Tanner appreciated his vain attempts at cheer. “I have too often experienced the worst of people to hold such an optimistic view.”

  “I once thought as you did. Elizabeth helped me see that storms are only temporary. Even the darkest night is powerless before the rays of the sun.” He sighed as if his words applied as much to himself as he meant them for Tanner.

  “Inspiring and poetic,” Tanner remarked.

  “Her words, not mine. Elizabeth brings joy wherever she goes. I cannot bear to see her unhappy.”

  “This, too, will pass,” Tanner said, wishing he could ease the pain in his brother’s eyes, wishing he could turn Darcy’s disappointment into the joy he so deserved.

  “We will work through it together. As brothers. As a united family.”

  It was a tempting thought.

  Tanner twisted his hands all the way to the gentlemen’s club where Sir Francis Templeton was known to take his breakfast every morning. Tanner held no delusions of being permitted on the premises. However, he had to try.

  Darcy walked inside as if he owned the place, Tanner following him and attempting to exude the same confidence that came so naturally to his brother.

  A man who Tanner suspected was the manager of the establishment joined them before the footman could close the door behind them.

  “Good morning, Mr. Darcy,” he said with a slight bow, ignoring Tanner completely.

  “Good morning, Mr. Martingale. I trust Sir Francis is at his usual table with the newspaper? We are to meet with him.”

  Darcy took a step forward, and Mr. Martingale stepped in front of him with his hands up. “He is at his table, and I am certain he would be pleased to see you, Mr. Darcy.” The manager looked warily at Tanner, continuing, “Unfortunately, you know we discourage the admittance of guests to our club. Were it solely my decision, I would allow an exception in your case. However, the other members of the club might take offense.”

  Darcy stiffened. “We cannot have that. We will take our leave, Mr. Martingale, and only return when our company is welcome.”

  “Mr. Darcy, you are always welcome. It is only—”

  “I have heard quite enough,” interrupted Darcy, turning on his heel. “Good day,” he said on their way out of the door.

  This was not starting out well.

  Georgiana picked the early spring blooms, arranging them in a crystal vase beside Eli
zabeth. It was a thoughtful detail, and Arabella was pleased to see the initiative Georgiana took to bring cheer to her sister.

  Arabella pretended to do needlework, but her scrambled thoughts tangled the thread. She prayed the gentlemen were kind to Tanner today. Lord knew they needed some good news.

  Elizabeth read aloud, but her voice did not carry the same vibrancy she normally lent to the characters. Her heart was not in it.

  After some minutes, Elizabeth lowered the book to her lap and fell silent. In a whisper Arabella might not have heard had the breeze not helped carry it to her ears, she said, "It was another letdown."

  Hearing her suspicion confirmed aloud did not make the news any less disappointing. In a flash, Arabella was at Elizabeth's side and, together with Georgiana, they held her as she sobbed.

  Arabella rocked softly back and forth, humming softly and patting her hair. How many times she had wept alone without anyone to comfort her in her times of need. How many times she had wished for the arms of her mother and the gentle counsel of her father. The emptiness which had consumed Arabella made her squeeze Elizabeth all the tighter to her side, and the longing she felt for her own family to welcome her back ached with a force that left her breathless. She could use their counsel. She would listen this time.

  Elizabeth sniffed and breathed deeply, so that Arabella loosened her hold around her.

  "Thank you. I feel better now. My heart's desire will have to wait, but I refuse to give up hope." Elizabeth's firm chin softened with the hint of a smile.

  Georgiana took her hand. "You will be the best mother. The halls of Pemberley will echo with laughter such as has never been heard."

  Elizabeth wiped a tear from her cheek. "William will make a wonderful father." She sighed, adding, "I want to make our family complete. I want to see his character reflected in our children, to laugh and love them unconditionally from the very start of their life. I feel as if I have too much joy and love within me — William has blessed me with so much, and I have the best of friends — but I feel I will burst unless I am able to share it."

  Georgiana said quietly, "I long for the love of which you speak — unselfish and pure."

  What lady did not? Arabella wondered.

  Elizabeth turned to her. "What do you long for, Arabella? This is a morning for baring our souls, it would seem."

  She held back her first thought, saying her next, "I want my family back. I want a home of my own where I can feel useful and necessary and … wanted. Cherished, even, if that is not too much to ask. I do not want to be a delicate prize to be admired, to play at housekeeping while my decisions are overlooked. I want to … I want to matter." Even when she tried not to speak of Tanner, he seeped into the conversation.

  "You matter to Tanner," said Georgiana. "Do you love him?"

  The breath Arabella held at the mention of his name came out in a rush. "He wants to get rid of me!" Even as she said it, she knew there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for it. Tanner had not looked guilty when she had mentioned it earlier.

  Georgiana chuckled. "Either way, I will miss you. If you love him, you will not give him up so easily."

  Arabella tried not to smile, but Georgiana was right. Perhaps it was her greatest fault, but Arabella had always gone after what she wanted wholeheartedly. While her past decisions had not gone in her favor, she was convinced that with Tanner she would be safe. He would not betray her.

  There simply must be a reasonable explanation for the odious note on Mr. Darcy’s desk. It must be a misunderstanding.

  But how could it be? The note said to purchase passage in her name.

  Oh, the misery of uncertainty! She would ask him and be done with it. The truth, whatever it proved to be, was infinitely preferable to this self-inflicted wavering torturing her mind.

  The sound of approaching footsteps returned her to the present. She had hoped it might be Tanner, but it was the housekeeper bearing an envelope.

  "A letter arrived for you by messenger, Mrs. Annesley."

  "For me?" Arabella reached out to take it, perplexed when the only people who would think to write to her were sitting in the garden with her.

  "The messenger has already left. He would not wait for a reply or for remuneration," said the housekeeper.

  "Thank you," Arabella said absentmindedly as she turned the envelope over in her hands. There was no writing, no address, no name other than her own.

  The housekeeper turned to Elizabeth, asking about the menu and offering a measure of privacy to Arabella.

  She opened the page, and the sweet scent of jasmine wafted up from the paper. Mrs. Seymour.

  The connection filled her with concern. What if Arabella's meeting with Lofton had inadvertently put Mrs. Seymour's life in danger? What if Lofton knew Ambrose only had one page? Not many would have had access to his private journals. Only the person he most trusted — his mistress, Honoria.

  Arabella groaned. What had she done?

  Hoping to allay her fears, she began reading the letter. It was addressed to Honoria. The handwriting was familiar to Arabella, but she still gasped in surprise when she turned the page over and saw it was signed by Ambrose.

  Stilling her hand to stop the words from fluttering before her, Arabella read.

  My dearest Honoria,

  Just writing to you about what I have done — what I have been obliged to do — makes me sick. My only consolation is your understanding and good opinion.

  I apologize for not keeping my appointment with you, but my father sent me to deliver his latest letter to Arabella. My sweet, unsuspecting sister whom I love more than she can ever know.

  As horrible as her union proved to be, I cannot help but praise the heavens above that she did not marry Lofton. The cruelties of her husband are nothing compared to the viciousness of which his lordship is capable — of that you know all too well, my love, and I am ever alert for an opportunity to free ourselves from his so-called friendship. It is my sole purpose in my wretched life. You are my only comfort, the only one I trust to guard my great secret.

  It pains me not to be able to be of any assistance to my own sister, who has suffered more from my selfishness than any other. I hate it that she must be allowed to continue to think the worst of me, but I cannot risk discovery for her sake.

  Lofton already holds too much influence over my family, and the only way I can keep him from completely ruining them is to keep Arabella away. I must keep her away from him. I must protect her and our beloved mother and father without arousing his suspicions, for once I am gone — a fate I fear every day of my cursed life — who will protect them from his bitter revenge? I have already interfered too much.

  He is determined to avenge himself against the one woman who dared to defy him … and I must do what I can to prevent it. Even if she hates me. Even if I must endure the disapproval of my own father while he holds his lordship in the highest esteem — a trap I fell into too easily when I ought to have known better. Will I never finish paying my debts to him? Am I to forever take the fall and accept the blame for his indiscretions?

  Forgive me, dearest. Seeing my sister pale and broken has left me bereft. And yet, I can do nothing. One day, I vow to right this mess of my own foolish creation. I will make things right by Arabella when only months ago I sold her soul to the devil to cover my debts. I owe her everything I took away from her. I owe her freedom and the love from the family she believes has forsaken her.

  I will explain to my father the measures I had to take to protect them. Then, she will be rightly restored to our family, rightly returned to their favor. I only pray they may, someday, be able to forgive me. I am unable to forgive myself. There is no redemption for me, I fear, but I can live with myself knowing I have done everything I could. Only death will stop me.

  One day, we will be free of him, dearest. We will begin anew where we can live with honor and virtue. Perhaps, after some time, our past will lose its bite and we will find a measure of happiness with each o
ther in our new life. I pray it is so. It is my only dream.

  Yours forevermore,

  Ambrose Hardcastle

  Arabella clutched the lace at her collar bone. Every emotion she had ever voiced against her brother swelled in her throat so that she gasped for breath.

  "Are you well?" Georgiana asked.

  Folding the letter with trembling fingers, Arabella squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. "I will be,” she managed to choke. Clearing her throat, she added, “I only need time to comprehend what I just learned, then I will share it with you. I promise."

  Georgiana returned her attention to Elizabeth and the household's menu with the housekeeper.

  Ambrose had been protecting her and their family this entire time? He had been a good man?

  Her decision to elope had not been so foolish as she had believed it to be. She was not such a poor decision-maker after all (aside from today’s display, of course). Her mind reeled as Ambrose’s true motivation helped her see everything in a friendlier light. It infused her with hope.

  There was only one dark mark, one truly terrifying negative. Her family was still in danger … and without Ambrose to protect them.

  She clasped the letter to her bosom, determined to finish what Ambrose had started. What better way to honor his memory than to take down the man responsible for his wretched life? For his death? For her isolation? For the Darcys' tarnished name? For Tanner's worst insecurities having been laid bare for society's scorn?

  Lofton would be stopped. Justice and decency demanded it. As did Arabella. She was a woman scorned, and Lofton would be made to feel the full consequences of his deeds. Only this time, she would not act alone.

  Chapter 24

  The day did not improve as it progressed. "You should continue without me, Darcy."

  "And act as if I am ashamed of my brother? No. It would only fuel their prejudice, and I refuse to be the means by which they would justify their behavior."

  Tanner appreciated Darcy’s tenacious adherence to his own values — by which he still tended to weigh and judge anyone who would be his acquaintance — but enough was enough. "You would make society change overnight to accommodate me? It is too much to ask when we need their cooperation. It is not the time to fight that battle."