The Marquess's Stolen Vow: A Regency Romance, page 13
“Lord Ashworth?” Heat shot through Rupert’s frame, startling him out of his shock as Lady Cumbria nodded. Someone knocked into the back of him, and Rupert frowned, glancing over his shoulder at the gentleman, before returning his attention to Lady Cumbria. “Is there something – ”
“Here, Lord Hereford.” There was no time for Lady Cumbria to answer Rupert’s question, nor any time for Rupert to ask anything more! “Here he is, as I promised.” Smiling warmly at Rupert and then looking to Lord Hereford, she set out one hand towards Rupert. “Hereford, might I present to you the Marquess of Finchley? Lord Finchley, this is my brother-in-law, the Earl of Hereford.”
Rupert bowed quickly, aware of the man’s keen eyes on him as he lifted his head. “Lord Hereford. I am very glad to make your acquaintance.”
“As am I, though I must say I am surprised it has taken you so long to make an official introduction to me, given what you intend for my daughter.”
A nervousness clung to Rupert’s stomach, but he continued regardless, forcing a smile. “I quite understand your displeasure, Lord Hereford. I had every intention of doing so, but – ”
“But, as Eleanor explained to you yesterday, Hereford, Lord Finchley was doing his utmost to make sure all of his investments were sound and his future well secured before formally seeking her hand.”
A flicker of a frown darted across Rupert’s forehead, but he brushed it away quickly enough, seeing Lord Hereford’s eyes narrow just a little. “Yes, that is quite so,” he continued, with what he hoped sounded like confidence in his voice. “I am very glad to be able to say that all is well and that is why – ”
“My daughter told me she was engaged to you, but you did not come to speak to me at the beginning of your relationship,” Lord Hereford interrupted, taking a step closer to Rupert. “I should have preferred it if you had come to me at the beginning, so that I could have determined whether or not you were worthy of her.”
Lord Ashworth might have done what I did not, Rupert thought to himself, as he nodded and spread out his hands. That will make him more favored by Lord Hereford than I. “I will admit that I have not done everything as I ought,” he admitted, hoping that this would placate Lord Hereford. “As I have said, I wanted to make sure everything was firmly in place before I offered for her hand, although to marry her would grant me the greatest wish of my heart.”
Lord Hereford’s lips pushed upwards for only a moment, then fell again. “Pretty words, Lord Finchley.”
“But honestly meant,” Rupert answered firmly. “I care deeply for your daughter, Lord Hereford. It is because of such feelings that I wanted to make certain everything was settled.”
“And is it?”
Rupert blinked, cleared his throat, and then nodded. “Yes, it is.” That was not the truth, of course, but he certainly could not share all of his present circumstances with Lord Hereford! “That is why now, I ask for your permission to marry her.”
The answer did not come at once, unsettling Rupert all the more. He wanted to cry out in frustration, wanted to declare repeatedly to Lord Hereford that he would do anything and everything he could simply to call Lady Eleanor his bride, but patience told him to quieten himself. Standing tall, he curled and uncurled his hands, waiting as Lord Hereford continued to assess him.
Then, the gentleman sighed.
“You have it – but only for the moment, so you will not make any sort of announcement as yet,” he said begrudgingly as a kick of joy hit Rupert’s stomach. “I have told Eleanor that I will make my own enquiries as to your standing and your character, just as I would do for any other.”
“I am certain that your permission will remain,” Rupert replied confidently, hiding the slight niggle of worry that bit at him as he thought about his present circumstances. “I thank you, Lord Finchley. If you would excuse me now, I must go and speak with Lady Eleanor.”
Lord Hereford opened his mouth as if he were to say something more, but Lady Cumbria quickly stepped in, allowing Rupert to move away without difficulty. Lady Eleanor was standing just where he had left her, her face still pale and worry lining her forehead.
“There is no need to worry, my love,” Rupert said gently, reaching for her hand and pressing it for a moment or two as Lady Catherine drew near to them both, having just finished her dance. “All is well.”
She looked up at him, her eyes swimming with tears. “I am sorry that I did not tell you before now. I thought to write but then whenever I tried, the words did not come and – ”
“There is no need for any concern, truly!” Rupert exclaimed, smiling at her. “I am glad, so very glad that this moment has come, Eleanor.”
She swallowed, her eyes glassy. “Truly?”
“Of course.” Wishing that he could lower his head and kiss her in front of the other guests, Rupert contented himself with taking her hand and pressing a kiss to the back of it. “This has brought me nothing but joy, I assure you. This is what I wanted, what we both wanted.”
“But there was still concern, still hesitation – ”
“And there still is, admittedly,” Rupert answered. “If your father finds out anything about my sister or the present situation, then he might pull back but – ” Seeing the tears fill her eyes, a sudden determination struck him and, leaning down, he looked straight into her eyes, caring nothing for who saw them. “If he does, if such a situation should happen, then I will take you to Scotland and marry you there.” His heart burned with a sense of relief and of victory, his decision final and his happiness determined.
“You – you would?” Stars shone in her eyes as he nodded, pressing her hand as he fought not to throw his arms around her.
“If you would be willing,” he answered, as she nodded fervently. “There may be difficulties ahead, Eleanor. It may be that we do not have our answer, that my cousin – if it is she – reveals the truth about my sister to all, and even elopement in itself would cause scandal but – ”
“I care not,” she breathed, as Lady Catherine turned her head away, giving them both a moment together. “Oh, Finchley, I love you so. I want nothing more than to share the rest of my life with you.”
“And I with you,” he answered, his heart beginning to pound as desire to kiss her began to swarm him. “Eleanor, if I might, I – ”
“Brother, if I might steal a moment, I have found Howerton and – oh.”
Rupert, irritated at the interruption, sent his brother a sharp look. “Preston, Lady Eleanor and I are in conversation and – ”
“There is something in your pocket.”
A little confused, Rupert twisted around and tried to look at the back of his coat, to where the hidden pocket was, only for his brother to pluck it out and hand it to him.
“A… a note.” Lady Eleanor clutched at his arm, her eyes wide. “How did – ”
“A gentleman knocked into the back of me when I was walking with your aunt,” Rupert remembered, unfolding the note. “Not a lady.”
“Do you know who it might be?” Lady Eleanor asked, keeping her voice quiet as Rupert read the note. “You mentioned before that she was connected to a gentleman who does not have a great deal of coin.”
Handing the note to his brother, Rupert scowled. “Lord Howerton and Lord Wishart, brothers to Emma, informed us recently that Emma is pursuing and being pursued by a gentleman less than suitable, Lord Wigton. They do not think well of him, and yet, Emma continues to insist that he is the gentleman she desires. They have not accepted that, of course.”
Understanding flooded Lady Eleanor and Lady Catherine’s faces at once. “Then,” Lady Eleanor said, slowly, “this demand for money comes from them both. As a way to either prove that Lord Wigton is soluble enough for them to wed, or simply because he has urged Miss Gladstone to do such a thing, because of the affection and connection they share.”
Rupert nodded. “Precisely. So it might well have been Lord Wigton who knocked into me and placed the note there. He is not a gentleman I am acquainted with as yet, so I did not recognize him.”
“Might I ask what the note says?” Lady Catherine wanted to know, as Lord Preston frowned. “Is it very bad?”
“‘All carriages require repairs,’” he read aloud, as Rupert grimaced. “‘My own without exception. Therefore, I require a substantial sum for a new carriage, which you are to have readied for me tomorrow morning. You will set it at the marble arch of Hyde Park and return to your home without delay, else – ’”
“Else the threat of revealing all to society will be carried out, yes,” Rupert muttered, shaking his head. “The time they write at the end of the note is very early indeed. No one else will be about but – ”
“But is this not good news?”
Rupert frowned, looking back at Lady Eleanor. “In what way?”
“You have opportunity to take a hold of whoever comes to collect your money,” she said, her eyes shining with hope. “You may have to return home, yes – or you can make a show of it, at least – but I can be present. Your brother also. So long as we are hidden away, then we will not be seen.”
“I can have Howerton with me,” Preston suggested, with a shrug. “I can take him to Whites after the ball and keep him there until that time.”
“You will have to sneak out of the house, Eleanor,” Lady Catherine said, although she did not sound in the least bit upset at the notion. “Will you manage to do so?”
Lady Eleanor nodded, returning her gaze to Rupert. “What say you, Finchley?”
Rupert pressed his lips together. He did not want Eleanor to be in any sort of danger, but at the same time, he could see that this was a way for them all to secure not only the truth but to throw aside the threat, once and for all. “It could be done, yes. I will have to make arrangements to have the money prepared but – ”
“Brother, you could set rocks in the bag rather than coin!” Preston exclaimed, as Lady Catherine and Lady Eleanor laughed softly, bringing a fresh relief to the situation that had not been there before. “Our intention is not to give any more money but to discover the culprit!”
“You are quite right.” Rupert drew in a long breath, then set back his shoulders. “Then we have a plan.” His stomach swirled with nervousness, worried that all might not go as planned. Setting it aside, he bowed towards Lady Eleanor, then offered her his hand. “But for the moment, let us dance.”
Her face split with a bright smile, and she accepted him without a second of hesitation. “I would be delighted, Lord Finchley. I would dance every dance with you, should it be permitted.”
“As would I with you,” Rupert promised, leading her to the dance floor, unable to take his eyes from her. “We are so near to the end of this, Eleanor, and then, I hope, we will finally be able to find our own happiness, free from fear, worry, and concern.”
She smiled up at him. “So long as I have you, I shall be very content indeed,” she murmured, as they stepped apart to bow and to curtsy. “No matter what happens, my only happiness is to be found with you.”
19
It had been easy enough for Eleanor to steal out of the house. Her father would never suspect such a thing, and her lady’s maid, trusted as she was, had promised not to say a single word to anyone, although she had warned Eleanor not to do as she intended. The air was cool, the sky still overcast as she hurried a short distance down the street, seeing Lord Preston’s waiting carriage.
“My brother will be most relieved to know you are safe,” Lord Preston said, as Eleanor climbed inside, a little surprised to see not one but three gentlemen. “Now, we must hurry. Lord Howerton, Lord Wishart, this is Lady Eleanor. Lady Eleanor, my cousins.”
“I do wish that you would explain to me what the trouble is,” Lord Howerton muttered, his head leaning back against the squabs, his eyes closed. “I do not understand what this is all about.”
Eleanor, who had not been introduced to either fellow before, could only nod and then look out of the window, her hands clasping tightly in her lap. She did not dare speak into the situation, did not want to say anything that might upset or confuse the two gentlemen. That was for Lord Preston to share.
“As I have told you, Howerton, this is to do with an unfortunate situation,” Lord Preston said, as Lord Howerton opened his eyes and looked at his brother, who, thus far, had remained silent. “A situation that may involve your family.”
“In what way?” Lord Wishart asked, as Eleanor glanced at Lord Preston, seeing him frown. “I do not understand.”
“There is time enough for explanation,” the gentleman replied, quietly. “Please, for the moment, I must beg of you to trust me.”
Lord Wishart nodded, and Lord Howerton closed his eyes again, leaning back and groaning lightly. “I would have much preferred to go home to my bed. I am exhausted, and still you insist on taking me on this ridiculous venture without any explanation!”
“Hush, brother.” Lord Wishart, his voice gentle but firm, filled the carriage. “Do you not recall that both Lord Preston and Lord Finchley spoke to us of late, wondering whether or not we had someone near to us causing difficulty?” He looked to Lord Preston as Eleanor watched on, her stomach knotting. “It is about that, is it not?”
Lord Preston nodded. “It is.”
“And whilst I am not a part of it directly, I wish very much to marry Lord Finchley,” Eleanor said, speaking clearly and thinking it best to explain her presence here. “We cannot do so until this situation is resolved.”
Lord Wishart’s eyebrows lifted, and Lord Howerton’s eyes opened again. “Then this is more significant than a mere carriage ride at dawn,” Lord Howerton said, sitting up again and frowning at her. “Forgive me for my lack of clarity. I am overtired and – ”
“And now you must do as I ask you,” Lord Preston interrupted, rapping on the roof to stop the carriage. “Come. We must step out, and then you must follow me to the park.”
“Hyde Park?” Lord Wishart asked, sounding surprised. “Why ever are we here at such an hour of the morning?”
Eleanor opened the door of the carriage without hesitation. “We must discover the truth,” she said, without further explanation. “We must see it for our own eyes.” Stepping out, she pulled her coat around herself a little more tightly and looked towards the entrance of the park. As yet, Lord Finchley had not arrived, which gave them time to hide themselves away. With a nod to Lord Preston, Eleanor hurried forward, ready to find a place where she might not be seen but could see all, hoping that both Lord Howerton and Lord Wishart would soon come to understand all.
I am so cold.
Shivering from where she stood behind a large tree, Eleanor kept her eyes trained on the marble arch that served as the northern entrance of the park. Thus far, Lord Finchley had set down his bag and then returned to his carriage, which had moved away just as quickly as it had arrived. Eleanor had watched and waited, wondering if and when he might return, but all the more curious as to who it was that would come for the bag.
She glanced to her right. Lord Preston was standing opposite her, with Lord Wishart and Lord Howerton nearby. There came the occasional whisper which, Eleanor prayed, would not be overheard by whoever arrived. This was the only chance they had to secure the situation, and if Lord Howerton or Lord Wishart continued to speak in such a loud whisper, Eleanor was afraid it would all come to naught.
There!
She caught her breath, her hands gripping the tree trunk as she saw the arrival of a hackney. Someone stepped out and, just as the sun spread its first few rays of light over the park, they stepped forward, bent down, and reached to pick up the bag.
“Emma?”
Without warning, Lord Preston strode forward, his cousin’s name bellowed from his lips.
“Emma, whatever do you think you are doing?”
Eleanor snatched in her breath, hurrying out from behind the tree as the lady in front of them all let out a cry of fright and stumbled back, turning to make for the waiting hackney. Lord Preston called her name again and broke into a run and, much to Eleanor’s relief, caught her by the arm.
“Whatever are you doing here?” Lord Wishart cried, as he too reached his sister with Lord Preston and Eleanor not far behind. “What is the meaning of this, Emma? You are meant to be – ”
“She is meant to be at home, abed.” Lord Preston stepped forward, his brows knotting. “Emma, how could you do such a thing?”
“Do what?” Lord Preston’s eyes narrowed, first at Lord Preston and then at his sister. “Emma, explain yourself!”
“I – I cannot.” The young lady’s eyes were filled with tears, her whole body trembling, but whether or not it was from the fright of being discovered or the anger of being found out, Eleanor could not tell. “It was Lord Wigton’s doing, I assure you. I am not at fault! He should be here, he is waiting – ”
“Lord Wigton?” Lord Wishart let out a groan. “How many times do we have to explain to you just how unsuitable a fellow he is?”
“He is more than unsuitable,” Eleanor interjected, with every eye turning to her. “If what you say is true, Miss Gladstone, then he is the one who has been blackmailing Lord Finchley.”
There came not only a gasp of horror from Lord Howerton but a loud exclamation from Lord Wishart. They both turned to look at their sister, but she only dropped her head, refusing to look at them both.
“You say he was meant to be here,” Lord Preston said, coming to stand next to Eleanor as worry filled his voice. “Lord Wigton, that is. Where was he supposed to be, Emma? My brother has not yet shown himself. I do hope they have not met unexpectedly… and that Lord Wigton has not done anything foolish.”
Eleanor’s stomach twisted sharply, her breath hitching in fright. She had been expecting Lord Finchley to come to join them at any moment, as had been his intention. He had said he would drive away in the carriage but would step out shortly thereafter and return to them, as quickly and as quietly as he could. In the commotion, she had not just how long it had taken for him to return. “Did Lord Wigton hide himself somewhere, as we did?” she asked, her throat rasping as worry began to dig its claws into her heart. “You came to collect the coin because he would not, yes?” When the lady nodded, her head still low, Eleanor closed her eyes and drew in a slow breath to quieten her fractious thoughts. “Was he concerned that this plan might bring about some sort of discovery? If that is so, then it seems to me that he was more than happy for you to be caught, Miss Gladstone!”
