Two Beaux and a Promise Collection Read online

  “No.” Richard glared.

  Inslip raised his brows.

  “That would play into Herriard’s hands. Moving her now would raise the question of where she has been for two days. Once you are officially her guardian, bringing her to Inslip House will seem natural. Few will wonder where she was previously.”

  “I don’t see—”

  “If anyone who deserves a response wants details, you are keeping her at another property until your status is official. You don’t wish to burden Lady Inslip and your daughter with Herriard’s temper.”

  “But I have no other property near town.”

  Richard gave in to the inevitable. “Charles does.”

  Inslip’s gaze took in the décor. “I see.”

  Richard pressed his advantage. “Knowing that Herriard is greedy and vicious, you had to hide her until her legal status was settled.”

  “Your reputation will still suffer.”

  “I doubt it. Herriard must already regret mentioning her. People will demand to know who she is and what she’s been doing these past five years. The barrage must fluster him.”

  “What are you planning?” Inslip’s eyes gleamed.

  “I will make the usual social rounds tonight, disproving his claim that I am headed for Scotland.” It might make Charles seem curiously uninformed, but there was no help for it. “A few words to Lady Beatrice will raise the awkward questions that Herriard doesn’t want to face – like why society knows nothing of his ward’s existence though she’s lived with him for years, what his arrangement was with Stagleigh, and how that arrangement relates to Friday’s losses. Once he is exposed as a scoundrel, society will welcome Miss Whittaker with open arms. She will be feted for surviving his plots. If anyone asks where you met her, you were introduced at Emily’s wedding breakfast. Upon hearing her story, you immediately offered your support.”

  “Perhaps that will work,” he grudgingly agreed. “But don’t wait to call on Lady Beatrice. Go now. Herriard’s lies are already on every tongue. You want the truth out before evening. I will remain here and become acquainted with Miss Whittaker.”

  Richard nodded. The errand should take only an hour. Inslip would watch her until then.

  His growing need to protect her nearly suffocated him. He beat it back, reminding himself that she was not for him. Never would it be said that he had feathered his nest with a lady’s fortune.

  — 7 —

  Richard inhaled deeply as he followed the butler to the drawing room. Lady Beatrice was not a woman he enjoyed confronting, especially when he was the subject of gossip.

  She gestured him to a seat, her face the grimmest he’d ever seen it. Even Emily’s announcement that she had jilted Charles to wed Jacob hadn’t made her this disapproving.

  “Thank you for seeing me,” he said, feigning calm.

  “I trust you have an explanation.”

  He nodded. “The very fact that I am in London should tell you that Herriard is lying.”

  “Why?”

  “To confiscate his ward’s trust so he can cover Friday’s gaming debts. To discredit me before I can present evidence to Lords accusing him of fraud. To—”

  His tongue froze as her eyes widened in shock. He’d done a better job of hiding his investigation than he’d thought. Few people could surprise Lady Beatrice. No one surpassed her knowledge of society. She knew everything that happened almost before the participants did.

  She stroked her chin. “Let’s start with his ward. Who is she?”

  “Miss Georgiana Whittaker. Her mother was Herriard’s paternal aunt. Her father was a merchant – Whittaker and Metcalf Imports.” Again her eyes widened. “Herriard has had the care of her since his grandfather’s death.”

  “Five years?” Her face relaxed, thawing the air. She handed him a glass of wine, then poured tea for herself.

  “Five years. Miss Whittaker’s father died a week before the old baron’s accident. His will named the baron as her guardian. Herriard inherited that duty along with the title.”

  “How old was she?”

  “Fifteen. Her grandfather had planned to bring her out, but Herriard refused. He has used her as an unpaid governess while squandering her income on his gaming.”

  Lady Beatrice made a sound that in a less exalted person might be called a growl. “How long have you known?”

  This was where he must be careful, Richard reminded himself. “Not long,” he said calmly. “Herriard kept her well hidden, so even though I’ve been keeping an eye on him for some time—”

  “Since he cheated you.”

  He nodded, not surprised she knew about it, though he’d kept the matter quiet. “Exactly. The Beaux dealt with that incident and warned him what would happen if he fleeced anyone else. For a time he was careful to live within his income – at least, I thought it was his until recently.”

  “How recently?”

  “Last week. But Herriard is incapable of watching his purse. The next time he ran short, he fleeced Rothmore.”

  “Precipitating his suicide.”

  “Exactly. It was a private game that I learned about too late.” A mistake he still rued. “I dug deeper into Herriard’s affairs afterward, forcing him to abandon cardsharping. The next time he needed money, he set up a railroad scheme that fleeced Jameson, among others.”

  “Ahh.” Her eyes gleamed.

  “It was out-and-out fraud – no rail company existed. So he’ll finally pay. I’ll present the evidence to Lords on Wednesday.”

  “You’ve hidden your activities well.”

  “I would not have succeeded if I’d talked about it.”

  She nodded. “So how does abducting Miss Whittaker fit your plans?”

  “I didn’t abduct her. She has long sought to escape Herriard’s abuse. When she heard him blustering about my investigation, she decided to seek my help once she came of age. Herriard’s losses last Friday forced her to act early. She heard him selling her to Stagleigh the next morning, so she fled. It was easy to find me. Everyone in town knew I’d be at St. George’s for Emily’s wedding.”

  “True. So you helped her.”

  He nodded. “I introduced her to Inslip, who will take over as her guardian, but she must remain hidden until the bishop rules on her petition tomorrow.”

  “Herriard swears he tracked you to Oakhaven.”

  “He did. I had to distract him while Inslip spirited Miss Whittaker away. One of Hawthorne’s grooms accompanied me, dressed in a cloak and bonnet.”

  She shook her head. “Another of your pranks.”

  “I wouldn’t call it that.” He kept his hands relaxed, but it wasn’t easy.

  She ignored his protest. “This one went too far, Hughes.”

  His eyes snapped together. “Should I have returned her to Herriard when she begged for help? No one deserves that fate, especially Georg— Miss Whittaker. Her breeding is every bit as good as Lady Jersey’s. And despite years of mistreatment at Herriard’s hands, she remains sweet.”

  “You know her well.”

  Richard cursed himself for losing his temper. “My studies of Herriard made it easy to investigate her claims once I learned of her existence.”

  “Hmm.” She pursed her lips for a long moment. “It’s true about her breeding, and it’s true that her grandfather accepted her parents’ marriage. I remember the incident well.”

  She would.

  “I can quash most of the stories, Hughes,” she continued. “And I will, for I agree that Herriard is lying. But your little charade with the groom succeeded too well. People saw you, and now that Herriard claims abduction, they no longer think that jaunt was one of your affairs. Her reputation will suffer unless you wed her.”

  “No.” He continued over her protest. “She has come to no harm, as you know full well. She is under Inslip’s care and attended by servants.” He almost offered to produce the groom, but didn’t know if the man would back his half-truths. Or if Inslip would, for that matter. Any
hint that Georgiana had accompanied him in truth would doom her. “I will not condemn Miss Whittaker to another situation not of her choosing. Nor will I be branded a fortune hunter.”

  “You would rather be branded a cad?”

  “That is not an issue. If necessary, I will retire to the country. London is rapidly losing its charm anyway.”

  “Flight would imply guilt, raising new suspicions about her.” She held his eyes. “You will wed the girl. If pride won’t let you use her fortune, then put it in trust for your children.”

  “No. Do you want to lend credence to Herriard’s lie?”

  “I’ll see that it won’t.”

  “Even your power has bounds, my lady. You cannot force me, nor will your conscience let you malign her when you know full well that she is blameless. As for marriage, Inslip will bring her out next Season, though she may surprise him by refusing. She has a low opinion of men and a lower one of the aristocracy – not that I can blame her, given her experiences.”

  “You did not think poorly of my power when you came here.”

  “I don’t. Your word can expose Herriard’s lies in a trice. But I draw the line at accepting a marriage I do not want. Miss Whittaker is in good hands and will remain so.”

  “Oh, you want her. I can see it in your eyes.”

  “Balderdash!”

  She smiled. “You haven’t changed a bit, Hughes. Just as prideful and touchy as when you came down from school. I won’t condemn you in public, and I’ll refute Herriard’s claims. But I urge you to reconsider. There is a spark in your eye whenever you mention her that tells me you are not indifferent. I suspect you know her better than you care to admit. Don’t let pride stand in the way of the best marriage you could find.”

  Richard cursed himself, but relief was stronger than irritation. Lady Beatrice would expose Herriard, and she would let Georgiana prove herself worthy. One meeting would convince her of Georgiana’s character.

  He needed to return to the cottage posthaste but kept himself in check for another quarter hour while Lady Beatrice related the news of the day. Then he excused himself and headed back to Kensington.

  * * * *

  Georgiana nearly followed Richard out of the sitting room. She knew nothing about entertaining lords – not even barons like Derrick. What was she supposed to do with a marquess?

  The question was answered when Tester silently deposited a tea tray at her elbow and departed. It had been years since she’d presided over one, but she hadn’t forgotten how.

  Inslip set her at ease with tales of her grandfather, who had been one of his closer friends. They were alike in many ways. While she suspected that Inslip could be ruthless when necessary, today he had chosen kindness and the same bluff camaraderie she had found with her grandfather. Perhaps she could be comfortable with his family after all.

  “It would be best if you accepted invitations immediately,” he said once he’d explained how the guardianship would work. “All else aside, your appearance will go far to lay Herriard’s lies to rest.”

  “You do understand that my governess left when I was fifteen.”

  “It doesn’t show. And my wife will review manners with you. Your most pressing concern will be learning the names and stations of those you will meet. And clothing, of course, though her dressmaker can remedy that soon enough.”

  Her reply died when Tester returned, a round silver tray resting on one palm. “A message for you, my lord. Urgent, he said.”

  Inslip accepted the missive and broke the seal. His forehead creased into a frown.

  “Problem?” asked Georgiana as Tester departed.

  “A small one, but it needs immediate attention. If you will excuse me, my dear? We will expect you by dinner tomorrow. Tell Hughes to arrange for a decent gown. Mademoiselle Jeanette dresses my wife. Let her know that Lady Inslip will return with you on Wednesday to order a complete wardrobe.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  He pressed her hand, then left.

  Georgiana paced the sitting room, turning the meeting over in her mind. Richard was right. Not all nobles were venal. Her grandfather had been a loving man who had tried always to do the right thing. Inslip seemed the same – as did Richard, she admitted. He was kind and caring and nothing like his reputation. He might be a prankster, but he wasn’t callous or cruel. Even the bear had served a purpose and done no real harm.

  She was guilty of judging without facts. Worse, her complaint that Richard blew hot and cold and held himself aloof applied a higher standard to him than to herself. She was doing the same thing – pushing him away for fear that he wanted her trust.

  I have no use for heiresses.

  It was true. He’d not turned cold until Stagleigh mentioned her inheritance. Then his eyes had flashed in fury – not because she’d withheld information, as he’d claimed, but because he wanted none of her money. If anyone had seen them together and cried compromise…

  She reviewed everything that had happened since she’d entered St. George’s. He’d put himself out to help her, even during his sister’s wedding. He’d protected her from Derrick, made arrangements for an honorable future, and kept servants close at hand to guard her reputation even as Derrick was blackening his. Not once had he taken advantage of her. She wished he had.

  You are so blind!

  She needed his arms around her. And not just because she felt safe in his embrace. He stirred her as no other man could, making her long for his touch, his lips, his—

  It was only gratitude, she insisted, refusing to believe that she could fall in love so quickly – and with a rake, of all people. She’d been desperate to escape Derrick. Richard had stepped in to help. Of course she would feel grateful.

  But her heart didn’t believe it. Inslip’s plan to bring her out did not interest her. She did not want to parade about London’s marriage mart seeking a husband. The only man she wanted would walk through that door any minute.

  So how could she overcome his antipathy to her fortune?

  Pacing produced no ideas. Nor did leafing through those books. They merely raised peculiar sensations she didn’t know what to do with. She was wondering if throwing herself into his arms might work when a commotion in the hall announced his return.

  She sank onto the couch and raised the cup of now-cold tea to her lips.

  Derrick strode through the door.

  Tea splashed across the carpet.

  “What are you doing here?” she demanded coldly. But her heart was already hammering in her chest. She’d seen that look before, though never directed at her. The last time, he’d beaten his heir badly enough to confine the boy to bed for a week.

  “Returning you to the bosom of your family.” His smile belied his cold eyes.

  “No.”

  “I am your guardian, Georgie. You will do as I say.”

  “The bishop disagrees. Now leave. You are not welcome here.”

  He laughed, a dangerous sound. “The bishop won’t rule until tomorrow. Today I’m your guardian and master of your fate. Did you really think to escape me?”

  “How did you find me?”

  “Followed Inslip. The minute I got that notice, I knew he would lead me to you.”

  “So you lured him away.”

  “Enough. It’s time you learned your place, Georgie.”

  “Never!”

  “You have no choice. My word is all that matters. The arrangements are made. You will be Stagleigh’s wife by dinner.”

  “Not when he learns how badly you are cheating him.”

  “I have a signed contract. There is nothing he can do now.” He jerked her to her feet.

  She screamed, dragging her nails down his face before he could pin her arms.

  “You’ll pay for that,” he grunted as she kicked him. His slap snapped her head sideways. Twisting her against him with an arm like a steel band, he dragged her toward the door.

  Tester was sprawled in the hall, unconscious.

  �
�� 8 —

  Richard spurred his horse toward Kensington, a growing fear that something was wrong urging him faster. It made no sense, but he had to make sure that Georgiana was safe.

  He dodged through a narrow gap between two wagons and cut down an alley, grateful to have his own horse beneath him instead of Saturday’s slug. It willingly broke into a canter.

  Tension mounted as he considered the disasters that might befall her. He shouldn’t have left her behind, even with Inslip. The man didn’t understand how beastly Herriard could be.

  Logic stepped in to point out that Herriard didn’t know where she was. There was no need to ride ventre à terre to her rescue. But he didn’t slow. Nor could he outrun Lady Beatrice’s voice, which still hammered at his head.

  She could not seriously believe that Herriard’s lies could harm Georgiana. Not with both she and Inslip denying them. So she must mean to manipulate him into marriage. She smiled indulgently on young men sowing oats, as long as they played by the rules. But her indulgence ended at age thirty, by which time she demanded responsibility and an eye to the future. Since he was rapidly approaching that age, she would expect him to set up his nursery. Jacob’s marriage had cracked the carefree image of the Beaux, encouraging her.

  He admitted that he needed a wife. Just not Georgiana. No matter how much he liked her – and two days in her company had made him like her a lot – she remained ineligible. His allowance let him live comfortably. Once he acceded to the title, he would have even more, though he hoped that day would not arrive for many years. He did not need to fill his coffers with someone else’s fortune.

  He turned a corner and nearly ran down a carriage headed toward Mayfair. Not until it passed did he identify the crest.

  Inslip.

  He kicked his horse to a gallop. There was no reason that Inslip’s departure should portend disaster, but he knew Georgiana was in trouble. His dread increased when he spotted a strange carriage in front of the cottage.

  Herriard. It had to be.

  He tossed the reins over a bush, then charged through the door. Tester lay bleeding on the floor. Herriard was dragging Georgiana from the sitting room. His bloody face stirred Richard’s pride that Georgiana had put up a good fight.