As they stood together on the doorstep of Mrs. Ward’s lovely old manor house, waiting for their knocking to be answered, James and William eyed each other nervously. They were both slightly apprehensive about meeting with her.
A moment later the door was opened by Mrs. Mulvaney. The housekeeper greeted them warmly and with her usual politeness. “Good morning, Mr. Falconer, Mr. Venables.”
James said, “Mrs. Ward is not expecting us, Mrs. Mulvaney, so I hope she is available. We do have to speak to her about something rather urgently. It is quite important.”
“I’m sure she will be happy to receive you both,” Mrs. Mulvaney replied, opening the door wider, bringing them into the entrance hall.
“Excuse me for a moment. I shall go and let her know you are here.”
This wasn’t necessary, because Georgiana Ward had heard their voices and was coming out of the library into the hall, a ready smile on her face.
“James, William, good morning! How nice to see you both.”
As she walked toward them, James couldn’t help thinking how lovely she looked. She was simply dressed in a white blouse with a high neckline, puffy mutton-chop shoulders, and long, tight sleeves. It was worn with a long burgundy skirt cinched at the waist with a black belt. Her raven hair was upswept, her violet eyes sparkling.
He stepped forward, took her hand. “Good morning. I’m sorry we’ve arrived unexpectedly, but we have an important matter to discuss with you.”
“There is no problem whatsoever,” she answered, turned to William and shook his outstretched hand. He, too, greeted her warmly. There was an expression of surprise and admiration in his eyes. She looked younger than her age, he thought.
Mrs. Mulvaney, hovering behind Mrs. Ward, now asked, “Should I serve refreshments, madam? Tea or coffee? Or something cold, like lemonade?”
“Which would you prefer, William? James?” Mrs. Ward glanced at them in turn.
They both said that they would enjoy coffee. She told Mrs. Mulvaney that this beverage was also her preference.
Once they entered the library, Mrs. Ward took a seat near the fire and beckoned for the two young men to join her. “The month of May it might be, but these old manors are always so cold, as you well know, William.”
William nodded. “My mother has all the fires blazing the year round. It’s the wind coming off the North Sea, you know. It whistles through the houses.”
She merely smiled at this comment, and then addressed them both when she asked, “What is this matter you wish to discuss with me?”
James answered. “My great-aunt Marina informed me yesterday afternoon that Albert is spreading stories about us. He’s telling people we are … having an affair. Naturally, I was shocked when Aunt Marina told me this, appalled, actually, that he would lie in such a terrible way. I vehemently denied his accusation and told my aunt he was not only smearing my name, but impugning your good reputation.”
James realized immediately that she had not heard the rumors and that she was genuinely shocked, as she stared back at him aghast. “Why would Albert lie about you and me? And how do we stop these false stories?”
“I asked my aunt the same thing. She suggested I ignore them, rise above it all. William has said the same thing to me and advised me not to go near Albert, who enjoys physical fights.”
Georgiana was even more startled, and she gaped at William, her face serious. “How horrendous this is. Does your father know?”
“He does indeed, Mrs. Ward. He’s just heard the rumors and brought the matter up before supper last evening. He is going to deal with Albert very severely.”
“Oh, I do hope so. I cannot have my reputation tainted.” She frowned, held herself perfectly still, digesting everything that had been said. She had known instantly that James had been the perfect gentleman, had lied to protect her. And mud stuck. But how would Clarence be able to kill the stories? That was her sudden worry.
Looking directly at William, she asked quietly, “I am relieved to know your father will chastise your brother, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll stop his lying chatter, does it?”
“Normally I would agree, Mrs. Ward,” William replied swiftly, realizing she needed reassurance. “Because we all know how incorrigible Albert is. However, my father told us he would threaten to disinherit him, if he didn’t stop maligning you and James. It’s really about James, you know. He’s jealous and envious of him. Even more so now than before.”
“I understand. Because James saved the men, behaved with such valor, and—” She stopped speaking when Mrs. Mulvaney entered the library, carrying a tray. After serving coffee to Mrs. Ward and the two young men, she departed.
They sipped their coffee and there was a short silence. This was eventually broken by Mrs. Ward, when she remarked, “Your father is a brilliant man. If anyone can put the fear of God into Albert, it is Clarence. I do hope he succeeds, not only for me but actually mainly for James, who is having such a success in business here. In a certain sense, it doesn’t really affect me, now that I think about it.”
“What do you mean?” William stared at her, taken aback. “Albert’s lies do indeed affect you.”
“Perhaps they would, if I continued to live in Hull, but, as a matter of fact, I have been planning to leave. And for some time now. When I mentioned to James that I wanted to sell the shares my husband left me, he suggested I go to your parents to ask them if they could recommend a good accountant and solicitor. Of course, they did. Your father introduced me to the two men who work with him.”
She sat back in her chair, and finished, “They now represent me and my interests, and all my business matters are in their capable hands.”
William nodded. “They will certainly do well by you, Mrs. Ward.” Glancing over at James, he remarked, “You did Mrs. Ward a really good turn when you sent her to my parents. Good show, James.”
“Has your brother-in-law bought the shares your husband left you?” James asked, hoping her new representatives had made a good deal for her. He wanted the best for her. She was a good person, and had been nice to him. He was fond of her, and with a small jolt he realized he was going to miss her friendship here in Hull.
“A negotiation is ongoing at the moment. I am sure that matters will be settled to my satisfaction. Ian MacDonald is my new solicitor, and he will also handle the sale of the house.”
“So you don’t intend to return to Hull?” William interjected, sounding surprised.
“No, I don’t. My family is in London, and I want to be near them. Originally, I was planning to visit them in June, for Ascot. However, I had a letter only yesterday from my brother-in-law, Leonard, who is married to my sister Deanna. She has not been well. He asked me if I could come to London sooner.”
“When are you leaving?” James asked.
“Before you both arrived, I was looking at my engagement book for the next week. I don’t seem to have anything special coming up. So I’m hoping to leave this weekend.”
“Never to come back,” William murmured. “We shall all miss you, Mrs. Ward, especially my mother. Does she know you are leaving?”
Georgiana inclined her head. “Some time ago I told her I was planning to take up residence at my house in Mayfair in June, because of the races at Ascot and the Summer Season. Obviously, she doesn’t know my plans have suddenly changed today, because of Leonard’s letter.”
“Nevertheless, Albert does have to be stopped,” James announced in a firm voice. “He has maligned us both with his lies. He must be taught a strong lesson. His lying tongue can ruin other lives, and he’s a menace.”
William looked at his friend and nodded. “True. Albert’s gotten away with many bad things, and over years.”
Georgiana Ward was silent for a few moments, thinking of her friend Professor Allan Miller, who was an expert on mental illness. She leaned forward slightly, told them, “It is possible that Albert will never change. He might even be a sociopath. I have a friend who is an expert in the area of mental health, and he has told me some of his theories from time to time. For instance, a sociopath is someone who has no sense of remorse about what he does. He does not have the slightest empathy for other people and doesn’t understand their feelings. Don’t you think Albert is like that?”
This question was addressed to William, and he was fast to answer. “I do indeed! And if that is actually what he is, a sociopath, he has to be stopped before he does something even worse than tell lies.”
“That’s right,” James remarked, looking from William to Mrs. Ward. “Clarence will deal with him with great firmness; I’ve no doubt about that.” Now he smiled at Mrs. Ward, and, changing the subject, he said, “I agree with William. Everyone will miss you and your lovely company at all the suppers, dances, and balls. Hull society won’t be the same without you.”
“What lovely compliments you are both paying me. I am very flattered,” Georgiana answered.