We’re simply giddy with the news. The Northumberland Nemesis has moved into Langham Hall where we have an intrepid reporter assigned outside the premises.
We dare think we’ll soon have double the content to report.
Neither Lady Man-Eater nor the Damp Squib can seem to stay out of our papers.
Humbly reporting from Mayfair,
The Midnight Cryer
“Will, come in. I’ve got a brandy poured for you, or would you prefer whisky?” Will’s father asked.
“Brandy,” Will answered.
His father walked back to the sitting area of his study and placed three glasses on the table. He gave one to Will’s mother, then settled in beside her on one of the two blue velvet sofas that faced each other. Will sat in the one opposite his parents.
“Your mother and I are delighted with Theodora.” His father nudged a copy of the latest copy of Debrett’s Peerage across the table for Will’s attention. “She comes from good stock. I met her grandfather several times, and he was always on the right side of decisions in the House of Lords. Of course, he never came to London in recent years because of his age. The challenge for her title is all Parliament can talk about.”
“The Duke of Ferr-Colby should be strung up by his heels,” Will practically growled.
“Son, I agree with you.” His father shook his head as he studied his glass. “Back when my father was alive, another Scottish countess had a similar problem claiming her title.”
“What happened?” Will asked.
“She defeated the challengers.” His father’s gaze caught his. “However, she was only a year old, but she had powerful peers as her guardians who took up her challenge.”
Will nodded in acknowledgment. “That’s what Thea needs.”
In so many ways, it felt right to be at home with Thea where his family welcomed her with open arms. Their love and comfort were constant, and truthfully, when he was surrounded by them, he felt renewed with an energy he couldn’t deny. Thea would feel the same way once she became more comfortable.
“How did you meet her?” His mother took a sip of whisky. The flash in her eyes did little to hide the wheels that were gaining speed in her thoughts.
“I called on her at Ladykyrk. It was all Aunt Stella’s idea.” He took a sip too, for fortitude. “She wants me to marry Thea and help her. In that order, I might add. Thea hasn’t had, how shall I say this, an easy time since her grandfather’s death. The duke’s old solicitor works for the ducal estate and won’t help Thea secure her title and dignities. But he told her she should marry before the committee hearing or at least, become betrothed.”
His father leaned forward and rested both elbows on his knees, a signal that his attention was completely devoted to Will and his story.
“Plus, Aunt Stella has the idea that if we marry, the two estates will be joined. She’s pushing hard for this marriage and told me that she’d disinherit me if I didn’t marry Theodora. When I didn’t say a word, she must have felt guilty. Immediately, she changed the subject.” But he’d still remembered the lecture that she didn’t want him to end up alone.
Neither did he. But somehow, he had to escape this inability to move forward with his life. Sometimes it felt as if he were stuck waist deep in a muddy bog.
“I see.” His father leaned back and put his arm around Will’s mother. A sign that whatever decision happened this evening, they’d be a united force, one that Will would find hard to buck against. “I’m generally not in favor of Stella manipulating my children and their futures, but she’s looking out for your interests. If you marry Theodora, you’ll enlarge the estates by combining them. It’ll give you more political clout as you’ll be her representative in all legal matters. Frankly, I think it’s brilliant.”
His mother turned into the embrace, and a smile tugged at her lips. “Aunt Stella does have a way of bringing couples together.”
His father kissed Will’s mother on the forehead. “Ginny, I had the hardest time convincing you to marry me. Without Stella’s help, I’d probably still be a lovelorn calf. That’s why she’s my favorite aunt, even if she did paint that portrait.”
“She wants to paint one of me for Theodora,” Will added. Both of his parents shot their gaze to his.
Oh God, why did he share that?
“Really?” His father started to play with one of his mother’s loose curls. “That’s serious, son. Not many women can resist a Cavensham man’s portrait by Stella.”
His mother laughed.
His father joined in his mother’s mirth.
Will didn’t join in their merriment. He should share that Thea didn’t want to marry him, but he felt uneasy—almost prickly—and didn’t trust himself not to reveal too much. It was difficult to admit that another woman didn’t want him.
His mother grew serious and took his father’s hand with hers. “I feel terrible. Pitts and I were training several new footmen. I thought that it would be a perfect opportunity since it was just family. If there were any mistakes, no one would mind. I never thought it would turn out to be such a torturous event for Thea. We should have told you before dinner.”
“Where did you find her after she left the dining room?” his father asked softly.
“She ran into Langham Park and found refuge in one of the alcoves next to the house.” Remembering how wounded she was that a simple dinner had caused her so much pain, Will clenched his teeth. When his jaw protested, he forced himself to relax. “I should have sat by her. I think I managed to take most of the sting out of it, but I’m not really certain. But she possesses more problems than just a minor slip of etiquette rules, like the Duke of Ferr-Colby.”
“What do you know about his challenge to her title?” His father pulled Will’s mother closer into his arms.
Will exhaled. “Probably as little as you. Ferr-Colby claims he’s the legitimate heir to the Earldom of Eanruig. Theodora just came out of mourning for her grandfather and hasn’t done much to proceed with her claim to the title. I was hoping you might inquire on her behalf with some of the committee members the House of Lords has assembled. They’ve asked her to make an appearance. Thea retained Mr. Odell as her counsel. He’ll appear in front of the committee with her.” Will leaned forward and lowered his voice. “No one can find the charter.”
His father’s eyes widened. “That’s serious, but Odell is the best at this sort of legal challenge. Anything I can do on her behalf, consider it done.”
Will nodded his thanks. “Mother, could you help her also? Perhaps make her way into society a little easier. She’s been … well, there’s no other way to describe it. She’s been isolated at Ladykyrk for years. She’ll have a rough go if we don’t smooth the way for her.”
“Of course, William.” His mother smiled, but the twinkle in her eyes was the real answer. She’d relish introducing Theodora into the ton. “We’ll have a small gathering to introduce her to important members of society.”
“That’s perfect, Ginny.” The lighthearted grin on his father’s face melted into genuine concern. “Will, let’s get back to Stella’s announcement. Is there any affection between you and Thea?”
“We’re simply friends.” Will held his father’s gaze, determined not to reveal anything else.
“I half think she’s in love with you already,” his father murmured.
His mother’s eyes softened.
“I think you’re confusing gratitude and friendship with love, Father.” Will shook his head gently. “She doesn’t have anyone except Stella, Lady Edith … and me. Her grandfather had been ill for seven or eight years. I believe he suffered from senility. Theodora took the responsibility to care for him, with the result that she’s been locked away in the remote outreaches of Northumberland with no one. The Midnight Cryer has taken advantage by spreading vicious rumors about her. You both have taught me not to allow that to happen to anyone, whether I have an interest in them or not.”
“Yes,” his mother agreed hesitantly.
“I offered to arrange a dance instructor, plus Stella and Edith are helping with etiquette lessons. I want to introduce her to people in society so that when she interviews in front of the committee, she’ll be ready. But that is all.”
“I hate to think that poor young woman has been alone all this time. By the sound of it, I’d say you’re invested in her.” The lift of his mother’s eyebrow was a warning shot across the bow.
He could already tell his mother had grown attached to Thea.
“Do not break her heart,” his mother said gently.
“Of course, I won’t break her heart. What Thea and I share is friendship, and I would never hurt a friend.”
The duke leaned back against the sofa. “I’ll do what I can to help her, but you can’t walk away. Even if she secures her title and all that goes along with the entailment, she’ll need your support more than ever. The gossip will overtake London. She’ll either be the darling of society if she wins or a social pariah if she loses. She’ll be ripe to be taken advantage of.”
“Your father has the right of it.” Hardness, like well-forged steel, laced his mother’s normally sweet voice. “It would be akin to you forsaking her, and if she’s emotionally invested in you, she’ll be wounded.”
“Mother, she doesn’t want to marry me.”
There. He said it.
He took a deep breath, then exhaled silently. The simple statement should inform his parents of Thea’s true regard for him.
“Perhaps not.” His mother’s gaze grew tender. “Just protect her. The ton loves to feast on stories like Thea’s for weeks or even longer. Look how all those broken engagements damaged your cousin.”
“I plan to protect Thea.” Will ran his hands through his hair. He’d do his damnedest to protect her from the Cryer. What they’d done to Claire was a travesty.
He and Claire were as close as siblings. When she suffered through four broken engagements, Will had wanted to fight the injustice of every rumor about his darling cousin, but there were so many lies being told about her. The Midnight Cryer had called her cursed. Then Pembrooke had swept in and rescued her from total devastation in front of the ton at a ball. Will had been livid at the rogue, but when Claire fell in love with him, the entire family accepted their union. Now, they were the proud parents of three children.
In his growing years, Will had always thought that same path would be his future, a wife to love and children to spoil and raise. But love wasn’t for everyone.
Him especially.
But now, that old urge for more in his life stirred like a bear waking from its winter nap.
“Will?” His mother took his father’s hand and entwined their fingers together. “Have you thought about marriage? Your father and I don’t want you to be alone. We have little doubt you’d give your heart to a wife and family. You’ll be wonderful with your own children. The way you dote on Emma’s and Claire’s children—”
“Mother, I don’t need to marry to enjoy children. As is evidenced by my regard for all my nieces and nephews. Besides, I’m too busy with my work for a courtship now,” he added.
His mother’s eyebrow shot straight up in challenge. “If you don’t have children, then who will inherit your estate if Aunt Stella leaves it to you?”
“Liam.”
“Pembrooke and Claire’s youngest?” his father asked incredulously. His tone hinted that Will had lost his mind. “Liam will probably receive Claire’s Lockhart estate in Edinburgh. Wouldn’t you want your own son or daughter to share what you and Thea build together?”
The room turned suddenly silent. Will stared at his father.
“Pardon me.” His father’s cheeks turned scarlet, a sight so rare that Will couldn’t recall ever seeing it before. “I meant your future wife.”
Will leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees and regarded both of his parents. He had to make them understand without eviscerating himself in the process. “All I’m doing is escorting her to society gatherings and other functions. Thea wants to meet my friends, and I’m inviting over a few. She may have to marry to appease the committee. I pray that it won’t come to that.” He released a silent sigh. “If she’s forced into it, then hopefully, she’d be happy with one of my friends.”
Both his parents regarded him as if he’d grown a horn in the middle of his face.
“You’d best be careful, son,” his father said slowly. “I’d hate to see either of you hurt.”
He dismissed them both with a wave of his hand, then took a sip of his brandy. “Thea and I are in agreement. I’m simply helping her prepare for her fight against Ferr-Colby. If she’s not careful, he’ll have her wrapped up in court for years, and I want to make sure her future is settled. That’s the only reason I’m invested in her.”
His father took a drink of brandy. He discreetly smiled at his duchess before turning his attention back to him. “I think you have a lot more interest in Thea than you’re admitting. More than what you’re allowing yourself to believe. My advice? Just don’t do anything rash.”
“Indeed, I agree with your father,” his mother said. “This is too important for you to just casually dismiss. People marry for the combination of estates, fortunes, and political power all the time. You may have received the greatest gift you’ll ever receive.”
“What is that?” he drawled.
“A woman who wants you for you.” His mother’s soft lilt filled the room. “Not for your money, not for prestige, and not for power.”
“Mother, she doesn’t want me. What else can I say to make you see the truth?” He stood to exit. “I think I’ll retire. I must start on the McCalpin Manor estate journals tomorrow.”
His father nodded once. “Son, while you’re home, I’d like your advice on the finances we’d need for a new expansion at Falmont. Would you have time tomorrow?”
“Of course,” Will answered.
After he said good night, he made his way to his bedchamber. With each step a yearning, a want to fill the emptiness that had steadily grown through the years, took root. What if he wanted to marry sooner rather than later?
What if he wanted to marry Thea?
If he did want Thea, what could he do to make himself her first choice instead of last?
He humphed to himself at such a ridiculous thought. He was much too busy for marriage. He didn’t want a wife, and Thea didn’t want him.
His gut twisted whenever he remembered her words that she’d choose him if she couldn’t find anyone else. Rationally, he was well aware that Thea didn’t mean it as an insult. In her stalwart way, she’d told him what she wanted out of life. She didn’t want to marry either but would do so in order to save Ladykyrk.
If only he knew what he wanted. It would be so much easier on both of them.