Lady Eanruig’s summons to the House of Lords has been sent. When she arrives, this intrepid reporter plans to cover her every move. Such evil will not taint our fair city. Will she bring her favorite footman or some other poor sap?
She does like her playthings.
Honest reporting as always.
The Midnight Cryer
After an hour of pacing in the salon and compiling lists of tasks in her head, Thea had changed into her old riding habit, then saddled her bay mare, Follow. With the assistance of a mounting block, she and her horse had torn out of the stable. Without much direction on Thea’s part, Follow had taken their daily trail.
Angry didn’t begin to describe Thea’s mood. The summons to appear in front of the House of Lords unleashed all the resentment and worry she’d experienced since the visit from Mr. Blaze. Perhaps if he’d told her earlier the Eanruig title wasn’t secure, she’d have done things differently. Perhaps she should have left for London on her own months ago to secure her title.
There were a lot of should haves in her past, but now she must concentrate on the should dos. Whatever she had to sacrifice, she’d secure her right to Ladykyrk.
But the challenge became increasingly tougher since Ferr-Colby’s servants were practically at her doorstep.
With a nudge from Thea’s knee, Follow took the jump over the stone fence wall with ease, and landed with a gentle thud. They tore through the pasture, then changed course to the Daniels’ home when two little girls waved at her.
She slowed the horse to a trot, then gently stopped in front of Fern and Ivy, the eight-year-old twins of Robert and Bess Daniels, one of Ladykyrk’s most loyal tenants. These two always brightened her mood. “Good day, girls.”
“Good afternoon, my lady,” Fern answered.
Ivy, who had a tendency toward shyness, simply dipped a curtsey Thea’s way.
“A fine man named Lord William visited us today. Do you know him?” Fern didn’t possess an ounce of reserve as a huge smile lit her face.
“I do,” Thea answered pleasantly, but instantly wondered why Will would visit one of her tenants. “He’s Lady Payne’s great-nephew.
Fern carefully approached Follow. The horse bent her long neck for a gentle pat. Ivy sidled next to her sister and stretched out her hand. Follow lifted a hoof, then gently set it down. At the slight movement of the massive beast, Ivy scooted back a few feet.
“She won’t hurt you, Miss Ivy.” Thea bent down and patted her horse to show that the horse was gentle and well-trained.
Ivy nodded. “Sometimes, I’m scared. But I wasn’t when that nice man came by. Look what he gave me.” The little girl extended a cloth bag. “It’s filled with candied jellies.”
Fern extended a similar bag and giggled. “He gave me peppermints. We’re going to share.”
Ivy approached Follow again, and this time, she patted the horse. “He wanted to talk to our da. He said that two sweet girls deserved two sweet treats.”
Fern nodded. “He’s very handsome. Don’t you think so, my lady?”
“He is handsome and charitable with his time.” He truly seemed to care about her circumstances.
Fern tilted her head and regarded Thea. “Our da likes him. The candy man helped Da with the broken beam on the barn. He’s very strong.”
“He’s not a candy man, Fern. He’s a candy lord.” Ivy patted Follow one last time before clasping hands with Fern. Gently, she pulled Fern away from the horse’s head.
Without a protest, Fern moved back with her sister. “Da says he couldn’t have done the job without him.”
“He’s very nice,” said Ivy. “You should marry him, my lady. I bet he’d give you candy too.”
That ship had already left the harbor when she’d informed him she wouldn’t marry him. Unfortunately, if she did need a groom, Stella didn’t have any other unmarried great-nephews waiting in the wings.
She was letting her imagination run wild. The candy lord didn’t want to marry her either. Before Thea could answer Ivy, the girls’ mother waved to Thea, then motioned for the girls to come home.
With a little encouragement, Follow turned and walked sedately back to Ladykyrk. There was only one explanation for Lord William’s visit to one of her tenants. Perhaps he wanted to see for himself what kind of a woman she was. Information about her character and the success of the estate could be easily gleaned from her renters or by simply inspecting the fields.
Mayhap he’d changed his mind about wanting to marry.
She pulled her horse to a slow stop at the crest of a hill overlooking the fertile, green valley.
What if it was the opposite? He could be gathering ammunition for the new duke to use in the upcoming legal battle. She tried to dismiss the thought. She was letting her imagination run wild.
The urge to ride Follow across the valley until the sun set took hold. She’d be so exhausted she’d forget her frustration at her circumstances. But even that luxury was forbidden. Every minute that passed, she was falling further behind in her bid to present herself as the true Countess of Eanruig. Ferr-Colby’s determination to push her out of her own home proved that. Even finding the charter now wouldn’t halt his plans. She had to go to London to stop him.
She never liked to be on the defensive, but there was little choice at this point except to wait and see what evidence was presented in the battle to take her home. She prayed nothing was discussed about her grandfather.
If anyone outside of Ladykyrk had suspected how he’d suffered, they’d have insisted he be locked in an asylum like a piece of refuge—thrown away and out of sight. Thea would never have allowed that to happen.
Her grandfather had protected and nurtured her throughout her youth. When his illness struck, it had become her turn to become the protector and nurturer. He was her family—truthfully, her only family.
He’d had been utterly helpless the last seven years of his life. Instead of him managing the great estates, the entire responsibility had fallen on her shoulders. She had determined the priorities for the upkeep and maintenance of Ladykyrk, along with the ducal estate, Dunbar on Ferr, including the necessary but mundane tasks that had to be assigned to the various personnel.
How many of the great lords who would decide her fate had borne that duty at the age of eighteen? Probably a few, but not enough to understand the massive worries that went along with that duty.
Thea had ensured that everything she decided had bore the duke’s signature—more for his protection than hers. He’d needed help with running his estates as he was incapable of making a decision. She had taken the vast responsibilities of managing his affairs by writing the missives to the duchy’s solicitors, steward, and estate manager while her grandfather took his afternoon naps. She’d wait until the next day before she’d present the documents for signature. After a good night’s sleep, he always appeared happier and healthier in the mornings, not to mention more lucid. The fact he didn’t even ask what he was signing broke her heart. Her grandfather would just look at her, then with meticulous care, he’d scribble his name across the paper. Toward the end of his life, she had to reteach him how to sign his name, as he’d forgotten.
Thankfully, no one really knew the extent of her grandfather’s illness and how important decisions about the dukedom had been made for the last seven years. Singlehandedly, she’d kept those secrets safe without sharing anything. Of course, she couldn’t keep everything hidden from the two loyal servants that remained by her side, Mr. and Mrs. Miles. They’d helped her immensely in keeping the duke’s illness a secret. In league with them was Mr. Miles’ older brother, who was the butler for the duke’s ancestral home. He’d also helped keep the duke’s secret by having all the ducal estate servants report directly to him. No one ever questioned why the duke stayed at Ladykyrk and never made an appearance.
Once her grandfather had passed, she thought the nightmare would be behind her, but now it was rising from the proverbial grave like a ghost haunting her with the insinuations from The Midnight Cryer that she’d killed her grandfather.
Would she ever be free from the guilt and the responsibility that constantly dogged her?
Her traitorous thoughts drifted to Lord William Cavensham. Would he have been a man capable of handling the trials of caring for her grandfather with her?
She couldn’t dwell on such thoughts.
She had to secure a title and quickly before all of her secrets were discovered.
Will straightened his cravat in the hallway mirror, then smoothed his claret-colored waistcoat. Great-Aunt Stella had informed him via one of her numerous blond-haired, blue-eyed giants who posed as footmen that dinner would be a formal affair.
After helping Mr. Daniels with the repair of his barn, Will had no desire for a long drawn-out dinner. His time would be better spent reviewing Payne Manor’s estate books then preparing his return trip to London. But he enjoyed Payne Manor and relished getting his hands dirty working in the fields. At his father’s ducal estates, he’d discovered his love of the land by working alongside his best friend, who just happened to be his brother, the Marquess of McCalpin, and the heir to their father’s dukedom. Their father expected them not only to become intimate with the land, but to take an active interest in their tenants.
Since McCalpin had married the love of his life, the former Miss March Lawson, Will’s brother still needed Will’s expertise in managing McCalpin Manor estate. March was simply brilliant with numbers and bookkeeping and kept meticulous records of the vast operation. But McCalpin and March spent more and more time in London after McCalpin had taken a seat in the House of Commons. Their social obligations were endless.
Like time, relationships and needs always moved forward. Will had been restless in London over the past several years. As his siblings and cousin had married and started their own families, he’d discovered the need for new challenges in life to replace what had been family time.
That’s why he spent so much time at his family’s estates including Ladykyrk.
Ladykyrk?
Will stopped abruptly before he entered the salon to greet his aunt and Lady Edith. Where had Ladykyrk come from? He’d meant Payne Manor.
He chuckled at the slip. No doubt, it was due to his work this afternoon with Robbie Daniels. It’d been Will’s pleasure to help the man and had nothing whatsoever to do with a certain countess.
When Will entered the salon, he expected to find Stella and Lady Edith enjoying a sherry cordial before dinner. Instead, he was greeted by a lavish swirl of blue-and-green silk with a matching turban trimmed in peacock feathers. Otherwise known as his great-aunt Stella, who appeared to be guarding the French doors to the meticulously groomed inner courtyard garden.
“Good evening, madam.”
She turned to face him, and the fabric of her gown followed in a hurried swoosh.
When he reached her side, he took her hand. Before he could execute his best bow, she snatched her fingers away.
“No time for pleasantries. Tell me what happened, and don’t leave out a single word.” Stella lifted her sapphire-encrusted lorgnette to her eyes then examined him from head to toe twice as if looking for something different about him tonight.
“Shouldn’t we wait for Lady Edith?”
“Only you and I will be dining. I’m afraid Edith became overexcited. The anticipation of the good news about your upcoming nuptials with Thea caused the poor dear to break out in a rash.”
The best course required Will tell her the truth quickly, but he wanted her sitting down. Her blue eyes twinkled with excitement. Once he dashed her dreams, he didn’t want her collapsing from the disappointment. “I’m sorry Lady Edith isn’t feeling well. But I’m delighted to have your undivided attention this evening, madam. Shall we sit?”
He delivered his best and most wicked smile, the one that always made her laugh, and he was rewarded for his efforts.
In no time, he had Stella seated on the Dutch-orange sofa, then settled next to her. “I’m sorry, but Lady Eanruig and I will not suit.” He reached for her hand, but with a speed that belied her age, she stood.
“What happened?” she demanded.
“I know you’re disappointed, but—”
“Disappointed? Young man, you have no idea.” She planted her hands on her bony hips.
Inwardly, he flinched at the harsh words. “I only promised to talk to her. Nothing else.” Will rose and walked to a side table where he poured a glass of sherry for his aunt and a brandy for himself. When he returned to his seat, she took the glass without a protest and downed it in one swallow.
He’d have to use his best reasoning skills and hope that his wily charisma worked on her this evening. “Darling, it wouldn’t have worked. There are strange happenings in that household.”
“Darling,” she sarcastically mimicked, “I’m aware of that. I sent you over there to talk to her. I thought you were a charmer not a clodhopper. It was your job to visit and find out exactly what that poor child faced over the years.” Without a look back, she walked to the side table and refilled her glass. “Did you refuse to marry Thea? Did you even give her a chance to be your bride?”
“No,” he said.
“That’s what I thought.” Stella shook her head like a governess disciplining her charge.
“She doesn’t want to marry me.”
Her face fell at the announcement, and she released a soulful sigh. “I’m so, so sorry, my boy. I know you must be heartbroken.” With a sympathetic grin, she continued, “Leave it to me. We’ll find a way.” With a decisive nod, she returned to her seat.
“There’s no need for help.” He couldn’t help but compare the spry woman in front of him to a pug with a bone. Both were relentless when they wanted something.
“Of course not, dear. You’re embarrassed. I understand.” She studied her hands, then mumbled, “They say lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same spot, but you’ve proven that wrong.”
“Aunt Stella, you misunderstand.” William lifted a brow, then relaxed against the back of the sofa. Lord Fluff sauntered to his side, then jumped on his lap.
“I understand perfectly. You just need a little help. It’s important you know everything about her before you start to woo her again.” Stella smiled. “Remember, when you fall off the proverbial horse, you must get back on immediately or you’ll be scared all your life.”
Will shook his head. “Aunt Stella.…” The endearing anticipation on her face made his chest tighten, and he silently sighed. What harm would it do to listen? “Please, tell me what you think I need to know.”
“Of course, it’s her story to tell, but I’ll share what little I know.” Stella smiled sympathetically. “It’s not a secret. She lost her parents when she was a baby. The duke raised her and decided to reside at Ladykyrk instead of Dunbar on Ferr, the duke’s ancestral estate. He sent most of the Ladykyrk servants to his estate. It was all very odd. Everyone wondered why the Duke of Ferr-Colby would prefer to live at Ladykyrk instead of his own home.”
“Why did he?” Will leaned forward. Lord Fluff mewled his disgruntlement before jumping down. Will’s black pantaloons were covered in ivory fluffs of hair, souvenirs from the master of the house, his great-aunt’s feline.
The damnable cat only sought him out when he wore black or blue. If he wore his doeskin breeches, the cat ignored him completely. He preferred them anyway. He had no use for formal clothes as he couldn’t remember the last society event he’d attended. He brushed off the offensive tuffs of fur as best he could.
“Why would a duke leave his home for a lesser estate, particularly late in his life?” It didn’t make sense unless Thea’s grandfather was trying to protect someone. Like a granddaughter. “Let me guess, it’s something out of a gothic novel. A madman was after her virtue, and the duke hid her away. Before he passed, he solicited your help in keeping her safe until a suitable groom could be found, and thus, I’m the sacrificial lamb?”
Stella delivered a look designed to flay him alive.
“Something much more mundane like a secret baby perhaps?” he offered.
“Sarcasm does nothing for you, my boy,” she said. “Of course, not. You can’t hide a baby if you’re out every day managing an estate.”
The chastisement in Great-Aunt Stella’s voice was unmistakable.
Now the puzzle pieces were starting to fall into place. “The duke brought her up here to teach her how to care and protect her title and holdings. That’s your theory?”
“Part of it, but not everything. Thea hasn’t told me everything that happened, but she shared her grandfather had trouble remembering things. I also know his illness caused her to miss her introduction into society. She’s been isolated for years.” Stella shook her head slightly.
“If you were such good friends with the duke, how come you don’t know the rest of the story?”
“My boy, it’s as if everything came to a standstill like a run-down pocket timepiece over at Ladykyrk. The invitations to dine with me suddenly stopped being accepted. He no longer visited the nearby village altogether. Theodora wasn’t seen either. It was as if both of them disappeared.”
“Did you try to visit?” he asked.
“Several times. I wrote invitations, and they were always politely declined. I even called on them unannounced, but the butler always said neither the duke nor Thea were accepting callers.”
Unease weighed heavy in his chest. “Do you think her grandfather was cruel to her?” he asked gently.
“Heavens, no,” she exclaimed. “Her grandfather doted on her when he was well. Years ago, he spoke frequently about taking her to London for her Season. He was excited to introduce her to society. He was so proud of that child.” She pursed her lips, then shook her head gently. “The Midnight Cryer says she killed him. We need to help her, my boy.”
Will exhaled. He was well-acquainted with the poison that damnable paper spewed.
He reached over and took his great-aunt’s hand in his. “I agree she needs help more than ever. The summons from the House of Lords arrived while I called on her.” When Stella squeezed his hand, Will returned the affectionate gesture. “Other than reading a few documents in Latin for her, she doesn’t want my help. Thea hasn’t found the charter.”
“Oh dear,” Stella cried softly. “We don’t have much time.”
“Thea told me she doesn’t want to marry me. You have to accept that.” He leaned back in his chair. “She wants to meet other men when she reaches London.”
“You aren’t afraid of a little competition, are you?” Great-Aunt Stella tilted her head and regarded him. “The situation is far from hopeless.”
The sound of the pug gnawing on its bone grew louder. “Thea is not for me.”
“Thea’s not like that so-called Cavensham woman who taught you to believe all women are nothing but female versions of rakehells and scoundrels in chemises.”
The poignancy of her regard made him squirm in his seat, but he held tight like a ship about to capsize before it righted itself. Under no circumstances would he allow his third cousin, the Dowager Marchioness of Warwyk, to enter into this conversation. “Avalon means nothing to me.”
“Of course, she doesn’t,” Stella said sympathetically.
He meant every word he said. It was true that for a year, particularly after London’s biggest gossip rag, The Midnight Cryer, had carried story after story of his jilting and had labeled him a dud, he had pined away, thinking his heart was broken forever. But, in the normal ebb and flow of life, he healed, and his heart healed. Better than healed actually. It hardened, which allowed him to concentrate on relationships more important—his family and closest friends.
Frankly, he was happy he hadn’t been saddled for a lifetime with the former Avalon Cavensham, now the Marchioness of Warwyk. If she could so easily dismiss him when they were in love, he could only imagine what their married life would have entailed once she became bored with him. He’d heard that Avalon and Lord Warwyk’s marriage had been unhappy. The late marquess didn’t hide the fact that Avalon liked to spend to extremes. Will had little doubt that he’d have lost her regard if they had married.
But after all these years, why hadn’t he found anyone yet to share his life with? All of his siblings including his cousin Claire had married wonderful spouses, and he personally believed his own parents’ marriage was a sterling example of what the institution should be. Truthfully, he wondered if there was something wrong with him.
He found no enjoyment in the opposite sex’s company. It’s not that he disliked women, but they were all mundane like a rainbow without any color. Mayhap, the fault lay with him. The lens through which he saw the world was monochrome. He wanted to shrug at the dreariness of it all. He simply found more enjoyment in his family and work than in women.
He took a sip of brandy as he stared into the fire designed to keep the cool spring evening warm. Yet something had sparked an interest outside of his work, and he could attribute it to an unconventional countess he’d just met.
Thea reminded him of a determined fox cornered by baying hounds ready to tear her to pieces. She knew the odds were against her, but she’d fight to the death.
He’d not let a fox suffer just as he’d not let Thea be hounded by society, The Midnight Cryer, or Ferr-Colby. Such a challenge might heat his blood and send it roaring through his veins again.
Enough of such thoughts.
Just as he’d explained to his aunt, if Thea didn’t want his help, then he’d abide by her wishes. Though a part of him longed for a good fight.
Will stood and extended his hand. “Shall we go into dinner?”
“Not yet.” She took his hand between her smaller ones and gently coaxed him to sit beside her again.
Immediately, a ball of unease started to bounce in his belly because she only held his hand when a reprimand was in his future. Sometimes, she patted gently right before she lowered the boom with some demand for action. Like the time she made him escort her and Lady Edith to Cheltenham to take the waters. He still cringed when he thought about that month squiring the two grand dames through the resort town where they ogled every man under the age of fifty.
The remorse in her eyes reminded him of all the times his nurse would force him to take a vile medicine, then add it’s for your own good.
“Everyone sees you avoid society. Hiding in the card room when forced to attend a soiree or a ball isn’t the answer to finding happiness in life.”
He didn’t say a word as they both knew for years he avoided any ton event that might hint he wanted to marry. Yet as the days and years tumbled by with the members of his family happily married, he had thought about marriage. But he had plenty of time to find someone. For God’s sake, he was only twenty-nine.
“I expect more of you than anyone else in the family. You’re going to have to find a way in your heart to marry Theodora.” His great-aunt dropped his hand and straightened her spine. “It’s the right thing to do, not only for the girl but for you.”
Will leaned forward slightly. “She doesn’t want me or my help. You have to accept that fact.”
“Convince her. Use some of that charm locked away in there.” She tapped him lightly in the middle of his chest.
He caught her hand in the air and held it. He doubted he had anything inside that resembled charm.
“She’ll lose her estate if we don’t help her,” the grand dame said. “We shouldn’t let her be taken advantage of. Besides, she needs me.”
Will leaned over and kissed her cheek. “It’s nice to be needed. We all need you, Stella.”
“Thank you, dearest.” Endearingly, she grinned. “Truthfully, I need her.”
“For what?” Will asked.
“For you,” she answered. “You need her.”
“I don’t need her.” Will softened his voice in hopes that she would understand. “No amount of persuading on your part will change the circumstances.”
The blue-steel of her gaze tore straight through him. “If you don’t marry Theodora, then I’ll disinherit you.”
Will lifted one eyebrow in challenge.
“Don’t give me that expression.” Suddenly, Stella bit her lip, then looked at their clasped hands and laughed. “I can barely keep a straight face saying such a thing but don’t tempt me.” When she settled her gaze on him, her eyes were lit with humor. “You both need each other.”
“You, madam, are irredeemable,” Will said affectionately.
“William, if you don’t marry, then where would Payne Manor go?” she asked, turning suddenly serious. “My dearest Payne and I didn’t work for years to build something we intended to give you and yours, then have it lost at the end of your life. This is a home where you should raise a family.” She shook her head slightly.
“Thea doesn’t want to marry me.” A slight ache took up residence in the middle of his chest reminding him that another woman didn’t want him. “And I don’t want to marry her.”
Saying the words didn’t alleviate the pain.
Stella narrowed her eyes in disbelief.
“Remember, Cavensham men fall in love quickly and completely.” He’d been saying this mantra for years as a way to fend off any type of well-intentioned but wayward matchmaking from members of this family, particularly Stella. “I should wait until the right one comes along.”
“That is an excuse you foist as a shield to protect yourself from hurt,” she countered.
“It happened to my grandfather, uncle, and father. I daresay it happened to McCalpin too. Perhaps it’ll happen to me someday.” Will fought the need to fidget. This entire conversation was treading in waters too deep for his tastes.
“You should try harder with Thea. Woo her a little. She’s beautiful and loves her estate, like you love mine. Life is slipping you by, my boy.” She shook her head. “You’re so busy protecting your heart, you’re letting opportunities of a lifetime, or shall I say your destiny pass you by.”
“Mocking doesn’t become you.” He tamped down the urge to snarl. This was his darling aunt, and they hardly ever quarreled, but this was not something he’d capitulate to.
“I’m not mocking, you precious but utterly aggravating young man.” She became even more animated. “Whatever it takes, I’m prepared to do. And you need to let go of your own foolish idea that Cavensham men fall in love at first sight. That was something you created out of whole cloth years ago.”
Will stood and reached for her hand. “Let’s not argue.”
“Don’t.” She held her palm out to stop him. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m not really hungry anymore. I must tell Edith what’s happened. She’s simply brilliant at maneuvers and stratagems of this type. I’ll take a tray in her room.” She stood slowly and stared at him like a general overseeing a parade of troops. “Don’t worry, my boy, we’ll fix this yet.”
Without another comment, the grand dame swept through the room with the force of a hurricane.
An apt description as her words had leveled him. How could he make her understand that Thea didn’t want him?