London, England 1809
The Countess of Iverleigh nibbled at buttered toast, reading the Gazette when the butler arrived. He cleared his throat to gain her attention. Lilly looked up and frowned at the interruption.
“What is it, Dunstan?” she asked the butler and tossed down the paper. “Can I not have a moment’s peace? If it is those ladies from that children’s organization again, get rid of them!”
Dunstan looked contrite. “It’s a young woman, Lady Iverleigh. I tried to send her on her way. She was quite adamant to see you. I warned the little baggage to remain on the porch. Shall I send her away?”
“Did she give you her name, Dunstan?” Lilly asked quietly, going very still. A golden brow crept up. Her feral blue eyes narrowed to slits. Dunstan grew red-faced under her icy regard. “Might I remind you to inquire before you disturb me?”
“She might have mentioned her name, Lady Iverleigh.” The butler scratched his head. “It was an Irish name, I’m certain of it.”
Lilly became alert, eyes animated for a brief second. She composed her features to hide her growing elation. A shiver of anticipation made her feet tap under the table. Her visitor was expected months ago. It had all been arranged.
“Show her to the salon. I will be there shortly,” the Countess ordered in a formal tone.
Lilly leisurely sipped her morning tea. Fingers tapped restlessly on the mahogany tabletop, determined to make the caller wait. The hall clock in the foyer ticked faintly, but sounded loud to her ears. Time was running out. The countless months of working out every last detail were worth a few more minutes. Now it would begin.
The Earl of Iverleigh was never informed her father and stepmother died recently. He was not aware his wife even had siblings much less, he was now their guardian. No, her husband Gabriel had quite put her out of his life. He had no desire to learn more about his wife after those first disastrous months of their marriage. They had not lived under the same roof in nearly a decade.
Lilly was amused by Gabriel’s efforts to avoid her these days, knowing he had spies in her household. They let him know when she was not in residence. Gabriel rarely socialized, avoiding society functions if he thought she would be in attendance. Their paths had not crossed in months.
Lilly’s lips tightened in displeasure to think of his reasons for setting her aside. Gabriel hadn’t a forgiving bone in his body. No, her sickeningly honorable husband held that bar to his esteem very high. Should you displease him, or perish the thought, disappoint him; you would see the icy contempt grow in those dark eyes. Lilly had more than offended him. She smirked despite herself at the memory.
Lilly received the guardianship papers for her sibling’s months before. She didn’t give them to her husband. They were burned in her fireplace. Her sister was now here to force her guardian’s hand. The game Lilly plotted was underway.
Lilly rose from her seat. She arrived at the salon, skirts swishing in announcement. The twinge of jealousy annoyed Lilly as she regarded her little sister. The gangly little girl was gone; a composed beauty in her place. The worn traveling costume complimented the youthful figure. Her raven hair, so like their father’s, looked almost blue-black in the early light trickling through the draperies. She had her mother’s fine, fragile features, Lilly saw, and was pleased.
She would do very nicely, Lilly thought smugly.
The young woman rose from the plush chair. She curtsied prettily before her. Lilly rolled her eyes before the girl raised her head. Green eyes so like their father’s regarded her warily at first. They soon glowed indignantly. She is angry. That is very good.
“You look well, Lilly,” the younger woman began awkwardly. “Did you receive my letter? I wrote that I would be arriving on the tenth.” The girl paused, waiting for her response.
It was Lilly’s turn to appear confused.
“No, I received no letters! Who are you? Why are you here?” the Countess demanded harshly. “I shall have my footman call the watch this instant!”
“Please, you must hear me out! I know it has been many years, but I am your sister,” her visitor stated in a panicked voice. “Our father and my mother are dead, going on six months. I have written many letters to Lord Iverleigh. Surely you knew of this?”
The Countess put a hand over her mouth, her eyes bleak. She took a step back, her hand going to her throat.
###
“Catherine, is it really you? What do you mean our father is dead? How can this be? Surely this cannot be true?” She seemed to deflate as she slid into a chair, looking stunned.
Catherine looked uneasy. Lilly claimed to have no knowledge of their father’s death. Surely Thornton had informed the Earl, she thought? Catherine slid into the opposite chair.
Edward Thornton had been James Dunleavy’s man of affairs for nearly thirty years. He was more like family than her father’s solicitor. Edward wrote to tell Catherine the matter would be handled by him personally.
When she failed to hear from Edward or their guardian, she was forced to go to London. Catherine felt panic to know Lilly knew none of this. Something was very wrong here. Her thoughts were racing. What manner of a man was her sister’s husband? Why was he keeping such a thing from Lilly? Why had Edward not told Lilly himself?
Her previous memories of Lilly were conflicted. She saw none of the vindictive girl in this grieving woman opposite her. Now she discovered her guardian knew of their plight and did nothing. It was obvious he ignored their needs.
Catherine was furious. To think of all the letters she had posted the last six months appealing to the man. He should be upbraided for his contemptible actions. She managed to remain calm during her Sister’s onset of grief. Only when Lilly stopped crying and appeared more composed did she offer a brief accounting.
“The authorities say they were set upon by thieves. Robbery appears to have been the intent,” Catherine explained sadly.
Overnight, Catherine was responsible for her two younger brothers, ten year old Jaime, and seven year old Cullen. Too soon, the creditors descended like angry vultures, ripping away what they could from the bleeding estate. The bankers and money lenders circled like angry bees. The threats and warnings stung like stingers, penetrating her already thin composure. If not for Thomas Sullivan, Edward’s assistant, she would have broken under the stress. Thomas stayed behind after Edward moved his practice to London.
Thomas helped her to sell off what was left to pay the debts. There was nothing when it was done. The only thing they retained was Dunleavy Hall. They would lose that too eventually. Without Lord Iverleigh’s patronage, her brother Jaime would have nothing.
Gone overnight were her girlish dreams. Her father had thought to give her the choice of husbands. There was no rush, he said. No offers were forthcoming when it was learned Dunleavy Hall was bankrupt. Her parents had not planned for the unexpected. With no dowry left and few options, her half-sister became her only hope.
Thomas suggested she go to London and confront her guardian. It was a bold move, but she had little choice. She used what little funds remained to book passage for London. Thomas handled all the travel arrangements. She was determined their guardian act on their behalf.
Catherine felt panic to know something was amiss. She sat back in her chair, fighting a wave of hysteria. Clenched hands were stilled in her lap as she confronted her sister.
“I wrote to the Earl many times. When he did not return my letters, I then wrote to you. Father borrowed heavily to finance his last investment. Everything is gone. I had nowhere else to turn. Arrangements must be made to have the boys brought here.”
“Brought here?” the Countess asked, tears sparkling in her eyes. “Oh, but they cannot be brought here, Catherine. I may not have a home very long myself.”
“What do you mean?” Catherine said in shock, aghast at her words.
The Countess sighed bitterly. A bejeweled hand rang for tea. She straightened upon the settee, smoothing her skirts.
“My marriage has never been a happy one. Lord Iverleigh does not care for me,” her Sister informed her with a disdainful sniff. “He requests permission for a writ of divorcement. As for your guardianship, you can be sure he will do nothing for you or our brothers. He did not even see fit to tell me my father was gone!” Lilly broke off her bitter tirade, covering her mouth as tears slipped down her ivory cheeks.
Catherine looked stunned as she absorbed her sister’s words, heart plummeting to realize no help would be forthcoming.
“It is much worse!” Lilly said between sobs. “His writ is being considered. Edward is unable to talk him out of it. I cannot have you bring those children here only to have them cast out.”
“What can you do, Lilly?” Catherine asked quietly. Her eyes were bleak to think of what would become of them all now.
“I have appealed to him,” Lilly said softly and wiped at her tears. “His Lordship does not care about the scandal. He wishes to be rid of me.”
“Dear God, we are all dependent on the cad!” Catherine cried angrily. “Surely he can be reasoned with?”
“You do not know him, Catherine. He cannot be reasoned with. No, I must accept my lot,” the Countess said sadly and reached out to pat her shoulder. “I am pleased you have come to me in my time of need, sister. I cannot bear what is to come alone.”
“You cannot mean to sit back and allow him to do this to you, Lilly!” Catherine cried in anger, despising the way her sister gave into her husband’s desire to be rid of her.
“You are so innocent, little sister,” Lilly mocked her gently. “He has no love for me. I cannot even hope to find another husband. The scandal will ruin us.”
“Then we must think of some way to bring him to his senses, Lilly,” Catherine said fiercely. “Together we must find a way.”
“He does not want me any longer, Catherine. Why do you not see that?” Lilly lamented with a weary sigh.
“You cannot just give up!” Catherine snapped in annoyance and scowled. She knew she should bite her tongue. The desire to seek the man out and take a horse whip to him was strong. She was her mother’s daughter, and spoke her mind to a fault. Seeing Lilly capitulating to the Earl infuriated her.
Lilly gave a delicate shiver. “You do not know Iverleigh! He can be quite cruel when it suits him. He will not even see me. How am I to win him back?”
“Surely if you write to him-,” Catherine began before Lilly’s harsh laugh silenced her.
“A letter will not do this, little sister,” she said scornfully. “We both can see how moved he was by yours!”
Catherine did see. Rage began to fill her at the heartless actions of her guardian. The man cast them all adrift without a single thought. She called him every curse she could think of in her mind.
“Mayhap if I went and appealed to him on your behalf?” Catherine ventured, unwilling to let the matter go. She had come all this way. Leaving without a resolution was not an option.
“He would have you tossed into the streets, Catherine! Don’t be absurd!”
“Why is he doing this to you, Lilly?” Catherine asked quietly, green eyes meeting hers squarely. “Tell me the truth.”
“You are far too innocent. I should not be discussing this with you,” Lilly protested in discomfort, her blue eyes downcast.
Catherine was distressed at her sister’s situation. She saw no reason for such a drastic measure. Divorce was unheard of.
“What reasons does he give you, Lilly? Come now, I am your sister. You can tell me, whatever it is. You have displeased him in some way, that much is clear,” Catherine insisted. She refused to allow Lilly to slink away now.
Lilly regarded her in defeat. She sighed wearily as the tea arrived. When the maid left, she met Catherine’s gaze with a glimmer of sadness in her eyes.
“I cannot have children, Catherine,” Lilly said hollowly, looking down at her trembling hands. “He needs his heir. The accusations are only an excuse to have his way in this.”
Catherine felt her sister’s pain. Her eyes filled with tears to think of Lilly’s torment. She felt renewed anger at Lord Iverleigh for being so insensitive.
“He could not be so cruel to you-,” Catherine began in disbelief, but Lilly cut off her words with a hysterical laugh.
“Yes, he can, Catherine!” Lilly cried, blue eyes filled with helpless rage. “He thinks only of himself! Do you think he cares of what this will do to me or my family? He wishes to remarry.”
“Dear God, you cannot help it!” Catherine exploded in outrage.
“So, you see there is no help for it?”
Catherine cringed to see the stark pain on Lilly’s face. She could not imagine how Lilly’s husband could be so heartless.
“You have seen a physician? This state is confirmed?” Catherine asked, her heart aching for her sister.
Lilly chuckled knowingly. “We have tried quite a lot for a child, Catherine, often in fact.”
Catherine felt her face fill with heat. The insinuation was obvious. Certainly they had tried.
“Dr. Farnham has concluded I am barren,” Lilly informed her with a catch in her voice. “Iverleigh will have his way in this.”
“What are we to do, Lilly?” Catherine said hoarsely. “I cannot go home without some understanding from Lord Iverleigh.”
“You are welcome to stay here for a time, certainly,” her sister went on to say, “but there is nothing I can do for you and the children. Iverleigh has reduced my allowance to a pittance. Any requests for funds go through his solicitor. It isn’t likely he would approve any such transactions, as tight-fisted as he is.”
Catherine despised the tears that threatened. She had come so far, only to realize they were worse off than she suspected. Her guardian would do nothing for his wife’s family.
Lilly wasn’t even trying to fight to save her crumbling marriage. Her sister was accepting Lord Iverleigh’s thoughtless actions.
“Whatever you can do would be appreciated,” Catherine whispered tightly, feeling bereft to know she hadn’t even the funds to get home. She had presumed much by Iverleigh’s guardianship. Too much, it appeared.
“Catherine, I have not always been the best sister to you,” Lilly whispered with tears in her eyes. “It pleases me you are here now, in our time of need. I have felt so alone these last few years.”
“Can you see that I am given the funds to get home?”
“I can try. Iverleigh might not miss a few hundred pounds, but no more,” Lilly agreed.
“Please, see to it, if you would,” Catherine replied, rubbing her tired eyes, exhausted from her journey. She had hardly slept at all the night before, so wound up over this interview.
Catherine had expected the worst from Lilly. Recalling her sister’s abuse of her as a child, she had fully intended to deal with Iverleigh for that reason.
If the man were in front of her now, she would cheerfully take a horse whip to him, and think nothing of it. The image cheered her.
“Catherine, I don’t know what to say to you,” Lilly said sorrowfully, her eyes filling once more. “This is a dreadful situation for us all.”
Catherine knew that only too well. She had two small children waiting at Dunleavy Hall who needed care; care that would not come. Going home with no aid from their guardian presented too many unpleasant thoughts. She pushed them away for now.
“What will you do, Lilly?” Catherine asked suddenly, eyes fearful for her sister. She flushed guiltily to have only thought of her own problems. Her sister’s fate was uncertain, and sure to be unpleasant.
Divorced women were rarely received. Her sister would no doubt be vilified for the dissolution of her marriage. The result of Iverleigh’s selfish actions would affect them all. Had it mattered to her, Catherine would have minded that she would suffer the taint of the divorce. Society was unforgiving in that. It was always the woman’s fault. Even the woman’s female relations would bear the scorn.
Realistically, Catherine should have entertained the offers of marriage she received prior to her parent’s death. Her father deterred her many suitors, saying there was enough time for that later. Time had a way of mocking those words now.
Marriage would have solved all of Catherine’s current problems, but she had little desire to marry. Her Mother’s careful and deliberate influences, as well as her unconventional tutors, had seen to that. Catherine was reared and encouraged to be independent, even if it was expected she marry one day. She was content to be a spinster, not desiring to be at the whims of a husband. Her father had been unaware of his youngest daughter’s mindset. If he had known, he might have regarded the stampede of eligible suitors with more consideration.
Catherine thought of the newborn colt just born in the stables back home. Her father’s stallion, Cyrion, had produced some of the finest stock in the country. They were blessed to have bred the stallion before he was sold with the rest of her father’s beloved stock. Cyrion’s colt held great promise.
Brian O’Neil, her current stable master, steward, and sometimes cook, assured her the newborn colt would rival his sire one day. The man had stayed on at Dunleavy, even after the other servants scattered like rats aboard a sinking ship. It was Brian’s home. He would defend it, and them, to the end. Catherine had the foundation for her dream, if not the funds to see it to fruition. Her dreams of breeding the finest horses in all of Ireland were cruelly dashed now.
“There is another matter you must consider before you go,” Lilly said gravely. Her blue eyes filled with dread as they met hers.
Catherine was pulled out of her musings. Lilly was looking uncomfortable now.
“He is your guardian now, Catherine,” Lilly stated with a pained look. “This does not change if he manages to divorce me. Gabriel will make your life intolerable now, because of me. For that, I am truly sorry. It would be so like him to seek to marry you off to the most unsavory man he can find. He will do it, and delight in it, knowing how it would wound me. What he intends for the boys; I would not want to speculate.”
Catherine had not considered this. Iverleigh had kept all the facts from his wife for a reason. The blackguard no doubt intended the worst for her family. Green eyes flared in outrage.
“He might be our guardian, Lilly, but he has done nothing for us! I would refuse!”
“Catherine, he has rights,” Lilly warned her, looking aggrieved. “Iverleigh has not told me of your situation for a reason. He does nothing without thought. He no doubt feared I would try to aid you and my brothers in some way.”
Catherine had not considered Iverleigh’s reasons to withhold such news from his wife. Did he do it so Lilly could not have warned them? Her eyes narrowed. On second thought, taking a horse whip to the man was indeed called for.
“I will not be subjected to the man’s spite!” Catherine said through clenched teeth. “He gave up his rights when he ignored my letters! I will not worry what he will do when I leave.”
“What of our brother, Catherine?” Lilly went on, nervously twisting her hands. “Jaime is now the Earl of Dunleavy, and Gabriel’s ward. Think of Jaime should you cross my husband. He is neither kind, nor is he considerate. He has the right to take the boys. He no doubt plots what he means to do now. That concerns me.”
Catherine felt the blood drain from her face. While she could certainly dodge Iverleigh’s efforts to marry her off to an unpleasant husband, he had absolute rights to the boys. The law was on his side.
“No! They stay with me! Surely he wouldn’t want to trouble himself with them, Lilly?” Catherine cried worriedly, her eyes filled with fear. “I will not let him take them from me!”
“Catherine, he will do what he wishes in this,” Lilly warned her quietly. “You are lucky he is not here or he would enjoy taunting you with his power over us all. He keeps a separate residence. If he knew you were here, there is no telling what he would do to make us miserable.”
“Good God, what an utter bastard the man is!”
“Yes, well, Father did me no service marrying me to this man,” Lilly agreed, her eyes softening to see her sister’s distress. “You must be tired after your journey, Sister. We will speak of this later.”
Catherine could not think about sleep. She and the boys were at the whims of Lilly’s vindictive husband. “Lilly, I have no intention of allowing your husband to take our brothers from me,” she vowed harshly, rising and pacing furiously. “There has to be something we can do.”
“Edward has tried everything to talk Gabriel out of this, Catherine,” Lilly told her and shrugged. “Iverleigh has met a woman, if you must know. She is a widow. She has been his mistress for many months. Edward said Gabriel intends to marry her when he is free of me.”
Learning her brother-in-law had already moved on and found his next Countess infuriated Catherine. “We will just see about that!” Catherine snapped as she swung to face her sister, eyes blazing. “I refuse to sit back and allow your husband to control my life! We must do something to bring the man to his senses and cease to seek this divorce.”
“Catherine, the widow has her nails dug in too deep,” Lilly replied with a tearful sniff. “She seeks to take my place! Unless he ends his attachment to her, I do not see him giving up his desire to be free of me.”
Catherine was already thinking, flinging off the warnings in her head. Furious, she refused to listen to the inner voices. She would be damned if she would be at Lord Iverleigh’s mercy.
“What if Lord Iverleigh was lured away from this widow, what then?” Catherine asked tensely, still pacing and gazing at her sister closely. “Do you see reconciliation with him Lilly? If not, all we do is for nothing!”
“What are you thinking, Catherine?” Lilly breathed in a scandalized whisper.
“I am thinking your husband and this widow are no more,” Catherine replied tightly. “I will help you if I can.”
“You wish to lure my husband away from his mistress?” Lilly asked in surprise. “Absolutely not, Catherine, it is unseemly and I will not have it!”
“What choice do we have?”
“You are too naïve to understand a man such as Gabriel, Catherine,” Lilly said coolly. “He would chew you up and leave your remains upon the floor. It would not work.”