Always True to Her (Emerson Book 2) (22 page)

The next morning, James and Irene tried to get to
Geoffrey Olson’s office early, but that would have necessitated them getting
out of bed at a decent time. But not only were they tired from the journey,
they’d spent most of the night making love. Then much of the morning. By the
time they’d risen and broken their fast, it was after noon. To complicate
matters even further, Murphy could not be found, so Creighton had to drive the
coach.

They finally arrived at the solicitor’s office at
two of the clock, only to be ushered into Olson’s office immediately. Olson
greeted them somberly, then had them take seats in the recently dusted chairs.

“We have good news,” said James. “We have Mr.
Adams’s statement.” He handed the document to Olson.

Olson glanced at it, but instead of the excitement
James had expected, the solicitor set it aside after only a cursory perusal.

“I take it you have not been to Viscount Ainsworth’s
home since arriving in town,” he said quietly.

Irene blushed. “We thought it better to apprise my
father of the situation after seeing you.”

“Miss Wallace has agreed to be my wife,” said James.
He didn’t believe the solicitor would gossip about their living arrangements,
but he thought it best to announce it for the sake of Irene’s reputation. He
also just really liked stating their relationship aloud.

Now Olson did smile. “My best wishes to you, Miss
Wallace. And congratulations, Lord James. I am elated to hear your news. I
can only imagine Miss Emerson shares my excitement.”

“She does not yet know,” said James. “However, I do
not believe she will have any objections. But why did you think we had not
gone to see the viscount?”

“Because of this.” Olson handed them a document. “It
is a certified copy of Adam’s statement.”

“But how can you already have a copy of it?”

“Because it is not a copy of the statement you have,
but another one – written after the one you possess. Please read it.”

The first pang of dread hit James as he began to
read the statement. And he soon realized that the document was worse than
anything he could have anticipated. Much worse.

Adams declared that his earlier statement had been
made under duress as he sat in the Portsmouth gaol waiting to be released. He
claimed that James had threatened to have him transported if he did not bear
false witness.

James could not believe it. Irene gasped when she
read it.

“But this…this is a lie!” she said. “I was there.
I heard Mr. Adams’s statement myself. There were no threats. There was no
coercion. We even bailed him out of gaol. He offered to testify in court.
You have our statement.”

“I do. But the one I just gave you is the one that
will count.”

“But it’s so unfair,” said Irene. “How did this
happen?”

“My guess is that someone learned the true purpose
of your trip. They followed you from London, then once you’d found Adams, made
their own deal with him.”

“That’s impossible,” said Irene.

“Unfortunately, I believe it is all too likely. You
must have had one or two servants who knew where you were going, Miss Wallace.
Or, at the very least, knew you were not going where you said you were."

“I cannot imagine I was betrayed by them.” But from
the look on her face, she was beginning to consider the matter.

“It might not have been them. Layton’s servants
knew you were taking the trip. Perhaps one of them…”

“Murphy,” said James, dully. “He knew where we were
going. He could have sent word to Irene’s father. Then when we were at
Portsmouth, he was late. I assumed he was at a brothel, but perhaps he was
meeting someone.”

“The man I saw,” said Irene. “I thought he looked
familiar. I remember now. He came to the house one day. I believe he works
for my father’s man of business. Oh, James, I am so sorry. So terribly
sorry.” She began to cry.

James enfolded her into his arms immediately.
“Hush, love, there is nothing to be sorry about.”

“I should leave you alone,” said Olson, rising.

“No,” said Irene, drying her eyes. “Please tell us
we can fight this. That we can win.”

James knew the answer before Olson confirmed it.

“I am afraid, Miss Wallace, that it would be a
Herculean task. And you would not win. The package I received contained any
number of legal threats that would be carried out if you were to pursue this
matter. I hesitate to mention that these threats are not just against Lord
James, but his entire family, as well. Layton, included. They are very intent
on your not attaining that land.”

There was a moment of silence as James thought about
the death of his dreams. But as Irene put her hand in his, he realized he had
not truly lost anything. Nothing of real value.

“There is one small possibility of hope,” said
Olson. “The dowager viscountess wants to see both of you this afternoon. She
said there are certain terms to discuss.”

Irene stuck out her chin. “I do not want to see
her. Or my father. They have behaved even more dishonorably than Cedric.”

James squeezed her hand. “I’m going to have to see
your father anyway to tell him we are to be married.”

“I do hope you’re not going to ask his permission.”

“I would never ask such an important question if I
knew the answer would be no. I will simply tell him of our plans. That is…do
you still want to marry me? Given that I will now have both a child and a
wife, I believe there’s no other choice but to accept my brother’s charity and
live on the estate. But I warn you that I’ll only be his steward.”

Irene turned her glowing smile on him. “But we’ll
be with your lovely family. And I believe I can be an acceptable steward’s
wife, if you’ll have me.”

Olson smiled at them both. “I will await
instructions on what course of action you would like me to take. But for now,
I believe you have an appointment in Mayfair.”

“About your fee,” said James. “Unfortunately, I
cannot pay you now, sir, but I shall have Layton advance you the funds and I
will pay him when I am able.”

“The earl and I have our own arrangements. But Godspeed,
sir. The three of you will have a life of riches.”

“Just not the material kind,” said James ruefully.

Olson smiled. “I have learned there are many twists
and turns in life. One never knows what lies ahead.”

*

The drive to Irene’s home was a quiet one. James
held Irene in his arms and each time she tried to apologize for the actions of
her family, he stopped her words with a kiss.

When they finally arrived at their destination,
James helped Irene out of the couch, then stood arm in arm with her as he
rapped on the knocker. A moment later, Carter opened the door. It was obvious
from the man’s look of disdain, that he was well aware of where Irene had been
the past two weeks. And with whom.

“Carter,” said Irene as she passed by him, entering
the foyer. “I should like to meet with his lordship and Lady Ainsworth
immediately.”

“I will see if they are receiving.”

“I will see them even if they aren’t.” Her voice
was like steel.

James hoped he’d never make her that mad.

After a few moments, they were escorted to the study,
where they were met not by the viscount, but by the dowager viscountess.

The dragon.

She was standing by the fireplace, her hands on the
knob of her silver-tipped cane. “I was wondering if you two would dare show
yourselves after your scandalous holiday. You are ruined, Irene. Everyone
knows it.”

Irene raised her chin. “I am not here to discuss my
actions of the past two weeks, but yours.”

“You’ve no right to speak to me of my actions,
especially in that disrespectful tone. You’ve made a fool of me before the
ton
.
My own granddaughter has behaved little better than a whore. And with a man
who can’t even pay her, no less.”

“Lady Ainsworth,” said James, more calmly than he
felt. “If you insult my betrothed again, I promise to smash every object of
worth in this house.”

“Go ahead! It will be my pleasure to have you
thrown in Newgate for your efforts. It is no more than you deserve.”

“Grandmother, how could you do this? How could you
steal James’s land?”

The viscountess rapped her cane on the floor. “I am
a lady! I do not steal. You are the one who has behaved dishonorably. You
have shamed us…”

James knocked a large Oriental vase to the floor,
delighting when it shattered.

The viscountess was shocked by his action. “Why,
you…I’ll have Carter call the authorities.”

“For an accident?” asked James. “I do not think
so. Miss Wallace asked you a question. Do be so good as to answer her without
insult, lest another accident occur.”

“I have done nothing wrong,” said the viscountess.
“I was only cleaning up Cedric’s mess once again. We wouldn’t even be in this
situation had the Morgan chit not died while trying to do away with his baby.”

“What do you mean?” asked Irene.

“Do you think Cedric wanted to go to America? He
got some banker’s daughter with child, then when he refused to marry her –
rightly so, of course – she was so afraid of being disowned that she tried to
get rid of it. The only problem was she was a bit too thorough and ended up
killing herself and the child. Apparently, her father must have set great
store by the daughter for he threatened to kill your brother. It was
codswallop, of course. Men do not care that much for their daughters, but your
father and I decided to send Cedric to America until the banker came to his
senses.”

“That is terrible,” said Irene.

“It was a terrible inconvenience, I can tell you
that.”

“No, I mean the girl. And the baby. To take such drastic
action because she feared her family’s response.”

“You are missing the point.”

“I do not believe I am. Cedric should have done
right by the girl. Either married her or found another husband for her.”

“Men find themselves in situations like that all the
time. The banker overreacted. But how were we to know Cedric would sell off
Emerson’s land right under his nose? Though it does show a certain gumption
I’d heretofore thought was entirely absent.”

“So you knew what Cedric had done.”

“He’d bragged about it in a letter to your father.
Fortunately, I burned it before you could get your hands on it. You never
should have turned against your family, Irene. It was a mistake you’ll not be
able to make twice.”

“How could you take his side when you knew he’d
behaved so dishonorably?”

“Because he’s the heir. But we didn’t want another
scandal, so your father’s man of business was tasked with running this Mr.
Adams to ground. It was quite easy once you’d decided to whore yourself…”

The matching Oriental vase, a crystal bowl and a
delicate china figurine all toppled to the floor in quick succession.

“Bastard!” said the dowager. Yet when Carter
entered the room to investigate the commotion, all she told him was “Leave us
and close the door.”

Once the butler had left, Irene continued. “I beg
you to do the right thing and give James his land back.”

“Do not beg, love,” said James.

The dowager laughed mirthlessly. “How amusing that
you would call her ‘love.’ I assume the rumor is true? You plan to marry
her?”

“I look forward to it,” said James.

“No doubt you’re counting on her large dowry. Well,
you’ll not get a penny of it. She has been disowned. By me and the viscount.”

James could feel Irene’s tension, but she was strong
enough not to let it show.

“I care nothing for a dowry,” said James. “I
already have the prize. Now that I have told you our news, there is nothing else
to discuss. If you ever wish to apologize to Irene, you can contact us at the
Ridgeway estate in Wiltshire.”

“I have a proposition for you, Emerson.”

“I am not interested.”

“I would not be so sure.” The old woman hesitated,
as if considering her words. “I cannot get you your land back. But we can
compensate you for it. Rather handsomely. All you have to do is walk away
from Irene forever.”

“Grandmother! What are you about?”

“Do you really think we would allow a savage to be
part of this family? An Indian bastard?”

James held onto his temper…just barely.

But Irene loosed hers with full force.

“Do not ever say such a thing again!” said Irene.
“She is a dear child and I love her as my own. You will not say such horrid
things about her.”

“It is interesting that you are the one defending
the half-breed, while her father stands there with a curious look on his face.
Perhaps he is more interested in getting his land back than he is having you
for a bride.”