Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) (14 page)

“You must stay Evelyn,” said Vanessa.  “I share
Joseph’s concerns about the hotel, not just for your safety but also for your
privacy.  If your cousin is behind the changing of the will, who knows to what
lengths he will go to interfere with your life?  It can be incredibly easy to
bribe hotel employees to spy on guests.”

“She should know,” said Arthur.  “We have done it on
more than one occasion.”

“Joseph, you should stay as well,” said Melanie. 
“That way you will be close at hand as we discuss how to solve Evelyn’s
dilemma.”

“And I have not seen how your shoulder is healing,”
said Jane.  “I should examine it.”

“I’m sure it’s fine,” grumbled Ned, who was never
all that anxious to have his wife peer at the undressed torsos of men who were
in the shape that Joseph was in. 

“Please stay, Mr. Joseph,” said Vi.  “You already
like Titania, so we can all play together.”

“Thank you, Miss Violet, but I should return to my
home and check in at Bow Street.”

“Of course,” said Evelyn, looking chagrinned.  “I
have already taken too much of your time.”

“Not at all.  I just need to make a few inquiries,
as well as check in with the solicitor to whom I sent your query.  And we
should also meet with your cousin the earl.”

“I should like to be there when you do,” said
Arthur. 

“As would I,” said Ned.

“And I,” offered Hal.

Joseph considered the men in front of him.  They
were as close to brothers as he would ever know.  Their support in this and
other matters meant a great deal to him.  “Thank you, gentlemen.  For now, I
believe we should not let the earl know we suspect him.  I will make myself
known to him, but if I were to walk in there with a contingent of Kellingtons,
I’m sure the man would know he’s been found out.  If he is behind all of this. 
We do not know for certain.”

“Now can we play hide and seek?” asked Violet.

“Yes, my love,” said her papa.  “We will play with
you.”

Violet jumped up, delighted.  “Don’t look in the
library first!”

As the Kellingtons filed out to search anywhere but
the library, Evelyn walked Joseph to the door. 

“You will wait for me to escort you to your cousin’s
home tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yes, I will feel much better with you at my side.”

“As will I.”

Given the curious absence of servants – Joseph was
beginning to think another Kellington matchmaking scheme might be afoot – he took
Evelyn’s hand to kiss it.  But somewhere on the journey, he took a detour to
her lips, instead.  She rose up to meet him and he savored the sweet joining.

After a moment he reluctantly pulled back, his voice
but a rasp.  “Until tomorrow?”

“Yes,” she said, smiling.  “Until tomorrow.” 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The next day, the ride to the Earl of Larsen’s Upper
Brook Street mansion was slow.  And Evelyn could not stop fidgeting. 

“Tell me more about your cousin,” said Joseph, from
the seat opposite her. 

“I am not close to Reginald or his brother Robert,
though Pip – Reginald’s wife – makes every effort to make me feel at home when
I visit.”

“Is Reginald the one who offered you his ‘services?’”
asked Joseph.

“Yes,” she said grimly.  “And Robert has proposed
marriage.”

She wasn’t sure if she was imagining it, but it
seemed that Joseph clenched his jaw.  “Will you accept Robert’s proposal?”

“Heavens no.  Even if I didn’t feel that cousins
have no business marrying, he never expressed any type of interest in me until
he learned the contents of my father’s original will.  He and his brother were
both surprised to discover the bulk of the money would stay with me.  It left
Reginald with the London house and the title, but little else, though I believe
Pip enjoys being a countess.”

“Where does Robert get his money?”

“I believe their father left them each a small sum,
though I would not think it was enough to support the lifestyle to which they
are both accustomed.  I am used to spending only what the estate earns,
regardless of my inheritance.  I have little sympathy for those who outspend
their resources on items they do not need.  Reginald likes to buy horses,
Robert is a gamester and even Pip spends more in the shops than is necessary. 
It is, of course, none of my affair except I believe it is why the will was so
mysteriously altered.”

“The world can be unkind to an unmarried lady
without means.  What will you do if you lose your fortune?”

“I would get by on the small stipend I would
receive.  But I worry about my servants and tenants.  Do you think your solicitor
has any word yet on the legality of the new clause?”

“We have an appointment to see him later today.  I
hope he has found something.”  He smiled at her reassuringly.  “We will find a
solution to this.  We must.”

Evelyn liked the use of the word “we.”

The carriage drew to a halt in front of an imposing
mansion.  A footman opened the door, then Joseph helped her out.  She looked up
at the limestone home and a shiver went through her.

“What is it?”

“I can never enter this home without thinking of my
father’s death.  I found him at his desk, already gone.”

Joseph took her hand.  “You do not have to do this. 
You can return to Lynwood House while I talk to your cousin.”

She shook her head and squeezed his hand.  “I am not
a coward, sir.  But I am dearly glad you are here with me.”

“There is no place I would rather be.”

She was about to respond when the door opened,
revealing a dour butler.  It was not the same one who’d served her father.  Her
cousin had turned him out almost immediately, but Evelyn had been able to secure
him a good position in town, since he had not wished to leave London.  This butler
was the severe and disapproving Forsyte.  Pip had been especially proud that
they’d been able to poach him from a prominent marquess. 

None of the family was there to greet her though
she’d sent a message that morning informing them of her visit.  But it was a
cold December day and she could hardly expect them to come outside.  Joseph
escorted her up the stairs, to ensure she did not slip on the icy steps.  If
there was anything else in his strong hold, she did not know.

But she could hope.

Forsyte bowed to her, eyeing Joseph warily.  
“Welcome, Lady Evelyn.”  He took her cloak, while a footman helped Joseph.

“Thank you, Forsyte.  This is my friend, Inspector
Joseph Stapleton, of Bow Street.”  She and Joseph had decided it would be wise
to let her family know of his profession straight away.  It could be useful in persuading
them to abandon any plans that were not quite legal. 

The butler’s brows rose just the slightest amount.  “I
shall announce you to the earl and countess.  If you will be so kind as to wait
in the sitting room.”

The sitting room was so changed Evelyn might not
have recognized it.  It was completely done over in the Chinese style with red
silk wallpaper and ornate overstuffed chaise lounges. 

“It’s very….colorful, isn’t it?” asked Joseph.

He was being polite, but it was obvious from his
look that he thought it was as gaudy as she did.  For the first time since
they’d set out that morning, she felt like laughing.

“Evelyn, my dear!”

Evelyn turned to see Pip enter the room with arms
outstretched.  Her cousin’s wife was seven years older than Evelyn and a
beautiful blonde.  Her pale blue eyes were highlighted by the light blue
morning gown she wore.  And while Pip was the mother of two children, her
figure was still as trim as when she’d first married.

They touched cheeks.

“Pip, you look as lovely as ever.”

The countess blushed.  “And you are as kind as I
remember.  I believe time is catching up to me.  I am trying to avoid my vanity
mirror as much as possible since it seems every time I glance in it I find
another wrinkle.”

Pip might have a wrinkle or two, but they did
nothing to diminish her beauty.

“Penelope, Countess of Larsen, may I present
Inspector Joseph Stapleton.”

Pip smiled warmly at him, with no trace of surprise. 
Forsyte must have been thorough in announcing them.  “I hope you are not here
in an official capacity, Inspector.”

“I am here at Lady Evelyn’s request,” he said,
bowing to her.

“You are most welcome in our house.  And here is my
dear husband come to greet you both.”

The earl was a portly man nearing forty.  He was
dressed in Bond Street’s finest, though the telltale squeak of a male corset
marred the fashionable effect somewhat.  After welcoming Evelyn and Joseph, he
delicately lowered himself into a chair, looking none too comfortable.

“Cousin, I am so glad you have come to town,” he
said.  “Dare I take it that you are going to accept Robert’s proposal?”

“No, Reginald, I fear I have not changed my mind
about cousins marrying.”

“Then are you here to announce another betrothal?” 
He suddenly looked at Joseph with worry evident in his eyes.  “You don’t mean
to marry the policeman, do you?” 

Evelyn blushed brightly.  “I have no plans to marry
at this moment.  I have come to town to attend to some business.”

“But what kind of business does a lady have?  I have
told you time and time again that you need only leave those affairs to me and I
shall look after them well, even if it means I have to go to your estate for a
month or two.  My dear wife would not mind.  We are family, after all.”

“We are,” said the countess with a smile for
Evelyn.  “I cannot imagine why you would want to conduct business on that farm
when Lord Larsen would gladly do it for you.”

“Thank you for the generous offer,” said Evelyn. 
“But I enjoy everything pertaining to the farm and look forward to returning as
soon as my business here is concluded.”

“Pray do not tell me you’re thinking of leaving
already,” said a voice at the door.  “You have only just arrived.”

Joseph was then introduced to Robert Williams,
considerably younger and thinner than his brother, though with the bloodshot
eyes and mottled skin of dissipation.  Robert bowed over Evelyn’s hand, then
kissed her cheek much too close to her lips.  It was only due to the lady
turning her head that he did not connect.

“What will you be doing while you are in town?”
asked Robert, as he slouched into an uncomfortable chair, then winced at the
jolt it gave his head.  “Will you be going to any of the dreadful
ton
events Pip is always trying to get me to attend?”

“You should attend them, Robert,” said Pip.   “You
are at an age when you must think about marrying.  Of course, you should have
not just a care for marriage itself, but also to whom you marry.”  Here, she
gave a pointed look at Evelyn.

“You have my word, Pip, that I have given a great
deal of thought to my choice of bride, which is one reason I am looking forward
to having Evelyn in residence.”

“Yes, Evelyn,” said Pip.  “Do please stay with us. 
You must know you are always welcome.  I realize your trip must have been of
such short notice that you did not have a chance to send word.  But that will
never matter with us.  We are delighted to have you stay.”

Though she did not look all that delighted and her
smile was a bit forced.

“Thank you, Pip,” said Evelyn.  “But I will not be
availing myself of your kind hospitality.”

“Then where will you stay?” asked Reginald.  “You
have no other family and few friends.”

“She is a guest of the Duke and Duchess of Lynwood,
at their town house,” said Joseph.

“That is most irregular,” said Reginald.  “I didn’t
even think the duke and duchess were in town.  Aren’t they on their wedding
trip?  And how do you know them so well that you would be their guest, Evelyn? 
That will look most odd, indeed, staying at Lynwood House instead of with your
own family.  Think of the gossip it will cause.”

Joseph continued his explanation.  “While the duke
and duchess are out of town, Lords Edward, Arthur and Henry, along with their
wives, are all in residence and have issued her an invitation.”

Reginald tried to adjust his waistcoat over his
belly in an attempt to assert his authority.  “I really do not need to hear
your opinion on where Lady Evelyn will be staying.  Remember your place, man.”

“Reginald!” said Evelyn, barely civil.  “Inspector Stapleton
is helping me with matters and I am very grateful for his assistance.  I asked
him to accompany me here today and you will afford him every courtesy.  It is
what the late earl would have done.”   

“I have a few questions about the late Earl of Larsen’s
will, my lord,” said Joseph.

Reginald turned red from agitation.  Or, perhaps, it
was the corset and lack of breath.  “Evelyn!  I cannot like having a stranger involved
in family business.”

“He is not a stranger, cousin.  He is my friend.  I
have asked him to look into various matters and one of them is the will.  Pray
go on, Joseph.”

Pip looked quite surprised by Evelyn’s use of
Joseph’s Christian name and Evelyn wanted to kick herself for doing so.  The
last thing she needed was her cousins meddling even further into her affairs.

“When did you first learn that the terms of the will
had been changed?” asked Joseph. 

Reginald looked most insulted to have to answer to
Joseph, but after a grunt he replied.  “I was looking through some old papers
about three weeks ago and found the one-page codicil.  It was stuck to another
document.  It was a note from the late earl changing the date to the end of
this year, instead of Evelyn’s next birthday.”

“May I see it?”

“Are you doubting my word?”

“I am simply being thorough.  May I see it?”

“It is at my solicitor’s office.  But it is all on
the up and up, I assure you.”

“And what reason did the late earl give for changing
the date?”

“He didn’t.  He simply said this would replace the
corresponding provision in his will.  Who knew why the old man did anything? 
God knows the rest of the will was queer enough.  Whoever heard of leaving a
daughter an estate and that much blunt?”

“Though we were excessively fond of your father,”
said Pip quickly.  “Weren’t we, my dear?”

“Yes, yes, of course.  Well, investigate the codicil
if you must, but I can assure you it is real. But keep in mind, Evelyn, that
the more time you waste on that, the less you’ll have to find a husband.  I
don’t know why you won’t save yourself the trouble and marry Robert.”

“Evelyn, dear, you should consider it,” said
Robert.  “I believe we would rub along quite well on those occasions when we
are together.  It would solve a great many problems for all of us.”

“I still do not think it is a good idea for cousins
to marry.”

“The royal family’s been doing it for generations,”
said Pip.

“That might not be the most effective argument for
your case,” replied Evelyn.  “Thank you for seeing us.  I shall call on you again
when I have more information.”

“And I shall call on you at Lynwood House,” said
Robert.

“Unfortunately, that is not possible,” said Evelyn. 
“Lady Jane is in her confinement and I do not believe they are receiving
guests.”  At least not if she could help it.

“Then it is all the more unusual that you are
imposing upon them by staying there,” said Pip.  “Are you sure you will not
come to us?”

“I am sure, but thank you.”