Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) (22 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The next morning, Evelyn stood outside her cousin’s
home, knowing the errand before her would be unpleasant.  She’d violated the
rules of proper society by not bringing her maid, but she would have been
embarrassed to have anyone witness the scene she anticipated taking place.  Besides,
she would soon be ostracized by society.  Her not bringing a maid would be the
least of her sins.

And she couldn’t have cared less about any of it. 
She and Joseph were to be married and that was what really mattered.  She had
never been this happy.

She was shown into Pip’s sitting room and the
countess greeted her warmly.  “Evelyn, dear, how lovely to see you.  I was
hoping we could visit.”

“It is always good to see you.”  And that was only
just the slightest untruth.  Pip really could be charming.  It was only because
a visit to Pip usually also meant time spent with Reginald and Robert that made
Evelyn want to avoid it.

“We have not yet had the chance to discuss your
plans for Christmas.  Do say you’ll stay here with us.  It shall make the
occasion even more festive.  I can even arrange for you to spend time alone
with Robert.  Your deadline is fast approaching, after all.”

“That is one of the reasons I have come here today. 
I have decided to marry.”

Pip seemed to stop breathing for the nonce.  “Dare I
hope you have chosen Robert as your groom?”

“No, Pip.  Joseph Stapleton has proposed and I have
accepted him.  We shall be married at Lynwood Manor before the end of the
month.” 

Pip’s expression wholly changed.  Gone was the
polite countess.  In her place was a lady who looked very displeased.  “Surely
you are making a jest at my expense.  You cannot mean to marry so far beneath
you.  Think of the scandal.”

“I can weather any storm with Joseph beside me.”

“I am not just talking about the impact on you.  It
will be dreadful for all of us.  We shall be humiliated in front of our
neighbors.  My children will be unable to make proper marriages because of the
connection.”

“I am sorry for any adverse affects to your
children,” said Evelyn, for she certainly did not want to hurt anyone so
innocent.  “And I hope the embarrassment to you, Reginald and Robert will not
last long.  While I am certain I will never be welcomed back into society,
surely they cannot be so short-sighted as to keep the Earl and Countess of
Larsen at arm’s length.  I am also confident that some other scandal shall
replace this one before too long.  The
ton
can find gossip anywhere.”

“It has been my experience that the
ton
has a
long memory.  We shall forever be painted by the same brush.”  Pip’s expression
softened.  “Evelyn, I know you think you care for this Bow Street Runner.  It
must have been terribly difficult for you living in the country with no
diversions.  I’m not saying you have to give up the man.  I’m sure something
can be worked out with Robert where you two will marry, while keeping your own
interests on the side.  It is done all the time.  I’m not sure Robert even
cares about an heir.  You could even have this man’s child if you wanted, though
I cannot imagine why you would.”

Pure instinct had Evelyn placing her hand over her
womb protectively.  She longed to have Joseph’s babe, and she could not for an
instant imagine raising his child with Robert as the father.  Nor could she
imagine any circumstances in which Joseph would allow her to do so.

Pip did not miss the gesture.  “I take it you and
the Runner have become intimate?”

“I do not wish to discuss this with you.”

“I am sure you do not.  Perhaps you are already with
child.  But Robert will not mind.”

“I would.  Joseph and I love each other and we will
marry, regardless of the consequences to me.  I am sorry for any awkwardness
this causes you, but it will not stop me.  Now if you will excuse me, I must
return to the Kellingtons.”

Pip once again became the elegant countess.  “Pray
forgive me, Evelyn.  I did not mean to be so insensitive.  It was just so unexpected
and I had been longing for a match between you and Robert.  Let us put this
behind us and toast your good fortune with a celebratory glass of sherry.  Can
you please go ask Forsyte to bring us biscuits?”

Evelyn did not particularly want to stay.  But she
did feel bad about the embarrassment she would cause her cousins, because it
would be significant.  So she did as she was bid, then accepted a glass of
sherry from Pip.

“To your marriage,” said Pip.

“Thank you,” said Evelyn, as she took a sip.  “How
are Melissa and Cameron?  I have not had much of a chance to see your children
on this trip.”

“I’m sure they’re fine,” said Pip.  “We have
excellent nurses who make it unnecessary for us to see them much at all.”

Evelyn realized that would be another difference
when she had children.  She would never banish them to the nursery in the care
of others.  She would play with them every day.  She and Joseph would spend
time with them as a family.  She knew he would be an excellent father.

“Your thoughts seem to be quite far from here,” said
Pip.

“My apologies.  When will you take your next trip to
Paris?”

“I’d hoped to go at Christmas, but Reginald would
not hear of it.  Paris is always most beautiful in spring and I….”

Pip continued talking, but it was becoming
increasingly difficult to understand what she was saying.  Evelyn felt like
she’d been awakened from a deep sleep, but that wasn’t possible.  She hadn’t
been sleeping.  Just a moment ago, she’d been talking about the children, then
before that she’d left to talk to Forsyte…

“You drugged me.”  She looked at her glass of
sherry, then tried to focus her eyes on Pip, who was staring at her with hatred. 
Evelyn tried to stand, but fell back to the chaise.

“Careful, Evelyn.  You wouldn’t want to accidentally
break your neck.  At least not before the wedding.”

Evelyn tried to move her limbs, but they were
leaden.  Her lids fell of their own accord.

This was madness.  She prayed Joseph would find her
soon.

*                    *                    *

Joseph had gone to Bow Street to talk to his
superiors about leaving his position.  They had been dumbfounded that he would
even consider it and tried to convince him to stay.  He knew he would miss it. 
But if it meant putting Evelyn’s mind at ease, he would make the sacrifice. 

The short visit he thought he would make turned into
a few hours as he was asked to give his opinion on pending cases.  And it was
difficult to tell Fisk he was leaving, though the sergeant was quite
supportive.

“I still can’t believe you’re gettin’ married,” said
Fisk with a grin.  “I mean it was obvious that you and her ladyship was in
love.  But we’ll miss you here.   And me and Clara will, as well.”

“Evelyn and I will see you and Clara as often as
you’re able, considering you’re about to be quite busy with the babe.  That
won’t change.”

“But she’s a lady.”

“That will always be true.  But she will also be my
wife.  The
ton
will cut her.  I hope that is not true of my friends, as
well.”

“Of course not!” said Fisk.  “The toffs have an odd
notion of what’s right and proper.  They’ll cut their friends for following
their heart.  But they’ll get just as drunk as the lowliest guttersnipe.  And
speaking of which, there’s some toff who’s been asking for you.  The name’s
Kensington.  Looks like he got dressed in the dark on a wager.”

Joseph groaned.  “What did he do?” 

“Seems he didn’t know the whore he paid for was a
lad.  Things got violent when he found out.”

“How badly did he hurt the prostitute?’

“He swung at him, but it was the male whore who beat
the toff, saying he wanted to get paid for services rendered.”

“Where are they now?”

“We let the whore go, on account of he was just
tryin’ to get paid for work he already done.  We put the toff in a private cell
to sober him up.  Do you want to see him?”

“Not particularly.  But I should talk to him, though
part of me would dearly love to have him remain where he is.  It’d serve him
right for disobeying his mother’s orders.”

Joseph found Kensington in an old supply closet.  He’d
made good use of the bucket they’d left him, for the room stank from his being
sick.  Joseph hoped the lad would learn his lesson about drink and prostitutes.

But he rather doubted it.

“Kensington, you do not look well.”

The squire’s son tried to focus red eyes on his
visitor, then put his head back down when it looked like the move was too
painful.  “Stapleton, get me out of this hellhole.  Father would not tolerate
such treatment of me.”

“Somehow, I don’t think you’ll be telling your
father about it.  How much blue ruin did you drink?”

“I lost track.  Then a gang of thieves set upon me
and robbed me.”

“That is not the story I heard.”

Kensington turned bleary eyes upon him again. 
“Whoever told you different is a bloody liar.”

“No, he isn’t.  He is also the man who put you in
this closet by yourself, rather than in the main holding cell.  Your night
could have been much, much worse.”

“Mama must be worried sick about me.”

“Then I suggest you think about that before you get
drunk and consort with whores again.  Who will you summon to get you out of
here?”

“Well, I certainly cannot tell mother or father.  I
guess it’ll have to be the Countess of Larsen.”

“The countess?”  Joseph stilled.  “Don’t you mean
the earl?”  He knew Kensington had called at the earl’s house after arriving in
London.  He’d assumed it had been to ask the earl for Evelyn’s hand.

“Not him.  Never spoken to him more than half a dozen
times in my life.  It’s the countess I always deal with.”

“What do you mean, you ‘deal’ with her?”

“Say, Stapleton, I don’t like your tone.”  The rest
of what he was about to say was lost in a gurgle, as Joseph put his hand around
Kensington’s throat and pushed him against the wall.

“What have you been doing with the Countess of
Larsen?”

“Can’t speak!”  Kensington’s eyes were beginning to
bulge, so Joseph released him.  “Good God, man.  All I did was scare Evelyn a
bit.  It was all in good fun.”

“And how did you do that?’

“The tree in Caversham for one thing.  That was just
luck on my part.  I’d seen the woodsman try to fell it earlier in the week.  It
was only happenstance that I saw the three of you go into the forest.  It
didn’t take much to push it over, though it was harder than it looked.”

“You could have killed Lady Evelyn.”

“But I didn’t.  You’re being quite dramatic.”

Joseph had everything he could do to keep from
hitting the bastard.  But he needed answers.  “What else did you do?”

“Rode the horse down the walkway.  Almost fell off,
I did.  But you should have seen your faces!”

Joseph hit him in the arm.  But not hard enough to
break anything.  Unfortunately.

“What was the point of all this?” Joseph demanded.

“Didn’t ask, but I think I was supposed to scare her
into getting married,” said Kensington, rubbing his arm.  “I needed the blunt. 
The last time we were in town, father met with the earl about the mining
company.  While he was in there, the countess talked to me about doing those
tasks for her.”

“Did the earl know anything about it?”

“Dunno.  But the countess was very persuasive, if
you know what I mean.  Where are you going?  You are going to get me out of
here, aren’t you?”

“I have a mind to throw you into Newgate.”

Kensington looked like he would be sick again.

Joseph continued.  “But lucky for you, I may need
your testimony.  You’ll stay here until I know what to do with you.  I’ll send
word to your parents you’re safe.”

“I certainly won’t be safe when they hear I’m at Bow
Street.”

“Then the next time you shouldn’t get arrested.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

As Evelyn slowly awakened, she became aware of two
things.  One was that her head hurt a great deal and the other was that she was
lying in a bed.  Then she heard a noise close by and realized a third rather
frightening fact:  she was not alone.

“I see you are finally waking,” said Pip.  “Pray
open your eyes.  There is no use in pretending you cannot hear me.”

Evelyn did as she was told, not to obey Pip, but to
face the damned woman.  “Why are you doing this?”   She realized with a shock
that she was no longer in Pip’s home.  The bedchamber was a bit shabby, though
reasonably clean.  “Did you draw up the codicil”

“Yes.  It wasn’t that difficult to forge your dear
papa’s handwriting.  You should know as well as anyone that a proper lady has
plenty of time to work on her correspondence.”

“I won’t marry Robert.  And when Joseph learns what
you’ve done, he’ll have you transported.  Unless he kills you first.”

“I do not think so.  And you needn’t be so
melodramatic.  What I’m proposing isn’t that bad.  No real harm will come to
you if you do exactly as you’re told.  You even have the option of living a
relatively comfortable life, should you marry Robert.”

“And if I do not?”

“I do not think you’ll care for the alternative.  If
you marry Robert, you’ll receive a stipend and can live wherever you’d like, as
long as it is far from here.  If you do not marry him, you’ll simply disappear
until the deadline has passed, whereupon you will lose your land and your
fortune.”

“I choose that option.  I would rather lose my
fortune and be with the man I love, than enter into a sham marriage.”

“How romantic.  Stupid.  But romantic.  I would like
to make you disappear, but if Stapleton can prove the codicil is a forgery,
there’s a chance I’ll get none of your money.  I’d rather not risk it.” 

“You’ll never get away with this.”

“I think I will.  No one would suspect a countess.  Ladies
simply do not do such things.  I am sure my husband would think me quite
incapable of it.”

With that, Pip left the room, locking the door from
the outside.

Evelyn struggled to sit up, then looked around the
room to see how she was going to get out of there.

*                    *                    *

In some ways, the Earl of Ridgeway considered
himself fortunate.  He had siblings he loved very much.  He missed his brother
who’d gone to America to make his fortune, though from the few letters he’d written,
it appeared he had not yet succeeded.  The other brother was a different case
altogether, but while they did not always get along, they did care for each
other.  But Colin’s current focus was the fact that if he did not marry money, he
and his family would lose their home, displacing the few remaining tenants.

He’d been resigned to his fate for months, but in
the past week he’d actually become interested in finding a bride, namely Evelyn
Williams.  She was lovely, quick-witted and had never been dull in the entire time
they’d spent together, which was particularly promising since he could not
abide a dullard and most heiresses were about as scintillating as dirt.

He knew he was being unfair to the young ladies
who’d been raised to be the
ton
ideal of a wife.  Socially adept, a
capable hostess and able to provide an heir and a spare.  Most ladies aspiring
to marry a title were usually taught to agree with everything a man said,
rarely offering an opinion of her own.  While it was flattering to have an
attentive audience and Ridgeway liked feeling his opinions were worthy, he
would rather the praise be sincere and not just for the purpose of attaining
him as a husband.  It was rather unfair of him, since he was pursuing first a
fortune and then a wife.  But he did not look forward to the life of a marriage
of convenience.

Yet marriage to Evelyn Williams could be rather
nice.  It would certainly be no hardship to bed her.  He did get the feeling
that she was rather attached to that Bow Street Inspector who’d been following
her about.  He was obviously in love with her.  Colin would feel sorry for the
man if he didn’t have his own romantic problems.  He had to marry money or his
family would be lost. 

That is why he’d called on the Earl and Countess of
Larsen, only to find them both from home.  The butler had been rather
tight-lipped about their whereabouts and Colin’s financial situation was so
dire he didn’t even have the funds to bribe the man.  Perhaps if he called at
the servants’ entrance, he would find a saucy maid who could be persuaded to
help him.

He knew the earl was probably at his mistress’s
house.  But he had no idea where to find the countess.

He was interrupted in his reverie by the arrival of
a coach bearing the Lynwood crest.  The door opened even before it stopped and
Stapleton alighted, followed by Ned, Arthur and Hal Kellington.  They ran up
the steps and pounded on the door.

“What’s afoot?”  Colin asked Hal.

“Lady Evelyn may be in trouble.  We need to see the
countess.”

“She’s not there.  Or at least the butler told me
she was from home.”

At that moment, Forsyte opened the door and the men
rushed inside.  Colin followed them in and stared, slack-jawed, as Stapleton
held the butler while the other men searched the house.”

“Unhand me!” said Forsyte.

“You’re going to tell me where your mistress took
Lady Evelyn.”

Colin eyed the butler, who was reaching into his
pocket.  No sooner had he pulled a knife, than Colin slapped it away. 
Stapleton looked at Colin as if seeing him for the first time and nodded his
thanks.

“Where is the countess?” Stapleton demanded again.

“I do not know.”

“What about the earl?”

“With his bit of muslin.”

“And Robert?”

“I don’t know.  He comes and goes as he pleases.”

“Where does he go?”

“God only knows.  Opium dens.”

“I know a few of his hidey holds,” said Colin.  “He
once had a card party in a set of rooms off Covent Garden.”

“There’s no sign of Lady Evelyn or the countess,”
said Ned, who was joined by his brothers.  “They’re gone.”

“Take us to the rooms,” Stapleton said to Colin. 

After warning the butler not to interfere unless he
wanted to be charged with kidnapping, the men left and set out for Covent
Garden. 

*                    *                    *

“But why won’t you marry me, Evelyn?” Robert asked,
for what must be the fiftieth time.  Pip had left them alone and Robert had
spent the time begging.

“Because I love another.  There are other reasons,
but that is by far the most important.  Now, please help me get out of here.  I
am still a bit unsteady on my feet because of the laudanum.”

“Can’t do that.  Pip would kill me,” said Robert, as
he poured himself yet another drink.  “Wouldn’t mind having some of that
laudanum myself.  Can’t afford opium anymore and no one will give me credit. 
Pip says I’ll have all the blunt I need as soon as we’re wed.  So why won’t you
just say yes?  I won’t bother you all that much.  Don’t even need an heir,
though I wouldn’t mind a good tup now and again.”

“That is disgusting, Robert.  We are cousins.”

“Doesn’t stop others and you are quite lovely, even
if you could use some more meat on your bones.  You could have a nice cottage
somewhere.  Not too fancy, of course.  We don’t want to waste your blunt.”

“Because spending it on laudanum is such a better
use of funds.”

“Knew you’d see it my way.”

“I already have a home in Caversham.”

“Not for long.  That’ll get sold to the mining
scheme, which will be a nice supplement to your fortune.  I’m not getting all
of it, you know.  I should, since I’m the one who has to get leg-shackled to
you.”

“I thought you wanted to marry me.”

“Well, not really.  Nothing personal, but I’d rather
not get married at all.  But since it’s the only way to get your blunt, then
the only way to keep it in the family is for you to marry me, on account of
Reginald already being married.”

“But, Robert, dear,” said Pip as she entered the
bedroom.  “Pray do not forget there is another way for us to get Evelyn’s
fortune.  She could die and it would automatically revert to Reginald.”

“There is that,” said Robert.  “I’m a better
alternative to dying, aren’t I?”

Pip laughed mirthlessly.  “Oh, Robert, do not ask
her that.  I am not sure the answer would be at all to your liking.”

“What?”  He was having trouble focusing his eyes and
Evelyn suspected Robert had found his way to her laudanum already.

“I am tired of waiting,” said Pip.  “The minister is
here and ready to perform the service.”

“No man of God would force an unwilling woman to wed,”
said Evelyn.

“Trust me, dear.  This one would.  He is waiting
downstairs.  You will be married tonight, then you and Robert will consummate
the marriage, followed by an immediate trip to the continent where you will
stay until the deadline passes.  By the time you return, it will not matter
what you tell your friends because you will be good and truly married.  You
might possibly be with child.”

“I would not want children,” said Robert.  “They’re
loud and too expensive by half.”

“You will not be around to hear them,” said Pip. 
“And how Evelyn divides her stipend is completely up to her.  She will not get
more, of course, if she has children.  As a matter of fact, there are any
number of reasons why her stipend could be reduced.  For instance, if she
starts spreading rumors about my involvement in her wedding, she could very
well find herself a charity case.  Or committed to an asylum.”

Evelyn had to stall for time.  Joseph would find
her.  She knew he would.  “I was just wondering, Pip, how you decided what
Robert’s share should be.”

“That does not concern you.”

“But it concerns Robert.   And if he and I are to
marry, it concerns me, too.  How much of the money are you getting, Robert?”

Robert tried to focus on her.  “Enough to keep me
happy.”

“Are you sure about that?  If you are my husband,
you’re entitled to my worldly possessions.  All of them.  Reginald and Pip
aren’t legally entitled to anything, unless I do not marry by the deadline.  If
you choose to give money to them out of the kindness of your heart that is, of
course, your choice.”

“You’re right,” said Robert.  “It would be my
choice.”

“Exactly.  And with all the added expenses of being
a married man, I cannot imagine there would be much money left over to give
them.”

“What added expenses?”

“I’ve heard enough of this,” said Pip.  “We’re going
downstairs.”

Evelyn continued.  “You must pay taxes and you’ll be
receiving more invitations for social engagements, which means you’ll need a
new wardrobe.  And the ladies.  Robert, the ladies will be attracted to you in
droves.  I’ll be in my cottage, but you’ll be free to have as many mistresses
as you want – as long as you can provide for them.  London mistresses are
expensive, Robert.  You wouldn’t want to run out of money and lose your
mistresses.”

“Pip,” said Robert, frowning.  “You said Reginald
was going to take her blunt and give me an allowance.  But the chit has the
right of it.  If I have to get leg-shackled to her, I should get all the
money.  Maybe I can give you some since you planned all of this, but you should
be the one with an allowance, not me.”

“You’re not thinking clearly,” said Pip.  “It must
be the opium.  You know how that confuses you.”

“No, I’m thinking clearly.  As a matter of fact, I’m
a lot clearer than I have been in a long time.  It’s going to be my money, not
yours.”

“Robert!” said Pip, with a flash of real anger. 
Then her polite mask came over her once again.  “I picked up a little something
for you from the apothecary earlier today.  Why don’t you go downstairs and
have a taste?  There are a few things I’d like to discuss with your bride.”

“Robert, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” said
Evelyn.  “You’ll need a clear head if you expect to negotiate with her.”

“My head will be fine,” said Robert, already on his
way to the door.

Evelyn’s last hope left to escape into an opium
fog.  Now she was faced with Pip, whose anger had resurfaced.

“Listen, you little bitch.  You’ll not play Robert
against me or your husband-to-be will mistakenly take too much opium and die,
leaving your fortune to Reginald and me.  Then there’ll be no stipend.  You’ll
be lucky if you don’t end up looking for a rich lover, if anyone in the
ton
will have you after lying down in the gutter with Stapleton.  And, yes, I’ll
make sure everyone knows that you spread your legs for a bastard.”