Protection (17 page)

Nathaniel smiled, but it soon faded.

“At least Copeland is out of the picture, but I’ve got to get Edgeley off our backs.
He keeps upping the amounts he expects me to pay, and I’m guessing it’s only time
before his greed overrules what little common sense he possesses. When I think of
his taste for young girls, like that fair-haired lass Lisa was sitting beside today,
it makes my blood boil. If only we could find something I could use against him.”

“As to that . . . I received a report I’ve been waiting on when I arrived home this
afternoon.” The bleakness of Hugh’s expression focused Nathaniel’s attention. “Girls
go missing all the time in the poorer parts of the city. More often than not, nothing
is done about it, but lately, much younger girls have been taken, and in large numbers.
There’s talk of an organised ring.”

“Edgeley wouldn’t attach himself to such a sordid undertaking, surely?” Nathaniel
was aware the man was a blackguard now, but they’d once been friends. He found it
hard to imagine one of his peers could stoop so low.

“There’s a hellish amount of money to be made, and more than a few gentlemen
involved. You’d be surprised how many respectable members of society have links to
one form of vice or another, and not
just as a means of indulgence.”

Nathaniel shook his head. It would seem the prohibition for those of their class to
“dabble in trade” didn’t apply when the pickings were rich, the victims powerless,
and society content to look the other way.

“Like I said, it’s time the laws were changed, but since that will probably take decades
and requires a political will that does not yet exist, we must do what we can in the
meantime.”

“Starting with neutralising the threat Edgeley poses.”

“You have something we can use against him?”

“Nothing you could present in the House, but my man has found witnesses willing to
testify Edgeley is part of a group abusing boys. Society will turn a blind eye to
young girls, but this could seriously harm his standing.”

“Blasted pederasts.” Nathaniel was appalled by the practice—and the hypocrisy—but
willing to use it to defuse the threat of Lisa’s past being exposed. “It looks like
we need to add setting up a home for young boys to our list.”

“Damned sordid business.” Hugh grimaced. “As much as I admire their eagerness to assist
the victims, I wish our ladies could be protected from such knowledge.”

“Amen to that,” Nathaniel muttered, more determined than ever not to add to Lisa’s
burden.

“What do you mean you shan’t be paying any more of my gambling debts?” Edgeley demanded
when Nathaniel tracked him down later that night. “Do you honestly think the papers
won’t turn on Lady Anneliese like a pack of ravening wolves if I disclose what I know?”

“If her reputation is tarnished in any manner that can be traced to your door, I will
delight in exposing you as a pederast, a far more damaging disclosure, wouldn’t you
say?” Nathaniel stepped up close to his old friend turned nemesis. “You can forget
ensnaring a dowered debutante when I’m finished with you. You’ll be a pariah, unwelcome
in a single
respectable home.”

Edgeley’s jaw worked convulsively. “You don’t know who, or what
,
you’re dealing with, Marsden.”

“Filth,” Nathaniel spat. “Blackmailing filth. How does it feel to have the tables
turned?”

To Nathaniel’s surprise, a sly smile curved the other man’s lip.

“The tables have definitely been turned, but I doubt you’ll enjoy the outcome as much
as I will.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nathaniel resisted the urge to grab Edgeley by the
throat, though the temptation was almost overwhelming. “If you think I won’t expose
you if my betrothed’s reputation is harmed, you are sorely mistaken.”

Edgeley shrugged. “I’ve no intention of harming your lovely lady’s reputation. Under
the circumstances you’ve created, I imagine it is quite an asset.”

He turned and sauntered away, while Nathaniel watched, a sick feeling in the pit of
his stomach. He feared the upper hand had been stolen from him, but he wasn’t sure
how.

Chapter 16

Impatient

Lisa felt like all of London was caught up in the excitement of her pending marriage
to Nathaniel. Between the daily updates in the social pages, the incessant questioning
to which they were subjected at whatever society event they attended of an evening,
and the seemingly never-ending fittings and preparations, it was a struggle not to
become overwhelmed. Her impatience to become Nathaniel’s wife was never in doubt,
but her enthusiasm was tempered by the knowledge the majestic ceremony would bear
little resemblance to the small, intimate affair she would have preferred.

She wasn’t sure what was worse . . . the knowledge crowds would line the street to
watch the bridal procession, the enormity of the church service that was to be followed
by a wedding breakfast at the palace in the early afternoon, or that she would be
attended by no less than seven bridesmaids, chosen by the King, all of whom she’d
only just met. Rebecca would be acting as her maid of honour, her younger friend’s
enthusiasm unbridled. Penelope’s young sons were to be page boys, and Lisa assured
the nervous lads they would be very dapper in their roles.

Hugh was to stand up with Nathaniel, and having warmed to him considerably during
their time in London, Lisa didn’t have to feign her pleasure at the announcement.
Her reaction upon discovering Lord Cahill, her soon-to-be cousin-in-law, Michael,
would also be included in the wedding party was not nearly as charitable and led to
Nathaniel’s and her first domestic disagreement.

“Michael?” Lisa frowned. “Your
cousin
Michael?”

“Who else?” Nathaniel laughed. “He’ll be standing up with me alongside Hugh for the
ceremony.”

“But Uncle Thomas said it would take at least six months to oversee the restoration
of his estate in Ireland, possibly twelve.”

“And it will, I imagine, but when I asked Father, he agreed that Michael and Eleanor
should be allowed to return for our wedding.”

Lisa couldn’t believe this was happening. “You
requested
their presence?”

“Of course. Michael’s like a brother to me.”

“When will they be here?”

Nathaniel shrugged. “In good time for the wedding. Within the week, I suppose.”

“Within the week?” Lisa’s voice rose. “When were you going to tell me?”

“I’m telling you now.” Her all-too-handsome, mostly considerate, but sometimes incredibly
obtuse husband-to-be spread his hands. “Michael’s behaviour at Worthington was boorish,
but I thought his apology sufficient. I’m certain he would be willing to proffer it
again if that would help.”

“His apology is not the issue.” Lisa folded her arms.

“Are you nervous about being in his presence? You have nothing to fear from my cousin.”

“It’s not
Lord
Cahill I’m afraid of.” Angry tears sprang to her eyes, and Nathaniel’s expression
sobered.

“Eleanor,” he said flatly.

“I didn’t think I’d have to face her so soon.” Lisa had known it would happen one
day—the idea the stuff of nightmares—but she’d expected a little more warning, not
to be threatened with the possible ruination of her wedding.

“She’s family, I’m afraid.” Nathaniel reached for her hand, Lisa’s response in accepting
it uncharacteristically slow. “But that’s no excuse for her rudeness. I guarantee
she will treat you with the utmost respect, or she’ll have me to answer to.”

“Rudeness?” Lisa snatched her hand away. “It’s not poor manners I’m afraid of. I was
almost trampled to death because of your cousin’s wife. Not to mention the fact she
went out of her way to sabotage our relationship, took my mother’s pearls, and called
me a
tart
.”

“In fairness, she did
believe you were a commoner.”

“Which is no excuse for treating a person abominably.” Nathaniel’s placating tone
had done him no favours, and Lisa began to pace. “She took great delight in revealing
our situation to your father upon his return in the most damaging manner possible,
calling me a whore and inferring I had willingly shared my bed with not one, but
four
men.”

“I can understand why you’re not in a hurry to befriend her.”

“Befriend her?” Lisa stopped and faced him. “It shall take all my restraint not to
slap her senseless. Eleanor had better understand that circumstances have changed
now that I am no longer masquerading as a servant. If she thinks I’ll meekly submit
to her abuse or stand by while she makes a play for
my
betrothed, she’s in for a rude awakening.”

Nathaniel’s smirk—and the insecurity she had unwittingly revealed—did little to douse
Lisa’s ire. But before she could scold him further, he pulled her into his embrace,
ignoring their family members engaged in a spirited game of whist at the far end of
the drawing room.

“You have nothing to fear with regards to Eleanor or any other woman,” he said softly.
“For I only have, and will only
ever
have, eyes for you.”

His declaration brought a reluctant smile to Lisa’s lips, one that curved more freely
when she considered how he’d already demonstrated the veracity of his words. Ignoring
the fact he was betrothed, or that she was invariably standing by his side, the young
debutantes at the social engagements they attended practically threw
themselves at Nathaniel. It should have galled, but he paid them so little mind, his
attention so firmly fixed on Lisa at all times, that it was actually quite gratifying.
The jealousy he displayed when foolish gentlemen fawned over her, while flattering,
was entirely unnecessary.

After being told by the Moreton sisters back home in Henbury that her unfashionable
red hair was a death knell for her chances of finding acceptance, Lisa had expected
to be shunned when she made her debut. When she imagined the reaction of her childhood
friends-cum-nemeses to discovering their neighbour was related to royalty—and to Nathaniel
when they met him—she couldn’t help but chuckle. Since the King was determined to
make her wedding a public event they, along with the rest of Henbury society, had
been invited. But she was most looking forward to seeing John, Helen, and the extended
family of household staff whom Lisa’s father had insisted receive invitations.

The visit to the charity home, while challenging, was a welcome distraction from the
fuss and drama of the wedding preparations and stimulated vigorous conversation amongst
their group.

“I’d like to see us establish a home and training college close to Marsden Park,”
Nathaniel said, when they discussed a plan for expansion with the board members. “Security
wouldn’t be such a nightmare, and Lisa could continue her involvement with the charity
once we’re settled in the country.”

His suggestion went a long way to making up for his cousin’s inclusion in their wedding
party and endeared him to Lisa even more than she thought possible. Hugh’s determined,
if sober, involvement in their discussions and planning had a similar effect on Rebecca,
and she joined Lisa in her room late one evening to share her thoughts regarding his
efforts.

“I’m convinced his feelings for me are genuine,” she said, as the two young women
sat cross-legged on Lisa’s bed, clothed only in their nightgowns. “He was sincerely
moved by what he saw at the home, his conscience exercised to make confession as well
as spur him to action.”

“Confession?” Lisa sat forward. “He spoke with you regarding his previous experiences?”

Rebecca nodded, dropping her gaze to where her hands plucked at the white linen sheets.

“What did he say?” Lisa prompted.

“That after coming into his inheritance as a young man, he did not
always
conduct himself in a gentlemanly manner,” Rebecca said, her words in the form of a
recitation. “He admitted to visiting houses of ill repute as a younger man but only
on occasion and not for some time, certainly not since making my acquaintance.”

“Oh.” Lisa released the breath she was holding. If it were Lord Edgeley’s past in
question, she imagined the litany of his sins would have been a lot longer. He’d been
noticeably absent during her time in London, and she dreaded their eventual meeting.
Nathaniel had assured her there was no need to worry, that he’d been warned not to
make trouble, but she feared a man with so little honour could not be trusted.