The Scandal of Lady Eleanor (38 page)

When the woman trailed the others, Kimbolt began to straighten the chairs. “Did you speak to Fowler?” He asked rather casually.

“Saw him yesterday.” Levering downed the last of his drink before setting the glass a little too hard on the table. “The bastard received me himself.”

“Any news of his sister?” The viscount propped his feet on a nearby hammock as he sat again at the card table.

Levering joined him so they might speak in private. “Fowler says Lady Eleanor plans to return for Prinny's party. That is less than a fortnight. When I asked where the lady might be, the duke claimed she had taken a holiday—supposedly traveling through the Lake District with that non-existent friend of hers, Miss Nelson.”

“So, she is still in hiding?”

“The chit has to come home sometime—to either London or here. I even sent a man to Cornwall to see if she was at Fowler's house there, but that place is shut up. The servants from there are the ones the Duke has in London.”

Kimbolt flipped the cards, using one hand to divide and shuffle them. “So what do you do next?”

“The Duke invited me to join them at the Prince Regent's party. I will reclaim Lady Eleanor then if not before.”

“Prinny's party? You were invited to the Prince's party?” He pretended surprise.

“Well, not directly, but as part of Thor nhill's party, I will be accepted.”

“Only the cream of the
ton
is invited.” Kimbolt set the trap. “It will be the perfect time to make connections—to feather your bed, so to speak.”

“Being seen with Lady Eleanor on my arm before the
beau monde
will serve me well.”

“Looks perfect.” Lexford gave Levering a mocking smirk. “You have the books to keep the lady in line.”

Levering stared off as if imagining the scene. “Yes.”

“The books are in a safe place, are they not?” The viscount laid out the cards in a game of solitaire. He did not even look at Levering, but he knew what expression the man wore.

Levering stood suddenly. “I should not keep Lizzie upstairs waiting.”

“I believe I will finish this game and then call it a night. I have business in Surrey day after tomorrow. I shall be out of town for a week.You will take care of the Fowlers while I am away?”

“Everything will be well.You have nothing of which to worry. I shall have your money before long.”

Kimbolt continued to concentrate on the cards. “I trust that you will.”

Levering slunk from the room. Out of the corner of his eye, Kimbolt observed the baronet scurry to his study. A drawer's slam indicated that he had located the phony diary. The viscount breathed easier when Levering immediately headed for the stairs. The Captain's expectations were sound: Levering proved predictable. Kimbolt put down the cards, blew out the candles, and sauntered in the direction of the main stairs. He climbed leisurely, listening closely for the baronet's footsteps. Sir Louis did not go directly to his chambers; instead, he climbed another level.

Kimbolt could not follow, but he could time Levering's absence and observe his composure when he returned. Within five minutes,
the viscount heard the baronet's tread on the upper level. He dropped into an open door where he might see Levering's reappearance. The man, literally, spun around and strutted with confidence to his room. Evidently, he had not noticed the switch. Smiling, Kimbolt closed the door and began to undress.
It was all coming together
.

Crowden placed the two volumes on Fowler's desk and smiled. “Send word to Worthing that Levering's hold on your sister has disappeared like a ghost in the night.”

“Any trouble?”The duke fingered the books' gold edgings, letting his curiosity caress the binding. Bran would read them before he turned them over to Ella. He knew Eleanor would never tell him the whole truth of their father's depravation. Reading the diaries would be a way to punish his soul for leaving Ella behind.

Crowden dropped into his favorite chair. “Nothing Kimbolt and I could not handle. The viscount knows how to stage a diversion. He should be around later to apprise you of the details. You will inform Worthing?”

Fowler turned immediately to lock Lady Levering's books in his safe. “I will write Worthing without delay.” He and his future brother had sent multiple messages between London and Derby over the past week. Sometimes the riders had actually passed each other on the North Road. “The last impediment to his and Eleanor's marriage is resolved; I will wait for Worthing's response, but he had planned for next Thursday or Friday for the ceremony. I will not tell Aunt Agatha until right before we leave. I refuse to involve her in this mess until it is too late for Levering to make a countermove. I invited the baronet to join my party at Prinny's gathering. That is the Wednesday after Eleanor's wedding. She will return to London as Lady Worthing.”

“Then we will leave on Monday?”

Fowler smiled deviously. “Monday seems appropriate. I will spread the word that we travel to visit the Duchess's family. Her son's estate is actually close to Worthing's, so no one will notice the difference.”

“Will the Duchess accept the smaller wedding? I imagine she planned something more elaborate.”

The Duke noted the possibility. “Worthing's mother is an old friend; plus, the idea that Kerrington and Eleanor chose to marry where the Earl might attend will be plausible for everyone involved.”

“Worthing seemed happy.” Both men stared off, each trying to envision such contentment in store for himself.

“He and Ella connected instantly; she stumbled and had fallen into his arms. From that moment, anyone with eyes could see where it would lead. I am pleased for them; they will find happiness with marriage, an unusual occurrence among those of our station.”

“I have business to which to attend.” Godown stood to leave.

“Will we see you at the Drake's garden party?” Fowler followed the Marquis to his feet.

“I think not.” Godown straightened his waistcoat. “You should spend time with your cousin, Fowler. Quit playing games and simply declare your love.”

The Duke said nothing, but the news of the near disaster involving Eleanor's marriage changed how he thought about his relationship with Velvet Aldridge. He would not leave it to chance any longer; it was time to convince her to marry him. He shook Crowden's hand when they reached the door. “I will let you know if anything changes.”

CHAPTER 14

“WAIT HERE,” JAMES CAUTIONED. He had taken Ella and Daniel riding across the estate, making each of them familiar with the land and the responsibility of his future as the Earl of Linworth. The household expected Lord Amsteadt's arrival tomorrow evening; the man had sent word of a one-day delay. Georgina had declined the need to inform him of Baby Eleanor's untimely appearance; James's sister planned an elaborate surprise for her husband. Therefore, this was likely the last quiet day he and Eleanor would have for the next week. As the three traveled the estate's perimeter, they came upon a broken-down carriage along a side road leading to the village. It was probably nothing, but James decided to take no chances. Levering had friends in nearby Nottingham, and he wanted no more troubles to haunt Ella's dreams. “Let me see who this might be first.” He motioned for Ella and Daniel to remain hidden among the trees.

“Greetings, in the carriage!” he called as he rode his stallion down the low-sloping hill.

Hearing his voice, a middle-aged gentleman eased his way from the coach, mopping his perspiring brow with a handkerchief. A quick glance showed the coach to have a broken crank neck, as well as several broken spokes causing the wheel to come apart. “Ah, bless you for stopping.” The man pulled himself up to speak to the mounted Kerrington. “We could use your assistance, Sir.”

James did not dismount, still surveying the scene. “Hopefully, I will not disappoint. What are you doing out here? It is not a main road.”

The man continued to pat his brow dry. “We travel from the Lakes to Kent.Where we stayed last evening, the innkeeper told our coachman of a shortcut to eliminate at least twenty miles from our journey. Unfortunately, the road was not well-kept, and we ended up here.”

“Who are
we
?” James searched the coach's interior darkness, trying to see who might be hidden inside.

“My wife, Sir, and our niece.” The man finally realized that James did not trust him. “I assure you, Sir, I am a viscount. We live near Edinburgh.”

A matronly-looking woman's face appeared at the open carriage door. “Is there a problem, Samuel?”

“No, my Dear.” The man now eyed James with equal suspicion.

Seeing the woman, James cautiously dismounted. “This road abuts my estate,” he offered. “I am Viscount Worthing, and this is Linton Park.” He gestured toward the land behind him before making an abbreviated bow.

The man first helped his wife to the ground and then a dark-haired girl. Turning to James, he began his own introductions. “Sir, I am…”

Before he could finish, Ella's voice rang out from the edge of the hill leading to the road. “Cashé!”

Everyone's heads snapped around in unison. Ella was off her horse and running down the slope toward the strangers. She opened her arms, and the girl ran straight to her. Squeals of laughter and happiness drowned out the greetings. Seeing the girl turn to the running woman, the genteel couple did the same. Soon, the four of them—Ella and the three travelers—stood in the road's middle in one gigantic embrace. James watched, mouth agape, as Daniel joined him, having caught the reins of Ella's horse and brought it alongside his father's before dismounting.

When the squeals died down and the initial joy subsided, Ella, her arm around the girl's waist, turned to where James stood patiently awaiting an explanation. “Oh, James,” she actually laughed as she spoke, “this is one of Velvet's sisters.”

Now that Ella had said it, the likeness became completely evident. However, he simply smiled and inclined his head to the woman he loved and waited for the introductions.

Belatedly remembering her manners, Eleanor turned to the couple and began the proper welcome. “My Lord, may I present the Viscount and Viscountess Averette and Miss Cashémere Aldridge. This is Velvet's aunt and uncle from near Edinburgh and one of her younger sisters.”

Ella shifted to stand between James and Daniel. “Lord and Lady Averette, may I present James Kerrington, the future Earl of Linworth and my betrothed. And this will be my new son Master Daniel.” Ella purposely placed her hands on Daniel's shoulders as she spoke.

“You are to be married, Lady Eleanor?” Lady Averette came forward to claim Ella's hands again even as her husband and Velvet's sister offered the obligatory bow.

Ella bubbled with excitement. “I am, Viscountess. Next week, in fact.”

Lord Averette stammered, “We…we were holidaying in the western Highlands and the Lakes when word reached us of your father's passing, Lady Eleanor. We immediately set a course for Kent.”

“Then you do not know; Brantley has returned home to claim the title.”

A look of relief flooded the faces of the three Averettes; Lord Averette spoke their concern. “We prayed that the late duke's Cousin Leighton's claim to the estate might be thwarted.” Sounding quite pompous, he continued, “The devil cannot remain at Thorn Hall. It has seen enough facinorousness.” James noted that Ella's posture had changed.

“Shall you not be to Kent for the wedding, Lady Eleanor?” Miss Aldridge's sister spoke in a righteous tone.

Ella blushed, realizing how all this must look. “No, His Lordship and I will marry at the Linton Park chapel. The Earl is very ill and would not withstand the trip to Kent or London for the nuptials. Bran, Aunt Agatha, and Velvet will join us in three days. My betrothed and Brantley served together on the Continent and in the East. My brother's connection brought His Lordship and me together.”