The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) (15 page)

“I’m intelligent, well educated, and socially connected. I am more than capable of succeeding in anything I damn well choose. Do you realize that all the money we’ve made thus far, after keeping Father’s creditors happy of course, has gone toward maintaining the illusion that we don’t need money?”

“I had no idea.”

“Well, it has.” Teddy shook her head. “It takes far more than I had ever expected simply to keep up appearances. Why, the house alone costs a small fortune to run. One never imagines the sort of money it takes to continue the life one has always led until one has to pay for it oneself. I never thought about money until we didn’t have any and Mother’s no good about budgeting at all.”

“I can imagine . . .”

“She cannot get it out of her head that a good marriage is the only solution.”

“Perhaps you should try to find a match for her,” Dee said weakly.

“Don’t think I haven’t thought of that,” Teddy said sharply. “Unfortunately, most gentlemen of a certain age have no desire for an older woman. The only eligible older man I know who is the least bit charming and dashing is your uncle and he is still married. Believe me, if there was anyone who could entice my mother into marriage I’d be throwing the poor man at her like a virgin into a volcano.”

Dee choked back a laugh. “I meant to mention this before.” She leaned forward in a confidential manner. “But if you don’t want the entire world to hear what we are discussing, you’d best lower your voice.”

Teddy winced. “Is it that bad?”

“Probably not. I am just being cautious.” Dee paused, laughter in her eyes. “Although I distinctly noted the ears of a lady at the next table perking up like a good hound’s at the word
virgin.”

Teddy stared for a moment, then laughed. “You did not.”

“Perhaps not.” Dee smiled and settled back in her chair. “But you do express a great deal of vehemence when the subject turns to your mother.”

“I simply find it annoying—no—infuriating that while she’s willing to sacrifice my future on the altar of holy matrimony to regain the life we lost, she’s far more selective when it comes to her own future.”

“What does she think about your newfound determination to be a woman of business?”

“I haven’t told her.” Teddy drew a deep breath. “Nor do I intend to. At least not yet.” She met her friend’s gaze. “What do you think?”

“Well, it’s most improper, scandalous, really,” Dee said slowly. “However, I can certainly understand how losing all your money changes everything. I was fortunate to have my funds restored to me but your circumstances are entirely different.” She thought for a moment. “It does seem to me that impropriety and scandal are among those things that are in the eye of the beholder. As you intend to continue to well, deceive society as to the true nature of your endeavor, you have my complete support.”

“But only if it remains clandestine?”

“Good Lord, Teddy, you are my dearest friend in the world. I want nothing but the best for you. Certainly being in business is not what I would have chosen for you. And yes, if you were to jump into the Thames naked I would not join you but I would definitely throw you a rope.”

Teddy raised a brow. “To hang myself?”

“Whatever you wish.” Dee waved off the comment. “The point that I am trying to make is that years and years ago we agreed that we would be good, true friends for the rest of our lives. And I am your good, true friend regardless of what twists and turns either of our lives may take. Regardless of what choices you make. You will always have my support even if some of the decisions you make are not as well advised as others. Even if I disagree with them. Besides . . .” She paused. “You never said a disapproving word when I married my first husband even though I know full well you find the idea of marriage to older men distasteful.”

Teddy’s eyes widened. “I never . . . that is you . . . and well I mean I . . .”

“It no longer matters.” Dee waved off Teddy’s words, the sapphire ring Sam had given her flashing in the light. “In fact, it didn’t really matter at the time. I did what was best for me just as you will do what is best for you. I will keep my thoughts to myself, as you did, and I shall be here if you need me just as you were there for me.”

Teddy stared.

“You had no idea I was quite so, oh, I don’t know, wonderful is as good a word as any, I think.” Dee smiled and popped a bite of biscuit in her mouth.

“Actually, Dee.” Teddy reached out and took her friend’s hand. “I have always known that.”

“And because I am quite wonderful as well as your good, true friend, I have an idea as to what to do about the problem with your mother.”

“Oh?”

“You, my dear friend, need a holiday.”

“That’s brilliant, Dee.” Teddy settled back in her chair. “Why, the south of France is lovely at this time of year.”

Dee cast her friend a chastising look. “Sarcasm, Teddy?”

“I am sorry but perhaps you missed that minor point about my lack of funds. I can’t afford a holiday. I have neither the time nor the money. Even a day trip to Brighton would be difficult to manage. And every extra bit I have needs to go toward replenishing my wardrobe. I’m afraid I’m beginning to look a touch shabby.”

“I didn’t want to mention it,” Dee said under her breath.

“Again, you mean.”

“Haven’t I offered to lend you anything in my wardrobe?”

“You’re entirely too short for me.”

“And haven’t I also offered to loan you however much you need to help you replenish your wardrobe? As well as what you need to finish repaying your father’s debts?”

“You are a good, true friend.”

Dee nodded smugly. “Yes, I am.”

“And as much as I appreciate the idea . . .” Teddy sighed. “I can’t possibly take a holiday.”

“I’m not suggesting you go anywhere. I’m simply suggesting you get away from your mother.”

“Excellent idea.” Teddy eyed the other woman skeptically. “Do tell me, how you propose that I do that?”

“Well, I intend to stay at Millworth until after the New Year. Mother is very nearly giddy over the thought of everyone at Millworth for Christmas. I’m sure you remember last year’s Christmas wasn’t quite as traditional as one might have hoped.”

Teddy bit back a smile. Last year’s Christmas was still something of a sore spot with Dee even though it had worked out remarkably well in the end.

“Quite frankly, since Father’s return I haven’t seen much of Mother, they’ve been traveling a lot you know. And I’ll be spending at least half of my time in New York when Sam and I marry so who knows how often we’ll see each other then. And well, as odd as it may sound, I’ve missed her.”

Dee and her mother had always been close in spite of Lady Briston’s eccentricities, or perhaps because of them. Especially since Dee’s sisters were older and paid Dee no mind at all when she was young. It was only in the last year that the Channing daughters had become true sisters. In spite of their problems in the past, Teddy couldn’t help but envy them.

“And you are always welcome at Millworth, you know. You could certainly come with me.”

Teddy shook her head. “There’s Lady Wellby’s party as well as a few others I have on my schedule. I know Millworth is only an hour by train, and I did manage to do what I needed to accomplish while I was there in the weeks before Camille’s wedding, but at the moment, I don’t think leaving London is wise.”

“I do hate it when you’re practical.”

“I hate being practical,” Teddy said wryly.

“I suspected you’d prefer to stay in London so I propose you simply move out of your house for however long you need to.”

“And where would you suggest I go?”

“Why to my house, of course.” Dee smiled in a triumphant manner. “I’m not going to be there. Sam has been residing in a hotel and he and Camille and Grayson are leaving for New York in a few days anyway. I would go with them but I have financial matters of my own that still need overseeing and I don’t want to be an ocean away should there be a problem.”

“I don’t know . . .” Although that would be a perfect solution.

“You know how much I adore that house and I hate to have it stand empty. I’ve managed to rehire my cook and one of the housemaids. The others, including my butler, took positions elsewhere.” Dee blew a frustrated breath. “I can’t say that I blame them. When I let them go—”

Teddy nodded. “When you were forced to economize.”

“Please, I don’t ever want to hear that word again.” Dee shuddered. “As I was saying, when I let them go, I had no idea if my financial difficulties would be resolved in my favor or not. Now that they have been, I am eager to get my life back in order. Although . . .” She glanced at the ring on her finger and smiled. “There will be a few changes.”

“Are you going to keep the house?”

“Absolutely.” Determination straightened Dee’s shoulders. “Sam and I will need somewhere to live when we are in London. We intend to spend half our time here and half in America.”

“How very . . . compromising of you.” Teddy stifled a grin.

“I think so.” Dee cast the other woman a smug smile. “At any rate, I have hired a new butler but I still need a housekeeper and another maid and an assistant for the cook. If you stayed at the house, you could take care of hiring the rest of my staff for me.”

“Still, I’m not sure . . .”

“Besides, I had never considered the financial frivolity of having a house staffed even when I’m not living there.” Her brows drew together. “Now, I find it somewhat distressing but at least I haven’t reopened Hargate Hall.” She took a casual sip of tea. “In fact, I’m thinking of selling it.”

Surprise widened Teddy’s eyes. “Your country house? I never imagined you’d let that go.”

“I didn’t admit it at the time, but I never felt quite, oh, right there.” Dee shrugged. “It’s time to move on with my life.”

“Of course.” Teddy shouldn’t have been surprised. In the last years of their marriage, Dee’s late husband, Phillip, spent more of his time alone at their country house than he did with Dee in London.

She leaned forward and met Teddy’s gaze. “So you see, you’d really be doing me a great service by staying there. Your mother would surely understand, especially if you point out that I would be forever in your debt.” Dee cast her a wicked grin. “And I have always been partial to throwing parties that I will simply be too busy to manage myself in the future.”

Teddy considered the other woman for a long moment. Why not? “I can have a bag packed and be at your house by late this afternoon.”

“Perfect.” Dee beamed. “I’ll have a word with the new butler today before I return to Millworth and tell him to expect you. His name is Mr. Filbeck, by the way.”

“Thank you.” Teddy nodded absently, already going over the right way to inform her mother about this turn of events. A note seemed best. One her mother would receive after Teddy had already gone.

“Now that that is settled.” Dee selected another biscuit. “Tell me what you and my mother have planned for Jack’s New Year’s ball.”

“Well, your mother has not let go of the possibility of a masked ball, not costumes mind you, simply masks. She thinks it would add an aura of mystery.”

No, Lady Sallwick wouldn’t be at all happy about her daughter residing in a house, any house, alone sans chaperone and would no doubt point out the impropriety of it. And goodness, what would Cousin Simon think then? The last thing Teddy wanted was another confrontation with her mother. Still, if that was the price she had to pay, so be it. If Teddy was truly determined to be independent and stand on her own, this was nothing more than a first step. And it was time—past time—her mother understood it was Teddy’s life and she would be the one to decide how it would be lived. Besides, she was perilously close to being an acknowledged spinster already so what real difference did a bit of impropriety make?

“I doubt if Jack or Uncle Basil particularly care about the arrangements,” Dee said thoughtfully. “As long as Mother doesn’t have him carried in on a gold litter held aloft by Roman slaves like an ancient emperor. Or a sacrifice.”

Teddy laughed. “I promise, I won’t let her go that far. But she does intend to make this a social event to remember. Why, the guest list alone is enormous.”

“And I suspect each and every one on it will attend, out of curiosity if nothing else.” Dee shook her head. “It’s not every day a family discovers a lost heir and an American one at that.”

“That reminds me, I should tell you.” Teddy lowered her voice and leaned closer. “Before you came in, I overheard two ladies talking about how the Earl of Briston has a newfound heir who was raised by natives in the wilds of America.”

“Beryl’s doing no doubt. The next thing you know we’ll be hearing that he was raised by wolves. I don’t know why no one listens to me.” Dee heaved a long-suffering sigh. “Amnesia was so much more believable.”

Later that day,
The residence of Lady Hargate . . .

 

 

 

Jack paused in the spacious foyer of Delilah’s London house and looked around approvingly. The place was serene and uncluttered with only an upholstered bench against one wall, an ornate mirror hanging above a small table on one side of the door, and a brass coatrack on the other. Not at all what he expected. The tall, red brick building wasn’t nearly as grand as he would have thought Lady Hargate would own either but then he didn’t know any of them at all really, except for his father of course. Still he liked them. And, better yet, they seemed to like him.

He suspected the rest of society might not be quite so welcoming. He was an American after all. Before coming to England he had always thought the British looked down their noses at their former colonists. Most of the people he had met thus far had been men and friends of his father, not a particularly standoffish group. It was the ladies of society he had to win over. Still, women always did seem to like him. It didn’t hurt that he had money and was from a prominent family.

The colonel had taken Jack’s desire for a respite from togetherness extremely well. In fact, the older man had chuckled and said he had wondered when Jack would reach that point. He had given his blessing while admitting they both could use a little time apart. Nonetheless, he reminded his son of an engagement the day after tomorrow and Jack had assured him of his presence.

He handed his coat to the butler who hung it on the rack.

“Where should I put your bag, sir?” the butler asked in an odd manner, as if the servant wasn’t sure exactly what to do with this new arrival and was not at all pleased at his presence. But then Sam had said he was newly hired.

“One of the bedrooms will be fine.”

“Which one in particular, sir?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Jack shrugged. “Whatever you think is appropriate.”

“My view of what is and is not appropriate makes no difference, sir.”

“All right then,” Jack said slowly. “The first suitable room will be fine.”

“Very well, sir.” The butler paused. “Shall I show you to the parlor?”

“Yes, thank you.” He followed the butler up the broad stairway to the second floor. First floor here he corrected himself. The butler opened a set of doors off the foyer at the top of the stairs and stepped aside.

Jack strode into the parlor. This room too was well furnished in what he assumed was the latest style with a sofa, a few chairs, and several tables. But the gracious room was not overly crowded with furniture or those annoying little figurines or other odds and ends that women without husbands to restrain them usually had cluttering up the place. Several paintings hung on the walls, portraits and a few landscapes. An empty glass-fronted cabinet, the kind used to display annoying figurines or odds and ends, stood to one side of the tall windows. Why on earth would anyone have an empty cabinet?

“Do you need anything, sir?” the servant said in a manner that might have been disapproving although it was probably just British reserve. Still, their butler in his family’s house in New York was English and you never knew exactly what Mr. Edgars might be thinking, good or bad.

“Not at the moment.”

“Very well then.” The butler sniffed and took his leave.

No, Jack wasn’t mistaken, the man definitely disapproved of him or his presence here. Absurd, of course, this was his cousin’s house after all. It was already evening, perhaps he disapproved of guests arriving too late in the day. Or it could be that he simply didn’t like plans being changed and he hadn’t expected anyone to be living in the house for several months yet. Well, he’d have to adjust. Jack was here and here he intended to stay. Delilah’s house was the only sanctuary he had and he was not about to let a snob of a butler scare him away.

He wandered around the perimeter of the room, studying each painting in turn. The landscapes struck him as serious works rather than something merely decorative but he didn’t recognize the artists.

Raised voices sounded from the hall outside the parlor door. As much as Jack preferred not to eavesdrop, it was impossible to avoid.

“. . . and I absolutely refuse to serve in a house where blatant indiscretions are being committed.” That was definitely the butler.

A woman’s voice responded, too far away for Jack to make out her words. The housekeeper perhaps?

“Ha!” the butler responded. “I am not a fool, my lady.”

Not the housekeeper then. But hadn’t Sam said Delilah was going back to Millworth?

“Nonetheless, I can certainly see what is going on here,” the butler continued, “and I will have no part of it. I have a reputation to maintain. My references are impeccable. Why, my last position was with the Duchess of Mersbury herself!”

Again, the woman’s words were indistinguishable but the butler’s gasp of indignation was clear.

“She died, my lady!”

He still couldn’t make out the words but the woman’s tone was unmistakable. Jack winced. He wouldn’t want to be in the butler’s shoes right now.

“Discharged?” The butler’s indignation rang in the hall. “I have never been discharged. I tender my resignation effective immediately!”

Jack couldn’t decipher the woman’s reply and suspected that was for the best.

A moment later the butler marched by the parlor door in an air of pride and righteous indignation.

“I can assure you, your references won’t be impeccable next time!” The woman’s voice now sounded just out of sight, irate and very familiar.

Theodosia stalked by the doorway, glanced into the parlor, then continued on. An instant later she returned and stared in obvious disbelief.

“You!”

“Good afternoon, Theodosia,” he said cautiously.

“On the contrary, Mr. Channing, it’s not the least bit good!” She stepped into the parlor, the fury that had been directed at the butler now aimed at Jack. “What are you doing here?”

He ventured a tentative smile. “We’re back to Mr. Channing, are we?”

“You’re fortunate that’s all I’m calling you!” Her hazel eyes flashed with fire. “Well?”

“Well . . . what?”

“What are you doing here?”

He stared at her for a long moment. She had no reason to be angry with him. He had nothing to do with whatever problem she’d had with the butler. He’d just barely arrived, after all. Now that he thought about it, the blasted woman did seem to be easily annoyed with him more often than not and for very little cause. Well, enough was enough.

“I might ask you the same question,” he said coolly. “What are you doing here?”

“I am here at Delilah’s,
Lady Hargate’s
, invitation,” she said in a manner far loftier than necessary. “I’m residing here while she is at Millworth.”

“Well then we have a problem.” He kept his tone mild. “I too am staying here. At the invitation of Lady Hargate’s
fiancé.”

Her eyes widened. “That’s impossible.”

“And yet.” He shrugged. “Here I am.”

“This won’t do.” She shook her head. “This won’t do at all. We can’t stay in the same house. Alone. Unchaperoned. Why it’s scandalous. It will ruin us both. You may not care but I have a reputation to think of. You have to leave. At once!”

“I’m not going anywhere. But you’re right. This is a problem.” He narrowed his eyes. “Therefore I suggest you leave.”

“Absolutely not.” She squared her shoulders. “Delilah is my dearest friend in the world and she, well, she’d be offended if I left.”

His brow rose. “Would she?”

“Without question.” She nodded. “She would take my leaving as . . . as the gravest of insults. Why, this might destroy our friendship altogether. A friendship, might I point out, that has lasted longer than you have known her.”

“Regardless, I’m still not leaving.”

She studied him suspiciously. “Why are you here? I thought you were staying with your father at Channing House.”

“I was.” He shrugged. “And now I’m not.”

“Good Lord.” Her eyes widened. “They’ve thrown you out, haven’t they?”

“Of course not.” He laughed. “Why would they throw me out?”

“I don’t know,” she snapped. “It was the first thing that came to mind. For a moment I thought, in spite of the resemblance, you weren’t Colonel Channing’s son after all.”

“You thought I might be part of some elaborate dramatic plot to defraud the family out of their money, their home, and their title?” He chuckled. “I imagine there are far less complicated ways to do that than letting the colonel track me down half a world away.” He paused. “I can assure you, as my mother is married to Colonel Channing, and was before my birth, and then given the resemblance you’ve already mentioned, there isn’t a doubt in my mind as to my paternity. Or, I might add, in anyone’s mind except perhaps yours.”

“Not at all.” A charming blush washed up her face. “It was just a chance thought and not particularly worthy of me, so I do apologize. Nonetheless.” She folded her arms over her chest. “You still need to leave.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“But—”

“Give me one good reason why I should.”

“Because I promised Dee I would hire a new housekeeper and other staff for her which would be much less difficult if I resided here. And now . . .” Her eyes narrowed. “I have to hire a new butler as well, thanks to you.”

“What do you mean—thanks to me?” Jack shook his head in disbelief. “I’m not the one who fired the butler. What was that all about anyway?”

“It was about you,” she said sharply, then drew a deep breath. “He thought you were here, at my invitation I might add, for purposes that were, oh, less than honorable.”

“Did he?” Jack bit back a smile. “Sam said he’d send a note.”

“He obviously failed to do so as your appearance was as much a surprise to the butler as it was to me.”

“And he jumped to the conclusion that I was—”

“Yes, yes.” She waved off his comment. “We’ve established that.”

“So he was shocked at the possibility of . . . indiscretion.”

“He said he had high standards and would not condone a house where blatant improprieties and moral turpitude were acceptable. Moral turpitude—ha!”

Jack stifled a laugh but it wasn’t easy. She was so magnificently irate.

“Of course, I had no idea what he was talking about.” She rolled her gaze toward the ceiling. “He was making no sense whatsoever and I thought he was quite possibly mad.”

“Did you?”

She nodded. “Well, I didn’t know you were here and he was far too outraged to make any sense at all although now I understand what he was going on about.” She paused. “As he was perilously close to calling me something I refuse to say aloud, I might have lost my temper.”

“You?” Jack gasped in feigned surprise. “The nerve of the man.”

She ignored him. “And I might have cast aspersions on his ability to, well, differentiate between a portion of his body and a hole in the ground.”

Jack laughed.

“This isn’t funny.” Her lips twitched as if she was trying not to smile. “It’s not the least bit amusing. Now I have to find Dee a new butler as well as a housekeeper. And I had planned on his assistance in that regard.”

“I’m sure you’re more than capable of handling that without assistance.”

“That’s not the point. The point is your very presence here has added complications to my life that I simply don’t need at the moment. Nor do I need to be embroiled in scandal. Which I think is more than enough reason for you to leave.”

“I’m afraid that’s not good enough.” He shook his head regretfully. “You’ll have to do better than that.”

“Very well then.” She stepped closer and met his gaze firmly. “My mother is driving me mad and if I had to stay in the same house with her for another moment, one of us would not have survived another night!”

“Oh?”

“You needn’t sound like that. It’s not as if I would have smothered her in her sleep.” She hesitated, the tiniest hint of a smile curving her lips. “Although admittedly it has crossed my mind.” She raised her chin in a determined manner. “And, as I have nowhere else to go, you can see why I must stay here.”

“As good as a reason as that is, I’m afraid it’s no better than mine.” He grinned. “My father is driving me mad as well.”

“Colonel Channing.” She scoffed. “Why, he’s a wonderful, charming man.”

“Indeed he is. His character is not the problem.” He shook his head. “The problem is that he’s a new father. And he’s trying to, oh,
indoctrinate
his newfound son into English society, which involves meeting everyone there is to meet and going everywhere there is to go and seeing everything there is to see. Leaving said new son not a moment to himself to so much as catch his breath.”

“Oh.” She stared wide-eyed. “That is awkward.”

“There’s such a thing as being together too much, you know.”

She nodded.

“As I have no desire to offend him staying here, in my cousin’s house, was a suitable solution as opposed to going to a hotel, which might have offended the entire family. As if I were turning my back on them, you see. So.” He cast her a triumphant smile. “While I have not entertained the idea of doing my father in, I think my reason for being here is better than yours.”

She stared at him for a considerable moment. Finally, she drew a deep breath.

“My mother wants me to marry the cousin who was my father’s heir because she thinks that will make life exactly as it’s supposed to be, or used to be, and she won’t let the matter drop for so much as an instant because, regardless of the fact that I am an adult, and I am not especially interested in marriage at all anymore, she refuses to accept that I am more than capable of making my own decisions about my life and my future,” Theodosia said all in one breath as if, now committed to confession, she was going to reveal everything in one fell swoop. She blew a long breath and refused to meet his gaze, obviously realizing she had said more than she had intended or possibly embarrassed by her revelation.