Chapter Sixteen #2
“No, I have not. I did go with Val and Eden to the theater one night. I realize now that I was as caught up in the actors’ performance as I was in Fr?ulein Engel’s singing tonight. It is wonderful to discover how art can move a person.”
“The fr?ulein will be singing in a new production early next week. Perhaps you might care to attend one of the performances with me.”
A thrill shot through Tia. Smiling, she said, “I would enjoy doing so, my lord.”
“I will arrange for a box then. Dilly and Lord Forsythe might wish to accompany us. We could even stop afterward for a late supper.”
“That would be a most wonderful evening,” she said, trying to contain her excitement.
She did not worry about a chaperone at that point.
She wasn’t certain if by being betrothed, Dilly might act as a chaperone for her.
Or perhaps Lord Merriman would bring his mother along for that purpose.
All Tia knew was that her spirits were soaring.
For the first time this Season, she was truly happy.
“Are we going for refreshments?” Eden asked.
Glancing up, she saw only she and Lord Merriman were seated on their row, blocking the others from passing. Quickly, she stood as he did the same, stepping aside and allowing her to exit the row.
He offered his arm to her. “May I escort you to the library, my lady?”
“Thank you,” she said, placing her fingers atop his sleeve, experiencing that frisson of electricity that she now believed was desire as she brushed against him.
Most of the other guests had already arrived in the library, and she was displeased when she caught sight of Lord Balch.
She had gone to visit Lia today, and as they had strolled in the park, Tia had shared with her twin of how the viscount had behaved so poorly after their win at cards.
Lia had been appalled that a gentleman would act in such an ugly manner, much less in front of a drawing room full of others.
She noticed Lord Balch stood with Lord Calley.
This was a man Tia had danced with once early in the Season, and his flirtatious manner had made her uncomfortable.
Val had confirmed it, telling her to avoid Lord Calley in the future.
If she had known that Lord Calley was a bosom friend of Lord Balch, she would never have agreed to partner with Lord Balch at cards.
Lord Merriman steered them away so they would not encounter the pair, who eyed them with interest. Then Lady Tallon rang a tiny bell, claiming their attention.
“We have some most wonderful news to share with our guests this evening.”
Tia knew this must be the announcement regarding Dilly’s betrothal.
“I have been informed by Lady Merriman that her daughter, Lady Delilah Drake, is now engaged to the Earl of Forsythe.”
Polite applause broke out, and Tia watched her friend blush at being the center of attention.
“Come,” Lord Tallon said, waving the couple over to join him and his wife.
Footmen now arrived with trays of champagne, and Tia took a flute, ready to celebrate her friends. Once all the guests had champagne in hand, Lord Tallon raised his flute.
“A toast to Lady Delilah and Lord Forsythe. May they find lasting happiness together.”
As she sipped the bubbly liquid, which tickled her nose, happiness filled Tia. Her friend had chosen well. Lord Forsythe would make for a fine husband.
“This certainly is good news,” Reddington said, joining them. “I have enjoyed getting to know Forsythe since you have brought him to White’s with you several times, Merriman. I believe he will make Lady Delilah very happy. Congratulations, old friend, in helping find your sister a husband.”
“I liked Forsythe from the beginning,” Lord Merriman said. “He was taken with Dilly from their first meeting. I do not believe any other gentleman would suit Dilly as well as Forsythe does.”
Suddenly, Lord Balch and Lord Calley joined their small circle of three.
“Your Grace,” the two men said deferentially, in unison.
An odd feeling swept over Tia, and she wished to turn away from these supposed gentlemen. She glanced to Lord Merriman to ask him if they might get some punch, but his gaze was fastened upon the pair.
“So, your sister is engaged to be wed, Merriman,” Lord Calley remarked.
She did not like the tone Lord Calley used.
“The two of you favor one another quite a bit,” Lord Balch added. “Calley and I had not put it together before this evening.” His gaze bore into Lord Merriman.
“Put what together?” she asked, dread now filling her.
Balch smiled, a chilling smile, which caused Tia to shiver.
“Calley and I realized upon hearing the name Drake—and seeing that Lady Deliliah is your sister—that we knew you from before, Merriman. As Hugo Drake.”
Lord Calley’s eyes gleamed. “Do you recall our schooldays, Drake? My, we had such fun, didn’t we?”
She sensed Lord Merriman tensing next to her and did not know what to do or say. Her eyes flicked to the duke, and she saw concern on his face.
“Wh-wh-what’s the m-matter, Drake?” Lord Balch said, affecting a stammer. “Has the c-c-cat got your t-t-tongue?”
Suddenly, everything became crystal clear to Tia. How Lord Merriman always seemed to take his time before he spoke. How he sometimes paused in the middle of a sentence, as if having to gather his thoughts. How his speech was very deliberate, much more so than anyone else she had ever spoken with.
He had stammered as a boy—and these two had made fun of him for doing so.
Anger now came off Lord Merriman in waves. “G-g-get away from m-me,” he said, turning scarlet. “I d-d-d-do not wish t-to speak t-t-to you.”
She winced, pity filling her as he reverted to stammering.
“Poor Drake,” lamented Lord Calley. “You might have grown into an imposing figure, but that sad little boy who could barely utter a word is still hiding just below your surface.” He looked to Tia.
“I would avoid this man’s company, my lady.
After all, if you wed, your children might be as cursed as he is. ”
“B-B-Bastard,” Lord Merriman got out.
Tia saw anger, mixed with panic—and fear—now filling the earl’s face. She placed a hand on his arm, but he shook it off.
“You are p-p-p-pathetic,” he spat out. “The t-t-two of y-you r-r-r . . . almost d-destroyed m-m-me.”
Lord Balch beamed. He looked around, waving a hand, and she saw the entire library of guests were now looking on in horror. “I see you have already done that to yourself, my lord.”
With a cry of anguish, Lord Merriman fled the room. She watched as Dilly and Lord Forsythe, their faces drained of color, raced after him. Lady Merriman, her head held high, went to Lord and Lady Tallon.
“Thank you for your kind invitation,” she said, her face giving nothing away.
The room filled with silence as the countess left the library. Then everyone was abuzz with gossip. Tia turned on the pair of laughing men, her voice raised, causing all those present to take note.
“You should be ashamed of yourselves. As boys, you intimidated a child because he had a speech defect. It is obvious you harassed him to a point where you almost broke him. And you humiliate him tonight, even as adults? Your brutish behavior is mean-spirited.”
Lord Calley laughed harshly. “You are aligning yourself with a very flawed man, Lady Tia. You deserve to raise brats with Merriman that blubber on, barely able to communicate.”
Heat filled her face. “I am not betrothed to Lord Merriman,” she declared.
“His sister is my closest friend, and I would not see you sully his reputation. Teasing amongst boys is one thing, my lord. Bullying is quite something else. I would think as a grown man, you would be past such terrible behavior.”
“Your own behavior is lacking, my lady,” Lord Calley shot back. “Why, I doubt there will be a gentleman within the ton now who would want someone as outspoken as yourself as his wife.”
“Enough!” cried Val, rushing across the room. “You will not besmirch my sister’s reputation, simply for defending a—”
“Do you wish to duel, Your Grace?” Lord Calley demanded.
“No, Val,” Tia said, moving to her brother and taking his forearm, willing him not to reply.
“Dueling is about honor. These two cads have none. They only blacken their own reputations when they defame Lord Merriman or me. The members of Polite Society will see they are the ones with tarnished reputations. I beg you not to meet either of them on the field.”
She knew her brother was an excellent shot. If he killed either of these men, he would have to flee to the Continent and never be able to return to England.
His face, dark with rage, caused her to add, “You are the head of our family. Do not give this pair the satisfaction of drawing you into a duel. You would have to live abroad the rest of your life because you would easily kill these spineless men. Think of Eden—and William.”
“But they have insulted you, Tia,” her brother insisted.
“I care not for their insults,” she declared. “I trust Polite Society will see these two for what they are. Despicable, immature, dishonorable fools.” Slipping her arm through Val’s, she added, “They are not worthy of our time, Brother. Let us leave.”
As she and Val turned, Lord Calley shouted, “Coward!”
Tia spun about, hurrying to him. She paused, looking at him steadily. “You are the gutless poltroon, my lord. Not Millbrooke.”
Then she slapped him. Hard. The pain raced from her stinging palm, reverberating up her arm, but she kept her face a blank, not wanting to give him the smallest bit of satisfaction.
Returning to Val, she linked her arm through his. They headed toward Eden, whose face was as white as a ghost’s. She trembled visibly, but she smiled at her husband, slipping her arm through his free one. The three of them headed straight for their hosts, who stood slack-jawed.
“Thank you for a lovely evening,” Eden said calmly, looking every bit the duchess she was. “I am sorry we have to leave before hearing Fr?ulein Engel sing again.”
In unison, they stepped from the room. By the time they reached the foyer, Tia was shaking all over. Their carriage was quickly summoned, and Val handed them up.
Once inside the vehicle, Eden burst into tears, and Val pulled his wife into his lap, shushing her, giving her light, reassuring kisses. She buried her face in his chest, and he looked to Tia.
“The repercussions from tonight’s events will affect you,” he said quietly. “More than it will us. If you would like, we can return to Millvale in the morning.”
Anger sizzled through her. “Leave town? And let those bloody bastards think they have won?” She shook her head. “I will not turn tail and let them run us out of town, Val. If anything, I plan to go to every social event and hold my head high. I did nothing wrong. They are the ones in the wrong.”
Her brother sighed. “The gossip will be malicious. What happened tonight will be embellished and greatly exaggerated by those present tonight until the event will in no way resemble what actually occurred. While Merriman’s reputation will be affected, you will suffer the most, Tia.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Because you came to Merriman’s defense. Bravely, yes, but your name will be linked with his. It will be impossible for you to make a match this Season because of it.”
She huffed. “You know I was not attending the Season this year to land a husband.”
“I know,” he said gently. “But your name will be associated with Lord Merriman’s all the same. Any gentleman previously interested in you will now shy away.”
“Then let him,” she declared. “I plan to remain in town. I do not care what the gossips say.”
He looked at her sadly. “I hope you know what you are doing. We will have to alert Mama to what occurred in order to prepare her. Lia and Rupert. Ariadne and Julian. They need to know because they, too, will face gossip merely because of their association with you.”
“What about Lord Calley and Lord Balch? Shouldn’t they be the focus of the gossip?”
“They will face some,” Val assured her. “But you standing up for Lord Merriman, even in his absence, will be a bigger part of the story. I only hope you can weather the storm ahead.”