Chapter Eighteen
Tia awoke the next morning and found Lia sitting beside the bed. Seeing her sister caused Tia to burst into tears.
“It will be all right,” Lia said, stroking Tia’s hair.
“Did Val send for you? Eden?” she asked.
Lia smiled serenely. “No. I woke up last night and knew something was wrong. I got out of bed and paced the bedchamber, waking Rupert. He convinced me to return to bed, but I did not sleep a wink after that. At first light, I rose and dressed, and we came straight here. Val was at breakfast. He told us what happened last night at the musicale.”
Tears blurred her eyes. “Oh, Lia, it was so awful. Lord Balch and Lord Calley are terrible men. They apparently terrorized Lord Merriman when they were at school together years ago. He stammered as a boy, and I can only imagine how cruel they were to him.”
“Lord Merriman is such a thoughtful, kind man,” her twin said. “He must have worked incredibly hard to lose his stammer.”
“I have noticed how deliberately he speaks. He must need to concentrate anytime he speaks. No wonder he often lets others dominate the conversation.”
“Val said Lord Merriman left the musicale very upset.”
Tia nodded. “He was. I wanted . . . to go after him. I wish I had.”
“Instead of slapping Lord Calley?” Lia asked, grinning at her.
“Oh, so Val really did tell all.” She sighed. “I could not help myself. Lord Calley was trying to goad Val into a duel, which was utter insanity. Val is a wonderful shot.”
“I assume Lord Calley believed Val would have deloped,” Lia said, referring to the practice of wasting a first shot in a duel by firing into the ground or in the air. “Then Lord Calley could have done the same, without losing his honor.”
Tia snorted. “I would not have trusted Lord Calley to behave honorably under any circumstances. If Val deloped, Lord Calley may well have fired upon Val—and we would have lost our brother. Eden would have no husband, and William would have grown up without his father.” She shivered.
“Even though Val was trying to keep my reputation from being tainted, I have implored him to walk away from the idea of a duel.”
Lia looked puzzled. “If Val was going to honor your wishes and walk away, why did you strike Lord Calley?”
She sighed. “Because he called Val a coward for listening to me. I couldn’t help myself, Lia. I was so angry in that moment. Lord Calley and Lord Balch made a mess of a perfectly delightful evening, one I was enjoying very much.”
“With Lord Merriman.”
“Yes,” she said, tears now spilling down her cheeks.
“I have been quite ambivalent in regard to my feelings toward Lord Merriman, but I believed our relationship was turning a corner last night. I had high hopes, only to see them dashed by those two fools. They humiliated Lord Merriman. Ruined the betrothal announcement of Dilly and Lord Forsythe. Called my integrity—and Val’s—into question. ”
“I do not think Lord Merriman will hold the actions of them against you, Tia,” Lia said softly. “Especially if he has developed feelings for you.”
“He was shamed in front of everyone, Lia. Not just me. He began stammering when he spoke. It was agony watching him trying to say what he wished to. I did not hide my shock, and he would have noticed it. I am a reminder of his greatest failure in front of the ton. There is no going back to how things were.” She hiccupped. “And no moving forward for us either.”
Tia burst into tears, sobs racking her body. Lia climbed into the bed, holding her fast, crying along with her. Her tears soaked Lia’s gown, and she apologized. She placed a palm against her sister’s belly, which was more noticeable these days.
“I have upset you. That cannot be good for your babe.”
“I was already upset,” Lia said. I knew you were in distress. I only wish I had come to you last night.”
“Talk about anything else but last night,” she begged. “Nothing about the Season. Let us speak about the babe or Crestbrook.”
They lay together, talking of everything which concerned her sister these days. How Lia wondered what childbirth would be like. If Rupert would find her body attractive as it swelled.
“Rupert adores you. He will continue to adore you,” Tia assured her twin.
“And while childbirth is sure to be painful, look at William. He is the light of Val’s and Eden’s eyes.
The same is true of Penelope. Ariadne and Julian adore their daughter.
Nor do I see either Val or Julian coming up short in paying attention to their wives. Rupert will be the same.”
“I hope so.” Lia paused. “If you do not wed after the Season ends, will you come to Cumberland with us? Stay for the babe’s birth?”
Tia laughed. “If any man had the idea to make me his bride, I am certain that thought will have died after last night’s happenings. I promise to come to you. I need to see when Dilly and Forsythe will wed. I must attend their wedding.”
Lia’s brow furrowed. “Do you believe Forsythe will still wed Lady Dilly after what happened last night?”
“Of course. Forsythe is not a fickle man. He is very protective of Dilly. They had not set a date for their marriage. With what happened last night, they may even wish to wed quietly, without any fuss.” She stroked her twin’s cheek.
“But once they are wed, I will be happy to come to Crestbrook. In fact, I will stay with you until you return for the Season next spring if you would like for me to do so. As long as Rupert does not mind.”
“Oh, that would wonderful, Tia. Rupert is so fond of you. He knows I am happier when you are near.”
“I think I will call on Dilly this morning and see about her wedding plans,” she announced. “Would you like to come with me? You can be my chaperone.”
“I would be delighted to do so,” Lia declared.
Instead of ringing for a maid to help her dress, Lia attended Tia, making her feel as if it were the old days again.
They went downstairs and found Val and Rupert still in the breakfast room.
Eden had joined them. Tia was glad that Mama usually remained in her rooms until noon.
At some point, Mama would have to be told of last night’s events, and she dreaded that conversation.
“How are you?” Eden asked, her worry for Tia obvious.
“I am well.” She held up her hand. “My palm is still tingling some, though,” she teased.
“Remind me to always be on your side if a fight breaks out,” Val said, laughing.
“I would like to go and see Dilly now,” she told them. “Lia has volunteered to go with me.”
“Do you think it wise to go to Lord Merriman’s house?” Eden questioned. “We know the gossip will be ferocious for a few days.”
“I need to see Dilly,” she insisted. “She would want me there.”
“I agree with Eden,” Val said. “While I know Dilly is your friend, it is Lord Merriman’s residence. It might not be the wisest move to be seen entering it, Tia. We already know your name will be coupled with Lord Merriman’s, whether you wish it to be or not.”
“What if Lady Dilly took a ride in our carriage with you?” Rupert suggested. “I could go to the door and see if she might be available. Lia and Tia could wait in the coach. If no one sees Tia, then no one is the wiser.”
“I like that idea,” Eden said. “Do you need me to accompany you?”
“No,” Tia said. “But if you would help Val explain things to Mama, that would be very helpful.”
Eden laughed. “Oh, you are quite the character, Tia.”
“Val has a better chance of . . . stating things in a unique way,” she said.
“If I tell Mama about the incident, she will most likely banish me to the country for the rest of the Season. Mama has always favored Val. His narrative of the situation would be much more acceptable than mine ever could be.”
Lia spoke up. “Tia is right. Val can do no wrong in Mama’s eyes. He will break the news to her in a way Mama will find acceptable.”
“Just do not tell her that Calley challenged you to a duel,” Tia added. “Or maybe you should. The thought of losing you in a duel will drive the thought of my actions totally from her mind.”
“Leave it to me,” her brother assured her. “I will lay the groundwork and then tell Mama only what she needs to know. I doubt anyone—even her friends—will address the matter with her.”
“Shall we go to the carriage then?” asked Rupert.
He escorted them outside, and Tia gave the coachman the address. They arrived a few minutes later.
“Wait here. I may be gone several minutes,” Rupert told them. “I will also give you time to speak privately. I can have our coachman leave me at White’s.”
“You are kind to do this for me, Rupert,” Tia said.
Her brother-in-law patted her hand and exited the carriage. He returned ten minutes later.
“I spoke with Lady Merriman and explained that I was wed to your twin, Tia. She finally granted permission for her daughter to ride with you, understanding how it might not be the wisest thing for Tia to visit Lady Dilly at home. They have an appointment at the modiste’s at one o’clock this afternoon, so you must have Lady Dilly back no later than half-past twelve. ”
Relief flooded her. “The appointment is for Dilly’s wedding gown. If she is keeping that, all must be well between her and Lord Forsythe.”
Moments later, the carriage door opened, and Dilly climbed in. She fell into Tia’s arms, and they hugged tightly, both of them crying.
“Thank you for coming to see me,” Dilly said. “Lord Cressley explained why you did not come in, and Mama agreed that was best.”
By now, the carriage was heading through the streets of London, and Rupert said that he would leave them shortly. No one spoke until they arrived at White’s. Rupert kissed Lia, and then told Tia and Dilly goodbye.
Once the footman closed the carriage door, Tia asked, “How is Lord Merriman?”
“I have not seen him today,” Dilly admitted. “But I do know that Reddington stopped by last night. Alfie—Hugo’s valet—told me so. They have been good friends for several years now. I am certain Reddington’s visit helped my brother.”
“I assume because you are to see the modiste that your wedding is still on,” Tia said.
Dilly brightened. “Oh, yes, it is. Forsythe was a rock last night, a steadying hand for all of us. He will not desert me at such a time. He continues to offer his friendship and support to Hugo.”
“Do you know when you might wed?” Lia asked.
“We are not certain of our plans yet. All I know is that those two clods will not force me to wed quickly, nor will Hugo leave town for the country.”
That was good news. Tia had worried that Lord Merriman might quit town abruptly after what had happened.
“Will you be at tonight’s ball?” she asked.
“Forsythe and I will attend. Mama will serve as my chaperone.” She hesitated.
“I know Hugo does not plan to come to any events for a week or so, but he will return after that. Forsythe convinced him that Hugo is not the one in the wrong. He was the injured party.” She bit her lip.
“I only hope the ton recognizes that and responds accordingly.”
“It is good Lord Merriman will return to events,” Lia said. “That is encouraging news.” Her gaze met Tia’s.
“Yes, Lia is right. While it will help Lord Merriman to have a brief respite from Polite Society, it will be important for him to return—if only to face down the gossips, much less Lord Calley and Lord Balch.”
“Do you think those two will even show their faces after last night?” Dilly asked worriedly.
She knew her friend had no idea of what had gone on after her departure, and Tia was not going to explain the confrontation between Val, Lord Calley, and herself. Instead, she patted Dilly’s hand.
“I think everything will turn out for the best.”
Tia only hoped she would have a chance to speak to Lord Merriman soon. She feared he would brush her aside in order to spare her from any association with him.
And she was determined not to let that occur.