Chapter 14 #2
Her two friends waited patiently while she dithered.
“I would greatly welcome your advice, if you are sure you don’t mind the risk.
Harriet muttered a very unladylike word.
“You know, of course, that Lord Matherton and I were engaged. Just as you know the rumors about my ruinous behavior are true.”
“And just as I can guess that it was he who seduced you,” said Theo.
Kyra nodded. “Not only that, but he recently admitted that he had started the rumors in order to put an end to our engagement after the accident. Apparently he had found a richer pigeon to pluck, and as my sister’s death and my own injury made it uncertain when any wedding might take place, he decided to cut his losses, so the speak, and pursue the heiress. ”
“I should like to cut a certain physical appendage from the dastard’s worthless carcass,” muttered Harriet. “It would be no loss to the ladies of England.”
A chortle slipped from Theo’s lips.
“Be that as it may, I assume his suit was unsuccessful,” continued Harriet.
“Yes. Apparently her father got wind of Matherton’s empty pockets and mounting debts, and whisked his daughter off on a prolonged sojourn to Scotland.
And so, on hearing that I was recovered enough in both body and spirit to be venturing out in public again, he decided that I might be foolish enough to still harbor a tender for him.
” Kyra drew in a steadying breath, still ashamed of what a ninnyhammer she had been to fall for his false charm in the first place.
“When I refused his offer to renew our engagement, he then resorted to blackmail.”
Harriet frowned. “What sort of hold does he have over you? It is not as if he can threaten to ruin your reputation. He’s already done that.”
“True, there’s nothing left to shred.” The ironic smile quickly faded.
“And so he plans on despoiling the memory of my dead sister. As he points out, two such scandals might likely send Papa into permanent decline. At the very least, it would be a horrible humiliation.” She knit her hands together.
“He wants very much to be invited to join the Royal Historical Society. More unpleasant rumors would likely put a dagger to that hope.”
“Matherton is even more despicable than I imagined,” mused Harriet. “It will make it even more satisfying to see to it that his reputation in Polite Society is irrevocably destroyed.”
“But how—” began Kyra.
Harriet waved her to silence. “I suggest that instead of returning to Northfield for tea, we go straight to Hendrie Hall and convene a council of war with Lord Leete and Mr. Greeley. Given their military prowess, I think they will have some ideas on strategy.” Her eyes narrowed in a look that might have given Matherton pause for thought had he seen it.
“I, of course, have some ideas of my own, but as Newgate Prison is said to be rather uncomfortable, it might be best to come up with a more subtle attack.”
“I trust that my skillful maneuvering of the troops yesterday afternoon was not all for naught.” Cradling a steaming cup of spiced hot chocolate, Jack entered the library and perched a hip on Rafael’s worktable.
“Clearing the field for you deserves some sort of accolade.” He grinned.
“Or maybe a batch of your cream confections made with brandy—all for myself.”
“You are becoming quite the epicurean.” Rafael looked up from the page he was transcribing. “Which is quite pleasing Uncle Aubrey, so despite your sarcasm, I shall continue to feed you rich treats. He is happy to see your frame is filling out.”
“I had better not acquire a taste for sweets, else I might grow too stout.”
“That seems an unlikely danger,” he replied, eying the still sharp-boned contours of his cousin’s face.
“And what of the more worrisome danger?” asked Jack. “Did you manage to win any ground in the fight for Kyra’s trust?”
“Yes, I did.” Rafael pursed his lips. “It was a major victory, in fact, though our four-footed comrade chose an inauspicious moment to rush in to lend his support.”
Jack chuckled. “Yes, I can see where two heroes might make things confusing to a lady.”
“He did warn of her father’s approach, which was fortunate, given the moment. But I do believe I’ve finally overcome Kyra’s fears and that she is ready to confide her secret to me. Later today I plan on paying a visit?”
The butler’s knock cut off the rest of his words. “Your pardon, sirs. Lady Kyra and her friends from Northfield apologize for the early hour, but wonder if you might be free to receive them?”
“By all means, show them in,” responded Jack. He set down his cup and raised an inquiring brow.
Rafael shook his head, equally mystified.
They weren’t left to puzzle on it for long. The trio swept in, Harriet in the lead, with Kyra and Theo close behind.
“What a pleasant surprise,” greeted Jack. “May I offer you ladies tea?”
“Tea would be welcome,” answered Harriet. “The three of us could use a fortifying beverage.”
Kyra flashed him a quick look, but despite her tentative smile, her skin looked pale and was pulled taut over the bones of her face, making her look very fragile.
“But as you have likely guessed, this isn’t really a social call, Lord Leete,” finished Harriet.
“Then let us dispense with pleasantries,” said Rafael, feeling a clench of alarm. “Please sit and tell what us what has precipitated this visit.”
“Lord Matherton accosted Kyra this morning, while she was walking alone,” said Theo as soon as they were all settled in by the hearth.
He shot from his chair with a low oath.
“In word, not deed,” Harriet hastened to add.
Jack took hold of his arm. “Let us hear them out before rushing for pistols and powder.
He sat back down, still muttering invectives. “I will have his guts for garters.
“The dastard deserves no less,” agreed Harriet. “But perhaps there is an even better revenge. But first . . .” She looked to Kyra.
“I was coming here to continue our discussion of yesterday, Mr. Greeley, when Matherton appeared from within the shadows of the glade,” began Kyra. “He renewed his threats and demanded that I agree to announce our engagement at Jack’s ball.”
“Why that’s only six days from now,” Jack said.
She nodded. “He hasn’t a feather to fly with, and needs my dowry.”
“He must feel he holds a very strong bargaining chip to think you would agree to that,” said Rafael softly.
Another nod. “Innuendo and scandal—Matherton wields them with rapier-like precision.” She met his gaze and proceeded to explain everything.
“The depths of his depravity apparently have no bottom,” he observed once she had finished.
“So we must bury him in the blackness of his own muck,” said Jack. “But for that we must be as diabolically clever as he is.”
“You gentlemen are far more experienced than I at warfare,” ventured Harriet. “But an idea did occur to me.”
Jack’s lips twitched, whether in amusement or admiration, Rafael wasn’t sure. “Do go on, Miss Farnum.”
“Matherton is a conceited coxcomb who has woven a spider’s web of lies, false charm, and deception to achieve what he wants in life. I suggest we play on his overweening pride and avarice to trap him within the silky threads of his own manipulations.”
“That sounds awfully intriguing,” mused Theo.
“And awfully dangerous,” added Kyra quickly.
“I should like nothing better than to see the dastard destroyed by his own creation,” said Jack. “But?—”
“But how are you suggesting that be done?” Rafael noted that Jack now sounded genuinely curious.
“Kyra has said that Matherton disgraced her in order to seduce a richer young lady. Supposing word went out that a very wealthy heiress was staying here in the area to attend the ball. I would imagine Matherton would turn his attentions to her. Especially if there were whispers that Lady Kyra’s dowry had suffered a great reduction because of her disgrace. ”
“Yes, Matherton might well be interested in a plumper purse,” agreed Jack. “But there are two rather gaping flaws in your plans.”
“I see only one,” shot back Harriet. “The heiress, of course. And I was just about to get to that.” She fluffed her skirts and grinned.
“My great uncle, the black sheep of the family who went to India and became a fabulously wealthy nabob, was recently killed by a cobra’s bite.
The will has just been read and lo and behold, it leaves his entire fortune to me. ”
“Do you have a great uncle in India?” asked Theo.
“Yes.” Harriet smiled. “Uncle George has, by all accounts, done very well for himself, and thankfully he was hale and hearty at the time of his last correspondence. But the point is, there enough veracity to the story to attract Matherton. Kyra has indicated he’s desperate. He’ll be willing to take a chance.”
“That may deal with one of the flaws,” replied Jack. “But you still have not addressed the second one.”
Harriet frowned.