Chapter 15 #2
“That’s unfortunate, but it’s not the first time our motives have been challenged,” Mr. Cartwright said. “We’ve been called all kinds of names from those who cannot believe good people exist in this world to help others.”
“That’s ridiculously unfair.” Julian grimaced. “I hate to bring such unpleasantness to you again.”
“It is of no matter,” Mr. Cartwright said. “If the press turns up, I’ll be happy to let them in, educate them as to our mission, and explain your part in it. I often find that attempts to shame us end up working in our favor and increase donations.”
“I hope you are right.”
Mr. Cartwright smiled. “We’re tougher than we look, sir—especially Jane. The slightest hint that she’s not working in the best interests of her charges brings out the tiger in her.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Julian said. “The article intimated I was using your school and Mrs. Mountjoy’s place to make money for nefarious purposes.”
“You mean selling the children for prostitution?” Mr. Cartwright shook his head. “We’ve heard that one before.”
“I will be consulting a lawyer as to the best way to defend myself against such insinuations,” Julian said. “I’ll obviously keep you informed.”
Mr. Cartwright went to open the office door.
“If I might offer you some advice, Mr. Laurent? I wouldn’t bother taking this matter to court.
Such rumors die down when left alone. If you defend yourself too vigorously, it stirs the pot, and everyone begins to wonder whether there’s some truth in the insinuations after all. ”
“I’ll bear that in mind,” Julian said. “Now, we must be off to Mrs. Mountjoy’s.”
They walked back to the entrance hall where they were soon joined by Aragon and a slightly bewildered-looking Miss Cartwright.
“All settled?” Aragon looked at Julian.
“I believe so.” Julian bowed to the Cartwrights. “Thank you, both, for your time, and please let me know if anything untoward happens.”
“That’s the spirit.” Aragon took Miss Cartwright’s hand and kissed it. “My mother wouldn’t like you, but you’re just the kind of woman I’d love to bring home as my wife.” He studied her approvingly. “You don’t gabble on and make me feel like a fool. I appreciate that.”
Julian took a steadying breath. “Aragon …”
“I’m coming, brother.” Aragon shook Mr. Cartwright’s hand and winked at Miss Cartwright. “I’ll be back.”
Julian shepherded him out to the carriage, and they got in. Aragon waved vigorously at Miss Cartwright, who was watching them leave, her cheeks bright red.
“What a woman!” Aragon exclaimed as they pulled onto Whitechapel Road. “Knew exactly how to put me in my place.”
“I thought you were only interested in women who understood horses,” Julian said.
Aragon looked pleased with himself. “Miss Cartwright is very knowledgeable about horses. Grew up in the countryside and could ride before she could walk.”
Despite his worries, Julian regarded his brother with some fascination. “She told you that?”
“Yes, we had a long chat. I liked her immensely. So less intimidating than the ladies at the balls Mother makes me attend. I promised I’d go back and see her as soon as we’ve resolved this current matter.”
“And what did she say to that?”
Aragon raised his eyebrows. “She said she would look forward to it. What else would she have said?”
To Julian’s relief, Mrs. Mountjoy received the news about the article as calmly as the Cartwrights. After showing them around—Aragon had been curious about the accommodations after his tour of the Cartwrights’—Mrs. Mountjoy invited them into her parlor and asked Bridget to fetch them tea.
“I’ve heard it all before, Mr. Laurent—the insinuations that I’m saving these girls only for my own despicable purposes, that I’m selling them into brothels, or worse.” She poured them all some tea.
“Doesn’t it bother you, ma’am?” Aragon spoke up. “I would be furious to have my good intentions twisted in such a vile way.” He glanced at Julian. “And I deeply resent the implication that my brother would involve himself in such sordid matters.”
“Your belief in your brother does you credit, my lord.”
Aragon blushed. “I wouldn’t go that far. He’s damnably annoying most of the time. Got to protect the family name and all that nonsense, so my mother says.”
“I intend to visit the newspaper offices and see if I can find out who wrote the piece,” Julian said.
“And then what?” Mrs. Mountjoy looked at him. “Do you intend to take them to court? I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“I’d prefer to deal with the person in my own way,” Julian said.
Aragon nudged him. “I’ll stand as your second if it comes to a duel.”
Mrs. Mountjoy barely restrained from rolling her eyes.
“Thank you, but I have no intention of calling out Walcott,” Julian said firmly.
“Walcott?” Mrs. Mountjoy set down her cup. “You think Percival Walcott is behind all this?”
“He’s failed to beat me in court, so I suspect he’s willing to try to blacken my reputation using any means necessary,” Julian said.
“He’s a most unpleasant man,” Mrs. Mountjoy agreed.
“You know him?” Aragon raised his eyebrows.
“I danced with him at my coming-out ball. He trod on my toes and then commented loudly to his friends that despite my dowry, I was far too plain to be married to anyone.”
Aragon stared at her. “You had a ball?”
“Yes.” She smiled at him. “Did you ever dance with me?”
“Quite possibly.”
Aragon slapped his thigh. “I thought you looked familiar! But I didn’t want to say anything in present company, in case we’d met at a brothel or something.” He laughed heartily.
Mrs. Mountjoy didn’t take offense. “An easy mistake to make, sir.”
“I don’t think you’re plain,” Aragon blithely continued. “In fact, you’re a very handsome woman, Mrs. Mountjoy.”
“Thank you.” She looked over at Julian who shrugged. “Your brother is quite an original.”
“Yes,” Aragon said. “Because I was the heir, I was kept in separate quarters. I had to learn all about the estate and how to be an earl. I hated every moment of it.”
Julian studied his brother. He’d never thought about the way they’d been brought up from his brother’s point of view before. All he’d known was that he and Anton weren’t important enough to receive attention and Aragon was.
Aragon tapped his head. “I’m not the one with the brains in the family. A lot of knowledge had to be beaten into me, and it still didn’t stick.”
“I think your heart is in the right place, sir,” Mrs. Mountjoy said. “And that is the most important thing.”
“That’s a good point, and to be truthful, because I’m an earl, it doesn’t seem to matter that I’m a noddlecock,” Aragon said cheerfully as they stood up to leave. “Mother says I can leave all that nonsense to her.”
They left the Mountjoy house and returned to the carriage. Aragon looked over at Julian and grinned. “I’d never have thought you’d have such a rum lot of acquaintances, brother. I’m having a wonderful time. I can’t wait to tell Mother.”
“Aragon … may I offer you some advice?” Julian asked.
“Usually you just tell me things without asking permission, so this must be important. Fire away.”
“I think you should take control of the estate.”
“Why? When Mother does it so much better?”
“Because it’s yours.” Julian leaned forward. “If you truly wish to marry a woman who suits you and not Mother, then it’s imperative that you control your own life and inheritance.”
“Oh, you’re back to that, are you.” Aragon considered him. “I suppose you have a point. I should look at the books more often.”
“I’d highly recommend it.”
“You don’t think Mother is fleecing me, do you?”
“Not at all, but you might wish to attend the next meeting with your land agent.” Aragon looked doubtful and Julian continued. “Just as an observer until you understand what is going on. You could ask for a private meeting with the man. I’d also think about finding your own secretary.”
“That’s rather a lot of thinking all at once for me,” Aragon said. “Where are we going next?”
“The newspaper office. I doubt they’ll tell me who wrote that damned article, but you never know who might be willing to let something slip if I offer a good enough bribe.”
Carenza returned to the drawing room after a visit to her milliner to find Allegra seated at the desk, her back to the door.
“Would you like tea?” Carenza inquired.
Allegra jumped and turned to look at her sister, one hand pressed to her bosom. “You startled me!”
“So I see.” Carenza walked to the desk and peered over her sister’s shoulder. “What were you so engrossed in?” She sighed. “Don’t tell me you’ve been reading those terrible letters, too.”
“I was merely attempting to sort them into some kind of order, Carenza.” Allegra tried to look virtuous and failed miserably. “But I must confess that I did become diverted by some of the contents.”
“You’re as bad as Olivia.”
“I am not. I’m the one who told you not to place the advertisement in the first place!” Allegra took off her spectacles. “I did, however, establish that some of the correspondence comes from Norfolk, which means Father might have read about you in his morning newspaper.”
“Unless someone specifically mentions me by name, I doubt he’ll make the connection,” Carenza said. “And, even if he did, he might think it highly amusing.”
“He might, but Dorian won’t.”
“Dorian’s opinion doesn’t matter. He’s our brother, not our father,” Carenza countered. “He might be the most straitlaced man in Norfolk, but I still think he’d support me.”
“In public, maybe, but in private?” Allegra shuddered. “He’d be mortified. You know how hard he tries to pretend that he’s nothing like our parents. Perhaps it would be better to write and tell them what you did, so that there will be no surprises.”
“And invite trouble on my head?” Carenza went to ring the bell. “I’m sure that if we leave well alone, nothing will come of it.”
“I wish I shared your confidence, sister.” Allegra joined her beside the fire.
“You are not to write to them and drop unhelpful hints,” Carenza said. “I know what you are like.”