Chapter 2
Meredith tried to calm her nerves as she climbed the steps of the beautiful townhouse on Knightley Street. She had learned that this lovely little parade of homes also went by another name …Devil’s Square.
When she’d arrived in London an hour ago, she had asked the stagecoach driver if he knew where Knightley Street was.
“You’d best be avoiding the Devil’s Square, miss. What business takes you there?”
She had told him she was visiting a relative, which was mostly true, given that The Duke of Tiverton was family—at least in spirit. After that declaration, the elderly driver relaxed and provided her with the directions to Knightley Street.
Now, as she stood facing this supposed Devil’s Square, she couldn’t understand why the driver would have been concerned.
The area was lovely, the front gardens well kept, and the homes themselves were in fine condition.
It was clear this was a place where wealthy families lived.
Based on the driver’s reaction when he’d spoken of Devil’s Square, she’d expected it to be a rookery of some sort, or some frightening part of the city that would see her dead within the hour simply for trespassing.
She double checked the numbers posted on the gate that separated this house from those on either side. Yes, this was the correct home.
It was built of red brick, and had a neo classical detailing that covered the portico and string courses.
The front was covered in wisteria which had climbed all the way up the portico and tiptoed its way to the base of the windows across the brickwork, creating a dazzling waterfall of purple blossoms. Meredith let out a dreamy sigh as she imagined how it would have felt to grow up in a home like this.
It was much harder to grow Wisteria in Yorkshire.
Meredith continued to stare at the house.
Her heart beat a little faster as she realized her perusal of the house was, in fact, her attempt to stall.
She was afraid to knock. Afraid to meet Uncle Ben’s nephew.
Afraid of everything that would follow. She was quite literally on a precipice as she stood at the top of the steps leading up to the portico.
The late evening sun was dipping below the tops of the trees, bathing everything in a dark gold light which made the house feel very warm, very welcoming.
But would that be true of what lay inside? Would she have a home here?
Don’t be such a peahen, Meredith, you have a spine. Just knock.
She braved the last few steps to stand directly in front of the door. She raised a hand to lift the knocker, but the door swung open before she even touched it. A tall figure barreled out, crashing into her.
She gasped, but as she started to fall back, the person grabbed her arms, holding her steady. A cane clattered to the ground at her feet.
“I beg your pardon,” said a deep voice.
Meredith, finally gathering her wits, got a look at the man who had almost sent her tumbling down the stairs.
The man was beautiful. His hair as dark as a raven’s wing, and his penetrating blue eyes were so striking that she could only stare at them. He was tall, quite tall, and to lift her head now, to gaze up into this man’s face, was pleasant in a way she couldn’t explain.
He wore a fine tailored coat of dark green that paired with his buff colored trousers, and they fit him so perfectly she could not help but notice his lean hips and muscled thighs. Meredith blinked as a spark of heat filled her body. This man was appealing in a way she’d never felt before.
She had met a fair few gentlemen whenever she and Uncle Ben had visited the village of Burton Agnes, but she’d never seen anyone like this. He was simply beautiful.
He was also a little frightening, because there was an intensity coiled up within him like a wound spring.
The gentleman’s eyes roved over her in a similar fashion, and Meredith wondered, no, wished, he was as curious about her as she was of him.
Suddenly recalling her purpose for standing there, she spoke.
“Are—are you Lord Tiverton?”
“Yes,” the man replied without hesitation.
Meredith dug into her reticule for Uncle Ben’s letter and held it out to him.
Puzzled, he took the letter and opened it, unfolding the pages as he silently read its contents. When he had finished reading it, he lifted his eyes to hers.
“What is your name, child?” His tone was curt, and she immediately rankled at being called a child when just moments ago she had his attention as a woman. What had Uncle Ben written in his letter to change this man’s attitude toward her?
“I’m not a child,” she said. “And it’s Meredith Montague.”
“Have you read this?” Tiverton lifted the letter up.
She shook her head. “No, but Uncle Ben said I was to deliver it to you. He said that you would help me find…a husband?” She prayed Uncle Ben was right about this man.
Ignoring her question, Tiverton said, “You traveled all the way from Yorkshire alone?” He glanced around behind her, as if expecting her to have a chaperone.
“Yes, I took stagecoaches and spent the night at a coaching inn last evening. I had little pin money saved up, but I am thankful you are home this evening… I have no money to stay anywhere else.”
There, she’d said it. She’d made it clear she was dependent on him. Now she had to pray he wouldn’t toss her out.
“My uncle was unable to leave you no money at all?” he asked.
“He tried, but…you see, it was a bit complicated after he died. His will only left a wish for his son to provide me with a home and money at his discretion. Harry said that I should remain at your uncle’s estate, and…
Well, he demanded I be his companion if I wished to stay.
Naturally, I couldn’t agree. No matter how insistent he was. ”
She rubbed her arms, and Tiverton’s eyes dropped from her face to her body. She looked down to see the bruises which had started to yellow on her wrist. “He then refused to provide me with any money at all, since it was at his discretion.”
Tiverton scowled. She feared she had upset him. Were he and Harry close? Had she made a grave error in speaking so frankly? But it was her way to be open on most matters. She’d never learned to guard herself in conversation, as many ladies were directed to.
“Harry is a bastard,” Tiverton said, his tone abrupt. He turned around and opened the door to his home. “You will be safe with me.”
A tidal wave of relief rushed through her. She did feel safe. No matter how intense Tiverton was, he didn’t scare her, not like Harry had. But her relief was short-lived as his focus dropped to the travel case at her feet.
“I don’t suppose you have any decent evening gowns in that small travel case?”
“Only one, but it’s a bit out of fashion—”
“It will do. Come inside and change quickly. I’m off to a play that I simply cannot miss, and you shall come with me so we can discuss your situation further.” He bent down to retrieve the cane he had dropped.
Meredith gaped at him. Tiverton met her look of shock with a gentle firmness as he straightened up.
“Fear not. You have a home here, Miss Montague. It is only the details that remain to be seen.”
She let out a tight breath, her chest relaxing.
“I loved my uncle and will honor his wish to care for you and see you settled in marriage to a good man.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
He ushered her inside where an older gentleman, presumably the butler, met them at the door. Tiverton handed the man his cane.
“Your Grace?” the man inquired. “Back so soon?”
“Ahh, Chelsea, I’ve had a bit of a delay.
This is Miss Meredith Montague…my new ward.
She was the ward to my uncle, who I’ve just learned has died.
I need to discuss certain things with Miss Montague, but cannot miss Lady Kentwell’s play, so I’ve decided to have Miss Montague accompany me.
We haven’t much time. Please fetch an upstairs maid and have her help Miss Montague with her evening gown. ”
“Er…yes, Your Grace.” Mr. Chelsea called out to a passing maid. “Nell, take Miss Montague upstairs to the Seaside Room. She’ll need some assistance changing. Please make haste, as she is to accompany His Grace to the play this evening.”
She glanced around the beautiful house as the maid ushered her hastily up a grand staircase.
“In here, miss.” The maid opened a door and gestured Meredith into a bedchamber room.
Meredith had but a moment to take in the lovely walls painted a rich blue like the ocean with frothing seascapes painted on the walls. It made her think of home, of the little cottage near the beach where she and her mother had lived for so many years.
Then she dropped her valise on the bed, digging hastily through its contents with the maid helping her until she found her favorite dark green evening gown.
It was plain, though not unattractive, with embroidered tulips on the hem and sleeves.
Nell began undoing the buttons of her evening gown while Meredith unfastened the front laces of her day gown.
Soon, Meredith was wearing her evening gown and her travel boots had been replaced with slippers.
The maid assisted her with her evening gloves, but when they looked at her hair in the mirror, she winced.
“Not much I can do if you’re in a hurry, miss.”
“I know, but it will be all right for tonight. Thank you ever so much, Nell.”
The maid dipped into a light curtsy. “Yes, miss.”
Meredith followed the maid back downstairs, her reticule in her hands. Tiverton watched her approach, and she swore his eyes darkened into a midnight blue with interest.
“Right…well, let’s be off. My friend, Kit Hollingsworth, the Earl of Kentwell, is waiting on us.” He offered her his arm, and Meredith gratefully accepted it. She felt a bit light-headed after having barely slept in days.