Chapter 21
Twenty-One
Red wax pooled onto the folded paper. Victor used his signet ring to press in the seal. With any luck, the courier would have the message to Lord Godderidge by midday tomorrow. He ordered his footman to send the letter immediately.
Through the window, he witnessed the rider leave with the letter. He reached for Maximillion and scratched behind the dog’s ears as much to settle the dog as himself. Second thoughts plagued him as he rethought every line he wrote.
He’d expressed his thoughts on requesting to court Isabel the best he could, choosing to focus on her beauty as little as possible, as he had not liked to hear what suitors thought of his sister’s fine figure. There was much to admire about Isabel, but in the end he kept his reasons to five.
1. She knew and understood the county and would continue to benefit the people she already cared about.
2. He admired her talent as a painter.
3. Her bravery in facing Sir Lightwood and in persisting the fair
go on.
4. Her kindness, particularly to Miss Jane.
5. Her wit. For she made him think and felt they were compatible.
The telling of the encounter with Sir Lightwood was brief and to the point.
After some deliberation, he admitted to the kiss on her brow.
It was best for her brother to know the whole of the encounter before Lightwood could spread rumors.
He prayed that such honesty would help rather than hinder his cause.
He sighed as he stared out of the window, not taking in the scene as he reviewed each word. Should he have included that he thought he was half in love with her, if not more? Love might sway Lady Katherine, but would it sway her son?
“What turned you into a storm cloud?” asked Barlow from the doorway.
Victor turned. “I was merely pondering my actions.”
“I noticed the rider. What required such haste?”
“I have asked to court Miss Godderidge. Godderidge has gone to Southampton with his wife.” Maximillion nudged Victor’s hand for more scratches.
“And that required an express?” Barlow sat in what had become his favorite chair and pulled out his snuffbox.
His friend would do well not to take a sniff, as Victor’s answer was sure to make him choke.
“Under usual circumstances, no. Miss Godderidge and I were caught in this morning’s rainstorm. Sir Lightwood came upon us and accused me of compromising her. I thought it best that an account of my actions reach her brother first.”
Surprisingly, Barlow didn’t even sneeze. “You, mister fastidiously proper, caught in a deluge—I know as it obscured my view from the library—with a woman? And by Lightwood? That wastrel makes me look like a saint. No one who has met you or Miss Godderidge would believe a tale from such a man.”
“He knows London’s gossips as well as anyone. And at this time of year, the society pages are thirsting for news.”
“What does Town matter? Hardly anyone who is anyone is there in August.”
“They are the people I do business with.”
“Fair point. Especially since you spend so much time in the country.” Barlow toyed with a book on the side table. “Still, she has lived here all her life, so may not suffer much from gossip. The locals will never believe it, they know her too well.”
“Are you sure? She raced about the county with her brothers, climbing trees and whatnot. When I first met her, I was surprised to discover she was such a refined young lady. I expected a terror of a woman. She speaks her mind, but not in a bluestocking superior way.”
Barlow waved his hand dismissively. “I think you are missing the point. Or at least missing telling me the point. You asked permission to court. You, who denied having feelings, must clearly have them. Or did you actually compromise her?”
“Never!” Victor took a step forward. He may not have been able to hit Lightwood, but Barlow…
Barlow raised his hands in surrender. “I see. You love her.”
Victor stopped where he stood, though Maximillion had the good sense to growl at Barlow. “Of course I do. Admittedly, as a potential wife she makes some logical sense, but no less than Miss Alexandra or Miss Jane Lightwood do. Yet I don’t think of them at all. Isabel is constantly on my mind.”
“I must know. What did this compromising position you were found in consist of?”
“I don’t see how it is your business.” Victor turned back to the window.
“If I do not know, how can I defend you?”
“You know me, that should be enough.”
Barlow stood and approached Victor. “I will not tell.”
“There is nothing to tell.” Victor turned and stared out the window, unwilling to face his friend.
“We sought shelter in Kellmore’s pavilion, and we talked.
I sat on the bench next to her as she drew.
I kissed her on the forehead, and I was asking permission to court her when Sir Lightwood burst in and made vile accusations. ”
Barlow laughed, loud and long.
Victor spun to face him. It was not the least bit funny.
“Sir Lightwood has threatened you with—” Barlow paused to catch his breath “—a ruined reputation over a kiss no more romantic than one would give his sister.”
Victor squirmed. What he felt for Isabel differed vastly from what he felt toward his sister.
The moment had been wrought with a tension best described by poets.
Only the fact that he had not yet secured Isabel’s permission had kept him from kissing her fully as he had wished.
Rather than respond, Victor folded his arms and glared at his friend.
“Did she accept your suit?”
“I am not sure. We have not been given a moment of privacy since. However, Lady Katherine gave her blessing.”
“And thus the express to Godderidge.” Barlow nodded to the window. “And none too soon. Lightwood is paying a visit. Shall I stay?”
Victor turned to the window. Sir Lightwood handed his horse over to a groom. Devil take the man. He had no business here. “Stay. I might need a witness.”
“Will you receive him here?”
“I’d prefer not to, but, my mother will not enter my study uninvited.” The last thing he needed was to explain this to his mother, which he would have to in time, but not with Lightwood about.
Barlow grabbed a newspaper and sat in the far corner, where he would be as unobtrusive as possible. Anyone who wondered at the friendship between Victor and his rapscallion friend would find the answer in the loyalty displayed in that moment.
Sir Lightwood was presented and admitted. Victor had the vile man sit on the opposite side of his massive desk. A position which put Sir Lightwood as a subordinate rather than an equal. It also kept the momentarily silent Barlow at Lightwood’s back, where Lightwood might forget about his witness.
Victor sat and folded his hands on his desk. “I am surprised to see you again today.”
“Are you?” Lightwood sneered. “We have unfinished business. I do not think you understand the value my tale holds. With your late father’s reputation…”
“Those who knew my father know the truth of that night. He saved lives.”
“Few who heard the story knew more of your father than his sudden emergence from a man of trade to a man of sudden wealth to death in less than auspicious circumstances. At a notorious brothel, no less.” Lightwood smirked.
Maximillion growled.
“The inquest into the fire proved he had never been a patron, only a passerby who heard the screams. He was judged unfairly by the papers, who wished nothing more than a tantalizing headline. And the ton, who wished not to admit him to their ranks.”
“A barrier you have crossed. You and your money are more welcome in society than I am. You have received invitations to the Duke’s Ball for three seasons now. A notable accomplishment.” Lightwood leaned forward and snapped his fingers. “Your success could disappear in a moment.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Lord Godderidge was well respected by his peers. Though his daughter has had more than her share of seasons, she is not on the shelf nor gossiped about as some who become desperate. The man known for ruining her will not go unpunished by society.”
Victor raised his brow. It was best to wait until Lightwood put all of his cards on the table. Maximillion growled again. Victor reached down to calm the dog. He would not attack unless commanded, but the canine was wise not to trust Lightwood.
“You claim to wish to court Miss Godderidge. However, we both know what happens in this forgotten hamlet, stays within our own society. By the time the next season starts, you both will say that you did not suit. With no proper engagement, neither of you is injured, and go your own ways. Very clever. No one need know of your dalliance.” A wicked smile formed on Lightwood’s face.
“But I know. And I will not allow you to continue in such a manner. Why, my own dear Jane could be your next victim. I shudder to think what might have happened if she was not at her grandfather’s house.
She is even more na?ve than Miss Isabel.
” Lightwood ticked and shook his head. “The ton must be warned.”
“Warned that I have asked the lovely Miss Godderidge to court me?”
“No, that you are as lecherous as your father.”
Across the room, Barlow lowered his paper and gave a warning shake of his head.
Victor clenched his hands into fists. Oh, to remove the superior look from Sir Lightwood’s face with a single punch.
He learned in school that fighting rarely changed someone’s mind.
It took effort to remain seated and maintain a mask of calm.
“So you would peddle your lies to discredit me?”
“I saw what I saw. You ruined our poor Isabel.”
Victor pushed back his chair and rose. “I did no such thing.”
Across the room, Barlow laid aside the paper. Maximillion likewise stood and bared his teeth.