Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
“ T hank you for coming.”
“But of course.” Lord Huntsford sat forward, looking out of the carriage window as though impatient they had not yet arrived. “What you have told me thus far is most intriguing.”
“And presents a great difficulty. Lady Essington will have to send something to the newspaper by the day’s end but it is clear she has no thought as to what to write as yet.”
The carriage drew up to the house and James let out a long, slow breath. “I should also thank you at this present juncture, given that it was entirely due to your words that I gave Lady Essington any further thought.” He winced as Lord Huntsford grinned. “Had you not said something I would, no doubt, be lingering in anger and frustration rather than giving her words any further consideration.”
“You are quite welcome.” Lord Huntsford climbed out of the carriage, leaving James to follow suit. Together, they began to climb the steps that led to the front of the house, seeing the door already opening for them.
“I do hope this means you shall soon be engaged, Yardley?”
Lord Huntsford’s abrupt question caught James off-guard and he tripped on one of the steps, stumbling forward before managing to catch himself in time. Lord Huntsford did nothing but laugh, his eyes bright as James flushed hot.
“I shall take that to confirm my hopes,” he told James, who closed his eyes and drew in a long, steadying breath whilst embarrassment flooded him. “I am glad, old boy. She is a lovely young lady and I think many a gentleman would be jealous of the clear affection that is shared between you.”
James tried to smile. “I thank you.”
“Many a lady, also. Although Lady Maude –”
His words died away as James started suddenly, staring back into Lord Huntsford’s face. It was as if someone had pulled back a thick curtain to reveal the glorious sunshine. Why did I not think of it before?
“We must tell the ladies.”
Handing their particulars to the butler, James found himself impatient as he was shown to the drawing room. He did not stop even to bow but hurried forward, took Lady Essington’s hands in his, and looked into her eyes.
“It is Lady Maude.”
She stared at him for a long moment, then, much to James’ astonishment, began to laugh. Lady Adlay joined in also and James took a step back, only for Lady Essington to lean into him, her head going to his shoulder.
“Forgive us, it is only that we have been waiting for you so that we might make the very same conclusion!” she exclaimed, as James finally began to smile, realizing what she meant. “Yes, it must be Lady Maude! Although why she would want to injure you, I am not yet certain.” Stepping back, she looked up at him, her smile fading, and James wanted nothing more than to pull her back tight against him – although he restrained himself, given the company he was in.
“Good afternoon, Lady Essington, Lady Adlay.” Lord Huntsford bowed low, a calming presence in amongst the angst that now filled the room. “I was reflecting with Lord Yardley only a short while ago upon Lady Maude’s character. To my mind, it seems she dislikes the fact that he now shows his affections and interest to another.” James saw the way his eyes turned to Lady Essington and then watched the slow, beautiful smile spread across her face. “It may be that, as punishment for his lack of eagerness to return to her company, she has chosen to attempt to ruin him by any means she can.”
“She must have somehow discovered you were Mrs. Fullerton,” Lady Adlay agreed, her voice a little thin as she turned to Lady Essington. “Goodness, I wish I had never introduced you to her!”
Lady Essington shook her head. “None of this is your doing, my dear Sophia. You need not look so upset. Come, let us ring for tea and decide what we are to do next. The article will have to be written very soon, one way or the other.”
James reached out and caught her arm gently. “You will not wish to carry on writing as Mrs. Fullerton? Not after you have been so discovered?”
Lady Essington smiled softly. “It is not a question as to whether or not I wish it, Lord Yardley. At the present time, I must.”
“Must?” He saw Lady Adlay and Lord Huntsford come together in conversation and stepped a little closer to Lady Essington. “This is something you must do?” he asked, keeping his voice very low indeed. “But why?”
She sighed and put one hand on his chest. “My late husband left me this townhouse and a small yearly sum – but without being ungrateful, anything I can do that would bring in a little extra coin would be a great help to me and my present circumstances.” Her eyes held his but color bloomed in her cheeks. “That is why Lady Gillingham came to me, I suppose. Having been in my situation herself, she was all too aware that being widowed could bring financial difficulties and wanted to be of aid to me.”
“I quite understand.” Lifting his hand, he cupped her cheek, marveling inwardly at the softness of her skin. “Mayhap there will be another alternative and you will not have to rely on such an income any longer.” Seeing the question in her eyes, he shook his head. “But now is not the time for us to talk of such things. Come. We must find our way forward in this matter. You will not be under Lady Maude’s hold for much longer, Norah. I promise you that.”
“Good evening, good evening.”
James looked down at Lady Essington, glad she had been so willing to take his arm. “Are you quite well, my dear?”
“I am very anxious indeed,” came the honest reply, “but given you are here with me, I am comforted.”
He smiled at her. “There is nothing to fear. We are certain Lady Maude is the one who has done such things. There is no other that it could be! In confronting her, we must hope she will see no way forward and, thus, you shall be freed of her threats for good.”
Lady Essington nodded, taking in a deep breath as she did so. “You are quite correct. It is only that I am….afraid she will not listen. That her demands will increase all the more.”
“Then we shall decide what to do thereafter, should it come to that,” came the reply. “Do not forget we also have some power. The boy you now employ in your house, he could easily identify Lady Maude, should we ask it of him. That information could be given either to her father or even written about in the paper itself! There are ways we can take control.”
Lady Essington let out a long, slow breath but she nodded and, looking up at him again, tried to smile.
“It will not be long until we have the opportunity to speak to Lady Maude alone. Hold onto your courage for a little longer, my dear lady.”
He felt a tremor run through her arm into his but her smile told him of her determination. This evening would bring an end to the matter, once and for all.
“She is gone into one of the smaller rooms with Miss Patterson.”
James nodded as Lady Adlay came alongside Lady Essington. “Then we are quite prepared?”
“Indeed, we are. Lord Huntsford is already engaging them in conversation so that they will linger there.” She smiled briefly. “It is good this evening assembly has so many rooms open to their guests. I am certain we shall be able to have a somewhat quiet conversation, without being overheard by too many other guests.”
A small, grim smile pulled at James’ lips. “I am certain Lady Maude will not wish to have any of our conversation overheard,” he stated, firmly. “Let us go there directly.” He saw rather than heard Lady Essington take in a deep breath, her chin lifting just a little and her green eyes darkening.
“Yes, indeed.” Her eyes caught his. “I am ready.”
Quickly, they made their way from the main assembly room, following Lady Adlay as she led them to where Lady Maude was. Stepping into the room, James turned and hastily shut the door behind them, effectively shutting them into the room with Lady Maude and Miss Patterson. Much to his relief, there were no other guests present and he did not want that to change.
“Good gracious, Lord Yardley!” Lady Maude turned to him, her eyes wide with astonishment. “Is there some reason you wish to keep us all in this room? Surely you cannot expect to keep me from my mother who will, no doubt, soon be looking for me.” She tilted her head, a somewhat coy smile playing about her mouth. “Unless it is that you seek for any conversation between us not to be interrupted for some reason?”
“I have an excellent reason for such a request,” James replied, just as Lady Essington came to stand beside him. “That is the reason both myself, Lady Essington, Lord Huntsford, and Lady Adlay are all present in this room with you at this moment.”
He watched as the smile began to fade from Lady Maude’s face, her eyes beginning to move around the room, focusing in turn on each of the faces. “What is the meaning of this?”
Lady Essington took a step closer to the lady, her eyes a little narrowed. “You need not pretend any longer, Lady Maude. The truth is out.”
Lady Maude threw up her hands, color fading from her cheeks. “I know not what you are speaking of.” Casting a glance toward Miss Patterson as though she might understand, Lady Maude shook her head. Miss Patterson kept her head bowed low, her hands clasped in front of her and she did not say a single word. Lady Maude let out another huff of breath. “This is ridiculous. Speak plainly or do not speak at all!”
James looked to Lady Essington, lifting one eyebrow gently. It seemed she would have to be blunt if she were to have any answers from Lady Maude.
“The articles in the society papers,” Lady Essington began, speaking without a flicker of hesitation in her voice. “The articles demeaning first myself and, thereafter, Lord Yardley. Those were by your hand.”
Lady Maude’s eyes flared wide and her mouth dropped open.
She is stunned we have been able to find her out. A small sense of satisfaction curled in his chest and he moved closer to Lady Essington, boldly slipping one hand about her waist so Lady Maude could be in no doubt as to how he felt about her.
“I do not know how you managed to engineer Lady Adlay’s accident, but I will not have Lord Yardley, Lady Adlay, or any of my other acquaintances continually threatened.” Lady Essington lifted her chin. “Your last letter was meant to terrify me but in that regard, you have failed. I have told Lord Yardley everything. Lord Huntsford and Lady Adlay are also aware. I shall not write anything again about Lord Yardley, not when they are naught but falsehoods.”
Lady Maude folded her arms across her chest, her eyes flashing. “Lady Essington, I have no knowledge of what it is you speak of.” Her chin lifted. “Whatever it is, I can assure you I have never threatened Lord Yardley.”
The confidence James had felt only moments ago began to fade at Lady Maude’s stringent denial. He had expected her to be angry, certainly and yes, he had thought she might deny the matter entirely but the confidence with which she spoke as well as the firmness in her eyes made him wonder if they were, in fact, mistaken.
Then who else could it be?
“You mean to say you were not the one to write that additional piece about Lady Adlay?” Lord Huntsford planted both hands on his hips whilst Lady Adlay’s eyes remained thoughtful. “You did not, thereafter, write to Lady Essington demanding she write untruths about Lord Yardley?”
“Write them where?” Lady Maude’s gaze fixed itself on Lady Essington, only for her eyes to flare wide as she suddenly realized the truth. “You mean to say that you are Mrs. Fullerton?”
Lady Essington closed her eyes. “It cannot be Lady Maude,” she murmured, opening her eyes to glance first at Lady Adlay and then up at him. “There is truthfulness in her astonishment.”
“I cannot help but agree.” James pursed his lips, just as Lady Maude clapped her hands in evident happiness.
“Ah, you are Mrs. Fullerton!” she exclaimed, the delight in her eyes nothing but a warning. “I cannot quite believe it!”
Lady Adlay pointed one finger in Lady Maude’s direction. “And you shall not say a word, Lady Maude. For if you think it would be wise for you to inform the rest of the ton about your supposed assumption that Lady Essington is Mrs. Fullerton, you would be wise to consider the consequences of such an action.”
Lady Maude laughed, her lip curling. “What consequences could there possibly be?”
Silence ran across the room but Lady Adlay did not remove her gaze from Lady Maude. Instead, she took two small steps closer, a smile playing about her mouth.
“If Lady Essington is , in fact, Mrs. Fullerton, then is there not a danger that you might find your name written in the society papers, Lady Maude?”
Lady Maude’s smile shattered and naught but a choking sound came from her throat. James felt Lady Essington’s hand move closer and he tugged her closer to him. There was now nothing but disappointment and dissatisfaction where he had expected to feel triumph and relief. If it was not Lady Maude, then James could not tell who it might be. His mind began to fill with darkness. Lady Essington would have to write the article as she had been directed or else risk injury to herself or someone else. Society would turn its back on him. He would be forced to return to his estate.
“You do not look at all surprised, Miss Patterson.”
Lady Essington’s voice was soft, her words very quiet indeed but the weight of them made it seem as though they had been shouted aloud. James blinked in surprise at the remark, realizing quickly that the lady in question had chosen not to respond but had lowered her head all the more as if to hide her expression from them all.
“Miss Patterson?” Lady Essington’s voice was louder now, drawing the attention of everyone. “You already knew I was Mrs. Fullerton, did you not?”
Even Lady Maude turned to face her friend, her hands dropping to her sides.
“Miss Patterson?” Lady Maude moved closer but the lady did not look up. “You already knew of this?”
James’ heart began to beat a little faster as he glanced down at Lady Essington. She looked up at him, her face set. It was clear what was in her mind.
“It cannot be,” he whispered, just as Lord Huntsford cleared his throat.
“Are you suggesting, Lady Essington, that it was not Lady Maude who did such thing but, instead, was Miss Patterson?” He sounded just as incredulous as James felt but the more he considered it, the more it began to make sense. “For whatever reason would she do so?”
Lady Essington turned back to the lady, released herself from James’ embrace, and moved toward Miss Patterson. When she spoke, James was surprised at the softness in her voice. There was no anger, no frustration, or ire. Instead, there seemed to be nothing but a gentle sense of understanding.
“You have been directed by your father to continually be in company with Lady Maude, is that not so?” Miss Patterson did not move nor speak but Lady Essington continued regardless. “There is, I assume, a specific reason for this? Perhaps you might be brave enough to inform us as to what that reason could be.”
Silence followed for some minutes. Even Lady Maude, it seemed, did not know what to say. All eyes lingered on Miss Patterson but she remained just as she had been before – silent, with her head bowed and her hands clasped.
Lady Essington drew in a deep breath. “I have, in my household, a young boy by the name of Joseph. He was the one who delivered the second note to me. I have kept him on as an errand boy.” James watched Miss Patterson closely, seeing her head lift just a little. “What you might be unaware of, Miss Patterson, is that he saw the person who wrote the note. He is quite able to identify you.”
“That cannot be so. I gave the note to – ”
Miss Patterson threw one hand across her mouth, her eyes wide with the horror of what she had just said. James blinked in astonishment, staring at the lady with utter shock washing over him. It had been Miss Patterson, then. She had been the one to add that additional paragraph to the society pages about Lady Essington. She had been the one who had tried to blackmail Lady Essington into writing more and who had caused him great strife in the process. She had been the one to injure Lady Adlay!
“Mary?” Lady Maude’s eyes were huge, one hand pressed lightly against her heart but her voice was barely loud enough for anyone in the room to hear. “Is this the truth, then?”
Miss Patterson closed her eyes and a single tear slid down onto her cheek. She gave no answer but her silence confirmed it was the truth.
“But why should you do such a thing? What caused you to behave so?”
A flush of anger suddenly appeared in Miss Patterson’s cheeks and when she opened her eyes, they were burning with a fury that James had never once expected to see from the lady. She was so quiet, so timid, and yet, evidently, had been hiding a fiery wrath beneath that silent fa?ade.
“As if you do not know!” Miss Patterson exclaimed, throwing out one hand to point at Lady Maude. “My father has informed me of it all. You are to marry the very best of gentlemen and are to be looked upon as one of the very singular diamonds amongst in all of society.”
Lady Maude blinked. “That does not explain –”
“ I must do all I can to make certain your standing is maintained. You must be worshipped, you must be adored. And, in time, if you make the very best match in all of London, your father will make certain I am found a suitable match also. A marriage where I shall lack for nothing. But the responsibility upon my shoulders is great.”
“Marriage?” Lady Adlay spoke before anyone else. “Why can you not seek out a suitable match of your own at present?”
Miss Patterson dropped her hands to her sides and squeezed her eyes closed. “My father has used my dowry.” Her words were bitter. “He gives the appearance of wealth and consequence but he has very little coin remaining. I believe it is only his friendship with Lady Maude’s father that has given me any hope for a settled future.”
Lady Essington let out a small sigh. “My dear Miss Patterson, might it be you have taken those words of direction with a good deal too much seriousness? From the sounds of it, it appears that Lady Maude’s father is a gentleman with a generous heart. Mayhap he only wished for you to be a friend to Lady Maude, to aid her in her social endeavors.”
“He would never have wanted you to do such a thing as this!” Lady Maude’s face was white and she took a step backward. Throwing a glance to Lord Huntsford, James was relieved when he came to stand by Lady Maude. As much as he did not like the lady, it appeared she had done nothing wrong and was just as shocked as they. He did not want to see her fall or injure herself and was glad when she accepted Lord Huntsford’s arm.
Miss Patterson shook her head but tears began to drip onto her cheeks all the faster. “I am desperate. I must do all I can to assist Lady Maude! If I do not, then I shall be a spinster!”
“And thus, when you saw Lady Maude was displeased with the attention I showed to Lady Essington over her, you thought to injure Lady Essington by adding that postscript.” James walked toward Lady Essington but kept his shoulders down and his voice low, not wanting to appear at all intimidating. “But she was able to prevent you from doing so again.”
Miss Patterson nodded miserably. “Lady Maude was most displeased you continued to favor Lady Essington. Indeed, she even mentioned it in front of her father and I knew I had to do something! Something that would make Lady Maude glad that you had removed your attention from her.” She threw out one limp hand toward Lady Essington. “But I could not intercept your letters any longer given the changes you had made, so I had to come up with another idea.”
“And the letters and the threats were what you decided to do.” James wrapped one arm around Lady Essington’s shoulders, seeing the sadness in the depths of her eyes. “You injured Lady Adlay because Lady Essington did not do as you had asked.”
“No!” Miss Patterson’s eyes flew wide and she began to gesticulate wildly. “I did no such thing! That was an accident I was then able to use to my advantage. The truth is, I had very little idea as to what I was to do should Lady Essington refuse to write what I had demanded.”
Lady Essington let out another long breath, rubbing her forehead with one hand. “And Miss Geraldine Pottinger?”
“She and Lord Umbridge were both very rude to Lady Maude in front of her mother. But given that Lord Yardley was the only one she spoke of, I then concentrated my efforts on…on you, Lord Yardley.” Miss Patterson dropped her head, unable to look at anyone in the room. “I have to do such things if I am to gain a suitable match.”
James shook his head. “I am in agreement with Lady Maude and Lady Essington, Miss Patterson. I do not think that such things as you have done would ever have been required of you. You have gone much too far and injured a great many people.”
Lady Essington’s hand on his arm prevented him from saying anything further.
“I shall not remain angry with you, Miss Patterson.” Her quiet words astonished James and he looked down at her sharply, only to feel her fingers tightening gently. “You are afraid. You are scared. I quite understand those feelings. Pray, understand that this is not what was asked of you, however. I beg of you to desist.”
Miss Patterson pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped at her cheeks. “I will not continue.”
“I shall leave you and Lady Maude to speak but one thing I shall say before I depart.” Turning, she looked directly at Lady Maude. “Pray do not remove your friendship from Miss Patterson. You have never been and never shall be in her current circumstances. You lap up praise and adulation from practically everyone around you and complain about the few who do not – or who decide to pursue someone else.” A glance toward him made James smile, relieved beyond all measure that he had given his heart to Lady Essington rather than to Lady Maude.
“In short, Lady Maude, please attempt to show some sort of understanding and compassion to Miss Patterson. Treat her as your friend rather than an underling who must do as you bid.”
Lady Maude blinked but she did not speak. Her lips were flat, her face quite pale but she gave the tiniest of nods as she looked to Miss Patterson. James turned away from them both, following after Lady Essington as she made her way to the door. Lord Huntsford murmured something to Lady Maude and then stepped away also, followed by Lady Adlay. James stepped to one side, waiting until they had all stepped from the room before closing it behind himself, leaving Lady Maude and Miss Patterson alone.
A great rush of breath escaped him as he walked to join the other three who were standing a little away from the door. Shaking his head, James raked one hand through his hair, blowing out a long breath as he did so.
“I certainly did not expect that particular outcome,” he murmured, as Lady Essington took his proffered hand. “But it is over, at least.”
“Indeed.” Lady Essington did not look as pleased as James had expected. “I am glad on that count, certainly.”
“But you are not pleased.”
“I am sad,” Lady Essington replied, as Lady Adlay murmured she, too, felt the same. “Miss Patterson is clearly in a very difficult situation, scared for her future and thus, determined to go to extreme measures to make certain she fulfills what is expected of her. I am sorry for her for that.”
Lord Huntsford cleared his throat. “I shall make certain Miss Patterson is within my sphere of acquaintances,” he said quietly, surprising James with such consideration. “I too feel the same sympathy.”
“I confess I lack the compassion you all share,” James told them, deciding to be honest. “But I am certain it will come, in time. For the moment, I am only relieved this matter is at an end and we are all quite safe. Especially that you are safe, Norah.” He smiled at her, seeing the light return to her eyes. Her smile, he considered, was the most beautiful he had ever seen as though this circumstance had brought with it a freedom that had finally released her from any bonds of tension and fear. “We have much to discuss, my dear.”
“Although mayhap here and now is not the best situation to discuss such particulars,” she murmured, making him laugh. “Might you call on me tomorrow?”
“I shall, of course.” Taking her hand, he brushed a kiss over the back of it, feeling his heart tremble with excitement. “Tomorrow, my dear Norah. I can wait for one more day.”