Chapter 5
Chapter 5
As they rode in the carriage to the duke’s home, Jane’s heart was still floating with the stars in the clear night sky. Miss Catalani possessed the voice of an angel. How fortunate she had been that the duke suggested the opera for this evening. She would never have expected him to express his appreciation with an evening such as this, but if he had not, she would have never known the pure exquisiteness of the soprano’s voice.
“Miss Montford, you appear all that is happy this evening,” said Lord Charles.
“I admit I was delighted by Miss Catalani’s performance.” She turned to the duke. “I must express how grateful I am, Your Grace, for the invitation, else I would never have known such beauty existed.”
He gave a slight dip of his chin. “I am pleased you enjoyed the performance. While I have only heard the lady sing once before, I must admit tonight’s performance was exceptional.”
“I must agree,” said Grandpapa. “I heard her sing two years ago, but I feel she has matured in her expression.”
She folded her hands over each other in her lap. “Then I am quite satisfied to have heard her tonight.”
Her grandfather lifted one of his eyebrows. “Even with the scrutiny of the crowd? You have never enjoyed such attention.”
Jane fidgeted with the ribbons of her reticule. “I could have done without that, as you well know, but once Miss Catalani began to sing, I was able to forget about those who stared.” Unfortunately, not all who attended the opera had done so to watch the performers on the stage. Since tonight was a vocal performance, many had ceased their gossip and idle chatter to listen to Miss Catalani, so Jane had not been forced to listen to the music over a din.
“Your grandmother and Fiona will hear whatever is being said when they next make calls—likely on Monday. Most will be up late with their plans after the opera, then church on Sunday.”
“You do not make calls?” asked the duke.
“I do, but not as often as my grandmother and my cousin. Most mornings I prefer the quiet solitude of a book or my needlework.”
“Our Janey seeks to see the good in everyone, so calls can be trying.”
“There is not much that is favourable in the gossip most people in town thrive upon.”
The duke sighed. “I cannot help but agree with you.”
His brother nodded. “Neither of us enjoys the tittle tattle to be honest.”
When the equipage came to a stop, Jane peered through the window. Good heavens! And she thought Richmond House was grand! The duke’s home, even in the dark, appeared to consume most of the piece of Park Lane between Stanhope Street and the mews that ran behind the homes on Curzon Street. From where she stood, two smaller homes could be discerned on the Curzon Street side, yet they only made the duke’s home seem enormous. She could not help but gape.
Once again, the duke handed her down while her grandfather hastened to assist her grandmother. When they approached the door, it was opened by an older and almost portly man who bowed at their entry. “Your Grace, I hope the opera was enjoyable.”
“Yes, thank you, Taft. Is all readied for dinner?”
“I believe Mrs. Tanner has everything prepared. Dinner should be served in less than a quarter hour.”
“Excellent.”
As soon as they were relieved of their coats and hats, the duke offered Jane his arm as he showed his guests into the drawing room. She had called on a duchess or two with her grandmother and had found those ladies’ homes rather uselessly fine. The decoration of the duke’s home was more opulent, yet not in a way that rendered it unappealing. The rugs upon the floors were obviously expensive as was the thick velvet of the draperies but not in a way that was overdone.
“Would you care for some sherry, Miss Montford?”
When her attention snapped back to the duke, she shook her head. “No, thank you. I shall wait for dinner.”
While she studied the landscape over the mantel, bits and pieces of the different conversations reached her ears. Her grandfather and Lord Charles spoke of some matter that was set to be argued in the House of Lords in the next fortnight. Her grandmother joined in here and there, but as she had no interest in politics, she mostly stood at her husband’s side.
“You seem enthralled.” She startled at the duke’s voice. When had he crept up beside her?
“Is this your home?”
“Yes, that is the seat of the dukedom, Clitheroe Castle.”
“My grandfather’s estate is a castle as well, although not as whole as yours seems to be. The portions to this side had fallen into disrepair and were taken down a long time ago.” She pointed to a back wing of the structure.
“Buildings of such an age require a substantial amount of funds and work to keep from deteriorating. ’Tis a project with no end.”
She tilted her head while she regarded him. “I imagine you must give a vast amount of thought to the best methods and the costs involved.”
“I would be careless if I did not. I have considered it a better use of my income to preserve what remains rather than adding to or enhancing the grandeur as the Duke of Devonshire did at Chatsworth.”
“I have never seen Chatsworth, but I hear it is a place decorated to show its splendour to all who view it.” Her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner had toured Chatsworth when they were last in Derbyshire. Her aunt praised the home’s situation but confessed she considered the interiors to be uselessly fine.
“I have been but twice as a young lad. My father was friends with the family, and we broke our journey there when he brought me home to Lancashire from Eton.”
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace.” When they turned, the housekeeper stood behind them. “Dinner will be served in a few minutes, but Lady Emmeline is asking for Miss Montford.”
“She is still awake?”
The woman winced. While the duke’s tone was not hard or testy, a higher note than usual could be detected in his voice. The girls were young. He had to be surprised they were not yet asleep.
“They have spoken of nothing but Miss Montford since you departed. Lady Juliana surrendered her fight to stay awake an hour ago, but Lady Emmeline never succumbed.”
“I would be pleased to speak to her if it would help,” said Jane. She had enjoyed the girls’ company the morning after the park. Spending a moment or two so the dear one would fall asleep was no bother.
“You are certain?” His hazel eyes seemed to be seeking more than just her answer. They were lovely; almost the colour of the whiskey Fiona sometimes would partake of.
“Quite.”
After a quick word to her grandmother, the duke had begged his company’s forgiveness before he followed her to the nursery. When she entered, Lady Emmeline gasped and sat up in her bed.
“Miss Montford! Your gown is so pretty!”
“Thank you. Now what is this I hear about you refusing to sleep?” Jane gave the girl a falsely stern voice. “Your papa will believe me a poor influence should you continue such antics.”
“But you are not!” Lady Emmeline looked around Jane. “Papa, did you ask her about a visit?”
“I did. She will come, but only if you listen to Lettie and go to sleep.”
“I miss Miss Fletcher.”
“She will return soon,” said the duke. “I promise.”
Jane hastened forward. “Now, lie down. You live just down the street from my grandfather, so I can come whenever is convenient for your father and the servants.” She drew the coverlet up to the child’s shoulders. “Shall I read until you fall asleep?”
“Will you sing as you did for Jules that day?”
With a glance over her shoulder to the handsome yet intimidating man behind her, she tried to ignore the slight quaking of her knees. Her voice was not as strong or as expressive as Lizzy’s, and certainly not as fine as Miss Catalani’s. The duke would have heard many superior voices to hers, yet his daughter wished for a song. “I do not have much of a voice, Lady Emmeline.”
“You sang beautifully.” The little girl fluttered her eyelashes and smiled.
“Do not be silly.” Jane closed her eyes and did her best to pretend it was just her and Lady Emmeline before she sang “Lavender’s Blue” as she had that day at Richmond House.
Lavender”s blue, dilly dilly, lavender”s green,
When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen:
Who told you so, dilly dilly, who told you so?
”Twas mine own heart, dilly dilly, that told me so.
She did not dare look back at the duke. Lizzy considered her voice merely passable, and Jane’s was nothing to Lizzy’s—not that Lizzy cared what people thought of her singing. Jane had always been too timid of criticism to stand up and perform before strangers. Children, however, were a different matter.
Henry stood rooted in place as Miss Montford sang. The serenity of her countenance while she brushed Emme’s locks back from her face with gentle fingers made his breath hitch in his chest. How had some gentleman not claimed this lady for his own? She had excellent connexions as the Earl of Richmond’s granddaughter, she was one of the handsomest ladies he had ever seen, and her voice—while not polished like that of Miss Catalani—possessed a quality that pulled at his chest as though someone had tied a string to his ribs and tugged him towards the lady.
After the last verse, her singing trailed off until she rose with care from the bed. He held out his hand to be of aid as Miss Montford tiptoed to the door so as not to wake Emme. As soon as they were away from the room, he cleared his throat.
“I appreciate your patience with my daughters.”
“They are lovely and do you credit. I am only sorry Lady Emmeline insisted upon remaining awake due to me.”
“She likes you. You have no need to apologise for that.” She was not to blame. His little imps could be as stubborn as him when they had set their mind to something.
“I thank you, Your Grace.”
When they reached the hall, Charles had Lady Richmond on his arm. “Mrs. Tanner announced dinner.”
Henry held out his arm for Miss Montford. “I suppose we should join them.”
“May I ask a question, Your Grace?”
“Of course.” What could she wish to ask that she would request permission?
“The girls’ governess has yet to resume her duties? I thought her recovered.”
“Miss Fletcher was beaten rather severely. I do not want the girls frightened or to realise what occurred when the servants disappeared, so she is to return to her duties when she is healed.”
Miss Montford pressed a hand to her chest. “It is all so distressing that some scheme had been afoot when we found them.”
“Yes, but the investigators have found little thus far.” That part was vexing! How could no trace be found?
“Do you not have any idea who could have done this?”
“Of course, I do, but I cannot prove one bit of it.”
Her blue eyes held his gaze for a moment. “Your brother. The one from the opera. You warned me of him.”
“As I said, I have naught but suspicions.”
“I hope they are incorrect.” Her voice was soft as was her gaze.
“Why is that?”
“My sister is one of the most important people in the world to me. I would be lost if I could not trust her. I also cannot imagine someone being so cruel as to want to harm those two little girls, particularly their own uncle.”
“Simon was my father’s favourite. He has never made it a secret that he wants the dukedom and all that accompanies it.” He shook himself. “However, this is not pleasant dinner conversation, and I would not want to frighten you with talk of my younger brother.”
“I should not have asked.”
He shook his head. “I am not offended. I appreciate a question innocently asked compared to one contrived for gossip.” And he did. After how she had found his daughters, he could not be surprised she would enquire of the investigation or his suspicions. If he were in a similar position, he would be curious as well.
“Did Emme settle?” asked Charles as he took his seat.
“Miss Montford sang ‘Lavender’s Blue,’ and Emme was asleep in seconds.”
“You sang?” Lord Hatton’s eyebrows lifted. “My cousin has never been willing to perform without a great deal of coercion.”
“Forgive my husband,” said Lady Fiona. “He takes great pleasure in tormenting his cousins.”
“Do not forget they have tormented me too. Janey proved to be the most devious of the lot as well.”
Henry paused. Miss Montford? Devious? He could not imagine it.
“She is not devious, merely patient,” said Lord Richmond. “Lizzybeth would be too eager to see you suffer while Janey is willing to wait months if need be to prove her point. She also has the maids’ sympathy, so they help her. Even now, I would not cross her.”
Henry glanced between Miss Montford and her cousin. This quiet lady seated at his table had a mischievous side? Her outward appearance was so serene. “I must admit that you have piqued my interest. Charles and I, of course, played pranks on each other, but female cousins scheming against the males of their family; I find this most unusual.”
By the end of the meal, Lord Richmond’s willingness to speak of his family and their eccentricities was evident. They had spent a charming dinner talking of their exploits as well as his with Charles. He could not remember spending a more pleasant evening in company. He could not remember the last time he had laughed so hard his side ached either.
“By the end of the evening, I daresay you found Miss Montford to your liking.”
Henry swallowed his sip of brandy and rested the glass on his thigh. “I must admit she intrigues me. She is different from most of our acquaintance. Despite the attention she received from being on my arm at the opera, she displayed herself with grace; she enquired of the investigation and Miss Fletcher with genuine concern; and she thought nothing of visiting Emme and aiding in putting her to sleep. I have never met a lady of our sphere who would demonstrate such open compassion.”
After nodding, Charles stood to refill his drink. “So, you will court her?”
“I thought to call. She holds a certain amount of reserve, so I shall endeavour to learn more about her. Her preferred conversations this evening were more about the girls or other matters. She spoke little of herself, and by her family’s reaction, she does not sing often.”
“Her voice is that good?”
“I doubt she has studied with a master, but her effort was enjoyable—for a lullaby.” She might have drawn some criticisms from a drawing room performance in company, yet her dulcet tones slipped under his skin and made him clench his hands into fists so he would not reach out and touch her.
Charles tipped his glass in Henry’s direction as he took his previous position in the chair by the fire. “She is handsome as well. I heard others remark on her beauty as we made our way to the box.”
“I had not noticed those who did so. She was nervous with the scrutiny, so we were speaking to put her at ease. I also warned her of Simon since he saw her on my arm.” He had no wish for Simon to seek Miss Montford out. “If he had any idea I was considering courtship, the rake would think nothing of pursuing her to prevent my marrying.”
A sizeable exhale came from Charles. “His avarice holds no bounds.”
“No, it does not.”
“Your Grace!”
As he and Charles stood, Taft burst into the library. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but Adam is in the kitchen!”
Without delay, they flew to their feet and followed Taft below stairs. The footman sat in a chair by the fire, his sister at his shoulder while Mrs. Tanner rifled through his hair. Cook was tutting while she put a large kettle on the fire. “Loathsome creatures they are,” she muttered.
“Adam?”
“Your Grace, I swear I do not know what happened. One moment, we were watching the girls admire the swans and the next, a sharp pain shot through my skull. I knew nothing until I woke.
“Mrs. Tanner said the girls are well. I am so relieved. I was so worried they had been taken.”
Henry shifted so he could see what his housekeeper was tending. A good-sized knot was on the back of Adam’s head. “Where have you been since this happened?”
“If you will forgive me for being so forward,” said a man, a vicar, who had gone unnoticed until he spoke. “Your Grace, he was found in the mews off Grosvenor Square by two grooms from one of the nearby stable blocks. They brought him to me at Grosvenor Chapel. I ensured he was tended to by an apothecary, but he did not truly awaken until this morning. Before, he would wake as though from a nightmare. We would calm him, give him broth and tea with laudanum and ensure he slept more. When he woke this morning, more alert than he has been since he arrived at the chapel, he insisted it was of the utmost importance we return him to your home. I would have had him rest longer, but he would not relent until I agreed.”
Henry gave a dip of his chin. “I thank you for caring for him, Mr…”
“Mr. Haynes, Your Grace.”
With a flick of his wrist, Henry waved Taft forward. “Have Adam taken to his chamber, and when the apothecary comes to see Miss Fletcher, he is to examine Adam as well. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Adam’s head jerked at the mention of the governess. “Miss Fletcher is here? She is well?”
“She is healing but was in a right state when she found her way home,” said Taft. With the help of a footman, he hoisted Adam to his feet so they could help him upstairs.
“Thank God,” said Adam.
Henry gestured to the parson to accompany him. “If you would come to my study, I should like to make a contribution to your cause in appreciation of your aid.”
The man bowed. “Thank you, Your Grace!”
As soon as the vicar was given a generous sum, Taft returned and showed the man to the door. Once they were alone, Charles picked up the glass he had abandoned and downed the remainder while Henry penned a note to the investigator. “It seems we shall not be retiring any time soon.”
“No, I do not believe we shall.”