Chapter Three
In Which Explanations Are Offered
Richard paused outside the door to the library, drawing a resolute breath. Tact and civility might yet extricate him from this predicament.
Surely Miss Rafferty had other options. Or perhaps he could find some relation among his mother’s sprawling family where he could send her, because boarding school was certainly not an option anymore.
He entered the room and saw his visitor in front of the blazing fire, warming her hands. She had discarded the fur-trimmed cape, gloves, and the pert toque. She turned, and he cast a knowledgeable eye over her traveling dress and fashionable millinery.
The frock was an older style but of fine cut and expensive material. He glanced at her shoes, and her fine leather boots also hinted she was far from poor. If Miss Rafferty had means, then she was not entirely helpless.
Richard moved forward, and she extended a graceful hand. He bent over it politely, a bit taken aback. The gentleman always offered his hand first.
“I must apologize for my awkward arrival and the scene in front of your house. May we not start afresh? As you have guessed, I am indeed Fiona Rafferty.”
“Welcome to Merrick House, Miss Rafferty.” Her regret seemed sincere, but he chose to reserve judgment. The debacle outside was still fresh.
“What a fine house this is. Is that Hyde Park across the street? My father…” a shadow passed over her face, “…often spoke of London, but this is my first visit.”
“May I say how sorry I am to hear about your father, Miss Rafferty?” He struggled to think of something kind to add, but he had only met the man once or twice when he was very young.
She lifted her chin in a determined manner. “Oh, I believe he’ll turn up eventually. I haven’t given up hope yet. I wouldn’t put him above some wild scheme to become solvent again after our plantation failed.”
“Are you saying your father might have planned his disappearance?” he asked, stunned.
Miss Rafferty shrugged. Young ladies of the ton did not shrug—nor were they so well informed about the financials of their family.
“My athair has proved a resourceful man in the past. A miracle is not beyond hope. Your family seemed unprepared for my arrival, and I’m afraid I’ve caused you great inconvenience.”
“The letter my solicitor wrote to advise us of your circumstances was misplaced. I only discovered it this morning.”
“Good God,” she exclaimed with a musical peal of laughter. “You mean, you had no idea I was coming? What an abominable tangle.”
“I fail to see any humor in the situation.” Miss Rafferty needed to be taken in hand.
“You needn’t worry. I shall find a husband and take myself off your hands.
Father put aside a modest trust for me, which I shall have access to when I reach twenty-one.
Until then, there should be a bit of money coming from the sale of our plantation in Barbados.
I’m well able to take care of myself, you know.
I’ve lived apart from my father these last six years. ”
“You had no parental figure—no chaperone—in Dublin?”
“I was a companion to my elderly aunt who passed away at Christmas.”
“My condolences on the passing of your aunt, Miss Rafferty. You must have been close if she was your only relative.”
“Oh, not really. Aunt Muriel was kind enough, but I spent most of my time at school. I understand that since my father’s will granting your Uncle Carlisle guardianship was never changed, that’s how I landed on your doorstep. Quite literally.” Her eyes still glimmered with amusement.
He didn’t appreciate Miss Rafferty’s misplaced merriment. This bizarre situation was growing worse by the moment.
“Well, Lord Seldon, are you convinced I am not some designing imposter? May I meet the rest of your family? They must be on fire with curiosity.”
“Do you always say what you think, Miss Rafferty?”
She cocked her head. “Why, yes. Don’t you?”
He ignored the impertinent question. “I don’t want to seem indelicate, but might I ask your age?”
“I turned nineteen in November. Does that make me too old for the Marriage Mart I’ve heard so much about?” she asked archly.
“As my ward,” he said in a dampening tone, “you will be a Merrick, so it will not matter. This is my sister’s first London Season, so we will introduce you to society alongside Valentina. My mother is very adept at these things. I am sure we will find an agreeable candidate.”
“How glad I am to be marriage worthy.” Her voice suggested otherwise. “However, I would like to discover more about life in London before I decide on my future.”
“You are my responsibility now, Miss Rafferty. Tomorrow, I will speak with my solicitor and navigate a suitable arrangement for your future. The situation is regrettable, but not without hope.”
“Though I appreciate your offer, Lord Seldon, I am no one’s responsibility. As in the past, I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself and deciding how to proceed.”
He decided this was as good a time as any to establish the parameters of their relationship.
“You are misinformed, Miss Rafferty. As a dependent living in my household, you are legally under my care. I am your guardian and that means you have very few decisions to make. We shall discuss what is expected of you at a later time. As for now, my family is anxious to meet you.”
Before she could form a protest, he walked to the library door and held it open.
*
Fiona had the most childish impulse to stamp her feet and refuse to leave. The earl infuriated her, but she realized there were few other options available at the moment than to stay at Merrick House.
The ten-hour journey by boat from Dublin to London and the uncomfortable ride aboard the public coach to Mayfair had been grueling. She was weary to the bone, fighting a case of the blue devils, and she sorely missed her father.
Though Fiona longed for nothing more than a soft bed and a comfortable room, meeting the family was her first order of business. Then, she would recover and make plans of her own. Lord Seldon would soon discover that a Rafferty didn’t take orders. Even from an earl.
She followed him into an expansive drawing room.
Three faces swiveled in her direction from a blue-striped, satin sofa.
The first Fiona judged her to be near fifty but still very beautiful, with the perfect roses-and-cream complexion so common among the English.
The young lady next to her was breathtakingly lovely, a younger version of her mother.
Lord Seldon introduced them as Lady Amelia Merrick and Miss Valentina Merrick. Before he could continue, the adolescent girl sitting with them jumped to her feet.
“Do you have any brothers or sisters? It would be ripping to have someone to play with.”
“No, I am afraid not,” Fiona answered her. “How lucky you are to have both.”
“This is Miss Octavia Merrick.” Was Fiona mistaken or did she see a trace of indulgence in the earl’s expression?
“She is twelve and resists all our attempts to tame her. Please sit, Octavia, and no Cockney tonight, I beg you.”
Octavia had chestnut-brown hair like her brother, escaping in tendrils from two beribboned plaits. Her features were too irregular for beauty, but pleasing nonetheless.
Lady Merrick patted the space beside her, but Octavia ignored her and danced around the room.
“Do you really live on an island? Richard said Ireland is called the Emerald Isle. Is Ireland full of emeralds? I wish I could go to Ireland. If I stay in London much longer, I’ll be dicked in the nob…it’s so boring here.”
“Really Richard, don’t you think her riding lessons are becoming too much? She sounds just like Jerome.” Her mother unfurled a delicate lace fan, waving it vigorously.
“My indomitable tiger is like water to Octavia’s sponge, Mother. I shall tell Jerome and the grooms to forego the slang. Octavia, when you go to the stables, you must put cotton in your ears.”
“That’s silly, Richard. How can I hear Jerome teach me when I ride Rainbow?”
Her brother smiled, his eyes creasing with amusement, and Fiona noticed they were the same unusual shade of blue-gray as his younger sister’s eyes, set under slightly winged brows.
“Now it is time to wind down, Octavia, so we might converse with our guest,” he suggested. “Unless of course, you wish to retire upstairs.”
Octavia plopped down on the sofa next to her mother.
Lady Merrick sighed. “Do sit, Miss Rafferty, and tell us a bit about yourself.”
“Only if you forgive my unexpected arrival,” Fiona implored. “I have caused such a disturbance that I am sure you are thoroughly exasperated with me.”
“Nonsense, my dear.” She settled back against the padded cushions. “Was your journey very exhausting?”
“Yes, but I am so pleased to meet everyone.”
The spacious drawing room was superbly appointed, and a massive portrait of the family above the fireplace caught her eye.
An attractive man with the earl’s coloring stood center, flanked by a very young Valentina and her much older brother.
Lady Merrick, incandescently beautiful in her youth and obviously with child, sat gazing adoringly at her husband.
Lady Amelia followed Fiona’s gaze. “That is my late husband, the eighth Earl of Seldon. Unfortunately, he passed not long after this painting was finished.”
“What a lovely family portrait. You and Miss Merrick share a remarkable resemblance, Lady Merrick.”
“Lady Amelia will do, my dear. Using my title makes me feel ancient.”
“Welcome, Fiona. I hope I may address you by your first name; it will be such fun to have someone with whom to share the Season,” Valentina offered shyly.
Fiona sank into the plush cushions alongside her. “Oh, absolutely call me Fiona…and I shall need the guidance of a friend, by all means. Valentina, Octavia…do I sense a pattern here?”
“Mama adores all things Roman, you see.”
“I am extremely fortunate not to be named Tiberius,” the earl said, and his mother slapped him smartly on the arm with her fan.
“Richard, do sit down and join us. You make me quite agitated standing there and looming over everyone.”
Octavia giggled. “He doesn’t loom…he lurks! Richard has eyes and ears everywhere.”
The earl took the armchair across from them. “Thank you, Octavia, for enlightening our guest. I am sure Miss Rafferty will be relieved at my diligence.”
“You must be weary from your travels, Fiona. We understand perfectly if you wish to rest,” Valentina said. “One of the chambermaids should have your room ready shortly. Can we offer you some tea, perhaps? Our cook, Mrs. Talbot, makes the most delicious cinnamon cakes.”
“Perfect, Valentina,” Lady Amelia agreed. “Will you ring for some refreshments?”
“Some refreshments would be lovely.” Fiona rallied at the thought of a hot beverage.
“I’m anxious to share all the entertainment London offers.” Valentina walked to a velvet rope by the door. “Tomorrow night there is a poetry reading and on Wednesdays we go to Almack’s. There is always something to do, you will find.”
Soon a housemaid entered with the tea tray and set it on the low table in front of the sofa.
“I will pour, thank you,” Valentina told her. The girl curtsied and slipped out.
“How do you take your tea, Fiona?”
“Just milk, please.” She took the porcelain cup of steaming liquid and sipped gingerly.
Valentina lifted a cinnamon pastry from a tiered carousel and placed it on the matching plate, passing the confection to Fiona.
Octavia helped herself to three, ignoring her mother’s look of disapproval.
Fiona finished the pastry and dusted her fingers with a linen napkin.
“So, Octavia, let me answer your question. Ireland is called the Emerald Isle because it’s green with fine pastureland as far as the eye can see.
There are sheep and horses everywhere. But I’ll look for emeralds when I return if you wish.
We do have these wee beasties called leprechauns that live under rainbows and guard pots of gold. ”
“Really? I should very much like to find one and steal his gold!”
“Octavia,” Lady Amelia reproved.
Her irrepressible daughter grinned and bit into another cinnamon cake.
Valentina offered tea to Richard, who politely declined.
“Once I visit my solicitor in the morning, I will make the arrangements for some pin money, Miss Rafferty.”
“That would be wonderful. I will also need to set up an account with your modiste and milliner. I fear my wardrobe to be sadly lacking for a London Season. Valentina, your gown is lovely. Is this the new Empire style I’ve heard so much about?”
“Thank you. And, yes…French fashion is all the rage right now.”
“You have hit upon my sister’s favorite pastime when you speak of fashion, Miss Rafferty. But there is no need to make any financial arrangements. My account with Madame Brigitte is sufficient for your needs.”
Fiona froze. “Lord Seldon, I am perfectly capable of purchasing my clothing.”
“That is not the point, Miss Rafferty. You are now under my legal guardianship, and your living expenses are my responsibility. I shall, of course, review your financials with my solicitor and banker.”
“My lord, I have lived independently since I was fifteen, caring for myself and an elderly aunt on little more than a shoestring.”
“And I am sure you are relieved that is finished,” Lord Seldon replied, unruffled. “We will revisit our arrangement once you are twenty-one, Miss Rafferty, and free of my tyranny. It is a hardship indeed to have all your needs met, but I’m sure you will rally.”
Octavia and Valentina watched them with wide eyes. Even Lady Amelia seemed taken aback. It was obvious that people rarely opposed the earl. But that would have to change. Later she would strategize how to put her detestable guardian in his place.
She set her teacup down with a decided snap. “I think I’ll take your mother’s suggestion and seek rest if my chamber is ready. I find myself quite fatigued.”
“Of course. I will have a housemaid escort you.” The earl rose from his seat.
His mother also stood. “I have ordered the Rose Room prepared for you, Miss Rafferty. It has always been my favorite. I do hope you will be comfortable there.”
Fiona smiled warmly. It wasn’t Lady Amelia’s fault if her son was a colossal leathcheann. “If it’s anything like the rest of your splendid home, Lady Amelia, I’ll be enchanted.”
“Shall I send a tray to your chamber later, or would you prefer to join us in the dining room for supper?”
“Thank you, but please, neither is necessary. I shall likely sleep straight until breakfast. Valentina, Miss Octavia, it was a pleasure becoming acquainted. Lord Seldon.” She gave the earl the briefest of curtsies before following the waiting housemaid.