Page 107 of His Lordship's True Lady
Leggett was staring at the carpet. Oscar was simply gazing into space.
“Mrs. Braithwaite,” Hessian said, “had the letters from Nadine proving the existence of two daughters. Her silence on the matter comes at a price, one only you can pay. You will propose to Roberta Braithwaite in good faith, marry her in a legal and binding ceremony. You will become responsible for her welfare and her expenses, and you had best not displease her. She is no longer in possession of the letters, but she has a fine memory for a slight.”
“I’m to be… married?” Walter said.
Laughter welled, but Hessian contained himself. A gentleman never ridiculed another’s misfortune, even when that misfortune was the most exquisite justice.
“You are to be married,” Hessian said, “and may God have mercy on your soul.”
Leggett was silent for a long time, regarding the documents on Worth’s desk before he pushed to his feet. “Come along, Oscar. We’re finished here.”
They were finished in every sense, almost.
“One final item,” Worth said. “Miss Lily Ferguson is missing the sum of seventy-eight pounds, which was taken from her by her cousin Oscar. She wishes him the joy of his thievery and hopes he’ll use that money to learn a trade or seek his fortune abroad, for it’s the last money he’ll ever see, save for what he can earn with his own efforts.”
Oscar remained in his seat. “But I’ve already spent twenty pounds. Celebrating my upcoming nuptials with the fellows.”
“Do hush,” Worth said, “before you become more pathetic than you already are. I’ll see you out. Now.”
Leggett shoved Oscar on the shoulder. “Come along, boy, and prepare to meet your new mama-in-law.”
Worth escorted them from the room.
Hessian pulled out his grandfather’s watch, but it was no good—no damned good at all. He tossed the watch in the air and caught it. He was still laughing uproariously when Worth returned with Lily, a tray of glasses, and a bottle of champagne.
* * *
“I’m told the bride was radiant,” Lily said, though Lady Rosecroft had actually used the word gloating. Walter Leggett’s bride had been gloating and resplendent in a new gown edged in cloth of gold.
“One hopes the groom was overwhelmed by his good fortune,” Hessian replied, joining Lily on the park bench. “A pity Oscar could not attend.”
Oscar, in a gesture that Lily had found oddly hopeful, had returned twenty-nine pounds to her, with a promissory note for the remaining forty-nine pounds. He’d taken ship for Stockholm, where a friend had found him a clerk’s position in a counting house.
“The real pity is that Daisy wants nothing to do with her aunt,” Lily said. “Could this day be any more gorgeous?”
Hessian was looking gorgeous, all dapper and lordly, though he’d forgotten to wear his pocket watch.
“In point of fact, yes, this day could be more gorgeous.”
Spring was at her finest, the sunshine benevolent, the park’s trees in full leaf, birds flitting about in the greenery overhead. Daisy and Bronwyn were casting corn to the ducks. Worth and Jacaranda, Andromeda at their side, occupied a bench in the shade, the baby cradled in Worth’s arms.
“I don’t see how this day could be improved upon,” Lily said. “Your family is with you, my situation has been resolved, and all is well.” Except all was not quite well. Annie and her husband had returned to Scotland the week before, and Lily already missed her sister, already watched the post for letters from the north.
And biding as Lady Rosecroft’s guest was no sort of plan for Lily’s future.
“It’s about family that I wanted to speak with you.” Hessian’s gaze was on Daisy, who was trying to lure the ducks within petting range. Bronwyn’s corn had long since been snapped up, while Daisy was parceling hers out to ducks brave enough to come near.
“You disagree with my decision to approach my father,” Lily said. “I think he has a right to know the truth.” Soon, not yet.
Worth, as Lily’s man of business, waited for her direction regarding Mama’s estate, half of which Walter had been unable to touch. Annie, who’d never known material want, insisted that Lily decide what was to be done with any money and with the Fergusons.
“As it happens,” Hessian said, “I agree with you where His Grace of Clarendon is concerned. Rosecroft’s papa has a passing acquaintance with your father. He reports that Clarendon is an amiable, pragmatic fellow, liked and respected by all who know him. When the time is right, I’m sure he’ll welcome you on any terms you choose.”
Daisy crouched before the boldest duck, and Lily wanted to tell her to step back. Ducks could pinch awfully and were amazingly fast where food was concerned.
“She’ll be fine,” Hessian said. “She has my affinity for animals.”
Something in his voice made Lily regard him more closely. “You miss Cumberland. You and Daisy are both longing for the north.”
