Page 92 of Scandalous Heiress
Chapter 16
Freddie strode into the parlor of his cousin’s gate house, newspapers under one arm and a few letters in his hand.“I’ve brought more clothes for Ada from the main house.I gave them to the maid to put in Ada’s bedroom.”
Unable to travel far that night with Ada so ill, Freddie had suggested they seek asylum at his cousin’s home a few miles south of Hertford.Lady Fallon was young, a widow with two children, living quietly on her deceased husband’s small estate.Freddie had emphasized that they could not journey far and should not return to London to Victor’s house or his own.Richard, he’d pointed out, was fool enough to search them out in their homes and that would result in more chaos.Plus the three of them, especially Ada, needed time to recover and rest.
Victor, who’d been writing letters all morning to his parents and his business manager in the City, shot up from the desk.He needed news from London.The death of Carbury was one matter over which he had no power.But Ada’s abduction and his rescue had consequences, immediate and long term.He had to manage them all.
The three of them had been here two days while Ada recovered from what appeared to be a toxic reaction to some drug that Richard had used to incapacitate her.Aware Ada’s family would need word of her, he’d sent messengers that first morning to Ada’s father Killian and her step-mother Liv, as well as Lily, Julian and Pierce.He’d assured them all that she was secluded with him, safe, but very ill and could not travel.When rumor got out of Ada’s abduction and his rescue, he knew what their extended stay here would mean.Scandal.For her.Him, too.But fearing for her health as he did, he could not care about tomorrow’s challenges when he needed to get her well first.
Freddie pressed the mail into Victor’s hands.“A courier delivered this for you this morning.”
He tore open the letter from Hanniford Manor.“Her father wants details of what Richard did.Tildon too.”
Freddie took a seat by the doors to the garden and snorted.“Hanniford has means of revenge you and I never imagined.”
“True.”Whatever Killian Hanniford would do to Richard would be too little retribution.But her father did not focus on his revenge in his letter as much as the other issue Victor had written to him about.And Victor rejoiced at his response.“I told him I sent to the Commons for a license.He gives me his blessing.Says he knew the first night he met me that Ada and I were to be married.Thank heavens he’ll not object.It makes this easier.If indeed Ada will have me….”
Freddie sat back in his chair.“I doubt she’d refuse you.”
Victor looked toward the garden.The peonies in Lady Fallon’s parterre bloomed in luxurious pink profusion.Oddly, he wondered if the plants were ones that had come from his imports.No matter.He must carry Ada out there, if she was strong enough.She’d love the fragrances.
He glanced back at Freddie.“You know, I would not have been able to do this without you.I shall be forever grateful.”
His friend crossed one leg over the other and grinned at him.“I must proclaim my own gratitude.You’ve solved my own problem for me.”
“How is that?”
“I’ve my own missive this morning.”He patted his frockcoat and paper crinkled in his inside pocket.“From the earl of Ware, no less.”
“Oh?And?”
“It seems all the troubles of the past few days have pulled the curtain from the man’s eyes.First hand, he saw the disaster that resulted from Elanna’s and Carbury’s union and appreciates the love he saw you act upon.Furthermore, he applauds me for aiding you.”
“Which means—?”
“If I would like to address him on the matter of marriage to his daughter, he’d be happy to receive me.”
Victor caught his hand and shook it.“Congratulations.One challenge solved.”
“Without our even planning.”
“Good results from a horrid night.Now to solve the other issues.”He glanced toward the hall—and knew he must talk with Ada soon about marrying him.
“You cannot imagine Ada will refuse you.”
“Oh, Freddie, I doubt she has a choice.And that’s what worries me.She’s not a woman to do what society tells her.”
“Perhaps not.I don’t know her as well as you.But I think she will see reason.”
“Reason!”Victor scoffed and ran a hand through his hair.“Not the bestreasonto marry, is it?”
“The other is.She loves you.”
Victor stared into Freddie’s brown eyes.“I hope that might come.”But what can I do if she associates me with the actions of my brother?
“I’d not worry on that score if I were you.Simply pose the circumstances and ask the question.”
Victor buttoned his waistcoat.“Today’s the day to do it.”
