A Lesson in Pride (24 page)

As her eyes wandered around the theater, taking in the audience, she spotted a familiar face directly across from her box. Lord Hood was ensconced in a box of his own, surrounded by people she didn't know. His companions were all engrossed, paying no attention to her or Hood.

She smiled and lifted her hand to wave, when she remembered that if she acknowledged him too much, there would be gossip. Instead, she moved her hand to brush back a piece of hair that had escaped her coiffure. She saw him smile at her correction.

He held her gaze, and she watched as he reached into his jacket pocket and revealed that he was carrying the same flask that he had offered to her the other night. Ginny almost laughed, but instead tipped her head to him. Then she watched him turn to the woman next to him and whisper something in her ear. The woman waved him away impatiently and Morgan made his way out of the box.

Ginny turned to Persephone and whispered, “Please excuse me for a moment, Miss Horton. I must attend to something in the retiring room.”

Confused, Persephone nodded but asked, “Do you need my assistance?”

“No, thank you. Please enjoy the play.”

Ginny removed herself from the box, noticing that both Hope and Charlotte were too interested in the play to notice her departure. She quietly made her way around to the back of the theater, where the steps led down to the lobby. Before she reached the steps, a hand shot out of a small alcove and pulled her inside. It was hardly private, but they would not be easily seen.

“May I offer you a drink, my lady,” Morgan asked as he pulled out the flask and unscrewed the top.

“No, thank you, my lord. I was simply in need of escaping that...” Ginny didn't want to say anything too demeaning, in case the man had been enjoying the play.

“That utter disgrace to the theater?” he asked, gracing her with a smile that brought a piercing warmth to her stomach.

“Exactly.” There was just enough light to admire his good looks. What was Ginny doing? Was she going to start something with Lord Hood while wondering if Grant would finally come to his senses? It would seem so.

“Are you here with friends?” Ginny asked, trying to keep to safe topics. Unsafe topics for her included anything that had to do with removal of clothing and horizontal surfaces.

“I am here with family, actually. Most of which I have only just met for the first time. There are some good reasons for moving back to England.”

“Receiving a title wasn't enough?”

“God no. I could list all the reasons why I should have stayed in Italy, chief among them is the weather.”

Ginny laughed. “Missing the sun?”

“Most definitely. Perhaps I might call on you tomorrow, Lady Essex. I must admit I was never one for hiding in corners and alcoves.”

“Please come by any time.”

“Thank you,” he said, as he grabbed her hand and kissed her gloved knuckles. They both departed, going in opposite directions. Before Ginny could enter her box, another hand grabbed her arm and pulled her down the hall toward the stage. Ginny was half-dragged along, not being able to see who her captor was. When they stopped abruptly, Ginny finally got a look at the man. Figuring it was Grant, she was surprised to see her brother looking at her.

“Hello, Alysanne.”

Certainly she'd been wondering what had happened to Nigel and Robert, but didn't she have enough to worry about without adding those two into the mix.

“What can I do for you, Robert?”

Flinching from her tone, Robert asked, “Are you well?”

Small talk? Really? Ginny closed her eyes for a second before asking, “What do you want?”

“I guess I deserve that, but I came to you as a last resort.”

“And...?”

“It is Father. He is very unwell and in need of a doctor. We have no money to speak of and I was hoping you could help me.”

The whole story sounded like pure bunk, but Ginny wasn't without her compassion. Nigel would always be useless, no doubt, but there was still time for Robert.

“You know the rules, Robert. I can give you what little money I have on me, but I can't help you in any significant way. Except...” It had just occurred to Ginny that she had a new friend. A friend who owned many businesses and might just be willing to help her out.

“Except what?” There was that desperation in his voice. Robert was hurting. He didn't deserve to be strapped to a man who was as useless as money to fish.

Ginny opened her reticule and pulled out all the money she had there. “Here are a couple of pounds, Robert. But I want you to think about something. If I could get you a respectable job, would you take it?”

Wariness entered his expression. “What do you mean?”

“I know someone who might be able to get you a job. You know, a regular income. You could take care of yourself.”

“What of Father?”

Ginny blinked. Could his allegiance be so steadfast that he wouldn't grasp at this chance with both hands? Did he truly believe that he should need to care for a man who was perfectly capable of caring for himself if only he would do so? Nigel and Robert defined dysfunction to a tee.

“What of him, Robert?”

“He is... he is...” Robert stuttered.

“He is what? Dying?” Ginny asked.

“Yes. He can barely speak or move. He lies around. I have to do everything for him, Ally.”

Ginny bit back the urge to respond that some things never changed. Instead, she said, “Then take the money I gave you and do what you can. When he's dead, come to me and I will see about a job.”

“How can you be so unfeeling about your own father?” It was the first time that Robert had shown any backbone in their short conversation. Too bad he still didn't have nearly as much as Ginny.

“My feelings for him ceased when he sold me to a monster, Robert. When he took his money and was willing to leave me to be abused. What kind of father is that?”

Ginny didn't wait for a response, but turned around and walked back to her box. She almost made it, before yet another hand grabbed her arm.

“What the hell?” she asked, but already knew it was Grant. Of course it was Grant. Who else would it be?

She was dragged to yet another alcove, not nearly as pleasantly as Morgan had done it. When she was inside, Grant stood over her, backing her into the corner. Ginny looked up at him and was about to make a protest when his lips came down upon hers. He was more careful this time not to disturb her hair, but he ravaged her lips with a kind of ownership that Ginny did not appreciate.

Pushing his away, she hissed, “What are you doing?”

“I saw you with Hood. You had better stay away from him, Alysanne. He has no good intentions toward you.”

Could her life be any more surreal? “I wouldn't know, Grant. He's never so much as kissed me. I can't say the same for you.”

Grant ran his hands through his hair. “How am I to stand this?”

After her recent confrontation with Robert, Ginny was done. She refused to be the only adult in this story. “Go home, Grant. Nurse your wounded pride and leave me the hell alone.”

Pushing past him, Ginny made a beeline for the box. Once past the curtain covering the door, she sat down next to Persephone and tried to calm down. She was a strong, independent woman living in an unforgiving era for women. How was it that she was the only one that had it together?

She took a deep breath, looked across the theater, and found Morgan staring at her with concern. He must have been wondering where she'd gone after they'd parted ways. Ginny knew her face was flushed - from both the kiss and her anger. She managed a small smile and nodded. If he wanted to know what was wrong, she would explain when he came over to visit. It would hardly do to try and signal him from across a crowded theater.

She turned her attention back to the stage. If nothing else, the bad play would take her mind off her own troubles. It was good for at least that.

Chapter 31

The next morning, Ginny made her way to the Horton house. She had thought to speak to Malcolm the night before, but when the play was finally over, everyone complained of being tired and wanting to go home. Charlotte, who complained the loudest, was so amusing that Ginny simply forgot to request an audience for the next day.

She knocked lightly, knowing that it was still too early for most of the ton to even be out of bed. The Hortons, however, were not part of the ton, at least not at that moment.

The butler opened the door and looked down his nose at her. After taking her measure by the expensive clothing she wore, he invited her into the foyer.

“May I help you, madam?” he asked with all the haughtiness of the best society butlers.

“Yes, thank you. I'm Lady Essex and I was wondering if I might speak to...”

“Mrs. Horton is not currently receiving, my lady.”

Grasping for patience, Ginny continued, “Speak to...”

“I am sorry to inform you that Miss Horton is also unavailable.”

“That is just fine as I am here to see Mr. Horton. Is he still at home?”

“Oh,” the butler said, which was the most expression Ginny was sure he could muster. “If you would follow me, my lady.”

After being shown to a well-appointed parlor, Ginny took a seat and waited. In less than five minutes, Malcolm appeared at the door, his face showing his surprise. Before entering, he turned and said something to the butler.

“Good morning, my lady. What brings you out so early?”

There was just something about Malcolm Horton that Ginny liked. He was always personable, often gregarious, and had a wicked sense of humor. He was like a big, cuddly bear.

“Good morning, Mr. Horton. I apologize for coming so early, but I wanted to catch you before you left for the day.”

Waving a hand, he said, “To me, it is not so early. Are you in need of some assistance?”

“Perhaps. You see, I have a brother. His name is Robert and he has grown to be... well... he is without a purpose.”

Malcolm nodded, though Ginny knew he had no idea what she was talking about.

“My father, sir, was never one for an honest day's work. He always was trying to find the easy way out. Unfortunately, my brother has taken after him too much.”

“I am sorry to hear that, my lady. What is it that I can do? I should say that I am not comfortable with loaning money...”

“Oh, no,” Ginny interrupted. “Please don't suppose that I am asking for money. What I was wondering is if you might have a job for him.”

Malcolm quirked his head. “A job?”

“Yes. Robert is fairly intelligent, especially when not under the influence of my father. I wouldn't ask for anything lofty. Entry level, really.”

“I see,” Malcolm stated, his confusion and surprise growing.

“Don't feel as though you have to answer right now. Just let me know if something comes up. My brother approached me last night at the theater. Truthfully, I'm not even sure where he's staying, but I'm sure I could track him down. He said my father was sick, but that could just have been a ruse to exploit money from me.” Ginny was rambling something fierce and needed to stop. She wasn't painting a nice picture of Alysanne's brother.

Before Malcolm could comment, a small maid entered with a tea tray. “Would you stay for some tea and we can discuss this further?”

It had to be a good sign. If Malcolm were set against her request, he wouldn't have offered her tea. Of course, he'd ordered the tray before he knew why she'd come.

“I'd appreciate that.”

Ginny watched as the maid poured the tea and offered her some delicate pastries. When done, the maid left and Malcolm sipped thoughtfully. After her rambling, Ginny waited to hear what Malcolm would say first.

“I started very low, my lady.”

Not what she'd expected and not such a revelation. So Ginny got things off to the right start.

“First, could you please call me Ally. All this 'my lady' stuff makes me uncomfortable, especially around friends.”

“Very well, Ally.”

“Second, I know how low you started. I am very impressed by you and your family. You are what a family should be and nothing like what I grew up with.”

A big smile graced his face. It made the big man look more boyish. “I only say that because I take hard work very seriously.”

“You should. You wrote the book on it.”

“I am always willing to give someone a chance, but they have to earn their place.”

“I both understand and agree. If you were to give my brother a chance and he was to not take advantage of it, I would expect you to sack him.”

Malcolm pulled back. “I cannot think of another woman who has surprised me so much in my life.”

Ginny returned his smile. “Oh, I am so full of surprises, sir.”

“You must call me Malcolm. If you call me sir, I think you are speaking to my father.”

They both laughed and the rest of the conversation went amicably. Right before Ginny was to leave, Persephone entered the parlor and did a double take.

“I guess you weren't expecting to see me here so early,” Ginny joked as she put her cup back on the tea tray.