Death Comes to London (2 page)

“You—” She blinked hard at him. “You have no right to judge me. My choices are my own. I do not have to explain myself to anyone.”

Robert opened his mouth to argue and then closed it again. “I apologize, Miss Harrington. What I meant to say is that I will miss your company. I wish you a safe journey and a successful outcome to your husband-hunting.”

“Thank you.” She turned her attention to her coffee cup.

Robert looked across the table at Anna Harrington, who was also dressed in brand-new clothes and was a vision of soft gold curls and sparkling blue eyes. Robert doubted she would have a problem acquiring a husband in London at all.

“Are you looking forward to going to Town, Miss Anna?”

Anna smiled and clasped her hands to her bosom. “Oh,
yes.
. . .”

Several hours later, Robert sat in his study awaiting the arrival of Mr. Thomas Fairfax. From all reports, the Hathaways and the Harringtons had departed Kurland St. Mary at noon, and would be conveyed to London in easy stages in the Hathaway family coach. Miss Harrington hadn’t quite forgiven him for his petulant outburst over her leaving, and had departed without giving him her usual smile.

He felt bad about that. He of all people knew how restricted her life had become since the death of her mother and how she longed to escape the rectory. She deserved to be happy. If it hadn’t have been for her, he would still be cowering in bed unable to walk and unwilling to accept his place in the world. She’d put up with his ill humor, bullied and cajoled him first into a wheelchair, and then outside to reestablish his connection with the lands his family had owned and farmed for centuries.

Who was he to begrudge her the same freedoms he had always taken for granted? He doubted she’d find a spouse who was willing to put up with her rather managing ways, but she deserved the opportunity to find that out for herself. She was no fool. If such a paragon existed amongst the vapid fops of a London Season, he was certain she would discover him.

He imagined her face as she stepped out of the Hathaway carriage and got her first sight of the teeming, bustling city of London. Would she let it overawe her and behave like a subdued country mouse? Somehow he doubted it. She’d probably treat society with the same lack of respect as she did him. Such boldness in the notoriously fickle world of the upper ten thousand could be a blessing or a curse.

Lucy gently wiggled her nose, which had been pressed up against the grimy window of the coach for what seemed like hours. The road had widened again, and the carriage slowed to a crawl to avoid the river of people streaming through the streets. She had never seen so many people before in her life, and had never imagined that so many would choose to live in such squalor and close proximity.

Mrs. Hathaway patted her arm.

“Are you all right, my dear? We’ll take Anna to Clavelly House first and then proceed to Dalton Street. I
do
hope the house Perry has chosen for us is acceptable.”

“I’m sure it will be, Mrs. Hathaway. It is a shame that he has been called away to the embassy in France and that we will not see him.” Lucy stared up at the tall white town houses of the square they were turning into. “Is this truly where my uncle and aunt live? Uncle David and my father do not like each other at all, and we have never visited before.”

“If we have the correct address.” Mrs. Hathaway looked worried. “It is rather grand, isn’t it?”

Anna positively bounced in her seat. “Uncle David is an
earl.
He is supposed to live like this.”

“I often forget how high and mighty your family are, dear Lucy,” Mrs. Hathaway murmured. “I can only hope that they will treat us with kindness.”

Lucy was about to say something encouraging when the carriage drew to a swaying halt and a footman leaped forward to open the door. Anna and Sophia were the quickest to alight, leaving Lucy to assist Mrs. Hathaway down the small steps. She kept her on her arm as they ascended into the mansion and were greeted in the hall by a tall man who bore a distinct resemblance to their father.

“Good evening.” He bowed to Mrs. Hathaway. “Ma’am, may I take you up to my wife? She is so looking forward to meeting you.” He smiled at the sisters. “I do hope we can put our family grievances behind us and enjoy this reconciliation.”

Lucy curtsied. “We are very willing to do that, sir, and very grateful to you for offering Anna a chance to enjoy a Season.”

She relinquished Mrs. Hathaway to the earl and followed meekly behind him as he took them up the stairs and into a large drawing room on the first floor. The house was decorated in the latest classical style and in the most expensive taste. Lucy found herself cataloguing how much it would cost to make such luxurious curtains and chair coverings, and then reminded herself that it was none of her concern.

Anna squeezed her hand, even her natural confidence awed by the grandeur around them. When they entered the drawing room, the countess had already risen from her seat and was welcoming Mrs. Hathaway and Sophia. Lucy hung back a little as the countess moved toward them, her pleasant face all smiles.

“And you must be Ambrose’s girls.” She offered them each a hand and they curtsied. “You are Anna, I think? Your father said you were blond and very pretty.”

Anna blushed charmingly. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I am so grateful that you offered to bring me out.”

“Please call me Aunt Jane. I was already set to bring my daughter, Julia, out and, as I said to your father, if I was forced to scale the social world once more, another young lady to chaperone would not make any difference.”

She turned to Lucy. “And you must be Lucy.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“I understand that you are staying with the Hathaways, but you must not hesitate to consider this your home as well. I consider you both as in my charge.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Lucy said. “But I want this to be Anna’s moment, not mine.”

The countess drew them over to a sofa and sat down between them. “You don’t wish to be married, Lucy?”

“Oh, I do, Aunt, but my expectations are far more modest than Anna’s.” She glanced over at the Hathaways, who were conversing with the earl. “My friend Sophia is a widow. She and her mother will be able to chaperone me quite adequately.”

“But if they are unavailable, you will come to me.” Aunt Jane held Lucy’s gaze. “And when we have our ball here, you will be part of the receiving line.”

“If you wish, my lady.” Lucy was reluctant to start arguing with her aunt on their very first meeting. “But my father—”

“Your father is a man who has no understanding of such things. If I choose to aid you in your search for a husband, then he has nothing further to say in the matter.” She looked Lucy over. “I think you will do very well, indeed.”

Lucy held her tongue as the countess beckoned to her husband. “Will you ring the bell, dear, and ask Julia and Max to come down?”

She had a sense that she’d met her match in her aunt, who appeared to be just as managing as everyone insisted Lucy was. It was also comforting to know that the countess didn’t share her father’s opinion that she was too old and too plain to find a husband. She glanced over at Anna, who was smiling again, and felt far happier about leaving her with her uncle and aunt than she had earlier.

When the door opened to admit the butler and her two cousins she rose to her feet and was introduced to them. Julia was of a similar age to Anna and the two girls were soon talking as if they’d known each other for years. The eldest son, Max, was a little more reticent than his sister, but perfectly amiable and more than willing to meet his new relatives.

She’d never met her cousins before. After the death of their father, the rector and his brother had fallen out and visits between the two families had ceased. Lucy had never been given the exact details, only that it had to do with her father’s portion of the unentailed part of the estate. Communication was reestablished when the dowager countess died and Lucy insisted on writing a letter of condolence. That led to an exchange of letters resulting in the invitation for Anna to join the family and be chaperoned by the current countess.

Eventually, Mrs. Hathaway caught Lucy’s eye and reluctantly stood up.

“We will have to be going. We’ve left the horses standing for far too long as it is.” She turned to Anna. “Come and give me a hug, my dear.”

Anna obliged and then made her way to Lucy. It was the first time in their lives that they would be apart.

“Oh, Lucy . . .”

She hugged Anna hard and then stood back with a decisive nod. “I will send you a note first thing tomorrow so that we can make plans. I’m quite certain you will be happy here.”

Anna nodded, her eyes bright and her mouth trembling at the corners. “I wish—”

“You will be fine.” Lucy blew her a kiss and started for the door before her sister noticed how close she was to tears herself. That would never do. Aunt Jane followed her out, tucking her hand into the crook of Lucy’s elbow.

“We will take good care of her, I promise.”

Lucy nodded and kept her gaze fixed on the stairs, which seemed to be blurring in front of her eyes.

“And I meant it about you considering this your home, too.”

“Thank you.”

They reached the grand entranceway and Lucy followed Sophia out into the carriage and sat down, her face averted. As the horses moved off, a lace-edged handkerchief appeared under her nose. She took it gratefully and blew her nose.

By the time they reached the far more modest street where the Hathaways had rented their town house, Lucy was able to tuck the handkerchief into her reticule and step out of the carriage with her usual air of assurance. She couldn’t forget that she’d come to London with a
purpose.
Now all she had to do was ensure that she was successful.

Chapter 2

“M
ajor Kurland!”

Foley burst into Robert’s study without knocking, startling his employer, who was reading through one of the accounts books.

“What?” Robert demanded. “This had better be important, Foley; you just made me forget the sheep tally in my head.”

Foley proffered a silver salver on which lay a single letter with an elaborate seal. Robert picked up the letter and frowned. “Who’s it from?”

“The Prince Regent!”

“That’s extremely unlikely. Why would the prince be writing to a nonentity like me?” He perused the envelope, noting the Carlton House address and the scrawl of a regal signature franking the corner of the letter. Taking out his knife, he carefully slit the seal and smoothed out the single page concealed within. Eventually he raised his head to find Foley almost dancing with impatience in front of him.

“I’ll be damned. It
is
from the Prince Regent—well, from his personal secretary, which is almost the same thing. Apparently the prince has heard of my heroism during the Battle of Waterloo and wishes to reward me for my service. Good Lord, I’m to be made a baronet.”

“Oh, sir!” Foley clasped his hands together. “I’m so delighted for you. A hereditary title that can be passed down to your children!”

“If I ever have any children.” Robert read the letter again. “I wonder if it’s possible to refuse such a thing?”

“Major, you
wouldn’t,
you . . .”

He sighed. “I don’t think it’s possible to say no. It seems as if I’m to proceed to London with all haste to meet the Prince Regent and receive his thanks in person. Devil take it, I
hate
London.”

“I’ll need to press your new dress uniform and make sure that your weapons are polished and . . .” Foley paused. “What about your lack of a valet? Perhaps I should accompany you to London myself. We can’t have you meeting the Prince Regent without looking your best.”

“Foley . . .”

His butler was already heading for the door muttering to himself, so Robert let him go. He returned his attention to the letter. How on earth had the Prince Regent got to hear about him? He flipped the letter over and noticed that directly underneath his name was printed in smaller letters
L. Harrington, secretary
.

His frown deepened. Had Miss Harrington taken it upon herself to write to the Prince Regent and draw his attention to Robert’s so-called heroics? Why would she do such a thing? If he had to go to London, he would make sure to find his meddling neighbor and ask her what the devil she’d been thinking.

London was far more tiring and intimidating than Lucy had expected. As the Hathaways had engaged an extremely competent staff, she also had very little to do, which was disconcerting in itself. Apparently, living like a young lady at home was remarkably boring. They’d shopped for new clothes, found an excellent dressmaker to bring them up to scratch and a milliner whose new style bonnets were reasonably priced. She yawned discreetly behind her hand as Sophia started talking about which of the events they should attend.

“Lucy! Pay attention!”

She jumped and returned her gaze to her friend, who was waving an invitation card practically under her nose.

“I’m happy to do whatever you want, Sophia.”

“Thanks to you, Lucy, we’ll meet all the right people at the Clavelly ball tonight.” Sophia clutched the invitation to her bosom. “Do you think the countess will be able to get us admitted to
Almack’s?
”

Lucy raised an eyebrow. “Is it really that important? I’ve heard the refreshments are indifferent and the company insufferable.”

“Who told you that?”

“Major Kurland.”

Sophia dismissed him with an airy wave of her hand. “Major Kurland is never pleased with anything. They don’t call it the Marriage Mart for nothing, Lucy. All the most eligible gentlemen attend their balls.”

“So it’s rather like the county fair at Saffron Walden?”

Sophia mock-frowned at her. “If we are granted vouchers for Almack’s, I would be in
heaven.
”

“Then I’ll write to my aunt immediately and ask her if it is possible.” She walked over to the small desk at the end of the drawing room. “Have you met any man you particularly like yet?”