Defying the Earl (31 page)

“Congratulations.” Mockery singed each syllable. “You’re a prime investor in nothing and since we already have nothing, you’ve managed to grow the earldom with a huge contribution of nothing.”

Jasper laughed. Damn it all, he laughed. Not a chuckle or a bark of joviality disguised as a cough. He laughed outright. Valerian clenched his fists. Perhaps he’d be able to release his pent-up frustration after all.

“See here, Dash, if you’d stop for a moment and listen.” Jasper rose from the chair and walked to the mantel where he stood with the confident air of someone intent on a prestigious proclamation. “My late-night jaunts to catch mice were for the benefit of scientific experiment. My purpose in assorted locations throughout London was to test the function and usefulness of the mousetrap. You’ve no need to lecture me or despair any longer.”

“That attitude is exactly what brought us to this juncture. If this is some kind of scam I promise, you will have the devil to pay.” His brother would never learn. Valerian dropped into the chair now vacated. He’d hear Jasper out and then decide which action to take because something had to be done. He was penniless, virtually homeless and the woman he loved would soon be in search of a wealthy husband. “I’m all ears.”

“Cheer up, Dash. We’re flush in the pockets and full of juice. It’s time for butter upon bacon. My shares in Atkinson’s endeavor are worth over thirty thousand pounds.”

“What are you saying?”

“Listen well, Valerian St. David, sixth earl of Dashwood, we’re rich, bloody rich.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

“Livie.” Wilhelmina made a swift entrance to her sister’s bedchamber. So much needed to be said, yet she pulled up short when she saw her sister stride toward her with steady confident steps. “Oh my. You’ve improved.”

“Yes. For the time being.” Livie pushed her spectacles further up her nose and smiled. “I’ve relief from the pain more often so I’m able to strengthen my muscles and increase my endurance. Dr. Morris said if I continue to exercise, I’ll see greater improvement.” Her smile grew larger. “Who knows, Whimsy? Perhaps I will be dancing at a ball next season after all.”

“It is my dearest wish.” Wilhelmina moved beside her sister but resisted the urge to offer support. Much had changed, not just in her world, but in Livie’s. Her sister was becoming more independent. If things progressed as swimmingly, Livie would hardly need her assistance in the future. She’d be husband-hunting or worse, gallivanting. Where would that leave Wilhelmina? Good heavens, independence proved a scary endeavor.

All things considered, she shouldn’t waste another moment. “I visited Lord Randolph Beaufort.”

Wilhelmina shifted her eyes, her head angled the slightest to catch any inclination Livie knew of whom she spoke, but her sister continued to the mattress, seemingly unconcerned and uninterested in any mention of the gentleman.

“Is he a friend of your Lord Dashwood?”

Livie’s possessive description of Wilhelmina and Valerian’s relationship caught her off guard and it was she who suddenly felt unsteady on her feet. From her unfailing adoration or the discombobulated state of their relationship she could not decipher. She hadn’t a word from him in two days. “Yes, well, maybe not. I don’t know. Valerian is staying in Lord Beaufort’s town house whilst he visits London.”

“I see.” Livie smiled grandly. “Randolph is a very charming name, isn’t it?”

This bit of remark had Wilhelmina’s curiosity gnawing at her better judgment. She held the tip of her tongue between her teeth to prevent an eruption of demanding inquiries.

Of all things, it was the letters’ fault. She should never have read her sister’s correspondence. If she hadn’t read it, Livie’s innocuous comment about the gentleman’s name would have gone unnoticed and forgotten. Now it burned like a spark shot from the hearth onto a wool rug.

“You say that as if you know someone named Randolph. I don’t recall anyone from our past or present with the moniker.” She reached up to push a strand of hair behind her ear, the tinkling sound of her mother’s charm bracelet a reminder the future was at best, uncertain. “Is there something you wish to tell me?” The faint uplift of the question compounded her expectant tone. Wilhelmina searched Livie’s face for a trace of telltale emotion; anything to provide a clue as to whom her sister corresponded with and why.

“Oh bother, you will forever worry over me, won’t you?” Livie leaned her forehead against the pane glass window, her attitude not discomfited a smidgeon no matter her words expressed the opposite. “I’m extraordinarily fortunate to have such a loving caring sister, but I believe the time has come for you to cease fretting over my future and begin to plan your own. I’m improving each day. Dr. Morris is confident I will continue. He explained my progress to Aunt Kate today in a very loud voice. It’s no wonder the doctor does not have a cure for Aunt’s hearing difficulties.” Livie chuckled softly with the comment. “He said the muscle spasms caused by my spinal cord injury are repairing due to the increased exercise which stretch and improve my daily range of motion. He urged Aunt Kate to increase the sessions and she readily agreed.

“Best of all, for now, the funds you’ve collected by matchmaking have given us the security we need. We’re able to relax a little and hope for an optimistic future.”

Wilhelmina’s eyes dropped to her hands, clasped tightly in front of her, the glint of her charm bracelet a poignant reminder of all they’d lost in the past. Livie was right. It
was
time for her to think of herself. Not in the selfish manner of the past, when she’d avoided the christening and accident afterward; the result blanketing her with a bitter regret she’d carry forever despite the high price she’d never see her parents again.

No. Now was the time for her to use her heart. Valerian loved her and she wouldn’t allow his money or lack of financial security to impede their relationship any more than his convoluted pride.

Suddenly the answer couldn’t be clearer. She would sell her mother’s charm bracelet, secure the small fortune promised from its worth, and accomplish her happily-ever-after at last. The funds would keep Livie in treatments as long as needed and fortify Aunt Kate’s personal security. Valerian needn’t feel the pressure of supporting three females when the answer lay within reach. How foolish to cling to the bracelet when the true memory of her mother’s love lived in her spirit. Sentimentality need not be her downfall. Besides, she still had her commonplace book full of memories.

Anxious to begin her future, she rushed toward Livie, gathering her in a tight hug, catching her by surprise and producing a giggle from them both. “I’ve a very important errand to run.” She turned, nearly at the door in her hurry to leave, her words spilling out with eager excitement.

Livie’s brows rose above the rim of her spectacles, a question on her lips.

“I’ll explain it all later.” And she waited not another moment.

Wilhelmina’s heels clacked an eager tempo on the cobbles as she strode with purpose toward The Serendipity Shop. Why had she hesitated? Such a foolish decision on her part, risking love for sentiment, when immediate action could alleviate Valerian’s distress. Now finance remained the only wall barring their love and she’d see that barrier crumbled before sunset. The answer lay in hand all the while.

Her determination solidified, she rounded the corner and arrowed toward the storefront where a handsome couple exited, several purchases piled high in their arms.

“Good day and thank you.” Wilhelmina smiled at the gentleman who extended the door wider for her entry, but an unexpected warmth near her ankles pulled her attention downward.

The shopkeeper’s cat, the same rascal who’d kept her bracelet secure, took advantage of the offered opportunity and with a flick of its tail, slipped free and headed toward the narrow alley adjacent to the store.

Good heavens, the shopkeeper would be heartsick were something horrid to befall his companion. The least she could do was reclaim his pet after the inordinate kindness he’d shown in protecting the charm bracelet.

Without further consideration, Wilhelmina skirted by the front windows and down the dank alley, past the rear of the establishment and across a walking path that led to a grassy embankment at the edge of the Thames. The tabby paused, turning a slow circle as if beckoning her pursuit; then with a loud meow continued its risky escape, Wilhelmina fast to heel. She’d all but reached the incorrigible pest, as her hems and boots were muddied beyond repair, when the tabby leapt with unexpected agility atop a stone pediment jutting above the rushing waters of the river. The pediment was positioned to harbor small boats that needed mooring, its narrow width hardly wide enough to provide support for feline or female.

Unsure as to how to proceed, Wilhelmina paused in consternation. She’d need precise balance or worse, to lie on her stomach and provide rescue, yet to her benefit the cat had nowhere to go, trapped by its precarious choice or else tumble several yards below into the unforgiving current of the Thames.

She attempted a desperate whisper in hope the cat would make the situation easier and return to the security of land, but the audacious feline settled comfortably as if it had no intention of going anywhere.

Wilhelmina flicked her eyes to the waters below and panic seized her heart. The deep murky Thames was a cold, unforgiving opponent all too willing to swallow anything fed into its flow.

A sharp meow yanked her attention to the forefront and she muttered a complaint as she lowered herself, belly down, onto the pediment, the rough stone harsh against her ribcage. Her scowl deepened as an industrious spider scurried across her line of vision and her nose alerted to the affronting odor of the waters. Her gown would be filthy no doubt, but she hastily reached for the cat wishing to have the furry beast safely tucked in her grasp before she lost balance.

With another yowl, the cat swatted at her hand, its furry paw brushing her fingertips. If only the silly creature would move forward she’d be able to grasp hold. With a reassuring plea she wriggled closer and stretched her arm as far as possible, the movement jostling the charm bracelet from beneath her glove, a persistent reminder of her errand gone astray.

Just one more inch.

With a desperate stretch she angled her arm, shot her wrist forward, and missed the cat who meowed in protest before bolting over her prone form and back to solid land.

But truly, that was the least of her troubles.

Defeated, Wilhelmina clumsily withdrew, rising slowly on hands and knees, trapped in layers of skirts and undergarments, to watch in horror as her bracelet slipped from her wrist, dropping into the Thames and taking with it, her dreams for the future.

New money. With it came a multitude of advantages. Once the shock had subsided and Jasper had finished grinning like a sot, Valerian registered the impact of his brother’s announcement. Their world turned from red to black and a wave of relief, so great he needed to grip the back of a nearby chair, rushed over him flooding every pore of his being. They’d regained solvency by way of Jasper. How ironic, that both injections of financial recovery had been instigated by his brother’s open thinking and fearless attitude. Albeit a large part of their original problem stemmed from his irresponsible behavior, but still, Jasper had succeeded where he’d failed. Valerian smiled at the notion.

Sixth Earl of Dashwood Overcomes Trap and Wins the Cheese
.

He busily completed the paperwork in front of him and nodded to the clerk at the bank window before turning to leave. He had a mountain of debt to repay, repairs to arrange for Kirby Park and a wall of pride and respectability to restore one brick at a time, yet another more urgent errand topped his list this morning.

Whimsy
.

Good lord, she was the only thing he could think of through the night. Financial relief left him open to pursue his heart’s desire, which somehow, over the past few torturous weeks, had become Wilhelmina. He wanted her. He loved her. He needed her more than he’d ever be able to admit. Never mind the thought of her with another made his blood boil.

He’d sent her away with the barest understanding of his feelings and a solid distaste of his decision. He would need to court her with diligence and romance. A visit to Rundell and Bridge on Fleet Street was in order next. The finest jewelry store in London would surely have a diamond worthy of Wilhelmina’s finger, although a temptation to visit The Serendipity Shop teased at the periphery of his brain.

He found another smile as he hailed a hackney and called the direction to the driver. Everything fitted into place. Wilhelmina had her mother’s bracelet, now complete with his mother’s charm, and soon they would begin a new life together with endless security for both Livie and Aunt Kate.

The sun wasn’t shining in the city sky, but by damn, Valerian started to whistle.

Livie sat at the escritoire near the window of her bedchamber and a soft smile turned her lips. No need for that lap desk at the moment. Her legs felt stronger, her will much improved. Life had definitely taken a turn for the better. She sifted through the letters before her, arranged chronologically until the night of her accident. Questions bombarded her mind.

What had happened to Randolph? What did he think of her sudden lack of correspondence? Had he written letters that she never received? Had he searched for her?

She quickly opened the last letter sent the day before the accident that irrevocably altered everything in her world. Words blurred in the fast onset of tears. The tumult of conflicted emotion caused her to surrender and she leaned into the security of the satinwood chair, her fingertip tracing the signature at the bottom of Randolph’s last letter.

What had become of him? Had he forgotten their relationship? Had he married? It would be expected, most especially as she had disappeared without a trace, never returning his correspondence after her crippling impairment. For weeks she was unable and then, when she regained strength enough to consider it, her legs had become useless. How could she promise Randolph a future when she knew not herself if she’d ever walk again? Ever be pain free?