Lady Faith Takes a Leap (14 page)

“It’s quite remarkable. You were miles from home.” Honor paused. “If I didn’t think it nonsense, I’d suspect he has insight where you’re concerned.” She tilted her head with a smile. “It’s as if there’s an invisible thread drawing you together.”

Faith gave a weak smile and shrugged. “I think not. He has a predilection for Rosamond Montrose.”

“Rosamond? I don’t believe it.”

An hour later, Edward hurried in. “Lady Rosamond has run away to London with some fellow and Vaughn has gone after her.” He clenched his jaw and went to speak to his father-in-law.

“See?” Faith looked at Honor, her stomach tightening with distress. “Vaughn considers Rosamond more important than I.”

Minutes later, Lord Baxendale, his face thunderous, strode into the room with Edward. “That ne’er-do-well, Vaughn Winborne, has shown his true colors.”

“That is something Vaughn is not,” Edward said, his mouth tightening with disapproval. “We will learn the truth of it soon enough.” He bent and kissed Honor. “My love, take care. I must go to London.”

****

Vaughn and Lady Montrose arrived safely in London in the early hours, without the need of Lady Montrose’s armed footmen. She sat rigidly the whole way, clutching her handkerchief. “How could Rosamond subject herself to all that sickness and death? It makes no sense at all.”

No hotel would take them at the late hour, so Vaughn took the tired distressed lady to his family’s London townhouse, Brandreth Court. The family was in the country, the knocker gone from the door, with few staff remaining to run the house. He rallied sleepy servants and requested them to scratch together a meal and open two of the bedchambers. After cold chicken and ale, he and Lady Montrose retired to bed.

The next morning, Vaughn rose at cock’s crow. He took a hackney to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, intending to make inquiries.

Dr. Fellowes hadn’t yet arrived at the hospital. Vaughn was dashed if he knew where else to look. Lady Montrose had no residence in London, and to his knowledge, neither did Dr. Fellowes. Vaughn might search the modest hotels in respectable areas close to Smithfield where the hospital was located. What little he knew of the doctor, Vaughn couldn’t believe he would subject Rosamond to some unsavory hostelry. Then a thought struck him. Fellowes wouldn’t seek an appointment with the Archbishop of Canterbury in Doctor’s Commons for a special license, for not only was it expensive, it would delay their marriage. If this wedding had been planned, Fellowes might have a common license already. For a few shillings, a clergyman, between the hours of eight and noon, would marry them. It was now nine o’clock; Vaughn stopped a gentleman in the street.

“Where is the nearest church?”

The man chuckled. “Turn around, sir. St. Bartholomew-the-Less lies directly behind you. You can see its clerestory rising above those walls.”

“Thank you, sir.” Might Fellowes have already made arrangements?

Vaughn strode along the street. The once grand Tudor church, St. Bartholomew-the-Great was a ruin filled with the homeless. The smaller church, however, still held services.

Vaughn entered and went in search of the vicar.

An hour later, he arrived back at Brandreth Court to find Lady Montrose dressed and partaking of tea and toast in the breakfast room. She seemed calmer and more herself. “It was kind of you to put me up here, Lord Vaughn.”

“I trust you slept well, Lady Montrose.”

“I was most comfortable, thank you.”

“Your daughter is to be married in an hour. If you wish to witness the ceremony, we must leave soon. I have a hackney waiting.”

She gasped. “You’ve seen Rosamond?”

“No, but I’ve spoken to the vicar. Rosamond doesn’t expect us.”

“Oh, she doesn’t, eh?” Lady Montrose gave the first smile in the last two days. “It’s my turn to surprise her.”

“You won’t try to prevent them marrying?”

She shook her head. “I’ve had time to accustom myself to the inevitable,” she said with a sigh. “But at least I like my son-in-law. After all, he did cure my ailment.”

Vaughn helped her into the hackney, observing how much stronger she seemed. She settled on the squabs and straightened her hat. “I can’t wait to see my daughter’s expression,” she said smugly.

After leaving Lady Montrose with her daughter, Vaughn returned to Brandreth Court to find Edward waiting for him. “Well, they’re married,” he said with a weary sigh.

“Chaloner explained the business to me. He’s pretty angry with you.”

“I can’t say I approve of Dr. Fellowes’ behavior, but I know how forceful and persuasive Rosamond can be. Let’s hope that all’s well that ends well.”

“I doubt Baxendale will see it in those terms,” Edward said with a shake of his head.

“Lady Rosamond is happy, Dr. Fellowes is happy, and at least Lady Montrose is less unhappy. I’ll have a better chance with Baxendale if we deal with Warne. I intend to marry his daughter. If she’ll have me,” Vaughn added with a troubled frown. Might Faith love him just a little?

“I can see that you two would be good together,” Edward said, his brow drawing closer. “I wish you luck.”

“I’ll deal with Baxendale. I’ve figured him out.”

“Oh? You might tell me. It could come in useful. Although at present, I can do no wrong, with a grandchild on the way.”

“Honor is pregnant?” Vaughn slapped his brother on the back. “You might have told me.”

“With all this excitement going on around us?” Edward smiled and made for the door. “I’d best go to Bow Street and set about dealing with Warne.”

Vaughn followed him. “Where does Warne live?”

“Let the law deal with him.”

Vaughn shook his head. “It will be difficult to prove him culpable unless Faith goes to court.”

Edward turned back as the footman held the door open. “Perhaps, but the court has jurisdiction to deal with kidnappers, which will put Warne in jail. It’s the best way to—”

“Don’t use legal jargon on me, Edward. I’m as sure as can be that the driver of Warne’s coach won’t agree to give evidence in a magistrate’s court. Just supposing we could find him this year or next, for the man refused to give me his name. It comes down to Faith’s word against Warne’s. I don’t want her put through that. Where does the villain live?”

Edward nodded slowly. “Warne has rooms in Kensington.”

“We’ll pay him a visit. Pull him out of his bed if need be.”

Edward eyed him. “It wouldn’t do to break the law yourself, now would it?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to kill him, although I’d very much like to.”

Mr. Thomas Warne had indeed been in bed when Vaughn and Edward arrived. He opened the door to them in his dressing gown, and an expression of shocked dismay made his mouth drop open. He backed into the shabby room. “Lord Edward, and is that your brother, Lord Vaughn? It’s too early to be calling on a fellow, especially after a rowdy evening. What can you possibly want that’s so urgent?” His nervous grin slid away as the tall men stood over him.

Vaughn took him by his lapels and lifted the shorter man onto his toes. “Your attempted abduction of Lady Faith Baxendale.”

“I did no such thing. That’s a lie.”

“I’m far more inclined to believe Lady Faith than you, Warne,” Edward said, folding his arms.

Vaughn shoved Warne into a chair before the urge to wring the man’s neck became too strong. He stood over him with clenched fists.

Edward put a hand on Vaughn’s shoulder. “I intend to bring the law down on you, Warne. But my impetuous brother here wishes his pound of flesh. Shall I let him?”

The watchful man eyed Vaughn nervously. “No.” He gulped audibly. “Surely we can come to some arrangement, gentlemen.”

“You have fallen on hard times, it appears,” Edward said, gazing around the bleak little room.

“I’ve had some hard luck. The Duke of Morven refused my business after Baxendale’s visit. Don’t know why. It had little to do with me.”

“What sort of business was it, Warne?” Edward stroked his chin. “The duke makes most of his money in the West Indies and has a bad reputation.”

“It had nothing to do with business. The duke wanted to marry your wife, and she refused him. That was the extent of it.”

“Might the duke have instructed you to separate the sisters and allow him time with my wife alone?”

“And what if he did? He got his time alone with her, did he not?” Warne gave a wobbly laugh. “Lady Honor was not amused as I recall.”

“Don’t speak of my wife, Warne. I won’t have her name on your filthy lips. That you didn’t have a chance to carry out your plan for Lady Faith is the only thing that keeps me from asking Vaughn to deal harshly with you.”

Relief spread across Warne’s face. “I’m glad you see reason.”

“You shall leave the city this morning and return north from whence you came. If you appear again in London, I shall bring the law down on your head. Don’t think I won’t.”

“You aristocrats think you run the world,” Warne said bitterly. With an eye on Vaughn, he edged to his feet.

Warne thought he was going to get away with it. At the man’s arrogance, Vaughn’s fury exploded. “Leave the room, Edward,” he said through clenched teeth.

“Vaughn,” Edward warned.

“Very well, don’t.” Vaughn’s fist found Warne’s nose in a neat uppercut. He followed it with a swift punch to the belly. The man sprawled in the chair, gasping. Blood dripped from his nose. Warne fought to gain his breath, his fingers gingerly touching his nose. “I think you’ve broken it,” he mumbled when he could speak.

“I hope so. Pack your bag. We shall see you on your way,” Vaughn said. “My brother is a less violent man than I. If I find you anywhere near my family, or the Baxendales, here or in the country, I shall be only too eager to usher you into the next world.”

****

Faith sat with the family in the parlor. It was so agreeable to have Honor with them. But her mind returned again to Vaughn. Had he forsaken her for Rosamond? Rosamond was pretty and vivacious, and Lady Montrose would welcome the match. She frowned in confusion. Hadn’t Edward said Rosamond had eloped with a doctor? Faith couldn’t help admiring her; she was determined to marry for love. Faith’s mind swam; surely, Vaughn wouldn’t still wish to marry Rosamond, knowing she preferred someone else, no matter how unsuitable the man was. Faith had learned enough about Vaughn to be sure he’d want a wife who loved him and him only. She felt as if she’d shed layers since Vaughn had returned home and was now determined to embrace life whatever the cost. It stunned her to realize that, if Vaughn loved her, she would elope with him should he ask her. But if his intention had been to marry Rosamond, she refused to be second best. She huffed out a sigh. The whole business was so confusing but for one thing: Vaughn would be truthful. At times, his honesty had made her angry, but he wouldn’t turn away from it. She would learn soon enough. She tried to tamp down her impatience, her stomach churning in knots as they waited for the brothers return.

Two days later, Vaughn and Edward arrived back at Brandreth Park. They bearded their brother in his study. “Thomas Warne is in the custody of the Justice of the Peace awaiting the magistrate’s court.” Edward leaned against the wainscoting and folded his arms. “We were about to escort Warne on his way north when a constable arrived at Warne’s door and arrested him on another matter. No point in pressing charges, seeing as he’s now languishing in prison. I don’t expect him to emerge for a very long time. His creditors are after him, and the less savory amongst them are keen to get their hands on him when he does get out. There’s also a matter of fraud up before the magistrate.”

“That’s the best possible outcome for Faith,” Chaloner said cautiously.

“We believe so,” Vaughn said.

“Perhaps you might like to tell me what has been the result of your rash and badly judged support of Lady Rosamond?”

“Lady Rosamond has now married Dr. Fellowes,” Vaughn said. “Lady Montrose attended her daughter’s wedding, and they have repaired their rift.”

“Which wouldn’t have been the case, should Vaughn not have unselfishly helped them,” Edward said.

“I’ve had time to think about it. It does seem a decent gesture on your part. Although a cause I would most certainly not have taken up,” Chaloner said with a shake of his head. “However, I’ve written to the solicitor. You money is to be released from the trust. It will be available when you require it.”

Vaughn stared unbelievingly at Edward. Then, with a cry of joy, he slapped Chaloner on the back when he rose from his chair.

“You’ll always be a bit unconventional, Vaughn.” Chaloner smiled. “Father appreciated that quality in you. Lying in his bed on that last sad evening, he told me he fully expected that, once you’d matured and employed your energy and spirit to a good cause, you would rise higher than any of us.”

For a moment, the room spun. “Father said that?” Vaughn clutched a chair back at the surge of emotion.

“What’s all the commotion about?” Lavinia came into the room. “The house has only just quieted down after this morning’s news.”

Vaughn and Edward turned to her. “What news? What’s occurred?” Vaughn asked.

A smile lit their sister-in-law’s blue eyes. “Your mother has announced she is to marry Lord Whitworth.”

“How splendid! Celebrations are in order,” Vaughn said as good feelings warmed him through. “I’ll walk over to the dower house.”

Vaughn found his mother organizing the maid’s packing of her trunk. She hugged him. “I’m so glad to see you, Vaughn. I believe you have quite a bit to tell me.”

“As do you, Mama. When are you to be married?”

She smiled. His mother looked younger, sprightlier. It was in the way she held her head and moved easily about the room, as if she’d forgotten all about her lumbago. “A simple tying of the knot in London. Whitworth has arranged it. I believe Lady Montrose and her daughter are there?”

Vaughn told her of Rosamond’s marriage.

“Unwise perhaps, but you acted unselfishly, Vaughn,” she said. “You have a sense of honor, which I expect in my sons. I’ve never been disappointed.” She fiddled with the feathers on a hat that had been sitting beside the open trunk. “What about this dreadful business concerning Faith?”