The Masked Heart (Sweet Deception Regency #2) (16 page)

"Perhaps," Blaine said, biting her lip. "I realize I was never as young as Fleur and it is difficult for me to understand such a trusting nature. She sees no evil in the world so how can she be expected to make good judgments."

"When did her parents die?"

"Fleur was eleven and Val was only five. It was a difficult time."

"Robbie mentioned there was another sister."

Blaine could not help the start of surprise at Drew's question. She carefully schooled her face to show nothing but politeness. "Blaine is away much of the time, caring for an elderly relative. The children see little of her." Eager to change the subject, she leaned forward tapping him lightly on the sleeve with her walking stick. "Val tells me you have kept him well entertained. I can only hope the child has not nagged you to death with his questions."

"I quite dote on the lad," Drew said. "It is refreshing to hear Val's views on the, I believe he called them 'sordid, vice-ridden streets'. I have put him in the way of several boys so he will have fellows of his own age to create havoc with."

"So it was you who introduced him to Master Jamie Wildebrand." Blaine sniffed and glared daggers at the smiling Lord Farrington. "A loathsome child with a penchant for things which crawl. He presented Val with a delightful collection of mice which your aunt may well mention to you if her staff is able to locate them."

Drew's deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Jamie has always been a particular favorite of mine," he said. "His father and I went to school together and we were sent down regularly for some highly imaginative prank that our headmaster viewed with opprobrium. I was sure that Jamie would find favor in Val's eyes."

"Wretched man!" Blaine cried. She joined in his laughter, the meanwhile chastising herself for once more falling victim to the man's charm. Suddenly her eyes shifted and she urgently nudged Drew with her cane. "Something is very much amiss between your brother and my niece. Would you have the goodness to inform the girl that I wish to go home before she disgraces herself completely."

Drew was quick to present Lady Yates' message to Fleur and returned with the girl on his arm. As Blaine rose creakily to her feet, she noted the high color on her sister's cheeks. She took a firm hold of Fleur's arm as she made their excuses to Lady Forsythe while Drew went ahead to call their carriage. When her sister would have spoken, she hastily hushed her and moved regally down the stairs. She smiled thinly when Drew squeezed her hand in encouragement as he assisted them into the carriage.

"Not a word, until we are safely in our rooms," Blaine warned, afraid of what the girl might say in her anger. She was all too aware of servants' gossip and knew that the Portman Square staff would not protect the family secrets as would the retainers at Weathers. The ride home seemed endless to Blaine but eventually they arrived and went immediately upstairs to Fleur's room.

"I cannot believe that you were close to creating a scene. Your voice was raised to such a degree that all were aware you were having a disagreement with Robbie." Blaine tried to keep her voice calm but she felt annoyance rise at the petulant look on her sister's face.

"Oh, Blaine, Robbie is such an old bore. He was prosing on endlessly, and I just couldn't stand another word."

Fleur flounced down on the edge of the bed, setting the bed hangings aquiver as if in further reflection of her discontent.

"You mean he was lecturing you?"

"Exactly," Fleur said, biting her lip to hold back tears. "He treats me like a child. He told me that I was puffed up by the attention that I was receiving."

"And are you?" Blaine asked quietly.

Fleur looked startled at the question but shrugged off any feeling of guilt. "I like the attention and it is no business of Robbie's what I do. And so I told him." Her smile of triumph, faltered a little under Blaine's steady gaze. "Perhaps I was a beast but I am having such a wonderful time. All of the men I have met are such fun. And Robbie goes around with a Friday face just because I wish to enjoy myself."

"I will not lecture you, Fleur, for I fear it would set your feet on a more destructive path." Blaine rose to her feet, crossing the room to kiss her sister on the cheek. "You are very young but I hope you will discover Robbie's worth before you throw him over for one of your flirts. There are many men who will seek you out for a bit of fun, as you call it. That is an excitement of the moment and fades quickly. Be sure you do not overlook a man who would give you joy and happiness for a lifetime."

Without another word, Blaine left the room. For the remainder of the day she thought of her sister, knowing full well that much of her annoyance with Fleur was a result of her own situation. What she would not give to find a man who could love and respect her. She had seen so many men who only wanted La Solitaire for a "bit of fun" that she recognized Robbie's interest in Fleur as a genuine love. She carried her doleful thoughts onto the stage and there was a particular poignancy to her performance as she played the cast off mistress of an Arabic prince.

Chapter Nine

Drew stood on the sidewalk in front of Whites, oblivious to the pedestrian traffic that circulated around his immobile figure. His face was a study in boredom while his mind was focused inward as he puzzled out the origin of his discontent. He had attempted to while the day away with a game of cards. His concentration had been divided but, despite this fact, he had won, taking little pleasure in the windfall. He had always been a man of action, addressing a problem until he was able to work through a solution. And now he was ready to find answers to the questions that plagued him.

He nodded his head at the course of action he had mapped out and tipped his beaver hat back on his head with the knob of his walking stick. Looking around to get his bearings, he started off on a brisk walk through the city until he arrived at the offices of Upton and Sons. He presented his card to the solicitor's assistant who scurried away with great importance. Drew rocked back and forth on the soles of his boots, humming softly under his breath. There was a slight smile on his generous mouth and his green eyes sparkled with mischief at his plan. When the assistant returned, holding the gate open for him to enter the inner sanctum of the Upton domain, Drew flipped him a coin for his trouble.

"Come in, Lord Farrington. Come in." Wesley Upton fluttered around his visitor with the anxiety of a mother hen. "Try this chair. I think you will find it quite comfortable."

With an arch nod of approval, Drew sat down in the comfortable leather chair Wesley pushed forward. The portly little man returned to the chair behind the desk, his fingers fumbling to neaten the pile of papers on the surface. Once he had established order, he beamed across at Drew, his bald head shining a cherubic pink and his spectacles winking in the light from the window.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, Lord Farrington?" Wesley asked.

"Not that it is not always a welcome sight to have you visit."

Drew had done business with Mr. Upton on various occasions and he hoped to trade on the man's familiarity. "I have need of some information, Wesley, and I was assured that I might apply to you." He lowered his voice to a confiding tone, delighted when he saw the glint of interest in the solicitor's eyes. "My brother Robert is planning to marry. Lovely child and just right for Robbie. Naturally
entre nous
, since there has been no formal announcement."

"I understand perfectly, Lord Farrington." Wesley placed a pudgy finger beside his nose and winked roguishly across the desk. "This room is very like a mausoleum. Sealed forever in silence."

Drew was not sure he liked the allusion but trudged ahead. "I have spoken to Lady Haydie Yates and she has given your discretion high praise. She mentioned you with great warmth." The little man preened much to Drew's amusement as the scene he had interrupted in Lady Yates' drawing room flashed before his mind. "By the way, I understand I may wish you happy."

Drew hoped that this piece of information would clinch the fact of his intimate conversation with Lady Yates. A flush of pleasure suffused the solicitor's face and a lopsided smile added to the angelic countenance as he resettled his glasses.

"It is true, milord. I will be married in another month."

"I applaud your bravery, Wesley. It is a step I tremble to take although my brother is quite determined to willingly step into parson's mousetrap." Drew paused, letting the curiosity return to Wesley's face. "In fact it is for that reason that I have come. Lady Yates is reticent about the Meriweather family history. I assume she is far too modest to puff up the family just to make her niece appear a worthy addition to the Farringtons."

"Ah, I see," Wesley said, much impressed by the delicate way Lord Farrington was imparting the news of Robbie's soon-to-be-announced fiancée.

"Lady Yates indicated that you might be an excellent source of information." Drew chose his words carefully. He was unwilling to lie, but, if need be, he would, in order to get the little man to open his budget.

"A fine woman Lady Yates." Wesley sighed in contemplation of the gracious old lady. Then he sat up, his manner totally professional. "What information did you have in mind, milord?"

"I have no wish for you to break a confidence. I wish only to protect my brother from a misalliance. To the best of my knowledge there has been nothing bandied about that would lead me to suspect any scandal within the Meriweather family. However, Wesley, as you know I am a thorough man and where Robbie's happiness is concerned I wish no surprises."

"Your concern for your brother is laudable, Lord Farrington, and I will be as helpful as possible." Wesley leaned back in his chair, elbows on the arms as he contemplated his tented fingers. "Now how may I help?"

"From Val, I have learned that his parents, Cedric and Juliette Meriweather, were killed in a carriage accident. Aside from a yearly allotment to Lady Yates, the money was left in trust until the boy is twenty-one. This, I gather, accounts for their current strapped financial condition." Drew stared at the solicitor's shiny head, bobbing in agreement and then continued. "Further, I have been told that the estate is extremely sound so that once the trust is handed over, Val will be exceedingly well-fixed. There was, however, some question as to the matter of dowries."

At these words a slight frown furrowed Wesley's forehead. He pursed his lips and stared at a spot on the wall behind Drew's head. Drew waited, his eyes gleaming with sudden interest. Eventually, the solicitor came to himself. He leaned forward and his glasses promptly slid to the end of his nose. In annoyance he took them off and laid them carefully on the corner of the desk.

"All that you have heard is basically true. They had a very rough time of it right after the parents' death. The older sister was forced to go out to work while Lady Yates stayed in Wiltshire to care for the children. She has done well by them, don't you think?"

"I agree with you fully, Wesley."

"Val is extremely responsible for such a young boy. He has taken great interest in the estate according to his aunt. And of course Miss Fleur is a most taking little thing. I swear I have never seen such exquisite eyes. The color of violets. I am told her mother's eyes were the same."

"And the other sister Blaine?" Drew asked.

"I have never met the girl. I have heard that she is quite different in looks. Only a half sister, don't you know," Wesley said, as if that explained everything. "Her mother died when she was eight. I have never heard that there was any bad blood between Miss Blaine and her stepmother. Naturally one never knows."

Drew was intrigued by the definite feeling that Wesley Upton did not approve of Blaine Meriweather. Perhaps the girl had been difficult over the suddenness of her father's remarriage. She may have taken a sharp dislike to the children who replaced her in her father's affection. But that was nonsense. Both Val and Fleur seemed to have a great love for their sister so there must be something else that stuck in Wesley's craw.

"Are the girls dowries affected by the trust?" Drew asked.

"Only Miss Fleur has a dowry."

"Devil you say!" Drew said in surprise. "Was Blaine written out of the will?"

"No. No. Nothing so dramatic," Wesley hastened to reassure him. "It was just that no dowry was ever set up for Miss Blaine."

"How unusual."

"These are rather unusual circumstances," he lifted a hand at Drew's sudden frown. "Never fear that there are any irregularities concerning Miss Fleur's dowry, Lord Farrington. I would never permit anything of the kind. The girl will not come penniless to this marriage. It has been growing steadily over the last three years and is now a very tidy sum."

"Growing, Wesley?"

"It is difficult to tell you a great deal about this since it is slightly unusual. I cannot give you any figures unless specifically applied to by Lady Yates." The solicitor took out a snowy handkerchief, wiping his forehead and his scalp which were dotted with perspiration. "Perhaps if I gave you some background it might be helpful."

"I am all eagerness," Drew replied. His words were drawled, making the solicitor squirm under his steady gaze.

"At the time of the Meriweathers' accident, there were no dowries for either girl. My father, who handled things prior to his death, spoke to Lady Yates about this, but the woman's allowance was not enough to give the young ladies any assistance. It was after I took over that I began to receive money to be deposited in Miss Fleur's name. The estate manager, a Mr. Visible... ." Wesley looked up in surprise when Lord Farrington snorted.

"Your pardon, Upton," Drew said, smothering his amusement behind a hastily raised handkerchief. "Just a particle of dust. Pray continue."

"As I was saying, in the estate manager's correspondence, he explained that the older sister, Miss Blaine, had taken employment and wished to set up a dowry for her sister. The deposits have been sporadic but now I am happy to say Miss Fleur will come to the marriage with a satisfactory sum." Wesley folded his hands complacently at the conclusion of his explanation.