His Secret Heroine (22 page)

"Well, that is my romantical cousin for you," said Portia, clutching her shawl about her and looking as innocent as if she had just been called from her chamber. "He would very naturally come to a lady's rescue the moment he heard she was in danger, even knowing he would compromise himself in the process. I suppose he must marry her now."

Mythe's eyes gleamed as he took to the story immediately. "Yes, yes, of course," he said, harumphing rather properly. "Precisely. Lord Reginald learned of the heinous scheme and set about to rescue the young lady against whom the diabolical plot had been launched, knowing of course that he must in the end marry the lady whose name had been unfortunately associated with the crime against her. Quite romantical, don't you think?"

"All a matter of presentation, my darling," said Lady Mythe, smiling broadly at her husband.

Chloe moaned and tucked her face into her aunt's shoulder. Reggie squelched the urge to run to her side. That was the last thing she needed now. She’d made it clear, the very last thing she wanted was to marry him. But now she would have no choice.

Mythe nodded, having completed his assessment and reached his decision. "Very well, then, Miss
Englefield, I shall meet with you and Lord Reginald in the morning following breakfast, in my study. And as long as we are up, I should like all of the gentlemen to join me in the long gallery now."

Reggie sought Chloe's eyes one last time before leaving the chamber, but she refused to look up. Discouraged, he followed Mythe and the gentlemen from the chamber to the dimly lit long gallery that was the central gathering place of the second story. On the way, Castlebury clapped a hand to his shoulder.

The old gallery still retained the original plasterwork and linen-fold panels that had been installed by Mythe's ancestors, and its diamond-paned windows overlooked a deer park that was silvered in the bright moonlight. Reggie wished he could bring Chloe here, and just hold her in his arms to soothe her fears.

"So, you're to be leg-shackled," said St. James, and forced Reggie to shake his hands.

"So it would seem," he replied.

"Buck up, old fellow," said Castlebury. "I thought it was what you wanted. Don't tell me we have all schemed for nothing."

"What the devil do you mean?"

The tip of Mythe's nose wiggled as if he were about to sneeze. "Reggie, we must admit, we have conspired to repair the rift between you and Miss
Englefield."

"But we should also be fair and admit we are not unaware of the circumstances," said Castlebury.

"Explain yourself." Reggie was not altogether sure he wanted to hear the explanation, and he walked over to the long row of windows to stare down at the moonlit grounds far below.

Castlebury put his hand on Reggie's shoulder. "St. James discovered quite by accident that Miss
Englefield's portion has been mishandled by both her cousin and her uncle."

Castlebury stated what Reggie knew he already knew. But then, he had promised not to tell.

"She does not have twelve thousand," Castlebury continued. "Odd that Vilheurs did not discover that, considering the sort of fellow he is. But I believe it is no secret to you."

"And true enough," Mythe said, "Vilheurs is not the sort of fellow who would fail to make such a discovery. While he is not up the River Tick, he is an avaricious devil, and I hold no hope that he sought Miss
Englefield for her love and kindness."

"But you must keep in mind, I only discovered the truth through my connection to her dastardly cousin Bertrand," St. James replied.

"It is of no importance to me," Reggie answered. "I am able to provide for her."

"Yes. Hence, our goal became the same as yours. It became imperative to assist you in your cause before her situation became generally known, or before she affianced herself to some disreputable person such as Vilheurs. You see, we also learned the other part, that she fears for the safety of her sisters as long as they remain with Cottingham."

"Reggie, we know she is not happy with the situation," said Castlebury, "but that will change once she learns that those who have discovered the secret of the book do not disdain her for it. It was not at all well done of you, though."

"I know," he replied ruefully. "I did not mean to make my heroine so clear that she could be identifiable. But I suppose it was inevitable that all the characteristics of the woman I loved would show up in my heroine."

"Perhaps you should tell her that, Reggie," said Bibury. "At any rate, we are committed to helping you get those young twins from Cottingham. Or whatever else we can to help."

"And whatever we must to hush this up," Mythe added. "What we must do now, is figure out how."

"If you really want to help," Reggie said, "then help me find a buyer for the
Xanthe
."

“What about Warrenton?” Mythe asked.

“He’s putting out feelers for me, but so far, no luck.”

Castlebury jutted out his chin and squared his shoulders. “Then I’ll buy it. Been looking to try my hand at the
helm for some time.”

Chapter Fourteen

In the morning, Chloe followed Lord Mythe’s directive and went to his study without breaking her fast.

Outside the window, the sunshine dappled
the
parterre
gardens. She folded her arms tightly and wished the nightmare inside the house would go away.

"You really have no other choice, my dear," said Lady Mythe gently. "We have done everything we can to squelch the rumors, but nothing will stop them entirely. Letitia may decide to defend herself, and even if nobody believes her, they will wonder. Lady Creston has taken your part, and in any case will be discreet, but I do not think we can rely on some of the younger ladies
who simply cannot resist chattering, especially those who think it so romantical."

"Quite so, Miss
Englefield," said Lord Mythe. "Notoriety can be disastrous."

She knew. Aunt Daphne had talked with her on the subject for most of w
hat remained of the night. She glanced at her aunt, studying her green eyes and seeing both understanding and concern. There was no way out. Her sisters were doomed. All because Chloe had fallen in love.

"There are things you do not understand," she said.

"They know about your sisters, Chloe," Reggie said.

She blinked, and stared at him.

"They know you are no mere adventuress, out to gain a title and a fortune. And we have a plan."

She frowned and chewed her lip. "What plan?"

Lord Mythe cleared his throat and smiled, making the tip of his nose wiggle. "There is no small amount of power assembled in this house today, Miss Englefield. And our Reggie has a good many more friends who are equally as influential. Once you are married to Lord Reginald, he will petition the court for a change of guardianship. When Cottingham realizes what he faces, he may very well relent."

"But if he doesn't?"

Reggie took a deep breath and released it. "Then we shall have a battle."

"That will be terribly expensive. You don't have that sort of money."

"I'm selling the
Xanthe
."

Her jaw went slack,
then shook as she struggled with the thought. "No, Reggie, you love that boat!"

"It's only a boat. It's not a person. Two young girls are more important. You need not be so concerned, as it is not going far. Castlebury has decided to purchase it. He's been at me about
getting his own boat before."

It wasn't only a boat. It was his
ketch, the
Xanthe
. And it was the place where she had fallen in love with him. "Oh, no, Reggie. It isn't right."

"It's very right." He smiled, folding his arms the way he did when he looked like he might otherwise do something untoward, such as hugging her in public. "Mythe, might you allow us a few moments alone? I believe Miss
Englefield and I have several matters to discuss."

"I quite agree," said Miss
Hawarth, and her lips pursed and curled upward all at the same time. "There are several irregularities which must be resolved."

Chloe wasn't at all sure she wanted to be left alone with Reggie, and suspected she trusted herself even less than she did him. She was not even sure she wanted to resolve anything, as angry as she was. She gripped her hands so tightly, her knuckles went white as she watched the door shut behind Aunt Daphne and Lord and Lady Mythe.

"Still angry with me?" Reggie asked, his arms folded.

She pinched her lips together, not wanting to answer.

"I do not suppose you would be willing to hear me out."

"I do not believe I am being given much choice."

"Did you read it?"

"Lady Mythe read parts of it to me. The nicer parts, I presume. I cannot help but wonder about the parts she skipped."

He winced. "I do owe you a very big apology, Chloe. I should never have used you in the way I did without at least consulting you. I suppose I thought I could keep my real thoughts concealed, and no one would know where I got my ideas. I am not sure I can even explain it. I had a story I had written, that I just could not make work. Then I went to Mythe's party, and there you were. One look at you, and a new story just flooded in. It was like nothing I have ever felt before, and I had to write it. It seemed at first like a complete contradiction to who you were, but I soon began to realize you really were my Circe, my perfect heroine."

Her mouth felt as if she had
been sucking sour pickles. "Clearly we are not in agreement regarding perfection, then. It is hardly flattering to portray me going about in men's garments and running about the deck of a ship like a hoyden.
'Wet garments molded against her ambrosially delectable form'
? Reggie, what could you have been thinking?"

He reached out to her, but she side-stepped his grasp. "Chloe, please listen. Those weren't my words. Mr. Ludwick didn't do a lot of editing, but he did attempt to spice it up."

"Your words or his, Reggie?"

Reggie huffed, sounding exasperated. Well, he could not be any more so than she.

"Not my words, but they have become mine. The responsibility is mine, and I take it. But that has nothing to do with our current situation. Chloe, you must agree to marry me. Your situation will be dire if you do not."

"It already is. And I do not see how marrying you can do anything to help my sisters."

"It will keep you out of my father's clutches."

"I doubt you will stand up to him for my sake, as you have not for any other reason. And you certainly will not succeed in persuading him to help free my sisters."

"And do you think Vilheurs would? Do you have any idea what he would have done to you, once he learned you didn't have any money? I suggest you revisit the events last night, if you think he is so virtuous a man."

Chloe knew that. "It is not as if I had other choices."

"You do, Chloe. You have me, and it's time you accept it."

Reggie dropped his arms to his sides and stepped closer to her. Chloe scooted back, just beyond his reach.

He sighed. "I hoped you would like my story. I wrote about my heroine, a woman I admire, the woman I love. It is not simply an adventure story. It's a love story, Chloe. About us."

A tear trickled down her cheek, and he wiped it away with his thumb. He
just didn't understand. She couldn't sacrifice her sisters because of a man. That was the way her mother would have done it-had done it more than once-and Chloe just couldn't.

"You'll have to trust me, Chloe. I can do this. But there is no time to waste
. My father is unpredictable, and we cannot leave anything to chance. I shall ride out immediately for
town
and secure a Special License. I'll expect you in London for a Friday morning wedding. We'll inform the duke after the fact."

Chloe nodded
, drooping her head.

"Two days, then." He pivoted on his heel in a move that suddenly reminded her of the duke, and walked out the door.

As long as the duke believed her debts were her worst problem, they could manage. But could Reggie and his friends actually secure the guardianship of her sisters for her? Maybe they could defeat Cottingham, but what if the duke in his fury decided to support Cottingham’s claim?

She was no heroine. He was wrong about that. She could not even save her own sisters without finding a man to do it for her. She was neither daring nor courageous, only deceitful. She had no other skill
, and she had not even used that one wisely.

But he was right about the rest. It was her only chance, and it was infinitely better than any opportunity Lord Vilheurs would have arranged for her.

Reggie hadn't even tried to kiss her before leaving. She wasn't sure she could have managed a kiss, anyway.