“He claimed? When was this?”
Chastity fiddled with the fan. “He caught me in Maidenhead. I
thought he’d be furious to find me there in men’s clothing…” She
realized Rothgar wouldn’t know of her disguise, and faced him
defiantly, “I’ve been dressing as a man for months.”
“That doubtless accounts for a certain refreshing briskness in your manner. Was there a reason?”
Chastity didn’t want to talk about that either, but after a moment she took off her wig.
“Ah,” he said softly. “Your father?”
She nodded and restored her appearance.
“A not-inappropriate punishment for an erring daughter, I suppose. Was that the sum of it?”
She told herself the whippings had been more to force her to the
altar than to punish her. “Except for the clothes.” At his look she
said, “They came from the local house of correction.”
“And you preferred something more suitable. I salute you, my dear.
So, your father did not rage at your unseemly dress, but… what?”
“He believed I knew where Verity was, and he wanted her. His anger
toward me seemed mainly because he thought I’d encouraged her to evade
him. I know he regards his daughters as mere pawns for his playing, but
his manner was not in keeping with the situation.”
Rothgar leaned his head back and contemplated the painted ceiling. “And Lady Verity fled… why?”
“She didn’t trust Henry Vernham. As soon as he turned up to take his
position as guardian, she feared he would do little William some
injury.”
Rothgar studied the ceiling with rapt attention. A clock chimed the
quarter, dimly echoed elsewhere in the house. A coal rolled, sparking
in the grate. At last he spoke. “Why did your father marry Lady Verity
to Sir William? He too was a nonentity.”
Chastity couldn’t stand this. “I don’t know. Don’t you think we’ve
struggled to understand it? Nothing makes any sense, but what’s done is
done. If Verity ends up safe and happy, I’ll be content.”
He lowered his eyes. “But that will not solve Cyn’s problem, and I
fear even your sister’s happiness may be in jeopardy. Unhindered, your
father could make the new couple’s life extremely difficult.”
That was all too true. “But what can I do?”
“Help me discover what is behind all this. There is something,
something we can use. I can smell it. Tell me everything. Every little
thing.”
In her own cause, Chastity couldn’t have done it, but for Verity she
would do anything. She went over every confrontation with her father,
recalling his words as best she could, detailing—eyes on the fan—his
minor and major cruelties. She could be particularly clear about her
time in Maidenhead, as that had been so recent.
If her story affected the marquess, it did not show in his face or
voice. “So your father asked particularly about why Verity had not run
to him.”
“Yes, but he would be surprised. I think, despite all, he believes himself to be a good father.”
“What reason for her actions could frighten him?”
“Frighten him?” Chastity echoed in surprise.
“Oh, yes, Chastity. You have been telling me about a very frightened
man. He must have thought Verity was avoiding him because she knew
something to his detriment.”
“She knew he’d mistreated me.”
“Would that matter with him?”
Chastity had to shake her head.
“I think,” said Rothgar, “this matter hinges on the death of Sir William Vernham.”
Chastity frowned. “But it can’t. He died of a seizure and anyway, it happened after my problems.”
“The same factors could be behind both. What connection existed between Sir William and your father, before Verity’s marriage?”
“None.”
“Think,” he said sharply.
Chastity snapped back. “None, I tell you. Sir William was a nobody, a lowly squire, with more money than breeding.”
“He was rich?”
“Not by your standards, or Father’s, but richer than most of his
sort. Fort said he made his money as a Special Investigator after the
‘45, stealing valuables or taking bribes to overlook evidence of
treason. Loathsome man.”
“Yet when this loathsome man asked for Verity’s hand, he was given
it,” Rothgar mused. “He must have had a hold over your father. Can you
imagine what?”
“No. Father is the Incorruptible, remember. He doesn’t gamble, he is
moderate in drink, I have never heard even a rumor of women…”
“What about treason?” The words dropped like a stone.
“What?”
“Would your father sacrifice his daughter, both his daughters, to save his head?”
“Treason! Father!”
He leaped to his feet and began to prowl, reminding Chastity of
nothing so much as a hunting beast. “Treason,” he repeated. “It smells.
It smells right. The one thing that is certain about the Earl of
Walgrave is his ambition. What if he lost his nerve back in the ‘45 and
thought Bonnie Prince Charlie might be victorious?”
“But he’s always been strong against the Jacobites!”
“Words cost little. His friendship with Prince Frederick tied him to
Hanover, but with the Royal Family packing their bags as the Jacobites
approached London, he might have seen everything slipping away. There
is still a memory in the land of the way things were when the Stuarts
returned in 1660, and Charles II rewarded his faithful friends. Little
chance then for a servant of the Commonwealth, no matter how worthy.
Not too surprising if your father made discreet contact with the
Jacobites.”
Chastity was numb with shock.
The marquess continued, almost lovingly, “And what if some evidence
fell into the hands of Special Investigator Sir William Vernham, and
the man had wits enough to conceal it in such a way that merely killing
him would do the earl no good? You know, those investigators did not
generally make a great deal of money out of their unpleasant work. Few
of the guilty had much to offer, and few situations here in the south
of England were ripe for that kind of plucking. But the Earl of
Walgrave…” He smiled. “Vernham must have received his income from the
earl for over fifteen years.”
“And Verity?” Chastity asked.
“Perhaps Sir William wanted to tighten his hold on the earl.
Possibly he genuinely desired your sister. There would be her dowry to
consider as well. Perhaps it was simply an abuse of power, the taunting
of a chained lion. A very dangerous thing to do. I wonder if that was
not the blow that broke your father’s mind. Money to men like us is of
little account, but to be forced to link his blood with such a cur…”
Rothgar’s voice was almost a snarl at the thought.
“And it was demanded again with me… But then why did he try to force me to it so cruelly?”
“Because Sir William still had the whip hand.” Rothgar stared at nothing. “Perhaps still has it, even in death.”
“What do you mean?”
“If there is evidence, where is it? Your father must be desperate, no longer knowing from whom to expect attack ”
“What of Henry Vernham?”
“I doubt he would have been seeking the child if he’d had a greater source of treasure in his hands.”
Chastity sucked in a breath. “Unless he is seeking that source…”
Rothgar turned sharply to her.
“Perhaps he hasn’t been seeking the child to murder him. but seeking
what his brother had. He must think Verity holds the key… Lord
Rothgar!” Chastity exclaimed. “Verity has been carrying around this
document. Sir William impressed upon her that if he died, she must take
it to the Lord Chief Justice in London. She supposed it affected the
inheritance, so she took it when she fled…”
His eyes were bright. “Where is the document now?”
“She has it with her. But Lord Rothgar,” Chastity said urgently,
“even if your speculations are correct, we can’t use it! It would not
only destroy Father, but all of us. The property would be seized by the
Crown… Fort…”
“It won’t come to that,” he assured her. “But if it is an
incriminating document, it is a powerful weapon. It will certainly gain
the earl’s acceptance of your and Verity’s marriages.”
“And will prevent him from destroying Verity’s Nathaniel. But then someone else will be Father’s enemy. I fear it will be you.”
“I am as able to guard myself as Sir William. I assure you.” He
smiled. “Fate is a sly harpy, isn’t she? Sir William arranges to expose
your father if the earl kills him, but never thinks to die so suddenly
before his time. A seizure in the arms of his mistress, and the whole
situation explodes. Your father, guessing Verity to be the key, has
been running ragged after her. Then he finds you in his way. No wonder
he raged.”
As he said, it did all fit. “Lord Rothgar, I have to point out that
this will not make my marriage to Cyn any easier. My father’s
opposition has always been the minor part. I meant what I said before.
I will not ruin Cyn. I will kill myself first.”
“Don’t be melodramatic. Do you not think it would destroy him to cause your death?”
Chastity gasped under that attack. “I see no hope whichever way I turn!”
“Whereas I begin to see light.” He rang a bell and a footman
entered. Rothgar scribbled a note, sealed it, and gave it to the man.
“A rider is to take this to Henry Vernham. He was last heard of in
Salisbury, but has also been scouring the Southhampton road for his
sister-in-law and her baby.”
The footman left with the note.
Chastity stared at Rothgar again. Did he think he was God? “He could be anywhere, and what does the note say?”
“My men are well-trained and enterprising. He’ll be found sooner or
later. The note informs him of his sister-in-law’s wedding and invites
him here for the celebration. I have already invited your brother—”
“Here?”
“Assuredly. Plans are in hand for a muted festivity— muted only because your sister is so recently widowed.”
She was caught in a whirlwind. “But we can’t be sure of Fort,” she protested. “For all you know, he could tell Father.”
“I hope so. But I have already sent a similar invitation to your father.”
“
What
?” She leaped to her feet, instinct telling her to flee.
He grasped her hand to stay her. He turned it and studied the dull marks. “He will never hurt you again, my dear.”
She pulled her hand away. “He will stop Verity’s marriage,” she
snapped. “He’ll doubtless arrive with Henry Vernham in train, ready to
tear the baby from her arms. You and your Malloren arrogance are going
to ruin everything!”
“Oh, I doubt it,” he said, and smiled with a glint of excitement Chastity recognized all too well.
“Oh, God,” she groaned. “It’s as Cyn said. You love a challenge. You don’t care about the
people
involved. I don’t know which of you is the worst!”
“Oh, I am,” said the marquess, and picked up the pin from the
carpet. He refixed it in her stomacher. “The poor boy is a mere
amateur.”
Chastity looked down at the pin. “Something terrible is going to happen,” she said with a shiver. “I know it.”
“Terrible things have been happening, not least to you. We are going
to put a stop to it.” He raised her chin. “You are a fighter, Chastity
Ware. Don’t turn and run now.”
She swallowed. “I’m scared.”
“Most people are before a battle.”
“That’s what Cyn said.”
“And Cyn assuredly knows.”
They set off to Long Knotwell in a virtual parade. Chastity, Elf.
and Chantal traveled in a coach. It doubtless was the marquess’
second-best coach, but it was fine enough, and in this case the
escutcheons blazed out in unblemished arrogance.
Rothgar rode, along with his other brother, Bryght.
“Arcenbryght,” Elf whispered when Chastity was introduced to him.
“With a name like that, it’s a shame he’s such a dismal creature these
days.”
Bryght Malloren was as tall and strong as his older brother, but as
he wore a brown wig, Chastity could not tell his natural hair color.
His eyes had a touch of Cyn’s greenish-gold, but none of his warmth. He
gave the distinct impression that he had better things to do.
“You mustn’t mind Bryght,” said Elf as soon as they were settled.
“He’s like that with everyone these days. Wounds of the heart. I’ll
explain some other time.”
Including the two brothers, they had twelve outriders, all armed.
This seemed more than a little excessive, and Chastity said so.
“Rothgar is ready for trouble,” Elf remarked without great concern.
Chastity shuddered. “This could end up as war.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. The days of the feuding barons are well past.
He’s doubtless just making sure your father cannot try any mayhem.”
They passed the journey in light conversation of social matters, and
Chastity was pleased to have it so. It created an island of normalcy in
a stormy sea. It was a temporary haven at best, but she welcomed it.
But then Elf said, “Here I am chatting about theatrical excitement,
when you must have had such adventures in real life. How I envy you!”
“My adventures were not particularly enjoyable.”
“I know they must have been horrid—” Elf sighed. “—but I still envy
you. How will I ever meet a dragon-slayer, if I never come within
breathing distance of a dragon?”
Chastity didn’t know what to say and found herself sharing a
speaking look with the maid. Despite Elf’s extra years, she seemed in
some ways an innocent child. “You have an older sister,” Chastity said.
“She must have found a man to her liking.”
“Oh, yes, but Hilda’s always been so placid. She just quietly fell
in love with Lord Steen, and quietly married him. Now they’re off in
Dorset quietly producing quiet babies. I’m afraid I have a taste for
stronger men, but my brothers chase them off on principle. They want me
to marry another Lord Steen.”
Chastity’s lips twitched. “And you want to marry a Rothgar…”
Elf laughed. “Or a Brand, or a Bryght, or a Cyn. A man who’d face down the devil. Alas, I fear I am destined to be an old maid.”