Authors: Elizabeth Johns
“Aye. That I always does, Master Abbott.”
***
The ride back to Wyndham House was short, and the Dowager was in high dudgeon, most unhappy to have left the house without Miss Lambert.
“I cannot believe the nerve of that woman. Acting as if they would have welcomed Millicent and Gwendolyn into their ever-loving bosom had they been able to find them!”
“I cannot like Lady Kendall either. She made my skin crawl, but then I have never been one for the polite ways,” Elly commented, her face wrinkled with distaste.
“I’d wager my firstborn they never lifted a scrawny finger to look for them!”
“I’m certain Uncle would be happy to hear it,” Elly retorted.
“If you knew the lengths she went to shun Millicent and to make sure the world knew they had repudiated them, you would likely have rung a peal over her. I would like to point out that I showed enormous restraint.”
“There is still dinner,” Elly pointed out helpfully. “Why did you?”
“I am certain I will once I have Gwen. I will be happy to serve her a dish of her own sauce when I know Gwen is safe.”
“This should make for a delightful evening.”
“Quite.”
“Is Miss Lambert your goddaughter? I had no idea.”
“No. But she might as well be. I did agree to care for her.” She waved her hand. “It is the same thing.”
“Grandmamma. You are too bad!” Elly chastised with a smile.
“I have as much right to her as they do. More, in fact. I refuse to feel guilty.”
“I do not expect it of you. What do you think they are planning?”
“I wish I knew. But my instinct tells me to remove her from their presence as fast as may be done.”
“Do you think she will try to convince Miss Lambert to stay?”
“That depends on what they have in mind. I only wish I knew what that might be, but be certain she would not have Gwendolyn under her roof unless she stood to gain something from it.”
The ladies only had time to ready themselves for dinner, having stayed well past the normal calling hours. The Dowager was waiting in the carriage for Easton and Elly to depart.
“Have you been waiting long, Grandmamma?”
“No, but I want to be there.”
“Then let us go,” Lord Easton said as he signalled the driver with a double tap on the roof.
They were shown into the drawing room where they were received by Lady Kendall.
“Where is she?” the Dowager demanded as soon as brief greetings were made.
Elly put her hand on her arm to calm her. “I am certain she will be down directly.”
But she wasn’t. Ten minutes later, Lady Kendall excused herself to ask after her son and Miss Lambert.
“For I know they are both here and went up to dress. They came in from an outing as soon as you left. It is not like either of them to be late.”
Lady Kendall opened the door and asked the butler to enquire of her son and niece.
The butler commented in a calm voice, “I believe I saw the pair go into the garden, milady.”
“The garden? Whatever could they be doing there at this hour?” She immediately strolled over to the doors that opened onto the terrace and pulled them wide. There for all to see was Lord Kendall awkwardly attempting to embrace his cousin.
“Well, I never! How could you, Perry?” Lady Kendall shrieked.
Lord Kendall immediately dropped his attempt at amour, and Gwen indignantly punched her cousin straight in the gut, gaining a loud “umph” from Peregrine.
“I thought females slapped you when they were angry!” he protested from a doubled-over position.
The Dowager began clapping. “Bravo Gwen! It won’t fadge, Louisa. That is the worst attempt at compromising someone I’ve ever witnessed. It’s a pity it was wasted on me. I dearly hope the pair of you never has to turn to the stage.”
Lady Kendall was too stunned by the Dowager’s response to recover quickly.
“Come, dearest Gwen. Let us excuse ourselves. I believe we have had our fill already.”
“But she is ruined!” Lady Kendall insisted.
“I did offer her marriage before I compromised her.” Even Lord Kendall was not convinced.
“Is this true?” the Dowager said with surprise.
Gwen nodded.
“Did you accept?” she asked in disbelief.
She shook her head. “No.”
“Thank God,” she said casting her eyes upward.
“The only thing ruined is your cravat, Lord Kendall,” Lord Easton remarked, realising that travesty likely to worry this pink of the ton more than being called out.
“I saw nothing but a cousinly embrace,” Elly added.
“I will be taking Gwen home with me,” the Dowager pronounced as she took Gwen’s hand and walked towards the door.
“Wait!” Lady Kendall called after them, but they did not stop.
Chapter Eleven
Gwen could not speak when they entered the carriage, or she would embarrass herself. The strings of words entering her mind were not ones a lady could speak; she was livid. She should have trusted her instincts and known that her father’s family would not have welcomed her with opens arms unless there was an ulterior motive. She still was not certain how it would benefit them, but she wanted no part of it. The offer of marriage had shocked her. She suspected he must need to marry for an inheritance and no one else would have him. A gentleman would have taken no for an answer. Thankfully, the Dowager had put a stop to his attentions before they became irreversible. How could you offer marriage to someone, yet treat them like a light-skirt?
She was indebted to the Dowager and the Eastons; she would make a fool of herself if she attempted to express her gratitude at the moment, but what must they think of her? Her fretting was interrupted by a kind voice.
“It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Lambert,” Lady Easton reached over and took her hand.
“I apologise for the unconventional greeting, Lord and Lady Easton,” Gwen remarked.
“It was hardly your doing. He deserved to be called out,” Lord Easton replied.
“Oh, thank goodness you did not! I could not live with that on my conscience!” Gwen exclaimed.
“I do not believe in settling matters that way, so you may be easy,” Lord Easton reassured.
“I am glad to hear it. I think it an abominable practice.”
“I agree wholeheartedly. A good bout of fisticuffs would cure most disputes,” Lady Easton proffered her opinion shockingly.
Gwen smiled despite herself. “Lady Easton’s rules for world diplomacy,” she suggested.
She laughed. “Oh, please call me Elly. Everyone does. I am too familiar for England. Six years in America does not wear off overnight.” She laughed and instantly Gwen felt more at ease. “Forgive me. We are terribly sorry for your loss and for the shabby treatment your cousin has offered you under his own roof. You are very welcome to stay with us as long as you please.”
“Thank you. I am already indebted to you.”
They arrived at Wyndham House and she was led gently upstairs by the Dowager. “If you wish to talk about anything, I am in the room two doors along.”
Gwen cast her a grateful smile and nodded. “Thank you. I shall be fine presently.”
“I have no doubt. There is nothing so odious as being forced to discuss one’s troubles when all one wishes is the counsel of a glass of wine and a bath.”
“I am sorry for the trouble I caused, ma’am.”
“There is no need for apologies. I am only grateful to have found you in time.” She embraced Gwen with a meaningful hug, who had to struggle with herself to not crush the Dowager. She’d had no human touch, save one hug from Hettie, since her mother had died, a time when she had needed it most. The Dowager seemed to understand and held her longer than necessary. Gwen reluctantly pulled away and said goodnight.
She undressed and relaxed into a warm bath, but barely kept her eyes open long enough to crawl into the luxurious bed. She had not slept well the entire time at Kendall House. Here, she was instantly at ease and fell into a peaceful sleep.
***
The Dowager, having passed a restless night concerning herself over the latest turn of events, had given up on repose and was the first to the breakfast room. She was joined shortly by Easton and Elinor, who had been unable to sleep well due to her advancing pregnancy.
“Good morning, Grandmamma. You look fagged to death.”
“Very gracious of you to mention it, dear.”
“What troubles you?”
“I am concerned about Gwen.”
“She seemed pretty well able to care of herself. She has a handy right,” Easton said appreciatively.
“Instinct tells me we have not seen the last of Lord Kendall,” the Dowager said with a deep crease in her brow.
“Miss Lambert is exquisite. He was likely attempting to beat the other bachelors to the punch,” Elly suggested.
“No,” Lord Easton said shaking his head. “Not Kendall. A beautiful girl without fortune would only tempt him to make a backhanded offer.”
“Precisely,” the Dowager agreed. “There has to be more to the story than meets the eye.”
“I think it might be worthwhile to visit the Kendall family solicitor,” Easton announced.
“Do you think he will speak to you?” Elly asked doubtfully.
“If he wishes to maintain the Trowbridge family business, he will. Besides, I only intend to enquire after Miss Lambert's part in this. If it does not affect her, we can be off to Sussex today and not be obliged to worry.”
“That is a stroke of good fortune,” Elly remarked.
“I’d rather be fortunate than good,” the Dowager said.
“It certainly gives us half a chance.” Easton stood and kissed his wife affectionately, and made his way to visit the solicitor.
***
When Gwen awoke the next morning, the household was bustling with preparations to return to Sussex. She had not slept this long in years. The Eastons and the Dowager had only come to London to search for her, the maid had said. A pang of guilt washed over her. She'd never meant to trouble any of them.
She had not realised the obligation the Dowager felt to her mother, or that she would care enough to come searching for her. Gwen had thought she was doing everyone a favour by going with her cousin, who should have been the one to provide for her.
She had a roll and chocolate in her room, and hurried to ready herself so they would not be obliged to wait for her. When she arrived, the family had finished breakfasting and had returned upstairs. She went into the parlour to wait for them.
She had been too overwhelmed to notice her surroundings last night. The house enjoyed a lovely view over Grosvenor Square, and was much quieter than she had expected a London home to be. She enjoyed watching a pair of starlings chase each other about and did not notice the butler enter until he startled her by calling her name.
“Miss Lambert?”
“Yes?”
“There is a gentleman here to see you.”
“Me?” she said with surprise.
Before the butler had been able to utter her visitors name, her cousin Peregrine entered the room.
“Lord Kendall, miss,” he muttered sarcastically and exited, leaving the door open.
She felt a moment's panic, but hoped the butler had the wherewithal to inform Her Grace of the uninvited guest. This was not the fashionable hour for calls, and there could be no good reason for his visit.
“Lord Kendall.”
“Cousin Gwen. I've come to beg your pardon.”
“Very well. Good day,” she said curtly.
“Pray tell why my offer was so repulsive to you? Most in your position would jump at the chance to be a viscountess. I found you penniless and offered you a home. We got on well this past week, I thought we should deal rather nicely together.”
“I'm flattered you condescended to make me such an estimable offer, but I cannot imagine how a match with myself would help your situation in the least. As you said, I'm quite penniless. I haven't a single feather to fly with.”
“My situation? Whatever can you mean? You cannot have considered the advantages you would have as Lady Kendall.”
“I am certain there is someone out there who will be able to appreciate all your position has to offer, but it will not be me.”
She saw the flash of indignation in his eyes, though he kept his face impassive. He walked over and looked out the window with his hands behind his back. She remained silent and watched him wearily.
“Very well, Cousin. You have discovered me. I must marry in order to obtain my inheritance. My father's debts have left me encumbered, and I will be forced to sell off our unentailed properties if I do not marry quickly.”
“Why must it be me?”
“Why not? It seemed a perfect solution when I found you again. My inheritance makes who I marry unimportant. You are of good birth. And, I must admit, I find you a much more desirable companion than the other marriageable misses.”