The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection (84 page)

“Oh no.” Charlotte pushed the soggy paper aside. “Even the garden party at the palace?”

Grandfather shrugged. “I’ve not been so informed. It’s possible that I, as one of Victoria’s oldest acquaintances, might be spared the wrath others will inflict on the Becks. The other hosts, however, will not open their doors to scandal—quite literally—even if it comes from an American.”

Charlotte’s bottom lip trembled. “I must repair the damage.”

Grandfather rose. “Dear, I fear there’s no repair for this. Now, perhaps you should wash your face and then join me for breakfast.”

“What’s this about damage?” Gennie stood in the door, her smile radiant. It disappeared when she saw her stepdaughter. “Charlotte, what’s wrong?”

Charlotte kicked the
Times
under the sofa with her toe then fell into Gennie’s outstretched arms. Grandfather pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her before making his excuses and fleeing the library.

“Never did like a woman’s tears,” he muttered as he disappeared into the hall.

Gennie took the handkerchief from Charlotte’s clenched fist and dabbed at Charlotte’s cheeks. “What in the world has you so upset?’

Glancing down at the corner of the newspaper, barely visible
under the sofa, Charlotte sat and made sure her skirts covered the evidence. Gennie would learn of her humiliation soon enough. “I’m fine, truly,” she said. “Just being a silly girl. I’m sure you remember those days.”

That comment garnered quite a look from Gennie as she handed Charlotte the soggy handkerchief. “I think I recall some of it.”

“I wonder if you might give me some advice.” Charlotte let the handkerchief drop into her lap and sniffed one last time. “About social things.”

Her stepmother looked genuinely surprised. “Of course.”

“When one has done something unacceptable …”

“Such as ride on the back of a horse with your skirts flying? I think that’s how the gentleman from the
Times
put it.” Gennie reached down, pushed Charlotte’s skirt aside, and retrieved the paper. “Has your grandfather seen this?”

Charlotte nodded.

“And did he seem upset?”

“A little,” Charlotte managed as the lump returned to her throat. “But he also claimed he was relieved not to have as many social obligations.”

Now that I’ve reduced us to pariahs
, she didn’t say.

“I see.” Gennie cast the paper into the fire, and the pages began to smoke. When the embers caught and the fire lit, the
Times
began to curl and turn black at the edges.

“If only you could do that to all the copies,” Charlotte said. “But I suppose that’s not the solution.”

“No.” Gennie sighed. “I’m afraid there’s no remedy for this except to return to Denver earlier than expected.”

“And miss the palace garden party? Your tea with the empress? We can’t.” Charlotte rose and began to pace. “Surely it was obvious to those
in attendance that none of what happened yesterday was planned. The colonel does these things all the time. Why back home he …” She stopped and turned to face Gennie. “I promise it wasn’t planned. We were all standing together and Colonel Cody asked me if I’d like to do that trick he taught me last winter when he visited the ranch and I knew you’d not be pleased but we had just argued and I was still somewhat upset so I …”

“Did it anyway?” Gennie offered.

“Yes,” Charlotte whispered.

“For one so rushed to become a woman, you certainly excel at behaving like a child.” Gennie’s sharp expression softened. “However, there’s nothing to be done for it.”

Much as Charlotte hated to admit it, Gennie spoke the truth. She constantly complained about being treated like a child only to prove everyone right.

Until now.

“Maybe there is something that can be done.” Charlotte paused to consider an idea. “Do you recall that when you chastised me after the Hambly party, you said you could only hope that stargazing became all the rage?”

Gennie’s mouth set in a firm line. If she had a response, it likely was not a positive one.

Charlotte pressed on. “As I recall, Colonel Cody was quite well received at the Hambly event.”

“Well, yes, I suppose he was. But then, he’s caused quite the sensation here in London, especially since the queen came out to view the performance last month.” Their gazes met. “Why?” Gennie asked.

“Just thinking aloud.” Charlotte grinned as the idea became the
beginnings of a scheme that just might work. “Would you say the Hamblys are well thought of in London society?”

“Very well thought of. Charlotte,” Gennie said slowly, “what are you planning?”

“Nothing at all.” The truth, at least for now. The actual plan would come together somewhere between here and Grosvenor Square. Of this Charlotte was completely certain.

June 11, 1887
Royal Observatory, Greenwich

“Did you see this?”

Alex looked up from his notes to see Will Pembroke, the family solicitor, at his office door, a folded copy of the
London Times
tucked under his arm. The events of the week combined with the conundrum brought by Jacob’s Comet’s appearance had him too befuddled to care about whatever goings-on his friend had found interesting. With so much at stake, he had little time to socialize. His paper on the comet was due the next morning, and he’d not yet managed to catch a free moment to finish it.

“What brings you out to the observatory on a Friday afternoon, Pembroke?”

Pembroke helped himself to the chair across from Alex, then spread the paper out between them. “I repeat, did you see this?” He leaned back and cradled his head in his hands.

“See what?” Alex asked without truly caring about the answer.

“That girl. The one who caused you the trouble.”

He turned the paper his direction and found a headline that referred to the American heiress whose name would forever be associated with a night he longed to forget.

“Miss Beck,” he said under his breath as he rubbed his sore eye. “Indeed I recall her. But what’s this? She performed a stunt at the Wild West show?” Alex chuckled. “Interesting girl, I’ll give her that much.”

“Interesting’s not the half of it.” Will snatched the paper away and gave Alex a spirited reading of the article, pausing only twice to show photographs of the event. Finally, he looked up and shook his head. “The Earl of Framingham’s granddaughter? Can you believe it?”

“She’s a Beck,” Alex said with the appropriate measure of sarcasm as he went back to his numbers. The mantel clock struck three times, a signal that the day was slipping quickly away. Tomorrow morning would arrive whether Alex had a paper to present to the committee or not.

“Beck or not, she’s caused quite the scandal. ‘It’s one thing to play at riding in a coach and quite another to ride behind a galloping Indian brave with your skirts flying.’ ” Will paused. “A direct quote from a well-placed bystander, according to the
Times.
” He lowered the paper and shrugged. “Anyway, I actually came here to offer a proposition. A business proposition. In America.”

Alex pushed his chair back and moved around the desk to stand in front of Will. “My presentation before the committee is due tomorrow morning at precisely nine whether it’s done or not. And it’s not.” He swiped at his forehead. “Then there is the multitude of things I’m facing at home. At any moment I could be called upon to find money to pay a bill or to impersonate a brother. There could not be a worse time to travel.”

Pembroke shook his head. “Never have I known a man who needed
to get away from things more than you.” He grinned. “I’ve taken the liberty of speaking with a colleague of mine who would love to discuss your idea of researching that meteorite of yours.”

“Comet,” Alex corrected, “and who exactly is this colleague?”

“It would take all the fun out of it if I told you.” He nudged Alex. “But I’ll give you a hint. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Goodsell Observatory.”

“In Minnesota? Excellent facility.” Alex paused. “Why? Is there a delegation visiting London? Perhaps you could set up a meeting for sometime next week.”

“Not exactly, but have you heard of Roeschlaub?”

“The architect?” Alex’s temper began to spike. He returned to his chair and attempted a glare. “I gave up riddles when I left the nursery, Pembroke, and I thought you had as well. Just say it.”

Will’s excited expression did not diminish. “All right, but this is completely off the record.” He closed the door, then returned his attention to Alex. “It’s possible that a donation will soon be made to secure an observatory in one of the Western states that will rival Goodsell.”

“Interesting,” Alex said as he retrieved his papers. “But I fail to see what that has to do with you or me or anything else we’ve discussed since you arrived.”

“Leadville.”

“Colorado?” Alex shook his head. “I don’t follow.”

Pembroke returned to the chair across from Alex. “I don’t suppose you follow the production reports on the Hambly mining properties in Leadville.” When Alex shook his head, Will continued. “Not worth the paper they’re written on, though I doubt your father’s aware of it. That mine’s done for. Summit Hill is, however, on one of the highest elevations in Leadville, and thus a much better location for an observatory than the one now being considered in Denver.”

“I see.” Alex gave the matter a moment’s consideration. “You’d like me in attendance to execute the documents before the investor changes his mind.”

“Actually,” Will said slowly, “there hasn’t been a formal offer to purchase. Yet.”

“Then I don’t understand.”

“You’re a personable enough fellow with a string of titles, and—”

“All of them worthless when compared to what my brother will inherit. Why not bring him?” Alex interjected.

“All joking aside,” Will continued, “you know how the Americans love nobility. Perhaps a meeting with a few of the key investors would sway the decision in our favor.”

“And to do that I would have to …”

“Take a trip out West, my friend. Where the buffalo roam and the skies are not cloudy all day.”

Alex shook his head. “You’re mad.”

“That’s partially true, but there’s more.” Will leaned his elbows on the desk. “The family’s in trouble. Financial trouble.”

Alex’s heart sank. “I’m sorry. How can I help?”

“Not my family. Yours.”

“How bad is it?” Alex said, bitterness but not surprise lacing his tone.

Will paused and seemed to be considering his words. “Bad. And getting worse. If you think about it, the only one capable of reversing this is you. Given his uncertain state, Martin certainly can’t. Neither your father nor your mother can make the trip either. Thus, it falls to you to save the Hambly dynasty.”

Again
. Several responses occurred to him, but Alex remained silent.

“There is another way.” Will crossed his arms over his chest. “I am
reluctant to bring it up, but there is a way to manage the dual purposes of salvaging the family fortune and keeping you in telescopes and stargazing equipment.”

Alex paused. “What is it?” he asked wearily.

“Marry a wealthy American. You wouldn’t be the first, you know. Worked out beautifully for the Churchills.”

Alex only stared a moment at Pembroke before laughter erupted. “That’s wonderful,” he said. “Why didn’t I think of that? Just offer myself up to some insipid daughter of a Yank with bulging coffers and not much in the way of good sense.”

“Some are quite lovely.” Will pointed to the
Times
. “With decent pedigrees. Such as Charlotte Beck.”

“The hellion? Oh no. You’ve had some odd ideas before, but—”

“Just hear me out,” Will said. “A merger of the Beck and Hambly families would be quite the coup. Romeo and Juliet unite a dynasty.” At Alex’s scowl, Will shook his head. “All right, then, think logically. She’s of marriageable age.”

“Too young for me, Pembroke. I prefer a woman not fresh from the nursery.”

“Let me present my case, for argument’s sake.”

Alex leaned back against his chair. “Do make it brief, solicitor.”

“Like it or not, you shall marry. Sooner rather than later because, again, Martin certainly cannot. You said yourself that you’re far too busy to find a suitable wife, so—”

“I said I was busy. No mention was made of wife-hunting.”

“Nonetheless, family finances and your conscience dictate that at some point you will cease your work here and take on the responsibility of keeping the countess and the others from being thrown into the street. If you want to dedicate your life to the study of the stars and comets, then
why not let me help you arrange a suitable solution to these problems now, before they keep you from that study?”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“Only slightly.” Will’s expression sobered. “If nothing is done to change the situation, there will be nothing left in the bank.”

“Then start selling properties.” Alex rested his palms on the carefully stacked pages of research before him. “Raise as much cash as you can to pay whatever debts are the most pressing. That should do the trick, shouldn’t it?”