A Lady's Guide to Rakes (14 page)

The two lavender-frocked women traded concerned glances.

“He was not pleased to see me at Tattersalls, that is for certain.” She paused for a moment and gathered her courage about her. Then, over the next handful of minutes, Meredith recounted all the afternoon’s events precisely as they had unfolded.

“If you’ve set your cap for Chillton, dear, it cannot be wise to spend your days with the dashing Lord Lansing, no matter the reason,” Aunt Viola advised.

“Viola, she is only conducting research,” Aunt Letitia snapped. “It is not as if the gentleman is romancing her… or an attachment is forming between our gel and Lansing.”

At that moment, the queerest thing happened. Both of her aunts focused their lorgnettes on her. A wash of heat suffused her cheeks.

For certain those eagle-eyed ladies would think her guilty—but she was innocent. Completely innocent!

“You need not worry. My interest in Lord Lansing is entirely limited to research for my guidebook.”

Then something suddenly occurred to Meredith. She looked from one aunt to the other, crinkling her nose. “A moment ago, you said, ‘So he did catch up with you.’ Why, it sounds as though you knew Chillton and I would meet this afternoon.”

“We assumed you might meet.” Aunt Viola’s head was bobbing like a hen’s at feed time. “You see, when Hannah came by for tea, she informed us that her brother was off to Tattersalls for the afternoon.”

“But how did you know I would be there? I did not tell you about my plans.” Meredith peered through squinting eyes at her aunts.

“Oh that.” Aunt Letitia wriggled up from her chair, took Meredith’s beaver hat into her hand and guided her into her own vacated seat. “It was all quite a coincidence, really. Sister and I happened upon your book of notes last eve—”

“You just happened upon it?”

“Why, yes. It was all quite by accident. Then when it fell off the table and opened, we noticed the paragraph detailing your plans today to go to Tattersalls.”

“Serendipity.” Aunt Viola nodded her head matter-of-factly. “It was as if the Fates had meant for your paths to cross this afternoon.”

“I assure you, Auntie, what happened was not serendipitous. Chillton was shocked by my behavior. I have never seen a man look so sullen.” Meredith leaped from her chair and began to pace the length of the library. “Why, had Lord Lansing not intervened, I do not know what Chillton might have done, or said.” She turned and looked pleadingly at her aunts. “I have ruined my chances with the man. What am I to do?”

“Shall we fetch the rule book?” Aunt Viola asked, her faded blue eyes blinking with anticipation. “It never failed us before.”

“
Rules of Engagement
… where is it? I remember it being along this shelf… Ah, here it is.” Aunt Letitia pulled a crimson book from the shelf and cradled it in her arms. “It did work wonders for your older sisters.”

“Yes, I know, Auntie, and I do appreciate your willingness to assist, but truly, I will come upon a solution by myself, if you do not mind.” Meredith chewed the inside of her lip. “Where is Hannah now?”

“Right here.”

Meredith whirled around to see Hannah walking through the parlor doorway.

A grin burst about Hannah’s mouth. “Meredith, why in all the world are you wearing a coat and breeches?”

“Long story. You may rest assured, however, that I will explain everything to you soon enough.”

Meredith crossed the room and took Hannah’s hand. “Come with me while I change into something more suitable. I desperately need your counsel.”

“My counsel… whatever for?”

“Dear, Hannah is so young,” came a whine from Aunt Letitia. “Perhaps what you really require is guidance from someone… oh, more experienced in the ways of gentlemen?”

Meredith turned and gazed back into the library. Both her aunts looked positively crestfallen that they had not been asked to intervene.

“In another instance, perhaps, Auntie, but Hannah here is Chillton’s sister, and who better to help me understand what he might be feeling?” She looked into Hannah’s vibrant aquamarine eyes. “Will you help me?”

“I suppose so. If you think it will help.”

“I do, but we must hurry. Haven’t got much time, you know. We must come up with a way to correct this situation before Chillton calls to retrieve you, else I fear there will be no wedding—
ever.
“

Never trust a rake.

Less than an hour later, Meredith and Hannah, their clammy hands clasped tightly together like frightened schoolgirls, crept down the stairs, having heard the low hum of a gentleman’s voice coming from the parlor.

Meredith’s heart pounded rhythmically in her ears, for she was certain that the visitor was none other than Chillton, come to retrieve Hannah. She shouldn’t be so worried. She was just being ridiculous. After all, Lansing had offered a perfectly satisfactory reason for her…
unusual
appearance at Tattersalls, hadn’t he?

And it was this very reason that Meredith imparted to Hannah. However, after some discussion, she and Hannah had decided it prudent to prepare a supplemental story for Chillton, just in case. It was a good story too, no fat or gristle to chew on to make it indigestible. Chillton would swallow it whole—or so Hannah assured Meredith.

Meredith was hardly convinced, but she had no other choice but to adhere to their plan. After all, the man was already here and there was no time to twist a stronger yam.

“Are you ready?” Hannah. whispered as they stood outside the parlor door.

“No, though I must do this if I wish to salvage any possibility of a relationship with your brother.” Meredith placed her hand on the door latch and had depressed it halfway when she realized that the voice mingling with her aunts’ inside the parlor was not Chillton’s. The timbre was much too low.

Praise be.
Her shoulders relaxed and a sudden lightness seemed to boost her fallen spirits.

The door
swooshed
open, sucking the cooler air from the passageway through Meredith’s hair and lifting loose tendrils about her cheeks as she came face-to-face with her aunt Letitia.

“I thought that might be the two of you whispering outside the door. Come in, do come in. For you will never guess who has come to call.”

And there he was, standing behind her dear turnip-shaped aunt “Lord Lansing!”

“Indeed, though you needn’t be so surprised, Miss Merriweather. Certainly you did not think I’d pack you off in my carriage, then not have the courtesy to see that you arrived safely home.”

The edge of Alexander’s lips were twitching a tiny bit. If Meredith had any doubt that he was suppressing a grin, it vanished when, over the top of her aunt’s head, he winked at her.

“I am a gentleman, after all.” He looked to her aunt Viola and his tone became familiar and confidential. “Though I daresay
some
still find this fact hard to believe, even after not one, but two gallant rescues.”

Aunt Viola’s eyelashes fluttered as she fell prey to his charm. “I believe you, Lord Lansing.”

“So do I,” added Aunt Letitia.

Hannah grabbed a handful of her skirt and swished her way beside Meredith. “And I!”

All eyes fell upon Meredith.

The muscles of her cheeks dragged upward. “I reserve judgment until additional evidence is produced.”

Flicking her fingers dismissively, Aunt Viola expelled the breath from her lungs in a long sigh. “Well, that’s our gel. Stubborn as they come.”

“Alex—er… Lord Lansing, you may attribute my surprise at seeing you here to the fact that Hannah and I had expected to find Mr. Chillton. He had promised to retrieve her.”

“Ah, I see.” Alexander offered an elbow to Hannah and the other to Meredith, then led them to the settee.

There was a thumping, and Meredith looked across the room to see Aunt Letitia patting the empty space on the sofa between her and her sister. “Lord Lansing, do have a seat. It is ever so much easier to converse when one does not have to look up all the time.” Her hand drifted unconsciously to the back of her neck.

“Quite right.” Alexander strode across the parlor and wedged himself, as politely as he could manage given the small amount of space between one bony and one fleshy set of hips. “As I was about to say, Miss Merriweather, Mr. Chillton was here, but he left on foot only moments ago.”

“My brother
was
here?” Hannah leaped to her feet. Flames of red licked her cheeks. “And he left me—
again?
“

“Yes, dear. He… um… stopped by… for but a moment while you and Meredith were above stairs.” Flapping her right hand in the air, Aunt Viola bade Hannah to sit. “Do not fret, young one, your brother left the phaeton behind for you.”

Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “How considerate of him.”

“It was, was it not?” Viola nodded. “Owing to the lovely weather, he was determined to stroll home. ‘Tis not far, you know.”

“He said you, Miss Chillton, knew how to handle the reins.” Alexander leaned forward slightly. “I would consider it an honor, however, if you would allow me to take the reins for you.”

Hannah huffed out her breath. “No, no. He had the right of it. I can drive the phaeton myself. Often do, in fact. My brother was not about to waste good coin on a driver, so I had to learn, didn’t I?”

Edgar, her aunts’ dutiful manservant, stepped inside the parlor and tipped his head at his employers.

“Now, now. Never you fear, my dear.” Aunt Letitia glanced at her sister and the two old women stood, prompting Lansing to his feet as well. “Our carriage has already been brought around. Sister and I will take you home now. One of our footmen will follow in your brother’s”—she cleared her throat—”phaeton.”

“Why, thank you kindly.” Hannah’s disappointed gaze flickered over Lord Lansing, and Meredith knew her friend regretted not seizing the handsome lord’s offer to escort her home. “I do not wish to impose.”

“Oh, have no worries.” Aunt Viola took her fichu from Edgar, flashing him a brilliant smile in thanks. “You are not imposing. Sister and I could use the fresh air.”

Aunt Letitia stepped into the passage and tossed a soft lavender shawl over her shoulders. “Come along, child. Your brother will be worrying about you.”

“That, I seriously doubt,” murmured Hannah as she accepted her bonnet from Edgar.

Alexander followed the women to the door.

Seeing that he meant to leave with them, Aunt Letitia raised her walking stick and held it across her body with two hands, as if meaning to block his way. “My lord, I would be greatly indebted to you if you stayed with Meredith whilst we are away. She has had such a trying day, I would not dare ask her to set foot outside this house again.”

“Auntie, he is a
bachelor.
“ Meredith protested.

“Annie—she is Meredith’s new abigail—will be here,” Aunt Viola consoled. “So, Lord Lansing, you need not worry about appearances.”

A conspiratorial grin bounced from one aunt to the other.

Alexander flashed the elderly women a broad smile. “I am honored to have your grandniece entrusted to me.” Then he turned his head and leveled a simmering gaze upon Meredith. “ ‘Twill be
most
delightful, I am sure.”

Jupiter. Just what are my aunts thinking?

As the thought piqued her curiosity, Aunt Letitia snagged Meredith’s wrist and hauled her along as she hobbled to the front door. “This will be a perfect opportunity for you to conduct a little more research, hmm?”

Ending her words with a decidedly wicked chuckle, her aunt followed her sister and Hannah out the door and down the steps to the street.

Oh dear.
A tenseness cinched Meredith’s middle as the shocking realization dawned on her. Her aunts had given up on Chillton for her and now they had Lord Lansing lined up in their matchmaking sights.

Meredith stood at the door and waved as her aunts’ gleaming carriage, followed by Chillton’s ragtag phaeton, rolled from Hanover Square.

As she returned to the parlor and Alexander, she caught a glimpse of herself in the overmantel mirror. It pleased her to see her countenance was calm, almost serene. And yet, the sight amazed her as well, for Meredith felt as on edge and unsure of herself as when she was presented to the queen a few years ago.

“Well, now, Alexander… how did you happen to be here, already, when Chillton arrived? Your carriage could not have returned to you so quickly.”

“You’re right. Chillton gave me a ride. Jolly good of him, considering what had happened, don’t you agree?”

“I thought when I left, the two of you were far closer to exchanging blows than pleasantries.”

Alexander cocked his leg behind him and propped his foot against the doorjamb. He raised a sly brow. “Then perhaps you don’t know Chillton quite as well as you might believe.”

———

Had Alex chuckled at the confused expression that twisted Meredith’s normally beautiful face, she probably would have slapped him. And he would have deserved it too.

Of course, Meredith could not have known that it was he who’d secretly arranged for Chillton to return to London. Had she realized that he’d lured Chillton to Tattersalls by hinting at a business opportunity by way of a false letter from a nonexistent merchant, he might have earned a backhand as well.

Though, even if Meredith accused him directly of writing the letter, Alexander still could have claimed innocence—even before a man of the cloth—for, in actuality, it was Georgie—God bless him—who had helped him out with that little detail.

Yes, his plan had worked brilliantly, all right. Heated Chillton’s blood to boiling, it did.

“Your Mr. Chillton, my dear, would never allow his temper to drive him to violence.” Alexander pushed away from the doorjamb and moved toward Meredith.

She took a step backward, before something inside her steeled. Her chin lifted and she arched a brow, challenging him. “I do not agree with you.”

“Then you would be wrong.” He moved to her and took her small pale hand in his. Turning it over, he exposed her wrist to the light breaking through the parlor windows. “Why, my lovely, I could touch you like this before his very eyes,” Alexander placed the pad of his index finger into the shallow of her open palm and swirled it slowly in a circle, “and he’d do naught but ply me with a few words of caution.”