Birds of a Feather (22 page)

“Understandable. And easily rectified. He can find a new chaperon easily enough.”

“There isn’t time.”

“What happened?”

Joanna stared into the fire. “Lady Wicksfield never approved of a protracted recovery. She was willing to pay lip service to the idea because she assumed that Harriet would choose a husband based on money and prestige – or at least follow her guidance. She expected Harriet’s beauty to garner enough interest that she could play suitors against one another until one offered to give Wicksfield the money he needs. Her determination increased once we reached town. She is enjoying Society too much to willingly spend future Seasons in the country. But that would require even more money.”

“So she wants to sell the girl.” His icy tone made her flinch.

But she was shaking her head. “Worse. Selling only works with dishonorable gentlemen who can gain a wife no other way or with Cits desperate to gain access to Society’s fringes. But neither would provide what she wants.” She bit her lip. “She is determined to find the richest husband she can, hoping to dip into his purse whenever she exceeds her allowance. When we arrived home from Lady Warburton’s, she demanded that I arrange a compromise between Harriet and Reggie. I refused.”

He stared, but she was looking at her lap.

“That is another reason why I cannot ask Reggie to help. Lady Wicksfield would love to force him into offering.”

“Dear Lord.”

She met his eyes, her own filled with pain. “Exactly. Harriet won’t cooperate with such a scheme, but she may wind up the victim. Lady Wicksfield is plotting something underhanded, probably to trap Almont now that Reggie no longer goes near them. Almont is willing enough – I’ve deflected an offer for days – but I cannot allow her to sacrifice Harriet. Yet I have no idea how to prevent it. Nor do I know how to convince Wicksfield to approve Wethersby. If only he would let go of his pride! He can recoup without a loan. He’s already learned a valuable lesson, for that investment scheme was questionable from the start. But his pride could never survive becoming the butt of jokes. He usually attends Parliament, so hiding his misfortune would be impossible.”

“Do not work yourself into a megrim,” he advised, toying with a letter opener. He had himself under control again, helped by her aversion to scheming and her genuine affection for Harriet. “There are several approaches we can try.”

“Then you will talk to Lady Wicksfield?”

“That would be pointless. She hates me for elevating you, and I doubt she can influence her husband. But as soon as I confirm your assessment of Wethersby, I will speak to Wicksfield. What can you tell me about the lad? I know him only by sight.”

Her eyes warmed to the color of rich chocolate, creating the same face that had laughed with Reggie. “He is a younger son who owns a small estate in Yorkshire. His income will comfortably support a wife as long as they rarely visit London – Harriet prefers the country, by the way. Reggie may know more. With everything that happened at Lady Warburton’s, he never gave me his final report.”

“It sounds ideal, as long as Wethersby does not believe Harriet is an heiress.”

She frowned. “I doubt he expects a huge dowry, though there have been a few who did – most people still believe Wicksfield is wealthy. He never realized that hiding his problems might expose Harriet to fortune hunters. I’ve had to discourage more than one.”

“Surely she has some dowry!”

“Of course. Five thousand guineas, which was placed in trust for her at birth. He is not trying to sell her, you understand, merely obtain the loan that will hide his poor judgment.”

He nodded. “Set the problem aside,” he advised, helping her rise. “I will deal with it. I have always despised parents who manipulated their children into unsuitable unions.”

She raised her brows.

“Another time. You look exhausted, and no wonder. Get some rest. Lady Wicksfield will not force Harriet onto Almont.”

Squeezing her hand, he accompanied her upstairs, then collected hat, gloves, and walking stick, and called for his carriage. If anyone questioned his presence in the clubs, he could claim he’d left his wife asleep.

That meeting with Reggie had been to discuss Harriet’s suitors? He was not convinced he had the entire story, but it raised a glimmer of hope. Perhaps her affections were less engaged than he’d feared.

Don’t jump to conclusions.

He wouldn’t, but the future looked less grim. Gratitude alone warmed her face into genuine beauty, and she was as devoted to duty and honor as he was.

* * * *

Almont was still at White’s. It was no trick to pull him aside for private conversation.

“I heard a disturbing tale this evening,” Sedge said once they completed the preliminary social sparring. “Lady Wicksfield seems determined to force you into offering for her daughter despite knowing that the girl is in love with another. She hopes to benefit from your fortune.”

“What?” Almont’s brows snapped together.

“I agreed to meddle in your affairs because my wife desires Lady Harriet’s happiness,” he said with a sigh. “I could hardly ignore so pretty a plea.” He might as well further the image of his love match. “We both know that you need only ensure your succession. What would you do with Lady Harriet then?”

“Mother will keep her company.”

“Turn her into a drudge, more likely. Is that a fitting end for an angel?”

“Mother wouldn’t—”

“Lady Harriet comes with many drawbacks,” he said over the protest. “A demanding mother, starry-eyed innocence, a
tendre
for another man—” He winced, for the words recalled his own situation. “—and the expectation that her husband will cherish her. Surely there are girls more suited to your needs.”

“Were you about to suggest Lady Constance? She would expect no affection.”

“But she
would
expect attention. She is the clinging sort, just like her mother, and would demand constant escort, falling into megrims and hysterics at any hint of neglect. You don’t think Wadebrook hovers over his wife from choice, do you?”

“Good God! I had not considered that. Perhaps Miss Willowby would serve.”

“Perhaps. She is independent enough and has the confidence to stand up to your mother, but she would cost a fortune in upkeep. She demands the best of everything – again like her mother. What about Lady Edith Harwood? You have paid her some attention, making an offer believable. Granted, she is not beautiful, but she is old enough to understand the rules, can run your household and keep your mother in line, cares for no one but herself, and would gladly accept your name and neglect. Plus, she is honorable enough to provide an heir before she looks elsewhere for companionship. An innocent like Lady Harriet would bring you nothing but grief.”

He nodded. “A most pragmatic man. You surprise me, Lord Sedgewick. I had not thought you caring.”

“I would rather keep it that way.”

Almont smiled. “We all live behind masks. I was captivated by Harriet’s angelic voice, but you are correct. I would rarely be in a position to hear it. And this explains why Miss Patterson has seemed so distant of late.”

Sedge departed, satisfied that Almont would not be available for long. Lady Edith’s betrothal would be on everyone’s lips by the fashionable hour, or he was no judge.

His luck remained in force. Wethersby was watching a faro table at Brook’s. Again, he had no trouble drawing him aside for a private conversation.

“Lady Sedgewick claims that you wish to offer for Lady Harriet,” he began, skipping the preliminaries this time.

“Why should that concern you?” demanded Wethersby.

“My wife cares for Lady Harriet’s happiness. Are her impressions correct?”

Wethersby frowned, but nodded. “Not that I have any chance of success,” he added bitterly. “Lady Wicksfield considers my station unacceptably low. She has ordered me to keep my distance. I am not even to stand near the periphery of Harriet’s court. I doubt the earl considers me in a better light.”

“You do not know his thoughts. Nor does his wife. Can you afford marriage?”

“Harriet knows my circumstances,” he said stiffly. “They are agreeable to her. I have not spoken with Miss— Lady Sedgewick on the subject, but I had thought her opposition was softening.”

“You thought correctly. She believes you will suit, but I wanted to hear your side before speaking with Wicksfield. I will leave for the Manor in the morning. Would you care to accompany me?”

Wethersby’s eyes nearly popped from his head. “Thank you.”

“Thank my wife. Without her prompting, I would have considered meddling to be beneath my dignity. My carriage will collect you at seven.” When he left, Wethersby’s jaw was hanging open.

Ordering his valet to awaken him at dawn, he crawled into bed and slept soundly for three full hours.

* * * *

Joanna blinked at the tray Morton placed beside the bed. Next to her morning chocolate sat a pile of letters. She recognized Sedgewick’s hand on the top sheet.

Almont will not offer for Harriet, it read. I will return in a few days. Reggie can escort you until then.

The others were invitations to three balls and several routs. He must be ordering her attendance, for he had jotted notes on each one – blue silk, sarcenet ball gown, and so on.

A stab of anger at his curtness quickly faded. This was no more autocratic than his other orders. And his instructions were helping her more than she’d realized. They allowed her to issue orders to Morton, leaving the impression that she was a competent lady who made her own decisions.

It seemed that he had already dealt with Almont. His efficiency took her breath away. As did his willingness to tackle the problem. He could hardly care about Harriet’s fate, but he must have gone to Wicksfield Manor.

Warmth filled her breast. The future was looking better. Had she misjudged him? If he disliked her, he would not have responded to her plea for help. So perhaps his dislike was for the unequal union. Once he calmed down, they might reach a modicum of comfort.

In the meantime, she could only await his return. Hopefully he had told Reggie to escort her. She had no idea how to get in touch with him, for he kept rooms elsewhere. Asking Lady Glendale for information was impossible. The woman clearly despised her – and
that
hatred was personal.

With luck, she could avoid her. And since Sedgewick had said nothing about afternoon calls, she could please herself. Lady Hartford was at home today.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Harriet sought out Joanna at that night’s ball. “Have you seen Jonathan – Mr. Wethersby?” she corrected herself when Joanna frowned.

“Not this evening.”

Harriet blinked back tears. “He said he would be here. In fact, he asked me to save a waltz for him – Mama grows easier to distract every day. So where is he?” The girl had moved a long way from the clinging, fearful child who had arrived in London only a month ago.

“Some crisis probably arose. You can hardly expect him to send you a note. That would be most improper. But if anything is seriously amiss, he will contrive to let you know. At least you need no longer fear Almont. He has offered for Lady Edith.”

“I heard.” She giggled. “Mama nearly fell into hysterics in Lady Debenham’s drawing room. We skipped the rest of our calls lest she embarrass herself. She has been ranting ever since.”

Joanna glanced at Lady Wicksfield, who was clearly out of sorts despite the frigid smile pasted on her face. “You are in no danger at the moment. I would not fret unduly over Mr. Wethersby’s absence. Are you still planning that outing to Richmond?”

“We must. The invitations have already been issued. Mama is not happy about it, but there is little she can do. Almont has already declined, as has Mr. Stoverson – he disapproves of anything as frivolous as a picnic.”

“Is your mother considering him?”

Harriet frowned.

“Keep smiling,” she warned.

“Of course. She has said nothing yet, but he is the most attentive of my remaining suitors. Mr. Parkington has shifted his allegiance to Miss Mason.”

“He was never serious. The man is not ready to wed.”

“What can I do about Mr. Stoverson?”

“A little care will deflect any scheming.”

“How?”

Joanna lowered her voice. “Mention that Mr. Stoverson is too steeped in frugality to consider helping your father.”

“That will merely turn her attention to Lord Penleigh.”

“Not for a day or two. She will need that long to recover from losing Almont and to accept that Ellisham will not even speak with her let alone put himself in a position to be compromised. Is Penleigh accompanying you to Richmond?”

“Yes. As are Lord Braxton and Mr. Reynolds.”

“Braxton is a fortune hunter, so don’t ever see him alone. She might consider either of the others, but not before Tuesday. Let me know of any new plans. I am working on a way to convince your father to accept Mr. Wethersby.”

“What—”

“I can say nothing more at the moment, for I do not wish to raise your hopes without cause.” Sedgewick had to have gone to Wicksfield Manor. His intention when they had parted had been to speak with Wethersby, then with Wicksfield. Surely he would have informed her if his plans had changed. At the very least, he would have left word with Lady Glendale. Suppressing a niggling voice that questioned whether the marchioness would have shared any information, she turned the conversation to the day’s
on-dits
.

News of Almont’s betrothal had shocked those gathered at Lady Hartford’s, though most of the surprise revolved around his astute choice of bride. Few believed Almont capable of such cleverness.

She had remained silent, unsure of where the boundary lay between family loyalty and acceptable gossip. Sedgewick must have named a suitable bride and ordered Almont to settle the matter. It gave her another glimpse of the real man.

Society has seen fit to set me on a pedestal, so why should I not exercise that power? Which he did. To help others.

Warmth filled her breast.

But other gossip had revived her older fears. Brumford had left town. Despite his stated destination of Cornwall, most people believed he was bent on recovering Miss Lutterworth. His obsession had driven him to the brink of insanity.