Never a Bride (12 page)

“What does the chit want in return?”

“Mirabella?” Camden frowned. He didn’t like the tone of voice his father used when he referred to her. “The conditions are from me, not her.”

“Oh, of course, I see.”

“Starting tomorrow morning, I will be in complete charge of the finances in this family. You are to have papers drawn up and signed tomorrow morning giving me control over your accounts, your debts, your holdings.”

His father rose from his chair. “See here, Camden. That’s going too far.”

Camden kept his gaze steady on his father’s. “Maybe, but that’s the way it has to be. I want to meet with all your creditors. First on the list will be the man who holds the mortgage on your lands. I only hope I have enough funds to take care of immediate needs, buy back the mortgages and keep the town house, too.”

“Listen to him, Wilson,” his mother said. “I think it’s time you do this. You have never had control when it comes to money.”

The earl nodded.

“Mama, on the way home I stopped by a dressmaker and made arrangements for a seamstress to be here at eleven o’clock tomorrow morning. She will fit you for new gowns and dresses.” He looked at his father. “And you, sir, need a new suit of clothes, too.”

“Oh, Camden, you know we don’t have the money.”

“Any money you were to spend on us, put it to Hudson. He needs it. We don’t go out anymore.”

“That is about to change. We will all attend the party at the Chesterfields’ Saturday night, and my fiancée will be on my arm. It’s time the two of you came out of hiding. We have to show a united front to the
ton
that we are delighted to welcome Miss Whittingham into our hearts and our family. She is my fiancée, and I don’t want any more gossip about her. I need you to help me stop that. Is that understood? If anyone should hint at any indiscretion by her, you are to shame them and tell them they are out of line.”

“But of course. We understand, and we’ll do whatever you want us to.”

“Now, if Hudson needs a new suit of clothes, I’ll see he gets them after you two are taken care of.”

“Oh, Camden, I knew things would be better when you came home. I knew you would take care of everything. Thank you for coming home to save us.”

“Wait, Mama. Father hasn’t agreed to my conditions.”

Camden and his mother turned to the earl, but he remained quiet.

“Wilson?” his wife said.

“I don’t think our son’s conditions are necessary, but all right. I’ll sign everything over to you as soon as the papers are ready. I’ve made such a mess of everything that, without your help, I don’t have anything anyway. I just want your mother to be properly cared for.”

“Father, we need to pay the most pressing debts. We’ll work on that tomorrow. Now, there’s one other thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I want to know if you have been putting pressure on Hudson to offer for Miss Pemberton?”

“What? No pressure was needed. He loves that young lady, and she is a perfect match.”

Camden saw guilt in his father’s eyes. He knew what he was about to do was best. “He may. But I won’t allow you to let him offer for her until the family finances are out of trouble.”

“That’s madness. What if someone else offers for her in the duration? He’ll never forgive us. It could very well happen. She’s a catch.”

Camden remembered the way they looked at each other and felt a moment of guilt himself. He wasn’t thrilled to be doing this to Hudson.

“If she loves only him, she’ll ask her father to wait. In the meantime, if that does happen, we will surely get wind of it and can proceed as necessary. I’m sure Miss Pemberton has already made it clear to her father that she wants to hear from no one but Hudson.”

“We could use the money we’d get from her dowry to help pay our creditors, Camden. This is insane.”

“No, Father. Getting money by dowry to pay your gaming debts is what’s insane. And we won’t do it again. Once was enough. Now, are we in complete agreement?”

His father stood his ground for a moment. Norine eased to the edge of her chair.

“Yes,” the earl finally answered.

Camden breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m going up to my room. Have dinner sent up to me.”

Turning from his parents, Camden headed up the short flight of stairs. There was no turning back for him. He would have to send word to his lawyer in America tomorrow to start liquidating his holdings over there.

He had enough cash in London to take care of the most immediate needs of his family, but to completely clear his family of all the debt his father had incurred through the years, he needed the assets he had built up in America—and he needed them fast.

It was a bitter pill to swallow. He had hoped to have the money to be his own man and not depend on his father’s title or lands. Instead, he found himself making his family whole again. But now he would manage the lands and not let his father have enough money to gamble away.

He had also done something else he never expected to do. He had put himself at the mercy of a woman.

His stomach tightened. A very desirable woman.

Mirabella was seldom nervous. She didn’t make decisions lightly. She always thought them over carefully, in detail, which gave her ample reason to believe she would always make the right choice, thereby giving her confidence in whatever was at hand. But standing in the foyer of the Chesterfields’ home in her sage-colored evening gown, with diamonds and emeralds sparkling from her ears and around her neck, her insides were trembling.

It was later than half past ten and there was no sign of Camden. A crowd of curious onlookers gathered round, desperately trying not to look like they were watching her, but she knew they were. Some threw curious glimpses her way and others issued chilly stares. She had noticed older ladies talking behind their wide-spreading fans and debutantes whispering behind gloved hands.

And why not? She and Archer had remained just inside the doorway since their entrance fifteen minutes ago.

Yellow light from the candles lit the gilt and marble room with a soft, romantic glow. Music from softly played violins could barely be heard above the constant roar of talking, laughing and moving about of the more than two hundred people who filled the grand house.

Archer coughed into his handkerchief, and then said to Mirabella, “Maybe we should go inside and find Lord Stonehurst. I don’t like the draft here at the door, and I’m beginning to feel like a small fish in a rather large bowl.”

Mirabella smiled at him. He was such a dear, patient gentleman to put up with all that she had put him through these last few days. He was a true friend to her and her father.

“No, Uncle. The plan is for us to wait for him here. I think it was his desire that we be the center of attention before he shows.”

“If that’s the case, we’re a huge success.” In a lower voice he grumbled, “However, it’s easy for him to tell us what we must do when he’s not the one standing here just inside the doorway looking like a piece of the statuary.”

Mirabella laughed as she imagined a statue of Archer. He was short for a man and more than a bit paunchy around his middle. Most of the statuary Mirabella had seen showed the male form looking like Adonis or Michelangelo’s great statue of David. Archer didn’t have the physique to compete.

“I have total trust that Camden knows what he is doing.”

“Hmm. No doubt whatever it is, it’s something he picked up when he was across the sea with the unmannerly Americans.”

“My faith in him is not diminished because he is late or because of what he may have learned while he was away.”

Archer sniffed. “Your confidence is admirable. Yes, well, since he is the one doing us the favor in rescuing your reputation from certain ruin, we do need to allow him to do it his way.”

“Exactly.”

“I do wish he’d get on with it.”

“Oh, Uncle, you have no patience. I’ve seen at least two young ladies walking by and giving me unpleasant expressions. I think it must be that they are not happy I’m keeping you so long from the party.”

He quirked a bushy eyebrow at her and glowed with pleasure. “Truly? I hadn’t noticed.”

Mirabella smiled, then softly laughed out loud. Archer couldn’t fib any better than she could.

A few minutes later, she watched as a young gentleman named Sir Thomas Rollinson approached her. He had dashing good looks with sky blue eyes, soft brown hair and was well below the average height of most young men. Her senses heightened. He was on her list of possible suspects.

Good heavens, what was she thinking? There would be no trips into the garden with him tonight or ever, thanks to Camden’s return. She had to find some other way to see the crook of his neck and the only idea she had at present was to sneak her way into the gentlemen’s clubs.

“Good evening, Miss Whittingham. Mr. Hornbeck.”

Archer barely nodded to the young man. Mirabella said, “How do you do, Mr. Rollinson?”

“Very well, thank you. Lovely weather we’re having tonight.”

“Indeed,” Archer said in a bored-to-tears tone.

Mr. Rollinson cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Might I say you look simply ravishing this evening, Miss Whittingham.”

Mirabella smiled at him. “Thank you, sir. That is most kind of you.”

“I couldn’t help but notice you’ve been standing here for a few minutes. The buffet is being served. Mr. Hornbeck, I was wondering if you would allow me to escort Miss Whittingham inside for you?”

Archer patted his forehead with his handkerchief, before giving the young man a look of dismissal. “No, I’m afraid I can’t do that, Mr. Rollinson. We’re waiting for someone.”

Undaunted, Mr. Rollinson said, “And may I ask who that might be?”

“That would be Viscount Stonehurst, sir,” Camden said walking up behind Mr. Rollinson. “And I am present. You will excuse us, won’t you, while I escort Miss Whittingham inside?”

“By all means, my lord. I didn’t realize you were here. Pardon me for intruding.” He smiled at Mirabella, bowed and walked away.

“You are late, sir,” Archer grumbled.

“I’m afraid that is the story of my life, Mr. Hornbeck. I offer apologies to you and Miss Whittingham.”

Archer lifted Mirabella’s hand and delivered her over to Camden who wrapped her fingers in the palm of his hand and gave her fingers a slight squeeze. Mirabella felt a delicious skittering of desire tighten her insides at his touch. Pleasing warmth spread through her.

She curtsied before him and whispered, “My lord.”

He kissed the back of first one hand and then the other while keeping his gaze only on her face. “You are very lovely tonight, Mirabella. I don’t know which is sparkling more, your eyes or the emeralds and diamonds you wear.”

“Nothing could outshine your gift. Thank you again. They are beautiful. My father was most impressed.”

“It’s about time I did something to impress him.” Camden turned to the older, impeccably dressed man standing beside him. Without introduction, Mirabella knew him to be Camden’s father, and the quite pale and frail looking woman standing beside the earl had to be Camden’s mother. If not for the grape-colored gown she wore and the colorful flowers in her headpiece, Mirabella was sure the countess would not have a hint of pink in her cheeks. “May I present my father, Earl Lockshaven. Father, this is Miss Mirabella Whittingham, and her chaperone, Mr. Archer Hornbeck.”

The earl took her hand and kissed it. They exchanged polite greetings and smiles.

“May I present Countess Lockshaven.”

“How do you do, Countess?” Mirabella greeted her with a curtsy.

“You are as lovely as I’ve heard,” the countess said with a beaming smile. “We welcome you to our family.”

“Thank you, my lady. It is my pleasure to meet you at last. My father has spoken well of your family for years.”

“And I believe you’ve met my brother, Hudson,” Camden said.

“Yes, we were introduced last Season.”

“Indeed, we were introduced. I believe I met your cousin as well. My condolences. I heard of her untimely death.”

Shock thundered through Mirabella. He had mentioned Sarah. She couldn’t believe it. “Thank you,” she mumbled. “It’s very kind of you to remember her.”

Over the years, she’d found that most people chose to pretend that Sarah wasn’t around. At their parents’ urgings, young bachelors would dance with Sarah, but not a one had ever called on her. No one except Prince Charming, and he had come to their house in the dark of night entirely in secret. Only a few of the older ladies of the
ton,
with unmarried daughters of their own, had even mentioned Sarah since the current Season started.

“How are you, Miss Whittingham?” Hudson bowed and kissed her hand.

“Very well, thank you.” As the words faded from her lips, she saw a red patch of skin just above his neckcloth on the left side of his neck.

Mirabella’s breath quickened. Could that be the beginning of a raised thick scar? Her mind swirled with possibilities. She thought back. Lord Hudson wasn’t on her list of suspects, but that was only because Mirabella hadn’t found his name on any of Sarah’s dance cards, and he was quite tall.

Sarah had mentioned that her Prince Charming was shorter than most men. Mirabella wouldn’t have considered Hudson short, but he had been one of the few members of the
ton
to even mention Sarah. Was it possible that Sarah’s seducer was the brother of her betrothed? Merciful heavens! She had to know. But how?

The conversation continued around her, and Mirabella didn’t know how but was sure she answered each question appropriately. She couldn’t avert her attention from Hudson’s neck. What she wouldn’t do to reach over and slip her little finger down his neckcloth and search down to his collarbone as she had with the others. She couldn’t very well do that for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that his entire family had her surrounded.

“Mirabella?”

Her gaze snapped to Camden. “Oh, I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“Are you ready to go in and dance before we dine?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

“Why don’t you let me escort her in, Camden?” his father said. “And I would like a dance with her, too, if you don’t mind.”

Camden looked at his father and nodded. “I think that both would be good and appropriate.”

The earl offered his arm to Mirabella and Camden offered his to Countess Lockshaven. The people who had gathered around the entrance to watch them parted and backed away. Mirabella and the earl walked through the opening in the crowd and made their way to the dance floor.

Mirabella heard her name whispered and gasps of surprise as she passed the curious partygoers, but the only thing on her mind was how in the world was she going to find out if Camden’s younger brother had a scar on his neck?

The evening progressed much as they all had since Mirabella debuted four years ago. She twirled, swayed, skipped and glided as Camden and other young gentlemen led her across the dance floor into every appropriate turn, dance after dance. Camden was charming and attentive but not overly so.

Some of the guests must have heard that she had allowed certain liberties, but it was clear not everyone had. She was too well received for that to have happened. For the first time since her father had made the match, she felt as if she truly was engaged. It was a bittersweet feeling because she knew it wouldn’t last.

Camden was an excellent dancer, not missing a step when she danced with him. Even though their engagement was a stratagem, Mirabella felt secure with him. She liked the strength she felt in him when he took hold of her gloved hands or when his hand lightly touched the small of her back or skimmed the top of her shoulder. She loved it when he smiled at her and, when he was talking with someone else, how his eyes searched for her among the crowd.

Shortly after midnight, they joined his parents again and dined from a buffet table laden with fish that had simmered in a wine sauce, pheasant covered in sherry-raisin gravy and a platter of braised beef surrounded by tenderly cooked vegetables.

After the meal they said good-bye to his family, but she and Camden stayed at the ball and danced again with each other and with other partners. They walked the ballroom and chatted with dukes, earls and a host of untitled attendees. Most of the ladies greeted her with friendly smiles and pleasant words. Only one countess had been cold as a cod and seemed to want to be anywhere but in Mirabella’s presence.

Finally Mirabella pleaded that she needed to go to the ladies’ retiring room. Once there, she sat down on one of the moiré-covered benches and closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself. Maybe, with Camden’s help, she could salvage her reputation after all. Maybe the gossip about her escapades hadn’t started and wouldn’t.

“Miss Whittingham?”

Mirabella’s eyes fluttered open. A short, slightly rounded young lady with beautiful red hair and light brown eyes stood before her. Mirabella didn’t recognize her, but she wore a friendly expression.

Mirabella smiled and said, “Yes?”

“I’m Countess Glenbrighton. You might not remember me, but we were introduced two years ago. My husband, Albert Farebrother, Earl of Glenbrighton, and your fiancé have been friends since boyhood. And, I believe, their fathers were friends since childhood.”

“Yes, I remember we met some time ago,” Mirabella said, but truly could not place ever having met the countess. She rose to stand with the young lady. “How have you been?”

“Oh, perfect. I delivered my first child, a boy, ten months ago.”

It was clear from the glow on Countess Glenbrighton’s face that this baby was the joy of her life. “Wonderful for you and the earl,” Mirabella said. “I’m sure your babe is strong and healthy and a constant pleasure.”

“He is, thank you. I’ve just discovered I’m expecting again.”

“You have reason to celebrate. That is happy news for you and your husband.”

“Yes. He’s thrilled. I wanted to renew our acquaintance in hopes the earl and I could have a small dinner party for you and Lord Stonehurst in honor of his return and your engagement.”

“What a lovely thing to want to do, Countess.” Mirabella was touched by the woman’s generous offer. Because Mirabella had always had Sarah in whom to confide, she hadn’t made a lot of friends since her debut.

Countess Glenbrighton laid a gloved hand on Mirabella’s forearm. “Please call me Irene. I know we will be good friends because our husbands are so close.”

“All right, Irene. I have to admit that I’m still getting used to the idea of Lord Stonehurst being home.”

“And no wonder. His absence must have been troublesome for you. As soon as Albert and I made the match, we were able to begin our wedding plans, and now we have a handsome son.”

“There are truly advantages to a fiancé being available.”

“I know you must be eager to get started on your arrangements.”

Mirabella smiled. She might as well get used to these kinds of comments. She had to pretend her wedding would occur. “Yes, though we haven’t begun yet. He’s so recently returned. Perhaps I could call on you one afternoon.”

“Countess Glenbrighton!” a woman’s shrill voice rang sharply throughout the small room.