Regency Mischief (42 page)

Striding into his own bedchamber, he summoned his valet. He would go down to Rothsay. If she was not there, he would search for her until he found her.

‘No, Lottie has not come here,’ Aunt Beth said and frowned when Nicolas asked if his wife was upstairs. ‘I thought she was enjoying herself in London with you?’

‘She was—we quarrelled and she left without a word.’

‘Whatever did you say to her, Rothsay? That is not like my Lottie. You must know that she is the most loving, caring of women and a true lady.’

‘Yes, she is,’ Nicolas admitted. ‘It is all my fault. I said things—things that I had no right to say. It is hardly to be wondered at that she grew tired of me and left me.’

‘Are you sure she has left you?’

‘She took only a few clothes and jewels that came from you or her father. Everything I had given her was left behind. I have had it all sent down here, but if she is not here…’

Aunt Beth looked at him accusingly. ‘You must have hurt her badly, sir. Lottie could not have done anything to deserve it. I know her. She is honest and loving, as different from—’ Aunt Beth broke off and shook her head. ‘Where can she be?’

‘Would she have gone to her father’s house?’

‘If she has, it will avail her nothing, sir. Her father has closed the house and put it and the land up for sale. He says that he sees no point in trying to keep up appearances now and will manage better without the estate somewhere abroad.’

‘What of Lottie’s sister?’

‘Clarice visited the house just before I returned here. She said she needed money, but I had only a few pounds
to give her. I had given her money before and so had Lottie. She did say that she was going to ask Lottie for money—apparently, she believed it was owed her, because Lottie had everything and she had nothing.’

‘Indeed?’ Nicolas’s mouth thinned. ‘I suppose that means she intended to blackmail Lottie?’

‘Lottie is fond of her sister, despite all, and would give her any money she had to spare, sir—but she would not give her anything that belonged to you.’

‘I all but accused her of doing that very thing! What am I to do, Aunt Beth? Will she forgive me?’

‘Most women would not, but Lottie has a tender heart and she may—but first you must find her.’

‘Yes, I must,’ he said. ‘I shall go to her father’s house immediately. If it has not yet been sold, she may have let herself in. After all, where else could she go?’

Where could she go now? Lottie looked at the boarded-up windows of the house where she had spent her childhood. The notices proclaimed that it had been sold, which meant it was no longer her father’s property.

She could perhaps manage to get in and spend the night, but she would be alone without a fire or food. There was nothing for it but to find an inn and take a room for the night.

‘I am sorry, Rose,’ she told her maid. ‘I had no idea that my father had sold the house. I am not sure where we can stay tonight. I do not have much money, only a few shillings. Perhaps we can find lodgings for that—or maybe the landlord would accept a piece of jewellery?’

‘You will never sell your jewellery, my lady,’ Rose said. ‘There’s no need, for I have three guineas in my reticule. I was paid before we left London and I can pay for our lodgings for one night.’

‘In the morning…we shall go to Rothsay,’ Lottie said and sighed. ‘I have some things of my own there that I can sell. I shall repay you, Rose. Rothsay is your home and you must stay there, for I shall not be able to pay you a wage. It is very good of you to share with me like this.’

‘You would do as much for me,’ Rose said and smiled at her. ‘We’d best tell coachman to take us to the nearest inn, mistress. It is getting late and we could all do with something to eat.’

‘Yes. How sensible you are,’ Lottie said and sighed. ‘I should never have given my sister Clarice all the money I had—but I felt so guilty, because I had so much.’

And now, because of what Clarice had done, she had nothing. Without Nicolas the world was an empty place. The money and jewels had never meant that much to her, but they were a part of his world—and she had wanted to belong to him.

Rose nodded. ‘Sisters are always trouble, miss. Mine used to get into scrapes all the time when we were little and because I was the eldest I got the blame.’

‘Poor Rose. Clarice and I are twins. When we were small no one could tell us apart.’

‘She would be the lady I saw coming from your room then, my lady. She was wearing a hat with veiling, but from a distance I thought it was you—but she didn’t answer when I spoke to her, just ran down the stairs, as if she were in a hurry.’

‘Yes, I dare say she was.’

Lottie’s heart ached. Why had she not put those wretched diamonds away when she went into Nicolas’s room that morning? It had not occurred to her that anyone would steal them—and only her sister would have dreamed of it. Rothsay’s servants were all too honest.

She climbed back into the coach and gave the driver the order to find the nearest inn. She had been in acute distress when she left London, but now despite the pain in her heart, she could think more clearly.

What was she to do with her life? As Rothsay’s wife she had had a purpose: the clearance of the Hollow and the setting up of a school for the tenants’ children were just two of the plans she had made. Even had Nicolas visited only a few times a year, it would have been enough—or would it?

If Lottie were honest with herself, she knew that she wanted much more. She wanted Nicolas to love her as much as she loved him. He wanted her. His lovemaking had been passionate, even desperate at times, but he did not love her.

There was also Aunt Beth to consider. She knew her aunt could not live on her small income. Lottie would have to find work and support them both. Her pride had prevented her taking anything that Nicolas had given her, but perhaps she might accept a small part of the allowance he had made her for her aunt’s sake.

No! She wanted nothing from him. He thought her a thief and a cheat. Somehow she would manage alone—but she must return to Rothsay and collect her things. Perhaps Aunt Beth could remain at the estate until Lottie had had time to find a small cottage for them and a
position of some kind, though she hardly knew what she was fitted for. Unless she could be a teacher in a charity school? The wage would be very small, but there might be some accommodation with the job.

The worrying thoughts went round and round in her head. She must find a way of making her living somehow.

Nicolas stared at the empty house. The sold notice meant it was too late. If Lottie came here, she would know she could not stay. Where would she go then?

He wondered how much money she had left from her quarterly allowance. He doubted it could be much after her visit to the fashionable seamstresses in London. Besides, her aunt said she would have given what she had left to Clarice.

How had her sister managed to steal those wretched diamonds from under Lottie’s nose? She must have turned her back or left the room for a moment, of course. It was his fault for leaving the necklace on the dressing chest instead of giving it to Lottie when he saw her. He wished that he could go back to that day—he would do anything if he could only unsay those awful words.

Lottie might go to Bath—but she had never visited her house there and could not know exactly where it was situated. Besides, if she had not taken her clothes and jewels, she would not think of living in the house he had given her.

Would she try to find work? Had she stayed at an inn? Or would she go to Rothsay? Many of her things were stored there. She would need them if she intended to live independently.

How foolish of her! She could not hope to survive on the wage that she would earn as…a teacher. Yes, he imagined she would try for something of the sort. However he had assuaged some of his guilt over his wife’s hasty departure—he had told Aunt Beth that she was on no account to think of leaving his house.

‘You will oblige me by living here, ma’am, and I shall make certain that you have an allowance—unless you are too proud or angry with me to accept it?’

‘I have no intention of cutting off my nose to spite my face, Rothsay,’ Aunt Beth told him. ‘At my age I cannot afford to be too proud. Besides, I shall pray that Lottie will come to her senses. I feel that she really loves you and would be miserable apart from you. She would be greatly missed here, you know. Everyone loves her.’

‘Yes, I am certain she was meant to be mistress of a house like this and why should she not continue as before? If she cannot forgive me, I will promise to keep my distance—but she is my wife and I shall not divorce her or permit her to divorce me.’

‘That is foolish talk, sir.’ Aunt Beth sighed. ‘Have you learned nothing? Lottie may be coaxed, my lord, but she will not be bullied.’

‘I did not mean…’ Nicolas looked rueful. ‘It is my damnable temper again.’

‘You must learn to curb it, sir.’

‘You are very right, ma’am. I must.’

Should he return to Rothsay and wait for Lottie—or should he make a tour of the district and discover if she had stayed at a local inn?

If she returned to Rothsay, Aunt Beth would do her
best to keep her there until he returned. She would be safe and comfortable, but if she were staying at an inn without much money she might be in trouble.

‘L
ottie, you foolish girl!’ Aunt Beth rose from her chair and went forwards to embrace her. ‘I have been worried out of my mind. Rothsay was here. He was convinced that you had left him.’

‘Well, I have—or that was my intention,’ Lottie said. ‘Father has sold the house, but I suppose you knew that?’

‘Yes. He gave me twenty-four hours to leave so I came here.’ Aunt Beth looked at her anxiously. ‘What else could I do, Lottie?’

‘You did exactly right,’ Lottie told her. ‘I want you to stay here, dearest, just until I can find somewhere for us to live.’

‘Could we not live at your house in Bath, if you will not stay here?’

‘The house belongs to Rothsay. I want nothing of his, Aunt. He accused me of stealing his diamonds.’

‘I don’t know exactly what went on between you, my
dear, but I do know that he is sincerely sorry for what he said to you, Lottie. Do you not think you could forgive him?’

‘You do not understand, dearest,’ Lottie said and held back a sob. ‘It is not just because of the diamonds. Oh, Aunt Beth, I love him so much. I thought I could accept this marriage of convenience, but it hurts too much.’

‘Of course it does,’ her aunt said. ‘You have been in love with him almost from the start, I think?’

‘Yes. I thought I could pretend to be the kind of wife he wants and needs. Rothsay does not want love from me. He merely desires a complaisant wife and an heir. I do not think I can be what he needs, Aunt.’

‘Are you certain that he wants only that, Lottie?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘He has gone to your father’s house to look for you. He seems genuinely distressed, my love. Could you not allow him to apologise to you? He has been good to us—to me. He has given me an allowance and told me this is my home. Even if we went elsewhere I should have a decent living. There are not so many men who would be as generous in the circumstances, Lottie.’

‘No, Nicolas is the most generous of men—that is why it hurts all the more. How could he imagine that I would want to steal from him?’

‘I dare say he is very sorry for having thought it, Lottie.’ Her aunt gave her a shrewd look. ‘Have you thought what will happen to the people here if you leave just like that? There may be no more improvements to the Hollow and certainly no school for the children.’

‘Oh, do not remind me,’ Lottie said. ‘I feel so guilty. If I stayed for a few days just to make sure everything is
in order… Perhaps it would be best to discuss the future with Rothsay. He may wish to divorce me. He must have an heir and he will need a wife.’

‘Just so,’ her aunt said and smiled. ‘Besides, you must think carefully where you wish to go and what you will do. If you have a situation when you leave here, it will be more comfortable for you—and of course you will have to revert to your own name, Lottie.’

‘Yes, I suppose I shall.’ Lottie looked at her left hand. She would hate to take off her wedding ring, but it would probably be for the best. ‘I shall wait for a few days at least. In the meantime I must find a way to sell a few of my possessions. I have some silver items that were my share of Mama’s things…’

‘You would never sell those, Lottie?’ Her aunt looked shocked.

‘I may have to. It is either that or the brooch Papa gave me for my wedding.’

‘Better that than your mother’s things. Besides, I have a little money left. What do you need?’

‘I owe Rose three guineas. She paid for our lodgings—and I should like to give her a little more.’

‘I will give you five guineas for her, Lottie. You can always repay me when you have money again.’

‘Yes…’ Lottie frowned. ‘I had promised Lily Blake money for her dressmaking establishment. Perhaps I could ask Rothsay if he would consider giving her the money himself.’

‘Did you not know?’ Aunt Beth looked surprised.

‘Lily came here while you were away. She wanted to tell you that she had the money and had decided to go to
Northampton and set up in business for herself. I thought you must have sent it to her?’

Lottie shook her head. ‘No, I meant to do it when I returned. I wonder…do you think Nicolas could have sent her something?’

‘I imagine he thought recompense was needed after what happened, though it was scarcely his fault, Lottie. Sam Blake was a fugitive from the law and any of the landowners around here would have told their keepers to shoot on sight. Rothsay did not instruct Larkin to do that, but the man acted within the law.’

‘It is a bad law and should be changed. If I were a man, I should do something about it.’

‘Well, perhaps your husband will one day, Lottie. If you guided his thoughts, he might do a great deal of good—as you could yourself if you stay here.’

‘What are you up to, Aunt?’

‘I am only asking you to reconsider,’ her aunt said. ‘I understand why you ran away—but men are sometimes wrong-headed, Lottie. They make mistakes. My husband was often misguided and even careless, but I forgave him—and I loved him. Your mother loved your father until the day she died, and she forgave him far worse.’

‘Yes…’ Lottie’s throat caught with emotion. ‘I know. Mama said we must always give others the benefit of the doubt—but Nicolas thinks
I
am a thief. How can I stay with a man who has such a low opinion of me? Papa always knew Mama was good, even though he let her down so many times.’

‘Well, you must decide,’ her aunt said. ‘But at least let him have the chance to apologise.’

‘I suppose I ought to speak to him. We must try to be civilised and make certain that the scandal is kept to a minimum.’

Lottie decided to walk to the lake. She had been back for three days now and Nicolas had not come home. Perhaps he had gone back to London. She was not certain what she ought to do for the best. Aunt Beth insisted she should wait for a while and speak to Nicolas and the servants were all so pleased to see her back home.

It was her home. She felt relaxed and comfortable here even though her heart ached. Having visited the Hollow and seen how much improvement had been made in the past weeks, she knew that it would be a crime if the work did not continue. The vicar had called on her, asking if she meant to set up her school and begging her to consider his curate for the post of teacher.

‘Bernard is a good man and would do well in a local school, my lady. His stipend is very little and the poor lad cares for his sick mother. He cannot hope for preferment for some years, because he has no influential family to help him. If you could see your way to giving him a chance, he would repay you.’

‘Well, I shall certainly interview Mr Bernard,’ she said.

The young man did indeed sound exactly what she had hoped to find. His duties would be light and would not prevent him carrying out his work at the church, for the hours were compatible.

If only she could continue as she had been until the disastrous visit to London. Lottie wished that she had not taken it into her head to try to make Nicolas jealous.
The last night she had spent with him had shown her how very much she loved him, and left a constant ache about her heart. She was no longer satisfied to be a complaisant wife. She wanted to be loved and needed. Nothing less would do for her now. It would probably be better if she left before Nicolas returned. Aunt Beth was settled here and she need not worry about her. Lottie could establish herself somewhere and then her aunt…

Her thoughts were suspended as she saw a man walking towards her. For a moment she thought it was Nicolas and her heart raced. Then, as he came nearer, she saw that it was Bertie Fisher.

Lottie liked her friendly neighbour, but at the moment she would have preferred to be alone.

‘Lady Rothsay,’ he said and swept off his hat. ‘I thought I might find you here. There was a great deal of talk when you did not attend the duchess’s ball. People were speculating that you had left Rothsay. I decided to come down and investigate.’

‘I am grateful for your concern, sir. It was just a little headache that kept me from that engagement. I am much better now.’

‘You must know that I am your good friend, Lottie. If you are in some trouble, it would be my pleasure to help you.’

‘You are very kind, sir.’ Lottie smiled as she saw his earnest expression. ‘I think I have been a little foolish, but there is nothing you can do to help.’

‘Is Rothsay treating you properly? When he first announced the marriage, I thought it was merely because the family needed an heir, but I’ve changed my mind.’

‘Have you—why?’

Lottie took the arm he offered and they turned back towards the house. She smiled up at him, because he was a good friend.

‘Oh, because of the way he looks at you, and the way he acted on the night of the duchess’s ball. He seemed like a man in torment.’

‘Perhaps he was thinking of his lost love?’

‘Lady Elizabeth Madison?’ Bertie shook his head. ‘I happen to know for a fact that she received a rebuff from him quite recently. I have it on the best authority—her own—that he turned down the offer of an affair. She was most put out and told me in a fit of temper. I do not think you need concern yourself about that lady. Any man who preferred that scold would have to be mad.’

‘Oh, Bertie, you are a darling.’ Lottie reached up to kiss his cheek. He grinned and kissed her back. It was not until they resumed walking that she realised Nicolas was coming towards them and had seen their embrace.

‘Lottie—’ Nicolas’s expression was cold and angry ‘—I have been looking everywhere for you. What am I to infer from this—are you leaving me for Fisher?’

‘Come off it, old chap,’ Bertie said. ‘No need to jump to conclusions. I’m a great admirer of your wife, but wouldn’t dream of coming between you. What you saw—well, it wasn’t what you think.’

‘I was speaking to my wife.’ Nicolas glared at her. ‘If you will grant me a few minutes alone with Lottie, sir. I need to clear the air.’

‘Not if you’re going to bite her head off again.’ Bertie squared his shoulders. ‘I ain’t one for quarrelling, but I ain’t prepared to stand by and see you make Lady Rothsay’s life a misery.’

‘Going to challenge me to a duel? You can’t be serious, Bertie. You know you don’t stand a chance against me.’

‘Have a damned good try.’ Bertie looked stubborn. ‘Lady’s honour and all that…’

‘Please do not be stupid, either of you!’ Lottie lost her temper. ‘You are both being ridiculous. I refuse to be a bone of contention between friends. It was a friendly kiss because I was miserable, Rothsay—and if you can’t believe that, it is best I leave at the first opportunity.’

Lottie ran past them and into the house.

How dared they fight over her? Lottie was furious as she went up to her room. Why was Nicolas always so swift to think the worst of her? First he accused her of selling the diamonds, now he imagined she was conducting a clandestine affair with Bertie Fisher, of all people! He must still believe she was truly like Clarice.

She felt so ashamed. Aunt Beth thought she should continue to live under Nicolas’s roof, but how could she? If Clarice was back in England for good it would only be a short time before people discovered that Lady Rothsay had a sister—and Clarice’s reputation could ruin her. Between them, they would bring shame on Nicolas’s proud name and his family.

She must leave as soon as she had spoken to Nicolas. It might be better if she went abroad. Nicolas must be regretting the day he offered marriage to Clarice and then ended up with her sister.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she bent her head, covering her face with her hands. She could no longer hold back the tears. It had been foolish to come back here.
She should have found somewhere to live and sent for her personal things. When the door opened, she refused to look up.

‘I am sorry, Lottie. Bertie is a good friend to us both and I am a fool for being jealous of any man who looks at you.’

‘No, please, Nicolas,’ Lottie said and looked at him. She wiped the back of her hand across her eyes. ‘It is mere foolishness. I understand why you despise me—my sister is a thief. Her morals are not those of a decent young woman and you think me her equal. I am sorry. I should never have agreed to take her place.’

‘Do you regret it for your sake or mine?’

Lottie’s eyes closed for a moment, then she looked at him. ‘For both our sakes, Nicolas. I find it does not please me to be the kind of wife you require—and I am certain you must wish you had never seen either Clarice or me.’

‘Your sister is certainly a problem,’ Nicolas admitted. ‘I had hoped she might stay in France and not trouble us, but I dare say a way to control her excesses may be found.’

‘What do you mean?’ Lottie wiped her cheeks with a lace kerchief. Her eyes widened as he sat on the edge of the bed beside her. ‘Clarice cares for no one. She must have known I would guess she had taken the diamonds.’

‘She thought you would not give her up to the authorities. Do not fear, my love. I have no intention of handing your sister over to a magistrate. For one thing it would cause a scandal for us, and another—I owe her something for tearing up the contract, as I did. Though she
herself did not sign it, she could have found a way to sue me for breach of contract had she chosen.’

‘If she guessed that, I dare say she might,’ Lottie said and gave him a watery smile. ‘You were right, she is a thief. I am sorry you were forced to buy back the diamonds, Nicolas.’

‘Be damned to the wretched things. They mean nothing to me. I would have left them in the bank, but I thought you might like to wear them.’

‘I should have done if Clarice had not stolen them.’

‘Why did you not tell me at once, as soon as you discovered the theft?’

‘I knew only Clarice could have taken them. I went into your room to recover my pearls, which I left the previous evening—and when I returned she was there. She asked for money. I gave her what I had—and then after she had gone I discovered the necklace was missing. I wanted to tell you but I was ashamed of what she had done—and even if she is a thief she is my sister…’

‘You thought I might have her arrested for theft?’ Nicolas nodded. ‘I had Blake arrested, didn’t I? You could not know that I would have given him a lenient sentence and had him released early on promise of good behaviour. Believe me, Lottie. I had no wish to see the man hang or be given a long prison sentence.’