Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series) (19 page)

Arriving at the Deerdan residence, Chalifour
was greeted warmly by Lady Deerdan. Lady Deerdan was a plump, older
woman with blond hair fading to grey.

"You don't look a day older than the last
time I saw you, Lady Deerdan. How do you manage to stay so
youthful?" Chalifour said.

Lady Deerdan's eyelashes fluttered and she
preened a moment. "You are overly kind, Lord Chalifour. It's been
so long since we saw you! You know, our daughter, Lady Vera, has
reached that time in her life where she will be a frequent visitor
at Almacks. Why she's still got that fresh bloom of youth on her!
I'm certain she would enjoy seeing you there. Do you plan on
attending any events at Almacks this year?" Lady Deerdan asked
coyly, batting her lashes at him.

Chalifour suppressed a smile at Lady
Deerdan's very obvious attempts at matchmaking. "I am sure it would
be a great pleasure to dance with your daughter at Almacks.
However, I fear I will need to wade through throngs of suitors. I
hear she is quite popular." He leaned toward her conspiratorially,
"I've also heard Lord Perdan might have an interest in Lady Vera.
Has he called on her yet?"

Chalifour had no idea why he asked her that
question. He suspected, however, that Lady Deerdan would prove to
be a thorn in Perdan's side if she thought Perdan had an interest
in her daughter. It was well known in the ton that the woman was
intent on her daughter marrying well. Men of all ages and stripes
were dodging the woman. Setting Lady Deerdan on Perdan might keep
him too preoccupied to harass Lucy.

Lady Deerdan's eyes sparkled and she smiled,
"You're quite right. She has a great many suitors to choose from.
She's being very selective, of course."

Chalifour smiled inwardly. Lady Vera was
rather homely and if she had a great many suitors, they were far
more likely interested in her considerable dowry than in her
charms."By the by, how has your nephew, Dr. Willets been?" Lady
Deerdan had married well above her station and acquired title, but
she had never acquired a son. She doted on her sister's son,
promoting him in society at her every opportunity.

Lady Deerdan looked at him curiously. "Why,
he's very well." She probably wondered why he was asking.

"I understand that his practice has been
thriving."

"Yes, he's been spectacularly successful,"
she gushed. "I wasn't aware that you had made his
acquaintance."

"Sadly, we've not been formally introduced. I
was actually hoping to remedy that in the very near future."

"I'm sure you're aware he travels to see his
patients, so he's in and out of Town." She dropped her voice
conspiratorially, "His patients are mostly members of the haute ton
and gentry, you know."

"The station of his patients obviously
reflects the high level of his skills."

"Yes, they do." She beamed with pride.

"So is Dr. Willets currently in Town?"

"Why, yes, I do believe you are in luck. He
paid us a call the day before yesterday, though he was planning to
leave tomorrow to make rounds among his patients. Would you like me
to give you his address?"

"Please, I'll call on him today."

Lady Deerdan peered at him, eyebrows raised,
"Are you in poor health? You look so fit." In all likelihood, she
was reassessing his candidacy as a potential match for her
daughter.

Chalifour laughed. "No, I'm fine. We have a
mutual friend who may have use of his skills."

"I see. That's good. Well, not about your
friend, I mean, but about you. Though I don't wish any ill on your
friend either," she said hurriedly.

"I understand your meaning. Thank you. I’ll
take my leave of you to call on Dr. Willets. I'll give him your
regards."

Chalifour left and went directly to the
address Lady Deerdan had given him for her nephew, Dr. Willets.
Arriving there he surveyed the handsome brick residence with dentil
moulding along the cornice and a fanlight at the top of the front
door. He had apparently not misspoken. The residence did indeed
reflect the status of a well respected and sought after physician,
which explained why he was likely the treating physician for Lucien
Goodwin. Chalifour was admitted straight away to see Dr. Willets,
who greeted him with a quizzical expression.

"Thank you for seeing me. I know we've not
been formally introduced, though I am well aware of your sterling
reputation."

"I appreciate those kind words, Lord
Chalifour. How may I assist you?"

"Dr. Willets, I believe you are treating a
very dear friend of mine who was recently injured. I'm ashamed to
admit I've been in Town and not had the opportunity to call on him
since the accident. I was wondering if I might be able to inquire
of his health?"

"To whom are you referring?"

"Lucien Goodwin."

"What is it that you wish to know?"

"How is he faring?"

"He's recovering now, but he was near death
right after the accident."

On a hunch, Chalifour said, "That's what I've
heard. How long was he unconscious?"

"How did you know he was unconscious?"

"I just assumed he probably was if he was
near death. I was concerned because sometimes people don't recover
well if they have been unconscious for a period of time. So, what
precisely has been the extent of his injuries and will he fully
recover? Both mentally and physically."

"I don't ordinarily speak about my patients,
but, since you are obviously quite concerned, let me explain.
Lucien's injuries were severe. He was in and out of consciousness
for nearly two weeks before he started to become lucid again.
During that time, I enhanced his periods of unconsciousness with
laudanum I prescribed. You see, I was fairly sure he had broken his
leg, or at the very least, had fractured it. I wanted to make sure
he was getting a lot of rest. It helps the healing, you see. As it
turns out, his leg was fractured, but not broken. I wasn't even
sure if Lucien would live at first. But he's young and strong, so
he's on the mend finally. I believe he will fully recover mentally,
probably physically too. Though it remains to be seen."

Chalifour blinked. He was dumbfounded.

Chalifour pounded his fist on his desk. He
paced his study at the townhouse, not actually seeing anything
before him. Lucy had lied to him! Lucien had been unconscious for
weeks after his accident! He'd also been taking laudanum! There was
no way Lucien signed that contract. Chalifour hammered the table
again.
Damn it!
He had known something wasn't right, but he
had ignored his instincts.

Lucy had to have forged the document. Why?
Why would she do that? She had placed herself in jeopardy of prison
and to what end? Lucy had no honor and was not worthy of his trust.
But no, that couldn't be right.

None of this made any sense. Chalifour stood
and began pacing. He knew Lucy had signed the contract blindly
because she hadn't even been aware of his negotiations with her
brother prior to his visit. During that time period, according to
Dr. Willets and Monique, Lucien had been comatose. Surely the
Goodwins were not in such financial peril Lucy would feel obliged
to forge a contract indiscriminately thinking money was
forthcoming?

Monique told him Perdan had demanded money
from Lucy for some debt Lucien owed. Could all of this be related
to Perdan's demand for money? Just the thought of Perdan sent
Chalifour's temperature soaring. What kind of debt could Lucien
Goodwin possibly owe Perdan that would cause Lucy to do something
like this? What hold could Perdan have over the Goodwins? There had
to be a legitimate reason for Lucy's actions. Chalifour couldn't
believe that Lucy would commit such reckless and dishonest acts
without a good reason. Chalifour knew that much about Lucy, or
hoped he did.

What about Lucy's rash impersonation of
Lucien at the racecourse? What was that all about? Monique said
Lucy wanted to try to win the purse. Why? Luckily he had been able
to put a stop to that! There had been a real possibility Lucy could
have been maimed or even killed. She was not at all prepared for
that kind of race, especially riding in a foreign style. So why was
Lucy willing to do something so foolish? Again the answer to the
mystery pointed to the need for money.

Had he made a poor choice in aligning himself
with Lucien Goodwin? Were the Goodwins hiding something which would
sully his own reputation? Chalifour immediately discounted the
thought, experiencing a small stab of guilt. He was thinking of
himself, though Chalifour could rationalize he was thinking of his
family name and the welfare of his sister. Instead, he should be
trying to espy the driving force behind what was motivating Lucy to
behave so rashly.

Chalifour wasn't about to let any harm come
to Lucy. He could hardly put her out of his mind. He had ached to
hold her in his arms all during the ride into Town. Last night,
knowing she was nearby in another bedroom had been torture. He had
not slept well, tossing and turning. It was all Chalifour could do
to refrain from visiting Lucy's room, but given her current state
of mind, Chalifour had thought better of it.

Now Chalifour had discovered Lucy had lied to
him. Lucy had almost certainly forged her brother's signature. She
had then devised an impetuous scheme to impersonate her brother and
try and win a race. Something was very wrong with this whole
scenario. It was obvious. Lucy was being driven to act this way for
some reason. Chalifour had given Lucy the opportunity to confide in
him about what was wrong, but she didn't trust him.

Chalifour had the impression Lucy had almost
capitulated during the coach ride, but had reined in her emotions
instead, raising her guard again. He had to find a way to earn
Lucy's confidence. Chalifour was unable to help Lucy if he didn't
understand what was threatening her.

Maybe it was time to meet Lucien in person
now that he was recovering. Chalifour could make the trip out there
tomorrow to see Lucien. If he planned on leaving, he had to
conclude his business here in Town today.

Chalifour would take Lucy to Lady Monique's
residence on his way to the meeting just as he had promised.
Chalifour doubted Lucy would be returning home for several days.
After all, if Lucien didn't know about Lucy's attempted
participation in the race and she was expected at Lady Monique's,
then the little minx must have planned all this so Lucien would
think she was on a simple visit to Town.

"I think that gown suits you. The color
complements your hair and eyes," Elizabeth said.

Lucy surveyed herself in the mirror. The gown
was a pomona green silk with a dark- green velvet sash. Lucy had to
agree, the color accentuated her complexion, eyes and hair
perfectly. Lucy owned nice gowns, but they didn't compare with
those Lady Elizabeth possessed. These gowns were of the finest
quality.

Twirling before the mirror, Lucy pretended
she was a princess. Lady Elizabeth was surely dying of curiosity,
but to her credit, too much of a lady to ask about the events which
had led up to this situation. Lucy liked Lady Elizabeth and wished
they were close enough to share confidences. Mercifully, she would
be able to talk with Monique later. Lucy was in need of good
advice. If nothing else, it would be a relief to unburden
herself.

"Thank you so much for lending me your gowns.
I'll return them as soon as I'm able."

Elizabeth laughed. "Nonsense! I should be
thanking you! Keep them! Now I have good reason to pester my
brother for new gowns without him rolling his eyes toward
Heaven."

Elizabeth lounged on a sumptuous chaise
lounge covered in a blue striped damask, one foot dangling over the
edge while Lucy continued to try on gowns. Lucy watched the maid
carefully pack the borrowed gowns in a small trunk. Lucy was struck
by the sudden realization that, not only did she arrive with no
clothing, she didn't even have luggage in which to pack the
borrowed wardrobe. She was mortified. Apparently Lady Elizabeth had
already thought of this problem and discretely made arrangements
for a small steamer trunk to be brought to her room. Lucy was in
debt to this woman.

"I don't wish to pry, but is there some ...
," Elizabeth hesitated, "relationship between you and my
brother?"

"No. Why do you ask?" Lucy's response was
sharper than she intended, but she was inexplicably agitated that
Chalifour had not come to her room last night. Lucy had lain awake,
torn between her desire for him and the need to push him away. In
the end, Chalifour hadn't tried to visit her and the thought piqued
her, though it shouldn't have. Why should she care? Lucy had
already decided their affair at the estate could not go further.
Yet she longed for the security of Chalifour's strong arms and the
feel of his hands.

"I believe I may have mentioned this to you
when you visited the estate, but Chali never brings ladies home.
You're the exception."

Lucy’s heart fluttered a moment, a small moth
beating about her breast before reality set in. "I think he's
looking after me because of his newfound relationship with my
brother."

"I must admit this relationship with your
brother is important to Chali. It’s fulfilled a dream for him.
Chali has always loved horses and thoroughbred racing. Now, through
your brother, he has the opportunity to combine his passion with
his business. Chali hopes to breed the finest thoroughbred racing
horses possible. But that's not what I'm talking about."

Lucy's cheeks warmed. Had Lady Elizabeth
noticed? "I'm not sure I understand your meaning."

Lady Elizabeth looked at Lucy doubtfully. "I
believe I heard my brother arrive a short while ago. Shall we see
when he will be taking you to Glenhurst Hall?"