The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) (12 page)

“I had a very nice time with you, Teddy. In fact, it was one of the best parts of the evening for me. You and I, well, it seemed, maybe just for a moment . . . I thought . . .” He drew a deep breath. “And I thought you enjoyed it as well.”

“Goodness, Jack.” She shrugged. “It was only a dance. We agreed, as adventures went, it was minor. Less than minor really as I danced with several gentlemen last night.” She paused. “But yes, I did enjoy it.”

“And yet, in spite of that, today you act like I am the last person you want to ever see again. I want to know why.”

“Very well then.” Her voice sharpened. “Last night, while knowing full well my connection to this family, and while claiming to prefer honesty to dishonesty, you proceeded to mislead me.”

He frowned in confusion. “How did I mislead you?”

“All that nonsense about your story being long and convoluted—”

“It is.”

“And that the end has yet to be decided.”

“It hasn’t.”

“And refusing to give me your name.”

“But we agreed that made it more of an adventure.” His father was right, women were incomprehensible.

“Admittedly dancing with a handsome, dashing stranger might well be considered an adventure, a
minor
adventure, but when one discovers that stranger is hiding a fact of great importance that affects the lives of my dearest friend and her family, one can’t help but feel, from the moment you asked me to rescue you to the moment you vanished, you had some sort of . . . of . . . of ulterior motive.”

Obviously this lovely creature was as mad as the rest of them. He shook his head in confusion. “Ulterior motive?”

“Yes!”

“And what might that be?”

“I don’t know,” she said in a haughty manner.

He stared at her for a long moment. He hadn’t lied to her, not once. He didn’t think he had misled her either, not really. Certainly he had been vague but for her to be so irate with him made absolutely no sense. Unless . . .

He smiled slowly. “You did like me.”

“Honestly, men are all the same.” She rolled her gaze toward the ceiling. “And you are as arrogant as the rest of them.”

“Arrogant? Me?” He widened his eyes in surprise. “I’ve always thought I was one of the least arrogant men I know.”

“Then your circle of acquaintances must be very small.”

“I don’t think you liked me last night out of any sense of arrogance.” He leaned closer. “I know it because I liked you, too. And today, I still like you although for whatever reason, today you don’t like me.”

“Don’t be absurd. I said I don’t dislike you.”

“You also said I was handsome and dashing.”

“That was no more than a simple observation,” she snapped. “After all, you look very much like your father. And even at his age, the colonel is still quite attractive and perhaps the most dashing man I have ever met.”

He chuckled. “But you didn’t say it about my father, you said it about me.”

“Very well then.” She heaved a frustrated sigh. “You are handsome and dashing just like your father. And, exactly like your father, you are an outrageous flirt as well.”

He stared in disbelief. He had never considered himself the least bit flirtatious. “Am I?”

“You know full well you are.” She scoffed. “You
are
an adventure. My God, how long did you practice that?”

“I’ve never said that before in my life.” Indignation rang in his voice.

“Well, it certainly sounded like you had.” In spite of her words, doubt flickered in her eyes.

“And yet.” His gaze locked with hers. “You seemed to have been quite flustered by it.”

“Rubbish.” She shrugged. “I wasn’t the least bit flustered. I simply had other matters on my mind, that’s all.”

“One of which being that you liked me.” He grinned.

“I wish you would stop saying that.” Her fists clenched at her side. “Will you let the matter drop if I allow that there is the most minuscule possibility, that for the briefest of moments last night, there was perhaps a chance that I might have liked you?”

“Absolutely not.” He laughed, obviously a mistake.

She glared at him, turned, and started back up the stairs.

“Admit it,” he called after her. “Last night you liked me.”

“I will do no such thing!”

“My God, you’re stubborn.”

“Thank you!”

“And one more thing.”

She stopped in midstep, turned, and stared down at him. “What?”

“I liked you last night and I like you today.” He shook his head. “God only knows why.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“But I think it’s probably because, in spite of your obvious dislike, which I am fairly sure I didn’t earn, I still think . . .” He met her gaze firmly. “You, Lady Theodosia Winslow, are definitely an adventure.”

She stared at him for a long silent moment. At last, a slow smile spread across her lovely face. Her green eyes flashed. “I know.”

She nodded and continued up the stairs, the bustle of her dress swaying with every step.

Jack watched until she disappeared from sight. In the span of less than a day this woman had called him mysterious, secretive, intriguing, handsome, dashing, flirtatious, charming, and arrogant. As far as he could recall, and he did think he would remember that kind of thing, no woman had ever used those words about him. He was usually described as . . . nice.

Jack considered himself a rational, logical, sensible man. A man who routinely dealt with facts and figures. He sank down on the stairs and considered the matter. The facts here made no sense whatsoever.

Fact number one: for whatever reason, he wanted Teddy to like him. It made no particular sense but there it was. Facts that made no sense could be discarded for the moment.

Fact number two: while he was confident she had liked him last night, when he was a stranger, today it was obvious she did not. Therefore one might think it was the revelation of his identity that had affected her view of him. Which in itself was odd as the Channing family appeared pleased at the discovery of his existence. So that made no sense either and again could be set aside.

Fact number three: she claimed he had misled her and further charged that he had an ulterior motive, which was absurd. He’d had no intentions of misleading her. It simply hadn’t seemed wise to give his name at that particular moment. Besides, he was enjoying the, well, the romance of it all he supposed. She wasn’t the only one dancing with an attractive stranger.

Now that he thought about it, when he had been introduced to her, and to everyone else from the day he met his father, he had introduced himself as Jack. His father called him Jack but he hadn’t introduced himself as Jack since he was eight years old and had bid farewell to childish dreams of adventure. That he did so now was interesting. Until this moment, he wasn’t sure he had even realized it himself.

Was it possible that something as simple as what name he chose to be known by could change his entire life? No, of course not. The very idea was absurd. Besides, there were any number of other factors that had recently changed his entire life.

He had come to England without any particular plan in mind, which in itself was unusual for him. He’d had no idea how long he would stay. Now, of course, he would have to remain at least until his aunt’s ball. To leave before then would not only be rude but would adversely affect his relationship with his new family. Besides, Teddy would be arranging the ball and they’d have to spend a certain amount of time together. He’d write to his grandfather and let him know he would be staying longer than he had expected. He ignored a twinge of guilt at not wanting to write to his mother.

Ten days ago, he was Jackson Quincy Graham Channing, great-grandson of the founder of Graham, Merryweather and Lockwood Banking and Trust. A solid, sensible man not known for impulse or reckless behavior. Now he was Jack Channing, heir to the Earl of Briston and the son of a man of travel and adventure.

Of course he was still the same man. Wasn’t he? And more to the point—did he want to be?

Jackson Quincy Graham Channing would never have been called mysterious or flirtatious or intriguing. And he was certainly not a man of adventure. Banking was in his blood.

Jack Channing was another story entirely. And wasn’t his father’s blood flowing just as strongly in his veins as his mother’s?

Perhaps he’d accept the duties of the next earl or possibly he’d eventually return to the bank. He had no idea at the moment, nor did it seem to matter. He was the son of a man of adventure and it was past time he had an adventure or two of his own.

And he knew exactly what—or rather who—his first adventure would be.

Three weeks later, November 1887,
The Explorers Club,
London . . .

 

 

 

Teddy made a few final notations in the book that was as much an appendage as her arms or her legs in the course of a social event. Tonight’s Explorers Club Ball was no exception.

Teddy’s mother had secured the commission for the ball but, as had become her custom, had begged off actually attending, and assisting, because of a conflicting engagement. An engagement Mother said was crucial for her to attend. After all, one did need to keep up with the comings and goings of society if one was to be of assistance to those in society who might need it. Mother was a great deal like a wolf cutting an innocent lamb from the flock.

Teddy stopped a waiter headed for the ballroom and suggested he fill the glasses on his tray more than halfway. At this point in the evening, supper, accompanied by endless speeches by each and every one of the club’s ruling body, had concluded and dancing had begun. The ball would continue for another few hours but, for the most part, her work was done. She could, indeed, she was
expected
to make an appearance now that would be strictly social. While ordinarily she wouldn’t have thought twice about it under other circumstances, tonight was different.

He was here.

Teddy had scarcely given Jack Channing a second thought in the three weeks since she’d left Millworth Manor. Or rather she’d tried not to give him a second thought although it was extraordinarily difficult to do so. For one thing, Lady Briston had come into London four times thus far to discuss the New Year’s ball. Admittedly, Teddy had used the ball as an excuse to leave Millworth earlier than she had planned, within a few hours after Lady Briston had announced her brilliant idea. Given her abrupt departure, it was understandable that the older lady would wish to talk about the ball. Although she did tend to talk as much, if not more, about her newly discovered nephew.

Did Teddy know that Jack was the youngest vice-president in the history of Someone, Whosit and Whomever Banking and Trust? Teddy had heard that, yes. And was Teddy aware that Jack had distinguished himself in his studies at some prestigious university Lady Briston couldn’t for the life of her remember but was most impressive nonetheless? Why no, Teddy was not aware of that. And that he was considered financially astute, even brilliant? No, Teddy was not aware of that either. Or that while this was Jack’s first trip outside of America, he was quite interested in extended travel and hadn’t Teddy long expressed an interest in travel as well? And wasn’t that a coincidence? Teddy had smiled weakly, agreed it was a remarkable coincidence, and firmly steered the discussion back to the guest list.

Still, it was very nearly impossible to dissuade Lady Briston from a course she was determined to follow. As subtle as the older lady thought she was, there wasn’t a doubt in Teddy’s mind that her closest friend’s mother was determined to bring Teddy into the family.

One did wonder if her nephew was amenable to that.

Even if Lady Briston hadn’t been relentless in the singing of Jack’s praises, Teddy still found him lingering in the back of her head. Like an annoying melody one keeps humming even if one doesn’t care for it.

Or perhaps it was guilt that kept him firmly in her mind. She hadn’t been at all fair to him. In hindsight, he hadn’t really misled her or at least she was fairly certain it hadn’t been deliberate on his part. The man was just being prudent and she could scarcely fault him for that. It wouldn’t have been at all wise to confess everything to a woman he had just met. Certainly, if he had done so she would probably now be questioning his judgment or lack of it. But then she was rather sensitive to men who misled her, deliberately or not.

Teddy fully intended to apologize to the man on their next meeting. According to his aunt, Jack and his father had been in London for over a week now and, as he was here tonight, there was no time like the present. She wasn’t used to apologizing, she rarely had anything to apologize for. She was usually even-tempered and unfailingly polite. Unfortunately, Jack Channing did seem to bring out her less admirable qualities.

She tucked her book into the large bag she carried when coordinating an event and removed the smock she always wore over her gown when in a serving area or kitchen—it would not do to appear in soiled clothing and one never knew what might happen behind the scenes. She ignored the thought that her gown was a few years out of fashion but that couldn’t be helped. She tucked the smock in her bag and stowed it in the corner of what had once been the plate room of the mansion that was now the home of the Explorers Club and tonight served as a station for the waiters providing guests with a never-ending offering of champagne or fruit punch. Everything was well in hand and Teddy could take her leave without undue concern. She started toward the ballroom through the maze of private corridors that wound around the building.

The Explorers Club was housed in a grand mansion in Bloomsbury near the British Museum, presented to the club by a previous benefactor some fifty or so years ago. Another later patron had donated funds for an addition to the original house that provided lecture halls and a large meeting room that also served as a ballroom when called upon to do so. According to Teddy’s mother, this was the first year the club had employed an outside agency to coordinate the ball as usually this was handled by a committee of wives of club members. This year, however, those dutiful spouses had apparently rebelled in support of the effort by a small group of stalwart and very vocal ladies who were insisting club membership be opened to women. While privately, Teddy’s mother thought it was disgraceful, it was to their benefit and a few appropriately placed comments was all it took to secure the event. Teddy was not merely grateful to those ladies attempting to storm the male stronghold but rather proud of them as well. It was yet one more thing she and her mother disagreed about.

As annoying as it was, it was probably for the best that her mother wasn’t here tonight. Since the death of Teddy’s father, her mother had carried on a concerted campaign to convince her daughter to marry the relative who had inherited her husband’s title. A campaign that, for reasons known only to her mother but did seem connected to Teddy’s failure to wed elsewhere coupled with the regrettable fact that she wasn’t getting any younger, had escalated in recent months. Simon, Mother had argued, was a delightful man and marriage to him would return Teddy, and her mother, to their proper positions in life. Teddy had no desire to marry Simon, although he was indeed nice enough, nor did she wish to marry anyone for purposes other than affection. Love, should she happen upon it, would be ideal. But if these past four years had taught her nothing else, she had learned to be a realist. Love was as elusive as financial security. And marriage was no longer her goal.

She passed by a set of French doors leading to a private, enclosed terrace created when the addition to the building had been constructed. Complete with wrought-iron benches and planters and a small fountain that ran in the warmer months, it was exactly the sort of place to catch a breath of fresh air or have an illicit meeting or escape. A gentleman outside paced the width of the terrace, walking in and out of the pool of illumination cast by a gas lamp mounted on a post. To be expected really. As always at crowded events like this, the ballroom was probably overly warm. He turned and she caught a glimpse of his face. Perfect. This would be far easier in private.

She braced herself, pushed open the door, and stepped out into the cold night air.

“Good evening, Mr. Channing.”

He started, then smiled. “Good evening, Lady Theodosia. What a delightful surprise.”

She returned his smile. “Life is full of the unexpected.”

“You have no idea.”

She wrapped her arms around herself. “Good Lord, it’s cold out here.”

“It is a bit brisk but the building cuts the breeze. Here.” He pulled off his coat, moved to her, and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Better?”

“Not really, but thank you.” She shook her head. “Now you’re going to freeze to death.”

He chuckled. “I doubt that. And frankly, the cold feels good.”

“What are you doing out here anyway?”

“I just needed a moment. For fresh air.”

“Fresh air?”

“And to think,” he admitted.

“It’s entirely too cold to think,” she muttered and pulled his coat tighter about her. “Might I be of some assistance?”

His brow rose. “Are you running this evening too? Do you intend to make certain every guest has a good time?”

“Not tonight.” She shook her head. “This sort of event is a far different matter than a private affair. There is no hostess to be held accountable for whether or not one had an enjoyable evening. But yes, I did plan tonight’s festivities.”

“Another business venture?”

“Another way to fill one’s idle moments,” she said lightly. “Besides, as this is the Explorers Club, whose purpose is to support and encourage exploration and scientific advancement, we have cut our usual fees. Taking on tonight’s gathering was as much in the realm of a favor as anything else.”

“You are a supporter of the Explorers Club?”

“Not really although I have attended lectures here on occasion but tonight is a bit out of the ordinary.”

“Oh?”

“The wives of the club members refused to organize this year’s ball as a form of protest against the club refusing to admit female members.”

“How intrepid of them.” A thoughtful note sounded in his voice. “Do they want to be club members?”

“Not especially but they are supporting those women who wish to do so, most of whom are extremely accomplished and have a far greater right to be a member than many of their male counterparts.” She raised her chin. “And I quite agree with them.”

“Of course you do,” he murmured. “So the ladies have taken inspiration from Aristophanes’
Lysistrata?
”

“It’s not quite as firm a stand as that although I daresay, that would be interesting.” In the Greek play, the women of Greece withheld marital relations until their husbands agreed to end the war between Athens and Sparta. Teddy had studied Aristophanes at the very progressive Miss Bicklesham’s Academy for Accomplished Young Ladies. Still, it was a fairly obscure reference. “My, you are well educated.”

“You sound surprised.”

“Not at all,” she said quickly although she had certainly implied otherwise. “Your aunt had mentioned that you had done well in your studies and . . .”

He leaned closer and lowered his voice in a confidential manner. “We do have a few good schools, you know, even in the uncivilized colonies. When we’re not fighting the natives or making our way through the wilderness, that is.”

“I didn’t mean . . .” She winced. “I am sorry. It’s just that your aunt has been going on and on about your accomplishments and, well, no one can be quite that perfect. It’s nice to know she wasn’t exaggerating.”

“She wasn’t exaggerating about you either.”

Heat flushed up her face and she was grateful he couldn’t see her blush in the darkness. What was it about this man that made everything he said either annoy her or leave her speechless? “As I was saying, if indeed this was a business instead of a pastime we would not be doing well tonight at all.”

“I see.”

“And do you still disapprove?”

His eyes widened in surprise. “I don’t disapprove.”

“Really? I had the distinct impression at Camille’s wedding that you strongly disapproved of a woman in business.”

“You simply caught me by surprise, that’s all. You must admit it is unusual.”

She nodded. “I will admit that. But I believe you called taking payment for our services unseemly.”

“Surely not. I never would have said such a thing.” He shook his head but his eyes twinkled in the lamplight. “You must have misheard me.”

“My hearing is excellent.”

“Then I misspoke. And for that you have my most heartfelt apologies.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

“Are you always this suspicious?”

“Yes. So again, why?”

“Because if I called your taking payment for your excellent work unseemly it was both rude and unfair. Unfortunately, I am not always as progressive as I would like. Bankers, you see, tend to be both reserved and old-fashioned.” He shook his head in a mournful manner. “It’s a flaw in my character I’m afraid.”

“A flaw.” She widened her eyes in feigned disbelief. “How very odd as Lady Briston has yet to mention your having so much as a minor flaw.”

He grinned. “I have been on my best behavior.”

“No doubt. But please, go on.”

“I am engaged in the world of finance and, on occasion, I find myself dealing with a woman, usually a widow, who has undertaken the management of a business she has inherited from a late husband or other relative. Sometimes they have no idea what they’re doing.”

“This doesn’t sound like a reason to apologize.”

“I’m not done.” He cast her a chastising frown and continued. “As I was saying, sometimes they are not up to the challenge but, in my experience, as often as not they rise to the occasion. Or . . .” He shrugged. “They are clever enough to realize the world of commerce is beyond them and sell their business, ensuring their financial security, at least for a time.”

“Then why did you say it was unseemly?”

“Again . . .” He heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “I have no memory of that.”

“And yet you apologized.”

“Anything to make you like me again.”

“It’s not necessary.” She drew a deep breath. “I owe you an apology as well. I wasn’t at all pleasant to you the morning after the wedding. I jumped to the wrong conclusions and responded poorly and, well, I do hope you can forgive me.”