The women who had written to Leath had all been so desperate that theyd braved his uncles wrath to ask for help. His heart ached for these innocents. The scale of the devastation Neville Fairbrother had left behind beggared imagination.
Leath had employed a confidential agent to locate the women and offer aid. Otherwise hed kept the letters private. Good God, if this got out, especially if people believed Leath rather than his repulsive uncle had fathered the children, all hope of high office would disintegrate.
His confidential agent could help him with something else. Miss Trim had arrived bearing glowing references. Perhaps it was time someone investigated her background.
Chapter 5
From the corridor, Nell watched Leath entering his mothers rooms. She hadnt seen his lordship since that nerve-racking interview yesterday when hed expressed his distrust. His expression this morning portended trouble. She had a premonition that the trouble concerned Lady Leaths lowborn companion.
Nell slipped into her small office. She set down the ink shed got from Mr. Cranewho was young and handsome and eager to help, and forgotten the moment she left his companyand crossed to close the door to the marchionesss sitting room.
Miss Trim isnt suitable. Leaths deep voice carried to where she stood.
Nell couldnt see mother or son, but she guessed that the marchioness was in her accustomed place on the chaise longue and his lordship paced the floor as he did when he was impatient.
James, we had this argument when you arrived a fortnight ago. The marchionesss voice was softer.
I thought Id give her the benefit of the doubt before my final decision.
Your final decision? Lady Leath asked sharply.
Mamma, you know Im considering your welfare.
I know youve taken an unreasoning dislike to Miss Trim.
She doesnt deserve your confidence.
I grieve to think I raised such a snob. Your father took people on their own merits.
Well, my father was clearly a better man in every way.
Despite everything, Nell felt a twinge of sympathy. Something in his weary tone indicated that he didnt appreciate the comparison to his brilliant father.
Nell is from a respectable family. Poverty isnt a crime.
I dont know anything about her background, and when I ask her, shes remarkably noncommittal.
Only because you bully her. Frightened people always look shifty.
A contemptuous snort escaped Leath. Shes not at all frightened of me, Mamma.
And is that why you want to dismiss her? Because she doesnt cower at your merest whisper?
Brava, your ladyship. The talent for political debate wasnt confined purely to the male Fairbrothers.
I want to dismiss her because I dont trust her.
Shes worked as my companion for well over six weeks and the more I see of her, the more I like her.
Youre missing Sophie.
Youre here now, the marchioness said with spurious docility. Still I like Miss Trim. And you forget how long Sophie was in London before she married Harry Thorne.
Exactly.
James, stop this. In her mind, Nell saw the marchioness glare at her son. I mightnt be able to run from Derby to York, but theres nothing wrong with my mind.
Im not implying that, Mamma.
Yes, you are.
Im trying to do whats best. That girl puts herself forward in a most unbecoming manner.
Dear Lord in heaven, why hadnt Nell been more careful around Leath? Dismay left a foul taste in her mouth. Shed tried to disappear into the background, but something about his lordship goaded her. Nell swallowed to dislodge what felt like a rock stuck in her throat and leaned forward to hear the rest of the conversation.
Whats best is that Nell continues to keep me company in her delightful fashion.
I insist you dismiss the girl.
Why?
Shes sly.
No, shes not.
And she doesnt show proper respect.
Her manners are excellent. I wont have you interfering, James. The marchioness paused and when she resumed, a husky edge indicated that her son had upset her. Of course he had, the insensitive toad. Ill pay her from my pin money if youre unwilling to cover her wages. Im hardly at your mercy, although youre acting like Im a charity case.
Mamma, he protested, I cant be easy with that girl in the house.
Then thats your problem. The husky note persisted. I cant be easy if you banish someone who is my friend as much as my employee.
Nells fists closed at her sides, even as her conscience chafed at what her plans meant for the marchioness. Her lifelong loyalty to Dorothy clashed painfully with her newer loyalty to Lady Leath.
I could arrange for one of Aunt Sylvias girls to come.
The marchionesss delicate sniff was a feminine version of Leaths snort of derision. Not a brain between them. Anyway, its cruel to shut a young girl up with only a decrepit old lady for company.
Youre not decrepit.
Im too decrepit to put up with those silly chits and their constant chatter.
What about Cousin Cynthia?
Another delicate expression of disdain. Shes even stupider than Sylvias girls. And shed read me sermons. Shes becoming odiously preachy in her old age. One would think shed never kissed an undergardener in the maze at Hampton Court.
Did she, by God?
Nell could tell that this glimpse of his staid relative in her salad days had momentarily distracted Leath. Pray God he stayed distracted.
She was quite the hoyden before she became so holy. Although she wouldnt thank me for remembering.
Speaking of people reading things to you, when did you develop a taste for novels? Youve never picked up anything frivolous in your life.
The marchioness laughed. You can thank Nell for that.
Im sure, Leath said, and his displeasure oozed down Nells backbone like ice.
Dont be so stuffy, James. After Sophie married, life became dull until Nell brightened my days. I cant imagine why youve got yourself in a twist about the girl. She paused. One might think youre jealous that Im so fond of her.
A masterstroke, madam. But sadly one thats gone astray. You wont get me to retreat in a fit of pique. I dont like that girl and I want her gone.
Well, I do like her and I want her to stay. Will you insist?
Id like to.
But you wont.
Nell couldnt be nearly as sure as the marchioness. She braced to hear Leath pronounce the fatal words, but he laughed with a mixture of chagrin and fondness. Youve won. Temporarily. But Im watching your dear Miss Trim.
You wont see anything to her detriment.
Nell took a moment to appreciate the marchionesss trust. Trust she didnt deserve. Her whisper of guilt swelled to a clamor. She might be grateful that her ladyship won this battle, but Leath was right to be wary.
Youre an obstinate wench.
Of course I am, darling. Where do you think your stubbornness comes from?
He laughed with genuine humor, and began to speak about someone they both knew in London. Very quietly, Nell shut the door.
For the moment, she was safe. But only for the moment. Leath wouldnt let the matter go. And hed do his best to discredit her with the marchioness. From now on, she must move carefully. She also needed to resume her search for the diary, no matter the danger.
The marchioness made no mention of her sons attempt to dismiss Nell, but her manner became if anything, more affectionate. Nell tried to steer clear of Leath, but it was inevitable that they should pass in the corridor or encounter each other when she slipped into the library to select a book for the marchioness.
The ladys taste for novels grew apace. When Nell had started as a companion, her duties had involved conversation, playing cards and writing letters. Occasionally she assisted with treatments during the marchionesss bouts of ill health. Now theyd rushed through Pride and Prejudice and had just finished Sense and Sensibility. Apart from the dreary Clarissa, Nell had no idea what to choose next. The Alloway Chase library was crammed with dispiritingly worthy volumes.
Nell enjoyed reading aloud and the activity was undemanding, welcome when she managed so little sleep. The last three nights, shed devoted fruitless hours to searching the library. Fear goaded her to haste. If the marquess caught her, hed dismiss her for sure, whatever his mother said.
Shall we continue with Don Juan this morning, your ladyship? Nell had started Byrons poem yesterday and the marchioness was enjoying the change.
Yes, please, my dear. Such a wicked fellow.
Byron or Don Juan?
The marchioness laughed, although a flat note in her amusement worried Nell. Blast Leath for harrying his mother.
Both. Help me to sit up, if you please. Im feeling a little tired.
Her request didnt surprise Nell. The fair, delicate features, so different from her sons saturnine intensity, were drawn. She settled the marchioness more comfortably and opened the morocco-bound volume where shed left off, with the youthful philanderer seducing the virtuous but hot-blooded Lady Julia.
Settling the parcel he carried more securely, Leath paused on the threshold to observe the two women in the sunny room. Capricious autumn offered up a few perfect days before winter descended.
With a tenderness that he couldnt mistake, Miss Trim was arranging his mothers pillows. It was possible, even probable, that the girl was a self-serving schemer, but at this moment when she thought herself unobserved, he couldnt mistake her affection for his mother.
When hed tried to have the chit dismissed, he should have expected to fail. He was honest enough to admit that his reasons for wanting to banish Miss Trim extended beyond her influence over his mother. He wanted her out of his house because he wanted her out of his mind. She was far too distracting. Hell, she was far too tempting.
Her veiled hostility didnt douse his sexual interest. It fired him up. There was something exciting about a woman who didnt fawn over him and imagine herself either his marchioness or his mistress.
With a turn of her graceful body that made his heart leap, the girl reached for a book. She sat in profile, so he saw the delicate nose and resolute chin so incongruous on a housemaid. His hands itched to tear away the pins torturing her bright hair. He mightnt trust her, but by God, she was a pleasure to behold.
Whereas his mother didnt look well. He frowned, hardly hearing Miss Trim begin to read. Then, like his mother, he found himself caught up in the racy tale.
But who, alas! can love, and then be wise?
Not that remorse did not oppose temptation;
A little still she strove, and much repented.
And whispering, I will neer consentconsented.
On the lines sting in the tail, Miss Trim noticed Leath in the doorway. While the duchess snickered, the girls cinnamon eyes widened. Fleetingly he saw no trace of dislike. He wished to Hades he did. Instead he was astonished to discover that his reluctant attraction wasnt one-sided.
Like wanton Lady Julia in the poem, Miss Trims expression spoke of resistancebut also desire. If they were alone, hed sweep her into his arms and kiss her until she yielded to what they both wanted.
This was a bloody disaster.
Go on, Nell. This is so delicious.
My lady, Lord Leath is here.
When his mother glanced toward him, her weary face briefly brightened. Darling, come and listen. Nells reading me a naughty poem.
Youre too young for Byron. Leath deposited his brown paper parcel on a gilt and marble table, then kissed his mothers cheek.
Nell is, his mother said with another smile. Its most shocking what that libertine got up to. I remember all the gossip, of course. This adventure must be based on real life.
Byron was a rake, Mother.
And you didnt like him, I know.
I didnt. He remembered the brilliant, troubled, troublesome man hed met briefly as a youth. He was an entertaining fellow, and clever with it, but he left a good many ladies the worse for knowing him. I cant admire someone so addicted to selfish pleasure that he was cavalier about the harm he did.
The blaze of heat in Miss Trims eyes had cooled to curiosity. He couldnt imagine why she cared about his opinion of the notorious poet. Leath certainly wasnt the only person in England to frown upon his activities.
Hell, he needed to stop staring moonstruck at his mothers companion. He turned back to the table and lifted the parcel. Ive brought you a present.
His mother tried to sit up and Miss Trim rushed to assist with a gentleness that Leath couldnt help noting. Oh, how wonderful. I love presents.
He held the box out. Careful. Its heavy.
Not diamonds, then? she asked playfully.
Not today.
Miss Trim fetched scissors to cut the string. Ill finish those letters, my lady.
No, stay, Nell. This looks intriguing.
His mother tore at the paper, as excited as a child at a birthday party, then reached inside the box. James, and you pretended to disapprove.
How could I disapprove of anything that gives you such enjoyment?
She drew out a beautifully tooled volume in dark green leather. TheFair Maid of Perth. How wonderful.
I asked Hatchards to send their most popular books. Theres now a standing order each month. If you find that doesnt meet your needs, theyll increase it.
How can I thank you? His mothers eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
He often sent her gewgaws, jewelry or scarves or trinkets for her rooms. But he couldnt remember her getting such pleasure from a gift. And it had been so simple to arrange. He felt like a fool that he hadnt thought of it earlier, and unreasonably nettled that hed needed Miss Trim to point out how a good book or two might brighten his mothers restricted existence.
What fun we shall have, Nell.