A Sense of Injustice (Perceptions Book 4) Page 18

  ‘You were busy keeping your father happy. Your first loyalty was to him and rightly so. Your aunt, I am absolutely sure, didn’t show her true colours for as long as he was alive.’

  ‘No, looking back I suppose she did not. She was always very meek and submissive, suggesting in indirect ways that she had sacrificed her own life in order to look after Papa and me.’ Louise blinked. ‘I got so accustomed to hearing laments of that nature when I was growing up that I suppose I believed it and felt guilty for depriving her of opportunities. That’s why I didn’t make more of an effort when it came to you and Marianne. My father, then my aunt, always seemed to have a pressing need for my company whenever I suggested paying you a visit.’

  Grandmamma blew air though her lips. ‘The woman was conniving. She and I never saw eye to eye because she knew that I was not taken in by her self-deprecating manner.’ She paused, as though to gather her thoughts. Louise waited her out in silence, feeling the relief of a burden shared and her grandmother’s lack of censure. ‘My son was devastated when your mother died, my love, but not for the reasons you have always supposed.’ Another lengthy pause. ‘You see, Marianne is not his natural daughter.’

  ‘What!’ Louise’s mouth fell open. ‘But I don’t understand. That can’t possibly be.’

  ‘Oh, it is, and whom do you suppose drew your father’s attention to the lapse that led to the pregnancy?’

  ‘My aunt, of course.’ Louise sent her grandmother a wide-eyed look of total bafflement. ‘But why would she betray her own sister?’

  ‘For the same reason that she allowed Cleethorp to seduce you, I suppose. She grew up in your mother’s shadow. Your mother was very pretty, vibrant and universally liked. Your aunt was a vindictive shrew, even when young, and resented all the attention that your mother received. I suppose she couldn’t resist taking revenge by letting word of your mother’s indiscretion reach your father’s ears. And then, when your mother died giving birth to a child that your father didn’t want even to look at, she unselfishly gave up her own modest life and stepped into the breech, living high on the hog at your father’s expense.’

  ‘That explains so much,’ Louise said slowly. ‘Does Marianne know?’

  ‘No, and I think it best that she does not find out. But you need to be aware that I fought very hard to have you both live with me. I blame your aunt for the fact that it didn’t happen. I think she knew that if you both stayed in London she would stand less chance of influencing you or my son. Her goal, of course, was free access to a large portion of your inheritance.’

  ‘And if she hadn’t encouraged Cleethorp, or if I hadn’t found out about her collusion with him, then she would likely have got her way.’ Louise shook her head. ‘I never thought I would be glad that Cleethorp behaved in the way he did, but in some respects I now am. At least it has brought us closer, Grandmamma, and you can be sure that I shall evict my aunt from my house at the earliest opportunity and leave her penniless.’

  ‘Good girl!’ Grandmamma flashed a girlish and very mischievous smile. ‘I ought not to encourage such vindictive thoughts, but given the trouble the woman has caused this family I’m afraid I am not that pure-spirited. My son did not always treat his wife well; that much I do know. I cannot condone her subsequent behaviour but I can understand why she was tempted to stray. She isn’t the first dissatisfied wife to do so and my son should have been less judgemental. I suspect that he was not faithful to her, but men are never accused of inappropriate behaviour when they are the ones who do the straying.’

  ‘Even so, what are we to do if Cleethorp calls, or somehow gets to Marianne and tells tales?’

  ‘Just you leave him to me!’ Grandmamma said, the light of battle glinting in her eyes. ‘Do you know, my dear, I don’t think I’ve had so much fun in years.’

  Louise laughed. ‘That is not quite the way I would describe matters.’

  ‘Fiddlesticks! As long as you are not carrying the odious man’s child then you will soon recover from this setback. And even if you are, we shall find a way to manage the situation. Never doubt it. You are not alone, my love. I am so very pleased to have you here and we shall get through this horrible business together.’

  Louise threw her arms around her grandmother’s neck and hugged her. ‘I am so glad that I found the courage to tell you.’

  ⸎⸎⸎⸎⸎

  Darius rode back to the White Hart, growing angrier with every reluctant plodding step his hired nag took. He was angry and very concerned. He hadn’t seriously considered that Louise would risk talking to anyone about what had befallen her—and he had definitely not taken into account the Earl of Swindon’s involvement.

  It changed everything. It was a wise man who knew when he’d met his match and it was time to retreat. Felicity would have to accept that circumstances had conspired against them and that they must turn their attention to pastures new. Or perhaps not. Felicity could be uncommonly stubborn, but even she must realise that it had always been a risky scheme, conceived in desperation when she found herself virtually penniless. She was well aware that young heiresses who are not chaperoned for every second of the day are few and far between. Only through the cooperation of Louise’s unscrupulous aunt had Darius been able to get anywhere near Louise.

  Devious and with no conscience to hold her back, Felicity was deeply and abidingly in love with Darius, and she was ruthless enough to do whatever was necessary to ensure that their future together was a comfortable one. It was a future that Darius was no longer sure he wanted, but from which he couldn’t simply walk away. Felicity would never let him go, even though it would make infinitely more sense if she secured her own future by marrying again. She was magnificently attractive, experienced and engaging company. And totally without morals—attributes that would make for a first-class mistress but would seem less appealing in a wife, especially since she was no longer in the first flush of youth. Her union with Brigstock had not produced children, the fault most likely his given his advanced years. Prospective bridegrooms, or more likely their fathers keen for the family name to endure, would use her childless previous marriage as justification to forbid the match.

  One way or another, Darius was through with playing Felicity’s devious games, but he was determined not to leave the district without exacting revenge upon Miss Latimer. He seethed when he thought of the way in which she had looked down her pert little nose at him and consumed by a virulent thirst for revenge. He couldn’t abide being ordered about by females, which made him wonder how he had got in so deep with Felicity, who dominated their relationship.

  He hadn’t recognised her for what she was, he now accepted, until he was too involved with her to walk away. Bareback horse races across her husband’s estate. Making love in the next room to the one in which Brigstock was already asleep. Dressing as a lad and drinking with him in some of the lowliest taprooms in London, matching him brandy for brandy. Her wild-cap habits had enchanted Darius, and only now, looking back, did he accept that none of them had been spontaneous. A calculating and determined force drove Felicity. She had groomed Darius to do her bidding and now there was no way out for him.

  The only way he could hope to escape her would be to run off abroad and lay low for a year or two, giving her a chance to replace him with someone more willing to dance to her tune. The only thing that prevented him was a lack of funds to support him in the style to which he had become accustomed. That is what he had wanted to talk to Louise about. He didn’t have the first intention of renewing proposals that he knew would be repulsive to her. Instead his intention had been to offer his word as a gentleman that he would never approach her again if she gave him a one-off payment to tide him over. She might have agreed, if only to be rid of him. She could then return to London, secure in the knowledge that he was safely out of the way.

  His word as a gentleman? Darius felt uncomfortable when it occurred to him that he could no longer lay claim to that status. He had fallen too low. Damn it, why had Louise
defied him? Why had she caused him to lose his temper and exact the ultimate revenge? It repulsed him to think that he had sunk to such depths. He’d struggled to keep his head above water since leaving university, and had not always behaved well. But he had been able to fall back on his status as a gentleman. A status that assured him of admittance everywhere, regardless of his reputation as a rake. Or perhaps because of it.

  Now he could no longer rely on that standing.

  He returned the hired horse to the White Hart’s mews. Twilight descended as he followed the path across the fields behind the tavern. It led close to Felicity’s uncle’s estate, and Darius had arranged to meet her in an outlying barn. She was there, waiting for him, draped across a soft bed of hay in the loft.

  ‘There you are,’ she said in a sultry voice. ‘I thought you had got lost.’

  Darius raised a hand in greeting, stirred by the sight of her despite his misgivings. He climbed the ladder and joined her in the loft.

  She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. ‘I missed you. I hate knowing you are with her.’

  Then why insist that I pursue her? Darius knew why, of course, and decided now was the time to put his foot down. ‘I couldn’t speak with her. The countess’s companion was with her.’

  ‘We knew she would be,’ Felicity replied, scowling. ‘But she is just a servant. Why didn’t you insist that she withdraw?’

  ‘She might only be a servant, but she most certainly doesn’t behave like one.’ Darius ground his jaw. ‘She declined to leave me alone with Louise and there was nothing I could do to force the issue.’

  Darius sensed the tension radiating through Felicity’s body. ‘I don’t believe that for a single moment.’

  ‘That’s because you were not there. Besides, Miss Latimer imperiously informed me that Lord Swindon is aware of my interest in Louise and firmly intends to prevent me from getting anywhere near her.’

  ‘Ha! Empty threats, my dear. It’s a free country, and unless the earl stands personal guard over Louise the entire time, there will always be opportunities for you to get her alone. Then she will have to see sense.’

  ‘I can’t do it, Fel. We shall have to give this up. I know of the earl’s reputation for taking a moral stance. If he tells Edward that I’ve behaved inappropriately, all hell with break loose.’

  ‘What do you care? You and your brother are virtually estranged.’

  ‘We are, but if Edward even suspects me of behaving in a manner that brings the family name into disrepute then my life will not be worth living. As a marquess, Edward wields considerable power, both as head of the family and as a significant figure within the ranks of society. If he finds out about our association you can be sure that he will ruin you too.’

  She shook her head. ‘You’re overreacting. A busy man like Swindon will have better things to do with his time than to involve himself with the affairs of a neighbour’s granddaughter.’

  ‘He might not watch over her personally, but he employs enough people to provide that service for him. Remember what your sister told you about Miss Latimer and the authority she enjoys within the earl’s household? They held a party in her honour, so she’s hardly looked upon as a servant. Besides, Louise’s grandmother is on friendly terms with the dowager countess, so even without Miss Latimer’s involvement, I imagine the earl would look out for the interests of his grandmother’s friend. After all, if I threaten to disgrace Louise by speaking out, it will reflect upon the grandmother too.’ He shook his head. ‘We’ll have to think again, Fel, and look elsewhere for our meal ticket.’

  ‘There is nowhere else.’ Felicity scowled, reducing her eyes to narrowed slits that glistened with anger. ‘We’ve come too far with this little doxy to give up on her now. We’ve hit a few obstacles but I’m sure we will find a way to overcome them.’

  Darius shook his head, conscious of the familiar combination of Felicity’s determination and femininity luring him into her web. She still possessed the power to enthral him and he she had already almost managed to convince him that together they could achieve the unachievable.

  ‘I don’t see how,’ he said, reaching out a hand to touch her lovely face. ‘Tell me what I must do.’ Darius reasoned that he would be able to counter any suggestions she made, thereby absolving himself from accusations of cowardice, or undergoing a change of heart about their future together. ‘I will not risk bringing my brother’s wrath down on my head. Our relationship is rocky enough as things stand.’

  ‘Get to the sister,’ Felicity said after a significant pause. ‘She must come into the village occasionally.’

  ‘Even so, I can hardly introduce myself to her. Bad form, that.’

  ‘Tosh, Darius! Forget form. You can legitimately claim to be a friend of her sister’s. Besides, this is the country. London’s rigid standards don’t apply here.’

  Darius hoisted a brow. ‘Friend?’ He ran a hand down the outside of Felicity’s thigh. All this soft hay gave a man ideas.

  ‘The sister,’ Felicity replied, wrapping her arms around Darius’s neck and pressing her body against his.

  ‘I keep meaning to ask you how your uncle has arranged his affairs,’ Darius said, divesting Felicity of her bodice. ‘If he is generously inclined towards his nieces, his only relations, that could be the answer to our difficulty.’

  ‘He’ll live another twenty years,’ Felicity responded, pushing Darius’s coat off his shoulders. ‘I am not prepared to wait that long to become your wife. The sister,’ she repeated, pressing her now naked torso against Darius’s chest. ‘She has always been the key. Louise will do anything to protect her reputation.’

  Darius felt desire overwhelm reason and set about making love to Felicity, wondering as he did so who was manipulating whom.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Luke returned to Beranger Court late the following morning, having enjoyed an informative meeting with Brigstock’s solicitors. He had Paul send for Flora and waited until she joined them so that he could tell them both what he had learned.

  ‘Seems Brigstock knew all about his wife and Cleethorp,’ he explained. ‘Cleethorp was not her first lover, but unlike the others he endured. Brigstock knew it was serious, and that his cold-hearted wife was for once in danger of actually falling in love. He told Heath quite candidly that he had neither the will nor the strength to confront her about the affair. He knew how determined she could be when there was something she wanted badly enough. He couldn’t face the scandal of a divorce, which was his only option if he were to challenge her.’

  Paul nodded. ‘He knew she married him for his money?’

  ‘Oh yes. He told Heath that he’d never deluded himself in that regard. Felicity knew that if she didn’t do anything to openly embarrass him and looked after him for the remainder of his life then she stood to inherit a substantial sum. He decided when she failed to behave discreetly with Cleethorp that it made their agreement null and void.’

  ‘Was he actually wealthy, or did he deceive her about the extent of his fortune?’ Flora asked.

  ‘Fabulously wealthy according to Heath. But Brigstock gave him instructions to get rid of the lot whilst he was still alive, just so that there could be no wrangling over it once he was gone. He gave it all to charitable causes, leaving himself just enough to live on. But Heath had precise instructions upon how even that relatively small amount was to be dispersed when Brigstock died. His wife was not to see a penny of it. He was adamant on the point. If she kicked up a fuss, which she apparently attempted to do, then Heath was to threaten her with the publication in the newspapers of an open letter from Brigstock that detailed his wife’s indiscretions in embarrassing detail.’

  ‘Goodness,’ Flora said with a faint smile. ‘I thought women were the more ruthless of the sexes when scorned.’

  Luke chuckled. ‘I can quite understand Brigstock’s desire to have the last word. He knew that money was his wife’s god, and the only reason why she had married him. She had become acc
ustomed to having the very best of everything, so he took it away from her. Unfortunately, Heath is of the opinion that his actions proved to be his downfall.’

  ‘He thinks his wife got wind of his intentions and acted in the hope of pre-empting him?’ Paul flex a brow. ‘He was the orchestrator of his own murder.’

  ‘Heath doesn’t have a shred of actual proof, only something that Mrs Brigstock said to him that stuck in his mind. She was totally shocked when she discovered that she’d been left near destitute. She muttered something about not allowing her husband sufficient time to give his fortune away. Then she realised what she had said and clammed up.’

  ‘I always thought it was ridiculous of Cleethorp to attempt to force Louise’s hand in the manner that he did. Now it seems obvious that Felicity gives the orders and he follows them like a lapdog.’ Flora gave a disgusted shake of her head. ‘Either because he genuinely loves her or because she knows something to his detriment. She sounds like a thoroughly reprehensible person and I can easily imagine her using Cleethorp’s devotion for her own purposes. Mind you, he is no better. What sort of a man allows a woman to rule the roost?’

  Paul nodded. ‘I think it safe to assume that Cleethorp fired the shot that killed Brigstock. I have just returned from speaking to the landlord of the tavern where he put up. He gave his name as Jenson and made himself out to be a travelling salesman, but the landlord never believed that. His upper-class accent gave him away, as did the fact that he didn’t have any goods with him that he was offering for sale; not did he appear to be in any hurry to move on. He was also seen a couple of times skulking about with Mrs Brigstock. The landlord recalls that much because Brigstock’s death occurred while the man he knew as Jenson was still in the district.’

  ‘A travelling salesman wouldn’t have any reason to trespass on private land,’ Luke said, ‘and certainly no reason to fire a gun on said land.’