Chapter 14

Chapter 14

"Colin, you've been in high dudgeons all day. You haven't been able to settle to anything." said Marcus with frustration.

"Do you think Jocelyn doesn't wish to see me anymore?" said Colin in despondent misery. He put down the book he was supposedly reading with a loud thud and stood up to go over to the window.

"Of course not. I suspect Lady Jocelyn was merely out this afternoon," Marcus assured him, unable to admit that he felt a frisson of fear that the real reason might be that Lady Olivia had chosen not to see him.

He pushed away that fear, locking it tightly away. His emotions around Lady Olivia Sherwyn were proving to be a tumult of tempestuous uncertainty.

I feel adrift in a stormy sea. I've no idea where this is going to end up.

I dislike being in London, he thought in passing. Everything seems so complicated.

"It's raining so heavily we can't call and suggest a carriage ride," Colin continued despondently, totally unaware he had lost his listener to his own thoughts.

"And yesterday they didn't want to see us." Colin picked up the book and put it down again. "I just know that Hastings, with his smooth manner, and his so-called romantic gifts of flowers, is succeeding in winning Jocelyn's favor."

"Colin, you might stop to reflect for a moment that ladies like flowers, they search for romance. That's the whole point of a society season. Everyone is searching for love. You found Lady Jocelyn on our very first evening in town. Maybe you should look around at other eligible debutantes?"

This time the book fell to the floor, a loud clatter echoing around the room. Marcus decided he needed to properly listen to his friend, who seemed more distressed than he'd realized.

"Look around at other young ladies? Marcus, why on earth would I want to do that? I've found the most beautiful, kind and considerate young lady in London."

Marcus looked at his friend intently. He could see Colin was serious. He must be head over heels in love with Lady Jocelyn.

And I believe he has a fair chance of remaining so for the rest of his life, mused Marcus.

"Colin, if you feel that way then my advice is to woo your Jocelyn and woo her well. Treat Lord Hastings as a rival and play him at his own game. You can send flowers or bonbons. Arrange a picnic at Kew Gardens or take her a boat ride. If it helps, then invite her to stay with us at Belvedere Abbey. I know my mother would be delighted to have guests."

Colin stared at his friend and mentor as if everything had just clicked into place.

"You're right, by Jove," he shouted. "I need to treat this like a tournament. Lord Hastings is my rival in love. I want the fair Lady Jocelyn to choose to wear my favor. I need to be her knight in shining armor, the one she admires, and not Lord Hastings."

There was a knock on the study door and James Cartwright appeared, holding a piece of paper.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, my Lord. One of the footmen brought this, erm, gossip sheet to me. I thought you needed to see it as you are mentioned by name, and you know the lady concerned."

Marcus took the sheet and read it. He sat back in his chair, reading the cruel words. Anger rose like a red mist as the consequences of the allegations sank in.

He didn't care about his own reputation, yet he had been portrayed as a callous womanizer and it rankled. This gossip was designed to ruin Olivia. When a young lady was observed in such a compromising position, then she lost her reputation immediately.

His hope was that, because this was a rumor based on no facts, people would discount the information. Yet he knew society could be cruel.

What could he do to help? He felt so powerless.

For a moment he found himself back in the library on the night of the ball, listening to her story which had given him insight into her suffering.

Colin came up to him, sensing something was amiss. "Marcus, whatever is wrong?" he asked. "Is it your family?" he persisted, getting no response as Marcus just stared at the sheet of paper.

"Marcus?" he repeated.

"Sorry Colin. This is despicable. It is slander of the worst possible kind."

Colin reached forward and took the paper from his friend's hand. He scanned the words and shuddered. Colin knew this meant a ruined reputation and Lady Olivia Sherwyn would be ostracized from the ton.

"This is evil. Pure evil," muttered Colin. "How can they write such dreadful lies?" He turned to Marcus. "Your reputation can stand this, but Lady Olivia will be ruined. Those tabbies of the ton will have their talons in her by the end of the week."

"I believe I know who is responsible for this," said Marcus through gritted teeth. "Lady Cressida Lantham.

"I want to confront her, but I have no proof—and until I do, I can't do anything. If I talk about this matter, then it will fuel the fire and could make it worse.

"I want those who believe and spread the gossip to understand the pain they have caused. Yet at this moment there is nothing I can do. I can't even go and visit Olivia, as being seen with her might make it worse. Yet every bone in my body is telling me to go and find her and tell her that this will pass, and that everything will be alright in the end."

He stood up and walked around the room. He couldn't settle and knew he was preventing himself from doing all the things that he instinctively wanted to do. This included confronting a certain blond-haired lady, whom he was very certain had lit the touchpaper and set fire to this rumor.

"I can't think, Colin. My thoughts are stuck in a spiral of anger about this scandal sheet. Lady Olivia could be ruined by this."

"I know," agreed Colin, "and Lady Jocelyn isn't going to escape unscathed either. How can anyone spread such lies and not be brought to account?"

"What's more, there's nothing I can do. Someone has paid for that to be circulated, Colin. Someone is determined to cause Lady Olivia misery."

"I'm going round there to see Lady Jocelyn," said Colin. "You clearly can't go as that might inflame the rumors which are flying around town. I can visit discreetly and it's important that their friends don't desert them at this time."

"I want to come with you, but you're right, I can't," agreed Marcus. He looked at Colin with anguish in his eyes. "Colin, if you get the chance, please tell Lady Olivia that she is in my thoughts."

"I have to ask. Do you care for Lady Olivia? Were you thinking of offering for her hand in marriage."

Marcus stayed curiously still, as if he was in another world for a few seconds. He spoke slowly and hesitantly. "In all honesty I don't know. I did spend time with Olivia, that night of the ball. Nothing happened. Those scandal sheets are a disgrace. However, I suspect Lady Cressida saw us leave the library.She showed her true colors by starting that rumor at the ball. Viscountess Leighton almost demanded that she leave the house, but we decided to be compassionate. I regret that."

"You think she saw you with Olivia, she must have followed you," suggested Colin.

"Colin, I'm certain of it. I can't prove it, but I plan to make life very difficult for Lady Cressida."

"If what you say is true then it should be Lady Cressida who is driven from society."

"I agree, but it's how to fend off these allegations, without bringing further attention to Lady Olivia. If I do anything too obvious it would only reinforce the rumors. Damnation, this is so difficult!"

"I will give you any support in bringing down Lady Cressida. Just tell me when you've thought of a plan."

"Although I am sure she is the instigator of the rumors without proof, there is little I can do, but I'll think of something." He patted Colin on the back. "Now, have you thought further about Lady Jocelyn?"

"I have. I'm going to visit today and make my intentions clear. I'm not going to let Lord Hastings beguile Jocelyn with roses and lilies. I thought I should take my time, as it is Jocelyn's first season. It all started off so well and I saw no reason to propose so soon. I was wrong."

"Go off and see your Lady Jocelyn," said Marcus. "Our mothers will be ecstatic to have a wedding."

At that moment the door opened. It was Marcus' butler, Mr. Farthing. Both Marcus and Colin could see that something was very wrong from the look on Farthing's face.

"Is it father?" asked Marcus, before Farthing could speak.

"No, your Lordship, but it is bad news and urgent." He turned to Colin. "It's your mother Lord Ludlow. An express just arrived from Granville Hall to say she's had an accident. The message says it isn't life threatening, but she still unconscious."

Colin looked stunned so Marcus stepped in immediately to organize things. "Colin, do you want to ride or take the carriage?"

"Ride, I'll get there sooner."

"Farthing, tell James Cartwright to pack saddle bags ready for Lord Ludlow to leave for Granville with all speed."

"Very good, my Lord," replied Farthing and he set off to find James.

"Sit down man. Here's a brandy," Marcus told Colin.

"Mother is never ill. And if she is then she never asks for me. I do need to get there as soon as possible."

"You'll be there by nightfall. James Cartwright can ride with you and make sure the horse changes at the posting inns go smoothly."

"And to think I was about to go to Jocelyn and ask her to marry me. Lord Hastings will seize my absence as an opportunity, I'm sure."

"We can't let that happen. Use my desk. Write a letter explaining you've been called away urgently. I'll make sure she gets it," urged Marcus.

Colin took the quill pen that Marcus offered him and began to scribble a note to Lady Jocelyn. He stumbled over the words, which did not flow. He paused and looked up at Marcus. "How do I sign it? We're not engaged, but I need her to know that I care."

"Oh, ‘ever yours,' would seem appropriate," said Marcus. "Maybe add that you are eager to see her again on your return."

He scribbled the final few words and signed the letter with a flourish. He handed it to Marcus. "There, I just hope she realizes this is an emergency. I have to return to Granville, but I need her to know I will return and long to be with her again."

After Colin had left Marcus sat by the fire, still and thoughtful, as the shadows crept into the room. He listened to the rain drumming on the windows and felt the dismal, dreary evening fitted his mood perfectly.

He wanted to go to Swanbourne Place to see Olivia. He wanted to be there so much it was almost physically painful.

Soon, he thought. Very soon, I shall see her again. If the attention on Swanbourne Place doesn't die down, then I'm going to be forced to don a disguise and visit Lady Olivia.

He realized he'd been banking on Colin visiting and returning with news. There was no way of knowing how she was coping with the rumors circulating. His fear was that, because he was named in the scandal sheet, Olivia might never want to see him again. He could only wait and hope to hear news the next day.