CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

C HAPTER T WENTY-ONE

L ady Stern moved to a chair next to the sofa upon which Oriana was sitting. She gave Charlie a tenuous smile and held out her hand. “I do not doubt Pettigrew is lying.” Her smile grew as he took her hand and squeezed it. He had to remember that she was at least as distraught as he, if not more so. “After all, if it were true, someone in your family would have said something long ago. But you said Pettigrew appeared smug when you asked about your copy of the contract. That concerns me. Could it be that he and your father used the same solicitor?”

“Why didn’t I think of that?” Charlie shook his head. Could Pettigrew have had a contract drawn up and forged Papa’s signature? “I have no idea.”

Charlie glanced at Sir Henry, who said, “Your father and I had the same lawyer, but whether Pettigrew used him I can’t say.”

Charlie’s brows lowered. “You said ‘had.’ What caused you to change solicitors?”

“He was getting on in years and decided to retire. Neither your father nor I liked his replacement. We decided to go with Mr. Harrington and I have been with him ever since.”

“When was that?” Charlie asked.

About a year before your father’s accident,” Sir Henry replied.

Oriana squeezed Charlie’s hand. “Charlie, did he say when this betrothal was to have taken place?”

“When I was still young. I should have thought to ask.” Except he had been too taken aback to think of it.

“You were probably too shocked.”

“That is an understatement.” He kissed her hand.

“You would have been about nine,” Sir Henry mused. “Old enough to have been told.”

There was something Charlie—all of them—were missing. But what? “Would the solicitor forge a document for Pettigrew, or a signature?”

“That is an excellent question, my dear,” Lady Stern commented. “Charlie, you said you sent a message to Grace and Worthington?”

Charlie nodded. “I had my secretary send a letter asking for information.”

Sir Henry barked a laugh that broke the tension in the room. “They’ll be here no later than tomorrow.”

Charlie had to laugh at the truth of the remark. Although, he’d rather that they sent a letter. It was his place to settle this mess.

The tension he felt from Oriana finally subsided. “From what little I know of Charlie’s family they might all arrive to help us do battle. Our problem will be to dampen any expectations that Lord Pettigrew might sow. There is no doubt that he will start a rumor, and his wife might very well support him. I feel extremely sorry for poor Sarah Pettigrew. She is only seventeen and is looking forward to having a Season next year.”

“You are correct, my dear.” Lady Stern leaned over and patted Oriana’s hand again. “She will be the one harmed. It is a shame you did not tell everyone and their dog that the two of you had agreed to wed.”

“We felt we had to tell the family first.” Charlie wished they had as well, but it was what Oriana had asked him to do.

“I am afraid that was my fault.” She pulled a face. “Because of some problems I have been having with my cousin, I wanted to hold the news close.”

“What problems, my dear?” Lady Stern asked.

Charlie and Oriana told them about the attacks and their suspicions. They fell silent.

“I have more bad news.” Oriana squeezed his hand. “I received a letter this morning from my cousin, inviting himself to my house. I immediately wrote back to him, informing him that he would not be allowed in the door, but I have a feeling that he will be traveling here before he receives it. Of course he did not tell me when he was arriving. Fortunately my servants are quite capable of refusing him entrance.”

If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. Although Ognon had been a problem from the beginning. “What can he want?”

“The same thing he always wants, I should imagine. To marry me.”

Charlie loosened his jaw. He wasn’t going to have any back teeth left if he didn’t stop grinding them. “I thought I had disabused him of the notion.”

“We barely knew each other at the time. He probably did not think you were serious.” She gave him a small smile. “I almost rolled my eyes at both of you. He will be directed to the inn.”

“It is not going to help if he hears about Pettigrew’s claim,” Lady Stern pointed out.

“Unfortunate but true.” Charlie scanned their faces. They had to decide how to handle this disaster. “What are we to do to dampen Pettigrew’s pretentions and, at the same time, not hurt Sarah?”

“I doubt the fact that she is not yet out will stop him from throwing her at you,” Lady Stern ventured. “I suggest that you never be alone with her or ask her to dance or stroll if you are put in the position.”

“Good Lord, yes.” He planned to stay as far away as possible from the whole family, but especially young Sarah. All he needed to do was to be publicly compromised into marriage when he was betrothed to a lady he had gladly compromised in truth.

When Oriana glanced at him again he could see mirth sparkling in her eyes. “It appears as if I will have to stay close to you at any events we attend.”

“And I with you.” He grinned, happy that she was feeling better. For a while he’d thought that she was going to leave him. “In fact I will refuse to stand up with any other lady.”

Lady Stern regarded them. “If asked and when appropriate to comment, I will make clear to my friends that I had never heard of a betrothal, and as the late Lady Stanwood’s dearest friend, I would have been told.” She glanced at her husband. “Henry?”

“Yes, my dear. I will do the same as the former Lord Stanwood’s closest friend.” He cleared his throat. “Charlie and I will visit Harrington’s office and, if necessary, the old solicitor’s office as well to ask some very pointed questions.”

Charlie was happy to see a plan coming together. “I believe I would rather leave Harrington to deal with the other solicitor. I don’t think I even know his name.”

“I will tell my aunt what has happened. She must be prepared to give a cogent answer or remark as well.” Oriana frowned. “Other than what we have already discussed I cannot think of anything else.”

“I have an idea,” Charlie said. “As Charlotte is still here, you can spend as much time at my house as you wish. We can live in each other’s pockets. Luncheon, dinner, rides together. Help each other tend to the estates together.”

“That is an excellent idea.” Oriana gave him a brilliant smile. “In other words, spend every moment we can together.”

He nodded.

Lady Stern studied them. “It will be unusual, but that might work. It will certainly put a damper on any declarations Pettigrew makes.”

“As long as he doesn’t produce a signed contract with your father’s signature on it,” Sir Henry reminded them.

Lady Stern rose, prompting the rest of them to stand as well. “There is something we all must remember. Pettigrew was not an intimate of your father’s. Thus making it more likely than not he will trip himself up with this fantasy he is attempting to build.”

Charlie kissed Oriana’s cheek. “Do you feel better now?” If they spent most of their time together, it would not only make a mockery of Lord Pettigrew’s claims, it would hamper her cousin’s pretensions as well.

She tucked her hand in Charlie’s arm. “Let us begin as we intend to continue.”

Lady Stern led the way out of the room.

“You know”—he tugged Oriana closer, placing his lips next to her ear—“I might become used to being next to you at all times.”

“I might become used to it as well.” She gave a mock sigh. “We will have to get used to being very unfashionable.”

He laughed. “We’re in good company with my sisters and brothers-in-law.”

“We will be. Should I accompany you to the solicitor’s office?”

He exchanged a glance with Sir Henry, who shrugged.

“No, my dear,” Lady Stern said. “That would present a very odd appearance. You and I shall visit the stores until they have completed their business.”

Well, that was a disappointment, but her ladyship was right. Ladies did not attend a solicitor. The solicitor always attended a lady at her house. Normally, they even attended gentlemen there. But this was an emergency.

“Perhaps we should have tea at Mrs. Singleton’s new tearoom,” Lady Stern suggested.

“What an excellent idea. It never hurts to promote a new business.” Oriana’s eyes widened. “Oh, I almost forgot. Charlotte, Mary, and Theo are probably still at my house. We should send them a note asking them to meet us at the tearoom. That will give us an opportunity to tell them what we have decided.”

“That is a wonderful idea, my dear.” Lady Stern smiled. “We can send a messenger. Let us be on our way.”

Both carriages were ready when they stepped outside. Charlie was relieved that Oriana allowed him to help her into his curricle. He made a point of lightly kissing her lips before going around to the other side.

Charlie and she followed Sir Henry’s carriage into Stanwood. They left the curricles at the inn, and the ladies went toward the shops while Charlie and Sir Henry strolled to their solicitor’s office. They climbed the stairs and entered an open room with two clerks’ desks.

“My lord,” one of the clerks said. “Are you here to see Mr. Harrington?”

“We are. Is he available?”

“I am positive he will be for you and Sir Henry.” The fellow strode off down a corridor and returned with the solicitor following him.

“This must be urgent,” Harrington said. “Please follow me.”

They went to Harrington’s well-appointed office and took seats in front of the man’s desk. He took his seat behind the desk. “Now, what is this about?”

“A claim has been made.” Charlie hoped he’d have an answer soon. “I need to find out if there is any truth behind it.” He told the solicitor about Pettigrew’s visit. “Do you know anything?”

Harrington sat back and pressed his fingers in the form of a temple. “I remember that his lordship’s solicitor approached me with an offer.” His lips tilted up. “Pettigrew was not allowed on Stanwood property. As it was my duty, I approached your father, who flatly refused to consider it.”

Charlie let out a breath. That was a relief. “Do you have the correspondence?”

“I have everything.” Harrington smiled and rang a bell. A clerk entered almost immediately. “I need the Stanwood file from the year 1809.”

“I’ll bring them directly.” The clerk left.

Charlie wondered how long it would take. “I should tell you that I am betrothed to Miss Oriana Ognon. I would have asked you to draft the marriage contracts, but I am aware that you represent her as well. Ergo I am using my London solicitor. He has all my information and a copy of my sister Charlotte’s settlement agreement. After he drafts the agreement he will send it to you. My proposal is that Miss Ognon will keep all of her property in a trust.”

Harrington raised a brow. “As you know, that is not at all how things are normally arranged. However, I will of course protect her interests. When is the wedding to be held?”

Charlie grinned. “In twelve days.”

“I can see I’ll be extremely busy,” Harrington said. “It was the same with your father. When he wanted something, he wanted it immediately.”

Charlie’s throat tightened. Since he’d returned, many people had compared him with his father. He wished he’d had more time with Papa.

The clerk returned. With four files. “Here you are, sir.”

“Take them to the table and look for a letter to me regarding a betrothal between Pettigrew and Stanwood.”

The other clerk arrived with tea, and the three of them waited until the first clerk held up several sheets of paper. “Here they are, sir.”

“Good work. Let me see what we have,” Harrington said. The man handed him the documents and he perused them. “It is as I remembered. Smyth, the solicitor who took over Mr. Shayon’s practice, sent me a letter stating that he represented Lord Pettigrew and that his lordship would like me to approach the sixth Earl of Stanwood with a proposal to betroth Baron Pettigrew’s eldest daughter, Sarah, to the earl’s eldest son, Charles.”

Charlie straightened. “I am the sixth earl. Didn’t he mention a Christian name?”

Harrington shook his head. “Your father and I had a good laugh over that one, considering the sixth earl’s son had not yet been born. He decided that we should not correct the error and merely reject the proposal.”

Sir Henry got a sly look on his face. “Stanwood, you know, of course, what this means?”

Charlie was relaxed for the first time that morning. “Indeed. Even if he came up with a document, he would have the wrong earl signing it.”

“The question is,” Harrington said, “how do you plan to handle this?”

“Very carefully.” Charlie glanced at Sir Henry. “After all, we knew it was impossible that my father agreed to betroth me to anyone. The main problems are social reputations. I suggest we bring the ladies into the discussion. Shall we go find them?”

“Excellent idea, my boy.” Sir Henry stood and held out his hand. “Harrington, thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

Charlie shook the solicitor’s hand as well. “I thank you too.”

“My pleasure, my lord. I will keep an eye out for the contract, then send a note around to Miss Ognon requesting an appointment.”

Feeling much better now than he had earlier, Charlie strolled with Sir Henry toward the tearoom. They met his sisters walking toward them.

“We received a messenger asking us to join Oriana and Lady Stern at the new tearoom,” Mary said.

“We are on our way there now,” Theo added.

“How did everything go?” Charlotte asked, obviously being careful in the event they were overheard.

“Much better.” Charlie appreciated how discreet she was. “We will tell you about it during tea.”

Lady Stern and Oriana strolled toward them. Charlie watched her closely for any indication of backsliding but couldn’t see any. Yet he didn’t think he’d stop worrying until they were safely married. He took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “Was shopping productive?”

“It was.” They headed in the direction of the tearoom. “I found fabric and spoke with the seamstress about new clothing for the Greens. The gowns they are wearing are being ruined by their work. I must replace their garments and provide them a few sets of new clothing.” She glanced back. “Charlotte, do you plan to return to Rose Hill after tea? If so, I will accompany you.”

“There is no need.” His youngest sister grinned. “We completed the inventory. It is ready to be given to the solicitor.”

Oriana’s jaw dropped and she quickly closed it. “How on earth did you accomplish that?”

Mary pointed her chin at Theo. “She found the statements from your man of business. The last one was sent on the midsummer quarter day.”

“We brought everything with us,” Theo said. “The package is in Charlotte’s curricle.”

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Charlie glanced at Oriana. “If you don’t mind, I will take it over before we have tea.”

“Of course not.”

“I will get it.” Theo strode off. “It will not take a moment.” She returned with a box carried by one of the inn’s grooms. “Here you are.”

“This is hefty.” Charlie balanced it on one hand. “I’ll meet you in the tearoom.”