Chapter Fourteen

Mercy never took her eyes off the Viscount's face throughout her father's clarification of how they hoped to lure Reinhardt out into the open. His expression remained carefully neutral, though she couldn't help noticing a tightening of his lips when her father spoke about the proposed fake engagement.

When the Earl finally finished, the only sound in the room was Flossy's and Ruby's snoring next to the fire.

‘Pray tell me why anyone with eyes in their head could possibly believe that Lady Mercedes Stanhope would even consider a marriage proposal from someone who looks like me?' Nate's voice was harsh, and Mercy flinched. She wanted to tell him that his scar was inconsequential. That once one got to know him as a person, it became hardly noticeable. But he'd lived with the shame of his disfigurement for more than fifteen years, and she knew her platitudes would not be welcome. Nor would he believe her.

Instead, her stepmother leaned forward and repeated her earlier statement. ‘ Ton alliances are not formed based on one's looks. You might have been out of society for many years, but I am certain you're fully aware of that my lord. You have a title, and if people believe you wealthy, your disfigurement really does become irrelevant.'

She took a deep breath, before continuing candidly, ‘I believe we can trust you. You fought at Waterloo so you can clearly take care of yourself in a fight, and if necessary, we believe you can protect our daughter.

‘But most importantly, you are an unknown. Your betrothal to Mercy will be the talk of the season. The gossip it will generate will be sure to get to Reinhardt's ears, and, we hope , propel him into acting hastily…' She paused before adding, ‘I know we are asking an awful lot of you based solely on the compassion you have shown to Mercedes thus far, but it is my hope that you will also benefit.'

‘Ah, so you're offering to pay me, my lady.' Nate gave a humourless laugh. ‘And what do you suppose my price will be?'

His flippant question was answered by her husband. ‘I will ensure your house is entirely in order and help you generate an income from the land surrounding it. My influence and that of my brothers-in-law will ensure you are accepted by society and able to take your place within it should you so desire. If in time, you wish to take a wife, you will have something worthwhile to give her.' The Earl's tone was even.

Nate nodded slowly, before turning towards Mercy. ‘How do you feel about the gossips calling you a fool behind your back?' he quizzed.

‘I care not what people call me,' Mercedes scoffed. ‘But I am entirely certain that once you are known, the gossips will change their tune.'

‘And when the time comes, how will we end our engagement ?' he asked. ‘Naturally, I do not wish people to pity me any more than they do already.'

‘Once Reinhardt is caught, it's my intention to disclose the whole charade,' Christian stated firmly. The other four stared at him in astonishment. This was a surprise to everyone.

‘There will be no chance of Mercy being compromised since it's my hope that she will be well chaperoned to every function you both attend.' He gave a low chuckle before adding, ‘This family has any number of females who'll be more than willing to throw themselves into the charade.'

‘Have you been in touch with Nicholas?' the Reverend asked.

‘Naturally,' Christian responded. ‘And Adam. My hope is that both Grace and Temperance will come up to London.

‘Pru and Hope are already there,' added Chastity. ‘And it may be that Jamie will be able to provide assistance.'

‘Leave Jamie and Prudence to me,' the Reverend offered hastily. Mercy didn't miss the suspicious glance her stepmother cast his way.

Nate listened to the exchange without speaking. The names meant nothing to him, aside from the small amount Mercy had told him. But actually putting faces to names filled him with foreboding. Since returning to England he'd never even been in a room with more than half a dozen people. ‘So, just to clarify – I am to be lady Mercedes' bodyguard until Reinhardt shows himself?'

Christian shook his head decisively. ‘No, I am expecting far more from you than that. Until such time as Reinhardt is under lock and key, I wish you to put Mercy's safety above all else.'

The two men stared at one other. After a few seconds, the Viscount nodded his understanding.

‘May I suggest we go in for dinner now and then perhaps you would be so good as to sleep on it and tell me your decision in the morning. As my wife said earlier, we are entirely cognisant of the enormity of what we are asking, and whatever you decide, I will be forever in your debt.'

‘I thought you were never going to suggest it,' Reverend Shackleford grumbled, climbing to his feet. ‘I'm fair gutfounded.' He held out his arm for Chastity before adding, ‘All this talk of putting a rub in the way of that blackguard Reinhardt has given me an appetite.'

Despite the seriousness of their discussion in the drawing room, dinner actually turned out to be a more lighthearted affair than anyone had anticipated. The Reverend was on fine form, regaling the increasingly incredulous Viscount of the many trials and tribulations he'd been subjected to in the raising of eight daughters. Indeed, he'd only got as far as Patience by the time cheese was being served, having cheerfully informed Nate that the exploits of his fifth daughter would take up an entire dinner alone.

‘I really don't think you should be recounting such stories to Nate,' Chastity reprimanded her father with a sigh. ‘It will only reinforce his opinion that we are all entirely dicked in the nob.'

‘I think he was already of that opinion when Grandmama keeled over in the Black Swan,' Mercy commented with a grin. ‘And if he spends any time with the rest of the male members of our family, he will not need the stories. Indeed, Adam declares regularly how traumatised he is, and apparently Max has taken to meditating.' She paused and gave a wicked grin. ‘And then of course there's you, Papa…'

Christian gave her a look. ‘I think perhaps now would be a good time to ask for the Port,' was all he said drily.

‘Do you wish us to leave you to it?' Chastity asked. The Earl shook his head. ‘Nate knows our deepest, darkest secrets. I'm certain it's only good manners to keep him at the table…

***

As Mercy lay in her bed going over the events of the evening, a sense of unreality gripped her. The last few days had been surreal. Indeed, it felt as though they'd actually happened to some other version of her.

Putting aside her complex feelings towards the Viscount for a moment, she thought back to her father's comment about Reinhardt wanting something from her mother.

What could it possibly be? She was aware that her mother had been a courtesan, though the Earl had not described her thus in so many words. He'd merely declared that she'd been a friend – but since in Mercy's experience, friends did not generally have children together, it was a logical assumption that her mother had been a doxy.

Not that she would dream of saying that word to her father. If she did, he would lock her up for a month – at the very least. He'd never given Mercy even the slightest reason to be ashamed of her mother, and he regularly declared that the day she'd been left on his doorstep, was one of the two happiest of his life – the other one being the day he married Chastity Shackleford.

Mercedes turned over onto her side. Had her mother left a will? It seemed unlikely. The few trinkets the courtesan had owned had been left in Mercy's coat pocket, with the exception of the locket which she'd been wearing around her neck. Mercy's oldest memory was of her mother telling her never, ever to take it off. The locket had remained around her throat ever since.

She knew her father had tried to discover whether she had any family in Mexico but had given up long before they travelled to England. Mercy certainly didn't feel any urge to learn about her Latin heritage. She was more than content in the bosom of the unconventional family her father had married into.

Swivelling onto her back again, Mercy's thoughts finally turned back to Viscount Carlingford.

Her father's declaration that the truth would be made known once Reinhardt was out of the picture had changed everything. Both she and Nate would be free to go their separate ways, though in truth, the charade was far more likely to adversely affect her marriage prospects than his. If the Viscount did what was asked of him, he would come out the whole affair a hero and be fighting the ladies off – scar or no scar.

Mercy didn't quite know how that made her feel. He certainly deserved to find happiness, and a wealthy wife would undoubtedly bring him rewards he'd likely never dreamed of.

Including children.

But where did that leave her? Whatever happened, Mercy knew this season would be her last. Suitor or no suitor, she would not be playing the marriage mart again. She would simply turn the problem over to her father who would undoubtedly find her a match. It might not be one made in heaven, but she knew he would do his best to choose someone with whom she could rub comfortably along with.

Was it possible that someone could be Nathaniel Harding…?

***

By the next morning, the snow was completely gone with spring finally returning to the New Forest. Standing at the window, Nate marvelled at the beauty of the scene in front of him. The formal gardens led down to the forest's edge, gradually becoming wilder until they finally merged almost seamlessly. The Viscount knew that Cottesmore had been a smouldering ruin when the Earl first inherited it, and the beauty of the house, and grounds now was a testament to what hard work and money could achieve.

For the first time since he'd stepped foot in Carlingford, Nate wanted the same thing for his own house. He'd been indifferent to his surroundings for so long, this sudden desire to create an actual home was disconcerting to say the least. Part of him was terrified to return to the real world and the fragile hope that happiness was not only to be found in the bottom of a bottle.

But then much would depend on his conversation with the Earl when they met at breakfast. Of course, he would play the part of a besotted fiancé – as Stanhope must have known he would. Nate would do whatever it took to protect Mercy – whatever it took.

A small snore came from the bed behind him, pulling him out of his reverie. He turned to regard Ruby with amused exasperation. Though Nate was entirely certain she would live with him on the streets if needs be, the little dog was clearly not averse to the finer things in life, and in truth, Ruby had given him much more than he'd ever given her. But then, hopefully, her loyalty was about to be rewarded.

Yes, he would willingly give his life for Mercedes Stanhope, but first he and the Earl needed to discuss one more condition.

***

The conversation during breakfast was purposely kept to mundane matters such as the uncommon weather after the Earl declared equivocally that he preferred his bacon and eggs to be business free. This time the whole Stanhope family were present at the table, and Nate found himself holding a conversation with two ten-year-olds for the first time in … well ever. It was certainly an eye opener – especially the questions.

‘What did you do to your face?'

‘Does it hurt?'

‘Will it come off if I touch it?'

‘Are you a pirate?'

‘I've got a scar like yours.' This from Olivia who had no compunction about hoiking her skirt up to show him the miniscule scar decorating her knee.

‘We're going to stay in London while Mercy looks for her husband.'

‘I don't know what she's done with him, but he must be very good at hiding.'

‘You're not Mercy's husband, are you…?'

‘Don't be such a ninnyhammer, Mercy hasn't lost her husband, she hasn't found one yet. That's why she's going to look for one.' The scathing comment was from Christopher – or Kit as the rest of the family called him. Clearly, the heir to the Earldom, he was a serious boy of around thirteen and fortunately for the future of Cottesmore, nothing at all like his twin sisters.

Before a row could ensue, their mother put down her napkin and rose from her chair. ‘I'm certain Miss Horsham will be waiting for you in the school room,' she declared, the tone of her voice more hopeful than anything else. ‘So bid Viscount Carlingford goodbye as he will be leaving after breakfast.'

The twins simply waved before chasing each other out of the room. Christopher, however, gave a very creditable bow and politely wished him a safe journey before walking sedately to the door.

‘Don't pay too much attention to his impeccable manners,' the Earl murmured drily when the door finally shut behind him. ‘If you hadn't been here, he'd have delivered his last remark to his sister alongside a kick.'

‘Which would undoubtedly have led to a full-scale battle under the table,' Mercy added. ‘Truly you're honoured, my lord. They do not usually show so much interest in a guest.'

‘I doubt many of them look like me,' Nate retorted without rancour.

Before Mercy could find a suitable riposte, the door was thrown open again and her grandfather stomped into the room, Flossy trotting happily behind him. ‘Have I missed anything?' he demanded, going over to the sideboard to help himself to some devilled kidneys.

‘Nothing at all, Augustus,' Christian responded. In fact, as always, you've arrived just as things are hopefully about to get interesting.' He turned towards Nate with raised eyebrows. ‘I trust you came to a decision overnight?'

The Viscount automatically glanced over at Mercy. What would she think about what he was about to say? She coloured up under his regard, and for a second, he found himself bereft of words.

Bringing his breakfast back to the table, the Reverend looked at the Viscount in exasperation and muttered, ‘Spit it out lad. We haven't got all day.'

Nate gritted his teeth, something he was beginning to realise most people spent much of their time doing when dealing with the clergyman. With difficulty, he forced himself to relax.

‘You have my word that I will do everything within my power to ensure Mercedes remains safe,' he said evenly. The Earl closed his eyes in relief, and Nate couldn't help wondering if his lordship would be quite so content after his next words.

‘However, I do have one more condition…' Nate left the sentence hanging for a second until he was sure everyone round the table had heard. He watched the Earl glance towards his wife and frown slightly, before turning back and nodding his head in an invitation to speak.

Taking a deep breath, Nate looked over at Mercy as he spoke, knowing it was her reaction he needed to see.

‘I wish my betrothal to Mercedes to stand once Reinhardt has been apprehended.' He waited and saw the moment she understood. Her eyes widened and she smothered a gasp. Then, turning back to the Earl, Nate continued, ‘As soon we are certain Mercedes is safe, I would like us to be married.'