Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Edward rushed forward to where the woman, a Miss Louisa Musgrove, lay still as death upon the stones. Another young woman was directing the officer, a man he recognized as Captain Benwick, to summon a doctor, while another man ran in the opposite direction to do her bidding. The woman wielded her orders as calmly as a general on the battlefield, and Edward decided that any help he and Culpepper could contribute would be superfluous.

Instead, he turned back to ensure Adelaide had not been too shocked at witnessing such an event—only to find that the spot where he had left her was now occupied by an ever-growing crowd. He scanned the walkway and spied her being dragged away at such a speed that she had to watch her step. She could not have looked back even if she wanted to.

Had she wanted to look back? She had said so little. Was it because she had forgotten him? Or was indifferent to him? When he had quizzed his sister, Eloise, she had not said Adelaide's heart was engaged. But Eloise had not seen her in months and admitted that because she was now being courted by a certain Mr. Harcourt, the new vicar, she had been otherwise engaged and had not been writing as much as she would have liked .

"So that was the elusive Miss Adelaide Templeton," said Lord Culpepper, who had come to stand beside him. "You would be better, I think, to forget her and turn your attention toward someone who is worth your new standing in life. You have a fair fortune now. You must set your sights higher."

"There was a time when she was far above me," said Edward, still looking in the distance to where the trio had disappeared up a staircase.

"Times change," said Culpepper.

"But my mind and my heart are still in agreement. I will have her, unless it is she herself who turns me away."

"Then there are things you must know," said Culpepper. "Things I have learned after a few quiet inquiries. Let us get a drink and something to eat. Given your strong feelings, this information may be better on a full stomach."

"I believe you think everything is better on a full stomach," said Edward, eliciting a smile from his friend.

They walked past the bystanders and up the stairs to a nearby pub where they had passed a pleasant meal the day before. After settling into a cozy corner near the fire and ordering their repast, Culpepper leaned forward to impart his news.

"I have it from several friends, to whom I applied for information, that the new Lord Winthrop is much in debt—and is blaming the former lord, Adelaide's father, for his circumstances."

Edward shook his head. "No, that cannot be correct. I have seen the books, and I worked with that fine gentleman for three years. Sir Edmond was a fair and honest steward of his lands. His tenants adored him, and though he had made plans for a considerable outlay of money before he passed, to fix the tenants' cottages and to start a new endeavor, he had not yet completed the purchase. When I asked the new Lord Winthrop about continuing with Sir Edmond's sound plans, we disagreed, and I was forced to leave."

Lord Culpepper held up his hand to forestall any further comment, and Edward stopped to listen.

"I have also heard, from several of my most reliable friends, that Lord Thomas Winthrop was in significant debt and living on his expectations long before he inherited Stonehurst. So much so that he has applied to break the entail and sell the property to the highest bidder."

Edward went pale. "Sell Adelaide's home? But what of his son and heir? Bartholomew would need to agree." He swallowed as he thought of another possibility. "Could he not marry Adelaide and secure the future of the estate?"

"You would not want that," said Culpepper. "Bartholomew runs with a very bad set indeed. I would not wish him upon any woman I cherished. No. Besides, it would do him no good."

"What are you not telling me?"

Lord Culpepper took a long draught of his ale, and said softly, so others could not hear, "There has been talk of Miss Adelaide's settlement. One friend, who knows their solicitor through his uncle, says Lord Winthrop has found a way to dip into those funds and, by all reckoning, there is little left. Certainly not enough to secure the future of Stonehurst."

"Bartholomew could marry an heiress."

Miles Culpepper shook his head. "I don't believe he will, unless he manages to attract an heiress from the colonies who doesn't know his history. I am told he is also deep in debt. So between his father, himself, and his mother—who is married to the loo table by all accounts—the only option they see is to sell the estate."

"And what would become of Adelaide?"

Miles shrugged, and Edward imagined what was in her future. She would have to marry—but they would dare not marry her off, would they? If they did, they would be forced to admit to spending her dowry.

Edward felt his blood rise and his heart race. He wished Lord Winthrop were here so he could wring his neck. "I must do something to get her away as soon as possible. But she is not yet of age."

"And, by all accounts, they have not taken her out in society except as a companion to fetch and carry. That we happened upon her at all was lucky, I should think."

"As to that, it was not luck," said Edward, sitting back. "I know Sally, her lady's maid, from my time at Stonehurst. I was able to catch her up on her half day out, and she sent a message to me when they went out this morning."

"Very good," said Miles, laughing. "I should not be surprised that you found a way. You are resourceful."

"Yes, and now I need to put my resources to work and find a way to speak with her again. I must ascertain if she still has feelings for me."

"You will need a plan," said Miles, "and you will also need someone to distract the dragon."

"I imagine you might have some ideas on that score," said Edward. "I remember your talent for providing distractions in school."

Miles sat back to scan the room. He smiled widely, as though remembering their early years. "As long as I don't do anything that will reach father's ears. He already despairs of me being his heir."

"It will be our secret," said Edward, happy to give his friend something fun to anticipate. For the last long year and more, Miles had been mourning the loss of his older brother Charles, all while living under his father's constant tutelage—to learn in months what Charles had taken a lifetime to learn.

"You will need to have a home to bring her to," said Miles. "Have you made any headway on that?"

"I have my eye on a property that has great promise, but I need to go to London soon to secure the purchase."

"You haven't much time to fix Miss Adelaide's interest, then."

"Which is why my plan must be good."

Lord Culpepper rubbed his hands together just as their meal was set in front of them. "I love a good plan almost as much as I love a good roast beef," he said, picking up his knife and fork. "I am sure that between us, we will have you wed in no time."

Captain Edward Kingsley watched his friend dig into his meal and wished he had Miles's confidence. He had a lot to accomplish if he were to succeed.

"Hmm," said Lord Culpepper, savoring the first bite of his meal as though he hadn't just eaten a full breakfast three hours earlier.

Edward smiled and ate. He had been in many battles in the last few years, and he knew the only way to win the final prize was to fight one battle at a time. So for today he would focus on finding a way to meet Adelaide again. And for that, he would go back to Sally who, he knew, wanted only the best for her mistress.