Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Charles had slept in late, and he wished that he hadn't. He didn't like sleeping in late, even when he barely got any sleep the night before. But he had been so worn out from the day before that it just hit him, and he barely stirred until nearly nine.

Being an early riser, it felt odd getting up at this time. The last time Charles had risen at nine was when he had been with Mary on their honeymoon all those years ago. And he had a reason to stay in bed for longer.

Much as he missed rolling over and cuddling someone as he woke up, Charles did like sleeping spread out in his bed without knocking someone onto the floor. But it never stopped him getting up early.

He had been very stressed about his brother-in-law, who had looked very pale as Charles left the evening before. His servants had stayed by his side, refusing to leave and only letting in Charles and Lucy. Elizabeth had tried to get in, and had gotten really upset when she was told that she couldn't get in at all. She had screamed at them, but nobody had bowed down to her; they were adamant in not letting her anywhere near Harvey. Charles made a mental note to give them a slight raise for their actions.

Harvey would be having his tests done this morning. The doctor and his assistant would be back to do them. Hopefully, Elizabeth would stay out of the way and not get involved; she seemed stuck in the mindset that Harvey was simply unwell and everyone was making such a fuss. Charles didn't believe that at all. He was sure that something else was happening.

And the implications were scaring him. It had kept his tired mind turning over and over until he passed out.

Hopefully, Lucy would be all right. She had been sobbing quietly as they took her home, and Lara had stayed with her the whole time. She appeared to have become rather protective over her cousin. Charles saw so much of Mary's attitude and mannerisms in Lara throughout this that he couldn't help but smile.

Thinking about his wife didn't leave him with an ache in his chest anymore. It felt like he had come to terms with everything, and it was just news that settled with him. Charles had felt a little guilty now that it had passed, but it seemed to be the sign that he could move on.

With Louise.

Charles smiled as he dressed on his own. Louise would be perfect for him. Her kindness and compassion were palpable in everything she did; he loved looking for her smile, seeing her genuinely interested in what he had to say. She was clever, witty, and sweet. And she loved to talk about astronomy, using the telescope more than Charles did.

How had someone not fallen in love with her long before this? Maybe that was a sign that everyone knew that Charles would come along and fall in love with her, so they paved the way for him. It felt good.

He was going to tell her. Once they figured out what was wrong with Harvey and everything was settled, Charles was going to tell Louise how he felt. They hadn't courted officially, but maybe they could follow the rules and have a brief courtship before they got married.

Charles was certain about that. He definitely wanted to marry Louise. He loved her, his children liked her, and he felt comfortable having another woman in his life. It was ideal.

Mary would have approved. Charles hoped that she was watching over him and saying that it was about time.

Heading downstairs, Charles was surprised by how quiet it was. Then again, given what had happened the day before, it was no surprise that there was silence in the house rather than noise and bustling. Nobody could be in a good mood after Harvey's collapse.

Hopefully, things would be back to normal soon.

Archie was in the dining room, having what appeared to be a late breakfast. He nodded a greeting to him.

"Morning, Father. You're up late."

"I'm surprised you noticed." Charles took his place as one of the footmen poured out some coffee for him. "Where are Lara and Lucy? Have they eaten already?"

"I believe so."

"You believe so?"

Archie shrugged, his mouth full of bread.

"They went out earlier. I was coming downstairs as they were leaving. Neither of them told me where they were going."

Charles frowned. His daughter and niece had left the house? He hoped they weren't doing anything stupid.

"Did they have a chaperone, at least?"

"I don't know, they left before I could ask. But I'm guessing they did. Even then, they're going out as a pair so they can look after each other." Archie sighed. "I'm sure they've gone to the park for a walk, and they'll be back soon."

Charles hoped so, too. Lucy had been in a lot of distress the day before, and she hadn't wanted to be alone. Lara had offered to let her sleep in her room so she wasn't on her own, something Lucy accepted eagerly. Charles was worried about his niece shaking like a leaf. She was really concerned about her father, and he couldn't blame her.

They would get to the bottom of Harvey's illness, and then they could focus on perking Lucy up.

"Father," Archie finished his mouthful, sitting back with a heavy sigh, "can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you think Aunt Elizabeth had feelings for you?"

The words came out in a rush, and Charles stared at him in bewilderment. Not what he had expected his son to say.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because she's been behaving really strangely around you for years, and it's only gotten worse since you started spending time with Lady Louise." Archie frowned. "If I didn't know better, I'd say she was in love with you and hated the thought of you being with someone else."

Charles didn't know what to say for a moment. He wanted to deny it to Archie and that his son had an active imagination, but he had been having thoughts about it himself.

Elizabeth had been getting worse with her attitude since she realized Charles was spending time with Louise, and she had tried to insert herself into his life more. It was clear that there was some jealousy going on, but there was only so much that Charles could do without actually confronting her.

Maybe he needed to do that. Although it wasn't going to be pretty.

"Is it true, Father?" Archie peered at him. "Is she in love with you?"

"I know that she was in love with me years ago."

"What?"

Charles arched an eyebrow at his son's stunned expression.

"I'm surprised you're not aware of it. It was before I met Mary. Elizabeth and I were in the same social circle when we entered Society. I was aware of her having feelings for me back then, but I was never interested in her in that way, so I never entertained it. Then I met her sister—your mother—and that was it for me."

"And you thought that she had stopped loving you romantically back then?" Archie asked.

"I thought she had. After all, she married Uncle Harvey shortly after your mother and I were wed, and Lucy came along pretty quickly as well. I feel like she's moved on from me."

Archie snorted.

"Given how she's been behaving over the years toward you, I think it was her way of keeping you close because she couldn't have you."

"Archie, you shouldn't speak about something that you don't have any definitive proof on. That's how gossip starts, and reputations are ruined."

"Well, your reputation is going to be questioned once Aunt Elizabeth started behaving more erratically. I wouldn't be surprised if she was poisoning Uncle Harvey to get rid of him and then get between you and Louise so she can have you to herself."

Charles' mouth fell open, almost spilling his coffee over his hand. Putting his cup down, Charles used his handkerchief to clean himself up. If only he could clear up his bewilderment.

"Why would you say something like that? Poisoning Uncle Harvey?"

"He's showing the signs of being poisoned, isn't he? It's not a stretch to believe that she is trying to kill her husband."

"Archie, you really shouldn't speak like that. That's your aunt you're talking about."

Archie huffed and shook his head.

"I haven't liked Aunt Elizabeth for a long time. It's been since Mother died, I think. I have no idea why, but something in my gut told me that this wasn't good.

I've been trying to avoid Aunt Elizabeth without making it obvious ever since, but I've noticed how she's been around you lately, especially once Louise joined us on our outings. Didn't you see how she behaved when we were in the café, and Aunt Elizabeth pretty much dragged you away? She treats Louise so coldly it could form ice in the air."

Charles didn't want to think about his sister-in-law like that. The possibility that she might have poisoned Harvey had crossed his mind, but Charles had dismissed it. Elizabeth wasn't that stupid, and while she was questionable on a few things, attempted murder was not a part of her.

"I wish you would stop with this, Archie." Charles picked up his coffee cup and took a sip, this time not dropping anything all over the table. "You're being morbid. In a second, you're going to be telling me that you think your mother was murdered."

He saw his son stiffen out of the corner of his eye and wondered what he had started now. Before he could say anything about it, Duffy came hurrying into the room. His face was flushed, and he looked like he had been running.

"Forgive me for interrupting you, my lord," he panted. "But I've just had a message from Bethany. It came in just now."

"Bethany?"

"Lady Louise's maid."

Charles frowned at his valet.

"I'm surprised that you two are in contact, Duffy. When did this start happening?"

"Oh." Duffy's face went even more red, and he cleared his throat. "Well…she and I…we've been…well…"

"Let me guess," Archie said with a sly smile. "You two have been seeing each other, haven't you?"

Duffy's silence was enough for an answer. Charles shook his head with a smile. It would be just like Duffy to keep this quiet. He had had a few bad experiences with women in the past, so he never liked to discuss it in case something went wrong, and he was embarrassed. And it wasn't actually a surprise that he and Bethany were seeing each other, given how he had seen the two of them interact on their outings.

"I think we should leave Duffy's private life private, Archie," Charles said to his son. "From the look of it, there's something more important. Isn't there, Duffy?"

"What? Oh!" Duffy cleared his throat, leaning on a chair as he caught his breath. "Bethany was doing some early errands for Lady Clarissa Coleton…"

"Lady Coleton?"

"Lady Louise spent the night with her. Anyway, that's not important." Duffy gulped in more air. "Lady Lara and Lady Lucy have just been to see Lady Louise. And they shared concerns about Lady St. Simon possibly trying to poison her husband."

The words hung in the air, and they didn't seem to sink in. Charles looked at Archie, who had frozen in his chair.

"Did you know they were going to do this, Archie?"

"No! Of course not!" Archie shook his head emphatically. "I wouldn't have told them to do something like that!"

"Well, whatever reason they had for going to Lady Louise, that's what Bethany overheard," Duffy said. He sounded less out of breath, straightening upright and adjusting his jacket. "Also, Bethany shared a concern with me about Lady St. Simon herself."

"What is it?" Charles asked.

"She is worried that if Lady St. Simon is capable of poisoning her husband, she might go after Lady Louise as well."

Charles sat up.

"What? How could she think that?"

"Because she overheard Lady St. Simon threaten her mistress yesterday at the garden party."

"I beg your pardon?"

"That's what Bethany told me. I don't know what was said, but it was enough to worry Bethany when she overheard about the potential poisoning."

Charles didn't know what to think anymore. He hadn't wanted to think that his sister-in-law, his family, could do something so heinous, but with more people saying it and seeing it as plausible, it was giving him pause. Charles was sure that if it came out that Elizabeth was innocent, these speculations were going to follow her around.

And was Bethany right about the threat? Did she think that Elizabeth might hurt Louise? Charles didn't want to think about that. But given how Elizabeth had been behaving…

There was a possibility that she could do that.

Oh, God, where was she now?

***

Even with Clarissa, Lara, and Lucy close by, just out of sight, Louise still felt vulnerable. She didn't want to do this, and would rather have Mansfield sent away, but she was aware of how stubborn he could be. He wouldn't leave until he had spoken to her.

If he had come here to tell her to forgive Aunt Harriet and get back to some sort of mediocre relationship, Louise was going to send him packing. He might love her aunt enough to want to marry her, but there was no hope of Louise finding any semblance of like, or love, toward the woman who admitted to resenting her and ruining her romantic life for years. If it hadn't been for Aunt Harriet, she would have been married by now.

But if you were married, you wouldn't have met Charles.

I'm not going to give Aunt Harriet the credit for that.

Hopefully, this wouldn't take long and they would be able to get Mansfield to leave soon.

The earl was pacing around the lawn when Louise finally got her courage and stepped out onto the terrace. He turned to her, pausing as he took her in. His eyes darkened, and he moved toward her, only to stop when Louise held up her hands.

"You can stay right there, my lord. I don't want you anywhere near me."

"But…" Mansfield hesitated. "You don't think I'm going to hurt you, do you?"

"I don't trust you, my lord, and you know my thoughts on you. So why don't you tell me what you came to say, and then you leave me alone? I don't want to be around you for longer than I have to."

Mansfield grimaced.

"That's a bit harsh."

"It's simply the truth. What do you want for calling at this hour with no invitation? I'm guessing Aunt Harriet told you where I am?"

"She did. I arrived this morning, and she was still upset about your confrontation last night."

"Oh, I'm sure she is." Louise wasn't going to mention the money. "Did she tell you why I left as I did? Or did you get her telling you that I was offended over something I misconstrued?"

"Well…"

Mansfield's slow response told Louise everything. Even now, Aunt Harriet was lying to her suitor. She shook her head.

"Look, it's more complicated than you know, and I'm not about to go through it all. Just know that Aunt Harriet and I are not on good terms, and I have no intention of being around her any longer than I have to."

"She didn't mean anything that she said, Louise."

"That's Lady Louise to you," Louise said icily. She folded her arms. "And, trust me, she meant it all. I know when she's telling the truth. She hates me, and she ruined my future by making sure I was isolated and kept pretty much a prisoner. I know you would like the two of us to be on good terms before you marry her, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen. You and Aunt Harriet can have your married life without me. I won't be a part of anything."

Mansfield blinked. He looked confused.

"When…what makes you think Lady Holmes and I are getting married? Where did you get that idea?"

Louise frowned.

"What…? You've been coming over to the house a lot, and you're with Aunt Harriet all the time. With the way you two were interacting, I assumed that you were courting Aunt Harriet and that you were about to ask her to marry you."

Mansfield made a face.

"Why would I marry someone like her? She's too old. We're just acquaintances, that's all."

"Acquaintances?"

Louise was getting more and more confused. Acquaintances didn't spend that much time together, she knew that much. And the body language between Aunt Harriet and Mansfield had suggested some sort of intimacy. What else could it be?

"Then why were you at our house all the time? Why would you do all of that with my aunt if you weren't going to marry her?"

"Because I was there for you, Louise."

Louise thought she had misheard. He had been there for her? She stared at him, wondering if the words were going to change and say something different in her head. But they didn't.

"I…I beg your pardon?"

"It's you that I'm in love with, Louise," Mansfield's voice softened as he stepped toward her. "It's always been you."

Louise backed up quickly, almost wobbling as her foot caught in her skirts. Now, she was beginning to panic.

"But…I have no idea what's going on here. You never said anything about being in love with me, my lord. You never hinted at anything, either."

"Louise…"

"Stop addressing me so informally!" Louise cried. "You have no right to do that, my lord."

Mansfield faltered, but he sighed and nodded.

"All right, I'll respect that, my lady. But it's true that I do love you. Even before my wife passed away, I've been in love with you."

"Excuse me?" Louise felt nauseous. "You were looking at other women while you were married? How could you do that?"

"Everyone does it, don't they?"

"No, they don't! You know that what you thought was wrong. That wasn't fair to your wife."

"That's what your aunt said as well."

Louise wondered if she was getting verbally slapped at the same time. She felt as if she had been whipped around in different directions.

"What? She knew about that as well?"

Mansfield nodded. He looked as if he wanted to step toward her, but he stayed where he was. Louise was glad about that; she was sure that she would run away if he did.

How had she been around the man and not realized that he was in love with her?

"I told your aunt about how I felt long ago, but she wasn't comfortable about you being my mistress. She doesn't like you, that much she was clear about, but you being someone's mistress would tarnish her reputation as much as yours. She wasn't prepared to let me have you as I wanted. However, once my wife died, things shifted, and Lady Holmes began to come around to the idea of me seducing you with the intention of marrying you toward the end."

"She agreed to all of that?" Louise was in a daze. "But she was always jeopardizing my potential suitors. Why would she help…?"

Then it dawned on her. Aunt Harriet never did anything unless she could get something out of it, and there was something she loved more than anything else. Money.

"You were going to pay her in exchange for getting me married to you, weren't you? That's why she's been so insistent on you being in my company."

"That was her deal. I'm wealthy, so I'm not going to hurt if I help her out by paying off her debts if she gets me what I want…"

"What, wait?" Louise held up a hand. "Debts? Aunt Harriet is in debt?"

"Apparently, it's quite a lot." Mansfield looked bemused. "You honestly didn't know? She said that she tried to pay it off by using your money, but the bank was very strict on how much could come out at once, even after she tried different angles, so she was getting desperate."

Why was it a surprise that her aunt had debts? Louise should have suspected it; Aunt Harriet loved money and spending it frivolously. She was always wearing a new dress, or there was something different about the decor. She wanted to keep up with everyone else and look modern. Of course she would be in debt, and she had tried to pay it off with Louise's money. When that didn't work, she tried to use Louise herself?

She felt her chest tightening and hoped that Clarissa would step in soon. She didn't like where this was going.

"I…I don't know what to say," she said finally. "Nobody told me anything about this."

"Would you have agreed to it if you were told the truth?"

"Of course not! I wasn't about to marry someone as a pawn! And I thought you were Aunt Harriet's suitor, and nobody told me otherwise!" Louise stared at him. "Why did nobody tell me this in the beginning? I could have told you then that you were wasting your time."

Mansfield blinked.

"You…you don't…?"

"I don't love you? No, of course not. I don't even like you!" Louise took a deep breath and let it out. "Now that I know you two were going to use me for selfish reasons, I certainly won't agree to it. I don't know what you're going to get out of telling me this now."

"Because…" Mansfield stepped toward her, but stopped when Louise backed away from him again. "Because we were hoping to ease you into it, to the idea that you were going to become a countess. Then I would have the woman I wanted and your aunt would have her debts cleared as well as getting rid of you." He scowled. "But then you started seeing the Earl of Chesterfield, and from what we heard around the ton you two were courting. We couldn't let that happen."

"So that's why Aunt Harriet was so resistant," Louise murmured. "She had you in mind."

"Do you think Chesterfield would have paid off her debts?"

"I doubt it. I wasn't going to ask him, either."

"Then you have it. It wouldn't have been the outcome anyone wanted if you married him instead of me."

"It would have been the outcome I wanted!" Louise snapped back. "And it wouldn't have been any of your business, either. You're not anything to me, my lord. I know that sounds harsh, but it's true. I don't feel anything toward you. Now, if you'll leave the same way you came, please? I've got more important things to deal with today."

She turned away, hoping that her leaving would be the end of it, but then Mansfield suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her back. Louise gasped and managed to catch herself before she fell into him.

"But I do love you!" Mansfield protested, his expression pleading as he squeezed her hand. "I've waited for you for years, and I'm not going to give up now."

"Let me go, my lord."

"Not until you've heard me out, Louise."

Louise tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn't let her go. All she needed to do was scream…

"Let her go!"

Louise started when she heard Lara's voice, and looked over her shoulder to see the girl storming toward them, her eyes blazing at Mansfield. Mansfield faltered.

"What…what's going on?"

"You're not supposed to put your hands on a woman when she has not consented," Lara said, practically spitting at him. Then she reached out and pinched the back of his hand hard, which made Mansfield let go with a yowl. "That's what you get for not listening to a woman's wishes."

Louise stared at her, but Lara was more focused on the earl as he cradled his injured hand to his chest. More footsteps reached her ears, and Louise saw Clarissa and Lucy hurrying across the grass. Lucy went to Louise's side while Clarissa strode over to Mansfield, putting herself between the earl and her friend.

"I think it's about time that you left, my lord," she said icily. "You have said your piece, and Lady Louise has returned hers. Now, you must leave my premises."

"Not until Louise has heard everything from me," Mansfield insisted. He looked past Clarissa at Louise. "I love her. Why can't anyone understand that? I just wanted us to be together. Is that too much to ask?"

Lara snorted.

"You don't love her! If you did, you wouldn't have treated her like you have over recent weeks."

"What would you know, little girl?" Mansfield sneered.

Lara lifted her chin and folded her arms.

"I know that Louise has vented to me many times that she doesn't care for your presence. You have treated her badly, even if you're not aware of it. And I'm pretty sure I heard that she doesn't see you the same way as you see her. Why should she when you never gave her an indication so she could turn you down sooner?"

Mansfield's eyes narrowed, his lip curling at Lara.

"Once you're old enough to understand what grownups talk about, come back and tell me how I should and shouldn't do things," he hissed.

"I don't need to be grown to know that you're a selfish liar," Lara shot back.

"Lara, please." Louise gave her a sharp look before glaring at Mansfield.

"However, she is right, my lord. Even if you hadn't joined in with my aunt trying to dictate my life without my knowledge or consent, I wouldn't be around someone who doesn't show anyone the slightest decency unless they can get something out of it. You have seen how I behave around you, and you think that I want to marry you? No! And certainly not if I'm being seen as chattel by you and my aunt."

Mansfield winced.

"I've never seen you as chattel, Louise."

"That's Lady Louise to you," Clarissa said crisply. "You're not in a position to be familiar with her."

Mansfield ignored her, still staring at Louise. His jaw tightened.

"This is all about Chesterfield, isn't it?" he snarled. "If he wasn't around…"

"It doesn't matter if he was around or not. I wouldn't have anything to do with you simply because you're associated with Aunt Harriet." Louise's heart was pounding, and she absently rubbed the wrist Mansfield had grabbed hold of. "Even if I didn't know that you made a deal to use me to pay off her debts, I still wouldn't want to marry you. Because of you as a person, not because of anyone else."

"I'd make a better husband than that man. He's a widower with two brats. Who would want to be around someone like him?"

Before Louise could respond with a cutting remark, Lara slapped him. It was so sudden and nobody saw her move, but before anyone realized what was going on, Lara was in front of Mansfield and slapping him hard. The sound of it seemed to echo around the garden, and everyone was stunned for a moment. Then Clarissa eased Lara out of Mansfield's range and nudged her toward Louise.

"Take them inside, Louise," she said. "I'll get Mansfield to leave. My servants are waiting to escort him away."

"You're going to let her get away with that?" Mansfield jerked out of his stupor. "She just attacked me!"

"Given you called her a brat, and you were in the process of insulting her father, I think you're lucky that your face is the only part of your body that she hit," Clarissa shot back. "I would have hit you somewhere else for attempting to drag someone down."

It wasn't often that Louise saw her friend behave like this, but when it happened, it was magnificent to watch. Clarissa liked to make people underestimate her because she could become a lioness when someone she cared about was being threatened. Mansfield faltered, and he shuffled away from her. He hadn't expected it, either, evidently.

"Lady Coleton…why would you say something like that? Does your husband…?"

"If my husband was here, he would have urged me to do what I wanted if it made me feel better. He would be clapping along the way."

"You're as mad as each other. How are you friends with Louise?"

Louise growled, nudging Lara behind her and inadvertently making the cousins bump into each other.

"Will you just go already, Mansfield? This is getting stupid. I love Lord Chesterfield, which is why I'm spending more time with him." The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them, but Louise kept going into the stunned silence. "I would rather be with him and his family. They don't treat me like I'm a commodity, and there is no disrespect. I know I would be happier with him than I would be with you."

Mansfield's expression would have made her burst out laughing if she hadn't been so angry. It was hilarious. One of the girls behind Louise giggled, but she wasn't sure which one. Clarissa raised her voice.

"Martins! Sanders! Escort Lord Mansfield off the property and make sure he doesn't come back. In fact, if you can escort him home, make sure that you can."

Two footmen appeared to Louise's right, and they stood on either side of Mansfield. They were bigger and burlier than him, making the earl look tiny. He faltered when he saw the two of them, and then he scowled at Clarissa.

"All this because I want to speak to the woman I love?"

"You don't love her, and you'll know that in time!" Clarissa snapped. "Now get out of here. Louise, just get inside now."

Louise wasn't about to be told twice. She grabbed Lara and Lucy and urged them back toward the house, although Lara was a little more resistant to it. She seemed to want to watch the scene unfold before her. But she went when Louise nudged her into motion.

Although Louise wanted to watch the scene unfold with some satisfaction, especially after what Mansfield just did and said. It was either that or she was going to end up trembling at the thought that Aunt Harriet had betrayed her yet again. It shouldn't have been a surprise that she had done that.

But it was. And it still hurt.