Chapter Twenty-Four

A Week Later

J o walked into the nursery and found her son Matthew playing with his truck while Miss Kelley sat nearby and darned some of his clothing. A week ago, in the wake of Matthew breaking his arm, Jo had tried to have the woman removed from her household. But Bernard had refused, citing the lack of actual evidence of the womans involvement in Matthews accident. Jo had pointed out that no one else was up there but her at the time and Matthew insisted he was pushed. Despite this, Bernard had flatly refused to believe her son.

As a result, Jo had remained at home with her son so she could monitor the situation. Nothing else untoward had occurred since then but regardless, she did not trust the womancould barely stand to look at her. Matthew, come here, please.

Her son rose, a little awkwardly as he managed the weight of the cast on his right arm. Yes, Mother?

We must go out. She turned to look at Miss Kelley. I shall need Lord Whitestones coat.

Oh course, my lady. The nurse eyed her almost suspiciously as she set aside her sewing and rose to find the requested garment.

Where are we going, mother? Matthew asked excitedly.

She felt a tad guilty about dragging him to run her errands, but she had put things off as long as she could manage. The gown shed ordered from the modiste was ready, and she needed to go in for the last fittingand the last thing she was going to do was leave her son here, at the mercy of Bernards underlings. We have errands to run and I have a gown fitting, but if you are a well-behaved boy, we shall stop for an ice from Gunters Tea Shop.

Very well. Matthew sighed as though he was very put upon by her request of him. I suppose I shall come along.

Jo nearly snorted as she suppressed her laughter at her sons pained response, particularly because she knew how much he loved Gunters ices.

A half hour later, she walked into Mrs. Atwells dress shop with her son in tow. They were shown to a dressing room, where she sat down and waited for the girl to come in with her gown. After a few moments, Mrs. Atwell appeared.

Lady Whitestone. There was a note of disdain in her tone, as though she was very cross about something.

Good morning Mrs. Atwell. Is my gown ready? Jo asked, after noting that the clothing in question was absent from the room.

Well, it is, but there is an issue with finishing it. The woman sniffed.

What issue might that be? Jo was growing more concerned by the moment. Something was definitely wrong, but she wasnt sure what it was yet since the modiste was being a mite dramatic about everything.

Your account and credit have been cancelled, my lady. The modiste stared down her nose at Jo as though she was incapable of paying her debts.

Jos cheeks heated as she struggled to comprehend what the very annoyed woman was saying. II dont understand. I have not cancelled my account with you.

It seems your man of affairs has done so on your behalf. If you were not going to be able to pay for this gown, I dont understand why you ordered it. It is not as if I can afford to gift it to you. Now I must hope to find someone to buy a gown created for another woman, she huffed as she crossed her arms.

Ill have you know I ordered that gown fully intending to pay for it. I have no idea what is going on, but I intend to get to the bottom of it. I shall be back for my gown in the next few days. Jo grabbed her sons hand as she stormed out of the dressing room and out of the shop. She found her carriage and ushered her son inside. There was little point in making her other planned stops. She felt certain she would find the same situation wherever she had accounts established. It was clear that Bernard was behind this, and that meant she had only one course of action available to her. Take me to Lord Downs home.

The man had not been at her home that morning, so he must actually be occupying his own. For a change.

She arrived at his unkempt Mayfair home. Come along, Matthew. Youll wait in the hall while I speak to your Uncle Bernard.

Yes, Mother. Then can we go to Gunters?

Yes. We shall go for ices after I speak with Lord Downs. Jo smiled sadly down at her son and, not for the first time, wished he could be spared the odious family shed married into. Or, more accurately, had been sold into. But it was his family by blood, if nothing else.

They entered the house and she deposited Matthew on a tufted velvet bench, then steamed right past the butler and into Bernards study. To her horror, she walked in to find the man with one of the young housemaids on his lap and his hand down her bodice. The girl was fifteen if she was a day.

Bernard!

Oh! The poor girl turned a violent shade of red and escaped his clutches. Excuse me, mlady. She curtsied as she ran from the room, all while she kept her gaze fixed on the floor.

Jo wasnt certain how she managed to both curtsy and move so quickly, all without looking up to see where she was going.

Finally alone, she looked at her brother-in-law and found herself grateful that she had been sold to the elder brother, who either had the good sense not to prey on the help or the intelligence to keep his proclivities hidden from her. Bernard, however, looked utterly unperturbed that she had walked in on him in such a compromising position.

To what do I owe the pleasure of you deigning to grace my home with your presence? Her odious brother-in-law sat back in his chair and threaded his fingers together as he rested his elbows on the arms of his chair.

I went to my modiste shop for a fitting today and was informed that my credit was cancelled. I assume the same is true with all the vendors where I had accounts.

You would be correct. I did inform you that I would act as the head of your household until Matthew comes of age. As part of that, I am reining in your exorbitant spending.

Shock slammed into her. Of course, she shouldnt be; he had in fact told her he would take control. But this was too much. It was humiliating.

You will need to provide a list of household needs each month and I shall review and approve any expenditures. As for your wardrobe, you will be allowed one new gown each Season, the same as my wife, Agnes. What is good enough for her is good enough for you.

Anger welled from deep within, spilling over like an erupting volcano. Impossible. I am not extravagant in my purchases, nor do I pretend to be in the first stare of fashion. But one new gown at the start of the season is absurd for any passably fashionable woman, let alone a lady. Not to mention you havent the first clue what it takes to run a household the size of my townhouse.

I assure you, I am quite capable of properly managing a households finances, Bernard sneered.

Jos anger flared, white hot. The man must take her for a fool! I think not. I can see that your own house is so poorly run that the rugs are threadbare in places, the windows require washing, and last time I dined here half the fine china was chipped. Outside of all of those issues, you are trying to take control of my finances and you have no authority to do so. I shall stop to speak with my husbands man of affairs. Clearly, I should have done so sooner so that there was no question as to who is in control.

He laughed darkly. I take it you have not made the acquaintance of Mr. Whitaker. You will find that he does not do business with women.

Her gut clenched as fear set in for the first time. It was 1867, not 1767. How could the man, any man, be unwilling to do business with a lady?

As you can imagine, he was quite pleased that I would manage my brothers accounts on your behalf. Bernard waved a hand toward the door of his study. But by all means, please go visit the man and see for yourself. He stood up. Do have a lovely day, Josephine.

Incensed he would be so familiar with her on top of trying to steal her money, she turned and stormed from his study, letting the door bang against the woodwork as she departed. In the hall she collected her son then departed the twice damned house.

There was only one place she could turn under the circumstances.

Jo knocked firmly on the door and waited. When Harris opened the door, she rushed inside. Good day, Harris. I hope your father is getting on?

The stoic man nodded. Indeed he is, my lady.

Excellent! I do wish to hear more about your family, but I need to find Arthur and Linc immediately.

I believe they are in the study, my lady. Harris provided the information as he began walking in that direction. Jo followed closely on his heels, grateful for his prompt action. He knocked and opened the door. Lady Whitestone, to see you both with some degree of urgen

She stepped into the room and turned to Harris. Can you see Lord Whitestone to the nursery?

Of course, my lady. Harris nodded and took her sons hand in his as he led him from the room.

Arthur and Linc had both risen at her sudden appearance. Jo, whats wrong?

She flew to them, throwing herself into Lincs arms as he was the first one she reached. Itsits Bernard. That odious man has cancelled all of my credit with the merchants I frequent and has spoken with my late husbands solicitor, ensuring he has complete control over all of my finances. That is how he is paying for the staff he hired. He is using my money!

Sit down and tell us everything. Arthur urged after embracing her tightly. Im sure we can sort this matter out.

Half an hour later, after she had explained everything, Arthur sat next to her and growled, Who is your late husbands solicitor?

Mr. Whitaker of Whitaker, Burrows, and Jones.

I believe we owe the man a visit. Arthur rose with a tight jaw. Jo, you should come with us. Matthew will be safe here with Harris and Nancy while we take care of business.

*

Good afternoon Mr. Whitaker. I appreciate you seeing us without an appointment, but as you can imagine, this is a matter of some urgency. Arthur smiled smoothly as they sat down in the mans office.

Of course, my lord. The obsequious little man bowed and took his own seat. How may I be of service?

Baron Lincolnshire and I are concerned about Lady Whitestones finances. She has come to us with some disturbing information. Arthur let one eyebrow drift up. It seems her brother-in-law, Lord Downs, has established some sort of stewardship over her accounts.

The little man puffed up across the desk. Well, Lord Downs indicated that with his brothers passing, he would oversee Lady Whitestones accounts moving forward.

I see. Arthur let the comment draw out, along with its subsequent silence. Is there a particular reason Lady Downs is not being consulted over her own money?

Look, my lord, the man began, his tone somewhat patronizing. I find in my experience that women tend to be overwhelmed by such financial dealings. It is better when they have a male relative manage such matters on their behalf. Her son is so young, she cannot possibly

Is that so, Mr. Whitaker? Jo shot him an arch look as she sat stiffly in her chair. So it would be beyond my ability to manage any decisions related to my annual income, despite the fact that I manage the household budgets, maintain inventory, and handle all payments to household suppliers every month?

Surely you can understand, my lady The man looked abashed at being called out.

Surely you can understand I do not appreciate having my finances usurped by an unwanted interloper who has replaced all of my loyal staff with underlings of his choosing? Or that I do not appreciate being cut out of decision making that is directly affecting my life.

The man of accounts cleared his throat in the awkward silence. I assure you, Lord Downs only has your best interests at heart, my lady.

You see Mr. Whitaker, Arthur cut in. If you cannot see your way clear to assist Lady Whitestone as she should be, and without Lord Downs interference, we shall have to aid her in moving her accounts to my own man of affairs, Mr. Dunraven. I am certain he will see his way clear to conduct business with Lady Whitestone while protecting her interests from grasping relatives who have no authority over her finances.

WhyII Yes, of course my lord. The man sighed and sat back in his chair in defeat.

Now, I would like to begin this new arrangement by conducting a full audit of all decisions made by Lord Downs since my husbands death. Jo announced.

Very good, my lady. We can schedule that for three

Im afraid you misunderstood me, Mr. Whitaker. We shall conduct that audit now. Jo gave him an imperious look.

But my lady, I have other clients this morning, he objected, almost angrily.

I shall not be deterred. I shall review my accounts immediately or I shall take Lord Dunmeres advice and move my accounts.

The man blanched. Very well, my lady. He rang a bell which sat on his desk and a young, gangly man dressed in a clerks sleeve protectors and apron stepped in. Higgins, please send notes around to my morning appointments that I shall be unavailable today. Reschedule at their earliest convenience.

Yes, Mr. Whitaker, Higgins replied and slipped back out quickly.

From there, they reviewed the ledgers pertaining to her accounts. By the time they left Mr. Whitakers office, they had undone multiple decisions made by Bernard, including the firing of her previous staff.

Now shed wrested control away from the grasping bastard, she needed to release his staff to clear the way for the return of her original people.

She just hoped this would be the end of the mans interference.