PART 2: THE PRESENT | Chapter 21

PART 2 – THE PRESENT

Chapter 21

1818 - Mayfair, London

" I s it done, Seb?" Lucas asked.

"It is done. You now own the vouchers for the entirety of Lord Braithwaite's debts Sebastian replied.

"I thank you," Lucas said as he gently paced the study with his very sleepy, six-month-old daughter cradled against his chest. "I knew your skill at cards would prove useful one day."

"Anything for family," Sebastian replied.

"What do you intend to do with the vouchers?" Victor asked.

"Revenge is a dish best served cold, Vic. I want Braithwaite to know that I now control his fate. He abandoned Caitlin without a care in the world at Gretna Green and nearly ruined her. Though I was not in her life then, as her husband, I take umbrage with what he did."

The brothers were gathered in Lucas's study, quietly discussing Lord Braithwaite, a member of the ton who had been briefly affianced to Caitlin, Lucas's new wife and Marchioness. Braithwaite had abandoned her at the altar and nearly ruined her reputation. Though it was water under the bridge as far as Caitlin was concerned, Lucas was not so forgiving. Not only had he discovered everything about the man, but he also wished to ensure Braithwaite did not do the same to another.

"Well, if you ask me, 'twas a lucky escape for Caitlin. Were it not for Braithwaite jilting her, you would not have that precious child in your arms now," Victor observed.

Lucas nodded. "Point taken. But I still wish him to suffer. What is the state of his finances?"

"Abysmal," Victor replied. "Braithwaite has all but depleted the countess's inheritance. She remains oblivious that they stand but one step from debtors' prison."

"I would feel sympathy for the woman, but she was complicit in the matter," Lucas said.

"Luke, does Caitlin know you are hell bent on seeking revenge on her behalf?" Sebastian asked.

"Indeed not, and she shall never discover it. Caitlin is too kind-hearted for her own good. But it is my duty to punish those who meant her harm."

Sebastian snorted. "Remind me never to draw your ire."

Lucas grinned but continued pacing the room as Lilith's eyes slowly drooped until she fell asleep, resting her head on his shoulder.

Victor gestured toward his niece. "She finally succumbed. Fought hard to stay awake, the stubborn little mite."

Lucas sighed with relief. "Thank heavens for that. She is teething and kept Caitlin awake half the night."

"Where the devil is your nursemaid? Why is she not tending to my niece during the evenings?" Sebastian demanded.

"She is visiting family in the country. Besides, Caitlin read somewhere that babes need their parents close in the early years, especially when they are unsettled."

"Ah, but of course she did," Sebastian replied with a smirk. They were all accustomed to their new sister-in-law's rather unconventional ways.

"I do not mind it so very much. When it is just the three of us, it is rather pleasant. I feel settled having Lilith close by should she need us. Besides, between our parents and Caitlin's family, I rarely get to spend any time with Lilith before one of them spirits her away on some adventure."

Lucas gently placed Lilith into a cradle set beside his desk. His expression softened as he covered her with a small blanket and watched her sleep. It was most unconventional how much he and Caitlin doted on their child, but nothing about the new Marquess and Marchioness of Winchester was conventional.

Victor was ever surprised at how attentive Lucas was with his daughter. Ever the protector, Lucas had taken to fatherhood as naturally as breathing. Victor had observed how settled and happier Lucas was now that he had a family of his own. It was a far cry from the cold veteran of the past.

"Where precisely is Caitlin?" Victor inquired.

Lucas crossed to the sideboard to pour them each a drink.

"She is out with Miss Walsh. Some recital she could not avoid. I told her I would watch Lilith until her return."

Victor stiffened at the mere mention of Briana Walsh. The thought of her had his heart racing as memories from their passionate night flooded his mind. She had an unsettling hold on him that bordered on obsession. Unfortunately, Briana wished nothing to do with him since their altercation at the Montagu Ball months ago. He knew not what it was about her, but he was always slightly on edge around the woman with dark, intense eyes that could see straight through to his soul and strip him bare.

"I do not care for the influence that woman has on Caitlin," Victor blurted.

Lucas walked over and handed his brothers each a drink before settling on the settee. "How so? Miss Briana has been nothing but kind to Caitlin, and they are thick as thieves."

"I merely think she attracts trouble."

Lucas snorted and replied, "Have you met my wife? If Briana Walsh is trouble, then she keeps perfect company. Besides, I sent Giles with them and two more guards are trailing them incognito, of course."

"I am glad of it."

"But I am curious," Lucas said. "What has put your nose out of joint over this young miss?"

"There is simply something about Miss Walsh I cannot quite put my finger on."

"Is it merely your finger, or something else entirely?" Sebastian asked with a smirk.

Lucas stifled a laugh when Victor glared at them.

"Is it perhaps because she is the only woman who raises your hackles and puts you in a feral mood after every encounter? Or is it because she is of the merchant class?" Sebastian pressed.

"Certainly not. Why the devil would I care about that? And she does not raise my hackles. I merely find her incredibly vexing at times."

Sebastian sat sipping his drink and merely observed Victor before asking, "What transpired between you two?"

"What do you mean?"

"Speaking plainly, I know you once had a tendre for her. You seemed quite close, even, then suddenly you became mortal enemies."

"I agree with Seb. Whatever occurred between you, can you not resolve it?"

Victor gritted his teeth and snapped, "Nothing happened between us. She is merely an infuriating chit who insists on challenging and questioning my authority every time our paths cross."

Sebastian and Lucas exchanged knowing glances before Sebastian said, "Well, I dare say once she marries, she shall be no one's concern but her husband's."

Victor's head whipped around. "Is she engaged? To whom? What have you heard?"

"I spoke rhetorically," Sebastian replied, taking a sip of his drink and grinning behind his glass.

Lucas said, “Be that as it may, I do have it on good authority that Miss Walsh has had a string of offers these past few months. According to Cait, it appears she keeps refusing them which has only increased her popularity threefold and now there are wagers at White’s.”

Victor clenched his jaw at the news and gripped his glass so tight a small crack began to appear. He immediately loosened his hold but not before his brothers caught the incident.

Lucas decided to change the subject and said, "I have some good news you may find helpful, Sebastian. Cait's brother Lord Gareth Drummond has finally returned from his Spanish adventures. I've met him, and he seems a decent sort. Rather likeable in fact. He has also returned an extremely rich man."

"Oh? And how does that help me?" Sebastian asked.

"Well, it seems word has spread among the marriage-minded mothers that there's fresh sport to be had. Many are hoping to meet Gareth and ensnare his attention—and vast fortune."

"Interesting indeed."

"Yes, there's been talk of nothing else, seeing as he's a handsome specimen and a pugilist, of all things. There's an air of adventure about him. He even charmed Mother enough for her to offer him a slice of her favorite buttercream sponge."

"What? He charmed our mother?" Sebastian asked in disbelief.

Victor remained quiet, seemingly disinterested.

"Indeed, and word is, he's also searching for a wife. That being the case, he may take all the attention off you."

"Then I should very much like to make his acquaintance,” Sebastian replied.

"Interestingly, Caitlin is very eager for him to meet Miss Walsh."

Victor's head whipped up and he frowned. "Why does she want that?"

"You know Cait—she gets an idea in her head and she's stubborn. She thinks they would make a perfect match. Secretly, I suspect it's because she desperately wants Miss Walsh to become a sister by marriage. They are inseparable, those two."

Victor found his back straightening at the thought. "I see. Is this something Miss Walsh entertains?"

Lucas shrugged. "How should I know? Either way, we'll find out soon enough. Caitlin is arranging some a soiree to re-introduce Gareth back into the ton and throw Miss Walsh into his line of vision."

Victor rose to his feet and made his way to the drinks cart, pouring himself another strong one. After taking a large gulp, he said, "I think that would be a terrible pairing."

His brothers all looked at him, and Sebastian asked, "Why? Miss Walsh is somewhat awkward and a little shy at times, but perhaps someone like Caitlin's brother would be a good match."

"I'm merely looking out for her interests. She is quite young and a debutante. It is but her first season. She needs more time to meet other suitors, not settle on the first man who waltzes back into society after sailing the high seas doing goodness knows what in Madrid."

"Careful, Vic, he is my brother-in-law after all, and I'll not have you besmirch Caitlin's family member. He is also a war hero, given his battalion's intervention with French spies."

"I understand all that, Lucas, and I do not mean to cast aspersions. I'm just saying I think Miss Walsh needs to exercise caution, that is all."

"Why the devil do you care? You despise the woman. Every time you're in the same room, you bicker and chide her," Sebastian said.

Victor turned and saw Lucas giving him a strange expression before smirking at him. Victor felt decidedly hot and bothered under his collar.

"You're right. What do I care?”

Victor was about to say something else when the study doors flew open and their mother declared loudly, "Where is my beautiful grandbabe?"

Lucas hissed, "Mother! Be quiet, she has only just fallen asleep!"

At the same moment Sebastian cried, "Hush, you'll wake Lil!" and Victor growled, "Silence, Mother!"

Vincentia Cambridge, Duchess of Bolton, immediately lowered her voice, looking contrite, and whispered, "Then you shan't mind if we take her with us for a turn about the garden." She flounced across the room with a swishing of skirts.

"Indeed, I do mind!" Lucas whispered angrily, blocking her access to the cradle.

"Mother, she sleeps. Leave her be," Victor said in support of Lucas.

"For heaven's sake, Mother, let her rest!" Sebastian added.

Soon Edward, the duke, appeared in the doorway and quietly walked to the other side of the cradle. His gaze softened as he watched his granddaughter sleeping. Then, while the others were occupied with their hushed argument, Lilith opened her eyes and, recognizing her beloved grand-papa, she grinned.

Edward ignored the others and said, "Well, hello there, my little poppet. Shall we take a turn about the room?" He swooped in, lifted Lilith from the cradle, and carried her to the large window so she might look upon the garden.

"Father! What are you about?" Lucas said in an exasperated tone.

"Oh, my beautiful cherub, you're awake!" Vincentia cried out and hurried to Edward so she might smother a now-yawning Lilith with kisses.

"You cannot simply barge in here without knocking whenever you please and kidnap my child!" Lucas replied angrily, his hands upon his hips.

His parents ignored him and cooed over their grandbabe, having eyes only for her.

"Unbelievable!" Lucas muttered to Victor and Sebastian. "Do you see what Cait and I must endure daily?"

Victor nodded and replied, "That poor child shall be mollycoddled to death."

At that moment, Caitlin walked into the study wearing her outdoor garments and asked, "Hello? May I join this little soirée?"

Lucas crossed to her immediately and gave her a sweeping kiss. Then he grumbled in her ear about his parents and their lack of boundaries. Caitlin smiled up at him until baby Lilith began fussing for her mother. Caitlin moved across the room and gently rescued her sleepy daughter from her in-laws.

Victor stiffened and leveled his gaze at the doorway, wondering if Briana Walsh would follow Caitlin. But after several moments, no one else appeared. "What became of Briana, I mean Miss Walsh?" he blurted.

The room suddenly fell quiet as all eyes rested upon him.

Eventually Caitlin replied, "We parted ways at Bond Street. She had an appointment.”

"Indeed. Do you know what manner of appointment?" Victor asked.

"Ah yes, I believe it was with the modiste. The Thatcher’s ball is later this week and Lord Faulkner is escorting her. He has become quite persistent in his pursuit."

Victor's left eye twitched slightly at that piece of information. He could already feel his blood pressure rise at the thought, but he nodded. Soon after he asked whether Sebastian cared for a bout of boxing. Sebastian paled and glanced at Lucas as if searching for an escape. The brothers knew that Victor was not one for communicating feelings so when he needed to let off steam he could not process verbally, he did so with his fists. Finding no reasonable excuse, Sebastian reluctantly agreed, then they took their leave.

AFTER VICTOR AND SEBASTIAN had departed and Vincentia and Edward had absconded with Lilith to the gardens, Lucas asked Caitlin, "Is Lord Faulkner courting Miss Walsh? I assumed she had turned down his proposal. Seem’s rather odd that he would escort her to a ball.”

Caitlin returned a mischievous grin and replied, "I am not sure. I just wanted to observe Victor's reaction. There is something between them, I can sense it even though Briana refuses to share. But I know if they can put aside their differences, they may discover how perfectly suited they are.”

"Why, you truly are a meddlesome little matchmaker. Poor Sebastian is going to receive a beating thanks to you," Lucas growled, then kissed her deeply. When they separated, breathless and panting for air, he whispered, "My parents are presently minding Lilith. We have precisely an hour before they disturb us. What say you to stealing upstairs and trying that position you read about in your naughty ladies' book?"

Caitlin drew in a sharp breath then replied in a sultry voice, "I shall race you. The winner shall be on top!" She took off running for the stairs as Lucas roared with laughter and gave chase. If any of the servants saw the Marquess of Winchester carrying a giggling Marchioness of Winchester over his shoulder toward their bedchamber, they were discreet enough not to mention it.

Jackson’s Gentleman’s Gym

THE GENTLEMAN'S BOXING Club echoed with the dull thud of fists against leather as Victor circled his brother Sebastian. Sweat glistened off their bare chests as they moved across the ring.

"You're quieter than usual today," Sebastian observed, blocking a particularly vicious jab. "Something the matter?"

Victor only grunted, throwing another punch with more force than necessary. Sebastian barely dodged the hit to his ribs.

"Come now, Vic," he pressed, dancing away from a wild hook. "I haven't seen you this agitated for some time."

After a furious exchange of blows, Victor suddenly dropped his hands, chest heaving. "She refused me," he spat out, the words seemingly torn from him. "But it's her reason that makes no bloody sense and now, we barely even talk while other men court her openly like Lord fucking Faulkner!"

Sebastian lowered his fists with a confused frown. "Who refused you?"

"Miss Walsh! I offered for her hand months ago, before Lucas and Caitlin were married and she refused. She claims I don't truly know her." Victor’s next punch slammed into the wooden post beside them. "Said she couldn't possibly accept when I had no idea who she really was. That I'd regret it someday. But it's ridiculous!" Victor launched a combination that Sebastian barely deflected on time.

Sebastian took a huge step back clearly surprised then he replied, "Good gods, brother! Are you telling me you could’ve been married last year?”

“Yes!”

“And then you fucked it all up for the rest of us?"

Victor dropped his fists and frowned. “What are you talking about, Seb? I just shared something of importance and you’re blathering like an imbecile!”

Sebastian tore his gloves off and stormed out of the ring as Victor followed him to a spot on the lower floor.

“Why are you angry?” Victor asked.

“Because our mother has been making life a living hell trying to marry me off to complete strangers. You had the opportunity to end my suffering and instead you only prolonged it!”

“Well, I’m so sorry that my failed relationship interfered with your social life.”

Victor tore off his gloves, threw them onto a bench and grabbed a hand towel to wipe his chest.

“You need to fix this, brother, and make haste before Miss Walsh marries someone else,” Sebastian replied throwing on a linen shirt.

“I just told you, she refused.”

Sebastian replied, "Has it occurred to you that perhaps she's trying to protect you from something?"

Victor paused and frowned with confusion. "Protect me?"

"People often push others away when they're harboring secrets they're ashamed of." Sebastian wiped his brow with a towel. "Or when they believe the truth would hurt those they care about."

Victor stood still, lowering the hand towel. "You think..."

"Brother, I think a woman who claims you don't know her true self isn't necessarily rejecting you—she might be giving you a chance to prove you're willing to discover who she really is."

The fight seemed to drain from Victor’s stance. Once again, he was struck by Sebastian’s wisdom. "I need to talk to her and clear the air between us," he said quietly.

"Yes, you do. Preferably after a bath," Sebastian replied and wrinkled his nose.

Later that afternoon, after making himself presentable, Victor called in at Briana’s home only to discover she was out for a carriage ride at Rotten Row with Lord Faulkner. Before he thought better of it, he was storming towards Hyde Park and all he could see was a haze of red.

Rotten Row

brIANA SAT STUNNED in the carriage bench beside Lord Faulkner, who seemed to be building toward a formal proposal. Though she had limited prospects, perhaps accepting a ton marriage wouldn't be the worst decision. After all, she needed to marry eventually, and he seemed decent enough.

Besides, since Victor Cambridge no other man had captured her attention.

Having made her decision to accept, even if temporarily, Briana waited patiently when the carriage lurched to an abrupt stop. The door flew open, and she found herself staring into Victor's blazing eyes. Speak of the devil.

"What the blazes?" Lord Faulkner said.

"You! Get out right now!" Victor growled, pointing at Faulkner. Before anyone could react, he reached in and yanked the man out by his coat collar.

"Stop! What are you doing?" Briana shouted.

"I'll get to you later!" Victor snarled at Briana, his voice sending shivers through her entire body. She shook her head to clear it, focusing instead on preventing what was quickly escalating into a violent altercation.

"Go away!" Briana yelled as she scrambled from the carriage. The two men were already brawling in broad daylight no less.

Victor had rolled up his shirt sleeves while Falkner tried desperately to push him away. It was clearly an unfair match—Victor was obviously a trained pugilist, while Faulkner was already wheezing after just a few paces.

"Stop this nonsense at once!" Briana demanded.

"Be quiet while I deal with your beau."

"Why are you creating such a spectacle?"

"Because I need to talk to you, and you keep ignoring me."

“So you’ve taken to brawling on the street?”

Victor knew he had taken leave of his senses, but he was beyond enraged. To think this maddening woman would consider marrying someone else when he was half in love with her—it was beyond the pale.

Suffice to say, his attempt to ‘clear the air’ ended in disaster as bystanders were forced to wade in to rescue Lord Faulkner.

Briana was livid for the public scandal he created.