A Simple Case of Seduction

“Oh, for the life of me I have no idea why but I thought her name was Susanna.” Lavinia shook her head and chuckled. “You shall have to keep reminding me, dear.”

Lucas’ hearty laugh captured their attention, and they turned to find Daniel laughing too. His dark eyes were alight with amusement. Lord, he was handsome when he wasn’t frowning.

“Finally,” Lavinia said. “I thought I’d never see that boy smile. If anyone can pull him from his black mood, it’s Lucas. I know I’m not supposed to have my favourites, but I do like a man with spirit. Tobias had spirit. Heavens, that man could raise the temperature in an ice house with one glance.”

“Lucas prefers the country air to the grime of the city,” Helena said, attempting to steer the conversation away from Lavinia’s fanciful musings. “Green fields and large gardens bring out the child in him.”

Lavinia nodded. “As it does to us all. A spell in the country will soothe any man’s soul.” She turned to Daphne. “Despite living in London, I assume the boy still owns the country estate?”

Daphne wasn’t sure how to answer without offending the matron. Perhaps pleading ignorance was the best policy.

“Mr Thorpe—”

“Of course, Rainham Hall is not nearly as vast as Pulborough Hall,” Lavinia continued. “But it has a certain charm that encapsulates the theme of love. The garden boasts lavish fountains and statues of nymphs and satyrs.”

“It sounds wonderful,” Helena said.

Rainham Hall?

Was that not the place Mr Bostock mentioned when Daniel had asked to go home?

Good Lord. Daniel Thorpe couldn’t possibly be related to a marquess. He despised the aristocracy.

“I’m confused,” Daphne said, intrigued to hear more. “If you believe Mr Thorpe is the son of the Marquess of Pulborough, then what reason can there be for him not inheriting? Why would he own Rainham Hall and not Pulborough, the family seat?”

Lavinia leant forward. “It’s the scandal, my dear. The boy confirmed his identity when he told me his father had died before he was born. The likeness is uncanny. It cannot be a coincidence.”

Daphne knew Daniel’s parents were dead and that a guardian had paid for his education. “Mr Thorpe has never mentioned anything about a scandal.”

“As with any gossip,” Helena began, “it is wise not to give the tale too much merit.”

“Oh, this isn’t gossip.” Lavinia’s eyes widened. It was evident the matron enjoyed talking about the past. “Most people my age remember the tragedy.”

&n

bsp; Tragedy? Daphne’s heart ached before she’d even heard the sad recount. “What happened?”

“Tobias was supposed to marry the daughter of the Earl of Holden, but he fell in love with Maria, the daughter of his father’s man of business.”

“Love considers not one’s fortune or position,” Helena said, appearing much more interested too. Her gaze drifted to her husband. “Love is blind to all prejudices.”

Lavinia nodded. “Of course, the union was forbidden by his father and Maria loved Tobias too dearly to see him lose everything. For months, she rejected his suit. But as the great poets say love finds a way.”

The matron waved to the maid who was passing with a tea trolley. Daphne and Helena sat patiently waiting to hear the rest of the story.

“Talking gives me a croaky voice if I don’t moisten the cords,” Lavinia continued. They waited another minute or so while she sipped the beverage.

“And so were Tobias and Maria able to be together?” Daphne asked, her impatience getting the better of her. She recalled Daniel’s comment that his parents loved each other dearly. Yet there was a sad end to this story. Was that why love was so important to him?

Lavinia placed her cup and saucer on the side table. “Tobias bought Maria and her father a small manor house. He visited them often. When he inherited, he offered marriage, and she accepted. Maria would have been happy to elope, but Tobias had a point to prove. So a lavish wedding was arranged.”

“I suspect those in society made derogatory remarks about the lady he chose to marry,” Helena said with a hint of bitterness.

“There were some who were happy to make an exception for a love match. Some whose black hearts sought to cause the couple nothing but pain.”

“And did they marry?” Helena said.

Daphne knew the answer. Thomas had told her Daniel was illegitimate. He’d just never mentioned he shared a bloodline with a marquess.