The Officer and the Proper Lady

‘My son was appallingly tactless,’ Lord Ked din ton remarked. ‘I fear that the rather sheltered academic life he leads has not given him the Town bronze necessary to deal with such delicate matters.’

Julia merely nodded, intent on getting Verity into the hackney carriage before anyone observed her tear-streaked face.

‘Please tell Lady Narborough that I stand ready to do whatever is in my power to assist,’ Ked din ton continued as he stood by the open door. ‘Alexander will, of course, write to apologise.’

‘Oh, he meant no harm,’ Verity said anxiously. ‘But Julia, please can we go?’

‘Yes, of course. Thank you, my lord.’ Julia sat bolt upright away from the dingy squabs and held Verity’s hand as the cab rattled up St James’s Street. Despite the calm face she showed Verity, butterflies were fluttering in her stomach. Hal had told her about these rumours, but he had thought they circulated only amongst a small, discreet group. If the likes of Alexander Veryan was prattling about them, who else was?

And, anxious though she was for her father in law, Julia realized her greatest fear was for Hal. He would be furiously angry now, set on finding the truth at whatever personal cost. Someone had tried to kill him once—what would happen if Hal threatened them directly?

By the time they got to the house, Lord Narborough was in bed, the doctor had been summoned, and Hal and Marcus were in heated discussion in the library. Julia took Verity off to the drawing room and tried to keep her distracted until the doctor arrived.

Finally, Lady Narborough came in and sank onto the chaise. ‘Well, my dears, that was a bad attack, I am afraid. The boys are with him, watching while he sleeps.’

Verity jumped up to pull the bell for tea, then sat by her mother, worrying her lower lip with her teeth. ‘Poor Papa. I do not under stand why Alexander upset him so. I am sure Alexander did not mean to say anything alarming.’

‘It was about some business long ago that has always distressed your father, my dear.’ Lady Narborough patted her daughter’s hand. ‘Would you call your maid and walk round to Bruton Street to let dear Nell know what has happened. She will be worried that Stanegate has not returned home and sending a note may alarm her. Whatever you do, Verity, make sure she stays at home. She must rest, in her condition.’

‘Yes, of course, Mama.’ Obviously happy to be able to do something, Verity hurried out.

‘That wretched, wretched man,’ Lady Narborough said vehemently, the minute the door closed behind her daughter.

‘Mr Veryan? He was certainly most tactless,’ Julia agreed.

‘No, dear Alexander is simply gauche. An admirable young man, very steady and reliable, but not the so phisticate his father is. He will do excellently for Verity.’ Fortunately Julia managed to control her expression: it seemed she was the only one who felt Alexander Veryan was completely un suitable for her sister in law. But that was hardly the problem just now.

‘Who then, ma’am, is rousing your ire?’ She poured tea and placed a cup beside her mother in law.

‘Wardale,’ Lady Narborough almost spat the name.

‘Nell’s father, Lord Leybourne? The man who was hanged for the murder?’

‘Oh, I do my best to keep my lips closed for dear Nell’s sake, and I know she cannot believe other than that he was innocent—he was her father after all and she is loyal. But he was fornicating with Hebden’s wife, he wrote letters as good as accusing George of the most dreadful things—and he would not admit his own guilt! So poor George had the added burden of having to support the truth in the face of those denials. It broke his health, almost broke his spirit.’ Lady Narborough stirred cream into her tea as though stabbing the long-dead man.

‘I know I did right to keep that letter from him,’ she murmured. ‘Goodness knows what poison Will Wardale would have spread with those final words.’

‘A last letter?’ Julia put her own cup down with a rattle. ‘From Nell’s father? And you did not read it, ma’am?’

‘Read it? I did not so much as open it.’

‘So it was destroyed,’ Julia sat back with a sigh. It could have held a clue, something that Hal might interpret. But it was too late now.

‘Destroyed it? Oh no. I did not feel I should do that.’

Julia sat up again, trying to speak calmly. ‘So what happened to it?’

‘Why, it is in my file of old letters.’ Lady Narborough appeared to focus on her properly at last. ‘You think it might be helpful?’

‘Perhaps, ma’am. If you could give it to Hal and Marcus to read—’

‘No.’ The older woman got up. ‘There might be something it to distress them and I certainly do not want to read it. You must.’ She swept out leaving Julia staring after her.

‘Me?’ she said faintly into the empty room.

Chapter Twenty-Two

‘There.’ Lady Narborough thrust a sealed letter into Julia’s hands. ‘Read it and see.’