Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid (16 page)

“I don’t believe so, although he and his family are
acquainted with Miss Wetherby.”

Jane found her voice.  “Miss Merriman and I grew up
together.  We’d begun to grow apart as teens, and when I came back from
Belgium…well, her family turned away.  Which is what I expected.”

“How have you been living these past few years, if I might
ask?”  Lynwood looked at Jane with curiosity and something else in his eyes.

“Vi and I, along with a few servants, live in the house my
parents left to me.  I have a small stipend and I support myself,” she lifted
her chin and looked the duke right in the eye, “by working as the de facto
surgeon to those in the area who cannot afford to pay for the other surgeon’s
services.”

“The real surgeon, you mean.”

“The
other
surgeon,” said Jane with steel in her
voice.  “My patients have the same recovery rate, if not better, than the
so-called real surgeon’s.”

“She’s a positive whiz with a bottle of whiskey and spirits
of disease.”

“Edward, do be quiet.   Pray, continue, Miss Wetherby.  Why
did you not contact my brother when it became apparent you were with child? 
She is Ned’s daughter, is she not?”

Jane nodded, her courage failing her a bit.  “Yes, your grace. 
She is his daughter.  I was afraid he’d tell me to give her up for adoption,
which is what my grandfather was trying to persuade me to do.  I wanted to keep
my child, no matter the personal cost.”

The duke thought about that for a moment, then nodded.  “Who
is your grandfather?’

“How do I know you won’t work with him to take Vi away from
me?

“You don’t.”

“Liam, you’d never do that, would you?” asked Ned.

“I would do just about anything to protect this family.  Do
I have anything to fear from you, madam?  Because if I do, know that I will
strike back and win.”

“Are you threatening me, your grace?”

“Only if you are threatening us.”

“Your grace, I am only concerned with keeping my daughter
safe and loved.  I will not allow her to be taken.”

There was a moment of silence as the duke and Jane assessed
each other. 

“My grandfather is Charles Edmonds.”

“The Earl of Huntington,” said Lynwood.  “I hope you will
take no offense, Miss Wetherby, if I say Huntington is certainly ruthless
enough to have orchestrated the attempted kidnapping.”

“Do you know him, Liam?” asked Ned.

“Not well.  But I know him enough to have an idea of what
he’s capable of.”

“Will you help us?”

“I’ll do what I can to help Miss Wetherby and her daughter,
but I’m still unsure of your connection to this, Ned.”

“She’s my daughter!” said Ned, finally raising his voice to
his brother.  “That’s my connection to this.”

“Ned, kindly keep your voice down.  The servants don’t need
to know every last detail; they can be kept busy enough with just the ones that
have already exploded in their midst.  Pour us those drinks now.  Miss
Wetherby, would you like a brandy or the horrific ratafia that even our sister
won’t touch?”

“A brandy, please.  Lord Edward, while I cannot thank you
enough for what you’ve done for us, his grace is correct.  This doesn’t concern
you.”  Ignoring the murderous look he gave her from the bar, she quickly
continued.  “As his grace so astutely pointed out, you may be engaged to Miss
Merriman.  And Vi and I have coped quite well together in the past.”

Ned’s patience was at an end.  “Coped quite well!  She was
almost kidnapped and your grandfather has been cutting off your stipend.  The
girl runs around without shoes, your larder was insufficiently stocked and I
had to fix your roof.”

“As I told you before, Vi has shoes, she just doesn’t like
to wear them!”

Lynwood watched the exchange with interest.  “Now, Miss
Wetherby, it is you I must ask to keep your voice down, although I am most
curious about this business regarding my brother and a roof.  Ned, where are
Miss Wetherby and Miss Violet staying while in London?”

“Well,” Ned said, having the good grace to look at least a
little sheepish, “my plan was to have them stay here quietly tonight, then I
was going to take them to the house of a friend of mine.  An…acquaintance of
his lives there and she is currently on the continent.”

Both Lynwood and Jane stared at him.

“You were going to have my daughter stay in the house of
your friend’s mistress?”

“It’s not an ideal situation, but much better than your plan
for a hotel you can’t afford, especially when you won’t let me pay for it.”

Lynwood looked at his brother.  “I’m still trying to get
past the portion of the arrangements where you were going to stow Miss Wetherby
and Miss Violet in this house without my knowledge.  Just where were you going
to place them?  The old nursery?  A cupboard in the attic?”

“I told Heskiss to put them in the east wing.”

“I see.  Ring for Heskiss, then give us the brandy.  Do both
with some haste.”

Heskiss arrived promptly when summoned.

“Yes, your grace?” asked Heskiss as placid as ever, even
though he had to know this was the most exciting event to occur at Lynwood
House since the previous duke’s marriage to the daughter of a lowly baronet.

“Heskiss, please move Miss Wetherby and her daughter to the
family wing in adjoining bedrooms.  Unless, your daughter would prefer the
nursery, madam?”

Jane was so surprised by the change of plans she couldn’t
speak for a moment.  “No, thank you, your grace.  I have no governess, and
believe she’d be frightened staying so far away from me in an unfamiliar
house.”

“Very well, Heskiss,” said the duke, dismissing the butler.

“Very good, your grace.”  Heskiss began bowing his way out.

“And Heskiss, do be so good as to replenish my brandy stock
and keep plenty on hand.  I have a feeling I’ll need it.”

“Of course, your grace.”

As soon as the butler departed, Jane looked at the man she
couldn’t figure out.  “Your grace, while I’m quite appreciative of your
invitation to stay, I must point out that it is highly inappropriate to have an
unmarried woman and her child staying under the same roof as your sister,
especially given my…connection to Lord Edward.”

“You have the right of it, Miss Wetherby, that it is indeed
a highly unusual arrangement.  But Lady Elizabeth is an unusual young lady.  If
her eyes hadn’t already caught the striking resemblance between Miss Violet and
Ned – and I assure you very little gets past our sister – then I must remind
you that she and our two other brothers have been with the girl these many
minutes now and have no doubt coaxed the story out of her, as far as she
knows.  Which reminds me, does she know Ned is her father?”

“All we’ve told her is he’s an old friend of the family,
your grace.” 

“I see.  Then we shall all become old friends of your family,
at least until this is cleared up.  Now, unless there are further developments
to discuss, and I pray there aren’t, let us all see if there are any more
biscuits.”

The three of them walked to the door, then Jane turned back
to the duke.

“I’m trusting you with my daughter, sir.  I’m trusting you
with all I have.”

“And I am trusting the same to you.”

*                    *                    *

“Then what happened?” asked Hal, as he took another bite of his
biscuit.  He, Arthur and Lizzie were gathered around Vi, who was sitting at the
table.  Cook was nearby, pretending not to listen, but hanging on every word.

“Then Ned picked me up and carried me to Mama.  He was cross
with me at first for not running away, but I think he forgave me, because his
eyes were filled with tears the way Mama’s are when she’s worried and thinks I
don’t notice.”

“You were very brave, poppet,” said Arthur, “but the next
time someone you know tells you to run, you should run.  You could’ve been
hurt.”

“That’s what Ned said.  But I couldn’t let the bad men hurt
him.”

“Do you think Ned and your Mama like each other?” asked
Lizzie.

Cook leaned just a bit closer to them.

“Yes,” Vi said with a big smile.

“Why do you think that?” asked Hal.   “Although I hesitate
asking the question of a small child and in the presence of an innocent lady. 
I am, of course, referring to Cook.”

“Master Hal, you can mind your tongue, you rogue,” said
Cook, as she handed a second biscuit to Vi. “Now let the poor mite speak.”

“I know Ned likes Mama because he’s always looking at her. 
The same way Mama always looks at him.”

“Looking at each other.  How dreadfully disappointing,” said
Hal.

“That’s because you don’t have a romantical bone in your
body,” said Lizzie.  “How do they look at each other?”

The girl thought for a moment.  “Like they want to kiss each
other,” she said, making it sound perfectly disgusting. “Then we played a game
where we pretended they were married.”

“Now, the story is looking up,” said Arthur.  “Lizzie, maybe
you’d better leave.”

“I most certainly will not!  Why’d you play that game?”

“We stayed at an inn and there was only one room, so we
pretended to be a family.  I liked it.  I hope we get to play that again.”

Arthur, Hal and Lizzie exchanged glances and it was at that
point when Lynwood, Jane and Ned entered the kitchen.

“Mama!  I saved you part of my biscuit,” said Vi as she held
up one bite.  “And Cook has a burn on her arm she’s trying to hide.”

All eyes turned to Cook, who was embarrassed by the
attention.

“I don’t know how Miss Vi could’ve seen that.”

“My daughter is most observant,” said Jane with a smile.

“She certainly is,” said Hal with a wink.

Ned glared at his brother.  “Cook, Miss Wetherby has a knack
for fixing people up.  She has the dubious distinction of having saved my life in
Belgium.”

“You did that?” asked Lizzie in awe.

Jane nodded and it was her turn to be embarrassed.

“I thought it was some chit named Johnston,” said Arthur.

“She used a fake name for reasons of safety,” said Ned.

“Smart move,” said Hal.  “You can never be too careful. 
Now, I on the other hand can be trusted absolutely.”

“Don’t listen to a word he says,” said Arthur.

Jane smiled, then turned to Cook.  “May I see your arm?”

“It’s nothing.  I put some of my salve on it.  It’ll heal up
in the next day or so.”

“I’m sure your salve is excellent, but I’d like to mix up a
batch of my own.”  Jane turned to the duke.  “Your grace, may I make use of
your stillroom?”

“It is at your disposal, Miss Wetherby.  Please do whatever
you can to attend to Cook.  She’s the only indispensable occupant of Lynwood House,
with the possible exception of Heskiss.”  

“Liam, we’re occupants of Lynwood house,” said Arthur, with
mock hurt.            

“Besides,” added Hal, “have you forgotten how many times
Cook paddled your bottom?”

“Master Hal!” said Cook blushing.

Vi looked at Cook with wide eyes.  “You paddled his grace?”

“It was a long time ago,” said Ned.  “And he deserved it.”

Vi looked up at Lynwood.  “I don’t believe you’d be bad.”

“Thank you, Miss Violet.  I have since mended my ways.  Ahh,
Heskiss.  Be so kind as to arrange a light supper for Lord Edward and our
guests.  It has been a long day.  For everyone.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Daylight was streaming into the room, as Jane opened her
eyes after the first good night’s sleep she’d had in as long as she could
remember.  Well, at least since Ned had arrived in Marston Vale.  But as Jane
got her bearings from the most comfortable bed she’d ever had the pleasure of
collapsing on, she noticed a maid hanging a dress in the wardrobe.

“Good morning,” said Jane.

“Oh, Miss, I’m terribly sorry I woke ye,” said the young
maid, as she bobbed a curtsy.  “I was just layin’ out yer things.  I can come
back later.”

“No, that’s quite all right.  I appreciate your seeing to my
clothes.  They look lovely.  I’m sure they were quite wrinkled.”

“Were my pleasure to help ye, Miss.  And I was to tell ye
that Miss Violet woke up an hour ago.  I helped her wash and dress, then Lady
Elizabeth took her downstairs.”

“She was up an hour ago?”  Jane glanced at the clock.  It
was half past nine.  What would Ned’s family think of her for lying about so
late?  “Thank you, what is your name?”

“Louise, Miss.  Shall I bring ye some chocolate?”

“No thank you, Louise.  I believe I shall dress then find my
daughter.”

“Don’t ye worry about the young miss, Miss.  Lady Elizabeth
will take good care of her.”

Twenty minutes later, Jane arrived in the breakfast room to find
everyone but the duke at the table, which was just as well, since she wasn’t
looking forward to another meeting with the slightly terrifying man.

“Mama!” exclaimed Vi, as she leaped out of her chair and ran
to give her mother a hug.  “Look at all the food!  Kippers and eggs and ham and
bacon and kedgeree. Plus, Lord Hal said if I eat up everything here, they’ll
just send to the kitchen for more.  Can you believe it?”

Jane hugged her daughter, and avoided the eyes of everyone
else.  It’s not that Jane ever let Vi go hungry, but the variety of food they
had at home certainly couldn’t compare to the feast that had been set out here.

“May I fix you a plate?”  Ned had risen and was standing by
the sideboard with plate in hand.

“Thank you, but I can fill my own,” said Jane as she made
her way to the table.

“I realize you’re capable of it, but I wouldn’t mind being
by your elbow in case you have any questions about the food that Vi has already
described as bang up to the mark.”

Jane took the plate from him and began filling it.  But,
true to his word, he stayed only inches away from her.  Too close for Jane’s
senses.

“Vi has been telling us of your medical work,” said Arthur. 
“I must say I’m quite impressed with what you’ve done for the residents of
Marston Vale.  Of course, we still haven’t forgiven you for sewing up that
scoundrel of our brother so soundly.  Couldn’t you have at least given him a
limp?”

“Or a scar across his forehead to give that face of his some
character?” added Hal.  “I would’ve liked to have had a conversation with him
when he had concussion, to see if he made any more sense than he does when he’s
of supposedly sound mind.”

“Please feel free to ignore my brothers,” said Ned.  “Rumor
has it they were raised by wolf pack in the wilds of Northumberland.”

“Really?” said a wide-eyed Vi.

“Hush all of you,” said Lizzie.  “You’re giving Miss
Wetherby and Vi a terrible impression of our family, even if it is all
accurate.  So where shall we go first?  Bond Street for shopping or Gunter’s
for an ice?”

It took Jane a moment to realize Lizzie was speaking to her.

“I’m sorry, my lady.  While I would like to help you in any
way I can, I don’t believe I’d be a proper companion for you on your outing,”
said Jane with a blush.

“Companion!  Lud, I hope I don’t need one of those. No, I’d
love to take you shopping for clothes.”

Ned held the chair for Jane as she took her seat, hoping her
plate didn’t look as laden with food as she thought it did.  But Vi had the
right of it.  It had been a long time since she’d seen this many dishes.

“Lady Elizabeth, I’m afraid I’m not able to shop for a new
wardrobe at this time, but I thank you for the offer to go with you.”

“Please call me Lizzie.  I understand your circumstances,
Jane – may I call you Jane?” 

Jane nodded. 

“I understand your circumstances, Jane,” continued Lizzie. 
“But if I may be blunt….”

“Have you ever proven otherwise?” asked Arthur.

“If I may be blunt, if we are to be victorious with,” here
Lizzie cast a quick glance at Vi, who was happily drinking chocolate, “certain
members of the
ton
, it would be in your best interest to meet them on
their battlefield, so to speak.  That means a whole new wardrobe.  I don’t mean
to disparage the clothes you brought with you, but since styles change every
few months due to the whimsy of ladies with more hair than sense, staying
au
courant
requires an almost constant wardrobe change.  And don’t worry about
the cost.  It’d be my pleasure to pay for your clothing.”

Well done, thought Ned.  And played almost exactly as they’d
rehearsed.  Lizzie had brought the subject up as tactfully as possible,
especially given her natural penchant of speaking her mind.  And to say she’d
pay for the clothes instead of him – even though he would, of course, reimburse
her – neutralized any concerns Jane might have about the propriety of becoming
indebted to him.  Although, given the many years in which Jane had supported
their child entirely on her own, he knew he owed her much more than a few gowns. 
And he looked forward to getting the chance to repay the debt.

Jane was touched beyond words by the offer, even if she had
a suspicion from where it had originated. “Thank you so much…Lizzie, but your
family has already done so much for us, simply by allowing us to stay here.  I’m
sure I can meet the person I’ve come to see with the clothes I already own.  It
was very kind of you to offer, but I cannot accept.”

“Of course you can.  Shall we meet in an hour?  Marvelous,”
said the whirlwind otherwise known as Lizzie as she departed the room, giving
Jane no chance to refuse the offer again.

*                    *                  *

“My lord, you have a visitor.  Lord Edward Kellington has
come to call.”

The Earl of Huntington frowned.  “Tell him I’m not at home.”

“If you will forgive me, my lord, Lord Edward said it was
concerning Miss Wetherby.”

His granddaughter?  Huntington didn’t know what to make of
it.  He’d had limited dealings over the years with the Duke of Lynwood and
didn’t care for the man.  Too unwilling to mingle, too independent.  Didn’t
have enough respect for his elders.  Why the younger brother would appear, and
in connection with Jane, Huntington was at a loss to explain, but curious.

“Send him in.”

The butler returned a short while later with Lord Edward. 
After curt salutations, Huntington told him to be seated.

“How do you know my granddaughter?”

“She saved my life on the battlefield.”

Huntington visibly bristled.  “Don’t you dare speak to me of
such things.”

“Then I’ll speak to you of a grandfather filled with so much
spite that he’d leave his dependents without proper food and shelter, then
arrange for a heinous crime to be committed.”

“Who are you to speak to me with such insolence?” asked the
old man, who began to shake with anger.  “I should have you thrown out of my
house!”

Ned had no care for how much he was upsetting the earl.  It
was all he could do to remain seated in at least a partially civilized manner. 
“Perhaps you could use one of the men who tried to kidnap your great
granddaughter a few days ago.  I should like to see them again so I might
finish what I started.”

“I have no great granddaughter.”

“You do.  And it is truly your loss and yours alone that you
don’t acknowledge her.   But what I have come to say is that if you ever
attempt to harm her or her mother again, vengeance will be swift and exacting. 
I’ve killed in defense of my country.  I will do whatever I must to protect
those I hold dear.”

The earl looked at him with disdain.  “Are you threatening
me?”

“Yes.  A threat I’ll follow through on if you don’t cease
all nefarious activities.”

Huntington stared at him.  “Does Lord Barrington know you’re
here?”

“I cannot see how he has anything to do with this.”

“Everyone knows you’re to marry his eldest.  But now I see
you have an infatuation with my granddaughter.  Well, you’re too late.  I
already arranged for a husband for the chit and I don’t want you botching the
deal.  The husband I have in mind knows she’s soiled goods, but even he won’t
go into this if everyone knows he’s not the only one plowing her.”

Without thinking, Ned vaulted over the desk and got in one
punch before the door flew open and the butler came in, followed by several
footmen.  Ned was dumped into the street moments later.

It hadn’t been his most productive hour.  But it had felt
good.

*                    *                    *

Several blocks away, Jane was unable to comprehend how a
simple shopping trip to get “just the essentials” had turned into two hours of
having every part of her measured at least three times and the ordering of a
complete wardrobe.  All of her objections had been met with quick dismissal. 
Lizzie was more capable than any general on the battlefield and more stubborn
than most mules.

They were now sitting in Gunter’s enjoying an ice.  Vi
couldn’t get over the excitement of the day.  She, too, was getting a whole new
wardrobe.  She loved every last ribbon and flounce and even thought the shoes
might be tolerable.  The ice had simply been the best portion of an already
excellent day.

“Jane Wetherby, what are you doing here?”

Jane turned to see Madeleine Merriman, along with her mother
and sisters, staring at her.  They did not look pleased. 

“Madeleine, I didn’t expect to see you in town.”

“I can expect you didn’t.  But it makes sense for me to come
to London.  What I cannot understand is why you should be here.  You have no
friends I am aware of, nor do you have the means to spend any amount of time
here.  What I would like to know is why you are here and with whom are you
staying.”  Madeleine’s voice could be clearly heard by those at nearby tables. 
It was obvious they had a rapt audience.

“I would ask for an introduction,” said Lizzie to Jane, “but
I cannot fathom why I would like the acquaintance of anyone with such dismal
manners.”

“How dare you insult my daughter, you insolent chit,” said
Lady Barrington.   “It’s bad enough that Gunter’s serves the likes of Jane
Wetherby and that…that natural child, but to be insulted by a nobody is quite
beyond the pale.”

“Lady Barrington,” said Jane so sternly it made Vi blink.  “I
cannot allow you to be rude to my daughter or my friend.”

“And just what are you going to do about it?” asked Madeline. 
“I’m engaged to Lord Edward.  I daresay the Duke of Lynwood will put an end to
your pathetic association with his brother once he learns of today’s events.”

“You’re engaged to my brother?” said Lizzie as she looked
Madeline up and down. “I think not.”

“Your brother?” asked a suddenly quiet Madeline.

Without a further glance at the women, Lizzie nodded to
their footman, then stood up from the table to leave.  “Dear Jane, I quite lost
track of time.  If Vi has finished her ice, I propose we go back to Lynwood
House where I can regale his grace and my other brothers with the tale of the
Bedlamites who invaded Gunter’s.”

With that, Lady Elizabeth, every inch a duke’s daughter,
swept past the Merriman ladies, with Jane and Vi in tow.

*                    *                  *

“Ned,” bellowed Lizzie as soon as they arrived back at
Lynwood House.  “Ned!”

Lynwood appeared at the top of the stairs. 

“Elizabeth,” said Lynwood.  “Might I remind you that yelling
is not to be tolerated unless the house is afire.  And only then if there seems
little chance of putting out the flames.”

“Some cow at Gunter’s said Ned’s engaged to her sapskull of
a daughter.”

“Perhaps I should take Vi to her room,” said Jane.

“If you don’t mind, Miss Wetherby, might we have Heskiss
escort Miss Violet, instead?” said Lynwood.  “There is a conversation we all
need to have in the drawing room.”

“May I, Miss Wetherby?”  At Jane’s nod, the ever efficient
Heskiss took Vi, who was only too happy to fill him in on her exciting day.

When Jane and Lizzie arrived in the drawing room, they were
met by all four brothers, each with a generous snifter of brandy.

“So, Ned, you nodcock,” said Lizzie as she poured herself
and Jane a brandy, “what’s this about you getting engaged to a termagant with
the fashion sense of a nearsighted opera dancer?”

“Lizzie!” said all four of her brothers at once.

“Oh, please,” said their sister.  “I’m not a child.  And I
wouldn’t have minded the gown in that dreadful shade of pink if the chit hadn’t
insulted Jane and Vi for everyone to hear.”

“What did she say?” asked Ned, instantly protective.

“It’s not something I’d care to repeat.  The point is she
just announced to all of Gunter’s that you’re engaged, which means half the
ton
knows by now that one of the best catches of any season is off the market.  Handkerchiefs
will be soaked with tears, hartshorn will be called for.  But, even more
importantly, there’s no way for a gentleman to break an engagement, so you’ve
really gone and done it now.   Lynwood, what are you going to do with the
imbecile?”

“Apparently there’s no end to his problems,” said the duke.
“Edward has just come from Huntington’s home.”

“You went to my grandfather’s?” asked Jane, as she stepped
further into the room.