The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) (33 page)

Jackson Quincy Graham Channing might well have taken no for an answer and accepted loss graciously.

Jack Channing would not give up without a fight.

Was that the difference between a banker and a hero?

Or the difference between a man who thought he knew who and what he was and a man still trying to figure it all out?

“I must say, I was surprised to get your note but delighted that you have accepted the inevitable. I was afraid this might be awkward otherwise.” Cyril strode into the parlor with the confidence of a man who had no doubt of his victory. “Although, as I am trying not to be seen, it was not at all easy to . . .” He caught sight of Jack and her mother and pulled up short. “Theodosia?”

“I’m so glad you could come, Cyril. You know my mother but I don’t believe you’ve met my fiancé.” Teddy forced a pleasant smile. “Cyril, this is Mr. Jackson Channing. Jack, this is Lord Nottwood.”

“Nottwood.” Jack nodded politely but his eyes were cold and hard and positively frightening.

Cyril ignored him. “I don’t have time for nonsense today, Theodosia. What is the meaning of this?”

“The meaning of this? Oh, let me think.” She pulled her brows together thoughtfully. “I know. It simply slipped my mind for a moment.” Her voice hardened. “As much as I am, oh,
flattered
isn’t quite the right word, let’s say
repulsed
shall we, by your charming insistence that we renew our engagement I have given it a great deal of thought and the answer is no.”

Cyril’s eyes narrowed. “Perhaps you have forgotten our little talk.”

“I’ve forgotten nothing.” She cast him her sweetest smile. “Fortunately, neither did my father.”

Cyril’s face paled but he held his ground. “What do you mean?”

“Well, it was an odd quirk of my father’s. He was quite concerned about discarding anything that might prove to be of value someday. He rarely disposed of something that came into his possession. Including, oh, stock certificates, varied and assorted documents, correspondence.” She shrugged. “That sort of thing. We’ve been going through some of Father’s papers and it’s really astonishing how very often your name appears. Some of it quite, oh . . .” She winced. “Well,
incriminating
is probably the word for it.”

She held her breath. Cyril couldn’t possibly know they had found nothing to implicate him among Father’s papers but she and Jack had agreed this was the best way to begin. Besides, if they could find nothing regarding Cyril, the chances were better than ever that he really had no evidence against her father. It was a gamble but it was all they had.

Cyril studied her for a moment, then laughed. “I don’t believe you. Besides, it would be the word of a dead man against mine.”

“A man who pretended to be dead.” Mother shook her head in a mournful manner. “Really, Lord Nottwood, it wasn’t as clever of you as you thought.”

For the first time, unease shone in Cyril’s eyes. “What do you mean?”

“What she means, Nottwood, is that it takes a great deal of effort to make the world believe you’re dead,” Jack said coolly. “It’s a complicated endeavor, this business of faking a lost ship. It involves forgery of things like shipping manifests and customs registries and a myriad of other documents. Misdeeds I believe Her Majesty’s government takes rather seriously.”

“My goodness, Cyril, you really should be more cautious about the company you keep. Why what would your mother say?” Teddy cast him a chastising look. “When one deals with the type of men required to orchestrate such a ruse, men who apparently do not come cheap, they are also the sort of men more than willing to sell what they know. And put it in writing. For a price, of course.”

“Perhaps, but you have no money,” Cyril said with a smirk.

“But I do,” Jack said. “It appears what you paid was not enough to ensure their silence or their loyalty. Pity really. One never knows whom to trust.”

“Oh, and don’t forget the bribery, Jack,” Teddy added. While Grayson and Sam had uncovered a suggestion of bribery, they had yet to find the officials involved. Still, Cyril didn’t know that. “That’s really the best part.”

Cyril’s gaze slid from one face to the next, a calculating look in his eyes. “You have proof of this?”

“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t.” Jack’s voice was cold. The man was positively magnificent.

“I want to see this proof,” Cyril demanded.

“Don’t be absurd.” Jack scoffed. “Did you expect us to wave it in your face? We aren’t foolish enough to have it here where you could get your hands on it. It is safely in the keeping of a trusted officer at the Bank of England.” He paused. “Still, we could certainly go together to look at the documentation at the bank although that could be awkward.” He shook his head regretfully. “One never knows where the loyalties of even a trusted bank officer lie. And should we be overheard, well . . .”

“Even if it didn’t lead to prison, although I suspect it would . . .” Mother leaned forward in a confidential manner. “You, of all people, are well aware of the damage to one’s reputation, and the reputation of one’s entire family, if so much as a hint of all this were to become the fodder for gossip and idle talk. Your mother would be beside herself.” Mother sighed deeply. “It would be most distressing for her.”

“I see.” Cyril glanced at Teddy. “Well played, my dear.”

Teddy smiled.

Cyril thought for a moment. “I assume that if I relinquish any claims to Theodosia, this evidence of yours will remain our secret?”

“As long as the documents you have incriminating Lord Sallwick never see the light of day, I believe we can agree to that. Although . . .” Jack’s brow furrowed thoughtfully. “It might be better for all concerned if we simply trade what we have. That way we’ll all feel much more confident.”

Cyril’s brow rose. “You don’t trust me?”

“Not for so much as a moment,” Teddy said coldly.

“Are we agreed then?” Jack said. “Your evidence for ours?”

“Yes, well, about that.” Cyril grimaced. “The documents I had apparently went down with my ship.”

Cyril’s threat had been nothing but bluster? Exactly as Jack had suspected. Relief swept through her. “You didn’t have anything, did you?” Her voice rose. “You lied to me?”

“Come now, Theodosia. You needn’t sound so shocked. As if I’d never lied to you before.” He scoffed. “One plays with the hand one is dealt after all. And I have always been excellent at games of chance. The odds were on my side in this.”

“Bastard,” Mother said under her breath.

“Come, come, Lady Sallwick.” Cyril adjusted the cuffs at his wrists. “I assure you I am quite legitimate.” He glanced at Jack. “I assume it’s pointless to ask for your documentation.”

“It will stay where it is.” Jack smiled. “Let’s call it insurance against any further difficulties, shall we.”

“Very well then.” Cyril sighed. “I do so hate losing but, what is it they say? Ah yes. At least I have my health.” He turned to Teddy. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I really did like you, you know.” He glanced at Jack. “You’ll like her too, Channing. Especially the little moaning noises she makes when—”

Teddy had never seen anyone move as fast as Jack. In two quick strides he was at Cyril, his fist connecting with the man’s chin. Cyril’s head snapped back, his feet left the floor, and he flew a few feet backward to land smack on his behind. He stared in astonishment and rubbed his chin. “Really, Channing, was that necessary?”

“I thought it was,” Teddy said.

“I quite liked it,” Mother added.

Jack glared down at him. “I would suggest you leave now.”

“I was going.” Cyril picked himself up, dusted off his trousers, and started for the door. He paused, then turned back. “I know you won’t believe this, Theodosia, but I do regret how things turned out. About your father and, well, everything.”

“Get out,” Teddy said.

Cyril shrugged and a moment later Jacobs snapped the front door closed behind him.

“Well, that was . . .” Mother began, then sank into the nearest chair.

“Mother!” Teddy rushed to her side. “Are you all right?”

“Perfectly.” She waved off Teddy’s concern. “That was . . .” She grinned up at them. “Positively exhilarating. I’m not sure when I last felt quite so invigorated. We should take on evildoers everyday. Jackson, you were wonderful and terrifying and most heroic. Why, you made me want to confess all my sins.”

Teddy bit back a laugh. “Mother.”

“And atone for them.” Mother smiled a distinctly wicked sort of smile.

Teddy stared. She really didn’t know this woman at all. But she did like her.

Jack grinned. “Thank you?”

Mother stood and took his hands in hers. “No, Jackson, thank you. If you hadn’t taken a hand in this and gone through Charles’s papers . . .” She shuddered. “It’s fortunate you found what you did.”

Someday, Teddy would tell her mother everything. Certainly, they had uncovered a little regarding his scheme to play dead but not enough to send him to prison. But Jack had been confident that a man smart enough to do all that Cyril had done wouldn’t be so foolish as to keep any evidence that could be turned against him. For the most part, they had been playing the same game Cyril had. The only difference was that they had won. But then they’d had so much more to lose.

“Now, if we are going to catch the train we want for Millworth, we should gather our bags together and be on our way.” Mother paused. “I think it would be best if we put all this behind us and did not mention this incident again. I know I intend to.”

Teddy blew a relieved breath. “I would like nothing better, Mother.”

“Which means I have no desire to know exactly what Nottwood was referring to when Jackson hit him.” Mother met Teddy’s gaze firmly. “Ever.”

Teddy nodded weakly. “Agreed.”

Mother started for the stairs. “Excellent punch, by the way, Jackson. Really most impressive,” she said over her shoulder. “I would have done it myself but I don’t have the strength for fisticuffs. I much prefer a bullet . . .”

Jack stared after her. “What did she say?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Teddy shook her head. “We’re free, Jack, and we have you to thank for it.”

“It seems to me it was a mutual effort. I only examined your father’s papers. What happened today was as much to you and your mother’s credit as it was to mine. I had no idea you were such an excellent actress.”

“Oh, I have any number of talents you would not suspect,” she said in a lighthearted manner.

He smiled a slow, wicked sort of smile and her heart fluttered. “Although, I must admit Nottwood was right about one thing.”

“Oh?”

He leaned close and spoke softly into her ear. “I do like those little moaning noises.”

Later that day,
Millworth Manor . . .

 

 

 

It was, as it always was, good to be back at Millworth Manor.

They’d arrived in the midst of a decorating frenzy with Lady Briston explaining that there was entirely too much to do to let it wait until the day before Christmas. Furthermore, as this was such a significant Christmas, it did call for an excess of Christmas cheer.

They had scarcely handed over their bags when Mother was enlisted to help in the decoration of Millworth’s grand stairway. The invitation to assist was no doubt due to Mother’s initial observations, which might have been construed as compliment or criticism depending on the sensitivity and nature of the listener.

The colonel appeared within moments of their arrival and ushered Jack away for a talk. Judging by the look on his face, it must have concerned a matter of some importance. And a minute later, Dee hurried Teddy into the parlor.

“I am so glad you’re finally here. Lord knows I don’t believe in such things but . . .” Dee glanced from side to side as if afraid they might be overheard. “The manor has always seemed, well, special at Christmas—”

Teddy nodded. “Magical.”

“Magical then but this year . . .” Dee shook her head in disbelief. “It really is.”

Teddy laughed. “Really?”

“Oh my, yes. I can’t believe it myself. It’s not what I expected once Uncle Basil’s wife appeared.” Dee grimaced. “Mother was not at all taken with Mrs. Channing when she arrived, although she quite likes Miss Merryweather.”

“I can’t wait to meet her,” Teddy murmured.

“You’ll like her too but then I didn’t think she would be the problem although one really never knows. You see, Mother blames Mrs. Channing for ruining Uncle Basil’s life.” Dee paused thoughtfully. “Although it does seem to me he’s had the life he wanted. Regardless, I did think the two of them would come to blows, Mother and Mrs. Channing that is, and believe me there were some tense moments but . . .”

“But?”

“I don’t know.” Dee’s eyes widened in amazement. “There have been no particular problems, no clashes of unyielding natures, and no embarrassing outbursts. I think . . .” She lowered her voice. “It’s some kind of Christmas miracle.”

“How . . . perfect.”

“And there’s more. Jack’s parents . . .” She paused dramatically. “They’ve been spending a great deal of time together, deep in conversation apparently. Why, one can barely go anywhere in the house without running into them with their heads together.”

“They do have thirty years to catch up on.”

“And it all seems quite cordial, even friendly. Certainly there have been a few moments when there have been raised voices but for the most part it’s been . . .” She shook her head. “No one knows what to make of it.”

“Jack will be delighted that all is going so well. Of course, now my mother is here.”

“I’m sure it will be fine,” Dee said staunchly. “Oh certainly, your mother has always thought my mother was more than a little eccentric, not to mention the fact that two of her three daughters were often the subject of gossip and in Beryl’s case, scandal, through the years.”

“And your mother has always thought mine entirely too stiff and proper but then she doesn’t really know her at all.” Teddy paused. “I’ve discovered there’s far more to my mother than I ever imagined.”

“Really?”

Teddy nodded. “I shall tell you all about it later.”

“And Nottwood?” A worried frown creased her friend’s forehead. “Is he taken care of?”

“He won’t be bothering us again.”

“Thank God.” Dee winced. “I am so sorry I betrayed your confidence although I didn’t actually say anything to Jack. Well, not directly—”

“All is forgiven, my good, true friend.” Teddy embraced the other woman. “You did what you thought was best although I will watch my words when eliciting a promise from you in the future. But, as it turned out, you were right. I did need a banker.” She smiled. “And a hero.”

“And what about Jack?” Dee’s gaze searched hers.

“Jack is . . .” Teddy shrugged. “Jack is wonderful.”

“He’s everything you ever wanted, you know.”

“He’s everything I used to want. Everything I expected to have one day. Now . . .”

“Now, you want something different,” Dee said slowly.

Teddy nodded. “I have spent my entire life being exactly what I was expected to be. There was a time when I expected the rest of it to be exactly what I was raised for—wife, hostess, lady of the manor, that sort of thing. I never imagined I would want anything else. I’m not sure how to explain it.” She shook her head. “I’ve tasted what it feels like to provide for myself. In spite of the difficulties, independence, Dee, is a powerful potion. I can’t go back to being what I was expected to be, I won’t. It seems too much like giving up.” She thought for a moment. “Do you remember your mother once telling us most of her regrets were about those things she didn’t attempt? That wondering
what if
was what would drive you mad?”

“Vaguely. But you’ve already been quite successful. You needn’t prove anything to anyone, you know.”

“Only to myself.”

“And you have always been exceptionally hard to please.” Dee paused. “So you still intend to end your engagement to Jack before the New Year?”

“I don’t have an engagement to Jack, remember? And yes, that’s still the plan.”

“Is he aware of that?”

“We haven’t discussed it lately.” Teddy frowned. “But nothing has changed.”

“What a pity as the two of you are so clearly in love.”

“Nonsense.” Teddy raised her shoulder in a dismissive shrug. “We are simply playing a part.”

Dee studied her closely. “Is proving something to yourself worth the risk of losing him?”

“I don’t have him to lose,” she said firmly.

Dee raised a brow.

Teddy sighed in surrender. “I don’t know. I only know if I don’t try to succeed on my own, I’ll never know if I could. To thine own self be true and all.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to spend my life wondering
what if.
It’s not fair to me and it wouldn’t be fair to him.”

“I suppose you have to do what you feel you must.” Dee studied her for a long moment. “I only hope, my dear friend, you won’t find the price for the life you’re choosing to be too high. Or too lonely.”

“Goodness, Dee, this is an altogether too serious discussion to be having at the moment.” Teddy forced a light note to her voice. “After all, Christmas is nearly upon us and there are all sorts of far more delightful topics to be considering.”

“Sugarplums and stuffed stockings and the like, you mean?”

“Exactly.” Teddy nodded, took her friend’s arm, and started back for the stairway. “Now then, tell me what you have in mind for Sam . . .”

It was far easier to distract Dee from the topic of Teddy’s future than it was to keep her mind off it herself because as much as she might try to deny it, Teddy was afraid she had indeed fallen in love with Jack.

And didn’t that just complicate everything?

 

 

“I like her, Jack.” Father paced the width of the library. “I didn’t expect that.”

“Why not?” Jack sat on the library sofa and watched his father with a certain amount of amusement. He would have bet nothing could put his father in such a state. But apparently his mother could. “You liked her once.”

“Well yes but that was different.” Father waved off the comment. “We were both young, swept away by the impetuousness of first love. We hadn’t known each other for long. It was all very romantic and passionate and intense. I’ve always credited the rashness of our marriage to impulse even though I’ve never been an especially impulsive man. We were in love and promised to love each other forever. Now, I can’t help but wonder . . . He paused and met his son’s gaze. “Did we keep that promise?”

“Oh.” Jack stared at his father. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Neither do I.” His father ran his hand through his hair. “When I learned about you and set off for New York I was furious with her. And well, frankly, I was hurt. Deeply hurt. Not merely by her deception but by her lack of faith in me. Of trust if you will. I thought I had put her behind me years ago but the pain I felt when I learned what she had kept from me all those years was as sharp as it was the day she left me.”

“I see,” Jack said slowly.

“It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Why she never sought a divorce. Why I never married again. Or rather, why I never again found someone I wished to marry.” He resumed pacing. “We’ve spent a great deal of time together since she arrived at Millworth. She’s far more interesting now than she was when we first met but then I suppose so am I. And quite passionate, too, in her opinions about any number of things.” He shook his head. “There’s a great deal we disagree about but . . .” He stopped and looked at his son. “Oddly enough, I enjoy arguing with her. It’s rather a lot of fun. I find it most invigorating as, I suspect, does she.”

“As neither of you has done the other in, you might be right.”

“I know I said the whole idea of soul mates was absurd—”

“Balderdash.” Jack nodded. “You called it balderdash.”

“I’m beginning to think I might have been wrong.” His brow furrowed. “Don’t misunderstand me, I haven’t spent the last three decades thinking about her, longing for her, or missing her although now, upon reflection, I wonder if she was ever far from my mind. Oh, not consciously of course but there nonetheless.”

Jack studied the older man for a moment. “What are you trying to say?”

“I don’t know.” The colonel stared in astonishment. “I have no idea. I’m completely confused. We have gone our separate ways, lived our separate lives and it’s absurd to think we can find what we once had. We’re completely different people after all. I’m not sure we can go back. Or that we want to, either of us. Still . . .”

“Still?”

“One does wonder . . .”

“Yes?”

“No, we can’t go back. I’m certain of that. But perhaps . . .”

Even though his father was addressing Jack, it was obvious he was trying to work out the answer in his own head. “Perhaps what?”

“Perhaps we can go forward from here. Start over, that sort of thing.” He lowered his voice in a confidential manner. “I don’t mind telling you I still find your mother a most attractive woman. Most attractive.”

“That’s nice,” Jack said weakly. While it was gratifying that his mother still held a certain appeal for his father, it was more than he really wanted to know.

“I’ve always believed when you find what you want in life, your heart’s desire I suppose, you should let nothing stand in your way.” Father shook his head. “Admittedly I did not follow that precept when I first met your mother . . .”

“But you were much younger then and not nearly as wise.”

“I’m not sure I’m wise now but I am smart enough to know second chances are rare in this life. One would be a fool to ignore an opportunity when it comes along.”

“It sounds to me as if you have made up your mind.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Father thought for a moment. “I suppose I have. I’m certainly not ready to let her go again.” He glanced at his son. “I think you should forgive her, you know.”

“Why?”

“Because as wrong as she was, I believe her actions were prompted by fear and love.”

“Even so—”

“Because she’s your mother, Jack,” Father said firmly. “And because it’s Christmas. This is the one time of year when one tends to realize what is truly important in life. Friends, family, love.”

“Have you forgiven her?”

“One makes mistakes in this life one can never make up for. I do think your mother regrets her actions.” He shook his head. “Although I can’t say she wouldn’t do the same thing again given the same circumstances. Nor can I say I wouldn’t make the same mistakes again. But she is my wife and I wouldn’t at all mind taking a crack at being a husband.” His brows drew together. “Do you think I’m too old for that?”

Jack laughed. “I wouldn’t think so.”

“What about you and Theodosia?” He studied his son closely. “Wasn’t your original plan to end this engagement before the New Year?”

“That’s still the plan but . . .”

His father chose his words with care. “But you’d like to make it real?”

Jack nodded.

“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

“I’m afraid so.” Even as he said the words, he realized they were true.

“And does she share your feelings?”

“I think so but . . .” Jack blew a long breath. “I’m not sure she would admit it. She has set a course for herself that does not include marriage and unfortunately does not include me.”

“I see.” Father thought for a moment. “Have you told her how you feel?”

“Not yet.”

“Perhaps that would be the place to start.”

“Perhaps.” Jack arched a brow. “And have you told Mother how you feel?”

His father winced. “I suppose this is a case of do what I say not what I do, isn’t it?”

“So it would appear.” Jack chuckled.

“Very well, then I shall make you a bargain.” Father squared his shoulders. “I shall tell your mother no later than January first exactly how I feel and you shall do the same with Theodosia.”

“I can agree to that.” Jack paused. “And if this doesn’t end as we wish, what then?”

“You mean if they don’t throw themselves into our arms and vow their undying love?”

“Something like that.”

Father thought for a long moment. “The benefit of growing older is that one has hopefully learned a lesson or two along the way. I failed to fight for your mother once.” He shook his head. “I will not make the same mistake again. Even if the only one I have to fight is the lady herself.”