The Lady And The Man Of Fortune_A Wicked Secret_The Eardleys Of Gostwicke Hall, Book 3 Read online

  The Lady And The Man Of Fortune: A Wicked Secret

  The Eardleys Of Gostwicke Hall, Book 3

  Penelope Redmont

  The Lady And The Man Of Fortune: A Wicked Secret

  By Penelope Redmont

  The Eardleys Of Gostwicke Hall, Book 3

  Book cover design and layout by Ellie Bockert Augsburger of Creative Digital Studios: www.CreativeDigitalStudios.com

  Copyright © 2018 by Penelope Redmont. All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  The Eardleys of Gostwicke Hall series of Regency romances

  Did you miss the first two books in the Eardleys of Gostwicke Hall?

  The Lady And The Rake: A Scandalous Arrangement (Melly's story)

  The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season (Elaine's story)

  Contents

  About this book…

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Preview, The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season

  About the Author

  Also by Penelope Redmont

  About this book…

  The Lady And The Man Of Fortune: A Wicked Secret

  A lord who finds love for the first time, and a lady with a secret…

  Although he's a prize on the Marriage Mart, wealthy and twice-widowed Lord Delmere thinks that nothing could ever tempt him to marry again. Until he meets the lovely Lady Kingston.

  Her wicked secret is about to be discovered…

  Anne, Lady Kingston, has no intention of marrying again. Not only was her first marriage disastrous, but she’s constantly hounded by men attracted to her beauty and wealth. One of those men lives next door, and spies on her.

  As the head of her family, Anne is sponsoring her niece Eva in her first season.

  Tall, thin, and plain, Eva has the social skills of a block of wood. But Anne understands the illusions that money can create. With the ton’s top friseur, elegant clothes, and a healthy dowery, Anne knows that she has the ability to weave a web of glamor around Eva. If only Eva would cooperate...

  Eva is an expert at camouflaging her feelings, so Anne doesn’t know that Eva is in love with a most unsuitable man. Eva will do what she must to marry her lover, and that includes ferreting out her aunt’s secrets. Cunning and ruthless, Eva’s convinced that if she can learn what her aunt is hiding she will get what she wants.

  Lord Delmere is determined to convince Anne that he’s the man for her…

  Anne is equally determined to retain her independence — and keep her secret. Who will win?

  The Eardleys of Gostwicke Hall series of Regency romances

  Did you miss the first two books in the Eardleys of Gostwicke Hall?

  The Lady And The Rake: A Scandalous Arrangement (Melly's story)

  The Lady And The Duke: A Dangerous Season (Elaine's story)

  Both books are available now.

  1

  October, 1816, Kingston House, London

  Lord Wallwood lounged on a bench in the park, staring at Anne's house.

  That man — he was an infernal nuisance. He sent her unwanted gifts. He called on her at least once a day, then spent hours sitting in the park, watching her house.

  Anne hated feeling helpless. She'd had far too much of that when she was married to Lord Kingston. Now here she was again. Trapped. She peered across Berkeley Square Park through the gap in the long red curtains.

  Did he know that she was there, just behind the curtains of the long center window of her second floor sitting room?

  Although she knew that he couldn't see her, she shuddered, and turned away from the windows. She went back to her chair, and picked up her embroidery frame. However, Wallwood had spoiled her usual enjoyment of her stitchery. She could feel him staring at her right through the walls of her house.

  Go away.

  Three sensed her disquiet. The small black and tan spaniel jumped from her basket, then sat, and watched Anne. When Three tilted her head from one side to another, Anne realized that she'd spoken the words out loud.

  She managed to laugh. "No, not you, Three — jump into your basket. We'll go out into the garden later."

  The spaniel gave her a final enquiring look, then walked to her basket.

  As she stitched the arrangement of hearts, flowers, and berries on the chair covering, Anne recalled the conversation she'd had with her sister Catherine that morning.

  "You should marry again," Catherine had said.

  Perhaps Catherine was right, she mused.

  A man in the house would eliminate nuisances like Wallwood. However, Anne didn't wish to remarry. "Why would I?" She'd asked Catherine.

  Anne's marriage to Lord Kingston had changed her. The happy girl she'd been before her marriage would never have cowered behind curtains. She would have laughed at Lord Wallwood's pretensions.

  Would she ever be that confident and outgoing again? Kingston was dead, but he still affected everything she did. "Rest his soul, Kingston was not an easy man. So I've no desire to live like that again," Anne had explained to Catherine, striving to keep her tone light.

  Catherine always saw too much. Anne wished that she had Catherine's air of command, and boundless confidence. Catherine wouldn't be afraid of Lord Wallwood. She'd glare at him, and he'd wither, like a salted snail.

  "Not all men are controlling — many are just useless, like my Major Grove, the gambling fool," Catherine said. "Heaven knows, if I could rid myself of him, I'd marry anyone — a chimney sweep would be preferable. Trust me, I wouldn't be demanding."

  "Grove still has no notion of your private properties?" Anne asked. She knew that Elaine, their younger sister and an expert with figures, had helped Catherine to hide a couple of estates from her husband. However, Grove was suspicious. He'd forced Catherine to surrender her account books to his solicitor.

  "No — at least I hope not. But it's a constant worry."

  Determined to lighten the mood, Anne grinned, "Perhaps I should give in, and marry Wallwood. He asks me at least once a week."

  "No, you should not," Catherine snapped, although she knew Anne was joking. "He's a rich fribble, and a rake besides. Thinks far too much of himself. You want a country gentleman, not a man on the town. A country gentleman, with or without a title. A large estate, interesting neighbors, hunting… you adore hunting."

  Her gaze narrowed on Anne. "I'll ask Mother and Bunny to bestir themselves. We've Melly and Elaine settled with an earl and a duke, so we don't need another title in the family… A nice country gentleman — someone humble, who won't terrify you, that's just the thing. With a man in the house you needn't be afraid of Wallwood."

  "I'm not afraid of him," Anne protested. "It's — he makes me uncomfortable. He stares, Catherine. I know that he can't harm me, he just makes me…" She quivered like a horse trying to rid itself of march-flies. "When
he stares at me he makes me feel as if I need to scrub myself all over."

  "Then I'll warn him away. That's easily done."

  "No, no, please don't do that — he'll give up soon, and I mustn't make an enemy of him. He's a gossip-monger connected to Lady Jersey and Wellington. He'll grow tired of haunting me when Eva arrives. When Wallwood calls, he tells me in the smarmiest, smuggest voice imaginable that I must be lonely, with no one to speak with in this large house. But I won't be alone when Eva arrives. Lady Jane Vernon will be here too, to school Eva with lessons in dancing and deportment. And besides, there's Eva's new wardrobe. We'll have seamstresses calling for fittings, and milliners… And I must make calls, give parties, and take Eva about. I'll be too busy to notice him."

  For a moment, Catherine frowned, then stared hard at her sister. "It sounds well enough. But are you sure you can do this? Sponsor a young lady? Miss Bywater will be in your sole charge; you'll be responsible for her. Remember Elaine and Lady Foxton. Young ladies are the devil."

  Anne remembered all too well. Felicity, Lady Foxton, had fallen in love when she stayed at Eardley House to make her come out and had caused no end of worry. "Eva is not so young, she's 21. And of course I can do it. I must do it. As Lady Fraser tells me, since Kingston left me everything, I'm the head of the family, and I have a duty."

  Catherine rolled her eyes and chuckled. "I love you my dear… But head of the family? You're their banker, that's all. Edwina Mellows never would bestir herself for anything. It suits her to push her daughter onto you because she doesn't want to come to town — and because she needn't spend her allowance on her daughter's come out. There's a proper pinch-penny for you. Did you know that she sold off old Fraser's cellar before he was a month in the ground?"

  "I know that, but with Melly and Elaine wed, and Henry still at her school in York — having people here will be diverting."

  After Catherine left, Anne mused on her sister. How old was Catherine now? She must be all of 27, but she didn't look it. Her face was unlined; her skin glowed. Although she wasn't beautiful, Catherine's widely spaced grey-green eyes, small square chin, and mobile mouth made her more than pretty. She was striking. Combine those attributes with a well-shaped form and her gleaming red-gold hair… yes, Catherine would have any number of suitors, if only she were without Major Grove.

  She smiled. Of course, Catherine was terrifying. So future suitors would need a suit of armor and a will of iron. Catherine's tongue was sharper than any sword, and sharper than her pen too.

  Anne might have suitors herself — she'd enough heard about her own beauty from others. But a month after Kingston married her, she'd taken scissors to her hair. Cropped it, until the floor around her chair was carpeted with citrine and guinea-gold.

  She sighed. Her beauty had never achieved anything, and she hated it. Thick curly blonde hair, and sapphire eyes — good for nothing other than attracting the wrong men. A country gentleman might be just the thing to protect her from predators like Lord Wallwood.

  She set her embroidery aside, and rose to peer through the gap in the curtains again. Wallwood was still there, so she turned away from the window, and looked around the room.

  Eva would arrive in a few hours. She packed away her embroidery frames and silks.

  Perhaps Eva liked stitching too. Her mood lightened, and she smiled.

  "Come Three," she said to the spaniel. "Let's go…"

  It would be wonderful to sponsor a young lady. Anne had loved dressing Melly and Elaine when they made their outs.

  Three hours later Anne's personal footman, Thomas, found her and Three in the garden. "Mr. Weston's compliments, my lady — a carriage has arrived. Miss Bywater, and a gentleman. Tea's sent for. Mr. Weston's put them in the drawing room."

  Anne stripped off her gloves, and undid her gardening apron as she hurried back to the house. Three trotted slightly ahead of her. Three knew what "drawing room" meant.

  Anne realized that she was smiling. At last. Eva and Lord Delmere.

  She recalled Lady Fraser's letter.

  She can't travel alone, so Delmere's bringing her in his carriage. He travels north often, and has post horses all along the way. I had hopes of him for Eva because he's richer than Croesus. But he's a hardened bachelor now. It wouldn't do, and I'll give you the hint too — no use setting your cap at him. Two dead wives are enough for him, he says.

  When her butler, Mr. Weston, opened the drawing room doors a few minutes later, Anne almost quailed at her first sight of Eva: my heavens… she's so plain… and tall, and thin — and whatever is she wearing? Well, no matter. "Eva, how wonderful. Welcome, my dear."

  Begin as you mean to go on, Anne told herself, and advanced on her niece by marriage with her hands outstretched.

  Eva curtsied, then stumbled.

  Anne righted her, quickly kissed her cheek, and presented her cheek for a kiss in return. "We haven't met, but we're family, and we'll have such fun together…"

  Eva returned the kiss. "My lady, I —"

  "No indeed not, you must call me Anne! Come, sit, while I thank this kind gentleman."

  She turned to Delmere. Out of the corner of her eye, she'd assessed him. A very large man. Not handsome, nor had he ever been, she judged, even before he'd acquired the long scar on the left side of his face. He dressed for comfort, rather than fashion. Rich he might be, but Anne knew clothes, and he'd spent no more than he had to — he'd certainly never patronized Hoby for those boots, and John Weston would close his tailoring business before selling a baggy jacket like Delmere's.

  Smiling, she curtsied slightly, and offered him her hand. "Lord Delmere, thank you for bringing my niece to me. Such a long journey. Did all go well?"

  "Lady Kingston." His voice was a deep rumble. He bowed over her hand, then stood.

  She looked up, and up, and… giggled. "You are tall, my lord." To her horror, Anne blushed pink. What on earth was the matter with her? She never giggled.

  He stared at her for a moment, his eyes wide. Then he recollected himself. His lips twitched. "I am tall — but then you are small, ma'am."

  "Come, sit down." She waved at one of the sofas, and took a corner of it. Although she'd never been one for chatter, her heart went out to the brown-eyed girl who looked at her so warily.

  Three looked up at Eva, and waited to be acknowledged. The spaniel was used to people making much of her. Eva looked down at the spaniel, frowned and backed away from her.

  "Sit beside me, Eva, do. Ignore Three — she won't jump on you… She's very polite."

  Eva backed further away from the spaniel. Finally she turned her back on the dog and sat down on a straight-backed chair, some distance away from Anne.

  "Three?" Lord Delmere asked. He also took a chair, then reached out his hand to Three.

  Three immediately walked up to Delmere, and sat down. He smoothed his hand lightly over her back, and the dog wriggled in delight.

  "Why Three?" Delmere asked.

  "Gostwicke Hall's steward bred her grandmother, and mother. Three was the third of the litter… Bendish meant to keep her, then gave her to me," Anne explained. She tried not to frown. Was Eva afraid of dogs? Or did she fear that Three would jump on her? Delmere on the other hand, had made friends with Three instantly.

  They discussed Eva's journey from the north, but Eva spoke little. "We'll have a tea, then you must rest before dinner," Anne said. "Will you join us for dinner, my lord?"

  "You're kind, my lady, but I must take my leave. I will call tomorrow, if I may. I'm close by, in St. James's."

  Then he was gone, and Anne turned her attention to her niece.

  Later, in the evening, while Anne was dressing for dinner, a footman arrived with a message from Catherine:

  I hear from the servants that your niece has arrived, and with Lord Delmere as an escort. Just the man for a little flirtation and to clear Wallwood out of your way. I hear good things about him, he's completely trustworthy.

  We leave for Sommerforth Abbey
in the morning. Mother is on fire to congratulate Elaine and Sommerforth on their accomplishment. You'd think that no one had ever had a child before, but no matter, it's her first grandchild.

  Then onward to Scotland, to see Melly and Linton. Write to me, and let me know if you need me and I shall return at once.

  Anne stayed at home the next morning, rather than riding in Hyde Park. She'd taken up the habit of riding early because it was the only time of the day she could be certain that Lord Wallwood wouldn't suddenly appear.

  By nine o'clock she'd answered her letters and looked over her accounts. She'd also checked Lady Jane's rooms to ensure that they were ready.

  She had everything planned. She and Eva would have breakfast. Then they'd attend Madame Lola's, to have some toiles made up. She'd also order the basics of Eva's town wardrobe. Eva would need many gowns and accessories. The toiles would save time whenever Anne wanted to order something new for Eva.

  Marie, Anne's maid, had told her that little Beatie, Eva's maid, seemed well enough. "But she's young, and a country girl besides, my lady. If I might suggest to Mrs. Douglas — send little Beatie home. She can hire an experienced ladies' maid for Miss's first season."

  Mrs. Douglas was Anne's formidable housekeeper, who came recommended by Lady Merrill, the Duke of Sommerforth's aunt. Anne trusted Mrs. Douglas and Mr. Weston to hire whatever servants they needed. "By all means ask Mrs. Douglas to hire a town maid for Eva, but hold off on sending — Beatie, is it? Don't send her back to Lady Fraser until Eva's settled. Until then, Eva needs a familiar face around her… Now, for breakfast. Present my compliments to Eva. She may join me in the breakfast room."